Thread Former Radial Molding Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thread formers face difficulties in manufacturing due to clogging of grinding wheels during joint profile grinding, which complicates the production and regrinding of thread-forming teeth.

Innovation Solution

The thread former design allows shaped strips to protrude radially beyond the base body, enabling the profiling tool to only engage with the strips during production, reducing material complexity and facilitating easier manufacturing by allowing optimal tool selection, with moldings fastened in grooves for secure attachment and potential asymmetric or angled arrangements for improved performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the profiling tool is used to machine the base body and moldings together, then the thread-forming teeth can be produced, but the grinding wheel quickly becomes clogged due to the different materials

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing processVSAvoidgrinding wheel performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the moldings from the base body by making them protrude radially beyond the base body's outer surface. This separation allows the profiling tool to engage only with the moldings during thread-forming tooth production, preventing the base body from interfering with the grinding process and eliminating clogging issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating a specific geometric configuration where only the moldings protrude radially beyond the base body. This localized differentiation ensures that the profiling tool contacts only the moldings (made of hard, wear-resistant material) while the base body remains untouched during the threading operation, optimizing both tool life and manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the shaped strips protrude radially beyond the base body, then the profiling tool only needs to machine one type of material, but the moldings require secure fastening in the base body

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing speedVSAvoidfastening structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the thread former into two distinct components: the base body and the moldings. The moldings are designed as separate elements that protrude radially and can be individually fastened into receiving grooves in the base body. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of each component and facilitates easy replacement or reconfiguration of the moldings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming receiving grooves in the base body before inserting and fastening the moldings. This preparatory step ensures secure attachment of the moldings while maintaining manufacturing efficiency, as the grooves can be machined into the base body using standard tools before the moldings are installed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the moldings are arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically, then the thread former can be optimized for different applications, but the receiving grooves must be precisely positioned

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread former configurationVSAvoidreceiving groove positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embraces asymmetry by allowing moldings to be arranged in either symmetric or asymmetric configurations depending on the specific application requirements. The receiving grooves can be positioned at different locations and orientations in the base body, enabling the thread former to be optimized for various threading operations while maintaining a unified design approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 design simplifies and speeds up the manufacturing process by ensuring the profiling tool only cuts one type of material and allows for efficient thread formation with reduced wear, enhancing the thread former's operational efficiency and longevity.

Implementation Method 1

The moldings can be reliably fastened in the receiving grooves, for example by soldering or gluing.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSoldering: Soldering

Implementation Method 2

The moldings can be reliably fastened in the receiving grooves, for example by soldering or gluing.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2337649B1Thread former having molding
Publication Date: 2012.12.19 KOMET GROUP GMBH
  • EP2337649B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2337649B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2337649B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The thread former is used for the non-cutting shaping of threads and has a main body (1') on which the moldings (6) are provided, distributed over the circumference. Said moldings are provided with thread-forming teeth (13, 14). Profile grinding tools are used to produce the thread-forming teeth (13, 14), both in the main body (1') as well as in the moldings (6). In order for the thread former to be produced easily and cost-effectively, the moldings (6) protrude radially beyond the main body (1') so far that the profile tool only engages with the molding when producing the thread-forming teeth (13, 14). Consequently, the profiling tool only has to machine one type of material. The thread former is used for the non-cutting shaping of threads, particularly of internal threads.