A tool magazine and tool changing method for a bladed disk machining center

Abstract

This invention provides a tool magazine for a bladed disk machining center, including a T2-axis rotary assembly and an A-axis rotary assembly. The T2-axis rotary assembly is capable of moving along the T1-axis. When the axis of the oscillating head is parallel to or located on the plane of the tool disc, the axis of the oscillating head is parallel to or coincides with the linear axis of the tool disc. This invention also provides a tool changing method for a bladed disk machining center. It eliminates the need for complex equipment such as robotic arms, relying solely on the coordination of the machine tool's Z-axis, Y-axis, and T1-axis to achieve a complete tool changing process. Furthermore, the tool gripping and releasing actions during the tool changing process are achieved through the coordination of a single linear axis movement, significantly reducing the complexity of the tool changing action, making the machine tool's tool changing logic simpler, easier to operate, and featuring a simple structure, good stability, and ease of maintenance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of machine tool processing, and in particular to a tool magazine and tool changing method for a bladed disk machining center. Background Technology

[0002] In the precision machining process of bladed disks, in order to machine the shape of the blades, there will be a certain degree of rotation between the cutting tool and the workpiece in the bladed disk machining center. This rotation is composed of the relative motion of the workpiece and the cutting tool in multiple dimensions.

[0003] To better process the impeller and ensure that the speed and acceleration of each physical axis remain within a lower range compared to a conventional machine tool when the machine tool is performing five-axis rotary tool center machining, the impeller machining center uses an angled swivel head and sets the tool tip on the swivel head's rotation axis. This ensures that the linear axis will not experience excessive speed and acceleration during swivel head rotation machining.

[0004] Existing machine tools require additional tool-changing mechanisms, such as robotic arms, to achieve tool changing. Tool changing is accomplished either through the mechanism's own movement or in conjunction with the machine tool. Adding robotic arms and other tool-changing mechanisms increases manufacturing costs and occupies significant space. Furthermore, due to the use of angled oscillating heads, both the spindle axis and the tool axis are at an angle to the machine tool's coordinate axes. To accommodate this angled oscillating head, this tool-changing method places high demands on the robotic arm's installation position and posture. The tool axis in the tool magazine, the spindle axis, and the robotic arm's tool-grabbing axis must be parallel or coincident. This makes precise control of the tool-changing action difficult, complicates the tool-changing logic, and results in cumbersome tool-changing movements, hindering high-efficiency and high-precision machining. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a tool magazine and tool changing method for a bladed disk machining center to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0006] A tool magazine for a bladed disk machining center includes: a T-axis linear axis assembly, a T-axis rotary assembly, and an A-axis rotary assembly. The T-axis linear axis assembly is used to drive the A-axis rotary assembly to perform linear motion, the T-axis rotary assembly is used to drive the tool disc to perform rotary motion, and the A-axis rotary assembly is used to drive the oscillating head equipped with the tool to perform rotary motion.

[0007] When the axis of the oscillating head is parallel to or located on the plane of the cutter head, the axis of the oscillating head is parallel to or coincides with the linear axis of the cutter head.

[0008] Furthermore, the T-axis rotary assembly is mounted on the tool magazine base, the tool magazine base is mounted on one side of the machine bed, and the other side of the machine bed is provided with a column that can move along the Z-axis direction. The column is provided with a slide saddle that can move along the Y-axis direction, and the slide saddle is provided with the A-axis rotary assembly. The machine bed is also provided with a worktable, which is located on the same side as the tool magazine base.

[0009] The tool magazine base has an inclined mounting surface, and the T-axis rotary assembly is located on the inclined mounting surface and can move along the inclined mounting surface.

[0010] Furthermore, the T-axis rotary assembly includes a cutter head rotating fixed base, a cutter head, and a cutter head rotating motor. The cutter head rotating fixed base is mounted on the mounting inclined surface. The cutter head is rotatably mounted on the cutter head rotating fixed base. The cutter head rotating motor is fixed to the cutter head rotating fixed base via a motor mount. A driven gear is coaxially fixed to the cutter head. The driven gear meshes with the driving gear. The cutter head rotating motor is connected to the driving gear in a transmission connection.

[0011] Furthermore, the T-axis linear assembly includes a drive motor and a guide rail disposed on the mounting inclined surface. The drive motor is connected to the T-axis rotary assembly via a lead screw and a lead nut. The T-axis rotary assembly is mounted on the guide rail via a slider.

[0012] Furthermore, it also includes a detection switch bracket, one end of which is fixed on the cutter head rotating base, and the other end is provided with a detection switch, which faces the cutter head.

[0013] Furthermore, the T-axis rotary assembly includes a cutter head, which is circumferentially provided with a tool holder for holding the cutting tool. The axes of the cutting tools are all perpendicular to the axis of the cutter head, and the tool holders hold the cutting tools on both sides of the cutter head in the axial direction.

[0014] Furthermore, the angle α between the T1 axis and the horizontal direction is 30°, 45°, or 60°.

[0015] A tool changing method for an impeller machining center, utilizing the tool magazine of the impeller machining center, includes the following steps:

[0016] S1. The column moves along the Z-axis, the slide saddle moves along the Y-axis, and the A-axis rotary assembly drives the swivel head to rotate, so that the axis of the swivel head of the tool to be installed is perpendicular to the axis of the tool disc and coplanar with the axis of the tool.

[0017] The S2 and T2 axis rotary assembly rotates the cutter head so that the axis of the cutter to be grasped coincides with the axis of the swing head;

[0018] The S3 and T2 axis rotary assemblies move along the T1 axis, causing the swing head to grasp the tool;

[0019] S4. The column moves along the Z-axis, causing the cutting tool to disengage from the cutting disc.

[0020] A tool changing method for an impeller machining center, utilizing the tool magazine of the impeller machining center, includes the following steps:

[0021] S1. The column moves along the Z-axis, the saddle moves along the Y-axis, and the A-axis rotary assembly drives the oscillating head to rotate, so that the axis of the oscillating head equipped with the tool intersects perpendicularly with the axis of the cutter disc, and the distance between the axis of the oscillating head and the cutter disc is greater than the distance between the tool mounting port on the cutter disc and the cutter disc.

[0022] The S2 and T2 axis rotary assemblies rotate the cutter head so that the axis of the cutter mounting port on the cutter head is parallel to the axis of the oscillating head;

[0023] S3 and T2 axis rotary assemblies move along T1 axis, so that the tool mounting port on the tool disc is aligned with the tool on the swing head;

[0024] S4. The column moves along the Z-axis, so that the cutting tool is loaded into the cutting disc;

[0025] S5. The swing head releases the cutter, and the T2 axis rotation assembly moves along the T1 axis, causing the cutter to disengage from the swing head.

[0026] The tool magazine and tool changing method for a bladed disk machining center disclosed in this invention eliminates the need for complex equipment such as robotic arms. The tool changing process can be fully realized through the coordination of the machine tool's Z-axis, Y-axis, and T1-axis, significantly reducing production costs, minimizing machine tool space requirements, and facilitating machine tool layout. It also reduces the possibility of interference between tool changing and machining actions. Furthermore, the tool gripping and releasing actions during tool changing are achieved through a single linear axis movement. Tool changing only requires the spindle to align with the tool axis in the tool magazine, greatly reducing the complexity of the tool changing action, making the machine tool's tool changing logic simpler, and easier to operate. This is beneficial for high-precision and high-efficiency machining, and the structure is simple, stable, and easy to maintain. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a tool magazine structure for a bladed disk machining center disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of section A;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a tool magazine structure for a bladed disk machining center disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a front view of a tool magazine structure for a bladed disk machining center disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of section B;

[0033] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the tool changing positions on the spindle in a tool changing method for a bladed disk machining center disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] In the diagram: 1. Swivel head; 2. Tool turret; 3. Tool magazine base; 4. Bed; 5. Column; 6. Saddle; 7. Worktable; 8. Tool turret rotating fixed seat; 9. Tool turret rotating motor; 10. Motor base; 11. Driven gear; 12. Driving gear; 13. Guide rail; 14. Detection switch bracket; 15. Detection switch; 16. Tool holder. Detailed Implementation

[0035] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] like Figure 1-5 As shown, this embodiment discloses a tool magazine for a bladed disk machining center, characterized in that it includes: a T2 axis rotary assembly and an A axis rotary assembly, wherein the T2 axis rotary assembly is used to drive the tool disc 2 to perform rotary motion, and the A axis rotary assembly is used to drive the oscillating head 1 equipped with tools to perform rotary motion;

[0037] The T2 axis rotary assembly can move along the T1 axis. When the axis of the swing head 1 is parallel to or located on the plane of the cutter head 2, the axis of the swing head 1 is parallel to or coincides with the linear axis of the cutter head.

[0038] The tool magazine and tool changing method for the impeller machining center disclosed in this invention do not require the use of complex equipment such as robotic arms. The tool changing process can be fully realized by the cooperation of the machine tool's Z-axis, Y-axis and T1-axis. Moreover, during the tool changing process, the tool gripping and releasing actions can be achieved by the cooperation of a single linear axis, which greatly reduces the complexity of the tool changing action, makes the machine tool tool changing logic simpler, is easy to operate, and has a simple structure, good stability and is easy to maintain.

[0039] like Figure 3 As shown, the axis of the oscillating head 1 is parallel to the plane where the cutter head 2 is located. The cutter head is equipped with a cutter, and the axis of the cutter coincides with the axis of the oscillating head 1. The T2 axis rotation assembly moves along the T1 axis and cooperates with the tool gripping mechanism of the oscillating head to realize the tool gripping and releasing action without the need for multi-axis coordination.

[0040] In this embodiment, the T2 axis rotary assembly is mounted on the tool magazine base 3, the tool magazine base 3 is mounted on one side of the bed 4, and the other side of the bed 4 is provided with a column 5 that can move along the Z-axis. The column 5 is provided with a slide saddle 6 that can move along the Y-axis. The slide saddle 6 is provided with the A-axis rotary assembly. The bed 4 is also provided with a worktable 7, which is located on the same side as the tool magazine base 3.

[0041] The tool magazine base 3 has an inclined mounting surface, and the T2 axis rotary assembly is located on the inclined mounting surface and can move along the inclined mounting surface.

[0042] In this embodiment, the swivel head, via the column and slide saddle, can move in the Z and Y axes, while the worktable 7 can move along the X axis on the bed 4, eliminating the need for the swivel head to move in the X axis direction. Through the rotation of the worktable, the Z and Y axis movements of the swivel head, and its own oscillation, multi-dimensional motion is combined to complete the bladed disk machining. The absence of X-axis movement in the swivel head improves stability during machining, makes it easier to control, and helps optimize the machining logic. The tool changing process is achieved through the swivel head's tool-grabbing mechanism in conjunction with the T1 axis, significantly reducing the actions and moving components involved in traditional tool changing processes. This simplifies the entire tool changing logic, makes operation convenient, and reduces the likelihood of installation and debugging errors.

[0043] In this embodiment, the T2 axis rotary assembly includes a cutter head rotating fixing seat 8, a cutter head 2, and a cutter head rotating motor 9. The cutter head rotating fixing seat 8 is mounted on the mounting inclined surface. The cutter head 2 is rotatably mounted on the cutter head rotating fixing seat 8. The cutter head rotating motor 9 is fixed to the cutter head rotating fixing seat 8 via a motor seat 10. A driven gear 11 is coaxially fixed to the cutter head 2. The driven gear 11 meshes with a driving gear 12. The cutter head rotating motor 9 is drively connected to the driving gear 12. The T1 linear axis assembly includes a drive motor and a guide rail 13. The drive motor and the guide rail 13, which are arranged along the T1 axis direction, are provided on the mounting inclined surface. The drive motor is connected to the T2 axis rotary assembly via a lead screw and a lead nut. The T2 axis rotary assembly is mounted on the guide rail 13 via a slider.

[0044] The tool magazine base 3 is fixed to the machine bed 4. The tool magazine base 3 is a wedge-shaped structure with a sloping top surface. The angle of the sloping surface is determined according to the angle of the oscillating head. The tool disc 2 is mounted on the tool disc rotating fixed seat 8 via bearings. The tool disc rotating fixed seat 8 is also fixed to the motor seat 10 via a bracket. The tool disc rotating motor 9 is fixed to the motor seat 10. The driven gear 11 is coaxially arranged with the tool disc 2. The diameter of the driven gear 11 is larger than that of the driving gear 12. The motor drives the tool disc 2 to rotate through the driving gear and the driven gear.

[0045] In this embodiment, a detection switch bracket 14 is also included. One end of the detection switch bracket 14 is fixed on the cutter head rotating fixing seat 8, and the other end is provided with a detection switch 15. The detection switch 15 faces the cutter on the cutter head 2.

[0046] The cutter head 2 is provided with a tool holder 16 for holding the cutting tools in the circumferential direction. The axis of the cutting tools intersects the axis of the cutter head 2 perpendicularly. The tool holder 16 holds the cutting tools on both sides of the axial direction of the cutter head 2.

[0047] Cutting tools are mounted on both sides of the cutter head, which can double the number of tools that can be installed on the cutter head, thus improving machining efficiency. During tool changing, the oscillating head changes the tool from the side where the tool to be replaced is located. The detection switch bracket is set along the radial direction of the cutter head, and two detection switches 15 are located between the two tools on both sides. The two detection switches 15 are respectively aligned with the tools on both sides to detect whether a tool is being held in the tool holder.

[0048] The angle between the oscillating head and the linear axis of the machine tool is 30°, 45°, or 60°, and the angle α between the T1 axis and the horizontal direction is 30°, 45°, or 60°. In this embodiment, the angle α between the T1 axis and the horizontal direction is 45°.

[0049] This invention also discloses a tool changing method for a bladed disk machining center, utilizing the tool magazine of the bladed disk machining center, and including the following steps:

[0050] S1. The column moves along the Z-axis, the slide saddle moves along the Y-axis, and the A-axis rotary assembly drives the swivel head to rotate, so that the axis of the swivel head of the tool to be installed is perpendicular to the axis of the tool disc and coplanar with the axis of the tool.

[0051] The S2 and T2 axis rotary assembly rotates the cutter head so that the axis of the tool to be gripped coincides with the axis of the swing head; at this time, the tool to be gripped is located on the upper part of the cutter head.

[0052] The S3 and T2 axis rotary assemblies move along the T1 axis, causing the swing head to grasp the tool;

[0053] S4. The column moves along the Z-axis, causing the cutting tool to disengage from the cutting disc.

[0054] When the swing head does not hold the tool, use the above method to grab the tool.

[0055] This invention also discloses a tool changing method for a bladed disk machining center, utilizing the tool magazine of the bladed disk machining center, and including the following steps:

[0056] S1. The column moves along the Z-axis, the saddle moves along the Y-axis, and the A-axis rotary assembly drives the oscillating head to rotate, so that the axis of the oscillating head equipped with the tool intersects perpendicularly with the axis of the cutter disc, and the distance between the axis of the oscillating head and the cutter disc is greater than the distance between the tool mounting port on the cutter disc and the cutter disc.

[0057] The S2 and T2 axis rotary assemblies rotate the cutter head so that the axis of the tool mounting port on the cutter head is parallel to the axis of the oscillating head; at this time, the tool mounting port is located at the upper part of the cutter head.

[0058] S3 and T2 axis rotary assemblies move along T1 axis, so that the tool mounting port on the tool disc is aligned with the tool on the swing head;

[0059] S4. The column moves along the Z-axis, so that the cutting tool is loaded into the cutting disc;

[0060] S5. The swing head releases the cutter, and the T2 axis rotation assembly moves along the T1 axis, causing the cutter to disengage from the swing head.

[0061] When the cutting tool is held in the swing head, use the above method to return the cutting tool.

[0062] like Figure 6 As shown in the diagram, there are four tool changing positions, which are used for changing tools on both sides of the tool turret.

[0063] The tool turret moves upward along the guide rail to its limit position, which is the automatic tool changing position. The tool turret moves downward along the guide rail to its limit position, which is the tool turret rotation position and the manual tool changing position.

[0064] Before the oscillating head picks up or puts back the tool, the tool turret rotates one revolution. A detection switch checks the tool-holding status of each tool holder on the tool turret, and the CNC system records the position and status information. During tool changing, if the oscillating head is not holding a tool, it can be picked up directly using the aforementioned method. If the oscillating head is holding a tool, it needs to be returned to the tool magazine using the aforementioned method before being picked up again.

[0065] The tool changing method disclosed in this embodiment only requires the Z and Y axes of the machine tool to determine the position, and the T1 axis to make the tool magazine move linearly. The tool is picked up and released by the tilting head. During the tool changing process, there is no need for two or more linear axes to work together, nor is there any need for interpolation motion. The tool changing action is simpler, the tool changing logic is more concise, it is easier to control, and the machine tool processing efficiency is higher.

[0066] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tool magazine for a bladed disk machining center, characterized in that, include: The T1 linear axis assembly, the T2 axis rotary assembly, and the A-axis rotary assembly are used to drive the T2 axis rotary assembly to move linearly, the T2 axis rotary assembly to drive the tool head (2) to rotate, and the A-axis rotary assembly to drive the swivel head (1) equipped with the tool to rotate. The axis of the swivel head does not coincide with the XYZ axis of the machining center. The cutter head (2) is provided with a cutter, and the axis of the cutter is perpendicular to the axis of the cutter head (2). When the axis of the swing head (1) is parallel to the plane of the cutter head (2) or is located in the plane of the cutter head (2), the axis of the swing head (1) is parallel to or coincides with the axis of the cutter. The T2 axis rotary assembly is mounted on the tool magazine base (3), the tool magazine base (3) is mounted on one side of the bed (4), and the other side of the bed (4) is provided with a column (5) that can move along the Z-axis. The column (5) is provided with a slide saddle (6) that can move along the Y-axis. The slide saddle (6) is provided with the A-axis rotary assembly. The bed (4) is also provided with a worktable (7), which is located on the same side as the tool magazine base (3) and moves along the X-axis. The tool magazine base (3) has an installation slope, the T2 axis rotary assembly is located on the installation slope and can move along the installation slope, and the T1 linear axis assembly is inclinedly located on the installation slope.

2. The tool magazine for a bladed disk machining center according to claim 1, characterized in that, The T2 shaft rotary assembly includes a cutter head rotating fixed seat (8), a cutter head (2), and a cutter head rotating motor (9). The cutter head rotating fixed seat (8) is mounted on the mounting inclined surface. The cutter head (2) is rotatably mounted on the cutter head rotating fixed seat (8). The cutter head rotating motor (9) is fixed on the cutter head rotating fixed seat (8) through a motor seat (10). The cutter head (2) is coaxially fixed with a driven gear (11). The driven gear (11) meshes with the driving gear (12). The cutter head rotating motor (9) is connected to the driving gear (12) in a transmission connection.

3. The tool magazine for a bladed disk machining center according to claim 1, characterized in that, The T1 linear shaft assembly includes a drive motor and a guide rail (13) disposed on the mounting inclined surface. The drive motor is connected to the T2 shaft rotary assembly via a lead screw and a lead screw nut. The T2 shaft rotary assembly is mounted on the guide rail (13) via a slider.

4. A tool magazine for a bladed disk machining center according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a detection switch bracket (14), one end of which is fixed on the cutter head rotating fixed seat (8), and the other end is provided with a detection switch (15), which faces the cutter head (2).

5. A tool magazine for a bladed disk machining center according to claim 1, characterized in that, The T2 axis rotary assembly includes a cutter head (2), which is provided with a tool holder (16) for holding the cutting tool in the circumferential direction. The axis of the cutting tool is perpendicular to the axis of the cutter head (2), and the tool holder (16) holds the cutting tool on both sides of the axial direction of the cutter head (2).

6. A tool magazine for a bladed disk machining center according to claim 1, characterized in that, The angle α between axis T1 and the horizontal direction is 30°, 45° or 60°.

7. A tool changing method for a bladed disk machining center, characterized in that, Using the tool magazine of the impeller machining center according to any one of claims 1-6, and comprising the following steps: S1. The column moves along the Z-axis, the slide saddle moves along the Y-axis, and the A-axis rotary assembly drives the swivel head to rotate, so that the axis of the swivel head of the tool to be installed is perpendicular to the axis of the tool disc and coplanar with the axis of the tool. The S2 and T2 axis rotary assembly rotates the cutter head so that the axis of the cutter to be grasped coincides with the axis of the swing head; The S3 and T2 axis rotary assemblies move along the T1 axis, causing the swing head to grasp the tool; S4. The column moves along the Z-axis, causing the cutting tool to disengage from the cutting disc.

8. A tool changing method for a bladed disk machining center, characterized in that, Using the tool magazine of the impeller machining center according to any one of claims 1-6, and comprising the following steps: S1. The column moves along the Z-axis, the saddle moves along the Y-axis, and the A-axis rotary assembly drives the oscillating head to rotate, so that the axis of the oscillating head equipped with the tool intersects perpendicularly with the axis of the cutter disc, and the distance between the axis of the oscillating head and the cutter disc is greater than the distance between the tool mounting port on the cutter disc and the cutter disc. The S2 and T2 axis rotary assemblies rotate the cutter head so that the axis of the cutter mounting port on the cutter head is parallel to the axis of the oscillating head; S3 and T2 axis rotary assemblies move along T1 axis, so that the tool mounting port on the tool disc is aligned with the tool on the swing head; S4. The column moves along the Z-axis, so that the cutting tool is loaded into the cutting disc; S5. The swing head releases the cutter, and the T2 axis rotation assembly moves along the T1 axis, causing the cutter to disengage from the swing head.

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