WO2005005098A1

WO2005005098A1 - Machine tool having two parallel spindle rows that can be displaced relative to one another

Info

Publication number: WO2005005098A1
Application number: PCT/EP2004/005121
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Grund; Achim Feinauer; Pavel Blazek
Original assignee: Stama Maschinenfabrik Gmbh
Priority date: 2003-07-07
Filing date: 2004-05-13
Publication date: 2005-01-20

Abstract

A machine tool (10) for machining workpieces comprises a multitude of first spindles (12, 14), which are arranged in a row, are fixed or can synchronously move together, and which form a spindle row. The machine tool also has a multitude of second spindles (16, 18), which are arranged next to one another in a row, are also fixed or can synchronously move together, and which form a second spindle row. The first and second spindle row extend along two spatial axes (20, 37) that are parallel to one another. In addition, the first and second spindle row can be displaced relative to one another whereby enabling workpieces, which are fixed in the spindles of one spindle row, to be machined in a manner that is synchronous and with the same contour by using tools that are fixed in the spindles of the other spindle row.

Description

MACHINE TOOL WITH TWO PARALLELS RELATIVELY TRAVELING SPINDLE ROWS

The present invention relates to a machine tool for machining workpieces. It particularly affects so-called machining centers, i.e. Machine tools that can machine a workpiece in one setup with various, automatically changed tools.

A generic machine tool is known for example from DE 196 35 258 Cl. This is a machine tool that is especially designed for the machining of bar-shaped workpiece material. The known machine tool has a tool spindle arranged vertically on a traveling column, into which tools for machining the bar for the workpiece material. With the help of the traveling column, the tool spindle can be moved in three orthogonal spatial directions (x-axis, y-axis and z-axis). A workpiece spindle, which can be pivoted about a horizontal axis and into which a workpiece rod can be clamped, is arranged below the tool spindle. In an advantageous exemplary embodiment, the workpiece spindle is designed in such a way that it can drive a clamped workpiece rod at a rotational speed sufficient for turning. With the help of this special training, workpieces can be produced from the bar material in flexible work processes.

From DE 43 16 166 AI a machine tool with two vertical spindles is known, wherein a first, hanging (downward) spindle on a slide can be moved horizontally, while the second spindle is arranged standing (upward) and stationary. A tool holder is also provided for each spindle. A workpiece to be machined can be transferred from one spindle to the next in this known machine tool, which enables automated machining of the workpiece from several sides.

Further multi-spindle lathes are known for example from DE 36 26 324 Äl, DE 33 20 940 AI or DE 35 14 069 AI.

From a brochure of the company EMAG Maschinenfabrik GmbH, 73084 Salach, Germany, a machining center with the type designation HVSC 400 MT is known, which has both a vertically arranged workpiece spindle that can be pivoted about a horizontal axis and a horizontally arranged tool spindle having. With this known machine, workpieces can be machined both by turning and by milling and drilling.

Furthermore, lathes or so-called turning centers are known from various manufacturers, in which two workpiece spindles arranged in parallel machine two workpieces simultaneously. Such concepts are often referred to in technical jargon as "twin". Reference is made here, for example, to machines of the VSC 160 Twin type from EMAG.

The numerous and varied known machine concepts generally pursue the common goal of producing workpieces with the highest possible quality at low cost and as flexibly as possible. This means that the machine designer has the task of developing machine concepts that meet these, sometimes conflicting, requirements as well as possible. In practice, the desire for flexibility leads to machines that can perform as many machining operations as possible. For this purpose, it is desirable to equip the machine tools with as many degrees of freedom as possible with regard to travel directions, swivel movements and other movements. A variety of movable axes are, on the other hand, difficult to implement, which increases the costs of the machine and consequently the workpiece costs. In addition, moving machine parts always harbor the risk of manufacturing inaccuracies due to movement tolerances, wear, etc.

Even though there are many machine concepts known to date that are inexpensive and flexible and / or enable high-precision production, there is still a desire to meet the sometimes conflicting requirements even better. Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative concept for a machine tool, with which various workpieces can be produced particularly inexpensively, but with high quality (manufacturing accuracy).

This object is achieved here by a machine tool, with a plurality of first spindles arranged in a row next to one another, which are arranged rigidly or can be moved synchronously with one another and form a first row of spindles, and a plurality of second spindles arranged in a row next to one another, which are arranged rigidly or synchronously are movable with one another and form a second row of spindles, the first and second row of spindles extending along two mutually parallel first and second spatial axes, and the first and second row of spindles being movable relative to one another in such a way that workpieces which are in the spindles of the one spindle row are clamped, with tools that are clamped in the spindles of the other spindle row, can be machined at the same time and contour. The new machine tool thus uses the twin concept known from the area of lathes, according to which a large number of spindles are arranged next to one another in the same orientation and carry out identical machining processes on several workpieces synchronously with one another. However, this twin concept is now being supplemented for the first time with a second row of twin spindles, so that a total of at least four spindles face each other in two parallel rows. One of the rows of spindles can be used for clamping tools, the other for clamping workpieces. This extends the twin concept known from pure lathes by the possibility of being able to carry out drilling and milling operations on several workpieces at the same time and with the same contour.

The new use of at least four rotary spindles initially appears counterproductive in terms of cost-effective production due to the construction and parts involved and the corresponding costs. The proposed arrangement of the spindles in two rows parallel to each other, however, allows the control effort to be concentrated, both generally and when creating an individual production program, so that, as a result, considerable costs can be saved through increased productivity. In addition, it is possible to increase productivity with surprisingly high quality and uniformity of the manufactured workpieces. The arrangement of the spindles in two parallel rows enables a very precise and contour-accurate control of all spindles at the same time, surprisingly and contrary to all previously prevailing expectations, a large number of workpieces can be made in such an arrangement at the same time and with a uniformly high level Quality. As has been shown in practical tests, this also and especially applies to simultaneous milling of a large number of workpieces, each of which is clamped in the second row of spindles.

The possibility of being able to machine the large number of workpieces in a single clamping with different tools and machining processes also enables a very high quality to be achieved, since tolerances when reclamping the workpieces, as is required for a large number of the machine tools specified at the outset be reduced to a minimum.

Compared to previously known machining centers, which carry out both turning, milling and drilling operations, the first-time application of the twin concept described in more detail below achieves a significant increase in productivity. The new concept enables the realization of high milling and turning performance in connection with a large number of automatically exchangeable tools. To increase efforts to date, the productivity of machine tools _^ focused solely on making the Bearbeitungssyklen the machine as short as possible and activities, such as tool change time as parallel as possible to other machining operations, such as workpiece positioning to perform. The present invention now supplements such measures by the possibility of machining several workpieces in one machine at the same time and with the same contour.

Overall, it has been shown that the new machine concept enables a large number of workpieces with short throughput times and high quality requirements can be manufactured at the same time. The stated task is therefore completely solved.

In a preferred embodiment, the first and the second row of spindles can be moved relative to one another along at least two, preferably three, orthogonal linear axes.

In this embodiment, the first and second row of spindles are each moved "as a whole" relative to one another. As a result, a high and uniform positioning accuracy is achieved in a structurally simple manner when processing several workpieces in parallel. The preferred movement along three orthogonal linear axes also makes it easier to manufacture complex workpieces at the same time and with the same contour.

In a further embodiment, the first row of spindles can be moved along the at least two (preferably three) orthogonal linear axes.

This measure simplifies the design and programming of the machine, since it is sufficient for the desired relative positioning of the two rows of spindles to - only move the first row of spindles. The second row of spindles can accordingly be stationary.

In a further embodiment, the spindles of the first row of spindles are arranged on a common traveling column which can be moved in the at least two orthogonal linear axes.

According to the applicant's practical tests, this configuration is particularly preferred in order to achieve the desired relative To achieve positioning of the first and second row of spindles with high accuracy and little effort. This configuration also ensures that all spindles in the first row are moved synchronously with one another in the desired spatial directions. In terms of programming technology, only the traveling column has to be controlled centrally in order to achieve the desired synchronous movement of all the first spindles.

In a further embodiment, the first and the second row of spindles can be pivoted relative to one another about a pivot axis lying parallel to the spatial axes (the rows of spindles).

With this configuration, a further degree of freedom for the flexible machining of workpieces is achieved in a simple manner. In addition, the relative swiveling of the spindle rows "as a whole" in turn improves the uniformity of all spindle movements.

In a further embodiment of the measure mentioned above, only the second row of spindles can be pivoted about the pivot axis.

This embodiment has the advantage that a row of spindles, in this case the first row of spindles, is "freed" from a spatial movement. The suspension and control of the separate spindle rows can thus be optimized for the respective degree of freedom of movement. The accuracy and uniformity of the relative spindle movements can be increased especially in the new multi-spindle row arrangement. In addition, installation space and material costs can be saved by reducing the drives required in each case.

In a further embodiment, the second row of spindles is designed as an exchangeable machine module.

This measure is particularly advantageous in order to upgrade or retrofit existing twin machines in the manner according to the invention. In addition, production and development costs can be saved through a modular structure. In addition, the flexibility and range of uses of the machine will increase. A further advantage is that the spindles of the second row can be removed in a simple manner in this way, for example in order to carry out heavy milling with the aid of the first spindles, which requires the workpieces to be rigidly clamped.

In a further embodiment, the spindles of the first row of spindles are designed as tool spindles for drilling, milling and / or turning the workpieces.

Furthermore, it is preferred if the spindles of the second row of spindles are designed as workpiece spindles for turning the workpieces.

The design of the mentioned spindles as tool or workpiece spindles for drilling, milling and turning machining means that the respective spindles must have the required speeds, torques and powers in order to achieve the mentioned

Enable editing operations. In principle, it is conceivable to adjust all the spindles used in the same way to the respective current maximum requirement. This would make it possible to use workpieces and tools optionally in each of the spindles. However, the advantage that can be achieved in this way is relatively small compared to the increased costs that result from the fact that the spindles of the one row are thus oversized in individual cases. An advantageous cost reduction can be achieved through the above-mentioned task distribution of the spindles. In addition, the programming of the machine and thus the effort for its operation can be simplified or reduced.

In a further embodiment, the spindles of the second row of spindles can be disconnected. The clamping is preferably carried out with the aid of a clamping system, for example suitable clamping jaws, which engage the second spindles, so that the second spindles are fixed in a rotationally fixed position.

Disconnecting the second spindles, i.e. fixing the second spindles in a rigid and rotationally fixed position in addition to simply stopping the second spindles increases their stability and positional accuracy, which is especially true when

Carrying out heavy milling work is an advantage. However, the quality of workpiece processing is also increased for lighter milling work.

In a further embodiment, the spindles have a rigid spacing from one another within each row of spindles.

"Rigid" in this context means that the spindles within each row of spindles can at most perform such (minor) movements relative to each other that lead to the Compensation for tool tolerances and / or temperature expansions are required. Incidentally, the spindles are immovably connected to each other, whereby the simultaneous and contour-like machining of a large number of workpieces is facilitated and improved. In the currently preferred embodiment of the applicant, the spindles of each row of spindles are even connected absolutely rigidly in order to prevent relative deviations of the spindles within each row as far as possible.

In a further embodiment, the spindles of the first row of spindles are spaced apart from one another by the same relative distance as the spindles of the second row of spindles.

This design simplifies the construction and control effort of the new machine tool even further. The spindles of the first and second row of spindles can be controlled in their basic traversing movements like "a large spindle". A relative movement that a pair of spindles executes from the first and second spindles applies equally and without further consideration also to the other pairs of spindles.

In a further embodiment, the new machine tool has a plurality of third spindles arranged in a row next to one another, which form a third row of spindles along a third spatial axis, the second and third row of spindles being movable relative to one another in such a way that the third spindles workpieces directly from the second spindles can take over. This embodiment of the invention is an advantageous further development of the new concept, by means of which a six-sided machining with the same contour is possible in a simple and efficient manner with a large number of workpieces. According to this, the new machine tool has at least six spindles, which means an additional increase in parts and construction. The achievable productivity gains with a consistently high quality compensate for this considerable additional effort, however, as has been shown in practical tests by the applicant.

In a further embodiment, the new machine tool has a plurality of third spindles arranged in a row next to one another, which form a third row of spindles along a third spatial axis, the first and third row of spindles being movable relative to one another in such a way that workpieces which are in the spindles of the one Spindle row are clamped, can be machined with tools that are clamped in the spindles of the other spindle row at the same time and contour.

In this embodiment, the spindles of the third row of spindles are, as it were, "substitutes" for the spindles of the second row of spindles. The first row of spindles can then optionally work together with the second or third row of spindles. This provides even greater flexibility.

It is particularly preferred if the third row of spindles can cooperate with both the first and the second row of spindles. In this case, partially machined workpieces can be transferred from the second to the third spindles and then finished with the help of the first spindles. This enables a particularly flexible and efficient automated production of workpieces.

In a further embodiment of the measures mentioned above, the third spatial axis runs parallel to the spatial axes of the first and second row of spindles.

In principle, it is also possible for the third spatial axis to run perpendicularly or “obliquely” to the first and second spatial axes. In the preferred embodiment, however, the travel paths of the second and third spindles can be minimized. A corresponding machine can thus be implemented in a more compact and cost-effective manner. In addition, a higher uniformity and accuracy in the interaction of the second and third spindles is achieved in this embodiment.

In a further embodiment, the new machine tool also has at least one fourth spindle, which can be moved relative to the third spindles in such a way that workpieces that are clamped in the third spindles with tools that are clamped in the at least one fourth spindle have the same contour as one another can be edited.

In particular, the new machine tool of this configuration even has a plurality of fourth spindles arranged next to one another, which form a fourth row of spindles along a fourth spatial axis, the fourth spatial axis running parallel to the third spatial axis. The provision of a fourth spindle in the arrangement mentioned enables a fully automatic six-sided machining of a large number of workpieces in a simple and inexpensive manner. Since the sixth page generally requires fewer machining operations than the previously processed five pages, it is in principle also possible and preferred for some applications to provide only a single fourth spindle in the arrangement mentioned, which represents a particularly cost-effective implementation. In addition, machining of the sixth side that is not conforming to the contour can be implemented in a simple manner. This is particularly advantageous, for example, if the sixth side of several partially machined workpieces is to be mirror-inverted or to be manufactured differently in some other way.

The provision of a fourth row of spindles with a large number of fourth spindles has the advantage that an optimum workpiece throughput is possible even with complex machining of the sixth side. In addition, in this embodiment, some of the machining operations that do not relate to the sixth side can be carried out in accordance with the invention with the aid of the third and fourth spindles, which enables the throughput of the new machine to be further optimized.

In a further embodiment of the measure mentioned above, the third and fourth spatial axes run parallel to the spatial axes of the first and second row of spindles.

This configuration also leads to a minimization of travel paths and an increase in uniformity and accuracy. in the machining of workpieces. In addition, the design and programming effort is reduced due to the consistent expansion of the new machine concept to three or four rows of spindles.

In a further embodiment, the at least one fourth row of spindles can be moved in at least two, preferably three, orthogonal linear axes relative to the third spindles.

This measure simplifies the control effort due to the ver verbarkeit of the fourth or fourth row of spindles "as a whole".

In a further embodiment, the new machine tool has a machine part which is arranged in the region of the second and third row of spindles and which can be moved perpendicular to a plane spanned by the second and third spatial axes.

This design offers additional degrees of freedom in the processing of several workpieces at the same time and with the same contour, with comparatively little additional effort. Since the further machine part is arranged in the area of the second and third row of spindles, diverse and flexible machining processes can be implemented in which workpieces are clamped either in the second or in the third or even in both rows of spindles. The preferred arrangement of the further machine part also allows a structurally simple construction, for example with the help of a portal arranged in the area of the second and third row of spindles. Preferred refinements of the aforementioned measure include that the machine part has a tool to machine workpieces, in particular to cut them off during the transfer from the second row of spindles to the third row of spindles. The separation can advantageously be carried out by parting off or by a sawing process.

This configuration is particularly advantageous if the new machine tool is used for machining rod-shaped workpiece material, since in this case the first five sides of each material rod can be machined with the spindles of the first and second row of spindles. The partially machined workpieces can then be separated from the material bar very efficiently and with high quality when the workpieces are transferred from the second to the third spindles. While the third spindles in connection with the at least one fourth spindle then enables all workpieces to be machined on all sides, the first and second spindles can already machine the next plurality of workpieces on five sides.

In a further embodiment, the machine part has a gripper in order to feed workpieces to the spindles of the second and / or third row of spindles.

As an alternative or in addition to this, material can also be supplied from another location, as explained below using the currently preferred exemplary embodiments. However, the configuration described here has proven to be particularly simple, space-saving and therefore inexpensive, in particular re when workpieces are machined from a bar material.

In a further embodiment, the new machine tool has a machine bed which extends in a direction parallel to the first and second spatial axes beyond the second row of spindles and there has a multiplicity of workpiece clamping devices.

This measure enables all-round machining with the first spindles, which is a very simple and inexpensive option.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the combination indicated in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and are explained in more detail in the following description. Show it:

1 shows a first embodiment of the new machine tool in a simplified representation,

2 shows the machine tool from FIG. 1 in an operating position that has been changed compared to FIG. 1,

3 shows the machine tool from FIGS. 1 and 2 in a further changed operating position, 4 shows another embodiment of the new machine tool in the form of a long bed machine,

Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of the new machine tool with a total of four rows of spindles, and

Fig. 6 shows another embodiment of the new machine tool with four rows of spindles and a further machine part arranged on a portal.

1 to 3, an exemplary embodiment of the new machine tool is designated in its entirety by reference number 10.

The machine tool 10 has two first spindles 12 and 14, and two second spindles 16 and 18, each in the same orientation. The first spindles 12 and 14 are designed with regard to their performance parameters for use as tool spindles for drilling and / or milling machining of workpieces. They are also designed to hold stationary tools for turning, i.e. they lock them with the appropriate accuracy and stability. The first spindles 12 and 14 are arranged alongside one another along a first spatial axis 20 and thus form a first spindle row in the sense of the present invention.

The machine tool 10 here has two first spindles 12, 14 and two second spindles 16, 18. In other exemplary embodiments, however, machine tools of the same or similar design can have three or more first spindles and a corresponding number of second spindles. The present The invention is therefore not limited to the embodiment shown here, each with two spindles.

The first spindles 12, 14 are arranged here on a common traveling column 22 which (together with the first spindles 12, 14) can be moved along the three orthogonal linear axes x, y, z. The first spindles 12, 14 can thus be moved synchronously with one another in the three spatial directions mentioned. In addition, each first spindle 12, 14 is capable of rotating movement about its respective spindle axis 24, which is indicated by the arrows 26, 28. The rotary movements 26, 28 are designed to carry out drilling and / or milling work on workpieces.

The first spindles 12, 14 are arranged here on the traveling column 22 with a rigid relative distance D from one another. In the currently preferred embodiment, the first spindles 12, 14 cannot move relative to one another, ie they are completely rigidly coupled to one another. In another embodiment, however, it is possible to a limited relative movement of the first spindle 12, to enable _e to temperature expansions and / or tool tolerances compensate 14 to each other. The relative travel of the first two spindles 12, 14 to one another is, however, advantageously limited to the compensation of the influences mentioned, ie the travel paths are very small relative to the travel paths of the traveling column 22.

The two second spindles 16, 18 are also capable of rotating their respective spindle axes 30, as indicated by the arrows 32, 34. About that In addition, the two second spindles 16, 18 are arranged on a common carrier 36 and rigidly coupled to one another via this. The two second spindles 16, 18 are therefore also next to one another in series, specifically along a second spatial axis 37, which here runs parallel to the first spatial axis 20. In addition, the relative distance between the two second spindles 16, 18, ie the distance between the two spindle axes 30, here is equal to the relative distance D between the first spindles 12, 14.

The first spindles 12, 14 are arranged vertically on the traveling column 22 here. In contrast, the two second spindles 16, 18 are shown in a horizontal position in FIG. 1. When the machine tool 10 is in operation, however, the two second spindles 16, 18 can be pivoted about an axis 38, which is represented by an arrow 40. The axis 38 lies parallel to the first spatial axis 20 and the second spatial axis 37. In order to realize the pivoting movement of the second spindles 16, 18 in the direction of the arrow 40, the carrier 36 is provided with a corresponding pivot drive and is rigid as a whole together with the coupled spindles 16, 18 pivoted.

2 shows an operational position of the machine tool 10, in which the second spindles 16, 18 are pivoted 45 ° upwards in the direction of the first spindles 12, 14. FIG. 3 shows an operating position in which the second spindles 16, 18 are pivoted vertically upwards and thus face the first spindles 12, 14 "eye to eye".

In a practical embodiment, a swivel angle of up to 120 ° or 130 ° has proven to be advantageous. With With such a swivel angle sufficiently exceeding the right angle, all machining operations that are required for complete five-sided machining can be easily implemented.

According to a particularly advantageous aspect of the invention, the second spindles 16, 18 are designed here as workpiece spindles, which enable the clamping of workpieces to be turned. The corresponding turning tools are then clamped in the first spindles 12, 14. In contrast, when spindles 16, 18 are stationary, milling operations can be carried out with the aid of the first spindles 12, 14. By means of a (relatively slow) rotary movement of the second spindles 16, 18, which is synchronous with a feed movement of the first spindles 12, 14, it is also possible, for example, to produce worm contours on the same side and contour on two workpieces.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the second spindles 16, 18 can be disconnected, i.e. in addition to an electrical shutdown, can still be locked mechanically in a rotationally fixed position. This can be done for example by suitable

Clamping jaws (not shown here) or with the help of another adjustable locking device.

The machine bed of the machine tool 10 is designated by the reference number 42. The machine bed 42 carries both the traveling column 22 with the first spindles 12, 14 and the carrier 36 with the second spindles 16, 18. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3, the spindles of the first and second row of spindles work with it a common work space 44. Reference number 46 denotes a control cabinet in which a common control unit (NC control and PLC) for all spindles 12, 14, 16, 18 and all other drives is arranged. The use of a common control unit for all spindles 12, 14, 16, 18 contributes particularly advantageously to the cost reduction, since basically a uniform control program can be used for the movement of all synchronously operating spindles.

In the following description of further exemplary embodiments, the same reference symbols denote the same elements as before.

4, a second exemplary embodiment of the new machine tool is designated in its entirety by the reference number 50. In contrast to the previously described machine tool 10, the machine tool 50 is designed as a long bed machine, ie the machine bed 42 extends in the x direction, ie here parallel to the first and second spatial axes 20, 37 and thus also parallel to the pivot axis 38, via the carrier 36 second spindles 16, 18 also. Extended guide rails 52 for the traveling column 22 are arranged in the extended machine bed 42, so that the traveling column 22 can be moved laterally with the first row of spindles beyond the area of the second row of spindles. In this lateral area there is a second work space behind a splash guard 54, in which any workpiece carrier can be arranged, such as a carrier 56 which can be pivoted about the axis 38 and on which two workpiece clamping devices 58 are arranged. The workpiece clamping devices 58 serve to receive pre-machined workpieces after they have been removed from the second Spindles 16, 18 were removed. The sixth side of these workpieces can then be machined using the first spindles 12, 14. During this time, the second spindles 16, 18 can be equipped with new workpiece blanks.

Otherwise, the construction of the machine tool 50 corresponds to the construction of the machine tool 10 from FIGS. 1 to 3.

5, a further exemplary embodiment of the new machine tool is designated in its entirety by the reference number 70. To put it simply, the machine tool 70 is further developed from the machine tool 10 of FIGS. 1 to 3 in that a second, largely structurally identical machine tool 10 'has been rotated 180 ° before the first machine tool 10. In other words, the part of the new machine tool 70 on the right in FIG. 5 corresponds to the machine tool 10 from FIGS. 1 to 3. However, one difference here is that the carrier 36 with the second row of spindles rotates through 180 ° (or more) about the axis 38 is pivotable. This makes it possible to bring the second spindles 16-18 from a machining position in which they point into the working area 44 of the first spindles 12, 14 to a workpiece transfer position in which they point to the second machine half 10 '.

The second machine half 10 'here has two third spindles 72, 74 and two fourth spindles 76, 78. The third spindles 72, 74 are arranged along a third spatial axis 80 and form a third row of spindles. The relative distance between the third spindles 72, 74 is rigid and corresponds to that relative distance D of the first and second spindles 12, 14 and 16, 18. The third spindles 72, 74 are arranged in the same way as the second spindles 16, 18 in a carrier 82 which can be pivoted about a parallel to the third spatial axis 80. They can be pivoted together with the carrier 82 about the axis 80 by a pivoting angle of at least 180 °.

The fourth spindles 76, 78, like the first spindles 12, 14, are arranged next to one another on a common traveling column 22 ′ and form a fourth row of spindles along a fourth spatial axis 84. The relative distance between the fourth spindles 76, 78 is also D.

The two machine halves 10 and 10 'are here advantageously coupled to one another in such a way that all axis movements are controlled by a common control unit (not shown here for reasons of clarity). Because all spatial axes along which the spindle rows extend are parallel, there are short paths during the workpiece transfer from the second spindles 16, 18 to the third spindles 72, 74. In order to facilitate this workpiece transfer, the second row of spindles in the carrier 36 is here (in contrast to the machine tool 10 from FIGS. 1 to 3) in the direction of the y-axis, i.e. can be moved in the direction of the third row of spindles. Alternatively or in addition, however, the third row of spindles could also be movable along the y-direction in order to facilitate the transfer of the workpiece between the respective workpiece spindles.

In a further modification of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the new machine tool has only four te spindle on the traveling column 22 '. With the aid of this fourth spindle, it is then possible to process the workpieces clamped in the third spindles 72, 74 in a manner that is identical, but no longer simultaneous. Furthermore, the workpieces can also be machined in a non-contoured manner with the aid of the fourth spindle.

6, a further exemplary embodiment of the new machine tool is designated in its entirety by the reference number 90. The machine tool 90 is a further development of the machine tool 70 shown in FIG. 5. Like the machine tool 70, it has two machine halves 10, 10 'with a total of four rows of spindles which extend parallel to one another, the second and third row of spindles being pivotable to one another in a workpiece transfer position are. In addition, a portal 94 is arranged here in the area of the workpiece transfer position 92, which spans the two machine halves 10, 10 'in the x direction. A machine part 96 is movably arranged on the portal 94. In this exemplary embodiment, the machine part 96 can be moved both in the z direction and in the x direction. In a preferred embodiment, machine part 96 includes a tool 98 for parting or sawing off workpieces during the transfer from the second row of spindles to the third row of spindles. As an alternative or in addition to this, the tool 98 can also include a gripper in order to insert workpieces in the region of the transfer position 92 into the second (or third) spindles from above.

In a further variant, workpieces, in particular rod-shaped workpiece material, can also be moved in or out from the front or from the rear, ie from one of the transfer positions 92 facing away from the machine, the second (and possibly third) spindles.

It is common to all of the exemplary embodiments shown here that the spindles of each row of spindles execute practically identical movements. As is easy to understand, a large number of workpieces can be produced in the same time and with the same contour. The new machine concept is shown in preferred exemplary embodiments in which the first (and possibly fourth) row of spindles is arranged vertically and with the help of the traveling column 22 carries out travel movements along three orthogonal linear axes. The second (and possibly third) row of spindles are parallel and can be pivoted about a pivot axis which is also parallel. Although this is the currently preferred version of the new machine concept, it is also possible in principle to deviate from the above-mentioned spindle rows. In addition, the relative mobility of the above-mentioned spindle rows can also be achieved with other degrees of flexibility. For example, the first and fourth row of spindles can be arranged horizontally, while the second and third row of spindles are arranged vertically standing or hanging in their starting position. Differing spatial positions and distribution of the degrees of freedom with regard to the movements are also possible in principle within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

claims

1. Machine tool for machining workpieces, with a plurality of first spindles (12, 14) arranged in a row next to one another, which are arranged rigidly or can be moved synchronously with one another and form a first row of spindles, and a plurality of second spindles arranged in a row next to one another ( 16, 18) which are rigidly arranged or can be moved synchronously with one another and form a second row of spindles, the first and second row of spindles extending along two mutually parallel first and second spatial axes (20, 37), and the first and second Row of spindles can be moved relative to one another in such a way that workpieces that are clamped in the spindles (16, 18) of one row of spindles are machined with tools that are clamped in the spindles (12, 14) of the other row of spindles at the same time and with the same contour can.

2. Machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and the second row of spindles can be moved relative to one another along at least two, preferably three, orthogonal linear axes (x, y, z).

3. Machine tool according to claim 2, characterized in that the first row of spindles can be moved along the at least two orthogonal linear axes (x, y, z).

4. Machine tool according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the spindles (12, 14) of the first row of spindles are arranged on a common traveling column (22) which can be moved in at least two orthogonal linear axes (x, y, z) ,

5. Machine tool according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first and the second row of spindles are pivotable relative to one another about a pivot axis (38) lying parallel to the spatial axes (20, 37).

6. Machine tool according to claim 5, characterized in that only the second row of spindles is pivotable about the pivot axis (38).

7. Machine tool according to claim 6, characterized in that the second row of spindles is designed as an exchangeable machine module.

8. Machine tool according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the spindles (12, 14) of the first row of spindles are designed as tool spindles for drilling, milling and / or turning the workpieces.

9. Machine tool according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the spindles (16, 18) of the second row of spindles are designed as workpiece spindles for turning the workpieces. ■

10. Machine tool according to claim 9, characterized in that the spindles (16, 18) of the second row of spindles can be disconnected.

11. Machine tool according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the spindles (12, 14, 16, 18) have a rigid distance (D) from each other within each row of spindles.

12. Machine tool according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the spindles (12, 14) of the first row of spindles are spaced apart from one another by the same relative distance (D) as the spindles (16, 18) of the second row of spindles.

13. Machine tool according to one of claims 1 to 12, further characterized by a plurality of third spindles (72, 74) arranged in a row next to one another, which form a third row of spindles along a third spatial axis (80), the second and third row of spindles relative to one another can be moved in such a way that the third spindles (72, 74) can directly take over workpieces from the second spindles (16, 18).

14. Machine tool according to one of claims 1 to 12, further characterized by a plurality of thirds in series Spindles (58; 72, 74) arranged next to one another, which form a third row of spindles along a third spatial axis (80), the first and third row of spindles being movable relative to one another in such a way that workpieces which are in the spindles (58, 72, 74 ) of a row of spindles are clamped, can be machined with tools that are clamped in the spindles (12, 14) of the other row of spindles at the same time and with the same contour.

15. Machine tool according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the third spatial axis (80) runs parallel to the spatial axes (20, 37) of the first and second row of spindles.

16. Machine tool according to one of claims 12 to 15, further characterized by at least a fourth spindle (76, 78) which can be moved relative to the third spindles (72, 74) such that workpieces which are in the third spindles (72 , 74) are clamped, with tools that are clamped in the at least one fourth spindle (76, 78), can be machined with the same contour as one another.

17. Machine tool according to claim 16, characterized in that it has exactly a fourth spindle.

18. Machine tool according to claim 16, characterized by a plurality of fourth spindles (76, 78) arranged next to one another, which form a fourth row of spindles along a fourth spatial axis (84), the fourth spatial axis (84) parallel to the third spatial axis (80) runs.

19. Machine tool according to claim 18, characterized in that the third and fourth spatial axes (80, 84) run parallel to the spatial axes (20, 37) of the first and second row of spindles.

20. Machine tool according to one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that the at least one fourth spindle (76, 78) relative to the third spindles (72, 74) in at least two, preferably three, orthogonal linear axes (x, y, z ) is movable.

21. Machine tool according to one of claims 13 to 20, characterized by a machine part (96) which is arranged in the region of the second and third row of spindles and which can be moved perpendicular to a plane spanned by the second and third spatial axes (37, 80).

22. Machine tool according to claim 21, characterized in that the machine part (96) has a tool (98) to machine workpieces, in particular when transferring from the second row of spindles to the third row of spindles.

23. Machine tool according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the machine part (96) has a gripper to feed workpieces to the spindles (16 _f 18, 72, 74) of the second and / or third row of spindles.

24. Machine tool according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized by a machine bed (42) which extends in a direction parallel to the first and second spatial Axis (20, 37) extends beyond the second row of spindles and has a plurality of workpiece clamping devices (58) there.