Multi-Groove Tool Gripper for Mixed Tool Holder Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grippers for handling arms of machining tools are limited in their ability to reliably grip and handle large, heavy tool holders of different sizes and types without requiring replacement or use of expensive dual-arm devices, leading to operational inefficiencies and economic losses.
Innovation Solution
A gripper design with multiple gripping spaces and elements that accommodate tool holders of different sizes and types, featuring abutting and pressing elements arranged to fit into various handling grooves, ensuring sufficient grip strength and rigidity to handle diverse tool holders without colliding with machine tool spindles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single-purpose gripper is used for handling tool holders of one specific size and type, then the grip reliability and simplicity are improved, but the adaptability deteriorates requiring multiple grippers or arm replacements for different tool holder sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper is designed with multiple gripping spaces of different sizes and configurations within a single device, allowing it to handle various tool holder sizes (e.g., 32mm, 40mm, 50mm, 63mm, 80mm, 100mm, 125mm, 160mm flange diameters) and types (radial and straight handling grooves) without requiring replacement of the entire gripper or handling arm
Solution Approach 2:
The gripper structure is divided into multiple independent gripping spaces, each equipped with its own abutting and pressing elements tailored for specific tool holder sizes. This segmentation allows selective engagement of appropriate gripping elements based on the tool holder being handled
2Adaptability or versatility
If the handling arm is replaced to accommodate different tool holder sizes, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and operational downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single handling arm incorporates a multi-functional gripper with multiple gripping spaces that can adapt to various tool holder sizes and types, eliminating the need for multiple specialized handling arms or frequent arm replacements when changing tool holder specifications
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid gripper structure is used to maintain grip stability, then the grip rigidity is improved, but the ability to accommodate different tool holder geometries deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper maintains overall structural rigidity while segmenting the gripping function into multiple independent spaces with specialized abutting and pressing elements for each tool holder size and geometry type, allowing stable gripping of diverse tool holder configurations
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the gripper (individual gripping spaces) are designed with locally optimized characteristics - each gripping space has specific abutting and pressing element geometries matched to particular tool holder types, while the overall structure maintains rigidity
Data Source
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Figure 2a~2b
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AI summary
The invention relates to a gripper (3) for the handling arm of a handling device for automatic exchange of machining tools (15), wherein the gripper (3) allows within one physical embodiment to reliably and safely grip tool holders of not only different sizes within one type of tool holder, but this one physical embodiment of the gripper also allows to grip tool holders of at least two different types, such as COPTO and BIGPLUS type and others.