Machine Tool Magazine Wheel for Flexible Small Batch Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Machine tools lack flexibility in tool and workpiece management, limiting their ability to efficiently handle different machining operations and small batch quantities.
Innovation Solution
A machine tool design featuring a rotatable magazine wheel with recesses for tools and workpieces, allowing for automatic exchange and positioning using the same controlled axes for tool and workpiece changes, feed motions, and machining, enabling flexible operation with a space-saving and cost-effective setup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a magazine wheel with recesses for tools and workpieces is introduced, then flexibility in tool and workpiece management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine wheel is designed with recesses that can accommodate both tools and workpieces, allowing a single component to serve multiple functions. The tool spindle can perform both machining operations with tools and gripping operations with workpieces, eliminating the need for separate magazine wheels for tools and workpieces, thereby increasing flexibility while controlling complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the tool magazine and workpiece magazine into a single magazine wheel structure. The tool spindle serves dual purposes as both a tool holder and workpiece gripper, merging previously separate functions into unified components, which reduces overall system complexity while maintaining versatility
2Device complexity
If the same controlled axes are used for tool change, workpiece change, feed motion, and machining, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically reconfigures the function of the controlled axes based on operational needs. The same axes that control tool spindle movement for machining operations are repurposed to control workpiece gripper movement for loading/unloading operations. This dynamic functional switching allows the system to maintain adaptability while using a reduced number of physical components
Solution Approach 2:
The controlled axes serve multiple functions: they control tool spindle movement during machining, tool change operations, workpiece gripper movement during loading/unloading, and positioning operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each operation, simplifying the overall device while maintaining full operational adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
A machine tool comprising a tool spindle and a workpiece clamping mechanism moveable relative to one another on a linear X-axis in a controlled manner, wherein the tool spindle can be moved in a controlled manner in relation to a machine frame on Y and Z-axes which are perpendicular to the X-axis and to each other and can be pivoted in a controlled manner around a C-axis parallel to the Z-axis, and wherein a workpiece gripper, which can be moved in common with the tool spindle, is assigned to the tool spindle, and that the tool spindle can travel with the workpiece gripper to a magazine wheel on the Y, Z and C-axes and can be aligned with recesses on the magazine wheel, movement on the X, Y, Z and C-axes effecting transfer of a workpiece between the workpiece gripper and the workpiece clamping mechanism.