Dual Tool Arm Changer for Compact High-Capacity Tool Magazines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool change systems in metalworking machines face limitations in accommodating a large number of tools, efficiency, and complexity, particularly with grip arm style and cam style mechanisms, which result in bulky designs, poor tool selection efficiency, and increased tool change time.
Innovation Solution
A tool change unit with two rotatable tool arms that can move upward and downward, capable of 180-degree rotation, allowing for flexible tool change operations without requiring significant main axle movement, and compatible with both circular disc and chain style tool magazines, utilizing a power unit such as a servomotor or cam box for precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a grip arm style tool magazine is used to accommodate a large number of tools, then the tool magazine size must be greatly enlarged, but this causes interference with the front side of the metalworking machine that requires frequent opening and closing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a linear grip arm style tool magazine to a circular disc style tool magazine, changing the spatial arrangement from one-dimensional linear storage to two-dimensional circular storage. This dimensional change allows tools to be arranged radially around a central axis, significantly increasing tool capacity without proportionally increasing the overall footprint of the tool magazine, thereby avoiding interference with the metalworking machine's front side operations.
2Ease of operation
If the main axle moves upward away from the magazine to select a tool, then tool selection can be performed without interference, but this makes the efficiency of tool change poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a system where the tool magazine is pre-positioned in a circular configuration around the main axle, with tools already arranged in accessible positions. The tool selection mechanism is pre-configured to access tools without requiring the main axle to move upward, allowing tool selection to be performed in advance or simultaneously with other operations, thereby eliminating the time-consuming upward movement step and improving tool change efficiency.
3Quantity of substance
If the diameter of the grip arm style tool magazine is greatly enlarged to accommodate a large number of tools, then more tools can be stored, but the distance that the tool needs to move is greatly extended, increasing the time required for tool change
Solution Approach 1:
By transitioning to a circular disc style tool magazine, the patent arranges tools in a radial configuration around a central pickup point. This allows multiple tools to be stored at different angular positions around the circle, all equidistant from the center, enabling rapid tool selection without requiring long linear movements. The circular arrangement optimizes the ratio between tool capacity and tool access distance, significantly reducing tool change time compared to linear arrangements.
4Quantity of substance
If a cam style tool change device with a circular disc style tool magazine is used, then a large number of tools can be accommodated, but the cam box has a complicated structure and machining is difficult, increasing production cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex cam box mechanism from the tool change system. Instead of using cam-based actuation, the invention employs a simplified direct-drive or motorized positioning system that rotates the circular disc tool magazine to bring selected tools into position. This extraction of the cam mechanism removes the source of structural complexity and machining difficulty, significantly simplifying the overall device while maintaining the ability to accommodate a large number of tools in the circular arrangement.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool change unit includes a base and two tool arms rotatably mounted on the base and respectively located on two sides of the base. Each arm body includes a position-returning element, a gripping element, and an actuation element. The position-returning element enables the tool arm to rotate for upward and downward moving between a first position and a second position. The gripping element functions to grip a main-axle tool or a magazine tool. The tool change unit is combinable with a power unit to form a tool change device. The power unit drives the tool change unit to do rotation or rotation and upward and downward movement.