An automatic tapping machine

Abstract

The utility model discloses an automatic tapping machine belongs to thread processing equipment technical field, including frame, control box, clamping unit, tapping unit and discharge unit, clamping unit adopts four station rotation structure, and four stations are placed position, waiting position, processing position, discharge position in turn along the circumference counterclockwise, realizes the loading and processing area isolation, tapping unit sets up correspondingly processing position, and completes tapping through the coordinated drive of feed motor and main shaft motor tap, and discharge unit realizes the automation of moving out and receiving workpiece after processing through the cooperation of electromagnet and cylinder. The utility model discloses through multistation parallel and automatic discharge, completely avoid manual approach processing area, and safety significantly improves, and simultaneously realizes the loading, processing, unloading synchronous operation, and every fixture can clamp two workpieces, and the processing efficiency is improved by more than 50%, and adapts the batch processing demand of thread plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of thread processing equipment technology, specifically an automatic tapping machine. Background Technology

[0002] In the thread processing stage of the automotive parts industry, automatic tapping machines are the core equipment for achieving automated thread production. Their processing efficiency and operational safety directly affect the production rhythm and personnel safety. In the past, most automatic tapping machines adopted a "single-station" design, that is, after the operator placed the workpiece to be processed (such as a threaded plate) at the processing station, the machine immediately started the tapping action.

[0003] This type of single-station tapping machine has the following significant drawbacks:

[0004] Poor safety: When manually placing workpieces, the hand needs to be close to the tap of the tapping unit, and there is no interval between the tapping action and the loading action. If the equipment is accidentally triggered or there is an operational error, it is very easy to cause safety accidents such as hand cuts and crushing.

[0005] Low efficiency: A single workstation can only realize the process of "loading-processing-unloading". The next workpiece cannot be prepared simultaneously during the processing, and the equipment has a lot of idle waiting time.

[0006] Low operational error tolerance: Since processing needs to be started immediately after loading, operators need to quickly complete the workpiece positioning and placement. They are prone to workpiece clamping deviation due to haste, which can lead to problems such as insufficient thread processing accuracy (e.g., thread deviation, incomplete tooth profile) or tap breakage.

[0007] High material handling risk: After processing is completed, manual material removal from the processing station still requires close proximity to the tap, and the material removal action is closely connected with the next round of material loading, further increasing the operational risk.

[0008] To address the aforementioned issues, there is an urgent need to design an automatic tapping machine that reduces the frequency of manual contact with the processing area while simultaneously improving safety and efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0009] In view of the problems existing in the prior art, this utility model provides an automatic tapping machine, which solves the defects of poor safety, low efficiency and low operation error tolerance of single-station tapping machines by setting a four-station rotating structure and an automatic discharge unit.

[0010] An automatic tapping machine, comprising:

[0011] The frame is used to support and mount other components;

[0012] The control box, installed at the bottom of the frame, has a built-in PLC control system used to control the operation of various components of the equipment;

[0013] The clamping unit is installed in the middle of the frame and is used to clamp the workpiece. The clamping unit includes four stations, which are distributed counterclockwise along the circumference: the front placement station, the right waiting station, the rear processing station, and the left discharge station.

[0014] The tapping unit is installed on the upper part of the frame and is set up corresponding to the processing position of the clamping unit. It is used to tap the workpiece on the clamping unit.

[0015] The unloading unit, located above and to the side of the unloading position, is used to remove the tapped workpiece and allow it to proceed to the next process.

[0016] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the clamping unit includes a rotary worktable, a stepper motor is installed below the rotary worktable, and the output end of the stepper motor is connected to the rotary worktable for driving the rotary worktable to rotate to switch work positions; each of the four work positions is provided with a fixture; the fixture is provided with two workpiece placement positions for simultaneously clamping two workpieces to be processed; the workpiece to be processed is a threaded plate, and a cylindrical boss is provided in the cavity of the threaded plate, and a bottom hole to be processed is opened along the axial direction at the center of the cylindrical boss.

[0017] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the fixture includes a fixture base, which is fixedly mounted on a rotary worktable. A side clamping block and a convex support platform are mounted on the top surface of the fixture base. A limiting hole is vertically formed at the center of the convex support platform. A threaded plate is placed on the convex support platform, and a cylindrical boss is fitted into the limiting hole. Four side clamping blocks are provided, symmetrically arranged in pairs on the front and rear sides of the convex support platform. Two threaded holes are vertically formed on each side clamping block, and clamping rods are threaded into the threaded holes. A circular plate is provided at the end of the clamping rod that contacts the threaded plate. The clamping rod and the side clamping blocks are used to limit the movement of both sides of the threaded plate.

[0018] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the longitudinal section of the threaded plate is a triangular structure with one end thicker than the other; the corresponding thick end of the clamping rod is installed in the threaded hole below the side clamping block, and the corresponding thin end is installed in the threaded hole above the side clamping block, so as to achieve a better limiting effect.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the tapping unit includes a feed motor and a spindle motor. The output end of the feed motor is connected to a lead screw drive, and the lead screw is threadedly engaged with a moving seat. The feed motor drives the moving seat to move up and down vertically through the lead screw. The spindle motor is fixedly mounted on the moving seat. A planetary reducer and a multi-spindle head are sequentially installed below the spindle motor, and a tap is mounted on the multi-spindle head. The output end of the spindle motor drives the multi-spindle head to rotate after being reduced in speed by the planetary reducer, thereby driving the tap on the multi-spindle head to rotate synchronously, thus realizing the tapping action.

[0020] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the discharge unit includes a sliding bracket fixedly installed on the rear side of the discharge position. A horizontally moving transverse cylinder is installed on the sliding bracket, and a vertically moving longitudinal cylinder is installed on the transverse cylinder. A rectangular frame is fixedly installed on the telescopic end of the longitudinal cylinder through a support. The rectangular frame is arranged parallel above the discharge position, and an electromagnet is provided below the rectangular frame corresponding to the discharge position. The electromagnet is used to pick up the tapped workpiece and move it out of the discharge position.

[0021] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, a discharge slide is fixedly installed on the frame on the left side of the discharge position. The discharge slide is inclined and is used to receive the workpiece released by the electromagnet, so that it slides down into the subsequent process.

[0022] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, a placement opening is provided on the frame on the front side of the placement position to facilitate workpiece placement.

[0023] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the bottom of the frame is provided with leveling feet, and there are four leveling feet in total, which are distributed at the four corners of the bottom of the frame.

[0024] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the front end of the frame is provided with a start button and a human-machine interface. The start button is electrically connected to the PLC control system in the control box. The human-machine interface is a touch screen and is communicatively connected to the PLC control system.

[0025] By adopting the above technical solution, this utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0026] 1. The four-station rotary design allows manual loading to be performed only at the placement position, which is physically isolated from the processing position. The loading, processing, and unloading actions can be performed in parallel without interference, completely avoiding the risk of hands coming into contact with the tap.

[0027] 2. The automated unloading unit uses electromagnets to pick up materials, eliminating the need for manual contact with the processed workpieces and further reducing operational risks;

[0028] 3. Each station operates independently, and loading and unloading can be completed simultaneously with tapping, with no idle waiting time for the equipment; and each fixture can clamp two threaded plates at the same time, doubling the processing efficiency in a single operation and adapting to the needs of mass production.

[0029] 4. The waiting position buffer allows operators to complete the precise positioning and clamping of the threaded plate without having to rush the loading, reducing processing defects caused by clamping deviations and improving thread processing accuracy by 30%.

[0030] 5. By adjusting the installation position and screwing depth of the clamping rod, the fixture can be adapted to threaded plates of different thicknesses and specifications or similar workpieces with positioning bosses, eliminating the need for frequent fixture changes and reducing changeover costs. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;

[0032] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the clamping unit structure of this utility model;

[0033] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the tapping unit structure of this utility model;

[0034] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the material discharge unit structure of this utility model;

[0035] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the threaded plate workpiece structure of this utility model;

[0036] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the internal cavity structure of the threaded plate workpiece of this utility model.

[0037] In the diagram: 1. Control box; 2. Frame; 3. Clamping unit; 31. Rotary worktable; 32. Fixture base; 33. Side clamping block; 34. Clamping rod; 35. Convex support platform; 36. Limiting hole; 4. Tapping unit; 41. Feed motor; 42. Moving seat; 43. Spindle motor; 44. Planetary reducer; 45. Multi-spindle head; 46. Tap; 5. Discharge unit; 51. Sliding bracket; 52. Horizontal cylinder; 53. Longitudinal cylinder; 54. Support; 55. Rectangular frame; 56. Electromagnet; 57. Discharge slide; 6. Threaded plate; 7. Bottom hole; 8. Columnar boss. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments.

[0039] Example 1

[0040] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, a specific embodiment of the automatic tapping machine of this utility model includes:

[0041] Rack 2:

[0042] The frame 2 is the basic support structure of the equipment, used to stably install all components such as the control box 1, clamping unit 3, and tapping unit 4; the four corners of the bottom of the frame 2 are equipped with leveling feet, which adopt a threaded adjustment structure. The height can be adjusted by rotation to achieve the horizontal calibration of the frame 2, avoid processing deviation caused by the tilt of the frame 2, and ensure the thread processing accuracy.

[0043] Control box 1:

[0044] The control box 1 is installed at the lower part of the frame 2 and has a built-in PLC control system. It is used to coordinate and control the station switching of the clamping unit 3, the tapping action of the tapping unit 4, and the material picking and feeding action of the material discharging unit 5. It also receives signal commands from the start button and the human-machine interface. The front end of the frame 2 is equipped with a start button (used to trigger the start and stop of the equipment) and a touch screen human-machine interface (used to set processing parameters, such as tapping depth, spindle speed, and feed rate, and to display the equipment operating status and fault alarm information). The control box 1 uses an existing product, and its principle and structure will not be described in detail. For example, the product is Siemens S7-200 SMART. Other products that can achieve the purpose of the solution can also be used, and there are no restrictions here.

[0045] Clamping unit 3:

[0046] Clamping unit 3 is installed in the middle of frame 2 for precisely clamping the threaded plate 6 workpiece to be processed. Its core design is a "four-station rotary structure", which specifically includes:

[0047] Rotary worktable 31: The rotary worktable 31 is set horizontally, and a stepper motor (not shown in the figure) is installed below it. The output end of the stepper motor is connected to the rotary worktable 31 for transmission, which can drive the rotary worktable 31 to rotate counterclockwise in the circumferential direction to realize the work station switching.

[0048] Four-station layout: The four stations are equidistantly distributed along the circumference of the rotary worktable 31, and in counterclockwise order, they are the front placement station, the right waiting station, the rear processing station, and the left unloading station.

[0049] Fixture Structure: Each station is equipped with a fixture, which has two workpiece placement positions and can simultaneously clamp two threaded plates 6, improving the efficiency of single processing; the fixture includes a fixture base 32 fixed on the rotary table 31, and a side clamping block 33 and a convex support platform 35 are installed on the top surface of the fixture base 32. The specific structures of the side clamping block 33 and the convex support platform 35 are as follows:

[0050] A convex support platform 35 has a limiting hole 36 at its center along the vertical direction; a cylindrical boss 8 is provided in the cavity of the threaded plate 6 to be processed, and a bottom hole 7 to be processed is provided at the center of the cylindrical boss 8 along the vertical axis. When placed, the threaded plate 6 is placed on the convex support platform 35, and the cylindrical boss 8 is fitted into the limiting hole 36 to achieve preliminary positioning.

[0051] There are four side clamping blocks 33, which are symmetrically distributed in pairs along both sides of the convex support platform 35. Two pre-set threaded holes are opened on the side clamping blocks 33 in the vertical direction. Clamping rods 34 are threadedly connected in the holes. The end of the clamping rods 34 that contacts the threaded plate 6 is provided with a circular plate. The longitudinal section of the threaded plate 6 is a triangular structure with one end thick and the other end thin. The clamping rods 34 are installed in the threaded hole below the side clamping block 33 corresponding to the thick end of the threaded plate 6, and installed in the threaded hole above the thin end. Different sizes of threaded plates 6 can be used by adjusting the screw depth of the clamping rods 34.

[0052] Tapping Unit 4:

[0053] The tapping unit 4 is installed on the upper part of the frame 2, corresponding to the machining position of the clamping unit 3, and is used to perform internal thread machining on the bottom hole 7 of the thread plate 6 at the machining position, specifically including:

[0054] Feed drive structure: The output end of the feed motor 41 is connected to the lead screw (not shown in the figure). The lead screw is threadedly engaged with the moving seat 42. The feed motor 41 drives the moving seat 42 to move up and down in the vertical direction through the lead screw, so as to realize the feeding and retraction of the tap 46. Retractable protective covers are installed at the upper and lower ends of the moving seat 42 to prevent foreign objects from flying into the transmission part.

[0055] Rotary tapping structure: The spindle motor 43 is fixed on the movable seat 42, and the planetary reducer 44 and the multi-spindle head 45 are installed below it in sequence. Two taps 46 are mounted on the multi-spindle head 45 (two workpiece placement positions for the fixture); the output end of the spindle motor 43 drives the multi-spindle head 45 to rotate after being reduced by the planetary reducer 44, which drives the taps 46 to rotate synchronously. In conjunction with the vertical movement of the movable seat 42, the tapping action is completed on the bottom hole 7 of the thread plate 6.

[0056] Discharge Unit 5:

[0057] The discharge unit 5 is located above and to the side of the discharge position to automatically remove the processed threaded plate 6, avoiding manual contact with the processing area. Specifically, it includes:

[0058] The moving drive structure is as follows: the sliding bracket 51 is fixed to the rear side of the discharge position, and the horizontal cylinder 52 is slidably mounted on the bracket. The horizontal cylinder 52 can move in the horizontal direction. The horizontal cylinder 52 is connected to the vertical cylinder 53 through the mounting base. The vertical cylinder 53 can extend and retract in the vertical direction.

[0059] Material handling structure: The longitudinal cylinder 53 telescopic end is fixedly installed with a rectangular frame 55 through a support 54. The rectangular frame 55 is parallel to the top of the discharge position. Two electromagnets 56 are provided below the rectangular frame 55 corresponding to the two workpiece placement positions.

[0060] Receiving structure: An inclined discharge slide 57 is fixedly installed on the frame 2 on the left side of the discharge position. The high end of the slide corresponds to the material drop position of the electromagnet 56, and the low end faces the subsequent process. It is used to receive the threaded plate 6 released by the electromagnet 56 and let it slide down along the slide.

[0061] The working principle of this utility model:

[0062] Workpiece placement:

[0063] The operator places the threaded plate 6 to be processed into the fixture in the placement position, and completes the positioning and limiting through the limiting hole 36 and the clamping rod 34 (the clamping rod 34 does not need to be rotated and tightened, it only plays the role of limiting and slightly clamping, and the standard is that it can be placed by hand and attracted by electromagnet). The operator does not need to approach the processing position.

[0064] When the start button is pressed, the PLC control system triggers the following actions:

[0065] Station switching: The stepper motor drives the rotary table 31 to rotate counterclockwise by one station. The threaded plate 6 in the original waiting position is rotated to the processing position, the threaded plate 6 in the original placement position is rotated to the waiting position, and the threaded plate 6 in the original processing position is rotated to the discharge position.

[0066] This then triggers the following synchronization actions:

[0067] Tapping unit 4: The feed motor 41 drives the moving seat 42 to move the tap 46 downward, and the spindle motor 43 drives the tap 46 to rotate to tap the bottom hole 7 of the thread plate 6 on the machining position.

[0068] Discharge unit 5: The longitudinal cylinder 53 drives the rectangular frame 55 to move down, and the electromagnet 56 is energized to pick up the processed threaded plate 6 at the discharge position; then the longitudinal cylinder 53 rises and the transverse cylinder 52 moves horizontally, sending the threaded plate 6 to the top of the discharge slide 57. The electromagnet 56 is de-energized, and the threaded plate 6 falls into the slide to enter the subsequent process.

[0069] Loop operation:

[0070] The operator places the next batch of threaded plates 6 to be processed in the new placement position, presses the start button again, and repeats the above steps to achieve continuous cyclic processing.

[0071] All components mentioned in this article are general standard parts or components known to those skilled in the art. Their structures and principles can be learned by those skilled in the art through technical manuals or conventional experimental methods, so they will not be described in detail here.

[0072] While the specific embodiments of this utility model have been described in detail above, this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of this utility model. Modifications or variations that do not involve creative labor are still within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. An automatic tapping machine, characterized in that, include: The frame (2) is used to support the installation of other components; The control box (1) is installed at the bottom of the frame (2) and has a built-in PLC control system for controlling the operation of each component of the equipment. The clamping unit (3) is installed in the middle of the frame (2) and is used to clamp the workpiece. The clamping unit (3) includes four stations, which are distributed counterclockwise along the circumference: the front placement station, the right waiting station, the rear processing station, and the left discharge station. The tapping unit (4) is installed on the upper part of the frame (2) and is set at the processing position of the clamping unit (3) for tapping the workpiece on the clamping unit (3); The discharge unit (5) is located above and to the side of the discharge position and is used to remove the tapped workpiece and put it into the subsequent process.

2. The automatic tapping machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clamping unit (3) includes a rotary table (31), a stepper motor is installed below the rotary table (31), the output end of the stepper motor is connected to the rotary table (31) for driving the rotary table (31) to rotate to switch the work position; each of the four work positions is provided with a fixture; the fixture is provided with two workpiece placement positions for clamping two workpieces to be processed at the same time; the workpiece to be processed is a threaded plate (6), the cavity of the threaded plate (6) is provided with a cylindrical boss (8), and the center of the cylindrical boss (8) is provided with a bottom hole (7) to be processed along the axial direction.

3. An automatic tapping machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The fixture includes a fixture base (32), which is fixedly mounted on a rotary table (31). The top surface of the fixture base (32) is equipped with side clamping blocks (33) and a convex support platform (35). A limiting hole (36) is vertically opened at the center of the convex support platform (35). A threaded plate (6) is placed on the convex support platform (35), and a cylindrical boss (8) is fitted into the limiting hole (36). The side clamping blocks (33) are four in number and are symmetrically arranged on the front and rear sides of the convex support platform (35). Two threaded holes are vertically opened on the side clamping blocks (33), and clamping rods (34) are threadedly connected in the threaded holes. A circular plate is provided at the end of the clamping rod (34) that contacts the threaded plate (6). The clamping rods (34) and the side clamping blocks (33) are used to limit the two sides of the threaded plate (6).

4. An automatic tapping machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: The longitudinal section of the threaded plate (6) is a triangular structure with one end thick and the other end thin; the corresponding thick end of the clamping rod (34) is installed in the threaded hole below the side clamping block (33), and the corresponding thin end is installed in the threaded hole above the side clamping block (33), so as to achieve a better limiting effect.

5. An automatic tapping machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tapping unit (4) includes a feed motor (41) and a spindle motor (43). The output end of the feed motor (41) is connected to the lead screw, and the lead screw is threadedly engaged with the moving seat (42). The feed motor (41) drives the moving seat (42) to move up and down in the vertical direction through the lead screw. The spindle motor (43) is fixedly mounted on the moving seat (42). A planetary reducer (44) and a multi-spindle head (45) are installed below the spindle motor (43) in sequence. A tap (46) is mounted on the multi-spindle head (45). The output end of the spindle motor (43) drives the multi-spindle head (45) to rotate after being reduced by the planetary reducer (44), thereby driving the tap (46) on the multi-spindle head (45) to rotate synchronously, thus realizing the tapping action.

6. An automatic tapping machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The discharge unit (5) includes a sliding bracket (51) fixedly installed on the rear side of the discharge position. A horizontal cylinder (52) for horizontal movement is installed on the sliding bracket (51). A vertical cylinder (53) for vertical movement is installed on the horizontal cylinder (52). A rectangular frame (55) is fixedly installed on the telescopic end of the vertical cylinder (53) through a support (54). The rectangular frame (55) is arranged parallel above the discharge position. An electromagnet (56) is provided below the rectangular frame (55) corresponding to the discharge position. The electromagnet (56) is used to pick up the tapped workpiece and move it out of the discharge position.

7. An automatic tapping machine according to claim 6, characterized in that: A discharge slide (57) is fixedly installed on the frame (2) on the left side of the discharge position. The discharge slide (57) is inclined and is used to receive the workpiece released by the electromagnet (56) so that it slides into the subsequent process.

8. An automatic tapping machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The frame (2) on the front side of the placement position has a placement opening, which facilitates the placement of workpieces.

9. An automatic tapping machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the frame (2) is provided with leveling feet. There are four leveling feet in total, which are distributed at the four corners of the bottom of the frame (2).

10. An automatic tapping machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The front end of the frame (2) is equipped with a start button and a human-machine interface. The start button is electrically connected to the PLC control system in the control box (1). The human-machine interface is a touch screen and is communicatively connected to the PLC control system.

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