Lathe Tool Nose Position Estimation for Multi-Tool Indexing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lathe systems face challenges in accurately determining the position of the tool nose without the need for replacing attachments, particularly when multiple tools are mounted on a tool post, as described in JP3648054B, JP2010-280028A, and JP2022-035083A.
Innovation Solution
A lathe system with a tool holder, tool post, actuator, and processor that uses a memory to store distances and correlations between a holder reference point and the tool nose, enabling precise estimation of the tool nose position through a method involving a tool presetter and network communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple tools are mounted on a tool post and the mounting surface is moved to replace attachments, then the need for attachment replacement is eliminated and productivity is improved, but the complexity of determining tool nose position increases and measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A tool presetter device is introduced as an intermediary to measure and determine the tool nose position relative to the holder reference point. The presetter captures position data when tools are mounted on different surfaces of the tool holder, and this data is stored and processed to calculate accurate nose positions for each mounting configuration, thereby resolving the measurement precision issue while maintaining the productivity benefit of not replacing attachments.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool nose position measurements are performed in advance using the tool presetter before actual machining operations. The position data is pre-captured and stored in a database, allowing the lathe control system to retrieve and use this information when tools are mounted on different surfaces, eliminating the need for real-time measurement and maintaining high productivity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tool holder is mounted on different mounting surfaces of the tool post, then tool orientation adjustability is improved, but the complexity of tracking and estimating nose position increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tool holder is designed with multiple distinct mounting surfaces, each capable of being positioned at indexing locations. The system segments the position tracking by associating each mounting surface with specific position data stored in the database. When a particular surface is mounted, the corresponding pre-measured nose position data is retrieved, simplifying the tracking complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The actual tool nose position is determined by copying pre-measured position data from the tool presetter database. Instead of performing complex real-time calculations or measurements, the system retrieves stored position information that corresponds to the currently mounted surface, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving adaptability.
3Manufacturing precision
If a tool presetter and networked storage are used to store and retrieve tool position data, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tool presetter system enables the tool holder and tool combination to essentially self-determine its nose position by retrieving pre-measured data from the database. The system serves itself by automatically capturing position data during tool setup and then autonomously retrieving this data during machining operations, reducing the need for complex external measurement systems while improving precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A lathe includes a tool holder having a holder reference point, and a tool having a tool nose is attachable to the tool holder. A tool post has a tool post origin and mounting surfaces. An actuator is to adjust each of the mounting surfaces to an indexing position. A memory stores first distances between the tool post origin and the holder reference point of the tool holder mounted on the mounting surfaces, respectively. The memory stores instructions that when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include obtaining a second distance between the holder reference point and the tool nose of the attached tool, and estimating, based on the first distances and second distance, a third distance between the tool post origin and the tool nose of the attached tool to control the actuator.