Dual-Spindle Machine Tool Control for Smooth Friction Welding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional machine tools face difficulties in smoothly performing friction-welding of workpieces due to the axial movement of both spindles, which complicates the process.
Innovation Solution
A machine tool design with a first spindle and a second spindle, where the first spindle is stationary during friction-welding and torque detection is used to maintain its position, while the second spindle moves axially, controlled by a control unit to resist detected torque, ensuring smooth friction-welding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If both spindles are provided as movable in the axial direction, then the machine tool structure is symmetric and flexible, but it becomes difficult to smoothly carry out friction-welding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by making the first spindle movable in the axial direction while the second spindle is fixed and cannot move in the axial direction. This asymmetric configuration resolves the friction-welding difficulty by providing a stable reference frame, while still maintaining operational flexibility through the movable first spindle.
2Device complexity
If both spindles are movable in the axial direction, then the machine tool has symmetric structure, but the friction-welding process becomes complex and difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the axial movement capability from the second spindle, making it fixed while retaining axial movement capability in the first spindle. This extraction simplifies the control system by eliminating the need to coordinate axial movements of both spindles, thereby reducing device complexity and improving friction-welding smoothness.
3Ease of operation
If the first spindle is maintained stationary during friction-welding using torque detection, then the friction-welding becomes smooth and controllable, but the control system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by detecting the torque applied to the first drive source and using this information to control the operation of the first drive source. This feedback mechanism maintains the axial position of the first spindle by resisting detected torque, ensuring smooth friction-welding while providing automated control that manages the complexity.
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 design allows for seamless friction-welding by maintaining one spindle stationary, reducing complexity and cost, and enables continuous machining processes like cutting without spindle rotation adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
torque detecting means for detecting the torque applied to the first drive source; and the control means is adapted to control operation of the first drive source upon the friction-welding of the first workpiece and the second workpiece, so as to resist the torque detected by the torque detecting means and maintain the axial position of the first spindle
Implementation Method 2
bring the first workpiece held by the first spindle and the second workpiece held by the second spindle into contact with each other while rotating them relative to each other, thereby to carry out friction-heating
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3
AI summary
A machine tool 1 includes a first main shaft 3a, a first drive source 9a for moving the first main shaft 3a in the axial direction, a second main shaft 3b, a second drive source 9b for moving the second main shaft 3b in the axial direction, and a control means C for carrying out a control so as to bring the workpiece W1 held by the first main shaft 3a and the workpiece W2 held by the second main shaft 3b into contact with each other while rotating them relative to each other, thereby to carry out the friction-heating, and to stop the relative rotation of the pair of workpieces W1 and W2 and move only the second main shaft 3b in the axial direction while holding the first main shaft 3a stationary, thereby to carry out friction-welding of the pair of workpieces W1 and W2. The control means C controls the operation of the first drive source 9a upon the friction-welding of the pair of workpieces W1 and W2, so as to maintain the axial position of the first main shaft 3a.