Slab Machining Electrospindle System with Merged Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for machining slab materials, particularly stone, face challenges such as complexity and high cost, limited ability to make horizontal cuts, premature wear of motion transmission elements, and reduced cutting precision due to the complexity of multiple tool-holder heads and supporting structures.
Innovation Solution
A machine design featuring a plurality of cutting blades arranged in parallel with a simplified structure, using a single supporting equipment system to move all electrospindles in parallel to the working plane, reducing the need for separate actuator devices and allowing for precise angular positioning and reduced mechanical stress, thus maintaining cutting precision and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple tool-holder heads with separate supporting structures are used to increase productivity, then the machine can cut multiple slabs simultaneously, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple tool-holder heads (first, second, and third electrospindles) onto a single supporting body, eliminating the need for separate supporting structures for each head. This integration maintains the ability to cut multiple slabs simultaneously while significantly reducing structural complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The single supporting body serves multiple functions by supporting all three electrospindles and enabling their coordinated movement. This universal structure replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate supporting systems, achieving both productivity and simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If each tool-holder head has its own separate actuator devices for movement, then precise control of each head is achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the movement control of multiple electrospindles by using a single actuator device (first actuator) to move the entire supporting body carrying all three electrospindles. Additional actuators (second and third actuators) control the independent vertical movement of specific electrospindles, reducing the total number of actuators while maintaining precise control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is segmented into two levels: a first actuator controls the common movement of all electrospindles along the bridge, while second and third actuators provide independent vertical adjustment for specific electrospindles. This segmentation achieves precise control with fewer actuators.
3Device complexity
If a single supporting equipment system moves all electrospindles, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to independently position each electrospindle may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is divided into two independent control levels: the first actuator controls the common horizontal movement of all electrospindles along the bridge, while the second and third actuators provide independent vertical positioning for the second and third electrospindles respectively. This segmentation maintains full positioning flexibility with a simplified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the independence of each electrospindle based on operational needs. The second and third actuators can independently adjust the vertical positions of their respective electrospindles relative to the first electrospindle, providing adaptability while maintaining structural simplicity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the supporting body and electrospindles are rotatable about a vertical axis, then oblique cutting directions are enabled, but mechanical stress and wear on transmission elements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting body is designed with universal rotational capability about a vertical axis, allowing all three electrospindles to move together in oblique cutting directions. This single rotational mechanism serves all cutting operations, reducing the need for multiple specialized transmission systems and thereby reducing wear on transmission elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A machine (1) for machining slab materials (3) is described, comprising: a working plane (2) configured to support a slab material (3) to be machined; a first tool-holder electrospindle (11) associated to a respective supporting body (33), the first electrospindle (11) and the respective supporting body (33) being supported above said working plane (2) by a respective supporting equipment (12) perpendicularly with respect to the working plane (2) and configured to move the first electrospindle (11) and the respective supporting body (33) about a rotation axis (Z) perpendicular to the working plane (2); a moving apparatus (14) configured to move the equipment (12) in parallel to the working plane (2) and along directions (X, Y) perpendicular to one another; at least a second tool-holder electrospindle (45), rotationally and translationally integral with the first electrospindle (11), supported above the working plane (2) in parallel to the first electrospindle (11) by a respective supporting arm (47) slidably supported by the supporting body (33) of the first electrospindle (11); a first actuator device (55) active to move the supporting arm (47) and the second electrospindle (45) supported by the same towards and away from the first electrospindle (11) in parallel to the working plane (2) and along a direction substantially perpendicular to a cutting plane extending perpendicularly to the working plane (2); and a second actuator device (63) associated to the supporting arm (47) of the second electrospindle (45) and configured to move the second electrospindle (45) along a direction perpendicular to the working plane (2) independently of the first electrospindle (11).