Fixture for Coating Double-Ended Tools Using Hole Plate Arrays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fixtures for double-ended tools are complex and expensive to operate, requiring triple rotation systems and multiple coating runs to efficiently coat both ends while avoiding the non-working area, which limits capacity and increases costs.

Innovation Solution

A fixture system using battery arrays of hole plate strips to hold and mask double-ended tools, allowing simultaneous coating of both ends while preventing coating on the non-working area, with optional magnetic immobilization and design for perpendicular orientation to the coating target, enabling dense packing and efficient use of space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a triple rotation system is used to coat double-ended tools, then both working areas can be coated simultaneously, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating efficiencyVSAvoidrotation system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixture is segmented into multiple independent tool holders arranged in a circular pattern, each capable of holding a double-ended tool. The segmentation allows tools to be positioned at different angular locations around the carousel, enabling simultaneous coating of multiple tools without requiring complex individual rotation mechanisms for each tool.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixture serves multiple functions: it holds multiple double-ended tools simultaneously, positions them for coating, and enables rotation during the coating process. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated rotation mechanisms for each tool, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If tools are loaded one by one into the vacuum chamber, then each tool can be coated individually, but the productivity and efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating qualityVSAvoidcoating throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple double-ended tools are merged into a single fixture assembly, allowing them to be loaded and coated together as one unit. This combining of multiple tools into a single loadable fixture dramatically increases throughput while maintaining coating quality through consistent positioning and rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If the non-working area is not masked during coating, then the coating process is simpler, but the non-working area gets coated unnecessarily increasing material consumption and post-processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemasking system complexityVSAvoidcoating material waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The fixture provides localized masking for the non-working areas of each tool through its structural design. The tool holders and fixture components physically block coating material from reaching the non-working areas, ensuring that coating is applied only to the intended working surfaces of each double-ended tool.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of operation

If fixtures with through-holes are used to hold tools, then tools can be easily inserted, but the intermediate portion cannot be effectively masked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool loading easeVSAvoidmasking effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The tool is nested within the tool holder in such a way that the holder's structure creates an enclosing environment around the tool's intermediate portion. This nesting arrangement allows the holder itself to serve as the masking structure, effectively blocking coating material from reaching the non-working area while still permitting easy tool insertion and removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

The fixture system allows for quick and reliable coating of double-ended tools of varying sizes, reducing operational complexity and costs by eliminating the need for triple rotation and multiple coating runs, while ensuring uniform coating without coating the non-working area.

Implementation Method 1

In order to coat these tools, typically a physical vapor deposition method, such as sputtering and/or cathodic arc deposition, is used

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical vapor deposition: Physical Vapour Deposition

Implementation Method 2

with optional magnetic immobilization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic immobilization: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS11225717B2Fixture for coating of double-ended tools

Publication Date: 2022.01.18 OERLIKON SURFACE SOLUTIONS AG PFAFFIKON

AI summary

Fixture (1) for exposing two opposite ends of an object to be coated (6) to a vapor deposition while masking an intermediate portion (8) of the object against being coated, comprising an object holding device (OHD), whereas the object holding device (OHD) consists of at least one battery (3) of hole plate strips (2) which are designed and arranged that way that each single hole (retaining hole; H) is formed by a pair of hole plate strips (2) that way that the first segment (4) of the hole (H) is embodied by the preceding hole plate strip (2) and that the second segment (5) of the hole (H) is embodied by the subsequent hole plate strip (2).