Electrospindle Layout for Compact Automatic Tool Changing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrospindles for machining centers are bulky due to the space occupation of actuation cylinders for tool uncoupling, limiting movement and preventing the mounting of a second tool at the end occupied by the cylinder, thus requiring more space and reducing versatility and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The electrospindle design features a collet-like coupling with direct external access to the maneuvering rod, utilizing an external opening for actuation, and an integrated actuation cylinder within the machining head, allowing for compactness and automatic tool changing without encumbering the machining head's movement, enabling dual-output configurations with interchangeable milling and bladed tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If an actuation cylinder is integrated into the electrospindle for tool uncoupling, then automatic tool changing is enabled, but the electrospindle becomes bulky and encumbers the machining head movement
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation cylinder is extracted from the electrospindle body and relocated to the machining head. This separation removes the bulky component from the moving electrospindle, enabling automatic tool changing while maintaining compactness and freedom of movement for the electrospindle.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool changing system is segmented into two parts: the electrospindle containing only the collet-like coupling and maneuvering rod, and the machining head containing the actuation cylinder. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function.
2Extent of automation
If an actuation cylinder is mounted on the electrospindle, then tool uncoupling is achieved, but the space occupation limits the mounting of a second tool at the opposite end
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the actuation cylinder from the electrospindle and placing it in the machining head, the opposite end of the electrospindle remains free and accessible, enabling the mounting of a second tool (such as a bladed tool) without interference from the actuation mechanism.
3Extent of automation
If pipes for pressure medium passage are added to the electrospindle, then the actuation cylinder can be supplied with pressure, but the pipes limit movements and increase complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The pipes for pressure medium passage are extracted from the electrospindle and reconfigured to supply the actuation cylinder in the machining head. This eliminates the need for pipes running through the electrospindle, simplifying the system and preserving the electrospindle's freedom of movement.
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 design results in a more compact and versatile electrospindle that enhances machining center efficiency and reduces workspace encumbrance, maintaining performance comparable to conventional systems while allowing for dual-output operations.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pair of mutually opposite longitudinal elastic gripping arms F, with external end teeth G, for engagement in an undercut defined by an abutment shoulder H
Implementation Method 2
a spring (29) adapted to push the maneuvering rod (14) in the locking direction, so that the collet-like coupling (13) is usually in the locked configuration
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An electro spindle for automatic tool changing, comprising - an electric motor (11), the rotating shaft (12) of which supports at one end a collet-like coupling (13) for interchangeable milling tools and the like, - an axial maneuvering rod (14), which is coaxial and passes through the rotating shaft (12), for opening and closing the collet-like coupling (13), the electrospindle being configured so as to have direct access from the outside to the maneuvering rod (14) in order to move the latter.