Chuck Jaw Gauge Alignment for Accurate CNC Workpiece Centering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Securing gripping jaws to a rotatable chuck in a CNC lathe machine can be challenging, leading to errors in positioning and increased machining time due to difficulties in evenly centering the workpiece.
Innovation Solution
A gauge apparatus with a gauge member, pin, and guide assemblies that allow for precise radial positioning of jaws using scales and sliders to align the jaws correctly with the chuck's axis, ensuring accurate centering of the workpiece.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If jaws are manually secured in slots around the bore, then the workpiece can be held during machining, but positioning errors occur making it difficult to center the workpiece evenly
Solution Approach 1:
A gauge apparatus serves as an intermediary tool between the operator and the jaw positioning process. The gauge member with radial guides and positioning features mediates the transfer of precise radial positioning from the chuck bore to the jaws, eliminating the need for complex manual measurement and adjustment while ensuring accurate centering.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning (using rulers, protractors, or trial-and-error adjustment) with a dedicated gauge mechanism that uses the chuck's own bore as a reference. The gauge member translates the bore's central position into precise radial positioning for multiple jaws simultaneously, substituting complex manual procedures with a simpler gauge-based system.
2Productivity
If jaw positioning is done without specialized tools, then the process is simple, but additional time is required to correct positioning errors
Solution Approach 1:
The gauge apparatus performs preliminary positioning action before the jaws are permanently secured. By using the gauge member to establish correct radial positions and making temporary adjustments while the jaws are held by the gauge, the system ensures accurate positioning is achieved before final attachment, preventing the need for time-consuming corrections later.
Solution Approach 2:
The gauge member acts as a temporary intermediary holding device that maintains jaws in correct radial positions during the attachment process. This intermediary tool allows operators to quickly position jaws accurately without complex measurements, then securely attach them while the gauge ensures positioning remains correct throughout the process.
Data Source
AI summary
A gauge apparatus is disclosed herein that positions a jaw within a chuck at a specified radius with respect to an axis of the chuck. The gauge apparatus includes a gauge member having an elongate configuration with a guide surface against which a side of a jaw may be biased. A pin projects forth from the gauge member to receive a tip of the jaw with the side of the jaw biased against the guide surface, in various aspects, and the pin is positionable with respect to the gauge member. An outer guide assembly cooperates mechanically with the gauge member and with a side face of a chuck to orient the gauge member radially with an axis of the chuck to locate the pin radially with respect to the side face in order to position the jaw at a selected radial position with respect to the axis.