Pivoting Support Arm Double Gripper Tool Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machining centers face challenges in optimizing chip-to-chip time during tool changes, which directly affects machining time and throughput, as the support arm in current systems is limited to horizontal movement and lacks efficient vertical movement capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The machining center design allows the support arm to pivot on a pivot circle, with tool holders offset in the circumferential direction, enabling movement in the Z-direction by the spindle, and a magazine gripper that moves tools between the tool magazine and the support arm, optimizing tool transfer paths to reduce chip-to-chip time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the support arm is limited to horizontal movement only, then the structure is simpler, but the chip-to-chip time is longer due to less efficient tool transfer paths
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is modified to enable movement in the vertical Z-direction in addition to horizontal movement. This dimensional expansion allows the support arm to reach tools in the tool magazine more directly, creating shorter transfer paths and reducing chip-to-chip time without fundamentally redesigning the entire system
2Productivity
If the tool holders are arranged parallel to each other, then the double gripper structure is simpler, but the tool transfer efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The two tool holders of the double gripper are arranged asymmetrically at different positions along the support arm's movement path rather than parallel to each other. This asymmetric arrangement allows each tool holder to access different tool locations in the magazine, enabling more efficient parallel tool transfer operations and reducing overall tool change time
3Productivity
If the spindle and tool changing device are integrated, then the system is more compact, but the movements are less independent and efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into independently controllable segments: the spindle assembly and the tool changing device with support arm are separated into distinct functional units. This segmentation allows each component to move and operate independently, optimizing their respective movements during tool changes without interfering with each other, thereby improving overall system efficiency
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a tool changing device for use on a movable column (2) of a machining center (3) for machining a workpiece using different tools (4, 5), wherein the tool changing device (1) has a support arm (6), wherein the support arm (6) has at one end a double gripper (7) with two tool holders (8, 9), wherein the tool holders (8, 9) of the double gripper (7) are aligned parallel to each other and wherein at least one tool (4, 5) can be transported by means of the support arm (6) from a tool magazine (10) of the machining center (3) to a movable spindle (11) attached to a column (2) of the machining center (3) and back.This is particularly advantageous because the support arm (6) is pivotable about a pivot axis (S) so that the double gripper (7) moves on a pivot circle (K), the two tool holders (8, 9) of the double gripper (7) are arranged offset in the circumferential direction of the pivot circle (K), and the two tool holders (8, 9) of the double gripper (7) are the same distance from the center of the pivot circle (K).