[001] The present invention generally relates to a smart device facilitating coolant delivery in a CNC machine. More particularly, the present invention relates to a smart device that allows delivery of a coolant to the cutting zone in Gang Tooling type CNC machine.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[002] CNC lathe machines are widely used for manufacturing parts or components, since these machines automate the manufacturing process by implementing computer generated design and directives. Minimizing the human control and supervision, CNC machines are faster and efficient to use. To execute more than one tooling functions in a CNC lathe machine,‘gang tooling’ methods are being utilized; where multiple tools are mounted on toolplate, which in turn is mounted on the cross slide (X axis of CNC Lathe). Continuous working of the tools produces heat that may hamper the tool productivity and life, and also part quality. Hence, coolant delivery systems are also equipped with the gang tooling on CNC lathe machines to cool off the working or machining zones. Another advantage of delivering a coolant around the working zones is chip removal and reducing any complications occurring from chip clogging. [003] Various methods have been developed to have efficient coolant delivery systems. Some conventional methods adopt using a jet stream that may also remove chips. While in another technologies, the machines use a distributor to direct coolant from pump to all the blocks in the gang tooling. This method use flexible pipe connections to circulate coolant around the machining zone. This is the most common and easiest reason for chip clogging around the long and slender external pipes. Moreover, since these pipes are generally made of rubber or plastic, they get damaged very easily, including getting cuts due to chips. Therefore, they have shorter life. Also, coolant can get leaked through such damages. Further, using external pipes to circulate coolant to the block limits the transverse movement of block because of pipe length constraints.

[004] However, present technologies fail to solve many problems including that of chip entanglement and damages caused to the coolant delivery device due to chip clogging. Hence, there arises a need to provide improved and innovative coolant delivery device / system that solves the problems of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[005] Therefore, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a smart coolant delivery device that avoids installing external pipe connections and still deliver coolant to the machining zones in Gang Tooling in a CNC machine. [006] It is also an objective of the present invention to provide the smart coolant delivery device that prevents chip clogging and leakage of coolant. [007] It is another objective of the present invention to provide full quantum of coolant to the smart coolant delivery device.

[008] It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide the smart coolant delivery device that enables use of High Pressure Coolant (HPC) in Gang Tooling Machines and achieve very high machining parameters.

[009] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular descriptions of exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1A illustrates an isometric view of a smart coolant delivery device referred to as a smart block, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [0011] FIG. 1B illustrates a bottom view of the smart block, showing coolant entry channel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a coolant delivery assembly of the smart block and a coolant delivery plate, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a coolant delivery system for Gang Tooling in CNC machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart showing a method of coolant delivery using the smart block, to a working zone of a tool, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0015] This patent describes the subject matter for patenting with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. The principles described herein may be embodied in many different forms.

[0016] Illustrative embodiments of the invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0017] The present invention provides a smart coolant delivery device that delivers the coolant to a working zone in Gang Tooling of a CNC machine. Preferably, a CNC lathe machine. The smart coolant delivery device allows the flow of a coolant through it, and delivers it to the working zone, without installing external pipe connections which are conventionally used as coolant delivery device. The coolant delivery device has inbuilt internal channels that allow flow of the coolant through it. The device is preferably in shape of a block, and the block may be referred to as a ‘smart block’. Smart Block and smart coolant delivery device are used interchangeably throughout the disclosure of the present invention.

[0018] The smart block comprises one or more coolant entry channels for allowing entry of the coolant; one or more coolant transfer channels that are built into the smart block for flowing of coolant through it, and which are aligned with each coolant entry channel; and one or more mounting holes to mount the smart block over a coolant delivery plate. The coolant entry channel is positioned on the smart block such that the entry channel allows a transverse movement of the smart block while allowing coolant to flow from the coolant delivery plate to the smart block. The coolant delivery plate is further connected with a tank and a pump that stores and delivers the coolant to the coolant delivery plate. Therefore, in operation, the pump pumps out the coolant from the tank; flows the coolant through one or more flow control valves; the coolant further flows through the coolant delivery plate and reaches the smart block. Since, the smart block is mounted on the coolant delivery plate; the smart block is fluidly communicating with the coolant delivery plate via the coolant entry channel. Therefore, the coolant, after getting pumped out of the tank and flowing through the coolant delivery plate, reaches the smart block via the coolant entry channels.

[0019] Consequently, the coolant flows through the coolant transfer channels in the smart block and flows out from an outlet to be delivered around the working zone in gang tooling.

[0020] FIG. 1A and 1B illustrate an isometric view and a bottom view of the smart block, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown in the FIG. 1 A, the smart block 100 comprises a coolant entry channel 102; a coolant transfer channel 104; a mounting hole 106; and an outlet 108, in an embodiment. As seen in the FIG. 1B, the smart block 100 allows the entry of the coolant into it via the coolant entry channel 102. Thereafter, the coolant flows through the coolant transfer channel 104 after entering into the smart block 100. The arrows shown inside the coolant transfer channel 104 depict the flow of coolant through the transfer channel 104. Following along the transfer channel 104, the coolant delivers out from the smart block 100 via the outlet 108 and reaches the working zone to cool it off.

[0021] It may be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the smart block 100 may have more than one coolant entry channel 102, one coolant transfer channel 104, one mounting hole 106 and one outlet 108, depending on the requirement and design of the smart block 100 and coolant delivery system into which the smart block is installed, without deviating from the meaning and scope of the present invention.

[0022] In an embodiment, the smart block 100 is made of carbon steel. It may be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the smart block may be made of other materials suitable for it to sustain the characteristics and pressure of the coolant flowing through it, depending on the requirement and design of coolant delivery system and the smart block, without deviating from the meaning and scope of the present invention.

[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, the coolant is high-pressured stream of air. In another embodiment, the coolant is any cool liquid that reduces the temperature, such as cold water, or may be other suitable liquid coolant. The coolant may also depend on the type of tools used in the gang tooling.

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates the coolant delivery assembly of the smart block and the coolant delivery plate, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The coolant delivery assembly 200 shows the smart block 100 mounted on the coolant delivery plate 202 via the mounting holes 106. The smart block 100 and the coolant delivery plate 202 are in fluid communication with each other via the coolant entry channel 102. The coolant flows through a number of fixed metal pipes 204, and reaches the plate 202 from the tank. After reaching the coolant delivery plate 202, the coolant enters the smart block 100 via the coolant entry channel 102. Further, the coolant flows inside the smart block 100 through the coolant transfer channel 104 and delivers out from the outlet 108 to reach the working zone in Gang Tooling of CNC machine.

[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates a coolant delivery system for Gang Tooling in CNC machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The coolant delivery system 300 comprises the assembly 200 of the coolant delivery plate 202 and one or more smart blocks 100 mounted on the plate 202. The exemplary system 300 comprises 4 smart blocks namely 100A, 100B, 100C and 100D, but it may be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the system 300 may have any required number of smart blocks 100 mounted on the coolant delivery plate 202 depending on the requirement of the coolant delivery system 300, without deviating from the meaning and scope of the invention. [0026] The coolant is stored in the tank 302. In operation, the coolant is pumped out of the tank 302 using the pump 304. Further, the coolant flows through the valve system 306, which further comprises one or more flow control valves 308. The valve system 306 controls the flow of coolant through it. As the coolant is allowed to pass through the valve system 306, the fixed metal pipelines 204 delivers the coolant to the coolant delivery plate 202. The coolant flows through the plate 202 and reaches the required smart block 100 A via the coolant entry channel 102. Consequently, the coolant flows into the smart block 100A and through the coolant transfer channels 104, and delivers out from the outlet 108 to reach the working zone of a job 310. [0027] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart showing a method of coolant delivery, using the smart block, to a working zone of a tool, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The method 400 shows a step 402 at which the coolant is pumped out of the tank 302 storing the coolant. The pump 304 is used to pump out the coolant. Further, the coolant may flow through a valve system 306 including one or more valves 308 that allow or restrict the flow of coolant through them as and when required. In an embodiment, the valve system 306 has one or more flow control valves 308. Further, at a step 404, the coolant flows into the coolant delivery plate 202 via one or more fixed pipelines 204. The coolant delivery plate 202 mounts one or more smart blocks 100 on the mounting holes 106, and is in fluid communication with the smart blocks 100 via one or more coolant entry channels 102 positioned on the smart blocks 100. Therefore at step 406, the coolant enters a required smart block 100 for a tool in Gang Tooling. The coolant enters via the coolant entry channels 102 of the smart block 100. Thereafter at a step 408, the coolant flows into the smart block 100 and through the coolant transfer channel 104 which is inbuilt into the smart block 100. In an embodiment, the smart block 100 may have more than one coolant entry channel 102 and coolant transfer channel 104 build into it depending on the requirement and design of the smart block 100, without deviating from the meaning and scope of the present invention.

[0028] Consequently at a step 410, the coolant delivers out from the smart block 100 via the outlet 108 and reaches a working zone of a working tool in Gang Tooling. Hence, the working zone gets cooled off, and the method avoids the installation of external pipes for delivering coolant to the working zone. In an embodiment, the smart block 100 may also have more than one outlet, depending on the requirement and design of the smart block 100, without deviating from the meaning and scope of the present invention. [0029] Advantageously, the present invention provides a smart block that acts as a smart coolant delivery device to deliver coolant in the working zone of Gang Tooling of CNC machines. The smart block has inbuilt internal channels to allow the coolant flow into and through the smart block and reach the working zone of a tool. The internal transfer channels for coolant avoids the need of installation of external pipes to deliver the coolant, which raises the problems of chip clogging and damages caused due to cuts from chips. The damages lead to leakage of coolant.

[0030] Further, the assembly of smart block and the coolant delivery plate enables the use of High Pressure Coolant (HPC) in Gang Tooling Machines to achieve very high machining parameters. This also helps in breaking of chips into small pieces. On the contrary, HPC cannot be used in standard coolant delivery system because such high pressure can cause external flexible pipes to burst. [0031] While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods, devices, and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods, devices, and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. [0032] The drawings and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed.

[0033] Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. [0034] Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any component(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or component of any or all the claims.