Dual Tool Magazine Machine Tool for Continuous Tool Change
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine tools face productivity limitations due to limited tool storage capacity, time-consuming tool reloading, and production standstills required for changing between different workpieces, leading to insufficient throughput.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where each tool magazine has a dedicated tool setup point with a loading device for exchanging tools, allowing for simultaneous preparation of inactive magazines with new tools while active tools are in use, and using a common loading device for all magazines to streamline the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If tools are exchanged manually during workpiece machining, then tool storage capacity is increased, but production stoppage occurs during tool changing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a background magazine that is pre-loaded with tools for subsequent workpieces while the current workpiece is being machined. This preliminary preparation of tools eliminates production stoppage during tool changing, as the active magazine can be quickly swapped with the pre-loaded background magazine without interrupting the machining process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous productive action by having multiple magazines (active and background) that can be operated in parallel. While one magazine is being used for current machining operations, another magazine is being prepared in advance, ensuring that tool changing operations do not interrupt the continuous machining workflow.
2Speed
If a mobile tool magazine is used for quick tool changes, then tool changing speed is improved, but machine weight increases negatively impacting dynamics
Solution Approach 1:
The tool magazine system is segmented into multiple separate units (active magazine, background magazine, and optional third magazine) that can be independently positioned and operated. This segmentation allows the magazines to be distributed around the machine rather than consolidated in one heavy mobile unit, reducing the dynamic weight impact while maintaining quick tool changing capability through selective positioning.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple tool magazines are provided for different workpieces, then tool availability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The background magazine is designed with multi-functionality: it serves as tool storage for upcoming workpieces, acts as a backup supply during active machining, and can be quickly swapped with the active magazine. This universal design allows a single additional magazine structure to perform multiple functions that would otherwise require separate complex systems, thereby increasing tool availability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A machine tool (100) for machining workpieces (42) is provided with a tool spindle (26) and a workpiece table (40), which can be moved relative to each other in three axes (36, 18, 24) that are orthogonal to each other in order to machine a workpiece (42) clamped on the workpiece table (40) using a tool (30) clamped into the tool spindle (26), and with two tool magazines (50, 52), in each of which a respective tool set (49, 53) with tools (30) for machining the workpiece (42) are stored that can be selectively clamped into the tool spindle (26). Preferably, only one tool magazine (50, 52) is active at a time such that in each case solely the tool set (49, 53) from the active tool magazine (50, 52) is used to machine a clamped workpiece (42).