JP2023062762A - Work-piece washing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a work-piece washing device that can wash a work-piece being conveyed between steps by enhancing washing effect.SOLUTION: The work-piece washing device comprises liquid for washing that washes a work-piece being conveyed in steps that are executed by different machine tools, and a tank that stores the liquid for washing, where the whole or a portion of the work-piece is immersed in the liquid for washing while the work-piece is conveyed toward the next step.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present specification relates to a work cleaning apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a processing support device disclosed in Patent Document 1 below is known. This conventional processing support device includes a cleaning device that cleans the workpiece machined by the machine tool while the traveling carriage moves within the factory to transport the workpiece. The cleaning device is designed to remove foreign matter such as chips adhering to the work by spraying cleaning fluid or air onto the machined work.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-6359

By the way, when cleaning a workpiece after machining by a machine tool, if cleaning is performed inside the machine tool after machining, cleaning time is required for cleaning the workpiece, so the cycle time required for machining the workpiece is reduced. have a greater impact on In this regard, when cleaning the workpiece outside the machine tool, it is possible to use the time for transporting the workpiece after machining as part of the cleaning time, which reduces the cycle time. It is possible to reduce the influence of

Also, when cleaning the work while it is being transported between processes, it is possible to set a longer cleaning time than when cleaning the work inside the machine tool. As a result, the foreign matter can be removed from the workpiece, and as a result, the remaining foreign matter can be prevented from affecting the processing in the next step. Therefore, cleaning the work being transported between steps is extremely effective in terms of improving productivity.

By the way, the above-described conventional cleaning apparatus removes foreign matter adhering to the work by spraying cleaning liquid and air onto the work. In this case, for example, when flaky foreign matter adheres to the surface, it may not be possible to remove the adhering foreign matter even if the cleaning time is set long and the cleaning liquid and air are sprayed onto the workpiece. Therefore, it is desired to wash the work by enhancing the washing effect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present specification is to provide a work cleaning apparatus capable of cleaning a work being transported between processes by enhancing the cleaning effect.

The present specification includes a cleaning liquid for cleaning a work conveyed between processes performed by different machine tools, and a tank for storing the cleaning liquid, and the work is cleaned while the work is being conveyed toward the next process. is fully or partially immersed in the cleaning liquid.

According to this, all or part of the work can be immersed in the cleaning liquid stored in the tank to wash the work while the work is being transported to the next process. As a result, for example, the cleaning liquid can easily permeate between the foreign matter such as chips that adhere to the work and the surface of the work, and the cleaning effect of removing the foreign matter can be enhanced. In addition, since the work is cleaned by immersing it in the cleaning liquid, it is possible to save energy while enhancing the cleaning effect, compared with the case where the cleaning liquid is sprayed, for example.

Here, the removed foreign matter can be collected inside the tank, for example. Therefore, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from scattering to the outside of the tank. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the operation of the machine tool installed around the workpiece cleaning device temporarily stops due to the foreign matter scattered along with the removal (so-called momentary stop). can.

It is a front view for explaining a processing system. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of a workpiece|work washing|cleaning apparatus. 3 is a flow chart of a cleaning program executed by the controller of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the loading of a work with respect to the operation of the work cleaning device; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the immersion of a work with respect to the operation of the work cleaning device; 3 is a cross-sectional view for explaining vibration generation by the vibration generator of FIG. 2 and up-and-down movement of the work by the elevating device regarding the operation of the work cleaning device; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view for explaining ejection of positive pressure air by the air blow device of FIG. 2 with respect to the operation of the work cleaning device; FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining unloading of a work with respect to the operation of the work cleaning device;

The work cleaning device will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a case where the work cleaning apparatus is applied to a processing system formed with a loader that transports works to a plurality of processing machines including different machine tools will be described as an example.

1. Overall Configuration of Processing System 10 The processing system 10 includes a plurality (three in this embodiment) of processing machines 11, 12 and 13, as shown in FIG. The processing system 10 also includes a temporary placement table 14 for temporarily placing the workpiece W being transported between the processing machines 11 and 12 . The processing system 10 also includes a coolant supply device 15 that supplies a cooling coolant liquid that also functions as a cleaning liquid, which will be described later, to the processing machines 11 , 12 , and 13 .

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the processing system 10 has a processing machine 11, a temporary table 14, a processing machine 12, a workpiece cleaning device 20, and a processing machine 13, each of which is subjected to pre-machining (pre-processing) processing. A loader 16 is provided for loading the work W and unloading the work W after machining (after processing). Here, in the following description, "right and left" and "up and down" with respect to the processing system 10 are treated as left and right and up and down when the processing system 10 is viewed from the front side.

1-1. processing machine 11
The processing machine 11 subjects the workpiece W to predetermined processing or processing. A plurality of types can be exemplified as the processing machine 11 . Examples of the processing machine 11 include a lathe (cutting machine), a grinder and a machining center, which are machine tools for machining the work W, and an inspection machine for processing the work W. In addition, in this embodiment, the case where the processing machine 11 is a lathe (cutting machine) is illustrated.

1-2. processing machine 12
The processing machine 12 also performs predetermined processing or processing on the workpiece W. FIG. A plurality of types can also be exemplified as the processing machine 12 . Examples of the processing machine 12 include a lathe (cutting machine) which is a machine tool for machining the work W, a grinding machine and a machining center, a pre-processing stock table, and a post-processing stock table. An inspection machine or the like that processes W can be exemplified. In this embodiment, the case where the processing machine 12 is a lathe (cutting machine) is exemplified.

The processing machine 12, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises an inverter 12a. The reversing device 12a, for example, grips the work W whose lower side has been cut by the processing machine 11 and turns it upside down. Thereby, the processing machine 12 can cut the upper side of the work W. As shown in FIG.

1-3. Processing machine 13
The processing machine 13 also performs predetermined processing or processing on the work W. FIG. A plurality of types can also be exemplified as the processing machine 13 . Examples of the processing machine 13 include a lathe (cutting machine), a grinding machine, a machining center, a pre-processing stock table, and a post-processing stock table. An inspection machine or the like that processes W can be exemplified. In this embodiment, the case where the processing machine 13 is a machining center for drilling (piercing) with a drill, milling, etc. is exemplified.

1-4. Temporary table 14
The temporary placement table 14 is for temporarily placing the workpiece W cut by the processing machine 11 in the processing system 10 . The temporary placement table 14 is used, for example, for the loader 16 to re-grip (so-called re-grip) the work W unloaded from the processing machine 11 by the loader 16 .

1-5. Coolant supply device 15
The coolant supply device 15 supplies the processing machines 11, 12, 13 with the coolant liquid supplied to the processing points. The coolant supply device 15 also supplies a coolant liquid Lc (see FIG. 2) as a cleaning liquid to the work cleaning device 20, which will be described in detail later. Therefore, the coolant supply device 15 has a pump, a switching valve, piping (all not shown), and the like.

Thereby, the coolant supply device 15 continuously supplies the pressurized coolant liquid to the processing machines 11, 12, and 13 during processing. In addition, the coolant supply device 15 supplies the work cleaning device 20 with the coolant liquid Lc to replenish the coolant liquid Lc when the work cleaning device 20 has decreased, for example, when the work W is cleaned. The coolant liquid Lc is supplied for circulation when foreign matter such as chips are collected (accumulated). Here, when the coolant liquid Lc is circulated, it is preferable to provide the coolant supply device 15 with a filter for filtering out foreign matter.

1-6. Loader 16
The loader 16 has, as shown in FIG. The traveling drive unit 161 has a drive motor and a drive force transmission mechanism (not shown), and is arranged above the processing machine 11, the processing machine 12, the processing machine 13, the temporary placement table 14, and the work cleaning device 20. It runs on rails 17 suspended along the direction.

As a result, the loader 16 loads the work W to predetermined positions, that is, the processing machine 11, the temporary placement table 14, the processing machine 12, the work cleaning device 20, and the processing machine 13 by the operation of the traveling drive unit 161. You can move to the starting position. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the loader 16 moves to the respective loading/unloading positions along the "work transfer direction", and after moving to the loading/unloading position of the processing machine 13, it is processed. It is adapted to return to the loading/unloading position of the machine 11 .

The expansion/contraction part 162 has a cylinder mechanism (not shown), and expands/contracts while the loader 16 is moved to the loading/unloading position of each workpiece W and stopped. Thereby, the loader 16 can load/unload the work W to/from each of the processing machines 11, 12, and 13, the temporary placement table 14, and the work cleaning device 20 at a plurality of loading/unloading positions.

The gripping part 163 has an actuator (not shown) and gripping claws operated by the actuator, and grips (clamps) or releases (unclamps) the workpiece W. As shown in FIG. Accordingly, when the loader 16 loads the workpiece W at each loading/unloading position, the gripping portion 163 grips (clamps) the workpiece W before machining (before processing). Then, the loader 16 carries the workpiece W gripped (clamped) by the gripping part 163 into each of the processing machines 11, 12, 13, the temporary placement table 14, and the workpiece cleaning device 20 by extending the expandable part 162. to install. After loading and setting the work W, the loader 16 releases (unclamps) the work W by the gripping portion 163, and the expansion/contraction portion 162 shrinks.

On the other hand, when the loader 16 unloads the work W, the gripping part 163 approaches and grips (clamps) the work W by extending the expandable part 162 . In the loader 16, the expansion/contraction portion 162 contracts while the gripping portion 163 grips (clamps) the workpiece W, and the traveling drive portion 161 drives the loader 16 to move to the next loading/unloading position (that is, the next process). As a result, the loader 16 can sequentially transfer the workpieces W to the loading/unloading positions, that is, the processing machine 11 , the temporary placement table 14 , the processing machine 12 , the workpiece cleaning device 20 , and the processing machine 13 .

Here, in this embodiment, in order to convey the work W, the case where the processing system 10 includes the loader 16 is illustrated. However, if the workpiece W can be transported from the processing machine 11 to the processing machine 12 and then to the processing machine 13, instead of the loader 16, for example, an articulated robot can be used.

1-7. control panel 18
The control panel 18 includes control devices (for example, PLC, etc.) for controlling the operation of each of the processing machine 11, the processing machine 12, the processing machine 13, the coolant supply device 15, and the loader 16 as main components. Further, the control panel 18 can communicate with a control device 26 of the work cleaning device 20 to be described later, and mainly controls the operation of the coolant supply device 15 and the loader 16 according to various request information from the control device 26 . The control panel 18 is equipped with a display device (not shown), and displays the operation states of each of the processing machine 11, the processing machine 12, the processing machine 13, the coolant supply device 15, and the loader 16 to the operator. be able to. Further, the control panel 18 is provided with an input device (not shown), through which an operator can input instructions to each of the processing machines 11, 12, 13, coolant supply device 15 and loader 16. can.

2. Work cleaning device 20
The work cleaning device 20 is arranged between different machine tools, for example, a cutting process performed by the processing machine 12 and a drilling process performed by the processing machine 13, and cleans the work W conveyed by the loader 16. It is a device that

As shown in FIG. 1, the workpiece cleaning apparatus 20 has a machining process order for the workpiece, for example, cutting and drilling, and the processing machine 12 and the processing machine 13 are arranged in parallel according to this process order. If so, it is located between processing machine 12 and processing machine 13 . As a result, when the loader 16 transports the work W from the processing machine 12 to the processing machine 13 for drilling in the next process, the work W is cleaned by the work cleaning device 20 outside the processing machines 12 and 13 during the transport. and the workpiece W can be transported to the processing machine 13 after cleaning. That is, by arranging the work cleaning device 20 between the processing machine 12 that performs this process and the processing machine 13 that performs the next process, as shown in FIG. Since it can be unidirectional, the transfer efficiency of the work W can be improved.

The arrangement of the work cleaning device 20 is not limited to being arranged between the present process (the processing machine 12 in the present embodiment) and the next process (the processing machine 13 in the present embodiment). Needless to say, the arrangement can be changed as appropriate. For example, in order to secure an installation place for the workpiece cleaning device 20, it may be placed in front of the processing machine 12 that performs this process (on the left side of the processing machine 12 where the temporary table 14 is shown in FIG. 1), or the next process may be performed. It can also be arranged behind the processing machine 13 (on the right side of the processing machine 13 in FIG. 1). In these cases, for example, after the cutting by the processing machine 12 is completed and the loader 16 receives the workpiece W after machining, the loader 16 once conveys the workpiece toward the workpiece cleaning device 20, and the cleaned workpiece W is to be transported to the processing machine 13 for the next process.

As shown in FIG. 2, the work cleaning device 20 has a tank 21 for storing cleaning liquid, a vibration generator 22, an elevating device 23, an air blower 24, a shutter device 25 and a control device 26. Here, as the cleaning liquid, for example, the coolant liquid Lc supplied toward the processing point during processing by the coolant supply device 15 provided in the processing system 10 can be used.

The tank 21 is made of metal or resin, for example, and has an opening 211 on the upper side in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). That is, the tank 21 has a wall portion 212 on the lower side (bottom portion) in the circumferential direction and the vertical direction. Furthermore, the tank 21 has a supply port 213 for receiving therein the coolant liquid Lc supplied from the coolant supply device 15 provided in the machining system 10 .

A vibration generator 22 forming a vibration device is arranged in external contact with the wall 212 of the tank 21 . The vibration generator 22 is capable of generating so-called ultrasonic waves and has an oscillator 221 and a horn 222 . The oscillator 221 generates vibration of a predetermined frequency in a frequency range of, for example, several kHz to several tens of kHz. The horn 222 amplifies the vibration generated by the oscillator 221 .

Thereby, the vibration generator 22 transmits the vibration generated by the oscillator 221 and the horn 222 , that is, the ultrasonic wave to the coolant liquid Lc stored inside the tank 21 via the wall portion 212 . That is, in the present embodiment, the vibration generator 22 vibrates the coolant liquid Lc stored inside the tank 21 . The arrangement of the vibration generator 22 is not limited to arranging it outside the tank 21. For example, it can be immersed in the coolant liquid Lc inside the tank 21 and arranged.

The lifting device 23 lifts and lowers the workpiece W in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The lifting device 23 has a cylinder 231 arranged to penetrate the wall portion 212 from the outside of the tank 21 and a holding portion 232 connected to an end portion of the cylinder 231 . The cylinder 231 can be extended and contracted along the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), and as shown in FIG. , the holding portion 232 (and the workpiece W) is immersed in the stored coolant liquid Lc.

Here, the lifting device 23 allows the cylinder 231 to expand and contract in small increments in the vertical direction while the work W is immersed in the coolant liquid Lc. It can vibrate. That is, the lifting device 23 forms a vibration device. Needless to say, a sealing member is provided between the cylinder 231 and the wall portion 212 to prevent leakage of the coolant liquid Lc.

The holding part 232 is formed in accordance with the shape of the work W, for example, in the shape of a disc. The holding part 232 can place the work W without fixing it, or can hold the work W by fixing it. In addition, in this embodiment, the case where the workpiece W is simply placed on the holding portion 232 will be exemplified.

The air blow device 24 includes, for example, a manifold 241 connected to a factory positive pressure air supply device (not shown), a plurality of (two in this embodiment) air blow pipes 242 connected to the manifold 241, and an air blow It has a nozzle 243 that is provided in the pipe and ejects positive pressure air. As shown in FIG. 2, the air blow device 24 blows positive pressure air to the work W placed by the lifting device 23 at a preset blowing position H in the vertical direction. As a result, the air blow device 24 can blow away foreign matter such as the coolant liquid Lc and chips adhering to the work W with the positive pressure air.

The shutter device 25 as an opening/closing device has a shutter 251 and a cylinder 252 . The shutter 251 covers the opening 211 of the tank 21 so that it can be opened and closed. The cylinder 252 moves the shutter 251 between the open position and the closed position by expanding and contracting. As a result, the shutter device 25 covers the entire opening 211 with the shutter 251 moved to the closed position by the extension of the cylinder 252 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent the coolant liquid Lc from scattering to the outside when the work W is cleaned. Further, the shutter device 25 opens the opening 211 of the tank 21 when the shutter 251 moves to the open position due to the contraction of the cylinder 252 . Therefore, the loader 16 can carry the work W into and out of the work cleaning device 20 while the opening 211 of the tank 21 is open.

The control device 26 is mainly composed of a computer device having a CPU, ROM, RAM, and various interfaces. The control device 26 comprehensively controls the operation of the workpiece cleaning device 20 by controlling the operation of each of the vibration generator 22 , the lifting device 23 , the air blower 24 and the shutter device 25 . The control device 26 is communicably connected to the control panel 18 and controls the operation of the work cleaning device 20 according to the processing state of each process and the operating state of the loader 16 .

2-1. Operation of Work Cleaning Device 20 Next, the operation of the work cleaning device 20 will be described. The control device 26 (more specifically, a CPU forming a computer device; hereinafter the same) of the work cleaning device 20 starts executing the cleaning program shown in FIG. 3 at step S10.

In subsequent step S11, the control device 26 determines whether or not the work W is present inside the tank 21 at present. For example, if the shutter device 25 is not operated after the positive pressure air is injected by the air blow device 24, the control device 26 will answer "Yes" because the work W still exists inside the tank 21. It determines and progresses to step S12. Alternatively, the control device 26 communicates with the control panel 18, and even if the loader 16 has not yet unloaded the work W, the work W still exists inside the tank 21, so that the answer is "Yes". It determines and progresses to step S12.

On the other hand, the control device 26 communicates with the control panel 18, for example, when the shutter device 25 is operated after the positive pressure air is injected by the air blow device 24 and the shutter 251 is positioned at the open position. Then, the control device 26 communicates with the control panel 18, and if the loader 16 is unloading the work W, the work W has already been unloaded outside the tank 21 (for example, see FIG. 8). , the determination is "No", and the process proceeds to step S13.

In step S<b>12 , the control device 26 outputs unloading request information Ro requesting unloading of the work W to the control panel 18 of the loader 16 . At this time, the control device 26 operates the shutter device 25 to move the shutter 251 to the open position.

When the control panel 18 acquires the unloading request information Ro, it drives the traveling drive unit 161 of the loader 16 to move the loader 16 to the loading/unloading position corresponding to the workpiece cleaning device 20 . Subsequently, the control panel 18 extends the expansion/contraction portion 162 of the loader 16 and grips (clamps) the work W with the grip portion 163 . After contracting the expansion/contraction portion 162 of the loader 16 , the control panel 18 drives the traveling drive portion 161 to move the loader 16 toward the processing machine 13 . That is, the control panel 18 conveys the workpiece W cleaned by the workpiece cleaning device 20 to, for example, the processing machine 13 that performs drilling in the next process.

In step S13, as shown in FIG. 4, the control device 26 installs (places) the work W on the holding portion 232 positioned at, for example, the spraying position H1 inside the tank 21 . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the control device 26 outputs carry-in request information Ri requesting the carry-in of the workpiece W to the control panel 18 . In the step processing of step S13, in the shutter device 25, the cylinder 252 is contracted so that the shutter 251 is positioned at the open position.

When receiving the loading request information Ri, the control panel 18 drives the traveling drive unit 161 of the loader 16 to move the loader 16 to the loading/unloading position corresponding to the workpiece cleaning device 20 . When the control panel 18 drives the traveling drive unit 161 of the loader 16 according to the carry-in request information Ri, the grip unit 163, for example, carries out the work W carried out from the processing machine 12 that has been cut in this process. It is gripped (clamped). Subsequently, the control panel 18 extends the extendable portion 162 of the loader 16 to release (unclamp) the workpiece W gripped (clamped) by the gripping portion 163 on the holding portion 232 . Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, the workpiece W processed (for example, cut) by the processing machine 12 is placed and attached to the holding portion 232 . Then, the control device 26 executes the step processing of step S14.

In step S<b>14 , control device 26 causes shutter device 25 to close shutter 251 . That is, in the shutter device 25, the extension of the cylinder 252 moves the shutter 251 to the closed position. Thereby, the shutter device 25 can close the shutter 251, in other words, cover the opening 211 of the tank 21 with the shutter 251, as shown in FIG. After operating the shutter device 25, the control device 26 proceeds to step S15.

Returning to FIG. 3 again, in step S15, the control device 26 places the work W placed (attached) on the holding portion 232 in the coolant liquid Lc, which is the cleaning liquid stored inside the tank 21. immerse in That is, the lifting device 23 immerses the work W in the coolant liquid Lc by contracting the cylinder 231 with the work W placed on the holding portion 232 as shown in FIG.

By immersing the workpiece W in the coolant liquid Lc in this manner, for example, in a situation where flaky chips (foreign matter) are in close contact with the surface of the workpiece W, the coolant liquid Lc is mixed with the foreign matter and the surface of the workpiece W. penetrate between As a result, the foreign matter is easily peeled off (easily separated) from the surface of the work W, and the foreign matter can be removed with a high cleaning effect. After operating the lifting device 23, the control device 26 proceeds to step S16.

Here, in the present embodiment, in operating the lifting device 23, the control device 26, as shown in FIG. The cylinder 231 is greatly contracted so that the By the way, it is not always necessary to immerse the entire work W in the coolant liquid Lc. For example, as indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 5, when only the gripped portion W1 (for example, the lower surface side of the workpiece W) of the workpiece W gripped during processing by the processing machine 13 in the next process is to be cleaned. Alternatively, the cylinder 231 may be contracted so that only the part to be cleaned, that is, only the gripped part W1 in the next process, which is part of the work W, is immersed in the coolant liquid Lc.

Returning to FIG. 3 again, in step S16, the control device 26 controls the vibration generator 22 to vibrate at least the coolant liquid Lc in a state where the whole (or part) of the workpiece W is immersed in the coolant liquid Lc. to activate. As a result, the vibration generator 22 transmits the ultrasonic waves generated through the wall portion 212 of the tank 21 to the coolant liquid Lc, as shown in FIG. In this way, when ultrasonic waves are transmitted to the coolant liquid Lc, for example, in a situation in which flaky chips (foreign matter) are in close contact with the surface of the work W, the coolant liquid Lc may cause the foreign matter and the surface of the work W to contact each other. It becomes easier to penetrate between

As a result, the foreign matter can be easily peeled off (separated from) the surface of the work W, that is, the cleaning effect can be further enhanced and the foreign matter can be removed. When the control device 26 causes the coolant liquid Lc to vibrate by operating the vibration generator 22, the process proceeds to step S17.

The vibration generator 22 mainly vibrates the coolant liquid Lc in which the work W is immersed by transmitting the generated vibration through the wall portion 212 . As a result, in the workpiece W immersed in the coolant liquid Lc, the coolant liquid Lc in contact with the surface vibrates, thereby removing foreign matter such as chips adhering to the surface, that is, cleaning the foreign matter. Here, for example, if the work W is only placed on the holding portion 232, that is, if the work W is not fixed to the holding portion 232, the vibration of the coolant liquid Lc is transmitted, and the work W also vibrates. sometimes.

Returning to FIG. 3 again, in step S17, the control device 26 operates the lifting device 23 to move the holding portion 232 up and down until a predetermined time elapses or a predetermined number of times. That is, the lifting device 23 repeats the expansion and contraction of the cylinder 231 for a predetermined time or a predetermined number of times, as indicated by the up and down arrows in FIG. vibrate.

Here, the lifting device 23 moves the holding part 232 up and down while the whole work W is always present in the coolant liquid Lc stored in the tank 21 . Alternatively, the holding portion 232 is moved up and down while the gripped portion W1 held in the next step (drilling) as a part of the work W is always present in the coolant liquid Lc stored in the tank 21 .

As a result, in addition to the peeling (separation) of the foreign matter from the work W due to the vibration of the coolant liquid Lc by the vibration generator 22, the portion to be cleaned of the work W is displaced relative to the coolant liquid Lc. The frictional force between the foreign matter and the coolant liquid Lc acts on the surface, and a higher cleaning effect can be exhibited. Then, the control device 26 stops the expansion/contraction operation of the cylinder 231 until a predetermined time elapses or after moving the holding portion 232 up and down a predetermined number of times, and proceeds to step S18.

Returning to FIG. 3 again, the control device 26 stops the operation of the vibration generator 22 in step S18. Subsequently, in step S19, the control device 26 operates the lifting device 23 to raise the holding portion 232, that is, the work W to the spraying position H, as shown in FIG. Here, the blowing position H is a position at which the air blowing device 24 can blow positive pressure air to the workpiece W. As shown in FIG. After operating the lifting device 23, the control device 26 proceeds to step S20.

Returning to FIG. 3 again, the control device 26 operates the air blow device 24 in step S20. As a result, the air blow device 24 injects positive pressure air from the plurality of nozzles 243 to blow the positive pressure air onto the workpiece W held at the blowing position H, as shown in FIG. Therefore, the coolant liquid Lc and the foreign matter adhering to the surface of the workpiece W are removed by the blown positive pressure air. Here, the control device 26 causes the air blow device 24 to continue to inject positive pressure air until a predetermined time (for example, about several seconds) has passed. After activating the air blower 24, the controller 26 proceeds to step S21.

Returning to FIG. 3 again, in step S21, the control device 26 operates the shutter device 25 to move the shutter 251 to the open position. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 8, the upper opening 211 of the tank 21 is opened. After executing step S21, the control device 26 executes the step processing of step S12 again. That is, the control device 26 executes the step processing of step S12 to take out (carry out) the cleaned work W from the inside of the tank 21 by the loader 16 as shown in FIG.

As can be understood from the above description, according to the work cleaning apparatus 20, the work W transported between the processes executed by the processing machines 11, 12, and 13, which are different machine tools, is cleaned. A coolant liquid Lc as a working liquid and a tank 21 for storing the coolant liquid Lc are provided, and all or part of the work W is immersed in the coolant liquid Lc while the work W is being transported to the next process.

As a result, all or part of the work W is transferred to the coolant liquid Lc stored in the tank 21 while the work W is being transported from the processing machine 12 to the processing machine 13 toward the next process, for example. can be immersed to wash the work W. As a result, for example, the coolant liquid Lc easily permeates between the foreign matter such as chips adhered to the work W and the surface of the work W, and the cleaning effect of removing the foreign matter can be enhanced. In addition, since the workpiece W is cleaned by immersing it in the coolant liquid Lc, it is possible to achieve energy saving while enhancing the cleaning effect, compared to the case of spraying the coolant liquid Lc, for example.

Here, the removed foreign matter can be collected inside the tank 21, for example. Therefore, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from scattering to the outside of the tank 21 . As a result, the operation of the processing machines 11, 12, and 13 as machine tools installed around the workpiece cleaning device 20 temporarily stops due to the foreign matter scattered along with the removal (so-called momentary stoppage). ) can be prevented from occurring.

3. Modification 3-1. First Modification In the embodiment described above, the work cleaning device 20 is provided with the vibration generator 22 . By the way, as described above, by immersing the foreign matter in the coolant liquid Lc together with the work W, the coolant liquid Lc easily permeates between the foreign matter and the surface of the work W, and as a result, the foreign matter can be removed. can. Therefore, it is possible to form the workpiece cleaning device 20 without the vibration generator 22, if necessary. In this case, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the work cleaning device 20 and reduce the manufacturing cost.

3-2. Second Modification In the embodiment described above, the work cleaning device 20 is provided with the lifting device 23 . By the way, as described above, the coolant supply device 15 can supply the coolant liquid Lc into the tank 21 through the supply port 213 and circulate the coolant liquid Lc. For this reason, for example, after the loader 16 places (attaches) the work W to the holding portion 232 fixed at the spraying position H, the coolant supply device 15 supplies the coolant liquid Lc, thereby placing the work W on the holding portion 232 . The placed (mounted) workpiece W can be immersed in the coolant liquid Lc.

On the other hand, after the workpiece W is immersed in the coolant liquid Lc, for example, the coolant supply device 15 recovers the coolant liquid Lc, thereby exposing the workpiece W from the coolant liquid Lc. Then, it becomes possible for the air blow device 24 to inject positive pressure air to the exposed workpiece W. Therefore, it is possible to form the workpiece cleaning device 20 without the lifting device 23, if necessary. In this case, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the work cleaning device 20 and reduce the manufacturing cost.

3-3. Third Modification In the embodiment described above, the work cleaning device 20 is provided with the air blow device 24 . Further, in the above-described embodiment, the tank 21 of the work cleaning device 20 stores the coolant liquid Lc as the cleaning liquid. By the way, for example, when a highly volatile liquid is used as the cleaning liquid, the liquid may easily evaporate when the work W is exposed from the cleaning liquid.

As described above, when a highly volatile liquid is used, the cleaning effect due to blowing positive pressure air cannot be obtained, and the cleaning effect is slightly reduced. is also possible. In this case, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the work cleaning device 20 and reduce the manufacturing cost, and at the same time, the energy required for cleaning the work W (that is, the energy required for ejecting positive pressure air) is reduced. can do.

3-4. Fourth Modification In the embodiment described above, the work cleaning device 20 is provided with the shutter device 25 . However, for example, when the amount of coolant liquid Lc used for cleaning is smaller than the capacity of the tank 21 and the spraying position H is small (the height from the bottom wall 212 of the tank 21 is low), It is also possible to form the workpiece cleaning device 20 by omitting the shutter device 25 according to the requirements. In this case, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the work cleaning device 20 and reduce the manufacturing cost.

3-5. Fifth Modification In the embodiment described above, one work cleaning device 20 is installed in the processing system 10 . However, the number of work cleaning apparatuses 20 to be installed is not limited to one, and it goes without saying that a plurality of work cleaning apparatuses 20 can be installed in the processing system 10 .

In the above-described embodiment, the workpiece cleaning device 20 is installed between the processing machines 12 and 13 so that the coolant liquid Lc as the cleaning liquid is supplied and circulated from the coolant supply device 15. made it However, it is also possible to install the workpiece cleaning device 20 at a location away from the processing system 10, for example, when the cleaning liquid is not supplied or circulated.

Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the work W is transported by the loader 16 provided in the processing system 10 . Instead of this, for example, when the work W is transported using an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) capable of transporting the work W between processes, it is also possible to provide the work cleaning device 20 in the automatic guided vehicle. In other words, the work cleaning device 20 is not limited to an installation location as long as all or part of the work W transported between processes is immersed in the cleaning liquid.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Processing system, 11... Processing machine (machine tool), 12... Processing machine (machine tool), 12a... Reversing device, 13... Processing machine (machine tool), 14... Temporary placing stand, 15... Coolant supply device, 16... Loader 161 Travel drive unit 162 Expansion unit 163 Gripping unit 17 Rail 18 Control panel 20 Work cleaning device 21 Tank 211 Opening 212 Wall 213 Supply port , 22... Vibration generator (vibration device), 221... Oscillator, 222... Horn, 23... Lifting device (vibration device), 231... Cylinder, 232... Holding part, 24... Air blow device, 241... Manifold, 242... Air blow pipe , 243 Nozzle 25 Shutter device (opening/closing device) 251 Shutter 252 Cylinder Lc Coolant (washing liquid) H Spraying position W Work W1 Part to be gripped

Claims (8)

a cleaning liquid for cleaning workpieces transported between processes performed by different machine tools;
a tank for storing the cleaning liquid,
A work cleaning apparatus, wherein all or part of the work is immersed in the cleaning liquid while the work is being transported to the next process. 2. The work cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an air blower for blowing positive pressure air onto the work after being immersed in the cleaning liquid in whole or in part. 3. The work cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a vibrating device that vibrates at least one of the cleaning liquid and the work while all or part of the work is immersed in the cleaning liquid. The vibrating device is
4. The workpiece cleaning apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a vibration generator that vibrates said cleaning liquid. The vibrating device is
4. The work cleaning apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an elevating device for vertically moving the work. 6. The work cleaning apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said lifting device has a holding portion for holding said work. 7. The workpiece cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an opening and closing device for opening and closing the opening of said tank above in the vertical direction. The work cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the portion of the work immersed in the cleaning liquid includes a gripped portion of the work during processing in the next step.

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