Adjustable Suction Workpiece Support for Machining Emission Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing workpiece support systems for processing machines, such as thermal processing, face challenges in efficiently coordinating the extraction of machining-related emissions due to fixed suction power and location, which do not adapt well to specific machining conditions.

Innovation Solution

The workpiece support system allows for the adjustable opening width and position of suction openings on the suction line, enabling variable suction power and location based on specific processing needs, achieved through interchangeable wall elements and actuating elements that can be manually or motorized adjusted, ensuring optimal emission extraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed suction power and location are used in workpiece support systems, then the system structure is simple, but the extraction efficiency of machining-related emissions cannot adapt to specific machining conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction efficiencyVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction line is designed with movable wall elements that can be positioned at different locations along the extraction line. This dynamic positioning capability allows the system to adapt the suction opening location to specific machining conditions, improving extraction efficiency without requiring a completely different system structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The extraction line is divided into multiple wall elements that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows selective activation of suction openings at different locations, enabling the system to adapt to various machining conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If variable suction power and location are implemented, then emission extraction efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to interchangeable wall elements and actuators

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemission extraction efficiencyVSAvoidadjustable mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables variable suction power by changing the effective opening area of the suction openings through selective positioning of wall elements. This parameter change approach allows optimization of extraction efficiency for different machining conditions without requiring completely different hardware configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The same extraction line structure serves multiple functions by accommodating different wall element positions and configurations. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle various emission extraction scenarios using a single unified structure, reducing the need for multiple specialized components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution provides tailored suction conditions for specific processing tasks, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of machining-related emissions removal by adapting suction power and location dynamically, thereby improving processing outcomes.

Implementation Method 1

an extraction device (14) having a vacuum generator (15) and an extraction line (21)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

the exhaust air flow directed from the workpiece side to the bottom side of the workpiece bearing element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3723937B1Workpiece support of a machine tool for machining workpieces and machine tool having a workpiece support
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 TRUMPF LASER & SYSTEMTECHNIK SE
  • EP3723937B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3723937B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3723937B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a workpiece support (8) of a machine tool for machining workpieces, comprising a flat workpiece support element (9) and a suction device (14). During the machining of a workpiece, the workpiece is mounted on a workpiece side (12) of the workpiece support element (9). Towards a lower side opposite the workpiece side (12), the workpiece support element (9) is permeable to a waste air flow loaded with machining-related emissions. The suction device (14) comprises a vacuum generator and a suction line (21). The vacuum generator of the suction device (14) can generate the waste air flow flowing from the workpiece side (12) to the underside of the workpiece support element (9), can suction into the suction line (21) in a flow direction and can subsequently discharge via the suction line (21). The suction line (21) has a suction opening (31) on the support element side arranged downstream of the workpiece side (12) of the workpiece support element (9) and has a flow cross section which can be passed by the waste air flow in the flow direction. The opening width of the flow cross section of the suction opening (31) of the suction line (21) can be variably adjusted. In addition or alternatively, the position of the suction opening (31) on the suction line (21) can be variably adjusted. A machine tool for preferably thermal machining of workpieces is provided with a workpiece support (8) of the above-mentioned type.