Automatic Attachment Changer for Precise Boring Machine Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional horizontal boring machines lack automation in attachment changes, leading to reduced efficiency and accuracy due to manual processes, which can result in tool breaks and positioning errors.
Innovation Solution
An automatic attachment changer system that includes a stacker with horizontally arranged attachments, a stacker carrier, and an attachment changer controlling the stacker and carrier to automatically select and combine attachments with the spindle assembly, aligning the stacker with the spindle and modifying attachment data for precise changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual attachment change is used in conventional horizontal boring machines, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and manufacturing precision deteriorate due to reduced efficiency and positioning errors
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment changer enables the system to automatically perform attachment changes without human intervention. The numerical controller automatically selects attachments based on machining requirements, the stacker automatically positions and supplies attachments, and the attachment changer automatically exchanges attachments between the spindle and stacker, making the system self-servicing for attachment management tasks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated control system. The numerical controller substitutes for manual selection logic, the stacker mechanism substitutes for manual retrieval, and the automated attachment changer substitutes for manual installation, collectively replacing the entire manual attachment change process with an integrated automated mechanical-electrical control system
2Manufacturing precision
If manual attachment change is performed, then device complexity remains low, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to operator errors and positioning inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the numerical controller continuously monitors machining requirements and attachment positions. The controller receives feedback from the machining process to determine when attachment changes are needed, tracks the position of attachments in the stacker, and adjusts the attachment change process to ensure precise positioning, thereby improving manufacturing precision through closed-loop control
Solution Approach 2:
The stacker pre-positions and pre-prepares attachments before they are needed for machining operations. The numerical controller pre-plans the attachment change sequence based on the machining program, and the stacker pre-arranges attachments in the correct positions, eliminating last-minute positioning errors and ensuring high precision when attachments are installed
3Productivity
If automation is introduced for attachment changes, then productivity improves, but device complexity increases due to additional components and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment changer is designed as a multi-functional integrated system that combines attachment selection, stacker operation, attachment exchange, and data management into a single device. This universal attachment changer can handle multiple types of attachments, perform both selection and physical exchange functions, and manage attachment data, thereby improving productivity while limiting the increase in overall system complexity through functional integration
4Loss of time
If automatic attachment changer is implemented, then loss of time is reduced through automated changes, but device complexity increases due to additional automation components
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment changer enables continuous machining operations by eliminating idle time during attachment changes. The system maintains continuous useful action by automatically exchanging attachments during non-critical periods, using the stacker to pre-position next attachments, and coordinating attachment changes with tool changes, thereby minimizing loss of time while managing automation complexity through continuous operational integration
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are an automatic attachment changer and a boring machine having the same. The automatic attachment changer includes a stacker in which a plurality of attachments is stacked in a height direction by a unit of housing cell having a length larger than the attachments such that the attachment is individually arranged in each housing cell horizontally with respect to a bottom of the stacker, a stacker carrier having a carrier body secured to the stacker, a body transfer transferring the carrier body and a carrier power driving the body transfer, and an attachment changer controlling the stacker and the stacker carrier such that a select attachment is selected among the attachments and the select attachment is combined to a spindle assembly. The attachment is changed in the boring machine with high reliability and correctness.