Polygonal Turret Layout for More Tool Stations in Machine Tools
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing machine tools with turrets have a limited number of tool attachment parts due to their complex shape, necessitating a simpler shaped turret with more tool attachment parts.
Innovation Solution
A machine tool design featuring a turret with a regular polygon shape cut off by a straight line edge, allowing for maximum tool attachment parts on the circumference while maintaining a simple shape, and an indexing device that forms a movement path by turning the turret at an angle different from the indexed angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cutout part is provided in the turret for the main spindle movement path, then the main spindle can move through the turret, but the number of tool attachment parts is limited and the turret shape becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The turret is designed with an asymmetric shape where a portion of a regular polygon is linearly cut off by the cutout part edge. This asymmetric design allows the main spindle to move through the turret while maximizing the number of tool attachment parts that can be arranged on the remaining circumferential surface.
2Ease of manufacture
If the turret shape is made simple, then manufacturing and maintenance are easier, but the number of tool attachment parts is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The turret design transitions from a conventional circular shape to a polygonal shape with a linear cutout. This dimensional change in the geometric form allows for more efficient arrangement of tool attachment parts while keeping the overall shape simple and manufacturable.
3Ease of operation
If the turret is turned at indexed angles, then tool attachment parts can be sequentially indexed, but the cutout part must be positioned at non-indexed angles to form the movement path
Solution Approach 1:
The turret positioning system is designed to accommodate both indexed positions for tool attachment parts and non-indexed positions for the cutout part. The indexing device can rotate the turret to predetermined indexed angles for tool selection, while the cutout part's linear edge allows the main spindle to pass through at positions that are not necessarily aligned with the indexed tool positions.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
This disclosure provides a simple machine tool including a relatively simple shaped turret (16) having as many tool attachment parts (19) as possible even when a cutout part (18) for a movement path (20) for a main spindle is provided. A machine tool includes a first main spindle (2), a second main spindle (3), a first turret (11) having tool attachment parts (14), a second turret (16) having tool attachment parts (19), and a controller (21) having an indexing device (23). An edge (18a) of a cutout part (18) formed in the second turret (16) is a straight line in a direction crossing each side of a regular dodecagon centered at a turning center of the second turret (16), as seen in a Z axis direction, and each tool attachment part (19) is disposed according to each side left in the regular dodecagon cut off by the cutout part (18).