JP2001038558A - Matrix type tool magazine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automate a tool washing work by the tool preparing part of a tool magazine and to provide comfortable and safe work environment. SOLUTION: This matrix type tool magazine comprises a tool conveying device 16 moved along a tool magazine body and taking out and returning a tool in an assigned tool containing part and delivering the tool between an automatic tool exchanging device 2 and the tool conveying device, and a tool preparing part 70 to effect preparation for conveyance of a newly using tool and an unnecessary tool in and from a tool magazine. In this case, the pool preparing part 70 comprises a moving body having a tool holding means to removably hold a tool, a conveying means to reciprocate the moving body between a given preparation position P5 in the preparing part 70 and a delivery position P6 outside a preparing part to deliver the tool to the tool conveying device 16, and an automatic washing means to inject a washing medium toward the tool on the moving body in the preparation position through nozzles.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a matrix type tool magazine, and more particularly to a matrix type tool magazine provided with a tool setup portion having a function of cleaning a tool.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are roughly two types of tool magazines: a chain type tool magazine and a matrix type tool magazine.

In a chain type tool magazine, a number of tool pots are connected endlessly by a chain, the chain is wound around a sprocket, and the sprocket is driven by a motor to move the tool pot.

In this type of chain-type tool magazine, a single tool commanded from an NC device is transported to a position where the tool is transferred to a changer of an automatic tool changer because of a structure in which a tool pot is connected endlessly by a chain. In addition, all tools in the tool magazine must be moved. In spite of a single tool to be replaced, the entire storage tool necessarily moves, which not only leads to waste of power, but also increases the time required for the tool selection operation and the tool return operation. In particular, in a tool magazine that stores hundreds of tools in order to cope with various types of component processing, it may take tens of seconds just to select and return a tool, leading to a reduction in machine operation rate.

On the other hand, the matrix type tool magazine has an advantage that the tool transfer device can directly access a specific tool pot, so that the speed of the tool selecting operation and the returning operation can be increased. Conventional examples of such a matrix-type tool magazine include JP-B-4-6492 and JP-A-10-128637.

[0006] A matrix type tool magazine of this kind is provided with a tool setup section for setting up a tool to be loaded into the tool magazine. The setup section is a so-called entrance for carrying out a tool that has become unnecessary after the machining in the machining center is finished or carrying a newly needed tool into the tool magazine.

[0007]

However, in the conventional matrix type tool magazine, tools that are no longer needed are transported to the setup section by a transport device such as a transport robot. It is manually removed from the setup. Since the chips and cutting oil are attached to the cutting edge and the tool holder of the unnecessary tools that have been taken out and are contaminated, the work of removing the chips and wiping the cutting oil is separately performed.

Conventionally, such tool cleaning is performed exclusively by hand. For workers, it is difficult to handle even heavy tools, and in some cases, they may injure their fingers when removing chips stuck on the cutting edge, or they may use clothes to remove garbage from waste while processing cutting fluid. But it can get dirty.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, to automate a tool cleaning operation in a tool setup section of a tool magazine, and to provide a comfortable and safe working environment. An object of the present invention is to provide a tool magazine.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a tool storage unit for storing a tool to be supplied to a main shaft of a machine tool via an automatic tool changer is a matrix. In a matrix-type tool magazine arranged in a shape, a tool transfer device that moves along the tool magazine body, takes out and returns a tool in a specified tool storage unit, and transfers a tool to and from the automatic tool changer. A tool that includes a tool setup unit for performing setup of loading and unloading of a tool magazine for a newly used tool and an unnecessary tool, wherein the tool setup unit includes a tool holding unit that detachably holds a tool, Transport means for reciprocating the moving body between a predetermined setup position in the setup unit and a delivery position outside the setup unit for delivering the tool to the transfer device; Is characterized by comprising an automatic cleaning means for ejecting a cleaning medium from the nozzle toward the tool on the moving body is in said setup position.

Further, the invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that the automatic cleaning means is provided with a cleaning medium circuit which can selectively switch the cleaning medium ejected from the nozzle to one of cutting oil or compressed air.

It is preferable that the cleaning automatic means shares a cutting oil supply tank with a machine tool.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a matrix type tool magazine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the entire matrix type tool magazine according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the matrix type tool magazine. 1 and 2 show an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a horizontal machining center, wherein 1 is a machine tool and 2 is an automatic tool changer (ATC).
It is. A tool magazine 4 that stores the tools that the ATC 2 supplies to the main shaft 3 of the machine tool 1 is arranged on the side of the machine tool 1.

In the coordinate system of the machining center, the direction of the axis of the main shaft 3 is defined as the Z axis, and the directions orthogonal to the Z axis are defined as the X axis and the Y axis. The + X axis direction is the front of the tool magazine 4. In FIG. 1, the tool magazine 4 is viewed from the rear, that is, in the −X axis direction.

In FIG. 2, a known collet pulling mechanism system for clamping and unclamping a tool 6 mounted on a tool mounting portion at a tip end of a spindle 3 arranged on a spindle head 10 of a machining center. Built-in tool clamp / unclamp mechanism. The ATC 2 holds the tool at both ends of the twin-arm type exchange arm 5 and stands by at the spindle 3 at the spindle exchange position P1 and the standby position P2 by combining the turning operation and the axial movement. Delivery of the tool 6 to and from the tool carrier 12 is performed. The tool carrier 12 has a built-in gripping mechanism for detachably gripping the tool 6. 14
Is a relay device for moving the tool carrier 12 between the relay position P3 and the standby position P2. In the tool magazine of the present invention, the tools 6 stored in the tool magazine are transported between the storage position and the relay position P3 specified for each of the tools 6 in a state of being inserted in the tool carrier 12. An apparatus indicated by reference numeral 16 performs this conveyance.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tool magazine 4 has a rectangular tool magazine rack 18. The tool magazine rack 18 has a first tool storage section 20 and a second tool storage section. The two kinds of storage sections of the section 22 are arranged in a matrix at a ratio according to the use condition of the tool, and are arranged at regular intervals as if aslant.

The first tool storage section 20 holds a standard size tool 6.
Is a dedicated storage section for storing one by one. On the other hand, the second tool storage unit 22 can accommodate any of the standard-sized or large-diameter tools 6 by removing the panel 26 that partitions the four diamond-shaped spaces.
The tool 6 is held by the half-moon-shaped grip 24 without falling.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tool transfer device 16 includes an L-shaped Z frame portion 4 parallel to the YZ plane.
3 and a Y frame part 44 attached to the Z frame part 43 so as to be able to move up and down in the Y axis direction.
It constitutes a moving unit. Guide rails 45a and 45b are provided in the upper and lower frames of the tool magazine 4 in the Z-axis direction for guiding the tool transport device 16. In addition, as shown in FIG.
1 is also installed in parallel with these guide rails 45a and 45b. The first servo motor 46 disposed at the end of the tool magazine 4 is a drive motor for moving the tool transport device 16 in the Z-axis direction. Timing belts 48a and 48b are provided at both upper and lower ends of the tool magazine 4, and transmit the rotation of the first servomotor 46 to the timing belts 48a and 48b via the transmission shaft 47, and the timing belts 48a and 48b The connected tool carrier 16 can be reciprocated in the Z-axis direction.

The Z frame 43 has a Y frame 44
Guide rails 49a and 49b for guiding the ascending and descending are mounted in the Y-axis direction, and ball screws 50 are also arranged in parallel. The Y frame portion 44 is slidably engaged with the guide rails 49a and 49b, and is screwed into the ball screw 50 (not shown).
Are fixed to the Y frame section 44. Reference numeral 52 denotes a second servomotor that drives the ball screw 50 to rotate.

An X-axis moving section 56 for moving the tool carrier 12 in the X-axis direction has a built-in clamp section for detachably holding the tool carrier 12.
It is slidably engaged with guide rails 57a and 57b laid in the axial direction. These guide rails 57a, 57b
A ball screw 60 is disposed in parallel with the ball screw 6.
The ball nut 62 screwed to 0 is fixed to the X-axis moving section 56. The third servo motor 64 that drives the ball screw 60 to rotate is attached to the Y frame section 44, and transmits rotation to the ball screw 60 via the timing belt 66.

In such a tool transfer device 16, YZ
The moving unit converts the tool carrier 12 holding the tool 6 or the empty tool carrier 12 into a YZ parallel to the tool magazine 4.
Move along the plane, and the tool storage part 2 at the specified position
By moving the tool carrier 12 to a position before 0 or 22, the X moving unit moves the tool carrier 12 in the X axis direction, and the tool 6 can be returned and taken out. For example, in FIG. 1, the tool carrier 12 transferred from the relay device 14 to the tool transfer device 16 at the relay position P4 moves to the tool return position indicated by P7. After returning the tool here, the tool transfer device 16
After moving the empty tool carrier 12 to the position indicated by P8, the commanded tool is taken out, and further, the relay position P4
To transfer the tool carrier 12 to the relay device 14 together with the tool.

Next, in FIG. 1, reference numeral 70 denotes a tool setup portion. The tool setup unit 70 supplies the tool magazine 4 with a necessary tool 6, exchanges a tool that has become unusable with a new tool, or carries out an unnecessary tool to the tool magazine 4. This is provided at a position close to ATC2.
The tool 6 to be set up moves between the setup position P5 in the tool setup section 70 and the delivery position P6 of the standby pot 72 located at the end of the tool magazine 4 by the transport means provided in the tool setup section 70. Can be reciprocated.

FIG. 4 shows the details of the tool setup section 70.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 73 denotes a housing of the setup portion. On the outside and inside of the housing 73,
Flanges 75a and 75b fixed to the base 74 stand upright, and guide rails 76a and 76b are stretched over the flanges 75a and 75b in parallel with the Z axis. A moving body 78 having a guide 77 which is slidably fitted to the guide rails 76a, 76b is a guide rail 76a,
76b, the setup position P5 and the delivery position P
6 can be moved. On the outside of the housing 73, that is, on the flange 75a on the tool magazine 4 side,
The head side of the drive cylinder 80 is fixed, and the guide rail 76a,
A piston rod 82 extends in parallel with 76b, and a distal end thereof is connected to a moving body 78 via a bracket 83. When the piston rod 82 of the drive cylinder 80 moves forward, the moving body 78 moves to the setup position P5, and when the piston rod 82 moves backward, it can move to the delivery position P6 outside the housing 73. The operation of the drive cylinder 80 is switched by an electromagnetic switching valve (not shown).

The moving body 78 is provided with a holding portion 84 having a half-moon-shaped notch so that the tool holder 6a of the tool 6 is fitted as means for detachably holding the tool 6. A key 85 that engages with a drive key groove formed in the tool holder 6 of the tool 6 and regulates the tool 6 in the rotation direction is attached to the grip portion 84.

As shown in FIG. 4, the setup section 70 is provided with means for automatically cleaning the tool 6 as follows. Inside the setup section 70, a cleaning pipe 86 for introducing a cleaning medium such as compressed air, cutting oil or the like extends in the longitudinal direction of the tool 6, and the cleaning pipe 86 is provided with the cleaning medium for the tool 6 on the moving body 78. A required number of cleaning nozzles 87a ejecting toward the nozzle are provided. Cleaning pipes 88 and 89 are connected to the cleaning pipe 86 at right angles via pipe joints, and are provided with cleaning nozzles 87b and 87c for jetting a cleaning medium toward the tool holder 6a and the tool blade end, respectively.

A hose 90 is connected to the cleaning pipe 86 on the outer side surface of the housing 73 via a pipe joint.
This hose 90 is branched by a three-way pipe fitting 91 incorporating check valves 91a and 91b, one of which is connected to a cutting fluid hose 92, and the other of which is an electromagnetic switching valve 9
An air hose 94 is connected through the connection 3.

As shown in FIG. 5, the cutting oil hose 92
Is connected to the cutting fluid pump 95. In this case, the cutting oil supply tank 96 is used in common with the machine tool 1, and the cutting oil pump 95 sends the cutting oil accumulated in the cutting oil supply tank 96 to the cutting oil hose 9.
In addition to the feed from the feeder 2 to the setup unit 70, the feed can be sent to the main shaft of the machine tool 1 being processed via a pipe (not shown). 97
Is an oil pan located at the bottom of the setup section 70,
The cutting oil received by the oil pan 97 is drain pipe 98
Is collected in the cutting oil supply tank 96 through on the other hand,
The compressed air supplied from the air supply source 99 can be sent to the cleaning nozzles 87a to 87c of the setup unit 70 when the electromagnetic switching valve 93 is opened.

In FIG. 4, the setup section 70 is provided with a cover 100 for covering the whole so that the cutting fluid does not scatter outside during cleaning. The cover 100 can be opened and closed by pulling it in the direction of the arrow. Although not shown, the cover 100 is provided with a limit switch for detecting an open state and a closed state of the cover 100 for ensuring safety.

In the setup section 70 configured as described above, the tool 6 is carried in and out with the cover 100 opened. As described above, the drive cylinder 80
The moving body 78 on which the tool 6 is mounted is reciprocated between the setup position P5 and the transfer position P6 in FIG.

When unnecessary tools 6 are transported from the tool magazine 4 to the setup section 70, the tools are automatically cleaned. A series of washing procedures are set as an electric sequence control in cooperation with the movement of the moving body 78,
It is performed as follows.

First, after the cover 100 is closed, the cutting fluid pump 95 is operated. Cutting oil is hose 9
2. The cleaning nozzles 87a and 87 through the cleaning pipe 86
b and 87c are vigorously jetted toward the tool 6 on the moving body 78. Dirt on the surface of the tool 6 and attached chips are blown away by the injection of the cutting oil. After continuing the injection of the cutting fluid for a predetermined time, the cutting fluid pump 95 is stopped.

Next, the electromagnetic switching valve 93 is opened, and the compressed air is sent to the washing nozzles 87a, 87b, 87c through the hose 94, the joint 91, and the washing pipe 86. Therefore, compressed air is vigorously blown out of the cleaning nozzles 87a, 87b, 87c instead of the cutting oil to blow off chips remaining on the surface of the tool 6 and dry the surface. The compressed air is prevented from flowing into the circuit on the cutting fluid side by the check valve 91b.

After the air blow is continued for a predetermined time, the electromagnetic switching valve 93 is closed, and the cleaning of the tool 6 is completed. Thereafter, since the cover 100 is opened, the used tool 6 can be taken out in a clean state without any manual operation.

[0036]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, since the tool magazine is provided with the tool setup portion having the function of automatically cleaning the tool, the used tool which is no longer required by the tool magazine can be used. It is possible to always remove the tool in a clean state, automate the tool cleaning work in the tool setup section of the tool magazine, and provide a comfortable and safe working environment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an embodiment of a matrix type tool magazine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same matrix type tool magazine.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a matrix type tool magazine and a tool transfer device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a tool setup portion provided in the matrix type tool magazine.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of an automatic cleaning device of the tool setup section.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Machine tool 2 Automatic tool changer 3 Spindle 4 Tool magazine 5 Change arm 6 Tool 10 Spindle head 12 Tool carrier 14 Relay device 16 Tool transfer device 70 Tool setup part 78 Moving body 80 Drive cylinder 84 Holding part 87a-c Cleaning nozzle 100 cover

Claims (3)

[Claims] In a matrix type tool magazine in which a tool storage portion for storing a tool to be supplied to a main shaft of a machine tool via an automatic tool changer is arranged in a matrix form, the tool storage portion moves along a tool magazine body and is designated. A tool transfer device for taking out and returning a tool from the tool storage unit and transferring the tool to and from the automatic tool changer; and setting up and out of the tool magazine for newly used tools and unnecessary tools. A moving body having tool holding means for detachably holding the tool, a predetermined setup position in the setup section and an outside of the setup section for transferring the tool to the transfer device. Conveying means for reciprocating the movable body between the transfer position and the transfer position; Matrix-type tool magazine, characterized by comprising an automatic cleaning means for the. 2. The matrix-type tool according to claim 1, wherein said automatic cleaning means includes a cleaning medium circuit for selectively switching a cleaning medium ejected from a nozzle to one of cutting oil or compressed air. magazine. 3. The matrix type tool magazine according to claim 2, wherein said cleaning automatic means shares a cutting oil supply tank with a machine tool.