WO2008050912A1

WO2008050912A1 - Machine tool having work receiving/delivering device

Info

Publication number: WO2008050912A1
Application number: PCT/JP2007/071361
Authority: WO
Inventors: Takaichi Nakaya
Original assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-10-26
Filing date: 2007-10-26
Publication date: 2008-05-02
Also published as: JP5372513B2; JPWO2008050912A1

Abstract

A machine tool (10) including a main spindle (14) having a work mounting section (18) on which work (W) is mounted, a structure placed close to the main spindle, a main spindle moving mechanism (20) capable of moving the main spindle in the direction of approaching the structure and in the direction of separating from the structure, and a work receiving/delivering device (28) for receiving and delivering the work from and to the work mounting section of the main spindle. The work receiving/delivering device has a support section (34) capable of releasably supporting the work at a receiving/delivery position facing the work mounting section. The main spindle moving mechanism has a retreating stroke (T) for forming a space (S) in which the support section can support the work at the receiving/delivering position.

Description

Description Machine tool with workpiece transfer device Technical field

The present invention relates to a machine tool including a workpiece transfer device for delivering a workpiece to a spindle. The present invention also relates to a workpiece transfer method for transferring workpieces to a spindle of a machine tool. Background art

Conventionally, an unmachined workpiece is loaded and supplied from a workpiece mounting area to a workpiece mounting section such as a chuck mechanism provided at the tip of a spindle of a machine tool, or a processed workpiece is recovered from a workpiece mounting section. Machine tools equipped with a workpiece transfer app aratus that can be transported to a machine are known.

For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2 0 0 1—2 0 5 5 3 6 (JP—A—2 0 0 1-2 0 5 5 3 6) discloses that a lathe is taken out of a workpiece by taking out a workpiece from the workpiece force Disclosed is a workpiece supply device equipped with a loader that supplies the chuck of the spindle. The loader includes a guide rail installed horizontally above the lathe and the workpiece force, a loader arm movable along the guide rail in the spindle axis direction and the vertical direction, and a loader head installed at the lower end of the loader arm. It is equipped with. The loader can also extract a processed workpiece from the chuck of the spindle and carry it out to the workpiece force. It also describes that the loader head is provided with a pair of hands capable of gripping an unmachined workpiece and a machined workpiece.

When transferring the workpiece to the chuck of the spindle, the tool post after machining the workpiece was moved backward from the workpiece machining position. After that, first, the loader arm that holds the unmachined workpiece in the first hand and waits above the spindle is lowered, and the second empty hand is placed opposite the chuck at the workpiece machining position. Then, the second hand moves back and forth in the spindle axis direction (Z-axis direction) to grip the processed workpiece and remove it from the chuck. Next, the loader arm is slightly lowered, the first hand that grips the unmachined workpiece is placed opposite the chuck at the workpiece machining position, and the first hand moves in the Z-axis direction to chuck the unmachined workpiece. Attach to.

A loader having the same configuration is also disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1 1 1 9 7 90 5 (JP-A-1 1 1 1 9 7 9 0 5).

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2 00 4-3 1 4 2 0 4 (JP-A 2 0 0 4 1 3 1 4 2 0 4) discloses a method for supplying and discharging a workpiece to a processing machine such as a lathe. In the clamping device, a swing mechanism is provided on the gripping claw of the clamping device provided at the tip of the arm of the loading device, and when the loading device moves forward or backward in the processing machine, the clamping claw of the clamping device interferes with the workpiece. Disclosed is a configuration that does not.

Conventional machine tools secure a space for workpiece transfer work in front of the spindle on which the workpiece is mounted. On the other hand, a machine tool may have a configuration in which a structure that supports a tool post, a guide bush, or the like is disposed in the vicinity of the spindle tip. When a structure is placed near the spindle tip, the structure becomes an obstacle and the space for workpiece transfer work cannot be secured in front of the spindle, and the machine tool is equipped with a workpiece transfer device. Difficult to do. Disclosure of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a workpiece transfer device for delivering a workpiece to the spindle while a structure is arranged near the tip of the spindle. To provide a machine tool.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a workpiece transfer method for transferring a workpiece to a spindle of a machine tool in which a structure is arranged in the vicinity of the tip of the spindle.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides, as one aspect, a machine tool, a main shaft having a work mounting portion on which a work is mounted, a structure disposed close to the main shaft, and a main shaft. A spindle moving mechanism that can move the workpiece toward and away from the structure, and a workpiece transfer device for delivering the workpiece to the workpiece mounting portion of the spindle. The spindle moving mechanism can support the workpiece at the transfer position between the workpiece mounting portion and the structure. A machine tool having a retracting stroke for forming a space is provided.

In the machine tool having the above-described configuration, the spindle moving mechanism has an additional stroke for moving the spindle in the axial direction of the spindle in order to machine a workpiece mounted on the spindle, and the retracting stroke is a machining stroke. It can be set as the structure defined on the extension line | wire to the direction of an axis.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a machine tool including a spindle having a workpiece mounting portion on which a workpiece is mounted, a workpiece mounted on the workpiece mounting portion, and a workpiece mounted on the workpiece mounting portion. A structure equipped with a guide bush that can be centered and supported so as to be removable, a moving mechanism that can move the spindle and the structure relative to each other in the mutual approaching direction and the mutual separation direction, The workpiece transfer device includes a support portion that can releasably support the workpiece at a transfer position facing the workpiece mounting portion, and the moving mechanism includes a workpiece mounting portion and a structure. A space where the support part can support the workpiece at the transfer position A machine tool having a relative movement stroke between the main shaft and the structure is provided.

Still another embodiment of the present invention is a machine tool including a spindle having a workpiece mounting portion on which a workpiece is mounted, and a structure disposed in proximity to the spindle, and a workpiece that delivers the workpiece to the workpiece mounting portion. Prepare a workpiece transfer device with a support that can releasably support the workpiece at the transfer position opposite to the workpiece mounting, and move the spindle away from the structure to mount the workpiece. Forming a space between the support part and the structure so that the support part can support the workpiece at the transfer position, and a space formed between the work mounting part and the structure. To provide and receive workpieces between and between them.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a spindle having a workpiece mounting portion on which a workpiece is mounted, and a guide bush arranged near the spindle and capable of centering and supporting the workpiece mounted on the workpiece mounting portion can be detached. A workpiece transfer method for transferring a workpiece to a workpiece mounting portion, comprising a support portion that releasably supports the workpiece at a transfer position opposite to the workpiece mounting portion. Prepare a workpiece transfer device and move the spindle and the structure relative to each other in a direction away from each other to form a space between the workpiece mounting portion and the structure so that the support can support the workpiece at the transfer position. A workpiece transfer method including: performing a workpiece transfer between the support portion and the workpiece mounting portion in a space formed between the workpiece mounting portion and the structure. Brief Description of Drawings

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Accompanying In the accompanying drawings,

FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing a machine tool according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the machine tool of FIG.

Fig. 3 is a front view schematically showing the state of workpiece machining in the machine tool of Fig. 1.

FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C are schematic front views illustrating the raw workpiece supply procedure of the workpiece transfer method according to the present invention performed by the machine tool of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic front view illustrating one step of the workpiece transfer method according to the present invention performed by the machine tool of FIG.

6A to 6D are schematic enlarged front views illustrating the workpiece transfer procedure of the workpiece transfer method according to the present invention performed by the machine tool of FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 is another embodiment of the present invention. Front view schematically showing the machine tool by

FIG. 8 is a front view schematically showing a state during workpiece machining in the machine tool of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a plan view schematically showing a machine tool according to still another embodiment of the present invention. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or similar components are denoted by common reference numerals.

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 schematically illustrate a work machine 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The machine tool 10 has a configuration of an automatic lathe and includes a bed 12 that is a machine base and a headstock 16 that accommodates the main spindle 14. The headstock 1 6 rotatably supports the spindle 14 and is not shown The main shaft 14 is driven to rotate about the axis 14a by the drive mechanism. A chuck mechanism (not shown) for mounting a workpiece (for example, a rough material) W is provided inside the front end (the left end in the figure) of the spindle 14.

The chuck mechanism has a workpiece insertion hole located along the axis 14a on the front end surface 14b of the spindle 14 and a workpiece mounting portion 18 is formed at the front end of the spindle 14 by this chuck mechanism. Yes. The workpiece W is inserted into the workpiece insertion hole from the front of the main spindle 14 (left side in the figure), and at least the part to be processed protrudes forward from the front end face 14 b of the main spindle 14 by the chuck mechanism. It is fixed to the main shaft 14 so that it can rotate integrally.

The headstock 16 is mounted on the bed 12 via the slide unit 20 so as to be reciprocally movable in the direction along the axis 14a (Z-axis direction). The spindle 14 moves in the Z-axis direction integrally with the spindle base 16 as the spindle base 16 moves along the Z axis. The spindle 14 rotates with the workpiece W mounted on the workpiece mounting portion 18, and moves in the Z-axis direction integrally with the spindle stock 16 as necessary.

On the bed 12, a support base 24 is installed in front of the headstock 16 as a structure that can be provided with, for example, a tool post 22 or a guide bush (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the blade erosion 2 2 holding the tool 2 6 for machining the workpiece W is provided on the front surface (left surface in the figure) 2 4 a of the support base 2 4 so as to be movable along the front surface 2 4 a. It has been.

For example, the support 2 is provided with a hollow portion 24 b to which a guide push can be detachably attached. In the guide bushless state where nothing is attached to the cavity 2 4 b, the headstock 16 moves forward (to the left in the figure) by the slide unit 20 as shown in Fig. 3. The spindle 1 4 penetrates the cavity 2 4 b of the support base 2 4 and the work piece of the workpiece W is in the processing area in front of the support base 2 4 (left side in the figure). Be placed.

In the machine tool 10, with the workpiece W arranged as described above, the tool 2 6 is moved into the machining area by the Z-axis movement of the spindle 14 and the tool 2 6 moved by the tool post 2 2. Add work W that rotates together with 4. When machining the workpiece W, the tool post 2 2 and the support stand 2 4 are close to the front side of the spindle 1 4.

Slide unit 2 0 has spindle 1 4 on bed 1 2

A spindle moving mechanism that can move linearly in a direction approaching 2 and a direction away from the support 24 (both in the illustrated embodiment is the Z-axis direction) is configured. The slide unit 20 has a spindle movement stroke (referred to as a machining stroke in this application) M (FIG. 3) for moving the spindle 14 in the Z-axis direction in order to machine the workpiece W.

The machine tool 10 includes a workpiece transfer device 28 above the bed 12 for supporting and transporting the workpiece W and delivering the workpiece W to the workpiece mounting portion 18. The workpiece transfer device 2 8 includes a guide rail 30 extending above the headstock 16 in a direction parallel to the axis 14a, an arm 3 2 installed on the guide rail 30, and an arm 3 2 And a chuck 3 4 installed at the lower end. The workpiece transfer device 28 is configured to carry an unprocessed workpiece W from the workpiece storage place 36 located behind the bed 12 (to the right in the figure) and supply it to the workpiece mounting section 18, It is possible to collect the processed work W from 1 8 and carry it out to the work place 3 6.

The guide rail 30 is, for example, a support erected from the work place 36.

3 6 a is fixedly supported, and is disposed behind the support base 24 at a position above the headstock 16 and below the upper end of the support base 24. 7 3 2 can reciprocate in the horizontal direction (arrow H) parallel to the axis 14 a along guide rail 30, and It is attached to guide rail 30 so that it can reciprocate in the vertical direction (arrow V) perpendicular to axis 14a at a fixed position. The chuck 3 4 has a structure capable of switching the posture (opening / closing operation) between a gripping posture for gripping the workpiece W and a gripping releasing posture for releasing the gripping of the workpiece W.

By moving the arm 3 2 placed at the upper limit on the guide rail 30 along the guide rail 30 in the front-rear direction (left and right in the figure) in the direction H, the chuck 3 4 moves above the spindle ^ 1 6 The transfer space A (Fig. 1) formed in the can be freely moved in the front-rear direction H. Therefore, the workpiece transfer device 2 8 moves the arm W 3 forward and backward in the transfer space A while the chuck 3 4 supports the center W, so that the workpiece W is positioned above the workpiece location 36. It can be transported to and from a stand-by position near the support base 2 4 on the bed 1 2.

As will be described later, the workpiece transfer device 28 has a space S in which the arm 3 2 is formed between the spindle 14 and the support base 2 4 with the chuck 3 4 supporting the workpiece W (FIG. 1). Is moved in the vertical direction V, so that the workpiece W can be transferred between the standby position and the transfer position opposite to the workpiece mounting portion 18.

As described above, in the workpiece transfer device 28 according to the illustrated embodiment, the chuck 3 4 constitutes a support portion that releasably supports the workpiece W, and the guide rail 30 and the arm 3 2 support the workpiece W as described above. The positioning part that positions the chuck 34 to support it at the transfer position is configured. The forward / backward and vertical movement of the arm 3 2 and the opening / closing operation of the chuck 3 4 are controlled by a controller (not shown).

The machine tool 10 can deliver the workpiece W between the workpiece mounting portion 18 and the chuck 3 4 by the operation of the slide unit 20 and the workpiece transfer device 2 8. The slide unit 20 moves the spindle 14 to the Z axis to machine the workpiece W. In addition to the function, it has a spindle movement function that moves spindle 14 in the Z axis when workpiece W is transferred.

In order to realize both functions described above, the slide unit 20 moves the machining stroke M described above (Fig. 3) and the headstock 16 to the rear (right side in the figure), so that the spindle 14 Main shaft movement stroke for workpiece transfer (referred to as the evacuation stroke in this application) T (Fig. 1) ) And. In the illustrated embodiment, the retracting stroke T of the slide unit 20 is defined on an extended line in the direction along the axis 14 a of the machining stroke M.

By arranging the front end face 14b of the main spindle 14 at a position that is separated from the support base 24 by a distance corresponding to the retracting stroke T, the front end face 14b of the main spindle 14 and the support base 2 A space S of a predetermined dimension is formed between The space S has such a dimension that the chuck 3 4 can support the workpiece W at the transfer position.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C, a workpiece transfer method according to an embodiment of the present invention performed in the machine tool 10 will be described. In this application, the term “delivery” includes at least one operation of supplying and collecting the workpiece W to and from the workpiece mounting portion 18 of the spindle 14.

First, as shown in Fig. 4A, with the spindle 14 not attached to the spindle 14, the spindle base 1 6 is moved to the rearward retraction position R by the slide unit 20, and the spindle 1 4 The space S described above is formed between the support base 24 and the support base 24. On the other hand, the arm 3 2 of the workpiece transfer device 28 is lowered at a predetermined position behind the guide rail 30 toward the workpiece place 3 6 (Fig. 1), and the chuck 3 4 is opened and closed to open the workpiece place. 3 Take the unprocessed disc W from 6 (Fig. 1) and hold it. Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, after the arm 32 is raised, it is moved forward along the guide rail 30 to transfer the workpiece W in the transfer space A. Then, the arm 3 2 is stopped at a predetermined position in front of the support base 24, and the chuck 34 is positioned at a position where the workpiece W is disposed at the standby position P 1 in the transfer space A. The standby position P 1 is set above the space S.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4C, the arm 3 2 is lowered so that the workpiece W supported by the chuck 3 4 is moved downward from the standby position P 1 and placed at the transfer position P 2 described above. , Chuck 3 4 is positioned in space S. The standby position P 1 and the transfer position P 2 are in a relative positional relationship that is separated by a predetermined linear distance in the vertical direction. The workpiece W placed at the transfer position P 2 is placed in a state of facing the workpiece insertion hole of the workpiece mounting portion 18 in the direction along the axis 14 a (FIG. 1).

Next, with the chuck 34 supporting the workpiece W at the transfer position P 2 (FIG. 4C), the headstock 16 is moved forward by a predetermined distance by driving the slide unit 20. As a result, the workpiece W is inserted into the workpiece insertion hole of the workpiece mounting portion 1 8 with at least the portion to be processed protruding outward from the main shaft 14. In this way, the slide unit 20 moves the spindle 14 in the axial direction in order to deliver the workpiece W between the chuck 34 that supports the workpiece W at the transfer position P 2 and the workpiece mounting portion 18. It has a moving stroke (referred to as a transfer stroke in this application). The workpiece W can be inserted into the workpiece insertion hole by moving the chuck 3 4 backward, or by combining the forward movement of the headstock 16 and the backward movement of the chuck 3 4.

With the workpiece W inserted into the workpiece mounting hole, the chuck mechanism (not shown) is operated to grip the workpiece W, so that the workpiece W is fixedly mounted on the workpiece mounting section 18. And by chuck 3 4 By releasing the support of the workpiece W, the delivery of the workpiece W between the chuck 3 4 and the workpiece mounting portion 18 is completed, and the workpiece W is supplied to the spindle 14. After that, the arm 3 2 is lifted together with the empty chuck 3 4, the headstock 16 is advanced in the Z-axis direction, and the workpiece “W” is placed in the machining area described above, so that the workpiece W can be machined. it can.

With the above configuration, the machine tool 10 can easily provide the space S for transferring the workpiece W in front of the spindle 14 while maintaining the configuration in which the tool rest 10 is installed on the support base 24. Can be secured. As a result, the turret 2 2 and the support base 2 4 arranged close to the front of the main spindle 14 are not obstructed, and the work W can be moved between the chuck 3 4 and the main spindle 1 in the space S. Transfers can be performed smoothly and accurately.

In addition, the space S for workpiece transfer can be formed as needed regardless of the configuration of the support base 24 and the tool post 2 2, so a relatively large tool 2 6 or multiple and many types of tools 2 6 Can be attached to the tool post 2 2 to improve the machining efficiency of the machine tool 10.

In particular, as described above, when the machine tool 10 is a guide bushless type, the support base 24 can be configured in a gate shape in which the guide bush cannot be attached.

Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the space S for workpiece transfer is formed on the opposite side of the workpiece machining area by the tool 26 with the support base 24 interposed therebetween. When waiting at P1, it is possible to prevent the waiting workpiece from being contaminated with processing oil without providing an oil splash prevention shirt.

Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the spindle movement stroke of the slide unit 20 that moves the spindle 14 in the axial direction for machining of a single W is used. PT / JP2007 / 071361 By extending, the slide unit 20 is also used as the spindle movement mechanism for forming the space S for workpiece transfer. There is no need to add a mechanism, and the structure of the machine tool 10 can be prevented from becoming complicated.

Machine tools 1 0 and workpiece transfer method described above, after the supply of the Wa click ¹ to the main shaft 1 4 is completed, by immediately moving the arm 3 2 rearwardly, the workpiece be next machined from the work yard 3 6 W 'Can be supported on the chuck 3 4 and the arm 3 2 can be moved forward to position the chuck 3 4 so that the workpiece W' is supported at the standby position P 1 (see Fig. 5). According to such a configuration, the workpiece W to be machined next is processed during machining of the workpiece W mounted on the spindle 14 or during movement of the spindle stock 16 to the retracted position R (FIG. 4A) after completion of machining. Since 'can be placed at the standby position P 1 and the next workpiece W' is already waiting at the standby position P 1 at the end of the retraction movement of the headstock 16, the cycle time of the workpiece machining process can be realized. Can be prevented.

Since the standby position P 1 is set above the space S so as to be positioned above the headstock 16 during workpiece machining, the standby workpiece W, arm 3 2 and chuck 3 4 and headstock 1 6 Mutual interference can be prevented. When machining of the workpiece W is completed, the machined workpiece W is ejected from the spindle 14 to, for example, a discharge tray (not shown), and then the spindle stock 16 is moved to the retracted position R (Fig. 4A) as described above. Move to form a space S in front of the spindle 14. Immediately after forming the space S, the unprocessed workpiece W ′ that has already been waiting at the standby position P 1 can be placed at the transfer position P 2 by lowering the arm 3 2 described above. The machining of the next workpiece W 'can be started, and machining efficiency is improved.

The above-mentioned machine tool 10 and workpiece transfer method are as follows. After machining of workpiece W is completed, workpiece workpiece W is processed into spindle 1 by workpiece transfer device 28. 4 can be recovered. In this case, with the machined workpiece W mounted on the workpiece mounting portion 18 of the spindle 14, the headstock 16 is moved to the retracted position R (Fig. 4 A), leaving a space in front of the spindle 14. S is formed. Then, the arm 3 2 is placed at the front position on the guide rail 30 and is lowered into the space S so that the empty chuck 3 4 can be supported by the workpiece W at the transfer position P 2. Position. With the chuck 3 4 positioned, the headstock 16 is moved forward, the workpiece W mounted on the spindle 14 is placed at the transfer position P2, and the chuck 3 4 is opened and closed to move the spindle 1 4 Hold the work W, which is fixedly attached to, on the chuck 3 4.

Next, with the chuck 3 4 supporting the workpiece W, the workpiece fixing by the chuck mechanism of the workpiece mounting portion 18 is released, and the headstock 16 is moved backward. As a result, the processed workpiece W is transferred from the workpiece mounting portion 18 to the chuck 3 4, and the workpiece W is recovered from the spindle 14. The workpiece W can be collected from the spindle 14 by moving the chuck 3 4 forward or by combining the backward movement of the spindle base 16 and the forward movement of the chuck 3 4. Thereafter, the chuck 3 4 moves the arm 3 2 supporting the work W, whereby the added work W can be carried out to the work place 36.

In the work collection operation described above, the arm 3 is previously placed on the guide rail 30 until the space S is formed in front of the spindle 14 with the machined workpiece W mounted by retracting the spindle stock 16. It is advantageous from the viewpoint of reducing the cycle time of the machining process by moving 2 forward and positioning the chuck 34 at a position where the workpiece W is supported at the standby position P1.

If the chuck 3 4 that supports the workpiece W is moved backward or forward during delivery of the workpiece W, a relatively large vibration of the workpiece W will occur. May occur. By moving only the headstock 16 using the transfer stroke described above, the workpiece W can be smoothly transferred between the chuck 3 4 and the workpiece mounting portion 1 8 by suppressing the vibration of the workpiece W. .

In the machine tool 10 and the workpiece transfer method described above, after the machining of the workpiece W is completed, the workpiece transfer device 2 8 collects the processed workpiece W and supplies the unprocessed workpiece W ′ to the spindle 14. It can be performed continuously in a short time. As shown in FIG. 6A, the workpiece transfer device 2 8 includes a processed workpiece W collected from the workpiece mounting portion 1 8 of the spindle 1 4 and an unmachined workpiece W ′ supplied to the workpiece mounting portion 1 8. Thus, a pair of chucks 34, each capable of gripping, can constitute a support part for releasably supporting the workpiece. In the illustrated example, a pair of chucks 3 4 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction.

In this configuration, first, as shown in FIG. 6A, with the processed workpiece W mounted on the spindle 14, the spindle base 16 is moved to the retracted position R, and the spindle 14 and the support base 24 are moved. The space S described above is formed between them. On the other hand, the arm 3 2 is moved to the front of the guide rail 30 with the unprocessed work W ′ taken out from the work place 36 (FIG. 1) supported by the upper first chuck 34. Then, the pair of chucks 34 is positioned at a position where the unprocessed workpiece W ′ is arranged at the standby position P 1.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, the arm 3 2 is lowered into the space S, and the second empty chuck 3 4 on the lower side can be supported by the processed workpiece W at the transfer position P2. Position to position. With the empty second chuck 3 4 positioned, the headstock 16 is advanced, and the workpiece W mounted on the spindle 14 is placed at the transfer position P2, and the second chuck 3 4 is opened and closed. Then, let the second chuck 3 4 grip the processed workpiece W that is fixedly attached to the spindle 14. Next, with the second chuck 3 4 supporting the processed workpiece W, the workpiece fixing by the chuck mechanism of the workpiece mounting portion 18 is released, and the headstock 16 is moved backward. As a result, the processed workpiece W is transferred from the workpiece mounting portion 18 of the spindle 1 4 to the second chuck 3 4 of the disc transfer device 2 8, and the disc W is recovered from the spindle 14. . After the recovery of the workpiece W, the unprocessed workpiece W ′ supported by the first chuck 34 is disposed immediately above the delivery position P2.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6C, the arm 3 2 is lowered and the pair of chucks 3 so that the unprocessed workpiece W ′ supported by the first chuck 34 is placed at the transfer position P2. Position 4 With the first chuck 3 4 positioned, the headstock 16 is advanced, and the unprocessed workpiece W ′ is fixedly mounted on the workpiece mounting portion 18 of the spindle 14. Then, by releasing the support of the unprocessed workpiece W ′ by the first chuck 3 4, the unprocessed workpiece W ′ is transferred from the first chuck 3 4 to the workpiece mounting portion 18 and the unprocessed workpiece W ′. Is fed to the spindle 14.

After that, as shown in FIG. 6D, the headstock 16 is moved to the retracted position R to form a space S between the main spindle 14 and the support base 24, and the arm 3 2 is raised. The processed workpiece W supported by the second chuck 3 4 is placed at the standby position P 1. With the machined workpiece W placed at the standby position P1, the headstock 16 is advanced in the Z-axis direction, and the unprocessed workpiece _w 'is placed in the machining area described above. Can be processed.

7 and 8 schematically show a machine tool 10 0 ′ according to another embodiment of the present invention. The machine tool 10 'has the same configuration as the machine tool 10 described above except that a guide bush 3 8 is mounted on the support base 24. Accordingly, corresponding constituent elements are denoted by common reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. In the machine tool 1 0 ', for the purpose of turning the workpiece W, which is a relatively long rough shape, with high precision, the workpiece mounting part 1 8 of the spindle 1 4 is inserted into the cavity 2 4 b of the support base 2 4. A guide push 3 8 that can center and support the workpiece W mounted on is attached in a detachable manner. The guide bush 38 is a known auxiliary support device that supports the workpiece W so that the workpiece W does not run out during turning. Guide bush 3 8 can achieve high-precision molding of products.

Similarly to the machine tool 10 described above, the machine tool 10 'having the above-described configuration is operated by the slide unit 20 and the workpiece transfer device 2 8, so that the workpiece mounting portion 18 and the chuck 3 4 Work W can be exchanged with As shown in FIG. 7, the spindle unit 16 is moved to the rearward retraction position R by the slide unit 20 having the retraction stroke T, and the chuck is placed between the work mounting portion 18 and the support base 24. 3 4 forms a space S that can support the workpiece W at the transfer position P 2. With the space S formed, the arm 3 2 moves as described above to position the chuck 3 4 at an appropriate position in the space S, and the workpiece W is placed between the workpiece mounting part 1 8 and the chuck 3 4. Can be delivered smoothly and accurately.

When turning the workpiece W with the machine tool 10 ', as shown in Fig. 8, the headstock 16 is advanced by the slide unit 20 and the workpiece W fixedly attached to the spindle 14 is guided. Insert the workpiece W into the bush 3 and place the workpiece W workpiece in the machining area, and turn the workpiece W with the tool 2 6 under the centering support of the guide bush 3 8. By operating the slide unit 20 with the above-mentioned processing 卜 roke M, the workpiece W can be processed while being fed in the Z-axis direction. Remove from 4 In the separated state, the workpiece W can be machined in the same way as the machine tool 10 (Fig. 3).

The machine tool 10 'is supported by a guide bush 3 8 instead of moving the spindle 14 by the slide unit 20 to form a space S between the spindle 14 and the support base 24. The base 24 can be configured to move relative to the spindle 14. When moving the support base 24, the machine tool 10 'can move the support base 2 4 with respect to the main shaft 14 in the mutual approaching direction and the mutual separation direction indicated by the broken arrow Z'. (Not shown). The moving mechanism has a relative moving stroke for forming a space S in which the chuck 3 4 can support the work W at the transfer position P 2 between the work mounting portion 1 8 and the support base 2 4. By providing such a moving mechanism, it is not necessary to additionally design a retracting stroke T in the slide unit 20 that is the main shaft moving mechanism. Alternatively, by operating both the slide unit 20 and the moving mechanism of the support base 24, the main shaft 14 and the support base 24 can be moved relative to each other so that the main spindle 14 and the support base 24 A space S can be formed between them.

FIG. 9 schematically shows a machine tool 10〃 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The machine tool 10〃 has the same configuration as the machine tool 1Q described above except that the arrangement of the guide rail 30 and the workpiece storage place 36 of the workpiece transfer device 28 is different. Accordingly, corresponding constituent elements are denoted by common reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

As described above, the guide rail 30 of the machine tool 10 is configured to guide the arm 3 2 in a direction parallel to the axis 14 a. By extending the guide rail 30 in a direction parallel to the axis 14a, the guide rail 30 can be installed using the space above the headstock 16. The guide rail 30 should be installed only behind the support base 24. The guide rail 30 can be disposed below the upper end of the support base 24. By arranging the guide rail 30 below the upper end of the support base 24, the overall height of the workpiece transfer device 28 can be reduced and the machine 10 can be used even in factories with relatively low ceilings. Is possible. In addition, since the distance between the standby position P1 and the transfer position P2 of the workpiece W is shortened, the arm

3 The vertical movement of 2 can be performed stably.

On the other hand, the guide rail 30 of the machine tool 10〃 shown in FIG. 9 is configured to guide the arm 3 2 in the direction of the arrow H ′ that intersects (is orthogonal to the axis 14a). By extending the guide rail 30 in the direction perpendicular to the axis 14a, the overall length of the guide rail 30 and the work transport distance in the transport space A can be shortened, so the transport of the work W in the horizontal direction is stable. Can be As shown in the figure, in the machine tools 10 and 10 〃, the guide rail 30 can be installed so as to protrude upward from the upper end of the support base 24.

The present invention is not limited to the illustrated configuration. For example, another moving mechanism independent of the slide unit 20 can be installed as the main shaft moving mechanism for forming the space S between the main shaft 14 and the support base 2 4. If another moving mechanism is provided, the main shaft 1 4 is connected to the axis 1 instead of the Z-axis.

4 You may make it move to the other direction which crosses a. For example, as indicated by a broken line arrow Y in FIG. 9, the main shaft 14 can be moved in the Y-axis direction orthogonal to the axis 14 a. Even in the configuration in which the support base 24 is moved, the support base 24 can be moved in a direction intersecting the axis 14a. The present invention is not limited to the illustrated support base 24 and tool post 22 and is applicable to a machine tool in which a structure disposed close to the spindle 14 during machining operation is installed on the bed 12. it can.

While the invention has been described in connection with preferred embodiments thereof, various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims set out below. Those skilled in the art will understand what can be done.

Claims

1. Machine tool,

A spindle having a workpiece mounting portion on which a workpiece is mounted;

A structure disposed close to the main axis;

The main shaft is moved away from the structure and in a direction approaching the structure.

A spindle moving mechanism that can be moved in the direction of

A workpiece transfer device for delivering a workpiece to the workpiece mounting portion of the spindle;

The workpiece transfer device is:

A support portion capable of releasably supporting the surrounding workpiece at a transfer position facing the workpiece mounting portion;

The spindle movement mechanism has a retracting stroke for forming a space between the work mounting part and the structure so that the support part can support the work at the transfer position.

Machine Tools.

2. The main shaft moving mechanism has an additional stroke for moving the main shaft in the axial direction of the main shaft in order to machine a workpiece mounted on the main shaft, and the retraction stroke is a portion of the machining stroke. The machine tool according to claim 1, wherein the machine tool is defined on an extension line in an axial direction.

3. The main shaft moving mechanism is configured to move the main shaft in an axial direction of the main shaft in order to transfer the work between the support portion that supports the work at the transfer position and the work mounting portion. The machine tool according to claim 1, further comprising:

4. The machine tool according to claim 1, wherein the structure includes a tool post.

5. The construction machine according to claim 1, wherein the structure includes a guide bush.

6. The structure includes the guide bush so that the guide bush can be detached, and the machine tool includes both the state where the guide bush is installed on the structure and the state where the guide bush is detached from the structure. The machine tool according to claim 5, wherein the workpiece mounted on the spindle can be machined.

7. The machine tool according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece transfer device includes a rail that guides the support portion in a direction parallel to an axis of the main shaft.

8. The machine tool according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece transfer device includes a rail that guides the support portion in a direction intersecting an axis of the main shaft.

9. The machine tool according to claim 1, wherein the support portion can support the workpiece at a standby position linearly spaced from the transfer position in a direction intersecting the axis of the main shaft.

10. The machine tool according to claim 1, wherein the support portion has a plurality of chucks capable of gripping a workpiece supplied to the workpiece mounting portion and a workpiece recovered from the workpiece mounting portion, respectively. .

1 1. Machine tool,

A spindle having a workpiece mounting portion on which a workpiece is mounted;

A structure that is disposed close to the main shaft and that is detachably provided with a guide bush capable of centering and supporting the workpiece mounted on the workpiece mounting portion;

A moving mechanism capable of relatively moving the main shaft and the structure in a mutual approaching direction and a mutual separation direction;

A workpiece transfer device for delivering the workpiece to the workpiece mounting portion,

The workpiece transfer device is:

A support portion capable of releasably supporting the workpiece at a transfer position facing the workpiece mounting portion;

The moving mechanism includes the work mounting unit and the structure, A machine tool having a relative movement stroke between the main shaft and the structure for forming a space in which a support portion can support a workpiece at the transfer position.

12. The workpiece mounted on the spindle can be machined both in a state where the guide bush is installed on the structure and in a state where the guide bush is detached from the structure. Machine tools.

1 3. A machine tool comprising a spindle having a workpiece mounting portion on which a workpiece is mounted, and a structure arranged close to the spindle, and a workpiece transfer method for delivering the workpiece to the workpiece mounting portion. There,

Providing a workpiece transfer device having a support portion capable of releasably supporting a workpiece at a transfer position facing the workpiece mounting portion;

Moving the main shaft in a direction away from the structure, and forming a space between the work mounting part and the structure so that the support part can support the work at the transfer position;

A workpiece transfer method including: transferring a workpiece between the support portion and the workpiece mounting portion in the space formed between the workpiece mounting portion and the structure.

14. The machine tool has an additional stroke for moving the spindle in the axial direction of the spindle in order to machine a workpiece mounted on the spindle, and forming the space includes the machining stroke. The workpiece transfer method according to claim 12, further comprising: forming the space by moving the main shaft by a retreat stroke defined on an extension line extending in the axial direction.

15. A main shaft having a work mounting portion on which a work is mounted, and a structure that is disposed in the vicinity of the main shaft and that has a guide bush capable of centering and supporting the work mounted on the work mounting portion. A machine tool equipped with a A work transfer method,

Forming a space in which the support portion can support the workpiece at the transfer position between the workpiece mounting portion and the structure by relatively moving the main shaft and the structure in a mutually separating direction;