Modular Tool Storage Linking via Transfer Station
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool storage arrangements for machining centers face limitations in expanding tool storage capacity without significant design changes, complex modifications, and high costs, especially when increasing height or linking multiple storage units, which restricts flexibility and economic viability.
Innovation Solution
A tool storage arrangement that functionally links several separate storage units using a simple transfer station, allowing modular adaptation and identical parts strategy, enabling cost-effective expansion of tool storage capacity without altering the design or external dimensions of individual units, and allowing flexible spatial arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the height of the storage unit is increased to expand tool storage capacity, then the storage capacity is improved, but the ceiling height requirements and crane travel range become more restrictive and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into multiple separate storage units that can be arranged horizontally rather than vertically. Each unit has its own tool magazine rack and handling device, allowing capacity expansion through horizontal multiplication rather than vertical stacking, thus avoiding ceiling height and crane travel constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from vertical expansion (increasing height) to horizontal expansion (increasing footprint area). By arranging storage units side-by-side in a horizontal configuration, the system achieves capacity growth in the planar dimensions rather than the vertical dimension, eliminating restrictions related to ceiling height and overhead crane travel range
2Quantity of substance
If a second storage unit is connected to the machining center, then the tool storage capacity is improved, but the machining center requires complex modifications including a second transfer point
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple storage units are functionally linked through a shared crane system that operates from a common overhead position. Instead of requiring separate transfer points for each storage unit, the crane consolidates the transfer function, allowing a single machining center interface to serve multiple storage units and reducing the complexity of modifications required
Solution Approach 2:
The overhead crane acts as an intermediary device between the machining center and multiple storage units. It mediates the tool transfer process by picking up tools from the machining center and delivering them to any of the connected storage units, eliminating the need for direct mechanical coupling between the machining center and each individual storage unit
3Quantity of substance
If several storage units are linked by a crane system, then the tool storage capacity is improved, but the construction complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The overhead crane is designed as a universal handling system that can serve multiple storage units and potentially multiple machining centers. By creating a multi-functional crane system that can operate with any number of storage units arranged around it, the invention amortizes the complexity and cost across a larger system capacity, making the expansion more economically viable
4Ease of manufacture
If storage units are arranged in a straight line to link them, then the crane system can be implemented, but the erection arrangement becomes disadvantageous when more than two units are linked
Solution Approach 1:
The invention allows dynamic reconfiguration of the storage unit arrangement around the overhead crane. Instead of being constrained to a fixed linear configuration, storage units can be positioned at different locations and orientations around the crane's operational envelope, enabling flexible adaptation to various plant layouts and erection scenarios while maintaining system functionality
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a tool storage arrangement (1) for extending the tool storage capacity of a vertical or horizontal milling, drilling and/or turning machining center (2), consisting of several separate, functionally linked storage units (8, 9, 31), each containing its own power-operated tool handling device (5, 6, 34) and containing at least one tool magazine rack (3, 4, 35) with a plurality of non-moving tool storage locations (17) for storing machining tools (18).In order to create the simplest and most cost-effective functional linking of several separate storage units (8, 9, 31), which both provides a modular capacity expansion option for an existing storage unit and the associated machining center, and, taking into account the relevant economic aspects, improves the disadvantages and problems of the known prior art, the invention provides that the separate storage units (8, 9, 31) can be spatially connected to each other by means of a transfer station (10, 32) located in the space between the storage units (8, 9, 31), and that an automatic exchange of the machining tools (18) between the storage units (8, 9, 31) can be carried out by means of this transfer station (10, 32).