JP7400221B2 - Machine tool with conveyor device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a machine tool equipped with a transport device, and more particularly to a machine tool that processes a workpiece transported by a transport device.

Conventionally, various machine tools have been known that include a jig that can clamp a workpiece and a processing device that processes the workpiece clamped by the jig (see Patent Document 1). As an example of such a machine tool, the one shown in FIG. 18 is known, for example. The processing device 103 in the machine tool 101 shown in FIG. 18 includes a shaft head 133 for processing the workpiece 110 and a ball screw device 137 that shifts the shaft head 133 to correspond to the workpiece 110. . The machine tool 101 also includes a transport device 104 that transports the workpiece 110 between a position (a) far from the jig 102 and a position (b) near the jig 102. That is, this machine tool 101 is equipped with a transport device 104. Therefore, the process from transporting to processing the workpiece 110 can be carried out efficiently.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-132584

However, in the conventional technique shown in FIG. 18 described above, when automating the work of transporting the workpiece 110 located near the jig 102 to the jig 102, two cylinders 136 and 236 (elevating air cylinder 136, A transport hydraulic cylinder 236) was required. This lifting air cylinder 136 is capable of inserting a pin 136b provided at its tip into an insertion groove 112a provided in a pallet 111 on which a workpiece 110 is placed from above. Further, this conveyance hydraulic cylinder 236 is a cylinder capable of shifting (laterally sliding) the elevating air cylinder 136 along the conveyance direction in which the workpiece 110 located at the position (b) near the jig 102 is conveyed to the jig 102. . Since two cylinders 136 and 236 are required in this way, the structure of the machine tool 101 becomes complicated.

The present invention aims to solve these problems, and its purpose is to simplify the structure of a machine tool equipped with a transport device that can automate the work of transporting workpieces located near the jig to the jig. It is to be.

According to one feature of the present disclosure, a machine tool with a transfer device includes a pallet on which a workpiece is placed and a positioning clamp, a jig for positioning and clamping the pallet, and a jig installed above the jig, and the machine tool is installed above the jig, and is installed above the jig to measure or process the workpiece. It is equipped with a shaft head that performs this, a shaft head shift device that shifts the shaft head to correspond to the workpiece, an elevating roller conveyor that moves up and down on a jig, and a transport roller conveyor that transports pallets to the elevating roller conveyor. The direction in which the pallet is conveyed by the conveyor roller conveyor and the direction in which the shaft head is shifted by the shaft head shift device are the same direction. An engaged member that engages in the conveyance direction is installed on the pallet. An original engaging member that engages with the engaged member in the conveying direction is installed on the shaft head. A vertical shift device is provided on the shaft head for vertically shifting the original engaging member between a position where the original engaging member is engaged with the engaged member and a non-engaging position where the original engaging member is not engaged.

Therefore, even without the need for the conveying hydraulic cylinder described in the prior art, it is possible to automate the work of conveying a workpiece located near the jig to the jig, as in the prior art. Furthermore, since a conveyance hydraulic cylinder is not required, the structure of the machine tool with a conveyance device can be simplified.

According to another feature of the present disclosure, the engaged member and the original engaging member have an engaging protrusion on one side, an engaging groove on the other side, and extend in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

Therefore, when the workpiece is transported, the engaging protrusion is inserted into the pallet on which the workpiece is placed. Therefore, the workpiece can be transported in a stable state.

According to another feature of the present disclosure, the engagement protrusion or the engagement groove has a pair of inclined surfaces facing each other in the conveyance direction.

Therefore, the pair of inclined surfaces can guide insertion of the engagement protrusion into the engagement groove of the engaged member. Therefore, this insertion can be performed smoothly.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a machine tool according to an embodiment viewed from the front. FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view seen from the front, illustrating the outline of a jig in the machine tool of FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the workpiece is lowered together with the pallet in FIG. 2; FIG. 2 is a schematic front view illustrating a series of operations of the machine tool shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram seen from the front for explaining the next operation of FIG. 4. FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic front view illustrating the next operation of FIG. 5; 7 is a schematic diagram seen from the front for explaining the next operation of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram seen from the front for explaining the next operation of FIG. 7. FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic front view illustrating the next operation of FIG. 8; 10 is a schematic diagram seen from the front for explaining the next operation of FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram seen from the front for explaining the next operation of FIG. 10. FIG. FIG. 12 is a schematic front view illustrating the next operation of FIG. 11; FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram seen from the front for explaining the next operation of FIG. 12; FIG. 14 is a schematic front view illustrating the next operation of FIG. 13; 15 is a schematic diagram seen from the front for explaining the next operation of FIG. 14. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram seen from the front for explaining the next operation of FIG. 15. FIG. FIG. 17 is a schematic front view illustrating the next operation of FIG. 16; FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a machine tool according to the prior art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be explained using FIGS. 1 to 17. In the following description, the left-right direction on the paper surface of FIG. 1 will be referred to as the X-axis direction. Similarly, the top-bottom direction on the paper of FIG. 1 is the Y-axis direction. Similarly, the direction from front to back in the paper of FIG. 1 is defined as the Z-axis direction. Therefore, these X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction are orthogonal to each other. This is the same in the diagrams of FIGS. 1 to 17. Note that this X-axis direction is the transport direction of the pallet 11 on which the work 10 is placed, that is, the transport direction of the work 10.

First, the overall configuration of the machine tool 1 with the transport device 4 will be explained (see FIGS. 1 to 3). This machine tool 1 includes a jig 2, a processing device 3, and a conveyance device 4. Below, these jig 2, processing device 3, and conveyance device 4 will be explained individually. The machine tool 1 is used to process a workpiece 10 placed on a pallet 11 and clamped for positioning. Note that four bores (a first bore 10a, a second bore 10b, a third bore 10c, and a fourth bore 10d) are formed in advance in the work 10 along the conveyance direction of the work 10.

A plurality of pin holes 11a are formed in the lower surface of the pallet 11, into which a plurality of pins 22c of a table 22, which will be described later, are inserted. Further, a boss 12 is provided on the upper surface of the pallet 11. This boss 12 corresponds to the "engaged member" described in the claims. This boss 12 has an insertion groove 12a formed along the Z-axis direction into which a pin 36b of a hydraulic cylinder 36 of a processing device 3, which will be described later, can be inserted. This insertion groove 12a corresponds to an "engaging groove" described in the claims. A tapered inclined surface 12b is formed at the entrance of the insertion groove 12a. The insertion groove 12a is a groove formed parallel to the Z-axis direction, the inclined surface 12b is a surface formed parallel to the Z-axis direction, and the pin 36b is a protrusion formed parallel to the Z-axis direction. .

First, the jig 2 will be explained (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Note that since this jig 2 is a well-known one, only the general structure will be described without explaining its detailed structure. This jig 2 includes a pair of bases 20 placed on a floor F, and a table 22 assembled so that a recess 20a spans the pair of bases 20 (see FIG. 2). A recess 20a is formed in the center of the base 20 in plan view. A hydraulic cylinder 23 is provided in the concave surface 20b of the concave portion 20a along the Y-axis direction.

An elevating roller conveyor 24 is provided at the tip of the cylinder rod 23a of the hydraulic cylinder 23 along the X-axis direction. That is, the elevating roller conveyor 24 is provided in the recess 20a of the base 20. Therefore, when the cylinder rod 23a of this hydraulic cylinder 23 is extended, the elevating roller conveyor 24 rises. On the contrary, when the cylinder rod 23a of this hydraulic cylinder 23 is retracted, the elevating roller conveyor 24 is lowered. Further, this table 22 is provided with a plurality of pins 22c.

As a result, when the elevating roller conveyor 24 on which the pallet 11 is placed descends, the plurality of pins 22c of the table 22 are inserted into the plurality of pin holes 11a of the pallet 11 that descends together with the elevating roller conveyor 24 (see FIG. 3). . Therefore, the pallet 11 is transferred from the elevating roller conveyor 24 to the plurality of pins 22c. Therefore, the pallet 11 on which the work 10 is placed can be positioned and clamped. As a result, the workpiece 10 can be positioned and clamped with respect to the jig 2. In this positioning and clamped state, each bore 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d of the workpiece 10 can be finished by the shaft head 33, which will be described later.

Note that after the processing on the workpiece 10 is completed, the lifting roller conveyor 24 is raised by the hydraulic cylinder 23. Then, the insertion of the plurality of pins 22c of the table 22 into the plurality of pin holes 11a of the pallet 11, which is raised together with the elevating roller conveyor 24, is eliminated (see FIG. 2). Therefore, the pallet 11 is transferred (returned) from the plurality of pins 22c to the elevating roller conveyor 24. Therefore, positioning clamping of the pallet 11 on which the work 10 is placed can be eliminated. As a result, positioning clamping of the workpiece 10 with respect to the jig 2 can be eliminated. The jig 2 is configured in this manner.

Next, the processing device 3 will be explained (see FIG. 1). This processing device 3 includes a frame (not shown) placed on a floor F, a guide rail 30 installed on the frame in the X-axis direction, and a shiftable (lateral slide) on the guide rail 30 in the X-axis direction. It includes a shaft head 33, a hydraulic cylinder 36 assembled to the shaft head 33 along the Y-axis direction via a bracket 35, and a ball screw device 37 for shifting the shaft head 33. That is, the direction in which the shaft head 33 is shifted by the ball screw device 37 is the X-axis direction. Therefore, the drive source that shifts the shaft head 33 in the X-axis direction (lateral slide) and the drive source that shifts the hydraulic cylinder 36 assembled to the shaft head 33 in the X-axis direction (sideways slide) are both ball screws. This is device 37.

This hydraulic cylinder 36 corresponds to a "vertical shift device" described in the claims. Further, this ball screw device 37 corresponds to a "shaft head shift device" described in the claims. By expanding and contracting the cylinder rod 36a of the hydraulic cylinder 36, it is possible to switch between a state in which the pin 36b of the cylinder rod 36a of the hydraulic cylinder 36 is inserted into the insertion groove 12a of the pallet 11 and a state in which it is not inserted. The shaft head 33 is, for example, a shaft head that performs finishing processing on the workpiece 10. Of course, the shaft head 33 may measure the workpiece 10.

Furthermore, a pin 36b that can be inserted into the insertion groove 12a of the pallet 11 is provided at the tip of the cylinder rod 36a of the hydraulic cylinder 36. This cylinder rod 36a corresponds to the "original engaging member" described in the claims. This pin 36b corresponds to an "engaging protrusion" described in the claims. A tapered inclined surface 36c is formed at the tip of the pin 36b. The insertion of the pin 36b of the hydraulic cylinder 36 into the insertion groove 12a of the boss 12 can be guided by the inclined surface 12b of the insertion groove 12a and the inclined surface 36c of the pin 36b. Therefore, this insertion can be performed smoothly.

The ball screw device 37 includes a screw shaft 37a whose both ends are supported by the frame 30, a nut 37b screwed onto the screw shaft 37a, a housing 37c assembled to the shaft head 33 while surrounding the nut 37b, and a screw shaft 37a. A servo motor 37d capable of rotating a shaft 37a is provided.

Therefore, when the servo motor 37d rotates normally, the shaft head 33 can be shifted (laterally slid) in one direction along the X-axis direction. On the contrary, when the servo motor 37d is reversed, the shaft head 33 can be shifted (laterally slid) in the other direction along the X-axis direction. The processing device 3 is configured as described above.

Finally, the transport device 4 will be explained (see FIG. 1). The transport device 4 transports a pallet 11 on which a workpiece 10 is placed between a position far from the jig 2 and a position near the jig 2. This far position is the position where the pallet 11 is indicated by (A) in FIG. Further, this nearby position refers to the position where the pallet 11 is indicated by (B) in FIG. Further, in FIGS. 1 and 2, the position where the pallet 11 is shown as (C) is the carry-in position of the pallet 11. Further, in FIG. 3, the position of the pallet 11 indicated by (D) is the positioning clamp position of the pallet 11.

This conveyance device 4 includes a conveyance roller conveyor 40 along the X-axis direction and an endless chain (not shown) that is stretched around a plurality of sprockets (not shown). A transport roller conveyor 40 is assembled to this endless chain. Therefore, when the endless chain is rotated in one direction, the transport roller conveyor 40 shifts (laterally slides) in one direction along the X-axis direction. Therefore, the pallet 11 placed on the transport roller conveyor 40 can be carried from the distant position (A) to the nearby position (B).

On the contrary, when the endless chain is rotated in the other direction, the transport roller conveyor 40 shifts (laterally slides) in the other direction along the X-axis direction. Therefore, the pallet 11 placed on the transport roller conveyor 40 can be transported from the nearby position (B) to the distant position (A). That is, the conveyance direction of the pallet 11 by the conveyance roller conveyor 40 is the X-axis direction. As described above, since the conveyance direction of the pallet 11 is the X-axis direction, the conveyance direction of the pallet 11 and the shift direction of the shaft head 33 by the ball screw device 37 are the same direction (X-axis direction). The transport device 4 is configured in this way.

Next, a series of operations of the machine tool 1 equipped with the above-mentioned jig 2, processing device 3, and conveyance device 4 will be explained (see FIGS. 4 to 17). This series of operations will be explained from when the pallet 11 carrying the workpiece 10 is at the far position (A) (see FIG. 4). First, an operation (first operation) of transporting the pallet 11 from the distant position (A) to the nearby position (B) is performed by the conveyance device 4 (see FIG. 5). Next, an operation (second operation) of extending the cylinder rod 36a of the hydraulic cylinder 36 of the processing device 3 is performed (see FIG. 6). As a result, the pin 36b of the cylinder rod 36a is inserted into the insertion groove 12a of the boss 12 of the pallet 11.

Next, the shaft head 33 is shifted (laterally slid) in one direction along the X-axis direction by the servo motor 37d of the ball screw device 37 of the processing device 3 (third operation, see FIG. 7). Therefore, the pallet 11 carrying the work 10 can be carried from the nearby position (B) to the carry-in position (C). Next, an operation (fourth operation) is performed to retract the cylinder rod 36a of the hydraulic cylinder 36 of the processing device 3 (see FIG. 8). Next, an operation (fifth operation) is performed in which the pallet 11 on which the workpiece 10 is placed is lowered from the carry-in position (C) to the positioning clamp position (D) using the jig 2.

Next, the shaft head 33 is shifted (laterally slid) in the other direction along the X-axis direction by the servo motor 37d of the ball screw device 37 of the processing device 3 (sixth operation, see FIG. 9). Therefore, the first bore 10a of the workpiece 10 and the shaft head 33 of the processing device 3 correspond (oppose). Therefore, the first bore 10a of the workpiece 10 can be finished by the shaft head 33.

Next, the shaft head 33 is shifted (laterally slid) in one direction along the X-axis direction by the servo motor 37d of the ball screw device 37 of the processing device 3 (seventh operation, see FIG. 10). Therefore, the second bore 10b of the workpiece 10 and the shaft head 33 of the processing device 3 correspond (oppose). Therefore, the second bore 10b of the workpiece 10 can be finished by the shaft head 33.

Next, the shaft head 33 is shifted (laterally slid) in one direction along the X-axis direction by the servo motor 37d of the ball screw device 37 of the processing device 3 (eighth operation, see FIG. 11). Therefore, the third bore 10c of the workpiece 10 and the shaft head 33 of the processing device 3 correspond (oppose). Therefore, the third bore 10c of the workpiece 10 can be finished by the shaft head 33.

Next, the shaft head 33 is shifted (laterally slid) in one direction along the X-axis direction by the servo motor 37d of the ball screw device 37 of the processing device 3 (ninth operation, see FIG. 12). Therefore, the fourth bore 10d of the workpiece 10 and the shaft head 33 of the processing device 3 correspond (oppose). Therefore, the fourth bore 10d of the workpiece 10 can be finished by the shaft head 33.

Next, an operation (tenth operation) is performed in which the pallet 11 on which the work 10 is placed is raised from the positioning clamp position (D) to the carry-in position (C) using the jig 2. Next, the shaft head 33 is shifted (laterally slid) in one direction along the X-axis direction by the servo motor 37d of the ball screw device 37 of the processing device 3 (11th operation, see FIG. 13). Therefore, the pallet 11 on which the work 10 is placed corresponds to (opposes) the hydraulic cylinder 36 of the processing device 3.

Next, an operation (twelfth operation) of extending the cylinder rod 36a of the hydraulic cylinder 36 of the processing device 3 is performed (see FIG. 14). As a result, the pin 36b of the cylinder rod 36a is inserted into the insertion groove 12a of the boss 12 of the pallet 11. Next, the shaft head 33 is shifted (laterally slid) in the other direction along the X-axis direction by the servo motor 37d of the ball screw device 37 of the processing device 3 (13th operation, see FIG. 15). Therefore, the pallet 11 carrying the work 10 can be carried out from the carry-in position (C) to the nearby position (B).

Next, an operation (fourteenth operation) is performed to retract the cylinder rod 36a of the hydraulic cylinder 36 of the processing device 3 (see FIG. 16). Finally, an operation (fifteenth operation) is performed to transport the pallet 11 located at the nearby position (B) to the distant position (A) using the conveyance device 4 (see FIG. 17). With this fifteenth operation, this series of operations is completed. Through this series of operations, it is possible to automate the work of transporting the workpiece 10 located at the position (B) near the jig 2 to the jig 2, as in the prior art. Further, by this series of operations, the workpiece 10 can be efficiently carried out from transportation to processing.

The machine tool 1 with the transport device 4 according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured as described above. According to this configuration, the drive source that shifts (laterally slides) the shaft head 33 in the X-axis direction and the drive source that shifts (laterally slides) the hydraulic cylinder 36 assembled to the shaft head 33 in the X-axis direction are: Both are ball screw devices 37. Therefore, the work of transporting the workpiece 10 located at the position (B) near the jig 2 to the jig 2 can be automated, as in the prior art, without requiring the transport hydraulic cylinder 236 described in the prior art. Further, since the transfer hydraulic cylinder 236 is not required, the structure of the machine tool 1 with the transfer device 4 can be simplified.

Further, according to this configuration, the boss 12 of the pallet 11 is formed with an insertion groove 12a along the Z-axis direction into which the pin 36b of the hydraulic cylinder 36 can be inserted. Furthermore, a pin 36b that can be inserted into the insertion groove 12a of the boss 12 of the pallet 11 is provided at the tip of the cylinder rod 36a of the hydraulic cylinder 36. Therefore, when the work 10 is transported, the pin 36b is inserted into the pallet 11 on which the work 10 is placed. Therefore, the workpiece 10 can be transported in a stable state.

Further, according to this configuration, a tapered inclined surface 12b is formed at the entrance of the insertion groove 12a of the boss 12 of the pallet 11. Furthermore, a tapered inclined surface 36c is formed at the tip of the pin 36b of the cylinder rod 36a of the hydraulic cylinder 36. Therefore, the insertion of the pin 36b of the hydraulic cylinder 36 into the insertion groove 12a of the boss 12 can be guided by the inclined surface 12b of the insertion groove 12a and the inclined surface 36c of the pin 36b. Therefore, this insertion can be performed smoothly.

The above-mentioned content is strictly related to one embodiment of the present invention, and does not mean that the present invention is limited to the above-mentioned content.

In the embodiment, the boss 12 of the pallet 11 has an insertion groove 12a formed along the Z-axis direction into which the pin 36b of the hydraulic cylinder 36 can be inserted. Furthermore, a configuration has been described in which a pin 36b that can be inserted into the insertion groove 12a of the boss 12 of the pallet 11 is provided at the tip of the cylinder rod 36a of the hydraulic cylinder 36. However, the invention is not limited to this, and on the contrary, the boss 12 of the pallet 11 may have a pin formed along the Z-axis direction into which the insertion groove of the hydraulic cylinder 36 can be inserted. I do not care. In that case, the tip of the cylinder rod 36a of the hydraulic cylinder 36 is provided with an insertion groove into which the pin of the boss 12 of the pallet 11 can be inserted.

Further, in the embodiment, there is one shaft head 33, and the workpiece 10 has four bores (first bore 10a, second bore 10b, third bore 10c, and fourth bore 10d). explained. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration may be adopted in which there are a plurality of shaft heads 33 and one bore is formed in the workpiece 10. Of course, there may be a plurality of shaft heads 33, and the workpiece 10 may also have a plurality of bores.

1 Machine tool 2 Jig 4 Transfer device 10 Work 11 Pallet 12 Boss (engaged member)
24 Lifting roller conveyor 33 Shaft head 36 Hydraulic cylinder (vertical shift device)
36a Cylinder rod (original engagement member)
37 Ball screw device (shaft head shift device)
40 Transport roller conveyor

Claims (3)

A pallet on which the work is placed and positioned and clamped,
a jig for positioning and clamping the pallet;
a shaft head that is installed above the jig and has a measuring tool or a processing tool that measures or processes the workpiece;
a shaft head shifting device that shifts the shaft head to correspond to the workpiece;
an elevating roller conveyor that ascends and descends on the jig;
a conveyance roller conveyor that conveys the pallet to the elevating roller conveyor,
The conveying direction of the pallet of the conveying roller conveyor and the shifting direction of the shaft head by the shaft head shift device are the same direction,
installing an engaged member that engages in the conveyance direction on the pallet;
When transporting the pallet and measuring or processing the work, an original engaging member that engages the engaged member in the transport direction is always installed on the shaft head,
A vertical shift device is provided on the shaft head for shifting the original engaging member in the vertical direction with respect to the shaft head between a position where the original engaging member is engaged with the engaged member and a non-engaging position where the original engaging member is not engaged with the engaged member,
A machine tool with a conveying device that eliminates the need to replace the measuring tool or the processing tool and the original engagement member when conveying the pallet and measuring or machining the workpiece. A machine tool with a transport device according to claim 1,
The engaged member and the original engaging member have an engaging protrusion on one side, an engaging groove on the other side, and extend in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. A machine tool with a transport device according to claim 2,
A machine tool with a conveying device, wherein the engaging protrusion or the engaging groove has a pair of inclined surfaces facing each other in the conveying direction.

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