JP4002803B2 - Tool changeable processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tool changeable processing apparatus. The “tool” as used in this specification includes a tool holder to which a tool is fixed and a tool holder in which the tool and the tool holder are integrated.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Some of the tool changeable processing apparatuses include a tool support member to which the tool is detachably fixed, a means for moving the tool support member, and a housing for movably storing the tool support member. This processing apparatus rotates a tool by rotating the tool support member, for example, and processes a workpiece. When replacing the tool, the tool is removed from the tool support member and a new tool is mounted.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In a tool changeable processing apparatus, when changing tools, foreign matter (for example, chips generated during workpiece processing) may be interposed between the tool and the tool support member. In this case, the tool and the tool support member do not mesh well, resulting in poor processing accuracy.
[0004]
In order for foreign matter to intervene between the tool and the tool support member, the following is the cause.
(1) When the tool is attached to the tool support member or removed from the tool support member, foreign matter adheres to the outer periphery of the tool. A housing is located around the tool support member, and foreign matters (particularly chips) may adhere to the workpiece-side surface of the housing. When the tool is attached to the tool support member or removed from the tool support member, the foreign matter adhering to the work side surface of the housing adheres to the outer periphery of the tool.
(2) A tool change arm may be disposed between the tool support member and the tool storage device to automatically change the tool. If foreign matter adheres to the tool exchange arm, it may adhere to the outer periphery of the tool.
(3) The tool storage device requires an opening for the tool to enter and exit, and foreign matter such as chips entering the storage device from the opening may adhere to the outer periphery of the tool.
[0005]
An object of the present invention is to effectively deal with the above-described causes and suppress the occurrence of an event that a foreign object is interposed between a tool and a tool support member as much as possible.
[0006]
[Means, actions and effects for solving problems]
The invention according to claim 1 created to solve the above-described problems is an apparatus for machining a workpiece by moving a tool, and is capable of exchanging tools. This processing apparatus includes a tool support member to which a tool is detachably fixed, a means for moving the tool support member, a housing for movably storing the tool support member, a work-side surface of the housing and a rotational motion. A rotating member.
One of the causes of foreign matter intervening between the tool and the tool support member is that chips are attached to the work side surface of the housing due to workpiece processing, and the chips adhere to the outer periphery of the tool when the tool is replaced. May end up. The processing apparatus according to the present invention solves this problem by providing a rotating member. For example, the rotating member may be always rotated during processing of the workpiece, or may be rotated before the tool is changed. When the workpiece is rotated during machining, the chips approaching (contacting) the rotating member can be blown off, and the chips do not adhere to the rotating member. Further, if the tool is rotated before exchanging the tool, chips and the like adhering to the rotating member during machining of the workpiece can be removed by centrifugal force. By providing the rotating member, foreign matter such as chips can be eliminated from the vicinity of the portion where the tool is attached and detached. For this reason, possibility that a foreign material will intervene between a tool and a tool support member becomes low. According to this processing apparatus, the workpiece can be processed with high accuracy.
In the above processing apparatus, the tool support member rotates. A rotation member can be fixed to a tool support member, and a rotation member can be rotated using rotation of a tool support member. With such a configuration, the rotary member rotates during the rotational movement of the tool support member (that is, during the processing of the workpiece), and the adhesion of chips can be prevented. There is no need to provide a separate drive source for rotating the rotating member, and the processing apparatus can be configured more simply.
Moreover, in said processing apparatus, the path | route which sends gas with respect to the tool exchanged from the workpiece | work side surface of a housing is provided, and the passage hole of the gas is provided in a rotation member. This processing apparatus removes foreign matters and the like attached to the tool removed from the tool support member by sending a gas when the tool is replaced. Moreover, the foreign material adhering to the tool attached to a tool support member is removed. Since there is a gas passage hole in the rotating member, gas can be sent to the tool while the rotating member is mounted.
[0009]
Moreover, it is preferable that the fin is provided in the surface of the rotating member on the workpiece side.
If it does in this way, a wind can be raised in the work direction by the rotational motion of the rotating member. For this reason, it becomes difficult for the chip etc. of a workpiece | work to adhere to a rotating member.
[0012]
The tool support member, the tool path to send the gas is provided to the portion which is fixed, may have a shape spread end of its path.
In this processing apparatus, gas is sent to a portion where the tool is fixed when the tool is exchanged. As a result, the foreign matter adhering to the portion where the tool is fixed is removed and the foreign matter adhering to the tool itself is also removed. In this apparatus, the end of the gas path is widened. As a result, gas can be sprayed over a wider range, and the removal of foreign matter is more reliable. The possibility that foreign matter is interposed between the tool and the tool support member can be reduced.
[0013]
The above processing apparatus includes a tool storage device for storing tools direct replacements, an arm for exchanging tools moving between the tool support member and the tool storage device is secured to the tool support member, the standby position You may further provide the arm cover member which covers a certain arm.
Since the arm carries the tool, if there is a foreign object on the arm, the foreign object may adhere to the tool. As a result, foreign matter may be present between the tool and the tool support member. When the machining apparatus is in the standby position (when not changing the tool, that is, during machining of the workpiece), the arm is covered with the arm cover member. For this reason, it is difficult for foreign matter to adhere to the arm, and the possibility that foreign matter is interposed between the tool and the tool support member is reduced.
[0014]
In the case of the above processing apparatus, it is preferable to provide a brush that comes into contact with the arm on the arm cover member.
If it does in this way, the foreign material adhering to an arm will be removed with a brush. For this reason, it becomes difficult for foreign matter to adhere to the arm.
[0015]
More preferably, the arm cover member is provided with a path for sending gas to the arm.
With such a configuration, gas can be blown to the arm at the standby position. Foreign matter adhering to the arm can be removed by gas blowing.
[0016]
Additional processing apparatus may further include a tool storage device for storing tools direct replacements, moving between the tool support member and the tool housing device and an arm to replace the tool fixed to the tool support member, The tool storage device may be provided with means for sending gas to the tool entrance.
When a foreign object enters the tool storage device, the foreign object may adhere to the stored tool. When a tool to which foreign matter is attached in this way is used, there is a possibility that the foreign matter is interposed between the tool and the tool support member. Conventionally, a shutter is provided at the entrance of the tool in the tool storage device in order to prevent entry of foreign matter. However, even if a shutter is provided, if a foreign object adheres to a tool that has been used, the foreign object enters the tool storage device when the tool is stored. The processing apparatus according to the present invention described above prevents foreign matter from entering from the tool entrance / exit of the tool storage device by sending gas. Further, since the gas can be blown onto the tool passing through the tool entrance, foreign matter adhering to the tool can also be removed. It is possible to more reliably prevent foreign matter from entering the tool storage device.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention described in each of the above claims can be suitably implemented in the following forms.
(Form 1) The tool support member described in each claim has a slot into which the tool is fitted. The slot has a tapered shape.
(Embodiment 2) In the case of Embodiment 1, the spread of the end of the path is made larger than the taper of the slot.
(Form 3) A disc, a flat plate, etc. are employ | adopted for a rotation member.
(Mode 4) The arm moves between the tool support member and the tool storage device by rotating.
(Mode 5) The arm cover member is disposed so as to cover the upper surface of the arm.
(Mode 6) The tool storage device includes a so-called tool magazine and a casing for storing the tool magazine. A tool entrance is provided in the casing.
(Mode 7) The tool storage device is provided with a plurality of means for sending gas to the tool doorway.
[0019]
【Example】
Embodiments of a processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a schematic configuration of the processing apparatus 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the processing apparatus 2.
The processing apparatus 2 includes a workpiece processing unit 10 that processes a workpiece using a tool, a tool storage device 100 that stores a large number of tools, and an exchange that exchanges tools between the workpiece processing unit 10 and the tool storage device 100. It consists of an arm 50 and the like. The tool is held by the tool holder 4. In this embodiment, the specific shape of the tool is not shown. There are various types of tools used in the processing apparatus 2 of the present embodiment, and there are various workpieces to be processed. Further, in FIG. 1, other components (for example, a work support base) provided in the processing apparatus 2 are not shown. Only the elements relevant to the present invention are shown and described. Below, the structure of the workpiece | work process part 10, the exchange arm 50, and the tool storage apparatus 100 is demonstrated in detail.
[0020]
The configuration of the workpiece machining unit 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 7. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the workpiece machining unit 10. A workpiece (not shown) is set below the workpiece machining unit 10, and the workpiece is machined by a tool. In the workpiece processing unit 10, an entire housing 18 is configured by the first housing 12, the second housing 14, and the third housing 16. The first housing 12 is fixed to the second housing 14. The first housing 12 is fixed to the third housing 16. Four bearings 20 (only one symbol is attached) are fixed to the first housing 12. The first housing 12 supports the rotary shaft 22 through the bearings 20 so as to be rotatable. The rotating shaft 22 is connected to a motor (not shown). When the motor is driven, the rotary shaft 22 rotates about the axis C4. Description of the motor drive mechanism and control mechanism is omitted.
In FIG. 2, the rotating shaft 22 and the second housing 14 appear to be in contact with each other, but in actuality they are not in contact with each other, or even if they are in contact, the sliding friction is very small. The presence of the second housing 14 does not suppress the rotational movement of the rotary shaft 22.
[0021]
The rotary shaft 22 is hollow inside. A mechanism 26 that holds the tool holder 4 is provided in the cavity. The holding mechanism 26 includes a clamp member 28 and a substantially cylindrical member 30. The clamp member 28 and the member 30 can slide in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 22.
FIG. 2 shows a state in which the workpiece processing unit 10 holds the tool holder 4. In this state, the member 30 is biased upward by the spring 29, and the tool holder 4 is also biased upward. At this time, the tool holder 4 is in close contact with the taper portion (tool holder fixing portion) 36 of the rotating shaft 22.
When the member 30 is moved downward from the state of FIG. 2, the clamp member 28 moves downward, and the lower end of the clamp member 28 can spread outward. Thereby, the bulging part 4b of the upper end of the tool holder (tool) 4 comes to come off from the rotating shaft 22 (refer FIG. 7). On the contrary, when the tool holder 4 is inserted into the rotating shaft 22, the tool holder 4 is clamped and the state shown in FIG. 2 is obtained (the tool holder (tool) 4 is fixed to the rotating shaft 22).
It is well shown in the figure that the tool holder 4 of this embodiment has a tapered shape (tapered portion 40). The shape of the tool holder fixing part 36 of the rotating shaft 22 is set according to the shape of the taper.
[0022]
An air passage 32 is formed inside the member 30. The air passage 32 sends the air generated by the compressed air generation means (not shown) to the tool holder fixing part 36. Air is blown when the tool (tool holder 4) is replaced. That is, air is blown when the tool holder 4 is removed from the rotating shaft 22 or when a new tool holder 4 is inserted into the rotating shaft 22 (in the state shown in FIG. 7). As a result, air is applied to the tool holder 4 to be removed and the tapered portion 40 of the tool holder 4 to be attached, and foreign matters (such as workpiece chips) adhering to the tapered portion 40 are removed (blowed off). Moreover, the foreign material adhering to the tool holder fixing | fixed part 36 is also removed.
The terminal portion 32a of the air passage path 32 has a widening shape. That is, the end portion 32 a has a larger diameter than the intermediate portion of the air passage path 32 and the like. By increasing the diameter of the end portion 32a in this way, air spreads throughout the tool holder fixing portion 36. The spread angle of the end portion 32a is set to be larger than the taper angle of the tool holder fixing portion 36 (that is, the taper angle of the taper portion 40 of the tool holder 4).
[0023]
The second housing 14 is provided with a path 52 through which air passes. Air is blown into this path 52 in the direction of the arrow D1. The timing of blowing air here is the same as the timing of blowing air from the air passage path 32 described above. An air annular path 54 communicating with the air passage path 52 is provided in the second housing 14. The air annular path 54 is provided over the inside of the second housing 14. A plurality of paths 56 are connected to the air annular path 54. With these configurations, the air blown into the path 52 is blown out below the second housing 14 via the path 54 and the plurality of paths 56. That is, gas blows out from the work side surface (lower surface) of the second housing 14.
A housing covering member 44 is disposed below the second housing 14 with a slight gap therebetween. FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the housing covering member 44. As well shown in FIG. 3, the housing covering member 44 has a disk shape having an opening 46 in the center. The opening 46 is fitted in the rotating shaft 22. The housing covering member 44 is provided with six air passage holes 44a in the vicinity of the opening 46 (only one reference numeral is given in FIG. 3). Air blown out from the work side surface of the second housing 14 passes through the air passage hole 44a. By guiding the air in this way, foreign matters attached to the tapered portion 40 of the tool holder 4 are removed when the tool is replaced.
The rotation stop position of the rotary shaft 22 is adjusted so that the position of the air passage hole 44a of the housing covering member 44 and the position of the path 56 of the second housing 14 are well matched.
[0024]
Two nut holes 58 are provided in the housing covering member 44. Bolts 59 are inserted into the nut holes 58 (see FIGS. 2 and 7). By tightening the bolt 59, the housing covering member 44 is fixed to the rotating shaft 22. Therefore, when the rotating shaft 22 rotates, the housing covering member 44 also rotates. That is, the housing covering member 44 rotates during workpiece processing. Workpiece chips and the like are prevented from adhering to the housing covering member 44 due to centrifugal force and wind force generated by this rotation.
[0025]
Next, the configuration of the exchange arm 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 shows a positional relationship among the workpiece processing unit 10, the exchange arm 50, and the tool storage device 100. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the processing apparatus 2. However, in order to clarify the positional relationship between the respective parts 10, 50, 100, they are shown in a considerably simplified manner.
As shown well in FIG. 4, the exchange arm 50 has a rectangular shape. Both ends of the exchange arm 50 have shapes (tool holding portions 64 and 66) that can hold the tool (tool holder 4). The exchange arm 50 is configured to be rotatable around the reference numeral 62 as a rotation center (it can rotate in the direction of arrow D2). A rectangular cover member 60 is disposed above the exchange arm 50. The cover member 60 completely covers the upper part of the exchange arm 50. The cover member 60 is fixed at the position shown in FIG. 4, that is, does not rotate in conjunction with the replacement arm 50 rotating. The exchange arm 50 stands by at the position shown in FIG. 4 when it does not rotate. That is, it waits in the state covered with the cover member 60.
[0026]
The exchange arm 50 is movable in the vertical direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 4). The exchange arm 50 rotates and moves to a position (position P1) where the tool fixed to the rotary shaft 22 can be held when the tool (tool holder 4) in the workpiece machining unit 10 is exchanged. In a state where one tool holding portion 64 (or 66) is located at P1, the other tool holding portion 66 (or 64) is located at P2. The position P2 is slightly below the tool entrance 82 of the tool storage device 100. In P <b> 2, a tool can be received from the tool storage device 100 or a tool can be passed to the tool storage device 100. When the exchange arm 50 rotates to P1 and P2, the tool holding portion 64 (or 66) holds the tool holder 4 at the workpiece processing portion 10 and moves downward (downward in the vertical direction in FIG. 4; downward in FIG. 2). To do. As a result, the tool holder 4 is pulled out of the workpiece processing unit 10 (rotating shaft 22). Simultaneously with this operation, the other tool holder 66 (or 64) receives (holds) a new tool from the tool storage device 100.
The exchange arm 50 that has received the tools at P1 and P2 rotates 180 degrees. Accordingly, the tool holding unit 64 (or 66) that has received the tool at P1 is positioned at P2, and the tool holding unit 66 (or 64) that has received the tool at P2 is positioned at P1. In this state, the exchange arm 50 moves upward (upward in the vertical direction in FIG. 4; upward in FIGS. 1 and 2). As a result, a new tool is inserted into the workpiece machining unit 10 (rotating shaft 22), and an old tool is inserted into the tool storage device 100. When the tool change is completed, the exchange arm 50 returns to the standby position (position shown in FIG. 4).
[0027]
FIG. 5 simply shows a side view of the exchange arm 50. The tool holders 64, 66 are shown particularly simply. The cover member 60 is provided with a plurality of air vents 68 side by side (in FIG. 5, only one air vent is provided with a reference numeral). FIG. 4 clearly shows the position where the air vent 68 is provided. The position of the air vent 68 is not limited to the position of the present embodiment. For example, it may be provided over the entire cover member 60. Air is blown out from the air vent hole 68 below the cover member 60. The air generating means is not shown, but may be arranged anywhere. It may be integral with the cover member 60 or may be externally attached.
Air is constantly blown out from the air vent 68. For this reason, when the replacement arm 50 is covered with the cover member 60, foreign matter such as workpiece chips is prevented from adhering to the upper surface 50a of the replacement arm 50. Furthermore, the upper surface 50a can be cleaned while the exchange arm 50 is rotating.
The number, diameter, angle, and position of the air vents 68 can be changed as appropriate, and the air flow rate can be changed as appropriate.
[0028]
Next, the configuration of the tool storage device 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the tool storage device 100 has a ring-shaped magazine 80 that can rotate about an axis C1. A casing 81 is provided so as to cover the magazine 80. As shown in FIG. 4, a tool entrance 82 is formed in the casing 81. The magazine 80 can grip a plurality of tool holders, and turns only the tool holder at the lowest position downward by rotating around the axis C2. The tool holder facing downward is located at the tool entrance 82 and is supported by the exchange arm 50.
As shown in FIG. 4, air nozzles 84 and 86 are arranged so as to sandwich the tool entrance 82. The air nozzles 84 and 86 can blow air toward the tool entrance 82. It can be seen from FIG. 4 that the air blowing widths of the air nozzles 84 and 86 are substantially the same as the diameter of the tool entrance 82.
FIG. 6 shows the configuration in the vicinity of the tool entrance / exit 82 of the tool storage device 100 in more detail. Air nozzles 84 and 86 are arranged above the casing 81 in which the tool entrance 82 is formed (that is, inside the casing 81). Air nozzles 90 and 92 are also disposed below the casing 81 (that is, outside the casing 81). Accordingly, four air nozzles 84, 86, 90, and 92 are disposed in the vicinity of the tool entrance / exit 82. Air is constantly blown out from the air nozzles 84, 86, 90, and 92. By blowing out air, it is possible to prevent chips and foreign matter from entering the tool storage device 100. That is, there is an air curtain effect.
[0029]
6 indicates the position of the tool holder 4 when the replacement arm 50 is in the lower position, and the broken tool holder 4 indicates the position of the tool holder 4 when the replacement arm 50 is in the upper position. Indicates. The tool holder 4 is supported by the tool pot 88 by raising the exchange arm 50 in the lower position. When the tool holder 88 supports the tool holder 4, the tool pot 88 rotates about the axis C <b> 2 in FIG. 1 and is stored in the tool magazine 80.
With the air blown out from the air nozzles 84, 86, 90, and 92, chips and foreign matters attached to the tool holder 4 and the tool pot 88 can be removed.
[0030]
In the processing apparatus 2 described above, since the housing covering member 44 is provided, foreign matters such as chips do not exist near the portion where the tool is attached and detached. For this reason, possibility that a foreign material will intervene between the tool holder 4 and the rotating shaft 22 becomes low. According to this processing apparatus 2, a workpiece can be processed with high accuracy.
The replacement arm 50 in the standby position is covered with a cover member 60. For this reason, it is difficult for foreign matter to adhere to the replacement arm 50, and the possibility that foreign matter is interposed between the tool holder 4 and the rotating shaft 22 is reduced.
In addition, by providing the tool storage device 100 with the air nozzles 84, 86, 90, and 92, it is possible to reliably prevent foreign matter from entering the device 100. Furthermore, the manufacturing unit price can be made lower than that of the conventional shutter mechanism.
[0031]
Specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above.
For example, a brush may be disposed on the lower surface of the cover member 60 (the lower surface in FIG. 5). This brush is brought into contact with the upper surface 50 a of the exchange arm 50. With such a configuration, the foreign matter attached to the upper surface 50a of the exchange arm 50 can be removed with a brush.
[0032]
Further, the housing covering member 44 may have a shape other than a circular shape (such as a square shape). In particular, it is preferable to provide fins on the lower surface of the housing covering member 44 (the lower surface in FIG. 2; the surface on the workpiece side). If it does in this way, when the housing coating | coated member 44 rotates, the wind force of a downward direction (FIG. 1, FIG. 2 downward) will generate | occur | produce, and adhesion of chips etc. can be prevented more.
In this embodiment, the housing covering member 44 is fixed to the rotating shaft 22. However, a means for rotating the housing covering member 44 may be provided so that it can be rotated separately from the rotating shaft 22. If it does in this way, the rotation timing of the housing coating | coated member 44 can also be set freely.
Moreover, this processing apparatus 2 processes a workpiece | work by rotating a tool. However, the present technology can also be applied to an apparatus that processes a workpiece by, for example, linearly moving a tool. Further, the present technology can also be applied to a processing apparatus that moves a workpiece instead of moving a tool. The present technology can also be applied to a processing apparatus that moves a tool and a workpiece simultaneously.
[0033]
In addition, the technical elements described in the present specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology illustrated in the present specification or the drawings achieves a plurality of objects at the same time, and has technical utility by achieving one of the objects.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a processing apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a workpiece processing part (a state in which a tool holder is fixed to a rotating shaft).
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a housing covering member.
FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of the machining apparatus, showing a positional relationship among a workpiece machining unit, a tool storage device, and an exchange arm.
FIG. 5 shows a schematic side view of an exchange arm.
FIG. 6 shows a configuration near the entrance / exit of the tool storage device.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the workpiece machining part (a state where the tool holder is detached from the rotating shaft).
[Explanation of symbols]
2. Processing device 4. Tool holder 10. Work processing part 12. First housing 14. Second housing 16. Third housing 18. Whole housing 20. Bearing 22. Rotating shaft 26. · Clamp mechanism 44 · · Housing covering member 50 · · Exchange arm 80 · · Tool magazine 81 · · Casing 82 of the tool storage device · · Entrance and exit 84 of the tool storage device · · Air nozzle 86 · · Air nozzle 90 · · Air nozzle 92 · · Air nozzle 100 ・ ・ Tool storage device

Claims (8)

A device that moves a tool by moving a tool.
A tool support member to which the tool is detachably fixed;
Means for rotating the tool support member;
A housing for rotatably storing the tool support member;
The work side of the housing is covered and fixed to the tool support member, and includes a rotating member that rotates together with the tool support member ,
The housing has a flow path for sending gas,
The flow path has an opening formed in the work side surface of the housing,
The gas in the flow path is blown out of the housing from the opening when the tool is attached to and detached from the tool support member,
The rotating member has a gas passage hole blown out from the opening.
A tool changeable processing device characterized by the above . The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tool support member is provided with a path for sending a gas to a portion to which the tool is fixed, and the end of the path is widened . The tool support member has a slot into which the tool fits,
The slot has a tapered shape,
The processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein an angle of expansion of the end of the path is larger than a taper angle of the slot .   The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein fins are provided on a work-side surface of the rotating member. A tool storage device that stores a tool for replacement, an arm that moves between the tool support member and the tool storage device to replace the tool fixed to the tool support member, and an arm cover member that covers the arm in the standby position The processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the arm cover member is provided with a brush that contacts the arm . The processing apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a path for sending gas to the arm is provided in the arm cover member . A tool storage device that stores a tool for replacement, and an arm that moves between the tool support member and the tool storage device and replaces the tool fixed to the tool support member;
The processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the tool storage device has means for sending gas to the entrance / exit of the tool .

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