Transfer Machine Collet Drive Layout Outside the Work Radius
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine tools with motors mounted inside the work radius face limitations such as the need for small, lightweight motors due to space constraints, leading to reduced power, increased cost, awkward maintenance, and thermal deformation issues with larger diameter tables.
Innovation Solution
The motor is integrated with the frame and has a horizontally arranged driving shaft, allowing it to be mounted externally to the work radius, reducing space occupation and improving accessibility for maintenance while minimizing thermal deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the motor is mounted inside the work radius, then the space occupation of the frame is reduced, but the motor size and power are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The motor mounting position is moved from inside the work radius to outside the work radius, changing the spatial dimension of motor placement. This allows the motor to be positioned in a different spatial zone that does not interfere with the work area, thereby enabling larger motor sizes and higher power output without increasing frame space occupation within the work radius.
2Area of stationary object
If the motor is mounted inside the work radius, then the frame space is saved, but maintenance access becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is extracted from the constrained space inside the work radius and relocated to the external area outside the work radius. This extraction removes the motor from the crowded internal space where maintenance access is blocked by the table and machining stations, providing clear access paths for maintenance personnel and equipment while the motor remains integrated with the frame structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a large diameter table is used to accommodate motors, then motor mounting flexibility increases, but thermal deformation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solution moves motor mounting from the table structure to the frame structure outside the work radius. This dimensional relocation allows motors of any size and power to be mounted on the frame without requiring an increased table diameter. The table maintains its original small diameter, thereby minimizing thermal deformation while the frame provides the necessary adaptability for versatile motor mounting configurations.
4Temperature
If the table diameter is increased to reduce thermal deformation, then thermal stability improves, but the main motor must be oversized
Solution Approach 1:
The collets are extracted from the traditional configuration where they rotate with the table, and are instead mounted on the frame outside the work radius. This extraction allows the table to maintain a small diameter for thermal stability, while the collets receive rotational drive from motors mounted on the frame. The main motor that drives the table can therefore be sized appropriately for the reduced table weight and inertia, avoiding the need for an oversized main motor.
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer machine:includes a frame,a table which is supported on the frame and can rotate with respect to the frame about a main vertical axis,and work holding assemblies mounted on the table. Each work holding assembly has at least one collet assembly for retaining a workpiece being machined. The collet assembly is able to rotate with respect to the table about a vertical workpiece rotation axis.The transfer machine includes at least one actuation motor in order to actuate rotationally the collet assembly and is provided with a driving shaft which can rotate about a respective driving axis.At least one transmission assembly can be activated selectively and is configured to transmit motion from the driving shaft to the collet assembly.At least one actuation motor is integral with the frame of the machine, with the respective driving shaft arranged horizontally.