Multispindle Lathe Guide Bushing Layout for Long Workpiece Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-spindle lathes are not suitable for machining long and narrow workpieces due to instability and vibration issues, and they cannot efficiently perform all necessary machining steps like turning, milling, and whirling at the same spindle station without suboptimal utilization.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a whirl-turn-milling unit on one tool slide and a guide bushing carrier on an adjacent slide, which guides and stabilizes the workpiece, allowing for 3-axis movement and positioning of tools relative to the workpiece, enabling precise machining of long workpieces without vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If long workpieces are machined on conventional multi-spindle lathes, then the workpiece length is increased, but the workpiece becomes unstable and vibrates during machining
Solution Approach 1:
A guide bushing is introduced as an intermediary component between the workpiece and the machining system. The guide bushing is mounted on a guide bushing carrier that can move with the tool slide, providing continuous physical support and guidance to the long workpiece during machining, thereby preventing vibration and instability
Solution Approach 2:
The guide bushing carrier is arranged on an adjacent tool slide (Y-axis direction) rather than on the same slide as the machining tool. This spatial separation allows the guide bushing to support the workpiece from a different dimension without interfering with the machining operation, enabling stable machining of long workpieces
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple machining steps are performed on separate slides, then machining precision is maintained, but the multi-spindle lathe utilization becomes suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple machining functions (turning tool, milling device, and whirling device) are merged into a single integrated vortex turning and milling unit mounted on one tool slide. This consolidation allows all machining operations to be performed at the same spindle station, maximizing lathe utilization while maintaining precision through the stabilizing guide bushing
Solution Approach 2:
The vortex turning and milling unit is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform turning, milling, and whirling operations. This universal tooling approach enables a single slide to execute multiple machining steps that would traditionally require separate slides, improving overall system efficiency
Data Source
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AI summary
Multi-spindle lathe (1) comprising a machine frame on which a rotatably mounted spindle drum (2) is arranged, wherein several rotatably mounted workpiece spindles (3) are integrated in the spindle drum (2), in which workpieces (7) can be received, wherein the workpiece spindles (3) are designed as spindle stations (19) and each spindle station (19) is assigned at least two tool slides (5, 5', 5") which are arranged stationary on the machine frame and are designed as holders for at least one tool (9), wherein at least one whirling turning and milling unit (8) is arranged on a first tool slide (5, 5') and at least one guide bushing carrier (12) with at least one guide bushing (13) is arranged on the second tool slide (5, 5") and that the guide bushing carrier (12) guides the workpiece (7) during machining with the whirling turning and milling unit (8).