Slotted Workpiece Holder for In-Process Tool Reference Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing of rotational-symmetrical tools like drills and milling cutters, particularly ball track milling cutters, faces challenges in achieving high precision due to errors caused by holding mechanisms, thermal changes, and inaccuracies in clamping and positioning during machining processes, which affect the repeatability and accuracy of the final product.
Innovation Solution
A workpiece holder configured to securely clamp and measure rotational-symmetrical workpieces, allowing direct access to reference surfaces for precise positioning and orientation, reducing runout errors by using slots for measurement probes to collect data for machining adjustments, thereby minimizing the need for repeated rechucking and external measurement steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional holding means are used to temporarily hold the workpiece during machining, then the workpiece can be held and processed, but multiple errors are introduced including fitting tolerances, clamping tolerances, thermal effects, and repeatability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the holding means with the machining device by integrating a measuring device directly into the holding means. This merging allows for continuous measurement and correction during machining, eliminating the need to remove and re-clamp the workpiece, thereby improving both precision and repeatability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where a measuring device continuously monitors the position and orientation of the workpiece during machining. The measured data is fed back to the control system, which adjusts the machining parameters or holding position in real-time to compensate for errors, thereby maintaining high precision throughout the process.
2Measurement precision
If the workpiece is measured externally during machining, then measurement data can be obtained, but the machining process must be interrupted and repeatability of clamping becomes a source of errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the measuring device with the holding means, allowing measurements to be taken directly at the workpiece location during machining without external measurement equipment. This integration enables continuous measurement without interrupting the machining process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous measurement and machining to occur simultaneously by integrating the measuring device into the holding means. The measurement process does not require stopping the machining operation, thereby maintaining continuous productive action and eliminating time losses.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple machining devices and temporarily holding means are used to manufacture rotational-symmetrical tools, then different processing steps can be performed, but geometric errors are introduced at each interface and change of holding means
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal holding means that can accommodate different workpieces and processing steps while maintaining consistent measurement and positioning capabilities. The integrated measuring device works across all machining operations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized holding devices and their associated interface errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses continuous feedback from the integrated measuring device to compensate for geometric errors that may arise during different processing steps. The measurement data is used to adjust subsequent machining operations, maintaining high geometric accuracy throughout the multi-step manufacturing process.
Data Source
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AI summary
Workpiece holder (3) for coupling a workpiece (2) provided with reference surfaces (30) to a machining device (200) for manufacturing a rotational-symmetrical tool (1) with at least one geometrically defined cutting edge (10), the workpiece holder (3) comprises a machine part (31) configured to be connectable to the machining device (200) in a releasable rotationally fixed manner, a clamping part (32) configured to receive and clamp the workpiece (2) in a releasable manner. The clamping part (32) of the workpiece holder (3) comprises at least one slot (40) provided at a circumference thereof and configured to provide access to the reference surfaces (30) of the clamped workpiece (2) therethrough.