Angled Milling Cutter Layout for Multi-Step Plastic Profile Machining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing milling cutter arrangements for plastic door and window frames are technically complex, limited in use, and require frequent tool changes or profile removal for different machining tasks, making them inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A milling cutter arrangement with a holder that can move and position two opposing first milling cutters on a common axis and a second milling cutter on a separate axis, oriented at an angle, allowing for versatile machining without tool changes or profile removal, including face milling and groove formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional cut-off knives or finger milling cutters are mounted on the milling arm, then further processing steps can be carried out on the profiles, but the device becomes technically complex and limited in use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies multi-functionality by enabling the milling cutter arrangement to perform multiple machining operations (face milling, edge machining, groove formation, etc.) using a single holder configuration with milling cutters having different axis orientations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized tools or complex device modifications

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple milling cutters with different functions are provided on the milling arm, then diverse milling work can be carried out, but the cutter combination becomes technically complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemilling work capabilityVSAvoidcutter combination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the milling cutter functionality by providing cutters with different axis orientations (first axis perpendicular to miter surface, second axis at angle greater than zero) that can be selectively activated, allowing diverse milling operations through a coordinated system of simpler individual components rather than one complex multi-functional cutter

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If tool changes or profile removal are required for different machining tasks, then specialized tools can be used for each task, but productivity is reduced due to frequent interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetask-specific machining precisionVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The milling cutter arrangement achieves multi-functionality by configuring multiple milling cutters on a single holder with different rotation axes, enabling the same holder to perform face milling, edge machining, groove formation, and other operations without tool changes or profile removal, thus maintaining precision while significantly improving productivity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the holder with multiple milling cutters of different orientations before machining begins, allowing all required machining operations to be performed in sequence without interruption, eliminating the need for intermediate tool changes or profile removal steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4205890A1Milling cutter arrangement
Publication Date: 2023.07.05 URBAN GMBH & CO MASCHINENBAU KG
  • EP4205890A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4205890A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4205890A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A milling cutter arrangement (10) for machining a plastic profile has a holder (20) which is mounted so as to be movable and positionable at least along one spatial direction (R1, R2), two first milling cutters (30) which are arranged laterally opposite each other in the holder (20) and are rotatably mounted about a first axis of rotation (32), and at least one second milling cutter (40) which is rotatably mounted in or on the holder (20) about a second axis of rotation (42) and is movable and positionable with the holder (20). The second axis of rotation (42) of the second milling cutter (40) is oriented at an angle (α) to the first axis of rotation (32) of the first milling cutters (30), wherein the angle (α) is greater than zero. The first two milling cutters (30) have a width distance (B3) in the direction of the first rotation axis (32), while the holder (20) has a maximum width (B2) in the direction of the first rotation axis (32).The spacing (B3) of the first milling cutters (30) is greater than the maximum width (B2) of the holder (20). The second milling cutter (40) is a disc-shaped cutter with circumferentially formed cutting edges (44), which lie on a cutting circle (46) having a diameter (D). The milling cutter (40) is flattened in two lateral areas (47, 48) and has a maximum width (B4) there. This width is smaller than the diameter (D) of the cutting circle (46) and less than or equal to the spacing (B3) of the first milling cutters (30). Furthermore, the diameter (D) of the cutting circle (46) of the second milling cutter (40) is larger than the maximum width (B2) of the holder (20).