JPH048329Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a Z spindle moving device for a three-dimensional measuring machine, and particularly to one in which a balance means and a drive means for the Z spindle are integrally formed.

[Conventional technology]

It has an X slider movably provided on the X beam parallel to the top surface of the stage, and a Z spindle mounted on the X slider so as to be movable in the Z axis direction,
2. Description of the Related Art A three-dimensional measuring machine is known that measures the dimensions of a workpiece by moving a measuring element attached to the tip side of a Z spindle and engaging the workpiece.

An example of a conventional coordinate measuring machine will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. In FIG. 3, a workpiece table 1 on which an object to be measured (workpiece) is placed, a Y guide rail 2, a pair of Y sliders 3R and 3L that are movable in the Y-axis direction on the upper surface of the workpiece table 1, and both Y A pair of columns 4R, 4L erected on the sliders 3R, 3L and an X-beam 5 extending in the X-axis direction spanned over the upper ends of the columns 4R, 4L, and the sliders 3R, 3L are movable along the X-beam 5. A Z column 9 supports the X slider 6 and the Z spindle 10 attached to the X slider 6 so as to be movable in the Z axis direction, and a touch signal probe 7 (8 is a measuring tip) supported on the tip side of the Z spindle 10. ) and Y slider 3R, 3
L moving means, X slider 6 moving means and Z
A three-dimensional measuring machine was constituted by a means for moving the spindle 10. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the means for moving the Z spindle 10 includes a support frame 22 erected on the X slider 6 with a height sufficient to move the Z spindle 10 with a large stroke, and a pulley 24 at the upper end thereof. rotatably mounted,
The spindle 10 was fixed to one end of a string-like member 29 wound around a pulley 24, and a counterweight 27 was fixed to the other end. Therefore, by manually moving the spindle 10 up and down, the measuring element 8 could be smoothly moved in the Z-axis direction with a weak force by the action of the weight balance means formed including the counterweight 27. Further, by connecting a driving means (not shown) including a motor directly connected to the Z spindle 10 or the counterweight 27, a moving means can be configured and the Z spindle 10 can be automatically moved. Thus, by the cooperation of the moving means of the Z spindle 10 and the moving means of the X slider and Y slider, it was possible to measure the dimensions of the workpiece while moving the probe 8 in three-dimensional directions.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, the conventional Z spindle moving means described above has the following problems.

In other words, in order to improve inspection or production efficiency, a so-called CNC three-dimensional measuring machine that automates the movement of the probe 8 is desired, but on the other hand, the Z spindle 10 and the like are manually moved in order to accommodate workpieces with a wide variety of shapes. It is desired to be able to perform so-called floating movement. In addition, there is a demand for higher measurement accuracy. Therefore, Z spindle 1
In order to reduce the load, it is necessary for the moving means of the 0 to be equipped with a balance means such as a counterweight type or an air cylinder type, and a driving means for automatic driving. However, if both means are provided separately and independently, the structure will become complicated, which will not only be economically disadvantageous but also
Since the load applied to the beam 5 and the like increases, this is not preferable in terms of measurement accuracy. On the other hand, it is also conceivable to connect a motor to the pulley 24 shown in FIG. The center of gravity of the drive means becomes higher, and when the X slider 6 and Y sliders 3R, 3L are automatically moved, an excessive moment is applied to the X slider 6, columns 4R, 4L, etc., and the guiding accuracy of the probe 8 in the three axes directions is reduced. This caused the problem of a decline. Further, due to the relationship of natural frequencies with the driving means, the support frame 22, etc., a problem occurred in that high-speed movement in the X and Y axis directions was not possible.

Furthermore, in the case of a configuration in which a drive means using a ball screw is connected to the Z spindle 10, the mechanism for switching to floating movement becomes complicated, resulting in disadvantages in terms of economy and weight. Thus, high precision,
There has been a strong desire to develop a moving device for the Z spindle 10 that is equipped with a balance means and a drive means that can satisfy all the requirements such as weight reduction, economy, and high speed.

This idea was created in view of these circumstances,
The purpose is to provide a Z spindle moving device for a three-dimensional measuring machine that has a simple structure, can easily switch between automatic and manual modes, and can ensure high precision measurement.

[Means for solving problems]

The present invention includes an X slider that is movably installed in the X beam parallel to the top surface of the stage, and a Z spindle that is attached to the X slider so that it can move in the Z axis direction. In a three-dimensional measuring machine that measures the dimensions of a workpiece by moving an attached probe and engaging the workpiece, a support pedestal is erected on the X slider, and a first pulley and a second pulley are attached to the upper end of the support pedestal. A drive pulley connected to a rotation drive means is rotatably attached to a support frame or an X slider below the first and second pulleys, and a string-like member is attached to the first pulley, The spindle is fixed to one end of the drive pulley and the second pulley, and a counterweight is fixed to the other end of the drive pulley, and the spindle is moved to Z by operating the rotary drive means.
The object is achieved by being configured to move in the axial direction.

[Effect]

In the present invention having the above configuration, the Z spindle can be moved quickly and smoothly in the Z axis direction by moving the string-like member provided between each pulley by rotating the drive pulley connected to the rotation drive means. Can be moved.

〔Example〕

A preferred embodiment of the Z spindle moving device for a coordinate measuring machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The three-dimensional measuring machine is the same as that shown in FIG. 3 above, and its explanation will be omitted.

The Z spindle moving device of this embodiment includes a balance means 20 and a rotation drive means 30, and moves the Z spindle 10 in the Z axis direction (first direction) with respect to the Z column 9.
It is configured to automatically reciprocate in the vertical direction (in the figure).

The Z spindle 10 is slidably supported by an air bearing 12 that is engaged with a support member 13 that is integral with the X slider 6. X slider 6
is also slidably supported by the X beam 5 via an air bearing (not shown). A touch signal probe 7 having a measuring tip 8 is fixed to the tip side of the Z spindle 10.

The balance means 20 is for reducing the driving load of the Z spindle 10, and is formed as a weight balance type. In Figure 1, X
A support pedestal 22 is erected on the slider 6, and this support pedestal 22 supports the Z
The height is sufficient to ensure a large axial travel stroke. A first pulley 24 and a second pulley 25 whose axes are parallel to each other are rotatably mounted on a bracket 23u fixed to the upper end of the support frame 22. Further, a third pulley 26 is rotatably attached to a bracket 23d attached to the lower end of the support frame 22, with an axis parallel to the axes of the pulleys 24 and 25. The third pulley 26 is both pulleys 2
It is important to arrange it lower than 4 and 25 in the figure. In this sense, the third pulley 26 is
The slider 6 may be rotatably supported. A belt 29, which is a string-like member, is installed across these pulleys 24, 25, and 26 as shown in the figure, and the Z spindle 10 is fixed to one end of the belt 29, and the Z spindle 10 (touch signal probe 7 is fixed to the other end of the belt 29). A counterweight 27 having a weight equal to the weight of (including) is fixed. counterweight 27
is a guide frame 28 integrally formed with the support frame 22;
A steady rest is provided. Therefore, when the Z spindle 10 is pulled down, the first pulley 2
4. The second pulley 25 rotates clockwise and the third pulley 26 rotates counterclockwise to lift the counterweight 27. Here, the Z spindle 10 is guided with low frictional resistance by the air bearing 12 and weight balanced by the counterweight 27, so the Z spindle 10 can be moved with a slight force.
can be moved. In a normal state where no moving force is applied to the Z spindle 10, the Z spindle 1
0 remains stationary. However, for convenience of measurement, Z spindle 10 is used for counterweight 27.
The weight (with the touch signal probe 7 attached) may be made slightly heavier.

Next, the rotation drive means 30 rotates a drive pulley that also serves as the third pulley 26 using a motor 33. The motor 33 is attached to a holding plate 32 fixed to the X slider 6, and is connected to a drive pulley (third pulley 26) via a shaft 36 and a clutch 34. Therefore, clutch 3
When the motor 4 is activated, the drive pulley 26 can be rotated by the motor 33, and when it is deactivated, the drive pulley (third pulley 26) can be freely rotated by the bracket 23d. That is, floating movement of the Z spindle 10 becomes possible. It is understood that the balance means 20 and the rotary drive means 30 share the same constituent elements and are integrally constructed.

Note that the Z column 9 is formed by enclosing the Z spindle 10, the balance means 20, and the rotation drive means 30 with a cover 14.

Next, the action will be explained.

(Floating movement) The clutch 34 forming the rotary drive means 30 is left inactive. Then, the third pulley 26 becomes rotatable on the bracket 23d, so by gripping the Z spindle 10 or the touch signal probe 7 and applying a moving force, the balance means 20 slightly and smoothly moves the Z spindle 10 in the Z axis direction. can be moved to

(Automatic Movement) The clutch 34 is operated to mechanically connect the motor 33 and the drive pulley (third pulley 26). Here, when the motor 33 is rotated by an automatic command signal from a controller (not shown) or by operating a remote switch, the Z spindle 10 is automatically moved in the Z-axis direction by the rotary drive means 30 in cooperation with the balance means 20. It can be moved.

Note that the measurement process involving the movement of the X slider 6 and Y sliders 3R, 3L in the axial direction and the involvement of the probe 8 and the workpiece is the same as in the conventional case, so a description thereof will be omitted.

According to this embodiment, since the balance means 20 and the rotary drive means 30 are provided together, the Z spindle 10 can be smoothly and automatically moved in the Z-axis direction with a slight force.

Furthermore, since the rotary drive means 30 includes a clutch 34, it is possible to quickly and accurately switch between automatic operation and floating operation.

In particular, the first and second pulleys 24 and 25 shared by the balance means 20 and the rotation drive means 30
On the other hand, since the third pulley 26 which also serves as a drive pulley is provided below them, the support frame 2
2 and increase the height of the probe 8 (Z spindle 1).
0) can be selected to be very large. Also, X slider 6, Y slider 3
Even when driving R and 3L, there is no vibration problem and no excessive moment is applied to the columns 4R, 4L, etc., so high precision measurement can be ensured.

Furthermore, since both means 20 and 30 are formed by sharing most of their respective constituent elements, the structure is simple and economically advantageous. Since the overall weight is small, the load applied to the X-beam 5 is reduced, which contributes to the economic and accuracy effects of the three-dimensional measuring machine as a whole.

Furthermore, the driving pulley 26 and the belt 29 are
Since the spindle 10 and the counterweight 27 are pressed closely together by their weight, accurate movement can be achieved without providing any special pressure means. On the other hand, even if the Z spindle 10 or counterweight 27 side is overloaded, the drive pulley 26
Since slipping occurs between the belt 29 and the belt 29, no damage is caused to the rotary drive means 30 and the like.

In the above embodiments, the balance means 20 is of a weight balance type, but it may also be of a balance type using an air cylinder, and the rotary drive means 30 is of a motor drive type, but other drive types such as an air motor etc. You can also use it as

Similarly, the string-like member is not limited to the belt 29, but may be a rope, a chain, or the like. The model of the coordinate measuring machine does not matter.

[Effect of idea]

The present invention has a structure in which the balance means and the rotational drive means are formed integrally by sharing the same constituent elements, and the drive means is disposed at a low position, so the structure is simple and economical, and the Z spindle can be moved smoothly. It also has the excellent effect of ensuring high precision measurement.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of essential parts showing an embodiment of the Z spindle moving device of the coordinate measuring machine according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the rotary drive means, FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a conventional three-dimensional measuring machine, and FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a conventional balance means. 1... Stage, 5... X beam, 6... X slider, 8... Measuring head, 10... Z spindle, 2
0... Balance means, 22... Support frame, 24...
...First pulley, 25... Second pulley, 26...
...Third pulley that also serves as a drive pulley, 27...Counterweight, 29...Belt that is a string-like member, 30...Rotation drive means.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] An X slider movably provided on an X beam parallel to the top surface of the stage, and a Z spindle mounted on the X slider movably in the Z axis direction,
In a three-dimensional measuring machine that measures the dimensions of a workpiece by moving a measuring element attached to the tip side of a Z spindle and engaging the workpiece, a support pedestal is erected on the X slider, and a second A first pulley and a second pulley are rotatably attached, a drive pulley connected to a rotation drive means is rotatably attached to a support frame or an X slider below the first and second pulleys, and a string-like member is installed in the order of the first pulley, the drive pulley and the second pulley, the Z spindle is fixed to one end of the pulley, the counterweight is fixed to the other end, and the Z A Z spindle moving device for a three-dimensional measuring machine, characterized in that the spindle is configured to move in the Z-axis direction.