Rotating Operating Head for Four-Face Profile Bar Machining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine tools for machining profiled bars, such as those used for door or window frames, cannot efficiently machine all four faces due to complex structures and high costs, with simpler tools lacking the capability to access the lower face.
Innovation Solution
An operating head with an intermediate component that allows the supporting body to rotate independently, enabling the spindle to position vertically for machining the lower face without bulky mechanical devices, combined with a simpler arm structure that reduces overall dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple operating head structure with a single supporting body is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the capability to machine all four faces of profiled bars is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The operating head is segmented into multiple independently rotatable components: the supporting body that can rotate relative to the arm, and the intermediate component that can rotate relative to both the arm and the supporting body. This segmentation allows each component to contribute to positioning the tool for machining different faces, achieving full four-face machining capability without requiring a single complex rotating mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate component is introduced as a mediator between the arm and the supporting body. This intermediate component provides an additional rotational degree of freedom, enabling the tool to be positioned vertically for machining the lower face. The intermediate component acts as a mechanical intermediary that transfers and combines rotational movements to achieve the required tool orientations for all four faces
2Adaptability or versatility
If a slewing bearing is used to enable rotation of the supporting body, then all faces can be machined, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single complex slewing bearing for full rotation, the rotation capability is segmented into multiple simpler rotational joints: the supporting body rotates relative to the arm, and the intermediate component rotates relative to both. This segmentation replaces one complex slewing bearing with multiple simpler rotational mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining full machining capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple dynamic rotational degrees of freedom instead of a single static slewing bearing. The supporting body and intermediate component can rotate independently relative to each other and to the arm, creating a dynamic system that achieves all required tool orientations through coordinated rotation of multiple components rather than a single complex mechanism
Data Source
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AI summary
An operating head for machining profiled bars (2) comprises a spindle (7) for supporting a tool (8), a supporting body (9) to which the spindle (7) is fixed and an arm (10) suitable for being connected to a supporting frame (11) of a machine tool. The operating head (1) further comprises an intermediate component (13) having a first portion (14) rotatably connected to the arm (10) and a second portion (15) rotatably connected to the supporting body (9).