JP2003062734A - Palette loading station of machine tool - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a palette loading station of a machine tool, which can prevent the high speed swiveling of a swiveling base for mounting a palette when the swiveling base is driven by hand. SOLUTION: The palette loading station 25 of a machine tool, which supports the swiveling base 33 for mounting the palette 23 on a base 31 so as to swivel about a swiveling axis 32, is provided with a cam 59, which is formed so as to have a varying radius from the swiveling axis 32 along its outside periphery and have a plurality of peaks and rotate synchronously and concentrically with the swiveling base 33, so as to push a roller 61 supported by the base 31 via a buffer 63 in order to bring the roller 61 into contact with the outside periphery of the can 59.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pallet loading station of a machine tool which rotatably supports on a base a swivel on which a pallet is placed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a machine tool, when a work is set up on a table, a machining operation cannot be performed during that time. Therefore, on the pallet loading station, a set-up and removal of a work on a work table called a pallet is performed. The work is done by attaching and detaching the work together with the pallet to the table. The pallet loading station is installed adjacent to the machine tool in terms of workability of pallet exchange between the pallet and the table and floor occupancy area of the entire device. Often done. For this reason, it is difficult to secure a sufficient working space for the operator around the pallet loading station, but it is also necessary for the operator to go around each position around the pallet during setup work. Occurs.

Therefore, in order to allow an operator to perform work at any position around the pallet in a small work space, the pallet loading station is provided with a swivel base which is manually swivelable supported on a base, and this swivel is carried out. It is general to place a pallet on a table and perform setup.

For example, Japanese Patent Application No. 55-155494 (Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 57-81044) discloses a pallet receiving table (pallet loading station) having a pallet swivel table. In this pallet receiving base, a plurality of linear holes are bored in a pallet rotating base rotatably mounted on a base, and by engaging a diving pin with a specific one of these linear holes, The rotation of the pallet swivel base is restricted, positioned and fixed.

[0005]

In order to rotate the pallet swivel base in the above-mentioned pallet receiving base, the pedal is depressed and the pin is pulled out from the straight hole to release the fixing of the pallet swivel base, and the pallet swivel base is manually operated. To turn.

However, when the jumping pin is pulled out from the straight hole, the pallet swivel base can freely swivel. Therefore, if an operator accidentally swivels the pallet swivel base at a high speed, the work or the swivel can be swung. It is very dangerous because the platform may harm the worker. Further, since it is difficult to stop the pallet swivel base which has begun to swivel by engaging the dive pin with the straight hole, it is necessary to manually stop swiveling, which is dangerous.

Further, in the type in which the dip pin is engaged with the straight hole, since the diameter of the straight hole needs to be larger than the diameter of the dip pin, there is play even when the dip pin is inserted in the straight hole. Accurate indexing and positioning of the pallet swivel base cannot be performed.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above problems existing in the prior art and to provide a pallet loading station of a machine tool capable of preventing a swivel base capable of swiveling from rotating at high speed. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a pallet loading station for a machine tool capable of performing accurate indexing and positioning of a swivel base that can be swiveled, and achieving efficiency in setup work.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention suppresses the swivel of a swivel base by a resistance imparting device even after the locking and fixing of the swivel swivel is released. The turning speed is kept low.

That is, according to the present invention, in a pallet loading station of a machine tool in which a swivel on which a pallet is placed is supported by a base so that the swivel can be manually swiveled around a swivel axis, the swivel or the swivel. A pallet loading station of a machine tool is provided which is provided with a resistance imparting device that imparts resistance to the revolving of the revolving base by external contact with a portion that revolves in synchronism with the revolving base.

In one embodiment of the pallet loading station, the resistance imparting device is formed to have a plurality of tops with varying distances from the swivel axis along the outer periphery and synchronized with the swivel base. A cam that rotates coaxially and a shock absorber that is supported by the base and is pressed against the outer circumference of the cam via a rolling element are used.
In this case, it is preferable that, in the cam, valleys formed between the plurality of tops are arranged at equal angular intervals around the turning axis along the outer circumference of the cam.

Further, a plurality of notches each having a tapered cross-sectional shape are formed along the outer circumference, and an indexing element that rotates in synchronization with the swivel base in synchronization with the swivel base is further provided. An engaging portion having a cross-sectional shape complementary to the notch is provided at the tip of the attached lever, and the engaging portion is engaged with the notch of the indexing element, thereby It is preferable to perform indexing positioning.

In the pallet loading station of the machine tool according to the present invention, even after the swivel base for locking the swivel base is unlocked, it is possible to prevent the swivel base from turning due to external contact with the swivel base by the resistance imparting device. Since resistance is applied, even if the swivel base is manually rotated at high speed, the swivel speed is reduced, and the risk that the swivel base rotates at high speed and harms the worker is avoided.

A plurality of tops are provided along the outer circumference of the cam rotating in synchronization with the swivel base, and when the rolling element supported by the base is pressed onto the outer circumference of the cam via a shock absorber, the rolling element is moved to the outer circumference of the cam. When moving from the valley formed between the tops to the top along the, the force that separates the rolling element from the pivot axis of the cam, that is, the force that pushes the rolling element toward the shock absorber, is required. Great resistance to turning. further,
Since the force transmitted from the cam to the rolling elements and pushing the rolling elements toward the shock absorber is absorbed by the shock absorber, the swivel force of the swivel base synchronized with the cam is gradually attenuated, the swivel is suppressed, and the speed is reduced. To do.

If a plurality of recesses are formed along the outer circumference of the cam at equal angular intervals around the swivel axis, the swivel base will move depending on the resistance transmitted from the swivel base when the operator manually turns the swivel base. It becomes possible to intuitively grasp the turning angle.

Further, by engaging the notch of the indexing element having a tapered cross-sectional shape with the engaging portion of the lever having a complementary cross-sectional shape, the notch and the engaging portion are engaged with each other without a gap. Can be matched and accurate indexing positioning can be made.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a partial sectional side view of a loading station of a machine tool according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the resistance imparting device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an indexing element shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the lever assembly, and FIG. 4 is an overall configuration diagram of a machine tool including the loading station of the present invention.

First, with reference to FIG. 4, the overall construction of a machine tool having the loading station of the present invention will be described.

The machine tool 11 includes a column 15 supported on the bed 13, a spindle head 19 supported on the column 15 and rotatably supporting a spindle 17, and a table 21 supported on the bed 13. Equipped with. A pallet 23 to which a work W is attached is placed on the table 21, and the pallet 23 is fixed on the table 21 by mechanical locking means during processing.

The column 15 is movable in the X-axis direction (perpendicular to the paper surface) with respect to the bed 13, and the spindle head 19 is movable in the Y-axis direction with respect to the column 15. Further, the table 21 is movable in the Z-axis direction with respect to the bed 13. Therefore, the workpiece W fixed on the table 21 via the pallet 23 and the spindle 17 supported by the spindle head 19 are relatively moved in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction to machine the workpiece W. can do.

After the start and the end of the machining by the machine tool 11, if the work W is set on the table 21 such as mounting and demounting the work W on the pallet 23, the machine tool 11 cannot perform the machining during that time, and the working efficiency is improved. Will be lowered. Therefore, the machine tool 1 configured as described above
The pallet loading station 25 of the present invention is arranged in the vicinity of the main body 1 so that the pallet 23 and the work W can be set up on the pallet loading station 25 during processing by the machine tool 11. Further, a pallet changing device 27 is installed between the main body of the machine tool 11 and the pallet loading station 25 so that the pallet 23 can be automatically changed between the table 21 and the pallet loading station 25. ing.

1 and 4 show a pallet exchanging device 27 having a pair of arms 29 consisting of an arm 29a extending to the table 21 side of the machine tool 11 and an arm 29b extending to the pallet loading station 25 side. There is. In order to perform the pallet exchange using the pallet exchange device 27, first, the table 2 on which the pallet 23 to which the processed work W is attached is placed.
1 is moved in the Z-axis direction to move the arm 29a on the table 21 side of the pallet changing device 27 below the pallet 23.
Position. At this time, above the arm 29b on the pallet loading station 25 side, the pallet 2 already set up on the pallet loading station 25 is set.
3'is placed. Next, the pair of arms 29 are moved upward to move the pallets 23, 23 'to the arms 29a,
29b, the pallets 23, 23 'are levitated from the table 21 and the pallet loading station 25, and then the pair of arms 29 is swung around a swivel axis extending in the vertical direction to move the pallet 23 on the table 21 side. The pallet 23 'on the pallet loading station 25 side is moved to the pallet loading station 25 side to the table 21 side. Finally, the pair of arms 29 is lowered to move the respective pallets 23, 2
3'is seated on the pallet loading station 25 and table 21, thus completing the pallet exchange.

The pallet exchanging device 27 is not limited to the type shown in the figure, and other types of pallet exchanging devices can be used, but they are not particularly described here.

Next, the pallet loading station 25 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

Referring to FIG. 1, the pallet loading station 25 of the present invention is a stationary base 31.
A swivel base 33 that can swivel around a swivel axis 32 with respect to the base 31, an indexing element 35 that rotates coaxially in synchronization with the swivel base 33, and a lever assembly 3 provided on the base 31.
7 and 7. In FIG. 1, the base 31 is fixed to the pallet changing device 27, but it may be installed or fixed on the floor or the like.

The swivel base 33 includes a base 31 via a bearing 39.
And a swivel shaft 41 that is rotatably supported by the swivel shaft 41.
And a turntable 43 coupled to the. The swivel shaft 41 and the rotary table 43 may be formed as separate members as shown in FIG. 1, and may be joined by an appropriate joining means such as bolts or welding, or integrally formed as one member. It may have been done.

The indexing element 35 has a substantially disc shape and is attached as a separate member to the swivel shaft 41 of the swivel base 33 in FIG. However, the indexing element 35 only needs to rotate coaxially with the swivel base 33 in synchronization, and the indexing element 35 can be formed integrally with the swivel shaft 41. Further, a plurality of notches having a tapered cross-sectional shape are formed along the outer circumference of the indexing element 35, and the lever assembly 37 provided on the base 31 is engaged therewith. As a result, the swivel base 33 is indexed and fixed at a predetermined swivel position.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lever assembly 37 is integrally formed with the base 31 or the base 3.
1 is fixed to the support portion 47, and a lever 51 pivotally supported by the support portion 47 by a pivot pin 49.
A lock pin 53 extending laterally from the lever 51, and a ball plunger 55 attached to the support portion 47 and provided with a ball portion 55a at its tip.

The lever 51 has a notch 45 in the indexing element 35.
An engaging portion 51a that has a tapered cross-sectional shape complementary to the notch 45 in the direction of engaging with and is located at the end of the indexing element side 35, and an end opposite to the engaging portion 51a. The grip portion 51b is located so that the operator can grip the grip portion 5b.
By rotating 1b, the engaging portion 51a rotates about the pivot pin 49, and the notch 4 of the indexing element 35 is rotated.
5 is engaged. To release the engagement between the notch 45 of the indexing element 35 and the lever 51, the grip portion 51b may be turned in the direction opposite to the above direction. In FIG. 1, the engaging portion 51 a of the lever 51 is moved to the upper side by turning the grip portion 51 b of the lever 51 upward.
5 is engaged with the notch 45, but conversely, by rotating the grip portion 51b downward, the engaging portion 5
Of course, 1a may be adapted to engage the notch 45.

Engaging portion 51a of lever 51 and indexing element 3
Since the notch 45 of No. 5 has a tapered cross section complementary to the engaging direction, the engaging portion 51a is cut into the notch 45 when its tapered slope contacts the tapered slope of the notch 45. Stop the approach. At this time, the engaging portion 51a and the notch 45
And are in close contact with each other with no play between the tapered slopes. Therefore, the engaging portion 51a of the lever 51
When the notch 45 of the indexing element 35 is engaged with the indexing element 35, rattling does not occur even when the indexing element 35 is rotated, whereby the swivel base rotates in synchronization with the indexing element 35. It is possible to perform accurate indexing positioning of 33.

The ball plunger 55 urges the ball portion 55a provided at the tip end toward the lock pin 53 side by a spring, and normally, the orbit of the lock pin 53 when the ball portion 55a turns the lever 51. It is located above. Therefore, even if the lever 51 is swung, the ball portion 55a of the ball plunger 55 does not move to the lock pin 53.
Since the lever 51 is prevented from turning and the turning of the lever 51 is prevented, the lever 51 turns against the intention of the operator and the engaging portion 51
It is prevented that a and the notch 45 of the indexing element 35 are engaged with each other to prevent the swivel base 33 from swiveling, and that the engagement is released so that the swivel base 33 is swung.
That is, unless the force is applied from the outside by the operator, the lever 51 keeps the swivel base 33 in the unturnable state or the swivelable state, so that the engaging portion 51 of the lever 51 is maintained.
The a maintains the engaged or disengaged state with respect to the notch 45 of the indexing element 35. On the other hand, the operator
When a force is applied to the lever 51 with the intention of turning the ball, the ball portion 55a of the ball plunger 55 retracts and the ball portion 55a comes off the turning path of the lock pin 53, so that the ball plunger 55 is overcome and locked. The pin 53 can be turned.

In the pallet loading station 25 having such a structure, the lever 51 of the lever assembly 37 is disengaged from the notch 45 of the indexing element 35, and the engaging portion 51a of the lever 51 and the notch 45 of the indexing element 35. When the engagement with is released, there is no means for suppressing the turning of the turntable 33. Therefore, once the swivel base 33 is rotated at a high speed, it becomes difficult to stop the swivel base 33, and there is a risk of damaging the surrounding workers. Therefore, the pallet loading station 25 of the present invention further includes a resistance applying device 57 for applying a resistance to the turning of the turning base 33.

The resistance applying device 57 is, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a cam 59 provided on the swivel base 33 and a roller supported by the base 31 so as to face the cam 59. And a rolling element such as 61.

The cam 59 is formed so as to have a plurality of peaks whose distance from the swivel axis 32 of the swivel base 33 changes along the outer circumference thereof, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, for example. The shape may be a corrugated shape having a plurality of uneven portions having a smooth contour, or may be a polygonal shape. Also, the cam 59
Need only be configured to rotate in synchronization with the swivel base 33, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, is formed as a separate member from the swivel base 33 or the swivel shaft 41.
3 may be coupled to the swivel shaft 41 of the swivel base 33 by any coupling means so as to rotate in synchronization with the swivel shaft 4.
Swivel 33 as a part of 1 or a part of rotary table 43
It may be formed integrally with.

On the other hand, the roller 61 presses the roller 61 toward the swivel base 33 and also serves as a shock absorber 6 having a cushioning function.
The cam 59 is supported by the base 31 via the contact hole 3 and is pressed against the outer periphery of the cam 59 to come into contact therewith. Also, FIG.
Referring to, the shock absorber 63 is attached to the base 31 so as to be adjustable by a stop pin, and the shock absorber 63 is attached so that the roller 61 supported by the shock absorber 63 always contacts the outer periphery of the cam 59. The position is adjustable.

Therefore, as the swivel base 33 turns,
The roller 61 contacts the outer periphery of the cam 59,
Move along the perimeter. Therefore, in order to rotate the swivel base 33, when the roller 61 pressed by the cam 59 by the shock absorber 63 moves from the valley formed between the tops of the cam 59 to the top, The roller 61 must be separated from the pivot axis 32 of the cam 59 against the pressing force of 63, and an additional force must be applied. That is, unless the operator intentionally applies a force to the swivel base 33, the swivel base 33 will not swivel. Further, even if the shock absorber 63 is rotated at a high speed, the shock absorber 63 absorbs the force transmitted from the cam 59 through the roller 61, so that the swivel force of the swivel base 33 is rapidly attenuated. There is no risk of 33 continuing to rotate at high speed.

In this way, when a plurality of tops are formed along the outer periphery of the cam 59, the swivel base 33 is swung,
When the roller 61 is moved from the valley formed between the tops to the top, the operator feels resistance to turning, and the turntable 33 is usually in a state where the roller 61 is located in the valley of the turntable 33. Stop at.

Therefore, if the troughs are arranged along the outer periphery of the cam 59 around the swivel axis 32 at equal angular intervals, the operator can perceptually grasp the angle at which the swivel base 33 is swung, and set up. Work becomes easy. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, 12 equidistant arrangements are made about the turning axis 32 at every 30 °, but, for example, 4 equidistant arrangements at every 90 ° or 8 equidistant arrangements at every 45 °. It is also possible to arrange them.

Further, as described above, since the roller 61 stops at the valley of the cam 59, when the roller 61 is located in the valley of the cam 59, the engaging portion 51 of the lever 51 is formed.
The indexing element 35 and the cam 59 are preferably arranged so that a can engage with the notch 45 of the indexing element 35. With this arrangement, the operator can use the notch 4 of the indexing element 35 to lock and fix the swivel base 33 during the setup work.
Since the position of 5 aligns with the position of the engaging portion 51a of the lever 51 to enable engagement, the swivel base 33 does not need to be swiveled, and the efficiency of setup work is improved.

Further, it is preferable that the shock absorber 63 has such a characteristic that it exerts a strong repulsive force when it is pushed quickly and a weak repulsive force when it is pushed slowly. In this case, if the operator swivels the swivel base 33 slowly, only a weak force is required and the swivel base 33 can be swung easily, but if the swivel base 33 is swung quickly, Since a large force is required, it becomes difficult for an operator to rotate the swivel base 33 at high speed, and the safety of work is guaranteed.

In the present application, the "valley" of the cam 59 means the swivel axis 32 of the swivel base 33, that is, the cam 59.
It means the portion closest to the turning axis 32 of. Therefore, the valley portion refers to a portion (compared with the top portion) near the turning axis 32 that corresponds to the side of the cam when the cam has a polygonal shape, and does not necessarily have to be formed as a recess.

Although the pallet loading station 25 of the present invention has been described based on the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

For example, instead of the lever assembly 37, as described in Japanese Patent Application No. 55-155494, a diving pin is used, and the indexing element 35 is provided with a hole for engaging with the diving pin. Good. At this time, the tip of the jump-in pin is tapered, and the hole provided in the indexing element is also tapered, so that the pallet loading station 25 shown in FIG. Indexing positioning is possible.

Although the resistance applying device 57 has been described as being constituted by the cam 59 provided on the swivel base 33 and the roller 61 supported by the base 31 via the shock absorber 63, the swivel shaft 41. It is also possible to use a friction braking device such as a brake pad that comes into contact with the resistance applying device 57.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention, the swivel base is provided with resistance to the swivel by external contact with the swivel base, so that the swivel base for locking the swivel base is unlocked. Therefore, when the swivel base is swung, the swivel force of the swivel base is attenuated, the risk of the swivel base rotating at high speed is eliminated, and the safety of the worker is ensured.

In addition, a lever assembly and an indexing element are used to perform indexing positioning, and the engaging portion of the lever of the lever assembly and the notch of the indexing element have a tapered cross-sectional shape. With this structure, the engaging portion of the lever and the notch of the indexing element can be tightly engaged with each other, and it is possible to prevent rattling. As a result, it is possible to accurately index and position the swivel base.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a loading station of a machine tool of the present invention.

2 is a plan view of the resistance applying device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the indexing element and lever assembly shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an overall configuration diagram of a machine tool including a loading station of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... Machine tools 23, 23 '... Pallet 25 ... Pallet loading station 31 ... Base 32 ... turning axis 33 ... Revolving base 35 ... Indexing element 37 ... Lever assembly 45 ... Notch 51 ... lever 51a ... Engaging portion 51b ... Grip part 57 ... Resistance imparting device 59 ... Cam 61 ... Rolling element 63 ... shock absorber

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A pallet loading station of a machine tool in which a swivel on which a pallet is placed is manually swiveled around a swivel axis on a base so that the swivel swivels or swivels in synchronization with the swivel. A pallet loading station of a machine tool, characterized in that a resistance applying device is provided for applying resistance to the turning of said turning base by external contact with the part. 2. The resistance applying device is formed so as to have a plurality of tops whose distance from the turning axis changes along an outer periphery, and which has a cam rotating coaxially in synchronization with the turning base, and the base. The pallet loading station for a machine tool according to claim 1, further comprising a shock absorber supported by a table and pressed against the outer circumference of the cam via a rolling element. 3. The machine tool according to claim 2, wherein the cam has valleys formed between the plurality of tops arranged at equal angular intervals around the turning axis along an outer circumference of the cam. Pallet loading station. 4. A plurality of notches having a tapered cross-sectional shape are formed along the outer circumference, and further provided with an indexing element that rotates in synchronization with the swivel base coaxially, and the base is pivotally mounted. An engaging portion having a cross-sectional shape complementary to the notch is provided at the tip of the attached lever, and the engaging portion is engaged with the notch of the indexing element, thereby The pallet loading station of a machine tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which performs indexing positioning.