Lathe Tool Rest Operator Side Inversion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional small-scale lathes face difficulties in tool exchanging and detaching operations due to the spindle's interference, as the tool rest is typically positioned on the same side as the spindle, making these operations cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

The machine tool design includes a tool rest installation portion on the operator side, allowing the tool rest to be detachably fixed using a linear portion or section, enabling easy attachment and detachment without interfering with the spindle, and utilizing a carriage for horizontal or vertical movement to facilitate tool rest exchange, eliminating the need for large-scale equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the tool rest is arranged on the spindle side, then the machine tool structure is compact, but the tool exchanging operation and detaching operation become difficult due to spindle interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool exchanging operationVSAvoidarrangement structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the tool rest on the operator side instead of the spindle side. This reversal eliminates the interference problem between the spindle and tool rest during tool exchanging and detaching operations, making these operations easier to perform while maintaining a compact machine structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of repair

If the tool rest is arranged on the spindle side, then the machine tool structure is compact, but the detaching operation of the entire tool rest becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetaching operation of tool restVSAvoidarrangement structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the arrangement and placing the tool rest on the operator side, the patent enables easier detaching operations. The tool rest can be detached without spindle interference, and the linear portion or section design further simplifies the detaching process by providing a guided insertion path from the operator side.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If the tool rest is arranged on the operator side with tools facing the work side, then tool exchanging and detaching operations are easy, but the tool rest rigidity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool exchanging operationVSAvoidtool rest rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the tool rest installation structure into distinct components: the tool rest body, the tool rest installation portion, and the linear portion or section. This segmentation allows the tool rest to be positioned on the operator side for ease of operation while the linear portion provides structural support and guidance, maintaining rigidity through the constrained insertion path and secure fixation points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9694427B2Machine tool

Publication Date: 2017.07.04 DMG MORI CO LTD

AI summary

In a lathe equipped with a spindle for rotatably driving a work and a tool rest having a turret (rotary member) rotatably supporting a plurality of tools in an indexable manner about a horizontal axis, the tool rest is detachably installed on a tool rest installation portion formed so as to be positioned on an operator side so that the tools of the turret face the work side gripped by the spindle in an attachable and detachable manner.