Laser Pipe Cutting Machine With Integrated Axle Support Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe processing machines with separate machine bed and processing stations face complex setup requirements and processing inaccuracies due to relative oscillation between the two assemblies, leading to precision issues during cutting operations.

Innovation Solution

Integrating the cutting head and push-through chuck on a single axle support mounted on the machine bed, allowing for precise alignment and manufacturing of components together, with additional axes for enhanced movement and stability, including a fixed push-through chuck and pivotable cutting head for improved accuracy and reduced vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the machine bed and machining station are designed as separate assemblies, then the assemblies can be manufactured and transported independently, but the setup becomes complex and alignment precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent manufacturing of assembliesVSAvoidAlignment precision between assemblies
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the machine bed and machining station into a single integrated assembly where the cutting head is mounted directly on the machine bed. This eliminates the separate machining station assembly, ensuring permanent and precise alignment between components while maintaining ease of manufacture as a complete unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If the machine bed and machining station are separate assemblies, then transport is simplified, but vibration between assemblies increases causing machining inaccuracies

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent transport of assembliesVSAvoidMachining accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the cutting head and machine bed into one rigid assembly, the patent eliminates relative vibration and movement between separate components. This ensures stable machining conditions and high accuracy while the entire machine can still be transported as a complete unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the push-through chuck is movable in the X-axis, then setup flexibility is improved, but alignment precision and TCP distance consistency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSetup flexibilityVSAvoidTCP distance consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the push-through chuck movable to achieve flexibility, the patent fixes the chuck in the X-axis direction. Compensation for different pipe positions is achieved by making the cutting head movable along the X-axis, thereby maintaining both flexibility and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Strength

If the axle beam has greater extension in the Y-direction, then torsional stiffness increases, but the machine footprint increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveTorsional stiffnessVSAvoidMachine footprint
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent increases the axle beam extension specifically in the Y-direction where torsional stiffness is needed, while keeping other dimensions optimized. This targeted reinforcement provides the necessary structural rigidity without unnecessarily increasing the overall machine footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 simplifies machine assembly, ensures precise alignment, enhances cutting accuracy, and reduces vibrations, resulting in a more robust and accurate pipe cutting process with improved machine dynamics and reduced risk of collisions.

Implementation Method 1

a laser generator (21) is provided, which generates a laser beam (23) by means of which the tube or profile to be processed is cut

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Data Source

PatentEP3894128B1Pipe processing machine for cutting pipes or profiles by laser beam
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 TRUMPF WERKZEUGMASCHINEN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3894128B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3894128B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3894128B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a laser pipe cutting machine for cutting pipes or profiled sections using a laser beam generated by a laser unit, comprising a machine bed on which a feed station is provided for feeding pipes or profiled sections to be processed along an x-axis and comprising a push-through feed, through which the pipe or profiled section is pushed to a cutting head, wherein the cutting head is movably arranged along a y-axis running perpendicularly to the x-axis and along a z-axis running perpendicularly to the y-axis, and the machine bed is equipped with an axis support on which the cutting head is movably mounted and the push-through feed is arranged.