JPH0227103B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Technical Field of the Invention] This invention provides a method for carrying out specified tools from a warehouse where tools used in machine tools are stored, assembling them, and then installing them on a machine tool. The present invention relates to an automatic tool exchange system that automatically performs a series of operations in which tools are removed, disassembled, and transported to the warehouse.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems]

An automatic tool changer is known in which a machine tool is provided with an automatic tool changer to automatically attach and remove tools from the machine tool, and a device for loading and unloading tools into the tool changer is also known. Therefore, systems in which these devices are collectively controlled by a central control unit and a series of tool exchange operations are systemized are being put into practical use.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of a conventional automatic tool changing system, in which a table 3 for fixing a workpiece 2 and a tool 4 are provided at the front of a machine tool 1.
A spindle head 5 for mounting is provided, and a tool magazine 6 is provided on the side. In front of the machine tool 1, there is a transport line 8 for a workpiece transport vehicle 7 that transports the workpiece 2.
is provided, and a transport line 10 for a tool transport vehicle 9 for transporting tools 4 is provided on the rear side. On the other hand, reference numeral 11 denotes an automatic tool warehouse in which a large number of tools 4 are stored in a lined state, and a tool loading/unloading device 12
The designated tool 4 is carried out and transferred to the tool carrier 9, and the tools on the tool carrier 9 are carried into the automatic tool warehouse 11. moreover,
The machine tool 1..., the workpiece carrier 7, the tool carrier 9, the automatic tool warehouse 11, and the tool loading/unloading device 12
are collectively controlled by a central control unit.

Then, the designated tools 4 are carried out from the automatic tool storage 11 based on the machining plan, transferred to the tool transport vehicle 9, and transported to the rear of the designated machine tool 1 by the tool transport vehicle 9. . Further, the unused tools 4 are transferred from the tool carrier 9 to the tool magazine 6 of the machine tool 1, and the used tools 4 are received from the tool magazine 6 and carried into the tool automatic warehouse 11. Therefore, the construction is such that the tools 4 can be automatically carried into and out of a plurality of machine tools 1, and the tools 4 can be replaced by an automatic tool changer provided in the machine tools 1. has been done.

Incidentally, the automatic tool changer is known, for example, from Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 192433/1983, and is basically constructed as shown in FIG. 4. That is, in the tool magazine 6 provided on the side of the main body 14 of the machine tool 1, cartridges 16 having a plurality of tool sockets 15 are provided radially. Further, the tool carrier 9 is also provided with a replacement tool magazine 17, and is configured to be able to receive and deliver tools 4 to and from the tool magazine 6. Further, the tool 4 in the cartridge 16 is transferred to the spindle head 5 and mounted on the main body 14 of the machine tool 1, and the mounted tool 4
A tool change mechanism 18 is provided for removing the tool.

However, although the automatic tool changer configured as described above can automatically change the tool 4, the entire tool 4 is changed. In other words, the assembly type tool 4 is as shown in FIG.
It is composed of a holder module a, an adapter module b, and a blade module c, but only the blade module c at the tool tip requires actual replacement. However, since the entire tool 4 is replaced, the tool 4 becomes large and heavy. Therefore, the storage warehouse 11 in which the tools 4 are stored becomes large, and the tool carrier 9 and the tool magazine 6 also become large. Moreover, due to the increased weight of tool 4, it is difficult to carry it in.
There is a disadvantage that a large driving force is also required for carrying out and replacing.

[Object of the Invention] This invention was made with attention to the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to automatically replace tools in a machine tool and to replace only the necessary tools. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic tool changing device that can reduce the size of a tool warehouse and reduce the driving force for carrying in and out.

[Summary of the invention]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention collectively controls a tool warehouse, a tool loading/unloading device, a tool assembly/disassembly device, and a machine tool by a central control device, determines the machining order based on a machining plan, and The specified modular tool is carried out from the tool warehouse using the tool loading/unloading device, and after this modular tool is assembled by the tool assembly/disassembly device, it is mounted on the machine tool by the automatic tool changing device, and this machine is The purpose is to remove a tool mounted on a machine, deliver it to the tool assembly/disassembly device, disassemble the tool into each module, and carry only unnecessary modules into a tool warehouse by carrying out/unloading the tool.

[Embodiments of the invention]

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show the schematic configuration of the automatic tool changing system, where 21 is a machine tool;
22 is a tool column movable in the XY and Z axis directions. A tool mounting section 23 is provided at the tip of this tool column 22, and this is opposed to a workpiece 25 placed on a table 24. Also, 2
Reference numeral 6 denotes a tool storage, and the tool storage 26 is provided with a plurality of storage chambers 27 arranged in a plurality of rows and in a plurality of stages. Modules a..., b..., c... of various modular tools are stored separately in these storage chambers 27..., and they can be moved vertically and horizontally, and the desired module a can be moved based on a command signal.
..., b..., c... can be transferred to the loading/unloading entrance 28. These modules a..., b..., c... are each in the palette d
...It is removably placed and fixed in a predetermined position via a claw on the top. Furthermore, this carry-in/out entrance 28 is provided with a tool carry-in/out device 29 . This tool loading/unloading device 29 grasps and carries modules a..., b..., c... into and out of the storage chamber 27 facing the loading/unloading entrance 28, and also transports the modules a..., b to the tool assembly/disassembly position. ..., c... are configured to be exchanged. The above tool loading/unloading device 2
9 is a base 29 provided adjacent to the tool storage 26
a, and a pallet d provided on this base 29a.
guide rails 29b, 29b that guide the conveyance of the pallet d by engaging with a first engaging portion (not shown) provided on the back surface of the pallet d;
The pallet d placed on the pallet 29B is engaged with a second engaging portion (not shown) provided on the back surface of the pallet d by a plurality of engaging claws (not shown).
It consists of a drive mechanism 29c that guides and drives in the axial direction each module placed laterally on the pallet d, and a stopper plate 29d that positions the pallet d. Further, a tool gripping device T for attaching and detaching the tool A onto the base 29a is fixed to the side of the base 29a. This tool gripping device T
The tool loading/unloading device 29 is the tool assembly/disassembly device 3.
It constitutes 0. Thus, this tool assembly/disassembly device 30 assembles the modular tool A by connecting the cutter module c to the holder module a directly or via the adapter module b.
It is beginning to decompose again. In other words, this tool assembly/disassembly device 30 disassembles or assembles the holder module a, the adapter module b, and the cutter module c while holding them coaxially. Furthermore, the stopper plate 29 of this tool assembly and disassembly device 30
A tool transfer device 31 consisting of a conveyor is adjacent to d.
is provided. A defective tool escape 32 is provided on the other side. This tool transfer device 31 is connected to a tool change device 33 provided between the machine tool 21 and configured to carry in and out the modular tools A to and from this tool change device 33. There is. This tool changer includes a vertical rotating shaft 35 rotated by a drive mechanism 34, a rotating arm 36 attached to the tip of the rotating shaft 35, and a gripping mechanism 37 provided at both ends of the rotating arm 36. It is composed of. Then, after the tool A carried in from the tool transfer device 31 is gripped by the gripping mechanism 37, the tool A is mounted on the tool mounting portion 23 of the machine tool 21 by rotating the swing arm 36. At the same time, the tools A mounted on the tool mounting section 23 are removed and gripped, and carried out to the tool transfer device 31 by the swing of the swing arm 36. Further, the machine tool 21, tool storage 26, tool loading/unloading device 29, tool assembly/disassembly device 3
0 and the tool changer 33 are collectively controlled by a central controller 38, and each device is driven based on command signals from the central controller 38.

Next, the operation of the automatic tool changing system configured as described above will be explained. When the machining order is determined based on the machining plan and the necessary tool A is known, the central controller 38 instructs the tool warehouse 26 of the necessary module number. Then, the tool storage 26 is driven based on the command signal, and the storage room 27 is driven.
are transferred vertically and horizontally, and the storage chamber 27 containing the modules a, b, and c is moved to the loading/unloading entrance 2.
Leads to 8. On the other hand, the tool loading/unloading device 29 is on standby.
The guide rail 29 is driven by its drive mechanism 29c.
A stopper plate 29d integrally holds the holder module a serving as a pedestal and its pallet d along the b and 29b.
Transport and position to. Similarly, the adapter module b, which serves as an intervening body, is guided and driven to fit into the holder module a. Next, a cutting tool module c equipped with a cutting tool such as a drill is fitted into the adapter module b to assemble the modular tool A. The assembled modular tool A is transferred to the tool transfer device 31 by the tool gripping device T after releasing the fixation of each pallet d by the claws. On the other hand, the empty palette is returned to its original position. On the other hand, the assembled modular tool A is transported by the tool transfer device 31 toward the tool exchange device 33 . Modular tool A
When the modular tool A is transported to a predetermined position on the tool transfer device 31, the gripping mechanism 37 provided on the swing arm 36 of the tool changer 33 grips the modular tool A, and the swing arm 36 turns 180 degrees. Therefore, the modular tool A gripped by the gripping mechanism 37 faces the tool mounting portion 23 provided on the tool column 22 of the machine tool 21. Here, when the tool column 22 of the machine tool 21 is lowered, the holder module a of the modular tool A is mounted on the tool mounting portion 23. On the other hand, when the tool changing device 33 receives the unused modular tool A from the tool transfer device 31, the used modular tool A that has been previously installed in the tool mounting section 23 of the machine tool 21 is placed on the opposite side. Since the tool A is gripped and removed by the gripping mechanism 37, the used tool A removed by the 180° rotation of the rotation arm 36 is carried into the tool transfer device 31, and this modular tool A is removed as a tool. It is carried into the assembly/disassembly device 30. This tool assembly/disassembly device 30 fixes a modular tool A on a predetermined pallet d, and then disassembles it into a holder module a, an adapter module b, and a cutter module c. At this time, the wear state of the cutting tool of the cutting tool module c is determined by another determining means, and the cutting tool c whose cutting tool is abnormally worn is transferred to the defective tool escape device 32 by the tool gripping device T. It is discharged. Then, the cutting tool module c whose cutting tools are not worn out is taken out from the predetermined storage chamber 27, fitted into the adapter module b waiting on the guide rails 29c and 29b, and transferred to the machine tool 21 again. On the other hand, if this modular tool A is not needed in the machine tool 21, after disassembly, each module a, b, c is stored in a predetermined storage chamber together with a pallet d.

Therefore, a large number of modules a..., b..., c... stored in the tool warehouse 26 are selectively carried out based on the machining plan, and are automatically assembled into the required modular tool and installed in the machine tool 21. At the same time as being installed, the used modular tool A installed in this machine tool 21 is removed and disassembled,
Only unnecessary modules will be stored in their original positions in the tool storeroom 26.

In the above embodiment, one tool changer 33 is provided for one machine tool 21 to exchange the modular tool A, but the tool changer 33 may be mounted on a trolley and transported. If you create a formula, you can handle multiple machine tools. Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, cutter modules with worn cutting tools such as drills are disposed of in the defective tool escape device, but they may be stored in the warehouse 26. Further, the tool gripping device T may be a robot or a dedicated transfer device. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, each module is stored integrally with the pallet in the storage room of the warehouse, but the pallet is always kept only on the guide rail, and the required modules can be exchanged between the pallet and the warehouse. You may also have them do this. In this way, the number of pallets can be reduced. Furthermore, a spacer module for changing the dimensions of the tool shank portion may be used as a component module of the modular tool.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, the tool warehouse, the tool assembly/disassembly device, and the machine tool are collectively controlled by the central controller, the machining order is determined based on the machining plan, and the tool warehouse specifies the machining order. The loaded module is carried out using the tool loading/unloading device.
After the modules are assembled by the tool assembly/disassembly device, they are installed in a machine tool by the tool change device, and the modular tool installed in this machine tool is removed and transferred to the tool assembly/disassembly device. It is possible to automatically disassemble tools and carry only unnecessary modules into the tool warehouse using the tool carry-in/out device.
Therefore, only the module can be replaced, and compared to a system in which the entire tool is replaced, the tool warehouse can be made smaller and the driving force for carrying in and out can be reduced.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing an automatic tool changer according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view,
Figure 3 is a configuration diagram of a conventional automatic tool changer;
The same figure is a side view of the automatic tool changer, and FIG. 5 is an exploded side view of a general assembly type tool. 21...Machine tool, 26...Tool warehouse, 30...
...Tool assembly and disassembly device, 33...Tool change device, A
... Modular tool, a ... Holder module, b
...adapter module, c...cutting tool module.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A modular tool comprising at least a blade module and a holder module, each of which is connected so as to be freely assembled and disassembled. Each of the modules is stored in a predetermined position, and a plurality of storage chambers are provided in which the modules are movably connected. A tool storage with a loading/unloading entrance for loading and unloading each of the modules, and a storage room moved to the loading/unloading entrance to transfer the modules to and from the tool warehouse, and a storage room that has been moved to the loading/unloading entrance to deliver and receive the modules. A tool assembly and disassembly device that assembles and disassembles the modular tool by holding the axes of the modules in line with the horizontal direction and driving each module coaxially forward and backward in the horizontal direction; a tool exchange device that attaches the assembled modular tool to the machine tool, removes the used modular tool attached to the machine tool, and transfers it to the tool assembly and disassembly device; the tool warehouse; An automatic tool changer comprising: a central control unit that collectively controls the tool changer and the machine tool;