Rotary Index Table Layout for Compact Multi-Axis PCB Drilling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drilling machines for printed wiring boards require a significantly larger installation area as the workpiece size increases and the number of simultaneous machining axes grows, leading to inefficiencies in cycle time and versatility.
Innovation Solution
The indexing processing machine design incorporates a multi-axis configuration with a rotating index table and strategically positioned processing machines, including front, top, and side units, which are movable and adjustable, allowing for efficient processing across multiple index positions without the need for extensive space, thereby reducing the installation area and cycle time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a drilling machine has a plurality of drilling stations with multiple simultaneous machining axes, then the processing capability and productivity are improved, but the installation area becomes significantly larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional horizontal arrangement of multiple drilling stations to a vertical arrangement where drilling stations are stacked above and below the workpiece. This dimensional change allows multiple machining axes to operate simultaneously in the vertical dimension rather than requiring horizontal space, thereby reducing the installation area while maintaining high processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs movable and adjustable processing machines that can be positioned at different locations around the workpiece. The processing machines can move between different working positions and can be adjusted to process different surfaces of the workpiece, enabling flexible multi-axis processing without requiring fixed, space-consuming stationary stations for each axis.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the table size is increased to accommodate larger workpieces and more machining axes, then the versatility and processing range are improved, but the installation area becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs processing machines with multiple functional capabilities that can perform different machining operations on different surfaces of the workpiece. A single processing machine can be positioned to access top, bottom, front, rear, and side surfaces, eliminating the need for separate specialized stations for each surface, thereby achieving high versatility in a compact configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing machines are designed to be movable and repositionable around the workpiece, allowing them to adapt to different workpiece sizes and machining requirements. This dynamic positioning capability enables the same machine to handle various workpiece dimensions and processing needs without requiring a larger fixed table or multiple dedicated stations.
3Productivity
If multiple processing machines are disposed at multiple index positions, then the cycle time is reduced through simultaneous processing, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses identical or similar processing machine designs that can be replicated and positioned at different index locations. These universal processing units can perform the same machining operations, allowing for standardized, modular assembly that reduces overall system complexity while enabling simultaneous multi-axis processing to shorten cycle time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the processing system into multiple independent but identical processing units positioned at different index locations around the workpiece. Each unit operates independently on different surfaces or features simultaneously, and the index table coordinates their synchronized operation, achieving parallel processing without requiring a single complex integrated system.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is an indexing processing machine (10), including: an index table (13) having a rotation center (1), a workpiece (2) being attachable to the index table (13) at multiple index positions (3, 4, 5, 6); and one or more processing machines (20, 60, 80) selected from the group of a front processing machine (20), a top processing machine (60), and a side processing machine (80), the one or more processing machines (20, 60, 80) disposed at least two of the multiple index positions (3, 4, 5, 6).