Tool Spindle Guide Arrangement for Sensitive Axial Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool spindles for fine processing of optically effective surfaces, such as spectacle lenses, face challenges in achieving sensitive and easy-running axial motion, particularly when dealing with complex surfaces like toroidal or progressive lenses, leading to potential scratching due to loss of contact during high-speed rotation.
Innovation Solution
A tool spindle design featuring a guide arrangement with uniformly distributed linear bearing elements and associated guide rods, allowing for axial adjustment and tilting, which ensures balanced rotation and reduced friction, enabling highly dynamic and sensitive axial movements to follow complex workpiece geometries without losing contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional guide arrangements are used in tool spindles, then the structure is simpler, but the axial motion loses sensitivity and ease of running, causing potential scratching during high-speed rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The guide arrangement is segmented into multiple linear bearing elements (at least two) distributed around the tool rotational axis, each supporting the tool mounting section independently. This segmentation allows each bearing element to handle specific loads while maintaining overall balance and sensitivity during axial motion, preventing scratching during high-speed rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the guide arrangement have specialized functions: linear bearing elements provide precise axial guidance, guide rods provide structural support and alignment, and the mounting part provides localized tool holding. This local quality optimization ensures each component performs its specific function efficiently, achieving both precision and reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tool mounting section is made axially adjustable to follow complex workpiece geometries, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tool mounting section is designed to be dynamically adjustable along the tool rotational axis through the guide arrangement. The linear bearing elements and guide rods enable smooth, controlled axial motion that allows the tool to follow the macrogeometry of complex workpieces like toroidal or progressive lenses, while maintaining dynamic balance during high-speed rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide arrangement serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides axial guidance, supports tool weight, enables axial adjustment, and maintains rotational balance. This multi-functionality achieves high adaptability for various workpiece geometries without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If uniformly distributed linear bearing elements are used, then the axial motion becomes more sensitive and easier running, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
While the overall arrangement is symmetric for balance, the specific configuration of linear bearing elements and guide rods can be asymmetrically optimized for manufacturing. The bearing elements are distributed uniformly around the axis, but their specific positions and the guide rod placements can be tailored to facilitate assembly and manufacturing while maintaining the required motion smoothness.
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
This design allows for short processing times with high polishing quality, enabling the tool to follow substantial departures from rotational symmetry and maintain contact with the workpiece, preventing scratches and ensuring versatile processing strategies without extended processing times.
Implementation Method 1
uniformly distributed linear bearing elements and respectively associated guide rods, which tension-resistantly and compression-resistantly are connected with the tool holding section
Implementation Method 2
linear bearing elements uniformly distributed around the tool rotational axis A
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a tool spindle for a device for fine machining optically active surfaces on workpieces, having a spindle housing and a tool holding portion which protrudes beyond the housing. The tool holding portion can be axially advanced towards the workpiece along a tool rotational axis via a guiding assembly, which can be rotated about the tool rotational axis in the spindle housing. In order to axially advance the tool holding portion, the guide assembly has a plurality of linear mounting elements, which are distributed about the tool rotational axis in a uniform manner, and respective paired guide rods, which are connected to the tool holding portion in a traction- and pressure-resistant manner.