Triangular Machine Tool Bed for Stable Three-Point Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional machine tools face challenges in maintaining uniform support and rigidity, leading to decreased machining accuracy due to four-point support systems, which result in instability and increased vibration, particularly in grinding machines with column-type and saddle-type configurations.
Innovation Solution
A machine tool design featuring a bed with a triangular bottom surface supported at three points, incorporating adjustable legs and reinforcement structures to enhance stability and reduce weight, allowing for easier height adjustment and improved rigidity, thereby increasing machining accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If four-point support is used to support the bed on the installation surface, then the bed can be supported at four corners, but it is difficult to perform height adjustment at the four points such that the bed is supported with uniform force at every point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts one support point from the four-point support system, transitioning to a three-point support system. This eliminates the complexity of coordinating height adjustments at four points while maintaining bed stability and support uniformity through the simplified three-point configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of attempting to achieve uniform support force through complex adjustment mechanisms at four points, the patent inverts the approach by using three-point support where uniformity is achieved through the geometric stability of the triangular support base, eliminating the need for complex height adjustments.
2Strength
If the bed is formed through casting to ensure sufficient strength and stability with three-point support, then strength is improved, but it becomes difficult to prevent the bed from becoming heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bed structure into a modular framework composed of multiple beam-like members arranged in a triangular configuration. This segmentation allows the bed to achieve sufficient strength through the structural arrangement rather than relying on heavy casting, thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structural approach using multiple beam members joined together to form the bed framework. This composite construction provides strength comparable to casting but with reduced weight, as the load is distributed across multiple structural elements rather than requiring a single heavy cast component.
3Strength
If the bed is formed through casting with three-point support, then strength is improved, but the rigidity of the entire bed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bed into a framework of multiple rigid beam members connected at joints. This segmentation creates a triangulated structure that inherently provides high rigidity, matching or exceeding cast bed performance while enabling the weight and structural optimizations that improve machining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a monolithic three-dimensional cast structure to a multi-dimensional framework structure. This dimensional reorganization distributes structural functions across multiple elements in space, achieving equivalent or superior rigidity with reduced mass, thereby improving the natural frequency and machining accuracy.
4Ease of operation
If the bed has a quadrilateral box shape with three-point support, then it can be supported at three points, but the bed tends to be unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the bed's bottom surface geometry from a quadrilateral (four-sided) shape to a triangular (three-sided) shape. This asymmetric geometric change aligns the bed's structural form with the three-point support configuration, creating inherent geometric stability that prevents the instability issues associated with forcing a quadrilateral form into a three-point support system.
5Ease of operation
If the bed has a quadrilateral box shape with three-point support, then it can be supported at three points, but the bed has a high volume and weight which reduces the natural frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bed into a lightweight framework structure with triangular geometry, dramatically reducing the volume and weight compared to a solid quadrilateral box. This segmentation maintains structural strength while minimizing mass, thereby increasing the natural frequency and improving machining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adopts a triangular bottom surface geometry instead of a quadrilateral box shape. This asymmetric geometric choice optimizes the structure for three-point support, reducing material volume and weight while maintaining stability, thus increasing natural frequency and machining precision.
6Length of moving object
If a vertically long column is used in column-type grinding machine, then the column can support the tool shaft, but the thickness of the bed located below the column decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent redistributes the column support function across multiple horizontal levels and structural elements rather than concentrating it in a single vertical element. This dimensional redistribution allows the bed thickness below the column to be increased while still providing adequate support for the tool shaft, improving structural rigidity and reducing deformation.
7Area of stationary object
If the saddle and table are made large to accommodate workpiece machining, then machining capability is improved, but the total weight becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the saddle and table structure into a modular framework composed of lighter beam-like elements rather than using solid construction. This segmentation maintains the required table area for workpiece machining while significantly reducing the overall weight through the use of a lattice or truss-style structural arrangement.
Data Source
AI summary
A machine tool includes a bed including a bottom surface and legs arranged at three positions of the bottom surface. The bed includes two oblique sides arranged such that the bottom surface has a triangular shape. The machine tool also includes a first support surface arranged on the bed and extending along a substantially horizontal first axis, a work table supported by the first support surface so as to move along the first axis, a second support surface arranged on the bed and extending along a substantially horizontal second axis, which is perpendicular to the first axis, and a machining unit supported by the second support surface so as to move along the second axis. The second support surface is located higher than the first support surface.