Gear Cutting Head Counterholder Layout for Milling-Skiving Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gear cutting machines face challenges in efficiently managing counterholders during machining processes, particularly when switching between milling and skiving operations, due to interference contours and limited working space, which restricts flexibility and accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A gear cutting machine design that allows the counterholder to be moved into an inactive position or releasably connected to the machining head, enabling it to be folded away or dismantled, thereby increasing working space and reducing interference contours, and incorporating a control system for alternating between milling and skiving tools with different axis crossing angles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the counterholder is fixed in the working position, then the tool can be clamped stably between the tool holder and counterholder, but the working space is limited and interference contours are formed when switching to skiving operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool clamping stabilityVSAvoidmachining operation flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The counterholder is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to transition between a working position (for stable tool clamping during milling) and an inactive position (to clear the working space for skiving operations). This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction between maintaining clamping stability and enabling operational versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The counterholder is divided into a movable counterholder body and a stationary mounting structure on the machining head. This segmentation allows the counterholder to be independently repositioned relative to the tool holder, enabling it to provide support when needed while clearing the workspace when not required, thus balancing stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If the counterholder remains in the working position, then tool clamping is secure, but the interfering contour restricts the available working space for other machining operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool clamping forceVSAvoidavailable working space
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The counterholder's position is made dynamic through a movable mounting mechanism, allowing it to be repositioned from a working position (where it provides strong tool clamping) to an inactive position (where it clears the working space). This resolves the contradiction between maintaining clamping strength and maximizing available working space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the counterholder is permanently mounted on the machining head, then the structure is simple and stable, but the machine cannot easily switch between milling and skiving modes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecounterholder mounting structureVSAvoidmachining mode switching capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The counterholder mounting structure incorporates a movable connection mechanism that allows the counterholder to be repositioned between working and inactive positions. This dynamic feature adds controlled complexity to enable easy switching between milling and skiving modes, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and operational versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If the counterholder is moved into the inactive position, then the working space is increased and interference contours are reduced, but the tool cannot be clamped on both sides

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining operation flexibilityVSAvoidtool clamping stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The counterholder's movable design allows it to be dynamically positioned in the working position when dual-side tool clamping is required, and moved to the inactive position when working space clearance is needed. This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction between maintaining tool clamping stability and enabling operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3636374B1Gear cutting machine and method of making a toothed workpiece
Publication Date: 2021.09.15 LIEBHER VERZAHNTECHNIK GMBH
  • EP3636374B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3636374B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3636374B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention comprises a gear cutting machine with a workpiece holder (1) and a tool holder (3), each of which can be rotated by a drive (5, 5'), wherein the tool holder is arranged on a machining head (6) which is movable relative to the workpiece holder via one or more axes of movement of the gear cutting machine in order to machine the gear teeth of a workpiece held in the workpiece holder by a tool (14) held in the tool holder, wherein the tool holder has a counter-holder (4). It is provided that the counter-holder is movable from its working position to an inactive position via an axis of movement (9) and/or is detachably connected to the machining head of the gear cutting machine. The invention further relates to a method for producing at least one geared workpiece.