WO2007063566A1

WO2007063566A1 - Work table of a machine tool, with an extension body connectable to the central body

Info

Publication number: WO2007063566A1
Application number: PCT/IT2006/000572
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luigi Milani; Francesco Cotta Ramusino
Original assignee: Camozzi Machine Tools S.P.A.
Priority date: 2005-12-02
Filing date: 2006-07-26
Publication date: 2007-06-07
Also published as: ITBS20050151A1; CN101321602B; CN101321602A; WO2007063566A8

Abstract

The present invention relates to a work table (1) of a machine tool, comprising a central body (2) and at least one extension body (20) suitable for being removably connected to said central body (2) for extending the support surface, supporting said part to be processed for carrying out a process. The work table comprises connecting means, for the optimal connection between the central body and the extension bodies, tensioning means, for contrasting the physical actions acting on the extension body, and conveying means, for conveying the cooling fluid used towards a fluid storage also when the extension bodies are associated to the central body.

Description

DESCRIPTION

WORK TABLE WITH A MACHINE TOOL,

WITH AN EXTENSION BODY CONNECTABLE TO

THE CENTRAL BODY

[0001] The object of the prese'nt invention is a work table for a machine tool, for example a vertical lathe, a miller, a boring machine and the like.

[0002] Great difficulties are often encountered to carry out tool machining large sized parts due to the need of conveniently supporting such part on a table of suitable dimensions . [0003] In fact, often the tables associated to a machine tool exhibit a support surface sized for parts having average dimensions, in order to < make the use of the machine components intended, for moving the tool to the portions of the part to be treated optimal . [0004] It is therefore clear that when there is the need of processing large sized parts, there are disadvantages having considerable consequences.

[0005] Among the other things, it should be noted that a non-optimal arrangement of the part to be processed on the table implies serious hazards related to the safety conditions in which a process is carried out . From the point of view of the process results, moreover, there is the risk of having a strong reduction of the processing tolerances . [0006] The object of the present invention is to obtain a work table capable of supporting also parts of considerable dimensions .

[0007] Such object is achieved by a table obtained in accordance with the following claim 1. The dependent claims describe embodiment variations.

[0008] The features and advantages of the work table according to the present invention will appear more clearly from the following description, made by way of an indicative and non-limiting example with reference to the annexed figures, wherein:

[0009] - figure 1 shows a plan view of a work table according to the present invention;

[0010] - figure 2 shows a front view of the table of figure 1, according to the direction of observation by arrow II in figure 1;

[0011] - figure 3 shows a side view of the table of figure 1, according to the direction of observation by arrow III in figure 1; [0012] - figure 4 shows a section view of the table of figure 1, according to the section line IV-IV of figure

1;

[0013] - figure 5 shows a section view of the table of figure 1, according to the section line V-V of figure 1; and [0014] - figure 6 shows a section view of the table of figure 1, according to VI-VI of figure 3. [0015] In accordance with the. annexed figures, reference numeral 1 globally indicates a work table suitable for being associated to a machining group of a machine tool . [0016] Table 1 comprises a central body 2 suitable for being mechanically connected to said machining group for supporting, at least partly, a part to be processed. The central body 2 exhibits a top support surface 4 for supporting said part to be processed. [0017] In other words, generally, said machine tool comprises a base on which said work table is placed. In particular, the central body 2 is attached to the base. [0018] According to an embodiment variation, said machine tool comprises positioning means and said central body is attached to the base of the machine tool by said positioning means, suitable for positioning the table so as to facilitate the cooperation with the machining group. For example, said positioning means are suitable for allowing a rotation of the work table, for fixing it in a desired angular position. According to a further example, said positioning means are suitable for allowing a raising or a lowering of the height of said support surface relative to said base_t. [0019] The support surface 4 of the central body 2 defines a reference plane, on which a longitudinal direction or constraint direction X-X and a cross direction or connecting direction Y-Y lie.

[0020] According to an embodiment, said work table is quadrangular, for example square or rectangular, and along said longitudinal and cross directions it develops in length and width.

[0021] Said central body 2 comprises a first connecting girder 8 and a second connecting girder 10, said girders longitudinally delimiting said central body 4. [0022] Preferably, said connecting girder 8, 10 comprises an abutment wall 12 and a projection 14, having prevailing extension along said cross direction. [0023] Projection 14 projects from said abutment wall 12, forming a seat, also having cross prevailing extension. [0024] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said central body 2 comprised a first abutment band 16 and a second abutment band 18.

[0025] Said abutment bands 16 , 18 are respectively connected to said girders 8, 10. In particular, each band 16, 18 is arranged below the respective girder 8, 10, that is, vertically spaced therefrom.

[0026] Moreover, said table 1 comprises at least one extension body 20 suitable for being removably connected to said central body 2 for extending said support surface 4 and obtaining an extended support surface, supporting said part to be processed to carry out the processing. [0027] In other words, a part of standard dimensions can be supported by the central body 2 of table 1 only; on the other hand, a large sized part is only partly supported on the central body, a portion of said large sized part remaining projecting relative to said central body 2. In such case, the central body 2 is associated to at least one of said extension bodies 20 for extending the support surface . [0028] Said extension body 20 extends longitudinally between an engaged edge intended for being connected to said central body, and a free edge, opposite said engaged edge. [0029] At the edge engaged with the central body 2 of table 1, the extension body 20 comprises a connecting flange 22, having prevailing extension along said cross direction. [0030] The connecting flange 22 comprises an abutment wall 24 and a projection 26, wherein said projection 26 projects from said abutment wall 24 forming a seating cavity.

[0031] Projection 26 of flange 22 exhibits a front surface 28 and a back surface 30 for which, at least the respective extensions, are incident. [0032] In other words, said projection 26 of flange 22 is shaped so as to exhibit a longitudinal section, that is, a section visible through a section plane perpendicular to the cross direction, having triangular or triangular chamfered configuration. [0033] In a connected configuration, said central body 2 and said extension body 20 contact each other along said cross direction.

[0034] In particular, flange 22 of the extension body 20 connects to the connecting girder 8, 10 of the central body. In other words, projection 26 of flange 22 is seated in the seat formed by projection 14 and by the abutment wall 12 of the connecting girder 8, 10. At the same time, projection 14 of the connecting girder 8 is seated in the seating cavity formed by the abutment wall 24 and by projection 26 of the extension body 20. [0035] Moreover, said extension body abuts against said abutment band 16, 18, resting on said abutment band 16, 18.

[0036] As can be understood, said flange 8, 10 and said girder 20, and preferably said abutment band 16, 18, represent a preferred example of connecting means, preferably with shape coupling, suitable for connecting said extension body 20 and said central body 2. [0037] In particular, said connecting means are suitable for preventing a reciprocal removal, that is a separation, between said central body and said extension body along said longitudinal direction X-X.

[0038] Table 1 further comprises tensioning means, suitable for contrasting in a controlled manner physical actions acting on said extension body capable of throwing out of

V alignment the support surface 4 of the central body 2 and the support surface 21 of the extension body 20. [0039] In other words, said tensioning means are suitable for contrasting, in a controlled manner, the action of the specific weight of the extension body, of the weight of the part supported by the table on said extension body, at least for the portion resting on the extension body, of the temperature variations, of the clearances between the central body and the extension body and the like. [0040] In yet other words, said tensioning means are suitable for stiffening, in¹ a controlled manner, said extension body. In particular, said tensioning means are suitable for pulling and/or pushing the extension body 20 from/towards the central body 2, substantially annulling the effect of said physical actions. [0041] Experimentally, said action of the tensioning means can be seen, for example, by a substantially nullifying the camber, that is, the lowering, that can be seen at the free edge of the extension body. [0042] In other words, said physical actions influence the extension body, in general, qo as to cause a lowering of the free edge of the extension body relative to the engaged edge. Said lowering causes a misalignment between the support surface 4 of the central body 2 and the support surface 21 of the extension body 20. The contrast action exerted on command by said tensioning means substantially nullifies said lowering, nullifying or decreasing, at the same time, said misalignment. [0043] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said tensioning means comprise at least one tie rod 32 having prevailing extension along said longitudinal direction and suitable for crossing said extension body 20 and for cooperating at the same time with said extension body 20 and with said central body 2. [0044] In order to suitably tension tie rod 32, a removable hydraulic jack, for example, is used.

[0045] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said table 1 comprises conveying means suitable for conveying cooling fluid already used from the support surface 4 towards a fluid storage. [0046] Said conveying means \ comprise a plurality of drainage channels 40, said drainage channels being obtained on said extended support surface of table 1. [0047] Said drainage channels 40 comprise a central portion 42, obtained on said central body 2, and an extension portion 44, obtained on said extension body 20. [0048] In a connected configuration between said central body 2 and said extension body 20, said central portion 42 and said extension portion 44 are in communication with each other. [0049] Said drainage channels 40 extend up to the free edge of said extension body 20.

[0050] Preferably, said conveying means comprise a conveying duct 46 wherein said drainage channels 40 merge. Preferably, said conveying duct 46 is arranged along said free edge of the extension body 20.

[0051] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said conveying means comprise a discharge duct which extends at least partly inside said table 1, suitable for placing in communication said extended support surface with said fluid storage.

[0052] Preferably, said drainage duct comprises a central portion 50 inside said central body 2 and an extension portion 52 inside said extension body 20. [0053] In a connected configuration between said central body 2 and said extension body 20, the central portion 50 and the extension portion 52 are in communication with each other.

[0054] Preferably, said central portion 50 exhibits a connecting outlet 54 suitable for connecting to said extension portion 52 and a further outlet 56 suitable for conveying said cooling fluid⁴ towards said fluid storage in a disconnected configuration wherein said extension body 2 is separate from said central body 20. [0055] In other words, in said disconnected configuration, the cooling fluid that accumulates on the support surface flows into the central portion 50 of the discharge duct through said further outlet 56. In said connected configuration, on the other hand, said further outlet 56 is inactive, the central portion 50 is connected to the extension portion 52 by said connecting outlet 54 and the cooling fluid accumulated on .the extended support surface flows into the discharge duct through said conveying duct 46. [0056] Innovatively, the work table according to the present invention allows a steady support of large sized parts, and when not required, allows using the central body only, for supporting parts of standard dimensions. [0057] Advantageously, moreover, a hinge is formed between the central body and the extension body suitable for relieving the specific weight of the extension body and at least partly, the weight of the supported part, on the central body.

[0058] In accordance with a further advantageous aspect thereof, the table allows arranging substantially on the same plane the support surface of the central body and the support surface of the extension body, considerably- increasing the process tolerances obtainable in processing large sized parts. [0059] A further advantage consists in the fact that the cooling fluid accumulated on the extended support surface is conveyed towards the fluid storage so as to not be dispersed.

[0060] It is clear that a man skilled in the art can make changes and adjustments to the table described above in order to meet specific and incidental needs, all falling within the scope of protection defined in the following claims .

Claims

1. A work table (1) suitably for being associated to a machining group of a machine tool, wherein said table comprises : - a central body (2) suitable for being mechanically connected to said machining group for supporting, at least partly, a part to be processed, wherein said central body exhibits a support surface (4) for supporting said part to be processed; said table being characterised in that it further comprises at least one extension body (20) , having a support surface (21) , said extension body (20) being suitable for being removably connected to sad central body (2) for extending said support surface (4) of the central body (2) with said support surface (21) of the extension body (20) , for obtaining an extended support surface, supporting said part to be processed for carrying out the processing.

2. A table according to claim 1, further comprising connecting means suitable for connecting said extension body to said central body.

3. A table according to claim 2, wherein said connecting means are suitable for connecting said extension body to said central body along a cross direction (Y-Y) , said cross direction being lying on a plane parallel to said extended support surface, said connecting means being suitable for preventing the reciprocal separation between said central body and said extension body in a longitudinal direction (X-X) , said longitudinal direction being perpendicular to said cross direction.

4. A table according to claim 2 or 3 , wherein said connecting means comprise a shape coupling between said central body and said extension body.

5. A table according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein said connecting means comprise a connecting flange (22) of said extension body (20) , wherein said flange exhibits prevailing extension along said cross direction (Y-Y) , and wherein said flange comprises a projection (26) having prevailing extension along said cross direction (Y-Y) .

6. A table according to claim 5, wherein said connecting means comprise a connecting girder (8, 10) of said central body (2) , wherein said girder exhibits prevailing extension along said cross direction, and wherein said girder comprises an abutment wall (12) and a projection (14) , having prevailing extension along said cross direction (Y-Y) , said projection (14) projecting from said abutment wall (12) forming a seat suitable for seating said projection (26) of the extension body (20) .

7. A table according to claim 6, wherein said projection (26) exhibits a front surface (28) , suitable for moving in abutment on said abutment wall (12) of the central body (2) , and a back surface (30) , suitable for moving in abutment on said projection (14) of the central body (2) .

8. A table according to claim 7 , wherein said front surface (28) and said back surface (30) are incident to each other .

9. A table according to claim 8 , wherein said front surface (28) is substantially perpendicular to said extended support surface of the table (1) .

10. A table according to any one of claims 2 to 9, further comprising tensioning means, suitable for contrasting in a controlled manner physical actions acting on said extension body (20) capable of throwing out of alignment the support surface (4) of the central body (2) and the support surface (21) of the extension body (20) .

11. A table according to claim 10, wherein said tensioning means comprise at least one tie rod (32) having prevailing extension along said longitudinal direction (X-X) and suitable for crossing said extension body (20) and for cooperating at the same time with said extension body (20) and with said central body (2) .

12. A table according to any one of the previous claims, comprising conveying means suitable for conveying cooling fluid already used from the extended support surface towards a fluid storage .

13. A table according to claim 12, wherein said conveying means comprise at least one drainage channel (40) , said drainage channels being obtained on said extended support surface of the table.

14. A table according to claim 13 , wherein said drainage channel comprises a central portion (42) , obtained on the support surface (4) of said central body (2) , and an extension portion (44) , obtained on said extension body, said central portion (42) and said extension portion (44) being in communication with each other in a configuration of connection between said central body (2) and said extension body (20) .

15. A table according to claim 13 or 14, wherein said drainage channel extends up to the free edge of said extension body, said free edge being opposite the connecting edge with said central body.

16. A table according to arty one of claims 13 to 15, wherein said conveying means comprise a conveying duct

(46) wherein said drainage channels merge.

17. A table according to claim 16 , wherein said conveying duct is arranged along a free edge of said extension body, said free edge being opposite the connecting edge with said central body.

18. A table according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein said conveying means comprise a discharge duct which extends at least partly inside said table, suitable for placing in communicat-[.on said extended support surface with said fluid storage.

19. A table according to claim 18, wherein said drainage duct comprises a central portion (50) inside said central body (2) , and an extension portion (52) inside said extension body (20) , said central portion (50) and said extension portion (52) being in communication with each other in a configuration of connection between said central body and said extension body.

20. A table according to claim 19, wherein said central portion (50) exhibits a connecting outlet (54) suitable for connecting to said extension portion (52) and a further outlet (56) suitable for conveying said cooling fluid in a disconnected configuration wherein said extension body is separate from said central body.

21. A table according to any one of the previous claims, comprising two extension bodies (20) , arranged at one side and at an opposite side of said central body (2) , for extending said support surface along said longitudinal direction.

22. A table according to any one of claims 1 to 20, comprising four extension bodies (20) , arranged about said central body, for extending said support surface along said longitudinal direction and along said cross direction.

23. A machine tool comprising a work table according to any one of the previous claims .