JPH045224Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Industrial Application Field The present invention relates to a chain for a machining center of an automatic tool changer attached to an NC machine tool or the like.

Prior Art and its Problems Conventionally known chains for machining centers include those in which a tool pot a for removably holding a tool holder is built into a connecting pin b, as shown in FIGS. 5a and b; There is one in which a tool pot a for removably holding a tool holder is provided on a mounting base d formed on a link plate C, as shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b.

However, such conventional chains for machining centers have the following drawbacks. That is, the former machining center chain bends only in one plane, as shown by the arrows in FIG. If a large number of such chains must be equipped, the chain will inevitably become long, which has the disadvantage of requiring sufficient space for movement of the chain, which is an undesirable drawback in terms of installation space for machine tools. was. On the other hand, in the latter chain for machining centers, the link plates are arranged alternately vertically and horizontally, so although the degree of freedom in bending is somewhat improved compared to the former, the mounting base is fixed on the link plate C. Since the tool pot is provided at the top of the chain, it is virtually impossible to bend the chain toward the tool pot, so it has not been possible to completely eliminate the former drawback.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention The problems to be solved by the invention, that is, the purpose of the invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above, and to allow a large number of various tools to be attached. In addition, the space occupied by the movement of the machining center chain is reduced.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention has the following structure in order to achieve the above-mentioned objects. That is, the present invention provides a chain for a machining center, in which a connecting block piece is attached to both ends of each link plate fitted with a tool pot whose center is on the pitch line of the chain. ) are rotatably connected, and
This is a chain for a machining center in which adjacent connecting block pieces are rotatably connected to each other about a vertical axis (hereinafter simply referred to as the vertical axis) extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the tool pot and intersecting the longitudinal direction of the chain.

The tool pot described above has a holding mechanism for detachably holding the tool holder, and is fitted to the link plate through a rotation-preventing notch provided between the tool holder and the link plate.

In addition, the chain for machining center of the present invention has chain guide rollers rotatably attached to both ends of the vertical shaft that rotatably connects the connecting block pieces to each other, and the chain guide rollers are attached to the guide rails installed along the movement path of the chain. It can be guided and moved smoothly.

Function Since the present invention has the above-mentioned configuration,
The following actions and effects can be achieved.

a) Since the center of the tool pot is placed on the pitch line of the machining center chain, the center position of the tool pot will not shift even when the chain is bent two-dimensionally, making it possible to load and unload the tool without any trouble. Dimensional bending can be performed smoothly without any problems, and even if the chain becomes long by attaching a large number of tools to the chain, two
Because the chain can be bent in dimension,
The space occupied by the movement of the chain can be significantly reduced, and the chain can be freely arranged along the periphery of the machine tool, making it possible to compactly move a long machining center chain with a large number of tools attached. It is.

Embodiment FIGS. 1 to 4 show an embodiment of the chain for a machining center of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a front view of the main part thereof, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the connecting block piece, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a main part of a guide rail for guiding the chain guide roller shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Note that the arrow A-A in Figure 1 and the arrow B in Figure 2
The arrows -B each indicate the direction of rotation of the chain.

First, the machining center chain of this embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a cylindrical tool pot 1 that removably holds a tool holder (not shown).
A pair of hexagonal link plates 2, 2 whose centers are located on the chain pitch line, and connecting block pieces 3, 3 at both ends of the link plates 2, respectively.
are rotatably connected by horizontal shafts 4, 4, and adjacent connecting block pieces 3, 3 are rotatably connected to each other by vertical shafts 5. Here, the tool pot 1 has a tool holder holding mechanism consisting of four steel balls and a spring, and has a notch 6 provided between it and the link plate 2 to prevent tool pot rotation.

Note that a sleeve 7 is fitted onto the vertical shaft 5.

Chain guide rollers 8 are rotatably attached to both ends of the vertical shaft 5, and the chain guide rollers 8 run on guide rails 9 disposed on the movement path of the chain, as shown in FIG. Roll.

Further, the connecting block piece 3 may be formed by press forming a plate material as shown in FIG.

Effects of the invention The chain for machining centers of the invention obtained in this way is flexible in two dimensions compared to conventional ones, so even if more tools are attached and the chain length becomes longer, the chain will not move easily. It can be installed compactly without increasing the space occupied by the path, and it can greatly expand the degree of freedom in the arrangement of machine tools whose tools are supplied by a machining center chain. be.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a front view of a three-dimensional bending chain for a machining center, and FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a partial cross section. FIG. 3 shows an example in which the pivot structure of the connecting block shown in FIG. 1 is modified;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the state of contact between the chain guide roller shown in FIG. 2 and a separately provided guide rail, and FIGS. 5 and 6 show a conventional example. 1... Tool pot, 2... Link plate, 3
...Connection block piece, 4...Horizontal axis, 5...Vertical axis,
6... Notch for preventing tool pot rotation, 7... Sleeve, 8... Chain guide roller, 9... Guide rail.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] (1) In a chain for a machining center, connecting block pieces are attached to both ends of each link plate fitted with a tool pot whose center is on the pitch line of the chain, and the horizontal axis parallel to the axis of the tool pot. A chain for a machining center in which the adjacent connecting block pieces are rotatably connected to each other by a vertical axis that is perpendicular to the axis of the tool pot and intersects with the longitudinal direction of the chain. (2) A chain for a machining center according to claim 1, wherein a rotation prevention notch is formed in the outer diameter of the tool pot and the inner diameter of the tool pot fitting hole of the link plate to abut against each other.