Vacuum Workpiece Locking Surface for Stable Through Machining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Machine tools with vacuum-based supporting surfaces face instability issues during machining due to pressure increases from atmospheric air entering the vacuum chamber, leading to reduced panel stability.
Innovation Solution
A machine tool system featuring a supporting surface with multiple chambers and locking devices that allow selective fluid communication between vacuum chambers, using movable elements to control air flow and maintain panel adherence through controlled depressions, ensuring stability during machining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vacuum chamber is used to hold workpieces on the supporting surface, then the workpieces can be securely locked in place, but atmospheric air enters the chamber during through machining causing pressure increase and reducing stability
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum chamber is divided into multiple independent vacuum chambers, each capable of maintaining vacuum independently. This segmentation allows selective application of vacuum to different zones, preventing atmospheric air from compromising the entire chamber's vacuum during through machining operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the supporting surface are equipped with independent vacuum control through separate chambers and locking devices. This allows local adjustment of vacuum application, maintaining stability in areas where needed while allowing air entry in machining zones without affecting overall workpiece security.
2Productivity
If through machining is performed on workpieces, then complete machining of the workpiece thickness is achieved, but seal loss between panel and supporting surface causes pressure increase in the vacuum chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum chamber is segmented into multiple independent chambers, allowing through machining in one area without compromising the vacuum integrity of other chambers. This enables complete machining through the workpiece while maintaining pressure control in unaffected zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls vacuum application through movable locking devices that can adjust their state based on machining requirements. During through machining, the system can selectively maintain or release vacuum in specific zones, adapting to the changing sealing conditions as the cutting tool passes through the workpiece.
3Force
If pressure increases in the vacuum chamber, then atmospheric air enters the chamber, but this produces a worsening of the attractiveness force and reduces panel stability
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the vacuum chamber into independent zones, the attractiveness force is maintained locally in chambers where vacuum is active. When through machining causes seal loss in one area, only that specific zone experiences pressure equalization, while other zones continue to provide strong attractiveness force and panel stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies vacuum attraction force locally through distributed locking devices connected to separate vacuum chambers. This ensures that attractiveness force is exerted precisely where needed to maintain panel stability, while allowing pressure changes in specific zones during machining without affecting the overall stability provided by other vacuum zones.
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 system achieves enhanced panel stability and adherence to the working surface, even during through machining, by managing air pressure and preventing atmospheric air entry into the vacuum chamber, thus maintaining precision and stability.
Implementation Method 1
a first chamber (4) connectable with means (16) for generating a depression; a second chamber (5) which is unconnected with said first chamber (4) and which is connectable with means (16) for generating a depression
Implementation Method 2
said at least one workpiece is lockable on said supporting surface by an attraction force which is exerted by a depression which is in said first chamber (4) and generated by said means for generating a depression
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
The present invention relates to a machine tool for machining workpieces which comprises: a supporting surface (1) to allow, in use, placing at least one workpiece, a plurality of openings being formed in said supporting surface (1); a first chamber (4) connectable with means for generating a depression; a second chamber (5) which is unconnected with said first chamber (4) and which is connectable with means for generating a depression; and a plurality of locking devices (6) each connected with said first chamber (4), said second chamber (5) and a respective opening of said openings of said supporting surface (1); each locking device (6) comprising a movable element (13) which is selectively movable at least to a first position, where said respective opening is in fluid communication with said first chamber (4) but not with said second chamber (5), and a second position, where said respective opening is in fluid communication with said second chamber (5) but not with said first chamber (4), such that when placing said at least one workpiece on said supporting surface (1) in correspondence with a determined number of openings of said plurality of openings, said at least one workpiece is lockable on said supporting surface (1) by an attraction force which is exerted by a depression which is in said first chamber (4) and generated by said means for generating a depression, and/or by a depression which is in said second chamber (5) and generated by said means for generating a depression.