Movable Chip Cart Layout for Compact Machine Tool Chip Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compact machine tools face challenges in automation and chip management due to limited space, requiring innovative solutions for efficient chip removal and handling that accommodate small installation spaces and allow for partially automated or highly automated production.
Innovation Solution
A movable chip cart system with a receptacle for a chip basket, integrated into the machine tool enclosure, featuring a connector piece that can move between release and operating positions for direct chip transfer without additional conveyors, ensuring contamination control and quick changeover capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a compact machine tool design is used to reduce installation space, then the machine tool size is reduced, but chip management and automation technology become constrained due to limited space
Solution Approach 1:
The chip cart is positioned below the working space, utilizing vertical space rather than horizontal space. This dimensional change allows chip collection functionality to be integrated into the compact machine tool without increasing its footprint, resolving the contradiction between small size and chip management capability
Solution Approach 2:
The chip basket is removable from the chip cart, and the connector piece integrates with both the working space and chip cart. This nested design allows components to be compactly arranged while maintaining full functionality, enabling adaptability within limited space
2Productivity
If additional conveyors and automation components are added to improve chip removal efficiency, then chip management capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Chips are removed from the working space using gravity through the connector piece into the chip basket, without requiring additional driven conveyors. This self-service approach achieves effective chip removal while minimizing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The chip basket is designed to be removable from the chip cart, allowing easy extraction and emptying of chips. This simplifies the automation system by eliminating the need for complex chip ejection mechanisms while maintaining high chip removal efficiency
3Ease of operation
If access openings with windows are added for visual monitoring, then operator monitoring capability is improved, but space for automation technology is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The chip cart and connector piece are positioned below the working space, utilizing the vertical dimension for automation components. This frees up the front area for visual monitoring and operator access without compromising automation functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The chip management system is segmented into separate components (connector piece, chip cart, chip basket) that can be independently positioned and optimized. This allows the monitoring area and automation area to be spatially separated, resolving the contradiction between visual access and automation space
Data Source
AI summary
A chip removal device for a machine tool comprises a movable chip cart having a receptacle for a chip basket, a chip cart bay for the chip cart, and a connector piece between an opening of the chip basket and a chip removal opening of a working space of the machine tool for removing chips from the working space. The chip basket is removable from the chip cart. The chip cart bay is arranged in an enclosure of the machine tool. The connector piece is displaceable between a release position in which the chip cart is movable out of the chip cart bay and an operating position in which the connector piece and the chip cart are coupled for chip transfer from the working space into the chip cart. A manufacturing system for machining comprises a machine tool and a device for chip removal.