Machine Tool Front Sliding Door Layout for Narrow Tool Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine tools require a significant amount of space for tool exchange operations, leading to increased installation width and reduced workability due to the need for operators to move to the side of the machine for maintenance and tool changes.
Innovation Solution
A machine tool design featuring a partition wall with overlapping sliding doors, where the second sliding door is positioned in front of the first, allowing for tool exchange through a vertically movable spindle head and shutter, enabling operations to be performed from the front without expanding the machine's width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the door for tool exchange is disposed on the side panel of the machine tool, then the tool exchange device can be accessed for maintenance and tool changes, but the length of the installation area in the width direction is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the access dimension from side-panel doors (width direction) to front-facing sliding doors (depth direction). The first sliding door opens the front side of the machining chamber and the second sliding door opens the front side of the tool storage chamber, both moving in the depth direction of the machine tool. This dimensional shift allows operator access without increasing the machine's width footprint.
2Ease of operation
If the operator moves to the side of the machine tool for tool exchange operations, then the tool exchange device can be operated, but workability is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the tool exchange access from the side of the machine to the front of the machine. The first sliding door at the front of the machining chamber and the second sliding door at the front of the tool storage chamber both open in the depth direction, allowing the operator to perform tool exchange operations from the front position rather than moving to the side, thereby improving workability.
3Length of stationary object
If sliding doors are disposed at the front of both machining chamber and tool storage chamber, then workspace width is reduced, but the doors must overlap when opened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested door configuration where the first sliding door (for machining chamber) and the second sliding door (for tool storage chamber) are arranged such that one door is disposed in front of the other door. When both doors are opened, they overlap in the depth direction, with the first sliding door overlapping the second sliding door. This nesting arrangement allows both access points to be provided at the front without increasing width, while managing the complexity through a coordinated overlapping mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
This machine tool (11) comprises a machining chamber (45) in which machining of a workpiece (1) is performed, and a tool storage chamber (46) in which a plurality of tools are stored. The machine tool (11) is further provided with a partition (42a) which partitions the machining chamber (45) and tool storage chamber (46) from one another. The machine tool (11) is positioned on the front side of the machining chamber (45), and is equipped with a first sliding door (51) that moves in the width direction, and a second sliding door (52) that is positioned on the front side of the tool storage chamber (46) and that moves in the width direction. The first sliding door (51) and second sliding door (52) are positioned in such a manner that one of the sliding doors is positioned on the front side of the other sliding door, and when one of the sliding doors is opened, said door overlaps with the other sliding door.