Machine Tool Magazine Gripper Positioning for Directional Tool Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for attaching and detaching tools in machine tool magazines lack precise directionality adjustment, leading to tool and workpiece damage, increased processing costs, reduced productivity, safety hazards, and limited installation due to large size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing a housing unit with grippers, a driving unit with interlocking gears, and a manipulation unit to accurately adjust the fixed position of tools, allowing easy attachment and detachment while minimizing size and improving safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual tool attachment is used without precise directionality adjustment, then operator safety is compromised and tool damage occurs, but implementing precise adjustment mechanisms increases device complexity and size
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional modules: a manipulation unit with positioning mechanism, a driving unit with gripper, and a control unit. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function independently, achieving precise tool positioning without requiring the entire device to be overly complex. The positioning mechanism specifically adjusts the fixed position of the tool, while the gripper handles attachment/detachment operations separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning mechanism performs preliminary adjustment of the tool's fixed position before the attachment operation occurs. This preliminary action ensures that the tool is correctly oriented and positioned on the gripper before being secured, preventing tool damage and workpiece damage during subsequent machining operations, without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms during attachment.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual tool attachment with directionality adjustment is used, then tool positioning accuracy can be achieved, but non-processing time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning mechanism is designed to automatically adjust the tool's fixed position through a simplified mechanical structure that requires minimal operator intervention. The mechanism self-adjusts through the interaction of its components (positioning plate, positioning groove, spring) during the attachment process, reducing the time operators need to spend on manual adjustment while maintaining precise positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning mechanism incorporates dynamic elements such as springs and movable positioning plates that automatically adapt during the attachment process. The spring-loaded positioning plate can dynamically adjust to accommodate slight variations in tool dimensions while maintaining precise positioning, and the entire mechanism can quickly transition between different positioning states to accelerate the attachment process.
3Ease of operation
If heavy tools are manually handled for attachment, then tool directionality can be adjusted, but operator safety is compromised due to potential dropping or withdrawal of tools
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper acts as an intermediary between the operator and the heavy tool. The gripper securely holds the tool during the attachment process, eliminating the need for operators to directly handle heavy tools with their hands. The driving unit then actuates the gripper to complete the attachment, ensuring the tool is securely held throughout the process and cannot be accidentally dropped or withdrawn, thereby protecting operator safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical handling of heavy tools by operators is replaced with an automated driving unit that actuates the gripper through a mechanical linkage system. This substitution eliminates the safety hazards associated with manual handling of heavy tools, as the automated system provides consistent, controlled movement and secure gripping force throughout the attachment process.
4Adaptability or versatility
If device size is reduced for better installation flexibility, then adaptability to various machine tools improves, but manufacturing precision and stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning mechanism is designed with a compact nested structure where the positioning plate, positioning groove, and spring components are arranged in a space-efficient configuration. The positioning plate can be nested within the housing when not in use, and the spring mechanism is compactly integrated into the existing structure. This nesting approach allows the device to maintain precise positioning capability while occupying minimal space for installation on various machine tool magazines.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning mechanism utilizes the vertical dimension through the spring-loaded positioning plate that moves up and down within a confined horizontal space. By transitioning the positioning action to the vertical dimension rather than requiring extensive horizontal adjustment space, the mechanism achieves precise positioning functionality in a compact footprint, enabling installation on machine tools with limited available space.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a device for attaching and detaching tools in a magazine, and more particularly, to a device for attaching and detaching tools in a magazine of a machine tool, the device being capable of attaching or detaching a tool having directionality to or from each gripper of the magazine of the machine tool while accurately adjusting a fixed position of the tool.