Swing Head Stocker for Compact Additive Head Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing processing machine design limits the posture of the additive manufacturing head, restricting its ability to be stored suitably outside the machining area, which may lead to design constraints.
Innovation Solution
A work machine with a head stocker that includes a swing mechanism to change the posture of the work head, allowing it to be stored in a compact position by swinging the head holding part centered on a predetermined axis, enabling the work head to be moved between delivery and storage postures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the additive manufacturing head maintains a fixed posture for delivery between inside and outside of the machining area, then the delivery process is simplified, but the head cannot be changed to a posture suitable for storage, causing design limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The head holding part is designed to be dynamically changeable between different postures through a swing mechanism. The additive manufacturing head can be held in a first posture (vertical) for delivery and a second posture (horizontal) for storage, allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements without compromising either delivery simplicity or storage efficiency
2Device complexity
If the additive manufacturing head is stored outside the machining area in a fixed position, then the storage structure is simplified, but the machine occupies more space and loses compactness
Solution Approach 1:
The swing mechanism utilizes angular movement to reposition the additive manufacturing head from a vertical delivery posture to a horizontal storage posture. This dimensional transformation allows the head to occupy a more compact space when stored, reducing the overall machine footprint while maintaining a simple storage structure
3Productivity
If the head holding part is swung to change the work head posture, then storage efficiency is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The head stocker is segmented into a fixed base and a movable head holding part that can swing independently. This segmentation allows the swing mechanism to be isolated and simplified, focusing complexity only on the necessary moving components while keeping the rest of the storage structure simple and robust
Data Source
AI summary
A processing machine includes: a cover body that forms a machining area, and a storage area separated from machining area; an additive manufacturing head; and a head stocker. The additive manufacturing head performs additive manufacturing on a workpiece in machining area. Head stocker stores additive manufacturing head in storage area. Head stocker includes: a head holding part that holds the additive manufacturing head; and a swing mechanism part that swings head holding part centered on a predetermined axis.