Cutting equipment

Abstract

Provided is a cutting device including an end mill held in a double-supported manner, wherein the inclination of the end mill can be easily adjusted. The cutting device of the present invention is a cutting device for cutting the outer peripheral surface of a workpiece having a plurality of overlapping thin films. The cutting device (100) comprises a device body (10); a cutting unit (30) having an end mill (31), brackets (32a) and (32b) for freely rotatably holding the end mill (31) at both ends, a unit body (33) to which the brackets are mounted; and an inclination adjustment mechanism (50) configured to adjust the inclination of the cutting unit (30).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a cutting processing device. Background Art

[0002] Currently, there is a known device for cutting the end face of a workpiece having multiple overlapping thin films. For example, according to Patent Document 1, a device is proposed for cutting the end face of a workpiece using an end mill held in a single-support state on a main body (i.e., only holding the end on one side). In recent years, higher precision has been increasingly required for machining the end faces of workpieces. Since the end mill often bends and the required machining accuracy cannot be achieved in a cutting device containing a single-support end mill such as that described in Patent Document 1, a cutting device containing a double-support end mill (i.e., holding both end portions) has been studied.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6277150

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-044855 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] When cutting the end face of a workpiece using an end mill, if the end mill is slightly tilted relative to the workpiece end face, it is often difficult to perform machining with the required precision. For example, there are problems such as: when the long side of the workpiece needs to be machined into a straight line, the center portion of the long side is machined to be bulged; and the film on the upper part of the workpiece and the film on the lower part of the workpiece have different dimensions after machining. Such problems are particularly prominent in the cutting of films containing an adhesive layer (for example, optical films). To solve such problems, the tilt of the end mill must be adjusted. For cutting processing devices with single-support cutting edges, it is easier to adjust the tilt of the cutting edge (Patent Document 2). On the other hand, for cutting processing devices with double-support end mills, adjusting the tilt of the end mill requires the use of shims, etc., and relies on the feel or know-how of an experienced operator, which is extremely complicated and time-consuming. In addition, such operations using shims may place excessive load on the end mill, potentially causing the end mill to break.

[0009] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and its main object is to provide a cutting apparatus including an end mill held in a double-supported manner, wherein the inclination of the end mill can be easily adjusted.

[0010] Means to solve problems

[0011] The cutting device of the present invention is a cutting device for cutting the outer peripheral surface of a workpiece composed of a plurality of superimposed thin films. The cutting device comprises: a device body; a cutting unit having an end mill, a bracket for rotatably holding the end mill at both ends, a unit body to which the bracket is mounted; and a tilt adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the tilt of the cutting unit.

[0012] In one embodiment, the tilt adjustment mechanism is configured to tilt the cutting unit toward one direction selected from a group consisting of a first direction and a second direction, wherein the first direction is a direction in which the upper portion of the end mill approaches the workpiece and the lower portion moves away from the workpiece, and the second direction is a direction in which the upper portion of the end mill moves away from the workpiece and the lower portion approaches the workpiece.

[0013] In one embodiment, the tilt adjustment mechanism comprises: a mechanism body rotatably mounted on the device body; a connecting rod axially supported on the mechanism body and connected to the unit body of the cutting unit; a tilt adjustment micrometer for adjusting the tilt of the mechanism body; a first adjustment nut for tilting the mechanism body to the tilt adjusted by the tilt adjustment micrometer; and a second adjustment nut for fixing the mechanism body in a state tilted by the adjusted tilt.

[0014] In one embodiment, the tilt adjustment mechanism is configured to be able to adjust the tilt amount of the cutting unit within a range of -1° to +1°.

[0015] In one embodiment, the unit body of the cutting unit is rotatably mounted on the device body.

[0016] In one embodiment, the film is an optical laminate including an adhesive layer.

[0017] Effects of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, by providing a specific tilt adjustment mechanism for a cutting machine including an end mill held in a double-supported manner, a cutting machine capable of easily adjusting the tilt of the end mill can be realized. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 It is a schematic perspective view of a cutting machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an end mill used in a cutting machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 It means that Figure 1A schematic side view of a cutting unit of a cutting processing device in a state where the cutting unit is tilted toward a first direction.

[0022] Figure 4 It means that Figure 1 A schematic side view of a cutting unit of a cutting processing device in a state where the cutting unit is tilted toward the second direction.

[0023] Figure 5 It is a schematic perspective view showing the processed shapes of the workpieces used in Example 1 and Comparative Example 1.

[0024] Description of labels

[0025] 10: Device body

[0026] 30: Cutting unit

[0027] 31: End mill

[0028] 32a: Bracket

[0029] 32b: Bracket

[0030] 33: Unit body

[0031] 50: Tilt adjustment mechanism

[0032] 51: Institutional Entity

[0033] 52: Connecting rod

[0034] 53: 1st adjusting nut

[0035] 54: 2nd adjusting nut

[0036] 55: Tilt adjustment micrometer

[0037] 100: Cutting device DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. In addition, for ease of viewing, the accompanying drawings are schematically shown, and the ratios of length, width, thickness, etc., and angles, etc. in the accompanying drawings are different from actual ones.

[0039] Figure 1This is a schematic oblique view of a cutting processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cutting processing device 100 of the illustrated example includes a device body 10, a cutting unit 30 including an end mill 31, and a tilt adjustment mechanism 50. In the illustrated example, a workpiece W is shown on the right side of the cutting processing device 100. The workpiece W is formed by overlapping multiple thin films and is pressed by a clamping unit in the illustrated example. In such a structure, the effect of the present invention can become significant. That is, in a structure in which the workpiece is pressed by a clamping unit, since the end face of the workpiece is not easily parallel to the end mill, it is necessary to confirm the inclination of the end mill relative to the end face of the workpiece before cutting begins and perform tilt adjustment of the end mill. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the tilt adjustment of the end mill in such a case becomes significantly easier than in the past.

[0040] The cutting unit 30 includes an end mill 31, brackets 32a and 32b that rotatably hold the end mill 31 at both ends, and a unit body 33 to which the brackets 32a and 32b are attached. Thus, the cutting apparatus of the present invention includes an end mill held in a double-supported state by the unit body 33. This structure suppresses bending of the end mill, enabling high-precision cutting. Furthermore, this structure reduces the stress applied to the end mill during cutting. As a result, the durability of the end mill can be improved, thereby enhancing the stability and reliability of end mill processing.

[0041] Typically, the unit body 33 comprises a base 33a extending vertically, an upper plate 33b attached to the upper portion of the base and extending horizontally, and a lower plate 33c attached to the lower portion of the base and extending horizontally. Brackets 32a and 32b are mounted on the upper plate 33b and lower plate 33c, respectively. Typically, the base 33a has an inverted L-shape with a protrusion toward the device body 10, and is pivotally supported on the device body 10 at the protrusion. With this structure, the base 33a can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise about the pivot portion 34 as a fulcrum (axis) by the tilt adjustment mechanism 50, described later. As a result, the cutting unit 30 (essentially, the end mill 31) can be tilted. More specifically, by rotating the base 33a clockwise with the pivot support part 34 as the fulcrum (axis), the cutting unit can be tilted toward the direction in which the upper part of the end mill 31 approaches the workpiece and the lower part moves away from the workpiece (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the first direction); by rotating the base 33a counterclockwise with the pivot support part 34 as the fulcrum (axis), the cutting unit can be tilted toward the direction in which the lower part of the end mill 31 approaches the workpiece and the upper part moves away from the workpiece (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the second direction).

[0042] The end mill 31 may adopt any appropriate structure. Figure 2As shown, the end mill comprises a main body 31b that rotates about a vertically extending rotation axis 31a, and a cutting edge 31c that protrudes from the main body 31b to form the outermost diameter. Typically, the cutting edge 31c includes a cutting edge tip 31d, a rake face 31e, and a flank face 31f. The blade angle of the end mill can be appropriately set according to the intended purpose. The blade angle of the end mill can be 0° (the cutting edge can extend substantially parallel to the rotation axis), or, as in the example shown, the cutting edge can be twisted by a predetermined angle θ relative to the rotation axis. The number of blades in the end mill can also be appropriately set according to the intended purpose. The number of blades can be one, two, three as in the example shown, four, or five or more. The outer diameter of the end mill can also be appropriately set according to the intended purpose. In one embodiment, the outer diameter of the end mill is preferably between 3 mm and 30 mm, more preferably between 4 mm and 10 mm. In this specification, the "outer diameter of the end mill" refers to twice the distance from the rotation axis to the tip of one blade.

[0043] Typically, the tilt adjustment mechanism 50 is located on the side of the apparatus body 10 opposite the cutting unit 30. Typically, the tilt adjustment mechanism 50 includes a mechanism body 51, a connecting rod 52, a first adjustment nut 53, a second adjustment nut 54, and a tilt adjustment micrometer 55. The mechanism body 51 is a plate-shaped member extending vertically and is pivotally supported on the apparatus body 10 at a protruding portion thereof. One end of the connecting rod 52 is pivotally supported on the mechanism body 51 near its lower end. The other end of the connecting rod 52 is connected to the unit body 33 of the cutting unit 30 (essentially, the lower plate 33c on the apparatus body side). The connecting rod 52 can be located outside the apparatus body 10 or can be slidably inserted through the apparatus body 10. Typically, the first adjustment nut 53 is located on the side of the connecting rod 52 opposite the pivot support portion 58 of the mechanism body and functions to tilt the mechanism body 51 to a desired position (distance). Typically, the second adjustment nut 54 is located on the opposite side of the mechanism body from the first adjustment nut 53 and has the function of fixing the mechanism body 51, which has been tilted to the desired position, in that position. The tilt amount is adjusted as follows. Initially, both the first adjustment nut 53 and the second adjustment nut 54 are loosened, allowing the upper portion of the mechanism body 51 (on the side facing the tilt adjustment micrometer 55) to separate from the device body. Next, the scale of the tilt adjustment micrometer 55 is rotated to set the scale from the reference (zero point) to the desired distance (corresponding to the tilt amount or tilt angle of the mechanism body). This causes the protrusion of the tip portion (on the side facing the abutment 56) of the tilt adjustment micrometer 55 to change. The protrusion of the tip portion on the abutment side increases or decreases in accordance with the adjustment of the scale. After the scale is set, the first adjustment nut 53 is tightened, causing the tip portion of the tilt adjustment micrometer 55 to abut against the abutment 56. As a result, the mechanism body is tilted to the desired tilt amount (tilt angle). By tightening the second adjustment nut 54 in this state, the mechanism main body 51 can be fixed, and the tilt amount can be prevented from changing due to load or vibration during cutting.

[0044] Next, the inclination of the cutting unit 30 will be described in detail. Figure 3 It means that Figure 1 A schematic side view of a cutting unit of a cutting machine in a state where the cutting unit is tilted toward the first direction. Figure 3As shown, the scale of micrometer 55 is set to a specified value, reducing the amount of protrusion of the tip of micrometer 55 and causing it to abut against abutment 56. This causes the mechanism body 51 to rotate clockwise about the pivot support 58 as the fulcrum (axis), tilting the upper portion of the mechanism body toward the main body. Here, the pivot support (the rotation axis of the mechanism body) 58, the connecting rod 52, and its bearing 57 constitute a so-called crank mechanism. The rotation of the mechanism body 51 causes the connecting rod 52, which is pivotally supported near the lower end of the mechanism body, to move toward the tilt mechanism side of the device body 10. This movement of the connecting rod 52 causes the base 33a, connected via the connecting rod 52, to rotate the lower plate 33c of the cutting unit 30 clockwise about the pivot support 34 as the fulcrum (axis), tilting the cutting unit 30 in the first direction (the direction in which the upper portion of the end mill 31 approaches the workpiece and the lower portion moves away from it).

[0045] Figure 4 It means that Figure 1 A schematic side view of a cutting unit of a cutting processing device in a state where the cutting unit is tilted toward the second direction. Figure 4 The embodiment makes the cutting unit 30 move toward Figure 3 The mechanism is similar to the Figure 3 That is, the scale of the micrometer 55 is set to a specified value, so that the protrusion of the front end portion of the micrometer 55 becomes larger and abuts against the abutment portion 56, whereby the mechanism body 51 rotates counterclockwise with the pivot support portion 58 as the fulcrum (axis), and the upper portion of the mechanism body tilts toward the opposite side of the body. As a result, the connecting rod 52 moves toward the cutting unit side of the device body 10. Due to the movement of the connecting rod 52, the base 33a is connected via the lower plate 33c of the cutting unit 30 to which the connecting rod 52 is connected. The base 33a rotates counterclockwise with the pivot support portion 34 as the fulcrum (axis), and the cutting unit 30 tilts toward the above-mentioned second direction (the direction in which the lower portion of the end mill 31 approaches the workpiece and the upper portion moves away from the workpiece).

[0046] As described above, the tilt adjustment micrometer 55 can be used to adjust the tilt of the mechanism body 51, and the tilt of the cutting unit 30 can be adjusted according to the tilt of the mechanism body 51. That is, the tilt of the cutting unit 30 can be adjusted by adjusting the tilt of the tilt adjustment mechanism 50 (essentially the mechanism body 51). The tilt of the cutting unit 30 can be adjusted within a range of -1° to +1° relative to the vertical direction in one embodiment, and within a range of -0.5° to +0.5° relative to the vertical direction in another embodiment, and within a range of -0.3° to +0.3° relative to the vertical direction in another embodiment. According to an embodiment of the present invention, by using a micrometer in the above-mentioned structure, such fine tilt adjustments can be made in a short time without relying on feel or know-how. In addition, such fine adjustments can greatly improve the accuracy of cutting processing. For example, this prevents problems such as bulging in the center of a workpiece's long side when it is necessary to straighten the long side, or the film on the upper and lower parts of the workpiece becoming different in size after processing. Furthermore, it prevents excessive load on the end mill during cutting, resulting in improved cutting stability and end mill durability.

[0047] The cutting processing device of the present invention is typically used for cutting the outer peripheral surface of a workpiece of a plurality of overlapping films. In one embodiment, the cutting processing includes non-linear processing (special-shaped processing). As a film to be cut, for example, it is any appropriate film. As a representative example of a film to be cut, for example, it is an optical laminate containing an adhesive layer (that is, a laminate of an adhesive layer and an optical film). The cutting processing device of the present invention can perform the following cutting processing even for an optical laminate containing an adhesive layer, that is, it can well suppress adhesive deficiency and / or clogging, and will not adversely affect the optical properties of the optical laminate. The optical film can be a single film or a laminate. As specific examples of optical films, there can be cited: polarizers, phase difference films, polarizing plates (representatively, a laminate of a polarizer and a protective film), conductive films for touch panels, surface-treated films, and laminates in which they are appropriately laminated according to the purpose (for example, circularly polarizing plates for preventing reflection, polarizing plates with conductive layers for touch panels). Therefore, the cutting processing device of the present invention is ultimately suitable for use in a method for manufacturing an optical film.

[0048] [Example]

[0049] Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to Examples, but the present invention is not limited to these Examples.

[0050] <Example 1>

[0051] use Figure 1 The cutting device with the tilt adjustment mechanism cuts the workpiece into Figure 5 The shape shown. In addition, the workpiece numbers 1 to 5 are numbers assigned in order from the top to the five parts that divide the workpiece into five equal parts in the thickness direction. Since cutting processing is performed without setting up a cutting processing device, the dimensional difference of the processed parts 1 to 5 fails to meet the management value (the maximum value of the dimensional difference of parts 1 to 5 exceeds the prescribed set value), so the micrometer of the tilt adjustment mechanism is used to adjust the tilt of the cutting unit (actually the end mill) in the direction that reduces the dimensional difference of parts 1 to 5. After the tilt of the end mill is adjusted, cutting processing is performed, and the dimensional difference of the processed parts 1 to 5 meets the management value (the maximum value of the dimensional difference of parts 1 to 5 is within the prescribed set value range). In this way, the setting of the cutting processing device can be completed by adjusting the tilt of the end mill only once. The time required for the tilt adjustment is about 40 minutes. In other words, the time required to set up the cutting processing device is about 40 minutes.

[0052] Comparative Example 1

[0053] Use except without tilt adjustment mechanism Figure 1 The same cutting device cuts the workpiece into Figure 5 The shape shown. Because cutting was performed without a cutting machine, the dimensional difference between parts 1 to 5 after processing did not meet the management value (the maximum dimensional difference between parts 1 to 5 exceeded the specified set value). Therefore, the inclination of the cutting unit (essentially the end mill) was adjusted using a shim, relying on the feel or know-how of an experienced operator. After this inclination adjustment, cutting was performed. However, the dimensional difference between parts 1 to 5 after processing still did not meet the management value, so the distance between the workpiece and the end mill was adjusted. After the distance adjustment, cutting was performed. However, the dimensional difference between parts 1 to 5 after processing still did not meet the management value, so a second inclination adjustment was performed using a shim, relying on the feel or know-how of an experienced operator. After the second inclination adjustment, cutting was performed. However, the dimensional difference between parts 1 to 5 after processing still did not meet the management value, so a third inclination adjustment was performed in the same manner as described above. After the third inclination adjustment, the management value was finally met. Thus, setting up the cutting machine requires three inclination adjustments and one distance adjustment. One inclination adjustment takes approximately 70 minutes, and one distance adjustment takes approximately 30 minutes. That is, the time required to set up the cutting processing device was approximately 240 minutes.

[0054] Comparing Example 1 with Comparative Example 1 clearly demonstrates that by providing a specific tilt adjustment mechanism in a cutting machine including a double-supported end mill, the tilt of the end mill can be easily adjusted. Consequently, the time required to set up the cutting machine for performing cutting with a specified accuracy can be significantly reduced.

[0055] Industrial applicability

[0056] The cutting apparatus of the present invention can be used for cutting the outer peripheral surface of a workpiece in which a plurality of films are stacked, and is particularly suitable for cutting an optical laminate including an adhesive layer.

Claims

1. A cutting apparatus for cutting the outer peripheral surface of a workpiece on which a plurality of thin films are stacked, comprising: Device body; a cutting unit comprising an end mill, a bracket rotatably holding the end mill at both ends, and a unit body to which the bracket is mounted; and The tilt adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the tilt of the cutting unit. The tilt adjustment mechanism comprises: a mechanism body rotatably mounted on the device body; a connecting rod axially supported on the mechanism body and connected to the unit body of the cutting unit; and a tilt adjustment micrometer for adjusting the tilt of the mechanism body. The inclination of the cutting unit is adjusted by the rotation of the mechanism body and the movement of the connecting rod based on the rotation.

2. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein: The tilt adjustment mechanism is configured to tilt the cutting unit in one direction selected from a group consisting of a first direction and a second direction, wherein the first direction is a direction in which the upper portion of the end mill approaches the workpiece and the lower portion moves away from the workpiece, and the second direction is a direction in which the upper portion of the end mill moves away from the workpiece and the lower portion approaches the workpiece.

3. The cutting processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The tilt adjustment mechanism includes a first adjustment nut for tilting the mechanism body to a tilt amount adjusted by the tilt adjustment micrometer, and a second adjustment nut for fixing the mechanism body in a state tilted at the adjusted tilt amount.

4. The cutting processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The tilt adjustment mechanism is configured to be able to adjust the tilt amount of the cutting unit within a range of -1° to +1°.

5. The cutting processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The unit body of the cutting unit is rotatably mounted on the device body.

6. The cutting processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The film is an optical laminate including an adhesive layer.

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