JP2016168652A - Blade automatic replacement device and blade automatic replacement method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a blade automatic replacement device which can solve fundamentally the conventional problem because no damage is caused on a blade surface or a flange end surface when a blade is attached or detached to or from a spindle.SOLUTION: In a blade automatic replacement device 20 for automatically replacing a blade 14 of round-blade shape attached to a spindle 10, a blade attaching and detaching mechanism part 22 which attaches and detaches the blade 14 for a flange member 12, the blade 14 being attached freely attachably and detachably to the spindle 10 by sandwiching blade both surfaces configured by inserting a blade center hole through a blade insertion part 12B of the flange member 12 for blade attachment which is provided on a shaft tip part of the spindle 10 with a blade holding surface 12C of the flange member 12 and a nut member 18 to be screwed to the blade insertion part 12B, includes a clamp means 40 which grips the blade 14, a nut rotation means 42 which rotates the nut member 18 and an advancing and retreating means 44 which advances and retreats the clamp means 40 and the nut rotation means 42 for the spindle 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a blade automatic replacement device and a blade automatic replacement method, and more particularly to a blade automatic replacement device and a blade automatic replacement method for automatically replacing a blade in a cutting device such as a dicing device that cuts a thin groove on a semiconductor wafer with a blade. .

  In a dicing machine, which is one of the cutting machines, a chip-shaped thin circular blade (blade) is cut between chips formed in a grid pattern on a semiconductor wafer surface, and the semiconductor wafer surface is thinned. By forming a groove, it is divided into individual chips.

  As an attachment structure for attaching the blade to the spindle, as seen in Patent Document 1, for example, the blade is clamped by two flanges fitted to the tip of the spindle, and the nut screwed to the tip screw is tightened. The blade is attached to the spindle.

  By the way, since the blade is worn as it is cut, it is necessary to replace it when a predetermined amount is worn. Also, when changing the shape of the groove to be processed, it is necessary to replace the blade with a blade corresponding to the shape of the groove. Thus, in a cutting device such as a dicing device, it is necessary to frequently replace the blade.

  When replacing the blade, the shaft of the spindle is fixed so as not to rotate, the nut is rotated to loosen the nut, and the blade is removed from the spindle. The blade is attached to the spindle by rotating the nut in the tightening direction.

  However, when the nut is rotated for attaching / detaching the blade to / from the spindle, the blade is rotated along with the rotation of the nut, and the blade surface of the blade and the flange end surface (surface in contact with the blade surface) are rubbed. Thereby, a blade surface and a flange end surface are damaged.

  If the blade is attached to the spindle in a state where the blade surface or the blade end surface is scratched, the vibration in the rotation axis direction of the blade increases. As a result, the width of the groove cut into the semiconductor wafer is increased, and there are problems that chips and cracks are generated around the groove.

  As countermeasures for this, conventionally, as seen in Patent Document 1, a flange end face correction jig has been used to correct the scratched flange end face periodically so as to eliminate the damage.

Japanese Patent No. 3472390

  However, the conventional method for periodically polishing the flange end surface does not prevent the blade surface and the flange end surface from being damaged when the blade is attached to and detached from the spindle, and fundamentally solves the conventional problems. It is not a thing.

  Further, in the automatic blade replacement, the polishing process of the flange end face increases, so that the working efficiency is lowered.

  From such a background, there has been a demand for an automatic blade replacement device and an automatic replacement method that do not cause scratches on the blade surface and the flange end surface when the blade is attached to and detached from the spindle.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and when the blade is attached to and detached from the spindle, since the blade surface and the flange end surface are not damaged, the conventional problem can be fundamentally solved, It is another object of the present invention to provide a blade automatic replacement device and a blade automatic replacement method that can improve work efficiency.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an automatic blade changer for automatically changing a round blade-shaped blade attached to a spindle, and a blade of a flange member for blade attachment provided at the tip of a shaft of the spindle. The both sides of the blade with the blade center hole inserted into the insertion portion are sandwiched between the blade holding surface of the flange member and the nut member screwed into the blade insertion portion, so that it can be attached to and detached from the spindle. A blade attachment / detachment mechanism that attaches / detaches the blade to / from the nut member is pressed against the end surface of the blade body in which the blade center hole is formed. Clamping means for gripping the surface, nut rotating means for rotating the nut member, the clamping means and the nut. And moving means for advancing and retracting the rotating means with respect to said spindle, characterized by comprising a.

  Accordingly, the blade attaching / detaching mechanism portion fixes the movement of the blade by gripping the peripheral surface of the blade body portion in a state where the clamping means is pressed against the end surface of the blade body portion where the blade center hole is formed by the advance / retreat means. And in the state which fixed the braid | blade, a nut member can be rotated by a nut rotation means, and a nut member can be loosened or tightened.

  Therefore, when the blade is attached to and detached from the flange member, it is possible to prevent the blade from being rotated along with the rotation of the nut member.

  In addition, since the blade can be held in close contact by being pressed against the end surface of the blade body by the clamping means, the held blade is not rattled. Therefore, when the nut member is rotated by the nut rotating means, the blade does not vibrate.

  As a result, when the blade is attached to or detached from the spindle, the blade surface of the blade and the blade holding surface of the flange member (synonymous with the conventional flange end surface) are not rubbed, so that the blade surface and the flange holding surface are not damaged. You can Therefore, unlike the prior art, there is no need to periodically polish the flange holding surface with the flange end surface correction jig.

  As a result, when the blade is attached to and detached from the spindle, the blade surface and the flange end surface are not damaged, so that the conventional problem can be fundamentally solved and the working efficiency can be improved.

  In the aspect of the automatic blade changing apparatus of the present invention, the clamp pawl of the clamp means and the nut chuck of the nut rotating means are mounted on one slide member that moves forward and backward with respect to the spindle by the advance and retract means, and the clamp When viewed from the spindle side, the nut chuck is recessed by a predetermined length from the clamp claw so that the nut chuck comes into contact with the end surface of the nut member when the claw is pressed against the end surface of the blade body. It is preferable that it is arranged at the position.

  Thus, when the blade attaching / detaching mechanism portion advances in the direction of the spindle, the clamp pawls press against the end surface of the blade body portion, and at the same time, the nut chuck comes into contact with the end surface of the nut member. Therefore, since the clamp means and the nut rotating means can be mounted on one slide member and moved forward and backward with respect to the spindle, the blade automatic changer can be made compact.

  In the aspect of the blade automatic changer of the present invention, the surface of the clamp claw on the spindle side is formed in a step structure, and the concave surface of the step structure presses against the end surface of the blade body part, and the convex surface surrounds the periphery of the blade body part. It is preferable to grip the surface.

  Accordingly, it is possible to provide a function of pressing the end surface of the blade body part and a function of gripping the peripheral surface with a simple configuration in which the spindle side surface of the clamp claw has a stepped structure.

  In an aspect of the automatic blade changing apparatus of the present invention, a blade temporary placement mechanism for temporarily placing a blade removed from the flange member by the blade attaching / detaching mechanism, and a blade insertion portion of the flange member holding a blade to be attached. It is preferable to have a blade insertion mechanism part to be inserted, and a moving mechanism part that moves the blade attachment / detachment mechanism part and the blade insertion mechanism part to face the spindle.

  Thereby, automatic replacement | exchange of a blade can be performed by a series of continuous flows.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a blade automatic replacement method for automatically replacing a round blade-shaped blade attached to a spindle, and a blade of a flange member for blade attachment provided at a shaft tip portion of the spindle. The both sides of the blade with the blade center hole inserted into the insertion portion are sandwiched between the blade holding surface of the flange member and the nut member screwed into the blade insertion portion, so that it can be attached to and detached from the spindle. In the blade attaching / detaching step of attaching / detaching the blade to / from the nut member, a blade pressing step of pressing a clamp claw of a clamp means against an end surface of a blade body portion in which the blade center hole is formed And the blade body portion by the clamp pawl in a state where the clamp pawl is pressed against the end face. A blade clamping step for gripping a peripheral surface, a nut holding step for holding the nut member by a nut chuck of a nut rotating unit, a nut rotating step for rotating the nut member by the nut rotating unit, and a nut from the flange member A blade removing step of removing the blade together with the member.

  As a result, when the blade is attached to and detached from the spindle, the blade surface and the flange end surface are not damaged, so that the conventional problem can be fundamentally solved and the working efficiency can be improved.

  In the aspect of the blade automatic replacement method of the present invention, it is preferable that the nut chuck of the nut rotating means comes into contact with the end surface of the nut member when the clamp pawl is pressed against the end surface of the blade body.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the surface of the clamp claw on the spindle side is formed in a stepped structure, the concave surface of the stepped structure is pressed against the end surface of the blade body, and the peripheral surface of the blade body is gripped by the convex surface.

  Further, in the blade automatic replacement method according to the present invention, the old blade temporarily placing step of temporarily placing the old blade removed from the flange member by the blade attaching / detaching step, and the blade of the flange member holding the new blade to be attached A new blade insertion step for inserting into the insertion portion, a new blade pressing step for pressing the clamp claws of the clamping means against the end surface of the blade body of the new blade, and a state where the clamp claws are pressed against the end surface Then, a new blade clamping step of gripping the peripheral surface of the blade body portion by the clamp claw, and a nut rotating step of attaching the new blade to the flange member by rotating the nut member and tightening the nut member, It is preferable to provide.

  According to the automatic blade changing apparatus and the automatic blade changing method of the present invention, when the blade is attached to and detached from the spindle, the blade surface and the flange end surface are not damaged, so the conventional problems can be fundamentally solved, In addition, work efficiency can be improved.

Illustration of the blade mounting structure on the spindle The perspective view of the whole structure of the blade automatic exchange apparatus of this invention The figure which looked at the automatic blade changer of the present invention from the top Side sectional view for explaining the blade attachment / detachment mechanism Explanatory drawing of clamping means and nut rotating means of blade attachment / detachment mechanism The figure which starts removal of the used old blade by advancing the blade attachment / detachment mechanism in the spindle direction in the blade automatic replacement method of the present invention. Figure of pressing process for pressing the clamp claw of the blade attachment / detachment mechanism against the blade Clamp process diagram for gripping the blade with clamp claws Nut holding process diagram to hold nut member with nut chuck of blade attachment / detachment mechanism Nut rotation process diagram that rotates in the direction to loosen the nut member with the nut chuck Evacuation process diagram for evacuating the blade attachment / detachment mechanism after removal of the used blade is completed Diagram of starting the installation of a new blade to be replaced by moving the blade attachment / detachment mechanism forward in the spindle direction Figure of pressing process for pressing the clamp claw of the blade attachment / detachment mechanism against the blade Clamp process diagram for gripping the blade with clamp claws Nut rotation process diagram that rotates in the direction to tighten the nut member with the nut chuck Re-tightening process diagram to re-tighten the nut member with the clamp claw released Retreat process diagram for completing blade replacement and retracting the blade attachment / detachment mechanism

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Embodiments relating to a blade automatic replacement device and a blade automatic replacement method of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Blade mounting structure]
FIG. 1 shows a blade attachment structure for attaching a round blade-shaped blade to a spindle. FIG. 1A is a view before the blade is attached to the spindle, and FIG. 1B is a view after the blade is attached to the spindle.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a flange member 12 for attaching a blade is provided at the tip of a shaft 11 of the spindle 10, and the blade 14 is attached to the spindle 10 via the flange member 12.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the flange member 12 includes a disk-shaped blade holding portion 12A smaller than the diameter of the blade 14, and a cylindrical blade protruding in the axial direction from the center of the blade holding portion 12A. It is comprised with the insertion part 12B. Then, a flange fixing bolt 16 is inserted into a through hole (not shown) formed in the axial direction of the flange member 12, and a screwing hole (perforated in the axial direction from the tip surface of the shaft 11 of the spindle 10). (Not shown). Thereby, the flange member 12 is fixed to the spindle 10.

  The blade 14 includes a cylindrical blade body portion 15 in which a blade center hole (not shown) to be inserted into the blade insertion portion 12B of the flange member 12 is formed, and a spindle side surface of the blade body portion 15. The blade portion 17 is formed integrally and has a larger diameter than the blade holding portion 12A of the flange member 12.

  The blade surface on which the blade portion 17 is formed is formed as a flat surface, is in contact with the blade holding surface 12C of the flange member 12, and the blade body portion 15 protrudes from the blade surface to the opposite side of the spindle. The protruding blade body portion 15 is held by a clamp claw 50 of the clamp means 40 described later.

  When attaching the blade 14 to the flange member 12, the nut member 18 is inserted into the blade insertion portion 12B by inserting the blade center hole, and the both surfaces of the blade are screwed into the blade holding surface 12C and the blade insertion portion 12B. The blade 14 is detachably attached to the flange member 12. Therefore, a male screw into which the nut member 18 is screwed is engraved at the above-described clamping position of the blade insertion portion 12B.

  As described above, the blade 14 is attached to the spindle 10 via the flange member 12. Therefore, in the following description, the blade 14 is attached to and detached from the flange member 12, but this is synonymous with the blade 14 being attached to and detached from the spindle 10. The operation of each mechanism unit of the automatic blade changing apparatus 20 described below will be described in the operation when the blade 14 is removed from the flange member 12.

[Overall configuration of automatic blade changer]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the automatic blade changing apparatus 20, and FIG. 3 is a top view. FIG. 4 is a side view for explaining the blade attaching / detaching mechanism portion 22, and shows partially enlarged views A and B in which the main part of the blade attaching / detaching mechanism portion 22 is enlarged.

  2 and 3, the spindle 10 is shown as an example in which two spindles 10A and 10B are arranged opposite to each other. However, in the present embodiment, the blade 14 is attached to and detached from the right spindle 10A. I will explain it.

  As shown in these drawings, the blade automatic changer 20 is mainly composed of a blade attaching / detaching mechanism portion 22, a blade temporary placement mechanism portion 24, and a blade insertion mechanism portion 26. Then, the blade attaching / detaching mechanism portion 22 and the blade insertion mechanism portion 26 are moved by the moving mechanism portion 27 so as to face the spindle 10.

  The moving mechanism unit 27 is mainly composed of a disc-shaped turning table 30 that is turnably supported on the base 28 and a turning motor 32 that turns the turning table 30. A timing belt 34 is stretched between the turning table 30 and a pulley (not shown) provided on a rotating shaft (not shown) of the turning motor 32, and is controlled by a control unit 36 that controls automatic blade replacement. The turning timing is controlled.

  A linear motion guide rail 38 is laid in the diameter direction on the turning table 30, the blade attaching / detaching mechanism portion 22 is disposed on one end side of the linear motion guide rail 38, and the blade insertion mechanism portion 26 is disposed on the other end side. Is placed.

  The blade temporary placement mechanism 24 is arranged on the base 28 and in the vicinity of the turning table 30.

  Although not shown, the base 28 is provided so as to be movable between an exchange position for exchanging the blade 14 and a standby position for standby, and when the blade 14 is attached to and detached from the spindle 10, FIG. 2 and FIG. Move to position 3.

(Blade attachment / detachment mechanism)
The blade attaching / detaching mechanism portion 22 is a mechanism portion that tightens the nut member 18 to attach the blade 14 to the flange member 12 (attachment operation), or loosens the nut member 18 and removes the blade 14 from the flange member 12 (detachment operation). is there. That is, the blade attaching / detaching mechanism portion 22 includes a clamping unit 40, a nut rotating unit 42, and an advancing / retracting unit 44 for moving the clamping unit 40 and the nut rotating unit 42 forward and backward with respect to the spindle 10A.

  The clamp means 40 and the nut rotation means 42 are mounted on a slide member 46 that is slidably provided on a linear motion guide rail 38 via a linear bearing 39 (see FIG. 4). That is, the clamp means 40 and the nut rotating means 42 are supported by the support member 48 that is erected on the spindle 10 </ b> A side of the slide member 46.

  Next, the configuration of the clamping means 40 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the clamp means 40 is a rail that supports the clamp claw 50 composed of the upper claw 50 </ b> A and the lower claw 50 </ b> B, and the upper claw 50 </ b> A and the lower claw 50 </ b> B to be slidable in the vertical direction. (Not shown), and a clamp driving cylinder 52 that grips (clamps) the upper and lower claws 50A and 50B. In FIG. 4, the connection relationship between the clamp pawl 50, the rail, and the clamp drive cylinder 52 is omitted. Further, in the present embodiment, the clamp claw 50 will be described with two claws of the upper claw 50A and the lower claw 50B, but the number of claws is not limited to this.

  FIG. 5 is a view of the clamping claw 50 of the clamping means 40 and the nut chuck 54 of the nut rotating means 42 as seen from the spindle 10A side. FIG. 5A shows only the clamp pawl 50 supported by the support member 48, and FIG. 5B shows the clamp pawl 50 and the nut chuck 54. 5C, the clamp pawl 50 is pressed against the end surface 15A of the blade body portion 15 (see FIG. 1B) to grip the peripheral surface 15B of the blade body portion 15 (see FIG. 1B). FIG. The two-dot chain line in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the upper claw 50A constituting the clamp claw 50 is formed in a curved shape convex upward, and the lower claw 50B is formed in a curved shape convex downward. As shown in FIG. 5C, the upper claws 50 </ b> A and the lower claws 50 </ b> B are extended in a direction perpendicular to the blade body 15 of the blade 14.

  4 is a cross-sectional view showing the step structure of the upper claw 50A, and the blade 14 is shown in a mesh pattern. In the main part enlarged view A of FIG. 4, the upper claw 50 </ b> A extends in the front and back direction of FIG. 4. As shown in the enlarged view A of the main part in FIG. 4, the surface on the spindle 10 side of the upper claw 50A formed in a curved shape is the convex surface a on the outer edge side (upper side of the enlarged main part A) and the inner edge side (main part). A stepped structure with the concave surface b on the lower side of the enlarged view A is formed. Similarly, as shown in the main body diagram of FIG. 4, the spindle-side surface of the lower claw 50B formed in a curved shape has a convex surface c on the outer edge side (lower side in FIG. 4) and an inner edge side (upper side in FIG. 4). Is formed in a step structure with the concave surface d.

  As a result, the blade attachment / detachment mechanism 22 is advanced toward the spindle 10 </ b> A, whereby the concave surface b of the upper pawl 50 </ b> A and the concave surface d of the lower pawl 50 </ b> B press against the end surface 15 </ b> A of the blade body 15. 5C, the mesh portions of the upper claws 50A and the lower claws 50B are pressed against the end surface 15A of the blade body portion 15.

  Incidentally, the diameter of the blade body portion 15 is formed larger than the diameter of the nut member 18 so that the clamp pawl 50 can be pressed against the end surface 15A of the blade body portion 15.

  In a state where the clamp pawl 50 is pressed against the end surface 15A of the blade body 15 and brought into close contact therewith, the clamp drive cylinder 52 is driven to close the clamp pawl 50. Thereby, the upper part a of 50 A of upper claws, and the lower part of 50 C of lower claws hold | grip four places of the surrounding surface 15B of the blade body part 15 in a line contact state.

  In this way, the clamp pawl 50 grips a plurality of locations on the peripheral surface 15B of the blade body portion 15 in a line contact state so that the blade 14 inserted into the blade insertion portion 12B of the flange member 12 does not move. Grasped. In particular, the movement of the blade 14 in the rotational direction is locked.

  Note that the number of line contacts between the clamp claws 50 and the peripheral surface 15B of the blade body 15 is not limited to four.

  Next, the nut rotating means 42 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the nut rotating means 42 includes a disc-shaped nut chuck 54 that chucks the peripheral edge of the nut member 18, a nut rotating motor 56 that rotates the nut chuck 54, and a nut rotating motor 56. And a power transmission mechanism that transmits power to the nut chuck 54. The power transmission mechanism includes a plurality of gears 58 and 60, a torque limiter 62, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, in the nut rotating means 42, the rotating shaft 54A of the nut chuck 54 is rotatably supported by a bearing 63 provided in a protruding portion 48A protruding in the lateral direction from the support member 48.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the nut chuck 54 is between the upper claw 50A and the lower claw 50B of the clamp claw 50 and more than the surface where the clamp claw 50 abuts against the blade body 15 when viewed from the spindle 10A side. It is arranged at a position recessed by a predetermined length L.

  Here, the predetermined length L is a recess dimension for the nut chuck 54 to abut against the end surface 18A of the nut member 18 at the same time when the clamp pawl 50 is pressed against the end surface 15A of the blade body portion 15. Moreover, the surface where the clamp claw 50 abuts against the blade body portion 15 refers to a surface connecting the surface of the lower portion b of the upper claw 50A and the surface of the upper portion d of the lower claw 50B.

  Therefore, when the blade attaching / detaching mechanism portion 22 moves forward to the spindle 10A side, the clamp pawl 50 presses against the end surface 15A of the blade body portion 15, and at the same time, the nut chuck 54 comes into contact with the end surface 18A of the nut member 18. Yes. As a result, the clamp means 40 and the nut rotating means 42 can be mounted on one slide member 46 and moved forward and backward with respect to the spindle 10A, so that the automatic blade changing apparatus 20 can be made compact.

  Further, a chuck claw 64 in which four leaf springs are arranged in a ring shape is provided on the peripheral edge of the nut chuck 54, and the chuck claw 64 chucks the outer peripheral portion of the nut member 18. The number of leaf springs of the chuck claws 64 is not limited to four.

  4 is a cross-sectional view in which the hook-shaped engagement portion P at the tip of the chuck claw 64 is engaged with the engagement groove Q of the nut member 18, and the blade body portion 15 is shown in a mesh pattern. It showed in.

  Returning to FIG. 5B, a total of four pins 66 are provided on the inner surface of the peripheral edge of the disc-shaped nut chuck 54 so as to be able to appear and retract at 90 degree intervals.

  On the other hand, as shown in the main body view of FIG. 4, the end face 18A of the nut member 18 is formed with a total of four pin holes 18B of the nut member 18 into which the pins 66 are inserted corresponding to the four pins 66 of the nut chuck. Has been. The number of pins 66 and pin holes 18B is not limited to four.

  For example, a biasing force of a spring (not shown) can be used as a means for moving the pin 66 in and out. That is, when the nut chuck 54 is rotated in a state where the nut chuck 54 is in contact with the end face of the nut member 18, the pin 66 when the pin 66 of the nut chuck 54 and the pin hole 18 </ b> B of the nut member 18 coincide with each other. A method of popping out and inserting into the pin hole 18B of the nut member 18 can be adopted.

  As a result, the nut chuck 54 advances toward the spindle 10A and comes into contact with the nut member 18 inserted into the blade insertion portion 12B of the flange member 12, thereby opening the chuck claw 64 of the nut chuck 54 and opening the nut member. 18, the pin 66 is inserted into the pin hole 18 </ b> B of the nut member 18.

  By driving the nut rotation motor 56 in this state, the nut member 18 inserted into the blade insertion portion 12B of the flange member 12 is rotated in the forward direction or the reverse direction, and the nut member 18 is tightened or loosened. be able to. Further, since the nut member 18 is chucked by the chuck claw 64 of the nut chuck 54, the nut member 18 can be pulled out from the blade insertion portion 12B after the nut member 18 is loosened.

  Next, the configuration of the advance / retreat means 44 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a cylinder device 68 in which the stroke operation of the piston rod 68 </ b> A is parallel to the linear motion guide rail 38 is provided in the vicinity of the linear motion guide rail 38.

  On the other hand, the bracket 80 protrudes from the slide member 46 to the tip end side of the piston rod 68A. And the front-end | tip part of piston rod 68A and the bracket 80 are connected. Thus, when the piston rod 68A of the cylinder device 68 is extended, the blade attaching / detaching mechanism portion 22 moves forward in the direction approaching the spindle 10A, and when the piston rod 68A is retracted, the blade attaching / detaching mechanism portion 22 is moved from the spindle 10A. Retreat in the direction of separation.

(Blade temporary placement mechanism)
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the blade temporary placement mechanism unit 24 includes a columnar insertion shaft 84 through which the blade center hole of the blade 14 is inserted into the upper end portion of a support 82 erected on the base 28. Are provided in the horizontal direction. Thus, after the blade 14 is removed from the flange member 12 by the clamp means 40 and the nut rotating means 42, the turning table 30 is turned to the position of the blade temporary placement mechanism 24, and the removed blade 14 is temporarily attached to the insertion shaft 84. Can be placed.

  The number of the temporary blade placement mechanism 24 may be one, but it is preferable to provide a plurality of blades. 2 and 3 show an example in which two blades are provided, and a blade 14 is temporarily placed in one blade temporary placement mechanism 24. FIG.

  Thereby, when there are a plurality of spindles 10, the blades 14 of the plurality of spindles 10 can be replaced in a short time compared to the single blade temporary placement mechanism 24.

(Blade insertion mechanism)
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the blade insertion mechanism 26 is mounted on a slide member 92 that is slidably provided on a linear motion guide rail 38 via a linear bearing 90.

  The blade insertion mechanism portion 26 is a mechanism portion that holds the blade 14 to be replaced and inserts the blade 14 into the blade insertion portion 12B of the flange member 12 of the replacement-destination spindle 10A. That is, the blade insertion mechanism portion 26 includes a blade chuck 86 and advance / retreat means 88 that advances and retracts the blade chuck 86 with respect to the spindle 10A.

  The blade chuck 86 may be any means that can chuck and hold the blade body 15 of the blade 14. 2 and 3, three expandable / contractible blade chuck claws 86A radially arranged at a central angle of 120 degrees on the vertical plane are shown as an example of a mechanical chuck provided on the chuck body 86B. Yes.

  The blade insertion mechanism portion 26 is the same as the advance / retreat means 44 of the blade attachment / detachment mechanism portion 22, and the tip end portion of the piston rod 96 </ b> A of the cylinder device 96 is connected to the bracket 94 protruding from the slide member 92.

[Control unit]
2 and 3, the control unit 36 is connected to the blade attaching / detaching mechanism unit 22, the blade insertion mechanism unit 26, and the turning motor 32 of the turning table 30 via a signal cable or wirelessly. By controlling, the operation steps described below are performed.

  Next, a blade automatic replacement method for replacing the blade 14 using the blade automatic replacement device 20 configured as described above will be described.

[Automatic blade replacement method]
The blade automatic replacement method of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the operation steps from removing the used old blade 14A from the right spindle 10A in FIGS. 2 and 3 to installing the new blade 14B to be replaced.

  The operation steps will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 17, but the operation steps of the blade attaching / detaching mechanism portion 22, which are characteristic steps, are illustrated, and the blade temporary placement mechanism portion 24 and the blade insertion mechanism portion. The 26 operational steps are not shown.

  In preparation for blade replacement, the operator starts operation of the blade automatic replacement device 20 after restraining rotation by a lock pin (not shown) so that the shaft 11 of the spindle 10A does not rotate. As a result, the following operation steps are automatically performed according to a command from the control unit 36.

  First, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 11, the blade attaching / detaching mechanism portion 22 performs a blade removing step of removing the old blade 14 </ b> A from the flange member 12 in the blade attaching / detaching step.

As shown in FIG. 6, to advance the slide member 46 for mounting the clamping means 40 and the nut rotating device 42 in the direction of the arrow X ₁ (old blade removal initiation step).

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the clamping claws 50 of the clamping means 40 are pressed against the end surface 15A of the blade body portion 15 of the old blade 14A (old blade pressing step). As a result, the clamp pawl 50 is brought into close contact with the end surface 15 </ b> A of the blade body portion 15. At the same time, the nut chuck 54 of the nut rotating means 42 contacts the end surface of the nut member 18. The force pressed against the old blade 14A may be a small force of about 100 gf.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, is moved in the direction of the arrow Y ₁ approaching the upper claw 50A and lower claw 50B of the clamp jaws 50, gripping the peripheral surface 15B of the blade body portion 15 (old blade clamping step) . Thereby, the old blade 14 </ b> A is fixed by the clamp pawl 50 so as not to move. In particular, the movement of the old blade 14A in the rotational direction is locked.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the nut chuck 54 of the nut rotating means 42 is rotated while being in contact with the end face 18 </ b> A of the nut member 18, and the pin 66 of the nut chuck 54 is inserted into the pin hole 18 </ b> B of the nut member 18. insert. In addition, the nut member 18 is chucked by the chuck claws 64 of the nut chuck 54 (nut holding process).

Next, as shown in FIG. 10, to rotate the nut member 18 by rotation of the nut chuck 54 in the direction of the arrow Z _1, completely loosen the fastening of the nut member 18 (the nut rotating step). As a result, the nut member 18 is detached from the male screw formed in the blade insertion portion 12B of the flange member 12. In the rotation operation of the nut chuck 54, the old blade 14 </ b> A is fixed so as not to move with the clamp pawl 50. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the old blade 14 </ b> A from being rotated along with the rotation of the nut member 18. Therefore, the blade surface of the old blade 14A and the blade holding surface 12C of the flange member 12 are not rubbed.

  In addition, when the old blade 14A is gripped by the clamp pawl 50, the old blade 14A can be gripped with the clamp pawl 50 pressed against the end surface 15A of the blade body 15 so that the old blade 14A can be gripped. There is no rattling. Therefore, when the nut member 18 is rotated by the nut rotating means 42, the old blade 14A does not vibrate, so that the blade surface and the blade holding surface 12C can be more reliably prevented from being damaged.

  As a result, when removing the old blade 14A from the spindle 10A, it is possible to reliably prevent the blade surface of the blade and the blade holding surface 12C of the flange member 12 from being damaged as in the prior art.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the slider 46 is retracted in the direction of the arrow X _2, the nut member 18 remove the old blade 14A from the flange member 12 (save process). At this time, the old blade 14A is held by the clamp pawl 50, the nut member 18 is chucked by the nut chuck 54, and the nut member 18 and the old blade 14A can be detached from the flange member 12 as an integrated object.

  Next, a temporary placement step of temporarily placing the removed old blade 14 </ b> A is performed by the blade attaching / detaching mechanism portion 22 and the blade temporary placement mechanism portion 24.

  That is, the turning table 30 is turned and the blade attaching / detaching mechanism portion 22 is moved to a position facing the blade temporary placement mechanism portion 24. Then, the old blade 14A removed from the flange member 12 of the spindle 10A is inserted into the insertion shaft 84 of the blade temporary placement mechanism 24 (old blade temporary placement step). Thereby, only the nut member 18 is held in the blade attaching / detaching mechanism portion 22.

  Next, a blade insertion step of inserting the new blade 14B into the blade insertion portion 12B of the flange member 12 of the spindle 14A from which the old blade 14A has been removed is performed by the blade insertion mechanism portion 26.

  That is, the turning table 30 is turned so that the blade insertion mechanism portion 26 faces the spindle 10A. Then, the blade insertion mechanism 26 is moved forward in the direction of the spindle 10A, and the new blade 14B to be exchanged chucked by the blade chuck 86 is inserted into the blade insertion portion 12B of the flange member 12 (new blade insertion step). .

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 17, the blade attaching / detaching mechanism portion 22 performs a blade attaching step of attaching the new blade 14B inserted into the blade inserting portion 12B of the flange member 12 in the blade attaching / detaching step. Is called.

  First, the turning table 30 is turned, and the blade attaching / detaching mechanism portion 22 holding the nut member 18 is moved to a position facing the spindle 10A. The new blade 14B is already inserted into the blade insertion portion 12B of the flange member 12 of the spindle 10A by the blade insertion mechanism portion 26 (new blade attachment start process).

Next, as shown in FIG. 12, the blade removal mechanism 22 holding the nut member 18, is advanced in the direction of the arrow X _1, the blade body portion of clamp jaws 50 of the clamping means 40, as shown in FIG. 13 15 Is pressed against the end face 15A (new blade pressing step). At the same time, the nut member 18 held by the nut chuck 54 is inserted into the blade insertion portion 12 </ b> B of the flange member 12.

Next, as shown in FIG. 14, the upper and lower claws 50A and 50B of the clamp claws 50 are moved in the approaching arrow direction Y ₁ and pressed against the end face 15A of the blade body part 15 so that the blade body part 15 is pressed. Is gripped (new blade clamping step). Thereby, the new blade 14B is fixed so as not to move by the clamp pawl 50. In particular, the movement of the new blade 14B in the rotational direction is locked.

Next, as shown in FIG. 15, the nut chuck 54 is rotated in the arrow direction Z ₂ to rotate and tighten the nut member 18, and the new blade 14 B is attached to the nut member 18 and the blade holding surface 12 C of the flange member 12. Clamp (nut rotation process).

  In the rotation operation of the nut chuck 54, the new blade 14B is fixed so as not to move by the clamp pawl 50. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the new blade 14 </ b> B from being rotated along with the rotation of the nut member 18. Therefore, the blade surface of the new blade 14B and the blade holding surface 12C of the flange member 12 are not rubbed.

  Further, when the new blade 14B is gripped by the clamp pawl 50, the new blade 14B can be gripped with the clamp pawl 50 pressed against the end surface 15A of the blade body 15 so that the new blade 14B can be gripped. There is no rattling. Therefore, since the new blade 14B does not vibrate when the nut member 18 is rotated by the nut rotating means 42, it is possible to more reliably prevent the blade surface and the blade holding surface 12C from being damaged.

  As a result, when the new blade 14B is attached to the spindle 10A, it is possible to reliably prevent the blade surface and the blade holding surface 12C from being damaged as in the prior art.

Next, as shown in FIG. 16, the clamp pawl 50 is moved in the arrow direction Y ₂ that separates the upper pawl 50 </ b> A and the lower pawl 50 </ b> B, the clamp pawl 50 is removed from the new blade 14 </ b> B, and the nut chuck 54 is attached to the nut member 18. The nut chuck 54 is rotated in the direction of the arrow Z ₂ again while being pressed against the nut member 18 to securely tighten the nut member 18 (nut tightening step).

  In this final tightening, the new blade 14B is sandwiched between the nut member 18 and the blade holding surface 12C of the flange member 12, and the amount of rotation of the nut member 18 is extremely small. The blade holding surface 12C is not damaged.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 17, the slider 46 is retracted in the direction of the arrow X _2, retracting the blade removal mechanism 22 from the spindle 10A.

  Through the above steps, the used old blade 14A can be automatically removed from the spindle 10A, and the new blade 14B to be replaced can be automatically attached.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,10A, 10B ... Spindle, 11 ... Shaft, 12 ... Flange member, 12A ... Blade holding part, 12B ... Blade insertion part, 12C ... Blade holding surface, 14 ... Blade, 14A ... Old blade, 14B ... New blade, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Blade body part, 16 ... Flange fixing bolt, 17 ... Blade part, 18 ... Nut member, 18A ... End face of nut member, 18B ... Pin hole of nut member, 20 ... Automatic blade changer, 22 ... Blade attachment / detachment mechanism part , 24 ... Blade temporary placement mechanism, 26 ... Blade insertion mechanism, 28 ... Base, 30 ... Turning table, 32 ... Turning motor, 34 ... Timing belt, 36 ... Control part, 38 ... Linear motion guide rail, 39 ... Linear bearing, 40 ... Clamping means, 42 ... Nut rotating means, 44 ... Advancing and retracting means, 46 ... Sliding member, 48 ... Supporting member DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 ... Clamp claw, 50A ... Upper claw, 50B ... Lower claw, 52 ... Clamp drive cylinder, 54 ... Nut chuck, 56 ... Nut rotation motor, 58, 60 ... Gear, 62 ... Torque limiter, 64 ... Chuck claw of nut chuck , 66 ... Nut chuck pin, 68 ... Cylinder device, 68 A ... Piston rod, 80 ... Bracket, 82 ... Column, 84 ... Insertion shaft, 86 ... Blade chuck, 88 ... Advance / retreat means, 90 ... Linear bearing, 92 ... Slide member 94 ... Bracket, 96 ... Cylinder device, 96A ... Piston rod

Claims (8)

In a blade automatic changer that automatically changes a round blade shaped blade attached to a spindle,
Both sides of the blade with the blade center hole inserted into the blade insertion portion of the blade mounting flange member provided at the tip of the spindle shaft are screwed into the blade holding surface of the flange member and the blade insertion portion. A blade that is detachably attached to the spindle by being sandwiched between the nut member and
A blade attaching / detaching mechanism for attaching / detaching the blade to / from the nut member,
Clamping means for gripping the peripheral surface of the blade body portion in a state of being pressed against the end surface of the blade body portion in which the blade center hole is formed;
Nut rotating means for rotating the nut member;
An automatic blade changing apparatus comprising: an advancing / retreating means for advancing / retreating the clamping means and the nut rotating means with respect to the spindle.   The clamp claw of the clamp means and the nut chuck of the nut rotation means are mounted on one slide member that advances and retreats with respect to the spindle by the advance and retreat means, and presses the clamp claw against the end surface of the blade body part. The nut chuck is disposed at a position recessed by a predetermined length from the clamp pawl as viewed from the spindle side so that the nut chuck comes into contact with the end surface of the nut member at the time. The blade automatic changer described.   3. The blade according to claim 2, wherein a surface of the clamp claw on the spindle side is formed in a stepped structure, pressed against an end surface of the blade body by a concave surface of the step structure, and grips a peripheral surface of the blade body by a convex surface. Automatic changer. A blade temporary placement mechanism for temporarily placing the blade removed from the flange member by the blade attachment / detachment mechanism;
A blade insertion mechanism portion that holds the blade to be attached and is inserted into the blade insertion portion of the flange member;
The blade automatic changer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a moving mechanism unit that moves the blade attaching / detaching mechanism unit and the blade insertion mechanism unit to face the spindle. In the automatic blade replacement method for automatically replacing the round blade-shaped blade attached to the spindle,
Both sides of the blade with the blade center hole inserted into the blade insertion portion of the blade mounting flange member provided at the tip of the spindle shaft are screwed into the blade holding surface of the flange member and the blade insertion portion. A blade that is detachably attached to the spindle by being sandwiched between the nut member and
A blade attaching / detaching step of attaching / detaching the blade to / from the nut member includes:
A blade pressing step of pressing a clamping claw of a clamping means against an end face of a blade body part in which the blade center hole is formed;
A blade clamping step of gripping the peripheral surface of the blade body with the clamp pawl in a state where the clamp pawl is pressed against the end surface;
A nut holding step of holding the nut member with a nut chuck of a nut rotating means;
A nut rotating step of rotating the nut member by the nut rotating means;
And a blade removing step of removing the blade together with the nut member from the flange member.   The blade automatic replacement method according to claim 5, wherein the nut chuck of the nut rotating means comes into contact with the end surface of the nut member when the clamp pawl is pressed against the end surface of the blade body.   7. The blade according to claim 6, wherein a surface of the clamp claw on the spindle side is formed in a stepped structure, is pressed against an end surface of the blade body by a concave surface of the step structure, and a peripheral surface of the blade body is gripped by a convex surface. Automatic exchange method. An old blade temporary placing step of temporarily placing the old blade removed from the flange member by the blade attaching / detaching step;
A new blade insertion process for holding a new blade to be attached and inserting the blade into the blade insertion portion of the flange member;
A new blade pressing step of pressing the clamp claws of the clamping means against the end face of the blade body of the new blade;
A new blade clamping step of gripping the peripheral surface of the blade body portion with the clamping claws while pressing the clamping claws against the end surface;
The blade automatic replacement method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising: a nut rotating step of attaching the new blade to the flange member by rotating the nut member and tightening the nut member.

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