JP2626723B2 - Automatic tool changer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial application field) The present invention relates to an improvement of an automatic tool changer for automatically changing a tool mounted on a machine tool such as a machining center.

(Prior Art) In general, for example, a machine tool such as a machining center or an automatic lathe is fixed at a position different from a tool holding portion 2 such as a turret or a tool rest of a machine tool main body 1 as shown in FIG. The tool storage magazine 3 is provided, and the machine tool body 1
The tool 4 mounted on the tool holder 2 and a predetermined tool 5 among the tools 5... Stored in the tool storage magazine 3 are automatically exchanged by the tool exchange arm 6 or a robot. A device equipped with an automatic tool changer is known. In this case, the tool exchange arm 6 is provided with a tool gripper 7 for gripping the tools 4 and 5, and an elevating drive mechanism 8 for vertically driving the tool gripper 7 and reciprocating the tool gripper 7 in the lateral direction. A transport mechanism of the lateral movement mechanism 9 to be operated is provided. Then, the operation of moving the tool gripper 7 of the tool change arm 6 from the position corresponding to the tool holding unit 2 of the machine tool main body 1 to the position corresponding to the tool storage magazine 3 with the driving of the elevation drive mechanism 8 and the lateral movement mechanism 9. Then, a tool mounting operation of mounting a predetermined tool 5 of the tool storage magazine 3 on the tool holding unit 2 side is performed, and the tool holding unit 2
A tool return operation of removing the tool 4 from the side and storing it in the tool storage magazine 3 side is performed.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, since the fixed tool storage magazine 3 is provided in the machine tool main body 1, the exchange tools 4 and 5 are moved between the tool holding unit 2 and the tool storage magazine 3 when the tools are replaced. Had to move a relatively long distance. Therefore, it takes a long time to change the tool, and there is a problem in improving the machining efficiency of the machine tool body 1. Further, since a transfer mechanism for moving the tool change arm 6 at a relatively long distance between the tool holding unit 2 and the tool storage magazine 3 at the time of tool change is required, the size of the entire automatic tool changer becomes large. there were.
For this reason, there is a problem that the automatic tool changer having the above-mentioned configuration cannot be mounted on a small machine tool such as a small automatic lathe.

(Problems to be solved by the invention) In the case of the conventional configuration, the replacement tool 4
5 must be moved a relatively long distance between the tool holding unit 2 and the fixed tool storage magazine 3, so that it takes a long time to change the tool, and the machining efficiency of the machine tool body 1 is improved. In addition to the above, there is a need for a transport mechanism that moves the tool change arm 6 between the tool holding unit 2 and the tool storage magazine 3 for a relatively long distance during tool change. There is a problem in that the automatic tool changer cannot be mounted on a small machine tool due to the problem of shaping.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to reduce the amount of movement of a replacement tool at the time of tool replacement, improve the work efficiency of tool replacement work, and reduce the size of the entire apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic tool changer capable of performing the following.

[Constitution of the Invention] (Means and Actions for Solving the Problems) The present invention is provided within a main body of a tool changing arm for automatically changing a processing tool attached to a tool holding portion of a processing portion of a machine tool. In addition, the integrated storage magazine for storing tools reduces the amount of movement of replacement tools during tool replacement, improves the efficiency of tool replacement work, and reduces the overall size of the device. It was done.

(Embodiment) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a main part of an automatic tool changing device mounted on a machine tool main body 1 such as a machining center or an automatic lathe shown in FIG. 4, and 11 is a main body of a tool changing arm. . The tool exchange arm main body 11 is disposed at a position above the tool holder 2 such as a turret or a tool rest of the machine tool main body 1. In this case, the tool change arm main body 11 is rotatably mounted on the machine tool main body 1 via a rotary shaft 12. And this tool change arm body
Numeral 11 is rotated by a suitable arm turning mechanism from a tool changing work position to a proper standby position about the turning shaft 12.

Further, a tool storage magazine 13 is integrally mounted on the tool exchange arm main body 11. This tool storage magazine
A large number of tool storage sections 15 for storing tools 14 are arranged side by side in an endless belt shape. The tool storage sections 15 of the tool storage magazine 13 are driven to rotate in forward and reverse directions by a magazine drive mechanism (not shown) mounted in the tool exchange arm main body 11.

Further, an operation arm 16 that can extend downward is mounted on the tool exchange arm main body 11. The operation arm 16 is driven by an appropriate operation arm drive mechanism (not shown) from an extended position extended downward to the tool exchange arm main body 11 to an accommodation position accommodated inside the tool exchange arm main body 11. , And can be stopped at a neutral position between the extension position and the accommodation position. further,
A gripper (tool gripper) is provided at the lower end of this operation arm 16
17 are arranged. Tools are attached to both ends of this gripper 17.
A pair of holding pieces 17a and 17b for gripping 14 are provided. The gripper 17 is rotatably supported on a support shaft 19 by a gripper drive mechanism 18 mounted on the operation arm 16.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. First, at the time of a tool change operation for exchanging the old tool 4 mounted on the tool holding portion 2 of the machine tool body 1 with a predetermined tool 14 in each of the tool storage portions 15 in the tool storage magazine 13, the tool change arm body The arm 11 is turned around the turning shaft 12 from an appropriate standby position to a tool changing operation position by an arm turning mechanism. Next, the tool storage sections 15 in the tool storage magazine 13 of the tool exchange arm main body 11 are driven to rotate in the forward direction or the reverse direction by the magazine drive mechanism, and a large number of the tool storage sections 15 are stored in the respective tool storage sections 15. Of the tools 14 are set at the lowermost tool removal position of the tool change arm body 11. In this state, the holding pieces 17a, 17 on the upper end side of the gripper 17 are held.
The new tool 14 set at the lowermost part of the tool change arm body 11 is clamped by b. After the tool 14 is held by the gripper 17, the operation arm 16 is lowered by the operation arm drive mechanism, and the new tool 14 is stored in the tool storage magazine.
13 Remove from inside. Subsequently, the operating arm 16 is lowered by the operating arm drive mechanism to the downward extension position of the tool changing arm main body 11, and the holding pieces 17a, 17b on the lower end side of the gripper 17 are held.
Thus, the old tool 4 mounted on the tool holder 2 of the machine tool main body 1 is clamped. In addition, grip the old tool 4
The operation arm 16 is raised to the neutral position by the operation arm drive mechanism while being held by the holding pieces 17a and 17b at the lower end of the tool 17, and the old tool 4 is moved to the tool holding section 2 of the machine tool body 1.
Remove from Then, in the neutral position, the gripper 17 is rotated by 180 ° by the gripper driving mechanism 18 so that the gripper 1 is rotated.
The new tool 14 is arranged below 7 and the old tool 4 is arranged above. In this state, the operation arm 16 is lowered again to the extended position, and the new tool 14 is mounted on the tool holding section 2 of the machine tool main body 1. Further, after the new tool 14 is mounted on the tool holding section 2 of the machine tool main body 1, the operation arm 16 is raised by the operation arm drive mechanism, and is moved to the accommodation position in the tool exchange arm main body 11, and the old tool 4 is moved. The tool change arm body 11 is stored in the lowermost tool storage section 15. After the tool changing operation is completed, the tool changing arm main body 11 is turned around the turning shaft 12 from the tool changing operation position to an appropriate standby position by the arm turning mechanism, and is made to stand by at the standby position.

Therefore, in the above configuration, since the tool storage magazine 13 is integrally mounted in the tool exchange arm main body 11,
The tool exchange tool 4, 14 for exchanging the old tool 4 mounted on the tool holding part 2 of the machine tool body 1 with a predetermined tool 14 in each tool storage part 15 in the tool storage magazine 13 The amount of movement can be greatly reduced as compared with the related art, and the work efficiency of the tool changing operation can be improved as compared with the related art. Furthermore, a transfer mechanism for moving the tool changing arm 6 over a relatively long distance between the tool holding unit 2 and the fixed tool storage magazine 3 at the time of tool change as in the prior art can be dispensed with. It is possible to reduce the size of the entire exchanging device, and it is possible to easily attach even a small machine tool, which has conventionally been difficult to attach an automatic tool exchanging device.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, as in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a tool storage magazine 23 having a plurality of vertical grooves 22 for storing a plurality of tools 21... It may be configured to be mounted. In this case, the tool exchange arm main body 11 is provided with a drive mechanism for moving the tool storage magazine 23 in the lateral direction, so that the tools 21 in each of the vertical grooves 22 can be set at the tool extraction position of the tool storage magazine 23, respectively. Has become.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment. This is a tool change arm body that automatically changes machining tools
11, a pentagonal tool storage magazine 34 is integrally provided. The tool storage magazine 34 is provided with a pentagonal column-shaped rotary drum 31. Further, a vertical groove 33 for accommodating a plurality of tools 32 is provided on each side surface of the rotary drum 31.

In the present embodiment, the tool 32 stored in the vertical groove 33 on each side of the pentagonal prism can be set at the tool take-out position by the gripper 17 with the rotation of the rotary drum 31.

Further, it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, a storage magazine for storing tools is integrally provided in a main body of a tool changing arm for automatically changing a processing tool attached to a tool holding part of a processing part of a machine tool. Therefore, the amount of movement of the replacement tool at the time of tool replacement can be reduced to improve the work efficiency of the tool replacement work, and the size of the entire apparatus can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part showing a first embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part showing a second embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part showing a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a conventional example. 1 ... machine tool main body, 2 ... tool holding part, 11 ... tool exchange arm main body, 13, 23, 34 ... tool storage magazine, 14, 21,
32 …… Tools.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A storage magazine for storing tools is integrally provided in a main body of a tool changing arm for automatically changing a processing tool attached to a tool holding portion of a processing portion of a machine tool. A featured automatic tool changer.