Rod Workpiece End-Processing Centre with Continuous Clamping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for machining the ends of rod-shaped or tubular workpieces suffer from inadequate processing accuracy and slow processing speeds, particularly during continuous machining of multiple workpieces.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a conveyor device and two machining devices, each with a clamping, sawing, and chamfering unit, where the machining devices are aligned with common axes and movable relative to a common support, allowing simultaneous machining of both ends of a workpiece without re-clamping, and the clamping devices ensure precise positioning using a V-shaped holder.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the workpiece is clamped, cut, and machined in separate operations with re-clamping, then the machining process is simple, but the manufacturing precision decreases and processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining accuracyVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the cutting device and machining device into a single integrated processing unit that performs both operations on the workpiece without release or re-clamping. The cutting tool and machining tool are arranged on the same processing device, allowing sequential operations on the workpiece end face while maintaining continuous clamping, thereby preserving manufacturing precision and simplifying the overall process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The workpiece is clamped in advance by the clamping device before any processing begins. This preliminary clamping action is maintained throughout both the cutting and machining operations, ensuring the workpiece remains securely positioned and serves as a reference for subsequent operations, thus maintaining high manufacturing precision without requiring re-clamping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the workpiece is clamped and released between processing steps, then the device operation is simple, but the processing speed decreases and manufacturing precision is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidmachining accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping device maintains continuous clamping of the workpiece throughout the entire processing sequence, from initial positioning through cutting to final machining operations. This continuous useful action eliminates the need for releasing and re-clamping the workpiece, thereby maintaining both high processing speed and manufacturing precision without interruption or loss of positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple measuring and adjusting operations are performed, then the positioning is precise, but the cycle time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidcycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The clamped workpiece serves as its own reference and positioning element throughout the processing operations. The clamping device and processing devices are configured so that the workpiece's own geometry and position, established during initial clamping, are used as the reference for cutting and machining operations, eliminating the need for separate measuring and adjusting operations and thus reducing cycle time while maintaining positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4433243B1End-processing centre for rod-shaped workpieces
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 ASMAG-HOLDING GMBH
  • EP4433243B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4433243B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4433243B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The invention relates to a system (1) and to a method for processing a first end (2) and a second end (3) of at least one rod-shaped workpiece (4). The system (1) comprises a conveying device (5) for cross-conveying the at least one rod-shaped workpiece (4) in a conveying direction (7), a first processing device (8) and a second processing device (9). The first and the second processing devices (8, 9) each comprise a clamping device (10), a sawing device (11) and at least one chamfering device (12), wherein, by means of the conveying device (5), the first end (2) of the at least one rod-shaped workpiece (4) can be supplied to the first processing device (8) and the second end (3) of the at least one rod-shaped workpiece (4) can be supplied to the second processing device (9). The arrangement of the sawing device (11) and the at least one chamfering device (12) of each processing device (8 or 9) has been chosen so as to achieve high efficiency in the system (1), making particularly cost-effective processing of rod-shaped workpieces possible.