A matrix tool magazine

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of tool magazine technology, specifically a matrix tool magazine. It includes a base, on which a vertically arranged frame is mounted. Several tool holder assemblies for placing tools are arranged on the inner wall of one side of the frame. Two X-axis tracks are arranged parallel to each other on the inner wall of the other side of the frame. A Y-axis track is slidably connected to the X-axis track. A horizontal drive mechanism for driving the Y-axis track is located on one side of the X-axis track. A robotic arm for gripping tools is mounted on the Y-axis track and slidably connected to the Y-axis track. Through the above technical solution, this utility model solves the problems of complex path planning, long tool change time, and unstable movement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of tool magazine technology, specifically a matrix tool magazine. Background Technology

[0002] In the process of automation in machining, the tool magazine is the core component for CNC machine tools to achieve automated tool changing, and its performance directly affects machining efficiency and accuracy.

[0003] Existing tool magazine structures, such as disc-type tool magazines, suffer from complex path planning and long tool change times during tool storage and retrieval. While chain-type tool magazines offer improved storage capacity, they require a large footprint, have high maintenance costs, and suffer from insufficient stability in chain drives, making them prone to jamming and wear. Furthermore, the horizontal movement mechanisms of existing tool magazines often employ screw drives or simple slide rail slider structures. These transmission methods are susceptible to instability in horizontal movement due to insufficient rigidity and uneven friction during high-speed operation or frequent start-stop cycles. This can lead to tool positioning deviations, affecting machining quality and reducing the overall operating efficiency of the machine tool. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the problems in related technologies, this invention provides a matrix tool magazine, which solves the problems of complex path planning, long tool changing time, and unstable movement.

[0005] To solve the above problems, the following technical solutions are provided:

[0006] This utility model discloses a matrix tool magazine including a base, on which a vertically arranged frame is mounted. Several tool holder assemblies for placing tools are mounted on the inner wall of one side of the frame. Two X-axis tracks are arranged parallel to each other on the inner wall of the other side of the frame. A Y-axis track is slidably connected to the X-axis track. A horizontal drive mechanism for driving the Y-axis track to slide is mounted on one side of the X-axis track. A robotic arm for gripping tools is mounted on the Y-axis track, and the robotic arm is slidably connected to the Y-axis track.

[0007] The frame design described above helps reduce the footprint of the tool magazine, making it suitable for machining environments with limited space and effectively improving the space utilization of the factory. The X-axis and Y-axis tracks enable the robot to move quickly and accurately between the tool holder assemblies, significantly shortening the tool change path and time, and improving the overall machining efficiency of the machine tool. The frame provides stable support for the tool holder assembly and the robot's drive mechanism, and the two X-axis tracks effectively reduce vibration and shaking during machining, ensuring the stability and reliability of tool storage and replacement; thus solving the problems of complex path planning, long tool change times, and unstable movement.

[0008] The horizontal drive mechanism includes a servo motor. Pulleys are provided at both ends of the X-axis track. A connecting shaft is provided between the pulleys at one end of the two X-axis tracks, and the connecting shaft is fixedly connected to the pulleys. A mounting plate is fixedly provided at the end of the lower X-axis track near the connecting shaft. The servo motor is located on the mounting plate. The output shaft of the servo motor passes through the mounting plate and extends below it. A drive wheel is provided on the section of the output shaft below the mounting plate. A vertically downward rotating shaft is provided on the pulley above the mounting plate, passing through the mounting plate and extending below it. A driven wheel is provided on the section of the rotating shaft below the mounting plate. A first belt is sleeved on the outer wall of the drive wheel and the driven wheel. A second belt is sleeved on the outer wall of the pulleys at both ends of the X-axis track.

[0009] In the above solution, the horizontal drive mechanism enables synchronous rotation of the pulleys at one end of the two X-axis tracks via a connecting shaft. A servo motor drives the driving wheel, which in turn drives the driven wheel via belt transmission, ensuring synchronous movement of the Y-axis tracks on the two X-axis tracks. This significantly improves the stability and synchronicity of horizontal movement. The mounting plate integrates the servo motor and related transmission components, optimizing the overall spatial layout and making the tool magazine more compact, further saving space. Compared to screw drives, belt drives offer higher transmission efficiency and lower energy loss, while effectively buffering impacts and vibrations during movement, extending the equipment's service life.

[0010] A sliding mechanism is fixedly provided on the side of the Y-axis track near the X-axis track. The sliding mechanism includes a roller and a slide. A guide rail adapted to the roller is provided on the X-axis track. The roller is fixedly installed on the slide. Both ends of the slide are provided with through holes for the second belt to pass through. A belt pressure plate for pressing the second belt is provided on the slide.

[0011] The above solution transforms traditional sliding friction into rolling friction through the sliding mechanism and the coordinated design of the rollers and guide rails, significantly reducing friction, energy loss, and increasing speed. It also facilitates disassembly and replacement, reducing equipment maintenance difficulty and cost, and improving the maintainability and continuous operation capability of the equipment. The belt pressure plate prevents belt slippage, ensuring the reliability of power transmission and improving the stability and accuracy of horizontal movement.

[0012] The robotic arm includes a drive motor, with a gear mounted on the output shaft of the drive motor, and a rack adapted to the gear mounted on the Y-axis track. The robotic arm also includes a support plate, a rotating arm, a fixed base, and a tool holder mounted on the fixed base. The rotating arm is sleeved on the support plate's support column, and a first cylinder is mounted on the rotating arm to drive its rotation. A second cylinder is mounted between the rotating arm and the fixed base to drive the fixed base to slide horizontally, and a third cylinder is mounted between the fixed base and the tool holder to drive its rotation, so that the tool holder moves to the tool holder assembly to grasp the tool.

[0013] In the above scheme, the mechanical arm moves vertically along the Y-axis track by setting up gears and racks, and the first, second and third cylinders drive the rotating arm to rotate, the fixed seat to translate and the tool holder to rotate, respectively, so that the tool holder can rotate flexibly in three-dimensional space and can accurately position any tool position of the tool holder assembly.

[0014] The tool holder assembly includes a connecting plate and a tool holder body. The connecting plate is arranged in a figure-7 shape. The tool holder body is fixed on the vertical part of the figure-7 shape of the connecting plate. Several grooves that are adapted to the outer wall surface of the tool are provided on both sides of the tool holder body. Protrusions that abut against the outer wall surface of the tool are provided on the tool holder body around the grooves.

[0015] In the above solution, the grooves on both sides of the tool holder assembly are adapted to the outer wall of the tool to provide radial positioning; the protrusions abut against the tool to effectively prevent the tool from shaking and ensure that the tool is not easily loosened; the grooves are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the tool holder body, so that a single tool holder assembly can store twice the number of tools, which greatly improves the storage requirements for tools.

[0016] The bottom of the connecting plate is fixedly connected to the base, and the end of the horizontal part of the 7-shaped connecting plate away from the vertical part is fixedly connected to the frame.

[0017] By adopting the above solution to fix the connecting plate, vibration during tool changing is reduced and stability is improved.

[0018] The above solution has the following advantages:

[0019] 1. This utility model's matrix tool magazine includes a base with a vertically arranged frame, which helps reduce the tool magazine's footprint, making it suitable for machining environments with limited space and effectively improving factory space utilization. Several tool holder assemblies for placing tools are arranged on the inner wall of one side of the frame, while two X-axis tracks are arranged parallel to each other on the inner wall of the other side of the frame. A Y-axis track is slidably connected to the X-axis track, and a horizontal drive mechanism for driving the Y-axis track is provided on one side of the X-axis track. A robotic arm for gripping tools is mounted on the Y-axis track, and the robotic arm is slidably connected to the Y-axis track. The arrangement of the X-axis and Y-axis tracks allows the robotic arm to move quickly and accurately between the tool holder assemblies, significantly shortening the tool change path and time, and improving the overall machining efficiency of the machine tool. The frame provides stable support for the tool holder assemblies and the robotic arm's drive mechanism, and the two X-axis tracks effectively reduce vibration and shaking during machining, ensuring the stability and reliability of tool storage and replacement.

[0020] 2. The horizontal drive mechanism enables synchronous rotation of the pulleys at one end of the two X-axis tracks via a connecting shaft. A servo motor drives the driving wheel, which in turn drives the driven wheel via belt transmission, ensuring synchronous movement of the Y-axis tracks on the two X-axis tracks. This significantly improves the stability and synchronicity of horizontal movement. The mounting plate integrates the servo motor and related transmission components, optimizing the overall spatial layout and making the tool magazine more compact, further saving space. Compared to screw drives, belt drives offer higher transmission efficiency and lower energy loss, while effectively buffering impacts and vibrations during movement, extending the equipment's service life. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To make the content of this utility model easier to understand, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a matrix tool magazine structure;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the X-axis track, Y-axis track, and robotic arm in a matrix tool magazine.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a tool holder assembly in a matrix tool magazine;

[0025] Figure 4 for Figure 2 Enlarged diagram of section A in the middle;

[0026] Figure 5 for Figure 3 Enlarged diagram of section B in the middle;

[0027] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a horizontal drive mechanism in a matrix tool magazine;

[0028] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a sliding mechanism in a matrix tool magazine;

[0029] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Base; 2. Frame; 3. Tool holder assembly; 301. Connecting plate; 302. Tool holder body; 303. Groove; 304. Protrusion; 4. X-axis rail; 401. Guide rail; 5. Y-axis rail; 501. Rack; 6. Horizontal drive mechanism; 601. Servo motor; 602. Mounting plate; 603. Drive wheel; 604. Driven wheel; 605. First belt; 7. Robotic arm; 701. Drive motor; 702. Support plate; 703. Rotary arm; 704. Fixed seat; 705. Tool holder; 706. Support column; 707. First cylinder; 708. Second cylinder; 709. Third cylinder; 8. Pulley; 9. Connecting shaft; 10. Second belt; 11. Sliding mechanism; 1101. Roller; 1102. Slide; 1103. Through hole; 1104. Belt pressure plate; 12. Tool. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0031] In specific embodiment 1, such as Figures 1-7 As shown, a matrix tool magazine of this utility model includes a base 1, on which a vertically arranged frame 2 is mounted, which helps to reduce the footprint of the tool magazine, making it suitable for processing environments with limited space and effectively improving the space utilization of the factory. Several tool holder assemblies 3 for placing tools 12 are arranged on the inner wall of one side of the frame 2, and two X-axis tracks 4 are arranged parallel to each other on the inner wall of the other side of the frame 2. A Y-axis track 5 is slidably connected to the X-axis track 4, and a horizontal drive mechanism 6 for driving the Y-axis track 5 to slide is provided on one side of the X-axis track 4. A robotic arm 7 for gripping the tool 12 is mounted on the Y-axis track 5, and the robotic arm 7 is slidably connected to the Y-axis track 5. Through the arrangement of the X-axis track 4 and the Y-axis track 5, the robotic arm 7 can move quickly and accurately between the tool holder assemblies 3, significantly shortening the tool changing path and time, and improving the overall processing efficiency of the machine tool. The frame 2 provides stable support for the drive mechanism of the tool holder assemblies 3 and the robotic arm 7, and the two X-axis tracks 4 effectively reduce vibration and shaking during processing, ensuring the stability and reliability of tool storage and replacement.

[0032] like Figure 2 , 6 As shown, the horizontal drive mechanism 6 includes a servo motor 601. Pulleys 8 are provided at both ends of the X-axis track 4. A connecting shaft 9 is provided between the pulleys 8 at one end of the two X-axis tracks 4, and the connecting shaft 9 is fixedly connected to the pulleys 8. A mounting plate 602 is fixedly provided at the end of the lower X-axis track 4 near the connecting shaft 9. The servo motor 601 is located on the mounting plate 602. The output shaft of the servo motor 601 passes through the mounting plate 602 and extends below it. A drive wheel 603 is provided on the section of the output shaft below the mounting plate 602. A vertically downward rotating shaft is provided on the pulley 8 above the mounting plate 602, passing through the mounting plate 602 and extending below it. A driven wheel 604 is provided on the section of the rotating shaft below the mounting plate 602. A first belt 605 is sleeved on the outer wall of the drive wheel 603 and the driven wheel 604. A second belt 10 is sleeved on the outer wall of the pulleys 8 at both ends of the X-axis track 4. The synchronous rotation of the pulleys 8 at one end of the two X-axis tracks 4 is achieved by connecting shaft 9, and the drive wheel 603 is driven by servo motor 601, which in turn drives the driven wheel 604 through belt transmission, ensuring the synchronous movement of the Y-axis tracks 5 on the two X-axis tracks 4, significantly improving the stability and synchronicity of horizontal movement. By setting up mounting plate 602, the servo motor 601 and related transmission components are integrated on mounting plate 602, optimizing the spatial layout of the overall structure, making the overall structure of the tool magazine more compact, and further saving space. Compared with screw drive, belt drive has higher transmission efficiency and lower energy loss, and can effectively buffer the impact and vibration during the movement process, extending the service life of the equipment.

[0033] like Figure 2 , 7 As shown, a sliding mechanism 11 is fixedly installed on the side of the Y-axis track 5 near the X-axis track 4. The sliding mechanism 11 includes a roller 1101 and a slide plate 1102. A guide rail 401 adapted to the roller 1101 is provided on the X-axis track 4. The roller 1101 is fixedly installed on the slide plate 1102. Both ends of the slide plate 1102 are provided with through holes 1103 for the second belt 10 to pass through. A belt pressure plate 1104 for pressing the second belt 10 is provided on the slide plate 1102. Through the cooperative design of the roller 1101 and the guide rail 401, the traditional sliding friction is transformed into rolling friction, which greatly reduces friction, reduces energy loss, and increases speed. It is also easy to disassemble and replace, reducing the difficulty and cost of equipment maintenance and improving the maintainability and continuous operation capability of the equipment. The belt pressure plate 1104 prevents belt slippage, ensures the reliability of power transmission, and helps to improve the stability and accuracy of horizontal movement.

[0034] like Figure 2 , 4As shown, the robotic arm 7 includes a drive motor 701, with a gear on the output shaft of the drive motor 701 and a rack 501 adapted to the gear on the Y-axis track 5. The robotic arm 7 also includes a support plate 702, a rotating arm 703, a fixed base 704, and a tool holder 705 mounted on the fixed base 704. The rotating arm 703 is sleeved on the support column 706 of the support plate 702. A first cylinder 707 is provided on the rotating arm 703 for driving the rotating arm 703 to rotate. A second cylinder 708 is provided between the rotating arm 703 and the fixed base 704 for driving the fixed base 704 to slide in the horizontal direction. A third cylinder 709 is provided between the fixed base 704 and the tool holder 705 for driving the tool holder 705 to rotate, so that the tool holder 705 moves to the tool holder assembly 3 to grasp the tool 12. The robot arm 7 moves vertically along the Y-axis track 5 through the gear and rack transmission 501. Combined with the first cylinder 707, the second cylinder 708, and the third cylinder 709, the rotating arm 703 rotates, the fixed seat 704 translates, and the tool holder 705 rotates, allowing the tool holder 705 to rotate flexibly in three-dimensional space and accurately position any tool 12 of the tool holder assembly 3.

[0035] In a specific embodiment 2, such as Figure 3 , 5 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the tool holder assembly 3 in this embodiment includes a connecting plate 301 and a tool holder body 302. The connecting plate 301 is arranged in a "7" shape, and the tool holder body 302 is fixedly mounted on the vertical part of the "7" shape of the connecting plate 301. Several grooves 303 adapted to the outer wall surface of the tool 12 are provided on both sides of the tool holder body 302. Protrusions 304 abutting against the outer wall surface of the tool 12 are provided on the outer periphery of the grooves 303 on the tool holder body 302. The grooves 303 on both sides of the tool holder body 302 adapt to the outer wall of the tool 12, providing radial positioning; the protrusions 304 abut against the tool 12, effectively preventing the tool 12 from shaking and ensuring that the tool 12 is not easily loosened; the grooves 303 are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the tool holder body 302, allowing a single tool holder assembly 3 to store twice the number of tools 12, greatly increasing the storage capacity of the tools 12. The bottom of the connecting plate 301 is fixedly connected to the base 1, and the end of the horizontal part of the connecting plate 301 away from the vertical part is fixedly connected to the frame 2 to fix the connecting plate 301, reduce vibration during tool changing and improve stability.

[0036] During operation, the servo motor 601 is turned on, driving the drive wheel 603 to rotate. This drives the driven wheel 604 to rotate via the first belt 605, which in turn drives the corresponding pulley 8 to rotate via the rotating shaft. The connecting shaft 9 drives the upper pulley 8 to rotate, thereby causing the second belt 10 to rotate. With the belt pressure plate 1104 in place, the roller 1101 cooperates with the guide rail 401, thereby driving the Y-axis track 5 to slide along the length direction of the X-axis track 4. The drive motor 701 is turned on, and through the cooperation of the gear and rack 501, the robot arm 7 is driven to slide along the length direction of the Y-axis track 5. The first cylinder 707, the second cylinder 708, and the third cylinder 709 are turned on. The first cylinder 707 drives the rotating arm 703 to rotate along the support column 706, the second cylinder 708 drives the fixed base 704 to move horizontally, and the third cylinder 709 drives the tool holder 705 to rotate, thus accurately positioning the tool 12 at any position on the tool holder body 302.

[0037] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise specified and limited, it should be noted that the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to mechanical or electrical connections, or internal connections between two components, and can be direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0038] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely examples for clear illustration and are not intended to limit the implementation. For those skilled in the art, other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all implementation methods here, and any obvious variations or modifications derived therefrom are still within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A matrix tool magazine, characterized in that, The system includes a base (1), on which a vertically arranged frame (2) is provided. On the inner wall of one side of the frame (2), several tool holder assemblies (3) for placing the cutting tools (12) are provided. On the inner wall of the other side of the frame (2), two X-axis rails (4) are arranged in parallel. A Y-axis rail (5) is slidably connected to the X-axis rail (4). A horizontal drive mechanism (6) for driving the Y-axis rail (5) to slide is provided on one side of the X-axis rail (4). A robotic arm (7) for gripping the cutting tools (12) is provided on the Y-axis rail (5). The robotic arm (7) is slidably connected to the Y-axis rail (5).

2. A matrix tool magazine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The horizontal drive mechanism (6) includes a servo motor (601). Both ends of the X-axis track (4) are provided with pulleys (8). A connecting shaft (9) is provided between the pulleys (8) at one end of the two X-axis tracks (4). The connecting shaft (9) is fixedly connected to the pulleys (8). A mounting plate (602) is fixedly provided at one end of the lower X-axis track (4) near the connecting shaft (9). The servo motor (601) is located on the mounting plate (602). The output shaft of the servo motor (601) extends through the mounting plate (602) to below it. A drive wheel (603) is provided on the output shaft located below the mounting plate (602). A vertically downward rotating shaft is provided on the pulley (8) located above the mounting plate (602). The rotating shaft passes through the mounting plate (602) and extends to the bottom of the mounting plate (602). A driven wheel (604) is provided on the rotating shaft located below the mounting plate (602). A first belt (605) is sleeved on the outer wall of the drive wheel (603) and the driven wheel (604). A second belt (10) is sleeved on the outer wall of the pulleys (8) at both ends of the X-axis track (4).

3. A matrix tool magazine as described in claim 2, characterized in that, A sliding mechanism (11) is fixedly provided on the side of the Y-axis track (5) near the X-axis track (4). The sliding mechanism (11) includes a roller (1101) and a slide plate (1102). A guide rail (401) adapted to the roller (1101) is provided on the X-axis track (4). The roller (1101) is fixedly installed on the slide plate (1102). Both ends of the slide plate (1102) are provided with through holes (1103) for the second belt (10) to pass through. A belt pressure plate (1104) for pressing the second belt (10) is provided on the slide plate (1102).

4. A matrix tool magazine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The robotic arm (7) includes a drive motor (701), on the output shaft of which a gear is provided, and a rack (501) adapted to the gear is provided on the Y-axis track (5); the robotic arm (7) also includes a support plate (702), a rotating arm (703), a fixed base (704), and a tool holder (705) mounted on the fixed base (704). The rotating arm (703) is sleeved on the support column (706) of the support plate (702). A first cylinder (707) for driving the rotating arm (703) to rotate is provided on the arm (703). A second cylinder (708) for driving the fixed seat (704) to slide in the horizontal direction is provided between the rotating arm (703) and the fixed seat (704). A third cylinder (709) for driving the tool sleeve (705) to rotate is provided between the fixed seat (704) and the tool sleeve (705), so that the tool sleeve (705) moves to the tool holder assembly (3) to grab the tool (12).

5. A matrix tool magazine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The tool holder assembly (3) includes a connecting plate (301) and a tool holder body (302). The connecting plate (301) is arranged in a 7-shape. The tool holder body (302) is fixed on the vertical part of the 7-shape of the connecting plate (301). Both sides of the tool holder body (302) are provided with a number of grooves (303) that are adapted to the outer wall surface of the tool (12). The tool holder body (302) on the outer periphery of the grooves (303) is provided with protrusions (304) that abut against the outer wall surface of the tool (12).

6. A matrix tool magazine as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The bottom of the connecting plate (301) is fixedly connected to the base (1), and the end of the horizontal part of the connecting plate (301) away from the vertical part is fixedly connected to the frame (2).

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