WO2018172952A1

WO2018172952A1 - Machining apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2018172952A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/051895
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew John BECKER
Original assignee: Cambridge Dynamics Limited
Priority date: 2017-03-22
Filing date: 2018-03-21
Publication date: 2018-09-27
Also published as: WO2018172952A4

Abstract

The present invention relates to a machining apparatus (10) including: (i) a frame (12); (ii) a carousel (14) on which a plurality of workpieces may be mounted; (ii) first and second series of tools (44, 48) flanking the carousel (14) for machining opposite regions of the workpieces, respectively; and (iii) means for rotating the carousel (14) on the one hand relative to the first and second series of tools (44, 48) on the other hand for sequentially aligning the workpieces with the tools in the first and second series of tools (44, 48). Such that, in use: (i) a first region of an object secured to a workpiece holder (34, 36) may be sequentially worked on by the first series of tools (44); and simultaneously (ii) a second region of such object, which second region is spaced along such object from the first region, may be sequentially worked on by the second series of tools (48).

Description

MACHINING APPARATUS

BACKGOUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a machining apparatus including: (i) a carousel on which a plurality of workpieces may be mounted; (ii) first and second series of tools flanking the carousel for machining opposite regions of the workpieces, respectively; and (iii) means for rotating the carousel on the one hand relative to the first and second series of tools on the other hand for sequentially aligning the workpieces with the tools in the first and second series of tools.

Various types of machining apparatus are known. For example: CN101823157 describes: (i) a frame; (ii) a mount for mounting a workpiece to the frame; and (iii) a single tool at each axial end of the mount for working on opposite regions of the workpiece simultaneously.

A drawback of this arrangement is that opposite regions of the workpiece may be worked on by a single tool only.

The METRA™ CNX series multispindle automatic lathe includes: (i) a frame; (ii) a carousel for mounting workpieces thereon, the carousel being rotatably mounted to the frame; and (iii) one set of tools mounted to the frame at one axial end of the carousel, wherein the carousel rotates workpieces relative to the set of tools to enable each tool within the set of tools to work on a first region of the workpiece.

A drawback of this arrangement is that, since only one set of tools is mounted at one axial end of the carousel, the workpiece may be worked on on one side only. US2,438,508 "Multiple spindle chucking machine" describes a machining apparatus including: (i) a frame; (ii) carousel for mounting workpieces thereon, the carousel being rotatably mounted to the frame; and (ii) a set of tools rotatably mounted to the frame at each axial end of the carousel, wherein the carousel and sets of tools rotatate during operation of the machining apparatus to enable a tool from the first set of tools to work on a first region of the workpiece and a tool from the second set of tools to work on a second region of the workpiece (opposite the first region) during rotation of the carousel.

A drawback of this arrangement is that, since the sets of tools rotate with the carousel, a workpiece is only worked on by a single tool within each set of tools.

It is an object of this invention to provide a set of tools at each axial end of a carousel, which sets of tools are rotatable relative to the carousel to enable opposing regions of the workpieces to be worked on by each tool within each set of tools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a machining apparatus including: a frame at least two first tools secured to the frame; at least two second tools secured to the frame; a carousel disposed between the first tools on the one hand and the second tools on the other hand, the carousel being secured to the frame such that the carousel is rotatable relative to the first and second tools about an axis of rotation; at least two workpiece holders on the carousel, which workpiece holders are angularly displaced from each other about the axis of rotation; and means for rotating the carousel on the one hand relative to the first and second tools on the other hand by a predetermined angular displacement; wherein:

(i) the first tools are spaced from the second tools along an axis parallel to the axis of rotation;

(ii) at least two adjacent first tools are angularly displaced from each other about the axis of rotation by the predetermined angular displacement; and

(iii) at least two adjacent second tools are angularly displaced from each other about the axis of the rotation by the predetermined angular displacement, such that, in use: a. a first region of an object secured to a workpiece holder may be worked on by one of the first tools, whereafter relative rotation of the carousel by the predetermined angular displacement enables the first region of such object to be worked on by another of the first tools; and b. a second region of such object, which second region is spaced along such object from the first region, may be worked on by one of the second tools, whereafter relative rotation of the carousel by the predetermined angular displacement enables such second region to be worked on by another of the second tools.

In a preferred embodiment, each first tool is aligned with one of the second tools along a line parallel to the axis of rotation thereby to enable a pair of aligned first and second tools to, operatively, work on the first and second regions of an object secured to one of the workpiece holders simultaneously, whereafter relative rotation of the carousel by the predetermined angular displacement enables another pair of aligned first and second tools to work on the first and second regions of such object simultaneously.

It is preferred that: (i) the number of workpiece holders associated with the carousel is equal to the number of first tools and second tools, respectively, secured to the frame; and (ii) the angula displacement separating adjacent workpiece holders about the axis of rotation on the one hand is equal to the angular displacement separating consecutive first tools about the axis of rotation, and the angular displacement separating consecutive second tools about the axis of rotation on the other hand.

The carousel rotating means preferably comprises: a means for driving rotation of the carousel relative to the first and second tools; and a means for indexing angular displacement of the carousel relative to the first and second tools, thereby to ensure that the relative angular displacement is equal to the predetermined angular displacement.

Optionally, the indexing means comprises: a first indexer for regulating the relative rotation between the carousel and the first tools; and a second indexer for regulating the relative rotation between the carousel and the second tools.

Typically, each indexer comprises a worm gear and a Hirth coupler.

In an optional embodiment: (i) the first tools are secured to a first tool frame; (ii) the second tools are secured to a second tool frame; and (iii) the first and second tool frames are movable relative to one another along an axis parallel to the axis of rotation.

Preferably, each workpiece holder comprises first and second engagement members, wherein in respect of each pair of engagement members: a. the first and second engagement members are spaced from one another along a workpiece axis parallel to the axis of rotation, such that: (i) the first engagement member is adapted to secure a workpiece to the carousel at a location nearer the first axial end of the workpiece; and (ii) the second engagement member is adapted to secure the same workpiece to the carousel at a location nearer the second axial end of the workpiece; b. each of the first and second engagement members are displaceable relative to one another along the workpiece holder axis; c. each of the first and second engagement members includes a pair of jaws; and d. each of the pairs of jaws is movable between: (i) a released condition, wherein a workpiece may be received between or removed from the jaws; and (ii) an engaged condition wherein the jaws grip the workpiece received therebetween, thereby to immobilize the workpiece relative to the carousel.

Generally, a hydraulic system, a pneumatic system, or a mechanical system is used to actuate the jaws between the released and engaged conditions.

Typically, each of the first and second tools are movable relative to the frame along at least an axis parallel to the axis of rotation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a machining apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a carousel for use in the machining apparatus of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3A is a perspective view of a first tool frame for use in the machining apparatus of

Figure 1 ;

Figure 3B is a perspective view of a second tool frame for use in the machining apparatus of

Figure 1 ; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the machining apparatus of Figure 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A machining apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is designated generally in Figure 1 by reference numeral 10. The machining apparatus 10 comprises a frame 12, a carousel 14, and sets of first and second tools 44, 48.

The frame 12 serves as the support structure for the machining apparatus 10 and comprises a plurality of modular frame sections 20, dimensioned according to the intended use of the machining apparatus 10. The frame 12 includes a first tool frame 16, for supporting first tools 44, and a second tool frame 18, for supporting the second tools 48, which first and second tool frames 16, 18 are spaced from one another to enable mounting of the carousel 14 therebetween.

With reference to Figure 2, the carousel 14 comprises a longitudinal support structure defining first and second axial ends 26, 28. The first axial end 26 of the carousel 14 is connected to the frame 12 by a shaft 24, while the second axial end 28 of the carousel 14 is connected to the frame 12 by a journaled stub shaft 30. The carousel 14 is rotatable relative to the frame 12 about an axis of rotation A-A. A motor 22 is also included to rotate the carousel 14 relative to the frame 12 about the axis of rotation A-A. The carousel 14 further comprises a plurality of workpiece holder mounts 32 in the form of rails angularly displaced from one another about the axis of rotation A-A. To each of the workpiece holder mounts 32 is secured first and second workpiece holders 34, 36, each first and second workpiece holder 34, 36 is in the form of a clamp. In respect of each pair of first and second workpiece holders 34, 36, the first and second workpiece holders 34, 36 are: (i) displaceable relative to one another; and

(ii) movable along the corresponding workpiece holder mount 32, thereby to enable displacement of each of the first and second workpiece holders 34, 36 along an axis parallel to the axis or rotation A-A. Each pair of first and second workpiece holders 34, 36 are configured to jointly secure a workpiece 38 to be machined to the carousel 14. Each of the first and second workpiece holders 34, 36 includes a pair of jaws that are movable between a released and an engaged condition. In the released condition, each pair of jaws defines a gape therebetween, which gape is greater in cross-sectional dimension than the cross-sectional dimension of a workpiece 38 in a region where the workpiece 38 is to be clamped, thereby to enable such workpiece 38 to be received between or removed from the pair of jaws. With a workpiece 38 located within the gapes defined by the pairs of jaws of a pair of workpiece holders 34, 36, the pairs of jaws are moved toward one another by hydraulic actuators 40 acting thereon, thereby to clamp such workpiece 38 within the pairs of jaws and secure the workpiece 38 to the carousel 14. It will be appreciated that the hydraulic actuators may equally take the form of pneumatic, electro-mechanical or similar actuators.

The set of first tools 44 is secured to the first tool frame 16, as best seen in Figure 3A. The first tool frame 16 comprises a plurality of first tool mounts 42 in the form of rails, angularly displaced from one another about the axis of rotation A-A. To each of the first tool mounts 42 is secured a first tool 44, which first tool 44 is displaceable relative to the first tool frame 16 along such first tool mount 42 and along an axis parallel to the axis of rotation A-A. The set of second tools 48 is secured to the second tool frame 18, as best seen in Figure 3B. The second tool frame 18, similarly comprises a plurality of second tool mounts 46, to which second tools 48 are secured. Each of the second tools 48 are displaceable relative to the second tool frame 18 along the second tool mounts 46 and along an axis parallel to the axis of rotation A-A.

As best seen in Figure 1 , the first tool frame 16 is located near the first axial end 26 of the carousel 14, thereby to enable the first tools 44 to perform work on a first region of a workpiece 38. The second tool frame 18 is located near the second axial end 28 of the carousel 14, thereby to enable the second tools 48 to perform work on a second region of a workpiece 38. The first and second tool frames 16, 18 are arranged with each of the first tools 44 aligned with a corresponding second tool 48, such that the first and second tools 44, 48 are able simultaneously to perform work on opposing regions of workpieces 38 secured to the carousel 14. One of the pairs of aligned first and second tool mounts 42, 46 is in the region where the workpieces 38 is loaded onto or unloaded from the carousel 14, accordingly, no tools are typically secured to this pair of first and second tool mounts 42, 46. This region is also referred to as the loading station F'.

Rotation of the carousel 14 by the motor 22 about the axis of rotation A-A causes relative rotation between the carousel 14 on the one hand, and the first and second tools 44, 48 on the other hand. Further, incremental rotation of the carousel 14 enables each of the workpieces 38 mounted to the carousel 14 to be aligned with each pair of first and second tools 44, 48 sequentially. It will be appreciated that each of the first and second tools 44, 48 may equally include components to enable additional degrees of freedom of movement of the first and second tools 44, 48 relative to their respective tool frames 16, 18. Further, the tools can be selected from a group of tools that perform any work including subtractive operations, bending, welding, broaching, assembly operations, additive manufacturing, quality inspection or surface treatment.

The machining apparatus 10 further comprises a controller (not shown) and a means for indexing (not shown) the position of the carousel 14 relative to the first and second tool 44, 48. The indexing means is preferably in the form of a worm gear and a Hirth coupler associated with the carousel 14, thereby accurately to determine and control the orientation of the carousel 14 relative to the first and second tools 44, 48. The controller is in electronic communication with: the motor 22; each of the first and second tools 44, 48; each of the first and second workpiece holders 34, 36; the hydraulic actuators 40; and the indexing means, such that the controller may control the actions of each of the components individually. In applications where the workpieces 38 are relatively massive, a second motor (not shown) may be included to drive the journaled stub shaft 30. Further, a second indexing means may be added to improve accuracy. The frame 12 may additionally include a means for adjusting the position of the first tool frame 16 relative to the second tool frame 18 along an axis parallel to the axis of rotation A-A, thereby enabling mounting of a carousel 14 with a different longitudinal length. Operation of the machining apparatus 10 will now be described with reference to Figure 4, wherein each pair of aligned first and second tools 44, 48 defines first to fifth working stations A', B', C, D', E' (illustrated in Figure 5 as shaded regions) therebetween. As previously described, the pair of first and second tool mounts 42, 46 without tools secured thereto defines the loading station F' therebetween. A completed workpiece 38 may be unloaded from the carousel 14 in the loading station F', by actuating each of the first and second workpiece holders 34, 36 located within the loading station F' into the released condition. Thereafter, such first and second workpiece holders 34, 36 are displaced along their workpiece holder mount 32 into a suitable position for engaging a new workpiece 38, which is loaded onto the carousel 14 by inserting such new workpiece 38 into the gapes defined by the pairs of jaws of the first and second workpiece holders 34, 36. With the new workpiece 38 located within such gapes, the pairs of jaws of the first and second workpiece holders 34, 36 are actuated into the engaged condition to secure the new workpiece 38 to the carousel 14. The loading station F' can optionally also include a pair of first and second tools 44, 48 for performing work on a workpiece 38, after such workpiece 38 has been loaded, or before such workpiece 38 is unloaded.

With respect to each of the first to fifth working stations A', B', C, D', E', the first tool 44 is displaced along its first tool mount 42 toward the carousel 14, thereby to engage and perform work on a first region of the corresponding workpiece 38. Similarly, the second tool 48 is simultaneously displaced along its second tool mount 46 toward the carousel 14 to engage and perform work on a second region of the workpiece 38. Figure 4 illustrates the first and second tools 44, 48 as displaced toward the carousel 14. In this manner, each of the first and second tools 44, 48 located in the first to fifth stations A', B', C, D', E' simultaneously perform work on the workpiece 38 located within the respective working stations A', B', C, D', E'. Once the first and second tools 44, 48 have completed performance of their respective works, each of the first and second tools 44, 48 is displaced away from the carousel 14, thereby to disengage from the workpiece 38. The first and second tools 44, 48 are illustrated in Figure 1 in their respective disengaged conditions, as displaced away from the carousel 14.

Once each of the first and second tools 44, 48 has been disengaged from the workpiece 38 located within their respective stations A', B', C, D', E', the carousel 14 is rotated about the axis of rotation by a predetermined angle to move: (i) the workpiece 38 from loading station F' to the first working station A';

(ii) each of the workpieces 38 from the first to fourth working stations A', B', C, D' to the second to fifth working stations B', C, D', E' respectively; and (iii) the workpiece 38 from fifth working station E' to the loading station F'. Once the carousel 14 has been incrementally rotated by the predetermined angle and each of the workpieces 38 are accurately located within a loading or working station F', A', B', C, D', E', the workpieces 38 in the work stations A', B', C, D', E' are again worked on by the corresponding first and second tools 44, 48.

Claims

1 . A machining apparatus including: a frame at least two first tools secured to the frame; at least two second tools secured to the frame; a carousel disposed between the first tools on the one hand and the second tools on the other hand, the carousel being secured to the frame such that the carousel is rotatable relative to the first and second tools about an axis of rotation; at least two workpiece holders on the carousel, which workpiece holders are angularly displaced from each other about the axis of rotation; and means for rotating the carousel on the one hand relative to the first and second tools on the other hand by a predetermined angular displacement; wherein:

A machining apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein each first tool is aligned with one of the second tools along a line parallel to the axis of rotation thereby to enable a pair of aligned first and second tools to, operatively, work on the first and second regions of an object secured to one of the workpiece holders simultaneously, whereafter relative rotation of the carousel by the predetermined angular displacement enables another pair of aligned first and second tools to work on the first and second regions of such object simultaneously.

A machining apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein: (i) the number of workpiece holders associated with the carousel is equal to the number of first tools and second tools, respectively, secured to the frame; and (ii) the angular displacement separating adjacent workpiece holders about the axis of rotation on the one hand is equal to the angular displacement separating consecutive first tools about the axis of rotation, and the angular displacement separating consecutive second tools about the axis of rotation on the other hand.

A machining apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein the carousel rotating means comprises: a. a means for driving rotation of the carousel relative to the first and second tools; and b. a means for indexing angular displacement of the carousel relative to the first and second tools, thereby to ensure that the relative angular displacement is equal to the predetermined angular displacement.

A machining apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein the indexing means comprises: a. a first indexer for regulating relative rotation between the carousel and the first tools; and b. a second indexer for regulating relative rotation between the carousel and the second tools.

A machining apparatus in accordance with claim 5, wherein each indexer comprises a worm gear and a Hirth coupler.

A machining apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein: a. the first tools are secured to a first tool frame; b. the second tools are secured to a second tool frame; and c. the first and second tool frames are movable relative to one another along an axis parallel to the axis of rotation.

A machining apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein each workpiece holder comprises a pair of first and second engagement members, wherein in respect of each pair each pair of engagement members: a. the first and second engagement members are spaced from one another along a workpiece axis parallel to the axis of rotation, such that: (i) the first engagement member is adapted to secure a workpiece to the carousel at a location nearer a first axial end of the workpiece; and (ii) the second engagement member is adapted to secure the workpiece to the carousel at a location nearer a second axial end of the workpiece; b. each of the first and second engagement members are displaceable relative to one another along the workpiece holder axis; c. each of the first and second engagement members includes a pair of jaws; and d. each of the pair of jaws is movable between: (i) a released condition, wherein a workpiece may be received between or removed from the jaws; and (ii) an engaged condition wherein the jaws grip the workpiece received therebetween, thereby to immobilize the workpiece relative to the carousel.

9. A machining apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein a hydraulic system, a pneumatic system, or a mechanical system actuates the jaws between the released and engaged conditions.

10. A machining apparatus in accordance with claim 9, wherein each of the first and second tools are movable relative to the frame along at least an axis parallel to the axis of rotation.