Lathe Tool Arrangement for Simultaneous Rough and Fine Machining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current lathe technologies face limitations in simultaneously performing precision machining and rough machining efficiently, leading to increased processing times and reduced accuracy due to the need for sequential operation of axes and complex control systems, which are costly and inflexible.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a lathe design with multiple fine tools arranged at equal angles and connected to complementary feed drives, allowing for simultaneous rough and fine machining with reduced clamping errors and vibration, along with the use of a steady rest for damping, and optional servo drives for enhanced flexibility and precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If sequential operation of rough machining and fine machining is used, then tool simplicity is maintained, but processing time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing timeVSAvoidtool configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines rough machining and fine machining operations by arranging both rough tools and fine tools on the same cross slide, enabling simultaneous execution of both operations on a single workpiece without sequential tool changes, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining manageable device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cross slide is designed to accommodate multiple tools with different functions (roughing and finishing) simultaneously, making it a multi-functional component that can perform various machining operations in parallel, improving productivity without requiring separate dedicated slides for each operation type

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If multiple feed drives are used for simultaneous rough and fine machining, then productivity increases, but control system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining speedVSAvoidcontrol system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control of multiple feed drives by coupling them to a single main drive through gear mechanisms, allowing coordinated movement of multiple carriages and tools simultaneously without requiring independent complex control systems for each axis, thus maintaining productivity while reducing control system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Gear mechanisms serve as intermediary components that transmit and coordinate motion from a single main drive to multiple feed drives, enabling synchronized operation of multiple tools without direct complex electronic control, thereby simplifying the control system while maintaining high machining speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If workpiece is clamped once for rough machining, then clamping simplicity is maintained, but machining accuracy decreases due to oscillation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface accuracyVSAvoidclamping system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies counteracting forces by positioning fine tools to work on opposite sides of the workpiece, creating balancing forces that dampen oscillations and vibrations during machining, thereby improving surface accuracy without requiring complex additional clamping mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

4Manufacturing precision

If tool change between rough and fine machining is required, then tool specialization is maintained, but time loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining qualityVSAvoidtool change time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges rough tools and fine tools onto the same cross slide, allowing both types of tools to be positioned and operated simultaneously without requiring tool changes, thereby eliminating tool change time loss while maintaining the specialized functions of each tool type through proper tool arrangement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP1790446B1Wood turning machine with tools for coarse machining and finishing
Publication Date: 2008.03.19 UNSLEBER ELMAR
  • EP1790446B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1790446B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1790446B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Lathe machine has a precision tool (11). The rough-machining tool (8) and all precision tools are arranged at equidistant angle at a level aligned radial to the workpiece. Each precision tool is fastened to a complementary carriage (10) which is coupled by a complementary spindle (9) to the complementary feed drives and can be displaced on the lathe slide (5) radial to the workpiece.