Horizontal working machine

Abstract

The present invention provides a horizontal machine tool that can improve machining efficiency by reducing the spindle travel time and the time required for workpiece processing. [Solution] A spindle head 1H is provided in a horizontal machine tool (horizontal machining center S) which rotatably supports a spindle 1 that grips a machining tool 5a along the horizontal direction and is also supported to be movable in the left-right, up-down, and front-back directions within the machining area, and a table T is positioned to be movable in the up-down direction, facing the spindle head 1H in the front-back direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a horizontal machine tool.

Background Art

[0002] Conventional horizontal machine tools include a horizontal machining center equipped with two tool spindles configured to be independently movable in the left - right (X - axis) direction, up - down (Y - axis) direction, and front - rear (Z - axis) directions. Since such a horizontal machining center can replace the cutting tool for each tool spindle, it can suppress the time loss during tool replacement, and thus is adopted as it can improve the machining efficiency.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, since a conventional horizontal machining center is configured such that the workpiece side does not move and only the spindle side moves, the movement time of the spindle until the start of machining and the time required for machining are long, and it is required to further suppress the time loss.

[0005] }The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a horizontal machine tool capable of shortening the movement time of the spindle and the time required for machining and improving the machining efficiency.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] [[ID=四十九]] To achieve the above objective, the horizontal machine tool according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: a spindle head that rotatably supports a spindle that grips a machining tool along the horizontal direction and is supported so as to be movable in the left-right, up-down, and front-back directions within the machining area; and a table that is positioned to be movable in the up-down direction, facing the spindle head in the front-back direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a horizontal machine tool that can shorten the spindle travel time and the time required for machining, thereby improving machining efficiency. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a front perspective view showing the horizontal machine tool of this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a rear perspective view showing the horizontal machine tool of this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] A horizontal machining center S, which is a horizontal machine tool according to one embodiment of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 and 2. In the explanations, identical elements will be given the same symbols, and redundant explanations will be omitted. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the front of the column is defined as the side where the workpiece is positioned. The left-right direction is defined as the X-axis, the up-down direction as the Y-axis, and the front-to-back direction as the Z-axis when viewed from the front. Furthermore, the axis that rotates around the X-axis is defined as the A-axis, and the axis that rotates around the Z-axis is defined as the C-axis.

[0010] The horizontal machining center S, which is a horizontal machine tool in this embodiment, is equipped with a spindle movement mechanism S1 and a workpiece movement mechanism S2. The spindle movement mechanism S1 is configured to move the spindle 1 that processes the workpiece W. The workpiece movement mechanism S2 is configured to move the workpiece W. These spindle movement mechanism S1 and workpiece movement mechanism S2 are enclosed in a frame (not shown).

[0011] Two spindle columns C (first column C1, second column C2) are provided on the spindle-side bed B, which forms the base of the spindle movement mechanism S1. Each spindle column C is equipped with a spindle head 1H, an A-axis pivoting mechanism 1A, a C-axis pivoting mechanism 1C, a Y-axis moving mechanism 2, a Z-axis moving mechanism 3, and an X-axis moving mechanism 4. Each spindle column C is also provided with a tool magazine 5.

[0012] The spindle head 1H is configured to support the spindle 1, which grips the machining tool 5a (cutting tool). The spindle head 1H is equipped with a spindle motor (not shown) that rotates the spindle 1, which is positioned along the front-to-back direction (horizontal direction). The main spindle 1 is supported so as to be aligned with the Z-axis direction in the standby configuration of the horizontal machining center S. The A-axis pivoting mechanism 1A is configured to rotatably support the spindle head 1H around the A-axis AX1A. The C-axis pivoting mechanism 1C is configured to rotatably support the spindle head 1H together with the A-axis pivoting mechanism 1A around the C-axis AX1C. Braking devices (brakes, not shown) are attached to both the A-axis pivoting mechanism 1A and the C-axis pivoting mechanism 1C. The braking system is configured to fix the spindle head 1H, which has been rotated to any direction (angle) by each pivoting mechanism, and to perform machining on the workpiece W. Braking systems include hydraulically or electrically operated disc brakes (hydraulic disc brakes, electromagnetic disc brakes), and are selected according to the specifications.

[0013] The Y-axis moving mechanism 2 is configured to support the spindle head 1H together with the C-axis pivoting mechanism 1C so that it can move in the Y-axis direction (vertical direction). The Y-axis moving mechanism 2 includes a Y-saddle 2a, a Y-rail 2b, and a Y-drive unit (not shown). The Y saddle 2a slides vertically on the Y rail 2b while supporting the C-axis turning means 1C. The Y rail 2b is installed on the side surface of the Z saddle 3a, which will be described later, while extending in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction). The Y drive unit is the power source when the Y saddle 2a moves on the Y rail 2b.

[0014] The Z-axis moving means 3 is a configuration for supporting the spindle head 1H together with the Y saddle 2a so as to be movable in the Z-axis direction (front and rear direction). The Z-axis moving means 3 includes a Z saddle 3a, a Z rail 3b, and a Z drive unit (not shown). The Z saddle 3a slides back and forth on the Z rail 3b while supporting the Y saddle 2a. The Z rail 3b is installed on the upper surface of the X saddle 4a, which will be described later, while extending in the front and rear direction (Z-axis direction). The Z drive unit is the power source when the Z saddle 3a moves on the Z rail 3b.

[0015] The X-axis moving means 4 is a configuration for supporting the spindle head 1H together with the Z saddle 3a so as to be movable in the X-axis direction (left and right direction). The X-axis moving means 4 includes an X saddle 4a, an X rail 4b, and an X drive unit (not shown). The X saddle 4a slides left and right on the X rail 4b while supporting the Z saddle 3a. The X rail 4b is installed on the upper surface of the spindle-side bed B while extending in the left and right direction (X-axis direction). The X drive unit is the power source when the X saddle 4a moves on the X rail 4b.

[0016] Note that the X rail 4b is common, and the two spindle columns C are arranged side by side along the X-axis direction on the X rail 4b. That is, the two spindles 1 move on one X rail 4b. In addition, known feed mechanisms such as ball screws (not shown) are adopted for the drive units of the Y-axis moving means 2, the Z-axis moving means 3, and the X-axis moving means 4. These feed mechanisms are appropriately adopted in appropriate forms according to the required machining accuracy, specifications, etc.

[0017] The tool magazine 5 is configured to accommodate a plurality of processing tools 5a and supply an arbitrary processing tool 5a to the spindle column C. Each tool magazine 5 is disposed above each spindle column C on a frame (not shown). Each tool magazine 5 employs a feed mechanism in which the processing tool 5a to be accommodated revolves along a circular orbit centered on a vertical axis AXV parallel to the Y axis (referred to as a so-called disk type). That is, each tool magazine 5 accommodates the processing tools 5a such that they can move in a circulation on a horizontal plane and can be arbitrarily selected and taken out.

[0018] Note that known configurations are applied to each part of the tool magazine 5, and appropriate configurations are appropriately applied in consideration of the shape and quantity of the tools to be accommodated, space efficiency, etc. For example, a so-called disk type, a chain type (not shown) that circulates along an oval orbit, etc. of the feed mechanism (not shown) are appropriately selected and applied.

[0019] When replacing the processing tool 5a, first, the spindle column C is appropriately moved to move the spindle 1 to the tool replacement position at the lower part of the tool magazine 5. Next, an empty tool gripping part (not shown) in the tool magazine 5 is moved to the tool replacement position. Then, the used tool removed from the spindle 1 is transferred to and gripped by the empty tool gripping part. After that, the tool gripping part gripping the new tool is moved to the tool replacement position and attached to the spindle 1. These tool replacement operations are appropriately commanded according to the processing process of the workpiece W by a control program stored in a control unit (not shown).

[0020] Next, the workpiece moving mechanism S2 will be described. The workpiece moving mechanism S2 is configured to move the workpiece W as a processing object in conjunction with the movement of the spindle 1. The workpiece moving mechanism S2 is disposed in front (in the Z-axis direction) of the two spindle columns C so as to face each other. The workpiece moving mechanism S2 includes a table T and a pair of left and right table columns TC. The table T is configured to hold the workpiece W, which is the object to be machined, within the machining area. The table T is positioned along the table rotation axis AXT, which is parallel to the X-axis direction, and both ends are supported by the vertically movable table 6a, which will be described later, so that they can rotate around the table rotation axis AXT. In other words, the table T is stretched across a pair of table columns TC. The table T is equipped with a holding mechanism (not shown) to fix the workpiece W to the table T during machining.

[0021] The table column TC is configured to move the table T together with the workpiece W. The table column TC is located outside the machining area in the left-right direction. The table column TC is equipped with vertical movement means 6, forward-backward movement means 7, and table rotation means 8.

[0022] The vertical movement mechanism 6 is configured to support the table T so that it can move vertically (in the Y-axis direction) together with the workpiece W. The vertical movement mechanism 6 comprises a vertical movement platform 6a, vertical rails 6b, and a vertical drive unit (not shown). The vertically moving platform 6a slides vertically along the vertical rails 6b while rotatably supporting the end of the table T. The vertical rails 6b are installed on the side of the front-to-back moving platform 7a, which will be described later, and extend vertically (in the Y-axis direction). The vertical drive unit is the power source for the vertically moving platform 6a to move along the vertical rails 6b.

[0023] The forward / backward movement mechanism 7 is configured to support the table T so that it can move together with the workpiece W in the forward / backward direction (Z-axis direction). The forward / backward movement mechanism 7 comprises a forward / backward movement platform 7a, forward / backward rails 7b, and a forward / backward drive unit (not shown). The front-to-rear moving platform 7a slides in the front-to-rear direction along the front-to-rear rails 7b together with the table T. The front-to-rear rails 7b are installed on the upper surface of the workpiece bed BW, which will be described later, extending in the front-to-rear direction (Z-axis direction). The front-to-rear drive unit is the power source when the front-to-rear moving platform 7a moves along the front-to-rear rails 7b.

[0024] The table rotation mechanism 8 is configured to support the table T together with the workpiece W so that it can rotate around the table rotation axis AXT. The table rotation mechanism 8 includes a pivot support 8a and a rotation drive unit (not shown). The pivot support 8a is provided on the vertical movement table 6a and pivotally supports the end of the table T so that it can rotate around the table rotation axis AXT. The rotation drive unit is provided on the vertical movement table 6a of one of the table columns TC and is the power source when the table T rotates.

[0025] Next, the operation and effects of the horizontal machining center S as a horizontal machine tool according to this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the horizontal machining center S has a spindle head 1H that is movable relative to the spindle bed B in the left-right (X-axis), up-down (Y-axis), and front-back (Z-axis) directions. The table T is supported so as to be movable relative to the workpiece bed BW in the up-down (Y-axis) and front-back (Z-axis) directions, and so as to be rotatable around a table rotation axis AXT along the left-right (X-axis) direction.

[0026] In other words, the main axis 1 and table T are configured to move in conjunction with each other, allowing for movement toward and away from one another. This configuration reduces the travel time of the main spindle 1 in the vertical and horizontal directions, as well as the time required for workpiece positioning, thereby shortening the time required for machining. This improves machining efficiency.

[0027] Furthermore, by configuring the spindle 1 and table T to move in conjunction in the vertical direction, the overall vertical dimension of the device can be reduced. This, in turn, increases the rigidity of the spindle column C. Furthermore, by reducing the overall vertical dimensions of the device, the space created above the device can be used to install equipment for loading and unloading workpieces W. Additionally, by raising and lowering the table T during loading and unloading of workpieces W, the time required for loading and unloading can be reduced, further shortening the processing time. Furthermore, reducing the overall vertical dimension of the device increases the rigidity of the spindle column C, thereby improving the machining accuracy of the workpiece W.

[0028] Furthermore, since the spindle 1 and the table T are configured to move in conjunction in the front-to-back direction, the table T can be moved back and forth when loading and unloading the workpiece W, thereby reducing the time required for loading and unloading, and further reducing the time required for processing.

[0029] Furthermore, in the horizontal machining center S of this embodiment, the table T is configured to be rotatable around a table rotation axis AXT that extends in the left-right direction. With this configuration, when viewing the workpiece W from the spindle 1 and machining the back side of the workpiece W, the table T rotates, bringing the machining area of ​​the workpiece W closer to the spindle 1. This configuration also allows for a smaller overhang of the spindle 1 from the spindle column C. As a result, the rigidity required for machining can be ensured without increasing the weight of the structure supporting the spindle head 1H. Furthermore, since there is no need to reposition the workpiece W, the time required for machining can be reduced. This further improves machining efficiency.

[0030] Furthermore, in the horizontal machining center S of this embodiment, the spindle head 1H is configured to be rotatable, with the A-axis rotating around the X-axis and the C-axis rotating around the Z-axis. This configuration allows the spindle 1 to machine the workpiece W from the side and from below. This makes it easier to remove chips generated during cutting, thereby further increasing machining efficiency.

[0031] Furthermore, in the horizontal machining center S of this embodiment, the tool magazine 5 for housing the machining tool 5a is located above the spindle head 1H. This configuration reduces the time lost when changing tools and shortens the overall cycle time of the machining process. This further improves machining efficiency.

[0032] Furthermore, in the horizontal machining center S of this embodiment, the machining tools 5a housed in the tool magazine 5 are arranged to be rotatable around the vertical axis AXV. This configuration improves the space efficiency above the spindle column C, allowing the tool magazine 5 to be installed without increasing the overall vertical dimensions of the device.

[0033] Furthermore, in the horizontal machining center S of this embodiment, two spindles 1 are provided, and these spindles 1 are arranged to move independently of each other. With this configuration, the two spindles 1 can perform different machining operations simultaneously, thereby shortening the overall cycle time of the machining process. This further enhances machining efficiency.

[0034] Furthermore, in the horizontal machining center S of this embodiment, two spindle columns C are provided on a single X-rail 4b. This configuration makes it possible to shorten the overall cycle time of the machining process.

[0035] Although the best embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the design can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in this embodiment, the spindle-side bed B and the workpiece-side bed BW are configured separately, but it is possible to configure the spindle-side bed B and the workpiece-side bed BW as an integrated unit. By adopting such a configuration, dimensional accuracy can be further improved. Furthermore, although this embodiment is configured with two spindle columns C, it is possible to have a configuration with only one of either the first column C1 or the second column C2. In other words, the machining center may have only one spindle head 1H. Even with this configuration, the same effects and advantages as in this embodiment can be achieved. Furthermore, in the horizontal machine tool of this embodiment, if a welding gun is installed on the spindle head 1H, it functions as a welding machine, and if a tool for FSW (Friction Stir Welding) is installed, it functions as a device for friction stir welding. In other words, the horizontal machine tool of this embodiment is not limited to a horizontal machining center, and various machining operations can be performed depending on the configuration installed on the spindle head 1H. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] S Horizontal Machining Center (Horizontal Machine Tool), 1 Spindle, 1H Spindle Head, 4b X-Rail, 5 Tool Magazines, AXV Vertical Axis, T Table

Claims

1. A spindle head that rotatably supports the spindle that grips the machining tool, while being aligned horizontally, and is also supported to be movable in the left-right, up-down, and front-back directions within the machining area, A table is positioned facing the spindle head in the front-to-back direction and is movable in the vertical direction, Equipped with A horizontal machine tool characterized by the following features.

2. In the horizontal machine tool described in claim 1, The aforementioned table is, The spindle head is positioned facing the spindle head in the front-to-back direction and is movable in the front-to-back direction. A horizontal machine tool characterized by the following features.

3. In the horizontal machine tool according to claim 1 or claim 2, The aforementioned table is, The table is positioned to rotate around a rotation axis that extends in the left-right direction, while facing the spindle head in the front-rear direction. A horizontal machine tool characterized by the following features.

4. In the horizontal machine tool according to claim 1 or claim 2, The aforementioned spindle head is Supported so as to be able to pivot to at least one of the A-axis and the C-axis A horizontal machine tool characterized by the following features.

5. In the horizontal machine tool according to claim 1 or claim 2, The tool magazine that houses the aforementioned machining tool is Installed above the spindle head A horizontal machine tool characterized by the following features.

6. In the horizontal machine tool described in claim 5, The aforementioned tool magazine The machining tool is rotated around a vertical axis. A horizontal machine tool characterized by the following features.

7. In the horizontal machine tool according to claim 1 or claim 2, A pair of the aforementioned main shafts is provided, Each of these main shafts, They are arranged to be able to move independently of each other. A horizontal machine tool characterized by

8. In the horizontal machine tool according to claim 7, The pair of main shafts are arranged to be movable along a single X-rail extending in the left-right direction. A horizontal machine tool characterized by

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