Valve Control Electric Power System for Machine Tool Vacuum Stopping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional machine tools require manual intervention to control and modify the vacuum compartments for stopping workpieces, which is inefficient and limits the ability to automatically adjust the stopping system.
Innovation Solution
An electric power system that uses a voltage generator and multiple electrical lines to control valves, allowing them to switch between open and closed positions based on predetermined potential differences, enabling automatic control of the vacuum compartments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual intervention is used to control valves for vacuum compartments, then the system can be operated with simple electrical infrastructure, but the ability to automatically adjust the stopping system is limited and operational efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical infrastructure is segmented into a common electrical line shared by all valves and individual electrical lines specific to each valve. This segmentation allows automatic control capability while minimizing the overall electrical infrastructure required, as the common line carries power to multiple valves simultaneously rather than requiring separate wiring for each control point.
Solution Approach 2:
The common electrical line serves multiple functions by providing power to all valves in the system simultaneously. This multi-functional approach reduces the total amount of electrical infrastructure needed while enabling automatic control of the entire stopping system through a unified electrical architecture.
2Productivity
If manual intervention with screwdrivers is used to modify valve configuration, then the electrical system remains simple, but productivity and operational speed are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical operation of valves using screwdrivers is replaced with an electrical actuation system. Each valve is connected to individual electrical lines that can be controlled automatically, eliminating the need for manual mechanical intervention and significantly increasing operational speed and productivity.
3Extent of automation
If a comprehensive electrical system with separate lines for each valve is implemented, then full automatic control is achieved, but the electrical infrastructure becomes excessively complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical system is segmented into one common line shared by all valves and individual lines for each valve. This segmentation provides automatic control capability while minimizing the total quantity of electrical infrastructure, as the common line efficiently distributes power to multiple valves rather than requiring completely separate wiring for each control point.
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
This solution allows for automatic control of workpiece stopping, reduces the need for manual intervention, and minimizes the electrical infrastructure required, making the system more efficient and economical.
Implementation Method 1
An electric power system that uses a voltage generator and multiple electrical lines to control valves, allowing them to switch between open and closed positions based on predetermined potential differences
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum pump configured for creating a vacuum condition beneath the panels to be machined when the valves of said holes are in an open position, in such a way that both the panels to be machined and the support panel are attracted, strongly and stably, towards the supporting surface
Data Source
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AI summary
Described is a machine tool (1) for machining workpieces, preferably wooden panels. The machine tool (1) comprises a system for stopping workpieces to be machined, comprising: a support (6) for supporting at least one workpiece to be machined, in said support (6) being formed a plurality of openings (9) communicating with at least one chamber (16) provided beneath the support (6); a system for generating a negative pressure connected to said at least one chamber (16) for generating a negative pressure in said at least one chamber (16); a plurality of valves (10), wherein each valve (10) of said plurality of valves (10) is associated with a respective opening (9) and is movable between an opening position, wherein said opening (9) is left at least partially open by said valve (10) in such a way as to allow, in use, the propagation of the negative pressure from said at least one chamber (16) through said opening (9) and the stopping of said at least one workpiece to be machined by attraction towards said support (6), and a closed position wherein said valve (10) closes said opening (9); wherein each valve of said plurality of valves (10) is configured for moving from said open position to said closed position or vice versa when it is powered with a difference of potential which is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value; and an electric power system for electrically powering said plurality of valves (10), said electric power system comprising a voltage generator (14), at least a first electrical line (15a1, 15a2, ..., 15an) connected to said voltage generator (14) and a plurality of second electrical lines (15b1, 15b2, ..., 15bn) connected to said voltage generator (14), wherein each valve of said plurality of valves (10) is connected electrically to said at least a first electrical line (15a1, 15a2, ..., 15an) and to an electrical line of said plurality of second electrical lines (15b1, 15b2, ..., 15bn), in such a way that when a predetermined first potential is supplied to said at least a first electrical line (15a1, 15a2, ..., 15an) and a predetermined second potential is supplied to an electrical line of said plurality of second electrical lines (15b1, 15b2, ..., 15bn) connected to a predetermined valve (10'), said predetermined valve (10') moves from said closed position to said open position or vice versa; the difference between said predetermined first potential and said predetermined second potential being greater than or equal to said predetermined threshold value.