5-Axis Gantry Machine Structure With Vertical Beam Thermal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gantry machine tools are tall and thermally sensitive, leading to positioning accuracy losses due to temperature gradients, requiring costly temperature control measures.
Innovation Solution
A compact machine structure with a base and parallel linear guides on side walls, where a beam driven by motors moves vertically, eliminating the need for a Z-column and enhancing thermal stability by enclosing all 5 axes within a symmetric structure, with linear motors and cooling channels to manage heat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional mono-gantry machine structure with Z-column is used, then the machine can achieve precise positioning, but the machine height becomes large and thermal stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the Z-column from the machine structure, extracting the problematic vertical support element that caused height and thermal stability issues. The Z-column movement function is redistributed to individual column actuators, eliminating the need for a separate movable Z-column while maintaining positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the Z-axis movement function from a single Z-column into independent actuators on each column. This segmentation allows the beam to move vertically relative to fixed columns, eliminating the need for a tall Z-column while distributing the movement function across multiple smaller components.
2Shape
If a tall machine structure is used, then the machine can accommodate large workpieces, but temperature gradients increase and positioning accuracy is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dimensional arrangement by moving the beam vertically in the Z-direction while keeping columns fixed. This dimensional reorganization allows the machine to achieve the necessary working envelope without increasing overall structure height, thereby reducing temperature gradients and improving thermal stability.
3Ease of operation
If a Z-column is included in the machine design, then vertical movement is achieved, but the machine becomes more sensitive to external temperature variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the Z-column from the design, removing the component that was most susceptible to temperature variation. By distributing vertical movement to individual column actuators with fixed columns, the design eliminates the long vertical structure that acted as a thermal conduit.
4Length of stationary object
If a compact machine structure is designed, then thermal stability is improved, but the complexity of coordinating motor movements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback control systems to coordinate the multiple motors driving the beam and columns. Sensors monitor positions and temperatures, and the control system adjusts motor commands in real-time to maintain synchronization and compensate for thermal effects, managing the complexity through intelligent control.
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 solution reduces the machine's height, improves thermal stability, and maintains precision by synchronizing motor movements and balancing the machine head's weight, minimizing thermal gradients and bending moments, while maintaining machining stability and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
In a preferred embodiment, each column is driven by a linear motor. The beam is driven by two brushless motors with ballcrew.
Implementation Method 2
with linear motors and cooling channels to manage heat
Implementation Method 3
which may cause losses in positioning accuracy... costly air conditioning system
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a machine structure for a machine tool, in particular a 5-axis machine tool. The machine strucure comprises: a base, at least two linear guides arranged on the top surface of the base and positioned in parallel, a first column and a second column vertically mounted to the top surface of the base and configured to be movable on the at least two linear guides. The first column and the second column are connected by a beam, which can be driven by a motor such that the beam can be moved in the vertical direction.