Machine Tool Air Supply via Special Tool Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional machine tools face difficulties in supplying air to the tool holder on the tool rest during automatic tool changes due to the incorporation of mechanisms like swivel indexing, which can lead to the entry of foreign substances like chips into the tool holder.
Innovation Solution
A machine tool design that includes a tool spindle with an air supply portion, a tool rest for mounting fixed tools, a tool holder with a restraining surface, and an automatic tool changer, where a special tool on the spindle supplies air to the tool holder through a sensor-equipped special tool that couples with the tool holder during automatic changes, preventing interference with the gripping portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air supply mechanism is integrated into the tool holder on the tool rest, then air can be supplied to prevent chip entry, but the device complexity increases due to the need to incorporate air supply mechanisms alongside existing swivel indexing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
A special tool acts as an intermediary carrier that temporarily holds the air supply function during tool changing. The special tool couples with the tool holder to deliver air from the spindle air supply portion to the tool holder, avoiding the need to integrate air supply mechanisms directly into the tool holder structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool holder utilizes the air supply capability of the special tool during the tool changing process. The special tool, which is already mounted on the spindle with air supply, serves the dual purpose of its primary function and air supply to the tool holder, eliminating the need for separate air supply infrastructure.
2Ease of manufacture
If a special tool is mounted on the tool spindle to supply air to the tool holder, then air supply is achieved without modifying the tool holder, but the device complexity increases due to the additional special tool component
Solution Approach 1:
The special tool is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a regular tool for machining operations and simultaneously acts as an air supply carrier during tool changing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated air supply components in the tool holder.
Solution Approach 2:
The air supply is prepared in advance by mounting the special tool on the spindle with its air supply capability. During tool changing, the air supply is already positioned and ready to couple with the tool holder, eliminating the need for complex real-time air supply routing modifications.
3Reliability
If the special tool is positioned to couple with the tool holder during automatic tool changing, then air supply to the restraining surface is achieved, but the gripping portion may interfere with the special tool operation
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling between the special tool and tool holder is designed to occur from a different spatial dimension or approach angle that avoids interference with the gripping portion's path. This dimensional differentiation allows both the gripping action and air supply coupling to occur simultaneously without collision.
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
Effectively supplies air to the tool holder during automatic tool changes, confirming tool holding and preventing foreign substances from entering the tool holder, thus maintaining cleanliness and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a tool spindle having an air supply portion supplying air... When the tool is automatically changed by the automatic tool changer, the special tool mounted on the tool spindle is coupled to the tool holder, and the air from the air supply portion is supplied to the restraining surface through the special tool
Data Source
AI summary
A machine tool can perform a turning process using a fixed tool and a milling process using a rotating tool. The machine tool includes: a tool spindle having an air supply portion, for rotating the rotating tool; a lower tool rest for mounting a plurality of fixed tools thereon; a tool holder having a tapered surface restraining a tool, and attached to the lower tool rest, for detachably holding the tool; an automatic tool changer; and a special tool mounted on the tool spindle, into which the air is introduced from the air supply portion. When the tool is automatically changed by the automatic tool changer, the special tool mounted on the tool spindle is coupled to the tool holder, and the air from the air supply portion is supplied to the tapered surface through the special tool.