WO2024106141A1 - Machine-outil - Google Patents

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Publication number
WO2024106141A1
WO2024106141A1 PCT/JP2023/038147 JP2023038147W WO2024106141A1 WO 2024106141 A1 WO2024106141 A1 WO 2024106141A1 JP 2023038147 W JP2023038147 W JP 2023038147W WO 2024106141 A1 WO2024106141 A1 WO 2024106141A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tool
headstock
spindle
support frame
hob cutter
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2023/038147
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Takahiro Nishiki
Original Assignee
Dmg Mori Co., Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dmg Mori Co., Ltd. filed Critical Dmg Mori Co., Ltd.
Publication of WO2024106141A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024106141A1/fr

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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
    • B23Q3/00—Devices holding, supporting, or positioning work or tools, of a kind normally removable from the machine
    • B23Q3/12—Devices holding, supporting, or positioning work or tools, of a kind normally removable from the machine for securing to a spindle in general
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23F—MAKING GEARS OR TOOTHED RACKS
    • B23F23/00—Accessories or equipment combined with or arranged in, or specially designed to form part of, gear-cutting machines
    • B23F23/12—Other devices, e.g. tool holders; Checking devices for controlling workpieces in machines for manufacturing gear teeth
    • B23F23/1237—Tool holders
    • B23F23/1243—Hob holders

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a machine tool including a tool support frame.
  • a machine tool which generatively machines a tooth profile on a peripheral surface of a workpiece by synchronously rotating a hob cutter held on a tool spindle and a workpiece held on a workpiece spindle.
  • this type of machine tool includes a tool changer so as to automatically change a tool held on the tool spindle (see, for example, Patent Literature 1 listed below).
  • the tool changer performs the tool change between a tool magazine and the tool spindle.
  • the tool magazine stores therein various types of tools, such as an end mill and a milling cutter, besides the hob cutter.
  • the tool changer selectively extracts a tool to be used in the next process from among the tools stored in the tool magazine and replaces the used tool held on the tool spindle with the extracted tool.
  • the hob cutter is attached to the tool spindle with only one end thereof supported. If the hob cutter is subjected to a high cutting load in machining, the free end side of the hob cutter can be elastically deformed in the direction of the cutting load because of its poor rigidity, which may result in the accuracy of machining of the tooth profile being lowered.
  • the machine tool includes a tool changer having a rotating-type change arm and performing tool change by holding the tools with the change arm
  • the change arm itself needs to have a high rigidity and the holding mechanism of the tool holding unit provided on the change arm needs to have a high strength.
  • the motor for rotating the change arm also needs to have an increased size. Accordingly, the overall structure of the tool changer is necessarily increased in size and the manufacturing cost for the tool changer is increased.
  • the present invention has been achieved in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the invention is to provide a machine tool which enables a hob cutter to be attached to a tool spindle with both ends thereof supported and which achieves this both-end supporting of the hob cutter at lower cost.
  • the present invention provides a machine tool including: a tool spindle that holds a hob cutter; a tool headstock that rotatably holds the tool spindle; a holding mechanism that causes the hob cutter to be held on the tool spindle; a tool spindle drive unit that rotates the tool spindle; a workpiece spindle that holds a workpiece; a workpiece headstock that rotatably holds the workpiece spindle; a workpiece spindle drive unit that rotates the workpiece spindle; a feed drive unit that moves the tool headstock and the workpiece headstock relative to each other; and a controller that controls the tool spindle drive unit, the workpiece spindle drive unit, and the feed drive unit, wherein: the machine tool includes: a support frame that is mountable onto and dismountable from the tool headstock and, when mounted on the tool headstock, rotatably supports a non-held end of the hob cutter held on the tool spindle by the holding mechanism; and
  • the hob cutter is held on the tool spindle by the holding mechanism being driven under control by the controller with the hob cutter attached to the tool spindle. Thereafter, the support frame in a state of supporting the non-held end of the hob cutter is mounted onto the tool headstock and then the fixing mechanism is driven under control by the controller, whereby the support frame is unremovably fixed to the tool headstock.
  • the non-held end of the hob cutter held on the tool spindle is rotatably supported by the support frame fixed to the tool headstock. Consequently, the hob cutter is supported at both ends by the tool spindle and the support frame. That is to say, the hob cutter is held at the proximal end (held end) by the tool spindle and supported at the distal end (non-held end) by the support frame.
  • the machine tool performs gear cutting using the thus both-end supported hob cutter. Therefore, as compared with the case where the hob cutter is supported at only one end by the tool spindle, elastic deformation of the hob cutter caused by a cutting load is suppressed and the machining accuracy is improved.
  • the support frame is configured as a separate element able to be separated from the hob cutter. Therefore, where there are a plurality of hob cutters to be used, it is possible to apply one common support frame to the plurality of hob cutters. In other words, it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of support frames in correspondence with the number of hob cutters. Accordingly, increase in the number of components is suppressed and the both-end supporting of the hob cutter is realized with an inexpensive configuration. Further, the both-end supporting of the hob cutter in this machine tool does not employ the conventional integrally-connected support frame and hob cutter. This enables the hob cutter and the support frame to be handled separately in handling the hob cutter. Therefore, the handling of the hob cutter is easy in terms of size and weight.
  • controller is configured to move the tool headstock in a predetermined direction with the fixing mechanism in the unfixing state to mount and dismount the support frame onto and from the tool headstock using an operating force generated by the movement of the tool headstock.
  • This configuration enables mounting and dismounting of the support frame onto and from the tool headstock to be automatically carried out utilizing the movement of the tool headstock. Therefore, it is not necessary for an operator to manually mount the support frame onto the tool headstock, which reduces the physical burden on the operator and enables quick switching to the hob cutter.
  • the support frame has: an annular portion that has an annular shape and, with the support frame mounted on the tool headstock, engages with an engagement receiving portion formed on the tool headstock and surrounds a periphery of the hob cutter held on the tool spindle; a supporting portion that includes a bearing and rotatably supports with the bearing the non-held end of the hob cutter held on the tool spindle; and a connecting portion that connects the annular portion and the supporting portion.
  • the support frame is mounted onto the tool headstock by moving the support frame such that the hob cutter passes through the inside of the annular portion forming one end of the support frame. Thereafter, the annular portion of the support frame is engaged with the engagement receiving portion provided on the tool headstock and the distal end of the hob cutter is engaged with the supporting portion of the support frame, so that the support frame is completely mounted on the tool headstock.
  • this configuration realizes the mounting of the support frame onto the tool headstock by a simple linear movement. Further, this configuration prevents the support frame from being largely offset radially outward with respect to the hob cutter, which improves the peripheral space efficiency.
  • the engagement receiving portion provided on the tool headstock has an annular tapered surface formed coaxially with an axis of the tool spindle;
  • the annular portion of the support frame has an annular tapered surface formed coaxially with an axis of the bearing, and the annular tapered surface of the annular portion is configured to fit with the annular tapered surface of the engagement receiving portion.
  • the fixing mechanism is configured to, with the support frame mounted on the tool headstock, be switchable between the fixing state and the unfixing state by an action of a fluid pressure supplied through a fluid passage formed in the tool headstock.
  • this configuration realizes the fixation of the support frame to the tool headstock without greatly changing the structure of an existing tool headstock. Therefore, even in the case where a tool headstock of an existing machine tool is modified in order to realize the both-end supporting of the hob cutter, it is possible to minimize the number of steps required for the modification and keep down the modification cost.
  • the support frame may be mounted onto a mounting receiving portion formed on an outer surface of the tool headstock.
  • the tool headstock has the mounting receiving portion formed on an outer surface thereof and the mounting receiving portion has a mounting seat surface at a position offset radially from the tool spindle as viewed in the axial direction of the tool spindle and has an engagement receiving portion provided on the mounting seat surface.
  • the support frame may have: a seat-surface contact portion that, with the support frame mounted on the mounting receiving portion of the tool headstock, engages with the engagement receiving portion formed on the mounting seat surface of the mounting receiving portion and contacts with the mounting seat surface; a supporting portion that includes a bearing and rotatably supports with the bearing the non-held end of the hob cutter held on the tool spindle; and a connecting portion that connects the seat-surface contact portion and the supporting portion.
  • the mounting seat surface is provided at a position offset radially from the tool spindle by the mounting receiving portion provided on the outer surface of the tool headstock.
  • the machine tool may be configured according to the following aspect: the machine tool further includes: a tool changer that has a tool change arm and a tool magazine storing a plurality of tools, including the hob cutter, attachable to the tool spindle and changes a tool held on the tool spindle with a tool stored in the tool magazine with the tool change arm; and a storage that stores the support frame therein, the feed drive unit is configured to move the tool headstock to a tool change position at which tool change is performed between the tool headstock and the tool changer and to a mounting/dismounting position at which mounting and dismounting of the support frame is performed between the tool headstock and the storage; and the controller is configured to, when attaching the hob cutter stored in the tool magazine to the tool spindle, cause the feed drive unit to move the tool headstock to the tool change position, then cause the tool changer to attach the hob cutter stored in the tool magazine to the tool spindle, then cause the feed drive unit to move the tool headstock from the tool change position to the mounting/dismounting position
  • the hob cutter when the hob cutter is used, under control by the controller, the hob cutter is attached to the tool spindle by the tool changer and then the tool headstock is moved to the mounting/dismounting position by the feed drive unit. Thereby, the support frame is mounted onto the tool headstock and the hob cutter is supported at both ends by the tool spindle and the support frame.
  • the fixing mechanism After completion of the mounting of the support frame onto the tool headstock, the fixing mechanism is switched from the unfixing state to the fixing state. Thereby, the support frame is fixed to the tool headstock.
  • the mounting of the support frame onto the tool headstock is carried out using an operating force generated by the movement of the tool headstock to the mounting/dismounting position. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a dedicated device (for example, a robot or the like) for mounting the support frame onto the tool headstock.
  • the controller is configured to, when dismounting the support frame fixed to the tool headstock after completion of machining of the workpiece by the hob cutter, first cause the feed drive unit to move the tool headstock to the mounting/dismounting position so as to store the support frame into the storage, then unfix the support frame fixed by the fixing mechanism, and then cause the feed drive unit to move the tool headstock away from the mounting/dismounting position, thereby dismounting the support frame from the tool headstock.
  • the tool headstock is moved to the mounting/dismounting position by the feed drive unit under control by the controller.
  • the support frame mounted on the tool headstock is stored into the storage.
  • the fixing mechanism is switched to the unfixing state.
  • the fixation of the support frame to the tool headstock is released.
  • the tool headstock is moved away from the mounting/dismounting position by the feed drive unit.
  • the support frame is dismounted from the tool headstock. This dismounting of the support frame is carried out using an operating force generated by the movement of the tool headstock away from the mounting/dismounting position. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a dedicated device (for example, a robot or the like) for dismounting the support frame from the tool headstock.
  • a dedicated device for example, a robot or the like
  • the machine tool further includes a locking device that is switchable between a locking state for immovably locking the support frame stored in the storage and an unlocking state for unlocking the support frame.
  • This configuration enables the support frame to be immovably locked to the storage by the locking device, for example, while the tool headstock is being moved to the mounting/dismounting position by the feed drive unit and while the tool headstock is being moved away from the mounting/dismounting position by the feed drive unit, which enables smooth and reliable mounting and dismounting of the support frame onto and from the tool headstock.
  • the storage is arranged on a side opposite to the tool magazine with respect to the tool headstock.
  • This configuration utilizes a dead space located on the side opposite to the tool magazine with respect to the tool headstock to arrange the storage.
  • the machine tool may include a partition wall that separates a machining area as a space in which the tool spindle is located and a magazine housing space in which the tool magazine is housed and the storage may be arranged in the magazine housing space.
  • this configuration enables the tool change position to which the tool headstock is moved at the time of tool change and the mounting/dismounting position to which the tool headstock is moved at the times of mounting and dismounting of the support frame onto and from the tool headstock to be arranged as close as possible to each other. Therefore, the time until the tool headstock reaches the mounting/dismounting position after completion of the attachment of the hob cutter to the tool spindle is shortened. Consequently, the machining cycle time in the machine tool is shortened and the productivity thereof is improved.
  • the support frame supporting the hob cutter is configured as a separate element able to be separated from the hob cutter. Therefore, where there are a plurality of hob cutters to be used, it is possible to apply one common support frame to the plurality of hob cutters. In other words, it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of support frames in correspondence with the number of hob cutters. Accordingly, increase in the number of components is suppressed and the both-end supporting of the hob cutter is realized with an inexpensive configuration.
  • the both-end supporting of the hob cutter does not employ the conventional integrally-connected support frame and hob cutter.
  • This enables the hob cutter and the support frame to be handled separately in handling the hob cutter. Therefore, the handling of the hob cutter is easy in terms of size and weight.
  • the tool changer handles the tool alone. Therefore, increase in the size of the tool changer and increase in the manufacturing cost for the tool changer resulted from the both-end supporting of the hob cutter are prevented.
  • FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view illustrating a machine tool according to Embodiment 1.
  • FIG. 2 is a front view of a tool headstock.
  • FIG. 3 is a right side view of a support unit.
  • FIG. 4 is a view (rear view) as viewed in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the support unit.
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating a structure of a unit storage.
  • FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the machine tool.
  • FIG. 9A is an illustrative diagram for explaining the contents of tool change control.
  • FIG. 9A is an illustrative diagram for explaining the contents of tool change control.
  • FIG. 9B is an illustrative diagram for explaining the contents of the tool change control.
  • FIG. 9C is an illustrative diagram for explaining the contents of the tool change control.
  • FIG. 9D is an illustrative diagram for explaining the contents of unit mounting control.
  • FIG. 9E is an illustrative diagram for explaining the contents of the unit mounting control.
  • FIG. 9F is an illustrative diagram for explaining the contents of the unit mounting control.
  • FIG. 9G is an illustrative diagram for explaining the contents of the unit mounting control.
  • FIG. 9H is an illustrative diagram for explaining the contents of the unit mounting control.
  • FIG. 9I is an illustrative diagram for explaining the contents of the unit mounting control.
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a support unit in Embodiment 2.
  • FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the support unit in FIG. 10 as dismounted.
  • FIG. 12 is a plan view of a mounting seat surface of a mounting receiving portion provided on the tool headstock.
  • FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state where the tool headstock is turned such that the distal end of the hob cutter is oriented toward the unit storage in the Embodiment 2.
  • FIG. 14 is a view corresponding to FIG. 13 but illustrating a modification of the Embodiment 2.
  • FIG. 15 is an illustrative diagram for explaining operations in Embodiment 3.Description of Embodiments
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a machine tool according to Embodiment 1. Note that the terms “front”, “rear”, “left”, and “right” in the following description are defined with respect to the machine tool 1 as indicated by the directional axes in FIG. 1.
  • the machine tool 1 is a five-axis controlled combined lathe that includes a bed 2, a first workpiece headstock 3, a second workpiece headstock 4, a turret tool rest 5, a tool headstock 6 (an example of the tool rest), a tool spindle 7 (an example of the tool rotating member), and a controller 100 (see FIG. 8).
  • the first workpiece headstock 3 and the second workpiece headstock 4 are arranged on the bed 2 to face each other in a Z-axis direction (left-right direction).
  • the turret tool rest 5 is arranged between the first workpiece headstock 3 and the second workpiece headstock 4 to be movable in an X-axis direction (vertical direction) and the Z-axis direction.
  • the tool headstock 6 is arranged on the bed 2 to be movable in the X-axis direction, a Y-axis direction (front-rear direction), and the Z-axis direction.
  • the tool spindle 7 is held by the tool headstock 6 so as to rotationally drive a tool 9.
  • the controller 100 controls operations of elements of the machine tool 1.
  • the tool 9 that is attachable to the tool spindle 7 includes various types of tools, such as a hob cutter 90, an end mill, and a milling cutter. In the following description, these tools are referred to as “tool 9” when they do not need to be distinguished from each other.
  • an automatic tool changer 8 is arranged on the left of a machining area S1 for machining of a workpiece W.
  • the automatic tool changer 8 changes a tool 9 attached to the tool spindle 7 with a tool 9 to be used in the next process.
  • the automatic tool changer 8 has two tool magazines 8a that are described later.
  • the two tool magazines 8a are housed in a magazine housing space S2 that is adjacent to the left side of the machining area S1.
  • the machining area S1 and the magazine housing space S2 are separated by a partition wall 16 that is disposed vertically along the front-rear direction.
  • the partition wall 16 has at the center thereof an opening 16a for tool change and a sliding-type ATC shutter 17 opening and closing the opening 16a.
  • the ATC shutter 17 is configured to be slidable in the vertical direction by way of example.
  • the ATC shutter 17 is not limited to this configuration and, for example, may be configured to be slidable in the left-right direction.
  • the unit storage 20 stores therein a support unit 40 that is to be mounted on the tool headstock 6 to perform hobbing, which is described later.
  • the first workpiece headstock 3 is fixed to a top surface of the bed 2.
  • the first workpiece headstock 3 holds a first workpiece spindle 10 such that the first workpiece spindle 10 is rotatable about a C-axis parallel to the Z-axis.
  • the second workpiece headstock 4 holds a second workpiece spindle 11 such that the second workpiece spindle 11 is coaxial with the first workpiece spindle 10 and is rotatable around the C-axis.
  • the second workpiece headstock 4 is moved in the Z-axis direction by a feed motor 33a and a feed screw (not illustrated).
  • the first workpiece spindle 10 is driven by a first spindle motor (not illustrated) and the second workpiece spindle 11 is driven by a second spindle motor (not illustrated). In hobbing, the first workpiece spindle 10 and the second workpiece spindle 11 rotate a workpiece W about the C-axis while respectively supporting both ends of the workpiece W.
  • the turret tool rest 5 has a turret 5a that is turnable about an axis parallel to the Z-axis, and the turret tool rest 5 is movable in the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction by a feed motor and a feed screw (both not illustrated).
  • the turret 5a has on the outer periphery thereof tools 5b arranged radially at intervals in the circumferential direction.
  • the tool headstock 6 is connected to a column 12, which is erected on the top surface of the bed 2, via a saddle 13, a slider 14, and a ram 15.
  • the column 12 has a portal shape extending across from the left end to right end of the top surface of the bed 2.
  • the saddle 13 is slidably engaged with a pair of guide rails (not illustrated) arranged on a front side surface of the column 12; thus, the saddle 13 is movable in the Z-axis direction.
  • the saddle 13 is driven in the Z-axis direction by a pair of upper and lower feed screws 31 (only one of which is illustrated in FIG. 1) and a pair of feed motors 30b.
  • the slider 14 is slidably engaged with a pair of right and left guide rails (not illustrated) arranged on a front side surface of the saddle 13; thus, the slider 14 is movable in the X-axis direction.
  • the slider 14 is driven in the X-axis direction by a pair of feed screws 32 (only one of which is illustrated in FIG. 1) and a pair of feed motors 30c.
  • the ram 15 is inserted in a ram guide hole 14a formed in the slider 14 and is supported by a guide plate (not illustrated) to be movable in the Y-axis direction.
  • the ram 15 is driven in the Y-axis direction by a single feed screw and a single feed motor (both not illustrated) arranged at the lower end of the slider 14.
  • the tool headstock 6 is fixed to a turning drive shaft (not illustrated) rotatably supported by the ram 15.
  • the tool headstock 6 is turnable about a B-axis parallel to the Y-axis by a turning motor (not illustrated) coupled to the turning drive shaft.
  • the automatic tool changer 8 has two tool magazines 8a arranged side by side in the front-rear direction and a tool change arm (not illustrated).
  • Each tool magazine 8a has a vertically elongated elliptical frame, a chain circulating along the frame, and a plurality of tool pots attached to the chain.
  • the tool pots respectively detachably hold various tools 9 including a hob cutter 90, an end mill, and a milling cutter.
  • a plurality of hob cutters 90 are stocked in the tool magazines 8a for the purpose of replacement in the event of wear and for the purpose of forming tooth profiles of different shapes.
  • the tool change arm is rotationally driven about an axis parallel to the Z-axis by a motor (not illustrated).
  • the ATC shutter 17 is opened and the tool headstock 6 is moved to a tool change position (see FIG. 9B described later).
  • a tool 9 held on the tool spindle 7 horizontally enters the magazine housing space S2.
  • the tool 9 is changed with a tool 9 to be used in the next process, which is indexed at a predetermined position by the tool magazines 8a, by the tool change arm.
  • the tool headstock 6 has a turning housing 6a and a spindle housing 6b.
  • the turning housing 6a has a rectangular box shape in appearance.
  • the turning housing 6a has an arcuate mount plate 6c integrally formed on a back face thereof.
  • the mount plate 6c has in a peripheral edge portion thereof a plurality of through holes 6d formed at intervals in the circumferential direction.
  • the mount plate 6c is fixed to the turning drive shaft by bolts (not illustrated) inserted through the through holes 6d; thus, the mount plate 6c is rotatable together with the turning drive shaft.
  • the spindle housing 6b is fixed to the turning housing 6a with the axis of rotation of the spindle housing 6b orthogonal to the axis of rotation (i.e., the B-axis) of the turning housing 6a.
  • the spindle housing 6b is formed in an axially symmetrical tubular shape.
  • the spindle housing 6b houses a bearing (not illustrated) rotatably supporting the tool spindle 7, a built-in motor (not illustrated) driving the tool spindle 7, and a drawbar mechanism (not illustrated) fixing a tool 9 to the tool spindle 7.
  • the spindle housing 6b is mounted on the turning housing 6a such that a part of the distal side of the spindle housing 6b is exposed to the outside. That is to say, the spindle housing 6b consists of a cylindrical unexposed portion 6e housed in the turning housing 6a and an exposed portion 6f exposed to the outside of the turning housing 6a.
  • the exposed portion 6f has a flange 6g, a large-diameter cylindrical portion 6h, and a small-diameter cylindrical portion 6i that arranged in sequence from the proximal side toward distal side of the spindle housing 6b.
  • the flange 6g is fixed to a lower surface of the turning housing 6a by bolts (not illustrated).
  • a step surface 6j located at the boundary between the large-diameter cylindrical portion 6h and the small-diameter cylindrical portion 6i has therein an annular groove 6k formed along the entire circumference of the step surface 6j.
  • the inner periphery of the annular groove 6k is formed to have an annular tapered outer surface 6l having a diameter reducing toward the distal side. This annular tapered outer surface 6l corresponds to the engagement receiving portion formed on the tool headstock 6 (the tool rest).
  • the small-diameter cylindrical portion 6i has an annular engagement protrusion 6m on a distal end portion of an outer peripheral surface hereof.
  • the annular engagement protrusion 6m slightly protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 6i.
  • FIG. 2 shows an example in which a hob cutter 90 as an example of the tool 9 is attached in the tool attachment hole 7a.
  • the hob cutter 90 is a tool for hobbing that forms a tooth profile on a peripheral surface of a workpiece W supported by the first workpiece spindle 10 and the second workpiece spindle 11 (see FIG. 1).
  • the hob cutter 90 has a tool body 91 and a holder 92.
  • the tool body 91 has a shaft portion 91a and a cutting edge portion 91b.
  • the cutting edge portion 91b has a larger diameter and is formed coaxially with the shaft portion 91a.
  • a distal end portion of the shaft portion 91a is formed in a tapered shaft shape having a diameter reducing toward the distal side.
  • the cutting edge portion 91b machines a workpiece W.
  • the cutting edge portion 91b has a plurality of cutting edge rows corresponding to a tooth profile to be machined.
  • the holder 92 has a shape that is common to all tools 9 including the hob cutter 90.
  • the holder 92 has a flange 92a, a shank 92b, and a pull bolt 92c.
  • the flange 92a is to be gripped by the tool change arm of the automatic tool changer 8 in tool change.
  • the flange 92a is connected to the distal end of the shank 92b.
  • the flange 92a protrudes radially outward from the shank 92b.
  • the flange 92a has in an outer peripheral surface thereof a V-shaped gripping groove 92d formed along the entire circumference of the flange 92.
  • a gripper formed at either end of the tool change arm engages with the V-shaped gripping groove 92d, whereby the hob cutter 90 is gripped by the tool change arm.
  • the shank 92b is formed in a tapered shaft shape able to fit into the tool attachment hole 7a.
  • the pull bolt 92c is connected to the proximal end of the shank 92b to be coaxial with the shank 92b.
  • the pull bolt 92c is pulled toward the proximal side in the axial direction by the drawbar mechanism housed in the spindle housing 6b.
  • the shank 92b of the hob cutter 90 is attached in the tool attachment hole 7a.
  • the hob cutter 90 is held on the tool spindle 7 with only one end thereof supported (i.e., with only the proximal side thereof fixed to the tool spindle 7).
  • a support unit 40 is mounted onto and fixed to the tool headstock 6 so as to change the hob cutter 90 from the one-end supported state to a both-end supported state.
  • FIG. 3 is a right side view showing a state where the support unit 40 is mounted on the tool headstock 6.
  • FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the support unit 40.
  • the support unit 40 has a support frame 50 and a fixing mechanism 60 (see FIG. 6 described later).
  • the support frame 50 is to be dismountably mounted onto the tool headstock 6.
  • the fixing mechanism 60 unremovably fixes the support frame 50 to the tool headstock 6.
  • the support frame 50 extends along the longitudinal direction of the hob cutter 90.
  • the support frame 50 has an annular portion 51, a supporting portion 52, and a connecting portion 53.
  • the annular portion 51 is formed at one end in the extending direction of the support frame 50 so as to surround the periphery of the hob cutter 90.
  • the annular portion 51 consists of an annular body 51a and an end-mounted ring 51b mounted on one end of the annular body 51b.
  • the annular body 51a is formed integrally with the supporting portion 52 and the connecting portion 53.
  • the end-mounted ring 51b is formed separately from the annular body 51a.
  • the end-mounted ring 51b has a cylindrical portion 51c, a spigot portion 51d, and an annular protruding portion 51e.
  • the spigot portion 51d and the annular protruding portion 51e are formed along the inner edges of the cylindrical portion 51c to be coaxial with the cylindrical portion 51c.
  • the spigot portion 51d protrudes to the distal side in the axial direction.
  • the annular protruding portion 51e protrudes to the proximal side in the axial direction.
  • the spigot portion 51d is fitted on an inner peripheral surface of the annular body 51a.
  • the annular protruding portion 51e has an annular tapered inner surface 51f.
  • the annular tapered inner surface 51f forms an inner peripheral surface of the annular protruding portion 51e and has a dimeter reducing from the proximal side toward the distal side in the axial direction.
  • the annular tapered inner surface 51f is to be engaged with the annular tapered outer surface 6l formed on the tool headstock 6.
  • the supporting portion 52 is spaced from the annular portion 51 in the axial direction.
  • the supporting portion 52 includes a pair of bearings 70 and a rotatable member 80 as a hob-end engagement part.
  • the supporting portion 52 is disposed perpendicularly to the axis of the annular portion 51.
  • the supporting portion 52 has a bearing mount hole 52a formed therethrough.
  • the bearing mount hole 52a is formed coaxially with the annular portion 51.
  • the pair of bearings 70 are arranged at an interval in the axial direction are fitted in the bearing mount hole 52a.
  • the rotatable member 80 consists of a cylindrical portion 80a and a flange 80b.
  • the cylindrical portion 80a is inserted inside the inner rings of the pair of bearings 70.
  • the flange 80b is formed at the lower end of the cylindrical portion 80a.
  • the flange 80b regulates the position in the axial direction of the rotatable member 80 with respect to the pair of bearings 70.
  • the rotatable member 80 is fixed by a nut 81 at the side opposite to the flange 80b with respect to the pair of bearings 70 so as not to fall off.
  • the rotatable member 80 is rotatably held by the supporting portion 52 via the pair of bearings 70.
  • the rotatable member 80 has an end engagement hole 80c formed in an end surface thereof located on the annular portion 51 side.
  • the end engagement hole 80c is to be engaged with the distal end of the hob cutter 90.
  • the end engagement hole 80c is formed in a tapered hole shape corresponding to the shape of the distal end of the hob cutter 90.
  • the supporting portion 52 has a displacement sensor 76 embedded in an end surface thereof located on the side opposite to the connecting portion 53.
  • the displacement sensor 76 constitutes a shape detector 75.
  • the displacement sensor 76 has a light emitting element 77 emitting a laser beam and light receiving elements 78, 78 arranged on both sides of the light emitting element 77.
  • the light emitting element 77 emits a laser beam toward an object.
  • the laser beam is reflected by the object and received by the light receiving elements 78, 78.
  • the distance from the displacement sensor 76 to the object is detected. Note that the specific distance is calculated by a shape calculator 79 based on the output value from the displacement sensor 76.
  • the displacement sensor 76 and the shape calculator 79 constitute the shape detector 75.
  • This shape detector 75 is able to, for example, measure the shape and phase of the tooth profile machined on the workpiece W by the hob cutter 90.
  • the tool headstock 6 is moved upward to cause the displacement sensor 76 to face the tooth profile formed on the workpiece W.
  • a laser beam is emitted toward the tooth profile by the light emitting element 77 of the displacement sensor 76.
  • the laser beam is reflected by the tooth profile and received by the light receiving elements 78, 78.
  • the output signals from the light receiving elements 78, 78 are processed by the shape calculator 79, whereby the distance between the displacement sensor 76 and the tooth profile is calculated.
  • the tooth profile is scanned by the displacement sensor 76.
  • the shape and phase of the tooth profile are detected based on the distance between the displacement sensor 76 and the tooth profile calculated by the shape calculator 79.
  • the displacement sensor may be an eddy current sensor, an electromagnetic pick-up, or the like instead of the light emitting and receiving sensor.
  • the connecting portion 53 connects the annular portion 51 and the supporting portion 52.
  • the connecting portion 53 is composed of a rectangular column that extends parallel to the axis of the annular portion 51.
  • the connecting portion 53 connects one point in the circumferential direction of the annular portion 51 and the end edge of the supporting portion 52.
  • the connecting portion 53 is composed of a single rectangular column. That is to say, the connecting portion 53 is not limited to being composed of a rectangular column and may have, for example, a trapezoidal plate shape or an arcuate shape. Further, the number of connecting portions 53 is not limited to one and may be two or more.
  • the fixing mechanism 60 is arranged inside the annular portion 51 of the support frame 50.
  • the fixing mechanism 60 includes a sliding ring 61, an annular fixed ring 62, a flexible ring 63, and a holding ring 64.
  • the sliding ring 61 is slidable in the axial direction along an inner guide surface 51g of the end-mounted ring 51b.
  • the fixed ring 62 is fixed to a distal end surface of the end-mounted ring 51b.
  • the flexible ring 63 is arranged inside the sliding ring 61.
  • the holding ring 64 holds the flexible ring 63 so as to prevent the flexible ring 63 from falling off.
  • the end-mounted ring 51b, the fixed ring 62, and the sliding ring 61 together form an annular hydraulic chamber U0.
  • the hydraulic chamber U0 consists of a first hydraulic chamber U1 and a second hydraulic chamber U2 that are respectively formed on both sides of a piston protrusion 61a, which is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the sliding ring 61, in the axial direction.
  • the flexible ring 63 has a ring body 63a, a plurality of flexible pieces 63b, and a plurality of engagement hooks 63c.
  • the flexible pieces 63b are each connected at the proximal end to the ring body 63a.
  • the engagement hooks 63c are respectively formed at the distal ends of the flexible pieces 63b.
  • the ring body 63a is fitted and held in a holding groove 64a formed in the holding ring 64.
  • the flexible pieces 63b are in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the sliding ring 61.
  • the fixing mechanism 60 is switchable between the fixing state for fixing the support unit 40 to the tool headstock 6 (more particularly, the spindle housing 6b) and the unfixing state for unfixing the support unit 40.
  • the support unit 40 is stored in the unit storage 20 while hobbing is not being performed.
  • the support unit 40 is mounted onto the tool headstock 6 by the tool headstock 6 being moved in the left-right direction, which is described later.
  • the unit storage 20 is formed in a rectangular box shape and arranged above the second workpiece headstock 4.
  • the unit storage 20 is fixed to the bed 2 of the machine tool 1 via a connecting plate 21.
  • the connecting plate 21 is connected to a lower surface of the unit storage 20 by a reinforcement rib 22.
  • a first support 23 and a second support 24 for supporting the support unit 40 are erected on a bottom plate 20c of the unit storage 20.
  • the support unit 40 is placed on the tops of the first support 23 and second support 24 with the axis of the annular portion 51 parallel to the Z axis and with the connecting portion 53 positioned on the front side as viewed from the front of the machine tool 1.
  • the unit storage 20 has therein a unit locking device 25 for locking the support unit 40 placed on the tops of the first support 23 and second support 24.
  • the unit locking device 25 has a pair of engagement pins 25a, a holding plate 25b, and a cylinder 25c.
  • the pair of engagement pins 25a are held by the holding plate 25b.
  • the cylinder 25c advances and retracts the holding plate 25b.
  • the holding plate 25b is moved between a locking position and an unlocking position by the cylinder 25c.
  • the pair of engagement pins 25a engage with a pair of engagement holes 25d formed in the support frame 50.
  • the support unit 40 as a whole, including the support frame 50 is locked to be immovable in the left-right direction (Z-axis direction).
  • the pair of engagement pins 25a are moved in a direction away from the support frame 50.
  • the support unit 40 is allowed to move in the left-right direction (Z-axis direction).
  • the unit storage 20 has a rectangular opening 20b formed in a left side plate 20a thereof.
  • the support unit 40 is loaded into and unloaded from the unit storage 20 through the opening 20b.
  • the machine tool 1 has the controller 100 that controls the overall operation of the machine tool 1.
  • the controller 100 is composed of a computer including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM.
  • the controller 100 is connected to a spindle rotation drive unit 101, a feed drive unit 102, a spindle turning drive unit 103, the automatic tool changer (ATC) 8, a shutter drive unit 104, a hydraulic supply device 105, and the unit locking device 25 so as to transmit and receive signals (control signals and other signals) to and from them.
  • ATC automatic tool changer
  • the spindle rotation drive unit 101 includes the above-described built-in motor for driving the tool spindle 7.
  • the feed drive unit 102 includes feed motors (e.g., the above-described feed motors 30a to 30c) for moving the workpiece W and the tool 9 relative to each other in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction.
  • feed motors e.g., the above-described feed motors 30a to 30c
  • the spindle turning drive unit 103 includes the above-described turning motor for turning the tool headstock 6 about the B-axis.
  • the shutter drive unit 104 includes a motor for opening and closing the ATC shutter 17.
  • the hydraulic supply device 105 switches the fixing mechanism 60 between the fixing state and the unfixing state by controlling supply of the hydraulic oil to the hydraulic supply lines L1, L2 (see FIG. 6).
  • the controller 100 executes control of machining of the workpiece W in accordance with an NC program stored in a ROM or the like. Upon extracting a tool change command from the NC program during the execution, the controller 100 executes tool change control with respect to the automatic tool changer 8. In the tool change control, the automatic tool changer 8 performs the above-described tool change between the tool spindle 7 and the tool magazines 8a with the tool change arm.
  • controller 100 extracts the tool change command from the NC program and determines that the tool change command designates a hob cutter 90 as the tool to be used in the next process, the controller 100 executes the tool change control and then executes unit mounting control for mounting the support unit 40 onto the tool headstock 6 and fixing the support unit 40 to the tool headstock 6. After completion of the machining using the hob cutter 90, the controller 100 executes unit dismounting control for dismounting the support unit 40 from the tool headstock 6.
  • FIGS. 9A to 9I are illustrative diagrams for explaining the contents of the tool change control (FIGS. 9A to 9C) and unit mounting control (FIGS. 9D to 9I) for the hob cutter 90.
  • the bold arrows in the figures each indicate an operation to be performed next.
  • FIG. 9A shows a state where a tool 95 other than the hob cutter 90 is attached to the tool spindle 7 (see FIG. 2) supported by the tool headstock 6.
  • the ATC shutter 17 is moved to the open position by the shutter drive unit 104 and the tool headstock 6 is moved to the tool change position by the feed drive unit 102 and the spindle turning drive unit 103 (see FIG. 9B).
  • the tool change is performed by the automatic tool changer 8 to change the used tool 95 attached to the tool spindle 7 with the hob cutter 90 as the tool to be used in the next process stored in the tool magazines 8a.
  • the hob cutter 90 attached to the tool spindle 7 through the tool change is fixed to the tool spindle 7 by the drawbar mechanism (see FIG. 9C).
  • the unit mounting control is executed as illustrated in FIGS. 9D to 9I.
  • the unit mounting control under control by the controller 100, the tool headstock 6 is first retracted rightward by the feed drive unit 102 and the ATC shutter 17 is moved to the closed position by the shutter drive unit 104 (see FIG. 9D).
  • the tool headstock 6 is turned by 180° in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 9D by the spindle turning drive unit 103 (it may be turned in the clockwise direction).
  • the distal end of the hob cutter 90 is bought into a state of facing the opening 20b of the unit storage 20 (FIG. 9E).
  • the axial center of the hob cutter 90 has become coaxial with the annular portion 51 of the support unit 40 stored in the unit storage 20.
  • the hob cutter 90 cannot not be brought into such a coaxial state. In such a case, the position of the tool headstock 6 can be adjusted by the feed drive unit 102.
  • the tool headstock 6 is horizontally moved rightward by the feed drive unit 102 to a unit mounting/dismounting position (see FIG. 9F) with the fixing mechanism 60 maintained in the unfixing state (the state shown in FIG. 6) by the hydraulic supply device 105.
  • the annular tapered inner surface 51f formed on the annular portion 51 of the support frame 50 (see FIG. 6) is engaged with (fitted around) the annular tapered outer surface 6l formed on the tool headstock 6. Further, the distal end of the hob cutter 90 passes through the inside of the annular portion 51 and engages with the end engagement hole 80c of the rotatable member 80. After completion of this engagement (in other words, after completion of mounting of the support unit 40 to the tool headstock 6), the fixing mechanism 60 is switched to the fixing state by the hydraulic supply device 105. Thus, the support unit 40 is unremovably fixed to (mounted onto) the tool headstock 6.
  • the holding plate 25b is moved to the unlocking position by the unit locking device 25 (see FIG. 9G).
  • the tool headstock 6 is retracted leftward by the feed drive unit 102, so that the support unit 40 is unloaded from the unit storage 20. Thereby, the support unit 40 is completely mounted onto the tool headstock 6.
  • the tool headstock 6 is turned in the clockwise direction by the spindle turning drive unit 103 (see FIG. 9H). Thereafter, the tool spindle 7 is rotated in synchronization with the workpiece W to form a tooth profile on the peripheral surface of the workpiece W (see FIG. 9I).
  • the unit mounting control has been described above.
  • the unit dismounting control (control for dismounting the support unit 40 from the tool headstock 6) is executed by the operations of the unit mounting control being performed in the reverse order (i.e., the order of FIGS. 9I, 9H, 9G ... and 9A); therefore, detailed description of the unit dismounting control is omitted here.
  • the machine tool 1 includes the support unit 40.
  • the support unit 40 has the annular tapered inner surface 51f to be engaged with the annular tapered outer surface 6l (an example of the engagement receiving portion) formed on the tool headstock 6 and includes the rotatable member 80 to be engaged with the distal end of the hob cutter 90 so as to allow rotation of the hob cutter 90.
  • This configuration enables the hob cutter 90 to be supported at both ends by the tool headstock 6 and the rotatable member 80 provided on the support frame 50. Therefore, as compared with the case where the hob cutter 90 is supported at only one end by the tool spindle 7, elastic deformation of the hob cutter 90 caused by a cutting load is suppressed and the accuracy of the tooth profile machining is improved.
  • the support unit 40 is configured separately from the hob cutter 90. Therefore, it is possible to apply one common support unit 40 to the plurality of hob cutters 90 stocked in the tool magazines 8a. That is to say, it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of support units 40 in correspondence with the number of hob cutters 90. Accordingly, increase in the number of components is suppressed and the both-end supporting of the hob cutter 90 is achieved with an inexpensive configuration.
  • the tool headstock 6 in this embodiment is configured to be movable in the left-right direction (an example of the predetermined direction).
  • the support unit 40 is configured to be mounted onto and dismounted from the tool headstock 6 using the operating force generated by the tool headstock 6 being linearly moved rightward (predetermined moving operation) with the fixing mechanism 60 in the unfixing state (see FIGS. 9E to 9H).
  • This configuration enables mounting and dismounting of the support unit 40 onto and from the tool headstock 6 to be automatically carried out utilizing the rightward linear movement of the tool headstock 6. Therefore, it is not necessary for an operator to manually mount the support unit 40 onto the tool headstock 6. This reduces the physical burden on the operator and enables quick switching to the hob cutter 90. Further, it is also not necessary to separately provide a dedicated robot or the like for mounting the support unit 40 onto the tool headstock 6; thus, the mounting of the support unit 40 onto the tool headstock 6 is realized with an inexpensive configuration.
  • the support unit 40 in this embodiment has the support frame 50 extending along the longitudinal direction of the hob cutter 90 with the support unit 40 mounted on the tool headstock 6 and has the rotatable member 80 supported via the bearings 70 by the support frame 50.
  • the support frame 50 has the annular portion 51 forming one end in the extending direction of the support frame 50, having the annular tapered inner surface 51f, and annularly surrounding the periphery of the hob cutter 90, has the supporting portion 52 forming the other end in the extending direction of the support frame 50 and holding the bearings 70, and has the connecting portion 53 connecting the annular portion 51 and the support portion 52.
  • This configuration enables the support unit 40 to be mounted onto the tool headstock 6 by moving the tool headstock 6 such that the hob cutter 90 passes through the inside of the annular portion 51 forming the one end of the support frame 50.
  • the mounting of the support unit 40 onto the tool headstock 6 is realized by a simple linear movement.
  • this configuration prevents the support unit 40 from being largely offset radially outward with respect to the hob cutter 90, which improves the peripheral space efficiency.
  • the annular tapered outer surface 6l of the tool headstock 6 is formed coaxially with the axis of the tool spindle 7.
  • the annular tapered inner surface 51f of the support frame 50 is formed coaxially with the axis of the rotatable member 80.
  • the fixing mechanism 60 is provided on the support frame 50.
  • the fixing mechanism 60 is configured to be switchable between the fixing state and the unfixing state by the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic oil supplied through the hydraulic supply passages (an example of the fluid passage) formed in the tool headstock 6 when the support frame 50 is mounted on the tool headstock 6.
  • this configuration realizes the fixation of the support frame 50 to the tool headstock 6 without greatly changing the structure of an existing tool headstock 6. Therefore, even in the case where a tool headstock 6 of an existing machine tool is modified in order to realize the both-end supporting of the hob cutter 90, it is possible to minimize the number of steps required for the modification and keep down the modification cost.
  • the unit storage 20 has therein the unit locking device 25.
  • the unit locking device 25 is configured to be switchable between the locking state for immovably locking the support unit 40 and the unlocking state for unlocking the support unit 40.
  • This configuration enables the support unit 40 to be immovably locked to the unit storage 20 by the unit locking device 25 while the tool headstock 6 is being moved to the unit mounting/dismounting position by the feed drive unit 102 and while the tool headstock 6 is being moved away from the unit mounting/dismounting position by the feed drive unit 102, which enables smooth and reliable mounting and dismounting of the support unit 40 onto and from the tool headstock 6.
  • the unit storage 20 is arranged on the side opposite to the tool magazines 8a with respect to the tool headstock 6.
  • This configuration utilizes a dead space (in this embodiment, the space above the second workpiece headstock 4) located on the side opposite to the tool magazines 8a with respect to the tool headstock 6 to arrange the unit storage 20. This prevents the machine tool 1 from being increased in size by the addition of the unit storage 20.
  • FIG. 10 illustrates Embodiment 2.
  • This Embodiment 2 differs from the above-described Embodiment 1 in that a support frame 250 is mounted onto a mounting receiving member 6p as the mounting receiving portion provided on an outer surface of the tool headstock 6.
  • elements identical to those in the Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as used in the Embodiment 1 and detailed description thereof is omitted.
  • the tool headstock 6 in this embodiment has the mounting receiving member 6p that is optionally provided thereon.
  • the support frame 250 is mounted onto and fixed to the mounting receiving member 6p via pull bolts 203.
  • the mounting receiving member 6p is fixed to a front side surface of the turning housing 6a of the tool headstock 6 by bolts as illustrated in FIG. 11.
  • the front side surface of the turning housing 6a has a circular plate-shaped mounting seat 6n for mounting the mounting receiving member 6p thereon.
  • the mounting receiving member 6p is mounted on the tool headstock 6.
  • the mounting receiving member 6p may be formed integrally with the tool headstock 6.
  • the attachment receiving member 6p is composed of a substantially hexagonal column having a thickness in the front-rear direction.
  • the mounting receiving member 6p is arranged such that a lower end surface thereof lies horizontally in a reference state where the axis of the tool spindle 7 is oriented vertically.
  • the lower end surface of the mounting receiving member 6p functions as a unit mounting seat surface 6q for mounting the support frame 250 thereon. As viewed in the axial direction of the tool spindle 7, the unit mounting seat surface 6q is located at a position offset to the front side (in the radial direction).
  • the unit mounting seat surface 6q has four clamping holes 6r therein.
  • the four clamping holes 6r are provided respectively corresponding to four clamping devices 65 incorporated in the mounting receiving member 6p.
  • Each clamping device 65 is composed of a ball-lock type hydraulic clamping device that draws and clamps with a hydraulically driven ball lock mechanism the pull bolt 203 (see FIG. 13) inserted in the corresponding clamping hole 6r.
  • the mounting receiving member 6p has formed therein hydraulic supply paths (not illustrated) for supplying a hydraulic pressure to each clamping device 65.
  • the supply of the hydraulic oil to each clamping device 65 is controlled by the hydraulic supply device 105 in response to a command from the controller 100.
  • the ball lock is unlocked by a biasing member (not illustrated) in each clamping device 65, whereby the clamping devices 65 are brought into an unclamping state.
  • a support unit 240 is stored in the unit storage 20 when not used (i.e., while hobbing is not being performed) as shown in FIG. 13.
  • the unit locking device 25 provided in the unit storage 20 is omitted in FIG. 13.
  • the support unit 240 includes the support frame 250 and the clamping devices 65 as the fixing mechanism.
  • the support frame 250 has a seat-surface contact portion 251, a supporting portion 252, and a connecting portion 253.
  • the seat-surface contact portion 251 has a rectangular block shape and is to be brought into contact with the unit mounting seat surface 6q of the mounting receiving member 6p.
  • the supporting portion 252 has a rectangular plate shape and holds a rotatable member 260.
  • the connecting portion 253 has an inclined beam shape and connects the seat-surface contact portion 251 and the support portion 252
  • the seat-surface contact portion 251 has a contact seat surface 251a (see FIG. 13) that is to be brought into contact with the unit mounting seat surface 6q.
  • the pull bolts 203 protrude from the four corners of the contact seat surface 251a.
  • the supporting portion 252 including the rotatable member 260 has the same configuration as the supporting portion 52 including the rotatable member 80 described in the Embodiment 1; therefore, detailed description thereof is omitted here.
  • the clamping holes 6r correspond to the engagement receiving portion that is formed on the mounting seat surface 6q of the mounting receiving member 6p of the tool headstock 6. Further, as described above, the clamping devices 65 correspond to the fixing mechanism.
  • unit dismounting control is executed by the operations of the unit mounting control being performed in the reverse order; therefore, detailed description of the unit dismounting control is omitted here.
  • the tool headstock 6 in this embodiment has the mounting receiving member 6p mounted on and fixed to an outer side surface thereof.
  • the mounting receiving member 6p has the unit mounting seat surface 6q at a position offset to the front side (an example of the side of the tool spindle 7) as viewed in the axial direction of the tool spindle 7.
  • the unit mounting seat surface 6q is provided at a position offset from the tool spindle 7 by the mounting receiving member 6p provided on the tool headstock 6.
  • FIG. 14 illustrates a modification of the Embodiment 2. This modification differs from the Embodiment 2 in that a protective plate 300 can be mounted onto the unit mounting seat surface 6q of the mounting receiving member 6p.
  • the protective plate 300 has a rectangular shape.
  • the protective plate 300 has pull bolts 301 that protrude from the four corners of the protective plate 300.
  • the protective plate 300 is stored in a protective-plate storage 26 while hobbing is being performed.
  • the protective-plate storage 26 is arranged below the unit storage 20.
  • the tool headstock 6 is moved along the path indicated by the dashed and double-dotted arrows in FIG. 14.
  • the clamping holes 6r of the unit mounting seat surface 6q are engaged with the pull bolts 301 of the protective plate 300.
  • the pull bolts 301 are thereafter clamped by the clamping devices 65, whereby the protective plate 300 is mounted onto and fixed to the unit mounting seat surface 6q.
  • a locking device (not illustrated) for locking the protective plate 300 is provided in the protective-plate storage 26.
  • the protective plate 300 is mounted on and fixed to the unit mounting seat surface 6q of the mounting receiving member 6p while hobbing is not being performed. This prevents chips from adhering to the unit mounting seat surface 6q or entering the clamping holes 6r while machining other than hobbing is being performed.
  • FIG. 15 illustrates Embodiment 3. This embodiment differs from the Embodiments 1 and 2 in the location of the unit storage 20.
  • the unit storage 20 in this embodiment is arranged in the magazine housing space S2.
  • the solid lines indicate the state where the tool headstock 6 is positioned at the tool change position and the dashed and double-dotted lines indicate movement of the tool headstock 6 to the unit mounting/dismounting position.
  • the tool change position and the unit mounting/dismounting position are arranged as close as possible to each other. Therefore, the time until the support unit 240 is attached to the tool headstock 6 after completion of the attachment of the hob cutter 90 to the tool spindle 7 is shortened. Consequently, the machining cycle time is shortened and the productivity is improved.
  • the hob cutter 90 is held on the tool spindle 7 supported by the tool headstock 6.
  • the present invention is not limited to this configuration.
  • a configuration is possible in which a hob cutter is held on a tool spindle supported by the turret tool rest 5.
  • the turret tool rest 5 can be configured to be movable in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) and the unit storage 20 can be arranged on the front side or the rear side of the turret tool rest 5.
  • the hob-end engagement part that engages with the distal end of the hob cutter 90 is constituted by the rotatable member 80 supported by the bearings 70.
  • the hob-end engagement part is not limited thereto and may be constituted by, for example, a conical engaging and fixing member.
  • a configuration is possible in which the top of the engaging and fixing member engages with a small-diameter hole formed in a distal end surface of the hob cutter 90. This configuration enables the distal end of the hob cutter 90 to be rotatably supported by the engaging and fixing member with the contact area between the hob cutter 90 and the engagement fixing member as small as possible to suppress the frictional resistance between them.
  • the fixing mechanism 60 is provided on the support unit 240.
  • the present invention is not limited thereto.
  • the fixing mechanism 60 may be provided on the tool headstock 6.
  • the fixing mechanism 60 is not limited to the hydraulically driven type as in the above-described embodiments.
  • the fixing mechanism 60 may have a configuration using an electric arm or a configuration using a magnetic attraction force.
  • the annular portion 51 of the support frame 50 is constituted by two members, namely, the annular body 51a and the end-mounted ring 51b.
  • the present invention is not limited thereto.
  • the end-mounted ring 51b may be formed integrally with the annular body 51a.
  • the support unit 40 in the Embodiment 1 is configured such that the annular portion 51 of the support frame 50 surrounds the periphery of the hob cutter 90.
  • the present invention is not limited to this configuration and a configuration is possible in which the support unit 40 is configured such that the annular portion 51 rotatably supports the side opposite to the distal side of the hob cutter 90, i.e., the proximal side of the hob cutter 90.
  • the supporting portion 52 corresponds to the first support unit and the annular portion 51 corresponds to the second support unit.
  • the support unit 40 and hob cutter 90 in this configuration are integrally attached to and detached from the tool spindle.
  • the hob cutter 90 in this configuration may have a configuration in which the proximal side thereof is detachably supported by the annular portion 51 and the distal side thereof is detachably supported by the supporting portion 52.
  • the hob cutter 90 and the support unit 40 may be configured to be undetachable from each other. In these cases, the hob cutter 90 and the support unit 40 are disturbed as an integral hob cutter unit.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Automatic Tool Replacement In Machine Tools (AREA)
  • Milling Processes (AREA)
  • Gear Processing (AREA)

Abstract

Est divulguée une machine-outil comprenant un cadre de support (50) soutenant une fraise-mère (90) fixée sur une broche porte-outil aux deux extrémités, en coopération avec une poupée porte-outil (6). Le cadre de support (50) est monté démontable sur la poupée porte-outil (6) et fixé sur celle-ci (6) par un mécanisme de fixation. Une fois que la fraise-mère (90) est maintenue sur la broche porte-outil, un dispositif de commande entraîne le mécanisme de fixation pour qu'il fixe sur la poupée porte-outil (6) le cadre de support (50) soutenant une extrémité non maintenue de la fraise-mère (90) et monté sur la poupée porte-outil (6), puis commande une unité d'entraînement de broche porte-outil, une unité d'entraînement de broche porte-pièce et une unité d'entraînement d'alimentation afin d'usiner une pièce à travailler maintenue sur une broche porte-pièce.
PCT/JP2023/038147 2022-11-16 2023-10-23 Machine-outil WO2024106141A1 (fr)

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JP2022183241A JP7443470B1 (ja) 2022-11-16 2022-11-16 工具支持装置、及び該工具支持装置を備えた工作機械
JP2022-183241 2022-11-16

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WO2024106141A1 true WO2024106141A1 (fr) 2024-05-23

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