Hinged CNC X-Y Table for Accurate In-Place Pulley Crowning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CNC machining apparatuses for crowning pulley wheels on band saws require substantial space, experience vibrations due to long actuator lengths, and have alignment challenges, leading to reduced machining accuracy and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A compact CNC machining apparatus with a hinge member and X-Y table design, where the lower slide moves along the X-axis and the upper slide along the Y-axis, reducing cantilevered components and stabilizing the system, and incorporating a laser pointer assembly for precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the actuator means is made long enough to operate freely, then the operability is improved, but the apparatus protrudes substantially from the base plate and requires substantial space
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator means is received within a cavity formed in the base plate, allowing the actuator to be nested within the base plate structure itself. This enables the actuator to operate freely within the cavity space without protruding externally, resolving the contradiction between operability and space requirements
Solution Approach 2:
A bridge member is introduced as an intermediary component that spans across the cavity and supports the lower slide. This bridge member allows the actuator to be positioned within the cavity while still providing adequate support and motion transmission, enabling compact design without sacrificing operability
2Ease of operation
If the distance between the electric motor and suspension point is increased to provide operating space, then the actuator can operate freely, but vibrations are induced on the tool piece
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator and its motor are nested within the base plate cavity, significantly reducing the distance between the motor and the suspension point (CNC base). This compact arrangement minimizes the lever arm that could amplify vibrations, thereby reducing harmful vibrations on the tool piece while still allowing free operation within the cavity
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity that could potentially amplify vibrations is instead utilized to house the actuator components, converting the potential harmful space into a beneficial containment structure that dampens vibrations and protects the tool piece from harmful oscillations
3Ease of operation
If the CNC machining apparatus is made long to allow free operation, then the actuator can operate without obstruction, but the apparatus yields during operation and requires many calibrations
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting the actuator means within the base plate cavity, the overall length of the apparatus is dramatically reduced. The actuator operates unobstructed within the confined cavity space, eliminating the need for long external actuator arms that would yield and require frequent calibration
Solution Approach 2:
The long mechanical actuator arm that extended externally is replaced by a compact actuator mechanism operating within the cavity. This substitution of the mechanical arrangement eliminates the yielding problem associated with long lever arms while maintaining full operational capability
Data Source
AI summary
A CNC machining apparatus (14) is configured for machining a rotating part (3;4) of an object (2) by comprising a hinge member (15) adapted to be secured to the object (2) and a CNC X-Y table (16,17,18) securable to the hinge member (15). The CNC X-Y table (16,17,18) comprises a CNC base (16), which is adapted for being rotationally secured to the hinge member (15), a lower linear slide mechanism (17) adapted to be secured in a selected lower working position on top of the CNC base (16), and an upper linear slide mechanism (18) adapted to be secured in a selected upper working position on top of the lower linear slide mechanism (17). The CNC machining apparatus can be used to crown pulley wheels of a band saw while the pulley wheels remain mounted on the band saw. The CNC machining apparatus can also be used on a bench as part of a turning lathe (128).