Dynamic Clamping Device for Milling Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional milling machines face issues with coolant penetration and chip inclusion between metal sheets, leading to surface damage and instability, which affects precision and productivity.
Innovation Solution
A working machine with a clamping device featuring first and second clamping means that move alternately between operative and non-operative positions, dynamically following the working head to maintain constant pressure and stability, preventing coolant and chip penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional clamping devices are used to hold metal sheets during milling, then the sheets can be clamped and positioned, but coolant penetrates among the sheets causing surface damage and requiring additional washing
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device is divided into multiple independent clamping means (at least two) that can operate separately. Each clamping means can be independently positioned in operative or non-operative positions, allowing selective clamping of different sheet regions while maintaining barriers against coolant penetration at each clamping interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping means are made dynamically movable between operative and non-operative positions during the working cycle. This dynamic positioning allows the clamping means to follow the working head movement in the xy plane while maintaining clamping contact in the z direction, creating a dynamic barrier against coolant penetration while adapting to the machining process.
2Reliability
If conventional clamping devices are used to hold metal sheets during milling, then the sheets can be clamped, but chips are included between sheet components leaving marks on the surface
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the clamping function into multiple separate clamping means, each with its own clamping interface, the device creates multiple barriers that prevent chips from penetrating between sheets. The segmented structure allows chips to be contained and removed more effectively while maintaining surface quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic movement of clamping means between operative and non-operative positions during the working cycle prevents chips from becoming trapped between sheets. When clamping means move to non-operative positions, they create space for chip removal while maintaining clamping stability during actual machining operations.
3Manufacturing precision
If the stability of the stack of sheets is not sufficient, then it is difficult to guarantee high working precision, but increasing stability requires more complex clamping mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic positioning capability of the clamping means allows them to follow the working head movement in the xy plane while maintaining constant clamping force in the z direction. This dynamic adaptation ensures high working precision without requiring overly complex fixed clamping mechanisms, as the clamping means naturally adjust to the machining process.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping means serve multiple functions: they provide clamping force to stabilize sheets, they follow the working head movement to maintain positioning accuracy, and they create barriers against coolant and chip penetration. This multi-functionality achieves high working precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
4Productivity
If conventional clamping devices are used, then sheets can be clamped, but operating speed is limited due to stability constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic movement of clamping means between operative and non-operative positions during the working cycle enables high operating speeds. The clamping means can quickly transition between clamping and non-clamping states, allowing rapid machining cycles while maintaining stack stability during actual cutting operations. The ability to move with the working head in the xy plane further enables high-speed machining without compromising stability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A working machine comprising a working head (1) having a spindle (10) and which is movable in a xyz working space and further comprising a clamping device (2,3) for clamping pieces (100) to be worked by said machine. The clamping device (2,3) comprises first (21, 31) and second (22,32) clamping means which are movable along a z direction between a first operative position, in which they are in clamping contact with pieces (100) to be worked, and a second non-operative position, in which they are at a distance from said pieces (100), said first (21, 31) and second (22, 32) clamping means being fixed with respect to an xy working plane when in said first operative position and being movable together with said working head (1) in said xy working plane when in said second non-operative position, said first (21, 31) and second (22, 32) clamping means being alternatively moved between said first and second position during a working cycle of said working machine.