JP4201400B2

JP4201400B2 - Workpiece collection device and automatic lathe equipped with the same

Info

Publication number: JP4201400B2
Application number: JP29849898A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 梅夫露崎; 徹高橋; 壮作木村
Original assignee: Citizen Holdings Co Ltd; Citizen Watch Co Ltd
Current assignee: Citizen Holdings Co Ltd; Citizen Watch Co Ltd
Priority date: 1998-10-20
Filing date: 1998-10-20
Publication date: 2008-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 2018-10-20
Also published as: JP2000126974A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、工作機械に付設可能な加工品回収装置に関する。さらに本発明は、加工品回収装置を備えた自動旋盤に関する。本明細書で自動旋盤とは、ＮＣ旋盤等の、自動旋削加工を実施できるあらゆる工作機械を意味する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
自動旋盤等の工作機械において、加工の完了した加工品を回収するための加工品回収装置を付設したものは知られている。従来の簡易構造の加工品回収装置は、工作機械の機台上の工具による加工作業位置の下方で、加工の完了した加工品を受け取るシュート状の排出部材と、排出部材の排出側に設置され、多数の加工品を収容可能な回収箱とから構成される。回収箱は通常、機台上に画成された加工作業室内又はその近傍に固定的に設置されるので、作業者は必要に応じて加工作業室に近寄り、回収箱に収容された加工品を手作業で回収する。
【０００３】
このような加工品回収装置では、加工品は重力作用により排出部材を伝って回収箱に投入されるので、回収箱内での加工品同士の衝突等により加工品が損傷する危惧がある。そこで、特に寸法公差や表面粗さに高精度が要求される加工品に対しては、排出部材から排出された加工品を１つずつ受け取って順次所定の回収位置へ搬送するコンベア装置を、排出部材の排出側に近接して設置する場合がある。この種のコンベア装置は、例えば複数の工作機械を並設したワークショップにおいて、作業者が各工作機械の加工作業室に近寄る煩雑さを解消する目的で、各工作機械で加工された加工品を加工作業室から離れた加工品回収の容易な所望位置へ搬送するためにも有効に利用できる。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上記した従来の加工品回収装置に使用されるコンベア装置は、一般にその専用駆動源として、小形でかつ制御が容易な電動機を使用している。そのために、電動機の駆動及び制御用の設備として、電源ケーブルやケーブル端子台等の電力供給設備及び駆動信号等の制御信号の供給設備が必要となり、結果として加工品回収装置の価格が高騰する傾向があった。また、電動機は発熱源となるので、機台上の加工作業室の近傍に電動機を設置した場合は、工作機械の加工機能部品への熱伝達や加工作業室内の温度上昇により、加工精度に影響が及ぼされる危惧があった。このような電動機の発熱による影響は、コンベア装置を断続的に駆動すべく電動機のオンオフを頻繁に繰返す制御を行う場合に特に顕著になる。
【０００５】
したがって本発明の目的は、工作機械に付設される加工品回収装置において、加工品を回収位置へ搬送するコンベア装置の駆動機構の発熱が工作機械の加工精度に及ぼす影響を排除でき、しかも安価に作製できる加工品回収装置を提供することにある。
本発明の他の目的は、そのような加工品回収装置を備え、加工精度に影響を及ぼすことなく加工品の容易な回収を可能にする安価でかつ高性能の自動旋盤を提供することにある。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために、請求項１に記載の発明は、機台上に設置される主軸と、主軸の前方で機台上に設置され、主軸の中心軸線に平行な制御軸方向へ移動する加工機能装置とを備えた工作機械に付設され、工作機械での加工が完了した加工品を回収するための加工品回収装置において、工作機械から受け取った加工品を回収位置へ搬送するコンベア装置を具備し、コンベア装置が、工作機械の加工機能装置の制御軸方向への移動動作に連動して駆動されることを特徴とする加工品回収装置を提供する。
【０００７】
請求項２に記載の発明は、請求項１に記載の加工品回収装置において、コンベア装置が、主軸から離れる制御軸方向への加工機能装置の移動距離に線形対応した距離だけ加工品を搬送する加工品回収装置を提供する。
請求項３に記載の発明は、請求項１又は２に記載の加工品回収装置において、コンベア装置が、制御軸方向への加工機能装置の往復移動動作の繰り返しに従って加工品を漸進的に搬送する加工品回収装置を提供する。
【０００８】
請求項４に記載の発明は、請求項３に記載の加工品回収装置において、コンベア装置が、機台上で一対の支持輪に支持される無端搬送部材と、少なくとも一方の支持輪に一方向クラッチを介して連結される回転軸と、加工機能装置の制御軸方向への移動動作を回転軸に伝達する動力伝達機構とを具備する加工品回収装置を提供する。
【０００９】
請求項５に記載の発明は、請求項１〜４のいずれか１項に記載の加工品回収装置において、工作機械の工具による加工作業位置の近傍で受け取った加工品を重力作用によりコンベア装置に排出する排出部材をさらに具備し、排出部材が、工作機械の機台上で、加工作業位置の下方の加工品受取位置と、加工品受取位置から離れた待機位置との間で移動可能である加工品回収装置を提供する。
【００１０】
請求項６に記載の発明は、機台上に設置される主軸と、主軸の前方で機台上に設置され、主軸の中心軸線に平行な制御軸方向へ移動する加工機能装置と、機台上に設置され、加工が完了した加工品を回収するための加工品回収装置とを具備する自動旋盤において、加工品回収装置は、受け取った加工品を回収位置へ搬送するコンベア装置を具備し、コンベア装置が、加工機能装置の制御軸方向への移動動作に連動して駆動されることを特徴とする自動旋盤を提供する。
【００１１】
請求項７に記載の発明は、請求項６に記載の自動旋盤において、コンベア装置が、主軸から離れる制御軸方向への加工機能装置の移動距離に線形対応した距離だけ加工品を搬送する自動旋盤を提供する。
請求項８に記載の発明は、請求項６又は７に記載の自動旋盤において、コンベア装置が、制御軸方向への加工機能装置の往復移動動作の繰り返しに従って加工品を漸進的に搬送する自動旋盤を提供する。
【００１２】
請求項９に記載の発明は、請求項８に記載の自動旋盤において、コンベア装置が、機台上で一対の支持輪に支持される無端搬送部材と、少なくとも一方の支持輪に一方向クラッチを介して連結される回転軸と、加工機能装置の制御軸方向への移動動作を回転軸に伝達する動力伝達機構とを具備する自動旋盤を提供する。請求項１０に記載の発明は、請求項６〜９のいずれか１項に記載の自動旋盤において、機台上に配置され、工具による加工作業位置の近傍で受け取った加工品を重力作用によりコンベア装置に排出する排出部材をさらに具備し、排出部材が、機台上で、加工作業位置の下方の加工品受取位置と、加工品受取位置から離れた待機位置との間で移動可能である自動旋盤を提供する。
【００１３】
請求項１１に記載の発明は、請求項６〜１０のいずれか１項に記載の自動旋盤において、加工機能装置が、機台上に移動可能に設置される刃物台装置からなる自動旋盤を提供する。
【００１４】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、添付図面を参照して、本発明をその実施形態に基づき詳細に説明する。各図面において、同一又は類似の構成要素には共通の参照符号を付す。
図面を参照すると、図１は本発明の一実施形態による加工品回収装置１０を備えた自動旋盤１２の概略斜視図、図２は自動旋盤１２の部分拡大斜視図である。自動旋盤１２は、機台１４上に固定的に設置され、主軸１６を回転可能に支持する主軸台１８と、主軸台１８の前方（図で右方）で機台１４上に移動可能に設置される刃物台装置２０とを備える。
【００１５】
主軸１６は、被加工素材としての棒材を掴持して、図示しない主軸モータにより回転駆動される。主軸１６は中空筒状の構造を有し、その前端領域に、棒材を掴持可能な開閉式のチャック（図示せず）が設置される。このような主軸１６の構成は周知のものであるから、詳細な説明を省略する。なお、主軸台１８の後方（図で左方）には、機台１４に隣接して、主軸１６に棒材を供給する周知の棒材供給装置（図示せず）を設置できる。
【００１６】
刃物台装置２０は、機台１４上で、主軸１６の中心軸線１６ａに平行な第１軸方向へ移動する送り台２２と、送り台２２上で、主軸１６の中心軸線１６ａに直交する第２軸方向へ移動する移動台２４と、移動台２４上に固定される刃物取付台２６とを備える。本明細書では、送り台２２の移動方向（第１軸方向）に対応する制御軸を機台１４上の直交３軸座標系におけるＺ軸、移動台２４の移動方向（第２軸方向）に対応する制御軸を同Ｙ軸と規定する。
【００１７】
機台１４はその上面１４ａに、主軸１６の中心軸線１６ａに平行に直線状に延びる一対のレール２８を固定して備える。また主軸台１８から離れた側の機台１４の端壁１４ｂには、送り台２２の駆動源であるＺ軸サーボモータ３０が固定的に支持される。Ｚ軸サーボモータ３０の出力軸にはねじ軸３２が連結され、ねじ軸３２は、一対のレール２８の間で機台１４の上方空間に、それらレール２８に平行に延設される。
【００１８】
送り台２２は、相互に平行な上面２２ａ及び下面を有し、その下面に、互いに平行に直線状に延びる一対の案内溝３４が凹設される。これら一対の案内溝３４は、機台１４の一対のレール２８にそれぞれ摺動可能に嵌合してリニアガイドを構成し、送り台２２を機台１４上でＺ軸方向へ案内する。さらに送り台２２には、一対の案内溝３４の間でそれら案内溝３４に平行に延びるねじ穴（図示せず）が一側面から穿設される。このねじ穴は、Ｚ軸サーボモータ３０のねじ軸３２に円滑に螺合して、好ましくはボールねじからなるねじ送り機構を構成する。したがって送り台２２は、ねじ送り機構を介して直線運動に変換されるＺ軸サーボモータ３０の出力により、リニアガイドに沿って機台１４上でＺ軸方向へ円滑に移動する。
【００１９】
送り台２２はまた、その上面２２ａに、下面の案内溝３４に直交して直線状に延びる一対のレール３６を固定して備える。送り台２２の上面２２ａにはさらに、それらレール３６に略直交する一側面に沿って支壁２２ｂが立設され、支壁２２ｂに、移動台２４の駆動源であるＹ軸サーボモータ３８が固定的に支持される。Ｙ軸サーボモータ３８の出力軸にはねじ軸４０が連結され、ねじ軸４０は、一対のレール３６の間で送り台２２の上方空間に、それらレール３６に平行に延設される。
【００２０】
移動台２４は、相互に平行な上面２４ａ及び下面を有し、その下面に、互いに平行に直線状に延びる一対の案内溝４２が凹設される。これら一対の案内溝４２は、送り台２２の一対のレール３６にそれぞれ摺動可能に嵌合してリニアガイドを構成し、移動台２４を送り台２２上でＹ軸方向へ案内する。さらに移動台２４には、一対の案内溝４２の間でそれら案内溝４２に平行に延びるねじ穴４４が一側面から穿設される。このねじ穴４４は、Ｙ軸サーボモータ３８のねじ軸４０に円滑に螺合して、好ましくはボールねじからなるねじ送り機構を構成する。したがって移動台２４は、ねじ送り機構を介して直線運動に変換されるＹ軸サーボモータ３８の出力により、リニアガイドに沿って送り台２２上でＹ軸方向へ円滑に移動する。その結果、移動台２４は機台１４上で、Ｚ軸とＹ軸とが成す二次元空間を所定の範囲内で移動できる。
【００２１】
刃物取付台２６は、例えばボルト４６等の固定手段により、移動台２４の上面２４ａに固定される。刃物取付台２６には、その一対の側面２６ａにそれぞれ１つずつの取付溝４８が設けられ、それら取付溝４８の各々にバイト等の切削工具５０、５２が装着されて、例えば固定ボルト５４により固定される。図示実施形態では、主軸１６に掴持された棒材の外周面を加工する外丸削りバイト５０と、加工の完了した加工品を棒材から切離す突切りバイト５２とが、刃物取付台２６に装着されている。さらに刃物取付台２６には、側面２６ａに略直交する他の側面２６ｂに２個の取付穴５６が穿設され、それら取付穴５６の各々にドリル、タップ等の端面穴加工工具５８が装着されて、例えばクランプねじ６０により固定される。
【００２２】
刃物取付台２６は、機台１４上で移動台２４と共にＺ軸とＹ軸とが成す二次元空間を移動できる。刃物取付台２６のＺ軸移動は、加工中に工具５０、５２、５８を棒材の軸線方向へ送る動作であり、また刃物取付台２６のＹ軸移動は、工具５０、５２、５８を選択する動作及び加工中に工具５０、５２を棒材の径方向へ送る動作である。このような刃物取付台２６の二次元移動により、棒材を所望形状に加工するとともに、加工の完了した加工品を残りの棒材から切離すことができる。
【００２３】
加工品回収装置１０は、機台１４上に設置され、刃物取付台２６上の各種工具５０、５２、５８による棒材加工作業位置の近傍すなわち下方で、棒材から切離された加工品を受け取って重力作用により排出するシュート状の排出部材６２と、排出部材６２の排出側に近接して機台１４上に設置され、排出部材６２から排出された加工品を１つずつ受け取って順次所定の回収位置６４へ搬送するコンベア装置６６とを備える。自動旋盤１２では、主軸１６の先端部分及び刃物取付台２６上の各種工具を包囲する機台１４上の空間に、図示しないハウジングによって加工作業室が画成されるが、回収位置６４は、この加工作業室から離れた機台１４の前端（図で右端）位置に設定される。
【００２４】
図３に概略で示すように、排出部材６２は、上記した加工作業位置の下方の加工品受取位置（実線で示す）と、加工品受取位置から離れた待機位置（鎖線で示す）との間で移動できるように構成される。図示実施形態では、排出部材６２はその排出端に近接して設置された電気式又は空気式のアクチュエータ６８の駆動により、Ｚ軸に略平行な軸６８ａを中心に揺動して、加工品受取側の上方部分を加工品受取位置と待機位置との間で変位させる。このような構成により、排出部材６２は、刃物取付台２６上の各種工具５０、５８による加工作業中は待機位置に配置され、切り粉の堆積や切削油による汚染が防止される。そして加工品の加工が完了したときに、突切りバイト５２による加工品の切離しに先立って加工品受取位置へ移動し、その状態で加工品を受取る。
【００２５】
コンベア装置６６は、刃物台装置２０の側方で機台１４上に固定的に設置される一対のガイド板７０と、それらガイド板７０の長手方向両端でそれぞれ両ガイド板７０間に回転可能に軸支される一対の支持輪７２と、それら支持輪７２を取巻いて両支持輪７２間に支持される無端搬送部材７４とを備える。無端搬送部材７４は、好ましくは平ベルトからなり、機台１４上で上記加工作業室と回収位置６４との間にＺ軸方向へ延長して配置される。なお好ましくは、無端搬送部材７４の無端ループの上側に位置する搬送部分は、両ガイド板７０の間に固定的に配置される支持板７５（図６）によって摺動可能に支持される。
【００２６】
図４に断面図で示すように、コンベア装置６６はさらに、一対の支持輪７２の各々を担持する回転軸７６を備える。各回転軸７６は、一組の軸受７８を介して一対のガイド板７０に回転可能に支持される。各支持輪７２と対応の各回転軸７６との間にはそれぞれ一方向クラッチ８０が設置され、それにより支持輪７２と回転軸７６とは、回転軸７６を中心とした一方向へのみ、相互間で回転動作を伝達できるようになっている。
【００２７】
一対の回転軸７６は、チェーン８２及び一対のスプロケット８４からなる動力伝達機構を介して、刃物台装置２０の送り台２２に連結される。各スプロケット８４は、刃物台装置２０に近い方のガイド板７０の外側すなわち各支持輪７２の反対側で、各回転軸７６の一端に固定される（図４及び図５）。チェーン８２は、それらスプロケット８４を取巻いて架設され、両端で刃物台装置２０の送り台２２の一側面に、例えばアタッチメント８６を介して固定的に連結される。チェーン８２及び一対のスプロケット８４からなる動力伝達機構は、刃物台装置２０のＺ軸方向への移動動作を一対の回転軸７６に伝達し、それによりコンベア装置６６が、刃物台装置２０のＺ軸方向への移動動作に連動して駆動される。
【００２８】
刃物台装置２０から一対の回転軸７６に伝達された駆動力は、上記した一方向クラッチ８０の作用により、刃物台装置２０の送り台２２がＺ軸に沿って主軸１６から離れる方向へ移動するときだけ、一対の支持輪７２に図２矢印Ａ方向の回転力として伝達される。それによりコンベア装置６６は、無端搬送部材７４の無端ループの上側に位置する搬送部分が加工作業室から回収位置６４へ移動する方向（図２矢印Ｂ方向）にのみ駆動される。このように加工品回収装置１０では、コンベア装置６６の駆動源は刃物台装置２０のＺ軸サーボモータ３０であるから、コンベア装置専用のサーボモータが不要になる。
【００２９】
上記構成により、コンベア装置６６は、機台１４上で送り台２２がＺ軸に沿って主軸１６から離れる方向へ移動するときに作動して、送り台２２の移動距離に対応した距離だけ加工品を加工作業室から回収位置６４へ向けて搬送する。反対に、送り台２２がＺ軸に沿って主軸１６に接近する方向へ移動するときには、コンベア装置６６は作動せずに停止し、加工品はそのときの位置に滞留する。したがって、機台１４上で送り台２２がＺ軸方向へ往復移動を繰り返すことにより、コンベア装置６６は間欠的に作動し、加工品を回収位置６４へ向けて漸進的に搬送する。なお、送り台２２が主軸１６に接近する方向へ移動する際に、一方向クラッチ８０が適正に作用せずに支持輪７２が回転軸７６に連れ回ってしまうことを防止するための一手段として、前述した支持板７５により無端搬送部材７４を上方へ僅かに押し上げて、それらの間の摩擦により無端搬送部材７４を停止させる構成とすることができる。
【００３０】
自動旋盤１２における通常の加工工程では、刃物台装置２０の刃物取付台２６に装着した種々の工具５０、５８により１つの加工品の加工が完了すると、最後に突切りバイト５２がＹ軸動作により棒材の残部から加工品を切離す。この加工品は、加工作業室内で加工作業位置の下方に配置された排出部材６２を伝って、停止中のコンベア装置６６に排出される。その後、送り台２２をＺ軸に沿って主軸１６から離れる方向へ移動すると、それに連動してコンベア装置６６が作動し、排出部材６２から受け取った加工品を所定距離だけ回収位置６４へ向けて搬送する。このときの送り台２２のＺ軸移動は、加工品を切離した後に主軸１６から送り出された棒材の次の被加工部分の加工作業に備えるための、送り台２２の必須の戻り動作によって実現できる。したがって、Ｚ軸サーボモータ３０に対し、コンベア装置６６の駆動だけを目的とする独立した制御を行う必要はない。
【００３１】
コンベア装置６６が加工品を所定距離だけ回収位置６４へ向けて搬送した後、刃物台装置２０の工具５０、５８により次の加工を実施する際に、送り台２２がＺ軸に沿って主軸１６に接近する方向へ移動する間は、コンベア装置６６は作動せず、加工品はそのときの位置に滞留する。そして、次の加工品の加工が実質的に完了すると、その最終段階で、上記したように突切りバイト５２が次の加工品を棒材残部から切離す。次の加工品は、やはり排出部材６２を伝って停止中のコンベア装置６６に排出されるが、このとき先の加工品はすでに所定距離だけ回収位置６４へ向けて移動しているので、加工品同士の衝突は確実に回避される。このようにして、自動旋盤１２における加工作業の進行に伴い、複数の加工品がコンベア装置６６の無端搬送部材７４の上面に自動的に間隔を空けて整列配置され、回収位置６４へ順次漸進的に搬送されることになる。
【００３２】
送り台２２のＺ軸移動に連動してコンベア装置６６が加工品を搬送する距離は、上記したように送り台２２の移動距離に対応する。このとき、無端搬送部材７４を支持する支持輪７２の外径寸法と、チェーン８２に係合するスプロケット８４の外径寸法とを適宜選択して設計することにより、送り台２２の移動距離と加工品の搬送距離との関係を適当に設定できる。例えば図６に示すように、支持輪７２の外径をスプロケット８４の外径よりも大きくすると、送り台２２の移動に伴ってチェーン８２上の任意の点が位置Ｐ１から位置Ｐ２まで移動する場合、無端搬送部材７４上の位置Ｐ１にある加工品Ｗは、位置Ｐ２よりも遠い位置Ｐ３まで移動する。このようにして、棒材の次の被加工部分の長さに対応して決まる送り台２２の上記した戻り動作距離を、適宜拡大した長さに、コンベア装置６６による加工品の搬送距離を調整できる。また、１つの加工品の連続加工プロセスにおいて、送り台２２がＺ軸往復動作を繰り返す場合もある。したがって加工品回収装置１０では、コンベア装置６６によって搬送される複数の加工品の間隔を、無端搬送部材７４上での加工品同士の衝突を確実に防止可能な長さに拡大して設定することができる。
【００３３】
上記構成を有する加工品回収装置１０は、以下のような格別の作用効果を奏する。まず、コンベア装置６６の駆動源として刃物台装置２０のＺ軸サーボモータ３０を併用できるので、コンベア装置専用の電動機が不要になり、それに伴い、コンベア装置のための電力供給設備及び制御信号供給設備が不要になるので、安価で単純構造の加工品回収装置１０が提供される。また、Ｚ軸サーボモータ３０は自動旋盤１２に本来必須に装備されているものであり、コンベア装置６６を間欠的に駆動する場合にも、Ｚ軸サーボモータ３０の発熱が自動旋盤１２の加工精度に影響を及ぼす危惧はない。しかも、素材を連続加工する際の送り台２２の必須の戻り動作によってコンベア装置６６を駆動できるので、Ｚ軸サーボモータ３０に対し、コンベア装置６６の駆動だけを目的とする独立した制御を行う必要はない。
【００３４】
また、加工品回収装置１０はコンベア装置６６を備えるので、特に寸法公差や表面粗さに高精度が要求される加工品に対し、排出部材６２から排出された加工品を１つずつ間隔を空けて受け取ることができ、それにより加工品同士の衝突による加工品の損傷を防止できる。この場合、回収位置６４に、加工品を１つずつ受容できる容器を間欠送りする他のコンベア装置（図示せず）を設置して、コンベア装置６６からそれら容器に加工品を順次受取るようにすることもできる。高精度が要求されない加工品に対しては、回収位置６４に多数の加工品を収容可能な回収箱８８（図７）を設置すればよい。
【００３５】
図７に示すように、複数の自動旋盤１２を並設したワークショップにおいて、加工品回収装置１０は、各自動旋盤１２で加工された加工品を加工作業室から離れた加工品回収の容易な回収位置６４へ搬送できるので、作業者が各自動旋盤１２の加工作業室に近寄る煩雑さを解消することができる。特に、機械設置空間を縮小すべく、それぞれに棒材供給装置９０を付設した複数の自動旋盤１２を図示のように並列配置する場合にも、通路９２に面した各自動旋盤１２の前端（図で右端）に回収位置６４を設定して回収箱８８を設置できるので、加工品回収が極めて容易になる。
【００３６】
以上、本発明の好適な実施形態を説明したが、本発明に係る自動旋盤は、上記実施形態に限定されず、以下のような変形が可能である。
例えば加工品回収装置１０において、コンベア装置６６の一方の回転軸７６が、対応の支持輪７２に対し両方向に空転できるようにすることにより、刃物台装置２０による駆動力をコンベア装置６６の他方の支持輪７２のみに伝達する構成とすることもできる。
【００３７】
また図８（ａ）、（ｂ）に示すように、刃物台装置２０のＺ軸方向への移動動作をコンベア装置６６の回転軸７６に伝達する動力伝達機構として、上記したチェーン８２及び一対のスプロケット８４の代わりに、送り台２２の側面に固定的に突設した押圧部９４と、コンベア装置６６の一方（図では回収位置６４に近い方）の回転軸７６に固定的に連結されるレバー９６とからなる機構を採用することができる。この場合、送り台２２の押圧部９４はレバー９６の自由端の突起９６ａに係合できる位置に形成される。またレバー９６は、引張ばね９８を介して初期位置（図８（ｂ）実線）に付勢される。
【００３８】
この構成では、送り台２２が主軸１６（図１）から離れるＺ軸方向へ移動するときに、レバー９６の突起９６ａを押圧して、レバー９６を図８（ｂ）で時計方向に揺動させる。このレバー９６の揺動は、一方向クラッチ８０を介して支持輪７２に図示矢印Ａ方向への駆動力として伝達され、無端搬送部材７４を図示矢印Ｂ方向へ移動させる。送り台２２が主軸１６（図１）に接近するＺ軸方向へ移動すると、レバー９６は引張ばね９８の付勢により初期位置へ自動的に復帰する。このときのレバー９６の揺動は、一方向クラッチ８０の作用により、支持輪７２には伝達されない。このようにして、送り台２２のＺ軸移動に連動してコンベア装置６６を間欠駆動することができる。この動力伝達機構を採用すれば、送り台２２が主軸１６（図１）に接近するＺ軸方向へ移動するときに、送り台２２にチェーン８２等による余分な負荷が掛からないので、動力伝達機構が自動旋盤１２の加工作業に影響を及ぼす危惧を排除できる利点がある。
【００３９】
上記実施形態では、自動旋盤１２の刃物台装置２０がコンベア装置６６に駆動力を付与する構成としたが、これに限らず、主軸の中心軸線に平行な制御軸方向へ移動する他の加工機能装置によって駆動力を付与する構成とすることもできる。そのような他の加工機能装置としては、複数の工具を回転割出しできるタレット形刃物台や、旋盤機台上で主軸に対向配置された状態で、主軸から放出された棒材を受け取って掴持する第２の主軸（一般に背面主軸と称する）を、例として挙げることができる。
【００４０】
また上記実施形態では、加工品回収装置１０を備えた自動旋盤１２を説明したが、主軸の前方で主軸の中心軸線に平行な制御軸方向へ移動する加工機能装置を備えた種々の工作機械に、本発明に係る加工品回収装置を後付けにより選択的に付設する構成とすることもできる。
【００４１】
【発明の効果】
以上の説明から明らかなように、本発明によれば、工作機械に付設される加工品回収装置において、加工品を回収位置へ搬送するコンベア装置の専用の駆動モータを排除できるので、コンベア装置の駆動機構の発熱が工作機械の加工精度に及ぼす影響を排除できるとともに、加工品回収装置を安価に作製することが可能になる。また、そのような加工品回収装置を自動旋盤に付設することにより、自動旋盤の加工精度に影響を及ぼすことなく加工品の容易な回収が可能になり、安価でかつ高性能の自動旋盤を提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施形態による加工品回収装置を備えた自動旋盤の概略斜視図である。
【図２】図１の自動旋盤の主要部の拡大斜視図である。
【図３】図１の加工品回収装置の主要部の概略正面図である。
【図４】図２の線IV−IVに沿ったコンベア装置の断面図である。
【図５】図１の加工品回収装置の動力伝達機構を示す概略平面図である。
【図６】図４の線VI−VIに沿ったコンベア装置の部分断面図である。
【図７】図１の自動旋盤を複数台並設した状態を示す概略平面図である。
【図８】図１の加工品回収装置の動力伝達機構の変形例を示す図で、（ａ）概略平面図、（ｂ）線VIII−VIIIに沿ったコンベア装置の部分断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１０…加工品回収装置
１２…自動旋盤
１６…主軸
２０…刃物台装置
２２…送り台
３０…Ｚ軸サーボモータ
５２…突切りバイト
６２…排出部材
６４…回収位置
６６…コンベア装置
６８…アクチュエータ
７０…ガイド板
７２…支持輪
７４…無端搬送部材
７６…回転軸
８０…一方向クラッチ
８２…チェーン
８４…スプロケット
９４…押圧部
９６…レバー
９８…引張ばね[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a workpiece recovery apparatus that can be attached to a machine tool. The present invention further relates to an automatic lathe provided with a workpiece recovery apparatus. In this specification, the automatic lathe means any machine tool capable of performing automatic turning, such as an NC lathe.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Machine tools such as automatic lathes are known that are provided with a workpiece recovery device for recovering a workpiece that has been processed. The conventional workpiece collection device with a simple structure is installed on the discharge side of the discharge member and the chute-like discharge member that receives the processed workpiece under the machining work position by the tool on the machine tool stand. And a collection box that can accommodate a large number of processed products. Since the collection box is usually fixedly installed in or near the processing work room defined on the machine base, the worker approaches the processing work room as necessary, and removes the processed product stored in the collection box. Collect manually.
[0003]
In such a processed product recovery apparatus, the processed product is transferred to the recovery box through the discharge member by gravity, and there is a concern that the processed product may be damaged due to collision of the processed products in the recovery box. Therefore, especially for processed products that require high accuracy in terms of dimensional tolerances and surface roughness, a conveyor device that receives the processed products discharged from the discharge member one by one and sequentially transports them to a predetermined collection position is discharged. It may be installed close to the discharge side of the member. This type of conveyor device, for example, in a workshop in which a plurality of machine tools are arranged side by side, is used to remove processed items processed by each machine tool for the purpose of eliminating the complexity of an operator approaching the processing work room of each machine tool. It can also be used effectively for transporting to a desired position where it is easy to collect the workpiece away from the processing chamber.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The conveyor apparatus used in the above-described conventional processed product collection apparatus generally uses a small and easily controlled electric motor as its dedicated drive source. For this reason, power supply equipment such as power cables and cable terminal blocks and control signal supply equipment such as drive signals are required as the drive and control equipment for the motor, and as a result, the price of the workpiece recovery device tends to rise. was there. In addition, since the electric motor is a heat source, when the electric motor is installed near the machining work room on the machine base, it affects the machining accuracy due to heat transfer to the machining function parts of the machine tool and temperature rise in the machining work room. There was a fear of being affected. Such an influence due to the heat generated by the electric motor is particularly noticeable when the electric motor is frequently turned on and off to intermittently drive the conveyor device.
[0005]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to eliminate the influence of the heat generated by the drive mechanism of the conveyor device that conveys the processed product to the recovery position on the processing accuracy of the machine tool, and at a low cost, in the processed product recovery device attached to the machine tool. An object of the present invention is to provide a processed product collection apparatus that can be manufactured.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive and high-performance automatic lathe that includes such a workpiece recovery device and enables easy recovery of workpieces without affecting the processing accuracy. .
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 includes a main shaft installed on the machine base, and installed on the machine base in front of the main shaft, and moves in a control axis direction parallel to the central axis of the main shaft. In a processed product collection device for collecting a processed product that has been processed by the machine tool, the conveyor device that conveys the processed product received from the machine tool to a collection position. And a conveyor device is driven in conjunction with the movement operation of the machining function device of the machine tool in the control axis direction.
[0007]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the workpiece recovery apparatus according to the first aspect, the conveyor device transports the workpiece by a distance linearly corresponding to the movement distance of the processing function device in the control axis direction away from the main shaft. Provide a processed product collection device.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the workpiece recovery apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the conveyor device gradually transports the workpiece in accordance with repetition of the reciprocating movement of the processing function device in the control axis direction. Provide a processed product collection device.
[0008]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the processed product collecting apparatus according to the third aspect, the conveyor device is unidirectionally disposed on the machine base and supported by the pair of support wheels and at least one of the support wheels. Provided is a workpiece collection device including a rotating shaft coupled via a clutch and a power transmission mechanism that transmits a movement operation of a machining function device in a control axis direction to the rotating shaft.
[0009]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the workpiece recovery device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the workpiece received in the vicinity of the machining work position by the tool of the machine tool is transferred to the conveyor device by a gravity action. A discharging member is further provided, and the discharging member is movable on a machine tool base between a workpiece receiving position below the machining work position and a standby position away from the workpiece receiving position. Provide a processed product collection device.
[0010]
The invention according to claim 6 includes a spindle installed on the machine base, a machining function device installed on the machine base in front of the spindle and moving in a control axis direction parallel to the central axis of the spindle, and the machine base In an automatic lathe equipped with a workpiece recovery device for recovering a processed product that has been installed and processed, the workpiece recovery device includes a conveyor device that conveys the received workpiece to a collection position. An automatic lathe is provided in which a conveyor device is driven in conjunction with a movement operation of a machining function device in a control axis direction.
[0011]
The invention according to claim 7 is the automatic lathe according to claim 6, wherein the conveyor device conveys the workpiece by a distance linearly corresponding to the movement distance of the machining function device in the control axis direction away from the main shaft. I will provide a.
The invention according to claim 8 is the automatic lathe according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the conveyor device gradually conveys the workpiece according to repetition of the reciprocating movement of the machining function device in the control axis direction. I will provide a.
[0012]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic lathe according to the eighth aspect, the conveyor device has an endless conveying member supported by a pair of support wheels on the machine base, and a one-way clutch on at least one of the support wheels. There is provided an automatic lathe comprising a rotating shaft coupled via a power transmission mechanism and a power transmission mechanism for transmitting a movement operation of the machining function device in the control axis direction to the rotating shaft. According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic lathe according to any one of the sixth to ninth aspects, a workpiece placed on a machine base and received in the vicinity of a machining work position by a tool is conveyed by a gravity action. The apparatus further comprises a discharge member for discharging to the apparatus, and the discharge member is movable on the machine base between a workpiece receiving position below the processing work position and a standby position away from the workpiece receiving position. Provide a lathe.
[0013]
The invention according to claim 11 provides the automatic lathe according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the machining function device is a tool post device that is movably installed on the machine base. To do.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or similar components are denoted by common reference numerals.
Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an automatic lathe 12 provided with a workpiece recovery apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the automatic lathe 12. The automatic lathe 12 is fixedly installed on the machine base 14 and is installed so as to be movable on the machine base 14 in front of the spindle base 18 (to the right in the figure). The tool post device 20 is provided.
[0015]
The main shaft 16 grips a bar as a material to be processed and is driven to rotate by a main shaft motor (not shown). The main shaft 16 has a hollow cylindrical structure, and an openable / closable chuck (not shown) capable of gripping a bar is installed in a front end region thereof. Since the configuration of the main shaft 16 is well known, detailed description thereof is omitted. A well-known bar supply device (not shown) for supplying a bar to the spindle 16 can be installed behind the spindle base 18 (left side in the figure) adjacent to the machine base 14.
[0016]
The tool post device 20 includes a feed base 22 that moves in a first axis direction parallel to the central axis 16a of the main shaft 16 on the machine base 14, and a second that is orthogonal to the central axis 16a of the main shaft 16 on the feed base 22. A moving table 24 that moves in the axial direction and a blade mounting table 26 fixed on the moving table 24 are provided. In this specification, the control axis corresponding to the moving direction (first axis direction) of the feed base 22 is set to the Z axis in the orthogonal triaxial coordinate system on the machine base 14 and the moving direction (second axis direction) of the moving base 24. The corresponding control axis is defined as the Y axis.
[0017]
The machine base 14 is provided with a pair of rails 28 fixed on the upper surface 14a thereof and extending linearly in parallel to the central axis 16a of the main shaft 16. A Z-axis servo motor 30 that is a drive source of the feed base 22 is fixedly supported on the end wall 14 b of the machine base 14 on the side away from the headstock 18. A screw shaft 32 is connected to the output shaft of the Z-axis servomotor 30, and the screw shaft 32 extends between the pair of rails 28 in the upper space of the machine base 14 in parallel with the rails 28.
[0018]
The feed base 22 has an upper surface 22a and a lower surface that are parallel to each other, and a pair of guide grooves 34 that extend linearly in parallel to each other are recessed in the lower surface. The pair of guide grooves 34 are slidably fitted to the pair of rails 28 of the machine base 14 to form a linear guide, and guide the feed base 22 on the machine base 14 in the Z-axis direction. Further, a screw hole (not shown) extending in parallel with the guide grooves 34 is formed in the feed base 22 from one side surface between the pair of guide grooves 34. This screw hole smoothly engages with the screw shaft 32 of the Z-axis servomotor 30 to constitute a screw feed mechanism preferably made of a ball screw. Accordingly, the feed base 22 smoothly moves in the Z-axis direction on the machine base 14 along the linear guide by the output of the Z-axis servo motor 30 converted into a linear motion via the screw feed mechanism.
[0019]
The feed base 22 is also provided with a pair of rails 36 that are fixed on the upper surface 22a thereof so as to extend perpendicularly to the guide groove 34 on the lower surface. A support wall 22b is further provided on the upper surface 22a of the feed base 22 along one side surface substantially orthogonal to the rails 36, and a Y-axis servo motor 38, which is a drive source for the moving base 24, is fixed to the support wall 22b. Supported. A screw shaft 40 is connected to the output shaft of the Y-axis servomotor 38, and the screw shaft 40 extends between the pair of rails 36 in the space above the feed base 22 and parallel to the rails 36.
[0020]
The movable table 24 has an upper surface 24a and a lower surface that are parallel to each other, and a pair of guide grooves 42 that extend linearly in parallel to each other are recessed in the lower surface. The pair of guide grooves 42 are slidably fitted to the pair of rails 36 of the feed table 22 to form a linear guide, and guide the moving table 24 on the feed table 22 in the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, a screw hole 44 extending in parallel with the guide grooves 42 is formed in the movable table 24 from one side surface between the pair of guide grooves 42. The screw hole 44 is smoothly screwed into the screw shaft 40 of the Y-axis servomotor 38, and constitutes a screw feed mechanism preferably made of a ball screw. Therefore, the moving base 24 smoothly moves in the Y-axis direction on the feed base 22 along the linear guide by the output of the Y-axis servomotor 38 that is converted into a linear motion via the screw feed mechanism. As a result, the movable table 24 can move on the machine table 14 in a two-dimensional space formed by the Z axis and the Y axis within a predetermined range.
[0021]
The blade mounting base 26 is fixed to the upper surface 24a of the moving base 24 by fixing means such as a bolt 46, for example. The blade mounting base 26 is provided with one mounting groove 48 on each of the pair of side surfaces 26a, and cutting tools 50 and 52 such as a cutting tool are mounted on each of the mounting grooves 48, for example, by fixing bolts 54. Fixed. In the illustrated embodiment, an outer round cutting tool 50 for processing the outer peripheral surface of the bar held by the main shaft 16 and a parting tool 52 for cutting the processed product from the bar are provided on the blade mounting base 26. It is installed. Further, the blade mounting base 26 is provided with two mounting holes 56 on the other side surface 26b substantially orthogonal to the side surface 26a, and an end surface hole machining tool 58 such as a drill or a tap is mounted on each of the mounting holes 56. For example, it is fixed by a clamp screw 60.
[0022]
The blade mounting base 26 can move in a two-dimensional space formed by the Z axis and the Y axis together with the moving base 24 on the machine base 14. The Z-axis movement of the blade mounting base 26 is an operation of sending the tools 50, 52, 58 in the axial direction of the bar during machining, and the Y-axis movement of the blade mounting base 26 selects the tools 50, 52, 58. And the operation of feeding the tools 50 and 52 in the radial direction of the bar during the machining and machining. By such a two-dimensional movement of the blade mount 26, the bar can be processed into a desired shape, and the processed product that has been processed can be separated from the remaining bar.
[0023]
The processed product collection apparatus 10 is installed on the machine base 14, and the processed product separated from the bar material is located in the vicinity of the bar processing position by the various tools 50, 52, 58 on the blade mounting base 26, that is, below. A chute-like discharge member 62 that receives and discharges by gravity action, and is placed on the machine base 14 in the vicinity of the discharge side of the discharge member 62 and receives the processed products discharged from the discharge member 62 one by one and sequentially And a conveyor device 66 for conveying to the collection position 64. In the automatic lathe 12, a machining work chamber is defined by a housing (not shown) in a space on the machine base 14 surrounding the tip portion of the spindle 16 and various tools on the blade mounting base 26. It is set at the front end (right end in the figure) position of the machine base 14 away from the processing work chamber.
[0024]
As schematically shown in FIG. 3, the discharge member 62 is located between the workpiece receiving position (shown by a solid line) below the above-described machining operation position and a standby position (shown by a chain line) away from the workpiece receiving position. It can be moved with. In the illustrated embodiment, the discharge member 62 is swung around an axis 68a substantially parallel to the Z axis by driving an electric or pneumatic actuator 68 installed in the vicinity of the discharge end, and receives the workpiece. The upper part on the side is displaced between the workpiece receiving position and the standby position. With such a configuration, the discharge member 62 is disposed at the standby position during the machining operation by the various tools 50 and 58 on the blade mounting base 26, and the accumulation of chips and contamination by cutting oil are prevented. When the machining of the workpiece is completed, the workpiece is moved to the workpiece receiving position prior to the separation of the workpiece by the parting tool 52, and the workpiece is received in that state.
[0025]
The conveyor device 66 is rotatable between the pair of guide plates 70 at the longitudinal ends of the pair of guide plates 70 fixedly installed on the machine base 14 on the side of the tool post device 20. A pair of support wheels 72 that are pivotally supported and an endless conveying member 74 that surrounds the support wheels 72 and is supported between the support wheels 72 are provided. The endless transport member 74 is preferably a flat belt, and is disposed on the machine base 14 so as to extend in the Z-axis direction between the processing work chamber and the collection position 64. Preferably, the transport portion located above the endless loop of the endless transport member 74 is slidably supported by a support plate 75 (FIG. 6) that is fixedly disposed between the two guide plates 70.
[0026]
As shown in a cross-sectional view in FIG. 4, the conveyor device 66 further includes a rotating shaft 76 that supports each of the pair of support wheels 72. Each rotating shaft 76 is rotatably supported by a pair of guide plates 70 via a pair of bearings 78. A one-way clutch 80 is installed between each support wheel 72 and each corresponding rotation shaft 76, so that the support wheel 72 and the rotation shaft 76 are mutually only in one direction around the rotation shaft 76. Rotational motion can be transmitted between them.
[0027]
The pair of rotating shafts 76 is connected to the feed base 22 of the tool post device 20 via a power transmission mechanism including a chain 82 and a pair of sprockets 84. Each sprocket 84 is fixed to one end of each rotating shaft 76 on the outer side of the guide plate 70 closer to the tool post device 20, that is, on the opposite side of each support wheel 72 (FIGS. 4 and 5). The chain 82 is installed around the sprockets 84 and is fixedly connected to one side surface of the feed base 22 of the tool post device 20 via, for example, an attachment 86 at both ends. The power transmission mechanism including the chain 82 and the pair of sprockets 84 transmits the movement operation of the tool rest device 20 in the Z-axis direction to the pair of rotating shafts 76, whereby the conveyor device 66 causes the Z-axis of the tool rest device 20 to move. Driven in conjunction with movement in the direction.
[0028]
The driving force transmitted from the tool post device 20 to the pair of rotary shafts 76 moves the feed base 22 of the tool post device 20 away from the main shaft 16 along the Z axis by the action of the one-way clutch 80 described above. Only when it is transmitted to the pair of support wheels 72 as a rotational force in the direction of arrow A in FIG. As a result, the conveyor device 66 is driven only in the direction in which the transport portion located above the endless loop of the endless transport member 74 moves from the processing work chamber to the collection position 64 (direction of arrow B in FIG. 2). As described above, in the processed product collection apparatus 10, the drive source of the conveyor device 66 is the Z-axis servomotor 30 of the tool post device 20, so that a dedicated servomotor for the conveyor device is not required.
[0029]
With the above-described configuration, the conveyor device 66 operates when the feed base 22 moves on the machine base 14 in the direction away from the main shaft 16 along the Z axis, and is processed by a distance corresponding to the movement distance of the feed base 22. Is conveyed from the processing work chamber toward the collection position 64. On the other hand, when the feed base 22 moves along the Z axis in a direction approaching the main shaft 16, the conveyor device 66 stops without being operated, and the processed product stays at the position at that time. Therefore, when the feed base 22 repeats reciprocating movement in the Z-axis direction on the machine base 14, the conveyor device 66 is intermittently operated, and the workpiece is gradually conveyed toward the collection position 64. As a means for preventing the support wheel 72 from rotating around the rotating shaft 76 without the one-way clutch 80 acting properly when the feed base 22 moves in the direction approaching the main shaft 16. The endless conveying member 74 is slightly pushed upward by the support plate 75 described above, and the endless conveying member 74 is stopped by friction between them.
[0030]
In a normal machining process in the automatic lathe 12, when the machining of one workpiece is completed by the various tools 50 and 58 attached to the tool mounting base 26 of the tool post device 20, the parting tool 52 is finally moved by the Y-axis operation. Cut the workpiece from the rest of the bar. The processed product is discharged to the conveyor device 66 that is stopped through the discharge member 62 disposed below the processing work position in the processing work chamber. Thereafter, when the feed base 22 is moved in the direction away from the main shaft 16 along the Z axis, the conveyor device 66 is operated in conjunction therewith, and the processed product received from the discharge member 62 is conveyed toward the collection position 64 by a predetermined distance. To do. The Z-axis movement of the feed base 22 at this time is realized by an indispensable return operation of the feed base 22 to prepare for the processing work of the next workpiece portion of the bar material fed from the spindle 16 after the workpiece is separated. it can. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform independent control only for driving the conveyor device 66 on the Z-axis servomotor 30.
[0031]
After the conveyor device 66 transports the workpieces to the collection position 64 by a predetermined distance, when the next processing is performed by the tools 50 and 58 of the tool post device 20, the feed base 22 moves along the Z axis to the main shaft 16 The conveyor device 66 does not operate during the movement in the direction approaching, and the processed product stays at the current position. Then, when the processing of the next workpiece is substantially completed, at the final stage, the cut-off tool 52 separates the next workpiece from the remaining portion of the bar as described above. The next processed product is also discharged to the stopped conveyor device 66 through the discharge member 62. At this time, the previous processed product has already moved toward the collection position 64 by a predetermined distance. Collisions between each other are reliably avoided. In this way, with the progress of the machining operation in the automatic lathe 12, a plurality of workpieces are automatically aligned and arranged on the upper surface of the endless conveying member 74 of the conveyor device 66, and gradually and gradually move toward the collection position 64. It will be conveyed to.
[0032]
The distance that the conveyor device 66 conveys the workpiece in conjunction with the Z-axis movement of the feed base 22 corresponds to the movement distance of the feed base 22 as described above. At this time, by appropriately selecting and designing the outer diameter dimension of the support wheel 72 that supports the endless conveyance member 74 and the outer diameter dimension of the sprocket 84 that engages with the chain 82, the moving distance and processing of the feed base 22 are designed. The relationship with the product transport distance can be set appropriately. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the outer diameter of the support wheel 72 is larger than the outer diameter of the sprocket 84, an arbitrary point on the chain 82 moves from the position P1 to the position P2 as the feed base 22 moves. The workpiece W at the position P1 on the endless conveying member 74 moves to a position P3 farther than the position P2. In this manner, the return distance of the feed base 22 determined in accordance with the length of the next portion of the bar to be processed is adjusted to a length obtained by appropriately expanding the return distance of the workpiece by the conveyor device 66. it can. Further, in the continuous machining process of one workpiece, the feed base 22 may repeat the Z-axis reciprocating operation. Therefore, in the processed product collection apparatus 10, the interval between the plurality of processed products conveyed by the conveyor device 66 is set to be extended to a length that can reliably prevent the processed products from colliding with each other on the endless conveying member 74. Can do.
[0033]
The processed product recovery apparatus 10 having the above configuration has the following special effects. First, since the Z-axis servomotor 30 of the tool post device 20 can be used together as a drive source for the conveyor device 66, an electric motor dedicated to the conveyor device becomes unnecessary, and accordingly, a power supply facility and a control signal supply facility for the conveyor device. Therefore, the processed product recovery apparatus 10 having a simple structure and an inexpensive structure is provided. Further, the Z-axis servo motor 30 is inherently essential to the automatic lathe 12, and even when the conveyor device 66 is intermittently driven, the heat generated by the Z-axis servo motor 30 causes the processing accuracy of the automatic lathe 12. There is no fear of affecting In addition, since the conveyor device 66 can be driven by the essential return operation of the feed base 22 when continuously processing the material, it is necessary to perform independent control only for driving the conveyor device 66 on the Z-axis servo motor 30. There is no.
[0034]
In addition, since the processed product collection apparatus 10 includes the conveyor device 66, the processed products discharged from the discharge member 62 are spaced one by one, particularly for processed products that require high accuracy in terms of dimensional tolerances and surface roughness. It is possible to prevent damage to the workpiece due to collision between the workpieces. In this case, another conveyor device (not shown) that intermittently feeds containers that can receive the processed products one by one is installed at the collection position 64 so that the processed products are sequentially received from the conveyor device 66 into the containers. You can also For processed products that do not require high accuracy, a collection box 88 (FIG. 7) that can accommodate a large number of processed products may be installed at the collection position 64.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 7, in a workshop in which a plurality of automatic lathes 12 are arranged side by side, the workpiece recovery apparatus 10 can easily collect workpieces processed by the respective automatic lathes 12 away from the processing chamber. Since it can convey to the collection | recovery position 64, the complexity which an operator approaches to the process work room of each automatic lathe 12 can be eliminated. In particular, even when a plurality of automatic lathes 12 each provided with a bar supply device 90 are arranged in parallel as illustrated in order to reduce the machine installation space, the front end of each automatic lathe 12 facing the passage 92 (see FIG. In the right end), the recovery position 64 is set and the recovery box 88 can be installed, so that it is very easy to recover the processed product.
[0036]
The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the automatic lathe according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the following modifications are possible.
For example, in the processed product collection apparatus 10, by allowing one rotating shaft 76 of the conveyor device 66 to idle in both directions with respect to the corresponding support wheel 72, the driving force by the tool post device 20 is supplied to the other of the conveyor devices 66. It can also be configured to transmit only to the support wheel 72.
[0037]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, as the power transmission mechanism for transmitting the movement operation of the tool post device 20 in the Z-axis direction to the rotating shaft 76 of the conveyor device 66, the above-described chain 82 and a pair of pairs are used. Instead of the sprocket 84, a pressing portion 94 that protrudes fixedly on the side surface of the feed base 22, and a lever that is fixedly connected to the rotary shaft 76 of one of the conveyor devices 66 (the one closer to the collection position 64 in the figure). A mechanism consisting of 96 can be employed. In this case, the pressing portion 94 of the feed base 22 is formed at a position where it can engage with the protrusion 96 a at the free end of the lever 96. The lever 96 is biased to the initial position (solid line in FIG. 8B) via the tension spring 98.
[0038]
In this configuration, when the feed base 22 moves in the Z-axis direction away from the main shaft 16 (FIG. 1), the projection 96a of the lever 96 is pressed, and the lever 96 is swung clockwise in FIG. 8 (b). . The swing of the lever 96 is transmitted to the support wheel 72 through the one-way clutch 80 as a driving force in the direction indicated by the arrow A, and moves the endless transport member 74 in the direction indicated by the arrow B. When the feed base 22 moves in the Z-axis direction approaching the main shaft 16 (FIG. 1), the lever 96 automatically returns to the initial position by the bias of the tension spring 98. The swing of the lever 96 at this time is not transmitted to the support wheel 72 due to the action of the one-way clutch 80. In this way, the conveyor device 66 can be intermittently driven in conjunction with the Z-axis movement of the feed base 22. If this power transmission mechanism is employed, when the feed base 22 moves in the Z-axis direction approaching the main shaft 16 (FIG. 1), no extra load is applied to the feed base 22 by the chain 82 or the like. However, there is an advantage that the fear of affecting the machining operation of the automatic lathe 12 can be eliminated.
[0039]
In the above-described embodiment, the tool post device 20 of the automatic lathe 12 is configured to apply a driving force to the conveyor device 66. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other processing functions move in the control axis direction parallel to the central axis of the main shaft. It can also be set as the structure which provides a driving force with an apparatus. Such other processing function devices include a turret-type tool post capable of rotating and indexing a plurality of tools, and a bar material released from the spindle in a state of being opposed to the spindle on the lathe machine stand. A second main spindle (generally referred to as a rear main spindle) to be held can be cited as an example.
[0040]
Moreover, although the automatic lathe 12 provided with the workpiece collection apparatus 10 was demonstrated in the said embodiment, in various machine tools provided with the processing function apparatus which moves to the control-axis direction parallel to the center axis line of a main shaft ahead of a main shaft. In addition, a configuration in which the processed product collection apparatus according to the present invention is selectively attached by retrofitting may be employed.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, in the workpiece collection device attached to the machine tool, the drive motor dedicated to the conveyor device that conveys the workpiece to the collection position can be eliminated. The influence of the heat generated by the drive mechanism on the machining accuracy of the machine tool can be eliminated, and the workpiece recovery device can be manufactured at low cost. In addition, by attaching such a workpiece recovery device to an automatic lathe, it is possible to easily collect workpieces without affecting the processing accuracy of the automatic lathe, providing an inexpensive and high-performance automatic lathe. can do.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an automatic lathe equipped with a workpiece recovery apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the automatic lathe of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of a main part of the processed product collection apparatus of FIG. 1;
4 is a cross-sectional view of the conveyor device taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2;
5 is a schematic plan view showing a power transmission mechanism of the workpiece recovery apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG.
6 is a partial sectional view of the conveyor device taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 4;
7 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which a plurality of automatic lathes of FIG. 1 are arranged side by side. FIG.
8 is a view showing a modified example of the power transmission mechanism of the workpiece recovery apparatus of FIG. 1, (a) a schematic plan view, and (b) a partial cross-sectional view of the conveyor device along line VIII-VIII.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 ... Processed product collection device
12 ... Automatic lathe
16 ... Spindle
20 ... Turret device
22 ... Feeding table
30 ... Z-axis servo motor
52 ... Cut-off tool
62 ... discharge member
64 ... Collection position
66 ... Conveyor device
68 ... Actuator
70 ... Guide plate
72 ... support wheel
74: Endless conveying member
76 ... Rotating shaft
80 ... one-way clutch
82 ... Chain
84 ... Sprocket
94 ... Pressing part
96 ... Lever
98 ... Tension spring

Claims

Attached to a machine tool having a spindle installed on the machine base, and a processing function device installed on the machine base in front of the spindle and moving in a control axis direction parallel to the central axis of the spindle, In a workpiece collection device for collecting a workpiece that has been processed by the machine tool,
A conveyor device that conveys a workpiece received from the machine tool to a collection position, the conveyor device being supported by a pair of support wheels, and at least one of the support wheels via a one-way clutch; And a power transmission mechanism for transmitting a movement operation of the machining function device in the direction of the control axis to the rotation shaft .

The workpiece recovery device according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor device transports workpieces by a distance corresponding to a movement distance of the processing function device in the control axis direction away from the main shaft.

The workpiece recovery apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the conveyor device gradually transports workpieces according to repetition of a reciprocating movement operation of the processing function device in the control axis direction.

The apparatus further includes a discharge member that discharges a workpiece received in the vicinity of a processing work position by a tool of the machine tool to the conveyor device by a gravitational action, and the discharge member is disposed on the machine table of the machine tool. The workpiece collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the workpiece collection device is movable between a workpiece receiving position below the work position and a standby position apart from the workpiece receiving position .

A spindle installed on the machine base, a machining function device installed on the machine base in front of the spindle and moving in a control axis direction parallel to the central axis of the spindle, and installed on the machine base, In an automatic lathe equipped with a workpiece recovery device for recovering a workpiece that has been processed,
The processed product collection apparatus includes a conveyor device that conveys a received processed product to a collection position, and the conveyor device is supported by a pair of support wheels and at least one of the support wheels in one direction. An automatic lathe, comprising: a rotary shaft coupled via a clutch; and a power transmission mechanism for transmitting a movement operation of the machining function device in the direction of the control axis to the rotary shaft .

The automatic lathe according to claim 5, wherein the conveyor device conveys a workpiece by a distance corresponding to a movement distance of the machining function device in the control axis direction away from the spindle .

The automatic lathe according to claim 5 or 6 , wherein the conveyor device gradually conveys a workpiece according to repetition of a reciprocating movement operation of the machining function device in the control axis direction .

The apparatus further includes a discharge member that is disposed on the machine base and discharges the processed product received in the vicinity of the processing work position by the tool to the conveyor device by a gravitational action, and the discharge member is configured to perform the processing on the machine base. The automatic lathe according to any one of claims 5 to 7, which is movable between a workpiece receiving position below the work position and a standby position apart from the workpiece receiving position .

The automatic lathe according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the processing function device includes a tool post device that is movably installed on the machine base .