Honing Machine Multiple Workstations Compact Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current honing machines for machining cylinder bores in cylinder crankcases lack high productivity and flexibility while maintaining a compact design, leading to longer non-productive times and inefficient processing lines.
Innovation Solution
A numerically controlled honing machine with a compact design featuring a circulating transport system, multiple honing stations, and integrated tool magazines, allowing for simultaneous machining and tool changes without external tool changers, enabling efficient processing and reduced machine size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If honing machines with several honing units are used for mass production, then productivity is improved, but machine size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The machine is divided into multiple workstations (first honing workstation, second honing workstation, third workstation) arranged along a transport path, with each workstation performing specific functions. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple workpieces while maintaining a compact overall structure through modular arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges workstations and transport systems in a three-dimensional configuration around a central column, utilizing vertical and radial space efficiently. The rotary table and circulating transport system enable workpieces to move through multiple stations without requiring a large linear footprint, thus improving productivity while controlling machine size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If external tool changers are used for tool changes, then tool changing capability is improved, but device complexity and machine size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tool magazine is integrated directly into the honing unit assembly, combining the tool storage function with the machining function. This eliminates the need for separate external tool changers and complex tool changing mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to change tools between workstations.
Solution Approach 2:
The honing unit is designed as a multi-functional component that can perform both machining operations and serve as a tool carrier. The tool magazine is part of the movable honing unit assembly, allowing it to participate in both tool management and the machining process, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
3Productivity
If non-productive times are reduced for high productivity, then productivity is improved, but processing precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The circulating transport system continuously moves workpieces through the honing machine, eliminating idle transfer times between stations. Multiple workpieces are processed in sequence through different honing units simultaneously, ensuring that machining operations continue without interruption while maintaining precision through consistent, controlled movement.
Solution Approach 2:
Workpieces are pre-positioned on the rotary table and transport system before machining begins. The circulating transport system is pre-configured with multiple workstations, allowing workpieces to be ready for immediate processing without setup delays, thus reducing non-productive times while maintaining precision through pre-planned processing sequences.
4Productivity
If multiple workstations are integrated into one machine, then productivity is improved, but adaptability to different processing lines decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The machine is segmented into independent workstations that can be selectively activated or deactivated. Each workstation is a self-contained unit with its own honing spindle and tool magazine, allowing the machine to be configured for different production requirements by enabling specific stations while maintaining high productivity through parallel operation of active stations.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a honing machine (100) for carrying out honing operations on at least one borehole in a workpiece (W), in particular for honing cylindrical boreholes in a cylinder crankcase, comprising a machine base (110), a support structure associated with the machine base, a machine upper part (120) supported by the support structure and arranged at a distance above the machine base, a transport system (130) for transporting workpieces (W) on a transport path (132), and multiple workstations (140, 160-1, 160-2, 160-3) arranged along the transport path. A workpiece can be transported successively to different workstations of the honing machine via the advancing movement of the transport system. At least one of the workstations is a honing station (160-1, 160-2, 160-3), having at least one horizontal carriage (190) which is supported by the machine upper part (120) and can be moved in a horizontal direction, wherein the horizontal carriage supports at least one honing unit (180-1, 180-2, 180-3, 180-4, 180-5, 180-6) having a honing spindle (184) which can rotate about a vertical spindle axis (187) and can move back and forth in parallel to the spindle axis. The horizontal carriage (190) supports a lifting carriage (310), which can be moved in a vertical direction, wherein the lifting carriage supports an overarm device (330) and a tool magazine (350) having multiple tool receiving means (360) for receiving a respective honing tool.