Lathe-Mill Hybrid Control for Complex Surface Machining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CNC machine technologies face challenges in efficiently machining metallic components with complex geometries, such as electronic device housings, as they often require multiple machining methods to achieve the desired surface finish, leading to inefficiencies and increased time consumption.
Innovation Solution
A machine control system integrating a lathe tool and milling cutter with a modular design, allowing for simultaneous control of multiple axes and tools to efficiently machine complex surfaces, including non-circular and curved areas, by inputting specific control parameters for precise movement and rotation of the lathe tool and milling cutter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a milling machine is employed to machine the metallic housing, then the top portion can be machined, but tracks remain on the surface due to intermittent contact and interrupted milling, requiring additional machining processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a lathe tool and milling cutter into a single machine system, allowing both turning and milling operations to be performed simultaneously or sequentially on the same workpiece without removing it from the machine, thereby eliminating the need for multiple separate machining processes and improving both surface finish quality and productivity
2Productivity
If a lathe machine is employed to machine the metallic member, then continuous machining can be performed, but it is difficult to machine surfaces that are not circular and the peripheral sidewalls with corners
Solution Approach 1:
The machine system is designed with multi-functionality, incorporating both lathe tool capabilities for continuous turning operations and milling cutter capabilities for machining complex geometries including non-circular surfaces and corners, allowing the single machine to adapt to various workpiece shapes and machining requirements
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple machining processes are added to machine the metallic housing, then all surfaces can be machined, but the process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple machining functions (turning and milling) into a single integrated machine system, the patent enables all necessary machining operations to be performed in one setup without removing the workpiece between operations, significantly reducing total machining time while maintaining complete machining capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous machining operations by allowing the lathe tool and milling cutter to operate sequentially or simultaneously on different portions of the workpiece without interruption or removal from the machine, eliminating idle time associated with transferring workpieces between different machines
Data Source
AI summary
A machine control system includes an input module, a worktable, a first sliding module, a second sliding module, a lathe feeding module, a lathe tool connected to the lathe feeding module, a milling feeding module, a milling cutter connected to the milling feeding module, and a control module. The control module is electrically connected to the input module, the worktable, the first sliding module, the second sliding module, the lathe feeding module, and the milling feeding module, wherein the input module inputs control parameters into the control module to control the first sliding module and the second sliding module. The lathe feeding module controls the lathe tool to slide along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction reciprocally, and the milling feeding module controls the milling cutter to slide along the third direction and rotate along a first axis.