KR20120071613A - Automatic tool changer for machine tool - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses an automatic tool changer for a machine tool. The automatic tool changer of the machine tool is provided with a disk-shaped rotating body, the plurality of tool holders 111 are accommodated in the magazine 110 is provided with a plurality of equiangular intervals along the circumferential direction; And a tool shifter 120 for exchanging the tool while moving on one side of the magazine 110 by the driving unit 140, wherein the tool shifter 120 has an inclined surface 121a formed at one side thereof. Being inclined block body 121; A rotating body 122 rotatably coupled to the inclined surface 121a of the inclined block body 121; A rotation driving unit 128 for rotating the rotating body 122; And first and second rotary grippers 125 and 126 coupled to both ends of the rotor 122 to grip the tool. The present invention not only shortens the tool change time much more, but also simplifies the process of tool change, thereby improving the reliability of the operation.

Description

Automatic tool changer for machine tools {Automatic tool changer for machine tool}

The present invention relates to an automatic tool changer of a machine tool, and more particularly, to an automatic tool changer of a machine tool having an improved structure so that a tool change time can be shortened.

In general, a machine tool cuts a workpiece by a relative movement of the workpiece and the tool. For example, a rotating tool can be moved in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions while the workpiece is stopped. The installed table performs linear or pivotal movement and the tool with which the tool rotates can be moved in the X-axis and Y-axis Z-axis directions.

The machine tool as described above is provided with a magazine in which several tools are stored, and a particular tool selected from the magazine is mounted on a spindle to process the above-mentioned workpiece.

In addition, the tool is moved from the magazine to the spindle and mounted on the spindle, or the tool mounted on the spindle is moved to the magazine and stored in the magazine. This process is called tool change.

On the other hand, the tool T described above is provided with an HSK type in which a single tool groove T-1 is formed in the tool shank portion, and this HSK type tool T is provided in a magazine wheel gripper type magazine. It is stored.

In the above magazine wheel gripper type magazine, the grippers are installed at equal intervals on the outer circumference of the magazine wheel, the magazine wheel is numerically controlled by the drive of the servomotor, and when the command to select a specific tool is given, the selected tool is rotated. The position is shifted to the entrance.

When a tool change is made in the magazine wheel gripper type magazine as described above, it may be made in the following manner.

First, the spindle is moved directly to the magazine and the tool is moved to the workpiece machining area by holding the tool that is moved to a specific position in the magazine.

In this case, the distance for the spindle to move can be long, thereby increasing the stroke of the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis moving the spindle, there is a problem that the overall size of the machine tool increases.

Second, the entire magazine is moved toward the spindle, which holds the tool at a specific position.

In this case, a transfer system for moving the entire magazine should be installed, thereby increasing the overall size of the machine tool and increasing the manufacturing cost of the machine tool.

That is, as described above, in the magazine of the conventional wheel wheel gripper type, the tool is changed without using an automatic tool changer (ATC) when changing the tool, but the entire magazine is moved to move the tool. Is moved or the main shaft (spindle) has to move a long distance, so the mechanical configuration is enlarged, occupies a large occupied space, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost of the machine tool rises as described above.

Accordingly, the present applicant can reduce the overall size of the machine tool by moving the specific tool selected in the magazine wheel gripper type magazine toward the spindle or by holding the tool mounted on the spindle in the magazine through the last application. We have proposed a technique to make it work.

On the other hand, the technology pending by the applicant and waiting for examination relates to an automatic tool changer incorporating a tool shifter used in a machining center, which is used in terms of device size, space utilization, and cost reduction. It has many advantages.

However, there is a fear that the tool change time is somewhat delayed because the tool shifter needs to change the tool while reciprocating twice. That is, the tool change time may be somewhat delayed since the tool shifter needs to change the tool while reciprocating twice between the tool change position and the disc magazine.

The process of tool change by the automatic tool changer will be briefly described without drawing.

Step 1) The magazine rotates to position the front of the tool shifter where the main spindle is to be used (empty).

Step 2) The tool shifter is operated by a drive unit such as a cylinder to advance to the tool change position.

Step 3) The main shaft moves to store the tool in the gripper in front of the tool shifter, and then unclamps the tool and ascends.

Step 4) The tool shifter reverses to store the tool in the magazine (one round trip)

Step 5) The magazine rotates to position the tool shifter in front of the next tool.

Step 6) The tool shifter moves forward to grab the next tool and transfer it to the tool change position.

Step 7) The spindle is lowered, clamping the tool in the gripper in front of the tool shifter, and moving forward to complete the tool change.

Step 8) The tool shifter retracts and returns to its original position (two round trips).

As described above, since the tool shifter needs to reciprocate twice and rotate the magazine after one reciprocation, the tool change time can be delayed and the process of tool change can be complicated. Since there is a possibility of a problem of reduced reliability of operation, efficient structural improvement is required.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the problems described above, the object of the machine tool can not only shorten the tool change time much more, but also the process of tool change can be simplified to improve the reliability of the operation It is to provide an automatic tool changer.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is provided with a disk-shaped rotating body, the plurality of tool holders 111 are accommodated in the magazine 110 is provided with a plurality of equiangular intervals along the circumferential direction; And a tool shifter 120 for exchanging the tool while moving on one side of the magazine 110 by the driving unit 140, wherein the tool shifter 120 has an inclined surface 121a formed at one side thereof. Being inclined block body 121; A rotating body 122 rotatably coupled to the inclined surface 121a of the inclined block body 121; A rotation driving unit 128 for rotating the rotating body 122; And first and second rotary grippers 125 and 126 coupled to both ends of the rotating body 122 to grip the tools.

In addition, the present invention further provides the following specific embodiments of the above-described embodiment of the present invention.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the angle of the inclined surface (121a) is 45 degrees, both the first and second rotary grippers (125, 126), the fixing finger (127a); And a movable finger 127b for gripping the tool with a forceps structure while being driven or approached with respect to the fixed finger 127a.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the tool holder 111, a pair of holder blocks 112 are spaced apart from each other so that the tool storage space (111a) in which the tool is received is formed therein; An insertion rail 113 protruding from the inner walls of the holder blocks 112 and inserted into a groove G formed on the neck N of the tool; And an elastic member 114 disposed outside the pair of holder blocks 112 to elastically press in a direction in which the pair of holder blocks 112 are narrowed to each other.

According to the present invention, not only can the tool change time be much shorter, but the process of tool change can be simplified, thereby improving the reliability of the operation.

1A is a perspective view of an automatic tool changer of a machine tool according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state before a tool change operation.
1B is an enlarged view illustrating main parts of FIG. 1A;
2 to 8 are stepwise working drawings of tool change.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an automatic tool changer for a machine tool according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 8.

1A is a perspective view of an automatic tool changer of a machine tool according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state before a tool change operation, FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of main parts of FIG. 1A, and FIGS. 2 to 8 are tools Step by step working drawings according to the exchange.

Hereinafter, most of the configuration diagrams related to the automatic tool changer of this embodiment are shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, and in the case of FIGS.

Mainly referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the automatic tool changer of the present embodiment may be applied to a machine tool such as a machining center, and includes a tool shifter 120 for exchanging a magazine 110 and a tool T1. ).

As such, the automatic tool changer to which the tool shifter 120 is applied provides a number of advantages in terms of device size and space utilization and cost reduction.

Magazine 110 is provided with a disk-shaped rotating body. That is, when the exchange of the tools T1 and T2 proceeds as described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 8, a process that is rotated once is formed.

On the circumferential surface of the magazine 110, a plurality of tool holders 111 in which the tool T1 is accommodated are provided with a plurality of equiangular intervals along the circumferential direction thereof. The number of tool holders 111 may be about 20, but the scope of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the numerical values thereof.

Looking at the structure of the tool holder 111 with reference to Figure 1b as follows.

The tool holder 111 is provided with a pair of holder blocks 112 spaced apart from each other so as to form a tool storage space 111a in which the tool T1 is received, and protrudes from the inner walls of the holder blocks 112. Insertion rail 113 is inserted into the groove (G) formed on the neck (N) of the tool (T1) and the pair of holder block 112 is disposed outside the pair of holder block 112 to narrow each other It includes an elastic member 114 for elastically pressing in the losing direction. The elastic member 114 may be a torsion coil compression spring.

In this case, the tool storage space 111a formed by the pair of holder blocks 112 is gradually formed along the direction in which the tool T1 is accommodated, and then gradually widens again. The width of the tool storage space 111a becomes wider at the point of the narrowest point A in the tool storage space 111a to support the neck N region of the tool T1. After the neck (N) of the) is supported, there is no phenomenon that is separated to the opposite side.

The tool shifter 120 is provided for exchanging the tool T1. That is, it is used when the first tool T1 is to be replaced with the second tool T2 as described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 8 below. The difference from the prior art is that the first tool T1 can be replaced with the second tool T2 by a single operation.

The tool shifter 120 exchanges the tool T1 while linearly moving along the radial direction of the magazine 110 by the driving unit 140. The driving unit 140 may be a hydraulic cylinder, but a motor and a ball screw structure may be applied. The tool shifter 120 may linearly move on the rail R. FIG.

The tool shifter 120 may include an inclined block body 121 having an inclined surface 121a formed on one side thereof, and a rotating body rotatably coupled to the inclined surface 121a of the inclined block body 121 by a rotation driving unit 128. And a first and second rotary grippers 125 and 126 coupled to both ends of the rotor 122 to grip the tool T1, respectively.

The inclined block body 121 is a portion rotatably supporting the first and second rotary grippers 125 and 126, and the inclined surface 121a formed at the front end of the inclined block body 121 has an angle of approximately 45 degrees.

The rotary drive unit 128 serves to rotate the rotating body 122. Like the driving unit 140 may be a hydraulic cylinder.

The rotor 122 is a plate-shaped metal plate to which the first and second rotary grippers 125 and 126 are coupled.

The through hole 122a is formed in the rotor 122, but is not necessarily formed. However, when the through hole 122a is formed, there may be an advantage in that power loss caused by rotating the first and second rotary grippers 125 and 126 may be reduced.

Each of the first and second rotary grippers 125 and 126 includes a fixed finger 127a and a movable finger 127b that grips the tool T1 in a tong structure while being driven or approached with respect to the fixed finger 127a. do. The structure of the fixed finger 127a and the movable finger 127b has been given the same reference numeral because both the first and second rotary grippers 125 and 126 are identical.

Hereinafter, a process of tool replacement for exchanging the first tool T1 and the second tool T2 through the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 2 to 8.

Step 1) Before the tool change operation for exchanging the first tool T1, as shown in FIG. 1A, the magazine 110 is rotated so that the position of the second tool T2 to be used after the first tool T1 is located. 120) Place it in front of you.

Step 2) The tool shifter 120 is operated by the driving unit 140 applied as a cylinder to move forward to the position where the first tool T1 is replaced. At this time, the first rotary gripper 125 which is coaxial with the first tool T1 among the first and second rotary grippers 125 and 126 is moved to the exchange position by holding the first tool T1 (see FIG. 2).

Step 3) The rotation driving unit 128 is operated in one direction so that the second rotating gripper 126 is vacant in a direction where the empty second rotary gripper 126 is rotated within a range where there is no interference around (about 70 degrees in this embodiment) (Fig. 3). 3). The main shaft (not shown) of the machine tool then moves, mounts the second tool T2 on the second rotary gripper 126, unclamps and then raises it (see FIG. 4). The motion and movement path for the main axis of the machine tool is indicated by arrows in FIG. 4.

Step 4) The rotation driving unit 128 is operated in the reverse direction of step 3) so that the first tool T1 is positioned forward as shown in FIG. 5. Subsequently, as shown in the arrow path of FIG. 6, the main shaft of the machine tool is lowered to clamp the first tool T1, and then is out of the tool change position.

Step 5) As shown in FIG. 7, the rotation driving unit 128 is operated in the direction of step 3) so that the second rotary gripper 126 having gripped the second tool T2 comes to the front, and then the driving unit 140 Is operated to reverse tool shifter 120. The tool shifter 120 is retracted to accommodate the new second tool T2 in the tool holder 111 of the magazine 110 and returns to the original position before tool change (see FIG. 8).

When the first tool T1 and the second tool T2 are exchanged through this process, the tool shifter 120 can be moved back and forth through the process No. 1, especially the longest magazine 110. Since the number of rotations of the motor is also shortened by one time, there is an advantage that the time for tool change is much shorter than conventionally, for example, about 30% or more.

Thus, according to this embodiment, not only can the tool change time be shortened much more, but also the process of tool change can be simplified and the reliability of the operation can be improved.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, such modifications or variations will have to be belong to the claims of the present invention.

110: magazine 111: tool holder
111a: Tool storage space 112: Holder block
113: insertion rail 114: elastic member
120: tool shifter 121: inclined block body
121a: slope 122: rotating body
125,126: first and second rotary grippers 127a: fixed fingers
127b: movable finger 128: rotary drive part

Claims (3)

A magazine 110 which is provided as a disk-shaped rotating body and has a plurality of tool holders 111 in which tools are received at equal angles along the circumferential direction; And
It includes a tool shifter (120) for exchanging the tool while moving on one side of the magazine 110 by a drive unit 140,
The tool shifter 120,
An inclined block body 121 having an inclined surface 121 a formed on one side thereof;
A rotating body 122 rotatably coupled to the inclined surface 121a of the inclined block body 121;
A rotation driving unit 128 for rotating the rotating body 122; And
First and second rotary grippers 125 and 126 coupled to both ends of the rotor 122 to grip a tool;
Automatic tool changer of the machine tool including.
The method of claim 1,
The angle of the inclined surface 121a is 45 degrees,
Both the first and second rotary grippers 125 and 126,
Fixed finger 127a; And
A movable finger 127b for gripping the tool with a forceps structure while being driven or approached with respect to the fixed finger 127a;
Automatic tool changer of the machine tool including.
The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The tool holder 111,
A pair of holder blocks 112 spaced apart from each other such that the tool storage space 111a in which the tool is accommodated is formed;
An insertion rail 113 protruding from the inner walls of the holder blocks 112 and inserted into a groove G formed on the neck N of the tool; And
An elastic member 114 disposed outside the pair of holder blocks 112 to elastically press the pair of holder blocks 112 in a narrowing direction;
Automatic tool changer of the machine tool including.

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