Horological Component Support with Independent Centering and Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Horological components made from fragile materials like ceramic, glass, and sapphire are prone to breakage during machining due to concentrated stress, leading to poor concentricity and dimensional dispersion, and existing clamping systems fail to adapt to varying workpiece geometries, causing deformation or cracking.
Innovation Solution
A support system with independent positioning and holding devices, controlled pneumatically or hydraulically, featuring rollers and rockers that distribute forces uniformly, and a cam-type system to ensure precise centering and holding without over-stressing the component, along with a control system using force sensors to adjust forces based on dimensions and geometry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional clamping mandrels and plates are used to hold workpieces during machining, then the workpiece can be retained and machined, but the workpieces may become deformed or crack during the clamping process due to concentrated stress
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping system is divided into multiple independent clamping points (at least three clamping points distributed around the circumference) that apply force separately to different regions of the workpiece. This segmentation distributes the total clamping force across multiple locations, preventing stress concentration at any single point and thereby avoiding deformation or cracking of the fragile workpiece.
Solution Approach 2:
Each clamping point is equipped with independent force control capabilities, allowing the clamping force to be locally adjusted according to the specific geometric features and strength requirements at each location. This enables optimized force distribution that adapts to local workpiece characteristics, preventing over-stressing while ensuring adequate holding.
2Manufacturing precision
If fixed stops and static centering are used to position workpieces, then the workpiece can be centered and held in position, but the system cannot adapt to variations in workpiece geometry, leading to poor concentricity
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping and positioning system transitions from static fixed stops to dynamic, adjustable elements. The clamping points can be independently positioned and activated, allowing the system to adapt its configuration to match the specific geometry of different workpieces. This dynamic adaptability enables precise centering and maintains high concentricity across varying workpiece dimensions and shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping system is designed with universal applicability through its multiple independently controllable clamping points that can accommodate various workpiece geometries. The same system can be used for different workpiece types by adjusting which clamping points are activated and their respective positions, providing both precision for specific geometries and versatility across different components.
3Reliability
If high clamping force is applied to ensure workpiece holding, then the workpiece is securely retained, but the maximum permissible constraint is exceeded locally, causing breakage during machining
Solution Approach 1:
The total holding force requirement is segmented across multiple independent clamping points, so that each point applies a fraction of the total force. This segmentation ensures that the workpiece is securely held overall while no single location experiences excessive stress that would exceed the material's permissible constraint and cause breakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates force sensors at the clamping points that provide feedback on the actual forces being applied. This feedback mechanism allows real-time monitoring and adjustment of clamping forces to remain within the maximum permissible constraints of the workpiece material, ensuring secure holding without exceeding stress limits that would lead to failure.
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
The system effectively prevents breakage and deformation, ensures accurate positioning and holding, and allows for strength testing of horological components, reducing the reject rate and improving machining precision.
Implementation Method 1
A support system with independent positioning and holding devices, controlled pneumatically or hydraulically, featuring rollers and rockers that distribute forces uniformly
Data Source
AI summary
A support system (1) for a horological component (9), in particular for a horological component comprising a surface (91) generated by revolution and/or an axis (A9), includes a positioning device (2), in particular a centering device, for the horological component (9) in relation to an axis (A) of the system, and a holding device (3) for the horological component (9), the positioning device and holding device being independent and/or different and/or distinct.