Machine Tool Coolant Pump Tuning for Tool-Specific Flow Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine tools face challenges in precisely and quickly supplying cooling lubricant to machining points, especially when tools change, due to variations in tool-specific flow resistance which are not efficiently accounted for in existing methods.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining machine-specific and tool-specific flow resistances to calculate tool-specific controller parameters for the pump, allowing for precise and rapid supply of cooling lubricant by adjusting pump speed and pressure, with the ability to store these parameters for reuse with different tools and tool types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a coolant is supplied to the machining point using conventional methods, then the coolant supply can be maintained, but the precision and speed of coolant supply deteriorate due to variations in tool-specific flow resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically adjusts pump control parameters (pressure, flow rate, speed) based on the specific tool clamped in the tool spindle. When a tool is detected, the control unit retrieves or calculates tool-specific parameters and modifies the pump operation accordingly, enabling precise coolant supply adapted to each tool's flow resistance characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect the clamped tool and measures actual coolant flow conditions, then feeds this information back to the control unit. The control unit compares the detected tool characteristics with the required coolant supply parameters and automatically adjusts the pump control to achieve the desired coolant delivery precision
2Measurement precision
If tool-specific control parameters are calculated for each tool change, then coolant supply precision is improved, but the system complexity and calculation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-stores characteristic values and control parameters for different tool types in a database before actual machining operations. When a tool is clamped, the control unit quickly retrieves the pre-calculated parameters rather than performing complex real-time calculations, reducing system complexity while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses characteristic values from reference tools or tool catalogs to determine control parameters for similar tools. By copying and adapting parameters from known tool types, the system avoids complex individual calculations for each tool while maintaining adequate precision
3Ease of operation
If the pump is operated without tool-specific parameters, then the system is simpler to operate, but the coolant supply speed and precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects the clamped tool and adjusts pump control parameters without requiring manual intervention from the operator. The control unit self-manages the parameter selection and pump adjustment based on tool detection, maintaining ease of operation while achieving high coolant supply speed and precision
Solution Approach 2:
The control parameters for different tool types are pre-calculated and stored in the control unit. When a tool is clamped, the system automatically retrieves the appropriate pre-prepared parameters, eliminating the need for manual parameter setting while maintaining high productivity
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a machine tool, wherein a machine-specific flow resistance (RM) and a respective tool-specific flow resistance (RW) for different tools (W1 to W4) is determined. Tool-specific regulation parameters (PW) for regulating a pump (15) of a cooling and lubricating device are calculated by means of the machine-specific flow resistance (RM) and of the tool-specific flow resistance (RW) of the tool (W1 to W4) gripped in a tool spindle (10, 11). Subsequently, the machine tool is operated with the tool-specific regulation parameters (PW). As a result, a fast and exact delivery of cooling lubricant to the processing site of the respective gripped tool (W1 to W4) is enabled in a simple and flexible manner.