An integrated chain-type tool magazine with self-picking tool change

Abstract

The present invention relates to an integrated chain-type tool magazine with self-picking tool change, aiming to provide an integrated chain-type tool magazine with simple structure, small space occupation, low manufacturing cost, fast tool change speed, and small tool change impact force. It can be set at the exact rear of the machine tool to achieve symmetric layout of the machine tool, avoid loss of machine tool accuracy caused by eccentricity, and facilitate the arrangement of the automated production line. It is composed of a base, a chain mechanism, a chain drive unit, a tool change manipulator, a manipulator rotation drive unit, a manipulator moving and pushing mechanism, and a moving and pushing drive unit. The chain mechanism for accommodating tools is arranged on the base and can rotate under the action of the chain drive unit; the tool change manipulator is installed on the base through the manipulator moving and pushing mechanism. On the one hand, it can perform linear reciprocating movement of pushing and retracting under the action of the moving and pushing drive unit, and on the other hand, it can rotate 180 degrees under the action of the manipulator rotation drive unit to achieve tool position exchange.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of numerical control machining, and particularly relates to an integrated chain-type tool magazine with self-picking tool change. Background Art

[0002] Due to the characteristic of large capacity, the chain-type tool magazine has been more and more widely used in numerical control machining centers. The existing chain-type tool magazines are mostly combined with tool-changing manipulators to realize tool exchange. The tool-changing manipulator and the chain-type tool magazine are independently designed. The tool-changing manipulator is located between the chain-type tool magazine and the machine tool spindle. The tool picking, tool preparation and tool exchange are completed through the translational movement of the machine tool spindle and the rotational movement of the arm of the tool-changing manipulator. On the one hand, this structure is complex, the overall occupied space is large, the positioning accuracy requirement is high, and the production and manufacturing cost is high; on the other hand, the tool-changing and tool-preparing processes are complicated, and it is difficult to improve the tool-changing speed. At the same time, in order to prevent the tool-changing manipulator arm from occupying the moving space of the workbench, the chain-type tool magazine is usually installed on one side of the machine tool, which is likely to cause the center of gravity of the machine tool to shift, and has a greater impact on the maintainability of the machine tool accuracy; and the tool magazine occupies the side space of the machine tool. When arranging the automated production line, the site utilization rate is low, which is not conducive to the layout of the machine tool production line. In addition, during the tool exchange process, an asynchronous motor is used for driving, and the tool is grabbed in a buckling manner. The tool-changing process is not controlled, and the impact force is large. Long-term tool changing is likely to cause the loss of the spindle accuracy and affect the overall machining performance of the machine tool. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, and provide an integrated chain-type tool magazine with simple structure, small space occupation, low manufacturing cost, fast tool-changing speed and small tool-changing impact force. It can be set at the rear of the machine tool to realize the symmetrical layout of the machine tool, avoid the loss of the machine tool accuracy caused by eccentricity, and is easy to arrange the automated production line.

[0004] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention is realized through the following technical solutions: an integrated chain-type tool magazine with self-picking tool change, which is composed of a base, a chain mechanism, a chain drive unit, a tool-changing manipulator, a manipulator rotation drive unit, a manipulator moving and pushing mechanism and a moving and pushing drive unit. The chain mechanism for accommodating tools is arranged on the base and can rotate under the action of the chain drive unit; the tool-changing manipulator is installed on the base through the manipulator moving and pushing mechanism. On the one hand, it can make a linear reciprocating movement of pushing and retracting under the action of the moving and pushing drive unit, and on the other hand, it can rotate 180 degrees under the action of the manipulator rotation drive unit to realize the exchange of the tool positions.

[0005] In the above integrated chain-type tool magazine with self-picking tool change, an annular slide rail and a guide groove are respectively arranged on the base. The chain mechanism is arranged around the annular slide rail, can rotate along the annular slide rail under the action of the chain drive unit, and is guided throughout the whole stroke through the guide groove.

[0006] The above-mentioned integrated chain-type tool magazine with self-picking tool change, wherein the chain mechanism is formed by connecting multiple single-link components in series. The single-link component includes a single link, a lifting rod, and a tool sleeve component. The single link is respectively matched with the annular slide rail and the guide groove through rollers, and can make a circumferential rotation movement along the annular slide rail under the action of the chain drive unit; the tool sleeve component is connected to the single link through the lifting rod, and the tool sleeve component and the lifting rod are fixed as a whole, and the lifting rod is slidably matched with the single link.

[0007] The above-mentioned integrated chain-type tool magazine with self-picking tool change, wherein the tool sleeve component is composed of a tool sleeve, steel balls, a locking shaft, a spring, and a ball sleeve. The tool sleeve is fixed on the lifting rod; the steel balls are arranged in the ball sleeve and press the ball sleeve through the spring and the locking shaft; the ball sleeve is installed in the tool sleeve and can cooperate with the tool shank to fix the tool shank in the tool sleeve.

[0008] The above-mentioned integrated chain-type tool magazine with self-picking tool change, wherein a tool change lifting mechanism is arranged on the base, including a lifting cylinder, a cylinder fixing plate, a lifting pressure plate, and a linear guide rail. The lifting cylinder is installed on the base through the cylinder fixing plate, the lifting pressure plate is installed on the moving end of the lifting cylinder, and slides on the linear guide rail, and can move up and down along the linear guide rail under the action of the lifting cylinder.

[0009] When the single-link component of the above-mentioned integrated chain-type tool magazine with self-picking tool change moves to the tool change position, its lifting rod cooperates with the lifting pressure plate and can move up and down reciprocally together with the lifting pressure plate.

[0010] The above-mentioned integrated chain-type tool magazine with self-picking tool change, wherein the manipulator moving and pushing mechanism includes a pushing slide seat and a pushing slide plate. The pushing slide seat is installed on the base, and the pushing slide plate is installed in the pushing slide seat through a slide rail and can make a linear reciprocating movement along the slide rail under the action of the moving and pushing drive unit.

[0011] The above-mentioned integrated chain-type tool magazine with self-picking tool change, wherein the tool change manipulator is composed of a rotating arm and split tool claws. The rotating arm is installed at the output end of the manipulator rotating drive unit and can rotate under the action of the manipulator rotating drive unit. The manipulator rotating drive unit is fixed at the end of the pushing slide plate; the two split tool claws are respectively arranged at both ends of the rotating arm, and springs are arranged in the split tool claws.

[0012] The above-mentioned integrated chain-type tool magazine with self-picking tool change, wherein the split tool claws realize tool picking and tool placing through the Z-direction movement of the machine tool spindle.

[0013] The above-mentioned integrated chain-type tool magazine with self-picking tool change, wherein a position sensor is arranged on the base, which can perform accurate position feedback on the initial position and the tool change position of the tool magazine.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The present invention adopts an integrated design of a tool-changing manipulator and a chain-type tool magazine, which has a simple structure, occupies less space, is convenient for installation and debugging, is easy to ensure accuracy, and has a low manufacturing cost; The tool exchange is realized through the linear movement and rotational movement of the tool-changing manipulator. The tool-changing manipulator can move to the position closest to the machine tool spindle, with a small tool-changing radius, fast tool-changing speed, and effectively reduces the occupation of the machining space of the machine tool by the tool-changing action; The chain-type tool magazine can be arranged directly behind the machine tool, which is beneficial to the symmetrical design of the machine tool, avoids accuracy loss caused by eccentricity, and is easy to arrange in an automated production line. At the same time, the chain mechanism adopts an annular guide rail and a full-stroke guiding form, which effectively reduces the vibration and noise of the tool magazine during the tool-changing process, and can realize the high-speed operation and high-precision positioning of the tool magazine. In addition, a split-type tool claw is used to cooperate with the Z-axis movement of the spindle to realize self-picking tool change, which makes full use of the advantages of the Z-axis servo drive, effectively reduces the impact on the spindle during tool change, protects the spindle accuracy, and has high reliability. The present invention also adopts a modular design of tool sleeves and single chain links. The tool sleeves and single chain links are connected one by one to form independent modules, effectively avoiding the phenomenon of tool sleeve throwing during the movement process, and greatly reducing the downtime failure rate caused by tool sleeve failures. Description of the Drawings

[0015] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the chain mechanism of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the lifting mechanism and the single chain link assembly structure of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the tool-changing manipulator structure of the present invention. Detailed Embodiments

[0019] The present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the drawings and specific embodiments.

[0020] Combined Figures 1 to 2 As shown, an integrated chain-type tool magazine for self-picking tool change of the present invention is composed of a base 1, a chain mechanism 2, a chain drive unit 3, a tool-changing manipulator 4, a manipulator rotation drive unit 5, a push-out slide 6, a push-out slide plate 7, a moving push-out drive unit 8, an annular slide rail 9, and a guide groove 10.

[0021] The annular slide rail 9 is fixed on the base 1. The chain mechanism 2 is arranged around the annular slide rail 9, can rotate circumferentially along the annular slide rail 9 under the action of the chain drive unit 3, and is guided throughout the stroke through the guide groove 10, effectively reducing the noise and tremor during the rotation of the chain mechanism 2.

[0022] The pushing slider 6 and the pushing slide plate 7 form a manipulator moving and pushing mechanism for pushing the tool changing manipulator 4 to move between the chain-type tool magazine and the machine tool spindle. Among them, the pushing slider 6 is installed on the base, and the pushing slide plate 7 is installed in the pushing slider 6 through a slide rail and can perform pushing and retracting actions under the action of the moving and pushing drive unit 8. The tool changing manipulator 4 is installed at the end of the pushing slide plate 7 through the manipulator rotation drive unit 5 and can rotate under the action of the manipulator rotation drive unit 5.

[0023] Combined with Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the chain mechanism 2 is formed by connecting twenty-five sets of single-link components 20 in series. Each set of single-link components 20 includes a single link 21, a lifting rod 22, a tool sleeve 23, and a roller 24. The single link 21 is respectively matched with the outer ring surface of the annular slide rail 9, the lower end surface of the annular slide rail 9, and the guide groove 10 through three groups of rollers 24 and can move circumferentially along the annular slide rail 9 under the action of the chain drive unit 3. The tool sleeve 23 is connected to the single link 21 through the lifting rod 22, wherein the tool sleeve 23 and the lifting rod 22 are fixed as a whole, and the lifting rod 22 is slidably matched with the single link 21. A ball sleeve 25 matched with the tool shank 29 is also arranged in the tool sleeve 23, and the tool shank can be fixed in the tool sleeve 23 through the force increasing action of the spring 26, the locking shaft 27, and the steel ball 28.

[0024] To realize the self-taking and self-releasing of the tool in the tool sleeve 23, a tool changing and lifting mechanism 11 is arranged on the base 1 corresponding to the tool changing position, which is composed of a lifting cylinder 12, a cylinder fixing plate 13, a lifting pressing plate 14, and a linear guide rail 15. The lifting cylinder 14 is installed on the base 1 through the cylinder fixing plate 13; the lifting pressing plate 14 is installed on the moving end of the lifting cylinder 12 and slides on the linear guide rail 15 and can move up and down along the linear guide rail 15 under the action of the lifting cylinder 12. When the single link 21 moves to the tool changing position, the lifting pressing plate 14 can clamp the lifting rod 22, and the tool sleeve 23 can be lifted or pressed down along with the action of the lifting cylinder 12, so as to realize the separation or clamping of the tool sleeve 23 and the tool shank 29.

[0025] Combined with Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown in the figure, the tool changing manipulator 4 is composed of a rotating arm 41 and a split tool claw 42. The rotating arm 41 is installed at the output end of the manipulator rotation drive unit 5 and can rotate 180 degrees under the action of the manipulator rotation drive unit 5; the split tool claws 42 are respectively arranged at both ends of the rotating arm 41 and can realize position exchange along with the rotation movement of the rotating arm 41; a spring 43 is arranged in the split tool claw 42, and the tool shank can be clamped under the elastic force of the spring 43.

[0026] To ensure the tool change positioning accuracy, a position sensor 16 is also provided on the base 1. By triggering the position sensor signal and setting internal parameters, the initial position of the tool magazine can be accurately determined. At the same time, in cooperation with the absolute servo control system, the precise positioning of each tool change position can also be achieved, ensuring the safe and error-free completion of the tool change operation.

[0027] During use, the present invention can be installed at the rear of the machine tool. During the machining process of the machine tool, the tool magazine prepares the tool, that is, the single link 21 of the tool used in the next machining program moves to the tool change position of the tool magazine. The tool change manipulator 4 grabs the tool holder, and the lifting cylinder 14 acts. The tool sleeve 23 is lifted upward in sequence through the lifting pressure plate 14 and the lifting rod 22, so that the tool holder is separated from the tool sleeve 23. After the machining is completed, the machine tool spindle moves along the X-axis and Z-axis to the tool change position of the machine tool. At the same time, the manipulator moving and pushing mechanism pushes out the tool change manipulator 4 under the action of the moving and pushing drive unit 8. The empty tool claw of the tool change manipulator 4 grabs the tool holder on the machine tool spindle. The machine tool spindle releases the tool and moves upward to separate the tool holder from the spindle. The manipulator rotation drive unit 5 drives the rotating arm 41 to rotate 180 degrees to realize the position exchange of the two tool holders. The machine tool spindle moves downward along the Z-axis and grabs the tool. The manipulator moving and pushing mechanism retracts. The tool sleeve 23 moves downward and grabs the tool holder on the tool change manipulator 4. The manipulator moving and pushing mechanism returns to zero. The tool magazine continues to search for the tool to prepare the tool for the next tool change.

[0028] The tool change manipulator of the present invention and the chain-type tool magazine are of an integrated structure, with a simple structure, convenient installation and debugging, easy to ensure accuracy. Installed at the rear of the machine tool, it is not only beneficial to the symmetrical design of the machine tool, but also greatly reduces the X-axis travel of the machine tool spindle during tool change, occupies a small space for tool change, and has a fast tool change speed.

[0029] Although the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications according to the principle of the present invention. Therefore, all modifications made according to the principle of the present invention should be understood to fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An integrated chain-type tool magazine with self-picking tool change, characterized in that It is composed of a base, a chain mechanism, a chain drive unit, a tool changing manipulator, a manipulator rotation drive unit, a manipulator moving and pushing mechanism, and a moving and pushing drive unit. An annular slide rail and a guide groove are respectively arranged on the base. The chain mechanism is arranged around the annular slide rail and can rotate along the annular slide rail under the action of the chain drive unit and is guided throughout the whole stroke through the guide groove. The chain mechanism is formed by connecting multiple single-link components in series. The single-link component includes a single link, a lifting rod, and a tool sleeve component. The single link is respectively matched with the annular slide rail and the guide groove through rollers and can perform circumferential rotation along the annular slide rail under the action of the chain drive unit. The tool sleeve component is connected to the single link through the lifting rod, and the tool sleeve component and the lifting rod are fixed as a whole. The lifting rod is slidably matched with the single link. A tool changing lifting mechanism is arranged on the base, including a lifting cylinder, a cylinder fixing plate, a lifting pressing plate, and a linear guide rail. The lifting cylinder is installed on the base through the cylinder fixing plate. The lifting pressing plate is installed on the moving end of the lifting cylinder and slides on the linear guide rail and can move up and down along the linear guide rail under the action of the lifting cylinder. When the single-link component moves to the tool changing position, the lifting pressing plate can clamp the lifting rod, and the tool sleeve component can be lifted or pressed down with the action of the lifting cylinder to realize the self-taking and self-releasing of the tool by the tool sleeve component. The tool changing manipulator is installed on the base through the manipulator moving and pushing mechanism. On the one hand, it can perform a linear reciprocating movement of pushing and retracting under the action of the moving and pushing drive unit. On the other hand, it can rotate 180 degrees under the action of the manipulator rotation drive unit to realize the tool position exchange with the machine tool spindle or the tool sleeve component.

2. The integrated chain-type tool magazine with self-picking tool change according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tool sleeve component is composed of a tool sleeve, steel balls, a locking shaft, a spring, and a ball sleeve. The tool sleeve is fixed on the lifting rod. The steel balls are arranged in the ball sleeve and press the ball sleeve through the spring and the locking shaft. The ball sleeve is installed in the tool sleeve and can cooperate with the tool shank to fix the tool shank in the tool sleeve.

3. An integrated chain-type tool magazine with self-picking tool change, characterized in that, The manipulator moving and pushing mechanism includes a pushing slide seat and a pushing slide plate. The pushing slide seat is installed on the base. The pushing slide plate is installed in the pushing slide seat through a slide rail and can perform a linear reciprocating movement along the slide rail under the action of the moving and pushing drive unit.

4. The one-piece chain-type tool magazine with self-picking tool change according to claim 3, characterized in that, The tool changing manipulator is composed of a rotating arm and split tool claws. The rotating arm is installed at the output end of the manipulator rotation drive unit and can rotate under the action of the manipulator rotation drive unit. The manipulator rotation drive unit is fixed at the end of the pushing slide plate. Two split tool claws are respectively arranged at both ends of the rotating arm, and springs are arranged in the split tool claws.

5. The one-piece chain-type tool magazine with self-picking tool change according to claim 4, characterized in that, The split tool claws realize tool taking and tool placing through the Z-direction movement of the machine tool spindle.

6. The integrated chain-type tool magazine with self-picking tool change according to claim 1, characterized in that, A position sensor is arranged on the base, which can perform accurate position feedback on the initial position of the tool magazine and the tool changing position.

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