Linear Motor Feeding Device for High-Speed Reciprocating Cutter Motion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing feeding devices for machining curved surfaces are inefficient due to the need for extensive movement and larger driver sizes, which decrease machining efficiency and require more setup space, especially when only one driver is used to supply great force and pressure.

Innovation Solution

A machine tool with a feeding device that includes a moving device capable of three-dimensional movement along Cartesian coordinates, utilizing linear motors and alternating magnetic fields to drive the cutter in a high-speed reciprocating motion, eliminating the need for the feeding device to move during machining and allowing uninterrupted cutting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the feeding device is driven to lift and move to a second position after machining a first position, then the cutter can machine different positions of the workpiece, but the machining efficiency is decreased due to the time consumed for movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to machine different positionsVSAvoidmachining efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The linear motor enables the cutter to perform high-speed reciprocating motion continuously without the feeding device needing to move between positions. The cutter moves back and forth along the machining path while the feeding device remains stationary, eliminating idle movement time and maintaining continuous cutting action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical feeding mechanism with a linear motor that directly drives the cutter in reciprocating motion. This substitution eliminates the need for the feeding device to move physically between positions, as the cutter itself performs the positioning through controlled reciprocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Force

If one driver is designed to supply great force and pressure, then the driving capability is sufficient, but the size of the driver needs to be unduly larger

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving forceVSAvoiddriver size

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The driving function is segmented into two independent linear motors positioned at opposite sides of the feeding device. Each motor provides moderate force rather than requiring one large motor to supply all the force. The combined effect of both motors achieves the necessary total driving force while keeping each individual motor compact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Force

If the driver is designed to supply great force and pressure, then the driving capability is sufficient, but the feeding device requires more setup space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving forceVSAvoidsetup space

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The feeding device is divided into two symmetric halves with one linear motor in each half. This segmentation allows the driving force to be distributed across two smaller units rather than requiring one large motor, thereby reducing the overall footprint and setup space required for the feeding device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of increasing the size of a single driver in one dimension, the solution distributes the driving function across two drivers arranged in a different spatial configuration. This dimensional redistribution reduces the maximum extent of the feeding device in any single direction, optimizing the setup space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution significantly improves machining efficiency by allowing continuous cutting without the need for the feeding device to move, reducing the time required for machining and eliminating the need for additional processing steps, such as polishing, while also optimizing the size and setup space of the machine tool.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing linear motors and alternating magnetic fields to drive the cutter in a high-speed reciprocating motion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAlternating magnetic field: Alternating Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

utilizing linear motors and alternating magnetic fields to drive the cutter in a high-speed reciprocating motion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLinear motor: Linear Motor

Data Source

PatentUS9238306B2Feeding device and machine tool using the same

Publication Date: 2016.01.19 HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO LTD

AI summary

A feeding device includes a tool holder, a cutter, a feeding mechanism and a mounting seat. The cutter is positioned on the tool holder. The mounting seat has at least one guiding portion. The tool holder is slidably engaged with the at least one guiding portion. The feeding mechanism includes at least two drivers. Each driver includes a forcer and a stator. The forcers are mounted in the mounting seat, the stators are fixedly positioned on the tool holder. Interactions between alternating magnetic fields produced by the forcers and magnetic fields produced by the stators drive the tool holder and the cutter to backwards and forwards under precise control along the guiding portion.