Cylindrical Grinder Tailstock Automation and Tooling Base Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cylindrical grinders face difficulties in productivity due to manual movement and fixation of the tailstock, and NC cylindrical grinders cannot accommodate a tooling base due to protective cover interference, limiting the frequency of tooling instrument attachment.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrical grinder design that includes a moving mechanism for the tailstock and a freely movable tooling base with a guide mechanism, allowing the tooling base to be positioned and fixed above the protective cover, enabling automatic movement and fixation according to workpiece length, and incorporating guide grooves and clamp bolts for precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If an NC tailstock with protective cover is provided on the table, then the tailstock can be automatically moved and protected from coolant, but the tooling base cannot be mounted on the table due to interference with the protective cover
Solution Approach 1:
The tooling base is moved from the table surface to the space above the protective cover, utilizing the vertical dimension (height position) to resolve the spatial conflict. The tooling base is positioned at a height above the protective cover in the Z-axis direction, allowing both the NC tailstock and tooling base to coexist without interference.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tooling base is positioned above the protective cover, then the tooling base can be freely moved without interfering with the protective cover, but a guide mechanism is needed to ensure precise positioning
Solution Approach 1:
A guide mechanism acts as an intermediary between the tooling base and the table, providing precise positioning guidance. The guide mechanism includes guide grooves formed on the table and corresponding guide protrusions on the tooling base, enabling accurate positioning without complex mounting structures.
3Productivity
If the tooling base is made freely movable in the Z-axis direction, then the frequency of attaching tooling instruments can be increased, but the positioning precision may be compromised without proper guidance
Solution Approach 1:
The tooling base is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to be freely moved in the Z-axis direction for frequent tooling instrument attachment. The guide mechanism provides dynamic guidance during movement and secure fixation when positioning is required, balancing mobility and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide grooves and guide protrusions are pre-formed on the table and tooling base respectively, establishing the positioning path in advance. This preliminary action ensures that when the tooling base is moved, it follows the predetermined guide path, maintaining positioning precision throughout the movement range.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a cylindrical grinder that is capable of automatically moving and fixing a tailstock in accordance with variations in length of a workpiece and enables improvement in its productivity. An NC cylindrical grinder includes: a table as a base; a headstock and an NC tailstock both arranged on the table; a moving mechanism configured to move at least either one of the headstock and the tailstock in a Z-axis direction; and a protective cover provided to the table and configured to protect the moving mechanism. In an area between the headstock and the tailstock and at a height position above the protective cover, a tooling base for mounting a tooling instrument thereon is arranged in a freely movable manner in the Z-axis direction. Provided is a guide mechanism for guiding the tooling base in the Z-axis direction and fixing the tooling base to the table at a required position.