Direct-Drive B-Axis Turret Unit for Compact, Low-Vibration Lathes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional turret units for machine tools are space-intensive, prone to interference, and suffer from mechanical stresses and reduced machining accuracy due to asymmetries and gear-based drive systems, which lead to inefficient cooling and vibrations.

Innovation Solution

A compact turret unit design featuring a symmetric turret main body with integrated direct drive motors, allowing for gearless rotation and pivoting of the turret head, reducing mechanical stress and increasing rigidity, while minimizing space requirements and enabling precise machining operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If gear-based drive systems are used to drive the turret and tools, then the turret unit can achieve rotational movement, but the space requirement increases and susceptibility to interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational movement capabilityVSAvoidspace requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the gear-based transmission components entirely and replaces them with a direct drive motor system. The motor is integrated directly into the turret structure, eliminating the need for separate gearboxes and transmission mechanisms, thereby reducing space requirements and susceptibility to interference while maintaining rotational movement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The drive motor is merged with the turret structure itself, with the motor integrated directly into the turret body. This combination eliminates the separation between drive mechanism and driven component, reducing the overall space occupied by the drive system and minimizing potential interference points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Speed

If gearboxes are used to drive the turret, then rotational movement is achieved, but asymmetries in design lead to vibrations and uneven cooling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational movementVSAvoidvibrations

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a symmetric turret design with the direct drive motor centrally integrated, creating a balanced mass distribution. This symmetry eliminates the design asymmetries inherent in gear-based systems, thereby reducing vibrations and enabling more effective cooling through uniform heat distribution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical gear-based transmission system is replaced with a direct drive motor system, eliminating the intermediate transmission components that generate vibrations. The direct drive approach provides smoother operation and reduces mechanical stresses while maintaining the ability to achieve rotational movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Speed

If conventional turret structures with gearboxes are used, then tool rotation is achieved, but mechanical stresses increase and machining accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool rotation capabilityVSAvoidmachining accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The gearbox components are completely removed from the system, eliminating the sources of mechanical stress and precision degradation. The direct drive motor provides tool rotation without the intermediate transmission stages that cause wear, backlash, and accuracy loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-stage mechanical transmission system is replaced with a direct drive configuration, eliminating gear meshing, bearing stages, and coupling mechanisms that introduce mechanical stresses and reduce machining accuracy. The direct connection between motor and turret ensures higher precision and reduced mechanical loads

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The design achieves a compact, cost-effective, and rigid turret unit with improved machining accuracy and reduced vibrations, enabling flexible placement and efficient operation on machine tools like lathes, with enhanced vibration characteristics and reduced mechanical stress.

Implementation Method 1

a first driving means, in particular a direct drive motor, for rotating the turret disk around a disk axis which is an axis of rotation of the turret disk

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a second driving means, in particular a direct drive motor, for pivoting the turret head around a turret axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20230148187A1Turret unit with b-axis and machine tool, in particular lathe

Publication Date: 2023.05.11 GILDEMEISTER ITALIANA SPA

AI summary

A turret unit for a lathe includes a turret main body M configured to be mounted to a carrier support of the machine tool, and a turret head H mounted to the turret main body M and including a turret disk H2. The turret disk is configured to be rotatable, by a first driving means D1, around a disk axis X which is an axis of rotation of the turret disk H2. The turret unit T includes a second driving means D2 for pivoting the turret head H around a turret axis Y, and the second driving means D2 is an inverted motor.