Quick-Change Toolholder Head for Reduced Machine Downtime

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing toolholder heads for machining profiled sections are inflexible, leading to long machine downtimes when toolholder units break or need to be replaced, as they require removal and replacement of the entire head rather than just the unit.

Innovation Solution

The toolholder head incorporates a quick joint connection system between the driving unit and the toolholder unit, allowing for rapid connection and disconnection without affecting the pulley tension, enabling replacement of the toolholder unit independently of the driving unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the entire toolholder head is removed and replaced, then the toolholder unit can be replaced, but machine downtime is long and operation is complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility to replace toolholder unitVSAvoidmachine downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The toolholder head is divided into two separable units: a driving unit (containing the motor and drive mechanism) and a toolholder unit (containing the tool support). The quick joint connecting means enables these units to be independently connected and disconnected. This segmentation allows the toolholder unit to be replaced without removing the driving unit, significantly reducing machine downtime and improving operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the entire toolholder head is removed and replaced, then the toolholder unit can be replaced, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility to replace toolholder unitVSAvoidcomplexity of replacement operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The toolholder head is divided into two separable units: a driving unit (containing the motor and drive mechanism) and a toolholder unit (containing the tool support). The quick joint connecting means enables these units to be independently connected and disconnected. This segmentation allows the toolholder unit to be replaced without removing the driving unit, significantly reducing machine downtime and improving operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the entire toolholder head is removed and replaced, then the toolholder unit can be replaced, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility to replace toolholder unitVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The toolholder head is divided into two separable units: a driving unit (containing the motor and drive mechanism) and a toolholder unit (containing the tool support). The quick joint connecting means enables these units to be independently connected and disconnected. This segmentation allows the toolholder unit to be replaced without removing the driving unit, significantly reducing machine downtime and improving operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2335865B1Toolholder head

Publication Date: 2023.12.20 EMMEGI SPA

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A toolholder head (10) for a machine tool for machining elongated elements, comprises a toolholder unit (12) for rotatingly supporting a tool (31) and a driving unit (11) to rotate the tool (31) around its own axis (W). In order to make the toolholder head (10) more flexible than known toolholder heads, quick joint connections (19, 39, 42) are provided to connect the toolholder unit (12) releasably to the driving unit (11).