JP3837629B2 - Tool pot - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tool pot for holding a tool in a machine tool such as a machining center having an automatic tool change function.
[0002]
In this specification, the term “tool” may mean a single tool or a tool holder and a tool attached to the tool holder. In this specification, the left side of FIG. 3 is the front and the right side is the rear.
[0003]
[Prior art]
For example, in an automatic tool changer of a machining center, a tool pot used for a ready station for transferring a tool between a tool magazine and a tool change arm, and a tool pot used for a tool magazine have been conventionally openable and closable. One having a pair of tool gripping fingers and a bottomed cylindrical shape having a tapered hole for inserting a taper shank of the tool, and an engagement means for engaging with the base end portion of the tool is provided on the bottom wall portion. Things were used.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of a tool pot having a pair of tool gripping fingers, there is a problem that the opening and closing mechanism of the tool fingers becomes complicated and the cost becomes high. Also, in the case of a bottomed cylindrical tool pot having a tapered hole and having an engaging means on the bottom wall, the stroke of the tool and the relative linear movement of the tool pot when the tool is attached to or detached from the tool pot is reduced. Since the tool pot has to be larger than the entire length of the tool pot, there is a problem that a required space becomes relatively large and a time required for attaching / detaching the tool becomes relatively long.
[0005]
The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, the structure is simple and the cost is low, the space required for attaching / detaching the tool is relatively small, and the time required for attaching / detaching the tool can be shortened. Is to provide.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention]
A tool pot according to the invention of claim 1 is a tool pot for holding a tool in a machine tool having an automatic tool change function, and is based on a base part for holding a base end part of the tool and an axis of the held tool. A pair of support arms that project forward from the base so as to be symmetrical and support a supported portion at the middle of the length of the tool at the tip. An engagement member that engages with the end portion is provided, and the engagement member engages with the tool base end portion by linear movement of the base portion with respect to the tool in the forward direction, and the tool base end portion with linear movement in the rearward direction. The engagement with the part is released, and the distance between the two support arms is such that the part closer to the base end part than the supported part in the tool enters.
[0007]
According to the tool pot of the first aspect of the invention, the tool is attached and detached as follows. In other words, when attaching a tool to the tool pot, first put the part of the tool closer to the base end side than the supported part between the support arms from the side, and then approach the tool pot base to the tool. The engaging member is engaged with the tool base end by linearly moving in the direction of movement, that is, forward . Thus, the tool is attached to the tool pot.
[0008]
When removing the tool from the tool pot, the base of the tool pot is moved away from the tool , that is , linearly moved rearward to release the engagement of the engagement member to the tool base, and then the tool The part of the base end side of the supported part in the side is moved to the side from between the both supporting arms. Thus, the tool is removed from the tool pot.
[0009]
Since the tool can be attached and detached by linear movement in the front-rear direction with respect to the base tool, the configuration of the tool pot is simplified and the cost is reduced. In addition, the stroke of linear movement with respect to the base tool until the tool is attached to the tool pot, and the stroke of linear movement with respect to the base tool until the tool is removed from the tool pot are determined by the relationship between the tool base end and the engaging member . Since only the amount required for engagement and disengagement is required, the space required for attaching / detaching the tool becomes relatively small, and the time required for attaching / detaching the tool can be shortened. Further, in the state where the tool is held in the tool pot, the tip of the support arm supports the supported portion of the tool, so that the tilt of the tool is prevented.
[0010]
A tool pot according to a second aspect of the present invention is the tool pot according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein an insertion hole into which the base end portion of the tool is inserted is formed in the base portion, and is orthogonal to the insertion hole from the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole. A plurality of holes extending in the direction are formed, and in each hole, an engaging member that partially protrudes into the insertion hole and engages the proximal end portion of the tool moves in the length direction of the tool and does not fall out of the hole encased as further into each hole, in which a spring for biasing the engaging member in the insertion hole side is placed.
[0011]
In this case, when the base end portion of the tool is inserted into the insertion hole in the base portion of the tool pot, the engaging member is pushed against the biasing force of the spring and pushed in the large diameter portion of the tool base end. When the large-diameter portion passes the hole portion, the engaging member is moved to the insertion hole side by the biasing force of the spring, and a part of the engagement member protrudes into the insertion hole. The tool is held by engaging the diameter portion. Also, when the base end of the tool is pulled out from the insertion hole in the base of the tool pot, the engaging member is pushed against the biasing force of the spring toward the back of the hole by being pushed by the large diameter part of the tool base end. The engagement with the large diameter portion of the engagement member is released.
[0012]
Therefore, the construction of the tool pot is simplified and the cost is reduced. In addition, the stroke of linear movement with respect to the base tool until the tool is installed in the tool pot, and the stroke of linear movement with respect to the base tool until the tool is removed from the tool pot, the tool base end is inserted into the insertion hole. Since only the amount required for insertion and extraction from the insertion hole is required, the space required for attaching / detaching the tool becomes relatively small, and the time required for attaching / detaching the tool can be shortened.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
FIG. 1 shows an outline of an automatic tool changer of a machining center, and FIGS. 2 to 5 show a tool pot according to the present invention.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 1, in an automatic tool changer of a machining center, a tool is interposed between a spindle (2) rotatably supported by a spindle head (1) and a tool magazine (3) disposed above the spindle (2). An exchange arm (4) is arranged, and the tool (T) is delivered between the tool magazine (3) and the tool exchange arm (4) by the ready station (5). The tool pot (10) is used according to the invention in the ready station (5).
[0016]
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the tool pot (10) has a substantially U shape that opens forward as viewed from the side, and holds the pull stud (T 1) (base end) of the tool (T). The base (11) and the tool (T) are provided to project forward at the upper and lower ends of the base (11) so as to be vertically symmetrical about the axis of the tool (T) to be held, and the tool (T) at the tip And a pair of upper and lower support arms (12) for supporting a flange (T2) (supported portion) provided at an intermediate portion of the length. The base portion (11) and the support arms (12) are connected and fixed by left and right U-shaped connecting members (13). In this embodiment, the tool (T) includes a tool holder and a single tool attached to the tool holder.
[0017]
A circular insertion hole (14) extending in the front-rear direction and into which the pull stud portion (T1) of the tool (T) is inserted is formed in the center portion of the base portion (11) so as to penetrate therethrough. Two through holes (15) extending in the radial direction of the insertion hole (14) are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction on both upper and lower sides of the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole (14). In each through hole (15), the ball (16) (engaging member) that engages the large diameter part (T3) at the rear end of the pull stud part (T1) of the tool (T) is the length of the through hole (15). It is inserted in the insertion hole (14) from the through hole (15) so as not to fall off. The plug (17) is screwed into the outer end of the through hole (15), and the ball (16) is attached to the insertion hole (14) side between the ball (16) and the plug (17). An energizing compression coil spring (18) is arranged. Normally, a part of the ball (16) protrudes into the insertion hole (14).
[0018]
An arcuate guide (19) for guiding the outer peripheral surface of the flange (T2) of the tool (T) is integrally formed on the front end surface of each support arm (12) so as to protrude forward. Each support arm (12) is configured to support the rear surface of the flange (T2) at its front end surface. In addition, on the inner surface in the vertical direction at the tip of the upper support arm (12), a key that fits into a groove (T4) formed in the flange (T2) of the tool (T) and prevents the tool (T) from rotating ( 20) is fixed.
[0019]
In the above configuration, the tool held by the tool exchange arm (4) is transferred to the tool magazine (3) as follows. That is, when the gripper holding the tool (T) of the tool change arm (4) comes to the tool change position, the ready station (5) starts to descend, and both support arms (12) of the tool pot (10) In between, the part on the pull stud part (T1) side than the flange (T2) in the tool (T) is inserted from the side (the back side in FIG. 3) (see FIG. 3). Next, the ready station (5), that is, the tool pot (10) moves linearly forward with respect to the tool (T), and the pull stud portion (T1) is inserted into the insertion hole (14). Then, all the balls (16) are pushed radially outward of the insertion hole (14) by the rear side chamfered portion of the large-diameter portion (T3) of the pull stud portion (T1), and the inside of the through hole (15). When the large diameter part (T3) passes the part of the through hole (15), the ball (16) is moved to the insertion hole (14) side by the urging force of the spring (18) and a part of it is moved. It protrudes into the insertion hole (14), and this part engages with the large diameter part (T3). In addition, the outer peripheral surface of the flange (T2) is guided by the guide (19) and the key (20) enters the groove (T4) immediately before the rear side chamfer of the large diameter portion (T3) hits the ball (16). The ball (16) engages with the large diameter portion (T3), and at the same time, the rear surface of the flange (T2) comes into contact with the front end surfaces of both support arms (12) (see FIG. 4). Thus, the tool (T) is held in the tool pot (10).
[0020]
After holding the tool (T) by the tool pot (10), the ready station (5) rises and the tool in the tool magazine (3) uses the annular groove on the outer peripheral surface of the flange (T2) of the tool (T). The tool (T) is gripped by the gripping portion. Next, the ready station (5), that is, the tool pot (10) linearly moves backward with respect to the tool (T), and the pull stud portion (T1) is pulled forward from the insertion hole (14). Then, all the balls (16) are pushed radially outward of the insertion hole (14) by the front side chamfered part of the large diameter part (T3) of the pull stud part (T1), and the inside of the through hole (15). When the large diameter part (T3) passes through the through hole (15), the ball (16) is moved toward the insertion hole (14) by the urging force of the spring (18), and part of it Returns to the normal state protruding into the insertion hole (14). Thus, the tool (T) is held in the tool magazine.
[0021]
In the above, when the tool (T) is attached to and detached from the tool pot (10), the stroke of the linear movement of both is only indicated by S in FIG. 3 and is relatively short. As a result, the tool (T) is attached and detached. Therefore, the space required for the operation is relatively small, and the time required for attaching / detaching the tool (T) can be shortened.
[0022]
The above embodiment is a case where the tool pot according to the present invention is used for a ready station of an automatic tool changer, but is not limited thereto, and other parts for holding a tool used in an automatic tool changer, For example, it can be used for a tool magazine.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an automatic tool changer of a machining center equipped with a tool pot according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a tool pot according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway vertical sectional view showing a state before the tool is similarly held.
FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway vertical sectional view showing a state where the tool is also held.
FIG. 5 is a front view of the same.
[Explanation of symbols]
(10): Tool pot
(11): Base
(12): Support arm
(14): Insertion hole
(15): Through hole
(16): Ball (engagement member)
(18): Compression coil spring
(T): Tool
(T1): Pull stud (base end)
(T2): Flange (supported part)

Claims (2)

A tool pot that holds a tool in a machine tool having an automatic tool change function, and is forwardly moved to the base so that the base that holds the base end of the tool and the axis of the held tool are symmetrical. And a pair of support arms that support the supported portion at the middle of the length of the tool at the tip, and an engaging member that engages with the base end of the tool is provided at the base. The engaging member is provided so as to engage the tool base end portion by the linear movement of the base portion with respect to the front of the tool and to release the engagement with the tool base end portion by the linear movement of the base portion. made is, both the spacing between the support arms, the tool pot which has been made a size such that the portion of the base end enters than the supported portion of the tool. An insertion hole into which the base end of the tool is inserted is formed in the base, and a plurality of holes extending in a direction perpendicular to the insertion hole are formed from the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole. An engaging member that protrudes into the insertion hole and engages with the base end portion of the tool moves in the length direction of the hole and does not fall out of the hole. Further, the engaging member is inserted into each hole. The tool pot according to claim 1, wherein a spring urging to the side is inserted .

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