Lathe Ball Screw Support Structure for Easier Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The replacement of ball screws in machine tools, such as NC lathes, is cumbersome and requires skill and experience due to the need to adjust the parallelism and mount posture of the ball screw, involving the removal and reinsertion of components, which complicates the process.
Innovation Solution
A machine tool design that includes a cap covering the end of the threaded shaft and a supporting unit with a recess allowing perpendicular passage of the shaft, enabling the ball screw to be fully drawn out and set without removing the supporting unit from the base, simplifying the replacement process and eliminating the need for precise adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the supporting member is removed from the bed to replace the ball screw, then the ball screw can be fully extracted, but the replacement process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member is divided into a fixed portion (mounted on the bed) and a movable portion (supporting the cap). This segmentation allows the movable portion to be detached for ball screw replacement while the fixed portion remains in place, simplifying the replacement process without requiring complete disassembly of the supporting structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A guide groove is introduced as an intermediary structure that guides the ball screw during insertion and extraction. This guide groove ensures proper alignment and positioning of the ball screw, eliminating the need for complex manual adjustment while maintaining ease of replacement.
2Ease of operation
If the ball screw is tilted for extraction and insertion, then the ball screw nut remains on the threaded shaft, but the operator needs skill and experience to check and adjust parallelism
Solution Approach 1:
The guide groove structure performs the alignment function automatically. When the ball screw is inserted, the guide groove self-aligns the ball screw in the correct position and orientation, eliminating the need for operator skill and experience in checking and adjusting parallelism. The structure itself provides the measurement and adjustment function.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide groove acts as an intermediary that ensures proper alignment between the ball screw and the supporting member. It physically guides the ball screw into the correct position, replacing the need for manual parallelism checking and adjustment by the operator.
3Reliability
If the supporting member is fastened to the bed, then the ball screw is securely supported, but the replacement process requires removing and refastening the supporting member
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member is segmented into fixed and movable portions. The fixed portion remains securely fastened to the bed, maintaining support stability, while the movable portion can be easily detached for ball screw replacement. This eliminates the need to completely remove and refasten the supporting member, reducing replacement time.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable portion of the supporting member is pre-configured to be easily detachable. This preliminary design allows quick removal and reattachment without requiring complex fastening operations, significantly reducing the time required for ball screw replacement while maintaining support stability during operation.
4Reliability
If the opening of the attaching port faces the base, then the attaching port is closed, but the ball screw cannot be easily accessed for replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member is divided into fixed and movable portions, with the movable portion providing access to the ball screw. This segmentation allows the opening to face the base for vacuum seal integrity, while the movable portion can be detached to provide easy access for ball screw replacement without compromising the seal.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is a lathe capable of facilitating replacement of a ball screw. A machine tool comprises a base 5, a moving unit 6, a ball screw 7 having a nut 7n and a threaded shaft 7s, a cap 8 which covers an end 72 of the threaded shaft 7s and allows rotation of the threaded shaft 7s on the axis AX0, and a supporting unit 9 provided on the base 5 to support the cap 8. The cap 8 has a body 81 and a flange 85 expanded larger than the body 81 on the outer side D1o thereof with respect to the axis direction D1. The supporting unit 9 comprises a recess part 95 which receives the body 81. The recess part 95 is provided with an opening 96 allowing the threaded shaft 7s to pass in a direction D2 perpendicular to the axis direction D1 in the state that the supporting unit 9 is provided on the base 5. The supporting unit 9 further comprises a positioning part 91 on which an inner surface 86 of the flange 85 abuts in the the axis direction D1 in the state that the body 81 is received in the recess part 95.