Wire Guide Fixing Mechanism for Wire EDM

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing fixing mechanisms for wire guides in wire electric discharge machines suffer from low restoration accuracy and high maintenance costs due to loose-fitting screw configurations, leading to errors in positioning and prolonged measurement times during wire guide exchanges, which hinder productivity.

Innovation Solution

A fixing mechanism that separates the wire guide into a consumable part and a highly-accurately machined fixing part, utilizing V-shaped planar parts, convex and concave fittings, and cylindrical features to enhance positional accuracy and allow for cost-effective reuse of the fixing part, thereby improving the restoration accuracy and reducing the need for frequent measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a screw part with both positioning and fixing roles is used, then the structure is simplified, but the restoration accuracy of the wire guide fixing position deteriorates due to loose-fitting structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidrestoration accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The screw part is divided into two separate functional components: a positioning screw that provides precise XY direction positioning through a loose-fitting structure, and a fixing screw that secures the wire guide to the wire guide supporting part. This segmentation allows each screw to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and restoration accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the wire guide is exchanged frequently to adapt to different machining conditions, then the adaptability is improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to long measurement time required for each exchange

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining condition adaptabilityVSAvoidmachining efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning screw and fixing screw are pre-configured with specific functions and structures that enable rapid positioning and securing of the wire guide. The positioning screw's loose-fitting structure allows for quick insertion and positioning, while the fixing screw provides immediate secure attachment, eliminating the need for time-consuming measurements after each wire guide exchange.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If a loose-fitting screw structure is used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates due to gap between male and female screws

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The screw mechanism is segmented into positioning and fixing functions. The positioning screw uses a loose-fitting structure that is easy to manufacture, while the fixing screw provides secure attachment. This segmentation allows the system to benefit from the manufacturing ease of loose-fitting structures without sacrificing overall positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning screw acts as an intermediary between the wire guide and the wire guide supporting part, providing preliminary positioning in the XY direction before the fixing screw secures the assembly. This intermediary positioning mechanism compensates for the gaps in the loose-fitting structure, maintaining positioning accuracy while preserving manufacturing ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2617507B1Fixing mechanism of wire guide of wire electric discharge machine
Publication Date: 2018.03.21 FANUC LTD
  • EP2617507B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2617507B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2617507B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

On a wire guide supporting face (12c) of a wire guide supporting part (12) which supports a wire guide (14) of a wire electric discharge machine, two wall faces (12a, 12b) which are orthogonal to the wire guide supporting face (12c) are arranged in a V shape. On the other hand, two planar parts (14a, 14b)which are abutted on the two orthogonal wall faces (12a, 12b) of the wire guide supporting part (12) are formed on the wire guide. Then, the wire guide (14) is fixed on the wire guide supporting part with a screw in a state in which the two orthogonal wall faces (12a, 12b) of the wire guide supporting part (12) and the two planar parts (14a, 14b) of the wire guide (14) are respectively abutted on each other.