JPH0976138A - Armless type automatic tool changing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To install a tool magazine so that its position may be low, by pinching an indexing driving part of the tool magazine by a magazine body and a tool pinching part, and providing it in the position facing the mounting side of a main shaft. SOLUTION: A tool magazine 17 indexes a tool holding part 7 on which a next using tool is mounted on an automatic tool changing position. A spindle head is advanced to the position e1 in the Z-axis direction, a next using tool is mounted on the spindle, a knob part 7d of a moving pawl holding means 7c is pulled by a cylinder 20a of an automatic holding releasing means 20, and fixing of the moving pawl is released. A tool clamp mechanism and a tool unclamp mechanism are made into the clamp state at the same time that the spindle head 4 is lowered to the first tool changing position.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic tool changing method and apparatus for a numerically controlled machine tool such as a machining center, and more particularly to an armless type automatic tool changing method for directly changing a tool between a tool magazine and a spindle. It relates to the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional horizontal machining center equipped with an armless type automatic tool changer is of a type in which a tool magazine is provided at the upper part of the column for indexing operation and advancing / retreating operation for loading / unloading the tool. Kaihei 4-5734
No. 3 publication "Automatic tool changer", Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-26813
It is well known from the second embodiment of the publication "Machine tool with automatic tool changer". In addition, an example of performing the advancing / retreating operation of the operation of the tool magazine by the axial movement of the spindle head in the spindle axis direction is the first embodiment of Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-26813, "Machine tool with automatic tool changer". It is well known.
Further, although not an armless ATC device, there is also an ATC device having a similar structure to that of a type in which a tool magazine is provided above the ceiling part of the splash guard and a tool is exchanged with a twin arm between the tool magazine and the spindle. ,
It is well known as "Transfer device of tool changer" in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-66539.

[0003]

By the way, among the above-mentioned prior arts, in the type disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-57343, the operation of the tool magazine is divided into a tool indexing operation and a tool mounting / removing operation. Since it is a complex operation, there is a problem that the internal mechanism becomes complicated. further,
It is not possible to perform so-called external setup to change the tool set in the tool magazine during processing, and it is difficult to configure the splash guard ceiling to prevent scattering of chips, cutting fluid, etc. It was Japanese Patent Fair 1-26813
The first embodiment of the "Machine tool with automatic tool changer" of the publication has a simple structure because it only has a tool magazine indexing operation, but it does not allow external setup, and the ceiling shield is incomplete. Problems such as possible points were not solved. The type in which the tool magazine is provided on the ceiling part can shield the ceiling part of the splash guard, but the position of the tool magazine becomes high and the operability deteriorates.
Since a twin arm is required, there has been a problem of high cost. The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and lowers the mounting position of the tool magazine to improve the operability, and uses the axial movement of the spindle head to insert and remove the tool. The purpose is to simplify the structure of the tool magazine and shorten the tool replacement time.

[0004]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is directed to a column, a spindle head lifting body movably provided in the column in a vertical direction, and a tool mounting for detachably mounting a tool. A spindle provided with a portion, a spindle head that is movably provided in the spindle head lifting body in the spindle axis direction, rotatably supports the spindle, and a tool gripping portion that detachably grips a tool. A plurality having an annular shape, consisting of a tool magazine for indexing the tool gripping portion to a predetermined tool exchange position, between the tool gripping portion and the spindle that have been indexed to the predetermined tool exchange position of this tool magazine, In an armless type automatic tool changer for a horizontal machine tool that inserts and removes the tool by moving the spindle in the vertical direction and the spindle axis direction,
The tool magazine is suspended in the vicinity of the column of the ceiling portion supported by the pillars erected from the base of the horizontal machine tool, and the index drive unit of the tool magazine with respect to the tool gripper, It is provided so as to be located on the side opposite to the tool mounting portion side of the spindle, and between the tool magazine and the column, an opening is formed that partitions the space between the tool magazine and the column and allows the spindle to pass through. Is provided with an opening / closing means for opening / shielding the opening, and the opening / closing means is used to open the opening when performing a tool exchange operation between the tool magazine and the spindle. After the tool change operation is completed, the machining area of the horizontal machine tool and the non-machining area on the tool magazine side can be separated by shielding the opening. In which it was less type automatic tool changer.

[0005]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a side view of a horizontal machining center having an armless type automatic tool changing device, FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of the armless type automatic tool changing device of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a rear view of a tool magazine, and FIG. 4 is a drive of a shutter. It is explanatory drawing of a part. M indicates a horizontal machining center to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, a column 2 that constitutes a base is vertically placed on a bed 1. The column 2 is guided by the X-axis guide rail 1b on the bed 1 and driven in the depth direction (X direction) in the drawing by a servomotor (not shown) and a ball screw via a nut. A guide surface (Y-axis guide rail) 3 is provided in the column 2 in the up-down direction (Y direction), and a spindle lifting body 4 is provided on the guide surface 3 so as to be slidable in the Y direction. Further, the spindle lifting / lowering body 4 is vertically driven by a servo motor (not shown) via a ball screw and a nut. Further, the spindle head 4a is attached to the spindle lifting body 4.
Is movably provided in the horizontal direction (Z direction) and is driven by a driving means such as a servo motor or a ball screw (not shown). The spindle head 4a is a ram type with respect to the spindle lifting body 4,
It is guided and supported by the quill method. A spindle 5 is rotatably supported in the spindle head 4a. A mounting hole for mounting the tool shank (taper shank) of the tool T is formed in the main shaft 5, and the pull stud is formed by a ball tension method or a collet tension method against the biasing force of the disc spring by the tool T.
A tool unclamping mechanism for unclamping the tool is also provided. The tool clamp and tool unclamp mechanisms are well known and will not be described in further detail here. 6
Is a table on which the workpiece can be fixed and indexing can be performed during processing. The table 6 is provided on the bed 1.

Next, the armless type automatic tool changing device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Reference numeral 17 denotes a tool magazine, and this tool magazine 17 has a plurality of tool gripping portions 7 for gripping the tool shank tool T and has an annular magazine body 18
It is arranged at a predetermined angular position of a, and the annular magazine body 18a and the tool gripping portion 7 arranged in the magazine body 18a can be rotationally indexed by the indexing drive unit 8. That is, when exchanging the tool, the tool grasping portion 7 that grasps the desired next tool T or the used tool T can be indexed to the tool exchanging position A (see FIG. 3). Reference numeral 18 denotes a magazine body of the tool magazine 17. As for the positional relationship between the indexing drive unit 8 of the tool magazine 17 and the tool T gripped by the tool gripping unit 7, the indexing drive unit 8 is installed on the side opposite to the tool shank side of the tool T. That is,
The indexing drive unit 8 is provided at a position facing the main shaft 5 with the magazine body 18a interposed therebetween. In addition, 9 is a ceiling beam of a horizontal machining center, and 10 is a pillar standing on the bed 1, and supports the ceiling beam 9. The magazine body 18 of the tool magazine 17 is suspended on the ceiling beam 9.

The tool gripping portion 7 has a fixed claw 7a for gripping the tool T, a movable claw 7b, and an opening direction in which the movable claw 7b constantly brings the gripped state into a non-grasped state by the urging force of a spring (not shown). It is configured to include a moving claw holding means 7c that restricts movement of the tool T (that is, holds the gripped state of the tool T) and allows the moving claw 7b to move when the tool is replaced. Reference numeral 19 is a manual holding release means, and 20 is an automatic holding release means. Both of the holding release means are cylinders 19 that can move back and forth in the Z axis direction
a, 20a and has a predetermined tool gripping portion 7 when the tool is replaced.
Is indexed to the manual holding release position B or the automatic holding release position A, the knob portion 7d of the moving claw holding means 7c engages with the engaging groove portion 19b at the rod tip of the cylinders 19a and 20a. , The cylinder 19 in the embodiment
By pulling the knob portion 7d of the moving claw holding means 7c in the Z-axis direction against the urging force of the spring by the engagement groove portions 19b of the a and 20a, the moving claw 7b can be moved in the opening direction, and the tool T is a tool. It is movable with respect to the grip portion 7. On the other hand, if the engaging groove portions 19b at the rod tips of the cylinders 19a and 20a are returned to the initial state, the moving claw holding means 7c regulates the movement of the moving claw 7b in the opening direction and maintains the gripped state. The automatic holding release means 20 is operated during normal tool replacement, but the manual holding release means 19 is used when performing tool setup change.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a shield cover, which is fixed to the ceiling beam 9 and the column 10 to be a part of the splash guard of the horizontal machining center M and covers the processing area P. That is, a separate chamber is formed outside the splash guard, and the tool magazine 17 is isolated from the processing area P where the spindle 5 is used for processing. Q is the shield cover 1
It is a non-processed area separated by 1. In this way, the tool indexing drive unit 8 of the tool magazine 17 is replaced by the magazine body 1
Since it is provided at a position facing the main shaft 5 with 8 in between,
When the tool magazine 17 is brought close to the processing position, the time required for the spindle lifting body to move to the tool replacement position E is shortened, and therefore the tool replacement time can be shortened. Also, during processing, the processing area P
Since it can be completely isolated from, the external setup is possible. Further, since the position of the tool magazine 17 in the height direction can be lowered, the workability of the external setup is improved.

Reference numeral 12 is a shutter provided at a portion of the shield cover 11 where the main shaft 5 enters. The shutter 12 is opened and closed by the reciprocating movement of the opening and closing cylinder 14 as shown in FIG. That is, the spindle lifting / lowering body 4 is opened when it is lifted for tool exchange, and is closed after tool exchange to isolate the non-machining region Q. The shutter 12 is slidably supported between the shutter 12 and the shield cover 11 by linear rolling guides 13a, 13b and 13c. The rod tip of the opening / closing cylinder 14 fixed to the shield cover 11 side is connected to the end of the shutter 12, and is opened / closed by the reciprocating movement of the opening / closing cylinder 14 via the linear rolling guides 13a, 13b, 13c.

Next, the operation of the present invention will be described. In addition,
It is assumed that the spindle 5 has moved from the second movement position F in the processing area P to the first tool exchange position G with the tool T mounted as shown by the solid line in FIG. Further, it is assumed that the spindle 5 has stopped and the spindle orientation operation has been completed. When the tool change command is output, the empty tool gripper 7 for returning the used tool T mounted on the spindle 5 of the tool magazine 17 is indexed to the automatic tool change position A, and this empty The used tool is transferred from the spindle side to the tool gripping part 7, then the tool gripping part 7 that grips the tool to be used next time is indexed to the automatic tool change position A, and the tool to be used next time is mounted on the spindle side. To be done. That is, the tool magazine 17 indexes the empty tool gripping portion 7 to the automatic tool changing position A, and the cylinder 20a of the automatic holding releasing means 20.
By pulling the knob 7d of the moving claw holding means 7c, the fixing of the moving claw 7b is released, and the tool T can be inserted into the empty tool grip 7. Then, a command to move the shutter 12 in the opening direction is output from a control unit (not shown), the rod of the opening / closing cylinder 14 retracts, the shutter 12 moves in the opening direction, and the opening 11a of the shielding cover 11 opens (see FIG. (Dashed line position of 4). When the shutter 12 is opened, the spindle lifting body 4 rises along the guide surface 3 in the Y direction. At this time, the clamp of the tool T on the spindle 5 is brought into an unclamped state at the same time when the position G is passed, and the tool T is moved to the position E (the second tool change elevating position). At this time, the spindle head 4a,
The tool T passes through the opening 11a. Automatic holding release means 2
No. 0 cylinder 20a is the knob 7d of the moving claw holding means 7c.
Is pushed out and the moving claw 7b is fixed to the tool T side. Spindle head 4a is (e ₂ position from the e ₁ position) moves backward to the empty tool grip portion 7 side (Z-axis direction), and passes the tool T.

Next, the tool magazine 17 indexes the tool gripping portion 7 in which the tool to be used next time is mounted at the automatic tool changing position A. Then, the spindle head 4a is advanced to e ₁ position in the Z-axis direction, together with the next use tool is attached to the spindle 5,
The cylinder 20a of the automatic holding releasing means 20 pulls the knob portion 7d of the moving claw holding means 7c to release the fixing of the moving claw 7b. At the same time as lowering the spindle head 4a to the first tool exchange position G, the tool clamp and tool unclamp mechanisms are clamped. Further, the shutter 12 is
Is output, the rod of the opening / closing cylinder 14 moves forward, the shutter 12 operates in a direction to shield the opening 11a, the machining area P and the non-machining area Q are separated, and the tool exchange operation ends. . After that, it is moved to the movement position F or the like and processed.

[0012]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By providing the indexing drive of the tool magazine at a position that sandwiches the magazine body and the tool gripping part and at a position facing the mounting side of the spindle, the tool magazine can be brought close to the machining position and the tool spindle Since the mounting and dismounting operations are numerically controlled, the speed is increased and the automatic tool change time can be shortened. Also, the position of the tool magazine can be set lower than before, and the workability of tool setup work has improved. Further, according to the present invention, the tool magazine is separated from the processing area by a shielding cover having a partial opening / closing shutter, and is separated as a non-processing area in a separate room from the processing area where processing is performed by the spindle, so that during processing. Cutting chips, cutting fluid, etc. do not scatter to the tool magazine side, and external setup is possible. In this way, by lowering the mounting position of the tool magazine as a whole, the operability can be improved and the tool replacement time can be shortened.
It is possible to provide an armless type automatic tool changing device that enables external setup, has a simple structure, and can reduce costs.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a horizontal machining center having an armless type automatic tool changing device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of the armless type automatic tool changing device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the tool magazine.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a drive unit of a shutter.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Bet 8 ... Indexing drive
9 ... Ceiling beam 2 ... Column 10 ... Strut 3 ... Guide surface 11 ... Shielding cover 4 ... Main shaft lifting body 12 ... Shutter 5 ... Main shaft 13a, 13b, 13c
… Linear rolling guide 6… Table 14… Open / close cylinder 7… Tool grip

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A column, a spindle head lifting body movably provided in the column in a vertical direction, a spindle provided with a tool mounting part for detachably mounting a tool, and the spindle head lifting body. It has a spindle head that is movably provided in the spindle axis direction and that rotatably supports the spindle, and a plurality of annular tool holding portions that hold tools in a detachable manner. Consisting of a tool magazine for indexing parts, between the tool gripping part indexed to a predetermined tool exchange position of the tool magazine and the spindle, by the vertical movement of the spindle and the spindle axis direction, In an armless type automatic tool changer for a horizontal machine tool that performs a tool insertion / removal operation, the tool magazine is supported by a column that is erected from the base of the horizontal machine tool. The index magazine drive unit is hung near the column on the ceiling, and the index drive unit of the tool magazine is provided so as to be located on the side opposite to the tool mounting unit side of the spindle with respect to the tool gripping unit. And a column between the tool magazine and the column, and a shielding cover having an opening through which the spindle can pass is provided, and the shielding cover opens and closes the opening. Means is provided, and when the tool exchange operation is performed between the tool magazine and the spindle, the opening portion is opened by the opening / closing means, and after the tool exchange operation is completed, the opening portion is shielded to close the horizontal machine tool. An armless type automatic tool changer capable of separating a processing area and a non-processing area on the tool magazine side.