JP5941942B2 - Cutting method, cutting apparatus and chuck - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cutting method, a cutting apparatus, and a chuck.

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a technique that uses ice for holding a workpiece.

  Specifically, in the technique of Patent Document 1, first, the workpiece is immersed in water in the container so that a part of the workpiece is exposed from the water surface. Next, the work is held by ice by freezing water in the container. In the state where the workpiece is held by the ice in the container, a portion exposed on the ice is processed.

  In the technique of Patent Document 2, first, the workpiece and the chuck base are immersed in water in the mold. Next, the mold is transported to a freezer and water in the mold is frozen. Thereby, the work is covered with ice and fixed on the chuck base. Thereafter, the work covered with ice is taken out of the mold together with the chuck base and immersed in the cooled antifreeze. The workpiece is processed together with ice in the antifreeze.

JP 2000-288806 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-8588

  In the techniques of Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is difficult to hold a work material that is partially or entirely cut relatively thin or thin.

  For example, in the technique of Patent Document 1, since only a portion of the work material exposed on ice is processed, the parts to be processed are limited, and the entire work material cannot be made thin or thin. In other words, it is difficult to hold a work material that is thinned or thinned entirely or mostly. For example, when a portion exposed on ice is cut thinly or thinly, a portion exposed on ice is bent or broken by a force applied from a cutting tool.

  For example, in the technique of Patent Document 2, when the work material is cut together with ice, the antifreeze liquid flows into the cut groove or hole. Therefore, as the cutting progresses, the work material is not covered with ice but is immersed in the antifreeze liquid. As a result, as in Patent Document 1, when the work material is cut thinly or thinly, the work material is bent or broken by the force applied from the cutting tool.

  Therefore, it is desirable to provide a cutting method, a cutting apparatus, and a chuck that can suitably hold a work material that is cut at least partially or thinly.

  The cutting method according to an aspect of the present invention includes a storing step of storing a work material and a liquid coagulant into which the work material is immersed in a container, a freezing step of freezing the coagulant in the container, A cutting step of cutting the work material held in the container by the frozen coagulant together with the coagulant.

  Preferably, the coagulant is a cutting agent.

  Preferably, in the cutting step, a portion having a thickness of less than 1 mm is formed on the work material.

  A cutting apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a container that can store a work material, a supply apparatus that can supply the liquid coagulant to the container, and a cooling apparatus that can cool the coagulant in the container. And an apparatus main body capable of driving a cutting tool, and supplying the coagulant in such an amount that the work material is immersed in the coagulant in the container, up to a temperature at which the coagulant in the container is frozen. The supply device, the cooling, so that the cutting tool is driven at a position where the work material held in the container is cooled together with the coagulant by cooling the coagulant and being frozen. And a control device for controlling the device main body.

  Suitably, the said cooling device contains the chiller which can supply the cooled fluid to the flow path provided in the said container.

  Preferably, the chiller can supply air at −130 ° C., chlorofluorocarbon gas, liquid nitrogen or argon gas.

  Preferably, the chiller supplies a refrigerant that sequentially circulates through an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion valve and air exchanged in the evaporator to the flow path of the container as the fluid.

  Preferably, the chiller supplies, as the fluid, a refrigerant that sequentially circulates the flow path of the container, the compressor, the condenser, and the expansion valve to the flow path of the container.

  Preferably, it further has a nozzle capable of jetting the fluid that has passed through the flow path toward the cutting position.

  Preferably, the apparatus main body holds coordinate data based on a predetermined origin that defines a path of relative movement between the cutting tool and the container, and cutting of a predetermined portion of the work material is performed. Associating the origin with the relative position between the cutting tool and the container based on the relative position between the cutting tool and the container when completed, and based on the association and the coordinate data, the cutting tool and the container Cutting is performed by moving the container relative to it.

  A chuck according to an aspect of the present invention includes a container that can store a work material, a supply device that can supply the liquid coagulant to the container, and a cooling device that can cool the coagulant in the container. Supplying the coagulant in such an amount that the work material is immersed in the coagulant in the container, and cooling the coagulant to a temperature at which the coagulant in the container is frozen. And a control device for controlling the cooling device.

  According to the above procedure or configuration, it is possible to suitably hold a work material that is cut at least partially thinly or thinly.

The figure which shows typically the structure of the principal part of the cutting device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows an example of the container of the cutting device of FIG. 1, and its surrounding member. The flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the cutting method using the cutting device of FIG. The typical sectional view explaining an operation of the cutting device of FIG. The figure which shows typically the structure of the principal part of the cutting device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Fig.6 (a)-FIG.6 (c) are the schematic diagrams which show the modification of a container and its peripheral member.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a main part of a cutting apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The cutting apparatus 1 is configured as an apparatus that holds a workpiece 101 with a frozen cutting agent 103 and cuts the workpiece 101 with a cutting tool 105. Specifically, it is as follows.

  The cutting apparatus 1 includes a container 3 that can store a work material 101 and a cutting agent 103, a supply device 5 that can supply a liquid cutting agent 103 to the container 3, and cooling that can cool the cutting agent 103 in the container 3. A device 7, a device main body 9 that can drive the cutting tool 105 by driving the cutting tool 105, a nozzle 11 that can inject air toward the cutting position, and a control device that controls the operation of each part of the cutting device 1. 13.

  As long as the container 3 can accommodate the liquid cutting agent 103 and the work material 101 immersed in the cutting agent 103, the container 3 may be formed of an appropriate material with an appropriate shape and size. For example, in the present embodiment, the container 3 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with the top opened. The inner surface of the container 3 may have a shape that allows the cutting agent 103 to be taken out while being frozen, or may have a shape that cannot be taken out. The container 3 may have a two-layer structure (see FIG. 6B described later). The material of the container 3 may be a material having high heat conductivity or a material having high heat insulation. Materials having different heat transfer properties may be used between the inside and the outside of the container 3.

  The supply device 5 may be the same as or different from, for example, a device for supplying a cutting agent used in a normal machine tool. That is, the supply device 5 is the same as the device for supplying oil-based or water-soluble cutting oil for the purpose of cooling and lubrication of machining points, washing of chips, etc. in a normal cutting device different from the present embodiment. May be different or different. The supply device 5 includes, for example, a storage and delivery unit 5a and a nozzle 5b. Although not particularly illustrated, the storage and delivery unit 5a includes, for example, a tank that stores the liquid cutting agent 103, a compressor that sends the cutting agent 103 in the tank, and a motor that drives the compressor. The liquid cutting agent 103 delivered by the compressor is supplied into the container 3 from the nozzle 5b. The supply device 5 can control the start and stop of the supply of the cutting agent 103 by, for example, driving and stopping the compressor or opening and closing the valve.

  The cooling device 7 includes a compressor 15 that sends out air, a chiller 17 that cools the air sent out by the compressor 15, a flow path 19 that is provided in the container 3 and through which the air cooled by the chiller 17 flows, and a flow path 19. And a temperature sensor 21 for detecting the temperature of the air supplied to the. An appropriate range including the compressor 15, the flow path 19, and / or the temperature sensor 21 in addition to the chiller 17 may be referred to as a chiller or a chiller system.

  The compressor 15 is rotationally driven by an electric motor (not shown), and sucks and sends out the atmosphere around the cutting device 1, for example. The configuration of the compressor 15 may be the same as a known configuration.

  The chiller 17 has a flow path 23 through which a refrigerant (for example, chlorofluorocarbon) circulates. Various devices are arranged in the flow path 23. For example, an evaporator 25 for performing heat exchange between a medium flowing through the flow path 23 and air sent from the compressor 15, a compressor 27 for compressing a refrigerant whose temperature has increased in the evaporator 25, and compression A condenser 29 that cools and condenses the refrigerant, and an expansion valve 31 that condenses and flows the refrigerant flowing to the evaporator 25 at a low pressure. In FIG. 1, an air cooling fan is illustrated in the condenser 29, but the condenser 29 may be a water cooling type.

  The chiller 17 can cool the supplied air to −10 ° C. or lower, for example. Preferably, the chiller 17 can cool the supplied air to −100 ° C. or lower (for example, about −120 ° C.). Note that a chiller capable of cooling the air to a temperature of −20 ° C. or lower or −50 ° C. or lower may be selected depending on various circumstances.

  In addition, as a chiller which can cool the supplied air to -100 degrees C or less, the "ultra low temperature chiller cold wave" by ADD Co., Ltd. can be used, for example. This ultra-low temperature chiller can cool air to a temperature of about −130 ° C. by using a multistage evaporator and a mixed refrigerant. In addition to air, this chiller can also cool CFC gas, liquid nitrogen, argon gas, etc. to a temperature of about -130 ° C. If it is a fluorine-based gas, it can be cooled to about -135 ° C.

  The flow path 19 is arrange | positioned at at least any one of the appropriate position (for example, center side of internal space) of the side part, bottom face part, and internal space of the container 3, for example. In FIG. 1, the case where the flow path 19 is arrange | positioned at the bottom face part of the container 3 is illustrated. Further, the flow path 19 may be formed integrally with the container 3 by being positioned inside (in the plate thickness) of the side surface portion or the bottom surface portion of the container 3, or a pipe adjacent to the container 3 is provided. For example, the container 3 may be formed separately. When the flow path 19 by a pipe etc. adjoins the container 3, the flow path 19 may be adjacent to the inner surface of a container, and may be adjacent to the outer surface of a container. Further, the adjoining is preferably accompanied by the contact of the member constituting the flow path 19 with the container 3, but may be through a relatively small gap.

  In addition, in this application, when expressing that the flow path is provided in the container, it may be any aspect of the aspects illustrated above or a combination thereof. For example, not only when the flow path is formed integrally with the container but also when the flow path is formed by a member different from the container, when the flow path is adjacent to the container, and when the flow path is inside the container Even when located in the space, it is expressed that the flow path is provided in the container. About the variation of a container or a flow path, a figure is illustrated later.

  For example, the temperature sensor 21 detects the temperature of the air sent out by the compressor 15 after cooling by the evaporator 25 and before flowing into the flow path 19 provided in the container 3. In addition to or instead of the temperature sensor 21, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the air after flowing out of the flow path 19, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the container 3, or a cutting agent 103 is provided. A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature may be provided. The configuration of the temperature sensor may be similar to various known configurations.

  The apparatus main body 9 may have the same configuration as a known machine tool main body or an industrial robot. For example, the apparatus main body 9 includes a main shaft 33 that holds the cutting tool 105, a main shaft motor 35 that rotates the cutting tool 105 via the main shaft 33, a table 37 that holds the container 3, a main shaft 33, and a table 37. It has a feed motor 39 (only one is illustrated in FIG. 1) for relative movement in the axial direction (xyz direction).

  In the apparatus main body 9, the container 3 may be fixed to the table 37 by a mechanism for holding the workpiece by the table 37, or a mechanism or fixing means (bolt or the like) provided separately from such a mechanism. May be fixed to the table 37. The container 3 may be provided in the apparatus main body 9 instead of the table 37.

  The nozzle 11 is provided on an extension of the flow path 19. Then, the air after flowing through the flow path 19 and cooling the cutting agent 103 is ejected from the nozzle 11. For example, the nozzle 11 is attached to the apparatus main body 9 (for example, a spindle head) so as to be movable together with the cutting tool 105. And the jet nozzle of the nozzle 11 is orient | assigned to the cutting position (around the cutting tool 105). The specific position, orientation, and the like may be appropriately set with reference to, for example, the position and orientation when the cutting oil is sprayed in a normal machine tool. By blowing air from the nozzle 11 to the vicinity of the processing point, the chips can be blown off. As a result, for example, damage to the work material 101 is reduced.

  Although the control device 13 is illustrated as one block in FIG. 1, in reality, the control device included in each device such as the control device included in the chiller 17 and the control device (NC device) included in the device main body 9. It may consist of

  For example, the control device 13 is configured so that all of the work material 101 or a portion to be cut in the container 3 is immersed in the liquid cutting agent 103 and the liquid cutting agent 103 does not overflow from the container 3. The supply device 5 can be controlled so that the cutting agent 103 is supplied to the container 3.

  Specifically, for example, the container 3 is provided with a liquid level sensor 41 for detecting the height of the liquid level, and the control device 13 detects the detected value of the liquid level sensor 41 after the supply of the cutting agent 103 is started. When the target value is reached, the supply device 5 is controlled to stop the supply of the cutting agent 103. In addition, for example, instead of the liquid level sensor 41, a flow sensor (not shown) that detects the supply amount of the cutting agent 103 is provided in the supply device 5, and the cutting agent 103 is detected when the detection value of the flow sensor becomes a target value. May be stopped.

  The target value such as the liquid level or the flow rate is such that all of the work material 101 or a portion to be cut is immersed in the liquid cutting agent 103 in the container 3, and the liquid cutting agent 103 does not overflow from the container 3. Is set to This target value may be set by an operator via an input device (not shown), or may be automatically set by the control device 13 based on the dimensions of the work material 101 and / or the container 3 or the like. .

  Further, the control device 13 can control the cooling device 7 (the chiller 17 and the like thereof) so that the cutting agent 103 is cooled to a temperature at which the cutting agent 103 in the container 3 is frozen, for example.

  Specifically, for example, the control device 13 controls the chiller 17 based on the detection value of the temperature sensor 21 so that the temperature of the air supplied to the flow path 19 is maintained at the target temperature. The target temperature is set to a temperature at which the cutting agent 103 can be frozen (a temperature lower than the freezing point of the cutting agent 103). In addition, a temperature sensor (not shown) that detects the temperature of the cutting agent 103 is provided, and the chiller 17 is controlled so that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is maintained at a target temperature that is equal to or lower than the freezing point of the cutting agent 103. Good. These target temperatures may be set by an operator via an input device (not shown) in consideration of, for example, the freezing point of the cutting agent 103 and the force necessary for holding the workpiece 101.

  In addition, although the freezing point of the cutting agent 103 changes with the kinds, it is about-several degrees C or less, and in the thing with a low freezing point, it is-tens of degrees C. Therefore, it is preferable that the target temperature of the detection value of the temperature sensor 21 is appropriately set within a range of −10 ° C. or lower or −100 ° C. or lower, for example. For example, from the viewpoint of obtaining a high holding force, the target temperature is about -120 ° C. However, the target temperature may be set to −20 ° C. or −50 ° C. depending on various circumstances. The control method of the chiller 17 may be the same as a known method.

  Further, the control device 13 can control the device main body 9 so as to drive the cutting tool 105 at a position where the work material 101 held in the container 3 by the frozen cutting agent 103 is cut together with the cutting agent 103. is there. However, whether or not the work material 101 is cut together with the cutting agent 103 is determined by the relative relationship between the cutting position and the supply amount of the cutting agent 103. This may be the same as the control of the machine tool.

  Specifically, for example, the control device 13 defines a path of relative movement in the xyz direction between the spindle 33 (cutting tool 105) and the table 37 (container 3) at the time of cutting, the number of rotations of the spindle 33, and the like. Coordinate data (for example, NC data) is held, and the apparatus main body 9 is controlled according to the coordinate data. The command based on NC data may be an absolute command, an incremental command, or a combination thereof.

  The operation of the cutting device 1 is preferably performed fully automatically by the control device 13 from the placement of the work material 101 before cutting to the container 3 to the unloading of the work material 101 after cutting from the container 3. However, a part may be made by an operation by an operator. For example, when the liquid cutting agent 103 is stored in the container 3 to an appropriate height, the operator visually observes the liquid level of the cutting agent 103 and the operator performs an operation of stopping the supply device 5 based on the visual result. You may go.

  The container 3, the supply device 5, the cooling device 7, and the control device 13 constitute a chuck 4 for holding the work material 101 by freezing the cutting agent 103 in the cutting device 1.

  The work material 101 may be made of any material. For example, the material of the work material 101 is a metal, ceramic, resin, wood, or a composite material including any two or more thereof. The metal is, for example, stainless steel, titanium, or iron.

  The cutting device 1 is effective for processing a metal that is relatively easily bent, such as copper and aluminum. This will be described later with reference to FIG. The cutting device 1 is also effective for cutting fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) such as carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). When the FRP is cut, the fibers are exposed from the cut surface, and so-called flaking occurs. However, if the cutting agent 101 made of FRP is cut in a state where the cutting agent 103 is frozen, the fiber breaks and the occurrence of fluff is reduced.

  The work material 101 may be cut into any shape. However, the cutting device 1 is effective in forming a relatively thin or thin shape partially or entirely. Examples of such a thin or thin member include a heat sink (having a plurality of fins or a plurality of needles) and a case or cover of a lithium ion battery.

  The entire work material 101 is preferably immersed in a liquid cutting agent 103. From another viewpoint, the volume of the container 3 is preferably larger than a virtual volume of a rectangular parallelepiped having a maximum dimension in each direction of the work material 101 before or after cutting. However, the workpiece 101 before or after cutting may have a shape and size that partially protrudes outside the container 3.

  The cutting agent 103 (cutting oil) may be used for cooling and lubrication of a processing point and washing of chips in a normal cutting process. The cutting agent 103 may be an oil-based cutting oil or a water-soluble cutting oil. Silicone oil may be used as the oil-based cutting oil. Further, the cutting agent 103 may be a normal cutting agent diluted with water. From the viewpoint of ease of freezing, the cutting agent 103 preferably has a freezing point of −10 ° C. or higher.

  The cutting tool 105 only needs to be able to cut the workpiece 101 and is, for example, an end mill or a drill.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the container 3 and members around it.

  For example, as described above, the container 3 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with the top opened. The flow path 19 is configured by a pipe 20 disposed inside the container 3. For example, the pipe 20 is disposed on the bottom surface of the container 3 and extends along the bottom surface of the container 3 while being bent zigzag. For example, the lower side of the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 20 is in contact with the bottom surface of the container 3.

  A plurality of support portions 43 are provided between the portions of the pipe 20 that are bent in a zigzag manner in order to support the work material 101. The height of the support portion 43 from the bottom surface of the container 3 is higher than the height of the pipe 20 from the bottom surface of the container 3. Therefore, the work material 101 is supported by the support portion 43 without contacting the pipe 20.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to cool the cutting agent 103 by directly contacting the cutting agent 103 with the pipe 20. Further, the cutting agent 103 can be brought into contact with the lower surface of the work material 101 as much as possible.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a cutting method using the cutting apparatus 1.

  First, in step ST1, as a preparation, the control device 13 performs a relative movement path in the xyz direction between the spindle 33 (cutting tool 105) and the table 37 (container 3) at the time of cutting, the number of rotations of the spindle 33, and the like. Is obtained (for example, NC data).

  In step ST <b> 2, the control device 13 controls a conveying device (not shown) to place the work material 101 in the container 3. In addition, as a conveying apparatus, you may use the articulated industrial robot etc. which can hold | maintain the to-be-cut material 101 by holding | grip or adsorption | suction etc., for example.

  In step ST3, the control device 13 controls the supply device 5 so as to supply the liquid cutting agent 103 to the container 3 until a predetermined liquid level is reached. Thereby, the work material 101 is immersed in the cutting agent 103. Step ST3 can also be performed before step ST2.

  In step ST <b> 4, the cutting device 1 starts cooling the cutting agent 103. That is, the control device 13 controls the compressor 15 and the chiller 17 so as to start supplying the cooled air to the flow path 19. In addition, cooling may be started before step ST3 or ST2.

  In step ST5, the control device 13 determines whether or not the cutting agent 103 in the container 3 has been frozen, and waits until it is determined that it has been frozen. This determination may be made as appropriate. For example, it may be determined that the elapsed time from the start of cooling exceeds a predetermined threshold, or a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the cutting agent 103 in the container 3 is provided, and the temperature detected by this temperature sensor May be determined to be frozen when a predetermined threshold value equal to or lower than the freezing point of the cutting agent 103 is reached, or may be determined to be frozen when a plurality of these conditions are satisfied. If the control device 13 determines that it is frozen, it proceeds to the next step.

  In step ST6, the control device 13 controls the device main body 9 to perform initial cutting. This cutting may be performed based on, for example, data acquired in step ST1, or may be performed based on data acquired before that time. The origin of this data is, for example, a predetermined relative position between the spindle 33 and the table 37 set before step ST1 or included in the data acquired in step ST1. In this cutting, an appropriate part of the member formed from the work material 101 may be formed. For example, the upper surface of the end (surface orthogonal to the z axis) and two side surfaces intersecting (surface orthogonal to the x axis) And a plane perpendicular to the y-axis).

  In step ST7, the control device 13 sets the relative position between the spindle 33 and the table 37 when the cutting tool comes into contact with the surface formed by the initial cutting as the origin of the data acquired in step ST1. More specifically, for example, the position when contacting a surface orthogonal to the x axis is the x coordinate, the position when contacting the surface orthogonal to the y axis is the y coordinate of the origin, and the surface orthogonal to the z axis Let the position when it touches be the z coordinate of the origin.

  In step ST8, the control device 13 performs cutting (main cutting) of the workpiece 101 based on the data acquired in step ST1. Since the origin is reset in step ST7 with reference to the part where the initial cutting has been completed, even if the work material 101 is not accurately aligned with the container 3 in step ST2, the origin of step ST8 Cutting is performed with high accuracy.

  For example, since the entire work material 101 (excluding the contact surface with the support portion 43) is covered with the cutting agent 103, the work material 101 is frozen by the cutting agent in steps ST6 and ST8. It is cut together with 103. When a part of the work material 101 is exposed on the frozen cutting agent 103, only the work material 101 may be cut in step ST6. From the viewpoint of increasing the processing accuracy, it is preferable that all cutting of the work material 101 is performed together with the cutting of the frozen cutting agent 103.

  When the main cutting in step ST8 is finished, the control device 13 finishes cooling the cutting agent 103 by the cooling device 7. Thereafter, the work material 101 is taken out of the container 3 and conveyed.

  Note that steps ST2 to ST9 may be performed only once or repeated for each step ST1. In other words, the cutting device 1 may be used for manufacturing a single prototype or the like, or may be used for mass production of the same product.

  As described above, the cutting method of the present embodiment includes the storing step (steps ST2 and ST3) in which the work material 101 and the liquid cutting agent 103 into which the work material 101 is immersed are stored in the container 3, and the inside of the container 3 A freezing step (steps ST4 and ST5) for freezing the cutting agent 103, a cutting step (steps ST6 to ST8) for cutting the work material 101 held in the container 3 by the frozen cutting agent 103 together with the cutting agent 103, and have.

  In another aspect, the cutting apparatus 1 can cool the container 3 that can store the work material 101, the supply device 5 that can supply the liquid cutting agent 103 to the container 3, and the cutting agent 103 in the container 3. It has a cooling device 7, a device main body 9 capable of driving the cutting tool 105, and a control device 13. The control device 13 supplies the cutting agent 103 in such an amount that the work material 101 is immersed in the cutting agent 103 in the container 3, cools the cutting agent 103 to a temperature at which the cutting agent 103 in the container 3 is frozen, The supply device 5, the cooling device 7, and the device main body 9 are controlled so that the cutting tool 105 is driven at a position where the work material 101 held in the container 3 is cut together with the cutting agent 103 by the frozen cutting agent 103. .

  In another aspect, the chuck 4 can cool the container 3 that can store the work material 101, the supply device 5 that can supply the liquid cutting agent 103 to the container 3, and the cutting agent 103 in the container 3. A cooling device 7 and a control device 13 are provided. The control device 13 supplies the cutting agent 103 in such an amount that the work material 101 is immersed in the cutting agent 103 in the container 3, and cools the cutting agent 103 to a temperature at which the cutting agent 103 in the container 3 is frozen. The supply device 5 and the cooling device 7 are controlled.

  Therefore, it is easy to hold the work material 101 which is cut at least partially thinly or thinly.

  FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C are schematic cross-sectional views for explaining this action.

  First, as shown in FIG. 4A, it is assumed that one side (left side of the drawing) of the workpiece 101 is cut. As already described, the workpiece 101 is covered with the frozen cutting agent 103, and the frozen cutting agent 103 is cut together with the workpiece 101. Therefore, the groove 103a is formed in the work material 101.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the cutting agent 103 that has returned to the liquid by the heat during cutting flows into the groove 103a. Note that the liquid cutting agent 103 may be appropriately supplied to the groove 103a by the supply device 5.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4C, the liquid cutting agent 103 flowing into the groove 103a is frozen. The cutting agent 103 in the groove 103a is directly deprived of heat by the frozen cutting agent 103 around it. Therefore, the cooling by the cooling device 7 is not necessarily continued. When the cutting agent 103 flowing into the groove 103a is frozen, the work material 101 is covered (supported) with the frozen cutting agent 103 in the same manner as before the groove 103a is formed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4C, the right side of the cutting agent 103 is cut. If necessary, the cutting of the cutting agent 103 on the right side of the drawing may be started after waiting for an appropriate time until the liquid cutting agent 103 flowing into the groove 103a freezes.

  Since the cutting agent 103 flows into the groove 103a and is frozen, even if the right side of the cutting agent 103 in the drawing is cut, the workpiece 101 is suppressed from being bent or broken to the left side of the drawing. Further, even if the right side of the cutting agent 103 is cut to the lower side of the drawing, the cutting agent 103 is prevented from falling.

  In other words, a thin or thin shape can be cut using a general machine tool or the like without depending on a skilled worker. For example, it becomes possible to realize a thin (thin) shape of less than 1 mm using a general machine tool or the like.

  The inventors conducted an experiment of cutting the workpiece 101 using an apparatus having the same configuration as the cutting apparatus 1 including a general machine tool as the apparatus main body 9. The material of the work material 101 was an aluminum alloy (JIS A6063-T5). The cutting agent 103 was prepared by diluting water-soluble cutting oil (the solidification point was estimated to be −10 ° C. or higher and lower than 0 ° C.). The cutting tool was a super steel non-coated square end mill having a diameter of 10 mm and a twist angle of 30 °, and side processing was performed. The cutting speed was 100 m / min, and the feed amount per blade was 0.1 mm. As a result, a fin having a height of 15 mm, a width of 20 mm, and a thickness of 0.38 mm could be formed.

  In the present embodiment, in the freezing process (steps ST4 and ST5) and the cutting process (steps ST6 to ST8), a gas of −10 ° C. or lower is supplied to the flow path 19 provided in the container 3 so that the cutting agent 103 is used. Cooling. Moreover, from another viewpoint, the cooling device 7 includes a chiller 17 that can supply a gas of −10 ° C. or lower to the flow path 19 provided in the container 3.

  Therefore, the cutting agent 103 can be efficiently cooled at a relatively low cost by appropriately arranging the flow path 19.

  In particular, when the chiller 17 can supply a gas of −100 ° C. or lower (for example, about 120 ° C.), the holding force of the work material 101 by the frozen cutting agent 103 is dramatically improved. The reasons include, for example, that the work material 101 is not easily melted by heat at the time of cutting, and that the liquid cutting agent 103 that has flowed into the groove 103a shown in FIG. 4 can be frozen at an early stage. From the viewpoint of more effectively obtaining such an effect (the effect of early freezing), the freezing point of the cutting agent 103 is preferably about −10 ° C. or higher and lower than 0 ° C.

  In the present embodiment, the coagulant into which the work material 101 is immersed is a cutting agent.

  Therefore, it is suppressed that the container 3, the work material 101, the cutting tool 105, etc. rust. Further, it is also expected that lubrication is performed by the cutting agent 103 melted microscopically by heat at the time of cutting.

  In the present embodiment, the cutting apparatus 1 further includes a nozzle 11 that can inject the air that has passed through the flow path 19 toward the work material 101.

  That is, the air for cooling the cutting agent 103 can be used to blow off chips. Therefore, the processing accuracy can be improved while reducing the cost of the cutting device 1. Moreover, although the air injected from the nozzle 11 has been heat-exchanged with the cutting agent 103, it is cooled, so it is expected to contribute to directly cooling the work material 101.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a main part of a cutting apparatus 201 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Note that in the second embodiment, configurations that are the same as or similar to the configurations of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference symbols as in the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof may be omitted.

  The cutting device 201 is different from the cutting device 1 of the first embodiment in the configuration of the cooling device, and is not provided with the nozzle 11. About the other structure, the cutting device 201 is the same as the cutting device 1 of 1st Embodiment.

  The cooling device 207 of the cutting device 201 (chuck 204) is configured such that the refrigerant of the chiller 217 is directly supplied to the flow path 19 provided in the container 3. That is, the flow path 223 and the flow path 19 of the chiller 217 are connected, and the refrigerant circulates through these flow paths. Even in such a configuration, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  In addition, as a refrigerant | coolant, a suitable thing may be selected similarly to 1st Embodiment. For example, the refrigerant is chlorofluorocarbon, argon, liquid nitrogen, or a fluorinated solvent.

(Modifications of containers, etc.)
Fig.6 (a) -8 has shown the modification of the container.

  In the modification of FIG. 6A, the pipe 20 (flow path 19) is disposed outside the container 3. More specifically, for example, the pipe 20 is wound around the outer peripheral surface (side surface) of the container 3 one or more times. The pipe 20 may be disposed outside the bottom surface of the container 3 in addition to or instead of the outside of the outer peripheral surface. The container 3 and the pipe 20 may be fixed to each other by welding, screws, or the like, or may be disposed close to each other so that the container 3 can be carried into and out of the pipe 20.

  According to such a configuration, for example, the shape of the container 3 can be simplified as compared with the aspect shown in FIG. Further, for example, since the cutting agent 103 frozen in the container 3 is not caught by the pipe 20, it is relatively easy to take out the cut work material 101 from the container 3 together with the frozen cutting agent 103. It is. For example, when the container 3 and the pipe 20 are not fixed, the container 3 is unloaded from the pipe 20 when the cutting is completed, and the workpiece to be cut next is waited for the cutting agent 103 to melt. By arranging another container 3 holding the cutting material 101 on the pipe 20, productivity can be improved.

  In the modification of FIG. 6B, the container 301 (corresponding to the container 3) has a double structure. That is, the container 301 includes an outer container 303 and an inner container 305 accommodated in the outer container 303.

  The outer container 303 is made of, for example, a material with relatively high heat insulation (for example, ceramic), and the inner container 305 is made of, for example, a material with relatively high heat transfer (for example, metal). Although not shown, the flow path 19 for cooling the cutting agent 103 is disposed, for example, inside the inner container 305 or between the inner container 305 and the outer container 303. The outer container 303 and the inner container 305 may be fixed to each other, or may be easily removable from each other.

  According to such a configuration, for example, the cutting agent 103 in the container 301 can be efficiently cooled. For example, when the flow path 19 is fixed to the outer container 303 and the inner container 305 can be carried into and out of the outer container 303, the inner container 305 is moved to the outer side when the cutting is completed. It is possible to improve productivity by carrying out another inner container 305 holding the work material 101 to be cut next into the outer container 303 while waiting for the cutting agent 103 to melt from the container 303. it can. Further, for example, when the flow path 19 is fixed to the inner container 305, the heat insulation of the existing inner container 305 (container 3) can be easily improved.

  In the modification of FIG. 6C, the container 307 (corresponding to the container 3) has a plurality of fins 307a. The arrangement position, number, and dimensions of the plurality of fins 307a may be set as appropriate. FIG. 6C illustrates a case where a plurality of fins 307a are formed on substantially the entire outer peripheral surface. In addition, the plurality of fins 307a may be provided on the upper end of the container 307, or may be provided on the bottom surface of the container 307 when the container 307 is supported by a leg member or the like.

  According to such a configuration, for example, by sending a cooled gas (for example, air) directly to the outer periphery of the container 307, the container 307 is efficiently radiated, and as a result, the cutting agent 103 is efficiently removed. Can be frozen. In addition, as shown with a dashed-two dotted line, the flow path 309 which flows the refrigerant | coolant which consists of gas or a liquid while making it contact with the several fin 307a by providing the member which covers the several fin 307a may be comprised.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be implemented in various aspects.

  In the embodiment, the case where the entire cutting method of the present invention is automatically executed by the apparatus is illustrated, but part or all of the cutting method may be performed manually or semi-automatically. For example, the placement of the work material in the container may be performed by the operator directly holding the work material, or may be performed by the operator operating a crane or the like. Further, for example, the supply of the coagulant (cutting agent) to the container may be performed by an operator using a handle or a manual pump, or the operator operates start and stop of an electric motor that drives the compressor. May be performed. Further, for example, the cutting may be performed by the operator operating the relative movement between the spindle of the machine tool and the table.

  As can be understood from the above description, the cutting device or chuck for realizing the cutting method of the present invention may omit the supply device or omit a part of the control device. Therefore, from the present application, for example, the invention of the following cutting apparatus can be extracted.

(Invention 1)
A container capable of containing a work material and a liquid coagulant into which the work material is immersed;
A cooling device capable of cooling the coagulant in the container;
An apparatus body capable of driving a cutting tool;
The cooling device includes a chiller capable of supplying a gas of −10 ° C. or lower to a flow path provided in the container.

  Also in the cutting apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, a preferable aspect such as a nozzle capable of injecting the gas that has passed through the flow path toward the cutting position may be employed.

  The coagulant is not limited to a cutting agent. For example, the solidified material may be water or a cleaning agent, or may be an oil that is not used for a cutting agent. The freezing point of the coagulant is preferably less than room temperature. That is, the coagulant is preferably a material that is liquid at room temperature (room temperature) and freezes below the freezing point below room temperature. The normal temperature is, for example, 20 ° C. ± 15 ° C. in the definition of Japanese Industrial Standard.

  The coagulant may be a material having a freezing point equal to or higher than room temperature. In this case, for example, the coagulant may be liquefied by heating and supplied to the container. In this case, the cooling device can be omitted.

  The cooling device is not limited to one including a chiller. For example, the cooling device may have a Peltier element provided in the container. When the cooling device includes a chiller, the medium (fluid) circulated in the container (flow path 19) is not limited to gas but may be liquid. The gas circulated in the container is not limited to air, and may be an appropriate type of gas. The same applies to the fluid ejected from the nozzle to the processing point. The fluid other than air is, for example, water, Freon gas, liquid nitrogen, or argon gas.

  A part of the device described in the present application can be used for a Meissner coil or a cold trap of a vacuum device.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cutting device, 3 ... Container, 5 ... Supply device, 7 ... Cooling device, 9 ... Apparatus main body, 11 ... Control apparatus, 101 ... Work material, 103 ... Cutting agent (coagulant), 105 ... Cutting tool.

Claims (6)

An accommodating step of accommodating a work material and a liquid coagulant into which the work material is immersed in a container;
A freezing step of freezing the coagulant in the container;
A cutting step of cutting the work material held in the container by the frozen coagulant together with the coagulant;
Have
In the freezing step and the cutting step, the chiller supplies a cooled fluid to the flow path provided in the container,
In the cutting step, the fluid that has passed through the flow path is ejected toward a position where the work material is cut. An accommodating step of accommodating a work material and a liquid coagulant into which the work material is immersed in a container;
A freezing step of freezing the coagulant in the container;
A cutting step of cutting the work material held in the container by the frozen coagulant together with the coagulant;
Have
In the cutting process,
Cutting one surface of the work material together with the coagulant,
When the one side surface is cut, the coagulant returned to the liquid by the heat at the time of cutting or the replenished liquid coagulant flows into the groove formed on the one side of the work material, After the flowing coagulant freezes, the other surface of the work material is cut together with the coagulant so that the thickness of the one surface and the other surface is less than 1 mm. Cutting method. A container that can hold a work material;
A supply device capable of supplying a liquid coagulant to the container;
A cooling device capable of cooling the coagulant in the container;
An apparatus body capable of driving a cutting tool;
Have
The cooling device includes a chiller capable of supplying a cooled fluid to a flow path provided in the container,
A cutting apparatus further comprising a nozzle capable of spraying the fluid that has passed through the flow path toward a position where the work material is cut by the cutting tool. The coagulant is supplied in such an amount that the work material is immersed in the coagulant in the container, the coagulant is cooled to a temperature at which the coagulant in the container is frozen, and the coagulant is frozen. And a control device for controlling the supply device, the cooling device, and the device main body so that the cutting tool is driven at a position where the work material held in the container is cut together with the coagulant. The cutting device according to claim 3 . A container that can hold a work material;
A supply device capable of supplying a liquid coagulant to the container;
A cooling device capable of cooling the coagulant in the container;
Have
The cooling device includes a chiller capable of supplying a cooled fluid to a flow path provided in the container,
The chuck further comprising a nozzle capable of ejecting the fluid that has passed through the flow path. Supplying the coagulant in such an amount that the work material is immersed in the coagulant in the container, and cooling the coagulant to a temperature at which the coagulant in the container freezes; The chuck according to claim 5 , further comprising a control device that controls the cooling device.

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