Sealed Tool Magazine Layout for Clean Laser Tool Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool storage systems for hybrid working machines face challenges in preventing contamination of laser machining tools with optical elements, such as light concentration lenses, during storage, which can lead to damage or reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
A tool storage system that includes a tool magazine with movable holders aligned in the movement direction, a magazine mover to transition between storage and exchange positions, and a sealing device to maintain a clean environment, ensuring the tool magazine is isolated from foreign matter and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tool magazine is opened for tool exchange, then tool exchange is enabled, but foreign matter enters the storage region causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The tool storage system is divided into a storage region and an exchange region separated by a partition wall. The magazine opening is positioned only in the exchange region, allowing tool exchange while keeping the storage region isolated from foreign matter. This spatial segmentation enables tool exchange operations without exposing the entire magazine to contamination risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall acts as an intermediary structure that separates the storage region from the exchange region. It allows the magazine opening to face the exchange region only, creating a barrier that prevents foreign matter from the machining region from entering the storage region while still permitting tool exchange operations through the designated opening.
2Ease of operation
If the machining head stroke is extended to reach storage position, then tool access is improved, but the machine size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending the machining head stroke in the vertical direction to reach tools stored at the bottom, the system uses horizontal movement of the entire tool magazine via the magazine mover. This dimensional change allows tool access without increasing the vertical stroke requirement of the machining head, thereby reducing overall machine size.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool magazine is made dynamically movable by the magazine mover, which can position the magazine at different heights. This dynamic positioning allows the machining head to access tools without requiring an extended fixed stroke, as the magazine can be moved to appropriate positions during operation.
3Device complexity
If the tool magazine structure is simplified, then cost and size are reduced, but sealing performance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted from the magazine structure itself and implemented as a separate sealing device positioned at the magazine opening. This separation allows the magazine structure to remain simple while the dedicated sealing device provides reliable sealing performance, preventing foreign matter from entering through the opening during exchange operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing device uses a flexible seal that can open and close the magazine opening as needed. This flexible sealing mechanism provides reliable sealing performance when closed to prevent contamination, while allowing the opening to remain accessible when open for tool exchange, without requiring a complex rigid sealing structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool storage includes a tool magazine, a magazine mover, and a storage device cover. The tool magazine includes a plurality of tool holding members which are provided in the tool magazine and which are configured to hold a tool. The magazine mover is provided outside the tool magazine and is configured to move the tool magazine in a moving direction between an exchange position at which the tool is exchanged and a storage position at which the tool is stored. The storage device cover is provided to arrange the tool magazine and the magazine mover in the tool storage. The plurality of tool holding members are arranged in the moving direction.