Vertical Machining Center Suction Head Workpiece Fixation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vertical machining centers face inefficiencies in processing time due to the need to change the position of tong-like holding members when machining the lower end face of a workpiece, which complicates processing and increases time, and struggle to reliably fix workpieces of different sizes.
Innovation Solution
The use of suction heads that grip the workpiece from its rear side, allowing all end faces to be machined without interference, with adjustable suction heads to accommodate varying workpiece sizes, and a transport carriage with guide devices for precise positioning and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tong-like holding members are used to grip the workpiece on the lower end face, then the workpiece can be reliably grasped, but the lower end face cannot be machined continuously and processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the holding function from the machining area by using suction heads that grip the workpiece on the rear side (opposite face) rather than on the end face to be machined. This separation allows the machining tool to access the lower end face continuously without interference from holding members, eliminating the need to change holding member positions during machining operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of gripping the workpiece on the face to be machined (conventional approach), the invention grips the workpiece on the opposite rear side using suction heads. This inversion of the gripping location allows uninterrupted machining of all end faces including the lower end face, while maintaining reliable workpiece fixation throughout the machining process.
2Reliability
If fixed position holding members are used, then the workpiece can be securely held, but workpieces of different sizes cannot be reliably fixed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs movable suction heads that can be adjusted along the support wall in the X-direction and positioned at different locations. This dynamic positioning capability allows the suction heads to adapt to workpieces of different sizes while maintaining secure fixation, replacing the fixed position holding members with an adjustable system that responds to varying workpiece dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction heads are designed to perform multiple functions: they can grip workpieces of various sizes, maintain fixation stability during machining, and be repositioned along the support wall. This universal design allows a single holding system to handle diverse workpiece sizes reliably, eliminating the need for different holding members for different workpiece dimensions.
3Ease of manufacture
If the holding member position must be changed during machining, then the lower end face can be machined, but the processing becomes complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the holding function from the machining zone by positioning suction heads on the rear side of the workpiece, opposite to the end faces being machined. This extraction eliminates the need to change holding member positions during machining, simplifying the processing procedure while maintaining ease of machining access to all end faces including the lower end face.
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 continuous machining of all workpiece end faces without position changes, reducing processing time and ensuring stable fixation of workpieces of different sizes, allowing for unhindered processing and efficient movement.
Implementation Method 1
The suction heads can be subjected to negative pressure. The suction heads are fixed to a holding plate that can be moved in the X direction.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a vertical machining center (10) with a support wall (14) whose horizontal longitudinal orientation defines an X-direction and whose vertical orientation defines a Y-direction, as well as with a workpiece carrier (24) arranged at the lower end of the support wall (14), onto which a workpiece can be placed, and with a machining head (32) movable in the Y-direction along a guide beam (30) with several machining units (34) movable perpendicular to the support wall (14), as well as with a transport device (40) for moving the workpiece in the X-direction along the workpiece carrier (24), wherein the transport device (40) has at least one holding element for fixing the workpiece to the transport device (40).In order to further develop the vertical machining center in such a way that the end faces of the workpiece can be machined within a short time, it is proposed that the at least one holding element be designed as a suction head (54, 56) which can be subjected to negative pressure to fix the workpiece to the transport device (40).