Jaw-Type Bar Centering with Variable Aperture for Automatic Lathes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing centering devices for bar loaders in automatic lathes face challenges in controlling the size of the guide channel, are difficult to assemble and disassemble, and generate high friction, leading to wear and maintenance issues, especially with bars of varying diameters and cross-sections.
Innovation Solution
A centering device with mobile jaws on sliding guides that adjust radially to define an adjustable aperture, allowing easy passage of the bar pusher and accommodating different bar diameters, and featuring a design for quick disassembly and replacement of worn parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the channel diameter is reduced to minimize lateral play, then bar oscillation is reduced, but the bar pusher cannot pass through the centering device
Solution Approach 1:
The centering device employs a dynamic aperture mechanism where the channel diameter is variable rather than fixed. The aperture can dynamically adjust its size: contracted to minimal diameter for precise bar centering, and expanded to allow passage of the bar pusher. This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction between requiring small diameter for precision and large diameter for pusher access.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of channel diameter from a static value to a variable parameter. By controlling the aperture opening degree, the system transitions between two states: a contracted state with minimal lateral play for precision centering, and an expanded state with sufficient clearance for bar pusher passage. This parameter change enables the system to satisfy both contradictory requirements at different operational stages.
2Device complexity
If fixed aperture centering devices are used, then structure is simple, but they cannot accommodate bars of different diameters
Solution Approach 1:
The centering device transforms from a static fixed-aperture structure to a dynamic variable-aperture structure. The aperture can be adjusted in size to match different bar diameters, enabling the same device to accommodate multiple bar specifications. This dynamic capability provides versatility without requiring multiple fixed-aperture devices for different bar sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The variable aperture mechanism enables a single centering device to perform multiple functions: centering bars of different diameters, accommodating different bar pusher sizes, and adapting to various machining requirements. This multi-functionality replaces what would otherwise require multiple specialized fixed-aperture devices, achieving versatility while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable aperture mechanisms are added, then bar diameter adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements aperture size as a controllable parameter that can be adjusted according to bar diameter requirements. By making the aperture dimension a variable parameter rather than a fixed design constant, the system achieves adaptability to different bar sizes while using a relatively simple adjustment mechanism compared to replacing entire centering devices.
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 device effectively reduces bar oscillations, supports bars of varying diameters and cross-sections, and allows for easy maintenance by enabling rapid replacement of jaws, enhancing machining stability and productivity while minimizing downtime.
Implementation Method 1
a) an elastic element which pushes the jaws towards the retracted position so that when the bar pusher arrives at the centering device the jaws are automatically opened
Implementation Method 2
The jaws are mounted on respective sliding guides which guide the jaws for their sliding opening movement in a radial direction relative to the channel in response to a thrust on the thrust surfaces of the jaws in the channel axial direction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
A centering device (10) is intended for use in an automatic bar loader for a lathe. The centering device (10) comprises a channel (11) with a rectilinear axis (12), intended for the passage of a bar from the loader to the lathe, and also comprises mobile jaws (17, 18) on the sides of the channel (11) for defining an adjustable through- aperture in the channel. The jaws (17, 18) are mounted on respective sliding guides (18, 20) which guide the jaws for their sliding opening movement in a direction radial to the channel (11) in response to a thrust on the jaws in the channel axial direction towards the outlet end (16). A loader with such a centering device is also described.