Spindle Tool Interface Reciprocation for Chip Removal

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional machine tools face inefficiencies in removing chips adhering to tools due to varying amounts and states of chips, despite existing techniques like cleaning air and vibration methods.

Innovation Solution

A machine tool design incorporating a tool attachment unit, a tool change unit, an air supply unit, and a controller that allows the tool and tool insertion portion to reciprocate relative to each other, creating turbulence in airflow through a gap between the tool and the tool insertion portion to efficiently remove chips.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If cleaning air is passed through the gap between the tool and tool attachment unit while the tool is stopped, then chips can be removed from the tool, but chips may not be sufficiently removed due to varying amounts and states of chips adhering to the tool

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechip removal effectivenessVSAvoidconsistent chip removal
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention makes the tool and tool insertion portion reciprocate relative to each other during the cleaning process, transforming the static cleaning method into a dynamic one. This reciprocating motion creates varying gap distances that generate turbulence in the airflow, enhancing the ability to remove chips of varying amounts and states consistently

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The reciprocating motion between the tool and tool insertion portion creates periodic changes in the gap distance. This periodic action generates pulsating airflow that effectively removes chips by creating repeated cycles of high-velocity air bursts, improving reliability of chip removal across different chip conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Ease of manufacture

If a drive motor is used to vibrate the tool, then chips adhering to the tool can be removed, but chips may not be sufficiently removed due to varying amounts and states of chips

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechip removal capabilityVSAvoidchip removal consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical vibration method with a pneumatic approach. By supplying air to the gap between the tool and tool insertion portion while they reciprocate, the system uses pneumatic forces to remove chips, which is more effective for varying chip amounts and states

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates dynamic pneumatic cleaning by combining air supply with reciprocating motion. The varying gap distance during reciprocation creates changing airflow patterns and turbulence, making the chip removal process adaptable to different chip conditions and improving consistency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 configuration effectively removes chips from the tool by generating turbulence in the airflow, ensuring efficient chip removal even with varying chip amounts and states, enhancing the tool change process.

Implementation Method 1

creating turbulence in airflow through a gap between the tool and the tool insertion portion to efficiently remove chips

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP3549716B1Machine tool
Publication Date: 2021.01.27 DMG MORI CO LTD
  • EP3549716B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3549716B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3549716B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A machine tool includes a spindle (43) including a tool insertion portion (44) having a shape of an opening into which a shank (201) of a tool (200) is inserted and configured to attach the tool (200) thereto, a tool change unit configured to change the tool (200) attached to the spindle (43) while gripping the tool (200), an air supply unit configured to supply air to a gap (210) between the tool insertion portion (44) and the shank (201) of the tool (200) when the tool change unit changes the tool, and a controller configured to control driving of at least any one of the spindle (43) and the tool change unit to allow the tool (200) and the tool insertion portion (44) to reciprocate relative to each other in a predetermined direction with the shank (201) of the tool (200) inserted into the tool insertion portion (44) and with a gap (210) provided between the tool insertion portion (44) and the shank (201) of the tool (200).