Full-automatic tool changing equipment and tool changing method

Abstract

The invention discloses full-automatic tool changing equipment and a tool changing method. The full-automatic tool changing equipment comprises a fixed platform, a movable platform, a clamping unit, a frame body, a supporting base and a driving unit, the supporting base and the driving unit are arranged on the movable platform, and the frame body is rotationally connected to one side of the supporting base; at least two groups of cutter arm units are arranged on the frame body, the cutter arm units can push cutters to the cutter shaft or place detached cutters, and the driving unit is used for driving the frame body to rotate; the movable platform can move on the fixed platform in a reciprocating mode in the x-axis direction, and the tool arm unit is in butt joint with or separated from a slitting machine tool shaft. The clamping unit is located on one side of the supporting base and used for limiting rotation of the frame body. Manual tool changing can be replaced, full-automatic tool changing is achieved, manual external interference is not needed in the tool changing period, the error-tolerant rate can be reduced, the working intensity and cost can be reduced, the overall structure is compact, and the occupied space is small.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of slitting machine tool changing, and in particular to a fully automatic tool changing device and a tool changing method. Background Art

[0002] The knife changing device of the slitting machine is an important part of the slitting machine equipment. It can help users quickly replace cutters of different models to adapt to objects of different materials and shapes, thereby improving work efficiency. The existing knife changing generally adopts manual knife changing, but the work intensity is high and the knife changing efficiency is slow, which in turn affects the work efficiency of the equipment.

[0003] The existing tool changing equipment, such as the automatic tool changing tower and tool changing method with publication number CN117754336A, and the efficient cross tool changing arm with announcement number CN205915085U, have tool pushing devices located on the top of the tool arm, which require a large space for movement during operation. This will undoubtedly cause the overall space occupied by the equipment to be very large. In addition, since the tool arm is equipped with a tool, the tool arm cannot rotate too fast during tool changing, otherwise the tool will easily be thrown out, which will increase the overall tool changing time. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present application provides a fully automatic tool changing device and a tool changing method to solve the technical problems of slow tool changing speed, affecting work efficiency, and occupying large space in the above-mentioned prior art, and adopts the following technical solutions: The fully automatic tool changing device comprises a fixed platform, a movable platform and a frame, wherein a support seat and a driving unit are arranged on the movable platform, and the frame is rotatably connected to one side of the support seat; The frame is provided with at least two sets of knife arm units, the knife arm units can push the knife to the knife shaft or place the disassembled knife, and the driving unit is used to drive the frame to rotate; The movable platform can reciprocate on the fixed platform along the x-axis direction to dock or separate the knife arm unit from the knife shaft of the slitting machine; A clamping unit, the clamping unit is located on one side of the support seat and is used to limit the rotation of the frame.

[0005] Preferably, each group of the tool arm units includes two tool changing arms, and the tool changing arms are arranged in a plum blossom structure with the rotation center of the frame as the center.

[0006] Preferably, the tool changing arm comprises a tool arm shaft, a tool pushing mechanism is sleeved on the outer side of the tool arm shaft, one end of the tool arm shaft is provided with a overlapping component for overlapping the tool shaft to transition the tool, and the tool pushing mechanism can reciprocate along the axial direction of the tool arm shaft.

[0007] Preferably, the knife pushing mechanism includes a driving assembly and a connecting component, and a pushing sleeve sleeved on the outside of the knife arm shaft, the connecting component respectively connects the driving assembly and the pushing sleeve, and the driving assembly is used to drive the pushing sleeve to move.

[0008] Preferably, the knife arm shaft is hollow inside and has an opening at the bottom, and the drive assembly is arranged inside the knife arm shaft.

[0009] Preferably, it further comprises a balancing unit located in the frame, and when the frame rotates, the balancing unit can maintain the state of the knife arm unit unchanged.

[0010] Preferably, the balancing unit comprises a fixed gear and power gears respectively arranged on the knife arm units, and an idler gear transmission connection is respectively arranged between the fixed gear and the transmission gear.

[0011] Preferably, the clamping unit comprises a mounting plate and a limit block, and an opening and closing mechanism arranged on the mounting plate, the limit blocks are distributed on the frame along the symmetrical center line between the tool changing arms, and the opening and closing mechanism is used to clamp the limit blocks.

[0012] Preferably, the opening and closing mechanism comprises a power component and a pair of opening and closing rotating arms, and the power component is connected to any one of the rotating arms.

[0013] The present application also provides a tool changing method, which uses the above-mentioned fully automatic tool changing device and also includes the following steps: Step 1: manually or by a robot, arranging and installing the tool to be replaced on any group of the tool arm units; Step 2: The driving unit drives the frame to rotate, and the knife arm unit without the knife installed corresponds to the knife shaft of the slitting machine, and the movable platform drives the knife arm unit to approach the slitting machine and dock with the knife shaft; Step 3: The slitting machine knife retracting device pushes the old knife onto the knife arm unit, and the movable platform drives the knife arm unit to move and separate from the knife shaft; Step 4: The driving unit drives the frame to rotate again, and the knife arm unit on which the tool to be replaced is installed corresponds to the knife shaft. The movable platform then drives the knife arm unit to dock with the knife shaft and pushes the tool onto the knife shaft. Step 5: The movable platform drives the knife arm unit to separate from the knife shaft again and move to a safe position, which can reduce the knife change cycle and greatly shorten the knife change time.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: (1) The present application can replace manual tool changing and realize fully automatic tool changing. Tool changing is more flexible and does not require external human intervention during tool changing. It can reduce the fault tolerance rate, work intensity and cost.

[0015] (2) The knife arm units are all located on the same side of the frame, which can greatly reduce the space occupied by the entire equipment. The knife arm units are replaced by rotating around the x-axis, which makes the rotation angle smaller and increases the rotation speed of the knife arm units, thereby shortening the tool change time of the equipment and improving production efficiency.

[0016] (3) The tool changing arm is arranged in a plum blossom pile structure with the frame rotation center as the center. The tool arm unit adopts a one-for-one backup form. On the premise of meeting the tool changing needs, it can further reduce the space occupied by the tool arm unit, thereby reducing the space occupied by the overall equipment.

[0017] (4) On the basis of the above, the tool arm shaft adopts a hollow structure, and the drive assembly is arranged inside the tool arm shaft, which further reduces the volume of the tool changing arm and makes the overall structure compact. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the present application; Figure 2 is a front view of the present application; Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the balancing unit of the present application; Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the clamping unit of the present application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the tool changing arm of the present application from a first-person perspective; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the tool changing arm of the present application from a second perspective.

[0019] In the figure: 1. Fixed platform, 2. Movable platform, 3. Support seat, 4. Driving unit, 5. Frame; 6. knife arm unit, 60. knife changing arm, 61. knife arm shaft, 62. knife pushing mechanism, 621. pushing sleeve, 622. driving assembly, 623. connecting component, 63. supporting component, 64. overlapping component, 65. positioning component, 66. sliding component, 67. opening; 7. Clamping unit, 71. Mounting plate, 72. Opening and closing mechanism, 721. Power component, 722. Rotating arm, 73. Limiting block, 8. Balancing unit, 81. Fixed gear, 82. Power gear, 83. Idle gear. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The following will be combined with the drawings of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the embodiments described in the present application are only some embodiments of the present application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0021] See also Figures 1 to 6 Further explanation of this application: Combination Figure 1 The fully automatic tool changing equipment includes a fixed platform 1, a movable platform 2 and a frame 5, and a support base 3 and a driving unit 4 arranged on the movable platform 2. The frame 5 is rotatably connected to one side of the support base 3, and the support base 3 is used to support the rotation of the frame 5; specifically, the frame 5 is connected to the support base 3 through a rotating shaft.

[0022] At least two groups of knife arm units 6 are provided on the frame 5, and the knife arm units 6 can push the tools to the knife shaft or place the disassembled tools; in this embodiment, the knife arm units 6 are two groups, one group of knife arm units 6 is used to place the tools to be installed, and the other group of knife arm units 6 is used to store and place the old tools on the knife shaft of the slitting machine. The form of one backup and one use is adopted, and the tool to be replaced can be installed on the knife arm unit 6 from one side of the movable platform 2, which makes the installation and removal of the tool more convenient.

[0023] The driving unit 4 is used to drive the frame 5 to rotate, and rotate the two groups of knife arm units 6 on the frame 5 in sequence to the positions corresponding to the knife shafts of the slitting machine; the driving unit 4 is a motor, and the rotation of the frame 5 can be achieved through conventional transmission methods (such as chain drive, belt drive, etc.).

[0024] like Figure 1 The movable platform 2 can reciprocate on the fixed platform 1 along the x-axis direction, drive the frame 5 to move with the knife arm unit 6, and connect or separate the knife arm unit 6 with the knife shaft of the slitting machine; the movable platform 2 can achieve reciprocating movement through a motor and a gear rack, but is not limited to this.

[0025] It also includes a clamping unit 7, which is located on one side of the support seat 3 and is used to limit the rotation of the frame 5; it can prevent the knife arm unit 6 from rotating when docking with the knife shaft, ensuring that the knife arm unit 6 and the knife shaft can be accurately docked.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, the present application arranges the knife arm unit 6 on the same side of the frame 5, which greatly reduces the overall space occupied by the equipment; by driving the knife arm unit 6 to rotate along the x-axis, the knife arm unit 6 can be quickly replaced, shortening the time for replacing the knife arm unit 6, and facilitating the installation of the tool to be replaced or the removal of the old tool after it is retired. At the same time, it also greatly reduces the space occupied by the equipment, shortens the tool changing time, and improves production efficiency.

[0027] Combination Figures 2 to 4 The clamping unit 7 includes a mounting plate 71 and a limit block 73, and an opening and closing mechanism 72 arranged on the mounting plate 71, wherein the limit block 73 is distributed along the circumferential direction of the frame 5 on the symmetrical center line between the tool changing arms 60, and the opening and closing mechanism 72 can realize opening and closing, clamping or releasing the limit block 73; wherein, the opening and closing mechanism 72 includes a power component 721 and a pair of opening and closing rotating arms 722; specifically, the rotating arms 722 can realize synchronous opening and closing through gear meshing; the power component 721 is connected to any of the rotating arms 722, and the power component 721 can be a cylinder, and the power component 721 can drive the rotating arm 722 to rotate to realize opening and closing, and then clamp the limit block 73, which can avoid errors when the frame drives the knife arm unit 6 to rotate, resulting in the inability to align the knife arm unit 6 with the knife shaft. When the frame needs to rotate, the limit block 73 is released; it can ensure that the knife arm unit 6 is accurately docked with the knife shaft.

[0028] Combination Figure 2 In this embodiment, each group of the tool arm unit 6 includes two tool change arms 60, and the tool change arms 60 are arranged in a plum blossom structure with the rotation center of the frame 5 as the center. That is, four tool change arms 60 are arranged on the frame 5, and the distance between two adjacent tool change arms 60 is equal, and any two adjacent tool change arms 60 can form the tool arm unit 6. This arrangement can further reduce the overall volume and facilitate the alternating use of the tool change arms 60.

[0029] Combination Figure 5 The tool changing arm 60 includes a tool arm shaft 61, a tool pushing mechanism 62 is sleeved on the outer side of the tool arm shaft 61, and a lap joint component 64 is provided at one end of the tool arm shaft 61 for lap jointing the tool shaft to transfer the tool, and the tool pushing mechanism 62 can reciprocate along the axial direction of the tool arm shaft 61; wherein the lap joint component 64 is an arc-shaped plate, which is located at the top of the tool arm unit 6, so that the tool can be transferred between the tool arm unit 6 and the tool shaft.

[0030] Specifically, the interior of the knife arm shaft 61 is a hollow structure to form a cavity, and an opening 67 is provided at the bottom, which can reduce the weight of the tool changing arm 60 while ensuring the strength and rigidity of the knife arm shaft 61.

[0031] like Figure 6 The knife pushing mechanism 62 includes a driving component 622 and a connecting component 623, and a pushing sleeve 621 sleeved on the outside of the knife arm shaft 61. The connecting component 623 connects the driving component 622 and the pushing sleeve 621 through the opening 67. The driving component 622 is used to drive the pushing sleeve 621 to reciprocate. In this embodiment, the driving component 622 is driven by a motor using a screw mechanism. Of course, the driving component 622 can also be a cylinder or other reciprocating mechanism, which can realize the movement of the pushing sleeve 621 along the axial direction of the tool changing arm 60.

[0032] Among them, the driving component 622 is arranged in the cavity inside the tool changing arm 60, which reduces the volume of the tool changing arm 60, makes the overall structure more compact, further reduces the overall occupied space, and can protect and dustproof the driving component 622 to ensure operational stability.

[0033] Combination Figure 3 , in order to ensure that the state of the tool changing arm 60 in space remains unchanged when it rotates; it also includes a balancing unit 8 located in the frame 5, wherein the balancing unit 8 includes a fixed gear 81, the fixed gear 81 is connected to the frame 5, and a power gear 82 respectively arranged on the tool changing arm 60; an idler wheel 83 is respectively arranged between the fixed gear 81 and the power gear 82 for transmission connection, that is, the idler wheel 83 is arranged between the fixed gear 81 and the power gear 81 on each group of tool arm units 6 for transmission connection; the idler wheel 83 is rotationally connected to the frame 5; when the frame 5 rotates, the fixed gear 81 rotates synchronously with the frame 5, and the idler wheel 83 rotates around the fixed gear 81, and the power gear 82 changes its rotation direction through the idler wheel 83 and rotates with the idler wheel 83, thereby maintaining the state of the tool arm unit 6 unchanged, that is, when the frame 5 rotates, the overlapping part 64 can always remain on the top of the tool arm unit 6 so as to overlap with the tool shaft for tool transition.

[0034] In this embodiment, a gap is provided between the pushing sleeve 621 and the tool changing arm 60 so as to prevent contact, thereby avoiding contact and friction between the pushing sleeve 621 and the outer wall of the tool changing arm 60, reducing friction resistance, reducing the load of the power component 721, and increasing service life.

[0035] In some embodiments, a plurality of push blocks are provided on one side of the knife pushing mechanism 62 , and the push blocks are circumferentially distributed on the side end of the knife pushing mechanism 62 , and are used to abut against the knife to reduce the contact area with the knife.

[0036] In some embodiments, the tool changing arm 60 is provided with a plurality of supporting components 63, and the supporting components 63 are circumferentially distributed on the top of the tool changing arm 60. The supporting components 63 are support rods with a smooth surface, which are used to support the tool. The outer diameter of the overlapping component 64 is flush with the outer diameter of the supporting component 63, so as to avoid the contact between the tool and the outer wall of the tool changing arm 60. At the same time, it also reduces the resistance of the tool pushing mechanism 62 when pushing the tool, reduces the contact area between the tool and the tool arm shaft 61, and reduces the wear on the tool.

[0037] In some embodiments, in order to ensure that the tool change arm 60 can be docked with the tool shaft, a positioning component 65 is further provided on the tool change arm 60, and the positioning component 65 is located on the side where the overlap component 64 is provided, and is used to limit the position of the tool change arm 60. The positioning component 65 can cooperate with the tool shaft to ensure that the tool change arm 60 and the tool shaft are coaxial, and the tool change arm 60 and the tool shaft are accurately docked.

[0038] In some embodiments, the tool changing arm 60 is provided with a sliding component 66 which is slidably connected to the tool pushing mechanism 62. The sliding component 66 can be a slider and a guide rail; the sliding component 66 is arranged at the opening 67 opened at the bottom of the tool changing arm 60 to prevent the pushing sleeve 621 from rotating and ensure its stable movement.

[0039] The present application also provides a tool changing method, including the above-mentioned fully automatic tool changing device, and also including the following tool changing steps: Step 1: manually or by a robot, arrange and install the tools to be replaced on any group of the tool arm units 6; and install the tools to be installed on the tool shaft arm from one side of the movable platform 2.

[0040] Step 2: The driving unit 4 drives the frame 5 to rotate, and the knife arm unit 6 without the tool installed corresponds to the knife shaft of the slitting machine. The clamping component clamps the corresponding limit block 73, and the movable platform 2 drives the knife arm unit 6 to approach the slitting machine and dock with the knife shaft; the positioning component 65 cooperates with the knife shaft to ensure that the tool changing arm 60 is coaxial with the knife shaft, and the overlapping component 64 overlaps the knife shaft.

[0041] Step 3: The knife retracting device of the slitting machine pushes the old knife onto the knife arm unit 6 through the overlapping component 64, and the movable platform 2 drives the knife arm unit 6 to move and separate from the knife shaft.

[0042] Step 4: The driving unit 4 drives the frame 5 to rotate again, and the knife arm unit 6 installed with the tool to be replaced corresponds to the knife shaft. The movable platform 2 then drives the knife arm unit 6 to dock with the knife shaft and pushes the tool onto the knife shaft.

[0043] Step 5: The movable platform 2 drives the knife arm unit 6 to separate from the knife shaft again and move to a safe position.

[0044] In the prior art, the push plate of the push knife is generally located on the outside of the knife arm. After the empty knife arm is rotated to correspond to the knife shaft of the slitting machine, the push plate is first moved to the outside of the knife arm by a driving component, and then the push plate is pushed by another driving component to push the tool onto the knife shaft. After each tool change is completed, the push knife needs to be moved to the outside of the knife arm again; compared with the prior art, when changing the tool, the present application only needs to drive the push sleeve 621 to move along the axial direction of the tool changing arm 60 to push the tool onto the knife shaft, which can reduce the tool changing rhythm and greatly reduce the tool changing time.

Claims

1. Fully automatic tool changing equipment, including a fixed platform, a movable platform and a frame, characterized in that: The movable platform is provided with a support seat and a driving unit, and the frame is rotatably connected to one side of the support seat; The frame is provided with at least two sets of knife arm units, the knife arm units can push the knife to the knife shaft or place the disassembled knife, and the driving unit is used to drive the frame to rotate; The movable platform can reciprocate on the fixed platform along the x-axis direction to dock or separate the knife arm unit from the knife shaft of the slitting machine; A clamping unit, the clamping unit is located on one side of the support seat and is used to limit the rotation of the frame.

2. The fully automatic tool changing device according to claim 1 is characterized in that: Each group of the tool arm units includes two tool changing arms, and the tool changing arms are arranged in a plum blossom structure with the rotation center of the frame as the center.

3. The fully automatic tool changing device according to claim 2 is characterized in that: The tool changing arm comprises a tool arm shaft, a tool pushing mechanism is sleeved on the outer side of the tool arm shaft, a lap part for lapping the tool shaft to transfer the tool is provided at one end of the tool arm shaft, and the tool pushing mechanism can reciprocate along the axial direction of the tool arm shaft.

4. The fully automatic tool changing device according to claim 3 is characterized in that: The knife pushing mechanism includes a driving assembly and a connecting component, and a pushing sleeve sleeved on the outside of the knife arm shaft, the connecting component respectively connects the driving assembly and the pushing sleeve, and the driving assembly is used to drive the pushing sleeve to move.

5. The fully automatic tool changing device according to claim 4 is characterized in that: The knife arm shaft is hollow inside and has an opening at the bottom. The driving assembly is arranged inside the knife arm shaft.

6. The fully automatic tool changing device according to claim 1 is characterized in that: It also includes a balancing unit located in the frame, and when the frame rotates, the balancing unit can maintain the state of the knife arm unit unchanged.

7. The fully automatic tool changing device according to claim 6 is characterized in that: The balancing unit comprises a fixed gear and power gears respectively arranged on the knife arm units, and an idler gear transmission connection is respectively arranged between the fixed gear and the transmission gear.

8. The fully automatic tool changing device according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The clamping unit includes a mounting plate and a limit block, and an opening and closing mechanism arranged on the mounting plate, the limit blocks are distributed on the frame along the symmetrical center line between the tool changing arms, and the opening and closing mechanism is used to clamp the limit blocks.

9. The fully automatic tool changing device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The opening and closing mechanism comprises a power component and a pair of opening and closing rotating arms, and the power component is connected to any of the rotating arms.

10. Tool changing method, characterized in that: The fully automatic tool changing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 further comprises the following tool changing steps: Step 1: manually or by a robot, arranging and installing the tool to be replaced on any group of the tool arm units; Step 2: The driving unit drives the frame to rotate, and the knife arm unit without the knife installed corresponds to the knife shaft of the slitting machine, and the movable platform drives the knife arm unit to approach the slitting machine and dock with the knife shaft; Step 3: The slitting machine knife retracting device pushes the old knife onto the knife arm unit, and the movable platform drives the knife arm unit to move and separate from the knife shaft; Step 4: The driving unit drives the frame to rotate again, and the knife arm unit on which the tool to be replaced is installed corresponds to the knife shaft. The movable platform then drives the knife arm unit to dock with the knife shaft and pushes the tool onto the knife shaft. Step 5: The movable platform drives the knife arm unit to separate from the knife shaft again and move it to a safe position.

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