Quick-Change Tool Holder Interface With Side-Access Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool holder systems for machining workpieces, particularly metal workpieces, require complex constructions and large sizes for quick-change mechanisms, which limit accessibility and efficiency, especially in smaller machine tool systems, and often necessitate recalibration during tool changes.
Innovation Solution
A tool holder system with a tool holder body featuring a transverse flat surface, a polygonal cone section, and a cylinder section, along with a holder shaft having a corresponding interface, allowing for precise relative positioning and axial tightening using a longitudinal clamping screw, enabling quick tool changes without recalibration and maintaining fluid tightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If axial clamping using a screw aligned coaxially with the longitudinal axis is used for quick-change, then tool change speed is improved, but the holder shaft becomes very large overall and accessibility is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional axial clamping approach by using a longitudinal clamping screw that acts radially rather than axially. The screw engages with a radially extending inclined surface on the tool holder, converting radial screw motion into axial clamping force. This inversion allows the clamping mechanism to be compact and accessible from the side, eliminating the need for a large holder shaft while maintaining quick-change capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple holder shafts are mounted offset parallel to one another, then versatility is improved, but accessibility for screw operation becomes relatively poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dimension of screw access from axial (end-access) to radial (side-access). The longitudinal clamping screw is positioned to engage the tool holder from the radial direction, allowing operators to access and operate the screw from the side of the holder shaft. This dimensional change enables easy operation even when multiple holder shafts are mounted offset parallel to one another, as the screw is accessible from the lateral direction rather than requiring end access.
3Ease of manufacture
If flat surfaces are used for tool holder interfaces, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but sealing performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a conical surface with a specific angle (typically 60-80 degrees) at the interface between the holder shaft and tool holder. This conical surface replaces the conventional flat sealing surface, providing both mechanical interlocking and fluid sealing. The curved conical geometry maintains ease of manufacture through standard machining operations while achieving superior sealing performance for coolant containment compared to flat surfaces.
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
The system allows for rapid tool changes with high precision and fluid tightness, achieving a repeat accuracy of less than 0.01 mm, suitable for small machine tool systems, and simplifies the tool change process by maintaining pre-calibrated positions, reducing the need for complex recalibration.
Implementation Method 1
a radial recess (66) in the tool holder cylinder section (64), which has an inclined surface (αA) aligned at an angle, on which a longitudinal clamping screw (70) of the holder shaft (26) can engage
Implementation Method 2
a tool holder cone section (62) which can engage with a correspondingly polygonal holder shaft cone section (42) in order to achieve a defined relative position in the tangential direction
Implementation Method 3
a tool holder flat surface (60) oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis (30), against which a holder shaft flat surface (40) can come into contact in order to be able to set up a defined relative position (LWR) in the longitudinal direction
Implementation Method 4
maintaining fluid tightness
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a tool holder (28) for a tool (22) for machining workpieces, having a tool holder body (52), which defines a tool holder longitudinal axis (30), on which a tool receptacle (54) for fixing a tool (22) is formed and on which a tool holder interface (58) for fixing the tool holder (28) to a holder shaft (26) is formed, which can be clamped in a machine tool (10), wherein the tool holder interface (58) has: a tool holder flat surface (60) aligned crosswise relative to the longitudinal axis (30) and to which a holder shaft flat surface (40) can come into contact, in order to be able to set a defined relative position (LWR) in the longitudinal direction between the tool receptacle (54) and the holder shaft (26); a tool holder conical portion (62), which is polygon-shaped in a cross-section and which can engage with a corresponding polygon-shaped holder shaft conical portion (42), in order to be able to set a defined relative position (αT) in the tangential direction between the tool receptacle (54) and the holder shaft (26); and a tool holder cylinder portion (64), which can interact with a corresponding holder shaft cylinder portion (44).