Measuring system for contact and non-contact measurement on stationary and rotating tools

Abstract

Measuring system (10) for contact and non-contact measurement on stationary and rotating, chip-removing or material-removing tools in a machine tool, with - a light barrier arrangement (12) for determining the position or the longest cutting edge of a rotating tool in the machine tool, wherein the light barrier arrangement (12) has a light transmitter part (16) and a light receiver part (18), each of which is assigned to a leg (22, 24) of a substantially U-shaped support structure (26) of the measuring system arrangement, wherein the light transmitter part (16) is configured to send a light beam (28) to the light receiver part (18); - a multidirectional probe arrangement (14) for push and / or pull measurement on a stationary tool in the direction of a Z-axis and an X- and / or Y-axis, wherein the multidirectional probe arrangement (14) is associated with and arranged on one of the legs (22, 24) of the U-shaped support structure (26), wherein the multidirectional probe arrangement (14) comprises a stylus (14c) that acts on a sensor configured to convert movements of the stylus (14c) in the direction of the Z-axis and the X- and / or Y-axis into measurement signals; and - a signal electronics circuit (32) for signal shaping and signal transmission to a machine control of the machine tool, wherein the signal electronics circuit (32) is assigned to the measuring system and is configured to receive measurement signals from the light barrier arrangement (12) and from the sensor and to transmit them to the machine control in a common signal transmission medium (34).

Description

background

[0001] The following describes a measuring system for contact and non-contact measurement of stationary and rotating tools in a machine tool. Such measuring systems are suitable for machining operations involving chip removal or material removal (e.g., milling, turning, grinding, planing, drilling, countersinking, reaming, EDM, and the like), including in combined lathe / milling machines or milling / turning machines with stationary and rotating tools.

[0002] To determine the position or the longest cutting edge of a rotating tool in machine tools, a light barrier, and in particular a laser light barrier, can be used. One approach is to position the rotating tool within a (laser light) measuring beam such that the beam's path is interrupted by the tool. The measuring beam is interrupted when it is completely blocked by the tool or when a quantity of light energy is transmitted that falls below a predetermined threshold. The tool is then moved away from the measuring beam at a selected, ideally constant, speed. This movement continues until the tool reaches a position where the beam's path is no longer interrupted by the tool, i.e., the tool is separated from the measuring beam.

[0003] For pushing or pulling measurements along a central axis Z, as well as for pushing or pulling measurements along the X and / or Y axes on a stationary tool (for example, a cutting insert), a probe can be used. This probe has an annular support bearing in a housing, defining a bearing plane (spanned along the X and Y axes) and the probe's central axis Z, which is normal to this plane. A support body can have an annular counter-bearing that defines a longitudinal axis of the support body. A spring can be clamped between the housing and the support body, tending to hold the latter in a rest position where the longitudinal axis of the support body coincides with the central axis Z of the probe. A stylus receptacle can be centrally located on the support body to accommodate a stylus. A straight bending rod, which is straight when the support body is at rest, can serve as a transmission element.One end of the bending rod is attached to the stylus receptacle. A section adjacent to the other end is guided along the central axis to convert deflections of the support structure from its rest position into linear movements. A sensor converts these movements of the transmission element into measurement signals. The counter bearing can rest against the support bearing in the rest position. The transmission element can be attached to a point on the support structure that, viewed from the sensor, lies beyond the bearing plane. State of the art

[0004] When a (programmable) control system for machine tools requires measurements on both rotating and stationary tools, it is known that companies like Renishaw plc offer uncalibrated probes or light barriers. These probes and light barriers are then individually and very laboriously aligned with the respective X, Y, Z axes of the machine tool during assembly, and their signal lines are connected to the control system. This requires increased wiring, space for the separate signal lines in the machining area of ​​the machine tool, and a corresponding number of signal inputs on the programmable machine tool control. The accuracy of such in-field adjustment is generally limited and usually insufficient for the production of precision parts.If the axis / plane adjustment of these measuring probes and light barriers should change during operation of the machine tool, this can only be rectified with considerable effort and by experienced personnel.

[0005] German patent DE 196 31 306 A1 describes a laser light barrier system with a base housing onto which two block housings are screwed at right angles. The two block housings represent a laser beam transmitter and a laser beam receiver. The laser beam is used to adjust the length of a face milling head. To prevent the face milling head from striking the base housing, a stop bar is also described, which is clamped between the block housings. If the face milling head contacts the stop bar, the machine is immediately stopped.

[0006] DE 198 40 801 A1 describes a tool grinding machine in which a measuring device is provided for monitoring the process. This device enables both the precise detection of edges and the measurement of surfaces and recesses. An automatic control measurement allows the connected control unit to automatically adjust the process parameters for the grinding operation, so that dimensional changes due to temperature drift, mechanical inaccuracies of the grinding machine's mechanics, or grinding wheel wear can be automatically compensated for. Task

[0007] Based on this state of the art, the problem is to specify an easy-to-assemble arrangement of a measuring system for contact and non-contact measurement on stationary and rotating, chip-removing or material-removing tools in a machine tool. Solution

[0008] The measuring system specified in claim 1 serves as the solution to this problem.

[0009] This is in particular a measuring system for contact and non-contact measurement on stationary and rotating, chip-removing or material-removing tools in a machine tool.The measuring system can be equipped with a light barrier arrangement for determining the position or the longest cutting edge of a rotating tool in the machine tool and with at least one multidirectional measuring probe arrangement for pushing and / or pulling measurement on a stationary tool in the direction of the Z-axis and an X- and / or Y-axis, and with a signal electronics circuit for signal shaping and signal transmission to a machine control of the machine tool, wherein the signal electronics circuit is assigned to the measuring system and is configured to receive measurement signals from the light barrier arrangement and from a sensor of the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement and to transmit them in a common signal line to the machine control.

[0010] This arrangement has the advantage that, in a combined configuration of a contact and non-contact measuring device (a multidirectional probe arrangement and a light barrier arrangement), the respective sensors deliver their measurement signals to a common signal electronics circuit, functionally and spatially assigned to the measuring system. In this circuit, the measurement signals are adapted / shaped for input into the machine tool's control system. This reduces both the complexity of the signal electronics circuitry and the amount of cabling required within the machine tool from the measuring system to the machine tool's control system. Furthermore, it reduces the number of required inputs / outputs for the machine control system.

[0011] The common signal transmission medium can be either a common wired signal transmission line or a common wireless signal transmission link to transmit measurement signals from the light barrier arrangement and the multidirectional probe arrangement to the machine control. The common wireless signal transmission link from the measuring system to the machine tool's control can be either a radio signal link or an optical or (ultra)sonic link, used to transmit the measurement signals from the light barrier arrangement and the multidirectional probe arrangement to the machine control.

[0012] The light barrier assembly has a light transmitter and a light receiver, each assigned to one leg of a substantially U-shaped support structure of the measuring system assembly. The multidirectional measuring probe assembly is assigned to one of the legs of the U-shaped support structure.

[0013] In the case of a shared wired signal transmission line, this can be routed from the connecting bridge of the U-shaped support structure or one of its legs downwards or laterally into the machine bed to the machine control unit in a cable routing that is not visible from the outside. This provides a very well-protected cable exit from the measuring system to the machine control unit of the machine tool.

[0014] The light barrier assembly and the multidirectional probe assembly are thus combined into a single, easily manageable measuring system. Both the light barrier assembly and the multidirectional probe assembly can be factory-aligned relative to two reference surfaces or a reference line of the measuring system assembly. This further reduces the assembly and commissioning time for the machine tool manufacturer.

[0015] Furthermore, the light barrier arrangement and / or the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement can be readjusted relative to the two reference surfaces or to the reference line in the state of the measuring system arrangement installed in the machine tool by means of an adjustment device assigned to the measuring system arrangement.

[0016] The adjustment device associated with the measuring system arrangement can be arranged between the light transmitter part or the light receiver part and the respective leg of the support structure, and / or the adjustment device associated with the measuring system arrangement can be arranged between the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement and the respective leg or the connecting bridge of the support structure.

[0017] The adjustment device associated with the measuring system arrangement can have at least one spherical cap or spherical segment, which can be received in a counter-shaped recess and fixed by means of several fastening devices. The fastening devices can be tension and / or compression screws that act on the spherical cap / spherical segment and fix it in a respective position in which the light barrier arrangement or the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement, in the state of the measuring system arrangement installed in the machine tool, is adjusted relative to the two reference surfaces or to the reference line by means of one or both adjustment devices.

[0018] Furthermore, the adjusting device associated with the measuring system arrangement can have at least one solid-body joint which can be adjusted / fixed by several adjusting / fastening devices in order to adjust the light barrier arrangement and the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement relative to the two reference surfaces or to the reference line of the measuring system arrangement.

[0019] The measuring system arrangement can include at least one detachable adapter component that incorporates a functional part of the light transmitter or light receiver, and / or at least a part of the adjustment device, and / or an electrical / mechanical interface, and / or a fluid blowing device. The electrical / mechanical interface can be located between the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement, the light transmitter or light receiver, on the one hand, and the signal electronics circuit, or between the signal electronics circuit and the machine tool control system.

[0020] The multidirectional probe arrangement can carry a stylus at the free end of a stylus that detects the movement of a tool. The stylus can have a truncated pyramidal shape, with its central contour line aligned with the coaxial extension of the stylus, and its side surfaces inclined at an angle to the contour line. The angle of the side surfaces to the contour line can be dimensioned such that any deflection of the stylus and / or any switching dead travel of the multidirectional probe arrangement are compensated for to such an extent that, at the switching moment, a side surface of the stylus element contacted by a tool is oriented perpendicular to the probing direction of the tool.

[0021] Furthermore, a pneumatic control and supply unit can be provided to supply pressurized fluid – for example, purified compressed air from a compressed air source at approximately 2 to 10 bar – from the fluid blowing device to a measuring point on the stylus element and / or in the area of ​​the measuring beam for cleaning a tool to be measured and for cleaning the stylus surface of the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement, and / or to actuate a protective / closing device on the light transmitter part and / or the light receiver part of the light barrier arrangement, and / or to supply an air barrier.

[0022] The pneumatic control and supply unit can have a first electromagnetically actuated switching valve to supply the air barrier. This valve is controlled by the machine control system and receives electrical actuation signals. The first electromagnetically actuated switching valve supplies compressed air to one or more sealing air outlets. This switching valve can have a spring-loaded open position, in which the sealing air outlets are supplied with compressed air, and an electromagnetically actuated closed position, in which no compressed air reaches the sealing air outlets at the light transmitter or light receiver of the photoelectric sensor assembly.

[0023] Furthermore, the pneumatic control and supply unit for actuating the protective / closing device can have a second electromagnetically actuated switching valve, which is supplied with actuation signals by the machine control. This switching valve can supply compressed air to one or more protective / closing devices in a controlled manner. These devices can then actuate sliding locking slides in the openings of the measuring beam.The second electromagnetically actuated switching valve can have a spring-loaded locking position in which no compressed air reaches the protective / closing devices, so that the passage openings of the measuring beam are sealed off, and an electromagnetically actuated passage position in which the protective / closing devices are supplied with compressed air, so that the protective / closing devices on the light transmitter part or the light receiver part of the light barrier arrangement are open and the measuring beam can enter / exit through its passage openings.

[0024] Furthermore, the pneumatic control and supply unit for actuating the fluid blowing device can have a third electromagnetically actuated switching valve, which is supplied with actuation signals by the machine control system. This switching valve can have a spring-loaded closed position, in which no compressed air is supplied to the fluid blowing device to clean a tool brought into its operating range, as well as an electromagnetically actuated open position, in which the fluid blowing device is supplied with compressed air so that it can clean a tool brought into its operating range.

[0025] The pneumatic control and supply unit can have one compressed air inlet and several compressed air outlets. One outlet can have a pressure reducing stage upstream or downstream to supply fluid at a lower pressure to the fluid blowing device for cleaning a tool under measurement and / or to the air seal. The other outlet supplies fluid at a higher pressure to the protective / closing device on the light transmitter and / or the light receiver. A check valve can be provided between the outlet of the pneumatic control and supply unit and the fluid blowing device, positioned as close as possible to the fluid blowing device.

[0026] Further features, properties, advantages and possible modifications of this measuring system are clarified by reference to the following description, which includes the attached drawings. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 shows a measuring system in a schematic side perspective view. Fig. Figures 2a - 2j show variants of the measuring system, each in schematic side perspective views, where the Fig. Figures 2a - 2d show the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement attached to the light barrier arrangement by means of an additional adaptation component, which Fig. Figures 2e - 2g show the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement being attached to the light barrier arrangement by means of a specially designed component of the light barrier arrangement (here the receiver cover), and the Fig. Figures 2h - 2j show the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement attached directly to the light barrier arrangement (here by means of a drilling contour for the probe interface directly into the light barrier arrangement). Fig. Figures 3a - 3d show a variant for adjusting the light barrier arrangement and the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement relative to reference surfaces or to a reference line, wherein Fig. 3a shows this variant of the measuring system in a schematic lateral perspective view, Fig. Figure 3b shows a schematic side view of a light receiver unit, Fig. 3c an enlarged schematic side sectional view of the light receiver unit Fig. 3b shows, and Fig. 3D: An enlarged schematic side partial sectional view of the light receiver unit. Fig. 3b shows. Fig. Figures 4a - 4d show another variant for adjusting the light barrier arrangement and the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement relative to reference surfaces or to a reference line, wherein Fig. 4a shows this variant of an adjustment device in a schematic side perspective view, Fig. 4b a schematic side view of the adjustment device Fig. 4a shows, Fig. 4c a schematic side sectional view of the adjustment device made of Fig. 4a shows, and Fig. 4d another schematic side partial sectional view of the adjustment device Fig. 4a shows. Fig. Figures 5a - 5d show another variant for adjusting the light barrier arrangement and the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement relative to reference surfaces or to a reference line, wherein Fig. 5a shows this variant of an adjustment device in a schematic side perspective view, Fig. 5b a schematic side view of the adjustment device Fig. 5a shows, Fig. 5c a schematic lateral sectional view of the adjustment device Fig. 5a shows, and Fig. 5d another schematic side partial sectional view of the adjustment device Fig. 5a shows. Fig. 6a, Fig. Figure 6b shows a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement, which has a probe element with a pyramidal or conical (truncated) shape on a stylus, wherein Fig. 6a the multidirectional probe arrangement in rest position and Fig. Figure 6b shows the multidirectional probe arrangement in the switched position. Fig. Figure 7 shows a pneumatic circuit diagram of a pneumatic control and supply unit. Detailed description of the measuring system

[0027] Fig. Figure 1 shows a measuring system for contact and non-contact measurement of stationary and rotating tools in a machine tool. The machine tool could be, for example, a mill-turn machine or a turn-mill machine, in which both chip-removing and material-removing tools are clamped. Stationary tools include, for example, indexable inserts, and rotating tools include, for example, drills or milling cutters.

[0028] To measure both types of tools with high precision (for example, about 1 µm or higher), the measuring system 10 is equipped with a light barrier arrangement 12 for determining the position or the longest cutting edge of a (not shown) rotating tool in the machine tool and with one (or more) multidirectional measuring probe arrangement 14 for pushing and / or pulling measurement on a (not shown) stationary tool in the direction of a Z and an X and / or Y axis.

[0029] The light barrier arrangement 12 is divided in the measuring system into a light transmitter part 16 and a light receiver part 18, each of which is assigned to a leg 22, 24 of an essentially U-shaped support structure 26 of the measuring system arrangement 10. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the light transmitter part 16 and the light receiver part 18 are located in separate housings 16a, 18a at the free ends of the legs 22, 24. The light transmitter part 16 and the light receiver part 18 face each other and each has a passage opening 16b, 18b for a light beam 28, which in this example is a laser beam. The U-shaped support structure 26 of the measuring system arrangement 10 is assembled from several cuboid sections.

[0030] To determine the position or the longest cutting edge of a rotating tool in the machine tool, the rotating tool is positioned in the laser light measuring beam of the light barrier arrangement 12 such that the beam path is interrupted by the tool. The tool is then moved away from the measuring beam at a speed that is as constant as possible. This movement moves the tool to a position where the measuring beam is no longer interrupted by the tool. Alternatively, the measurement can also be performed by pushing; in this case, the rotating tool is located outside the measuring beam and generates a measurement signal as soon as the measuring beam is blocked.

[0031] The housing 18a of the light receiver part 18 has a housing cover 18c on the side facing away from the passage opening 18b, which is fastened with four screws and on which the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement 14 is arranged, so that the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement is arranged on the leg 24 of the U-shaped support structure 26.

[0032] This is the in Fig. The system shown is implemented without an adjustment device; this is possible with high manufacturing / assembly accuracy. Alternatively, the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement can be positioned, for example, on the leg 24 of the U-shaped support structure 26 using an adjustment device 30.

[0033] The multidirectional probe arrangement 14 is used for pushing or pulling measurements in the direction of a central axis Z, as well as for pushing or pulling measurements in the direction of the X and / or Y axis on a stationary tool. In this arrangement, a stylus receptacle 14b for a stylus 14c projects centrally from its housing 14a. The stylus 14c acts on a sensor located in the housing 14a, which converts movements of the stylus 14c into measurement signals.

[0034] Inside the housing 18a of the light receiver part 18, a signal electronics circuit 32 is housed for signal shaping and signal transmission to a machine control system of the machine tool. The signal electronics circuit 32 serves to receive measurement signals from both the light barrier arrangement 12 and the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement 14 and to forward them to the machine control system (not shown further).

[0035] In the integrated measuring system arrangement 10, measurement signals from the contact measuring device 14 and the non-contact measuring device 12 are supplied to the common signal electronics circuit 32 assigned to the measuring system 10, which processes the measurement signals for the machine control. In the present measuring system 10, a common wired signal transmission line 34 is provided as the common signal transmission medium for measurement signals coming from the non-contact measuring device and for measurement signals coming from the contact measuring device.

[0036] The light barrier arrangement 12 and the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement 14 are combined into a single, manageable measuring system arrangement such that both arrangements 12 and 14 are factory-aligned relative to two reference surfaces or a reference line of the measuring system arrangement. In the measuring system arrangement 10 shown, the U-shaped support structure 26 for the contact measuring device 14 and for the non-contact measuring device 12 is a hollow profile with a substantially square or rectangular cross-section. The two reference surfaces in this case are two adjacent outer surfaces (for example, the underside 26a of the support structure 26, with which it rests on the machine table, and a side surface 26b adjoining it at a right angle). The common edge of the underside and the side surface would also be the reference line of the measuring system arrangement.

[0037] Variants of how the light barrier arrangement 12 and the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement 14 can be arranged relative to each other – or next to each other – in the measuring system 10 are described in the Fig. 2a - 2j illustrated.

[0038] In the Fig. Figures 3a - 3d illustrate how the light barrier arrangement 12 - more precisely its light transmitter 16 and / or light receiver 18 - and the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement 14 can be readjusted in the state of the measuring system arrangement 10 installed in the machine tool relative to the two reference surfaces or to the reference line by means of an adjustment device assigned to the measuring system arrangement.

[0039] In the measuring system arrangement 10, an adjustment device is arranged between the light transmitter part 16 or the light receiver part 18 and the respective leg of the support structure 26, each housed under the housings 16a, 18a, which functionally corresponds to the adjustment device 30 arranged between the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement 14 and the leg 24 of the support structure 26.

[0040] The adjustment device 30 couples the multidirectional probe arrangement 14 to the support structure 26. The adjustment device 30 is formed by two parts that can be rotated and pivoted relative to one another. For this purpose, it has a spherical cap 52 integrally formed at the end of a substantially hollow cylindrical adapter 50. The multidirectional probe arrangement 14 is received in the adapter 50. The spherical cap 52 is received in a correspondingly shaped spherical recess 54 at the base of a hollow cylindrical bore 56 in a support body 58. The inner diameter of the hollow cylindrical bore 56 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the adapter 50. Four tension / compression screws 56a - 56d (each spaced 90 degrees apart) are distributed along the circumference of the spherical recess 54, each engaging through the support body 58 into a corresponding threaded hole along the outer diameter of the spherical cap 52 in the adapter 50.

[0041] The four tension screws 56a–56d pull on the adapter 50 and, via the spherical cap 52, fix the adapter 50 and the multidirectional probe assembly 14 housed within it in a desired position / orientation. The difference in diameter between the inner diameter of the hollow cylindrical bore 56 in the support body 58 and the outer diameter of the adapter 50 determines the maximum tilting / swiveling range of the adapter 50 and, consequently, of the multidirectional probe assembly 14 housed within it, relative to the support body 58. The spherical cap 52 is surrounded at the base of the hollow cylindrical bore 56 by a sealing ring 52a.

[0042] On the side of the adapter 50 facing away from the spherical cap 52, it has a circular stepped receiving opening 60 for the multidirectional measuring probe assembly 14. This receiving opening 60 has a flat clamping surface 62 at its base, against which the base 14f of the multidirectional measuring probe assembly 14 is pressed by means of a threaded ring 64 via an internal thread 66 in the hollow cylindrical adapter 50. Two set screws 68', 68" are received in bores in the support body 58 transversely to the four tension / compression screws 56a - 56d (see Fig. 3d). The two grub screws 68', 68" act on lateral shoulders 72', 72" on the adapter 50 to fix the rotational position of the multidirectional probe arrangement 14 in the adapter 50.

[0043] A structurally comparable arrangement of an adjustment device 30 is provided in the light transmitter or light receiver part of the light barrier arrangement 12.

[0044] The multidirectional measuring probe arrangement can be adjusted relative to the two reference surfaces 26a, 26b or to the reference line in the state of the measuring system arrangement 10 installed in the machine tool via the four tension / compression screws 56a - 56d and the two set screws 68', 68".

[0045] Instead of the spherical cap 52 / spherical bowl-shaped depression 54 from the Fig. 3 is in the Fig. Figures 4a-4d show another variant of the adjustment device 30, in which several functionally sequentially connected solid-body joints 80', 80" can be adjusted / fixed by several tension / compression screws 82', 84', 82", 84" as adjusting / fastening devices. In an analogous manner, the light barrier arrangement 12 or the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement 14 can thus be adjusted relative to the two reference surfaces 26a, 26b or to the reference line of the measuring system arrangement 10.

[0046] The solid-body joints 80', 80" are formed by providing transverse slots 86', 86" in an approximately cuboid-shaped metal block 90, for example made of steel. The slots 86', 86" extend perpendicularly from one side face of the metal block 90 almost to the opposite side face, leaving a narrow web 88', 88" in the metal block 90. Perpendicular to the slots 86', 86" in the metal block 90 are the tension / compression screws 82', 84'; 82", 84". The tension / compression screws 82', 84'; 82", 84" allow the parts of the metal block 90 on both sides of the slots 86', 86" to be pushed apart or pulled together around the hinge-like webs 88', 88" by means of the tension / compression screws 82', 84'; 82", 84"". One or both slots 86', 86" in the metal block 90 can also extend from two opposite sides to a central area in which a web 88', 88" remains (see Fig. 5) The slot(s) 86', 86" in the metal block 90 may also run at an angle to the respective side face of the metal block 90 that is not equal to 90 degrees.

[0047] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 3, the support body 58 is attached to the support structure 26, which also houses the signal electronics circuit 32. To connect the signal electronics circuit 32 to the light transmitter or light receiver of the light barrier arrangement 12 or to the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement 14, a through-channel 90 extends through the spherical cap 52 / spherical recess 54, in which electrical signal / power supply lines 92 are routed. The electrical signal / power supply lines 92 extend to the signal electronics 32. To couple the sensor of the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement 14 to the adapter 50 as simply, reliably, and compactly as possible, several longitudinally spring-loaded contacts 96 are housed in an insulating body 94 within the adapter 50.These contacts 96, with their free ends, come into electrically conductive contact with contact points on the base surface 14f of the multidirectional probe assembly 14 facing them when the multidirectional probe assembly 14 is inserted into the adapter 50 and screwed in place. The multidirectional probe assembly 14 is adjusted in the individual directions by the deformation of the thin ribs, which act as hinges, when the respective tension and compression screws are alternately loosened or tightened. This arrangement allows for precise, convenient adjustment without moving parts (such as the adapter with the spherical cap). Furthermore, seals can be largely omitted.

[0048] Several variants have been shown above in which the measuring system arrangement 10 can have at least one detachable adapter component. The adapter component performs the function described in Fig. Variants 3-5 shown serve the functions of a mounting for the multidirectional probe assembly 14, a housing cover for the electronics 32 of the light transmitter or light receiver section, and as part of the adjustment mechanism. It also has an electrical and mechanical interface to the multidirectional probe assembly 14. Finally, it incorporates a fluid blowing device in the form of several (for example, 2-4) blowing nozzles 98, which are supplied with pressurized, purified air.

[0049] As in the Fig. 6a, Fig. As illustrated in Figure 6b, in one embodiment the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement 14 has a probe element 112 at the free end of a stylus 110 of the measuring system arrangement which detects movements of a tool. The probe element 112 can have a pyramidal or conical (truncated) shape, the central contour line 114 of which is aligned in the coaxial extension of the stylus 110, and the side surface(s) 116 of which are inclined to the contour line at an angle alpha.The angle alpha of the side surfaces 116 is dimensioned such that a deflection of the stylus 110 and / or a switching dead travel tot of the multidirectional probe arrangement 14 are compensated to such an extent that at the switching time S, when a cutting edge K to be measured from a tool W in the multidirectional probe arrangement 14 triggers a switching operation, the probed side surface 116 of the probe element 112 is oriented at least almost perpendicular to the cutting edge K to be measured on the tool W.

[0050] Fig.Figure 7 shows a pneumatic control and supply unit 120 to supply purified compressed air at approximately 2 to 10 bar from a (single) compressed air source from the fluid blow device to a measuring point on the stylus element and / or in the area of ​​the measuring beam for cleaning a tool to be measured and for cleaning the stylus surface of the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement, and to actuate a protective / closing device on the light transmitter part and / or the light receiver part of the light barrier arrangement, and / or to supply an air barrier.

[0051] For this purpose, the pneumatic control and supply unit 120 has a first electromagnetically actuated switching valve 122 for supplying the air barrier. This valve is controlled by the machine control system and receives electrical actuation signals. The first electromagnetically actuated switching valve 122 supplies compressed air in a controlled manner to one or more sealing air outlets. By releasing the compressed air, these outlets prevent dust, chips, drilling fluid, or the like from entering the openings of the measuring beam. The valve has a spring-loaded open position, in which the sealing air outlets are supplied with compressed air, and an electromagnetically actuated closed position, in which no compressed air reaches the sealing air outlets at the light transmitter or light receiver of the photoelectric sensor assembly.Furthermore, the pneumatic control and feed unit 120 has a second electromagnetically actuated switching valve 124 for actuating the protective / closing device. This valve is supplied with actuation signals by the machine control system. The second electromagnetically actuated switching valve 124 supplies controlled compressed air to one or more protective / closing devices, which actuate locking slides in the passage openings of the measuring beam. This prevents dust, chips, drilling fluid, or similar substances from entering the passage openings of the measuring beam during extended periods of inactivity of the measuring systems.The second electromagnetically actuated switching valve 124 has a spring-loaded locking position in which no compressed air reaches the protective / closing devices, so that the passage openings of the measuring beam are sealed off, and an electromagnetically actuated passage position in which the protective / closing devices are supplied with compressed air, so that the protective / closing devices on the light transmitter part or the light receiver part of the light barrier arrangement are open and the measuring beam can enter / exit through its passage openings.

[0052] The pneumatic control and supply unit has a third electromagnetically actuated switching valve 126 for actuating the fluid blowing device, which is supplied with actuation signals by the machine control. It has a spring-loaded closed position, in which no compressed air is supplied to the fluid blowing device to clean a tool brought into its operating range, and an electromagnetically actuated open position, in which the fluid blowing device is supplied with compressed air so that it can clean a tool brought into its operating range.

[0053] The pneumatic control and supply unit has one inlet and three or five outlets. One outlet is connected to a pressure reduction stage (130) that supplies lower-pressure fluid to the fluid blowing device for cleaning a tool being measured and / or to the air seal. The other outlet supplies higher-pressure fluid to the protective / closing device on the light transmitter and / or the light receiver; the third outlet is for cleaning the tool and / or the probing surfaces.

Claims

[1] Measuring system (10) for contact and non-contact measurement on stationary and rotating chip-removing or material-removing tools in a machine tool, with - a light barrier arrangement (12) for determining the position or the longest cutting edge of a rotating tool in the machine tool, wherein the light barrier arrangement (12) has a light transmitter part (16) and a light receiver part (18), each of which is assigned to a leg (22, 24) of a substantially U-shaped support structure (26) of the measuring system arrangement, wherein the light transmitter part (16) is configured to send a light beam (28) to the light receiver part (18); - a multidirectional probe arrangement (14) for push and / or pull measurement on a stationary tool in the direction of a Z-axis and an X- and / or Y-axis, wherein the multidirectional probe arrangement (14) is associated with and arranged on one of the legs (22, 24) of the U-shaped support structure (26), wherein the multidirectional probe arrangement (14) comprises a stylus (14c) that acts on a sensor configured to convert movements of the stylus (14c) in the direction of the Z-axis and the X- and / or Y-axis into measurement signals; and - a signal electronics circuit (32) for signal shaping and signal transmission to a machine control of the machine tool, wherein the signal electronics circuit (32) is assigned to the measuring system and is configured to receive measurement signals from the light barrier arrangement (12) and from the sensor and to transmit them to the machine control in a common signal transmission medium (34). [2] Measuring system according to claim 1, wherein - the common signal transmission medium is a common wired signal transmission line (34) or a common wireless signal transmission link to transmit measurement signals from the light barrier arrangement (12) and from the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement (14) to the machine control. [3] Measuring system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein - the light barrier arrangement (12) and the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement (14) are combined into a single, manageable measuring system arrangement, and wherein - the light barrier arrangement (12) and the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement (14) are adjusted relative to two reference surfaces (26a, 26b) or to a reference line of the measuring system arrangement. [4] Measuring system according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein - the light barrier arrangement (12) and / or the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement (14) in the state of the measuring system arrangement installed in the machine tool relative to the two reference surfaces (26a, 26b) or to the reference line (26c) by means of an adjustment device (30) associated with the measuring system arrangement. [5] Measuring system according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein - the adjusting device (30) associated with the measuring system arrangement between the light transmitter part (16) or the light receiver part (18) and the respective leg (22, 24) of the support structure, and / or - the adjusting device (30) associated with the measuring system arrangement is arranged between the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement (14) and the respective leg (22, 24) or the connecting web (26) of the support structure. [6] Measuring system according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein - the adjusting device (30) associated with the measuring system arrangement has at least one spherical cap (52) which is received in a counter-shaped recess (54) and is to be fixed by means of several fastening devices (56a ... 56d). [7] Measuring system according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein - the adjusting device (30) associated with the measuring system arrangement has at least one solid body joint (80', 80") which can be adjusted / fixed by several adjusting / fastening devices (82', 84'; 82', 84') in order to adjust the light barrier arrangement (12) and the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement (14) relative to the two reference surfaces (26a, 26b) or to the reference line of the measuring system arrangement. [8] Measuring system according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein - the measuring system arrangement has at least one detachable adapter component (50) which has a functional part of the light transmitter part (16) or the light receiver part (18), and / or at least a part of the adjustment device (30), and / or an electrical / mechanical interface, and / or a fluid blowing device. [9] Measuring system according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein - the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement (14) at the free end of a stylus (110) of the measuring system arrangement which detects movements of a tool carries a probe element (112), wherein - the key element (112) has a pyramidal or cone- (truncated) shape, whose - central contour line (h) is aligned in the coaxial extension of the stylus (110), and its - Side surfaces (116) are inclined to the contour line (h) at an angle (alpha). [10] Measuring system according to the preceding claim, wherein - the angle (alpha) of the side surfaces (116) to the contour line (h) is dimensioned such that a deflection of the stylus (110) and / or a switching dead travel (tot) of the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement (14) are compensated to such an extent that, in the deflected position of the stylus (110) at the switching point (S), a side surface (116) of the probe element (112) probed by a tool (W) is oriented approximately perpendicular to the probing direction of the tool (W) or approximately coaxial to the central contour line (h) in its rest position. [11] Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - a pneumatic control and supply unit (120) is provided to supply purified compressed air from a compressed air source from the fluid blow device to a measuring location on the stylus element and / or in the area of ​​the measuring beam for cleaning a tool to be measured and for cleaning the stylus surface of the multidirectional measuring probe arrangement, and / or to actuate a protective / closing device on the light transmitter part and / or the light receiver part of the light barrier arrangement, and / or to supply an air barrier. [12] Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the pneumatic control and supply unit (120) for supplying the air barrier comprising a first electromagnetically actuated switching valve (122) which is supplied with electrical actuation signals by the machine control, wherein the first electromagnetically actuated switching valve (122) supplies compressed air to one or more sealing air outlets in a controlled manner. [13] Measuring system according to the preceding claim, wherein - the first electromagnetically actuated switching valve (122) a spring-loaded The open position, in which the sealing air outlets are supplied with compressed air, and the closed position, which is electromagnetically actuated, prevents compressed air from reaching the sealing air outlets on the light transmitter part or the light receiver part of the light barrier arrangement. [14] Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the pneumatic control and feed unit (120) for actuating the protective / closing device has a second electromagnetically actuated switching valve (124) which is supplied with actuating signals by the machine control. [15] Measuring system according to the preceding claim, wherein - the second electromagnetically actuated switching valve (124) controls compressed air supply to one or more protective / closing devices, which actuate locking slides in the passage openings of the measuring beam. [16] Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the second electromagnetically actuated switching valve (124) has a spring-loaded locking position in which no compressed air reaches the protective / closing devices, so that the passage openings of the measuring beam are sealed off, and an electromagnetically actuated passage position in which the protective / closing devices are supplied with compressed air, so that the protective / closing devices on the light transmitter part or the light receiver part of the light barrier arrangement are open and the measuring beam can enter / exit through its passage openings. [17] Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the pneumatic control and supply unit for actuating the fluid blowing device has a third electromagnetically actuated switching valve (126) which is supplied with actuating signals by the machine control. [18] Measuring system according to the preceding claim, wherein - the third electromagnetically actuated switching valve (126) has a spring-loaded locking position in which no compressed air is supplied to the fluid blowing device to clean a tool brought into its operating range, and an electromagnetically actuated flow position in which the fluid blowing device is supplied with compressed air so that the fluid blowing device can clean a tool brought into its operating range. [19] Measuring system according to any one of the preceding claims, - in which the pneumatic control and feed unit has a compressed air inlet and several compressed air outlets. [20] Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - a pressure reduction stage (130) is connected upstream or to one outlet in order to supply fluid under lower pressure to the fluid blowing device for cleaning a tool to be measured and / or to the air barrier. [21] Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the other outlet supplies fluid under higher pressure to the protective / closing device at the light transmitter part and / or the light receiver part. [22] Measuring system according to the preceding claim, wherein a check valve is provided between the outlet of the pneumatic control and supply unit and the fluid blowing device. [23] Machine tool, in the form of a combined turning / milling machine or a combined milling / turning machine with stationary and rotating tools, characterized by a measuring system according to one of the preceding claims.

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