Processing Head Docking Manifold for Precise Energy and Media Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine tools are not conveniently equipped to deliver energy sources and media for processing tasks, such as material deposition, due to limitations in processing head design and alignment, which affects accuracy and efficiency in machining and additive manufacturing operations.
Innovation Solution
A machine tool system with a clamping mechanism and processing head that includes a docking manifold for supplying energy sources and media, featuring guiding mechanisms and alignment systems to ensure precise delivery of energy and materials, allowing for flexible use of energy sources like lasers and media such as metals or polymers, and enabling both subtractive and additive processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a processing head is fitted to an existing machine tool, then the machine tool can perform additional functions such as material deposition, but the processing head is not convenient for heavy machining operations due to lack of rigidity and accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The processing head is designed with a universal interface system that allows it to perform multiple functions including material deposition, welding, and heavy machining operations. The head can be configured with different tooling attachments while maintaining its structural integrity and precision capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing head incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable components that allow it to adapt its rigidity and configuration based on the specific operation being performed. This dynamic design enables the head to optimize its structural properties for different tasks while maintaining accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If a robotic arm is used for material processing, then flexibility and ease of movement are improved, but rigidity and accuracy deteriorate making it unsuitable for heavy machining operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into a robotic positioning system for movement and a rigid processing head for precision work. The robotic arm handles positioning and movement flexibility, while the processing head maintains rigidity and accuracy for actual machining and deposition operations, separating the flexible positioning function from the precision processing function.
3Device complexity
If existing processing heads are used without docking manifolds, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to deliver energy sources and media precisely is limited
Solution Approach 1:
A docking manifold is introduced as an intermediary component between the machine tool and the processing head. This manifold serves as a connection interface that delivers energy sources and media to the processing head with high precision while maintaining a relatively simple overall system architecture through standardized interfaces.
4Manufacturing precision
If alignment mechanisms are added to the processing head, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment mechanisms are merged into the docking manifold interface rather than being separate components on the processing head. This integration achieves precise alignment through the connection interface itself, reducing the overall complexity by combining alignment functions with the existing docking structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A machine tool arranged to deliver an energy source through a processing head onto a work-piece, wherein; the machine-tool has a clamping mechanism arranged to temporarily receive the processing-head, or another machining or processing-head, to process a work-piece; the processing-head comprising one or more guiding mechanisms arranged to direct the energy source onto a work-piece and a processing-head docking-manifold arranged to have connected thereto one or more media to be, in use, supplied to the processing-head to facilitate processing of the work-piece; wherein the processing-head docking-manifold allows the one or more media to be supplied to the processing-head when the processing-head is connected to the clamping mechanism; and wherein the machine-tool also comprises at least one mechanism arranged to move a supply docking-manifold into and/or out of connection with the processing-head docking-manifold such that when the two manifolds are connected the or each media is supplied to the processing head.