Movable Workpiece Support Elements for Under-Load Repositioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing workpiece supports for flat workpieces in processing machines face challenges in ensuring stable support, particularly for small workpieces, and are often complex and inflexible, leading to mechanical deformation and increased production costs due to the need for separate covering means and pre-defined nesting plans.
Innovation Solution
A workpiece support system with transferable support elements that can rotate and move parallel to the workpiece support plane, allowing for flexible repositioning without disrupting the machining process, and equipped with friction-reducing or damage-reducing coatings to prevent damage to the workpiece and support elements, along with a workpiece fixing device to maintain the workpiece's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If support elements are fixed in position to ensure stable workpiece support, then workpiece stability is improved, but the system becomes inflexible and requires pre-defined nesting plans
Solution Approach 1:
The support elements are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to be repositioned during the machining process. The transfer device enables dynamic adjustment of support element positions, resolving the contradiction between maintaining workpiece stability and providing machining flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The position parameters of the support elements can be changed during operation. The transfer device allows support elements to be moved from their initial positions to new positions, enabling the system to adapt to different machining requirements while maintaining stable support.
2Reliability
If separate covering means are provided for each support element to protect from laser damage, then support element protection is improved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing separate covering means for each support element, the invention merges the protection function into the support element itself by making them movable. The transfer device protects support elements by moving them out of the laser beam path, eliminating the need for additional covering structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical covering system with a motion-based protection system. Rather than using physical covers to protect support elements from the laser beam, the system uses the transfer device to move support elements away from the beam path, simplifying the overall structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If support elements are made movable to prevent tool collisions, then machining flexibility is improved, but workpiece stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the movement capability from the support elements themselves, allowing them to be independently repositioned by the transfer device. This enables the support elements to be moved only when necessary to prevent tool collisions, while maintaining stable support during machining operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If support elements are repositioned during machining, then flexibility is improved, but additional time and complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer device is integrated into the machining system, allowing support elements to be repositioned proactively before tool collisions occur. The system can detect potential collisions and reposition support elements in advance, minimizing interruptions to the machining cycle.
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
This solution enables stable support of flat workpieces during processing, prevents tool collisions, and allows for flexible and cost-effective machining by allowing support elements to be repositioned under load, maintaining a consistent working area and reducing mechanical stress on the workpiece.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one support element has an axis of rotation about which the at least one support element can be rotated, the axis of rotation being aligned parallel to the workpiece support plane
Implementation Method 2
The support points of the at least one support element are equipped with a friction-reducing coating
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a workpiece support (31) for a machine tool (15) for flat workpieces (24), wherein the workpiece support (31) has a plurality of support elements (35) forming support points (39) for the workpieces (24), said support elements (35) defining a workpiece support plane (36) for the flat workpiece (24), wherein a transfer device (22) for transferring at least one of the support elements (35) from a first position into at least one further position is provided. Here, at least one support element (35) is configured to be transferred from the first position into the at least one further position by a movement parallel to the workpiece support plane (36) even when loaded by a workpiece (24). Furthermore, the invention relates to a machine tool (15) having such a workpiece support (31) and to a method for machining a workpiece (24).