Facing Head Sealing and Torque Layout for Accurate Radial Slide Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing facing heads for machine tools face issues with reduced slide positioning accuracy due to clearance between the drive and measurement system, inadequate torque for large-diameter operations, and lack of automatic slide locking and tool change capabilities, leading to potential contamination and manual hazards.
Innovation Solution
A facing head design with a sealed compartment for the drive and measurement system, utilizing two gear chains for torque enhancement and automatic locking, and an electric and fluid collector system for secure connections and tool unlocking, ensuring accurate torque sharing and automatic operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the drive and measurement system is located in the rotary part of the head, then slide positioning accuracy is improved, but the risk of contamination from coolant and metal particles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The facing head is divided into a fixed part and a rotary part. The drive and measurement system is located in the rotary part which rotates together with the head, separating it from the stationary components and reducing clearance-related positioning errors while containing it within a protected rotational envelope.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealed compartment is introduced as an intermediary barrier between the drive/measurement system and the external environment. This compartment prevents coolant and metal particles from reaching the electrical connections and measurement transducer, while still allowing the system to function within the rotary part.
2Force
If speed reduction chains are used to increase torque, then torque availability is improved, but torque sharing accuracy between chains deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Two separate speed reduction chains are merged into a common rotary part structure. Both chains transmit torque to the same rotary assembly, and through precise machining of the rotary part, the torque from both chains is evenly distributed and combined, achieving both high torque and accurate torque sharing.
Solution Approach 2:
The machining accuracy parameters of the rotary part are optimized to ensure that the interfaces where both speed reduction chains connect to the rotary part have minimal variation. This parameter control ensures equal torque distribution between the chains despite the complexity of the transmission system.
3Productivity
If the facing head is designed for automatic tool change, then productivity is improved, but the complexity of the locking and unlocking system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is designed with multi-functionality. The same locking mechanism serves both to lock the slide in radial positions and to lock the tool holder during automatic tool change. This universal locking approach enables automatic tool change without requiring separate complex locking systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic locking and unlocking system is designed to operate autonomously during tool change operations. The system automatically locks the tool holder in position and unlocks it when needed, without requiring manual intervention, thereby enabling productive automatic tool change while keeping the control system relatively simple through automated sequences.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A facing head (1) is here described comprising a fixed part (4), couplable with a head of a machine tool (2) via an interface plate (3), a rotary part (5), wherein a compartment (35) is placed internally to which drive means (100) and measurement means (101) are housed for driving and measuring a radial slide (6) which is supported by the rotary part (5) so as to close the compartment (35), and at least one electric collector suitable for transmitting the electrical signals for controlling the drive means (100) and measurement means (101) used for driving and measuring the radial slide (6). The facing head (1) comprises a continuous gasket (40), which is configured in such a way as to completely make contact with the radial slide (6) and is housed inside a respective recess (34) which externally surrounds the compartment (35), and a fluid collector, which is suitable for supplying the compartment (35) with pressurized air, so that the pressure inside the compartment (35) is higher than the atmospheric pressure, so as to seal the compartment (35). The fluid collector comprises a rotary portion (22), which is integral with the rotary part (5) of the facing head (1) and comprises first fluid routes (43) internally thereto, and a fixed portion (23), which is integral with the fixed part (4) of the facing head (1) and comprises, internally thereto, second fixed fluid routes (45) coupled with the first fluid routes (43) to supply the rotary part (5) with a coolant, to supply the compartment (35) with pressurized air, and to transport the oil necessary for automatically locking the radial slide (6).