WO2024097395A1 - Système d'appui stable finement réglable - Google Patents

Système d'appui stable finement réglable Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024097395A1
WO2024097395A1 PCT/US2023/036764 US2023036764W WO2024097395A1 WO 2024097395 A1 WO2024097395 A1 WO 2024097395A1 US 2023036764 W US2023036764 W US 2023036764W WO 2024097395 A1 WO2024097395 A1 WO 2024097395A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
rail
workpiece
horizontal
steady rest
vertical
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2023/036764
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Richard John LESSWAY
Shawn Elizabeth SCHULTZ
Anthony Dean
Original Assignee
Arobotech Systems, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US17/981,161 external-priority patent/US20230271284A1/en
Application filed by Arobotech Systems, Inc. filed Critical Arobotech Systems, Inc.
Publication of WO2024097395A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024097395A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23Q—DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING; MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT
    • B23Q1/00—Members which are comprised in the general build-up of a form of machine, particularly relatively large fixed members
    • B23Q1/72—Auxiliary arrangements; Interconnections between auxiliary tables and movable machine elements
    • B23Q1/76—Steadies; Rests
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
    • B24B—MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING; DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS
    • B24B41/00—Component parts such as frames, beds, carriages, headstocks
    • B24B41/06—Work supports, e.g. adjustable steadies

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a finely adjustable steady rest system for positioning a workpiece that is rotationally symmetrical.
  • An adjustable steady rest system is commonly used for securing a workpiece during machining operations such as but not limited to grinding, turning, milling, and boring.
  • gripping arms secure the workpiece while a cutting tool, such as an abrasive wheel, blade, or bit removes material from the workpiece.
  • a cutting tool such as an abrasive wheel, blade, or bit removes material from the workpiece.
  • Known steady rests have a mechanism for adjusting the position or location of the gripping arms and thus the workpiece to enhance the accuracy of the machining operations.
  • Such adjustment mechanisms have a number of parts that should ideally cooperate so that none of them stick or unnecessarily interfere with each other when guided movement is called for in the adjustment process. It would be desirable to anticipate the potential for such unwanted interference by providing ameliorating design changes. For example, it would be desirable to eliminate any potential for a spring to become “pinched” between adjacent parts of the adjustment mechanism. Another example relates to situations where a part receives another moving part. Ideally, the interface between the two parts should be contoured so that there is no unwanted binding interference therebetween. Such factors assume importance when the two pails cooperate under the influence of high-engagement forces.
  • the springs should not be exposed to unnecessary compression in a single or repeated use because such exposure may lead to a spring losing at least some of its rebounding properties.
  • the present disclosure also addresses situations where a part receives another moving part. So that there is no unwanted binding interference therebetween, mating surfaces that define the interface between the two parts are contoured. Such factors assume importance when the two parts cooperate under the influence of high-engagement forces.
  • the present disclosure provides a steady rest system for precisely locating a workpiece that is rotated and subjected to forces exerted by one or more machine tools in a direction inclined (e.g., orthogonal) to an axis of workpiece rotation.
  • One steady rest has a working cover plate (as further described below) and a right-hand cover plate (when viewed from the rear). Between these plates is a central plate (which moves in parallel with an X- or horizontal axis).
  • the working cover plate has a pair of recesses that receive two guide tracks which ultimately influence and enable finely tuned displacement of upper and lower gripping arms that secure and displace a workpiece.
  • roller guides move in a defined, precise and predictable manner.
  • the central plate slidably engages the upper and lower gripping arms.
  • the gripping arms are movable between a closed clamped position and an open retracted position to releasably secure the workpiece. In the closed clamped position, the workpiece can be minutely re-positioned horizontally and vertically.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective, exploded view of part of an adjustable steady rest system with a right-hand cover plate removed for clarity;
  • FIG. 2 is a laid-open, exploded view of the steady rest system
  • FIG. 3A is a vertical, sectional view of the steady rest system along the line B - B in FIG. 3B;
  • FIG. 3B is a vertical, sectional view of the steady rest system with the right-hand cover plate removed;
  • FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate various components in vertical adjustment modes
  • FIGS. 5 A and 5B illustrate various components in horizontal adjustment modes
  • FIG. 6 further illustrates horizontal displacement of a clamped workpiece in response to turning an adjustment screw
  • FIG. 7 further illustrates vertical displacement of a clamped workpiece in response to turning another adjustment screw
  • FIGS. 8 A is an earlier steady rest design.
  • FIG. 8B is its revision.
  • the relationship between the rail pin 155 and vertical rail 58 or horizontal rail 60 would allow a condition in which the rail engagement spring 90 could become seized in the rail spring pocket 157.
  • a rail washer 156 is added (FIG. 8B). This eliminates the rail spring pocket 157 and changes the relationship between the rail pin 155 and vertical rail 58 or horizontal rail 60.
  • springs 104 are now characterized by a higher spring force.
  • an adjustable steady rest system (hereinafter “steady rest”) 10 is provided that is adapted to clamp and if desired, finely adjust the position of a workpiece during a machining operation (e.g., grinding or turning) by horizontal or vertical displacement or both horizontal and vertical displacement.
  • the steady rest 10 preferably includes a working cover plate 14, a right-hand cover plate 16 (from the perspective of FIG. 3 A), and a central plate 18 that is slidingly positioned between them.
  • the steady rest 10 is adapted to cause gripping and displacement of the workpiece 12 vertically (FIGS. 4A, 4B and 7), or horizontally (FIGS. 5A, 5B and 6).
  • Upper and lower gripping arms 20, 22 (FIG. 1) and a cylinder/piston actuation mechanism 24 (FIG. 2) are provided.
  • the actuation mechanism 24 is operable to move the central plate 18 and the gripping arms 20, 22 between a clamped position, in which the steady rest 10 grips die workpiece 12, and a retracted position, in which the workpiece 12 is released and the gripping arms 20, 22 are retracted into the steady rest 10.
  • the working cover plate 14 is a generally solid, flat plate having a plurality of threaded and unthreaded mounting apertures 32 (FIG. 2).
  • Upper and lower slide plates 28, 30 (FIG. 1) are mounted (directly or indirectly) to the working cover plate 14.
  • the central plate 18 is adapted to move between and be guided by slide plates 28, 30.
  • the upper and lower slide plates 28, 30 include threaded and/or unthreaded apertures 32 aligned with the apertures 26 in the working cover plate 14.
  • the right-hand cover plate 16 (FIG. 3A) has apertures that are aligned with the apertures 32 of slide plates 28, and 30 and with the apertures 26 of the working cover plate 14.
  • Bolts 40 or other fasteners are received in some or all of the apertures to fixedly secure the working and right-hand cover plates 14, and 16 to each other and to slide plates 28. and 30.
  • the central plate 18 is sandwiched there between (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3) and is movable horizontally between the slide plates 28,30.
  • the working and right-hand cover plates 14, 16 and slide plates 28, 30 cooperate to define cavities 43 in which guide tracks 44, and 46 are movably received.
  • the guide tracks 44, 46 are adapted to move horizontally under the influence of fortified track engagement springs 42 (FIG. 1).
  • Track engagement springs 42 are selected to withstand repeated compression and rebound. For ease of maintenance, such springs preferably conform with other springs to be discussed below.
  • the working cover plate 14 accommodates the upper and lower guide tracks 44, 46 that are received in the cavities 43 (FIG. 1).
  • Each of the guide tracks 44, 46 preferably includes an elongated leg 50 and a relatively shorter leg 52 (FIG. 2).
  • the legs 50 of the upper and lower guide tracks 44, 46 preferably extend parallel to each other and parallel to a longitudinal axis - X (FIG. 6).
  • Each of the shorter legs 52 extends from an end of a corresponding one of the longer legs 50 in a direction that is laterally outward and away from the workpiece 12 (i.e., an acute angle is formed between the longer and shorter legs 50, 52).
  • Shaped rails 58, 60 respectively cooperate to finely displace a workpiece 12 vertically and horizontally with predictable precision in a manner to be described. These rails are slidingly movable within a rail recess 48 independently of each other (e.g., FIGS. 2 - 7).
  • the vertical rail 58 has a flat face 70 (enlargement, FIG. 7) that abuts the horizontal rail 60 and an opposing face with inclined sections 62, 64 that meet on opposing sides of a flat middle section.
  • the working cover plate 14 has threaded apertures 92, 94 (FIG. 1) that extend preferably perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X-X and communicate with the rail recess 48 (FIG. 2).
  • Adjustment screws or rods 96, 98 threadedly engage the threaded apertures 92, 94, respectively, and extend into the rail recess 48. Preferably, about 100 threads per inch are provided to enable finely-tuned adjustments to be made.
  • An end 102 of the upper or vertical adjustment rod 98 abuts an end of the rail 58 which ultimately adjusts the workpiece position minutely vertically (“vertical rail 58”).
  • An end 100 of the lower or horizontal adjustment rod 96 abuts an end of the rail 60 (FIG. 5A), which ultimately finely tunes the workpiece position minutely horizontally (“horizontal rail” 60).
  • rail engagement springs 104 (FIG. 2) are positioned between a lower wall 106 of the rail recess 48 and a corresponding one of the vertical and horizontal rails 58, 60 (FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A and 5B).
  • all engagement springs share common mechanical characteristics in order to facilitate maintenance and interchangeability. Common characteristics eliminate inventory problems associated with stocking differently- sized springs.
  • Rail engagement springs 104 bias the rails 58, 60 into contact with the axial ends 100, 102 of the adjustment rods 96, 98. In this manner, the rails 58, 60 move toward and away from the lower wall 106 (in the directions shown in FIGS. 4 - 5) as the adjustment rods 96, 98 are moved along the threaded apertures 92, 94 into and out of the rail recess 48.
  • Threadedly adjusting the position of the horizontal adjustment rod 96 causes the horizontal rail 60 to slide in relation to a wall of the rail recess 48. There is a relative angle (theta) between the wall and side 72 of the horizontal rail 60 (FIG. 5A and enlargement, FIG. 5B).
  • a wedge-like effect is created in which movement of the horizontal rail 60 along wall 56 causes corresponding movement of the vertical rail 58 toward or away from the wall 56 in a direction along or parallel to the longitudinal X-axis.
  • Threadedly adjusting the position of the vertical adjustment rod 98 causes the vertical rail 58 to slide in relation to the wall 70 of the horizontal rail 60. There is a relative angle (theta) between the walls 62, 64 of the vertical rail 58 and walls 45, 47 of the guide tracks 44, 46 (enlargement, FIG. 4B).
  • theta a relative angle between the walls 62, 64 of the vertical rail 58 and walls 45, 47 of the guide tracks 44, 46
  • movement of the vertical rail 58 along the wall 70 causes opposing movement of the guide tracks 44, 46 toward and away from the wall 70 in a direction along or parallel to the vertical Y-axis.
  • Cross channels 112, 114 (FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B) formed in the central plate 18 slidingly receive the gripping arms 20, 22.
  • the upper channel 112 receives the upper arm 20.
  • the lower channel 114 receives the lower arm 22.
  • a slot 116 extends into the upper channel 112.
  • a longitudinal axis of the slot 116 extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the upper channel 112.
  • a slot provided in the lower channel 114 Similarly for a slot provided in the lower channel 114.
  • the upper and lower channels 112, 114 are angled relative to the longitudinal axes and to each other.
  • the upper and lower channels 112, 114 cross each other to form a generally X-shaped pattern.
  • the channels 112, 114 are configured so that the upper and lower gripping arms 20, 22 may move without interfering with each other.
  • a gripping finger 118 extends from the central plate 18 between the upper and lower channels 112, 114 (FIG. 3B).
  • the gripping finger 118 cooperates with gripping fingers 119 of the upper and lower gripping arms 20, 22 to grip and finely displace the workpiece 12 when the steady rest 10 is in the clamped position (FIGS. 4 - 7).
  • Another end of the central plate 18 has a generally T-shaped aperture 124. As shown in FIG. 3B, the T-shaped aperture 124 receives a similarly shaped end 126 of a ramrod 128 of the actuation mechanism 24.
  • Each of the upper and lower gripping arms 20, 22 is preferably provided with an elongated upper portion 130 and a relatively shorter lower portion 132 (FIG. 2).
  • the upper and lower portions 130, 132 preferably are angled relative to each other.
  • the gripping fingers 119 extend toward each other from the lower portions 130, 132.
  • the upper portions 130 of the gripping arms 20, 22 include pins or roller guides 134, 135 that protrude therefrom and extend into a corresponding one of the upper and lower guide tracks 44, 46.
  • pin 134 of the upper gripping arm 20 extends through slot 116 and into the lower guide track 46. In this way, an axial end of the pin 134 slidably engages the groove 54 of the lower guide track 46.
  • Pin 135 of the lower gripping arm 22 extends into the upper guide track 44.
  • An axial end of pin 135 slidably engages the groove 54 of the upper guide track 44.
  • the pins 134, 135 have bushings 140, 142 that are slidably received in the lower and upper guide tracks 46, 44, respectively (FIG. 3B).
  • the actuation mechanism 24 includes a housing 144 with a chamber 148, a piston 146 and a ramrod 128.
  • the housing 144 has a flange 145 that is bolted or otherwise mounted to the working cover plate 14 and/or the right-hand cover plate 16.
  • the housing 144 and the piston 146 define fluid chambers 148, 150 in communication with upper and lower ports 152, 154, respectively (FIG. 2).
  • the piston 146 is attached to the ramrod 128 and separates the fluid chambers 148, 150.
  • Ports 152, 154 are in fluid communication with a source of working fluid (e.g., compressed air or preferably, hydraulic fluid).
  • a fluid control device (not shown) is operable to control the flow of the working fluid in and out of ports 152, 154 (FIG. 2).
  • the control device causes working fluid to flow into the fluid chamber 150 while evacuating fluid from the other fluid chamber 148.
  • the control device causes working fluid to flow into fluid chamber 148 while evacuating fluid from the chamber 150. Because the ramrod 128 is connected to the central plate 18, movement of the piston 146 and ramrod 128 toward and away from the workpiece 12 causes corresponding movement of the central plate 18 toward and away from the workpiece 12.
  • actuation mechanism 24 is described above as being a fluid-actuated device, it will be appreciated that any type of actuator could be used (e.g., an electric motor or another electromechanical device).
  • the fluid is a liquid.
  • the actuation mechanism 24 (FIG. 2) is adapted to move the central plate 18 and the gripping arms 20, 22 between a clamped position, in which the steady rest 10 grips the workpiece 12 , and a retracted position, in which the workpiece 12 is released and the gripping arms 20, 22 are retracted into the steady rest 10.
  • the steady rest 10 can be finely, precisely, and predictably adjusted to move the position of the workpiece 12 relative to the steady rest 10 when the workpiece 12 is in the clamped position (see FIGS. 4 - 7).
  • a 90 degree turn of a vertical or horizontal adjustment rod 96, 98 can displace a gripped workpiece by 1 micron while holding the workpiece 12 in place, despite forces exerted by machining operations and by the spinning mass of the workpiece.
  • Such precision was not possible in conventional steady rests.
  • the central plate 18 moves with the ramrod 128 along the longitudinal X-axis relative to the working plate 14 and the right-hand plate 16 (FIG. 3A). As the central plate 18 and gripping arms 20, 22 move toward the clamped position, the pins 134, 135, and bushings 140, 142 slide along the legs 50 of the corresponding guide tracks 44, 46 (FIG. 3B). Continued movement of the ramrod 128 and central plate 18 along the longitudinal X-axis toward the workpiece 12 causes the bushings 140, 142 to come into contact with the surfaces 49, 51 respectively, of the guide tracks 44, 46 (FIG. 5B).
  • the rails 58, 60 engage each other under the influence of a sliding interference fit.
  • the direction of movement of the protruding ends is in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal X-axis.
  • the gripping arms 20, 22 slide in the channels 112, 114, respectively, relative to the central plate 18 until the gripping fingers 119 of the gripping ar s 20, 22 and the gripping finger 118 of the central plate 18 come into contact with and securely clamp the workpiece 12.
  • the adjustment rods (fine screws, with about 100 threads per inch) 96, 98 can be turned to finely shift the position in which the clamped workpiece 12 will be moved by the gripping fingers 118, 119.
  • the user rotates the horizontal adjustment rod 96 in a direction that causes movement of the horizontal rail 60. Such movement occurs within recess 48 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal X-axis.
  • Rail engagement springs 90 urge the rails 96, 98 upwardly.
  • FIGS. 6 - 7 schematically illustrate how the rotation of one or both adjustment screws 96, 98 move a clamped workpiece inwardly or outwardly (FIG. 6) and/or upwardly and downwardly (FIG. 7).
  • the user rotates the adjustment rod 98.
  • a clockwise displacement of 90 degrees raises the workpiece 12 by 1 micron.
  • counterclockwise displacement lowers the workpiece by a corresponding amount.
  • the steady rest 10 may be used to hold the workpiece 12 for a grinding operation. It will be appreciated, however, that the principles of the present disclosure may be applicable to steady rests configured for turning operations and/or other machining or manufacturing operations.
  • FIGS. 8A-8B depict enhancements to an earlier design that was described in the parent patent application.
  • FIG. 8A is the original design and FIG. 8B is its revision.
  • FIG. 8A the relationship between the rail pin 155 and vertical rail 58 or horizontal rail 60 would allow a condition in which the rail engagement spring 90 could become seized in the rail spring pocket 157.
  • a rail washer 156 was added (FIG. 8B). This eliminated the rail spring pocket 157 and changed the relationship between the rail pin 155 and vertical rail 58 or horizontal rail 60.
  • springs 104 are now characterized by a higher spring force.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Machine Tool Units (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un appui stable comportant des plaques de couverture de travail et de côté droit et une plaque centrale prise en sandwich entre ces dernières. La plaque de couvercle de travail a des pistes de guidage supérieure et inférieure et des ressorts de mise en prise de piste qui sont reçus à l'intérieur de cavités. La plaque centrale est disposée de façon mobile entre les plaques de couverture de travail et de côté droit. La plaque centrale vient en prise coulissante avec des bras de préhension supérieur et inférieur qui sont mobiles par rapport à la plaque de couverture de travail entre une position serrée et une position rétractée. Des rails coniques et des ressorts de mise en prise de rail sont disposés dans un évidement de rail de la plaque de couvercle de travail. Les rails sont mobiles l'un par rapport à l'autre pour régler finement et précisément une position à laquelle la pièce est serrée et déplacée horizontalement ou verticalement lorsque les bras de préhension sont dans la position serrée. Les ressorts de mise en prise de rail et de piste partagent des propriétés mécaniques communes pour un échange prêt, ce qui permet d'atténuer les problèmes d'inventaire.
PCT/US2023/036764 2022-11-04 2023-11-03 Système d'appui stable finement réglable WO2024097395A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US17/981,161 US20230271284A1 (en) 2022-02-25 2022-11-04 Finely adjustable steady rest system
US17/981,161 2022-11-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2024097395A1 true WO2024097395A1 (fr) 2024-05-10

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PCT/US2023/036764 WO2024097395A1 (fr) 2022-11-04 2023-11-03 Système d'appui stable finement réglable

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WO (1) WO2024097395A1 (fr)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8955419B2 (en) * 2011-03-29 2015-02-17 SMW-AUTOBLOCK Spannsysteme GmbH Steady rest
US9174317B1 (en) * 2014-08-14 2015-11-03 Arobotech Systems, Inc. Adjustable fixture mechanism
CN208496725U (zh) * 2018-05-23 2019-02-15 浙江师范大学 一种夹紧力和高度可调的板材夹持装置

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8955419B2 (en) * 2011-03-29 2015-02-17 SMW-AUTOBLOCK Spannsysteme GmbH Steady rest
US9174317B1 (en) * 2014-08-14 2015-11-03 Arobotech Systems, Inc. Adjustable fixture mechanism
CN208496725U (zh) * 2018-05-23 2019-02-15 浙江师范大学 一种夹紧力和高度可调的板材夹持装置

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