Machine tools, especially lathes

Abstract

The present invention relates to a machine tool (100), in particular a lathe, comprising a frame (110), the frame (110) having an upper tool holder supporting part (113), a lower tool holder supporting part (114), and a spindle bracket part (112) arranged between the upper tool holder supporting part and the lower tool holder supporting part, and a spindle bracket (120), the spindle bracket (120) being arranged on the spindle bracket part (112) of the frame (110) or being located on the spindle bracket part (112). At the upper height, the support is configured to receive a main spindle (121) of a workpiece W, the main spindle (121) having a horizontally arranged spindle axis, one or more tool holders, each tool holder being supported by a tool holder assembly (150), the tool holder assembly (150) being arranged on an upper tool holder support portion or a lower tool holder support portion of a machine frame (110), characterized in that the lower side surface of the lower tool holder support portion (114) on which one or more tool holders can be mounted is arranged to have an overhanging inclination.

Description

[0001] The present application relates to a machine tool, in particular to a lathe or a turret lathe. Background Art

[0002] A machine tool of a general type, such as a lathe or a turret lathe, usually comprises a machine frame, which can be arranged with at least two rotatably mounted working spindles, which face each other and have parallel or coaxial spindle axes, wherein the working spindles can receive workpieces to be machined on the machine tool. In order to provide a tool for machining, a tool holder, usually available on a movable tool holder slide, is provided, in particular a composite slide, which is arranged at the machine frame and can be moved relative to the working spindles by means of one or more linear axes. (That is to say, it can be moved in three directions, for example in the X, Y or Z direction). Such a machine tool of this type is known, for example, from EP 2 714 307 B1, EP 2 714 308 B1, EP 2 714 309 B1 or EP 2 714 310 B1.

[0003] Generally, the requirements for a machine tool of this type are that the machine tool be provided so as to be able to efficiently machine the workpiece using as many tools as possible simultaneously, if possible controlling the relative movements between the tools and the tools received on the working spindles with the highest possible flexibility, and at the same time that the machine tool be compact, cost-effective and rigorously designed and that the machining area be optimally accessible to the handler or operator of the machine tool.

[0004] An object of the invention is to improve a machine tool of the generic type so that a workpiece can be efficiently machined using as many available tools as possible simultaneously, if possible with the greatest possible flexibility in controlling the relative movements between the tools and the tools received on the working spindles, while at the same time the machine tool is compact and likewise cost-effective and of rigorous design and the machining area is accessible in an optimal manner by the handler or operator of the machine tool. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned objects, the invention proposes a machine tool, in particular a lathe, as claimed in claim 1. The dependent claims relate to preferred exemplary embodiments.

[0006] According to an exemplary aspect, a machine tool, in particular a lathe, may include a machine frame having an upper tool holder support portion, a lower tool holder support portion, and a spindle bracket portion arranged between the upper tool holder support portion and the lower tool holder support portion, the spindle bracket being arranged on the spindle bracket portion of the machine frame or at a height above the spindle bracket portion of the machine frame, supporting a main spindle configured to receive a workpiece, the main spindle having a horizontally arranged spindle axis, and one or more tool holders, each tool holder being supported by a tool holder assembly, which is arranged on the upper tool holder support portion or the lower tool holder support portion of the machine frame.

[0007] The tool holder can be equipped with different types of machining heads, and in particular different types of machining heads (e.g. turrets, grinding wheels, gear hobbing devices, etc.) can be mounted on each tool holder, respectively. One or two tool holders can be supported on the upper tool holder support part and / or one or two tool holders can be supported on the lower tool holder support part.

[0008] The lower side of the lower tool holder support portion, to which one or more tool holders can be mounted, is exemplarily arranged to have an overhanging inclination.

[0009] Preferably, the lower side of the lower tool holder support portion is inclined at an overhang inclination angle in the range of 300 to 330 degrees (or in other words between -60 and -30 degrees), in particular at an overhang inclination angle of approximately 315 degrees (or in other words approximately -45 degrees).

[0010] Preferably, the upper side of the upper tool holder support portion, to which one or more tool holders can be mounted, is arranged to have an inclination.

[0011] Preferably, the upper side surface of the upper tool holder support portion is inclined at an inclination angle in the range of 30 to 60 degrees, in particular at an inclination angle of approximately 45 degrees.

[0012] In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the upper side of the upper tool holder support part (on which one or more tool holders can be mounted) is arranged to have an inclination, and its inclination angle relative to a horizontal plane above the horizontal plane is substantially the same as the inclination angle of the lower side of the lower tool holder support part relative to the horizontal plane below the horizontal plane. In other words, the absolute value of the (negative) overhang inclination angle of the lower side of the lower tool holder support part is preferably approximately equal to the inclination angle of the upper side of the upper tool holder support part. This has the advantage that a complete symmetry of the frame can be achieved, so that the same processing performance can be achieved from the upper and lower processing heads (such as turrets, grinding wheels, hobbing devices, etc.) arranged on the upper and lower tool holder supports.

[0013] Preferably, the inclination of the upper side surface of the upper tool holder support portion and the overhanging inclination of the lower side surface of the lower tool holder support portion are arranged at approximately 90 degrees relative to each other. Preferably, the inclination angle of the upper side surface of the upper tool holder support portion is approximately 45 degrees, and the inclination angle of the lower side surface of the lower tool holder support portion is approximately 315 degrees (or in other words, -45 degrees).

[0014] Preferably, one or more or each tool holder assembly is configured to independently move the corresponding tool holder in one or more linear directions, including at least one of the following directions: a Z-axis movement direction for horizontally moving the tool holder in a direction parallel to the spindle axis of the main spindle, an X-axis movement direction for moving the tool holder laterally or vertically, particularly preferably radially, relative to the spindle axis of the main spindle, and a Y-axis movement direction for moving the tool holder in a direction perpendicular to or transverse to the spindle axis of the main spindle, perpendicular to or transverse to the X-axis direction.

[0015] Preferably, the X-axis movement direction or the Y-axis movement direction is arranged perpendicular to the spindle axis of the main spindle and parallel to the inclination of the lower side of the lower tool holder support part and / or the inclination of the upper side of the upper tool holder support part.

[0016] Preferably, one or more or each tool holder assembly is configured to rotate the respective tool holder about an axis of rotation extending perpendicularly to the spindle axis of the main spindle, in particular via a B-axis movement. Preferably, the axis of rotation is arranged transversely or perpendicularly to the spindle axis.

[0017] Preferably, the machine tool also includes a relative spindle bracket, which is arranged on the spindle bracket part of the frame, supporting a relative spindle facing the main spindle and configured to receive a workpiece, and the relative spindle has a horizontally arranged spindle axis, which is coaxially arranged with the spindle axis of the main spindle.

[0018] Preferably, the main spindle carrier and / or the counter-spindle carrier are configured to move in a horizontal direction parallel to the spindle axes of the main spindle and the counter-spindle along horizontal guides arranged at the spindle carrier part of the machine frame.

[0019] Preferably, the counter-spindle bracket supports a spindle slide which supports the counter-spindle for driving movement of the counter-spindle transversely or perpendicularly relative to the spindle axis.

[0020] Preferably, the machine tool also includes a secondary spindle bracket, which is arranged on the spindle bracket part of the frame and supports a secondary hollow spindle. The secondary hollow spindle is configured to receive and guide the workpiece coaxially with the spindle axis of the main spindle, and in particular, allows the workpiece to extend out of the secondary hollow spindle on both sides of the secondary spindle bracket, and in particular, is capable of processing the workpiece clamped by the secondary hollow spindle without releasing any clamping state.

[0021] It should be noted that the above aspect can also be provided as an independent aspect for use in a machine tool. That is, a sub-spindle assembly for a machine tool can be independently proposed, which can include a sub-spindle bracket, which is configured to be arranged on a spindle bracket part of a frame of the machine tool, and the sub-spindle bracket supports a sub-hollow spindle, which is configured to receive and guide a workpiece coaxially with the spindle axis of the main spindle, in particular so that the workpiece extends out of the sub-hollow spindle on both sides of the sub-spindle bracket, in particular so that the workpiece clamped by the sub-hollow spindle can be processed without releasing any clamping state. Such a sub-spindle can include a spindle drive, for example, a direct drive, which is used to drive the rotation of the received workpiece. According to an exemplary aspect, a machine tool, in particular a lathe, may also be provided, which may include a machine frame, one or more spindles (e.g. a main spindle and / or a counter spindle) and a sub-spindle assembly, the sub-spindle assembly may include a sub-spindle bracket arranged on a spindle bracket portion of the machine frame, the sub-spindle bracket supporting a sub-hollow spindle, the sub-hollow spindle being configured to receive and guide a workpiece coaxially with the spindle axis of the main spindle, in particular so that the workpiece extends out of the sub-hollow spindle on both sides of the sub-spindle bracket, in particular enabling machining of a workpiece clamped by the sub-hollow spindle without releasing any clamping state.

[0022] Preferably, the secondary spindle carriage is configured to move in a horizontal direction parallel to the spindle axis of the primary spindle along a horizontal guide arranged on a spindle carriage portion of the machine frame.

[0023] Preferably, the secondary spindle bracket is arranged between the primary spindle bracket and the counter-spindle bracket.

[0024] Preferably, the secondary hollow spindle comprises a clamping unit controlled electrically, hydraulically and / or pneumatically for clamping a workpiece received in the secondary hollow spindle, and a drive for driving a rotational movement of the workpiece clamped by the clamping unit.

[0025] Preferably, the secondary hollow spindle can clamp the workpiece in one or more clamping states and can also be switched to a released state, in which the workpiece can slide freely in the hollow spindle. The clamping state can include a rigid clamping state (locked) and / or a looser clamping state, in which the workpiece is guided in the hollow spindle but can still slide in the direction of the spindle axis.

[0026] Preferably, the drive comprises an electric or electromagnetic direct drive mechanism. In other exemplary embodiments, the drive can be implemented as a conventional drive mechanism, ie comprising a gear mechanism.

[0027] Preferably, in some exemplary embodiments, the secondary spindle bracket supports a spindle slide, which supports the secondary hollow spindle for driving the secondary hollow spindle to move transversely or vertically relative to the spindle axis.

[0028] Preferably, in other exemplary embodiments, the machine tool further comprises a secondary spindle bracket, which is arranged on the upper tool holder part or the lower tool holder part of the frame, and the secondary hollow spindle is configured to receive and guide the workpiece coaxially with the spindle axis of the main spindle, in particular so that the workpiece extends out of the secondary hollow spindle on both sides of the secondary spindle bracket, in particular, the workpiece clamped by the secondary hollow spindle can be processed without releasing any clamping state.

[0029] Preferably, the secondary spindle carriage is configured to move in a horizontal direction parallel to the spindle axis of the primary spindle along a horizontal guide arranged on an upper tool holder part or a lower tool holder part of the machine frame.

[0030] Preferably, also in such an exemplary embodiment, the secondary spindle carrier is arranged between the primary spindle carrier and the counter-spindle carrier.

[0031] Preferably, also in such exemplary embodiments, the secondary spindle bracket supports a spindle slide which supports the secondary hollow spindle for driving the secondary hollow spindle to move transversely or vertically relative to the spindle axis.

[0032] In a further exemplary embodiment, the machine tool may comprise two secondary hollow spindles, for example, one arranged opposite the main spindle and one arranged opposite the counter spindle, preferably the two secondary hollow spindles are arranged between the main spindle and the counter spindle.

[0033] Preferably, the two secondary hollow spindles are configured to move horizontally in the direction of the spindle axis, and the two secondary hollow spindles may be arranged as discussed above for the case of one secondary hollow spindle.

[0034] Specifically, the secondary spindle brackets can all be arranged on the spindle bracket portion. Moreover, each secondary spindle bracket can be arranged on the spindle bracket portion, the upper tool holder portion and / or the lower tool holder portion. In some exemplary aspects, one secondary spindle bracket can be arranged on the upper tool holder portion, and another secondary spindle bracket can be arranged on the lower tool holder portion. In addition, one or both of the secondary hollow spindles can also be configured to move in a direction transverse or perpendicular to the spindle axis.

[0035] Generally, it is noted that the workpiece can be loaded onto the machine tool by a workpiece loading device such as a bar loader, a bar feeder and / or a handling robot. The machined workpiece can be removed by an unloading device, for example, by a handling robot.

[0036] Although certain exemplary aspects have been described above, it should be understood that these aspects are merely illustrative of the present invention rather than limiting, and the exemplary aspects are not limited to the specific structures and arrangements shown and described above, because various other changes, combinations, omissions, modifications and substitutions are possible in addition to those proposed in the above paragraphs. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the aspects described above can be configured with various adaptations, modifications and / or combinations. Therefore, it should be understood that in addition to the specific description herein, other aspects that can be practiced may also be included. In view of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art will also understand that the different aspects described herein can be combined to form other aspects claimed for protection in the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a machine tool according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown by way of example.

[0038] Figure 2 It is shown as an example Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a machine frame of a machine tool is shown.

[0039] Figure 3 It is shown as an example Figure 2 A schematic perspective view of a machine frame is shown with a mounted workpiece spindle.

[0040] Figure 4 A schematic perspective view of a tool holder assembly according to an exemplary embodiment is exemplarily shown.

[0041] Figure 5 It is shown as an example Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a machine tool frame is shown.

[0042] Figure 6 A schematic perspective view of a machine tool according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown by way of example.

[0043] Figure 7 It is shown as an example Figure 6 A schematic perspective view of a machine frame of a machine tool is shown.

[0044] Figure 8 It is shown as an example Figure 6 A schematic cross-sectional view of a machine tool frame is shown.

[0045] Fig. 9 Schematic perspective views of modules of a modular tool holder assembly system according to an exemplary embodiment are exemplarily shown.

[0046] Fig.10 An abstract cross-sectional view of a secondary hollow spindle according to an exemplary embodiment is exemplarily shown.

[0047] Fig.11 A cross-sectional view of a secondary hollow spindle according to an exemplary embodiment is exemplarily shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Hereinafter, preferred aspects and exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar features in different drawings and embodiments are represented by similar reference numerals. It should be understood that the following detailed description related to various preferred aspects and preferred embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a machine tool 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is exemplarily shown.

[0050] The machine tool 100 , exemplarily implemented as a turret lathe, includes a machine frame 110 exemplarily supporting four tool holder assemblies 150 , a main spindle 121 carrying a workpiece supported by a main spindle bracket 120 , and a counter spindle 141 carrying a workpiece supported by a counter spindle bracket 140 .

[0051] Figure 2 It is shown as an example Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a machine frame 110 of a machine tool 100 is shown.

[0052] The frame 110 is illustratively located on two stage portions 111 a and 111 b , and a bracket supporting portion of the frame 110 is illustratively formed between and held by the stage portions 111 a and 111 b .

[0053] The frame 110 exemplarily has an upper support portion 113 and a lower support portion 114, both of which exemplarily extend horizontally between the two platform portions 111a and 111b. A front support portion 112 of the frame 110 is formed between the upper support portion 113 and the lower support portion 114, wherein the front support portion 112 extends horizontally between the two platform portions 111a and 111b.

[0054] The front support portion 112 of the rack 110 exemplarily has a front surface arranged vertically. The upper side surface of the upper support portion 113 of the rack 110 is arranged as an inclined slope, exemplarily inclined at an inclination angle of approximately 45 degrees (for example, relative to the work floor, the rack 110 is located on the work floor through the machine table portions 111a and 111b). The lower side surface of the lower support portion 114 of the rack 110 is arranged as a hanging inclined slope, exemplarily inclined at an inclination angle of approximately 315 degrees (for example, relative to the work floor, the rack 110 is located on the work floor through the machine table portions 111a and 111b).

[0055] In other exemplary embodiments, the inclination angle of the upper side of the upper support portion 113 of the frame 110 may be in the range of 30 to 60 degrees. Moreover, the inclination angle of the lower side of the lower support portion 114 of the frame 110 may be in the range of 300 to 330 degrees. Specifically, it may be preferably provided that the angle formed between the upper support portion 113 and the lower support portion 114 is approximately 90 degrees.

[0056] The upper support portion 113 of the frame 110 has a horizontally extending guide rail 113a for slidably supporting the tool holder assembly 150 on the upper side of the frame 110 in the processing area between the spindles. The lower support portion 114 of the frame 110 has a horizontally extending guide rail 114a for slidably supporting the tool holder assembly 150 on the lower side of the frame 110 in the processing area between the spindles. The front support portion 112 directed to the front side of the frame 110 has a horizontally extending guide rail 112a for slidably supporting the counter spindle bracket 140 and the sub-spindle bracket 130.

[0057] Figure 3 It is shown as an example Figure 2 A schematic perspective view of a machine frame 100 is shown with a mounted workpiece spindle.

[0058] The frame 110 carries a main spindle bracket 120, exemplarily at the left front side on the front surface side of the table part 111a and exemplarily at the height of the front support part 112, which is exemplarily guided horizontally on a guide rail 112a on the front support part 112. The main spindle bracket 120 includes a main spindle 121 carrying a workpiece, which is configured to receive an elongated workpiece, such as a rod, and drive the received workpiece to rotate around the spindle axis of the main spindle 121. Exemplarily, the main spindle 121 is arranged so that its spindle axis extends in the horizontal direction.

[0059] Further illustratively, a relative spindle bracket 140 is slidably mounted on the front support portion 112 on the guide rail 112a. The frame 110 carries the relative spindle bracket 140, which includes a relative spindle 141 carrying a workpiece, and the relative spindle 141 is configured to receive an elongated workpiece, such as a rod, and drive the received workpiece to rotate around the spindle axis of the relative spindle 141. Exemplarily, the relative spindle 141 is arranged so that its spindle axis extends in the horizontal direction.

[0060] Specifically, the relative spindle 141 is illustratively arranged opposite to the main spindle 121, and its spindle axis extends in a horizontal direction coaxially arranged relative to the spindle axis of the main spindle 121. Therefore, the relative spindle 141 can be horizontally moved toward the main spindle to receive the workpiece received in the main spindle 121 to receive the workpiece from the main spindle 121, for example, to allow the rear end of the workpiece to be processed.

[0061] Further exemplarily, an optional sub-spindle bracket 130 is slidably mounted on the front support portion 112 between the main spindle bracket 120 and the relative spindle bracket 140, and the sub-spindle bracket 130 is exemplarily guided horizontally on a guide rail 112a on the front support portion 112, that is, exemplarily on the same guide rail 112a that supports the relative spindle bracket 140.

[0062] The frame 110 carries an optional secondary spindle bracket 130, which includes (or at least supports) a secondary hollow spindle 131, which is configured to receive an elongated workpiece, such as a rod, and support and / or guide the rotation of the received workpiece around the guide rotation axis of the secondary hollow spindle 131. The exemplary secondary hollow spindle 131 is arranged so that its guide rotation axis (secondary spindle axis) extends in the horizontal direction. The secondary hollow spindle 131 can be used as a spindle for clamping / holding a workpiece and driving the workpiece to rotate, and the secondary hollow spindle 131 can also be used as a rotating guide sleeve that guides the rotation of the workpiece clamped in one or both of the main spindles and the counter spindle. .

[0063] Specifically, the optional secondary hollow spindle 131 is exemplarily arranged between the main spindle 121 and the relative spindle 141, on the guide rail 112a, and its guide rotation axis is coaxially arranged relative to the spindle axes of the main spindle 121 and the relative spindle 141 in the horizontal direction.

[0064] Therefore, the secondary hollow spindle 131 can move horizontally within the range between the main spindle 121 and the relative spindle 141 to receive the workpiece received in the main spindle 121 and guide and / or support it, for example, to prevent the workpiece from bending due to the force applied by the tool, or receive the workpiece received in the relative spindle 141 and guide and / or support it, for example, to prevent the workpiece from bending due to the force applied by the tool.

[0065] Return again Figure 1 , which exemplarily shows that four workpiece carrying assemblies 150 are arranged on the upper supporting portion and the lower supporting portion of the frame 110 in the processing area between the spindles 121 and 141. Specifically, two workpiece carrying assemblies 150 are exemplarily slidably arranged on the upper supporting portion 113 of the frame 110, on the guide rail 113a, and two workpiece carrying assemblies 150 are exemplarily slidably arranged on the lower supporting portion 114 of the frame 110, on the guide rail 114a.

[0066] It should be noted that the number of tool assembly brackets 150 can be varied and other configurations can be provided. The exemplary embodiment, having four tool assembly brackets 150, two in the upper portion and two in the lower portion, provides a high degree of flexibility in machining for machining different workpieces or different parts of the same workpiece simultaneously, and also provides a wide range of tool types.

[0067] However, less than four tool assembly brackets 150 may be provided, for example: only one upper tool assembly bracket, two upper tool assembly brackets, only one lower tool assembly bracket, two lower tool assembly brackets, one upper tool assembly bracket and one lower tool assembly bracket, one upper tool assembly bracket and two lower tool assembly brackets, or two upper tool assembly brackets and one lower tool assembly bracket. For example, the tool assembly brackets may be installed according to the machining process requirements, for example, according to the preferences and requirements of the customer.

[0068] Each tool assembly carrier 150 is slidably mounted to be horizontally movable along the guide rails 113a or 114a of a corresponding one of the upper support portion 113 and the lower support portion 114. This moving direction is generally referred to as the Z direction, and each tool assembly carrier 150 is movable by a corresponding digitally controllable Z axis.

[0069] In addition, the tool holder assembly 150 is illustratively configured to carry a tool mount having one or more tools for machining a workpiece received at any spindle 131 or 141, and the tool holder assembly 150 is further illustratively configured to have two additional linear axes, including a vertical axis, to move the tool mount vertically (i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the coaxially arranged spindle axis). This vertical movement direction is generally referred to as the X direction, and each tool assembly carrier 150 is movable by a corresponding digitally controllable X axis.

[0070] For each tool holder assembly 150, another third linear axis of motion may be provided as another horizontal or inclined axis to move the tool mount in a third direction, which is exemplarily arranged perpendicular to the direction of the coaxially arranged spindle axis and is horizontally oriented or inclined to the horizontal plane. In any case, this additional linear axis movement direction is preferably arranged vertically or laterally relative to the vertical axis movement direction. This horizontally or inclined third movement direction is generally referred to as the Y direction, and each tool assembly carriage 150 is movable by a corresponding digitally controllable Y axis.

[0071] Figure 4 A schematic perspective view of a tool holder assembly 150 according to an exemplary embodiment is shown as an example. By way of example, the arrangement of one, two, three or four tool holder assemblies 150 on the machine frame 110 of the machine tool 100 can be realized similarly.

[0072] The tool holder assembly 150 includes a carriage support slide 151 configured to be slidably mounted on the guide rail 113a or 114a of the upper support portion 113 or the lower support portion 114 of the frame 110. Therefore, when mounted on the guide rail 113a on the top of the upper support portion 113, the carriage support slide 151 is configured to move horizontally along and on the guide rail 113a (Z axis) in a horizontal direction arranged horizontally and coaxially with the spindle axes of the spindles 121 and 141. On the other hand, when mounted at the guide rail 114a of the suspended lower support portion 114 in a suspended state, the carriage support slide 151 is configured to move horizontally along the guide rail 114a (Z axis) in a horizontal direction arranged horizontally and coaxially with the spindle axes of the spindles 121 and 141.

[0073] On the front side of the carriage support slide 151 of the tool holder assembly 150, facing the machining area of ​​the machine tool 100 between the main spindles 121 and 141, a tool holder support slide 152 is slidably mounted to the carriage support slide 151. The tool holder support slide 152 is configured to move vertically in the vertical direction along a vertical guide rail arranged on the front surface (X axis) of the carriage support slide 151.

[0074] On the front side of the tool holder support slide 152 of the tool holder assembly 150, between the main spindles 121 and 141 facing the processing area of ​​the machine tool 100, a horizontally arranged tool holder sleeve 153 ( Figure 1 153 ) exemplarily extends vertically from the front side of the tool holder support slide 152 into the machining area of ​​the machine tool 100 to mount the tool holder at the front end of the tool holder sleeve 153.

[0075] In an exemplary embodiment, the tool holder sleeve 153 may be optionally mounted to the tool holder support slide 152 so as to be controllably movable horizontally along the Y direction (preferably perpendicular to the spindle axis of the main spindles 121 and 141) toward the front (Y axis) of the machine tool 100. In other exemplary embodiments, the tool holder sleeve 153 may include an element configured to be movable horizontally along the Y direction (preferably perpendicular to the spindle axis of the main spindles 121 and 141) toward the front (Y axis) of the machine tool 100.

[0076] Through Figure 1 and Figure 4The above arrangement shown. The tool holder assembly 150 is configured to carry a tool holder, such as a tool holder, which holds one or more tools, and is also configured to controllably move the tool holder in three independent directions of motion, including an X direction exemplarily extending perpendicular to the horizontal arrangement direction of the spindle, a Y direction exemplarily extending horizontally and perpendicular to the horizontal arrangement direction of the spindle axis, and a Z direction exemplarily extending horizontally and parallel to the horizontal arrangement direction of the spindle axis. Therefore, the tool holder assembly 150 is exemplarily configured to be equipped with three independently controllable linear axes: an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis.

[0077] Furthermore, the tool holder sleeve 153 may optionally be configured to further include a rotatably driven B-axis to control rotational movement of the tool holder, i.e., about a rotational axis extending in the X direction. The tool holder is mounted to the tool holder assembly 150 about a horizontally arranged longitudinal axis of the tool holder sleeve 153 .

[0078] Figure 5 By way of example, Figure 1 The cross-sectional schematic diagram of the frame 110 of the machine tool 100 is shown. The cross-sectional shape of the frame 110 of the machine tool 100 exemplarily comprises an isosceles equiangular trapezoid, which is rotated 90 degrees. In other embodiments, the shape may be different and the rotation angle may be different.

[0079] Figure 5 The front support portion 112 of the frame 110 is shown as exemplarily having a vertically arranged front surface. The spindle bracket housing 120 is mounted to the front side of the machine tool 100 at the height of the front support portion 112. The front support portion 112 also supports a horizontally extending guide rail 112a on which the counter spindle bracket 140 and / or the auxiliary spindle bracket 130 can be slidably mounted ( Figure 5 not shown).

[0080] As previously described, the upper side of the upper support portion 113 of the rack 110 is arranged as an inclined slope, exemplarily at an inclination angle of approximately 45 degrees (e.g., relative to the work floor on which the rack 110 is located via the table portions 111a and 111b). As previously described, in other exemplary embodiments, the inclination angle of the upper side of the upper support portion 113 of the rack 110 may be in the range of 30 to 60 degrees.

[0081] In order to slidably support the tool holder assembly 150 on the upper side of the frame 110 in the processing area between the spindles, the upper support portion 113 of the frame 110 has a horizontally extending guide rail 113a, and the upper tool holder assembly 150 is mounted on the guide rail 113a. The upper tool holder assembly 150 can move horizontally (Z axis) and in a direction parallel to the spindle axis (i.e., perpendicular to the spindle axis). Figure 5 plane shown in the figure).

[0082] The lower side of the lower support portion 114 of the frame 110 is arranged as an overhanging inclined slope, exemplarily at an inclination angle of approximately 315 degrees (e.g., relative to the work floor on which the frame 110 is located via the platform portions 111a and 111b). Moreover, the inclination angle of the lower side of the lower support portion 114 of the frame 110 may be in the range of 300 to 330 degrees. Specifically, it may be preferably provided that the angle formed between the upper support portion 113 and the lower support portion 114 is approximately 90 degrees.

[0083] In order to slidably hold the tool holder assembly 150 on the lower side of the frame 110 in a suspended state in the processing area between the spindles, the lower support portion 114 of the frame 110 has a horizontally extending guide rail 114a, and the lower tool holder assembly 150 is installed on the guide rail 114a in a suspended state. The lower tool holder assembly 150 can move horizontally (Z axis) and in a direction parallel to the spindle axis (i.e., perpendicular to the spindle axis). Figure 5 plane of the graph).

[0084] like Figure 5 As shown, the lower side surface of the lower support portion 114 of the frame 110 is arranged in a suspended inclined slope to support and hold the lower tool holder assembly 150 in a suspended state. One advantage is that the slide and support structure of the lower tool holder assembly 150 can be hidden under the suspended lower support portion 114 so as not to extend into the machining area below the spindle, so that chips falling from the workpiece during machining can fall without being hindered by the support structure of the lower tool holder assembly 150.

[0085] For example, in Figure 5 In the embodiment, the upper tool holder assembly 150 carries the tool turret 1, and the lower tool holder assembly 150 carries the machining head 2, which holds and drives a tool such as a grinding tool or a milling tool.

[0086] Figure 6 A schematic perspective view of a machine tool 200 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown by way of example.

[0087] Figure 7 It is shown as an example Figure 6 A schematic perspective view of a machine frame 110 of a machine tool 200 is shown.

[0088] The machine tool 200 differs from the machine tool 100 described above in the different configuration of the tool holder assembly 150. The description will focus on the differences compared to the machine tool 100 described above, and aspects not described are or may be similarly implemented.

[0089] Likewise, the frame 110 is exemplarily located on the two platform parts 111a and 111b, and the bracket support part of the frame 110 is exemplarily formed between the frame parts 111a and 111b and held by the platform parts 111a and 111b. The frame 110 exemplarily has an upper support part 113 and a lower support part 114, both of which exemplarily extend horizontally between the two platform parts 111a and 111b. The front support part 112 of the frame 110 is formed between the upper support part 113 and the lower support part 114, wherein the front support part 112 extends horizontally between the two platform parts 111a and 111b.

[0090] The front support portion 112 of the rack 110 exemplarily has a front surface arranged vertically. The upper side surface of the upper support portion 113 of the rack 110 is arranged as an inclined slope, exemplarily at an inclination angle of approximately 45 degrees (e.g., relative to the work floor, on which the rack 110 is located through the machine table portions 111a and 111b). The lower side surface of the lower support portion 114 of the rack 110 is arranged as an overhanging inclined slope, exemplarily at an inclination angle of approximately 315 degrees (e.g., relative to the work floor, on which the rack 110 is located through the machine table portions 111a and 111b).

[0091] The upper support portion 113 of the frame 110 has a horizontally extending guide rail 113a for slidably supporting the tool holder assembly 150 on the upper side of the frame 110 in the processing area between the spindles. The lower support portion 114 of the frame 110 has a horizontally extending guide rail 114a for slidably supporting the tool holder assembly 150 on the lower side of the frame 110 in the processing area between the spindles. The front support portion 112 directed to the front side of the frame 110 has a horizontally extending guide rail 112a for slidably supporting the counter spindle bracket 140 and the sub-spindle bracket 130.

[0092] With the above Figure 1 The difference between the machine tool 100 and the tool holder assembly 150 is that the tool holder assembly 150 is further equipped with another carriage support slide 154, which is installed to slide horizontally on the guide rail 113a or the guide rail 114a on the upper support portion 113 or the lower support portion 114. On the other hand, the carriage support slide 151 is slidably installed on the carriage support slide 154 so as to be movable as a modified X-axis on the guide rail on the carriage support slide 154 in a direction perpendicular to the axis direction of the spindle.

[0093] Figure 8 By way of example, Figure 6 A schematic cross-sectional view of a machine frame 110 of a machine tool 200 is shown.

[0094] Exemplarily, the tool holder sleeve 155 mounted on the front side of the tool holder slide 152 is a fixed structure that does not provide additional linear motion due to the modified Y-axis. Still optionally, the tool holder sleeve 155 may include a B-axis to drive the tool holder (exemplarily implemented in Figure 8 The machining head 2) is rotated about an axis of rotation, which extends horizontally and perpendicularly to the direction of the spindle towards the machining area.

[0095] Figure 8 The direction of the modified Y-axis of the slidable movement of the carriage support slide 151 on the carriage support slide 155 is shown exemplarily to extend exemplarily parallel to the respective inclinations of the upper support section 113 and the lower support section 114 .

[0096] Fig. 9 A schematic perspective view of a module of a modular tool holder assembly system according to an exemplary embodiment is illustrated.

[0097] The tool holder assembly system includes a sliding composite module, which includes a carriage support slide 151 and a tool holder support slide 152 installed on the front side of the carriage support slide 151, wherein a guide slide 152a is slidably mounted to a vertically extending guide rail 151b, the guide rail 151b is arranged on the front side of the upper carriage support slide 151, and the lower side of the upper carriage support slide 151 has a guide slide 151a, and the guide slide 151a can be configured to be slidably mounted on the guide rail 113a or 114a on the upper support portion 113 or the lower support portion 114, or mounted to the guide rail 154a on another carriage support slide 154 (see Figure 8 ).

[0098] The tool holder support slide 152 illustratively has a cylindrical through hole 152, to which a tool holder module, such as a fixed sleeve 155 or an optional B-axis sleeve 153, can be mounted. The fixed sleeve 155 can be modified to further include a B-axis and / or a slidable element to provide a Y-axis. Depending on the different sleeve modules, the tool holder assembly can be equipped with a fixed sleeve, a sleeve equipped with a Z-axis, a sleeve equipped with a B-axis, and a sleeve equipped with both a Z-axis and a B-axis.

[0099] In addition, the tool holder assembly system includes different tool holder modules, so that the tool holder assembly can be equipped with different tool holders, for example, a tool turret 1, a machining head 2, the machining head 2 being suitable for holding and driving a tool such as a milling tool or a grinding tool GT (such as Fig. 9 ), a gear hobbing tool unit 3 or a stabilizing bracket 4 or a forming tool, etc.

[0100] Fig.10A simplified cross-sectional view of a sub-spindle bracket 130 according to an exemplary embodiment is shown exemplarily. As mentioned above, such a sub-spindle bracket 130 can be provided optionally, for example, the optional sub-spindle bracket 130 can be slidably mounted on the front support part 112 between the main spindle bracket 120 and the counter spindle bracket 140, exemplarily guided horizontally on the guide rails 112a on the front support part 112, that is, exemplarily the same as the guide rails 112a supporting the counter spindle bracket 140.

[0101] The optional secondary spindle bracket 130 includes (or at least supports) a secondary hollow spindle 131, which is configured to receive an elongated workpiece, such as a rod, and to support and / or guide the rotation of the received workpiece around the guide rotation axis of the secondary hollow spindle 131. The optional secondary hollow spindle 131 can be exemplarily arranged between the main spindle 121 and the relative spindle 141, on the guide rail 112a, and its guide rotation axis extends in a horizontal direction coaxially arranged relative to the spindle axes of the main spindle 121 and the relative spindle 141.

[0102] Therefore, the secondary hollow spindle 131 can move horizontally within the range between the main spindle 121 and the relative spindle 141 to receive the workpiece received in the main spindle 121 and guide and / or support it, for example, to prevent the workpiece from bending due to the force applied by the tool, or receive the workpiece received in the relative spindle 141 and guide and / or support it, for example, to prevent the workpiece from bending due to the force applied by the tool.

[0103] The secondary hollow spindle 131 exemplarily includes controllable guide clamping units 133, 134 for clamping a workpiece W, such as a rod, to guide the rotation of the workpiece W around the spindle and the spindle of the secondary hollow spindle 131. The guide clamping units 133, 134 can be controlled by electrical, hydraulic and / or pneumatic control, preferably switching the guide clamping units 133, 134 between three clamping states.

[0104] In one clamping state, the sleeve of the guide clamping unit 133, 134 can be loosened so that the workpiece W is in an unclamped state (loose state). In another clamping state, the sleeve of the guide clamping unit 133, 134 can be actuated to clamp the workpiece W in a first (weaker) clamping state, in which the workpiece W is loosely clamped so that torque cannot be transmitted between the workpiece W and the guide clamping unit 133, 134, but the workpiece W can be supported and guided coaxially with the spindle axis, wherein movement of the workpiece W in a direction parallel to the spindle axis is still possible. In another clamping state, the sleeve of the guide clamping unit 133, 134 can be actuated to clamp the workpiece W in a second (stronger) clamping state, in which the workpiece W is strongly clamped so that torque can be transmitted between the workpiece W. The guide clamping unit 133, 134 supports and guides the workpiece W coaxially with the spindle axis, in which movement of the workpiece W in a direction parallel to the spindle axis is impossible due to the strong clamping state.

[0105] In the latter state, i.e., in the stronger second clamping state, the workpiece W received in the secondary hollow spindle 131 can be rotationally driven by a direct drive device 132 (exemplarily comprising an electric or electromagnetic motor). Therefore, in this state, the secondary hollow spindle 131 is configured to be used as a through-hole additional spindle, which can process the workpiece ends W1 and W2 in one clamping state by different tool holders, providing a perfect coaxial arrangement; for example, Fig.10 As shown, in other exemplary embodiments, the driver may be implemented as a conventional drive mechanism, for example including a gear mechanism.

[0106] Fig.11 A cross-sectional view of a secondary hollow spindle 131 according to an exemplary embodiment is shown exemplarily. The secondary hollow spindle 131 comprises a direct drive, which is arranged around a guide clamping unit comprising a sleeve 133, which can be controlled electrically, hydraulically and / or pneumatically to clamp the workpiece W coaxially with the spindle axis in a second clamping state. The two ends of the workpiece W extend out of the secondary hollow spindle 131 and are exposed so that machining operations can be performed simultaneously on both side ends of the workpiece (see also Fig.10 ).

[0107] In addition to the above exemplary embodiments, other exemplary embodiments are also conceivable.

[0108] For example, in other exemplary embodiments, the machine tool may further include a secondary spindle bracket, which is arranged on the upper tool holder part or the lower tool holder part of the frame, and supports a secondary hollow spindle, which is configured to receive and guide the workpiece coaxially with the spindle axis of the main spindle, in particular so that the workpiece extends out of the secondary hollow spindle on both sides of the secondary spindle bracket, and in particular enables the workpiece clamped by the secondary hollow spindle to be processed without releasing any clamping state.

[0109] For example, the sub-spindle bracket may be configured to move in a horizontal direction parallel to the spindle axis of the main spindle along a horizontal guide rail disposed on the upper and lower tool holder portions or the lower tool holder portion of the frame.

[0110] Also in such exemplary embodiments, the secondary spindle bracket may be disposed between the primary spindle bracket and the counter-spindle bracket.

[0111] Also in such exemplary embodiments, the secondary spindle bracket may support a spindle slide that supports the secondary hollow spindle for driving the secondary hollow spindle to move laterally or vertically relative to the spindle axis.

[0112] In a further exemplary embodiment, the machine tool may comprise two secondary hollow spindles, for example, one arranged opposite the main spindle and one arranged opposite the counter spindle, preferably the two secondary hollow spindles are arranged between the main spindle and the counter spindle.

[0113] For example, the two sub-hollow spindles may be configured to move horizontally in the direction of the spindle axis, and the two sub-hollow spindles may be arranged as discussed above for the case of one sub-hollow spindle.

[0114] Specifically, the secondary spindle brackets can all be arranged on the spindle bracket portion. Moreover, each secondary spindle bracket can be arranged on the spindle bracket portion, the upper tool holder portion and / or the lower tool holder portion. In some exemplary aspects, one secondary spindle bracket can be arranged on the upper tool holder portion, and the other secondary spindle bracket can be arranged on the lower tool holder portion. In addition, one or both of the secondary hollow spindles can also be configured to move in a direction transverse or perpendicular to the spindle axis.

[0115] Generally, it is noted that the workpiece can be loaded onto the machine tool by a workpiece loading device such as a bar loader, a bar feeder and / or a handling robot. The machined workpiece can be removed by an unloading device, for example, by a handling robot.

[0116] Although certain exemplary aspects have been described above, it should be understood that these aspects are merely illustrative of the present invention rather than limiting, and the exemplary aspects are not limited to the specific structures and arrangements shown and described above, because various other changes, combinations, omissions, modifications and substitutions are possible in addition to those set forth in the above paragraphs. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the aspects described above can be configured with various adaptations, modifications and / or combinations. Therefore, it should be understood that in addition to the specific description herein, other aspects that can be practiced may also be included. In view of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art will also understand that the different aspects described herein can be combined to form other aspects claimed for protection in the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A machine tool comprising: A frame having an upper tool holder support portion, a lower tool holder support portion, and a spindle bracket portion arranged between the upper tool holder support portion and the lower tool holder support portion, a spindle carrier arranged on or at a height above the spindle carrier portion of the machine frame, supporting a main spindle configured to receive a workpiece, the main spindle having a horizontally arranged spindle axis, One or more tool holders, each tool holder being supported by a tool holder assembly, wherein the tool holder assembly is arranged on the upper tool holder supporting portion or the lower tool holder supporting portion of the frame, It is characterized in that The lower side of the lower tool holder support portion on which one or more tool holders can be mounted is arranged to have an overhanging inclination relative to the working floor where the frame is located, so that the lower side on which the one or more tool holders can be mounted faces the working floor, The upper side surface of the upper tool holder supporting part on which the one or more tool holders can be mounted is arranged to have an inclination, and the inclination angle of the inclination relative to the horizontal plane when viewed from above the horizontal plane is substantially the same as the inclination angle of the lower side surface of the lower tool holder supporting part when viewed from below the horizontal plane.

2. The machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower side surface of the lower tool holder supporting portion is inclined at an overhang inclination angle in the range of 300 to 330 degrees.

3. The machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper side surface of the upper tool holder supporting portion is inclined at an inclination angle in the range of 30 to 60 degrees.

4. The machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: One or more or each tool holder assembly is configured to independently move the corresponding tool holder in one or more linear directions, and the one or more linear directions include at least one of the following movement directions: a Z-axis movement direction that moves the tool holder horizontally in a direction parallel to the spindle axis of the main spindle, an X-axis movement direction that moves the tool holder radially relative to the spindle axis of the main spindle, and a Y-axis movement direction that moves the tool holder in a direction perpendicular to the spindle axis of the main spindle and perpendicular to the X-axis movement of the main spindle.

5. The machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: One or more or each tool holder assembly is configured to rotate the respective tool holder about an axis of rotation via B-axis movement, the axis of rotation extending perpendicularly to the spindle axis of the main spindle.

6. The machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: A relative spindle bracket is arranged on the spindle bracket part of the frame, and the relative spindle bracket supports a relative spindle facing the main spindle and configured to receive a workpiece, the relative spindle having a horizontally arranged spindle axis, and the spindle axis of the relative spindle is coaxially arranged with the spindle axis of the main spindle.

7. The machine tool according to claim 6, characterized in that The main spindle bracket and / or the counter-spindle bracket are configured to move in a horizontal direction parallel to the spindle axes of the main spindle and the counter-spindle along horizontal guides arranged on the spindle bracket portion of the frame.

8. The machine tool according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The counter spindle bracket supports a spindle slide, which supports the counter spindle for driving the counter spindle to move transversely or vertically relative to the spindle axis.

9. The machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: A secondary spindle bracket is arranged on the spindle bracket part of the frame, and the secondary spindle bracket supports a secondary hollow spindle. The secondary hollow spindle is constructed to receive and guide a workpiece coaxially with the spindle axis of the main spindle, so that the workpiece extends out of the secondary hollow spindle on both sides of the secondary spindle bracket, so that the workpiece clamped by the secondary hollow spindle can be processed without releasing any clamping state.

10. The machine tool according to claim 9, characterized in that The sub-spindle bracket is configured to move in a horizontal direction parallel to the spindle axis of the spindle along a horizontal guide disposed on the spindle bracket portion of the frame.

11. The machine tool according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that: A relative spindle bracket is arranged on the spindle bracket part of the frame, the relative spindle bracket supports a relative spindle facing the main spindle and configured to receive a workpiece, the relative spindle has a horizontally arranged spindle axis, the spindle axis of the relative spindle is coaxially arranged with the spindle axis of the main spindle; and the secondary spindle bracket is arranged between the main spindle bracket and the relative spindle bracket.

12. The machine tool according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that: The secondary hollow spindle includes a clamping unit controlled electrically, hydraulically and / or pneumatically for clamping a workpiece received in the secondary hollow spindle, and a driver for driving a rotational movement of the workpiece clamped by the clamping unit.

13. The machine tool according to claim 12, characterized in that The drive comprises an electric or electromagnetic direct drive mechanism.

14. The machine tool according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that: The secondary spindle bracket supports a spindle slide, and the spindle slide supports the secondary hollow spindle for driving the secondary hollow spindle to move transversely or vertically relative to the spindle axis.

15. The machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that The machine tool is a lathe.

16. The machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that The lower side surface of the lower tool holder supporting portion is inclined at an overhang inclination angle of approximately 315 degrees.

17. The machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper side surface of the upper tool holder supporting portion is inclined at an inclination angle of approximately 45 degrees.

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