Mono-Block 5-Axis Machine Tool Structure for Thermal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
5-axis machine tools face decreased machining precision due to insufficient removal of vibration and thermal displacement, which affects the positioning accuracy between the tool and workpiece, especially in high-speed machining.
Innovation Solution
A mono-block machine tool design integrating a bed and column with axial slides and a rotating table, minimizing mechanical joints and optimizing structural symmetry to reduce displacement and enhance precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional couplers are used to connect column, bed, and saddle in 5-axis machine tools, then the structure becomes more flexible and adaptable, but vibration and thermal displacement are not sufficiently removed, causing decreased machining precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the column and bed into a single monolithic structure, eliminating the need for additional couplers to connect these components. This merging of structures reduces the number of interfaces where vibration and thermal displacement can occur, directly addressing the precision problem while maintaining structural flexibility through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the machine tool structure into distinct functional modules (column-bed integrated unit, saddle, table) that are connected through minimized interfaces. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently while reducing the cumulative effect of vibrations and thermal displacements across multiple coupler joints.
2Productivity
If machining speed and cutting amount are increased to improve productivity, then output increases, but overlap displacement becomes larger and more irregular, limiting the effectiveness of additional means to remove displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary design features in the integrated column-bed structure and slide mechanisms that proactively minimize overlap displacement before high-speed machining occurs. The structural geometry and coupling mechanisms are pre-configured to reduce sensitivity to vibration and thermal effects, enabling high productivity while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes structural parameters such as the geometry of the integrated column-bed, the configuration of slide ways, and the stiffness distribution to change the system's dynamic characteristics. These parameter changes reduce the magnitude and irregularity of overlap displacement during high-speed machining, allowing improved productivity without sacrificing precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If a mono-block structure integrating bed and column is adopted to minimize vibration and thermal displacement, then machining precision improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the column and bed into a monolithic structure, which while improving precision by eliminating interface displacements, concentrates manufacturing complexity into a single component. This merging reduces the total number of parts and assemblies, potentially simplifying overall device complexity despite the increased sophistication of the integrated unit.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a machine tool including: a base having a pair of first-axial slides facing each other at both sides of a mounting space; a saddle coupled to the first-axial slides of the base to slide in a first axis direction and having a pair of second-axial slides facing each other; a crosspiece coupled to the second-axial slides of the saddle to slide in a second axis direction and having a pair of third-axial slides facing each other; a vertical ram coupled to the third-axial slides of the crosspiece to slide in a direction perpendicular; and a table disposed in the mounting space of the base to be able to rotate relative to the base.