Machine Tool Controller Coolant Purge via Oil Mist
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Solution Overview
Problem
In machine tools where both coolant and oil mist are supplied through the same pipe, the residual coolant often remains in the pipe during oil mist usage, leading to unsuitable cutting conditions and potential damage, as existing solutions require a lengthy stand-by period for coolant discharge.
Innovation Solution
A controller for machine tools that includes a tool replacement confirming mechanism, an oil mist instruction confirming mechanism, and a tool replacement time discharging/suction mechanism, allowing for simultaneous removal of coolant from the pipe during tool replacement by maintaining the tool detached from the main axis and using either discharge or suction methods based on oil mist instructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the coolant is discharged from the piping by maintaining a stand-by state, then the coolant can be removed from the pipe, but the stand-by period lasts over a long time depending on the length of the pipe and diameter of the oil hole
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting the tool replacement instruction in advance and activating the oil mist discharge control before the actual tool replacement occurs. The controller identifies when coolant should be purged from the piping and coordinates this with the tool replacement timing, so that coolant removal is initiated proactively rather than waiting for the stand-by period to naturally expire. This reduces the overall stand-by time while ensuring complete coolant removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses oil mist as an intermediary substance to accelerate coolant removal from the piping. Instead of relying solely on passive discharge over time, oil mist is introduced into the piping system to actively push out and replace the coolant. This intermediary mechanism significantly reduces the time required for complete coolant removal while ensuring the piping is properly prepared for oil mist operation.
2Productivity
If the tool is replaced quickly without coolant discharge, then downtime is reduced, but the coolant remaining in the pipe causes damage to the edge under oil mist cutting conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the piping state and tool replacement status to dynamically adjust the coolant discharge timing. The controller receives information about tool replacement instructions and actively manages the coolant purging process, providing feedback loops that coordinate tool replacement with coolant removal. This ensures that coolant is removed at the optimal moment - early enough to prevent damage but efficiently enough to minimize downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of tool replacement instructions and initiates coolant discharge control in advance. By detecting when tool replacement is scheduled and proactively managing the coolant purging process before it becomes critical, the system ensures that the piping is ready for oil mist operation exactly when needed, without compromising either productivity or reliability.
3Ease of operation
If the coolant discharge is controlled manually, then the discharge timing can be adjusted, but the programming time and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service automation where the controller automatically detects tool replacement instructions from the processing program and autonomously determines the optimal coolant discharge timing. The system serves itself by monitoring its own operational state and making intelligent decisions about when to purge coolant, eliminating the need for complex manual programming while achieving optimal discharge timing control.
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
Enables efficient removal of coolant from the pipe during tool replacement, reducing downtime and preventing damage from unsuitable cutting conditions, and allows for automatic coolant management, saving programming time and effort.
Implementation Method 1
an oil mist unit for generating an oil mist with piping for supplying both the coolant and the oil mist to the same main axis
Implementation Method 2
a suction unit that can suck up the coolant remaining in the above-described piping
Data Source
AI summary
The controller for a machine tool according to the present invention makes it possible to discharge both a coolant and an oil mist from a through hole provided in the tool equipped to a main axis of a machine tool, allows a processing program to instruct the discharge of either the coolant or the oil mist, and carries out such a control that a state where the above-described tool is detached from the main axis is maintained during a predetermined period of time at the time of replacing the tool, and at the same time, the oil mist is discharged from the above-described oil mist unit so as to remove the coolant from the above-described piping during the predetermined period of time.