Floating Holder Unit for Stringy Swarf Catching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swarf handling technologies face difficulties in automatically catching and collecting stringy swarf due to unpredictable delivery directions, leading to reduced machine tool operating efficiency and increased manual intervention.
Innovation Solution
A swarf handling apparatus with a holder unit that floats around the machining point, allowing it to contact and catch stringy swarf without precise prediction of its delivery position, and includes features like rotation and magnetic forces for reliable capture and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conventional swarf handling techniques (suction ports, guide channels, or spools) are used, then swarf can be collected once caught, but automatic catching of newly generated stringy swarf is extremely difficult due to unpredictable delivery directions
Solution Approach 1:
The holder unit is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position in the radial direction to track and catch the tip end of stringy swarf as it is generated during machining. This dynamic positioning enables reliable automatic catching despite unpredictable swarf delivery directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a sensor to detect the position of the tip end of generated stringy swarf and feeds this information back to the control unit, which then adjusts the holder unit's position accordingly. This closed-loop feedback control ensures the holder unit reliably catches newly generated swarf.
2Productivity
If the holder unit travels at high speed to catch swarf, then catching efficiency improves, but swarf may be subjected to excessive pulling force causing breakage or entanglement
Solution Approach 1:
The holder unit's travel speed is dynamically adjusted based on the growth rate of the stringy swarf. By matching the holder unit's speed to the swarf generation rate rather than using high speed, the system maintains swarf integrity while achieving effective catching.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the speed parameter of the holder unit to be lower than or equal to the swarf growth rate, preventing excessive pulling forces that would cause breakage or entanglement, while still maintaining effective catching efficiency.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If intermittent cutting operation is performed to shorten stringy swarf length, then winding prevention is achieved, but tool blade lifespan is shortened and lead time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the swarf removal function from the machining process itself by introducing a separate holder unit that continuously catches and removes stringy swarf as it is generated. This allows continuous machining without intermittent stopping, maintaining tool lifespan and productivity while preventing swarf winding.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder unit operates continuously during machining to catch and remove stringy swarf in real-time, eliminating the need for intermittent cutting operations. This continuous action maintains both machining efficiency and tool blade lifespan while effectively preventing swarf winding.
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 apparatus effectively catches and collects stringy swarf with higher reliability, preventing entanglement and breakage, and simplifies the swarf handling process by allowing the holder unit to travel at a speed lower than the swarf growth rate, thereby enhancing machine tool operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the holder unit that holds the stringy swarf when the stringy swarf makes contact with the holder unit
Data Source
AI summary
A swarf handling apparatus installed in a machining tool that performs machining operation accompanied with production of stringy swarf includes a swarf catching device. The swarf catching device includes a holder unit that holds the stringy swarf when the stringy swarf makes contact with the holder unit. The swarf catching device causes the holder unit to be floated in a region around a machining point in such a manner that the position of the holder unit is varied relative to the machining point, for catching the stringy swarf in the holder unit.