KR102634801B1 - Automatic Tool Changer - Google Patents

Abstract

An automatic tool changing device is disclosed. An automatic tool changer according to an embodiment of the present invention has a purge unit that sprays fluid into a twin arm that holds a plurality of tool tools, and is capable of stably removing foreign substances remaining in the tool tools. Includes.

Description

Automatic Tool Changer

The present invention is intended to remove foreign substances remaining on a tool held by a twin arm, and more specifically, relates to an automatic tool changing device.

In general, a machine tool refers to a machine used to process metal or non-metallic materials into specific shapes and dimensions using various cutting or non-cutting processing methods, or to perform more precise processing in a semi-material state. .

Among the above machine tools, machine tools that generate chips during the machining process are called cutting machine tools, and non-cutting machine tools that do not generate chips during the machining process are called metal processing tools.

Examples of the cutting machine tools include lathes, milling machines, machining centers, drilling machines, boring machines, grinding machines, gear processing machines, and special processing machines.

Examples of the metal forming machines include mechanical presses, hydraulic presses, cutting and bending machines, forging machines, and drawing machines.

Recently, automation and numerical control (NC) in the cutting processing field are also rapidly progressing, and the numerical control (NC) of machine tools, which were divided into rotary lathe series and milling series, have been combined in a complex manner, resulting in the emergence of multi-functional machining centers, industrial Thanks to the wide demand in the field, the market is rapidly expanding.

The machining center is an NC machine tool that automatically performs several types of cutting processing on a single machine, and is equipped with an automatic tool exchange function and a function that can automatically cut and split two or more surfaces of the workpiece.

The machining center can be divided into two types: those that process non-rotating parts and those that process rotating parts. The form of processing the non-rotating parts has been improved in various ways by using an NC milling machine or NC drilling machine, and includes an automatic tool changer (ATC), a tool magazine, and an automatic workpiece changer (Automatic Loader, AL) is combined to form a machining center.

The method of machining the rotating parts is to use an NC lathe to turn the rotating parts and then perform various processing such as angle splitting, groove processing, hole processing, and tapping work. In addition to the automatic tool changer (ATC), the automatic workpiece changer (AL) ) is composed of.

In addition, during processing, the material is held with a separately prepared chuck and the finished workpiece is released from the chuck, thereby automating the attachment and detachment of the workpiece.

The automatic tool exchange device has a structure in which a tool magazine device holds a large number of tools required for each process and exchanges and supplies tools required for various tasks using a tool holder.

In the automatic tool changer, the tools stored in the tool magazine device are moved to the standby port for automatic tool exchange, and the main axis is moved to the tool exchange position in the work space, and the tools in the standby port and the tools in the main axis are moved to the twin arm. Replacement takes place by rotation of .

The operating status according to automatic tool change in a conventional machine tool will be described with reference to the drawings. For reference, Figure 1 is a configuration diagram of a conventional automatic tool changer, and Figures 2 and 3 are diagrams for explaining tool exchange in a conventional automatic tool changer.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the conventional automatic tool changer is equipped with a magazine that is rotated by the rotational power of the magazine motor 1 and stores the positions of a plurality of tools used in the spindle. In addition, a plurality of tool ports 3a are arranged in succession on the magazine chain 3, and the magazine chain 3 automatically travels by driving the magazine motor 1.

In addition, the automatic tool changer includes a tool holder (3) located on the circumference of the magazine to prevent the tool from coming off when the magazine is rotated, and a tool holder (3) that moves the tool in the magazine by the rotational power of the tool shift motor (4). A tool shifter (5) to move to the exchange position, a stopper (6) to stop the standby port at the tool exchange position, a twin arm (9) to exchange the standby port and the tool of the main shaft (10), and a cam box motor. It is composed of a cam box (8) that rotates the twin arm (9) using the rotational power of (7).

In a conventional automatic tool changer, the magazine motor (1) operates to rotate the magazine (2) to move the exchange tool in the magazine to the tool exchange position, thereby moving the tool port (3a) to the position of the tool shifter (5). Move it to

And the tool port (3a) moves to the tool position by the operation of the tool shift motor (4). When the cam box motor (7) is operated, the twin arm (9) assembled in the cam box (8) rotates 90° clockwise and the thread processing tool (10a) and tool port (3a) fixed to the main shaft (10) ) is clamped.

After gripping the thread processing tool 10a and the tool port 3a, the twin arm 9 rotates 180° clockwise and exchanges the positions of the thread processing tool 10a and the tool port 3a. Then, the twin arm 9 rotates 90° counterclockwise and returns to its initial position.

However, in the conventional automatic tool changer, the tool shank of the tool is exposed to the outside when changing tools, so foreign substances such as dust or fine chips may adhere or accumulate, causing a problem that machining performance may be reduced due to poor bonding between the spindle and the tool. This caused a need for countermeasures.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0046488

The present embodiments are intended to provide an automatic tool changer that can conveniently remove chips remaining on a tool held by a twin arm provided in the automatic tool changer.

The automatic tool changing device according to this embodiment includes a twin arm 100 in which a tool insertion groove 110 is formed to selectively insert a tool tool 2; A purge unit 200 that is installed together with the twin arm 100 and sprays fluid toward the surface of the tool tool 2 only when the twin arm 100 grips the tool tool 2; The purge unit 200 includes a finger 212 that extends toward the distal end of the twin arm 100 and is provided to selectively contact the tool tool 2, and moves fluid to the tool tool 2. A first shift 210 including a first communication part 214 formed for; an elastic member 220 that elastically supports the purge unit 200 in the axial direction; a second shift 230 coupled to the outside of the first shift 210 and provided with a second communication part 232 to selectively communicate with the first communication part 214; and a guide bush 240 that guides the amount of displacement generated in the axial direction of the purge unit 200.
The purge unit 200 operates by receiving fluid from an air compressor 250 that supplies fluid at a predetermined pressure.
The finger 212 includes a first inclined portion 212a that makes initial contact with the tool tool 2; The extended end of the first inclined portion 212a is inclined toward the tool insertion groove 110 and is maintained in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tool 2 inserted into the tool insertion groove 110. 2 includes an inclined portion 212b.
The twin arm 100 is provided with a stopper (S) to limit the maximum moving distance of the first shift 210.
The first communication part 214 has a relatively larger opening than the second communication part 232.
The first communication part 214 is opened in an oval shape extending a predetermined length in the axial direction of the first shift 210.
The purge unit 200 further includes an O-ring 201 provided for sealing the first and second communication parts 214 and 232.
The guide bush 240 includes a first guide bush 242 provided on the first shift 210; It is provided on the second shift 230 and includes a second guide bush 244 located adjacent to the second communication part 232.
The guide bush 240 uses a linear guide.
The purge unit 200 includes a first nozzle unit 252 that sprays the fluid supplied through the air compressor 250 to the upper side of the tool tool 2; It includes a second nozzle unit 254 that sprays fluid to the lower side of the tool tool 2.
When axial displacement occurs in the second shift 230, a displacement control unit 300 is provided that moves with a predetermined stroke to adjust the displacement applied to the second shift 230.
The displacement control unit 300 includes a displacement transmission unit 310 inclined downward in a direction perpendicular to the second shift 230; It is inserted into the displacement transmission unit and includes a support body 320 that elastically supports the displacement transmission unit 310 in the axial direction.

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In these embodiments, high-pressure compressed air is sprayed onto the tool only when gripping is performed by the twin arm to remove foreign matter from the tool, making it possible to easily remove foreign matter remaining on the tool without using separate hydraulic or pneumatic equipment. there is.

In these embodiments, foreign matter can be removed from the tool using a twin arm, thereby improving manufacturability and productivity at the same time.

1 to 3 are diagrams showing a conventional automatic tool changing device.
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the automatic tool changer and twin arm according to this embodiment.
Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the twin arm according to this embodiment holds a tool.
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before the tool is coupled to the twin arm according to this embodiment.
Figure 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the first and second communication parts are in communication after the tool is held by the twin arm according to this embodiment.
Figure 8 is a diagram showing another example of the first communication unit according to this embodiment.
Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a tool is coupled to the twin arm according to this embodiment.
Figure 10 is a diagram showing another example of a guide bush according to this embodiment.
11 is a diagram illustrating the operating state of the automatic tool changing device according to this embodiment.

The advantages and features of the present disclosure, and methods for achieving them, will become clear with reference to the embodiments described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and will be implemented in various different forms, but these embodiments only ensure that the disclosure of the present disclosure is complete and are within the scope of common knowledge in the technical field to which this disclosure pertains. It is provided to fully inform those who have the scope of the disclosure, and the disclosure is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

A component is said to be “connected to” or “coupled to” another component when it is directly connected or coupled to another component or with an intervening other component. Includes all cases. On the other hand, when one component is referred to as “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another component, it indicates that there is no intervening other component. “And/or” includes each and every combination of one or more of the mentioned items.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments and is not intended to limit the disclosure. As used herein, singular forms also include plural forms, unless specifically stated otherwise in the context. As used in the specification, “comprises.” and/or “comprising” means that a referenced component, step, operation and/or element does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, operations and/or elements.

Although first, second, etc. are used to describe various components, it goes without saying that these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one component from another.

The automatic tool changing device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

For reference, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the automatic tool changer and the twin arm according to this embodiment, Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the twin arm holding the tool according to this embodiment, and Figure 6 is this It is a cross-sectional view showing the state before the tool tool is coupled to the twin arm according to the embodiment, and Figure 7 shows the state in which the first and second communication parts are connected after the tool tool is held by the twin arm according to this embodiment. It is a drawing.

Referring to the attached FIGS. 4 to 7, the automatic tool change device 50 according to this embodiment is described as being installed in a machining center as an example, but it may also be installed in other machine tools.

The automatic tool changer 50 is installed together with a twin arm 100 on one side of which a tool insertion groove 110 is formed to selectively insert the tool tool 2, and the twin arm 100 is installed on the inside of the twin arm 100. When the arm 100 is rotated to grip the tool tool 2, it includes a purge unit 200 that sprays fluid toward the surface of the tool tool 2 only when it comes into contact with the tool tool 2. .

When the twin arm 100 grips the tool tool 2, fluid is supplied through an air compressor 250, which will be described later, to remove or remove foreign substances remaining in the tool insertion groove 110 or the tool tool 2. Since it can be cleaned, it can be used immediately without replacing or stopping the twin arm as before, thereby improving quality and productivity at the same time.

For this purpose, the purge unit 200 according to this embodiment is installed together inside the twin arm 100 and sprays fluid to the tool tool 2 only when the tool tool 2 is gripped and the grip is released. In this case, since the fluid injection is configured to stop, foreign substances can be cleaned in as close contact as possible to the tool tool 2.

The purge unit 200 according to this embodiment includes a finger 212 extending toward the distal end and provided to selectively contact the tool tool 2, and a finger 212 formed to move fluid to the tool tool 2. A first shift 210 including a first communication portion 214, an elastic member 220 that elastically supports the purge unit 200 in the axial direction, and an outer side of the first shift 210 are coupled to each other. , a second shift 230 provided with a second communication part 232 to selectively communicate with the first communication part 214, and a guide bush that guides the amount of displacement generated in the axial direction of the purge unit 200. It includes (240) and a nozzle unit 260 provided on the outside of the twin arm 100 to spray the tool tool 2.

The first shift 210 is provided with fingers 212 in the direction facing the tool tool 2, and the fingers 212 are in direct contact with the tool tool 2.

The first shift 210 is formed with the tool insertion groove 110 so that the tool tool 2 can be stably inserted, and the tool tool 2 is orthogonal to the tool insertion groove 110. is located in a location. In this case, when the tool tool 2 is positioned in the tool insertion groove 110, it comes into contact with the finger 212 and can simultaneously move the first shift 210 in the axial direction.

A first communication part 214 is formed in the first shift 210 for movement of fluid to the tool tool 2, and when the finger 212 is in contact with the tool tool 2, the first communication part 214, which will be described later, is formed in the first shift 210. 2 The communication part 232 and the first communication part 214 are in communication with each other (see FIG. 7), so that fluid can be sprayed toward the tool tool 2.

For example, the first shift 210 is formed in the shape of a pipe, but it may also be changed to another shape.

The finger 212 according to this embodiment has a first inclined portion 212a that makes initial contact with the tool 2, and a tool insertion groove 110 at the extended end of the first inclined portion 212a. It includes a second inclined portion 212b that is inclined toward and remains in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tool 2 inserted into the tool insertion groove 110.

A noise reduction member may be attached to the surface of the finger 212 with a predetermined thickness to reduce noise that may be generated when in contact with the tool tool 2. The noise reduction member may be made of urethane, rubber, plastic, or other materials that have a noise reduction function.

Therefore, the finger 212 minimizes the noise reduction caused by direct contact with the tool tool 2 and minimizes the impact applied to the first shift 210 to enable stable operation of the twin arm 10. You can.

The first inclined portion 212a extends obliquely toward the tool tool 2, so that when it comes into contact with the tool tool 2, it does not interfere with the moving direction of the tool tool 2 and forms the tool insertion groove 110. This can ensure stable movement.

The second inclined portion 212b is a place where contact is maintained with the outer peripheral surface of the tool tool 2 after the tool tool 2 is inserted into the tool insertion groove 110 (see FIG. 10). It may have a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the outer peripheral surface of (2) or may be configured in an inclined form as shown in the drawing.

The first inclined portion 212a extends relatively longer than the second inclined portion 212b to enable stable movement of the tool tool 2 when it is moved into the tool insertion groove 110.

The first communication part 214 is formed as a circular hole as shown in the drawing, but can be changed to another shape and is formed to supply fluid to the air compressor 250, which will be described later.

The elastic member 220 according to this embodiment uses a coil spring, is inserted into the axial direction outside of the first shift 210, and moves the first shift 210 in the outer direction of the twin arm 100 (see Figure 4). It is elastically supported to the left).

When the finger 212 contacts the tool tool 2, the elastic member 220 is elastically compressed and moves the first shift 210 in the axial direction toward the second shift 230, which will be described later. It can be elastically supported during the process to enable stable movement.

Referring to the attached Figure 7 or Figure 9, the second shift 230 according to this embodiment is coaxially coupled to the first shift 210 and selectively communicates with the first communication part 214. Since two communication parts 232 are formed, fluid can be moved when the first communication part 241 is aligned with the second communication part 232.

The second shift 230 is stably supported to prevent shaking in the axial direction by a guide bush 240, which will be described later.

The second communication part 232 has an opening with the same diameter as the first communication part 214, so that fluid can be moved stably without pressure loss.

Referring to the attached FIG. 8, the first communication portion 214 according to the present embodiment may be opened in an oval shape extending to a predetermined length in the axial direction, unlike the above-described embodiment.

The reason why the first communication part 214 is opened in an elliptical shape is that even when the center of the first shift 210 does not coincide with the second communication part 232 due to a displacement difference in the axial direction, the fluid flow This is to move it stably.

Accordingly, stable movement of fluid can be achieved even when the first shift 210 is always moved to a fixed position or when a slight error occurs.

The guide bush 240 according to this embodiment is axially inserted into the second shift 230 and minimizes axial shaking caused by the first shift 210, which is moved relative to the second shift 230, thereby forming a stable purge unit ( 200) to ensure stable operation.

The guide bush 240 is shown as being installed only on the second shift 230 as an example, but it is not necessarily limited to the above-mentioned position.

The guide bush 240 uses a linear guide, and the linear guide is used to maintain constant stability due to support in machine parts that perform linear motion.

The guide bush 240 minimizes the phenomenon of shaking of the second shift 230 through rolling contact between the plurality of balls provided therein and the second shift 230, and the balls are in rolling contact with the second shift 230. During this process, no wear heat is generated with the outer peripheral surface of the second shift 230.

In addition, even when an axial load is applied to the second shift 230, the amount of displacement due to movement is minimized, enabling stable movement of the first shift 210 and the second shift 230.

Referring to the attached FIG. 10, the guide bush 240 according to this embodiment includes, as an example, a first guide bush 244 provided on the first shift 210 and a second shift 230, It includes a second guide bush 242 located adjacent to the second communication part 232.

In this embodiment, the guide bush 240 consists of first and second guide bushes 244 and 242, and can be installed on the first shift 210 and the second shift 230, respectively.

The first guide bush 244 is installed on the first shift 210 to minimize shock or shaking transmitted by the finger 212, and the second guide bush 242 moves the first shift 210. It stabilizes the shock transmitted through the device and enables stable operation.

Accordingly, the first and second shifts 210 and 230 maintain stable movement and operation in the axial direction at all times, so that the injection of fluid toward the tool 2 is kept constant.

The twin arm 100 according to this embodiment is provided with a stopper (S) to limit the maximum moving distance of the first shift 210. The stopper (S) can stably limit excessive axial movement by allowing it to move only a preset allowable distance in the axial direction.

The purge unit 200 further includes an O-ring 201 provided for sealing the first and second communication parts 214 and 232, and the O-rings 201 are composed of a plurality and are configured to operate the first shift ( 210) restricts the movement of compressed air when it is not activated.

Referring to the attached FIG. 11, the air compressor 250 according to the present embodiment has, for example, a coolant supply unit that generates compressed air when the fluid is compressed air and supplies coolant when the fluid is liquid. can be used

This embodiment is limited to the use of compressed air in the air compressor 250, and convenience is improved because foreign substances such as chips remaining on the surface of the tool tool 2 can be easily separated or removed. .

For example, the air compressor 250 includes a first nozzle 252 for spraying fluid toward the upper side of the tool tool 2 and a second nozzle 254 for spraying fluid toward the lower side of the tool tool 2. Includes.

Since the tool tool 2 extends to a predetermined length, it is more advantageous to separate foreign substances remaining on the outside of the tool tool 2 when the first and second nozzle parts 252 and 254 are respectively provided as above.

The first nozzle 252 sprays high-pressure compressed air toward the upper side of the tool tool 2, and the second nozzle 254 sprays compressed air toward the lower side of the tool tool 2. ) Remove any remaining foreign substances on the surface.

In this embodiment, when axial displacement occurs in the second shift 230, a displacement control unit 300 is provided that moves with a predetermined stroke to adjust the displacement applied to the second shift 230.

The displacement control unit 300 includes a displacement transmission unit 310 inclined downward in a direction perpendicular to the second shift 230, is inserted into the displacement transmission unit, and pivots the displacement transmission unit 310. It includes a support body 320 that elastically supports in the direction.

The displacement transmission unit 310 maintains the position shown in the drawing by the support 320 because the second shift 230 does not move before the first shift 210 grips the tool tool 2. do.

When the first shift 210 is moved to the second shift 230, the displacement transmission unit 310 is moved in the 6 o'clock direction based on the drawing by the guide bush 240 coupled to the second shift 230. The support 320 is elastically compressed.

The displacement control unit 300 moves the second shift 230 to an inclined position, and as shown in the figure, the displacement transmission unit 310 moves downward in the axial direction of the second shift 230. Stroke is controlled stably.

Above, an embodiment of the present invention has been described, but those skilled in the art can add, change, delete or add components without departing from the spirit of the present invention as set forth in the patent claims. The present invention may be modified and changed in various ways, and this will also be included within the scope of rights of the present invention.

2: Tool tool
100: twin arm
110: Tool insertion groove
200: purge unit
210: 1st shift
212: Finger
214: first communication part
220: elastic member
230: 2nd shift
232: second communication part
240: Guide bush
S: stopper

Claims (13)

Twin arm 100 in which a tool insertion groove 110 is formed to selectively insert the tool tool 2;
A purge unit 200 that is installed together with the twin arm 100 and sprays fluid toward the surface of the tool tool 2 only when the twin arm 100 grips the tool tool 2;
The purge unit 200 includes a finger 212 that extends toward the distal end of the twin arm 100 and is provided to selectively contact the tool tool 2, and moves fluid to the tool tool 2. A first shift 210 including a first communication part 214 formed for;
an elastic member 220 that elastically supports the purge unit 200 in the axial direction;
a second shift 230 coupled to the outside of the first shift 210 and provided with a second communication part 232 to selectively communicate with the first communication part 214; and
An automatic tool changing device including a guide bush (240) that guides the amount of displacement generated in the axial direction of the purge unit (200). delete According to claim 1,
The purge unit 200 is an automatic tool changer that operates by receiving fluid from an air compressor 250 that supplies fluid at a predetermined pressure. According to claim 1,
The finger 212 includes a first inclined portion 212a that makes initial contact with the tool tool 2;
The extended end of the first inclined portion 212a is inclined toward the tool insertion groove 110 and is maintained in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tool 2 inserted into the tool insertion groove 110. 2 Automatic tool changer including an inclined portion (212b). According to claim 1,
An automatic tool changing device in which the twin arm (100) is provided with a stopper (S) to limit the maximum moving distance of the first shift (210). According to claim 1,
The first communication part 214 is an automatic tool changer having a relatively larger opening than the second communication part 232. According to clause 6,
The first communication part 214 is an automatic tool changer having an oval shape extending a predetermined length in the axial direction of the first shift 210. According to claim 1,
The purge unit 200 is an automatic tool changing device further including an O-ring 201 provided for sealing the first and second communication parts 214 and 232. According to claim 1,
The guide bush 240 includes a first guide bush 242 provided on the first shift 210;
An automatic tool changer including a second guide bush (244) provided on the second shift (230) and located adjacent to the second communication part (232). According to claim 1,
The guide bush 240 is an automatic tool changer using a linear guide. According to clause 3,
The purge unit 200 includes a first nozzle unit 252 that sprays the fluid supplied through the air compressor 250 to the upper side of the tool tool 2;
An automatic tool changing device including a second nozzle unit (254) that sprays fluid to the lower side of the tool tool (2). According to claim 1,
An automatic tool changer equipped with a displacement control unit (300) that moves to a predetermined stroke when axial displacement occurs in the second shift (230) and adjusts the displacement applied to the second shift (230). According to claim 12,
The displacement control unit 300 includes a displacement transmission unit 310 inclined downward in a direction perpendicular to the second shift 230;
An automatic tool changing device including a support body (320) that is inserted into the displacement transmission unit and elastically supports the displacement transmission unit (310) in the axial direction.