Holding unit for a processing machine, processing machine with a holding unit, accessory and method for attaching an accessory to a processing machine

Abstract

A mounting unit for a machine tool, in particular for a router, serves to hold an accessory for the machine tool, for example, a guide bushing. The mounting unit comprises a base plate with a support surface for resting on a template or on a workpiece to be machined, wherein the base plate has a first through-hole for a tool of the machine tool, and an alignment element for attachment to the base plate, which has a second through-hole for the tool and is provided with centering sections, wherein the centering sections are designed to center the alignment element relative to the tool and to hold the accessory for the machine tool centered on the tool.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a receiving unit for a processing machine, a processing machine, in particular a router, with such a receiving unit, an accessory, in particular a copy sleeve, for a processing machine and a method for attaching an accessory to a processing machine.

[0002] Accessories are generally familiar, such as copy sleeves or rings. These are usually designed as hollow cylinders that are connected directly to the base plate of a machining center, so that the accessory is aligned coaxially with the machining center's tool.

[0003] Copy sleeves or rings are used, for example, when a contour already present in a template needs to be transferred to a workpiece. The machining center is then placed with its base plate on the template, so that the copy sleeve and tool protrude into the contour of the template, allowing the contour to be safely traced with the machining center. Applications can include projecting curves, milling recesses for hinges, door locks, or fittings, producing butt joints for kitchen countertops, or producing dovetails and dovetails.

[0004] Since these machining operations require high precision, it is essential to ensure high accuracy in terms of the coaxiality of the copy sleeve to the tool to avoid variations in the offset of the tool to the template across the machining contour. This would result in inaccurate results and poor fit.

[0005] In order to be able to use different (milling) tools and to achieve varying distances between the tool and the template, a range of different copy sleeves with different outer and inner diameters is required in practice. When changing these different copy sleeves, the copy sleeve is first pre-mounted on the base plate in a floating manner. Instead of the (milling) tool, a centering mandrel or tool is first clamped into the tool holder of the processing machine. In the next step, the centering mandrel is placed on a corresponding, cylindrical surface of the copy sleeve so that the copy sleeve is aligned coaxially with the centering mandrel. The copy sleeve is then secured to the base plate, for example with screws. Finally, the centering mandrel is exchanged for the milling tool.

[0006] In practice, changing these different accessories or copy sleeves is therefore very cumbersome and time-consuming. Furthermore, setting inaccuracies by the user cannot be ruled out.

[0007] US 2004 / 0182476 A1 discloses a processing machine with an adapter plate that can be attached to its underside. The adapter plate has a central opening with lips that serve to secure a guide bushing.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to make changing or inserting accessories quick and precise, without additional adjustment tools and reproducible.

[0009] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are the subject matter of the dependent claims and emerge from the description and the drawings.

[0010] The receiving unit according to the invention for a processing machine serves to receive an accessory for the processing machine. The receiving unit comprises a base plate with a support surface for resting on a template or on a workpiece to be processed, wherein the base plate has a first through-opening for a tool of the processing machine. Furthermore, the receiving unit comprises an alignment element for fastening to the base plate, which has a second through-opening for the tool and is provided with centering sections. The centering sections are designed to center the alignment element, in particular radially relative to the tool, and to receive the accessory for the processing machine, in particular radially centered relative to the tool.

[0011] The accessory can, for example, be a copying sleeve, which can also be called a copying ring.

[0012] A tool of a processing machine is generally understood to be a tool that can be mounted on the processing machine. This can be the actual working tool used to machine the workpiece, such as a wooden workpiece—in the case of a router, a milling tool. However, the tool can also be a centering tool that can be used to center the alignment element.

[0013] Preferably, the tool accommodated in a tool holder of the processing machine extends along a tool axis around which it can be driven to rotate by a motor. The tool preferably also extends through the two through-openings of the base plate and the alignment element.

[0014] The centering sections are designed to center the alignment element, in particular radially relative to the tool or to the tool axis, for example by the centering sections being spaced identically in the radial direction from an axis of the second through-opening. If the centering sections rest against a suitable centering tool at the same time, the alignment element can be centered radially relative to the centering tool. It is advisable, for example, to initially pre-mount the alignment element in a floating manner on the base plate, for example by means of loosely tightened screws, then to center the alignment element with a centering tool relative to the tool axis and then to fix the alignment element in the centered position, for example by tightening the screws. The alignment element is then centered with the tool axis and fixed to the base plate in this position without any play.

[0015] Since the centering sections are suitable for centering, they can also be used to hold an accessory radially centered to the tool or tool axis when the alignment element is in the centered position, as described above. For this purpose, the accessory must have corresponding alignment sections that can interact with the centering sections of the alignment element, as described further below.

[0016] This makes it possible to center the alignment element to the tool or tool axis only once. Several different accessories can then be aligned to the centered alignment element, ensuring they are also centered to the tool or tool axis. When changing accessories, there is no need to laboriously center them each time by clamping and unclamping the centering tool. Instead, the respective accessory can be aligned quickly, easily, and reliably to the already centered alignment element.

[0017] The centering sections are preferably designed as projections that extend radially into the second through-opening, which can be directed in particular toward the tool axis or the axis of the second through-opening. The projections can also be referred to as knobs or alignment knobs.

[0018] The centering sections can each have a contact surface for the accessory, which is designed to interact with an alignment section of the accessory to center the accessory relative to the tool. Furthermore, it is advisable for the contact surfaces to also interact with a centering mandrel or centering tool when centering the alignment element. The contact surfaces can, in particular, have an identical radial distance from the axis of the second through-opening. It is preferred that the centering sections and the contact surfaces have an extremely precise shape and position tolerance.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the alignment element has a recess directly adjacent to at least some of the centering sections for passing a portion of the accessory through. In particular, with a corresponding design, the accessories can then be secured to the alignment element by means of a bayonet movement, in which a portion of the accessory is first moved axially through the second passage opening or the recess(es) in a defined orientation, which is predetermined by the recess(es), and then a rotational movement takes place to center and secure the accessory on the centering sections.

[0020] The alignment element can have at least two and at most eight, preferably exactly four, centering sections. In particular, the centering sections are arranged along a circular path and preferably at equal distances or angles to one another.

[0021] During centering, i.e., when the alignment element is centered relative to the tool, the centering sections make direct contact with the tool. When the accessory is inserted, the centering sections make direct contact with the accessory, particularly the alignment sections of the accessory. "Direct contact" means that the centering sections, on the one hand, and the tool or accessory, on the other, are in direct contact.

[0022] When attached to the base plate, the alignment element is preferably fixed axially, radially, and circumferentially relative to a tool axis of the tool or relative to an axis of the first and second through-openings. The alignment element can be secured to the base plate, for example, by means of several screws, which also allow the alignment element to be initially arranged in a floating manner and then tightened in a second step, for example, after the alignment element has been centered.

[0023] The processing machine according to the invention can, in particular, be an electric processing machine. The processing machine can be suitable for woodworking. For example, the processing machine can be a router. The processing machine according to the invention comprises a tool holder for holding a tool, a motor for driving the tool to rotate, and a receiving unit.

[0024] Furthermore, the processing machine can have a clamping mechanism for axially clamping the accessory to the base plate. For example, the clamping mechanism can be provided with a clamping part that can be adjusted to be displaced toward the alignment element. Thus, an accessory arranged between the alignment element and the clamping part can be clamped, in particular, axially. Adjustment can be achieved, for example, using one or more clamping screws.

[0025] The accessory according to the invention for a processing machine, for example for a router, can in particular be a copy sleeve or a copy ring. The accessory has a passage opening for a tool of the processing machine, wherein the accessory is provided with radially outwardly projecting alignment sections for contacting an alignment element and, in particular, for radially centering the accessory relative to the alignment element. The alignment sections are, in particular, designed such that, with appropriate dimensioning, they can interact with the previously described alignment element, namely, for example, the projections or alignment nubs, in order to center the accessory relative to the alignment element. If the alignment element is centered relative to the tool or the tool axis as described above, the accessory is automatically centered as well.

[0026] In addition to copy sleeves or copy rings, other accessories are also considered, such as extraction elements or chip collectors. Extraction elements effectively shield the work area. This allows the resulting chips to be easily extracted using a vacuum cleaner. A chip collector is located beneath the base plate and serves to collect the chips during edge processing.

[0027] The alignment sections at least partially have a contact projection for play-free alignment of the accessory to a contact surface of the alignment element. The contact projection is web-shaped, with a centering surface arranged at the radially outer end of the web, which can run approximately orthogonal to the direction of extension of the web. The contact projection extends radially outward. The webs and centering surfaces have a very precise shape and tolerance with regard to their outer diameter, since they interact with the centering sections of the alignment element during centering and form their counterparts. This means that when the accessory is inserted, the centering sections of the alignment element directly contact the accessory, in particular the alignment sections of the accessory.

[0028] The alignment sections can at least partially have a support area for resting on the alignment element. The support areas can be approximately wing-shaped and extend radially outward. The contact projections can be provided on one axial side of the support areas.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the accessory can partially have a channel contour for extracting dust or chips. This can be used, in particular, to extend an existing extraction channel in the processing machine or the base plate and connected to an extraction system into the accessory, thus creating a continuous extraction channel and extracting dust or chips left behind in the milling pockets.

[0030] The method according to the invention serves for attaching an accessory, in particular a copy sleeve, to a processing machine, the method comprising the following steps: Pre-assembly of an alignment element on a base plate of the processing machine and receiving a centering tool in a tool holder of the processing machine, in particular radial centering of the alignment element with respect to the centering tool, fixing the alignment element to the base plate in the centered position, arranging the accessory on the alignment element such that the accessory is centered, in particular radially, with centering sections of the alignment element receiving the accessory centered with respect to the tool. When centering the alignment element with respect to the centering tool, the centering sections of the alignment element are brought into contact with the outer circumference of the centering tool, so that they directly contact the centering tool.

[0031] Pre-assembly is initially carried out in a floating manner, allowing the alignment element to be arranged on the base plate so that it can be moved radially relative to the tool axis. Using the centering tool, the alignment element can then be radially centered with the centering tool, i.e., the tool axis. In this aligned or centered position, the alignment element can then be fixed to the base plate—particularly in the axial and radial directions, as well as in the circumferential direction. Accessory parts can then be attached to and removed from the centered alignment element as described above, allowing the replacement of accessory parts to be carried out quickly, precisely, and without the need for additional tools.

[0032] It is understood that the methods described herein can also be further developed in the sense of the individual features and embodiments described with regard to the devices and vice versa.

[0033] The invention is explained below merely by way of example with reference to the schematic drawings. Fig. 1 a schematic representation of the functional principle of copy sleeves in section, Fig. 2 a plan view from below of the base plate of a processing machine on which an alignment element is mounted, Fig. 3 a perspective view of an accessory according to an embodiment, Fig. 4 a further perspective view of the accessory from Fig. 3 , Fig. 5 another plan view from below of the base plate from Fig. 2 , wherein an accessory is arranged and aligned on the alignment element, Fig. 6 a perspective view of the base plate of Fig. 2 , Fig. 7 another perspective view of the base plate from Fig. 2 with an accessory, Fig. 8 a perspective view of an accessory according to a further embodiment, Fig. 9 a schematic representation of the centering of an alignment element using a centering tool in section and Fig. 10 a schematic representation of a base plate, an alignment element and an accessory and a tool in section.

[0034] First, Fig. 1 the basic functional principle of copy sleeves, which can also be called copy rings, in general. In Fig. 1 a template S lies on a workpiece W to be machined, which is made of wood, for example. The template S has an existing contour that is to be transferred to the workpiece W. For this purpose, a router, as an example of an electrical processing machine, rests on the template S with a support surface 15 of its base plate 13. The base plate 13 has a through-opening 17. A tool 19, which in the present example is designed as a milling tool, projects through the through-opening 17 of the base plate 13 and through the opening of the template S, which defines the contour to be reproduced, in order to machine the workpiece W and to reproduce the contour of the template S. So that the tool 19 can only be moved within the contour, an accessory part 50 designed as a copying sleeve or ring is provided, which is arranged and fixed on the base plate 13 centered with the tool 19 or the tool axis A 19.The accessory part 50 extends axially into the area of ​​the template S, so that the tool 19 can only be moved within the limits of the opening of the template S.

[0035] To achieve the required high precision, it is essential to ensure high accuracy in terms of the coaxiality of the accessory 50 to the tool 19. Otherwise, an offset of the tool 19 relative to the template S could result in variations across the machining contour, resulting in inaccurate results and poorly fitting connections. The following describes how the present invention achieves this high accuracy while simultaneously enabling fast, precise, and reproducible changing or inserting of accessories without additional adjustment tools.

[0036] Fig. 2 shows a plan view of a base plate 13 of an electrical processing machine 10 or of its support surface 15. A tool holder 21 for receiving the tool 19 is visible through the through opening 17 of the base plate 13. The tool 19 can be the actual processing tool, such as a milling tool, or a centering tool such as a centering mandrel.

[0037] An alignment element 23 is arranged on the base plate 13. The fixing can be carried out as shown in Fig. 2 , 5 , 6 and 7shown, for example by means of screws, with which on the one hand a floating pre-assembly and on the other hand a fixing of the alignment element 23 to the base plate 13 is possible, as will be described later. The alignment element 23 is approximately plate- or disc-shaped and has a passage opening 25 for the tool 19. In addition, the alignment element 23 is provided with centering sections 27, which in the present example are designed as projections or centering knobs projecting radially, i.e. towards the tool axis A 19, into the passage opening 25. The centering sections 27 are formed integrally with the alignment element 23 in the present example. In the present exemplary embodiment, the alignment element 23 has four centering sections 27, which are each offset from one another by approximately 90°, i.e. are equidistant from one another.However, it is also conceivable that more or fewer centering sections 27 are present, whereby at least two centering sections 27 must be present. The centering sections 27 are arranged along an imaginary circular path, with the center of the circle corresponding to an axis of the passage opening 25.

[0038] The centering sections 27 each have a contact surface 29 at their free end, the function of which will be described in more detail later. The contact surfaces 29 of the centering sections have identical radial distances from the axis of the passage opening 25 with an extremely precise shape and position tolerance.

[0039] As can also be seen from the figures, the alignment element 23 is provided with recesses 31 adjacent to the centering sections 27, as in particular Fig. 6 The recesses 31 serve for the axial passage of, in particular, wing-shaped sections of an accessory part 50, as will be described in more detail later.

[0040] A copy sleeve as an example of an accessory 50 according to the invention is shown in Fig. 3, 4 and 8shown. The accessory part 50 has a body with a cylindrical section 63 and an annular flange 65 projecting radially from the cylindrical section 63. On both axial sides of the annular flange 65, a plurality of stiffening ribs 61 are arranged in the circumferential direction and are connected to the annular flange 65 and the cylindrical section 63. In the present exemplary embodiment, the entire body of the accessory part, including the cylindrical section 63, the annular flange 65, and the stiffening ribs 61, is formed in one piece, for example as an injection-molded part made of plastic. The accessory part 50 has a passage opening 51 for the tool 19, which is radially delimited by the cylindrical section 63. In addition, the accessory part 50 is provided with radially outwardly projecting alignment sections 53.The alignment sections 53 each have a contact projection 55 extending radially outward from the cylindrical section 63 and a support region 57 also extending radially outward from the cylindrical section 63. In the present exemplary embodiment, the contact projection 55 and the support region 57 each merge directly into one another without a gap or space therebetween and are formed integrally with one another as part of the body of the accessory part 50. The support region 57 is wing-like or wing-shaped and extends radially beyond the respective contact projection 55. The contact projection 55 is approximately web-shaped. At the radially outer end of the contact projection 55, the contact projection 55 terminates in a centering surface whose plane of extension runs approximately orthogonal to the direction of extension of the contact projection 55.

[0041] In addition, the accessory 50 has, as shown in Fig. 8 shown, has a channel contour 59 which is suitable for continuing a suction channel possibly present in the processing machine 10 or the base plate 13 and connected to an extraction system in the accessory part 50, so that a continuous suction channel is created and dust or chips left behind in milling pockets are extracted.

[0042] The interaction of the described components, in particular the alignment element 23 and the accessory part 50, as well as the procedure for inserting or changing accessory parts 50, are discussed in more detail below.

[0043] In order to attach an accessory 50 to a processing machine 10, first, as Fig. 9 , which shows a schematic diagram, an alignment element 23 is pre-assembled on the base plate 13. This means that the alignment element 23 is mounted in a floating manner, i.e., it can be moved or positioned within certain limits, particularly in a plane of movement orthogonal to the tool axis A 19 along the support surface 15 of the base plate 13. In addition, a centering tool 19, such as a centering mandrel, is clamped into the tool holder 21.

[0044] The alignment element 23 is then centered relative to the centering tool 19. This occurs by bringing the centering sections 27 of the alignment element 23, namely their contact surfaces 29, into contact with the outer circumference of the centering tool 19, thus directly contacting the centering tool 19. As a result, the alignment element 23 is positioned or aligned on the base plate 13 such that its through-opening 25 runs precisely coaxially with the tool axis A 19 and the contact surfaces 29 have an identical radial distance from the tool axis A 19. In this centered or aligned position, the alignment element 23 is fixed to the base plate 13 axially, radially, and circumferentially without play. The centering tool 19 can then be removed from the tool holder 21.

[0045] In the next step, the accessory part 50 is arranged or fastened to the alignment element. For this purpose, the accessory part 50 is axially guided through the passage opening 25 of the alignment element 23 in a first movement step in a specific orientation from the side of the alignment element 23 facing away from the base plate 13, so that the wing-shaped support areas 57 can be guided through the recesses 31, see in particular Fig. 6 . Then, in a second movement step, the accessory part 50 is slightly rotated, for example, by approximately 10° to 20°, about the axis of its through-opening 51 relative to the alignment element 23. In this case, the centering surfaces of the contact projections 55 come into direct contact with the contact surfaces 29 of the centering sections 27, as in Fig. 5 is shown. The outer diameter of the centering surfaces and the inner diameter of the contact surfaces 29 are so precisely matched to one another that the accessory part 50 is automatically centered relative to the alignment element 23 without any play. Since the alignment element 23 is already centered relative to the tool axis A 19, it is automatically ensured that the accessory part 50 is also centered and perfectly aligned relative to the tool axis A 19. The support areas 57 of the accessory part 50 rest on a part of the base plate 13 or on the centering sections 27 of the alignment element 23, so that the accessory part 50 is also axially secured. Fig. 10 shows in principle and schematically this state in which the accessory part 50 is attached to the alignment element 23 and a milling tool 19 is clamped in the tool holder 21 and projects through the base plate 13, the alignment element 23 and the accessory part 50.

[0046] Optionally, it is possible to also secure the accessory part 50 with a clamping mechanism 33 ( Fig. 6 ) to additionally fix it axially. The clamping mechanism 33 can, for example, be adjustable with a screw or screws and, when the screw is tightened, reduce the axial gap in which the support area 57 is located after the accessory part 50 has been inserted, so that the support area is clamped axially accordingly.

[0047] Changing accessories 50 is also extremely easy, uncomplicated, quick, and reliable. With a simple two-stage bayonet movement, which corresponds to the two movement steps mentioned above, accessories 50 adapted to the alignment element 23 can be easily inserted. Likewise, the accessories 50 can be removed just as easily by reversing the movement sequence.

[0048] If it is necessary to change the accessory part 50, re-centering is not necessary due to the very small tolerance chain in the "alignment element 23 + accessory part 50" system, since the alignment element 23 is already centered to the tool axis A 19 and the accessories 50 are automatically centered to the alignment element 23 when inserted as described above. Bezugszeichenliste

[0049] 10 Machining machine 13 Base plate 15 Support surface 17 Through-opening 19 Tool 21 Tool holder 23 Alignment element 25 Through-opening 27 Centering section 29 Contact surface 31 Recess 33 Clamping mechanism 35 Extraction channel 50 Accessory part 51 Through-opening 53 Alignment section 55 Contact projection 57 Support area 59 Channel contour 61 Reinforcing ribs 63 Cylinder section 65 Ring flange A 19 Tool axis SStemplate Wworkpiece

Claims

1. A receiving unit for a machine tool (10), in particular for a router, for receiving an accessory part (50) for the machine tool (10), for example a copying sleeve, said receiving unit comprising a base plate (13) which has a first passage opening (17) for a tool (19) of the machine tool (10), and an alignment element (23) for fastening to the base plate (13), which alignment element (23) has a second passage opening (25) for the tool (19) and is provided with centering sections (27), wherein the centering sections (27) are configured to receive the accessory part (50) for the machine tool (10) centered relative to the tool (19), characterized in that the base plate (13) has a support surface (15) for placement on a template (S) or on a workpiece (W) to be machined, and in that the centering sections (27) are further configured to center the alignment element (23) relative to the tool (19), wherein the centering sections (27) directly contact the tool (19) during the centering and directly contact the accessory part (50) in the inserted state of the accessory part (50).

2. A receiving unit according to claim 1, wherein the centering sections (27) are formed as projections projecting radially into the second passage opening (25).

3. A receiving unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the centering sections (27) each have a contact surface (29) for the accessory part (50), which contact surface (29) is configured to cooperate with an alignment section (53) of the accessory part (50) in order to fix the accessory part (50) centered relative to the tool (19).

4. A receiving unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the alignment element (23) has a recess (31) directly adjacent to at least some of the centering sections (27) for the guiding through of a section of the accessory part (50).

5. A receiving unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the alignment element (23) has at least two and at most eight, preferably exactly four, centering sections (27).

6. A receiving unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the centering sections (27) are arranged along a circular path and preferably at equal distances from one another.

7. A receiving unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the state fastened to the base plate (13), the alignment element (23) is fixed axially, radially and in the peripheral direction with respect to a tool axis (A19) of the tool (19).

8. A machine tool (10), in particular a router, comprising a tool mount (21) for receiving a tool (19), a motor to drive the tool (19) to rotate, and a receiving unit according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. A machine tool (10) according to claim 8, which further has a clamping mechanism (33) for axially clamping the accessory part (50) to the base plate (13).

10. An accessory part (50), in particular a copying sleeve, for a machine tool (10), for example a router, said accessory part (50) having a passage opening (51) for a tool (19) of the machine tool (10), wherein the accessory part (50) is provided with radially outwardly projecting alignment sections (53) for contacting an alignment element (23) and for centering the accessory part (50) relative to the alignment element (23) and the alignment sections (53) at least partly have a contact projection (55) for a play-free alignment of the accessory part (50) at a contact surface (29) of the alignment element (23), characterized in that the contact projection (55) is web-shaped and extends radially outwardly and a centering surface is arranged at the radially outer end of the web.

11. An accessory part (50) according to claim 10, wherein the alignment sections (53) at least partly have a support region (57) for placement on the alignment element (23).

12. An accessory part (50) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the accessory part (50) partly has a passage contour (59) for sucking off dust or chips.

13. A method of attaching an accessory part (50), in particular a copying sleeve, to a machine tool (10), wherein the method comprises the following steps: - pre-assembling an alignment element (23) at a base plate (13) of the machine tool (10) and receiving a centering tool (19) in a tool mount (21) of the machine tool (10), - centering the alignment element (23) relative to the centering tool (19), - fixing the alignment element (23) to the base plate (13) in the centered position, - arranging the accessory part (50) at the alignment element (23) such that the accessory part (50) is centered relative to the alignment element (23), wherein centering sections (27) of the alignment element (23) receive the accessory part (50) centered relative to the tool (19), characterized in that, on the centering of the alignment element (23) relative to the centering tool (19), the centering sections (27) of the alignment element (23) are brought into contact with the outer periphery of the centering tool (19) so that they directly contact the centering tool (19).

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