Dual-Transport Machine Tool for Simultaneous Workpiece Machining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional machine tools for drilling and milling on moving panels suffer from low machining precision and significant encumbrances, limiting their ability to perform high-precision operations efficiently and productively.

Innovation Solution

A machine tool design featuring dual transport systems and movable drilling/milling units along parallel axes, allowing simultaneous machining of workpieces advancing in different directions, with stop elements and contact elements to maintain precision and speed synchronization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional machine tools are used for drilling and milling on moving panels, then the machine structure is simple, but the machining precision is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining precisionVSAvoidmachine structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The machine tool is divided into two independent transport means moving in opposite directions, each handling a separate row of workpieces. This segmentation allows each transport system to be optimized for precision while maintaining overall system simplicity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a dual-transport configuration where workpieces move in opposite directions along parallel paths. This dimensional arrangement enables simultaneous machining of multiple workpieces with high precision while keeping the machine footprint compact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If traditional machine tools process moving workpieces, then the device size is limited, but the productivity is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproductivity levelVSAvoidoverall size
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Both transport means operate continuously in opposite directions, enabling uninterrupted machining of workpieces. The continuous bidirectional transport maximizes productivity by eliminating idle time while maintaining a compact machine structure through efficient space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If workpieces are transported along advancing direction during machining, then the productivity is improved, but the machining precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproductivity levelVSAvoidmachining precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving workpieces in a single direction, the invention employs two transport means moving in opposite directions. This inverted approach allows each workpiece row to be processed with high precision while maintaining continuous motion and high productivity through bidirectional transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP4011580A1Machine tool
Publication Date: 2022.06.15 SCM GRP
  • EP4011580A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4011580A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4011580A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a machine tool (1) for drilling and/or milling workpieces (P1, P2) comprising: first means of transport (2) for transporting, in use, a first plurality of consecutive workpieces (P1), along a first advancing direction (D1); second means of transport (3) for transporting, in use, a second plurality of consecutive workpieces (P2), along a second advancing direction (D2) substantially parallel to said first advancing direction (D1); at least one support (8) substantially parallel to said first advancing direction (D1) and said second advancing direction (D2) and arranged between said first means of transport (2) and said second means of transport (3); first drilling and/or milling means (9) connected to said at least one support (8) in a movable manner along a first axis (X) parallel to said first advancing direction (D1) and said second advancing direction (D2); said first drilling and/or milling means (9) being mounted on a first side of said at least one support (8), substantially facing said first transport means (2); and second drilling and/or milling means (10) connected to said at least one support (8) in a movable manner along a second axis parallel to said first axis (X); said second drilling and/or milling means (10) being mounted on a second side of said at least one support (8), substantially facing said second means of transport (3), in such a way as to allow, in use, the simultaneous drilling and/or milling of said first plurality of workpieces (P1) by said first drilling and/or milling means (9) and of said second plurality of workpieces (P2) by said second drilling and/or milling means (10) while said first plurality of workpieces (P1) advances along said first advancing direction (D1) and said second plurality of workpieces (P2) advances along said second advancing direction (D2).