Extendable Conveyor Belt Loading for Clean CNC Stock Feeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CNC machines face challenges in automating the loading and unloading of stock due to issues like stock falling out in five-axis machines and space occupancy in three-axis machines, along with contamination problems during automated processes.
Innovation Solution
A linearly-actuated conveyor belt system that extends and retracts into the CNC machine, providing a consistent feed of stock material while keeping unprocessed stock and final parts outside the machine, and incorporating an actuated door to guard against contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a tray is placed flat inside a five-axis CNC machine housing for automated stock loading, then automation is achieved, but the stock pieces fall out when the machine's platter tilts
Solution Approach 1:
A linearly-actuated conveyor belt system serves as an intermediary mechanism between the external stock supply and the CNC machine workspace. The conveyor extends and retracts to deliver individual stock pieces to the machine table, eliminating the need for internal trays that fail during multi-axis rotation. This mediator approach allows automation while ensuring reliable stock delivery regardless of machine axis movement.
2Extent of automation
If a tray is utilized inside a three-axis CNC machine for automated loading, then automation is achieved, but the tray occupies table space that would otherwise be allocated to workholding
Solution Approach 1:
The stock storage and delivery function is extracted from the CNC machine housing and relocated to an external conveyor system. The conveyor operates independently outside the machine envelope, extending only when needed to deliver stock. This extraction eliminates the conflict between stock storage and workholding space, as the machine table remains completely available for machining operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The stock delivery system transitions from a two-dimensional tray layout within the machine housing to a three-dimensional external conveyor system that approaches the machine from the side. This dimensional shift allows stock to be delivered without occupying precious machine table area, utilizing external space instead.
3Extent of automation
If automated stock loading and unloading is implemented inside the CNC machine, then operator intervention is reduced, but chips and coolant contaminate the stock or tray during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the automated loading process into distinct zones: a clean external conveyor zone and a controlled machine workspace zone. The conveyor belt delivers stock individually to the machine table through a controlled interface, minimizing exposure to chips and coolant. This segmentation allows automation while protecting stock from contamination by separating the loading mechanism from the machining environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor belt acts as a mediator that interfaces between the clean external environment and the contaminated machining zone. It delivers stock to the machine table through a controlled opening, minimizing exposure to chips and coolant. The actuated door further mediates this interface, opening only when stock delivery is needed and closing during machining to contain contaminants.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a conveyor system for feeding stock into a CNC machine, comprising a conveyor belt; one or more of a pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric actuator for the conveyor belt; an extendable and retractable platform, and one or more of a pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric actuator for the extendable and retractable platform, wherein the conveyor belt is mounted on the extendable and retractable platform; and wherein the platform is configured to extend into and retract from the interior of the CNC machine.