JP7520361B2 - How to make an archery handle - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an archery handle.

It is desirable for an archery handle (also called a "riser") (hereinafter, the archery handle or riser is referred to as the "archery handle") to have high molding precision, high rigidity, and light weight. For this reason, light metals such as aluminum and magnesium and fiber-reinforced resins are widely used as materials. Furthermore, in order to reduce weight while maintaining rigidity, archery handles with multiple holes penetrating in the left-right direction are becoming more common. Note that in this application, when referring to the left-right, up-down, front-back, and back-up of an archery handle, this refers to the left-right, up-down, front-back, and back-up as seen by the user when the user is holding the archery and drawing.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes an archery handle made of fiber-reinforced resin and with multiple holes that run through it in the left-right direction.

JP 2008-304179 A

The processing methods used to manufacture archery handles from metals such as aluminum and magnesium can be broadly divided into casting and cutting (so-called machining). Archery handles manufactured by casting have the problem that they do not have high strength. For this reason, archery handles manufactured by cutting metal blocks have become widespread in recent years.

As far as the inventors of this application know, the conventional method for manufacturing metal archery handles by cutting is to use a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) milling machine equipped with an ATC (Automatic Tool Changer), known as a machining center, to mill a metal block fixed on a table.

Figure 19 is a diagram to explain the steps of a conventional method for manufacturing an archery handle, which is carried out using a three-axis machining center.

Using 3D CAD/CAM/CAE software, the worker designs the 3D shape of the archery handle and creates a machining program (NC program) that contains instructions for the machining center to machine the workpiece into the designed 3D shape. In doing so, the worker creates a machining program for machining the right side of the archery handle (hereinafter referred to as the "right side machining program") and a machining program for machining the left side of the archery handle (hereinafter referred to as the "left side machining program").

Next, the worker loads the right-side machining program into the three-axis machining center. The worker also fixes the metal block, which is the workpiece before machining, to the table of the three-axis machining center using a holding device such as a vice. Figure 19(A) shows the state in which the metal block, which is the workpiece 8 before machining, is fixed to the table 9 of the three-axis machining center (in this example, a vertical machining center). Note that the holding device for fixing the workpiece 8 is not shown in Figures 19(A) to (D).

Then, the operator performs a specified operation on the three-axis machining center to execute machining. In response to this operation, the three-axis machining center positions the cutting tool in the x-axis and y-axis directions according to the right-side machining program, and then presses the cutting tool against the workpiece 8 in the z-axis direction while rotating, thereby forming the right side of the archery handle. Figure 19 (B) shows the workpiece 8 after the forming of the right side of the archery handle has been completed.

Then, the worker loads the machining program for the left side into the three-axis machining center. The worker also removes the workpiece 8 in the state shown in FIG. 19(B) from the table 9, turns the workpiece 8 upside down, and fixes it back to the table 9, resulting in the state shown in FIG. 19(C).

Then, the worker performs a specified operation on the three-axis machining center to execute machining. In response to that operation, the three-axis machining center processes the workpiece 8 according to the machining program for the left side, thereby forming the left side portion of the archery handle. Figure 19 (D) shows the workpiece 8 in a state where forming of the left side portion of the archery handle has been completed.

After removing the workpiece 8 in the state shown in Figure 19 (D) from the table 9, the worker polishes and paints the surface, and attaches parts such as a grip to complete the archery handle.

In the above-mentioned method, a three-axis machining center is used as an example, but a five-axis machining center or a simultaneous five-axis machining center can be used to manufacture archery handles with more complex shapes. In addition, in the above-mentioned method, the right side of the archery handle is molded first, followed by the left side, but the order of these steps may be reversed.

In the case of the above-mentioned conventional method, after the right side (or left side) of the archery handle is formed, the workpiece must be removed from the table and reattached to the table in a different position in order to form the left side (or right side). In other words, the removal and attachment of the workpiece is sandwiched between the processing for forming the right side and the processing for forming the left side.

If the workpiece is re-fixed in a position that is even slightly different from the ideal position, the right and left sides of the completed archery handle will be misaligned in the x-axis and y-axis directions. It is difficult to completely eliminate this misalignment. This creates the problem of unintended twisting of the completed archery handle.

In view of the above, the present invention provides a means for molding an archery handle without misalignment of the right and left portions in accordance with the designed shape.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an archery handle, comprising: a first mounting step in which an operator mounts a metal block as a workpiece on a first machine tool having a CNC lathe function; a first forming step in which the first machine tool processes the workpiece without removing and mounting the workpiece in accordance with a first program, which is a processing program created based on the shape of a designed archery handle, and forms the right and left parts of the archery handle excluding the upper and lower end parts; a first removal step in which an operator removes the workpiece that has undergone the first forming step from the first machine tool; and a method for manufacturing an archery handle, comprising: The first aspect of the method for manufacturing an archery handle includes a second attachment step in which the workpiece removed from the first machine tool is attached to a second machine tool having a milling machine function, a second molding step in which the second machine tool molds the portion of the workpiece that was not molded in the first molding step to complete the molding of the archery handle, and a second removal step in which an operator removes the workpiece that has undergone the second molding step from the second machine tool, and the upper and lower end portions of the archery handle are portions that cannot be machined by the first machine tool in the first molding step because the first machine tool is holding the workpiece.

The archery handle manufacturing method according to the first aspect allows for the molding of an archery handle with no misalignment between the right and left sides in accordance with the designed shape.

In the method for manufacturing an archery handle according to the first embodiment, a second embodiment may be adopted in which the second machine tool is a CNC machine tool, and the workpiece is machined in the second forming step according to a second program, which is a machining program created based on the designed shape of the archery handle.

The archery handle manufacturing method according to the second aspect produces an archery handle with high machining precision at the upper and lower end portions.

In the method for manufacturing an archery handle according to the first or second aspect, a third aspect may be adopted in which, in the first forming step, the first machine tool processes the workpiece in a sequence from the center to the periphery of the workpiece.

The method for manufacturing an archery handle according to the third aspect reduces the risk that a portion of the workpiece that has been previously processed and has reduced strength will be deformed by the force applied to the workpiece for subsequent processing.

According to the present invention, an archery handle is molded so that the right and left portions are not misaligned according to the designed shape.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a manufacturing method according to an embodiment. 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating examples of shapes of archery handles manufactured by a manufacturing method according to an embodiment. 11 is a photograph showing an example of a metal block with a gripper welded thereto in a manufacturing method according to an embodiment. 1 is a photograph showing a metal block mounted on a simultaneous 5-axis machining center in a manufacturing method according to an embodiment. 3 is a photograph showing a workpiece being machined by a simultaneous 5-axis machining center in a manufacturing method according to an embodiment. 1 is a photograph showing a workpiece after forming using a simultaneous five-axis machining center in a manufacturing method according to an embodiment; Photograph of a workpiece being removed from a simultaneous 5-axis machining center during a manufacturing method according to one embodiment. 6 is a photograph showing a main body portion of a workpiece separated from a gripping portion and an unnecessary portion connected to the gripping portion in a manufacturing method according to an embodiment. Photograph showing a workpiece being removed from a simultaneous 5-axis machining center during a manufacturing method according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the three-dimensional shape of an archery handle designed in one embodiment. Photograph showing a state in which a workpiece is attached to a simultaneous 5-axis machining center in one embodiment. 1 is a photograph showing a workpiece that has been partially machined by a simultaneous 5-axis machining center in one embodiment. 1 is a photograph showing a workpiece that has been partially machined by a simultaneous 5-axis machining center in one embodiment. 1 is a photograph showing a workpiece after machining has been completed using a simultaneous 5-axis machining center in one embodiment. 1 is a photograph showing a workpiece after machining has been completed using a simultaneous 5-axis machining center in one embodiment. Photograph showing the main body of an archery handle being checked for accuracy using a coordinate measuring machine in one embodiment. Photograph showing the completed archery handle with parts attached in one embodiment. Photograph showing the completed archery handle with parts attached in one embodiment. 1A to 1C are diagrams for explaining the general steps of a manufacturing method for an archery handle according to the prior art.

[Embodiment]
A method for manufacturing an archery handle according to one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "manufacturing method M") will be described below. Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a flow of manufacturing method M. The manufacturing method M will be described below according to the flow of Fig. 1.

Manufacturing method M uses a simultaneous 5-axis multi-task machine tool (an example of a first machine tool) and a simultaneous 5-axis machining center (an example of a second machine tool).

A multi-task machine is a CNC machine that can perform both turning and milling. In other words, a multi-task machine can both rotate the workpiece and the cutting tool. A five-axis multi-task machine is a multi-task machine that can change the positional relationship between the cutting tool and the workpiece by moving in the directions of three linear axes, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis in an orthogonal coordinate system, and by rotating around two rotational axes (for example, the X-axis and Z-axis). A simultaneous five-axis multi-task machine is a five-axis multi-task machine that can simultaneously and synchronously move in the directions of three linear axes and rotate around two rotational axes.

A five-axis machining center is a machining center that can change the positional relationship between a cutting tool and a workpiece by movement in the directions of three linear axes, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis in a Cartesian coordinate system, and by rotation around two rotation axes (for example, the X-axis and Z-axis). A simultaneous five-axis machining center is a five-axis machining center that can simultaneously synchronize movement in the directions of three linear axes and rotation around two rotation axes.

First, the worker uses three-dimensional CAD/CAE software to design the shape of the archery handle to be manufactured (hereinafter referred to as "archery handle H") (Step S01: Design process). Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the shape of the archery handle H designed by the worker. Note that Figure 2(A) shows the archery handle H with the rear side facing upward, and Figure 2(B) shows the archery handle H with the front side facing upward. Also, Figure 2(C) shows the archery handle H with the right side facing upward, and Figure 2(D) shows the archery handle H with the left side facing upward.

Next, the worker uses three-dimensional CAM software to create a processing program for causing a CNC machine tool to process the metal block into the shape of the archery handle H designed using the three-dimensional CAD/CAE software (step S02: program creation process). Note that the three-dimensional CAM software used in step S02 may be software integrated with the three-dimensional CAD/CAE software used in step S01.

In step S02, the operator creates the following two machining programs.
First program: A machining program showing the procedure for causing the simultaneous five-axis machining center to machine the workpiece to form the archery handle H except for the upper and lower end portions.
Second program: A machining program showing the procedure for causing the simultaneous 5-axis machining center to machine the workpiece to form the upper and lower end portions of the archery handle H.

The upper and lower end portions of the archery handle H refer to the portion where the simultaneous 5-axis machining center holds the workpiece and the portion nearby, and are portions that the simultaneous 5-axis machining center cannot process.

In parallel with the work of steps S01 and S02, the worker welds cylindrical metal to two opposing end faces in the longitudinal direction of the metal block that will become the material for the archery handle H, using, for example, a TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding machine, as a gripping portion (step S03: welding process). Figure 3 shows an example of the metal block with the welded gripping portion.

Next, the operator sets the first program in the simultaneous five-axis machining center (step S04: first program setting process).

Then, the worker attaches the metal block to the simultaneous 5-axis combined machine tool as a workpiece by gripping the gripping portion welded to the metal block in step S03 with the chuck of the simultaneous 5-axis combined machine tool (step S05: first attachment process). Figure 4 shows the metal block attached to the simultaneous 5-axis combined machine tool.

Then, the operator performs a predetermined operation on the simultaneous 5-axis machining center to process the workpiece. In response to this operation, the simultaneous 5-axis machining center processes the workpiece according to the first program, forming the archery handle H except for its upper and lower ends (step S06: first forming process). Figure 5 shows the workpiece being processed by the simultaneous 5-axis machining center.

The process of step S06 is performed according to the following procedure, for example, but is not limited to this.
(a) Rough machining using an end mill; (b) Surface finishing using an end mill; (c) Hole machining using an end mill, drill and tap; (d) Cutting preparation using an end mill.

Figure 6 shows the workpiece after step S06 has been completed and the shaping of the archery handle H has been completed except for the upper and lower end portions.

Next, the operator removes the workpiece from the simultaneous five-axis machining center (step S07: first removal process). Figure 7 shows the workpiece after it has been removed through step S07.

Next, the worker uses a metal saw to cut off the gripping portion and the unnecessary portion connected to the gripping portion from the workpiece removed in step S07 from the main body of the workpiece (step S08: gripping portion cutting process). Figure 8 shows the main body portion cut off from the gripping portion and the unnecessary portion connected to the gripping portion through step S08.

Next, the operator sets the second program in the simultaneous five-axis machining center (step S09: second program setting process).

Next, the worker attaches the main body portion, which was separated from the gripping portion and the unnecessary portion connected to the gripping portion in step S08, to a three-axis machining center as a workpiece (step S10: second attachment process).

Then, the operator performs a predetermined operation on the simultaneous 5-axis machining center to process the workpiece. In response to this operation, the simultaneous 5-axis machining center processes the workpiece according to the second program, forming the upper and lower end portions of the archery handle H (step S11: second forming process).

Then, the worker removes the workpiece from the simultaneous five-axis machining center (step S12: second removal process). Figure 9 shows the workpiece removed from the simultaneous five-axis machining center in step S12. This completes the molding of the main body portion of the archery handle H.

The worker then polishes and paints the surface of the main body of the archery handle H, and attaches parts such as grips to complete the archery handle H.

According to the above-mentioned manufacturing method M, the right and left parts of the archery handle are formed by a simultaneous five-axis compound machine tool without removing and attaching the workpiece in between. Therefore, the archery handle is formed without any misalignment between the right and left parts in accordance with the designed shape.

[Example]
Below, we will explain an example of manufacturing an archery handle (hereinafter referred to as "Archery Handle SH-02") designed using generative design, which is a function of CAD/CAM/CAE software "Fusion 360" sold by Autodesk Inc. (California, USA), using manufacturing method M according to one embodiment of the invention.

The handle SH-02 was manufactured using the above-mentioned Fusion 360, the simultaneous 5-axis multitasking machine "NTX1000 2nd Generation" (hereinafter referred to as "NTX1000") sold by DMG Mori Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aichi Prefecture, Japan), the simultaneous 5-axis machining center "VARIAXIS j-600/5X" (hereinafter referred to as "VARIAXIS") sold by Yamazaki Mazak Corporation (Aichi Prefecture, Japan), and the handy probe 3D measuring machine "XM-1200" (hereinafter referred to as "XM-1200") sold by Keyence Corporation (Osaka Prefecture, Japan).

First, we used Fusion 360 to design the three-dimensional shape of the main body of the archery handle SH-02 (Step S01: Design process). Figure 10 shows the three-dimensional shape of the archery handle SH-02.

Next, using a post-processor (post-processing program) for FANUC Corporation (Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan) installed in Fusion 360, a machining program (first program) for NTX1000 showing the procedure for machining the workpiece into the three-dimensional shape of the archery handle SH-02 (excluding the upper and lower end portions) and a machining program (second program) for VARIAXIS showing the procedure for machining the upper and lower end portions of the workpiece machined by NTX1000 into the three-dimensional shape of the archery handle SH-02 were created (Step S02: Program creation process). Note that in Step S02, missing codes for small diameter hole machining, etc. were added to the machining program output from Fusion 360.

Next, before actually starting the machining, we checked to make sure there was no interference between the workpiece, chuck, cutting tools, etc. Because the shape of the SH-02 archery handle is complex, we carefully checked to make sure there were no errors in the indexing of the cutting tools, conversion of three-dimensional coordinates, etc.

In parallel with the above operations, the workpiece before processing was prepared by welding the gripping part to the metal block (Step S03: Welding process).

Then, the first program was set to NTX1000 (step S04: first program setting process).

Next, the gripping portion of the workpiece was fixed with the chucks on both sides of the NTX1000 (step S05: first mounting process). Figure 11 shows the workpiece mounted on the NTX1000.

Next, the NTX1000 was operated to start machining, and the workpiece was shaped according to the first program (step S06: first shaping step). The first program was created in step S02 so that the NTX1000 would cut the workpiece in stages from the center to the periphery (the part held by the chuck) in step S06. By machining the workpiece in this order from the center to the periphery, the risk of deformation of the part of the workpiece that has been machined earlier and has reduced strength due to the force applied to the workpiece in the subsequent machining steps is reduced. Figures 12 and 13 are photographs showing a workpiece that has been partially machined by the NTX1000. Figures 14 and 15 are photographs showing a workpiece that has been completely machined by the NTX1000.

When processing by the NTX1000 was completed, the workpiece was removed from the NTX1000 (step S07: first removal process), and the gripping parts at both ends and unnecessary parts connected to the gripping parts were cut off from the main body (step S08: gripping part cutting process).

Then, the second program was set in VARIAXIS (step S09: second program setting process), and the main body portion separated from the gripping portion and the unnecessary portion connected to the gripping portion in step S07 was attached to VARIAXIS as a workpiece (step S10: second attachment process).

Next, the VARIAXIS was operated to start machining, and the workpiece was formed according to the second program (step S11: second forming process).

When processing by VARIAXIS was completed, the workpiece was removed from VARIAXIS (step S12: second removal process). This completed the main body of the archery handle SH-02.

After that, the main body of the archery handle SH-02 was deburred, and the accuracy of the main body of the archery handle SH-02 was checked using the XM-1200. Figure 16 is a photograph showing the main body of the archery handle SH-02 while an accuracy check was being performed using the XM-1200.

Next, normally, the main body of the archery handle SH-02 would be subjected to anti-rust treatment, surface treatment for decoration, painting, etc., but in this example, in order to clearly show the shape of the archery handle SH-02, these treatments were not performed and parts such as the grip were attached. Figures 17 and 18 are photographs showing the archery handle SH-02 in its completed state with the parts attached.

[Modification]
The above-described embodiment is a specific example of the present invention, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Examples of such modifications are shown below. Note that two or more of the modifications shown below may be combined as appropriate.

(1) In the above-described embodiment, the worker is assumed to be a human, but the worker may also be a robot.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, the gripping portion is welded to the rectangular parallelepiped metal block. The method of creating the metal block with the gripping portion is not limited to this. For example, a machine tool such as a machining center may be used to perform cutting on the rectangular parallelepiped metal block to create a metal block with a gripping portion. The gripping portion may also be attached to the metal block with bolts or the like. Furthermore, if the simultaneous five-axis integrated machine tool can hold the rectangular parallelepiped metal block as is, there is no need to weld the gripping portion to the metal block, attach it by bolting, or perform processing to form the gripping portion on the metal block.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, the simultaneous 5-axis machining center forms all parts of the archery handle H except the upper end and lower end parts. The simultaneous 5-axis machining center processes the workpiece without removing and attaching the workpiece, and does not need to perform all of the molding of the parts of the archery handle H except the upper end and lower end parts, as long as it forms the right and left parts of the parts of the archery handle H except the upper end and lower end parts. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the simultaneous 5-axis machining center does not perform some of the processing of the parts of the archery handle H except the upper end and lower end parts, such as rough processing and surface finishing using an end mill, and hole processing using a drill or tap. In this case, these processing steps that are not performed by the simultaneous 5-axis machining center are performed by the simultaneous 5-axis machining center. In other words, the simultaneous 5-axis machining center forms the unformed parts of the workpiece in the first forming process, and completes the molding of the archery handle H.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, the order of the steps constituting the manufacturing method M shown in FIG. 1 may be changed as appropriate. For example, after the workpiece is attached to the simultaneous 5-axis machining center (step S05: first attachment step), the first program may be set for the simultaneous 5-axis machining center (step S04: first program setting step).

(5) In the above-described embodiment, the shape of the archery handle H shown in the figure is an example, and the shape of the archery handle H may be modified in various ways.

(6) In the above embodiment, a simultaneous five-axis compound machine tool is used for the processing in the first forming step. However, any type of machine tool may be used for the processing in the first forming step as long as it has the function of a CNC lathe (a machine tool capable of performing lathe processing numerically controlled by a computer). For example, it does not necessarily have to have a simultaneous function (a function for synchronizing and simultaneously performing movement in the linear axis direction and rotation around the rotation axis). Also, it does not necessarily have to have a milling function. Also, the number of control axes may be any number greater than or equal to one. The specifications required for the machine tool used for processing in the first forming step vary depending on the complexity of the shape of the archery handle H. However, from the viewpoint of work efficiency, it is preferable that the machine tool has an ATC (Automatic Tool Changer) function. Also, from the viewpoint of ease of creating the first program and the time required for processing, it is preferable that the number of control axes is three or more.

(7) In the above embodiment, a simultaneous five-axis machining center is used for the processing in the second forming step, but any type of machine tool may be used for the processing in the second forming step as long as it has the function of a milling machine. For example, it does not necessarily have to have a CNC (computer numerical control) function. This is because the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the archery handle H require lower processing accuracy compared to the central portion. However, if it is desired to improve the processing accuracy of the upper end portion and the lower end portion, it is preferable to use a machine tool with a CNC function. In addition, the number of control axes may be any number of axes greater than or equal to one. The specifications required for the machine tool used for processing in the second forming step change depending on the complexity of the shape of the archery handle H. However, from the viewpoint of work efficiency, it is preferable that the machine tool has an ATC (Automatic Tool Changer) function. In addition, if it has an NC function, it is preferable that the number of control axes is three or more from the viewpoint of ease of creating the second program and the time required for processing.

Claims (3)

a first mounting step in which an operator mounts a metal block as a workpiece on a first machine tool having a function of a CNC lathe;
a first forming process in which the first machine tool processes the workpiece according to a first program, which is a processing program created based on the shape of a designed archery handle, without removing and attaching the workpiece, and forms a right part and a left part of the archery handle excluding an upper end part and a lower end part;
a first removal process in which an operator removes the workpiece that has been subjected to the first forming process from the first machine tool;
a second mounting step in which an operator mounts the workpiece removed from the first machine tool in the first removal step on a second machine tool having a function of a milling machine;
a second forming step in which the second machine tool forms a portion of the workpiece that has not been formed in the first forming step, thereby completing the formation of the archery handle;
a second removal step in which an operator removes the workpiece that has been subjected to the second forming step from the second machine tool,
A method for manufacturing an archery handle, wherein an upper end portion and a lower end portion of the archery handle are portions which the first machine tool cannot process in the first forming step because the first machine tool holds the workpiece. 2. The method for manufacturing an archery handle as described in claim 1, wherein the second machine tool is a CNC machine tool, and processes the workpiece in the second molding process according to a second program, which is a processing program created based on the designed shape of the archery handle. 3. The method of manufacturing an archery handle according to claim 1, wherein in the first forming step, the first machine tool processes the workpiece in a sequence from the center to the periphery of the workpiece.