Quick-Change Collet Clamping Assembly for Precise Concentricity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current collet clamping systems are inefficient, requiring lengthy manual setup, prone to user error, and resulting in inconsistent rotational accuracy and concentricity issues due to inadequate clamping and guiding mechanisms, which affects production and product quality.
Innovation Solution
A clamping assembly featuring a collet adapter with an expansion sleeve and draw pin that allows for quick and secure collet attachment, incorporating flexible slots and tapers to ensure precise alignment and concentricity, along with a collet extraction tool for automated collet change-out, reducing manual intervention and setup time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual collet changing procedure is used, then operator can install collet, but setup time is too long and production stops
Solution Approach 1:
The collet assembly is segmented into modular components: collet, adapter, and drawbar. The adapter contains an expansion sleeve that can independently expand and contract, allowing the collet to be quickly released and replaced without manual disassembly of the entire assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion sleeve is designed to dynamically expand and contract in response to drawbar movement. When the drawbar is pulled, the expansion sleeve expands radially to release the collet; when pushed, it contracts to secure the next collet, enabling automatic quick-change functionality.
2Reliability
If traditional clamping mechanism is used, then collet can be held, but rotational accuracy and concentricity are compromised causing run-out
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion sleeve changes its radial dimension (parameter) in response to axial drawbar movement. This parameter change allows the sleeve to expand for secure clamping and contract for precise positioning, simultaneously achieving both strong holding force and high rotational accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion sleeve acts as an intermediary between the drawbar and the collet. It translates axial drawbar movement into radial expansion/contraction, providing both clamping force and precise concentric positioning of the collet relative to the rotation axis.
3Ease of manufacture
If gap exists between collet and adapter, then collet can be installed, but concentricity varies due to friction, vibration, and external influences
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion sleeve dynamically changes its radial parameter to eliminate the gap between the collet and adapter during clamping. This eliminates sources of concentricity variation while maintaining ease of installation through the automatic expansion mechanism.
4Ease of operation
If pin is removed and reinstalled in keyway, then collet can be oriented, but pin may get damaged and procedure is not user-friendly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-alignment and self-securing functions. The expansion sleeve automatically positions and secures the collet without requiring manual pin handling. The drawbar mechanism self-adjusts to maintain proper orientation, eliminating the need for removable pins and keyways.
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 solution enables faster, more precise collet attachment and detachment, improving rotational accuracy and concentricity, thereby enhancing production efficiency and product quality by minimizing run-out and setup time.
Implementation Method 1
a draw pin extending through a bore in the expansion sleeve so that a portion of the draw pin engages the expansion sleeve causing radially outward movement of the clamping portion in response to axial displacement of the draw pin relative to the expansion sleeve
Implementation Method 2
causing radially outward movement of the clamping portion in response to axial displacement of the draw pin relative to the expansion sleeve
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A clamping assembly (100) includes a collet adapter (600) and an expansion sleeve (400) movably disposed in collet adapter (600) and a draw pin (300) movably disposed in the expansion sleeve (400). The expansion sleeve (400) cooperates with the draw pin (300) to define a containment system configured maintain the expansion sleeve (400) within an axial envelope and a radial envelope within the collet adapter (600). Axial movement of the draw pin (300) in the expansion sleeve (400) within the axial envelope causes a portion of the expansion sleeve (400) to expand radially outward to a predetermined maximum diameter to releasably clamp the collet (500) in the collet adapter (600).