Modular Clamping Assembly With Standardized Intermediate Pieces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clamping devices for rotationally symmetrical workpieces, such as gears, are typically workpiece-specific, leading to high production risks, costs, and long delivery times due to the need for custom designs and long bores, which limit their adaptability and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A modular clamping device system using standardized prefabricated intermediate pieces and a base unit, allowing for easy adaptation to different spindle heads and workpieces, with a hydraulic clamping element and pneumatic support control that minimizes the length of hydraulic and pneumatic bores, enabling flexible and efficient production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If clamping devices are designed to be workpiece-specific, then clamping precision and suitability for specific workpieces are improved, but production costs, planning effort, and delivery times increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping precisionVSAvoiddelivery time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping device is divided into modular components: a base unit with standardized interface to the spindle head, and a clamping element with workpiece-specific interface. These modules can be independently selected and combined, allowing quick adaptation to different workpieces without redesigning the entire device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base unit is designed with a standardized interface that can accommodate multiple clamping elements for different workpiece types. This universal base unit can be used across various machining centers, reducing the need for custom-designed clamping devices for each workpiece while maintaining clamping precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If clamping devices are designed to be workpiece-specific, then clamping precision and suitability for specific workpieces are improved, but production costs and planning effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping precisionVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping device is divided into modular components: a base unit with standardized interface to the spindle head, and a clamping element with workpiece-specific interface. These modules can be independently selected and combined, allowing quick adaptation to different workpieces without redesigning the entire device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base unit is designed with a standardized interface that can accommodate multiple clamping elements for different workpiece types. This universal base unit can be used across various machining centers, reducing the need for custom-designed clamping devices for each workpiece while maintaining clamping precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Force

If long hydraulic bores are used in clamping devices, then clamping force transmission is improved, but production complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping force transmissionVSAvoidproduction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A first intermediate piece is introduced as a mediator component between the base unit and the clamping element. This intermediate piece carries the hydraulic connections and allows the hydraulic bores to be positioned optimally, reducing their length and simplifying manufacturing while maintaining effective clamping force transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Measurement precision

If long pneumatic bores are used for support control, then support accuracy is improved, but production complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport accuracyVSAvoidproduction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A first intermediate piece is introduced as a mediator component between the base unit and the clamping element. This intermediate piece carries the pneumatic connections and allows the pneumatic bores to be positioned optimally, reducing their length and simplifying manufacturing while maintaining support accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 modular system simplifies production, reduces production risks and costs, and shortens delivery times by allowing easy adaptation to various workpieces, while keeping hydraulic and pneumatic bores short, thus improving process reliability and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

hydraulic clamping element, which is designed to produce the clamping connection with the rotationally symmetrical body under the action of hydraulic pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

a measuring nozzle is arranged in a support surface for the workpiece and is supplied with compressed air. If the workpiece lies correctly on the support surface, it covers the measuring nozzle. By monitoring the flow or pressure of the compressed air, the correct support of the workpiece can be checked.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressed air flow monitoring: Venturi Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4059646A1Method of manufacturing a modular clamping device for rotationally symmetrical bodies and clamping device manufactured therewith
Publication Date: 2022.09.21 REISHAUER AG
  • EP4059646A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4059646A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4059646A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for manufacturing a modular clamping device for mounting a rotationally symmetric body on the spindle head of a motor spindle is described. The modular clamping device comprises a clamping element and a first intermediate piece. The method provides a first intermediate piece assortment (22) containing a plurality of prefabricated, standardized first standard intermediate pieces. The first intermediate piece (210) is selected from the first intermediate piece assortment (22). The clamping element is manufactured, and the first intermediate piece is positioned relative to the clamping element such that, when the clamping device is mounted on the spindle head, the first intermediate piece is located axially between the spindle head and the clamping element.