Transport Wheel Loading for Burr-Tolerant Grinding Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine tools, such as double-sided face grinding machines, face challenges in rapidly and reliably loading workpieces onto transport elements due to complex kinematics and issues with workpieces having burrs on their edges.
Innovation Solution
A loading device featuring a rotatable transport wheel with workpiece holding areas along its circumference, allowing for radial inward loading and outward release, synchronized with the transport element's movement, utilizing holding pins and centrifugal force for efficient transfer, and a simple structure that accommodates workpieces with burrs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If workpieces are loaded onto a transport element using conventional loading devices, then workpiece transfer is achieved, but the loading process is slow and complex due to complicated kinematics
Solution Approach 1:
The loading device is segmented into multiple independent workpiece holding areas (at least three) distributed along the circumference of the transport wheel. Each holding area can independently grasp and transport workpieces, allowing parallel loading operations that increase productivity while keeping each individual holding area mechanically simple
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of complex multi-axis movements to load workpieces, the invention uses a simple rotational movement of the transport wheel about a horizontal drive axis. The workpiece holding areas rotate into position to grasp workpieces from a feed area and release them at a release area, inverting the conventional approach by using circular motion rather than linear complex kinematics
2Reliability
If conventional loading devices are used, then workpiece transfer is possible, but reliable tilt-free loading is difficult especially for workpieces with burrs on edges
Solution Approach 1:
The workpiece holding areas act as intermediaries between the feed area and the transport element. These holding areas with holding pins provide a controlled interface that grasps workpieces gently and maintains them in a tilted position during transport, preventing burrs from causing issues while ensuring reliable transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The holding pins in the workpiece holding areas are designed to dynamically adapt to workpieces with burrs. The pins can flex and adjust during the grasping and releasing process, maintaining reliable contact with workpieces regardless of edge irregularities, thus ensuring consistent loading even with burr-containing workpieces
3Productivity
If multiple workpieces are loaded simultaneously, then throughput increases, but the loading device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple workpiece holding areas are merged onto a single transport wheel that rotates about one common drive axis. This combining approach allows simultaneous loading of multiple workpieces while maintaining a unified, simple mechanical structure driven by a single motor, avoiding the complexity of multiple independent loading mechanisms
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
Enables fast, reliable, and tilt-free loading of workpieces, capable of handling multiple pieces simultaneously, with the potential for loading one workpiece while releasing another, achieving high throughput and efficient transfer into workpiece holders.
Implementation Method 1
which release individual workpieces in respective workpiece holders of the transport element in a radially outward direction relative to the drive axis
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a machine tool (10), in particular a grinding machine, having a working space (12), in which a workpiece (14) received in a transport element (20) can be machined. The transport element has a plurality of workpiece receptacles (26) for receiving workpieces to be machined. A workpiece received in one of the workpiece receptacles can be transported into the working space and out of the working space by means of the transport element. A loading device (32) is provided, by means of which individual workpieces can be fed to respective workpiece receptacles of the transport element. The loading device comprises a transport wheel (34), which can be rotated about a drive axis and which has workpiece-holding regions (40) distributed along its circumference, which workpiece-holding regions can be fitted with individual workpieces in a radially inward direction with respect to the drive axis and release individual workpieces into respective workpiece receptacles of the transport element in a radially outward direction with respect to the drive axis.