Hydrostatic Steady Rest with Multi-Axis Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steady rests with hydrostatic bearings require high design and manufacturing effort, leading to potential inaccuracies and inability to meet tight manufacturing tolerances, which compromises machining accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A steady rest design featuring a shell with two hydrostatic bearing points and a positioning device with two inclined adjustment axes, allowing for precise radial support without complex shell adjustments, and incorporating a seal to prevent contamination and fluid loss, using a single shell for radial support and allowing for multi-axis adjustability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple hydrostatic shells are used to support workpieces at different positions, then the support coverage is improved, but the design effort and manufacturing complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the workpiece support function into multiple discrete hydrostatic bearing points (first, second, and third bearing points) within a single shell structure, rather than using multiple complete shells. This segmentation allows the bearing functionality to be distributed while maintaining a unified, manageable shell design.
Solution Approach 2:
The single shell structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides radial support through the first and second bearing points, axial support through the third bearing point, and can be positioned at various locations along the workpiece using the positioning device with multiple adjustment axes. This multi-functionality replaces the need for multiple specialized shells.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple shells are used to support workpieces at different positions, then the support coverage is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase due to the need for exact match of bearing axes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces static, fixed bearing axis alignment with dynamic adjustability. The positioning device incorporates first, second, and third adjustment axes that allow the shell and its bearing points to be dynamically positioned and adjusted during setup and operation, compensating for manufacturing tolerances and ensuring precise alignment without requiring extremely tight manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the shell and the workpiece. It provides the adjustment functionality needed to achieve precise bearing axis alignment through its multiple adjustment axes, thereby decoupling the manufacturing precision requirements from the final alignment accuracy.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single shell is used for radial support, then the design effort is reduced, but the precision of workpiece support may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adds dimensional complexity to the positioning capability while keeping the shell structure simple. By incorporating multiple adjustment axes (first, second, and third adjustment axes) that operate in different dimensions and orientations, the system achieves precise positioning and support without requiring a complex multi-shell structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the adjustable parameters of the positioning device to achieve precise support. The first, second, and third adjustment axes provide multiple degrees of freedom for positioning the bearing points, allowing fine-tuning of the shell's position and orientation to achieve the required precision with a single shell.
4Measurement precision
If multiple adjustment axes are provided for positioning the shell, then the positioning precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple adjustment functions into a single integrated positioning device structure. The first, second, and third adjustment axes are combined within one positioning device that operates on a single shell, rather than having separate adjustment mechanisms for each shell. This merging reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high positioning precision.
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
This design ensures precise, stable, and cost-effective support of workpieces with reduced design effort, minimizing the risk of sagging and fluid contamination, while maintaining high machining accuracy and flexibility for varying load conditions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one shell (7), which has at least one hydrostatic bearing point (9) for the workpiece (6)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The stationary support (1) has a carrier (2) for mounting on a machine bed (4) of a machine tool (5) and a shell (7) which has a hydrostatic bearing position (9) for the workpiece (6). A positioning unit (8) is provided between the carrier and the shell. The shell has two spaced apart hydrostatic bearing positions (10,11,12,13) on one hand and on other hand has two mutually inclined extending adjustment axes (14,15). An independent claim is also included for a machine tool with a workpiece clamping device.