Hobbing Machine Pivoting Arm for Integrated Chamfering and Deburring

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hobbing machines require significant structural effort and idle time due to separate processing stations for chamfering and deburring, which complicates the production of hobbed, chamfered, and deburred workpieces with minimal downtime.

Innovation Solution

A hobbing machine design where two cutting tools for primary and secondary deburring are arranged on a swivel arm that can be adjusted parallel to the travel direction, allowing for integrated chamfering and deburring on the same workpiece spindle without moving the spindle, simplifying setup and reducing idle times by using the same swivel arm for both tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If separate processing stations are used for chamfering and deburring, then each operation can be performed with dedicated tools, but the structural complexity and idle time between operations increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvededicated tool performanceVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines chamfering and deburring operations into a single integrated device. The cutting tool serves dual purposes: performing chamfering when positioned at the first location and performing deburring when positioned at the second location. This eliminates the need for separate processing stations and reduces structural complexity while maintaining dedicated tool functionality through positional differentiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting tool is designed with multi-functionality, capable of performing both chamfering and deburring operations. By positioning the tool at different locations relative to the workpiece support structure, the same tool executes different machining functions, thereby reducing the number of tools and stations required while maintaining operation effectiveness.

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

2Ease of manufacture

If separate processing stations are used for chamfering and deburring, then each operation has dedicated equipment, but the idle time between operations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation specializationVSAvoididle time between operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated device enables continuous machining operations without idle time between chamfering and deburring. The cutting tool transitions from the first location to the second location without removing the workpiece from the support structure, maintaining continuous useful action and eliminating transport and repositioning idle time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The workpiece is positioned on the support structure in advance, with the cutting tool pre-configured to perform chamfering first. After completing chamfering, the tool is repositioned to perform deburring immediately, eliminating the need for intermediate workpiece handling and reducing overall cycle time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If multiple workpiece spindles are arranged on a rotary holder, then chamfering and deburring can occur in the same clamping, but the structural effort and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing in same clampingVSAvoidstructural effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using multiple workpiece spindles on a rotary holder, the patent employs a single workpiece support structure with a multi-functional cutting tool. The tool performs both chamfering and deburring operations on the same workpiece clamping by positioning at different locations, achieving the productivity benefit without the structural complexity of multiple spindles and rotary mechanisms.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3013505B1Hobbing machine having a pivoting arm, on which a chamfering device and two cutting tools are arranged
Publication Date: 2017.08.09 FELSOMAT GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3013505B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3013505B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP3013505B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

The invention relates to a hobbing machine (1), comprising a workpiece spindle (2) for rotating a workpiece (5) about an axis of rotation (RA), a hobber head (7) for the hob machining of the workpiece (5), a chamfering device (19) for chamfering the workpiece (5), and at least one cutting tool (15a, 15b) for peeling primary and/or secondary ridges of the workpiece (5). The invention is characterized in that a pivot arm (16) is formed on the hobbing machine (1), which can be displaced on a pivot arm carriage (17) along a direction of travel (z) parallel to the axis of rotation (RA) of the workpiece spindle (2) and which is pivotable at the pivot arm carriage (17) about an axis (SA) running parallel to the direction of travel (z), and in that the chamfering device (19) and the at least one cutting tool (15a, 15b) are arranged on the pivot arm (16). The invention provides a hobbing machine, by which hobbed, chamfered and deburred workpieces can be produced with little structural outlay.