Workpiece Slide Extends to Interchange Point for Automatic Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Generic machining devices for dental prosthetic items require additional space and costs due to separate manipulating equipment for transferring workpieces, which is undesirable for space-saving designs in dental laboratories or dentist's premises.
Innovation Solution
The machining device eliminates the need for separate manipulating equipment by enabling the workpiece slide to move along the X axis to the interchange point, allowing automatic transfer of workpieces from the magazine to the machining position, with a coupling mechanism for secure connection and a modular design that allows manual operation without a workpiece magazine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate manipulating equipment is used to transfer workpieces from the magazine to the machining position, then workpiece transfer can be achieved, but additional space and costs are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the workpiece transfer function with the existing workpiece slide mechanism. The workpiece slide, originally designed for positioning workpieces during machining, is extended in its travel range to also perform the function of picking up workpieces from the magazine and delivering them to the machining position. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate manipulating equipment, thereby reducing device footprint while maintaining workpiece transfer capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The workpiece slide is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves both as a positioning device during machining and as a transfer mechanism for moving workpieces from the magazine to the machining position. By making the workpiece slide universal, the patent eliminates the need for dedicated manipulating equipment, thus reducing the overall space requirement of the device.
2Extent of automation
If separate manipulating equipment is used for workpiece transfer, then automatic workpiece interchange is achieved, but additional costs and complexity are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the automatic workpiece interchange function with the existing workpiece slide control system. The workpiece slide's movement along its guide rail, already controlled for machining operations, is extended to include the pickup and delivery motions required for automatic workpiece interchange. This integration reduces device complexity by eliminating separate manipulating mechanisms while maintaining full automation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The workpiece slide is designed as a universal component that handles both machining positioning and automatic workpiece interchange. By programming the workpiece slide's motorized drive to perform additional travel beyond the machining chamber, the system achieves automatic workpiece interchange without requiring complex dedicated manipulating equipment, thus reducing overall system complexity.
3Device complexity
If the workpiece slide moves beyond the machining chamber to the interchange point, then separate manipulating equipment becomes unnecessary, but the slide travel distance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the workpiece transfer function with the workpiece slide's existing movement capability. By extending the slide's travel range to reach the interchange point located outside the machining chamber, the system eliminates the need for separate manipulating equipment. The increased travel distance is accepted as a trade-off for simplifying the overall device structure and reducing the number of components.
Data Source
AI summary
A machining device for material-removing machining of a workpiece includes a stationary frame, a workpiece magazine, a workpiece slide movable relative to the frame and accommodates a workpiece and a housing which encompasses a machining chamber and is located outside the workpiece magazine, wherein the workpiece magazine accommodates a plurality of workpieces, the workpiece magazine moves workpieces to an interchange point, the workpiece slide imparts translational movement to a workpiece along an X axis during workpiece machining and the workpiece slide is movable along the X axis to such an extent that the workpiece located on the workpiece slide is movable to the interchange point disposed outside the machining chamber encompassed by the housing.