Quick tool changing six-axis milling gantry machining center and method of use thereof

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of milling equipment, and discloses a six-axis milling gantry machining center capable of quickly replacing tools and a use method thereof. When replacing tools, the installation cylinder drives a plurality of storage cylinders on the installation cylinder to rotate in the sleeve, so that the empty storage cylinder is aligned with the tool on the milling head; then the empty storage cylinder extends out of the sleeve and moves towards the milling head, so that the tool on the milling head is inserted into the storage cylinder; the tool is fixed in the storage cylinder by the cooperation of the protruding block, the sliding ring and the sliding plate on the storage cylinder during the separation of the milling head and the storage cylinder, so that the tool is removed from the milling head; when the storage cylinder for recycling the tool is withdrawn into the sleeve, the installation cylinder continues to rotate, the storage cylinder provided with another type of tool is aligned with the milling head, and the tool is installed on the milling head under the cooperation of the protruding block, the sliding ring and the sliding plate on the storage cylinder, so that the replacement of the tool is quickly completed, and the machining efficiency of the machining center is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of milling equipment technology, specifically to a six-axis milling gantry machining center with rapid tool change and its usage method. Background Technology

[0002] A six-axis gantry machining center is a CNC machine tool that adds three rotary axes (A, B, C) to the traditional three-axis (X, Y, Z) machining center, achieving six-axis linkage. This type of equipment can complete complex machining operations such as milling, turning, and drilling through the coordinated motion of six degrees of freedom. It is particularly adept at handling parts with complex geometries or high precision requirements. However, existing six-axis gantry machining centers are typically equipped with a tool magazine and a robotic arm for tool changing. The tool magazine contains various types of tools. When milling a workpiece, the robotic arm retrieves the corresponding type of tool from the tool magazine and installs it onto the milling head to meet different machining requirements. In current technology, the tool changing process requires the robotic arm to first remove the tool from the milling head and place it in an empty position in the tool magazine before retrieving another type of tool from the magazine and installing it onto the milling head. This process significantly slows down the tool changing speed, thereby reducing the machining efficiency of existing equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a six-axis milling gantry machining center with rapid tool change and its usage method, thereby overcoming the aforementioned technical problems in existing related technologies.

[0004] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a six-axis milling gantry machining center with rapid tool change, comprising a milling head, a drive assembly, and a sleeve. The drive assembly is used to drive the sleeve to rotate so that the opening position of the sleeve is away from or close to the milling head. The drive assembly includes a mounting sleeve and a receiving sleeve. The mounting sleeve is rotatably sleeved at the opening position of the sleeve. The receiving sleeve is mounted on the mounting sleeve and can slide relative to the axial direction of the receiving sleeve. A plurality of receiving sleeves are spaced around the axial direction of the mounting sleeve to form a ring. A protrusion, a sliding plate, and a sliding ring are slidably mounted on the receiving sleeve. The sliding direction of the protrusion and the sliding ring is the axial direction of the receiving sleeve, and the sliding direction of the sliding plate is the up and down direction. An inclined portion exists on the protrusion.

[0005] When the protrusion on the storage cylinder slides towards the milling head and abuts against the milling head, the protrusion can slide towards the slide plate in a force-accumulating manner.

[0006] When the tool is placed in the storage tube, the slide plate presses down on the tool in a free state, at which point the slide plate is at the tool locking point; when the slide plate is lifted up to release the pressure on the tool, the slide plate is at the tool release point.

[0007] When the skateboard is at the lock point, the protrusion slides to its inclined part and contacts the skateboard, which can give the skateboard an upward force; when the skateboard is at the release point, the sliding of the protrusion does not cause a change in the force on the skateboard in its upper and lower positions;

[0008] The sliding ring has an avoidance position and a limiting position; in the avoidance position, the slide is not limited by the sliding ring; in the limiting position, the sliding ring can limit the slide at the release point.

[0009] When the cutting tool is installed in the storage cylinder, the sliding ring is pressed against by the cutting tool and is in a position of avoidance by storing force.

[0010] Preferably, a rotating ring is rotatably installed inside the sleeve, and the rotating ring is fixedly connected to the mounting cylinder. The mounting cylinder has several grooves, which are evenly distributed in a circumferential shape on the outer side of the mounting cylinder. A drive groove is also provided below each groove, and the drive groove communicates with the groove. A motor base is fixedly installed inside the sleeve, and the motor base is located between the side wall of the sleeve and the mounting cylinder. A drive motor is fixedly installed on the motor base, and the output shaft of the drive motor is fixedly connected to the mounting cylinder. The drive motor drives the mounting cylinder to rotate inside the sleeve through its output shaft. A screw is rotatably connected in each drive groove. The end of the screw near the drive motor passes through the side wall of the drive groove and is coaxially fixedly connected to the output shaft of the servo motor. The servo motor is fixedly installed on the mounting cylinder.

[0011] Preferably, the storage tube is slidably installed in the groove, and a connecting sleeve is fixedly installed on the outer side of the other end of the storage tube. The connecting sleeve is located in the drive groove and is threaded onto the screw. The storage tube has a sliding groove, a storage groove and an installation groove sequentially opened at one end near the opening of the sleeve. The sliding groove passes through the side wall of the storage tube at one end near the storage groove, and the installation groove passes through the side wall of the storage tube at one end near the storage groove.

[0012] Preferably, the protrusion is slidably installed in the mounting groove, and a return spring is fixedly connected between the protrusion and the side wall of the mounting groove. The return spring pushes the protrusion to extend out of the mounting groove, and the end of the protrusion facing the storage groove extends out of the mounting groove through the storage cylinder to the outside of the storage cylinder. The inclined part on the protrusion is an inner extrusion block, and the inner extrusion block is fixedly connected to both sides of the protruding end of the protrusion. The end of the inner extrusion block facing the storage groove is wedge-shaped.

[0013] Preferably, an installation box is fixedly installed on the outside of the storage tube, the installation box is located above the storage slot, and a plurality of slots are sequentially opened on the installation box. The slide plate is slidably installed in the storage slot, and the top of the slide plate is located inside the installation box. Both sides of the slide plate are provided with external extrusion slots, and the slide plate is also provided with internal extrusion slots. Two internal extrusion slots are located between two external extrusion slots, and the internal extrusion slots correspond to the internal extrusion blocks. An arc-shaped locking block is fixedly connected to the bottom of the slide plate, and a pressure spring is fixedly connected between the top of the slide plate and the top of the installation box. The pressure spring pushes the slide plate to make the arc-shaped locking block extend out of the storage slot.

[0014] Preferably, the sliding ring is slidably installed in the sliding groove via a guide rod, and a support spring is fixedly connected between the side of the sliding ring away from the storage groove and the side of the sliding groove. The support spring pushes the sliding ring to move towards the storage groove. A push plate is fixedly connected to the outside of the sliding ring. The push plate extends from one end of the sliding groove through the storage cylinder to the outside of the storage cylinder. External extrusion blocks are fixedly connected to both sides of the extended end of the push plate. The end of the external extrusion block facing the storage groove is wedge-shaped, and the external extrusion block corresponds to the external extrusion groove.

[0015] Preferably, a connector is fixedly connected to the cutting tool, and a locking groove is provided on the outer side of the connector, which corresponds to the arc-shaped locking block.

[0016] Preferably, the machine includes a bed, on which a processing table is slidably mounted. A gantry frame is also fixedly mounted on the bed. A transverse slide, a vertical slide rod, and a rotating frame are respectively mounted on the gantry frame. The transverse slide is fixedly mounted on the upper end of the gantry frame. A mounting seat is slidably mounted on the transverse slide. The vertical slide rod is slidably mounted in the mounting seat. The rotating frame is rotatably connected to the lower end of the vertical slide rod. A milling head is rotatably connected to the side of the rotating frame. The milling head has a connection port. A cylinder is fixedly mounted on the outside of the milling head. A connecting rod is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the cylinder. The connecting rod is fixedly connected to a push ring.

[0017] Preferably, the drive assembly includes an electric slide table and an electric rotary table. The electric slide table is fixedly mounted on the gantry frame and located above the processing table. The lower end of the electric rotary table is slidably mounted on the electric slide table, and the upper end of the electric rotary table is rotatably connected to the sleeve.

[0018] This invention also provides a method of use, employing a fast-tool-changing six-axis milling gantry machining center, the specific steps of which are as follows:

[0019] When a tool change is needed, the drive assembly first drives the sleeve to rotate and move to the tool change position, aligning it with the milling head. Then, the milling head inserts the tool into the empty storage sleeve. With the cooperation of the protrusion, sliding ring, and slide plate of the storage sleeve, the tool is removed from the milling head. After that, the mounting sleeve rotates, rotating the storage sleeve containing the tool until it is aligned with the milling head. Then, the tool in the storage sleeve is installed onto the milling head. After the tool change is completed, the milling head continues to process the workpiece until the workpiece is finished.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the present invention provides a six-axis milling gantry machining center with rapid tool change and its usage method, which has the following beneficial effects:

[0021] 1. This six-axis milling gantry machining center with rapid tool change and its usage method, through the setting of the sleeve, during tool change, the mounting sleeve drives several storage sleeves on it to rotate inside the sleeve, so that the empty storage sleeve is aligned with the tool on the milling head. Then, the empty storage sleeve extends out of the sleeve and moves towards the milling head, so that the tool on the milling head is inserted into the storage sleeve. The storage sleeve, through the cooperation of its protrusion, sliding ring and slide plate, fixes the tool in the storage sleeve during the separation of the milling head from the storage sleeve, thereby removing the tool from the milling head. At the same time as the storage sleeve for recovering the tool retracts into the sleeve, the mounting sleeve continues to rotate, aligning the storage sleeve containing another type of tool with the milling head, and with the cooperation of the protrusion, sliding ring and slide plate on the storage sleeve, the tool is installed on the milling head, thereby quickly completing the tool change and improving the machining efficiency of the machining center.

[0022] 2. This six-axis milling gantry machining center with rapid tool change and its usage method: Through the setting of the drive group, when the machining center is machining a workpiece, the electric slide of the drive component moves the sleeve to the end of the machine bed away from the machining table, and the electric rotary table rotates the sleeve so that the open end of the sleeve faces the outside of the gantry. This facilitates the daily inspection and maintenance of the workers and avoids the sleeve obstructing the milling head from driving the tool to process the workpiece, thus facilitating the machining of the workpiece and further improving the machining efficiency of the gantry center. When it is necessary to change the tool, while the milling head adjusts the tool to the tool changing position, the drive component rotates the sleeve through the electric rotary table so that the end of the sleeve extending from the storage cylinder faces the inside of the gantry. The electric slide moves the sleeve to the tool changing position, so that the tool can be changed immediately after the milling head is adjusted, thus further improving the tool changing speed. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is one of the three-dimensional structural schematic diagrams of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a second three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This is the third three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified schematic diagram of the structure at point A;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the sleeve planar structure of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the sleeve of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the bed structure of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A magnified schematic diagram of the structure at point B;

[0031] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the drive slot of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 10 for Figure 9 A magnified schematic diagram of the structure at point C;

[0033] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the storage tube of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 12 for Figure 11 A magnified schematic diagram of the structure at point D.

[0035] In the diagram: 1. Machine bed; 11. Machining table; 2. Gantry frame; 21. Transverse slide; 211. Mounting base; 22. Vertical slide bar; 23. Rotary frame; 24. Milling head; 241. Connecting port; 25. Cylinder; 251. Connecting rod; 252. Push ring; 3. Drive assembly; 31. Electric slide; 32. Electric rotary table; 4. Sleeve; 41. Rotating ring; 42. Mounting cylinder; 421. Groove; 422. Drive slot; 423. Motor base; 424. Drive motor; 425. Servo motor; 426. Screw ; 43. Storage tube; 431. Connecting sleeve; 432. Sliding groove; 433. Storage groove; 434. Mounting groove; 44. Protrusion; 441. Return spring; 442. Inner extrusion block; 45. Mounting box; 451. Groove; 46. Slide plate; 461. Outer extrusion groove; 462. Inner extrusion groove; 463. Arc-shaped locking block; 464. Compression spring; 47. Sliding ring; 471. Guide rod; 472. Support spring; 473. Push plate; 474. Outer extrusion block; 5. Cutting tool; 51. Connector; 52. Locking groove. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0037] Please see Figures 1-12 A six-axis milling gantry machining center with rapid tool change includes a milling head 24, a drive assembly 3, and a sleeve 4. The drive assembly 3 drives the sleeve 4 to rotate, causing the opening of the sleeve 4 to move away from or closer to the milling head 24. The center is characterized by including a mounting sleeve 42 and a receiving sleeve 43. The mounting sleeve 42 is rotatably fitted onto the opening of the sleeve 4. The receiving sleeve 43 is mounted on the mounting sleeve 42 and can slide relative to the axial direction of the receiving sleeve 43. Several receiving sleeves 43 are spaced around the axial direction of the mounting sleeve 42 in a ring. A protrusion 44, a sliding plate 46, and a sliding ring 47 are slidably mounted on the receiving sleeve 43. The sliding directions of the protrusion 44 and the sliding ring 47 are both axial directions of the receiving sleeve 43, and the sliding direction of the sliding plate 46 is vertical. An inclined portion exists on the protrusion 44.

[0038] When the protrusion 44 of the storage cylinder 43 slides close to the milling head 24 and abuts against the milling head 24, the protrusion 44 can slide close to the slide plate 46 in a way that stores force.

[0039] When the cutting tool is placed in the storage cylinder 43, the sliding plate 46 presses down on the cutting tool 5 in a free state, at which point the sliding plate 46 is at the tool locking point; when the sliding plate 46 is lifted up to release the pressure on the cutting tool 5, the sliding plate 46 is at the tool release point.

[0040] When the slide plate 46 is at the locking point, the protrusion 44 slides to its inclined part and contacts the slide plate 46, which can give the slide plate 46 an upward sliding force; when the slide plate 46 is at the release point, the sliding of the protrusion 44 does not cause a change in the force on the slide plate 46 in its upper and lower positions.

[0041] The sliding ring 47 has a clearance position and a limiting position; in the clearance position, the slide plate 46 is not limited by the sliding ring 47; in the limiting position, the sliding ring 47 can limit the slide plate 46 at the release point.

[0042] When the cutting tool 5 is installed in the storage cylinder 43, the sliding ring 47 is pressed against by the cutting tool 5 and is in a position of avoidance in a way that stores force.

[0043] In this configuration, the sleeve 4 is positioned on the side of the gantry 2 furthest from the machining table 11. When it is necessary to change the tool 5 on the milling head 24, the drive assembly 3 first drives the sleeve 4 to rotate 180 degrees inward towards the gantry 2, so that the protrusion 44 on the storage cylinder 43 faces the milling head 24. The mounting cylinder 42 rotates inside the sleeve 4, rotating the empty storage cylinder 43 to the bottom of the sleeve 4. Then, the rotated sleeve 4 is driven to move to the tool changing position, and at the same time, the milling head 24 also moves. The milling head 24 moves to the tool change position and aligns with the empty storage cylinder 43. At this time, the tool 5 on the milling head 24 faces the storage cylinder 43 at the bottom of the sleeve 4 and is aligned with the storage cylinder 43. After the milling head 24 aligns the tool 5 with the empty storage cylinder 43, the storage cylinder 43 moves towards the milling head 24, so that the storage cylinder 43 abuts against the milling head 24. The milling head 24 then inserts the tool 5 into the storage cylinder 43. Subsequently, the storage cylinder 43 moves into the sleeve 4, and the slide plate 46 places the tool 5 into the sleeve 4. The tool 5 is fixed inside the storage cylinder 43 and removed from the milling head 24. During this process, the sliding ring 47 on the initially empty storage cylinder 43 lifts the slide plate 46, releasing the slide plate 46 from locking the tool 5. The protrusion 44 extends out of the storage cylinder 43, and the inclined part of the protrusion 44 is pulled out from the slide plate 46. When the storage cylinder 43 comes into contact with the milling head 24, the milling head 24 presses the protrusion 44 into the storage cylinder 43, so that the inclined part of the protrusion 44 is inserted into the slide plate 46. Simultaneously, as the cutting tool 5 is inserted into the storage cylinder 43, the cutting tool 5 will push the sliding ring 47 away from the slide plate 46, releasing the constraint of the sliding ring 47 on the slide plate 46. After the cutting tool 5 is fully inserted into the storage cylinder 43, as the storage cylinder 43 retracts, the storage cylinder 43 separates from the milling head 24, and the protrusion 44 that was squeezed into the storage cylinder 43 re-extends and pulls its inclined part out of the slide plate 46. At this time, the slide plate 46 moves down, locking the cutting tool 5 in the storage cylinder 43, thus completing the storage of the cutting tool 5.

[0044] Subsequently, the mounting cylinder 42 continues to rotate, rotating the storage cylinder 43 containing another type of cutting tool 5 to the bottom of the sleeve 4. After aligning the storage cylinder 43 with the milling head 24, the storage cylinder 43 extends out of the sleeve 4 and moves towards the milling head 24, inserting the other type of cutting tool 5 into the milling head 24. After the cutting tool 5 is connected to the milling head 24, the storage cylinder 43 retracts into the sleeve 4. During this process, initially, the cutting tool 5 pushes the sliding ring 47 away from the slide plate 46, while the protrusion 44 extends out of the storage cylinder 43. The slide plate 46 moves down and presses against the cutting tool 5, fixing the cutting tool 5. When the storage cylinder 43 extends out of the sleeve 4 and touches the milling head 24, the milling head 24 squeezes the protrusion 44 into the storage cylinder 43, causing the inclined part on the protrusion 44 to insert into the slide plate 46. The sliding ring 47 moves towards the sliding plate 46, thus lifting the sliding plate 46 and separating it from the cutting tool 5, thereby releasing the lock on the cutting tool 5. At the same time, the sliding ring 47 moves towards the sliding plate 46, pushing the cutting tool 5 out of the storage cylinder 43 and constraining the raised sliding plate 46. After the cutting tool 5 is connected to the milling head 24, the storage cylinder 43 retracts into the sleeve 4. As the storage cylinder 43 separates from the milling head 24, the protrusion 44 extends out of the storage cylinder 43 again and pulls the inclined part out of the sliding plate 46. Subsequently, the drive assembly 3 drives the sleeve 4 to reset, and after resetting, drives the sleeve 4 to rotate 180 degrees in the opposite direction, so that the sleeve 4 returns to its initial state. At the same time, the extended storage cylinders 43 all retract into the sleeve 4, thereby quickly completing the replacement of the cutting tool 5 and continuing to process the workpiece. After processing is completed, the milling head 24 drives the cutting tool 5 away from the workpiece.

[0045] Furthermore, a rotating ring 41 is rotatably installed inside the sleeve 4, and the rotating ring 41 is fixedly connected to the mounting cylinder 42. Several grooves 421 are opened on the mounting cylinder 42, and the grooves 421 are evenly distributed in a circumferential shape on the outer side of the mounting cylinder 42. A drive groove 422 is also opened below each groove 421, and the drive groove 422 communicates with the groove 421. A motor base 423 is fixedly installed inside the sleeve 4, and the motor base 423 is located between the side wall of the sleeve 4 and the mounting cylinder 42. A drive motor 424 is fixedly installed on the motor base 423. The output shaft of the drive motor 424 is fixedly connected to the mounting cylinder 42. The drive motor 424 drives the mounting cylinder 42 to rotate inside the sleeve 4 through its output shaft. A screw 426 is rotatably connected in each drive groove 422. The end of the screw 426 near the drive motor 424 passes through the side wall of the drive groove 422 and is coaxially fixedly connected to the output shaft of the servo motor 425. The servo motor 425 is fixedly installed on the mounting cylinder 42.

[0046] When changing the tool 5, the drive motor 424 drives the mounting cylinder 42 to rotate the rotating ring 41 inside the sleeve 4, thereby rotating the corresponding storage cylinder 43 to the bottom of the sleeve 4 to change the tool 5.

[0047] Furthermore, the storage tube 43 is slidably installed in the groove 421, and a connecting sleeve 431 is fixedly installed on the outer side of the other end of the storage tube 43. The connecting sleeve 431 is located in the drive groove 422, and the connecting sleeve 431 is threaded onto the screw 426. The end of the storage tube 43 near the opening of the sleeve 4 is provided with an installation groove 434, a storage groove 433 and a sliding groove 432 in sequence. The end of the installation groove 434 near the storage groove 433 penetrates the side wall of the storage tube 43, and the end of the sliding groove 432 near the storage groove 433 penetrates the side wall of the storage tube 43.

[0048] When the storage tube 43 needs to extend out of the sleeve 4, the servo motor 425 drives the screw 426 to rotate in the opposite direction. The rotating screw 426 drives the storage tube 43 to extend out of the sleeve 4 along the groove 421 through the connecting sleeve 431. When the storage tube 43 needs to retract into the sleeve 4, the servo motor 425 drives the screw 426 to rotate in the forward direction, thereby driving the extended storage tube 43 to retract into the sleeve 4.

[0049] Furthermore, the protrusion 44 is slidably installed in the mounting groove 434, and a return spring 441 is fixedly connected between the protrusion 44 and the side wall of the mounting groove 434. The return spring 441 pushes the protrusion 44 to extend out of the mounting groove 434, and the end of the protrusion 44 facing the storage groove 433 extends out from the end of the mounting groove 434 that passes through the storage cylinder 43 to the outside of the storage cylinder 43. The inclined part on the protrusion 44 is an inner extrusion block 442. Inner extrusion blocks 442 are fixedly connected on both sides of the protruding end of the protrusion 44. The end of the inner extrusion block 442 facing the storage groove 433 is wedge-shaped.

[0050] When the receiving cylinder 43 is not in contact with the milling head 24, the return spring 441 pushes the protrusion 44 out of the mounting groove 434, causing the protrusion 44 to pull the inner extrusion block 442 out of the inner extrusion groove 462. When the receiving cylinder 43 comes into contact with the milling head 24, the milling head 24 presses the protrusion 44 into the mounting groove 434, causing the protrusion 44 to push the inner extrusion block 442 into the slide plate 46 and compress the return spring 441. When the receiving cylinder 43 separates from the milling head 24, the compressed return spring 441 restores its deformation, thereby pushing the protrusion 44 to extend out of the mounting groove 434 again and pulling the inner extrusion block 442 out of the slide plate 46.

[0051] Furthermore, an installation box 45 is fixedly installed on the outside of the storage cylinder 43. The installation box 45 is located above the storage slot 433. Several slots 451 are sequentially opened on the installation box 45. The slide plate 46 is slidably installed in the storage slot 433, and the top of the slide plate 46 is located inside the installation box 45. Both sides of the slide plate 46 are provided with external extrusion slots 461. The slide plate 46 is also provided with internal extrusion slots 462. The two internal extrusion slots 462 are located between the two external extrusion slots 461. The external extrusion slots 461 and the internal extrusion slots 462 correspond to the external extrusion block 474 and the internal extrusion block 442, respectively. An arc-shaped locking block 463 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the slide plate 46. A pressure spring 464 is fixedly connected between the top of the slide plate 46 and the top of the installation box 45. The pressure spring 464 pushes the slide plate 46 to make the arc-shaped locking block 463 extend out of the storage slot 433.

[0052] Furthermore, the sliding ring 47 is slidably installed in the sliding groove 432 via the guide rod 471, and a support spring 472 is fixedly connected between the side of the sliding ring 47 away from the storage groove 433 and the side of the sliding groove 432. The support spring 472 pushes the sliding ring 47 to move towards the storage groove 433. A push plate 473 is fixedly connected to the outside of the sliding ring 47. The push plate 473 extends from one end of the sliding groove 432 through the storage cylinder 43 to the outside of the storage cylinder 43. External extrusion blocks 474 are fixedly connected to both sides of the extended end of the push plate 473. The end of the external extrusion block 474 facing the storage groove 433 is wedge-shaped.

[0053] When the storage cylinder 43 is empty, the support spring 472 pushes the sliding ring 47 towards the storage groove 433, causing the sliding ring 47 to push the outer extrusion block 474 through the outer extrusion groove 461 via the push plate 473. This causes the slide plate 46 to slide up and down along the inclined surface of the outer extrusion block 474, thereby storing the arc-shaped locking block 463 into the storage groove 433. When the cutter 5 is inserted into the storage cylinder 43, the cutter 5 pushes the sliding ring 47 away from the storage groove 433, causing the sliding ring 47 to pull the outer extrusion block 474 out of the outer extrusion groove 461 and compress the support spring 472. This causes the slide plate 46 to push the arc-shaped locking block 463 out of the storage groove 433 and lock it onto the cutter 5, thus fixing the cutter 5 inside the storage cylinder 43. When the cutter 5 is pulled out of the storage cylinder 43, the compressed support spring 472 returns to its original shape. The sliding ring 47 is pushed to move towards the storage groove 433, causing the outer extrusion block 474 to re-insert into the outer extrusion groove 461, thereby retracting the arc-shaped locking block 463 into the storage groove 433. The groove 451 allows the outer extrusion block 474 or the inner extrusion block 442 to be inserted into the outer extrusion groove 461 or the inner extrusion groove 462 through the mounting box 45. When the outer extrusion block 474 is inserted into the outer extrusion groove 461 and the inner extrusion block 442 is inserted into the inner extrusion groove 462, the slide plate 46 will be lifted, causing the slide plate 46 to move upward and retract the arc-shaped locking block 463 into the storage groove 433. When the outer extrusion block 474 is inserted into the outer extrusion groove 461 and the inner extrusion block 442 is pulled out of the inner extrusion groove 462, the compressed pressure spring 464 will recover its deformation, pushing the slide plate 46 downward and causing the arc-shaped locking block 463 to extend out of the storage groove 433.

[0054] Furthermore, a connector 51 is fixedly connected to the cutting tool 5, and a locking groove 52 is provided on the outer side of the connector 51, which corresponds to the arc-shaped locking block 463.

[0055] The cutting tool 5 is connected to the milling head 24 through the upper end of the connector 51. When the cutting tool 5 is inserted into the storage cylinder 43, the lower end of the connector 51 will push the sliding plate away from the storage groove 433. When the sliding plate 46 fixes the cutting tool 5, the downward sliding plate 46 will push the arc-shaped locking block 463 into the locking groove 52, thereby fixing the cutting tool 5 in the storage cylinder 43. When the sliding plate 46 moves upward, it will pull the arc-shaped locking block 463 out of the locking groove 52.

[0056] Furthermore, the drive assembly 3 includes an electric slide table 31 and an electric rotary table 32. The electric slide table 31 is fixedly installed on the gantry 2 and is located above the processing table 11. The lower end of the electric rotary table 32 is slidably installed on the electric slide table 31, and the upper end of the electric rotary table 32 is rotatably connected to the sleeve 4.

[0057] Both the electric slide table 31 and the electric rotary table 32 are driven by motors. When the sleeve 4 rotates, the electric rotary table 32 rotates forward through its motor, causing the sleeve 4 to rotate inward toward the gantry 2. When the electric rotary table 32 rotates in reverse through its motor, it causes the sleeve 4 to rotate outward toward the gantry 2. Initially, the electric rotary table 32 is located at the end of the electric slide table 31 away from the machining table 11. When a tool change is required, the electric slide table 31 rotates in reverse through its motor, driving the electric rotary table 32 to move the sleeve 4 toward the end of the electric slide table 31 closer to the machining table 11 to the tool change position. After the tool change is completed, the electric slide table 31 rotates forward through its motor, driving the electric rotary table 32 to return to its original position for reset.

[0058] Furthermore, the machine includes a bed 1 and a gantry frame 2. The gantry frame 2 is fixedly connected to the bed 1. A processing table 11 is slidably mounted on the bed 1. A transverse slide 21, a vertical slide rod 22, and a rotating frame 23 are respectively mounted on the gantry frame 2. The transverse slide 21 is fixedly mounted on the upper end of the gantry frame 2. A mounting base 211 is slidably mounted on the transverse slide 21. The vertical slide rod 22 is slidably mounted in the mounting base 211. The rotating frame 23 is rotatably connected to the lower end of the vertical slide rod 22. A milling head 24 is rotatably connected to the side of the rotating frame 23. A connection port 241 is provided on the milling head 24. A cylinder 25 is fixedly mounted on the outside of the milling head 24. A connecting rod 251 is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the cylinder 25. The connecting rod 251 is fixedly connected to the push ring 252.

[0059] The transverse slide 21, vertical slide bar 22, rotary frame 23, and milling head 24 are all driven by motors. In operation, the workpiece is first fixed onto the machining table 11, and then the machining center begins machining the workpiece. Initially, the machining table 11 is located at the end of the machine bed 1 furthest from the gantry 2. During machining, the machining table 11, with the workpiece on it, moves under the gantry 2 driven by the motor. Simultaneously, the transverse slide 21, vertical slide bar 22, rotary frame 23, and milling head 24... In coordination, the cutting tool 5 on the milling head 24 is moved to the machining position to mill the workpiece. During the milling process, the machining position of the cutting tool 5 is continuously adjusted according to the machining requirements. After machining is completed, the machining table 11, driven by the motor, moves the machined workpiece back to the end of the machine bed 1 away from the gantry 2 for unloading. The transverse slide 21 is rotated in the forward or reverse direction by the motor on it, driving the mounting base 211 to move the vertical slide rod 22 laterally along the gantry 2. At the same time, the vertical slide rod 22 moves laterally along the gantry 2 through its... The motor on the milling head 24 rotates in either the forward or reverse direction, driving the vertical slide bar 22 to move up and down on the mounting base 211. The rotating frame 23 rotates horizontally under the drive of its motor, and the milling head 24 rotates vertically under the drive of its motor. Initially, the cylinder 25 retracts its output shaft, pulling the push ring 252 against the lower end of the connecting port 241 via the connecting rod 251. When the tool 5 is installed into the connecting port 241 on the milling head 24, the upper end of the connecting head 51 abuts against the push ring 252. When the tool 5 is to be removed, after the tool 5 is inserted into the storage cylinder 43, the cylinder 25 extends its output shaft and drives the push ring 252 to push the connector head 51 through the connecting rod 251, so that the tool 5 is further inserted into the storage cylinder 43. At the same time, the storage cylinder 43 separates from the milling head 24. After the storage cylinder 43 and the milling head 24 are completely separated, and the protrusion 44 is fully extended from the mounting groove 434, the slide plate 46 fixes the tool 5. Then the cylinder 25 retracts its output shaft, so that the push ring 252 is tightly attached to the lower end of the connector 241 again.

[0060] This invention also provides a method of use, employing a fast-tool-changing six-axis milling gantry machining center, the specific steps of which are as follows:

[0061] When a tool change is required, the drive assembly 3 drives the sleeve 4 to rotate and move to the tool change position, aligning it with the milling head 24. Then, the milling head 24 inserts the tool 5 on it into the empty storage cylinder 43. With the cooperation of the protrusion 44, sliding ring 47, and sliding plate 46 of the storage cylinder 43, the tool 5 is removed from the milling head 24. After that, the mounting cylinder 42 rotates, rotating the storage cylinder 43 containing the tool 5 until it is aligned with the milling head 24. Then, the tool 5 in the storage cylinder 43 is installed onto the milling head 24. After the tool 5 is replaced, the milling head 24 continues to process the workpiece until the workpiece is finished.

[0062] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A six-axis milling gantry machining center with rapid tool change, comprising a milling head, a drive assembly, and a sleeve, wherein the drive assembly drives the sleeve to rotate such that the opening of the sleeve is moved away from or closer to the milling head, characterized in that: The installation cylinder is rotatably sleeved at the opening position of the sleeve; the receiving cylinder is installed on the installation cylinder and can slide relative to the axial direction of the receiving cylinder; a plurality of receiving cylinders are spaced and arranged in a ring shape with the axial direction of the installation cylinder as the center; the protrusions, the sliding plate and the sliding ring are slidably installed on the receiving cylinder; the sliding directions of the protrusions and the sliding ring are the axial direction of the receiving cylinder; the sliding direction of the sliding plate is the up-down direction; and the inclined portion is arranged on the protrusion; When the protrusion on the receiving cylinder slides to the position where the inclined portion abuts against the milling head, the protrusion can slide to the position close to the sliding plate in a force-storing manner; When the tool is placed in the receiving cylinder, the sliding plate presses the tool in a free state, and the sliding plate is at the tool locking point; when the sliding plate is lifted upward to release the pressing of the tool, the sliding plate is at the tool releasing point; When the sliding plate is at the tool locking point, the protrusion slides to the position where the inclined portion abuts against the sliding plate, and the sliding plate can be given a component force in the upward sliding direction; when the sliding plate is at the tool releasing point, the sliding of the protrusion does not cause a force change of the sliding plate in the up-down direction; The sliding ring has an avoiding position and a limiting position; when the sliding ring is at the avoiding position, the sliding plate is not limited by the sliding ring; when the sliding ring is at the limiting position, the sliding ring can limit the sliding plate at the tool releasing point; When the tool is installed in the receiving cylinder, the sliding ring is pressed by the tool to be at the avoiding position in a force-storing manner.

2. The six-axis rapid tool change machining center according to claim 1, wherein: The sleeve is rotatably installed with a rotating ring, the rotating ring is fixedly connected with the installation cylinder, a plurality of recesses are arranged on the installation cylinder, the recesses are uniformly distributed on the outer side of the installation cylinder in a circumferential manner, a driving groove is further arranged below each recess, the driving groove is in communication with the recess, a motor base is fixedly installed in the sleeve, the motor base is located between the side wall of the sleeve and the installation cylinder, a driving motor is fixedly installed on the motor base, the output shaft of the driving motor is fixedly connected with the installation cylinder, the driving motor drives the installation cylinder to rotate in the sleeve through the output shaft, and a screw rod is rotatably connected in each driving groove, one end of the screw rod close to the driving motor is fixedly connected with the output shaft of a servo motor in a same axis manner through penetrating the side wall of the driving groove, and the servo motor is fixedly installed on the installation cylinder.

3. The quick tool change six-axis milling gantry machining center of claim 2, wherein: The receiving cylinder is slidably installed in the recess, a connecting sleeve is fixedly installed on the other end of the receiving cylinder, the connecting sleeve is located in the driving groove, and the connecting sleeve is assembled on the screw rod in a threaded manner, an installation groove, a receiving groove and a sliding groove are sequentially arranged on one end of the receiving cylinder close to the opening of the sleeve, one end of the installation groove close to the receiving groove penetrates the side wall of the receiving cylinder, and one end of the sliding groove close to the receiving groove penetrates the side wall of the receiving cylinder.

4. The quick tool change six-axis milling gantry machining center of claim 3, wherein: The protruding block is slidably installed in the installation groove, a reset spring is fixedly connected between the protruding block and the side wall of the installation groove, the reset spring pushes the protruding block to extend out of the installation groove, the protruding block extends out of the installation groove through one end of the receiving cylinder to the outside of the receiving cylinder, the inclined part on the protruding block is an inner extrusion block, the inner extrusion blocks are fixedly connected on both sides of the extending end of the protruding block, and the inner extrusion blocks are wedge-shaped towards one end of the receiving groove.

5. The quick tool change six-axis milling gantry machining center of claim 4, wherein: A mounting box is fixedly installed outside the receiving cylinder, the mounting box is located above the receiving groove, a plurality of slots are sequentially formed in the mounting box, the sliding plate is slidably installed in the receiving groove, and the top end of the sliding plate is located in the mounting box, outer extrusion grooves are formed in both sides of the sliding plate, inner extrusion grooves are also formed in the sliding plate, the two inner extrusion grooves are located between the two outer extrusion grooves, the inner extrusion grooves correspond to the inner extrusion blocks, an arc-shaped clamping block is fixedly connected to the bottom of the sliding plate, a pressing spring is fixedly connected between the top end of the sliding plate and the top of the mounting box, and the pressing spring pushes the sliding plate to make the arc-shaped clamping block extend out of the receiving groove.

6. The quick tool change six-axis milling gantry machining center of claim 5, wherein: The sliding ring is slidably installed in the sliding groove through a guide rod, and a supporting spring is fixedly connected between the side, away from the receiving groove, of the sliding ring and the side of the sliding groove, the supporting spring pushes the sliding ring to move towards the receiving groove, a push plate is fixedly connected to the outside of the sliding ring, the push plate extends out of the sliding groove through one end of the receiving cylinder to the outside of the receiving cylinder, outer extrusion blocks are fixedly connected on both sides of the extending end of the push plate, the outer extrusion blocks are wedge-shaped towards one end of the receiving groove, and the outer extrusion blocks correspond to the outer extrusion grooves.

7. The quick tool change six-axis milling gantry machining center of claim 6, wherein: The cutter is fixedly connected with a connecting head, a locking groove is formed in the outside of the connecting head, and the locking groove corresponds to the arc-shaped clamping block.

8. The quick tool change six-axis milling gantry machining center of claim 1, wherein: The machining center comprises a bed body and a gantry, the gantry is fixedly connected with the bed body, a machining table is slidably installed on the bed body, a horizontal sliding table, a vertical sliding rod and a rotating frame are respectively installed on the gantry, the horizontal sliding table is fixedly installed on the upper end of the gantry, an installation seat is slidably installed on the horizontal sliding table, the vertical sliding rod is slidably installed in the installation seat, the rotating frame is rotationally connected to the lower end of the vertical sliding rod, a milling head is rotationally connected to the side of the rotating frame, a connecting port is formed on the milling head, a cylinder is fixedly installed on the outside of the milling head, a connecting rod is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the cylinder, and the connecting rod is fixedly connected with a push ring.

9. The quick tool change six-axis milling gantry machining center of claim 8, wherein: The driving assembly comprises an electric sliding table and an electric rotating table, the electric sliding table is fixedly installed on the gantry, the electric sliding table is located above the machining table, and the lower end of the electric rotating table is slidably installed on the electric sliding table.

10. A method of use, characterized by: The six-axis milling gantry machining center is used, and the specific steps are as follows: When the tool needs to be replaced, first the driving assembly drives the sleeve to move to the tool replacement position and align with the milling head, then the milling head inserts the tool on it into the empty receiving cylinder, and the tool is removed from the milling head under the cooperation of the protrusion, sliding ring and sliding plate of the receiving cylinder, then the installation cylinder rotates, and the receiving cylinder with the tool is rotated to align with the milling head, and then the tool in the receiving cylinder is installed on the milling head, and after the tool replacement is completed, the milling head continues to process the workpiece until the workpiece is completed.

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