Rotary Indexing Machine Bridge Cell for Coaxial Machining Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotary indexing machines face challenges in achieving precise machining of work pieces due to geometric, thermal, or vibrationally induced faults in their coordinate systems, which affect the accuracy and reliability of machining processes, especially for rotationally symmetrical parts.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a rotary indexing machine with a clocking cell featuring a bridge unit that guides accommodating elements in a shared coordinate system, allowing for precise positioning and synchronous movement, and a machining unit fixedly connected to the bridge unit, which operates within the same coordinate system to ensure accurate machining, along with a hydraulic and electric drive system for tool carrier movement, enabling precise rotational machining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If work pieces are fixedly clamped in the indexing plate, then they can be transported and machined at multiple stations, but geometric, thermal, or vibrationally induced faults in the coordinate system reduce machining precision
Solution Approach 1:
The machine is divided into two independent coordinate systems: the indexing plate coordinate system for work piece transport and the clocking cell coordinate system for machining. The bridge unit creates a separate reference frame that is not affected by faults in the indexing plate system, allowing high-precision machining while maintaining multi-station productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge unit acts as an intermediary structure that connects the accommodating elements and provides a stable, separate coordinate system. This intermediary structure isolates the machining operations from geometric, thermal, or vibrational faults in the indexing plate, enabling precise circular run and coaxiality even when work pieces are fixedly clamped for transport
2Manufacturing precision
If a bridge unit with shared coordinate system is introduced, then machining precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge unit merges the positioning functions of multiple accommodating elements into a single shared coordinate system. By combining the guidance of opposite-situated accommodating elements through the bridge unit, the system achieves high positioning accuracy without requiring separate complex guidance mechanisms for each element
3Measurement precision
If accommodating elements are guided in guidances of the bridge unit, then synchronous movement and positioning accuracy are improved, but the device requires more complex guidance structures
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it structures the clocking cell, guides the accommodating elements, defines the shared coordinate system, and ensures synchronous movement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, achieving high positioning accuracy without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary indexing machine comprises at least one indexing plate, which is in at least one operating state configured to accommodate and transport at least one work piece, and with at least one clocking cell comprising at least one accommodating unit with at least two opposite-situated accommodating elements, which are configured for together accommodating the at least one work piece from the indexing plate, and comprising at least one machining unit for machining the work piece accommodated by the accommodating unit, wherein the at least one clocking cell comprises at least one bridge unit, which extends at least partially over the indexing plate in an axial direction and is configured to guide the at least two accommodating elements of the accommodating unit in a shared coordinate system.