Automated Shrink-Clamping Station With Conductive Tool Holder Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shrink-clamping and unshrink-unclamping stations for tools lack efficient cooling mechanisms, leading to prolonged processing times and safety concerns due to manual handling of hot tool holders.
Innovation Solution
A shrink-clamping and unshrink-unclamping station equipped with an induction heating unit and a cooling unit that establishes a heat-conductive contact with the tool holder, utilizing a cooling unit with a cooling agent cycle and nozzles to rapidly cool the tool holder, and is automated for efficient and safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual handling of hot tool holders is used, then device complexity is reduced, but work safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling unit is designed to automatically engage with the tool holder after heating, performing the cooling operation without manual intervention. The system self-manages the thermal processing cycle, eliminating the need for operators to handle hot components while maintaining comprehensive thermal control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated cooling unit that mechanically engages with the tool holder. This substitution eliminates direct human contact with hot components while maintaining precise thermal management through automated mechanical systems.
2Device complexity
If conventional cooling methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling unit is pre-positioned and automatically engages with the tool holder immediately after the heating cycle completes. This preliminary positioning and automatic engagement eliminates delays between heating and cooling operations, maintaining continuous thermal processing and improving overall cycle time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a continuous thermal processing cycle where the cooling unit seamlessly follows the heating operation. The automated engagement and cooling process eliminates idle time between thermal operations, ensuring continuous useful action throughout the tool holder processing cycle.
3Productivity
If automated cooling unit is introduced, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling unit is integrated with the heating station infrastructure, sharing common structural elements, support mechanisms, and control systems. This merging of functions allows the automated cooling capability to be added without proportionally increasing overall device complexity, as many components serve dual purposes in the thermal processing system.
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 solution significantly accelerates the cooling process, enhances automation, and ensures high work safety by enabling rapid heat dissipation and automated handling of hot tool holders, thereby optimizing the shrink-clamping and unshrink-unclamping processes.
Implementation Method 1
an induction heating unit (16a, 16b) for heating a tool holder (14a, 14b), in particular for expanding a tool receiving opening (40a, 40b) of the tool holder (14a, 14b)
Implementation Method 2
a cooling unit (86a, 86b) which can be brought into a heat-conductive contact with a tool holder (14a, 14b) previously heated by the induction heating unit (16a, 16b)
Data Source
AI summary
A shrink-clamping and/or unshrink-unclamping station for tools, for an at least largely automated shrink-clamping and/or unshrink-unclamping of tools into and/or from tool holders includes an induction heating unit and a cooling unit. The cooling unit can in an automated manner be brought into a heat-conductive contact with a tool holder previously heated by the induction heating unit.