Multi-Clamping Tool Presetting Station for Parallel Automated Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool clamping stations lack flexibility and efficiency in automated tool mounting, demounting, and measurement processes, requiring multiple workstations and manual intervention, which increases costs and reduces productivity.
Innovation Solution
A multi-clamping and measuring/presetting station with fully automated tool handling, featuring multiple tool clamping units, an optical measuring/presetting apparatus, and a handling robot for flexible tool management, allowing simultaneous tool loading/unloading, length adjustment, and measurement across various tool holders with different clamping methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate workstations are used for tool mounting, demounting, and measurement, then each function can be performed with dedicated equipment, but the overall system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate workstations (tool mounting, demounting, and measurement stations) into a single integrated multi-clamping station. This merging of previously separate functions into one unified system reduces overall system complexity and cost while maintaining all required functional capabilities through modular clamping units that can operate independently or in coordination.
2Ease of operation
If manual intervention is used in tool clamping and measurement processes, then operational flexibility is maintained, but productivity and time efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated self-service functionality through robot arms that autonomously perform tool clamping, demounting, and measurement operations. The multi-clamping station with multiple automated clamping units can operate independently or in coordinated sequences, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining operational flexibility through programmable control. This automation significantly increases productivity and reduces cycle times compared to manual processes.
3Device complexity
If a single workstation is used for all tool operations, then space and cost are reduced, but the ability to handle multiple tool types and clamping methods simultaneously is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal multi-clamping station designed to handle multiple tool types and various clamping methods (mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic) within a single integrated system. The station incorporates multiple clamping units that can be independently configured for different tool holders and clamping mechanisms, allowing simultaneous processing of diverse tools while maintaining system simplicity through unified control and compact arrangement.
4Manufacturing precision
If sequential processing is used for tool mounting, demounting, and measurement, then each operation can be performed carefully, but total processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous parallel processing by coordinating multiple clamping units and robot arms to perform tool mounting, demounting, and measurement operations simultaneously rather than sequentially. While one tool is being mounted at one clamping unit, another tool can be measured at a different unit, and a third can be demounted elsewhere in the station. This continuous parallel operation maintains high precision through dedicated functional units while dramatically reducing total processing time compared to sequential methods.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-clamping and measuring and/or presetting station for tools is configured for an automated, preferably fully automated, mounting of tools into tool holders and/or demounting of tools from tool holders and for an adjustment, in particular at least a length adjustment, and/or measuring of the tools in the tool holders with at least two, in particular fully automated, tool clamping-in units, with at least one, in particular optical, measuring and/or presetting apparatus for tools and with at least one handling robot, which is at least configured to move tools and tool holders between the tool clamping-in units and the measuring and/or presetting apparatus.