Compact Tool Magazine With Segmented Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
In metal-cutting processing machines, long chain magazines required for large tool capacities are space-consuming, heavy, and slow down tool change speeds, leading to reduced tool availability due to the need for longer chain lengths and increased travel distances.
Innovation Solution
A compact tool magazine system using a multi-articulated robot arm to store and retrieve tools, allowing for simultaneous tool changes between the robot and spindle access spaces, with pivotable and adjustable tool holders to optimize tool access and reduce chain length, enabling faster tool changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a large-capacity chain magazine is used to store many tools, then the tool storage capacity increases, but the chain length increases leading to reduced tool change speed and increased space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The tool storage system is divided into two separate components: a large-capacity storage magazine for bulk tool storage and a small compact tool magazine for active tool changing. This segmentation allows the storage capacity to be decoupled from the tool change mechanism, enabling high tool storage capacity without compromising tool change speed since the compact magazine contains only a few tools that can be quickly accessed and exchanged.
2Quantity of substance
If a large-capacity chain magazine is used to store many tools, then the tool storage capacity increases, but the space required and weight of the magazine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tool storage system is divided into two separate components: a large-capacity storage magazine for bulk tool storage and a small compact tool magazine for active tool changing. This segmentation allows the storage capacity to be decoupled from the tool change mechanism, enabling high tool storage capacity without compromising tool change speed since the compact magazine contains only a few tools that can be quickly accessed and exchanged.
Solution Approach 2:
The actively used tools are extracted from the large storage magazine and placed in a separate compact tool magazine that is directly accessible to the spindle. This extraction creates a small working buffer that requires minimal space while maintaining high tool availability, as the compact magazine only needs to hold a handful of frequently used tools rather than the entire tool inventory.
3Quantity of substance
If tools are stored on opposite sections of a bidirectionally moveable chain, then the tool storage capacity is maximized, but the chain must travel a half-chain-length path for tool changing, significantly reducing tool availability time
Solution Approach 1:
The actively used tools are extracted from the large storage magazine and placed in a separate compact tool magazine that is directly accessible to the spindle. This extraction creates a small working buffer that requires minimal space while maintaining high tool availability, as the compact magazine only needs to hold a handful of frequently used tools rather than the entire tool inventory.
Solution Approach 2:
The compact tool magazine acts as an intermediary buffer between the large storage magazine and the spindle. It holds a small set of frequently used tools in ready position, eliminating the need for the spindle to access tools directly from distant positions on a long chain. This intermediary buffer significantly reduces tool change time by keeping essential tools within easy reach of the spindle.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
The unit (100) comprises the machining device with at least one tool holding spindle and a tool magazine (124) supplying the tool required for the particular process. A robot (12) with an arm assembled of several movable segments is used for supplying the magazine (124) with tools from a storage device (16,17,18,19,20) and for removing tools from the magazine (124) after use. The tool magazine (124) itself is equipped with a holding unit (132) to be swiveled alternately into the area to be accessed by the robot (12) and into the area close to the spindle. ETAILED DESCRIPTION - An independent claim is made for a method to use the new design of arrangement.