GB2383283A

GB2383283A - A machining centre workpiece indexing system

Info

Publication number: GB2383283A
Application number: GB0228221A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steinwender Horst
Original assignee: Thielenhaus Technologies GmbH
Current assignee: Thielenhaus Technologies GmbH
Priority date: 2001-12-07
Filing date: 2002-12-04
Publication date: 2003-06-25
Anticipated expiration: 2022-12-04
Also published as: FR2833198A1; DE10160280B4; FR2833198B1; GB2383283B; GB0228221D0; DE10160280A1

Abstract

An apparatus for the mechanical surface processing of workpieces, comprises a turntable 1 which is driven in cycles and to which a multiplicity of workpiece spindles 2 is attached at a predetermined angular pitch, and comprising a multiplicity of processing stations 3 with processing tools 4, which can be driven in rotation, for the surface processing of the workpieces which are clamped in the workpiece spindles. According to the invention, the turntable 1 is disposed as an annular table about a vertical stand 6. The processing stations 3 are attached to the periphery of the stand 6.

Description

- 1 An apparatus for the mechanical surface processing of workpieces This

invention relates to an apparatus for the mechanical surface processing of workpieces, comprising a turntable which is driven in cycles and to which a multiplicity of workplace spindles is attached at a predetermined angular pitch, and comprising a 5 multiplicity of processing stations with processing tools, which can be driven in rotation, for the surface processing of the workpieces which are clamped in the workplace spindles. In addition, at least one station is provided for loading the workplace spindles with workpieces and for removing processed workpieces. The apparatus described above enables workpieces in a clamped arrangement to be subjected to multiple processing operations, lo wherein machining operations, e.g. milling, drilling, grinding, fishing and the like, as well as subsequent mechanical processing operations, e.g. processing with rotating brushes or polishing wheels, can be carried out on workpieces. In particular, it should be possible to use the apparatus for the multistage finish-processing of workpieces.

In an apparatus which is known from DE 100 16 897 A1, and from which the present Is invention stems, the turntable can be rotated about a horizontal axis and is equipped with four workplace spindles. Two processing stations for grinding and finishing the workpieces are disposed at the periphery of the turntable. In addition, a device is provided for loading the workpiece spindles with workpieces and for the removal of processed workpieces. This known arrangement has a high space requirement. In the apparatus which is known from so DE 100 16 897 A1, it is not possible to provide further processing stations. Another disadvantage is that the turntable is only poorly accessible due to the processing stations disposed on the outside, and changing the processing tools, as well as setting operations on the processing tools, are thereby made difficult.

A basic object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for the mechanical

- 2 surface processing of workplaces which enables workplaces in a clamped arrangement to be subjected to multiple processing operations in more than two processing stations, and which is distinguished by its compact form of construction. A further object is that the processing tools should be readily accessible.

s According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for the mechanical surface processing of workpieces, comprising - a turntable which is driven in cycles and to which a multiplicity of workpiece spindles is attached at a predetermined angular pitch, and a multiplicity of processing stations comprising processing tools, which can be to driven in rotation, for the surface processing of the workplaces which are clamped in the workpiece spindles, wherein the turntable is disposed as an annular table about a vertical stand, and that processing stations are attached to the periphery of the stand.

The stand is advantageously formed as a pillar. The turntable of annular 15 construction makes it possible without difficulty to provide an arrangement of six or more workpiece spindles which are readily accessible from the outside, as are the processing stations. The workpiece spindles are equipped with clamping devices for the workpiece and are also advantageously equipped with devices for ejecting the machined workpiece. The apparatus according to the invention can be adapted in a flexible manner to different so processing tasks. It can be varied with respect to the number of processing stations which are attached to the support. The annular table provides space for a large number of workpiece spindles. At the same time, the annular table is also particularly suitable for clamping bulky workpieces.

There are numerous options for further fashioning the apparatus according to the

- 3 invention. The turntable is advantageously rotatably mounted on the stand by rolling or sliding bearings and may comprise an electromechanical rotary drive or an NC-controlled direct drive.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, a central spindle drive is 5 provided for the workpiece spindles, wherein the workpiece spindles can be coupled individually to the spindle drive and can be uncoupled again from the latter. Alternatively, it is possible for a separate drive to be associated with each workpiece spindle. Moreover, locking devices for positioning the clamping apparatus which receives the workpiece can be associated with the workpiece spindles. According to one preferred embodiment of the lo invention, at least six workpiece spindles are provided on the turntable.

The processing stations, particularly for finish-processing, advantageously comprise a linear control device disposed on the stand, e. g. for hydraulically controlled or CNC controlled feed movements, a motor spindle attached to the control device or a motor driven spindle, and an oscillating drive for oscillating movements of the processing tool.

5 The apparatus according to the invention enables workplaces which require multiple processing on both sides to be machined economically. Thus workplaces can be subjected to prefinishing, final finishing and brushing on both sides without difficulty. For an application such as this, the turntable is advantageously equipped with eight workpiece spindles. Two processing stations which are disposed diametrically in relation to each other so are provided on the stand in each case for prefinishing, final finishing and brushing. In addition, a device for loading and unloading the workpiece spindles, as well as a turning device which is diametrically opposite thereto, are each disposed at the periphery of the turntable in sections between the processing stations for brushing and prefinishing. The workplaces pass through the processing stations in stages, wherein a first end face is firstly

-4 subjected to prefinishing, final finishing and brushing, the workplace is subsequently turned, and finally the second end face is likewise subjected to prefinishing, final finishing and brushing. It is also possible to produce the flatness on both workplace faces of a workplace in a different manner by making use of the fixed angular pitch of the finishing units. The swivelling movement of a finishing unit in order to achieve the same result is thus dispensed with.

If workpieces only require processing on one side, it is possible to feed two or more workpieces simultaneously to the processing apparatus and to process them synchronously. For an application such as this, loading and unloading devices, by means lo of which at least two workplace spindles can be fitted with workpieces and processed workpieces can be removed simultaneously, are provided at the periphery of the turntable.

A number of processing stations corresponding to the number of loading and unloading devices is equipped with identical finishing tools so that at least two workpieces can be processed simultaneously. According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the s turntable is equipped with eight workplace spindles, wherein two processing stations are provided on the stand in each case for prefinishing, final finishing and brushing. Loading and unloading devices, with which two workplace spindles can be loaded with workpieces and processed workpieces can be removed simultaneously, are disposed at the periphery of the turntable.

20 In another embodiment, the invention teaches that at least one measuring device, for measuring the workpieces before processing, during processing or after processing, is disposed on the stand. The positions of the measuring device and of the processing stations are matched to the predetermined angular pitch for the workplace spindles.

The invention is explained below with reference to the drawings, which merely

- 5 comprise schematic illustrations of examples of embodiments, and where: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through an apparatus according to the invention for the mechanical surface processing of workpieces; Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, s likewise in longitudinal section; Figure 3 is a plan view of an apparatus according to the invention for processing Figure 4 is a plan view of an apparatus according to the invention with which two workpieces are fed simultaneously and are processed synchronously in lo a plurality of processing stations.

The basic construction of the apparatus illustrated in the Figures comprises a turntable 1 which is driven in cycles and to which a multiplicity of workplace spindles 2 is attached at a predetermined angular pitch, and also comprises a multiplicity of processing stations 3 with processing tools 4 which can be driven in rotation for the surface processing of workpieces which are clamped in the workplace spindles 2. In addition, at least one station is provided for loading the workplace spindles 2 with workpieces and for removing processed workpieces.

The turntable 1 is disposed as an annular table around a vertical stand 6 in the form of a pillar, and is rotatably mounted on the stand 6 by rolling or sliding bearings 7. It ho comprises an electro-mechanical rotary drive 8 (Figure 1) or an NC-controlled direct drive 9 (Figure 2). At least six workplace spindles 2 are disposed at equidistant spacings on the turntable 1, and are equipped with a clamping device for workpieces and with an ejector.

In the embodiment exemplified, a central spindle drive, which is not illustrated, is provided for driving the workplace spindles 2. The workplace spindles can be coupled individually

- 6 to the spindle drive and can be uncoupled again from the latter.

it can be seen from Figures 1 and 2 that the processing stations 3 are attached to the periphery of the stand 6. They comprise a linear control device 10 disposed on the stand 6, as well as a motor spindle 11 attached to the control device 10. In addition, s oscillating drives for oscillating movements of the processing tools or axially controlled turning tools can be provided. Depending on the workpieces to be processed, the processing stations 3 are equipped with tools for machining, e.g. for drilling, tapping, turning, grinding or finishing, or are equipped with tools for debarring, brushing or the like.

The apparatus is preferably used for the one-sided or double-sided finishprocessing of JO workpieces, wherein internal, external or end faces of the workpiece are firstly prefinished, are subsequently subject to final finishing, and are brushed in a third station.

In the embodiment which is illustrated in Figure 3, the turntable 1 is equipped with eight workplace spindles 2. Two processing stations in each case for prefinishing 13, final finishing 13 and brushing 14 are provided diametrically opposite each other. A device is for loading and unloading the workplace spindles, as well as a turning device 15 situated diametrically opposite the latter, are each disposed in sections between the processing stations 14, 12 for brushing and prefinishing. The arrangement illustrated in Figure 3 enables workpieces to be processed on two sides. The workpieces which are fed to the loading and unloading device 5 pass through the processing stations 12, 13, 14 for JO prefinishing, final finishing and brushing, in which the first side of the workpieces is processed. In a further operating cycle, the workpieces then enter the turning device 15, where they are rotated by 180 . The second workplace side is subsequently subjected to prefinishing, final finishing and brushing in the following processing stations. Finally, in a further operating cycle of the machine, the processed workpieces enter the loading and

unloading device 5, where they are ejected from the workplace spindles and carried away.

The apparatus according to the invention can be reset for other processing tasks in a very simple manner. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the turntable 1 is also equipped with eight workplace spindles 2. The arrangement illustrated in Figure 4 permits 5 one-sided processing of workplace faces at a high throughput. Two processing stations in each case for prefinishing 12, final finishing 13 and brushing 14 are provided on the stand 6. Loading and unloading devices 5, with which two workplace spindles are loaded with workplaces and processed workplaces are removed simultaneously, are disposed at the periphery of the turntable 1.

lo It also falls within the scope of the invention for at least one measuring device for measuring the workplaces to be disposed on the stand, wherein the positions of the measuring device and of the processing stations are matched to the predetermined angular pitch for the workplace spindles.

Claims

- 8 CLAIMS

1. An apparatus for the mechanical surface processing of workpieces, comprising - a turntable which is driven in cycles and to which a multiplicity of workplace 5 spindles is attached at a predetermined angular pitch, and a multiplicity of processing stations comprising processing tools, which can be driven in rotation, for the surface processing of the workplaces which are clamped in the workplace spindles, wherein the turntable is disposed as an annular table about a vertical stand, and that To processing stations are attached to the periphery of the stand.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stand is formed as a pillar.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the turntable is rotatably mounted on Is the stand by rolling or sliding bearings.

4. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the processing stations comprise a linear control device disposed on the stand, a motor spindle attached to the control device and an oscillating drive for oscillating movements of the processing 20 tool.

5. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the turntable comprises an electro-mechanical rotary drive or an NCcontrolled direct drive.

- 9 -

6. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a central spindle drive is provided for the workpiece spindles, wherein the workpiece spindles can be coupled individually to the spindle drive and can be uncoupled from the latter again.

s

7. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least six workpiece spindles are disposed on the turntable.

8. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the turntable is equipped with eight workpiece spindles, that two processing stations which are disposed lo diametrically in relation to each other are provided on the stand in each case for Refinishing, final finishing and brushing, and that a device for loading and unloading the workpiece spindles, as well as a turning device which is diametrically opposite thereto, are each disposed at the periphery of the turntable in sections between the processing stations for brushing and prefinishing.

9. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein loading and unloading devices, with which at least two or workpiece spindles can be loaded with workplaces and processed workplaces can be removed simultaneously, are provided at the periphery of the turntable, and that a number of processing stations corresponding to ho the number of said loading and unloading devices is equipped with identical finishing tools so that at least two workplaces can be processed simultaneously.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the turntable is equipped with eight workpiece spindles, that two processing stations are provided on the stand in each

- 10 case for prefinishing, final finishing and brushing, and that loading and unloading devices, with which two workpiece spindles can be loaded with workplaces and processed workplaces can be removed simultaneously, are disposed at the periphery of the turntable.

11. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least one measuring device for measuring the workpieces is disposed on the stand, wherein the positions of the measuring device and of the processing stations are matched to the predetermined angular pitch for the workplace spindles.

12. An apparatus for the mechanical surface processing of workpieces, substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.