Movable Step Floor for Machine Tool Access Safety
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Machine tools with openable protective partitions pose a risk of injury to operating personnel due to the accumulation of cooling lubricant, which can create a wet and slippery surface when entering the work area for inspection or maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A movable step floor that extends from the access opening into the working space, capable of shifting from a retracted position to a safety position that protrudes further, ensuring safe access while maintaining flexibility and avoiding restrictions on the machine tool's operation, and is designed to follow the workpiece contour and accommodate larger diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the protective partition is opened to allow access to the working area, then operating personnel can enter for inspection or maintenance, but cooling lubricant accumulates on the floor creating a wet and slippery surface that poses a considerable risk of injury
Solution Approach 1:
A step floor is introduced as an intermediary element between the access opening and the working area. This step floor is designed to be movable and can assume a safety position that protrudes into the working space, providing a dry and secure transition zone that mediates between the external environment and the lubricant-contaminated working area.
Solution Approach 2:
The step floor is divided into a stationary part and a movable step element that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the movable step element to be retracted when not needed and extended to provide safety protection when access is required, resolving the contradiction between ease of access and safety.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a step floor is provided to ensure safe access, then personnel safety is improved, but the movement space and circulation diameter of the machine tool are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The step floor incorporates a movable step element that can dynamically change its position between a retracted state and an extended safety position. When retracted, it does not restrict the circulation diameter or movement space for large workpieces and tools. When extended, it provides the necessary safety protection for personnel access, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and adaptability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the step floor protrudes far into the working space to ensure safety, then access safety is improved, but the structural complexity and support requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The step floor is segmented into a stationary base structure and a movable step element. The stationary part provides the necessary support and anchoring to the machine bed, while the movable element can be extended or retracted as needed. This segmentation reduces the overall structural complexity compared to a fully fixed extended platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable step element is designed to be self-supporting when extended, utilizing its own structural integrity and the guidance of guide elements rather than requiring extensive external support structures. This self-service capability reduces the complexity of the support system.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A machine tool (1) for machining a workpiece (3) is shown, comprising a work area (4) for receiving the workpiece (3) to be machined, a machine bed (2) and at least one protective partition (5) which at least partially limits the work area (4) and has at least one lockable access opening (6) to the work area (4), and at least one platform (8, 80) provided in the work area (4), which has at least one movable platform element (9, 90, 900) in the work area (4). In order to create safe and flexible access to the workpiece (3) in the work space (4), it is proposed that the platform (8, 80) extends from the floor (10) of the access opening (6) into the work space (4) and can be moved via its movable step element (9, 90, 900) from a retracted rest position (11) to a securing position (12) which projects further into the work space (4).