JPH04304914A - Multiple spindle machine tool - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To cope with various kinds of works whose individual positions differ from each other by adjusting the distances between respective spindles parallel to each other in each work unit in a multi-spindle machine tool which machines the plural portions of a work simultaneously. CONSTITUTION:A machine tool is equipped with plural work units 40, 50 opposed to each work unit 10, 30 arranged in X direction with plural work units 10-30 and a crank unit 60 being interposed. In this case, the specified spindle is designated in each spindle S1-S5 of each work unit 10-50 in case of executing work. And the designated spindle, for instance, the differential value of the target position and actual position of the spindle S1 is operated and also displayed by an auxiliary display 96. Thereafter, the spindle S1 is moved so that the differential value becomes zero. Namely, the position in the X direction of the spindle S1 is adjusted with the rotating operation of a handle 19 and the Y directional position of the spindle S1 is adjusted with each rotating shaft 12a, 12b of a Y directional shaft moving mechanism 12 being operated with their rotation by a handle 16.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-axis machine tool for simultaneously machining multiple locations on a workpiece.

0002

[Prior Art] Conventionally, when machining multiple locations on a workpiece at the same time using a machine tool, the distance between the axes corresponding to each machining position is calculated, and the distance between the axes of each spindle is the distance between the axes calculated above. A special spindle unit was manufactured that was set to the distance.

0003

[Problem to be solved by the invention] The above spindle unit is
Since the distance between the spindles is fixed, it cannot be applied to workpieces whose individual machining positions are different.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of these conventional problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-axis machine tool that can handle various workpieces whose individual machining positions are different.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is provided with a plurality of main shafts parallel to each other and means for adjusting the distance between the main shafts.

[0006]

[Operation] Since a means for adjusting the distance between the respective spindles is provided, by adjusting the distance between the spindles, the machine can be applied to various workpieces having different specifications for machining positions.

[0007]

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows processing units 10, 20, 30,
4 shows an embodiment of a machine tool according to the invention comprising 40 and 50; In FIG. 1, the processing unit 10
The machining machine has a column 11, a Y-direction moving mechanism 12 disposed on the column 11, and a main axis S1 along the Z direction, and is vertically movably supported on the column 11 via a dovetail groove 11a. It includes a head 13, a belt case 14 integrally connected to the processing head 13, and a motor 15.

The Y-direction axis movement mechanism 12 has a handle 1
The upper surface is provided with two rotating shafts 12a and 12b that are rotated by the processing head 13, and the rotational force of one of the rotating shafts 12a is directly transmitted to a ball screw (not shown) screwed into the processing head 13. The rotational force of the other rotation shaft 12b is transmitted to the screw via a built-in reduction gear (not shown). Note that the ball screw is provided along the Y direction. Therefore, by rotating the rotation shaft 12a or 12b, the processing head 13 is moved in the vertical direction (Y direction) while being guided by the dovetail groove 11a, thereby adjusting the Y direction position of the main shaft S1. Of course, at this time, the belt case 14 and the motor 1
5 also moves up and down together with the processing head 13. The rotation shaft 12a is rotated when the main shaft S1 is moved at high speed, while the rotation shaft 12b is rotated when the main shaft S1 is moved at a slow speed. Further, the power of the motor 15 is transmitted to the main shaft S via a belt built into the belt case 14.
1.

Processing units 30, 40, and 50 have a configuration similar to that of processing unit 10. Therefore, each component of the processing units 30, 40, and 50 is given a reference numeral corresponding to the reference numeral of each corresponding component of the processing unit 10, and the explanation thereof is omitted. On the other hand, the processing unit 20 is not equipped with a Y-direction movement mechanism, and therefore cannot adjust the position of its S2 axis in the Y-direction. Note that this processing unit 20 is rotationally driven by a motor 25.

Processing units 10, 20 and 30 are arranged along the X direction, and processing units 40 and 50 are arranged along the X direction.
are opposed to the processing units 10 and 30, with the clamp unit 60 in between. and column bases 17 of processing units 10, 30, 40 and 50,
Ball screws 18, 38, 48 and 58 disposed along the X direction are screwed into the screws 37, 47 and 57, respectively, and therefore these screws 18,
By rotating 38, 48, and 58, the X-direction positions of processing units 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50, that is, the X-direction positions of main shafts S1, S2, S4, and S5, can be adjusted, respectively.

At the ends of the screws 18, 38, 48 and 58 there are handles 19, 39, 4 for turning them.
9 and 59 are attached, respectively.

The column bases 17 and 37 are supported by a guide means (not shown) that guides them in the X direction, and the column bases 47 and 57 are also supported by a similar guide means. The former and latter guide means are arranged on mutually independent Z-direction moving tables (not shown). Therefore, processing unit 1
Each of the main axes S1, S2S3, and S4 of 0, 30, 40, and 50 has degrees of freedom of movement in the X, Y, and Z directions. In addition,
The processing unit 20 does not have a degree of freedom of movement not only in the Y direction but also in the X direction. However, since the unit 20 is placed on a Z-direction moving table on which the column bases 17 and 37 are placed, it has a degree of freedom of movement in the Z-direction.

[0014] The processing units 10, 20, 30, 40
and 50, the clamp unit 60, etc. are arranged on the bed 70 shown in FIG. 2, and are surrounded by a housing 80. The housing 80 is open at the top. A horizontally movable door 83 that is opened and closed by cylinders 81 and 82 is located in the center of the front of the housing 80.
, 84 are provided. In addition, scale counters 91 and 9 are provided on the left and right sides of the front of the housing 80, respectively.
3 and scale counters 94 and 95 are disposed, and an operating section 92 is disposed near the scale counters 94 and 95. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, an auxiliary display 96 is disposed on the center portion of the rear surface of the housing 80.

The scale counters 91, 93, 94 and 95 and the operating section 92 are connected to a sequencer 101 of a control section 100 shown in FIG. Sensors 110A, 130A, 140A and 150A shown in FIG.
are provided to detect the X-direction positions of the main shafts S1, S3, S4, and S5, and a sensor 110B
, 130B, 140B, and 150B are provided to detect the Y-direction positions of the main shafts S1, S3, S4, and S5. These sensors are composed of linear potentiometers and the like, and their detection signals are given to the sequencer 101. Note that these sensors are not shown in FIG.

[0016] A rotation speed set switch 102 and an axis selection switch 103 provided in the control section 100 are for each main shaft S.
It is operated when setting the rotation speed of 1 to S5. That is, since the rotation speeds of the spindles S1 to S5 differ depending on the model of the workpiece to be machined, first specify the spindle S1 with the axis selection switch 103, and then select the rotation speed set switch 10.
2, the rotational speed of the main shaft S1 is set for each workpiece model. Similarly, the other spindles S2 to S5 are individually designated, and the rotational speed of the designated shafts is set for each workpiece model. Spindles S1 to S5 set in this way
The rotational speed for each model is stored in a rotational speed storage memory (not shown) built into the sequencer 101, and at this time, each model number is associated with the address number of the memory. The operation for setting the set rotational speed is performed while viewing the rotational speed display value on a display (not shown) attached to the control unit 100.

The scale counters 91, 93, 94 and 95 are connected to a target position memory 910 shown in FIG.
930, 940, and 950, respectively, and their memories store target positions in the X and Y directions for positioning the spindles S1, S3, S4, and S5, that is, for setting the distance between the respective spindles. (X1', Y1'), (
X3', Y3'), (X4', Y4') and (X5'
, Y5') are stored in advance. Note that the target position (X1', Y1') differs depending on the model of the workpiece to be machined, so the memory 910 stores a plurality of target positions corresponding to the specifications of the workpiece of each model. and the address number of the memory 910 are associated.

The memory 910 includes a target position storage section 910X for the X direction and a target position storage section 910Y for the Y direction. The storage section 910X has 7-digit output sections O-1 to O-7, and each digit output section has a 4-bit output terminal with weights of 1, 2, 4, and 8. . Then, when the address corresponding to the model number is specified, the pre-stored numerical value is output from the output end of each digit as a BCD code, and as a result,
Target position X1 in the X direction corresponding to the model number
' is output as a 7-digit number. Note that the storage section 91
0Y also has a similar configuration. And other memory 930
, 940 and 950 are also similar in configuration to memory 910.

By the way, the storage sections 910X and 910Y
The number of output lines of the memory 910 is 4 x 7 + 1 = 29, including the output lines of the output terminals that output positive and negative data, and therefore the total number of output lines of the memory 910 is (4 x 7 +
1)×2=58 pieces. Adding up, we get 5
8×4=234 pieces. If such a large number of output lines were to be connected to the sequencer 101, a great deal of effort would be required for the wiring, and moreover, the sequencer 101 would require a great deal of effort.
1 must be provided with a large number of input cards. That is, for example, if an input card with 64 input points is used, four input cards are required.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the output lines of the memories 910, 930, 940 and 950 are connected in parallel, and their common connection point
1 input card 101a. By adding an axis designation signal (memory designation signal) to be described later to the memories 910, 930, 940, and 950, data output is permitted only to the memory corresponding to the selected main axis. Therefore, for example, when the memory 910 corresponding to the spindle S1 is specified by the axis specification signal,
Only this memory 910 can output data, and this data is added to the sequencer 101.

According to this embodiment, memories 910, 93
Since the number of connection lines of the sequencer 101 to 0, 940, and 950 is reduced to 1/4 of that in the above case, it is sufficient to provide one input card 101a of the sequencer 101 with the input point 64.

When machining is performed using the machine tool of this embodiment, a model designation switch (not shown) on the operating section 92 is used.
The model number of the workpiece to be machined is specified by
In addition, one of the main axes S1, S3, S4, and S5 is designated by an axis designation switch 92a (see FIG. 2) provided on the side surface of the housing of the operation section 93. Therefore, the sequencer 101 transmits the signal indicating the specified model number to the memories 910 and 9 of the scale counters 91 and 93 to 95.
30 to 950 as an address signal. Further, the axis designation signal indicating the designated main axis is stored in the memories 910,
In addition to 930, 940, and 950, enable output of memory for the specified principal axis.

Therefore, if the spindle S1 is specified by the axis designation switch 92a, the target position (X1', Y1') of the spindle S1 corresponding to the model number is stored in the memory 910.
is output. In this case, the sequencer 101 uses this target position (X1', Y1') and the sensors 110A, 110
Calculate the difference values X1'-X1 and Y1'-Y1 of the actual position (X1, Y1) of the main axis S1 detected at B, respectively,
These difference values X1'-X1 and Y1'-Y1 are transferred to the scale counter 91 and the auxiliary display 96. As a result, the display element 91 of the scale counter 91
a and 91b, and the difference values (X1'-X1) and (Y1'-Y
1) are displayed respectively.

The switch 92a switches the other spindle S3.
, S4, and S5 are also specified, processing similar to the above is executed, and as a result, when the main axis S3 is specified, the display elements 93a and 93b of the scale counter 93,
The display elements 96a and 96b of the auxiliary display 96 display the difference values (X3'-X3) and (Y3'-Y3) on the main axis S4.
When specifying , display elements 94a and 94b of scale counter 94 and display elements 96a and 9 of auxiliary display 96
Difference value (X4'-X4) and (Y4'-Y4) in 6b
However, when main axis S5 is specified, difference values (X5'-X5) and (Y5'-Y5) are displayed on display elements 95a and 95b of scale counter 95 and display elements 96a and 96b of auxiliary display 96, respectively.

[0025] The above difference values X1'-X1 and Y1'-Y
1 indicates the amount of positional deviation of the main axis S1 from the target position in the X and Y directions, respectively. Therefore, the operator specifies the main axis S1 with the axis designation switch 92a, causes the display elements 96a and 96b of the display 96 to display the difference values X1'-X1 and Y1'-Y1, and displays the difference values and the display elements of the scale counter 91. The main shaft S1 is moved to the target position (X1', Y1') while looking at the difference values X1'-X1 and Y1'-Y1 displayed at 91a and 91b. That is, by turning the handle 19 shown in FIG.
The X direction position of the main shaft S1 is adjusted so that 1'-X1 becomes 0, and the rotation shaft 12 of the Y direction axis movement mechanism
Rotate a and 12b with the handle 16 to obtain the difference value Y1'-
Adjust the position of the main shaft S1 in the Y direction so that Y1 becomes 0.

Thereafter, shaft position adjustment operations similar to those described above are performed for the other main shafts S3, S4, and S5. As a result, each of the main axes S1, S3, S4 and S5 is positioned at the target position, whereby these axes S1, S3, S4
This means that the distance between the axes of S5 and S5 is set to match the model of the workpiece.

In the embodiment described above, the main axis for display on the display 96 is specified by the axis specifying switch 92a. As well as being attached to each other, rotation shafts 12a, 12b, 32a, 32b to 52a,
Sensors for detecting insertion of the handles 16, 36 to 56 may be attached to appropriate positions of the handles 52b, and the main shaft to be adjusted in position may be designated based on output signals from these sensors.

In the above, the axis designation signal is sent to the memories 910 and 930 of the scale counters 91 and 93 to 95.
In addition to ~950, target position data is output only from the memory related to the designated axis, but a gate element is interposed in the output line of each memory, and this gate element is opened and closed by the axis designation signal to achieve the same effect as above. It is also possible to obtain Incidentally, in the above embodiment, the difference value is displayed not only on the scale counter but also on the auxiliary display 96 for the following reason. That is, the rotation operation of the handles 16, 36, 46 and 56 shown in FIG.
However, if you try to check the difference value only from the scale counter display, the adjustment operation will be interrupted to check, and it will be difficult to make minute position adjustment operations. Become. However, the auxiliary display 9
6, the difference value can be easily recognized from inside the housing 80, thereby avoiding the above-mentioned inconvenience. It is also possible to install the scale counters 91, 93, 94, and 95 inside the housing 80 and omit the auxiliary display 96, but in this case, the scattered cutting oil etc. may adhere to the panels of these scale counters. This may make it impossible to read the displayed value. Also, numeric keys 91c, 93c, 94c for inputting various commands, etc.
The operations of steps 95 and 95 must be performed by entering the housing 80, which is troublesome.

After the positioning work of each of the main shafts S1, S3, S4 and S5, the roller conveyor 200 shown in FIG.
When a workpiece to be processed is transported by the operator, the workpiece is set in the clamp unit 60 by the operator. In this state, when a starting switch (not shown) provided on the operating section 92 is turned on, the sequencer 101 causes the clamp unit 60 to clamp, and also causes the cylinders 81 and 82 to extend to open the door 8.
3, 84 are closed. Further, based on the model number of the workpiece specified on the operation unit 92, the rotation speed of the spindles S1 to S5 applied to that model is read from the rotation speed storage memory, and a rotation speed command signal corresponding to this rotation speed is generated. It is output to the motor drive section 104. As a result, motor drive unit 1
04, each of the motors 15, 25, 35,
Rotate 45 and 55. Note that the motor drive unit 10
4 rotates the motor at a commanded rotation speed by controlling a built-in inverter. Next, sequencer 10
1 operates an actuator for moving in the Z-axis direction (not shown) to move the machining units 10, 20, and 30 and the machining units 40, 50 toward the clamp unit 60 to perform predetermined machining on multiple locations on the workpiece. For example, boring with a bowling bar is performed at the same time.

When the machining is completed, the sequencer 101 connects the machining units 10, 20 and 30 and the machining units 40,
50 to the reference position, the clamp unit 60 is unclamped, and the cylinder 8 is moved back to the reference position.
1 and 82 are retracted to open the doors 83 and 84. Then, the machined workpiece is taken out from the clamp unit 60 by the operator.

Note that when machining workpieces of different models, operate the model designation switch on the operating section 92 to designate the relevant workpiece, and operate each of the spindles S1, S3, and S4 in the manner described above.
Then, the position adjustment in the X and Y directions in S5 may be performed.

[0032]

As the present invention is provided with a means for adjusting the distance between the respective main shafts, the distance between the shafts can be arbitrarily set. Therefore, it can be applied to various workpieces having different specifications for processing positions, and its practicality is extremely high.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of essential parts conceptually showing an embodiment of a machine tool according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram conceptually showing the configuration of a control system used in this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a connection between a scale counter memory and a sequencer.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 20, 30, 40, 50 processing unit 11a
, 31a, 41a, 51a Dovetail groove 12, 32, 42,
52 Y direction axis movement mechanism 13, 33, 43, 53
Processing head 15, 25, 35, 45, 55 Motor 1
6, 19, 36, 39, 46, 49, 56, 59 Handle 18, 38, 48, 58 Ball screw 60
Clamp units 91, 93, 94, 95 Scale counter 92
Operation unit 92a Axis designation switch 96 Auxiliary display 100 Control unit 101 Sequencer 102 Rotation speed set switch 103 Axis selection switch 104 Motor drive unit S1 to S5 Main shaft

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A multi-axis machine tool comprising: a plurality of spindles parallel to each other; and means for adjusting the distance between the spindles.