Clamping System Third-Hand Pneumatic Slide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clamping systems with a 'third hand' function are limited by weight capacity, clamping stroke, unilateral holding, and susceptibility to contamination, making them inefficient for machining centers, especially in robotic operations and heavy workpieces.
Innovation Solution
A clamping system with a slide and rotatable adjusting spindle that allows for two-sided clamping, increased clamping stroke, and a gas pressure spring for enhanced holding force, along with a covered design to prevent contamination, enabling the automatic holding of two workpieces and accommodating different dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a spring is used for the third hand function, then the workpiece can be held automatically, but the workpiece mass is limited to around 15-20kg
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical spring-based third hand function with a pneumatic cylinder that can hold workpieces of any weight. The pneumatic actuator provides sufficient holding force through air pressure, eliminating the weight limitation of 15-20kg that existed with spring-based systems.
2Extent of automation
If a spring is used for the third hand function, then the workpiece can be held automatically, but the clamping stroke is limited to approx. 4mm
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic cylinder provides a stroke extension mechanism that enables clamping strokes of 6.5mm or more, overcoming the 4mm limitation of spring-based systems. The pneumatic actuator can be designed with sufficient stroke length to reach over workpieces or plunge the clamping jaw into the workpiece.
3Device complexity
If the third hand function is realized on one side only, then the structure is simple, but the workpiece on the other side must be manually or mechanically held
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements third hand functions on both sides of the clamping system, allowing automatic holding of workpieces on either side. This dual-sided capability eliminates the need for manual or mechanical holding on the opposite side, providing universal functionality and improving ease of operation.
4Quantity of substance
If floating jaws are used to clamp four workpieces, then four workpieces can be clamped, but the vice cannot be vertically aligned for robotic operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses four separate carriages that can be independently positioned and clamped, rather than floating jaws. Each carriage is rigidly mounted and can be vertically aligned for robotic operation. The segmentation of the clamping system into independent carriages allows both four workpiece capacity and robotic compatibility.
5Ease of operation
If the vice is open at the top, then access is easy, but material chips can penetrate and affect spring deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent covers the top opening of the vice with a protective cover or shield that prevents material chips from penetrating into the internal mechanisms. The cover allows visual monitoring and maintenance of accessibility while protecting the carriages, clamping jaws, and pneumatic components from contamination that could affect performance.
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 system effectively holds heavier workpieces, provides a larger clamping stroke, and reduces contamination risks, enabling efficient clamping of two or four workpieces without manual intervention, suitable for both manual and robotic operations.
Implementation Method 1
a gas pressure spring (38) which pushes the second carriage (15) together with the first carriage (14) away from the end face (40) of the carriage guide (11)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a clamping system (9, 10) for clamping workpieces, in particular for machining the clamped workpieces in a machining centre. The clamping system (9, 10) according to the invention has a carriage guide (11) and two carriages (12, 13 and 14, 15), which are movable in the carriage guide (11) and each bear a clamping-jaw receptacle for mounting a clamping jaw. Furthermore, the clamping system (9, 10) according to the invention comprises a rotatably mounted clamping spindle (24, 25), which acts on the first carriage (13, 14) on one side and on the second carriage (12, 15) on the other side, in order to clamp the two carriages (12, 13 and 14, 15) relative to one another in accordance with the rotary position of the clamping spindle (24, 25). Moreover, the clamping system (9, 10) according to the invention has a positionally fixed third clamping-jaw receptacle for mounting a fixed jaw. A first workpiece can thus be clamped between the first clamping jaw and the central fixed jaw, while a second workpiece can be clamped between the second clamping jaw and the central fixed jaw. Furthermore, the clamping system (9, 10) according to the invention allows a "third-hand" function. The clamping system (9, 10) according to the invention is now distinguished by the fact that a slide (26, 27) is movable along the carriage guide (11), wherein the slide (26, 27) is movable by means of a rotatably mounted adjusting spindle (28, 29). The slide (26, 27) cooperates with the first carriage (13, 14) and defines a particular space for freedom of movement of the first carriage (13, 14) relative to the slide (26, 27), such that the slide (26, 27) forms, at the boundaries of the space for freedom of movement, in each case a stop for the first carriage (13, 14), in order to allow the "third-hand" function.