Movable Fixing Base Unit for Fast, Precise Workpiece Support Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in quickly and reliably fixing workpiece supports during 3D printing processes, particularly in metal 3D printing, where high positional accuracy and reusability are required, and the integration with subsequent machining processes is complex.
Innovation Solution
A base unit with a base plate, cover plate, and fixing element, equipped with clamping bolts and a movement device, allows for simultaneous locking and unlocking of multiple workpiece supports, ensuring precise positioning and orientation, and compatibility with various machining processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If workpiece supports are fixed individually to the base unit, then each workpiece support can be secured reliably, but the fixing process becomes time-consuming and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual fixing operations into a single collective fixing operation. The fixing element is designed to simultaneously secure multiple workpiece supports (102) to the base unit through a single movement device operation, thereby maintaining reliable fixation while dramatically improving fixing speed and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing system is segmented into modular components: individual workpiece supports with clamping bolts, a base unit with cover plate, and a movable fixing element. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while enabling collective operation when assembled, resolving the contradiction between individual reliability and collective efficiency.
2Productivity
If workpiece supports are quickly fixed using simple mechanisms, then productivity improves, but positional accuracy and orientation precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cover plate through-openings (112) serve as intermediary elements that mediate between the quick-fixing requirement and the precision requirement. These precisely positioned openings guide the clamping bolts to exact locations, ensuring high positional accuracy while the automated movement device maintains high fixing speed through rapid single-action securing.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover plate through-openings are pre-positioned and precisely configured before the fixing operation. This preliminary preparation of exact positioning features allows the actual fixing action to be performed quickly without compromising precision, as the geometric constraints are already in place to guide accurate positioning.
3Stability of the object's composition
If workpiece supports are securely clamped to prevent movement, then positional stability is maintained, but the complexity of the fixing mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing element is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions: it simultaneously clamps multiple workpiece supports, maintains their positional stability, and can be operated by a single movement device. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate clamping mechanisms for each workpiece support while still achieving secure, stable fixation.
4Productivity
If multiple workpiece supports are fixed simultaneously, then productivity and time efficiency improve, but the reliability of individual fixation may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing element combines multiple fixation points into a single integrated component that operates simultaneously on all workpiece supports. This merging ensures uniform application of clamping force across all supports while maintaining individual reliability, as each workpiece support is secured by the same standardized fixing mechanism acting in unison rather than by different individual mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
In order to create a base unit for releasably fixing workpiece supports, which each comprise at least one clamping bolt, that makes it possible to quickly and reliably create a workpiece support structure from a plurality of workpiece supports on the top side of the base unit, said workpiece support structure having a total workpiece support face of a desired shape and size, it is proposed that the base unit comprises the following:a base plate,a cover plate, which is provided with cover plate through-openings through each of which a clamping bolt of a workpiece support can pass,a fixing element, which is provided with fixing element through-openings through each of which a clamping bolt of a workpiece support can pass, and by means of which at least one clamping bolt of a workpiece support is fixable to the base unit when the fixing element is located in a working position, anda movement device for moving the fixing element from a rest position into the working position and/or from the working position into the rest position.