Auxiliary Table for Milling Machine Height Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional milling machines have limited vertical travel of their work tables, making it difficult to accommodate both very tall and very short work pieces without compromising machine stability and requiring time-consuming adjustments to the machine's height.

Innovation Solution

An auxiliary work table is installed onto the existing work table, replicating the anchoring and alignment structures of the original table, and a column spacer is used to adjust the height, allowing quick modification between normal and elevated operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the column height is altered by installing a spacer to accommodate tall work pieces, then the machine can process tall work pieces, but the adjustment process is time-consuming and requires disassembly and reassembly of structural elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to accommodate tall work piecesVSAvoidtime required for height adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The work table is divided into two separate tables: a fixed built-in work table and a movable auxiliary work table. The auxiliary work table can be independently positioned at different heights along the column, allowing the system to accommodate various work piece heights without requiring disassembly or reconfiguration of the main machine structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary work table acts as an intermediary element between the fixed work table and the cutting tool. It provides the necessary height adjustment capability while maintaining the original work table's position, thus avoiding the need to alter the column height or disassemble structural elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the work table is raised to bring short work pieces into the tool's range, then short work pieces can be machined, but the vertical travel range is limited and the machine cannot accommodate both tall and short work pieces simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverange of work piece heights that can be accommodatedVSAvoidvertical travel range of work table

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The work table system is segmented into a fixed built-in work table for standard operations and a movable auxiliary work table that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the auxiliary table to extend the vertical working range by being placed at different heights, effectively increasing the machine's adaptability to various work piece heights without altering the main work table's position or travel range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If a donut shaped spacer is installed on the column to increase height, then tall work pieces can be accommodated, but extended tooling is required which reduces rigidity and stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to machine tall work piecesVSAvoidrigidity and stability of tooling

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary work table serves as an intermediary platform that elevates short work pieces into the optimal machining range of the existing tooling, eliminating the need for extended tooling. This maintains the full rigidity and stability of the original tooling while providing the capability to machine both short and tall work pieces effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the head is articulated to reach peripheral areas with extended tooling, then coverage is improved, but the machine cannot be quickly restored to original capabilities and sits idle most of the time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage of work surfaceVSAvoidmachine utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The work table system is segmented into a permanent built-in work table and a removable auxiliary work table. The auxiliary table can be quickly installed or removed based on the work piece height requirements, allowing the machine to switch between different operational modes rapidly and maintain high utilization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary work table is designed to be dynamically configurable - it can be quickly installed when tall work pieces need to be machined and just as quickly removed when standard operations are required. This dynamic adaptability ensures the machine maintains optimal productivity by minimizing idle time associated with reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10286505B2Auxiliary table for milling machine and method of reconfiguring a milling machine

Publication Date: 2019.05.14 BUZYNSKI DONALD J

AI summary

A method and auxiliary work piece table for enhancing the utility of a milling machine or like machines. The auxiliary work table is installed onto an original work piece table and has mounting features as similar to the original work piece table after raising a tool holder by installing a spacer on a support column. This arrangement restores the original vertical workpiece clearance to allow normal use of the milling machine for said workpieces sizes machinable by said machine using the original worktable. The auxiliary work table is easily removable when additional vertical space is required as when very tall work pieces are to be machined, and is then able to be quickly reinstalled afterward to again enable machining of workpieces machinable using said original work table.