Workpiece Locking Device with Prismatic Guiding Bodies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing systems for workpieces on machine tools face challenges in exerting high locking forces without deforming the workpiece, particularly with lightweight materials like aluminum, and are prone to rod bending and twisting, leading to compromised machining quality and increased risk of out-of-tolerance parts.
Innovation Solution
A device with a base body, oil hydraulic cylinder, and roto-translation means, including elastic compensation mechanisms and prismatic guiding bodies, allows for precise and stable locking of workpieces by distributing forces effectively, reducing flexural and torsional loads on the rod and minimizing deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the clamp exerts high locking forces on the workpiece, then the locking capability is improved, but the workpiece may be deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is divided into multiple independent clamp elements (first clamp element, second clamp element, etc.) that can apply force separately to different contact points on the workpiece. This segmentation allows the locking force to be distributed across multiple points, preventing deformation while maintaining high overall locking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Each clamp element can be independently positioned and adjusted to contact specific predetermined points on the workpiece. The prismatic guiding bodies ensure that each clamp element applies force at the correct location and orientation, optimizing the distribution of locking forces to prevent workpiece deformation while maintaining high locking capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the clamp is mounted with greater overhang to reach distant workpiece points, then the adaptability is improved, but the rod bends and twists
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp structure is segmented into multiple independent clamp elements that can be positioned at different locations along the rod. This allows the clamp to reach distant workpiece points with greater overhang while each individual clamp element maintains a shorter, more stable lever arm, reducing rod bending and twisting.
Solution Approach 2:
The prismatic guiding bodies act as intermediaries between the rod and the clamp elements, providing precise guidance and support. These guiding bodies distribute the mechanical loads along the rod, preventing bending and twisting while enabling greater overhang for reaching distant workpiece points.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the rod is made longer to increase overhang, then the adaptability is improved, but the risk of damaging the oil hydraulic cylinder increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is segmented into multiple independent elements that can be positioned at different locations along a longer rod. This allows the system to achieve greater maximum overhang for reaching distant workpiece points while distributing the mechanical stresses along the rod, reducing the risk of concentrating excessive forces that could damage the oil hydraulic cylinder.
Solution Approach 2:
The prismatic guiding bodies serve as intermediary support structures along the rod, providing continuous guidance and load distribution. These guiding bodies reduce the bending moments and torsional stresses on the rod and the oil hydraulic cylinder, enabling longer rod lengths without increasing the risk of cylinder damage.
4Device complexity
If the clamp uses simple roto-translation means, then the device complexity is reduced, but the precision of contact points cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The prismatic guiding bodies provide dynamic guidance that automatically adjusts to maintain precise contact between the clamp elements and the workpiece. The guiding surfaces ensure that each clamp element contacts the workpiece at the correct predetermined point with high precision, while the overall mechanism remains relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The prismatic guiding bodies act as intermediary elements that mediate between the simple roto-translation motion and the requirement for precise contact points. These guiding bodies translate the simple rotational and translational movements into precise linear motions of the clamp elements, achieving high contact point precision without complex constraint mechanisms.
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
The device enables stable locking of workpieces without deformation, allowing higher locking forces with greater overhangs and improved machining precision, reducing the risk of faulty operations and extending the lifespan of the roto-translation means.
Implementation Method 1
a clamp (19, 20) associated with an outer portion (9) of the rod (8, 9) for locking the workpiece (P) to be machined on the machine tool (M)
Implementation Method 2
The roto-translation means (14, 15, 16) comprise elastic compensation means (16) designed to push the engagement elements (15) into the grooves (14)
Data Source
AI summary
The device (1) for locking workpieces on machine tools comprises:—a base body (2) fixable to a machine tool (M) and provided with an oil hydraulic cylinder (3, 4, 5); 5—a rod (8, 9) partly inserted in the oil hydraulic cylinder (3, 4, 5) slidably;—roto-translation means (14, 15, 16) designed to divide the motion of the rod (8, 9) into:—a first stretch (12) of roto-translation; and—a second stretch (13) of translation; 10—a clamp element (19, 20) associated with the rod (8, 9) and movable between:—a home configuration;—an intermediate configuration; and—an operating configuration; 15—at least a prismatic guiding body (21) associated with the base body (2) and prismatically couplable with the clamp element (19, 20) during the shifting of the rod (8, 9) along the second stretch (13).