Machine Tool Inclined Rotary Feed Axis Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Machine tools with a rotary feed axis inclined relative to the linear motion axis complicate manual adjustment of the workpiece orientation, making it difficult for operators to accurately set the relative position and orientation of the tool with respect to the workpiece due to complex coordinate values and reduced support stiffness.
Innovation Solution
A control device with an arithmetic unit that calculates and displays coordinate values for a virtual table coordinate system, allowing for easier manual adjustment of the workpiece orientation by converting the inclined rotary feed axis into virtual linear and rotary axes, and providing a display unit to show these values, enabling operators to set the workpiece orientation similar to conventional machine tools with parallel axes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the axis line of the rotary feed axis is set parallel to the linear motion axis, then the device size can be reduced, but the support stiffness for the table decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by inclining the rotary feed axis at a specific angle (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the linear motion axis rather than keeping it parallel. This asymmetric configuration allows the table to be supported at both ends along the inclined axis, thereby increasing support stiffness while maintaining a compact device footprint through optimized spatial arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dimensional change by inclining the rotary feed axis in a direction that creates a three-dimensional support structure. This inclination allows the supporting members to be positioned at both ends of the rotary axis, providing enhanced stiffness without increasing the overall device volume, as the support is distributed in multiple spatial dimensions.
2Strength
If the axis line of the rotary feed axis is inclined with respect to the linear motion axis, then the support stiffness for the table can be increased, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric inclination of the rotary feed axis enables efficient use of space by directing the support members along the inclined path. This configuration achieves high support stiffness with minimal device volume by optimizing the spatial distribution of structural components along the inclined axis rather than requiring orthogonal support arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
By utilizing the inclined dimension, the patent achieves enhanced support stiffness through three-dimensional structural arrangement. The inclination allows support members to be positioned at both ends of the rotary axis in space, providing rigid support without increasing the device's bounding box volume, as the support structure exploits the inclined spatial dimension.
3Strength
If the axis line of the rotary feed axis is inclined with respect to the linear motion axis, then the support stiffness for the table can be increased, but the ease of operation for manual adjustment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by creating a virtual coordinate system that mirrors the familiar structure of conventional machine tools with parallel axes. This virtual coordinate system is superimposed on the inclined axis configuration, allowing operators to use intuitive coordinate values and adjustment procedures similar to traditional machines, thereby maintaining ease of operation despite the physical inclination of the rotary axis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary coordinate transformation system that mediates between the physical inclined axis configuration and the operator's familiar parallel-axis mental model. This intermediary virtual coordinate system translates the complex inclined geometry into simple, intuitive coordinate values, enabling operators to perform manual adjustments with the same ease as conventional machines.
4Ease of operation
If a virtual coordinate system is introduced to simplify manual adjustment, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex physical geometry of the inclined axis with a virtual coordinate system that can be implemented through software calculations. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, as the virtual coordinate system provides intuitive control through computational transformation rather than mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
By creating a virtual copy of the familiar parallel-axis coordinate system, the patent simplifies the operator interface without adding physical complexity. The virtual coordinate system is a software-based abstraction that maps the inclined physical configuration to intuitive coordinate values, improving ease of operation while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through computational rather than mechanical means.
Data Source
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AI summary
This machine tool has a first rotating feed shaft around a first axis line that is inclined with respect to all the linear motion axes of the machine coordinates. Table coordinates are set ahead of time in the machine tool. The table coordinates have an imaginary first linear motion axis, an imaginary second linear motion axis, and an imaginary third linear motion axis that are perpendicular to each other, and an imaginary first rotating feed axis around an imaginary first axis line. The imaginary third linear motion axis is parallel to a third linear motion shaft extending in the direction of the axial line of a main spindle. One imaginary linear motion axis of the imaginary first linear motion axis or the imaginary second linear motion axis is set above the surface of a workpiece attachment surface, and the imaginary first axis line is set parallel to the one imaginary linear motion axis. A computation unit computes the coordinate values of the imaginary first rotating feed axis in the table coordinates, and a display unit displays the coordinate values of the imaginary first rotating feed axis.