Modular Tool Storage with Transfer Station
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool storage arrangements for machining centers face limitations in expanding tool storage capacity, including restricted height expansion, complex and costly modifications, and inefficient linking of storage units, which hinder modular and economic capacity expansion.
Innovation Solution
A tool storage arrangement comprising several separate, functionally linked storage units with power-operated tool handling devices, where units are spatially connected via a transfer station between them, allowing direct tool transfer without additional handling devices, enabling flexible and cost-effective expansion of tool storage capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If additional storage units are used to increase tool storage capacity, then tool storage capacity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tool storage system is divided into multiple separate storage units, each with its own tool magazine rack and handling device. These modular units can be independently manufactured, assembled, and maintained, reducing overall system complexity while enabling capacity expansion through simple addition of units.
Solution Approach 2:
A transfer station is introduced as an intermediary component that enables tool transfer between separate storage units. This mediator simplifies the linking mechanism, allowing storage units to be connected without complex direct integrations, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining expandability.
2Quantity of substance
If storage units are linked together to expand capacity, then tool storage capacity is improved, but assembly and commissioning efforts increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each storage unit is designed as a self-contained module with identical components and interfaces. This segmentation allows units to be pre-assembled and tested independently, significantly reducing on-site assembly and commissioning efforts when expanding capacity by adding units.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer station and tool handling devices are designed with universal interfaces that work across all storage units. This universality enables any storage unit to be connected to any other unit without custom modifications, simplifying both assembly and commissioning processes.
3Quantity of substance
If storage units are spatially connected via transfer station, then tool storage capacity is improved, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Storage units are arranged in a circular configuration rather than linear placement, utilizing radial space efficiently. The transfer station is positioned centrally, allowing tools to be transferred radially between units. This dimensional arrangement reduces the linear footprint while maintaining access to all storage locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer station is integrated into the central space shared by all storage units, effectively nesting the transfer mechanism within the circular arrangement. This nested configuration maximizes space utilization by having multiple storage units share a common central transfer point rather than requiring separate transfer areas between each unit pair.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a tool storage arrangement (1) for expanding 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, 26), each containing its own power-driven tool handling device (5, 6, 28) and housing at least one tool magazine rack (3, 4, 29) with a plurality of fixed tool storage positions (16) for storing machining tools (17). In order to create the simplest and most cost-effective functional linking of several separate storage units (8, 9, 26), which achieves both a modular capacity expansion option for an existing storage unit (8, 9, 26) and the associated machining center (2), and, taking into account the relevant economic aspects,To improve upon the disadvantages and problems of the known prior art, the invention provides that the separate storage units (8, 9, 26) can be spatially connected to one another by a transfer station (10, 27) located in the space between the storage units (8, 9, 26), thus creating a passage from the interior of one storage unit (8, 9, 26) to the interior of the other storage unit (8, 9, 26) connected to it, and that the machining tools (17) are transferred from a device (18, 19, 31) attached to the tool handling device (5, 6, 28) of one storage unit (8, 9, 26) through the transfer station (10, 27) directly to a device (18, 19, 31) attached to the tool handling device (5, 6, 28) of another storage unit (8, 9, 26). can.,