JPH04115550U - Tool exchange arm gripping claw interlock mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] Interlock the gripping claws of the tool exchange arm while the tool is inserted into the pot, and when removing the tool, ensure stable tool gripping with the interlocked gripping claws. This reduces restrictions on tool weight in order to prevent tool drop accidents, which have been a common problem in the past, and also enables a downward tool exchange arm posture. [Structure] When the tool T is inserted into the magazine pot 1, the interlock pin 21 for the gripping claw 12, which is provided on the tool exchange arm 9 so as to be movable in the axial direction and is always urged to protrude by a spring, is engaged and disengaged. While you are there, replace the arm unit 8.
This is done by switching the fluid pressure supplied to the fluid pressure actuator 22 fixed to the frame 10 of.

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea]

0001

[Industrial application field]

This invention can be used in automatic tool changers of machine tools or automatic tool supply devices of FMS, etc. The present invention relates to an interlock mechanism for the gripping claws of the tool exchange arm.

0002

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, when changing a tool by gripping the tool with a tool change arm, the tool to be gripped is The tool exchange arm has an interlock that restricts the opening of the gripping claws to prevent them from being dropped. It is set up in

0003 As shown in Figure 5, this interlock mechanism can be opened and closed at the tip of the tool change arm. A pin 101 fixed to the rear end of a pair of gripping claws is abutted to control the opening of the gripping claws. The interlock pin 102, which is movable in the axial direction, is constantly held out by the spring 103. The hand is energized to create an interlock and lock the tool change arm when it retracts in the direction of the rotation axis. The interlock pin 102 is pushed into contact with the fixed block 104, and the pin 101 In many structures, the notch groove 102a comes to the position of , releasing the interlock.

0004

[Problem that the idea aims to solve]

The interlock pin described in the conventional technology has a shape in which the exchange arm is contracted in the direction of the rotation axis. When the interlock pin 102 is pushed in by the fixed block, the interlock pin 102 is Since the lock is released, the weight of the heavy tool will be removed at the moment it is removed from the pot. is applied to the gripping claw, the pin 102 presses the interlock pin 102, and this resistance causes the The movement of the interlock pin may become unsmooth, and in the worst case, the interlock may be activated. The weight of the tool may be The problem is that the amount must be limited.

[0005] The present invention was devised in view of these problems of the conventional technology, The purpose is to eliminate concerns about tools falling and to reduce tool weight restrictions. It is also possible to exchange heavy tools even in the downward position, which was traditionally avoided as the most dangerous arm position. Provides an interlock mechanism for the tool exchange arm gripping claws that can be exchanged. This is what we are trying to do.

[0006]

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the tool exchange arm gripping claw in the present invention has an interlocking mechanism. The locking mechanism is installed on the tool exchange arm so that it can move in the axial direction. The interlock pin, which is energized by the The interlock pin is provided at a position where it acts in a jammed state and resists the force of the spring. a fluid pressure actuator that moves the interlock to engage and disengage the interlock; and means for driving a pressure actuator for the extraction movement of the tool change arm. The gripping claws are first interlocked by operating a fluid pressure actuator.

[0007]

[Effect]

Place the tool inserted into the magazine pot indexed at the tool exchange position into the exchange arc. When the tool change arm is moved to the magazine pot side, it is gripped by the gripping claw of the tool change arm. , actuate the fluid pressure actuator and eject the interlock pin by spring force. After interlocking the gripping jaws, the tool change arm extends in the direction of the rotation axis. Remove the tool from the pot.

[0008]

【Example】

Examples will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. A tool magazine installed on the left floor of the column of a horizontal machining center (not shown) In the machine, a plurality of magazine pots 1 are connected endlessly by a link-like chain. , a sprocket wheel 2 rotated by an NC-controlled rotation indexing mechanism. It is indexed to the replacement position a on the rocket wheel axis.

[0009] On the magazine frame 3, there are a magazine side rotation position b and a main shaft upper position (not shown). A ready station pot 4 is provided at the tip of an arm 5 that can be rotated and indexed by 90 degrees. between the ready station pot 4 and the magazine pot 1 at position b. An exchange arm device is attached to exchange tools between the two.

0010 A vertical guide 7 is attached to the side of the base 6 of the exchange arm device. A frame 10 of an exchangeable arm unit 8 is provided so as to be movable along 7. frame body 10 is rotatable around a pivot axis (not shown) and can be inserted and removed in the direction of the pivot axis. It has a tool exchange arm 9 and can be swung by a pin 11 at the tip of the tool exchange arm 9. A pair of gripping claws 12 pivotally supported by a coil spring 13 and a plate spring 14 keep the gripping claws The portion 12a is biased toward closing.

[0011] A roller 15 is rotatably supported on the rear end surface of the gripping claw 12 by a pin 16. The tool exchange arm 9 has two holes 9a drilled at positions corresponding to the rollers. The roller 17 and the housing 18 are fixed concentrically, and the stop of the housing 18 is fixed. An interlock pin 21 having a cutout groove 21a in the blind hole and the hole in the bearing collar 17 is provided. The interlock pin 21 is inserted into the blind hole of the housing 18 so as to be movable in the axial direction. It is always urged to protrude by a spring 19 inserted deep inside.

0012 On the other hand, the lower side of the frame 10 of the replacement arm unit 8 has an interlock pin 21 and the like. A fluid pressure cylinder 22 is attached to the center, and a piston is inserted into the cylinder 22. An adjusting bolt 24 is concentrically screwed onto the tip of the connecting rod 23. and fluid pressure The source pressure P is switched and supplied to the cylinder by a switching valve 25. Furthermore, an interlock fixing pin 26 similar to the conventional one is installed on the upper side of the frame 10. ing.

[0013] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained. The next tool command is issued from the NC device, and the next tool T to be installed in magazine pot 1 starts machining. It is indexed to the tool exchange position a, and the exchange arm unit 8 moves vertically downward to grasp the tool. The claw 12 grips the next tool. The switching valve 25 is then switched to the B position to close the fluid pressure system. Fluid pressure is supplied to the front chamber of the cylinder 22, and the piston rod 23 moves back, causing an interlock. The interlock pin 21 protrudes under the force of the spring 19, and the outer diameter of the interlock pin hits the roller 15. The contact gripping claws 12 are interlocked.

[0014] Next, the tool change arm 9 extends in the direction of the rotation axis and transfers the next tool T to the magazine port. After pulling it out from the cut 18 and turning it 180 degrees, the replacement arm unit 8 is turned vertically. The next tool T moves upward and becomes concentric with the ready station pot 4, allowing the tool to be replaced. The arm 9 contracts in the direction of the rotation axis and the next tool T is inserted into the ready station pot 4. Ru. Then, the tip of the interlock pin 21 comes into contact with the fixing pin 26 and is pushed in. The notch groove 21a comes to the position of the roller 15 and the interlock is released. Then cross The changing arm unit 8 moves vertically downward and the tool changing arm 9 separates from the next tool. Then, the ready station pot 4 is rotated 90 degrees and becomes parallel to the main shaft. Wait until the cutting process using the installed tool is finished.

[0015] After cutting with the current tool T, the twin arms on the front of the column (not shown) The used tool attached to the spindle and the waiting ready station pot 4 The used tool T is replaced with the next tool to be installed, and the used tool T is placed in the ready station pot. The ready station pot 4 is rotated 90 degrees to position b. It is decided.

[0016] Next, the exchange arm unit 8 moves vertically upward and the gripping claw of the exchange arm 9 12 grips the used tool T, and the tool changing arm 9 extends in the direction of the rotation axis to remove the used tool T. Remove the ingredients from the ready station pot 4. At the same time as this extraction starts, The turlock pin 21 separates from the fixed pin 26, but at this time the weight of the tool is Since it is not acting in the opening direction, the interlock pin is pushed out smoothly and the gripping claw An interlock is performed.

[0017] Next, the exchange arm unit 8 moves vertically downward, and the tool exchange arm 9 moves to the 1 The used tool T, which is rotated 80 degrees and gripped, is concentric with the magazine pot 1, and the tool can be exchanged. The exchange arm 9 contracts in the direction of the rotation axis, inserts the used tool T into the magazine pot 1, and inserts the used tool T into the magazine pot 1. The switching valve 25 is switched to the A position and fluid pressure is supplied to the rear chamber of the fluid pressure cylinder 22. Then, the piston rod 23 moves forward and the interlock pin 21 resists the force of the spring 19. The interlock is released and the replacement arm unit 8 is pushed in vertically upward. The tool exchange arm 9 moves away from the used tool.

[0018] This example is based on the tool change arm of an automatic tool changer for a horizontal machining center. Although we have explained the gripping claw interlock mechanism, it is not compatible with tool stockers such as FMS. Tool exchange is performed between the transport pot that transports tools between tool magazine devices and the magazine pot. Of course, it can also be applied to the gripping claw interlock mechanism of the exchange arm that performs exchange. .

[0019]

[Effect of the idea]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it produces the following effects. The gripping claw interlock of the tool change arm is connected to and released from the fluid pressure actuator. This is done by switching the fluid pressure, while the tool is installed in the pot. Since the gripping jaws are interlocked when When interlocking with No more slipping, no worries about tools falling, and fewer tool weight restrictions. At the same time, stable exchange operation is possible even when the arm is in a vertically downward position. Therefore, there is no ready station pot or tool supply transport pot on the tool magazine device. The structure of the tool changing device when setting the tool changing position can be simplified.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a tool changing arm unit with a fluid pressure actuator for engaging and disengaging an interlock according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG. 1.

[Figure 3] Gripping claws showing the tool exchange arm with the lid removed; the upper part shows the state in which the interlock is released and the grasping claws are open, and the upper part shows the state in which the interlocking claws are closed. FIG.

FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the tool changing arm in FIG. 3 as seen from the line A--A, a fluid pressure actuator, and its fluid pressure drive circuit, with the upper interlock pin and actuator shown in the interlock released state, and the lower is an explanatory diagram showing a state at the time of interlock.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an interlock pin portion of a tool changing arm showing an interlock state using a conventional fixed block.

[Explanation of symbols]

8 Replacement arm unit 9 Tool change arm 10 Frame 12 Gripping claw 21 Interlock pin 22 Fluid pressure actuator

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. In a mechanism for interlocking and disengaging gripping claws of a tool changing arm that is rotatable around a turning axis and that can be inserted and removed in the direction of the turning axis, the tool changing arm is always operated by a spring that is movably provided in the axial direction. An interlock pin is biased to protrude freely, and the interlock pin is moved against the force of the spring, which is provided at a position of the exchange arm unit frame body where it acts when the tool exchange arm is inserted, to engage the interlock. A tool comprising a fluid pressure actuator for removing the tool and a means for driving the fluid pressure actuator, wherein the gripping claws are interlocked by operation of the fluid pressure actuator before the tool exchange arm is removed. Interlock mechanism for replacement arm gripping claws.