Pneumatic Finishing Stone Alignment for Wear Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing finishing devices face challenges in maintaining precise alignment and dimensional accuracy of workpiece surfaces due to wear and oblique shaping of finishing stones, which affects the quality of the finished surface.

Innovation Solution

A device with a pneumatic drive system that ensures the pressing force on the finishing stone is always perpendicular to the workpiece surface, combined with a separate guide device and angle compensation mechanism, maintains constant distance and alignment, even as the finishing stone wears, using a pneumatic actuator for controlled moment generation to realign the finishing stone.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a finishing stone is used for surface treatment, then the workpiece surface can be finished, but wear of the finishing stone leads to skewed shaping and reduced dimensional accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional accuracy of workpiece surfaceVSAvoidservice life of finishing stone
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A sensor detects the actual position of the finishing stone relative to the workpiece surface and feeds this information back to a control system. The control system then actuates a drive mechanism to adjust the finishing stone holder's position, compensating for wear and maintaining constant distance and perpendicularity throughout the finishing stone's service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The finishing stone holder is made dynamically adjustable through a drive mechanism (such as a screw drive or pneumatic cylinder) that can change the position of the finishing stone holder relative to the workpiece surface in real-time, allowing compensation for wear and maintaining precise alignment during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Duration of action of moving object

If the finishing stone holder is pivoted to compensate for wear, then the usable length of finishing stone increases, but the pressing force direction becomes oblique reducing surface quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusable length of finishing stoneVSAvoidsurface quality of workpiece
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses an adjustable finishing stone holder with a drive mechanism that can dynamically change both the distance and angular orientation of the finishing stone relative to the workpiece surface. This allows the holder to pivot for wear compensation while simultaneously adjusting the pressing force direction to remain perpendicular to the workpiece surface through active control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Sensors detect the position and orientation of the finishing stone, providing feedback to a control system that actuates the finishing stone holder to maintain both constant distance and perpendicular pressing force direction, preventing oblique shaping even when pivoting to compensate for wear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid mechanical guidance system is used, then the finishing stone position is stable, but damage occurs with complex workpiece geometries

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition stability of finishing stoneVSAvoidprotection against damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A pneumatic or hydraulic actuator replaces rigid mechanical guidance, providing stable positioning through fluid pressure while allowing compliant movement and automatic adaptation to complex workpiece geometries. The pneumatic/hydraulic system absorbs shocks and prevents damage through inherent flexibility while maintaining position stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses flexible elements (such as pneumatic cushions or compliant mechanisms) between the finishing stone holder and the workpiece surface, allowing the holder to maintain stable positioning while adapting to varying workpiece geometries and preventing damage through controlled compliance rather than rigid contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 setup ensures high precision and dimensional accuracy of the workpiece surface, allowing for continuous machining without downtime, as the finishing stone can be gradually realigned to maintain perpendicularity, reducing the impact of wear on surface quality.

Implementation Method 1

a force application device, in particular a pneumatic drive, with which the effective surface (28) of the finishing stone (26) is pressed against the workpiece surface (18)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressurisation

Implementation Method 2

an angle compensation device (110) is provided, in particular a pneumatic actuator, with which a moment can be generated about the swivel axis on the finishing stone holder (30) and/or the finishing stone (26)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic moment generation: Torque

Data Source

PatentEP2871445B1Device for finishing a workpiece
Publication Date: 2019.01.02 SUPFINA GRIESHABER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2871445B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP2871445B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP2871445B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (10) for finishing a workpiece (12), with a finishing stone holder (30) for holding a finishing stone (26), wherein the device (10) comprises a pivoting carrier (38) pivotable about a pivot axis (40) for arranging a force application device which is supported on the pivoting carrier (38) and exerts a force on the finishing stone holder (30) and/or the finishing stone (26) and presses an effective surface (28) of the finishing stone (26) against a workpiece surface (18) to be processed, wherein the force application device, the finishing stone holder (30) and the finishing stone (26) together with the pivoting carrier (38) are pivotable about the pivot axis (40).