JP2006281350A - Cutting device and cutting method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To change a machining posture in any time from the start of cutting work to the end thereof. <P>SOLUTION: This cutting device includes: a stage 42; and a hoop shaker 54 as a stage posture changing means. The stage posture changing means includes: the hoop shaker having a hoop 56 and a hoop rotating roller 58; and a hoop rotating means 90 for applying the turning force to the hoop from the outside. The stage is fixed to the hoop shaker. The hoop rotating means is provided with: an posture changing force obtaining means 96; and an posture changing force giving means 94, and the posture changing force obtaining means is provided with a pulley 88 and a chain 92. A chain is connected to a hoop fixing part 80-1, and connected to the posture changing force giving means through the pulley. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cutting apparatus having a stage for fixing a workpiece and capable of changing the posture of the stage at any time from the start to the end of a cutting operation.

  With the recent development of science and technology, the demand for ultra-precision machining is increasing rapidly, and high-precision and high-efficiency productivity systems are required for machining of molds and prototype models. Of these, the following is known when focusing on the finished surface of the cut surface. In other words, one of the factors that deteriorate the quality of the machined surface in cutting and accelerate the wear of the cutting tool is to bite chips between the tool and the object to be cut during cutting.

  In addition, from the viewpoint of realizing a highly efficient productivity system, it is possible for the cutting device to freely change its processing posture for the convenience of cooperation between work processes for processed products or semi-processed products in the factory. It is desirable to have a mechanism to do this. For example, when the work surface of a workpiece flows horizontally, is attached to a processing machine, is processed, and is sent back to a horizontal plane, the cutting device needs to be a vertical type. On the other hand, there is a case where it is necessary to process a workpiece whose processing surface has flowed vertically using the same cutting device and send it again to the vertical surface. In this case, the cutting device needs to be a horizontal type. Therefore, in order to be able to cope with any of the cases, it is required that the cutting apparatus can freely change the processing posture.

  A general processing apparatus including a conventional cutting apparatus can translate a processing position on a stage for fixing a workpiece in three orthogonal directions (hereinafter also referred to as “XYZ directions”). Many have a function (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). In addition, some of the conventional cutting devices have a function capable of rotating the workpiece about the rotation center in any one of the XYZ directions (for example, the Z direction) (for example, Non-patent document 1).

  However, none of these conventional processing apparatuses has means for changing the overall posture of a stage and a processing tool for fixing a workpiece to be integrated.

In other words, the conventional cutting device is integrated with the processing tool including the stage so that the processing surface of the workpiece is oriented in a direction in which chips generated during the cutting process can be naturally dropped by gravity. There was no means to change the machining posture. In addition, in a factory, with a conventional cutting device, the cutting device is changed to a structure of a horizontal processing machine or a vertical processing machine according to the convenience of cooperation between processes of processed products or semi-processed products. It was not easy to respond.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-84744 JP 2001-300838 JP 2003-251509 A Mitsubishi Electric Corporation "NC Control Coordinate Rules" [online] 2000 [searched on February 22, 2005], Internet <URL http://wwwf2.mitsubishielectric.co.jp/fair/fa_basic/08/82ap03 .htm>

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a cutting device that can remove chips generated during cutting by changing the processing posture at any time from the start to the end of the cutting operation. There is to do. In addition, it is possible to change the processing posture according to the convenience of cooperation between processes of processed products or semi-processed products in the factory, and it is possible to easily move between processes even during process recombination To provide an apparatus.

  Therefore, in order to solve the above-described problem, the cutting apparatus of the present invention includes a spindle spindle, a stage, and a stage attitude changing means. This stage is coupled to the spindle spindle to form a coupling structure, holds the workpiece, and determines the relative positional relationship between the spindle spindle and the workpiece. The stage posture changing means has a function of changing the posture of the coupled structure composed of the spindle spindle and the stage. The posture of the coupling structure is changed by rotating the coupling structure to change the direction of the spindle spindle from one direction to another direction within a range of 360 °. Here, the direction of the main spindle refers to the direction of the main spindle.

  In the cutting apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the stage posture changing means is constituted by a hoop shaker including a hoop that is rotated by an external force. That is, the coupling structure is fixed to the hoop of the hoop shaker.

  In addition, it is preferable to provide a hoop and a hoop rotating means on the fixed base, further including a hoop rotating means for applying an external force to the stage posture changing means.

  The hoop rotating means is preferably configured as follows. That is, it is configured to include posture changing force acquisition means coupled to the hoop and posture changing force giving means for applying posture changing force to the posture changing force acquisition means.

  In the cutting apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the stage posture changing means is a housing that is fixed so as to surround the stage.

  The cutting tool attached to the spindle of the cutting device of the present invention is preferably any of an end mill, a drill, a milling cutter, a cutting tool, and a fly cutting tool.

  The cutting tool attached to the main spindle of the cutting device of the present invention is preferably a grindstone or a polishing tool.

  In addition, the stage of the cutting apparatus according to the present invention preferably includes a mechanical holding and fixing means, a vacuum fixing means or a magnetic force fixing means capable of controlling fastening and releasing for fixing the workpiece. In particular, a workpiece having a non-flat fixing surface is preferably provided with a refrigeration fixing means (hereinafter also referred to as “freezing chuck”).

  Furthermore, the cutting method using the above-described cutting apparatus includes the following first and second steps. That is, the first step is a step of mounting the work piece on the stage. The second step is to cut the work in a state where the orientation of the coupling structure is changed by turning so that the orientation of the spindle is changed from one orientation to another in the range of 360 °. This is a step of cutting an object.

  The cutting method according to the present invention preferably further includes the following third step. That is, in the third step, the coupled structure is left in the posture state in the second step, or from the posture in the second step, the main spindle is oriented in the range from one direction to 360 °. This is a step of removing the workpiece in a rotated posture so as to be oriented.

  The cutting apparatus of the present invention comprises a main spindle, a coupling structure formed by combining the main spindle and the stage, and a stage attitude changing means. In this cutting apparatus, the stage holds the workpiece and determines the relative positional relationship between the spindle and the workpiece. The stage posture changing means has a function of changing the posture of the main spindle and the stage as a unit by rotating the coupling structure.

  By changing the posture of the spindle spindle and the stage as a unit by the stage posture changing means, the direction of the spindle spindle is within a range from 0 ° to 360 ° with respect to the direction along the one direction from a certain one state. Since it is possible to make the state in another direction, the relationship between the direction that the spindle spindle and the workpiece can take and the direction of gravity can be freely changed by this stage attitude changing means.

  From this, it becomes possible to adjust by the stage attitude | position change means so that the processing surface of a to-be-cut workpiece may face in the direction where the chip which generate | occur | produces during cutting can fall naturally by gravity. In other words, the machining posture can be changed by the stage posture changing means, and chips generated during cutting are removed without being kept near the tool (such as an end mill attached to the spindle), so that the space between the tool and the object to be cut is removed. It becomes possible to prevent being pinched by.

  If the stage posture changing means is configured using a hoop shaker, a mechanism capable of changing the posture of the stage can be easily realized by using the rotation function of the hoop shaker. This is because the hoop shaker has an original function of stirring a rotating object (stirred object) in a hoop (ring) and rotating it. That is, since a commercially available hoop shaker is available as having a hoop rotating means, the stage posture changing means can be easily formed by using a commercially available hoop shaker.

  If the stage posture changing means is configured with a hoop shaker, it is possible to change the posture of the coupled structure by manually rotating the hoop to which the coupled structure is fixed. In this case, the external force is a rotational force applied to the hoop manually by the operator of the cutting apparatus of the present invention. By simply changing the posture of the combined structure manually, it is possible to easily perform machining while effectively removing chips generated during cutting, which could not be easily achieved in the past. An excellent effect is obtained.

  Further, for example, when the external force is applied by the hoop rotating means, the hoop rotating means is configured using a motor, and the rotation is controlled by giving a control signal to the motor from a computer or the like. If it is set as the structure to perform, it will become possible to perform the attitude | position change of a connection structure without being based on manual. By doing so, automatic control of the machining posture is achieved. That is, if a commercially available hoop shaker equipped with a hoop rotating means is used, or if the hoop rotating means is specially designed and used as described later, the machining posture of the above-described cutting apparatus of the present invention can be improved. Automatic control is achieved.

  The hoop rotating means can comprise a posture changing force acquiring means coupled to the hoop shaker and a posture changing force giving means for applying a rotational force to the posture changing force acquiring means. Commercially available ones can be used for the posture change force acquisition means and the posture change force giving means.

  If the stage posture changing means is a case that is fixed so as to surround the stage, the coupling structure can be rotated depending on which side of the case is selected as the bottom surface of the cutting apparatus, and the stage posture is changed. Can be changed.

  When the cutting tool to be mounted on the spindle of the cutting device of the present invention is any one of an end mill, a drill, a milling cutter, a cutting tool, and a fly cutting tool, the cutting of the end mill, the drill, the milling cutter, the cutting tool, and the fly cutting tool is performed. It can correspond to processing by either of the above.

  Further, if the cutting tool to be mounted on the main spindle of the cutting apparatus of the present invention is a grindstone or a polishing tool, it can cope with cutting and polishing.

  The cutting device according to the present invention also allows the cutting posture of these tools in the direction of gravity if a tool such as an end mill, a drill, a milling cutter, a cutting tool, a fly cutting tool, a grindstone, or a polishing tool can be attached to the spindle. On the other hand, since it can be changed, it is possible to cope with machining of a complicated shape by these tools.

  Further, as described above, the cutting device of the present invention can change the posture of the workpiece and the stage as a unit. Therefore, the cutting device can be changed to the structure of a horizontal processing machine or a vertical processing machine according to the convenience of cooperation between processes of workpieces or processed products or semi-processed products in the factory. Easy to do.

  When the stage of the cutting apparatus of the present invention has a mechanical gripping and fixing means capable of controlling fastening and releasing for fixing the workpiece, the workpiece is firmly and stably placed on the stage. Can be fixed.

  Further, when the stage of the cutting device of the present invention is configured to have a vacuum fixing means or a magnetic force fixing means for fixing a workpiece, it is possible to release the vacuum or cut off the current that generates the magnetic force. Since the workpiece can be removed, the process of removing the workpiece after machining is simplified.

  In particular, it is preferable that the workpiece to be cut whose fixing surface is not flat is fixed by a freezing chuck. The freezing chuck uses a Peltier element to cool the air in the air by cooling from -10 ° C to -30 ° C, and it can fix the workpiece, and the fixed surface is not flat. It is extremely effective for workpieces, non-magnetic materials, and materials and workpieces that are subject to significant stress due to mechanical gripping.

  If the above-described cutting apparatus is used, the first step of mounting the workpiece to be staged, and the coupling structure, the direction of the spindle spindle is changed from one direction to another direction within a range of 360 °. As described above, the second step of cutting the workpiece can be realized in a state where the posture is changed and set by rotating.

  In general, when the workpiece is mounted on the stage, it is often preferable from the viewpoint of work efficiency that the axial direction of the main spindle is in a direction parallel to the direction of gravity. Therefore, the work piece is mounted on the stage with the spindle direction in the direction parallel to the gravity direction, and the spindle direction is set in the range of 360 ° perpendicular to the gravity direction. If possible, work efficiency can be improved, and chips generated during cutting can be naturally dropped by gravity.

  Further, if the stage is configured to have mechanical gripping and fixing means, vacuum fixing means, magnetic force fixing means or refrigeration fixing means capable of controlling fastening and releasing for fixing a workpiece to be mounted on the stage, The following advantages arise. In other words, if the vacuum state is released with the axial direction of the main spindle, that is, the direction of the rotation axis perpendicular to the direction of gravity, the workpiece can be removed naturally, the process is simplified, and the work efficiency is improved. Can help.

  Also, if it is possible to return to a state in which the axial direction of the spindle is parallel to the direction of gravity after removing the workpiece, it is convenient to execute the process of mounting the next workpiece. It becomes a state.

  As described above, according to the cutting device of the present invention and the cutting method using this device, it is possible to prevent chips from being sandwiched between the tool and the cutting object during processing. It is.

  In addition, it is possible to meet the demand for changing the processing posture of the processing machine according to the necessity for cooperation between processes of processed products or semi-processed products in the factory. And it can respond also to the request | requirement of the work efficiency accompanying the above-mentioned accompanying them.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Each figure shows one configuration example according to the present invention, and only schematically shows the arrangement relationship of each component to the extent that the present invention can be understood. It is not limited to. In the following description, specific equipment and conditions may be used. However, these materials and conditions are only one of preferred examples, and are not limited to these. Moreover, in each figure, the same component is shown with the same number, and the overlapping description may be omitted.

<First embodiment>
With reference to FIG. 1, the configuration and function of the cutting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a cutting apparatus, and shows a schematic shape of essential components of the present invention and an installation relationship between the essential components. In FIG. 1, the subcomponents of the present invention are omitted. In addition, for convenience of explanation, the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis that are orthogonal to each other, and the rotation direction (θ) about the Z axis as the center of rotation, together with the configuration of the cutting apparatus of the first embodiment, It is shown in the upper left of FIG.

  The cutting apparatus according to the present invention comprises a spindle spindle 22, a stage 12, and stage attitude changing means 14. The stage posture changing means 14 is provided on the fixed base 10. The fixed base 10 may be, for example, a bench or the ground or a floor of a structure, or other fixed, movable, or leveling base.

  The stage 12 is integrally coupled with the main spindle 22 to form a coupling structure 36. The stage 12 further holds the workpiece 34 and determines the relative positional relationship between the spindle 22 and the workpiece 34.

  The stage attitude changing means 14 has a function of changing the attitude of the spindle spindle 22 and the stage 12 as a unit. This posture change is realized by rotating the coupling structure 36 described above. The coupling structure 36 is rotated by the stage attitude changing means 14 so that the orientation of the main spindle 24 is in another direction within the range of 360 ° from the current orientation.

  For example, a tool 24 such as an end mill or a grindstone is attached to the main spindle 22.

  The stage 12 is a type of so-called XYZθ four-axis stage. Therefore, the stage 12 has an X, Y, and Z axis slide mechanism and a rotation (θ) mechanism. Each slide mechanism has a slider, a slide guide, and a drive unit for sliding driving, as is conventionally known. In addition, the rotation mechanism includes a rotation transmission unit and a drive unit that drives to rotate, as is conventionally known. These driving units are not shown in FIG.

  First, an outline of the overall structure of the cutting apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. A first gate-type frame 30 is fixed to a fixed base 10 on a flat plate perpendicularly to the first main surface. A vertical frame of the first portal frame 30 (a frame portion perpendicular to the first main plane of the fixed base 10) and a vertical frame of the second portal frame 32 are provided via a pivot shaft 26. Therefore, the second portal frame 32 is configured to be able to pivot around the pivot shaft 26 as a rotation support shaft in the space inside the first portal frame 30.

  The X, Y, and Z-axis slide mechanisms have corresponding sliders, slide guides, and drive elements. The rotation (θ) mechanism includes a rotation table and a rotation drive unit. Since each slide mechanism and rotation mechanism can be configured using a well-known four-axis stage configuration technique, the correspondence with the components of the cutting apparatus of the present invention will be described, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The stage 12 includes an X-axis slider 16, a Z-axis slider 18, and a rotary table 20. The turntable 20 includes a mechanism that slides in the Y-axis direction shown in FIG. 1 and a mechanism (not shown) that rotates (θ) about the axis in the Z-axis direction. Further, the rotary table 20 includes mechanical gripping and fixing means, magnetic force fixing means, refrigeration chuck, or vacuum fixing means (not shown) to be described later, which can be controlled to be fastened and released to fix the workpiece. Yes.

  The X-axis slider 16 has a structure that is slid in the X-axis direction by an X-axis slide guide 48. The Z-axis slider 18 is configured to slide the vertical frame of the second portal frame 32 in the Z-axis direction, and the vertical frame of the second portal frame 32 serves as a Z-axis slide guide. .

  In the stage shown in FIG. 1, the rotary table 20 corresponds to a Y-axis slider. The rotary table 20 is installed on the upper surface of the support table 28 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis (rotation axis parallel to the Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the upper surface. That is, the rotary table 20 has both the translation movement in the Y-axis direction and the function of rotating around the rotation axis in the direction parallel to the Z-axis. Details of the mechanism for rotating the rotary table 20 in the Y-axis direction and the mechanism for rotating around the axis in the Z-axis direction will be described later. In FIG. 1, a mechanism for sliding in the Y-axis direction is not shown.

  In the cutting apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the first gate-type frame 30 is fixed to the fixed base 10, and the second gate-type frame 32 is centered on the turning axis 26 having the axis in the X-axis direction as the turning center. Can be turned. As a result, when the coupling structure 36 is rotated by an external force, that is, the rotational force imparting means 38, the orientation of the main spindle 22 over the range of 0 ° to 360 ° with respect to the direction of gravity (the direction of the Z axis). It can be freely changed as one piece with the cut workpiece 34. That is, the processing posture can be changed by changing the posture of the stage 12 with respect to the direction of gravity by the stage posture changing means 14.

  In summary, the stage 12 in the first embodiment includes an X-axis slider 16, an X-axis slide guide 48, a Z-axis slider 18, a rotary table 20, a second portal frame 32, a spindle spindle support 23, and It comprises a support table 28. The stage 12 is coupled to the spindle spindle 22 to which the cutting tool 24 is attached by the spindle spindle support 23 to hold the workpiece 34, and the relative positional relationship between the spindle spindle 22 and the workpiece 34 is determined. Play a role to decide. The spindle spindle 22 is fixedly coupled to the X-axis slider 16. A member for supporting and fixing the spindle spindle 22 to the X-axis slider 16 is a spindle spindle support 23.

  In the first embodiment, a support table 28 is used to fix the second portal frame 32. This support table 28 supports the rotary table 20 so that it can rotate and translate.

  As described above, the coupling between the rotary table 20 and the spindle spindle 22 is indirectly performed by interposing other constituent members. Specifically, the constituent members include the spindle spindle support 23, The X-axis slider 16, the X-axis slide guide 48, the Z-axis slider 18, the second portal frame 32, the support table 28, and the like are indicated. Here, the whole structure in which the stage 12 and the spindle spindle 22 are integrally formed is referred to as a coupling structure 36.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, by applying a rotational force Fr to the coupling structure 36 from the outside, the direction of the spindle spindle 22 is in one direction, that is, within the range from the current direction to 360 °. A rotation for changing to another direction is given, and the posture of the coupling structure 36 is changed by this rotation. When the rotational force Fr is manually applied directly to the coupling structure 36, the stage posture changing means 14 functions to support the coupling structure 36 so that it can rotate. Further, in the case of using physical rotational force imparting means 38 such as a rotational drive motor that applies rotational force Fr to the coupling structure 36, the stage posture changing means 14 has a structure for rotating the turning shaft 26 itself, In addition, it is also possible to adopt a structure in which a transmission means (not shown) using a gear including a rack, a pinion, etc., for transmitting the rotational force from the rotational force imparting means 38 to the turning shaft 26 is provided.

  As described above, the rotational force imparting means 38 may be configured to rotate the turning shaft 26 with a powerful motor, or may be manually rotated by an operator of the cutting apparatus. How to apply the rotational force Fr or how the rotational force imparting means 38 is realized is merely a design matter that is appropriately determined depending on the object of cutting.

  The first portal frame 30 and the second portal frame 32 are both depicted as a structure having a horizontal frame in FIG. 1, but the frame portion in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) is not necessarily provided. There is no need. The vertical frame portions (Z-axis direction) of the first portal frame 30 and the second portal frame 32 may be fixed to the fixed base 10 and the support table 28 without being deformed, respectively.

<Second embodiment>
A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 are a front view and a side view, respectively, showing a schematic configuration of the cutting apparatus of the second embodiment.

  The workpiece 68 is placed on the rotary table 44, and the relative positional relationship with the main spindle 72 is determined by the stage 42. The tool 70 attached to the spindle 72 is described as an end mill, but the following description is the same for a drill, a milling cutter, a bite, a fly cutting tool, a grindstone, and a polishing tool. It holds.

  For the end mill, the position of the tip, which is the cutting part, can translate relative to the machining surface (XY plane) of the workpiece 68 and is perpendicular to the XY plane (Z-axis direction). It is also necessary to have a configuration that allows translational movement. Also, the workpiece 68 may need to be rotated about an axis parallel to the Z axis during machining. In order to meet these requirements, the stage 42 includes a rotary table 44 that holds the workpiece 68 fixedly, an X-axis slider 52, and a Z-axis slider 46. The rotary table 44 is sometimes referred to as a C-axis rotary table in the following description.

  The rotary table 44 includes a θ rotation surface 76 on the upper surface of the upper table 64 so as to rotate in the θ direction with respect to a rotation axis parallel to the Z axis. Here, the rotation in the θ direction refers to rotation around a rotation axis parallel to the Z axis. In the following description, the rotation axis in the direction parallel to the Z axis may be referred to as the C axis.

  The rotary table 44 is installed on the upper table 64 so as to slide in the Y-axis direction and translate and move in the θ direction. Specifically, the upper table 64 is formed with a Y-axis slide guide 74 so that the Y-axis stage 66 is translated on the upper table 64 in the Y-axis direction. In particular, since the rotary table 44 needs to be configured to rotate in the θ direction, the Y-axis stage 66 and the rotary table 44 are configured such that their contact surfaces slide.

  That is, the contact surface between the Y-axis stage 66 and the rotary table 44 is the θ rotation surface 76. The rotary table 44 may be configured to be rotatable around the rotary axis in the C-axis direction provided on the rotary table side 44 of the Y-axis stage 66. As the rotation mechanism of the rotary table 44, for example, a rotation transmission mechanism using a rotation motor and a rack, a pinion, and a gear can be used. Detailed description is omitted.

  The Y-axis slide guide 74 is provided on the surface of the upper table 64 on the Y-axis stage 66 side. For example, the Y-axis slide guide 74 has a rectangular or triangular ridge shape in cross section. On the other hand, the Y-axis stage 66 is configured so that grooves that engage with the ridges 74 are formed on the surface facing the upper table 64 and slides with respect to the ridges. The rotary table 44 can be configured using a commercially available rotary table. Similarly to the case of the first embodiment, this rotary table 44 is also provided with mechanical gripping fixing means, magnetic force fixing means, refrigeration chuck, or vacuum fixing means capable of controlling fastening / release for fixing the workpiece. It has.

  The X-axis slider 52 is provided so that the spindle spindle 72 is fixed by the spindle spindle support 73 and the X-axis slide guide 78 can slide smoothly. The Z-axis slider 46 is provided symmetrically on the vertical frame portion of the portal frame 50 so that the frame portion of the portal frame 50 can be smoothly slid.

  As described above, the stage 42 refers to a component that allows the tip end position of the end mill to translate in the X-Y-Z direction and rotate around an axis parallel to the Z axis. That is, in the second embodiment, the stage 42 includes an upper table 64, a Y-axis stage 66, a rotary table 44, an X-axis slider 52, an X-axis slide guide 78, a Z-axis slider 46, and a portal frame. 50 and formed.

  The stage 42 is coupled to the main spindle 72 to form a coupling structure 136. The coupling between the rotary table 44 and the spindle spindle 72 is indirectly performed by interposing other constituent members. Specifically, the other components refer to the X-axis slider 52, the X-axis slide guide 78, the Z-axis slider 46, the portal frame 50, the upper table 64, the Y-axis stage 66, and the like.

  In the cutting apparatus of the present invention, as in the case of the first embodiment, a stage posture for changing the posture of the coupling structure 136 by applying a rotation that changes the orientation of the spindle spindle 72 to the coupling structure 136. It has means for changing.

  In the second embodiment, this stage posture changing means is constituted by a hoop shaker 54. Hereinafter, a configuration example of the hoop shaker 54 will be described. The hoop shaker 54 mainly includes a hoop 56, a table rotating and rolling bearing portion 60, a lower table 62, a hoop rotating roller 58, a roller support 59, and a fixed portion, that is, a stopper 86. The hoop 56 has an annular shape, and is rotated by an external force with the center of the ring as the center of rotation to rotate the coupling structure 136 coupled to the hoop 56.

  The stage 42 of the coupling structure 136 is formed on the upper surface of the upper table 64, and the upper table 64 is coupled to the lower table 62 of the hoop shaker 54 by the table rotating and rolling bearing portion 60. The upper table 64 can be rotated with respect to the rotation axis in a direction perpendicular to the table surface (XY plane in FIG. 2) with respect to the lower table 62 by the table rotation rolling bearing portion 60. By the rotation mechanism by the table rotation rolling bearing portion 60 and the rotation mechanism by the above-described hoop shaker 54, it is possible to freely change the direction of the spindle of the spindle spindle 72 with respect to gravity.

  That is, it can be rotated with respect to the rotation axis in the direction perpendicular to the XY plane in FIGS. 2 and 3 by the rotation mechanism by the table rotation rolling bearing portion 60, and in the Y-axis direction in FIG. 2 by the rotation mechanism by the hoop shaker 54. It becomes the structure which can rotate with respect to the rotating shaft of a parallel direction. Thus, by being able to rotate with respect to the rotation axis in the direction perpendicular to the XY plane and with respect to the rotation axis in the Y-axis direction, the direction of the spindle of the spindle and the machining surface of the workpiece 68 with respect to gravity can be set. , Both can be changed.

  However, it is not essential to implement the present invention that the stage 42 has a configuration in which the upper table 64 and the lower table 62 are joined by the table rotating and rolling bearing portion 60. The upper table 64 and the lower table 62 may be integrally formed. By making the upper table 64 rotatable relative to the lower table 62 with respect to the rotation axis in the direction perpendicular to the table surface, it is possible to make the apparatus easier to use depending on the type of cutting.

  The lower table 62 and the hoop 56 are fixed by welding, for example. In FIG. 2, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, this weld fixing portion is indicated by a bold line.

  Although only one hoop 56 is illustrated in FIG. 2, it is actually configured by connecting two hoops having the same radius in parallel. This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the cutting apparatus according to the second embodiment when viewed from the X-axis direction shown in FIG. The hoop 56 is formed by connecting two hoops having the same radius in parallel by the hoop fixing portions 80-1 and 80-2. Here, the hoop fixing portions are shown to be set at two places, but it is preferable to provide about three to four hoops at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the hoop.

  A hoop rotating roller 58 is provided for each of the two hoops 56. The hoop rotating roller 58 is rotatably supported by a roller support 59, and the roller support 59 is fixed to the fixed base 40. Therefore, the hoop 56 is configured to be rotatable with the help of the hoop rotating roller 58 when a rotational force Fr is applied manually or from other rotational driving means from the outside.

  A schematic configuration of the hoop shaker fixing portion of the cutting apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The posture of the stage 42 fixed to the hoop 56 is changed when the hoop 56 is rotated by the hoop rotation roller 58, and the posture is changed. That is, it is possible to change the posture of the spindle spindle 72 fixed to the stage 42, and thus the tool such as an end mill and the workpiece 68 with respect to the direction of gravity by rotating the hoop 56.

  It is necessary to rotate the hoop 56 by a required rotation amount, that is, a rotation angle, and fix the hoop 56 to the rotation position by some means. That is, in general, during processing, it is necessary to fix the stage 42 by stopping the rotation of the hoop 56 and fixing the hoop 56. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, in the cutting apparatus of the second embodiment, a stopper 86 for fixing the hoop 56 to the fixed base 40 is installed.

  The stopper 86 includes a brake plate 82 and a brake plate tightening screw 84, and the hoop 56 is sandwiched between the brake plates 82. When changing the posture of the stage 42 with respect to the direction of gravity, that is, when rotating the circular hoop 56 within the range of 0 ° to 360 ° around its central axis, the brake plate tightening screw 84 is loosened to release the brake plate. The hoop 56 sandwiched between 82 is in a state where it can move freely. In addition, when it is necessary to fix the stage 42 to the fixed base 40, for example, when the work piece is mounted on the stage 42, the hoop 56 is strongly sandwiched between the brake plates 82 by tightening the brake plate fastening screws 84. And By doing so, the stage 42 can be fixed to the fixed base 40 by the frictional force between the brake plate 82 and the hoop 56.

  Many commercially available hoop shakers are integrated with a hoop rotating means. Here, a hoop shaker is not provided with a hoop rotating means. This is because it may be more convenient for the operator of the cutting apparatus of the second embodiment to change the posture of the stage by manually turning the hoop. That is, it is not necessary to provide a means for rotating the hoop by means other than manual in order to construct a cutting apparatus that manually changes the posture of the stage. For the sake of convenience, the hoop shaker and the hoop rotating means were handled separately for inclusion in the second embodiment.

<Third embodiment>
Next, with reference to FIG. 5, an example in which the stage posture changing means of the cutting apparatus of the third embodiment is constituted by a hoop shaker and a hoop rotating means will be described. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the stage posture changing means of the third embodiment.

  In FIG. 5, in order to avoid the trouble of drawing, the details of the stage 42 described above are omitted, and the positions where the stages 42 are arranged are surrounded by broken lines. Details of the upper table 64 and the lower table 62 on which the stage 42 is mounted are also omitted.

  The stage posture changing means includes a hoop shaker 54 having a hoop 56 and a hoop rotating roller 58, and a hoop rotating means 90 for applying a rotational force to the hoop 56 from the outside. A stage 42 is fixed to the hoop shaker 54 as shown in FIG. The hoop rotating means 90 includes a posture change force acquisition means 96 and a posture change force giving means 94, and the posture change force acquisition means 96 includes a pulley 88 and a chain 92. That is, the hoop shaker 54 and the hoop rotating means 90 are formed with the fixed base 40 as a common base.

  When the stage 42 is fixed to the hoop shaker 54 and the hoop shaker 54 and the hoop rotating means 90 are provided as the common base 40, a mechanism for changing the posture of the stage 42 with respect to the fixed base 40 is provided. It can be easily realized. Various types of hoop rotating means 90 can be considered in addition to the example shown in FIG. 5, but the basic function is to rotate the hoop 56 relative to the fixed base 40. That is, the hoop rotating means 90 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 5 as long as the function of rotating the hoop 56 with respect to the fixed base 40 can be realized.

  As already described, the hoop 56 is formed by connecting two hoops having the same radius in parallel by the hoop fixing portions 80-1 and 80-2. A chain 92 is connected to any one of the hoop fixing portions (here, the hoop fixing portion 80-1) and connected to the posture changing force giving means 94 via a pulley 88.

  The hoop 56 can change the posture of the stage 42 fixed to the hoop 56 by pulling up or pulling down the chain 92 connected to the hoop fixing portion 80-1. That is, by pulling or loosening the chain 92 by the posture changing force giving means 94 via the pulley 88, the hoop 56 can be rotated and the posture of the stage 42 fixed to the hoop 56 can be changed. .

  The posture change force giving means 94 can be configured as a rotation drive device that transmits the rotation of the motor to the chain 92 by a gear. The posture change force acquisition means 96 can be configured to include a pulley 88 and a chain 92. As the posture changing force imparting means 94 configured to transmit the pulley 88, the chain 92, and the rotation of the motor to the chain by a gear, commercially available ones can be used.

  As described above, the stage 42 fixed to the hoop 56 can change its posture from one possible posture to another, and can fix the posture at an arbitrary position. . Here, a state where the stage 42 is rotated by 90 ° and 180 ° will be described with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 6 and 7 show a state in which the stage 42 is rotated by 90 ° and 180 °, respectively (hereinafter also referred to as “cutting position”). 2 and 3 (hereinafter also referred to as “setting position”) is an initial state of the stage 42, that is, for example, the direction of the rotation axis of the main spindle is parallel to the direction of gravity. It shows a state of facing the direction.

  The setting position is suitable for setting the cutting device according to the second embodiment to a state in which a machining operation can be performed at the start of machining, including attaching a workpiece.

  When the setting process is completed, the stage 42 is rotated 90 ° or 180 ° from the setting position to change its posture, and is fixed to the fixed base 40 by the stopper 86. When the machining process is executed, the chips generated during machining naturally fall by gravity and do not stay on the machined part.

  After the setting process is completed, in principle, as described above, the stage 42 is rotated 90 ° or 180 ° to change the posture and execute the machining process. Is demonstrated. However, normally, as shown in FIG. 2, using the apparatus provided with the table rotation rolling bearing portion 60, all the chips can be obtained without scattering the chips outside the apparatus by carrying out as follows. Collect completely.

  First, a cover (not shown) that also slides up and down in FIG. 2 and also serves as a chip collection mechanism is attached. Next, when the setting process is completed, the stage 42 is rotated from the setting position together with the upper table 64 to the lower table 62 via the table rotation rolling bearing section 60 (preferably rotated by 90 °). The front part faces the left side. Then, the orientation of the stage 42 is changed by rotating the direction of the spindle spindle 72 by 90 ° or 180 ° with respect to the direction of gravity by the rotation of the hoop 56, and the posture is changed to the fixed base 40 by the stopper 86. Fix it. When the machining process is executed, chips generated during the process naturally fall due to gravity, and can be collected by a cover that also serves as a scrap collecting mechanism attached to the original front portion of the stage. Therefore, the chips do not remain in the processed portion, and all the chips are completely recovered.

  Whether the hoop 56 is preferably rotated 90 ° or 180 ° from the setting position in the machining process is determined by the shape of the workpiece and the machining shape. Of course, it is obvious that the rotation amount of the hoop 56 is not limited to 90 ° or 180 °, but can be arbitrarily selected within the range of 0 ° to 180 °.

  In accordance with the configuration of the second and third embodiments described above, the cutting device prototyped by the inventors has an outer dimension of the stage 42 having a width of 560 mm, a depth of 580 mm, and a height of 650 mm. 130 kg. It is characterized by its small size and weight compared to a conventional cutting device of the same type that cannot change the machining posture. The maximum resolution of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis is 0.25 μm, and the repeat positioning accuracy is ± 0.5 μm. Further, as described above, the rotary table 44 (C-axis rotary table) is mounted on the Y-axis stage 66. The C-axis rotary table has a maximum rotation speed of 5,000 revolutions per minute with the C-axis as the rotation axis. The angle indexing accuracy of the C-axis rotary table is 0.036 °. The spindle spindle can rotate from 3,000 to 40,000 revolutions per minute.

  Further, the cutting devices of the second and third embodiments are both configured to be able to attach a grindstone to the spindle spindle. If the grindstone is attached, the cutting posture by the grindstone can be changed with respect to the direction of gravity, so that it is possible to cope with complex shape machining by the grindstone.

  That is, in the cutting process using a grindstone, the cutting operation direction of the grindstone may be limited with respect to the gravitational direction depending on the shape of the workpiece, as in the cutting process using an end mill. However, even in this case, according to the cutting apparatus of the second embodiment, the cutting posture by the grindstone can be changed with respect to the direction of gravity, so that it is possible to cope with it.

  In addition, if a metal bond superabrasive grindstone is attached to the main spindle, it is possible to perform grinding by electrolytic in-process dressing (ELID).

  Next, an example in which pocket machining is performed on metal steel (model number: HPM-38) using a carbide coated two-blade end mill with a diameter of 3 mm as the tool 70 will be described. During the cutting process, no coolant mist, which is sometimes used to cool or lubricate the end mill and the machined part of the workpiece, was used. Depending on whether the end mill rotating shaft is tilted 90 ° with respect to the direction of gravity or when it is not tilted, the chip discharge status during processing, the roughness of the cutting surface, and the end mill after processing The wear was compared.

  Machining conditions are as follows: End mill rotation speed is 20,000 revolutions per minute, processing depth is 20μm processed by one end mill operation, cross feed is X-axis is 500μm, Y-axis is 235μm, The total processing depth is 1 mm. The feed rate of the end mill was 1 mm / min in the Z-axis direction and 80 mm / min in the X-axis and Y-axis directions.

  When the end mill's rotation axis is tilted 90 ° with respect to the direction of gravity, machining can be performed continuously while dropping the chips by gravity, and the amount of chips remaining on the machined surface is small. It could be confirmed. In a conventional cutting apparatus, since the cutting posture cannot be changed, it is generally impossible to perform machining by inclining the direction of the rotation axis of the end mill by 90 ° with respect to the direction of gravity. Although a 3 mm diameter end mill was used here, in recent years, milling cutting with a micro tool such as a 15 μm end mill, and submicron, nano level ultra-precision cutting with a single crystal diamond cutter have been attempted. In particular, in such a cutting process, it is needless to say that the present invention exerts a very great effect because the discharge of chips has a more serious effect on the processing characteristics and surface accuracy.

  Further, as described above, even if the direction of the rotation axis of the end mill can be tilted, in the conventional cutting apparatus, the spindle spindle and the members supporting it are heavy, so the direction of the rotation axis of the end mill is tilted. Accordingly, it is difficult to move the end mill against the gravity with the magnitude of the torque of the servo motor used for the movement of the end mill. On the other hand, according to the cutting apparatus of the second embodiment, the weight of the spindle spindle 72 and the members supporting it is designed to be very light as follows.

  The spindle spindle 72 weighs 1.2 kg, the member supporting the spindle spindle 72 weighs 0.6 kg, the X-axis slider 52 weighs 7.4 kg, the Z-axis slider 46 weighs 3.6 kg, and the Y-axis stage 66 The weight is 5.5 kg, the weight of the rotary table 44 (C-axis rotary table) is 13.7 kg, and the total weight of the portal frame 50 is 26.3 kg. These total weights, including wiring, piping, and electrical parts, are almost 130 kg, which is a lighter design compared to conventional cutting equipment.

  With respect to the roughness of the cutting surface, the results were almost the same regardless of whether the direction of the axis of rotation of the end mill was tilted by 90 ° or not. It was also confirmed that the degree of wear of the end mill after processing was sufficiently small.

  As described above, by designing the spindle spindle 72 of the machining apparatus according to the second and third embodiments so that the end mill can be mounted, it is possible to effectively cope with pocket machining with high machining demand.

  In addition, if the rotary table 44 is formed with a vacuum fixing means, a mechanical fixing means capable of controlling fastening / release, a magnetic force fixing means, or a freezing chuck, the process of attaching / detaching the workpiece to be cut is completed. Is simplified. In order to attach and detach the workpiece after completion of machining, in general, it is often necessary to change the stage 42 to a posture different from that at the time of cutting. However, if the rotary table 44 is equipped with a vacuum fixing means, a mechanical fixing means capable of fastening / release control, a magnetic force fixing means or a freezing chuck, it is easy to process the workpiece after the work is finished. Can be removed. That is, in the case of the vacuum fixing means, the workpiece can be removed by stopping the vacuum suction. In the case of a mechanical fixing means capable of controlling fastening / release, the workpiece can be removed by releasing the mechanical fastening by electrical control or manually releasing the mechanical fastening. In the case of magnetic force fixing means, the workpiece can be removed by releasing the magnetic magnetic fixing means by turning off the electromagnet. In the case of a freezing chuck, the workpiece can be removed by raising the temperature of the freezing chuck.

  In addition, even when the work piece is mounted on the turntable 44, the work piece is brought into a vacuum state by being brought into contact with the mounting surface of the fixing means of the turntable 44, generating a magnetic force, or being electrically controllable. This can be done easily by gripping and fastening with a simple mechanical fixing means.

  With reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the configuration and function of the vacuum fixing means, which is an example of the fixing means, will be described. FIG. 8 (A) is a schematic plan view of the vacuum fixing means, and FIG. 8 (B) is a schematic view seen from the front. A workpiece 102 is vacuum-sucked and fixed to the rotary table 100. In vacuum suction fixing, air between the rotary table 100 and the workpiece 102 is sucked from a vacuum suction groove 104 formed in the rotary table 100 by a vacuum pump through a vacuum suction nozzle 106 and a vacuum suction tube 108. Is done by doing.

  With this configuration, when the direction of the rotation axis of the end mill is set to 90 ° with respect to the direction of gravity, the upper surface of the rotary table 100, that is, the workpiece 102 is adsorbed by vacuum suction. The surface is parallel to the direction of gravity. Therefore, if the suction of the vacuum pump is stopped, the workpiece 102 is naturally dropped by gravity, so that the workpiece 102 can be easily removed. This process is the third step described later. Of course, in the third step, it is only necessary that the stage is set in a posture that allows the workpiece 102 to fall naturally when the workpiece 102 is released from the fixed state on the stage. There is no need to set the stage in a 90 ° orientation.

  That is, the second step to be described later is set by changing the posture by rotating the coupling structure 136 so that the direction of the spindle spindle 72 is changed to the other direction within a range from one direction to 360 °. In this state, the workpiece is cut.

  Even when the workpiece 102 is attached to the upper surface of the rotary table 100, the workpiece 102 can be easily attached by bringing the workpiece 102 into contact with the upper surface of the rotary table 100 and starting suction of the vacuum pump.

  As described above, according to the cutting apparatus of the second embodiment, the step of attaching the workpiece to the stage 42 in a state in which the axial direction of the spindle spindle 72 is parallel to the direction of gravity (first step), and A step (second step) of cutting the workpiece can be realized in a state where the axial direction of the main spindle 72 is set within a range of 180 ° perpendicular to the direction of gravity. That is, the first step of mounting the workpiece to be mounted on the stage 42 is performed at the setting position described above, and the second step of cutting the workpiece is performed at the cutting position described above.

  Further, in the second step, the spindle direction of the spindle spindle 72 is performed in a posture in which the chips are directed in the direction in which the chips naturally fall by gravity. This posture is also a posture in which the workpiece is naturally dropped by gravity if the workpiece is released. Therefore, when the machining of the workpiece is completed, the step (third step) of removing the workpiece can be realized by releasing the fixed state of the workpiece on the stage.

  That is, in the third step, the coupling structure 136 is kept in the posture in the second step or from the posture in the second step, the direction of the spindle spindle 72 is within a range from one direction to 360 °. This is a step of removing the workpiece to be cut in a state of being rotated so as to be in another direction.

<Fourth embodiment>
With reference to FIG. 9, the configuration and function of the cutting apparatus of the fourth embodiment will be described. The stage of the cutting apparatus of the fourth embodiment has the same structure as the stage of the cutting apparatuses of the first, second, and third embodiments. Therefore, here, only different components of the fourth embodiment compared to the first, second, and third embodiments will be described, and description of common components will be omitted.

  The cutting apparatus according to the fourth embodiment has a configuration in which a stage 42 and a table 112 for fixing the stage 42 are installed in a casing 110. The table 112 corresponds to the support table 28 in the cutting apparatus of the first embodiment, and corresponds to the upper table 64 in the cutting apparatuses of the second and third embodiments. In addition to this, the stage 42 and the configuration associated therewith are the same as those of the cutting devices of the first, second and third embodiments. The casing 110 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape is provided with support legs 116 on all side surfaces of the casing 110 so that all the side surfaces can be installed on the bottom surface. The housing 110 may have a structure including an access window (space) for adjusting the stage 42 and performing other operations. Accordingly, the casing 110 includes a casing configured in a casing shape.

  In the cutting device of the fourth embodiment, the portion corresponding to the housing 110 corresponds to the next portion of the cutting device of the first, second, and third embodiments, respectively. In other words, in the cutting apparatus according to the first embodiment, the component part constituted by the first gate frame 30 and the fixed base 10 that fixes the first gate frame 30 corresponds to the housing 110. In the cutting devices of the second and third embodiments, a portion corresponding to the hoop shaker 54 that includes the hoop 56 and the hoop rotating roller 58 corresponds to the housing 110. The fixed base 40 in the second and third embodiments corresponds to an installation surface such as a floor on which the cutting apparatus is installed in the fourth embodiment.

  If the cutting apparatus has the configuration shown in FIG. 9, the posture of the stage 42 can be changed depending on which side of the casing 110 is selected as the bottom of the apparatus. In this case, as in the cutting apparatus of the second embodiment in which the hoop shaker 54 is employed as the stage posture changing means, the posture of the stage 42 is set to the rotation amount by the stage posture changing means from 0 ° to 180 °. Although it is not possible to select arbitrarily continuously within the range, it can be changed to any posture of 0 °, 90 ° and 180 °. The same applies to the rotation with the X axis as the rotation axis in the first embodiment.

  In actual machining, it is often sufficient to select the posture of the stage 42 in an initial state, for example, any of postures changed by 0 °, 90 °, and 180 ° from the setting position. Further, the cutting device of the fourth embodiment has a simpler configuration than the cutting devices of the second and third embodiments, and there is an advantage that it can be designed more compactly. Also, the amount of change in the posture of the stage 42 is set to 0 when the cutting device is changed to the horizontal type or the vertical type according to the convenience of cooperation between processed products or semi-processed products in the factory. It is often sufficient to be able to set one of °, 90 ° and 180 °. Also in this case, according to the cutting device of the fourth embodiment, the amount of change in the posture of the stage 42 can be easily reduced to 0 by simply selecting the side surface of the housing 110 as the bottom surface as necessary. There is the convenience that it can be set to any of °, 90 ° and 180 °.

  As described above, since the stage of the cutting apparatus has the same structure as the stage of the cutting apparatus of the first, second and third embodiments, the stage of the cutting apparatus of the first embodiment is here. Based on the above, the characteristics of the relationship between the stage and the coupling structure of the cutting apparatus of the fourth embodiment will be described.

  As in the first embodiment, the stage of the cutting device of the fourth embodiment is indirectly coupled to the main spindle through other constituent members to form a coupled structure, and the main spindle and the workpiece to be cut Determine the relative positional relationship with the object.

  Changing the posture of the spindle spindle and the stage as one body is realized by rotating the coupling structure. The rotation of the joint structure was performed by the stage attitude changing means 14 in the first example. However, in the fourth embodiment, depending on which side surface of the casing 110 is selected as the bottom surface of the apparatus, the posture change in which the spindle spindle and the stage are integrated is realized. That is, the direction of the spindle spindle can be changed depending on which side of the casing 110 the operator of the cutting apparatus places on the installation surface such as the floor as the bottom of the apparatus. As described above, in the cutting apparatus according to the present invention, the stage posture changing means is realized by a specific structure as in the first, second and third embodiments, as well as in the fourth embodiment. As described above, a simple structure such as the housing 110 is also included.

  In the first embodiment, the stage posture was changed in the cutting apparatus by turning around the turning shaft 26 as a rotation support shaft, and in the second and third embodiments by turning the hoop 56. On the other hand, in the fourth embodiment, the meaning of this rotation is slightly different.

  That is, in the first, second, and third embodiments, this rotation is rotation around the rotation axis that does not spatially change its position, whereas in the fourth embodiment, the rotation shaft Also translates simultaneously with rotation. However, even in this case, it is common in that the direction of the main spindle is rotating with respect to the direction of gravity, and whether or not the rotary shaft also translates simultaneously with the rotation is the effect obtained by the present invention. Has no effect on. Therefore, in the present invention, the meaning of the rotation of the spindle spindle is not distinguished depending on whether or not the rotation shaft translates simultaneously with the rotation.

  With reference to FIGS. 10 (A) and (B), the meaning of the above-mentioned meaning that the rotating shaft also translates simultaneously with the rotation will be described in detail. 10 (A) and 10 (B), the cutting apparatus of the fourth embodiment is placed on the floor 200, and the coupling structure is obtained by rotating the casing 110 having a function as a stage posture changing means. It is the schematic for demonstrating a mode that this attitude | position change is performed. In order to explain the attitude change of the combined structure, the direction of the spindle is indicated by an arrow 180.

  FIG. 10 (A) shows that the housing 110 having a function as a stage posture changing means is once lifted vertically and rotated by 90 °, and then the housing 110 is lowered again vertically and returned to the floor 200 to change its posture. It shows the case of setting. In this case, the arrow 180 indicating the direction of the main spindle is only rotationally moved without being translated.

  On the other hand, FIG. 10 (B) shows that the direction of the arrow 180 indicating the direction of the spindle spindle is 90 ° with respect to the direction of gravity by rolling the housing 110 90 ° toward the right side on the floor 200 as shown in the figure. A case where the attitude of the housing 110 is changed so as to form an angle of ° is shown. In this case, the arrow 180 indicating the direction of the main spindle is rotated with a translational movement.

  In both cases shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the direction of the arrow 180 indicating the direction of the spindle is changed from a state parallel to the direction of gravity to a state rotated by 90 °. That is, in both cases shown in FIGS. 10 (A) and (B), they are common in that the direction of the spindle is rotating with respect to the direction of gravity. For this reason, the processing posture is changed as a unit with the processing tool including the stage so that the processing surface of the workpiece is directed in a direction in which chips generated during the cutting process can be naturally dropped by gravity. This object is achieved by the posture change shown in either of FIGS. 10 (A) and 10 (B).

  That is, by any of the methods shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B described above, it is possible to realize a posture change in which the orientation of the spindle spindle is changed. Accordingly, which of the above-described methods is used to change the direction of the spindle spindle is determined by comprehensively considering the convenience of cooperation between processes of processed products or semi-processed products in the factory.

  In addition, which of the first, second, third or fourth embodiment of the cutting apparatus is to be adopted is a matter that should be determined by comprehensively considering the workpiece to be cut or the machining process. . As an embodiment (not shown), for example, the housing 110 shown in FIG. 9 is spherical (including a stopper that can be fixed at a predetermined position) so that the posture can be set at an arbitrary angle, and can be changed when the process is modified. Needless to say, various modes can be adopted as an embodiment of the present invention without departing from the gist of the invention, such as a remarkable improvement in portability.

1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a cutting apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a cutting apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a cutting apparatus according to a second embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of a hoop shaker fixing | fixed part. FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a hoop rotating means of a third embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state which changed the 90 degree attitude | position of the 4-axis stage. It is a figure which shows the state which changed the attitude | position of the 4-axis stage 180 degrees. It is a schematic block diagram of a vacuum fixing means. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a cutting apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. It is a figure where it uses for description of rotation which changes the direction of the spindle of the cutting apparatus of 4th Example.

Explanation of symbols

10, 40: Fixed base
12, 42: Stage
14: Stage posture change means
16, 52: X-axis slider
18, 46: Z-axis slider
20, 44, 100: Rotary table
22, 72: Spindle spindle
23, 73: Spindle spindle support
24, 70: Tool
26: Rotating axis
28: Support table
30: First gate type frame
32: Second gate type frame
34, 68, 102: Workpiece
36, 136: Coupling structure
38: Means for imparting rotational force
48, 78: X-axis slide guide
50: Portal frame
54: Hoop shaker
56: Hoop
58: Hoop rotating roller
59: Roller support
60: Table rotation rolling bearing
62: Lower table
64: Upper table
66: Y-axis stage
74: Y-axis slide guide
76: θ rotation plane
80-1, 80-2: Hoop fixing part
82: Brake plate
84: Brake plate tightening screw
86: Stopper
88: Pulley
90: Hoop rotation means
92: Chain
94: Posture changing power transfer means
96: Posture change force acquisition means
104: Vacuum suction groove
106: Vacuum suction nozzle
108: Vacuum suction tube
110: Housing
112: Table
116: Support foot
200: Floor

Claims (13)

A spindle spindle to which a cutting tool is attached;
A stage coupled to the spindle spindle to hold a workpiece and to determine a relative positional relationship between the spindle spindle and the workpiece;
The posture of the coupling structure is provided by rotating the coupling structure constituted by the spindle and the stage to change the orientation of the spindle to another direction within a range from one direction to 360 °. A cutting apparatus comprising: a stage attitude changing means for changing. The stage posture changing means is configured with a hoop shaker including a hoop that is rotated by an external force,
2. The cutting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the coupling structure is fixed to the hoop.   3. The cutting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the stage posture changing means further includes hoop rotating means for applying the external force, and the hoop and the hoop rotating means are provided on a fixed base. The hoop rotation means is a posture change force acquisition means coupled to the hoop;
4. The cutting apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising posture changing force giving means for giving posture changing force to the posture changing force acquisition means.   2. The cutting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stage posture changing means is a casing that is fixed so as to surround the stage.   6. The cutting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cutting tool is any one of an end mill, a drill, a milling cutter, a cutting tool, and a fly cutting tool.   6. The cutting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cutting tool is a grindstone or a polishing tool.   The cutting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the stage includes mechanical gripping and fixing means for fixing a workpiece.   8. The cutting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stage has a vacuum fixing means for fixing a workpiece.   8. The cutting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stage includes magnetic force fixing means for fixing the workpiece.   The cutting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the stage includes a refrigeration fixing means for fixing a workpiece to be cut. In the cutting method using the cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
A first step of mounting a work piece on the stage;
The workpiece to be cut is set in a state where the posture of the coupling structure is changed by rotating so that the orientation of the spindle spindle is changed to the other orientation within the range from one orientation to 360 °. A cutting method comprising: a second step of cutting. In the cutting method according to claim 12,
Further, the coupling structure remains in the posture state in the second step or from the posture in the second step, the main spindle is oriented in another direction within a range from one direction to 360 °. A cutting method characterized by including a third step of removing a workpiece to be cut in a state of being rotated.

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