Compact Tool Stroke Drive for Metal Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metal-processing machine tools, such as punch machines, are relatively large due to their tool stroke drive configurations, which hinder accessibility to the working area and waste disposal.
Innovation Solution
A compact tool stroke drive system featuring a spindle gear with a hollow spindle and multiple spindle-spindle nut units, allowing for independent translation and rotation of the tool holder, and a drive ring gear that eliminates the need for intermediate gears, enabling efficient waste disposal and high-torque transmission without increasing the machine's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a traditional tool stroke drive with wedge gear and hydraulic piston-cylinder unit is used, then the machine can perform punching operations, but the machine becomes relatively large and hinders accessibility to the working area
Solution Approach 1:
The tool stroke drive is segmented into multiple independent spindle-spindle nut units (at least two, preferably three or more) arranged around the central passage. Each unit independently contributes to the stroke function, allowing the drive mechanism to be distributed around the passage rather than occupying a large centralized space, thus reducing overall machine footprint while maintaining accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The spindle-spindle nut units are arranged concentrically around the central passage that extends into the tool holder orifice. This nested arrangement allows the drive mechanism to occupy the annular space around the passage rather than extending outward, minimizing the machine's external dimensions while preserving the central passage for waste disposal and accessibility.
2Force
If multiple spindle-spindle nut units are used to transmit large forces, then force transmission capability increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple spindle-spindle nut units serve dual functions: they collectively transmit large forces to the tool holder while simultaneously forming a twist-lock mechanism that prevents rotational deviation during punching operations. This multi-functionality allows force transmission enhancement without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same structural elements perform both force transmission and positional stabilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The force transmission function and twist-prevention function are merged into a single integrated system of spindle-spindle nut units. Rather than requiring separate mechanisms for force transmission and positional control, the arranged spindle units accomplish both tasks simultaneously, reducing overall system complexity despite the presence of multiple units.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact drive ring gear without intermediate gears is used, then the machine becomes more compact, but torque transmission capability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The drive ring gear is designed with internal toothing that engages directly with the spindle-spindle nut units, eliminating the need for intermediate gears. This radial arrangement allows torque to be transmitted directly from the ring gear to multiple spindles simultaneously, maintaining power transmission capability while reducing the axial length of the drive mechanism and achieving a more compact overall size.
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 compact design allows for fast, high-acceleration strokes with large force transmission, efficient waste disposal, and the ability to use a laser cutting head without obstructing the working area, resulting in a more compact and efficient metal-processing machine.
Implementation Method 1
a spindle gear, of which the at least one spindle runs in the stroke direction... a spindle-spindle nut unit with a hollow spindle
Implementation Method 2
a wedge gear. The piston-cylinder unit is arranged horizontally and moves a first gear wedge of the wedge gear in the horizontal direction. The first gear wedge has on its side facing upwards a wedge surface angled towards the horizontal. On this wedge surface of the first gear wedge rests a second gear wedge of the wedge gear with a corresponding wedge surface. The second gear wedge supports on its top a die holder and via this the die to be raised or lowered. By means of the wedge gear the horizontally oriented drive movement of the piston-cylinder unit is transformed into a vertical movement of the die.
Data Source
AI summary
Tool holding systems described herein include a tool holder configured to releasably retain a metal-processing tool and to define a tool holder passage extending along a stroke axis, an adjustment drive operable to rotate the tool holder about the stroke axis, and a stroke drive including a spindle operable independent of the adjustment drive to translate the tool holder along the stroke axis. The stroke drive defines a stroke drive passage cooperating with the tool holder passage to define a waste disposal passageway through the tool holding system.