Elastomer Chuck Table for Warped Workpiece Half-Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chuck tables fail to securely hold warped plate-shaped workpieces during cut-machining, leading to deviations and potential damage to the workpiece and cutter blades, and result in inconsistent groove depths due to uneven contact.
Innovation Solution
A chuck table with a base and an elastomer-covered holder surface featuring suction holes, capable of securely holding warped workpieces through negative pressure, combined with an upper-surface height measuring process to adjust cutter blade positions for precise half-cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional chuck table with a rigid holder surface is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but warped workpieces cannot be securely held because the lower surface does not entirely contact the holder surface
Solution Approach 1:
The holder surface is covered with an elastic member (rubber or resin layer) that can elastically deform to conform to the lower surface of warped workpieces. This flexible covering allows the suction holes to maintain contact with the workpiece across the entire holder surface area, enabling secure holding of warped pieces without changing the basic chuck table structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If cut-machining is performed on warped workpieces without considering their warped form, then the processing speed is maintained, but the groove depths become inconsistent and undesired variations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is installed on the holder surface before the workpiece is placed. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the workpiece is positioned, the elastic member can immediately deform to match the workpiece's lower surface contour, providing uniform contact and consistent groove depth from the beginning of the cutting operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic modulus and thickness of the elastic member are carefully selected to achieve optimal deformation characteristics. By controlling these parameters, the elastic member can sufficiently deform to accommodate warped workpieces while maintaining enough rigidity to provide stable support during cutting, thereby ensuring consistent groove depths.
3Reliability
If the workpiece is not securely held during cut-machining, then the processing operation can proceed, but the workpiece deviates and damages occur to the cutter blade
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member acts as a cushioning layer between the rigid holder surface and the workpiece. This cushioning effect allows the elastic member to deform and absorb irregularities in the workpiece surface, ensuring uniform suction contact and preventing workpiece deviation that could lead to cutter blade damage.
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
Ensures accurate and stable cutting of warped workpieces by maintaining consistent groove depths and preventing deviations, thereby protecting the cutter blades and enhancing processing accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of suction holes arranged in the holder surface region and formed through to a lower surface of the base, the plurality of suction holes being connectable with a suction source
Implementation Method 2
an elastic member made of an elastomer having a predetermined thickness. The elastic member is arranged entirely in the holder surface region and forms the holder surface
Data Source
AI summary
A chuck table is configured to suction and hold a plate-shaped workpiece on a holder surface. The chuck table includes a base having a holder surface region on an upper surface thereof, a plurality of suction holes which are arranged in the holder surface region, formed through to a lower surface of the base, and connectable with a suction source, and an elastic member made of an elastomer having a predetermined thickness. The elastic member is arranged entirely in the holder surface region and forms the holder surface.