JP2000326171A - Multi-axis machining center and machining method by means of said multi-axis machining center - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To contribute much to the contraction of cycle time, shorten idle time caused by the replacement of a tool as much as possible, and provided machining capable of making the thermal displacement of a tool main axis of rotation small with its quality improved. SOLUTION: This device is equipped with a tool main axis of rotation for a first spindle 5 and a second spindle 15, and with an automatic tool replacement device 9 feeding a replacement tool to the tool main axis of rotation. In the mean time a work 10 is being machined by the first spindle 5 using a tool 8, an automatic replacement from a tool 30 to a tool 18 for the following process with respect to the second spindle 15, is carried out by the automatic tool replacement device 9, and while the second spindle 15 is put aside from a machining area to stand by.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-axis machining center and a machining method using the multi-axis machining center.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A machining center is a single installation of a workpiece on a machining table, and various operations such as milling, drilling, threading, boring, reaming, and grinding are performed on many sides of the workpiece. Known as a capable machine. In addition, a complex and high-precision workpiece can be machined by multi-axis control such as 3-axis to 8-axis control depending on the number of control axes of a feed motion of a tool used for machining.

The number of tool rotating spindles (generally called a spindle) is usually one, but there are rarely machining centers equipped with two to four spindles in order to increase productivity.
This machining center can process a plurality of workpieces at once by mounting the same tool on each spindle.

As shown in FIG. 5, in a machining center,
First spindle 40a capable of vertical movement (Z-axis direction) and second spindle 40a
The spindles 40b are arranged side by side, and tools 42a, 42b in the first step for processing a workpiece 44 fixed on a table 45 controlled to move in the X-axis and Y-axis directions are attached to the respective spindles 40a, 40b. , Each of these tools 4
After processing the workpiece 44 by 2a and 42b, the first
A first spindle tool storage stocker 4 disposed adjacent to the spindle 40a and the second spindle 40b, respectively.
1a and Tool Storage Stocker 41b for Second Spindle
Between the tools 42a and 42b and the tool 4 in the second step.
There is also a machine tool that performs the next process on the workpiece 44 by exchanging the workpiece with the workpiece 3a or 43b.

[0005] Alternatively, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 52-145893, a plurality of spindles each of which independently moves up and down and on which necessary tools are attached are provided, and a necessary tool is selected and used from these tools. There is also a multi-axis vertical milling machine that has the function of a machining center.

[0006]

The machining center needs to change tools for each machining process. A relatively small workpiece having a complicated shape may have 60 to 80 machining steps, and the ratio of the time for tool change to the ratio of the actual machining time is large, that is, the idle time is large. Problems arise. Therefore, there arises a problem that the cycle time until the completion of the processing of the workpiece becomes longer.

[0007] For example, in the machining center shown in FIG.
The tools 42a and 42b in the process are replaced with the tools 43a and 4 in the second process.
When the tool is changed to 3b, the tool 42a in the first process is transferred from each of the spindles 40a and 40b by a transfer means such as a hand.
42b is a tool storage stocker 41a, 4 for each spindle.
1b, the tools 43a, 43b in the second step are taken out of the tool storage stockers 41a, 41b for the spindles, and the spindles 40a, 4b are transported by the transport means.
0b, the time required for tool change was long.

Further, in a multi-axis vertical milling machine having a function of a machining center as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 52-145893, a plurality of main spindles which independently move vertically are provided.
Although it is possible to perform machining without changing tools by selectively using tools attached to those spindles, the number of tools is limited by the number of spindles, and if there are many machining processes, There is a problem that is not the target.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and minimizes the idle time, which is the tool change time, thereby contributing to the reduction of the cycle time and reducing the thermal displacement of the tool rotating spindle. It is an object to provide a multi-axis machining center capable of performing high-quality machining and a machining method using the multi-axis machining center.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-axis machining center according to the present invention, wherein a plurality of tool rotating spindles and a tool are mounted on the tool rotating spindle. Equipped with an automatic tool change (ATC) device for feeding and changing, and while one axis of the tool rotating spindle is being machined, the other axis automatically changes (AT
C) The operation is performed, and the operation is on standby outside the processing area.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-axis machining center according to the first aspect, wherein the tool rotation spindles are independently moved by numerical control.

Further, the multi-axis machining center according to a third aspect of the present invention is the multi-axis machining center according to the first aspect, wherein the automatic tool changer (ATC) device randomly rotates a tool from each of the tool storage areas from a common tool storage area. It is characterized in that the supply to the main shaft is exchanged.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a machining method using a multi-axis machining center, wherein the automatic tool change is performed while one of a plurality of tool rotating spindles is machining a workpiece. A step of performing an automatic tool change (ATC) operation of the next process tool on the other axis of the tool rotating spindle by the (ATC) device, and waiting the other axis after the tool change outside the machining area; And holding the tool to be used after the machining step according to (1) and waiting for an automatic tool change (ATC) device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a machining method using a multi-axis machining center according to the fourth aspect, wherein the tool rotation spindles are independently moved by numerical control.

Further, a machining method using a multi-axis machining center according to claim 6 of the present invention has the structure of claim 4,
The automatic tool changer (ATC) device is characterized in that a tool is randomly supplied to each of the tool rotating spindles from a common tool storage area.

In the first aspect of the present invention, while the first step is processing a workpiece with the first spindle as one axis of the tool rotating spindle, the second spindle as the other axis of the tool rotating spindle. Automatically mounts the tool of the next step (second step) by the automatic tool changer and stands by near the machining area. 1st by 1st spindle
Simultaneously with the end of the step, the processing of the second step is started for the workpiece having the same second spindle. During this machining, the first spindle is automatically changed from the first step tool to the third step tool by the automatic tool changer. By alternately using the first spindle and the second spindle, the idle time of the tool change time is reduced.

Further, in the configuration of claim 2, the first spindle and the second spindle are independently moved by numerical control, and the tool change of one of the spindles is performed irrespective of the spindle being machined. To enable the spindle to wait at an optimal position to start the next step of machining. Further, since the main spindle in the standby state is not rotating, generation of heat due to rotation is suppressed, and a dimensional change in the Z-axis direction due to thermal displacement is reduced.

Further, in the configuration according to the third aspect, each tool rotating spindle randomly selects a tool necessary for machining a workpiece from a common tool storage area, and the first spindle rotates in the first step. For example, the second spindle can use the tool used in the step 4 in the fourth step, thereby reducing the number of tools to be stored in the tool storage area and increasing the degree of freedom in the processing step.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, while the first step is processing a workpiece with the first spindle as one axis of the tool rotating spindle, the second spindle as the other axis of the tool rotating spindle. Automatically mounts the tool of the next step (second step) by the automatic tool changer and stands by near the machining area, and the automatic tool changer holds the tool used for the third step following the second step and stands by. . Simultaneously with the end of the first step by the first spindle, the second spindle starts machining the same workpiece on the second step. During this machining, the first spindle is automatically changed from the first step tool to the third step tool by the automatic tool changer. By machining the workpiece by using the first spindle and the second spindle alternately in this manner, the idle time of the tool change time is reduced.

Further, in the configuration of the fifth aspect, the first spindle and the second spindle are independently moved by numerical control, and the tool change of one of the spindles is performed irrespective of the spindle being processed. To enable the spindle to wait at an optimal position to start the next step of machining. Further, since the main spindle in the standby state is not rotating, generation of heat due to rotation is suppressed, and a dimensional change in the Z-axis direction due to thermal displacement is reduced.

Further, in the configuration of claim 6, each of the tool rotating spindles randomly selects a tool necessary for machining a workpiece from a common tool storage area, and the first spindle is in the first step. For example, the second spindle can use the tool used in the step 4 in the fourth step, thereby reducing the number of tools to be stored in the tool storage area and increasing the degree of freedom in the processing step.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS.
It will be described based on FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a multi-axis machining center, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an automatic tool changer, FIG. 3 shows a part of the multi-axis machining center, (a) is a plan view,
4B is a front view, FIG. 4C is a side view, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a multi-axis machining center.

In FIG. 1, a workpiece 10 is placed on a gantry 1.
The table 3 is slid in the X-axis and Y-axis directions on the gantry 1 by an X-axis movement motor 4 and a Y-axis movement motor (not shown) to hold the workpiece. 10 can be controlled to move to a predetermined position.

The gantry 1 is provided with a column 2 integrally formed adjacent to the gantry 1, and an upper portion of the column 2 has a pair of arm portions 2 a positioned above the gantry 1. Are formed facing each other in the X-axis direction at a required interval, and have a U-shape.

A first spindle 5 and a second spindle 15 as tool main spindles which slide in the Z-axis direction perpendicular to the table 3 are provided at the inside of the arms 2a. ing. The first spindle 5 and the second spindle 15 allow the workpiece 10 to be moved by the first step tool 8 mounted on the first spindle 5, the second step tool 18 mounted on the second spindle 15, and other tools 30. At the time of machining, the first spindle Z-axis moving motor 7 and the second spindle Z are arranged at intervals so as not to be exposed to cutting chips and cutting oil, and are arranged on the arm 2a.
It is controlled by the NC device 11 attached to the side wall of the column 2 in the Z-axis direction by the shaft moving motor 17. That is, the first spindle 5 and the second spindle 15
Move up and down independently by numerical control. Further, the first spindle 5 and the second spindle 15 are connected to the NC device 11.
Accordingly, rotation about the Z axis is controlled by the first spindle rotation motor 6 and the second spindle rotation motor 16.

The tools 8, 18, and 30 include a tool holder 8
The tool holders 8a, 18a, and 30a are integrally formed with the tool holders 8a, 18a, and 30a. The tool holders 8a, 18a, and 30a have a required space under the mounting part for the first spindle 5 or the second spindle 15 and below the mounting part. And upper and lower flange portions (see FIG. 3C). Tools 8,18,
Numeral 30 is stored in the tool storage zone 12 serving as a common tool storage area, and is mounted on the first spindle 5 and the second spindle 15 by the automatic tool changer 9 from the tool storage zone 12 as needed. Tools 8 etc. are tool storage zones 12
Is returned to.

The tool storage band 12 is rotatably mounted on the column 2 and is rotated by a driving device (not shown) to a delivery position where the next tool to be used, which is supported by the tool storage band 12, is delivered (or moved). The indexing positioning is performed by a command from the NC device 11 so that the used tool is rotated to a receiving position for receiving used tools. In the tool storage zone 12, a plurality of tools 8,
18, 30 and the like can be detachably held with the tool holders 8a, 18a and 30a facing upward, and the indexing position is determined by the necessary tools regardless of the order of the held tools 8, 18, 30 and the like. 8, 18, 30 and the like can be randomly moved to a transfer position, that is, a tool change position.

Between the two arms 2a of the column 2, a tool storage zone 12 and each of the spindles 5, 1 are connected via an automatic tool changer 9.
A window 14 for moving the tool is provided so that the tool 8 and the like can be transferred to and from the tool 5. The window 14 is opened and closed by a bellows type shutter 31 (see FIG. 3), and the automatic tool changer 9 is housed in the column 2 through the window 14 when the tool change operation is not performed. It has become so. That is, the area in the column 2 in which the tool storage zone 12 and the automatic tool changer 9 are stored,
The processing area on the side where the spindle 5 and the second spindle 15 are arranged is communicated via a window 14. The window 14 is always closed by the shutter 31 so that chips and cutting oil do not enter the column 2 when the workpiece 10 is processed by the tool 8 or the like. Only the opening is made.

The automatic tool changer 9 is movable between a tool change position with the tool storage zone 12 (tool storage and take-out position A shown in FIG. 3A) and the first spindle 5 and the second spindle 15. It is arranged to move forward or backward to the first spindle 5 or the second spindle 15 to perform a tool changing operation. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the automatic tool changer 9 includes a base 24 attached to the bottom surface and the inner wall of the window 14, and the base 24 is disposed inside the column 2. Has been established. As shown in FIG. 2, the slider 24 is reciprocated in the X-axis direction on the base 24 by a spindle position switching cylinder 20 (or a servomotor or a driving source) attached to the base 24 as shown in FIG. The moving plate A25 is arranged. The spindle position switching cylinder 20 can position the sliding plate A25 at three positions: a tool storage / removal position A in the center of the base 24, a first spindle exchange standby position B and a second spindle exchange standby position D on the left and right, respectively. It has become.

A sliding plate B26 is arranged on the sliding plate A25. The sliding plate B26 is moved to the sliding plate A by the tool storage / extraction cylinder 21 (or a servomotor or a driving source).
The tool 21 is driven in the Y-axis direction, and the rod of the cylinder 21 for tool storage and removal slides at three positions of the first spindle replacement position C and the second spindle replacement position E and the retracted end at the tool storage and removal position A. The plate B26 can be positioned. The tool storage / extraction cylinder 21 is attached to the sliding plate A25 below the tool storage band 12, and is arranged at a position where it does not come into contact with the tool storage band 12, the tool 8 held by the tool storage band 12, and the like. .

A tool mounting / dismounting cylinder 22 (or a servomotor or a driving source) is mounted on the sliding plate B26, and a tool loader 23 is fixed to the rod end. The tool loader 23 has its center in the longitudinal direction supported by the tool mounting / dismounting cylinder 22 and is moved in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) by the tool mounting / dismounting cylinder 22.
It is designed to be turned 0 degrees. At both ends of the tool loader 23, U-shaped tool holding portions 23a and 23b are formed, and the tool holding portions 23a and 23b are inserted between flange portions of the tool holder 8a and the like as shown in FIG. Tool 8
Etc. can be held.

Next, a processing method using the multi-axis machining center having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

The first spindle 5 equipped with the tool 8 used in the first step for processing the workpiece 10 held on the table 3 is rotated by the first spindle rotating motor 6 to rotate the workpiece 8. When the machining of No. 10 is started, the second spindle 15 equipped with the tool 30 in the final process, which is a used tool used in machining of the previous workpiece, becomes N
It is raised in the Z-axis direction by the second spindle Z-axis moving motor 17 controlled by the C device 11 and stopped at the tool change point.

At this time, the tool 18 in the second step is held in advance in the automatic tool changer 9, that is, the tool 18 is held in, for example, one tool holding portion 23 a of the tool loader 23 of the automatic tool changer 9. And the other tool holding part 23b is in an empty state. Then, the tool 30 of the final process, which is mounted on the second spindle 15, is held by the other tool holding portion 23 b of the tool loader 23 via a tool holder 30 a integrated with the tool 30, and is removed from the second spindle 15. (State of FIG. 1). At the same time, tool loader 2
The tool 18 in the second process, which is held at the tool holding portion 23a by turning the tool 3 by 180 degrees, is mounted on the second spindle 15.
The automatic tool changer 9 that has completed the mounting of the tool 18 puts the held tool 30 of the final process into the tool holding band 12 through the window 14 and holds it in the tool storage band 12 indexed and positioned by the NC device 11. The next tool in the third step is held in the tool holding portion 23b of the tool loader 23.

Next, the second step in which the tool 18 of the second step is mounted
The spindle 15 is lowered in the Z-axis direction by the second spindle Z-axis moving motor 17 controlled by the NC device 11, and waits at a position where it does not interfere with the workpiece 10 until the processing of the first step is completed. The tool change to the second spindle 15 and the standby of the second spindle 15 are performed while the first spindle 5 is processing the workpiece 10.

When the first processing step is completed, the first spindle 5 is raised in the Z direction by the first spindle Z-axis moving motor 7. At the same time, the table 3 moves the workpiece 10 that has been moved and held by the X-axis and Y-axis driving to the second spindle 15.
To the processing position of the second spindle motor 1
The second step of machining the workpiece 10 by the tool 18 of the second step rotated by 6 is started. Then, while the machining of the second step is being performed, the tool 8 of the first step and the third step are moved by the automatic tool changer 9 to the first spindle 5 by the same operation as the tool exchange of the second spindle 15. After the tool exchange with the tool, the first spindle 5 is moved to the workpiece 1
Stand by at a position that does not interfere with 0.

Although the vertical multi-axis machining center has been described above as an example, the same applies to a horizontal multi-axis machining center. It is sufficient to consider that the Z-axis, which is the moving direction of each of the spindles 5 and 15, is horizontal.

Next, the tool change by the automatic tool changer 9 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Here, the tool 29 in the previous process is mounted on the first spindle 5, and the tool 8 to be used in the next process is held in the tool holding portion 23a of the tool loader 23 of the automatic tool changer 9 so that the tool loader 23 A description will be given from the state of waiting at the first spindle replacement standby position B (see FIG. 3A). At this time, the other tool holding portion 23b of the tool loader 23 is in a released state in which no tool is held, and the tool holding portion 23b is in a state facing the first spindle 5, and
The automatic tool changer 9 is housed inside the column 2 and the window 1
Reference numeral 4 denotes a state where the shutter 4 is closed.

After the machining of the workpiece 10 by the first spindle 5 is completed, the first spindle 5 is raised by the first spindle Z-axis moving motor 7 and moves to the tool changing point. The closing of the window 14 is released, and a tool change command is issued to the first spindle 5 and the automatic tool changer 9. At this time, the workpiece 10 is moved to the processing position by the second spindle by the table 3, and the tool loader 23 of the automatic tool changer 9 is advanced in the Y-axis direction by driving the tool storage / extraction cylinder 21 according to the command. Is moved from the first spindle exchange standby position B to the first spindle exchange position C,
A U-shaped tool holding portion 23b is inserted between flange portions of a tool holder 29a integrally formed with the tool 29 mounted on the spindle 5, and the tool 2 is loaded by a tool loader 23.
9 (see FIG. 3C). When the tool loader 23 holds the tool 29, the first spindle 5 releases the holding of the tool 29, and at the same time, the tool loader 23 is lowered by the tool mounting / dismounting cylinder 22, and the tool 29 is removed from the first spindle 5.

Next, the tool loader 23 is turned by 180 degrees by the tool attachment / detachment cylinder 22. At this time, the tool loader 23 is positioned at the center of the
The tool holding portion 2 of the tool loader 23
The tool 8 of the next process held by 3a is positioned below the tool mounting position of the first spindle 5. Thereafter, the tool loader 23 is raised by the tool mounting / dismounting cylinder 22, and the tool 8 held by the tool holding portion 23 a of the tool loader 23 is mounted on the first spindle 5.

Next, the tool loader 23 is retracted to the first spindle exchange standby position B by the tool storage / extraction cylinder 21. By this retreat, the automatic tool changer 9 enters the column 2 through the window 14 and the shutter 31
Then, the window 14 is closed, and the next process is started by the tool 8 mounted on the first spindle 5. During this processing, the tool loader 23 is moved by the spindle position switching cylinder 20.
Is moved from the first spindle exchange standby position B to the tool storage / unloading position A in the X-axis direction, and the position of the tool storage band 12 where the tool 8 for the next process newly attached to the first spindle 5 is held. Then, the tool loader 23 is lowered by the tool attaching / detaching cylinder 22, and the tool 29 held by the tool holding portion 23b is placed.

Thereafter, the sliding plate B26 is moved by the tool storage / extraction cylinder 21 to the retreat position A 'where the tool loader 23 is separated from the tool 29. At that time, the storage device stores where the tool 29 in the previous process is stored in the tool storage zone 12. This next step will be referred to as a first step.

Next, the tool in the second step (for example, tool 18)
Is selected), and the tool storage belt 12 is rotated to index the tool 18 to the tool storage / extraction position A. The tool loader 23 is moved to the tool storage / removal position A again by the tool storage / removal cylinder 21 and holds the tool 18 of the second process in the tool holder 23b.
To move the tool 18 in the second step to the tool storage zone 12.
Remove from Then, the tool loader 23 is moved from the tool storage / removal position A to the second spindle replacement standby position D via the sliding plate A25 or the like by the spindle position switching cylinder 20, and the operation is similar to the tool replacement of the first spindle 5. Then, the tool 18 in the second step is mounted on the second spindle 15 at the second spindle exchange position E.

Next, the tool loader 23 is moved to the tool storage and take-out position A where the tool in the third step has been indexed, and holds the tool in the third step to be mounted on the first spindle 5 from the tool storage zone 12. At the first spindle replacement standby position B,
It waits until the processing of the process is completed.

According to the present embodiment, the first spindle 5
The tools are alternately mounted on the second spindle 15 in the order of the machining process, and the workpiece 10 is machined. For example, in the case of human manual work, various tools can be used with one hand (one spindle). Compared to the conventional processing equipment and processing method of holding and holding (tools in each process), it is possible to work clearly and efficiently with the processing equipment and processing method of alternately using both hands (two spindles). Work speed is fast and fatigue is low.

Further, while the workpiece 10 is being machined with, for example, the tool of the first spindle 5 (for example, the tool 8 of the first process), the tool of the next process (for example, the tool 18 of the second process) is moved to the second process. Since it can be mounted on the two spindles 15, the tool exchange time, which is a drawback of the machining center, can be eliminated, and the cycle time can be reduced. Further, by using the first spindle 5 and the second spindle 15 alternately, thermal displacement can be suppressed to be small, and high quality processing can be performed.

Furthermore, by using the same tool in common for each of the spindles 5 and 15 such as using a tool in a certain process as a tool in another process, the number of tools can be reduced, and the cost is reduced and the initial cost is reduced. can do.

The technical idea having the following configuration is derived from the above-described specific embodiment. (Supplementary note) (1) In a tool-exchangeable machining center, a plurality of tool rotating spindles, a tool storage area capable of controlling rotation, which stores a tool to be mounted on the tool rotating spindle, and a tool rotating spindle and a tool storing area. Equipped with an automatic tool changer for exchanging tools between them, and an NC device for controlling the operation of the tool rotation spindle, the tool storage area and the automatic tool changer, while one of the tool rotation spindles is being machined. A multi-axis machining center wherein the other axis performs an automatic tool change (ATC) operation of the next process tool and stands by outside the machining area.

According to the supplementary note (1), it is not necessary to take into account the integration of the idle time, which is the tool change time, in the machining work in multiple steps, and the cycle time can be substantially reduced. By alternately using a plurality of tool rotating spindles, heat generation due to rotation can be suppressed, so that thermal displacement is reduced, and highly accurate and stable machining can be performed.

[0050]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
According to the multi-axis machining center of the above, in one machining of a multi-step, while one axis of the tool rotating spindle is processing a workpiece, the tool exchange of the other axis of the tool rotating spindle is performed, and the machining of the one axis is performed. Since the other axis is waiting in advance with the tool used for machining the workpiece after completion,
There is no need to consider the integration of the idle time, which is the tool change time, and the cycle time can be substantially reduced.

Further, according to the multi-axis machining center of the present invention, the tool rotating spindles are alternately used so that the rotation of the unused tool rotating spindles is stopped, so that the heat generated by the rotation is reduced. Therefore, thermal displacement can be reduced, and highly accurate and stable processing can be performed.

Further, according to the multi-axis machining center according to the third aspect of the present invention, the number of tools is reduced, the equipment is made compact, and the degree of freedom of the machining process is increased by randomly and commonly using tools required for machining. Can be achieved.

According to the machining method using the multi-axis machining center according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, during machining in multiple steps, while one axis of the tool rotation spindle is processing a workpiece, the other tool rotation spindle is used. It is necessary to consider the integration of the idle time, which is the tool exchange time, since the tool exchange for the axis is performed, the tool used for machining the workpiece after the machining of the one axis is mounted, and the other axis is on standby in advance. And the cycle time can be substantially reduced.

According to the machining method using the multi-axis machining center according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, by alternately using the tool rotation spindles, the rotation of the unused tool rotation spindles is stopped. Since heat generation due to rotation can be suppressed, thermal displacement is reduced, and highly accurate and stable processing can be performed.

Further, according to the machining method using the multi-axis machining center according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the number of tools can be reduced by randomly and commonly using tools required for machining.
Equipment can be made more compact, and the degree of freedom in processing can be increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a multi-axis machining center according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an automatic tool changer provided in the multi-axis machining center.

3A and 3B show a part of a multi-axis machining center according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 3A is a plan view, FIG.
(C) is a side view.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a multi-axis machining center used for describing a processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a conventional machining center.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Stand 3 Table 5 1st spindle 6 1st spindle rotation motor 7 1st spindle Z-axis movement motor 8, 18, 29, 30 Tools 9 Automatic tool changer 10 Workpiece 11 NC unit 12 Tool storage zone 15 Second Spindle 16 Second spindle rotation motor 17 Second spindle Z-axis movement motor 20 Spindle position switching cylinder 21 Tool storage / extraction cylinder 22 Tool attachment / detachment cylinder 24 Base 25 Sliding plate A 26 Sliding plate B

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. In a tool exchange type machining center,
Equipped with a plurality of tool rotating spindles and an automatic tool changer (ATC) device for supplying and replacing a tool to the tool rotating spindle, while one of the tool rotating spindles is being machined, the other axis is used for the next process tool. A multi-axis machining center which performs an automatic exchange (ATC) operation and waits outside a processing area. 2. The multi-axis machining center according to claim 1, wherein the tool rotation spindles are independently moved by numerical control. 3. The multi-axis machining center according to claim 1, wherein the automatic tool changer (ATC) device randomly supplies a tool to each of the tool rotating spindles from a common tool storage area. 4. A machining method using a tool exchange type machining center, wherein one axis of a plurality of tool rotation spindles is processing a workpiece, and an automatic tool change (ATC) device is used to control the other axis of the tool rotation spindle. Performing the automatic tool change (ATC) operation of the next process tool, waiting the other axis after the tool change outside the machining area, and automatically holding the tool to be used after the machining process by the other axis in advance. Waiting for a tool change (ATC) device to be performed by the multi-axis machining center. 5. The machining method according to claim 4, wherein the tool rotation spindles are independently moved by numerical control. 6. The machining by a multi-axis machining center according to claim 4, wherein the automatic tool changer (ATC) device randomly supplies a tool to each of the tool rotating spindles from a common tool storage area. Method.