Multi-spindle machine tool

Abstract

A multi-axis machine tool (1) comprises a vertical column (2) movable along a longitudinal base (3), a carriage (6) slidable along the column (2), a transverse carriage (8) slidable on the carriage (6) along transverse guide rail means (9), and the carriage (8) is adapted to support a tool holder head (10) in a cantilevered manner. The transverse guide rail arrangement (9) comprises at least three guide rails (11A, 11B, 11C) arranged on the sides (8A, 8B) of the carriage (8).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates generally to the technical field of industrial machine tools, and more particularly to a multi-axis machine tool with a movable column. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of machine tools, it is known to use a substantially longitudinal base fixed to the ground and a substantially vertical column that can slide along the base.

[0003] Typically, a carriage that can slide vertically along a column and a slide suitable for supporting the tool holder head are provided, and the carriage can move on the carriage in a direction perpendicular to the base.

[0004] In this type of machine, the tool holder head is positioned to face the worktable, securing the workpiece to be processed on the worktable.

[0005] A recurring problem observed in these machine tools is that the column base and lower base cause the axis of the tool holder head to be too high above the worktable, thereby reducing tool accessibility and visibility of the workpiece.

[0006] In addition, the carriage has an overall size that is suitable for increasing the distance between the carriage and the worktable, thereby reducing the operating area of ​​the tool holder head relative to the workpiece.

[0007] To overcome these drawbacks, machine tools have been developed in which the base is fixed to the bottom of a pre-dug well in the floor of the room where the machine is installed, and the worktable is fixed to the bottom of the well.

[0008] In this way, the axis of the spindle has a lower vertical position closer to the working surface, and in some cases even below it.

[0009] However, a major drawback of this existing technology solution is that it requires high well manufacturing costs and necessitates the use of fixed or movable barriers to protect designated and undesignated personnel performing the work.

[0010] Another recurring problem observed in machine tools with movable columns is that the center of gravity of the slide is often located near the tool holder head, resulting in an increase in the cantilever of the ram, which in turn increases the bending deformation of the structure due to gravity.

[0011] To overcome this drawback, machine tools have been developed, including systems for compensating for deformation caused by gravity, such as through anti-deformation hydraulic tensioners.

[0012] However, a major drawback of this existing technology is that it requires costly modifications to the slide structure and the removal of the point of force application from the machine column, thereby increasing the distance between the tool holder head and the column.

[0013] To overcome these drawbacks, a machine has been developed in which the columns comprise a double-column configuration, with a carriage sliding between the two columns. This provides greater rigidity to the columns, reducing deformation of the carriage due to gravity.

[0014] However, this configuration not only increases the overall size of the slide's moving system, but also reduces the accessibility of the tool holder head to the worktable, making it not cost-effective.

[0015] To overcome this drawback, a machine tool has been developed in which the movable column has a single-column configuration, the carriage slides on the single-column configuration, and the slide block slides along the carriage via a pair of guide rails configured to face the column, as described in EP2390052.

[0016] However, in this existing configuration, the guide rails are compressed and stretched respectively, resulting in strong asymmetric constraints between the carriage and the slide.

[0017] To overcome this drawback, a machine with a single column support has been developed, in which the slider is mounted on a pair of guide rails and a central upper guide rail positioned facing the column, as in CN 105234682.

[0018] However, in the latter existing technology configuration, the force on the guide rail is also asymmetrical.

[0019] In summary, in the field of industrial processing machinery, there is a particular need for multi-axis machine tools that can be equipped with movable columns, with the axis of the spindle as close as possible to the working surface of the machine and / or the column, in order to reduce slide deformation due to gravity and improve the accessibility of the tool holder head.

[0020] Technical issues

[0021] According to the prior art, the technical problem solved by the present invention is to improve machine tools with movable columns to increase the operating range of the tool holder head, while reducing production, installation and maintenance costs. Summary of the Invention

[0022] The purpose of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems by providing a multi-axis machine tool with a movable column, which has the advantages of high efficiency and economy.

[0023] A specific object of the present invention is to provide a multi-axis machine tool of the above type that does not require digging operations, while the axis of the spindle is closer to the working surface of the machine.

[0024] Another specific object of the present invention is to provide a multi-axis machine tool of the type described above, which significantly reduces the use of systems for compensating for slide bending.

[0025] Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-axis machine tool of the above type, which enables the center of gravity of the slider and the point of application of the machining force to be close to the column structure.

[0026] Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-axis machine tool of the type described above, which allows for a reduction in the deformation of the slide due to gravity.

[0027] Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-axis machine tool of the type described above, which simplifies the handling of the movement of the tool holder head along the three Cartesian axes of the machine.

[0028] Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-axis machine tool of the above type that can improve processing accuracy.

[0029] Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-axis machine tool of the type described above, which allows the tool holder head to be brought close to the worktable.

[0030] The above-mentioned objectives and other more obvious objectives are achieved by a multi-axis machine tool according to claim 1, wherein the multi-axis machine tool includes a vertical column movable along a longitudinal base, a carriage slidable along the column, and a transverse slide mounted on the carriage along a transverse guide rail, the slide being adapted to cantilever support a tool holder head, wherein the slide includes two opposing sides and has a generally rectangular cross-section.

[0031] In addition, the machine includes a worktable for holding the workpiece to be processed, and the tool holder head is movable on the worktable.

[0032] According to a unique aspect of the invention, the transverse guide rail device includes at least three guide rails, two of which are arranged on opposite sides near the upper apex of the cross section of the slide.

[0033] Thanks to the combination of these features, the slide faces the lower surface of the worktable without any obstructions, thus eliminating restrictions on tool accessibility and ensuring that the tool can fully reach the workpiece fixed to the worktable.

[0034] Suitablely, the column comprises a single column having a side surface, the side surface including a vertical guide rail assembly, along which the carriage slides in a cantilevered manner.

[0035] Furthermore, the slide is inverted U-shaped, having a first vertical plate parallel to and facing the column and a second vertical plate separate from and parallel to the first plate, and connected together at the top by a third horizontal plate, thereby supporting the slide from above.

[0036] Advantageously, the height of the lower ends of the first vertical plate and the second vertical plate relative to the base is set to be greater than or equal to the height of the lower surface of the slide.

[0037] In this way, the lower surface of the slide is completely empty and unobstructed.

[0038] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are implemented according to the dependent claims. Attached Figure Description

[0039] Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of the preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the multi-axis machine tool as described above, illustrated by non-limiting examples in conjunction with the following figures, wherein:

[0040] Figure 1 A perspective view of the multi-axis machine tool according to the present invention in a first working configuration;

[0041] Figure 2 for Figure 1 An enlarged view of the machine shown;

[0042] Figure 3 and Figure 4 They are Figure 1 The second operating configuration of the machine shown and Figure 3 A magnified perspective view of the machine shown in Figure A;

[0043] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Side view of the machine shown;

[0044] Figure 6 and Figure 7 These are the ones without tool holder heads. Figure 3 The front view of the machine shown, and Figure 6 An enlarged front view of the machine shown;

[0045] Figures 8-11 These are, respectively, the rear perspective view, the front perspective view, the first lower perspective view, and the second lower perspective view of the carriage of the multi-axis machine tool according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0046] With particular reference to the accompanying drawings, a multi-axis machine tool for industrial processing is shown, generally indicated by reference numeral 1, for example for removing material from semi-finished products or mechanical workpieces (typically made of metal).

[0047] In its most basic embodiment, the machine 1 includes a vertical column 2 that moves along a longitudinal base 3 fixed to the ground S, and has a longitudinal guide rail device 4 for moving the column 2, such as... Figure 1-11 To illustrate better.

[0048] It should be noted that the longitudinal guide rails 4 are basically horizontal, and they are located between the longitudinal base 3 and the column 2.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the base 3 includes a pair of sides 3A and 3B, on which a longitudinal guide rail device 4 along which the column 2 slides is mounted.

[0050] A corresponding device for longitudinal movement of the column 2 along the longitudinal guide rail device 4 is provided in a manner known in the art.

[0051] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the longitudinal guide rail device 4 is installed on the sides 3A and 3B of the base 3, which can remove any obstacles between the upper surface of the base 3 and the column 2, so that the base 3 can be walked and / or passed through by the operator or user of the machine 1 along its entire length.

[0052] In addition, the longitudinal movement can also be conventional, thus consisting of male-female screw coupling, or a linear motor, or a rack / pinion combination, or other similar combinations of drive components.

[0053] Preferably, the longitudinal base 3 is located adjacent to the worktable 5, which may be equipped with an anchoring device of a type known in the art for supporting the workpiece to be processed (not shown in the figure).

[0054] Machine 1 also includes a carriage 6 that can slide vertically along the column 2.

[0055] like Figure 1-4 As shown, the column 2 is a single column type, and is provided with a side 2A including a vertical guide rail device 7. The carriage 6 slides along the vertical guide rail device 7 in a cantilever manner.

[0056] In addition, a transverse slide 8 that can slide along the transverse guide 9 on the carriage 6 is adapted to cantilever support the tool holder head 10, which moves above the worktable 5 for operation on the semi-finished product or workpiece being processed.

[0057] Preferably, the transverse slide 8 has a pair of opposing sides 8A, 8B, an upper surface 8D and a lower surface 8C, the latter being opposite to the upper surface 8D.

[0058] In a manner known in the art, machine 1 is equipped with a conventional command and control system that allows tool holder head 10 to perform processing operations according to the desired processing procedure that the machine is to perform on the semi-finished product located on worktable 5.

[0059] In addition, the tool holder head 10 may include an outer end with a tool clamp, and the outer end may be rotatably mounted about a corresponding rotation axis A that is inclined relative to the transverse axis Y of the transverse slide 8.

[0060] As shown in the figure, the transverse guide rail device 9 is perpendicular to the vertical guide rail device 7 and the longitudinal guide rail device 4, and they are located between the carriage 6 and the slide 8, thereby slidably guiding the latter relative to the carriage 6.

[0061] According to a unique aspect of the invention, the transverse guide rail device 9 includes at least three guide rails 11A, 11B, and 11C disposed on the sides 8A and 8B of the slide 8.

[0062] In other words, the transverse guide rail device 9 can be set on the opposite sides 8A, 8B and the upper surface 8D, except for the lower surface 8C.

[0063] Due to this specific combination of features, the lower surface 8C of the slide 8 facing the worktable 5 is completely free and unrestricted, and the tool holder head 10 can fully reach the worktable 5 without any obstruction, on which the workpiece to be processed is fixed.

[0064] In fact, as Figure 3-7 As shown, it can be observed that the lower surface 8C of the slide 8 is substantially coplanar with the worktable 5, thus ensuring the entire stroke of the vertical guide rail device 7 of the column 2.

[0065] The position of the longitudinal guide rail device 4 on the sides 3A and 3B of the base 3 also helps to improve the utilization of the entire stroke of the longitudinal guide rail device 7 of the column 2, as described above. In fact, this position allows the slide 8 to get closer to the worktable 5, so that the upper surface of the base 3 is completely unobstructed.

[0066] Therefore, when in the operating position close to the worktable 5, the slide 8 is closer to the worktable 5 than in the conventional configuration, which usually only includes a pair of guide rails facing the column, or a carriage supporting the slide at the bottom.

[0067] Suitable, the transverse slide 8 has a cross-section, schematically shown using Figure 7 The figure is indicated by reference numeral 12, which is basically rectangular and has a pair of vertical sides 12A and 12B, a pair of horizontal sides 12C and 12D, and four vertices.

[0068] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, three guide rails 11A, 11B, and 11C are arranged along the sides 8A and 8B of the slide block 8 near the apex of the cross section 12.

[0069] Specifically, two of the guide rails 11A and 11C are positioned near the upper vertex of the cross section 12.

[0070] In addition, the two guide rails 11A and 11B are fixed to the slide block 8 at a position adjacent to the column 2. More precisely, the slide 6 slides along the vertical guide rail device 7 at a position adjacent to the side 2A where the vertical guide rail device 7 is provided.

[0071] In other words, view Figure 7 The cross-section 12 of the slide 8 shown has a first vertical side 12A close to the side 2A, and a second vertical side 12B parallel to the first vertical side 12A and spaced apart from the side 2A. Three guide rails 11A, 11B, and 11C are respectively located near the upper end of the first side 12A, near the lower end of the first side 12A, and near the upper end of the second vertical side 12B. Figure 4 and Figure 7 To illustrate better.

[0072] In another embodiment of the present invention (not shown in the figure), three guide rails 11A, 11B, and 11C may be respectively disposed near the upper end of the first side 12A, near the lower end of the first side 12A, and near the lower end of the second vertical side 12B.

[0073] In another optional embodiment of the invention, which is not shown in the figures, the three guide rails 11A, 11B, and 11C can be respectively disposed at any other point near the upper end of the first side 12A, near the lower end of the first side 12A, and between the two ends of the second vertical side 12B.

[0074] In another alternative embodiment of the invention, which is not shown in the figures, three guide rails 11A, 11B, and 11C are arranged along the sides 8A and 8B and the upper surface 8D of the slide 8.

[0075] For example, the three guide rails 11A, 11B, and 11C can be respectively located near the upper end of the first side 12A, near the lower end of the first side 12A, and at any other point between the two upper ends of the first vertical side 12A and the second vertical side 12B.

[0076] In its most basic embodiment, the carriage 6 is inverted U-shaped, having a first vertical plate 13 parallel to the column 2 and facing the column 2 at its side 2A, and a second vertical plate 14 spaced apart from and parallel to the first plate 13, as shown below. Figure 8-11 To illustrate better.

[0077] The first vertical plate 13 and the second vertical plate 14 are connected at the top by a third horizontal plate 15, preferably parallel to the upper surface 8D of the slide block 8.

[0078] Preferably, relative to the base 3, the lower ends 13A and 14A of the first vertical plate 13 and the second vertical plate 14 are positioned at a height higher than or equal to the lower surface 8C of the slide 8.

[0079] Furthermore, this special configuration allows the lower surface 8C of the slide 8 to be completely free and unobstructed, thereby allowing the tool holder head 10 to have full access to the worktable 5.

[0080] Suitablely, the second vertical plate 14 may include a smaller extension relative to the first plate 13, and relative to the base 3, the latter may include an upper end 13B disposed at a height above the height of the upper surface 8D of the slide 8.

[0081] Thus, a suitable reinforcing member 16 can be installed above the third horizontal plate 15 to reinforce or strengthen the carriage 6, which has an end suitable for connecting the first plate 13 to the second plate 14 and / or to the third plate 15.

[0082] like Figure 10 and 11 As shown, the transverse guide rail device 9 includes a slider 17 located on the carriage 6 and adapted to slide along the transverse guide rail devices 11A, 11B, and 11C.

[0083] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the carriage 6 includes a pair of sliders 17 for each of the transverse guides 11A, 11B, 11C, and these sliders are of the recirculating roller type. The sliders 17 are located on the surfaces of the first plate 13 and the second plate 14 of the carriage 6 facing the slide block 8.

[0084] In a manner known in the art, a roller recirculation slide has greater stiffness if it is compressed relative to being stretched.

[0085] Therefore, from the specific configuration of slides 6 and 8 and the relative positions of slider 17 and guide rails 11A, 11B, 11C, it can be seen that machine 1 includes two compression guide rails 11A and 11C and only one tension guide rail 11B.

[0086] This special advantage allows guide rails 11A, 11B, and 11C to create substantially symmetrical constraints between the carriage 6 and the slide block 8, which is beneficial to the working forces involved and the stiffness of the slide block 8.

[0087] In a manner known in the art, the upper surface 8D of the slide 8 includes a lateral movement device 18 for lateral movement of the slide 8 relative to the recirculating spherical slide 6, such as... Figure 1-7 As shown.

[0088] Similar to the lateral movement device 18, the movement of the carriage 6 along the vertical guide rail device 7 can also provide a recirculating spherical vertical movement device 19.

[0089] Based on the above description, it is clear that the multi-axis machine tool with a movable column according to the present invention achieves the intended purpose, and in particular, it allows for an increase in the operating range of the tool holder head while reducing production, installation and maintenance costs.

[0090] The machine according to the invention is susceptible to many modifications and variations, all of which fall under the inventive concept outlined in the appended claims.

[0091] Although the machine has been described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings, the reference numerals used in the description and claims are intended to improve the understanding of the invention and do not in any way limit the scope of the claims.

[0092] Throughout the description, references to “an embodiment”, “this embodiment”, or “some embodiments” indicate that a particular feature, structure, or element described is included in at least one embodiment for the purposes of this invention.

[0093] Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, specific features, structures, or elements may be combined in any suitable manner.

[0094] Industrial applicability

[0095] This invention can be applied at the industrial level because it can be produced in the industrial production field of machine tools, which belong to industrial processing operations.

Claims

1. A multi-axis machine tool (1) comprising a vertical column (2) movable along a longitudinal base (3), a carriage (6) slidable along the column (2), and a transverse slide (8) slidable along the carriage (6) along a transverse guide (9), wherein the slide (8) is adapted to cantilever support a tool holder head (10); wherein the slide (8) comprises two opposing sides (8A, 8B) and has a generally rectangular cross-section (12). Its features are, The transverse guide rail device (9) includes at least three guide rails (11A, 11B, 11C), two of which (11A, 11C) are arranged on the opposite sides (8A, 8B) near the upper vertex of the cross section (12).

2. The machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, Two of the guide rails (11A, 11B) are fixed on the slide (8) near the column (2).

3. The machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transverse guide rail device (9) includes a slider (17) located on the carriage (6) and adapted to slide along the guide rail (9).

4. The machine tool according to claim 3, characterized in that, The carriage (6) includes a pair of sliders (17) for each of the guide rails (11A, 11B, 11C).

5. The machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, The carriage (6) is inverted U-shaped, having a first vertical plate (13) parallel to and facing the column (2) and a second vertical plate (14) separated from and parallel to the first plate (13), and connected together at the upper part by a third horizontal plate (15).

6. The machine tool according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first vertical plate (13) and the second vertical plate (14) have lower ends (13A, 14A) arranged at a height relative to the base (3) greater than or equal to the lower surface (8C) of the slide (8).

7. The machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper surface (8D) of the slide includes a lateral movement device (18) of the slide (8) relative to the recirculating spherical carriage (6).

8. The machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base (3) includes a pair of sides (3A, 3B) including a longitudinal guide rail device (4) that slides along the column (2).

9. The machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, The column (2) includes a single column with a side (2A) including a vertical guide rail device (7), and the carriage (6) slides along the vertical guide rail device (7) in a cantilever manner.

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