Device for machining workpieces with boss configuration and machine tool thereof

Abstract

An apparatus for machining workpieces with boss-like structures includes a connecting shank, a bracket, a rotary motor, and a clamp. The connecting shank is used to connect to the A-axis of a machine tool (e.g., a five-axis machine tool), and the bracket is mounted on the connecting shank. The rotary motor is mounted on the bracket, and the clamp is connected to the rotary motor for holding the workpiece. After assembling the apparatus of this invention on a five-axis machine tool, a third rotary axis is added, changing only the relationship of the machining axis system for the boss-like structure, without altering the axis system relationship of the five-axis machine tool. In machining boss-like workpieces, the range of motion of the three linear axes is greatly reduced, thus significantly improving machining efficiency and also significantly improving the linkage accuracy of contour machining.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus for performing machining, and more particularly to an apparatus for performing workpiece machining by means of laser. Background Technology

[0002] A boss is a common structural feature based on a frustum of a cone. It consists of two at least approximately parallel surfaces, a top surface and a bottom surface, with unequal areas. At least one continuous surface intersects both the top and bottom surfaces. When viewed from the end or bottom face, these intersecting surfaces form an outer contour composed of curves, straight line segments, and combinations thereof. Common boss-type parts include punches, helical gears, and circular cutting blades.

[0003] Machining bosses or workpieces with boss structures requires multi-axis linkage equipment, such as a five-axis machine tool. It has five spatial degrees of freedom, including three linear axes (also called X, Y, and Z axes) and two rotary axes (A axis, rotating around the X axis, B axis, rotating around the Y axis, or C axis, rotating around the Z axis). It can freely control the spatial position and relative posture between the workpiece and the machining tool. Therefore, five-axis machine tools are common equipment for machining parts with boss structures.

[0004] However, machining boss-type parts using five-axis machine tools faces unsatisfactory machining efficiency and accuracy, with no effective solution yet found. Analysis revealed that machining boss structures requires two rotary axes to control the relative spatial orientation of the workpiece and the machining tool, and three linear axes to control their relative spatial position. Thus, while linear axes complete all machining paths, their movement also compensates for positional changes between the machining tool and workpiece caused by variations in the rotary axis orientation. This increases the total travel of the linear axes, leading to low machining efficiency and deteriorated machining accuracy.

[0005] In other words, when machining boss-type parts on a five-axis machine tool, there is a dilemma regarding the adjustment of the linear axis. The total stroke needs to be increased to compensate for the positional changes between the machining tool and the workpiece caused by the change in the posture of the rotary axis, while the total stroke also needs to be reduced to improve efficiency and machining accuracy. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for machining workpieces with boss structures, by adjusting the relationship of the machining axis system, thereby reducing the total travel of the linear axes of the machine tool (e.g., a five-axis machine tool) and improving machining efficiency.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for machining workpieces with boss structures, adjusting the relationship of the machining axis system to reduce the total travel of the linear axes of the machine tool (e.g., a five-axis machine tool) and improve machining accuracy.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine tool that enables efficient machining of workpieces with boss structures or having boss structures.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine tool that improves the machining accuracy of workpieces with boss structures or having boss structures.

[0010] In machining, common machining tools currently include grinding wheels, cutting tools, and lasers.

[0011] Laser, as commonly understood, is light emitted by atoms when stimulated. Electrons in an atom absorb energy, transition from a lower energy level to a higher energy level, and then fall back down, releasing energy as photons. Lasers can be categorized into continuous-wave lasers and pulsed lasers. Based on their pulse width characteristics, they are classified as thermal lasers and cold lasers.

[0012] Laser emitters, such as, but not limited to, nanosecond, femtosecond, or picosecond lasers, produce lasers such as infrared, blue, green, violet, or extreme violet light.

[0013] Ultrafast lasers refer to pulsed lasers with output pulse widths of tens of nanoseconds or less, i.e., picoseconds or less. The core components involved in ultrafast lasers include oscillators, stretchers, amplifiers, and compressors.

[0014] The optical axis refers to the center line of a light beam (or light column), or the axis of symmetry of an optical system. The light beam should rotate around this axis without any change in its optical properties.

[0015] In machining, the term "material" or "workpiece" typically refers to materials or semi-finished products used to manufacture parts or components; it is the object of machining during the mechanical process. That is, after machining the workpiece, a product that meets the machining or design requirements is obtained, such as hole-making tools and milling cutters. For workpieces used for tool machining, they typically include an axis, with the axial length greater than the radial length.

[0016] Precision machining refers to machining techniques that achieve extremely high levels of precision and surface quality. For example, in tool machining, dimensions, straightness, contour accuracy, surface roughness, and cutting edge radius are all achieved at a level exceeding micrometers.

[0017] Machining equipment (or machining centers) are processing devices with multiple axes of motion. These are the X, Y, and Z axes, which move along straight lines in a right-handed Cartesian coordinate system, and the A, B, and C axes, which rotate around the X, Y, and Z axes, respectively. For example, CNC machine tools typically have various control software programs that receive and issue commands in code form to automate the machining of workpieces. For instance, by forming the method for forming the drill tip of a machining tool provided in this invention into control code, it can be automatically implemented on machining equipment to obtain products that meet machining or design requirements.

[0018] An apparatus for machining a workpiece having a boss structure, comprising:

[0019] A connecting handle, used to connect to the A-axis of a machine tool, includes a handle and a connecting seat. The handle is driven by the rotating axis A to rotate the connecting seat.

[0020] The bracket includes a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the connecting seat and rotates with the connecting seat, causing the second end to deviate from the rotation axis of axis A.

[0021] A rotary motor, located at the second end, includes a rotary shaft and a rotating plane. The rotating plane is orthogonal to the rotary shaft, the rotary shaft is perpendicular to axis A, and the rotating plane is offset from the axis of axis A (i.e., located on one side of the axis, for example, within 50mm).

[0022] The apparatus of the present invention further includes a clamp disposed on the plane of rotation for clamping the blank. Preferably, the clamp is arranged such that the top and bottom surfaces of the machined boss structure are offset from the axis of axis A in the same direction (i.e., both are located on one side of the axis), thereby further reducing the travel of each axis system, especially the linear axis.

[0023] The device of the present invention further includes a water-cooled plate arranged around the clamp.

[0024] To make the device of the present invention applicable to existing five-axis machine tools, the shank is in the shape of a tapered rod, which facilitates assembly with the tapered A-axis interface of existing five-axis machine tools.

[0025] In addition, the device of the present invention also includes a drive controller and related cables for connecting to the CNC system of an existing five-axis machine tool.

[0026] Thus, by assembling the device of this invention onto a five-axis machine tool, a third rotary axis is added, which only changes the relationship of the machining axis system for the boss structure, without requiring any change to the axis system relationship of the five-axis machine tool. This significantly reduces the range of motion of the three linear axes in the machining of boss-type workpieces, thereby significantly improving machining efficiency and also significantly enhancing the linkage accuracy of contour machining. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention for processing workpieces with boss structures;

[0028] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the device from another angle;

[0029] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the device from another angle;

[0030] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of a workpiece with a boss structure;

[0031] Figure 5 The apparatus of the present invention and Figure 4 The diagram shows an embodiment of the workpiece assembly, where the arrows indicate the cutting direction of the machining tool;

[0032] Figure 6 for Figure 4 The diagram shows the machining process of the workpiece; where A is a diagram of the machining relationship of each axis system and the travel / rotation stroke when machining with a five-axis machine tool, and B is a diagram of the machining relationship of each axis system and the travel / rotation stroke when machining with the device of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The technical solution of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments of the present invention are only used to illustrate the technical solution of the present invention and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solution of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solution of the present invention, and all such modifications and substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention for processing workpieces with boss structures. Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the device from another angle. Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the device from another angle. (See diagram below.) Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the device of the present invention includes a connecting handle 100, a bracket 200, a rotary motor 300, and a clamp 400. The connecting handle 100 is used to connect to the A-axis of a machine tool (e.g., a five-axis machine tool), and the bracket 200 is disposed on the connecting handle 100. The rotary motor 300 is disposed on the bracket 200, and the clamp 400 is connected to the rotary motor 300 for clamping the workpiece.

[0035] The connecting handle 100 includes a handle portion 110 and a connecting seat 120. The handle portion 110 is driven by the rotary axis A to rotate the connecting seat. Specifically, the handle portion 110 is a tapered rod shape, that is, its axial length is greater than its radial length, which is conducive to assembly with the A-axis tapered interface of existing five-axis machine tools and to maintain a stable connection.

[0036] The bracket 200 includes a first end 210 and a second end 220. The first end 210 is connected to the connecting seat 120 and rotates with the connecting seat, causing the second end 220 to deviate from the rotation axis a of axis A.

[0037] The rotary motor 300 includes a rotary shaft 310 and a rotating plane 320, which is orthogonal to the rotary shaft 310. The rotary motor 300 is mounted on the second end 220. The rotary shaft 310 is perpendicular to the rotation axis a, and the rotating plane 320 is offset from the rotation axis a of axis A. As shown in the figure, the rotating plane 320 is located below the rotation axis a, within 50 mm.

[0038] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a workpiece with a boss structure. Figure 5 The apparatus of the present invention and Figure 4 A schematic diagram of one embodiment of the workpiece assembly shown. (In conjunction with...) Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 ,like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the fixture 400 is positioned directly above the rotation plane 320, and a water-cooled plate 500 is arranged around it. The fixture 400 is positioned such that, for example, its height above the rotation plane 320 is adjusted so that the top and bottom surfaces of the machined boss structure 20 are offset from the rotation axis a of axis A in the same direction. As shown in the figure, they are both located above the rotation axis a. This is more conducive to reducing the travel of each linear axis and the rotational travel of some rotary axes (such as axes A and B).

[0039] Figure 6 for Figure 4 The diagram shows the machining relationships and travel / rotation strokes of each axis system in the workpiece processed by a five-axis machine tool and the device of this invention. Taking the machining of a tapered four-lobed spline as an example... Figure 6 As shown in Figure A, a five-axis machine tool is used for machining. During five-axis machining, the AB axis posture needs to be matched according to the XYZ coordinates of the current machining point. Matching the AB axis requires XYZ axis interpolation, which involves eight tangential directions, as indicated by arrows 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, and 58 in the figure. This indicates that the movement range of each axis is relatively large. Quantitatively, except for the X-axis, the travel distance and rotation (0–360°) distance of the other axes are relatively large. The machine tool equipped with the device of this embodiment on axis A is shown below. Figure 6As shown in Figure A, the same workpiece is processed (see Figure A). Figure 5 This process only requires three entry directions, as indicated by arrows 31, 32, and 33 in the diagram. This demonstrates that each axis requires only a small range of motion to perform machining. Quantitatively, except for the C-axis (which requires 0–360° rotation), the travel and rotational travel of all other axes are significantly reduced. In particular, the travel of the X, Y, and Z linear axes accounts for only 20% of the total movable travel, a 50% reduction. This will significantly improve the overall machining efficiency and contour linkage accuracy.

Claims

1. An apparatus for machining a workpiece having a boss structure, characterized in that... include: A connecting handle, used to connect to the A-axis of a machine tool, includes a handle and a connecting seat. The handle is driven by the rotating axis A to rotate the connecting seat. The bracket includes a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the connecting seat and rotates with the connecting seat, causing the second end to deviate from the rotation axis of axis A. A rotary motor, located at the second end, includes a rotary shaft and a rotating plane. The rotating plane is orthogonal to the rotary shaft, the rotary shaft is perpendicular to axis A, and the rotating plane is offset from the axis of axis A.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that... It also includes a clamp, which is set on the plane of rotation, for holding the blank.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that... The fixture is arranged such that the top and bottom surfaces of the machined boss structure are offset from the axis of A in the same direction.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that... It also includes a water-cooled plate arranged around the fixture.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that... The plane of rotation is offset from the axis of A by a distance of 50 mm or less.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that... The handle is in the shape of a tapered rod.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that... It is assembled on a five-axis machine tool.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that... It also includes drive controllers and cables for connecting to existing CNC systems.

9. A machine tool, characterized in that... Includes the apparatus as described in claim 1.

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