Flexible Link Apron Cover for Machine Tool Workspace Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine tools face challenges in providing reliable and effective covering of large workspaces during machining, with existing covers being difficult to manipulate and impairing the mobility of the traversing mechanism, and are prone to jamming or damage from hot chips and fluids.
Innovation Solution
A flexible link apron cover connected to the column and guided in rails, which advances and retracts during column traverse, providing effective sealing without the need for costly lamella bellows or roll-up covers, and can be made of metal to withstand hot and heavy chips and fluids, with articulated connections for easy movement and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If folding bellows covers variable in length are used to cover the work space, then the work space is effectively sealed, but the covers are difficult to manipulate and impair the free mobility of the traversing mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into multiple segments or panels that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the cover to adapt to the changing work space dimensions while maintaining sealing, and reduces the complexity of manipulating a single large folding bellows structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover structure is made dynamic by allowing it to change its configuration and dimensions in response to the position of the traversing mechanism. The cover panels can expand or contract, tilt, or reposition themselves to maintain sealing effectiveness regardless of the work space size, thereby preserving both sealing reliability and mechanism mobility.
2Device complexity
If fixed covers are used to cover the work space, then the structure is simple, but the covers cannot adapt to changing work space dimensions and impair traversability
Solution Approach 1:
The cover structure incorporates dynamic elements that allow it to change its configuration based on the work space dimensions. Panels can be tilted, extended, or repositioned to adapt to different work space sizes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that does not require complex mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover utilizes flexible panel structures that can bend, tilt, or deform to adapt to changing work space dimensions. These flexible elements maintain sealing effectiveness while requiring minimal mechanical complexity, allowing the cover to versatilely adapt to different machine tool configurations.
3Reliability
If lamella bellows are used to cover the work space, then sealing is provided, but the covers are prone to jamming or damage from hot chips and fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The cover employs flexible panel structures that are inherently more resistant to chip and fluid damage compared to lamella bellows. These panels can be made from durable materials that withstand hot chips and cutting fluids, while maintaining sealing effectiveness through their flexible, conforming nature.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented panel design allows each section to independently handle chips and fluids, preventing the propagation of damage across the entire cover structure. The segmentation also facilitates easier maintenance and replacement of individual panels if damaged, improving overall system reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A machine tool has a work space (17) in which a device (15) for accommodating workpieces (16) to be machined is arranged. The machine tool further has a work spindle (18) for machining the workpieces (16) and a slide (34) which carries the work spindle (18) and is traversable in a longitudinal direction relative to the device (15), a respective cover (25), variable in length in the longitudinal direction (x), for the work space (17) being provided on the slide (34) on each of its sides, said cover (25) being connected with its respective first end to the slide (34) and with its respective second end to a side wall (21, 22; 51) of the work space (17). Each cover (25) variable in length has a respective rear wall (26) and a respective top (27), whereby the top (27) is connected to the rear wall (26) in a detachable, push-in, manner. A further flexible cover (31) is arranged in front of the slide (34) to protect the work space (17) at the bottom. The flexible cover (31) is variable in a direction (y) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (x) and is partly designed as a link apron (54).