Air Floating Workpiece Centering Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing workpiece auto-centering apparatuses have complex configurations and longer cycle times due to the use of hydraulic and air pressure systems, which lead to increased frictional forces and environmental pollution, especially when handling large and heavy workpieces.
Innovation Solution
A workpiece auto-centering apparatus utilizing compression air to float a movable table horizontally with low frictional resistance, eliminating the need for misalignment measurement by causing the workpiece to abut against stopper apparatuses, thereby simplifying the configuration and reducing cycle time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic pressure is used for fixed switching means and air pressure is used for floating means, then the workpiece can be positioned and floated, but the configuration becomes complex and cycle time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex hydraulic pressure system from the centering apparatus. Instead of using hydraulic pressure for fixed switching means, the invention uses a simpler mechanical stopper apparatus that directly positions the workpiece, eliminating the need for hydraulic components while maintaining positioning reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses air pressure (pneumatics) for the floating means to support and position the workpiece, replacing the previously mentioned hydraulic system. This maintains the floating function while simplifying the overall system configuration by using a single pneumatic system for both floating and positioning operations
2Device complexity
If the horizontal moving mechanism moves the movable table horizontally only in a predetermined direction, then the mechanism is simplified, but the cycle time increases due to reference table rotation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating the reference table to align with the misalignment direction and then moving the workpiece, the patent inverts the approach by using the stopper apparatus to directly push the workpiece in the required direction. The stopper apparatus can be positioned at any angular location around the rotational table, allowing direct centering without table rotation, thus reducing cycle time while maintaining mechanism simplicity
3Reliability
If a mechanism for floating the plate with respect to a spindle table operates by hydraulic pressure, then the plate can be floated, but the apparatus becomes large and complex and requires working oil recovery mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic pressure system with a pneumatic system for floating the workpiece. By using compressed air instead of hydraulic oil, the apparatus eliminates the need for working oil recovery mechanisms, reduces overall system size and complexity, while maintaining the plate floating capability necessary for frictionless workpiece positioning
4Manufacturing precision
If the workpiece is pressed to correct its position on the measurement table, then the workpiece can be centered, but the workpiece deforms due to large frictional force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic pressure to create a floating layer between the workpiece and the measurement table, eliminating direct contact and thus frictional forces. This allows the workpiece to be pressed and positioned without deformation, achieving precise centering while preventing damage to the workpiece
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the interface between the workpiece and table from solid contact to pneumatic floating. By introducing compressed air, the friction coefficient is reduced from high (solid friction) to nearly zero (air bearing), enabling position correction without workpiece deformation
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
The apparatus effectively centers large and heavy workpieces with minimal frictional resistance and environmental impact, achieving shorter cycle times and a simpler configuration compared to systems using hydraulic pressure.
Implementation Method 1
a movable table 40 that has a workpiece placement surface 42a and that floats due to pressure of compression air to be movable horizontally in any direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
Air sliding tables (20) disposed on a rotating table (11) have a movable tray (40), which is provided with a workpiece-loading surface (42a) for loading a workpiece (W) and can be moved horizontally in a selected direction by being lifted by the pressure of compressed air. An automatic workpiece centering apparatus (10) is equipped with multiple stopper devices (30), which are provided with a contact section (31a) that the workpiece (W) can contact and are for positioning the workpiece (W), and a pushing device (60) for pushing the workpiece (W) so that the workpiece (W) contacts the contact section (31a) of a stopper device (30). As a result, the automatic workpiece centering apparatus and automatic centering method are able to perform workpiece centering work with a simple structure and short cycle time.