JP3946490B2 - Electric discharge machine and operation method thereof - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001]
The present invention relates to an electrical discharge machine capable of supplying and unloading (replacement) a workpiece while the machining tank is filled with a machining liquid in order to cope with automation and mass production of electrical discharge machining and its In connection with the operation method, especially in mass production, due to the shortening of the time required to fill and discharge machining fluid and supply and carry out (replacement) work other than electrical discharge machining with electrodes. It relates to products that improve production efficiency.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, as shown in FIG. 7, the conventional electric discharge machine 200 includes a processing tank 210 filled with a machining fluid (insulating oil) K, a tank jig 220 for holding a workpiece W, and a tank internal treatment. A spindle head 250 that detachably holds an electrode 260 for electric discharge machining of an inner peripheral surface of the workpiece W held by a tool 220, and the electrode 260 and the workpiece W are treated with a machining liquid K. Through the accumulation of discharge traces generated by generating a pulsed high-frequency discharge current facing each other with a gap of several to several tens of microns, so as to perform processing such as grooving, drilling, chamfering, etc. It has become.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional electric discharge machine 200 as described above, the workpiece W is supplied and carried out (exchanged) with respect to the machining tank 210, that is, the electric discharge machined work is removed from the in-bath jig 220, and the unmachined The operation of attaching the workpiece W to the in-tank jig 220 is performed manually. For this reason, when the workpiece is exchanged, the processing liquid K is once discharged from the processing tank 210 and then filled again. In addition, during the electrical discharge machining of one workpiece, it is not possible to perform an operation such as setting another workpiece in the machining tank 210 (the jig 220 in the tank).
[0004]
In other words, in the conventional electric discharge machine, it takes a long time to fill and discharge the machining fluid and supply and carry out (replacement) the work other than the electric discharge machining work by the electrodes, and the production efficiency is poor. For this reason, it is suitable for processing a single product such as a mold, but is not suitable for processing a mass-produced product.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is to fill and discharge machining fluid, and to supply and carry out (replacement) work, etc., other than electric discharge machining work using electrodes. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric discharge machine capable of dealing with automation and mass production by improving the production efficiency by shortening the time required for non-working (non-working time) and an operation method thereof.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an electric discharge machine according to the present invention includes a machining tank filled with a machining liquid, a workpiece transfer device for supplying and unloading a workpiece to and from the machining tank, and the machining tank. A jig in the tank that holds the supplied workpiece in a detachable manner, and a spindle head that holds an electrode for electric discharge machining the workpiece held in the jig in the tank. in a state in which the working fluid is filled, the supply of the work, electric discharge machining, and is to perform unloaded Ri Na, the workpiece transfer apparatus, Ru provided with a pair of hand portions for holding the workpiece detachably .
[0007]
The pair of hand portions is preferably freely variable in position. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of jigs in the tank are arranged in the processing tank.
[0008]
In a further preferred aspect, a jig pallet to which the work is attached is provided, and the work is held by the work transfer device and the jig in the tank via the jig pallet.
In addition, the spindle head is preferably configured to be able to perform a retreating motion to avoid interference with the work transfer device.
[0009]
In this case, the spindle head is preferably configured to move between the plurality of tank jigs.
In another preferred embodiment, the main body portion of the work transfer device and the hand portion are electrically insulated by an insulating means.
[0010]
In a further preferred aspect, the electrode is detachably held on the spindle head in a state in which a tool pallet replacing the jig pallet is attached, and the electrode is exchanged via the tool pallet at the time of replacement. It is made to hold | maintain to the said hand part of the said workpiece conveyance apparatus and the said jig | tool in a tank.
[0011]
On the other hand, one of the operation methods of the electric discharge machine according to the present invention is to hold an unmachined workpiece on one of the pair of hand parts and to bring the other hand part close to the machining tank. During the electric discharge machining of the workpiece held by one of the plurality of tank jigs, the other hand holds the discharge held by the other one of the plurality of tank jigs. Receive the processed workpiece and carry it out of the processing tank, and then transfer the unprocessed workpiece held in the one hand part to the other one empty tank jig. When the electric discharge machining of the workpiece held by the one in-vessel jig is completed, the spindle head is moved to the unmachined workpiece side held by the other in-vessel jig. The electric discharge machining, and the electric discharge machined workpiece Transported to the work storage and thereafter, is characterized by repeatedly performing the same operation as this.
[0012]
In addition, another operation method of the electric discharge machine according to the present invention is to replace the electrode with one of the pair of hand parts by holding a new electrode via the tool pallet and approach the machining tank, The old electrode to be replaced held on the spindle head is transferred to and held in one of the plurality of tank jigs via the tool pallet, and held on the one hand part. A new electrode is transferred to and held in another one of the plurality of tank jigs, and then the spindle head is moved to the other tank jig side to receive the new electrode. The old electrode held by the one in-tank jig is received by one of the pair of hand portions, and is transported to a predetermined place.
[0013]
Still another one of the operation methods of the electric discharge machine according to the present invention is to move the pair of hand portions alternately inside the machining tank and outside the machining tank to thereby process the electric discharge machined workpiece. Instead of the electric discharge machined work, an unmachined work is set in the hand part on the side carried out of the tank.
[0014]
In the preferred embodiment of the electric discharge machine and the operation method thereof according to the present invention configured as described above, the machining fluid is filled in the machining tank, that is, the machining fluid is charged and discharged for each workpiece. In addition, while one workpiece is being processed, it is possible to automatically supply and carry out (replace) other workpieces. -Time required for discharging and supplying / unloading (replacement) work (non-processing time) is greatly reduced. As a result, production efficiency can be greatly improved, and automation and mass production can be supported. It becomes. Therefore, even mass-produced products that have been unsuitable for electric discharge machining can be processed with an electric discharge machine, which greatly contributes to improvement of productivity.
[0015]
In addition, a tool pallet that can be held by the hand part of the work transfer device and the jig in the tank is attached to the electrode instead of the jig pallet, and the electrode is inserted through the tool pallet at the time of replacement. By being held by the workpiece transfer device and the jig in the tank, in addition to supplying and unloading (replacement) the workpiece, it is possible to automatically replace the electrode. In addition, it is not necessary to install an automatic electrode exchange device (ATC device) as a separate device, which is advantageous in terms of cost.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
1 to 4 show the state of each stage of the electric discharge machining, supply / unloading (exchange) of the workpiece of the first embodiment of the electric discharge machine according to the present invention. The illustrated electric discharge machine 10 is a work tank 15 filled with a machining liquid K, and a work conveyance for supplying and carrying a work W such as an aminium alloy cylinder for a small air-cooled two-cycle gasoline engine to the work tank 15. An apparatus 20, a pair of left and right tank jigs 11 and 12 that hold the work W supplied into the processing tank 15 in a detachable manner, and the work W held by the tank jigs 11 and 12. A spindle head 40 that detachably holds an electrode 50 formed so as to perform a desired electric discharge machining, and supplying the workpiece W in a state where the machining tank 15 is filled with a machining liquid K. A series of steps of holding, electric discharge machining, holding release, and unloading are repeated and automatically performed.
[0017]
Specifically, the workpiece transfer device 20 includes a pair of left and right first hand portions 21 and a second hand that detachably hold a work W ′ that has been subjected to electric discharge machining such as a scavenging port, chamfering, and the like, and an unworked workpiece W. A hand unit 22 is provided. The first and second hand portions 21 and 22 can be adjusted in the holding interval by an air cylinder or the like, and are moved horizontally back and forth, vertically and horizontally around the rotation axis O by the robot hand 30 or the like. It is made to turn within. The main body 20A of the workpiece transfer device 20 and the hand portions 21 and 22 are electrically insulated by appropriate insulating means 20a. This is to prevent the occurrence of a fire by generating a spark when the workpiece transfer device 20 and the spindle head (the electrode 50) 40 are in contact with each other.
[0018]
The spindle head 40 is configured to be able to move between the left and right tank jigs 11 and 12 as well as a retreating motion (vertical movement and lateral movement) to avoid interference with the workpiece transfer device 20.
The workpiece W is detachably attached to the jig pallet 25, and the jig pallet 25 to which the workpiece W is attached is connected to the first and second hand portions 21 and 22 and the left and right sides of the workpiece transfer device 20. It is configured to be detachably held in the tank jigs 11 and 12.
[0019]
The left and right tank jigs 11 and 12 can be attached to and detached from the pallet receiving parts 13 and 13 with a pair of left and right pallet receiving parts 13 and 13 and the jig pallet 25 to which the workpiece W is attached. And automatic clamping devices 14 and 14 for clamping.
[0020]
Further, the electrode 50 is attached with a tool pallet 35 held by the hand portions 21 and 22 of the work transfer device 20 and the left and right in-vessel jigs 11 and 12 instead of the jig pallet 25. In this state, the electrode head 50 is detachably held by the spindle head 40, and when the electrode 50 is exchanged, the hand portions 21 and 22 of the work transfer device 20 and the jig in the tank are exchanged via the tool pallet 35. 11 and 12 are held.
[0021]
In the electric discharge machine 10 of the present embodiment having such a configuration, the machining tank 15 (inside the left and right tanks) is filled with the machining liquid K as follows. Supplying / unloading (exchange) the workpiece W to / from the jigs 11 and 12), electric discharge machining and the like are automatically performed. First, as shown in FIG. 1, one of the left and right hand portions 21 and 22 (here, the first hand portion 21) holds an unprocessed workpiece W and the other hand portion (second In a state where the hand portion 22) is emptied, the workpiece W is brought close to the processing tank 15 and is held by one of the left and right tank jigs 11 and 12 (here, the right tank jig 12). 2, the other hand portion (second hand portion 22) holds the other one of the in-vessel jigs 11 and 12 (left in-vessel jig 11) as shown in FIG. 2. The electric discharge machined workpiece W ′ is received and carried out of the machining tank 15.
[0022]
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3, the first and second hand portions 21 and 22 are turned 180 degrees in a horizontal plane, and the unprocessed workpiece W held by the first hand portion 21 is moved to the right side. Next, the workpiece W is transferred to and held in the empty left tank jig 11 and then the workpiece W ′ after the electric discharge machining is transported to a predetermined place (work place).
[0023]
When the electric discharge machining of the workpiece W held by the right tank jig 12 is completed, the spindle head 40 is held by the left tank jig 11 as shown in FIG. The workpiece is moved to the workpiece W side to perform electric discharge machining. Thereafter, the same operation as described above is repeated, and the supply and unloading (exchange) of the workpiece W with respect to the left and right tank jigs 11 and 12 and the electric discharge machining are continuously performed.
[0024]
By operating the electric discharge machine 10 in this way, it is necessary to fill and discharge the machining liquid K for each workpiece W while the machining tank 15 is filled with the machining liquid K. In addition, even while one workpiece W is being processed, the supply and unloading (exchange) of other workpieces W can be performed automatically. Time required for discharging and supplying / unloading (replacement) work W (non-processing time) is greatly reduced. As a result, production efficiency can be greatly improved, and automation and mass production can be supported. It becomes. Therefore, even mass-produced products that have been unsuitable for electric discharge machining can be used for machining with an electric discharge machine, which greatly contributes to improvement in productivity.
[0025]
In addition to the above, in the electric discharge machine 10 of the present embodiment, electrode replacement (for example, the electrode 50 is replaced when 60 workpieces W are processed) can be automatically performed. That is, in one operation example of electrode replacement, as shown in FIG. 5, at the time of electrode replacement, the old electrode 50 ′ to be replaced held in the spindle head 40 is replaced with the empty jig in the tank. 11 and 12 (here, the left tub jig 11) is transferred and held via the tool pallet 35, and one of the pair of hand portions 21 and 22 (here, the first hand portion 21). ) To hold the new electrode 50 via the tool pallet 35 and, if necessary, close to the processing tank 15 with the other hand part (second hand part 22) holding an unprocessed work W. Let Next, the new electrode 50 held in the first hand part 21 is transferred to and held in the empty right tank jig 12, and then the left first hand part 21 holds the left electrode. The old electrode 50 ′ held by the in-tank jig 11 is received, and further, the unprocessed workpiece W held by the second hand portion 22 is received by the empty left-inside jig 11. Then, the old electrode 50 ′ is transported to a predetermined place, and the spindle head 40 is moved to the right tank inner jig 12 holding the new electrode 50, so that the new electrode 50 ′ is transferred. The electrode 50 is received.
[0026]
Thus, instead of the jig pallet 25, the tool pallet 35 that can be held by the hand portions 21 and 22 of the workpiece transfer device 20 and the jigs 11 and 12 in the tank is attached to the electrode 50, and the electrode 50 50 is held by the hand parts 21 and 22 and the jigs 11 and 12 in the tank via the tool pallet 35 at the time of replacement, thereby supplying and unloading the workpiece W. In addition to (replacement), it is possible to automatically replace the electrode 50. Therefore, unlike the conventional case, it is not necessary to install an automatic electrode exchange device (ATC device) as a separate device. Is advantageous.
[0027]
FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the electric discharge machine according to the present invention.
The illustrated electric discharge machine 60 is supplied into a machining tank 65 filled with a machining liquid K, a workpiece transfer device 70 for supplying and unloading the workpiece W to and from the machining tank 65, and the machining tank 65. An in-tank jig 61 that holds the work W in a removable manner, and a spindle head 80 that holds an electrode 90 for electric discharge machining the work W held in the in-tank jig 61. In the state where the machining tank 65 is filled with the machining liquid K, the workpiece W is supplied, discharged, and carried out.
[0028]
Specifically, the workpiece transfer device 70 includes a cylinder portion 70A and a rotation portion 70B for moving the support shaft 70a up and down, and the work shaft W is detachably held on the support shaft 70a. A pair of left and right hand portions 71 and 72 with a jig pallet 75 are fixed. The pair of left and right hand portions 71 and 72 are configured to move up and down integrally with the support shaft 70a and turn around a rotation axis O in a horizontal plane. The spindle head 80 can perform a retreating motion (vertical movement and lateral movement) to avoid interference with the work transfer device 70.
[0029]
In the electric discharge machine 60 having such a configuration, an unmachined workpiece W is held on one of the jig pallets 75 of the pair of left and right hand portions 71 and 72 that are out of the machining tank 65, and then the support The shaft 70 a and the hand portions 71 and 72 are raised and turned 180 degrees, and then lowered, whereby the unprocessed workpiece W is supplied into the processing tank 65, via the jig pallet 75. It is hold | maintained at the said jig | tool 61 in a tank so that attachment or detachment is possible.
[0030]
Subsequently, the spindle head 80 (the electrode 90) is brought close to the workpiece W held by the in-vessel jig 61 to perform electric discharge machining. When the electric discharge machining is completed, the support shaft 70a and the hand portions 71 and 72 are raised, turned 180 degrees, and then lowered to carry out the electric discharge machined work W ′ to the outside of the machining tank 65. Is done. Subsequently, the electric discharge machined workpiece W ′ taken out of the machining tank 65 is removed, and instead, an unmachined workpiece W is placed on one of the hand portions 71, 72 coming out of the machining tank 65. This operation is repeated after mounting.
[0031]
In this way, the pair of left and right hand portions 71 and 72 are alternately moved into the processing tank 65 and the outside of the processing tank 65, and the electric discharge processed workpiece W ′ is carried out of the processing tank 65. Since the unmachined workpiece W is set in the hand portion 71 or 72 on the side instead of the EDM workpiece W ′, the workpiece W can be exchanged without requiring the discharge and filling of the machining liquid K. Thus, as in the first embodiment, the time required for charging / discharging the machining liquid K and supplying / unloading (exchange) work W other than the electric discharge machining work by the electrode 90, etc. (Non-processing time) is greatly shortened and production efficiency is improved.
[0032]
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention described in the claims. It can be done.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
As can be understood from the above description, according to the present invention, other workpieces can be supplied and carried out (exchanged) while the machining tank is filled with the machining fluid. The time required for filling and discharging machining fluid and supplying and unloading (replacement) workpieces (non-working time) other than work can be greatly shortened, and production efficiency can be greatly improved for automation and mass production. It becomes possible to respond. As a result, even mass-produced products that have been unsuitable for electric discharge machining can be used for machining with an electric discharge machine, which greatly contributes to the improvement of productivity.
[0034]
In addition, the tool pallet is attached to the electrode instead of the jig pallet, and when the electrode is exchanged, the work pallet is held by the workpiece conveying device and the jig in the tank, In addition to supplying and unloading (replacement) workpieces, it is also possible to automatically replace electrodes. For this reason, it is necessary to install an automatic electrode exchange device (ATC device) as a separate device as in the past. This is advantageous in terms of cost.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a view showing a state of one stage of electric discharge machining, supply / unloading (exchange) of a workpiece of a first embodiment of an electric discharge machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state of a next stage of electric discharge machining, supply / unloading (exchange) of a workpiece in the electric discharge machine shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state of a further next stage of the electric discharge machining, supply / carrying out (exchange) of the workpiece in the electric discharge machine shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a view showing a state of still another stage of workpiece electric discharge machining, supply / carrying out (exchange) in the electric discharge machine shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state of electrode replacement in the electric discharge machine shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of an electric discharge machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a conventional electric discharge machine.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 ... Electric discharge machine (first embodiment)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11, 12 ... Jig 15 in a tank ... Processing tank 20 ... Work conveyance apparatus 20A ... Main-body part 20a ... Insulating means 21, 22 ... Hand part 25 ... Jig pallet 35 ... Tool pallet 40 ... Spindle head 50, 50 '... Electrode 60 ... Electric discharge machine (second embodiment)
61 ... Jig 65 in a tank ... Processing tank 70 ... Work conveyance device 71, 72 ... Hand part K ... Working fluid W, W '... Work

Claims (11)

A processing tank (15) filled with a processing liquid (K), a work transfer device (20) for supplying and unloading a work (W) to and from the processing tank (15), and the processing tank (15) In-tank jigs (11, 12) for detachably holding the workpiece (W) supplied therein, and the work (W) held in the in-tank jigs (11, 12) are subjected to electric discharge machining. A spindle head (40) for holding an electrode (50) for supplying the workpiece (W) in a state where the machining tank (15) is filled with a machining fluid (K), and electric discharge machining. And an electric discharge machine adapted to carry out,
The work transfer device (20) includes a pair of hand portions (21, 22) for detachably holding the work (W) . The electric discharge machine according to claim 1 , wherein the position of the pair of hand portions (21, 22) is freely variable. Wherein the processing tank (15), electric discharge machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said tank jig plurality groups (11, 12) is arranged. A jig pallet (25) to which the work (W) is attached is provided, and the work (W) passes through the jig pallet (25) and the work transfer device (20) and the jig in the tank (11, The electric discharge machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the electric discharge machine is held at 12). 5. The spindle head (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the spindle head (40) is capable of performing a retreating motion to avoid interference with the work transfer device (20). The electric discharge machine described. The electric discharge machining according to any one of claims 3 to 5 , wherein the spindle head (40) is configured to be movable between the plurality of tank jigs (11, 12). Machine. The workpiece transfer apparatus main body (20A) and between said hand portion (21, 22) are of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is electrically insulated by insulation means (20a) (20) The electric discharge machine according to any one of the above. The electrode (50) is detachably held on the spindle head (40) with a tool pallet (35) instead of the jig pallet (25) attached, and the electrode (50) At the time of the replacement, the hand parts (21, 22) and the jigs (11, 12) of the work transfer device (20) are held by the tool pallet (35). The electric discharge machine according to any one of claims 4 to 7 , wherein the electric discharge machine is characterized. It is an operating method of the electric discharge machine (10) as described in any one of Claim 3 to 8 , Comprising: An unprocessed workpiece | work (W) is carried out to one (21) of a pair of said hand part (21, 22). While being held, the other hand part (22) is brought close to the processing tank (15) and is held by one (12) of the plurality of tank jigs (11, 12). During the electric discharge machining of the workpiece (W), the other hand portion (22) has been subjected to the electric discharge machining held on the other one (11) of the plurality of in-vessel jigs (11, 12). The workpiece (W ′) is received and carried out of the processing tank (15), and then the unprocessed workpiece (W) held by the one hand portion (21) is emptied. Is transferred to and held in one tank jig (11), and is held by the one tank jig (12). When the electric discharge machining of the workpiece (W) is completed, the spindle head (40) is moved to the unmachined workpiece (W) side held by the other one in-vessel jig (11) and discharged. An operation method comprising performing machining, transporting the electric discharge machined work (W ′) to a work place, and thereafter performing the same operation repeatedly. It is an operating method of the electric discharge machine (10) according to claim 8 , wherein a new electrode is inserted into one (21) of the pair of hand parts (21, 22) via the tool pallet (35) at the time of electrode replacement. (50) is held close to the processing tank (15), and the old electrode (50 ') to be replaced held by the spindle head (40) is replaced with the plurality of in-tank jigs (11, 12) is transferred to and held through one of the tool pallets (35) and the new electrode (50) held by the one hand part (21) is placed in the plurality of tanks. The other one (12) of the inner jig (11, 12) is transferred and held, and then the spindle head (40) is moved to the other one of the tank jig (12) side to A new electrode (50) is received and the one One of the paired hand portions (21, 22) (21) receives the old electrode (50) held by the one in-vessel jig (11) and transports it to a predetermined place. Method of operation. It is an operating method of the electric discharge machine (60) of Claim 1 or 2 , Comprising: A pair of said hand part (71, 72) is alternately inside the said processing tank (65) and this processing tank (65) outside, respectively. To the hand portion (72) on the side where the electric discharge machined work (W ′) is carried out of the machining tank (65), in place of the electric discharge machined work (W ′). An operation method characterized in that the workpiece (W) is set.

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