Trunnion Table Machining Layout for Gravity Chip Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional machining methods lack precision and effective material removal, particularly in complex components with high tolerances, as they often result in vibration and inefficient chip management.

Innovation Solution

A machining device with a trunnion table pivoting around a horizontal axis and a spindle moving in a horizontal plane to allow for gravity-assisted chip removal, providing stability and precision through separate vertical and horizontal movements, and optional additional features like rotating workpiece tables and dual spindles for enhanced precision and simultaneous machining.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional vertical or horizontal milling machines are used, then the machining process can be performed, but the precision and chip removal efficiency are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining precisionVSAvoidchip removal efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional machining configuration by positioning the spindle and cutting tool below the workpiece, with the cutting tool directed upwards. This inversion allows chips to be effectively removed by gravity as they fall away from the workpiece surface, resolving the contradiction between maintaining machining precision and improving chip removal efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If the spindle and trunnion table movements are coupled, then the device structure is simpler, but vibration increases and precision decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidmachining precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the movement functions by providing independent vertical movement for the trunnion table (carrying the workpiece) and independent horizontal movement for the spindle. This segmentation decouples the two movement directions, preventing vibration transmission between axes and enabling higher machining precision while maintaining reasonable device complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If the cutting tool works from above or from the side, then the machining process is conventional, but chip removal is ineffective

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconventional machining approachVSAvoidchip accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by positioning the cutting tool below the workpiece with the spindle directed upwards. This inversion fundamentally changes the chip removal mechanism, allowing chips to be efficiently evacuated by gravity as they naturally fall away from the cutting zone, eliminating chip accumulation problems associated with traditional top-down or side-approach machining

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 solution achieves improved precision and stability in machining by allowing gravity-driven chip removal and independent movement of machining components, reducing vibration and enabling higher precision and efficient handling of complex components with high tolerances.

Implementation Method 1

a spindle adapted to hold a cutting tool directed upwards and arranged to be moved in a plane parallel to the horizontal plane by a spindle transporting device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical cutting: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

such that in a cutting state, chips cut from the workpiece is removed from the workpiece by gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4281246B1A machining device for machining a workpiece and a method thereof
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 MODIG MASCH TOOLS AB
  • EP4281246B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4281246B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4281246B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A machining device (100) is provided. The machining device comprising a trunnion table (102) adapted to hold a workpiece (104) and arranged to pivot around a pivot axis (106) by means of a pivoting motor, wherein the pivot axis (106) is parallel to a horizontal plane, a spindle (108) adapted to hold a cutting tool (110) directed upwards and arranged to be moved in a plane parallel to the horizontal plane by a spindle transporting device (112), and a trunnion table transporting device (128a, 128b) adapted to vertically transport the trunnion table (102) towards and away from the cutting tool (110), such that in a cutting state, chips (202) cut from the workpiece (104) is removed from the workpiece (104) by gravity.