Lifting type tool magazine mechanism

Abstract

The invention relates to a lifting type tool magazine mechanism which is arranged on a processing machine and comprises a lifting type tool storage device and a tool exchange device. The lifting type tool storage device is provided with a lifting unit capable of moving along the Y axis, the lifting unit is provided with a plurality of tool holder seats used for storing tools, the tool exchange device can move along at least one of the X axis and the Z axis, and the preset tool holder seats are moved to the tool exchange position from the tool holder seat exchange position so that a main shaft can conduct tool exchange. Therefore, efficient tool changing is achieved, and machining machine space occupied by the tool magazine is reduced. And a tool holder rotation driving unit can be mounted on the tool exchange device according to requirements, and can drive the tool holder to rotate around the Z axis according to the tool exchange direction requirement of the main shaft, so that the function of multi-directional tool exchange is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a tool magazine system, in particular to a lifting type tool magazine mechanism. Background Art

[0002] In order to improve work efficiency, the processing machine will be equipped with a tool magazine, such as a conical tool magazine, a chain tool magazine, a disc tool magazine, etc., and used in conjunction with a tool arm to improve work efficiency.

[0003] However, after practice by relevant technical personnel, it was found that the tool library in the past had the following technical problems:

[0004] 1. Unable to change tools in multiple directions: Most of the tool magazines on the market can only change tools in the same direction. For example, when the spindle is clamped on the side, it is impossible to change tools in multiple directions in the same tool magazine. Otherwise, a complex structure is required to turn the tool.

[0005] 2. Problems of small tool magazine capacity and single-specification tool holders: The number of tools that can be placed in commercially available tool magazines is limited, and the same tool magazine cannot carry tools with tool holders of different specifications. For example, when the specifications of the side head taper hole clamped by the spindle are different from the spindle taper hole, the versatility is limited.

[0006] 3. It takes up a lot of space: In addition, the tool magazines available on the market have a complex structure, so that the size of the tool magazine cannot be effectively reduced, but instead increases the size of the processing machine.

[0007] In view of this, those skilled in the art are actively developing a technical solution to solve the above-mentioned problems to improve the defects of the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0008] In view of the above situation, it is necessary to provide a lifting tool magazine mechanism that solves at least one of the above problems, which is arranged in a processing machine, the processing machine is provided with a working platform and at least one spindle, and the lifting tool magazine mechanism includes:

[0009] A lifting tool storage device, which has a lifting unit displaced along the Y axis, wherein the lifting unit is provided with a plurality of tool holders from top to bottom, wherein the tool holders are provided with at least one tool, and the tool holders are lifted and displaced by the lifting unit and switched between a plurality of tool storage positions and a tool holder changing position;

[0010] And a tool exchange device, which can disengage the tool holder at the tool changing holder position, and drive the corresponding tool holder to shift from the tool changing holder position to the tool changing position along at least one of the X-axis and the Z-axis, so that the spindle can remove or put back the tool from the tool holder, or return the tool holder to the corresponding lifting unit at the tool changing holder position along at least one of the X-axis and the Z-axis, so that the tool holder can run along the Y-axis again at the multiple tool storage positions.

[0011] Preferably, the tool holder seat is arranged on the lifting unit through a positioning frame, the positioning frame is provided with a plurality of support arms, and the tool holder seat is respectively mounted on the corresponding support arms.

[0012] Preferably, the lifting unit is composed of two sliding mechanisms, a lifting plate and a driving unit. Each of the sliding mechanisms is respectively mounted on the back of the processing machine. The positioning frame is fixed on the top of the lifting plate, and the lifting plate is connected to the sliding mechanism. The driving unit drives the lifting plate to horizontally displace it along the Y-axis on the sliding mechanism.

[0013] Preferably, the sliding mechanism includes a slide rail and a slide seat, the slide rails are fixed on the back sides of both sides of the processing machine, the slide seat is slidably mounted on the corresponding slide rails, and the slide seat is symmetrically fixed on the lifting plate.

[0014] Preferably, the processing machine is provided with a machine base, the working platform is arranged on the machine base, the machine base is provided with a column, the spindle can be moved along the Y-axis and is arranged on the column, the inner wall of the column is provided with a frame, and the tool exchange device also includes an X-axis drive unit, the X-axis drive unit is arranged on the frame, and the X-axis drive unit is used to drive the tool holder to move along the X-axis.

[0015] Preferably, a Z-axis driving unit is disposed on the X-axis driving unit of the tool exchange device, and the X-axis driving unit can cooperate with the Z-axis driving unit to drive the tool holder seat to move along the X-axis and the Z-axis.

[0016] Preferably, the tool exchange device further comprises a tool holder seat rotation driving unit, and the tool holder seat rotation driving unit rotates one of the tool holder seats.

[0017] Preferably, the tool exchange device further comprises a locking unit, and the locking unit is used to lock the corresponding locking holes at both ends of the tool holder.

[0018] Preferably, the tool exchange device is arranged on both sides of the working platform, and the working platform can be displaced along the X-axis or the X-axis and the Z-axis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] 10. Processing machine; 11. Working platform; 12. Spindle; 13. Machine base; 14. Column; 15. Frame;

[0020] 100. Lifting tool magazine mechanism;

[0021] 20. lifting type tool storage device; 21. lifting unit; 211. sliding mechanism; 2111. slide rail; 2112. slide seat; 212. lifting plate; 213. driving unit; 22. tool holder; 221. locking hole; 23. tool; 24. positioning frame; 241. support arm;

[0022] 30. Tool exchange device; 31. X-axis drive unit; 32. Locking unit; 33. Tool holder rotation drive unit; 34. Z-axis drive unit;

[0023] P1, tool storage position; P2, tool change clamp position; P3, tool change position.

[0024] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a lifting tool magazine mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention applied to a processing machine.

[0025] Figure 2 It is a side view of the lifting tool magazine mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention applied to a processing machine.

[0026] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of a combination of a lifting tool storage device and a tool exchange device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of the lifting type tool storage device and the combination of the limit frame and the tool holder seat in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of a tool holder and a tool exchange device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 6 It is a schematic structural diagram of the combination of a tool holder and a tool exchange device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the tool exchange device according to an embodiment of the present invention driving the tool holder to move toward the spindle so as to allow the spindle to remove the tool.

[0031] Figure 8 It is a side view of another tool exchange device embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Fig. 9 It is a structural schematic diagram of another lifting horizontal knife storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Fig.10 The main shaft of the embodiment of the present invention has a side head and when changing the tool, the tool holder rotates to conform to the schematic diagram of the main shaft tool gripping direction.

[0034] Fig.11 It is a schematic structural diagram of a Z-axis driving unit disposed on an X-axis driving unit of a tool exchange device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the lifting tool magazine mechanism of the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0036] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" means two or more; the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "left", "right", "inside", "outside", "front end", "rear end", "head", "tail", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside" and the like indicate the orientation or position relationship based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, which is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" and the like are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0037] In the description of this utility, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "connection" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this utility can be understood by specific circumstances.

[0038] See also Figures 1 to 3 A lifting tool magazine mechanism 100 is provided on a processing machine 10. The processing machine 10 has a working platform 11 and at least one spindle 12. The processing machine 10 has a machine base 13. The working platform 11 is provided on the machine base 13. The machine base 13 is provided with a column 14. The spindle 12 can move along the Y axis and is provided on the column 14. The lifting tool magazine mechanism 100 includes a lifting tool storage device 20 and a tool exchange device 30. In this embodiment, the spindle 12 can slide along the Z axis and is provided with an axis parallel to the Y axis.

[0039] See also Figure 3 and Figure 4 The lifting tool storage device 20 has a lifting unit 21 that moves along the Y axis. The lifting unit 21 is provided with a plurality of tool holders 22 from top to bottom. The tool holder 22 has at least one tool 23. The tool holder 22 is lifted and moved by the lifting unit 21 and switched between a plurality of tool storage positions P1 and a tool changing holder position P2.

[0040] See also Figures 5 to 7The tool exchange device 30 is capable of disengaging the tool holder seat 22 at the tool holder seat position P2, and driving the corresponding tool holder seat 22 to shift from the tool holder seat position P2 to a tool changing position P3 along at least one of the X-axis and the Z-axis, so that the spindle 12 can remove or replay the tool 23 from the tool holder seat 22, or return the tool holder seat 22 to the corresponding lifting unit 21 at the tool holder seat position P2 along the X-axis, so that the tool holder seat 22 can re-operate at the multiple tool storage positions P1 along the Y-axis.

[0041] Please continue reading Figures 1 to 7 The processing machine 10 is provided with a frame 15 on the inner wall of both sides of the column 14, and the tool exchange device 30 includes an X-axis driving unit 31, a tool holder seat rotation driving unit 33 rotating around the Z axis, and a locking unit 32. The X-axis driving unit 31 is respectively provided on the frame 15, and the X-axis driving unit 31 is used to drive one of the tool holder seats 22 to move along the X axis; the tool holder seat rotation driving unit 33 is used to rotate the tool holder seat 22 together with the tool 23 around the Z axis. The locking unit 32 is used to lock the locking holes 221 at both ends of the corresponding tool holder seat 22. Through the above structure, the tool exchange device 30 improves the efficiency of the tool holder seat 22 exchange process, and can quickly and accurately move the tool holder seat 22 to a predetermined position. The tool holder seat rotation driving unit 33 drives the tool holder seat 22 together with the tool 23 to rotate around the Z axis according to the tool change demand direction of the spindle 12, and the locking unit 32 quickly locks the locking holes 221 at both ends of the tool holder seat 22 to increase the efficiency and stability during the exchange process.

[0042] See also Figure 3 and Figure 4 The plurality of tool holders 22 are arranged on the lifting unit 21 through a positioning frame 24, and the positioning frame 24 has a plurality of left-right symmetrical support arms 241, and the plurality of tool holders 22 are respectively mounted on the corresponding plurality of support arms 241. Through the above structure, the positioning frame 24 and its symmetrical support arms 241 provide stable structural support, ensuring the stability of the tool holder 22 after positioning.

[0043] Please continue reading Figure 3 and Figure 4 The lifting unit 21 includes two sliding mechanisms 211, a lifting plate 212 and a driving unit 213. The sliding mechanisms 211 are respectively mounted on the back of the processing machine 10. A positioning frame 24 is fixed above the lifting plate 212. The lifting plate 212 is combined with the sliding mechanism 211. The driving unit 213 drives the lifting plate 212 to horizontally move along the Y axis to the sliding mechanism 211. Through the above structure, the lifting unit 21 provides precise Y-axis motion control, so that the tool holder 22 can move more accurately between different tool storage positions P1 and tool change holder positions P2.

[0044] Please continue reading Figure 3 and Figure 4Each sliding mechanism 211 includes a slide rail 2111 and a slide seat 2112. The slide rails 2111 are respectively fixed on the back sides of the processing machine 10. The slide seats 2112 are slidably mounted on the corresponding slide rails 2111, and the slide seats 2112 are symmetrically fixed on both sides of the lifting plate 212. Through the above structure, the sliding mechanism 211 composed of the slide rails 2111 and the slide seat 2112 ensures the smooth operation of the lifting unit 21 in the Y-axis direction.

[0045] See also Figures 1 to 7 , the working principle of the present invention is as follows:

[0046] 1. Tool storage process: In the initial state, the tool holder seat 22 is at the tool storage position P1 , which is distributed along the Y-axis direction of the lifting unit 21 , and each tool holder seat 22 is mounted on the lifting unit 21 .

[0047] 2. Lifting process: When the tool holder seat 22 needs to be replaced, the lifting unit 21 can move along the Y axis to move the designated tool holder seat 22 from its tool storage position P1 to the tool holder seat replacement position P2.

[0048] 3. Removal of the tool holder 22 and exchange of the tool 23: When the tool holder 22 reaches the tool holder position P2, the tool exchange device 30 moves along the X-axis. After the tool exchange device 30 locks the tool holder 22 at the tool holder position P2, it moves along the X-axis to disengage the tool holder 22 from the lifting tool storage device 20 and move it to the tool changing position P3, so that the spindle 12 can accurately dock with the tool holder 22, thereby performing the operation of taking and placing the tool 23.

[0049] 4. Returning the tool holder 22: After the tool 23 of the tool holder 22 is used, the tool exchange device 30 will move the tool holder 22 back to the tool holder position P2 along the X axis and release the lock. Then the lifting unit 21 will start again to move the tool holder 22 from the tool holder position P2 back to the tool storage position P1. This process ensures that the tool 23 is properly stored when not in use and is ready for the next use.

[0050] 5. Rotation process of tool holder 22: Please refer to Fig.10 When the tool changing direction of the spindle 12 is inconsistent with the direction of the tool 23 , it is necessary to control the tool holder rotation drive unit 33 to rotate the locked tool holder 22 around the Z axis to match the tool changing direction of the spindle 12 .

[0051] See also Fig.11 When the spindle 12 of the processing machine 10 can only move along the Y-axis, a Z-axis drive unit 34 can be installed on the X-axis drive unit 31 of the tool exchange device 30 to drive one of the tool holders 22 to move along the X-axis and the Z-axis to complete the tool changing action of the spindle 12.

[0052] See also Figure 8 The tool exchange device 30 can also be arranged on both sides of the work platform 11, and the tool exchange device 30 can move along the X-axis or along the X-axis and the Z-axis along with the work platform 11. Through the above structure, the tool exchange device 30 saves the material cost of the X-axis drive unit 31 or the X-axis drive unit 31 and the Z-axis drive unit 34.

[0053] See also Fig. 9 The tool holder 22 and the tool 23 can also be stored lying down to increase the number of tool holders 22 and tools 23 or to meet the needs of tool changing directions.

[0054] Through the above structure, the advantages of the present invention are as follows:

[0055] 1. Efficient replacement of tools 23: The lifting tool magazine mechanism 100 of the present invention enables the lifting unit 21 to quickly locate and select the required tool holder 22 position through the coordinated operation of the lifting tool storage device 20 and the tool exchange device 30, greatly shortening the tool holder 22 exchange time to achieve the purpose of efficient replacement of tools 23.

[0056] 2. High space utilization efficiency: please refer to Figure 4 and Fig. 9 The present invention uses the design of the lifting tool storage device 20 to allow multiple tool holders 22 to be arranged along the Y axis. This storage method can effectively reduce the space required for storing the tool 23.

[0057] 3. High versatility: The present invention uses the design of the tool holder rotation drive unit 33 to rotate the tool holder 22 according to the tool changing direction of the spindle 12 to achieve the function of multi-directional tool changing.

[0058] The technical features of the above-described embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-described embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0059] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the present invention in any form. Although the present invention has been disclosed as a preferred embodiment as above, it is not used to limit the present invention. Any technician familiar with this profession can make some changes or modify the technical content of the above invention into an equivalent embodiment with equivalent changes without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. However, any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiment according to the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention still falls within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A lifting tool magazine mechanism, characterized in that: The processing machine is provided with a working platform and at least one spindle, and the lifting tool magazine mechanism includes: A lifting tool storage device, which has a lifting unit displaced along the Y axis, wherein the lifting unit is provided with a plurality of tool holders from top to bottom, wherein the tool holders are provided with at least one tool, and the tool holders are lifted and displaced by the lifting unit and switched between a plurality of tool storage positions and a tool holder changing position; And a tool exchange device, which can disengage the tool holder at the tool changing holder position, and drive the corresponding tool holder to shift from the tool changing holder position to the tool changing position along at least one of the X-axis and the Z-axis, so that the spindle can remove or put back the tool from the tool holder, or return the tool holder to the corresponding lifting unit at the tool changing holder position along at least one of the X-axis and the Z-axis, so that the tool holder can run along the Y-axis again at the multiple tool storage positions.

2. The lifting tool magazine mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tool holder seat is arranged on the lifting unit through a positioning frame, the positioning frame is provided with a plurality of supporting arms, and the tool holder seat is respectively arranged on the corresponding supporting arms.

3. The lifting tool magazine mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The lifting unit is composed of two sliding mechanisms, a lifting plate and a driving unit. Each of the sliding mechanisms is respectively mounted on the back of the processing machine. The positioning frame is fixed on the top of the lifting plate, and the lifting plate is connected to the sliding mechanism. The driving unit drives the lifting plate to horizontally displace it along the Y-axis on the sliding mechanism.

4. The lifting tool magazine mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: The sliding mechanism includes a slide rail and a slide seat. The slide rails are fixed on the back sides of both sides of the processing machine. The slide seat is slidably mounted on the corresponding slide rails, and the slide seat is symmetrically fixed on the lifting plate.

5. The lifting tool magazine mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: The processing machine is provided with a machine base, the working platform is arranged on the machine base, the machine base is provided with a column, the spindle is movable along the Y-axis and is arranged on the column, the inner wall of the column is provided with a frame, and the tool exchange device also includes an X-axis drive unit, the X-axis drive unit is arranged on the frame, and the X-axis drive unit is used to drive the tool holder to move along the X-axis.

6. The lifting tool magazine mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that: A Z-axis driving unit is disposed on the X-axis driving unit of the tool exchange device, and the X-axis driving unit can cooperate with the Z-axis driving unit to drive the tool holder seat to move along the X-axis and the Z-axis.

7. The lifting tool magazine mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that: The tool exchange device further includes a tool holder seat rotation driving unit, which rotates one of the tool holder seats.

8. The lifting tool magazine mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that: The tool exchange device further comprises a locking unit, and the locking unit is used to lock the corresponding locking holes at both ends of the tool holder.

9. The lifting tool magazine mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that: The tool exchange device is arranged on both sides of the working platform, and the working platform can be displaced along the X-axis or the X-axis and the Z-axis.

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