NL2033503B1 - Machining assembly and method of exchanging a machining tool - Google Patents

Machining assembly and method of exchanging a machining tool Download PDF

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Publication number
NL2033503B1
NL2033503B1 NL2033503A NL2033503A NL2033503B1 NL 2033503 B1 NL2033503 B1 NL 2033503B1 NL 2033503 A NL2033503 A NL 2033503A NL 2033503 A NL2033503 A NL 2033503A NL 2033503 B1 NL2033503 B1 NL 2033503B1
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NL
Netherlands
Prior art keywords
tool
machining
assembly
cnc
spindle heads
Prior art date
Application number
NL2033503A
Other languages
Dutch (nl)
Inventor
Herman Volmer Frans
Original Assignee
Voortman Steel Machinery Holding B V
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Voortman Steel Machinery Holding B V filed Critical Voortman Steel Machinery Holding B V
Priority to NL2033503A priority Critical patent/NL2033503B1/en
Priority to PCT/NL2023/050590 priority patent/WO2024101991A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of NL2033503B1 publication Critical patent/NL2033503B1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23Q—DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING; MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT
    • B23Q39/00—Metal-working machines incorporating a plurality of sub-assemblies, each capable of performing a metal-working operation
    • B23Q39/02—Metal-working machines incorporating a plurality of sub-assemblies, each capable of performing a metal-working operation the sub-assemblies being capable of being brought to act at a single operating station
    • B23Q39/021—Metal-working machines incorporating a plurality of sub-assemblies, each capable of performing a metal-working operation the sub-assemblies being capable of being brought to act at a single operating station with a plurality of toolheads per workholder, whereby the toolhead is a main spindle, a multispindle, a revolver or the like
    • B23Q39/025—Metal-working machines incorporating a plurality of sub-assemblies, each capable of performing a metal-working operation the sub-assemblies being capable of being brought to act at a single operating station with a plurality of toolheads per workholder, whereby the toolhead is a main spindle, a multispindle, a revolver or the like with different working directions of toolheads on same workholder
    • B23Q39/026—Metal-working machines incorporating a plurality of sub-assemblies, each capable of performing a metal-working operation the sub-assemblies being capable of being brought to act at a single operating station with a plurality of toolheads per workholder, whereby the toolhead is a main spindle, a multispindle, a revolver or the like with different working directions of toolheads on same workholder simultaneous working of toolheads
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23Q—DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING; MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT
    • B23Q3/00—Devices holding, supporting, or positioning work or tools, of a kind normally removable from the machine
    • B23Q3/155—Arrangements for automatic insertion or removal of tools, e.g. combined with manual handling
    • B23Q3/1552—Arrangements for automatic insertion or removal of tools, e.g. combined with manual handling parts of devices for automatically inserting or removing tools
    • B23Q3/15526—Storage devices; Drive mechanisms therefor
    • B23Q3/15536—Non-rotary fixed racks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23Q—DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING; MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT
    • B23Q3/00—Devices holding, supporting, or positioning work or tools, of a kind normally removable from the machine
    • B23Q3/155—Arrangements for automatic insertion or removal of tools, e.g. combined with manual handling
    • B23Q3/157—Arrangements for automatic insertion or removal of tools, e.g. combined with manual handling of rotary tools
    • B23Q3/15773—Arrangements for automatic insertion or removal of tools, e.g. combined with manual handling of rotary tools a transfer device taking the tool from a storage device and passing it on to other transfer devices, which insert it in a spindle

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Automatic Tool Replacement In Machine Tools (AREA)

Abstract

Machining assembly for automatically machining a metal elongate profile shaped workpiece, comprising: at least three CNC-spindle heads, wherein each CNC-spindle head is configured to exchangeably receive a machining tool and controllable to simultaneously machine the workpiece using the received machining tool; a conveyor for transporting the workpiece along an X-axis with respect to the at least three CNC-spindle heads, the X-axis corresponding to a main axis of the elongate workpiece; a tool bank configured to hold a plurality of machining tools each suitable for each of the at least three CNC-spindle heads; and a tool exchanger assembly configured to selectively exchange machining tools between the tool bank on the one hand and any one of the at least three CNC-spindle heads on the other hand.

Description

P132400NL00
Title: Machining assembly and method of exchanging a machining tool
FIELD
The invention relates to a machining assembly for automatically machining a metal elongate profile shaped workpiece, as well as to a method of exchanging a machining tool in such a machining assembly.
BACKGROUND
Machining assemblies for automatically machining a metal elongate profile shaped workpiece are known as such. A known machining assembly comprises a CNC-spindle head configured to machine one side of the workpiece and to exchangeably receive a machining tool. The known machining assembly further comprises a tool bank configured to hold a plurality of machining tools, for example including drill bits, each suitable for the CNC-spindle head. A tool exchanger assembly may be configured to selectively exchange machining tools between the tool bank and the CNC- spindle head, in particular as an automated alternative to manual exchange of machining tools.
There is a continuing broad desire for improvements regarding automatic machining of metal elongate profile shaped workpieces.
SUMMARY
An object of the present invention is to make the machining of metal elongate profile shaped workpieces more efficient, more versatile and/or more user friendly, in particular with respect to exchanging machining tools. An object is to at least partly resolve one or more disadvantages associated with a known machining assembly for automatically machining such workpieces, in particular while maintaining and/or extending existing advantages. An object is to at least provide an alternative method of exchanging a machining tool in such a machining assembly.
An aspect of the invention provides a machining assembly for automatically machining a metal elongate profile shaped workpiece. The machining assembly comprises at least three CNC-spindle heads. A first
CNC-spindle head of the at least three CNC-spindle heads is configured to machine a first lateral side of the workpiece. A second CNC-spindle head of the at least three CNC-spindle heads is configured to machine a second lateral side of the workpiece opposite the first lateral side. A third CNC- spindle head of the at least three CNC-spindle heads is configured to machine an upwardly directed side of the workpiece. Each CNC-spindle head is configured to exchangeably receive a machining tool and controllable to simultaneously machine with each other of the at least three CNC- spindle heads the workpiece using the received machining tool.
The machining assembly further comprises a conveyor for transporting the workpiece along an X-axis with respect to the at least three
CNC-spindle heads, the X-axis corresponding to a main axis of the elongate workpiece.
The machining assembly further comprises: a tool bank configured to hold a plurality of machining tools each suitable for each of the at least three CNC-spindle heads; and a tool exchanger assembly configured to selectively exchange machining tools between the tool bank on the one hand and any one of the at least three CNC-spindle heads on the other hand.
Advantageously, such a tool bank and tool exchanger assembly enable the machining assembly to use machining tools more efficiently, in particular by operationally sharing a same set of machining tools among the at least three CNC-spindle heads. Such a set may be referred to as a pool of machining tools. The pool may comprise, e.g. consist of, all machining tools held by the machining assembly, e.g. by the tool bank, by any of the CNC- spindle heads, and/or by any other part of the machining assembly.
For example, for a relatively rarely used type of tool, only one or two of such tools in the pool may suffice to enable each of the at least three
CNC-spindle heads to use such a tool. By contrast, in known machining assemblies with separate tool banks and tool exchangers per CNC-spindle head, at least one such tool has to be included for each CNC-spindle head separately, thus yielding a total of at least three such tools or alternatively, manual exchange of the tools during production is required which is detrimental for the automated operation of the machining assembly.
Meanwhile, in such known machining assemblies, there may be times when a certain type of usable tool is lacking in one tool bank while it is available and not in use in another tool bank, for example because of differences in tool use over time among the different CNC-spindle heads.
The combined tool bank and tool exchanger assembly of the present machining assembly help to avoid such situations by making a shared set of tools, i.e. a common pool of tools, operationally available to the multiple
CNC-spindle heads.
Thus, a total number of machining tools in the machining assembly may be reduced while an availability of machining tools for each of the
CNC-spindle heads can be maintained or even be improved. Similarly, the availability of tools may be improved while the total number of machining tools can be maintained or even reduced. As a consequence, the machining assembly can be more versatile and can be easier to use, in particular with a reduced operator work load regarding manual handling of tools.
It shall be appreciated that in the present context, the term ‘machining tool’ refers to a tool which is configured to be exchangeably received by a CNC-spindle head, to be brought in contact with the workpiece for machining the workpiece by said contact. Examples of relevant machining tools may include tool bits, for example a drill bit, a tap bit, a milling bit and a reamer bit. Such machining tools are generally subject to wear as a result of the contact with the workpiece and hence may generally need replacing after some amount of use. Next to wear, which is relatively predictable, breakage may also occur which can happen at any time and is therefore not predictable. In some instances the spindle head may also be used to mount a touch probe for performing measurements or a marking tool.
A further aspect provides a method of exchanging a machining tool in a machining assembly for automatically machining a metal workpiece.
The method comprises: providing a machining assembly as described herein; and, using the tool exchanger assembly, selectively exchanging a machining tool between the tool bank on the one hand and any one of the at least three
CNC-spindle heads on the other hand.
Such a method provides above mentioned advantages. In particular, the use of the tool exchanger assembly greatly enhances efficiency, versatility and user friendliness compared to known machining assemblies.
Further advantageous elaborations are provided by the features of the dependent claims, as will be explained further in the detailed description.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following, the invention will be explained further using examples of embodiments and drawings. The drawings are schematic and merely show examples. In the drawings, corresponding elements are indicated by corresponding reference signs. In the drawings:
Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an example of a machining assembly comprising a tool bank and tool exchanger assembly;
Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the tool bank and tool exchanger assembly of Fig. 1; and
Fig. 3 shows a front view of a variation of the tool bank and tool exchanger assembly of Fig. 2, with one tool exchanger arm of the tool exchanger assembly in a different position compared to Fig. 2.
Fig. 1 shows a machining assembly 2 for automatically machming 5 a metal elongate profile shaped workpiece 4. Merely as a schematic indication, a relatively small and simple workpiece 4 has been drawn in Fig. 1, wherein it shall be appreciated that metal elongate profile shaped workpieces can have various shapes and sizes, including with much larger lengths than what is shown in Fig. 1. In the shown examples, the main axis of the elongate workpiece will generally be aligned with the horizontal X- axis as indicated in the figures. The Y-axis then generally corresponds to a horizontal transverse direction and the Z-axis then generally corresponds to a vertical transverse direction.
The machining assembly 2 comprises at least three CNC-spindle heads 6, 8, 10. A first CNC-spindle head 6 of the at least three CNC-spindle heads is configured to machine a first lateral side of the workpiece 4. A second CNC-spindle head 8 of the at least three CNC-spindle heads is configured to machine a second lateral side of the workpiece 4 opposite the first lateral side. A third CNC-spindle head 10 of the at least three CNC- spindle heads is configured to machine an upwardly directed side of the workpiece 4. Thus, the first and second CNC-spindle heads 6 and 8 may be directed in mutually opposite directions along the Y-axis, while the third
CNC-spindle head 10 may be downwardly directed along the Z-axis.
In embodiments, a respective position of each CNC-spindle head 6, 8, 10 with respect to the workpiece 4 is automatically adjustable, in particular in a plane transverse to a main axis of the workpiece 4. In the shown examples, such a transverse plane corresponds to a Y-Z-plane. It shall be appreciated that any one or more of the CNC-spindle heads 6, 8, 10 may additionally or alternatively be automatically adjustable along the X- axis.
Each CNC-spindle head 6, 8, 10 is configured to exchangeably receive a machining tool 12 and controllable to simultaneously with each other of the at least three CNC-spindle heads 6, 8, 10 machine the workpiece 4 using the received machining tool 12. In Fig. 1, CNC-spindle head 8 is shown with a machining tool 12 received thereby, wherein it shall be appreciated that such a machining tool can similarly be received by the other CNC-spindle heads 6 and 10.
The machining assembly 2 comprises a conveyor 14 for transporting the workpiece 4 along an X-axis with respect to the at least three CNC-spindle heads 6, 8, 10, the X-axis corresponding to a main axis of the elongate workpiece 4. Such a conveyor 14 has been indicated highly schematically in Fig. 1 as extending in an X-Y-plane, i.e. corresponding to a horizontal conveyor surface on which the workpiece 4 is supported. Various types of suitable conveyors are known as such, including e.g. roller conveyors. A gripper truck assembly (not shown) or other driving means may be provided for driving the workpiece 4 along the conveyor 14.
Alternatively or additionally, the conveyor itself may be configured to drive the workpiece 4, e.g. by actuation of rollers, a belt, etc.
One or more clamping assemblies (not shown) may be provided at the machining assembly 2 to fixate the workpiece 4 during the machining, in particular clamping from one or more lateral sides of the workpiece 4, i.e. along the Y-axis, to stabilize the workpiece 4 during the machining.
The machining assembly 2 further comprises: a tool bank 16 configured to hold a plurality of machining tools 12 each suitable for each of the at least three CNC-spindle heads 6, 8, 10; and a tool exchanger assembly 18 configured to selectively exchange machining tools 12 between the tool bank 16 on the one hand and any one of the at least three CNC- spindle heads 6, 8, 10 on the other hand.
Fig. 2 shows the tool bank 16 and tool exchanger assembly 18 of the machining assembly 2 of Fig. 1, from a substantially opposite viewing direction compared to Fig. 1.
In each of the figures, one arbitrarily chosen machining tool 12 in the tool bank 16 has been indicated by a reference sign 12. In Fig. 2, it can be seen that the tool bank 16 comprises a total of 42 (three rows of 14) of such machining tools in this example. More generally, in embodiments, the number of machining tools 12 which the tool bank 16 is configured to hold is at least 20, preferably at least 30, more preferably at least 40, for example about 42.
It shall be appreciated that the tool bank 16 need not necessarily be completely filled with machining tools 12 as shown. Preferably, during use, one or more positions in the tool bank 16 are at least sometimes open to provide capacity for accepting tools 12 into the tool bank 16, e.g. in exchange for another tool leaving the tool bank 16.
In the shown examples, the machining tools 12 are shown as drill and milling bits. However, as indicated in the summary above, various different types of machining tools 12 can be used. Also, the machining tools used can generally be of various different sizes, e.g. drill or milling bits can have various diameters. More generally, during use, the tool bank 16 preferably holds a heterogeneous mix of machining tools, wherein the composition of the mix is preferably adapted to an expected tool use during an upcoming period of use of the machining assembly 2.
The figures also illustrate an example of a method of exchanging a machining tool 12 in a machining assembly 2 for automatically machining a metal workpiece 4. The method comprises: providing a machining assembly 2 as described herein; and, using the tool exchanger assembly 18, selectively exchanging a machining tool 12 between the tool bank 16 on the one hand and any one of the at least three CNC-spindle heads 6, 8, 10 on the other hand.
In embodiments, the tool exchanger assembly 18 comprises at least one tool exchanger arm 22, 24, 26 configured to move a machining tool 12 between a CNC-spindle head receipt position in which the machining tool 12 can be received by one of the CNC-spindle heads 6, 8, 10, and an exchange position of the tool exchanger arm 22, 24, 26.
Such a tool exchanger arm 22, 24, 26 can advantageously move a machining tool 12 to and/or from a CNC-spindle head 6, 8, 10. Thereby, one or more further parts of the tool exchanger assembly 18, in particular a tool transfer device 28 which is explained further elsewhere herein, can be of a relatively simple design. Moreover, in this way, tasks related to tool exchange may be performed in parallel, e.g. with multiple tool exchanger arms 22, 24, 26 operating in parallel with each other and/or in parallel with the tool transfer device 28.
In Fig. 2, two tool exchanger arms 22 and 26 are shown in such an exchange position, whereas one further tool exchanger arm 24 is shown in an intermediate position close to the exchange position. Fig. 3 shows a slight variation of the tool exchanger assembly 18 of Fig. 2 with a corresponding tool exchanger arm 24 in a CNC-spindle head receipt position. Notably, in this CNC-spindle head receipt position, the machining tools 12 are held substantially horizontally (along the Y-axis) by the tool exchanger arm 24 so as to facilitate exchange with the correspondingly directed CNC-spindle head 8. Meanwhile, in the tool bank 16 and in the exchange positions of the tool exchanger arms 22, 24, 26, the machining tools 12 may be held substantially vertically (along the Z-direction in the drawings) for efficient storage and stable positioning. However, in other embodiments, machining tools 12 could be held in different orientations in a tool bank.
It shall be appreciated that CNC-spindle head receipt positions of tool exchanger arms can thus substantially correspond to positions and directions of respective CNC-spindle heads. For example, to receive a machining tool held by a tool exchanger arm in a CNC-spindle head receipt position, the CNC-spindle head may be moved along the CNC-spindle head's main axis towards the tool exchanger arm to engage the machining tool, where after the tool exchanger arm may release the machining tool by moving away from the CNC-spindle head, in particular transverse to the
CNC-spindle head’s main axis.
In embodiments, e.g. as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the at least one tool exchanger arm 22, 24, 26 comprises a respective tool exchanger arm 22, 24, 26 for each of the CNC-spindle heads 6, 8, 10. In the shown examples, tool exchanger arms 22, 24, 26 thus correspond to CNC-spindle heads 6, 8, 10, respectively.
In this way, each CNC-spindle head 6, 8, 10 can have a respective tool exchanger arm 22, 24, 26 operating substantially independently of the other CNC-spindle heads, thereby further promoting versatility and efficiency of the tool exchanger assembly 18 and the overall machining assembly 2.
In embodiments, as alluded to above, the tool exchanger assembly 18 further comprises a tool transfer device 28 configured to transfer a machining tool 12 between the tool bank 16 and the at least one tool exchanger arm 22, 24, 26 in its exchange position.
In particular, the tool transfer device 28 may be configured to transfer machining tools 12 between any of the tool receiving positions of the tool bank and any tool exchanger arm 22, 24, 26 in its exchange position.
Additionally, the tool transfer device 28 may be configured to transfer machining tools 12 among further combinations of positions, e.g. to and from a tool receipt station 20 which is explained further elsewhere herein.
In embodiments, the tool transfer device 28 comprises a tool engagement unit 30 configured to subsequently engage, lift, lower and release a machining tool 12, wherein the tool transfer device 28 is configured to move the tool engagement unit 30 horizontally between the lifting and the lowering so as to selectively position the tool engagement unit 30 over tool receiving positions of the tool bank 16 and/or over the tool exchanger arms 22, 24, 26 in their exchange positions.
In embodiments, each of the tool exchanger arms 22, 24, 26 has a different respective exchange position, wherein the tool transfer device 28 is configured to transfer a machining tool 12 to and from each of the exchange positions.
In this way, the tool transfer device 28 can for example exchange tools directly between the tool exchanger arms 22, 24, 26. Moreover, the tool exchanger arms 22, 24, 26 can thus always reach their respective exchange position without first having to wait for another of the exchanger arms 22, 24, 26.
In embodiments, the tool exchanger arm 22, 24, 26 is configured to hold multiple, e.g. two, machining tools 12 simultaneously for exchanging machining tools 12 at the CNC-spindle head 6, 8, 10 without requiring intermediate use of the tool transfer device 28.
Thus, for example, a tool exchanger arm 22, 24, 26 may bring one fresh machining tool towards a CNC-spindle head 6, 8, 10, then receive a spent tool from that CNC-spindle head, then cause the CNC-spindle head to receive the fresh machining tool, and only then move back towards the tool bank 16. This implies that the tool exchanger arm briefly simultaneously holds two machining tools, i.e. the spent tool and the fresh tool, close to the
CNC-spindle head. In this way, the overall speed of exchanging tools can be increased compared to when a tool exchanger arm would only hold one machining tool at a time. Consequently, the effective operational time of the respective CNC-spindle head can be increased.
In Figs. 2 and 3, each tool exchanger arm 22, 24, 26 can be seen to hold two machining tools 12 at or close to the exchange position. This is merely to illustrate how the arms 22, 24, 26 can be configured to hold two machining tools 12. It shall be appreciated that during use, the number of machining tools held by a tool exchanger arm 22, 24, 26 in its exchange position will generally be less than two, e.g. one or zero.
In embodiments, the tool exchanger assembly 18 is configured to exchange a machining tool 12 between the tool bank 16 and one of the CNC- spindle heads 6, 8, 10 while another one of the CNC-spindle heads 6, 8, 10 machines the workpiece 4.
Thus, advantageously, a tool exchange for one of the CNC-spindle heads need not affect the effective machining operations of the other CNC- spindle heads, while the at least three CNC-spindle heads can still benefit from the common tool exchanger assembly 18.
In embodiments, as seen for example in Fig. 2, the machining assembly 2 comprises a tool receipt station 20 outside the tool bank 16. The tool receipt station 20 is configured to receive an additional machining tool 12 for adoption into a pool of usable machining tools 12 held jointly by the tool bank 16, the tool exchanger assembly 18 and the plurality of CNC- spindle heads 6, 8, 10.
In this way, an operator can conveniently add and/or remove a machining tool 12 via the tool receipt station 20, while the machining assembly 2 can continue to machine the workpiece 4. In particular, the tool exchanger assembly 18 may be configured to automatically exchange a machining tool 12 to and/or from the tool receipt station 20, for example from and/or to the tool bank 16.
Correspondingly, in embodiments, the method comprises: using the tool exchanger assembly 18, adopting an additional machining tool 12 into a pool of usable machining tools 12 held jointly by the tool bank 16, the tool exchanger assembly 18 and the plurality of CNC-spindle heads 6, 8, 10.
In embodiments, the tool exchanger assembly 18 is configured to exchange a machining tool 12 directly between the tool receipt station 20 on the one hand and any one of the CNC-spindle heads 6, 8, 10 on the other hand. Additionally or alternatively, in embodiments, the tool exchanger assembly 18 may be configured to exchange a machining tool 12 directly between any two of the at least three CNC-spindle heads 6, 8, 10.
Correspondingly, in embodiments, the method comprises: using the tool exchanger assembly 18, transferring a machining tool 12 from one of the
CNC-spindle heads 6, 8, 10 directly to another one of the CNC-spindle heads 6, 8, 10. In this context, ‘directly’ can be understood as in particular not via the tool bank 16.
Thus, if desired, the tool bank 16 could be bypassed when a machining tool 12 is exchanged with respect to one or more of the CNC- spindle heads 6, 8, 10, thereby further promoting efficiency and versatility of the machining assembly 2.
In embodiments, the machining assembly 2 is configured to automatically mechanically sense a dimension of a machining tool 12 in the machining assembly 2. Correspondingly, in embodiments, the method comprises: by the machining assembly 2, automatically mechanically sensing a dimension of a machining tool 12 in the machining assembly 2.
In particular, the sensing of a dimension of a machining tool 12 may be performed in the tool exchanger assembly 18 so that the machining tool 12 can be measured prior to use.
In this way, the machining assembly 2 may automatically determine whether a machining tool 12 is suitable for use or e.g. needs to be replaced by a fresh tool, in particular via the tool receipt station 20.
Alternatively or additionally, the machining assembly 2 may thus automatically determine an expected remaining machining capacity of the machining tool 12. In this respect, it has been found that mechanical sensing is more robust than e.g. optical sensing, and thus such automatic determining can be particularly reliable and effective.
In embodiments, the machining assembly 2 is configured to automatically remove a machining tool 12 from a pool of usable machining tools 12 held jointly by the tool bank 16, the tool exchanger assembly 18 and the at least three CNC-spindle heads 6, 8, 10 in response to a removal criterion, which may be automatically evaluated by the machining assembly 2.
In this way, it can be promoted that a limited available room in the tool bank 16 is utilized to hold machining tools 12 which are actually usable by the CNC-spindle heads. The automatic removal may prompt, at least be followed by, a replacement of the spent tool by a fresh tool, e.g. by an operator via the tool receipt station 20.
In embodiments, the removal criterion is based on at least one of: an automatic accounting, in particular by the machining assembly 2, of an amount of machining performed using the machining tool 12; and a mechanically sensed dimension of the machining tool 12, in particular sensed by the machining assembly 2.
The removal may be effected e.g. by the tool exchanger assembly 18 moving the relevant tool 12 to the tool receipt station 20 for removal therefrom by an operator. In such a case, the machining assembly 2 may send a corresponding notification to an operator, e.g. via a user interface for the operator.
Correspondingly, in embodiments, the method comprises: by the machining assembly 2, automatically removing a machining tool 12 from a pool of usable machining tools 12 held jointly by the tool bank 16, the tool exchanger assembly 18 and the plurality of CNC-spindle heads 6, 8, 10, wherein the removing may be dependent on an automatic determination by the machining assembly 2 that the machining tool 12 has become less suitable for use by the CNC-spindle heads 6, 8, 10.
Thus, the present invention advantageously enables the machining of metal elongate profile shaped workpieces to become more efficient, more versatile and more user friendly, in particular with respect to exchanging machining tools in a machining assembly.
Although the invention has been further explained herein using examples of embodiments, these do not limit the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
Within said scope, many variations, combinations and extensions are possible, as will be understood by the skilled person.
For example, as a possible alternative to the described combination of the tool exchanger arms and the tool transfer device, a single more complex transfer device could move a machining tool between any position in the tool bank and any CNC-spindle head.
Further examples have been provided throughout the description.

Claims (18)

ConclusiesConclusions 1. Verspaningssamenstel (2) voor het automatisch verspanen van een metalen langwerpig profielvormig werkstuk (4), omvattende: - ten minste drie CNC-spindelkoppen (6, 8, 10), waarbij een eerste CNC-spindelkop (6) van de ten minste drie CNC-spindelkoppen is ingericht om een eerste laterale zijde van het werkstuk (4) te verspanen, waarbij een tweede CNC-spindelkop (8) van de ten minste drie CNC-spindelkoppen is ingericht om een tweede laterale zijde van het werkstuk (4) tegenover de eerste laterale zijde te verspanen, waarbij een derde CNC-spindelkop (10) van de ten minste drie CNC-spindelkoppen is ingericht om een naar boven gerichte zijde van het werkstuk (4) te verspanen, waarbij elke CNC- spindelkop (6, 8, 10) is ingericht om op uitwisselbare wijze een verspaningsgereedschap (12) te ontvangen en bestuurbaar is om gelijktijdig met elke andere van de ten minste drie CNC-spindelkoppen (6, 8, 10) het werkstuk (4) te verspanen met gebruik van het ontvangen verspaningsgereedschap (12); - een transporteur (14) voor het langs een X-as ten opzichte van de ten minste drie CNC-spindelkoppen (6, 8, 10) transporteren van het werkstuk (4), waarbij de X-as correspondeert met een hoofdhartlijn van het langwerpige werkstuk (4); - een gereedschapbank (16) ingericht om een veelvoud aan verspaningsgereedschappen (12) te houden die elk geschikt zijn voor elk van de ten minste drie CNC-spindelkoppen (6, 8, 10); en - een gereedschapuitwisselaarsamenstel (18) ingericht om selectief verspaningsgereedschappen (12) uit te wisselen tussen de gereedschapbank (16) enerzijds en om het even welke ene van de ten minste drie CNC- spindelkoppen (6, 8, 10) anderzijds.1. Machining assembly (2) for automatically machining a metal elongated profile-shaped workpiece (4), comprising: - at least three CNC spindle heads (6, 8, 10), whereby a first CNC spindle head (6) of at least three CNC spindle heads is designed to machine a first lateral side of the workpiece (4), whereby a second CNC spindle head (8) of the at least three CNC spindle heads is designed to machine a second lateral side of the workpiece (4) opposite the first lateral side, whereby a third CNC spindle head (10) of the at least three CNC spindle heads is designed to machine an upward-facing side of the workpiece (4), whereby each CNC spindle head (6, 8, 10) is arranged to receive a machining tool (12) in an interchangeable manner and is controllable to simultaneously machin the workpiece (4) with each other of the at least three CNC spindle heads (6, 8, 10) using the received machining tool (12); - a conveyor (14) for transporting the workpiece (4) along an X-axis relative to the at least three CNC spindle heads (6, 8, 10), wherein the workpiece (4); - a tool bench (16) arranged to hold a plurality of machining tools (12), each suitable for each of the at least three CNC spindle heads (6, 8, 10); and - a tool exchanger assembly (18) adapted to selectively exchange machining tools (12) between the tool bench (16) on the one hand and any one of the at least three CNC spindle heads (6, 8, 10) on the other. 2. Verspaningssamenstel volgens conclusie 1, verder omvattende een gereedschapontvangststation (20) buiten de gereedschapbank (16), ingericht om een aanvullend verspaningsgereedschap (12) te ontvangen voor opname in een pool van bruikbare verspaningsgereedschappen (12) die gezamenlijk wordt gehouden door de gereedschapbank (16), het gereedschapuitwisselaarsamenstel (18) en het veelvoud aan CNC- spindelkoppen (6, 8, 10).The machining assembly of claim 1, further comprising a tool receiving station (20) external to the tool bench (16), configured to receive an additional machining tool (12) for inclusion in a pool of usable machining tools (12) held together by the tool bench ( 16), the tool changer assembly (18) and the plurality of CNC spindle heads (6, 8, 10). 3. Verspaningssamenstel volgens conclusie 2, waarbij het gereedschapuitwisselaarsamenstel (18) aanvullend is ingericht om een verspaningsgereedschap (12) rechtstreeks uit te wisselen tussen het gereedschapontvangststation (20) enerzijds en om het even welke ene van de CNC-spindelkoppen (6, 8, 10) anderzijds.Machining assembly according to claim 2, wherein the tool exchanger assembly (18) is additionally adapted to exchange a machining tool (12) directly between the tool receiving station (20) on the one hand and any one of the CNC spindle heads (6, 8, 10). ) on the other hand. 4. Verspaningssamenstel volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij het gereedschapuitwisselaarsamenstel (18) aanvullend is ingericht om een verspaningsgereedschap (12) rechtstreeks uit te wisselen tussen om het even welke twee van de ten minste drie CNC-spindelkoppen (6, 8, 10).4. Machining assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tool exchanger assembly (18) is additionally designed to exchange a machining tool (12) directly between any two of the at least three CNC spindle heads (6, 8, 10). . 5. Verspaningssamenstel volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij het gereedschapuitwisselaarsamenstel (18) omvat: - ten minste één gereedschapuitwisselaararm (22, 24, 26) ingericht om een verspaningsgereedschap (12) te bewegen tussen een CNC- spindelkopontvangstpositie waarin het verspaningsgereedschap (12) kan worden ontvangen door één van de CNC-spindelkoppen (6, 8, 10), en een uitwisselpositie van de gereedschaputwisselaararm (22, 24, 26); en - een gereedschapoverbrenginrichting (28) ingericht om een verspaningsgereedschap (12) over te brengen tussen de gereedschapbankA machining assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tool exchanger assembly (18) comprises: - at least one tool exchanger arm (22, 24, 26) adapted to move a machining tool (12) between a CNC spindle head receiving position in which the machining tool (12) is located. can be received by one of the CNC spindle heads (6, 8, 10), and an exchange position of the tool changer arm (22, 24, 26); and - a tool transfer device (28) adapted to transfer a machining tool (12) between the tool bench (16) en de ten minste ene gereedschapuitwisselaararm (22, 24, 26) in zijn utwisselpositie.(16) and the at least one tool exchanger arm (22, 24, 26) in its exchange position. 6. Verspaningssamenstel volgens conclusie 5, waarbij de ten minste ene gereedschapuitwisselaararm (22, 24, 26) een respectieve gereedschapuitwisselaararm omvat voor elke CNC-spindelkop van de ten minste drie CNC-spindelkoppen (6, 8, 10).The machining assembly of claim 5, wherein the at least one tool exchanger arm (22, 24, 26) includes a respective tool exchanger arm for each CNC spindle head of the at least three CNC spindle heads (6, 8, 10). 7. Verspaningssamenstel volgens conclusie 6, waarbij elk van de gereedschaputwisselaararmen (22, 24, 26) een andere respectieve uitwisselpositie heeft, waarbij de gereedschapoverbrenginrichting (28) is ingericht om een verspaningsgereedschap (12) over te brengen naar en van elk van de uitwisselposities.The cutting assembly of claim 6, wherein each of the tool changer arms (22, 24, 26) has a different respective exchange position, the tool transfer device (28) being adapted to transfer a cutting tool (12) to and from each of the exchange positions. 8. Verspaningssamenstel volgens een van de conclusies 5 — 7, waarbij de gereedschapuitwisselaararm (22, 24, 26) is mgericht om gelijktijdig meerdere verspaningsgereedschappen (12) te houden voor het uitwisselen van verspaningsgereedschappen (12) bij de CNC-spindelkop (6, 8, 10) zonder vereiste van tussentijds gebruik van de gereedschapoverbrenginrichting (28).A machining assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the tool exchanger arm (22, 24, 26) is oriented to simultaneously hold multiple machining tools (12) for exchanging machining tools (12) at the CNC spindle head (6, 8). , 10) without requiring intermediate use of the tool transfer device (28). 9. Verspaningssamenstel volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij het aantal verspaningsgereedschappen (12) dat de gereedschapbank (16) 1s ingericht om te houden ten minste 20 is, bij voorkeur ten minste 30, meer bij voorkeur ten minste 40, bijvoorbeeld circa 42.9. Machining assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the number of machining tools (12) that the tool bench (16) is designed to hold is at least 20, preferably at least 30, more preferably at least 40, for example approximately 42. 10. Verspaningssamenstel volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij het gereedschapuitwisselaarsamenstel (18) is ingericht om een verspaningsgereedschap (12) uit te wisselen tussen de gereedschapbank (16) en één van de CNC-spindelkoppen (6, 8, 10) terwijl een andere van de CNC- spindelkoppen (6, 8, 10) het werkstuk (4) verspaant.10. Machining assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tool exchanger assembly (18) is adapted to exchange a machining tool (12) between the tool bench (16) and one of the CNC spindle heads (6, 8, 10) while another of the CNC spindle heads (6, 8, 10) machines the workpiece (4). 11. Verspaningssamenstel volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, ingericht om automatisch mechanisch een afmeting van een verspaningsgereedschap (12) in het verspaningssamenstel (2) waar te nemen.11. Machining assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, designed to automatically mechanically detect a dimension of a machining tool (12) in the machining assembly (2). 12. Verspaningssamenstel volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, ingericht om automatisch een verspaningsgereedschap (12) te verwijderen uit een pool van bruikbare verspaningsgereedschappen (12) die gezamenlijk wordt gehouden door de gereedschapbank (16), het gereedschapuitwisselaarsamenstel (18) en de ten minste drie CNC- spindelkoppen (6, 8, 10) als reactie op een verwijdercriterium.A cutting assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, arranged to automatically remove a cutting tool (12) from a pool of usable cutting tools (12) held together by the tool bench (16), the tool exchanger assembly (18) and the at least three CNC spindle heads (6, 8, 10) in response to a removal criterion. 13. Werkwijze voor het uitwisselen van een verspaningsgereedschap (12) in een verspaningssamenstel (2) voor het automatisch verspanen van een metalen werkstuk (4), omvattende: - het verschaffen van een verspaningssamenstel (2) volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies; en - het met gebruik van het gereedschapuitwisselaarsamenstel (18) selectief uitwisselen van een verspaningsgereedschap (12) tussen de gereedschapbank (16) enerzijds en om het even welke ene van de ten minste drie CNC-spindelkoppen (6, 8, 10) anderzijds.Method for exchanging a machining tool (12) in a machining assembly (2) for automatically machining a metal workpiece (4), comprising: - providing a machining assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding claims; and - selectively exchanging a machining tool (12) between the tool bench (16) on the one hand and any one of the at least three CNC spindle heads (6, 8, 10) on the other hand, using the tool exchanger assembly (18). 14. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 13, omvattende: het met gebruik van het gereedschapuitwisselaarsamenstel (18) overbrengen van een verspaningsgereedschap (12) van één van de CNC-spindelkoppen (6, 8, 10) naar een andere van de CNC-spindelkoppen (6, 8, 10).A method according to claim 13, comprising: transferring a machining tool (12) from one of the CNC spindle heads (6, 8, 10) to another of the CNC spindle heads (6, 10) using the tool exchanger assembly (18). 8, 10). 15. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 13 of 14, omvattende: het met gebruik van het gereedschapuitwisselaarsamenstel (18) opnemen van een aanvullend verspaningsgereedschap (12) in een pool van bruikbare verspaningsgereedschappen (12) die gezamenlijk wordt gehouden door de gereedschapbank (16), het gereedschapuitwisselaarsamenstel (18) en het veelvoud aan CNC-spindelkoppen (6, 8, 10).A method according to claim 13 or 14, comprising: including, using the tool exchanger assembly (18), an additional cutting tool (12) in a pool of usable cutting tools (12) held together by the tool bench (16), the tool exchanger assembly (18) and the multitude of CNC spindle heads (6, 8, 10). 16. Werkwijze volgens een van de conclusies 13 — 15, omvattende: het door het verspaningssamenstel (2) automatisch mechanisch waarnemen van een afineting van een verspaningsgereedschap (12) in het verspaningssamenstel (2).A method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, comprising: the machining assembly (2) automatically mechanically detecting a size of a machining tool (12) in the machining assembly (2). 17. Werkwijze volgens een van de conclusies 13 — 16, omvattende: het door het verspaningssamenstel (2) automatisch verwijderen van een verspaningsgereedschap (12) uit een pool van bruikbare verspaningsgereedschappen (12) die gezamenlijk wordt gehouden door de gereedschapbank (16), het gereedschapuitwisselaarsamenstel (18) en het veelvoud aan CNC-spindelkoppen (6, 8, 10).A method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, comprising: the machining assembly (2) automatically removing a machining tool (12) from a pool of usable machining tools (12) held together by the tool bench (16), tool changer assembly (18) and the multitude of CNC spindle heads (6, 8, 10). 18. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 17, waarbij het verwijderen afhankelijk is van een automatische bepaling door het verspaningssamenstel (2) dat het verspaningsgereedschap (12) minder geschikt 1s geworden voor gebruik door de CNC-spindelkoppen (6, 8, 10).Method according to claim 17, wherein the removal is dependent on an automatic determination by the machining assembly (2) that the machining tool (12) has become less suitable for use by the CNC spindle heads (6, 8, 10).
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Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0583085A2 (en) * 1992-07-31 1994-02-16 Ford Motor Company Limited Positioning apparatus for multiple-spindle machining
WO2013034591A1 (en) * 2011-09-09 2013-03-14 Mag Ias Gmbh Machine tool, and tool replacement method

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0583085A2 (en) * 1992-07-31 1994-02-16 Ford Motor Company Limited Positioning apparatus for multiple-spindle machining
WO2013034591A1 (en) * 2011-09-09 2013-03-14 Mag Ias Gmbh Machine tool, and tool replacement method

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