JPH0120029B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a machining center having a function of assembling and disassembling modular tools and automatically transferring and receiving the modular tools.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems]

The main body of the machining center is equipped with a tool magazine that stores many different types of tools, and when a command signal specifying the type of tool required for machining is input from the control device, the tool magazine is activated to store the specified tool. For example, a tool having a function of indexing the tool, attaching the tool to the spindle using an automatic tool conversion device provided in the main body, and removing the tool attached to the spindle and storing it in the tool magazine is, for example, a special tool. This is known from JP-A-59-192433.

However, the machining center described above uses an integrated tool. This integrated tool generally consists of a tapered holder part a, a collar part b, and a cutting edge part c, as shown in FIG. Although the cutting edge portion c varies depending on the purpose of machining, the shape of the holder portion a is formed to be the same in order to be attached to a common main shaft of a machining center. Therefore, in the case of an integrated tool, it is necessary to prepare a large number of tools that differ only in their cutting edge portions c and store them in a tool magazine. For this reason, the cost per tool becomes high, the tool magazine for storing the tools becomes large, and the equipment of the machining center becomes large-scale.

[Purpose of the invention]

This invention was made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to be able to automatically assemble the blade module to the holder module and attach it to the main shaft, and to remove the module after use. To provide a machining center in which a tool can be disassembled and only a blade module can be replaced, and a tool magazine can be downsized and tool costs can be reduced.

[Summary of the invention]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a tool magazine for storing a plurality of blade modules of different types constituting a modular tool in a machining center main body, and a plurality of assembly heads for gripping holder modules constituting the modular tool. a first automatic tool changing device for assembling and disassembling the holder module and the blade module, and for exchanging the blade module between the tool magazine and the tool assembling device; ,
Another feature is that a second automatic tool changer for exchanging modular tools is provided between the tool assembly device and the machining center main body to exchange tools.

[Embodiments of the invention]

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the entire machining center, and 1 is the main body of the machining center. A main shaft 2 movable in the XY directions is provided at the front of the machining center main body 1, and a table 4 on which a workpiece 3 is placed is provided at the bottom. A tool magazine 5 is provided on one side of the machining center main body 1. This tool magazine 5 is composed of a vertically long flat elliptical guide rail 7 and a plate chain 8 that is guided by the guide rail 7 and runs endlessly. Each plate 9 of this plate chain 8 is provided with a tool holder 10 consisting of a through hole as shown in FIG.
Each module constituting the modular tool 11 is stored one by one in 0.... That is, the modular tool 11 is composed of a holder module 12 and a blade module 13, as shown in FIG. A flange portion 16 and a petal-shaped engagement claw 17 are provided. Further, the upper end of the blade module 13 is provided with a petal-shaped engagement hole 18 that can be engaged with the engagement claw 17 of the holder module 12, and the lower end is provided with a blade part 19. . Then, by engaging the engagement hole 18 of the blade module 13 with the engagement claw 17 of the holder module 11,
They are integrally connected to form a modular tool 11. Note that 20 is a tightening bolt. Modular tool 11 configured in this way
A large number of different types of blade modules 13
are stored in the tool holders 10 of the tool magazine 5, and the blade module 13 can be inserted and removed from the front surface of the tool magazine 5.

As shown in FIG. 1, a tool assembly device 21 is provided above the tool magazine 5, and a first automatic tool change device 22 is provided between the tool assembly device 21 and the tool magazine 5. A second automatic tool changing device 23 is provided between the tool assembly device 21 and the machining center main body 1. First, the tool assembly device 21 will be explained based on FIGS. 2 and 3. Reference numeral 24 is a shuttle table, and on the top surface of this table, in this embodiment, three assembly heads 25 are mounted as shown in FIG.
are arranged in parallel in the same direction. This shuttle table 24 is configured to be capable of reciprocating movement by, for example, an air cylinder 26. The modular tool 11 is assembled and disassembled using the assembly head 25. Since each assembly head 25 has the same structure, one of them is constructed as shown in FIG. 3. That is, 27 is a tool gripper. The gripper body 2 of this tool gripper 27
A rotary drum 30 is rotatably supported inside the drum 8 via a bearing 29 . This rotating drum 30
A taper hole 31 is provided at the lower end of the drawbar 33 with a collection chuck 32 at the bottom.
is provided. This drawbar 33 is connected to a hydraulic cylinder 34 provided inside the rotating drum 30.
The drawbar 33 is connected to a piston 35, and is biased in the retraction direction by a disc spring 36. Note that 37 is a drive mechanism that rotationally drives the rotating drum 30, and 38 is a rotary coupler that sends hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic cylinder 34.
Then, the holder module 12 of the modular tool 11 is attached to the tapered hole 31. Further, a nut runner 40 is provided on the side wall of the gripper main body 28 via a bracket 39. The nut runner 40 is composed of a drive motor 41, a gear mechanism 42, and a tightening shaft 43, and the tightening shaft 43 is configured to be pressed against the tightening bolt 20 of the modular tool 11 by an air cylinder 44.

Next, the first automatic tool changer (hereinafter referred to as the first ATC) 22 will be explained with reference to FIG. It is attached to the rotating shaft 47. Clampers 48 and 49 are provided at both ends of the tool exchange arm 45 to grip the collar portion 16 of the holder module 12 constituting the modular tool 11. The tool exchange arm 45 is rotatable about a rotating shaft 47, and in a horizontal state, one of the clampers 48 faces the assembly head 25, and the other clamper 49 supports the tools in the tool magazine 5. The blade modules 13, 13 located at respective positions facing the delivery position 5a can be gripped. Further, to explain the second automatic tool changer (hereinafter referred to as the second ATC) 23, 50 is a tool change arm, the longitudinally intermediate portion of which is attached to the rotating shaft 52 of the rotary air cylinder 51. . Clampers 53 and 54 are provided at both ends of the tool exchange arm 50 for gripping the collar portion 16 of the holder module 12 constituting the modular tool 11 shown in FIG. The tool changing arm 50 is rotatable about a rotating shaft 52, and in a horizontal state, one clamper 53 faces the main shaft 2 of the machining center main body 1, and the other clamper 54 faces the assembly head. Modular tools 11, 11 located at respective positions opposite to 25 can be gripped.

Next, the operation of the machining center configured as described above will be explained. When machining with the modular tool 11 attached to the main spindle 2 of the machining center main body 1 is completed, and when machining is to be performed next with another modular tool 11 that is scheduled to be used, the used It is necessary to remove the modular tool 11 scheduled to be returned and mount a new modular tool 11 on the spindle 2. In such a case, the control device of the machining center main body 1 controls the tool magazine 5, the tool assembly device 21, the first ATC 22, and the second ATC 2 based on production management information.
3, an actuation signal is input. First, when a tool designation signal is input to the tool magazine 5, the plate chain 8 runs in the forward and reverse directions to move the designated tool, that is, the tool holder 10 holding the blade module 13, to the next tool. It is positioned at the transfer position 5a. At this time, the tool gripper 27 of the assembly head 25 of the tool assembly device 21 has the holder module 1 constituting the modular tool 11.
The blade module 13 is attached to the first
By the rotation of the tool exchange arm 45 of the ATC 22, one clamper 48 is moved to face the blade module 13 of the used modular tool 11 attached to the tool gripper 27, and the other clamper 49 is moved to the tool exchange position. It faces the blade module 13 that is positioned at 5a and is scheduled to be used next. Each clamper 48, 49 is connected to the blade module 1.
Clamp 3 and 13. Next, when the tool exchange arm 45 moves forward by the rotary gear cylinder 46, the used blade module 13 comes out of the holder module 12, and the blade module 13 scheduled to be used comes out of the tool holder 10.
Here, when the tool exchange arm 45 rotates 180 degrees,
The blade module 13 to be used is the tool gripper 27
The used blade module 13 faces the tool holder 10. Then, when the tool changing arm 45 is moved back again by the rotary gear cylinder 46, the used blade module 13 is stored in the tool holder 10, and the blade module 1 to be used is stored in the tool holder 10.
3 is inserted into the holder module 12 mounted on the tool gripper 27. That is, the engagement hole 18 of the blade module 13 engages with the engagement claw 17 of the holder module 12. Here, the air cylinder 44
moves forward and presses the tightening shaft 43 of the nut runner 40, the tightening shaft 43 engages with the tightening bolt 20, and when the motor 41 rotates in this state, the tightening shaft 43 rotates via the gear mechanism 42 and the tightening bolt 20 is rotated. Tighten 20. Therefore, the holder module 12 and the blade module 13 constitute a modular tool 11.

When the assembly of the modular tool 11 is completed in this way, the tool exchange arm 45 returns to the neutral state and stands by, and then the second ATC 23 is activated.
That is, as the tool exchange arm 50 rotates, one clamper 53 faces the used modular tool 11 mounted on the main shaft 2, and the other clamper 5
4 faces the modular tool 11 to be used, which is mounted on the tool head 25 of the tool assembly device 21. The modular tool 1 has one clamper 53 of the tool exchange arm 50 attached to the main shaft 2.
The modular tool 11 grips the flange 16 of one, and the other clamper 54 is attached to the assembly head 26.
grip the flange 16 of. When the new and old modular tools 11, 11 are clamped in this way, the main shaft 2
The locking of the modular tool 11 by the assembly head 26 is released, the locking of the modular tool 11 by the assembly head 26,
In other words, the check by the collect check 32 is released. Next, when the tool exchange arm 50 moves forward by the rotary gear cylinder 51, the new and old modular tools 1 held by the clampers 53 and 54 are moved forward.
1 and 11 are the main shaft 2 and assembly head 25, respectively.
be extracted from. And modular tool 11,
11 is separated from the spindle 2 and the assembly head 25, the tool changing arm 50 rotates 180° about the rotation axis 52. Therefore, the positions of the new and old modular tools 11, 11 are replaced, with the new modular tool 11 to be used facing the spindle 2 and the used or old modular tool 11 facing the assembly head 25. When the tool changing arm 50 is moved backward by the rotary gear cylinder 51, the new modular tool 11 is attached to the main shaft 2, and the old modular tool 11 is attached to the assembly head 2.
5. The modular tool 11 mounted on the spindle 2 is locked in a machinable state, and the modular tool 1 mounted on the assembly head 25
1, the engagement claw 15 of the holder module 12 is held by the collection chuck 32. When the exchange of the new and old modular tools 11, 11 is completed, the tool exchange arm 50 returns to the neutral state, and the air cylinder 44 of the assembly head 25 moves forward to lock the tightening shaft 43.
is engaged with the tightening bolt 20 of the modular tool 11. Then, when the tightening shaft 44 is rotated by the motor 41 via the gear mechanism 42, the tightening bolt 20 is loosened, and the holder module 12 and the blade module 13 can be separated. In this state,
When the drive mechanism 37 of the assembly head 25 operates to rotate the rotating drum 30, the holder module 12
The engaging claw 17 and the engaging hole 18 of the blade module 13
The engagement with is released. Then, as described above, the holder module 12 and the blade module 13 of the old modular tool 11 are separated and disassembled, and the blade module 13 is stored in a predetermined tool holder 10 of the tool magazine 5. become. Therefore, modular tool 1 to be used for the next processing
Preparation for assembly of 1 begins, and common holder module 1 is assembled.
2, different types of blade modules 13 are selectively combined and supplied to the main shaft 2 of the machining center main body 1, and used modular tools 1 during machining.
1 can be disassembled and assembled. That is, the assembly head 25 is attached to the shuttle table 24 by 3.
Since the assembly heads 25 are arranged side by side, the assembly heads 25 can be selectively positioned at the delivery position between the first ATC 22 and the second ATC 23 by reciprocating the shuttle table 24 using the air cylinder 26. can. Therefore, the modular tool 1 to be used next during machining by the machining center
1 and the assembly head 2 of the tool assembly device 21.
In addition, if the modular tool 11 that has been used can be removed from the spindle 2 and used again, it can be stored in the assembly head 25 without disassembling it. are doing.

According to the above-mentioned embodiment, the modular tool was configured by the holder module and the blade module, but the blade module is connected to the holder module via the adapter module to configure the modular tool. In this case as well, the adapter module can be stored in the tool magazine, and the adapter module can be taken out and installed as needed.

In addition, a shuttle table was installed in the tool assembly device, and multiple assembly heads were placed side by side on the top surface of the shuttle table.
However, as shown in FIG. 4, a turret 55 is provided, a plurality of assembly heads 25 are provided on the turret 55, and the assembly heads 25 are selected by rotation of the turret 55. Good too.

Furthermore, although the tool magazine is constructed with a guide rail and an endlessly running plate chain, it stores a large number of tools such as blade modules, and selectively moves the tool designated by the tool designation signal to the tool assembly position. The structure is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate as long as the mechanism can be positioned.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, the blade module can be automatically assembled to the holder module, a modular tool can be configured and attached to the spindle, and the modular tool can be disassembled after use. Therefore, only the blade module can be replaced automatically. Therefore, the tool magazine can be made smaller than a conventional tool magazine that stores integrated tools, and tool costs can be reduced. Furthermore, since the tool assembly device is equipped with multiple assembly heads, it is possible to assemble and disassemble tools during machining, and it is also possible to store assembled modular tools, reducing the waiting time for assembly and disassembly due to the buffer effect. This has the effect of enabling efficient machining.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a machining center showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a tool assembly device and an automatic tool exchange device developed, and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional front view of an assembly head. FIG. 4 is a side view showing another embodiment of the tool assembly device, FIG. 5 is a side view of a modular tool, and FIG. 6 is a side view of a conventional integrated tool. 1...Machining center main body, 2...Spindle, 5
...Tool magazine, 11 ...Modular tool, 12
... Holder module, 13 ... Blade module, 21 ... Tool assembly device, 22 ... First
ATC (first automatic tool changer), 23...second
ATC (second automatic tool changer), 25...assembly head.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 A machining center main body equipped with a main shaft on which a modular tool consisting of at least a holder module and a blade module is mounted, and a plurality of tool holders storing a plurality of types of blade modules to be replaced are connected so as to be rotatably movable. a tool magazine consisting of a tool magazine; and a plurality of assembly heads that are provided between the tool magazine and the machining center main body and grip the holder module that constitutes the modular tool; It has a drive table that positions the head between the tool magazine and the machining center main body at a position where each module and modular tool are delivered and received, and the holder module and the assembly head held by the assembly head positioned by the drive table are provided. a tool assembly device for assembling or disassembling the blade module; and a tool assembly device provided between the tool assembly device and the tool magazine, the blade module to be used stored in the tool magazine being held by the assembly head. a first automatic tool changer for exchanging the blade module for used return attached to the holder module of the modular tool held in the assembly head, and the modular tool to be used held in the assembly head; and a second automatic tool exchange device for exchanging the used modular tool attached to the main shaft of the machining center main body for return.