JPH09300156A - Machine tool and tool replacer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic tool replacer of a machine tool which can exchange tools without necessitating tool preplacing time and can realize speedier machining work than conventional replacer. SOLUTION: It is an automatic tool replacer 20 of a machine tool which is provided with a first main spindle 11 and a second main spindle 12 which are independent in the axial direction for a spindle head 10 and can advance and retract. It is provided with a first replacer 21 for the first main spindle 11 and a second replacer 22 for the second main spindle 12 which are provided in the spindle head 10. Both replacers 21, 22 are provided with a plurality of tool grip means 27 to 27 which grip a tool T, a tool moving means 40 which moves the tool T to a replace possession in front and on the same axis for the main spindles 11, 12 which retract in the axial direction by moving them, and a grip means operation device which unchucks the tool grip means 27 which is positioned at the replace position.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a machine tool and a tool changing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a machining center as a compound machine tool usually has one spindle,
An automatic tool changer (ATC) for automatically changing tools for this spindle is provided.

A conventional tool changing device is equipped with an exchange arm that moves in the axial direction of the main spindle and rotates by 180 °. When the main spindle is moved to the exchange position, one end of the exchange arm is used on the main spindle side. Hold the tool, and on the other hand, hold the tool to be used next on the magazine side (hereinafter referred to as the "next-use tool"), move the replacement arm in the tool removal direction in this state, and then rotate 180 ° for use Swap the positions of the used tool and the next used tool, and after that, move the replacement arm in the tool insertion direction to mount the next used tool on the spindle, store the used tool in the magazine side, and then replace each The tool was changed by uncucking from the end of the arm. The spindle, on which the next-use tool is mounted, is set to start normal machining operation after returning from the tool exchange position to the original position (machining standby position).

[0004]

As described above, since the conventional machining center performs complex machining with one spindle, it is necessary to interrupt the machining work when exchanging tools for this spindle. Therefore, there is a limit to shortening the processing time.

Further, according to the conventional tool changer, in order to change the tool, it is necessary to move the spindle to the change position, and after the change, to return from the change position to the original position. It is difficult to shorten the processing time in this respect as well because the processing work interruption time is prolonged.

The present invention is to provide a machine tool and a tool changer capable of eliminating or shortening the tool changing time and, as a result, performing more complex machining by changing various tools more efficiently than before. To aim.

[0007]

Therefore, a machine tool according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided with a first spindle and a second spindle, and a tool changing device is provided for each of the spindles.

According to this machine tool, during the machining work by one spindle, the tool of the other spindle is exchanged, and after the machining work by one spindle is completed, the machining work by the other spindle is immediately started. Therefore, it is possible to substantially eliminate the tool change time, which can significantly improve the efficiency of the combined machining work.

A machine tool according to a second aspect is the machine tool according to the first aspect, wherein the first and second spindles are provided so as to be capable of advancing and retracting independently of the spindle head in the axial direction. It is characterized in that the main shaft of the tool fixed to the main shaft is moved back and forth to perform the inserting / removing operation of the main shaft of the tool.

According to this machine tool, since the main shaft moves back and forth in the axial direction to insert and remove the tool with respect to the main shaft, it is necessary to move the replacement arm on the tool changing device side in the axial direction of the main shaft as in the conventional case. Therefore, the structure of the tool changer can be simplified in this respect. Further, since it is possible to move back and forth independently, it is possible to individually perform tool exchange for both spindles, and therefore, the same effect as that of the structure described in claim 1 can be obtained.

A tool changer according to a third aspect of the present invention is provided on a spindle head of a machine tool.

According to this tool exchanging device, the tool exchanging device always moves integrally with the spindle in the machining feed direction (X-axis, Y-axis, Z-axis direction). It is not necessary to move to such an exchange position, and therefore, the spindle tool can be exchanged at an arbitrary position in the machining feed direction, and the tool exchange time can be shortened accordingly.

A tool changing device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the third aspect.
The tool changer described is characterized in that a plurality of tools are arranged in a straight line, and are integrally moved on the straight line path to move a next tool to be used to a replacement position.

According to this tool changing device, the tool moving means can be simplified, and the tool changing device can be made compact and lightweight, and the tool changing device is provided on the spindle head. The inconvenience that occurs secondarily can be reduced.

A tool changer according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the fourth aspect.
A tool changer according to the present invention, which is mounted on the machine tool according to claim 2.

According to this tool changer, the above-mentioned claim 1
All the operational effects obtained by the configurations described in (4) are obtained. That is,
Since the tool change time can be virtually eliminated, it is possible to significantly improve the efficiency of complex machining work, and the tool change time itself can be shortened. By moving the head at a high speed, it is possible to reduce the secondary effect of providing the tool changing device on the spindle head.

A tool changer according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the fifth aspect.
The tool changer according to claim 1, wherein the tool changer includes a first changer for the first spindle and a second changer for the second spindle, both of the changers including a plurality of tool gripping means for gripping a tool, Tool moving means for moving the tool gripping means to move the tool to be used next to an exchange position that is forward and coaxial with the first or second main spindle retracted with respect to the main spindle head; A gripping means operating device for operating the tool gripping means to uncuck the next used tool is provided, and when the tool gripping means is uncucked at the exchange position, advance of the retracted spindle is allowed. Is characterized by.

According to this tool exchanging device, the first and second spindles are provided with the first and second exchanging devices capable of independently exchanging tools, respectively, so that machining can be performed on the first spindle. The tool of the second spindle can be replaced, and the tool of the first spindle can be replaced in parallel while machining is performed on the second spindle. From this, it is possible to immediately continue the machining work with the other spindle after finishing the machining with one of the spindles, so that it is not necessary to interrupt the machining work during the tool change as in the conventional case, and accordingly It can speed up.

Further, since the first exchanging device and the second exchanging device are provided on the spindle head, both exchanging devices are integrated with the spindle when the spindle does not move relative to the spindle head during machining. Processing feed direction (X axis, Y axis,
Therefore, the exchange positions of both exchange devices do not move with respect to the main shaft. From this, the tool can be exchanged as it is at any position of the spindle in the machining feed direction, so that it is not necessary to move the spindle to the exchange position as in the conventional case, and in this respect the tool exchange time can be shortened.

The tool replacement is carried out by removing the used tool from the spindle and then replacing it with a replacement tool to be used next. First, in removing the used tool, the spindle is retracted at an arbitrary position to a replacement standby position axially rearward with respect to the spindle head. An empty tool gripping means (a tool gripping means that is not gripping a tool) is located at the replacement position except when the tool is replaced, and therefore it is not necessary to move the tool gripping means at the stage of removing the used tool. After retracting the spindle to the replacement standby position, the used tool is chucked by the tool gripping means, and in this chucked state, the spindle is retracted further axially rearward with respect to the spindle head. Removed from the spindle.

Next, the replacement tool is mounted by, after removing the used tool, moving the tool gripping means by the tool moving means with the main shaft retracted to the removal position to replace the replacement tool to be mounted next. Move to position. When reaching the exchange position, the exchange tool is positioned coaxially in front of the main spindle. Therefore, when the main spindle is moved forward to the exchange standby position, the exchange tool is coupled to the main spindle.

After that, when the tool gripping means is operated by the gripping means operating device to uncuck the replacement tool, the replacement tool is delivered from the tool gripping means to the spindle. When the tool gripping means uncucks, the advance of the spindle is allowed, so that the spindle can advance to the spindle head and return to the machining position axially forward, and the tool exchange is completed.

In this way, since the spindle and the empty tool gripping means move integrally in the machining direction (X-axis, Y-axis, Z-axis direction), when the used tool is removed, the spindle is moved to the conventional replacement position. It is not necessary to move to a specific position like this, the tool can be replaced on the spot, and when the tool gripping means uncucks during the mounting stage of the replacement tool, the advance of the spindle is allowed. Without requiring special operation of the exchange device such as withdrawal of the tool gripping means,
The spindle can be advanced as it is and returned to the processing position, and in this respect also, the replacement time can be shortened compared to the conventional case.

A tool changing device according to a seventh aspect is the sixth aspect.
The tool changer described above is characterized in that the tool gripping means includes two clamp arms for sandwiching and gripping the tool.

According to this tool exchanging device, when the two clamp arms of the tool gripping means are closed, the tool is sandwiched between both clamp arms to be chucked, while when opened, it is uncucked.

A tool changing device according to an eighth aspect is the seventh aspect.
The tool exchanging device according to claim 1, wherein the tool gripping means includes two clamp arms, and a moving base on which the two clamp arms are rotatably supported and which is moved by the tool moving means. It is characterized in that the connecting portion for connecting the rotating rear ends of the clamp arms is linearly moved to open and close the two clamp arms.

According to this tool exchanging device, the two clamp arms are opened and closed by moving the connecting portion of the tool gripping means in the linear direction, so that the tool is chucked and uncucked.

A tool changing device according to a ninth aspect is the sixth aspect.
The tool exchanging device according to claim 1, wherein the tool moving means includes a rotating cam shaft, and the cam shaft is rotated in a state in which the tool gripping means is engaged with the cam groove of the cam shaft, and a plurality of tool gripping means are gripped. It is characterized in that the means is integrally configured to move on a straight path.

According to this tool exchanging device, a plurality of tool gripping means can be moved all at once with a constant interval simply by rotating one cam shaft. The interval between the tool gripping means can be set arbitrarily by the lead of the cam groove, and the moving distance of each tool gripping means can be accurately controlled by appropriately setting the rotation speed of the cam shaft with respect to the set lead. .

A tool changing device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the tool changing device according to the ninth aspect, wherein the lead of the cam groove is set to the maximum at the exchange position.

According to this tool changer, the distance between the tool gripping means located at the replacement position and the tool gripping means before and after the tool gripping means becomes large. That is, when the tool gripping means moves to the replacement position, it is separated from the other tool gripping means, so that the tool can be unchucked at the replacement position without interfering with the other tool gripping means.

A tool changing device according to an eleventh aspect is the tool changing device according to the eighth aspect, wherein the gripping means operating device is
The present invention is characterized by comprising a clamp arm opening / closing member that engages a connecting portion of two clamp arms and reciprocates in a linear direction to open / close the clamp arms.

According to this tool changing device, the two clamp arms of the tool holding means are opened and closed with a simple structure in which the clamp arm opening / closing member of the holding means operating device provided at the exchange position is simply reciprocated. Then, the tool can be chucked / unchucked.

[0034]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
Explanation will be given based on FIG. 1 and 2 show a machine tool 1 of the present embodiment and a tool changing device 2 mounted on the machine tool 1.
0 is shown as a whole. This machine tool 1 is a so-called horizontal type machining center, 2 in the figure indicates a bed,
A table 4 is provided on the bed 2 via a linear slide mechanism 3 and 3 so as to be movable in the Z-axis direction (left-right direction in FIG. 2). This table 4 is a motor 5a
The movement is controlled in the Z-axis direction by the drive mechanism 5 including the ball screw 5b.

A frame 7 is provided on the table 4 so as to be movable in the X-axis direction (horizontal direction in FIG. 1) via linear slide mechanisms 6 and 6, and the movement in the X-axis direction is performed by a motor 8a and a ball. Drive mechanism 8 including screw 8b
Made by.

A spindle head 10 is provided on the frame 7 via a linear slide mechanism (not shown) so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction (vertical direction in the figure). The movement in the Y-axis direction is performed by a motor 9a and a ball screw. Drive mechanism 9 including 9b
Made by.

The spindle head 10 includes the motors 5a, 8
By independently controlling the rotation directions and the rotation speeds of a and 9a, it is possible to move in each of the X-Y-Z axial directions, which is the machining feed direction. The above points are the same as the conventional ones, and no particular change is required.

The spindle head 10 is provided with the first and second spindles 11 and 12. Both spindles 11,1
2 are linear slide mechanisms 11a, 11a, 1 respectively
It is supported by spindle bases 11c, 12c attached to the spindle head 10 via 2a, 12a, so that both spindles 11, 12 are independent of the spindle head 10 in their axial direction (Z-axis direction). It is possible to move to.
Both spindles 11 and 12 are spindle bases 11c and 12 respectively.
It is rotated by the spindle motor attached to c. Note that FIG.
Then, only the second main spindle 12 and its main spindle motor 12b are visible, but the first main spindle 11 and its main spindle motor are not visible.

Axial movements of both spindles 11 and 12 with respect to the spindle head 10 are carried out by cylinders 13 and 13 whose operation is controlled independently. Both spindles 11, 12
By controlling the operation of the cylinders 13, respectively, a machining position (a) that is most advanced in the Z-axis direction with respect to the spindle head 10, an exchange standby position (b) that is retracted further than this, and a removal position that is most retracted It can be stopped at three positions (C). The movement of the spindles 11 and 12 in the Z-axis direction with respect to the spindle head 10 is considered at the time of tool change. The movement of the spindles 11 and 12 in the Z-axis direction during machining moves the table 4 in the Z-axis direction. Thereby, it is made integrally with the spindle head 10.

The automatic tool changer 20 of the present embodiment described below is attached to the spindle head 10 of the horizontal machining center 1 thus configured. This automatic tool changing device 20 is composed of a first changing device 21 for changing the tool T of the first main spindle 11 and a second changing device 22 for changing the tool T of the second main spindle 12, each of which is a main spindle. It is attached to the front surface of the head 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, both exchange devices 21 and 22 are attached to the left and right ends of the spindle head 10 and extend upward and downward respectively. Both exchange devices 21,2
Since 2 is symmetrically configured, the first exchange device 21 on the left side in FIG. 1 will be described below. The first exchanging device 21 is constructed on a base 23 attached to the front left end of the spindle head 10. This base 23
Has a vertically long strip shape, and is mounted so as to project upward and downward from the position of the first main shaft 11 by substantially the same size.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, one guide rail 24 is attached to the front surface (upper surface in the drawing) of the base 23 along the vertical direction (Y-axis direction). The six movable bases 25 to 25 are attached to each of the movable bases independently of each other. Each moving body 25-25
A tool gripping means 27 for gripping one tool T is attached to the upper surface of. The guide rail 24
All the tool gripping means 27 to 27 have a length capable of moving the tool gripping means 27 to 27 above or below the main shaft 11, whereby all six tool gripping means 27 to 27, and thus all gripped by these tools Can be moved to an exchange position set at the same height as the main shaft 11 in the Y-axis direction.

Now, each tool gripping means 27 has a movable table 25.
Block 27a attached to the upper surface of
Two clamp arms 28, 29 rotatably mounted on the upper surface of 7a by support pins 28a, 29a, respectively.
Is mainly composed.

The tool T is clamped by being sandwiched by both clamp arms 28 and 29 from both sides in the radial direction. For this reason, an arc-shaped claw portion that can be fitted into the groove portion of the tool holder of the tool T is formed on the opposing surfaces of the two clamp arms 28 and 29 on the rotation tip side. This point is the same as the conventional one, and no particular change is required.

Both clamp arms 28 and 29 are connected by a connecting pin 30 at their pivoting rear ends which are bent in a substantially L shape, and the heads of the connecting pins 30 are protruded upward and have a larger diameter guide. It is a pin portion 30a. Also,
Since the tension spring 31 is interposed between the clamp arms 28 and 29, the clamp arms 28 and 29 are biased in the closing direction.

According to the tool gripping means 27 thus constructed, when the guide pin portion 30a as the connecting portion of the clamp arms 28 and 29 is linearly moved to the right in FIG. Rotate in the opening direction against the tension springs 31 to unclamp the tool T. On the contrary, when the tool T is linearly moved to the left in the figure, the tools T rotate in the closing direction to sandwich and clamp the tool T. Thus, in each tool gripping means 27, the guide pin 30a
Are moved linearly, whereby the clamp arms 28, 2
9 is opened and closed, and the tool T is clamped and unclamped. The movement of the guide pin portion 30a is performed by a gripping means operating device 50 described later.

The opening / closing operation of both clamp arms 28, 29 is forcibly performed by the movement of the guide pin portion 30a.
29 has a function of assisting the turning operation in the closing direction.

The insertion holes 28b and 29b of the clamp arms 28 and 29, into which the connecting pins 30 are inserted, are formed in long holes that are long in a predetermined direction, so that the guide pins 30a move linearly. Both clamp arms 2
The rotation of 8 and 29 is allowed.

Next, each of the tool gripping means 27 to 27 has
The tool is simultaneously moved vertically by the tool moving means 40.
The tool moving means 40 is mainly composed of a single camshaft 41, and a spiral cam groove 41a is formed on the camshaft 41 with a predetermined lead. The cam shaft 41 has substantially the same length as the guide rail 24, and although not shown, the cam shaft 41 is rotatably supported on the front surface side of the base 23 via bearings at two positions, that is, an upper end portion and a lower end portion thereof, and is also a guide. Rail 24
And are arranged in parallel at a constant interval.

The cam shaft 41 is driven by a motor 42 attached to the upper end portion of the base 23, and its rotation direction, rotation speed, etc. are appropriately controlled.

On the other hand, a cylindrical guide protrusion 27b is provided on the side surface of each block 27a of the tool gripping means 27-27.
The guide projections 27b to 27b are inserted into the cam grooves 41a of the cam shaft 41. For this reason, when the camshaft 41 rotates, the six tool holding means 27
27 move upward or downward integrally with a certain distance from each other.

Here, the lead of the cam groove 41a is set to be larger than the other portions in the portion corresponding to the exchange position at the center in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, a certain tool gripping means 2
When the tool 7 reaches the change position, a larger space is provided between the tool holding means 27 and the other adjacent tool gripping means 27 before and after that.
As a result, the tool gripping means 27 at this exchange position
When the tool T is unclamped by opening the clamp arms 28, 29, the two clamp arms 28, 29 do not interfere with the other vertically adjacent tool gripping means 27, 27. Leads at positions other than the replacement position are set to have a necessary and sufficient interval to avoid interference between adjacent tool gripping means 27 in a state where both clamp arms 28 and 29 are closed and the tool T is clamped. Have been.

This tool moving means 40 can move any tool holding means 27 out of the six tool holding means 27 to 27 to the replacement position, and when a certain tool holding means 27 moves to the replacement position, this The gripped tool T is set in front of and coaxial with the first spindle 11 retracted in the axial direction.

Next, the tool gripping means 27 which has reached the exchange position.
The gripping means operating device 50 for performing the clamp / unclamp operation of both clamp arms 28 and 29 will be described. This gripping means operating device 50 is provided at the exchange position, and its details are shown in FIG.

On the front surface (top surface in the figure) of the base 23,
The support wall 51 is provided upright over the entire length in the vertical direction. A cylinder 54 is attached via a block 52 and a base 53 at the center of the support wall 51 in the vertical direction, that is, at the replacement position. This cylinder 54
Is a two-rod type, and both rods 54a, 5
An attachment plate 54b is attached to the tip of 4a. A substantially L-shaped operation plate 55 is attached to the mounting plate 54b as a clamp arm opening / closing member, and an engagement groove 55a is formed on a lower surface of the operation plate 55.
Are formed. Since the cylinder 54 is of the two-rod type, the operation plate 55 is prevented from rotating, whereby the engaging groove 55a is always directed to the tool gripping means 27 side.

The engagement groove 55a is provided in each tool gripping means 27.
Is formed along the up-down direction (direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. 4) with a width necessary and sufficient for inserting the guide pin portion 30a of FIG.
Are opened on the upper surface and the lower surface.

When the tool gripping means 27 reaches the exchange position, the guide pin portion 30a thereof enters the engaging groove 55a.
In this approached state, when the cylinder 54 operates in the protruding direction and the operation plate 55 moves to the unclamp position on the left side in the figure as shown by the chain double-dashed line in the figure, the guide is engaged through the engagement groove 55a. The pin portion 30a also moves to the left in the drawing,
As a result, both clamp arms 28 and 29 are opened and the tool T is unclamped.

On the contrary, when the cylinder 54 operates in the retracting direction and the operating plate 55 moves to the clamp position on the right side in the drawing as shown by the solid line in the figure, the guide pin also engages with the engaging groove 55a. The portion 30a also moves to the right in the drawing, whereby both clamp arms 28 and 29 are closed and the tool T is clamped.

Next, the clamp arms 28 and 29 of the tool gripping means 27 to 27 are kept closed except in the above-mentioned exchange position. That is, at the upper side and the lower side in the Y-axis direction with respect to the replacement position,
5, guide plates 56, 56 are attached to the tool gripping means 27 to 27 side in a projecting manner, respectively, as shown in FIG.
Guide grooves 56a, 56a having the same width as the engagement groove 55a are formed along the vertical direction. The two guide grooves 56a, 56a are located on the same line.

By inserting the guide pin portion 30a of each tool gripping means 27 into the guide groove 56a, its movement in the unclamping direction (to the left in FIG. 5) is restricted, so that both arms 28. , 29 are kept closed, so that the tool gripping means 27 to 27 keep the tool T clamped.

When the operation plate 55 of the gripping means operation device 50 is returned to the clamp position shown by the solid line in FIG.
The engagement groove 55a is provided with upper and lower guide grooves 56a,
56a and the tool moving means 4
0, each tool gripping means 27 is moved upward or downward from the exchange position, or from the upper side to the lower side after passing the exchange position,
Alternatively, it can be moved from the lower side to the upper side.

The first exchanging device 21 having the above-described structure and the second exchanging device 22 having the same structure as the first exchanging device 21 are attached to the front surface of the spindle head 10. The two changers 21, 22 can be operated independently of each other, and for example, during machining by the first spindle 11, the second changer 22 can be activated to change the tool T of the second spindle 12, and On the contrary, the first exchanging device 21 is operated during machining by the second main spindle 12 to move the first main spindle 1
The tool T of 1 can be exchanged. Hereinafter, the operation procedure of the tool change in the latter case will be described.

During machining by the second spindle 12, the spindle head 10 moves in the X-axis, Y-axis or Z-axis direction, and therefore the automatic tool changer 20 also integrally moves in the same direction. For this reason, the replacement position of the first replacement device 21 set with respect to the first spindle 11 does not change.

The tool holding means 27 in the unclamped state is located at the replacement position, and therefore the holding means operating device 50.
The cylinder 54 is held in a state of being operated in the protruding direction. The tool T is mounted on the first spindle 11. Therefore, the tool T is first removed by the tool gripping means 27 in the unclamped state. First, the cylinder 13 operates in the retracting direction, and the first main shaft 11 retreats from the processing position (a) to the exchange standby position (b).

Next, the cylinder 5 of the gripping means operating device 50
4 operates in the retracting direction, and the operation plate 55 is retracted, whereby the clamp arms 28 and 29 rotate in the closing direction, and the tool T mounted on the first main shaft 11 is clamped.

In this clamped state, the cylinder 13 is further operated in the retracting direction, and only the first spindle 11 is further retracted from the replacement standby position (b) to the removal position (c) so that the first spindle 11 is removed. The tool T is removed.

Thereafter, the motor 42 is restarted and the tool moving means 40 is operated while the first spindle 11 is retracted to the removal position (C), whereby the tool T to be used next is
Is moved to the replacement position. During this time, since the machining is performed on the second spindle 12, the tool changers 21 and 22 together with the spindle head 10 are processed.
Are moving together, and in parallel with this, the tool gripping means 2
The movement of 7 to 27 is performed.

By controlling the rotation direction and the number of rotations of the motor 42, the moving direction and the moving distance of the tool gripping means 27 to 27 can be accurately controlled. Holding tool holding means 2
7 is reliably moved to the replacement position.

Tool gripping means 27 gripping the next tool T to be used
Is reached, the motor 42 stops rotating and the tool moving means 40 is locked. At this stage, the next tool T
Is located at a position forward and coaxial with respect to the first main shaft 11 retracted to the removal position (C).

Next, the cylinder 13 operates in the protruding direction, and the first main spindle 11 advances from the detaching position (C) to the replacement standby position (B), whereby the tool T to be used next is attached to the main spindle 11. It

Thus, when the next tool T to be used is mounted, the cylinder 54 of the gripping means operating device 50 operates in the protruding direction and the operating plate 55 advances to the position shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. Clamp arm 2
8, 29 rotate in the opening direction, and the next use tool T is unclamped.

At this stage, the cylinder 54 of the gripping means operating device 50 is locked in the state of operating in the protruding direction, and the operating plate 55 is held in the unclamping position, so that both clamp arms 28, 29 of the tool gripping means 27 are held. It is held in an unclamped state that rotates in the opening direction. Since both clamp arms 28, 29 are held in the unclamped state, the first
The main shaft 11 is allowed to move forward.

Then, the cylinder 13 further operates in the protruding direction, the first spindle 11 is returned from the replacement standby position (b) to the machining position (a), and the tool replacement operation of the first spindle 11 is completed. . With the tool change completed, the first
The main spindle 11 waits until machining is started in place of the second main spindle 12.

The operation of exchanging the tool T of the first spindle 11 in parallel with the machining by the second spindle 12 has been described above. However, the tool of the second spindle 12 is parallel with the machining by the first spindle 11. With respect to the operation of exchanging T, each unit operates in the same procedure.

As described above, according to the automatic tool changer 20 of the present embodiment, the first and second tool changers 21 capable of independently changing the tool with respect to the first main spindle 11 and the second main spindle 12, respectively. , 22 are provided, it is possible to perform the tool exchange of the second spindle 12 in parallel while performing the machining with the first spindle 11, and the tool exchange of the first spindle 11 while performing the machining with the second spindle 12. Can be done in parallel.

From this fact, immediately after the machining by the one main spindle 11 (12) is completed, immediately after the other main spindle 12 (11) is processed.
Since it is possible to continue the machining work by means of, it is not necessary to interrupt the machining work during the tool change as in the conventional case, and the tool change time can be substantially eliminated. It is possible to greatly speed up the processing work.

Further, since the first exchanging device 21 and the second exchanging device 22 are provided on the spindle head 10, the first and second spindles 11 and 12 do not move relative to the spindle head 10 during machining. In the state, both exchange devices 2
1, 22 move in the machining direction (X-axis, Y-axis, Z-axis direction) integrally with the first and second main spindles 11, 12, and therefore both exchanges for the first and second main spindles 11, 12 are performed. The exchange positions of the devices 21, 22 do not move. From this fact, the tool can be changed as it is at any position of the first and second spindles 11 and 12, so that the spindle 1 can be replaced as in the conventional case.
It is not necessary to move 1 and 12 to the replacement position, and in this respect the tool replacement time itself can be shortened.

Further, when the tool gripping means 27 is uncucked in the mounting stage of the next tool T to be used, both clamp arms 28 and 29 are moved to the first and second spindles 11 and 12.
Of both spindles 11 and 12 by retracting from the moving path of
Since the advance from the exchange standby position (b) to the machining position (a) is allowed, the first or second spindle 11, 12 is left as it is without retracting the tool gripping means 27 in the uncucked state from the exchange position. It can be moved forward and returned to the processing position (a), and in this respect also, the replacement time can be shortened compared to the conventional case.

Further, according to the illustrated machine tool 1, since the tool T is inserted / removed by advancing / retreating the spindle 11 (12) in the axial direction, the side of the exchanging arm of the tool exchanging device as in the prior art. The structure of the tool changing device 20 can be simplified as compared with the structure in which the tool changing device 20 is moved, whereby the tool changing device 20 can be made compact or lightweight. This structure is not limited to the structure according to the present exemplary embodiment of the tool changing device, but can be applied to a conventional changing arm type.

Moreover, since the six tools T to T are integrally moved along the straight path, the tool moving means 4
It suffices that 0 is configured to rotate the cam shaft 41 by the motor 42, whereby the tool moving means 40 can be simplified, and in this respect as well, the tool changer 20 can be made compact or lightweight.

As described above, since the tool exchanging device 20 can be simplified and reduced in weight, a secondary action by attaching the tool exchanging device 20 to the spindle head 10, for example, the weight of the spindle head 10 is reduced. The problem that it becomes difficult to move at high speed due to the increase in size can be reduced.

Further, by moving the operation plate 55 of the gripping means operating device 50 and moving the guide pin portion 30a of the tool gripping means 27 in the linear direction, the two clamp arms 28 and 29 are interlocked to open and close. As a result, the tool T is chucked / unchucked, so that a reliable chuck / unchuck operation can be obtained with a simple structure.

Further, according to the tool moving means 40 of this embodiment, the six tool gripping means 27 to 27 can be moved all at once with a constant interval by simply rotating one cam shaft 41. You can The interval between the tool gripping means 27, 27 can be arbitrarily set by appropriately setting the lead of the cam groove 41a, and the camshaft 4 can be set with respect to the set lead.
By appropriately setting the number of rotations of 1, the moving distance of each tool gripping means 27 to 27 can be accurately controlled.

Further, the distance between the tool gripping means 27 located at the exchange position and the tool gripping means 27, 27 before and after (upper and lower) thereof becomes large. That is, the tool gripping means 27
The tool gripping means 27 before and after moving to the exchange position,
Since it is separated from 27, both clamp arms 2 do not interfere with other tool gripping means 27 at the exchange position.
The tool T can be unchucked by rotating 8, 29 in the opening direction.

Finally, various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment. For example, a configuration in which six tools T to T are accommodated on one side has been exemplified, but the number of storage tools T to T is not limited to the above. It is optional. Further, although the configuration in which the tools TT are linearly moved in the vertical direction has been exemplified, the movement path of the tools TT may be not limited to a straight line but may be configured to be looped. Can be stored. In this case, instead of using the camshaft 41 exemplified as the tool moving means, for example, a configuration using a roller chain for conveyance may be used.

Further, the illustrated tool changing device 20 is composed of the first and second changing devices 21 and 22 corresponding to the two spindles 11 and 12, but for three or more spindles. Needless to say, it is possible to develop into a larger-scale configuration with three or more sets of switching devices arranged respectively, and not only horizontal type but also vertical type machining center or other machine tools. Yes.

Further, by using a conventional exchange arm type tool changing device as a machine tool provided for each of the first and second spindles 11 and 12,
Since the tool change time can be substantially eliminated, the efficiency of combined machining can be improved. In the case of this configuration, the tool changer may not be provided on the spindle head 10, but may be arranged on the bed 2, for example, or separately arranged at another part. However, as illustrated, the spindle 1
It is not necessary to move 1 and 12 to the replacement position, and the spindle 1
It is more preferable to provide the spindle head 10 in that the tool can be changed at any position of 1 and 12.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall front view of a machine tool including a tool changing device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is likewise an overall side view of the machine tool.

FIG. 3 is a front view around a first spindle and a tool exchange position.

FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line (4)-(4) of FIG. 1 and is a plan view around the tool exchange position.

5 is a view taken along the line (5)-(5) of FIG. 1, and is a plan view of the tool gripping means at the tool storage position.

FIG. 6 is a view (6) of FIG. 4 and is a side view around the exchange position. However, the tools are omitted.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Machine tool (horizontal machining center) 10 ... Spindle head 11 ... 1st spindle 12 ... 2nd spindle 13 ... Cylinder (a) ... Machining position (b) ... Exchange standby position (c) ... Removal position T ... Tool 20 ... Automatic Tool changing device 21 ... First changing device 22 ... Second changing device 27 ... Tool gripping means 28, 29 ... Clamp arm 30a ... Guide pin part 40 ... Tool moving means 41 ... Cam shaft, 41a ... Cam groove 50 ... Gripping means operation Device 55 ... Operation plate (clamp arm opening / closing member) 55a ... Engagement groove 56a ... Guide groove

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A machine tool comprising a first spindle and a second spindle, and a tool exchanging device for each of the spindles. 2. The machine tool according to claim 1, wherein the first
And a second main shaft that is independently movable in the axial direction with respect to the main shaft head, and that advances and retracts the main shaft with respect to a tool that is fixed in the axial direction, and that performs the inserting / removing operation of the tool with respect to the main shaft. A machine tool characterized by what it has done. 3. A tool changer provided on a spindle head of a machine tool. 4. The tool changer according to claim 3, wherein
A tool exchanging device having a configuration in which a plurality of tools are arranged in a straight line, and the tools to be used next are moved to an exchanging position by moving integrally on the linear path. 5. The tool changer according to claim 4, wherein
A tool changer equipped on the machine tool according to claim 2. 6. The tool changer according to claim 5, comprising a first changer for the first spindle and a second changer for the second spindle, both of the changers gripping a tool. A plurality of tool gripping means, and a tool for moving the tool gripping means to move the next tool to a replacement position that is forward and coaxial with respect to the first or second spindle that is retracted with respect to the spindle head. A moving means and a gripping means operating device for operating the tool gripping means at the exchange position to uncuck the next tool to be used, and when the tool gripping means is unchucked at the exchange position, the retracted spindle is advanced. A tool changer characterized in that 7. The tool changing device according to claim 6, wherein
The tool changing device is characterized in that the tool holding means includes two clamp arms that hold and hold the tool. 8. The tool changer according to claim 7, wherein
The tool gripping means includes two clamp arms and a moving base on which the two clamp arms are rotatably supported and which is moved by the tool moving means, and the turning rear end portions of the two clamp arms are provided. By moving the connecting part connecting the
A tool changing device having a structure in which a clamp arm of a book is opened and closed. 9. The tool changer according to claim 6, wherein
The tool moving means includes a rotating cam shaft, and rotates the cam shaft while the tool holding means is engaged with the cam groove of the cam shaft to move the plurality of tool holding means integrally on a linear path. A tool changer characterized in that 10. The tool changing device according to claim 9, wherein the lead of the cam groove is set to the maximum at the changing position. 11. The tool changing device according to claim 8, wherein the grasping means operating device is a clamp that engages a connecting portion of two clamp arms and reciprocates in a linear direction to open and close the clamp arms. A tool changer comprising an arm opening / closing member.