Multi axis machine tool

Abstract

A multi-axial machine tool (1), comprising a vertical upright (2) movable along a longitudinal base (3), a carriage (6) slidable along the upright (2), a transversal slide (8) slidable on the carriage (6) along transversal guide means (9) and adapted to support a tool holder head (10) in a cantilevered manner. The transversal guide means (9) comprise at least three guides (11A, 11B, 11C) arranged on the lateral faces (8A, 8B) of the slide (8).

Description

MULTI AXIS MACHINE TOOLDESCRIPTIONField of the invention

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the technical field of industrial processing machine tools and it particularly relates to a multi-axial machine tool with movable upright.Background art

[0002] The use of a substantially longitudinal base anchored to the ground and a substantially vertical upright slidable along the base has been long known in the field of machine tools.

[0003] Generally, there is provided a carriage vertically slidable along the upright and a slide adapted to support a tool holder head and movable on the carriage in a direction perpendicular to that of the base.

[0004] In this type of machines, the tool holder head is arranged facing a work bench to which there is fixed the workpiece to be processed.

[0005] A recurrent problem observed in these machine tools lies in the fact that the base and lower base of the upright entail an excessive height of the axis of the tool holder head from the work bench with resulting decrease in accessibility to the tool and visibility of the workpiece being processed.

[0006] Furthermore, also the carriage has overall dimensions adapted to increase the distance of the slide from the work bench, with resulting decrease in the operating field of the tool holder head with respect to the workpiece to be processed.

[0007] In order to overcome these drawbacks, there have been developed machine tools in which the base is anchored to the bottom of a well previously dug out in the floor of the room in which the machine is to be installed and in which to anchor the work bench to the bottom of the well.

[0008] In this manner, the axis of the spindle has a lower vertical position which is closer to the work surface and in some cases even beneath it.

[0009] However, a major drawback of such prior art solution lies the fact that it entails a high well creation cost and the need to use fixed or movable barriersadapted to protect the staff designated and not designated to carry out the works.

[0010] A further recurrent problem observed in the machine tools with movable upright lies in the fact that the barycentre of the slide is generally positioned near the tool holder head with resulting increase in the cantilever of the ram and therefore increase in the deformations due to the bending of the structure due to the force of gravity.

[0011] In order to overcome this drawback, there have been developed machine tools including systems for compensating deformations due to the forces of gravity, for example by means of counter-deformation hydraulic tensioners.

[0012] However, a major drawback of such prior art solution lies in the fact that it entails a high cost for modifying the structure of the slide, as well as the moving away the point of application of the work forces from the upright of the machine, as a result increasing the distance of the tool holder head from the upright.

[0013] In order to overcome these drawbacks, there have been developed machines in which the upright comprises a double-column configuration, between which the carriage slides. In this manner, the upright has greater rigidity, allowing a decrease in the deformations of the slide due to the forces of gravity.

[0014] However, besides causing an increase in the overall dimensions of the movement system with the slide, with resulting decrease in the accessibility of the tool holder head to the work bench, such configuration is not cost-effective.

[0015] In order to overcome this drawback, there have been developed machine tools in which the movable upright has a single-column configuration on which a carriage slides and in which a slide slides along the carriage through a pair of guides arranged facing the upright, as described in EP2390052.

[0016] However, in such prior art configuration the guides are respectively compressed and stretched with resulting creation of a strongly asymmetrical constraint between the carriage and the slide.

[0017] In order to overcome this drawback, there have been developed machines with a single-column upright in which the slide slides along the carriage by means of a pair of guides arranged facing the upright and a central upper guide, as described in CN105234682.

[0018] However, also in the latter prior art configuration, the guides are stressed asymmetrically.

[0019] In conclusion, in the technical field of industrial processing machines there is particularly felt the need to enable the installation of a multi-axial machine with movable upright which has the axis of the spindle the closest possible to the work surface of the machine and / or to the upright so as to reduce the deformations of the slide due to the forces of gravity and increase accessibility to the tool holder head at the same time.Technical problem

[0020] In the light of the prior art, the technical problem addressed by the present invention is to improve a machine tool with movable upright to increase the operating field of the tool holder head and at the same time decrease the production, installation and maintenance costs.Summary of the invention

[0021] The object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned problem by providing a multi-axial machine tool with movable upright which is highly effective and cost-effective.

[0022] A particular object of the present invention is to provide a multi-axial machine tool of the type indicated above that does not require excavation works and which at the same time has the axis of the spindle much closer to the work surface of the machine.

[0023] Another particular object of the present invention is to provide a multi- axial machine tool of the type indicated above which significantly reduces the use of systems for compensating the bending of the slide.

[0024] A further object of the present invention is to provide a multi-axial machine tool of the type indicated above which allows to approach the barycentre of the slide, as well as the point of application of the work forces, to the upright structure.

[0025] Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-axial machine tool of the type indicated above which allows to reduce the deformations of the slide due to the force of gravity.

[0026] A further object of the present invention is to provide a multi-axial machine tool of the type indicated above which simplifies the handling of the movements of the tool holder head along the three cartesian axes of the machine.

[0027] Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-axial machine tool of the type indicated above which allows to increase the processing precision.

[0028] A further object of the present invention is to provide a multi-axial machine tool of the type indicated above which allows to approach the tool holder head to the work bench.

[0029] The objects mentioned above and others which will be more apparent hereinafter, are achieves by a multi-axial machine tool, according to claim 1 , which comprises a vertical upright movable along a longitudinal base, a carriage slidable along the upright, a transversal slide slidable on the carriage along transversal guide means and adapted to support a tool holder head in a cantilevered manner, wherein the slide comprises two opposite lateral faces and it has a substantially rectangular cross-section.

[0030] Furthermore, the machine comprises a work bench for anchoring a workpiece to be processed and above which the tool holder head is movable.

[0031] According to a peculiar aspect of the invention, the transversal guide means comprise at least three guides two of which are arranged on the opposite lateral faces in the proximity of the upper vertices of the cross-section of the slide.

[0032] Thanks to this combination of characteristics, the lower face of the slide and arranged facing the work bench is entirely free and clear of hindrances which would limit the full accessibility of the tool to the work bench on which the workpiece being processed is anchored.

[0033] Suitably, the upright comprises a single column having a lateral face comprising vertical guide means along which the carriage slides in a cantilevered manner.

[0034] Furthermore, the carriage is “inverted-U”-shaped with a first vertical plate that is parallel to and arranged facing the upright and a second vertical plate that is spaced apart from and parallel to the first plate unite joined at the upper part by a third horizontal plate, so that the slide can be supported from above.

[0035] Advantageously, the first and the second vertical plate have lower ends arranged at a height greater than or equal to the height of the lower face of the slide with respect to the base.

[0036] In this manner, the lower face of the slide is entirely vacant and clear of hindrances.

[0037] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are attained according to the dependent claims.Brief description of the drawings

[0038] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more apparent in the light of the detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a multi-axial machine tool like the one mentioned above, shown by way of non-limiting example with reference to the drawings below, wherein:FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the multi-axial machine tool according to the invention in a first operative configuration;FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the machine of Fig. 1 .;FIGS. 3 and 4 are respectively a perspective view of the machine of Fig. 1 in a second operative configuration and an enlargement of the machine of Fig. 3A;FIG. 5 is a lateral view of the machine of Fig. 3;FIGS. 6 and 7 are respectively a front view of the machine of Fig. 3 without the tool holder head and an enlargement of the machine of Fig. 6;FIGS. 8 to 11 are respectively a rear perspective view, a front perspective view, a first lower perspective view and a second lowerperspective view of the carriage of the multi-axial machine tool according to the invention.Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

[0039] With particular reference to the figures, there is shown a multi-axial machine tool, indicated in its entirety with reference numeral 1, for industrial processes, for example for removing material from semi-finished products or mechanical workpieces, generally made of metal.

[0040] In its most essential embodiment, the machine 1 comprises a vertical upright 2 movable along a longitudinal base 3, anchored on the ground S, and provided with longitudinal guide means 4 for the movement of the upright 2, as better shown in FIGS. 1-11.

[0041] It should be observed that the longitudinal guide means 4 are substantially horizontal and they are interposed between the longitudinal base 3 and the vertical upright 2.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the base 3 comprises a pair of lateral faces 3A, 3B on which there are mounted the longitudinal guide means 4 along which the upright 2 slides.

[0043] In a per se known manner, there are provided respective means for the longitudinal movement of the upright 2 along the longitudinal guide means 4.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the mounting of the longitudinal guide means 4 on the lateral faces 3A, 3B of the base 3 allows to remove any hindrance present between the upper surface of the base 3 and the upright 2, allowing the base 3 to be fully walked on and / or passed through throughout its entire length by an operator or user of the machine 1.

[0045] Furthermore, the longitudinal movement means may be of the conventional type and therefore consist of a male-female screw coupling, or a linear electric motor, or a rack / pinion combination or another similar combination of drive members.

[0046] Preferably, the longitudinal base 3 is arranged adjacent to a work bench 5 which may be provided with anchoring means of the per se known type for bracketing the workpieces to be processed, not shown in the figures.

[0047] The machine 1 also comprises a carriage 6 slidable vertically along the upright 2.

[0048] As better shown in FIGS. 1 -4, the upright 2 is of the single-column type provided with a lateral face 2A comprising vertical guide means 7 along which the carriage 6 slides in a cantilevered manner.

[0049] Furthermore, there is present a transversal slide 8 slidable on the carriage 6 along transversal guide means 9 and adapted to support in a cantilevered manner a tool holder head 10 which is moved above the work bench 5 to operate on the semi-finished product or workpiece being processed.

[0050] Preferably, the transversal slide 8 has a pair of opposite lateral faces 8A, 8B, an upper face 8D and a lower face 8C, the latter opposite to the upper face 8D.

[0051] In a per se known manner, the machine 1 is provided with conventional command and control systems which allow the tool holder head 10 to carry out the processing operations according to the desired processing programme that the machine is to carry out on the semi-finished product positioned on the work bench 5.

[0052] Furthermore, the tool holder head 10 may comprise an external end provided with a tool holder shank and it may be rotatably mounted around a respective rotation axis A inclined with respect to the transverse axis Y of the transversal slide 8.

[0053] As better observable in the figures, the transversal guide means 9 are perpendicular with respect to the vertical 7 and longitudinal guide means 4 and they are interposed between the carriage 6 and the slide 8 to slidably guide the latter with respect to the carriage 6.

[0054] According to a peculiar aspect of the invention, the transversal guide means 9 comprise at least three guides 11 A, 11 B, 11C arranged on the lateral faces 8A, 8B of the slide 8.

[0055] In other words, the transversal guide means 9 may be arranged on the opposite lateral faces 8A, 8B and on the upper face 8D, excluding the lower face 8C.

[0056] Thanks to this particular combination of characteristics, the lower face 8C of the slide 8 arranged facing the work bench 5 is entirely free and clear of hindrances which would limit the full accessibility of the tool holder head 10 to the work bench 5 on which the workpiece being processed is anchored.

[0057] As a matter of fact, as better shown in FIGS. 3-7, it can be observed that the lower surface 8C of the slide 8 is substantially coplanar to the work bench 5, therefore ensuring to exploit the entire stroke of the vertical guide means 7 of the upright 2.

[0058] The position of the longitudinal guide means 4 on the lateral faces 3A, 3B of the base 3 also further contributes to increasing the exploitation of the entire stroke of the vertical guide means 7 of the upright 2, as described above. As a matter of fact, such position allows the slide 8 to further approach the work bench 5 given that the base 3 has an upper surface that is entirely clear of hindrances.

[0059] Therefore, it is clear that the slide 8 in an operative position close to the work bench 5 is closer to the work bench 5 with respect to the conventional configurations, which typically comprise only one pair of guides arranged facing the upright or a carriage which supports the slide at the lower part.

[0060] Suitably, the transversal slide 8 has a cross-section, schematically indicated with the reference numeral 12 in FIG. 7, substantially rectangular with a pair of vertical sides 12A, 12B, a pair of horizontal sides 12C, 12D and four vertices.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the three guides 11 A, 11 B, 11C are arranged in the proximity of vertices of the cross-section 12, along the lateral faces 8A, 8B of the slide 8.

[0062] In particular, two of the guides 11A, 11C are arranged in the proximity of the upper vertices of the cross-section 12.

[0063] Furthermore, two of the guides 11 A, 11 B are anchored to the slide 8 in a position adjacent to the upright 2, more precisely in a position adjacent to the lateral face 2A provided with the vertical guide means 7 along which the carriage 6 slides.

[0064] In other words, looking at the cross-section 12 of the slide 8 shown in FIG. 7, in which the first vertical side 12A is close to the lateral face 2A and a second vertical side 12B is parallel to the first vertical side 12A and spaced from the lateral face 2A, the three guides 11 A, 11 B, 11C will be respectively arranged in proximity of the upper end of the first side 12A, in proximity of the lower end of the first side 12A and in proximity of the upper end of the second vertical side 12B, as better shown in FIGS. 4 and 7.

[0065] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, not shown in the figures, the three guides 11A, 11 B, 11C may be arranged respectively in proximity of the upper end of the first side 12A, in proximity of the lower end of the first side 12A and in proximity of the lower end of the second vertical side 12B.

[0066] In another alternative embodiment of the invention, also not shown in the figures, the three guides 11 A, 11 B, 11C may be arranged respectively in proximity of the upper end of the first side 12A, in proximity of the lower end of the first side 12A and in any other point comprised between the two ends of the second vertical side 12B.

[0067] In a further alternative embodiment of the invention, also not shown in the figures, the three guides 11 A, 11 B, 11C are arranged along the lateral faces 8A, 8B and along the upper face 8D of the slide 8.

[0068] For example, the three guides 11 A, 11 B, 11C may be arranged respectively in proximity of the upper end of the first side 12A, in proximity of the lower end of the first side 12A and in any other point comprised between the two upper ends of the first 12A and of the second vertical side 12B.

[0069] In its most essential embodiment, the carriage 6 is “inverted-U”- shaped with a first vertical plate 13 that is parallel to and arranged facing the upright 2, at the lateral face 2A thereof and a second vertical plate 14 that is spaced apart from and parallel to the first plate 13, as better shown in FIGS. 8-11.

[0070] The first 13 and the second vertical plate 14 are joined at the upper part by a third horizontal plate 15, preferably parallel to the upper face 8D of the slide 8.

[0071] Preferably, the first 13 and the second vertical plate 14 have lower ends 13A, 14A arranged at a height greater than or equal to the lower face 8C of the slide 8 with respect to the base 3.

[0072] Also such particular configuration allows the lower face 8C of the slide 8 to be entirely free and clear of hindrances so as to allow the full accessibility of the tool holder head 10 to the work bench 5.

[0073] Suitably, the second vertical plate 14 may comprise a smaller extension with respect to the first plate 13 and the latter may comprise an upper end 13B arranged at a height greater than the height of the upper face 8D of the slide 8 with respect to the base 3.

[0074] In this manner, above the third horizontal plate 15 there may be mounted suitable reinforcement members 16 for reinforcing or stiffening the carriage 6 having ends adapted to connect the first plate 13 with the second plate 14 and / or with the third plate 15.

[0075] As better shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , the transversal guide means 9 comprise runners 17 positioned on the carriage 6 and adapted to slide along the transversal guides 11 A, 11 B, 11C.

[0076] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the carriage 6 comprises a pair of runners 17 for each of the transversal guides 11 A, 11 B, 11C and of the recirculating rollers type. The runners 17 are positioned on the surfaces arranged facing the slide 8 of the first 13 and second plate 14 of the carriage 6

[0077] In a per se known manner, the roller recirculating slides have a greater stiffness if they are compressed with respect to being stretched.

[0078] Therefore, from the particular configuration of the slide 6, of the slide 8 and from the relative position of the runners 17 and of the guides 11 A, 11 B, 11 C, it can be observed that the machine 1 comprises two compressed guides 11 A, 11C and only one stretched guide 11 B.

[0079] Such particular advantage allows the guides 11 A, 11 B, 11C to create a substantially symmetrical constraint between the carriage 6 and the slide 8, to the advantage of the work forces involved, as well as the stiffness of the slide 8.

[0080] In a per se known manner, the upper face 8D of the slide 8 comprises transversal movement means 18 for the transversal movement of the slide 8 with respect to the slide 6 of the recirculating ball type, as shown in FIGS. 1-7.

[0081] Similarly to the transversal movement means 18, also for the movement of the carriage 6 along the vertical guide means 7 there may be provided vertical movement means 19 of the recirculating ball type.

[0082] In the light of the description above, it is clear that the multi-axial machine with movable upright according to the invention achieves the pre- established objects and it particularly allows to increase the operating field of the tool holder head and it decreases the production, installation and maintenance costs at the same time.

[0083] The machine according to the invention is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants all falling within the inventive concept outlined in the attached claims.

[0084] Although the machine has been described with particular reference to the attached figures, the reference numerals used in the description and in the claims are meant for improving the intelligibility of the invention and they do not limit the claimed scope of protection in any manner whatsoever.

[0085] Throughout the description, reference to “an embodiment” or “the embodiment” or “some embodiments” indicate that a particular characteristic, structure or element described is comprised in at least one embodiment of the object of the present invention.

[0086] Furthermore, the particular characteristics, structures or elements may be combined in any appropriate fashion in one or more embodiments.Industrial applicability

[0087] The present invention can be applied at industrial level because it can be manufactured on industrial scale by industries belonging to the field of machine tools for industrial processing operations.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A multi-axial machine tool (1), comprising a vertical upright (2) movable along a longitudinal base (3), a carriage (6) slidable along said upright (2), a transversal slide (8) slidable along said carriage (6) along transversal guide means (9) and adapted to support a tool holder head (10) in a cantilevered manner, wherein said slide (8) comprises two opposite lateral faces (8A, 8B) and it has a substantially rectangular cross-section (12); characterised in that said transversal guide means (9) comprise at least three guides (11 A, 11 B, 11 C), two of said guides (11 A, 11C) being arranged on said opposite lateral faces (8A, 8B) in the proximity of the upper vertices of said cross-section (12).

2. Machine as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that two of said guides (11 A, 11 B) are anchored to said slide (8) in a position adjacent to said upright (2).

3. Machine as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that said transversal guide means (9) comprise runners (17) positioned on said carriage (6) and adapted to slide along said guides (9).

4. Machine as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that said carriage (6) comprises a pair of runners (17) for each of said guides (11 A, 11 B, 11C).

5. Machine as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that said carriage (6) is “inverted-U”-shaped with a first vertical plate (13) parallel and facing said upright (2) and a second vertical plate (14) spaced apart from and parallel to said first plate (13) joined at the upper part by a third horizontal plate (15).

6. Machine as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that said first (13) and second vertical plate (14) have lower ends (13A, 14A) arranged at a height greater than or equal to the height of the lower face (8C) of said slide (8) with respect to said base (3).

7. Machine as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that the upper face (8D) of said slide comprises transversal movement means (18) of said slide (8) with respect to said carriage (6) of the recirculating ball type.

8. Machine as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that said base (3) comprises a pair of lateral faces (3A, 3B) comprising longitudinal guide means (4) along which said upright (2) slides.

9. Machine as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that said upright (2) comprises a single column having a lateral face (2A) comprising vertical guide means (7) along which said carriage (6) slides in a cantilevered manner.

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