Free-Standing Catch Basin Decouples Vibration in Fluid Jet Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing processing devices for liquid jet machining suffer from vibration transmission issues due to the rigid connection between the collection basin and workpiece support, leading to inaccurate processing and reduced quality.

Innovation Solution

The collection basin is arranged in a free-standing manner relative to the workpiece support, decoupling the two components to prevent vibration transmission, and the device is designed with damping elements to absorb residual energy efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the collection basin and workpiece support are firmly connected to a frame, then the structural stability is improved, but the vibrations are transmitted to the workpiece leading to reduced machining precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidmachining precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional modules: the collection basin (29) and the workpiece support (20) are independent units that can be positioned separately. This segmentation allows the collection basin to be decoupled from the workpiece support, preventing vibration transmission while maintaining structural stability through individual positioning on the frame (10).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An air gap is introduced as an intermediary space between the collection basin (29) and the workpiece support (20). This air gap acts as a vibration isolator, allowing the two components to remain spatially separated without direct mechanical connection, thus preventing vibration transmission while maintaining operational functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the workpiece support is attached directly to the sump and positioned separately, then the vibration transmission from the frame is reduced, but the vibrations of the collecting tank are transmitted directly to the workpiece support

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration transmission from frameVSAvoidprocessing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The collection basin (29) and workpiece support (20) are designed as separate, independent units. The workpiece support is not directly attached to the collection basin but is positioned separately on the frame, creating spatial separation that prevents direct vibration transmission paths between these components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The air gap serves as an intermediary that prevents direct contact between the collection basin and workpiece support. This intermediary space blocks the transmission of vibrations from the collection basin to the workpiece support, while both components remain functionally operational.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If an air gap is provided between the workpiece support and collecting basin, then the vibration transmission is prevented, but the operation becomes noisy and promotes undesirable soiling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining precisionVSAvoidnoise and soiling
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The air gap, while creating noise and soiling issues, is strategically positioned and dimensioned to serve the primary function of vibration isolation. The design accepts these secondary drawbacks as necessary trade-offs for achieving the critical goal of vibration-free machining, converting the potentially harmful air gap into a beneficial vibration isolator.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The dimensions and positioning of the air gap are optimized to balance vibration isolation effectiveness with noise and soiling control. By adjusting the gap size and configuration parameters, the design achieves adequate vibration prevention while minimizing the negative effects of noise and contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 decoupling allows for precise machining by isolating the workpiece from vibrations, resulting in improved processing accuracy and quality.

Implementation Method 1

the processing device generates a jet of liquid, e.g. B. a water jet that penetrates a material to be cut and so separates it into two or more parts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJet erosion: Jet Erosion

Implementation Method 2

After penetrating the material, the liquid jet has a certain amount of residual energy, which is usually dissipated in a water-filled collection basin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid energy dissipation: Turbulence Heating

Implementation Method 3

The feet 30a of the second frame structure 30 and the support feet 10a of the first frame structure 10 can be provided with damping elements, so that vibrations between the frame 30 or 10 and the floor cannot be transmitted or can only be transmitted in a damped mass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2338653B1Fluid jet cutting machine
Publication Date: 2012.11.14 MICROMACHINING
  • EP2338653B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2338653B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2338653B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The device has a workpiece support (20) supporting a workpiece. A catch basin (29) dissipates energy of a fluid jet when the fluid jet is penetrated into the workpiece. The catch basin is arranged in a free-standing manner with respect to the workpiece support to control transmission of vibrations from the catch basin to the workpiece support. A cutting head (12) is arranged in a machine support (10), where the workpiece support is fixedly connected to the machine support. Fastening elements (40) are fastened to the machine support.