JP2012045707A - Vertical machining center - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vertical machining center that can miniaturize the body thereof more than before.SOLUTION: The machining center 1 includes: a table 20 disposed on a bed 10 so as to be movable in an X direction that is right and left directions in a front view in a horizontal plane; two rows of horizontal guide rails 32 provided in a Y direction that is front and back directions in a front view in a horizontal plane on two columns 30 erected on the bed 10; a first saddle 40 disposed movably in the Y direction via the two rows of horizontal guide rails 32; two rows of vertical guide rails 42 provided in a Z direction that is a vertical direction at an interval narrower than that of the two rows of horizontal guide rails 32 in the front part of the first saddle 40; a second saddle 50 disposed movably in the Z direction via the two rows of vertical guide rails 42; and a spindle head 60 fixedly disposed in the second saddle 50 while being offset downward so that it can enter more downwardly than the position of the two rows of horizontal guide rails 32.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vertical machining center in which a main shaft to which a tool is attached is arranged in a vertical direction.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, machining centers that perform machining by relatively moving a tool attached to a spindle and a workpiece, which is a workpiece, in the X, Y, and Z directions have been widely used in the manufacture of various articles. This machining center is roughly classified into two types, a vertical machining center in which the main shaft is arranged in the vertical direction and a horizontal machining center in which the main shaft is arranged in the horizontal direction, and is used in accordance with each feature.

  Among these, as the vertical machining center, the table on which the workpiece is placed moves in the front-rear direction (Y direction) when viewed from the front (moves between the front side and the back side), and the spindle head that rotatably supports the spindle is provided. A device configured to move in the left-right direction (X direction) and the vertical direction (Z direction) in front view is generally used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-87964 A

  In recent years, in various manufacturing industries, in order to improve space efficiency in a factory and improve productivity, there is an increasing demand for downsizing various machine tools including a machining center. In particular, when constructing a machining line composed of a plurality of machine tools, the machine tools are often arranged side by side in the X direction with the front surfaces of the machine tools aligned in one direction. It is desired.

  However, the vertical machining center described in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which a large saddle having a mechanism for moving the spindle head in the Z direction is moved in the X direction. There was a problem that was difficult. In addition, adding an automatic tool changer may further increase the size in the X direction.

  In view of such circumstances, the present invention intends to provide a vertical machining center capable of making the airframe more compact than before.

  (1) The present invention is a table arranged on a bed so as to be movable in the X direction which is the left-right direction of a front view in a horizontal plane, and front and rear views in a horizontal plane on two columns erected on the bed. Two rows of horizontal guide rails provided in the Y direction that is the direction, a first saddle disposed so as to be movable in the Y direction via the two rows of horizontal guide rails, and the front of the first saddle Two rows of vertical guide rails provided in the Z direction, which is the vertical direction, at narrower intervals than the two rows of horizontal guide rails, and a second arranged to be movable in the Z direction via the two rows of vertical guide rails A vertical machine machine comprising: a saddle; and a spindle head fixedly disposed on the second saddle in a state of being offset downward so as to be able to enter below the two rows of horizontal guide rails. It is a center.

  (2) The present invention is also the vertical machining center according to (1), wherein the table is disposed in front of the two columns.

  (3) The present invention is also the vertical machining center according to (1) or (2), wherein the second saddle is disposed so as to be movable only above the two columns. .

  (4) The vertical shape according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the two rows of vertical guide rails are arranged above the two columns. It is a machining center.

  (5) In the present invention, any one of the above (1) to (4) is characterized in that the first saddle is disposed so that the spindle head can enter between the two rows of horizontal guide rails. This is a vertical machining center described in the above.

  According to the vertical machining center according to the present invention, it is possible to achieve an excellent effect that the airframe can be made more compact than before.

1 is a front view of a vertical machining center according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view of a vertical machining center. It is the figure which showed the stroke of the Z direction of a spindle head. It is the figure which showed the stroke of the Y direction of a spindle head. (A) It is the top view which showed the tool magazine and the protection box. (B) It is the perspective view which showed the protection box. (A) And (b) It is the figure which showed the tool holder. (A)-(c) It is the figure which showed the replacement | exchange procedure of the tool. It is a front view of a conveying apparatus. (A) It is a B direction arrow directional view of FIG. (B) It is a C direction arrow directional view of FIG. It is the figure which showed the mode of the rocking | fluctuation of the arm part of an unloader. It is the figure which showed delivery of the workpiece | work between the conveying apparatus of the front process in a processing line, and the conveying apparatus of a back process.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a vertical machining center 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view of the vertical machining center 1. In the following description, the front view left and right direction is the X direction, the front view front and rear direction is the Y direction, and the vertical direction is the Z direction.

  As shown in these drawings, the vertical machining center 1 is erected on a bed 10, a table 20 disposed on the front side (front side) on the bed 10, and a rear side (back side) of the table 20 on the bed 10. Two columns 30, the first saddle 40 disposed on the two columns 30, the second saddle 50 disposed in front of the first saddle 40, and the second saddle 50 being offset downward. A spindle head 60 that is fixedly arranged, a tool magazine 70 that is arranged between two columns 30 behind the spindle head 60, and a protective box 80 that covers the periphery of the tool magazine 70 are configured. . The vertical machining center 1 is provided with a cover 90 that covers substantially the entire body.

  Further, the vertical machining center 1 of the present embodiment includes a workpiece transfer device 100 in front of the bed 10. The conveying device 100 is for supplying and unloading a workpiece, which is a workpiece, to and from the vertical machining center 1, a loader 110 for supplying the workpiece to the vertical machining center 1 from the outside, and a vertical type And an unloader 120 for unloading a workpiece from the machining center 1 to the outside. Each of the loader 110 and the unloader 120 is configured to be capable of reciprocating in the X direction and swingable toward the vertical machining center 1 at its tip. Details of the transport apparatus 100 will be described later.

  The bed 10 is a portion that becomes a base of a vertical machining center, and is configured in a rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the Y direction is longer than the X direction. Inside the bed 10, a coolant space 12 for collecting used coolant (cutting fluid) and chips, a chip discharging device (not shown), and the like are provided. Further, a fixed cover 14 is erected on the front end portion of the upper surface of the bed 10 to prevent scattering of coolant and chips.

  The table 20 places a workpiece to be processed and reciprocates in the X direction. A table moving device 22 having a linear motion mechanism including a motor, a ball screw, and a linear guide is provided below the table 20. The table moving device 22 may include other known linear motion mechanisms such as a linear motor.

  Although illustration is omitted, on the table 20, a rotary table that rotates about the X direction or the Z direction as a central axis is arranged as necessary. By adding a rotary table on the table 20, variations in processing can be increased.

  The two columns 30 are respectively erected on the left and right ends of the upper surface of the bed 10 when viewed from the front, and are longer in the Y direction than in the X direction. Horizontal guide rails 32 are provided on the upper surfaces of the two columns 30 in the Y direction, respectively. That is, two rows of parallel horizontal guide rails 32 are provided on the upper surfaces of the two columns 30 along the Y direction.

  In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the two columns 30 of this embodiment are connected in back, and planar view becomes a U-shaped integral type. Therefore, the two columns in the present invention are not limited to a completely separated column, but are a concept including a partially integrated column.

  The first saddle 40 is disposed so as to straddle the two columns 30. The first saddle 40 is connected to two rows of horizontal guide rails 32 via a slider (not shown), and is guided by the two rows of horizontal guide rails 32 so as to be slidable in the Y direction. A ball screw mechanism 46 driven by a motor 44 is disposed behind the first saddle 40, and the first saddle 40 is driven in two rows by being driven by the motor 44 via the ball screw mechanism 46. It reciprocates in the Y direction along the horizontal guide rail 32.

  The front portion of the first saddle 40 has a substantially gate shape protruding upward, and two rows of vertical guide rails 42 are provided in parallel along the Z direction on the front surface. The two rows of vertical guide rails 42 are disposed inside the two rows of horizontal guide rails 32 as viewed from the front. In other words, in this embodiment, the interval between the two vertical guide rails 42 is made smaller than the interval between the two horizontal guide rails 32.

  The second saddle 50 is connected to two rows of vertical guide rails 42 via a slider (not shown), and is guided by the two rows of vertical guide rails 42 so as to be slidable in the Z direction. A ball screw mechanism 56 driven by a motor 54 is disposed behind the second saddle 50, and the second saddle 50 is driven in two rows by being driven by the motor 54 via the ball screw mechanism 56. It reciprocates in the Z direction along the vertical guide rail 42.

  The spindle head 60 incorporates a motor that rotates and supports the spindle 62 arranged in the Z direction and drives the spindle 62. The spindle head 60 is fixedly disposed on the second saddle 50 with a large offset downward, and reciprocates in the Z direction together with the second saddle 50. The spindle head 60 reciprocates in the Y direction together with the first saddle 40.

  In the present embodiment, in this way, the spindle head 60 is moved in the Y direction and the Z direction, and the table 20 is moved in the X direction. It is possible to make it smaller. That is, the first saddle 40, the second saddle 50, and the spindle head 60, which need to be increased in size and increased rigidity in order to increase machining accuracy, are not moved in the X direction, but can be configured to be relatively light and compact. By moving the table 20 in the X direction, the dimension in the X direction can be reduced.

  In addition, since the two columns 30 are arranged at the rear of the table 20 and the second saddle 50 is arranged at the front of the first saddle 40, the interval between the two columns 30 in the X direction can be shortened. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the size of the airframe in the X direction.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the first saddle 40, the second saddle 50 and the spindle head 60 having a large mass (weight) are moved in the Y direction, which has a relatively long body length, and the body length is short in the X direction. By moving the lightweight table 20, each part can operate stably while reducing the X-direction dimension of the airframe.

  A tool clamp device 64 is provided at the tip (lower end) of the main shaft 62, and the tool 66 is held by the main shaft 62 by the tool clamp device 64 and rotates together with the main shaft 62. In addition, an encoder 68 for detecting the rotational speed of the spindle is disposed on the upper part of the spindle head 60.

  The tool magazine 70 holds a plurality of replacement tools 66. In this embodiment, a drum type in which a drum 74 in which the replacement tools 66 are arranged on the circumference is rotated by a motor 72 is adopted. Yes. The protection box 80 is a rectangular parallelepiped box, and a part of the tool magazine 70 is accommodated in the inside of the tool magazine 70 together with the replacement tool 66. A gas introduction device 84 is connected to the protection box 80 via a duct 82.

  In the present embodiment, the tool magazine 70 and the protection box 80 are arranged between the two columns 30 so that the tool magazine 70 can be provided without increasing the body size. Further, by disposing the tool magazine 70 on the movement path of the spindle head 60 in the Y direction, the tool 66 can be exchanged by moving the spindle head 60 without providing a tool changing arm. It is possible to change the tool quickly.

  The gas introduction device 84 introduces a gas such as air into the protection box 80 and maintains the inside of the protection box 80 at a positive pressure, that is, a pressure higher than the surrounding atmosphere. In the present embodiment, a blower is arranged as an upper part of the cover 90 as the gas introduction device 84 so that air outside the cover 90 is introduced into the protective box 80. A fan or a compressor may be used as the gas introduction device 84, or an air pipe in the factory may be connected to the duct 82 as the gas introduction device 84.

  The cover 90 is configured to cover the machine body of the vertical machining center 1 and the transport apparatus 100. In the present embodiment, a shutter 92 is provided between the spindle head 60 and the conveying device 100 to prevent the coolant and chips scattered during processing from adhering to the conveying device 100. The shutter 92 is configured to be slidable in the vertical direction above the fixed cover 14 so as to be opened and closed. When the workpiece is being processed, the shutter 92 is closed downward, and the conveyance device 100 supplies the workpiece to the table 20. And when carrying out the workpiece | work from the table 20, it will be in the state opened upward.

  An operation panel 94 is disposed in front of the cover 90. Further, the rear portion of the cover 90 includes a control panel unit 96 that houses a valve stand of an air system and a hydraulic system together with a control panel and a power supply device. In the present embodiment, the roller 98 is provided below the control panel unit 96 so that the control panel unit 96 can be easily moved during maintenance.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a Z-direction stroke of the spindle head 60, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a Y-direction stroke of the spindle head 60. In the present embodiment, the interval between the two rows of vertical guide rails 42 is narrower than that of the two rows of horizontal guide rails 32, so that when the second saddle 50 moves downward, the space between the two rows of horizontal guide rails 32 is reduced. It is possible to enter. Further, by offsetting the spindle head 60 downward with respect to the second saddle 50, when the spindle head 60 moves downward together with the second saddle 50, it is possible to enter between the two columns 30.

  By doing so, it is possible to achieve both reduction in the overhang in the Y direction of the spindle head 60 with respect to the two columns 30 and an increase in the stroke in the Z direction of the spindle head 60. That is, when the second saddle 50 and the spindle head 60 are provided in front of the first saddle 40, it is necessary to overhang the second saddle 50 and the spindle head 60 in the Y direction in order to increase the stroke in the Z direction. However, by making the interval between the two rows of vertical guide rails 42 narrower than that of the two rows of horizontal guide rails 32 and offsetting the spindle head 60 downward with respect to the second saddle 50, the spindle head that greatly affects the machining accuracy. 60 overhangs in the Y direction can be reduced.

  Further, by offsetting the spindle head 60 downward with respect to the second saddle 50, it is not necessary to extend the two rows of vertical guide rails 42 downward to allow the second saddle 50 to enter between the two columns 30. The stroke of the spindle head 60 in the Y direction can be increased without increasing the distance between the two columns 30. Further, since a space that does not interfere with the moving first saddle 40 and the second saddle 50 is generated between the two columns 30, the tool magazine 70 can be disposed in this space. Thereby, automatic tool change becomes possible, without enlarging a body size.

  In addition, since the downward offset of the spindle head 60 acts in the direction in which gravity opposes the machining reaction force, it has less influence on the machining accuracy than the overhang in the X direction or the Y direction. Therefore, in the vertical machining center 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to maintain necessary machining accuracy while reducing the size of the machine body, particularly the size in the X direction.

  FIG. 5A is a plan view showing the tool magazine 70 and the protection box 80, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view showing the protection box 80. In addition, in the same figure (a), the protection box 80 is shown in the cross section.

  As described above, the tool magazine 70 is configured to rotate the drum 74 with the motor 72. A plurality of (in this embodiment, twelve) tool holders 76 that hold the tool 66 are fixed to the outer peripheral portion of the rotating drum 74 with bolts 77. These tool holders 76 are annularly arranged along the circumference CA, and move along the circumference CA as the drum 74 rotates. Further, the tool 66 held by the tool holder 76 also moves along the circumference CA as the drum 74 rotates.

  Further, a retreat area 78 is formed on the circumference CA by partially widening the interval between the tool holders 76. As shown in FIG. 5A, the retreat area 78 is for preventing interference (contact) with the spindle head 60 by being positioned forward (spindle head 60 side) during processing.

  In the present embodiment, by providing the retreat area 78, the tool magazine 70 can be disposed close to the spindle head 60 without reducing the stroke of the spindle head 60 in the Y direction. By doing in this way, while a compact body can be comprised, a tool change can be performed rapidly.

  The protective box 80 is a rectangular parallelepiped box as shown in FIG. 4B, and an opening 86 for replacing the tool 66 is provided at the front while avoiding interference with the spindle head 60. It has been. The upper and lower portions of the opening 86 are cut out in a trapezoidal shape, and the opening 86 is an opening that is recessed in a trapezoidal shape.

  In the retraction area 78 of the tool magazine 70, a U-shaped protective cover 79 that matches the opening 86 is fixed to the drum 74. The protective cover 79 is configured to rotate together with the drum 74 and close the opening 86 of the protective box 80 in a substantially sealed state when the retreat area 78 is positioned forward. As a result, it is possible to prevent chips, coolant, dust, and the like from entering the protective box 80 and adhering to the tool 66 or the tool holder 76 and causing trouble.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inside of the protective box 80 is held at a positive pressure by introducing air from the duct 82 into the protective box 80 by the gas introducing device 84. By doing in this way, it can prevent more reliably that a chip | tip, coolant, dust, etc. approach in the protection box 80. FIG.

  FIGS. 6A and 6B are views showing the tool holder 76. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. As shown in these drawings, the tool holder 76 includes a block-like support member 76a and a biasing member 76b obtained by bending a belt-like plate material into a U-shape so as to follow the outer periphery of the support member 76a. Has been.

  A concave portion 76a1 into which a part of the outer peripheral surface of the tool 66 is fitted is formed on one end surface of the support member 76a, and a convex portion that engages with a groove portion 66a formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tool 66 is formed in the concave portion 76a1. A portion 76a2 is formed. The urging member 76b is fixed to the support member 76a with a bolt or the like so that the two tip portions protrude toward the concave portion 76a1. The two tip portions of the urging member 76b are formed with an arcuate portion 76b1 that is bent inward and then bent outward in an arcuate shape.

  The tool 66 is held by the tool holder 76 by being elastically deformed so as to spread the urging member 76b and fitting into the recess 76a1. Specifically, the arc-shaped portion 76b1 is pressed by the restoring force of the elastic deformation of the urging member 76b, and the tool 66 is urged toward the recess 76a1. And the tool 66 is hold | maintained at the tool holder 76 by maintaining the state which the groove part 66a and the convex part 76a2 engaged by this urging | biasing force.

  In the present embodiment, by providing the leaf spring-like urging member 76b as described above, the size of the tool holder 76 in the circumferential CA direction can be reduced. Thus, while the retreat area 78 is provided, the number of tools 66 that can be held by the tool magazine 70 is not reduced.

  FIGS. 7A to 7C are diagrams showing a procedure for exchanging the tool 66. FIG. As shown in FIG. 5A, during processing, the tool magazine 70 stands by with the retreat area 78 positioned forward. When exchanging the tool 66, first, as shown in FIG. 5B, the drum 74 is rotated to place the empty tool holder 76a at the front exchange position 70a. In the present embodiment, the tool holder 76 is positioned by controlling the rotation of the motor 72 that is a servo motor.

  Next, after the spindle head 60 is moved in the Z direction and the height of the tool 66 fixed to the spindle 62 is adjusted to the height of the tool holder 76, the spindle head 60 is directed toward the rear replacement position 70a. The tool 66 fixed to the main shaft 62 is fitted in the empty tool holder 76a at the replacement position 70a. Then, after releasing the clamping by the tool clamping device 64, the tool 66 fixed to the spindle 62 is detached from the spindle 62 and held by the tool holder 76a by moving the spindle head 60 upward in the Z direction. The Rukoto.

  Next, after the drum 74 is rotated and the tool holder 76b holding the tool 66 to be used next is positioned at the replacement position 70a, the spindle head 60 is moved downward in the Z direction so that the tool holder 76b The held tool 66 is clamped by the tool clamping device 64. Then, the spindle head 60 is moved forward in the Y direction, and the tool 66 to be used next is removed from the tool holder 76b. After removing the tool 66 to be used next, the drum 74 is rotated to position the retreat area 78 forward again. The tool 66 is replaced by the above procedure.

  Next, details of the transfer apparatus 100 will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a front view of the transfer device 100. Moreover, Fig.9 (a) is a B direction arrow directional view of FIG. 8, FIG.9 (b) is a C direction arrow directional view of FIG.

  As described above, the transport apparatus 100 includes the loader 110 that supplies a workpiece to the table 20 of the vertical machining center 1 and the unloader 120 that carries the workpiece out of the table 20 of the vertical machining center 1. These loader 110 and unloader 120 are arranged so as to be reciprocally movable in the X direction along two rows of transfer guide rails 102 arranged along the X direction on the front surface of the bed 10.

  In this embodiment, the loader 110 and the unloader 120 are arranged in series along the same transfer guide rail 102, whereby the transfer device 100 can be configured in a compact manner. In this embodiment, the loader 110 is arranged on the left side when viewed from the front, and the unloader 120 is arranged on the right side when viewed from the front. However, the loader 110 may be arranged in reverse.

  The loader 110 includes a substantially rectangular plate-like base member 112 arranged with the Z direction as a longitudinal direction, a linear motion device 114 that is fixed to the base member 112 and performs linear motion in the Z direction, and a straight line of the linear motion device 114. A conversion device 116 that converts motion into swinging, an arm unit 118 that swings connected to the conversion device 116, and a hand unit 130 that is provided at the tip of the arm unit 118 and grips a workpiece are provided.

  The base member 112 is connected to the two rows of transport guide rails 102 via the two sliders 112a, and reciprocates in the X direction along the two rows of transport guide rails 102. The linear motion device 114 is a device that linearly moves the slider 114b in the Z direction by driving the motor 114a, and includes a ball screw mechanism and a linear guide that are not shown. The linear motion device 114 is fixed to one surface of the base member 112 (in this embodiment, the surface on the left side in front view). Further, a substantially L-shaped plate-like connecting member 114c connected to the arm portion 118 is fixed to the slider 114b.

  The conversion device 116 is housed in the guide groove 116b and guided in a guide shaft 116c formed with a swing shaft 116a that connects the base member of the connecting member 114c and the arm portion 118 so as to be swingable. Cam follower 116d. The guide plate 116c is fixed to a surface of the base member 112 to which the linear motion device 114 is fixed, and is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the base member 112 and the connecting member 114c.

  The guide groove 116b is parallel to the linear motion direction of the linear motion device 114 at the upper end portion of the guide plate 116c, that is, the first parallel portion 116b1 formed in the Z direction, and gradually standing downward from the first parallel portion 116b1. The inclined portion 116b2 is formed to be inclined with respect to the Z direction so as to approach the machining center 1, and the second parallel portion 116b3 is formed in the Z direction downward from the inclined portion 116b2. . The cam follower 116d is disposed on the surface opposite to the swing shaft 116a at the base end portion of the arm portion 118 with its own rotation shaft parallel to the swing shaft 116a.

  The arm portion 118 is a substantially rod-shaped member that is disposed so that the base end portion is sandwiched between the guide plate 116c and the connecting member 114c, and the hand portion 130 is provided at the distal end. The arm unit 118 includes a rotation device 118 a that rotates about the longitudinal axis of the arm unit 118. The gripping direction of the hand unit 130 (the direction in which the workpiece is gripped) is changed by the rotation of the rotating device 118a.

  The hand unit 130 grips a workpiece with an air chuck or the like, and is attached to the distal end of the arm unit 118 with the gripping direction being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the arm unit 118. In addition, the structure of the hand part 130 is not specifically limited, The thing of the appropriate structure according to the shape and dimension of a workpiece | work can be employ | adopted.

  The unloader 120 has substantially the same configuration as the loader 110, and is configured symmetrically with respect to the unloader 120 in this embodiment. Therefore, the unloader 120 includes a rectangular plate-like base member 122 arranged with the Z direction as the longitudinal direction, a linear motion device 124 that is fixed to the base member 122 and performs linear motion in the Z direction, and a straight line of the linear motion device 124. A conversion device 126 that converts motion into swinging, an arm unit 128 that is connected to the conversion device 126 and swings, and a hand unit 130 that is provided at the tip of the arm unit 128 and grips a workpiece are provided.

  The base member 122 is connected to the two rows of transport guide rails 102 via two sliders 122a, and reciprocates in the X direction along the two rows of transport guide rails 102. The linear motion device 124 has the same configuration as the linear motion device 114 and is a device that linearly moves the slider 124b in the Z direction by driving the motor 124a. The linear motion device 124 is fixed to one surface of the base member 122 (in this embodiment, the surface on the right side in front view). A connecting member 124c connected to the arm portion 128 is fixed to the slider 124b.

  The conversion device 126 is accommodated in the guide groove 126b and is guided in a swing shaft 126a that connects the connecting member 124c and the base end of the arm portion 128 so as to be swingable, a guide plate 126c in which a guide groove 126b is formed. Cam follower 126d. The guide plate 126c is fixed to the same surface as the linear motion device 124 of the base member 122, and is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the base member 122 and the connecting member 124c.

  Like the guide groove 116b, the guide groove 126b is parallel to the linear motion direction of the linear motion device 124 at the upper end portion of the guide plate 126c, that is, from the first parallel portion 126b1 formed in the Z direction and the first parallel portion 126b1. A slanted portion 126b2 that is inclined with respect to the Z direction so as to gradually approach the vertical machining center 1 downward, and a second parallel portion that is formed in the Z direction downward from the slanted portion 126b2. 126b3. The cam follower 126d is disposed on a surface of the base end portion of the arm portion 128 opposite to the swing shaft 126a with its own rotation shaft parallel to the swing shaft 126a.

  The arm portion 128 is a substantially rod-shaped member that is disposed so that the base end portion is sandwiched between the guide plate 126c and the connecting member 124c, and the hand portion 130 is provided at the distal end. The arm unit 128 includes a rotating device 128a that rotates about its own longitudinal axis, and the gripping direction of the hand unit 130 is changed by the rotation of the rotating device 118a. The hand unit 130 of the unloader 120 is the same as the loader 110.

  Further, the transport device 100 includes a loader driving device 140 that reciprocates the loader 110 in the X direction, and an unloader driving device 150 that reciprocates the unloader 120 in the X direction.

  The loader driving device 140 includes two pulleys 142 that are disposed below the two rows of the conveyance guide rails 102 with the rotation axis in the Z direction, an endless belt 144 that is wound around the two pulleys 142, and two pulleys 142. And a motor 146 for driving the endless belt 144 by rotating one of the two. In the loader 110, the base member 112 is connected to the endless belt 144 via the clamp member 148. As the endless belt 144 travels, the loader 110 moves between the left end position in the front view of the conveyance guide rail 102 and the substantially intermediate position. Move back and forth in the direction. The motor 146 is a servo motor or a stepping motor, and the loader 110 can be stopped at an arbitrary position by controlling the rotational speed.

  The unloader driving device 150 is composed of a direct acting cylinder (in this embodiment, an air cylinder). The unloader 120 has a base member 122 connected to the tip of the unloader driving device 150 via a bracket 152 and reciprocates in the X direction as the unloader driving device 150 expands and contracts. And it is possible to stop at two points at the right end position in front view. Therefore, the positioning in the X direction when the workpiece is unloaded from the table 20 is adjusted by moving the table 20. The positioning in the X direction when the workpiece is transferred from the unloader 120 to the outside is adjusted by moving the transfer partner.

  In the present embodiment, the loader driving device 140 is a motor driving method and the unloader driving device 150 is a direct acting cylinder driving method, so that the conveying device 100 can be made compact and the cost can be reduced. The loader driving device 140 may be a direct acting cylinder driving method and the unloader driving device 150 may be a motor driving method.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state of swinging of the arm unit 128 of the unloader 120. As shown in the figure, when the slider 124b of the linear motion device 124 is moved downward from above, the arm portion 118 is pulled by the swing shaft 126a and moves vertically downward (Z direction). At this time, the cam follower 126d is guided by the guide groove 126b and moves in the order of the first parallel portion 126b1, the skew feeding portion 126b2, and the second parallel portion 126b3. As the cam follower 126d moves along the guide groove 126b, the relative positional relationship between the swing shaft 126a and the cam follower 126d changes to swing the arm portion 128 toward the vertical machining center 1.

  As a result, the arm portion 128 changes from an upright state in which its tip is directed upward to a tilted state in which its tip is directed toward the vertical machining center 1. Further, when the slider 124b of the linear motion device 124 is moved from below to above, the arm portion 128 changes from the tilted state to the upright state. The unloader 120 grips the work on the table 20 and carries it out of the table 20 when the arm unit 120 is tilted in this manner. At this time, the hand unit 130 is oriented in a direction suitable for gripping the workpiece.

  In the present embodiment, when the cam follower 126d is positioned at the second parallel portion 126b3 by providing the second parallel portion 126b3 of the guide groove 126b in parallel with the movement path of the swing shaft 126a (that is, in the Z direction). In addition, by adjusting the position of the slider 124b of the linear motion device 124, it is possible to appropriately set the height of the hand unit 130 in the tilted state while the tilt angle of the arm unit 128 remains constant. If the position of the slider 124b of the linear motion device 124 is adjusted when the cam follower 126d is positioned at the skew portion 126b2, the inclination angle of the arm portion 128 can be adjusted.

  Similarly, the arm portion 118 of the loader 110 swings between an upright state in which its tip is directed upward and a tilted state in which its tip is directed toward the vertical machining center 1. The loader 110 places the work on the table 20 when the arm unit 118 is tilted with the hand unit 130 in an appropriate direction.

  In the present embodiment, the loader 110 and the unloader 120 are configured such that the arm portions 118 and 128 are swung by a combination of the linear motion devices 114 and 124 and the conversion devices 116 and 126, so that the loader 110 and the unloader 120 are compact. It is possible to configure. Further, the base members 112 and 122 and the connecting members 114c and 124c are constituted by plate-like members, and the linear motion devices 114 and 124, the guide plates 116c and 126c, and the arm members 118 and 128 are connected to the base members 112 and 122 and the connecting members. By arranging so as to be sandwiched between 114c and 124c, the X-direction dimension of the loader 110 and the unloader 120 can be reduced.

  Accordingly, in this embodiment, the work loader 110 and the work unloader 120 are connected in series along the same transport guide rail 102 while securing a sufficient amount of movement in the X direction. It is possible to arrange.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating delivery of the workpiece 200 between the transport device 100 in the pre-process and the transport device 100 in the post-process in the processing line. As described above, the loader 110 can move to the left end position in the front view of the conveyance guide rail 102, and the unloader 120 can move to the right end position in the front view of the conveyance guide rail 102. Further, as shown in the figure, the hand portion 130 of the loader 110 can turn the gripping direction to the left in the front view by the rotation device 118a, and the hand portion 130 of the unloader 120 can be rotated by the rotation device 128a. This makes it possible to set the gripping direction to the right in the front view.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in the figure, the workpiece 200 can be directly transferred between the unloader 120 of the transport device 100 in the previous process and the loader 110 of the transport device 100 in the subsequent process. . Thereby, since it is not necessary to arrange | position a relay apparatus etc. between the two conveying apparatuses 100, a processing line can be comprised compactly and shortly. In addition, since it is possible to simultaneously receive the workpiece 200 from the previous process by the loader 110 and deliver the workpiece 200 to the subsequent process by the unloader 120 in one transport apparatus 100, the workpiece 200 can be processed in a very short cycle time. Transport can be performed.

  In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, conveyance of the workpiece | work 200 by the conveying apparatus 100 is as follows. First, the loader 110 grips and receives the workpiece 200 fed from the unloader 120 of the previous process at the left end position in front view. Next, the loader 110 moves to a substantially intermediate position along the conveyance guide rail 102 while changing the gripping direction of the hand unit 130 to a predetermined direction. Then, after the arm unit 118 is tilted, the gripping by the hand unit 130 is released, and the workpiece 200 is placed on the table 20. After that, the loader 110 changes the gripping direction of the hand unit 130 to the receiving direction (in this embodiment, the left direction in the front view) after moving the arm unit 118 upright, and again moves to the left end position in the front view and waits. To do.

  When the processing of the workpiece 200 is completed, the unloader 120 moves from the standby position at the right end position in the front view to the substantially intermediate position along the conveyance guide rail 102 while changing the gripping direction of the hand unit 130 to a predetermined direction. Then, the arm unit 128 is tilted, and the workpiece 200 that has been processed is held by the hand unit 130. Next, the unloader 120 moves to the right end position when viewed from the front again while changing the gripping direction of the hand unit 130 to the delivery direction (in the present embodiment, the right direction when viewed from the front) after bringing the arm part 128 into the upright state. Then, the workpiece 200 is presented toward the loader 110 in the subsequent process. Then, when the post-loader 110 grips the workpiece 200, the gripping by the hand unit 130 is released and the workpiece 200 is delivered.

  The workpiece 200 is delivered via a hole (not shown) provided at a predetermined position of the cover 90. In addition, the workpiece 200 may be transferred with the arm portion 118 of the loader 110 and the arm portion 128 of the unloader 120 in an upright state or in an inclined state. Needless to say, the workpieces may be transferred not only between the transport apparatuses 100 but also between another transport apparatus and the transport apparatus 100.

  Further, in the transport device 100 of the present embodiment, the loader 110 and the unloader 120 are configured to be substantially the same, so that the loader 110 functions as an unloader that unloads the workpiece 200 or the unloader 120 serves as a loader that supplies the workpiece 200. It is possible to make it function. That is, the conveyance direction of the workpiece 200 is not limited to one direction.

  Note that the mechanism for swinging the arm portions 118 and 128 is not limited to the mechanism shown in the present embodiment, and other known mechanisms may be adopted. Further, as the linear motion devices 114 and 124, other linear motion mechanisms such as a linear motor may be employed. The guide grooves 116b and 126b may be configured by combining curves such as arcs and parabolas.

  Further, as a driving system by the motor of the loader driving means 140, a system having a ball screw mechanism may be adopted. Further, a hydraulic cylinder may be adopted as the direct acting cylinder of the unloader driving means 150.

  As described above, the vertical machining center 1 according to the present embodiment is erected on the bed 10 and the table 20 that is disposed on the bed 10 so as to be movable in the X direction that is the left-right direction of the front view in the horizontal plane. Further, on the two columns 30, two rows of horizontal guide rails 32 provided in the Y direction, which is the front-rear direction in the horizontal plane, and the second column 30 are arranged to be movable in the Y direction via the two rows of horizontal guide rails 32. One saddle 40, two rows of vertical guide rails 42 provided in the Z direction, which is the vertical direction, at a smaller interval than the two rows of horizontal guide rails 32 at the front of the first saddle 40, and two rows of vertical guide rails 42 And a spindle head 60 that is fixedly disposed on the second saddle 50 in an offset downward state.

  By setting it as such a structure, the body of the vertical machining center 1 can be comprised more compactly than before, and the space efficiency in a factory can be improved. In particular, since the dimension in the X direction can be reduced, the line length can be shortened when a processing line composed of a plurality of machine tools is constructed.

  The horizontal guide rail 32 and the vertical guide rail 42 may be a sliding guide surface or a rolling guide surface. Further, it may be a static pressure guide surface or a magnetic levitation guide surface. Further, instead of the motor 44 and the ball screw mechanism 46 and the motor 54 and the ball screw mechanism 56, other linear motion mechanisms such as a linear motor may be employed.

  The vertical machining center 1 further includes a tool magazine 70 disposed between the two columns 30, and the spindle head 60 moves to the tool magazine 70 to exchange the tool 66. By doing in this way, automatic tool change can be enabled, without enlarging a body size. Further, the tool magazine 70 can be disposed near the spindle head 60, and the tool can be changed quickly.

  The tool magazine 70 includes a plurality of tool holders 76 arranged in an annular shape and a moving mechanism (a motor 72 and a drum 74) that moves the plurality of tool holders 76 along a row. In between, a retreat area 78 in which the interval between the tool holders 76 is widened so as not to interfere with the spindle head 60 being processed is partially provided. In this way, the tool magazine 70 can be arranged closer to the spindle head 60 without shortening the Y-direction stroke of the spindle head 60, making the machine more compact and changing the tool more quickly. Can be done.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the drum-type tool magazine 70 is adopted has been described. However, the tool magazine 70 is not limited to this, and may be of other types such as a chain type. .

  The retreat area 78 is provided with a protective cover 79 that moves together with the tool holder 76. By doing in this way, while the tool magazine 70 is brought close to the spindle head 60, chips and coolant scattered during processing adhere to the tool holder 76 and the tool 66 held by the tool holder 76. It can be effectively prevented. In the present embodiment, an example in which the evacuation area 78 is provided at one place is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of evacuation areas 78 may be provided.

  The vertical machining center 1 also includes a protection box 80 that houses at least a part of the tool magazine 70 together with the tool 66, and a gas introduction that introduces gas into the protection box 80 and maintains the inside of the protection box 80 at a positive pressure. And a device 84. By doing in this way, it can prevent reliably that a chip | tip, coolant, dust, etc. adhere to the tool 66 which the tool holder 76 and the tool holder 76 hold | maintain. Note that the protective box 80 may have a sealed structure, or may have an opening or a gap partially.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the vertical machining center of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course.

  The vertical machining center of the present invention can be used in the field of manufacturing various articles.

1 vertical machining center 10 bed 20 table 30 column 32 horizontal guide rail 40 first saddle 42 vertical guide rail 50 second saddle 60 spindle head

Claims (5)

A table arranged on the bed so as to be movable in the X direction which is the left-right direction of the front view in the horizontal plane;
Two rows of horizontal guide rails provided in the Y direction which is the front-rear front-back direction in a horizontal plane on the two columns erected on the bed;
A first saddle arranged to be movable in the Y direction via the two rows of horizontal guide rails;
Two rows of vertical guide rails provided in the Z direction, which is the vertical direction, at a smaller interval than the two rows of horizontal guide rails at the front of the first saddle;
A second saddle arranged to be movable in the Z direction via the two rows of vertical guide rails;
A spindle head fixedly disposed on the second saddle in a state of being offset downward so as to be able to enter below the two rows of horizontal guide rails,
Vertical machining center. The table is arranged in front of the two columns,
The vertical machining center according to claim 1. The second saddle is arranged to be movable only above the two columns,
The vertical machining center according to claim 1 or 2. The two rows of vertical guide rails are disposed above the two columns,
The vertical machining center according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The first saddle is characterized in that the spindle head is disposed so as to be able to enter between the two rows of horizontal guide rails,
The vertical machining center according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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