A tool magazine is located in the gantry machine behind the door

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of machine tool tool magazines, and discloses a gantry machine tool with a tool magazine located at the rear door, which comprises a tool magazine system located at the rear of the machine tool, the tool magazine system comprises a tool magazine bin, an inner rack body is arranged in the tool magazine bin, a tool storage mechanism is arranged on the inner rack body, the tool storage mechanism comprises a fixed support arranged on the inner rack body, a movable support is slidably arranged on the fixed support along the width direction of the workbench of the machine tool, the end of the movable support is provided with a tool holder, the upper end of the tool holder is provided with a rotating ring disc with a vertical shaft center line, the outer circular surface of the rotating ring disc is provided with a tool storage unit, a plurality of groups of the tool storage units are arranged in an array along the circumferential direction of the rotating ring disc, and a pushing assembly is arranged on the tool holder; when the extension direction of the tool storage unit is parallel to the width direction of the workbench, the pushing assembly can push the tool in the tool storage unit to move away from the rotating ring disc.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of machine tools, specifically to the field of machine tool magazines, and particularly to a gantry machine tool with the magazine located at the rear door. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of technology, machine tools have gradually evolved into CNC automation. Existing CNC machine tools generally have a tool magazine system that can realize automatic tool changing. The CNC machine tool tool magazine system generally includes a tool magazine, a tool changing mechanism, and a control system. The tool magazine mainly provides the tool storage position and can correctly select and position the tool according to the control system for tool exchange. The tool changing mechanism, also called a robot, is responsible for performing the tool exchange action.

[0003] Based on a search of machine tool tool magazine technology, a Chinese invention patent application with publication number CN119115618A was found, which discloses a flat disc tool magazine. According to the workflow described in paragraph

[0049] of its specification, this patent technology uses a servo motor to drive the tool disc to rotate, so that the selected tool is positioned in a suitable location. Then, a cylinder pushes the selected tool to the tool changing position, and then the tool is changed. Although this method can reduce the cost of the tool magazine, increase the tool changing speed, and simplify the tool magazine installation process, it still has some shortcomings. For example, in order to prevent the tool magazine from affecting the machine tool operation when not changing tools, the tool magazine needs to be far away from the machine tool's worktable. Therefore, how to make the selected tool reach the tool changing position faster during tool changing is one of the factors affecting the tool changing efficiency, and thus also one of the factors affecting the machine tool's processing efficiency. In the above-mentioned existing patent technology, the selected tool is simply positioned in the tool changing position by first rotating and then pushing, which is relatively inefficient and has room for improvement. Based on this, the present invention proposes a gantry machine tool with the tool magazine located at the rear door. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the problem of relatively low tool changing efficiency mentioned in the background above, this invention provides a gantry milling machine with the tool magazine located at the rear door.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned technical objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows.

[0006] A gantry machine tool with a tool magazine located at the rear door includes a tool magazine system located at the rear of the machine tool. The tool magazine system includes a tool magazine compartment, an inner frame is provided inside the tool magazine compartment, and a tool storage mechanism is provided on the inner frame. The tool storage mechanism includes a fixed bracket provided on the inner frame, a movable bracket slidably provided on the fixed bracket along the width direction of the machine tool's worktable, a tool holder is provided at the end of the movable bracket, and a rotating ring disk with its centerline arranged vertically is provided at the upper end of the tool holder. A tool storage unit is provided on the outer circular surface of the rotating ring disk.

[0007] Several sets of tool storage units are arranged in an array along the circumference of the rotating ring disk. A pushing component is provided on the tool holder. When the extension direction of the tool storage unit is parallel to the width direction of the worktable, the pushing component can push the tool in the tool storage unit to move away from the rotating ring disk.

[0008] As a further improvement and optimization of the present invention, the tool storage unit includes a guide bracket arranged radially on the outer circular surface of the rotating ring disk, a sliding bracket slidably disposed on the guide bracket, the sliding direction of the sliding bracket being parallel to the extension direction of the guide bracket, a spring being disposed between the sliding bracket and the guide bracket, the elastic force of the spring being used to drive the sliding bracket to retract onto the guide bracket, and the end of the sliding bracket facing away from the rotating ring disk being used to place the tool.

[0009] As a further improvement and optimization of the present invention, a clearance area is provided on the guide bracket. When the extension direction of the guide bracket of the tool storage unit is parallel to the width direction of the worktable, the output end of the pushing component provided on the tool holder can move in the clearance area and push the guide bracket to move away from the rotating ring disk. The outer circular surface of the rotating ring disk is provided with a clearance opening for avoiding the output end of the pushing component.

[0010] As a further improvement and optimization of the present invention, the pushing component includes a pusher seat slidably disposed on the tool holder. The sliding direction of the pusher seat is parallel to the width direction of the worktable. When the extension direction of the guide bracket of the tool storage unit is parallel to the width direction of the worktable, the pusher seat, the clearance opening, and the clearance area are located on the same straight line.

[0011] As a further improvement and optimization of the present invention, a rotating shaft and two racks are installed on the tool holder. The axis of the rotating shaft is parallel to the length direction of the worktable. A gear is provided on the rotating shaft. The extension direction of the two racks is parallel to the width direction of the worktable. The two racks are a first rack and a second rack, respectively. The gear is located between the two racks and is engaged with both racks. The second rack is connected to the push seat, and the first rack is connected to the fixed bracket through a connector.

[0012] As a further improvement and optimization of the present invention, a connecting bracket is provided at the end of the first rack away from the second rack, and the connecting member includes a connecting rod provided on the connecting bracket and a guide sleeve provided on the fixed bracket.

[0013] The extension directions of the connecting rod and the guide sleeve are both parallel to the width direction of the worktable. A sliding plug is provided at the end of the connecting rod, and a limiting ring is provided on the outer circular surface of the connecting rod near the first rack. The sliding plug is slidably sleeved inside the guide sleeve, and a fixing ring is provided at the end of the guide sleeve.

[0014] As a further improvement and optimization of the present invention, the fixed bracket is provided with a linear module for driving the movable bracket to move.

[0015] As a further improvement and optimization of the present invention, the tool holder is provided with a motor for driving the rotating ring disk to rotate.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0017] This solution utilizes the coordinated movement of the movable support and the pusher to eject the selected tool. The advantages are twofold compared to existing patented technologies mentioned in the background: Firstly, after tool changing, the entire tool storage mechanism returns to the tool magazine, preventing it from remaining around the machine tool's worktable and affecting workpiece machining. Secondly, the time spent transferring the selected tool to the tool changing position is shorter, thus improving tool changing efficiency. Specifically:

[0018] In the existing patented technology mentioned in the background technology, the selected tool is pushed to the tool change position by a cylinder. Therefore, the time spent is equal to the distance the selected tool needs to move divided by the movement speed. Since the tool change speed of machine tools is generally fast, this movement requires rapid acceleration and deceleration, which can easily cause the tool to shake, affecting the movement accuracy of the tool and thus affecting the tool change result.

[0019] In this solution, the selected tool can be pushed to the tool changing position by the coordinated movement of the movable bracket and the pusher. Therefore, the tool changing time is shorter, the tool changing efficiency is higher, and there is no need for rapid acceleration or deceleration during tool changing. The tool is less likely to shake, which is more conducive to tool changing.

[0020] It should be noted that those skilled in the art would readily conceive of using existing technologies such as electric telescopic rods to drive the movable support and the pusher. However, compared to this solution, under the same power and time conditions, this solution, which uses the cooperation of the first rack, second rack, and gears to drive the pusher, has a longer movement distance for the second rack, which is equal to the sum of the lengths of the first and second racks. This is equivalent to doubling the pusher's movement. Therefore, this solution has a longer movement distance. Conversely, under the same distance conditions, this solution takes less time. Thus, the tool changing efficiency of this solution can be significantly improved, and it can better solve the problem of tool wobbling caused by rapid acceleration and deceleration during tool changing. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of existing machine tool structure Figure 1 ;

[0022] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of existing machine tool structure Figure 2 ;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention. Figure 1 ;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention. Figure 2 ;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the tool magazine system.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of the inner frame, the tool storage mechanism, and the trigger switch;

[0027] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the tool storage mechanism Figure 1 ;

[0028] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the tool storage mechanism Figure 2 ;

[0029] Figure 9 A partial schematic diagram of the tool storage mechanism. Figure 1 ;

[0030] Figure 10 A partial schematic diagram of the tool storage mechanism. Figure 2 .

[0031] The labels in the attached diagram are:

[0032] 100. Tool magazine system; 101. Tool magazine compartment; 102. Magazine door; 103. Trigger switch; 104. Inner frame; 105. Tool storage mechanism; 106. Fixed bracket; 107. Movable bracket; 108. Linear module; 109. Tool holder; 110. Rotating ring; 111. Motor; 112. Guide bracket; 113. Sliding bracket; 114. Spring; 115. Guide sleeve; 116. Connecting rod; 1161. Sliding plug; 1162. Limiting ring; 117. Connecting bracket; 118. First rack; 119. Rotating shaft; 120. Gear; 121. Second rack; 122. Push base. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To further illustrate the technical means and effects of the present invention in achieving its intended purpose, the following detailed description of the specific implementation methods, structures, features, and effects of the present invention, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, is provided below.

[0034] In the attached diagram of this solution, 'a' refers to the cutting tool.

[0035] Reference Figures 3-10 A gantry milling machine with a tool magazine located at the rear door includes a tool magazine system 100. The tool magazine system 100 is located at the rear of the machine tool and does not affect the machining of the workpiece. When a tool change is required, the tool magazine system 100 can more quickly pull the selected tool to the tool change position.

[0036] The tool magazine system 100 includes a tool magazine compartment 101, an inner frame 104 is provided inside the tool magazine compartment 101, and a tool storage mechanism 105 is provided on the inner frame 104.

[0037] Preferred embodiments, refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 The tool magazine system 100 requires regular inspection and maintenance, including tool replacement. Therefore, a magazine door 102 is provided on the tool magazine compartment 101. Additionally, a trigger switch 103 is installed inside the tool magazine compartment 101. The trigger end of the trigger switch 103 contacts the magazine door 102. The trigger switch 103 is connected in series in the circuit of the tool storage mechanism 105. Therefore, when the magazine door 102 is closed, the trigger end of the trigger switch 103 is retracted into the switch, closing the trigger switch 103 and allowing the tool storage mechanism 105 to be powered on normally. When the magazine door 102 is opened for inspection and maintenance of the tool magazine system 100, the trigger end of the trigger switch 103 extends, disengaging the trigger switch 103. When the circuit of the tool storage mechanism 105 is broken, the tool storage mechanism 105 cannot be used normally even if it is powered on. That is, the tool magazine system 100 can only be used normally after the magazine door 102 is closed, which plays a safety protection role and further improves the safety of the tool magazine system 100. The trigger switch 103 mentioned above is an existing technology and will not be described in detail. In summary, this solution sets the tool magazine at the rear door of the machine tool, so that the operator can more conveniently access and maintain the tool magazine when operating the machine tool, and provides safety protection for the tool magazine door. Only when the magazine door is unlocked can the tools be replaced, maintained or repaired, so as to further improve the safety of the tool magazine.

[0038] Reference Figures 7-10 The tool storage mechanism 105 includes a fixed bracket 106 mounted on the inner frame 104. A movable bracket 107 is slidably mounted on the fixed bracket 106 along the width direction of the machine tool's worktable. The movable bracket 107 is driven to move by a linear module 108. The linear module 108 can adopt existing electric telescopic rod technology or existing lead screw linear motion technology, etc., which will not be described in detail. The linear module 108 can be mounted on the inner frame 104 or the fixed bracket 106.

[0039] The end of the movable support 107 is provided with a tool holder 109, and the upper end of the tool holder 109 is provided with a rotating ring disk 110 with its axis arranged vertically and a motor 111 for driving the rotating ring disk 110 to rotate.

[0040] A tool storage unit is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating ring disk 110. Several sets of tool storage units are arranged in an array along the circumference of the rotating ring disk 110. The tool storage unit is used to place the tool. Further, refer to Figure 9The tool storage unit includes a guide bracket 112 radially disposed on the outer surface of the rotating ring disk 110. A sliding bracket 113 is slidably disposed on the guide bracket 112. The sliding direction of the sliding bracket 113 is parallel to the extension direction of the guide bracket 112. A spring 114 is disposed between the sliding bracket 113 and the guide bracket 112. The elastic force of the spring 114 is used to drive the sliding bracket 113 back onto the guide bracket 112. The end of the sliding bracket 113 facing away from the rotating ring disk 110 is used to place the tool. In addition, a clearance area is provided inside the guide bracket 112. When the extension direction of the guide bracket 112 of the tool storage unit is parallel to the width direction of the worktable, the output end of the push assembly disposed on the tool holder 109 can move in the clearance area and push the guide bracket 112 away from the rotating ring disk 110. The spring 114 is compressed. The outer surface of the rotating ring disk 110 is provided with a clearance opening for avoiding the output end of the push assembly.

[0041] Reference Figure 9 and Figure 10 The pushing assembly includes a pusher 122 slidably disposed on the tool holder 109. The sliding direction of the pusher 122 is parallel to the width direction of the worktable. When the extension direction of the guide bracket 112 of the tool storage unit is parallel to the width direction of the worktable, the pusher 122, the clearance opening, and the clearance area are all located on the same straight line.

[0042] The tool holder 109 is equipped with a rotating shaft 119 and two racks. The axis of the rotating shaft 119 is parallel to the length direction of the worktable. A gear 120 is provided on the rotating shaft 119. The extension direction of the two racks is parallel to the width direction of the worktable, and they are respectively the first rack 118 and the second rack 121. The gear 120 is located between the two racks and is engaged with both racks.

[0043] The second rack 121 is connected to the push base 122.

[0044] A connecting bracket 117 is provided at the end of the first rack 118 away from the second rack 121. A connecting rod 116 is provided on the connecting bracket 117. The extension direction of the connecting rod 116 is parallel to the width direction of the worktable. A sliding plug 1161 is provided at the end of the connecting rod 116. A limiting ring 1162 is provided on the outer surface of the connecting rod 116 near the first rack 118.

[0045] A guide sleeve 115 is provided on the fixed bracket 106. The extension direction of the guide sleeve 115 is parallel to the width direction of the worktable. The slide plug 1161 is slidably sleeved in the guide sleeve 115. A fixing ring is provided at the end of the guide sleeve 115.

[0046] Working principle of the invention:

[0047] When the machine tool is machining a workpiece, the tool storage mechanism 105 is located entirely within the tool magazine 101;

[0048] When a tool change is needed:

[0049] First, the motor 111 starts, driving the rotating ring disk 110 to rotate, so that the extension direction of the guide bracket 112 of the tool storage unit where the selected tool is located is parallel to the width direction of the worktable.

[0050] Then, the linear module 108 is activated, driving the movable support 107 to move. During this movement, the movable support 107 moves together with the rotating ring disk 110, the tool storage unit, and the tool. At the same time, the movable support 107 moves together with the rotating shaft 119 and the gear 120. Therefore, the gear 120 will eventually move from one end of the first rack 118 to the other end of the first rack 118 while rotating and moving. The rotation and movement of the gear 120 will drive the second rack 121 to move. The second rack 121 moves together with the pusher 122. The pusher 122 pushes the sliding support 113 of the tool storage unit where the selected tool is located, causing it to move away from the rotating ring disk 110. The spring 114 is compressed. The two work together to extend the selected tool and finally position it at the tool change position.

[0051] Meanwhile, the machining center of the machine tool is also located at the tool change position, after which the tool is changed. The tool change process is not the core of this solution and will not be described in detail. The removed tool can be placed on an empty tool storage unit.

[0052] After the tool change is completed, the linear module 108 drives the movable bracket 107 to move in the opposite direction, which resets the tool storage mechanism 105.

[0053] As can be seen from the above description:

[0054] This solution utilizes the coordinated movement of the movable support and the pusher to eject the selected tool. The advantages are twofold compared to existing patented technologies mentioned in the background: Firstly, after tool changing, the entire tool storage mechanism returns to the tool magazine, preventing it from remaining around the machine tool's worktable and affecting workpiece machining. Secondly, the time spent transferring the selected tool to the tool changing position is shorter, thus improving tool changing efficiency. Specifically:

[0055] In the existing patented technology mentioned in the background technology, the selected tool is pushed to the tool change position by a cylinder. Therefore, the time spent is equal to the distance the selected tool needs to move divided by the movement speed. Since the tool change speed of machine tools is generally fast, this movement requires rapid acceleration and deceleration, which can easily cause the tool to shake, affecting the movement accuracy of the tool and thus affecting the tool change result.

[0056] In this solution, the selected tool can be pushed to the tool changing position by the coordinated movement of the movable bracket and the pusher. Therefore, the tool changing time is shorter, the tool changing efficiency is higher, and there is no need for rapid acceleration or deceleration during tool changing. The tool is less likely to shake, which is more conducive to tool changing.

[0057] It should be noted that those skilled in the art would readily conceive of using existing technologies such as electric telescopic rods to drive the movable support and the pusher. However, compared to this solution, under the same power and time conditions, this solution, which uses the cooperation of the first rack, second rack, and gears to drive the pusher, has a longer movement distance for the second rack, which is equal to the sum of the lengths of the first and second racks. This is equivalent to doubling the pusher's movement. Therefore, this solution has a longer movement distance. Conversely, under the same distance conditions, this solution takes less time. Thus, the tool changing efficiency of this solution can be significantly improved, and it can better solve the problem of tool wobbling caused by rapid acceleration and deceleration during tool changing.

[0058] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A gantry machine tool with a tool magazine located behind the rear door, comprising a tool magazine system (100) located behind the machine tool, characterized in that, The tool magazine system (100) comprises a tool magazine (101), an inner rack (104) is arranged in the tool magazine (101), a tool storage mechanism (105) is arranged on the inner rack (104), the tool storage mechanism (105) comprises a fixed support (106) arranged on the inner rack (104), a movable support (107) is slidably arranged on the fixed support (106) along the width direction of the workbench of the machine tool, a tool holder (109) is arranged at the end of the movable support (107), the upper end of the tool holder (109) is provided with a rotating ring disc (110) with a vertical shaft center line, and the outer circular surface of the rotating ring disc (110) is provided with a tool storage unit; The tool storage unit is arranged in an array along the circumferential direction of the rotating ring disc (110), and the tool holder (109) is provided with a pushing assembly; when the extension direction of the tool storage unit is parallel to the width direction of the workbench, the pushing assembly can push the tool in the tool storage unit to move away from the rotating ring disc (110); The tool storage unit comprises a guide support (112) arranged radially on the outer circular surface of the rotating ring disc (110), a sliding support (113) is slidably arranged on the guide support (112), the sliding direction of the sliding support (113) is parallel to the extension direction of the guide support (112), a spring (114) is arranged between the sliding support (113) and the guide support (112), the elastic force of the spring (114) is used to drive the sliding support (113) to retract into the guide support (112), and one end of the sliding support (113) away from the rotating ring disc (110) is used to place the tool; The guide support (112) is provided with an avoidance area, when the extension direction of the guide support (112) of the tool storage unit is parallel to the width direction of the workbench, the output end of the pushing assembly arranged on the tool holder (109) can move in the avoidance area and push the guide support (112) to move away from the rotating ring disc (110), and the outer circular surface of the rotating ring disc (110) is provided with an avoidance opening for avoiding the output end of the pushing assembly; The pushing assembly comprises a push seat (122) slidably arranged on the tool holder (109), the sliding direction of the push seat (122) is parallel to the width direction of the workbench, and when the extension direction of the guide support (112) of the tool storage unit is parallel to the width direction of the workbench, the push seat (122), the avoidance opening and the avoidance area are located on the same straight line; A rotating shaft (119) and two racks are mounted on the tool holder (109), the shaft center line of the rotating shaft (119) is parallel to the length direction of the workbench, a gear (120) is arranged on the rotating shaft (119), the extension directions of the two racks are both parallel to the width direction of the workbench, the two racks are a first rack (118) and a second rack (121) respectively, the gear (120) is arranged between the two racks, the gear (120) and the two racks are in engagement, the second rack (121) is connected with the push seat (122), and the first rack (118) is connected with the fixed support (106) through a connecting piece.

2. The gantry machine tool with a tool magazine located behind the rear door according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first rack (118) is provided with a connecting bracket (117) at one end away from the second rack (121), and the connecting member comprises a connecting rod (116) provided on the connecting bracket (117) and a guide sleeve (115) provided on the fixed bracket (106); The extending directions of the connecting rod (116) and the guide sleeve (115) are parallel to the width direction of the workbench, the end of the connecting rod (116) is provided with a sliding plug (1161), the outer cylindrical surface of the connecting rod (116) is provided with a limiting ring (1162) close to the first rack (118), the sliding plug (1161) is slidingly sleeved in the guide sleeve (115), and the end of the guide sleeve (115) is provided with a fixing ring.

3. The gantry machine tool with a tool magazine located behind the rear door according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixed bracket (106) is provided with a linear module (108) for driving the movable bracket (107) to move.

4. The gantry machine tool with a tool magazine located behind the rear door according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tool holder (109) is provided with a motor (111) for driving the rotary ring disc (110) to rotate.

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