JP2710477B2 - Automatic tool changer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic tool changer for changing a tool between a tool magazine and a predetermined position in a machine tool or a machining system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a machine tool equipped with an automatic tool changer, a tool stored in a tool magazine is taken out in front of a blade portion of the tool. Below, a mechanical structural design is being made. This means that the diameter and length of the blade part are of various dimensions, whereas the shank of the tool has only the dimensions specified by the standard, and the structure that is taken out from the front of the blade part is better than the tool magazine This is because the structure becomes simple.

[0003]

In this conventional tool magazine, the tool changing means for holding the tool and moving the tool must provide an empty space in the periphery so as to approach the grip portion of the tool to be changed. Must. As a result, the tool storage efficiency was poor. The present invention eliminates such a conventional problem and provides an automatic tool changer which has a tool magazine with a high tool storage efficiency capable of storing as many tools as possible in a given area and has a simple structure and can perform tool change. The purpose is to provide.

[0004]

According to the present invention, there is provided an automatic tool changing apparatus for accommodating a plurality of tools and exchanging tools between predetermined positions. A tool storage mechanism having a plurality of holes that can be held and holding means for detachably holding a tool in each hole portion, and holding the tool held by the tool storage mechanism from the rear side of the shank, A tool gripping mechanism for releasing the holding of the tool by the holding means of the tool storage mechanism, and the tool gripping mechanism being pulled out integrally with the tool to the rear side of the shank of the tool so that the storage position of each tool and the predetermined tool change position And a transport mechanism that moves between them.

[0005]

The tool, which is regularly supported by the tool storage mechanism, is gripped from the rear side of the shank by the tool gripping mechanism and transported and positioned at a predetermined position by the transport device safely and securely. It can be efficiently and compactly integrated.

[0006]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1, 2, and 3 are a front view, a plan view, and a right side view, respectively, of an automatic tool changer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The automatic tool changer 1 of the illustrated embodiment
The NC machine tool 2 is incorporated in the C machine tool 2, but the NC machine tool 2 is not directly related to the present invention, and thus the description and illustration are omitted.

[0007] The apparatus 1 of this embodiment has a tool storage mechanism 4 for stably supporting a large number of tools 3 on the same plane so as to be stably implanted, and takes out the stored and supported tools 3 from the rear side of the shank. Gripping mechanism 5 for transporting the tool gripping mechanism 5 (the extracted tool 3) to a predetermined position.
It basically consists of a transfer mechanism 6 for positioning (for example, carrying the tool 3 to a location A (see FIGS. 1 and 2) required for automatic tool change to the spindle 2a of the machine tool 2).

[0008] Of these, the transport mechanism 6 includes three orthogonal X-axis directions, a vertical Y-axis direction, and a horizontal Z-axis direction.
The tool 3 (the take-out mechanism 5) is transported in the axial direction, but can be configured in various forms using a motor, a ball screw, a slide unit, a cam, or the like, and the concept of the present invention itself is particularly limited by these. Further description is omitted since it is not changed.

Hereinafter, the tool storage mechanism 4 and the tool gripping mechanism 5
Before describing the characteristic points related to the tool in the present embodiment, the tool 3 includes:
The dedicated pot 11 is continuously mounted on the tool shank from the time when the tool is stored until before the tool is mounted on the spindle, and the storage and removal are performed with the mounted state as it is. Here, the details of the pot 11 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 which is a cross-sectional view of the pot 11 in a plan view, FIG. 6 which shows a side view, and FIG. 7 which is viewed from the tool side. Inside the part 12, there is a taper shank part 3 of the tool shank of the tool 3.
A taper hole 13 in which a is taperedly engaged is formed. Behind that, in order to secure a predetermined coupling force between the tool 3 and the pot 11, a spring is biased from, for example, four sides which can be engaged with a so-called pull stud portion (grab portion) 3b at the tip of the tool shank. Ball 15 is provided. Note that, in addition to these balls 15, balls 17 that can be pressed by pins 16
Are similarly arranged. As will be described later, when the pot 11 (tool 3) is gripped from behind by the tool gripping mechanism 5 and conveyed, the ball 3 is erroneously moved.
This is for surely avoiding the situation of jumping out (jumping out).

On both sides and a lower side of the front flange portion 19 of the pot 11, grooves 19a and 19b which can be engaged with a tool storage mechanism 4 to be described later and are self-retained are engraved.
A pair of leaf spring members 21 that can be fitted to the mating side at the time of this engagement and lock the pot 11 are attached to the outside of the oblique cylindrical portion 12 of 11. Further, a V-shaped groove portion 23 which is engaged with a tool gripping mechanism 5 described later is engaged with the tool gripping mechanism 5 on the outer side of the oblique cylindrical portion 12 of the pot 11.

Next, the tool storage mechanism 4 in which the above-described pot 11 (tool 3) is removably stored will be described. The magazine base 25 constituting the main part is basically made of a metal plate material, and is formed with regular square holes 26 regularly sized in a lattice shape, through which the blade 3d of the tool 3 can penetrate (FIG. 8). 1, two such magazine bases 25 are arranged one above the other in the same vertical plane.

Here, referring to FIG. 8 in which the blade portion is drawn to the front side and the tool shank is drawn to the back side, when the tool 3 is at the position (a), the flange portion 19 of the pot 11 And the hole 26 of the magazine base 25 do not come into contact with each other, so that the tool 3 can be pulled out from the front toward the back. On the other hand, when the tool 3 is located at the position (b) below the position (a), the edges of the hole 26 fit into the grooves 19a and 19b on both sides of the flange portion 19 of the pot 11 and the lower grooves 19a and 19b. At this time, the leaf spring members 21 on both sides of the pot 11 snap into the notches 26a on both sides in the hole 26. Therefore, the movement and rotation of the tool 3 at this position in the in-plane direction (X, Y directions) and the take-out direction (Z direction) of the magazine base 25 are restricted. 25 will be supported (stored) safely and reliably.

The holes 2 in the upper row of the magazine base 25
6 'is open at the top, so that the tool 3 can be raised to some extent, and the tool 3 can be taken out rearward without passing through a hole. That is, the tool diameter is not limited to the size of the hole. Therefore, the larger diameter tool 3 '
Can be stored. Next, the tool gripping mechanism 5 will be described with reference to FIG. 4, which is an enlarged view of a main part thereof (or an enlarged view of a portion B in FIG. 2) viewed from above along the line IV-IV in FIG. The tool gripping mechanism 5 has a base 32 that is driven by the transport mechanism 6 and can move along the rail 31 in the Z-axis direction to take out or store a tool. On the base 32, a cylinder 33 and a pot holder 34, which are essential parts of the tool gripping mechanism 5, are mounted.

FIG. 4 shows that the tool 3
(Pot 11) taken out, in other words, pot
The connection state between 11 and the pot holder 34 is shown. The connection between the hook members 36 is such that when the pot 11 is fitted into the tapered hole portion 34a of the pot holder 34 and the cylinder 33 moves as shown by the arrow B, the hook member 36 can be swung as shown by the arrow C with the 36a as a fulcrum. It is established by being hooked on the V-shaped groove 23 of the pot 11. Although there is a gap between the pot 11 and the tapered hole portion 34a in the same drawing and it seems that the pot 11 is not fitted, the fitting is complementary in a cross section (not shown).

Hereinafter, a process of taking out a tool by the tool gripping mechanism 5 having such a configuration will be outlined. For example, when taking out a stored tool, the tool 3
The pot holder 34 is moved toward the pot 11 and the pot 11 is fitted into the pot holder 34, and the hook member
Secure completely with 36. At the time of this fitting, both leaf spring members 21 of the pot 11 are elastically deformed inward by the edges of the tapered holes 34a of the pot holder 34, and the above-described magazine
It comes off from the notch 26a of the hole 26 of the base 25. As a result, the pot 11 can be moved from the position (a) to the position (b) in FIG.

Therefore, the tool gripping mechanism 5 is raised upward (Y direction) as a whole by the transport mechanism 6, and when the tool gripping mechanism 5 reaches the position (b), the tool gripping mechanism 5 is moved backward (Z direction). . As a result, the tool 3 (pot 11) is smoothly and reliably taken out. On the other hand, when the tool 3 is stored, the series of operations is generally reversed.

The above-mentioned ball 17 for preventing the tool from falling off is used.
At the time of the above-mentioned fitting via the pin 16 which can press it,
It is pressed by a releasable pressing means 38 (not shown in detail) on the tool gripping mechanism side. Therefore, the tool 3 (extraction mechanism 5)
The tool 3 does not come out of the pot 11 fixed to the pot holder 34 even if an unexpected external force is applied during the transfer of the tool 3.

As described above, according to the apparatus of this embodiment, the stored tool is gripped and removed from the rear side of the shank, and the mechanism for removing the tool is novel and compact. Can be collected very efficiently. Also, there is no need to provide a mechanism for taking out the tool on the blade side of the tool where the worker is present,
For example, safety and workability can be improved, or the degree of freedom in device design can be greatly improved. Further, in the conventional structure in which the tool is taken out from the blade side, an extra space has to be provided between the blades so that the movable member for taking out the tool moves into the space. The apparatus does not have such a situation, and the pitch between tools can be reduced to near the limit, so that the storage efficiency can be effectively improved.

In the embodiment described above, the tool 3 is stored in the tool storage mechanism 4 with the dedicated pot 11 attached to the tool shank. However, the pot 11 is not essential. Instead of this, it can be configured without using this. Some of the storage (support) types described below are just that.

FIG. 9 shows the first storage mode.
With reference to FIG. 2, provided on both sides of the tool 3 at the storage position so as to sandwich and hold the tool 3 is a support member 91 which is attached to a rod-shaped member 92 serving as a base and , But is supported so as to be self-maintained alternatively in either the (a) or (i) rotational position. When the support member 91 is in the position (A), the tool 3 is firmly held (accommodated) in a four-point manner by the ball-shaped portions 93 of the two support members 91 fitted into the V-groove-shaped grip portions 3e. Will be.

When the stored tool 3 is to be taken out to the rear of the shank, the take-out member 94 may be detachably attached to the tool shank and pulled out rearward in this state. At this time, since the support member 91 moves to the position (i), the tool 3
There is no particular hindrance to taking out. The attachment between the tool shank and the extraction member 94 is not particularly shown, but may be configured, for example, in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

On the other hand, when the tool 3 is to be stored, the reverse operation may be performed. At this time, the support member 91 in the open position (i) is pushed in by the extraction member 94 (a).
, And the ball-shaped portions 93 of both support members 91 are properly fitted into the V-groove-shaped grip portions 3e of the tool 3. Next, referring to FIG. 10 showing the second storage type,
The base plate-shaped magazine base 101
An elongated hole 102 through which the tool 3 can be penetrated is formed. On both lower sides of the elongated hole 102, a ball-shaped tip portion 103 at its tip is urged by a spring 104 so as to rotate and approach each other. Gripping member 10
5 is a symmetrical arrangement, which is rotatably mounted.

When the tool 3 is passed through the upper side of the elongated hole 102 and lowered as it is, the ball-shaped tip portion 103 which has approached is expanded and the tool 3 is further lowered to a predetermined lower position. Then, the lower edge of the elongated hole 102 and the ball-shaped tip portions 103 on both sides are fitted into the V-groove-shaped grip portion 3e of the tool 3. As a result, the tool 3 is firmly held in a three-point manner.

Finally, referring to FIG. 11 showing the third storage type, the magazine base 111 is similar to that of FIG.
Has a slightly bulged round hole 112 on the lower side.
On both lower sides of the 112, a U-shaped gripping member 113 is provided in a symmetrical arrangement, and this gripping member 113 can rotate, but can be in either of the rotation positions (A) and (A). It is supported as an alternative to self-holding.

When the tool 3 passes through the upper side of the round hole 112 and is lowered as it is, the lower portion of the gripping member 113 is pushed in. When the tool 3 is further lowered to a predetermined lower position, the position is lowered. The gripping member 113 according to (a)
It moves to the position (A) and the arc-shaped portion 113a of the gripping member 113
Fits perfectly into the V-groove-shaped holding portion 3 e of the tool 3.

As a result, the tool 3 can be held at key points,
It will be securely stored (held).

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, the automatic tool changer can be simply and effectively compactly structured, and the efficiency of storing tools in the tool magazine can be improved. Further, the movable portion of the tool changing device can be hidden behind the tool magazine, and the practical value can be significantly improved, for example, safety is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an automatic tool changer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the automatic tool changer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the automatic tool changer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part of the extraction mechanism as viewed from above along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan sectional view of a pot.

FIG. 6 is an external view of a side of a pot.

FIG. 7 is a front external view of the pot.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a main part of the magazine base.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a first storage format of tools in a tool magazine.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second storage type of tools in a tool magazine.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a third storage format of tools in a tool magazine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Automatic tool changer 2 ... NC machine tool 3 ... Tool 4 ... Tool storage mechanism 5 ... Tool holding mechanism 6 ... Transport mechanism 11 ... Pot 25 ... Magazine base 26 ... Hole 34 ... Pot holder

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method for storing a plurality of tools,
An automatic tool changer for exchanging tools between a tool holder and a tool storage mechanism, comprising a plurality of holes through which a blade portion of a tool can pass, and a holding means for detachably holding a tool at each hole. When the tool the tool held in the accommodating mechanism while the gripping from the rear side of the shank, and a tool gripping mechanism to release the holding of the tool by the holding means of the tool storage mechanism, the tool of the tool gripping mechanism in the tool integral An automatic tool changer , comprising: a transfer mechanism that is pulled out to the rear side of the shank and moves between a storage position of each tool and a predetermined tool change position.