Pick-up Vertical Lathe Drum Dynamics and Tool Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pick-up vertical lathes are limited by fixed angular positions due to circumferential uprights, requiring separate control for each tool and restricting configurability and precision in material-removal operations.

Innovation Solution

A pick-up vertical lathe design featuring a drum with a combined radial-axial bearing and torque motor control, allowing continuous orbital motion and precise control of cut depth, with tool-holder devices that can rotate and move radially for flexible operation and high automation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If circumferential uprights are used to mount the drum on the base, then the drum can rotate in predefined angular positions, but the configurability of the vertical lathe is limited and the working chamber is subdivided into fixed work compartments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrum position stabilityVSAvoidconfigurability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the circumferential uprights that previously divided the working chamber into fixed compartments. By extracting these structural elements, the drum can rotate continuously without being constrained to predefined angular positions, thereby eliminating the subdivision of the working chamber and enhancing configurability while maintaining position stability through alternative mounting methods on the base

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a static system with fixed angular positions to a dynamic system allowing continuous orbital motion. The drum is enabled to rotate smoothly through any angular position rather than being restricted to discrete predetermined positions, providing dynamic adaptability for various workpiece configurations and tool arrangements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the drum moves by means of a partitioning system between predetermined and fixed angular positions, then the material-removal operation can be carried out in defined work compartments, but the cut depth is limited to what can be achieved by radial displacement of external tools

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecut depth controlVSAvoidoperational flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces axial movement capability in addition to radial displacement, enabling tools to reach workpieces at any angular position of the drum. By adding the axial dimension to tool positioning, the system achieves precise cut depth control regardless of the drum's angular position, eliminating the limitation of fixed work compartments and enabling continuous orbital motion with full operational flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If separate control devices are provided for each tool mounted on the lathe, then each tool position can be controlled during material-removal operation, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool position controlVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements a universal control system that manages all tool-holder devices through a single integrated controller rather than requiring separate control devices for each tool. This multi-functional control approach maintains precise positioning capability for all tools while significantly reducing system complexity by eliminating redundant control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple individual control functions into a single integrated control device that can manage all tool-holder positions and operations. By merging the control systems, the invention achieves the same level of measurement precision and position control for each tool while reducing the overall complexity of the control architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables precise and flexible material-removal operations with high automation, compact size, and efficient handling of semifinished products between infinite angular positions, improving configurability and reducing the need for separate tool control devices.

Implementation Method 1

torque motor control, allowing continuous orbital motion and precise control of cut depth

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorque motor control: Electromagnetic Propulsion

Implementation Method 2

drum with a combined radial-axial bearing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadial bearing support: Ball Bearing

Implementation Method 3

drum with a combined radial-axial bearing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAxial bearing support: Ball Bearing

Implementation Method 4

Each type of tool-holder device is moved in a radial direction by a worm screw driving device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWorm screw driving: Worm Drive

Implementation Method 5

piece-holder spindle rotatable about an axis thereof parallel to axis A, so as to define the cut speed of the tool on the semifinished product

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational motion:

Data Source

PatentEP2490857B1Improved pick-up vertical lathe
Publication Date: 2013.08.14 SIECAB
  • EP2490857B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2490857B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An automatic working station for material-removal operations comprises a base (2), a drum (3) rotatable about a vertical axis (A) and supported by said base (2), at least one rotating piece-holder spindle (16) and a tool -holder device (6) cooperating with the spindle (16) for performing material -removal operations, at least one of the tool-holder devices (6) and spindle (16) being connected to the drum (3) in a mobile manner along a straight line, the working station further comprising at least one operative device (16) mounted on the drum (3) and angularly spaced with respect to the tool-holder device (6) or spindle (16) mounted on the drum (3).