JPH10230428A - Workpiece fixing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To fix various workpieces to a working plane so as to be releasable in the parts to be fixed so far as the workpieces have heat resistance. SOLUTION: A workpiece fixing device 10 includes a face plate 12 provided with a working plane 20 to which a workpiece is stuck and fixed by using a hot melt adhesive and a heating and cooling means selectively heating and cooling the face plate 12. As the heating and cooling means, an electronic cooling unit 14 for which a plurality of semiconductor elements generating a Peltier effect are used is used. When the workpiece is fixed to the working plane 20, the face plate 12 is cooled by the heating and cooling means and the adhesive is solidified after the face plate 12 is heated by the heating and cooling means and the adhesive is melted. When the work piece is released from the working plane 20, the face plate 12 is heated by the heating and cooling means and adhesive is melted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for releasably bonding and fixing a work using a hot melt adhesive.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are a magnetic chuck and a vacuum chuck as a chuck for releasably fixing a workpiece to a work surface. However, the magnetic chuck cannot adsorb and fix a workpiece made of a so-called non-magnetic material other than a ferromagnetic material, and the vacuum chuck cannot adsorb and fix a workpiece having irregularities in a portion to be fixed.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to enable various workpieces to be releasably fixed to a work surface at a portion to be fixed, as long as the workpiece has heat resistance.

[0004]

A work fixing device according to the present invention comprises:
It includes a face plate having a work surface for bonding and fixing a workpiece using a hot melt adhesive, and heating and cooling means for selectively heating and cooling the face plate.

When the workpiece is fixed to the work surface, first, the face plate is heated by heating and cooling means to melt the adhesive. Thereby, the workpiece is bonded to the work surface by the molten adhesive. Next, the face plate is cooled by heating and cooling means to solidify the adhesive. Thereby, the workpiece is fixed to the work surface.

When the workpiece is removed from the work surface, the face plate is heated by the heating and cooling means to melt the adhesive. In this state, the workpiece can be removed from the work surface.

According to the present invention, the work piece is releasably fixed to the face plate by selectively heating and cooling the face plate by the heating and cooling means to melt and solidify the hot melt adhesive. As long as the work piece has heat resistance, various kinds of work pieces can be releasably fixed to the work surface regardless of the properties of the material of the work piece and the presence / absence of unevenness of the portion to be fixed.

[0008] As the heating / cooling means, an electronic cooling means having one and the other junction and functioning as a heat pump based on the Peltier effect can be used. The electronic cooling means is in contact with one of the joints on the face plate, in particular, on the surface opposite to the working surface via an electrically insulating material.

When a direct current is applied to such an electronic cooling means, one of the joints becomes a low-temperature heat-absorbing part and the other joint becomes a high-temperature heat-radiating part. )
And the other joint (high-temperature portion) side is conveyed, so that one joint can be cooled. On the other hand, if the direction of the direct current flowing through the electronic cooling means is reversed, the heat absorbing side and the heat radiating side are reversed, and heat is transferred from the other joint (high temperature part) to one joint (low temperature part). , So that one side of the joint can be heated.

When the workpiece is fixed on the work surface, first, a direct current is supplied to the electronic cooling means so that the joint of the electronic cooling means on the face plate side becomes a heat radiating part. As a result, the face plate is heated to a high temperature and the adhesive on the face plate is melted, so that the workpiece is bonded to the work surface by the melted adhesive. Next, a direct current is supplied to the electronic cooling means, in which the junction on the face plate side of the electronic cooling means becomes a heat absorbing part. Thereby, the work piece is firmly fixed to the face plate because the face plate is cooled and the adhesive on the face plate is solidified.

On the other hand, when the workpiece is released from the work surface, first, a direct current is supplied to the electronic cooling means so that the joint on the face plate side of the electronic cooling means becomes a heat radiating part. As a result, the work piece is removed from the work surface while the adhesive on the face plate is molten, since the face plate is heated to a high temperature to melt the adhesive on the face plate.

For this reason, the face plate is selectively heated and cooled by the electronic cooling means in which the one and the other joint portions are brought into contact with the face plate and the heat radiating means via an electrical insulating material, respectively, so that the hot melt adhesive is applied. If the work is melted and solidified and the work is releasably fixed to the face plate, the advantages of electronic cooling means, such as high heating and cooling efficiency, easy temperature control, and fast response speed, are effective for work fixing equipment. Can be adapted to

Further, the other junction of the electronic cooling means can be brought into contact with the heat exchange means via an electrically insulating material. In this case, since heat absorption or heat radiation when heating or cooling the face plate is performed through the heat exchange means,
By placing the heat exchange means in a temperature environment of about room temperature, the face plate can be heated or cooled.

Further, the housing may include a housing arranged to cover the heat exchange means, and a fluid passage through which a fluid for performing heat exchange with the heat exchange means passes. In this way, when the face plate is heated or cooled, the heat exchange efficiency between the heat exchange means and the fluid is increased, and the temperature change of the face plate can be made faster.

[0015] The heat exchange means may include a plurality of fins projecting into the fluid passage. In this way, the heat exchange rate is higher and the temperature change of the face plate is faster.

If a space is provided between the fluid passage and the housing, heat transfer between the fluid passage and the housing is reduced. Further, if the heat insulating member is arranged in the space between the fluid passage and the housing, the heat transfer between the fluid passage and the housing becomes smaller.

Further, if the heating or cooling means is provided in the face plate, the heating speed or the cooling speed of the face plate can be further increased.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a work fixing chuck or a work fixing apparatus 10 comprises a flat face plate 12 and a plurality of electronic devices for selectively heating and cooling the face plate. It includes a cooling unit 14, a heat exchange unit 16 for exchanging heat with the electronic cooling unit, and a housing 18 accommodating the heat exchange unit.

The face plate 12 is formed of a material having thermal conductivity and heat resistance, preferably a metal material, in a flat plate shape. One surface (the upper surface in FIG. 1) of the face plate 12 is a flat work surface 20 for releasably fixing the workpiece, and the other surface (the lower surface in FIG. 1) of the face plate 12 is It is a flat surface 22. Note that a plurality of grooves extending in the vertical and horizontal directions may be formed on the work surface 20.

Each of the electronic cooling units 14 has a function as a heat pump based on the Peltier effect, and has PN junctions on one side and the other side. Such an electronic cooling unit combines a plurality of P-type semiconductors and a plurality of N-type semiconductors with a Peltier effect,
It is commercially available as a flat plate unit which is electrically and alternately joined in series and thermally.

When a direct current is applied to the electronic cooling unit 14 as described above, one of the joints becomes a low-temperature heat-absorbing part and the other joint becomes a high-temperature heat-dissipating part. An effect of moving from the side of the low-temperature part) to the side of the other junction (the high-temperature part) is generated, and as a result, the side of one junction (the low-temperature part) can be cooled. On the other hand, when the direction of the direct current is reversed, the heat absorbing side and the heat radiating side are reversed, and the heat is transferred from the other joint (high-temperature part) to the one joint (low-temperature part). Is generated, and as a result, the side of one of the joints (low-temperature portion) can be heated.

In each of the electronic cooling units 14, one of the joints is in contact with the flat surface 22 of the face plate via an electric insulating material 24, and the other joint is connected to the heat exchange unit 16 via an electric insulating material 26. Contact. Adjacent electronic cooling units 14 are spaced apart. The electronic cooling unit 14 is connected to a common DC power supply 28. The direction of the DC current flowing from the DC power supply 28 to the electronic cooling unit 14 is switchable.

The heat exchange unit 16 is a flat plate-shaped main part 30 which is thermally connected to the electronic cooling unit 14 via an electrically insulating material 26, and is provided integrally with the main part. And a plurality of fins 32 projecting in parallel from below. The heat exchange unit 16 is supported by the housing 18 via the heat insulating material 34 in the main body 30 so that the fins 32 are located inside the housing 18.

The housing 18 has the shape of a box that is opened upward by a cylindrical frame 36 and a bottom plate 38 that closes the lower surface of the frame, and a bolt for mounting the fixing device 10 to a machine tool. Have a plurality of slots 40 at the portions projecting laterally from the bottom plate 38. Housing 1
8 may be made of a metal, but is preferably made of a heat insulating material.

The face plate 12, the heat exchange unit 14, and the housing 18 pass through the face plate 12, the heat insulating material 42, the main body 30 of the heat exchange unit 16, and the heat insulating material 34 in this order, and are screwed into the frame 36 of the housing 18. The electronic cooling unit 14 is connected between the face plate 12 and the heat exchange unit 16 by the bolts 44.

The heat exchange unit 16, especially the fins 32, and the housing 18 are spaced from each other, and the space between them is a fluid flow path 46. Therefore, the fluid inflow path 4
8 and an outflow channel 50 are provided in the frame 36 of the housing 18.

Prior to fixing the workpiece to the work surface 20 with the adhesive, it is preferable that the work surface and the workpiece are cleaned of dirt, oil, and the like, and the workpiece is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the adhesive. The adhesive is a so-called hot-melt adhesive that is melted when a predetermined temperature is reached.
Placed in a solid state.

When the workpiece is fixed to the work surface 20, first, a DC current is supplied from the DC power supply 28 to the electronic cooling unit 14 so that the junction of the electronic cooling unit 14 on the face plate 12 side becomes a heat radiating portion. As a result, the joint at the face plate 12 side becomes a heat radiating portion at a temperature higher than room temperature, and the heat at the joint at the heat exchange unit 14 is transferred to the joint at the face plate 12 side, and The heat is radiated to the face plate 12.

As a result, since the face plate 12 is rapidly heated to a high temperature and the solid hot melt adhesive on the work surface 20 is melted, the work piece is melted by the melted adhesive.
Adhered to. The workpiece is pressed onto the molten adhesive. At this time, it is preferable to apply a load so that the pressing force on the bonding surface is constant, and to maintain the thickness of the adhesive layer within a certain range.

Next, the face plate 12 of the electronic cooling unit 14
A DC current whose junction is a heat absorbing portion is supplied from the DC power supply 28 to the electronic cooling unit 14. As a result, the joining portion on the face plate 12 side becomes a heat absorbing portion having a temperature lower than room temperature, and the heat of the joining portion on the face plate 12 side is transferred to the joining portion on the heat exchange unit 14 side. 1
The heat is radiated to the internal space 8, that is, the fluid flow path 46.

As a result, the work piece is firmly fixed to the work surface 20 because the face plate 12 is rapidly cooled and the adhesive on the work surface 20 is solidified. The workpiece is processed while being fixed to the work surface 20. This processing is preferably performed by a wet process in order to avoid an increase in the temperature of the workpiece.

On the other hand, when the workpiece is released from the work surface 20, first, a direct current is supplied to the electronic cooling means in which the joint of the electronic cooling unit 14 on the face plate 12 side becomes a heat radiating portion. As a result, similarly to the above, since the face plate 12 is heated to a high temperature and the adhesive on the face plate 12 is melted, the workpiece is placed on the work surface 2 with the adhesive on the work surface 20 being melted.
It can be removed from zero.

When the face plate 12 is heated, the heat in the flow passage 46 is transferred to the electronic cooling unit 14 through the heat exchange unit 16.
Is absorbed by However, at this time, the electronic cooling unit 1
4 acts as a heat radiating portion at a temperature higher than room temperature, so that even if the inside of the fluid flow path 46 is at about room temperature,
The face plate 12 is rapidly heated to a high temperature.

When cooling the face plate 12, the face plate 1
2 is dissipated into the fluid flow path 46. However, at this time, since the joint on the face plate 12 side of the electronic cooling unit 14 acts as a heat absorbing portion having a temperature lower than room temperature, the face plate 12 is rapidly cooled to a low temperature even if the inside of the fluid flow path 46 is at about room temperature. You.

When heating or cooling the face plate 12, a fluid for exchanging heat with the heat exchange unit 16 is supplied to the fluid passage 4.
The air moves in the fluid flow path 46 even if the air is not forcibly supplied to 6. However, in order to enhance the heating / cooling effect, it is preferable to forcibly supply a fluid such as air or water to the fluid channel 46. In this case, the temperature of the fluid is sufficient at about room temperature as described above. However, the temperature may be higher than room temperature when the face plate 12 is heated, and may be lower than room temperature when the face plate 12 is cooled.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the work fixing device 60 separates the fluid passage 62 for flowing a fluid such as air or water from the housing 18 and separates the space 64 from the housing 18.
And the fluid flow path 62. The member 66 forming the fluid flow path 62 and the heat exchange unit 16 are positioned below the face plate 12 by a plurality of screw members 68 with the electronic cooling unit 14 sandwiched between the face plate 12 and the heat exchange unit 16. Installed. Member 66 and heat exchange unit 1
A heat insulating material 70 is disposed between the heat insulating material 6 and the heat insulating material 6. The housing 18 is assembled to the face plate by bolts 44.

According to the workpiece fixing device 60, the heat transfer between the fluid passage and the housing is reduced, so that the temperature change of the housing 18 itself is reduced. It should be noted that a heat insulating member is provided in a space 64 between the fluid passage 62 and the housing 18.
The fluid passage 6
The heat transfer between the housing 2 and the housing 18 is smaller.

The workpiece fixing device 80 has a pipe 82 forming a second fluid flow path embedded in the face plate 12. A heating or cooling fluid is supplied to the pipe 82 when the face plate 12 is heated or cooled. If you do this,
Since the face plate 12 can be heated or cooled by the electronic cooling unit 14 and the fluid flowing in the pipe 82,
The face plate 12 and thus the hot melt adhesive can be heated or cooled at a predetermined temperature more quickly.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, other heating means or cooling means may be arranged in place of the pipe 82. In addition, the work fixing device of the present invention is a device that repeats fixing and releasing of a work, such as not only using the work itself by attaching it to a machine tool but also using the work itself as a reference stand, a support stand, or the like. Can also be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view of a first embodiment of a workpiece fixing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway front view of a second embodiment of the workpiece fixing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway front view of a third embodiment of the workpiece fixing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 60, 80 Work fixing device 12 Face plate 14 Electronic cooling unit 16 Heat exchange unit 18 Housing 20 Work surface 24, 26 Electrical insulating material 28 DC power supply 34, 42, 70 Insulating material 46, 62 Fluid flow path 64 Space

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A work fixing device comprising: a face plate having a work surface for bonding and fixing a work using a hot melt adhesive; and a heating and cooling means for selectively heating and cooling the face plate. 2. The workpiece fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the heating / cooling unit includes an electronic cooling unit in which one of the joints is in contact with the face plate via an electrically insulating material. 3. The workpiece fixing device according to claim 2, further comprising: a heat exchange unit that is in contact with the other joint of the electronic cooling unit via an electrically insulating material. 4. The workpiece fixing device according to claim 3, further comprising a housing arranged so as to cover said heat exchange means, and a fluid passage through which a fluid for performing heat exchange with said heat exchange means passes. apparatus. 5. The workpiece fixing device according to claim 4, wherein the heat exchange means includes a plurality of fins protruding into the fluid passage. 6. The workpiece fixing device according to claim 4, wherein the fluid passage and the housing are spaced from each other. 7. The workpiece fixing device according to claim 6, further comprising a heat insulating member disposed in a space between the fluid passage and the housing. 8. The workpiece fixing device according to claim 1, further comprising heating or cooling means disposed in the face plate.