Machining center for machining a workpiece

Abstract

The invention relates to a machining center for machining workpieces, having at least one machining unit, which has a tool slide, which can be equipped with a machining tool, and a workpiece positioning unit, which can be equipped with a workpiece module for receiving a workpiece, wherein the workpiece module can be connected to the workpiece positioning unit in a releasable, exchangeable manner by means of an interface device, wherein the interface device has an interface on the workpiece positioning side and a corresponding counter-interface on the module side, wherein securing means for securing the workpiece positioning unit and the workpiece module to one another are configured at the interface and the counter-interface, wherein fluid transfer means for transferring a working fluid from the workpiece positioning unit to the workpiece module are configured at the interface and the counter-interface, characterized in that electrical power energy transfer means for transferring electrical power energy from the workpiece positioning unit onto the workpiece module and signal transfer means for enabling signal transmission between the workpiece positioning unit and the workpiece module are configured at the interface and the counter-interface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a machining center for machining workpieces, the machining center having at least one machining unit, the machining unit having a tool slide equipped with machining tools for machining workpieces arranged in a machining area, and a workpiece positioning unit equipped with a workpiece module for receiving workpieces to be machined, wherein the tool slide is movable along one axis of a Cartesian coordinate system formed by three mutually perpendicular axial directions X, Y, Z, and the workpiece positioning unit is movable along the two other axial directions of the Cartesian coordinate system, and wherein the workpiece module is rotatable about a first rotation axis, wherein the workpiece module is releasably and interchangeably connected to the workpiece positioning unit via an interface device, wherein the interface device has an interface on the workpiece positioning side and a mating interface on the corresponding module side, wherein fixing devices for fixing the workpiece positioning unit and the workpiece module to each other are constructed at the interface and the mating interface, and wherein fluid transfer devices for transferring working fluid from the workpiece positioning unit to the workpiece module are constructed at the interface and the mating interface. Background Technology

[0002] This type of machining center is known, for example, from DE 10 2019 120 681 A1. The machine tool disclosed there has a tool spindle and a workpiece holder arranged on a base, wherein the base is movable in multiple linear and rotational degrees of freedom via multiple drives or machine axes. The tool spindle is preferably movable in only one degree of freedom via a first linear drive. By means of a first rotary drive, the base can be rotated between a working position and a changing position about a first axis of rotation. The first axis of rotation extends in a vertical plane inclined to both the vertical and horizontal lines. The machine tool is configured for 4-axis machining of the workpiece. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The objective of this invention is to provide a machining center of the type mentioned at the beginning, which can improve the productivity of the machining center compared with conventional machining centers.

[0004] This task is accomplished by a processing center having the features of independent claims 1 and 14. Improvements to the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0005] The machining center according to the invention as described in independent claim 1 is characterized in that it is provided with an electric power energy transmission device for transmitting electric power energy from the workpiece positioning unit to the workpiece module and a signal transmission device for realizing signal transmission between the workpiece positioning unit and the workpiece module at the interface and the mating interface.

[0006] Therefore, the interface device not only enables the mechanical fixing of the workpiece module on the workpiece positioning unit and the transfer of working fluid, as in the prior art, but also allows for the transfer or transmission of electrical power energy and signal transmission between the workpiece module and the workpiece positioning unit. This allows the workpiece module to be relatively easily replaced with other similar structural types, or with workpiece modules that differ from the aforementioned structural types and have additional functions relative to the standard workpiece module, making the introduction of electrical power energy and signal transmission necessary. Consequently, it is possible to process entirely different workpieces with completely different processing requirements using a single machining center, in which the interface device allows for the exchange or replacement of individual workpiece modules specifically matched to the workpiece to be processed.

[0007] The workpiece module is preferably configured as a clamping device tool module for receiving and clamping a workpiece to be processed, wherein the clamping device has clamping elements that are actuated by means of working fluid, particularly hydraulic fluid, transmitted via an interface device, for clamping the workpiece to be processed. Such a clamping device tool module can also be referred to as a 4-axis module, wherein there is no need to introduce electrical power into the clamping device tool module. However, it is also necessary here that the clamping device tool module can be replaced because different workpieces are clamped differently, that is, the clamping elements have an arrangement that is completely individual to match the workpiece to be processed.

[0008] As an alternative to the clamping device tool module, the workpiece module can also be constructed as a frustum workpiece module, having at least one frustum, particularly controlled by nc, that can rotate about a second rotation axis. A clamping unit for receiving and clamping the workpiece to be processed can be fixed on the frustum, wherein an electric rotary actuator is located on the body of the frustum workpiece module and the electrical power energy for the rotary actuator can be introduced through an interface device. Such a frustum workpiece module can also be referred to as a 5-axis workpiece module.

[0009] Therefore, this design scheme can convert a machining center from 4-axis machining to 5-axis machining without complicated modification work. The only requirement is to replace the clamping device tool module at the interface device by using the frustum workpiece module.

[0010] It is possible that the frustum workpiece module is constructed as a single frustum workpiece module having a single frustum. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the workpiece module has an additional frustum capable of rotating about a third rotation axis, specifically oriented parallel to the second rotation axis, on which another clamping unit for receiving and clamping the workpiece to be processed can be fixed. Such a frustum workpiece module could also be referred to as a dual 5-axis module.

[0011] In the case where the workpiece module is constructed as a double frustum workpiece module, the rotary drive is suitably constructed to drive the two frustums.

[0012] In an improved embodiment of the invention, a position recognition device is assigned to the workpiece module for identifying the rotational position of the assigned frustum. The position recognition device has at least one position detector, particularly a position sensor, located on the body of the workpiece module. The detector signal is transmitted via an interface device. The detector signal can be transmitted, for example, to a higher-level control unit, such as a controller or a CNC controller. The position sensor can be configured as a rotary encoder or encoder.

[0013] In an improved embodiment of the invention, the fixing device has a fixing element constructed at the interface and a mating fixing element constructed at the mating interface, which can engage with each other to fix the workpiece module to the workpiece positioning unit and disengage from each other to release the workpiece module.

[0014] The fixing element and / or mating fixing element are particularly preferably supported by clamping devices in a movable manner relative to the assigned interface or mating interface between the clamping position and the release position of the workpiece release module. For example, the fixing element or mating fixing element may be configured as a fluid-loadable clamping cone that moves into the clamping position when loaded by means of a working fluid. The working fluid may be, for example, hydraulic fluid, especially hydraulic oil.

[0015] In one improved embodiment of the invention, the electrical power transmission device is configured as an electromechanical plug connection device, having an electrically circular plug connector for insertion into an electrically mating member and an electrically mating member. For example, the circular plug connector may be configured as a socket with female plug contacts, while the mating member is configured with male plug contacts, such as pins. Alternatively, the circular plug connector may be configured at the interface and the mating member at the mating interface. However, it is also possible to arrange the circular plug connector at the mating interface and the mating member at the interface in the opposite manner.

[0016] In an improved embodiment of the invention, the signal transmitting device is configured as another electromechanical plug connection device having an electrical signal circular plug connector for insertion into an electrical signal mating member. Here, the signal circular plug connector can also be configured as a socket with female plug contacts, and the signal mating member can also be configured with male plug contacts, such as pins.

[0017] In an improved embodiment of the invention, the interface is constructed on the lower side of a rotating disk arranged on a workpiece positioning unit, which is rotatably driven about a first rotation axis. The end region of the rotating disk equipped with the interface can therefore be rectangular, preferably square.

[0018] In an improved embodiment of the invention, the mating interface is constructed at a particularly rectangular mating interface plate. Such a mating interface plate can also be referred to as a workpiece support plate. Alternatively, it is conceivable, particularly for frustum-shaped workpiece modules, that the workpiece module is L-shaped and the mating interface is constructed at a plate-shaped mating interface section.

[0019] Furthermore, the present invention includes a machining center having the features of independent claim 14.

[0020] The machining center according to claim 14 has at least one machining unit, the machining unit having a tool slide equipped with machining tools for machining workpieces arranged in a machining area and a workpiece positioning unit equipped with a workpiece module for receiving a workpiece to be machined, wherein the tool slide is movable along one axis of a Cartesian coordinate system formed by three mutually perpendicular axial directions X, Y, Z and the workpiece positioning unit is movable along the two other axial directions of the Cartesian coordinate system, and wherein the workpiece module is rotatable about a first rotation axis, and wherein the workpiece module is releasably and interchangeably positioned with the workpiece positioning unit via an interface device. The unit is connected, wherein the interface device has an interface on the workpiece positioning side and a mating interface on the corresponding module side, wherein the tool module is selected from a group consisting of a clamping device workpiece module having a mating interface for receiving and clamping a workpiece to be processed, wherein the clamping device has a clamping element for clamping the workpiece to be processed that is operable by means of a working fluid, and the frustum tool module having the mating interface has at least one frustum rotatable about a second rotation axis by means of an electric rotary drive, wherein a clamping unit for receiving and clamping the workpiece to be processed can be fixed on the frustum, wherein optionally the clamping device tool module or the frustum tool module can be fixed on the workpiece positioning unit by means of the interface device.

[0021] The structural assembly consisting of the clamping device workpiece module and the frustum workpiece module thus allows for high flexibility, as the machining center can be converted from 4-axis machining to 5-axis machining and vice versa with simple measures.

[0022] In one improved embodiment of the invention, the frustum workpiece module is either a single frustum workpiece module having a single frustum or a dual frustum workpiece module having a first frustum and a second frustum rotatably driven about a third rotation axis. Attached Figure Description

[0023] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in the accompanying drawings and will be explained in detail below.

[0024] In the attached diagram: Figure 1 A side view of a portion of the machining center according to the invention is shown; Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A magnified view of detail X in the image; Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 Bottom view of the interface on the workpiece positioning unit of the machining center; Figure 4 The state of the workpiece module is shown, relative to the state in which it is in the process of being shown. Figure 2 The embodiments shown are alternative implementations; Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 A perspective view of the workpiece module in the image; Figure 6 It shows Figure 5 A perspective view of the workpiece module, which is equipped with a clamping unit for receiving and supporting a workpiece (not shown); and Figure 7 Another alternative implementation of the workpiece module, which takes the form of a clamping device workpiece module, is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Figures 1 to 7 It shows the method for working on workpiece 80 ( Figure 7 This is a preferred embodiment of the machining center 11 according to the invention, used for mechanical, particularly cutting, machining. The workpiece 80 can be, for example, a transmission housing, a clutch housing, an electric motor housing, or a steering gear housing. However, this is merely an exemplary list of different types of workpieces 80. Other workpiece types, not mentioned herein, can certainly be machined using the machining center 11 according to the invention.

[0026] The core component of the machining center 11 is the machining unit 12. It is possible that the machining center 11 has a single machining unit 12 or, alternatively, two machining units (not shown), wherein the second machining unit can be arranged adjacent to the first machining unit along the X-axis direction 14 of a coordinate system formed by three mutually perpendicular axial directions X, Y, Z.

[0027] The invention will now be described with reference to a machining center having a single machining unit 12, but of course the invention can also be applied to machining centers having two machining units.

[0028] The machining center 11 has a base frame 13 on which the machining unit 12 is located. The machining unit 12 has a tool slide 18 that is movable along the Z-axis direction 16 and equipped with a machining tool (not shown) for machining a workpiece arranged in the machining area 17, and a workpiece positioning unit 20 that is movable along the X-axis direction 14 and along the Y-axis direction 15 and equipped with a workpiece module 19 for receiving and clamping the workpiece to be machined.

[0029] Especially in Figure 1 As shown, a guide device 21 is provided for the machining unit 12 to perform movement along the X-axis direction 14. The guide device 21 is located on a base 22 arranged on the base frame 13, which is configured as a vertical base in this case. The base 22 extends substantially over the entire width of the base frame 13 and has a front side 23 on which the guide device 21 is arranged. A back side 24 is provided opposite to the front side 23. The base 22 divides the machining unit 12 into a front region on the workpiece side and a rear, tool-side region, in which the workpiece 80 is machined in the machining area 17 by the assigned machining tool in the front region, and the machining tool is operated in the rear region. The operation of the machining tool will not be discussed in detail below.

[0030] Only the tool slide 18 moves back and forth between the rear, tool-side area and the front, workpiece-side area, while all other components remain on their respective sides.

[0031] The guide device 21, which can also be referred to as the X-guide device, is arranged on the front of the machine base 22 as previously mentioned and extends generally above the moving surface of the tool slide 18. This means that the workpiece positioning unit 20 is suspended above the tool slide 18, and the workpiece to be processed is thus processed suspended. The guide device 21 has a plurality of guide rails 25a, 25b, 25c in the example shown, which are respectively fixed on one side to the front 23 of the machine base 22 and engaged with the workpiece positioning unit 20 on the other side.

[0032] As already mentioned, the tool positioning unit 20 can be guided linearly along the X-axis direction 14 along the guide rails 25a-25c.

[0033] The workpiece positioning unit 20 has a cross slide 26 and a Y slide 27 that is movably supported on the cross slide 26a along the Y-axis direction 15.

[0034] For driving purposes, an X-axis driver 28 is assigned to the workpiece positioning unit 20, which in the example shown is configured as a linear driver in the form of a linear motor.

[0035] In addition to the cross slide 26, the workpiece positioning unit 20 also includes a Y slide. The cross slide 26 has a front wall arranged opposite to the rear wall of the cross slide, and at least one, especially two, Y guide rails 29 extending along the Y axis direction 15 are fixed on the front wall of the cross slide.

[0036] Especially in Figure 1 As shown, the Y-slide 27 has a base 30 that is coupled to two Y-guide rails 29 such that it can move up and down along the Y-axis direction 15 by means of a Y-axis driver 31 arranged on the body of the workpiece positioning unit 20. The Y-axis driver 31 is configured as a linear driver, but in contrast to the X-axis driver, a linear driver in the form of a spindle driver is suitably used here.

[0037] Y-slide 27 has a rotating disk 33 supported on a base 30 that is rotatable about a first rotation axis 32 extending in the Y-axis direction 15.

[0038] The rotational motion of the rotating disk 33 is generated by the rotational driver 90 on the body of the Y slide 27.

[0039] The rotational position of the rotating disk 33 is detected and monitored, and more precisely, this is done by means of a rotational position measurement system.

[0040] An important aspect of the present invention is that the workpiece module 19, as described above, is releasably connected to the workpiece positioning unit 20 via the interface device 34, allowing for replacement of the workpiece module 19.

[0041] Especially in Figure 2 As shown, the interface device 34 has an interface 35 on the workpiece positioning side and a corresponding matching interface 36 on the module side.

[0042] In the illustrated example, interface 35 is constructed on the lower side of the rotating disk 33. For example, the lower side of the rotating disk 33 equipped with interface 35 can be rectangular, preferably square.

[0043] A fixing device 38 for fixing the workpiece positioning unit 20 and the workpiece module 19 to each other is provided at interface 35 and mating interface 36. In addition, a fluid transfer device 39 for transferring working fluid from the workpiece positioning unit 20 to the workpiece module 19 is provided at interface 35 and mating interface 36.

[0044] In addition, an electrical power transmission device 40 for transmitting electrical power from the workpiece positioning unit 20 to the workpiece module 19 is provided at interface 35 and mating interface 36.

[0045] Finally, a signal transmission device 41 for realizing signal transmission between the workpiece positioning unit 20 and the workpiece module 19 is constructed at interface 35 and the pairing interface 36.

[0046] especially Figure 2 , 4 Figures 7 and 8 illustrate different embodiments of the workpiece module 19 having a mating interface 36, as mentioned above. The mating interface 36 is identically configured in different workpiece modules 19 (which will be discussed in detail below), thereby enabling one of the workpiece modules 19 described below to be optionally fixed at an interface 35 on the rotating disk 33.

[0047] Figure 7 A first embodiment of the workpiece module 19 is shown, hereinafter referred to as clamping device tool module 19a, which is used to receive and clamp a workpiece to be processed, wherein it has a clamping element 42 operable by means of a working fluid, particularly hydraulic fluid, and suitably hydraulic oil, transmitted via an interface device 34, the clamping element being used to clamp the workpiece 80 to be processed.

[0048] Especially in Figure 7 As shown, the clamping device tool module 19a has a mating interface 36 that corresponds to the interface 35 on the rotating disk 33. In the example shown, the mating interface 36 is constructed on the upper side of the mating interface plate 43, which corresponds to the particularly square interface 35 on the lower side of the rotating disk 33, such that the two particularly square interfaces 35 and the mating interface are positioned on top of each other when fixed.

[0049] The aforementioned fixing device 38 has components not only constructed at the interface 35 but also at the mating interface 36.

[0050] Especially in Figure 3 and 7As shown, the fixing device 38 has a fixing element 44 constructed at the interface 35 and a mating fixing element 45 constructed at the mating interface 36. They can be engaged with each other to fix the clamping device tool module 19a to the workpiece positioning unit 20 and can be disengaged from each other to release the clamping device workpiece module 19a.

[0051] In the illustrated example, a plurality of fixing elements 44 are provided, which are suitably arranged relative to each other along the circumferential direction of the interface 35. In the illustrated example of a rectangular cross-section of the interface 35, one fixing element 44 is located in one of the quadrants of the rectangular surface.

[0052] Correspondingly, mating fixing elements 45 are arranged at mating interfaces 36, and therefore it is appropriate that mating fixing elements 45 are also arranged in each quadrant of the rectangular mating interfaces.

[0053] In the illustrated embodiment, the fixing element 44 is arranged relative to the interface 35 in a movable manner via a clamping device between a clamping position and a release position where the clamping device tool module 19a is released, wherein in the clamping position, the clamping device tool module 19a is clamped onto the workpiece positioning unit 20. Preferably, the fixing element 44 is configured as a piston element, each having a clamping cone 46 that interacts with a mating fixing element 45 in the form of a pairing cone 47. The clamping cone 46 is movable between the release and clamping positions by means of a working fluid, particularly hydraulic fluid, wherein movement toward the clamping position is achieved by means of fluid loading, in which the clamping cone 46 sinks into the mating cone 47 and thereby performs the clamping. The clamping process is performed synchronously for all fixing elements 44 and mating fixing elements 45, thereby simultaneously clamping and thus securing the clamping device tool module 19a onto the workpiece positioning unit 20.

[0054] Especially Figure 2 and 3 As shown in the overview, the interface device 34 has a fluid transfer device 39 constructed at the interface 35 and the mating interface 36. Fluid transfer between the workpiece positioning unit 20 and the workpiece module 19, i.e., fluid transfer of the workpiece module 19a of the clamping device, is carried out via a plug connection. For this purpose, a plurality of transfer pins 48 are arranged specifically at the interface 35, extending outward from the interface surface of the interface 35. At the mating interface, transfer openings 49, particularly in the form of cylindrical drilled holes, are provided for the transfer pins 48, into which the transfer pins 48 are moved during the previously described fixing process.

[0055] Especially in Figure 2As shown, if fluid circulation begins, the fluid channel system 50 on the workpiece positioning side is connected to the transfer pin 48, through which working fluid, especially hydraulic fluid, enters the area of ​​the transfer pin 48. The transfer opening 49 is then connected to the fluid channel system 51 on the module side, thereby allowing working fluid originating from the fluid channel system 50 on the workpiece positioning side to reach the transfer opening 49 via the transfer pin 48 in the fixed use position of the workpiece module 19, such as the clamping device workpiece module 19a, and from there via the fluid channel system 41 on the module side to the clamping element 42 of the clamping device workpiece module 19. This allows the clamping process to be initiated onto the workpiece 80 to be clamped onto the clamping device tool module 19a and processed when needed.

[0056] In addition, such as Figure 2 and 3 As shown in the overview, a centering device 52 is provided on the workpiece positioning unit 20 for centering the workpiece module, such as the clamping device workpiece module 19a. That is, the mating interface 36 on the clamping device workpiece module 19a is precisely aligned with the interface 35 on the rotating disk 33, so that the subsequent fixing process and the insertion of the transfer pin 48 into the transfer opening 49 can be performed synchronously. The centering device 52 has a centrally located centering shaft 53 oriented coaxially with the central axis of the Y-slide 27, the diameter of which approximately corresponds to the diameter of the clamping cone 46 of the fixing element 44. A centering receiving portion 54, constructed at the mating interface 36, is provided for the centering shaft 53 at the interface 35, allowing the centering shaft 53 to be inserted into the centering receiving portion before the clamping cone.

[0057] Furthermore, a centering pin 55, eccentrically arranged relative to the central axis, constitutes a centering device 52. This centering pin is specifically located at interface 35 and extends outward from the interface surface. A centering hole 75 is provided for the centering pin 55, particularly on one side of the mating interface 36. The centering pin 55 and the centering hole 75 ensure precise alignment of the mating interface 36 with interface 35, thereby allowing components at interface 35 and the mating interface, which engage only along the orientation of interface 35 towards the mating interface 36, such as, for example, the power transmission device 40 and the signal transmission device 41, which will be described in detail below, to be precisely fitted together, and in particular, plugged in.

[0058] Especially Figure 3 and 7As shown in the overview, the only requirement for the clamping device workpiece module 19a is to mechanically fix the clamping device tool module 19a onto the workpiece positioning unit 20, thereby enabling the clamping device workpiece module 19a to rotate about the first rotation axis 32. The clamping device workpiece module 19a allows for 4-axis machining of the workpiece. Additional power input and signal transmission between the clamping device workpiece module 19a and the workpiece positioning unit 20 are unnecessary, and therefore the correspondingly constructed connector at the interface 35 is not a concern here.

[0059] As already mentioned, the frustum workpiece module 19b can be placed on the workpiece positioning unit 20 instead of the clamping device workpiece module 19a, thereby making it easy to convert 4-axis machining to 5-axis machining.

[0060] Figure 2 An exemplary frustum workpiece module 19b is shown, which is configured herein as a single frustum workpiece module 19b. The frustum workpiece module 19b in this case has a frustum 58 rotatable about a second rotation axis 57 by means of an electric rotary actuator 56, which is particularly controlled by nc. Clamping units 59 for receiving and clamping the workpiece to be processed can be fixed on the frustum 58, as in another embodiment of the frustum workpiece module 19b, for example. Figure 6 As shown in the image.

[0061] The electric rotary actuator 56 is located on the body of the frustum workpiece module 19b and requires electrical power energy for this purpose, which is provided by the power transmission device 40 of the interface device 34, that is, from the workpiece positioning unit 30.

[0062] Furthermore, a signal transmission device 41 is constructed at interface 35 and mating interface 36 for realizing signal transmission between workpiece positioning unit 20 and workpiece module 19, that is, the single frustum workpiece module 19b.

[0063] Especially in Figure 3 As shown, the power transmission device 40 is configured as an electromechanical plug connection device. Preferably, the electromechanical plug connection device is located in a separate additional module enclosed by the module housing 60 beside the interface 35. Here, one housing half is located at the interface 35, that is, at the periphery of the lower region of the rotating disk 33, and correspondingly, another housing half, particularly the lower part, is located at the mating interface plate 43.

[0064] The electromechanical plug connection device, hereinafter referred to as the electromechanical plug connection device, has at least one electrically round plug connector 61 for insertion into an electrically mating member 62, which is also a component of the electromechanical plug connection device.

[0065] Preferably, the electrical round plug connector 61 is configured as a receptacle with female plug contacts. Correspondingly, the electrical mating component 62 is equipped with male mating contacts (not shown), such as pins. Preferably, at least one round plug connector 61 is located at interface 35 and the electrical mating component 62 is located at mating interface 36.

[0066] In addition, such as Figure 2 and 3 As shown in the overview, an additional fluid transfer device 76 can be constructed at interface 35 and mating interface 36. The additional fluid transfer device 76 can also be arranged in the area of ​​the additional module next to interface 35. The additional fluid can be, for example, compressed air, which is transferred by workpiece positioning unit 20 to workpiece module 19, that is, for example, a single frustum workpiece module 19b, for cleaning purposes.

[0067] The signal transmission device 41 mentioned above is also suitably configured as an electromechanical plug connection device, which in this case is referred to as another second electromechanical plug connection device.

[0068] The second electromechanical plug connection device also has an electrical circular plug connector 63, hereinafter referred to as the signal circular plug connector 63. The electrical signal circular plug connector 63 is used for insertion into an electrical mating member 64, hereinafter referred to as the electrical signal mating member 64. Preferably, the electrical signal circular plug connector 63 is configured as a socket with female plug contacts, while the electrical signal mating member 64 is configured with male plug contacts, such as plug pins. Here, it is also preferable that the electrical signal circular plug connector 63 is configured at interface 35 and the electrical signal mating member 64 is configured at mating interface 36.

[0069] Therefore, a signal transmission device 41 is required because a position recognition device 65 is assigned to the workpiece module 19, that is, a single frustum workpiece module 19b, for recognizing the rotational position of the assigned frustum 58.

[0070] Although not shown in the accompanying drawings, the position identification device can have at least one position detector on the body of the workpiece module, namely the single frustum workpiece module 19b, whose detection signal is transmitted to the upper-level control unit via interface device 34. The position detector can be configured as a position sensor, in particular a rotary encoder or encoder.

[0071] Figures 4 to 6Another embodiment of the workpiece module 19 is shown, which can replace the clamping device workpiece module 19a or a single frustum workpiece module 19b in being mounted on the workpiece positioning unit 20. In the example shown, another embodiment is constructed as a double frustum workpiece module 19c.

[0072] The notable feature of this dual frustum workpiece module is that it has another second frustum 66, which is capable of rotating about a third rotation axis 67 that is oriented in particular parallel to the second rotation axis 57.

[0073] Especially in Figure 6 As shown, another second clamping unit 68 can be fixed on the second frustum 66, which is used to receive and clamp the workpiece to be processed.

[0074] The dual frustum workpiece module allows for 5-axis machining of two workpieces 80, especially similar workpieces, during the machining process, thereby significantly increasing the output of the machined workpieces 80.

[0075] In addition, such as in Figure 5 As shown, the dual frustum workpiece module 19c has an L-shaped shape.

[0076] A plate-shaped mating interface section 69 is provided, at which components of the mating interface 36, namely the fixing device 38, the fluid transfer device 39, the power transmission device 40, and the signal transmission device 41, are constructed in the same manner as in the embodiment described above for the workpiece module 19. A support section 70 is constructed extending from the plate-shaped mating interface section 69 at an angle, particularly at a right angle, and two frustums 58 and 66 are supported on the support section in an upward and downward arrangement.

[0077] As already mentioned, the rotary driver 56 for generating the rotational motion of the frustums 58 and 66 is located on the body of the workpiece module, namely the double frustum workpiece module 19c, wherein the driving motion for the frustums 58 and 66 can be introduced to the frustums 58 and 66 via a transmission mechanism (not shown).

[0078] It should be mentioned again that all described embodiments of the workpiece module 19—namely, the clamping device workpiece module 19a, the single frustum workpiece module 19b, and the double frustum workpiece module 19c—can be mounted on the workpiece positioning unit 20 as alternatives to each other, thereby enabling easy and quick conversion from 4-axis machining to 5-axis machining and vice versa. This flexibility is achieved by the fact that the mating interface 36 is identically configured in all three different embodiments of the workpiece module, such that it matches the interface on the rotary disk 33 of the workpiece positioning unit 20. Therefore, cumbersome modification work is unnecessary; a simple replacement of the workpiece module in the sense of "insertion" is sufficient for the modification.

Claims

1. A machining center for machining a workpiece (80), comprising at least one machining unit (12), the machining unit having a tool slide (18) equipped with a machining tool for machining a workpiece (80) arranged in a machining area (17) and a workpiece positioning unit (20) equipped with workpiece modules (19a, 19b, 19c) for receiving a workpiece (80) to be machined, wherein the tool slide (18) is movable along one axis of a Cartesian coordinate system formed by three mutually perpendicular axial directions X, Y, Z and the workpiece positioning unit (20) is movable along two other axial directions of the Cartesian coordinate system, and wherein the workpiece modules (19a-19c) are movable around a first rotation The axis of rotation (56) rotates, wherein the workpiece modules (19a-19c) are releasably and interchangeably connected to the workpiece positioning unit (20) via an interface device (34), wherein the interface device (34) has an interface (35) on the workpiece positioning side and a mating interface (36) on the corresponding module side, wherein a fixing device (38) for fixing the workpiece positioning unit (20) and the workpiece modules (19a-19c) to each other is constructed at the interface (35) and the mating interface (36), and wherein a fluid transfer device (39) for transferring working fluid from the workpiece positioning unit (20) to the workpiece modules (19a-19c) is constructed at the interface (35) and the mating interface (36), characterized in that, An electric power energy transmission device for transmitting electric power energy from the workpiece positioning unit (20) to the workpiece module (19a-19c) and a signal transmission device for realizing signal transmission between the workpiece positioning unit (20) and the workpiece module (19a-19c) are constructed at the interface (35) and the mating interface (36).

2. The machining center according to claim 1, characterized in that, The workpiece modules (19a-19c) are configured as clamping device workpiece modules (19a) for receiving and clamping workpieces (80) to be processed, wherein the clamping device workpiece modules (19a) have clamping elements (42) for clamping workpieces (80) to be processed, which are operated by means of working fluid, especially hydraulic fluid, transmitted through an interface device (34).

3. The machining center according to claim 1, characterized in that, The workpiece module is configured as a frustum workpiece module (19b, 19c) having at least one frustum (58) rotatable about a second rotation axis (57) by means of an electric rotary actuator (56), particularly controlled by nc, a clamping unit (59) for receiving and clamping the workpiece (80) to be processed can be fixed on the frustum, wherein the electric rotary actuator (56) is located on the body of the frustum workpiece module (19b, 19c) and the electric power energy for the rotary actuator can be introduced through the interface device (34).

4. The machining center according to claim 3, characterized in that, The frustum workpiece module (19c) has an additional frustum (66) that is rotatable about a third rotation axis (67) that is particularly parallel to the second rotation axis (57), and another clamping unit (68) for receiving and clamping the workpiece (80) to be processed can be fixed on the other frustum.

5. The machining center according to claim 4, characterized in that, The rotary actuator (56) is configured to drive two frustums (58, 66).

6. The machining center according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, The workpiece modules (19b, 19c) are assigned a position identification device (65) for identifying the rotational position of the assigned frustum (58, 66), wherein the position identification device (65) has at least one position detector, in particular a position sensor, on the body of the workpiece modules (19b, 19c), and the detector signal of the position detector is transmitted through an interface device (34).

7. The machining center according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The fixing device (38) has a fixing element (44) constructed at the interface (35) and a mating fixing element (45) constructed at the mating interface, the fixing element and the mating fixing element being able to engage with each other to fix the workpiece modules (19a-19c) on the workpiece positioning unit (20) and to disengage from each other to release the workpiece modules (19a-19c).

8. The machining center according to claim 7, characterized in that, The fixing element and / or mating fixing element are supported by clamping devices in a manner that allows relative movement with respect to the assigned interface (35) or mating interface (36) between the clamping position and the release position of the release workpiece module (19a-19c).

9. The machining center according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The power transmission device (40) is configured as an electromechanical plug connection device having an electrically circular plug connector (61) for insertion into an electrical pairing member (62) and an electrical pairing member (62).

10. The machining center according to claim 9, characterized in that, The signal transmission device (41) is configured as another electromechanical plug connection device, having an electrical signal circular plug connector for insertion into an electrical signal mating member (64) and the electrical signal mating member (64).

11. The machining center according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The interface (35) is constructed on the lower side of a rotating disk (33) arranged on the workpiece positioning unit (20) and rotatably driven about the first rotation axis (32).

12. The machining center according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The interface (35) on the lower side of the rotating disk (33) is rectangular, preferably square.

13. The machining center according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The mating interface (36) is constructed on a particularly rectangular mating interface plate (43) or on a plate-shaped mating interface section (69).

14. A machining center for machining a workpiece (80), comprising at least one machining unit (12), the machining unit having a tool slide (18) equipped with a machining tool for machining the workpiece (80) arranged in a machining area (17) and a workpiece positioning unit (20) equipped with workpiece modules (19a-19c) for receiving the workpiece to be machined, wherein the tool slide (18) is movable along one axis of a Cartesian coordinate system formed by three mutually perpendicular axial directions X, Y, Z and the workpiece positioning unit (20) is movable along two other axial directions of the Cartesian coordinate system, and wherein the workpiece modules (19a-19c) are rotatable about a first rotation axis, wherein the workpiece modules are releasably connected to the workpiece positioning unit (20) via an interface device (34) allowing for replacement of the workpiece modules (19a-19c), wherein the interface device (34) has an interface (35) on the workpiece positioning side and a mating interface (36) on the corresponding module side, characterized in that, The tool module is selected from the group consisting of a clamping device workpiece module (19a) having a mating interface (36) for receiving and clamping a workpiece (80) to be processed, wherein the clamping device workpiece module (19a) has a clamping element (42) for clamping the workpiece (80) to be processed, which is operable by means of a working fluid, and the frustum tool module (19b, 19c) having a mating interface has at least one frustum (58, 66) rotatable about a second rotation axis (57) by means of an electric rotary drive (56), and the clamping unit (59, 68) for receiving and clamping the workpiece (80) to be processed can be fixed on the frustum, wherein optionally the clamping device workpiece module (19a) or the frustum workpiece module (19b, 19c) can be fixed on the workpiece positioning unit (20) by means of an interface device (34).

15. The machining center according to claim 14, characterized in that, The frustum workpiece modules (19b, 19c) are either a single frustum workpiece module (19b) having a single frustum (58) or a double frustum workpiece module (19c) having a first frustum (66) and a second frustum (66) rotatably driven about a third rotation axis (67).

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