Rotary Indexing Machine Tool Shaving Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotary indexing machine tools face issues with shaving accumulation during machining, particularly when dealing with long shavings or dry machining, which impairs the function of lower machining units.
Innovation Solution
The machine tool design features a workpiece carrier with two chuck units per carrier side, allowing for 180° rotation and position change of workpieces during incremental advances, eliminating the need for additional machine cycles and ensuring no machining units are positioned below the work area to facilitate optimal shaving removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If machining units are arranged below the work area to machine workpieces from three sides, then manufacturing capability is improved, but shavings accumulate and impair the function of the lower machining unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-layer arrangement (above/below work area) to a multi-level arrangement by utilizing the radial dimension. Machining units are distributed across multiple carrier sides at different radial positions, allowing three-side machining without placing units directly below the work area where shavings would accumulate.
Solution Approach 2:
The workpiece carrier is divided into multiple carrier sides, each potentially equipped with its own machining units. This segmentation allows the machining function to be distributed across multiple locations, eliminating the need for a single lower machining unit that would be prone to shaving accumulation.
2Manufacturing precision
If workpieces are machined from three sides, then fully finished shape is achieved, but shavings accumulate and impair machining function
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of arranging machining units in a vertical configuration (above/below) that creates shaving accumulation problems, the patent utilizes the radial dimension by distributing machining units across multiple carrier sides. This dimensional change allows three-side machining while directing shavings away from the machining zone through centrifugal force during rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than placing machining units below the work area (conventional approach), the patent inverts the arrangement by positioning machining units on adjacent carrier sides that pass through work stations. This inversion eliminates the problematic below-work-area position while maintaining three-side machining capability.
3Measurement precision
If workpiece carrier rotates step by step with indexing drive, then precise positioning is achieved, but cycle time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous machining operations by equipping multiple carrier sides with machining units. As the workpiece carrier rotates, different carrier sides pass through work stations simultaneously, allowing multiple workpieces to be machined in parallel. This continuity maintains positioning precision while increasing overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
By dividing the workpiece carrier into multiple carrier sides, each with its own workpieces and machining units, the system processes multiple workpieces simultaneously. This segmentation transforms a sequential single-workpiece process into a parallel multi-workpiece process, improving productivity without sacrificing positioning accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a machine tool as well as to a method for operating the machine tool. The machine tool comprises a workpiece carrier (20) that can be incrementally rotated about an incremental advance axis (22) and has several carrier sides (25). A first workpiece chuck unit (26) for holding a workpiece in a first position (P1) and a second workpiece chuck unit (27) for holding a workpiece in a second position (P2) are arranged on each carrier side (25). In each angular position or incremental advance position of the workpiece carrier (20), one carrier side (25) is in a loading station (30), one carrier side (25) is in an unloading station 31, and the respectively other carrier sides (25) are in respectively one work station (32). A workpiece changing device (34) is provided, said device moving a partially machined workpiece (16a) out of the first position (P1) in the unloading station (31) into the second position (P2) in the loading station. The position change of the partially machined workpiece (16a) preferably also takes place during the incremental advance movement of the workpiece carrier (20). Preferably, the partially machined workpiece (16a) can be turned in doing so.