Machine Tool Cable Carrier Layout for Ball Screw Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In machine tools with horizontal linear motion mechanisms, the existing U-shaped cable carriers interfere with ball screws, leading to increased vibration during slider acceleration and deceleration, while also requiring a higher height dimension to avoid interference.
Innovation Solution
A chain-like carrier is used, curved in a U-shape around an axis extending between the base and slider, with one end fixed to the slider and the other to the base, allowing the carrier to cross the ball screw's axis and reduce height while maintaining effective wiring and minimizing vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a U-shaped cable carrier is disposed adjacent to the slider moving space, then wiring between base and slider is achieved, but interference with the ball screw occurs and vibration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable carrier is repositioned from a conventional horizontal arrangement to a vertical arrangement, changing its spatial dimension. The carrier now extends in the vertical direction (along the ball screw axis) rather than horizontally adjacent to the slider, allowing it to cross the ball screw axis without interference while maintaining wiring functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cable carrier is positioned to avoid ball screw interference, then vibration is reduced, but the height dimension increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable carrier utilizes the vertical dimension (height) efficiently by aligning with the ball screw axis rather than extending horizontally. This reorientation allows the carrier to achieve the necessary clearance from the slider moving space without proportionally increasing the overall height dimension of the mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable carrier is designed with flexibility to accommodate the dynamic movement of the ball screw and slider. The carrier can dynamically adjust its position and shape during operation, allowing it to cross the ball screw axis during static or low-speed conditions while avoiding interference during high-speed slider movement, thus reducing vibration without requiring excessive height clearance.
3Length of stationary object
If the carrier crosses the ball screw axis, then height dimension is reduced, but interference with ball screw operation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The cable carrier is designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing it to change its configuration based on operational conditions. During ball screw operation, the carrier can dynamically reposition or flex to avoid interfering with the screw threads, while maintaining its space-saving crossed configuration during non-operational phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable carrier acts as an intermediary element that can be temporarily displaced or deformed during ball screw operation. A guide member or support structure serves as an intermediary mechanism that allows the carrier to cross the ball screw axis in the vertical direction while providing clearance or routing the carrier away from the screw threads during rotation, thus reducing height without compromising ball screw reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A machine tool including a base, a slider that is supported to be linearly movable in a direction with respect to the base, a ball screw configured to cause the slider to linearly move with respect to the base, and a chain-like carrier used for wiring a movable wire body between the base and the slider. The carrier is disposed between the base and the slider and curved in a U-shape around an axis extending in a direction in which the base and the slider are apart from each other, one end of the carrier is fixed to the slider and an other end of the carrier is fixed to the base, and a curved portion of the carrier, which is curved in the U-shape, is disposed at a position where the curved portion crosses an extension line of an axis of the ball screw.