JP2007125625A - Machine tool including work conveying device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small-sized and space-saving machine tool including a work conveying device capable of quickly carrying an unmachined work in a machining area, and quickly carrying out a machined work from the machining area. <P>SOLUTION: In this machine tool 2, the work conveying device includes: a first conveying means 11 having a work storing part for storing unmachined work and machined work, two chucks provided to freely elevate in the machining area A and holding the work w in the same direction as the elevating direction, and an elevating mechanism for elevating two chucks to the machining area A; a second conveying means 12 for delivering the work stored in the work storing part to the first conveying means 11; and a machine frame 10 above which the work storing part, the first conveying means 11, the elevating mechanism, the second conveying means 12 and the moving mechanism are disposed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a machine tool provided with a workpiece transfer device that loads an unmachined workpiece into a machining area and unloads the machined workpiece from the machining area.

In a machine tool such as a lathe, a workpiece fixed by being gripped by a spindle tip or a chuck of a table is processed by a tool mounted on a tool post that is movable relative to the spindle or table. In recent years, in such machine tools, in order to perform continuous unattended operation for a long time, a work transfer device that automatically carries a workpiece into a machining area where the workpiece is machined by the tool and automatically carries out the machined workpiece is attached. A lot is happening.
In such a workpiece transfer device, it is desirable that the waiting time of the machine tool by loading and unloading the workpiece is as short as possible. During workpiece machining, the workpiece to be machined next is made to wait in the vicinity of the machining area. It is preferable to keep it. For this reason, various types of workpiece transfer apparatuses of this type have been conventionally proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

The workpiece transfer device described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 lowers a loader having two chucks to a position where the loader faces the spindle chuck, and switches the height positions of the two chucks, so that the processed workpiece is removed from the spindle chuck. Received and unprocessed workpieces can be transferred to the spindle chuck. The unprocessed workpiece is supplied to a loader from a workpiece supply table arranged in the vicinity of the machine tool, and the processed workpiece is carried out to a workpiece discharge table arranged in the vicinity of the machine tool.
Japanese Patent No. 3474060 Japanese Patent No. 36889999

  However, the workpiece transfer apparatus described in these documents has a workpiece discharge table for storing processed workpieces and a workpiece supply table for storing unprocessed workpieces installed outside the machine tool. There is a problem that the transfer device protrudes greatly from the machine tool, and a large space is required to install the work transfer device and the machine tool.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a work storage unit for placing unprocessed and processed workpieces and a work transfer device for loading and unloading workpieces to and from the work storage unit are installed in a machine tool. Equipped with a small and space-saving workpiece transfer device that can be accommodated in a space and can quickly load the workpiece for the next machining into the machining area after machining and can quickly carry the machined workpiece out of the machining area. The purpose is to provide machine tools.

In order to solve the above-described problems, a machine tool provided with the workpiece transfer device of the present invention has a workpiece fixing means for positioning and fixing a workpiece at a predetermined position in a machining area, and the workpiece fixing means is fixed to the workpiece fixing means. In a machine tool that performs predetermined machining by relatively rotating or relatively moving a tool with respect to a workpiece, at least one that is placed in a posture different from a posture at which an unmachined workpiece and a machined workpiece are fixed to the workpiece fixing means. Two workpiece accommodating portions, two chucks provided so as to be movable up and down with respect to the processing region, and gripping the workpiece in the same direction as the lifting direction, and a lifting mechanism for lifting and lowering the two chucks with respect to the processing region The workpiece is carried in and out of the machining area by the lifting and lowering operation of the chuck, and the workpiece fixing means is moved by the lifting and lowering operation of the chuck. A first conveying means for receiving a processed workpiece in one chuck and delivering an unmachined workpiece gripped by the other chuck to the workpiece fixing means; and a first attitude that is the same as the posture of the workpiece accommodated in the workpiece accommodating portion. A chuck that can change its posture between a posture and a second posture that exchanges the workpiece between the first conveying means, and the chuck between the workpiece accommodating portion and the first conveying means. A second transfer means having a moving mechanism for moving the chuck and a posture changing means for changing the posture of the chuck in the middle of the transfer of the workpiece; the work accommodating portion; the first transfer means; , A workpiece conveying device having a machine body in which the second conveying means and the moving mechanism are arranged above the machine tool is provided.
According to this configuration, the second conveying means takes out the unprocessed workpiece from the workpiece accommodating portion disposed above the machine tool, conveys it to the first conveying means, and changes the posture of the workpiece during the workpiece conveyance. And go to the first transport means. The first conveying means carries the received workpiece into the machining area by its lifting and lowering operation, and delivers it to a workpiece fixing means such as a spindle chuck or a workpiece fixing jig for the table.
Since the 1st conveyance means has two chucks, it can receive a processed work from the work fixing means, and can deliver an unprocessed work to the work fixing means.
The first conveying means carries the processed workpiece received from the workpiece fixing means out of the machining area by its lifting and lowering operation and delivers it to the second conveying means. The second conveying means that has received the processed workpiece changes the posture of the processed workpiece, conveys it to the workpiece accommodating portion, and delivers it.
Since the workpiece storage unit, the first conveying unit, the lifting mechanism, the second conveying unit, and the moving mechanism are arranged above the machine tool, the installation of the machine tool including the workpiece conveying device is performed. Space can be saved by reducing the area.

In addition, the second conveying means attaches the chuck so that its posture can be freely changed, and is attached to a lifting member that moves up and down together with the chuck, and a direction in which the chuck is held in the first posture or a direction in which the chuck is held in the second posture. Energizing means for energizing and engaging with an engaged portion provided on the chuck and provided on the workpiece conveying path, and changing the posture of the chuck as the chuck moves up and down It is good also as a structure which has a part.
According to this configuration, the posture of the workpiece can be changed only by the lifting and lowering operation of the chuck, and the configuration of the posture changing means can be simplified.

Further, the machine body accommodates the standby position of the unmachined workpiece to be used for the next machining, the unmachined workpiece to be machined this time and the machined workpiece machined by the current machining, and the workpiece between the second conveying means. A workpiece transfer position for transferring the workpiece and a payout position for discharging the processed workpiece to the outside of the machine are provided adjacent to each other, and the workpiece accommodating portion is transferred in the order of the standby position, the transfer position, and the discharge position. There may be provided means and positioning means for positioning the workpiece accommodating portion at least at the standby position and the workpiece transfer position.
According to this configuration, the workpiece accommodating portion that is loaded from outside the machine and accommodates the unmachined workpiece is disposed at the standby position above the machine tool. The unmachined workpiece used in the machining this time is taken out from the workpiece storage unit arranged at the workpiece transfer position adjacent to the standby position, loaded into the machining area, and the machined workpiece unloaded from the machining area is also transferred to the workpiece. It is accommodated in the workpiece accommodating part at the position.
After the unprocessed workpiece in the workpiece receiving section at the workpiece transfer position has been used up and all the processed workpieces that have been processed this time have been stored, the workpiece storage section is transferred from the workpiece transfer position to the payout position by the transfer means. Paid out.
Thereafter, the workpiece storage unit at the standby position is conveyed to the workpiece transfer position, and is positioned by the positioning unit at a predetermined position where the workpiece can be transferred to and from the second transfer unit.

In this case, an engagement portion that engages with the second conveying means is provided in the work accommodating portion, and the second conveying means is engaged with the engaging portion of the workpiece accommodating portion, It is preferable to transport the work accommodating portion by a transport means.
According to this structure, conveyance of a workpiece | work accommodating part is performed by the 2nd conveyance means. This eliminates the need for a dedicated conveyor, cylinder, motor, or the like for transporting the workpiece accommodating portion, and can simplify the configuration of the workpiece transport device.

Further, in this case, the engaging portions are provided on both front and rear sides in the conveying direction of the work accommodating portion, and the engaging portions in the front in the conveying direction are engaged with the second conveying means, and the transfer position is transferred from the standby position. The workpiece accommodating portion may be moved until the engaging portion on the rear side in the conveying direction is engaged with the second conveying means to move from the transfer position to the payout position.
By doing in this way, the stroke of the 2nd conveyance means at the time of conveying a work accommodating part can be made small.

The machine tool according to the present invention may be a machine that works with a tool fixed on a table with a jig fixed to a table, or a work held by a chuck of a rotatable main spindle facing the main spindle. It may be processed with the tool of the tool post arranged in the above.
Further, in the case where the work fixing means is a chuck provided on a rotatable main shaft, and the work gripped by the chuck is processed with a tool of a tool post provided to face the main shaft, the work accommodating portion is The standby position and the payout position may be set in and out in the same direction as the axis of the main shaft.
In this way, not only maintenance and inspection of the spindle and tool rest of the machine tool, but also replenishment of unmachined workpieces and removal of processed workpieces can be performed from the front side of the machine tool facing the spindle. Become. Therefore, all work on the machine tool can be performed from the front of the machine tool, and a plurality of machine tools can be installed in parallel to effectively use the installation space of the machine tool.

Since this invention is comprised as mentioned above, the small and space-saving workpiece conveyance apparatus which can accommodate the workpiece conveyance apparatus containing a workpiece | work accommodating part in the floor area of a machine tool can be obtained. In addition, when the workpiece is processed, the processed workpiece is transferred to the workpiece storage unit, and the workpiece to be processed next is transferred from the workpiece storage unit and prepared. The waiting time can be shortened.
In addition, the workpiece storage unit is separated into a standby position for an unmachined workpiece, an exchange position for an unmachined workpiece and a machined workpiece, and a dispensing position for delivering the machined workpiece to the outside of the machine. Regardless of the exchange of processed workpieces, it is possible to replenish unprocessed workpieces to the standby position and dispense the processed workpieces, and to provide an efficient and safe machine tool.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a side view of a machine tool provided with the workpiece transfer device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the workpiece transfer device and the machine tool with the first transfer means and the tool post removed.
In this embodiment, the machine tool 2 includes a bed 20, a headstock 21 provided on the bed 20 so as to be movable back and forth in the Z direction, a spindle 22 rotatably supported by the headstock 21, and the spindle A tool rest 23 which is arranged opposite to the head 22 and moves forward and backward in the X direction on the bed 20, and a tool 24 which is mounted on the tool rest 23 and which processes the workpiece w gripped by the chuck 25 at the tip of the spindle 22; have.
The workpiece w gripped by the chuck 25 of the spindle 22 which is a workpiece fixing means is moved in the Z direction of the spindle stock 21 while being rotated together with the spindle 22 in the machining area A between the spindle stock 21 and the tool rest 23. The tool 24 is processed by a combination with the movement of the tool post 23 in the X direction.

  The workpiece transfer device 1 according to the present invention uses a workpiece stocker 15 for storing an unmachined workpiece to process an unmachined workpiece (hereinafter, when there is a need to distinguish between an unmachined workpiece and a machined workpiece, The second work means 12 for taking out wb and transporting it to the work transfer position B above the machining area A, and the unmachined work wb received at the work transfer position B in the machining area A first conveying means 11 that conveys the processed workpiece wa from the main shaft 22 prior to the transfer is also provided.

Then, the processed workpiece wa received by the first conveying means 11 is transferred to the second conveying means 12 at the workpiece transfer position B, and the second conveying means 12 stores the processed workpiece wa in the work stocker 15. It is supposed to be.
In the present invention, the main components constituting the above-described workpiece transfer device 1, that is, the first transfer means 11, the second transfer means 12, and the work stocker 15 are erected across the machine tool 2. As shown in FIG.
That is, the workpiece transfer device 1 is integrally provided on the machine tool 2 via the support frame 10.

[First transport means]
The first transport means 11 includes a workpiece holding unit 110 having two chucks for holding two types of workpieces, that is, a chuck for holding a processed workpiece wa and a chuck for holding an unprocessed workpiece wb, and the workpiece holding unit. And an elevating mechanism that allows the unit 110 to move up and down in the Y direction.
In this embodiment, the two chucks described above are arranged vertically in parallel with the Y axis so that the upper chuck holds the unprocessed workpiece wb and the lower chuck holds the processed workpiece wa. . The gripping of the workpieces wa and wb by the chuck may be reversed.

  The above-described lifting mechanism is provided with a workpiece holding unit 110 at the lower end, and a lifting member 117 that moves up and down in the Y direction together with the workpiece holding unit 110, and the lifting member 117 is provided in parallel to the Y axis. The screw shaft 116 supported by the bearings 117a and 117b at the upper and lower ends, a ball screw nut (not shown) screwed to the screw shaft 116, and the workpiece is held together with the screw shaft 116 by rotating the ball screw nut. Y-axis motor 115 which raises / lowers part 110 and raising / lowering member 117, and a guide (not shown in the figure) for guiding the vertical movement of raising / lowering member 117 in the vertical direction.

[Second conveying means]
The second conveying means 12 includes a workpiece holding unit 120 that holds a processed workpiece wa or an unprocessed workpiece wb, and a Y axis that allows the workpiece holding unit 120 to move in three directions of the Y axis, the Z axis, and the X axis. A moving mechanism, a Z-axis moving mechanism, and an X-axis moving mechanism;
The workpiece holding unit 120 grips the processed workpiece wa or the unprocessed workpiece wb and changes the posture of the gripped processed workpiece wa (or the unprocessed workpiece wb) between the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. It has.

  The above-described Y-axis moving mechanism is provided with the work holding unit 120 attached to the lower end, the elevating member 140 that moves up and down in the Y direction together with the work holding unit 120, and the elevating member 140 provided in parallel with the Y axis. 140, a screw shaft 142 supported by bearings 141a and 141b at the upper and lower ends, a ball screw nut 146 screwed into the screw shaft 142, and the ball screw nut 146 is rotated to rotate the ball screw nut 146 together with the work shaft 120. And a Y-axis motor 131 as a driving body for raising and lowering the elevating member 140, and a guide 143 for guiding the elevating and lowering movement of the elevating member 140 in the vertical direction.

  The X-axis moving mechanism described above includes a saddle 144 to which the Y-axis moving mechanism is attached, an X-direction guide 145 that guides the movement of the saddle 144 in the X direction, and a driver that moves the saddle 144 in the X direction. X-axis motor 133. The saddle 144 is moved by, for example, a known ball screw / nut mechanism.

  The Z-axis moving mechanism described above includes a saddle 148 to which the Y-axis moving mechanism and the X-axis moving mechanism are attached, a Z-direction guide 147 for guiding the movement of the saddle 148 in the Z direction, and the saddle 148 in the Z direction. And a Z-axis motor 132 as a driving body to be moved. The saddle 148 is moved by, for example, a known ball screw / nut mechanism.

The stroke of the X-direction guide 145 of the X-axis movement mechanism and the stroke of the Z-direction guide 147 of the Z-axis movement mechanism are the same as those of the second conveying means 12 when the saddle 144 or the saddle 148 reaches the stroke end. It is preferable that a part does not protrude from the plane projection area of the machine tool 2.
Further, the Y-axis motor 115 of the lifting mechanism of the first transport unit 10, the X-axis motor 133, the Y-axis motor 131 and the Z-axis motor 132 of the transport mechanism of the second transport unit are driven by the control device of the machine tool 2. Alternatively, it is performed by a drive control command of a control device provided in the work transfer device 1.

[Swing chuck]
The details of the swing chuck 121 provided in the second conveying means 12 will be described with reference to FIG. 3A shows a state where the workpiece w is vertically held, and FIG. 3B shows a state where the posture of the workpiece w is changed in the horizontal direction by swinging.
The swing chuck 121 has a pair of chuck claws 122 for gripping the workpiece w, and the main body 120a of the workpiece holding unit 120 attached to the lower end of the elevating member 140 is placed between a vertical direction and a horizontal direction by a shaft 120b. It is attached so that it can rotate 90 ° between them.

The swing chuck 121 is supported in a state of being fitted in the groove of the support member 123 having a substantially U-shaped groove, and can be slightly slid along the groove. Then, by attaching this support member 123 to the main body 120a via the shaft 120b, the swing chuck 121 can be rotated with respect to the main body 120a. A guide pin 124 for guiding the slide along the groove is erected on the swing chuck 121, and a guide hole 123 a through which the guide pin 124 is inserted is formed through the support member 123. The swing chuck 121 is always pressed against the bottom of the groove of the support member 123 by the spring 125 fitted to the guide pin 123.
The reason why the swing chuck 121 is provided so as to be slightly slidable with respect to the support member 123 is to buffer the processed workpiece wa when stored in the workpiece stocker 15.

Further, a spring 126 is stretched between the main body 120 a and the support member 123. One end 126a of the spring 126 is connected to the support member 123, and the other end 126b is connected to the main body 120a at a position slightly deviated from an axis passing through the one end 126a and the shaft 120b.
By tensioning the spring 126 in this manner, when the swing chuck 121 rotates from a vertical state or a horizontal state to a certain angle, the spring 126 moves from one side to the other side over the shaft 120b, and the neck The swing chuck 121 is urged in a direction in which it is fixed in a horizontal state or a vertical state.

An engaging member 128 having an inverted L-shaped guide surface 128 a is attached to the side of the swing chuck 121.
An L-shaped engaged member 129 that can be engaged with the engaging member 128 is provided on the movement path of the swing chuck 121, and a rotatable roller 129 a is provided at the tip of the engaged member 129. ing.

When the posture of the workpiece w is changed, the engaging member 128 is engaged with the engaged member 129 by the lowering or raising of the swing chuck 121, and the roller 129a rolls along the inverted L-shaped guide surface 128a. As a result, the swing chuck 121 rotates smoothly around the shaft 120b.
The engaged member 129 may be provided at an intermediate position on the movement path of the swing chuck 121, but in this embodiment, the workpiece w is moved between the first transport unit 11 and the second transport unit 12. It is provided at a workpiece transfer position B where transfer is performed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a procedure for changing the posture of the workpiece w by the swing chuck 121. In FIG. 4, the case where the workpiece is changed from the vertical posture to the horizontal posture is described as an example. However, when the posture is changed from the horizontal posture to the vertical posture, the procedure is the reverse of FIG. Detailed description is omitted.
As shown in FIG. 4A, the swing chuck 121 of the second conveying means 12 is moved in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction so that the tip of the engagement member 128 (the tip of the guide surface 128a) is covered. The engaging member 129 is positioned directly above the roller 129a.

As shown in FIG. 4B, when the Y-axis motor 131 (see FIG. 1) of the second conveying means 12 is driven to lower the swing chuck 121, the tip of the engaging member 128 (of the guide surface 128a). (Tip) contacts the roller 129a of the engaged member 129.
In this state, when the Y-axis motor 131 is further driven to push down the swing chuck 121, the engaging member 128 is relatively pushed up by the engaged member 129 as shown in FIG. 121 rotates around the shaft 120b in the clockwise direction in FIG.

The spring 126 of the swing chuck 121 is positioned on the right side in FIG. 4 with respect to the shaft 120b before a predetermined rotation angle position (position of about 45 ° with respect to the vertical axis in the illustrated example). A biasing force is applied to the chuck 121 in a direction in which the chuck is always returned to the vertical state by the spring 126.
However, as shown in FIG. 4D, when the swing chuck 121 rotates beyond the rotational angle position, the spring 126 moves over the shaft 120b and is positioned on the left side of the shaft 120b in FIG. Thereafter, an urging force to make the swing chuck 121 horizontal is applied.

Therefore, the swing chuck 121 is gradually rotated clockwise in a state where the roller 129a is pressed against the guide surface 128a by the pressing operation of the swing chuck 121 by the drive of the Y-axis motor 131 and the biasing force of the spring 126. .
When the swing chuck 121 rotates to a position facing the horizontal direction, the rotation of the swing chuck 121 is regulated by a stopper (not shown). As shown in FIG. 4E, the horizontal posture of the swing chuck 121 is maintained by the stopper and the biasing force of the spring 126.

[Work Stocker]
Next, the configuration of the work stocker 15 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
FIG. 5 is a plan view for explaining the overall structure of the work stocker 15, and FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the schematic structure of the work stocker.
The work stocker 15 accommodates the unprocessed workpiece wb used for the next processing, the next processing tray 151a, the unprocessed workpiece wb used for the current processing, and the processed work wa processed by the current processing. The processing tray 151b and the previous processing tray 151c that accommodates the processed workpiece wa processed by the previous processing can be arranged side by side in the X direction.

  The next processing tray 151a is carried into the work stocker 15 from the outside of the machine tool 2 and is placed at a standby position 150a on the right side (upper side in FIG. 5) toward the machine tool 2. It is arranged at the workpiece transfer position 150b at the center of 151b. Further, the tray 151c for the previous processing is disposed at the payout position 150c on the left side of the machine tool 2 so as to be carried out of the machine tool 2.

As the transport means for transporting the previous processing tray 151c from the workpiece transfer position 150b to the delivery position 150c and transporting the current processing tray 151b from the standby position 150a to the workpiece transfer position 150b, various known means may be used. Can do.
In this embodiment, a pair of X-direction guide rails 152a, 152b, and 152c are laid at each of the standby position 150a, the workpiece transfer position 150b, and the payout position 150c to guide the movement of the trays 151b and 151c. Also, blocks 153 and 154 are attached to the left and right sides of the trays 151a, 151b, and 151c, and engagement holes 153a and 154a are formed in the Y direction on the upper surfaces of the blocks 153 and 154, and the engagement holes 153a and 154a are formed in the engagement holes 153a and 154a. The engaging pin 155 to be engaged is provided on the swing chuck 121 of the second conveying means 12 as shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, when the engagement pin 155 is inserted into the engagement hole 153a (or engagement hole 154a) and engaged, the block 153 (or block 154) and the swing chuck 121 do not interfere with each other. In addition, when the swing chuck 121 is directed in the horizontal direction, the engagement pin 155 is directed in the vertical direction.
Then, the swing chuck 121 is moved in the X direction with the engagement pin 155 engaged with the engagement hole 153a (or the engagement hole 154a), so that the X direction guide rails 152a, 152b, and 152c are moved along. The trays 151b and 151c can be conveyed from the standby position 150a to the workpiece transfer position 150b or from the standby position 150b to the payout position 150c.

As positioning means for positioning the trays 151a, 151b, 151c at predetermined positions of the respective positions 150a, 150b, 150c, known means can be used.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the ball 160a has a retractable ball 160a that is urged by the urging force of a spring, and the ball 160a and a recess formed on the lower surface of the trays 151a, 151b, and 151c. By combining them, the positioning means 160 that restricts the movement of the tray 151 may be used.

  In this embodiment, the guide rails 152a, 152b, and 152c are laid on tables 158a, 158b, and 158c arranged at the standby position 150a, the transfer position 150b, and the payout position 150c. Further, Z-direction guide rails 156 and 157 are laid in the Z direction at the standby position 150a and the payout position 150c. The table 158a at the standby position 150a and the table 158c at the payout position 150c are guided to the guide rails 156 and 157, respectively. However, it is movable in the Z direction.

Although not specifically illustrated, the Z-direction guide rails 156 and 157 are provided with stoppers for positioning the tables 158a and 158c, and the tables 158a and 158c are moved to the Z-direction guide rails 156 and 156 until they come into contact with the stoppers. By pushing along 157, the X direction guide rails 152a, 152b, 152c are arranged on the same line.
A handle 159 is attached to the front ends of the table 158a at the standby position 150a and the table 158c at the payout position 150c, so that the tables 158a and 158c can be easily pulled out from the standby position 150a and the payout position 150c in the Z direction.
In the machine tool 2 of this embodiment, replacement of the chuck 25 provided at the tip of the spindle 22, replacement of the tool 24 mounted on the tool rest 23, countermeasures for troubles occurring during machining of the workpiece w, and other chucks 25 and tool rest 23. Maintenance, inspection, etc. can be performed from the front side of the machine tool 2 (the right side in FIG. 1). Further, the supply of the tray 151a containing the unprocessed workpiece wb and the removal of the tray 151c containing the processed workpiece wa can be performed from the front side of the machine tool 2. As described above, since all the operations on the machine tool 2 can be performed from the front of the machine tool 2, it is possible to install a plurality of machine tools 2 in parallel to effectively use the installation space. It is.

In this way, by allowing the tables 158a and 158c to be pulled out from the work stocker 15, the tray 151a containing the unprocessed workpiece wb to be processed next is placed on the table 158a with the table 158a pulled out from the standby position 150a. With the table 158c pulled out from the payout position 150c, the tray 151c containing the processed workpiece wa can be taken out of the machine from the table 158c, and the unprocessed workpiece wb can be carried in and the processed workpiece wa Unloading can be facilitated.
Further, while the second transfer means 12 and the unprocessed workpiece wb or the processed workpiece wa are being transferred at the workpiece transfer position 150b, the tables 158a and 158c are pulled out, and the unprocessed next processing is safely performed. The tray 151a containing the workpiece wb can be replenished to the standby position 150a, and the tray 151c containing the processed workpiece wa can be taken out from the dispensing position 150c. It is not necessary to stop the operation of the machine tool 2 or the workpiece transfer device 1 for taking out, which is efficient.

Next, a procedure for transporting the trays 151a, 151b, and 151c will be described with reference to FIG.
When all of the workpieces on the tray 151b arranged at the workpiece transfer position 150b have been processed in the current process, the swing chuck 121 of the second transport unit 12 is horizontally directed to the workpiece transfer position 150b. Move.
Then, the vertical engagement pin 155 is positioned directly above the engagement hole 153a of the block 153 located on the standby position 150a side.
Next, the Y-axis motor 131 (see FIG. 1) of the second conveying means 12 is driven to lower the engaging pin 155 together with the swing chuck 121, and the tip of the engaging pin 155 is inserted into the engaging hole 153a (see FIG. 7 (a)).

  Thereafter, the X-axis motor 133 of the second transport unit 12 is driven to move the swing chuck 121 in the X direction. As a result, the tray 151b starts moving toward the payout position 150c together with the table 158b via the engagement pin 155 and the engagement hole 153a. At this time, when the tray 151b is pushed by the swing chuck 121 in the X direction with a certain force or more, the restriction of the tray 151b by the positioning unit 160 is released, and the tray 151b can be moved.

  When the tray 151b is moved in the X direction by a preset distance, the tray 151b moves from the workpiece transfer position 150b to the payout position 150c, and the positioning portion 160 at the payout position 150c engages with the tray 151b. The movement of 151b is restricted. Thus, the movement of the tray 151b of the processed workpiece wa is completed (see FIG. 7B).

  The tray 151b moved to the payout position 150c (hereinafter, this tray becomes the tray 151c for the previous processing) is pulled forward together with the table 158c using the handle 159, and is carried out of the machine.

Next, the swing chuck 121 is moved in the Y direction and the X direction to the standby position 150a. Then, the engagement pin 155 is positioned directly above the engagement hole 154a of the block 154 located on the transfer position 150b side of the tray 151a.
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7C, the engaging pin 155 is inserted into the engaging hole 154a in the same procedure as described above, and the tray 151a is moved toward the workpiece transfer position 150b together with the swing chuck 121 (see FIG. 7C). 7 (d)). The movement of the tray 151a is restricted by the positioning means 160 at a predetermined position of the workpiece transfer position 150b (hereinafter, this tray will be the current processing tray 151b).
When a new tray 151a for the next processing is carried into the standby position 150a, the table 158a is pulled forward using the handle 159, and the tray 151a is placed on the drawn table 158a.

As in this embodiment, blocks 153 and 154 are provided on both sides of the trays 151a, 151b, and 151c, and the trays 151a, 151b, and 151c are used by the second conveying means 12 by selectively using the blocks 153 and 154 when conveying the tray. By carrying it, there exists an advantage that the required stroke of the X direction calculated | required by the 2nd conveyance means 12 can be made small.
Therefore, when the trays 151a, 151b, and 151c are transported, components such as the swing chuck 121 constituting the second transport means 12 do not protrude outside from the machine tool 2, and the work transport device 1 is The machine tool 2 provided can be saved in space.

[Action]
The operation of the workpiece transfer apparatus of this embodiment having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, referring to FIG. 8, the transfer of the workpiece w between the main shaft 22 and the first transport unit 11 will be described.
When the machining of the workpiece w is completed, the headstock 21 moves backward to a position where the workpiece w can be exchanged with the first transport means 11.
By driving the Y-axis motor 115 of the first conveying means 10, the work holding unit 110 faces the spindle 22 from the standby position (work receiving / receiving position B in this embodiment) above the machining area A (see FIG. 1). The lower chuck that moves down to the position and grips the processed workpiece wa is positioned on the spindle axis C (see FIG. 8A).

Next, the headstock 21 is advanced to a preset position, and the processed workpiece wa is transferred to the chuck below the workpiece holding unit 110 (see FIG. 8B).
After delivery of the processed workpiece wa, the headstock 21 is retracted to a position where it does not interfere with the unprocessed workpiece wb and the processed workpiece wa held by the workpiece holder 110 (see FIG. 8C). Thereafter, the workpiece holding unit 110 is lowered, and the unprocessed workpiece wb gripped by the upper chuck is positioned on the spindle axis C (see FIG. 8D).
Then, the headstock 21 is advanced by the same procedure as described above, and the unprocessed workpiece wb is transferred from the workpiece holding unit 110 to the spindle 22 (see FIG. 8E).
After the delivery is completed, the work holding unit 110 rises to a work transfer position B (see FIG. 1) where the work w is transferred to and from the second transport unit 12, and the tool 24 of the work w gripped by the spindle 22 is obtained. Is started (see FIG. 8F).

Next, a procedure for exchanging the processed workpiece wa and the unprocessed workpiece wb between the first transfer means 11 and the second transfer means 12 will be described with reference to FIG.
The second conveying means 12 takes out the unprocessed workpiece wb from the workpiece stocker 15 while the workpiece w is being processed, conveys it to the workpiece transfer position B, and inserts the swing chuck 121 in the horizontal direction. It stands by at a position where it does not interfere with the first transport means 11.
The first transport unit 11 that has finished giving and receiving the processed workpiece wa and the unprocessed workpiece wb with the spindle 22 raises the workpiece holding unit 110 to the workpiece transfer position B. At this time, the chuck above the workpiece holding unit 110 that grips the unprocessed workpiece wb is positioned on the axis of the unprocessed workpiece wb gripped by the swing chuck 121 of the second transport unit 12 (FIG. 9). (See (a)).

Thereafter, the second conveying means 12 advances to a preset position in the Z direction, and the unprocessed workpiece wb gripped by the swing chuck 121 is transferred to the chuck above the workpiece holding unit 110 (FIG. 9 ( b)).
After delivering the unprocessed workpiece wb, the swing chuck 121 is retracted to a position where it does not interfere with the processed workpiece wa gripped by the workpiece holder 110 (see FIG. 9C). Then, the workpiece holding unit 110 is raised, and the processed workpiece wa is positioned on the same axis as the chuck 22 of the swing chuck 121 (see FIG. 9D).
Thereafter, the swing chuck 121 moves forward to a preset position in the Z direction, receives the processed workpiece wa from the chuck below the workpiece holding section 110 (FIG. 9E), and moves backward in the Z direction ( (Refer FIG.9 (f)).

The workpiece holder 110 that grips the unmachined workpiece wb used in the next machining process the workpiece gripped by the spindle 22 at the workpiece transfer position B where the workpiece is transferred to and from the second transport unit 12. You may wait until it complete | finishes, may fall to the standby position provided in the process area A vicinity, and may wait.
On the other hand, the second transport means 12 that has received the processed workpiece wa changes the posture of the processed wa from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction, moves to the workpiece stocker 15, and moves the processed workpiece wa to the workpiece transfer position 150b. The tray 151b is stored in a predetermined position.
Further, the unprocessed workpiece wb is grasped and taken out from the same tray 151b, conveyed to the workpiece transfer position B, and waits at the position shown in FIG.
Thereafter, the above operation is repeated.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described, the present invention is not limited to the above description.
For example, the posture change of the swing chuck 121 of the second transport unit 12 can be performed by a cylinder or a motor. Moreover, although the vertical direction of the 1st conveyance means 11 was demonstrated as it was a perpendicular direction, if it is an up-down direction, it will not restrict to this, Furthermore, the 1st conveyance means 11, the 2nd conveyance means 12, and The posture of the workpiece w when the workpiece w is exchanged between the workpieces may be the same as the posture when the workpiece w is transferred to the machine tool 2, and is not necessarily limited to the horizontal direction.

In addition, it has been described that the trays 151a, 151b, and 151c are transported by engaging the engagement pins 155 of the swing chuck 121 with the engagement holes 153a and 154a formed in the blocks 153 and 154. It is also possible to configure such that 151a, 151b, 151c and blocks 153, 154 are directly pushed and moved by the chuck 122 of the chuck 121. Further, the trays 151a, 151b, and 151c can be transported using a driving body such as a conveyor or a cylinder.
Further, the conveyance mechanism of the first conveyance unit 10 and the second conveyance unit 12 has been described mainly using a ball screw / nut mechanism as an example. However, if precise positioning is possible, a linear motor or belt Other transport mechanisms such as a pulley mechanism may be used.

  The present invention requires that unprocessed workpieces are sequentially transferred from a workpiece storage unit such as a tray to a processing region to process the workpieces, and the processed workpieces are taken out of the processing region and stored in a processed workpiece storage unit such as a tray. If there is, it is applicable not only to the above-mentioned machine tool but also to other work processing machines such as a press machine and an assembly machine.

It is a side view of the machine tool provided with the workpiece conveyance apparatus of this invention. It is a front view of the workpiece conveyance apparatus and machine tool in the state which removed the 1st conveyance means and the tool post. It is a figure explaining the structure of a swing chuck | zipper. It is a figure explaining the procedure of the attitude | position change of the workpiece | work by a swing chuck | zipper. It is a top view explaining the whole structure of a work stocker. It is a partially exploded perspective view for demonstrating schematic structure of a work stocker. It is a figure explaining the procedure of conveyance of a tray. The operation of the workpiece transfer device of this embodiment is a bell. The operation of the workpiece transfer device of this embodiment is a bell.

Explanation of symbols

1: Work transfer device 10: Support frame 11: First transfer means 110: Work holding part 114: Guide 115: Y-axis motor (first transfer means)
116: Screw shaft 117: Lifting members 117a, 117b: Bearing 12: Second conveying means 120: Work holding part 121: Swing chuck 131: Y-axis motor (second conveying means)
132: Z-axis motor (second conveying means)
133: X-axis motor (second conveying means)
15: Work tray section 15: Work stocker 150a: Standby position 150b: Work transfer position 150c: Dispensing positions 151a, 151b, 151c: Tray (work storage section)
152a, 152b, 152c: X direction guide rails 153, 154: blocks 153a, 154a: engagement holes 155: engagement pins 156, 157: guide rails 158a, 158b, 158c: table 159: handle 160: positioning means 2: work Machine 20: Bed 21: Headstock 22: Spindle

Claims (7)

In a machine tool for positioning a workpiece at a predetermined position in a machining area and fixing the workpiece, and performing a predetermined machining by rotating or moving a tool relative to the workpiece fixed to the workpiece fixing means,
At least one workpiece storage unit for placing an unprocessed workpiece and a processed workpiece in a posture different from the posture when fixing the workpiece to the workpiece fixing means;
The chuck includes two chucks that are movable up and down with respect to the processing area and grip a workpiece in the same direction as the up-and-down direction, and an elevating mechanism that raises and lowers the two chucks with respect to the processing area. The workpiece is carried in and out of the processing region by the lifting and lowering operation of the chuck, the processed workpiece is received by the chuck from the workpiece fixing means by the lifting and lowering operation of the chuck, and the unmachined workpiece gripped by the other chuck is received by the workpiece A first conveying means for delivering to the fixing means;
A chuck that is changeable between a first posture that is the same as the posture of the workpiece housed in the workpiece housing portion and a second posture that exchanges the workpiece with the first transport means; A second transport unit having a moving mechanism for moving the chuck between the workpiece accommodating unit and the first transport unit; and a posture changing unit for changing the posture of the chuck during the transport of the workpiece; ,
A machine body in which the work accommodating portion, the first conveying means, the elevating mechanism, the second conveying means, and the moving mechanism are arranged above a machine tool;
A machine tool provided with a workpiece transfer device, characterized in that a workpiece transfer device having a workpiece is provided.   The second conveying means attaches the chuck so that its posture can be changed, and lifts and lowers the chuck together with the chuck, and biases the chuck in the direction of holding the chuck in the first posture or the second posture. An urging means, an engagement portion provided on the chuck, and engaged with an engaged portion provided on a transfer path of the workpiece, and changing an attitude of the chuck as the chuck moves up and down; The machine tool provided with the workpiece conveyance apparatus according to claim 1.   The machine body stores a standby position of an unmachined workpiece to be used for the next machining, an unmachined workpiece to be machined this time and a machined workpiece machined by the current machining, and exchanges the workpiece with the second conveying means. A transfer means for transferring the workpiece receiving portion and a payout position for paying out the processed workpiece to the outside of the machine, and transferring the workpiece storage portion in the order of the standby position, the transfer position, and the discharge position; 3. A machine tool provided with the workpiece transfer device according to claim 1, further comprising positioning means for positioning the workpiece accommodating portion at least at the standby position and the workpiece transfer position.   An engagement portion that engages with the second conveying means is provided in the work accommodating portion, and the second conveying means is engaged with the second conveying means engaged with the engaging portion of the workpiece accommodating portion. The machine tool provided with the workpiece transfer device according to claim 3, wherein the workpiece storage unit is transferred by the machine tool.   When the engaging portions are provided at both front and rear ends in the conveying direction of the workpiece accommodating portion, and the workpiece accommodating portion is moved from the standby position to the delivery position, the second conveying is performed on the engaging portion forward in the conveying direction. When the workpiece accommodating portion is moved from the delivery position to the payout position, the second conveying means is engaged with the engaging portion at the rear in the conveying direction. The machine tool provided with the workpiece conveyance apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the machine tool is provided.   6. The chuck according to claim 1, wherein the work fixing means is a chuck provided on a rotatable main shaft, and the work gripped by the chuck is processed with a tool of a tool post provided facing the main shaft. A machine tool comprising the workpiece transfer device according to any one of the above.   In the case where the work fixing means is a chuck provided on a rotatable main shaft, and the work gripped by the chuck is processed with a tool of a tool post provided to face the main shaft, the work storage portion is moved to the standby position. 6. A machine tool comprising a workpiece transfer device according to claim 3, wherein the machine tool can be moved in and out of the payout position in the same direction as the axis of the main shaft.

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