Five-axis milling machine with segmented worktable rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current five-axis numeric-control milling machines are structurally complex and require powerful motors to achieve precise undercuts, making them costly and difficult to manufacture, while also being less compact and more complex than necessary.
Innovation Solution
A milling machine design where the spindle is supported by a third slider with a simpler structure, allowing only the part to be machined to rotate about a third rotation axis, reducing the need for powerful motors and eliminating the need to rotate the entire worktable, using a system with linear actuators and motors that focus on orienting and machining the part directly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the spindle is supported by multiple sliders with complex positioning mechanisms to achieve precise undercut machining, then the machining precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The worktable assembly is segmented into independent rotational components: the worktable rotates about a first rotation axis, and the clamping mechanism rotates about a second rotation axis. This segmentation allows each component to be positioned and controlled independently, achieving complex undercut machining through coordinated rotation of separate elements rather than complex linear positioning of the entire assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of positioning the spindle through complex multi-slider mechanisms as in conventional machines, this invention inverts the approach by rotating the workpiece and clamping mechanism about perpendicular rotation axes. The machining precision is achieved by controlling the rotational positions of the worktable and clamping mechanism rather than through complex linear positioning of the spindle support structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the entire worktable assembly is rotated about an axis perpendicular to the tilting axis to enable undercut machining, then the versatility for machining different orientations is improved, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational capability is segmented into two independent axes: the worktable rotates about a first rotation axis to position the workpiece, and the clamping mechanism rotates about a second rotation axis perpendicular to the first. This allows the system to achieve versatile machining orientations by coordinating these two independent rotational movements rather than requiring the entire worktable assembly to rotate about a single complex axis.
3Manufacturing precision
If powerful motors are used to position the spindle and worktable components for precise undercut machining, then the positioning capability is improved, but the power consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is segmented into two independent rotational axes with separate motors: a first motor controls the worktable rotation about the first rotation axis, and a second motor controls the clamping mechanism rotation about the second rotation axis. This segmentation allows each motor to be sized appropriately for its specific task, reducing the total power requirement compared to a single powerful motor system while maintaining precise positioning capability through coordinated control of both rotational elements.
Data Source
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AI summary
A milling machine, particularly of the five-axis numeric-control type for providing products for prosthodontics, for medical implants and for decorating precious items and materials, comprising - a frame (11), - a first slider (12), first guiding means (13) being provided which define a first axis (A) of translational motion of the first slider (12) on the frame (11), - a second slider (14), second guiding means (15) being provided which define a second axis (B) of translational motion of the second slider (14) on the first slider (12), - a third slider (16), third guiding means (17) being provided which define a third axis (C) of translational motion of the third slider (16) on the second slider (14), - a spindle (18), which is supported by the third slider (16) and defines a first rotation axis (D) for a milling tool which it holds during use, - a worktable (19), which is supported by the frame (11), - first rotation means (20), which define a second rotation axis (E) of the worktable (19) with respect to the frame (11), the second rotation axis (E) not being parallel to the first rotation axis (D), - second means (21) for rotation of the part (22) that is fixed on the worktable (19) about a third rotation axis (F) which is substantially perpendicular to the second rotation axis (E), the second rotation means (21) being supported by the worktable (19).