CNC Fixture Rotary Table for Rapid Workpiece Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CNC fixtures for milling engine blocks and cylinder heads are inefficient in terms of setup time due to the need for frequent installation and removal on the same milling machine, which hampers quick and precise operations.
Innovation Solution
A CNC fixture with a powered rotary table and a non-powered tailstock, featuring precision surfaces and sliding clamp plates, allows for quick and precise mounting and removal of engine blocks and cylinder heads, utilizing software to maintain geometric coordinates and minimize setup time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the same milling machine is used to mill both engine blocks and cylinder heads, then equipment utilization is improved, but setup time increases due to frequent installation and removal of workpieces
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture is divided into separate sub-fixtures (first sub-fixture for engine blocks, second sub-fixture for cylinder heads) that can be independently positioned and manipulated. This segmentation allows each workpiece type to be held in dedicated fixtures, enabling rapid exchange without reconfiguration while maintaining high equipment utilization on the same milling machine.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture incorporates powered and non-powered rotary tables that enable dynamic repositioning and rotation of workpieces. The powered rotary table can automatically rotate between different workpiece positions, while the non-powered rotary table provides manual adjustment capability. This dynamic positioning system reduces setup time by eliminating manual repositioning operations while maintaining flexibility for different workpiece types.
2Loss of time
If quick exchange of workpieces is implemented, then setup time is reduced, but positioning precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture replaces manual positioning mechanisms with a powered rotary table that uses automated control systems (servo or stepper motors) to achieve precise angular positioning. This substitution of mechanical manual adjustment with automated motorized control maintains positioning precision while dramatically reducing the time required for workpiece exchange and repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture design incorporates universal mounting interfaces and precision surfaces on the rotary tables that can accommodate different workpiece types (engine blocks and cylinder heads) while maintaining consistent positioning accuracy. The same rotary table mechanism serves multiple functions: holding different workpieces, rotating between positions, and providing precise angular alignment, thereby reducing setup time without compromising precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A fixture for a milling machine to position and manipulate related work pieces. The fixture has a first sub fixture powered to rotate a rotary plate and a second sub fixture. The fixture includes one of a first plate fixture and a second plate fixture for the mounting of work pieces. The rotary plate is mounted to the first sub fixture such that the rotary plate can be rotated by the first sub fixture. The rotary plate attaches to one of the first plate fixture and the second plate fixture. The rotary plate includes a first precision surface adapted for mounting of the first plate fixture and a second precision surface adapted for mounting of the second plate fixture. The fixture includes a tailstock plate mounted to the second sub fixture. The tailstock plate attaches to one of the first plate fixture and the second plate fixture.