Vertical Machining Center Conveyor Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vertical machining centers with gantry or traveling column designs, the installation position of the conveyor for removing machining residues is fixed, making it difficult to adjust without significant effort, limiting flexibility in adapting to site conditions.
Innovation Solution
A vertical machining center design that allows the conveyor's position to be freely adjusted by incorporating a funnel-shaped taper for residue discharge and a versatile chip conveyor system that can be inserted from multiple sides, with optional chip and dust extraction or pump systems, enabling flexible placement without structural changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the conveyor installation position is fixed in the machine frame design, then the structural stability is maintained, but the adaptability to different installation site conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system is segmented into a removable conveyor unit that can be detached and repositioned independently from the machine frame. The machine frame includes a standardized opening that accepts the conveyor, allowing it to be removed and installed at different positions without modifying the frame structure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor installation position is made dynamic rather than fixed. The conveyor can be moved between different positions (e.g., left side, right side, rear) depending on the installation site conditions, while the machine frame maintains its static structural integrity through the standardized opening design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the conveyor is removed and reinstalled at different positions, then the adaptability to site conditions is improved, but the installation time and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The machine frame is pre-equipped with a standardized opening and connection interfaces during manufacturing. The conveyor unit is designed with matching connection features that align with this opening, so that when repositioning is needed, the conveyor can be quickly removed and reinstalled without requiring custom fabrication or complex alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized opening design creates a universal interface that can accommodate the conveyor at multiple positions (left, right, rear) and potentially other accessories. This multi-functional design allows the same opening structure to serve different installation configurations, reducing the need for position-specific modifications.
3Productivity
If a funnel-shaped taper is added for residue discharge, then the residue removal efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel-shaped taper is merged with the existing opening in the machine frame floor. Rather than being a separate component, the funnel is integrated into the opening structure itself, using the same space and structural elements. This combination allows the funnel to perform its residue-guiding function while being part of the frame's existing geometry, minimizing additional complexity.
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
Enables easy adjustment and flexible positioning of the conveyor relative to the machining center, improving residue removal efficiency and adaptability to various installation site conditions without altering the machining center's structure.
Implementation Method 1
Due to the force of gravity and/or the sluicing effect of the coolant liquid, the processing residues fall or flow into the task area of the conveyor
Implementation Method 2
Due to the force of gravity and/or the sluicing effect of the coolant liquid, the processing residues fall or flow into the task area of the conveyor
Implementation Method 3
spaced entrainment strips for entraining the processing residues are mounted on the endlessly circulating conveyor belt
Implementation Method 4
the conveyor is designed as a pump system with which the coolant liquid contaminated with machining residues can be pumped out of the machining center
Implementation Method 5
a filter separator and/or a cyclone separator for separating air and processing residues is provided in the chip and dust extraction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a vertical machining center (1), in particular for milling, turning and drilling, in gantry or traveling column design with a U-shaped machine frame (2) having two side walls (5, 6) and with a tool-carrying assembly (3) arranged on the side walls (5, 6), which is adjustable in the three linear spatial directions (XYZ) by means of an electric motor, and with a workpiece-carrying assembly (3) located between the side walls (5, 6), and with a bottom opening (20) in the machine frame base (55) for the removal of machining residues from the working area of the tool-carrying and workpiece-carrying assemblies (3) and with a conveyor (47, 51) for receiving the machining residues from the working area and removing the machining residues.In order to further improve the known solution while retaining its advantages, such that the installation position of the conveyor in relation to the vertical machining center in gantry design can be changed or freely selected without great effort, and that the position of the conveyor relative to the machining center can thus be adapted very flexibly to the conditions at the installation site, the invention provides that the bottom opening (20) for the removal of the machining residues to the conveyor is located in the machine frame base (55) and that the vertical machining center (1) has a sufficiently large clearance under the machine frame base (55) so that the conveyor can be inserted under the bottom opening (20).