Vertical machining center with extensible cutterhead

Abstract

A lathe bed of the vertical machining center comprises a machining area and a tool changing area, and a workbench is arranged in the machining area; the sliding table is arranged on the lathe bed in a sliding mode in the Y-axis direction and reciprocates between a machining area and a tool changing area. The sliding saddle is slidably arranged on the sliding table in the X-axis direction. The ram is arranged on the saddle in a sliding mode in the Z-axis direction, and the main shaft is arranged on the ram; the tool changing area is provided with a tool magazine, the tool magazine comprises at least two coaxially-arranged tool drums, and the axes of the tool drums are arranged in the Y-axis direction. The workbench is arranged in the machining area of the lathe bed, the tool magazine is arranged in the tool changing area, and the axis of the tool drum is arranged in the Y-axis direction, so that the tool drum is vertically placed in the tool changing area, and tool changing is achieved through the reciprocating motion of the sliding table in cooperation with the tool drum; therefore, compared with the situation that space needs to be increased outside to arrange and expand the tool magazine, the tool magazine fully utilizes the transverse space and the vertical space of the lathe bed, so that the tool magazine is more compact, and a plurality of tool drums can be arranged in the Y-axis direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of machine tool technology, and more particularly to a vertical machining center with an expandable tool head. Background Technology

[0002] A vertical machining center is a machining center whose spindle axis is perpendicular to the worktable. It is mainly suitable for machining complex parts such as plates, discs, molds, and small shells. It can perform milling, boring, drilling, tapping, and thread cutting operations. After the workpiece is clamped once, the digital control system can automatically select and change tools according to different operations, automatically change the machine tool spindle speed, feed rate, and tool movement trajectory relative to the workpiece, and other auxiliary functions to sequentially complete multiple operations on several surfaces of the workpiece. Vertical machining centers have multiple tool changing or tool selection functions, which greatly improves production efficiency. Compared with corresponding horizontal machining centers, they have a simpler structure, smaller footprint, and lower price. To meet the diverse cutting process requirements of various types of complex parts, it is equipped with a tool magazine that can accommodate multiple tools to achieve automatic tool changing. However, to control the footprint, the tool magazine volume of a vertical machining center is usually limited; to meet actual customer needs, an extended tool magazine is often required, which increases the overall footprint. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a vertical machining center with an expandable cutter head to solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows: A vertical machining center with an expandable tool head includes: a bed, a slide, a saddle, a ram, a spindle, and a worktable; the bed includes a machining area and a tool changing area, and the worktable is located within the machining area; the slide is slidably mounted on the bed along the horizontal Y-axis and is capable of reciprocating between the machining area and the tool changing area; the saddle is slidably mounted on the slide along the horizontal X-axis; the ram is slidably mounted on the saddle along the vertical Z-axis, and the spindle is located on the ram; the tool changing area includes a tool magazine, which includes at least two coaxially arranged tool drums, the axis of which is arranged along the Y-axis.

[0005] Preferably, the bed includes: a base, a partition wall and two vertical wall panels. The two vertical wall panels are fixed on both sides of the base, and the partition wall is fixed in the middle of the base. The partition wall is located between the two vertical wall panels and is fixedly connected to the vertical wall panels. The partition wall divides the space enclosed by the base and the two vertical wall panels into a front processing area and a rear tool changing area.

[0006] Preferably, the bed also includes multiple tie rods fixed on the base platform. The tie rods are located in the tool changing area, and the two ends of the tie rods are fixedly connected to the two vertical wall panels respectively. The multiple tie rods are spaced apart from the tool drum.

[0007] Preferably, the tool magazine includes: a tool drum, a bracket, a tool drum spindle, and a drive assembly. The bracket is fixed on the tie rod, the tool drum spindle is rotatably connected to the bracket and its axis is set along the Y-axis direction, the tool drum is coaxially fixed on the tool drum spindle, and the drive assembly drives the tool drum spindle to rotate.

[0008] Preferably, the cutter drum includes: a cutter disc, a plurality of cutter holder fixing seats, and cutter holder claws corresponding to each cutter holder fixing seat. The cutter disc is coaxially fixed on the cutter drum spindle. The plurality of cutter holder fixing seats are evenly distributed around the outer periphery of the cutter disc. The cutter holder fixing seats are provided with a cutter holder engagement interface for engaging with the cutter. When the cutter holder is engaged in the engagement interface, the axis of the cutter holder is perpendicular to the axis of the cutter drum spindle. The cutter holder claws are fixed on the cutter holder fixing seats and are used to position the circumferential position of the cutter holder and to prevent the cutter holder from disengaging from the engagement interface.

[0009] Preferably, one end of the tool holder fixing seat is fixed to the outer periphery of the tool disc, and the other end extends toward the partition plate and has a locking interface.

[0010] Preferably, the drive assembly includes: a large gear coaxially fixed on the cutter head away from the partition plate, a small gear meshing with the large gear, and a drive motor for driving the small gear to rotate, wherein the drive motor is located on the side of the cutter head away from the partition plate.

[0011] Preferably, the axis of the drum core is located in the middle of the two vertical wall panels.

[0012] Preferably, the partition plate has a clearance opening in the middle, through which the spindle clamps the tool to pass and reciprocate between the machining area and the tool changing area.

[0013] Preferably, both vertical wall panels are equipped with a lead screw assembly and a guide rail assembly at their top. The slide is located above the vertical wall panel, the lead screw assembly drives the slide to move, and the guide rail assembly guides the slide.

[0014] Beneficial effects: This application discloses a vertical machining center with an expandable tool head. By placing the worktable in the machining area of ​​the machine bed and the tool magazine in the tool changing area, and arranging at least two coaxially arranged tool drums along the Y-axis, the tool drums are placed vertically in the tool changing area. Tool changing is achieved by the reciprocating motion of the slide between the machining area and the tool changing area in conjunction with the tool drums. Therefore, compared with the conventional situation that requires additional external space to arrange an expanded tool magazine, this application makes full use of the horizontal and vertical space of the machine bed, making the tool magazine more compact and allowing multiple tool drums to be arranged along the Y-axis. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a vertical machining center with an expandable cutter head disclosed in this invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a vertical machining center with an expandable cutter head, as disclosed in this invention, behind a hidden cover plate. Figure 1 ; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a vertical machining center with an expandable cutter head, as disclosed in this invention, behind a hidden cover plate. Figure 2 ; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the bed structure of a vertical machining center with an expandable tool head disclosed in this invention. Figure 1 ; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the bed structure of a vertical machining center with an expandable tool head disclosed in this invention. Figure 2 ; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the tool magazine structure of a vertical machining center with an expandable tool head disclosed in this invention. Figure 1 ; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the tool magazine structure of a vertical machining center with an expandable tool head disclosed in this invention. Figure 2 ; Figure 8 This is a side view of a tool magazine in a vertical machining center with an expandable tool head, as disclosed in this invention. Figure 9 This invention discloses a structural schematic diagram of a tool holder fixing seat and tool holder jaw assembly for a vertical machining center with an expandable tool head. Figure 1 ; Figure 10 This invention discloses a structural schematic diagram of a tool holder fixing seat and tool holder jaw assembly for a vertical machining center with an expandable tool head. Figure 2 ; Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of a vertical machining center with an expandable tool head, as disclosed in this invention, showing the tool clamping on the tool holder fixing seat and tool holder jaw assembly. Figure 1 ; Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of a vertical machining center with an expandable tool head, as disclosed in this invention, showing the tool clamping on the tool holder fixing seat and tool holder jaw assembly. Figure 2 .

[0017] In the diagram: 1. Bed; 11. Machining area; 12. Tool changing area; 13. Base; 14. Partition plate; 141. Clearance opening; 15. Vertical wall plate; 16. Tie rod; 2. Slide table; 3. Saddle slide; 4. Ram slide; 5. Worktable; 6. Tool magazine; 61. Tool drum; 611. Tool disc; 612. Tool holder fixing seat; 613. Tool holder chuck; 62. Bracket; 63. Tool drum spindle; 641. Large gear; 642. Small gear; 643. Drive motor; 71. Lead screw assembly; 72. Guide rail assembly; 8. Operating window; 9. Cover plate; 10. Tool holder. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, 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, 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.

[0019] A vertical machining center with an expandable tool head, combined with Figures 1-12 As shown, the machine includes: a bed 1, a slide 2, a saddle 3, a ram 4, a spindle, and a worktable 5. The bed 1 includes a machining area 11 and a tool changing area 12, with the worktable 5 located within the machining area 11. The slide 2 is slidably mounted on the bed 1 along the horizontal Y-axis and can reciprocate between the machining area 11 and the tool changing area 12. The saddle 3 is slidably mounted on the slide 2 along the horizontal X-axis. The ram 4 is slidably mounted on the saddle 3 along the vertical Z-axis, and the spindle is located on the ram 4. The tool changing area 12 has a tool magazine 6, which includes at least two coaxially arranged tool drums 61, with the axis of the tool drums 61 arranged along the Y-axis. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are perpendicular to each other. This application places the worktable 5 within the machining area 11 of the machine bed and the tool magazine 6 within the tool changing area 12. At least two coaxially arranged tool drums 61 are positioned along the Y-axis, thus vertically placing the tool drums 61 within the tool changing area 12. Tool changing is achieved by the reciprocating motion of the slide table 2 between the machining area 11 and the tool changing area 12 in conjunction with the tool drums 61. Therefore, compared to the conventional approach that requires additional external space to accommodate an expanded tool magazine, this application fully utilizes the horizontal and vertical space of the machine bed 1, making the tool magazine 6 more compact and allowing for the arrangement of multiple tool drums 61 along the Y-axis.

[0020] Preferably, the bed 1 includes: a base 13, a partition wall 14, and two vertical wall panels 15. The two vertical wall panels 15 are fixed on both sides of the base 13, and the partition wall 14 is fixed in the middle of the base 13. The partition wall 14 is located between the two vertical wall panels 15 and is fixedly connected to the vertical wall panels 15. The partition wall 14 divides the space enclosed by the base 13 and the two vertical wall panels 15 into a front machining area 11 and a rear tool changing area 12. The base 13 serves as the overall mounting base, and the two vertical wall panels 15 enclose the internal area of ​​the machining center and support and install the remaining moving parts. The partition wall 14 divides the internal area into the front machining area 11 and the rear tool changing area 12, preventing front-end machining waste and cutting fluid from affecting the tool changing area 12; at the same time, the partition wall 14 connecting the two vertical wall panels 15 can strengthen the rigidity of the machining center and prevent the two vertical wall panels 15 from deforming. The base 13, partition wall 14 and two vertical wall panels 15 can be assembled into one piece by threaded connection after each processing, or they can be integrally processed by casting, milling and other processes.

[0021] Preferably, the bed 1 further includes multiple tie rods 16 fixed on the base 13. The tie rods 16 are located within the tool changing area 12, and both ends of the tie rods 16 are fixedly connected to two vertical wall plates 15. The multiple tie rods 16 are spaced apart from the tool drums 61. The tie rods 16 and the tool drums 61 are spaced apart, and the tie rods 16 and the two vertical wall plates 15 form a cross-shaped reinforcement structure, which can increase the rigidity of the lower part of the bed 1. The lead screw assembly 71 and guide rail assembly 72 at the top of the two vertical wall plates 15, together with the slide table 2, improve the rigidity of the upper part of the bed 1. This makes the bed 1, tie rods 16, slide table 2, lead screw assembly 71 and guide rail assembly 72 form a frame structure. When dealing with the expansion of more tool drums 61, the extension of the lead screw assembly 71 and guide rail assembly 72 and the increase of tie rods 16 can ensure the overall rigidity of the bed 1, thereby ensuring machining accuracy.

[0022] Preferably, the tool magazine 6 includes: a tool drum 61, a bracket 62, a tool drum spindle 63, and a drive assembly. The bracket 62 is fixedly mounted on the tie rod 16. The tool drum spindle 63 is rotatably connected to the bracket 62 and its axis is set along the Y-axis. The tool drum 61 is coaxially fixed on the tool drum spindle 63. The drive assembly drives the tool drum spindle 63 to rotate. The two brackets 62 are fixedly mounted on the tie rod 16 by screws. The two ends of the tool drum spindle 63 are rotatably connected to the brackets 62 by bearings. By driving the tool drum spindle 63 to rotate, the drive assembly drives at least two tool drums 61 to rotate synchronously, thereby rotating the required tool to the uppermost tool changing position or rotating the empty tool's locking interface to the uppermost tool changing position. For more tool drums 61, the tool changing efficiency can be improved by adding a robotic arm device, pre-selecting tools, and reducing the spindle tool changing stroke.

[0023] Preferably, the cutter drum 61 includes: a cutter disc 611, a plurality of tool holder fixing seats 612, and tool holder pawls 613 corresponding to each tool holder fixing seat 612. The cutter disc 611 is coaxially fixed on the cutter drum spindle 63. The plurality of tool holder fixing seats 612 are evenly distributed around the outer periphery of the cutter disc 611. The tool holder fixing seats 612 are provided with a locking interface for engaging with the tool holder 10. When the tool holder 10 is engaged in the locking interface, the axis of the tool holder 10 is perpendicular to the axis of the cutter drum spindle 63. The tool holder pawls 613 are fixed on the tool holder fixing seats 612 and are used to position the circumferential position of the tool holder 10 and to prevent the tool holder 10 from disengaging from the locking interface. With the above structure, the locking interface of the tool holder fixing seat 612 rotated to the top is aligned with the Z-axis direction, so as to facilitate tool changing by engaging with the vertically set spindle.

[0024] Specifically, the cutter head 611 adopts a spoke-type structure to reduce overall weight while ensuring rigidity. The center of the cutter head 611 is fixed to the cutter drum spindle 63 via a flange connection. The tool holder fixing seat 612 is fixed to the outer periphery of the cutter head 611 by screws. The tool holder chuck 613 is fixed to the lower surface of the tool holder fixing seat 612 by screws. The locking interface of the tool holder fixing seat 612 mates with the V-groove on the tool holder 10, preventing the tool holder 10 from being pulled out of the locking interface. The tool holder chuck 613 engages with the positioning groove of the tool holder 10 to achieve circumferential positioning, and the chuck of the tool holder 613 is locked on the outer periphery of the tool holder 10 to prevent the tool holder 10 from coming out from the side of the locking interface. The locking interface and the tool holder chuck 613 cooperate to clamp the tool holder 10, which is existing technology in the field of tool magazines and will not be described in detail here.

[0025] Preferably, one end of the tool holder fixing seat 612 is fixed to the outer periphery of the tool disc 611, and the other end extends towards the partition plate 14 and has a locking interface. By facing the partition plate 14, the path of the spindle moving from the machining area 11 to the tool changing area 12 coincides with the path of the tool locking into the locking interface; similarly, the path of the spindle removing the tool from the locking interface coincides with the path of the spindle moving from the tool changing area 12 to the machining area 11. This helps to save the path required for tool changing, thereby improving tool changing efficiency.

[0026] Preferably, the drive assembly includes: a large gear 641 coaxially fixed on the cutter head 611 away from the partition plate 14, a small gear 642 meshing with the large gear 641, and a drive motor 643 driving the small gear 642 to rotate. The drive motor 643 is located on the side of the cutter head 611 away from the partition plate 14. The large gear 641 is fixed to the outer side of the cutter head 611 furthest from the partition plate 14 by screws. The drive motor 643 is a servo motor, which drives the small gear 642 to rotate through a reducer. The reducer is threadedly mounted on the drive motor mount, and the drive motor mount is threadedly mounted on the tie rod 16. By positioning the drive assembly away from the cutter drum 61 and the partition plate 14, air circulation is facilitated for heat dissipation, which reduces the impact of heat on the accuracy of the machining center.

[0027] Preferably, the axis of the cutter drum spindle 63 is located in the middle of the two vertical wall panels 15, making full use of the lateral dimension of the bed 1 and avoiding a large imbalance caused by the rotation of the cutter drum 61. In this embodiment, the cutter magazine can be hoisted into the bed 1 and then installed.

[0028] Preferably, the partition plate 14 has a clearance opening 141 in the middle, through which the spindle clamps the tool and passes through the clearance opening 141, allowing it to reciprocate between the machining area 11 and the tool changing area 12, thus avoiding the need for the slide 4 to be raised to a very high position to pass over the partition plate 14 during tool changing.

[0029] Preferably, each of the two wall panels 15 is equipped with a lead screw assembly 71 and a guide rail assembly 72 at its top. The slide table 2 is located above the wall panel 15. The lead screw assembly 71 drives the slide table 2 to move, and the guide rail assembly 72 guides the slide table 2. The motor of the lead screw assembly 71 drives the lead screw to rotate, thereby causing the lead screw nut and the slide table 2 to move synchronously. The lead screw nuts of the two sets of lead screw assemblies 71 are fixedly installed at both ends of the slide table 2. The slide rails of the two sets of guide rail assemblies 72 are fixedly installed on the top of the wall panel 15 and located between the two sets of lead screw assemblies 71. A slider is fixedly installed on the lower surface of the slide table 2. The slider slides along the slide rail to achieve guidance and support.

[0030] Specifically, an operation window 8 is provided on the wall panel 15. The operation window 8 corresponds to the knife drum 61. By opening the operation window 8, the knife clamped on the knife drum 61 can be manually replaced, so that the knife can be installed from the side using a manual knife loading mechanism.

[0031] Specifically, a cover plate 9 is fixedly attached to the top of both vertical wall panels 15 via a threaded connection, and the front of the cover plate 9 is also fixedly attached to the partition wall panel 14 via a threaded connection. The cover plate 9 covers the tool changing area 12 and protects the tool magazine 6. To avoid interfering with the movement of the ram 4 and the spindle, a corresponding clearance opening is provided at the front of the cover plate 9.

[0032] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vertical machining center with an expandable cutter head, characterized in that, include: The machine bed (1), slide table (2), slide saddle (3), slide ram (4), spindle, and worktable (5); the machine bed (1) includes a machining area (11) and a tool changing area (12), and the worktable (5) is located in the machining area (11); the slide table (2) is slidably mounted on the machine bed (1) along the horizontal Y-axis direction and can reciprocate between the machining area (11) and the tool changing area (12); the slide saddle (3) is slidably mounted on the slide table (2) along the horizontal X-axis direction; the slide ram (4) is slidably mounted on the slide saddle (3) along the vertical Z-axis direction, and the spindle is located on the slide ram (4); the tool changing area (12) is provided with a tool magazine (6), and the tool magazine (6) includes at least two coaxially arranged tool drums (61), the axis of which is arranged along the Y-axis direction.

2. The vertical machining center with an expandable cutter head according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bed (1) includes: a base (13), a partition wall (14) and two vertical wall panels (15). The two vertical wall panels (15) are fixed on both sides of the base (13), and the partition wall panel (14) is fixed in the middle of the base (13). The partition wall panel (14) is located between the two vertical wall panels (15) and is fixedly connected to the vertical wall panels (15). The partition wall panel (14) divides the space enclosed by the base (13) and the two vertical wall panels (15) into a front processing area (11) and a rear tool changing area (12).

3. A vertical machining center with an expandable cutter head according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bed (1) also includes multiple tie rods (16) fixed on the base (13). The tie rods (16) are located in the tool changing area (12). The two ends of the tie rods (16) are fixedly connected to the two vertical wall panels (15). The multiple tie rods (16) are spaced apart from the tool drum (61).

4. A vertical machining center with an expandable cutter head according to claim 3, characterized in that, The tool magazine (6) includes: a tool drum (61), a bracket (62), a tool drum spindle (63), and a drive assembly. The bracket (62) is fixed on the tie rod (16). The tool drum spindle (63) is rotatably connected to the bracket (62) and its axis is set along the Y-axis. The tool drum (61) is coaxially fixed on the tool drum spindle (63). The drive assembly drives the tool drum spindle (63) to rotate.

5. A vertical machining center with an expandable cutter head according to claim 4, characterized in that, The blade drum (61) includes: a blade disc (611), a plurality of blade holder fixing seats (612), and blade holder claws (613) corresponding to the blade holder fixing seats (612). The blade disc (611) is coaxially fixed on the blade drum core shaft (63). The plurality of blade holder fixing seats (612) are evenly distributed around the outer periphery of the blade disc (611). The blade holder fixing seats (612) are provided with a locking interface for cooperating with the blade holder (10) of the blade. When the blade holder (10) is locked into the locking interface, the axis of the blade holder (10) is perpendicular to the axis of the blade drum core shaft (63). The blade holder claws (613) are fixed on the blade holder fixing seats (612). The blade holder claws (613) are used to position the circumferential position of the blade holder (10) and to restrict the blade holder (10) from disengaging from the locking interface.

6. A vertical machining center with an expandable cutter head according to claim 5, characterized in that, One end of the tool holder fixing seat (612) is fixed to the outer periphery of the tool disc (611), and the other end extends toward the partition plate (14) and has a card interface.

7. A vertical machining center with an expandable cutter head according to claim 6, characterized in that, The drive assembly includes: a large gear (641) coaxially fixed on a cutter head (611) away from the partition wall (14), a small gear (642) meshing with the large gear (641), and a drive motor (643) for driving the small gear (642) to rotate. The drive motor (643) is located on the side of the cutter head (611) away from the partition wall (14).

8. A vertical machining center with an expandable tool head according to any one of claims 4-7, characterized in that, The axis of the drum core shaft (63) is located in the middle of the two vertical wall panels (15).

9. A vertical machining center with an expandable cutter head according to claim 8, characterized in that, The partition plate (14) has a clearance opening (141) in the middle, through which the spindle clamps the tool and passes through the clearance opening (141) to reciprocate between the machining area (11) and the tool changing area (12).

10. A vertical machining center with an expandable cutter head according to claim 9, characterized in that, Both of the wall panels (15) are provided with a lead screw assembly (71) and a guide rail assembly (72) at the top. The slide (2) is located above the wall panel (15). The lead screw assembly (71) drives the slide (2) to move, and the guide rail assembly (72) guides the slide (2).

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