Machine Tool Front and Back Tool Post Y-Axis Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine tools with front and back spindles having parallel axis lines face limitations in tool arrangement and control complexity, leading to restricted tool placement, increased operational complexity, and reduced accuracy due to the need for separate control of multiple axes during multilevel working on workpieces.
Innovation Solution
The machine tool design allows front and back tool posts to be integrally movable in the Y-axis direction, enabling tool selection and switching by controlling the back spindle's vertical movement, which simplifies control, reduces the number of movable parts, and allows for simultaneous operation on different planes, thereby improving accuracy and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the front spindle stock is configured to be movable only in the Z-axis direction and the front tool post is configured to be movable only in the Z- and X-axis directions, then the machine tool can maintain a simpler structure, but the plurality of front working tools can be disposed only along the X-axis direction and the number of the front working tools to be held by the front tool post is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the front tool post dynamically movable in the Y-axis direction in addition to the existing Z- and X-axis movements. This dynamic addition allows the front working tools to be arranged in multiple directions (X, Y, and Z axes), significantly increasing the number of tools that can be held and the flexibility of tool arrangement without fundamentally changing the overall machine structure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds the Y-axis dimension to the front tool post's movement capabilities. By enabling movement in this additional dimension, the tool arrangement transitions from being limited to one-dimensional (X-axis) linear arrangement to three-dimensional spatial arrangement, allowing tools to be disposed along multiple axes and increasing overall tool capacity
2Adaptability or versatility
If a total of 7 axes, i.e., one axis for the front spindle stock and two axes for each of the back spindle stock, the front tool post and the back tool post, need to be controlled separately per each work, then the machine tool can provide comprehensive movement control, but the control is complicated and that the many movable parts thereof make it difficult to achieve faster and more accurate operations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the control of the front tool post's Y-axis movement with the back spindle stock's Y-axis movement into a single integrated control system. By combining these two previously separate control functions, the total number of independently controlled axes is reduced from 7 to 6, simplifying the control architecture and reducing operational complexity while maintaining the ability to position both tool posts and spindles in three-dimensional space
3Device complexity
If the front and back tool posts are configured to be integrally movable in the Y-axis direction, then the control is simplified and the number of movable parts is reduced, but the ability to independently position front and back tools may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated Y-axis movement mechanism serves multiple functions: it simultaneously controls the position of both front and back tool posts, enables coordination between front and back spindles, and provides the capability for both synchronized and independent positioning operations. This multi-functional design reduces overall system complexity while maintaining operational flexibility
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
There is provided a machine tool which holds a large number of tools and capable of performing various kinds of works without replacing the tools, which is easy to operate and which allows faster and accurate operations with less number of movable parts. A front tool post (141) and a back spindle (120) are configured to be integrally movable in a Y-axis direction, and a plurality of front working tools (140) and a plurality of back working tools (130) are disposed on the front and back tool posts (141) and (131), respectively, in a plurality of tiers in the Y-axis direction.