Modular Clamping Rails for Machine Tool Workpiece Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping apparatuses for machine tools are complex, costly to manufacture, and not well-suited for clamping work pieces of varying shapes, with manual actuation being labor-intensive and not easily adaptable for quick clamping and release.
Innovation Solution
A clamping apparatus comprising modular clamping rails with elongate protruding portions and work piece holders with adjustable clamping elements, allowing for precise positioning and easy attachment to the work table, with the ability to accommodate different work piece shapes and sizes using variously configured holders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional clamping apparatus with pallet and chuck member is used, then work pieces can be clamped to the work table, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping apparatus is segmented into modular components: clamping rails (2, 3, 4) that can be independently positioned and attached to the work table, and work piece holders (5, 6, 7) that can be separately configured. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex integrated pallet and chuck member systems while maintaining clamping reliability through distributed, independent clamping points.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping rails are designed with universal functionality to accommodate various work piece shapes and sizes. The rails can be positioned at different locations on the work table and work piece holders can be configured in different orientations, allowing the same basic apparatus to perform multiple clamping functions without requiring specialized components for each work piece type.
2Manufacturing precision
If reference elements with dovetailed cross section are used, then work pieces can be positioned and clamped, but manufacturing cost and fabrication labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping rails are designed as simple, easily manufacturable components that can be produced through standard machining processes. Rather than using expensive, labor-intensive dovetailed reference elements, the rails employ straightforward geometries with elongate protruding portions that define recesses, allowing for cost-effective production while maintaining sufficient positioning precision for the application.
3Reliability
If manual actuation of clamping elements is used, then work pieces can be clamped, but labor intensity increases and clamping speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping apparatus transitions from static, manually-adjusted clamping to dynamic, quickly-adjustable clamping. The work piece holders can be rapidly positioned and clamped to the rails, and the clamping elements can be quickly actuated. This dynamic capability allows for fast changeover between different work pieces while maintaining secure clamping, thereby increasing productivity without sacrificing clamping reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A clamping apparatus for attaching work pieces to be machined to the work table of a machine tool in a precisely defined position comprises at least one clamping rail to be attached to the work table of the machine, as well as at least one work piece holder. The clamping rail is provided with an elongate protruding portion, the front face thereof constituting a stop surface and which defines a recess between itself and the work table of the machine tool. The elongate protruding portion may be provided with threaded bores for receiving clamping screws. Each work piece holder includes a clamping portion which can be inserted into the recess and clamped therein by means of the clamping screws. The clamping rail includes a flat bottom surface resting on the surface of the work table of the machine tool and running perpendicular to the aforementioned front face of the elongate protruding portion. The side of the work piece holder having the aforementioned clamping portion includes a reference surface adapted to rest against the front face of the elongate portion of the clamping rail.