Integrated Suction Workpiece Support for Chatter-Free Multipoint Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional workpiece support systems fail to prevent chatter vibration during machining due to separate installation of suction clamps and support systems, leading to compactness issues and inability to make multipoint contact, which results in deformation and strain on workpieces, especially when dealing with curved or stepped workpieces.
Innovation Solution
A workpiece support apparatus with a movable support member and a suction pad that allows for simultaneous suction and rigid body support at the same location, featuring an adjustment mechanism to control pressure and prevent deformation, enabling secure attachment of workpieces with both flat and curved surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If suction clamp and workpiece support are separately installed, then suction functionality is provided, but the apparatus cannot be made compact and multipoint contact is impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the suction clamp and workpiece support into a single integrated apparatus. The suction pad is positioned at the tip of the support rod, allowing both suction attachment and mechanical support functions to be performed at the same location. This merging enables compact design while maintaining multipoint contact capability through multiple support rods.
Solution Approach 2:
The support rod serves dual functions: it provides mechanical support for the workpiece and positions the suction pad for attachment. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate suction clamp and support structures, achieving compactness while maintaining both suction and support capabilities at multiple points.
2Reliability
If vacuum pad is used as head cap for workpiece support, then suction retention is achieved, but weight increases and stiffness of riser spring must increase causing large deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the suction function from a separate vacuum pad head cap and integrates it directly onto the support rod tip. This eliminates the need for heavy plumbing and rigid vacuum pad structures, reducing overall apparatus weight while maintaining reliable suction retention through the integrated suction pad design.
3Reliability
If only suction clamp apparatus is used for multipoint support, then suction retention is provided, but there is no seat to suppress deformation from load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the suction pad and support rod into a single integrated component. The support rod acts as both the structural element providing mechanical support and the mounting structure for the suction pad. This combination provides both the seat for load bearing and the suction retention function simultaneously, preventing workpiece deformation while maintaining reliable attachment.
4Ease of manufacture
If flat suction clamp apparatus is used, then flat surfaces can be clamped, but curved or stepped workpieces cannot be retained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the support rod movable in the axial direction, allowing the suction pad to dynamically adjust its position. This dynamic capability enables the simple flat suction pad design to adapt to various workpiece geometries including curved and stepped surfaces, maintaining ease of manufacture while significantly improving versatility.
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
The apparatus effectively prevents chatter vibration and deformation by allowing compact, multipoint contact and secure attachment of workpieces, even those with complex geometries, while maintaining a lightweight and stiff structure.
Implementation Method 1
a suction pad (7) which is provided concentrically with respect to the protruding end (6) and which adheres by suction to the workpiece (2)
Data Source
AI summary
The workpiece support apparatus has: a case member that has an axial center and that is provided to a workpiece support part; a support member that is provided to the case member so as to be movable in the axial center direction and that has one end part projecting outwardly from the case member and supporting the workpiece so as to serve as a projection end part; a suction pad suctions the workpiece; an adjustment device that is provided between the support member and the case member in order to adjust contact pressure of the support member; an air intake path that sets the inside of the suction pad and that provides connection between a sucking port and an air intake port provided to suction and fix the projection end part to the workpiece; and a fixing device that fixes the support member to the case member.