JPH10337626A - Tool exchange device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To exchange tool easily in a short time with a simple structure and miniaturize a whole working device. SOLUTION: A tool exchange device 2 is provided with multiple magazines 20, an advancing/retreating movement means 21 which advances and retreats the magazines 20 between an original position S and tool attaching position T on a broaching machine 1, and a shift means 22 which transfers the magazines 20 to the original position S of the advancing/retreating movement means 21. The advancing/retreating movement means 21 is provided with a holding member 30 which holds one magazine 20, driving cylinders 31A and 31B which transfer the holding member 30 between the original position S and tool attaching position T, and guides 32A and 32B which support the holding member 30 so that it can be moved. The shift means 22 is provided with an engaging block 40 which engages the magazines 20, rails 41 which support the engaging block 40, and a ball screw mechanism 42 which transfers the engaging block 40 along the rails 41.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tool changing device, and more particularly, to a tool changing device used for changing a tool attached to a processing device because of a life expiration or a necessity of processing contents. It concerns the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an example of a processing apparatus, a broaching machine is provided with a cutting tool having a predetermined dimension arranged in the axial direction of a broach, which is generally formed as a tool, in contact with a workpiece, and the broaching machine is moved in the axial direction of the broach. Broach cutting is performed by relatively moving the broach and the work. The cutting blade of the broach has a rough cutting blade, a medium finishing blade, a finishing blade, and the like sequentially arranged according to an axial position when relatively moved in contact with the workpiece. A front grip portion is formed at the rough blade side end of the broach, and a rear grip portion is formed at the finishing blade side end.

A vertical broaching machine generally includes a ram for supporting a work, a pull head for gripping a front grip of the broach disposed below the ram, and a rear grip for gripping the front of the broach disposed above the ram. And a driving means for moving the ram or pull head, and a lifter for moving the retrieval head up and down (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

When performing an inner broaching process for forming a hole of a preformed work into a predetermined shape, the lifter is held in a state where the ram supports the work and the retrieving head grips the rear grip of the broach. Drive to insert the front grip of the broach into the hole in the work, release the retrieval head by holding the front grip with the pull head, and move the ram or pull head so that the broach passes through the hole in the work by the drive means Let it. Then, after unloading the processed work, the lifter is driven so that the retrieving head is close to the rear grip portion, the rear grip portion is gripped by the retrieving head, and the pull head that grips the front grip portion is moved. After releasing, the lifter is driven to raise the retrieving head holding the grip portion of the broach, and the front grip portion is separated from the ram support surface so that the next work can be loaded. The accuracy of the work finished by the broach depends on the accuracy of the broach. Therefore, when it becomes impossible to finish the work to a predetermined accuracy due to use or the like, the broach is replaced with a new one.

[0005] On the other hand, the broach configured as described above has a problem that the shaft length is long, so that a large broaching machine installation space is required, and a storage space for a replacement broach is required. Further, a broach having a long shaft length is liable to be deformed, such as bending, and causes deterioration of the processing accuracy of the work. Therefore, it is conceivable to shorten the axial length of the broach, but there is a limit to the allowance for the broach blade,
Therefore, there is a limit in shortening the axial length of the broach.

[0006] Therefore, it has been considered that a broach dedicated to roughing, a broach dedicated to medium finishing, and a broach dedicated to finishing are prepared, and broach cutting is performed by using these broaches sequentially.

As described above, replacement with a new tool or replacement with a tool in the next step is performed not only for the broach of the broaching machine but also for other tools such as a rotary cutting tool attached to the main shaft. ing.

As a conventional technique for exchanging a tool, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, when the tool is a rotary cutting tool, a main shaft 71 which is a mounting position T of the tool 70 and an exchanging tool 70 are used. It is common practice to provide a loader 73 provided with tool gripping means (not shown) capable of moving between the magazines 72 held by the magazines. When replacing the rotary cutting tool 70, which is a tool attached to the main shaft 71, with the rotary cutting tool 70 held by the magazine 72, the tool holding means of the loader 73 is moved to the vicinity of the main shaft 71, and the rotary cutting tool 70 is moved. The rotary cutting tool 70 to be replaced is removed from the rotary cutting tool 70 that has been attached to the main shaft 71, and the tool holding means of the loader 73 is moved close to the magazine 72 to hold the rotary cutting tool 70 removed to an empty position of the magazine 72. Then, the replacement rotary cutting tool 70 attached to the main shaft 71 is gripped by the tool gripping means of the loader 73, and the tool gripping means of the loader 73 is moved from the magazine 72 to the main shaft 71, so that the replacement rotary cutting tool 70 is rotated. Attach to 71.

Further, as another conventional technique, as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG.
It is also known that the lifter 80 holding the workpiece 1 is movable between a position (tool attachment position T) at which the work is processed (tool attachment position T) and the magazine 81.

Another conventional technique is an automatic tool changer for an internal broaching machine.
One disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 127839 is known. In this tool changing device, a central portion of a horizontal turning arm is attached to a vertical main shaft provided rotatably and vertically at an intermediate position between a lifter of an internal broaching machine and a tool magazine. At both ends of the swing arm, openable and closable claws for holding the broach and a cylindrical case for accommodating the lower part of the broach are mounted.

In this apparatus, when replacing a broach dedicated to roughing with a broach dedicated to finishing, a broach dedicated to roughing at a tool mounting position is lifted by a lifter, and then the main shaft is rotated to rotate the turning arm. Turn about 90 °. Then, the broach exclusively for rough cutting and the broach for exclusive use for finishing are simultaneously grasped by claws and accommodated in the case. Thereafter, the lifter and the tool magazine are disengaged from the respective broaches, and the main shaft and the swivel arm are lowered. Then, the swivel arm is swiveled about 180 ° to replace the broach dedicated to roughing and the broach dedicated to finishing, and the main shaft and the swivel arm are raised to insert and engage each broach with the lifter and the tool magazine. Next, the turning arm is turned by about 90 ° and returned to the standby position.

[0012]

However, among the above-mentioned prior arts, the one shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is provided with a loader between a spindle and a magazine at which a tool is mounted. is there. In addition, 60-12783
Similarly, the rotating arm is provided between the tool mounting position and the magazine in the one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-9. The conventional techniques of providing these loaders or swing arms have the problems that the entire processing apparatus becomes large, equipment space increases, and equipment costs increase.
Further, in the configuration shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the structure is complicated in order to make the lifter movable, and as in the above-described conventional technique, the entire processing apparatus is enlarged and the equipment space is increased. At the same time, there is a problem that equipment costs are required. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned conventional techniques, there are also problems such as a long time required for tool change and a large amount of driving labor consumed, since there are many steps for changing tools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object the purpose of easily changing a tool in a short time with a simple structure. An object of the present invention is to provide a tool changer that can reduce costs, reduce the number of processes, shorten machining time, and reduce driving labor consumed.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, a tool changer according to the present invention is characterized in that a magazine holding a tool can be advanced and retracted with respect to a tool mounting position. .

According to the present invention, when replacing a tool, an empty magazine is advanced to a tool mounting position, the tool is held by the magazine, and the magazine is retracted from the tool mounting position.
Then, the magazine holding the tool to be mounted next is advanced to the tool mounting position, and this tool is mounted on the processing device,
Retract the magazine from the tool mounting position.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of a tool changer according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
In this embodiment, an internal broach used for a vertical broaching machine will be described as a tool. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a surface broach or a spindle may be used as a tool to be replaced. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where a tool attached to another processing device, such as a rotary cutting tool attached to a tool, is exchanged. Further, the present invention can be used in the case of replacing with a similar broach for the reason of tool life or the like, or in the case of sequentially changing to a different broach such as for rough finishing, medium finishing and finishing.

First, an outline of a broaching machine as a processing device provided with a tool changing device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Broaching machine 1 of this embodiment
Is a ram 10 on which the work W is supported, a driving means 12 for moving the ram 10 up and down to relatively move the work W and the broach 11 as a tool, and a front grip of the broach 11 which is arranged and fixed below the ram 10. A pull head 13 for detachably gripping the portion 11a, a retrieving head 14 disposed above the ram 10 for detachably gripping the rear grip portion 11b of the broach 11, and a retrieving head 1
And a lifter 15 for moving the lifter 4 up and down. Further, the broaching machine 1 of this embodiment shown in FIG.
A work carrying device 16 for carrying the work W thereon, and a work carrying device 17 for carrying out the processed work W having passed through the broach 11 by raising the ram 10 by the driving means 12 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 5, the ram 10 has a hole 10a large enough to support the work W and to be inserted into the ram 10 so as not to interfere with the broach 11. It is supported so as to be able to ascend and descend by driving means 12 including a hydraulic cylinder and the like. Lifter 15
The actuator comprises an actuator which is extended and retracted by a ball screw or the like provided above and below the gate-shaped column 18 so as to be able to move up and down, and the retrieving head 14 is attached to the tip of the operating rod.

The work W is placed on the front grip 1 of the broach 11.
A hole Wa having a size that allows insertion of the hole 1a is formed in advance (see FIG. 5). When the workpiece W is loaded onto the ram 10, the broach 11 forms an interval at which the grip 11b is gripped by the retrieving head 14 and the front grip 11a can load the workpiece W between the ram 10 and the front grip 11a. Supported to be. The work W has a hole Wa having a pull head 13.
The workpieces are carried one by one onto the ram 10 by the work carrying means 16 so as to be located on a line connecting the and the retrieving head 14 (= tool attachment position T). From this state, the broach 11 gripped by the retrieving head 14 is lowered to drive the lifter 15 so that the front grip 11a is inserted into the hole Wa of the work W, and the pull head 13 grips the front grip 11a. Next, the lifter 1 is released so that the grip on the rear grip 11b of the retrieving head 14 is released and the retrieving head 14 is raised and retracted.
5 is driven, the ram 10 is raised by the driving means 12 until the work W passes through the broach 11, and broaching is performed. After that, the work W having completed the broaching is carried out by the work take-out device 17 and the driving means 12 drives the ram 1.
0 is lowered to the lowermost position, and at the same time, the lifter 15 is driven to lower the retrieving head 14, the rear gripping portion 11 b is gripped by the retrieving head 14, and the gripping of the pulling head 13 to the front gripping portion 11 a is released. , The front gripper 11 for carrying in the next work W
The retrieving head 14 is raised by driving the lifter 15 so as to form an interval between the workpiece a and the ram 10 so that the workpiece W can be carried in.

The tool changer 2 according to the present invention is constructed as described above, and is provided in the vicinity of the broaching position of the broaching machine 1 to be operated. Reciprocating means 21 for reciprocating between a position S and a tool mounting position T of the broaching machine 1
And Further, the tool changing device 2 according to the present invention includes a shift unit 22 that moves the predetermined magazine 20 to the original position S of the advance / retreat moving unit 21. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the tool changing device 2 according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

The magazine 20 has a single hole 20a as a holding portion for holding the front grip portion 11a of the broach 11, and is arranged in parallel at a predetermined height from the lowermost position of the ram 10. I have. In the illustrated embodiment, three magazines 20 are provided, and one magazine 20 is provided.
Does not hold the replacement broach 11 so that the broach 11 to be replaced can be held, and the other two magazines 20 hold the replacement broach 11. Although not shown, the support portion 20a of the magazine 20 may have another configuration such as an openable / closable claw instead of the hole 20a. Further, a plurality of holding portions are provided in each magazine 20 so that the magazines 20 correspond to the tool mounting positions T.
It is also possible to configure so that each of the supporting portions can advance and move. Furthermore, the number of magazines 20 is not limited to this embodiment, and can be provided according to the number of replacement broaches 11.

The forward / backward moving means 21 is a single magazine 20
And a drive cylinder 3 for moving the holding member 30 between an original position S and a tool mounting position T.
1A and 31B, and guides 32A and 32B for supporting the holding member 30 so as to be able to advance and retreat. On the other hand, the shift means 22 includes an engagement block 40 with which the magazine 20 is engaged.
And a rail 41 for slidably supporting the engagement block 40 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the holding member 30.
And a ball screw mechanism 42 for moving the engagement block 40 along the rail 41.

In the case of this embodiment, the drive cylinder is composed of two things 31A and 31B arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction. One drive cylinder 31A has a rear end attached to a frame 1a provided on the broaching machine 1, a piston rod connected to a rear end of the other drive cylinder 31B via a connecting member 35, and a drive rod for the other drive cylinder 31B. The piston rod of the cylinder 31B is connected to the bracket 30a of the holding member 30. One cylinder 3
Driving 1A causes the other drive cylinder 31B to move forward and backward. That is, in the present embodiment, the drive cylinder is configured to operate in a so-called two-stage manner by extending and retracting the two cylinders 31A and 31B.

The guide is composed of two guides 32A and 32B arranged in parallel in the vertical direction. The middle part of the lower guide 32A is supported by a support member 1b provided on the broaching machine 1, and the middle part of the upper guide 32B is supported by the lower guide 32A. The upper guide 32B has a holding member 30 coupled to the front end and a regulating member 32a provided at the rear end. Drive cylinder 31A, 3
When the extension guide 1B is driven to extend, the upper guide 32B firstly coupled to the holding member 30 advances, and the lower guide 32B of the upper guide 32B is brought into contact with the regulating member 32a.
A relative advance to A is regulated, and the lower guide 32
A advances with the advance of the upper guide 32B. That is, in this embodiment, the guide is configured to operate in a so-called two-stage manner. Since the drive cylinders 31A and 31B and the guides 32A and 32B are configured to operate in two stages as described above, compared to the movement stroke between the original position S of the holding member 30 and the tool attachment position T. The length can be shortened. Therefore,
Drive cylinders 31A, 31B and guides 32A, 32
The amount by which B projects from the broaching machine 1 can be reduced, and the size of the tool changing device 2 can be reduced. However, the invention is not limited to configuring the drive cylinder and the guide to operate in two stages.

As shown in FIG. 5, the rail 41 of the shift means 22 has a convex engaging portion 20b of each magazine 20.
A similar groove 46 is formed which is engaged with the groove 46. Also,
Similarly, the holding member 30 of the forward / backward moving means 21 is formed with a similar groove 36 to be engaged with the engaging portion 20b formed in each magazine 20. Drive cylinders 31A, 31B
Are retracted and the holding member 30 is at the original position S, the two grooves 3
6, 41 are continuous, and the engaging portion 20b of each magazine 20 can move over both grooves 36, 41.

The engagement block 40 has an engagement portion 40a (FIG. 4) having a width substantially equal to the width of each magazine 20 and a tool mounting position T.
The rail 41 is formed so as to open to the side.
Are slidably supported by rails 43 provided in parallel with the above. The ball screw mechanism 42 includes a male screw 42a disposed in parallel with the rail 43 and pivotally supported so as to be rotatable around an axis.
, A nut 42b provided on the engagement block 40 and screwed to the male screw 42a, and a motor 42c for rotating the male screw 42a. The engagement block 40 includes a motor 42c.
When the male screw 42a is rotationally driven by the
Is moved on the rail 43 in parallel with the rail 41 along the male screw 42a. Then, the motor 42c is controlled so that the desired magazine 20 engaged with the engagement portion 40a of the engagement block 40 is aligned with the holding member 30 of the advance / retreat moving means 21 at the original position S. .

Next, the operation of the tool changing device 2 of the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to a case where the broach 11 is changed by applying to the broaching machine 1 described above. In addition,
When the broach 11 is replaced, the initial broaching machine 1 has the ram 10 at the lowermost position.
Rear grip part 1 on the retrieving head of the lifter
1b is gripped, the front grip portion is not gripped by the pull head, and is released.
Is a groove 36 provided in the holding member 30 of the advance / retreat moving means 21.
The description will be made in connection with the case where it is engaged with and held by.

First, the ram 10 is raised so as to be positioned higher than the magazine 20 is provided, and the lifter 15 is raised. Next, both cylinders 3
1A and 31B are extended and driven, and the holding member 30 of the advance / retreat moving means 21 is advanced. At this time, the guide supporting the holding member 30 is the upper guide 32 coupled to the holding member 30.
B moves forward, and the lower guide 32A becomes the upper guide 32B.
Will move forward with the advance of. The holding member 30
The hole 20a formed as a holding portion of the empty magazine 20 is positioned immediately below the broach 11, that is, is advanced so as to be aligned with the tool mounting position T. Thereafter, the lifter 15 is lowered to replace the front grip 11a of the broach 11 to be replaced.
Is inserted and held in the hole 20a of the magazine 20, the retrieving head 14 is released, and the lifter 15 is raised. Further, the ram 10 is raised to the highest position so as to completely retreat from the broach 11 to be replaced. Subsequently, both cylinders 31A and 31B are driven to retract, and the holding member 30 of the advance / retreat moving means 21 is retracted to the original position S.

Subsequently, the motor 42c is rotated to align the magazine 20 holding the predetermined broach 11 on the holding member 30, and the cylinders 31A and 31B are extended and driven to extend the broach held by the magazine 20. The holding member 30 is advanced so that 11 is located at a position (tool attachment position T) directly below the retrieving head 14. Next, the lifter 15 is lowered, and the rear gripping portion 11b of the broach 11 is gripped by the retrieving head 14, and the lifter 15 is lifted.
Is raised again. Then, both cylinders 31A, 31B
To retract the holding member 30 of the advance / retreat moving means 21 to the original position S, lower the ram 10 to the lowest position, and end the operation of the tool change.

Next, another embodiment of the tool changer according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition,
The same or corresponding parts as in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, each magazine 5
0, a groove 50a is formed along the moving direction between the original position S and the tool mounting position T, and a groove engaged with a block 51 provided at the tip of the piston rod 31 of the drive cylinder. 50b are respectively formed in parallel with the male screw 42a. The block 51 is located on an extension of the original position S of the magazine 50 and the tool mounting position T. The holding member 30 is fixed to the tip of the guide 32B,
The guide 32B is slidably supported by the guide 32A. Further, contrary to the above-described embodiment, a groove 56 is formed in each magazine 50, and a convex engaging portion 30 b that engages with the groove 56 is formed in the holding member 30.
Although not shown, the rail 41 (see FIGS. 4 and 5)
In the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, when the drive cylinder 31 is retracted and the holding member 30 is at the original position S, an engaging portion of the same shape that is continuous with the engaging portion 30b of the holding member 30 is formed. ing. The engagement block 60 screwed to the external thread 42a of the ball screw mechanism has an engagement portion 60a to be engaged with the groove 50a of each magazine.

The operation of the tool changing device according to this embodiment configured as described above is as follows. When the male screw 42a is rotated around the axis, the engaging block 60 screwed with the male screw 42a moves, and accordingly, each magazine 50 in which the engaging portion 60a and the groove 50a are engaged is attached to the holding member 30.
And move on the rail 41. At this time, the groove 50b of each block 50 slides with respect to the engaged block 51. When the predetermined magazine 50 is thus positioned at the original position S and the drive cylinder 31 is extended and driven, since the block 51 is engaged with the groove 50b of the magazine 50, the magazine 50 is The groove 50a slides with respect to the engaging portion 60a.
32B to which the supporting member 30 supporting the support is fixed.
Slides on the guide 32A. In this manner, the magazine 50 allows the support portion 20a to move between the tool mounting position T and the original position S.

[0033]

According to the present invention, the tool holding magazine can be moved back and forth with respect to the tool mounting position, so that the tool can be easily changed in a short time with a simple structure. It is possible to provide a tool changing device capable of reducing the entire processing device to reduce the equipment space and equipment cost, and also reducing the number of processes to shorten the processing time and reduce the driving labor consumed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a broaching machine to which a tool changing device according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a tool changing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway front view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the tool changing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front view of a conventional technique in which a loader is provided between a tool mounting position and a magazine.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of another prior art in which a lifter for gripping a broach is movable between a tool mounting position and a magazine.

FIG. 11 is a front view of FIG. 10;

[Description of sign]

 20 Magazine 21 Forward / backward moving means 22 Shift means S Original position T Tool mounting position

Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Niwa 1-3, Shimizu, Kitazaki-cho, Obu City, Aichi Prefecture

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A tool changing device, wherein a magazine for holding a tool is movable forward and backward with respect to a tool mounting position.