Six-Axis Grinding Machine Concave Surface Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing four-axis grinding machines are limited in their ability to grind concave peripheral lines and contour surfaces, requiring separate clamping operations for such workpieces, which complicates the grinding process and limits flexibility in processing different workpieces.
Innovation Solution
A six-axis grinding machine design that allows the grinding spindle and workpiece spindle to move in three linear axes under numerical control, with additional rotational axes enabling the grinding tool to pivot relative to the workpiece spindle, allowing for concave surface grinding without re-clamping, and a modular clamping device for easy adaptation to various workpieces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a four-axis grinding machine is used, then the structure is simpler, but it cannot grind concave peripheral lines and contour surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a four-axis to a six-axis grinding machine by adding two rotational axes (grinding spindle rotation and workpiece spindle rotation). This dimensional expansion enables the grinding tool to access and grind concave peripheral lines and contour surfaces that were previously inaccessible, directly resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic rotational capabilities to both the grinding spindle and workpiece spindle. The grinding spindle can rotate about its own axis, and the workpiece spindle can rotate about its axis, creating dynamic positioning capabilities that allow the system to adapt to various workpiece geometries including concave surfaces, thereby improving versatility without excessive structural complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate clamping operations are used for concave surfaces, then the grinding capability is improved, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple grinding operations into a single clamping operation. By enabling the workpiece spindle to rotate and the grinding spindle to rotate, the system can grind flat surfaces, peripheral lines, and contour surfaces without releasing or re-clamping the workpiece, thereby merging multiple operations into one continuous process and significantly improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables continuous grinding operations by maintaining the workpiece in a single clamped position while utilizing rotational movements of both spindles to access different surfaces. This eliminates idle time associated with re-clamping operations and maintains continuous useful action throughout the grinding process, directly addressing the productivity concern.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a six-axis grinding machine is used, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal grinding machine that can handle multiple workpiece types and surface geometries through its six-axis configuration. The ability of both spindles to rotate independently allows a single machine to perform various grinding operations on different surfaces, achieving multi-functionality that reduces the need for multiple specialized machines despite the increased structural complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The machine has a grinding tool (22) clamped at a rotatably driven grinding spindle. A workpiece e.g. cutting insert, is clamped at a counter plunger and a clamping plunger. A clamping device is mounted at a workpiece pivoting spindle (26). The clamping device includes a base body (30), where a servomotor is fixedly accommodated in the base body. The clamping device is fixedly mounted as a modular assembly at the workpiece pivoting spindle with a coupling unit. A workpiece spindle axis intersects a workpiece spindle pivot axis at a right angle when the clamping device is mounted.