Work Holder Dovetail Slot for Residue-Free Machining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machining fixtures struggle to securely hold workpieces with complex geometries during machining operations, particularly in 5-axis vertical machining centers, without leaving residual protuberances on the finished products.
Innovation Solution
A work holder with a dovetail slot and trifurcated side walls, combined with modified clamps and springs, securely grips workpieces through a dovetail protuberance, allowing for precise vertical and horizontal positioning and easy removal post-machining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a workpiece is securely held to the work holder during machining operations, then machining precision and stability are improved, but residual protuberances remain on the finished product
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the harmful protuberance feature from the workpiece after machining is completed. By grinding away the protuberance that was necessary for secure holding during machining, the finished product achieves both machining precision and a clean surface without residual features
Solution Approach 2:
The dovetail protuberance is prepared in advance on the workpiece before machining operations. This preliminary feature enables secure attachment to the work holder during machining, ensuring machining precision, and is subsequently removed to eliminate the harmful residual feature
2Strength
If a dovetail protuberance is used to attach the workpiece to the work holder, then holding firmness is improved, but the workpiece requires additional post-processing removal
Solution Approach 1:
The dovetail protuberance is completely removed after machining by grinding operations. This extraction eliminates the attachment feature that was temporarily necessary, converting the time investment into a one-time operation that enables secure holding during machining without permanent residue
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing machining fixtures are used to hold complex geometry workpieces, then general applicability is maintained, but secure gripping of complex geometries is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The work holder incorporates a specifically designed dovetail slot with particular geometric characteristics that provide enhanced local gripping capability for workpieces with dovetail protuberances. This localized specialized feature improves secure gripping for complex geometries while the overall fixture maintains general applicability through standard clamp and spring mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A work holder which is adapted to hold a workpiece firmly in place for machining operations with respect to a machine tool. The workpiece is fashioned with a dovetail protuberance, which protuberance is designed to affix the workpiece to the work holder to the machining operations. Once the machining is completed, the dovetail protuberance may be removed in any convenient manner. Thus, the finished product may not then exhibit the former protuberance.