Improvement of the device for feeding bars in turning equipment
Abstract
A significant portion of the equipment in manufacturing engineering involves lathes for machining workpieces. Increasingly, CNC lathes are used with automatic workpiece feeding mechanisms (bar feeders). However, the axial positioning accuracy of workpieces by available bar feeders is lower than the requirements for most machine-building parts. Less precise positioning after feeding and clamping necessitates more material allocation for cutting to ensure dimensional accuracy, resulting in increased tool wear, reduced metal utilization efficiency, higher machine resource usage, energy consumption, and associated materials.
This study explores avoiding additional operations by improving the accuracy of workpiece end positioning. The proposed solution involves a fundamental change in the workpiece positioning system during feeding: instead of transmitting kinetic energy through a pusher link, the workpiece is moved directly by feed rollers.
The aim is to develop a system for feeding axially symmetric workpieces of various configurations with control over the dynamic characteristics of the feeding process, enhancing axial positioning accuracy. The device operates on a dual-feedback system. The first feedback line uses contactless end-position sensors installed at the spindle's tail end and the final workpiece feeding point. The second feedback line features a roller with an encoder measuring the distance traveled by the workpiece to determine its position at any given moment. This system can optimize the workpiece movement schedule during feeding, what help achieving the required positioning accuracy.
The proposed structure can be integrated into various technological equipment's workpiece feeding systems, anticipating the automatic feeding of rotating bodies. This approach aims to significantly improve workpiece positioning precision, reduce material wastage, enhance tool life, and optimize machining operations' overall efficiency. By implementing a dual-feedback mechanism, the system ensures continuous monitoring and adjustment of the workpiece position, leading to more precise and reliable machining outcomes.
Key words: feeding of the bar workpiece, control system with feedback, roller feeding, increasing the accuracy of positioning of the end, control system
