Dual Pivoting Workpiece Tables for Compact Multi-Spindle Machine Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional machine tools with swiveling carriers require significant space due to the large distance between the swiveling carrier axis and the work spindle, leading to increased downtime and inefficiencies in processing multiple workpieces.
Innovation Solution
The machine tool design incorporates two swiveling carriages, each with a workpiece table, where the interference areas of the tables extend beyond the swiveling range of the carrier transversely to the carrier axis, allowing for reduced swiveling dimensions and closer proximity to the work spindle, enabling simultaneous access and processing of workpieces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single large swiveling carrier with two workpiece tables on each side is used, then the machine tool can process multiple workpieces, but the distance between the swivel carrier axis and the work spindle becomes very large, requiring significant space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single large swiveling carrier into two separate smaller swiveling carriages (first swiveling carriage with first workpiece table, second swiveling carriage with second workpiece table). Each carriage has its own swivel axis closer to the work spindles, eliminating the need for a large clearance while maintaining the capability to process multiple workpieces simultaneously or sequentially.
2Ease of operation
If the swiveling carrier is designed with large clearance for swiveling motion, then the workpiece tables can be accessed by work spindles, but the machine tool requires a significant amount of space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the two swiveling carriages at different locations in the machine tool workspace, utilizing three-dimensional space arrangement. The first swiveling carriage is positioned to be accessible by the first work spindle, while the second swiveling carriage is positioned for the second work spindle, allowing each to have adequate access clearance without requiring the entire machine tool to have large overall dimensions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a machine tool (2) with a machine frame (4), with at least one first work spindle (6), with at least one second work spindle (8), with at least one first pivoting support (10) assigned to the first work spindle (6), which is pivotally mounted in the machine frame (4) about a first pivoting support axis (12), and which comprises at least one first workpiece table (14) and at least one second workpiece table (16), and with at least one second pivoting support (20) assigned to the second work spindle (8), which is pivotally mounted in the machine frame (4) about a second pivoting support axis (22) running parallel to the first pivoting support axis (12) and spaced from the first pivoting support axis (12), and which comprises at least one first workpiece table (24) and at least one second workpiece table (26), wherein the first pivoting support (10) and the second pivoting support (20) each have a first pivoting position,can each be transferred into a second pivoting position, wherein the interference area of the first workpiece table (14) and/or the interference area of the second workpiece table (16) of the first pivoting support (10) projects outwards beyond the pivoting area of the first pivoting support (10) transversely to the first pivoting support axis (12).