Turret Tool Pattern Recovery After Machining Interruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Machine tools face challenges in maintaining the correct tool pattern during machining processes, leading to potential interference issues due to changes in tool combinations, especially when resuming a machining program after interruption, which can result in unintended contact with workpieces or external equipment.
Innovation Solution
A machine tool system that includes a turret with multiple stations, a tool storage unit, a machining control unit, and a tool changing unit, which allows for the memorization and restoration of specific tool patterns associated with machining programs, enabling the system to automatically change tools and prevent interference by reproducing a 'safe' tool pattern when resuming a machining process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the machine tool changes tools during machining process, then the machining efficiency is improved, but the tool pattern may change causing interference with workpiece or external equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by saving the tool pattern before machining process interruption and automatically restoring it after resumption. This ensures that tools are in the correct positions before machining resumes, preventing interference with workpiece or external equipment while maintaining machining efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The machining control unit monitors the machining process state and detects interruptions. Upon resumption, it automatically retrieves and applies the saved tool pattern, creating a feedback loop that ensures tool pattern consistency and prevents interference without requiring manual intervention.
2Loss of time
If the machining program is re-executed after interruption, then the productivity is improved by avoiding full program re-run, but the tool pattern may be incorrect causing safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by saving the tool pattern at the point of interruption. When the program is resumed, this saved pattern is automatically restored, ensuring tool pattern correctness without requiring complete program re-execution, thus both saving time and maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the tool pattern at the interruption point and restores this copy when resuming machining. This copying mechanism ensures that the correct tool pattern is reproduced without re-executing the entire program, balancing time efficiency with reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If various tools are attached to the turret for versatile machining, then the adaptability is improved, but the risk of interference with external equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by saving the tool pattern that is known to be safe for the specific machining process. When resuming machining, this pre-validated pattern is restored, ensuring that even though various tools are available for versatile machining, only the safe combination is used, preventing interference with tailstock or anti-vibration device.
Data Source
AI summary
A machine tool includes a turret including first and second stations, a tool storage unit capable of storing tools therein, a machining control unit for controlling a tool in accordance with a machining program, a tool changing unit for replacing the tool attached to the turret with a tool stored in the tool storage unit, and a tool pattern memory for memorizing, as a first tool pattern, a combination of tools at the first and second stations which is associated with a first part of the machining program and, as a second tool pattern, a combination of tools at the first and second stations which is associated with a second part of the machining program after the first part. When machining is stopped during execution of the second part, the tool changing unit changes tools in accordance with a past tool pattern saved in association with a part before stop on the machining program.