Modular Tool Holder Centering Interface Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modular tool holders suffer from concentricity errors due to misalignment with the axis of rotation, leading to reduced machining accuracy and increased production costs due to the use of elastically deformable centering elements, which are prone to material fatigue and breakage.
Innovation Solution
A centering interface is designed with support and mating surface sections that provide radial outward clamping, eliminating the need for elastically deformable centering pins, allowing for a cost-effective, modular tool holder with improved centering accuracy and reduced material fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If elastically deformable centering pins are used to achieve precise centering, then machining accuracy is improved, but production cost increases and material fatigue resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the centering function from the elastically deformable centering pin and transfers it to the support surface sections and counter-surface sections. By removing the need for elastic deformation, the design eliminates expensive and fragile centering pins while maintaining centering precision through rigid geometric surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, fragile elastic centering pins with simple, robust rigid surface sections. These surface sections can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed, significantly reducing production costs while maintaining sufficient centering accuracy for machining operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If elastically deformable centering pins are used to achieve precise centering, then machining accuracy is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to material fatigue and breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the elastic centering pin component entirely and extracts the centering function to the rigid support and counter-surface sections. This eliminates the material fatigue and breakage issues inherent in elastic deformation components while maintaining precise centering through rigid geometric surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces unreliable elastic centering pins with robust rigid surface sections that have high fatigue resistance. These sections are integral to the tool holder and tool body, eliminating the risk of centering pin breakage and improving overall system reliability.
3Strength
If radial clamping is applied to secure the tool, then connection strength is improved, but centering accuracy deteriorates due to radial tension
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the interface into distinct support surface sections and counter-surface sections that are geometrically configured to provide centering. This segmentation allows the connection to be secured through axial clamping while the segmented surface geometry independently provides precise radial centering without requiring radial tension.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from radial clamping to axial clamping, changing the dimension of the securing force. The support surface sections and counter-surface sections are configured so that axial clamping force translates into precise radial centering through their geometric arrangement, eliminating the need for radial tension while maintaining both connection strength and centering accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a tool holder (1) that either has a modular design, and the modules of which are centered via interfaces, or/and in which a centered interface (9) is provided between the tool (5) and the tool receiver (4) such that high concentricity, and thus a high processing accuracy are achieved. The present invention further relates to a system comprising a tool holder (1) and a tool (5).