UV Radial Curing for Ring Workpiece Gluing Before Machining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for holding ring-shaped workpieces during machining, such as magnetic clamping and instant glue, face challenges like unwanted movement and deformation, particularly in small workpieces and those requiring transparent UV fixation points.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a support assembly, glue dispenser, gripper, and illuminating system using UV-light-activated glue, radially illuminated from both inner and outer radial faces to ensure secure bonding and minimize deformation risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnetic clamping tools are used to hold the workpiece, then the workpiece can be firmly held in place during machining, but small workpieces may be too small to be adequately clamped, increasing the risk of unwanted movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical clamping systems (magnetic clamping tools) with a chemical bonding system (UV-curable glue). This substitution allows the workpiece to be securely attached to the support element through adhesive bonding, which is not constrained by the size limitations of magnetic clamps. The UV-curable glue provides reliable fixation for workpieces of various sizes, including small ones that cannot be adequately clamped by magnetic tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the bonding mechanism from physical (magnetic) to chemical (adhesive). By using UV-curable glue, the system transitions from relying on magnetic force to relying on chemical adhesion, which has different scaling properties and can effectively bond small workpieces that are too small for adequate magnetic clamping.
2Reliability
If instant glue such as cyanoacrylate is used to hold the workpiece on a substrate, then the workpiece can be firmly attached during machining, but the released residual forces may cause distortion of the workpiece resulting in unacceptable circularity errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the curing mechanism of the adhesive from ambient curing (cyanoacrylate) to UV-light activated curing. This parameter change allows for controlled, uniform curing of the glue layer, which reduces residual stresses and prevents workpiece distortion. The UV-curable glue maintains firm attachment during machining while avoiding the circularity errors associated with instant glue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical curing process of instant glue (which occurs spontaneously and creates uneven stress distribution) with a light-activated curing process. This substitution provides controlled, uniform curing that minimizes residual forces and prevents workpiece distortion, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If UV-curable glue is used for joining the workpiece to the fixture, then deformation risks are reduced, but it is not always possible to use a fixture with transparent fixation points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by making the workpiece itself UV-transparent rather than requiring the fixture to have transparent fixation points. By selecting workpiece materials or treatments that allow UV light transmission, the system enables curing of the adhesive through the workpiece material, thereby eliminating the constraint on fixture design and maintaining geometric accuracy.
4Ease of operation
If the workpiece is held by its lower or upper face during machining, then the outer and inner radial faces and remaining face can be machined, but unwanted movement during machining may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical face-holding methods with UV-curable adhesive bonding. This substitution provides uniform attachment across the entire glued surface, preventing unwanted movement during machining while maintaining full accessibility for machining operations on all faces of the workpiece.
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 use of UV-light-activated glue with radial illumination reduces the risk of deformation and movement during machining, ensuring accurate geometry and surface quality of the workpiece.
Implementation Method 1
an illuminating system adapted to illuminate the applied glue with ultraviolet light... radially illuminating the glue both from the inner face and the outer face of the ring-shaped workpiece allows a better curing of the glue
Data Source
AI summary
A machine for gluing a ring-shaped workpiece prior to machining operations. The machine includes a support assembly adapted to receive a removable support element having a top surface for receiving a workpiece; a glue dispenser system adapted to apply a predefined amount of glue on a face of at least one of the workpiece and the support element; a gripper assembly for placing a workpiece on the support element; an illuminating system adapted to illuminate the applied glue with ultraviolet light, this illuminating system including: at least one inner lighting element for radially illuminating an inner radial face of the ring-shaped workpiece with ultraviolet light, and at least one outer lighting element for radially illuminating an outer radial face of the ring-shaped workpiece with ultraviolet light.