Annular Membrane Chucking for Stable Machining of Cylindrical Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grip devices for locking cylindrical metallic bodies during machining face issues with uneven pressure distribution and format changing difficulties due to misalignment of the rotation axis, along with complexities in compressed air management leading to air escape and oil leakage.
Innovation Solution
A grip device utilizing an annular membrane with deformable portions and presser bodies actuated by mechanical means, including elastic loading bodies and abutment rings, to transition between locking and release positions, ensuring reliable locking and unloading without relying on precise angular positioning for pneumatic or fluid control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If compressed air is injected in a preset angular position of the locking element, then the gasket can be moved from release condition to locking condition, but the device complexity increases due to the need to make the inlet of the supply duct match up with the delivery duct connected to the injecting device
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation of the accommodation body itself generates the pneumatic actuation through the integrated cam profile. The cam profile is fixed to the accommodation body, so as the body rotates, the cam automatically engages with the pneumatic cylinder, converting rotational motion into linear motion to actuate the gasket. This eliminates the need for external pneumatic supply systems and complex duct alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam profile acts as an intermediary mechanism that translates the rotational movement of the accommodation body into the linear movement required by the pneumatic cylinder. This intermediate mechanical element simplifies the overall system by eliminating the need for complex pneumatic supply ducts and angular positioning systems.
2Ease of operation
If the rotation axis does not coincide with the axis of the blank, then the gripping mechanism can be positioned away from the center, but uneven pressure is observed on the body
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket is designed as an annular flexible membrane that can deform radially. When the pneumatic cylinder actuates the gasket, the flexible membrane distributes the gripping force uniformly around the circumference of the cylindrical blank, ensuring even pressure distribution despite the offset rotation axis. The flexibility of the membrane allows it to conform to the blank surface and distribute load evenly.
3Ease of operation
If feed ducts connect pneumatic springs directly to the injecting device regardless of angular position, then the management of gasket transition becomes simpler, but this solution is difficult to provide on some types of rotating tables
Solution Approach 1:
The cam profile is merged with the accommodation body structure, making them a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate feed ducts and pneumatic supply systems, as the cam profile on the rotating body itself provides the actuation. This integration makes the system adaptable to various rotating table types without requiring complex external pneumatic infrastructure.
4Reliability
If an annular gasket or membrane is used to lock the container, then stable locking is achieved, but constructive complexity increases due to pneumatic spring and feed duct requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The accommodation body with its integrated cam profile serves itself by generating the pneumatic actuation during its own rotation. The cam profile converts the rotational movement into linear movement of the pneumatic cylinder, eliminating the need for external pneumatic springs and complex feed duct systems. The system uses its own motion to actuate the locking mechanism.
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 solution provides a reliable, cost-effective grip device that maintains stable locking and unloading of cylindrical containers, reducing air escape and oil leakage issues, and simplifies the management of actuation, enhancing operational efficiency and economic viability.
Implementation Method 1
an annular membrane (4), which has at least one portion (4a) that can be deformed radially
Implementation Method 2
actuation means (6) comprising mechanical means (7) for kinematic transmission that can be actuated as a consequence of the relative movement of the movable table with respect to the supporting frame
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A grip device (1) for locking metallic bodies destined for machining by means of machine tools, comprising at least one accommodation body (3) for the bottom of a cylindrical container (2), the accommodation body (3) being supported by a table that can move with respect to a supporting frame, the accommodation body (3) accommodating an annular membrane (4) that has at least one portion (4a) which can be deformed in a radial direction, the annular membrane (4) being associated, on opposite sides with respect to the deformable portion (4a), with a respective presser body (5a, 5b), actuation means (6) being provided which are adapted to move the presser bodies (5a, 5b) on command mutually closer and apart in order to cause the transition of the annular membrane (4) between a locking position and a release position of a respective cylindrical container and vice versa: the actuation means (6) comprise mechanical means for kinematic transmission (7) which can be operated following the relative movement of the movable table with respect to the supporting frame.