Machine Tool Measuring Head Cover Driven by the Tool Spindle
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measuring devices for machine tools are vulnerable to damage from flying chips and coolants due to the lack of protection for their sensitive measuring heads.
Innovation Solution
A protective cover is integrated into the measuring device, driven by the machine tool's tool drive, which can be slidably mounted to cover and uncover the measuring head, ensuring protection during machining operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the measuring head is exposed for measurement, then measurement access is improved, but the measuring head becomes vulnerable to damage from flying chips and coolants
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change position between covering and uncovered states. The cover can be retracted to allow measurement access and then returned to its protective position, providing both protection and measurement capability through dynamic positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover is positioned to cover the measuring head before measurement operations begin. This preliminary protective action prevents damage from chips and coolants during machining operations, and the cover remains in place until measurement is required.
2Reliability
If a protective cover is added to shield the measuring head, then protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover serves multiple functions: it protects the measuring head from chips and coolants, acts as a guide for the measurement process, and can be integrated with the tool holder structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate protective components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover is merged with the tool holder or measuring device structure, combining protection functionality with the existing measurement system. This integration avoids adding completely separate protective mechanisms and reduces overall structural complexity.
3Reliability
If the protective cover is made to move back and forth, then protection during machining is improved, but the drive mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is designed to be moved by the existing tool drive mechanism that is already present in the machine tool. The tool drive's reciprocating motion is utilized to automatically move the cover between covering and uncovered positions without requiring a separate dedicated drive mechanism, thereby avoiding additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool drive mechanism serves dual functions: it drives the cutting tool during machining operations and simultaneously drives the protective cover to move between positions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate drive system for the protective cover, keeping the overall drive mechanism complexity limited.
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
The protective cover effectively shields the measuring head from debris and media, enhancing the device's durability and measurement accuracy by safeguarding the sensitive equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a gear with at least one threaded spindle and at least one engagement structure that engages with the threaded spindle, with the protective cover being displaceable from the tool drive via this gear
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a measurement device (10) for machine tool having a tool drive (20), the measurement device (10) comprising a measurement head (18). According to the invention, it is provided that the measurement device (10) comprises a displaceably mounted protective cover (22) which is driven by the tool drive (20) and displaceable in such a way that said protective cover (22) selectively covers or uncovers the measurement head (26) for measuring. The invention further relates to a machine tool comprising such a measurement device (10).