Shared Pallet Transfer for CNC Tool and Workpiece Exchange

Solution Overview

Problem

Current numerical control machine tool production lines require separate workpiece and tool transfer systems, leading to increased production costs and layout space occupation.

Innovation Solution

A production method and line that utilizes a workpiece transfer system to support both tool and workpiece transfer, integrating tool transfer operations through a workpiece transfer pallet and spindle operations, allowing a single system to handle both without separate lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate workpiece transfer system and tool transfer system are deployed, then tool transfer and workpiece transfer can be performed independently, but production costs increase and layout space occupation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool transfer reliabilityVSAvoidtransfer system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the workpiece transfer system and tool transfer system into a single integrated transfer system. The transfer mechanism is configured to transfer both workpieces and tools between the machine tool and external storage locations, eliminating the need for separate transfer systems and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining independent transfer capabilities for both workpieces and tools

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer mechanism is designed with multi-functionality to handle both workpiece transfer and tool transfer operations. The same transfer mechanism can be directed to transfer workpieces to/from the workpiece storage location or tools to/from the tool storage location, making the system universal and reducing the number of dedicated components needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate workpiece transfer system and tool transfer system are deployed, then tool transfer and workpiece transfer can be performed independently, but layout space occupation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool transfer reliabilityVSAvoidlayout space occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the workpiece transfer system and tool transfer system into a single integrated transfer system. The transfer mechanism is configured to transfer both workpieces and tools between the machine tool and external storage locations, eliminating the need for separate transfer systems and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining independent transfer capabilities for both workpieces and tools

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer mechanism is designed with multi-functionality to handle both workpiece transfer and tool transfer operations. The same transfer mechanism can be directed to transfer workpieces to/from the workpiece storage location or tools to/from the tool storage location, making the system universal and reducing the number of dedicated components needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4700510A1Production method and production line for workpiece material-flow system to implement tool material-flow exchange

Publication Date: 2026.02.25 KEDE NUMERICAL CONTROL CO LTD

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AI summary

The present invention provides a production method and a production line for implementing tool transfer exchange through a workpiece transfer system, as disclosed herein. The production method includes: mounting a load into a workpiece transfer pallet (1); inputting a physical attribute of the load and an information of the workpiece transfer pallet (1) into a production line management and control system; transfering the workpiece transfer pallet (1) to a target numerical control machine tool through the workpiece transfer system; transfering the load into the numerical control machine tool through an exchange mechanism; and the numerical control machine tool receiving the load and performing an operation of tool gripping or workpiece machining. By utilizing the workpiece transfer pallet (1) to support a tool carrier (2) and/or a workpiece, transfer the tool and/or the workpiece, and utilizing a spindle of the numerical control machine tool to grip the tool for tool changing, tool magazine replenishment, or direct machining, a single transfer system can be shared by both workpieces and tools, thereby enabling the transfer of workpieces and tools without the need to establish two separate transfer lines, significantly reducing production costs, decreasing occupation of layout space, and improving production efficiency.