Skewed Tool Holder Head for Machining Elongated Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool holder heads for machining elongated elements, such as profile sections, have significant dimensions that prevent optimal machining precision and productivity due to the need for frequent repositioning of vices and excessive vertical stroke, leading to increased machining time and reduced precision.
Innovation Solution
A tool holder head design with a tool holder unit whose axis is skewed relative to the rotation axes, allowing for minimized overall dimensions and enabling machining between closely spaced vices, with a flexible configuration that allows for 360° rotation and orthogonal movement, reducing the need for repositioning and minimizing vertical displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the tool holder head has significant dimensions, then it can accommodate standard tools, but it prevents optimal machining precision and requires frequent repositioning of vices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by skewing the tool holder unit axis relative to the rotation axes, transitioning from a conventional orthogonal arrangement to a skewed spatial configuration. This allows the tool holder to access workpiece areas between closely spaced vices that were previously inaccessible, eliminating the need for frequent repositioning and maintaining high precision throughout the machining process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics through the flexible configuration that allows 360° rotation around the first axis and orthogonal movement around the second axis. This dynamic capability enables the tool holder to adapt its position and orientation continuously, maintaining optimal machining precision without requiring vice repositioning, thus improving productivity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the tool holder head has significant dimensions, then it provides structural stability, but it causes excessive vertical stroke and increased machining time
Solution Approach 1:
By skewing the tool holder unit axis relative to the rotation axes, the patent reduces the vertical stroke requirement while maintaining structural stability. The skewed configuration allows the tool to reach workpiece areas that would otherwise require excessive vertical movement, thereby reducing machining time without compromising precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic configuration with 360° rotation and orthogonal movement capabilities allows the tool holder to efficiently transition between different machining positions. This reduces the need for excessive vertical stroke and minimizes machining time while maintaining the structural stability required for precise machining.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the tool holder head has significant dimensions, then it can perform standard machining operations, but it increases the number of repositioning steps
Solution Approach 1:
The skewed axis configuration extends the tool holder's reach into areas between closely spaced vices, providing access to previously unreachable workpiece zones. This maintains versatility for standard machining operations while eliminating the need for frequent repositioning, as the tool can now operate continuously across the workpiece span.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible dynamic configuration with 360° rotation and orthogonal movement enables the tool holder to adapt to various machining positions and orientations. This maintains adaptability for different machining operations while reducing repositioning time, as the tool can dynamically adjust its position within the available space rather than requiring external repositioning.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the tool holder head has significant dimensions, then it provides structural support, but it causes increased vibrations during machining
Solution Approach 1:
The skewed axis configuration changes the structural geometry, allowing the tool holder to maintain structural stability with reduced dimensions. This new spatial arrangement reduces the lever arm and moment of inertia that cause vibrations, while the skewed configuration provides alternative structural support paths that maintain stability during machining operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A tool holder head (1) for machining elongated elements (50), in particular profiled sections of frames, comprises a first body (2) fitted slidably on a frame of a machine tool along three directions that are mutually orthogonal to one another. The first body (2) supports a second body (3) that can rotate 360° with respect to the first body (2) around a first axis (C) parallel to one of said three directions, the second body (3) supporting in turn a third body (4) that is suitable for rotating around a second axis (A) orthogonal to and incident to the first axis (C), said third body (4) comprising a tool holder unit (5) that is suitable for supporting a tool (6), for example a cutting means (7) or a milling unit (8), that is rotatable around a third axis (T), said tool holder head (1) further comprising driving means (10, 11, 12, 16) for moving the tool (6) and/or the third body (4) and/or the second body (3) so as to cause an interaction between the elongated element (50) and the tool (6), said tool holder unit (5) being fixed to a lower end (4c) of said third body (4).