KR102504724B1 - Turning center - Google Patents

Abstract

A turning center capable of setting an anti-collision area for each tool holder is disclosed. The turning center is disposed on the bed and is coupled to a main shaft structure having a chuck for fixing a rotating workpiece, movably coupled to a frame extending from the bed along the vertical and horizontal directions with respect to the upper surface of the bed, and provided on the periphery of the rotatable body A turret structure including a turret having a plurality of tool holders and a plurality of work tools mounted on the tool holder, and connected to the turret structure and the main shaft structure to rotate the turret according to the processing step for the workpiece to exchange the work tools , and a numerical control device having a collision avoidance module that automatically changes an anti-collision area for preventing collision with the tool holder in correspondence with the tool holder. When changing tools, the operation efficiency of the turning center can be increased by changing the anti-collision area in response to individual tool holders.

Description

Turning center {Turning center}

The present invention relates to a turning center, and more particularly, to a turret turning center in which a work tool is automatically exchanged by rotation of a turret, which is a rotary tool post on which a plurality of work tools are mounted.

A turret turning center that drives a turret lathe capable of mass-processing products of a certain size by mounting work tools on a turret, which is a rotating tool rest, by a numerical control device is widely used in the machining field. Particularly, in recent years, the frequency of utilization of turning centers that can perform precision machining by mounting a large-sized workpiece on the upper surface of the headstock and utilizing various attachments has increased.

According to the conventional turret turning center, cutting tools such as drills and reamers are mounted on a plurality of tool holders arranged at regular intervals along the circumferential direction of the turret, and the turret rotates according to a processing sequence determined according to a processing algorithm. exchange of work tools.

At this time, since the shape and size of the tool holder provided in the turret is provided in various ways according to the type of tool to be mounted, when the work tool is exchanged by rotating the turret, the chuck or jaw adjacent to the tool holder and the turret may collide with each other. In particular, in the case of turning centers processing large workpieces or multi-tasking turning centers, various attachments can be used between the headstock and the turret to perform automated processes with high machining precision. The chances of a collision are further increased.

Accordingly, most turret turning centers are provided with a collision controller that sets a protection area around the tool holder to prevent collision between the tool holder and the chuck, jaw, or attachment of the headstock.

The collision controller sets a space of a certain size surrounding the tool holder as an interference area with the tool holder, and when a chuck, jaw or attachment enters the interference area, an alarm is issued and the movement of the turret axis is stopped. .

However, the interference area set in the conventional turret turning center is set singularly based on the tool holder with the largest size among a plurality of tool holders provided in the turret, and an interference alarm is generated despite no physical interference with the tool holder. There are frequent cases where it sends out and stops working.

For example, when the turret is rotated to change to a work tool provided in a tool holder having the smallest size, although physical interference between the tool holder and the chuck/jaw or attachment does not occur, the size of the set interference area Since is large, the chuck, jaw, or attachment can be evaluated by the collision controller as entering the interference region. Accordingly, although interference with the actual tool holder does not occur, an interference alarm is generated and the operation of the turret is stopped, requiring manual action by the operator.

In particular, such an interference error causes a fatal operation stop of the turning center in the automatic operation mode of the turret turning center, making the function of the automatic operation mode useless. In order to prevent this, the automatic operation mode is performed in a state in which the collision prevention function of the tool holder is intentionally disabled, so that the interference prevention function for the tool holder is not utilized in the automatic operation mode.

Accordingly, there is a need for a new turret turning center capable of increasing operation efficiency by preventing tool holder interference errors.

An object of the present invention is to provide a turning center capable of preventing drive stoppage due to an interference error by setting a plurality of interference areas to correspond to the shape and size of individual tool holders provided in the turret.

Turret turning center according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention for achieving the above object is a main shaft structure having a chuck for clamping a rotating workpiece disposed on a bed, a frame extending from the bed A turret having a plurality of tool holders provided on the periphery of the rotatable body and a plurality of work tools mounted on the tool holder, coupled to be movable along the vertical and horizontal directions with respect to the upper surface of the bed, A turret structure including a turret structure, and an anti-collision area for exchanging the work tool by rotating the turret according to the processing step for the workpiece connected to the turret structure and the main shaft structure and preventing collision with the tool holder. and a numerical control device having an anti-collision module that automatically changes in response to the tool holder.

As an embodiment, the anti-collision module may include a holder buffer setting unit for setting a holder buffer area, which is a virtual space surrounding the tool holders, respectively, according to individual shape characteristics of the plurality of tool holders, and the holder for each tool holder. A buffer area storage unit for storing a buffer area, and a holder buffer connected to the buffer area storage unit and corresponding to the tool holder approaching the workpiece in the anti-collision area when the tool holder is changed by rotation of the turret. A collision control unit that automatically sets the collision prevention area to an area, and a turret stopper that automatically stops the operation of the turret when the anti-collision area interferes with a surrounding structure may be provided.

As an embodiment, the holder buffer setting unit may include a tool holder selector for selecting one of the tool holders as the selected holder and a holder buffer generator for generating the virtual space based on the shape of the selected holder.

As an embodiment, a holder number input unit for transmitting the holder number of the tool holder to the tool holder selector and a shape information input unit for transmitting the shape information of the selected holder to the holder buffer generator, wherein the numerical control device and the user It may further include a control console, which is a user interface that connects.

In one embodiment, the anti-collision module includes a chuck buffer setting unit configured to set a chuck buffer area, which is a virtual space surrounding the chuck, according to individual shape characteristics of the chuck, and a virtual space surrounding the attachment according to individual shape characteristics of the attachment. An attachment buffer setting unit configured to set an attachment buffer area may be further provided.

According to the turning center according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention as described above, a buffer area for each tool holder provided in a peripheral structure such as a chuck or attachment or a turret is individually created and stored, and automatically before tool exchange. Changes the anti-collision area of the tool holder to the buffer area of the tool holder where the exchanged work tools are accommodated.

Therefore, whenever a tool change occurs, the anti-collision area is automatically updated as a holder buffer area optimized for each tool holder, so that the anti-collision area can be optimally maintained for each tool holder in the tool change process. Therefore, since the anti-collision area is automatically optimally set to correspond to the shape characteristics of each tool holder during the tool exchange process, the stoppage of operation of the turret 240 due to interference between the anti-collision area and surrounding structures can be minimized. Accordingly, the operation efficiency of the turning center can be increased.

1 is a configuration diagram showing a turning center according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a main shaft structure and a turret structure of the turning center shown in FIG. 1;
3A to 3D are diagrams illustrating a display unit of a control console when a selection holder is selected according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a diagram illustrating a display unit of a control console when setting a holder buffer area for a selection holder according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating steps of machining a workpiece using the turning center shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an exemplary embodiment of the buffer area data setting step shown in FIG. 1;

For the embodiments of the present invention disclosed in the text, specific structural or functional descriptions are only exemplified for the purpose of explaining the embodiments of the present invention, and the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in various forms and the text It should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described above.

Since the present invention can have various changes and various forms, specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the text. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to a specific form disclosed, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Terms such as first and second may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms may be used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, a first element may be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element may be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It is understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another element, it may be directly connected or connected to the other element, but other elements may exist in the middle. It should be. On the other hand, when an element is referred to as “directly connected” or “directly connected” to another element, it should be understood that no other element exists in the middle. Other expressions describing the relationship between components, such as "between" and "directly between" or "adjacent to" and "directly adjacent to", etc., should be interpreted similarly.

Terms used in this application are only used to describe specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "comprise" or "having" are intended to indicate that the described feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof exists, but that one or more other features or numbers are present. However, it should be understood that it does not preclude the presence or addition of steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related art, and unless explicitly defined in this application, they are not interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal meaning. .

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail.

1 is a configuration diagram showing a turning center according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a main shaft structure and a turret structure of the turning center shown in FIG. 1 exemplarily discloses a turning center having a turret. However, if a rotating workpiece is processed using a turret having a plurality of work tools, the present invention can be applied to various machine tools. For example, it is obvious that the present invention can be applied to a horizontal turning center or a complex turning center.

1 and 2, the turning center 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with a chuck 124 disposed on a bed B to clamp a rotating workpiece MO A plurality of tool holders 244 disposed movably along the vertical and horizontal directions in the main shaft structure 100, the frame F extending from the bed B, and provided on the periphery of the rotatable body 242 And a turret structure 200 including a turret 240 having a plurality of work tools T mounted on the tool holder 244 and connected to the turret structure 200 and the main shaft structure 100 In accordance with the processing step for the workpiece MO, the turret 240 is rotated to exchange the work tool T, and an anti-collision area for preventing collision with the tool holder 244 is provided in the tool holder ( 244) includes a numerical control device 300 having an anti-collision module that automatically changes.

For example, the spindle 110 for rotating the workpiece is disposed along the vertical direction on the bed B having sufficient strength and rigidity, and the chuck 120 for fixing the rotating workpiece on top of the spindle 110 is are combined The chuck 120 has a cylinder-shaped chuck body 122 that is fixed to the spindle 110 and rotates together with the spindle 110, and is radially disposed on the upper surface of the chuck body 122 to support the workpiece. It consists of jaws (124). For example, the jaw 124 may be composed of 3-4 slender members radially disposed on the upper surface of the same chuck body 122 with the same central angle. Accordingly, the main shaft structure 100 for rotating the workpiece to be processed is disposed on the upper surface of the bed B providing the base of the turning center 500 in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the bed B.

A vertical frame (F), which is a support member extending vertically from the end of the bed (B), is provided, and the work tool (T) for processing the workpiece (MO) is provided on the vertical frame (F) Turret 240 equipped with ) is disposed movably along the vertical and horizontal directions. Accordingly, the turret structure 200 coupled to the vertical frame (F) is provided.

As one embodiment, the vertical column 210 provided as a transfer base plate is coupled to the frame (F) and extends along one side of the vertical column 210 in a horizontal direction and moves along the vertical column 210. The transfer unit 220 is coupled. A turret driving unit 230 moving in a horizontal direction along the vertical transfer unit 220 is coupled to one side of the vertical transfer unit 220 . In this embodiment, the turret driving shaft DS driving the turret 240 from the lower surface of the turret driving unit 230 is disposed parallel to the vertical column 210 .

Therefore, the turret 240 is moved to the working position given by plane coordinates by the vertical movement of the vertical transport unit 220 and the horizontal movement of the turret driving unit 230, and by the rotation of the turret 240 at the working position. By selecting an appropriate work tool, machining of the workpiece MO is performed.

The turret 240 is composed of a turret body 242 that is connected to the turret driving shaft DS and rotates, and a plurality of tool holders 244 disposed around the turret body 242 at regular intervals. The tool holder 244 is provided in various shapes according to the shape and characteristics of the work tool T to be accommodated. A plurality of work tools T are accommodated in each tool holder 244 and provided to the turret 240 .

The turret body 242 is disposed on the upper part of the work MO, moves in vertical and horizontal directions by the vertical transfer unit 220 and the turret driving unit 230, and is set to a working position, and at the set working position, a working tool (T ) is properly exchanged by the rotation of the turret body 242 according to the processing step for the work MO. That is, tool exchange for the work MO is performed by the rotation of the turret body 242 .

Fixation of the work MO on the headstock 100, setting of the work position by control of the turret structure 200, and selection of the work tool T are organically controlled by the numerical control device 300, precision machining is performed.

The numerical control device 300 is connected to the turret structure 200 and the main shaft structure 100 and performs a series of machining on the workpiece MO according to a preset algorithm to perform a series of machining on the turret structure 200 and the main shaft structure. A machine tool having (100) is constituted by a single turning center (500).

For example, the numerical control device 300 includes a central control module 310 controlled according to a predetermined processing algorithm and various control means and driving means for controlling the main shaft structure 100 and the turret structure 200. provide Accordingly, the turret structure 200 is controlled according to the processing step and precision of the work MO to select an appropriate working position and a working tool T.

In particular, the numerical control device 300 provides a collision prevention area for preventing collision between the tool holder 244 and surrounding structures due to the rotation of the turret 240 for selecting an appropriate work tool T for each tool holder ( 244) is provided with an anti-collision module 320 that automatically changes in consideration of individual shapes.

For example, when the first machining of the work MO is completed and the work tool T is exchanged to perform the second machining, the tool holder 244 accommodating the work tool T for the second work The turret 240 is rotated so that it approaches the work MO.

At this time, while the turret 240 rotates, the turret holder 244 disposed on the periphery of the turret body 242 collides with surrounding structures, which may cause equipment damage and operation stoppage. To prevent this, the anti-collision module 320 sets an anti-collision area, which is a virtual space surrounding the turret holder 244, at the periphery of each turret holder 244, and the anti-collision area is partially stop the operation of the turning center if it interferes with

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the anti-collision area is individually and optimally formed by reflecting the shape characteristics of each tool holder 244, thereby preventing unnecessary operation stoppage due to the anti-collision area having an excessively large size. .

For example, the anti-collision module 320 includes a holder buffer setting unit 321, a chuck buffer setting unit 322, an attachment buffer setting unit 323, a buffer area storage unit 324, a collision control unit 325, and A turret stopper 326 may be provided.

The holder buffer setting unit 321 sets holder buffer areas, which are virtual spaces surrounding the tool holders 244, according to individual shape characteristics of the plurality of tool holders 244, respectively. For example, the holder buffer setting unit 321 includes a tool holder selector 321a that selects one of the tool holders 244 as the selected holder and a holder that creates the virtual space based on the shape of the selected holder. A buffer generator 321b is provided.

The tool holder selector 321a selects a selection holder, which is a target tool holder for generating a holder buffer, from among a plurality of tool holders 244 disposed around the turret body 242. Conventionally, regardless of the shape characteristics of individual tool holders, the holder buffer area of the largest tool holder was set as the collision prevention area, but in this embodiment, the holder buffer area is optimally set in consideration of the shape characteristics of each tool holder 244. can be set optimally. Accordingly, the holder buffer area may be individually created or modified for each tool holder 244 . The tool holder selector 321a selects a target holder to create a holder buffer area as a selection holder.

The holder buffer generator 321b reflects the shape characteristics of the holder selected by the tool holder selector 321a to create a holder buffer area optimal for the holder. In this embodiment, the shape information of the selection holder includes at least one of the length, width, and height of the tool holder. Accordingly, based on the length, width, and height of the selection holder, a virtual space having an appropriate size surrounding the selection holder may be set, and the virtual space may be created as a holder buffer area of the selection holder.

In this embodiment, the tool holder selector 321a and the holder buffer generator 321b may be directly input by an operator of the turning center 500 through a user interface.

For example, a control console 400 connected to the numerical control device 300 and having appropriate user interface means may be further provided in the turning center 500. In this embodiment, the main shaft structure 100, the turret structure 200, and the numerical control device 300 are disposed inside a housing (not shown) having a certain shape and sealed from the outside, and the control console 400 is provided on the outside of the housing to transmit a control signal such as an operation signal or a setting signal from an operator to a numerical control device or to display processing information on a workpiece performed inside the housing on the outside of the housing.

Accordingly, the control console 400 includes a display unit 410 for displaying the processing information or displaying a control signal to be transmitted to the numerical control device, and a signal input unit for inputting an appropriate control signal according to the processing information or processing step ( 420) and an operation control unit 430.

The tool holder selector 321a and the holder buffer generator 321b are connected to the display unit 410 and the signal input unit 420 of the control console 400 to display the image of the turret 240 through the display unit 410. It is possible to select the selection holder while visually checking the selection holder, and while checking the shape image of the selection holder through the display unit 410, the size of the virtual space, which is the holder buffer area, can be directly input.

3A to 3D are diagrams illustrating a display unit of a control console when a selection holder is selected according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3A to 3D, when the turret setting mode 401 provided in the control console 400 is selected, the display unit 410 displays the turret image TI and each tool holder of the turret 240. Details (Specification, S) for (244) are displayed.

In the details (S), the number and type of the tool holder 244 are displayed, and the shape characteristics of each tool holder 244 are displayed as a list. In this embodiment, the height (H), width (W), and first and second lengths (HL1, HL2) of the tool holder 244 are displayed as shape characteristics.

At this time, the height (H) and width (W) of the tool holder 244 are the height and width of the tool holder measured in the plan view of the turret 240 shown in the turret image TI as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. In the tool holder image THI, which is a vertical cross-sectional view of the tool holder 244, as shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D, the first and second lengths HL1 and HL2 of the tool holder 244 are The distances from the center position to the outer and inner ends, respectively, are shown.

When the shape characteristic list is selected, the corresponding tool holder is selected as the selection holder (SH) and displayed on the turret image (TI), and the height (H) and width (W) are planar images for the turret 240, and the first and second The second lengths HL1 and HL2 are displayed on the display unit 410 as vertical sectional images THI of the tool holder.

Selection of the selection holder (SH) may use the return key of the signal input unit 420 to select a specific row in the shape characteristic list, or a separate holder number input unit 422 to the signal input unit 420 may also provide. When the selection holder SH is specified by selecting the tool holder, the display unit 410 automatically changes to the shape characteristic editing mode for the selection hold SH.

4 is a diagram showing a display unit of a control console when setting a holder buffer area for a selection holder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the left side of the display unit 410 displays the selected holder SH and the turret image TI showing the holder number, and the right side shows the holder number and shape characteristics of the selected holder and each tool of the turret 240. A list of information about the holder type for the holder 244 is displayed.

At this time, an editing window (EW) for editing the holder type and shape characteristics of the selected holder (SH) is displayed, and when the editing window is activated, individual shape information can be modified through the shape information input unit 424. there is.

The holder number input unit 422 and the shape information input unit 424 are formed as the same input means and can be used as the holder number input unit 422 and the shape information input unit 424 according to the active mode of the display unit 410. . For example, the holder number input unit 422 and the shape information input unit 424 may include various data input means such as a numeric keypad, a mouse, and a touch screen.

The tool number and shape characteristic data of the selection holder (SH) input through the holder number input unit 422 and the shape information input unit 424 are transmitted to the holder buffer setting unit 321 and the shape formed based on the shape characteristic data A virtual space surrounding is created as a holder buffer area for the selection holder SH by creating a virtual space based on the shape characteristic data.

Accordingly, a holder buffer area for the selection holder SH is set. Similarly, after individually selecting the remaining tool holders 244, the holder buffer area corresponding to each tool holder is set through the same process.

Although the present embodiment discloses that the holder buffer area is set after the operator individually selects all tool holders 244, the holder number and shape information of the selected holder are provided in a single file form combined with each other, so that each tool It is obvious that the holder buffer area for the holder may be automatically set.

In addition, although the present embodiment discloses the height (H), width (W), and lengths (HL1, HL2) as the shape characteristics of the tool holder 244, these are exemplary and depend on the function and characteristics of the tool holder 244. It is obvious that various shape characteristics can be provided according to the present invention.

Optionally, the anti-collision module 320 includes a chuck buffer setting unit 322 for setting a chuck buffer area, which is a virtual space surrounding the chuck 120, according to individual shape characteristics of the chuck 120 and individual attachments. An attachment buffer setting unit 323 configured to set an attachment buffer area, which is a virtual space surrounding the attachment, according to shape characteristics may be further provided.

While the turret 240 rotates for tool exchange, the tool holder 244 may collide with the chuck 120 or the attachment. Accordingly, by extending the anti-collision area to the chuck buffer area or the attachment buffer area as well as the holder buffer area related to the tool holder 244, it is possible to further reduce the possibility of collision between the tool holder 244 and surrounding structures in the tool change process. there is.

Although not shown, when the chuck setting mode 402 is selected through the display unit 410, similarly to FIGS. 3A to 3D, the display unit 410 displays objects that can be coupled to the spindle 110. Chuck images for chucks and details for each chuck 120 may be displayed. Subsequently, when a chuck for coupling coupled to the spindle 110 is selected and the selected chuck is specified, the display unit 410 automatically changes to a shape characteristic editing mode for the selected chuck similarly to FIG. 4 . In the shape characteristic editing mode, the shape characteristics of the coupling chuck may be edited and modified. The chuck buffer setting unit 322 creates a chuck buffer area as a virtual space surrounding the selected chuck by using shape characteristic information of the selected chuck.

Chuck buffer areas appropriate for each of the various chucks that can be combined with the spindle 110 are formed and stored in a database so that when a chuck is changed, the chuck buffer area can be automatically changed without setting individual chuck buffer areas.

Similarly, when the attachment setting mode 403 is selected through the display unit 410, similarly to FIGS. 3A to 3D, the display unit 410 includes target attachments that can be combined with the turning center 500. Attachment images for and details of each attachment can be displayed. Subsequently, when a coupling attachment coupled to the turning center 500 is selected and the selected attachment is specified, the display unit 410 automatically changes to a shape characteristic editing mode for the selected attachment similarly to FIG. 4 . In the shape characteristic editing mode, the shape characteristics of the binding attachment can be edited and modified. The attachment buffer setting unit 323 creates an attachment buffer area in a virtual space surrounding the selected attachment by using shape characteristic information on the selected attachment.

For various attachments that can be combined with the turning center 500, individually appropriate attachment buffer areas are formed and databased, so that when an attachment is changed, the attachment buffer area can be automatically changed without setting individual attachment buffer areas.

In particular, the attachment is provided as a processing attachment that is mounted on the chuck 120 or the spindle 110 or the tool T to increase the processing form and precision of the workpiece and an auxiliary device of the turning center 500. It may include a device attachment capable of increasing the driving efficiency of the turning center 500.

For example, the machining attachment may include a dummy cover coupled to the spindle 110, an extension head, an index universal head, an angle head, and the like, , The device attachment is a part catcher for mounting the workpiece (MO) to be processed to the main shaft structure (100) and a part unloader (part unloader) for removing the machined workpiece (MO) from the main shaft structure (100). unloader).

In general, the buffer area for the chuck 120 or the attachment is already set by the manufacturer, but in this embodiment, the chuck buffer setting unit 322 and the attachment buffer setting unit 323 are used to individually chuck if necessary. or the buffer area for attachments can be reset.

The buffer area storage unit 324 stores the holder buffer area formed by the holder buffer setting unit 321 for each tool holder 244 . For example, the buffer area storage unit 324 includes a data storage device such as a hard disk device or a flash memory device, and the holder buffer area and the tool holder 244 corresponding thereto are database files converted into digital data. may be stored in the data storage device.

The collision controller 325 is connected to the buffer area storage unit 324 so that when the tool holder 244 is changed by rotation of the turret 240, the tool holder 244 approaches the work MO. ) is automatically changed to the anti-collision area.

When automatic tool exchange is required according to the processing step for the workpiece (MO), the central control unit 310 rotates the turret 240 by a predetermined angle to move the tool holder 244 containing the required work tool to the workpiece (MO). MO) approach.

At this time, the collision control unit 325 releases the anti-collision area formed as the holder buffer area corresponding to the tool holder spaced apart from the work MO and prevents collision with the holder buffer area corresponding to the tool holder approaching the work MO. set the area

Therefore, the anti-collision area is automatically updated to the holder buffer area optimized for each tool holder whenever tool exchange occurs according to the processing step, thereby maintaining the anti-collision area optimally corresponding to the individual tool holder 244 during the tool exchange process. can

The turret stopper 326 automatically stops the operation of the turret 240 when the anti-collision area interferes with a surrounding structure. Accordingly, collision between the tool holder 244 and surrounding structures is prevented.

At this time, the anti-collision area is automatically set optimally in response to the shape characteristics of each tool holder 244 during the tool exchange process, so that the stoppage of operation of the turret 240 due to interference between the anti-collision area and surrounding structures can be minimized. there is.

According to the conventional turning center, the anti-collision area is fixed to the holder buffer area of the tool holder having the largest gap, so that the anti-collision area is It is evaluated that the collision prevention area interferes with the surrounding structure because it is set excessively. Accordingly, even though there is no possibility of collision between the tool holder and the surrounding structure, the operation of the turret is stopped, significantly impairing the operational efficiency of the turret center.

However, according to the present invention, since the anti-collision area is automatically changed to the holder buffer area optimal for the tool holder during tool exchange, the possibility of interference between the surrounding structure and the anti-collision area can be significantly reduced. Accordingly, the operation efficiency of the turning center can be increased by preventing excessive automatic stop of the turret 240 to prevent collision between the tool holder and the surrounding structures.

Optionally, the buffer area storage unit 324 may further store the chuck buffer area and attachment buffer area formed by the chuck buffer setting unit 322 and the attachment buffer setting unit 323 for each chuck or attachment. Similar to the information on the holder buffer area, the chuck buffer area and the attachment buffer area may be converted into digital data corresponding to the corresponding chuck or attachment and stored in a data storage device as a database file.

The collision controller 325 may set the chuck buffer area and/or the attachment buffer area as a chuck and/or attachment anti-collision area before machining the work MO or before driving the turning center.

Accordingly, the collision between the tool holder 244 and a surrounding structure such as the chuck 120 or the attachment can be evaluated by the interference between the first anti-collision area for the chuck and/or the attachment and the second anti-collision area for the tool holder. can Accordingly, the possibility of physical collision between the tool holder 244 and the surrounding structure can be set to be lower.

In particular, the physical collision between the tool holder 244 and surrounding structures can be more strictly managed by individually modifying the anti-collision area of the chuck and attachment according to the driving characteristics or processing characteristics of the turning center.

The turning center as described above is operated as follows, so that collision between the tool holder and surrounding structures can be precisely prevented during the tool exchange process.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a step of machining a workpiece using the turning center shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of a step of setting buffer area data shown in FIG. It is a flow chart showing

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6 , before starting the turning center 500, a buffer area database related to a peripheral structure and a tool holder is checked and buffer area data is set (step S100).

If there is a need to newly create buffer area data for peripheral structures and tool holders or to update existing buffer area data, perform buffer area setting mode to create buffer area data for tool holders and surrounding structures, and create buffer area data for existing buffer area databases. When the operation of the turning center 500 is sufficient, the operation mode is performed.

When the buffer area setting mode is selected, a buffer area for surrounding structures such as the chuck 120 and attachments is set or created (step S110). As for the buffer area related to the surrounding structure, each buffer area preset by the manufacturer may be set as the buffer area of the surrounding structure of the turning center 500, or by using the chuck buffer setting unit 322 and the attachment buffer setting unit 323. An operator may newly create a surrounding structure buffer area optimized for driving the turning center 500 in consideration of processing characteristics and equipment characteristics.

Subsequently, the selected holder SH is selected from the plurality of tool holders 244 provided in the turret 240 by the tool holder selector 321a and the holder number input unit 422 (step S120), and the selected holder SH The shape characteristics of ) are input through the shape information input unit 424 (step S130). The holder number and shape information of the selected holder SH is transmitted to the holder buffer generator 312b to create a holder buffer area, which is a virtual space surrounding the selected holder SH (step S140).

Next, the buffer area database is updated by storing the surrounding structure buffer area and holder buffer area in the buffer area storage unit 324 in association with the surrounding structure and the holder number of the selected holder SH (step S150). For example, the holder buffer area classified according to the holder number of the tool holder 244 and the peripheral structure buffer area classified according to each neighboring structure are stored as digital data. The buffer area database is called in a subsequent tool exchange step and is automatically set as an anti-collision area between the tool holder 244 and surrounding structures.

When individual buffer areas are created for all surrounding structures and the tool holder 244, the buffer area setting mode is ended and the operation mode of the turning center 500 is switched.

When the operation mode is switched, a first anti-collision area for the tool holder 244 of the turret 240 and a second anti-collision area for surrounding structures such as the chuck 120 or attachment are set (step S200).

First, the buffer area related to the chuck 120 coupled to the turning center 500 and the attachment is called from the buffer area storage unit 324 to set a second anti-collision area, which is an anti-collision area related to the surrounding structure, and the workpiece ( A first anti-collision area, which is an anti-collision area for the tool holder, is set by calling the holder buffer area related to the initial tool holder in which the first machining tool for the MO) is accommodated. At this time, the second anti-collision area may not be set according to the precision and processing characteristics of the turning center 500 .

Then, by activating the automatic collision avoidance function, the operation control of the turret 240 by the collision controller 325 is allowed (step S300).

Even if the collision prevention area for the tool holder and surrounding structures is set, depending on the operating conditions of the turning center 500, the collision prevention function is selective, such as when the possibility of collision between the tool holder 244 and the surrounding structures is fundamentally excluded. There may be cases in which the operation efficiency of the turning center 500 is increased by excluding. Accordingly, the operator can selectively select the automatic collision avoidance function in an active/inactive mode. Therefore, the collision avoidance area is selectively applied only when the automatic collision avoidance function is activated. At this time, operation control of the turret 240 is partially controlled by the collision controller 325 .

While the first tool holder 244 approaches the work MO by the rotation of the turret 240, it is checked whether the surrounding workpiece or the second anti-collision area interferes with the first anti-collision area (step S400).

When interference with the first anti-collision area occurs, the collision control unit 325 drives the turret stopper 326 to stop the driving of the turret 240 in order to prevent physical collision between the surrounding structures and the tool holder (step S500 ). After removing interference factors that can cause physical collision between the tool holder and surrounding structures (step S600), whether or not interference with the first anti-collision area is checked again (step S400), and if no interference occurs, the turret 240 resume operation of

When interference with the first anti-collision region does not occur, since no physical collision occurs between the surrounding structures and the tool holder, normal processing of the workpiece MO is performed (step S700).

When the machining using the work tool provided in the first tool holder is completed, it is determined whether or not the machining of the workpiece (MO) by the turning center 500 is completed (step S800), the driving of the turning center 500 is stopped, and the machining begins. The completed work MO is taken out (step S900).

When machining of the work MO is not yet completed, the central control unit 310 transmits a tool exchange signal to the turret structure 200 to exchange the current tool with a replacement tool (step S1000).

For example, the number of the tool holder in which the current tool is stored is replaced with the number of the tool holder in which the replacement tool is stored, and the rotation direction of the turret 240 is determined so that the replacement tool approaches the work MO.

The number of the tool holder in which the replacement tool is stored is transmitted to the collision controller 325. The collision control unit 325 calls the holder buffer area corresponding to the second tool holder in which the solid tool is stored from the buffer area storage unit 324 and controls the collision prevention area set as the holder buffer area of the first tool holder. 2 Change to the holder buffer area of the tool holder (step S1100).

Next, when the second tool holder approaches the work MO due to the rotation of the turret 240, it is checked whether interference between the changed anti-collision area and the surrounding structures occurs (step S400).

Whenever tool exchange occurs until the machining of the workpiece MO is finished, the anti-collision area is changed to a holder buffer area reflecting the individual shape characteristics of the tool holder to be exchanged, so that the possibility of collision can be precisely determined. .

Accordingly, the operation efficiency of the turning center can be significantly increased by preventing frequent turret operation stoppage due to excessive collision prevention area setting.

According to the turning center as described above, a buffer area for each tool holder provided in a peripheral structure such as a chuck or attachment or a turret is individually created and stored, and the anti-collision area of the tool holder is automatically exchanged before tool exchange. Change to the buffer area of the tool holder where the work tool is stored.

Therefore, whenever a tool change occurs, the anti-collision area is automatically updated as a holder buffer area optimized for each tool holder, so that the anti-collision area can be optimally maintained for each tool holder in the tool change process. Therefore, since the anti-collision area is automatically optimally set to correspond to the shape characteristics of each tool holder during the tool exchange process, the stoppage of operation of the turret 240 due to interference between the anti-collision area and surrounding structures can be minimized. Accordingly, the operation efficiency of the turning center can be increased.

In addition, the chuck buffer area and attachment buffer area are stored for each chuck or attachment, and the chuck buffer area and/or attachment buffer area are stored in the chuck and/or attachment anti-collision area before machining the workpiece (MO) or before driving the turning center. can be set to Accordingly, a collision between the tool holder and a surrounding structure such as the chuck or attachment may be evaluated by interference between the first anti-collision area for the chuck and/or the attachment and the second anti-collision area for the tool holder. Accordingly, the possibility of physical collision between the tool holder and the surrounding structures can be set to be lower.

In particular, since the turning center individually modifies the anti-collision area of the chuck and attachment according to driving characteristics or processing characteristics, physical collision between the tool holder and surrounding structures can be more strictly managed.

Although the above has been described with reference to the embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art can variously modify and change the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention described in the claims below. You will understand that you can.

Claims (5)

A spindle structure having a chuck disposed on the bed to clamp a rotating workpiece;
A plurality of tool holders provided on the periphery of the rotatable body and a plurality of work tools mounted on the tool holders coupled to a frame extending from the bed to be movable along vertical and horizontal directions with respect to the upper surface of the bed A turret structure including a turret to do; and
It is connected to the turret structure and the main axis structure to exchange the work tools by rotating the turret according to the processing step for the workpiece, and to prevent collision with the tool holder by providing an anti-collision area corresponding to the tool holder. Including a numerical control device having an automatically changing anti-collision module,
The anti-collision module,
a holder buffer setting unit configured to set a holder buffer region, which is a virtual space surrounding the tool holders, for each of the plurality of tool holders according to individual shape characteristics;
a buffer area storage unit that stores the holder buffer area for each tool holder;
a collision control unit that is connected to the buffer area storage unit and automatically sets the anti-collision area as a holder buffer area corresponding to the tool holder approaching the workpiece when the tool holder is changed by rotation of the turret; and
A turning center having a turret stopper that automatically stops the operation of the turret when the anti-collision area interferes with a surrounding structure. delete The turning center according to claim 1, wherein the holder buffer setting unit includes a tool holder selector that selects one of the tool holders as the selected holder and a holder buffer generator that creates the virtual space based on the shape of the selected holder. The method of claim 3, further comprising a holder number input unit for transmitting the holder number of the tool holder to the tool holder selector and a shape information input unit for transmitting the shape information of the selected holder to the holder buffer generator, A turning center that further includes a control console, which is a user interface that connects users. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anti-collision module comprises a chuck buffer setting unit configured to set a chuck buffer region, which is a virtual space surrounding the chuck, according to individual shape characteristics of the chuck, and a virtual space surrounding the attachment according to individual shape characteristics of the attachment. A turning center further comprising an attachment buffer setting unit for setting an attachment buffer area which is a space.

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