Rotatable Arm Guiding Apparatus for Spindle Moulders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing guiding apparatuses for spindle-moulder machine tools are limited by laborious dismantling and assembly procedures, require large adjusting strokes for different workpiece dimensions, and have imprecise positioning due to heavy and bulky supporting structures, which reduces flexibility and productivity.
Innovation Solution
A guiding apparatus with a rotatable arm fixed to the work plane, allowing two distinct operating positions and a non-operating position that frees the work plane, featuring adjustable guiding means and a light, compact structure with lifting mechanisms to maintain precision and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the guiding apparatus is fixed to the work plane with a cantilevered supporting structure, then the apparatus can be positioned in the operating position, but the supporting structure becomes heavy and bulky to avoid flexure and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of fixing the guiding apparatus to the work plane and having it extend outward (cantilevered), the invention inverts the approach by fixing the arm to the side face of the work plane and positioning the guiding means below the work plane. This reversal eliminates the cantilevered configuration and its associated structural requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention moves the guiding apparatus from a horizontal extension above the work plane to a vertical arrangement below it. The arm is fixed to the side face and extends downward, utilizing the vertical dimension rather than horizontal space, thereby avoiding the need for a bulky cantilevered structure.
2Ease of operation
If the guiding apparatus is made movable along a circle-arch trajectory, then the guides can be moved away from the milling tool rapidly, but the apparatus has only one operating position where the guides are centred
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces dynamic positioning capabilities through the rotatable arm that can assume multiple angular positions, and the lifting means that can adjust the vertical position of the guiding means. This dynamic system replaces the single-position circular trajectory with a multi-position configuration space.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm structure serves multiple functions: it can rotate to provide different angular positions for the guiding means, it can be positioned at different radial distances from the work plane center, and it can lift or lower the guiding means vertically. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a fixed circular trajectory.
3Weight of moving object
If the guiding apparatus uses a rotatable arm fixed to the side face of the work plane, then the structure becomes light and compact, but the arm must be sufficiently stiff to avoid flexure that could compromise positioning precision
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces locking means as an intermediary mechanism that secures the arm at its desired angular position. This locking mechanism prevents flexure-induced position drift by providing a positive mechanical stop, thereby maintaining positioning precision without requiring excessive structural stiffness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the structural parameters of the arm by optimizing its geometry and material properties to achieve sufficient stiffness-to-weight ratio. The arm is designed with appropriate moment of inertia and material selection to resist flexure while maintaining lightweight construction.
Data Source
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AI summary
A guiding apparatus that is associable with a machine tool (50) for machining elements (100) made of wood or similar material, in particular a spindle-moulder, comprises guiding means (2, 3, 4) supported by supporting means (10) rotatably fixed to said machine (50) such that said guiding means (2, 3, 4) are movable between an operating position (A, B; A') in which said guiding means (2, 3, 4) are superimposed on an upper face (61) of a work plane (60) of said machine (50) for guiding the elements (100) along an advance direction (T), and a non-operating position (C), in which the guiding means (2, 3, 4) are spaced apart and do not face the work plane (60), the supporting means (10) comprising an arm (11) provided with a first end (11a), rotatably fixed to said machine (50) around a first axis (X1), and with a second end (11b) rotatably supporting the guiding means (2, 3, 4) around a second axis (X2).