Pneumatic Workpiece Locking Members for Tool Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing workpiece locking systems for machining centers are complex and costly due to intricate mechanisms required for releasing locking members to avoid interference during machining tasks, particularly for tools like drilling tools that need to operate below the locked workpiece.
Innovation Solution
A workpiece locking system utilizing vertically movable rods with pneumatic driving means that apply varying pressure values to control the position and locking of locking members, allowing for simple and cost-effective operation, enabling tools to perform machining tasks without interference by adjusting the height of locking members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If locking members are temporarily lowered to avoid interference during machining tasks, then tool operation is enabled, but the structural mechanisms required for release and repositioning become complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the braking function from the locking mechanism by introducing independent brake units that can be selectively applied to individual rods. This separation allows the locking members to be temporarily lowered for machining operations without requiring complex integrated release mechanisms, as each rod can be independently controlled by its own brake unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake units serve multiple functions: they can lock rods in the upper position for normal operation, allow temporary lowering for machining tasks, and maintain positioning during both states. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate complex release and repositioning mechanisms, simplifying the overall system while enabling tool operation.
2Productivity
If locking members are temporarily lowered to enable machining tasks, then tool interference is avoided, but the control mechanisms required become costly
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into independent brake units, each associated with a specific rod and controllable via individual control signals. This segmentation allows selective activation of only the necessary locking members for temporary lowering, reducing overall system cost compared to a unified complex control mechanism that would be required to coordinate multiple locking members simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Each rod-brake unit operates semi-independently, where the brake unit self-regulates the rod position based on received control signals. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex centralized control mechanisms, allowing the system to achieve sophisticated coordinated motion with simpler control architecture.
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
The system allows for efficient and interference-free machining of both regular and complex-shaped workpieces by simplifying the locking and release mechanisms, reducing costs and preventing damage to tools and locking systems.
Implementation Method 1
pneumatic driving means configured to control the brake and the position of the movable element. In particular, the pneumatic driving means may vary the position of each rod according to the operating step by varying the pressure value of the operating gas applied by the pneumatic driving means.
Data Source
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AI summary
A workpiece locking system is disclosed for locking a workpiece being machined with several locking members each carried by a rod that is movable vertically with respect to a respective slider that is movable between an upper position and a lower position, each rod being provided with a brake for locking the rod with respect to the respective slider, said slider and said brake being controlled by application of three pressure values of a pneumatic drive, in which a first value enables a movement of the rod with respect to the slider to reach a desired position of the locking member, a second value enables the rod to be locked on the slider with the slider in the upper position to maintain the locking member in the desired position, and a third value enables the slider to be lowered by maintaining the rod locked on the slider to lower the locking member and enable a tool to perform a machining task on the workpiece without interfering with the locking member.