JP2003145379A - Method of rearranging tool in tool magazine and method of rearranging tools in a plurality of tool magazines - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of optimally rearranging a stand-by tool stored in a tool magazine of a machine tool in each of machining processes. SOLUTION: In an automatic tool exchanger for a machine tool, the stand-by tools T1, T3, T6, T10 stored in the tool magazine 1 can be freely rearranged by using a NC program for giving operational instructions to call the tools to exchange stand-by positions on a spindle and the magazine, exchange storage information about two called tools and return the called tools to the tool magazine.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the arrangement of tools in a tool magazine of an automatic tool changer in a machining center, and more particularly to a tool rearrangement method for minimizing the calling time of the tools.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in machining with a machine tool,
Due to the speeding up of machine tool axis movements, the speeding up of spindles, and advances in cutting tools, machining is often completed in an extremely short time, and frequent automatic tool changes must be made within a short time. It has become a situation that must be met. Generally, when a machine tool worker arranges the tool placement in the tool magazine in the order of machining, each calling tool placed on the magazine moves to the tool exchange position sequentially at the shortest distance. The tool call time has been minimized.

However, in the processing of many kinds,
When the optimal tool placement for a certain machining program is performed, the machining order differs from that of another machining program, so if the tool cannot be indexed at the shortest distance and machining is completed before indexing, wait until the indexing is completed. It becomes time and hinders productivity. If the tool arrangement in the tool magazine is rearranged every time the machining type is changed, machine stop and labor for setup are required, and if this is done frequently, an accident may occur due to an operator's mistake in setting the tool. In order to efficiently perform multi-product production with machine tools, it is necessary to freely arrange the tools in the tool magazine in accordance with various machining programs, and there has been a demand for a low-cost and easy method. .

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the problem of the tool arrangement of the tool magazine in the conventional automatic tool changer, and the object of the present invention is to perform multi-product machining. It is intended to provide a method for freely arranging tools optimized for a machining program in machining of a machine tool such as a typical tool that is frequently called.

[0005]

According to a method of rearranging tools in a tool magazine of claim 1 of the present invention, an NC program is used to arrange the standby tools stored in the tool magazine to determine the positions of the spindle and the magazine. Calling each tool to the exchange standby position, exchanging the storage information of the two called tools,
The feature is that the arrangement of the standby tools can be freely rearranged by repeating the operation of returning the called tools to the tool magazine.

According to the method of rearranging the tools in the tool magazine of claim 2 of the present invention, the tool arrangement in the tool magazine in which the standby tool is stored is changed by the NC program, such as a replacement pot and a pot slider on the tool magazine. It is characterized in that the tools in the tool magazine can be freely rearranged by repeating the reciprocating movement between the mechanisms.

According to the method of rearranging tools in the tool magazine of the third aspect of the present invention, the NC program separately arranges the tool arrangement in the tool magazine in which the standby tools are stored on the circular orbit of the tool magazine. With a replacement pot, a storage part for the standby pot installed adjacent to it, and a mechanism for sliding the pot, such as a pot slider, you can freely use the standby tool in the tool magazine without exchanging the tool with the spindle. Characterized by sorting.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the method for rearranging tools in a multi-tool magazine, an NC program is used to reciprocate a mechanism such as a pot slider for transferring a standby tool provided between adjacent tool magazines. The arrangement of the standby tools in each tool magazine can be freely rearranged by repeating the orbital movement of the standby tools in each tool magazine.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, regarding the arrangement of the standby tools in the tool magazine of the machine tool, the NC tools are only installed without changing the configuration of the machine tool, and the standby tools in the tool magazine are Can be rearranged at will. Further, since it is controlled by the NC program and hardly involves the addition of hardware, the machine configuration does not become complicated, reliability is not impaired, and it can be easily mounted on any machine tool. Further, since the NC program can be easily incorporated into the machining program, if the tool to be used is in the tool magazine, the rearrangement of the tools can be performed unattended by the program processing without manpower.

According to the second aspect, regarding the arrangement of the standby tools in the tool magazine of the machine tool, a mechanism such as a pot slider, which is standardly mounted on some machines, and an empty pod is created in the tool magazine. By doing so, the standby tools in the tool magazine can be freely rearranged with almost no change in the hardware configuration and without accompanying the tool changing operation of the spindle. Further, it is controlled by the NC program, the machine configuration does not become complicated, the reliability is not impaired, and it can be easily mounted on the machine. Since the NC program can be easily incorporated into the machining program, if the tool to be used is in the tool magazine, the rearrangement of the tools can be performed unattended by the program processing without manpower.

According to the third aspect, by providing the portion for exchanging the tool pot on the circular orbit of the tool magazine, the standby tools in the tool magazine can be freely rearranged. By providing a pot replacement part separately,
The pot exchange operation can be interwoven with this intermediate operation without significantly hindering the tool exchange with the spindle, and the standby tools in the tool magazine can be freely rearranged more efficiently.

According to the fourth aspect, in a machine tool having a plurality of tool magazines, the structure of the machine tool is almost changed by two adjacent tool magazines and a mechanism such as a pot slider arranged in the middle thereof. Without doing
Moreover, the standby tools in the respective tool magazines can be freely rearranged without accompanying the tool changing operation of the spindle. Further, since it is controlled by the NC program and the mechanical structure does not become complicated, the reliability can be easily implemented without impairing the reliability. Since the NC program can be easily incorporated into the machining program, if the tool to be used is in the tool magazine, the rearrangement of the tools can be performed unattended by the program processing without manpower.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view of a general machine tool, FIG. 1 (a) is a front view of the machine tool, and FIG. 1 (b).
Is automatic tool change (ATC, Auto Tool Cha
nge) is a side view of the periphery of the device. By rotating the tool magazine 1 in which a plurality of standby tools 2 are stored, the tools used in the next process are moved to the tool exchange position 3 and are made to stand by there. When the machining in the current process is completed, the spindle 4 moves to the tool exchange position, the change arm 5 turns 90 degrees and grips the tool at both ends, so that the arm extends toward the front,
Pull the grasped tool out of the pot. Then, after the change arms have rotated 180 degrees, the change arms contract to their original lengths, and the tools are exchanged, and the change arms are set in the respective pots. The change arm further turns -90 degrees and returns to the original position so as not to interfere with the processing area. The above is the basic operation of the automatic tool change of the machine tool.

Depending on the machine tool, as shown in FIG. 2, a pot slider 6 is installed depending on the positional relationship among the tool magazine 1, the change arm 5, and the spindle 4. In this case, the standby tool in the tool magazine is moved from the standby position 11 on the tool magazine to the intermediate pot 12 by the pot slider 6,
At this position, the change arm 5 enables tool exchange with the spindle 4.

In the machine tool having the above basic structure,
A process of freely rearranging the standby tools by the NC program will be described with reference to FIG. Here, as an operation example, a state in which the tool T1 stored in the pot 1 of the tool magazine is replaced with the storage location of the tool T3 stored in the pot P3 is shown. From an arbitrary state such as during machining as shown in FIG. 3A, the tool T1 is called to the spindle by tool exchange as shown in FIG. 3B. Next, as shown in FIG. 3C, when the tool T3 is called to the intermediate pot 12 and the information of the tool number stored in the pot is exchanged at this timing, the tool T1 is the pot 3 and the tool T3 is the pot 1. Will be stored in. Next, as shown in FIG.
Tool exchange for returning the tool T1 to the pot 3 in the intermediate pot 12 is performed. Next, in the event of any subsequent tool change, as shown in FIG. 4 (e), the tool T3 mounted on the spindle is returned to the pot P1, so that the pot P1 is called to the intermediate pot position. . Next, as shown in FIG. 4 (f), the tool T3
Are returned to the pot P1 and stored in the tool magazine. That is, in the state where the tool T1 is called on the spindle and the tool T3 is called on the intermediate pot, the storage information of the tools in each pot is exchanged, and the tool information of the machine tool is stored such that the tool T3 is stored in the pot 1 and the tool T1 is stored in the pot 3. Is the basis of the process.

A function is supplied by the NC program to the above processing, and a program format for using this function from the NC program is shown in FIG. Since three types of formats for commands are prepared, it can be selected according to the configuration of the machine tool and can be applied in a wide range.

In the format 1 shown in FIG. 5A, G91G3
The spindle is moved to a position where the tool can be replaced by 0X0Y0Z0, and (tool number 1) is called to the spindle by M6T (tool number 1). Then, by instructing T (tool number 2), (tool number 2) is called to the intermediate pot, and M
At 88, the pot storage data of tool number 1 and tool number 2 are exchanged.

In the format 2 shown in FIG. 5B, G91G3
Use 0X0Y0Z0 to move the spindle to a position where tools can be replaced, and then G200 I (tool number 1) I (tool number 2)
Thus, the stored data of (tool number 1) and (tool number 2) are exchanged.

In the format 3 shown in FIG. 5C, G91G3
Use 0X0Y0Z0 to move the spindle to a position where the tool can be exchanged, and use G200 P (pot number 1) T (tool number 1) to call the tool stored in (pot number 1) to the spindle. By calling the tool to the standby position and exchanging the pot data of both sides,
The tool of (tool number 1) is stored in (pot number 1).

FIG. 6 shows an operation example in which the tools in the tool magazine are actually rearranged by the program processing based on the basic functions described above. Figure 6 shows the state before rearrangement.
As shown in (a), from this state, the tool T1, the tool T3, the tool T6, and the tool T in order from the pot P4 of the tool magazine 1.
Dispose of 10. By executing G200P4T1 in the NC program or the MDI mode, etc., the tool T1 is assigned to the pot P4, and in the same manner, G20
By executing 0P5T3, G200P6T6, and G200P7T10, the tools can be rearranged in the tool magazine as shown in FIG. 6B. In this way, the operator of the machine tool can easily and freely rearrange the tools in the tool magazine.

Up to now, the hardware of a standard machine tool was used as it was, and the tools were rearranged by software processing by applying the tool exchanging operation, but this method is for rearranging the tools. Since a tool change operation is always required, it is not possible to advance the tool arrangement for the next process in parallel while advancing the machining in the current process. However, with regard to the pots arranged in the tool magazine, by providing one or more empty pots, it is possible to rearrange the tools only by the operation between the tool magazine and the pot slider, without the need for tool change due to the operation of the change arm. Is. In FIG. 7, pots P11 to P10, P9,
The operation for arranging the tools in the order of P8 and P7 is shown.

FIG. 7A shows an initial state before rearrangement. When the tool T1 is pot slid from the tool magazine 1 from this state as shown in FIG.
The pot P2 in which was stored becomes empty. Next in FIG.
As shown in (c), the tool magazine is rotated, and the empty pot P11 is moved to the standby position for the pot slide.
Next, as shown in FIG. 7D, by pot slide,
The tool T1 is stored in the empty pot P11. Next in FIG.
As shown in (e), the tool magazine is rotated and the pot P10 is moved to the standby position. Next, as shown in FIG. 7F, when the pot P10 in which the tool T4 is stored is pot slid, this portion becomes an empty pot. Then, as shown in FIG. 8 (g), the tool magazine is rotated,
Move the empty pot P2 to the standby position.
As shown in (h), the pot slides and the stocked tool T4 is stored in the pot P2. Next, FIG. 8 (i)
As shown in, the tool magazine is rotated, and the tool T2 is moved to the replacement position. Next, as shown in FIG. 8 (j), the pot is slid to stock the tool T2. Next, FIG.
As shown in (k), the tool magazine is rotated and the empty pot P10 is moved to the standby position. Next, FIG. 8 (L)
As shown in, the pot slides and the stocked tool T2 is stored in the pot P10. This allows the tool T
1, the tool T2 is arranged adjacent to each other. After that, the tools are sequentially arranged in the tool magazine by repeating the magazine circulation and the pot slide in the same procedure.

In the above, the tools are rearranged without using the tool exchange by utilizing one empty pot provided in the tool magazine, but if there are a plurality of empty pots provided in the tool magazine, Since the places where the rearranged tools can be temporarily stocked increase, the number of operations for tool exchange can be reduced, and the rearrangement of the tools in the tool magazine can be completed in a shorter time.

Further, by additionally installing a mechanism such as a pot slider on the track of the tool magazine, the tools can be rearranged more efficiently without the need for a tool changing operation. This is shown in FIG. . Since the added pot sliders operate separately, it is possible to perform the tool rearrangement work in parallel while minimizing the effect on the cycle time even during machining, as shown in FIG. The load of software processing can be reduced as compared with the exchange operation.

As shown in FIG. 9A, an additional pot slider 31 is provided on the circumference of the tool magazine 1. With respect to the additional pot sliders, if a plurality of additional pot sliders are added, the tools can be relocated more quickly and flexibly, but usually, only one can function practically. Then, the tool T1 stored in the pot P1 and the tool T5 stored in the pot P5 are exchanged, and the tool T5 is stored in the pot P1 and the tool T is stored in the pot P5.
The operation to be rearranged to 1 is shown in FIG.

First, as shown in FIG. 9 (b), the tool magazine is operated to call the pot P1 in which the tool T1 is stored at the position of the additional pot slide. Next, FIG.
As shown in (c), the tool T1 is slid to retract upward. Next, as shown in FIG. 9 (d), the tool magazine is operated to call the pot P5 storing the tool T5 to the extension pot slider. Next, FIG. 9 (d)
As shown in (1), the tool T1 is slid and stored in the pot P5, and at the same time, the tool T5 is retracted downward. Next, as shown in FIG. 9 (e), the tool magazine is operated to call the pot P1 to the extension pot slide. Next, as shown in FIG. 9F, the tool T5 is slid and stored in the pot P1 to complete the rearrangement of the tools T1 and T5. The above is NC by NC program etc.
When made available from the program, its format is shown in Figure 10.
It becomes like (h).

Up to now, it has been assumed that the number of tool magazines is one, and if there are many tools to be used, a plurality of tool magazines will be required to be mounted on the machine tool, but in general, two tool magazines are mounted. 11 shows such a machine tool.
In the case of the magazines that are adjacent to each other and connected in this way, as for the magazines such as the magazine MG2 that are far from the tool exchange position, it takes an extra time for the tool to pass between the magazines, so the tool exchange standby position is required. It is important to rearrange the tools of the magazine MG1 close to the above. When the number of tools used in the machining process can be accommodated only in the magazine MG1, tools are sequentially arranged in the magazine MG1, and when the number of tools exceeds the accommodable number in the magazine MG1, it is necessary to rearrange the magazine MG1 with priority. Becomes

Normally, the tools can be freely arranged in each magazine by the above-mentioned tool exchanging method. However, the inter-magazine pot slider 35, which is placed between the tool magazines and delivers both tools, is exchanged. By exchanging each pot data at the position, it is possible to rearrange the tools without exchanging the tools. Magazine MG1
Tool T5 stored in pod P5 and magazine M
FIG. 12 shows the operation of exchanging the tool T51 stored in the pod P51 of G2.

FIG. 12 (a) shows the state before the replacement. When the tool T51 is called to the intermediate pot 12 from this state, the pot P51 of the magazine MG2 becomes empty and the state shown in FIG.
It becomes like 2 (b). Next, the magazine MG1 is operated to move the tool T to the standby position of the inter-magazine pot slider 35.
Call 5. Next, the pot slider 35 between magazines is slid to store the tool T5 in the pot P51. Next, the magazine MG1 is operated to call the pot P5 to the standby position of the intermediate pot 12, and the tool T51 is stored in the pot P5. The above operation completes the rearrangement of the tools T5 and T51. By performing this operation a plurality of times, the tools can be freely arranged in the tool magazine.

In the above, T51 is called to the intermediate pot 12 first, but the same result can be obtained by calling T5 first and performing the operation in the reverse procedure. Also for this method, N
It can be instructed by a C program or the like.

The methods described so far may be used alone or in combination. If a rotary switch or the like is additionally installed, the worker can more easily rearrange the tools. As for the pot slider, its main purpose is to transfer the tool between two points. Therefore, in addition to the parallel movement shown in the figure, even if rotational movement is used, it can be moved between two points. It is obvious that the mechanism, such as a pot slider, is included as long as it fulfills the purpose of the reciprocating movement.

[0032]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in a general machine tool, the tools in the tool magazine can be freely arranged by software without changing the machine configuration. The NC program is the basic method for realizing this, and G
Tools can be easily rearranged at any time from the NC program by expanding the code, etc. Since no human labor is required for tool rearrangement, unmanned operation can be continued day and night, and productivity is also improved. improves. Also,
When a human is involved in complicated tool exchange work, an accident due to a simple mistake will often occur, but the worker can be protected from such a danger. Further, by patterning these tool exchanges and providing a pattern call / execution switch or the like, the worker can safely and easily rearrange the tools.

According to the second aspect, in a general machine tool, the tools in the tool magazine can be freely arranged by software with almost no change in the machine configuration and by software change. It is possible to easily perform the rearrangement work of tools even during machining, and it is possible to suppress the influence on the cycle time.

According to the third aspect, by separately providing the pot slider on the circular orbit of the tool magazine, it becomes possible to rearrange the tools in the tool magazine without exchanging the tools. Also allows repositioning of tools. As a result, the tools can be relocated in real time without affecting the cycle time, and the tool alignment can be optimized at all times as compared with the case where tools are arranged all at once. Operation becomes possible.

According to the fourth aspect, even a machine tool having a plurality of tool magazines is being processed by using the tool delivery device installed between the magazines,
It is possible to freely rearrange the tools without changing the tools.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view and a side view of a general machine tool.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a machine tool having an ATC with a pot slider.

FIG. 3 is an operation diagram of tool rearrangement by an NC program.

FIG. 4 is an operation diagram of tool rearrangement by an NC program.

FIG. 5 is a program format diagram for rearranging tools.

FIG. 6 is a work diagram for rearranging tools.

FIG. 7 is an operation diagram of tool exchange using a pod slide.

FIG. 8 is an operation diagram of tool exchange using a pod slide.

FIG. 9 is an operation diagram of tool rearrangement by an additional pot slider.

FIG. 10 is a program format diagram.

FIG. 11 is an external view of a machine tool having a plurality of tool magazine units.

FIG. 12 is a tool rearrangement operation diagram between magazines.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 tool magazine 2, 2'standby tool 3 Tool change position 4 spindles 5 change arms 6 pot sliders 11 Standby position 12 Middle pot 26 empty pods 31 Expansion pot slider 35 Pot slider between magazines 101 machine tools 102 Machine tool with pot slider

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A method for rearranging tools in a tool magazine, wherein the NC program calls the arrangement of the standby tools stored in the tool magazine to call each tool to the spindle and the replacement standby position of the magazine. The tool arrangement in the tool magazine is characterized in that the arrangement of the standby tools can be freely rearranged by repeating the operation of exchanging the stored information of two tools and returning the called tools to the tool magazine. How to change. 2. A tool rearrangement method for a tool magazine, wherein an NC program is used to reciprocate a tool arrangement in a tool magazine storing a standby tool between a replacement pot on the tool magazine and a mechanism such as a pot slider. A method for rearranging tools in the tool magazine, characterized by freely rearranging the tools in the tool magazine. 3. A method for rearranging tools in a tool magazine, wherein a tool arrangement in a tool magazine in which a standby tool is stored is set by a NC program, and a replacement pot is provided separately on a circular orbit of the tool magazine. A standby pot storage unit installed adjacent to this, and a mechanism such as a pot slider that slides the standby pot allow the standby tools in the tool magazine to be freely rearranged without exchanging tools with the spindle. How to rearrange tools in the tool magazine. 4. A method for rearranging tools in a plurality of tool magazines, wherein an NC program is used to reciprocate a mechanism such as a pot slider provided between adjacent tool magazines for handing over a standby tool, and in each tool magazine. A method for rearranging tools in a multi-tool magazine, characterized in that the arrangement of the standby tools in each tool magazine can be freely rearranged by repeating the orbital movement of the standby tools.