Components of machine tools for chuck maintenance and cleaning

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a spindle of a machine tool, a chuck connected to the spindle, a maintenance tool, a processing station, a method for maintaining the chuck, and a component of a machine tool for chuck maintenance and cleaning. The spindle has a connecting plate for connecting the spindle to a compressed air unit and a lubricant supply of the machine tool, a handle element that can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the spindle and installed in the connecting plate of the spindle, and a spindle handle that can be rotated in the circumferential direction of the spindle. The spindle has a connecting piece for connecting the connecting element of the chuck to the spindle, and the chuck is configured to receive a processing tool or a maintenance tool. The handle element has a through hole in the longitudinal direction of the spindle, wherein the connecting plate has a lubricant inlet for connecting to the lubricant supply and at least one separate compressed air inlet for connecting to the compressed air unit. The connecting plate is configured to fluidly connect the through hole of the handle element to at least one compressed air inlet and a lubricant inlet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a spindle of a machine tool, and more particularly to a machine tool for machining workpieces (e.g., printed circuit boards), a chuck for connecting such a spindle, a maintenance tool for such a chuck, a machine tool, and a method for maintaining and cleaning the chuck of such a machine tool. The inventive components of the machine tool and the machine tool itself are capable of automatically maintaining the chuck. Background Art

[0002] Modern machine tools require precision manufacturing, for example to ensure the functionality of the manufactured products. These precision requirements are particularly high during the production of printed circuit boards (e.g. copper-plated holes for mounting electronic components or specifically for connecting multiple copper layers internally). In addition, the increasing miniaturization of electronic components places increasing precision requirements. When machining workpieces (e.g. machining holes), the interaction between tool and machine is crucial to ensure compliance with the precision requirements and thus process-reliable and dimensionally accurate production. The interface between tool and machine is therefore crucial to meet the above requirements.

[0003] Typically, a chuck is used to clamp a tool (e.g., for clamping a drill) into a machine tool and is connected to a rotating spindle of the machine tool to receive the tool. The drive speed and drive torque are transmitted from the drive unit of the machine tool to the tool via the spindle and the chuck in this way. In order to reliably transmit these process variables, the chuck must ensure a process-reliable clamping of the tool, such as ensuring a process-reliable force closure between the clamping surface of the chuck and the tool shank. The quality of the force closure is sometimes determined by the holding torque, which counteracts the accidental distortion of the tool shank in the chuck. Because the holding torque is sometimes regulated by the cleanliness of the contact surfaces of the chuck and the tool, the contamination of these contact surfaces (i.e., the contamination of the clamping surface of the chuck due to debris and drill cuttings and the contamination of the tool shank) adversely affects the holding torque and reduces it. At the same time, the concentricity and / or coaxiality of the tool shank and the clamping surface are negatively affected by this contamination, which ultimately leads to a deterioration in the quality of the drilling, a reduction in positional accuracy, an increase in tool wear and an increase in the risk of tool failure.

[0004] Among other things, drilling and milling machines known from the prior art are characterized in that the machine can automatically insert a tool into a chuck and replace a tool in the chuck, for example in order to replace a worn tool or to insert a tool that is particularly suitable for the process. The chuck is often opened here by a pneumatic actuator, wherein, depending on the type of chuck selected, one part of the chuck is axially moved against another part of the chuck in order to be able to remove the current tool and receive a new tool. By deactivating the pneumatic actuator, the need for an axial opening force can then be eliminated, as a result of which the chuck can be closed, for example by being subjected to a spring force, and the tool can be clamped or clamped. The spring force can be applied by a spring or a spring assembly.

[0005] This cycle of opening and closing or clamping occurs several thousand times during the service life of the chuck, which is accompanied by signs of wear. In addition, deposits and surface weld points can have a negative impact on the function of the chuck. To counteract this, the clamping surfaces of the chuck must always be free of deposits and, if possible, wetted with a fine lubricating film.

[0006] The combined action for cleaning and lubricating the chuck required for this purpose is usually performed manually by a maintenance technician and is generally referred to as chuck maintenance. Chuck maintenance takes up a lot of time and leads to downtime of the machine tool, i.e., to a consumption of time and money. In addition to the consumption of time and money, the process of chuck maintenance itself is controversial. The maintenance work consists of spraying lubricant into the opened chuck and cleaning the chuck by aggressive chemical cleaners and brushes. This process can lead to deposits and contaminants being introduced deeper into the chuck, while the chemical cleaner acts on the lubricating film, such as the lubricating film of the spring arranged in the chuck. In addition, since the maintenance is carried out manually, the quality of the chuck maintenance depends largely on the person carrying out the maintenance, which is why, in particular, there is no reliable repeatability of the maintenance process. Finally, the means for lubrication and cleaning are classified as harmful to health, thereby causing health risks in particular for the person performing the chuck maintenance. Summary of the invention

[0007] Based on the above, the purpose of the present invention is to optimize the maintenance process of the chuck of the machine tool, thereby avoiding the above-mentioned disadvantages. In addition, the purpose of the present invention is particularly to provide a maintenance process for the chuck and the machine tool parts required for this purpose, which improves the repeatability of maintenance and makes automatic chuck maintenance possible.

[0008] This object is achieved by a spindle, a chuck, a maintenance tool, a machine tool and a method for maintaining a chuck according to the present disclosure.

[0009] The spindle of the inventive machine tool, in particular a machine tool for machining workpieces, has a connecting plate, a shank element that can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the spindle and mounted in the connecting plate, and a spindle shank that can be rotated in the circumferential direction of the spindle. In addition, the spindle shank has a connecting piece for connecting a connecting element of a chuck that is arranged to receive a machining tool or a maintenance tool to the spindle. For example, the connecting piece can be pressed into the spindle shank here, or even designed as a single piece with the spindle shank. The connecting piece preferably has a female thread so that the connecting element of the chuck can be screwed into the connecting piece. The connecting plate is also used to connect the spindle to a compressed air unit and a lubricant supply of the machine tool. In addition, the shank element of the spindle has a through hole in the longitudinal direction of the spindle, wherein the connecting plate has a lubricant inlet for connecting to the lubricant supply, and at least one separate compressed air inlet for connecting to the compressed air unit. The connecting plate is also arranged to fluidically connect the through hole of the shank element to the at least one compressed air inlet and the lubricant inlet.

[0010] The spindle according to the present disclosure preferably extends further in the longitudinal direction than in the radial direction perpendicular thereto, and the spindle has a synchronous lubricant and compressed air supply. The spindle is preferably arranged to be coupled to the rest of the periphery of the machine tool or connected to the rest of the periphery of the machine tool via a connecting plate. Such a machine tool has a drive unit, such as a motor, which can preferably rotate the spindle shank of the spindle relative to the shank element and the connecting plate. In addition, the spindle shank (rotor) is accommodated in a stator, which is rotationally fixed relative to the spindle shank. During the rotation of the spindle shank, the spindle shank then rotates inside the stator. In order to ensure the supply of lubricant and compressed air, the connecting plate also has an opening for a compressed air inlet and an opening for a lubricant inlet. Compressed air can be supplied to the machine tool from the compressed air unit via the compressed air inlet, and lubricant can be supplied to the connecting plate from a lubricant supply (e.g. a lubricant reservoir) via the lubricant inlet. Furthermore, the connecting plate is provided for supplying compressed air and lubricant to the through-opening of the shank element of the spindle and for this purpose has corresponding through-channels through which the compressed air and lubricant can flow within the connecting plate to the through-opening of the shank element.

[0011] If the spindle is connected to a machine tool, the handle element of the spindle is located on the side of the connecting plate facing away from the machine tool, that is, on the side of the so-called second lower surface of the connecting plate. The handle element is preferably non-rotatably mounted in the connecting plate here so that it can move in the longitudinal direction of the spindle. Located inside the handle element is the through hole already mentioned previously, which extends in the longitudinal direction over the entire length of the handle element and is arranged to convey the compressed air supplied to the connecting plate and the lubricant supplied to the connecting plate. The handle element can be pneumatically moved longitudinally by supplying compressed air via a compressed air inlet. In addition, the spindle on the side facing away from the machine tool is arranged to be connected to the chuck and has a connection for this purpose, for example, as already described previously. In addition, the spindle or the stator of the spindle can be at least partially covered by a spindle cover located on the side opposite to the connecting plate. The spindle cover is also rotationally fixed relative to the spindle shank here, so that the spindle cover does not rotate when the spindle shank rotates. The spindle cover sometimes has to be loosened in order to loosen the chuck connected to the spindle from the spindle. The chuck is preferably connected to the spindle (i.e. to the connecting piece to the spindle) in such a way that the chuck rotates at the same time as the spindle shank of the spindle rotates. During operation of the machine tool, the through-holes of the shank element of the spindle do not have to be continuously supplied with compressed air and lubricant, so that corresponding valves or the like, which can be arranged on the connecting plate and also in the machine tool, regulate the corresponding compressed air and lubricant supply. Such a metering valve can here distribute a defined amount of lubricant at a defined time, in particular actuated by control air. Here, the lubricant reservoir can include a pressurized container. Therefore, the spindle according to the present disclosure can be supplied with lubricant and compressed air from the machine tool, which would otherwise have to be done manually by a maintenance technician and would be introduced on the chuck side.

[0012] In one embodiment, the handle element conveying the compressed air and the lubricant has a multi-part design, preferably a two-part design, wherein the parts of the handle element can be connected to one another by being screwed together.

[0013] In one embodiment, the connecting plate of the spindle has a lubricant line, wherein the lubricant line extends into the through hole of the handle element. For example, the lubricant line can be connected to the lubricant inlet of the connecting plate or a through channel adjacent to the lubricant inlet in the form of a capillary or a flexible hose, so that the lubricant can be guided from the lubricant supply to the lubricant inlet of the connecting plate accordingly, and further guided to the through hole of the handle element via the lubricant line. A part of the lubricant line can initially extend inside the connecting plate here, and then leave the connecting plate and enter the through hole of the handle element. In addition, the lubricant line can be connected to the through channel located inside the connecting plate. Because the through hole of the handle element is simultaneously connected to at least one compressed air inlet of the connecting plate, the through hole can both carry the lubricant line from the connecting plate and be arranged to convey compressed air flowing in from a separate compressed air inlet. Furthermore, lubricant and compressed air can also be conveyed here inside the connecting plate and also inside the through-hole of the handle element in channels arranged spatially separately from one another, i.e. lubricant lines and through-holes, wherein the lubricant is conveyed inside the lubricant lines and wherein the compressed air is conveyed in the region of the through-hole of the handle element surrounding the lubricant lines. Regardless of whether lubricant and compressed air flow simultaneously or sequentially (i.e. one after the other) into the through-hole of the handle element or the corresponding channel, a lubricant mist can be generated, or an initially fluid lubricant can be distributed by the compressed air. It is also possible to eject excess lubricant at the end of a maintenance process, or to eject foreign matter (such as chips and drill cuttings) initially, and subsequently introduce lubricant at the beginning of a maintenance process.

[0014] Throughout the application, the term "through-hole" is always understood as a continuous passage, i.e. a fluid can pass completely through the component having a through-hole from one end of the through-hole to the other end of the through-hole, even if the diameter of the through-hole or the number of passages of the through-hole can vary within the area of ​​the through-hole. For example, a through-hole of a handle element arranged to convey two portions of compressed air can locally have four separate passages, whereby the air flow is divided into four local air flows.

[0015] In another embodiment, the lubricant line has at least one guide element, wherein the at least one guide element has a recess and / or abuts against the inner surface of the through hole of the handle element in a region. Here, the guide element can be designed so that the lubricant line has a fixed position relative to the radial direction of the through hole. In particular, if the lubricant line passes completely through the through hole of the handle element, this enables a more targeted supply of compressed air and lubricant to the through hole of the handle element or to the connected chuck. Therefore, the at least one guide element is characterized in that it keeps the lubricant line at a predetermined distance from the inner surface of the through hole. The lubricant line optimally has at least two guide elements so that it can maintain a uniform distance from the inner surface of the through hole over the entire length. In order to prevent the guide element from blocking the through hole of the handle element and to ensure that the compressed air can continue to flow through, the guide element has a recess or only abuts against the inner surface of the through hole in a region. In order to keep the distance between the lubricant line and the inner surface of the through hole constant, the guide element for this purpose has at least three contact points or contact surfaces with the inner surface of the through hole of the handle element.

[0016] In another embodiment of the spindle, the handle element of the spindle is arranged so that it can be moved relative to the lubricant line in the longitudinal direction of the spindle. This means that the handle element can be moved relative to the connecting plate in the longitudinal direction, wherein the lubricant line coming out of the connecting plate is axially fixed in place together with the connecting plate. Given the movement of the handle element in the longitudinal direction of the spindle, the handle element is therefore moved axially, wherein the lubricant line in the through hole of the handle element moves relative to the latter. If the lubricant line has at least one guide element as described above, the guide element slides along the inner surface of the through hole of the handle element. Here, the guide element preferably has a contact surface with the inner surface of the through hole of the handle element only partially, so as to reduce the friction between the two components. In order to move the handle element in the longitudinal direction, an additional drive or actuator can be provided in the machine tool for this purpose. For example, a pneumatic actuator can be used to move the handle element relative to the connecting plate of the spindle by a corresponding air flow.

[0017] In another embodiment for connection to a compressed air unit, the connecting plate of the spindle thus has at least one additional compressed air inlet, wherein the shank element of the spindle is arranged such that it can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the spindle by a compressed air supply occurring via the at least one additional compressed air inlet. Thus, the connecting plate has at least two compressed air inlets and at least one lubricant inlet, wherein one compressed air inlet is used to supply compressed air into a through hole of the shank element of the spindle, wherein one compressed air inlet is used to supply compressed air for axially moving the shank element, and wherein the lubricant inlet is used to supply lubricant into the through hole of the shank element of the spindle. Even if the inlets mainly play the above-mentioned role, the compressed air of the additional compressed air inlet can also flow at least partially into the through hole of the shank element. The compressed air flowing into the connecting plate via the at least one additional compressed air inlet preferably acts on a connecting element of the shank element, for example, the connecting element is arranged in a cylinder bore of the connecting plate and the shank element is accommodated in the connecting plate so that it can be moved axially in the longitudinal direction of the spindle. Exposing the connecting element to compressed air enables the shank element to be moved.

[0018] In an alternative embodiment, the connection plate of the spindle is disc-shaped, wherein at least one of the compressed air inlets and / or the lubricant inlet is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the disc-shaped connection plate. Therefore, the disc-shaped connection plate basically has three outer surfaces, a surface facing the machine tool (the so-called first upper surface), a surface facing away from the machine tool (the above-mentioned second lower surface), and a peripheral surface formed between these two surfaces.

[0019] Optionally, the purpose of the present disclosure is achieved by a chuck according to the present disclosure, wherein the chuck is configured to be connected to a spindle according to one of the above-mentioned embodiments. The chuck also has a clamping element particularly for clamping a tool (particularly a processing or maintenance tool), and a connecting element particularly configured to connect the chuck to a connecting piece of the spindle. The clamping element is arranged behind the connecting element in the longitudinal direction of the chuck. In addition, the clamping element and the connecting element both have a through hole, wherein the through hole of the clamping element is configured to accommodate a tool and has a clamping surface. Here, the clamping surface of the clamping element is configured to abut against a tool clamped in the clamping element. In addition, the through hole of the clamping element and the through hole of the connecting element together form a through passage through the chuck.

[0020] Therefore, the chuck is basically composed of two parts, namely a clamping element and a connecting element. In the state where the chuck is connected to the spindle of the machine tool, the connecting element is therefore oriented in the direction of the machine tool. In the longitudinal direction of the chuck, the clamping element is located on the side of the chuck opposite to the connecting element. Here, the connecting element preferably has a thread that can be threadedly connected to the connecting piece of the spindle. The handle element preferably has a cylindrical portion and at least one tapered portion. In addition, the connecting element and the clamping element both have a through hole, wherein the through hole is arranged or the connecting element and the clamping element are arranged so that a plurality of through holes together form a complete passage through the entire part of the chuck, that is, a complete passage through the entire part of the chuck. The through hole of the clamping element also includes a clamping surface, which is preferably located on the inner surface of the through hole of the clamping element. The chuck is further designed so that the clamping surface of the clamping element is arranged to clamp a tool for machining a workpiece between these clamping surfaces, wherein the clamping surface of the clamping element abuts against the tool handle of the tool. Once the tool has been clamped between the clamping surfaces of the clamping element and the chuck has been connected to the spindle of the machine tool, the rotational movement of the spindle can be transmitted to the tool. The clamping surfaces thus generate a holding torque which counteracts the twisting of the clamped tool in the through-hole of the clamping element. The clamping surfaces of the clamping element are preferably concave in design, wherein the diameter of the through-hole preferably decreases in the region of the clamping element when the clamping element is switched from an open position, in which the tool can be introduced into or removed from the clamping element, to a closed position, in which the tool can be clamped between the clamping surfaces of the clamping element.

[0021] For example, the collet according to the present disclosure can be obtained by modifying the collet model "METODRILL Collet WW-49860" accordingly.

[0022] In another embodiment, the through-channel of the chuck is arranged to establish flow communication with the through-hole of the shank element of the spindle, as long as the chuck is connected to the spindle, for example by being threadedly connected to the connecting piece of the spindle. The chuck can be connected to the spindle of the machine tool in particular via the connecting element, so that it is arranged to convey compressed air and / or lubricant and the corresponding medium is guided directly into the through-channel of the chuck. This has the advantage that the corresponding medium (i.e. compressed air and / or lubricant) can be conveyed into the chuck and used here for maintenance purposes. In addition, the constant compressed air flow guided into the chuck from the spindle (i.e. the through-hole of the shank element of the spindle and possible lubricant lines) can ensure that drill chips, chips, etc. do not penetrate into the chuck, especially when machining workpieces, and the chuck is protected from undesirable penetration of foreign matter by the compressed air (i.e. sealing air).

[0023] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the connecting element of the chuck is at least partially arranged inside the clamping element of the chuck, wherein the clamping element is arranged so that it can move relative to the connecting element in the longitudinal direction of the chuck, in particular against the spring force of a spring arranged between the clamping element and the connecting element. Here, the chuck can be opened and closed by correspondingly moving the clamping element relative to the connecting element of the chuck. A spring, in particular a spring group, can be arranged between the clamping element and the connecting element and applies a required restoring force, for example, which transforms the chuck to a closed position, wherein the connecting element and the clamping element move relative to each other. Then, the opening operation can be performed by the aforementioned force transmission (in particular pneumatic force transmission) and the movement of the handle element of the spindle. The connecting element here usually has a smaller outer diameter than the clamping element. The relative displacement of the clamping element relative to the connecting element of the chuck also allows the handle element of the spindle to be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the spindle, thereby resulting in a corresponding relative displacement of the clamping element and the connecting element. Once the chuck is connected to the spindle of the machine tool, the displacement of the handle element of the spindle can be used to open and / or close the chuck.

[0024] In summary, then, the handle element comprises an elongated cylindrical body with a through hole, which is movable axially in the longitudinal direction of the spindle relative to the spindle handle, among other things controlled by air, to actuate the collet opening mechanism.

[0025] For example, in order to prevent foreign bodies such as drill cuttings, debris, lubricants, etc. from undesirably penetrating into the intermediate space between the connecting element and the clamping element of the previously described movable chuck, another embodiment of the chuck provides that the through channel of the chuck has a sealing element, wherein the sealing element specifically seals the area between the connecting element and the clamping element with respect to the through channel. In addition, for example when the clamping element and the connecting element cannot move relative to each other, the sealing element can also be arranged to seal the stop surface between the handle element of the spindle and the connecting element of the chuck. In addition, in particular, additional sealing elements can be arranged inside the through channel of the chuck, in particular in order to seal the critical opening area inside the chuck. For example, such a critical opening area can be a hole arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the through channel of the chuck, or other areas in which penetration and pressing in of foreign bodies caused by compressed air are not desired.

[0026] In addition, the purpose of the present disclosure is achieved by a maintenance tool according to the present disclosure. This maintenance tool has a rod element having an outer surface and a through hole extending along the longitudinal axis of the rod element, wherein, once the maintenance tool is arranged in the through channel of the chuck, the through hole of the maintenance tool is arranged to form a flow connection with the through channel of the chuck. Therefore, the maintenance tool basically includes a cylindrical (especially tubular) component that can be introduced into the chuck. The outer diameter of the maintenance tool is determined according to the chuck using the maintenance tool, and is substantially equal to the tool shank diameter of the processing tool that can be used with the chuck. This means that the present disclosure also provides a maintenance tool for a frequently used chuck, which is suitable for a tool shank diameter of 3.175mm. The stopper is preferably located in the through channel of the chuck, so that the maintenance tool can be pushed into the chuck until the maintenance tool abuts against the stopper. Given an automatic machine tool, in which the processing tool is automatically replaced, the maintenance tool is usually replaced like the processing tool. This means that once the corresponding maintenance cycle of the automatic machine tool is performed, the maintenance tool is introduced into the chuck instead of the processing tool. Thus, just like the machining tool, the maintenance tool can be rotated by rotating the chuck relative to the handle element of the spindle. Therefore, when the maintenance tool is introduced into the through channel of the chuck, the maintenance tool preferably covers the clamping surface of the chuck so that the medium (e.g. compressed air or lubricant) flowing into the through channel of the chuck can pass through the clamping surface and spray out through the through hole of the rod element of the maintenance tool. The aforementioned sealing element of the chuck can be used here to introduce the maintenance tool into the sealing element, for example, if the sealing element has an annular shape. Once the maintenance tool is arranged in the chuck, the medium is allowed to flow directly into the through hole of the rod element of the maintenance tool, and the risk that the medium will also flow through the maintenance tool is minimized. In this way, the clamping surface of the chuck can be effectively prevented from being wetted by the lubricant.

[0027] In another embodiment of the maintenance tool, the outer surface of the rod element of the maintenance tool has a sealant, such as a rubber lip, wherein once the maintenance tool is arranged in the through channel of the chuck, the sealant is arranged to seal the clamping surface of the chuck. Thus, the rod element can be made of a body, for example a body of a metal material, wherein the area on the outer surface of the body has a corresponding sealant. For example, the outer surface (i.e. the sheath of the rod element) can be locally rubberized in order to achieve a corresponding sealing effect. Optionally, the rod element can also be composed of two or more parts with different materials.

[0028] In another embodiment, the rod element has a collecting tank at one end, or is arranged to be introduced into the collecting tank, wherein the through hole of the rod element is arranged to be in fluid communication with the collecting tank. Once the inventive chuck is connected to the inventive spindle and maintained, a maintenance tool can be introduced into the through channel of the chuck. During the maintenance of the chuck, it particularly involves introducing compressed air and lubricant into the through channel of the chuck through the handle element of the spindle, and the lubricant and possible foreign matter can be ejected from the chuck and collected by the collecting tank. This makes it possible to avoid undesirable contamination of machine tool parts or machine tool environment. In addition, the collecting tank can be used to prevent uncontrolled discharge of lubricants and foreign matter. In principle, similar to the tool replacement for machining workpieces, as described above, the maintenance tool is introduced into the chuck, wherein the chuck is opened, the maintenance tool is introduced into the chuck and clamped. Optionally, the maintenance tool can also be introduced without opening the chuck in advance and is retained in the chuck by a sealant (i.e., by a sealing element of the chuck and / or by a sealant of the maintenance tool).

[0029] In a further embodiment, the rod element of the maintenance tool is rotatably mounted relative to the collecting tank. For this purpose, the rod element preferably protrudes into the collecting tank, wherein the rod element is rotatably mounted on the collecting tank. This allows the collecting tank to be rotated relative to the rod element of the maintenance tool, so that the rod element can be rotated independently of the collecting tank during maintenance. As a result, in particular the rotational mass can be reduced. It is also possible that the maintenance tool is initially introduced into the chuck and that the collecting tank is subsequently attached to the rod element or that the maintenance tool is introduced into the collecting tank. The rotatable mounting between the rod element and the collecting tank makes it easier to connect additional components, such as a connecting hose, to the collecting tank, since the collecting tank does not have to be rotated in relation to the maintenance tool.

[0030] Alternatively, in the case where the maintenance tool is fixedly connected to the collecting tank, the maintenance tool together with the collecting tank can be accommodated by the chuck during the maintenance process. This means that the rod element of the maintenance tool is introduced into the chuck, wherein the collecting tank is fixedly connected to the maintenance tool at the same time as the maintenance tool is introduced. For example, the connection between the maintenance tool and the collecting tank can be realized by a detachable snap connection. In this embodiment, the rod element of the maintenance tool is mounted so that it cannot rotate relative to the collecting tank. In particular, the fixed connection between the maintenance tool and the collecting tank ensures that the time required for changing the tool, during which the maintenance tool is introduced into the chuck, can be reduced.

[0031] In another aspect of the disclosure, the collecting tank has at least one air-permeable filter fleece. For example, the filter fleece can here form the outer wall of the collecting tank or be arranged in another way inside the collecting tank. Here, the filter fleece is preferably used to filter lubricant from the compressed air, so that the distribution of lubricant mist outside the machine tool can be prevented. The filter fleece is preferably designed in such a way that it can be easily replaced as soon as the filter fleece no longer filters the compressed air sufficiently.

[0032] In addition, the object of the present disclosure is also achieved by a processing station of a machine tool according to the present disclosure, wherein the processing station has a spindle according to the aforementioned description, a chuck connected to the spindle according to the aforementioned description, a machine tool according to the aforementioned description, a compressed air unit connected to the compressed air inlet, and a lubricant supply connected to the lubricant inlet of the spindle. In addition, the processing station includes a drive unit and a control unit, and the drive unit is configured to rotate the spindle. Here, the control unit of the processing station is configured to control the processing station in at least two operating modes. For example, the first operating mode of these two operating modes can be used for processing workpieces, wherein, for example, the second operating mode can be used for maintaining the processing station. If the processing station is actuated so as to operate in the first operating mode, the compressed air unit of the spindle will supply compressed air at a first pressure level, in particular for ejecting (or blowing out) foreign matter. If the processing station is operated in a second operating mode, wherein a maintenance tool is introduced into the through channel of the chuck, the compressed air unit of the spindle and the lubricant supply sequentially or simultaneously supply lubricant and compressed air at at least a second pressure level.

[0033] Therein, the processing station is characterized in that it has a spindle. Furthermore, the machine tool is characterized in that it has at least one processing station. However, modern machine tools usually have several such processing stations. In an ideal case, each processing station is then equipped according to the present disclosure. In the case where the machine tool has several processing stations, it is advantageous, for example, to provide only one central control unit or a central lubricant reservoir in the machine tool, so that the processing stations can be centrally actuated and the corresponding media (compressed air, lubricant) can be supplied. Various valves, pressure reducers, control elements, pumps, pressurized containers, etc. can be used to start, control and regulate the supply of lubricants and compressed air. Therefore, these components form part of the infrastructure and are required for the flow of compressed air and lubricants.

[0034] In a first operating mode of the processing station, the processing station can be set to process a workpiece with a processing tool. For this purpose, the tool (e.g. a drill bit) is initially clamped into the processing station, and the processing station is subsequently actuated in the first operating mode via a control unit. Then, the chuck in which the tool is clamped and the spindle handle of the spindle of the processing station to which the chuck is connected rotate according to the rotation of the spindle handle. The clamping surface of the chuck fixes the processing tool in place here. For example, in the first operating mode, the compressed air unit supplies compressed air as described above, in particular via the through hole of the handle element of the spindle and the through channel of the chuck, wherein the continuous supply of compressed air prevents foreign matter from penetrating into the chuck during the processing of the workpiece. In addition, compressed air can be used to eject foreign matter, wherein, particularly preferably, the ejection process is performed as soon as the tool is removed from the chuck. Therefore, in the first operating mode, the compressed air supply can be carried out continuously or also interruptedly, wherein, for compressed air and lubricant, the first operating mode is characterized in particular in that, in this operating mode, only compressed air is supplied to the chuck. Furthermore, the first operating mode is characterized in that, during operation, a maintenance tool is clamped into the collet instead of a tool for machining.

[0035] In contrast, in the second operating mode, both lubricant and compressed air are supplied to the chuck simultaneously or sequentially by the lubricant supply and the compressed air unit. This supply can also be carried out continuously, or with some interruptions. If the lubricant is supplied simultaneously with the compressed air, a lubricant mist is formed, which is particularly suitable for distributing the lubricant to the interior of the chuck. In addition, this makes the lubricant also particularly well distributed in the contact area between the chuck and the spindle. Optionally, for example, compressed air or lubricant can be initially supplied, wherein the lubricant can be subsequently distributed via the supplied compressed air. In the second operating mode, in order to prevent the clamping surface of the chuck from being contaminated and wetted by the lubricant, in this operating mode, a maintenance tool is introduced into the chuck. As a result, the cylindrical and tubular maintenance tool can extend the passage of the chuck, and the lubricant mist or the lubricant and compressed air can pass through the clamping surface of the chuck and be guided out of the chuck. As described above, the maintenance tool can also have a sealant, thereby additionally sealing the clamping surface to prevent contamination. Furthermore, it is particularly preferred that, in the second operating mode, compressed air is supplied to the chuck at the end of the operating processing station, thereby preventing the lubricant from subsequently dripping out of the chuck. Only thereafter is the maintenance tool removed from the chuck.

[0036] In another embodiment, the handle element of the spindle is moved in the longitudinal direction of the handle element of the spindle in the second operating mode, as a result of which the connecting element of the chuck connected to the spindle is moved relative to the clamping element of the chuck in the longitudinal direction of the handle element. The displacement of the handle element and the displacement of the connecting element are preferably used to open or close the chuck. In particular, this makes the intermediate space between the clamping element and the connecting element particularly easy to enter, and the lubricant can therefore become particularly well distributed. In addition, this allows contaminants accumulated in the intermediate space to be dissolved and ejected by compressed air. As described above, the displacement of the connecting element relative to the clamping element can be performed under the action of a spring force.

[0037] In an alternative embodiment, the spindle shank of the spindle is rotated at a variable rotational speed in the second operating mode, as a result of which the chuck of the processing station connected to the spindle shank is rotated at a variable rotational speed. The variation of the rotational speed of the spindle shank (i.e. the so-called spin-up performance of the chuck connected to the spindle shank) is used in particular to distribute lubricant to the interior of the chuck with the aid of centrifugal forces. For this purpose, for example, the lubricant can initially be introduced into the chuck, which can be spun up by the spindle shank, and then excess lubricant can be ejected.

[0038] In a further embodiment of the processing station, the control unit acquires at least one of the following pieces of information:

[0039] The time during which the processing station operates in the second operating mode;

[0040] the number and / or duration of operations of the processing station in the second operating mode;

[0041] The lubricant supply quantity during operation of the processing station in the second operating mode.

[0042] For this purpose, the machine tool can have a suitable sensor array, for example for measuring the filling level of the lubricant reservoir of the processing station, so that the amount of lubricant supplied can be determined during operation in the second operating mode. Preferably, a predetermined amount of lubricant is defined or provided for maintenance of the chuck, which allows the control unit to stop the lubricant supply immediately when this amount of lubricant is reached. In addition, for example, the filling level measurement can inform the user that the lubricant in the lubricant reservoir must be refilled. Similarly, information about the time for which the processing station is operated in the second operating mode can be used to determine the time interval at which the processing station is maintained. Here, exceeding the predetermined duration can also inform the user of the processing station that the processing station should be maintained. Information about the number of operations or the duration of the processing station in the second operating mode can be determined similarly, wherein, if smaller, shorter maintenance and a large number of, longer maintenance can be performed with the aid of the processing station and by correspondingly actuating the control unit, the duration of the maintenance can provide information in particular about the thoroughness of the maintenance performed or about the type of maintenance. In addition, the determined information can also be used to determine whether the filter wool of the collection tank of the maintenance tool should be replaced.

[0043] According to the present disclosure, the purpose of the present disclosure is further achieved by a method for maintaining the chuck of the above-mentioned processing station. The method for maintaining the chuck comprises the following steps:

[0044] Check whether the passage of the aforementioned chuck has a tool for machining the workpiece;

[0045] Remove the tool if present;

[0046] Introducing the aforementioned maintenance tool into the through channel of the chuck;

[0047] supplying compressed air and / or lubricant into the chuck via a through hole in the shank element of the spindle of the aforementioned processing station; and

[0048] Remove the maintenance tool from the through-channel of the chuck.

[0049] In order to implement the method, a check is first performed to see if the through channel of the chuck has a tool for machining a workpiece, such as a drill. This step is necessary because the method for maintaining a processing station should be implemented in the second operating mode of the processing station described previously, in which no workpiece for machining a workpiece is clamped in the chuck. Therefore, if the tool for machining the workpiece is arranged inside the chuck, it is first removed from the chuck. In principle, these steps can always be performed fully automatically by the processing station, but can also be partially automated or manually. Once the tool for machining the workpiece is no longer in the chuck, the maintenance tool can be introduced into the through channel of the chuck. The maintenance tool is specially provided here to protect the clamping surface of the chuck from contamination during the maintenance process. Once the maintenance tool (i.e., the maintenance tool that may still be provided with a collection tank) is introduced into the chuck, the lubricant and / or compressed air supply can be started. As described above, the lubricant and compressed air supply enter the through channel of the chuck via the inlet of the connecting plate of the spindle and the through hole of the shank element of the spindle. Because the maintenance tool in principle lengthens the through passage of the chuck, compressed air and lubricant are also supplied to the through hole of the maintenance tool. In this step, the lubricant mist and lubricant distributed in the chuck interior by compressed air are used to lubricate the chuck, wherein, in particular, contaminants can be removed from the chuck by compressed air.

[0050] In another embodiment, the method for maintaining a chuck further comprises one of the following steps:

[0051] A shank element for moving the spindle of the machine tool in the longitudinal direction of the shank element;

[0052] Rotating the spindle handle of the spindle at a variable rotation speed;

[0053] Determine the time to implement the method;

[0054] Determine the implementation of the method;

[0055] Determine the duration of the method;

[0056] Determine the amount of lubricant supplied.

[0057] These additional steps may be performed during maintenance of the cartridge and serve to accomplish the purposes and advantages already enumerated in the above description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] The present disclosure will be described in more detail below based on exemplary embodiments and drawings.All features described and / or illustrated herein constitute the subject matter of the present disclosure (whether used alone or in combination), regardless of how they are summarized or cited in the claims.

[0059] Schematically shown:

[0060] Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a spindle according to the present disclosure having a collet connected according to the present disclosure;

[0061] Figure 2 is a side view of a connection plate of a main shaft according to the present disclosure;

[0062] Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a connection plate of a main shaft with a lubricant line according to the present disclosure;

[0063] Figure 4A is a side cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a handle element of a spindle according to the present disclosure;

[0064] Figure 4B is a side cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a handle element of a spindle according to the present disclosure;

[0065] Figure 4C is based on Figure 4B A top view of one side of the chuck side outlet of the handle element;

[0066] Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a lubricant line having a guide element;

[0067] Fig. 6A is a top view of a first embodiment of a guide element for a lubricant line;

[0068] Figure 6B is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a guide element for a lubricant line;

[0069] Figure 7 is a side cross-sectional view of a chuck according to the present disclosure;

[0070] Fig. 8A is a side cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a maintenance tool according to the present disclosure;

[0071] Figure 8B is a side cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a maintenance tool having a collection canister according to the present disclosure; and

[0072] Figure 8C is a side cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a maintenance tool having a collection canister according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0073] Described below Figures 1 to 8C A spindle with a collet attached is depicted sequentially ( Figure 1 ), detailed spindle components ( Figures 2 to 6B ), chuck 200( Figure 7 ) and three embodiments of the maintenance tool 300 ( Fig. 8A and 8C ).

[0074] Furthermore, the arrow L in all the figures points to the longitudinal direction of the respective inventive component of the machine tool or the machining station, i.e. the longitudinal direction of the spindle, the longitudinal direction of the chuck or the longitudinal direction of the maintenance tool. Furthermore, if the chuck is connected to the spindle shank of the spindle of the machining station according to the present disclosure, the arrow U points to the circumferential direction, wherein the circumferential direction is synonymous with the direction of rotation of the chuck and the tool clamped therein.

[0075] The spindle 1 according to the present disclosure comprises a preferably disk-shaped connection plate 100 having a first upper surface 101 which is arranged to be connected to a machining station of a machine tool. Figure 1 The spindle 1 shown comprises an actuating element 126 and a stator 122, which is arranged to be fixed in rotation around a spindle shank (or spindle shank portion) 121. The side of the spindle shank 121 facing away from the connecting plate 100 has a connecting piece 124, which is arranged to connect a chuck 200 to the spindle 1. When machining a workpiece, the machining tool is clamped into the chuck 200. The spindle shank 121 arranged inside the stator 122 is then rotated in the circumferential direction U, as a result of which the chuck 200 rotates and thus the machining tool also rotates. In order to be able to fix the spindle shank 121 in the stator 122 to prevent it from falling out, the spindle 1 has a spindle cover 123 on the side facing the connecting plate.

[0076] The interior of the spindle shank 121 has a recess 125, in which the shank element (or shank element) 110 is arranged. The actuating element 126 is arranged to cause an axial displacement of the shank element 110. For this purpose, the pneumatic actuating element has a pressure chamber and a seal, not shown, in order to axially move the shank element 110 controlled by air. The shank element 110 is mounted on one end side in the connecting plate 100 so that it can move axially in the longitudinal direction L of the spindle and abut against the chuck 200 upward on the opposite end side. The interior of the shank element 110 has a through hole 113, in which the lubricant line 108 is arranged. The through hole 113 can be supplied with compressed air from a compressed air unit via a compressed air inlet 104, and the lubricant line 108 can be supplied with lubricant from a lubricant reservoir via a lubricant inlet 105. The lubricant line 108 (in particular a capillary) can be guided in the through hole 113 of the shank element 110 by means of a guide element 117.

[0077] In order to open the chuck 200, the handle element 110 is moved in the longitudinal direction, thereby overcoming the force of the spring group 210 to move the connecting element 202 relative to the clamping element 201. In the open state, a tool can be introduced into the chuck 200 or removed from the chuck 200. In particular, with the help of the elastic force of the spring group 210, the chuck 200 can then be reset and thus switched to the closed state. When machining workpieces or maintaining the chuck 200, the connecting plate 100 can always be used to transport compressed air or lubricant through the corresponding channels (compressed air inlet 104, lubricant inlet 105, through channel 107, lubricant line 108, through hole 113, through channels 203, 204).

[0078] Figure 2 The connecting plate 100 and Figure 3 The optional structure shown has a second lower surface 102, which faces Figure 4A and Figure 4B The direction of the shank element 110 of the spindle 1 is shown. In the state in which the collet 200 is connected to the spindle 1, the lower surface 102 therefore points in the direction of the collet 200. Figure 2 The side view of the disk-shaped connecting plate 100 in FIG. 1 shows in particular the circumferential surface 103 of the connecting plate 100 , so that the compressed air inlet 104 , the lubricant inlet 105 and the further compressed air inlet 106 arranged on the circumferential surface 103 become particularly easily visible.

[0079] In the case of a pneumatic actuator element 126, its pressure chamber can be filled with compressed air via the compressed air inlet 106. As a result, the inner structure of the actuator element consisting of several chambers can move together with the inclined handle element 110 relative to the housing of the actuator element 126 and thus cause an axial displacement of the handle element.

[0080] In accordance with Figure 3In an exemplary embodiment of the connecting plate 100, the lubricant inlet 105 can be connected to a lubricant line 108 via a through channel 107. On the handle element side, the lubricant line 108 protrudes from a cylinder bore 109 of the connecting plate 100. On the machine tool or processing station side, the lubricant inlet 105 of the connecting plate 100 can be connected to a lubricant supply, so that lubricant can flow out of the lubricant reservoir of the machine tool into the lubricant inlet 105. The compressed air inlet 104 is connected to a compressed air unit on the machine tool side and is therefore arranged to allow compressed air flowing out of the machine tool to flow into the connecting plate 100. If the connecting plate 100 does not have a lubricant line 108, the compressed air from the compressed air inlet 104 and the lubricant from the lubricant inlet 105 flow in the direction of the cylinder bore 109 of the connecting plate 100 and may accumulate there. The compressed air inlet 104 and the lubricant inlet 105 are used here in particular for supplying compressed air and lubricant for maintaining the chuck 200 , wherein the compressed air inlet 106 is used in particular for pneumatically actuating or moving the shank element 110 of the spindle 1 mounted in an axially movably manner in the connecting plate 100 .

[0081] like Figure 4A As shown, the handle element 110 can be abutted against the first lower surface 102 of the connecting plate 100 with the stopper 111 in the first position, wherein the connecting element 112 of the handle element 110 is arranged inside the cylinder hole 109 of the connecting plate 100. In this position of the handle element 110, the chuck 200 is closed. Once compressed air flows into the connecting plate 100 via the compressed air inlet 106 and exposes the connecting element 112 of the handle element 110 to the compressed air, the handle element 110 moves away from the connecting plate 100 in the longitudinal direction of the handle element. This movement of the handle element can be transmitted to the connecting element 202 of the corresponding chuck 200 and opens the chuck 200. If the chuck 200 has a spring or spring group 210 for the restoring force, once the compressed air disappears, the connecting element 202 of the chuck 200 automatically moves, thereby closing the chuck 200.

[0082] Figure 4B An alternative design of a handle element 110 is shown, which consists of two parts which can be connected to one another using conventional connection techniques. In the region of the chuck-side outlet 115 , the through-opening 113 is divided into five channels which together form the through-opening of the handle element. Figure 4CThe illustrated embodiment shows that the lubricant line 108 extends in a central through-hole, around which four further through-holes are arranged. Thus, the compressed air flow flowing from the connecting plate-side inlet 114 in the direction of the chuck-side outlet 115 is divided into four partial air flows in the region of the chuck-side outlet 115. In this embodiment, the guiding function for the lubricant line 108 is ensured by the diameter reduction of the through-hole in which the lubricant line 108 is guided in the region of the chuck-side outlet 115. For example, if according to Figure 4B and Figure 4C In the embodiment of the present invention, the handle element 110 moves away from the connecting plate 100 in the longitudinal direction L of the handle element. This can be achieved by exposing the surface of the handle element to the connecting plate side inlet 114 ( Figure 4B Not shown in Figure 4B Only parts of the handle element are shown, with the part in the direction of the connection plate-side inlet being omitted) being provided pneumatically.

[0083] In order to supply the chuck with compressed air and lubricant, the compressed air can therefore flow via the compressed air inlet 104, 106, through the channel 107 and the cylinder bore 109 into the through-hole 113, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the handle element 110 in the direction of the chuck-side outlet 115 via the connecting plate-side inlet 114. Regardless of whether the lubricant is also supplied to the cylinder bore 109 via the through-channel 107 or is conveyed directly into the through-hole 113 of the handle element 110 via the lubricant line 108, the lubricant can also flow via the connecting plate-side inlet 114 in the direction of the chuck-side outlet 115 of the through-hole 113.

[0084] If the spindle according to the present disclosure has a lubricant line 108, the lubricant line 108 can be guided by a guide element 117 (see Figure 1 , Figure 5 , Fig. 6A and Figure 6B ) abuts against and supports the inner surface 116 of the through hole 113. Optionally, the lubricant pipeline 108 can be as described above and Figure 4B and Figure 4C If the spindle handle 110 moves in the longitudinal direction, at least one guide element 117 slides along the inner surface 116 of the through hole 113, or the guide element 117 slides along the lubricant line 108. Figure 4B and Figure 4C In an alternative embodiment, the lubricant line 108 slides along the area of ​​reduced diameter of the through hole 113 .

[0085] In order to prevent the guide element 117 disposed in the through hole 113 from blocking the through hole 113 and to allow the compressed air and / or lubricant to pass through, the guide element has, for example, Fig. 6A or Figure 6B The shape shown, in which only the contact surface 118 of the guide element 117 abuts against the inner surface 116 of the through hole 113 of the handle element 110. Arranged between the contact surfaces 118 of the guide element 117 is a projection 119, at which the guide element does not abut against the inner surface 116 of the through hole 113, so that the compressed air flowing in through the connecting plate-side inlet 114 can flow through the guide element 117 by means of the projection 119 and possible openings 120. Fig. 6A and Figure 6B As an alternative to the embodiment shown, the guide element can also be designed in the form of a circular ring and have corresponding grooves through which the compressed air can flow. In this case, the guide element will completely abut against the inner surface 116 of the through-hole 113. In addition, the guide element 117 has an opening 120 for the lubricant line 108, so that the guide element 117 can be placed on the lubricant line 108, wherein the lubricant line does not have to abut against the opening 120. For example, the guide element 117 can also be fixed immovably relative to the handle element 110 and axially move relative to the lubricant line 108 together with the handle element 110. Through the lubricant line 108, the lubricant directly enters the interior of the through-hole 113 of the handle element 110 or directly into the through-channel of the chuck 200 and is moved there in the direction of the chuck 200 by means of the air flow and / or gravity.

[0086] The clamp 200 includes a clamping element 201 and a connecting element 202, wherein Figure 7 The clamping element 201 and the connecting element 202 shown are firmly connected to each other. The clamping element 201 and the connecting element 202 have through holes 204, 203 respectively. The through holes 203, 204 together form a through channel, so that in particular, the compressed air and / or lubricant flowing into the chuck 200 can flow through the chuck 200 completely. The clamping surface 205 is located inside the through hole 204 of the chuck 200, and the clamping surface 205 is configured to clamp a tool, in particular a tool for machining a workpiece. In addition, a sealing element 206 is arranged in the clamping element 201. The sealing element 206 is particularly used for a given movable chuck (that is, a chuck in which the clamping element 201 is arranged so that the clamping element 201 can move relative to the connecting element 202 in the longitudinal direction L of the chuck 200), for the purpose of sealing the intermediate space between the connecting element 202 and the clamping element 201. Furthermore, a maintenance tool (not shown here) can be introduced into the through-hole 204 of the clamping element 201 and in particular placed in the sealing element 206 so that the through-hole 203 can be connected directly to the upper region of the clamping head 200. FIG. 8A to FIG. 8CThe chuck 200 also has a drilled sleeve 207. Instead of a threaded sleeve, conventional chucks usually have a grub screw which prevents compressed air and lubricant from being transferred from the upper region of the chuck (see through hole 203) to the lower region of the chuck (see through hole 204) by blocking the through channel shown here.

[0087] Once the chuck 200 has been connected to the spindle, compressed air and lubricant can flow out of the chuck-side outlet 115 via the through hole 113 of the shank element 110 and into the spindle-side inlet 208 of the chuck 200 and out of the outlet 209 of the chuck 200 .

[0088] During maintenance, i.e. when the machine tool or processing station is activated in the second operating mode, according to FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C A maintenance tool 300 can be introduced into the through hole 204 of the chuck 200. Such a maintenance tool 300 comprises a rod element 301 and is basically arranged to guide lubricant and compressed air together with any other foreign matter through the clamping surface 205 of the chuck 200. The rod element 301 has a tubular body with a through hole 302, wherein lubricant and compressed air flow in through a chuck-side inlet 303 and flow out through an outlet 304. The rod element 301 shown comprises a sealant (or sealing portion) 305 on the chuck side, which is particularly arranged to seal the clamping surface 205 of the chuck 200 once the maintenance tool 300 has been introduced into the chuck 200. An outlet-side rod element 306 is located on the side opposite to the sealant 305. The outlet-side rod element 306 preferably has a metal material, which in particular can extend over the entire length of the rod element 301 and the sealant 305 can be arranged only on the outer surface (see Figure 8C ). If the maintenance tool 300 is clamped in the chuck 200, the sealant 305 preferably seals the clamping surfaces 205 so that they are not wetted by the lubricant.

[0089] Depending on the design of the maintenance tool 300, the outlet 304 may also enter a collection tank 307 on which the maintenance tool 300 is installed, wherein the collection tank 307 is connected to the maintenance tool (see Figure 8B and Figure 8C ). Optionally, the maintenance tool 300 is initially introduced and clamped in the chuck 200 and subsequently introduced into the collecting tank 307, wherein the maintenance tool 300 can be rotated relative to the collecting tank 307 (see Fig. 8ARegardless of whether the collecting tank 307 is already connected to the maintenance tool 300 during use of the maintenance tool 300 or is connected to the maintenance tool 300 only during maintenance, the collecting tank 307 has a bearing 308 defining an interface between the maintenance tool 300 and the collecting tank 307. Depending on the selected bearing 308, the rod element 301 can thus rotate relative to the collecting tank 307 or even rotate only together with the collecting tank 307.

[0090] Figure 8B The collection tank 307 shown has a box shape with side walls 309, one of which includes filter fleece 310. Figure 8C The maintenance tool 300 also presents a collecting tank 307 having a filter fleece 310. Once the maintenance tool 300 is introduced into the chuck 200 for maintenance, the rod element 301 may not rotate independently or independently of the collecting tank 307. The compressed air flowing out of the maintenance tool 300, including lubricant particles and possible foreign matter, is collected in the collecting tank 307, wherein the filter fleece 310 may be used to filter the lubricant out of the compressed air flowing through the filter fleece 310. The filter fleece 310 is preferably designed in such a way that it can be changed in the collecting tank 307 and replaced with a new filter fleece.

[0091] During operation of a machine tool or a machining station, in particular during operation of a fully automatic machine tool having at least one machining station and a control unit, the control unit can actuate the machining station in two operating modes. When the machining station is operated in a first operating mode, in which the machining station is arranged to machine a workpiece, a spindle is connected to the machining station, wherein a chuck 200 is connected to the spindle and a tool for machining, such as a drill, is held between the clamping surfaces 205 of a clamping element 201 of the chuck 200. As soon as a drive unit, such as a motor, turns the spindle or spindle shank 121, the chuck 200 also turns and thus also the tool for machining the workpiece. During operation in the first operating mode, compressed air of a compressed air unit can flow into the spindle or shank element 110 via the compressed air inlet 104 of the connecting plate 100 of the spindle 1 and from there into the chuck 200 via the through-hole 113 of the shank element 110. In particular, the air flow can here serve as sealing air, thereby protecting the through-channel of the chuck from unwanted ingress of foreign bodies. If the machining station is now operated in the second operating mode for maintaining the collet, compressed air from the compressed air unit can flow into the further compressed air inlet 106 and move the shank element 110 of the spindle in the longitudinal direction of the spindle.

[0092] If the connecting element 202 is arranged so that it can be moved relative to the clamping element of the chuck 200 in the longitudinal direction of the chuck 200, this relative movement can be used to open the chuck, widen the clamping surface 205 and release the clamped tool. The maintenance tool 300 can then be introduced into the through hole 204, and the spindle can be supplied with compressed air via the compressed air inlet 104 and the spindle can be supplied with lubricant via the lubricant inlet 105. Once the maintenance tool is arranged inside the through hole 204, the clamping surface 205 is sealed. As a result, the clamping surface 205 of the chuck is protected from contaminants, so that the oil-air mixture can now enter the chuck through the through hole 113 of the handle element 110 via the spindle handle side inlet 208 of the chuck 200, where it becomes dispersed and is discharged again through the through hole 302 of the maintenance tool 300. When the compressed air unit and lubricant supply of the machine tool are being used to introduce lubricant and compressed air into the chuck and clean and lubricate the chuck (i.e., maintain the chuck), the chuck 200 connected to the spindle 1 can be rotated in addition, so that the lubricant is distributed with the assistance of centrifugal force. The chuck 200 can also be opened and closed by means of the movement of the aforementioned rod element 110 in the longitudinal direction of the spindle 1, so that the lubricant distribution can be supported in addition. Then, the maintenance tool 300 is preferably fixed in the sealing element 206 with a sealant 305 to prevent it from falling off. Optionally, once the maintenance tool 300 has been removed from the chuck, the chuck can be opened or closed, wherein the maintenance tool 300 is previously retained in the chuck 200 under the action of the clamping surface 205. During maintenance, the maintenance tool 300 therefore directly conveys the compressed air flow through the clamping surface 205 and may filter the compressed air flow by means of a filter wool 310 arranged in a collection tank 307.

[0093] Therefore, the present disclosure enables fully automatic maintenance of machine tools, which particularly involves introducing compressed air and lubricants into the chuck of the spindle. In addition, the structure of the spindle, chuck and maintenance tool also allows directional, partially automated maintenance, such as where the maintenance tool is manually inserted into the chuck, and lubricants and compressed air are automatically supplied.

[0094] Reference Numbers List

[0095] 1 Spindle

[0096] 100 (main shaft) connecting plate 101 (first) upper surface

[0097] 102 (second) lower surface 103 circumferential surface

[0098] 104 Compressed air inlet 105 Lubricant inlet

[0099] 106 (Additional) compressed air inlet 107 through the channel

[0100] 108 Lubricant pipeline 109 Cylinder bore

[0101] 110 handle element 111 stopper

[0102] 112 connecting element 113 through hole

[0103] 114 connection plate side inlet 115 chuck side outlet

[0104] 116 inner surface of through hole 117 guiding element

[0105] 118 contact surface 119 protrusion

[0106] 120 Opening for lubricant line 121 Spindle handle

[0107] 122 stator 123 spindle cover

[0108] 124 connecting member 125 recess

[0109] 126 Actuating element

[0110] 200 chuck 201 clamping element

[0111] 202 connecting element 203 through hole (connecting piece)

[0112] 204 through hole (clamping element) 205 clamping surface

[0113] 206 Sealing element 207 Threaded sleeve

[0114] 208 spindle side inlet 209 outlet

[0115] 210 Spring Set

[0116] 300 Maintenance tool 301 Rod element

[0117] 302 through hole 303 chuck side entrance

[0118] 304 outlet 305 sealant

[0119] 306 outlet side rod element 307 collection tank

[0120] 308 bearing 309 side wall

[0121] 310 filter fleece

[0122] L Longitudinal direction

[0123] U Circumferential direction

Claims

1. A spindle (1) of a machine tool, in particular a machine tool for machining a workpiece, the spindle comprising a connecting plate (100), a handle element (110) and a spindle handle (121), wherein: The connecting plate (100) is used to connect the spindle (1) to a compressed air unit and a lubricant supply of a machine tool, the handle element (110) is movable in the longitudinal direction (L) of the spindle (1) and is mounted in the connecting plate (100) of the spindle (1), and the spindle handle (121) is rotatable in the circumferential direction (U) of the spindle (1) and has a connecting piece (124), the connecting piece (124) is used to connect the connecting element (202) of the chuck (200) to the spindle, the chuck (200) being arranged to receive a machining tool or a maintenance tool (300), wherein the handle element (110) has a through hole (113) in the longitudinal direction (L) of the spindle (1), wherein the connecting plate (100) has a lubricant inlet (105) for connecting to a lubricant supply and at least one separate compressed air inlet (104) for connecting to a compressed air unit, and wherein the connecting plate is arranged to fluidically connect the through hole (113) of the handle element (110) to the at least one compressed air inlet (104) and the lubricant inlet (105).

2. The spindle (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The connecting plate (100) has a lubricant line (108), wherein the lubricant line projects into a through-opening (113) of the handle element (110).

3. The spindle (1) according to claim 2, wherein: The lubricant line (108) has at least one guide element (117), wherein the at least one guide element (117) has a recess and / or an inner surface (116) that partially abuts against a through hole (113) of the handle element (110).

4. The spindle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The handle element (110) has a multi-part design, preferably a two-part design, wherein the parts of the handle element (110) are connected to one another by being screwed together.

5. The spindle (1) according to claim 2, wherein: The handle element (110) of the spindle (1) is arranged such that the handle element (110) is movable relative to the lubricant line (108) in the longitudinal direction (L) of the spindle (1).

6. The spindle (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The connecting plate (100) of the spindle (1) has at least one additional compressed air inlet (106) for connection to a compressed air unit, wherein the handle element (110) of the spindle (1) is arranged so that the handle element (110) is moved in the longitudinal direction (L) of the spindle (1) by the compressed air supply occurring via the at least one additional compressed air inlet (106).

7. The spindle (1) according to claim 6, wherein: The connecting plate (100) is disk-shaped, wherein at least one of a compressed air inlet (104, 106) and / or a lubricant inlet (105) is formed on an outer peripheral surface (103) of the disk-shaped connecting plate (100).

8. A chuck (200) for connecting a spindle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the chuck (200) comprising a clamping element (201) and a connecting element (202), the clamping element (201) being particularly configured to clamp a tool, the connecting element (202) being particularly configured to be a connecting piece (124) for connecting the chuck (200) to the spindle (1), wherein: A clamping element (201) and a connecting element (202) are arranged one after another in the longitudinal direction (L) of the chuck (200), wherein the clamping element (201) and the connecting element (202) each have a through hole (203, 204), wherein the through hole (204) of the clamping element (201) is configured to receive a tool and has a clamping surface (205), and wherein the clamping surface (205) of the clamping element (201) is configured to abut against the tool clamped in the clamping element (201), wherein the through hole (204) of the clamping element (201) and the through hole (203) of the connecting element (202) together form a through channel (203, 204) passing through the chuck (200).

9. The chuck (200) according to claim 8, wherein: The through passage of the collet is arranged to establish flow communication with the through hole (113) of the shank element (110) of the spindle (1) as long as the collet (200) is connected to the spindle (1).

10. The chuck (200) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein: The connecting element (202) of the chuck (200) is at least partially arranged inside the clamping element (201) of the chuck (200), wherein the clamping element (201) is arranged so that the clamping element (201) is movable relative to the connecting element (202) in the longitudinal direction (L) of the chuck, in particular under the action of the spring force of a spring arranged between the clamping element and the connecting element.

11. The chuck (200) according to claim 10, wherein: The through-channel of the clamping head has a sealing element (206), wherein the sealing element (206) in particular seals the area between the connecting element (202) and the clamping element (201) relative to the through-channel (203, 204).

12. A maintenance tool (300) for a chuck (200) according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein: The maintenance tool has a rod element (301) having an outer surface and a through hole (302) extending along the longitudinal axis of the rod element, and wherein the through hole (302) of the maintenance tool (300) is configured to form flow communication with the through channel of the chuck (200) as long as the maintenance tool (300) is arranged in the through channel of the chuck (200).

13. The maintenance tool (300) according to claim 12, wherein: The outer surface of the rod element (301) has a sealant (305), for example a rubber lip, wherein the sealant (305) is arranged to seal the clamping surface (206) of the chuck (201) as long as the maintenance tool (300) is arranged in the through channel of the chuck (200).

14. The maintenance tool (300) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein: The rod element (301) has a collecting tank (307) at one end, or is arranged to be arranged in a collecting tank, wherein the through hole (302) of the rod element (301) is arranged to be in fluid communication with the collecting tank (307).

15. The maintenance tool (300) according to claim 14, wherein: The rod element (301) of the maintenance tool (300) is rotatably mounted relative to the collection tank (307).

16. The maintenance tool (300) according to claim 14, wherein: The rod element (301) of the maintenance tool (300) is mounted such that it cannot rotate relative to the collection tank (307).

17. The maintenance tool (300) according to claim 14, wherein: The collection tank (307) has at least one permeable filter fleece (310).

18. A machining station for a machine tool, the machine tool comprising a spindle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, a chuck (200) according to any one of claims 8 to 11 connected to the spindle (1), a maintenance tool (300) according to any one of claims 12 to 17, a compressed air unit connected to a compressed air inlet (104) of the spindle (1) and a lubricant supply connected to a lubricant inlet (105) of the spindle (1), in, The processing station also includes a drive unit and a control unit, wherein the drive unit is configured to rotate the spindle (1), and wherein the control unit is configured to actuate the processing station in at least two operating modes, the at least two operating modes being a first operating mode and a second operating mode, the first operating mode being used, for example, for processing a workpiece, and the second operating mode being used, for example, for maintaining the processing station, wherein the compressed air unit of the spindle (1) supplies compressed air at a first pressure level in the first operating mode, in particular for ejecting foreign matter, and wherein the compressed air unit of the spindle and the lubricant supply part supply lubricant and compressed air sequentially or simultaneously at at least a second pressure level in the second operating mode, wherein a maintenance tool is introduced into the through channel of the chuck (200).

19. The processing station according to claim 18, wherein: In the second operating mode, the handle element (110) of the spindle (1) is further repeatedly moved in the longitudinal direction (L) of the handle element (110) of the spindle (1), as a result of which the connecting element (202) of the chuck (200) connected to the spindle moves in the longitudinal direction (L) of the handle element (110) relative to the clamping element (201) of the chuck (200).

20. A processing station according to claim 18 or 19, wherein: The spindle shank (121) of the spindle (1) rotates at a variable rotational speed in the second operating mode, and as a result, the chuck (200) of the processing station connected to the spindle shank (121) rotates at a variable rotational speed.

21. The processing station according to claim 18, wherein: The control unit obtains at least one of the following information fragments: The time during which the processing station operates in the second operating mode; the number and / or duration of operations of the processing station in the second operating mode; The amount of lubricant supplied during operation of the processing station in the second operating mode.

22. A method for maintaining a chuck (200) of a processing station according to any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein: The method for maintaining a chuck (200) comprises the following steps: Checking whether the through-channel of the chuck (200) according to any one of claims 8 to 11 has a tool for machining a workpiece; If tools are present, remove them; Introducing a maintenance tool (300) according to any one of claims 12 to 17 into the through-channel of the chuck (200); supplying compressed air and / or lubricant into the chuck (200) via a through hole of a shank element (110) of a spindle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 of a processing station; and The maintenance tool (300) is removed from the through passage of the cartridge (200).

23. The method for maintaining a chuck (200) according to claim 22, wherein: The method further comprises at least one of the following steps: Moving a handle element (110) of a main spindle (1) of a machine tool along a longitudinal direction (L) of the handle element (110); Rotating a spindle handle (121) of the spindle (1) at a variable rotation speed; Determine the time for implementing the method; determining the implementation of said method; determining the duration of the method; Determine the amount of lubricant supplied.

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