JP7804487B2 - cutting machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cutting machine.

Cutting machines that cut a workpiece to produce, for example, dental molded products are conventionally known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cutting machine that cuts a workpiece in a processing area partitioned by multiple walls.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-142617

When cutting a workpiece using a cutting machine, cutting powder from the workpiece is generated inside the machining chamber where the workpiece is held and adheres to the chamber. This is undesirable because it can scatter when the machining chamber is opened or adhere to the next workpiece.

The present invention was made in consideration of these issues, and its purpose is to provide a cutting machine that can brush away cutting powder that has adhered to the machining chamber after cutting of the workpiece is completed.

The cutting machine disclosed herein comprises a holding device that holds the workpiece, a processing chamber that houses the holding device, a cutting device that cuts the workpiece held in the holding device, an air blow device equipped with a nozzle that injects air into the processing chamber, and a control device. The control device comprises a cutting control unit and a blow control unit. The cutting control unit controls the cutting device to cut the workpiece. After cutting of the workpiece is completed, the blow control unit controls the air blow device to inject air into the processing chamber.

With the above-mentioned cutting machine, after cutting of the workpiece is completed, cutting powder that has adhered to the processing chamber due to cutting of the workpiece can be brushed away.

1 is a perspective view of a cutting machine according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a plan view of the workpiece and the adapter. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cutting machine as viewed from the left. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cutting machine as viewed from the right. FIG. FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the cutting machine during adapter replacement. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cutting device chamber and a drive device chamber. FIG. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view of the vicinity of the lower end of the spindle. FIG. 10 is a side view of the vicinity of the tip of the cutting device when the cutting tool is replaced. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a cutting machine. 1 is a flowchart of the overall process. 1 is a flowchart of workpiece cleaning. FIG. 10 is a side view showing the work holder during workpiece cleaning. 10A to 10C are plan views of the work holder illustrating the work cleaning procedure. 10 is a flowchart of processing chamber cleaning. FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cutting machine during cleaning of the machining chamber.

Below, we will explain a cutting machine according to one embodiment, with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiment described here is, of course, not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the same reference numerals will be used to designate components and parts that perform the same functions, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[Configuration of cutting machine]
1 is a perspective view of a cutting machine 10 according to one embodiment. In the following description, when viewed from the front of the cutting machine 10, the side away from the cutting machine 10 is referred to as the front, and the side approaching the cutting machine 10 is referred to as the rear. The terms left, right, top, and bottom refer to the left, right, top, and bottom of the cutting machine 10 when viewed from the front. Furthermore, the symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawings refer to the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom, respectively.

The cutting machine 10 according to this embodiment is a cutting machine that cuts a disk-shaped workpiece held in an adapter. Figure 2 is a plan view of the workpiece 1 and the adapter 5. In this example, the cutting machine 10 is a device that cuts the workpiece 1 to produce dental molded products, such as crowns, bridges, copings, inlays, onlays, veneers, custom abutments, and other dental prostheses, as well as artificial teeth and denture bases. The cutting machine 10 according to this embodiment is a dry-type cutting machine that does not use coolant.

The workpiece 1 is made of, for example, resins such as PMMA, PEEK, glass fiber reinforced resin, and hybrid resin; ceramic materials such as glass ceramics and zirconia; metal materials such as cobalt chromium sintered metal; wax; and gypsum. When zirconia is used as the material for the workpiece 1, semi-sintered zirconia is used, for example. The workpiece 1 is a flat plate-like workpiece having two opposing surfaces. Herein, the shape of the workpiece 1 is disk-like (disk-like). However, the workpiece 1 may have other shapes, such as a block shape (e.g., a cube or a rectangular parallelepiped). Hereinafter, the two opposing surfaces of the workpiece 1 will also be referred to as the first surface 1A and the second surface 1B, respectively. The second surface 1B is the reverse side of the first surface 1A. The distinction between the first surface 1A and the second surface 1B is for convenience's sake; in this embodiment, the first surface 1A and the second surface 1B of the workpiece 1 before machining are the same. However, the first surface 1A and second surface 1B of the workpiece 1 before machining may be configured to be distinguishable.

The adapter 5 holds the disk-shaped workpiece 1. In this case, the adapter 5 is a flat adapter with a generally circular insertion hole 5a formed in the center that corresponds to the workpiece 1. The workpiece 1 is held in the adapter 5 by being inserted into the insertion hole 5a. While held in the adapter 5, the workpiece 1 is placed in the cutting machine 10 and machined.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cutting machine 10 has a box-shaped housing 11. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cutting machine 10 as seen from the left. FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cutting machine 10 as seen from the right. As shown in FIG. 1, the interior of the housing 11 is partitioned into multiple spaces, including a processing chamber 120 (see also FIG. 3) that houses the work holder 20 that holds the adapter 5, a drive unit chamber 130 that houses the holder movement device 30 (see FIG. 4) that moves the work holder 20, a changer chamber 170 that houses the work changer 70, and a tool exchange chamber 180 for storing cutting tools 6 (see FIG. 7) in a tool stocker 80 (also see FIG. 7).

As shown in FIG. 1, the processing chamber 120 is located in the lower left portion of the housing 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the processing chamber 120 extends to the rear end of the housing 11. The changer chamber 170 is located above the front portion of the processing chamber 120. The changer chamber 170 extends to the center of the housing 11 in the front-to-rear direction. The drive unit chamber 130 is located to the right of the processing chamber 120. As shown in FIG. 4, the drive unit chamber 130 extends to the rear end of the housing 11. The tool change room 180 is located above the front portion of the drive unit chamber 130. The tool change room 180 extends to the center of the housing 11 in the front-to-rear direction. The drive unit chamber 130 may be located to the left of the processing chamber 120. In that case, the tool change room 180 may be located to the left of the changer chamber 170.

A machining chamber door 122 is provided at the front opening 121 of the machining chamber 120 (see Figure 3) and can be opened and closed. A drive unit chamber cover 131 is provided at the front opening of the drive unit chamber 130. A changer chamber door 171 is provided at the front opening of the changer chamber 170 and can be opened and closed. A tool exchange chamber door 181 is provided at the front opening of the tool exchange chamber 180 and can be opened and closed. The machining chamber door 122, changer chamber door 171, and tool exchange chamber door 181 are provided with transparent windows 122a, 171a, and 181a, respectively, to allow the interior to be viewed. An operation panel 110 is provided on the front of the drive unit chamber cover 131. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the front surfaces of the housing 11 (here, the front openings of the machining chamber 120, drive unit chamber 130, changer chamber 170, and tool exchange chamber 180) are formed at an angle to the bottom surface. The front surface of the housing 11 is tilted backward.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, above the machining chamber 120 and drive unit chamber 130 and behind the changer chamber 170 and tool exchange chamber 180, there is a cutting unit chamber 150 that houses the cutting unit 50 and a spindle movement unit 60 that moves the cutting unit 50 (as will be described later, the cutting unit 50 has a spindle 51 equipped with a rotating spindle unit 52). In this case, the cutting unit chamber 150 occupies almost the entire width of the housing 11 in the left-right direction.

The work holder 20 is an example of a holding device that holds the workpiece 1. In this example, the work holder 20 holds the workpiece 1 via the adapter 5. However, the work holder 20 may also hold the workpiece 1 directly, without using any other member. Figure 5 is a plan view of the work holder 20. As shown in Figure 5, the work holder 20 has a pair of arms 21 on the left and right. The adapter 5 is held by the work holder 20 by being inserted between the pair of arms 21. The operation of the cutting machine 10 when the adapter 5 is inserted between the pair of arms 21 will be described later.

The holder moving device 30 supports and moves the work holder 20. In this embodiment, the holder moving device 30 moves the work holder 20 in the forward and backward directions. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the holder moving device 30 moves the work holder 20 diagonally forward and backward so that it descends toward the rear. When the work holder 20 is moved forward by the holder moving device 30, it also moves upward. When the work holder 20 is moved backward by the holder moving device 30, it also moves downward. As shown in FIG. 4, hereinafter, the direction in which the work holder 20 is moved by the holder moving device 30 is also referred to as the X-axis direction. Furthermore, hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the forward direction in the X-axis direction may simply be referred to as the forward direction, and the rearward direction in the X-axis direction may simply be referred to as the rearward direction.

As shown in FIG. 5, the holder moving device 30 includes a support arm 31 that extends in the left-right direction and supports the work holder 20. As shown in FIG. 4, the holder moving device 30 includes an X-axis moving body 32 connected to the support arm 31, a pair of X-axis guide rails 33, an X-axis drive motor 34, and a ball screw 35. The holder moving device 30 moves the work holder 20 in the X-axis direction by moving the support arm 31 in the X-axis direction. At least a portion of the holder moving device 30 is housed in the drive device chamber 130. Here, the X-axis moving body 32, the pair of X-axis guide rails 33, the X-axis drive motor 34, the ball screw 35, and a portion of the support arm 31 of the holder moving device 30 are housed in the drive device chamber 130.

As shown in FIG. 4 , a pair of X-axis guide rails 33 extend in the X-axis direction. The X-axis mover 32 is slidably engaged with the pair of X-axis guide rails 33. The X-axis mover 32 can move in the X-axis direction along the X-axis guide rails 33. The ball screw 35 extends in the X-axis direction. The ball screw 35 is engaged with a nut provided on the X-axis mover 32. The X-axis drive motor 34 rotates the ball screw 35 around its axis. When the X-axis drive motor 34 is driven to rotate the ball screw 35, the X-axis mover 32 moves in the X-axis direction along the X-axis guide rails 33. The X-axis drive motor 34 is an example of a drive unit that moves the X-axis mover 32 in the X-axis direction, thereby moving the support arm 31 and work holder 20 in the X-axis direction. Note that the holder movement device 30 is not limited to one having a ball screw mechanism and may include, for example, a timing belt or wire.

The holder movement device 30 is configured to move the work holder 20 within a predetermined range in the X-axis direction when the workpiece 1 held by the work holder 20 is cut by the cutting device 50. Hereinafter, this predetermined range in the X-axis direction will also be referred to as the "movement range during cutting processing." Figure 3 illustrates the work holder 20 positioned within the movement range during cutting processing.

As shown in FIG. 5, the support arm 31 includes a rotary shaft 31a that rotates around an axis Axb extending in the left-right direction; a first arm 31b that is connected to the rotary shaft 31a perpendicular to the axis Axb and rotates in the front-rear direction together with the rotary shaft 31a; and a second arm 31c that is connected to the first arm 31b parallel to the axis Axb (perpendicular to the first arm 31b). As shown in FIG. 4, the X-axis mover 32 is provided with a B-axis motor 41B that rotates the rotary shaft 31a around the axis Axb. The support arm 31 and the B-axis motor 41B constitute part of a rotation device 40 that changes the attitude of the work holder 20 by rotating the work holder 20. When the B-axis motor 41B is driven to rotate the rotary shaft 31a, the work holder 20 rotates in the front-rear direction. Hereinafter, the extension direction of the axis Axb will also be referred to as the B-axis direction, and rotation around the axis Axb will also be referred to as rotation around the B-axis. Additionally, the part of the rotation device 40 that rotates the work holder 20 around the B axis is also referred to as the B-axis rotation device 40B.

The rotation device 40 also includes an A-axis rotation device 40A that rotates the work holder 20 left and right. As shown in FIG. 5, the A-axis rotation device 40A includes an A-axis rotation motor 41A and a rotation shaft 42A. The A-axis rotation motor 41A is fixed to the second arm 31c. The rotation shaft 42A is connected to the A-axis rotation motor 41A and extends in the front-to-rear direction along the axis Axa. When the A-axis rotation motor 41A is driven, the rotation shaft 42A rotates around the axis Axa. Hereinafter, the extension direction of the axis Axa will also be referred to as the A-axis direction, and rotation around the axis Axa will also be referred to as rotation around the A-axis.

The machining chamber 120 is partitioned by multiple walls and houses the work holder 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the multiple walls include a bottom wall 120D, a left side wall 120L (see FIG. 1), a right side wall 120R, a rear wall 120Rr, a front wall 120F, and a top wall 120U. The multiple walls 120D, 120L, 120R, 120Rr, 120F, and 120U are formed from metal plates here. The bottom wall 120D is positioned below the work holder 20 and forms the bottom surface of the machining chamber 120. The bottom wall 120D is configured to be approximately horizontal when the cutting machine 10 is installed on a horizontal surface. The top wall 120U is positioned above the work holder 20 and forms the top surface of the machining chamber 120. The left side wall 120L, the right side wall 120R, the rear wall 120Rr, and the front wall 120F are erected to connect the top wall 120U and the bottom wall 120D. The left side wall 120L is connected to the left end of the bottom wall 120D and extends upward. The left side wall 120L is erected to the left of the work holder 20. The right side wall 120R is connected to the right end of the bottom wall 120D and extends upward. The right side wall 120R is erected to the right of the work holder 20. The rear wall 120Rr is connected to the rear end of the bottom wall 120D and extends upward. The left and right ends of the rear wall 120Rr are connected to the rear ends of the left side wall 120L and the right side wall 120R, respectively. The rear wall 120Rr is erected rearward of the work holder 20. The front wall 120F is connected to the front end of the bottom wall 120D and extends obliquely upward. The front wall 120F is erected forward of the work holder 20. The front wall 120F extends at an angle toward the rear. The extension direction of the front wall 120F is perpendicular to the X-axis direction. The left and right ends of the front wall 120F are connected to the front ends of the left side wall 120L and the right side wall 120R, respectively. The top wall 120U extends perpendicular to the front wall 120F, i.e., parallel to the X-axis direction. The top wall 120U slopes downward toward the rear. The top wall 120U is not parallel to the bottom wall 120D. The front, left, right, and rear ends of the top wall 120U are connected to the upper ends of the front wall 120F, the left side wall 120L, the right side wall 120R, and the rear wall 120Rr, respectively.

A front opening 121 is formed in the front wall 120F of the processing chamber 120. As mentioned above, the front opening 121 is provided with an openable and closable processing chamber door 122. The front opening 121 extends upward from a position above the lower end of the front wall 120F. The area near the lower end of the front wall 120F forms a corner that is not open to the outside.

The right side wall 120R separates the machining chamber 120 from the drive unit chamber 130. The right side wall 120R of the machining chamber 120 also serves as the left side wall of the drive unit chamber 130. As shown in FIG. 3 , the right side wall 120R has a slit 123 extending in the X-axis direction and through which the support arm 31 of the holder movement device 30 passes. The slit 123 is an opening through which the support arm 31 is inserted. A dustproof plate 36 is fixed to the support arm 31 to prevent cutting dust generated in the machining chamber 120 from entering the drive unit chamber 130. The dustproof plate 36 is arranged to cover at least a portion of the slit 123 and moves in the X-axis direction together with the support arm 31. The dustproof plate 36 is fixed to a portion of the support arm 31 located within the machining chamber 120 and is arranged within the machining chamber 120. Here, the dustproof plate 36 is configured to cover different portions of the slit 123 depending on the position of the support arm 31 in the X-axis direction.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the dustproof plate 36 is configured to cover the rear end of the slit 123 when the work holder 20 is located within its movement range during cutting. At this time, the front end of the slit 123 is open and not covered by the dustproof plate 36. The dustproof plate 36 is configured to be located rearward of the front end of the slit 123 when the work holder 20 is located within its movement range during cutting. As the support arm 31 moves rearward, the dustproof plate 36 opens more of the front side of the slit 123. As will be described later, this is because cutting dust tends to collect behind the work holder 20 due to the air flow within the machining chamber 120, while there is less cutting dust in front of the work holder 20. This shortens the length of the dustproof plate 36, preventing the machining chamber 120 from becoming longer toward the front. Note that a portion of the front side of the slit 123 remains open regardless of the position of the work holder 20. By leaving a portion of the front side of the slit 123 open, an air flow is generated from the drive unit chamber 130 toward the machining chamber 120. This prevents cutting dust and other particles from inside the machining chamber 120 from entering the drive unit chamber 130.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the top wall 120U separates the machining chamber 120 from the changer chamber 170, and also separates the machining chamber 120 from the cutting device chamber 150. The top wall 120U has a front opening 124 that connects the machining chamber 120 to the changer chamber 170, and a rear opening 125 that connects the machining chamber 120 to the cutting device chamber 150. The front portion of the top wall 120U of the machining chamber 120 also serves as the bottom wall of the changer chamber 170. The front opening 124 is formed below the changer chamber 170. The front opening 124 is an opening through which the workpiece 1 transported by the transport device 72 of the work changer 70 can pass. As will be described later, the transport device 72 transports the adapter storage section 71, which stores the adapter 5, from the front opening 124 to the machining chamber 120.

The rear portion of the ceiling wall 120U of the processing chamber 120 also forms the left portion of the bottom wall of the cutting device chamber 150. The rear opening 125 is formed below the cutting device chamber 150. The rear opening 125 is an opening through which at least a portion of the cutting device 50, in this case the lower portion of the spindle 51, can pass. The rear opening 125 is an opening through which the cutting tool 6 and spindle 51 pass when the spindle 51 is moved in the Z-axis direction (see Figure 3) by the Z-axis movement device 60Z, which will be described later. As will be described in more detail below, the rear opening 125 extends above the drive device chamber 130 to connect the drive device chamber 130 and the cutting device chamber 150 (see Figure 7).

As shown in FIG. 3, the bottom wall 120D of the processing chamber 120 includes a substantially horizontal bottom portion 126 and a slope 127 connected to the rear end of the bottom portion 126 and extending rearward from there. The slope 127 slopes upward toward the rear. The slope 127 and the bottom portion 126 are connected so as to bend. The slope 127 is connected to the rear wall 120Rr. A space is formed below the slope 127.

An exhaust port 128 opens into the bottom wall 120D. The exhaust port 128 is connected to the dust collector 111 (see Figure 11) via an exhaust duct 92 (described later) or the like. Air and dust inside the processing chamber 120 are discharged from the exhaust port 128. The exhaust port 128 is provided in the slope 127. More specifically, the exhaust port 128 opens along the connection of the slope 127 with the rear wall 120Rr. The rear edge of the exhaust port 128 is formed by the rear wall 120Rr. The exhaust port 128 is provided at the rearmost part of the slope 127. The slope 127 has an upward slope toward the exhaust port 128.

As shown in FIG. 5, the exhaust port 128 opens rearward relative to the work holder 20. This generates an airflow from front to rear across the work holder 20. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, at least a portion of the slope 127 overlaps with at least a portion of the work holder 20 in a plan view (see also FIG. 3). This allows fragments of the workpiece 1 that fall off during cutting to fall onto the slope 127. Larger fragments of the workpiece 1 that fall onto the slope 127 are not sucked into the exhaust port 128 even when suction is applied from the exhaust port 128, but slide down the slope 127. This allows larger fragments of the workpiece 1 to be separated out. Also, for example, if the workpiece 1 falls from the adapter 5 due to the load of cutting, the fallen workpiece 1 is not sucked into the exhaust port 128 even when suction is applied from the exhaust port 128, but slides down the slope 127.

As shown in FIG. 5, the exhaust port 128 is positioned to the right of the center line CL of the machining chamber 120 in the left-right direction (which may or may not be aligned with the A-axis). In other words, the exhaust port 128 is positioned closer to the drive unit chamber 130 than the center line CL of the machining chamber 120 in the left-right direction. This allows dust and other particles near the drive unit chamber 130 to be primarily discharged. The exhaust port 128 is a single slit that opens upward. The exhaust port 128 is formed in a roughly rectangular shape with a left-right length that is longer than its front-to-back length.

As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, a dust collection chamber 90 is provided below the exhaust port 128. The dust collection chamber 90 is fixed to the underside of the slope 127. The dust collection chamber 90 is a box-shaped member with an open top, and an upper opening 90U facing upward is connected to the exhaust port 128. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the dust collection chamber 90 has the upper opening 90U, a bottom wall 90D, a front wall 90F, and a left side wall 90L. The rear and right side walls of the dust collection chamber 90 are formed by the rear wall 120Rr and right side wall 120R of the processing chamber 120, respectively. However, the dust collection chamber 90 may have a rear wall and right side wall that are not shared with the processing chamber 120. An internal space is formed in the dust collection chamber 90 by the bottom wall 90D, front wall 90F, left side wall 90L, rear wall 120Rr of the processing chamber 120, and right side wall 120R of the processing chamber 120. As shown in FIG. 5, the internal space of the dust collection chamber 90 is larger than the exhaust port 128 in plan view.

The dust collection chamber 90 has an upper opening 90U and a duct connection hole 91. The duct connection hole 91 is an opening to which an exhaust duct 92 is connected. As shown in FIG. 3 , the cutting machine 10 is provided with an exhaust duct 92 connected to the duct connection hole 91. In this example, the duct connection hole 91 opens to the rear wall of the dust collection chamber 90 (the rear wall 120Rr of the machining chamber 120). The opening direction of the upper opening 90U (exhaust port 128) and the opening direction of the duct connection hole 91 intersect. However, the duct connection hole 91 may also open to another side wall of the dust collection chamber 90 (e.g., the right side wall 120R). The front end of the exhaust duct 92 is connected to the duct connection hole 91. The exhaust duct 92 is connected to the exhaust port 128 and the machining chamber 120 via the dust collection chamber 90. The rear end of the exhaust duct 92 extends to the outside of the cutting machine 10. A dust collector 111 (see Figure 11) is connected to the rear end of the exhaust duct 92. As shown in Figure 5, the dust collection chamber 90 and exhaust duct 92 are also located to the right of the center line CL in the left-right direction of the processing chamber 120, in other words, offset toward the drive unit chamber 130 side from the center line CL in the left-right direction of the processing chamber 120.

As shown in FIG. 3, a top nozzle 93N of the top air blow device 93 is provided on the top wall 120U of the processing chamber 120. The top air blow device 93 sprays air along the top wall 120U of the processing chamber 120 and sends the sprayed air through the rear wall 120Rr to the exhaust port 128, thereby cleaning the top wall 120U and rear wall 120Rr of the processing chamber 120. The top air blow device 93 includes piping (not shown) connected to an external air compressor or the like, a valve (not shown) for controlling the flow of air, and a top nozzle 93N for spraying air along the top wall 120U of the processing chamber 120. The top nozzle 93N sprays air along the top wall 120U and rear wall 120Rr of the processing chamber 120 so that it reaches the exhaust port 128, as indicated by arrow F1 in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the exhaust port 128 opens along the connection between the bottom wall 120D (more specifically, the slope 127) and the rear wall 120Rr. Therefore, air sprayed from the top surface nozzle 93N is smoothly sent into the exhaust port 128.

Although a plan view is omitted, the top nozzle 93N is positioned in line with the exhaust duct 92 in the left-right direction. Therefore, the top nozzle 93N is also positioned offset to the right of the center line CL of the machining chamber 120 in the left-right direction. In other words, the top nozzle 93N is also positioned offset toward the drive unit chamber 130 from the center line CL of the machining chamber 120 in the left-right direction. Furthermore, the top nozzle 93N can spray air toward the cutting device 50 when it protrudes into the machining chamber 120. Here, the top nozzle 93N sprays air so that it passes below the rear opening 125 of the top wall 120U. This cleans the lower part of the spindle 51 and the cutting tool 6 of the cutting device 50 as it moves through the rear opening 125 into the machining chamber 120.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cutting machine 10 further includes a bottom air blowing device 94 equipped with a bottom nozzle 94N. The bottom nozzle 94N sprays air along the bottom wall 120D of the machining chamber 120 so that it reaches the exhaust port 128. The bottom air blowing device 94 cleans the bottom wall 120D of the machining chamber 120 by sending the sprayed air along the bottom wall 120D of the machining chamber 120 to the exhaust port 128. The bottom air blowing device 94 includes piping (not shown) connected to an external air compressor or the like, a valve (not shown) that controls the flow of air, and the bottom nozzle 94N that sprays air along the bottom wall 120D of the machining chamber 120.

The bottom nozzle 94N is located above the bottom wall 120D. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the bottom nozzle 94N is fixed to a mounting plate 95 that spans diagonally between the bottom wall 120D and the front wall 120F of the processing chamber 120. As indicated by arrow F2 in FIG. 3, the bottom nozzle 94N sprays air diagonally downward toward the bottom wall 120D and toward the exhaust port 128. In this example, the bottom nozzle 94N sprays air diagonally downward and rearward toward the bottom wall 120D. This causes the air that collides with the bottom wall 120D to spread laterally. As a result, a wide area of the bottom wall 120D in the left-right direction can be cleaned without increasing the left-right width of the bottom nozzle 94N. In this embodiment, the bottom nozzle 94N is located in the center of the processing chamber 120 in the left-right direction. However, the bottom nozzle 94N may be positioned offset to the left or right of the center line CL of the processing chamber 120 in the left-right direction.

The work changer 70 is configured to store multiple workpieces 1 and is used to change the workpieces 1 to be machined. As shown in FIG. 3, the work changer 70 includes an adapter storage unit 71 that can store multiple workpieces 1 (here, adapters 5 with workpieces 1 attached; see FIG. 2), and a transport device 72 that transports the adapter storage unit 71 to the processing chamber 120. Except when changing workpieces 1, for example, the adapter storage unit 71 is housed in the changer chamber 170. As shown in FIG. 1, the adapter storage unit 71 is provided with multiple shelf-like storage spaces 71a, each of which stores one adapter 5. The multiple storage spaces 71a are aligned vertically. More specifically, the multiple storage spaces 71a are aligned diagonally vertically (hereinafter also referred to as the L-axis direction; see FIG. 3) perpendicular to the X-axis direction.

The transport device 72 comprises a slide arm 72A extending in the L-axis direction, an L-axis drive motor 72B, and a ball screw 72C. The slide arm 72A is fixed to the adapter storage section 71 and can be extended and retracted in the L-axis direction. A ball screw 72C meshes with the adapter storage section 71. The L-axis drive motor 72B is connected to the ball screw 72C and rotates the ball screw 72C. When the L-axis drive motor 72B is driven to rotate the ball screw 72C, the slide arm 72A expands and contracts, and the adapter storage section 71 moves in the L-axis direction.

Figure 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the cutting machine 10 during adapter 5 (see Figure 2) replacement. As shown in Figure 6, when replacing the adapter 5, the adapter storage section 71 descends into the processing chamber 120. The adapter storage section 71 moves into the processing chamber 120 through the front opening 124 of the processing chamber 120. When replacing the adapter 5, the holder movement device 30 moves the work holder 20 forward in the X-axis direction beyond the movement range during cutting. As shown in Figure 6, at this time, the rear end of the slit 123 is not covered by the dustproof plate 36 and is open. The dustproof plate 36 is configured to be positioned forward of the rear end of the slit 123 when the work holder 20 is positioned at the transfer position for transferring the workpiece 1 to and from the work changer 70. This shortens the length of the dustproof plate 36, preventing the processing chamber 120 from becoming longer toward the rear. As shown in FIG. 6 , the adapter 5 is held by the work holder 20 when the work holder 20 moves forward in the X-axis direction and enters the storage space 71a (see FIG. 1) of the adapter 5. In this embodiment, the transfer device 72 transfers the adapter storage unit 71 to the machining chamber 120, thereby transferring multiple workpieces 1 to the machining chamber 120; however, the configuration of the transfer device 72 is not limited thereto. The transfer device 72 only needs to be configured to transfer at least one workpiece 1 of the multiple workpieces 1 stored in the adapter storage unit 71 to the machining chamber 120. For example, the transfer device 72 may be configured to grasp and remove the workpiece 1 from the storage space 71a of the fixed adapter storage unit 71 and hand it over to the work holder 20.

The cutting device 50 and its movement device (spindle movement device 60) are housed in the cutting device chamber 150. The cutting device 50 cuts the workpiece 1 held by the work holder 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the cutting device 50 and spindle movement device 60 are located above the work holder 20. The cutting device 50 includes a spindle 51 that grips and rotates the cutting tool 6. The spindle 51 includes a spindle unit 52 and a gripping portion 53 located at the lower end of the spindle unit 52. The spindle unit 52 extends in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction (here, parallel to the L-axis direction). Hereinafter, this direction will also be referred to as the Z-axis direction. The spindle unit 52 rotates the gripping portion 53 around an axis parallel to the Z-axis direction. The gripping portion 53 grips the cutting tool 6 so that it protrudes downward in the Z-axis direction. In this case, the spindle unit 52 is a unit with a built-in motor. However, the spindle unit 52 may be connected to an external motor via a belt or the like, for example. The gripping portion 53 is, for example, an air-driven collet chuck. However, the type of gripping portion 53 is not particularly limited.

The spindle moving device 60 moves the cutting device 50 in the Z-axis direction and the left-right direction. The left-right direction is perpendicular to the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. Hereinafter, the left-right direction will also be referred to as the Y-axis direction. The spindle moving device 60 moves the cutting device 50 in the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, and the holder moving device 30 moves the work holder 20 in the X-axis direction, thereby changing the positional relationship between the cutting tool 6 and the workpiece 1 in three dimensions. The Z-axis direction intersects (here, is perpendicular to) the ceiling wall 120U of the machining chamber 120. By moving in the Z-axis direction, the cutting device 50 appears within the machining chamber 120 or retreats into the cutting device chamber 150. The spindle moving device 60 can move the cutting device 50 to a position where at least a portion of it is located above the work holder 20 and below the ceiling wall 120U.

The spindle movement device 60 includes a Y-axis movement device 60Y and a Z-axis movement device 60Z. The Y-axis movement device 60Y moves the cutting device 50 in the Y-axis direction. The Z-axis movement device 60Z moves the cutting device 50 in the Z-axis direction. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the cutting device chamber 150 and the drive device chamber 130. In Figure 7, some components are omitted so that the interior of the cutting device chamber 150 and the drive device chamber 130 can be seen. As shown in Figure 7, the Y-axis movement device 60Y includes a pair of Y-axis guide rails 61Y extending in the Y-axis direction, a Y-axis mover 62Y slidably engaged with the Y-axis guide rails 61Y, a Y-axis drive motor 63Y, and a ball screw 64Y. The pair of Y-axis guide rails 61Y are provided on the bottom wall of the cutting device chamber 150. The Y-axis guide rails 61Y extend above the drive device chamber 130. The Y-axis direction mover 62Y is movable in the Y-axis direction along the Y-axis guide rail 61Y. The Y-axis direction mover 62Y can move along the Y-axis guide rail 61Y to above the drive unit chamber 130. The Y-axis direction mover 62Y supports the Z-axis direction mover 60Z. The Z-axis direction mover 60Z supports the cutting unit 50 so that it can move in the Z-axis direction.

As shown in FIG. 7, the ball screw 64Y extends in the Y-axis direction. The ball screw 64Y is engaged with the Y-axis moving body 62Y. The Y-axis drive motor 63Y rotates the ball screw 64Y. When the Y-axis drive motor 63Y is driven and the ball screw 64Y rotates, the Y-axis moving body 62Y moves in the Y-axis direction along the Y-axis guide rail 61Y. This causes the Z-axis moving device 60Z and the cutting device 50 to move in the Y-axis direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, the Z-axis direction moving device 60Z includes a pair of Z-axis guide shafts 61Z extending in the Z-axis direction, a Z-axis moving body 62Z that slidably engages with the Z-axis guide shafts 61Z and supports the cutting device 50, a Z-axis drive motor 63Z, and a ball screw (not shown). The Z-axis direction moving device 60Z also moves the cutting device 50 in the Z-axis direction in a similar manner to the way the Y-axis direction moving device 60Y moves the Z-axis direction moving device 60Z.

Although not shown, bellows may be provided on the left and right sides of the Y-axis direction mover 62Y. Both ends of the right-side bellows are connected to the right end of the Y-axis direction mover 62Y and the right end of the rear opening 125, respectively. Both ends of the left-side bellows are connected to the left end of the Y-axis direction mover 62Y and the left end of the rear opening 125, respectively. The bellows prevent dust and other particles from entering the cutting device chamber 150 through the rear opening 125.

As shown in FIG. 3, an air intake port 152 opens in the ceiling wall 150U of the cutting device chamber 150. Here, the air intake port 152 is composed of multiple slits aligned in the left-right direction. However, the shape of the air intake port 152 is not particularly limited. The air intake port 152 is an opening for taking in outside air into the cutting machine 10 in response to air being exhausted from the exhaust port 128. The air intake port 152 is connected to the cutting device chamber 150. The air intake port 152 is also connected to the drive unit chamber 130 and the changer chamber 170 via the cutting device chamber 150. The cutting device chamber 150 and the drive unit chamber 130 are connected by a rear opening 125 that opens in the bottom wall of the cutting device chamber 150 (the ceiling wall of the drive unit chamber 130). The cutting device chamber 150 and the changer chamber 170 are connected without any particular partition. The processing chamber 120 is connected to the air intake 152 via the cutting device chamber 150 and the drive device chamber 130. The drive device chamber 130 and the processing chamber 120 are connected by a slit 123 opening in the right side wall 120R of the processing chamber 120 (the left side wall of the drive device chamber 130). The processing chamber 120 is also connected to the air intake 152 via the cutting device chamber 150 and the changer chamber 170. The changer chamber 170 and the processing chamber 120 are connected by a front opening 124 opening in the top wall 120U of the processing chamber 120 (the bottom wall of the changer chamber 170).

Since the intake port 152 is connected to the cutting device chamber 150, the cutting device chamber 150 and the processing chamber 120 are connected via the rear opening 125, and the exhaust duct 92 is also connected to the processing chamber 120, when the dust collector 111 is operated, an air flow F3 is generated from the intake port 152 toward the processing chamber 120 via the cutting device chamber 150, as shown in FIG. 3. The internal pressure of the cutting device chamber 150 is higher than the internal pressure of the processing chamber 120. This makes it difficult for cutting dust and other particles generated in the processing chamber 120 to enter the cutting device chamber 150. Similarly, since the intake port 152 is connected to the changer chamber 170, and the changer chamber 170 and the processing chamber 120 are connected via the front opening 124, when the dust collector 111 is operated, an air flow F4 is generated from the intake port 152 toward the processing chamber 120 via the changer chamber 170, as shown in FIG. 3. The internal pressure of the changer chamber 170 is higher than the internal pressure of the machining chamber 120. This makes it difficult for cutting dust and other particles generated in the machining chamber 120 to enter the changer chamber 170. Furthermore, because the air intake 152 is connected to the drive unit chamber 130 and the drive unit chamber 130 and the machining chamber 120 are connected by the slit 123, when the dust collector 111 is driven, as shown in FIG. 5, an air flow F5 is generated from the air intake 152 (see FIG. 3) through the drive unit chamber 130 toward the machining chamber 120. The internal pressure of the drive unit chamber 130 is higher than the internal pressure of the machining chamber 120. This makes it difficult for cutting dust and other particles generated in the machining chamber 120 to enter the drive unit chamber 130.

As shown in FIG. 7 , in this embodiment, the tool stocker 80 is housed in the drive unit chamber 130. The tool stocker 80 is configured to store multiple cutting tools 6. The multiple cutting tools 6 are used depending on, for example, the material of the workpiece 1 and the type of cutting. As shown in FIG. 7 , the tool stocker 80 is supported by the X-axis mover 32. More specifically, the tool stocker 80 is fixed to the upper surface of the X-axis mover 32. Conventionally, the tool stocker was supported by the support arm of the holder movement device. As a result, in conventional cutting devices, the support arm was prone to bending, making it difficult to apply much load to the workpiece 1 when cutting the workpiece 1. Specifically, the amount of cutting per unit time was limited in consideration of the load caused by cutting. In this embodiment, the tool stocker 80 is supported by the X-axis mover 32, thereby reducing the load on the support arm 31.

Figure 8 is a plan view of the tool stocker 80. As shown in Figure 8, the tool stocker 80 has multiple storage holes 81, each capable of storing a cutting tool 6. The multiple storage holes 81 are formed on the upper surface 80U of the tool stocker 80 and are recessed downward in the Z-axis direction. As shown in Figure 8, the multiple storage holes 81 are arranged in a staggered pattern. Specifically, the tool stocker 80 has rows 81A-81E in which some of the multiple storage holes 81 are arranged in a predetermined alignment direction (here, the Y-axis direction). Two adjacent rows of the multiple rows 81A-81E (e.g., row 81A and row 81B) are offset in the alignment direction. The amount of offset in the alignment direction between the two adjacent rows is less than half the pitch of the storage holes 81 in each of the rows 81A-81E. This staggered arrangement allows the multiple storage holes 81 to be densely packed. As a result, the storage efficiency of the cutting tools 6 relative to the space is improved. Note that every other row of the multiple rows 81A-81E is aligned in the same position in the arrangement direction.

The cutting device 50 is configured to be able to hold each cutting tool 6 stored in the tool stocker 80, and uses the held cutting tools 6 to cut the workpiece 1 held in the work holder 20. To enable this, the spindle movement device 60 moves the cutting device 50 between the drive device chamber 130 and the processing chamber 120. In addition, the holder movement device 30 moves the tool stocker 80 below the cutting device chamber 150.

3 and 7, in this embodiment, the cutting device 50 is located above the work holder 20 and the tool stocker 80. The Y-axis movement device 60Y of the spindle movement device 60 moves the cutting device 50 in the Y-axis direction so that the cutting device 50 moves between above the drive device chamber 130 and above the processing chamber 120. The Z-axis movement device 60Z of the spindle movement device 60 moves the cutting device 50 up and down (here, in the Z-axis direction inclined relative to the vertical direction). The holder movement device 30 is configured to be able to move the tool stocker 80 to a tool gripping position P1 (see FIG. 7) set below the movement path of the cutting device 50 by the Y-axis movement device 60Y. The tool gripping position P1 is located below the rear opening 125. The tool stocker 80 is moved to the tool gripping position P1, and the cutting device 50 is moved to a position above the tool gripping position P1. The Z-axis movement device 60Z is then driven to lower the cutting device 50, allowing the cutting device 50 to grip the cutting tool 6 in the tool stocker 80.

The holder movement device 30 is configured to be able to move the tool stocker 80 to the tool change position P2, which is set forward of the tool gripping position P1. As shown in FIG. 7, the tool gripping position P2 is set below the bottom wall 182 of the tool change chamber 180. The bottom wall 182 of the tool change chamber 180 separates the tool change chamber 180 from the drive unit chamber 130. As shown in FIG. 7, an opening 183 is formed in the bottom wall 182 of the tool change chamber 180, opening above the tool change position P2. The opening 183 is an opening through which a user can insert or remove a cutting tool 6 from the tool stocker 80. The opening 183 penetrates the bottom wall 182 in the Z-axis direction. When the holder movement device 30 is driven to move the tool stocker 80 to the tool change position P2, the user can access the tool stocker 80 through the opening 183. Providing a tool exchange chamber 180 with an opening 183 prevents the user from touching the holder movement device 30 when exchanging the cutting tool 6. This configuration also prevents external foreign matter from entering the drive device chamber 130 when exchanging the cutting tool 6.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cutting machine 10 according to this embodiment further includes a spindle air blower 55 that is attached to the spindle 51 and sprays air. The spindle air blower 55 includes a spindle nozzle 56 that is attached to the side of the gripping portion 53 of the spindle 51. FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway side view of the vicinity of the lower end of the spindle 51. As shown in FIG. 9, the spindle air blower 55 includes a spindle nozzle 56 that sprays air and a nozzle support member 57 that supports the spindle nozzle 56. The nozzle support member 57 is located above the gripping portion 53 in the Z-axis direction. Here, the nozzle support member 57 is fixed to a cover that covers the spindle unit 52. The nozzle support member 57 supports the spindle nozzle 56 so that it can move in the Z-axis direction. More specifically, the nozzle support member 57 supports the spindle nozzle 56 so that it can move between a lower end position Pd in the Z axis direction (the position shown in FIG. 9 , also referred to as the lower end position Pd) and another position above the lower end position Pd in the Z axis direction. The lower end position Pd of the spindle nozzle 56 is set to the side of the gripper 53. At the lower end position Pd, the gripper 53 and the spindle nozzle 56 are aligned in the X axis direction.

As shown in FIG. 9 , the nozzle support member 57 includes a guide hole 57a through which the spindle nozzle 56 is inserted and a stopper 57b that prevents the spindle nozzle 56 from moving downward beyond the lower end position Pd. The spindle air blow device 55 also includes a biasing member 58 that biases the spindle nozzle 56 supported by the nozzle support member 57 to hold the spindle nozzle 56 at the lower end position Pd. The biasing member 58 is a coil spring in this example. However, the biasing member 58 is not limited to a coil spring and may be, for example, an air cylinder. The spindle nozzle 56 includes an abutment portion 56a that abuts against the stopper 57b at the lower end position Pd. The stopper 57b and the biasing member 58 hold the spindle nozzle 56 at the lower end position Pd. Furthermore, when the main shaft nozzle 56 is pushed upward along the Z axis, it moves upward along the Z axis along the guide hole 57a against the biasing force of the biasing member 58.

The spindle nozzle 56 is located above the work holder 20 and is configured to spray air downward (here, vertically downward). The air spray direction from the spindle air blow device 55 is vertically downward. This causes air to be blown obliquely toward the cutting tool 6 held by the gripper 53. However, the spindle nozzle 56 may spray air in other directions. The spindle nozzle 56 has a cut surface 56b formed on the side wall and extending obliquely in the Z-axis direction. The cut surface 56b is inclined so that it approaches the gripper 53 as it extends downward in the Z-axis direction. Here, the cut surface 56b extends diagonally upward from the lower end of the spindle nozzle 56.

When returning the cutting tool 6 attached to the spindle 51 to the tool stocker 80 or when attaching the cutting tool 6 from the tool stocker 80 to the spindle 51, the Z-axis movement device 60Z moves the gripper 53 to a predetermined position in the Z-axis direction (hereinafter also referred to as the work position Po) set to grip or release the cutting tool 6 stored in the tool stocker 80. Figure 10 is a side view of the vicinity of the tip of the cutting device 50 when replacing the cutting tool 6. Figure 10 illustrates the state in which the gripper 53 is located at the work position Po. As shown in Figure 10, when the gripper 53 is located at the work position Po in the Z-axis direction, the spindle nozzle 56 abuts against the tool stocker 80. At this time, the spindle nozzle 56 is pushed by the tool stocker 80 and positioned higher in the Z-axis direction than the lower end position Pd against the biasing force of the biasing member 58.

When not in contact with the tool stocker 80, the spindle nozzle 56 is located at a lower end position Pd, which is lower in the Z-axis direction than when in contact with the tool stocker 80. This allows the spindle nozzle 56 to be brought closer to the cutting edge of the cutting tool 6, the workpiece 1, or the bottom wall 120D of the machining chamber 120 during machining or cleaning of the workpiece 1 or the machining chamber 120 (as described below, the spindle air blower 55 is configured to inject air into the machining chamber 120 and the workholder 20 and is also used for cleaning the machining chamber 120). On the other hand, if the spindle nozzle 56 is in the lower end position Pd, the long spindle nozzle 56 will interfere with the tool stocker 80 or the cutting tool 6 when returning the cutting tool 6 attached to the spindle 51 to the tool stocker 80 or when attaching the cutting tool 6 from the tool stocker 80 to the spindle 51. Therefore, in this embodiment, the spindle air blow device 55 is configured to move upward (retract) when the spindle nozzle 56 is pushed upward in the Z-axis direction.

The cut surface 56b of the main shaft nozzle 56 is provided so that the main shaft nozzle 56 moves upward when an object pushes against the main shaft nozzle 56 from the side. When an object pushes against the cut surface 56b from the side, part of the pressing force is converted by the cut surface 56b into an upward force in the Z-axis direction, causing the main shaft nozzle 56 to move upward.

The configuration in which the spindle nozzle 56 moves up and down along the Z axis is also effective in preventing the possibility of an object other than the tool stocker 80 colliding with the spindle nozzle 56. With this configuration, when an object collides with the spindle nozzle 56, the spindle nozzle 56 moves upward along the Z axis. This reduces the risk of damage to the spindle nozzle 56 or the colliding object.

The control device 100 is connected to the holder movement device 30, the spindle movement device 60, the cutting device 50, and other devices, and controls their operation. Figure 11 is a block diagram of the cutting machine 10. As shown in Figure 11, the control device 100 is connected to the X-axis drive motor 34 of the holder movement device 30, the A-axis rotation motor 41A and the B-axis rotation motor 41B of the rotation device 40, the spindle unit 52 and the gripper 53 of the cutting device 50, the Y-axis drive motor 63Y and the Z-axis drive motor 63Z of the spindle movement device 60, the L-axis drive motor 72B of the workpiece changer 70, the top air blower 93, the bottom air blower 94, the spindle air blower 55, the dust collector 111, and the operation panel 110, and controls their operation. The dust collector 111 may be controlled by a control device built into the dust collector 111 or an external device, rather than by the control device 100.

The configuration of the control device 100 is not particularly limited. The control device 100 is, for example, a microcomputer. The hardware configuration of the microcomputer is not particularly limited, but it may include, for example, an interface (I/F) that receives cutting data and the like from external devices such as a host computer, a central processing unit (CPU) that executes instructions from a control program, a ROM (read only memory) that stores the program executed by the CPU, a RAM (random access memory) used as a working area for expanding the program, and a storage device such as a memory that stores the program and various data.

As shown in FIG. 11, the control device 100 includes a cutting control unit 101, a workpiece exchange unit 102, a tool exchange unit 103, a workpiece cleaning unit 104, and a machining chamber cleaning unit 105. The control device 100 may also include other processing units, but these will not be illustrated or described here.

The cutting control unit 101 controls the X-axis drive motor 34 of the holder movement device 30, the A-axis rotation motor 41A and B-axis rotation motor 41B of the rotation device 40, the spindle unit 52 of the cutting device 50, and the Y-axis drive motor 63Y and Z-axis drive motor 63Z of the main shaft movement device 60 to cut the workpiece 1 into a specified shape. During cutting of the workpiece 1, the main shaft air blow device 55 is driven as appropriate to remove cutting powder adhering to the workpiece 1, adapter 5, and work holder 20. During cutting of the workpiece 1, the dust collector 111 is driven.

The workpiece exchange unit 102 controls the L-axis drive motor 72B of the workpiece changer 70 and the X-axis drive motor 34 of the holder movement device 30 to exchange the workpiece 1 (adapter 5 holding the workpiece 1). This allows multiple workpieces 1 to be machined sequentially. The tool exchange unit 103 controls the X-axis drive motor 34 of the holder movement device 30, the Y-axis drive motor 63Y and Z-axis drive motor 63Z of the main shaft movement device 60, and the gripper 53 of the cutting device 50 to exchange the cutting tool 6 held by the gripper 53.

The workpiece cleaning unit 104 cleans the workpiece 1, adapter 5, and workpiece holder 20 after cutting is completed. As shown in FIG. 10, the workpiece cleaning unit 104 includes a first blow control unit 104A, a first attitude control unit 104B, a first movement control unit 104C, and an inversion control unit 104D.

After cutting of the workpiece 1 is completed, the first blow control unit 104A controls the spindle air blow device 55 to spray air toward the work holder 20. After cutting of the workpiece 1 is completed but before the spindle air blow device 55 sprays air under the control of the first blow control unit 104A, the first attitude control unit 104B controls the rotation device 40 to control the attitude of the work holder 20 so that the two opposing surfaces (first surface 1A and second surface 1B) of the workpiece 1 intersect at a predetermined angle with the direction of air spray from the spindle air blow device 55. In this embodiment, the predetermined angle is 90 degrees. However, the angle between the direction of air spray from the spindle air blow device 55 and the two opposing surfaces 1A, 1B of the workpiece 1 is not limited to 90 degrees. After cutting of the workpiece 1 is completed and before the spindle air blow device 55 injects air under the control of the first blow control unit 104A, the first attitude control unit 104B controls the rotation device 40 to control the attitude of the work holder 20 so that the first surface 1A of the workpiece 1 faces the spindle nozzle 56. This cleans the first surface 1A of the workpiece 1.

When the spindle air blow device 55 is spraying air under the control of the first blow control unit 104A, the first movement control unit 104C controls the holder movement device 30 and the Y-axis direction movement device 60Y to move the position of the spindle nozzle 56 relative to the work holder 20. This moves the location on the work holder 20 where air is sprayed. The holder movement device 30 and the Y-axis direction movement device 60Y function as movement devices that move the position of the spindle nozzle 56 relative to the work holder 20. In this embodiment, the first movement control unit 104C moves the position of the spindle nozzle 56 relative to the work holder 20 so that the movement path of the spindle nozzle 56 relative to the work holder 20 describes a scanning line.

While the spindle air blow device 55 is spraying air under the control of the first blow control device 104A, the reversal control unit 104D controls the rotation device 40 to change the position of the work holder 20 so that the second surface 1B of the workpiece 1 faces the spindle nozzle 56. This allows the second surface 1B of the workpiece 1 to be cleaned after the first surface 1A has been cleaned. The dust collector 111 is driven during workpiece cleaning.

The machining chamber cleaning unit 105 cleans the machining chamber 120 after cutting and workpiece cleaning are completed. However, this does not mean that the machining chamber cleaning unit 105 cannot clean the machining chamber 120 before workpiece cleaning, as long as cutting is completed. As shown in FIG. 11, the machining chamber cleaning unit 105 is equipped with a second blow control unit 105A, a second attitude control unit 105B, and a second movement control unit 105C.

After cutting of the workpiece 1 is completed, the second blow control unit 105A controls the spindle air blow device 55 to inject air into the machining chamber 120. After cutting of the workpiece 1 is completed (here, after workpiece cleaning controlled by the workpiece cleaning unit 104) and before the spindle air blow device 55 injects air under the control of the second blow control unit 105A, the second attitude control unit 105B controls the rotation device 40 to set the attitude of the workpiece holder 20 to a predetermined attitude. Note that the control of the spindle air blow device 55 by the first blow control unit 104A and the control of the spindle air blow device 55 by the second blow control unit 105A may be performed continuously. In other words, air injection may be continued during workpiece cleaning and machining chamber cleaning.

In this embodiment, the predetermined attitude of the work holder 20 is such that the two opposing surfaces 1A, 1B of the workpiece 1 held by the work holder 20 are inclined relative to the bottom wall 120D of the machining chamber 120. More specifically, the predetermined attitude of the work holder 20 is such that the two opposing surfaces 1A, 1B of the workpiece 1 held by the work holder 20 are inclined downward toward the front. As a result, air sprayed from the spindle air blow device 55 flows along the workpiece 1 and adapter 5 held by the work holder 20, mainly in a downward, forward direction. When cleaning the machining chamber 120 in this embodiment, the direction of the air flowing within the machining chamber 120 is controlled by controlling the attitude of the work holder 20.

When the spindle air blow device 55 is spraying air under the control of the second blow control unit 105A, the second movement control unit 105C controls the Y-axis movement device 60Y to move the spindle nozzle 56 to the left or right. This causes the forward, downward airflow generated by controlling the attitude of the work holder 20 to move to the left or right. This allows cleaning of the processing chamber 120 to proceed to the left or right.

During machining chamber cleaning, the second blow control unit 105A also controls the top air blow device 93 and the bottom air blow device 94 to inject air. Specifically, the second blow control unit 105A controls the top air blow device 93 and the bottom air blow device 94 to inject air from the top nozzle 93N and the bottom nozzle 94N, respectively, and then controls the spindle air blow device 55 to inject air into the machining chamber 120. Furthermore, the second blow control unit 105A controls the spindle air blow device 55 to inject air into the machining chamber 120, and then controls the top air blow device 93 and the bottom air blow device 94 to inject air. The second attitude control unit 105B may change the orientation of the work holder 20 once or multiple times during machining chamber cleaning, thereby changing the direction of the airflow once or multiple times. The dust collector 111 remains operational during machining chamber cleaning.

[Overall process]
The following describes a process including setting the workpiece 1 and cutting tool 6 in the cutting machine 10, machining the workpiece 1, and cleaning the workpiece 1 and machining chamber 120. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the entire process. As shown in FIG. 12, in step S10 of the process for machining the workpiece 1, the cutting tool 6 is stored in the tool stocker 80. Step S10 is performed by a user. The user opens the tool exchange room door 181 and stores the cutting tool 6 in the storage hole 81 of the tool stocker 80. In step S20, the adapter 5 with the workpiece 1 attached (the step of attaching the workpiece 1 to the adapter 5 is omitted) is stored in the storage space 71a of the adapter storage unit 71. Step S20 is also performed by a user. The user opens the changer room door 171 and stores the cutting tool 6 in the adapter storage unit 71. Steps S10 and S20 may be performed in reverse order.

In the following step S30, one of the adapters 5 stored in the work changer 70 is attached to the work holder 20. In step S30, the transfer device 72 transfers the adapter storage unit 71 into the machining chamber 120. The holder moving device 30 then moves the work holder 20 forward in the X-axis direction, and the adapter 5 is attached to the work holder 20. Once the adapter 5 is attached to the work holder 20, the work holder 20 moves backward in the X-axis direction. This moves the workpiece 1 attached to the work holder 20 below the cutting device chamber 150. The adapter storage unit 71 is then returned to the changer chamber 170.

In step S40, one of the cutting tools 6 stored in the tool stocker 80 is grasped by the gripper 53 of the cutting device 50. In step S40, the holder movement device 30 moves the tool stocker 80 to tool gripping position P1 (see FIG. 7). Furthermore, the Y-axis movement device 60Y moves the cutting device 50 to a position above tool gripping position P1. In this state, the Z-axis movement device 60Z is driven to lower the cutting device 50 to the working position Po, which is set as the position where the gripper 53 grasps or releases the cutting tool 6. This allows the cutting device 50 to grasp the cutting tool 6 in the tool stocker 80. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the spindle nozzle 56 abuts against the tool stocker 80 and is pushed upward in the Z-axis direction by the tool stocker 80. As a result, the spindle nozzle 56 moves upward in the Z-axis direction against the biasing force of the biasing member 58.

Once the gripping of the cutting tool 6 is complete, the Z-axis movement device 60Z moves the spindle nozzle 56 above the rear opening 125. This allows the cutting device 50 to move in the Y-axis direction. The spindle nozzle 56 is also biased by the biasing member 58 to return to the lower end position Pd. The cutting device 50 is then moved above the processing chamber 120. Note that steps S30 and S40 may be performed in reverse order.

In step S50, the workpiece 1 is machined to produce a machined object. In step S50, the holder movement device 30, Y-axis movement device 60Y, and Z-axis movement device 60Z are driven to change the relative position of the cutting tool 6 and workpiece 1, and the rotation device 40 is driven to change the posture of the workpiece 1. The cutting tool 6 is replaced with an appropriate, specified tool using the same procedure as in step S40. This completes the machined object. In step S50, air is sprayed from the spindle air blow device 55 to prevent cutting dust generated during the cutting process from adhering to the workpiece 1, adapter 5, and cutting tool 6. The dust collector 111 is also driven during step S50.

In step S60, workpiece cleaning is performed. In step S70, machining chamber cleaning is performed. Details of steps S60 and S70 will be described later. In step S80, the workpiece 1 after machining is returned to the changer chamber 170 together with the adapter 5. In step S80, the operations of each section are carried out in the reverse order of step S30. Through these steps S10 to S80, a machined object is obtained from the workpiece 1, and cutting dust is removed from the machined object, adapter 5, and machining chamber 120.

[Workpiece cleaning process]
Details of the workpiece cleaning in step S60 are described below. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the workpiece cleaning. As shown in FIG. 13, in step S61 of the workpiece cleaning, the rotation device 40 is driven, and the attitude of the workpiece holder 20 is changed so that the first surface 1A and the second surface 1B of the workpiece 1 are perpendicular to the air injection direction of the spindle nozzle 56. FIG. 14 is a side view showing the workpiece holder 20 during workpiece cleaning. As shown in FIG. 14, the attitude of the workpiece holder 20 is changed so that the first surface 1A and the second surface 1B of the workpiece 1 are approximately horizontal.

As shown in FIG. 13, in the following step S62, the work holder 20 and spindle nozzle 56 are moved to the work cleaning start position. Note that steps S61 and S62 may be performed in reverse order. FIG. 15 is a plan view of the work holder 20 illustrating the work cleaning procedure. Arrow L1 in FIG. 15 indicates the movement path of the spindle nozzle 56 relative to the work holder 20. Hereinafter, the position during work cleaning will be represented as the position of the adapter 5 that overlaps with the spindle nozzle 56 in a plan view. As shown in FIG. 15, the work cleaning start position is the left front corner of the adapter 5. However, the work cleaning start position may also be the right front, left rear, or right rear corner of the adapter 5. In step S63, air is sprayed from the spindle nozzle 56.

In step S64, the spindle nozzle 56 is moved to the right front corner of the adapter 5. This removes cutting powder from the left front corner to the right front corner of the adapter 5. In step S65, the work holder 20 is moved forward in the X-axis direction. This moves the position where the air jetted from the spindle nozzle 56 hits toward the rear of the adapter 5. The amount of movement of the work holder 20 in step S65 is preferably equal to or less than the length of the spindle nozzle 56 in the X-axis direction. In step S66, the spindle nozzle 56 is moved leftward until it reaches the left edge of the adapter 5. This removes cutting powder from the right edge to the left edge of the adapter 5 along the movement path L1 of the spindle nozzle 56. Although not shown in the figure, the above movement is repeated until the entire area of the adapter 5 has been scanned. In this way, in work cleaning, the position of the spindle nozzle 56 relative to the work holder 20 is moved so that the movement path L1 of the spindle nozzle 56 relative to the work holder 20 describes a scanning line. This cleans the entire area on the first surface 1A of the adapter 5.

In the following step S67, the rotation device 40 is driven, and the work holder 20 is rotated 180 degrees around the A axis. This inverts the adapter 5, so that the second surface 1B of the workpiece 1 faces the spindle nozzle 56. In step S68, the reverse operations of steps S64 to S66 are performed, and the spindle nozzle 56 returns to the workpiece cleaning start position while tracing a scanning line. This cleans the entire area on the second surface 1B side of the adapter 5. This completes the workpiece cleaning.

[Processing chamber cleaning process]
Next, details of the machining chamber cleaning in step S70 will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the machining chamber cleaning. As shown in FIG. 16, in step S71 of the machining chamber cleaning, the top air blower 93 and the bottom air blower 94 are activated to spray air from the top nozzle 93N and the bottom nozzle 94N. This blows off cutting powder adhering to the top wall 120U and the rear wall 120Rr, and the cutting powder on the bottom wall 120D is collected toward the exhaust port 128. Most of the cutting powder blown off from the top wall 120U and the rear wall 120Rr and the collected cutting powder on the bottom wall 120D are sucked into the exhaust port 128 formed along the connection between the bottom wall 120D and the rear wall 120Rr. At the end of step S71, the air spraying from the top nozzle 93N and the bottom nozzle 94N is stopped.

In the following step S72, the rotation device 40 is driven to change the position of the workpiece 20 so that the two opposing surfaces 1A and 1B of the workpiece 1 are tilted downward toward the front. Step S72 may be performed before step S71. Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of the cutting machine 10 during machining chamber cleaning. As shown in Figure 17, step S72 places the adapter 5 in a predetermined position in which its front end is positioned lower than its rear end. As a result, the two opposing surfaces 1A and 1B of the workpiece 1 are tilted relative to the bottom wall 120D of the machining chamber 120. In step S73, air is sprayed from the spindle nozzle 56 toward the workpiece 20. When air is sprayed toward the workpiece 20, the direction of the air changes along the workpiece 20, the adapter 5 held by the workpiece 20, and the workpiece 1 held by the adapter 5, as shown by arrow F6 in Figure 17. Here, the workpiece 1 is positioned so that the two opposing surfaces 1A and 1B of the workpiece 20 are tilted downward toward the front. Therefore, as shown by air flow F6 in Figure 17, the air jetted downward from the spindle nozzle 56 primarily deflects diagonally downward toward the front. The air also deflects in a scattering manner depending on the shapes of the workpiece 20, adapter 5, and workpiece 1. The air deflected diagonally downward toward the front is redirected again by the front wall 120F and processing chamber door 122 of the machining chamber 120, so that it deflects rearward along the bottom wall 120D. The rearward deflected air flow F6 pushes much of the cutting chips and other particles that were collected near the exhaust port 128 in step S71 but not sucked into the exhaust port 128 into the exhaust port 128.

In step S74, the Y-axis direction moving device 60Y is driven to move the spindle nozzle 56 to the right. This movement of the spindle nozzle 56 may also be to the left. This movement of the spindle nozzle 56 forces cutting dust and the like into the exhaust port 128 over a wide range in the left-right direction of the machining chamber 120. At the end of step S74, air spray from the spindle nozzle 56 is stopped.

However, the orientation of the work holder 20 during machining chamber cleaning is not limited to the orientation described above. During machining chamber cleaning, the work holder 20 may be in another orientation, for example, such that the two opposing surfaces 1A and 1B of the workpiece 1 are inclined relative to the bottom wall 120D of the machining chamber 120. During machining chamber cleaning, the work holder 20 may be in an orientation such that the left or right end of the adapter 5 is positioned lower than the right or left end. In such an orientation, the air that hits the adapter 5 and the workpiece 1 changes direction and heads toward the left wall 120L or right wall 120R of the machining chamber 120. This cleans the left wall 120L or right wall 120R. The orientation of the work holder 20 may be changed during machining chamber cleaning, just as the air direction changes.

In step S75, the top air blower 93 and bottom air blower 94 are driven again, and air is sprayed from the top nozzle 93N and bottom nozzle 94N. This forces most of the cutting powder still remaining in the machining chamber 120 into the exhaust port 128. At the end of step S75, the spraying of air from the top nozzle 93N and bottom nozzle 94N is stopped. Step S75 marks the end of machining chamber cleaning. Machining chamber cleaning removes most of the cutting powder generated in the machining chamber 120 by cutting the workpiece 1.

[Function of the ramp and dust collection chamber]
The functions of the slope 127 and the dust collection chamber 90 are described below. As described above, the slope 127 is provided to separate large pieces of the workpiece 1 generated during cutting of the workpiece 1. This prevents oversized pieces from moving to the exhaust port 128 and clogging the exhaust port 128. Similarly, if the workpiece 1 falls from the adapter 5 during cutting, the slope 127 prevents the workpiece 1 from being sucked into the exhaust port 128. In this embodiment, because the slope 127 prevents oversized objects or the workpiece 1 from being sucked into the exhaust port 128, the exhaust port 128 does not have a mesh or the like to prevent foreign objects from passing through. This improves the exhaust capacity of the cutting machine 10.

The dust collection chamber 90 is designed to prevent large objects, such as large fragments of the workpiece 1, from directly entering the exhaust duct 92. If such large objects were to enter the exhaust duct 92 directly, it could clog the exhaust duct 92. The dust collection chamber 90 prevents clogging of the exhaust duct 92, for example, by temporarily receiving such objects. To further prevent clogging of the exhaust duct 92, the opening direction of the duct connection hole 91 to which the exhaust duct 92 is connected intersects with the opening direction of the exhaust port 128. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the exhaust port 128 is configured to be smaller than the internal space of the dust collection chamber 90 in a plan view. This increases the speed of the exhaust air passing through the exhaust port 128. This improves the exhaust capacity of the cutting machine 10.

[Effects of the embodiment]
The following describes the effects of the cutting machine 10 according to this embodiment.

The cutting machine 10 according to this embodiment includes a work holder 20 for holding the workpiece 1, a machining chamber 120 housing the work holder 20, a cutting device 50 for cutting the workpiece 1 held by the work holder 20, a spindle movement device 60 for moving the cutting device 50, a cutting device chamber 150, an exhaust duct 92 connected to the machining chamber 120, and an air intake 152 connected to the cutting device chamber 150. The cutting device chamber 150 includes a wall (ceiling wall 120U of the machining chamber 120) separating it from the machining chamber 120, and a rear opening 125 in the ceiling wall 120U of the machining chamber 120 through which at least a portion of the cutting device 50 can pass, and houses the spindle movement device 60. With this configuration, as described above, an air flow F3 (see FIG. 3) is generated from the air intake 152 toward the machining chamber 120 via the cutting device chamber 150. The internal pressure of the cutting device chamber 150 is higher than the internal pressure of the processing chamber 120. This prevents cutting dust and other particles generated in the processing chamber 120 from entering the cutting device chamber 150 via the rear opening 125. The cutting device chamber 150 houses the cutting device 50 and the spindle movement device 60, which have moving parts and require as little dust as possible. This configuration prevents cutting dust and other particles generated in the processing chamber 120 from adhering to the cutting device 50 or the spindle movement device 60 and causing problems with the cutting device 50 or the spindle movement device 60.

The cutting machine 10 according to this embodiment includes a workpiece changer 70, which includes an adapter storage section 71 capable of storing multiple workpieces 1, and a transport device 72 that transports at least one of the multiple workpieces 1 stored in the adapter storage section 71 to the machining chamber 120. The cutting machine 10 further includes a changer chamber 170 that houses the adapter storage section 71, and includes a wall (ceiling wall 120U of the machining chamber 120) that separates it from the machining chamber 120, and a front opening 124 that opens into the ceiling wall 120U of the machining chamber 120 and allows the workpiece 1 transported by the transport device 72 to pass through. The air intake 152 is also connected to the changer chamber 170. This configuration, as described above, makes it difficult for cutting dust and other particles generated in the machining chamber 120 to enter the changer chamber 170. This prevents cutting dust and other particles generated in the processing chamber 120 from adhering to the work changer 70 and causing problems with the work changer 70.

In this embodiment, the transport device 72 transports the adapter storage unit 71 to the processing chamber 120. In this configuration, the front opening 124 for moving the adapter storage unit 71 into and out of the processing chamber 120 must be relatively large. Therefore, unless special measures are taken, there is a high risk that cuttings and other debris generated in the processing chamber 120 will enter the changer chamber 170. Therefore, in this configuration, there is a significant advantage in generating an air flow F4 that flows from the intake port 152 through the changer chamber 170 toward the processing chamber 120.

The cutting machine 10 according to this embodiment includes a support arm 31 that supports the work holder 20 and a holder movement device 30 that moves the support arm 31 to move the work holder 20. The cutting machine 10 also includes a wall (the right side wall 120R of the processing chamber 120) that separates it from the processing chamber 120, and a slit 123 that opens into the right side wall 120R of the processing chamber 120 and through which the support arm 31 of the holder movement device 30 is inserted. The cutting machine 10 also includes a drive unit chamber 130 that houses at least a portion of the holder movement device 30. The air intake 152 is also connected to the drive unit chamber 130. As described above, this configuration makes it difficult for cuttings and other particles generated in the processing chamber 120 to enter the drive unit chamber 130. This prevents cuttings and other particles generated in the processing chamber 120 from adhering to the holder movement device 30 and causing problems with the holder movement device 30.

The cutting machine 10 according to this embodiment is equipped with a dustproof plate 36 fixed to the support arm 31 of the holder movement device 30. The dustproof plate 36 is arranged to cover at least a portion of the slit 123 and moves in the X-axis direction together with the support arm 31. With this configuration, the simple structure of the dustproof plate 36 can further prevent cutting dust and the like generated in the processing chamber 120 from entering the drive unit chamber 130. The simple structure of the dustproof plate 36 also makes it easy to reduce costs.

In this embodiment, the dustproof plate 36 is fixed to a portion of the support arm 31 located inside the processing chamber 120 and is installed inside the processing chamber 120. With this configuration, the dustproof plate 36 exerts its effect inside the processing chamber 120. This makes it possible to prevent cutting dust and the like from approaching the slit 123.

In this embodiment, the exhaust port 128 opens into one of the multiple walls of the machining chamber 120 that is located rearward of the work holder 20 in the X-axis direction (here, the rear end of the bottom wall 120D), and the dustproof plate 36 is configured to cover the rear end of the slit 123 when the work holder 20 is located within its range of movement during cutting. With this configuration, the rear end of the slit 123 is covered by the dustproof plate 36 while the workpiece 1 is being cut. In the machining chamber 120, the positioning of the exhaust port 128 causes air to flow rearward. Therefore, cutting dust is also likely to be blown rearward from the workholder 20. By covering the rear end of the slit 123 while the workpiece 1 is being cut, the effect of preventing cutting dust and the like from entering the drive unit chamber 130 can be enhanced.

On the other hand, when the work holder 20 is located within its range of movement during cutting, the dustproof plate 36 is positioned rearward of the front end of the slit 123. In other words, at this time, the dustproof plate 36 does not cover the front portion of the slit 123. Because air flows rearward in the processing chamber 120, the dustproof effect of the dustproof plate 36 is unlikely to be impaired even if the front portion of the slit 123 is not covered by the dustproof plate 36. Conversely, by leaving a moderate opening in part of the slit 123, air flows from the drive unit chamber 130 to the processing chamber 120, improving the dustproof effect. Furthermore, with this configuration, the length of the dustproof plate 36 in the X-axis direction can be shortened, preventing the processing chamber 120 from becoming longer in the X-axis direction.

The cutting machine 10 according to this embodiment has a top air blow device 93 equipped with a top nozzle 93N that sprays air along the top wall 120U of the machining chamber 120. With the top air blow device 93, the air sprayed from the top nozzle 93N flows along the top wall 120U of the machining chamber 120. This makes it possible to effectively remove cutting dust and other particles that have adhered to the top wall 120U of the machining chamber 120, which would have been difficult to remove in the past.

In this embodiment, the exhaust port 128 opens to the bottom wall 120D of the machining chamber 120, and the top nozzle 93N sprays air along the top wall 120U and rear wall 120Rr of the machining chamber 120 so that it reaches the exhaust port 128. With this configuration, cuttings and other particles adhering to the top wall 120U as well as the rear wall 120Rr can be pushed into the exhaust port 128.

In this embodiment, the exhaust port 128 opens along the connection of the bottom wall 120D with the rear wall 120Rr. With this configuration, air sprayed from the top nozzle 93N and flowing along the top wall 120U and rear wall 120Rr flows smoothly into the exhaust port 128. This results in good exhaust efficiency.

The cutting machine 10 according to this embodiment has a bottom air blow device 94 equipped with a bottom nozzle 94N that sprays air along the bottom wall 120D of the machining chamber 120 so that it reaches the exhaust port 128. This configuration effectively removes cutting dust and other particles from the bottom wall 120D of the machining chamber 120.

In this embodiment, the bottom nozzle 94N is located above the bottom wall 120D of the processing chamber 120 and sprays air diagonally downward toward the bottom wall 120D and toward the exhaust port 128. With this configuration, as described above, the air spreads in the width direction of the bottom wall 120D (left and right direction in this embodiment) when it hits the bottom wall 120D. This makes it possible to clean an area in the width direction of the bottom wall 120D that is wider than the width of the bottom nozzle 94N.

In this embodiment, the drive unit chamber 130, which houses the holder movement device 30, is located to the right of the processing chamber 120. The top nozzle 93N and the exhaust port 128 are located offset to the right of the center line CL of the processing chamber 120 in the left-right direction. This configuration allows for focused removal of cuttings and other debris on the side of the drive unit chamber 130, which houses the holder movement device 30. This configuration also prevents cuttings and other debris generated in the processing chamber 120 from adhering to the holder movement device 30 and causing problems with the holder movement device 30.

In this embodiment, the Z-axis movement device 60Z is configured to be able to move the cutting device 50 to a position where at least a portion of it is positioned above the work holder 20 and below the ceiling wall 120U of the machining chamber 120. The ceiling nozzle 93N injects air toward the cutting device 50 when it is moved to this position (i.e., protruding below the ceiling wall 120U). With this configuration, air can be injected toward the cutting device 50 that has been hit with cutting dust during cutting of the workpiece 1, thereby removing the cutting dust.

In this embodiment, the bottom wall 120D of the processing chamber 120 is provided with an exhaust port 128 and a slope 127 that slopes upward toward the exhaust port 128. With this configuration, large pieces of the workpiece 1 that fall onto the bottom wall 120D of the processing chamber 120 are unable to climb the slope 127 even when suctioned by the exhaust port 128, or even if they fall onto the slope 127, they slide down the slope 127. Therefore, large pieces are not attracted to the exhaust port 128. Therefore, with the cutting machine 10 according to this embodiment, exhaust from the processing chamber 120 is less likely to be obstructed even if large pieces of the workpiece 1 are included. Furthermore, with this configuration, even if the workpiece 1 falls off the adapter 5, the workpiece 1 can be prevented from being sucked into the exhaust port 128. While the slope 127 is part of the bottom wall 120D in this embodiment, it may be the entire bottom wall 120D.

In this embodiment, the bottom wall 120D of the processing chamber 120 has a bottom 126 connected to the slope 127 so as to bend relative to the slope 127. With this configuration, debris that slides down the slope 127 tends to stop at the boundary between the slope 127 and the bottom 126. This makes it easy for users to retrieve debris that has slided down the slope 127. For example, if the entire bottom wall 120D of the processing chamber 120 is the slope 127, debris that slides down the slope 127 tends to accumulate in the lower front corner of the processing chamber 120 formed by the bottom wall 120D and the front wall 120F. This makes it difficult for users to retrieve debris that has slided down the slope 127. Here, the bottom 126 is configured to be approximately horizontal. By making the bottom 126 approximately horizontal, it is possible to achieve both the ease with which fallen objects stop and the visibility of the boundary between the slope 127 and the bottom 126. However, the bottom 126 does not have to be a substantially horizontal surface, but may instead be a slope with a gentler upward gradient than the slope 127, or a slope that slopes downward toward the rear.

In this embodiment, at least a portion of the slope 127 overlaps at least a portion of the work holder 20 in a plan view. With this configuration, fragments of the workpiece 1 or the object to be machined that fall off the work holder 20 fall onto the slope 127.

In this embodiment, the slope 127 is connected to the rear wall 120Rr of the machining chamber 120, and the rear edge of the exhaust port 128 is formed by the rear wall 120Rr. With this configuration, the exhaust port 128 is located at the rearmost part of the slope 127 and the machining chamber 120. Therefore, cuttings and other particles attracted to the exhaust port 128 do not overrun rearward of the exhaust port 128. This allows the cuttings and other particles to be efficiently collected.

The cutting machine 10 according to this embodiment includes a box-shaped dust collection chamber 90 and an exhaust duct 92 connected to a duct connection hole 91. The dust collection chamber 90 is formed with an upper opening 90U and a duct connection hole 91, and the upper opening 90U is connected to the exhaust port 128. As described above, this configuration prevents large objects, such as large pieces of the workpiece 1, from directly entering the exhaust duct 92. As a result, clogging of the exhaust duct 92 can be suppressed.

In this embodiment, the exhaust port 128 opens facing upward, and the upper opening 90U of the dust collection chamber 90 also opens facing upward. The dust collection chamber 90 is located below the exhaust port 128. With this configuration, cutting dust and the like naturally falls into the dust collection chamber 90 from the exhaust port 128 and the upper opening 90U. This results in good dust collection efficiency. Note that the exhaust port 128 does not have to open facing forward, for example, and the dust collection chamber 90 does not have to be located above the exhaust port 128, for example.

In this embodiment, the duct connection hole 91 opens into the side wall (here, the rear wall) of the dust collection chamber. With this configuration, the opening direction of the duct connection hole 91 intersects with the opening direction of the exhaust port 128. This further prevents large objects, such as large fragments of the workpiece 1, from directly entering the exhaust duct 92.

In this embodiment, the dust collection chamber 90 has an internal space that is larger than the exhaust port 128 in a plan view. In other words, the exhaust port 128 is configured to be smaller than the internal space of the dust collection chamber 90 in a plan view. As a result, as described above, the speed of the exhaust air passing through the exhaust port 128 increases, improving the exhaust capacity of the cutting machine 10.

The cutting machine 10 according to this embodiment is equipped with a spindle air blower 55 equipped with a spindle nozzle 56 that sprays air toward the work holder 20. The control device 100 of the cutting machine 10 is equipped with a cutting control unit 101 that controls the cutting device 50 to cut the workpiece 1, and a first blow control unit 104A that controls the spindle air blower 55 to spray air toward the work holder 20 after cutting of the workpiece 1 is completed. With this configuration, after cutting of the workpiece 1 is completed, cutting powder adhering to the workpiece 1 and work holder 20 can be removed, and the workpiece 1 and work holder 20 can be cleaned. Note that the air blower that sprays air toward the work holder 20 is not limited to being installed in the cutting device 50, and may be installed anywhere.

The cutting machine 10 according to this embodiment is equipped with a holder moving device 30 and a Y-axis moving device 60Y as moving devices that move the position of the spindle nozzle 56 relative to the work holder 20. The control device 100 is equipped with a first movement control unit 104C that controls the holder moving device 30 and the Y-axis moving device 60Y to move the position of the spindle nozzle 56 relative to the work holder 20 when the spindle air blow device 55 is spraying air under the control of the first blow control unit 104A. This configuration allows the position of the work holder 20 that is hit by the air to be moved, making it possible to clean a wide area of the work holder 20 and the workpiece 1.

In this embodiment, the first movement control unit 104C moves the position of the spindle nozzle 56 relative to the work holder 20 so that the movement path L1 of the spindle nozzle 56 relative to the work holder 20 describes a scanning line. With this configuration, the position of the work holder 20 where the air hits can be moved in a scanning line, so no areas of the work holder 20 or the workpiece 1 are left unblowed by the air.

The cutting machine 10 according to this embodiment includes a rotation device 40 that rotates the work holder 20 to change its position. The workpiece 1 is configured as a flat plate with two opposing surfaces 1A and 1B. The spindle nozzle 56 is configured to spray air in a predetermined direction (here, downward). Furthermore, after the cutting of the workpiece 1 is completed and before the spindle air blow device 55 sprays air under the control of the first blow control unit 104A, the first attitude control unit 104B of the control device 100 controls the rotation device 40 to control the position of the workholder 20 so that the two opposing surfaces 1A and 1B of the workpiece 1 intersect with the spray direction of the spindle nozzle 56 at a predetermined angle. This configuration allows air to be blown onto the workpiece 1 at an angle that facilitates the removal of cutting powder and other debris adhering to the two opposing surfaces 1A and 1B of the workpiece 1. In this example, the predetermined angle is 90 degrees. By blowing air perpendicularly onto the two opposing surfaces 1A and 1B of the workpiece 1, the air velocity, pressure, and volume can be utilized most efficiently. However, the angle between the two opposing surfaces 1A and 1B of the workpiece 1 and the spray direction of the spindle nozzle 56 is not limited to 90 degrees.

In this embodiment, after cutting of the workpiece 1 is completed and before the spindle air blow device 55 injects air under the control of the first blow control unit 104A, the first attitude control unit 104B controls the rotation device 40 to control the attitude of the work holder 20 so that the first surface 1A of the workpiece 1 faces the spindle nozzle 56. While the spindle air blow device 55 is injecting air under the control of the first blow control unit 104A, the inversion control unit 104D controls the rotation device 40 to change the attitude of the work holder 20 so that the second surface 1B of the workpiece 1 faces the spindle nozzle 56. This configuration makes it possible to clean both the first surface 1A of the workpiece 1 and the second surface 1B, which is the backside of the first surface 1A. Note that "while the spindle air blow device 55 is injecting air under the control of the first blow control unit 104A" may include cases where air injection is continued and cases where air injection is temporarily stopped.

In this embodiment, the spindle nozzle 56 of the spindle air blow device 55 is also configured to inject air into the machining chamber 120. The control device 100 is equipped with a second blow control unit 105A that controls the spindle air blow device 55 to inject air into the machining chamber 120 after cutting of the workpiece 1 has been completed. With this configuration, after cutting of the workpiece 1 has been completed, cutting powder adhering to the machining chamber 120 can be removed and the machining chamber 120 can be cleaned. In this embodiment, machining chamber cleaning is performed after workpiece cleaning. However, only one of machining chamber cleaning and workpiece cleaning may be performed. Even if both machining chamber cleaning and workpiece cleaning are performed, the order in which they are performed is not particularly limited.

The control device 100 according to this embodiment is equipped with a second movement control unit 105C that controls the Y-axis movement device 60Y to move the position of the spindle nozzle 56 relative to the work holder 20 when the spindle air blow device 55 is spraying air under the control of the second blow control unit 105A. This configuration allows the location in the machining chamber 120 that is hit by the air to be moved, making it possible to clean a wide area of the machining chamber 120.

The control device 100 according to this embodiment is equipped with a second attitude control unit 105B that controls the rotation device 40 to set the attitude of the work holder 20 to a predetermined attitude after cutting of the workpiece 1 is completed and before the spindle air blow device 55 injects air under the control of the second blow control unit 105A. The spindle nozzle 56 is configured to inject air toward the work holder 20. With this configuration, as described above in the description of machining chamber cleaning, the direction of the air can be changed by directing the air toward the work holder 20. Therefore, air can be blown toward a targeted location in the machining chamber 120. Note that in this embodiment, the attitude of the work holder 20 is not changed during machining chamber cleaning, but it may be changed once or multiple times.

In this embodiment, the spindle nozzle 56 is located above the work holder 20 and is configured to spray air downward. The predetermined orientation of the work holder 20 is such that the two opposing surfaces 1A and 1B of the workpiece 1 held by the work holder 20 are inclined relative to the bottom wall 120D of the machining chamber 120. This allows the direction of the air after hitting the work holder 20 to be oblique to the bottom wall 120D. This allows cutting chips and the like on the bottom wall 120D to be moved along the bottom wall 120D.

In this embodiment, the multiple walls that define the machining chamber 120 include a front wall 120F (which may also include a machining chamber door 122) that stands forward of the work holder 20, and the predetermined orientation of the work holder 20 is such that the two opposing surfaces 1A and 1B of the workpiece 1 held by the work holder 20 are inclined downward toward the front. With this configuration, the air initially faces forward after hitting the work holder 20, but changes direction to a rearward direction upon hitting the front wall 120F. This allows the air to reach the front wall 120F, which is the foremost part of the machining chamber 120. This allows cleaning to be performed all the way to the forefront of the machining chamber 120. Furthermore, cutting chips and the like can then be sent rearward.

In this embodiment, when the spindle air blow device 55 is spraying air under the control of the second blow control device 105A, the second movement control unit 105C controls the Y-axis direction movement device 60Y to move the spindle nozzle 56 to the left or right. This allows cleaning up to the front end of the machining chamber 120 as described above to be performed over a wide range in the left-right direction.

In this embodiment, the second blow control unit 105A controls the spindle air blow device 55 to inject air into the machining chamber 120, and then controls the top air blow device 93 and bottom air blow device 94 to inject air from the top nozzle 93N and bottom nozzle 94N, respectively. With this configuration, cutting powder and the like that may have been scattered into the machining chamber 120 by the air spray from the spindle air blow device 55 can be carried to the exhaust port 128 by the air spray from the top nozzle 93N and bottom nozzle 94N. This makes it possible to further clean the inside of the machining chamber 120.

In this embodiment, the second blow control unit 105A controls the top air blow device 93 and bottom air blow device 94 to inject air before controlling the spindle air blow device 55 to inject air into the machining chamber 120. With this configuration, the top wall 120U, rear wall 120Rr, and bottom wall 120D of the machining chamber 120 are generally cleaned by injecting air from the top nozzle 93N and bottom nozzle 94N, and then the machining chamber 120 is cleaned by injecting air from the spindle nozzle 56. By following this step-by-step process, cutting powder adhering to the top wall 120U, rear wall 120Rr, and bottom wall 120D is prevented from being stirred up by the air spray from the spindle nozzle 56. This allows the machining chamber 120 to be kept even cleaner.

In the cutting machine 10 according to this embodiment, the tool stocker 80, which can store multiple cutting tools 6, is housed in a drive unit room 130 that is separated from the machining chamber 120 that houses the work holder 20. The cutting device 50 is configured to hold each cutting tool 6 housed in the tool stocker 80 and uses the held cutting tool 6 to cut the workpiece 1 held by the work holder 20. The spindle movement device 60 is configured to move the cutting device 50 between the drive unit room 130 and the machining chamber 120. This configuration prevents cutting dust generated in the machining chamber 120 from adhering to the cutting tools 6 housed in the tool stocker 80. This prevents problems caused by cutting dust adhering to the cutting tools 6, such as machining defects. While the tool stocker 80 is housed in the drive unit room 130 in this embodiment, it may also be housed in another room separated from the machining chamber 120.

In this embodiment, the drive unit chamber 130 and the machining chamber 120 are arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction. The holder movement device 30 includes a support arm 31 that extends in the Y-axis direction and supports the work holder 20; an X-axis mover 32 that is housed in the drive unit chamber 130 and connected to the support arm 31, and that is movable in the X-axis direction that intersects the Y-axis direction; and an X-axis drive motor 34 that moves the X-axis mover 32 in the X-axis direction to move the support arm 31 and the work holder 20 in the X-axis direction. The tool stocker 80 is supported by the X-axis mover 32. With this configuration, the support arm 31 does not support the tool stocker 80. Therefore, the support arm 31 is less likely to bend. This improves the accuracy of the cutting process. Furthermore, the cutting load applied to the support arm 31 via the workpiece 1 can be increased, allowing for a larger cutting amount per hour. This improves cutting throughput.

In this embodiment, the cutting device 50 is located above the work holder 20 and the tool stocker 80. The spindle movement device 60 includes a Y-axis movement device 60Y that moves the cutting device 50 in the Y-axis direction so that the cutting device 50 moves between above the drive device chamber 130 and above the processing chamber 120. The spindle movement device 60 also includes a Z-axis movement device 60Z that moves the cutting device 50 in the Z-axis direction. The holder movement device 30 is configured to be able to move the tool stocker 80 to a tool gripping position P1 set below the movement path of the cutting device 50 by the Y-axis movement device 60Y. With this configuration, the cutting tool 6 stored in the tool stocker 80 can be gripped by the cutting device 50 and the cutting tool 6 can be returned to the tool stocker 80 using the procedure described in the embodiment.

In this embodiment, the holder movement device 30 is configured to be able to move the tool stocker 80 to a tool change position P2, which is set forward of the tool grip position P1. The cutting machine 10 according to this embodiment is equipped with a tool change chamber 180 having an opening 183 that opens above the tool change position P2. When the holder movement device 30 is driven to move the tool stocker 80 to the tool change position P2, the user can store or remove a cutting tool 6 from the tool stocker 80 through the opening 183. With this configuration, the tool change chamber 180 is separated from the drive unit chamber 130, preventing the user from touching the holder movement device 30 when changing the cutting tool 6. This also prevents foreign matter from entering the drive unit chamber 130 when changing the cutting tool 6.

In this embodiment, the tool stocker 80 has a plurality of storage holes 81 each capable of storing a cutting tool 6, and the storage holes 81 are arranged in a staggered pattern. Specifically, the tool stocker 80 has a plurality of rows (here, five rows 81A-81E) in which some of the storage holes 81 are aligned in a predetermined alignment direction (here, the left-right direction), and two adjacent rows of the rows 81A-81E are offset in the alignment direction. This configuration improves the storage efficiency of the cutting tools 6 relative to the space.

The cutting machine 10 according to this embodiment includes a gripper 53 that grips the cutting tool 6 so that it protrudes downward in the Z-axis direction, a nozzle support member 57 that supports the spindle nozzle 56, and a biasing member 58 that biases the spindle nozzle 56. The nozzle support member 57 supports the spindle nozzle 56 so that it can move between a lower end position (lower end position) Pd in the Z-axis direction set to the side of the gripper 53 and another position above the lower end position Pd in the Z-axis direction. The biasing member 58 biases the spindle nozzle 56 supported by the nozzle support member 57, holding it at the lower end position Pd. With this configuration, when not being pressed by another member, the spindle nozzle 56 is positioned at the lower end position Pd, which is the protruding direction of the cutting tool 6, due to the biasing force of the biasing member 58. Therefore, the distance between the spindle nozzle 56 and the cutting tool 6 is short at this time. This allows for a strong blow of air toward the cutting tool 6. Furthermore, when the spindle nozzle 56 interferes with another member and is pushed upward, it resists the biasing force of the biasing member 58 and moves to another position above the lower end position Pd, i.e., in the opposite direction to the protruding direction of the cutting tool 6. Therefore, with the cutting machine 10 according to this embodiment, the spindle nozzle 56 can be brought closer to the cutting tool 6 and is less likely to get in the way.

In this embodiment, the spindle nozzle 56 moves from at least the lower end position Pd when the gripper 53 grips or releases the cutting tool 6 stored in the tool stocker 80. In this embodiment, the Z-axis movement device 60Z is configured to move the gripper 53 to a predetermined position in the Z-axis direction (working position Po) set to grip or release the cutting tool 6 stored in the tool stocker 80. The spindle nozzle 56 abuts against the tool stocker 80 when the gripper 53 is located at the working position Po. This positions the spindle nozzle 56 higher in the Z-axis direction than the lower end position Pd against the biasing force of the biasing member 58. Therefore, the spindle nozzle 56 does not get in the way when the gripper 53 grips or releases the cutting tool 6 stored in the tool stocker 80. In other words, the lower end position Pd can be set at a position where the spindle nozzle 56 abuts against the tool stocker 80, allowing the spindle nozzle 56 to be brought closer to the lower end of the cutting tool 6.

In this embodiment, the main shaft nozzle 56 has a cut surface 56b formed on the side wall and extending obliquely in the Z-axis direction. With this configuration, when an object presses against the cut surface 56b from the side, part of the pressing force is converted by the cut surface 56b into an upward force in the Z-axis direction. This causes the main shaft nozzle 56 to move upward. With this configuration, the main shaft nozzle 56 can be moved even when an object presses against the main shaft nozzle 56 from the side.

Other Embodiments
The above describes a cutting machine according to one embodiment. However, the technology disclosed herein can also be implemented in other ways. For example, in the above embodiment, the direction of the wind is controlled by controlling the attitude of the workpiece 1, but the direction of the wind may also be controlled by controlling the direction of the nozzle. In this case, the nozzle does not need to spray air toward the holding device. In this case, the cutting machine may also be equipped with a nozzle attitude control device that can change the direction of the nozzle.

In the above embodiment, the nozzle of the air blow device was the spindle nozzle 56 provided on the spindle 51 of the cutting device 50, but this is not limited to this. The nozzle of the air blow device may also be provided on another member, such as the ceiling of the machining chamber. The member on which the nozzle of the air blow device is provided does not have to be configured to be movable, and may be a fixed member that cannot be moved.

In the above embodiment, the position of the workpiece 1 is controlled to blow air diagonally downward and forward, but the direction in which the air is blown by controlling the position of the workpiece is not particularly limited. The position of the workpiece may be changed continuously or intermittently during machining chamber cleaning.

The configuration of the cutting machine is not particularly limited. For example, the cutting machine does not need to be equipped with a work changer. Also, for example, the interior of the cutting machine does not need to be compartmentalized as in the above embodiment.

Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments do not limit the present invention. For example, the cutting machine does not have to be a dental cutting machine used to produce dental molded products. The workpiece does not have to be held in the cutting machine via an adapter, but may be held directly by the cutting machine. The workpiece is not limited to being flat, and may have any shape, such as a cylindrical shape.

1 Workpiece 10 Cutting machine 20 Work holder (holding device)
40 Rotation device 50 Cutting device 55 Spindle air blow device (air blow device)
56 Main shaft nozzle (nozzle)
60 Main shaft moving device (moving device)
93 Top surface air blow device 93N Top surface nozzle 94 Bottom surface air blow device 94N Bottom surface nozzle 100 Control device 101 Cutting control unit 105 Machining chamber cleaning unit 105A Second blow control unit (blow control unit)
105B Second attitude control unit (attitude control unit)
105C Second movement control unit (movement control unit)
120 Processing chamber 120D Bottom wall 120F Front wall 120Rr Rear wall 120U Top wall

Claims (6)

a holding device for holding the workpiece;
a processing chamber that accommodates the holding device;
a cutting device that cuts the workpiece held by the holding device;
an air blowing device having a nozzle for injecting air into the processing chamber;
a rotation device that changes the attitude of the holding device by rotating the holding device;
a control device;
The control device
a cutting control unit that controls the cutting device to cut the workpiece;
a blow control unit that controls the air blow device to inject air into the processing chamber after cutting of the workpiece is completed;
and a posture control unit that controls the rotation device to set the posture of the holding device to a predetermined posture after cutting of the workpiece is completed and before the air blow device injects air under the control of the blow control unit ,
The nozzle is configured to spray air toward the holding device,
The workpiece is configured in a flat plate shape having two opposing surfaces,
the processing chamber is partitioned by a plurality of walls including a bottom wall disposed below the holding device;
the nozzle is provided above the holding device and configured to spray air downward,
the predetermined attitude of the holding device is an attitude in which the two opposing surfaces of the workpiece held by the holding device are inclined with respect to the bottom wall of the processing chamber;
Cutting machine. the plurality of wall portions includes a front wall erected forward of the holding device,
the predetermined posture of the holding device is a posture in which the two opposing surfaces of the workpiece held by the holding device are inclined downward toward the front.
The cutting machine according to claim 1 . Further provided is a moving device that moves the nozzle in a left-right direction,
The control device includes a movement control unit that controls the movement device to move the nozzle to the left or right when the air blow device is spraying air under the control of the blow control unit.
The cutting machine according to claim 2 . a holding device for holding the workpiece;
a processing chamber that houses the holding device;
a cutting device that cuts the workpiece held by the holding device;
an air blowing device having a nozzle for injecting air into the processing chamber;
a control device;
The control device
a cutting control unit that controls the cutting device to cut the workpiece;
a blow control unit that controls the air blow device to inject air into the machining chamber after cutting of the workpiece is completed,
The processing chamber comprises:
a top wall disposed above the holding device;
a bottom wall disposed below the holding device;
a rear wall disposed rearward of the holding device and erected to connect the top wall and the bottom wall,
an exhaust port that opens along a connection portion of the bottom wall with the rear wall;
a top surface air blowing device including a top surface nozzle that injects air along the top wall and the rear wall of the processing chamber so as to reach the exhaust port;
a bottom air blowing device having a bottom nozzle that injects air along the bottom wall so that the air reaches the exhaust port,
the blow control unit controls the air blow device to inject air into the processing chamber, and then controls the top surface air blow device and the bottom surface air blow device to inject air from the top surface nozzle and the bottom surface nozzle , respectively;
Cutting machine. the blow control unit controls the top surface air blow device and the bottom surface air blow device to inject air before controlling the air blow device to inject air into the processing chamber.
The cutting machine according to claim 4 . a moving device that moves the position of the nozzle relative to the holding device;
The control device includes a movement control unit that controls the movement device to move the position of the nozzle relative to the holding device when the air blow device is spraying air under the control of the blow control unit.
The cutting machine according to claim 4 or 5 .