Portable Cable-Driven CNC Machining for Large Work Frames
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional CNC machines are large, heavy, and complex, limiting their application range and machining precision, while existing small CNC machines face issues with positioning accuracy, preparatory complexity, and stability during machining operations.
Innovation Solution
A portable CNC machine with a body and four anchorage bases, equipped with take-up and pay-off modules and a processing module, allowing the machine to move freely on a work frame and perform machining operations on horizontal or inclined planes, using cables anchored at the corners of the frame to maintain precision and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional large gantry CNC machines are used, then machining precision is ensured, but the machine structure becomes complicated and heavy, limiting application range
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional integrated gantry structure is segmented into a mobile body and a separate work frame. The body contains all machining components while the work frame provides only the positioning surface, dramatically simplifying the machine structure while maintaining precision through the cable constraint system.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional mechanical guide rails and positioning mechanisms are replaced with a cable-based constraint system. Four cables connected to take-up and pay-off modules provide positional control without complex mechanical guides, reducing structural complexity while maintaining machining precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional large gantry CNC machines are used, then machining precision is maintained, but the machine becomes heavy and bulky, requiring large site area
Solution Approach 1:
The machine is divided into a lightweight mobile body and a stationary work frame. The body contains only essential machining components without heavy gantry structures, while the work frame serves as a simple positioning surface, significantly reducing overall machine weight.
Solution Approach 2:
Heavy mechanical support structures are replaced with a cable-based positioning system. The four cables provide structural support and positional control without requiring heavy gantry beams or complex mechanical frameworks, reducing machine weight while maintaining precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If small CNC machines with movable structures are used, then flexibility and application range are improved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The take-up and pay-off modules incorporate feedback control to precisely manage cable lengths. By continuously monitoring and adjusting cable extension and retraction, the system maintains accurate positioning of the mobile body while allowing flexible movement across the work frame.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical positioning systems with physical guides are replaced with a cable-based constraint system. The four cables provide virtual fences that guide the mobile body's movement, achieving positioning accuracy without physical mechanical guides, thus maintaining flexibility.
4Adaptability or versatility
If self-propelled vehicle CNC machines are used, then unlimited machining range is achieved, but preparatory work becomes complicated and positioning requires multiple repetitions
Solution Approach 1:
The work frame is pre-prepared with four anchorage bases positioned at its corners before the machining operation begins. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for repeated measuring and positioning during operation, reducing preparatory time while enabling unlimited machining range through the mobile body's free movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile body automatically positions itself using the cable constraint system and onboard processing module. The system self-corrects its position by controlling cable lengths, eliminating the need for manual measuring and positioning repetitions required by self-propelled vehicle machines.
5Adaptability or versatility
If self-propelled vehicle CNC machines are used, then unlimited machining range is achieved, but wheel slippage affects machining precision
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical wheel-based propulsion system is replaced with a cable-based constraint system. The four cables connected to take-up and pay-off modules provide positional control without mechanical contact with the ground, eliminating wheel slippage while maintaining machining precision through controlled cable tension.
6Area of stationary object
If suspension manner CNC machines with chains are used, then floor area is reduced and balance control is simplified, but stability deteriorates affecting machining precision
Solution Approach 1:
The chain-based suspension system is replaced with a cable-based constraint system mounted on a stable work frame. The four cables provide rigid positional control while the work frame offers stable support, eliminating the instability inherent in chain suspension while maintaining compact floor footprint.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a portable CNC machine, including a body and four anchorage bases. The body is put on a surface of a work frame. The body is provided with a machining tool, a processing module and four take-up and pay-off modules, each take-up and pay-off module takes up and pays off a cable, a tail end of each cable is provided with an anchor, and the processing module is connected to and controls the four take-up and pay-off modules. The four anchorage bases are disposed at four corners of the work frame respectively, and stretch and hang the four anchors thereon respectively. The processing module controls the four take-up and pay-off modules to take up and pay off the cables to control the body to freely move on the work frame, and at the same time, the processing module controls the machining tool to carry out a machining operation.