Portable Boring Machine Alignment and Wear Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable line boring machines lack versatility and precision in aligning and supporting the boring bar, adjusting for wear, and accommodating different orientations, leading to inefficiencies in material removal and addition processes.
Innovation Solution
A portable line boring machine assembly featuring a rotational drive unit with alignment pins, spherical bearing mounts with adjustable cartridges, set up cones for precise alignment, and a feed assembly with a visible feed rate gauge and clutch, allowing for various orientations, adjustments, and precise control of the boring bar's position and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a portable boring machine uses a fixed mounting structure for the drive unit, then the structure is simple, but the machine cannot operate in different orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The mount is designed with multiple mounting locations that can accommodate the feed drive or handle in various orientations, allowing the same mount structure to serve multiple functional positions and orientations of the drive unit
2Adaptability or versatility
If the boring bar uses a simple support structure, then the device is less complex, but it cannot accommodate wear adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure incorporates adjustable bearings with threaded clamps that allow dynamic adjustment of bearing positions to accommodate wear, transforming a static support structure into one that can adapt to changing dimensional requirements over time
3Manufacturing precision
If the boring bar alignment is fixed, then the alignment process is simple, but precision and fine adjustment are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment system uses pre-positioned alignment pins and cones that establish initial alignment, followed by fine-adjustment mechanisms that build upon this preliminary alignment to achieve high precision without requiring complete alignment from scratch
4Reliability
If the machine lacks intermediate support, then the structure is simpler, but support and stability of the boring bar is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into discrete intermediate bearing supports that can be independently positioned along the boring bar, allowing the long bar to be segmented into multiple supported sections rather than relying on a single continuous support structure
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
Enhances the machine's ability to accurately align and support the boring bar, adjust for wear, and operate in different orientations, resulting in improved efficiency and precision in material removal and addition processes.
Implementation Method 1
The drive unit may include a double enveloping worm/worm gear arrangement.
Implementation Method 2
The drive unit may include a threaded clamp to adjust the bearings and to accommodate wear.
Implementation Method 3
The adjustment member and the alignment member include complementary threads, the adjustment member being rotatable about the axis to move the alignment member relative to the clamp along the axis.
Data Source
AI summary
A feed assembly, a boring head and an alignment device. The feed assembly may include a feed mechanism; an adjustment mechanism to adjust a feed rate of the feed mechanism; and a gage to indicate the feed rate. The boring head may include a body supportable on and for rotation with the bar; and a tool holder to support a tool to work on a workpiece and supported for radial movement on the body to adjust a radial position of the tool. An alignment device may include a clamp lockable in an axial position on the bar; an alignment member engageable with a bore of a workpiece; and an adjustment member between the locking clamp and the alignment member, the adjustment member and the alignment member include complementary threads, the adjustment member being rotatable about the axis to move the alignment member relative to the clamp along the axis.