Guide Rail Flat Honing for Faster High-Precision Machining

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing method for machining guide rails is labor-intensive and time-consuming due to the need for multiple processing steps, tool changes, and frequent re-clamping, which hinders the achievement of high precision and low surface roughness.

Innovation Solution

The method involves simultaneous flat honing of opposing plane-parallel side surfaces using a rotor disk and honing disks in planetary kinematics, reducing the number of processing steps and allowing for improved surface quality and reduced processing time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If multiple individual machining steps (rough grinding, surface grinding, angle grinding, prism grinding) are used to machine guide rail surfaces, then manufacturing precision and surface quality are improved, but processing time and labor intensity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflatness and surface roughnessVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple individual machining steps (rough grinding, surface grinding, angle grinding, and prism grinding) into a single integrated honing operation. The honing tool simultaneously performs all these functions in one pass, eliminating the need for sequential processing steps and significantly reducing processing time while maintaining the required manufacturing precision and surface quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The honing tool is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform roughing, finishing, angle grinding, and prism grinding operations simultaneously. This universal tool replaces multiple specialized grinding tools, enabling all surface preparation steps to be completed in a single machining operation without compromising the precision requirements

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If the guide rail is re-clamped and re-positioned between machining steps, then different surfaces can be accessed for individual processing, but productivity decreases due to frequent setup changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to different surfacesVSAvoidprocessing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the machining of all four side surfaces and the V-shaped recess into a single honing operation. The guide rail is clamped once and the honing tool is designed to access and machine all surfaces simultaneously in one setup, eliminating repeated clamping and re-positioning operations while maintaining full adaptability to machine all required surfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple tools are changed between machining steps, then appropriate tools can be used for each specific surface, but device complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface qualityVSAvoidnumber of tools and setups
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a single universal honing tool that integrates the functions of multiple specialized grinding tools. This honing tool can machine flat surfaces, angled surfaces, and V-shaped recesses simultaneously, eliminating the need for tool changes and reducing device complexity while maintaining the precision required for different surface types

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

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

This approach significantly reduces the time required for processing while enhancing the surface quality of guide rails by combining the speed of grinding with the precision of lapping, achieving improved flatness and surface smoothness in fewer steps.

Implementation Method 1

the side surfaces of the sliding guide rail 100 are first rough-ground... the side surfaces of the guide rail 100 are surface ground... the side surfaces of the sliding guide rail 100 are angle-ground... prism grinding of the V-shaped recess 105 is performed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

simultaneous flat honing of opposing plane-parallel side surfaces using a rotor disk and honing disks in planetary kinematics

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlanetary kinematics:

Data Source

PatentEP4368336A1Method for machining a guide rail
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 SCHNEEBERGER AG LINEARTECHN
  • EP4368336A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4368336A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4368336A1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

A method for machining a guide rail (100) having a first pair of opposing plane-parallel side surfaces (101, 103), wherein the two side surfaces (101, 103) of the first pair are machined simultaneously by flat honing.