Automated Nozzle Positioning for Cutting Fluid Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cutting fluid supply systems in machine tools lack reproducibility and accuracy, leading to variations in product quality due to manual nozzle direction setting, and are inadequate for automatically adjusting to changing tool and workpiece conditions during numerically-controlled cutting operations, potentially causing improper fluid supply and tool wear.
Innovation Solution
A cutting fluid supply system that includes a nozzle-moving unit, an object-detecting device, and an information-processing unit to automatically specify and maintain the optimal machining point for fluid application, using a robot or similar device to control the nozzle's position and direction for precise fluid ejection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual setting of nozzle direction is used, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to operator variability and poor reproducibility
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the machine tool's own control system and existing sensors to automatically control the nozzle position and direction, making the system self-regulating without external manual intervention. The control unit receives progress information from the machine tool's control system and autonomously adjusts the nozzle to maintain optimal cutting fluid supply throughout the cutting operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment of the nozzle with an automated control system that uses electrical signals and progress information from the machine tool's control system. This substitution eliminates operator variability and enables precise, reproducible nozzle positioning based on real-time cutting operation data.
2Device complexity
If fixed nozzle position is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates as cutting fluid supply becomes improper during automatic cutting operations
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle position and direction are made dynamic rather than fixed. The control unit continuously adjusts the nozzle position and ejection direction based on real-time progress information from the machine tool's control system, allowing the system to adapt to changing cutting conditions while maintaining relatively simple hardware architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it receives progress information from the machine tool's control system, calculates optimal nozzle positions and directions, controls the nozzle moving mechanism, and adjusts ejection timing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, maintaining device simplicity while enhancing adaptability.
3Manufacturing precision
If automated nozzle control is implemented, then manufacturing precision is improved through consistent fluid supply, but device complexity increases requiring additional sensors and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the nozzle control system with the machine tool's existing control system. The control unit communicates with the machine tool's control system to receive progress information, and the nozzle moving mechanism is integrated into the machine tool's coordinate system. This merging allows automated precision control while utilizing existing system infrastructure, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If nozzle direction is manually adjusted during cutting operation, then adaptability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to inability to touch nozzle during automatic operation for safety
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the machine tool's control system and the nozzle mechanism. It receives progress information from the control system and translates it into appropriate nozzle position and direction commands, enabling automated adaptation without requiring manual intervention during cutting operations, thus maintaining both adaptability and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A cutting fluid supply system includes a machine tool, a nozzle for ejecting cutting fluid, and a nozzle-moving unit for holding and moving the nozzle. The cutting fluid supply system detects an object existing in the machine tool, recognizes a position and a shape of the object based on the detection information, and specifies a machining point from the recognized information. The nozzle-moving unit moves the nozzle such that cutting fluid is ejected to the specified machining point.