JP4559033B2 - Tool change position setting method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a horizontal machining center having a tool changer, relates to setting how to set the tool change position.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, the horizontal machining center includes a horizontal spindle, a table on which a workpiece is placed and fixed, the spindle and the table, a Z axis parallel to the axis of the spindle, and the Z axis orthogonal to the horizontal plane. The X-axis to be moved, a feed mechanism section that relatively moves in the direction of the three orthogonal axes of the Y-axis orthogonal to both the Z-axis and the X-axis, a tool changer that replaces the tool mounted on the spindle with a new tool It is configured with.
[0003]
In general, the tool change by the tool changer is a series of operations such as extracting the tool attached to the main shaft and storing it in the store unit as appropriate, and taking out a new tool stored in the store unit and mounting it on the main shaft. It is done by action.
[0004]
Therefore, the spindle and the table are in such a positional relationship that, when the tool is changed, the operation range of the tool changer and the tool accompanying the tool change does not interfere with the table and the workpiece fixed on the table. It needs to be.
[0005]
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.
[0006]
Therefore, conventionally, in order to set an ideal tool change position where the spindle and the table are closest to each other without causing the interference, the tool change position is set as follows.
[0007]
That is, first, assuming a maximum tool defined by the maximum tool length that can be mounted on the spindle and the maximum tool diameter, when the assumed maximum tool is mounted on the spindle, the maximum tool The operation range in the X-axis to Z-axis plane (horizontal plane) in which the tool moves is verified, and this operation range does not interfere with the table and the workpiece fixed on the table, and the spindle and the table are closest to each other. The relative positional relationship between the two in the X axis-Z axis plane is calculated.
[0008]
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. The shape of the maximum tool assumed as described above is a rectangular shape in plan view.
[0009]
The method for setting the tool change position will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.
[0010]
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a setting method in the case where the table is a non-rotating fixed table 52. In this case, first, the maximum tool Tm is mounted in the X-axis-Z-axis plane. The main spindle 51 and the fixed table 52 on which the workpiece is placed can be placed on the fixed table 52 and the range (in this case, the operating range in the extraction operation) R in which the maximum tool Tm operates when changing tools. The maximum work Wm (or the fixed table 52 when the maximum work Wm is smaller than the fixed table 52) is disposed at a position where it does not interfere with the maximum work Wm.
[0011]
Next, 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 within a range where the interference does not occur is set as a preset distance. In some cases, the main shaft 51 and the fixed table 52 are brought close to each other so that the distance ΔX in the X-axis direction becomes the smallest value, and the main shaft 51 and the fixed table 52 at the time of tool change with the ΔX and ΔZ in this state. The relative positional relationship between them.
[0012]
Note that the distance ΔZ, when using the longest tool envisaged, the maximum workpiece W m on the stationary table 52 is a distance set so as to be processed by the tool.
[0013]
Next, based on the relative positional relationship between the spindle 51 and the table 52 at the time of tool change calculated in this way, the relative operating range of the spindle 51 and the fixed table 52 and the arrangement of the tool changer Determine the position and perform a rough structural design of the horizontal machining center.
[0014]
FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a setting method in the case of the rotary table 53 provided so that the table is rotatable. In this case, first, the maximum tool Tm is set in the X-axis-Z-axis plane. The mounted spindle 51 and the rotary table 53 on which the workpiece is placed, the extraction operation range R of the maximum tool Tm when the tool is changed, and the rotation operation range S of the maximum workpiece Wm that can be placed on the rotary table 53. (When the maximum workpiece Wm is smaller than the rotary table 53, the rotary workpiece 53 is arranged at a position where it does not interfere with the rotary operation range S ′).
[0015]
Next, in the same manner as above, to the extent that the interference will not occur, the distance in the Z axis direction between the axis of the main shaft 51 and the Sa that its end face intersects a center point Ta of the turntable 5 3 [Delta] Z Is set to a preset distance, the main shaft 51 and the rotary table 53 are brought close to each other so that the distance ΔX in the X-axis direction becomes the smallest value, and ΔX and ΔZ in this state are used when changing the tool. The relative positional relationship between the main shaft 51 and the rotary table 53 is used.
[0016]
Then, based on the relative positional relationship between the spindle 51 and the rotary table 53 at the time of tool change calculated in this way, the relative operation range between the spindle 51 and the rotary table 53, as described above, The arrangement position of the tool changer is determined, and a rough structural design of the horizontal machining center is performed.
[0017]
Note that the tool length and tool diameter of the maximum tool are set based on the rigidity of the spindle and the clamping ability, 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. Therefore, it is preferable that the relative positional relationship between the spindle and the table at the time of tool change determined as described above is in a state of being closely approached.
[0019]
However, based on the maximum tool shape defined by the maximum tool length and the maximum tool diameter, the relative positional relationship between the spindle and the table at the time of tool change is determined. It was difficult to say that the table was set close to each other.
[0020]
That is, in a horizontal machining center, a tool that is normally used needs to be reduced in diameter if the tool length is long, and conversely, if the tool length is short, the tool diameter can be increased. In other words, for a tool of a predetermined length, there is a limit tool diameter that is allowed for this 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]
In this way, the maximum tool actually used is not defined by the maximum tool length and the maximum tool diameter that can be mounted on the spindle as described above. It is to be considered as having the largest allowable diameter.
[0022]
However, conventionally, assuming that the shape of the maximum tool is a rectangular shape defined by the maximum tool length and the maximum tool diameter, which is larger than the shape of the maximum tool that is actually used, The relative positional relationship between the spindle and the table is determined. In this sense, it is difficult to say that strict setting is always performed.
[0023]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a tool in which a tool change position where a spindle and a table should be positioned at the time of tool change is set by reflecting the shape of a tool that is actually used. the provision of exchange position on how to configure an object of the present invention.
[0024]
[Means for solving the problems and effects thereof]
To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a horizontally disposed main shaft, a table on which a workpiece is placed, a first axis parallel to the axis of the main shaft, and a first axis orthogonal to the first axis in a horizontal plane. A feed mechanism unit that relatively moves the main shaft and the table in three orthogonal directions of two axes and a third axis orthogonal to both the first and second axes, and a tool attached to the main shaft In a horizontal machining center provided with a tool changer for exchanging a tool, when the tool is changed by the tool changer, the spindle and the table are within a two-dimensional plane composed of the first axis and the second axis. A method of setting a tool change position that is a relative positional relationship to be positioned,
A multi-stepped shape obtained by setting a plurality of length sections within the range of the maximum length of the tool that can be mounted on the spindle, and then setting the maximum tool diameter that can be taken for each length section. Imagine the shape of the largest tool that can be mounted on the spindle,
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 tool is a distance that can be processed using the maximum length tool, the distance in the direction along the second axis is the smallest, and the tool is replaced when the tool is changed. Calculating the relative position between the spindle and the table so that the operating range of the virtual tool moved in the first axis direction by the exchange device does not interfere with the table or the maximum workpiece that can be placed on the table; The present invention relates to a tool change position setting method in which the calculated position of the spindle and table is set as the tool change position.
[0025]
According to this invention, first, assuming a tool of the maximum length that can be mounted on the spindle , a plurality of length segments are set within the range of the assumed maximum length, and thereafter, for each length segment, A maximum tool diameter that can be taken is set, and a tool shape having a multi-stepped shape in plan view is set by superimposing a rectangular tool shape in plan view defined by the set length of each section and the maximum tool diameter.
[ 0026 ]
As described above, the maximum tool that is actually used in the horizontal machining center is not defined by the maximum tool length and the maximum tool diameter that can be mounted on the spindle, but depends on the length of the tool. Is considered to have the largest diameter allowed.
[ 0027 ]
In the present invention, since the maximum tool shape that can be mounted on the spindle is assumed as described above, it is larger than the conventional maximum tool shape that is uniformly defined by the maximum tool length and the maximum tool diameter. It is possible to assume a maximum tool shape that is smaller and more suitable for the actual use state.
[0028]
Next, using the maximum tool shape assumed in this way as a virtual tool, the relative positional relationship between the spindle and the table in the two-dimensional plane, the spindle end surface and the table stop position The distance in the direction along the second axis when the distance in the direction along the first axis is the distance at which the maximum workpiece that can be placed on the table can be processed using the maximum length tool. The relative movement between the spindle and the table is such that the movement range of the virtual tool moved in the first axis direction by the tool changer when changing the tool does not interfere with the table or the maximum workpiece that can be placed on the table. The calculated position of the spindle and table is set as the tool change position.
[ 0029 ]
Thus, according to the present invention, a maximum tool shape that is smaller in size than the conventional maximum tool shape and more suitable for actual use is assumed, and this does not interfere with the table or workpiece. Since the position where the spindle and the table are as close as possible is set as the tool change position, the overall size of the horizontal machining center including the tool changer can be made compact, and the installation area can be reduced. Can be small.
[0030]
Although not any limitation on the number of lengths Classification of setting, as the number of set number, preferably is close to the shape of the maximum tool virtual tool shape envisaged is actually used.
[ 0031 ]
The virtual tool shape may be a shape obtained by sequentially connecting the stepped corner portions of the multi-stepped shape.
[0032]
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 first axis between the spindle end surface and the center position of the table in the two-dimensional plane. When the distance in the direction along one axis is the distance that can be machined by using the maximum length tool for the maximum workpiece that can be placed on the table, the distance in the direction along the second axis is becomes smallest, is and placed on the the operating range of the virtual tool wherein is moved in the first axial direction I by the tool changer during tool exchange, the rotation operating range of the table or on the table It is good to calculate the relative position between the spindle and the table that does not interfere with the maximum rotational movement range of the workpiece and set the calculated spindle and table position as the tool change position. .
[ 0033 ]
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.
[ 0034 ]
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. A spindle head 12 supported by the column 11 and movable in the Y-axis (third axis) direction, a spindle 13 rotatably supported about the axis by the spindle head 12, and the bed 10 are provided. The table 14, which can move in the Z-axis (first axis) direction and can rotate around the rotation center axis parallel to the Y-axis, the column 11, the spindle head 12, and the table 14 are moved in the axial direction. A moving mechanism (not shown) for moving, a rotation driving mechanism (not shown) for rotating the table 14, and a tool changer for exchanging the tool T mounted on the spindle 13 with a new tool T ′. 20.
[ 0035 ]
The tool changer 20 includes a tool magazine 21 having a plurality of holding portions in which various tools are stored, a spindle tool gripping portion 22a for gripping the tool T mounted on the spindle 13, and the tool magazine. An exchange arm 22 having an exchange tool gripping portion 22b for gripping a tool T ′ positioned at a predetermined position from 21; a rotary shaft 23 connected so as to be orthogonal to the exchange arm 22; It comprises a drive mechanism (not shown) that rotates around the center and moves in the axial direction.
[ 0036 ]
According to the tool changer 20, first, a new tool T ′ for replacement is positioned at the predetermined position from the tool magazine 21, and the column 11, the spindle head 12, and the table 14 are moved to the tool change position, respectively. It is done.
[ 0037 ]
Next, the rotary shaft 23 of the tool changer 20 is rotated about its axis, and the tool T mounted on the spindle is placed on the spindle tool gripping portion 22a of the exchange arm 22 and the positioned tool T ′ is placed on the exchange arm 22. Are respectively gripped by the replacement tool gripping portion 22b. Next, the rotary shaft 23 is moved in the axial direction, and the tools T and T ′ gripped by the exchange arm 22 are pulled out from the holding portions of the main shaft 13 and the tool magazine 21, respectively.
[ 0038 ]
Thereafter, the rotary shaft 23 is rotated by 180 ° about the axis thereof, and then the rotary shaft 23 is moved in the axial direction so that the tool T ′ is mounted on the main shaft 13 and the tool T is attached to the tool magazine 21. Stored in In this way, the tool T mounted on the spindle 13 is replaced with a new tool T ′.
[ 0039 ]
In the horizontal machining center 1 of the present example, 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 at the time of the above-described tool change is set as follows. .
[ 0040 ]
First, the relative positional relationship between the main shaft 13 and the table 14 in the XZ axis plane will be described.
[0041]
First, assuming a tool T of the maximum length that can be mounted on the spindle 13 , a plurality of length sections are set within the range of the assumed maximum length, and then the maximum tool that can be taken for each length section. A diameter is set, and a tool shape having a multi-stepped shape in plan view is set by superimposing a tool shape having a rectangular shape in plan view defined by the set length of each section and the maximum tool diameter.
[ 0042 ]
As described above, the maximum tool T that is actually used in the horizontal machining center 1 is not defined by the maximum tool length and the maximum tool diameter that can be mounted on the main shaft 13, but according to the length of the tool. It can be considered as having the maximum allowable diameter for each length. 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.
[ 0043 ]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, a tool T having a maximum length L5 that can be mounted on the main shaft 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 in each length section set in this way is a rectangular shape as shown in the figure.
[ 0044 ]
Next, the obtained rectangular tool shape for each section is superimposed to assume a tool shape having a multi-stepped shape in plan view as the maximum tool shape that can be mounted on the spindle 13. The tool shape thus obtained is shown in FIG.
[ 0045 ]
Next, as shown in FIG. 5, an operation range (operation range in the extraction operation in this case) R in the X-axis-Z-axis plane in which the obtained maximum tool moves by the tool change operation is verified. Next, the extraction operation range R interferes with 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 spindle 13 and the table are arranged at a position where they are not.
[ 0046 ]
Next, 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 within a range where the interference does not occur. Further, 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, and between the main shaft 13 and the table 14 at the time of tool change with the ΔX and ΔZ in this state. Relative positional relationship.
[ 0047 ]
Note that the distance ΔZ, when using the tool maximum length L5 that is assumed is the maximum work Wm on tables 14 a distance which is set so as to be processed by the tool.
[ 0048 ]
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 tool Tm, the table 14 and the maximum workpiece Wm do not interfere with each other, and can be arbitrarily set as appropriate.
[0049]
Thus, according to the horizontal machining center 1 of the present example, when determining the tool change position where the spindle 13 and the table 14 should be positioned at the time of tool change, the shape of the maximum tool Tm that can be mounted on the spindle 13 is set to the maximum. Assuming a multi-stepped shape obtained by setting a plurality of length sections within the length range and setting the maximum tool diameter that can be taken for each length section, the maximum tool Tm and the table 14 Since the interference relationship was verified, the size of the maximum tool shape assumed is smaller compared to the conventional case where the shape uniformly defined by the maximum tool length and the maximum tool diameter is the maximum tool shape, It becomes more suited to the actual use state, and the interference relationship can be verified more strictly.
[ 0050 ]
Then, by strictly verifying the interference relationship in this way, the relative positional relationship between the spindle 13 and the table 14 at the time of tool change can be made closer, and as a result, the horizontal machining center The overall size of 1 can be made compact, and its installation area can be reduced.
[ 0051 ]
As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, the specific aspect which this invention can take is not limited to this at all.
[ 0052 ]
For example, in the above example, the shape of the virtual tool Tm is a multi-stepped shape as shown in FIG. 3, but is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. The shape obtained by sequentially connecting the corners may be the shape of the virtual tool Tm. Even if it does in this way, the same effect as an example is produced.
[ 0053 ]
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.
[ 0054 ]
In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the relative positional relationship between the spindle 13 and the table 14 at the time of the tool change includes the extraction operation range R of the tool Tm and the maximum work 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. The positional relationship is such that the distance ΔX in the X-axis direction is the smallest value when the distance ΔZ is a preset distance.
[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 explaining a shape of a virtual tool according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a shape of a virtual tool according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a tool change position setting method according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a tool change position setting method according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a tool change position setting method according to a conventional example.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a tool change position setting method according to a conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Horizontal machining center 10 Bed 11 Column 12 Spindle head 13 Spindle 14 Table 20 Tool changer 21 Tool magazine 22 Exchange arm 23 Rotary axis T Tool Tm Virtual tool (maximum tool)
W Work Wm Maximum work

Claims (3)

A horizontally arranged main shaft, a table on which a workpiece is placed, a first axis parallel to the axis of the main shaft, a second axis orthogonal to the first axis in a horizontal plane, and the first and second axes A feed mechanism unit that relatively moves the spindle and the table in the three orthogonal directions of the third axis orthogonal to both of the axes, and a tool changer that exchanges a tool mounted on the spindle with a new tool. In a horizontal machining center, when the tool is changed by the tool changer, the tool change is a relative positional relationship in which the spindle and the table should be positioned in a two-dimensional plane constituted by the first axis and the second axis. A method for setting a position,
A multi-stepped shape obtained by setting a plurality of length sections within the range of the maximum length of the tool that can be mounted on the spindle, and then setting the maximum tool diameter that can be taken for each length section. Imagine the shape of the largest tool that can be mounted on the spindle,
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 tool is a distance that can be processed using the maximum length tool, the distance in the direction along the second axis is the smallest, and the tool is replaced when the tool is changed. Calculating the relative position between the spindle and the table so that the operating range of the virtual tool moved in the first axis direction by the exchange device does not interfere with the table or the maximum workpiece that can be placed on the table; A tool change position setting method, wherein the calculated position of the spindle and table is set as the tool change position.   The tool change position setting method 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. . In the horizontal machining center in which the table is rotatably provided about an axis parallel to the third axis, the tool change position is set,
The distance in the direction along the first axis between the spindle end surface and the center position of the table in the two-dimensional plane is the maximum workpiece that can be placed on the table using the maximum length tool. when a workable length, the length of the second direction along the axis is smallest, and the is moved virtual to the first axis direction I by the tool changer during the tool exchange Calculate the relative position between the spindle and the table so that the operation range of the tool and the rotation operation range of the table or the rotation operation range of the maximum workpiece that can be placed on the table do not interfere with each other. 3. The tool change position setting method according to claim 1, wherein the position of the spindle and the table is set as the tool change position.

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