DE202005012910U1 - Machine tool store with at least one place for a tool or a workpiece including at least one operating element in at least one of two possible states - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine tool store (6) with at least one place (1) for a tool or a workpiece including at least one operating element (3) in at least one of two possible states. Such operating elements are operated by manipulating devices.

Description

The The invention relates to a machine tool magazine with at least a magazine location for storing a tool or workpiece, according to the preamble of the main claim.

The mechanical machining of workpieces takes place on machine tools, which are becoming increasingly automated. For automation, handling equipment, e.g. Multi-axis robot, used. The handling devices equip and remove the workpieces to be processed workpieces from the machine tools.

In order to the automated machine tools or machining centers for extended periods without Operators can work, become common Magazine or workpiece storage intended. From these, the handling device removes the workpieces or Tools for the processing, passes this to the machine tool and places this after processing back into the magazine or the workpiece memory.

One significant disadvantage of this arrangement is that in the assembly or the removal of the workpieces or tools from the magazine by the operator of the plant for this in many cases it is not clear in what state they are. The Handling device brings the workpieces and / or tools only for processing into the machine tools and removes them again after processing. To the condition of the workpieces and / or To recognize tools (e.g., the wear condition), the operator must look in the controller.

Of the Invention is based on the object, a machine tool magazine to create the type mentioned, which with a simple structure and easier, cheaper Manufacturability avoids the disadvantages of the prior art and the operator information about the condition of the tools or workpieces.

According to the invention Problem solved by the feature combination of the main claim, the under claims show further advantageous embodiments of the invention.

According to the invention is thus provided that in the area of the magazine place at least one in at least two positions bringable actuator is arranged, which is actuated by means of a handling device.

The Actuator according to the invention is used thus as an indicator element in order to easily and cheaply the operator of the machine tool or of the machining center the needed information to convey.

The actuator is thus according to the invention Preferably actuated by a handling device, which, for example additional Receives control signals from a controller to during or after filing a tool or workpiece the actuator to change their position. It can thus according to the invention, for example to flip a switch or move an item. The therefor Additional commands to the handling device provided in the controller are easily programmable and need no additional or only minor additional Handling time.

It is also possible according to the invention, the actuating element automatically by the position of the tool or workpiece or when inserting the tool or workpiece into the magazine place to adjust this yourself.

In especially cheaper Embodiment of the invention is provided that the respective position of the actuating element is visually detectable. The operator can thus easily visually check the intended information.

alternative this is also possible to electronically record the respective position (for example additionally to the visual detectability), wherein the actuator For example, provided with a sensor or coupled.

The actuator is preferably manually adjustable, for example, to reset it to be able to.

Farther is it cheap when the actuator for signal transmission to automatically determine its respective position with a controller is operationally connected.

According to the invention, it is thus provided to provide at least one actuating element, for example a slide or switch, at each or at least some magazine locations for each workpiece and / or tool, which can be actuated by the handling device. If the handling device stores a tool or workpiece in the magazine after machining, it then actuates the or one of the intended for this magazine location actuators or leaves the actuators in the same state. Thus, it is possible according to the invention to display the condition of the stored tool or workpiece directly to the operator of the plant and / or tools. It is not necessary an extra screen or other electrical show for each place. Immediately upon the removal of workpieces or tools, the operator can recognize the condition of these actuators set by the manipulator.

So Is it possible, when placing tools in the magazine display when a tool is worn is. Is the life of the tool exceeded or has been exceeded by the machine tool recognized that the wear exceeded certain limits has, then the handling device offset the corresponding actuator at the place of the tool in the magazine in a position that this to the operator of the system. Is the tool not worn yet, the handling device leaves the actuator unchanged. The respective state of wear recognizes the handling device from an additional Command transmitted from the controller after checking the life of the tool.

Usually be all Tools held in one area of the magazine. That's what it does Operation of the system very easy. If the operator worn out Want to exchange tools, he can immediately recognize on the basis of the set actuators, if tools are worn, and remove these and through replace new ones.

After this the operator exchanged the worn tools for new ones he manually resets the corresponding actuators.

In According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is possible that the handling device and / or the controller over a sensor the state of the actuators queries. The query may e.g. after each closing the doors of the magazine to the magazine be done by the operator or at regular time intervals. About the Query of the actuators through the handling device automatic recognition can take place which tools through new ones have been replaced. An input by the operator into the controller, which tools have been replaced, can therefore also be omitted. This significantly reduces the risk of error.

But also for the workpieces to be processed is the attachment of actuators at magazine locations advantageous. So in modern machine tools can control the machining done by measuring the workpiece in the machine. Other systems include machine tools as well as measuring machines in the area of the handling device. These are the workpieces After processing, it is set to be measured before returning to one Magazinplatz be laid. If the workpiece is in the appropriate magazine location through the handling device can be changed by changing the actuators through the handling device the operator of the system can see if the processing is error-free, e.g. within all tolerances.

at Workpieces, which can be processed in different machines, can also Work progress, e.g. Editing not yet started, processing partly done, processing finished. Around these different states you can see several actuators per Provide magazine space. But it is also conceivable, actuators to use more than two positions.

The actuators can at the storage places of workpieces also manually adjusted by the operator of the system, e.g. around the handling device or the controller to indicate that new workpieces have been inserted.

To the closing the magazine doors or at regular intervals the handling device the magazine places scan to check if the operator of the system has changed something. Then you do not have to input by the operator to the controller.

in the Below, the invention is based on an embodiment in connection described with the drawing. Showing:

1 a side partial view of a machine tool magazine according to the invention,

2 an end view of the arrangement of 1 , and

3 a simplified overall view of the machine tool magazine according to the invention with handling device, machine tool and control.

According to the invention is a machine tool magazine 6 provided, which at the back with a door 7 is provided. On the one handler 4 facing side, the magazine 6 a variety of magazine locations 1 on, on which or in which in each case a tool or workpiece 2 can be arranged.

Like the representation of the 3 shows, the tool can 2 or the workpiece by means of the handling device 4 from the magazine place 1 taken and the processing room of a plant generating machine 8th be supplied. The control or regulation takes place via an electronic control 5 , in the 3 also shown only schematically. In an analogous way, a tool or workpiece 2 from the processing room of the machine tool 8th taken and to a suitable magazine location 1 be transported back.

As the 1 and 2 show is in the embodiment at the magazine place 1 a pedestal 9 provided in which an actuating element 3 is stored. This is designed as a sliding rod with thickened ends. The thickened ends thus also form a stop. The 1 shows two different states of the actuator 3 , Once this is shifted to the left ( 1 above), in the other position this is shifted to the right ( 1 below). This way, after opening the door 7 an operator the respective state of the actuating element 3 , which also serves as a display element, check.

The handling device 4 For example, when resetting a tool or workpiece 2 the actuator 3 move so that this in 1 position shown above assumes. The operator can thus recognize that this tool or workpiece has already been used or processed. As a result, he can use the tool or workpiece 2 replace accordingly. When replacing, he can manually the actuator 3 reset, so that this in 1 position shown below.

The actuator 3 can be provided with a locking device to maintain the respective position. However, it can also have a sliding resistance by appropriate friction in order to maintain the respective position or position can.

It it is understood that the actuator also as a folding element, similar a switch or as a switch itself may be formed.

The The invention also relates to a machining center which at least one machine tool or processing machine, at least an actuator and at least one magazine. This can also be several magazines, for example Tools and workpieces be provided separately.

Farther The invention also relates to a method in which the Control the handling device each supplying commands, around the at least one actuating element to adjust the magazine location accordingly or in his respective desired To give an opinion. It is according to the method provided that the controller the respective positions of the actuators cyclic or after a closing the door queries to either the overall state of the individual tools or workpieces to be determined and to the further course of processing or to check which ones exchanges an operator performed has, for example, tool change.

1

magazine location

2

Tool / workpiece

3

actuator

4

handling device

5

control

6

magazine

7

door

8th

machine tool

9

base

Claims (10)

Machine tool magazine with at least one magazine location ( 1 ) for storing a tool ( 2 ) or workpiece, characterized in that in the area of the magazine place ( 1 ) at least one actuable in at least two positions actuator ( 3 ) is arranged, wherein the actuating element ( 3 ) by means of a handling device ( 4 ) is operable. Machine tool magazine according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating element ( 3 ) when placing a tool ( 2 ) or workpiece by the handling device ( 4 ) is operable. Machine tool magazine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the respective position of the actuating element ( 3 ) is visually detectable. Machine tool magazine according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the respective position of the actuating element ( 3 ) is electronically detectable. Machine tool magazine according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the respective position of the actuating element ( 3 ) is detectable by the handling device. Machine tool magazine according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the actuating element ( 3 ) comprises a sensor. Machine tool magazine according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the actuating element ( 3 ) is adjustable in several positions. Machine tool magazine according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that for each magazine location ( 1 ) several actuators ( 3 ) are provided. Machine tool magazine according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the actuating element ( 3 ) is manually displaceable. Machine tool magazine according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the actuating element ( 3 ) for signal transmission for automatic determination of the position of the actuating element ( 3 ) with a controller ( 5 ) is operationally connected.