Grinding tool holder, grinding tool, and grinding system

Abstract

A polishing tool (1) stores and holds a reference dimension (M), which is the initial dimension of a linear abrasive material (2), the number of polishing operations, and a wear pattern (P) in which the amount of wear caused by one polishing operation and the number of polishing operations are associated in a storage unit (52) of a polishing tool holder (4). When a rotation detector (53) detects a rotation state, a control unit (51) of a polishing tool holder (4) adds 1 to the number of polishing operations, updates the number of polishing operations, and acquires the amount of wear by referring to a wear pattern (P) on the basis of the updated number of polishing operations. Furthermore, when the end of the rotation state is detected, the control unit (51) drives the motor to operate the movement mechanism (22), and performs an abrasive protrusion operation in which the polishing brush (3) is moved in the axial direction by a distance corresponding to the amount of wear.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a grinding tool holder for detachably holding a grinding tool such as a grinding brush. The present invention also relates to a grinding tool having a grinding tool and a grinding tool holder. The present invention also relates to a grinding system including a grinding tool and a cloud computer connected to the grinding tool via a network. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 describes a grinding tool holder that can detachably hold a grinding brush. In the document, the grinding tool holder has a handle, a sleeve located in front of the handle in the axial direction of the handle, and a shaft extending coaxially with the handle on the inner side of the sleeve. The shaft can rotate relative to the handle and the sleeve around the axis. In addition, the grinding tool holder has a bolt portion provided on the shaft on the inner side of the sleeve and a nut screwed into the bolt portion. The grinding tool is a grinding brush, which has: a plurality of linear abrasives arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction toward the axial direction of the handle; and an abrasive holder that holds one end of the plurality of linear abrasives in the axial direction. The abrasive holder of the grinding tool is connected to the nut and is held on the grinding tool holder. When the grinding tool is held on the grinding tool holder, the other end of the plurality of linear abrasives protrudes forward from the sleeve.

[0003] The grinding tool holder of the document has a nut moving mechanism for moving the nut along the bolt portion in the axial direction. The nut moving mechanism includes a nut rotation limiting mechanism for limiting the relative rotation of the nut with respect to the sleeve, and an operating member for causing the shaft to rotate relative to the sleeve. The operating member is a gear coaxially fixed to the shaft. The gear includes a gear portion exposed to the outside from the grinding tool holder.

[0004] When grinding a workpiece, the grinding tool is connected to the main shaft of the machine tool. The machine tool makes the grinding tool approach the workpiece while rotating, so that the abrasive contacts the grinding target surface of the workpiece. When the grinding of the grinding target surface is completed, the machine tool makes the grinding tool leave the workpiece and stops the rotation of the grinding tool.

[0005] In this document, when the abrasive is worn due to the grinding action, the machine tool performs an abrasive protrusion action. In the abrasive protrusion action, the machine tool moves the grinding tool in the rotation stop state to the abrasive protrusion amount adjustment position. In addition, the machine tool meshes the rack configured at the abrasive protrusion amount adjustment position with the gear portion of the gear exposed from the grinding tool holder, so that the grinding tool moves a specified amount. Thus, since the shaft of the grinding tool holder rotates, the nut moves forward in the axial direction. Therefore, the grinding tool connected to the nut moves forward, and the abrasive protrudes forward from the sleeve. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2015 / 178273 Summary of the invention Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0007] In a production line for manufacturing articles, a grinding process is sometimes performed in which a plurality of identical parts (workpieces) are continuously ground one by one. That is, in a production line, a grinding process is sometimes performed in which the same grinding action is repeatedly performed while replacing parts (workpieces).

[0008] In the case of such a grinding process with the above-mentioned grinding tool, first, the first workpiece is arranged at a specified processing position, and the grinding action on the first workpiece is performed. In the grinding action, the machine tool rotates the grinding tool while the grinding tool 1 is close to the first workpiece, so that the distance between the main shaft of the machine tool and the first workpiece becomes the set distance. The set distance is the distance at which the abrasive of the grinding tool held by the grinding tool holder contacts the grinding target surface of the workpiece with a specified cut-in amount. In addition, the machine tool moves the grinding tool along the specified grinding path while maintaining the distance between the main shaft and the first workpiece at the set distance. Then, when the grinding action on the first workpiece is completed, the machine tool makes the grinding tool holder leave the first workpiece and replaces the first workpiece located at the processing position with the second workpiece. In addition, the machine tool performs an abrasive protrusion action. That is, the machine tool moves the grinding tool to the abrasive protrusion amount adjustment position, meshes the gear portion of the gear of the rack and the grinding tool holder to move the grinding tool, thereby rotating the gear. As a result, since the shaft of the grinding tool holder rotates, the grinding tool moves along the axial direction by an amount corresponding to the rotation of the gear, and the abrasive protrudes forward.

[0009] Next, the grinding action on the second workpiece is performed. That is, the machine tool rotates the grinding tool while bringing the grinding tool close to the second workpiece, so that the distance between the main shaft of the machine tool and the second workpiece becomes the set distance. Then, the machine tool moves the grinding tool along the specified grinding path while maintaining the distance between the main shaft and the first workpiece at the set distance. Then, when the grinding action on the second workpiece is finished, the machine tool makes the grinding tool holder leave the second workpiece and replaces the second workpiece located at the processing position with the third workpiece. In addition, the machine tool performs an abrasive protrusion action. That is, the machine tool moves the grinding tool to the abrasive protrusion amount adjustment position, and the gear part of the gear of the rack and the grinding tool holder is meshed to move the grinding tool, thereby rotating the gear. As a result, since the shaft of the grinding tool holder rotates, the grinding tool moves along the axial direction by an amount corresponding to the rotation of the gear, and the abrasive protrudes forward. After that, the grinding action on the third workpiece is performed. In the grinding process, this series of actions are repeated until the workpiece of the grinding object disappears.

[0010] Thus, when using the conventional grinding tool in the grinding process, each time the grinding operation of a workpiece is finished, the grinding tool needs to be moved to the abrasive protrusion amount adjustment position to perform the abrasive protrusion operation. Therefore, there is a problem that the cycle time required for grinding one workpiece becomes longer.

[0011] In addition, for example, when the abrasive is a linear abrasive, even when the same grinding action is performed to grind parts of the same shape, the amount of wear of the abrasive worn in one grinding action is different depending on the hair length of the abrasive (the length dimension of the linear abrasive). Therefore, in the above-mentioned grinding process, whenever the grinding action on a workpiece is completed, the protrusion amount of the abrasive must be changed based on the length dimension of the abrasive at the start time of grinding the workpiece. That is, the rotation amount of the gear must be adjusted based on the length dimension of the linear abrasive at the start time of grinding the workpiece so that the abrasive protrudes by an amount corresponding to the wear amount.

[0012] Here, if the protrusion amount of the abrasive based on the protrusion action of the abrasive does not correspond to the wear amount of the abrasive worn by the grinding action of the previous workpiece, when the distance between the main shaft of the machine tool and the second workpiece is made to be the set distance at the beginning of the grinding of the next workpiece, the cutting amount of the abrasive relative to the next workpiece is different from the cutting amount of the abrasive relative to the previous workpiece. Therefore, the grinding accuracy is deviated between the multiple workpieces being ground in the grinding process.

[0013] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a grinding tool holder, which can automatically protrude the abrasive when performing a grinding process in which the workpiece is replaced while the same grinding action is performed multiple times in a row, and can prevent or suppress the situation where the grinding accuracy of each workpiece is deviated. In addition, a grinding tool composed of such a grinding tool holder and a grinding tool is provided. The present invention also provides a grinding system, which can automatically protrude the abrasive when performing a grinding process in which the workpiece is replaced while the same grinding action is performed multiple times in a row, and can prevent or suppress the situation where the grinding accuracy of each workpiece is deviated. Technical solutions to technical problems

[0014] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a grinding tool holder, comprising: a handle portion, which is connected to the main shaft of a machine tool; a supporting mechanism, which supports the grinding tool including an abrasive holder and the abrasive held by the abrasive holder movably along the axial direction of the handle portion; and a moving mechanism, which has a driving source to move the grinding tool along the axial direction, and the grinding tool holder is characterized in that it includes: a control unit, which drives and controls the driving source; a storage unit, which is connected to the control unit; a rotation detection unit, which detects the rotation state of the machine tool; a power supply, which supplies power to the driving source and the control unit, wherein the storage unit stores and maintains a reference size of the abrasive as the size of the grinding tool when the grinding tool is supported by the supporting mechanism, a grinding number as the number of times the rotation detector detects the rotation state. The control unit comprises: a grinding action number updating unit, which calculates a new grinding action number obtained by adding 1 to the grinding action number when the rotation detector detects the rotation state, and updates the grinding action number in the storage unit; a wear amount acquisition unit, which acquires the wear amount by referring to the wear pattern based on the grinding action number when calculating the grinding action number; and a drive control unit, which drives the drive source to activate the moving mechanism to perform an abrasive protruding action to move the grinding tool to the opposite side of the shank by a distance corresponding to the wear amount when detecting that the rotation state has ended based on the output from the rotation detector.

[0015] According to the present invention, the grinding tool holder includes a moving mechanism that has a driving source and moves the grinding tool supported by the supporting mechanism, a control unit that drives and controls the driving source, and a power supply that supplies power to the driving source and the control unit. Therefore, the grinding tool holder can drive the moving mechanism by driving the driving source through the control unit to drive the control unit to drive the driving source, so that the grinding tool moves along the axial direction. Therefore, the grinding tool holder can automatically perform an abrasive protrusion action that moves the grinding tool along the axial direction and causes the abrasive to protrude to the opposite side of the handle.

[0016] In addition, according to the present invention, the storage unit stores a reference size of the abrasive at the moment when the grinding tool is supported by the supporting mechanism, a number of grinding actions as the number of times the rotation detector detects the rotation state, and a wear pattern that associates the amount of wear of the abrasive of the reference size through one grinding action of grinding the workpiece with the number of grinding actions. When the rotation detector detects the rotation state, the control unit adds 1 to the number of grinding actions, updates the number of grinding actions, and obtains the wear amount based on the updated number of grinding actions by referring to the wear pattern. Then, when the rotation state is detected to have ended based on the output from the rotation detector, the control unit drives the driving source to move the moving mechanism, performs an abrasive protrusion action to move the grinding tool along the axial direction by a distance corresponding to the wear amount, and protrudes the abrasive.

[0017] Here, for example, when the abrasive is a linear abrasive, even in the case of the same grinding action of grinding parts of the same shape, the wear amount of the abrasive worn in one grinding action is different according to the difference in the length size of the abrasive at the beginning of the grinding action. That is, when the abrasive is a linear abrasive, the shorter the length size of the abrasive at the beginning of the grinding action, the more the rigidity of the abrasive increases, and therefore the wear amount of one grinding action becomes more. Therefore, in the case where the protrusion amount (movement amount of the grinding tool) of the abrasive protruding by the abrasive protruding action is constant, since the cut-in amount of the abrasive for the next workpiece changes, the precision of the grinding process between the multiple workpieces of continuous grinding will be caused to deviate. In response to this, the grinding tool holder of the present invention obtains the wear amount of the abrasive from the wear pattern stored in the storage unit at the end of each grinding action. The wear pattern is a pattern associated with the wear amount of the abrasive of the reference size at the moment of being supported by the supporting mechanism and the number of grinding actions. Therefore, if the wear amount is obtained by referring to the wear pattern based on the number of grinding actions, the acquired wear amount reflects the wear amount of the abrasive that changes according to the length dimension of the linear abrasive at the start of the grinding action. Therefore, the protrusion amount of the abrasive caused by the abrasive protrusion action can correspond to the wear amount of the abrasive worn by the grinding of the previous workpiece. Therefore, if the grinding tool holder of the present invention holds the grinding tool, in the grinding process of changing the workpiece while performing the same grinding action for multiple times, the protrusion of the abrasive can be automatically performed, and the deviation of the grinding accuracy in each workpiece can be prevented or suppressed.

[0018] In the present invention, the drive control unit can perform the abrasive protruding operation when the rotation state is detected to be finished. That is, when the grinding operation on one workpiece is finished, the abrasive protruding operation can be performed continuously.

[0019] In the present invention, after the drive control unit detects the end of the rotation state, the abrasive protrusion action is performed when the rotation detector detects the rotation state next time. That is, after the grinding action on one workpiece is completed, the abrasive protrusion action can be performed when the machine tool rotates the grinding tool for the grinding action of the next workpiece.

[0020] In the present invention, a notification unit is included, and the control unit includes: an abrasive length size calculation unit, which calculates the size obtained by subtracting the wear amount from the reference size as the abrasive length size when the wear amount is initially obtained and stores it in the storage unit, and then, whenever the wear amount is obtained, the size obtained by subtracting the wear amount from the abrasive length size is calculated as a new abrasive length size and updates the abrasive length size of the storage unit; a replacement determination unit, which determines whether the grinding tool needs to be replaced based on the abrasive length size and the reference size whenever the abrasive length size is calculated; and a replacement notification unit, which drives the notification unit to notify the grinding tool when it is determined that the grinding tool needs to be replaced. That is, whenever the grinding action ends, the control unit calculates the abrasive length size of the abrasive at the end time, and determines whether it needs to be replaced based on the abrasive length size and the reference size. Then, when the control unit determines that it needs to be replaced, it can drive the notification unit to notify the grinding tool.

[0021] In the present invention, a communication unit is included, and the communication unit communicates with an external device, and the reference size and the wear pattern are input to the control unit via the communication unit and stored in the storage unit. In this case, the communication unit can perform wireless communication with the external device. In addition, the communication unit can perform wired communication with the external device.

[0022] In the present invention, the rotation detector may be an acceleration sensor.

[0023] The rotation detector may be a vibration sensor. When the grinding tool holder is rotated by the machine tool, vibration is generated in the grinding tool holder. Therefore, by detecting the vibration, the rotation state of the grinding tool holder can be detected.

[0024] In the present invention, the rotation detector includes a conduction member that moves using centrifugal force, and the conduction member may be a switch that opens and closes an electric circuit.

[0025] In the present invention, the supporting mechanism includes: a connecting member, which has a through hole extending along the axial direction; and a shaft member, which coaxially extends through the through hole with the shank and extends along the axial direction, the driving source is an electric motor, and the moving mechanism includes: a rotation supporting mechanism, which rotatably supports the shaft member around the axis; an internal thread, which is arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole; an external thread, which is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft member and screwed with the internal thread; a driving force transmission mechanism, which transmits the rotation of the motor to the shaft member; a sleeve, which guides the connecting member along the axial direction on the outer peripheral side of the connecting member and the shaft member; and a rotation limiting mechanism, which limits the idling of the connecting member and the shaft member, in the grinding tool, the abrasive holder is connected to the connecting portion so that a part of the abrasive protrudes outward from the sleeve, and the control unit drives the motor to rotate the shaft member and move the connecting member along the axial direction.

[0026] Next, the grinding tool of the present invention is characterized in that it has: the above-mentioned grinding tool holder; and a grinding tool, which includes an abrasive holder and an abrasive held by the abrasive holder, the abrasive including a plurality of linear abrasives arranged in parallel in the length direction toward the axial direction, the abrasive holder holds one end of the plurality of linear abrasives in the axial direction, and the grinding tool is supported by the grinding tool holder so that the other end of the plurality of linear abrasives contacts the workpiece to grind the workpiece.

[0027] In addition, the grinding tool of the present invention is characterized in that it has: the above-mentioned grinding tool holder; and a grinding tool, the grinding tool includes an abrasive holder and an abrasive held by the abrasive holder, the abrasive is an elastic grinding stone, the abrasive holder holds one end of the elastic grinding stone in the axial direction, and the grinding tool is supported by the grinding tool holder so that the other end of the elastic grinding stone contacts the workpiece to grind the workpiece. In this case, the elastic grinding stone may contain an elastic foam, a polymer, and abrasive grains.

[0028] In addition, the grinding tool of the present invention is characterized in that it has: the above-mentioned grinding tool holder; and a grinding tool, which includes an abrasive holder and an abrasive held by the abrasive holder, the abrasive is a rigid grinding stone, the abrasive holder holds one end of the grinding stone in the axial direction, and the grinding tool is supported by the grinding tool holder so that the other end of the grinding stone contacts the workpiece to grind the workpiece.

[0029] Next, the present invention provides a grinding system, comprising: a grinding tool, the grinding tool comprising: a grinding tool including an abrasive holder and an abrasive held by the abrasive holder, and a grinding tool holder having a shank connected to a main shaft of a machine tool, a supporting mechanism for movably supporting the grinding tool along the axial direction of the shank, and a moving mechanism including a driving source and moving the grinding tool along the axial direction; and a cloud computer, the cloud computer is communicatively connected to the grinding tool holder via a network, the grinding system is characterized in that the grinding tool holder comprises: a control unit, the control unit drives and controls the driving source based on a driving instruction; a rotation detector, the rotation detector detects the rotation state of the machine tool; a power supply, the power supply supplies power to the driving source and the control unit; and a communication unit, the communication unit communicates with the cloud computer, the communication unit sends the output from the rotation detector to the cloud computer, and receives the driving instruction from the cloud computer and inputs it to the control unit, the cloud computer comprises: a storage unit, the storage unit stores a basic value of the size of the abrasive when the grinding tool is supported by the supporting mechanism a grinding tool control unit, the grinding tool control unit comprising: a grinding action number updating unit, which calculates a new grinding action number obtained by adding 1 to the grinding action number when the rotation detector detects the rotation state, and updates the grinding action number in the storage unit; a wear amount acquisition unit, which acquires the wear amount by referring to the wear pattern based on the grinding action number when calculating the grinding action number; a drive instruction issuing unit, which issues the drive instruction for driving the drive source to actuate the moving mechanism and perform an abrasive protruding action to move the grinding tool to the opposite side of the shank by a distance corresponding to the wear amount when the rotation detector detects the rotation state based on the output from the rotation detector; and a command sending unit, which sends the drive instruction to the grinding tool holder when the drive instruction is issued.

[0030] The grinding system of the present invention includes: a grinding tool composed of a grinding tool holder and a grinding tool; and a cloud computer connected to the grinding tool holder via a network. The grinding tool control unit of the cloud computer includes a drive instruction issuing unit that issues a drive instruction. The grinding tool holder includes a moving mechanism that has a driving source and moves the grinding tool supported by a supporting mechanism, a control unit that drives and controls the driving source based on the driving instruction, and a power supply that supplies power to the driving source and the control unit. Therefore, the grinding system can drive the moving mechanism of the grinding tool holder based on the driving instruction from the cloud computer to move the grinding tool along the axial direction. Therefore, the grinding tool can automatically perform an abrasive protrusion action that moves the grinding tool along the axial direction and causes the abrasive to protrude to the opposite side of the handle.

[0031] In addition, in the present invention, the cloud computer that can communicate with the grinding tool holder obtains the wear amount from the wear pattern stored in the storage unit of the cloud computer every time a grinding action is completed in the grinding tool. Furthermore, when the cloud computer obtains the wear amount, it issues a driving instruction for the motor that drives the grinding tool to drive the moving mechanism and perform an abrasive protrusion action that moves the grinding tool to the opposite side of the handle by a distance corresponding to the wear amount, and sends it to the grinding tool holder. When the grinding tool receives the driving instruction, the motor drives the abrasive protrusion action. Here, the wear pattern is a pattern that associates the abrasive of the reference size at the moment of being supported by the supporting mechanism, the wear amount that will be worn by one grinding action, and the number of grinding actions. Therefore, if the wear amount is obtained based on the number of grinding actions with reference to the wear pattern, the wear amount obtained reflects the wear amount of the abrasive that changes according to the length size of the linear abrasive at the beginning of the grinding action. Therefore, it is possible to make the protrusion amount of the abrasive caused by the abrasive protrusion action correspond to the wear amount of the abrasive worn by the grinding of the previous workpiece. Therefore, according to the grinding system of the present invention, in a grinding process in which the same grinding operation is performed multiple times while changing the workpiece, the abrasive can be automatically protruded, and the variation in grinding accuracy for each workpiece can be prevented or suppressed.

[0032] In the present invention, the drive instruction issuing unit can issue the drive instruction when detecting that the rotation state has ended. That is, when the grinding action on a workpiece is finished, the cloud computer can issue and send the drive instruction to make the grinding tool perform the abrasive protrusion action.

[0033] In the present invention, the drive instruction issuing unit sends the drive instruction when the rotation detector detects the rotation state next time after detecting the end of the rotation state. That is, after the grinding action on a workpiece is completed, when the machine tool rotates the grinding tool for the grinding action of the next workpiece, the cloud computer issues and sends the drive instruction to make the grinding tool perform the abrasive protrusion action.

[0034] In the present invention, the grinding tool holder includes a notification unit, and the grinding tool control unit includes: an abrasive length dimension calculation unit, which, when the wear amount is initially acquired, calculates the dimension obtained by subtracting the wear amount from the reference dimension as the abrasive length dimension and stores it in the storage unit, and thereafter, each time the wear amount is acquired, calculates the dimension obtained by subtracting the wear amount from the abrasive length dimension as a new abrasive length dimension and updates the abrasive length dimension in the storage unit; a replacement determination unit, which, each time the abrasive length dimension is calculated, determines whether the grinding tool needs to be replaced based on the abrasive length dimension and the reference dimension; and a notification instruction issuing unit, which, when it is determined that the grinding tool needs to be replaced, issues a notification instruction that drives the notification unit to notify the grinding tool that it needs to be replaced, and the instruction sending unit sends the notification instruction to the grinding tool holder when the notification instruction is issued.

[0035] In the present invention, the supporting mechanism includes: a connecting member, which has a through hole extending along the axial direction; and a shaft member, which coaxially extends through the through hole with the shank and extends along the axial direction, the driving source is an electric motor, and the moving mechanism includes: a rotation supporting mechanism, which rotatably supports the shaft member around the axis; an internal thread, which is arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole; an external thread, which is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft member and screwed with the internal thread; a driving force transmission mechanism, which transmits the rotation of the motor to the shaft member; a sleeve, which guides the connecting member along the axial direction on the outer peripheral side of the connecting member and the shaft member; and a rotation limiting mechanism, which limits the idling of the connecting member and the shaft member, in the grinding tool, the abrasive holder is connected to the connecting portion so that a part of the abrasive protrudes outward from the sleeve, and the control unit drives the motor to rotate the shaft member and move the connecting member along the axial direction.

[0036] In the present invention, as a grinding tool, a first grinding tool and a second grinding tool are connected to the cloud computer in a communicable manner via a network, and the cloud computer, as the grinding tool control unit, includes: a first grinding tool control unit, which receives the output of the rotation detector from the first grinding tool and sends the drive instruction to the first grinding tool; and a grinding tool control unit, which receives the output of the rotation detector from the second grinding tool and sends the drive instruction to the second grinding tool. Thus, as a machine tool, there are a first machine tool and a second machine tool that perform the same grinding process, and when the first grinding tool is connected to the first machine tool and the second grinding tool is connected to the second machine tool, these multiple grinding tools can be driven and controlled by a cloud computer. In addition, the wear amount of the abrasive can be obtained based on a grinding pattern stored in the storage of the cloud computer, and the abrasive protrusion action of each grinding tool can be performed. And by updating the wear pattern of the storage unit, the wear pattern of each grinding tool can be changed at the same time. In addition, thereby, the wear state of the abrasive of multiple grinding tools can be grasped on the cloud computer side. Therefore, multiple grinding tools connected to each machine tool can be centrally managed. In addition, the outputs of the rotation detectors of the plurality of grinding tools are thereby collected on the cloud computer. Therefore, the cloud computer can grasp the operating state of each machine tool based on the rotation state of each grinding tool. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a grinding tool according to Example 1 of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a polishing brush of a grinding tool as the polishing tool of Example 1. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 An illustration of a simplified structure of a grinding tool. Figure 4 This is a diagram for explaining the grinding operation using a grinding tool. Figure 5 This is an explanatory diagram of the wear pattern stored in the storage section of the grinding tool holder. Figure 6 It is a flow chart of the grinding process. Figure 7 This is a flow chart of the operation of the grinding tool holder in the grinding process. Figure 8 This is a perspective view of a grinding tool according to Example 2 of the present invention. Fig. 9 This is a perspective view of a grinding tool of the grinding tool of Example 2. Fig.10 This is an explanatory diagram of the wear pattern stored in the grinding tool of Example 2. Fig.11 This is a perspective view of a grinding tool according to Example 3 of the present invention. Fig.12 This is an explanatory diagram of the wear pattern stored in the grinding tool of Example 3. Fig.13 It is an explanatory diagram of a polishing system to which the present invention is applied. Fig.14 This is a flow chart of the operation of the grinding system in the grinding process. Fig.15 It is an explanatory diagram of a grinding system having a plurality of grinding tools. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Hereinafter, a grinding tool as an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0039] (Example 1) Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the appearance of a grinding tool according to Example 1 of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a grinding brush included in a grinding tool. Figure 2 The abrasive brush is not used. Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 An illustration of a simplified structure of a grinding tool. Figure 3 , the grinding tool is shown cut along the axis. Figure 4 This is a diagram for explaining the grinding operation using a grinding tool.

[0040] (Grinding tools) like Figure 1 As shown, the grinding tool 1 has a grinding brush 3 (grinding tool) having a plurality of linear abrasives 2 (abrasives) and a grinding tool holder 4 that detachably holds the grinding brush 3. The grinding tool holder 4 includes: a shank 6 connected to a machine tool 5, and a sleeve 7 coaxial with the shank 6. Between the shank 6 and the sleeve 7, a large diameter portion 8 having a larger diameter than the shank 6 and the sleeve 7 is provided. The sleeve 7 has a flange 7a extending toward the outer peripheral side at its rear end. The flange 7a defines the front end surface of the large diameter portion 8. The grinding brush 3 is held in the grinding tool holder 4 in a state where the end of the linear abrasive 2 protrudes forward from the sleeve 7.

[0041] like Figure 4As shown, the grinding tool 1 is used by connecting the shank 6 of the grinding tool holder 4 to the spindle 5a of the machine tool 5. When the workpiece W is subjected to grinding, the machine tool 5 rotates the grinding tool 1 around the axis of the shank 6. In addition, the machine tool 5 brings the grinding tool 1 close to the workpiece W so that the distance between the spindle 5a and the grinding target surface S of the workpiece W becomes the set distance D. The set distance D is the distance at which the linear abrasive 2 of the grinding brush 3 contacts the grinding target surface S of the workpiece W with a specified cutting amount E. In addition, the machine tool 5 maintains the distance between the spindle 5a and the workpiece W at the set distance D, while moving the grinding tool 1 along the specified grinding path of the grinding target surface S, and grinding for a specified time. Then, when the grinding action on the workpiece W is completed, the machine tool 5 separates the grinding tool 1 from the workpiece W and stops the rotation of the grinding tool 1.

[0042] In the following description, the direction along the axis L of the shank 6 is defined as the axial direction X of the grinding tool 1. In addition, in the axial direction X, the side where the sleeve 7 is located is defined as the front of the grinding tool 1, i.e., the first direction X1, and the rear of the grinding tool where the shank 6 is located is defined as the second direction X2 of the grinding tool 1.

[0043] (Abrasive Brush) like Figure 2 As shown, the polishing brush 3 has: a plurality of linear abrasives 2 arranged in parallel, and an abrasive holder 11 for holding one end of the plurality of linear abrasives 2. The plurality of linear abrasives extend along the axial direction X. The linear abrasives 2 are a material in which a binder resin is impregnated and cured on a collection line of inorganic long fibers such as alumina long fibers.

[0044] like Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the abrasive retainer 11 is an annular member including a retainer through hole 12 extending along the axial direction X. Figure 2 As shown, the abrasive holder 11 has a plurality of abrasive holding holes 13 on its end face 11a in the first direction X1. Each abrasive holding hole 13 is circular. The plurality of abrasive holding holes 13 are arranged at equal angles around the axis L. The plurality of abrasive holding holes 13 surround the holder through hole 12. The plurality of linear abrasives 2 are divided into a plurality of strands for bundling. The rear end of the abrasive bundle 14 in a bundled state is inserted into the abrasive holding hole 13 and fixed to the abrasive holder 11 by an adhesive.

[0045] In addition, if Figure 3 As shown, the abrasive holder 11 has a recessed portion on its rear end surface. The recessed portion is coaxial with the holder through hole 12 and has a larger inner diameter than the holder through hole 12. The recessed portion is a connecting portion 15 for holding the polishing brush 3 on the polishing tool holder 4.

[0046] (Grinding tool holder) like Figure 3As shown, the grinding tool holder 4 has a handle 6, a support mechanism 21 that supports the grinding brush 3 movably along the axial direction X, and a moving mechanism 22 that moves the grinding brush 3 along the axial direction X. The moving mechanism 22 has a motor 35 as its driving source. The motor 35 in this example is a geared motor and has an encoder 35a.

[0047] The support mechanism 21 includes a connecting member 24 connected to the polishing brush 3 and a shaft member 36 extending coaxially with the handle 6. The connecting member 24 includes a through hole 28 extending in the axial direction X. An internal thread 29 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 28. The shaft member 36 passes through the through hole 28. The sleeve 7 is located on the outer peripheral side of the connecting member 24 and the shaft member 36. The connecting member 24 can move in the axial direction X in the sleeve 7 while being supported by the shaft member 36.

[0048] The connecting member 24 includes a disk portion 25 and a protrusion 26 protruding from the center of the disk portion 25 in the first direction X1. The disk portion 25 includes an annular opposing surface 25a that is opposed to the inner peripheral surface 7b of the sleeve 7 with a slight gap therebetween. The protrusion 26 has a shape that fits with the connecting portion 15 of the grinding brush 3. The protrusion 26 is a connecting portion on the connecting member side that connects the grinding brush 3 and the connecting member 24.

[0049] The grinding brush 3 is connected to the connecting member 24 in a state where the connecting portion 15 thereof is engaged with the protrusion 26 of the connecting member 24. When the grinding brush 3 is connected to the connecting member 24, the through hole 28 of the connecting member 24 communicates with the retainer through hole 12. The inner diameter of the retainer through hole 12 is larger than the inner diameter of the through hole 28 of the connecting member 24. In addition, when the grinding brush 3 is connected to the connecting member 24, the grinding brush 3 and the connecting member 24 are integrated. Therefore, the grinding brush 3 is supported by the support mechanism 21 in a state where it can move along the axial direction X. Therefore, the grinding brush 3 and the connecting member 24 do not rotate relative to each other around the axis.

[0050] The moving mechanism 22 includes a motor 35. In addition, the moving mechanism 22 includes a rotation support mechanism 37 that supports the shaft member 36 rotatably around the axis, an internal thread 29 that is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 28 of the connecting member 24, and an external thread 36a that is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft member 36. The moving mechanism 22 also includes a driving force transmission mechanism 44 that transmits the rotation of the motor 35 to the shaft member 36, a sleeve 7, and a rotation restriction mechanism 40 that restricts the idle rotation of the connecting member 24 and the shaft member 36 around the axis L.

[0051] The rotation support mechanism 37 includes: a radial support member 38 that rotatably supports the portion of the shaft member 36 on the second direction X2 side from the outer peripheral side; and a thrust support member 39 that supports the shaft member 36 from the second direction X2 side. The radial support member 38 is in the shape of a disk, and has an axial hole 41 at its center that penetrates the shaft member 36 in the axial direction X. The radial support member 38 is located between the driving force transmission mechanism 44 and the connecting member 24 in the axial direction X. In addition, the rotation support mechanism 37 includes a biasing member 47 that biases the shaft member 36 toward the thrust support member 39. The biasing member 47 is a coil spring, and is disposed between the radial support member 38 and the second gear 46 fixed to the rear end of the shaft member 36 in a state where the center penetrates the shaft member 36. The biasing member 47 presses the shaft member 36 against the thrust support member 39 by biasing the second gear 46 in the second direction X2.

[0052] Here, the large diameter portion 8 of the grinding tool holder 4 has a housing 18, and the housing 18 has a cylinder 16 and a closing plate 17 that closes the opening of the cylinder 16 in the second direction X2. The handle 6 protrudes from the center of the closing plate 17 in the second direction X2. The radial support member 38 is fixed to the cylinder 16 from the first direction X1 side in a manner that closes the opening of the cylinder 16 in the first direction X1. The flange 7a of the sleeve 7 is fixed to the end surface of the radial support member 38 in the first direction X1. Figure 1 As shown, the annular outer peripheral surface 38a of the radial support member 38 facing the radial outside and the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder portion 16 together constitute the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 8. Figure 3 As shown, the electric motor 35 , the thrust support member 39 , and the driving force transmission mechanism 44 are accommodated in a space inside the large diameter portion 8 defined by the housing 18 and the radial support member 38 .

[0053] In the shaft member 36, an external thread 36a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first direction X1 shaft portion located further in the first direction X1 than the radial support member 38. The external thread 36a can be screwed with the internal thread 29 of the connecting member 24. The connecting member 24 is supported by the shaft member 36 in a state where the internal thread 29 thereof is screwed with the external thread 36a of the shaft member 36.

[0054] The driving force transmission mechanism 44 includes a first gear 45 mounted on the output shaft of the motor 35 and a second gear 46 meshing with the first gear 45. The second gear 46 is coaxially fixed to the end portion of the shaft member 36 in the second direction X2. The rotation of the motor 35 is transmitted to the shaft member 36 via the first gear 45 and the second gear 46.

[0055] The sleeve 7 has a groove portion 31 extending in the axial direction X on the inner circumferential surface 7b. The connecting member 24 has a protrusion 32 protruding toward the outer circumferential side and extending in the axial direction X on a part of the circumferential direction of the annular opposing surface 25a. The connecting member 24 is arranged in the sleeve 7 in a state where the protrusion 32 is inserted into the groove portion 31 of the sleeve 7. Therefore, when the connecting member 24 moves in the axial direction X, the connecting member 24 is guided along the groove portion 31. In addition, the groove portion 31 provided on the inner circumferential surface 7b of the sleeve 7 and the protrusion 32 provided on the outer circumferential surface of the connecting member 24 are a rotation limiting mechanism 40 that limits the idling of the connecting member 24 and the shaft member 36 around the axis L.

[0056] Here, after the abrasive holder 11 is connected to the connecting member 24, the grinding brush 3 is inserted into the sleeve 7 and is held in the grinding tool holder 4. When the grinding brush 3 is held in the grinding tool holder 4, the internal thread 29 of the connecting member 24 is screwed with the external thread 36a of the shaft member 36. After the shaft member 36 passes through the through hole 28 of the connecting member 24, it extends along the axial direction X inside the holder through hole 12 of the abrasive holder 11 of the grinding brush 3. In the state where the grinding brush 3 is held in the grinding tool holder 4, the abrasive holder 11 is located in the sleeve 7, and the ends (free ends) of the first direction X1 of the plurality of linear abrasives 2 protrude from the sleeve 7 in the first direction X1.

[0057] (Control System) like Figure 3 As shown, the control system of the grinding tool holder 4 includes: a control unit 51 having a CPU, and a storage unit 52 connected to the control unit 51. The storage unit 52 is a rewritable non-volatile memory. A rotation detector 53 is connected to the input side of the control unit 51. The rotation detector 53 detects the rotation state of the grinding tool holder 4 driven by the machine tool 5. In this example, the rotation detector 53 is an acceleration sensor. A motor 35 is connected to the output side of the control unit 51. The output signal of the encoder 35a from the motor 35 is fed back to the control unit 51. In addition, a light-emitting unit 54 (notification unit) is connected to the output side of the control unit 51. The light-emitting unit 54 has an LED. In addition, the control unit 51 is connected to a communication unit 55. The communication unit 55 enables the control unit 51 to communicate with external devices.

[0058] The storage unit 52 stores the size of the linear abrasive 2 when the grinding brush 3 is supported by the support mechanism 21, i.e., the reference size M, and the number of times the rotation detector 53 detects the rotation state, i.e., the number of grinding operations. In this example, the reference size M is the length (hair length) of the linear abrasive 2 of the unused grinding brush 3 (see Figure 2). The length dimension of the linear abrasive 2 is the dimension from the end face 11a of the abrasive holder 11 in the first direction X1 to the front end 2a of the linear abrasive 2. The initial value of the number of grinding operations is "0". Here, the machine tool 5 rotates the grinding tool 1 when grinding the workpiece W so that the linear abrasive 2 contacts the workpiece W. In addition, when the grinding of the workpiece W is completed, the machine tool 5 stops the rotation of the grinding tool 1. Therefore, the number of times the grinding tool 1 is rotated by the machine tool 5 is the number of grinding operations for performing the grinding operation.

[0059] The storage unit 52 stores and holds the abrasive wires 2 of the reference size M (the abrasive wires 2 of the unused polishing brush 3), the wear amount caused by one polishing operation, and the wear pattern P that associates the number of polishing operations. Figure 5 This is the wear pattern P of the linear abrasive 2 when the grinding tool 1 of this example is used to perform the same grinding operation multiple times while changing the workpiece W. Figure 5 In the figure, the horizontal axis is the number of grinding actions (times), and the vertical axis is the wear amount (mm). The wear pattern P is obtained by using an unused grinding brush 3, actually performing the same grinding action multiple times while replacing the workpiece W, and measuring and obtaining the wear amount of the linear abrasive 2 worn in each grinding action. In addition, the wear pattern P is stored and maintained in the storage unit 52 in the form of a mathematical formula. Alternatively, the wear pattern P is stored and maintained in the storage unit 52 in the form of a table.

[0060] Here, in the polishing brush 3, even when the same polishing operation is performed to polish a member of the same shape, the amount of abrasive worn away in one polishing operation changes depending on the length of the linear abrasive 2 at the start of the polishing operation. Figure 5 The wear pattern P shown reflects the change in the amount of wear caused by the hair length of the linear abrasive 2. That is, when the size of the linear abrasive 2 of the grinding brush 3 is close to the reference size M (when the number of grinding actions is small), the linear abrasive 2 is easy to bend during the grinding action. Therefore, when the number of grinding actions is small, the amount of wear of the linear abrasive 2 caused by one grinding action is relatively small. Afterwards, if the number of grinding actions increases and the linear abrasive 2 becomes shorter, the deflection of the linear abrasive 2 in the grinding action is constant, and the amount of wear of the linear abrasive 2 caused by one grinding action does not change. Then, if the number of grinding actions increases and the linear abrasive 2 becomes shorter, the rigidity of the linear abrasive 2 becomes higher, and the linear abrasive 2 becomes less deflected. Therefore, when the number of grinding actions exceeds a certain number, the amount of wear of the linear abrasive 2 caused by one grinding action tends to increase.

[0061] like Figure 3As shown, the control unit 51 includes a grinding operation frequency update unit 61, a wear amount acquisition unit 62, and a drive control unit 63. In addition, the control unit 51 includes an abrasive length dimension calculation unit 64, a replacement determination unit 65, and a replacement notification unit 66.

[0062] When the rotation detector 53 detects the rotation state, the grinding operation frequency update unit 61 calculates a new grinding operation frequency obtained by adding 1 to the grinding operation frequency stored in the storage unit 52, and updates the grinding operation frequency in the storage unit 52. When calculating the grinding operation frequency, the wear amount acquisition unit 62 acquires the wear amount by referring to the wear pattern P based on the calculated grinding operation frequency.

[0063] The drive control unit 63 performs the abrasive protruding action when it is detected that the rotation state of the grinding tool 1 has ended based on the output from the rotation detector 53. That is, when the rotation detector 53 is transferred from the state of detecting the rotation state to the state of not detecting the rotation state, the drive control unit 63 drives the moving mechanism 22 by the drive source to move the grinding tool in the first direction X1 by a distance corresponding to the wear amount obtained from the wear pattern P. As a result, the linear abrasive 2 protrudes in the first direction X1 by the amount of wear amount. In this example, the drive control unit 63 performs the abrasive protruding action when it is detected that the rotation state has ended.

[0064] When the wear amount acquisition unit 62 first acquires the wear amount, the abrasive length size calculation unit 64 calculates the size obtained by subtracting the wear amount from the reference size M as the abrasive length size, and stores it in the storage unit 52. Thereafter, each time the wear amount acquisition unit 62 acquires the wear amount, the abrasive length size calculation unit 64 calculates the size obtained by subtracting the wear amount from the abrasive length size as the new abrasive length size, and updates the abrasive length size in the storage unit 52.

[0065] Whenever the abrasive length dimension is calculated, the replacement determination unit 65 determines whether the grinding brush 3 needs to be replaced based on the abrasive length dimension and the reference dimension M. For example, when the value obtained by subtracting the abrasive length dimension from the reference dimension M is shorter than a predetermined threshold value, the replacement determination unit 65 determines that the grinding brush 3 needs to be replaced. When the replacement determination unit 65 determines that the grinding brush 3 needs to be replaced, the replacement notification unit 66 drives the light emitting unit 54 to notify the grinding brush 3 needs to be replaced by light.

[0066] The communication unit 55 communicates between the external device and the control unit 51 using a wireless network. The wireless network is defined by standards such as IEEE802.11. The reference size M, the wear pattern P, and the initial values ​​of the number of grinding operations are input from the external device to the control unit 51 via the communication unit 55. The control unit 51 stores the input reference size M, the wear pattern P, and the number of grinding operations in the storage unit 52.

[0067] Here, the grinding tool holder 4 is provided with a power supply 59 for supplying power to the motor 35, the control unit 51, the rotation detector 53, and the light emitting unit 54 in the space inside the large diameter portion 8. The power supply 59 is a battery. The battery can be charged from the outside by connecting a power cable. The grinding tool holder 4 has a connector (not shown) for connecting the power supply 59 cable.

[0068] (Operation of the grinding tool holder in the grinding process) Figure 6 It is a flow chart of the grinding process. Figure 7 yes Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing the operation of the grinding tool holder in the grinding process.

[0069] In a production line for manufacturing products, a grinding process is performed in which the same grinding operation is continuously performed multiple times on the same workpiece W while changing the workpiece W. The grinding tool 1 of this example is suitable for use in such a grinding process.

[0070] When such a grinding process is performed using the grinding tool 1, Figure 4 As shown, the operator holds the grinding brush 3 (unused grinding brush 3) of the reference size M in the grinding tool holder 4 (step ST1). Here, in the storage unit 52 of the grinding tool holder 4, the value of the hair length of the unused grinding brush 3 is pre-stored as the reference size M. In addition, the number of grinding operations (0) is pre-stored in the storage unit 52 of the grinding tool holder 4. In addition, the linear abrasive 2 (linear abrasive 2 of the unused grinding brush 3) with respect to the reference size M, and the wear pattern P (refer to Figure 4 ).

[0071] Next, the operator connects the shank of the grinding tool holder 4 to the spindle 5a of the machine tool 5 (step ST2). Then, the machine tool 5 places the initial workpiece W at a predetermined processing position (step ST3). Then, the machine tool 5 starts the grinding operation for the initial workpiece W (1) (step ST4).

[0072] During the grinding operation, the machine tool 5 rotates the grinding tool 1 while bringing the grinding tool 1 close to the workpiece W(1), so that the distance between the main shaft 5a of the machine tool 5 and the grinding target surface S of the workpiece W(1) becomes a set distance D. The set distance D is a distance at which the linear abrasive 2 of the grinding brush 3 held by the grinding tool holder 4 connected to the main shaft 5a contacts the grinding target surface S of the workpiece W(1) with a predetermined cutting amount E. In addition, the machine tool 5 grinds the workpiece W(1) for a predetermined time while moving the grinding tool 1 along a predetermined grinding path along the grinding target surface S while maintaining the distance between the grinding tool holder 4 and the grinding target surface S at the set distance D.

[0073] Here, if Figure 7 As shown, in step ST4, when the rotation detector 53 detects the rotation state, the control unit 51 of the grinding tool holder 4 calculates a new grinding action number obtained by adding 1 to the grinding action number stored in the storage unit 52, and updates the grinding action number in the storage unit 52 with the calculated grinding action number (step ST21). In addition, when the control unit 51 calculates the grinding action number, it obtains the wear amount based on the calculated grinding action number by referring to the wear pattern P in the storage unit 52 (step ST22). Furthermore, when the control unit 51 obtains the wear amount, it calculates the size obtained by subtracting the wear amount from the reference size M as the abrasive length size, and stores it in the storage unit 52 (step ST23).

[0074] Afterwards, if Figure 6 As shown, when the grinding operation on the workpiece W(1) is completed, the machine tool 5 separates the grinding tool 1 from the workpiece W(1) and stops the rotation of the grinding tool 1 (step ST5). In addition, the machine tool 5 arranges the next workpiece W at the processing position to replace the initial workpiece W(1) (step ST6).

[0075] Here, the control unit 51 of the grinding tool holder 4 performs an abrasive protrusion action (step ST24) when the rotation state of the grinding tool 1 is detected to have ended based on the output from the rotation detector 53 in step ST5. In the abrasive protrusion action, the control unit 51 drives the motor 35 to move the grinding brush 3 in the first direction X1 by a distance corresponding to the wear amount of the linear abrasive 2 worn due to the grinding action on the initial workpiece W. Thus, the grinding tool holder 4 causes the linear abrasive 2 to protrude in the first direction X1. In addition, the control unit 51 determines whether the grinding brush 3 needs to be replaced (step ST25) based on the abrasive length dimension and the reference dimension M stored in the storage unit 52. In addition, since the grinding action is performed on the initial workpiece W1 until steps ST1 to ST5, the linear abrasive 2 of the grinding brush 3 is long enough at the moment of step ST25. Therefore, in step ST25, it is determined that the grinding brush 3 does not need to be replaced.

[0076] Afterwards, if Figure 6 As shown, the machine tool 5 starts grinding the next workpiece W(n) arranged at the processing position (step ST7). That is, the machine tool 5 rotates the grinding tool 1 while bringing the grinding tool 1 close to the workpiece W(n) so that the distance between the spindle 5a and the workpiece W(n) becomes the set distance D. As a result, the linear abrasive 2 of the grinding brush 3 is in contact with the grinding target surface S of the workpiece W(n) at a predetermined cutting amount E. In addition, the machine tool 5 maintains the distance between the grinding tool holder 4 and the grinding target surface S at the set distance D, while moving the grinding tool 1 along the predetermined grinding path of the grinding target surface S, and grinding for a predetermined time.

[0077] Here, if Figure 7 As shown, in step ST7, when the rotation detector 53 detects the rotation state, the control unit 51 of the grinding tool holder 4 calculates a new grinding action number obtained by adding 1 to the grinding action number stored in the storage unit 52, and updates the grinding action number in the storage unit 52 (step ST31). In addition, when the control unit 51 calculates the grinding action number, it obtains the wear amount based on the calculated grinding action number by referring to the wear pattern P (step ST32). Furthermore, when the control unit 51 obtains the wear amount, it subtracts the wear amount from the abrasive length size stored in the storage unit 52, calculates a new abrasive length size, and updates the abrasive length size in the storage unit 52 (step ST33).

[0078] Afterwards, when the grinding operation for the workpiece W(n) is completed, Figure 6 As shown, the machine tool 5 separates the grinding tool 1 from the workpiece W(n) and stops the rotation of the grinding tool 1 (step ST8).

[0079] Here, machine tool 5 determines whether or not there is a workpiece to be ground (step ST9 ). If there is a workpiece to be ground (step ST9: Yes), the machine tool 5 places the next workpiece W at the processing position instead of the workpiece W(n) (step ST10). If there is no workpiece to be ground (step ST9: No), the grinding process ends.

[0080] Here, if Figure 7As shown, the control unit 51 of the grinding tool holder 4 performs an abrasive protrusion action (step ST34) when the rotation state of the grinding tool 1 is detected to have ended based on the output from the rotation detector 53 in step ST8. In the abrasive protrusion action, the control unit 51 moves the grinding brush 3 in the first direction X1 by a distance corresponding to the wear amount of the linear abrasive 2 worn due to the grinding action on the workpiece W. Thus, the grinding tool holder 4 causes the linear abrasive 2 to protrude in the first direction X1. In addition, the control unit 51 determines whether the grinding brush 3 needs to be replaced based on the abrasive length dimension and the reference dimension M stored in the storage unit 52 (step ST35). Then, when the control unit 51 determines that the grinding brush 3 needs to be replaced, it drives the light emitting unit 54 to notify the need to replace the grinding brush 3 by light (step ST36). When the light emitting unit 54 emits light, the operator stops the machine tool 5 and replaces the grinding brush 3.

[0081] Afterwards, if Figure 6 As shown, the machine tool 5 performs grinding operation on the next workpiece W disposed at the processing position (steps ST7 and ST8). Then, in the grinding process, steps ST8 to ST11 are repeated until there is no workpiece W to be ground (step ST9: No).

[0082] Here, when the light emitting unit 54 emits light to notify that the grinding brush 3 needs to be replaced (step ST36), the operator stops the machine tool 5 and replaces the grinding brush 3 with a new grinding brush 3. Then, the next workpiece W to be ground is used as the first workpiece W, and steps ST7 to ST10 are repeated until there is no workpiece W to be ground.

[0083] (Effect) According to this example, the grinding tool holder 4 includes a moving mechanism 22 for moving the grinding brush 3 supported by the supporting mechanism 21, a control unit 51 for driving and controlling the motor 35 as a driving source of the moving mechanism 22, and a power supply 59 for supplying power to the motor 35 and the control unit 51. Therefore, the grinding tool holder 4 can drive the moving mechanism 22 by driving and controlling the motor 35 by the control unit 51, so that the grinding brush 3 moves along the axial direction X. Therefore, the grinding tool holder 4 can automatically perform an abrasive protruding action of moving the grinding brush 3 along the axial direction X and protruding the linear abrasive 2 in the first direction X1.

[0084] In addition, the storage unit 52 of the grinding tool holder 4 stores the size of the linear abrasive 2 when the grinding brush 3 is supported by the support mechanism 21, that is, the reference size M, the number of grinding operations at which the rotation detector 53 detects the rotation state, and the wear pattern P that associates the amount of wear of the linear abrasive 2 of the reference size M due to one grinding operation of grinding the workpiece W with the number of grinding operations. When the rotation detector 53 detects the rotation state, the control unit 51 adds 1 to the number of grinding operations, updates the number of grinding operations, and obtains the wear amount based on the updated number of grinding operations by referring to the wear pattern P. Then, when the control unit 51 detects that the rotation state of the grinding tool 1 has ended based on the output from the rotation detector 53, it drives the motor 35 to operate the moving mechanism 22, moves the grinding brush 3 along the axial direction X by a distance corresponding to the wear amount, and performs an abrasive protruding operation to protrude the linear abrasive 2.

[0085] Here, in the case where the abrasive of the grinding tool mounted on the grinding tool holder 4 is a linear abrasive 2, even in the case of the same grinding action of grinding parts of the same shape, the wear amount of the linear abrasive 2 worn in one grinding action is different according to the length dimension of the linear abrasive 2 at the beginning of the grinding action. That is, in the case where the abrasive is a linear abrasive 2, the shorter the length dimension of the linear abrasive 2 at the beginning of the grinding action, the more the rigidity of the linear abrasive 2 increases, and thus the wear amount of one grinding action becomes more. Therefore, when the protrusion amount (movement amount of the grinding brush 3) of the linear abrasive 2 protruding by the abrasive protrusion action is set to a certain value, since the cut-in amount E of the linear abrasive 2 for the next workpiece W changes, there is a problem of deviation in the accuracy of the grinding process between the multiple workpieces W that are continuously ground.

[0086] In this regard, the grinding tool holder 4 obtains the wear amount of the linear abrasive 2 from the wear pattern P stored in the storage unit 52 each time a grinding action is completed. The wear pattern P is a pattern that associates the wear amount caused by one grinding action with the number of grinding actions, with respect to the linear abrasive 2 of the reference size M at the moment when the grinding brush 3 is supported by the support mechanism 21. In addition, the wear pattern P takes into account the change in the wear amount caused by the hair length of the linear abrasive 2. Therefore, if the wear amount is obtained by referring to the wear pattern P based on the number of grinding actions, the obtained wear amount reflects the wear amount of the linear abrasive 2 that changes according to the length dimension of the linear abrasive 2 at the start of the grinding action. Therefore, in the grinding tool holder 4 of this example, the protrusion amount of the linear abrasive 2 caused by the abrasive protrusion action can correspond to the wear amount of the linear abrasive 2 worn by the grinding of the previous workpiece W. Therefore, if the grinding brush 3 is held in the grinding tool holder 4, the linear abrasive 2 can be automatically protruded in the grinding process of repeatedly performing the same grinding action while changing the workpiece W, and the deviation of the grinding accuracy in each workpiece W can be prevented or suppressed.

[0087] In addition, the grinding tool holder 4 is provided with a light emitting unit 54. The control unit 51 is provided with: an abrasive length dimension calculation unit 64, which calculates the dimension obtained by subtracting the wear amount from the reference dimension M as the abrasive length dimension when the wear amount is first acquired, and stores it in the storage unit 52, and then, whenever the wear amount is acquired, calculates the dimension obtained by subtracting the wear amount from the abrasive length dimension as a new abrasive length dimension and updates the abrasive length dimension of the storage unit 52; and a replacement determination unit 65, which determines whether the grinding brush 3 needs to be replaced based on the abrasive length dimension and the reference dimension M whenever the abrasive length dimension is calculated. When the replacement determination unit 65 determines that the grinding brush 3 needs to be replaced, the light emitting unit 54 is driven to notify that the grinding brush 3 needs to be replaced. That is, whenever the grinding action ends, the control unit 51 calculates the abrasive length dimension of the linear abrasive 2 at the end time, and determines whether it needs to be replaced based on the abrasive length dimension and the reference dimension M. Then, when it is determined that the grinding brush 3 needs to be replaced, the control unit 51 drives the light emitting unit 54 to notify that the grinding brush 3 needs to be replaced. Therefore, the operator can easily recognize the replacement timing of the polishing brush 3 according to the polishing tool holder 4 .

[0088] in addition, Figure 5 The wear pattern P of the linear abrasive 2 shown is an example. Therefore, the wear pattern P stored in the storage unit 52 is not limited to this. That is, the wear pattern P varies depending on the material of the linear abrasive 2.

[0089] (Variation Example) The rotation detector 53 may be a vibration sensor. When the grinding tool holder 4 is rotated by the machine tool 5, vibration occurs in the grinding tool holder 4. Therefore, the rotation state of the grinding tool holder 4 can be detected by the vibration sensor that detects the vibration.

[0090] In addition, the rotation detector 53 has a conducting member that moves by centrifugal force, and the conducting member can be used as a switch for turning the circuit on and off. That is, when centrifugal force is generated, the conducting member moves to the outer peripheral side and contacts the contact point of the circuit, and the switch that turns the circuit into a conducting state can be used as the rotation detector 53.

[0091] In addition, as a notification unit for notifying that the polishing brush 3 needs to be replaced, a sounding unit including a buzzer or the like may be included instead of the light emitting unit 54. In this case, when the replacement determination unit 65 determines that the polishing brush 3 needs to be replaced, the replacement determination unit 66 drives the sounding unit to notify that the polishing brush 3 needs to be replaced by sound.

[0092] The battery of the power source 59 can be wirelessly charged. The power source 59 can be attached to and detached from the polishing tool holder 4 and can be replaced. The motor 35 and the control unit 51 can be powered by one battery, and two batteries, a battery for powering the motor 35 and a battery for powering the control unit 51, can be provided as the battery.

[0093] In addition, the communication unit 55 may communicate between the external device and the control unit 51 via infrared communication or Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc. In addition, the communication unit 55 may also include a connector to which a communication cable is detachably connected, and communicate between the external device and the control unit 51 through wired communication.

[0094] Alternatively, a direct drive mechanism may be employed in which the motor 35 directly drives the shaft member 36 . In this case, the driving force transmission mechanism 44 is a connection member that connects the output shaft of the motor 35 and the shaft member 36 .

[0095] (Example 2) Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the appearance of a grinding tool according to Example 2 of the present invention. Fig. 9 This is a perspective view of a grinding tool included in the grinding tool of Example 2. Fig.10 1 is an illustration of the wear pattern stored and held by the grinding tool holder in the grinding tool of Example 2. Figure 8 , Fig. 9 As shown, the grinding tool 70 of the grinding tool 1A of the second embodiment includes an elastic grinding stone 71 as an abrasive. Since the grinding tool 1A includes structures corresponding to the grinding tool 1A of the first embodiment, the corresponding structures are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0096] like Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , the grinding tool 1A includes a grinding tool 70 and a grinding tool holder 4 for detachably holding the grinding tool 70. Fig. 9 As shown, the grinding tool 70 includes an abrasive holder 11 and an elastic grinding stone 71 held on the abrasive holder 11. The grinding tool holder 4 is the same as the grinding tool holder 4 of the grinding tool 1A of Example 1, but the wear pattern P1 stored and held in the storage unit 52 is different from the wear pattern P of the grinding tool 1A of Example 1.

[0097] (Grinding tool) like Figure 8As shown, the grinding tool 70 includes a cylindrical elastic grinding stone 71 extending along the axial direction X as an abrasive. The abrasive holder 11 holds one end of the elastic grinding stone 71 in the axial direction X. The elastic grinding stone 71 contains: an elastic foam, a polymer, and abrasive grains. In this example, the elastic foam is a melamine resin foam. In addition, in this example, the elastic foam is an anisotropic elastic foam that gives anisotropy to the elastic force by being compressed in one direction.

[0098] The base material of the elastic grinding stone 71 is obtained by impregnating a dispersion containing a polymer and abrasive grains in an anisotropic elastic foam and sintering the mixture. In the anisotropic elastic foam, the direction in which the elastic force is strongest is the compression direction. When the grinding tool 70 is held by the grinding tool holder 4, the elastic grinding stone 71 is formed so that the compression direction of the anisotropic elastic foam is consistent with the axial direction X.

[0099] The polymer acts as a binder. The polymer is any one of epoxy resin, polyurethane resin, polyester resin, or polyrotaxane. In this example, the polymer is polyrotaxane. The abrasive grains can be appropriately selected according to the type of the workpiece W. As abrasive grains, diamond, aluminum oxide, silicon dioxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, boron carbide, titanium dioxide, cerium oxide, or zirconium oxide can be used. In addition, the abrasive material is an organic matter such as walnut wood and synthetic resin. In this example, the abrasive grains are aluminum oxide.

[0100] like Figure 8 As shown, the abrasive holder 11 is an annular member, including a holder through hole 12 extending along the axial direction X. In addition, the abrasive holder 11 has a circular abrasive holding hole 13 surrounding the holder through hole 12 on its front end surface. The opening of the holder through hole 12 in the first direction X1 is opened at the center of the circular bottom surface of the abrasive holding hole 13. The end of the elastic grinding stone 71 in the second direction X2 is inserted into the abrasive holding hole 13 and fixed to the abrasive holder 11 by an adhesive. In addition, the abrasive holder 11 has a recessed portion on its rear end surface. The recessed portion is coaxial with the holder through hole 12, and the inner diameter size is larger than the holder through hole 12. The recessed portion is used to keep the grinding tool 70 on the connecting portion 15 of the grinding tool holder 4.

[0101] The grinding tool 70 is connected to the connecting member 24 in a state where its connecting portion 15 is engaged with the protrusion 26 of the connecting member 24. When the grinding tool 70 is connected to the connecting member 24, the through hole 28 of the connecting member 24 is communicated with the holder through hole 12. When the grinding brush 3 is connected to the connecting member 24, the grinding brush 3 and the connecting member 24 are integrated. Here, the connecting member 24 is supported by the shaft member 36 in a state where its internal thread 29 is screwed with the external thread 36a of the shaft member. Therefore, the grinding tool 70 is supported by the support mechanism 21 in a state where it can move along the axial direction X. In addition, the grinding tool 70 is supported by the support mechanism 21 in a posture where the abrasive holder 11 is located in the sleeve 7 and the end of the first direction X1 of the elastic grinding stone 71 protrudes from the sleeve 7.

[0102] Here, in the storage section 52 of the grinding tool holder 4, there are stored the size of the elastic grinding stone 71 when the grinding tool 70 is supported by the supporting mechanism 21, i.e., the reference size M, the number of times the rotation detector 53 detects the rotation state, i.e., the number of grinding actions, and a wear pattern P1 that associates the amount of wear that the elastic grinding stone 71 (unused elastic grinding stone 71) of the reference size M will suffer through one grinding action with the number of grinding actions. Fig.10 This is the wear pattern P1 of the elastic grinding stone 71. According to the wear pattern P1 of the elastic grinding stone 71, as the size of the elastic grinding stone 71 becomes shorter (as the number of grinding operations increases), the wear amount caused by one grinding operation increases linearly.

[0103] The grinding tool 1A of this example can also obtain the same effects as the grinding tool 1 of Example 1. That is, according to the grinding tool 1A, in the grinding process of performing the same grinding action multiple times while replacing the workpiece W, the elastic grinding stone 71 can be automatically protruded, and the protrusion amount of the elastic grinding stone 71 can be made to correspond to the wear amount of the elastic grinding stone 71 worn by the grinding action of the previous workpiece W. Therefore, it is possible to prevent or suppress the occurrence of deviations in the grinding accuracy of each workpiece W. In addition, according to the grinding tool 1A of this example, the grinding tool 70 can be replaced at an appropriate timing.

[0104] (Example 3) Fig.11 This is a perspective view of a grinding tool of Example 3. A grinding tool 80 of the grinding tool 1B of this example replaces the elastic grinding stone 71 of the grinding tool 70 of Example 2 with a rigid grinding stone 81. That is, the structure of the grinding tool 80 is the same as that of the grinding tool 70 except for the abrasive.

[0105] like Fig. 9As shown, the grinding tool 1B has: a grinding tool 80, and a grinding tool holder 4 for detachably holding the grinding tool 80. The grinding tool 80 includes an abrasive holder 11 and a rigid grinding stone 81 held by the abrasive holder 11. The grinding stone 81 is formed by solidifying abrasive grains with a binder such as asphalt, or is a natural grinding stone. The grinding stone 81 is cylindrical and extends along the axial direction X.

[0106] In the grinding tool 1B, the grinding tool holder 4 is the same as the grinding tool 1 of Example 1 and the grinding tool holder 4 of the grinding tool 1A of Example 2, except that the wear pattern P2 is stored in the storage unit 52. Therefore, the same reference numerals are attached to the structures of the grinding tool 1B corresponding to the grinding tools 1 and 1A, and their description is omitted.

[0107] In the storage section 52 of the grinding tool holder 4, there are stored the size of the grinding stone 81 when the grinding tool 80 is supported by the supporting mechanism 21, i.e., the reference size M, the number of times the rotation detector 53 detects the rotation state, i.e., the number of grinding actions, and a wear pattern P2 that associates the amount of wear that the grinding stone 81 (unused grinding stone 81) of the reference size M will suffer through one grinding action with the number of grinding actions. Fig.12 This is the wear pattern P2 of the grinding stone 81. According to the wear pattern P2 of the grinding stone 81, the wear amount caused by one grinding operation is constant regardless of the size of the grinding stone 81 at the start of the grinding operation (regardless of the number of grinding operations).

[0108] The grinding tool 1B of this example can also obtain the same effects as the grinding tool 1A of Example 1. That is, according to the grinding tool 1A, in the grinding process of performing the same grinding action multiple times while changing the workpiece W, the protrusion of the grinding stone 81 can be automatically performed, and the protrusion amount of the grinding stone 81 can be made to correspond to the wear amount of the grinding stone 81 worn by the grinding action of the previous workpiece W. Therefore, it is possible to prevent or suppress the occurrence of deviations in the grinding accuracy of each workpiece W. In addition, according to the grinding tool 1B of this example, the grinding tool 80 can be replaced at an appropriate timing.

[0109] (Grinding system) Next, refer to Fig.13 The grinding system of this example is described below. Fig.13As shown, the grinding system 100 of this example includes a grinding tool 101 and a cloud computer 103 connected to the grinding tool 101 in a communicable manner via a network 102. The grinding tool 101 includes a grinding tool and a grinding tool holder 4 for holding the grinding tool. In this example, the grinding tool is a grinding brush 3. Therefore, the abrasive material provided by the grinding tool is a linear abrasive material 2. In addition, the grinding tool 101 has a structure corresponding to the grinding tool 1 of Example 1. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the corresponding structures, and their detailed description is omitted.

[0110] (Abrasive Brush) Abrasive brush 3 Figure 2 As shown. Fig.13 As shown, the abrasive holder 11 of the grinding brush 3 is an annular member, including a holder through hole 12 extending along the axial direction X. In addition, the abrasive holder 11 has a plurality of abrasive holding holes 13 on its end face 11a in the first direction X1. A plurality of linear abrasives 2 are divided into a plurality of strands and bundled into a bundle. The rear end of the abrasive bundle 14 in a bundled state is inserted into the abrasive holding hole 13 and fixed to the abrasive holder 11 by an adhesive. In addition, the abrasive holder 11 has a recessed portion on its rear end face. The recessed portion is a connecting portion 15 for holding the grinding brush 3 on the grinding tool holder 4.

[0111] The grinding tool holder 4 has a shank 6 connected to the spindle 5a of the machine tool 5. In addition, the grinding tool holder 4 has a support mechanism 21 that supports the grinding brush 3 movably along the axial direction X of the shank 6, and a moving mechanism 22 that has a motor 35 (driving source) and moves the grinding brush 3 along the axial direction X. In addition, the grinding tool holder 4 has a light emitting unit 54 (notification unit). In addition, the grinding tool holder 4 has a control unit 51, a rotation detector 53 that detects the rotation state of the machine tool 5, and a power supply 59 that supplies power to the motor 35 and the control unit 51. These structures are the same as those of the grinding tool holder 4 of the grinding tool 1 of Example 1.

[0112] In addition, the grinding tool holder 4 includes a control unit 51 and a communication unit 55 connected to the control unit 51. The control unit 51 drives and controls the motor 35 based on the drive instruction. In addition, the control unit 51 drives and controls the light emitting unit 54 based on the notification instruction. The communication unit 55 communicates with the cloud computer 103 via the network 102. The communication unit 55 sends the output from the rotation detector 53 to the cloud computer 103, and receives the drive instruction and notification instruction from the cloud computer 103 and inputs them to the control unit 51.

[0113] In this example, the control unit 51 does not include the grinding operation frequency update unit 61 and the wear amount acquisition unit 62. In addition, the control unit 51 does not include the abrasive length dimension calculation unit 64 and the replacement determination unit 65. In addition, the grinding tool holder 4 does not include the storage unit 52.

[0114] On the other hand, the cloud computer 103 includes a storage unit 52. The storage unit 52 stores the size of the abrasive when the grinding brush 3 is supported by the support mechanism 21 of the grinding tool holder 4, that is, the reference size M, the number of grinding operations at which the rotation detector 53 detects the rotation state, and the wear pattern P in which the amount of wear of the abrasive of the reference size M by one grinding operation of grinding the workpiece is associated with the number of grinding operations. The reference size M, the wear pattern P, and the initial values ​​of the number of grinding operations are input to the cloud computer 103 from an external device via the network 102 and stored in the storage unit 52.

[0115] In addition, the cloud computer 103 includes a cloud computer side control unit 104 and a cloud computer side communication unit 105 connected to the cloud computer side control unit 104. The cloud computer side control unit 104 is communicatively connected to the storage unit 52. The cloud computer side communication unit 105 communicates with external devices via the network 102. The cloud computer side communication unit 105 enables communication between external devices and the cloud computer side control unit 104.

[0116] The cloud computer side control unit 104 includes a grinding tool control unit 106. The grinding tool control unit 106 includes a grinding action number update unit 61 and a wear amount acquisition unit 62. The grinding action number update unit 61 monitors the output from the rotation detector 53 of the grinding tool holder 4, and when the rotation detector 53 detects the rotation state, calculates a new grinding action number obtained by adding 1 to the grinding action number, and updates the grinding action number in the storage unit 52. After calculating the grinding action number, the wear amount acquisition unit 62 obtains the wear amount based on the grinding action number by referring to the wear pattern P in the storage unit 52.

[0117] In addition, the grinding tool control unit 106 includes a drive instruction issuing unit 107 and an instruction sending unit 108. The drive instruction issuing unit 107 monitors the output of the rotation detector 53 from the grinding tool holder 4, and issues a drive instruction when it is detected that the rotation state has ended based on the output from the rotation detector 53. The drive instruction is an instruction to drive the motor 35 of the grinding tool 101 to operate the moving mechanism 22 and perform an abrasive protrusion action to move the grinding brush 3 to the opposite side of the handle 6 by a distance corresponding to the amount of wear. When the drive instruction is issued, the instruction sending unit 108 sends the drive instruction to the grinding tool holder 4. In this example, the drive instruction issuing unit 107 issues the drive instruction when it is detected that the rotation state has ended based on the output from the rotation detector 53. In addition, when the drive instruction is issued, the instruction sending unit 108 sends the drive instruction to the grinding tool 1 without delay.

[0118] In addition, the grinding tool control unit 106 includes an abrasive length dimension calculation unit 64 and a replacement determination unit 65. When the abrasive length dimension calculation unit 64 first obtains the wear amount, it calculates the dimension obtained by subtracting the wear amount from the reference dimension M as the abrasive length dimension and stores it in the storage unit 52. Thereafter, each time the wear amount is obtained, it calculates the dimension obtained by subtracting the wear amount from the abrasive length dimension as a new abrasive length dimension and updates the abrasive length dimension of the storage unit 52. The replacement determination unit 65 determines whether the grinding brush 3 needs to be replaced based on the abrasive length dimension and the reference dimension M each time the abrasive length dimension is calculated.

[0119] In addition, the grinding tool control unit 106 includes a notification command issuing unit 109. The notification command issuing unit 109 issues a notification command when the replacement determination unit 65 determines that the grinding brush 3 needs to be replaced. The notification command is a command to drive the light emitting unit 54. When the notification command is issued, the command transmission unit 108 transmits the notification command to the grinding tool holder 4.

[0120] (Operation of the grinding system during the grinding process) Fig.14 yes Figure 6 Flowchart of the operation of the grinding tool 1 and the cloud computer 103 in the grinding process shown. Flowchart of the grinding process when using the grinding system 100 Figure 6 In the polishing system 100 , the polishing tool 1 (polishing tool holder 4 ) sends the output from the rotation detector 53 to the cloud computer 103 . The polishing tool control unit 106 of the cloud computer 103 monitors the output from the rotation detector 53 .

[0121] In the case of grinding process, such as Figure 6 As shown, the operator holds the grinding brush 3 (unused grinding brush 3) of the reference size M in the grinding tool holder 4 (step ST1). Here, in the storage unit 52 of the cloud computer 103, the value of the hair length of the unused grinding brush 3 is pre-stored as the reference size M. In addition, the number of grinding operations (0) is pre-stored in the storage unit 52 of the cloud computer 103. In addition, the wear pattern P (refer to FIG. 1 ) is stored in the storage unit 52 of the cloud computer 103, which associates the amount of wear that the linear abrasive 2 (the linear abrasive 2 of the unused grinding brush 3) of the reference size M will wear out in one grinding operation with the number of grinding operations. Figure 4 ).

[0122] Next, the operator connects the shank of the grinding tool holder 4 to the spindle 5a of the machine tool 5 (step ST2). Then, the machine tool 5 places the initial workpiece W at a predetermined processing position (step ST3). Then, the machine tool 5 starts the grinding operation for the initial workpiece W (1) (step ST4).

[0123] During the grinding operation, the machine tool 5 rotates the grinding tool 1 while bringing the grinding tool 1 close to the workpiece W(1), so that the distance between the main shaft 5a of the machine tool 5 and the grinding target surface S of the workpiece W(1) becomes a set distance D. The set distance D is a distance at which the linear abrasive 2 of the grinding brush 3 held by the grinding tool holder 4 connected to the main shaft 5a contacts the grinding target surface S of the workpiece W(1) with a predetermined cutting amount E. In addition, the machine tool 5 grinds the workpiece W(1) for a predetermined time while moving the grinding tool 1 along a predetermined grinding path along the grinding target surface S while maintaining the distance between the grinding tool holder 4 and the grinding target surface S at the set distance D.

[0124] Here, in step ST4, the grinding tool control unit 106 detects the rotation state of the grinding tool 1 based on the output from the rotation detector 53. Fig.14 As shown, when the rotation state of the grinding tool 1 is detected, the grinding tool control unit 106 calculates the new grinding action number obtained by adding 1 to the grinding action number stored in the storage unit 52, and updates the grinding action number of the storage unit 52 with the calculated grinding action number (step ST41). In addition, when calculating the grinding action number, the grinding tool control unit 106 obtains the wear amount based on the calculated grinding action number and refers to the wear pattern P of the storage unit 52 (step ST42). Furthermore, when the grinding tool control unit 106 obtains the wear amount, it calculates the size obtained by subtracting the wear amount from the reference size M as the abrasive length size, and stores it in the storage unit 52 (step ST43).

[0125] Afterwards, if Figure 6 As shown, when the grinding operation on the workpiece W(1) is completed, the machine tool 5 separates the grinding tool 1 from the workpiece W(1) and stops the rotation of the grinding tool 1 (step ST5). In addition, the machine tool 5 arranges the next workpiece W at the processing position to replace the initial workpiece W(1) (step ST6).

[0126] Here, in step ST5, the grinding tool control unit 106 detects that the rotation state of the grinding tool 1 has ended based on the output from the rotation detector 53. Fig.14As shown, when it is detected that the rotation state of the grinding tool 1 has ended, the grinding tool control unit 106 issues a drive command and sends it to the grinding tool 1. The drive command is an instruction to drive the motor 35 of the grinding tool holder 4 to move the grinding brush 3 in the first direction X1 by a distance corresponding to the wear amount of the linear abrasive 2 worn by the grinding action on the initial workpiece W (step ST44). In addition, the grinding tool control unit 106 determines whether the grinding brush 3 needs to be replaced based on the abrasive length size and the reference size M stored in the storage unit 52 (step ST45). In addition, since the grinding action on the initial workpiece W1 is performed until steps ST1 to ST5, the linear abrasive 2 of the grinding brush 3 is long enough at the moment of step ST45. Therefore, in step ST25, it is determined that the grinding brush 3 does not need to be replaced.

[0127] Here, the grinding tool 1 receiving the driving instruction performs an abrasive protruding action (step ST46). In the abrasive protruding action, the grinding tool control unit 106 drives the motor 35 to move the grinding brush 3 in the first direction X1 by a distance corresponding to the wear amount of the linear abrasive 2 worn by the initial grinding action on the workpiece W. Thus, the grinding tool control unit 106 causes the linear abrasive 2 to protrude in the first direction X1.

[0128] Afterwards, if Figure 6 As shown, the machine tool 5 starts grinding the next workpiece W(n) arranged at the processing position (step ST7). That is, the machine tool 5 rotates the grinding tool 1 while bringing the grinding tool 1 close to the workpiece W(n) so that the distance between the spindle 5a and the workpiece W(n) becomes the set distance D. As a result, the linear abrasive 2 of the grinding brush 3 is in contact with the grinding target surface S of the workpiece W(n) at a predetermined cutting amount E. In addition, the machine tool 5 maintains the distance between the grinding tool control unit 106 and the grinding target surface S at the set distance D, while moving the grinding tool 1 along the predetermined grinding path of the grinding target surface S, and grinding for a predetermined time.

[0129] In step ST7, the grinding tool control unit 106 detects the rotation state of the grinding tool 1 based on the output from the rotation detector 53. Fig.14As shown, when the rotation state of the grinding tool 1 is detected, the grinding tool control unit 106 calculates the new grinding action number obtained by adding 1 to the grinding action number stored in the storage unit 52, and updates the grinding action number in the storage unit 52 (step ST51). In addition, when the grinding tool control unit 106 calculates the grinding action number, it obtains the wear amount based on the calculated grinding action number and refers to the wear pattern P (step ST52). Furthermore, when the grinding tool control unit 106 obtains the wear amount, it subtracts the wear amount from the abrasive length size stored in the storage unit 52, calculates the new abrasive length size, and updates the abrasive length size in the storage unit 52 (step ST53).

[0130] Afterwards, when the grinding operation on the workpiece W(n) is completed, Figure 6 As shown, the machine tool 5 separates the grinding tool 1 from the workpiece W(n) and stops the rotation of the grinding tool 1 (step ST8).

[0131] Here, the machine tool 5 determines whether there is a workpiece to be ground (step ST9). If there is a workpiece to be ground (step ST9: Yes), the machine tool 5 places the next workpiece W at the processing position to replace the workpiece W (n) (step ST10). If there is no workpiece to be ground (step ST9: No), the grinding process is completed.

[0132] In step ST8, the grinding tool control unit 106 detects that the rotation state of the grinding tool 1 has ended based on the output from the rotation detector 53. Fig.14 As shown, when it is detected that the rotation state of the grinding tool 1 has ended, the grinding tool control unit 106 issues a drive command and sends it to the grinding tool 1. The drive command is a command to drive the motor 35 of the grinding tool holder 4 to move the grinding brush 3 in the first direction X1 by a distance corresponding to the wear amount of the linear abrasive 2 worn by the initial grinding action on the workpiece W (step ST54). In addition, the grinding tool control unit 106 determines whether the grinding brush 3 needs to be replaced based on the abrasive length size and the reference size M stored in the storage unit 52 (step ST55). Then, when the grinding tool control unit 106 determines that the grinding brush 3 needs to be replaced (step ST55: yes), it issues a notification command and sends it to the grinding tool 1 (step ST56).

[0133] Here, the grinding tool 1 performs an abrasive protruding action (step ST57) when receiving the drive instruction of step ST54. In the abrasive protruding action, the grinding tool control unit 106 drives the motor 35 to move the grinding brush 3 in the first direction X1 by a distance corresponding to the wear amount of the linear abrasive 2 worn by the grinding action on the initial workpiece W. Thus, the grinding tool control unit 106 causes the linear abrasive 2 to protrude in the first direction X1. In addition, when the grinding tool 1 receives the notification instruction of step ST56, it drives the light emitting unit 54 to notify the need to replace the grinding brush 3 by light (step ST58). When the light emitting unit 54 emits light, the operator stops the machine tool 5 and replaces the grinding brush 3.

[0134] Afterwards, if Figure 6 As shown, the machine tool 5 performs grinding operation on the next workpiece W arranged at the processing position (steps ST7 and ST8). Then, in the grinding process, steps ST8 to ST11 are repeated until there is no workpiece W to be ground (step ST9: No).

[0135] Here, when the light emitting unit 54 emits light to notify that the grinding brush 3 needs to be replaced (step ST58), the operator stops the machine tool 5 and replaces the grinding brush 3 with a new grinding brush 3. Then, the next workpiece W to be ground is used as the first workpiece W, and steps ST7 to ST10 are repeated until there is no workpiece W to be ground.

[0136] (Effect) The grinding system 100 of the present invention includes: a grinding tool 1 composed of a grinding tool holder 4 and a grinding brush 3; and a cloud computer 103 connected to the grinding tool 1 (grinding tool holder 4) via a network 102. The grinding tool control unit 106 of the cloud computer 103 includes a drive instruction issuing unit 107 that issues a drive instruction. The grinding tool holder 4 includes a moving mechanism 22 having a motor 35 (drive source) to move the grinding brush 3 supported by the support mechanism 21, a control unit 51 that drives and controls the motor 35 based on the drive instruction, and a power supply 59 that supplies power to the motor 35 and the control unit 51. Therefore, the grinding system 100 can drive the moving mechanism 22 of the grinding tool holder 4 based on the drive instruction from the cloud computer 103 to move the grinding brush 3 along the axial direction X. Therefore, the grinding tool 101 can automatically perform an abrasive protruding action of moving the grinding brush 3 along the axial direction X and protruding the abrasive 2 to the opposite side of the handle 6.

[0137] In addition, in this example, the cloud computer 103 that can communicate with the grinding tool holder 4 obtains the wear amount by referring to the wear pattern P stored in the storage unit 52 of the cloud computer 103 every time a grinding action is completed in the grinding tool 101. Furthermore, when obtaining the wear amount, the cloud computer 103 issues a drive instruction for driving the motor 35 of the grinding tool 101 to operate the moving mechanism 22 and perform an abrasive protrusion action to move the grinding brush 3 to the opposite side of the handle by a distance corresponding to the wear amount, and sends it to the grinding tool holder 4. When the grinding tool 101 receives the drive instruction, it drives the motor 35 to perform an abrasive protrusion action. Here, the wear pattern P is a pattern that associates the linear abrasive 2 of the reference size M at the time of being supported by the supporting mechanism 21, the wear amount that will be worn through one grinding action, and the number of grinding actions. Therefore, if the wear amount is obtained based on the number of grinding actions with reference to the wear pattern P, the acquired wear amount reflects the wear amount of the abrasive that changes according to the length size of the linear abrasive 2 at the start of the grinding action. Therefore, the protrusion amount of the linear abrasive 2 caused by the abrasive protrusion action can be made to correspond to the wear amount of the abrasive worn by the grinding of the previous workpiece W. Therefore, according to the grinding system 100, when performing a grinding process in which the same grinding action is performed multiple times while changing the workpiece, the abrasive can be automatically protruded, and the deviation of the grinding accuracy in each workpiece can be prevented or suppressed.

[0138] In addition, when the end of the rotation state is detected based on the output from the rotation detector 53, the drive instruction issuing unit 107 may issue a drive instruction when the rotation detector 53 detects the rotation state next time. That is, after the grinding operation on one workpiece W is completed, when the machine tool 5 rotates the grinding brush 3 for the grinding operation of the next workpiece W, the cloud computer 103 may issue and send a drive instruction to make the grinding tool 101 perform an abrasive protrusion operation.

[0139] Here, the rotation detector 53 may be a vibration sensor. In addition, the rotation detector 53 includes a conduction member that moves by centrifugal force, and the conduction member may function as a switch that turns on and off a circuit.

[0140] In this example, the grinding tool holder 4 may hold a grinding tool 70 including an elastic grinding stone 71 as an abrasive. In addition, the grinding tool holder 4 may hold a grinding tool 80 including a rigid grinding stone 81 as an abrasive.

[0141] (Other embodiments) Here, the grinding system 100 may include a plurality of grinding tools 101 communicably connected to a cloud computer 103 . Fig.15 1 is an explanatory diagram of a grinding system 100 ′ including a plurality of grinding tools 101. Fig.15Since the polishing system 100 ′ shown includes structures corresponding to the above-mentioned polishing system 100 , the corresponding structures are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0142] The grinding system 100' of this example includes a first grinding tool 101A and a second grinding tool 101B as the grinding tool 101, which are communicably connected to the cloud computer 103 via the network 102. The cloud computer 103 includes a cloud computer side control unit 104, a storage unit 52, and a cloud computer side communication unit 105. The cloud computer side control unit 104 includes a first grinding tool control unit 106A and a second grinding tool control unit 106B as the grinding tool control unit 106. The first grinding tool control unit 106A receives the output of the rotation detector 53 from the first grinding tool 101A. In addition, the first grinding tool control unit 106A issues a drive instruction and a notification instruction, and sends them to the first grinding tool 101A. The second grinding tool control unit 106B receives the output of the rotation detector 53 from the second grinding tool 101B. In addition, the second grinding tool control unit 106B issues a drive instruction and a notification instruction, and sends them to the second grinding tool 101B. The first grinding tool control unit 106A and the second grinding tool control unit 106B refer to the same wear pattern P stored in the storage unit 52 when acquiring the wear amount.

[0143] In addition, the cloud computer 103 may identify the first grinding tool 101A and the second grinding tool 101B by respectively assigned identification numbers, etc. Alternatively, the cloud computer 103 may identify the first grinding tool 101A and the second grinding tool 101B by their respective addresses on the network 102 .

[0144] In this example, on the production line performing the grinding process, there are a first machine tool 5A and a second machine tool 5B performing the same grinding process as the machine tool 5, a first grinding tool 101A is connected to the first machine tool 5A, and a second grinding tool 101B is connected to the second machine tool 5b. In this case, if the grinding system 100' is used, these multiple grinding tools 101 can be driven and controlled by a cloud computer 103.

[0145] In addition, according to the grinding system 100', the wear amount of the linear abrasive 2 can be obtained based on one wear pattern P stored in the storage unit 52 of the cloud computer 103, and the abrasive protrusion actions of multiple grinding tools 101 can be performed respectively. Furthermore, by updating the wear pattern P in the storage unit 52, the wear pattern P of multiple grinding tools 101 can be changed at the same time.

[0146] In addition, according to this example, the wear state of the abrasive of the plurality of grinding tools 101 can be grasped on the cloud computer 103 side. Therefore, the plurality of grinding tools 101 connected to each machine tool can be centrally managed. In addition, the cloud computer 103 collects the outputs of the rotation detectors of the plurality of grinding tools 101. Therefore, on the cloud computer 103 side, based on the rotation state of each grinding tool 101, the operating state of each machine tool 5 can be grasped.

[0147] In addition, when the first machine tool 5A and the second machine tool 5B perform different grinding processes, the first grinding tool 101A and the second grinding tool 101B may also include different grinding tools. In this case, the first wear pattern and the second wear pattern are stored and maintained in the storage unit 52 of the cloud computer 103. In addition, the first grinding tool control unit 106A that sends a drive instruction to the first grinding tool 101A obtains the wear amount by referring to the first wear pattern, and the second grinding tool control unit 106B that sends a drive instruction to the second grinding tool 101B obtains the wear amount by referring to the second wear pattern.

Claims

1. A grinding tool holder, comprising: A shank connected to a spindle of the machine tool; A support mechanism that supports a grinding tool including an abrasive holder and an abrasive held by the abrasive holder so as to be movably supported along the axial direction of the shank; as well as A moving mechanism, the moving mechanism having a driving source, moves the grinding tool along the axial direction, wherein the grinding tool holder is characterized by comprising: a control unit configured to control the driving source; A storage unit connected to the control unit; a rotation detector that detects a rotation state of being rotated by the machine tool; and a power source for supplying power to the driving source and the control unit, The storage unit stores a reference size of the abrasive material when the grinding tool is supported by the support mechanism, a number of grinding operations which is the number of times the rotation detector detects the rotation state, and a wear pattern that associates the amount of wear of the abrasive material of the reference size through one grinding operation of grinding a workpiece with the number of grinding operations. The control unit includes: a grinding operation number updating unit which, when the rotation detector detects the rotation state, calculates a new grinding operation number obtained by adding 1 to the grinding operation number and updates the grinding operation number in the storage unit; a wear amount acquisition unit that acquires the wear amount by referring to the wear pattern based on the number of grinding operations when calculating the number of grinding operations; and A drive control unit, when detecting that the rotation state has ended based on the output from the rotation detector, drives the drive source to operate the moving mechanism to perform an abrasive protrusion operation to move the grinding tool to the opposite side of the shank by a distance corresponding to the wear amount.

2. The grinding tool holder according to claim 1, characterized in that The drive control unit performs the abrasive protruding operation when detecting that the rotation state is terminated.

3. The grinding tool holder according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the drive control unit detects the end of the rotation state, the drive control unit performs the abrasive protruding operation when the rotation detector detects the rotation state next time.

4. The grinding tool holder according to claim 1, characterized in that: Including the notification department, The control unit includes: an abrasive length dimension calculation unit, which, when the wear amount is initially acquired, calculates a dimension obtained by subtracting the wear amount from the reference dimension as the abrasive length dimension and stores it in the storage unit, and thereafter, whenever the wear amount is acquired, calculates a dimension obtained by subtracting the wear amount from the abrasive length dimension as a new abrasive length dimension and updates the abrasive length dimension in the storage unit; a replacement determination unit that determines whether the grinding tool needs to be replaced based on the abrasive length dimension and the reference dimension each time the abrasive length dimension is calculated; and The replacement notifying unit drives the notifying unit to notify that the polishing tool needs to be replaced when it is determined that the polishing tool needs to be replaced.

5. The grinding tool holder according to claim 1, characterized in that: including a communication unit for communicating with an external device, The reference dimension and the wear pattern are input to the control unit via the communication unit and stored in the storage unit.

6. The grinding tool holder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotation detector is an acceleration sensor.

7. The grinding tool holder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotation detector is a vibration sensor.

8. The grinding tool holder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotation detector includes a conduction member that moves using centrifugal force, and the conduction member is a switch that opens and closes an electric circuit.

9. The grinding tool holder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support mechanism includes: a connecting member having a through hole extending in the axial direction; and a shaft member extending in the axial direction and extending through the through hole coaxially with the handle. The driving source is an electric motor, The moving mechanism comprises: a rotation support mechanism that supports the shaft member rotatably around the axis; An internal thread, the internal thread being arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole; An external thread, which is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft member and is threadedly engaged with the internal thread; a driving force transmission mechanism that transmits the rotation of the motor to the shaft member; A sleeve that guides the connecting member along the axial direction at the outer peripheral sides of the connecting member and the shaft member; and a rotation limiting mechanism that limits the idle rotation of the connecting member and the shaft member, In the grinding tool, the abrasive holder is connected to the connecting portion so that a part of the abrasive protrudes outward from the sleeve. The control unit drives the motor to rotate the shaft member and moves the connecting member along the axial direction.

10. A grinding tool, characterized in that: have: The grinding tool holder according to claim 1; and A grinding tool, comprising an abrasive holder and an abrasive held by the abrasive holder, The abrasive material includes a plurality of linear abrasive materials arranged in parallel in the length direction toward the axial direction. The abrasive holder holds one end of the plurality of linear abrasives in the axial direction. The grinding tool is supported by the grinding tool holder, and the other ends of the plurality of linear abrasive materials are brought into contact with a workpiece to grind the workpiece.

11. A grinding tool, characterized in that: have: The grinding tool holder according to claim 1; and A grinding tool, comprising an abrasive holder and an abrasive held by the abrasive holder, The abrasive is an elastic grinding stone, The abrasive holder holds one end of the elastic grinding stone in the axial direction. The grinding tool is supported by the grinding tool holder, and the other end of the elastic grinding stone is brought into contact with a workpiece to grind the workpiece.

12. A grinding tool, characterized in that: have: The grinding tool holder according to claim 1; and A grinding tool, comprising an abrasive holder and an abrasive held by the abrasive holder, The abrasive is a rigid grinding stone. The abrasive holder holds one end of the grinding stone in the axial direction. The grinding tool is supported by the grinding tool holder, and the other end of the grinding stone is brought into contact with a workpiece to grind the workpiece.

13. A grinding system comprising: A grinding tool comprising a grinding tool including an abrasive holder and an abrasive held by the abrasive holder, and a grinding tool holder including a shank connected to a spindle of a machine tool, a support mechanism for movably supporting the grinding tool along an axial direction of the shank, and a moving mechanism including a driving source and moving the grinding tool along the axial direction; as well as A cloud computer is communicatively connected to the grinding tool holder via a network, wherein the grinding system is characterized in that: The grinding tool holder comprises: A control unit that drives and controls the driving source based on a driving instruction; a rotation detector that detects a rotation state of being rotated by the machine tool; a power source that supplies power to the driving source and the control unit; and a communication unit, the communication unit communicating with the cloud computer, The communication unit transmits the output from the rotation detector to the cloud computer, and receives the drive instruction from the cloud computer and inputs it to the control unit. The cloud computer includes: a storage unit storing a reference size of the abrasive material when the grinding tool is supported by the support mechanism, a grinding action number of times the rotation detector detects the rotation state, and a wear pattern associating the amount of wear of the abrasive material of the reference size through one grinding action of grinding a workpiece with the grinding action number; and a grinding tool control unit, The grinding tool control unit includes: a grinding operation number updating unit which, when the rotation detector detects the rotation state, calculates a new grinding operation number obtained by adding 1 to the grinding operation number and updates the grinding operation number in the storage unit; a wear amount acquisition unit that acquires the wear amount by referring to the wear pattern based on the number of grinding operations when calculating the number of grinding operations; a drive instruction issuing unit that, when detecting that the rotation state has ended based on the output from the rotation detector, issues the drive instruction for driving the drive source to operate the moving mechanism and perform an abrasive protrusion operation to move the grinding tool to the opposite side of the shank by a distance corresponding to the wear amount; and A command transmission unit transmits the drive command to the grinding tool holder when the drive command is issued.

14. The grinding system according to claim 13, characterized in that The drive command issuing unit issues the drive command when the end of the rotation state is detected.

15. The grinding system according to claim 13, characterized in that The drive command issuing unit, when detecting the end of the rotation state, issues the drive command when the rotation detector detects the rotation state next time.

16. The grinding system according to claim 13, characterized in that: The grinding tool holder includes a notification portion, The grinding tool control unit includes: an abrasive length dimension calculation unit, which, when the wear amount is initially acquired, calculates a dimension obtained by subtracting the wear amount from the reference dimension as the abrasive length dimension and stores it in the storage unit, and thereafter, whenever the wear amount is acquired, calculates a dimension obtained by subtracting the wear amount from the abrasive length dimension as a new abrasive length dimension and updates the abrasive length dimension in the storage unit; a replacement determination unit that determines whether the grinding tool needs to be replaced based on the abrasive length dimension and the reference dimension each time the abrasive length dimension is calculated; and a notification instruction issuing unit, which, when it is determined that the grinding tool needs to be replaced, issues a notification instruction for driving the notification unit to notify that the grinding tool needs to be replaced, When the notification command is issued, the command transmission unit transmits the notification command to the polishing tool holder.

17. The grinding system according to claim 13, characterized in that: The support mechanism includes: a connecting member having a through hole extending in the axial direction; and a shaft member extending in the axial direction and extending through the through hole coaxially with the handle. The driving source is an electric motor, The moving mechanism comprises: a rotation support mechanism that supports the shaft member rotatably around the axis; An internal thread, the internal thread being arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole; An external thread, which is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft member and is threadedly engaged with the internal thread; a driving force transmission mechanism that transmits the rotation of the motor to the shaft member; A sleeve that guides the connecting member along the axial direction at the outer peripheral sides of the connecting member and the shaft member; and a rotation limiting mechanism that limits the idle rotation of the connecting member and the shaft member, In the grinding tool, the abrasive holder is connected to the connecting portion so that a part of the abrasive protrudes outward from the sleeve. The control unit drives the motor to rotate the shaft member and moves the connecting member along the axial direction.

18. The grinding system according to claim 13, characterized in that As the grinding tool, a first grinding tool and a second grinding tool are communicably connected to the cloud computer via a network, The cloud computer serves as the grinding tool control unit, including: a first grinding tool control unit that receives the output from the rotation detector of the first grinding tool and sends the driving instruction to the first grinding tool; and The grinding tool control unit receives the output from the rotation detector of the second grinding tool and sends the driving instruction to the second grinding tool.

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