Transfer Machine Motor Layout Outside the Work Radius
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transfer machine designs face limitations due to the mounting of actuation motors within the work radius, leading to constraints on motor size and power, increased space occupation, maintenance difficulties, and thermal deformation issues with large diameter tables.
Innovation Solution
The transfer machine design features an actuation motor mounted externally to the work radius with a horizontally oriented driving shaft, utilizing a selectively activatable transmission assembly that allows for linear movement between coupled and uncoupled states, enabling the use of motors of any size without increasing table diameter and improving accessibility for maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the actuation motor is mounted inside the work radius, then the space occupation of the frame is reduced, but the motor size and power are constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation motor is extracted from the interior of the work radius and mounted on the exterior of the work radius. This allows the motor to have unrestricted size and power capabilities while the transmission assembly mediates the power delivery to the collet assembly, resolving the contradiction between frame space and motor power.
2Device complexity
If the actuation motor is mounted inside the work radius, then the frame structure is compact, but maintenance access becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is extracted from the congested interior mounting location to the exterior of the work radius, where maintenance personnel can easily access it. The transmission assembly serves as the intermediary mechanism that connects the externally mounted motor to the collet assembly, maintaining functional integrity while improving maintainability.
3Ease of manufacture
If a large diameter table is used to accommodate motors within work radius, then the motor mounting is simplified, but the table weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor mounting is extracted from the table structure itself to the frame structure exterior to the work radius. This eliminates the need for large diameter tables, reducing table weight while the transmission assembly handles the power transmission from the externally mounted motor to the collet assembly.
4Area of stationary object
If a large diameter table is used, then motor mounting space is available, but thermal deformation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor and its mounting space are extracted from the table to the frame exterior. This allows small diameter tables that are less susceptible to thermal deformation, while the externally mounted motor on the frame provides adequate mounting space without compromising table thermal stability.
5Device complexity
If the motor is mounted with vertical shaft inside work radius, then the transmission is compact, but the machine height must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The motor mounting is moved from the vertical dimension (inside work radius with vertical shaft) to the horizontal exterior dimension (outside work radius with horizontal shaft). This dimensional change allows the transmission assembly to be arranged horizontally, avoiding the need to increase machine height while maintaining effective power transmission.
Data Source
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AI summary
A transfer machine (1, 10, 100) comprising: - a frame (2), - a table (3) which is supported on the frame (2) and can rotate with respect to the frame (2) about a main vertical axis (Y1), - a plurality of work holding assemblies (4) mounted on the table (3), each work holding assembly (4) being provided with at least one collet assembly (41) for retaining a workpiece being machined, the collet assembly (41) being able to rotate with respect to the table (3) about a vertical workpiece rotation axis (Y2), - at least one actuation motor (6, 60) in order to actuate rotationally the collet assembly (41) and provided with a driving shaft (61, 610) which can rotate about a respective driving axis, - at least one transmission assembly (5, 50), which can be activated selectively and is configured to transmit motion from the driving shaft (61, 610) to the collet assembly (41). The particularity of the invention resides in that said at least one actuation motor (6, 60) is integral with the frame (2) of the machine, with the respective driving shaft (61, 610) arranged horizontally.