Rotating Magazine Wheel for Compact Machine Tool Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Machine tools face challenges in quickly exchanging tools with a favorable storage capacity and minimal space requirements, as existing designs either limit the number of magazine locations or increase design complexity and space usage.
Innovation Solution
A machine tool with a vertically rotating magazine wheel adjacent to the working space, allowing the tool spindle to enter and exit the magazine wheel from above, utilizing a circular design with segment-shaped cutouts for efficient tool storage and minimal footprint, and optionally incorporating a concentric inner magazine wheel for increased capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a linear tool magazine design is used, then the structure is simple, but the storage capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a circular magazine wheel design instead of a linear arrangement. The circular configuration allows tools to be stored in multiple locations around the circumference, significantly increasing storage capacity while maintaining a compact footprint. The circular shape enables the tool spindle to access tools from above without requiring lateral movement of the entire magazine structure.
2Quantity of substance
If a magazine wheel is placed next to the machine tool, then storage capacity increases, but the footprint is enlarged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the magazine wheel within the existing machine tool structure by placing it in the recessed area behind the working space. The magazine wheel is positioned concentrically within the machine tool's footprint, utilizing otherwise wasted space. This nesting approach allows the magazine wheel to be accessible from above while not increasing the overall footprint of the machine tool.
3Ease of operation
If a pivotable gripper arm is used for tool change, then tool exchange is possible, but design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex lateral movement and pivoting mechanisms from the tool change system. Instead of using a gripper arm that requires lateral approach and pivoting, the design allows the tool spindle to move vertically to access tools directly from the magazine wheel. This extraction of unnecessary movement components significantly simplifies the overall design while maintaining efficient tool change capability.
4Quantity of substance
If the magazine wheel is positioned far from the working space, then tool storage is adequate, but tool change time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the magazine wheel in a recessed area directly behind the working space, creating an optimal geometric relationship. The magazine wheel is arranged concentrically with the tool spindle's vertical movement path, allowing the tool spindle to access any tool location with minimal vertical travel. This equipotential positioning ensures that tool change time is minimized while maintaining adequate storage capacity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A machine tool has a tool magazine located in close proximity to the working compartment. The tool magazine has a rotating magazine wheel free to move under control along a vertical axis. The wheel has tool holders along the circumference, the tools are removed radially inwards from their respective holders as required and descend through a shaft within the wheel. The horizontal tool spindle can be shifted in the horizontal Y-axis and vertical Z-axis, and may be lowered into the magazine wheel pick up the tool within the wheel.