JP4365153B2 - Tool change position setting method in horizontal machining center - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
        The present invention comprises a tool changerMethod for setting the tool change position in a horizontal machining centerAbout.
[0002]
[Prior art]
        Generally, a horizontal machining center is arranged horizontally, a spindle on which a tool is mounted in a tapered hole, a table on which a workpiece is placed and fixed, and the spindle and the table, a Z-axis parallel to the axis of the spindle, Replaces the tool mounted on the spindle with a new tool, which moves relative to the Z axis and the X axis orthogonal to each other in the horizontal plane, and the Y axis orthogonal to both the Z axis and the X axis. It is configured with a tool changer and the like.
[0003]
        The tool changer includes a tool magazine having a plurality of holding parts for holding various tools, a spindle tool gripping part for gripping a tool mounted in a tapered hole of the spindle on one end side, and a tool magazine on the other end side. An exchange arm provided with a next tool gripping part for gripping the next tool transferred from the tool magazine and positioned at a predetermined position, and provided in parallel to the axis of the main shaft, and perpendicular to the central part of the exchange arm And a drive mechanism unit that rotates the rotary shaft about its axis and moves it along the axis.
[0004]
        Conventionally, the tool change by the tool changer has been performed by sequentially executing each operation as shown in FIGS. In addition, each (i) and (ii) in a figure is the top view and front view for demonstrating tool change operation | movement.
[0005]
        First, as shown in FIG. 11 (a), the rotary shaft 91 is rotated about its axis, and the tool T mounted in the tapered hole of the main shaft 92 is gripped by the main shaft tool gripping portion 93a of the replacement arm 93, A gripping operation is performed in which the tool (next tool) T ′ transferred from the tool magazine and positioned at a predetermined position is gripped by the next tool gripping portion 93 b of the replacement arm 93.
[0006]
        Next, as shown in FIG. 11B, the rotary shaft 91 is linearly moved along the axis in a direction in which the exchange arm 93 moves away from the main shaft 92, and the tools T and T ′ gripped by the exchange arm 93 are moved. Extraction operations are performed to extract from the main shaft 92 and the tool magazine holder 94, respectively.
[0007]
        Next, as shown in FIG. 11 (c), after the rotation operation for rotating the rotary shaft 91 about its axis by 180 ° is executed, the rotary shaft 91 is moved to its axis as shown in FIG. 11 (d). Then, the replacement arm 93 is linearly moved in the direction approaching the main shaft 92 to mount the tool T ′ in the taper hole of the main shaft 92 while holding the tool T in the holding portion 94.
[0008]
        The change arm 93 is appropriately moved to the position before the tool change operation is started, that is, the standby position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. The changed tool T is replaced with a new tool T ′.
[0009]
        As described above, when the tool is changed, the tool (next tool) can be moved within a predetermined region by the tool changing device. For this reason, the spindle and the table are not changed. Therefore, it is necessary to have a positional relationship such that the operation range of the tool and the table and the workpiece fixed on the table do not interfere with each other.
[0010]
        On the other hand, if the tool is changed at a position where the spindle and table are separated more than necessary for safety reasons, the external dimensions of the horizontal machining center will increase, resulting in higher manufacturing costs and a larger installation area. Cause inconvenience.
[0011]
        Therefore, in the conventional horizontal machining center, the tool change position is described below so that the tool change can be performed at the tool change position where the spindle and the table are closest to each other without causing interference. Thus, the calculated position is set.
[0012]
        FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a tool change position in the case where the table is a non-rotating fixed table 52. First, it is defined by the maximum length and the maximum diameter of a tool that can be mounted on the spindle 51. And an operation range R in the X-axis / Z-axis plane in which the assumed maximum tool (virtual tool) Tm moves by the series of tool changing operations is verified. As shown in FIG. 12, the assumed shape of the maximum tool Tm and the operation range R of the maximum tool Tm are each rectangular in plan view.
[0013]
        Next, when the distance ΔZ in the Z-axis direction between the point Sa where the axis of the main shaft 51 intersects with the end surface thereof and the center point Ta of the fixed table 52 is a preset distance, the operating range R, The distance ΔX in the X-axis direction is the smallest value within a range that does not interfere with the maximum work Wm that can be placed on the fixed table 52 (or the fixed table 52 when the maximum work Wm is smaller than the fixed table 52). Thus, the main shaft 51 and the fixed table 52 are brought close to each other, and the relative positional relationship between the main shaft 51 and the fixed table 52 at the time of tool change is obtained by using the ΔX and ΔZ in this state.
[0014]
        The distance ΔZ is a distance that is set so that the workpiece W on the fixed table 52 can be machined by the tool when the longest possible tool is used.
[0015]
        FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing the tool change position in the case of the rotary table 53 provided so that the table is rotatable. Similarly to the above, first, assuming the maximum tool Tm, the tool is changed. The operating range R at the time of replacement is verified, and then when the point Sa intersects the axis of the main shaft 51 and its end face, and the distance ΔZ is set to a preset distance, the operating range R and the rotation table 53 The distance ΔX in the X-axis direction is within a range that does not interfere with the rotation operation range S of the maximum workpiece Wm that can be placed on the rotation table (the rotation operation range S ′ of the rotation table 53 when the maximum workpiece Wm is smaller than the rotation table 53). The spindle 51 and the rotary table 53 are brought close to each other so that the value becomes the smallest value, and the relative relation between the spindle 51 and the rotary table 53 at the time of tool change is obtained with the ΔX and ΔZ in this state. It is to the positional relationship.
[0016]
        The interference in the X-axis / Z-axis plane is verified in this way when the maximum width and maximum height of the workpiece allowed in the horizontal machining center are compared. Therefore, if the interference in the X axis-Z axis plane in consideration of the maximum width of the workpiece is verified, the relative positional relationship between the spindle and the table is calculated so that the spindle and the table are closest to each other. Because it can be done.
[0017]
        In addition, the maximum length and the maximum diameter of the maximum tool are set based on the rigidity and clamping ability of the spindle, and the maximum width of the workpiece is set based on the size and rigidity of the table.
[0018]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
        By the way, in recent years, in order to increase production efficiency in every manufacturing department, there is an increasing demand for reducing the installation area of machines used for manufacturing. The horizontal machining center is no exception, and its downsizing is required. Yes.
[0019]
        However, the range of movement of the tool at the time of tool change is determined by a series of operations in the tool changer, so that the relative positional relationship between the spindle and the table becomes a certain distance or more with the conventional tool change operation. It was not possible to make them approach, that is, to further reduce the size (outer dimensions) of the entire horizontal machining center.
[0020]
        Further, as described above, the maximum tool assumed when setting the tool change position is defined by the maximum length and the maximum diameter of the tool that can be mounted on the spindle, and is normally used in a horizontal machining center. For machining, the diameter of the tool needs to be reduced if the tool length is long, and conversely, if the tool length is short, the diameter can be increased. That is, for a tool of a given length, there is a limit diameter that is acceptable for that length. This is easy with a configuration in which a tool with a large diameter, such as a face mill, is held by a long holder, causing chatter vibration during processing, or a problem that the gripping force of the spindle is weakened because the tool weight becomes too heavy. Can understand.
[0021]
        As described above, the maximum tool actually used is not defined by the maximum length and the maximum diameter of the tool that can be mounted on the spindle, but is allowed for each length depending on the length of the tool. It is to be considered as having the largest diameter.
[0022]
        However, conventionally, assuming that the shape of the maximum tool is a rectangular shape defined by the maximum length and the maximum diameter, which is larger than the shape of the maximum tool that is actually used, The relative positional relationship between the tables is determined, and in a strict sense, it is difficult to say that the spindle and the table are set close to each other.
[0023]
        The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a horizontal machining center configured to perform tool replacement at a position where the spindle and the table are closer to each other than in the past. .
[0024]
[Means for solving the problems and effects thereof]
        In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is arranged horizontally, a main shaft on which a tool is mounted in a tapered hole, a table on which a workpiece is placed, a first axis parallel to the axis of the main shaft, the first A feed mechanism section that relatively moves the main shaft and the table in a three-axis orthogonal direction of a second axis orthogonal to the axis in a horizontal plane and a third axis orthogonal to both the first axis and the second axis; An exchange arm provided with gripping portions at both ends, and a tool changer having a drive mechanism that rotates the exchange arm around an axis parallel to the spindle axis and linearly moves along the spindle axis.e,
        In the tool changer, a new tool is inserted into one gripping portion in a state where the spindle and the table are located at a predetermined tool change position in a two-dimensional plane constituted by the first axis and the second axis. The movement of moving the tool linearly in the direction away from the main shaft and the operation of rotating 90 ° around the axis is combined with the replacement arm in a state where the tool mounted in the taper hole of the main shaft is gripped by the other gripping portion. The tool mounted on the main shaft is extracted by performing the extraction operation, and then the mounting operation is performed by combining the operation of continuously rotating 90 ° in the same direction and the operation of linearly moving in the direction approaching the main shaft. It is configured to install a new tool in the taper hole of the spindle.A method of setting the tool change position in a horizontal machining center,
      in frontThe maximum tool that can be mounted on the spindle by dividing the maximum length of the tool that can be mounted on the spindle into a plurality of length sections and setting the maximum tool diameter that can be taken for each length section. Shape and virtual,
        Next,In the two-dimensional planeThe relative positional relationship between the spindle and the table inThe main shaftEnd faceAnd tableCenter positionThe distance in the direction along the first axis betweenThe maximum workpiece that can be placed on the table can be processed using the maximum length tool.When the distance is set, the distance in the direction along the second axis is the smallest, and the operation range of the virtual tool in the sampling operation and the mounting operation and the maximum workpiece that can be placed on the table or the table are Do not interfereThe relative position between the spindle and the table is calculated, and the calculated position of the spindle and the table is set as the tool change position.Horizontal machining center characterized byTool change position setting methodConcerning.
[0025]
        This inventionHorizontal machining center related toAccording to the above, when the tool changer performs the extraction operation and the attachment operation, the tool attached to the spindle is replaced with a new tool.
[0026]
        That is, in the sampling operation, the replacement arm in a state in which a new tool is gripped by one gripping part and the tool mounted in the tapered hole of the spindle is gripped by the other gripping part is moved to the spindle axis line in a direction away from the spindle. A combined action of a linear movement along the axis and a 90 ° rotation around an axis parallel to the spindle axis is performed, whereby the tool mounted in the tapered hole of the spindle is extracted from the spindle.
[0027]
        On the other hand, in the mounting operation, an operation in which the exchange arm continues to rotate 90 ° in the same direction as the rotation during the extraction operation and an operation that moves linearly in a direction approaching the main shaft is performed. A new tool is installed in the tapered hole of the main shaft.
[0028]
        And the tool change position where a spindle and a table should be located in the case of the said tool change is set as follows.
[0029]
        First, it can be mounted on the spindleNapAssuming a large tool, the operation range in which the assumed maximum tool (virtual tool) moves by the extraction operation and the mounting operation in the two-dimensional plane constituted by the first axis and the second axis is verified..
[0030]
        In the sampling operation, the movement of the exchange arm linearly in the direction along the spindle axis and the action of rotating around the axis parallel to the spindle axis are combined, that is, each action is performed in parallel. The maximum tool gripped by (2) draws a movement locus that approaches the rotation center axis of the exchange arm while moving away from the main axis in the two-dimensional plane.
[0031]
        On the other hand, in the mounting operation, the movement of the exchange arm rotating around an axis parallel to the spindle axis and the movement of linear movement in the direction along the spindle axis are performed in parallel, so the maximum tool gripped by the exchange arm Draws a movement trajectory that moves away from the rotation center axis of the exchange arm while approaching the main axis in the two-dimensional plane.
[0032]
        Thus,For example, when the shape of the maximum tool is a rectangular shape in plan view,The operating range of the tool accompanying the extraction operation and the mounting operation is a shape that is tapered in the extraction direction in plan view.
[0033]
        Next, the relative positional relationship between the spindle and the table in the two-dimensional plane,End faceAnd tableCenter positionThe distance along the first axis betweenThe maximum workpiece that can be placed on the table can be processed using the maximum length tool.When the distance is set, the distance in the direction along the second axis is the smallest, and the operation range of the verified maximum tool does not interfere with the table or the maximum workpiece that can be placed on the table. A relative position is calculated, and the calculated spindle and table positions are set as the tool change position.
[0034]
              The preset distance in the first axis direction is a distance that is set so that the workpiece on the table can be processed by the tool when the longest tool that can be mounted on the spindle is used. It is.
[0035]
        Thus, according to the horizontal machining center according to the present invention, the operating range of the tool at the time of tool change is tapered in the extraction direction, so that the operating range is made smaller than before by the amount of taper. Thus, by reducing the operation range in this way, it is possible to make the positional relationship between the spindle and the table closer to each other when the tool is changed. Thereby, the size of the entire horizontal machining center including the tool changer can be made more compact, and the installation area can be reduced.
[0036]
        by the way,sideThe maximum tool actually used in the machining center is not defined by the maximum length and diameter of the tool that can be mounted on the spindle. The maximum allowable for each length depends on the length of the tool. It is considered as having a diameter of.
[0037]
        Therefore, in the present invention,The shape of the maximum tool (virtual tool)Nextlikedo itSetTheThat is, assuming the maximum tool length that can be mounted on the spindle, divide the assumed tool length into multiple length segments, and then set the maximum tool diameter that can be taken for each length segment. The tool shape having a multi-stepped shape in plan view is set by superimposing the tool shape having a rectangular shape in plan view defined by the set length of each section and the maximum tool diameter. Then, the tool shape set in this way is virtually assumed as the shape of the maximum tool (virtual tool) that can be mounted on the spindle.
[0038]
        By assuming the maximum tool in this way, it is assumed that the size of the maximum tool is smaller and smaller than the tool shape defined uniformly by the maximum length and the maximum diameter, and more suitable for actual use conditions. Can do. The operation range at the time of the tool change using such a virtual tool is tapered since the virtual tool itself is tapered, and the spindle and the table are positioned when the tool is changed. The positions of the horizontal machining centers can be made further compact, and the overall size of the horizontal machining center can be made more compact.
[0039]
        There is no limit to the number of tools divided into multiple length sections, but the greater the number of divisions, the closer the assumed virtual tool shape is to the maximum tool shape actually used. It is preferable.
[0040]
        The virtual tool shape may be a shape obtained by sequentially connecting the stepped corner portions of the multi-stepped shape.
[0041]
        Further, when the table of the horizontal machining center is provided so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the third axis, the tool change position is set within the two-dimensional plane.InSpindleEnd faceAnd tableCenter positionThe distance along the first axis betweenThe largest workpiece that can be placed on the table can be machined with the longest toolWhen the distance is set, the distance in the direction along the second axis is the smallest, and the operation range of the virtual tool in the sampling operation and the mounting operation, the rotation operation range of the table, or the maximum workpiece that can be placed on the table Does not interfere with each other.Calculate the relative position between the spindle and table, and use the calculated spindle and table position as the tool change position.It is good to set.
[0042]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
        Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a horizontal machining center according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view thereof.
[0043]
        As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the horizontal machining center 1 of this example includes a bed 10, a column 11 disposed on the bed 10, and movable in the X-axis (second axis) direction. The spindle head 12 is supported by the spindle head 12 and is movable in the Y-axis (third axis) direction. The spindle head 12 is supported by the spindle head 12 so as to be rotatable about the axis. A table 14 which is disposed and has a workpiece W placed on the upper surface, is movable in the Z-axis (first axis) direction, and is rotatable about a rotation center axis parallel to the Y-axis, the column 11, and the spindle head. 12 and the table 14 are moved in the axial direction, a feed mechanism (not shown), a rotation drive mechanism (not shown) for rotating the table 14, and a tool T mounted on the spindle 13 as a new tool. Tool changer 20 for exchanging with T ′ Ete constructed.
[0044]
        The spindle 13 is formed with a tapered hole at the center thereof, and a collet for holding and fixing the tool T and a draw bar for driving the tool T are disposed in the tapered hole. When the tool is changed by the changing device 20, the holding and fixing of the tool T by the collet are appropriately released.
[0045]
        The tool changer 20 includes a tool magazine 21 having a plurality of holding portions for holding various tools, a spindle tool gripping portion 22a for gripping the tool T attached to the spindle 13 on one end side, and the other end. On the side, an exchange arm 22 provided with a next tool gripping portion 22b for gripping a tool (next tool) T ′ transferred from the tool magazine 21 and positioned at a predetermined position, and provided in parallel with the axis of the main shaft 13 are exchanged. A rotating shaft 23 connected to the central portion of the arm 22 so as to be orthogonal thereto, and a driving mechanism (not shown) that rotates the rotating shaft 23 about the axis and moves along the axis. Become.
[0046]
        The tool changer 20 is mounted on the spindle 13 by sequentially executing the operations shown in FIGS. 3 (a), 3 (b) and 3 (c) and FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b). The tool T is configured to be replaced with a new tool T ′. In addition, when performing the tool change, the column 11, the spindle head 12 and the table 14 are each appropriately moved to the tool change position. Each (i) and (ii) in the figure is a plan view and a front view for explaining the tool changing operation.
[0047]
        First, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the rotary shaft 23 is rotated about its axis so that the tool T mounted in the tapered hole of the main shaft 13 is gripped by the main shaft tool gripping portion 22a of the replacement arm 22, A gripping operation in which the tool T ′ transferred from the tool magazine 21 and positioned at a predetermined position is gripped by the next tool gripping portion 22 b of the replacement arm 22 is executed.
[0048]
        Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, a first extraction operation is performed in which the rotating shaft 23 is linearly moved along the axis in a direction in which the exchange arm 22 moves away from the main shaft 13 by a predetermined amount. As shown in (c), the rotary shaft 23 is continuously moved linearly along its axis, rotated 90 ° about its axis, and the tools T and T ′ are respectively extracted from the main shaft 13 and the holding portion 21a. Perform a sampling operation.
[0049]
        Next, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the rotation shaft 23 is continuously rotated by 90 ° about the axis center, and the exchange arm 22 is linearly moved by a predetermined amount along the axis line in a direction approaching the main shaft 13. Next, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the mounting operation is performed, and the rotary shaft 23 is continuously moved linearly along the axis to mount the tool T ′ in the tapered hole of the main shaft 13. A second mounting operation is performed in which the holding portion 21a holds.
[0050]
        Thereafter, the change arm 22 is appropriately moved to a position before the tool change operation is started, that is, to a standby position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG.
[0051]
        As described above, the tools T and T ′ are extracted from the main shaft 13 and the holding portion 21a by the extraction operation in which the linear movement operation and the rotation operation are combined, and thereafter, the mounting operation in which the rotation operation and the linear movement operation are also combined. Thus, the tool T ′ is mounted on the spindle 13 and the tool T is held by the holding portion 21a. In this way, the tool T mounted on the main shaft 13 is replaced with a new tool T ′.
[0052]
        When such tool change is performed, the tool change position at which the column 11 and the spindle head 12 (directly the spindle 13) and the table 14 are to be positioned is set as follows.
[0053]
        First, the relative positional relationship between the main shaft 13 and the table 14 in the X-axis-Z-axis plane will be described.
[0054]
        First,For example,Mountable on the main shaft 13Assuming the maximum tool, the operation range in the X-axis-Z-axis plane in which the assumed maximum tool (virtual tool) moves by the series of tool change operations is verified. For example, as a reference example for facilitating understanding of the present invention, the maximum tool (virtual tool) is used.A rectangular shape in plan view defined by the maximum length and the maximum diameter of the tool TAssuming somethingAs shown in FIG. 5, the set maximum tool (virtual tool) Tm moves in the X-axis-Z-axis plane in which the set maximum tool movement is performed by the above-described series of tool changing operations (each operation shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is performed). The range in which the maximum tool Tm operates by being executed sequentially) RButValidationBe done.
[0055]
        In the sampling operation, the maximum tool Tm gripped by the spindle tool gripping portion 22a moves linearly by the first sampling operation as described above, and then rotates around the rotary shaft 23 in parallel with the linear movement by the second sampling operation. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, after the tip corner portion of the maximum tool Tm linearly moves away from the main shaft 13, a movement locus L that approaches the axis 23 a of the rotating shaft 23 while drawing away from the main shaft 13 is drawn. In addition, about the largest tool Tm hold | gripped by the following tool holding part 22b, the symmetrical movement locus | trajectory is drawn.
[0056]
        On the other hand, in the mounting operation, the maximum tool Tm gripped by the next tool gripping portion 22b moves linearly in parallel with the rotation of the rotation shaft 23 by the first mounting operation, and then moves linearly by the second mounting operation. As a result, the maximum tool Tm approaches the main shaft 13, moves away from the axis 23 a of the rotation shaft 23, and then linearly approaches the main shaft 13 and draws a movement locus similar to FIG. 6. In addition, about the largest tool Tm hold | gripped by the spindle tool holding part 22a, the symmetrical movement locus | trajectory is drawn.
[0057]
        Thus, the operation range of the maximum tool Tm that moves by the extraction operation and the attachment operation is a shape that is tapered in the extraction direction of the tool as shown in FIG.
[0058]
        Next, as shown in FIG. 5, when the distance ΔZ in the Z-axis direction between the point Sa where the axis of the main shaft 13 intersects the end surface thereof and the center point Ta of the table 14 is set to a preset distance. Further, the operation range R of the verified maximum tool Tm and the rotation operation range S of the maximum workpiece Wm that can be placed on the table 14 (the rotation operation range S of the table 14 when the maximum workpiece Wm is smaller than the table 14). The main shaft 13 and the table 14 are brought close to each other so that the distance ΔX in the X-axis direction becomes the smallest value within a range in which no interference occurs with '). And the relative positional relationship between the tables 14.
[0059]
        The distance ΔZ is a distance set so that the maximum workpiece Wm on the table 14 can be machined by the tool when a tool having a maximum length is assumed.
[0060]
        On the other hand, for the position in the Y-axis direction where the main shaft 13 should be located in the X-axis-Y-axis plane, if the position of the main shaft 13 in the X-axis-Z-axis plane is determined as described above, The maximum tool Tm does not interfere with the table 14 or the maximum workpiece Wm, and this can be arbitrarily set as appropriate.
[0061]
        Thus, according to the horizontal machining center 1 of the present example, the operating range of the tool T at the time of tool change is tapered in the extraction direction, so that the operating range is made smaller than before by the amount of taper. In this way, by reducing the operation range, the positional relationship between the spindle 13 and the table 14 can be made closer when the tool is changed. Thereby, the magnitude | size of the horizontal machining center 1 whole including the tool change apparatus 20 can be made more compact compared with the past, and the installation area can be made small.
[0062]
        still,The maximum tool that is actually used in the horizontal machining center 1 is not defined by the maximum length and the maximum diameter of the tool that can be mounted on the spindle 13, and is allowed for each length according to the length of the tool. It is conceived as having the largest diameter. This is because, in a configuration in which a tool T having a large diameter such as a face mill is held by a long holder, there is a problem that chatter vibrations occur during processing, or the gripping force of the spindle 13 is weakened because the tool weight becomes too heavy. Can be easily understood.
[0063]
        For this reason,In this example,Shape of the virtual toolNextlikedo itSettingDo. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, a tool T having a maximum length L5 that can be mounted on the spindle 13 is assumed, and the assumed length of the tool T is divided into, for example, five length sections (L1, L2, L3, L4, L5). The maximum tool diameter (D1, D2, D3, D4, D5) that can be taken is set for each length section. The tool shape for each length section set in this way is a rectangular shape as shown in the figure.
[0064]
  Next, the obtained rectangular tool shape for each section is superimposed, and a tool shape having a multi-stepped shape in plan view is assumed as the shape of the maximum tool that can be mounted on the spindle 13. The tool shape obtained in this way is shown in FIG.
[0065]
        Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the operation range R of the maximum tool Tm obtained is verified in the same manner as described above, and the operation range verified when the distance ΔZ in the Z-axis direction is set to a preset distance. The distance ΔX in the X-axis direction is the smallest value in a range in which R and the maximum workpiece Wm placed on the table 14 do not interfere with each other (the table 14 when the maximum workpiece Wm is smaller than the table 14). The main shaft 13 and the table 14 are moved closer to each other, and the relative position relationship between the main shaft 13 and the table 14 at the time of tool change is defined by the ΔX and ΔZ in this state.
[0066]
        By assuming the maximum tool shape in this way, the maximum tool shape is assumed to be smaller and smaller in size than the tool shape uniformly defined by the maximum length and the maximum diameter. be able to. The operation range at the time of the tool change using such a virtual tool is tapered since the virtual tool itself is tapered, and the spindle 13 and the table 14 are changed when the tool is changed. The positions of the horizontal machining centers 1 can be made closer, and the overall size of the horizontal machining center 1 can be made more compact.
[0067]
        Further, the shape of the maximum tool Tm is a shape obtained by sequentially connecting the stepped corners of the multi-stepped shape as shown in FIG. 10 instead of the multi-stepped shape as shown in FIG. It is also good. Even if it does in this way, the same effect is produced.
[0068]
        Further, in the above example, the table 14 is configured to be rotatable around its rotation center axis, but is not limited thereto, and may be configured to be non-rotating.
[0069]
        In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the relative positional relationship between the spindle 13 and the table 14 at the time of the tool change includes the operation range R of the maximum tool Tm and the maximum workpiece Wm (maximum) placed on the table 14. When the workpiece Wm is smaller than the table 14, the table 14) does not interfere with each other in the Z-axis direction between the point Sa where the axis of the spindle 13 intersects with the end surface thereof and the center point Ta of the table 14. When the distance ΔZ is a preset distance, the positional relationship is set such that the distance ΔX in the X-axis direction is the smallest value.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a horizontal machining center according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a horizontal machining center according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for describing a series of tool change operations in the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for describing a series of tool change operations in the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 shows the embodiment.CanTool change positionUsing a reference maximum tool shapeIt is explanatory drawing for demonstrating.
FIG. 6 shows the movement trajectory of the maximum tool (virtual tool) moved by the tool changer according to this embodiment.Using a reference maximum tool shapeIt is explanatory drawing for demonstrating.
[Fig. 7]RealIt is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the shape of the largest tool (virtual tool) which concerns on embodiment.
[Fig. 8]RealIt is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the shape of the largest tool (virtual tool) which concerns on embodiment.
FIG. 9RealIt is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the tool exchange position which concerns on embodiment.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a tool change position according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for describing a series of tool change operations in a conventional example.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a tool change position according to a conventional example.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a tool change position according to a conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
        1 Horizontal machining center
        10 beds
        11 columns
        12 Spindle head
        13 Spindle
        14 tables
        20 Tool changer
        21 Tool magazine
        22 Exchange arm
        23 Rotating shaft
        T, T 'tool
        Tm Maximum tool (virtual tool)
        W Work
        Wm Maximum workpiece

Claims (3)

A main axis that is horizontally disposed and on which a tool is mounted in a tapered hole; a table on which a workpiece is placed; a first axis that is parallel to the axis of the main axis; a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis in a horizontal plane; And an exchange arm provided at both ends with a feed mechanism for moving the spindle and the table relative to each other in the three orthogonal directions of the third axis orthogonal to both the first axis and the second axis, and a gripping part for gripping the tool. and with rotating the exchange arm about an axis parallel with the spindle axis, e Bei a tool changer having a drive mechanism for linearly moving along the spindle axis,
In the tool changer, a new tool is inserted into one gripping portion in a state where the spindle and the table are located at a predetermined tool change position in a two-dimensional plane constituted by the first axis and the second axis. The movement of moving the tool linearly in the direction away from the main shaft and the operation of rotating 90 ° around the axis is combined with the replacement arm in a state where the tool mounted in the taper hole of the main shaft is gripped by the other gripping portion. The tool mounted on the main shaft is extracted by performing the extraction operation, and then the mounting operation is performed by combining the operation of continuously rotating 90 ° in the same direction and the operation of linearly moving in the direction approaching the main shaft. A method of setting the tool change position in a horizontal machining center configured to attach a new tool to a tapered hole of a spindle,
Maximum pre Symbol the maximum length of which can be mounted tool spindle is divided into a plurality of length indicator, can be loaded a multistage stepped shape obtained by setting the maximum tool diameter can take its respective length divided into the main shaft Virtual with the shape of the tool ,
Next, a relative positional relationship between the spindle and the table in the two-dimensional plane, and a distance in the direction along the first axis between the spindle end surface and the center position of the table is determined on the table. When the maximum workpiece that can be placed on the surface is a distance that can be machined using the maximum length tool, the distance in the direction along the second axis is the smallest, and the virtual in the extraction operation and the mounting operation A relative position between the spindle and the table where the operation range of the tool and the table or the maximum workpiece that can be placed on the table do not interfere with each other is calculated, and the calculated spindle and table positions are replaced with the tool. tool change position setting method in horizontal machining center, characterized in that it has set as the position. The tool change in the horizontal machining center according to claim 1 , wherein a shape obtained by sequentially connecting the stepped corner portions of the multi-stepped shape is assumed to be a shape of a maximum tool that can be mounted on the spindle. Position setting method . A method of setting the tool change position in a horizontal machining center in which the table is rotatably provided about an axis parallel to the third axis,
The direction of the distance along the first axis between the center position of the spindle end face and the table in front Symbol 2-dimensional plane, the maximum work that can be placed on said table using said maximum length of the tool when a workable length Te, the distance in the direction along the second axis is minimized, and the operating range of the virtual tool in the draw-off operation and the mounting operation, the rotation operation range of the table or on the table And calculating the relative position between the spindle and the table that does not interfere with the rotation range of the maximum workpiece that can be placed on the workpiece, and setting the calculated position of the spindle and the table as the tool change position. tool change position setting method in horizontal machining center according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the.

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