Tool Magazine Transport Design for Faster Machine Tool Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine tool magazines are costly, inefficient, and prone to waiting times due to motorized operation, with tools arranged vertically, leading to chip accumulation and large dimensions, especially for machines requiring multiple tools.
Innovation Solution
A tool change system with a frame having seats for housing tools, a transporting device with a gripping member to move tools between machining heads and magazines, and an exchange device with housings for efficient tool pickup and release, reducing motor usage and tool holder orientation issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a motorized rotary magazine is used to move tools to a picking position, then the tool can be accessed by the machining head, but the system incurs high costs, long waiting times, and large dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine is divided into multiple independent tool seats rather than rotating the entire structure. Each seat can be independently accessed by the transporting device, eliminating the need to rotate all tools to bring one to the picking position. This segmentation allows direct access to any tool seat without waiting for rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The transporting device moves along a path that accesses tool seats in a different spatial dimension rather than rotating the magazine in place. The transporting device travels along a trajectory that allows it to reach any tool seat directly, changing the access mechanism from rotational (2D) to linear/multi-dimensional movement.
2Ease of operation
If a motorized rotary magazine is used to move tools, then tool access is enabled, but the system complexity and cost increase due to requiring a motor
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine structure is segmented into fixed tool seats, eliminating the need for a single large motor to rotate the entire magazine. Instead, a simpler transporting device with a gripping member moves along a track to access individual seats, reducing mechanical complexity and motor requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static rotating magazine to a dynamic transporting device that moves along a defined path. The transporting device can stop at any position to access tool seats, providing flexibility without requiring the entire magazine to rotate, thus simplifying the drive mechanism.
3Quantity of substance
If tools are arranged vertically in the magazine, then the magazine can house multiple tools, but chips accumulate on the tool holder
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of arranging tools vertically with holders facing upward, the tool seats are configured with holders facing downward. This inversion allows chips to fall away from the tool holder by gravity rather than accumulating on top, while still maintaining vertical arrangement for space efficiency.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of tools are housed in the magazine, then the machine can perform multiple machining operations, but the magazine dimensions increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple tool seats are arranged in a compact, space-efficient configuration within the magazine frame. The transporting device moves along a compact trajectory that allows access to all seats without requiring a large magazine footprint, effectively nesting the tool storage in a optimized spatial arrangement.
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 achieves faster tool changes, reduced size, and efficient chip management by using a transporting device to move tools within the magazine, allowing for quicker tool access and reduced machine size while maintaining the same number of housed tools.
Implementation Method 1
said transporting device is configured to move in correspondence with one of said one or more seats, wherein a tool is housed, to couple to said tool, through said first gripping member, and move said tool into a predefined pick-up position
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention concerns a machine (M), for working pieces made of wood or similar materials, in composite, polymeric, metallic, ceramic, or other materials, comprising a machining head (1) for machining said pieces, a tool changing system (2), having a tool magazine (21), equipped with a frame (211) with one or more seats (212), wherein each seat is suitable for housing at least one respective tool (3), characterized in that said tool magazine (21) comprises a transporting device (213), equipped with a first gripping member (2131) for picking up a tool (3), wherein said transporting device (213) is movable on said frame (211), and wherein said transporting device (213) is configured to move in correspondence with one of said one or more seats (212), wherein a tool (3) is housed, to couple to said tool (3), through said first gripping member (2131), and move said tool (3) into a predefined pick-up position (PP), wherein said machining head (1) can pick up said tool (3). The present invention also concerns a tool changing system (2) and an operating method of a machine (M), for machining pieces.