Chuck Master Jaw Positioning for Interchangeable Top Jaws
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripping tools face issues with workpiece gripping accuracy degradation due to cumulative dimensional variations in chuck components, leading to incompatibility of top jaws across different chucks, requiring separate top jaw sets for each chuck.
Innovation Solution
A method for manufacturing a gripping tool with master jaws that include first and second positioners, such as serrations and grooves, to align the top jaws' position relative to the center axis, ensuring compatibility and maintaining accuracy across different chucks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the gripping surface of the top jaw is formed by on-machine shaping, then the distance between the gripping surface and the center axis is aligned among top jaws, but the top jaws have different dimensions to correct dimension deviation for different master jaws, degrading compatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming the first positioner (serrations) on the master jaw before attaching the top jaw. This pre-formed positioner ensures that when the top jaw is attached, the serrations engage to precisely determine the distance from the center axis, maintaining gripping accuracy without requiring on-machine shaping that would compromise compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The first positioner (serrations) acts as an intermediary element between the master jaw and the top jaw. These serrations engage with corresponding serrations on the top jaw to transmit and maintain precise positional relationships, ensuring that the distance from the center axis is accurately determined while preserving compatibility across different top jaw sets.
2Ease of manufacture
If components are produced individually with variation in dimensions, then manufacturing is easier, but cumulative errors cause variation in position of serrations and positioner, degrading gripping accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The first positioner (serrations) is formed on the master jaw before assembly, establishing a precise reference position that compensates for cumulative dimensional errors in individually produced components. This preliminary positioning action ensures accurate gripping despite variations in component dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of positioner formation from post-assembly shaping to pre-assembly formation on the master jaw. This parameter change allows the positioner to be established at a known reference position, maintaining precision while allowing individual component production.
3Adaptability or versatility
If top jaw is attached to master jaw of different chuck, then compatibility is required, but on-machine shaping creates top jaws with different dimensions for different master jaws, making management complex
Solution Approach 1:
The first positioner (serrations) formed on the master jaw creates a universal interface that works with any top jaw set. This universal positioning mechanism allows top jaws to be interchangeably attached to any master jaw in any chuck, eliminating the need for separate top jaw sets for different chucks and simplifying management.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method for manufacturing a gripping tool for gripping a workpiece with top jaws (30) attached to a plurality of master jaws (20) attached to a gripping tool body (10). A first positioner (21, 24) that determines the distance of the top jaw from the center axis of the top jaw when the top jaw is attached to the master jaw is formed in a direction perpendicular to a slide direction in a surface of the master jaw. The method includes a step of attaching the plurality of master jaws to the gripping tool body, a step of gripping a shaping plug (70) by sliding the plurality of master jaws toward the center axis, and a step of finishing, in the surface of the master jaw, the first positioner extending in the direction perpendicular to the slide direction.