Adjustable Tool Holder Length With Witness-Hole Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drilling and stopping machines require tool holders of varying lengths to accommodate different diameter shell cutters, leading to inefficiencies and increased time and effort for operators to change out tool holders during pipeline modifications.
Innovation Solution
A tool holder design featuring a main body, extension, and locking mechanism that allows for adjustable length configurations through a jam nut system and witness holes, enabling the tool holder to be set to specific lengths for different cutting tool sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple tool holders of different lengths are used to accommodate different diameter shell cutters, then the adaptability to different cutting tool sizes is improved, but the device complexity and time required for changing tool holders increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tool holder employs an adjustable extension mechanism that allows the length to be dynamically changed. The extension can be moved along the body axis and locked at different positions using a locking mechanism with multiple lockable positions, enabling the same tool holder to adapt to different shell cutter sizes without requiring multiple separate tool holders.
Solution Approach 2:
A single tool holder design serves multiple functions by accommodating different diameter shell cutters through adjustable extension lengths. The witness hole system provides visual indication for different length configurations, making one tool holder universally applicable to various cutting tool sizes rather than requiring dedicated tool holders for each size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple tool holders of different lengths are used to accommodate different diameter shell cutters, then the adaptability to different cutting tool sizes is improved, but the time and effort required for changing tool holders increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable extension with multiple lockable positions allows operators to change the tool holder length by simply moving the extension to a different locked position rather than completely replacing the tool holder. This dynamic adjustment significantly reduces the time and effort required to adapt to different shell cutter sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The witness holes provide visual indication (a form of optical signaling) for different length configurations. When the extension is at a specific locked position, the corresponding witness hole aligns to show the operator the current length setting, enabling quick identification and selection of the appropriate length without time-consuming measurements or adjustments.
3Manufacturing precision
If the tool holder length is fixed, then the manufacturing precision and structural simplicity are improved, but the adaptability to different cutting tool sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The extension mechanism provides precise, discrete length adjustments at multiple locked positions while maintaining structural integrity. Each locked position offers a predetermined, precise length suitable for specific shell cutter diameters, combining the precision of fixed-length design with the adaptability of adjustable design.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool holder is segmented into a body and an adjustable extension portion. This segmentation allows the main body to maintain its precise, fixed manufacturing specifications while the extension provides adjustable length variations, separating the precision-critical components from the adaptable components.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool holder includes a main body defining a body axis and comprising a witness hole extending perpendicular to the body axis; an extension within the main body along the body axis; and a locking mechanism configured to lock the extension along the body axis relative to the main body when the extension is visible through the witness hole. A length of the tool holder can be defined by moving the extension between various witness holes in the main body. The tool holder comprises a head configured to receive at least one tool.