Rotary Indexing Machine Motor Nesting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotary transfer machines lack compactness and efficient coupling of motor units with pre-turning stations, leading to suboptimal space utilization and increased production time and costs.

Innovation Solution

The motor unit is positioned largely within the circle segment of the pre-turning station, with multiple pre-turning stations arranged next to each other and directly geared to the processing stations, allowing for simultaneous processing and flexible movement, enhancing coupling and space efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the motor unit is arranged outside the circle segment of the pre-turning station, then there is sufficient space for motor installation and maintenance access, but the machine occupies more space and has poorer coupling between motor unit and pre-turning station

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine footprintVSAvoidmotor coupling and maintenance access
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The motor unit is nested within the circle segment of the pre-turning station, with the motor directly coupled to the pre-turning mechanism. This nesting arrangement minimizes the machine footprint while maintaining effective motor-to-station coupling through direct integration within the same spatial envelope.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The motor unit and pre-turning station are merged into a single integrated assembly where the motor is positioned within the circle segment and directly coupled to the pre-turning mechanism. This merging eliminates separate mounting spaces and reduces overall machine volume while improving coupling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If multiple pre-turning stations are arranged next to each other, then processing capacity increases and production time decreases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing capacityVSAvoidstation arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The processing system is segmented into multiple independent pre-turning stations arranged in sequence around the circle segment. Each station can process workpieces independently and simultaneously, increasing overall processing capacity while maintaining modular simplicity that limits complexity growth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple pre-turning stations are arranged to operate continuously and simultaneously on different workpieces or different sections of workpieces. This continuous parallel operation maximizes productivity by eliminating idle time between processing steps while the modular station design keeps complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Volume of moving object

If the motor unit is directly geared to the pre-turning station, then coupling efficiency improves and space is saved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor-to-station distanceVSAvoidgear coupling precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The motor unit is nested within the circle segment with direct gear coupling to the pre-turning station. This nesting minimizes the distance between motor and station, saving space while the integrated design allows for precision gear meshing through controlled manufacturing tolerances within the compact assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The motor unit and pre-turning station are merged into a single assembly with direct gear coupling. This merging reduces the motor-to-station distance to minimal values, saving space, while the combined manufacturing process can control gear precision requirements more effectively than separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2877320B1Rotary indexing machine
Publication Date: 2018.09.19 WINEMA MASCHBAUU
  • EP2877320B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2877320B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2877320B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a rotary indexing machine (10) having a machining device (12) which has at least two machining stations (14, 16) and at least one pre-turn station (18) which are disposed at least substantially on a common circumference (20) each in a circle segment (22, 24, 26), and having a motor unit (28) which is provided to drive the pre-turn station (18). The invention stipulates that at least the major part of the motor unit (28) is disposed within the circle segment (26) of the pre-turn station (18).