Machine Tool Spindle Sleeve Support Bearing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machine tools for mechanical machining face issues with vibrations and dimensional inaccuracies due to exclusive support of the spindle sleeve on the headstock, leading to poor absorption of lateral forces during operations like milling and drilling without a chip sluice or tapping bush.

Innovation Solution

A support bearing is provided at the front end of the machining beam with internal support surfaces for the spindle sleeve, offering central support on both the headstock and the machining beam, which absorbs transverse forces and minimizes vibrations, allowing for precise centering through adjustable axial feed force and pressure medium actuation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the spindle sleeve is supported exclusively on the headstock, then the structure is simpler, but vibrations and dimensional inaccuracies occur during machining operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoiddimensional accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support system is segmented into two independent support points: the headstock support and the newly added support bearing at the front end of the machining beam. This segmentation distributes the support function across multiple locations, reducing vibrations while maintaining structural simplicity through modular addition rather than complex redesign

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the spindle sleeve is supported exclusively on the headstock, then the device structure is simpler, but lateral forces are poorly absorbed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidlateral force absorption
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The support bearing is positioned at the front end of the machining beam, creating a spatial distribution of support points along the longitudinal axis. This dimensional arrangement optimizes the absorption of lateral forces by distributing them across two support points separated by distance, enhancing force absorption capability without complicating the overall device structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Manufacturing precision

If the support bearing is added at the front end of the machining beam, then vibrations are reduced, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining precisionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support bearing acts as an intermediary element between the machining beam and the spindle sleeve. This intermediary component provides the necessary support function to reduce vibrations and improve machining precision, while its standardized design and straightforward integration minimize the increase in overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution effectively reduces vibrations and dimensional inaccuracies, enabling precise machining operations by ensuring better support and centering of the spindle sleeve, particularly during milling, by distributing forces more evenly and allowing for adjustable centering intensity.

Implementation Method 1

The support surfaces of the support bearing on the one hand and the matching counter-support surfaces of the spindle sleeve on the other hand are expediently designed conically with the cone axis running in the spindle axis. With this design and arrangement of the support surfaces and counter-support surfaces, the desired centering support is achieved solely by the fact that the spindle sleeve is moved axially into the support bearing arranged at the front end of the processing beam with the aid of the headstock that carries it and is centered there depending on the axial feed force applied

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the support bearing is arranged in a bracket which is mounted on the front end of the processing beam so that it can be displaced in the direction of the spindle axis by pressure medium. In this embodiment of the invention, the support bearing can be displaced relative to the stationary headstock and in this way the desired axial contact pressure and centering can be set. Such a pressure medium-actuated adjustment system also has a dampening effect on the support of the front end of the spindle sleeve, as a result of which the generation of harmful vibrations can also be suppressed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP2435203B1Machine tool
Publication Date: 2015.02.18 SAMAG SAALFELDER WERKZEUGMASCHINEN GMBH
  • EP2435203B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2435203B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a machine tool for the mechanical machining of workpieces, e.g. by means of deep drilling or milling, comprising a machining beam (3) on which a headstock (6) is guided, whose spindle shaft (9), rotatably mounted in a spindle sleeve (8), is provided with a clamping device for clamping in interchangeable tools, the front end of the machining beam (3) being assigned a chip separator (19) and a removable boring bush (18). In such a machine tool, in order to fix the spindle sleeve (8) better to the machining beam (3) during operation without a boring bush, the invention proposes that, at the front end of the machining beam (3), there be provided a supporting bearing for the spindle sleeve (8), which bearing is provided on the inner side thereof with conical supporting surfaces (20) for the spindle sleeve which, on the outer side thereof, is provided with matching conical mating supporting surfaces (21). Furthermore, the chip separator (19) with the boring bush (18) arranged therein and a sealing system is implemented as a removable, cartridge-like housing, which can be inserted into the supporting bearing (17) from the side facing away from the spindle sleeve (8) and can be fixed there by a quick-release lock.