Machining Jig Clamp Alignment for Workpiece Slip Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotary table type machine tools face challenges in reliably fastening workpieces due to positioning errors, leading to slip and damage during rotation, and difficulties in ejecting machined workpieces using automatic devices.

Innovation Solution

A machining jig with a rotary drive part, clamp arm, linear drive part, position adjusting part, and tilt adjusting part, including a sliding contact mechanism with curved depression and convex parts, allows for precise alignment and tilting of the clamp member to prevent slip and facilitate easy workpiece ejection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the projection of the support table is sized to be tightly fitted into the center hole of the workpiece, then the workpiece can be securely held during machining, but it becomes difficult to eject the machined workpiece using automatic devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkpiece holding reliabilityVSAvoidworkpiece ejection ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support projection is divided into two functional parts: a large-diameter portion that contacts the workpiece during machining to prevent slip, and a small-diameter portion that fits into the center hole to enable easy ejection by automatic devices. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the support projection have different diameters tailored to specific functions: the upper portion has a larger diameter for secure contact during machining, while the lower portion has a smaller diameter for easy insertion and ejection. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between holding reliability and ejection ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If positioning error of the drive device occurs, then the workpiece may be held in a non-concentric state, but removing the projection to prevent damage causes offset of the rotation axis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkpiece damage preventionVSAvoidrotation axis alignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support projection is segmented into functional zones: the large-diameter portion provides stable contact during machining to prevent slip even with positioning errors, while the small-diameter portion maintains rotation axis alignment. This segmentation allows the system to tolerate positioning errors without compromising either workpiece protection or axis precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dual-diameter projection design creates a dynamic system where the large-diameter portion adapts to positioning variations by providing stable contact, while the small-diameter portion maintains precise rotation axis alignment. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between preventing damage and maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the clamp member is rigidly fixed to the clamp arm, then the structure is simple, but positioning errors cause slip between the workpiece and clamp member during rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamp structure complexityVSAvoidworkpiece clamping reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp member is made rotatable relative to the clamp arm through a rotary mechanism, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and orientation during workpiece rotation. This dynamic capability prevents slip between the clamp member and workpiece while maintaining reliable clamping, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and clamping reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If the clamp member axis is not parallel to the seating part axis, then the clamp structure can accommodate positioning errors, but slip occurs during workpiece rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning error toleranceVSAvoidrotation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp member incorporates a rotary mechanism that allows it to dynamically adjust its axis orientation during workpiece rotation. This dynamic adjustment maintains parallelism between the clamp member axis and seating part axis even when accommodating positioning errors, preventing slip and maintaining rotation stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9656329B2Machining jig for rotatably supporting workpiece with respect to tool of machine tool and machining system

Publication Date: 2017.05.23 FANUC LTD

AI summary

A machining jig for rotatably supporting a workpiece comprising: a rotary drive part which rotates a seating part about a rotation axis, a clamp arm which has a rotary type clamp member which cooperates with the seating part to fasten a workpiece at a position separated from the seating part in a direction along the rotation axis of the seating part, a linear drive part which moves the clamp arm in a direction along a rotation axis, a position adjusting part which adjusts a position of the clamp arm in a plane intersecting the rotation axis, and a tilt adjusting part which adjusts a tilt of the clamp member so that a rotation axis of the clamp member becomes parallel with the rotation axis of the seating part.