Twin Rod Support With Open-Side Loading for Variable Diameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine tool support systems for rod-shaped workpieces are inefficient in handling varying diameters and require opening or reconfiguration for loading and unloading, leading to weight distribution issues and complex handling processes.
Innovation Solution
A support device with rotatable twin supports featuring quadrant-shaped surfaces that adjust to varying diameters without altering the longitudinal axis, allowing for easy loading and unloading through an open side, and utilizing spiral profiles for consistent contact and handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If holders enclose the profile laterally and need to be opened for loading and unloading, then the workpiece can be securely held during machining, but the handling process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The support device uses rotatable support elements that can dynamically adjust their position. During loading/unloading, the support elements are rotated to an open position allowing easy access. During machining, they rotate to a closed position that securely holds the workpiece, thus resolving the contradiction between secure holding and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support device is divided into multiple independent support elements that can operate separately. Each support element can be individually adjusted and rotated, allowing the loading mechanism to remain simple while multiple segments work together to provide secure holding during machining.
2Device complexity
If supports are designed with fixed geometry, then the structure is simple, but they cannot adapt to different workpiece diameters
Solution Approach 1:
The support elements are designed to be rotatable around rotational axes, allowing them to dynamically change their effective radius. By rotating the support elements to different angular positions, the device can adapt to various workpiece diameters while maintaining a relatively simple fixed structure, thus resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support device changes its geometric parameters (effective radius, support position) by rotating the support elements rather than physically reconfiguring the structure. This parameter change through rotation allows adaptation to different workpiece diameters while keeping the overall device structure simple and fixed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable supports are used to accommodate varying diameters, then versatility is improved, but the adjustment mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with multiple moving parts, the invention uses simple rotation of support elements around fixed axes. This dynamic adjustment through rotation achieves versatile diameter adaptation with a minimal adjustment mechanism, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
4Manufacturing precision
If the support system must be reconfigured for each workpiece, then precision can be optimized, but productivity decreases due to reconfiguration time
Solution Approach 1:
The support elements can be quickly rotated to different positions to achieve precise support for different workpiece diameters without full reconfiguration. This dynamic adjustment is much faster than traditional reconfiguration methods, thus maintaining manufacturing precision while improving productivity by reducing cycle time.
Solution Approach 2:
The support device is pre-configured with multiple rotational positions that correspond to different workpiece diameters. The operator simply needs to rotate the support elements to the appropriate pre-determined position rather than performing complex reconfiguration, thus achieving precision quickly and maintaining high productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a support device (200) for supporting a rod-shaped workpiece (110) for a machine tool (100) along a longitudinal axis (L) of a support area (220). The support device (200) comprises at least one twin support (210) adapted to support a section of the workpiece (110) in the support area (220), wherein the twin support (210) comprises two support elements (300, 310) each being rotatable around a rotational axis (R1, R2), wherein each of the rotational axes (R1, R2) is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L), wherein each support element (300, 310) comprises a quadrant shaped support surface (330) forming together a semicircular shaped support surface (340) adapted for supporting a section of the workpiece (110), wherein the support area (220) comprises an open side opposed to the semicircular shaped support surface (340), and wherein the support elements (300, 310) are adapted to provide a varying diameter of the semicircular shaped support surface (340) based upon the position of rotation around the rotational axis (R1, R2) in order to support varying workpieces (110).