Turret Tool Exchange Control for Expired Tool Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
In machine tools with a turret, exchanging expired tools is inefficient due to the changing tool positions caused by turret rotations, which hampers production efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A machine tool configuration with a control device that determines the presence of expired tools and automatically moves the head section and turret to a predetermined exchanging position, ensuring efficient tool exchange by rotating the turret and positioning the expired tool for replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple tools are attached to a turret and the turret is rotated to select different tools, then the versatility and operational flexibility are improved, but the difficulty of locating and exchanging expired tools increases due to changing tool positions
Solution Approach 1:
The control device determines the position of each tool in advance and identifies expired tools before exchange operations. By pre-calculating the turret rotation angle needed to bring the expired tool to the exchange position, the system prepares the exchange in advance, making the operation straightforward despite the rotating turret configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The control device continuously tracks the position of tools on the rotating turret and monitors which tools are expired. This feedback information is used to automatically calculate and execute the precise turret rotation angle needed to position the expired tool at the exchange location, resolving the complexity of locating tools on a rotating platform
2Device complexity
If manual operation is used to move the auxiliary magazine for tool exchange, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity and exchange efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The control device automatically determines the position of expired tools, calculates the required turret rotation angle, and executes the positioning without manual intervention. The system serves itself by using its own control capabilities to identify and prepare expired tools for exchange, eliminating the need for operator involvement while maintaining simple hardware architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated control systems. Instead of operators manually positioning the turret and identifying tools, the control device uses detection and calculation functions to automatically determine tool positions and execute rotations, substituting human mechanical action with electronic control while keeping the physical exchange mechanism simple
Data Source
AI summary
A machine tool configured to attach multiple tools to a turret is provided to improve the efficiency of a tool exchanging operation and, thus, also the production efficiency. A control device determines whether an expired tool, which is a tool needs to be exchanged, is present among the tools held by the turret. The control device sets a tool exchanging position, which is a position within the movable range of a head section and is a position where the expired tool is exchanged with a new tool. If the control device determines that an expired tool is present, the control device causes a head section driving device to move the head and rotate the turret to position the expired tool at the tool exchanging position.