Tool changing and preparation device for CNC machine tools

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tool changing and preparation device for a CNC machine tool, comprising a tool holder ejection mechanism, a tool holder lifting mechanism, and a tool holder. The tool holder ejection mechanism is mounted on the machine tool's tool magazine, the tool holder lifting mechanism is mounted on the tool holder ejection mechanism, and the tool holder is mounted on the tool holder lifting mechanism. The tool holder ejection mechanism can eject and retract the tool holder and tool holder together from the machine tool magazine. The tool holder lifting mechanism includes a lifting cylinder, the end of which is connected to the tool holder via a pulling claw. This cylinder can drive the entire tool holder to ascend and descend, and can also drive the tool holder to tighten and loosen the tool shank. The present invention has a simple structure, low cost, and small footprint. It utilizes only two actuators to implement a three-action tool preparation process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of numerically controlled machine tools, and in particular relates to a tool changing and preparing device for a numerically controlled machine tool. Background Art

[0002] Automatic tool changing devices are essential for automated machining on CNC machine tools. These devices, such as cam-type tool changers and side-insert tool changers, require a tool preparation device to prepare the tool during tool change. These devices can be categorized as single-action, double-action, or triple-action, depending on the type of tool preparation action.

[0003] In CNC machine tool tool magazine designs, to minimize impact on the spindle during tool changes, a side-entry tool changer is often used. This typically requires a three-action tool preparation device to enable the tool holder to be pushed and retracted, raised and lowered, and the tool holder to be tightened and loosened. Existing three-action tool preparation devices typically use three drives controlled by a specific logic, resulting in complex structures, high costs, and large space requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and to provide a tool changing and preparation device for a CNC machine tool which has a simple structure, low cost and small footprint, and which can realize a three-action tool preparation process using only two drives.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions: a tool changing and tool preparation device for a CNC machine tool, comprising a tool sleeve pushing-out mechanism, a tool sleeve lifting mechanism and a tool sleeve, the tool sleeve pushing-out mechanism is installed on the machine tool tool magazine, the tool sleeve lifting mechanism is installed on the tool sleeve pushing-out mechanism, and the tool sleeve is installed on the tool sleeve lifting mechanism; the tool sleeve pushing-out mechanism can push the tool sleeve lifting mechanism and the tool sleeve out of and retract the machine tool tool magazine together; the tool sleeve lifting mechanism includes a lifting cylinder, and the end of the lifting cylinder is connected to the tool sleeve by a pulling claw, which can drive the entire tool sleeve to rise and fall on the one hand, and can also drive the tool sleeve to tighten and loosen the tool handle on the other hand.

[0006] The above-mentioned tool changing and preparation device of a CNC machine tool, the tool sleeve lifting mechanism also includes a lifting guide rail, a lifting guide rail mounting plate, a lifting cylinder mounting plate, a tool sleeve mounting plate, a spring guide rod, a spring guide sleeve and a lifting spring, the lifting guide rail is fixed to the lifting guide rail mounting plate in the vertical direction; the tool sleeve mounting plate slides on the lifting guide rail, and the tool sleeve is mounted on the tool sleeve mounting plate and can move up and down along the lifting guide rail with the tool sleeve mounting plate; the lifting cylinder mounting plate is fixed above the lifting guide rail mounting plate, and the lifting cylinder is mounted on the lifting cylinder mounting plate; a spring guide sleeve is also provided on the lifting cylinder mounting plate, and a spring guide rod is provided in the spring guide sleeve; the lower end of the spring guide rod is fixedly connected to the tool sleeve mounting plate, and the upper end passes through the center hole at the top of the spring guide sleeve; the lifting spring sleeve is provided on the spring guide rod and is in a compressed state between the tool sleeve mounting plate and the spring guide sleeve.

[0007] In the above-mentioned tool changing and preparing device for a CNC machine tool, a limiting nut is provided at the top end of the spring guide rod.

[0008] The above-mentioned tool changing and tool preparation device of a CNC machine tool, the tool sleeve includes a sleeve body, a spring seat, a steel ball seat, a tightening spring, a steel ball, a steel ball push rod and a push-pull nut, the sleeve body is fixed to the tool sleeve mounting plate by screws; the steel ball seat is installed in the inner hole of the sleeve body, and the spring seat is fixed in the center hole of the steel ball seat; a plurality of steel ball holes are arranged along the circumference of the steel ball seat, and the steel balls are distributed one by one in each steel ball hole; the steel ball push rod is arranged in the spring seat and the center hole of the steel ball seat, the upper end passes through the spring seat, and the lower end contacts the steel ball, which can push the steel ball out from the steel ball hole and expand the tool handle; the tightening spring is arranged in the center hole of the spring seat and is sleeved on the steel ball push rod, and is in a compressed state between the spring seat and the steel ball push rod.

[0009] In the above-mentioned tool changing and tool preparation device for a CNC machine tool, the minimum elastic force of the lifting spring is greater than the maximum elastic force of the tightening spring.

[0010] The above-mentioned tool changing and tool preparation device of a CNC machine tool, the top end of the steel ball push rod is installed with a push-pull nut, the pulling claw is installed on the output end of the lifting cylinder, and the pulling claw is provided with a slot adapted to the push-pull nut, and the push-pull nut is arranged in the slot; the lifting cylinder pulls the push-pull nut through the pulling claw to pull the spring push rod upward, and after the spring push rod moves upward into position, it drives the tool sleeve to move upward along the lifting guide rail.

[0011] The above-mentioned tool changing and tool preparation device of a CNC machine tool, the tool sleeve pushing mechanism includes a mounting seat, a cylinder bracket, a push-pull cylinder, a floating joint, a transverse sliding plate and a transverse guide rail, the mounting seat is installed on the machine tool tool magazine by screws; the cylinder bracket is fixedly connected to the mounting seat; the push-pull cylinder is installed on the cylinder bracket, and the end of the push-pull cylinder is connected to the transverse sliding plate through a floating joint; the transverse sliding plate is connected to the mounting seat through the transverse guide rail and the slider, and can be pushed out and retracted along the transverse guide rail under the action of the push-pull cylinder.

[0012] In the above-mentioned tool changing and preparing device for a CNC machine tool, the lifting guide rail mounting plate is fixedly mounted on the transverse sliding plate.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effect of the present invention is that the present invention uses the elastic force difference of two groups of springs to realize the function of orderly controlling the two actions of the tool sleeve lifting and the tool sleeve tightening by one cylinder, thereby completing the three actions of pushing out, lifting and tightening the tool sleeve by only using two drives, reducing a set of drive guide systems, simplifying the structure, saving costs, and saving space. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of the knife sleeve lifting mechanism and the knife sleeve of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the knife sleeve lifting mechanism of the present invention in the lowered state and the knife sleeve releasing the knife handle state.

[0017] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the knife sleeve lifting mechanism of the present invention in the rising state and the knife sleeve releasing the knife handle state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0019] Combine Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a tool changing and preparation device for a CNC machine tool of the present invention includes a tool holder ejection mechanism consisting of a mounting base 1, a cylinder bracket 2, a push-pull cylinder 3, a floating joint 4, a transverse sliding plate 5, and a transverse guide rail 6; a tool holder lifting mechanism consisting of a lifting guide rail mounting plate 7, a lifting guide rail 8, a lifting cylinder mounting plate 9, a spring guide sleeve 10, a limit nut 11, a lifting cylinder 12, a lifting spring 13, a spring guide rod 14, a tool holder mounting plate 15, and a pull claw 16; and a tool holder consisting of a push-pull nut 17, a steel ball ejector rod 18, a spring seat 19, a steel ball seat 20, a sleeve body 21, a tightening spring 22, and a steel ball 23. The tool holder ejection mechanism is mounted on the machine tool tool magazine, the tool holder lifting mechanism is mounted on the tool holder ejection mechanism, and the tool holder is mounted on the tool holder lifting mechanism. Driven by the tool holder ejection mechanism and the tool holder lifting mechanism, the tool holder can be ejected, retracted, and lifted.

[0020] like Figure 1As shown, the mounting base 1 is mounted on the machine tool magazine with screws; the cylinder bracket 2 is fixedly connected to the mounting base 1. The push-pull cylinder 3 is mounted on the cylinder bracket 2 with a nut. The cylinder rod of the push-pull cylinder 3 is connected to the transverse sliding plate 5 via a floating joint 4. The transverse sliding plate 5 is connected to the mounting base 1 via a transverse guide rail 6 and a slider. It can be pushed out and retracted along the transverse guide rail under the action of the push-pull cylinder.

[0021] The lifting guide rail mounting plate 7 is fixed to the horizontal sliding plate 5 by screws. A lifting guide rail 8 is fixed to the lifting guide rail mounting plate 7. The lifting guide rail 8 is arranged in the vertical direction. The tool holder mounting plate 15 slides on the lifting guide rail 8 and can slide up and down along the lifting guide rail 8. The lifting cylinder mounting plate 9 is fixed above the lifting guide rail mounting plate 7. The lifting cylinder 12 is mounted on the lifting cylinder mounting plate 9. A spring guide sleeve 10 is also provided on the lifting cylinder mounting plate 9. A spring guide rod 14 is provided in the spring guide sleeve 10. The lower end of the spring guide rod 14 is fixedly connected to the tool holder mounting plate 15, and the upper end passes through the top center hole of the spring guide sleeve 10. A limit nut 11 is provided at the top of the spring guide rod 14 to limit the lowest position to which the tool holder mounting plate 15 can move downward. The lifting spring 13 is mounted on the spring guide rod 14 and is compressed between the knife sleeve mounting plate 15 and the spring guide sleeve 10. The upper end of the lifting spring 13 presses against the stepped surface of the spring guide sleeve 10, while the lower end presses against the upper end surface of the knife sleeve mounting plate 15. This ensures that the lifting spring 13 always exerts a downward force on the knife sleeve mounting plate 15. The knife sleeve is mounted on the knife sleeve mounting plate 15, and its top is coupled to a pull claw 16, which is mounted on the cylinder rod of the lifting cylinder 12. Under the action of the lifting cylinder 12, the knife sleeve can move up and down along the lifting guide rail 8 along with the knife sleeve mounting plate 15, thereby achieving the lifting and lowering of the knife sleeve.

[0022] like Figure 2As shown, the knife sleeve includes a push-pull nut 17, a steel ball push rod 18, a spring seat 19, a steel ball seat 20, a sleeve body 21, a tightening spring 22, and a steel ball 23. The sleeve body 21 is fixed to the knife sleeve mounting plate 15 by screws, the steel ball seat 20 is installed in the inner hole of the sleeve body 21, and the spring seat 19 is fixed in the center hole of the steel ball seat 20. Steel ball holes are evenly arranged along the circumference of the steel ball seat 20, and steel balls 23 are distributed one by one in each steel ball hole. The steel ball push rod 18 is set in the center hole of the spring seat 19 and the steel ball seat 20. The upper end passes through the top center hole of the spring seat 19, and the lower end contacts the steel ball 23, which can push the steel ball 23 out of the steel ball hole and tighten the knife handle. The tensioning spring 22 is arranged in the center hole of the spring seat 19 and is sleeved on the steel ball push rod 18. It is in a compressed state between the spring seat 19 and the steel ball push rod 18, that is, the upper end is pressed against the inner step surface of the spring seat 19, and the lower end is pressed against the step surface of the steel ball push rod 18, and always applies a downward force to the steel ball push rod 18. In addition, in application, the maximum elastic force of the tensioning spring 22 is less than the minimum elastic force of the lifting spring 13. A push-pull nut 17 is installed at the top of the steel ball push rod 18, and a slot adapted to the push-pull nut 17 is provided on the pull claw 16. The push-pull nut 17 is arranged in the slot. When the lifting cylinder 12 is pushed downward, there is no interaction between the pull claw 16 and the push-pull nut 17. Under the action of the tensioning spring 22, the steel ball push rod 18 presses the steel ball 23, thereby automatically tightening the knife handle. When the lifting cylinder 12 retracts upward, the pull nut 17 is pulled by the pull claw 16, which drives the steel ball push rod 18 to move upward to overcome the elastic force of the tightening spring 22, so that it is separated from the steel ball 23, so that the knife handle can be loosened by external force.

[0023] When the present invention is working, since the minimum elastic force of the lifting spring 13 is greater than the maximum elastic force of the pressing spring 22, when the cylinder rod of the lifting cylinder 12 is retracted, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, the lifting cylinder 12 will first lift the steel ball push rod 18 through the pull claw 16 to loosen the knife handle, and then lift the entire knife sleeve mechanism, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 When the cylinder rod of the lifting cylinder 12 is pushed out, the entire knife sleeve mechanism will first be lowered into place because the elastic force of the lifting spring 13 is greater than the elastic force of the pressing spring 22. Figure 3 As shown, the steel ball push rod 18 is lowered to tighten the handle, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, the two actions of raising and lowering the tool sleeve and tightening and loosening the tool handle can be logically controlled by only one cylinder.

[0024] Although the present invention is described in detail above, it is not limited thereto, and those skilled in the art can make various modifications based on the principles of the present invention. Therefore, any modifications made based on the principles of the present invention should be understood to fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tool changing and preparing device for a CNC machine tool, comprising a tool sleeve pushing mechanism, a tool sleeve lifting mechanism, and a tool sleeve, wherein the tool sleeve pushing mechanism is mounted on the tool magazine of the machine tool, the tool sleeve lifting mechanism is mounted on the tool sleeve pushing mechanism, and the tool sleeve is mounted on the tool sleeve lifting mechanism; the tool sleeve pushing mechanism pushes and retracts the tool sleeve lifting mechanism and the tool sleeve together from the tool magazine of the machine tool; and wherein: The knife sleeve lifting mechanism includes a lifting cylinder, a knife sleeve mounting plate, a spring guide rod, a spring guide sleeve, and a lifting spring. The end of the lifting cylinder is connected to the knife sleeve through a pull claw, and the knife sleeve is mounted on the knife sleeve mounting plate; a spring guide rod is provided in the spring guide sleeve; the lower end of the spring guide rod is fixedly connected to the knife sleeve mounting plate, and the upper end passes through the center hole at the top of the spring guide sleeve; the lifting spring sleeve is provided on the spring guide rod and is in a compressed state between the knife sleeve mounting plate and the spring guide sleeve; The knife sleeve includes a sleeve body, a spring seat, a steel ball seat, a tightening spring, a steel ball, a steel ball push rod and a push-pull nut. The sleeve body is fixed to the knife sleeve mounting plate by screws; the steel ball seat is installed in the inner hole of the sleeve body, and the spring seat is fixed in the center hole of the steel ball seat; a plurality of steel ball holes are arranged circumferentially on the steel ball seat, and steel balls are distributed in each steel ball hole one by one; the steel ball push rod is arranged in the spring seat and the center hole of the steel ball seat, the upper end of the steel ball push rod passes through the spring seat, and the lower end contacts the steel ball, pushing the steel ball out of the steel ball hole and tightening the knife handle; the tightening spring is arranged in the center hole of the spring seat and sleeved on the steel ball push rod, and is in a compressed state between the spring seat and the steel ball push rod; The minimum elastic force of the lifting spring is greater than the maximum elastic force of the tightening spring. The lifting cylinder drives the entire tool sleeve to rise and fall through the elastic force difference between the lifting spring and the tightening spring, and drives the tool sleeve to tighten and loosen the tool handle on the other hand.

2. The tool changing and preparing device for a CNC machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: The knife sleeve lifting mechanism also includes a lifting guide rail, a lifting guide rail mounting plate, and a lifting cylinder mounting plate. The lifting guide rail is fixed to the lifting guide rail mounting plate in the vertical direction; the knife sleeve mounting plate slides on the lifting guide rail and moves up and down along the lifting guide rail under the action of the lifting cylinder; the lifting cylinder mounting plate is fixed above the lifting guide rail mounting plate, and the lifting cylinder is mounted on the lifting cylinder mounting plate; the spring guide sleeve is arranged on the lifting cylinder mounting plate.

3. The tool changing and preparing device for a CNC machine tool according to claim 2, characterized in that: A limiting nut is provided on the top end of the spring guide rod.

4. A tool changing and preparing device for a CNC machine tool according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: A push-pull nut is installed at the top of the steel ball push rod, and the pulling claw is installed at the output end of the lifting cylinder. A slot adapted to the push-pull nut is provided on the pulling claw, and the push-pull nut is arranged in the slot; the lifting cylinder pulls the push-pull nut upward through the pulling claw to pull the steel ball push rod, and drives the knife sleeve to move upward along the lifting guide rail after the steel ball push rod moves upward into position.

5. The tool changing and preparing device for a CNC machine tool according to claim 4, characterized in that: The tool sleeve ejection mechanism includes a mounting seat, a cylinder bracket, a push-pull cylinder, a floating joint, a transverse sliding plate and a transverse guide rail. The mounting seat is installed on the machine tool tool magazine by screws; the cylinder bracket is fixedly connected to the mounting seat; the push-pull cylinder is installed on the cylinder bracket, and the end of the push-pull cylinder is connected to the transverse sliding plate through a floating joint; the transverse sliding plate is connected to the mounting seat through the transverse guide rail and the slider, and is pushed out and retracted along the transverse guide rail under the action of the push-pull cylinder.

6. The tool changing and preparing device for a CNC machine tool according to claim 5, characterized in that: The lifting guide rail mounting plate is fixedly mounted on the transverse sliding plate.

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