Vacuum Suction Workpiece Clamping Jig for Thin-Walled Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional workpiece clamping jigs face issues with deflection and deformation of thin-walled workpieces due to mechanical clamping, leading to potential plastic deformation or vibration during machining, especially when surface roughness and flatness are not ensured.
Innovation Solution
A workpiece clamping jig with a baseplate, suction through-holes, fixed and movable abutting members, and a vacuum suction system that ensures close contact between the workpiece and the mounting surface, preventing deformation and vibration by using vacuum suction and precise abutting surfaces to secure the workpiece.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical clamping is used to hold the workpiece, then the workpiece can be securely positioned, but the thin-walled workpiece may deflect or deform due to clamping force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical clamping systems with a vacuum suction system. The workpiece is held securely through vacuum pressure applied through suction holes in the baseplate, eliminating the need for mechanical clamps that exert concentrated forces on thin-walled surfaces. This substitution maintains positioning stability while preventing deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs vacuum suction (a pneumatic principle) to clamp the workpiece. The vacuum pump creates negative pressure that is transmitted through the baseplate and suction holes to hold the workpiece firmly against the baseplate surface. This pneumatic clamping method distributes force evenly across the workpiece bottom surface, preventing localized deformation while maintaining secure positioning.
2Manufacturing precision
If vacuum suction is used to hold the workpiece, then mechanical deformation is reduced, but the workpiece may still be lifted by insufficient suction force under machining load
Solution Approach 1:
The baseplate is divided into multiple suction holes distributed across its surface rather than using a single large suction area. This segmentation allows the vacuum force to be distributed across multiple contact points, increasing the total holding force while maintaining even pressure distribution. The multiple suction holes work together to prevent workpiece lifting under machining loads while preserving surface flatness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the vacuum suction parameters by adjusting the number, size, and distribution of suction holes to optimize holding force. By changing these parameters, the system achieves sufficient vacuum pressure to counteract machining loads and prevent workpiece lifting, while maintaining the distributed force application that preserves surface flatness.
3Manufacturing precision
If the workpiece mounting surface is made flat and smooth to ensure close contact, then the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum suction system creates a self-adjusting contact mechanism. The vacuum pressure pulls the workpiece bottom surface into conformal contact with the baseplate mounting surface, allowing the system to achieve close contact even with moderate surface flatness. The vacuum force itself compensates for minor surface irregularities, reducing the need for highly precise surface finishing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a compliant element or cushioning mechanism between the baseplate and workpiece that compensates for surface irregularities. This beforehand cushioning allows the system to maintain close contact and effective vacuum sealing without requiring extremely flat mounting surfaces, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while ensuring reliable workpiece holding.
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 solution effectively prevents plastic deformation and vibration of the workpiece's bottom surface during machining by ensuring close contact and precise clamping, allowing for high-load machining without surface lifting and eliminating the need for additional clamping margins.
Implementation Method 1
vacuum suction is performed by applying negative pressure to a workpiece by means of a suction device such as a vacuum pump and suction through-holes in a workpiece mounting surface of the jig
Data Source
AI summary
A workpiece clamping jig configured to clamp a workpiece is provided with a baseplate, a fixed abutting member, and a movable abutting member. The baseplate has a pocket, which forms an air intake passage on the reverse side of a workpiece mounting surface, and a suction through-hole internally connecting the workpiece mounting surface and the pocket. The fixed abutting member is disposed on the baseplate and has a fixed abutting surface corresponding to the shape of the workpiece, and the movable abutting member has an abutting surface movable relative to the workpiece caused to abut against the fixed abutting surface of the fixed abutting member.