Gear Shaping Spindle Control for Precise Stroke Positioning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gear shaping machines require significant experience and skill for stroke position and stroke length adjustments, with mutual limitations in adjustment ranges, making precise adjustments challenging and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

A gear shaping machine with a motor-controlled spindle drive for CNC-adjusted stroke position, eliminating the need for a pusher head slide and allowing independent stroke position and length adjustments, ensuring high precision and structural simplicity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual adjustment of stroke position is used, then machine operator skill and experience are required, but adjustment precision and repeatability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestroke position adjustment precisionVSAvoidoperator skill requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated motor-driven spindle rotation system. The spindle rotation amount is controlled by a servo motor based on feedback from a scale measuring the actual rotation, eliminating the need for manual operator skill while achieving high precision stroke position adjustment through automated control and feedback mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If shaping head slide is added for independent adjustment, then stroke position and length become independent, but machine structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent adjustment capabilityVSAvoidmachine structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the spindle rotation serve multiple functions: it both drives the gear shaping cutting operation and simultaneously adjusts the stroke position. By controlling the rotation amount of the spindle, the system achieves both machining and positioning functions, eliminating the need for a separate shaping head slide mechanism while maintaining independent adjustment capability through software control.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If maximum stroke position and stroke length adjustment are mutually limited, then machine structure remains simple, but adjustment flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment flexibilityVSAvoidmachine structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic adjustability where the stroke position can be flexibly changed by controlling the spindle rotation amount, which is determined by the difference in axial dimensions between tools. This dynamic control system allows the machine to adapt to different adjustment requirements without structural modifications, achieving high flexibility through software-controlled motor rotation rather than fixed mechanical limits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 enables precise, automated stroke position adjustments without manual expertise, maintaining system stability and accuracy, even after tool resharpening, by using a connecting rod arrangement with hydraulic or pneumatic actuation for rotational and axial movements.

Implementation Method 1

using a connecting rod arrangement with hydraulic or pneumatic actuation for rotational and axial movements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic actuation: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

using a connecting rod arrangement with hydraulic or pneumatic actuation for rotational and axial movements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic actuation: Gas Compressor

Data Source

PatentEP3172004B1Gear shaping machine for machining workpieces and gear shaping method for machining workpieces
Publication Date: 2024.07.03 GLEASON PFAUTER MASCHFAB
  • EP3172004B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3172004B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3172004B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a machine for the gear cutting machining of workpieces, in particular a gear planing machine, comprising a spindle for holding a machining tool, and a drive by means of which the spindle can be rotationally driven about its spindle axis, and further comprising an arrangement. When said arrangement is actuated, a spindle rotation caused by the drive changes the axial relative position with respect to the spindle axis.