Turret Head Indexing Layout for Compact Multi-Tool Lathes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lathes with decentered turret heads require larger machine sizes and increased costs due to the need for multiple servo motors for turret rotation and movement, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A lathe design featuring a spindle, a turret head with radially attached tool units on an indexing axis, and a turret driver with bidirectional feeding mechanisms along the X, Y, and Z axes, allowing the turret head to rotate and move on the indexing axis, eliminating the need for rotating the entire turret and reducing machine size and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the entire turret with decentered turret head is rotated on the B-axis, then the tool units can be positioned for machining, but the occupied area increases and the machine size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the turret system into two independent parts: the turret head (containing tool units) and the turret body (support structure). The turret head can rotate independently on the indexing axis while the turret body remains stationary or rotates minimally on the B-axis. This segmentation allows tool positioning without requiring the entire turret to occupy large space during rotation.
2Ease of operation
If the entire turret with decentered turret head is rotated on the B-axis, then the tool units can be positioned for machining, but the number of servo motors increases and the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the rotation functions: the turret head rotates on the indexing axis (independent of B-axis rotation), while the turret body handles minimal B-axis rotation. This allows using a single servo motor for B-axis rotation instead of requiring separate motors for both the entire turret and the turret head, reducing device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the B-axis rotation function with the turret body support structure, allowing the turret body to rotate on the B-axis while the turret head handles indexing independently. This merging reduces the need for separate drive mechanisms and servo motors, simplifying the overall system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the turret head is decentered with respect to the B-axis, then multiple tool units can be attached on multiple turret surfaces, but the occupied area during B-axis rotation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the turret into a rotating turret head and a stationary (or minimally rotating) turret body. The decentered turret head with multiple turret surfaces can rotate on the indexing axis independent of B-axis rotation, allowing multiple tool attachments without increasing the occupied area during B-axis movements, as the turret body remains compact.
Data Source
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AI summary
A technology capable of downsizing the lathe is provided. The lathe 1 comprises a spindle 30 which rotates a workpiece W1 on a spindle axis AX1, a turret head 40, and a tool unit switching driving unit 51. The turret head 40 has a plurality of turret surfaces 41 to which a tool unit U0 is radially attached around an indexing axis AX2. To at least part of the turret surfaces 41, the tool unit U0 is attached in a plurality of attaching positions P0 provided in an indexing axis direction D2 along the indexing axis AX2. The tool unit switching driving unit 51 rotates the turret head 40 on the indexing axis AX2 and moves the turret head 40 in the indexing axis direction D2 to switch the tool units U0 for use to machine the workpiece W1.