Saddle-Mounted Tool Magazine for Faster Tool Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
In moving column-type machining centers, the fixed position of the tool magazine and automatic tool changer leads to increased tool change time, non-machining time, and reduced productivity, especially in medium-sized or large-sized machines, due to the need for the spindle to reciprocate long distances, causing interference and collision risks.
Innovation Solution
A tool magazine system where the magazine unit is installed on a saddle, allowing tools to be loaded or unloaded perpendicular to the tool axis, with a change arm gripping the tool's flange portion through rectilinear movement, reducing the need for upward and downward motion of the tool changing part, thus minimizing movement distance and avoiding collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tool magazine and automatic tool changer are fixed to the bed, then the structure is simple and stable, but the spindle must reciprocate long distances to change tools, increasing tool change time and non-machining time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the tool magazine and automatic tool changer movable rather than fixed. Specifically, the tool magazine is mounted on the saddle which can move along the bed, and the automatic tool changer is mounted on the column which can move along with the saddle. This dynamic configuration allows the tool changing system to follow the spindle's position, eliminating the need for long reciprocation distances and reducing tool change time while maintaining structural stability through proper mechanical mounting.
2Device complexity
If the tool magazine is fixed to the bed, then the structure is straightforward, but the spindle reciprocation distance increases, leading to collision risks and reduced productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the merging principle by combining the tool magazine and automatic tool changer with the moving components of the machine tool (saddle and column). Instead of being separate fixed entities, these components are integrated into the moving structure, allowing them to move together with the spindle. This integration reduces the reciprocation distance, minimizes collision risks, and improves productivity while adding only minimal structural complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the tool changing part moves the tool in upward and downward directions, then the tool can be loaded and unloaded, but the movement distance increases and collision risk rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dimensionality change principle by altering the direction of tool loading and unloading. Instead of moving tools in the vertical (upward and downward) direction, the system loads and unloads tools in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the tool axis. This dimensional change reduces the movement distance required for tool changing, minimizes collision risks, and maintains full tool loading capability through the modified loading mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a tool magazine of a machine tool such as a moving column-type machining center, in which a magazine unit is installed on a saddle, a tool accommodated in a gripper part of the magazine unit is loaded or unloaded in a direction perpendicular to a tool axis, and a gripping part of a change arm directly grips a flange portion of the tool at the time of changing the tools by means of a tool changing part movably installed on the saddle and a tool changing part transfer part configured to move the tool changing part independently of a column, thereby reducing tool change time, improving productivity, minimizing a collision or mechanical interference, and improving stability and reliability in the medium-sized or large-sized machine tool having a length in a width direction.