JP2008132584A - Work transfer method, machine tool and processing line - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily transfer a work without complicating a constitution of a machine tool. <P>SOLUTION: After respectively installing gripping claws (transferring holders) 35 and 35 for gripping the work 2 on main spindles 6a and 6b of two columns 7a and 7b, the columns 7a and 7b are moved to both sides in the transfer direction of the work 2, and the work 2 is gripped by the two gripping claws 35 and 35 so as to be sandwiched from both sides in the transfer direction. The two columns 7a and 7b are moved in its transfer direction together with the work 2, and after releasing gripping of the work 2 by the gripping claws 35 and 35, the work 2 is pushed in its transfer direction by tilting the gripping claws 35 while moving the column 7b positioned in the transfer direction of the work among the two columns 7a and 7b in the transfer direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes a table for placing a work on a bed, and two columns provided so as to be movable along a transfer direction of the work, with a main shaft on which a tool is detachably mounted. The present invention relates to a workpiece transfer method, a machine tool, and a processing line using the same.

For workpieces that require various complex machining, a line may be configured by arranging a plurality of machine tools. In this case, it is necessary to transfer the workpiece between the adjacent machine tools. Conventionally, a workpiece transfer device is provided between the adjacent machine tools to transfer the workpiece to the machine tool in the next process. However, separately providing the transfer device causes an increase in the number of parts and installation space of the machine tool, which causes an increase in cost. Therefore, for example, a machine tool as shown in Patent Document 1 has been devised.

In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is not necessary to provide a special transfer device by attaching a gripping device to the spindle head and transferring the workpiece by using a moving mechanism of the spindle head in the transfer direction. A simple configuration is realized.
JP-A-5-301140

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since a gripping device is attached to the spindle head, a separate drive mechanism is required for raising and lowering the gripping device and gripping a workpiece, and there is room for further improvement. It was left.

  Therefore, the present invention has been devised to solve the above-described problem, and a workpiece transfer method and a machine tool that can easily transfer a workpiece without complicating the configuration of the machine tool, and It is an object to provide a processing line.

  The invention according to claim 1 for solving the above-described problem includes a table for placing a workpiece on a bed, and two tables that are arranged in parallel in the workpiece transfer direction and are individually movable in at least the workpiece transfer direction. A machine that has a column and a spindle head that rotatably supports a spindle on which the tool is detachably mounted on each of the two columns, and works workpieces sequentially or simultaneously with the tools mounted on the spindles of the two columns. A transfer method for transferring the workpiece in a machine, wherein a transfer holder for transferring the workpiece is attached to a spindle of at least one of the two columns, and the transfer holder is engaged with the workpiece In this state, the workpiece is transferred in the transfer direction by at least the movement of the column.

  According to the above method, since the workpiece is transferred by moving the column while being engaged by the transfer holders respectively attached to the main shafts of the two columns, there is no need to provide a separate transfer device. It is possible to prevent the configuration from becoming complicated, and to suppress an increase in cost and an increase in installation space.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the transfer holder is attached to each of the main shafts of the two columns, and the transfer holder has a gripping claw for gripping the workpiece, and the movement of the two columns By moving the transfer holder in the direction of holding the workpiece, holding the workpiece with the holding claws of the two transfer holders so as to hold the workpiece from both sides in the transfer direction, and holding the workpiece 2. The workpiece transfer method according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece is transferred by simultaneously moving the two columns downstream in the transfer direction.

  According to the above method, the transfer holders respectively mounted on the main shafts of the two columns are configured to have gripping claws, and the gripping claws grip the workpiece from both sides. In addition to simplification, even if the workpiece is large and heavy, it can be easily transferred in a stable state.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, the spindle head is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the column, and the workpiece is moved by the vertical movement of the two spindle heads mounted with the transfer holder. The workpiece transfer method according to claim 2, wherein the workpiece transfer is performed by moving the workpiece in the vertical direction, including vertical movement.

  According to the above method, since the workpiece is moved in the vertical direction by using the vertical movement of the spindle head, the workpiece transfer direction can be diversified without separately providing a dedicated moving mechanism. .

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the transfer holder is attached to the main shaft of one of the two columns, and the transfer holder is moved to the transfer holder by moving the column to which the transfer holder is attached. The operation of moving the workpiece in a direction of pushing in the transfer direction or tilting the transfer holder by the rotation of the main shaft to push and move the workpiece in the transfer direction. The workpiece transfer method according to claim 1.

  Here, the operation of pushing the workpiece in the transfer direction includes the operation of pulling the workpiece transferred from the upstream side in the transfer direction to a position where the workpiece can be clamped from the upstream side by two gripping claws, and holding the workpiece by the two gripping claws. The operation of pushing the workpiece downstream after the workpiece is transferred downstream in the transfer direction.

  According to the method, even when the distance between the adjacent machine tools is long, the workpiece can be received and transferred between the adjacent machine tools.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the transfer holder includes a posture changing mechanism for gripping and rotating the workpiece, and the workpiece is gripped from both sides in the transfer direction by the transfer holder attached to the spindle. The workpiece transfer method according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece is changed in posture by rotating about an axis orthogonal to the main shaft.

  According to the method, since the direction and angle of the workpiece can be adjusted, the efficiency of the workpiece processing can be improved.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the workpiece transfer method according to claim 5, wherein the posture changing mechanism performs a posture changing operation by rotation of the spindle on which the transfer holder is mounted.

  According to the method, since it is not necessary to separately provide a drive source for driving the posture changing mechanism, it is possible to prevent the machine tool from becoming complicated.

  The invention according to claim 7 has on the bed a table for placing the workpiece, and two columns arranged in parallel in the workpiece transfer direction and individually movable in at least the workpiece transfer direction. In each machine, a spindle head that rotatably supports a spindle on which a tool is detachably mounted is mounted, and the two columns are used in a machine tool that sequentially or simultaneously processes a workpiece with a tool attached to the spindle of two columns. A transfer holder for transferring the workpiece to the spindle of at least one of the columns is mounted, and the workpiece can be transferred in the transfer direction by moving the column at least with the transfer holder engaged with the workpiece. It is a machine tool characterized by comprising.

  According to the above configuration, since the workpiece is transferred by moving the column while being engaged by the transfer holders mounted on the main shafts of the two columns, there is no need to provide a separate transfer device, and the configuration is complicated. Can be prevented, and an increase in cost and an increase in installation space can be suppressed.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the transfer holder has a gripping claw for gripping the workpiece, the transfer holder is attached to the main shafts of the two columns, and the two transfer holders are mounted. The machine tool according to claim 7, wherein the workpiece is gripped by the gripping claws of the holder so as to be sandwiched from both sides in the transfer direction, and the workpiece can be transferred.

  According to the above configuration, the transfer holders respectively mounted on the spindles of the two columns are configured to have gripping claws, and the gripping claws grip the workpiece from both sides, simplifying the configuration. In addition, even if the workpiece is large and heavy, it can be easily transferred in a stable state.

  In the invention according to claim 9, the spindle head is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the column, and the workpiece is moved in the vertical direction by the vertical movement of the two spindle heads mounted with the transfer holder. The machine tool according to claim 8, wherein the machine tool is configured to be capable of conveying a workpiece including vertical movement.

  According to the above configuration, since the workpiece is moved in the vertical direction by using the vertical movement of the spindle head, the workpiece transfer direction can be varied with a simple configuration without providing a dedicated moving mechanism. can do.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the transfer holder has a posture changing mechanism for gripping and rotating the workpiece, and the workpiece is gripped from both sides in the transfer direction by the transfer holder attached to the spindle. The machine tool according to claim 7, wherein the workpiece can be changed in posture by rotating about an axis orthogonal to the main axis.

  According to the said structure, since the direction and angle of a workpiece | work can be adjusted, efficiency improvement of a workpiece | work process can be achieved.

  The invention according to claim 11 is the machine tool according to claim 10, wherein the posture changing mechanism performs a posture changing operation by rotation of the main shaft on which the transfer holder is mounted.

  According to the said structure, since it is not necessary to provide the drive source which drives an attitude | position change mechanism separately, it can prevent that a machine tool becomes complicated.

  The invention according to claim 12 further includes a tool magazine that accommodates a plurality of tools and that allows an arbitrary tool to be selected and exchanged the tool with respect to the column spindle, and the transfer holder includes the tool The machine tool according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the machine tool is configured to be housed in a magazine.

  According to the above configuration, the tool and the gripping claw on the spindle can be automatically exchanged, and the efficiency of the machining and transfer process can be improved.

  The invention according to claim 13 further includes a tool magazine that houses a plurality of tools and that can select any tool and replace the tool with respect to the column spindle, and the transfer holder includes the tool The machine tool according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the machine tool is configured to be accommodated in a dedicated holder for transfer holder installed separately from the magazine.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to store a large number of tools in the tool magazine, perform various processing, and preferably use a transfer holder that cannot be stored in the tool magazine depending on the shape and size. it can.

  The invention according to claim 14 is characterized in that a work transport means for placing and transporting the work gripped by the transfer holder is provided on the side of the table. A machine tool according to any one of claims 13 to 13.

  According to the said structure, when pushing a workpiece | work in the conveyance direction of a workpiece | work, a workpiece | work moves on workpiece conveyance means, such as a roller conveyor, Therefore A workpiece | work can be smoothly conveyed, without sliding.

  The invention according to claim 15 is characterized in that the table is constituted by a turntable rotatable in a horizontal direction or a tilt table tiltable in a vertical direction. The machine tool according to the item.

  According to the said structure, since the direction and angle of a workpiece | work can be adjusted, efficiency improvement of a workpiece | work process can be achieved.

  The invention according to claim 16 is a processing line comprising a plurality of machine tools according to any one of claims 7 to 15 arranged in parallel.

  According to the above configuration, since the workpiece is transferred by moving the column while being engaged by the transfer holders respectively attached to the main shafts of the two columns, there is no need to provide a separate transfer device. It is possible to provide a processing line that can prevent the configuration from becoming complicated and that can suppress an increase in cost and an increase in installation space with a simple configuration.

  The invention according to claim 17 is the processing line according to claim 16, characterized in that a single head type machine tool having one column on the bed is included on the line.

  According to the said structure, since various machine tools can be installed, a various process can be performed.

  The invention according to claim 18 is characterized in that the machine width of the machine tool according to any one of claims 7 to 15 is equal to the machine width of the one-head machine tool. 17 is a processing line.

  According to the above-described configuration, the arrangement space of the machine tool according to the present invention and the one-head machine tool can be made the same, so that the arrangement layout can be easily designed or the arrangement of the machine tools can be partially changed. Can be.

  The invention according to claim 19 is provided with an arm-type workpiece transfer device for holding and transferring the workpiece by a holding portion at the tip of a tiltable arm between the plural machine tools arranged side by side, and the machine tool for the workpiece The processing line according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the intermediate line is conveyed.

  According to the said structure, the freedom degree of the transfer direction of a workpiece | work can increase, and the design restrictions of a jig | tool and a transfer can be reduced.

  According to a twentieth aspect of the invention, a workpiece is gripped by a gripping portion that moves along a gantry-type frame provided so as to straddle the plurality of machine tools above each table of the plurality of machine tools arranged in parallel. The processing line according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein a gantry-type workpiece transfer device for transferring the workpiece is provided to convey the workpiece between machine tools.

  According to the said structure, similarly to the invention which concerns on Claim 19, the freedom degree of the transfer direction of a workpiece | work can increase, and the design restrictions of a jig | tool and transfer can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, an excellent effect that a workpiece can be easily transferred without complicating the configuration of the machine tool is exhibited.

  BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A preferred embodiment of a workpiece transfer method and a machine tool according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  1 is a front view showing the best embodiment of the machine tool according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view showing the best embodiment of the machine tool according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a view of the machine tool according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a gripping claw (transfer holder) provided in a machine tool according to the present invention.

  First, the configuration of the machine tool according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, a horizontal machining center having two columns will be described as an example of a machine tool according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same applies to a vertical machining center. is there. Although there are various ways of taking the three axes, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the surface on which the work is arranged in front of the column is the front, and the left and right directions when viewed from the front (work Is the X-axis, the front-rear direction (the front and back direction of the paper) is the Z-axis, and the vertical direction is the Y-axis. In the present embodiment, a case where the transfer holder is configured to have a gripping claw will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a machine tool 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention attaches and detaches a table 4 and a tool 5 provided on a bed 3 to place the workpiece 2 when the workpiece 2 is machined. A plurality of (two in this embodiment) columns 7 are provided, each having a main shaft 6 that can be mounted so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction (vertical direction). In addition, the machine tool 1 includes an X-axis moving mechanism 10 that moves the main shaft 6 provided for each column 7 with respect to the workpiece 2 in the left-right direction in FIG. 1 and a Z-axis movement that moves in the front-to-back direction in FIG. The mechanism 20 (refer FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) and the Y-axis moving mechanism 30 moved to an up-down direction are provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the table 4 is disposed on the bed 3 in front of the column 7 (front side in FIG. 1). The table 4 is provided with a holding mechanism (not shown) for holding the work 2 and is fixed when the work 2 is processed. A hopper-shaped inclined surface 9 is formed around the table 4, and is configured to collect chips during processing and discharge them downward.

  Behind the table 4 are two columns 7a and 7b (hereinafter, the two columns may be collectively described as “7”). The two columns 7a and 7b are arranged side by side along the X-axis direction. The column 7a (7b) moves in the Y-axis direction on the X-axis saddle 16, the Z-axis saddle 17 provided on the top of the X-axis saddle 16 so as to be movable in the Z-axis direction, and the front surface of the Z-axis saddle 17 The spindle head 18 is provided so as to be capable of being provided. The spindle head 18 is provided so as to extend forward in the horizontal direction along the Z-axis, and the spindle 6a (6b) (hereinafter, the two spindles are collectively referred to as “6”) in front of the spindle head 18 inside. May be rotated). A main shaft motor (not shown) for rotating the main shaft 6a (6b) is provided behind the main shaft head 18.

  The main shaft 6a of one of the two columns 7a and 7b (left side in FIG. 1) column 7a is configured to have a larger diameter than the main shaft 6b of the other (right side in FIG. 1) column 7b. . In the present embodiment, for example, the nominal diameter of the main shaft 6 is # 40 for the large main shaft 6a and # 30 for the small main shaft 6b. The shape of the main shaft is an example, and the shape of the main shaft end is not limited to the tapered shape, and may be another shape such as a straight shape, and the main shaft is configured to be replaceable. Various tool gripping part shapes such as KM and HSK can be supported. Of course, the nominal diameters of the main shafts 6a and 6b may adopt other dimensions such as # 50.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, an X-axis moving mechanism 10 is provided below the X-axis saddles 16 and 16 to move the columns 7a and 7b in the X-axis direction. The X-axis moving mechanism 10 rotates a pair of ball screws 11, 11 arranged parallel to each other in the X-axis direction, nuts 12, 12 screwed into the ball screws 11, 11, and the ball screws 11, 11. Drive motors 13 and 13, and X-axis guides 14 and 14 arranged in parallel with the ball screws 11 and 11. End portions of the ball screws 11 and 11 are fixed to be rotatable integrally with output shafts of the drive motors 13 and 13 by couplings (not shown), respectively. The nuts 12 and 12 are screwed into the ball screws 11 and 11 respectively, and are fixed to the X-axis saddles 16 and 16 of the two columns 7a and 7b, respectively. Therefore, when one ball screw 11 is rotated by driving one drive motor 13, one nut 12 is rotated along with the one column 7a (7b) in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the ball screw 11. Moving. At this time, the X-axis saddle 16 of the column 7a (7b) is movably supported by the linear X-axis guides 14 and 14 arranged in parallel with the ball screw 11, so that it is guided smoothly in the moving direction. Moving. As the columns 7a and 7b are individually moved in this way, the main shafts 6a and 6b are also individually moved in the X-axis direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, Z-axis moving mechanisms 20 and 20 for moving the Z-axis saddles 17 in the Z-axis direction are provided on the X-axis saddles 16 of the columns 7a and 7b (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Are provided. The Z-axis moving mechanism 20 includes a ball screw 21 that extends in the Z-axis direction, a nut 22 that is screwed into the ball screw 21, a drive motor 23 that rotates the ball screw 21, and a parallel to the ball screw 21. Z-axis guides 24 and 24 are provided. The ball screw 21 is fixed to the lower part of the Z-axis saddle 17, and this ball screw 21 is connected to a drive motor 23 via a coupling (not shown). The nut 22 is screwed into the ball screw 21 and is fixed to the upper portion of the X-axis saddle 16. Therefore, when the ball screw 21 is rotated by driving the drive motor 23, the ball screw 21 is moved in the Z-axis direction together with the Z-axis saddle 17 along with the rotation. At this time, the Z-axis saddle 17 is supported by the linear Z-axis guides 24, 24 arranged in parallel with the ball screw 21, so that the Z-axis saddle 17 is guided in the moving direction and moves smoothly. As the Z-axis saddle 17 moves in this way, the main shaft 6 also moves in the Z-axis direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, at the front part of the Z-axis saddle 17, a Y-axis moving mechanism 30 that moves each spindle head 18 provided with the spindle 6 at the front inside in the Y-axis direction (vertical direction). , 30 are provided. The Y-axis moving mechanism 30 includes a ball screw 31 that extends in the Y-axis direction, a nut 32 that engages with the ball screw 31, a drive motor 33 that rotates the ball screw 31, and a parallel to the ball screw 31. The Y-axis guides 34 and 34 are provided. The ball screw 31 is connected to the drive motor 33 via a coupling (not shown). The Y-axis saddle 48 is fixed to the spindle head 18. The nut 32 is screwed into the ball screw 31 and is fixed to the Y-axis saddle 48. Accordingly, when the ball screw 31 is rotated by driving the drive motor 33, the nut 32 moves in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the ball screw 31 together with the spindle head 18 along with the rotation. At this time, the Y-axis saddle 48 is supported by the linear Y-axis guides 34, 34 arranged in parallel with the ball screw 31, so that the Y-axis saddle 48 is guided in the moving direction and moves smoothly. As the Y-axis saddle 48 moves in this way, the spindle head 18 and the spindle 6 also move in the Y-axis direction (vertical direction).

  In this embodiment, the X-axis moving mechanism 10, the Z-axis moving mechanism 20, and the Y-axis moving mechanism 30 guide the feed mechanism of the nuts 12, 22, and 32 by the ball screws 11, 21, 31, and the movable part. The X-axis guide 14, the Z-axis guide 24, and the Y-axis guide 34 are combined. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a moving mechanism using a hydraulic mechanism or a linear motor can also be employed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the machine tool 1 provided with the moving mechanism that moves in the three orthogonal directions is described. However, the machine tool 1 is not limited to the three axes, and any machine having at least three axes may be used. Of course, in addition to the moving mechanism that moves in the three-axis directions, the table 4 may be rotated or the main shaft head 18 may be provided with a swing mechanism.

  By the way, the present invention is characterized in that a transfer holder for gripping and transferring the workpiece 2 from both sides in the transfer direction is detachably mounted on the main shafts 6a and 6b of the two columns 7a and 7b. To do. The transfer holder includes gripping claws 35 and 35.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the gripping claw 35 includes a mounting portion 36 for attaching to the main shafts 6 a and 6 b on the base end side, and a locking portion 37 that is inserted below the workpiece 2 at the distal end portion and locks to the lower surface. It has.

  The mounting portion 36 has the same shape as the mounting portion of the other tool 5. In the present embodiment, the mounting portion 36 has a taper-shaped insertion portion 36a to the main shaft 6 and is formed in a shape corresponding to the large-diameter main shaft 6a and the small-diameter main shaft 6b to be mounted. As a result, the gripping claws 35 can be mounted and accommodated in tool magazines 8a and 8b described later. The shape of the mounting portion 36 is merely an example, and may be other shapes such as a straight shape. Selectable for various tool shapes such as BT, KM, and HSK according to the shapes of the main shafts 6a and 6b. Configured. The dimensions of the mounting portion 36 are also appropriately selected according to the dimensions of the main shafts 6a and 6b.

  The mounting portion 36 is connected to a rod-shaped arm portion 38 that extends forward and bends a predetermined length, and a locking portion 37 is formed at the tip of the arm portion 38. The arm portion 38 has a strength capable of gripping the workpiece 2. Since the pair of gripping claws 35 are configured to grip the workpiece 2 so as to sandwich the workpiece 2 from both sides, the arm portions 38 only have to have a strength capable of gripping substantially half the load of the workpiece 2. The locking portion 37 is formed in a planar shape and has strength and size (length and width) on which the workpiece 2 can be placed. Since the pair of gripping claws 35 are configured to grip the workpiece 2 so as to sandwich the workpiece 2 from both sides, the locking portion 37 only needs to have a strength to lock and lift the workpiece 2 as a pair. The locking portion 37 has a length in the Z-axis direction (for example, a length that is two-thirds or more of the length in the Z-axis direction of the workpiece 2) close to the width (Z-axis direction) of the workpiece 2. It is comprised so that 2 can be supported stably.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, on the bed 3, on the X-axis direction side portion of the table 4, the work 2 held by the holding claws 35 and 35 and moved along with the movement of the columns 7 a and 7 b is placed. A roller conveyor 40 is provided as a work conveying means to be placed. In the roller conveyor 40, rollers 41 are arranged along the Z-axis direction, and are configured to move the workpiece 2 in the transfer direction (X-axis direction). The upper surface of the roller conveyor 40 is configured to be substantially the same height as the upper surface of the table 4. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the roller conveyor 40 should just be provided only in the downstream of the bed in the machine tool located most upstream in the transfer direction among the plurality of arranged machine tools. The machine tool provided in the section may be provided on both the upstream and downstream sides of the bed, and the machine tool located on the most downstream side in the transfer direction may be provided only on the upstream side of the bed. Needless to say, roller conveyors may be provided on both the upstream side and the downstream side of the bed, even in a machine tool located at the most upstream or downstream side in the transfer direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a tool magazine 8 that houses a plurality of tools 5 and gripping claws 35 and supplies an arbitrary tool 5 or gripping claws 35 to the column 7 is provided above the front portion of the column 7. It has been. In the present embodiment, tool magazines 8a and 8b are provided for each of the two columns 7a and 7b. In the present embodiment, the same number of tool magazines 8a and 8b as the columns 7a and 7b are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this. Although not shown, a common tool magazine may be provided for two or more columns.

  Two tool magazines 8a and 8b (hereinafter, the two tool magazines may be collectively referred to as “8”) are attached to a frame 47 provided on the bed 3, and are attached to the front portions of the columns 7a and 7b. Arranged at the upper side, the processing tools 5 and the like used in the columns 7a and 7b are stored.

  The tool magazine 8a (8b) includes a pair of sprockets 25, 25 arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction, an endless chain 26 spanned between the sprockets 25, 25, and an outer peripheral side of the endless chain 26. Are provided with a plurality of tool gripping portions 27, 27, 27. One (upper in this embodiment) sprocket 25 is provided with a drive motor 28 (see FIG. 2). By rotating the sprocket 25, the endless chain 26 and the tool gripping portions 27, 27, 27,. Is configured to move the desired tool to the tool change position 29.

  Here, the tool gripping portion 27 of the tool magazine 8a located above the column 7a having the large-diameter spindle 6a is a large-diameter tool gripping portion 27a that can accommodate the large-diameter tool 5. The large-diameter tool is accommodated. On the other hand, the tool gripping portion 27b of the tool magazine 8b located above the column 7b having the small-diameter main shaft 6b is a small-diameter tool gripping portion 27b that can be used for the small-diameter tool 5. Are to be accommodated.

  In the present embodiment, the tool magazine 8 is a chain type, but is not limited thereto. For example, other methods such as a disk type may be used, and are set as appropriate in consideration of the shape and quantity of tools to be stored, space efficiency, and the like.

  When exchanging the tool 5, the column 7 is appropriately moved to move the spindle 6 to the tool exchanging position 29 at the lower part of the tool magazine 8, and the used tool is transferred to the empty tool gripping portion 27 and gripped. Thereafter, the tool gripper 27 that grips the desired tool is moved to the tool change position 29 and mounted on the spindle 6. The operations of these parts are appropriately commanded in accordance with the machining process of the workpiece 2 by a control program stored in a control unit (not shown).

  Here, the tool magazine 8 accommodates various tools 5 and the like. Specifically, in addition to tools such as a milling cutter, a drill, a tap, and an end mill, gripping claws 35 for transferring the workpiece 2 are gripped by the tool gripping portions 27, 27, 27. Among these tools, a milling machine or a large-diameter tool that requires a relatively large machining torque is accommodated in a tool magazine 8a having a large-diameter tool gripping portion 27a. On the other hand, a small-diameter tool that requires a relatively small machining torque is accommodated in a tool magazine 8b having a small-diameter tool gripping portion 27b.

  As described above, since the tool magazines 8a and 8b are provided for each of the two columns 7a and 7b, there is no waiting time even when the tools are changed in both the columns 7a and 7b. That is, according to the machine tool 1, since relatively time-consuming tool change can be performed in parallel, time loss at the time of tool change does not occur, and the cycle time of the entire machining process can be shortened. And processing efficiency can be increased. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the gripping claws 35 are also accommodated in the tool magazines 8a and 8b, the tool 5 and the gripping claws 35 can be automatically and efficiently exchanged.

  Further, the machine tool 1 is configured such that the main shaft 6a of one column 7a of the two columns 7a and 7b has a larger diameter than the main shaft 6b of the other column 7b, and includes a large-diameter main shaft 6a. Since the tool magazine 8a corresponding to the column 7a accommodates a tool 5 having a larger diameter than the tool 5 accommodated in the other tool magazine 8b, the column 7a, Appropriate processing can be performed in each of 7b, and the processing efficiency can be further improved and the range of processing options can be expanded. Moreover, since the tool 5 can be used properly according to the processing type, the type and size of the tool 5 can be unified for each of the tool magazines 8a and 8b, and the tool 5 can be accommodated efficiently.

  Next, the operation of the machine tool 1 and the workpiece transfer method will be described while explaining the method of transferring the workpiece 2 by the machine tool 1 having the above-described configuration.

  When the workpiece 2 is transferred to an adjacent machine tool (not shown) by the machine tool 1 according to the present embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 1, the spindle 6a of each column 7a, 7b from the tool magazine 8a, 8b. , 6b are fitted with gripping claws 35, 35, respectively. Then, the columns 7a and 7b are moved to move the gripping claws 35 and 35 to the upper positions on both sides (X-axis direction) of the workpiece 2. At this time, the gripping claws 35, 35 are respectively rotated in the main shafts 6a, 6b so that the lower sides are separated from each other, so as to have a C-shape in front view. Here, the distance between the locking portions 37 of the gripping claws 35 is set to be slightly larger than the length of the workpiece 2 in the X-axis direction. Thereafter, the spindles 6 a and 6 b are lowered and the gripping claws 35 and 35 are moved onto the table 4. At this time, a clamp device (not shown) for the table 4 is operated to float the workpiece 2 on the table 4 to a predetermined height. Then, the main shafts 6 a and 6 b are rotated so that the locking portions 37 are close to each other, and the locking portions 37 are inserted into the gaps between the bottom surface of the workpiece 2 and the table 4.

  After that, as shown in FIG. 5, in a state where the workpiece 2 is gripped by the pair of gripping claws 35, 35, the spindles 6a, 6b of the two columns 7a, 7b are simultaneously lifted to lift the workpiece 2. At this time, the workpiece 2 is placed and locked on the locking portions 37 on both sides, but the locking portion 37 has an appropriate strength and size and is supported from both sides. By doing so, it is gripped stably.

  After lifting the workpiece 2, as shown in FIG. 6, the two columns 7a and 7b are simultaneously moved in the transfer direction of the workpiece 2 to transfer the workpiece 2 to a position above the roller conveyor 40. Then, the spindles 6 a and 6 b of the two columns 7 a and 7 b are simultaneously lowered to place the workpiece 2 on the roller conveyor 40. Thereafter, the main shafts 6 a and 6 b are rotated so that the lower portions of the gripping claws 35 and 35 are separated from each other, and the gripping claws 35 are tilted, whereby the locking portions 37 and 37 are pulled out from the lower surface of the workpiece 2. Further thereafter, the spindles 6 a and 6 b are raised to separate the gripping claws 35 and 35 from the work 2.

  Thereafter, the columns 7 a and 7 b are moved to the upstream side in the transfer direction of the work 2, and the grip claws 35 and 35 are moved to the upstream in the transfer direction from the work 2 placed on the roller conveyor 40. Then, the main shaft 6b of the column 7b on the downstream side in the transfer direction is lowered, and the gripping claws 35 are moved to the upstream side position in the transfer direction of the workpiece 2. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7, the column 7b is moved in the transfer direction and the gripping claws 35 are tilted in the transfer direction, so that the rear surface of the gripping claws 35 attached to the main shaft 6b of the column 7b (the downstream side surface in the transfer direction). ), The workpiece 2 is pushed (extruded) in the transfer direction on the roller conveyor 40. At this time, since the workpiece 2 is placed on the roller conveyor 40, the workpiece 2 can be smoothly transferred simply by being pushed in on the back surface of the gripping claws 35. Here, on the adjacent machine tool 1 ′ (see FIG. 7), the gripping claws 35 ′ of the column 7′a on the upstream side in the transfer direction are positioned on the roller conveyor 40, and the workpiece 2 is moved too much. It can function as a stopper to prevent. Note that the step of pushing the workpiece 2 may be performed only by the movement of the column 7b or the tilting movement of the gripping claws 35.

  Thereafter, the workpiece 2 on the roller conveyor 40 is pushed (pulled) in the transfer direction by the gripping claws 35 ′ of the column 7 ′ upstream of the adjacent machine tool 1 ′ in the transfer direction, and then the columns 7 ′ a, 7. It is gripped by gripping claws 35 ', 35' mounted on the spindles 6'a, 6'b of 'b, transferred onto the table 4', and placed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the workpiece 2 is gripped by the gripping claws 35 and 35 respectively attached to the main shafts 6a and 6b of the two columns 7a and 7b so as to be sandwiched from both sides in the transfer direction. The weight of the work 2 can be shared and supported by the two columns 7a and 7b. Moreover, the position of each column 7a, 7b can be adjusted according to the magnitude | size of the workpiece | work 2, and the workpiece | work 2 can be hold | gripped by moderate distance between fulcrums. Therefore, even if the workpiece 2 is large and heavy, it can be easily transferred in a stable state. Further, since the workpiece 2 is transferred by the movement of the columns 7a and 7b and the spindles 6a and 6b, it is not necessary to provide a separate transfer device other than the gripping claws 35 and 35, and the manufacturing cost of the machine tool 1 is increased and the installation space The increase can be suppressed.

  Further, the machine tool 1 is further provided with tool magazines 8a and 8b, and the gripping claws 35 are configured to be accommodated in the tool magazines 8a and 8b. Exchange with 35 can be performed automatically. Therefore, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the processing and transfer process.

  Further, the mounting portions 36, 36 of the gripping claws 35, 35 are configured to be detachable from the main shafts 6a, 6b and can be accommodated in the tool magazines 8a, 8b. Need not be provided separately. The gripping claws 35 can also be applied to the existing machine tool 1.

  Furthermore, since the holding claws 35 and 35 are provided with locking portions 37 and 37 that are inserted below the workpiece 2 and locked to the lower surface, the locking portions 37 and 37 reliably support the weight of the workpiece 2. And the stability of the transfer can be further increased.

  Further, since the roller conveyor 40 is provided on the side of the bed 3, the gripping claws 35 are tilted while the column 7b located downstream in the transfer direction of the work 2 is moved in the transfer direction, and the work 2 is moved in the transfer direction. Since the work 2 moves on the roller conveyor 40 when it is pushed in, the work 2 can be smoothly transferred without sliding.

  The best embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed in design without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the embodiment, the locking portion 37 of the gripping claw 35 is formed in a flat plate shape, but is not limited thereto. For example, a member such as a resin or rubber having a high friction coefficient may be provided inside the vertical portion of the arm portion to be a locking portion, and the side surface of the work may be sandwiched and held from both sides by the locking portion. In addition, the locking portion 37 of the present embodiment is inserted into the lower surface of the workpiece 2 to lock the workpiece 2. However, when the side surface of the workpiece 2 has a step or a recess, the step or the recess It may be a structure that locks.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the arm portion 38 of the gripping claw 35 is bent at a right angle and the locking portion 37 is formed at the tip thereof so as to be orthogonal, but this is not restrictive. The bending angle and the intersection angle between the arm portion and the locking portion are set according to the shape of the workpiece.

  In the present embodiment, the roller conveyor 40 does not have a driving function, but a motor, a chain, or the like may be provided so that the workpiece 2 can be conveyed by the roller conveyor 40 itself. In this way, the workpiece 2 can be transported even when the distance between the machine tools is long. Further, the workpiece conveying means is not limited to the roller conveyor 40, and other conveying means such as a belt conveyor can be adopted.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the main shafts 6a and 6b of the two columns 7a and 7b have structures with different diameters, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the two main shafts may have the same diameter. Of course.

  Further, depending on the shape and size of the transfer holder, for example, if it is difficult to accommodate in the tool magazines 8a and 8b, the transfer holder is virtually attached to the tool magazine 8a as shown in part A on the right side of FIG. , 8b, but may be housed in a separate holder holder for transfer 8 'provided separately. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the transfer holder dedicated accommodating portion 8 ′ is not provided, but may be provided. Also in this case, the transfer holder is automatically mounted on the transfer holder dedicated accommodating portion 8 'by moving the main shafts 6a and 6b of the columns 7a and 7b. The transfer holder dedicated accommodating portion 8 ′ is provided on the upper portion of the frame 47, a tool gripping portion 8 ′ a for gripping the transfer holder, and a bracket for fixing the tool gripping portion 8 ′ a to the frame 47. 8'b. The tool gripping portions 8 ′ a are arranged so as to open toward the lower side, and are provided at least as many as the number of transfer holders (two in this embodiment). In this way, the storage space for the tool magazines 8a and 8b is not reduced, so that a larger number of tools 5 can be stored, various processing can be performed, and the tool magazine 8a can be changed depending on the shape and size. , 8b can be suitably accommodated and used. Note that the transfer holder dedicated accommodating portion is not limited to the form fixed to the frame 47 as described above, and may be provided rotatably by providing an independent magazine.

  Further, two tables may be provided corresponding to the columns 7a and 7b, and workpieces may be transferred between both tables by the same transfer method as described above.

  An embodiment in which two tables are provided will be described below. FIG. 8 is a front view showing a second embodiment of the machine tool according to the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the second embodiment of the machine tool according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, this embodiment is characterized in that a turntable 50 that rotates in the horizontal direction is placed on the bed 3 instead of the table 4 of the embodiment of FIG. 1. The turntable 50 has an upper end formed in a disk shape, and employs an index table that is rotated by a mechanism such as a built-in motor and a worm gear (not shown). It is made to oppose to the angle of this with high precision. Two turntables 50 are provided along the transfer direction of the work 2 (the left-right direction in FIG. 8), and each turntable 50, 50 is configured to be independently rotatable. Since other configurations are the same as those in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

  The workpiece 2 is moved between the turntables 50 and 50 by attaching the gripping claws 35 and 35 to the main shafts 6a and 6b of the columns 7a and 7b, respectively, and moving the two columns 7a and 7b in the direction of clamping the workpiece 2. Then, the workpiece 2 is gripped by the two gripping claws 35 and 35 from both sides in the transfer direction, and the two columns 7a and 7b are simultaneously moved to the downstream side in the transfer direction while the workpiece 2 is gripped. The workpiece 2 is moved between the adjacent machine tools 51 and 51 by using a transfer device such as an arm type workpiece transfer device 62 (see FIG. 13) or a gantry type workpiece transfer device 92 (see FIG. 17) described later. .

  According to the machine tool 51 configured as described above, the direction and angle of the workpiece can be freely adjusted by the turntable 50, so that the entire side surface of the workpiece 2 can be machined. Therefore, the machining range of the workpiece 2 can be widened, and machining efficiency can be improved. Further, in the present embodiment, since two turntables 50 are provided side by side, two workpieces 2 can be processed at the same time, and the processing time can be shortened. And since each turntable 50 can rotate separately, it can process each process separately. In this machine tool 51, both tables are turntables 50, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a fixed table, a turntable, and a tilt table described later may be appropriately selected and combined.

  Further, the machine tool 51 has a machine width composed of an outer frame size of an outer frame on which two columns 7a and 7b can move, and a machine width of a one-head machine tool (not shown) having one column on a bed. It is comprised so that it may become equivalent. According to such a configuration, the arrangement space of the machine tool 51 according to the present embodiment and the one-head machine tool can be made the same, so that the arrangement layout can be designed easily or the arrangement of the machine tools can be partially Can be changed and replaced.

  FIG. 10 is a side view showing a third embodiment of the machine tool according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 10, this embodiment is characterized in that a tilt table 52 tilting in the vertical direction is placed on the bed 3 instead of the table 4 of the embodiment of FIG. 1. The tilt table 52 has a rotating shaft 52a extending in the transfer direction of the workpiece 2, and a table body 52b supported by the rotating shaft 52a is driven by a driving means such as a motor (not shown). It tilts in a direction perpendicular to the transfer direction. Similarly to the turntable 50, two tilt tables 52 are provided along the transfer direction of the workpiece 2, and each tilt table 52 (only one is shown) is configured to be independently tiltable. Since other configurations are the same as those in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

  The movement of the workpiece 2 between the tilt tables 52 is performed by attaching the gripping claws 35 (only one shown) to the main shaft 6b (only one shown) of the pair of columns 7b (only one shown) as in the embodiment of FIG. The two columns 7b are moved in the direction in which the workpiece 2 is sandwiched, the workpiece 2 is gripped by the two gripping claws 35 so as to be sandwiched from both sides in the transfer direction, and the two columns 7b are transferred while the workpiece 2 is gripped. It is carried out by moving simultaneously in the direction downstream. The workpiece 2 is moved between the adjacent machine tools 53 by using a transfer device such as an arm type workpiece transfer device 62 (see FIG. 13) or a gantry type workpiece transfer device 92 (see FIG. 17) described later.

  According to the machine tool 53 configured as described above, the tilt angle of the workpiece 2 with respect to the spindle 6 can be freely adjusted by the tilt table 52, so that the machining angle of the workpiece 2 can be adjusted. Therefore, the machining range of the workpiece 2 can be widened, and machining efficiency can be improved. Furthermore, since the two tilt tables 52 are provided side by side in this embodiment, the two workpieces 2 can be processed simultaneously, and the processing time can be shortened. Since each tilt table 52 can be individually tilted, it is possible to process each process separately.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a transfer holder having a workpiece posture changing mechanism mounted on the spindle of the machine tool according to the present invention, and FIG. 12 shows a posture change of the workpiece mounted on the spindle of the machine tool according to the present invention. It is typical sectional drawing for demonstrating the holding | grip mechanism and attitude | position conversion mechanism of the transfer holder which has a mechanism.

  As in the case of other tools, the transfer holder 55 for the workpiece 2 shown in FIG. 11 is selectively mounted on the main shaft 6 (see FIG. 12), and is accommodated in a tool magazine when not in use. . The transfer holder 55 is a device that grips and rotates the workpiece 2, and uses the gripping mechanism 56 that presses and grips the workpiece 2 (see FIG. 12) and the rotational force of the main shaft 6 to vertically move the workpiece 2. A type including a posture changing mechanism 57 that rotates in a direction is used.

  The transfer holder 55 includes a shank portion 55a and a holder portion 55b, and lifts up the main shaft 6 by moving the main shaft 6 upward by a Y-axis drive mechanism (not shown) while gripping the workpiece 2. The workpiece 2 is configured to be able to rotate 360 ° in the vertical direction by this rotation.

  As shown in FIG. 12, as an example, the gripping mechanism 56 employs a mechanism that grips using fluid pressure such as hydraulic pressure, and a piston 56 a and a cylinder 56 b, and a spring that biases the piston toward the open side of the workpiece 2. 56c, a holder plate 56d that grips the workpiece 2 via a bearing 56e, and a flow path L1. With such a configuration, the pressure fluid is supplied to the flow path L1 via a control valve (not shown) to grip the workpiece 2, the supply of the pressure fluid is stopped, and the biasing force of the spring 56c is applied to open the workpiece 2.

  The attitude conversion mechanism 57 transmits the rotational force of the main shaft 6 from the main shaft 6 via the shank portion 55a to the reduction gear 57c via the bevel gear 57b and the input shaft 57a, and is connected to the output shaft 57d of the reduction gear 57c. The rotating plate 57e is rotated so that the workpiece 2 can be rotated in the vertical direction.

  With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 12, the angle of the workpiece W can be changed by rotating in the vertical direction around the horizontal output shaft 57d. For this reason, the upper and lower surfaces of the workpiece W can be reversed, and it is possible to cope with various machining. Further, by using the transfer holder 55, the work 2 can be transferred to an adjacent table by gripping the work 2 and moving the column.

  13 is a front view showing the best embodiment of the processing line according to the present invention, FIG. 14 is a front view showing a workpiece receiving state of the arm type workpiece transfer device, and FIG. 15 is a workpiece transfer state of the arm type workpiece transfer device. FIG. 16 is a front view showing a workpiece delivery state of the arm-type workpiece transfer device.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the machining line 61 of the present embodiment is configured by arranging a plurality of machine tools 51 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, and an arm type is provided between adjacent machine tools 51, 51. A workpiece transfer device 62 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the arm-type workpiece transfer device 62 holds and transfers a workpiece by a holding portion at the tip of a tiltable arm. Specifically, the arm-type workpiece transfer device 62 includes a first four-joint link 64 having one end (base end side) supported by a support member 63 provided at a predetermined position between the machine tools 51 and 51, The other end (front end side) of the first 4-node link 64 is supported at the other end (base end side) by the second 4-node link 65, and the other end (end-end side) of the second 4-node link 65. The workpiece transfer portion 67 that holds the workpiece 2 and transfers the workpiece is supported by the workpiece, and the second four-node link 65 is rotated in the opposite direction as the first four-node link 64 is rotated. And a rotating mechanism 68 for the purpose.

  In the arm-type workpiece transfer device 62, a frame 63a serving as a support member 63 is fixed on a support base 51a provided extending from the side surfaces of the machine tools 51 and 51. A first four-joint link 64 is supported on the front surface of the frame 63a (front side in FIG. 13) so as to be movable up and down. The first four-joint link 64 includes a shaft support member 71 provided at one end on the base end side, a first rotation arm 72a and a second rotation arm 72b respectively supported by the shaft support member 71, The connecting member 73 connects the tip of the first turning arm 72a and the tip of the second turning arm 72b. The second four-joint link 65 includes the connection member 73, the first support arm 74a and the second support arm 74b that are pivotally supported by the connection member 73, and the second end of the first support arm 74a and the second support arm 74a. It is comprised from the holding member 75 spanned over the front-end | tip part of the support arm 74b.

  The shaft support member 71 of the first four-joint link 64 is supported by a pair of rails 63b provided in the frame 63a and extending in the vertical direction, and moves up and down along the rails 63b by the rotation of the ball screw 63c extending in the vertical direction. It is configured as follows. A drive motor 63d for rotating the ball screw 63c is connected to the ball screw 63c.

  On the front surface of the shaft support member 71, a first rotation arm 72a and a second rotation arm 72b are rotatably supported at the base end portion (lower end portion) via support shafts 76a and 76b. The distal end portion (upper end portion) of the first pivot arm 72a and the second pivot arm 72b includes a proximal end portion (upper end portion) of the first support arm 74a and a proximal end portion (upper end portion) of the second support arm 74b. However, it is rotatably supported via the interlocking shafts 77a and 77b. A drive motor (not shown) is disposed on the shaft support member 71 as drive means, and the drive motor is connected to the support shaft 76a of the first rotating arm 72a. According to the rotation of the driving motor, the first rotating arm 72a, the second rotating arm 72b, and the connecting member 73, that is, the first four-joint link 64 are rotated in conjunction with each other.

  An engagement protrusion 78a is extended and formed at the base end portion of the first rotating arm 72a. When the first four-node link 64 is rotated to a predetermined position on the right side in the drawing, the engagement protrusion 78a engages with the base end portion of the second rotation arm 72b, so that the first four-node link is engaged. The rotation range is restricted so that 64 does not rotate further to the right. Further, a projection 78b is formed on the front surface of the shaft support member 71 obliquely above the support shaft 76a. When the first four-bar link 64 is rotated to a predetermined position on the left side in the figure, the first The back surface of the turning arm 72a is engaged with the protrusion 78b, and the turning range is restricted so that the first four-bar link 64 does not turn further to the left.

  The connecting member 73 is provided with a rotation mechanism 68 for rotating the second four-node link 65 in the opposite direction as the first four-node link 64 rotates. The rotation mechanism 68 includes interlocking shafts 77a and 77b and an interlocking gear (not shown) provided between the interlocking shafts 77a and 77b. Thus, the second four-joint link 65 is configured to rotate at the same angle in the opposite direction.

  Holding shafts 79a and 79b are fixed to project from the distal ends of the first support arm 74a and the second support arm 74b in the same direction as the interlocking shafts 77a and 77b. A holding member 75 is bridged between the holding shafts 79a and 79b and is supported so as to be relatively rotatable. On the holding member 75, a transfer member 80 on which the workpiece 2 is placed is provided. The transfer member 80 is supported by the holding member 75 through the rail 81 so as to be movable in the transfer direction of the workpiece 2. A work support portion 82 for supporting the work 2 is fixedly disposed on the upper surface of the transfer member 80. Between the transfer member 80 and the first support arm 74a, there is an interlocking mechanism (not shown) that moves the transfer member 80 in the transfer direction of the workpiece 2 as the first support arm 74a rotates. Is provided. The interlocking mechanism includes a pinion (not shown) rotatably supported on the holding member 75 and a rack (not shown) provided on the transfer member 80. The rack extends in the transfer direction of the work 2. The pinion is directly or indirectly connected to the holding shaft 79a of the first support arm 74a, and the pinion rotates and moves the rack as the first support arm 74a rotates. . When the first support arm 74a and the second support arm 74b are inclined to the right end, the interlocking mechanism moves the transfer member 80 to the right end (see FIG. 14), and the first support arm 74a and the second support arm 74a When the support arm 74b is tilted to the left end, the transfer member 80 is moved to the left end (see FIG. 16), and the first support arm 74a and the second support arm 74b are vertically at the center of the tilting range. At this time, the transfer member 80 is moved to the center (see FIG. 15). That is, when the first support arm 74a and the second support arm 74b tilt the tilt range from one end to the other end, the transfer member 80 moves by the length.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in this embodiment, the movement of the workpiece 2 between the turntables 50 and 50 in the same machine tool 51 is performed by holding grips (transfer holders) 35 on the main shafts 6a and 6b of the columns 7a and 7b. , 35 are respectively mounted, the two columns 7a, 7b are moved in the direction in which the workpiece 2 is sandwiched, and the workpiece 2 is gripped by the two gripping claws 35, 35 so as to be sandwiched from both sides in the transfer direction. This is performed by simultaneously moving the two columns 7a and 7b to the downstream side in the transfer direction in the gripped state.

  When moving the workpiece 2 between the adjacent machine tools 51, 51, first, the workpiece 2 is sandwiched and lifted upward by the gripping claws 35, 35, and the arm-type workpiece transfer device 62 is transferred below the workpiece 2. The member 80 is moved, and the workpiece 2 is placed on the workpiece support portion 82 and gripped. When the first four-bar link 64 is rotated, the second four-bar link 65 is rotated along with this, and the transfer member 80 is placed on the turntable 50 of the other machine tool 51. Moving. Thereafter, the workpiece 2 on the workpiece support portion 82 of the transfer member 80 is clamped by the gripping claws 35 of the machine tool 51 on the downstream side in the transfer direction.

  A loader 83 is provided at the upstream end in the transfer direction (right side in FIG. 13). The loader 83 is disposed so as to transfer the workpiece 2 to the most upstream machining position of the workpiece 2, and the workpiece 2 is sandwiched by the gripping claws 35, 35 from the loader 83.

  An unloader 84 is provided at the downstream end in the transfer direction (left side in FIG. 13). An arm type workpiece transfer device 62 is provided between the unloader 84 at the downstream end and the machine tool 51, and the workpiece 2 on the arm type workpiece transfer device 62 transferred from the machine tool 51 is gripped (not shown). It is gripped by the device and transferred onto the unloader 84.

  According to such a structure, the freedom degree of the transfer direction of the workpiece | work 2 increases, and the design restrictions of a jig | tool and transfer can be reduced. Further, when the workpiece 2 is transferred by the arm type workpiece transfer device 62, the upstream machine tool 51 can enter the next processing step, so that the processing efficiency can be increased.

  FIG. 17 is a front view showing another embodiment of the processing line according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the machining line 91 of the present embodiment is configured by arranging a plurality of machine tools 51 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, and straddles the plurality of machine tools 51, 51. A gantry-type workpiece transfer device 92 is provided.

  A gantry-type workpiece transfer device 92 is provided above the turntables 50, 50... Of a plurality of machine tools 51, 51 arranged side by side so as to straddle the plurality of machine tools 51, 51. The workpiece 2 is gripped and transferred by the gripping portion 94 that moves along the axis. The gantry type frame 93 spans between the pillar members 93a, 93a provided on both sides of the machine tools 51, 51, 51 in the transfer direction of the machine tools 51 arranged along the transfer direction of the workpiece 2. And a beam member 93b. The beam member 93 b serves as a guide rail for the traveling unit 95 including the grip portion 94. The traveling unit 95 includes a drive motor 95a, and travels along the beam member 93b by the rotation of the drive motor 95a. The traveling unit 95 is provided with a pair of elevating members 96 and 96 that move in the vertical direction. The elevating members 96, 96 are arranged side by side with a predetermined interval in the transfer direction of the workpiece 2, and are configured to be able to move up and down independently. Grip portions 94 and 94 for gripping the workpiece 2 are respectively provided at the lower ends of the elevating members 96 and 96, and the elevating members 96 and 96 are lowered so that the grip portions 94 and 94 are turned on the turntables 50 and 50. The workpiece 2 is delivered in close proximity to the workpiece.

  In this embodiment, the movement of the workpiece 2 between the turntables 50 and 50 in the same machine tool 51 is performed by attaching the gripping claws 35 and 35 to the main shafts 6a and 6b of the columns 7a and 7b, respectively. 7b is moved in the direction in which the workpiece 2 is sandwiched, the workpiece 2 is gripped by the two gripping claws 35, 35 so as to be sandwiched from both sides in the transfer direction, and the two columns 7a, 7b are transported while the workpiece 2 is gripped. It is carried out by moving simultaneously in the direction downstream.

  When the workpiece 2 is moved between the adjacent machine tools 51, 51, first, the workpiece 2 is sandwiched and lifted upward by the gripping claws 35, 35, and the lifting member of the gantry-type workpiece transfer device 92 is below the workpiece 2. 96 is lowered, and the workpiece 2 is moved from the turntable 50 of the machine tool 51 to the grip portion 94. Then, in a state where the workpiece 2 is gripped by the gripping portion 94, the traveling portion 95 is caused to travel, and the workpiece 2 is transferred onto the turntable 50 of the adjacent machine tool 51 and transferred onto the turntable 50.

  According to such a configuration, by changing the transfer direction of the gantry-type workpiece transfer device 92, the degree of freedom in the transfer direction of the workpiece 2 is increased, and the design constraints of the jig and transfer can be reduced. Furthermore, if the gantry-type workpiece transfer device 92 is used, the distance between the adjacent machine tools 51 and 51 can be reduced, and the installation space of the processing line 91 can be reduced.

  The form and arrangement layout of the machine tools in the processing lines 61 and 91, the form and arrangement layout of the workpiece transfer device, etc. are examples, and of course can be appropriately changed according to the required machining process. is there. For example, the processing lines 61 and 91 are configured by a plurality of machine tools having two columns, but a single head type machine tool having one column on the bed may be included on the line. In this way, since various machine tools can be installed, various processing can be performed.

It is the front view which showed the best embodiment of the machine tool which concerns on this invention. [BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS] It is the side view which showed the best embodiment of the machine tool based on this invention. 1 is a plan view showing a best embodiment of a machine tool according to the present invention. It is the perspective view which showed the holding nail | claw provided in the machine tool which concerns on this invention. It is a front view of the machine tool for demonstrating the transfer method of the workpiece | work which concerns on this invention. It is a front view of the machine tool for demonstrating the transfer method of the workpiece | work which concerns on this invention. It is a front view of the machine tool for demonstrating the transfer method of the workpiece | work which concerns on this invention. It is the front view which showed 2nd embodiment of the machine tool which concerns on this invention. It is the top view which showed 2nd embodiment of the machine tool which concerns on this invention. It is the side view which showed 3rd embodiment of the machine tool which concerns on this invention. It is the perspective view which showed the holder for transfer which has the attitude | position conversion mechanism of the workpiece | work with which the main axis | shaft of the machine tool which concerns on this invention is mounted | worn. It is typical sectional drawing for demonstrating the holding | grip mechanism and attitude | position conversion mechanism of the holder for transfer which have the attitude | position conversion mechanism of the workpiece | work with which the main axis | shaft of the machine tool which concerns on this invention is mounted | worn. It is the front view which showed the best embodiment of the processing line which concerns on this invention. It is the front view which showed the workpiece | work receiving state of the arm type workpiece transfer apparatus. It is the front view which showed the workpiece | work transfer state of the arm type workpiece transfer apparatus. It is the front view which showed the workpiece delivery state of the arm type workpiece transfer apparatus. It is the front view which showed other embodiment of the processing line which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Machine tool 2 Work piece 3 Bed 6 Spindle 6a Spindle 6b Spindle 7 Column 7a Column 7b Column 8 Tool magazine 8a Tool magazine 8b Tool magazine 35 Holding claw (transfer holder)
36 Mounting portion 37 Locking portion 50 Turntable 51 Machine tool 52 Tilt table 53 Machine tool 55 Transfer holder 57 Posture changing mechanism 61 Processing line 62 Arm type work transfer device 91 Processing line 92 Gantry type work transfer device

Claims (20)

On the bed, there are a table for placing the workpiece and two columns arranged in parallel in the workpiece transfer direction and individually movable in the workpiece transfer direction, and a tool is attached to and detached from each of the two columns. A transfer method for transferring a workpiece in a machine tool that is equipped with a spindle head that rotatably supports a spindle that can be mounted, and that sequentially or simultaneously processes the workpiece with a tool that is mounted on the spindle of two columns,
At least one of the two columns is mounted with a transfer holder for transferring a workpiece to the spindle, and the workpiece is transferred by at least the movement of the column with the transfer holder engaged with the workpiece. A workpiece transfer method characterized by transferring in a direction. Attach the transfer holders to the spindles of the two columns,
The transfer holder has a gripping claw for gripping the workpiece, and the two holders for transfer are moved by moving the two columns in a direction to sandwich the workpiece by moving the two columns. Gripping the workpiece with both gripping claws from both sides in the transfer direction,
The workpiece transfer method according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece is transferred by simultaneously moving the two columns to the downstream side in the transfer direction while holding the workpiece. The spindle head is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the column;
3. The workpiece transfer including vertical movement is performed by moving the workpiece in the vertical direction by moving the two spindle heads mounted with the transfer holder in the vertical direction. 4. Transport method. The transfer holder is mounted on the main shaft of one of the two columns,
The movement of the column on which the transfer holder is mounted causes the transfer holder to move in the direction of pushing the workpiece in the transfer direction, or the rotation of the main shaft causes the transfer holder to tilt. The work transfer method according to claim 1, wherein the work is pushed and moved in the transfer direction. The transfer holder has a posture changing mechanism for gripping and rotating the workpiece,
The workpiece is gripped from both sides in the transfer direction by the transfer holder attached to the main shaft, and rotated about an axis orthogonal to the main shaft to change the posture of the work. How to transfer workpieces. The workpiece transfer method according to claim 5, wherein the posture changing mechanism performs a posture changing operation by rotation of the main shaft on which the transfer holder is mounted. On the bed, there are a table for placing the workpiece and two columns arranged in parallel in the workpiece transfer direction and individually movable in the workpiece transfer direction, and a tool is attached to and detached from each of the two columns. In a machine tool that is equipped with a spindle head that rotatably supports a spindle that can be mounted, and that processes workpieces sequentially or simultaneously with tools attached to the spindles of two columns,
At least one of the two columns is mounted with a transfer holder for transferring a workpiece to the spindle, and the workpiece is transferred by at least the movement of the column with the transfer holder engaged with the workpiece. A machine tool that can be moved in any direction. The transfer holder has a gripping claw for gripping the workpiece,
The transfer holders are mounted on the main shafts of the two columns, respectively, and the workpiece is gripped by the gripping claws of the two transfer holders so as to be sandwiched from both sides in the transfer direction so that the workpiece can be transferred. The machine tool according to claim 7, characterized in that: The spindle head is provided to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the column,
The workpiece can be transported including vertical movement by moving the workpiece in the vertical direction by moving the two spindle heads mounted with the transfer holder in the vertical direction. Machine tools. The transfer holder has a posture changing mechanism for gripping and rotating the workpiece,
The workpiece is gripped from both sides in the transfer direction by the transfer holder attached to the main shaft, and rotated about an axis orthogonal to the main shaft so that the posture of the work can be changed. The machine tool described in 1. The machine tool according to claim 10, wherein the posture changing mechanism performs a posture changing operation by rotation of the main shaft on which the transfer holder is mounted. A tool magazine for storing a plurality of tools and selecting an arbitrary tool so that the tool can be exchanged with respect to the spindle of the column;
The machine tool according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the transfer holder is configured to be housed in the tool magazine. A tool magazine for storing a plurality of tools and selecting an arbitrary tool so that the tool can be exchanged with respect to the spindle of the column;
The machine according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the transfer holder is configured to be housed in a dedicated holder for transfer holder installed separately from the tool magazine. machine. The work transport means for mounting and transporting the work gripped by the transfer holder is provided on the side of the table. 14. The machine tool according to the item. The machine tool according to any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein the table is configured by a turntable rotatable in a horizontal direction or a tilt table tiltable in a vertical direction. A machining line comprising a plurality of machine tools according to any one of claims 7 to 15 arranged side by side. The processing line according to claim 16, wherein a one-head type machine tool having a column on the bed is included in the line. The processing line according to claim 17, wherein the machine width of the machine tool according to any one of claims 7 to 15 is equal to the machine width of the one-head machine tool. An arm-type workpiece transfer device is provided between the plurality of machine tools arranged side by side to hold and transfer the workpiece with a holding portion at the tip of a tiltable arm, and the workpiece is transferred between machine tools. The processing line according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized by: Gantry-type workpiece transfer for gripping and transferring a workpiece by a gripping portion that moves along a gantry-type frame provided so as to straddle the plurality of machine tools above each table of the plurality of machine tools arranged in parallel. The processing line according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein an apparatus is provided to convey the workpiece between machine tools.

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