JP2012030360A - Universal machine for soft machining of bevel gear and corresponding method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify the production of a bevel gear.SOLUTION: An apparatus includes a lathe 22 having a counter-headstock 23 which is arranged co-axially with a rotational axis B1 of a work spindle 22.1. A multifunctional tool holder 24 is provided which is displaceable relative to a workpiece blank K1 held on the lathe 22 and includes a tool base 25 mounted so as to rotate about an axis B2. The tool base 25 is provided for fixing one or more tools. A tool housing 26 having a milling head 27 is provided. The tool housing 26 is displaceable relative to the workpiece blank K1 held on the lathe 22, and the milling head 27 is mounted so as to rotate about a milling head axis B3. A controller controls machining processes in which the workpiece blank K1 is firstly subjected to lathe machining by means of a tool fixed to the tool base 25 and then to tooth machining by means of the milling head 27.

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for soft machining of bevel gears, in particular an apparatus designed for dry machining. The invention also relates to each method.

  Various machines are used to manufacture gears similar to bevel gears. For some time there has been a demand for automation of its production. Although a limited advance, one solution is a machining center that is designed to allow many manufacturing processes to be performed using only one machine. Such machines are not only very complex and therefore expensive, but also require a relatively large amount of work (set-up time) to set up as a preparation. On the other hand, machines developed for high flexibility are well suited for individual production or very small lot production.

  U.S. Patent No. 6,057,051 shows and describes a small machine designed for turning a product being machined and hobbing a gear, the product being machined being re-gripped or transferred with a chuck. There is no need to change. In other words, the product being processed remains attached to the spindle after being gripped by the chuck and is machined in that position using a different tool. It is considered a disadvantage that as a result of placing different elements, it is not designed to perform dry machining. This is because, in dry machining, removal of hot tips is particularly relevant. Furthermore, as a result of the two carriages with tools being arranged laterally, the freedom of movement for the product being processed is limited. The machine shown is not suitable for machining bevel gears or the like and is designed to machine cylinder gears.

European Patent No. 0832716

  The present invention is based on the object of simplifying the manufacture of bevel gears.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide each device that is not expensive.

  These objects are achieved by the features of claims 1 and 9 according to the invention. Further advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

  The device according to the invention is relatively inexpensive and can therefore be used in situations where machine tools that are often expensive due to complexity are not economical. The method according to the invention is specifically designed to machine the tooth surface before the quenching process, ie in the soft state. The tool used must be chosen appropriately.

1 is a schematic illustration of various machining steps when manufacturing a bevel gear. 1 is a schematic view of a first device used for soft machining of a bevel gear according to the present invention. FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a second device used for soft machining of a bevel gear according to the present invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  Terms used in connection with this specification are also used in related publications and patent specifications. However, it should be noted that the use of such terms is for better understanding only. The scope of protection sought in the inventive concept and in the claims is by no means limited in their interpretation by the specific terms chosen. The present invention can be easily transferred to another terminology system and / or field of specialization. These terms are used in other areas of expertise as well.

  The present invention relates to machining of bevel gears. Moreover, this term shall include a crown gear and a bevel pinion according to the definition. It also includes bevel gears without axial deviation and bevel gears with axial deviation, so-called hypoid bevel gears.

  FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an exemplary process execution step 10. The invention can be advantageously used in the situation shown. As already mentioned, it relates to an example of machining a bevel gear. In the illustrated example, the following soft machining steps are performed using a processing blank (box 101). In the illustrated example, the following soft machining steps are performed using a processing blank (box 101). A (central) hole can be formed (box 102), for example by drilling. Next, turning can be performed on the processing blank using a lathe (box 103). These steps are referred to in this context as preform manufacturing or pre-machining. Other or alternative steps can be performed within the scope of preform manufacture. The product being processed is called a gear blank at the end of preform manufacture.

  This is followed by so-called gear tooth formation. According to the present invention, a (dry) bevel gear milling is preferably performed (box 104) to form teeth in the gear blank. This is followed by trimming as an optional step (box 105). Steps 102, 103 and 104 or steps 102 to 105 can be carried out according to the invention using the device 20 according to the invention.

  This is typically followed by a heat treatment (box 106) to cure the gear blank and a post-treatment or finishing (box 107). The bevel gear is then finished.

  Further details of the present invention will now be described with reference to a more detailed description of each method step and by way of example.

  The method according to the invention for soft machining of a bevel gear comprises the following steps. Reference numbers relate to FIG. The machining blank K1 is fastened to the first work spindle 22.1 of the lathe 22 which is part of the device 20 according to the invention. The first soft machining on the machining blank K1 is performed using one or several tools 25.1, 25.2, 25.3. Tools 25.1, 25.2, 25.3 are fastened to the first multifunction tool holder 25 of the device 20. This first soft machining may be related to one or several of the following machining steps: drilling, turning, milling. The purpose of this first soft machining is to produce a gear blank from the machining blank K1.

  Here, the gear teeth are formed using the same apparatus 20. This is done as follows. The second soft machining of the gear blank is performed using a milling head 27 that is gripped by the tool housing 26. The purpose of the second soft machining is to form a group of teeth on the gear blank. The second soft machining preferably includes (dry) bevel gear milling of the gear blank using the milling head 27.

  In order to carry out the steps in the manner described above, the multi-function tool holder 25 is arranged on the tool post 24 in a plane horizontal to the spindle B1 of the lathe 22 and the milling head 27 is mounted on the tool housing 26. Be placed. Preferably, the tool post 24 is disposed on the side and the tool housing 26 is disposed at a position adjacent to the opposite axis B1.

  It is preferred that all machining steps can be performed dry. However, in this case, it is necessary to arrange and arrange the device 20 appropriately, in particular in order to be able to remove hot chips.

  FIG. 2 shows a device 20 according to the invention. The device 20 is specially designed for use in soft machining of bevel gears and has a CNC-controlled lathe 22 with a work spindle 22.1 for receiving a machining blank K1. The apparatus 20 has a tool housing 24 for receiving a tool post 24 with different tools 25.1 to 25.3 and a gear cutting tool (eg milling head 27) for forming teeth in a gear blank. . Moreover, the counter spindle stock 23 can be provided.

  According to the invention, the device 20 is a lathe in which a tool housing 26 with a milling head 27 is arranged next to the work spindle 22.1 to which a gear blank is mounted during gear tooth formation. Is a horizontal machining station based on (The same overall configuration can be arranged vertically.)

  According to the invention, the lathe 22 forms a functional unit by combining a tool housing 26, in which a first soft machining is applied to the machining blank K1, after the first soft machining, Gear teeth are formed on the gear blank using the milling head 27. The apparatus 20 has the CNC control apparatus 28 shown in FIG. The CNC controller 28 is control-connected to at least the following parts 22, 24, 25, 26 of the system, as indicated by the arrow 34.1 in FIG. This connection can also be made by bus or by cable wiring. It is also possible to use another type of interface, for example a wireless connection, to connect the CNC controller 28 to each part 22, 24, 25, 26 of the system.

  In the following, further details of the apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. The lathe 22 has a main rotation axis B1. The work spindle 22 is rotatable about the axis B1 as indicated by the double arrow 29.1. Further, the counter spindle stock 23 is attached to the carriage 23.1 so as to be coaxial with the work spindle 22.1, and can be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the main rotary shaft B1 as indicated by an arrow x1. Furthermore, the tool post 24 has a rotation axis B2. The tool holder 25 is rotatable about the axis B2, as indicated by the double arrow 29.2. In the illustrated embodiment, the tool post 24 is mounted on the carriages 24.1, 24.2, so that it can be displaced in the direction of the axes x2, y2 together with the tools 25.1, 25.2, 25.3. It is.

  The milling head 27 is rotatable about the axis B3 as indicated by the double arrow 29.3. Furthermore, the tool housing 26 is attached to the carriage 26.1, 26.2 and can be displaced in different directions as indicated by arrows x3, y3.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the work spindle 22.1 and the machining blank K1 and / or the gear blank are not linearly displaced. The displacement capability in the direction parallel to the axis x1 is due to the advancement of the tools 25.1, 25.2, 25.3 and the milling head 27 so that the tool post 24 or the tool housing 26 is displaced parallel to the axis x1. It is not essential. Further, the displacement of the lathe 22 on the projection plane orthogonal to the axis x1 is not essential because the tool post 24 and the tool housing 26 can be displaced in the y directions y2 and y3. The work spindle 22.1 is still arranged on the carriage to increase the degree of freedom.

  Each axis is associated with a numerical control axis. Accordingly, each movement is numerically controlled by the CNC controller 28. The CNC controller 28 is preferably configured so that all axes can be numerically controlled. What is important is that all of the single part of the continuous movement is performed in harmony. Such harmonization is performed by the CNC controller 28.

  Thus, the apparatus 20 according to the present invention is superior to other known methods in that each machining station 24, 26 is arranged horizontally. Furthermore, the position of each numerical control axis was chosen so that the operating range for machining the product / blank being processed was as large as possible. The following arrangement is particularly preferred for each axis.

  Tool post 24: The axis x2 extends parallel to the axis x1, but the two axes are offset from each other so as to allow relative movement in a direction parallel to y2. In this way, a central hole can be made in the processing blank K1 using, for example, the drill 25.3. The tool post 24 and the carriage 24.1, 24.2 are arranged close to the work spindle 22.1 so that the relative distance between them can be changed, so that the relative displacement is x2. And / or parallel to y2. The two axes x1 and x2 are preferably offset from each other in the depth direction (perpendicular to the projection plane). For this purpose, the carriages 24.1, 24.2 can be displaced parallel to an arbitrary axis z2.

  Tool housing 26 with milling head 27: axis x3 preferably extends parallel to axis x1. The tool housing 26 and the carriage 26.1, 26.2 are also arranged in a horizontal direction with respect to the work spindle 22.1 so that the relative distance between them can be changed. The relative displacement is performed parallel to the axes x3 and y3. The two axes x1, x3 are preferably offset laterally (within the projection plane). For this purpose, the carriage 26.1 can be displaced parallel to the axis y3. The two axes x1 and x3 are preferably offset from each other in the depth direction (perpendicular to the projection plane). For this purpose, the carriages 26.1, 26.2 can be displaced parallel to an arbitrary axis z3.

  It is also possible to associate the tool housing 26 with the milling head 27 with another coordinate system and arrange the axes of such a coordinate system differently. In this case, the CNC controller 28 needs to take coordinate transformation into account in order to be able to perform continuous operation between different coordinate systems.

  As shown in FIG. 2, during gear tooth formation, the angle W is set and changed between the two axes B1, B3, where the angle is about 40 °. It is preferable that the angle can be adjusted in the range of W1 to W2. In general, W is not set to a fixed value and is changed during milling.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the work spindle 22.1 receiving the machining blank K1 has fastening or gripping means in order to be able to fasten the machining blank / gear blank. Embodiments in which the fastening or gripping means are designed for automatic mounting are particularly preferred.

  The tool post 24 of the device 20 preferably comprises a tool turret 25.2 that can accept several tools. Particularly preferred is an embodiment in which at least one tool arranged in the multifunction tool head 25 or in the tool turret 25.2 can be driven individually. The tool turret 25.2 itself is rotatable about the axis B4 as indicated by the double arrow 25.4.

  The tool post 24 can be used for turning, grooving, drilling and the like.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the multifunction tool holder 25 shows several tool holders. The illustrated embodiment comprises three tools 25.1 to 25.3. The multifunction tool holder 25 is preferably arranged to be configured as a spindle head in order to allow at least one of the tool holders to drive each tool individually. Tool 25.3 is associated with a drill or milling head that is rotatable about a longitudinal axis. The tools 25.1 and 25.2 are a tool turret, a lathe tool, or a deburring head fixedly fixed to the tool holder of the multi-function tool holder 25.

  The device 20 can be changed or adjusted appropriately according to the parameters.

  The device 20 is particularly preferably characterized in that the device 20 includes a CNC controller 28 that allows the lathe 22, the tool post 24 and the tool holder 25 to operate as a functional unit with the tool housing 26. The advantage of having only one CNC controller located on the lathe 21 or designed to work with the lathe 21 is that the apparatus 20 can be realized more cost-effectively. These cost savings are realized mainly by the fact that a separate CNC controller 28 is not required for milling the bevel gear using the milling head 27. Furthermore, the complexity of the chain of axes is reduced and the adjustment for each successive operation of the device 20 is simplified.

  FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment. This embodiment is based on the principle of the present invention described above. In FIG. 3, the same reference numerals are used as much as possible.

  FIG. 3 shows an apparatus 30 in which the multifunction tool holder 34 also acts as a tool housing 36 for the milling head 27. The carriage 24.2 is rotatable about the vertical axis B5 as indicated by the bidirectional arrow 29.3. Thereby, the milling head 27 can be rotated to take the position 27 ′ as schematically shown in FIG. 3. Thereby, the bar cutter of the milling head 27 can mill the gear blank K1. During this milling, the milling head 27 rotates about its axis B3 and the gear blank rotates about its axis B2. During this turning, for example before milling, one of the other tools 25.1 or 25.3 can be used. The control is performed by a CNC control unit 38 having a different configuration from the control unit 28 of FIG. 2, but it has a slightly different shaft arrangement and a milling head 27 is incorporated in the tool post 34. Because.

  Particularly preferred is an embodiment in which the tool housing 26, 36 or 46 is configured for dry milling or minimum lubricating oil (MQL) machining of bevel gears.

  Tools manufactured using tough steel, cemented carbide, ceramics or cermet (combination of alloy and ceramic), each with a suitable hard solid coating, can be used for gear tooth machining with a bevel gear milling machine according to the present invention. Used according to the hardness of the tool.

  It is considered to be an advantage of the present invention that the product being manufactured can be machined from the blank to the final bevel gear without having to re-tighten with the chuck. It therefore relates to a practically very compact production line that can be realized in as little space as possible by taking special measures and can be installed at an affordable price.

1. In an apparatus used for manufacturing a bevel gear,
In order to fasten the work spindle (22.1) and the machining blank (K1) coaxially, an opposing spindle stand (23) arranged coaxially with the rotation axis (B1) of the work spindle (22.1) is provided. A lathe (22) having,
Centering on an axis (B2) that is displaceable with respect to the machining blank (K1) held on the lathe (22) and extends substantially parallel to the rotation axis (B1) of the work spindle. A multi-function tool holder (24) having a tool base (25) mounted to rotate at least one tool, the tool base (25) being configured to attach at least one tool;
A tool housing (26) with a milling head (27), wherein the tool housing (26) is displaceable relative to the machining blank (K1) held on the lathe (22). A milling head (27), a tool housing (26) mounted to rotate about a milling head axis (B3);
In order to first turn the blank for processing (K1) using a tool attached to the tool table (25) and then perform tooth forming processing using the milling head (27), A device comprising a control device for controlling different machining operations, preferably a CNC control device.
2. The lathe (22) is a horizontal lathe. (20).
3. The processing head (27) is capable of moving forward in the lateral direction with respect to the processing blank (K1). (20).
4). The rotatable tool table (25) rotates the tool table (25) around its axis (B2) and linearly moves the tool table (25, 25, 25, 25). .3) having a driving device in order to be able to move forward; (20).
5. The apparatus performs a first soft machining on the processing blank (K1), and then, preferably using the processing head (26), the gear blank (K1) is preferably supplied with a coolant or lubricating oil. 1. It can be controlled by the control device (28) so as to form gear teeth without being used. 2. Or 3. (20).
6). The rotatable tool rest (25) is configured in the form of a tool turret (25.2). 2. 3. Or 4. (20).
7). The rotatable tool rest (25) comprises at least one driven tool (25.3) with another drive device. ~ 6. A device (20) according to any one of the above.
8). The apparatus relates to a machine tool for performing bevel gear machining, and the machining head (27) comprises a set of cutters. ~ 7. A device (20) according to any one of the above.
9. In the method of soft machining of bevel gears,
(A) The machining blank (K1) is placed on the first work spindle (22.1) of a lathe (22) having an opposing spindle stock (23) for fastening the machining blank (K1) coaxially. A step of fastening, wherein the counter spindle stock is arranged coaxially with a rotation axis (B1) of the work spindle (22.1);
(B) Displaceable with respect to the processing blank (K1) fastened to the lathe (22) and extends substantially parallel to the rotation axis (B1) of the first work spindle. Using the lathe (22) with a multi-function tool holder (24) for this purpose, having a tool base (25) held so as to be rotatable about an axis (B2), the tool base (25) wherein the tool rest (25) is configured to attach the tool, and performing a turning operation with a tool attached to the tool base (25);
(C) forming gear teeth using the processing head (27),
The lathe for this purpose,
(D) having a tool housing (26) for the machining head (27), the tool housing (26) moving relative to the machining blank (K1) fastened to the lathe (22); And the processing head (27) is held rotatably about the processing head axis (B3).
10. In order to first turn the blank (K1) for machining using a tool attached to the tool table (25) and then to form gear teeth using the machining head (27). 8. A control device, preferably a CNC control device, is used to control different operations of the continuous operation of the lathe (22). The method described in 1.
11. 8. The processing head (27) is advanced laterally with respect to the processing blank (K1), The method described in 1.

  20 devices, 22 lathes, 23 opposed headstock, 24 turrets, 26 tool housing, 27 milling head, 28 CNC controller.

Claims (12)

Opposite headstock (23) arranged coaxially with the rotation axis (B1) of the work spindle (22.1) for fastening the work spindle (22.1) and the machining blank (K1) coaxially A lathe (22) having:
A shaft that is displaceable with respect to the machining blank (K1) held on the lathe (22) and extends substantially parallel to the rotation axis (B1) of the work spindle (22.1). A tool table (25) mounted to rotate about B2), the tool table (25) being adapted to be fitted with at least one tool (25.1 to 25.4) A multifunction tool holder (24) having;
In a device (20) comprising a tool housing (26) that is displaceable relative to the working blank (K1) held on the lathe (22),
The device (20) comprises a milling head (27) gripped by the tool housing (26) with a chuck,
The milling head (27) rotates about a machining head axis (B3) arranged at an adjustable angle (W) with respect to the rotation axis (B1) of the work spindle (22.1). Is mounted as
The apparatus (20) is configured to produce a bevel gear from the processing blank (K1),
The apparatus further performs a turning process on the machining blank (K1) using a tool attached to the tool table (25), and then forms a tooth using the milling head (27). An apparatus comprising a CNC control device (28) for controlling different machining operations in order to perform machining. The apparatus (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lathe (22) is a horizontal lathe. The apparatus (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the milling head (27) can be advanced laterally with respect to the machining blank (K1). The rotatable tool table (25) rotates the tool table (25) around its axis (B2) and linearly moves the tool table (25, 25, 25, 25). The device (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a drive device to enable the forward movement of .3). The apparatus performs the first soft machining on the machining blank (K1), and subsequently uses the machining head (26) to form gear teeth on the gear blank (K1). 4. The device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that it can be controlled by the device (28). 6. The device (20) according to claim 5 , characterized in that the gear teeth are formed without the use of coolant or lubricating oil. It said rotatable tool table (25) is characterized by being configured in the form of a tool turret (25.2) A device according to any one of claims 1-6 (20). Said rotatable tool table (25) is characterized by having at least one driven tool (25.3) with a different driving device, according to any one of claims 1-7 Device (20). The milling head (27) is characterized by having a set of cutter apparatus according to any one of claims 1-8 (20). In a method of soft machining a bevel gear,
(A) The machining blank (K1) is placed on the first work spindle (22.1) of a lathe (22) having an opposing spindle stock (23) for fastening the machining blank (K1) coaxially. A step of fastening, wherein the counter spindle stock is arranged coaxially with a rotation axis (B1) of the work spindle (22.1);
(B) Displaceable with respect to the machining blank (K1) fastened to the lathe (22), and substantially on the rotating shaft (B1) of the first work spindle (22.1). Said lathe (22) having a multi-function tool holder (24) having a tool rest (25) adapted to mount a tool while being held rotatably about a parallel extending axis (B2) Turning with the tool attached to the tool table (25) using:
(C) using a milling head (27) to form gear teeth,
The lathe (22) has a tool housing (26) for the milling head (27);
The tool housing (26) is movable relative to the working blank (K1) fastened to the lathe (22);
The milling head (27) is held rotatably about the machining head axis (B3) at an adjustable angle (W) with respect to the rotation axis (B1) of the work spindle (22.1). The way it is. The machining blank (K1) is first turned using the tool attached to the tool table (25), and then the gear teeth are formed using the milling head (27). The method according to claim 10 , characterized in that a CNC controller (28) is used for controlling different operations of the continuous operation of the lathe (22). 11. Method according to claim 10 , characterized in that the milling head (27) is advanced laterally with respect to the working blank (K1).

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