Spindle Press Rotary Table Offset Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spindle presses face limitations in workpiece guidance and throughput, as they often require complex setups and alignments to efficiently manage multiple forming operations, leading to reduced efficiency and increased operational complexity.

Innovation Solution

A spindle press with a machining head and rotary table design that allows for multiple machining tools to move along a central axis, featuring a rotary table with offset lower tools that can be rotated into various working positions, enabling improved workpiece guidance and throughput by allowing tools to be positioned outside the machining head's cross-sectional area for easier loading and unloading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a rotary table with multiple lower tools is used, then productivity is improved through parallel processing, but device complexity increases due to additional tools and positioning mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkpiece throughputVSAvoidsetup complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The machining head is segmented into multiple upper tools arranged circumferentially around the central axis, with each upper tool corresponding to a specific lower tool on the rotary table. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple workpieces simultaneously, improving productivity while maintaining manageable complexity through modular tool arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rotary table serves multiple functions: it holds multiple lower tools, rotates to position different tools for machining, and supports workpieces during processing. The machining head similarly performs multiple forming operations with different upper tools. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate machines, improving productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If lower tools are positioned within the machining head's cross-sectional area, then machining precision is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficult workpiece loading and unloading

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining qualityVSAvoidworkpiece loading/unloading
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rotary table is positioned offset from the central axis of the machining head, creating a lateral offset arrangement. This dimensional change allows lower tools to be accessed from the side rather than directly from above, facilitating easier workpiece loading and unloading while maintaining precise alignment through the offset rotary positioning mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If multiple upper tools are arranged circumferentially around the central axis, then productivity is improved through simultaneous machining, but device complexity increases due to additional tools and alignment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparallel processing capabilityVSAvoidtool alignment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The upper tools are arranged asymmetrically around the central axis at specific angular positions that correspond to the angular positions of lower tools on the offset rotary table. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes the machining paths and forces for each tool combination, enabling parallel processing while managing alignment complexity through purposeful asymmetric positioning rather than requiring symmetric precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

4Ease of operation

If the rotary table is offset from the central axis, then ease of operation is improved for workpiece handling, but manufacturing precision may deteriorate due to offset positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkpiece accessVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The rotary table incorporates positioning mechanisms with feedback control that ensure precise angular positioning of lower tools relative to the offset machining head. The system monitors and adjusts the rotary table's position to maintain accurate alignment between upper and lower tools, compensating for the offset arrangement and preserving manufacturing precision while enabling easy workpiece access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

This design enhances workpiece processing efficiency by allowing for parallel processing steps, reduced friction, and easier die care, while maintaining high-quality machining both quantitatively and qualitatively, with the ability to handle varying forming forces across different workpiece positions.

Implementation Method 1

The rotary motion of the spindle is converted into a linear ram motion via a high-pitch, multi-threaded thread

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

Upon the ram's sudden impact on the workpiece, the kinetic energy of the flywheel, spindle, and ram is completely converted into useful and wasted work

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectKinetic energy storage: Flywheel

Data Source

PatentEP3359316B1Spindle press and method for shaping workpieces
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 LANGENSTEIN & SCHEMANN A G
  • EP3359316B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3359316B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP3359316B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a shaping device (13), in particular a spindle press, comprising a processing head (16) which is moveably guided along a movement axis (MS) for shaping at least one workpiece (11), and has at least one processing tool (22), and comprising a processing region (17) positioned opposite the processing head (16) and having at least one processing station designed for shaping the workpiece (11), and additionally comprising a rotary table (1) with an axis of rotation (MD) parallel to the movement direction, and workpiece receptacles (8) arranged offset to one another in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis of rotation (MD). The rotary table (1) is designed and rotatably mounted in such a way that each of the workpiece receptacles (8) can be transferred by rotating the rotary table (1) into at least one first working position (19) located within the processing region (17), and into at least one second working position (20) located in an axial projection relative to the movement axis (MS) at least partially laterally outside of a cross-sectional surface (Q) of the processing head (16). The invention further relates to a method for shaping a workpiece using such a shaping device of this type.