Machine Tool Partition Guided by Carriage Guide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machine tools face challenges in ensuring a tight and stable separation of the working area from contaminants like chips and coolants due to complex construction designs, which increase the risk of contamination and require special guidance measures for partition movement.

Innovation Solution

The partition is slidably mounted on the carriage guide to assume closed or open positions, allowing for precise movement and a tight seal, simplifying the structural design and ensuring a cost-effective machine tool with enhanced protection against dirt.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the partition is mounted on a separate guide to enable tool insertion, then tool accessibility is improved, but device complexity increases and tight closure cannot be guaranteed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool insertion capabilityVSAvoidguidance system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The partition is mounted directly on the carriage guide that already exists for carriage movement, merging the partition guidance function with the carriage guidance function. This eliminates the need for a separate partition guide, reducing structural complexity while maintaining the ability to open for tool insertion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The carriage guide serves dual purposes: guiding the carriage during machining operations and guiding the partition for opening/closing movements. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall structure by eliminating redundant guidance components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a separate guide for the partition is used, then partition movement flexibility is improved, but manufacturing precision and tight seal are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepartition movement flexibilityVSAvoidclosure tightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By mounting the partition on the existing carriage guide, the partition inherits the high precision and stability of the carriage guidance system. This ensures tight closure while maintaining movement flexibility, as the carriage guide is already designed to provide precise positional control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If complex construction measures are taken for partition guidance, then partition positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepartition positioning accuracyVSAvoidguidance structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The carriage guide performs multiple functions including carriage positioning and partition guidance, leveraging its existing precision design for partition positioning without requiring additional complex guidance structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The partition utilizes the carriage guide's inherent precision and stability characteristics to achieve accurate positioning, rather than requiring separate complex positioning mechanisms. The system uses its own existing infrastructure to solve the positioning problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2455183B1Tool machine for processing a workpiece
Publication Date: 2014.08.13 WFL MILLTURN TECH
  • EP2455183B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The tool (1) has a carriage (5) guided at a carriage guide (4). A tool holder (7) receives a tool (9) for processing a workpiece. A tool exchanger exchanges a tool (9) at the tool holder. A working chamber (2) partially receives the workpiece to be processed. The working chamber is partially limited by a dirt-proof partition (10). The partition is displaceably mounted at the carriage guide for taking a closing position and an opening position (13) and for exchanging the tools from the closing position into the opening position.