Differential Pressure Holding for Cutting Inserts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for retaining and treating cutting inserts during blasting operations, such as using cover nets, vertical pins, or magnets, result in irregular treatment, limited blast angles, and increased manufacturing costs due to the need for additional systems and complex setups.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses differential pressure to securely hold cutting inserts in a carrier without obstructive elements, allowing for efficient and even treatment by guiding a medium from one region to another through a passage, creating a pressure difference that maintains the inserts in place and facilitates efficient evacuation of treatment media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cover nets or vertical pins are used to retain cutting inserts during blasting, then the inserts are prevented from being displaced, but the treatment becomes irregular and additional retaining mechanisms increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the cover net or grid from the system entirely. Instead of using a retaining structure that covers the cutting inserts, the patent employs a vacuum field created by a suction device to hold the inserts in place during blasting. This extraction of the covering structure eliminates the complexity associated with nets, pins, or magnets while maintaining reliable retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a vacuum field (pneumatic principle) to retain cutting inserts. A suction device creates a pressure difference between the first region (where inserts are held) and the second region, generating a holding force that secures the inserts without mechanical contact. This pneumatic approach replaces complex mechanical retaining mechanisms with a simpler pressure-based system.
2Reliability
If cover nets or vertical pins are used to retain cutting inserts, then the inserts are held in position, but the blasting medium flow is obstructed resulting in irregular treatment
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the cover net or grid structure entirely and replacing it with a vacuum field, the invention eliminates obstructions to the blasting medium flow. The vacuum field holds inserts without physical barriers, allowing the blasting material to reach all surfaces uniformly while maintaining insert position stability.
3Reliability
If additional retaining mechanisms such as cover nets or magnets are used, then cutting inserts are secured during blasting, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates expensive retaining structures like cover nets, grids, or magnetic systems. The vacuum field approach uses a suction device that can be integrated into the blasting apparatus without requiring additional complex retaining components, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining secure holding of cutting inserts.
4Productivity
If the blasting medium is propelled at high pressure to effectively treat cutting inserts, then treatment efficiency is improved, but the cutting inserts may be dislocated without adequate retaining means
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a vacuum field created by a suction device to counteract the forces exerted by high-pressure blasting medium. The pressure difference between the first region (under vacuum) and the second region (where blasting occurs) generates a holding force that secures cutting inserts even when subjected to intense blasting, allowing high treatment efficiency without dislocation.
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 approach ensures regular and efficient treatment of cutting inserts with improved blast angles and reduced manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for additional retaining mechanisms, enhancing productivity and treatment efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
differential pressure creating means for creating a pressure difference between the first and second regions, to hold the cutting inserts firmly in the seats of the carrier
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 7
Figure 8~10
AI summary
An apparatus for treating at least one workpiece (114), comprising a casing (302) at least partially enclosing a first and a second region (304, 306) adapted to be in communication with one another by at least one passage (314), and support means (316) for supporting a carrier (102) adapted to hold the at least one workpiece, the support means being adapted to support the carrier so that the at least one workpiece is positioned in the first region (304) for treatment. The apparatus comprises differential pressure creating means for creating a pressure difference (P2 P1) between the first and second regions, the at least one pressure (P1) of the second region being lower than the at least one pressure (P2) of the first region, to force the at least one workpiece toward the carrier. The at least one passage (314) is adapted to be in communication with both the first and second regions when the carrier (102) is supported by the support means (316), and the differential pressure creating means are adapted to guide a flow of medium or media from the first region to the second region through the at least one passage in order, at least partly, to create said pressure difference. A method for treating at least one workpiece comprising a step of holding the at least one workpiece, the step of holding comprising forcing the at least one workpiece toward the carrier by creating (806) a pressure difference between the first region and the second region. The step of holding comprises guiding a flow of medium or media from the first region to the second region through the at least one passage in order to, at least partly, create said pressure difference. The treatment may comprise blasting, rinsing or drying. The workpiece may comprise a cutting insert, an electronic component, a small sized machined or formed component or part.