WO2011013944A2

WO2011013944A2 - Automatic tool changer for a machining center

Info

Publication number: WO2011013944A2
Application number: PCT/KR2010/004808
Authority: WO
Inventors: 김성철
Original assignee: Kim Sung-Chul
Priority date: 2009-07-31
Filing date: 2010-07-22
Publication date: 2011-02-03
Also published as: KR20090089830A; WO2011013944A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic tool changer for a machining center, in which magazines stand upright on both sides of a table, respectively, such that the magazines operate by means of a cylinder along an X-axis rail formed on an upper surface of a base. The magazines wait at a position spaced apart from the table while a workpiece is being processed, and move horizontally to the center above the table when a spindle rises to change a tool, thereby enabling the tool to be changed in an easy and quick manner.

Description

Automatic Tool Changer in Machining Center

The present invention relates to an automatic tool changer of a machining center, and in more detail, magazines installed on both sides of the table are configured to be operated by a cylinder along an X-axis rail formed on the upper surface of the base, and the workpiece is machined. The automatic tool changer that waits at a position away from the table when the spindle rises and moves horizontally to the upper center of the table when the tool is changed to make the tool change easier and faster.

In general, the machining center consists of an automatic tool changer (ATC) and an NC unit that automatically changes the body and multiple tools to suit cutting conditions. Multi-processing is possible, so it is mainly used for the automation of processing of small quantity parts of various kinds.

Background Art In machine tools such as conventional machining centers, it is already known in various forms to continuously process a workpiece while exchanging a tool stored in a magazine according to a machining program.

In the case of a spindle-type machining center in which the main axis of the machining center moves only in the vertical direction and does not move in the horizontal direction, a disc-shaped magazine is mainly used. The size and shape of the tool storage groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the disc are different. It is configured to receive various tools such as tabs, drills and reamers.

When the tool change timing was performed in the machining center configured as above, the tool was automatically replaced by using a complicated cam system, a pneumatic system or a servomotor.

In the conventional automatic tool changer as described above, the disc-shaped magazine has to be reversed and rotated several times before replacing the tool, which takes a great deal of tool change time and reduces the overall processing efficiency due to the delay of tool replacement. There was a problem, and when the spindle is multi-axis or more than two axes, there was a problem that the conventional automatic tool changer can not be used.

In addition, in order to index the tool to be replaced, a device such as a servo motor that can be precisely controlled and a power to drive the same are necessary, which leads to a problem that the product cost of the automatic tool changer is increased. If it is not controlled, not only the defective product occurs, but also the closure frequently occurs.

The present invention in view of the above problems, the present invention consists of a large bar, the main body 11 and the base 12 and the main shaft 13, the machining center 10; Transfer means (20) coupled to both ends of the cylinder (21) so as to move horizontally by the cylinder (21) along the X-axis rail (12a) formed on the upper surface of the base (12); A vertical member 30 installed on the upper surface of the transfer means 20 and horizontally moved along the X-axis rail 12a as the cylinder 21 contracts and relaxes; It is installed in the form facing each other on the upper portion of the vertical member 30, the tool storage groove 41 in which the tool 1 is built is composed of a magazine 40 arranged in one or more rows, replacing the tool (1) In order for the main shaft 13 to complete the movement in the Z-axis direction, the cylinder 21 is contracted to move the magazine 40 in the X-axis direction, the magazine 40 moves in the XY-axis direction, the tool (1) ), And after the replacement of the tool 1 is completed, the cylinder 21 is relaxed to move the magazine 40 to a position spaced apart from the table 14, and then the main shaft 13 moves in the Z-axis direction. It has an approximate configuration that allows it to be moved and subsequently processed.

The present invention configured as described above, when the time to replace the tool, the two transport means installed on both sides of the table is moved horizontally to the upper center of the table by a cylinder, the magazine is coupled to one magazine form at the top of the table The tool replacement can be performed in a short time by combining the next tool, and the device is very simple and reliable.

In addition, it can be used not only for 1-axis spindles, but also for machining centers equipped with two or more multi-axis spindles. In particular, for 2-axis spindles, the same type of tools can be installed to improve the productivity. In addition, the low speed tool is mounted on one spindle and the finishing tool is mounted on the other spindle to perform roughing and finishing of the workpiece simultaneously.

1 is a side view of the present invention

2 and 3 is a front view of the operating state of the present invention

4 and 5 is a plan view of the operating state of the present invention

Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the main part of the present invention magazine

[Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings]

1: Tool 1a: Groove

10 machining center 11 body

12: base 12a: X axis rail

13: spindle 14: table

20: transfer means 21: cylinder

22: set foot 30: vertical member

40: magazine 41: tool storage groove

42a: fastener 42b: housing

42c: sliding port 42d: spring

The present invention relates to an automatic tool changer of a machining center, wherein magazines installed on both sides of a table are configured to be operated by a cylinder along an X-axis rail formed on an upper surface of a base, and spaced apart from the table when a workpiece is processed. When waiting for the position and the spindle is raised to replace the tool, it is characterized by the horizontal movement to the upper center of the table so that the tool can be replaced easily and quickly.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a side view of the present invention, Figures 2 and 3 show a front view of the operating state of the present invention, Figures 4 and 5 show a plan view of the operating state of the present invention, Figure 6 is a magazine of the present invention As shown in the enlarged view, as shown, the automatic tool changer (ATC) installed on the base 12 of the machining center 10 includes a conveying means 20 moving along the X-axis rail 12a, The vertical member 30 is inserted into the upper portion, the magazine 40 is integrally coupled to the upper end of the vertical member 30, the automatic tool changer installed on the upper portion of the base 12, the cylinder 21 is relaxed It is configured to move toward the center of the table 14 on both sides spaced apart from the table 14 as it contracts.

First, referring to the configuration of the machining center 10, the main shaft 13, which is generally widely used, is a fixed machining center 10 of the main shaft 13 moving only in the Z-axis direction, and the main body 11 of the machining center 10 It consists of the base 12 provided in the bottom, the table 14 conveyed along the X-axis rail 12a in the upper part of the base 12, the main shaft 13 provided in the main body 11, etc.

On the other hand, the automatic tool changer (ATC) installed on both sides of the upper portion of the base 12 to automatically change the tool is configured to move along the X-axis rail 12a and the vertical means (20) 30) and magazine (40).

Looking at the configuration of the transfer means 20, in the form of a plate each one installed on both sides of the table 14, a seating foot 22 is formed at the lower end of the transfer means 20 to form the X-axis rail (12a) Therefore, it is configured to be able to slide.

And the conveying means 20 are connected to each other by the cylinder 21, one end of the cylinder 21 is coupled to the right conveying means 20, the other side of the cylinder 21 to the left conveying means 20, respectively When the cylinder 21 is coupled and contracted and relaxed by pneumatic pressure, the two transfer means 20 simultaneously move in the horizontal direction.

In other words, when the cylinder 21 is contracted by pneumatic pressure, the left and right transfer means 20 moves horizontally toward the table 14 to operate in contact with the table 14, and the cylinder 21 is relaxed. When the left and right transfer means 20 is spaced apart from the table 14 to the end of the X-axis rail (12a).

On the other hand, looking at the configuration of the vertical member 30, the bar is installed on the upper portion of the conveying means 20, when viewed from the front, the cross-sectional form of the vertical member 30 is installed on the upper portion of the left conveying means 20 Is in the form of '┏', the cross-sectional shape of the vertical member 30 is installed in the upper portion of the right transfer means 20 in the form of '┓' the upper portion of the table 14 in accordance with the operation of the transfer means 20 In the combined operation will be separated from the operation.

Finally, when looking at the configuration of the magazine 40 is installed on the top of the vertical member 30, it is composed of a semi-elliptic metal structure when viewed in plan, the inner and outer circumferential section of the tool storage groove 41 It has a continuously installed configuration.

Looking at the configuration of the magazine 40 in detail, when viewed from the front, the form of the magazine 40 installed on the top of the left vertical member 30 is in the form of '⊂', installed on top of the right vertical member 30 The magazine 40 is in the form of '⊃' in accordance with the operation of the conveying means 20 is coupled to the elliptical shape on the upper surface of the table 14 to be separated into a semi-elliptic form.

As such, the magazine 40 waits in the form of half separated, and when the tool change time comes, it moves quickly in the horizontal direction and operates in the form of one magazine 40, which not only significantly reduces the tool replacement time but also provides high reliability. There is a characteristic.

The inner and outer circumferences of the magazine 40 are arranged in a series of semi-circular groove-shaped tool storage grooves 41, and both sides of the tool storage grooves 41 are provided with binding holes 42a. It is embedded in the form of the cone-shaped sliding port 42c corresponding to each other at both ends of the housing 42b of the cylindrical shape, the rear of the sliding port 42c is embedded in the form facing each other, A spring 42d is inserted rearward so that the sliding port 42c can slide left and right by the spring 42d.

Due to the configuration as described above, when the tool 1 enters the tool storage groove 41 to store the tool 1, the sliding holes (2a) of the binding holes 42a provided on both sides of the tool storage groove 41 42c is retracted to be in contact with the recess 1a of the tool 1, and when the tool 1 is completely mounted in the tool storage groove 41 by the fastener 42a, it is caused by the elastic force of the spring 42d. A sliding force 42c is continuously generated, and the tool 1 is configured to be stably mounted on the tool storage groove 41.

In the present invention, the shape of the magazine 40 is described as a semi-elliptical shape, but not only the semi-elliptical shape, but also the rectangular shape or the tool storage groove 41 according to the number and working environment of the tool 1 to be replaced. Even if the magazine 40 of the form arranged in the form can be sufficiently modified, such modifications can be sufficiently modified by those skilled in the art within the technical idea of the present invention is obviously falling within the scope of the present invention. would.

Looking at the assembly and installation process of the present invention configured as described above, first install the machining center 10 consisting of the main body 11 and the base 12, the table 14 and the main shaft 13, and then the machining center An automatic tool changer (ATC) is installed on the X-axis rail 12a formed on the base 12 of (10).

Looking at the assembly and installation of the automatic tool changer (ATC) in detail, first, the cylinder 21 is installed on the upper surface of the base 12, the transfer means 20 is installed on both sides of the cylinder 21, the X It is installed to move along the shaft rail (12a), and the vertical member 30 to the upper surface of the conveying means 20 to enter.

The magazine 40 is installed at the uppermost end of the vertical member 30, and the magazine 40 has a plurality of tool storage grooves 41, and sliding holes 42c are provided at both sides of the tool storage groove 41. The installation and installation process of the present invention is completed by installing the provided binding port 42a.

Looking at the operating process of the present invention installed as described above, first, after mounting the workpiece on the top of the table 14, it is configured to process the workpiece through the tool (1).

When the tool 1 is replaced during machining of the workpiece, the spindle rises to the height of the magazine 40. At the same time, the automatic tool changer moves horizontally to replace the tool 1. To help.

In other words, when the spindle is in the process of machining the workpiece and it is time to change the tool 1, the spindle rises at that position and the automatic tool changer moves horizontally to the point where the spindle is located and its XYZ The tool 1 is moved by moving the shaft, and the replacement speed of the tool 1 is quickly made by transferring its XYZ axis to a new tool position.

In the replacement process of the tool 1, the tool 1 to be replaced is first returned to the empty tool storage groove 41 of the automatic tool changer (ATC), and then the tool 1 to be mounted is placed on the spindle. When the tool 1 is replaced, the automatic tool changer is horizontally moved again to the standby position, and the spindle is lowered to continue the work.

By repeating the above process, the tool 1 is automatically replaced, so that the machining operation proceeds quickly.

The present invention is applicable not only to a single spindle, but also to a machining center equipped with two or more multi-axis spindles. In particular, in the case of a two-axis spindle, the same kind of tools can be mounted to increase productivity by processing a workpiece. In addition, a low speed tool is mounted on one spindle and a finishing tool is mounted on the other spindle to simultaneously perform roughing and finishing of a workpiece. Such modifications are also sufficiently modified by those skilled in the art within the technical spirit of the present invention. Since it is possible to implement, it will be obvious that it falls within the scope of the present invention.

According to the present invention, when the automatic tool changer of the machining center replaces a tool, two conveying means installed on both sides of the table move horizontally to the upper center of the table by a cylinder. The tool can be replaced within a short time by combining the magazine in the form of a tool. In addition, the configuration of the device is very simple and highly reliable. It can also be used for machining centers that are equipped, especially in the case of two-axis spindles, where the same kind of tools can be used to improve the productivity.In addition, one spindle is equipped with low speed tools and the other spindle is finished. Tools for roughing and finishing at the same time There is an advantage that can be performed such that it corresponds to an industrially useful invention.

Claims

In the automatic tool changer of the machining center,

A machining center 10 composed of a main body 11, a base 12, a main shaft 13, and a table 14;

Transfer means (20) coupled to both ends of the cylinder (21) so as to move horizontally by the cylinder (21) along the X-axis rail (12a) formed on the upper surface of the base (12);

A vertical member 30 installed on the upper surface of the transfer means 20 and horizontally moved along the X-axis rail 12a as the cylinder 21 contracts and relaxes;

It is installed in a form facing each other on the upper portion of the vertical member 30, the tool storage groove 41 is built in the tool 40 is composed of a magazine 40 arranged in one or more rows,

When the main shaft 13 completes the movement in the Z-axis direction to replace the tool 1, the cylinder 21 contracts to move the magazine 40 in the X-axis direction, and then the magazine 40 in the XY-axis direction. ), The tool 1 is replaced with the movement of the tool. After the replacement of the tool 1 is completed, the cylinder 21 is relaxed to move the magazine 40 to a position spaced apart from the table 14, and then the main shaft 13 ) Is moved in the Z-axis direction so that subsequent machining is carried out.
The method of claim 1,

The conveying means 20 is in the form of a plate that is installed on each side of the table 14 one by one, the lower end of the conveying means 20 is formed with a seating foot 22 can slide along the X-axis rail (12a) Each of the conveying means 20 is connected and coupled by the cylinder 21 so that the two conveying means 20 simultaneously move in the horizontal direction when the cylinder 21 is contracted and relaxed by pneumatic pressure. Automatic tool changer of the machining center, characterized in that.
The method of claim 1,

The vertical member 30 is installed on the upper portion of the conveying means 20, respectively, when viewed from the front, the cross-sectional shape of the vertical member 30 installed on the upper portion of the left conveying means 20 is the form of '┏' , The cross-sectional shape of the vertical member 30 is installed in the upper portion of the right conveying means 20 in the form of '┓' is integrally coupled at the top of the table 14 according to the operation of the conveying means 20 and then separated Automatic tool changer of the machining center, characterized in that the operation in the form.
The method of claim 1,

Magazine 40 is viewed from the front, the shape of the magazine 40 is installed on the upper left of the vertical member 30 is a ',' form, the magazine 40 is installed on the upper right of the vertical member 30 Is in the form of '⊃' in accordance with the operation of the conveying means 20 in accordance with the operation of the automatic tool of the machining center, characterized in that coupled to the elliptical shape in the form of a semi-ellipse is separated from the top surface of the table (14) Exchange device.