Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B23Q—DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING; MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT
  • B23Q39/00—Metal-working machines incorporating a plurality of sub-assemblies, each capable of performing a metal-working operation
  • B23Q39/02—Metal-working machines incorporating a plurality of sub-assemblies, each capable of performing a metal-working operation the sub-assemblies being capable of being brought to act at a single operating station
  • B23Q39/028—Metal-working machines incorporating a plurality of sub-assemblies, each capable of performing a metal-working operation the sub-assemblies being capable of being brought to act at a single operating station with a plurality of workholder per toolhead in operating position
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B23P—METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS
  • B23P23/00—Machines or arrangements of machines for performing specified combinations of different metal-working operations not covered by a single other subclass
  • B23P23/02—Machine tools for performing different machining operations
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B23B—TURNING; BORING
  • B23B39/00—General-purpose boring or drilling machines or devices; Sets of boring and/or drilling machines
  • B23B39/16—Drilling machines with a plurality of working-spindles; Drilling automatons
  • B23B39/18—Setting work or tool carrier along a straight index line
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B23P—METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS
  • B23P17/00—Metal-working operations, not covered by a single other subclass or another group in this subclass
  • B23P17/02—Single metal-working processes; Machines or apparatus therefor
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B23Q—DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING; MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT
  • B23Q39/00—Metal-working machines incorporating a plurality of sub-assemblies, each capable of performing a metal-working operation
  • B23Q39/02—Metal-working machines incorporating a plurality of sub-assemblies, each capable of performing a metal-working operation the sub-assemblies being capable of being brought to act at a single operating station
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B23Q—DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING; MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT
  • B23Q39/00—Metal-working machines incorporating a plurality of sub-assemblies, each capable of performing a metal-working operation
  • B23Q39/02—Metal-working machines incorporating a plurality of sub-assemblies, each capable of performing a metal-working operation the sub-assemblies being capable of being brought to act at a single operating station
  • B23Q39/021—Metal-working machines incorporating a plurality of sub-assemblies, each capable of performing a metal-working operation the sub-assemblies being capable of being brought to act at a single operating station with a plurality of toolheads per workholder, whereby the toolhead is a main spindle, a multispindle, a revolver or the like
  • B23Q39/022—Metal-working machines incorporating a plurality of sub-assemblies, each capable of performing a metal-working operation the sub-assemblies being capable of being brought to act at a single operating station with a plurality of toolheads per workholder, whereby the toolhead is a main spindle, a multispindle, a revolver or the like with same working direction of toolheads on same workholder
  • B23Q39/024—Metal-working machines incorporating a plurality of sub-assemblies, each capable of performing a metal-working operation the sub-assemblies being capable of being brought to act at a single operating station with a plurality of toolheads per workholder, whereby the toolhead is a main spindle, a multispindle, a revolver or the like with same working direction of toolheads on same workholder consecutive working of toolheads
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B23P—METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS
  • B23P2700/00—Indexing scheme relating to the articles being treated, e.g. manufactured, repaired, assembled, connected or other operations covered in the subgroups
  • B23P2700/04—Connecting rods
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B23P—METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS
  • B23P2700/00—Indexing scheme relating to the articles being treated, e.g. manufactured, repaired, assembled, connected or other operations covered in the subgroups
  • B23P2700/50—Other automobile vehicle parts, i.e. manufactured in assembly lines
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B23Q—DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING; MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT
  • B23Q39/00—Metal-working machines incorporating a plurality of sub-assemblies, each capable of performing a metal-working operation
  • B23Q2039/006—Machines with multi-spindles
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T29/00—Metal working
  • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
  • Y10T29/49229—Prime mover or fluid pump making
  • Y10T29/49288—Connecting rod making
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T29/00—Metal working
  • Y10T29/51—Plural diverse manufacturing apparatus including means for metal shaping or assembling
  • Y10T29/5104—Type of machine
  • Y10T29/5105—Drill press
  • Y10T29/5107—Drilling and other
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T409/00—Gear cutting, milling, or planing
  • Y10T409/30—Milling
  • Y10T409/30784—Milling including means to adustably position cutter
  • Y10T409/307952—Linear adjustment
  • Y10T409/308344—Plural cutters
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T409/00—Gear cutting, milling, or planing
  • Y10T409/30—Milling
  • Y10T409/30784—Milling including means to adustably position cutter
  • Y10T409/308568—Plural cutters

Definitions

• the invention relates to the field of machine tools.
• Machine tools are used to machine work pieces, such as metal work pieces, to provide them with the desired shape and configuration, for example, drilling or drilling holes in work pieces and / or machining edges to provide them with a desired shape. , for example, bevelled.
• machining a connecting rod to connect the piston to the crankshaft of an alternative piston engine involves several different operations that can be performed on a machine tool or sequentially on different machine tools, which may be different or that may have the same Basic design but be equipped with different tools, adapted to perform specific operations.
• the machining of this type of connecting rod can normally include several or all of the following phases:
• crankshaft hole boring at the end of the pin hole and crankshaft hole.
• Figures 1A-1D show how some of these operations can be carried out on a connecting rod blank 1000 using different tools 100, 101, 102, 103 that can be coupled to respective spindle heads to be operated by a spindle, for its rotational movement around, for example, a horizontal Z axis (not illustrated in Figure 1), in a conventional manner.
• Figure 1A shows the drilling of the pin hole with a first tool 100
• Figure IB shows the machining of sewing holes using a second tool 101
• Figure 1C shows the milling of a trapecial end of the blank using a third tool 102
• Figure ID shows the boring of the crankshaft hole using a fourth tool 103. All these phases can be carried out by a machine tool, in which the different tools are mounted simultaneously or sequentially. Obviously, it is also possible to carry out the different phases using different machine tools.
• Machines of this type are normally equipped with some type of tool carrier, in which the tools can be replaced depending on the task that the machine will perform at a given time or during a certain period.
• tool carrier in which the tools can be replaced depending on the task that the machine will perform at a given time or during a certain period.
• the term "tool” must be interpreted in a generic sense, and may, but does not have to, include an associated spindle head.
• Machine tools for machining operations such as drilling and milling, for example, by rotating a tool, for example, for forming and drilling connecting rods for reciprocating piston engines, they are well known in the art, and therefore it is not considered necessary to describe the operation of a tool clamping or drive mechanism. tools, since the person skilled in the art knows how to design this type of equipment and the appropriate devices are commercially available.
• Machine tools are usually numerically controlled and on machine tools with rotating tools, machining is performed by producing a controlled relative movement between the workpiece and the corresponding tool.
• machining is performed by producing a controlled relative movement between the workpiece and the corresponding tool.
• a machine with one or more fixed tools, and move one or more work pieces, such as a work piece or a blank from which a connecting rod is to be obtained, in relation to the fixed tool, for example, parallel to a horizontal Z axis (the Z axis can be the axis around which a tool rotates, or an axis parallel to that axis), parallel to an X axis which can be a horizontal axis perpendicular to the Z axis, and parallel to a Y axis that can be a vertical axis.
• US-B-7442154 discloses a machine tool comprising a frame in which the tools can be mounted on a tool carrier, which can be tool spindles. Different tools can be applied at different heights of the frame.
• a workpiece carrier is provided that can move a workpiece in three different orthogonal directions, that is, in a vertical "Y" direction and in two perpendicular horizontal directions, called "X and Z".
• the part carrier can also be rotated around the "Z" axis.
• WO-A-2008/089751 discloses a machine tool based on a reticular frame structure, in which the tools can be fixed.
• the machine tool includes a carrier of parts that can move along the X-Y-Z guides.
• the tool carriers are arranged in a cantilever, compare for example Figure 1 of US-B-7442154 and Figure 12 of WO-A-2008/089751. It is thought that, at least in some cases, this can be a problem, for example, when significant forces are exerted on the tool carrier, which can occur, for example, in the machining of connecting rods. Therefore, attention should be paid to the strength and rigidity of the parts carrier (including the structure for its guidance), that is, for example, the strength and stiffness of the ram-type shaft shown in WO-A-2008/089751.
• Document DE-A-10 2008 014 779 discloses a machine tool in which a tool carrier can move laterally between a position in which it is in front of a part carrier, and a position in which it can receive tools from A tool store.
• rotary transfer machine solutions are used: a plurality of part carriers are arranged in a rotating holder, and a corresponding number of tool carriers are arranged around the support, facing the respective part holder.
• the support rotates so that each part carrier is transferred from confronting with a tool holder to face the next tool holder, and the tools carried by these tool carriers are operated to carry out the different operations on the parts of work they are faced with.
• This arrangement can provide high productivity, but it has drawbacks in terms of ergonomics and flexibility. For example, when a new type of workpiece is to be machined, it is necessary to replace the entire group of parts carriers. Also, it can be difficult to access the tool carrier to replace the tools, since access can only be possible from the side, which can be a serious inconvenience from an ergonomic point of view. Therefore reconfiguring the machine tool for a new type of product can be complicated and time consuming.
• a first aspect of the invention relates to a machine tool, comprising:
• At least two piece carrier assemblies each comprising or consisting of, for example, a structurally stable, sturdy and / or rigid carriage
• each including a part carrier to support at least one work piece the part carrier assembly it can be, for example, a structure such as a metal structure arranged to provide sufficient stability and rigidity to substantially prevent unwanted movement of the workpiece holder and work pieces during machining;
• each workpiece carrier can be arranged to support a plurality of work pieces, for example, 4-8 work pieces);
• each part carrier assembly being supported on a respective one of said part carrier supports for horizontal movement in a first direction on said respective part carrier support, said first direction being parallel to a horizontal Z axis;
• At least one first tool holder configured to carry at least one tool for machining at least one workpiece by rotating said tool about an axis parallel to said Z axis (the tool holder can normally incorporate one or more spindles and heads of spindle arranged to rotate one or more tools);
• a tool carrier support said first tool carrier being supported on said tool carrier support for horizontal movement in a second direction on said tool carrier support, said second direction being parallel to a horizontal X axis, said X axis being perpendicular to said Z axis (i.e., for example, the piece-bearing assemblies with the part-bearing carriers may be considered movable forward and backward along the carrier holders of parts, while the tool carrier can be considered mobile in a lateral direction along the tool carrier holder);
• said first tool carrier can be moved on said tool carrier support in said second direction between at least one operative position in which said first tool carrier is faced with one of said part carrier assemblies (so that when the machine is in operation, one or more tools carried by said first tool carrier can interact with one or more work pieces carried by the respective workpiece holder, to machine the work pieces by moving the workpiece holder and / or the tool or tools), and at least one non-operative position in which said first tool carrier is not faced with a piece-bearing assembly (the term "between” should not be construed to imply that said at least one operational position and said at least one Non-operative position are necessarily end positions, but simply implies that the first ported r of tools can move from the non-operative position to the operative position, and vice versa; for example, in some embodiments of the invention, there may be at least two separate operative positions by at least one non-operative position, so that the tool carrier can move from an operative position until a non-operative position and then continue to the next operative position.
• the first tool carrier when the first tool carrier is not faced with a part carrier assembly but is basically laterally offset with respect to said part carrier assemblies, it is easy to replace tools also at the front end of the first tool carrier (that is, at the end facing the respective part carrier assembly when the first tool carrier is in the operative position). That is, an operator can access the tools from the front without having to enter or access the space between the piece carrier assembly and the tool carrier. Therefore, the arrangement provides ergonomics and flexibility.
• the fact that the tool carrier can move in the lateral direction also provides flexibility in production, since several tool carriers can be provided that can selectively be brought to the operational position, depending on the specific machining operations that They should be carried out.
• a tool carrier can interact sequentially with one of said part carrier assemblies and the other of said part carrier assemblies , so that the loading of one of said sets carrying parts with work pieces can be carried out, for example, while the tools of the tool holder are machining the work pieces loaded in the parts carrier of the other piece carrying assembly.
• different operations can be performed on the work pieces mounted on the different piece carrying assemblies, and the work pieces can be transferred from one of the piece carrying assemblies to another of said part carrying assemblies.
• One or more robots or manipulators can be provided for transferring work pieces from one of the piece bearing assemblies to the other, and / or for loading and unloading the work pieces on / of the piece carrying assemblies, for example, for downloading and then load one of said part carrier assemblies while the tools of a tool carrier are in operation on the work pieces in the other part carrier assembly. Therefore, productivity can be optimized. In addition, with an adequate number of tool carriers and part carrier assemblies, the risk of (or the consequences of) stops due to problems with a single tool carrier or part carrier assembly can be substantially reduced.
• the concept described above can be implemented in many different ways, depending on the specific needs of each potential user. The fact that both the tool carrier and the part-bearing assemblies can move on respective supports provides stability and rigidity.
• the first tool holder can additionally move between said operative position in which said first tool holder is faced with one of said part-bearing assemblies, and at least another operative position in which said first tool holder is faced with another of said sets carrying parts. That is, the same tool carrier can be used to operate sequentially on workpieces in two sets carrying different parts, and can be additionally moved to the non-operative position when, for example, one or more tools need to be replaced.
• the machine tool may further comprise a second tool carrier, said second tool carrier being configured to carry at least one tool for machining at least one workpiece by rotating said tool around an axis parallel to said Z axis, said support being supported second tool carrier in said tool carrier support for its horizontal movement in the second direction, between an operative position in which said second tool carrier is faced with one of said part carrier assemblies, and a non-operative position in the that said second tool carrier is not faced with said part carrier assembly.
• a second tool carrier said second tool carrier being configured to carry at least one tool for machining at least one workpiece by rotating said tool around an axis parallel to said Z axis, said support being supported second tool carrier in said tool carrier support for its horizontal movement in the second direction, between an operative position in which said second tool carrier is faced with one of said part carrier assemblies, and a non-operative position in the that said second tool carrier is not faced with said part carrier assembly.
• Position no Operational not only allows more flexibility and easy access for tool replacement, but the fact that there are two (or more) tool carriers implies that one of them can be used for machining, while in the other (the) (s) maintenance and / or replacement of tools can be carried out.
• the use of a plurality of tool carriers, such as two or more tool carriers provides the possibility of having a relatively large variety of tools ready for use (ie, mounted on their respective tool carrier), without need to have to arrange the tools in a wide area in the vertical direction.
• each tool carrier has, for example, N (for example, 2) rows of tools each comprising, for example, M (for example, 4) tools
• the first and second tool carriers together can hold 2xNxM (for example, 16) tools. Therefore, for example, at any given time the two (2) tool carriers together may have two (2) different groups of NxM tools, or four (4) different groups of NxM / 2 tools, distributed along of only N rows (for example, two (2) rows) in the vertical direction. That is, due to the lateral movement of the tool carriers, a wide variety of tools can be mounted "ready for use" in the different tool carriers, while keeping the tools within a relatively small dimension in the vertical direction.
• the parts carrier holders can extend to respective side parts of the tool holder support, and the tool holder support can further comprise central parts, whereby the non-operative position may correspond to said central parts, and in which The operating positions may correspond to the side parts.
• a group of tools can be replaced by another group of tools during machine operation. For example, after finishing a certain machining cycle, the tool carrier can move laterally to its non-operative position.
• the total length of the tool carrier support, when one or two tool carriers are used, can be limited to approximately three times the width of each tool carrier, to accommodate the two operating positions and the non-operative position.
• the part carrier holder and the tool carrier holder may, as a whole, have, for example, a U or F configuration, viewed from above.
• the parts carrier holders may extend to respective intermediate parts of the tool carrier holder, and the tool holder support may further comprise a part central and two lateral parts, said lateral parts being separated from said central part by said intermediate parts, whereby the operative positions may correspond to said intermediate parts, and in which the non-operative positions may correspond to the lateral parts and the part central.
• This can be provided to further improve flexibility; for example, if there are two tool carriers, each of them being able to interact with each of the piece carrier assemblies, moving the other tool carrier to the respective side or end of the tool holder holder, whenever necessary.
• the machine tool may further comprise at least a third part carrier assembly that includes a third part carrier to support at least one work piece, and at least a third part carrier support, said third part carrier assembly being supported on said third part carrier support for its horizontal movement in said first direction on said third part carrier support.
• a third piece carrier assembly can help to further improve productivity and flexibility.
• the parts carrier supports can extend towards two lateral parts and a central part of the tool holder support, respectively, and the tool holder support can further comprise two intermediate parts positioned between said central part and a respective one of said lateral parts , so that said lateral parts are separated from said central part by said intermediate parts, whereby at least some of the non-operative positions they correspond to said intermediate parts, and in which the operative positions correspond to the lateral parts and the central part.
• the machine tool may additionally comprise at least a third tool carrier that can move in said second direction, between at least one operating position and at least one non-operating position.
• the parts carrier supports and the tool holder support (or part thereof) can, together, have an E-configuration, viewed from above.
• the machine tool may comprise carrier supports for additional parts arranged along the tool carrier holder.
• all tools when mounted on the respective tool carrier, can be placed at a height not less than 0.7 m, preferably not less than 1.1 m, and not more than 1, 8 m, preferably not more than 1.5 m, on a floor or the like, said floor being the floor on which an operator walks when servicing the machine tool, for example, the replacement of the tools mounted on the tool carrier.
• the operator can manipulate the tools while adopting a comfortable and correct position from an ergonomic point of view, and without having to climb stairs or similar.
• the part carrier can be mounted on the respective part carrier assembly so that the part carrier can move in the vertical direction, that is, parallel to a vertical Y axis.
• the parts carrier supports and the tool holder support can be placed on a similar floor or support surface, and can be arranged to support the part carrier assembly and the tool carrier from below. Sometimes it may be preferred that none of the tool carriers or the parts carrier assembly hang from upper supports; the use of lower simple supports located on the floor may be preferred, for example, due to the simplicity of the installation.
• the parts carrier supports and the tool holder support may have a height not exceeding 1.1 m, preferably not exceeding 0.6 m. In this way, tool carriers can be relatively low, facilitating access to tools.
• the machine tool can be a machine tool for machining connecting rods for an alternative piston engine, preferably an alternative piston engine of a car or truck.
• Crank machining for an alternative piston engine such as a piston engine Alternative to an internal combustion engine of a car or truck, it is a task that involves certain specific considerations, and for which, traditionally, quite specific machines have been used.
• the machine tool of the present invention may imply advantages in terms of stability and stiffness, as explained above.
• Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for machining connecting rods for an alternative piston engine, such as an alternative piston engine of a car or truck.
• the method comprises subjecting a crank blank to a plurality of machining phases, in which at least one of said machining phases is carried out by a machine tool as described above.
• a plurality of said machining phases can be carried out by the same machine tool.
• the first tool carrier is changed from its operative position to its non-operative position, or from its non-operative position to its operative position. If there is a second tool carrier, this second tool carrier can be moved in a corresponding manner.
• tools mounted on the first tool carrier can be used for one or more of the machining phases
• tools mounted on the second tool carrier can be used for one or more additional machining phases.
• Figures 1A-1D schematically illustrate some operations that can be carried out when a connecting rod is machined from a crank blank, which involves the use of different tools.
• Figures 2A-2D are schematic views from above, illustrating possible different designs of a machine tool according to the invention.
• Figures 3-5 are schematic perspective views of a machine tool according to an embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a part carrier that can be used in an embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 2A schematically illustrates the design of the machine tool according to a first embodiment of the invention.
• the two part carrier holders 1 extend parallel to the respective ends of the tool carrier holder 2, in a "U" configuration.
• a piece carrier assembly 11 is mounted on each of said part carrier supports, for movement in the Z direction.
• the machine tool comprises a single tool carrier 21, which can be moved along the carrier holder of tools in the X direction, perpendicular to the Z direction. It can be seen how this tool holder can move between two operative positions A, in which the tool carrier is faced with a respective part carrier assembly (so that it can operate on the respective workpieces), and an intermediate non-operative position, in which an operator can easily replace the tools and carry out other maintenance tasks related to the tool holder.
• the tool carrier can be switched between the different operating positions, to operate on the work pieces in one of the workpiece carrying assemblies, while, for example, the unloading and / or loading of work pieces takes place in Another piece carrier set.
• Figure 2B illustrates an arrangement that differs from that of Figure 2A in that there is a second tool carrier 22.
• productivity can be improved since the machining of workpieces can take place simultaneously in the two carrier assemblies of pieces.
• Figure 2C illustrates an alternative arrangement in which the tool carrier holder 2 has been extended to provide non-operative positions B in the side or end portions as well as in a central part of the tool holder holder, and for operational positions.
• Figure 2D illustrates a further embodiment, with an "E" shaped design.
• Figure 2D can be modified by removing one of the assemblies 11 and supports 1 carrying parts, providing a "F" shaped design.
• the tool carrier support can be extended further, to provide additional non-operative positions at its ends. Carrier holders for additional parts may be added, whenever desired.
• FIG. 3-5 A possible embodiment of the invention is shown in more detail in Figures 3-5, according to the "U" design of Figure 2B.
• the machine tool comprises two piece carrier assemblies 11 in each of which a part carrier 12 is mounted, so that it can move parallel to a vertical Y axis, along the guides 13.
• This vertical movement of the carrier of parts along the guides 13 can be achieved with conventional means, such as by a servomotor drive system 20, which can be controlled by a computer 50 of the machine tool (illustrated schematically in Figure 5).
• the workpiece holder 12 can be placed at a desired height to receive workpieces from a delivery device (not illustrated), to provide machined workpieces, to place the workpieces at the correct height for their interaction with tools for machining, and for moving work pieces vertically during machining.
• Each piece carrying assembly 11 is a carriage designed to achieve stability and rigidity so that the work pieces can be kept in their exact position during the interaction with the tools.
• Each carriage is supported on a respective part carrier 1, which includes horizontal rails 14 (see Figure 4), which extend along or parallel to a horizontal Z axis.
• the piece or carriage carrying assembly is supported and guided by the guides for its horizontal movement in parallel to said Z axis.
• the machine tool includes drive systems 15, such as servo motor drive systems, for moving parts carrying sets 11 to along the guides 14, in a controlled manner, for example, controlled by the computer 50.
• the piece carrying assembly By means of its horizontal movement, the piece carrying assembly can be placed, for example, in a certain position for loading / unloading work pieces, being located in a position to start machining (by interacting the tools with the work pieces), and move horizontally during machining, to move the work pieces with respect to the tools
• each piece carrier assembly 11 or carriage rests on the part carrier holder
• This arrangement can therefore help to improve stability, rigidity and can also facilitate the installation of the machine tool, compared to installations with, for example, a cantilever ram-type shaft.
• the stiffness can be especially important when the work pieces are, for example, crank blanks, since the tolerances are reduced while the structural stiffness of the blank is often relatively low.
• the machine tool further includes two tool carriers 21 and 22, which are supported on a tool holder holder 2 that extends along, or in parallel with, a horizontal X axis, which is perpendicular to the Z axis.
• tool holder support 2 is disposed at one of the ends of the parts holder supports 1, which is located with the tool holder support 2 approximately at the respective ends of the tool holder support 2, whereby the Tool carrier support and the workpiece holder support together form a "U" design viewed from above.
• the tool carrier holder holder 2 is disposed at one of the ends of the parts holder supports 1, which is located with the tool holder support 2 approximately at the respective ends of the tool holder support 2, whereby the Tool carrier support and the workpiece holder support together form a "U" design viewed from above.
• the tool carrier holder holder is disposed at one of the ends of the parts holder supports 1, which is located with the tool holder support 2 approximately at the respective ends of the tool holder support 2, whereby the Tool carrier support and the workpiece
• the first tool holder 21 can be moved along the tool holder holder 2 between an operative position (in which it is faced with one of the piece holder assemblies 11 and in which the tools mounted on the tool holder can acting therefore on the workpiece blanks mounted on the workpiece holder 12), and a non-operative position, in which it is not faced with the workpiece carrying assembly, but is displaced laterally with respect to said assembly bearer of pieces.
• the first tool holder 21 is in the non-operative position. Therefore, in this position, an operator can manipulate the tools, for example, inspect or replace the tools 102 and 103 mounted on the first tool holder 21, without having to enter the space between the piece carrier assembly 11 and the tool carrier 21. Therefore, as illustrated in Figures 3-5, the manipulation of the tools is simple. It can be seen how the first tool holder 21, when in the non-operative position, is in the central part of the tool holder holder 2.
• the second tool carrier 22 can be moved between an operative position, in which it is faced with one of the piece bearing assemblies 11, and a non-operative position, displaced laterally with respect to said operative position.
• the second tool holder 22 is in the operative position (on the side or end of the tool holder holder 2).
• the tool carriers 21 and 22 are designed to achieve stability and rigidity, and are stably supported on the tool holder holder 2.
• the lateral displacement of the tool carriers 20, 21 parallel to the X axis not only serves, selectively, to bring or remove the tool carriers from the operative position, but also serves to place the tool carriers (and tools) in the correct position (along the X axis) to start the machining, and to move the tool carriers (and therefore the tools) along the X axis during machining.
• the movement of the tool carrier and the part carrier in the "X", "Y” and “Z” directions can be simultaneous. Simultaneous movement along more than one axis during machining can be useful for performing certain operations.
• Each tool carrier has, at one front end thereof, a plurality of rows of tools, for example two (2) rows of tools, each row comprising a plurality of tools, such as four (4) tools.
• a tool holder 21 may have a row of tools with a first type of tool 103, and a row of tools with a second type of tool 102, while the other tool holder 22 may have a row of tools with a third type of tool 100, and a second row of tools with a fourth type of tool 101.
• each row of tools may comprise four (4) tools of the same type.
• the part carrier may be arranged to support four (4) blank pieces of work piece 1000. Therefore, in this embodiment, sixteen tools of four different types are provided.
• the lower row of tools in the tool carriers can be arranged at a height not less than 0.7 m, such as not lower 1.1 m, and not exceeding 1.8 m, such as not exceeding 1.5 m, on the ground or the surface on which the operator will be when handling the tools.
• the tools can be handled in favorable conditions from the ergonomic point of view: the height at which the tools are placed makes the handling comfortable, and as the tool holders are laterally offset with respect to the part holder 12 and the piece carrier assembly 11 when the operator You are going to manipulate the tools, the part carrier 12 or the part carrier assembly 11 does not bother the operator.
• all guides can be maintained at less than 1.1 m, 0.8 m, 0.7 m, 0.6 m or 0.5 m.
• both the part-bearing assemblies and the tool-carriers are operated along and above stable and fixed supports. All tools can set at a height at which operators can handle them in satisfactory conditions from an ergonomic point of view.
• the tools can be driven by a spindle motor 18, for example, through multiple spindle heads. This is somewhat conventional in the art and therefore, these drive mechanisms do not have to be discussed herein. Any suitable conventional or unconventional type of drive mechanism can be used.
• the tool carriers can also be provided with cooling means, for example, of nozzles for expelling a cooling fluid or liquid to cool the tools and / or the blank during operation.
• the tools can be arranged to rotate about an axis parallel to the Z axis.
• FIG. 6 only illustrates an example of a possible design of a part carrier, with locking elements 19 pivotally arranged, operated hydraulically or pneumatically to lock the work pieces 1000 in the correct position for machining.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• Automatic Tool Replacement In Machine Tools (AREA)
• Machine Tool Units (AREA)
• Accessories And Tools For Shearing Machines (AREA)
• Cutting Tools, Boring Holders, And Turrets (AREA)
• Feeding Of Workpieces (AREA)
• Turning (AREA)

Priority Applications (12)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=47178749

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (12)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (6)

Citations (6)

Family Cites Families (20)

• 2012
  • 2012-08-06 EP EP12787035.0A patent/EP2881220B1/en active Active
  • 2012-08-06 SI SI201231699T patent/SI2881220T1/sl unknown
  • 2012-08-06 MX MX2015001753A patent/MX359220B/es active IP Right Grant
  • 2012-08-06 IN IN969DEN2015 patent/IN2015DN00969A/en unknown
  • 2012-08-06 WO PCT/ES2012/070609 patent/WO2014023855A1/es not_active Ceased
  • 2012-08-06 ES ES12787035T patent/ES2758034T3/es active Active
  • 2012-08-06 CA CA2882087A patent/CA2882087C/en active Active
  • 2012-08-06 CN CN201280075173.9A patent/CN104582898B/zh active Active
  • 2012-08-06 KR KR1020157005868A patent/KR101984933B1/ko active Active
  • 2012-08-06 US US14/419,639 patent/US10668589B2/en active Active
  • 2012-08-06 BR BR112015002676-1A patent/BR112015002676B1/pt active IP Right Grant
  • 2012-08-06 RU RU2015103841A patent/RU2611230C2/ru active

Patent Citations (6)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events