Automatic Tool Changing Device Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic tool changing devices for machine tools must be positioned near the machining area to perform tool changes, leading to issues with coolant and chip adhesion, which complicates the machine design and increases costs due to the need for larger and more complex spindle movements.
Innovation Solution
An automatic tool changing device that allows the machining area and tool changing device to be separated by using a tool storage device, a tool chucking unit, and a tool unchucking unit, which operate by advancing and retreating between the storage device and the tool changing position, enabling tool changes without increasing the spindle's moving stroke, and includes a tool delivery mechanism to manage tool transfer between storage and the spindle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the automatic tool changing device is arranged in the vicinity of the machining area to perform tool changes, then the tool changing operation can be performed, but coolant liquid and chips will adhere on the device causing failure
Solution Approach 1:
A tool carrier is introduced as an intermediary component between the tool magazine and the spindle. The tool carrier transports tools to and from the spindle, allowing the automatic tool changing device to be positioned away from the machining area while still performing tool changes. This mediator enables the separation of the tool changing function from the hazardous machining zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic tool changing device is divided into separate functional components: a tool magazine for storing tools, a tool carrier for transporting tools, and a control mechanism. This segmentation allows the tool magazine and control system to be positioned remotely from the machining area, while only the essential tool carrier needs to interact with the spindle.
2Reliability
If the moving stroke of the spindle is increased to arrange the machining area and automatic tool changing device separately, then the device can be positioned away from the machining area, but the working machine becomes large-sized and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the linear moving stroke of the spindle in one dimension, the tool magazine and control system are positioned in a different spatial dimension or location. The tool carrier moves between the spindle and the remotely positioned tool magazine, utilizing available space in a multi-dimensional arrangement rather than extending the spindle's travel distance.
3Reliability
If the moving stroke of the spindle is increased to arrange the machining area and automatic tool changing device separately, then the device can be positioned away from the machining area, but the working machine becomes large-sized
Solution Approach 1:
The tool carrier serves as a compact intermediary that bridges the gap between the spindle and the remotely positioned tool magazine. This mediator enables the tool magazine to be placed in a space-efficient location away from the machining area without requiring the spindle to travel a longer distance, thus reducing the overall machine footprint.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic tool changing device (30) has a tool storage device (31) with a plurality of tools stored therein, a tool chucking unit (41) and a tool unchucking unit (51) both capable of advancing/retreating between the tool storage device (31) and a tool changing position (P2), and a tool delivery mechanism (61). The tool chucking unit (41) is provided with a tool fastening mechanism (42) for fastening the tool chucking mechanism (24), and the tool unchucking unit (51) is provided with a tool loosening mechanism (52) for loosening the tool chucking mechanism (24). The tool delivery mechanism (61) delivers the tool positioned at a tool delivery position from the tool storage device into the tool fastening mechanism of the tool chucking unit so that the tool is held by the tool fastening mechanism, and delivers the tool retrieved by the tool unchucking unit from the tool unchucking unit to the tool storage device so that the tool is stored by the tool storage device.