JP2009072842A - Working method and working device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a working method and a working device, which works a working portion arranged on a part of a long workpiece, located nearer to a center than both ends, and eliminates a step of working a rest device and a rest supporting surface, and a drive metal fitting. <P>SOLUTION: In this working method, a pair of workpiece supporting means 30L, 30R is moved in a direction where they come closer to each other, and a long workpiece W is inserted into the pair of workpiece supporting means 30L, 30R from both ends of the long workpiece W arranged between the pair of workpiece supporting means 30L, 30R. When the pair of workpiece supporting means 30L, 30R reaches the vicinity of both ends of the predetermined working part K, movement of the workpiece supporting means 30L, 30R is stopped. Then, the pair of workpiece supporting means supports the long workpiece W, supports the vicinity of both ends of the working part K, and is rotated around a workpiece rotating shaft to thereby work the working part K. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a processing method for processing a processing portion provided at a part closer to the center than both ends of a long workpiece, and a processing apparatus for processing the processing portion of the long workpiece.

Conventionally, as a substantially cylindrical long workpiece (workpiece), for example, when grinding a screw portion (ball screw portion) of a steering rod of EPS (Electric Power Steering), the screw grinder 101 shown in the example of FIG. Used to process. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1 (B), the processing portion K to be a threaded portion to be processed of the steering rod is formed only on a part of the cylindrical surface closer to the center than both ends, and the threaded portion is processed. In addition to the processing point K, a rack portion KR (a shape in which a part of the cylindrical surface is flattened and a groove into which the pinion gear is fitted is formed) in the rack and pinion structure is formed.
In the present specification, the Y-axis direction indicates a vertically upward direction, and the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction indicate horizontal directions. The X-axis direction indicates a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis (workpiece rotation axis) of the workpiece W, and the Z-axis direction indicates a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the workpiece W.

In the conventional screw grinding machine 101 shown in FIG. 4, one end surface of the workpiece W is supported by a centering center 43 (provided on a ram 42 inserted through the tailstock 41), and the other end surface is supported by a spindle center. 33 (provided on the spindle 32 of the spindle stock 31), and both end faces of the workpiece W are supported. Further, in order to rotate the supported workpiece W around the workpiece rotation axis parallel to the Z-axis direction, the spindle 32 is rotated by a drive signal from the control device 50, and the workpiece is passed from the spindle 32 via the drive pin 34. The drive fitting 35 that sandwiches W is rotated. The headstock 31 and the tailstock 41 are fixed on the base 102, and the ram 42 inserted through the tailstock 41 with respect to the workpiece W having various lengths is supplied from the control device 50. By sliding in the longitudinal direction of the workpiece W by the drive signal, the distance between the spindle center 33 and the tailstock center 43 is adjusted.
The control device 50 includes a numerical control device that controls the screw grinding machine 101, an operation panel that is operated by an operator, a display device that displays operation states and operation instructions, and the like.

The screw grinder 101 has temporary supports 73 and 74 for temporarily holding the work W until the work W is sandwiched between the spindle center 33 and the center push center 43, and the work W when the grindstone 22 is pressed. Rest devices 71 and 72 are provided to prevent the bending. As shown in FIG. 5 (B), the rest device 71 supports the opposite side of the work stone 22 to the grindstone 22 with a support 71A, and supports the upper and lower sides of the work W with support pins 71B and 71C.
Further, in the thread grinding machine 101, a grindstone base 10 that is movable in the Z-axis direction along a linear guide GZ provided in parallel to the Z-axis direction is provided on the base 102. The control device 50 can output a drive signal to the Z-axis direction drive motor 10M and can control the position and speed of the grindstone table 10 in the Z-axis direction based on a detection signal from the detection means 10E (encoder or the like).
The grindstone table 10 is provided with a grindstone table 20 that is movable in the X-axis direction along a linear guide GX provided in parallel with the X-axis direction. The control device 50 outputs a drive signal to the X-axis direction drive motor 20M, and can control the position and speed of the grindstone table 20 in the X-axis direction based on a detection signal from the detection unit 20E (encoder or the like).
The grindstone table 20 includes a substantially cylindrical grindstone 22 (corresponding to a processing tool) that rotates about a grindstone rotation axis parallel to the Z-axis direction, and a grindstone drive motor that rotates the grindstone 22 by a drive signal from the control device 50. 21 is provided.

  Further, the screw grinder 101 includes a truing device 60 (comprising a truing table 61 and a forming grindstone 62) capable of forming (truing, dressing) the grindstone 22 as necessary. It is regularly molded by the truing device 60. In the example of the screw grinding machine 101, the truing device 60 is provided on the grindstone 22 side with respect to the workpiece W in the X-axis direction. Form the machined surface. The rotation of the forming grindstone 62 is controlled by the control device 50.

Further, for example, in the conventional technique described in Patent Document 1, a spindle device including a rotating spindle unit and a chuck unit that rotates integrally with the spindle unit is disposed opposite to the spindle unit and the chuck unit. A spindle with a through-hole, which is arranged oppositely by repeating the process of feeding a long work toward the chuck part through the through-hole of one spindle part and projecting the tip of the long work from the chuck part. There has been proposed a multi-tasking machine tool that continuously processes long workpieces that are longer than the separation distance of the apparatus.
JP-A-1-121106

As shown in FIG. 5A, the conventional thread grinding machine 101 shown in FIG. 4 supports both end surfaces of the long workpiece W with the spindle center 33 and the tailstock center 43, and the interval between the support centers. (Length L) is relatively long. For example, in the case of a steering rod, the length L of the entire workpiece is about 750 mm, the length L2 of the machining location K is about 250 mm, the lengths L1 and L3 on both sides of the machining location K are each about 250 mm, and the diameter of the machining location K is Is about 35 mm and the diameter of the other part is about 30 mm.
For this reason, when the grindstone 22 is pressed against the machining portion K closer to the center of the long workpiece W, the long workpiece W may bend and the machining accuracy may be lowered. Therefore, the vicinity of both ends of the machining location K is supported by the rest devices 71 and 72 to suppress the bending of the long workpiece W.
However, it is necessary to preliminarily grind the rest support surface, which is a cylindrical surface of the long workpiece W supported by the rest devices 71 and 72, to obtain accuracy, and a grinding machine and a machining process for grinding the rest support surface are provided. Necessary and hinders improvement of work efficiency. In this case, the accuracy of the rest support surface is unnecessary for a long workpiece W that has been subjected to screw grinding.
Further, in the method using the drive fitting 35 in the conventional screw grinding machine 101, it is difficult for an operator to automate the work of attaching and removing the drive fitting 35 to the workpiece W, and it is difficult to shorten the work time. is there.

Further, in the prior art described in Patent Document 1, the long workpiece W is inserted into both of the main spindle devices arranged opposite to each other, and the vicinity of both ends of the processing portion of the long workpiece W is supported for processing. Is not described, and the process of feeding the long work toward the chuck part through the through hole of one spindle part and projecting the tip part of the long work from the chuck part is repeated to face each other. Long workpieces longer than the separation distance of the main spindle device are continuously processed.
Moreover, in patent document 1, about the process of the other long workpiece W, as FIG. 14-19 of patent document 1 shows, the both ends of the long workpiece W are supported and processed. It is described to do. In this case, there is a possibility that the long workpiece W is curved as the machining location approaches the center of the long workpiece W.
The present invention was devised in view of such points, and in a processing method and a processing apparatus for processing a processing portion provided at a part closer to the center than both ends of a long workpiece, the rest device and It is an object of the present invention to provide a processing method and a processing apparatus that can omit the processing step of the rest support surface and the drive fitting.

As means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the first invention of the present invention is a processing method as described in claim 1.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pair of workpieces that are arranged opposite to each other on a workpiece rotation axis and are capable of approaching and separating from each other, and capable of inserting a long workpiece and supporting the inserted long workpiece. Use the support means to rotate the long workpiece around the workpiece rotation axis and move it relatively while pressing the machining tool against the supported long workpiece so that it is closer to the center than both ends of the long workpiece. This is a machining method for machining a machining portion provided in a part of the workpiece.
First, the pair of workpiece support means is moved in a direction approaching each other, and the long workpieces are disposed from both ends of the long workpiece disposed between the pair of workpiece support means. Insert the shank work.
Further, when each of the pair of workpiece support means reaches the vicinity of both ends of the preset machining location, the movement of the workpiece support means is stopped and the long workpiece is supported, whereby both ends of the machining location are supported. Is supported by the pair of workpiece support means.
And it is a processing method which rotates the pair of workpiece support means about the workpiece rotation axis to process the processing portion.

The second invention of the present invention is a processing method as set forth in claim 2.
The processing method according to claim 2 is the processing method according to claim 1, wherein the long workpiece is substantially cylindrical and the processing portion is provided on a part of the cylindrical surface closer to the center than both ends. The processing tool is moved relative to the supported long workpiece in a direction orthogonal to the workpiece rotation axis and pressed against the long workpiece, while being supported against the supported long workpiece. And the pair of workpiece support means support the cylindrical surfaces in the vicinity of both ends of the machining location with the pair of workpiece support means. Is a machining method in which a thread portion is machined at the machining location by rotating the workpiece around the workpiece rotation axis.

A third aspect of the present invention is a processing apparatus as set forth in the third aspect.
The machining apparatus according to claim 3 is a pair of opposed spindle devices that support a long workpiece and rotate the supported long workpiece around a workpiece rotation axis, and a supported long workpiece. And a processing tool that moves and processes relatively while being pressed, and processes a processing portion provided at a part closer to the center than both ends of the long workpiece.
Each of the pair of spindle devices includes a spindle unit that rotates about the workpiece rotation axis, and a chuck unit that rotates integrally with the spindle unit and can support a long workpiece on the workpiece rotation axis. And is configured to be movable in a direction parallel to the workpiece rotation axis so as to be close to and away from each other.
Further, the spindle portion and the chuck portion are formed with holes through which the long workpiece can be inserted along the workpiece rotation axis, and at least one end surface of the long workpiece is provided with the long workpiece. A positioning groove that can specify the rotation angle is formed, and the hole corresponding to the end surface where the positioning groove is formed can be fitted in the positioning groove and moved in a direction parallel to the workpiece rotation axis. And a fitting member urged in a direction of fitting in the positioning groove.
Then, the pair of spindle devices are moved in directions close to each other, and the long workpieces are inserted into the hole portions of the pair of spindle devices from both ends of the long workpieces arranged between the pair of spindle devices. The positioning groove is fitted to the fitting member, and when each of the pair of spindle devices reaches the vicinity of both ends of a preset machining location, the movement of the spindle device is stopped and the spindle device is stopped. By supporting the long workpiece with the chuck portion, the vicinity of both ends of the machining location is supported by each of the chuck portions in a state where the long workpiece is at a predetermined rotation angle, and each of the spindle portions is supported. A machining apparatus for machining the machining location by rotating around a workpiece rotation axis.

The fourth invention of the present invention is a processing apparatus as set forth in claim 4.
The processing apparatus according to claim 4 is the processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the long workpiece is substantially cylindrical and the processing portion is provided on a part of the cylindrical surface closer to the center than both ends. The processing tool moves relative to the supported long workpiece in a direction orthogonal to the workpiece rotation axis and is pressed against the long workpiece while being supported on the supported long workpiece. With respect to each of the chuck portions, the cylindrical surface in the vicinity of both ends of the machining portion is set to have a long workpiece with a predetermined rotation angle, while relatively moving in a direction parallel to the workpiece rotation axis. And a processing device that rotates each of the spindle portions around the workpiece rotation axis to process a threaded portion at the processing location.

In the processing method according to claim 1 or the processing apparatus according to claim 3, compared to the case where both ends of the long workpiece are supported, the vicinity of both ends of the processing portion (that is, the conventional method shown in FIG. 4). Since the support interval (the length L4 in FIG. 2B) can be made narrower by supporting and processing the portion equivalent to the portion supported by the rest devices 71 and 72, the long workpiece is curved. Can be further suppressed.
This eliminates the need for a grinding machine and processing steps for grinding the rest devices 71 and 72 and the rest support surface, which are required in the conventional screw grinding machine 101, and can further improve the work efficiency.
Further, since the long workpiece is inserted into the chuck portion and the spindle portion up to the vicinity of the processing portion and the vicinity of the processing portion is supported by the chuck portion, the drive fitting 35 and the like necessary for the conventional screw grinding machine 101 are omitted. It is possible to automate the attachment and detachment of the long work to the processing apparatus, and to shorten the work time of the operator.
Further, in the processing apparatus according to the third aspect, since the long workpiece is supported by the chuck portion in a state where the predetermined rotation angle is set, for example, as shown in FIG. Even if the rack portion KR or the like is formed, the cylindrical surface can be appropriately supported at a rotation angle avoiding this.

  Moreover, if the processing method of Claim 2 or the processing apparatus of Claim 4 is used, the processing location provided in the one part cylindrical surface near the center rather than the both ends of a substantially cylindrical elongate workpiece | work. It is possible to appropriately realize a processing method or a processing apparatus for processing the thread portion.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A shows an example of a schematic plan view of a processing apparatus 1 of the present invention (in this case, a screw grinder), and FIG. 1B shows a long workpiece W (hereinafter referred to as a long workpiece W). , An example of the appearance of the workpiece W).

● [Configuration of processing device 1 and overview of long workpiece W (FIGS. 1 to 3)]
The machining apparatus 1 described in the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1A supports both ends of the workpiece W by the spindle center 33 of the spindle apparatus 30 and the centering center 43 of the centering apparatus 40 shown in FIG. A spindle device 30L, 30R for supporting a cylindrical surface in the vicinity of a processing point K of the workpiece W inserted by the chuck portions 33L, 33R with respect to the conventional screw grinding machine 101 is provided. The points are omitted.
In addition, the description of the configuration and operation of each part in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1 (A) and FIGS. 3 (A) and 3 (B), the machining apparatus 1 is provided with spindle devices 30L and 30R (corresponding to a pair of workpiece support means) facing each other. The device 30L can move in the Z-axis direction (direction parallel to the workpiece rotation axis) along the linear guide GL, and the spindle device 30R can move in the Z-axis direction along the linear guide GR.
The control device 50 outputs drive signals to the Z-axis direction drive motors 30LM, 30RM for the spindle devices 30L, 30R, takes in detection signals from the detection means 30LE, 30RE (encoders, etc.), and Z of the spindle devices 30L, 30R. The position and moving speed in the axial direction can be controlled. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the Z-axis direction drive motor 30LM (30RM) rotates the ball screw BL (BR) and is fitted to the ball screw BL (BR) with a nut or the like. The arm CL (CR) is moved, and the spindle device 30L (30R) connected to the arm CL (CR) is moved.
FIG. 1B shows an example of the appearance of the workpiece W. The workpiece W targeted by the machining apparatus 1 described in the present embodiment is a substantially cylindrical long workpiece, and machining points provided on some cylindrical surfaces closer to the center than both ends of the workpiece W. A workpiece W for machining a threaded portion to K is targeted. FIG. 1 (B) shows the appearance of an EPS steering rod that matches the above-mentioned target contents. The steering rod is a rack in a rack-and-pinion structure in addition to a machining point K for machining a threaded portion. A portion KR (a shape in which a part of the cylindrical surface is planar and a groove into which the pinion gear is fitted) is formed.
Such a steering rod is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile as an electric power steering device (power steering device) for reducing the steering force of a steering wheel by a driver via a tie rod and a knuckle arm, respectively. It is used for a so-called rack assist type electric power steering apparatus in which an auxiliary steering force based on the torque of an electric motor is applied to a steering rod connected to left and right wheels.
A ball screw nut is screwed onto the threaded portion of the steering rod via a large number of balls. When the ball screw nut is rotated by the power of the electric motor, the rotational force (auxiliary torque) is converted to the axial movement force (auxiliary torque) of the steering rod. (Steering force or auxiliary steering force), and assists the steering force of the steering wheel by the driver transmitted through the rack portion KR.

2A shows an example of the appearance of the spindle portion 32L, the chuck portion 33L, and the end face of the workpiece W, and FIG. 2B shows an example of the schematic structure of the spindle devices 30L and 30R. ing.
The spindle device 30L includes a spindle stock 31L, a spindle portion 32L that rotates around a workpiece rotation axis, and a chuck claw 34L that rotates integrally with the spindle portion 32L and can support the cylindrical surface of the inserted workpiece W. It is comprised with the provided chuck | zipper part 33L. Further, the spindle portion 32L and the chuck portion 33L are provided coaxially (on the workpiece rotation axis), and a hole portion N having a diameter capable of inserting the workpiece W in the Z-axis direction is formed. The control device 50 can control the opening and closing of the chuck pawl 34L and can control the rotation of the spindle portion 32L. Further, the spindle device 30R, the spindle stock 31R, the spindle portion 32R, the chuck portion 33R, and the chuck pawl 34R are the same as the spindle device 30L described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

Here, in the case of the workpiece W shown in FIG. 1B, if it is intended to support the vicinity of both ends of the machining location K, it is necessary to support the portion of the rack portion KR. However, it is not appropriate to support (grip) the surface of the rack portion KR with the chuck claws 34L or 34R. When supporting (gripping) with the chuck claws 34L or 34R, it is preferable to support the cylindrical surface of the workpiece W while avoiding the surface of the rack portion KR.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2A, a positioning groove WM capable of specifying the rotation angle of the workpiece W is formed on the end surface of the workpiece W (for example, positioning in a direction parallel to the surface of the rack portion KR). A groove WM is formed). The positioning groove WM only needs to be formed on at least one end face.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the end surface of the work W on the rack portion KR side is inserted into the spindle device 30R side, and the end surface on the opposite side to the rack portion KR is inserted. It is inserted into the spindle device 30L. Accordingly, since the part of the workpiece W supported by the chuck portion 33L is a cylindrical surface regardless of the position on the circumference, there are three chuck claws 34L as shown in the dotted line in FIG. It is preferable to use a claw chuck portion 33L. Further, since the part of the workpiece W supported by the chuck claw 33R has the rack part KR on the circumference, the chuck claw 34R is provided with the two claw chuck part 33R so that the cylindrical part can be supported while avoiding this. It is preferable to use it. The number of chuck claws for each chuck portion is not particularly limited.

In the workpiece W described in the present embodiment, the positioning groove WM is formed on the end surface on the rack portion KR side, and the positioning groove WM is not formed on the opposite end surface.
As shown in FIG. 2B, the hole N of the spindle portion 32R into which the end surface in which the positioning groove WM is formed is inserted is fitted in the positioning groove WM and can be moved in the Z-axis direction. In addition, a fitting member 35R that rotates integrally with the spindle portion 32R is provided. The fitting member 35R is biased by the elastic member 36R toward the workpiece W (in the direction of fitting into the positioning groove WM). The elastic member 36R is moved in the spindle portion 32R by a control signal from the control device 50. The adjustment member 37R is movable in the Z-axis direction.
Further, in the hole N of the spindle portion 32L into which the end surface where the positioning groove WM is not formed is inserted, the contact member 35L with which the end surface of the workpiece W abuts and the abutting member 35L which is movable in the Z-axis direction are arranged. An adjustment member 37L that controls the position in the Z-axis direction is provided.
2B, the fitting member 35R, the elastic member 36R, the adjustment members 37R and 37L, and the contact member 35L provided in the spindle portions 32L and 32R are not solid lines but solid lines. It is described.
In the above description, the example in which the positioning groove WM of the workpiece W is formed only on the end surface on the rack portion KR side, but the positioning groove WM may be formed on both end surfaces of the workpiece W. In that case, the contact member 35L in the spindle portion 32L may be the same member as the fitting member 35R.

● [Threading procedure (Fig. 3)]
Next, a procedure for processing the workpiece W by the processing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B show a front view of the processing apparatus 1 viewed from the operator, and the grindstone 22 and the like are omitted from the plan view of FIG.
Before the workpiece W is set, the distance between the spindle devices 30L and 30R is longer than the length of the workpiece W, and the chuck claws 34L and 34R are in an unclamped state (opened state). This state is the initial state. At this time, the rotation angle is initialized from the control device 50 so that the rotation angle of the fitting member 35R becomes a predetermined angle position (for example, the angle position that is fitted when the positioning groove WM is in the vertical direction). Yes.
In the initial state, the adjustment members 37L and 37R are moved in the approaching direction, the contact member 35L is moved to the position of the hole N of the chuck portion 33L, and the fitting member is moved to the position of the hole N of the chuck portion 33R. Since the fitting member 35R can be seen by the operator if the 35R is moved, the workpiece W can be easily set so that the fitting member 35R can be reliably fitted into the positioning groove WM of the workpiece W. it can.
3A and 3B, the elastic member 36R and the adjustment members 37L and 37R are not shown.

The operator sets the workpiece W between the spindle devices 30L and 30R and on the temporary receiving bases 73 and 74 (in this case, set so that the positioning groove WM is in the vertical direction). Enter the start instructions. The state at this time is the state shown in FIG.
Then, the spindle devices 30L and 30R move in directions close to each other in the Z-axis direction by the control signal from the control device 50 (the workpiece W is sandwiched from both ends). Then, both end portions of the work W pass through the hole portions of the chuck portions 33L and 33R and are inserted into the hole portions of the spindle portions 32L and 32R. At this time, the positioning groove WM is fitted to the fitting member 35R, the end surface of the workpiece W is brought into contact with the contact member 35L, and the control device 50 adjusts the adjustment member 37L in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the spindle device 30L. , And the adjustment member 37R is moved in the direction opposite to the movement direction of the main spindle device 30R to adjust the urging force by the elastic member 36R.

Then, when the control device 50 moves the spindle devices 30L and 30R to a position near the preset machining location K, the control device 50 stops the movement of the spindle devices 30L and 30R. The control device 50 controls the chuck claws 34L and 34R from the unclamped state to the clamped state, and supports the cylindrical surfaces in the vicinity of both ends of the processing portion K of the workpiece W with the chuck claws 34L and 34R. The state at this time is the state shown in FIG. At this time, the positioning groove WM of the work W and the fitting member 35R are fitted even if the portion to be supported (gripped) by the chuck claws 34L or 34R includes the rack portion KR shown in FIG. Thus, the cylindrical surface avoiding the rack portion KR can be supported (gripped) by the chuck claws 34R. When the workpiece W is clamped by the chuck claws 34L and 34R, the workpiece W is slightly lifted from the temporary holders 73 and 74, the workpiece W and the temporary holders 73 and 74 are brought into a non-contact state, and the workpiece W is rotated. Even if it makes it, it does not interfere with the temporary cradle 73,74.
The control device 50 rotates the spindles 32L and 32R to rotate the workpiece W around the workpiece rotation axis.
And the control apparatus 50 makes the grindstone 22 correspond to the rotation angle of the workpiece | work W, pressing the grindstone 22 (rotary grindstone) from the direction orthogonal to a workpiece rotation axis to the edge part of the process location K, and the workpiece rotation axis. The thread portion is machined at the machining location K by moving in a direction parallel to the machining area K.

As described above, in the processing device 1 and the screw processing method described in the present embodiment, the processing steps of the rest devices 71 and 72 and the rest support surface can be omitted, so that the work efficiency is good and the rest support surface is processed. The grinder for doing so can also be omitted.
Further, in the conventional screw grinding machine 101 shown in FIG. 4, the ram 42 is extended to adjust the center, and if it is projected 200 mm, the rigidity is lowered. However, in the processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, The main shaft devices 30L and 30R are moved using the linear guides GL and GR to adjust the distance between the centers, and sufficient rigidity is ensured even when moving more than 200 mm (the rigidity does not change with the distance between the centers. ).
In the processing apparatus 1 described in the present embodiment, the parts equivalent to the parts supported by the rest devices 71 and 72 in the conventional screw grinding machine 101 are supported by the chuck claws 34L and 34R. Bending can be suppressed and threading can be performed with high accuracy.
In addition, since the workpiece W can be set and released by moving the spindle devices 30L and 30R and opening and closing the chuck claws without the drive bracket 35 and the like, it is possible to automate the operation time of the operator. It can be shortened.
Further, with respect to the conventional screw grinding machine 101 in which the interval between the rest devices 71 and 72 is fixed, the processing device 1 described in the present embodiment can freely set the support portions of the chuck claws 34L and 34R. More appropriate parts can be supported for various workpieces W.
In the description of the present embodiment, the grindstone 22 is moved in the X-axis direction with respect to the work W. However, the work W may be moved in the X-axis direction with respect to the grindstone 22. Therefore, the grindstone 22 moves relative to the workpiece W in the X-axis direction.
Similarly, with respect to the Z-axis direction, the grindstone 22 is moved in the Z-axis direction with respect to the workpiece W. However, the workpiece W may be moved in the Z-axis direction with respect to the grindstone 22. Therefore, the grindstone 22 moves relative to the workpiece W in the Z-axis direction.

The threaded portion processing method and the processing apparatus 1 of the present invention are not limited to the processing procedure described in the present embodiment, the appearance, the configuration, the structure, and the like of the processing apparatus 1, and various types are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. It can be changed, added and deleted.
Further, the workpiece W is not limited to the steering rod (EPS ball screw) described in the present embodiment, and is a substantially cylindrical long workpiece, and a part of the cylindrical surface closer to the center than both ends. It can be applied to a workpiece that is to be machined at a machining point. Moreover, the processing apparatus 1 is not limited to a screw grinding machine, and can be applied to various processing apparatuses corresponding to a workpiece that satisfies the above conditions.
Moreover, a processing tool is not limited to the grindstone 22, Various processing tools, such as a bite, can be utilized.

It is a figure explaining one embodiment of appearance (plan view) of processing device 1 of the present invention, and a figure explaining an example of appearance of work W. It is a figure explaining the example of the external appearance of the spindle part 32L, the chuck | zipper part 33L, the positioning groove WM formed in the end surface of the workpiece | work W, and the structure of spindle apparatus 30L, 30R. It is a figure explaining the process sequence which processes a thread part in the process location K by the processing apparatus. It is a figure explaining the example of the external appearance (plan view) of the conventional screw grinding machine 101. FIG. It is a figure explaining the example of the spindle center 33 in the conventional screw grinding machine 101, the drive metal fitting 35, the rest apparatus 71, etc. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Grinding machine 2 Base 10 Grinding wheel base 10M, 30LM, 30RM Z-axis direction drive motor 10E, 30LE, 30RE Detection means 20 Grinding wheel table 20M X-axis direction drive motor 20E Detection means 21 Grinding wheel drive motor 22 Grinding wheel (processing tool)
30L, 30R Spindle device (workpiece support means)
31, 31L, 31R Spindle base 32, 32L, 32R Spindle 33 Spindle center 33L, 33R Chuck part 34L, 34R Chuck claw 35R Fitting member 35L Abutting member 35 Drive fitting 50 Control device 60 Truing device 61 Truing table 62 Molding stone 71 , 72 Rest device 73, 74 Temporary cradle W Work (workpiece)
WM Positioning groove K Machining location

Claims (4)

A long workpiece is machined using a pair of workpiece support means that are arranged opposite to each other on the workpiece rotation axis and can be moved close to and away from each other, can insert a long workpiece, and can support the inserted long workpiece. Rotate around the object rotation axis,
In a machining method of machining a machining portion provided in a part closer to the center than both ends of the long workpiece by moving the machining tool against the supported long workpiece while moving relatively.
The pair of workpiece support means is moved in a direction approaching each other, and a long workpiece is placed on each of the pair of workpiece support means from both ends of the long workpiece disposed between the pair of workpiece support means. Will continue to insert
When each of the pair of workpiece support means reaches the vicinity of both ends of the preset machining location, the movement of the workpiece support means is stopped and the long workpiece is supported, thereby the vicinity of both ends of the machining location. Is supported by the pair of workpiece support means,
The pair of workpiece support means are rotated about the workpiece rotation axis to process the processing portion.
Processing method. The processing method according to claim 1,
The long workpiece is substantially cylindrical, and the processing portion is provided on a part of the cylindrical surface closer to the center than both ends.
The workpiece is moved against the supported long workpiece while the processing tool is moved relative to the supported long workpiece in a direction orthogonal to the workpiece rotation axis and pressed against the long workpiece. The pair of workpiece support means are moved relative to each other in a direction parallel to the rotation axis, and a cylindrical surface in the vicinity of both ends of the machining location is supported by the pair of workpiece support means. Rotate around the rotation axis to machine the threaded part at the machining location,
Processing method. A pair of opposed spindle devices for supporting the long workpiece and rotating the supported long workpiece about the workpiece rotation axis;
A machining tool that moves and processes relative to the supported long workpiece, and processes a machining portion provided at a part closer to the center than both ends of the long workpiece. A processing device,
Each of the pair of spindle devices includes a spindle portion that rotates about the workpiece rotation axis, and a chuck portion that rotates integrally with the spindle portion and can support a long workpiece on the workpiece rotation axis. And is configured to be movable in a direction parallel to the workpiece rotation axis so as to be close to and away from each other.
In the spindle part and the chuck part, a hole part into which a long workpiece can be inserted is formed along the workpiece rotation axis,
On at least one end face of the long workpiece, a positioning groove capable of specifying the rotation angle of the long workpiece is formed,
In the hole corresponding to the end surface where the positioning groove is formed, the hole can be fitted in the positioning groove and moved in a direction parallel to the workpiece rotation axis and urged in the direction in which the positioning groove is fitted. Fitted fitting members are provided,
The pair of spindle devices are moved in a direction approaching each other, and a long workpiece is inserted into each hole of each of the pair of spindle devices from both ends of the long workpiece disposed between the pair of spindle devices. And fitting the positioning groove to the fitting member,
When each of the pair of spindle devices reaches the vicinity of both ends of the preset machining location, the movement of the spindle device is stopped and the long workpiece is supported by the chuck portion, so that both ends of the machining location are supported. The vicinity is supported by each of the chuck portions in a state where the long workpiece is at a predetermined rotation angle,
Each of the spindle parts is rotated around a workpiece rotation axis to process the processing portion.
Processing equipment. The processing apparatus according to claim 3,
The long workpiece is substantially cylindrical, and the processing portion is provided on a part of the cylindrical surface closer to the center than both ends.
The machining tool moves relative to the supported long workpiece in a direction orthogonal to the workpiece rotation axis and is pressed against the long workpiece while the work tool is pressed against the supported long workpiece. While moving relatively in the direction parallel to the object rotation axis, each chuck portion supports a cylindrical surface in the vicinity of both ends of the machining portion in a state where the long workpiece is set at a predetermined rotation angle. , Each of the spindle parts is rotated around the workpiece rotation axis to machine a threaded part at the machining location.
Processing equipment.

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