Torque-Driven Swivel Arm Machine Tool for Fast Stable Pivoting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine tools with pivoting arms require complex mechanisms and result in slower pivoting movements due to the need for multiple moving parts and increased risk of vibrations from high center of gravity when positioning the tool spindle.
Innovation Solution
A simplified machine tool design featuring a direct drive of the pivoting arm by a torque motor on a horizontal swivel axis, reducing the number of moving parts and stabilizing the center of gravity, allowing for faster and more precise pivoting movements with a five-axis capability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a spindle drive and lever mechanism are used to achieve swiveling movement of the swivel arm, then the machine tool can perform the swiveling movement, but the design becomes complex and the swiveling speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the intermediate lever mechanism from the drive system, directly connecting the spindle drive to the swivel arm. This extraction of the unnecessary intermediate mechanism simplifies the design while enabling faster direct drive operation, resolving the contradiction between design complexity and swiveling speed.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex lever mechanism to achieve swiveling, the patent inverts the approach by using the spindle drive directly on the swivel axis. This inversion of the drive architecture eliminates the need for intermediate transmission components, achieving both simplicity and speed.
2Length of moving object
If the tool spindle is positioned on the swivel arm with a high center of gravity, then the tool spindle can reach upper positions, but vibrations increase and stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the tool spindle such that its center of gravity remains low and close to the swivel axis throughout the range of motion. This counteracts the gravitational torque that would otherwise cause vibrations, maintaining stability while achieving full positional range.
Solution Approach 2:
The design ensures that the center of gravity of the tool spindle assembly remains at a constant low position relative to the swivel axis during rotation, creating an equipotential gravitational field that eliminates vibrational tendencies throughout the motion range.
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 design enables faster and more precise pivoting of the tool spindle with reduced vibrations, enhancing machining efficiency and stability, particularly suitable for machining large and heavy workpieces like blisks.
Implementation Method 1
The direct drive of the swivel arm 6 by a torque motor arranged on the swivel axis 7 allows for fast and precise movements of the tool spindle 8
Implementation Method 2
The horizontal movements of the swivel arm 6 on the second linear guide 2 are preferably performed by a linear motor
Implementation Method 3
The plain bearing 22 provides vibration damping through its oil film (squeeze film damping)
Implementation Method 4
A ball screw, for example, is provided for the horizontal movement of the workpiece clamping device 3 on the first linear guide 1
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The machine tool has a machine bed (10) with a first horizontal linear guide (1) and a second horizontal linear guide (2) arranged perpendicular to the first linear guide (1). A workpiece clamping device (3) is axially displaceable on the first linear guide (1). It is pivotable about a pivot axis (4) oriented parallel to the second linear guide (2) and rotatable about a rotary axis (5) oriented perpendicular to the pivot axis (4). A swivel arm (6) is axially displaceable on the second linear guide (2). The swivel axis (7) of the swivel arm is parallel to the first linear guide (1), and the free end of the swivel arm carries a tool spindle (8) whose axis (9) is oriented parallel to the first linear guide (1). The swivel arm (6) is pivotable by means of a torque motor arranged on its pivot axis (7).