Machine Tool Nozzle Orientation for Precise Coolant Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine tools for processing section bars, particularly those made of aluminum, light alloys, or PVC, face issues with imprecise manual nozzle orientation, requiring machine stoppage and having a complex, expensive operating unit due to the large number of nozzles.
Innovation Solution
An automated nozzle orientation system using an orienting device with a horizontal slide, vertical slide, and electric motor, allowing nozzles to be positioned precisely and quickly without stopping the machine, with a reduced number of nozzles mounted on the operating head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual orientation of nozzles is used, then the operating unit structure is simpler, but the orientation precision deteriorates and machine stoppage is required
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle automatically orients itself to the tool using a spring-loaded mechanism with a conical surface. The spring forces the nozzle against the conical surface, enabling automatic alignment without manual intervention, thereby improving orientation precision while avoiding complex manual adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical orientation with an automated spring-based mechanical system. The spring mechanism automatically positions the nozzle relative to the tool, eliminating the need for manual operation and improving precision without requiring complex control systems
2Productivity
If manual orientation of nozzles is used, then the device complexity is lower, but productivity deteriorates due to required machine stoppage
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded nozzle automatically orients itself to the tool during tool replacement without requiring machine stoppage. This self-service mechanism maintains productivity by eliminating manual intervention and machine halt, while the simple spring mechanism avoids adding complex systems
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism is pre-loaded to automatically position the nozzle in the correct orientation before the tool is fully installed. This preliminary action ensures the nozzle is ready for immediate use, maintaining productivity without complex control systems
3Reliability
If a large number of nozzles are used, then cooling and lubrication coverage is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single adjustable nozzle is designed to serve multiple functions and positions. By allowing the nozzle to be oriented in different directions, one nozzle can effectively replace multiple fixed nozzles, providing comprehensive cooling and lubrication coverage while reducing the total number of nozzles required
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The spring-loaded mechanism allows the nozzle to adapt its orientation based on the tool position, enabling a single nozzle to cover areas that would otherwise require multiple fixed nozzles, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining effectiveness
Data Source
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AI summary
An operating unit for machine tools has an operating head (12) provided with a tool (19) and with at least one orientable nozzle (20), which can be connected to a source of a cooling and/or lubricating liquid of the tool (19), and is oriented by an orienting device (28) between at least two operating positions, in which the nozzle (20) has different orientations relative to the tool (19); the orienting device (28) and the operating head (12) being movable relative to one another so as to move the nozzle (20), at first, in contact with the orienting device (28) and, then, between the two operating positions.