Swiss Lathe Guide Device Wedge Mechanism Radial Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing guide devices for Swiss type lathes suffer from precision inaccuracies due to simultaneous radial and axial movements during machining operations, affecting the precision of workpiece guidance.

Innovation Solution

A guide device with an axially immovable guide unit that utilizes a wedge mechanism and an actuating force generation unit, allowing for controlled, exclusively radial force application onto the workpiece through a force-controlled actuating element, which can be moved by an actuating force generation unit such as a servomotor or pressurized medium, ensuring precise positioning and adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the adjustment device allows radial movement of the guide unit, then the guide surfaces can be adjusted relative to the workpiece, but this simultaneously causes axial movement that reduces machining precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of guide surfacesVSAvoidguiding precision of workpiece
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device is segmented into functionally independent components: the guide unit for radial adjustment and the positioning device for axial positioning. This segmentation allows radial movement of guide surfaces without causing axial movement, resolving the contradiction between adjustability and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A positioning device acts as an intermediary between the guide unit and the workpiece, providing independent axial positioning. This intermediary component decouples the radial adjustment function from axial position control, enabling precise radial adjustment without affecting axial guiding precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the guide surfaces apply force to the workpiece in the radial direction, then guidance is maintained, but uncontrolled force variation affects guiding precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguidance stabilityVSAvoidguiding precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A force sensor provides feedback on the contact force between guide surfaces and workpiece, enabling closed-loop control. The control unit adjusts the actuating force based on sensor feedback to maintain a predetermined optimal force level, ensuring both guidance stability and precision without uncontrolled force variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the actuating force parameter applied by the actuator to the guide unit, adjusting it in real-time based on workpiece characteristics and machining conditions. This parameter control ensures optimal contact force for precise guidance while preventing excessive force that would compromise precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enables precise control of the guide surfaces' force application, maintaining precision without introducing axial inaccuracy, allowing for high-precision machining operations by adjusting the force and position of the guide surfaces relative to the workpiece.

Implementation Method 1

the adjustment area forms a wedge mechanism together with the spindle sleeve and guide elements of the guide unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWedge mechanism: Wedge

Implementation Method 2

the actuating force generating unit is designed as an actuating force generating unit that can be acted upon by a pressurized medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressurized medium: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP2388092B1Guide device and machine tool with such a guide device
Publication Date: 2017.07.12 INDEX WERKE GMBH & CO KG HAHN & TESSKY
  • EP2388092B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2388092B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2388092B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The guiding mechanism (30) has a spindle housing pivoted in an outer housing and has a guide unit, which guides the work piece (20) by guiding surfaces. The guide unit is axially positioned relative to the spindle housing and is movable by a control element, which is arranged between the spindle housing and the guide unit.