Swivel Carrier Machine Tool for Parallel Scanning and Machining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine tools face challenges in parallelizing the time required for measuring or pre-/post-processing of workpieces with the main processing time, due to restricted accessibility and inefficiencies in the swiveling process.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a double swivel carrier principle, where functional devices such as scanners or cleaning devices are guided displaceably along a guide arranged outside the enveloping cylinder, allowing them to move between parking and working positions parallel to the main axis of rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the functional device is positioned in the loading area to enable scanning or pre-/post-processing, then the processing time can be parallelized with main machining time, but the accessibility to the loading area is restricted due to the swivel carrier envelope cylinder
Solution Approach 1:
The machine tool system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the loading area with restricted accessibility due to the envelope cylinder, and the working area with full accessibility. The functional device is assigned to operate in the loading area during specific phases (scanning, pre-processing, post-processing), while the work spindles operate in the working area. This segmentation allows parallel operation of different functions in spatially separated zones, resolving the conflict between productivity improvement and accessibility restriction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically assigns different functions to different areas based on the operational phase. During loading, the loading area serves for workpiece loading; during machining, it serves for scanning and pre-/post-processing. The functional device is motor-driven between a parking position (outside the envelope cylinder) and a working position (inside the envelope cylinder in the loading area), enabling flexible adaptation to different operational requirements and resolving the accessibility conflict.
2Measurement precision
If scanners are mounted on the work area side on the main spindle, then the profile of workpieces can be measured, but the scanning time is added to the main machining time rather than being performed in parallel
Solution Approach 1:
The functional device combines multiple functions (scanning, cleaning, post-processing) into a single integrated unit that operates in the loading area. This merging allows these functions to be performed in parallel with the main machining operations in the working area, eliminating the sequential time addition problem. The laser scanner, cleaning nozzles, and post-processing tools are integrated into one device that can operate independently alongside the work spindles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-dimension sequential operation (scanning → then machining) to a two-dimension parallel operation by spatially separating the functional device operations in the loading area from the main machining operations in the working area. This dimensional separation in space enables time parallelization, where scanning and machining occur simultaneously in different spatial zones, resolving the productivity contradiction.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2
AI summary
A machine tool (1) for machining workpieces (2) comprises a front loading chamber (3) and a rear working chamber (4) with at least one work spindle (5) for machining workpieces, a swivel carrier arranged between the loading chamber and the working chamber, which is rotatably mounted about a horizontal main axis of rotation (8) and has at least one workpiece carrier (10a, 10b) for clamping workpieces on each of two carrier sides (9a, 9b) opposite each other with respect to the main axis of rotation, wherein the swivel carrier is oriented in a first rotational end position and in a second rotational end position rotated by 180° relative to the first rotational end position in an upright position.wherein in the first rotational position of the swivel carrier one of the two workpiece carriers is arranged for loading with workpieces in the loading area and the other workpiece carrier is arranged for machining workpieces in the working area and in the second rotational position of the swivel carrier the two workpiece carriers are interchanged and wherein the swivel carrier projects less far into the loading and working areas in the two rotational positions than during pivoting between the two rotational positions, as well as a functional device (17) interacting with the clamped workpieces, which is located between a parking position, which is outside a cylinder (16) defined by rotation of the swivel carrier, and a working position, which is inside the cylinder and in both rotational positions of the swivel carrier is located in front of one of the two workpiece carriers,is movably mounted. According to the invention, the functional device (17) is guided in the axial direction of the main axis of rotation between the parked position and the working position by means of a guide (18) which is arranged in the loading or working area outside the outer cylinder.