Asymmetric Spindle Guide Mechanism for Reduced Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spindle guide mechanisms in horizontal machining centers are oversized due to the need to separate ball screws and drive motors from the spindle axis, leading to increased residual vibration and limited acceleration.
Innovation Solution
The use of bar-shaped guide members and sliders with attaching surfaces symmetrically positioned at an angle less than 180° allows the ball screw and drive motor to be closer to the spindle axis, reducing the size of the guide mechanism and minimizing residual vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the ball screw and drive motor are disposed apart from the spindle axis to avoid interference with guide rails, then the guide mechanism can be assembled, but the size of the guide mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring the guide rails at non-symmetric positions relative to the spindle axis, specifically with different intervals from the axis. The first guide rail is positioned at a first interval and the second guide rail at a second interval, creating an asymmetric layout that allows the ball screw to be disposed closer to the spindle axis while avoiding interference with the guide rails. This asymmetric arrangement resolves the contradiction by enabling compact positioning of the ball screw without compromising assembly feasibility.
2Ease of manufacture
If the ball screw is disposed apart from the axis of the spindle, then the guide mechanism can be assembled, but residual vibration increases and acceleration cannot be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric configuration of guide rails with different intervals from the spindle axis enables the ball screw to be positioned closer to the axis, which reduces residual vibration and improves acceleration performance while maintaining assembly feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions by positioning guide rails at different lateral intervals from the spindle axis. This dimensional reconfiguration creates available space closer to the axis for the ball screw, allowing it to be disposed near the center of gravity of the moving body, thereby reducing residual vibration and improving acceleration without compromising assembly feasibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If the interval between guide rails is increased to accommodate ball screw and drive motor, then the components can be assembled, but the guide mechanism becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning where the first guide rail is at a first interval and the second guide rail is at a second interval from the spindle axis, with the ball screw disposed at a position closer to the axis than both guide rails. This asymmetric arrangement allows the ball screw to fit in the available space without requiring an increased minimum interval between guide rails, thereby maintaining compact guide mechanism dimensions while ensuring assembly feasibility.
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 configuration enables downsizing of the spindle guide mechanism, reduces residual vibration, and increases acceleration, facilitating faster machining by positioning the ball screw closer to the spindle's center of gravity.
Implementation Method 1
A ball screw is provided between the left and right guide rails so as to extend in the horizontal direction. A nut member fixed to the spindle is screwed on the ball screw.
Implementation Method 2
Linear guides fixed to the spindle are slidably engaged with the guide rails.
Data Source
AI summary
A moving body guide mechanism of a machine tool includes at least two bar-shaped guide members, and sliders engaged with the two guide members, respectively, movably with respect to the guide members so that a moving body is guided along an axis parallel to a moving axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the guide members. Attaching surfaces of the two guide members or the sliders to the moving body are provided symmetrically across a plane including the axis parallel to the moving axis in such a manner that an angle formed by the attaching surfaces becomes smaller than 180°.