A sample end face milling device and automatic milling machine

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical fields of metallurgical sample preparation equipment, and provides a sample end face milling device and an automatic milling machine, which comprises a clamping and positioning mechanism and a milling spindle unit, the clamping and positioning mechanism comprises a supporting assembly, a pressing and height measuring assembly and a radial clamping assembly, the supporting assembly is arranged at the center of the clamping area of the radial clamping assembly, the pressing and height measuring assembly is arranged above the side of the clamping area and comprises a pressing driving element and a displacement detecting element, the output end of the pressing driving element is connected with the displacement detecting element, and the displacement detecting element is fixed relative to the body of the pressing driving element; the milling spindle unit comprises at least two spindles and a driving source, and the output end of the driving source is connected with the at least two spindles through a transmission element. The present application realizes self-adaptive height measuring and positioning during the clamping process of the sample and continuous and efficient milling of the multi-material sample, and ensures the consistency of the sample end face.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of metallurgical sample preparation equipment technology, specifically to a sample end face milling device and an automated milling machine. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of metallurgical physicochemical testing, before performing component analysis on samples using equipment such as direct-reading spectrometers and X-ray fluorescence analyzers, the sample's test surface needs to be milled to remove oxide layers and surface defects. While existing fully automatic milling machines have achieved a degree of automation, significant technical shortcomings remain. For example, Chinese patent document CN202021142601.6 discloses a fully automatic milling machine that uses a cylinder to drive the lifting and lowering of the placement stage for fixation; Chinese patent document CN202019710575.3 discloses a milling machine that achieves continuous processing through the cooperation of the sample inlet and outlet stages. However, both of these existing technologies lack an automatic sample height detection device, making it impossible to know the actual height of the sample before processing. This results in inaccurate milling removal, affecting the consistency of the milled end face and potentially leading to cost waste due to excessive milling thickness when processing standard samples. Furthermore, existing equipment mostly adopts a single-spindle structure, which requires frequent tool changes or process adjustments when processing samples of different materials such as steel, iron, and non-ferrous metals. This makes it difficult to meet the needs of batch, continuous, efficient, and automated sample preparation for multiple materials. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a sample end-face milling device and automated milling machine that can adaptively detect sample height and support multi-spindle tool-change-free machining. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the problems of uncontrollable milling depth and low processing efficiency of multi-material samples due to the lack of sample height detection in existing technologies, this invention achieves adaptive height measurement and positioning and continuous and efficient milling of multi-material samples through a sample end face milling device and an automated milling machine.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A sample end face milling device includes a clamping and positioning mechanism and a milling spindle unit. The clamping and positioning mechanism includes a support component, a clamping height measuring component, and a radial clamping component. The support component is disposed at the center of the clamping area of ​​the radial clamping component. The clamping height measuring component is disposed on the upper side of the clamping area. The clamping height measuring component includes a clamping drive component and a displacement detection component. The output end of the clamping drive component is connected to the displacement detection component, and the displacement detection component is fixed relative to the body of the clamping drive component. The milling spindle unit includes at least two spindles and a drive source. The output end of the drive source is simultaneously connected to the at least two spindles via a transmission component.

[0005] The above solution constructs a coordinated clamping mechanism of "central support - top clamping and height measurement - radial locking" through the spatial collaborative layout of the support component, clamping and height measurement component, and radial clamping component. During clamping, the support component lifts the sample from the bottom, and the clamping and height measurement component presses the sample down from the top. The clamping drive component drives the displacement detection component to move synchronously, thereby directly obtaining the actual height information of the sample while physically clamping it. This provides a data basis for the precise control of the subsequent milling depth and solves the machining quality problem caused by the inconsistency of sample height. At the same time, the milling spindle unit adopts a structure of single drive source driving multiple spindles, which allows different spindles to be pre-loaded with tools for different materials. The machining object can be switched without stopping the machine to change tools, which significantly improves the sample preparation efficiency of multi-material samples.

[0006] Preferably, the clamping height measurement component further includes a contact element; the output end of the clamping drive element is connected to the contact element; the displacement detection element includes a ruler and a reading head, the ruler is fixedly connected to the contact element or the output end of the clamping drive element, and the reading head is fixedly connected to the body of the clamping drive element. This preferred solution, by introducing a contact element as an intermediate medium, avoids potential damage or slippage caused by the clamping drive element directly acting on the sample surface; simultaneously, by fixing the ruler of the displacement detection element to the moving part (contact element or output end) and the reading head to the stationary body, a high-precision linear displacement measurement loop is constructed, ensuring that the absolute position information of the upper surface of the sample can be fed back in real time and accurately during the clamping action.

[0007] Preferably, the clamping drive is a double-rod cylinder, with the cylinder body forming the main body of the clamping drive and the push rod forming the output end of the clamping drive. The displacement detection component is a grating ruler, the contact component is a push block at the front end of the push rod, the ruler body of the grating ruler is fixedly connected to the push block, and the reading head of the grating ruler is fixedly connected to the cylinder body. This preferred solution utilizes the anti-rotation characteristics of the double-rod cylinder to ensure the straightness and stability of the clamping process and prevent sample skewing. Combined with the grating ruler as a displacement detection component, its high resolution and non-contact measurement principle further improve the accuracy and response speed of sample height detection. Furthermore, the rigid connection between the grating ruler body and the push block ensures the consistency between the measurement reference and the clamping reference.

[0008] Preferably, the radial clamping assembly has a hollow region; the support assembly includes a support drive and a support column, the support drive is disposed within the hollow region, the output end of the support drive is drivenly connected to the support column, and the top of the support column extends into the clamping region. This preferred solution achieves a coaxial integrated design of support and clamping functions by setting a hollow region at the center of the radial clamping assembly and integrating the support assembly within this region. This structure not only saves installation space, but more importantly, ensures that the support center and clamping center of the sample coincide, effectively avoiding sample tilting or clamping deformation caused by eccentric support, and improving the positioning accuracy of clamping.

[0009] Preferably, the radial clamping assembly is a pneumatic self-centering three-jaw chuck, with the central hole of the pneumatic self-centering three-jaw chuck forming the hollow region; the support drive is a top-extension cylinder, the cylinder body of which is fixed inside the central hole, and the piston rod of which forms the output end of the support drive and is fixedly connected to the bottom of the support column. This preferred solution uses a pneumatic self-centering three-jaw chuck as the radial clamping assembly, utilizing its self-centering characteristics to automatically adapt to cylindrical metallurgical samples of different diameters, ensuring the concentricity of the clamping; the design of the top-extension cylinder being built into the central hole of the chuck allows the lifting action of the support column to be completely independent of the clamping action of the chuck, realizing the timing control of "first support positioning, then radial clamping", further optimizing the reliability of the clamping process.

[0010] Preferably, the transmission component is a synchronous belt or gear set, the drive source is a drive motor, the output shaft of the drive motor is drivenly connected to the input end of the transmission component, and the input ends of at least two spindles are respectively connected to the output end of the transmission component. This preferred solution distributes the power of a single drive motor to multiple spindles through mechanical transmission components such as synchronous belts or gear sets, achieving synchronous linkage of multiple spindles. Compared to configuring an independent motor for each spindle, this structure simplifies the electrical control system and wiring complexity, reduces equipment costs and maintenance difficulty, while ensuring a constant ratio of spindle speeds, which is beneficial for maintaining consistency in the machining process.

[0011] Preferably, the milling spindle unit further includes a tool-removing cylinder and a face cutter; each of the at least two spindles has a tool-removing cylinder installed at its tail end, and the output end of the tool-removing cylinder is connected to a broaching mechanism inside the spindle; the face cutters are respectively installed at the front ends of the at least two spindles, and the specifications of the face cutters installed on different spindles are different. This preferred solution equips each spindle with an independent tool-removing cylinder and a face cutter of a specific specification, enabling the equipment to automatically select the corresponding spindle for processing based on the material of the sample being processed (such as steel, iron, or aluminum alloy). The preset of different specification tools eliminates the manual tool changing step, and the rapid tool release and pull-out function achieved with the tool-removing cylinder significantly shortens the non-cutting time, meeting the cycle time requirements of automated production lines.

[0012] Preferably, a purging mechanism is also included, which is disposed on the side of the milling spindle unit or the clamping and positioning mechanism, with the air outlet of the purging mechanism facing the clamping area. This preferred solution, by providing a purging mechanism facing the clamping area, can promptly remove metal chips adhering to the sample surface and chuck during or after machining, and cool the tool and sample. This not only prevents residual chips from interfering with the accuracy of the next clamping and positioning, but also avoids the impact of high-temperature heat accumulation on the metallographic structure of the sample or the quality of the test surface.

[0013] Furthermore, this invention also provides an automated milling machine, including a bed, a column, an X-axis feed drive unit, a Z-axis feed drive unit, and a sample end-face milling device as described above. The column is fixed to the bed; the X-axis feed drive unit is mounted on the bed, and the clamping and positioning mechanism is mounted on the moving part of the X-axis feed drive unit; the Z-axis feed drive unit is mounted on the column, and the milling spindle unit is mounted on the moving part of the Z-axis feed drive unit. This solution integrates the aforementioned core sample end-face milling device into a complete machine platform with X / Z-axis feed capabilities. By constructing a stable foundation support through the bed and column, and utilizing the X-axis to drive the sample horizontally and the Z-axis to drive the spindle vertically, a fully automated sample end-face milling process is achieved, providing a complete sample preparation solution for laboratories or production lines.

[0014] Preferably, the system also includes an external fully enclosed sheet metal frame, a manual safety door, an automatic lifting door, a safety interlock switch, and a centralized chip collection box. The external fully enclosed sheet metal frame encloses the machine bed and the column to form a machining compartment. The manual safety door and the automatic lifting door are mounted on the external fully enclosed sheet metal frame. The safety interlock switch is mechanically connected to the manual safety door. The centralized chip collection box is located at the bottom of the machine bed. This preferred solution constructs an independent machining compartment through a fully enclosed sheet metal frame, effectively isolating cutting noise and spatter, ensuring operator safety and a clean environment. The automatic lifting door facilitates docking with external robotic arms for unmanned loading and unloading. The manual safety door, combined with the safety interlock switch, ensures inherent safety during maintenance and repair. The design of the bottom centralized chip collection box simplifies the chip removal process and improves the maintainability of the equipment.

[0015] Beneficial effects: 1. This invention, through the coordinated operation of the support component, the clamping and height measuring component, and the radial clamping component, simultaneously completes the flexible clamping and high-precision height measurement of the sample during the clamping process. The clamping drive component applies clamping force while simultaneously moving the displacement detection component, directly acquiring the actual position of the sample's upper surface. This allows the control system to dynamically calculate the milling depth based on the measured height, fundamentally solving the problem of uncontrollable machining allowance caused by differences in the original height of the sample. This ensures the consistency of the sample end face and the accuracy of the test data, especially avoiding the waste of excessive milling of valuable standard samples.

[0016] 2. The milling spindle unit of this invention adopts a transmission structure with a single drive source driving multiple spindles, and pre-installs end mills of different specifications on each spindle. This design enables the equipment to process samples of multiple materials in parallel. When switching processing objects, there is no need to stop the machine to change tools or re-set tools; continuous operation can be started simply by calling the corresponding spindle. This not only significantly improves the production efficiency of batch sample preparation but also ensures the stability of the operating parameters of each spindle through the synchronization of mechanical transmission, meeting the needs of high-throughput, multi-variety sample automated preparation in metallurgical laboratories.

[0017] 3. This invention integrates the support component into the hollow area of ​​the radial clamping component, achieving coaxial integration of support and clamping. This compact structural design, while ensuring complete functionality, ensures the uniformity of the sample's force center, effectively preventing sample deformation and vibration caused by eccentric clamping or unstable support, and further improving the surface quality and flatness of the end milling. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a left view of the structure of the sample end face milling device of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the sample end face milling device of the present invention; Figure 3 For the present invention Figure 2Enlarged view of point A in the middle; Figure 4 For the present invention Figure 2 Enlarged view at point B in the middle; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the automated milling machine of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the automated milling machine of the present invention.

[0019] In the diagram: 1-Clamping and positioning mechanism, 11-Support assembly, 111-Support drive component, 112-Support column, 12-Pressure and height measuring assembly, 121-Pressure drive component, -Push block, 122-Displacement detection component, 1221-Scale body, 1222-Reading head, 123-Contact component, 13-Radial clamping assembly, 2-Milling spindle unit, 21-Spindle, 22-Drive source, 23-Transmission component, 24-End milling cutter, 25-Tool-cutting cylinder, 3-Purge mechanism, 4-Bed, 41-Externally enclosed sheet metal, 42-Manual safety door, 43-Automatic lifting door, 44-Safety interlock switch, 45-Centralized chip collection box, 5-Column, 6-X-axis feed drive unit, 7-Z-axis feed drive unit. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages 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, and not all embodiments.

[0021] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0022] Example 1: As shown in Figures 1-2, this embodiment provides a sample end face milling device, which includes a clamping and positioning mechanism 1 and a milling spindle unit 2. The clamping and positioning mechanism 1 includes a support component 11, a clamping and height measuring component 12, and a radial clamping component 13. Specifically, the support component 11 is located at the center of the clamping area of ​​the radial clamping component 13, and the clamping and height measuring component 12 is located above and to the side of the clamping area. This spatial topology layout constructs a coaxial positioning system based on the center of the clamping area. The support component 11 provides axial support force from the bottom, while the clamping and height measuring component 12 applies a reverse force from above and to the side, forming a closed loop of axial constraint on the sample in space. It should be understood that although the figure shows a specific angle at which the clamping and height measuring component 12 is located above and to the side, in other embodiments, its specific installation orientation can be adjusted according to the frame structure, as long as it can apply pressure to the sample axially and does not interfere with the movement trajectory of the milling spindle unit 2.

[0023] Regarding the mechanical connection, the clamping height measurement assembly 12 includes a clamping drive component 121 and a displacement detection component 122. The output end of the clamping drive component 121 is connected to the displacement detection component 122, and the displacement detection component 122 is relatively fixed to the body of the clamping drive component 121. Specifically, the body of the clamping drive component 121 is mounted on the frame as a static reference, while its output end acts as a moving component, driving the displacement detection component 122 to move synchronously. This "moving ruler and stationary head" or equivalent relative motion detection structure allows the displacement detection component 122 to directly sense the actual displacement of the output end of the clamping drive component 121. Since the output end directly contacts or indirectly acts on the sample surface, this displacement physically represents the height position of the sample's upper surface relative to the static reference. Through this rigid connection and relatively fixed structural design, this embodiment mechanically couples the clamping action and the height measurement action, ensuring that height information is acquired simultaneously with the application of clamping force. This avoids reference drift or secondary positioning errors caused by step-by-step operations, providing a reliable physical basis for subsequent precise control of the milling depth.

[0024] The milling spindle unit 2 includes at least two spindles 21 and a drive source 22. The output end of the drive source 22 is simultaneously connected to at least two spindles 21 via a transmission component 23. Specifically, the drive source 22 serves as a single power input end, distributing rotational power to multiple spindles 21 through the transmission component 23, maintaining a defined speed ratio among the spindles 21. This mechanical synchronous transmission structure not only simplifies the complexity of the drive system but also ensures the consistency of operating parameters across multiple spindles. In this embodiment, each spindle 21 can be configured with different specifications of cutting tools, thereby adapting to the processing requirements of various material samples without changing the cutting tools. It should be understood that the transmission component 23 can be a synchronous belt, gear set, or other mechanical transmission mechanism capable of power distribution, as long as it satisfies the connection relationship of a single source driving multiple axes.

[0025] Example 2: Please refer to Figure 3 Based on Embodiment 1, this embodiment further refines the specific structure of the clamping height measuring component 12. The clamping height measuring component 12 also includes a contact element 123, and the output end of the clamping drive element 121 is connected to the contact element 123. Specifically, the contact element 123, as the execution end of the clamping action, directly contacts the upper surface of the sample. Its function is to uniformly transmit the axial force output by the clamping drive element 121 to the sample surface, while avoiding surface indentations or scratches that may be caused by the output end of the drive element directly acting on the sample. More importantly, the contact element 123 constitutes a physical contact point for height detection, and the position of its lower surface directly represents the actual height of the upper surface of the sample, thereby integrating the clamping function and the height measuring function in the mechanical structure.

[0026] The displacement detection element 122 includes a ruler 1221 and a reading head 1222. The ruler 1221 is fixedly connected to the output end of the contact element 123 or the clamping drive element 121, and the reading head 1222 is fixedly connected to the body of the clamping drive element 121. This connection relationship constructs a high-precision linear displacement measurement loop. In this embodiment, the ruler 1221 moves synchronously with the contact element 123, while the reading head 1222 remains stationary, forming a "moving ruler, stationary head" detection architecture. It should be understood that although this embodiment shows the method of fixing the ruler 1221 to the moving part, in other embodiments, a "stationary ruler, moving head" layout can also be adopted, as long as there is a relative displacement between the ruler 1221 and the reading head 1222 that can reflect the change in sample height. However, by rigidly fixing the ruler 1221 to the contact 123 or the output end, it is possible to ensure that the measurement reference and the clamping reference are absolutely coincident in physical space, eliminating the influence of gap error or elastic deformation caused by intermediate transmission links on measurement accuracy, so that the obtained displacement data truly reflects the actual height of the sample under the clamping state.

[0027] In one preferred implementation, the clamping drive 121 is a double-rod cylinder. The cylinder body of the double-rod cylinder constitutes the main body of the clamping drive 121, and the push rod of the double-rod cylinder constitutes the output end of the clamping drive 121. The displacement detection component 122 is a grating ruler. The ruler body of the grating ruler is fixedly connected to the push block at the front end of the push rod, and the reading head of the grating ruler is fixedly connected to the cylinder body. In this structure, the push block serves as the connecting body between the cylinder push rod and the grating ruler body, further enhancing the integrity of the moving parts. The core consideration for choosing a double-rod cylinder instead of a single-rod cylinder lies in its superior anti-eccentric load capacity and anti-rotation characteristics. During the clamping process, due to the possibility of slight unevenness or tilt on the sample surface, a single-rod cylinder is prone to piston rod rotation or bending due to force eccentricity, causing the clamping force direction to deviate from the axis, which in turn causes a change in the relative posture between the grating ruler body and the reading head 1222, seriously affecting the measurement accuracy and even damaging the sensor. The dual-rod cylinder, constrained by two parallel guide rods, fundamentally restricts the rotational freedom of the push rod, ensuring a strictly linear reciprocating motion for the clamping action. This not only improves the stability of the clamping but also provides an ideal linear motion environment for the grating ruler, ensuring the reliability of micron-level height detection data.

[0028] It should be noted that although this embodiment uses a double-rod cylinder and a linear encoder as examples for detailed description, this is not a limitation on the scope of protection of this invention. In other embodiments, the clamping drive 121 can also be a linear drive mechanism such as a hydraulic cylinder, an electric push rod, or a servo motor with a lead screw, as long as it has stable axial output capability; the displacement detection component 122 can also be a magnetic encoder, a laser displacement sensor, or a high-precision potentiometer, as long as it can meet the detection accuracy and response speed required for metallurgical sample preparation. The combination of a double-rod cylinder and a linear encoder in this embodiment is the optimal engineering implementation based on a comprehensive balance of cost, accuracy, durability, and ease of maintenance, aiming to provide sufficient and specific implementation support for the higher generalization in the claims.

[0029] Example 3: Please refer to Figure 4 Based on Embodiment 1, this embodiment further refines the mating structure of the support component 11 and the radial clamping component 13. The radial clamping component 13 has a hollow region. The support component 11 includes a support drive member 111 and a support column 112. The support drive member 111 is disposed within the hollow region, and its output end is drivenly connected to the support column 112. The top of the support column 112 extends into the clamping region. Specifically, as shown, the radial clamping component 13 is not a traditional solid clamp, but retains a hollow region running through its axial center. This hollow region provides built-in installation space for the support drive member 111. The support drive member 111 is completely accommodated within this hollow region, and its output end extends upward and is fixedly connected to the support column 112, allowing the support column 112 to move axially under the guidance of the hollow region, ultimately extending its top into the clamping region to support the bottom surface of the sample. This structural design achieves coaxial integration of the support function and the radial clamping function. From the perspective of the mechanical transmission path, since the support column 112 is located at the geometric center of the radial clamping assembly 13, the axial support force it applies to the sample and the radial clamping force applied by the radial clamping assembly 13 converge on the same axis in space, ensuring the uniformity of the sample's force center. Compared with the existing technology where the support mechanism is placed outside the fixture side, the coaxial layout of this embodiment fundamentally eliminates the torque imbalance problem caused by eccentric support, effectively preventing the cylindrical metallurgical sample from tilting or undergoing local plastic deformation during clamping, and significantly improving the clamping positioning accuracy and the flatness after end milling. It should be understood that the cross-sectional shape of the hollow region is not limited to a circle, but can also be a polygon or other through structure that can accommodate the support drive 111 and allow the support column 112 to move; the specific form of the support drive 111 can also be a linear drive mechanism such as a hydraulic cylinder, an electric push rod, or a lead screw and nut pair, as long as it can be built into the hollow region and drive the support column 112 to rise and fall.

[0030] In one preferred implementation, the radial clamping assembly 13 is a pneumatic self-centering three-jaw chuck, with its central hole forming a hollow region. The support drive 111 is a lifting cylinder, with its cylinder body fixed inside the central hole. The piston rod of the lifting cylinder forms the output end of the support drive 111 and is fixedly connected to the bottom of the support column 112. In this embodiment, the pneumatic self-centering three-jaw chuck is chosen as the radial clamping assembly 13 because its three jaws can move synchronously towards or away from the center, thus automatically adapting to cylindrical metallurgical samples of different diameters and ensuring clamping concentricity. Its inherent central through hole precisely forms the hollow region to accommodate the lifting cylinder, eliminating the need for additional complex mounting cavities and simplifying the overall structure. The cylinder body of the lifting cylinder is rigidly fixed to the inner wall of the chuck's central hole via flanges or threads, and the piston rod is connected upwards to the support column 112. This built-in pneumatic drive scheme is not only compact in structure but, more importantly, achieves temporal decoupling between the supporting and clamping actions. In the actual clamping process, the top extension cylinder can be controlled to extend first, raising the support column 112 to a predetermined height to support the sample and complete the axial pre-positioning of the sample; then, the pneumatic self-centering three-jaw chuck is activated to perform radial clamping. This independent timing control of "support first, clamp later" avoids the sample sinking or tilting due to lack of bottom support at the moment of clamping, especially for metallurgical samples that are long or heavy, effectively ensuring the stability of the clamping posture. At the same time, since the air circuits of the top extension cylinder and the chuck are independent of each other, the adjustment of the support force will not interfere with the setting of the clamping force, allowing the equipment to flexibly adapt to the clamping requirements of samples of different materials and specifications, ensuring positioning accuracy while avoiding excessive clamping force that could damage the sample surface. It should be noted that although this embodiment uses a pneumatic self-centering three-jaw chuck as an example, in other embodiments, the radial clamping component 13 can also adopt a hydraulic chuck, an electric chuck, or a customized elastic collet, etc., with a hollow structure, as long as it can achieve radial centering clamping and provide internal space to accommodate the support component.

[0031] Example 4: Please refer to Figure 2Based on Embodiment 1, this embodiment further refines the transmission structure and tool configuration of the milling spindle unit 2. The transmission component 23 is a synchronous belt or gear set, and the drive source 22 is a drive motor. The output shaft of the drive motor is connected to the input end of the transmission component 23, and the input ends of at least two spindles 21 are respectively connected to the output ends of the transmission component 23. Specifically, as shown, the drive motor acts as a single power source, with a drive pulley or drive gear mounted on its output shaft. The rotational torque is simultaneously transmitted to the driven pulleys at the tail of each spindle 21 via the synchronous belt or gear set, thereby establishing a defined mechanical transmission ratio between the spindles 21. This mechanical synchronous transmission architecture has significant technical advantages compared to the scheme of configuring an independent servo motor for each spindle. On the one hand, it significantly reduces the number of drivers, encoders, and feedback cables, lowering the hardware cost and electrical system complexity of the equipment, resulting in a more compact overall structure and reduced maintenance workload. On the other hand, the mechanical transmission ensures the absolute constancy of the rotational speed ratio of each spindle, unaffected by fluctuations in motor load or differences in control parameters. This is particularly important for batch sample production scenarios requiring multi-spindle collaborative operation or highly consistent process parameters. It should be understood that although this embodiment lists synchronous belts and gear sets, other mechanical transmission mechanisms capable of single-source multi-axis power distribution, such as chain drives or friction wheel drives, are equivalent alternatives to this invention, provided they meet the synchronous drive requirements.

[0032] The milling spindle unit 2 also includes a tool-removing cylinder 25 and a face cutter 24. Each of at least two spindles 21 has a tool-removing cylinder 25 mounted at its tail end, and the output end of the tool-removing cylinder 25 is connected to the broaching mechanism inside the spindle. Each of the at least two spindles 21 has a face cutter 24 mounted at its front end, and the face cutters 24 mounted on different spindles of the at least two spindles 21 have different specifications. In this structure, the tool-removing cylinder 25 is fixed to the tail housing of the spindle 21, and its piston rod is directly opposite the ejector pin of the broaching mechanism inside the spindle. When a tool needs to be changed, the tool-removing cylinder 25 extends by air, pushing the broaching mechanism to overcome the disc spring force and release the tool holder, thus achieving the tool removal action. After the cylinder resets, the broaching mechanism automatically locks the newly installed tool holder. This pneumatic tool release and broaching structure is independent of the mechanical transmission system and does not interfere with it, ensuring rapid response and reliability of the tool changing action. More importantly, different spindles 21 are pre-installed with end mills 24 optimized for different materials. For example, one spindle is equipped with a carbide-insert end mill with high cutting edge strength, specifically for machining steel or iron samples with high hardness; the other spindle is equipped with a sharp-edged end mill with a large chip flute, specifically for machining aluminum or copper alloy samples with high viscosity but low hardness. This differentiated tool configuration strategy allows the equipment to start machining immediately when dealing with a flow of metallurgical samples of mixed materials without stopping for manual tool changes or resetting. It only requires switching to the corresponding spindle via the control system. This not only eliminates non-cutting time and significantly improves the overall cycle time of the automated production line, but also avoids repetitive positioning errors caused by frequent tool changes, ensuring the consistency and stability of the end face machining quality for samples of different materials. It should be noted that the differences in the specifications of the end mills 24 are not only reflected in the insert material, but can also include differences in physical parameters such as cutter head diameter, number of teeth, and coating type, to adapt to a wider range of sample preparation process requirements.

[0033] Example 5: Please refer to Figure 2Based on Example 1, this example further describes the auxiliary cleaning structure. The sample end face milling device also includes a blowing mechanism 3, which is disposed on the side of the milling spindle unit 2 or the clamping and positioning mechanism 1, with the air outlet of the blowing mechanism 3 facing the clamping area. Specifically, the blowing mechanism 3, as a key auxiliary component to ensure the cleanliness of the processing environment, directly determines the effectiveness of chip removal by selecting its physical installation position. Arranging the blowing mechanism 3 on the side of the milling spindle unit 2 or the clamping and positioning mechanism 1 can, on the one hand, make full use of the internal space layout of the equipment and avoid motion interference with the spindle rotating parts, the feed drive unit, and the sample loading and unloading robot; on the other hand, the lateral arrangement allows the airflow to cut into the clamping area at a certain angle. Compared with vertical downward blowing, this lateral cutting airflow path is more conducive to using the tangential component of the gas to peel off and remove the metal chips attached to the sample surface and chuck gaps from the processing area. The design of the air outlet being strictly oriented towards the clamping area ensures that the focus of the high-pressure airflow accurately covers the sample end face to be tested and the positioning reference surface of the radial clamping component 13, thus guaranteeing the targeted cleaning effect from a physical structure perspective.

[0034] In practical applications, the chips generated during metallurgical sample milling often carry static electricity or oil residue, easily adhering to the fixture surface. If these residual chips are not removed in time, they can cause foreign objects to protrude from the top surface of the support column 112 or the chuck jaws during the next sample clamping, directly introducing millimeter-level or even larger positioning errors, rendering the precise clamping height measurement data in the aforementioned embodiment ineffective. Therefore, this embodiment establishes a direct causal chain of "structural position - airflow trajectory - cleaning effect" by limiting the spatial orientation of the purging mechanism 3, providing the necessary physical prerequisites for the accuracy of sample height detection and the controllability of milling depth in subsequent processes. It should be understood that although this embodiment emphasizes the core positional relationship of the air outlet facing the clamping area, the specific mounting carrier of the purging mechanism 3 is not limited to the milling spindle unit 2 or the clamping and positioning mechanism 1 itself. It can also be mounted on the machine tool column, the inner wall of the protective cover, or other fixed supports adjacent to the clamping area, as long as its air outlet can maintain effective coverage of the clamping area.

[0035] As a preferred embodiment, the air outlet of the purging mechanism 3 can adopt an angle-adjustable nozzle structure. For example, the nozzle is installed on the main air supply line via a ball joint or threaded adjustment mechanism, allowing the operator to fine-tune the pitch and yaw angles of the airflow spray according to the actual chip splash distribution during equipment debugging to obtain the best chip removal effect. This adjustable structure enhances the adaptability of the equipment to samples of different shapes or different cutting process parameters. However, regardless of how the nozzle angle is adjusted, its base installation position must still meet the constraint of being located on the side and facing the clamping area to ensure that the cleaning function always serves to guarantee the clamping and positioning accuracy. It should be noted that this embodiment focuses on the physical spatial layout of the purging mechanism 3 and its structural contribution to the processing quality. The electrical control logic such as the on / off control of the air path, air pressure regulation, and purging sequence is existing technology that can be conventionally configured by those skilled in the art according to actual process requirements, and will not be described in detail here.

[0036] Example 6: like Figure 5 As shown, this embodiment provides an automated milling machine, which includes a bed 4, a column 5, an X-axis feed drive unit 6, a Z-axis feed drive unit 7, and a sample end face milling device as described in any one of embodiments 1 to 5. In this embodiment, the specific structure, connection relationship, and working principle of the sample end face milling device are described in detail in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here. Only the spatial assembly relationship and motion coupling mechanism of each functional module at the machine level are emphasized.

[0037] Specifically, the column 5 is fixed to the bed 4, and the two together form the rigid frame of the entire machine. The bed 4 is typically precision-machined from high-strength cast iron, serving as the installation reference and vibration damping foundation for the entire equipment. The column 5 is vertically installed on the rear or side of the bed 4, providing a stable support and guide surface for vertically moving parts. This L-shaped or gantry-shaped frame structure can effectively resist the cutting torque generated during milling, ensuring the long-term stability of machining accuracy. It should be understood that although the figure shows a vertical layout with the column 5 located on the rear side of the bed 4, in other embodiments, a gantry-type, horizontal, or inclined bed structure can also be used, as long as it can provide a definite installation reference for each feed unit and core device.

[0038] The X-axis feed drive unit 6 is mounted on the bed 4, and the clamping and positioning mechanism 1 is mounted on the moving part of the X-axis feed drive unit 6. Specifically, the X-axis feed drive unit 6 is arranged horizontally, and its moving part (e.g., the worktable) reciprocates linearly along the bed 4 under the drive of a servo motor and a precision lead screw guide pair. The clamping and positioning mechanism 1 is rigidly fixed to the upper surface of the moving part by bolts or positioning pins, thereby obtaining the horizontal feed freedom. This assembly method allows the clamped metallurgical sample to move precisely to the preset machining station or loading / unloading station in the horizontal plane, and form a relative cutting feed motion with the milling spindle unit 2. Since the clamping and positioning mechanism 1 integrates the aforementioned support, clamping height measurement, and radial clamping functions, and is mounted as a whole on the X-axis moving part, it means that the adaptive positioning and height measurement process of the sample can move together with the worktable, realizing the process flexibility of "measurement in motion" or "height measurement between stations", and avoiding secondary handling errors caused by fixed fixtures.

[0039] The Z-axis feed drive unit 7 is mounted on the column 5, and the milling spindle unit 2 is mounted on the moving part of the Z-axis feed drive unit 7. Specifically, the Z-axis feed drive unit 7 is arranged vertically on the front side of the column 5, and its moving part (e.g., the spindle box) moves up and down along the column 5 under the drive of another servo drive system. The milling spindle unit 2 is suspended on this vertical moving part, thereby obtaining the ability to adjust the cutting depth in the vertical direction. This orthogonal coordinate system (X-axis horizontal, Z-axis vertical) layout is a typical configuration for end milling, which can accurately control the cutting depth of the end mill relative to the upper end face of the sample. Combined with the multi-spindle tool-change-free feature of the milling spindle unit 2 in the aforementioned embodiment, the precise feed of the Z-axis allows the equipment to automatically calculate and execute differentiated cutting depths based on the measured sample height, ensuring a constant cutting allowance and consistent end face quality whether machining steel or aluminum samples.

[0040] Through the integrated design of the above-described overall architecture, this embodiment embeds the core sample end-face milling device into a standardized CNC machine tool platform. This product-level integration not only provides the core device with the motion capabilities and protective environment required for actual industrial applications, but more importantly, it constructs a complete closed-loop technical solution. For the machine manufacturer, even if the core clamping and spindle units are supplied by a third party, as long as they integrate them into their self-developed or purchased bed and feed system according to the assembly relationship described in this embodiment, they fall within the protection scope of this invention, thereby effectively preventing the risk of circumventing infringement by splitting and selling or assembling components. At the same time, this modular integration method also facilitates subsequent independent upgrades to the X / Z axis travel, rapid traverse speed, or protection level without affecting the realization of the core sample preparation function, greatly improving the market adaptability and life cycle value of the equipment.

[0041] Example 7: Please refer to Figure 6 Based on the automated milling machine architecture provided in Example 6, this example further refines the protective and safety structures of the equipment. The automated milling machine also includes an external fully enclosed sheet metal 41, a manual safety door 42, an automatic lifting door 43, a safety interlock switch 44, and a centralized chip collection box 45. Specifically, the external fully enclosed sheet metal 41 encloses the bed 4 and the column 5 to form a machining chamber. This fully enclosed physical enclosure structure not only strictly isolates the milling area from the external environment, effectively preventing the spread of metal chips generated by the high-speed rotating tool, ensuring the personal safety of the operator and the cleanliness of the workshop environment, but also plays a significant role in sound insulation and noise reduction. From a mechanical point of view, the external fully enclosed sheet metal 41, as a shell structure covering the bed 4 and the column 5, can also provide additional torsional stiffness to a certain extent, helping to suppress the outward transmission of high-frequency cutting vibration. It should be understood that although sheet metal parts are used as the main protective component in this embodiment, in other embodiments, a combination of cast shell, welded frame and transparent polycarbonate plate can be selected according to the protection level requirements, as long as a relatively closed processing space can be formed.

[0042] Manual safety doors 42 and automatic lifting doors 43 are mounted on an externally enclosed sheet metal frame 41. These two types of doors differ significantly in their functional positioning and opening methods, together forming the human-machine interaction and material flow channels for the equipment. Manual safety doors 42 are typically positioned on the front of the equipment or on a side easily accessible to the operator. Transparent safety glass can be embedded in the door, satisfying visibility requirements during daily inspections and troubleshooting while ensuring physical protection integrity when closed. Automatic lifting doors 43 primarily serve the automated production cycle. Their installation position typically corresponds to the loading and unloading trajectory of the external robotic arm, achieving rapid opening and closing of the processing compartment through vertical lifting motion. Compared to swing doors, lifting doors do not occupy lateral space when open, making them more suitable for compact automated production line layouts. In practice, automatic lifting doors 43 can be driven by cylinders, servo motors, or counterweight balancing mechanisms, and are linked to the overall machine control system to achieve precise timing coordination with the robotic arm's movements.

[0043] The safety interlock switch 44 is mechanically connected to the manual safety door 42. This is the core physical feature of the safety protection system in this embodiment. The mechanical connection means that the triggering state of the safety interlock switch 44 is directly determined by the physical position of the manual safety door 42 through rigid transmission components (such as cams, connecting rods, blocks, or latches), rather than relying solely on non-contact magnetic induction or photoelectric detection. Specifically, when the manual safety door 42 is in the closed and locked state, the mechanical actuator on the door presses the contact of the safety interlock switch 44 to close it, thereby connecting the equipment operation permission circuit; once the door is opened, the mechanical actuator disengages, and the switch contact is forcibly reset and disconnected under the action of spring force, immediately cutting off the power source between the main shaft and the feed system. This hard connection method based on physical contact has higher anti-interference capabilities and anti-tampering characteristics compared to pure software logic judgment or non-contact sensors. It can effectively avoid the risk of safety protection failure due to sensor malfunction, electromagnetic interference, or malicious signal blocking, ensuring the absolute execution of the safety principle of "door open, machine stop". It should be noted that although this embodiment emphasizes the mechanical connection between the safety interlock switch 44 and the manual safety door 42, in actual applications, the automatic lifting door 43 can also be configured with a similar safety interlock device, and the interlock device can also adopt a mechanical, electromechanical hybrid or other equivalent connection method that meets safety standards. This invention does not limit this to a single method.

[0044] A centralized chip collection box 45 is located at the bottom of the machine bed 4. Specifically, the base structure of the machine bed 4 is designed with a chip removal channel or inclined guide surface, allowing metal chips and waste fluid falling from the machining chamber to naturally collect in the centralized chip collection box 45 at the bottom under gravity. The centralized chip collection box 45 typically adopts a pull-out drawer-type structure or a flip-up bucket-type structure, facilitating regular cleaning by operators or connection to an external automatic chip conveyor. This bottom chip collection design avoids chip accumulation in dead corners of the machining chamber, reducing not only the difficulty and frequency of manual cleaning but, more importantly, preventing accumulated chips from corroding and jamming precision moving parts such as the X-axis feed drive unit 6 and the Z-axis feed drive unit 7, thus ensuring the long-term precision stability and reliability of the equipment from a physical environmental perspective. It should be understood that the specific shape, material, and installation method of the centralized chip collection box 45 can be adjusted according to the internal space and chip removal requirements of the machine bed 4. For example, a multi-stage filtration structure can be used to achieve preliminary separation and recovery of cutting fluid, but its basic functional positioning as a waste chip collection container at the bottom of the machine bed remains unchanged.

[0045] Example 8: This embodiment provides a complete application method for milling the end face of metallurgical samples. This method is based on the sample end face milling device and automated milling machine described in any of the preceding embodiments 1 to 7. By placing static structural features within a dynamic process sequence, the synergistic efficiency and feasibility of each component under actual working conditions are verified. Specifically, this complete application method includes the following steps: Step S100: Loading and Axial Pre-positioning. The X-axis feed drive unit 6 drives the clamping and positioning mechanism 1 to move to the loading station, and the radial clamping assembly 13 is in the open state. The external robot transports the metallurgical sample to be processed to the clamping area and releases it, with the bottom surface of the sample resting on the top of the support column 112 of the support assembly 11. During this process, the support drive component 111 extends to a set height in advance, so that the support column 112 supports the sample to complete the axial reference positioning. Since the support assembly 11 is integrated into the center of the hollow area of ​​the radial clamping assembly 13, the line of action of the sample's gravity coincides with the geometric center of the fixture, effectively avoiding tilting or attitude deviation of the sample during subsequent clamping due to eccentric placement, laying the initial positioning foundation for high-precision processing.

[0046] Step S200: Clamping and Height Measurement & Radial Locking. The clamping drive 121 extends downward, causing the contact 123 to press against the upper surface of the sample. During the downward pressing of the clamping drive 121, the ruler 1221 of the displacement detection element 122, rigidly connected to its output end, moves downward synchronously, while the reading head 1222 fixed on the body of the clamping drive 121 reads the displacement change of the ruler 1221 in real time. When the contact 123 is fully in contact with the sample surface and the clamping force reaches a preset threshold, the value output by the displacement detection element 122 accurately represents the actual height of the upper surface of the sample relative to the machine tool reference. Subsequently, the radial clamping assembly 13 performs a clamping action to firmly lock the sample. The core value of this step lies in using the mechanical coupling structure described in Examples 2 and 3 to force the "compression" and "height measurement" actions to be synchronized at the physical level. This not only ensures the acquisition of the true height data when the sample is stably compressed, but also ensures the straightness and repeatability of the measurement process through the anti-rotation characteristics of the double-rod cylinder, thus completely solving the benchmark drift problem caused by traditional step-by-step operations.

[0047] Step S300: Adaptive milling. Based on the actual sample height obtained in step S200 and the preset target cutting allowance, the control system automatically calculates the depth of cut for the Z-axis feed drive unit 7. The X-axis feed drive unit 6 drives the clamping and positioning mechanism 1 to rapidly move the sample to the machining station. The milling spindle unit 2 automatically selects the corresponding specification end mill 24 spindle 21 to start rotation and perform end milling based on the material properties of the current sample (e.g., steel, iron, or aluminum alloy). During this process, because the milling spindle unit 2 adopts the single-drive-source multi-spindle mechanical synchronous transmission structure described in Example 4, and each spindle is pre-loaded with differentiated tools optimized for different materials, the equipment does not need to stop to change tools or re-set tools when facing a mixed material sample flow; it only needs to switch spindles for continuous operation. This tool-free continuous machining mode significantly shortens the non-cutting time, while the synchronicity of the mechanical transmission ensures a constant ratio of spindle speeds, guaranteeing the consistency of the end face quality of batch samples.

[0048] Step S400: Unloading and Cleaning. After milling, the spindle 21 brakes and stops. The Z-axis feed drive unit 7 drives the milling spindle unit 2 to retract to a safe height, and the X-axis feed drive unit 6 drives the clamping and positioning mechanism 1 back to the loading station. The radial clamping assembly 13 releases the sample, and the external robot arm removes the finished sample. At the same time, the blowing mechanism 3 starts, and its air outlet sprays high-pressure airflow toward the clamping area to remove metal chips remaining on the top surface of the support column 112, the claw surface of the radial clamping assembly 13, and the sample surface. This step verifies the effectiveness of the spatial layout of the blowing mechanism 3 in Example 5, prevents chip accumulation from interfering with the clamping and positioning accuracy of the next operation, and forms a virtuous cycle of "machining-cleaning-remachining".

[0049] It should be understood that the above steps S100 to S400 are merely exemplary process flows. Without departing from the essence of the technical solution of this invention, the execution order, parameter settings, or auxiliary actions of each step can be adjusted according to actual production needs. For example, in step S200, if the sample height difference is extremely small, a fixed stroke clamping method combined with displacement sensor calibration can be used; in step S300, for samples of special materials, an independent spare spindle can be activated or the transmission ratio can be adjusted. This embodiment aims to demonstrate, through the complete reproduction of a typical application scenario, that the aforementioned structural features can achieve the expected technical effects in dynamic collaboration, rather than limiting the scope of protection of this invention.

[0050] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A sample end face milling device, comprising a clamping and positioning mechanism (1) and a milling spindle unit (2), characterized in that: The clamping and positioning mechanism (1) includes a support component (11), a clamping height measuring component (12), and a radial clamping component (13). The support component (11) is located at the center of the clamping area of ​​the radial clamping component (13). The clamping height measuring component (12) is located on the upper side of the clamping area. The clamping height measuring component (12) includes a clamping drive component (121) and a displacement detection component (122). The output end of the clamping drive component (121) is connected to the displacement detection component (122). The displacement detection component (122) is fixed relative to the body of the clamping drive component (121). The milling spindle unit (2) includes at least two spindles (21) and a drive source (22). The output end of the drive source (22) is simultaneously connected to the at least two spindles (21) via a transmission component (23).

2. The sample end face milling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clamping height measuring component (12) also includes a contact element (123); The output end of the clamping drive (121) is connected to the contact (123); The displacement detection element (122) includes a ruler (1221) and a reading head (1222). The ruler (1221) is fixedly connected to the output end of the contact element (123) or the pressing drive element (121), and the reading head (1222) is fixedly connected to the body of the pressing drive element (121).

3. The sample end face milling device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The clamping drive (121) is a double-rod cylinder, the cylinder body of the double-rod cylinder constitutes the body of the clamping drive (121), and the push rod of the double-rod cylinder constitutes the output end of the clamping drive (121); the displacement detection component (122) is a grating ruler, the contact component (123) is a push block at the front end of the push rod, the ruler body of the grating ruler is fixedly connected to the push block, and the reading head of the grating ruler is fixedly connected to the cylinder body.

4. The sample end face milling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The radial clamping assembly (13) has a hollow region; The support assembly (11) includes a support drive (111) and a support column (112). The support drive (111) is disposed in the hollow area. The output end of the support drive (111) is driven to connect with the support column (112). The top of the support column (112) extends to the clamping area.

5. The sample end face milling device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The radial clamping assembly (13) is a pneumatic self-centering three-jaw chuck, and the central hole of the pneumatic self-centering three-jaw chuck constitutes the hollow region. The support drive (111) is a top extension cylinder. The cylinder body of the top extension cylinder is fixed in the central hole. The piston rod of the top extension cylinder forms the output end of the support drive (111) and is fixedly connected to the bottom of the support column (112).

6. The sample end face milling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transmission component (23) is a synchronous belt or gear set, the drive source (22) is a drive motor, the output shaft of the drive motor is driven and connected to the input end of the transmission component (23), and the input ends of the at least two main shafts (21) are respectively connected to the output end of the transmission component (23).

7. A sample end face milling device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The milling spindle unit (2) also includes a cutter cylinder (25) and a face milling cutter (24); the tail of each of the at least two spindles (21) is equipped with the cutter cylinder (25), and the output end of the cutter cylinder (25) is connected to the broaching mechanism inside the spindle; the front ends of the at least two spindles (21) are respectively equipped with the face milling cutter (24), and the face milling cutters (24) installed on different spindles of the at least two spindles (21) have different specifications.

8. The sample end face milling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a blowing mechanism (3), which is located on the side of the milling spindle unit (2) or the clamping and positioning mechanism (1), with the air outlet of the blowing mechanism (3) facing the clamping area.

9. An automated milling machine, characterized in that: It includes a bed (4), a column (5), an X-axis feed drive unit (6), a Z-axis feed drive unit (7), and a sample end face milling device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8; The column (5) is fixed on the bed (4); the X-axis feed drive unit (6) is installed on the bed (4), and the clamping and positioning mechanism (1) is installed on the moving part of the X-axis feed drive unit (6); the Z-axis feed drive unit (7) is installed on the column (5), and the milling spindle unit (2) is installed on the moving part of the Z-axis feed drive unit (7).

10. An automated milling machine according to claim 9, characterized in that: It also includes an external fully enclosed sheet metal (41), a manual safety door (42), an automatic lifting door (43), a safety interlock switch (44), and a centralized chip collection box (45); the external fully enclosed sheet metal (41) wraps around the bed (4) and the column (5) to form a processing compartment; the manual safety door (42) and the automatic lifting door (43) are set on the external fully enclosed sheet metal (41), the safety interlock switch (44) is mechanically connected to the manual safety door (42), and the centralized chip collection box (45) is set at the bottom of the bed (4).

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