CN114025911A

CN114025911A - Lathe and chip discharge method thereof

Info

Publication number: CN114025911A
Application number: CN202080047092.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 浅羽洋平
Original assignee: Star Micronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Star Micronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-08-22
Filing date: 2020-06-29
Publication date: 2022-02-08
Anticipated expiration: 2040-06-29
Also published as: TW202108288A; JP7364870B2; KR20220002640A; JP2021030355A; KR102640189B1; WO2021033430A1; TWI841774B; CN114025911B

Abstract

The invention provides a lathe which improves the operation of discharging the chips of a chip receiver by a simple structure. A lathe (1) comprises a holding part (40), a chip receiver (50) and a locking mechanism (60). The chip receiver (50) has a base end portion (52) connected to the holding portion (40) via a hinge (45), and a movable end portion (53) on the opposite side of the base end portion (52), and the chip receiver (50) is disposed below the holding portion (40) and can be tilted into a receiving posture (PO1) for receiving the fallen chips (C1), and a discharging posture (PO2) in which the movable end portion (53) is located below the receiving posture (PO 1). The locking mechanism (60) has a first locking part (pin) (61) provided on the holding part (40) and a second locking part (hook) (62) provided on the chip receiver (50), and when the chip receiver (50) assumes a receiving posture (PO1), the first locking part (61) and the second locking part (62) are releasably locked. When the first locking portion (61) and the second locking portion (62) are unlocked, the chip receiver (50) can be shifted to the discharge posture (PO 2).

Description

Lathe and chip discharge method thereof

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a lathe provided with a chip receiver and a chip discharge method thereof.

Background

The lathe repeatedly holds a workpiece with the spindle and machines the workpiece with a tool in the machining chamber, thereby manufacturing a plurality of products. In order to carry out a plurality of products to the outside of the processing chamber, a product conveyor may be used. Here, cutting oil is used for machining a workpiece, and machining of a workpiece causes generation of chips. Since the cutting oil and the chips adhere to the product conveyed by the product conveyor, a chip receiver for receiving the chips and the like is disposed below the discharge end of the product conveyor. The chip receiver is mounted to the machine body by a plurality of screws.

Although not a technique for receiving chips and the like adhering to a product conveyed by a product conveyor, patent document 1 discloses a cutting agent recovery apparatus for recovering chips and cutting agent discharged from a chip conveyor. The oil pan of the cutting agent recovery device is supported by a large frame which enables the trolley to enter the inside, and is linked with the movement of the trolley through a complex link mechanism. When the trolley is in the frame and is positioned at a recovery position below the discharge end of the chip conveyor, the oil pan takes a retreat posture, and the chips and the cutting agent discharged from the chip conveyor are recovered to the trolley. When the cart is moved away from the collection position, the oil pan takes a receiving posture, and the cutting agent dropped from the chip conveyor is collected to the oil pan.

Background of the invention

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2016-196072

Disclosure of Invention

[ problems to be solved by the invention ]

When chips are accumulated in the chip receiver disposed below the carrying-out end of the product conveyor, the accumulated chips need to be discharged from the chip receiver. Therefore, the operator of the lathe needs to unscrew the plurality of screws, remove the chip receiver from the machine body, discard the chips accumulated in the chip receiver, and mount the chip receiver to the machine body by using the plurality of screws. This series of chip-discarding operations is very time-consuming and labor-intensive. And the cutting agent recovery apparatus requires a large frame for allowing the trolley to enter the inside, and a complicated link mechanism.

The invention discloses a technology for improving the operability of chip discharging of a chip receiver in a lathe by using a simple structure.

[ means for solving problems ]

The lathe of the present invention has an aspect including:

a holding section;

a chip receiver having a base end portion connected to the holding portion via a hinge and a movable end portion opposite to the base end portion, the chip receiver being disposed below the holding portion and being tiltable into a receiving posture for receiving a dropped chip and a discharging posture in which the movable end portion is located below the receiving posture; and

a locking mechanism having a first locking portion provided to the holding portion and a second locking portion provided to the chip receiver, the first locking portion and the second locking portion being releasably locked when the chip receiver assumes the receiving posture; and is

When the first locking portion is unlocked from the second locking portion, the chip receiver can be shifted to the discharge posture.

In addition, a chip discharge method for a lathe according to the present invention is a chip discharge method for a lathe including:

a holding section;

a chip receiver having a base end portion connected to the holding portion via a hinge and a movable end portion opposite to the base end portion, the chip receiver being disposed below the holding portion and being tiltable into a receiving posture for receiving a dropped chip and a discharging posture in which the movable end portion is located below the receiving posture;

a locking mechanism for releasably locking the chip receiver with respect to the holder in the receiving posture; and

a chip box which receives chips generated by processing a workpiece at a receiving position in a processing chamber and can be drawn out from the receiving position to the outside of the processing chamber;

the chip discharge method includes:

a drawing step of drawing the chip box from the housing position; and

a discharge step of releasing the lock of the lock mechanism and changing the chip receiver from the receiving posture to the discharge posture, thereby dropping chips from the chip receiver in the discharge posture to the chip box in the drawn-out state.

[ Effect of the invention ]

According to the present invention, the workability of discharging chips from the chip receiver can be improved with a simple configuration in the lathe.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front view schematically showing an example of a lathe.

Fig. 2 is a right side view schematically showing an example of a lathe.

Fig. 3 is a view schematically showing an example of chips accumulated in the chip receiver as the product is carried out.

Fig. 4 is a front view schematically showing an example of the holding portion, the hinge, the chip receiver, and the lock mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a plan view schematically showing an example of a positional relationship in a horizontal plane between the chip receiver, the protruding portion, and the plugging member.

Fig. 6 is a right side view schematically showing an example of the tilt limiting structure.

Fig. 7 is a plan view schematically showing an example of a positional relationship on a horizontal plane between the chip receiver and the chip box in the extracted state.

Fig. 8 is a right side view schematically showing an example of the discharge posture regulating structure.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of discharging chips from the chip receiver to the chip box.

Fig. 10A is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing an example of the chip receiver and the holder, and fig. 10B and 10C are longitudinal sectional views schematically showing another example of the chip receiver together with the holder.

Fig. 11 is a right side view schematically showing an example of a lathe provided with a chip conveyor.

Fig. 12 is a right side view schematically showing a lathe provided with a chip receiver of a comparative example.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Needless to say, the following embodiments are merely illustrative of the present invention, and do not show that all the features shown in the embodiments are essential to the solving means of the present invention.

(1) Summary of the technology involved in the present invention:

first, an outline of the technique included in the present invention will be described with reference to examples shown in fig. 1 to 12. In addition, the drawings of the present application are schematically illustrated as examples, and the magnification ratios in the respective directions shown in the drawings may be different, and the drawings may not be identical. Needless to say, each element of the present technology is not limited to the specific example shown by the symbol.

[ form 1]

A lathe 1 according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a holding portion 40, a chip receiver 50, and a lock mechanism 60. The chip receiver 50 has a base end portion 52 connected to the holding portion 40 via a hinge 45 and a movable end portion 53 opposite to the base end portion 52, and the chip receiver 50 is disposed below the holding portion 40 and is tiltable into a receiving posture PO1 for receiving the fallen chips C1 and a discharging posture PO2 in which the movable end portion 53 is located below the receiving posture PO 1. The locking mechanism 60 includes a first locking portion (e.g., a pin 61) provided in the holding portion 40 and a second locking portion (e.g., a hook 62) provided in the chip receiver 50, and the first locking portion (61) and the second locking portion (62) are releasably locked when the chip receiver 50 assumes the receiving posture PO 1. When the first locking portion (61) is unlocked from the second locking portion (62), the chip receiver 50 can be shifted to the discharge posture PO 2.

In the above-described aspect 1, when the first locking portion (61) is locked with the second locking portion (62) in a state where the chip receiver 50 assumes the receiving posture PO1, the receiving posture PO1 of the chip receiver 50 is maintained, and the chip receiver 50 receives the dropped chip C1. When the operator of the lathe unlocks the first locking portion (61) and the second locking portion (62) and tilts the chip receiver 50 from the receiving posture PO1 to the discharging posture PO2, the chip C1 can be discharged from the chip receiver 50. Thereafter, when the operator tilts the chip receiver 50 from the discharge posture PO2 to the receiving posture PO1 and locks the first locking portion (61) with the second locking portion (62), the chip receiver 50 maintains the state of the receiving posture PO 1.

As described above, when the operator attempts to discharge the chips accumulated in the chip receiver, it is not necessary to perform a time-consuming and labor-consuming operation such as attaching and detaching the chip receiver using a plurality of screws. In a state where the chip receiver 50 is connected to the holder 40 via the hinge 45, the operator can temporarily bring the chip receiver 50 into the discharge posture PO2 by a simple operation of the lock mechanism 60, and discharge the chip C1 from the chip receiver 50. In addition, the lathe 1 does not need a large frame and a complicated link mechanism. Therefore, this aspect can provide a lathe having a simple structure and capable of improving the workability of discharging chips from the chip receiver.

Further, when the weight of the accumulated chips is larger than a predetermined amount and the chip receiver tilts from the receiving posture to the discharging posture, the timing of tilting of the chip receiver cannot be controlled, and therefore, it is necessary to always provide a receiving member below the chip receiver to receive the chips discharged from the chip receiver. In the above-described aspect 1, when the operator is absent, the chip receiver maintains the state of the receiving posture as long as the first locking portion and the second locking portion have been locked in advance, and therefore, it is not necessary to always provide the receiving member, which contributes to space saving.

Here, the tilting means a motion in which the slope changes within a specified range (for example, between the receiving posture PO1 and the discharging posture PO2 shown in fig. 6). The remarks apply to the following forms as well.

[ form 2]

As illustrated in fig. 3 and the like, the lathe 1 may further include a product conveying device (e.g., a product conveyor 30) that carries out a product P1 obtained by processing the workpiece W1. The chip receiver 50 is disposed below the discharge end 32 of the product conveying device 30. This configuration can improve the workability of discharging chips that fall from the discharge end of the product conveying device and are received by the chip receiver.

[ form 3]

As illustrated in fig. 1 and the like, the present machine tool 1 may further include a chip box 20, and the chip box 20 may receive chips C1 generated by machining the workpiece W1 at a housing position 11a in the machining chamber 11 and may be drawn out of the machining chamber 11 from the housing position 11 a. As illustrated in fig. 8 and 9, when the chip cassette 20 is in the extracted state (for example, the state of the extraction position 14 a) extracted from the housing position 11a and the chip receiver 50 is in the discharge posture PO2, the chip C1 may drop from the chip receiver 50 to the chip cassette 20. When the operator draws the chip box 20 containing the chips C1 from the housing position 11a in the machining chamber 11, the chip C1 can be discharged from the chip receiver 50 to the chip box 20 by releasing the locking between the first locking portion (61) and the second locking portion (62) and tilting the chip receiver 50 from the receiving posture PO1 to the discharge posture PO 2. Accordingly, the operator can discard the chips C1 accumulated in the chip receiver 50 at a time of discarding the chips C1 accumulated in the chip box 20. Therefore, this embodiment can improve the workability of the waste chips.

Here, the chip box may be drawn out in a state where chips can fall from the chip receiver in the discharge posture to the chip box, and a part of the chip box may be left in the machining chamber. The remarks apply to the following forms as well.

[ form 4]

As illustrated in fig. 7 and the like, the hinge 45 may be located on a horizontal plane H0 outside the range a1 of the chip box 20 in the extracted state. The movable end 53 of the chip receiver 50 in the receiving position PO1 may be located on a horizontal plane H0 within the range a1 of the chip cassette 20 in the extracted state. As illustrated in fig. 8 and the like, the present lathe 1 may further include a discharge posture regulating structure ST1 for regulating the movable end 53 of the chip receiver 50 in the discharge posture PO2 within a range a1 of the chip cassette 20 in the extracted state on a horizontal plane H0 by a discharge posture regulating structure ST 1. Since the movable end 53 of the chip receiver 50 in the discharge posture PO2 is lowered from the receiving posture PO1, the chips C1 accumulated in the chip receiver 50 fall from the movable end 53 of the chip receiver 50 in the discharge posture PO 2. Here, since the movable end 53 has been limited on the horizontal plane H0 within the range a1 of the chip box 20 in the extracted state, the chips C1 fall from the movable end 53 to the chip box 20. Therefore, the present aspect can reliably transfer the chips of the chip receiver to the chip box.

[ form 5]

As illustrated in fig. 6 and the like, the present lathe 1 may further include an inclination limiting structure ST2, in which the inclination range of the chip receiver 50 from the receiving posture PO1 when the chip cassette 20 is located at the housing position 11a is smaller than when the chip cassette 20 is in the extracted state by the inclination limiting structure ST 2. Since the range in which the chip receiver 50 is inclined from the receiving posture PO1 becomes small when the chip cassette 20 is located at the housing position 11a, this configuration can suppress chips from falling off the chip receiver when the chip cassette is not drawn out from the housing position.

[ form 6]

In the chip discharge method according to an embodiment of the present technology, the lathe 1 includes the holding portion 40, the chip receiver 50, the lock mechanism 60, and the chip box 20. The chip receiver 50 has a base end portion 52 connected to the holding portion 40 via a hinge 45 and a movable end portion 53 opposite to the base end portion 52, and the chip receiver 50 is disposed below the holding portion 40 and is tiltable into a receiving posture PO1 for receiving the fallen chips C1 and a discharging posture PO2 in which the movable end portion 53 is located below the receiving posture PO 1. The locking mechanism 60 releasably locks the chip receiver 50 relative to the holder 40 in the receiving position PO 1. The chip cassette 20 receives chips C1 generated by machining a workpiece W1 at a housing position 11a in the machining chamber 11, and can be drawn out of the machining chamber 11 from the housing position 11 a. The chip discharge method includes the following steps (b) and (c). (b) A drawing step of bringing the chip cassette 20 into a drawn state (for example, a state of a drawn position 14 a) drawn from the housing position 11 a. (c) A discharge step of releasing the lock of the lock mechanism 60 to change the chip receiver 50 from the reception posture PO1 to the discharge posture PO2, thereby dropping the chips C1 from the chip receiver 50 in the discharge posture PO2 to the chip box 20 in the extracted state.

According to the above-described mode 6, the operator first brings the chip cassette 20 into the extracted state extracted from the housing position 11 a. Next, the operator releases the lock of the lock mechanism 60, and shifts the chip receiver 50 from the receiving posture PO1 to the discharging posture PO2, thereby dropping the chips C1 from the chip receiver 50 in the discharging posture PO2 to the chip box 20 in the extracted state.

As described above, the operator does not need to perform a time-consuming and labor-consuming operation such as attaching and detaching the chip receiver 50 using a plurality of screws. When the operator draws the chip box 20 containing the chips C1 from the storage position 11a in the machining chamber 11, the chip receiver 50 is temporarily brought into the discharge posture PO2 by the operation of the lock mechanism 60 in a state where the chip receiver 50 is connected to the holder 40 via the hinge 45, and the chips C1 are discharged from the chip receiver 50 to the chip box 20. Accordingly, even when the chips C1 accumulated in the chip box 20 are discarded, the chips C1 accumulated in the chip receiver 50 can be discarded together. In addition, the lathe 1 does not need a large frame and a complicated link mechanism. Therefore, the present aspect can provide a chip discharge method for improving the workability of chip discharge from the chip receiver in a lathe with a simple configuration.

[ form 7]

As illustrated in fig. 5 and the like, the lathe 1 may further include a plug member 15, and the plug member 15 may be detachably attached to a chip cassette passage portion 14 through which the chip cassette 20 is drawn out of the processing chamber 11. In this case, the following steps (a), (b), and (c) may be performed.

(a) A discharging step of discharging the plug member 15 from the chip box passing portion 14.

(b) A drawing step of bringing the chip cassette 20 into a drawn state (for example, a state of a drawing position 14 a) from the housing position 11a to the chip cassette passage portion 14 from which the plugging member 15 has been removed.

(c) A discharge step of releasing the lock of the lock mechanism 60 to change the chip receiver 50 from the reception posture PO1 to the discharge posture PO2, thereby dropping the chips C1 from the chip receiver 50 in the discharge posture PO2 to the chip box 20 in the extracted state.

According to the above configuration 7, the operator first removes the plug member 15 from the chip cassette passage portion 14 from which the chip cassette 20 is drawn. Next, the operator sets the chip cassette 20 in a drawn-out state from the housing position 11a to the chip cassette passage portion 14 from which the closing member 15 has been removed. Thereafter, the operator releases the lock of the lock mechanism 60, and the chip receiver 50 is shifted from the receiving posture PO1 to the discharging posture PO2, so that the chip C1 falls from the chip receiver 50 in the discharging posture PO2 to the chip box 20 in the extracted state.

As described above, the above embodiment 7 can improve the workability of discharging chips from the chip receiver in the lathe including the closing member attached to the chip cassette passage portion from which the chip cassette is drawn out.

(2) Specific examples of the lathe:

fig. 1 schematically shows a front surface of the lathe 1 in a state where the door 18 is opened in a specific example. Fig. 2 schematically shows the right side of the lathe 1. In addition, the drawings referred to in this specification only show examples for illustrating the present technology and are not intended to limit the present technology. The positional relationship between the respective portions is described by way of example only. Therefore, the present technology also includes cases where the left and right are reversed, or where the rotation direction is reversed. The same direction, position, and the like are not limited to exact agreement, and include deviations from exact agreement due to errors.

For convenience of explanation, in the lathe 1, an outer surface of the door 18 other than the upper surface is referred to as a front surface, and a front direction D1, a rear direction D2, an upper direction D3, a lower direction D4, a left direction D5, and a right direction D6 are shown in the drawings as necessary. Unless otherwise specified, the positional relationship in the lathe 1 will be described with reference to these directions (D1 to D6). The left-right direction is defined as a Z-axis direction, the horizontal direction orthogonal to the Z-axis direction is defined as an X-axis direction, and the vertical direction orthogonal to the Z-axis direction is defined as a Y-axis direction. In fig. 1 and 2, "X" indicating the X-axis direction, "Y" indicating the Y-axis direction, and "Z" indicating the Z-axis direction are indicated.

The lathe 1 shown in fig. 1 and the like is an NC lathe provided with an NC (Numerical Control) device, not shown, and an operation unit 85 is disposed on a front surface of a cover portion 10 surrounding a processing chamber 11. In the processing chamber 11,

spindles

81 and 82 facing each other in the Z-axis direction, tool rests 83 and 84 holding tools for processing a workpiece W1 held by the

spindles

81 and 82, and the like are disposed. The processing of the workpiece W1 is performed in a state where the door 18 is closed.

The spindle 81 is also referred to as a front spindle, and the spindle 82 is also referred to as a rear spindle. The

spindles

81 and 82 are rotatable about a rotation axis along the Z-axis direction while holding the workpiece W1. At least one of the

spindles

81 and 82 is movable in the Z-axis direction, and when both

spindles

81 and 82 approach each other in the Z-axis direction, the spindle 82 receives the workpiece W1 whose front surface has been machined from the spindle 81. Here, when the lathe 1 is of a spindle moving type, the spindle 81 moves in the Z-axis direction, and when the lathe 1 is of a spindle fixed type, the spindle 81 does not move in the Z-axis direction. The tool stages 83 and 84 are movable in at least 1 axis direction out of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and may also be movable in the Z-axis direction. The tool stands 83,84 may be turret tool stands as shown in fig. 1, or may be comb-shaped tool stands, etc. The tool includes a turning tool including a cutter, a drill, a rotary tool such as an end mill, or the like. After the back surface processing is performed on the workpiece W1 held by the spindle 82, a product P1 is obtained. The product P1 obtained by processing the workpiece W1 is released from the holding by the main shaft 82, and then drops to the product conveyor 30 (an example of a product conveying device), and is conveyed from the carry-in end 31 inside the processing chamber 11 to the carry-out end 32 outside the processing chamber 11. Fig. 1 illustrates a case where the carry-out end 32 extending from the side portion 10a of the cover 10 is covered with the cover 35. In addition, the main shaft 82 may also be moved in the X-axis direction to drop the product P1 to the product conveyor 30. The operation unit 85 includes a display panel and various buttons, and receives various operations. The NC apparatus executes an NC program stored in a non-volatile semiconductor memory, not shown.

Cutting oil is used for machining the workpiece W1, and chips are generated by machining the workpiece W1. Therefore, the chip cassette 20 that receives chips generated by machining the workpiece W1 together with the cutting oil is housed in the chip cassette housing portion 12. The housing position 11a of the chip cassette 20 in the chip cassette housing portion 12 is located inside the machining chamber 11 and below the

spindles

81 and 82. The chip cassette housing portion 12 includes a chip cassette passage portion 14, and the chip cassette passage portion 14 is a portion from which the chip cassette 20 is drawn out of the machining chamber 11. Thus, the chip box 20 can be drawn out from the housing position 11a to the outside of the machining chamber 11 by the operation of the handle 22. In fig. 1, the chip cassette 20 located at the housing position 11a is indicated by a broken line, and the chip cassette 20 located at the extraction position 14a capable of receiving chips from the chip receiver 50 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. The chips containing the cutting oil fall to the reservoir 21 located inside the chip box 20. The cutting oil accumulated in the reservoir 21 is separated from the chips and dropped into the cooling bath 70 located in the lower portion of the lathe 1. The operator of the lathe 1 draws the chip cassette 20 from the storage position 11a to the drawing position 14a, transfers the chips accumulated in the reservoir 21 to the chip removal carriage, and discards the chips to a disposal location located outside O1 of the lathe 1.

Cutting oil and chips also adhere to the product P1. The cutting oil and chips adhering to the product P1 are moved from the processing chamber 11 to the carrying-out end 32 by the product conveyor 30. In order to prevent chips and the like from falling onto the floor of a factory, the holding portion 40 and the chip receiver 50 are disposed together below the carrying-out end 32 of the product conveyor 30.

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a state in which the chips C1 are accumulated in the chip receiver 50 along with the removal of the product P1. A scraper 33 is disposed at the discharge end 32 of the product conveyor 30 with a clearance CL1 through which the product P1 does not sufficiently pass. Therefore, if the product collection container 38 is provided at the tip of the scraper 33, the product P1 falls along the scraper 33 into the product collection container 38 at the carrying-out end 32. The cutting oil and the chips C1 that have moved together with the product P1 to the carry-out end 32 pass through the clearance CL1 and drop to the chip receiver 50 via the holder 40.

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates the front side of the holding portion 40, the hinge 45, the chip receiver 50, and the locking mechanism 60. In order to make the illustration clear, fig. 4 shows a state in which the hook 62 (an example of the second locking portion) is in the unlocked state with the chip receiver 50 maintaining the receiving posture PO 1. In fig. 4, the discharge position PO2 of the chip receiver 50 and the hook 62 in the locked state are indicated by a two-dot chain line. Fig. 5 schematically illustrates the positional relationship of the chip receiver 50 with the projection 13 and the obstruction member 15 on the horizontal plane H0. Fig. 6 schematically illustrates the right side of the inclination limiting structure ST2 constituted by the blocking member 15. In fig. 6, the inclination restricting posture PO3 of the chip receiver 50 is indicated by a solid line, and the receiving posture PO1 and the discharging posture PO2 of the chip receiver 50 are indicated by a two-dot chain line. Fig. 7 schematically illustrates the positional relationship of the chip receiver 50 with the chip cassette 20 in the extracted state on the horizontal plane H0. Fig. 8 schematically illustrates the right side of the discharge posture regulating structure ST1 constituted by the protruding portion 13. In fig. 8, the discharge attitude PO2 of the chip receiver 50 is indicated by a solid line, and the reception attitude PO1 of the chip receiver 50 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. Fig. 9 schematically illustrates the discharge of the chip C1 from the chip receiver 50 to the chip box 20. Fig. 10A schematically illustrates a longitudinal section of the chip receiver 50 and the holder 40. In fig. 10A, the receiving attitude PO1 of the chip receiver 50 is indicated by a solid line, and the inclination restricting attitude PO3 and the discharging attitude PO2 of the chip receiver 50 are indicated by a two-dot chain line. Fig. 5 and 7 are plan views, and the horizontal plane H0 is a plane along fig. 5 and 7, that is, a plane defined by 2 straight lines in the front-rear direction (D1, D2) and the left-right direction (D5, D6) in a case where the straight lines intersect.

Next, each constituent element for discharging the chips C1 will be described.

As shown in fig. 3, the left side end 41 of the holding portion 40 disposed immediately below the carrying-out end 32 of the product conveyor 30 is attached to the side portion 10a of the cover portion 10 by, for example, screws SC1 (including bolts). A pin 61 (an example of a first locking portion) included in the locking mechanism 60 is fixed to the right side end portion 42 of the holding portion 40. A chip receiver 50 is disposed below the holding portion 40. As shown in fig. 4, the front surface portion 43 of the holding portion 40 is connected to the base end portion 52 of the chip receiver 50 via a hinge 45. As shown in fig. 6 and the like, the holding portion 40 supports the cover 35 of the carry-out end portion 32.

As shown in fig. 4, 6, and the like, the hinge 45 can perform a bending operation about a tilt axis AX1 extending in the left-right direction. The hinge 45 includes, for example, a first piece 45a attached to the front surface portion 43 of the holding portion 40 by a screw SC2, and a second piece 45b attached to the base end portion 52 of the chip receiver 50 by a screw SC 3. The base end portion 52 of the chip receiver 50 is connected to the holding portion 40 via a hinge 45. The first piece 45a and the second piece 45b are coupled to each other so as to be rotatable about the tilt axis AX1, whereby the chip receiver 50 can be tilted about the tilt axis AX 1. The tilt axis AX1 may also be referred to as a rotation axis that becomes the center of the rotational movement of the chip receiver 50. In this specific example, the tilting of the chip receiver 50 via the hinge 45 means a rotational movement of the chip receiver 50 such that the inclination of the chip receiver 50 changes within a predetermined range (between the receiving posture PO1 and the discharging posture PO2) around the rotational axis (tilting axis AX 1).

As shown in fig. 8, 10A, and the like, the chip receiver 50 has a base end portion 52 connected to the holding portion 40 via a hinge 45, and a movable end portion 53 on the opposite side of the base end portion 52, and the chip receiver 50 is tiltable between a receiving posture PO1 and a discharging posture PO 2. Here, the receiving posture PO1 is a posture when the movable end portion 53 is located at the uppermost position in the tilting range of the chip receiver 50, and is a posture of receiving the chips C1 dropped from the carrying-out end portion 32 of the product conveyor 30. In the receiving posture PO1, the bottom 51a of the reservoir 51 located inside the chip receiver 50 descends from the movable end 53 toward the base end 52. As shown in fig. 10A, the bottom portion 51a includes a general portion 51c located at a position facing the front direction D1 from the bent portion 51b, and an inclination changing portion 51D located at a position facing the rear direction D2 from the bent portion 51 b. In the receiving posture PO1, the general portion 51c gradually descends from the bent portion 51b toward the base end portion 52, and the inclination of the inclination changing portion 51d is steeper than that of the general portion 51 c. The discharge attitude PO2 is an attitude when the movable end portion 53 is located at the lowermost position within the tilting range of the chip receiver 50, and is an attitude for discharging the chips C1 accumulated in the chip receiver 50. In the discharge posture PO2, the bottom of the reservoir 51 descends from the base end 52 toward the movable end 53.

As shown in fig. 3 and the like, a cutting oil return flow path 56 is provided at a position close to the base end portion 52 in the left side end portion 54 of the chip receiver 50. When the chip receiver 50 assumes the receiving posture PO1, the cutting oil separated from the chips C1 accumulated in the reservoir 51 moves toward the base end portion 52, returns to the machining chamber 11 through the cutting oil return flow path 56, moves along a path not shown, and finally falls into the cooling bath 70. The cutting oil return flow path 56 may be provided with a structure for suppressing the outflow of the chips C1, such as a mesh. A hook 62 included in the lock mechanism 60 is provided at the right side end portion 55 of the chip receiver 50.

Since the chip receiver 50 is located below the holding portion 40, the movable end portion 53 is lowered by its own weight without the lock mechanism 60. With the locking mechanism 60, the chip receiver 50 maintains the receiving posture PO1, and there is no need to always dispose a chip recovery device below the chip receiver 50, which contributes to space saving. Further, when the chips C1 are to be discharged from the chip receiver 50, a simple operation of releasing the lock between the pin 61 and the hook 62 is required, and therefore, the operability of the operator is improved. Next, the locking mechanism 60 will be described in detail.

The pin 61 provided in the holding portion 40 protrudes rightward D6 from the right side end portion 42. As shown in fig. 4, the pin 61 includes a small diameter portion 61a connected to the side end portion 42, and a large diameter portion 61b extending forward from the small diameter portion 61 a. The small diameter portion 61a is sized to be able to enter the recess 62c (see also fig. 6) of the hook 62, and the large diameter portion 61b is sized to be unable to enter the recess 62c of the hook 62.

The hook 62 provided in the chip receiver 50 includes a pin portion 62a protruding in the right direction D6 from the right side end portion 55, and a hook main body 62b rotatable with respect to the pin portion 62a about a rotation axis AX2 along the left-right direction. The pin portion 62a includes a small diameter portion and a large diameter portion, similarly to the pin 61, and a hook body 62b provided to prevent the pin from falling off the large diameter portion is provided to be rotatable about the small diameter portion. The hook body 62b has a recess 62c large enough for the small-diameter portion 61a of the pin 61 to enter, and an operation portion 62d for an operator to rotate the hook body 62 b.

When the operator brings the chip receiver 50 into the receiving posture PO1 with the pin 61 and the hook 62 not locked, and rotates the hook body 62b to insert the pin 61 into the recess 62c, the pin 61 and the hook 62 are locked. Thus, the chip receiver 50 in the receiving position PO1 is held by the holding portion 40 via the hinge 45 and the lock mechanism 60, and the receiving position PO1 of the chip receiver 50 is maintained. In this state, when the operator rotates the hook body 62b to remove the recess 62c from the pin 61, the lock between the pin 61 and the hook 62 is released. Thus, the operator can tilt the chip receiver 50 relative to the holder 40 via the hinge 45, and can change the chip receiver 50 from the receiving posture PO1 to the discharging posture PO 2.

Further, the operator performs the operation of discharging the chip C1 from the chip receiver 50 at a position facing the side portion 10a of the hood 10. Since the lock mechanism 60 of this specific example is located at a position facing the operator, the operator can easily perform the operation of locking the lock mechanism 60 or unlocking the lock mechanism 60.

The chips C1 accumulated in the chip receiver 50 may be discharged to a chip recovery device such as a chip removal carriage, or may be discharged to a chip box 20 provided in the lathe 1 as shown in fig. 8 and 9. When the chip cassette 20 is located at the housing position 11a and the chip receiver 50 assumes the receiving posture PO1, as shown in fig. 5, 6, and the like, a plate-shaped blocking member 15 having a thickness in the left-right direction (D5, D6) is attached to the chip cassette passage portion 14. The closing member 15 is located below the chip receiver 50 in the receiving position PO1, and restricts the range in which the chip receiver 50 is tilted from the receiving position PO1 to at most the tilt restricting position PO3 even if the locking of the pin 61 and the hook 62 is released. When the chip cassette 20 is drawn out from the housing position 11a, the blocking member 15 is removed from the chip cassette passage part 14, whereby the chip receiver 50 can be tilted to the discharge posture PO 2. Therefore, when the chip cassette 20 is located at the housing position 11a, the range in which the chip receiver 50 is inclined from the receiving posture PO1 is smaller than when the chip cassette 20 is in the extracted state. The closing member 15 attached to the chip box passage portion 14 is an example of the inclination regulating structure ST 2.

By attaching the closing member 15 to the chip box passage portion 14, the range in which the chip receiver 50 is inclined from the receiving posture PO1 is reduced to the inclination restricting posture PO3 at most. Thereby, the chips C1 are suppressed from falling off from the chip receiver 50 when the chip cassette 20 is not drawn out from the housing position 11 a. In particular, when the chip receiver 50 assumes the inclination restricting posture PO3, as shown in fig. 10A, the inclination changing portion 51d of the bottom portion 51a of the reservoir 51 descends from the movable end portion 53 toward the base end portion 52. Therefore, the falling of the chip C1 from the chip receiver 50 is effectively suppressed.

Further, a chip receiver 50A as illustrated in fig. 10B may also be used instead of the chip receiver 50. In the chip receiver 50A shown in fig. 10B, the bent portion 51B is not provided in the bottom portion 51a of the reservoir 51, and the bottom portion 51a is inclined downward at a constant angle from the movable end portion 53 toward the base end portion 52 in the receiving posture PO 1. However, when the chip receiver 50A is in the inclination-restricting posture PO3 shown in fig. 10A and the like, the chip C1 may fall out of the chip receiver 50A. Since the chip receiver 50 shown in fig. 10A and the like is provided with the inclination changing portion 51d at the bottom portion 51a, the chips C1 are less likely to fall out of the chip receiver 50 when the chip receiver is in the restricting posture PO 3.

The chip cassette accommodating portion 12 includes a protruding portion 13 disposed in the front direction D1 of the blocking member 15. As shown in fig. 7, the protruding portion 13 has a thickness in the left-right direction (D5, D6). As shown in fig. 8, the protruding portion 13 has a contact portion 13a at a corner portion with which the bottom of the chip receiver 50 in the discharge posture PO2 comes into contact.

As shown in fig. 8 and 9, when the chip cassette 20 is drawn to the drawing position 14a, a part of the product conveyor 30 is located at a position forward of the range of the chip cassette 20 on the horizontal surface H0. In order to reliably discharge the chips C1 accumulated in the chip receiver 50 to the chip box 20, the hinge 45 is disposed on the front surfaces of the holding portion 40 and the chip receiver 50, and the movable end portion 53 is disposed at the rear end of the chip receiver 50. As shown in fig. 7, the hinge 45 is on a horizontal plane H0, outside the range a1 of the chip box 20 in the extracted position 14 a. The movable end 53 of the chip receiver 50 in the receiving position PO1 is located on the horizontal plane H0 within the range a1 of the chip cassette 20 in the extracted position 14 a. As shown in fig. 8, the contact portion 13a of the projection 13 limits the movable end 53 of the chip receiver 50 in the discharge posture PO2 to within a range a1 of the chip cassette 20 in the extraction position 14a on the horizontal plane H0. The contact portion 13a is an example of the discharge posture regulating structure ST 1.

Further, in the case where the protrusion 13 is not provided in the chip cassette accommodation portion 12, the front wall 21a of the reservoir 21 of the chip cassette 20 restricts the movable end 53 of the chip receiver 50 in the discharge posture PO2 within the range a1 of the chip cassette 20 at the extraction position 14a on the horizontal plane H0. In this case, the front wall 21a is an example of the discharge posture regulating structure ST 1.

When the chip receiver 50 assumes the discharge posture PO2, the bottom 51a of the reservoir 51 descends from the base end 52 toward the movable end 53, and thus the chips C1 of the reservoir 51 fall from the movable end 53. Here, in the discharge posture PO2, since the movable end 53 is also located within the range a1 of the chip box 20 on the horizontal plane H0, the chips C1 of the reservoir 51 surely fall from the movable end 53 to the chip box 20.

Further, a chip receiver 50B as illustrated in fig. 10C may also be used instead of the chip receiver 50. The chip receiver 50B shown in fig. 10C has a substantially vertical wall when the movable end portion 53 has the receiving posture PO1, the bent portion 51B is not provided in the bottom portion 51a of the reservoir 51, and the bottom portion 51a is inclined downward at a constant inclination from the movable end portion 53 toward the base end portion 52 when the receiving posture PO1 is performed. However, when the chip receiver 50B is in the discharge posture PO2 shown in fig. 10A and the like, even if the bottom portion 51a is lowered from the base end portion 52 toward the movable end portion 53, the chips C1 are less likely to fall from the reservoir 51 due to wall obstruction of the movable end portion 53. When the chip receiver 50 shown in fig. 10A and the like is in the discharge posture PO2, the inclination changing portion 51d is in a state of descending from the bent portion 51b toward the movable end portion 53, and therefore the chips C1 are likely to fall from the reservoir 51.

(3) Specific examples of the chip discharge method for a lathe:

next, an example of a chip discharge method of the lathe 1 will be described.

When machining the workpiece W1, the operator performs the operation of locking the pin 61 and the hook 62 with the chip receiver 50 in the receiving posture PO1, and the operation of setting the chip cassette 20 at the housing position 11a and attaching the blocking member 15 to the chip cassette passage portion 14. The state after the operation is shown in fig. 2. In this state, when the chip C1 accumulated in the chip box 20 is to be discarded, the operator performs the operation of discarding the chip C1, for example, in the following procedure.

(a) Unloading:

first, the operator removes the clogging member 15 as the inclination restricting structure ST2 from the chip cassette passage part 14. Thus, when the locking of the pin 61 and the hook 62 is released, the chip receiver 50 can be tilted from the receiving posture PO1 to the discharging posture PO 2.

(b) An extraction step:

after removing the closing member 15, the operator brings the chip cassette 20 into a drawn state drawn from the housing position 11a in the rightward direction D6 to the drawing position 14 a. The state after the operation is shown in fig. 7. The movable end 53 of the chip receiver 50 in the receiving position PO1 is located on the horizontal plane H0 within the range a1 of the chip cassette 20 in the extracted position 14 a.

(c) A discharging step:

after the chip cassette 20 is extracted, the operator first rotates the hook body 62b (see fig. 4) to remove the pin 61 from the recess 62c, thereby releasing the locking of the pin 61 and the hook 62. Next, the operator shifts the chip receiver 50 from the receiving attitude PO1 to the discharging attitude PO 2. The transformed state is shown in fig. 8 and 9. Further, the operator drops the chip C1 from the chip receiver 50 in the discharge posture PO2 to the chip box 20 in the extracted state.

(d) A abandonment step:

after discharging the chip C1 of the chip receiver 50, the operator first shifts the chip receiver 50 from the discharge attitude PO2 to the receiving attitude PO1, and rotates the hook body 62b to insert the pin 61 into the recess 62C, thereby locking the pin 61 with the hook 62. Next, the operator transfers the chip C1 stored in the chip box 20 to the chip carrying-out carriage, and discards it to a disposal place located outside O1 of the lathe 1.

(e) Resetting:

after discarding the chips C1, the operator returns the chip cassette 20 from the extraction position 14a to the storage position 11a, and attaches the blocking member 15 to the chip cassette passage 14. Thus, even if the locking of the pin 61 and the hook 62 is released, the chip receiver 50 can be tilted only from the receiving posture PO1 to the inclination restricting posture PO 3.

(4) Specific examples of the actions and effects:

fig. 12 schematically shows the right side of a lathe provided with a chip receiver 950 of a comparative example. Note that elements similar to those in the above example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

The chip receiver 950 shown in fig. 12 is arranged below the discharge end 32 of the product conveyor 30, similarly to the shape of the combination of the holding portion 40 and the chip receiver 50 in the above example. The chip receiver 950 is mounted to the side portion 10a of the cover portion 10 by a plurality of screws SC 9. When the chips accumulated in the chip receiver 950 are to be discharged, the operator first needs to remove the outer cover 35 located above the chip receiver 950 and unscrew the plurality of screws SC9 to remove the chip receiver 950 from the side portion 10a of the cover portion 10. Further, after discharging the chips accumulated in the chip receiver 950 to the chip box 20 or the chip carrying-out carriage, the operator needs to attach the chip receiver 950 to the side portion 10a of the cover portion 10 by a plurality of screws SC9, and also needs to attach the cover 35 to the chip receiver 950.

The series of chip evacuation operations is very time and labor consuming.

In the present specific example, when the pin 61 is locked with the hook 62 in a state where the chip receiver 50 assumes the receiving posture PO1, the receiving posture PO1 of the chip receiver 50 is maintained, so that the chip receiver 50 receives the chips C1 dropped from the product conveyor 30. When the operator releases the locking of the pin 61 with the hook 62 and tilts the chip receiver 50 from the receiving posture PO1 to the discharging posture PO2, the chip C1 can be discharged from the chip receiver 50. This operation may be performed when the chips C1 accumulated in the chip box 20 are discarded. When the operator draws the chip cassette 20 from the housing position 11a to the drawing position 14a, the chip receiver 50 is set to the discharge posture PO2, whereby the chip C1 can be discharged from the chip receiver 50 to the chip cassette 20. Accordingly, the operator can discard the chips C1 accumulated in the chip receiver 50 at a time of discarding the chips C1 accumulated in the chip box 20.

As described above, when the operator attempts to discharge the chips accumulated in the chip receiver, the chip receiver 50 is temporarily brought into the discharge posture PO2 by a simple operation of the lock mechanism 60 in a state where the chip receiver 50 is connected to the holding portion 40 via the hinge 45, and the chips C1 are discharged from the chip receiver 50. Since it is not necessary to perform a labor-consuming operation such as attaching and detaching the chip receiver using a plurality of screws, the specific example can improve the workability of discharging chips from the chip receiver with a simple structure. In addition, when the operator is not present, the chip receiver 50 maintains the state of the receiving posture PO1 as long as the pin 61 and the hook 62 have been locked in advance, and therefore, there is no need to always provide a chip recovery device below the chip receiver 50, which contributes to saving space.

(5) Variation example:

various variations of the present invention are contemplated.

For example, the position of the chip receiver is not limited to the right side surface of the lathe, and may be the left side surface of the lathe, the back surface of the lathe, or the like.

In the above embodiment, the pin 61 is provided in the holding portion 40 and the hook 62 is provided in the chip receiver 50, but the hook may be provided in the holding portion and the pin may be provided in the chip receiver. The locking mechanism is not limited to the combination of the pin and the hook, and may be a combination of a knob screw (a screw that can be screwed with a finger) and a screw hole, or may be bonded by a magnetic force. For example, if a screw hole is provided in the holding portion and a knob screw is provided in the chip receiver, the lock mechanism is locked when the knob screw is screwed into the screw hole, and the lock mechanism is unlocked when the knob screw is unscrewed from the screw hole.

The position of the hinge is not limited to the front surfaces of the holder and the chip receiver, but may be the back surfaces of the holder and the chip receiver, the left side surfaces of the holder and the chip receiver, and the like.

Further, even in a lathe having a configuration in which the plug member attached to the chip box passage portion does not restrict the inclination of the chip receiver 50 to the inclination restricting posture PO3, the effect of improving the workability of discharging the chips of the chip receiver with a simple structure can be obtained. Further, even in a lathe that does not include at least a part of the inclination regulating structure, the discharge posture regulating structure, and the chip box, the effect of improving the workability of discharging chips from the chip receiver by a simple structure can be obtained.

In the lathe, a chip conveyor may be provided instead of the chip cassette. Fig. 11 schematically shows a right side surface of the lathe 1 seen in a cross-section of the chip conveyor 16 in the lathe 1 provided with the chip conveyor 16. In addition, elements similar to those in the above-described example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

The carry-in end of the chips in the chip conveyor 16 is inserted into the machining chamber from the chip cassette passage portion 14 of the chip cassette housing portion 12. The chip conveyor 16 extending from the chip cassette passage portion 14 rises toward the chip carrying-out end, but is not shown in this regard.

The chip conveyor 16 is provided with a housing 17 so that chips cannot be discharged from the chip receiver 50 to the chip conveyor 16. Therefore, the hinge 45 is provided on the back surfaces of the holding portion 40 and the chip receiver 50, and chips are discharged forward from the chip receiver 50. That is, the rear end of the chip receiver 50 is a base end portion 52, and the front end of the chip receiver 50 is a movable end portion 53. The hook 62 is provided at the right side end of the chip receiver 50. The protrusion 13 is not provided in the chip cassette housing portion 12 in order to tilt the chip receiver 50 between the receiving position PO1 and the discharging position PO 2.

The operator may perform the following operations: the chip removal carriage is disposed in front of the chip conveyor 16 at a position where chips fall from the chip receiver 50, and the chip receiver 50 is switched from the receiving posture PO1 to the discharging posture PO2 by releasing the locking of the pin 61 and the hook 62. Thus, the operator can drop the chips in the chip receiver 50 from the distal end, i.e., the movable end 53, of the chip receiver 50 to the chip carrying-out carriage.

(6) To summarize:

as described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique or the like for improving the workability of chip discharge from a chip receiver in a lathe with a simple configuration in various aspects. Of course, the basic operation and effect can be obtained by adopting a technique that is configured only by the constituent elements of the independent claims.

Further, a configuration in which the respective configurations disclosed in the above examples are replaced with each other or a combination thereof is changed, a configuration in which the respective configurations disclosed in the known art and the above examples are replaced with each other or a combination thereof is changed, or the like can be adopted. The present invention also includes these configurations.

[ description of symbols ]

1: lathe

10 cover part

10a side part

11-processing chamber

11a storage position

12 chip box container

13, a protrusion part

13a contact portion

14 chip box passing part

14a extracted position

15, a blocking part

20: chip box

21 storage part

22: handle

30 product conveyor (example of product conveying device)

31 carrying in end

32 carrying-out end part

40 holding part

41,42 lateral ends

43 front surface part

45: hinge

50 chip receiver

51 storage part

51a bottom

51b a bent portion

51c general section

51d inclination changing part

52 base end portion

53 movable end

54,55 lateral end

60 locking mechanism

Pin (example of first locking part)

61a diameter-reduced part

61b a large diameter part

Hook (example of second locking part)

62a pin portion

62b hook body

A1 scope of chip boxes

AX1 tilting shaft

AX2 rotating shaft

C1 cutting chips

D1 front direction

D2 rear direction

D3 upward direction

D4 lower direction

D5 left direction

D6 right direction

H0 horizontal plane

P1 product

PO1 receiving gesture

PO2 discharge posture

PO3 inclination-restricting posture

ST1 discharge posture regulating structure

ST2 Tilt restriction Structure

W1 workpiece.

Claims

1. A lathe, comprising:

a holding section;

a chip receiver having a base end portion connected to the holding portion via a hinge and a movable end portion located on the opposite side of the base end portion, the chip receiver being disposed below the holding portion and being tiltable into a receiving posture for receiving a dropped chip and a discharging posture in which the movable end portion is located below the receiving posture; and

2. The lathe according to claim 1, further comprising a product carrying device that carries out a product obtained by processing the workpiece; and is

The chip receiver is disposed below a discharge end of the product conveying device.

3. The lathe according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a chip box that receives chips generated by machining the workpiece at a housed position in the machining chamber and is extractable from the housed position to the outside of the machining chamber; and is

When the chip container is in a drawn-out state in which the chip container is drawn out from the housing position and the chip receiver is in the discharge posture, chips fall from the chip receiver to the chip container.

4. The lathe of claim 3, wherein the hinge is in a horizontal plane, out of the range of the chip box in the extracted state,

the movable end of the chip receiver in the receiving posture is on a horizontal plane and is located within the chip box in the extracted state, and

the lathe further includes a discharge posture regulating structure that regulates the movable end of the chip receiver in the discharge posture in a horizontal plane within a range of the chip cassette in the extracted state.

5. The lathe according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising an inclination limiting structure that makes a range of inclination of the chip receiver from the receiving posture when the chip cassette is located at the housing position smaller than when the chip cassette is in the extracted state.

6. A chip discharge method of a lathe, wherein the lathe comprises:

a holding section;

a chip receiver having a base end portion connected to the holding portion via a hinge and a movable end portion located on the opposite side of the base end portion, the chip receiver being disposed below the holding portion and being tiltable into a receiving posture for receiving a dropped chip and a discharging posture in which the movable end portion is located below the receiving posture;

the chip discharge method includes:

a drawing step of drawing the chip box from the housing position; and

7. The chip discharge method for a lathe according to claim 6, wherein the lathe further comprises a plug member removably mounted with respect to a chip box passing portion through which the chip box is drawn out of the machining chamber;

the chip discharging method further comprises a discharging step of discharging the clogging member from the chip box passing portion, and

in the drawing step, the chip box is drawn out from the housing position to the chip box passage portion from which the blocking member has been removed.