Multi-Spindle Lathe with Pivoting Carrier for Chip-to-Chip Time Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lathes experience prolonged 'chip-to-chip time' due to inefficient workpiece changing processes, which negatively impacts production efficiency, especially when processing times are short.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a lathe design featuring multiple independent workpiece spindles, each with a separate electric motor, allowing for simultaneous machining and workpiece loading/unloading, with a pivoting or translational movement mechanism that minimizes downtime by enabling workpiece change during ongoing machining operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single workpiece spindle is used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity is reduced due to prolonged chip-to-chip time
Solution Approach 1:
The single workpiece spindle is segmented into multiple independent workpiece spindles (first and second workpiece spindles), each capable of independent operation. This allows one spindle to perform machining while another prepares or changes workpieces, thereby reducing chip-to-chip time and increasing productivity without requiring complex coordinated control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The second workpiece spindle is used to perform preliminary actions by preparing workpieces in advance while the first spindle is machining. This includes loading new workpieces onto the second spindle's workpiece holder, so that when the first spindle completes machining, the transition to the next workpiece is already prepared, minimizing downtime.
2Loss of time
If workpiece changing is performed manually, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the loss of time increases during workpiece changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by ensuring that while one workpiece spindle is engaged in machining (useful action), the other spindle is engaged in workpiece preparation and changing (also useful action). This parallel execution eliminates idle time and ensures that useful work is being performed continuously across the system, reducing overall workpiece change time.
3Reliability
If multiple workpiece spindles are provided with separate electric motors, then the reliability is improved, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by operating only the necessary number of workpiece spindles and motors at any given time. Since the spindles work in parallel with distinct functions (one machining, one preparing), the system avoids the excessive energy consumption that would result from coordinating multiple motors simultaneously, while still achieving the reliability benefits of having multiple independent spindles.
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 design significantly reduces 'chip-to-chip time' by allowing continuous machining with minimal interruption, enhances energy efficiency through regenerative braking, and supports complex processing methods by providing a buffer of prepared workpieces.
Implementation Method 1
each having a separate electric motor
Implementation Method 2
enhances energy efficiency through regenerative braking
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The lathe (10) has a spindle, a clamping unit (22) for clamping a work piece (48), and a platen (18), particularly a turret, incorporating one or multiple work pieces (19). Multiple work piece spindles (20A,20B) are fixed to a spindle carrier (21). The spindle carrier has a traversing mechanism, which simultaneously moves out former work piece spindle from a machining chamber (15) serving the machining work pieces and moves in latter work piece spindle into the machining chamber.