Spherical Compensating Clamping System for Castings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clamping systems for raw parts, particularly castings, are cumbersome and time-consuming due to the need for manual alignment and processing, leading to incomplete and non-reproducible clamping processes due to tolerance-related irregularities in the geometry of the parts.
Innovation Solution
A clamping system with at least three clamping elements that can be moved between release and clamping positions via an adjustment element, coupled with a spherical compensating element, allowing for uniform engagement with the contact surface of a receptacle, ensuring all elements apply equal pressure regardless of tolerances, and are actuated automatically using pneumatic, electrical, or mechanical means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual alignment and positioning of clamping devices is used, then the clamping process can be performed, but the process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping system performs self-alignment through the spherical compensating element that automatically adjusts the clamping elements to engage uniformly with the contact surface, eliminating the need for manual alignment by a tooling engineer
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical compensating element uses its spherical geometry to provide automatic alignment and compensation, allowing the clamping elements to self-adjust to the contact surface without manual intervention
2Reliability
If clamping devices are fixed at suitable locations, then the casting can be clamped, but the process is incomplete and non-reproducible due to tolerance-related irregularities
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical compensating element changes the geometric parameters of the clamping system by providing a spherical contact interface that can accommodate variations in position and orientation, ensuring uniform engagement despite tolerance variations in the workpiece
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical compensating element performs preliminary alignment and compensation before the final clamping action occurs, ensuring that all clamping elements are uniformly positioned to engage with the contact surface
3Reliability
If multiple separate clamping devices are used, then the casting can be secured, but the system complexity increases and requires extensive manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple clamping elements are merged into a single integrated clamping system that shares a common spherical compensating element and actuation mechanism, reducing the number of separate devices while maintaining secure clamping of the workpiece
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a clamping system (5) for clamping a blank, comprising an arrangement of at least three clamping elements (13) which are movable between a release position and a clamping position by means of an adjusting element (10). In the release position, the clamping elements (13) are disengaged, and in the clamping position, they are engaged with a contact surface (16) of a receptacle for the blank. The clamping elements (13) are coupled to the adjusting element (10) via a spherical compensating element (12), such that when the adjusting element (10) moves into a clamping position, the spherical compensating element (12) performs a compensating movement, thereby guiding the clamping elements (13) uniformly against the contact surface (16) of the receptacle.