JPH02311203A - Automatic working device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To avoid useless labors in an exchanging operation by providing a head exchanging means which slides one tool head while removing it from a working means and slides the other tool head while attaching it to the working means when a workpiece is worked by the other tool head. CONSTITUTION:When a workpiece to be furnished next is read by a controller 23, a drum 14 of a stocker 13 is rotated, and a rack 15 receiving a tool head suited for the drum is opposed to a turntable. The rack is turned 180 deg. to wait for working in a position of a feed slide 20 of a head transfer device 12. On the other hand, in working a workpiece WA with a working device 6, a first head HA1 in a head exchanging position C is sent to D position by a feed slide 20, while the waiting tool head is sent to the tool exchanging position C and mounted on the working device 6. Thus, in working, the tool head for the next working can be mounted on the working device 6 to dispense with the stoppage for head exchanging operation.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an automatic processing device that performs various types of machining such as a milling cutter and a drill, and in particular, an automatic processing device that performs various types of machining such as a milling cutter and a drill, and in particular, an automatic processing device that performs various types of machining such as milling cutters and drills, and in particular, an automatic processing device that performs various types of machining such as a milling cutter and a drill. This invention relates to automatic processing equipment.

(Prior Art) Cylinder blocks, which are automobile engine parts, are subjected to various machining processes such as milling, drilling, poling, reaming, tapping, and honing.

When mass producing parts that require such multi-step machining, multiple specialized machine tools such as milling cutters and drills are installed, and a device that changes the progress of the workpiece is installed, and the workpiece is moved between them. Connected by a conveying device such as a transfer bar,
Transfer lines that sequentially machine workpieces are known.

In addition, when the processed product is an automobile part, there is a demand for mass production of multiple parts at random, so the dedicated machine tool is converted to NC (numerical control) to realize a more flexible production system. line is used.

The automatic processing devices incorporated in such flexible transfer lines include those equipped with an automatic tool change mechanism (ATC) that automatically exchanges tools such as drills, and automatic head exchange mechanisms that automatically exchange tool heads. (A
HC) or a combination of both mechanisms.

Automatic processing equipment equipped with an automatic head exchange mechanism is capable of performing multiple processes with a single machine, and is capable of transporting multiple tool heads to which specific tools are attached for each process, and each tool head. It has a head conveyance device and a workpiece processing device to which a selected tool head is attached and processes a workpiece. The main spindle in this workpiece machining device is connected to a tool of an attached tool head, and a predetermined machining process is performed on the workpiece by operating this main spindle by a main spindle driving means. Further, the workpiece processing device is rotatably configured to move the tool head between a processing position where it faces the workpiece and processes the workpiece, and an exchange position where the tool head is replaced with another tool head. .

When performing the next step of machining using this automatic processing device, the workpiece processing device first rotates and moves the tool head to the exchange position. Further, a tool head suitable for the next process is selected, and the tool head is transported to a workpiece processing device by a head transport device. Next, at the exchange position, this tool head is exchanged with the installed tool head for the previous process. On the other hand, the tool head removed from the workpiece processing device is transported to the head transport device and returned to its original standby position.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, in automatic processing equipment equipped with a conventional automatic head exchange mechanism, the head exchange operation is necessary to exchange the tool head of the previous process and the tool head of the next process. During this time, it was not possible to perform machining on the workpiece. Therefore, there is a problem that wasted time occurs due to head replacement, making it impossible to speed up a series of machining operations, and hindering improvement in workpiece production efficiency.

The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and when a tool head is replaced by an automatic processing device equipped with an automatic head replacement mechanism, a workpiece is machined. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic processing device that can improve production efficiency by exchanging tool heads in the same state.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the second object, the present invention is characterized in that at least two tool heads to which tools for processing a workpiece are attached are removably attached, and each of the tool heads is connected to the comprising a workpiece processing means for sequentially facing the workpieces and processing the workpieces, and while the one tool head is processing the workpiece, the other tool head is slid and removed from the workpiece processing means; The automatic processing apparatus is characterized in that the workpiece processing means is provided with a head changing means that is attached to the workpiece processing means while sliding another tool head.

(Function) With the above configuration, when processing a workpiece with one tool head, the head changer 51 slides the other tool head and removes it from the workpiece processing means, and also removes the other tool head from the workpiece processing means. The head is attached to the workpiece processing means while sliding. In this way, since the tool head is replaced while the workpiece is being machined, wasted time during replacement work is eliminated.

(Example) Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an automatic processing device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing main parts of the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing the workpiece processing apparatus in the same embodiment.

The processing station equipped with the automatic processing device 1 shown in Fig. 1.2 is installed in a flexible transfer line, and is used to process workpieces W (of different types) that have been processed, changed their posture, etc. at the previous process station. After the parts to be machined (generic term for parts to be machined) are brought in and subjected to multi-step machining,
It is designed to be transported to the next station. The workpiece W is conveyed by a conveyor 2 between each station.

On the base 3 of this station, the work W transported from the previous processing station by the conveyor 2 is carried into the station, and the work W after processing is carried out and transported to the next station. A workpiece loading/unloading device 4 is provided. This work loading/unloading device 4 has a work base 5 on which a work W is placed via a jig, and further moves the work base 5 in the same direction as the loading/unloading direction of the work W. A positioning and moving means for stopping and positioning the work base 5 at a predetermined position is built-in.

Further, on the base 3, there is a workpiece W that is positioned and fixed.
A workpiece processing device 6 is provided for performing machining such as milling, drilling, and poling on the workpiece.

This workpiece processing apparatus 6 is equipped with an automatic head exchange mechanism 8 and performs machining in four steps using numerical control, and has a rotatable drum 7. On the outer periphery of this drum 7, there are four tool heads H (each workpiece,
A general term for tool heads for each process) is removably attached, and each tool head H is equipped with tools corresponding to the four processes described above.

In FIG. 1, a workpiece WA of type A is carried in, and tool heads HA2, HA3, and HA4 for the second, third, and fourth processes of this workpiece WA are transferred to the workpiece processing device 6. This shows a state in which a tool head HB1 for the first process of a workpiece WB of type B is attached. On the other hand, the tool head H for the first process of the workpiece WA has been replaced with the tool head HB1 and removed from the workpiece processing apparatus 6, and is sent onto a head conveyance apparatus 12, which will be described later. By rotating the drum 7 by 90 degrees, each tool head H faces the workpiece W and sequentially performs predetermined machining.

As shown in FIG. 3, on each side of the workpiece processing device 6,
Hydraulic cylinders 24 operated by hydraulic pressure are provided at the top and bottom (only one side is shown in FIG. 3), and clamp members 25 are attached that are driven by these hydraulic cylinders 24 to clamp and unclamp each tool head H. There is. A part of the tool head H is attached to the clamp member 2.
5, and is fixed by the clamp part trA'25.

Further, a feed unit 9 for moving a tool head H facing the workpiece W forward and backward with respect to the workpiece W is built into the workpiece processing device 6. Furthermore, a spindle motor 11 for driving a tool attached to the tool head H is fixed to the feed unit 9''2. By moving the feed unit 9 in the direction of the workpiece W, the main shaft 10 of the main shaft motor 11 is connected to the tool.

The automatic head exchange mechanism 8 is located at the rear of the workpiece processing device 6, and includes a head conveyance device 12 that conveys each tool head H, and a stocker 1 that accommodates a plurality of tool heads H.
3.

As shown in FIG. 1, the stocker 13 has a rotatable drum 14, and six racks 15 are detachably attached to the outer periphery of the drum 14. As shown in FIG. 2, each rack 15 has four shelves formed therein, each housing four tool heads H.

Tools corresponding to the four steps are attached to each of the four stages of tool heads H. Therefore, the tool head H required for machining one type of workpiece W is one rack 15.
The illustrated stocker 13 is
It stores tool heads H for six types of workpieces W.

Further, in order to identify which workpiece W the tool head H stored in the rack 15 is for, a rack identification member 16 such as an ID card is attached to the upper corner of each rack 15. A reading device 17 that recognizes these rack identification parts trA16 is provided in the stocker 13, and determines to which position the stocker 13 is rotated.

Each tool head H is housed in the rack 15 with the tools facing outward, as indicated by crosshatches in FIG. 1 for convenience, due to the constraints of the structure of the rack 15.

The head transport device 12 is for taking out the tool head H stored in the stocker 13, transporting it to the workpiece processing device 6, and replacing it with the tool head H mounted on the workpiece processing device 6.

This head conveying device 12, as shown in FIG. 1.2,
A head lifter 1 that selectively takes out a necessary tool head H from four stages of tool heads H stored in a rack 15.
It has 8. The head lifter 18 is configured to be able to move up and down, and move forward and backward relative to the rack 15, and is provided on a turntable 19. By rotating this turntable 19, the direction of the tool head H held by the head lifter 18 is reversed. Moreover, between this one turntable and the workpiece processing device 6, the tool head H is conveyed from the turntable 19 to the workpiece processing device 6, and the tool head H removed from the workpiece processing device 6 is transported to the turntable 19. For returning, a feed slide 20 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 1, this feed slide 20 has a rectangular trajectory as a whole, and has a conveying means (not shown) such as a tow conveyor that conveys each tool head H with the tools located on the stocker 13 side. ) is installed. Also,
In order to exchange the tool head H mounted on the workpiece processing device 6 with the newly transported tool head H while sliding, a part of the trajectory of the feed slider and the guide 20 is located on the rear side of the workpiece processing device 6. It is provided on the lower side of the tool head H.

A rack retraction device 21 is provided behind the base 3 to replace the rack 15 attached to the stocker 13, and another rack 15 transported by the rack conveyor 22 can be newly attached to the stocker 13. It is supposed to be done.

Further, selection, transportation, replacement, etc. of the tool head H in this automatic processing device 1 is performed based on the type of workpieces W that are sequentially transported by the conveyor 2. Based on the type data, the workpiece loading/unloading device 4, the workpiece processing device 6, and the head transport device 1
2, and a control device 23 that controls driving and stopping of the spot car 13 and the like.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

In order to perform machining on a workpiece WA of type A using the illustrated automatic processing apparatus 1, the workpiece WA is first conveyed to the workpiece loading/unloading device 4 by the conveyor 2. When the work WA is transported to a predetermined position, the work WA is placed on the work base 5 via a jig. The work base 5 is moved toward the work processing device 6 by the positioning and moving means and is fixed at a predetermined position.

On the other hand, on the four sides of the workpiece processing device 6, the workpiece WA
Tool heads HA1 to HA4 corresponding to the four steps are fixed by clamp members 25. In addition, the drum 7 is
A tool head HA1 for the first step is stopped facing the workpiece WA which is positioned and fixed.

Next, the main shaft motor 11 fixed to the feed unit 9
moves forward with respect to the tool head HAL, and the tool for the first process and the main shaft 10 are connected. Then, by driving the spindle motor 11 and gradually advancing the feed unit 9, the workpiece WA is subjected to the first step of machining. After that, the feed unit 9 is moved backward to stop driving the spindle motor 11, and the feed unit is further moved back to move the spindle 10 and the tool head HA.
Disconnect from l.

When the first process is completed in this way, the drum 7 of the workpiece processing device 6 rotates 90 degrees, and the tool head H for the second process is rotated.
is facing the work WA, and the second
Performs machining of the process.

In this way, by sequentially rotating the drum 7 by 90 degrees,
Machining is being carried out in the third and fourth steps.

When the machining of the following four steps is completed, the work base 5 returns to the conveyance position, and the machined workpiece WA is conveyed to the conveyor 2 to be conveyed to the next machining machine. .

When the automatic processing device 1 is processing the workpiece W in this way, the control device 23 identifies the types of the workpieces W that are sequentially conveyed to the automatic processing device 1, and the type of the next workpiece W. At time A, processing is performed by repeating the above-mentioned cycle, but when the next workpiece W to be carried in is of type B, the tool heads HAl to HA4 installed in the workpiece processing device 6 are replaced by the automatic head exchange mechanism 8. Accordingly, the tool heads HB1 to HB4 are replaced according to the workpiece W.

Next, the replacement of the tool head H will be explained based on FIG.

The control device 23 recognizes in advance the types of workpieces W that are sequentially transported, and is currently processing A workpiece WA, but if the next workpiece W to be transported is B workpiece WB, First, the drum 14 of the switch 13 is driven to rotate. At this time, the reading device 17 attached to the stocker 13 is reading the data of the rack identification member 16.

Based on this data, the control device 23 controls whether the rack 15 storing the tool head H for the workpiece WB is connected to the turntable 1.
9, the rotation of the drum 14 is stopped.

Next, the paddle lifter 18 on the turntable 19 is
The tool head HB1 for the first process is taken out from the rack 15 by ascending, descending, advancing toward the rack 15, and retreating. Then, the turntable 19 is connected to the head lifter 1.
8 rotates 180 degrees while holding the tool head HBl, and reverses the direction of the tool.

Tool head HBl with the tool facing the stocker 13 side
is placed on the feed slide 20 of the head transport device 12 (position A in the figure) and waits at this position.

The control device 23 drives the workpiece machining device 6 as described above, and completes the machining of the first step and the second step on the A workpiece WA. Next, the control device 23 controls the drum 7 of the workpiece processing device 6 in order to perform the third step of machining.
is rotated to make the tool head H face the workpiece WA. Further, the control device 23 advances the tool head HB□, which has been waiting at the A position, to the B position while maintaining the orientation of the tool.

Next, when the workpiece processing device 6 is performing the third process machining on the workpiece WA, the control device 23
The hydraulic cylinder 24 that fixes the tool head HA1 located at the head exchange position C is driven, and the clamp part hoist 25 is brought into an unclamped state.

Then, the control device 23 drives the head transport device 12,
The tool head HBl at position B is moved forward while being slid into the groove 26 of the clamp part It25 along the feed slide 20, and the unclamped tool head HAl is moved forward while being slid from the groove 26 along the feed slide 20. let When the tool head HB1 is completely slid into the groove 26 of the clamp member 25,
Tool head HA removed from workpiece processing device 6
will reach the D position.

Then, the hydraulic cylinder 24 is driven, and the tool head HB1 is fixed to the workpiece processing device 6 by the clamp means 25.

The removed tool head HAl is attached to the feed slide 20
is conveyed to the paddle lifter 18 on the turntable 19. The turntable 19 rotates 180 degrees,
Reverse the orientation of the tool on tool head HAl. and,
The head lifter 18 stores this tool head A1 on a predetermined shelf of the rack 15 for the workpiece WA.

By repeating the above-described cycle, the tool head HA for the workpiece WA attached to the workpiece processing device 6
l~H, A4 are tool heads HB1~H for work B
It will be replaced with B4 and stored in a predetermined rack 15.

In this way, while the workpiece WA is being machined, the tool heads HB1 to HB1 for the workpiece WB to be machined next are
Since the HBs 4 can be sequentially attached to the workpiece processing device 6, wasted time during replacement can be reduced, and the production efficiency of the workpieces W can be improved.

Moreover, since the tool head H is replaced while sliding, leakage of lubricating oil inside the workpiece processing device 6 to the outside can be reduced.

In the illustrated embodiment, the workpiece processing device 6 performs four-step machining, but the present invention is not limited to this, and at least two tool heads H are attached and each The above-mentioned effects can be obtained as long as the workpiece processing apparatus processes the workpieces W by sequentially facing the tool head H to the workpieces W.

Further, the automatic head exchange mechanism 8 is not limited to the one having the illustrated head conveyance device 12 and stocker 13,
While machining the work W, the tool head H can be modified in various ways within the range of being able to be replaced while sliding another tool head H.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained hereinafter, the present invention provides that at least two tool heads to which tools for machining a workpiece are attached are removably attached, and one of each of the tools is attached to the workpiece. and a workpiece machining means for machining the workpiece while sequentially opposing the workpieces, and when the one tool head is machining the workpiece, the other tool head is slid and removed from the workpiece machining means; Since this is an automatic processing device in which the workpiece processing means is provided with a head exchange means that is attached to the workpiece processing means while sliding the tool head, the tool head can be replaced while the workpiece is being processed. By reducing wasted time during replacement, it is possible to achieve two goals in workpiece production efficiency.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an automatic processing device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing main parts of the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing the workpiece processing apparatus in the same embodiment. 1... automatic processing device, 6... workpiece processing device (workpiece processing means), 8...
Automatic head exchange mechanism (head exchange means), -2〇-12... Head conveyance device, 13... Stocker,
18... Head lifter, 19... Turntable, 20... Feed slide, 23... Control device, W... Workpiece, H... Tool head.

Claims (1)

[Claims] At least two tool heads to which tools for processing a workpiece are attached are detachably attached, and the tool head has a workpiece processing means for processing the workpiece by sequentially facing each of the tool heads to the workpiece, the one tool When the workpiece is being processed by the head, the other tool head is removed from the workpiece processing means while sliding, and the head exchange means is attached to the workpiece processing means while sliding the other tool head. An automatic processing device characterized by being installed in a processing means.