Section Bar Work Centre Spindle Positioning With Belt Drive Locking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work centres for processing and cutting section bars have limited flexibility and versatility due to the use of a pneumatic actuator cylinder that only allows the electric spindle to move in two operating positions.

Innovation Solution

A work centre with an electric motor-driven belt transmission and reduction gear system that enables the electric spindle to move in multiple operating positions, combined with a locking device to secure the spindle in these positions, enhancing flexibility and versatility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a pneumatic actuator cylinder is used to move the electric spindle, then the structure is simple, but the flexibility and versatility are reduced due to only two operating positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility and versatility of operating unitVSAvoidcomplexity of drive system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive system is segmented into distinct functional components: an electric motor for power generation, a belt transmission mechanism for motion transfer, and a reduction gear system for torque multiplication and position control. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, achieving multi-position capability without excessive overall complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pneumatic actuator cylinder (pneumatic system) is replaced with an electric motor-driven mechanical system. This substitution eliminates the limitation of only two operating positions inherent in pneumatic cylinders, enabling continuous or multi-position control of the electric spindle while maintaining structural simplicity through standard mechanical components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a locking device is added to secure the electric spindle in multiple positions, then the positioning stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning stability of electric spindleVSAvoidcomplexity of locking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reduction gear system inherently provides positioning stability through its mechanical structure. The gear teeth naturally lock into place at discrete positions, providing self-locking capability without requiring additional active locking mechanisms. This self-service approach maintains reliability while minimizing added complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The locking device is designed to engage naturally at each operating position without requiring additional force or energy input. The mechanical design ensures that the spindle can be securely locked in any position within the operational range, creating equipotential positioning stability across all positions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system allows for increased flexibility and versatility in processing and cutting operations by enabling the electric spindle to occupy multiple positions, improving operational efficiency and reducing the impact of mechanical tolerances and belt elasticity.

Implementation Method 1

the impact of mechanical tolerances and belt elasticity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

electric motor-driven belt transmission and reduction gear system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear mechanism: Gear

Data Source

PatentEP4212279B1Work centre to process and/or cut section bars, in particular made of aluminium, light alloys, PVC or the like
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 FOM INDUSTRIE SRL
  • EP4212279B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4212279B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4212279B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A work centre to process and/or cut section bars (2) has a holding unit (7) to hold at least one section bar (2), an electric spindle (17) provided with a tool-carrier spindle (22) to process section bars (2), a driving device (20) to move the electric spindle (17) around a rotation axis (21), and a locking device (35) to lock the electric spindle (17) in at least one operating position around the rotation axis (21); the driving device (20) having an electric motor (25) and a belt transmission (28) interposed between the electric motor (25) and the electric spindle (17) .