Lathe Ball Screw Cap and Support Layout for Sideways Replacement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing machine tools require skilled operators to replace and adjust ball screws, as the process involves tilting and positioning the screws without the support unit, which can be cumbersome and requires experience to ensure proper alignment and parallelism.
Innovation Solution
A machine tool design featuring a cap with a flange that covers the end of the threaded shaft and a supporting unit with a recess part allowing perpendicular passage of the shaft, enabling easy removal and installation of the ball screw without removing the supporting unit from the base, and facilitating adjustment by covering the cap with the flange against a positioning part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the supporting member is removed from the base to replace the ball screw, then the ball screw can be fully drawn out, but the replacement process becomes complex and requires skilled operators
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member is divided into a base portion (fixed to base) and a cap portion (detachable). This segmentation allows the cap to be removed for ball screw replacement while the base remains fixed, simplifying the replacement process without requiring removal of the entire supporting member.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap portion is extracted as a separate detachable component from the supporting member. This allows the ball screw end to be accessed and removed through the opening in the base portion, enabling replacement without removing the entire supporting member from the base.
2Ease of operation
If the ball screw is tilted to be drawn out toward the servo motor, then the ball screw nut can be kept on the threaded shaft, but the mounting posture adjustment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cap portion includes a positioning part with a positioning surface that abuts against the inner surface of the flange in advance during installation. This preliminary positioning action ensures correct mounting posture and parallelism before the ball screw is fully installed, eliminating the need for difficult post-installation adjustments.
3Reliability
If the supporting member is fastened to the base, then the ball screw is supported, but the replacement process requires removing and reinstalling the supporting member
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member is segmented into a base portion (remains fixed to base) and a cap portion (detachable). This allows the ball screw to be replaced by removing only the cap portion, saving time while the base portion maintains support stability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting member transitions from a completely fixed structure to a dynamic structure where the cap portion can be quickly detached and reattached. This dynamic design enables rapid replacement while maintaining stability during normal operation.
4Ease of operation
If the cap covers the end of the threaded shaft, then the ball screw can be fully drawn out, but the cap structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cap portion serves multiple functions: it covers the end of the threaded shaft, provides a positioning surface for accurate alignment, and acts as a detachable connection point for the ball screw. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall structure by combining several features into one component.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a lathe capable of facilitating replacement of a ball screw. A machine tool comprises a base, a moving unit, a ball screw, a cap, and a supporting unit provided on the base to support the cap. The cap has a body and a flange expanded larger than the body on the outer side thereof with respect to the axis direction. The supporting unit comprises a recess part which receives the body. The recess part is provided with an opening allowing the threaded shaft to pass in a direction perpendicular to the axis direction in the state that the supporting unit is provided on the base. The supporting unit further comprises a positioning part on which an inner surface of the flange abuts in the axis direction in the state that the body is received in the recess part.