Motorized Turret Lathe Tool Holder for Automatic Angular Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Numerically controlled lathes with limited three-dimensional machining capabilities face challenges in efficiently and accurately adjusting tool holder positions, leading to prolonged machine downtime and reduced productivity due to manual and laborious adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A rotating tool holder with a motorized drive arrangement that allows for autonomous and independent angular positioning of the tool holder, enabling automatic adjustments without operator intervention, using a servomotor and sensor unit to rotate the main body with respect to the support body around a preset angular reference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual adjustment of the tool holder angular position is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity decreases due to prolonged machine downtime

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tool holder system performs self-adjustment of the angular position through an integrated motorized drive arrangement. The main body can autonomously rotate relative to the support body without external manual intervention, allowing the system to service itself during machining operations and eliminate downtime for position changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated motorized drive system. A motorized drive arrangement with a drive shaft, pinion gear, and sector gear substitutes the manual screw-loosening-and-tightening process, enabling automated angular positioning that improves productivity while managing device complexity through integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If manual adjustment of the tool holder angular position is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of time increases due to interruption of machining operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidloss of time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The motorized drive arrangement enables continuous angular adjustment of the tool holder during machining operations without interruption. The system can change the angular position of the main body relative to the support body while the machining process continues, eliminating idle time and maintaining continuous productive action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The angular position of the tool holder can be pre-adjusted to the required position before machining begins, or adjusted automatically during operations. The motorized system allows preliminary positioning without manual intervention, reducing the time loss associated with mid-operation adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If motorized drive arrangement is added for automatic angular positioning, then the productivity increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The motorized drive arrangement serves multiple functions: it enables automatic angular positioning, allows positioning at preset angular distances, and can operate independently of the main spindle drive. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing versatile automated control that improves overall system productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The tool holder is segmented into a support body and a main body that can rotate independently. The motorized drive arrangement is integrated into this segmented structure, allowing the main body to be positioned independently at various angular locations. This segmentation enables automated positioning without requiring complete redesign of the entire tool holder system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables fast, accurate, and automatic angular adjustments of the tool holder, reducing machine downtime and enhancing productivity by allowing tool position changes during machining operations without interrupting the process.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectServomotor:

Data Source

PatentUS11090732B2Tool holder for turret lathe

Publication Date: 2021.08.17 MT SRL

AI summary

Rotating tool holder mountable on a revolving multi-station tool holder turret of a numerically controlled lathe or turning/milling center, the tool holder including a support body that is removably fixable to the turret and including a shaft that is rotatable around a rotation axis and releasably connectable to a drive of said turret, the tool holder further including a motorized drive arrangement that rotates a main body with respect to the support body around a rotation axis autonomously and independently of the rotation of the shaft, in order to position a seat of a cutting/drilling tool, provided on the main body, in a preset angular position.