Clamping Assembly with Coordinated Drilling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clamping assemblies for drilling and cutting machines are inefficient due to independent drilling and clamping actions, leading to delays, inaccuracy, and plate deflection issues, which affect the drilling depth and precision.
Innovation Solution
A clamping assembly with servo-based closed-loop control systems, ball screw mechanisms, and coordinated movement between the clamping and drilling assemblies, allowing simultaneous vertical movement and precise control of clamping and drilling actions to maintain drilling depth and timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If clamping and drilling actions are performed independently with sequential timing, then the clamping assembly can be driven down by pneumatic or hydraulic means, but delays occur while waiting for clamping before drilling can commence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the clamping and drilling actions into a single coordinated operation. The clamp assembly and drill assembly are mechanically linked through a common drive mechanism, allowing them to move simultaneously and remain synchronized throughout the drilling cycle, eliminating the sequential delay between clamping and drilling operations
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp assembly is positioned and pre-clamped to the workpiece before the drilling operation begins. The mechanical linkage ensures that the clamp foot maintains contact with the workpiece surface and applies clamping force throughout the entire drilling process, preparing the workpiece in advance for accurate drilling
2Measurement precision
If a linear measuring device is used to determine plate position, then the drilling depth can be controlled, but the measurement is time consuming and can be inaccurate due to plate deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the linear measuring device (LVDT or rack and pinion encoder) with a mechanically linked positioning system. The drill assembly's position is determined by the mechanical linkage to the clamp assembly, which directly measures the distance from the clamp foot to the workpiece surface through rigid mechanical connections, providing instantaneous and accurate positioning without separate measurement operations
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical linkage acts as an intermediary between the clamp assembly and drill assembly, transferring the positional information from the clamp foot to the drill assembly. This mechanical mediator ensures that the drill maintains the correct depth relationship to the workpiece surface through direct mechanical coupling rather than independent measurement
3Manufacturing precision
If clamping force is increased to prevent plate movement, then drilling accuracy can be maintained, but plate deflection occurs which affects the linear measure distance
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical linkage serves as a real-time compensator that detects plate deflection through its rigid connection to both the clamp assembly and drill assembly. When the plate deflects under clamping force, the linkage automatically adjusts the drill position to maintain the correct depth relationship, compensating for the deflection without requiring separate measurement and correction operations
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical linkage provides continuous feedback between the clamp assembly and drill assembly. Any movement or deflection of the plate is immediately transmitted through the rigid mechanical connection, allowing the system to self-correct and maintain accurate drilling depth throughout the operation without independent measurement systems
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 solution enables precise and coordinated control of clamping and drilling, reducing delays, improving accuracy, and compensating for plate deflection, ensuring consistent drilling depth and reducing cycle time.
Implementation Method 1
the moving means is a ball screw guided by linear bearings
Implementation Method 2
the moving means is a ball screw guided by linear bearings
Data Source
AI summary
A clamping assembly for clamping a product to allow drilling and/or cutting of the product by a drilling or cutting assembly, the clamping assembly including control means, activation means, moving means and clamp foot means being operatively connected whereby the control means controls the activation means to control the torque and distance moved on the activation means and moving means such that any movement of the drilling or cutting or clamp assembly relative to each other can be controlled such that the depth of and timing of drilling or cutting and or clamping by the drilling or cutting or clamping assembly can be adjusted accordingly such that if the product being clamped by the clamp foot means is moved during any additional forces that occur during drilling or cutting, then the control means can compensate and ensure the drilling or cutting depth is maintained.