Workpiece Support Grid Layout to Minimize Carrier Torsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing workpiece supports for machine tools, such as cutting tables, experience undesirable torsional forces due to offset application of force from support rails and rollers, leading to twisting and instability.
Innovation Solution
A workpiece support design featuring two parallel carriers with cutting grid elements arranged at right angles, where the cutting grid elements have tapered pins engaging with a support profile, ensuring that only the outer edges of the elements bear on the carriers, minimizing torque and allowing for secure fixation and reduced torsional forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If support rails and rollers are positioned offset from each other on longitudinal beams, then the workpiece support can be mounted on rollers for mobility, but this creates torsional forces that lead to twisting and instability of the longitudinal beams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary connection system between the rollers and cutting grid elements, using a common support rail that both components attach to. This mediator (support rail) allows the rollers to be offset for mobility while distributing forces through the rail structure, preventing direct torsional loading on the longitudinal beams.
Solution Approach 2:
The support system is segmented into distinct functional components: rollers for mobility, support rails for force distribution, and cutting grid elements for workpiece support. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while forces are distributed through the modular structure rather than concentrating torsional moments on the longitudinal beams.
2Stability of the object's composition
If cutting grid elements are supported at multiple points on the carriers, then the support is more stable, but this increases the torsional moments applied to the carriers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the force-bearing function from multiple contact points and concentrates it onto the outer edges of the cutting grid elements. By removing support from inner points and retaining only outer edge contact, the design maintains stability through the outer support structure while eliminating the torsional moments that would result from multiple distributed support points.
Solution Approach 2:
The support configuration uses asymmetric contact where only the outer edges of the cutting grid elements bear on the carriers. This asymmetric support arrangement, rather than symmetric multi-point contact, provides stability through the lever arm of the outer edges while minimizing torsional loading on the carrier structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If cutting grid elements are firmly fixed to the carriers, then lateral displacement is prevented, but this increases the complexity of the connection system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lateral displacement protection function into the existing outer edge support structure. The same outer edges that provide stable support also serve as the lateral constraint through the bearing profile geometry, eliminating the need for separate fixing mechanisms and reducing overall connection system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer edges of the cutting grid elements serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide stable support contact, prevent lateral displacement, and simplify the connection system. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing complexity while maintaining performance.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a workpiece support for a machine tool (10), in particular a cutting machine, for supporting a workpiece to be machined, comprising at least two parallel supports (202) which are arranged at a distance from one another and define a grating space (208), a plurality of grating elements (300, 302) which are arranged in the grating space (208) at right angles to the supports (202), wherein each support (202) has a support region (408, 600) for the grating elements (300, 302), which extends towards the grating space (208), wherein at least two grating elements (300) each have two supporting surfaces (306) facing the supports (202) for resting on the supporting regions (408) of the two supports (202), wherein the undersides of the at least two grating elements (300) remaining adjacent to the supporting surfaces (306) are set back from the supporting surfaces (306) in the region of the supporting regions (408) such that the at least two grating elements (300) rest only with the supporting surfaces (306), and wherein the at least two grating elements (300) each have two fixing elements (308) which are spaced apart from the supports (202) in each case at a distance smaller than the extension of the supporting surface (306) from the support (202) such that the supporting surfaces (306) are fixed on the supporting regions (408).