Tool Magazine Expansion Device for Manual Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine tools and tool magazines with loading stations require significant manual effort for tool insertion and removal due to the design of fork-shaped holders and retaining arms, making it difficult for operators to easily manage tools, especially in hand-loading scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A spreading device is introduced that presses apart the retaining arms of the tool-receiving clamp, allowing for easy insertion and removal of tools with minimal force, particularly suitable for tool magazines designed as magazine wheels or chains, enabling manual loading and unloading with reduced effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fork-shaped holders with retaining arms are used for tool storage, then tools can be securely held in the magazine, but significant manual effort is required for tool insertion and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The spreading device is pre-positioned at the loading station and automatically activates when the magazine wheel is rotated into the loading position, preliminarily preparing the retaining arms to spread apart before tool insertion is attempted, thereby eliminating the need for operators to manually force tools into tightly clamped holders
Solution Approach 2:
The spreading device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the operator and the tool-receiving clamp. Instead of the operator directly forcing the tool into the clamp, the spreading device mediates by automatically opening the retaining arms, allowing tool insertion without significant manual effort
2Reliability
If retaining arms are designed to tightly clamp tool shanks, then secure tool retention is achieved, but tool removal requires excessive force that operators cannot provide
Solution Approach 1:
Before tool removal is attempted, the spreading device is automatically activated to preliminarily spread the retaining arms apart, creating clearance for tool extraction. This preliminary action ensures that operators never need to overcome the full clamping force of the retaining arms during removal
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the operator to directly overcome the clamping force for tool removal, the system inverts the approach by using the spreading device to actively open the clamp first. The removal process becomes possible only after the retaining arms have been spread apart by the spreading device, reversing the normal force application sequence
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual loading of tool magazines is required, then flexibility in tool selection is maintained, but operator fatigue increases due to high insertion forces
Solution Approach 1:
The spreading device enables the tool magazine system to serve itself during the loading process. When the magazine wheel is rotated to the loading position, the spreading device automatically activates to open the retaining arms, allowing tools to be inserted without requiring operators to provide significant physical force. The system essentially performs the labor-intensive task of opening the clamp automatically
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 solution facilitates effortless manual handling of tools by spreading the retaining arms, reducing the physical strain required for tool insertion and removal, thereby improving the usability and efficiency of machine tools and tool magazines.
Implementation Method 1
The core of the invention is a relatively simple spreading device, by means of which the retaining arms of the claw are pressed apart
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a tool magazine for a machine tool, comprising elastically expandable holding arms (21, 21') for receiving a shaft (25) of a tool and an expansion device (30) for increasing the distance between the holding arms (21, 21').