Machine tool

Abstract

To easily and safely perform setup work for a tool to be stored in a tool stocker.SOLUTION: A machine tool comprises: a spindle 2 to which a tool T2 is detachably attached; a tool stocker 8 for stocking the tool T2 to be attached to the spindle 2; a tool conveying mechanism 50 with a tool holding part 59 which detachably holds the tool T2, for moving the tool holding part 59 along a predetermined passage; and a conveying control part for controlling drive of the tool conveying mechanism 50. The tool conveying mechanism 50 is configured to move the tool holding part 59 to at least a tool changing position, a stocker position and a position for work. The tool changing position is a position where the tool T2 can be delivered between the spindle 2 and the tool holding part 59, the stocker position is a position where the tool T2 can be delivered between the tool stocker 8 and the tool holding part 59, and the position for work is a position where a worker W can detach the tool T2 by accessing the tool holding part 59 from a predetermined work area set up outside the machine tool.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine tool equipped with a spindle that detachably holds tools, a tool stocker that accommodates tools to be attached to the spindle, a tool transport mechanism having a tool holding part that detachably holds tools and moves the tool holding part along a predetermined path, and a transport control part that controls the tool transport mechanism. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an example of this type of machine tool, a machine tool disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 11-58161 (Patent Document 1 below) has been known.

[0003] This machine tool has a standard tool magazine attached to the machine tool body, a large tool magazine (tool stocker) for stocking long tools that do not fit in the standard tool magazine, and a tool transport mechanism for transporting the long tools. The tool transport mechanism has a tool holding unit for holding the long tools. The tool holding unit is configured to be movable between a tool storage position in the large tool magazine and a tool exchange position in the machining chamber. During automatic exchange of the long tools, the tool holding unit of the tool transport mechanism is moved to the tool exchange position under the control of the transport control unit. Then, after the tool holding unit is moved to the tool exchange position, the tool held by the tool holding unit is exchanged for the tool attached to the spindle by moving the spindle head in the X-, Y-, and Z-axis directions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-58161 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the machine tool shown in Patent Document 1, the tool holder can only move to two positions: a tool exchange position in the machining chamber and a tool storage position (stocker position) in a large tool magazine (inside the tool stocker). Therefore, when setting up tools stored in the tool stocker, the worker needs to directly access the tool stocker, which causes a problem of poor workability. In particular, in a configuration in which the tool stocker is arranged on the ceiling of the machine tool as in Patent Document 1, the worker needs to work at a high place using a ladder or the like to access the tool stocker, which causes significant poor workability.

[0006] In order to avoid this problem, it is conceivable to move the tools in the tool stocker to the tool exchange position by a tool transport mechanism and then perform the tool setup work. However, in this case, the worker needs to enter the machining chamber where the tool exchange position is set to perform the work, so there is room for further improvement from the viewpoint of ensuring workability and safety.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a machine tool which includes a spindle for detachably holding tools, a tool stocker for accommodating tools to be attached to the spindle, a tool transport mechanism having a tool holding part for detachably holding tools and for moving the tool holding part along a predetermined path, and a transport control part for controlling the tool transport mechanism, and which, through further improvements thereto, has been improved to make it possible to easily and safely carry out setup operations for tools stored in the tool stocker. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides: A spindle disposed within the machining area and configured to detachably hold a tool; A machine tool including at least a cover body including at least a ceiling cover and a side wall cover, the cover body surrounding the machining area and separating the machining area from the outside, a tool stocker that accommodates tools to be attached to the spindle; a tool transfer mechanism having a tool holding unit that detachably holds the tool and that moves the tool holding unit along a predetermined path; A transport control unit that controls the tool transport mechanism, The tool transport mechanism relates to a machine tool configured to be able to move the tool holding unit at least to a tool exchange position, a stocker position, and a working position. The tool change position is a position where the tool is transferred between the spindle and the tool holding unit, the stocker position is a position where the tool is transferred between the tool stocker and the tool holding unit, and the work position is a position set as a position where an operator works on the tool holding unit from outside the machining area.

[0009] According to this machine tool, the tool holding unit of the tool transport mechanism can be moved to at least the tool exchange position, the stocker position, and the working position under the control of the transport control unit. The working position is set as a position where an operator performs an operation such as attaching and detaching a tool to the tool holding unit from outside the machining area. Therefore, even if the operator does not directly perform an operation on the tool stocker, the operator can complete the setup operation of the tool on the tool stocker by, for example, moving the tool holding unit of the tool transport mechanism to the working position under the control of the transport control unit, performing the operation of attaching and detaching a tool to the tool holding unit, and then storing the tool held by the tool holding unit in the tool stocker by the tool transport mechanism. Therefore, the operator can easily and safely perform the setup operation on the tool stocker from outside the machine through the operation of the tool transport mechanism without entering the machining area (machining room) of the machine tool or accessing a place with poor safety (for example, a high place).

[0010] The tool stocker is preferably provided on the outside of the cover body, in particular on or above the ceiling cover.

[0011] In this way, by locating the tool stocker outside the cover body, it is possible to prevent coolant and chips scattered during machining of the workpiece from adhering to the tools inside the tool stocker, thereby keeping the tools always clean and avoiding problems such as improper attachment of the tools to the spindle and improper cutting of the workpiece.

[0012] In addition, by arranging the tool stocker on or above the ceiling cover, it is possible to reduce the costs required for safety measures. That is, if the tool stocker is installed on the same floor as the operator, for example, it is necessary to provide a safety fence or a human detection sensor to prevent the operator from accidentally entering the area where the tool stocker is installed, but by arranging the tool stocker on or above the ceiling cover of the machine tool, where the operator is unlikely to enter in the first place, it is possible to reduce the costs required for such safety measures.

[0013] It is preferable that the tool changing position and the working position are set within the machining area, the tool transporting mechanism is arranged to be located above the ceiling cover, and the ceiling cover is formed with a first opening through which the tool holding part of the tool transporting mechanism passes when the tool holding part is moved to the tool changing position, and a second opening through which the tool holding part passes when the tool holding part is moved to the working position.

[0014] According to this aspect, the tool holding unit of the tool transport mechanism can be moved to the tool change position through a first opening formed in the ceiling cover. Also, the tool holding unit of the tool transport mechanism can be moved to the work position through a second opening also formed in the ceiling cover. By forming the first opening and the second opening in the ceiling cover in this manner, it is possible to ensure a movement path for the tool holding unit (a path passing through the tool change position, the stocker position, and the work position) with the tool stocker disposed outside the cover body.

[0015] The working position is set within the processing area adjacent to the side wall cover, It is preferable that the side wall cover and ceiling cover adjacent to the work position have a third opening that is connected to each other and further include a movable door that opens and closes the third opening by sliding in a linear manner, the movable door including a door main body portion that opens and closes the third opening on the side wall cover side, and a ceiling side door portion that is connected to an upper end of the door main body portion and opens and closes the third opening on the ceiling cover side, and the second opening is formed in the ceiling side door portion.

[0016] According to this aspect, when the movable door is moved from the closed position to the open position, the door main body and the ceiling-side door connected to the upper end thereof slide together to open the third opening formed in the ceiling cover and the side wall cover of the machine tool. Therefore, the worker can use a hoisting device such as a crane to appropriately transport the transported object into the machining area and transport it out of the machining area from the third opening. Therefore, when the worker attaches or detaches a tool to or from the tool holding part of the tool transport mechanism moved to the working position, the worker can use the hoisting device to do so, thereby reducing the physical strain on the worker's arms and waist.

[0017] It is preferable that the machine tool further includes a first opening / closing mechanism that opens and closes the first opening, and a second opening / closing mechanism that opens and closes the second opening.

[0018] According to this aspect, for example, when a workpiece is being machined within the machining area, the first opening and the second opening can be closed by the first opening / closing mechanism and the second opening / closing mechanism, respectively, thereby preventing chips and coolant generated during machining of the workpiece from scattering outside the machining area.

[0019] In the machine tool, when the tool stocker is a first tool stocker, it is preferable that the machine tool further comprises a second tool stocker different from the first tool stocker, the second tool stocker having a plurality of connected tool holding portions and configured to removably hold tools in each tool holding portion, and further comprises a tool exchange device for exchanging tools between the spindle and the second tool stocker, and the working position is set on the opposite side of the spindle from the second tool stocker.

[0020] According to this aspect, the setup work of tools can be performed in the first tool stocker without interfering with the setup work of tools in the second tool stocker.

[0021] It is also preferable that the first tool stocker is configured to be capable of storing tools longer than tools stored in the second tool stocker.

[0022] In many cases, a long tool is heavier than a standard tool, and therefore the physical burden on the worker during setup work is large. According to this embodiment, even when performing setup work for such a long tool, the setup work can be performed using the tool transport mechanism, thereby reducing the physical burden on the worker.

[0023] It is preferable that the position of the spindle when the tool holding part of the tool transport mechanism transfers the tool between the spindle and the tool holding part at the tool change position is set to the same position as the position of the spindle when the tool change device changes the tool.

[0024] According to this aspect, after the used tool attached to the spindle is removed by the tool change device, the tool holding portion of the tool transport mechanism is moved to the tool change position, and the next tool to be used is attached to the spindle without the need to change the position of the spindle, so that the tool change can be performed quickly. Effect of the Invention

[0025] As described above, according to the machine tool of the present invention, the tool holding section is configured to be movable by the tool transport mechanism to at least the tool change position, the stocker position, and the work position, thereby making it possible to easily and safely set up tools in the tool stocker. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a machine tool according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state in which a tool holding portion of the tool transport mechanism is in a standby position. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view seen from above showing the opening / closing mechanism that opens and closes the right opening of the machine tool. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the tool transport mechanism from the right side. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a front view showing the tool transport mechanism. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a front view showing a state in which the tool holding portion of the tool transport mechanism is in the tool exchange position. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view showing a state in which the tool holding portion of the tool transport mechanism is in the stocker position. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a front view showing a state in which the tool holding portion of the tool transport mechanism is in the working position. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the machine tool. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1, showing a state in which the tool holding portion of the tool transport mechanism is in the working position. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a view corresponding to FIG. 6, showing a machine tool according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0028] (Embodiment 1) Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a machine tool 1 in the first embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the machine tool 1 as viewed from its front side. In the following description, the front side, rear side, left side, and right side refer to directions based on the machine tool 1, unless otherwise specified (see the directional axes in each drawing). In addition, in each drawing, the thickness of plate materials may be omitted, and hatching of their cross sections may be omitted.

[0029] This machine tool 1 is a horizontal machining center and includes a spindle 2 arranged to protrude horizontally into machining chamber A which is a machining area provided at the front of the machine tool 1, a work support device 3 arranged in machining chamber A and supporting a workpiece (not shown), a standard tool changer 4, a long tool changer 5, an exterior cover 6 as a cover body which covers the entire machine, and a control device 100 (only shown in Fig. 9) which controls the operation of the entire machine. Note that while the front side of the machine tool 1 is not shown in Fig. 1, in reality, the front side of the machine tool 1 is provided with the exterior cover 6 and an opening / closing door (not shown) attached to the exterior cover 6.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the standard tool changer 4 is a so-called magazine-type automatic tool changer, and performs tool change between the spindle 2 and a standard tool stocker 7 accommodated at the left end of the machine tool 1. The long tool changer 5 performs tool change between the spindle 2 and a long tool stocker 8 arranged on the upper surface of the machine tool 1, using a tool transfer mechanism 50 described later. The long tool stocker 8 accommodates a long tool T2 that exceeds the tool size that can be accommodated in the standard tool stocker 7. An example of the long tool T2 is a line boring bar. The long tool stocker 8 corresponds to a first tool stocker, and the standard tool stocker 7 corresponds to a second tool stocker.

[0031] The spindle 2 is rotatably held by the spindle head 9. The spindle head 9 is held by a column (not shown) erected at the rear end of the bed 11 so as to be movable up and down (in the Y-axis direction). The column is supported on the upper surface of the rear end of the bed 11 so as to be movable left and right (in the X-axis direction). With this configuration, the spindle head 9 moves within the X-Y plane. The movement of the spindle head 9 in the X- and Y-axis directions is achieved by a feed drive mechanism (not shown) that includes a ball screw and a servo motor that drives the ball screw.

[0032] The spindle head 9 protrudes into the machining chamber A through a protective cover 10 arranged in front of the column. The protective cover 10 is arranged so as to separate the machining chamber A from a column-side space (not shown) that houses the entire column and the base-end portion of the spindle head 9. The protective cover 10 is constructed by connecting a number of cover plates with a pantograph mechanism (none of which are shown) provided on their rear sides. Thus, the protective cover 10 separates the column-side space from the machining chamber A while allowing the spindle head 9 to move within the X-Y plane.

[0033] The workpiece support device 3 is a device that supports a workpiece (not shown) to be machined. Specifically, the workpiece support device 3 has a tilt table 31, a support base 32 that supports the tilt table 31 so as to be swingable around the X-axis, and a turntable 33 arranged on the upper surface of the tilt table 31. A pallet P for mounting a workpiece is clamped and fixed to the upper surface of the turntable 33. The support base 32 is supported on the upper surface of the front end portion of the bed 11 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction (Z-axis direction). The movement of the support base 32 in the Z-axis direction is achieved by a feed drive mechanism (not shown) that includes a ball screw and a servo motor that drives the ball screw.

[0034] When machining the workpiece, the feed drive mechanisms in the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis directions and the drive mechanisms for the tilt table 31 and turntable 33 are controlled by the control device 100, thereby controlling the relative positional relationship between the workpiece and the tool T1 or tool T2 attached to the tip of the spindle 2. This allows the workpiece to be machined into a desired shape.

[0035] [Exterior cover configuration] The exterior cover 6 has a first cover part 61 including a ceiling cover 61a and a right side wall cover 61b formed to surround the machining chamber A, a second cover part 62 covering the stocker storage space B in which the standard tool stocker 7 is stored, and a third cover part 63 covering the column side space (not shown) which stores the entire column and the base end portion of the spindle head 9.

[0036] The first cover section 61 has a side wall cover (not shown) provided on the front side, and this front side wall cover has a front opening formed therein for loading and unloading workpieces, etc., and this front opening is opened and closed by a movable door (not shown) that slides left and right.

[0037] A right side opening 61c (see FIG. 10) corresponding to a third opening for performing setup work of the tool T2 to be stored in the long tool stocker 8 is formed in the right side wall cover 61b of the first cover part 61. The right side opening 61c is formed at a position higher than the floor surface on which the machine tool 1 is installed. For this reason, a pedestal 12 for forming a footrest is provided on the right side of the machine tool 1 at the same height as the lower end position of the right side opening 61c. A stair section 12a is formed in the front part of the pedestal 12 so that the worker W can climb up to the upper surface (footrest) of the pedestal 12. The upper surface of the pedestal 12 corresponds to a predetermined work area.

[0038] The right-side opening 61c has a rectangular shape with an open upper side when viewed from the right side of the machine tool 1 (see FIG. 10). The upper end of the right-side opening 61c is connected to a ceiling-side opening 61d formed in the ceiling cover 61a of the first cover part 61. The ceiling cover 61a is disposed so as to cover the upper side of the machining chamber A, and the ceiling-side opening 61d is formed at the right end of the ceiling cover 61a. The ceiling-side opening 61d has a rectangular shape with an open right side when viewed from above.

[0039] The right opening 61c and the ceiling opening 61d are opened and closed by one movable door 64 that slides in the front-rear direction. The movable door 64 has a door main body 64a for opening and closing the right opening 61c, and a ceiling door part 64b for opening and closing the ceiling opening 61d. The door main body 64a is made of a rectangular plate material extending vertically, and a window part 64d closed by a transparent plate is provided near the center. The ceiling door part 64b is in the shape of a rectangular plate and protrudes horizontally to the left from the upper edge of the door main body 64a.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, the ceiling-side door portion 64b of the movable door 64 has an opening 64c formed therein as a second opening portion for allowing passage of a lifting slider 58 of the tool transport mechanism 50 (described later). The opening 64c is formed in a rectangular shape extending in the front-rear direction and open at the rear. The opening 64c is opened and closed by an opening / closing shutter 14 (an example of an opening / closing member) that slides in the left-right direction. The opening / closing shutter 14 is attached to the upper surface of the ceiling-side door portion 64b together with its driving actuator, and the opening / closing shutter 14 and the driving actuator constitute a second opening / closing mechanism. The operation of the driving actuator is controlled by a control device 100 (described later).

[0041] 1, the ceiling-side opening 61d formed in the ceiling cover 61a is closed by the ceiling-side door portion 64b, and the right-side opening 61c formed in the side wall cover 61b is closed by the door main body portion 64a. On the other hand, when the movable door 64 is in the open position shown in FIG. 10 in which it has moved forward, the ceiling-side opening 61d formed in the ceiling cover 61a and the right-side opening 61c formed in the wall cover 61b are both open.

[0042] On the left side of the ceiling opening 61d on the upper surface of the ceiling cover 61a, three tool pots 81 constituting the long tool stocker 8 are provided. These three tool pots 81 are arranged at equal intervals in the left-right direction. In this example, the number of tool pots 81 is three, but is not limited to this, and may be two or less, or four or more.

[0043] Each tool pot 81 has a pot body and a trapezoidal support portion that supports the pot body from below. The pot body has a tool insertion hole that is open at the front side and that receives the shank portion of the tool T2. A tool holding mechanism using, for example, a spring is built into the pot body. This tool holding mechanism holds the shank portion of the tool T2 inserted into the tool insertion hole of the pot body so that it can be inserted and removed.

[0044] An opening 61e is formed on the left side of the long tool stocker 8 in the ceiling cover 61a as a first opening for allowing passage of a lift slider 58 of the tool transport mechanism 50 described later. This opening 61e is opened and closed by an opening / closing shutter 13 (an example of an opening / closing member) that slides in the front-rear direction. The opening / closing shutter 13 is attached to the upper surface of the ceiling cover 61a together with its driving actuator, and the opening / closing shutter 13 and the driving actuator constitute a first opening / closing mechanism. The driving actuator is operated and controlled by a control device 100 described later. In the following description, the opening 61e formed in the ceiling cover 61a is referred to as the first opening 61e, and the opening 64c formed in the ceiling side door portion 64b of the movable door 64 described above is referred to as the second opening 64c.

[0045] 2, in the stocker accommodating space B covered by the second cover portion 62, two rotary tool magazines 71 constituting the standard tool stocker 7 are accommodated.

[0046] The two tool magazines 71 are arranged coaxially with a gap in the left-right direction. Each tool magazine 71 is composed of a disk-shaped magazine frame and a number of tool holding portions 71a arranged adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the magazine frame. The tool holding portions 71a are groove-shaped and open to the right, and are configured to hold standard-sized tools T1 in a freely engageable and detachable manner. However, the configuration of the tool magazine is not limited to this configuration, and any conventionally known configuration can be applied, such as a configuration in which the tool holding portions are connected by an endless chain to rotate.

[0047] [Standard tool changer configuration] The standard tool changer 4 performs tool change between each tool magazine 71 and the spindle 2 under the control of the control device 100. Specifically, the standard tool changer 4 has a tool change arm 41, a transport unit 42, and a transport rail 43.

[0048] The tool change arm 41 is accommodated in an arm accommodation space C located between the stocker accommodation space B and the machining chamber A. The arm accommodation space C and the machining chamber A are partitioned by a partition wall 61f. The partition wall 61f constitutes the left side wall of the first cover part 61 that surrounds the machining chamber A. An opening 61g is formed in the partition wall 61f, which communicates between the arm accommodation space C and the machining chamber A and allows the tool change arm to enter the machining chamber A. The opening 61g is closed so as to be openable and closable by an ATC shutter 44 that slides in the vertical direction.

[0049] The conveying rail 43 extends in the left-right direction and is disposed across the tool indexing position (predetermined angle position) of each tool magazine 71 and a position adjacent to the left side of the tool exchange arm 41. The conveying unit 42 conveys the next process tool T1 indexed to the tool indexing position by each tool magazine 71 to a conveying end position set on the left side of the tool exchange arm 41. When the conveying unit 42 reaches the conveying end position, the ATC shutter 44 is opened, and the tool exchange arm 41 rotates about a support shaft at its middle part as a fulcrum to execute a tool exchange operation between the next process tool T1 held by the conveying unit 42 and the used tool T1 attached to the spindle 2. Through this exchange operation, the next process tool T1 is attached to the spindle 2, and the used tool T1 is attached to the conveying unit 42. After the tool changing operation by the tool changing arm 41 is completed, the ATC shutter 44 is closed and the transport unit 42 moves leftward along the transport rail 43 to return the used tool T1 to a predetermined tool engagement portion 71a of the tool magazine 71.

[0050] [Long tool changer] The long tool changer 5 has a tool transport mechanism 50 for performing tool exchange between the long tool stocker 8 and the spindle 2. The tool transport mechanism 50 waits above a ceiling cover 61a of the machine tool 1 as shown in FIG. 1 during a workpiece machining operation based on an NC program.

[0051] Fig. 4 is a side view of the tool transport mechanism 50 as viewed from the left side, and Fig. 5 is a front view of the tool transport mechanism 50 as viewed from the front side. The tool transport mechanism 50 has a left-right moving base table 51, a lifting and lowering advancement unit 52 supported by the left-right moving base table 51, an X-axis motor M1 (see Fig. 5) that drives the left-right moving base table 51 in the left-right direction (X-axis direction), a Z-axis cylinder 57 that drives the lifting and lowering advancement unit 52 in the front-rear direction (Z-axis direction), and a Y-axis motor M2 that drives a lifting and lowering slider 58 provided on the lifting and lowering advancement unit 52 to extend and retract in the up-down direction (Y-axis direction).

[0052] 1 and 4, the left-right movement base platform 51 is made of a rectangular plate that is long in the front-rear direction, and is configured to be movable in the left-right direction along a pair of guide rails 20. The pair of guide rails 20 are formed on the upper surface of a support member 21. The support member 21 is disposed above a third cover portion 63 of the machine tool 1. The support member 21 has a horizontal plate portion 21a that extends over the entire third cover portion 63 in the left-right direction, and a pair of legs 21b that support both ends of the horizontal plate portion 21a.

[0053] 4, the left-right moving base platform 51 is supported on the pair of guide rails 20 via sliders 53. The sliders 53 are engaged with the respective guide rails 20 so as to be movable in the left-right direction, and the left-right moving base platform 51 moves in the left-right direction together with the sliders 53 along the pair of guide rails 20.

[0054] The X-axis motor M1 is fixed to the left end of the left-right moving base table 51. The X-axis motor M1 is arranged with its output shaft facing vertically downward. A pinion gear is attached to the tip of the output shaft of the X-axis motor M1. A rack bar is attached to the side of the front guide rail 20, which extends over the entire left-right direction and engages with the pinion gear. The X-axis motor M1 drives the left-right moving base table 51 together with the pinion gear in the left-right direction by rotating the pinion gear that engages with the rack bar. The operation of the X-axis motor M1 is controlled by a control device 100 described later.

[0055] A pair of left and right guide rails 55 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 4) that guide the lifting and lowering unit 52 to be movable in the front-rear direction are provided on the upper surface of the left-right moving base platform 51. The pair of guide rails 55 extend over substantially the entire upper surface of the left-right moving base platform 51 in the front-rear direction.

[0056] The lifting / lowering unit 52 has a base member 54 that is L-shaped when viewed from the left-right direction, and a lifting slider 58 attached to the base member 54 .

[0057] The base member 54 has a horizontal plate 54a having a rectangular shape elongated in the front-rear direction, a vertical plate 54b extending upward from the front end edge of the horizontal plate 54a, and a pair of ribs 54c (only one of which is shown in FIG. 4) having a substantially trapezoidal shape that connects the left and right end edges of the horizontal plate 54a to the rear side surface of the vertical plate 54b. The horizontal plate 54a of the base member 54 is supported by a pair of left and right guide rails 55 provided on the upper surface of the left-right moving base stand 51 via sliders 56. There are provided two sliders 56 for each guide rail 55, for a total of four sliders 56. Each slider 56 is engaged with each guide rail 55 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and the base member 54 is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction along the pair of guide rails 55 together with the sliders 56.

[0058] A Z-axis cylinder 57 that drives the entire lifting and lowering advancement unit 52 to advance and retreat in the front-rear direction is fixed between a pair of guide rails 55 on the upper surface of the left-right moving base platform 51. The Z-axis cylinder 57 is a hydraulic cylinder that hydraulically drives a rod 57a in the front-rear direction (Z-axis direction). The tip of the rod 57a is fixed to the lower surface of the base member 54 of the lifting and lowering advancement unit 52. The operation of the Z-axis cylinder 57 is controlled by the control device 100 switching the hydraulic flow path of a hydraulic supply device (not shown).

[0059] The lift slider 58 is attached to the front side of the vertical plate 54b of the base member 54. In this example, the lift slider 58 has a two-stage stroke mechanism. Specifically, the lift slider 58 has a first slide portion 58a and a second slide portion 58b arranged on the front side of the first slide portion 58a in a superimposed manner. The first slide portion 58a and the second slide portion 58b are both formed in a rectangular plate shape that is long in the vertical direction. The first slide portion 58a and the second slide portion 58b are superimposed with a pinion gear meshed between rack plates fixed to each of them and extending in the vertical direction. In the two-stage stroke mechanism, when the first slide portion 58a is lowered, the second slide portion 58b slides downward relative to the first slide portion 58a during the downward movement, and expands as a whole, and when the first slide portion 58a is raised, the second slide portion 58b moves upward relative to the first slide portion 58a during the upward movement, and contracts as a whole. As a result, compared to a case where the two-stage stroke mechanism is not employed, the stroke amount during extension can be doubled without increasing the length of the lift slider 58 during contraction.

[0060] The Y-axis motor M2 (see FIG. 5) is a drive source for driving the lift slider 58 to move up and down, and is supported on the base member 54 so as to be movable in the up and down direction. The Y-axis motor M2 is disposed so that its output shaft extends horizontally in the left-right direction. The Y-axis motor M2 drives the first slide portion 58a to move up and down in the up and down direction via a gear mechanism. As described above, the first slide portion 58a and the second slide portion 58b are connected via a two-stage stroke mechanism, so that when the first slide portion 58a is driven to move up and down by the Y-axis motor M2, the second slide portion 58b is driven to move up and down in conjunction with this. The operation of the Y-axis motor M2 is controlled by the control device 100, which will be described later.

[0061] A tool holding portion 59 for holding a long tool T2 is provided at the lower end of the second slide portion 58b of the lift slider 58.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 5, the tool holding portion 59 has an engagement plate 59b having an arc-shaped engagement portion 59a that opens to the right side in the figure, and a lock mechanism including a lock plate 59c. The lock plate 59c is supported on a portion of the engagement plate 59b above the engagement portion 59a so as to be rotatable about a shaft portion 59d as a fulcrum. The lock mechanism switches the lock plate 59c between a locked state and an unlocked state by controlling the supply of hydraulic pressure to a hydraulic flow path formed inside the engagement plate 59b. In the locked state, the lock plate 59c rotates clockwise in FIG. 5 about the shaft portion 59d as a fulcrum, and the tool T2 is locked in the engagement hole 59a by the lock plate 59c so as not to fall off. On the other hand, in the unlocked state, the lock plate 59c rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 5 about the shaft portion 59e as a fulcrum, and the tool T2 can be inserted and removed horizontally from the right side of the engagement portion 59a.

[0063] [Explanation of standby position, tool change position, stocker position, and work position] The tool transport mechanism 50 is configured to be able to move a tool holding portion 59 provided at the lower end of the lifting slider 58 to a standby position (see FIG. 2), a tool exchange position (see FIG. 6), a storage position (see FIG. 7), and a working position (see FIG. 8) by combining the left-right movement of the left-right moving base stand 51 and the up-down lifting movement (expansion and contraction movement) of the lifting slider 58.

[0064] The standby position is a position for keeping the tool holding unit 59 on standby when there is no request for transporting the tool T2 to the tool transport mechanism 50. Fig. 2 shows a state in which the tool holding unit 59 is in the standby position. In the standby position, the tool holding unit 59 is located directly above a first opening 61e formed in the ceiling cover 61a.

[0065] In addition, the left-right (X-axis direction) and front-back (Z-axis direction) positions of this waiting position are set at a position where the long tool T2 held by the tool holding part 59 can pass through the first opening 61e without interference when the tool holding part 59 is lowered in the Y-axis direction from the waiting position into the machining chamber A by the lifting slider 58.

[0066] In addition, the height direction of the standby position is set so that the lower end of the tool holding part 59 is higher than each tool pot 81 of the long tool stocker 8. This simplifies the moving path when the tool holding part 59 is moved from the standby position to the stocker position, and shortens the time required for this moving operation.

[0067] Furthermore, when the tool holding part 59 is in the standby position, the lifting and lowering advancement / retraction unit 52 is in a state of being retracted by the Z-axis cylinder 57. This eliminates the need to once retract the lifting and lowering advancement / retraction unit 52 by the Z-axis cylinder 57 when the tool holding part 59 is moved from the standby position to the stocker position or the tool exchange position to hold (engage) the tool T2 on the tool holding part 59. This makes it possible to shorten the operation time of the tool transport mechanism 50 when the tool holding part 59 holds the tool T2.

[0068] The tool exchange position is a position where the tool T2 is transferred between the spindle 2 and the tool holder 59. FIG. 6 shows the state where the tool holder 59 is at the tool exchange position. At the tool exchange position, the tool T2 attached to the spindle 2 enters and engages with the engagement portion 59a of the tool holder 59, and the engagement portion 59a is arranged coaxially with the spindle 2. The transfer operation (insertion / removal operation) of the tool T2 between the tool holder 59 and the spindle 2 is realized by the forward / backward movement in the Z-axis direction by the Z-axis cylinder 57 and the reciprocating movement in the X-axis direction by the X-axis motor M1. The position of the spindle 2 during this tool exchange is determined in advance. A position where the tool holder 59 is moved slightly to the left of the X-axis from the tool exchange position so that the engagement portion 59a is disengaged from the tool T2 is set as the approach position.

[0069] The stocker position is a position where the tool T2 is transferred between the long tool stocker 8 and the tool holder 59. FIG. 7 shows an example of a state where the tool holder 59 is at the stocker position. At the stocker position, the tool T2 attached to the tool pot 81 constituting the long tool stocker 8 enters and engages with the engagement portion 59a of the tool holder 59, and the engagement portion 59a is arranged coaxially with the tool pot 81. In this example, since three tool pots 81 are provided, a total of three stocker positions are set corresponding to the three tool pots 81. The example of FIG. 7 shows a state where the tool holder 59 is moved to the stocker position set for the leftmost tool pot 81. The transfer operation (insertion and removal operation) of the tool T2 between the tool holder 59 and the tool pot 81 is realized by the forward and backward movement in the Z-axis direction by the Z-axis cylinder 57 and the reciprocating movement in the X-axis direction by the X-axis motor M1, as described above. Further, for each stocker position, a position where the tool holder 59 is slightly moved to the left along the X axis so that the engaging portion 59a is disengaged from the tool T2 is set as an approach position.

[0070] The working position is a position where the worker W can access the tool holding part 59 from the upper surface (predetermined working area) of the pedestal 12 installed on the right side of the machine tool 1 to attach and detach the tool T2. FIG. 8 shows the state where the tool holding part 59 is in the working position. In the working position, the tool holding part 59 is located directly below the second opening 64c formed in the ceiling side door part 64b of the opening and closing door 64. In the working position, the tool holding part 59 is disposed at a position slightly spaced to the left of the right opening 61c. In addition, in the working position, the tool holding part 59 is preferably located at a height approximately equal to the waist height of an average adult male.

[0071] [Control system configuration] Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing a part of the control system of the machine tool 1. As shown in the figure, the machine tool 1 has a control device 100. The control device 100 is made up of a computer having a CPU, ROM, and RAM. The control device 100 is connected to a machining mechanism unit 101, a standard tool changer 4, a long tool changer 5, a shutter drive unit 102, a main operation panel 103, and a setup operation unit 104 so as to be able to send and receive signals.

[0072] The machining mechanism section 101 includes a spindle motor that drives the spindle 2, feed drive mechanisms in the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis directions, and drive mechanisms for the tilt table 31 and the turntable 33.

[0073] As described above, the standard tool changer 4 is a device that executes an exchange operation of a standard-sized tool T1 by the tool change arm 41. The control device 100 drives an actuator (e.g., a drive motor of the tool change arm 41) provided in the standard tool changer 4 to cause the standard tool changer 4 to execute a tool exchange operation.

[0074] The long tool changer 5 is a device that executes an exchange operation of a long tool T2 by the tool transport mechanism 50. The long tool changer 5 executes a setup operation described later in addition to the tool exchange operation. The control device 100 is electrically connected to an actuator provided in the tool transport mechanism 50. The actuator includes, for example, an X-axis motor M1 that drives the left-right moving base 51, a Y-axis motor M2 that drives the lift slider 58, and a flow path switching valve of a hydraulic supply device connected to the Z-axis cylinder 57. The X-axis motor M1 and the Y-axis motor M2 change the position of the lift advance / retract unit 52 in the X-axis-Y axis plane, thereby changing the position of the tool holder 59 provided at the lower end of the lift slider 58 in the X-axis-Y axis plane.

[0075] The shutter driving unit 102 includes respective driving actuators for the opening / closing shutter 13 of the first opening 61e formed in the ceiling cover 61a and the opening / closing shutter 14 of the second opening 64c formed in the movable door 64. The control device 100 controls the operation of these driving actuators.

[0076] The main operation panel 103 has a cycle start button 103a for starting the execution of an NC program, a touch panel 103b for the operator W to perform various settings for the machine tool 1, and the like. The touch panel 103b displays soft keys for the operator W to input an NC program and setting buttons for setting the operation mode of the machine tool 1. An example of the operation mode is, for example, an automatic operation mode in which a workpiece is machined based on an NC program, and a setup mode in which the operator W performs various setup operations. An example of the setup operation is, for example, a setup operation of a tool T2 to be stored in the long tool stocker 8. The touch panel 103b is provided with an operation screen for the operator W to specify the tool pot 81 in which the tool T2 to be set up is held. The main operation panel 103 accepts operations via the cycle start button 103a or the touch panel 103b, and transmits the operation signal to the control device 100.

[0077] The setup operation unit 104 has a setup execution button 104a for causing the tool transport mechanism 50 to execute the transport operation of the tool T2 when the setup mode is set on the main operation panel 103. The setup execution button 104a is provided on the right side of the machine tool 1 so that it can be operated by an operator W standing on the top surface of the pedestal 12. The setup operation unit 104 accepts an operation via the setup execution button 104a and transmits an operation signal to the control device 100. The setup operation unit 104 and the main operation panel 103 are illustrated only in the block diagram of FIG. 9, and are omitted from the other perspective views and front views.

[0078] When the control device 100 receives an operation signal of the cycle start button 103a from the main operation panel 103, it executes an NC program stored in a storage unit (not shown). Then, the control device 100 causes the machining mechanism unit 101 to perform a machining operation of the workpiece based on the NC program. Furthermore, when the control device 100 extracts an exchange command for a standard-sized tool T1 during the execution of the NC program, it causes the standard tool exchange device 4 to execute a tool exchange operation. In this tool exchange operation, the tool exchange is performed between the spindle 2 and the transport unit 42 using the tool exchange arm 41 as described above.

[0079] Furthermore, when the control device 100 (an example of a transport control unit) extracts an exchange command for a long tool T2 in the NC program, it causes the long tool exchange device 5 (tool transport mechanism 50) to execute a tool exchange operation. Furthermore, when the control device 100 receives an operation signal of a setup execution button 104a from the setup operation unit 104, it causes the long tool exchange device 5 (tool transport mechanism 50) to execute a setup operation.

[0080] [Tool exchange operation] With reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7, the details of the tool changing operation by the long tool changer 5 will be described. In this tool changing operation, as shown in FIG. 2, the tool holding unit 59 starts from the standby position, and under the control of the control device 100, the open / close shutter 13 provided on the ceiling cover 61a of the machine tool 1 is first moved to the open position by the shutter driving unit 102. As a result, the first opening 61e located directly below the standby position of the tool holding unit 59 is opened. Then, with the first opening 61e open, the X-axis motor M1, the Y-axis motor M2, and the Z-axis cylinder 57 are driven and controlled, and the tool holding unit 59 moves in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions, and the tool changing operation is performed. Only the operation of the tool holding unit 59 will be described below. First, the tool holding unit 59 is lowered to a predetermined position through the first opening 61e. In this example, this lowered position is an approach position set for the tool changing position. Next, the tool holding part 59 is moved to the right in the X-axis direction to the tool changing position (see FIG. 6). As a result, the used tool T2 enters the engagement part 59a of the engagement plate 59b, and the lock plate 59c is put into a locked state, so that the used tool T2 is held by the tool holding part 59. Next, the tool holding part 59 is moved forward in the Z-axis direction, so that the used tool T2 is pulled out forward from the tool mounting hole of the spindle 2.

[0081] Next, the tool holding part 59 is moved upward in the Y-axis direction to exit the machining chamber A through the first opening 61e, and then moved to the front side of an empty tool pot 81 to which the tool is to be stored in the long tool stocker 8 (to the front side in the Z-axis direction of the stocker position set for the tool pot 81) (see FIG. 7). Thereafter, the tool holding part 59 is moved to a stocker position on the rear side in the Z-axis direction, whereby the used tool T2 held by the tool holding part 59 is inserted into the tool pot 81. Next, after the lock plate 59c of the tool holding part 59 is set to an unlocked state, the tool holding part 59 is moved to an approach position on the left side in the X-axis direction so as to move away from the stored used tool T2.

[0082] Next, the tool holding part 59 is moved upward in the Y-axis direction to the same height position as the standby position, and then moved above the approach position set for the other tool pot 81 in which the next process tool T2 is stored. Next, the tool holding part 59 is moved to the approach position on the lower side in the Y-axis direction, and then moved to the stocker position on the right side of the X-axis set for the tool pot 81. As a result, the next process tool T2 enters the engagement part 59a of the engagement plate 59b, and the lock plate 59c is put into a locked state, so that the next process tool T2 is held by the tool holding part 59. Thereafter, the tool holding part 59 is moved forward in the Z-axis direction, and the next process tool T2 is pulled out from the other tool pot 81.

[0083] Next, the tool holding part 59 is moved to a position above the spindle 2 and where the held next-process tool T2 is located forward of the spindle 2 in the Z axis direction, and then the tool holding part 59 is advanced into the machining chamber A through the first opening 61e and positioned at a position where the next-process tool T2 held by the tool holding part 59 is coaxial with the spindle 2. Thereafter, the tool holding part 59 is moved to a tool exchange position rearward in the Z axis direction, whereby the next-process tool T2 held by the tool holding part 59 is attached to the tool attachment hole of the spindle 2.

[0084] Next, after the lock plate 59c of the tool holding part 59 is set to an unlocked state, the tool holding part 59 is moved to the approach position on the left side in the X-axis direction. As a result, the next-process tool T2 is transferred from the tool holding part 59 to the spindle 2, and the next-process tool T2 is attached to the spindle 2. Thereafter, the tool holding part 59 is moved upward in the Y-axis direction and returned to the standby position (see FIG. 2). With the above operations, the tool exchange operation for replacing the used tool T2 attached to the spindle 2 with the next-process tool T2 is completed. After the tool exchange operation is completed, the shutter drive part 102 returns the open / close shutter 13 to the closed position. As a result, the first opening 61e is closed by the open / close shutter 13, and the machining chamber A and the space on the long tool stocker 8 side are completely blocked off.

[0085] [Setup operation] Next, the details of the setup operation performed by the tool transport mechanism 50 of the long tool exchange device 5 will be described with reference to Fig. 2, Fig. 7, and Fig. 8. When the setup operation is performed, the control device 100 first identifies the tool pot 81 (the tool pot 81 in which the carrying-out tool T2 is stored) to be set up by the operator W among the three tool pots 81 constituting the long tool stocker 8 based on an operation signal received from the main operation panel 103. After the identification of the tool pot 81 is completed, the tool holding unit 59 is moved from the standby position (see Fig. 2) to the right in the X-axis direction to a position above the approach position of the identified tool pot 81, and then the tool holding unit 59 is moved to a lower approach position in the Y-axis direction, and then moved to a stocker position to the right of the X-axis set for the tool pot 81 (see Fig. 7). As a result, the tool T2 to be set up enters the engagement portion 59a of the engagement plate 59b, and the lock plate 59c of the tool holding portion 59 is set in a locked state, whereby the carried-out tool T2 to be set up is held by the tool holding portion 59. Next, the tool holding portion 59 is moved forward in the Z-axis direction, whereby the carried-out tool T2 is pulled out of the tool pot 81.

[0086] Next, the opening / closing shutter 14 provided on the ceiling side door portion 64b of the movable door 64 is moved to the open position to open the second opening 64c formed in the ceiling side door portion 64b (see Figure 8), and then the tool holding portion 59 is moved from the storage position (see Figure 7) to above the work position (see Figure 8) located directly below the second opening 64c, and then lowered to the work position through the second opening 64c.

[0087] Until the tool holding unit 59 has been moved to the working position, the opening / closing door 64 is locked by a locking device (not shown) under the control of the control device 100 so that it cannot be opened. After the tool holding unit 59 has been moved to the working position, the locking device is released by the control device 100. This allows the worker W to move the movable door 64 in the opening direction and work on the tool holding unit 59 that has been moved to the working position (see FIG. 10). The second opening 64c formed in the ceiling door portion 64b of the movable door 64 is opened at the rear side in the Z-axis direction as shown in FIG. 3 above, so that the ceiling door portion 64b and the lift slider 58 of the tool transport mechanism 50 do not interfere with each other when the opening / closing door 64 is slid forward to open it.

[0088] The worker W can remove the carried-out tool T2, which is the setup target, from the tool holding part 59 that has been moved to the working position, and mount a new tool T2 on the tool holding part 59. Then, when the worker W completes mounting the new tool T2 on the tool holding part 59 and presses the setup execution button 104a, the setup operation (tool replacement operation) by the tool transport mechanism 50 is resumed.

[0089] In the resumed setup operation, the tool holding unit 59 is moved to the front side of the tool pot 81 (the tool pot 81 identified by the control device 100) in which the tool T2 was stored. In this state, the tool holding unit 59 is moved to a stocker position on the rear side in the Z-axis direction, and then the lock plate 59c of the tool holding unit 59 is unlocked, and the tool holding unit 59 is moved to an approach position on the left side in the X-axis direction. As a result, the new tool T2 is transferred from the tool holding unit 59 to the tool pot 81, and the new tool T2 is stored in the tool pot 81. The above operations complete the setup operation of replacing the tool T2 to be carried out with the new tool T2. If there are multiple tools T2 to be setup, the above-mentioned setup operation may be performed for each tool T2.

[0090] When the operator W finishes the setup work and performs an operation to end the setup mode (for example, an operation to switch to the automatic operation mode) on the main operation panel 103, this operation signal is transmitted from the main operation panel 103 to the control device 100. When the control device 100 receives the setup mode end operation signal, it drives the XY movement actuator Mxy of the tool transport mechanism 50 to return the tool holding part 59 to the standby position.

[0091] [Effects of this embodiment] As described above, in this embodiment, the machine tool 1 is provided with the tool transport mechanism 50 which has the tool holding part 59 for detachably holding the tool T2 and moves the tool holding part 59 along a predetermined path. The tool transport mechanism 50 is configured to be able to move the tool holding part 59 at least to a tool exchange position, a stocker position, and a working position. The working position is a position where the operator W can attach and detach the tool T2 to and from the tool holding part 59 from the upper surface (predetermined working area) of the pedestal 12 provided on the right side (an example of the outside of the machine) of the machine tool 1.

[0092] Thus, the worker W can complete the setup work of the tool T2 in the long tool stocker 8 by simply moving the tool holding part 59 of the tool transport mechanism 50 to the working position under the control of the control device 100 and attaching / detaching the tool T2 to / from the tool holding part 59 (see FIG. 10) without directly accessing the long tool stocker 8. Therefore, the worker W can easily and safely perform the setup work of the tool T2 from outside the machine tool 1 without entering the machining chamber A of the machine tool 1 or climbing up to the top surface of the machine tool 1.

[0093] In this embodiment, the long tool stocker 8 is provided outside the first cover portion 61 that surrounds the machining chamber A. Specifically, the long tool stocker 8 is provided on a ceiling cover 61a that covers the upper side of the machining chamber A.

[0094] With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the coolant liquid and chips scattered during machining of the workpiece in the machining chamber A from adhering to the tool T2 in the long tool stocker 8. Therefore, the tool T2 can be always kept clean, and problems such as improper mounting of the tool T2 to the spindle 2 and improper cutting of the workpiece can be avoided. In addition, by arranging the long tool stocker 8 on the ceiling cover 61a, it is possible to reduce the cost required for safety measures. That is, if the long tool stocker 8 is installed on the same floor as the worker W, for example, it is necessary to provide a safety fence surrounding the area where the long tool stocker 8 is installed or a human detection sensor for detecting intrusion so that the worker W does not accidentally enter the area where the long tool stocker 8 is installed. However, since the long tool stocker 8 is arranged on the ceiling cover 61a of the machine tool 1, where the worker W is unlikely to enter in the first place, it is possible to reduce the cost required for such safety measures.

[0095] In this embodiment, the ceiling cover 61a is formed with a first opening 61e through which the tool holding part 59 of the tool transport mechanism 50 passes when it moves to the tool exchange position. The ceiling side door part 64b is formed with a second opening 64c through which the tool holding part 59 of the tool transport mechanism 50 passes when it moves to the working position.

[0096] According to this configuration, a movement path of the tool holder 59 (a path passing through the tool exchange position, the stocker position, and the working position) can be secured when the long tool stocker 8 is disposed on the ceiling cover 61a.

[0097] In addition, in this embodiment, the machine tool 1 is provided with an opening / closing shutter 13 that opens and closes the first opening 61e, and an opening / closing shutter 14 that opens and closes the second opening 64c, and each of the opening / closing shutters 13, 14 is driven to open and close by a shutter drive unit 102.

[0098] Thus, while a workpiece is being machined in the machining chamber A, the opening / closing shutters 13, 14 can be driven to close the first opening 61e and the second opening 64c, respectively, thereby preventing chips and coolant from splashing through the first opening 61e and the second opening 64c.

[0099] In addition, in this embodiment, a right side opening 61c and a ceiling side opening 61d are formed as work openings in the right side wall cover 61b of the machine tool 1 (i.e., the side wall cover 61b adjacent to the work area set on the upper surface of the base 12) and the ceiling cover 61a connected thereto, and these right side opening 61c and ceiling side opening 61d are configured to be opened and closed by a movable door 64.

[0100] Therefore, when the worker W performs setup work to attach / detach the heavy tool T2 to / from the tool holding portion 59 of the tool transport mechanism 50, the right opening 61c and the ceiling opening 61d can be opened by moving the movable door 64 from the closed position to the front open position (see FIG. 10), and the worker W can use the opened ceiling opening 61d to perform the setup work using a hoisting device such as a crane. This reduces the physical burden on the worker W when performing setup work involving handling the heavy tool T2.

[0101] In this embodiment, a standard tool stocker 7 storing standard-sized tools T1 is provided on the left side of the machining chamber A, and the work position for performing setup work on the long tool stocker 8 is set on the opposite side (the right side in this embodiment) of the tool magazine 71 across the spindle 2. Therefore, for example, one worker W can perform tool setup work for the tool magazine 71, which is the standard tool stocker 7, and at the same time, another worker can perform tool setup work for the long tool stocker 8.

[0102] In this embodiment, the long tool stocker 8 stores tools T2 that are longer than the tools T1 stored in the standard tool stocker 7. In general, the long tool T2 is heavier than the standard-sized tool T1, and therefore the physical load on the worker W during setup work is also high. According to the machine tool 1 of this embodiment, even when performing setup work for such a long tool T2, the setup work can be performed by moving the tool holding unit 59 of the tool transport mechanism 50 to the work position and attaching / detaching the tool T2 to / from the tool holding unit 59 without directly working on the long tool stocker 8, thereby reducing the physical load on the worker W during setup work.

[0103] (Embodiment 2) Fig. 11 shows embodiment 2. In this embodiment, the position of the spindle 2 when the tool holding unit 59 of the tool transport mechanism 50 is located at the tool change position is different from that of embodiment 1. Note that in Fig. 11, in order to facilitate understanding of the description of the position of the spindle 2 described later, a state in which the tool holding unit 59 of the tool transport mechanism 50 is located at the tool change position and a state in which the tool change arm 41 of the standard tool changer 4 executes a tool change operation (rotation operation) are shown overlapping each other; however, in reality, such a situation cannot occur.

[0104] In this embodiment 2, as shown in FIG. 11 , the position of the spindle 2 when the tool holding portion 59 of the tool transport mechanism 50 moves to the tool change position to transfer the tool T2 between the spindle 2 and the tool holding portion 59 is set to the same position as the position of the spindle 2 when the standard tool changer 4 performs a tool change operation via the tool change arm 41.

[0105] Therefore, for example, after the used tool T1 attached to the spindle 2 is removed by the tool changing arm 41 of the standard tool changing device 4, when the tool holding portion 59 of the tool transport mechanism 50 is moved to the tool changing position to attach the next process tool T2 to the spindle 2, there is no need to change the position of the spindle 2, so that the amount of movement of the spindle 2 (the feed amount of the feed drive mechanisms for the X-axis and Y-axis) can be reduced and the cycle time can be shortened.

[0106] (Other embodiments) In each of the above-described embodiments, the long tool stocker 8 is configured with a plurality of tool pots 81 placed on the upper surface of the ceiling cover 61a of the machine tool 1, but is not limited to such a configuration. The long tool stocker 8 may be, for example, a rotary tool magazine similar to the standard tool stocker 7, or a structure in which a plurality of tool holders are connected by an endless chain and rotated.

[0107] In each of the above embodiments, the tool transport mechanism 50 is configured to be able to move the tool holding unit 59 to a standby position, a tool exchange position, a stocker position, and a working position, but the standby position is not necessarily required, and for example, the stocker position may also be used as the standby position. In other words, it is sufficient for the tool transport mechanism 50 to be configured to be able to move the tool holding unit 59 to at least a tool exchange position, a stocker position, and a working position.

[0108] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the transfer of the tool T2 between the spindle 2 and the tool holding portion 59 of the tool transport mechanism 50 is achieved by the forward and backward movement of the lifting and lowering unit 52 by the Z-axis cylinder 57. However, this is not limited to this, and for example, the position of the tool holding portion 59 may be fixed and the transfer of the tool T2 may be achieved by the forward and backward movement of the spindle 2.

[0109] Similarly, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the transfer of the tool T2 between each tool pot 81 in the long tool stocker 8 and the tool holding part 59 of the tool transport mechanism 50 is realized by the forward and backward movement of the lifting and lowering unit 52 by the Z-axis cylinder 57. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the tool holding part 59 may be fixed in position and each tool pot 81 may be driven to move forward and backward.

[0110] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the work position to which the tool holding portion 59 is moved during setup work for the tool T2 is set to a position adjacent to the right-side opening 61a of the machine tool 1, but this is not limited to this and may be set to a position adjacent to, for example, a front opening (not shown) of the machine tool 1.

[0111] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the control device 100 is configured to prohibit the opening and closing of the movable door 64 by the locking device until the tool holding unit 59 moves to the work position in the setup mode, but this is not limited to this, and for example, the locking device of the movable door 64 may be eliminated. In this case, the timing when the worker W opens the movable door 64 for the setup work of the tool T2 is not limited to after the tool holding unit 59 moves to the work position, and may be, for example, before the tool holding unit 59 moves to the work position.

[0112] Further, in each of the above embodiments, the machine tool 1 is configured as a horizontal machining center, but is not limited to this and may be configured as, for example, a lathe, a vertical machining center, or a multi-tasking device having both turning and milling functions.

[0113] In addition, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the target tool for the tool replacement operation and the setup operation by the tool transport mechanism 50 is the long tool T2, but this is not limited to this. For example, the target tool may be a standard-sized tool T1, and the standard-sized tool T1 may be stored in the long tool stocker 8.

[0114] In each of the above embodiments, the long tool stocker 8 is arranged above the ceiling cover 61a of the machine tool 1, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the long tool stocker 8 may be arranged to the side of the machine tool 1.

[0115] The standard tool change device 4 in each of the above embodiments is configured to interpose the transport unit 42 between the tool magazine 71 and the spindle 2 when performing tool change using the tool change arm 41, but this is not limited to this. For example, the transport unit 42 may be eliminated and tool change may be performed directly between the tool magazine 71 and the spindle 2 via the tool change arm 41.

[0116] The above-described embodiment is illustrative in all respects and is not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make appropriate modifications. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not the above-described embodiment. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention includes modifications from the embodiment within the scope of the claims and the scope equivalent thereto. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] A processing room B Stocker storage space C-arm storage space T1 Tool (Tool stored in the second tool stocker) T2 Tool (tool stored in the first tool stocker) W Worker 1 Machine tools 2 main shaft 4 Standard tool changer (magazine-type tool changer) 7 Standard tool stocker (second tool stocker) 8 Long tool stocker (first tool stocker) 13 Opening / closing shutter (opening / closing member) 14 Opening / closing shutter (opening / closing member) 41 Tool change arm 50 Tool transport mechanism 59 Tool holding part 61 Exterior cover 61a Ceiling cover 61b Side wall cover 61c Right side opening (work opening) 61d Ceiling opening 61e First opening 64 Movable Door 64a Door body 64b Ceiling side door section (ceiling wall) 64c 2nd opening 71 Tool Magazine 100 Control device (transport control unit) 102 Shutter drive unit (drive unit)

Claims

[Claim 1] A cover body that surrounds the processing area and separates it from the outside; a tool stocker that is disposed on or above a ceiling cover of the cover body and that stores tools; a tool transport mechanism for transporting the tool, the tool transport mechanism is configured to transport the tools between a stocker position where the tools are transferred to and from the tool stocker, and a work position that is set below the stocker position and where an operator can work on the tool transport mechanism from outside the cover body.

Images