Holding Unit Centering Sections for Machine Tool Accessories

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Solution Overview

Problem

Changing accessories on machining centers is cumbersome and time-consuming, leading to potential inaccuracies due to the need for repeated centering and clamping of different copy sleeves, which affects the precision of machining operations.

Innovation Solution

A receiving unit with a base plate and alignment element featuring centering sections that allow for quick and precise attachment of accessories by centering them radially relative to the tool axis, using a bayonet movement for secure attachment without additional tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If copy sleeves are pre-mounted on the base plate in a floating manner and centered using a centering mandrel, then the copy sleeve can be aligned coaxially with the tool, but the process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoaxiality accuracyVSAvoidaccessory changing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment element is pre-mounted on the base plate with centering sections that are already positioned and secured. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for repeated centering operations when changing accessories, as the alignment element remains fixed and provides consistent reference points for all subsequent accessory attachments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment element acts as an intermediary component between the base plate and the accessories. It provides fixed centering sections that serve as reference points for attaching multiple different accessories, eliminating the need to directly center each accessory against the tool and reducing the overall centering process to a single initial operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different copy sleeves with different diameters are used to achieve varying distances between the tool and template, then tool versatility is improved, but the complexity of managing and changing accessories increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool distance adjustmentVSAvoidaccessory management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment element serves as a universal mounting interface for multiple different accessories. Its centering sections are designed to accommodate various accessory types with different diameters, providing a consistent attachment mechanism that simplifies the management and changing of diverse accessories while maintaining tool versatility.

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

3Loss of time

If the alignment element is pre-mounted and centered only once, then repeated centering operations are eliminated, but ensuring consistent radial centering across multiple accessories requires a reliable centering mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentering operation frequencyVSAvoidradial centering consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The centering sections of the alignment element are designed to automatically provide radial centering references when accessories are attached. The geometric configuration of the centering sections ensures that accessories self-center relative to the aligned alignment element, maintaining consistent radial positioning without requiring additional active centering operations for each accessory change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4424483B1Holding unit for a processing machine, processing machine with a holding unit, accessory and method for attaching an accessory to a processing machine
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 MAFELL AG
  • EP4424483B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4424483B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4424483B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A mounting unit for a machine tool, in particular for a router, serves to hold an accessory for the machine tool, for example, a guide bushing. The mounting unit comprises a base plate with a support surface for resting on a template or on a workpiece to be machined, wherein the base plate has a first through-hole for a tool of the machine tool, and an alignment element for attachment to the base plate, which has a second through-hole for the tool and is provided with centering sections, wherein the centering sections are designed to center the alignment element relative to the tool and to hold the accessory for the machine tool centered on the tool.