Balancing Machine Demagnetizing Device for Shaft Welding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Balancing machines often magnetize ferromagnetic workpieces during the resistance welding process, necessitating measures to prevent magnetization and demagnetize the workpieces afterwards, which complicates the balancing process.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a demagnetizing device with a ring or U-shaped coil connected to an AC power source, arranged near the bearing stands, allowing coordinated movement with the welding device to ensure effective demagnetization without interference, and capable of reaching the entire length of long workpieces like shafts and cardan shafts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a resistance welding process is used to attach balancing masses to ferromagnetic workpieces, then the balancing precision is improved, but the workpiece becomes magnetized which is harmful for its intended use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebalancing precisionVSAvoidmagnetization
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful magnetization effect into a beneficial demagnetization process by introducing a demagnetizing device with AC-powered coils. The device generates alternating magnetic fields that progressively reduce the workpiece magnetization to zero, effectively eliminating the harmful effect while preserving the beneficial welding process for balancing correction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The demagnetizing device is positioned to demagnetize the workpiece after welding but before the workpiece leaves the balancing machine. This preliminary action ensures that the workpiece is demagnetized in advance before being transferred to the next production stage, preventing magnetization-related issues in subsequent operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-generated harmful factors

If a demagnetizing device is added to the balancing machine, then the magnetization problem is solved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetization reductionVSAvoidmachine structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The demagnetizing device is integrated into the existing balancing machine structure by utilizing the available space around the workpiece holding area. The coils are positioned to encompass the workpiece without requiring separate dedicated space, and the control system is merged with the existing machine control architecture, reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The demagnetizing device is designed to handle various types of ferromagnetic workpieces (shafts, cardan shafts, axles) with different lengths and geometries. The AC-powered coil system can demagnetize diverse workpiece types using the same basic mechanism, eliminating the need for multiple specialized demagnetizing devices

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

3Manufacturing precision

If the demagnetizing device is positioned to cover the entire workpiece length, then the demagnetization effectiveness is improved, but the device size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedemagnetization effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The demagnetizing device incorporates a movable carriage system that allows the AC-powered coils to travel along the length of long workpieces such as cardan shafts. This dynamic positioning enables complete coverage of extended workpieces without requiring excessively large fixed coil structures, optimizing both demagnetization effectiveness and manufacturing cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 effectively reduces magnetization of balanced workpieces, allowing for efficient demagnetization in parallel with the balancing process, reducing cycle time and enhancing demagnetization coverage, while being cost-effective and easy to integrate into existing machines.

Implementation Method 1

The demagnetizing device has a coil (131) which can be connected to an AC power source and is designed in the shape of a ring or U-shaped workpiece

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAlternating magnetic field: Alternating Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

The demagnetizing device is arranged in the area of the at least one bearing stand (3, 4) and can be moved by means of a drive device (119) from the area of the at least one bearing stand (3, 4) to the area of the balancing machine (101) in which an imbalance is compensated for on the workpiece (W)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

a welding device (109) which compensates for the imbalance on the workpiece (W) with the aid of an electric welding process, in particular a resistance welding process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2360462B1Balancing machine with demagnetizing device
Publication Date: 2018.11.28 SCHENCK ROTEC GMBH
  • EP2360462B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2360462B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2360462B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The machine (1) has supporting stands (3, 4) for rotatably supporting work pieces i.e. shafts (W), to be balanced, and an axis of rotation provided for the supporting stands. Demagnetizing devices (13, 14) demagnetize the work pieces and have coils (131, 141) attached to a current source. The demagnetizing devices are arranged in an area of the supporting stands and movable in an area of the machine using a linear drive such that imbalance of the work pieces is compensated using a resistance welding process. The demagnetizing devices are movable along the axis by a straight guide.