JP5398216B2 - Tool magazine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a tool magazine that is arranged adjacent to a machine tool and stores a plurality of tools.

  Some tool magazines that store a plurality of tools include a tool conveying device that conveys tools between a tool storage position and a tool change position of the tool magazine. As a conventional example of a tool magazine provided with a tool conveying device, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1. Paragraph numbers [0018] to [0020] of Patent Document 1 describe the tool conveying device. In particular, in paragraph [0020], “X-axis moving unit 56 is designated in tool magazine 4. The tool carrier 12 is moved in the X-axis direction so that the tool 6 can be inserted into and removed from the tool storage unit 20, and a clamp part that detachably holds the tool carrier 12 is built in, and the Y frame part 44 has an X-axis direction. A ball screw 60 is disposed in parallel to the guide rails 57a and 57b, and a ball nut 62 screwed into the ball screw 60 is provided. The X-axis servo motor 64 that rotates the ball screw 60 is fixed to the X-axis moving unit 56. The X-axis servo motor 64 is attached to the Y frame unit 44, and is connected via a timing belt 66. Thereby transmitting rotation to Lumpur screw 60. "Is described as. In paragraph [0021], as an explanation of the operation of the tool conveying device, “... Can move the tool carrier 12 and return and take out the tool 6. For example, in FIG. The tool carrier 12 transferred from the relay device 14 to the tool conveying device 16 at P3 moves to the tool return position indicated by P7.After returning the tool here, the tool conveying device 16 removes the empty tool carrier 12. After moving to the position indicated by P8, the commanded tool is taken out and further moved to the relay position P3 to pass the tool carrier 12 to the relay device 14 together with the tool. "

JP 2001-105266 A

  However, in the tool conveying device 16 disclosed in Patent Document 1, the X-axis moving portion 56 is guided by the ball screw 60 disposed in parallel with the guide rails 57a and 57b, and the X-axis which is the axial direction of the tool. It is designed to move in the direction. For this reason, when a tool with a long tool length can be stored in the tool magazine, the ball screw 60 as a linear motion guide must be lengthened, and the length of the ball screw 60 on the back side of the tool magazine. There was a problem that a considerable space had to be secured. In addition, in order to increase the rigidity in the vertical direction, there is also a problem that the height of the tool magazine is increased because a long mounting plate is provided in the vertical direction.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a tool magazine that can reduce the length in the tool axis direction without reducing the rigidity of the tool conveying device, thereby making the entire structure compact.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in a tool magazine for storing a plurality of tools, a tool storage part for storing the tool, a tool storage part for holding the tool, and the tool storage part and a tool change position. A tool conveying device having a carriage formed of a pantograph mechanism that conveys the tool between them, and a moving mechanism in the axial direction of the gripped tool is guided by a rail guide mechanism orthogonal to the axial direction of the tool , The link mechanism includes a pantograph that can be expanded and contracted in the axial direction of the tool, and a drive unit that expands and contracts the pantograph, and the rail guide mechanism guides the contact and separation of a pair of link tips at both ends of the pantograph. A tool magazine is provided.

  According to the present invention, the tool storage portion includes a first tool storage portion having a plurality of tool receiving holes formed in the panel, and a plurality of tool receiving recess portions formed in a peripheral portion of the panel. There is provided a tool magazine having a second tool storage portion, the second tool storage portion being provided in a stepped manner behind the first tool storage portion.

  As described above, according to the tool magazine of the present invention, since the tool is moved in the axial direction by the carriage formed of the link mechanism, the tool can be expanded and contracted without reducing the rigidity of the carriage, and the length of the carriage in the tool axial direction when contracted. The tool magazine can be made compact.

  In particular, if the link mechanism is composed of a pantograph and a drive means that linearly moves the joint of the pantograph, a so-called double speed double movement mechanism is obtained, the length of the carriage in the tool axis direction is shortened, and the tool magazine is made compact. The effect of being able to do is remarkable. In addition, since the pantograph has a large number of links, the rigidity can be increased, and the storage of the tool and the removal of the stored tool can be reliably performed.

  Moreover, since the tool storage part has the 1st tool storage part and the 2nd tool storage part located back from the 1st tool storage part, it was stored in the 2nd tool storage part. The flange portion having the V groove of the tool is located behind the flange portion of the tool stored in the first tool storage portion. For this reason, the second tool storage unit can hold a tool having a tool length longer than that of the tool stored in the first tool storage unit.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 show an embodiment of a tool magazine according to the present invention. The tool magazine according to the present invention includes a tool rack having a tool storage section for storing tools, a tool holding the tool, transporting the tool between the tool storage section and the tool change position, and a moving mechanism in the axial direction of the gripped tool. And a tool conveying device having a carriage formed of a link mechanism. Below, a tool rack and a tool conveyance apparatus are demonstrated in order.

  A tool magazine 11 storing a number of tools T therein is disposed adjacent to the machine tool, and the tool T is attached to the machine tool via a tool changer 55 provided outside the tool magazine 11, and Remove tool T from machine. The tool T of the present embodiment has a cutting edge portion TE and a tool holder TH, and the tool holder TH has a flange portion F in which an annular V groove 57 is formed and a tapered shank portion S. The tool magazine 11 includes a tool rack 15 and a tool transfer device 25 that are erected on the horizontal upper surface of the base 13, and the tool changer 55 includes a tool changer arm 55a. In the present embodiment, the tool exchange arm 55a exchanges a tool between the tool exchange position P of the tool magazine 11 and the main spindle (not shown) of the machine tool.

  The tool rack 15 includes a rack body portion 17 that forms a first tool storage portion, a pair of side rack portions 19 and 21 and an upper rack portion 23 that form a second tool storage portion. The rack body portion 17 is made of a flat plate-like member that is erected vertically on the upper surface of the base 13. In this specification, the vertical plane formed by the rack body 17 is defined as an XY plane, and the X axis is defined in the horizontal direction, the Y axis in the vertical direction, and the Z axis in the direction perpendicular to the XY plane. The tool T is stored in the tool rack 15 so that the center axis of the tool T is parallel to the Z axis, and the shank portion S side of the stored tool T is defined as the rear of the tool magazine 11.

  The side rack portions 19 and 21 are formed of a plate-like member that is erected vertically on the upper surface of the base 13, and is rearward with a predetermined distance in the Z-axis direction with respect to the rack body portion 17, that is, on the tool conveying device 25 side. They are offset. In the present embodiment, the side rack portions 19 and 21 are connected to the side edge portions of the rack main body portion 17 by the side walls 19a and 21a, whereby the rack main body portion 17 and the side rack portions 19 and 21 are firmly connected to each other. It stands on the upper surface of the base 13.

  The upper rack portion 23 is formed of a flat plate-like member parallel to the rack body portion 17, extends horizontally at the upper portion of the tool rack 15, and has a predetermined distance along the Z axis with respect to the rack body portion 17. It is offset behind. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper rack portion 23 is composed of a vertical portion of an L-shaped angle member, and is connected to the upper end portions of the side walls 19a, 21a of the side rack portions 19, 21 by the horizontal portion 23a of the angle member. ing.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the side rack portions 19 and 21 and the upper rack portion 23 forming the second tool storage portion are offset rearward along the Z axis from the rack body portion 17 and are substantially in the same plane. However, the two are not necessarily arranged in the same plane depending on the application. Further, the second tool storage portion may be provided below the rack body portion 17.

  The rack body 17 is formed with a plurality of tool receiving holes arranged in a matrix for allowing the tool T to pass in the Z-axis direction. In the embodiment illustrated as an example, the tool receiving holes of the rack main body 17 include first tool receiving holes 17a arranged in a matrix of 10 rows and 7 columns, and the first tool receiving holes 17a in the uppermost stage. Furthermore, it includes four second tool receiving holes 17b arranged in a horizontal row on the upper side. The first tool receiving hole 17a holds a short tool T1 having a relatively small diameter. The second tool receiving hole 17b holds a tool T2 having a diameter larger than that of the tool T1.

  The first and second tool receiving holes 17a and 17b are formed in an arc shape in which the upper inner edge portion has a diameter larger than the diameter of the tool to be stored. The upper and lower inner edges are not necessarily arcuate, and may be rectangular, pentagonal or other polygonal shapes, for example. The first and second tool receiving holes 17a and 17b only need to have upper and lower inner edges that give dimensions and shapes that allow the tool T held in the tool receiving hole to pass therethrough.

  Four piece members 59 are attached to each tool receiving hole around the lower inner edges of the tool receiving holes 17a and 17b of the rack body 17. By engaging the annular convex portion 59a of the piece member 59 and the V groove 57 of the flange portion F, the tool T is held by the rack body portion 17 so that the central axes are horizontal and parallel to each other. Of the four piece members 59, only one of the two lower piece members may be provided. That is, it is sufficient that at least three piece members 59 are provided for each tool receiving hole. Further, a key 61 is provided at the center of the lower inner edge of the tool receiving holes 17a and 17b, and engages with a key groove (not shown) formed in the flange F so that the tool T rotates in the rotational direction. Positioning is in progress. Instead of the piece member 59, a semi-annular member having an arcuate convex portion that engages with the V groove 57 may be attached to the lower side of the tool receiving holes 17a, 17b, or the tool receiving holes 17a, 17b. The cross-sectional shape of the lower inner edge portion may be formed into a semicircular convex shape that engages with the V-groove 57, and the tool T may be held directly on the rack body portion 17.

  In each of the side rack portions 19 and 21 forming the second tool storage portion, eight tool receiving recess portions 19b and 21b arranged in a vertical row are formed. The side rack portions 19 and 21 have notches slightly larger than the diameter of the flange portion F of the tool T on the side so that the tool T can be moved in the X-axis direction and introduced into the tool receiving recess portions 19b and 21b. Notches 19c and 21c having a width are provided. Similarly to the first and second tool receiving holes 17a and 17b of the rack body 17, the tool receiving recesses 19b and 21b of the side racks 19 and 21 are provided with four pieces around the lower inner edge. A member 59 is attached to hold the tool. Tools T3 or T4 having a diameter larger and / or longer than the tools T1 and T2 are held in the tool receiving recesses 19b and 21b of the side rack portions 19 and 21, respectively.

  In the present embodiment, the tool receiving recesses 19b and 21b of the side rack portions 19 and 21 introduce the tool T in the X-axis direction through the notches 19c and 21c. And unlike the second tool receiving holes 17a, 17b, it is not necessary to have an upper inner edge with a diameter larger than the diameter of the tool T.

  The upper rack portion 23 forming the second tool storage portion is formed with eleven tool receiving recess portions 23b arranged in a horizontal row. The tool receiving recess 23b has a notch width slightly larger than the diameter of the flange portion F of the tool T to be housed, and is formed by an arc-shaped notch opened upward. Four pieces 59 are attached around the lower inner edge of the tool receiving recess 23b to hold the tool T. The tool receiving recess 23b of the upper rack portion 23 holds a tool having a diameter smaller than that of the tool T3 but having a diameter larger than that of the tools T1 and T2 or a long tool T5 or T6.

  In the present embodiment, the predetermined tool length is determined to be about half of the longest tool T3, T4, T5 or T6 to be stored. A tool having a diameter equal to or smaller than a predetermined tool length and capable of passing through the tool receiving holes 17a and 17b is defined as a short tool T1 or T2, and a long tool exceeding a predetermined length is defined as T3, T4, T5, or T6. The offset amount in the Z-axis direction between the rack body 17 and the side racks 19 and 21 or the upper rack 23 is slightly longer than a predetermined length.

  Next, the tool transport device 25 will be described. The tool conveying device 25 conveys a tool between the tool rack 15 and the tool changing device 55, and includes a carriage 35 that detachably holds the tool, and a carriage that moves the carriage 35 in the XY plane. As moving means, upper and lower rails 27 and 29 extending in the X-axis direction, a power transmission member 33 extending in the Y-axis direction between the upper and lower rails 27 and 29, and the upper and lower rails 27, 29 and a movable support column 31 provided so as to be reciprocable in the X-axis direction. The carriage 35 is attached so as to be able to reciprocate in the Y-axis direction along the movable column 31.

  For example, ball screws (not shown) are extended in the upper and lower rails 27 and 29, and nuts (not shown) that engage with the ball screws are provided at the upper and lower ends of the movable column 31. Installed. The ball screws of the upper and lower rails 27 and 29 are engaged with a gear (not shown) provided at an end of the power transmission member 33, and the power transmission member 33 is rotated by a motor (not shown). As a result, the ball screws of the upper and lower rails 27 and 29 are rotated synchronously. As a result, the movable column 31 can reciprocate in the X-axis direction along the upper and lower rails 27 and 29.

  Next, the carriage 35 will be described. The carriage 35 of the present invention can expand and contract in the longitudinal direction (Z direction) that is the axial direction of the tool T, and moves up and down in the vertical direction (Y direction, radial direction of the tool) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (parallel link). 70. The pantograph 70 itself has a pair of arms 71 and 72 having a plurality of pivotable joints 74 to be hinged to form a parallel link, and has a known structure known as a double speed double scale movement mechanism. . A plurality of link elements 73 are rotatably connected to each arm 71 and 72 by a joint portion 74, and the pair of arms 71 and 72 are rotatably combined by a hinge portion 75.

  In the pantograph 70 of the present embodiment, the rear end is attached to the base 77 via the bracket 81 and the slider 82, and the front end is attached to the moving plate 78 having the tool gripping means 90 via the bracket 83 and the slider 82. . For this reason, the base 77 and the moving plate 78 are arranged to face each other at both ends of the pantograph 70. The base 77 does not move in the front-rear direction, but the moving plate 78 can move in the front-rear direction as the pantograph 70 expands and contracts.

  The carriage 35 further includes a drive mechanism that linearly moves the pantograph 70 in the front-rear direction on the upper side (one side) of the pantograph 70, and a linear guide that guides the contact / separation movement of the pair of link tips at both lower ends of the pantograph. It has a mechanism. As the drive mechanism, an air cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or the like can be employed in addition to the mechanism of the present embodiment including a ball screw and a nut screwed into the ball screw.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, a ball screw mechanism including a ball screw 85 and a nut 86 screwed to the ball screw 85 is applied as a drive mechanism, and a rail 87 and a rail 87 on the rail 87 are used as linear guide mechanisms. A rail guide mechanism having a slider 82 that slides on the rail is applied. One end of the ball screw 85 of the drive mechanism is rotatably supported by a base 77 of the carriage 35 via a bearing, the other end is a free end, and extends in the front-rear direction of the tool T. A nut 86 that is screwed into the ball screw 85 is attached to a joint portion 74 located above the pantograph 70 by a nut bracket 86a. The ball screw 85 is driven by a motor 88 provided on the base 77. The drive shaft of the motor 88 is provided with a pulley 89a. The rotation of the pulley 89a is transmitted to the pulley 89b of the ball screw 85 via the belt 89c, so that the ball screw 85 whose end is supported by the bearing rotates. It comes to move.

  The pair of rail guide mechanisms as the linear guide mechanism guides the front end and the rear end of the pantograph 70 so that the tip of the link 73 positioned below the pantograph 70 moves up and down as the pantograph 70 expands and contracts. A slider 82 is connected to the tip of the link 73, and the slider 82 slides in the Y direction on a linear rail 87 provided on the base 77 and the moving plate 78.

  In the present embodiment, the drive mechanism is disposed on the upper side of the pantograph 70, but may be disposed on the lower side of the pantograph 70. Further, although the motor 88 is used as a drive source of the drive shaft mechanism, the present invention is not limited to this, and other actuators can be used. Use of the servo motor 88 as the drive source is advantageous in that accurate position control and speed control with less impact can be performed.

  The moving plate 78 that moves in the front-rear direction along with the expansion and contraction of the pantograph 70 has a tool gripping means 90 that is taper-fitted to the taper portion of the tool T. The tool gripping means 90 is in surface contact with the shank portion (tapered portion) S of the tool T, and has a tapered hole 91 having a tapered surface for restraining the tool T, and a draw bar (with a predetermined force for drawing the tool T into the tapered hole 91) (Not shown) and an actuator (not shown) for driving the draw bar. In the present embodiment, the moving plate 78 constitutes a triple speed triple movement mechanism that moves three times the moving distance of the nut 86 at a speed that is three times the moving speed of the nut 86.

  As described above, according to the tool magazine 11 of the present embodiment, the carriage 35 having the pantograph 70 that expands and contracts in the front-rear direction (axial direction) of the tool T is provided, so the structure of the carriage 35 is made compact. Therefore, the space around the machine tool on which the tool magazine 11 is arranged can be saved. Further, the pantograph 70 is driven in the front-rear direction by a ball screw mechanism, and the pantograph 70 is guided in a direction away from and approaching the other link 73 tip by the rail guide mechanism. When the 70 expands and contracts in the front-rear direction, the tool T gripped by the tool gripping means 90 can be prevented from moving in a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction. Thereby, storage of the tool T and removal of the stored tool can be performed reliably.

  Further, the tool magazine 11 includes a tool rack 15 having a first tool storage portion and a second tool storage portion located rearward of the first tool storage portion. The part can hold a tool T having a tool length longer than that of the tool T stored in the first tool storage part. Thereby, the tool with short tool length and the long tool T can be accommodated, without enlarging the space which the tool magazine 11 occupies.

  In addition, due to the synergistic effect of the carriage 35 in which the pantograph 70 is applied to the expansion / contraction mechanism and the tool rack 15 having the second tool storage portion located behind the first tool storage portion, the length of the tool magazine 11 in the front-rear direction is increased. The length D (FIG. 4) can be shortened as much as possible, which can contribute to space saving in the factory.

  The carriage according to the present invention is not used only for a stepped matrix type tool magazine as in the above-described embodiment, but a normal one-sided matrix type tool magazine and a plurality of tools are arranged in a disc or endlessly. It can be used when it is necessary to grip the tool and move the tool in the axial direction of the tool in another type of tool magazine that is mounted on a tool pot connected by a chain and goes around.

1 is a front view of a tool magazine according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is an enlarged view of the A section of FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. It is a side view of the tool magazine of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the carriage which has a pantograph. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected along the BB line of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Tool magazine 15 Tool rack 17 Rack main-body part 19,21 Side rack 23 Upper rack 25 Tool conveying apparatus 35 Carriage 70 Pantograph 77 Base 78 Moving plate 82 Slider 85 Ball screw 86 Nut 87 Rail 90 Tool holding means

Claims (2)

In a tool magazine that stores multiple tools,
A tool storage section for storing the tool;
The tool is gripped, the tool is transported between the tool storage unit and a tool change position, and the moving mechanism in the axial direction of the gripped tool is guided by a rail guide mechanism orthogonal to the axial direction of the tool. a tool-carrying device having a carriage made in that the link mechanism,
Equipped with,
The link mechanism includes a pantograph that can be expanded and contracted in the axial direction of the tool, and a driving unit that expands and contracts the pantograph, and the rail guide mechanism guides the contact and separation movement of a pair of link tips at both ends of the pantograph. A tool magazine characterized by The tool storage portion includes a first tool storage portion having a plurality of tool receiving holes formed in the panel, and a second tool storage portion having a plurality of tool receiving recess portions formed in a peripheral portion of the panel. The tool magazine according to claim 1 , wherein the second tool storage portion is provided in a stepped manner behind the first tool storage portion.

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