Separable Workpiece Supporting Table for Machining Centers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machining centers require laborious and costly setup processes due to the need for skilled labor to adjust clamping systems for workpieces of different shapes, leading to machine downtime and inefficiencies in machining wood, plastic, and metal materials.
Innovation Solution
A machining center design featuring a base with a guide and movable workpiece supporting tables, allowing for rapid setup and positioning of workpieces using auxiliary guides and clamping systems, enabling efficient machining of various shapes and operations without the need for extensive reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional fixed clamping systems are used on workpiece supporting tables, then the machine can maintain stable operation, but the setup time increases and productivity decreases due to laborious reconfiguration for different workpiece shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The workpiece supporting table is divided into multiple separable table portions that can be independently positioned and configured. This segmentation allows rapid reconfiguration by assembling different table portions for different workpiece shapes, eliminating the need for laborious setup of fixed clamping systems and reducing machine downtime between different machining operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping systems are made movable along the table portions rather than being fixed. This dynamic configuration allows the clamping systems to be quickly repositioned to accommodate different workpiece shapes and sizes, significantly reducing setup time while maintaining stable operation during the actual machining process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If skilled labor is used to adjust clamping systems for different workpiece shapes, then the machining center can handle various workpieces, but labor costs increase and operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The table portions and clamping systems are designed as universal, standardized components that can be used for multiple different workpiece types. The clamping systems can move along the table portions to accommodate various workpiece shapes, eliminating the need for specialized clamping devices for each workpiece type and reducing the skill level required for operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable clamping systems are designed to be easily repositioned by the operator without requiring skilled intervention. The standardized components and guided movement paths allow operators to quickly configure the system for different workpieces through simple positioning operations, reducing both labor costs and operation complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed clamping systems are used, then the device structure remains simple, but the device complexity increases when attempting to accommodate different workpiece shapes
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the table into separable portions with standardized interfaces, the system achieves configuration flexibility through modular assembly rather than through complex adjustable mechanisms. Each table portion remains structurally simple, but the combination of multiple portions provides the needed adaptability for different workpiece shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping systems incorporate movable components along guided paths on the table portions. This controlled movement adds adaptability without significantly increasing overall device complexity, as the movement is constrained to standardized tracks rather than requiring complex positioning mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The machining center (1) comprises a machining head (3) movable according to a plurality of numerically controlled axes (A, B, X, Z) and a base (15) associated with the machining head (3). A guide (19) on the base (15) receives a workpiece supporting table (21), divided into two portions (21A, 21 B), at least one of which is movable along the guide according to a numerically controlled axis (Y). With the first table portion (21A) there is associated a first clamping system (24) of workpieces to be machined (P1, P2). With the first table portion (21A) and with the second table portion (21 B) there are associated respective auxiliary guides (25A, 25B) parallel to the guide (19) arranged on the base (15). Moreover, with the workpiece supporting table (21) there is associated at least one supporting member (27) of the workpieces to be machined (P1, P2), which is provided with guide elements (27P) for engaging the auxiliary guides (25A, 25B) of the first table portion (21A) and of the second table portion (21 B), so as to be positioned in a standby position on the second portion of workpiece supporting table or in a machining position on the first portion of workpiece supporting table. The supporting system is provided with a respective second clamping system (27X, 27Y) of the workpieces to be machined. In this way, these latter can be positioned on the first portion of workpiece supporting table in different ways and by means of different clamping systems, with or without the use of the respective first and second clamping system.