Floating-Support Rolling Tool for Self-Aligning Profile Sections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rolling tools incur high refurbishment costs and compromise the quality of the outer contour of workpieces due to complex designs and material inefficiencies, particularly in the alignment and maintenance of profiling sections.

Innovation Solution

A rolling tool design featuring a base body and profile part connected via a floating bearing with translational degree of freedom, allowing for self-alignment using off-track forces and enabling easy interchangeability and material savings by separating the tool into distinct, differently materialled parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the rolling tool is designed as a multi-part construction with firmly connected base body and profile part, then the structural stability is improved, but the refurbishment costs increase and material efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidrefurbishment costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The rolling tool is divided into two separable parts: a base body and a profile part. The profile part can be detached and replaced independently when worn, while the base body remains. This segmentation allows cost-effective refurbishment by replacing only the consumable profile part rather than the entire tool assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The profile part is designed as a consumable component that can be discarded when worn and replaced with a new or reconditioned profile part. The base body is recovered and retained for continued use, reducing material waste and refurbishment costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Strength

If the base body and profile part are firmly connected by screw connections, then the connection strength is improved, but the alignment precision deteriorates due to inability to self-adjust

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the base body and profile part transitions from a static, fixed connection to a dynamic, adjustable connection. The profile part can move relative to the base body in the rolling direction and automatically align itself during operation, enabling real-time adjustment while maintaining operational strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The profile part performs self-alignment automatically during the rolling process through its ability to move and adjust its position relative to the base body. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for external alignment procedures or complex adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Strength

If the profile part has considerable thickness many times thicker than the base body, then the structural strength is improved, but the material efficiency deteriorates and freight costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidmaterial efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The base body and profile part are made with different thicknesses optimized for their specific functions. The base body has sufficient thickness for structural support and mounting, while the profile part has the minimum necessary thickness for its shaping function. This local optimization reduces overall material consumption while maintaining required strength at each location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Device complexity

If the rolling tool is designed as a single integrated piece, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability deteriorates for different material requirements and functions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rolling tool is segmented into a base body and a profile part that can be independently selected and combined. Different profile parts can be attached to the same base body to create tools suited for different materials and functions, providing versatility without requiring multiple complete tool assemblies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base body is designed as a universal mounting platform that can accommodate different profile parts. This allows a single base body to serve multiple functions by simply changing the profile part, reducing the need for multiple specialized tools while maintaining adaptability to different workpiece requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3609634B1Multi-piece rolling tool with floating support and rolling machine
Publication Date: 2022.04.27 KAMAX HLDG GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3609634B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3609634B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3609634B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A rolling tool (5) has a main body (6) for fastening of the rolling tool (5) in a rolling machine (1) and a profiled part (7) for the shaping treatment of a workpiece (2) to be rolled. The main body (6) and the profiled part (7) have a multi-piece design. The main body (6) and the profiled part (7), when connected to each other, are mounted so as to be movable relative to each other in a plane perpendicular to the rolling direction (23). The main body (6) of the rolling tool (5) can also be part of the rolling machine (1).