JP2012115933A - Machine tool - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a machine tool using multi-spindle heads, with which equipment can be made compact and simplified.SOLUTION: The machining tool 16 performs machining by the multi-spindle heads 14 formed putting together a plurality of tools T, and is provided with: power mechanisms 42 connected to the multi-spindle heads 14 and transmitting the power to the respective tools T; rails 40a, 40b suspending and supporting the plurality of the multi-spindle heads 14; index mechanisms 24 turnably supporting the plurality of the multi-spindle heads 14 suspended and supported by the rails 40a, 40b along the rails 40a, 40b, and indexing an optional multi-spindle head 14 in relation to the power mechanisms 42; and exchange spaces 25 provided at places facing the rails 40a, 40b, and wherein carriages 20 loading attaching/detaching mechanisms 36 for attaching/detaching the multi-spindle heads 14 to/from the rails 40a, 40b are connected and arranged.

Description

  The present invention relates to a machine tool that performs machining with a multi-axis head in which a plurality of tools are integrated.

  For example, in machining a workpiece such as an engine cylinder block or a transmission case that is a component mounted on a vehicle, a machine tool including a multi-axis head (also called a gang head) in which a plurality of tools are aggregated may be used. . In this type of machine tool, the multi-axis head can be attached to and detached from the main body equipped with a power mechanism that drives each tool of the multi-axis head. Accordingly, the multi-axis head can be easily replaced.

  In the patent document 1, the applicant of the present invention uses an apparatus main body to which a multi-axis head can be attached and detached, a stocker for storing a plurality of replacement multi-axis heads above it, and the multi-axis head stored in the stocker as the apparatus main body. On the other hand, the structure which integratedly arrange | positioned the attachment / detachment mechanism for attaching / detaching is proposed.

  Further, Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 are provided with a configuration in which a multi-axis head stocker is provided integrally with the apparatus main body, and an exchange device that replaces the multi-axis head stored in the stocker with respect to the apparatus main body. A configuration is disclosed.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-31852 JP-A 63-272410 JP 63-295106 A

  In the above prior art, the machine tool has a large and complicated structure because it includes a stocker for storing a replacement multi-axis head and an attachment / detachment mechanism integrally with the machine tool, and the occupation space of the machining area is also large. In the tendency to increase, maintenance etc. are also complicated. In particular, when a machining line system (transfer line) is constructed using a plurality of such machine tools, the stocker is integrated with each machine mechanism (module machine), resulting in a larger system configuration. And it becomes complicated.

  The present invention has been made in connection with the above-described prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a machine tool using a multi-axis head that enables downsizing and simplification of equipment.

  A machine tool according to the present invention is a machine tool that performs machining with a multi-axis head in which a plurality of tools are aggregated, and is connected to the multi-axis head and transmits a power to each of the tools, A rail for hanging and supporting the multi-axis head, and a plurality of the multi-axis heads suspended and supported by the rail are supported to be rotatable along the rail, and the arbitrary multi-axis head is supported with respect to the power mechanism. And an indexing mechanism that can be indexed, and an exchange space that is provided at a position facing the rail and in which a transport carriage that mounts an attaching / detaching mechanism that attaches / detaches the multi-axis head to / from the rail is connected and arranged. And

  According to such a configuration, the multi-axis head is suspended and supported by the rail, and can be indexed to the power mechanism by the index mechanism, and the multi-axis head mounting mechanism is mounted at a position facing the rail. Are provided with an exchange space in which they are connected and arranged. That is, by providing the machine tool with an exchange space where the transport carriage is connected and arranged, the attachment / detachment mechanism mounted on the transport carriage can be easily connected to the machine tool, and the multi-axis head can be replaced, that is, the multi-axis head Attaching to and removing from the rail can be performed. As a result, for example, the stocker that stores the multi-axis head for replacement can be arranged at a position separated from the machine tool, and the space between them can be connected by a transport carriage. There is no need to install a mechanism, and the machine tool can be downsized and simplified as a whole facility.

  The attachment / detachment mechanism may include a transfer table that can move forward and backward with the multi-axis head mounted thereon, and the exchange space may include an exchange table into which the transfer table can enter. If it does so, since the transfer stand provided in the conveyance trolley side can be easily advanced and retracted to the machine tool side via an exchange stand, the exchange operation of a multi-axis head can be performed still more easily.

  In this case, the attachment / detachment mechanism includes a rolling roller that supports the transfer table on a base so as to freely advance and retreat, a transfer motor provided on the transfer table, a pinion gear provided on a rotation shaft of the transfer motor, A rack gear that is provided on the base and meshes with the pinion gear, and the exchange base is continuous with the rolling roller and the rack gear in a state where the transport carriage is connected to the exchange space. The machine-side roller and the machine-side rack gear are arranged, and the transfer table continuously runs on the rolling roller and the machine-side roller under the meshing action of the pinion gear, the rack gear, and the machine-side rack gear. Therefore, the multi-axis head can be easily and quickly exchanged with a simple structure.

  According to the present invention, by providing the machine tool with an exchange space where the transport carriage is connected and arranged, the attachment / detachment mechanism mounted on the transport carriage can be easily connected to the machine tool, and the multi-axis head can be replaced, that is, the The operation of attaching and detaching the shaft head to the rail can be performed. As a result, for example, the stocker that stores the multi-axis head for replacement can be arranged at a position separated from the machine tool, and the space between them can be connected by a transport carriage. There is no need to install a mechanism, and the machine tool can be downsized and simplified as a whole facility.

It is a top view showing typically the whole composition of the processing line system provided with the machine tool concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view explaining the state which arrange | positions a conveyance trolley in the exchange position of the multi-axis head with respect to a machine tool. It is a principal part expansion perspective view in the state which is changing the multi-axis head of a machine tool with the exchange device mounted in the conveyance trolley. It is a partially omitted perspective view of the transport carriage. FIG. 5A is a rear view of the exchange device mounted on the transport cart, and FIG. 5B is a partially cutaway plan view of the exchange device shown in FIG. 5A. It is a flowchart which shows the removal operation | movement from the machine tool of the multi-axis head by an exchange apparatus. FIG. 7A is a partially omitted side view showing a state in which the transport carriage is moved to the multi-axis head replacement position by the AGV, and FIG. It is a partially omitted side view showing a state of replacement. FIG. 8A is a side view showing a state in which the transfer table is advanced to the lower part of the multi-axis head, and FIG. 8B is a partially omitted front view showing the attachment / detachment mechanism and the multi-axis head in the state shown in FIG. 8A. is there. 9A is a side view showing a state where the pin of the attachment / detachment mechanism is engaged with the engagement hole and the multi-axis head is lifted, and FIG. 9B shows the attachment / detachment mechanism and the multi-axis head in the state shown in FIG. 9A. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the attachment operation | movement to the machine tool of the multi-axis head by an exchange apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the processing method of the workpiece | work by a processing line system. It is a perspective view of the exchange device concerning a modification. It is a flowchart which shows the removal operation | movement from the machine tool of the multi-axis head by the exchange apparatus shown in FIG. 14A is a side view showing a state in which the transfer table of the exchange device shown in FIG. 12 is advanced to the lower part of the multi-axis head, and FIG. 14B is a plan view of the attachment / detachment mechanism in the state shown in FIG. 14A. FIG. 14C is a partial cross-sectional front view showing the attachment / detachment mechanism and the multi-axis head in the state shown in FIG. 14A. FIG. 15A is a side view showing a state in which the pushing member is advanced after the transfer table is further advanced from the state shown in FIG. 14A, and FIG. 15B is a plan view of the attachment / detachment mechanism in the state shown in FIG. 15A. FIG. 15C is a partial cross-sectional front view showing the attachment / detachment mechanism and the multi-axis head in the state shown in FIG. 15A. 16A is a side view showing a state in which the pushing member is further advanced from the state shown in FIG. 15A and the multiaxial head is lifted, and FIG. 16B is a plan view of the attachment / detachment mechanism in the state shown in FIG. 16A. 16C is a partial cross-sectional front view showing the attachment / detachment mechanism and the multi-axis head in the state shown in FIG. 16A. It is a flowchart which shows the attachment operation | movement to the machine tool of the multi-axis head by the exchange apparatus shown in FIG. It is a side view of the conveyance cart concerning a modification.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a machine tool according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings by giving preferred embodiments in relation to a machining line system including the machine tool.

1. Description of Overall Configuration of Processing Line System FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing an overall configuration of a processing line system 10 including a machine tool 16 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The processing line system 10 includes a processing line 12 on which the workpiece W is transported and processed, four machine tools 16 that machine the workpiece W on the processing line 12 by a multi-axis head 14 that aggregates a plurality of tools T, A stocker 18 that stores a plurality of replacement multi-axis heads 14 for each machine tool 16 and a transport carriage 20 that transports and replaces the multi-axis heads 14 between each machine tool 16 and the stocker 18 are provided. Examples of the workpiece W processed by the processing line system 10 include a cylinder block and a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, a vehicle mission case, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the processing line system 10 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “system 10”) includes machine tools 16 as four module machines arranged so as to sandwich the processing line 12. The workpiece W conveyed above and positioned at a predetermined position can be simultaneously machined by the multi-axis heads 14 of one or two machine tools 16. In the system 10, the number of machine tools 16 may be one, or two, three, or five or more.

  The machine tool 16 has an index mechanism 24 in which a plurality of (six in this embodiment) arms 22 that support the multi-axis head 14 at the tip are provided radially. By controlling the rotation of the arm 22 with the index mechanism 24, the predetermined multi-axis head 14 can be indexed to the machining phase for the workpiece W, and the workpiece W can be machined. When machining the workpiece W by the multi-axis head 14, the multi-axis head 14 is advanced and retracted in a direction to advance and retract with respect to the workpiece W and a horizontal direction parallel to the machining surface of the workpiece W by an unillustrated advance / retreat mechanism. Machining is executed. On the other hand, each multi-axis head 14 can be replaced with a desired multi-axis head 14 by being indexed by the index mechanism 24 into an exchange space 25 that serves as an exchange phase by the transport carriage 20.

  Each machine tool 16 is surrounded by a pair of openable and closable partition fences 26 and 26 installed on the opposite side (rear side) to the processing line 12 side, a predetermined fixed fence, and the like on the movement path 28 and the like of the transport carriage 20. The processing section (processing area) 30 partitioned from the external space is formed. The processing area 30 is a movable area of the machine tool 16. During the processing of the workpiece W or the like, the partition fence 26 is closed, whereby the processing section 30 is blocked from entering from the outside.

  One stocker 18 is installed at a position separated from each machine tool 16 (each machining section 30), and can store a plurality of multi-axis heads 14 for replacement of each machine tool 16. The stocker 18 only needs to be installed outside the processing area 30, and the number of stockers 18 is not limited to one. Depending on the conditions of the installation location of the system 10, the stocker 18 is a relatively small scale that stores a small number of multi-axis heads 14. A plurality of stockers 18 may be arranged. Of course, only one medium- to large-scale stocker 18 that stores a large number of multi-axis heads 14 may be installed.

  The transport carriage 20 is a carriage that travels on the movement path 28 and transports the multi-axis head 14 between the stocker 18 and each machine tool 16, and is for replacing the multi-axis head 14 with respect to each machine tool 16. The exchange device 32 is provided. The transport carriage 20 automatically travels on the moving path 28 by being connected and pulled to an AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) 34 which is an automatic guided vehicle (automatic transport vehicle), and the multi-axis head 14 is replaced with the machine tool 16. The replacement operation of the multi-axis head 14 is performed in a state where the vehicle stops at the position 35 (see FIG. 2). The AGV 34 may be integrated with the transport carriage 20.

  The exchange device 32 mounted on the transport carriage 20 includes an attachment / detachment mechanism (engagement / disengagement mechanism) 36 for attaching / detaching the multi-axis head 14 to / from the machine tool 16, and a control panel 38 for driving and controlling the attachment / detachment mechanism 36. The multi-axis head 14 is automatically transferred, transported and exchanged by a predetermined program operation.

2. Explanation of each component of processing line system Next, each component of processing line system 10 which consists of the above basic composition is explained in order.

2.1. Description of Machine Tool FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the transport carriage 20 is disposed at the replacement position 35 of the multi-axis head 14 with respect to the machine tool 16, and FIG. 3 is an illustration of an exchanging device 32 mounted on the transport carriage 20. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part in a state where a multi-axis head 14 of a machine tool 16 is replaced.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the machine tool 16 includes annular rails 40 a and 40 b that are installed in two upper and lower stages below the arm 22 and support the multiaxial head 14 in a suspended manner. Power (rotational driving force) is applied to an index mechanism 24 having an arm 22 for turning the shaft head 14 along the rails 40a and 40b and indexing it to a predetermined phase, and a tool T of the multi-axis head 14 indexed to the machining phase of the workpiece W. ), A replacement space 25 for replacing the multi-axis head 14 by the replacement device 32 mounted on the transport carriage 20, and a machine control unit 44 for driving and controlling the machine tool 16. As the machine tool 16, a publicly known machine tool including a multi-axis head can be basically used for parts other than the replacement space 25.

  The multi-axis head 14 is called a gang head having a plurality of types and a plurality of tools T on the surface facing the workpiece W, and performs a plurality of holes, etc. at once on a desired machining surface of the workpiece W. Can do. The multi-axis head 14 is detachably connected to a drive shaft of a drive source (not shown) that constitutes the power mechanism 42, so that a drive mechanism from the power mechanism 42 can be transmitted to each tool T at the same time ( (Not shown).

  The rails 40 a and 40 b are annular members that make a round around the machine tool 16 in two upper and lower stages along the turning direction of the arm 22. On the other hand, a pair of hook portions 45a and 45b that can be engaged with the upper and lower rails 40a and 40b are provided on the back surface of the multi-axis head 14 (see FIG. 3), and the hook portion 45a is a pair of rollers 46a and 46a. The hook portion 45b includes a pair of rollers 46b and 46b (FIGS. 8A and 9A). As a result, the multi-axis head 14 is suspended and supported by engaging the rails 40a and 40b by hook portions 45a and 45b (roller members 46a and 46b) provided at a total of four locations in the vertical and horizontal directions. In this state, a rectangular parallelepiped locked piece 48 installed at the center of the upper surface of the multi-axis head 14 is locked between a pair of locking members 50, 50 provided at the tip of the arm 22.

  The index mechanism 24 has an index motor 52 at the center of rotation of each arm 22 extending radially (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Under the driving action of the index motor 52, the arm 22 is moved in 60 ° increments, for example. Can be intermittently rotated. Accordingly, when the arm 22 is rotated by driving the index motor 52, the multi-axis head 14 is moved to a predetermined rotational position along the rails 40a and 40b under the locking action of the locked piece 48 by the locking member 50. And can be indexed to a predetermined phase.

  The power mechanism 42 includes the drive source (motor), and the drive shaft of the drive source is connected to the back side of the multi-axis head 14, whereby the multi-axis head 14 that is determined in the machining phase with respect to the workpiece W. Power from the drive source is distributed and transmitted to each tool T via the gear mechanism built in the tool T, and each tool T can be driven to rotate simultaneously.

  The replacement space 25 is installed on the opposite side (rear side) of each machine tool 16 from the processing line 12 side, and extends from a position facing the rails 40a and 40b to the inside of the partition fence 26. The transport carriage 20 is connected in the opened state. The exchange space 25 is an exchange table (exchange table) 54 that extends from immediately below the multi-axis head 14 to the rear of the machine tool 16 in a state where a predetermined multi-axis head 14 is indexed to the exchange phase by the index mechanism 24. Is provided.

  The exchange table 54 is a transfer table of the multi-axis head 14 installed on the floor surface at a height position where the upper surface is slightly below the multi-axis head 14 indexed in the exchange space 25. On the upper surface of the exchange table 54, a pair of guide plates 56a and 56b erected and extended from both sides in the direction from the machine tool 16 toward the transport carriage 20 (Z direction in FIG. 3), and the guide plates 56a and 56b are opposed to each other. A plurality of cam followers (machine side rollers) 60 that are rotatably supported on the inner surface and a rack member 62 fixed to the inner surface of one guide plate 56a are provided.

  A plurality of cam followers 60 are arranged along the extending direction of each of the guide plates 56a, 56b, and a transfer table (advance / retreat table) 64 of the transport carriage 20 is movable on the upper portion thereof (see FIGS. 3 and 7B). The rack member 62 extends along the extending direction of the one guide plate 56a, and a rack gear (machine side rack gear) 68 that meshes with a pinion gear 66 mounted on the transfer table 64 is provided on the inner surface thereof. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, the machine control unit 44 is arranged in each processing section 30 formed by each machine tool 16 and performs drive control of the corresponding machine tool 16. The machine control unit 44 can transmit / receive information to / from the control unit 69 of the AGV 34 and the control panel 38 of the transport carriage 20 (exchange device 32), and the index mechanism 24 and the like in conjunction with the position recognition of the AGV 34, etc. Can also be controlled. The machine control unit 44 may be provided with only one machine that can control all the machine tools 16 simultaneously.

2.2. Description of Stocker As shown in FIG. 1, the stocker 18 is a storage base (storage space) that stores a plurality of replacement multi-axis heads 14 for each machine tool 16. By being indirectly connected, it can be laid out at a relatively free position in the factory.

  It is preferable that the stocker 18 can easily deliver the stored multi-axis head 14 to the transport carriage 20. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the stocker 18 may also be provided with a stocker-side replacement space 70 having a configuration substantially similar to the replacement space 25 of the machine tool 16. The stocker-side replacement space 70 has a stocker-side replacement base 72 including guide plates 56a and 56b, a cam follower 60, and a rack member 62, and can connect the replacement device 32 of the transport carriage 20 in the same manner as the replacement table 54. .

2.3. Explanation of transport cart 2.3.1. FIG. 4 is a partially omitted perspective view of the transport carriage 20. 5A is a rear view of the exchange device 32 mounted on the transport carriage 20, and FIG. 5B is a partially cutaway plan view of the exchange device 32 shown in FIG. 5A.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the transport carriage 20 includes a carriage body (main body) 76 having four wheels 74 rotatably provided on the lower surface, and a pair of erected from the front and rear edge portions (Z direction edge portions) of the carriage body 76. A guide wall 78a, 78b and an exchange device 32 arranged between the guide walls 78a, 78b are provided, and the AGV 34 is connected to the carriage body 76 so that the vehicle can automatically travel along the movement path 28 (see FIG. 1). ).

  Linear guides 82a and 82b for supporting the base (mounting base) 80 of the exchange device 32 so as to be movable up and down are respectively provided on the inner surfaces of the guide walls 78a and 78b facing each other (see FIG. 7A). A bracket plate 84 protruding in the horizontal direction is fixed to the inner surface of the wall 78b.

  On the upper surface of the bracket plate 84, there are a lift motor 86, a nut member 87 that can be rotated by the lift motor 86, and a ball screw 88 that is vertically installed by screwing the lower end side into the nut member 87. (See FIGS. 7A and 7B). The upper end of the ball screw 88 is fixed to the base 80. Accordingly, when the lift motor 86 is driven and the nut member 87 rotates, the ball screw 88 moves up and down, and the base 80 moves up and down between the guide walls 78a and 78b while being guided by the linear guides 82a and 82b (FIGS. 7A and 7B). 7B).

  As shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the exchange device 32 drives the flat plate-like base 80 having a predetermined plate thickness, the attachment / detachment mechanism 36 provided on the base 80, and the attachment / detachment mechanism 36. And a control panel 38 to be controlled.

  The attachment / detachment mechanism 36 is provided on the upper surface of the base 80 that can be moved up and down by a lift motor 86, and automatically attaches the replacement multi-axis head 14 to the machine tool 16, or attaches the multi-axis head 14 to be replaced to the machine tool. 16 is an apparatus for automatic removal from 16.

  The attachment / detachment mechanism 36 rotates on a pair of guide plates 92a and 92b that stand in an advancing and retreating direction (Z direction) of the transfer table 64 on the upper surface of the base 80, and the inner surfaces facing each of the guide plates 92a and 92b. A plurality of cam followers (rolling rollers) 94 that are freely supported, a rack member 96 provided on the inner surface of one guide plate 92a, and cam followers 94, 94 provided on the guide plates 92a, 92b A transfer table 64 that is placed across and can move forward and backward in the horizontal direction (Z direction) with respect to the base 80, and a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) that are provided on the transfer table 64 and can move forward and backward in the vertical direction. Pin (engagement member) 100.

  On the upper surface of the transfer table 64, a transfer motor 102 is vertically fixed and fixed on the rear side (Z2 side) separated from the pin 100. The drive shaft 102 a of the transfer motor 102 passes through the transfer table 64 and is connected to the pinion gear 66 on the lower surface side of the transfer table 64. The pinion gear 66 meshes with the rack gear 106 formed on the inner surface side of the rack member 96 extending along one guide plate 92a (see FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B).

  A plurality of cam followers 94 are arranged along the extending direction of each guide plate 92a, 92b (the Z direction which is the advancing / retreating direction of the transfer table 64) (see FIG. 5B), and the transfer table 64 is supported to be movable at the upper part thereof. To do. As a result, when the transfer motor 102 is driven to rotate, the pinion gear 66 rotates while meshing with the rack gear 106, and the transfer table 64 runs on the cam follower 94 in the Z1 direction and the Z2 direction.

  Four pins 100 are installed diagonally on the front side (Z1 side) of the transfer table 64. Each pin 100 is connected to a hydraulic path (not shown) from a hydraulic pump (drive mechanism) 108 provided in parallel with the transfer motor 102 on the transfer table 64. As a result, when hydraulic pressure is supplied from the hydraulic pump 108, all the pins 100 can simultaneously advance and retreat (up and down) in the vertical direction. When the multi-axis head 14 is replaced, the lower part (lower surface) of the multi-axis head 14 is provided. It is possible to engage with the engagement hole 110 of the engagement block 109 provided on the head (see FIGS. 9A and 9B).

  The control panel 38 is disposed adjacent to the side of the attaching / detaching mechanism 36 on the base 80. The control panel 38 can transmit and receive predetermined information to and from the machine control unit 44 of the machine tool 16 and the control unit 69 of the AGV 34, index position information of the index mechanism 24 of the machine tool 16 and position of the transport carriage 20. The attachment / detachment mechanism 36 is driven and controlled in conjunction with information and the like.

2.3.2. Next, the operation of attaching / detaching the multi-axis head 14 in the exchanging device 32 configured as described above will be described.

2.3.2. (1) Description of Multi-axis Head Removal Operation First, an example of the removal operation of the multi-axis head 14 from the machine tool 16 by the exchange device 32 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7A is a partially omitted side view showing the state in which the AGV 34 moves the transport carriage 20 to the replacement position 35 of the multi-axis head 14, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a partially omitted side view showing a state in which the multi-axis head 14 is replaced by 32. 7A and 7B, one guide plate 56a, 92a is omitted for easy understanding. 8A and 8B are a side view and a front view showing a state in which the transfer table 64 is advanced to the lower part of the multi-axis head 14, and FIGS. 9A and 9B show the pin 100 in the engagement hole 110. It is the side view and front view which show the state which engaged and lifted the multiaxial head.

  For example, when it is necessary to replace (remove) a predetermined multi-axis head 14 among the six multi-axis heads 14 mounted on the machine tool 16, first, in step S1 in FIG. In response to a request from the administrator or an input operation by an administrator, an instruction to remove the multi-axis head 14 is transmitted to the control unit 69 of the AGV 34 or the control panel 38 of the exchange device 32. Then, the AGV 34 travels on the movement path 28 under the control of the control unit 69, and the empty transport carriage 20 in which the multi-axis head 14 is not loaded on the transfer table 64 is disposed at the replacement position 35 (FIG. 2, FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B). At this time, in the exchange device 32 mounted on the transport carriage 20, the transfer table 64 is set to the position (initial position) where the transfer table 64 is most moved backward (Z2 side), and the pin 100 is set to the position where the pin 100 is most lowered (degenerated). Is set. The removal command is transmitted between the control units by non-contact type transmission means such as a wireless LAN, and can be similarly transmitted and received for other information described below.

  In step S1, the AGV 34 recognizes the position of the AGV 34 and the towed transport carriage 20 by using, for example, a magnetic tape (not shown) laid on the moving path 28 or by another guidance method such as a communication function. It has a function. Therefore, the AGV 34 can smoothly arrange the transport carriage 20 to the replacement position 35 in front of the partition fence 26 along a pre-programmed route based on the removal command.

  The AGV 34 that has arrived at the replacement position 35 notifies the arrival of the transport carriage 20 from the control unit 69 to the machine control unit 44 of the machine tool 16 to be replaced (step S2).

  Therefore, in step S3, the machine control unit 44 confirms that the multi-axis head 14 to be replaced is indexed in the replacement space 25, restricts the rotation of the index mechanism 24, and opens the partition fence 26. . At this time, the multi-axis head 14 set to the machining phase opposite to the exchange space 25 can continue machining the workpiece W. That is, for example, the machine control unit 44 controls the rotation of the index mechanism 24 to control the multi-axis head 14 to be exchanged before and after the removal instruction notification process in step S1 or simultaneously with the notification process. And the multi-axis head 14 to be used for processing is determined for the processing phase. In other words, the multi-axis head 14 that is in the opposite phase to the multi-axis head 14 that needs to be processed is preferentially selected as an exchange target. Thereby, the process to the workpiece | work W can be continued also during the said removal operation | movement, and the production efficiency in the said system 10 improves significantly.

  When the completion of the opening of the partition fence 26 is transmitted from the machine control unit 44 to the control panel 38 of the exchange device 32, the exchange device 32 drives the lift motor 86 under the control of the control panel 38 as shown in FIG. 7B. Then, the ball screw 88 is extended upward from the nut member 90, and the base 80 is set at the height position of the exchange base 54 of the machine tool 16 (step S4). Thereby, the cam follower 94 and the rack member 96 (rack gear 106) of the attaching / detaching mechanism 36 constituting the exchange device 32, and the cam follower 60 and the rack member 62 (rack gear 68) of the exchange base 54 constituting the machine tool 16 are horizontally aligned. (See FIG. 3 and FIG. 7B).

  In step S5, therefore, the transfer motor 102 is driven to rotate the pinion gear 66 under the control of the control panel 38, and the transfer stand 64 is moved to the Z1 on the cam follower 94 under the meshing action of the pinion gear 66 and the rack gear 106. Advancing (advancing) in the direction (see FIGS. 3 and 7B).

  When the transfer table 64 that has advanced on the cam follower 94 under the meshing action of the pinion gear 66 and the rack gear 106 reaches the tip (Z1 side end) of the cam follower 94 and the rack member 96, the transfer base 64 is connected to the cam follower 94 and the rack member 96. It moves to the cam follower 60 and the rack member 62 on the exchange base 54 (machine tool 16) side, and this time advances on the cam follower 60 of the exchange base 54 under the meshing action of the pinion gear 66 and the rack gear 68 (FIG. 7B). FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B).

  When the transfer table 64 reaches a predetermined removal position below the multi-axis head 14, the control panel 38 drives the hydraulic pump 108 to raise the four pins 100 as shown in FIGS. 100 is engaged with each engagement hole 110 below the multi-axis head 14 (step S6). After the engagement, when the pin 100 is further raised, the multiaxial head 14 is lifted by the pin 100, the hook portions 45a and 45b (rollers 46a and 46b) are detached from the rails 40a and 40b, and the multiaxial head 14 is removed. (See FIGS. 9A and 9B).

  At this time, the amount of ascending (raising distance) of the pin 100 can be reduced to the minimum amount by which the hook portions 45a and 45b can be removed from the rails 40a and 40b (see FIG. 9A). It is good to prescribe. If it does so, it can avoid structurally that the multi-axis head 14 raises excessively with the pin 100, and the upper surface of the multi-axis head 14 interferes with the locking member 50 etc. of the arm 22 and a damage and a malfunction are produced.

  As described above, since the multi-axis head 14 is removed from the machine tool 16 side and the multi-axis head 14 is loaded on the transfer table 64 by the pin 100, the transfer motor 102 is moved forward at step S5. Is driven to rotate in the opposite direction. As a result, the transfer table 64 retreats (retreats) from the cam follower 60 to the cam follower 94, and the multi-axis head 14 is transferred and collected to the transport cart 20 side together with the transfer table 64 (step S7). If the pin 100 is lowered in the middle of the retreating operation, the multi-axis head 14 can be stably held at a lower position on the transfer table 64. After the multi-axis head 14 is collected in this way, the AGV 34 may be driven and controlled as necessary, and operations such as transferring the collected multi-axis head 14 to the stocker 18 may be executed.

2.3.2. (2) Description of Multiaxial Head Mounting Operation Next, an example of the mounting operation of the multiaxial head 14 to the machine tool 16 by the exchange device 32 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

  For example, after the multi-axis head 14 corresponding to the predetermined arm 22 is removed by the removal operation of the multi-axis head 14, it is necessary to attach the replacement multi-axis head 14 to the arm 22 that has become empty. First, step S11 in FIG. 10 is executed.

  In step S11, based on a request from the machine control unit 44 or an input operation by an administrator, an attachment command for the multi-axis head 14 is transmitted to the control unit 69 of the AGV 34 or the control panel 38 of the exchange device 32. Then, the AGV 34 travels on the movement path 28 under the control of the control unit 69, and the transport carriage 20 on which the replacement multi-axis head 14 is transferred from the stocker 18 to the transfer table 64 is disposed at the replacement position 35. Here, the attachment command may be transmitted, for example, as a removal and attachment command integrated with the above removal command.

  Here, steps S12 to S15 in FIG. 10 are the same as those described above except that the replacement multi-axis head 14 is loaded on the transfer table 64 under the engagement action of the pin 100 and the engagement hole 110. Since it is substantially the same as each process of steps S2 to S5 in the removal operation, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Next, in step S16, when the transfer table 64 on which the multi-axis head 14 is placed reaches a predetermined mounting position facing the rails 40a and 40b, the control panel 38 drives the hydraulic pump 108 to move the four pins 100. The hooks 45a and 45b (rollers 46a and 46b) of the multi-axis head 14 are arranged at the mounting positions on the rails 40a and 40b (see FIGS. 9A and 9B). Therefore, when the pin 100 is lowered, after the rollers 46a and 46b are engaged with the rails 40a and 40b, the pin 100 is removed from the engagement hole 110, and the multi-axis head 14 is attached to the machine tool 16.

  As described above, since the multi-axis head 14 is attached to the machine tool 16 side and the transfer table 64 is in an empty state, the transfer motor 102 is rotationally driven in a direction opposite to that during the advancement in step S15. As a result, the transfer table 64 retreats from the cam follower 60 to the cam follower 94, and the empty transfer table 64 is collected on the transport carriage 20 side (step S17). After the transfer table 64 is collected in this way, the AGV 34 may be driven and controlled as necessary, and the transport carriage 20 may be driven and controlled as appropriate to replace the multi-axis head 14 with another machine tool 16 or the like. .

3. Next, an example of a method for processing a workpiece W by the processing line system 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in consideration of the machining part of the workpiece W and the like, the removal operation of the multi-axis head 14 of each machine tool 16 is executed as necessary (step S21). Subsequently, the replacement multi-axis head 14 stored in the stocker 18 is loaded on the transport carriage 20 (step S22) and attached to the desired machine tool 16 (step S23).

  In this case, in step S21, a process substantially similar to the removal operation of the multi-axis head 14 shown in steps S1 to S7 in FIG. 6 may be executed, and in step S23, the multiple steps shown in steps S11 to S17 in FIG. What is necessary is just to perform the process substantially the same as the attachment operation | movement of the axial head 14. FIG. The multi-axis head 14 exchanging operations shown in steps S21 to S23 may be performed in advance prior to the processing of the workpiece W. Of course, even if it is performed during the processing of the workpiece W in the next steps S24 and S25. Good.

  After performing the mounting operation of the multi-axis head 14 in step S23, the partition fence 26 is closed and the machining section 30 is shut off from the outside. Then, step S24 is executed, and the predetermined multi-axis head 14 is moved by the index mechanism 24. Determine the machining phase to W. Next, in step S25, the power mechanism 42 is driven under the control of the machine control unit 44, and the workpiece W is machined using the multi-axis head 14 arranged in the machining phase. Thereafter, the desired exchange of the multi-axis head 14 and the processing of the workpiece W may be sequentially repeated.

  As described above, in the processing line system 10, the stocker 18 for storing the replacement multi-axis head 14 is disposed away from the machine tool 16, and the attachment / detachment mechanism 36 is provided between the machine tool 16 and the stocker 18. The multi-axis head 14 is transported by the transport carriage 20 on which the exchange device 32 having the above is mounted.

  By providing the stocker 18 apart from the machine tool 16, the space around the machine tool 16, that is, the occupation space of the processing area 30 can be reduced as much as possible. In other words, the stocker 18 for storing the replacement multi-axis head 14 can be disposed at a position separated from the machine tool 16 and can be connected by the transport carriage 20, so that the machining section 30 formed by the machine tool 16 is formed. There is no need to install the stocker 18 or the attachment / detachment mechanism 36 therein, and the machine tool 16 can be downsized and simplified as a whole facility.

  In particular, even if the number of types of multi-axis heads 14 is increased, the increased multi-axis heads 14 may be stored in the stocker 18, so that the space in the processing area 30 can be maintained. I can leave. As a result, the overall system configuration can be further simplified, and future model increases can be easily accommodated.

  In addition, since the stocker 18 is installed outside the processing area 30 (open space), the maintenance of the stored multi-axis head 14 is easy, and the operation of the machine tool 16 needs to be stopped during the maintenance. Absent. At this time, since the stocker 18 is indirectly connected to the machine tool 16 by the transport carriage 20, the stocker 18 has a high degree of freedom in installation, and can be installed by effectively utilizing a dead space in the factory. It is possible to easily and smoothly cope with an increase in the number of types of typical multi-axis heads 14.

  In general, in a system in which a plurality of machine tools 16 are installed, if a stocker is provided for each machine tool 16, the installation space of the entire system tends to be enlarged and complicated. On the other hand, in the said processing line system 10, since the system using the conveyance trolley 20 carrying the exchange apparatus 32 was constructed | assembled, it can respond to all the machine tools 16 with at least one stocker 18, By improving the degree of freedom of installation of the stocker 18 and minimizing the installation space of each machine tool 16, the overall system configuration can be further reduced in size and simplified.

  In particular, the installation space of the machine tool 16 is easily limited due to the arrangement with the processing line 12 on which the workpiece W is conveyed. For this reason, like the processing line system 10, the stocker 18 is arranged apart from the machine tool 16, and the machine tool 16 (processing section 30) is downsized to improve the installation flexibility. Very effective in design.

  Then, by machining the workpiece W with such a machining line system 10, it is possible to perform machining while easily and quickly changing a multi-axis head having a tool of a type suitable for the machining conditions of the workpiece W. In addition to simplification of the system configuration, production efficiency can be improved.

  The machine tool 16 has a structure in which the multi-axis head 14 is suspended and supported by rails 40a and 40b and is indexed to a predetermined phase by an index mechanism 24, and an exchange space 25 to which the transport carriage 20 is connected is arranged in the rails 40a and 40b. At opposite positions. Thus, by providing the exchange space 25 on the machine tool 16 side, the attachment / detachment mechanism 36 constituting the exchange device 32 mounted on the transport carriage 20 can be easily connected to the machine tool 16, and the multi-axis head 14, that is, the operation of attaching and detaching the multi-axis head 14 to the rails 40 a and 40 b can be easily performed by a simple mechanism using the pin 100, for example.

  In the machine tool 16, an exchange space 25 to which the transport carriage 20 is connected and disposed is installed on a phase other than the machining phase with respect to the workpiece W (on the opposite side in the present embodiment). For this reason, it is possible to perform the exchange operation of the multi-axis head 14 set to the exchange phase while setting the predetermined multi-axis head 14 to the machining phase for the workpiece W and maintaining the machining state, and the production efficiency is high.

  In addition, the exchange table 54 installed in the exchange space 25 has a cam follower 60 and a rack gear continuously arranged with respect to the cam follower 94 and the rack gear 106 of the attachment / detachment mechanism 36 in a state where the transport carriage 20 is connected to the exchange space 25. 68 is provided. Accordingly, the transfer table 64 is configured such that the pinion gear 66 rotated by the transfer motor 102 meshes with the rack gear 106 and further with the rack gear 68, so that the cam follower 94 on the attachment / detachment mechanism 36 side to the cam follower 60 on the machine tool 16 side. The multi-axis head 14 can be easily exchanged easily and quickly to and from the exchange position below the multi-axis head 14.

  On the other hand, the exchange device 32 mounted on the transport carriage 20 is provided with a base 80 supported by the carriage main body 76 and an attachment / detachment mechanism 36 that is provided on the base 80 and attaches / detaches the multi-axis head 14 to / from the machine tool 16. With. Thus, since the base 80 and the attachment / detachment mechanism 36 constituting the exchange device 32 are mounted on the transport carriage 20 that transports the multi-axis head 14, the transport of the multi-axis head 14 from the stocker 18 and the like can be performed. The attachment and detachment with respect to the machine tool 16 can be performed efficiently.

  In this case, the attachment / detachment mechanism 36 is provided on the transfer table 64 that can be moved forward and backward in the horizontal direction with respect to the base 80, and is advanced and retracted in the vertical direction by the hydraulic pump 108 that is a drive mechanism. A pin 100 that can be engaged with the lower engagement hole 110 is provided. For this reason, in the attachment / detachment mechanism 36, the multi-axis head 14 can be easily detached from the rails 40a, 40b of the machine tool 16 or the rail 40a only by a simple configuration including the forward / backward movement of the transfer table 64 and the lifting / lowering movement of the pin 100. , 40b, and the system configuration can be further reduced in size and cost. In particular, since the multi-axis head 14 including a plurality of tools T is a heavy object, using the attachment / detachment mechanism 36 having a simple configuration as described above is also effective from the viewpoint of durability and reliability. It is.

  In the attachment / detachment mechanism 36, all the pins 100 provided in a plurality (four) can be lifted / lowered simultaneously by the hydraulic pump 108. For this reason, further simplification of control and structure and stable exchange of the multi-axis head 14 are possible.

  In addition, the transfer table 64 is provided with a transfer motor 102 and a pinion gear 66 that is rotationally driven by the transfer motor 102, and a cam follower 94 that supports the transfer table 64 freely moving forward and backward in the horizontal direction. And a rack gear 106 with which the pinion gear 66 can mesh. For this reason, when the transfer motor 102 is driven to rotate, the transfer table 64 can easily advance and retract on the base 80 under the meshing action of the pinion gear 66 and the rack gear 106. That is, the transfer carriage 64 can be easily advanced and retracted to the machine tool 16 side simply by connecting the transport carriage 20 to the predetermined exchange space 25 of the machine tool 16, and the multi-axis head 14 can be quickly attached and detached by the pins 100. It can be carried out.

  The transport carriage 20 on which such an exchange device 32 is mounted is connected to the AGV 34, which is an automatic guided vehicle, so that it can automatically travel freely within the area of the processing line system 10, and thus the workability and versatility are improved. Is expensive. In addition, the exchange device 32 includes a control panel 38 that transmits and receives predetermined information such as position information to and from the control unit 69 of the AGV 34 and drives and controls the attachment / detachment mechanism 36 based on at least the position information of the transport carriage 20. In addition, the conveyance and replacement of the multi-axis head 14 can be easily and automatically controlled.

4). Description of Modification Example of Exchange Device Provided in Conveyor Cart Next, an exchange device according to a modification example will be described. Hereinafter, the same or similar components as those of the exchange device 32 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

4.1. Description of Configuration of Exchange Device According to Modification Example FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an exchange device 32a according to a modification example. The exchange device 32a is mounted on the transport carriage 20 with a base 80 provided on the carriage main body 76 so as to be movable up and down by guide walls 78a and 78b, linear guides 82a and 82b, a lift motor 86, a ball screw 88, and the like. 4 has the same configuration as that of the exchanging device 32 shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, only the exchanging device 32a including the base 80 is illustrated, and the cart body 76 and the guide walls 78a and 78b, which are other elements constituting the transport cart 20, are omitted. Of course, the base 80 shown in FIG. 12 can also be moved up and down by a lift motor 86 or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 14A and FIG. 14C, in the exchange device 32a, the multi-axis head 14a is used as an exchange target instead of the multi-axis head 14 provided with the engagement block 109 provided with the engagement holes 110. In the lower part (lower surface) of the multi-axis head 14a, positioning blocks 127a and 127b provided on both the left and right sides with respect to the advancing / retreating direction (Z direction) of the transfer table 64, and an inclination provided substantially at the center between the positioning blocks 127a and 127b Block 129 is provided. The multi-axis head 14 a can be basically the same as the multi-axis head 14 except that the multi-axis head 14 a includes positioning blocks 127 a and 127 b and an inclined block 129 instead of the engagement block 109.

  As shown in FIGS. 12, 14A, 14B, and 14C, the attaching / detaching mechanism 36a constituting the exchange device 32a has a pair of guide members (slides) on the upper surface of the transfer table 64 instead of the pins 100 of the attaching / detaching mechanism 36. Guides 120a and 120b and a pushing member (taper member) 122 are provided.

  The pair of guide members 120a and 120b can move on the transfer table 64 in the X direction perpendicular to the forward / backward direction (Z direction) of the transfer table 64, that is, in the direction of separating and approaching each other. 64 is guided by a pair of grooves 124 and 124 formed by digging down on the upper surface. Note that, in a normal state, the coil members 135 (see FIG. 14B exemplarily only) bring the guide members 120a and 120b close to each other in the X direction so that the guide members 120a and 120b are automatically set to the closest positions (initial positions). An elastic member such as that shown in the figure may be disposed in the grooves 124 and 124. Of course, the movement of the guide members 120a and 120b may be guided not by the groove 124 but by a predetermined rail or the like.

  On the front side (Z1 side) of the outer surfaces of the guide members 120a and 120b, flat plate-like (small piece-like) positioning members (fitting blocks) 126a and 126b project outwardly, respectively. The positioning members 126a and 126b are movable in the X direction integrally with the guide members 120a and 120b. When the positioning members 126a and 126b are moved away from each other, the positioning members 126a and 126b can be engaged with holes 131a and 131b formed through the positioning blocks 127a and 127b below the multi-axis head 14, respectively (see FIG. 15C). ).

  As shown in FIG. 15C, the holes 131a and 131b are set to dimensions having a sufficient margin (height h0) in the vertical direction even when the positioning members 126a and 126b are engaged. Yes. For this reason, the multi-axis head 14a has a vertical direction in which the positioning members 126a and 126b and the holes 131a and 131b are engaged with each other, and the horizontal displacement is prevented under the guide action by the engagement. It can move to the height h0 (distance h0).

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 15C, the vertical dimension of the positioning members 126a and 126b is referred to as height h1 (distance h1), and the vertical dimension of the holes 131a and 131b is defined as height h2 (distance h2). When the positioning members 126a, 126b and the holes 131a, 131b are engaged, the vertically movable height (distance) of the multiaxial head 14a is a height h0 (= h2-h1). . The height h0 is a dimension that allows the multi-axis head 14a to move in the vertical direction while being guided by the positioning members 126a and 126b. The multi-axis head 14a is moved through the hook portions 45a and 45b (rollers 46a and 46b). The amount of movement when the rails 40a and 40b are attached to and detached from the rails 40a and 40b.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14A to 14C, the pushing member 122 is a stepped block-like member that is installed to be able to enter between a pair of guide members 120a and 120b. An advance / retreat motor (drive mechanism) 128 is fixed to the rear side (Z2 side) of the upper surface of the transfer table 64, and the tip of the ball screw 130 extending as a drive shaft of the advance / retreat motor 128 is the base end face (Z 2) of the push-in member 122. It is screwed into a screw hole (not shown) provided on the side surface. Accordingly, when the advance / retreat motor 128 is rotationally driven and the ball screw 130 is rotated, the pushing member 122 can advance and retract with sufficient torque in the Z direction, which is the same direction as the advance / retreat direction of the transfer table 64.

  The pushing member 122 has a pair of first inclined surfaces 132 and 132 provided on both the left and right sides with respect to the forward / backward direction (Z direction), and a second inclined surface 134 provided on the upper surface facing the forward / backward direction.

  The pair of first inclined surfaces 132 are vertical surfaces that are inclined toward each other toward the distal end direction (Z1 direction) of the pushing member 122, and the pair of first inclined surfaces 132 causes the distal end side of the pushing member 122. (Z1 side) has a tapered shape (tapered shape). Each 1st inclined surface 132 is for pressing each inner surface of a pair of guide member 120a, 120b toward the X direction outer side, respectively.

  The second inclined surface 134 is a surface that is provided at the upper rear portion of the first inclined surface 132 and is inclined while ascending toward the rear (Z2 direction), and the upper front portion in the advancing / retreating direction (Z direction) of the pushing member 122. It is an inclined surface that points to The second inclined surface 134 is for pressing the inclined block 129 of the multi-axis head 14a and pushing up the multi-axis head 14a. The second inclined surface 134 faces the head-side inclined surface 136 formed on the inclined block 129 and slides on each other. (See FIGS. 15A and 16A).

4.2. Description of Operation of Exchange Device According to Modification Next, the attachment / detachment operation of the multi-axis head 14a in the exchange device 32a configured as described above will be described.

4.2.1. Description of Multiaxial Head Removal Operation First, an example of the removal operation of the multiaxial head 14a from the machine tool 16 by the exchange device 32a will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Each process shown in steps S31 to S35 in FIG. 13 is substantially the same as each process shown in steps S1 to S5 in FIG.

  Here, during the steps shown in steps S31 to S35, the guide members 120a and 120b are set to positions where the distances are closest (initial position), and the pushing member 122 is most retracted to the rear side (Z2 side). It is set to a position (initial position) that moves or is separated from at least the guide members 120a and 120b at the initial position (see FIGS. 14A and 14B).

  As shown in FIGS. 15A to 15C, when the transfer table 64 reaches a predetermined removal position below the multi-axis head 14a, the control panel 38 drives the advance / retreat motor 128 (ball screw 130) to move the pushing member 122 in the Z1 direction. (Step S36). The predetermined removal position is a position where the guide members 120a and 120b are disposed between the positioning blocks 127a and 127b below the multi-axis head 14a, and the positioning members 126a and 126b face the holes 131a and 131b. (See FIG. 15A).

  When the pushing member 122 is advanced in this way, first, the first inclined surfaces 132 that are widened from the distal end surface of the pushing member 122 enter between the inner surfaces of the guide members 120a and 120b and come into sliding contact therewith. Then, as the pushing member 122 advances, the pressing force in the direction in which the guide members 120 a and 120 b are separated from each other (outward in the X direction) is received from the first inclined surface 132 and moved along the groove 124. Accordingly, the positioning members 126a and 126b are inserted and fitted into the holes 131a and 131b from the inside of the positioning blocks 127a and 127b (see FIGS. 15A and 15C), and the positioning members 126a and 126b and the positioning blocks 127a and 127b are inserted. Are engaged with each other (step S37).

  In this state, as shown in FIG. 15C, the positioning members 126a and 126b are inserted upward at the vertical positions of the holes 131a and 131b. That is, in a state where the multi-axis head 14a is engaged with the rails 40a and 40b (see FIG. 15A), the holes 131a and 131b have a height h0 that allows a sufficient margin below the insertion positions of the positioning members 126a and 126b. Therefore, the multi-axis head 14a has a margin for moving upward by the height h0.

  In step S38, the pushing member 122 is further advanced, and the second inclined surface 134 behind the first inclined surface 132 is brought into sliding contact with the head-side inclined surface 136 of the inclined block 129 below the multiaxial head 14a. That is, the multi-axis head 14a is pushed up by the second inclined surface 134, and the hook portions 45a and 45b (rollers 46a and 46b) are removed from the rails 40a and 40b (see FIGS. 16A and 16C). At this time, the multi-axis head 14a stably moves in the vertical direction under the guide action of the height h0 in the vertical direction due to the engagement between the positioning members 126a and 126b and the holes 131a and 131b. It is smoothly removed from 40a and 40b.

  Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 16A to 16C, the multi-axis head 14a has the positioning blocks 127a and 127b fitted and supported by the positioning members 126a and 126b, and the bottom surface of the inclined block 129 has landed on the upper surface of the pushing member 122. In this state, it is placed on the transfer table 64. In addition, since the raising amount (rising distance) of the multiaxial head 14a is defined only by the vertical height of the second inclined surface 134 of the pushing member 122, the multiaxial head 14a rises excessively and the upper surface thereof Can be structurally avoided from interfering with the locking member 50 or the like of the arm 22 to cause damage or malfunction.

  As described above, since the multi-axis head 14a is removed from the machine tool 16 side and the multi-axis head 14a is loaded on the transfer table 64, the transfer motor 102 is reverse to that during the advancement in step S35. Rotate in the direction. As a result, the transfer table 64 retreats from the cam follower 60 to the cam follower 94, and the multi-axis head 14a is transferred and recovered to the transport cart 20 side together with the transfer table 64 (step S39). After the multi-axis head 14a is collected in this way, the AGV 34 may be driven and controlled as necessary, and operations such as transferring the collected multi-axis head 14a to the stocker 18 may be executed.

4.2.2. Next, an example of the operation of attaching the multi-axis head 14a to the machine tool 16 by the exchange device 32a will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Each step shown in steps S41 to S45 in FIG. 17 is substantially the same as each step shown in steps S11 to S15 in FIG.

  In the steps shown in Steps S41 to S45, for example, the multi-axis head 14a transferred from the stocker 18 to the exchange device 32a of the transport carriage 20 has the positioning blocks 127a and 127a engaged with the positioning members 126a and 126b, and is inclined. The block 129 is stably stacked on the transfer table 64 with the bottom surface of the block 129 landing on the top surface of the pushing member 122 (see FIGS. 16A and 16C). In other words, the multi-axis head 14a loaded on the exchanging device 32a is in a state similar to the state of being loaded on the transfer table 64 by the detaching operation.

  Next, in step S46, under the control of the control panel 38, when the transfer table 64 on which the multi-axis head 14a is placed reaches a predetermined mounting position facing the rails 40a and 40b, the hook portions 45a and 45b (rollers 46a, 46b) is arranged at the mounting position above the rails 40a, 40b (see FIGS. 16A and 16C).

  Therefore, the control panel 38 drives the advancing / retracting motor 128 in the reverse direction to gently retract the pushing member 122, and the multi-axis is operated under the guide action in the vertical direction of the positioning blocks 127a, 127b and the positioning members 126a, 126b. The head 14a is lowered. Then, the hook portions 45a and 45b (rollers 46a and 46b) are engaged with the rails 40a and 40b, and the multi-axis head 14 is attached to the machine tool 16.

  As described above, since the multi-axis head 14a is attached to the machine tool 16 side and the transfer table 64 is in an empty state, the transfer motor 102 is rotationally driven in a direction opposite to that during the advancement in step S45. As a result, the transfer table 64 retreats from the cam follower 60 to the cam follower 94, and the empty transfer table 64 is collected on the transport cart 20 side (step S47). After the transfer table 64 is collected in this way, the AGV 34 may be driven and controlled as necessary, and the transport carriage 20 may be driven and controlled as appropriate to replace the multi-axis head 14a with another machine tool 16 or the like. .

  In the machining line system 10, even when the exchange device 32 a according to the modification is applied instead of the exchange device 32 shown in FIG. 4, the workpiece is processed in the same manner as the machining method shown in steps S <b> 21 to S <b> 25 in FIG. 11. Since it is possible to process W, of course, description of the processing method of the workpiece W in the processing line system 10 provided with the exchange device 32a will be omitted.

  As described above, the exchange device 32a is provided on the base body 80 supported by the main body 76 constituting the transport carriage 20, and the multi-axis head 14a is attached to and detached from the machine tool 16 on the base 80. And an attaching / detaching mechanism 36a. The attachment / detachment mechanism 36a includes a transfer table 64 that can move back and forth in the horizontal direction with respect to the base 80, and a positioning block 127a and 127b that can be moved back and forth on the transfer table 64 and provided below the multi-axis head 14a. Positioning members 126a and 126b that can be engaged with each other, and a pushing member 122 that can be advanced and retracted by the advance and retreat motor 128 on the transfer table 64 are provided. Further, the pushing member 122 is advanced from the initial position (see FIG. 14B), thereby pushing the positioning members 126a and 126b in the engagement direction with the positioning blocks 127a and 127b, and the multiaxial head. And a second inclined surface 134 that pushes 14a upward.

  Therefore, in the attachment / detachment mechanism 36a constituting the exchange device 32a, after the transfer table 64 is disposed at the exchange position below the multi-axis head 14a, the multi-axis head 14a can be stabilized stably only by the forward / backward movement of the pushing member 122. Can be lifted. That is, in the attaching / detaching mechanism 36a, the multi-axis head 14a can be easily detached from the rails 40a and 40b of the machine tool 16 or the rail 40a only by a simple configuration including the advance / retreat operation of the transfer table 64 and the advance / retreat operation of the push-in member 122. , 40b, and the system configuration can be further reduced in size and cost.

  Since the exchange device 32a is mounted on the transport carriage 20, the transport of the multi-axis head 14a and the attachment / detachment with respect to the machine tool 16 can be performed efficiently. In particular, since the multi-axis head 14a provided with a plurality of tools T is a heavy object, using the attachment / detachment mechanism 36a having a simple configuration is substantially the same as the attachment / detachment mechanism 36. It is also effective in terms of sex.

  Here, the multi-axis head 14a corresponding to the exchanging device 32a has a pair of positioning blocks 127a and 127b arranged at a position straddling a pair of guide members 120a and 120b provided with positioning members 126a and 126b. On the other hand, the pushing member 122 has a pair of first inclined surfaces 132 corresponding to the pair of guide members 120a and 120b, and advances between the inner surfaces of the pair of guide members 120a and 120b. The guide members 120a and 120b are pushed in the direction of separation from each other, and the positioning members 126a and 126b are engaged with the holes 131a and 131b of the positioning blocks 127a and 127b. For this reason, the positioning members 126a and 126b on the attachment / detachment mechanism 36a side and the positioning blocks 127a and 127b on the multiaxial head 14a side can be engaged with each other by a simple operation of only the pushing member 122 moving forward. 14a can be replaced more easily and stably.

  In addition, an inclined block 129 that faces the second inclined surface 134 of the pushing member 122 and is slidable with each other is provided at the lower part of the multi-axis head 14a, so that the pushing member 122 can be simply moved forward. In operation, the multi-axis head 14a can be easily lifted, and the multi-axis head 14a can be replaced more easily and stably.

  The positioning blocks 127a and 127b of the multi-axis head 14a and the positioning members 126a and 126b of the attachment / detachment mechanism 36a are engaged via a gap (height h0) that is equal to or greater than the push-up distance of the multi-axis head 14a by the second inclined surface 134. (See FIG. 15C). For this reason, the multi-axis head 14a can be pushed up by the second inclined surface 134 under the guide action in the vertical direction by fitting the positioning members 126a and 126b to the positioning blocks 127a and 127b. Exchange can be performed more stably. Moreover, the multi-axis head 14a removed from the machine tool 16 is loaded on the transfer table 64 with the positioning blocks 127a and 127b and the positioning members 126a and 126b engaged with each other. It is possible to prevent the shaft head 14a from dropping.

5. Description of Modified Examples of Conveying Cart In the above, the configuration in which the exchanging devices 32 and 32a for exchanging the multi-axis heads 14 and 14a are mounted on the conveying cart 20 connected to the AGV 34 is exemplified. May be mounted on a transport cart other than the transport cart 20 that is self-propelled by the AGV 34.

  For example, FIG. 18 shows a side view of a transport carriage 20a according to a modification. In FIG. 18, for ease of understanding, one guide plate 92a constituting the attachment / detachment mechanism 36 (36a) is omitted from the illustration.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the transport carriage 20 a is provided so as to be movable up and down by a carriage main body (main body) 142 in which four wheels 140 are rotatably provided on the lower surface and a hydraulic cylinder (not shown) on the upper surface of the carriage main body 142. The elevating mechanism 144 includes a handle 146, an operation control unit 148, and a battery 150 installed along the vertical direction on the rear side of the carriage main body 142. A base 80 is fixed to the upper part of the elevating mechanism 144, whereby the exchange device 32 (32 a) can be raised and lowered on the carriage main body 142.

  In such a transport cart 20a, instead of the AGV 34, the user grips and operates the handle 146 to cause the transport cart 20a to travel along the movement path 28 (see FIG. 1), and the transport cart 20a is moved to the replacement position 35. To place. Then, by operating the operation control unit 148 as appropriate to drive the lifting mechanism 144, the exchange device 32 (32a) is connected to the exchange space 25 (exchange base 54) of the machine tool 16, and the multi-axis head 14 (14a ) Can be exchanged. At this time, between the operation control unit 148, the control panel 38 of the exchange device 32 (32 a), and the machine control unit 44 of the machine tool 16, the position information of the transport cart 20 a is substantially the same as in the case of the transport cart 20. The predetermined information such as the above is transmitted and received, and the replacement work of the multi-axis head 14 (14a) is smoothly and accurately executed.

  In the above description, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

  For example, the advancing / retreating mechanism of the transfer table 64 may be, for example, an advancing / retreating mechanism using a ball screw, a hydraulic cylinder, or the like in addition to the above-described configuration using the rack and pinion mechanism including the pinion gear 66 and the rack gears 68 and 106. .

  Moreover, in the processing line system 10, although the structure which installed only one conveyance trolley 20 (20a) was illustrated, you may install two or more conveyance trolleys.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Machining line system 12 ... Machining line 14, 14a ... Multi-axis head 16 ... Machine tool 18 ... Stocker 20, 20a ... Conveyor carriage 24 ... Index mechanism 25 ... Exchange space 32, 32a ... Exchange device 34 ... AGV
36, 36a ... Detachable mechanism 38 ... Control panel 40a, 40b ... Rail 42 ... Power mechanism 44 ... Machine control unit 64 ... Transfer table 69 ... Control unit 76, 142 ... Cart body 100 ... Pin 122 ... Pushing member

Claims (3)

A machine tool that performs machining with a multi-axis head that consolidates multiple tools,
A power mechanism connected to the multi-axis head and transmitting power to each of the tools;
A rail for hanging and supporting a plurality of the multi-axis heads;
An index mechanism capable of supporting a plurality of the multi-axis heads suspended and supported on the rail so as to be pivotable along the rail, and indexing the arbitrary multi-axis heads with respect to the power mechanism;
An exchange space provided at a position facing the rail and in which a carriage is mounted and connected to an attachment / detachment mechanism for attaching / detaching the multi-axis head to / from the rail;
A machine tool comprising: The machine tool according to claim 1,
The attachment / detachment mechanism includes a transfer table that can move forward and backward with the multi-axis head mounted thereon,
The machine tool according to claim 1, wherein the exchange space includes an exchange table into which the transfer table can enter. The machine tool according to claim 2,
The attachment / detachment mechanism includes a rolling roller that supports the transfer table on a base so as to freely advance and retreat, a transfer motor provided on the transfer table, a pinion gear provided on a rotation shaft of the transfer motor, and the base A rack gear provided on and meshed with the pinion gear,
The exchange table includes a machine-side roller and a machine-side rack gear that are continuously arranged with respect to the rolling roller and the rack gear in a state where the transport carriage is connected to the exchange space.
The transfer table is capable of continuously moving back and forth on the rolling roller and on the machine side roller under the meshing action of the pinion gear, the rack gear and the machine side rack gear. .

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