Vacuum Worktable Caps With Floating O-Rings for Fast Port Selection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine tool worktables with suction systems require manual reconfiguration and are costly due to the need for dedicated surfaces or time-consuming threaded cap operations to select and deselect suction regions, making them inefficient and impractical for rapid workpiece positioning.
Innovation Solution
A worktable with self-locking caps featuring a floating O-ring that automatically activates or deactivates suction ports based on the workpiece's position, eliminating the need for manual threading and ensuring rapid, reliable, and cost-effective selection of suction regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated suction surface is provided for each workpiece type, then the suction effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The suction surface is divided into multiple independent suction ports that can be individually activated or deactivated. Each suction port can be controlled separately through caps with floating O-rings, allowing the system to adapt to different workpiece shapes without requiring multiple dedicated surfaces. This segmentation enables a single versatile surface to replace multiple dedicated surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction ports are designed to be dynamically configurable through caps with floating O-rings that can be quickly positioned to activate or deactivate specific ports. This dynamic configuration allows the same suction surface to adapt to different workpiece types and shapes, providing the reliability of dedicated surfaces while maintaining the cost-effectiveness of a single reusable surface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If threaded caps are used to close suction ports, then the suction port selection is achieved, but the operation time increases due to screwing and unscrewing
Solution Approach 1:
The cap incorporates a floating O-ring that automatically seals against the suction port when the cap is positioned over it. The floating O-ring self-adjusts to create a seal without requiring threaded engagement or manual sealing actions. This self-service mechanism eliminates the time-consuming screwing and unscrewing operations while maintaining the ability to selectively activate or deactivate suction ports.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded mechanical connection system is replaced with a floating O-ring sealing system. Instead of relying on threads to secure the cap and create a seal, the floating O-ring provides automatic sealing through elastic deformation when the cap is positioned over the suction port. This substitution dramatically reduces the time required for cap installation and removal while maintaining effective suction port selection.
3Reliability
If the O-ring is fully accommodated in the seat, then the suction port is properly sealed, but the workpiece must be held in position manually before vacuum creation
Solution Approach 1:
The floating O-ring is pre-positioned on the cap in such a way that it automatically engages with the suction port when the cap is placed over it. The O-ring's floating nature allows it to self-adjust and seal the suction port as soon as the cap is positioned, eliminating the need for manual workpiece positioning or holding before vacuum creation. The sealing action occurs automatically as part of the cap placement process.
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
Enables rapid and certain workpiece positioning without operator intervention, reducing setup time and costs by automatically managing suction regions through the use of floating O-rings, enhancing operational efficiency and practicality.
Implementation Method 1
each one of said caps comprises a floating O-ring, adapted to be arranged around the cap, said floating O-ring being adapted to pass from an inactive position, in which said floating O-ring keeps the cap raised with respect to the surface of said worktable, to an active position, in which said O-ring is arranged so that said cap is level with the surface of said worktable
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of suction ports adapted to allow the creation of a vacuum in order to aspirate a workpiece deposited on the upper surface of said worktable
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A worktable (1) for a machine tool, comprising a plurality of suction ports (2) adapted to allow the creation of a vacuum in order to aspirate a workpiece deposited on the upper surface of the worktable, caps (5) being provided for closing suction ports (2) that are to be rendered inactive; each one of the caps (6) comprises a floating O-ring (7), adapted to be arranged around the cap (6), the floating O-ring (7) being adapted to pass from an inactive position, in which the floating O-ring (7) keeps the cap (6) raised with respect to the surface of the worktable, to an active position, in which the floating O-ring (7) is arranged so that the cap is level with the surface of the worktable, in order to close the corresponding suction port (6).