JP2004058163A - Cutting machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cutting machine eliminating the outflow of cooling liquid even if a spindle unit is detached from a cutting machine. <P>SOLUTION: This cutting machine 10 is provided with the spindle unit 22 cutting a material by rotating a cutting edge. This cutting machine is characterized in having a mount part 24 for detachably mounting the spindle unit performing the cutting work, a cooling liquid feed mechanism 82 circulating the cooling liquid in the spindle unit mounted on the mount part, and cooling liquid removal mechanisms 90, 92, 94 and 96 removing the cooling liquid in the cooling liquid feed mechanisms. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cutting machine having a spindle unit, and more particularly, to a cutting machine that cools the inside of a spindle unit with a cooling liquid.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art A cutting machine provided with a spindle unit for cutting a material by rotating a cutting blade is known. The spindle unit is provided with a cutting blade at the tip of a main shaft that is rotated at a high speed by a driving means such as a motor, and cuts a workpiece such as a metal material with the cutting blade.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In a cutting machine equipped with a spindle unit that cuts a material by rotating the cutting blade in this way, during processing, heat generated by rotation causes the main shaft in the spindle unit to expand and the position of the cutting blade changes. As a result, there arises a problem that required processing accuracy cannot be obtained. To solve such a problem, there has been proposed a method in which a cooling liquid flow path is provided in the spindle unit and the main shaft and the like in the spindle unit are cooled by the cooling liquid passing through the flow path. However, if the cooling liquid is passed through the flow path inside the spindle unit, there is a problem that the cooling liquid flows out when the spindle unit is removed from the cutting machine.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cutting machine in which a cooling liquid does not flow out even when a spindle unit is removed from the cutting machine.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, there is provided a cutting machine including a spindle unit for cutting a material by rotating a cutting blade, wherein the mounting unit to which the spindle unit for performing a cutting process is detachably mounted, and the mounting unit A cooling liquid supply mechanism for circulating the cooling liquid in the spindle unit mounted on the cooling liquid supply mechanism, and a cooling liquid extracting mechanism for extracting the cooling fluid in the cooling liquid supply mechanism. A cutting machine is provided.
[0006]
According to such a configuration, since the cooling liquid can be extracted from the spindle unit or the like by the cooling liquid extraction mechanism, the cooling liquid does not flow even when the spindle unit is removed from the processing machine.
[0007]
According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the cooling liquid supply mechanism, a cooling liquid source capable of pumping the cooling liquid, a delivery pipe for sending the cooling liquid from the cooling liquid source to the spindle unit, A return line for returning the cooling liquid from the spindle unit to the cooling liquid source, wherein the cooling liquid removing mechanism includes a first path switching unit connected to the delivery pipe; and a first path. A pressurized gas source connected to the switching means, a second path switching means connected to the return line, and a drain tank connected to the second path switching means are provided.
[0008]
According to such a configuration, the pressurized gas is sent to the cooling liquid supply mechanism in the spindle unit by the operation of the path switching means, so that the cooling liquid in the spindle or the like is reliably collected in the drain tank. In addition, the outflow of the cooling liquid is reliably prevented.
[0009]
According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, a spindle unit holding portion for holding a replacement spindle unit, and a replacement mechanism for automatically replacing the spindle unit held by the holding portion with a spindle unit mounted on the mounting portion. During cutting, the first path switching means is operated to send the cooling liquid from the cooling liquid source into the spindle unit mounted on the mounting part, and the second path switching means is provided. Is operated to return the cooling liquid in the spindle unit to the cooling liquid source, and when replacing the spindle unit, the first path switching unit is operated to move the pressurized gas source from the pressurized gas source to the mounting portion. Pressurized gas is sent into the mounted spindle unit, and the second path switching means is operated to activate the spindle unit. , The delivery conduit, and, to discharge the cooling liquid and pressurized gas of the return conduit to the drain tank. Note that the operation (switching) of the path switching means is preferably executed by a control device that controls the operation of the cutting machine.
[0010]
According to such a configuration, prior to the automatic replacement of the spindle unit, the cooling liquid is reliably extracted from the spindle unit side portion of the cooling liquid supply mechanism, so that the cooling liquid flows out when the spindle unit is replaced. It is reliably prevented.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of a cutting machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a cutting machine (machining center) 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 1, the cutting machine 10 includes a base 12 installed on a floor surface, and a processing unit 14 disposed above the base 12. At a lower position of the processing section 14, a processing table 18 on which a workpiece 16 to be cut is placed is provided. The processing table 18 is configured to be able to move vertically and horizontally by a known mechanism based on numerical data related to cutting.
[0013]
A head 20 is provided above the processing table 18. A unit mounting section 24 to which the spindle unit 22 is detachably mounted is provided below the head 20. The spindle unit 22 includes a main body 26 and a cutting tool 28 attached to a tip of the main body 26.
[0014]
The spindle unit 22 is attached to the unit mounting portion 24 so that the cutting tool 28 faces the processing table 18 and can cut the work 16 mounted and fixed on the processing table 18. The head 20 is configured to be movable in the vertical and horizontal directions with respect to the processing table 18 based on numerical data relating to cutting by a known mechanism.
[0015]
The spindle unit 22 can cut the work 16 by, for example, rotating a cutting tool 28 attached to the tip of a rotatable main shaft at a maximum speed of 50,000 rpm or more by a built-in motor. The rotation speed of the cutting tool 28 is variable. The cutting machine 10 can cut the work 16 into a desired shape by relatively moving the processing table 18 on which the work 16 is mounted and the spindle unit 22 based on numerical data related to the cutting. it can.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 1, the cutting machine 10 is provided with a replacement spindle unit mounting section 32 to which a plurality of replacement spindle units 30a, 30b, and 30c are mounted on a side of the head 20. I have. Cutting tools having different dimensions and shapes are attached to the replacement spindles 30a, 30b, 30c mounted on the replacement spindle unit mounting portion 32.
[0017]
The cutting machine 10 includes a so-called ATC (Automatic Tool Changer) that can automatically change the spindle unit 22. The ATC is provided below the head 30 and replaces the spindle unit 22 attached to the unit mounting section 24 with one of the replacement spindle units 30a, 30b, and 30c mounted on the replacement spindle unit mounting section 32. Is provided. In the present embodiment, the replacement spindle unit mounting section 32 is configured so that the replacement spindle units 30a, 30b, and 30c can be sequentially moved in the direction of the replacement arm 34 by a drive mechanism (not shown).
[0018]
When replacing the spindle unit, first, the spindle unit 22 attached to the unit mounting portion 24 is removed by the replacement arm 34, and the removed spindle unit 22 is stored in an empty space of the replacement spindle unit mounting portion 32. Next, the replacement spindle unit 30a, 30b, 30c is moved in the direction of the replacement arm 34, and when the desired replacement spindle unit 30a, 30b, or 30c is carried to a position adjacent to the replacement arm 34, the replacement spindle unit The replacement arm 34 is gripped by the replacement arm 34a, 30b, or 30c, and the replacement spindle unit 30a, 30b, or 30c is attached to the unit mounting portion 24 from which the spindle unit has been removed.
[0019]
Therefore, in the machining center 10, various processes can be performed on the work 16 by replacing the spindle unit mounted on the unit mounting portion 24 for cutting. Note that the exchange arm 34 is attached to a support shaft 36 that is configured to be able to move up and down and rotate freely with respect to the head 20. The exchange arm 34 has a notch 38 formed in each of the spindle units 22, 30a, 30b, and 30c, which can be fitted into an engagement groove 55 (see FIG. 2) described later.
[0020]
Next, the configuration of the spindle unit 22 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the unit mounting portion 24 and the spindle unit 22 attached to the unit mounting portion 24. As shown in FIG. 2, the spindle unit 22 includes a main body 26 and a cutting tool 28 such as a drill or an end mill held at a lower end of the main body 26.
[0021]
The main body 26 functions as a housing for accommodating various mechanisms for rotating the cutting tool 28, and has a substantially cylindrical body 40 to which the cutting tool 28 is attached at the distal end side, and the other end of the body 40. And a substantially L-shaped power receiving portion 42 protruding from the side surface in a side branch shape. The other end of the body portion 40 is a fitting portion 42 having a truncated cone shape that tapers toward the end.
[0022]
A tapered fitting concave portion 46 having a shape complementary to the fitting portion 44 of the spindle unit 22 is formed at the bottom of the unit mounting portion 24 of the cutting machine 10. In addition, a power supply unit 48 to which the tip of the power receiving unit 42 of the spindle unit 22 is connected is formed below the head 20. The power supply unit 48 has a coupler 52 to which the coupler 50 formed in the power receiving unit 42 is connected.
[0023]
The spindle unit 22 is configured such that the coupler 50 of the power receiving section 42 is connected to the coupler 52 of the power supply section 48 when the fitting section 44 is attached to the fitting concave section 46 of the unit mounting section 24. .
[0024]
At the tip of the fitting portion 44 of the spindle unit 22, a fixing portion 53 having a shape held by a chuck 51 provided at the back of the fitting concave portion 46 is provided. By fixing the fixing portion 53 to the chuck 51, the spindle unit 22 is fixed to the unit mounting portion 24. An annular groove 55 having a shape that can be fitted into the notch 38 of the exchange arm 34 is formed on the base side of the fitting part 44.
[0025]
The main body 40 of the spindle unit 22 includes a substantially cylindrical outer housing 54 and a substantially cylindrical inner housing 56 disposed in the outer housing 54 such that a tip thereof protrudes from the outer housing 54. . In the present embodiment, the outer casing 54 is formed of alloy tool steel SKD61, and the inner casing 56 is formed of stainless steel SUS304.
[0026]
In the inner housing 56, a main shaft 60 and a high-speed motor 62 are arranged. The cutting tool 28 is attached to the tip end of the spindle 60 via a collet chuck 64, and the other end of the spindle 60 is connected to the motor 62 via a shaft coupling 66.
[0027]
The motor 62 is a so-called brushless DC motor, and is supplied with power from a power source 70 in a rotation control controller 68 provided on the main body side of the cutting machine 10 via power cables 72a and 72b, so that the main shaft 60 and the The cutting tool 28 connected to the main shaft 60 is driven to rotate. Both ends of the main shaft 60 are supported by a total of four ball bearings 73 using ceramic balls.
[0028]
The cutting machine 10 includes a cooling mechanism for cooling the spindle unit. Inside the spindle unit 22, specifically around the motor 62, a cooler 75 for cooling the motor 62 with a cooling liquid circulated from outside the spindle unit via coolant supply pipes 74a, 74b is provided. In the present embodiment, the cooler 75 is a pipeline spirally arranged in contact with the outer periphery of the motor 62.
[0029]
Next, the cooling device and the like will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the distal ends of the power receiving section 42 and the power supply section 48 in a state where the spindle unit 22 is detached from the unit mounting section 24. The coupler 50 of the power receiving section 42 is provided with a first connection terminal section (drive-side connection terminal) 76 connected to a power cable 72 a connected to the motor 62. On the other hand, the coupler 52 of the power supply unit 48 is provided with a second connection terminal (power-side connection terminal) 78 that is connected to the power cable 72 b from the rotation controller 68 and can be fitted to the first connection terminal 76. Have been. The first connection terminal section (drive-side connection terminal) 76 and the second connection terminal section (power-supply-side connection terminal) 78 are configured such that the spindle unit 22 is attached to the unit mounting section 24 and the coupler 50a of the power receiving section 42 is powered by the power. It is configured to be connected when connected to the coupler 52 of the supply unit 48.
The coolant supply pipes 74 a and 74 b on the spindle unit side communicating with the cooler 75 are terminated with connection projections 80 a and 80 b provided on the coupler 50, respectively. Further, the coolant supply pipes 84a and 84b connected to the pump P and the cooling liquid source 82 including the coolant cooling device on the cutting machine 10 main body side are respectively connected in connection recesses 86a and 86b formed in the coupler 52. Terminated. In the present embodiment, the coolant supply pipe 84a is a delivery pipe that sends the cooling liquid from the cooling liquid source 82 to the spindle unit 22, and the coolant supply pipe 84b sends the cooling liquid from the spindle unit 22 to the cooling liquid source 82. It is a return line to return. An O-ring 88 for preventing leakage of the cooling liquid between the connection protrusions 80a and 80b is provided in the connection recesses 86a and 86b.
[0031]
The connection connecting projections 80a and 80b and the connection recesses 86a and 86b are defined when the spindle unit 22 is mounted on the unit mounting section 24 and the coupler 50 of the power receiving section 42 is connected to the coupler 52 of the power supply section 48. The coolant supply pipes 84a and 84b on the cutting machine body side and the coolant supply pipes 74a and 74b on the spindle unit 22 side are configured to communicate with each other. Therefore, when the control device operates the pump of the cooling liquid source 82, the cooling liquid pumped from the cooling liquid source 82 is supplied to the coolant supply pipe 84a on the cutting machine side and the coolant supply pipe 74a on the spindle unit 22 side. After passing through the cooling unit 75 and cooling the motor 62, the circulation path returns to the cooling liquid source 82 through the coolant supply pipe 74 b on the spindle unit 22 side and the coolant supply pipe 84 b on the cutting machine side. follow. As the cooling liquid, for example, water, oil, or the like is used.
[0032]
Further, a first three-way valve (path switching means) 90 is interposed in the refrigerant supply pipe 84a for sending the cooling liquid from the cooling liquid source 82, and the connection from the cooling liquid source 82 to the pressurized air source 92 It is configured to be selectively switched to a connection from. A second three-way valve (path switching means) 94 is interposed in the refrigerant supply pipe 84b for returning the cooling liquid from the spindle unit 22, and the connection to the cooling liquid source 82 is selected to be connected to the drain tank 96. It is configured to be able to be switched in a timely manner. The operation of these three-way valves 90 and 94 is coordinated with the operation of other devices of the cutting machine 10 such as the ATC by a control device (not shown) for controlling the operation of the cutting machine 10.
[0033]
In the cutting machine 10 having such a configuration, during the cutting, the control device operates the first three-way valve 90 to connect the cooling liquid source 82 to the refrigerant supply pipes 84a and 74a, A second three-way valve 94 is operated to connect the refrigerant supply pipes 74b, 84b to the cooling liquid source 82. The motor 62 of the spindle unit 22 during the cutting operation is cooled by the cooling liquid fed from the cooling liquid source 82.
[0034]
When the one-step cutting is completed and the spindle unit 22 mounted on the unit mounting portion 24 is replaced with another replacement spindle unit 30a, 30b or 30c, the first three-way valve 90 is operated by the control device. Then, a pressurized air source 92 is connected to the refrigerant supply pipes 84a and 74a instead of the cooling liquid source 82. Further, the second three-way valve 94 is operated to connect the refrigerant supply pipes 74 b and 84 b to the drain tank 96 instead of the cooling liquid source 82. Then, the pressurized air source 92 is operated, and the cooling liquid in the refrigerant supply pipes 84a and 74a, the cooler 75, and the refrigerant supply pipes 84b and 74b is discharged to the drain tank 96 by the pressurized air.
[0035]
Thereafter, the ATC is operated, the spindle unit 22 is removed from the unit mounting section 24, and then a desired replacement spindle unit 30a, 30b or 30c is mounted on the unit mounting section 24.
[0036]
Further, the control device operates the first three-way valve 90 to connect the cooling liquid source 82 to the refrigerant supply pipes 84a and 74a, and the second three-way valve 94 cools the refrigerant supply pipes 74b and 84b. It is operated so as to be connected to the source liquid source 82. Then, the spindle liquid attached to the unit mounting section 24 can be cooled by the cooling liquid fed from the cooling liquid source 82.
[0037]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of matters described in the appended claims.
[0038]
For example, the power supply of the drive unit of the spindle unit may be provided in the housing of the spindle unit. In addition, various tools used for cutting, in addition to drills and end mills, can be used as tools.
[0039]
In the present embodiment, the cooler 75 is a cooling pipe that spirally surrounds the outer periphery of the motor 62. However, the cooler 75 may be disposed on the inner wall surface of the inner housing 56, around the main shaft 60, or the like. Good. Further, a structure in which a cooler is arranged outside the body 40 of the spindle unit 22 may be employed.
[0040]
Further, in the above embodiment, the three-way valve is used as the path switching means, but other means capable of selectively switching the path may be used.
[0041]
Further, in the above embodiment, the cutting tool can be removed from the spindle unit 22. However, the present invention is also applicable to an integrated spindle unit in which the cutting tool cannot be removed from the spindle unit.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, there is provided a cutting machine in which the cooling liquid does not flow even when the spindle unit is removed from the cutting machine.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a cutting machine (machining center) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of a unit mounting portion and a spindle unit mounted on the unit mounting portion.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the distal end of a power receiving unit and a power supply unit when the spindle unit is removed from the unit mounting unit;
[Explanation of symbols]
10: Cutting machine 22: Spindle unit 24: Unit mounting parts 74a, 74b: Refrigerant supply pipe 75: Cooler 82: Cooling liquid source 84a, 84b: Refrigerant supply pipe 90: First three-way valve 92: Pressurized air Source 94: second three-way valve 96: drain tank

Claims (3)

A cutting machine equipped with a spindle unit for cutting a material by rotating a cutting blade,
A mounting unit to which the spindle unit for performing the cutting process is detachably mounted,
A cooling liquid supply mechanism for circulating a cooling liquid in a spindle unit mounted on the mounting portion,
A cooling liquid extracting mechanism for extracting a cooling fluid in the cooling liquid supply mechanism,
A cutting machine characterized by the above-mentioned. The cooling liquid supply mechanism is a cooling liquid source capable of pumping the cooling liquid, a delivery pipe for sending the cooling liquid from the cooling liquid source to the spindle unit, and the cooling liquid from the spindle unit. A return line for returning to the cooling liquid source,
The cooling liquid extracting mechanism includes a first path switching unit connected to the delivery pipe, a pressurized gas source connected to the first path switching unit, and a second path connected to the return pipe. Path switching means, and a drain tank connected to the second path switching means.
The cutting machine according to claim 1. A spindle unit holder for holding a replacement spindle unit;
An exchange mechanism for automatically exchanging the spindle unit held by the holding section with the spindle unit mounted on the mounting section,
During the cutting process, the first path switching means is operated to send the cooling liquid from the cooling liquid source into the spindle unit mounted on the mounting section, and the second path switching means is operated. When the cooling liquid in the spindle unit is returned to the cooling liquid source and the spindle unit is replaced, the first path switching unit is operated to mount the liquid from the pressurized gas source to the mounting unit. The pressurized gas is sent into the spindle unit, and the second path switching means is operated to discharge the cooling liquid and the pressurized gas in the spindle unit, the delivery pipe and the return pipe to the drain tank. Let
The cutting machine according to claim 2.

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