JPH08118182A - Automatic changer for multi-spindle head - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To easily reduce the occupied space of the whole automatic changer by providing a transfer means for advancing/retreating conveyor trucks supporting multi-spindle heads, in the mutually different directions so as to be able to convey each multi spindle head simultaneously onto the center side of a turntable. CONSTITUTION: A first and a second conveyor trucks 118, 120 themselves form part of an annular conveying path 18 and a stock annular conveying path 102. The first and second conveyor trucks 118, 120 are directly transferred inward of a turntable 112 under the action of a transfer means 122 in the state of supporting multi-spindle heads and then turned by 180 deg. through the turntable 112 and transferred respectively to the stock annular conveying path 102 and annular conveying path 18 through the transfer means 122. A space required to turn the turntable 112 is thereby reduced at a stroke, so that the whole constitution of an automatic changer 110 can be effectively made compact and simple.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a machine tool that circulates and conveys a plurality of multi-axis heads to index an arbitrary multi-axis head corresponding to a machining position, and a stock device that circulates and conveys the plurality of multi-axis heads. The present invention relates to a multi-axis head automatic changing device for automatically changing the multi-axis head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A multi-axis head type machine tool, which uses a multi-axis head configured by mounting a plurality of tools on a single tool head and simultaneously performs various machining operations, has been widely adopted. In this type of multi-axis head type machine tool, a stock device accommodating a plurality of multi-axis heads is arranged outside the machine in order to accommodate various different workpieces, and any one of the multi-axis heads of the stock device is arranged. It is known that a head is transferred via an exchanging device corresponding to a processing position and a desired processing operation is performed via the multi-axis head under the action of a drive unit.

For example, as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 58-52003, after a tool head (multi-axis head) mounted on each of a machine tool and a magazine (stock device) is clamped by a pair of arm members. , Rise 180
A changer is used which automatically changes the tool head by pivoting and further lowering.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technique, the pair of arm members provided in the exchanging device are rotated by 180 ° with the tool head being clamped above the machine tool and the magazine. For this reason, it has been pointed out that the space for pivoting the arm member becomes large and the entire exchanging device becomes considerably large.

The present invention is intended to solve this kind of problem, and the space occupied by the entire apparatus can be easily reduced, and the multi-axis head replacement work can be performed efficiently in a short time. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic exchange device for a multi-axis head that is capable of performing.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention circulates and conveys a plurality of multi-axis heads along an annular conveying path, and allows any multi-axis head to correspond to a processing position. Automatic exchange of a multi-axis head interposed between a machine tool for indexing and machining and a stock device provided in parallel with the annular transport path and having a stock annular transport path having substantially the same configuration as the annular transport path A device, which is a turning table arranged between the annular conveying path and the stock annular conveying path, and both ends of the turning table, the annular conveying path and a part of the stock annular conveying path. The first and second transport carriages having the multi-axis head supporting guide member and the first and second transport carriages provided on the turntable and supporting the multi-axis head in different directions. Let me Characterized in that it and a transfer means that can be conveyed simultaneously in the center side of the turn table polyaxial head.

[0007]

In the automatic exchange device for a multi-axis head according to the present invention described above, the predetermined multi-axis head that is circulated and conveyed through the annular conveying path of the machine tool and the stock annular conveying path of the stock device is the first.
After being supported by the guide member of the second transport carriage, the first and second transport carriages are directly transported to the center side of the turning table under the action of the transfer means. Then, after the turning table is turned by 180 °, the first and second carriages are simply transferred to the stock circular carrier path and the circular carrier path under the action of the transfer means, and the circular carrier path and the stock carrier path are stocked. A new multi-axis head is arranged on the annular transport path. For this reason, the space required for turning the turning table can be reduced all at once, the configuration can be simplified, and the entire automatic exchange device can be effectively downsized. Moreover, since the multi-axis head is transferred to the center side of the revolving table, the inertia can be effectively reduced even if the multi-axis head is a heavy object, and the revolving table is revolved at a relatively high speed. Therefore, the replacement work of the multi-axis head can be performed quickly and efficiently.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An automatic exchanging device for a multi-axis head according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 indicates a multi-axis head type machine tool incorporating an automatic changer according to this embodiment. This machine tool 10 circulates and conveys a column 12 and a plurality of multi-axis heads 16 equipped with a large number of tools 14 along a vertical plane, and an annular shape for indexing an arbitrary multi-axis head 16 corresponding to a machining position. A transport path 18, a jig table 20 arranged on the side surface 12a of the column 12 so as to be movable back and forth in the horizontal direction (direction of arrow A), and for attaching a workpiece W provided on the jig table 20. The rotary jig 22 of FIG.

The column 12 is placed on a base 26, and a bulging portion 34 is horizontally formed to project from the end of the side surface 12a of the column 12, and the annular conveying path 18 is formed in the bulging portion 34. Is installed.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the annular conveying path 18 has an upper fixed rail 36 arranged in parallel in the vertical direction.
a, 36b and the lower fixed rails 38a, 38b and the end portions of the upper fixed rails 36a, 36b and the lower fixed rails 38a, 38b on the processing position side (arrow A ₁ side) are connected to each other and are moved back and forth in the horizontal direction. A pair of possible arc-shaped movable rails 42a and 42b, and a plurality of the multi-axial heads 16 for positioning and holding the multi-axial head 16 disposed on the bulging portion 34 and held by the movable rails 42a and 42b. A drive unit 44 for rotationally driving the tool 14 of
Under the action of the rotary drive source 46, a chain 48 that can travel around the annular transport path 18 and a hook member 50 of the multi-axis head 16 provided on the chain 48 are engaged to circulate the multi-axis head 16. And a transfer claw 52 for transferring.
The other end side of the upper fixed rails 36a and 36b (arrow A ₂ side)
Is provided with a carrier carriage accommodating portion 60 that is cut out over a predetermined length (see FIG. 1).

The rotary drive source 46 is supported outside the annular conveying path 18 in the direction of arrow A.
The rotating shaft 62 is connected to the shaft by intersecting the axial direction (see FIG. 3). A drive sprocket 64 is fixed to the rotary shaft 62 outside the annular conveying path 18, and the chain 48 is engaged with the drive sprocket 64 and the driven sprocket 66 (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of cam followers 68a to 68c are swingably supported on the side surface of the drive sprocket 64 via springs 70a to 70c, and the cam followers 68a to 68c are fixed to the bulging portion 34 of the column 12. The cam plate 72 is slidably contacted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the drive unit 44 is
The movable rails 42a and 42b are provided with a cylinder portion 74 for moving forward and backward in the horizontal direction.
It has a piston rod 76 that can advance and retreat in the direction of arrow A via fluid pressure. The movable rail 4 is attached to the tip of the piston 76.
2a and 42b are supported. A rotary drive source 80 is attached to the bulging portion 34 in parallel with the cylinder portion 74, and a spline clutch 82 is provided on a rotary shaft 81 of the rotary drive source 80 so as to be movable back and forth. This spline clutch 82 meshes with a rotary shaft 83 with a spline provided on the multi-axis head 16, and integrally drives a plurality of tools 14 through a gear train (not shown).

A housing 84 constituting the multi-axis head 16.
The upper fixed rails 36a and 36b, the lower fixed rails 38a and 38b, and the movable rails 42a and 42b are provided at the bottom of the
A pair of guide rollers 86, 86 that engage with is rotatably mounted. A positioning hook member 88 is fixed to the side portion of the housing 84 on the column 12 side (see FIG. 2).

As shown in FIG. 1, the side surface 12 of the column 12 is shown.
In a, the guide rails 90 are vertically spaced apart by a predetermined distance.
a and 90b are provided, and the rotary drive source 92 is mounted near the lower guide rail 90b. A ball screw 94 extending in the direction of arrow A is connected to the rotary drive source 92, and the ball screw 94 meshes with a nut member (not shown) provided on the jig table 20.

The jig table 20 is held in a vertical posture, and a drive motor 96 for rotating the rotary jig 22 is fixed to the surface portion on the column 12 side. The rotary jig 22 includes a mounting plate portion 98 that projects in the horizontal direction, and the workpiece W is positioned and held by the mounting plate portion 98.

A stock device 100 is arranged on the base 26 in parallel with the annular conveying path 18. This stock device 1
Numeral 00 has a stock circular carrier path 102, which circulates and carries a plurality of multi-axis heads 16, and its configuration is similar to that of the annular carrier path 18 and is the same. Reference numerals are given and detailed description thereof is omitted.

Between the stock circular conveying path 102 of the stock device 100 and the circular conveying path 18 of the machine tool 10, the multi-axis head 16 is automatically provided by the stock circular conveying path 102 and the circular conveying path 18. An automatic exchange device 110 according to the present embodiment is provided for exchange.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the automatic exchange device 110 includes a turning table 112 arranged between the annular conveying path 18 and the stock annular conveying path 102, and both ends of the turning table 112. A rail member (guide member) 114 for supporting a multi-axis head, which is provided on the side and constitutes a part of the annular conveying path 18 and the stock annular conveying path 102.
The first and second transport carriages 118 and 120 having a, 114b and 116a and 116b are different from the first and second transport carriages 118 and 120 provided on the turntable 112 and supporting the multi-axis head 16. And a transfer means 122 capable of moving the multi-axis heads 16 back and forth in the same direction to the central side of the revolving table 112 at the same time.

In each of the accommodating portions 60 forming the annular conveying path 18 and the stock annular conveying path 102, the fixed guides are oriented below the upper fixed rails 36a and 36b and in a direction intersecting with these (arrow B direction). Rails 124a, 12
4b and 126a, 126b are provided (see FIGS. 4-6).

The first carrier 118 includes a plurality of traveling rollers 128 which are engageable with the fixed guide rails 124a, 124b and 126a, 126b. 1st carriage 1
Reference numeral 18 denotes an annular conveying path 18 and a stock annular conveying path 10.
When the first transport carriage 1 is placed in each of the accommodation units 60
The rail members 114a and 114b of 18 correspond to the upper fixed rails 36a and 36b to form the annular conveying path 18 and the stock annular conveying path 102. The second transport vehicle 120 has the same configuration as the first transport vehicle 118, and the same reference numerals are given and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The turning table 112 has a hydraulic motor 130.
This turning table 11 is configured to be turnable under the action of
Guide rails 132a and 132b are provided in parallel to each other (see FIG. 4). This guide rail 132
The a and 132b can be linearly arranged on the fixed guide rails 124a and 124b and 126a and 126b of the annular conveying path 18 and the stock annular conveying path 102.

The transfer means 122 has a cylinder 134 fixed to the revolving table 112 in different directions.
a, 134b, and the cylinders 134a, 134b
136a, 136 extending in opposite directions from each other
The tip part of b is the first via the mounting plates 138a, 138b.
And, it is connected to the lower part of the second carrier 118, 120.

The first and second transport carriages 118 and 120 and the turntable 112 are supported by the first and second transport carriages 118 and 120 when the first and second transport carriages 118 and 120 are transferred. Positioning means 140 for positioning and holding the multi-axis head 16 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 5, the positioning means 140 supports the fulcrum 14 on the first and second carriages 118 and 120.
Link type engaging member 14 which is swingably mounted via
2, the tip 144 of the engaging member 142 can be fitted to the hook member 88 of the multi-axis head 16. Engaging member 1
The cam followers 146 provided on the rear end side of 42 slidably contact cam surfaces 148, 148 formed on both ends of the turning table 112 and inclined upward inward. The first and second transport carriages 118 and 120 are pressed by the elastic force of a spring (not shown) or the like to separate the tip 144 of the engaging member 142 from the hook member 88. A member 150 is provided.

Next, the operation of the automatic exchanging device 110 according to this embodiment having the above-described structure will be described in connection with the machine tool 10.

First, after the workpiece W is held on the mounting plate portion 98 of the rotary jig 22, the workpiece W is adjusted to the desired processing position and processing posture via the jig table 20. That is, when the rotary drive source 92 is driven and the ball screw 94 is rotated, the jig table 20 moves in the arrow A direction along the guide rails 90a and 90b. Further, when the drive motor 96 is driven, the rotary jig 22
Rotates, and the mounting plate portion 98 is arranged in a desired angular posture. As a result, the position and orientation of the workpiece W are adjusted.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
When the spline clutch 82 is rotated under the action of the rotary drive source 80 constituting the No. 4, the spline clutch 82 is rotated.
The rotary shaft 83 with a spline that meshes with the shaft rotates, and the plurality of tools 14 rotate integrally via a gear train (not shown).
Therefore, a desired working operation is performed on the workpiece W by selectively performing the above operation.

Next, when using a multi-axis head 16 different from the multi-axis head 16 used in the above-mentioned machining operation, the cylinder portion 7 is stopped with the drive of the rotary drive source 80 stopped.
The piston rod 76 which constitutes _{No. 4} is moved in the arrow A ₁ direction via the fluid pressure. Therefore, the movable rail 42
The a and 42b move in the direction of the arrow A ₁ and coincide with the ends of the upper fixed rails 36a and 36b and the lower fixed rails 38a and 38b.

Then, when the rotary shaft 62 rotates under the action of the rotary drive source 46, the drive sprocket 64 moves to the position shown in FIG.
The chain 48 that rotates in the direction of arrow C and engages with the drive sprocket 64 and the driven sprocket 66 is
Orbit in the direction. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the cam followers 68a to 68c, which are swingably provided on the outer surface of the drive sprocket 64, rotate in the direction of arrow C in a state where they are always in sliding contact with the peripheral surface of the cam plate 72. The cam follower 68a is fitted to the hook member 50 of the multi-axis head 16 to temporarily position the multi-axis head 16.

The desired multi-axis head 16 can be moved by the movable rail 42.
After being temporarily positioned with respect to a and 42b, the piston rod 76 is moved in the direction of arrow A ₂ via fluid pressure.
Therefore, the movable rail 42a, 42b is moved in the arrow A ₂ direction, the movable rail 42a, with polyaxial head 16 held by the 42b are positioned and held with respect to the processing position, the multi-axis head 16 Rotating shaft with spline 8
3 meshes with the spline clutch 82. Therefore, when the rotary drive source 80 constituting the drive unit 44 is driven, a new machining operation is performed on the workpiece W by the plurality of tools 14 provided on the new multi-axis head 16.

By the way, for example, when processing various kinds of different workpieces W, the multi-axis head 16 mounted on the annular transfer path 18 and the multi-axis head housed on the stock annular transfer path 102. The work of exchanging 16 with 16 is performed in the following procedure.

First, in the annular conveying path 18, the multi-axial head 16 to be replaced is supported by the first conveying carriage 118 arranged corresponding to the accommodating section 60, while in the annular conveying path for stock 102, Multi-axis head 16 to be replaced
Are supported by the second carrier 120 arranged corresponding to the housing portion 60. Then, a cylinder 134a that constitutes the transfer means 122 provided on the turning table 112,
When 134b is driven and the rods 136a and 136b move inward (toward the center of the turning table 112), the first and second carriages 118 and 120 move from the fixed guide rails 124a, 124b and 126a, 126b to the guide rail 132a. , 132b to turn table 11
2 is conveyed to the center side.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the cam followers 146 constituting the positioning means 140 are arranged on the revolving table 1.
The engaging member 142 that rises along the cam surface 148 of 12 and supports this cam follower 146 swings in the direction of arrow D against the elastic force of the pressing member 150. As a result, the tip 144 of the engaging member 142 is fitted to the hook member 88 of the multi-axis head 16, and the multi-axis head 16 is rotated.
It is positioned and held on 12 (see the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 5).

After the two multi-axis heads 16 are conveyed to the center side of the turning table 112, the turning table 112 is turned 180 ° under the action of the hydraulic motor 130. Next, when the rods 136a and 136b move outward under the action of the cylinders 134a and 134b that form the transfer means 122, the used multi-axis head 16 is integrated with the first transport carriage 118 to form the stock circular transport path. On the other hand, the multi-axis head 16 before being used is transferred onto the annular transfer path 18 integrally with the second transfer vehicle 120 while being transferred onto the transfer path 102. Here, the tip of the engaging member 142 that constitutes the positioning means 140 is separated from the hook member 88 of the multi-axis head 16 (FIG. 5).
Middle, see the solid line).

After that, when the chain 48 travels under the action of the rotary drive source 46, the multi-axis head 16 on the second carrier truck 120 causes the multi-axial head 16 on the second carrier truck 120 to move via the carrier claws 52 of the chain 48. Rail members 116a, 116
It is transferred from b to the upper fixed rails 36a and 36b.

In this case, in this embodiment, the first and second
The transport carriages 118 and 120 themselves form a part of the ring-shaped transport path 18 and the stock stock transport path 102, and the first and second transport carriages 118 and 120 support the multi-axis head 16. After being directly transferred to the inside of the turning table 112 under the action of the transfer means 122, it is turned by 180 ° via the turning table 112, and further, via the transfer means 122, the stock circular conveying path 1 respectively.
02 and the circular transport path 18.

Therefore, as compared with the conventional structure in which both multi-axial heads 16 are swung while being taken out above the annular conveying path 18 and the stock annular conveying path 102, the space required for swiveling the swivel table 112 is all at once. Be reduced. As a result, there is an effect that the entire configuration of the automatic exchange device 110 can be effectively reduced in size and simplified.

Moreover, since both the multi-axis heads 16 are transferred to the central side of the revolving table 112, the multi-axis heads 16 are
It is possible to turn the turning table 112 at a relatively high speed even if the weight is considerably heavy. Multi-axis head 1
This is because the center of gravity of 6 is close to the center of rotation, so that the inertia becomes small. Therefore, there is an advantage that the replacement work of the multi-axis head 16 can be performed quickly and efficiently.

Further, the first and second carrier vehicles 118,
Since 120 itself constitutes a part of the annular transfer path 18 and the stock transfer annular path 102, the automatic replacement work of the multi-axis head 16 is substantially performed by the transfer means 122.
And only the advancing / retreating movement of the second carrier vehicles 118 and 120 and the turning operation of the turning table 112. As a result, the entire structure of the automatic replacement device 110 can be further downsized, and the replacement work of the multi-axis head 16 can be speeded up.

[0041]

According to the automatic exchange device for a multi-axis head according to the present invention, the following effects and advantages can be obtained.

Since the first and second carriages for supporting the multi-axis head constitute a part of the ring-shaped carrier path of the machine tool and the stock-shaped carrier path of the stock device, the structure is simplified and the entire automatic exchanging device is improved. Can be effectively miniaturized. Moreover, since the multi-axis head is transferred to the center side of the revolving table, the space required for revolving the revolving table is reduced at once, and the inertia is effectively reduced even if the multi-axis head is a heavy object. It is possible to turn the turntable at a relatively high speed. As a result, the automatic replacement work of the multi-axis head can be performed quickly and efficiently.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a machine tool incorporating an automatic exchange device for a multi-axis head according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional plan view of the machine tool.

FIG. 3 is a front explanatory view of a temporary positioning mechanism that constitutes the machine tool.

FIG. 4 is a partially omitted plan view of the automatic exchange device.

FIG. 5 is a partially omitted front view of the automatic exchange device.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a carrier truck that constitutes the automatic exchange device.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Machine tool 12 ... Column 12a ... Side surface 14 ... Tool 16 ... Multi-axis head 18 ... Annular conveyance path 20 ... Jig table 34 ... Expansion part 36a, 36b ... Upper fixed rail 38a, 38b
... Lower fixed rails 42a, 42b ... Movable rails 44 ... Drive unit 48 ... Chain 50 ... Hook member 60 ... Accommodating section 88 ... Hook member 100 ... Stock device 102 ... Stock circular conveying path 110 ... Automatic exchange device 112 ... Turning table 114a, 114b, 116a, 116b ... Rail members 118, 120 ... Conveying vehicle 122 ... Transfer means 124a, 124b, 126a, 126b ... Fixed guide rail 128 ... Traveling roller 130 ... Hydraulic motors 132a, 132b ... Guide rails 134a, 13
4b ... Cylinder 140 ... Positioning means 142 ... Engaging member 146 ... Cam follower 148 ... Cam surface

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A machine tool, which circulates and conveys a plurality of multi-axis heads along an annular conveying path, and which performs machining by indexing an arbitrary multi-axis head corresponding to a machining position, and a machine tool arranged in parallel on the annular conveying path. A stock device having a stock annular transport path having substantially the same configuration as the annular transport path, and an automatic exchange device for a multi-axis head interposed between the annular transport path and the stock annular transport path. First and first swivel tables provided between the swivel tables and guide members for supporting the multi-axis head, which are provided at both end sides of the swivel table and constitute a part of the annular transport path and the stock annular transport path. 2 carriages and the first and second carriages provided on the revolving table and supporting the multi-axis heads can be moved back and forth in different directions to simultaneously convey the multi-axis heads to the center side of the revolving table. Autochanger multi-axis head, characterized in that it comprises a Do transferring means. 2. The automatic exchanging device according to claim 1, wherein the multi-axis head supported by the first and second transfer carriages when the first and second transfer carriages are transferred to the center side of the turning table. Positioning means for positioning the positioning means, the positioning means being provided on the hook member provided on the multi-axis head and the first and second carriages, and being operated in cooperation with the turning table. An automatic exchange device for a multi-axis head, comprising: an engaging member that engages with the hook member.