JP2003048135A - Operation head - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation head for a machine tool which can be easily controlled, and, in particular, rapidly and simply replace a tool. SOLUTION: The operation head for the machine tool comprises a first supporting part 1 fitted to a machine tool, a second supporting part 2 fitted to the first supporting part 1 rotatably around the first axis, and a tool holder 9 fitted to a space of the second supporting part 2 turnably around the second axis which is different from the first axis, orthogonal to an arm 3 present in the same plane as the first axis. The operation head is simpler in structure and more inexpensive than a conventional one, and the software for controlling a machine can be simplified.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operating head for an automatic machine tool.

[0002]

The operating head for machine tools of the present invention is classified in the field of automatic machine tools used in various operations such as machining and assembling operations, particularly in the aviation industry.

Machine tools in this field move and position the tool along several axes (eight for most advanced machines) and have a movable operating head mounted in at least two directions. It consists of a support. The operation head holds tools such as a chuck, an electric chuck, and a filler.

The head support, which is a sleeve or other known device, usually operates along a set of three orthogonal axes. In addition, the head is attached to, for example, a sleeve that is the head support portion so as to be rotatable around a sleeve axis.

In the above head, the chuck or the support portion of the electric chuck is usually constituted by a fork type main body whose upper portion operates around the rotation axis. Operation heads of this type are U.S. Pat. Nos. 5385436, No. 5286146, No. 4652190, No. 52578.
83, No. 5056971, and No. 4652190.

[0006]

However, while all of these known solutions perform well, they require complicated manufacturing steps and lengthy manufacturing and assembly times which increase costs.

Moreover, programming these machines is not straightforward. This is because the swivel axis, ie the center of rotation of the tool in the various actuating mechanisms, does not coincide with the axis of rotation of the head and when rotating the tool it is necessary to calculate the corresponding distance. Because there is.

[0008] This makes the control system very complex and usable for operating machines, but in many cases wasteful.

Particularly in the aeronautical industry, for machine machining of aircraft parts, controllable, in particular, quick and easy replacement of tools is possible, ie machine downtime which currently has a negative effect on the production cycle. A machine that reduces the

[0010]

The above and other objects are achieved by the operating head of the present invention having the following configuration. That is, the operation head of the present invention is such that the fork-shaped support portion that is continuously fixed during the manufacturing operation and the tool holding chuck (fitted to the cross-shaped support portion mounted on the fork). Or a laser, etc.).
In particular, the support having a hollow part into which the tool is fitted is mounted between the arms of the fork-shaped support so as to be rotatable in the range of ± 45 ° to ± 180 ° depending on the type of device. ing. The tool can rotate in the same plane about ± 45 ° about an axis orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the main support.

The system dramatically simplifies the manufacture of machines and facilitates the handling and creation of control programs.

The operating head for an automatic machine tool of the present invention comprises a support, particularly a chuck, an electric chuck, a laser, or
It consists of a fork-type support with a tool, such as the same, operable along a pair of orthogonal axes of rotation mounted between its arms.

In particular, the tool is mounted on a cross-shaped support, with the pivot axis within an imaginary range of motion within the fork-shaped support, with the tip of the tool operating on its surface. Mounted to match the center.

The solution provides various benefits, including: That is, the manufacturing of the operating head can be greatly simplified, which makes it cheaper than the conventional type. Although coincident in the case of the present invention, since a computer for calculating the distance between the axis A (corresponding to the turning axis) and the axis C (corresponding to the center) is not required, a considerable amount of machine control software is required. It is possible to simplify. In particular, the moment transmitted by the tool to the support is removed, so that a more precise assembly can be provided.

The configuration of the operating head of the present invention will be described more accurately below. The first operating head of the present invention is
An operating head for a machine tool, the first supporting section being attached to the machine tool, and the second supporting section being attached to the first supporting section so as to be rotatable around a first axis. And a tool holder attached to a space provided in the second support so as to be rotatable about a second axis different from the first axis.

According to a second operation head of the present invention, in the first operation head, the first support portion is a fork type support portion, and the second support portion is the fork type first. It is characterized in that it is mounted between the arms of the first support portion so as to be rotatable about an axis orthogonal to the arms arranged on the same plane as the first axis.

A third operating head of the present invention is the above-mentioned first operating head, wherein the second supporting portion and the tool holder form a cross-shaped element mounted on the first supporting portion. .

The fourth operating head of the present invention is the above-mentioned first to first.
In the third operation head, the mechanism of the second support portion around the first axis is driven by one or two direct drive motors.

A fifth operating head according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the fourth operating head, the direct drive motor is housed in an arm of a fork-shaped first supporting portion.

A sixth operating head of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned third or fourth operating head, the tool holder is mounted in a space provided in the second supporting portion.

In a seventh operation head of the present invention, in the third operation head, a device including a mechanism operated by a ball screw controls rotation of at least one of the second support portion and the tool holder. It is characterized by

An eighth operation head of the present invention is the third operation head, wherein the worm gear mechanism is fitted so as to control the rotation of at least one of the second support portion and the tool holder. It is characterized by

A ninth operation head of the present invention is the third operation head, wherein the planetary reduction gear mechanism is fitted so as to control the rotation of at least one of the second support portion and the tool holder. It is characterized by being

The tenth operation head of the present invention is the above-mentioned third operation head.
In the operating head described above, the motor is directly attached to the shaft of the second support so as to control the rotation of at least one of the second support and the tool holder.

The eleventh operation head of the present invention is the above-mentioned third one.
In the operating head described above, the second support portion is rotatable about the first axis within a range of at least 180 °.

The twelfth operation head of the present invention is the above-mentioned third operation head.
In the operating head described above, the tool holder is rotatable about the second axis within a range of at least ± 45 °.

[0027]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of an operating head of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the operating head of the present invention. Figure 1
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the operating head OH1 of the first embodiment from a first direction. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the operation head OH1 viewed from the direction orthogonal to FIG. FIG. 3 is a view of the operation head OH1 viewed from an axis orthogonal to a plane specified by a first axis represented by the line AA and a second axis represented by the line BB.

The operating head OH1 of the first embodiment is composed of a first supporting portion with reference numeral 1 and a second supporting portion with reference numeral 2. The first support part 1 is preferably a fork type, although other types can be used,
The second support portion 2 is fitted between the arms 3. The second support portion 2 is rotatable about the first axis indicated by the line AA in relation to the first support portion 1 which is an assembly component.
Reference numeral 14 indicates a structure of a machine such as a slave. The first support portion 1 is fixed to the structure.

Various methods can be adopted as the method of rotatably supporting the second support portion 2. For example, according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the actuation mechanism of the second support portion 2 around the first axis represented by the line AA is the arm of the fork-shaped first support portion 1. One or more direct drive motors M (two motors M in FIG.
Indicates. ), The shaft 2 of the second support 2
It is directly fitted to a.

The use of the direct drive motor M makes it possible to limit the movable range of the head, the speed, and
It improves the hardness and accuracy of the unit, eliminates play and allows to reduce losses that occur when actuation is transmitted through gears and the like.

The void 8 shown in FIG. 3 is formed in the main body of the second support portion 2. The tool holder 9 such as an electric chuck is
It is fitted in the space 8. As shown in FIG. 3, the tool holder 9 such as the electric chuck has an angle of approximately ± 45 ° and is orthogonal to the first axis represented by the line AA and the second represented by the line BB. It can rotate around an axis.

While operating the machine, the operating head OH1
Are moved to the operating point. Then, the tool rotates the support portion around the first axis represented by the line AA, and
Accurate placement is achieved by rotating the chuck assembly 9 about the second axis represented by line BB.

The tool may be of any suitable type, for example in the most common case a chuck or a motorized chuck. In addition, examples of the tool include a laser unit for cutting and / or welding or heat treatment, a filler for detecting work, and the like.

In all of these actuating mechanisms, the pivot axis coincides with the intersection of the first axis represented by the line AA and the second axis represented by the line BB, and the tool is , A spherical region having a center on the turning axis is moved.

This is different from the prior art in which it is necessary to replace the entire head to perform different work once the working members are fitted, and different work can be performed simply by exchanging the chuck. Means

The feature also dramatically simplifies machine programming. Alternatively, as a cheaper and simpler solution, although not shown, an arm having a joint is incorporated into one of the pins of the second support part 2 and driven by a ball screw or the like or an attachable planetary reduction gear. It may be done.

4 to 6 show a second operation head of the present invention.
An example is shown. The same components as those of the operating head OH1 of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated description will be omitted. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the operation head OH2 of the second embodiment from the first direction. FIG. 5 is a view of the operation head OH2 viewed from a direction orthogonal to FIG. FIG. 6 shows the operation head O
It is the figure which looked at H3 from the axis orthogonal to the plane specified by the 1st axis represented by the AA line, and the 2nd axis represented by the BB line.

The operating head OH2 of the second embodiment is a worm gear device W composed of a worm gear 4 and a worm 5.
Use 1. The worm gear device W1 is driven by a motor 6 arranged on one side of the arm 3 of the fork-shaped first support portion 1. On the other side of the arm 3, a converter 7 such as an encoder accurately indicates the rotation of the second support 2. The second support 2 is preferably rotatable about an axis greater than 180 °, for example an angle of approximately 220 ° about the first axis represented by the line AA.

As described in the section of the first embodiment, the tool holder 9 such as an electric chuck is fitted in the space 8 formed inside the second support portion 2 and has an angle of approximately ± 45 °. Can rotate about the BB axis which is orthogonal to the AA axis. As shown in FIG. 6, the rotation of the tool holder 9 such as the electric chuck is driven by a worm gear W2 including a worm 10 and a ring gear 11, driven by a motor 12, and controlled by an encoder 13.

While operating the machine, the operating head OH2
Are moved to the operating point. Then, the tool rotates the support portion around the first axis represented by the line AA, and
Accurate placement is achieved by rotating the chuck assembly 9 about the second axis represented by line BB. The encoders 7 and 13 inform the control unit of the exact position information of the required tool.

FIG. 7 shows an operating head OH3 according to another embodiment. In the operation head OH3, a cheaper and simpler solution is adopted, and the rotation of the second support part 2 is integrated with one of the pins of the second support part 2, and the connecting rod 16 is operated by the mechanism.
It is controlled by a lever 15 driven via. The mechanism consists of a threaded shaft 17 and a swirl chamber 18 driven by a motor 19.

FIG. 8 further shows an operating head O of another embodiment.
H4 is shown. In the operation head OH4, the second support portion 2
Is rotated by the motor 20. The motor 2
0 operates the planetary reduction gearbox 22 via a belt 21 or similar. The planetary reduction gear mechanism 22 has a second
Power is transmitted to a cogwheel 23 integrated with the support portion 2.

FIG. 9 shows an operating head OH of yet another embodiment.
5 is shown. In the operation head OH5, the motor 24 controls the rotation of the second support portion 2. The motor 24 transmits power via a belt 25 to a known reduction gear 26.

Those skilled in the art can think of various improvements and modifications within the scope of the present invention.

[0045]

According to the operating head of the present invention having the above structure, the manufacturing of the operating head can be greatly simplified. This can be cheaper than the conventional type. According to the present invention, since the turning axis of the tool coincides with the rotation axis of the operation head, a computer for calculating the deviation of the axis is not required, so that the machine control software can be considerably simplified. In particular, the moment transmitted by the tool to the support is removed, so that a more precise assembly can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a preferred embodiment of a head of the present invention from a first direction.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a head as seen from a direction orthogonal to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a head viewed from an axis orthogonal to a plane specified by an AA axis and a BB axis.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a head of another embodiment from a first direction.

5 is a view of a head of another embodiment as seen from a direction orthogonal to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a view of a head of another embodiment as seen from an axis orthogonal to a plane specified by an AA axis and a BB axis.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an internal structure of a head according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an internal configuration different from the above, of the head of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an internal configuration different from the above of the head of another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 1st support part, 2 2nd support part, 3 arm, 8 space | gap, 9 tool holder, 22 planetary reduction gear device, W1
Worm gear device, W2 worm gear, OH1-OH
5 Operation head, M motor.

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An operating head for a machine tool, comprising: a first support portion attached to the machine tool; and the first support portion rotatably attached to the first support portion. An operation head including a second support part and a tool holder attached to a space provided in the second support part so as to be rotatable around a second shaft different from the first shaft. 2. The first support portion is a fork-shaped support portion, and the second support portion is between the arms of the fork-shaped first support portion and is flush with the first shaft. The operation head according to claim 1, wherein the operation head is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis orthogonal to the arms arranged side by side. 3. The operating head according to claim 1, wherein the second support and the tool holder form a cross-shaped element mounted on the first support. 4. The mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism of the second support portion around the first axis is driven by one or two direct drive motors. Operating head. 5. The operating head according to claim 4, wherein the direct drive motor is housed in an arm of a fork-shaped first support portion. 6. The operation head according to claim 3, wherein the tool holder is mounted in a space provided in the second support portion. 7. The operating head according to claim 3, wherein a device including a mechanism operated by a ball screw controls rotation of at least one of the second support portion and the tool holder. 8. The operating head according to claim 3, wherein a worm gear mechanism is fitted to control rotation of at least one of the second support portion and the tool holder. 9. The operating head according to claim 3, wherein the planetary reduction gear mechanism is fitted so as to control the rotation of at least one of the second support portion and the tool holder. 10. The operation according to claim 3, wherein a motor is mounted directly on the shaft of the second support so as to control the rotation of at least one of the second support and the tool holder. head. 11. The second support is at least 180.
4. It is rotatable about the first axis in the range of °.
Operation head described in. 12. The tool holder is at least ± 45.
4. It is rotatable about the second axis in the range of °.
Operation head described in.