Jig with sensing function for acquiring processing information

Abstract

To provide a jig with a sensing function for acquiring processing information, which can detect minute changes of a workpiece, without restricting a processing region of the workpiece.SOLUTION: A jig 1 with a sensing function for acquiring processing information, which is provided in a machine tool, comprises: a jig body part 100 having a workpiece placement surface 100a where the underside of an opposite side of a processed face of a workpiece W to be processed is placed; and AE sensor units 10 including AE sensors 12 whose upper ends are detection surfaces 12a. The AE sensor units 10 are accommodated in the jig body part 100, in a state that the detection surfaces 12a of the AE sensors 12 are exposed from the workpiece placement surface 100a1. When the underside of a workpiece W is placed on the workpiece placement surface 100a1, the detection surfaces 12a of the AE sensors 12 abut on the underside of the workpiece W, whereby the AE sensors 12 detect a state of the workpiece W.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a jig with a machining information acquisition sensing function.

Background Art

[0002] In current machine tools, while machining a workpiece, the sensing surface (detection surface) of an AE (Acoustic Emission) sensor is brought into contact with the upper surface (machining surface) of the workpiece, and the state of the workpiece is detected by the AE sensor.

[0003] Also, in current machine tools, while machining a workpiece, the sensing surface (detection surface) of an AE sensor is brought into contact with a jig for positioning and fixing the workpiece, and the state of the workpiece is detected through the jig by the AE sensor. Note that a technique for detecting the state of a workpiece through a jig by an AE sensor brought into contact with the jig is disclosed in, for example, Non-Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0004]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the method of "processing the workpiece while detecting the state of the workpiece with an AE sensor by bringing the detection surface of the AE sensor into contact with the upper surface (machined surface) of the workpiece" described above has a problem that the area of the workpiece where the AE sensor hits becomes a dead zone, and the machining area of the workpiece is restricted. In addition, the method of "processing the workpiece while detecting the state of the workpiece through the jig by bringing the detection surface of the AE sensor into contact with the jig" described above has a problem that since the state of the workpiece is detected through the jig, minute changes in the workpiece cannot be detected (minute changes cannot be grasped), and it is impossible to cope with fine machining of the workpiece.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a jig with a machining information acquisition sensing function capable of detecting minute changes in a workpiece without restricting the machining area of the workpiece.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention made to solve the above problems is a jig with a machining information acquisition sensing function provided in a machine tool, comprising a jig main body portion having a workpiece placement surface on which the lower surface on the opposite side of the machining surface of the workpiece to be machined is placed, and an AE sensor unit having an AE sensor whose upper end portion is a detection surface, wherein the AE sensor unit is housed in the jig main body portion with the detection surface of the AE sensor exposed from the workpiece placement surface, and when the lower surface of the workpiece is placed on the workpiece placement surface, the detection surface of the AE sensor comes into contact with the lower surface of the workpiece, and the AE sensor is configured to detect the state of the workpiece.

[0008] Thus, since the jig with a machining information acquisition sensing function of the present invention is configured such that the detection surface of the AE sensor abuts against the lower surface on the side opposite to the machining surface of the workpiece, unlike the prior art method of "detecting the state of the workpiece with an AE sensor while making the detection surface of the AE sensor abut against the upper surface (machining surface) of the workpiece and machining the workpiece", no dead zone is formed on the machining surface of the workpiece, the machining area of the workpiece is not restricted, and the state of the workpiece during machining can be detected. In addition, since the AE sensor directly abuts against the workpiece in the jig with a machining information acquisition sensing function of the present invention, compared with the prior art method of "making the detection surface of the AE sensor abut against the jig that supports the workpiece and machining the workpiece while the AE sensor detects the state of the workpiece through the jig", even minute changes in the workpiece can be detected (minute changes can be grasped), and the jig can also cope with fine machining of the workpiece.

[0009] Further, the AE sensor unit includes a sensor case that removably houses the upper end side of the AE sensor, and a biasing means that is housed inside the sensor case, supports the AE sensor, and biases the AE sensor upward. It is desirable that the AE sensor is biased by the biasing means such that the detection surface is pressed against the lower surface of the workpiece placed on the workpiece placement surface.

[0010] Thus, according to the present invention, the AE sensor is biased by the biasing means such that the detection surface is pressed against the lower surface of the workpiece placed on the workpiece placement surface. Therefore, according to the present invention, the state in which the detection surface of the AE sensor is in contact with the workpiece can be reliably maintained. That is, according to the present invention, the state of the workpiece can be detected with high precision.

[0011] Further, an opening is provided in the work placement surface, and the upper end side of the AE sensor that constitutes the AE sensor unit is inserted into the opening so as to be freely insertable and removable. When the work is not placed on the work placement surface, the upper end portion of the AE sensor protrudes upward from the work placement surface. When the lower surface of the work is placed on the upper end portion of the AE sensor protruding from the work placement surface, the AE sensor receives a downward load due to the weight of the work, and the biasing means that supports the AE sensor receives the downward load through the AE sensor and contracts. Accordingly, it is desirable that the detection surface, which is the upper end portion of the AE sensor protruding from the work placement surface, is pushed downward and retracted to the height position of the work placement surface.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a jig with a processing information acquisition sensing function that can detect minute changes in a work without restricting the processing area of the work.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, the jig with a machining information acquisition sensing function according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the jig with a machining information acquisition sensing function according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0015] Here, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the jig with a machining information acquisition sensing function according to the present embodiment. (a) is a schematic diagram of the jig with a machining information acquisition sensing function viewed obliquely from above, and (b) is a schematic diagram of the jig with a machining information acquisition sensing function viewed in plan. Further, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the AE sensor unit of the jig with a machining information acquisition sensing function according to the present embodiment. (a) is a schematic diagram of the AE sensor unit viewed obliquely from above on the front side, and (b) is a schematic diagram of the AE sensor unit viewed from the front. Further, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the AE sensor unit of the jig with a machining information acquisition sensing function according to the present embodiment. (a) is a schematic diagram of the AE sensor unit viewed from the side, and (b) is a schematic diagram of the AE sensor unit viewed obliquely from above on the rear side.

[0016] The jig 1 with a machining information acquisition sensing function according to this embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as "jig") is provided and used in a machining area inside a machine tool (not shown). Note that, since the machine tool not shown uses a well-known technique, no detailed description will be given. However, it includes a control unit (control circuit), a machine tool unit having a spindle on which a tool is mounted, and a power supply unit. Also, the machine tool unit is controlled by the control unit to machine the upper surface side of the workpiece W placed and fixed on the jig 1.

[0017] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the jig 1 includes a jig main body 100 having a workpiece placement surface (hereinafter simply referred to as "placement surface") 100a on which the lower surface on the side opposite to the machining surface of the workpiece W (see FIG. 4) to be machined is placed, an AE sensor unit 10 having an AE (Acoustic Emission) sensor 12 whose upper end is a sensing surface (detection surface) 12a, and an amplifier device 200 electrically connected to the AE sensor 12 via a cable 110. Also, the AE sensor unit 10 is housed in the jig main body 100 with the sensing surface (detection surface) 12a of the AE sensor 12 exposed from the placement surface 100a.

[0018] Also, the jig 1 is provided with a workpiece fixing mechanism (not shown) for fixing the workpiece W. By the workpiece fixing mechanism (not shown), the workpiece W placed on the placement surface 100a is fixed in a state of being positioned at a predetermined position. Note that, since the workpiece fixing mechanism not shown uses a well-known technique, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. For example, the workpiece fixing mechanism can be configured by a clamp mechanism that presses and fixes the workpiece W placed on the placement surface 100a from above, a suction mechanism that sucks and fixes the workpiece W placed on the placement surface 100a from below, or the like.

[0019] Further, the jig main body 100 is formed in a hollow and cylindrical box shape, and its upper surface serves as the mounting surface 100a. Four openings (through holes) 100a1 are provided in this mounting surface 100a. The upper end portions of AE sensors 12 constituting the AE sensor unit 10 are respectively inserted into these openings 100a1 in a freely insertable and removable manner. Also, a notch 100b1 is provided in the side surface portion 100b of the jig main body 100 for inserting a cable (signal line) 110 connected to the AE sensor 12 housed inside the jig main body 100.

[0020] Also, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the AE sensor unit 10 includes an AE sensor 12, a sensor case 11 for freely inserting and removing the upper end portion of the AE sensor 12, a biasing means 13 housed inside the sensor case 11 for supporting the AE sensor 12 and biasing the AE sensor 12 in the upward direction (Y1 direction in the figure), and an output terminal 14 for outputting a signal detected by the AE sensor 12. A cable 110 is connected to this output terminal 14. When the AE sensor 12 is not receiving a load in the downward (Y2 direction), its upper end portion protrudes from the upper surface of the sensor case 11, and when it receives a load in the downward (Y2 direction), it retracts downward.

[0021] In the illustrated example, the biasing means 13 is constituted by a spring (coil spring), but it is not particularly limited thereto. The biasing means 13 may be constituted by an elastic body other than a spring as long as it can support the AE sensor 12 and bias the AE sensor 12 in the upward direction (Y1 direction in the figure).

[0022] The sensor case 11 has a disk-shaped pedestal portion 11a and a hollow cylindrical tube portion 11b extending upward (Y1 direction) from one surface (upper surface) of the pedestal portion 11a. A notch 11a1 is provided on one side (front side) of the pedestal portion 11a. Further, an opening (through-hole) 11b1 is formed on the upper surface of the cylindrical body portion 11b, and the upper end portion of the AE sensor 12 is inserted into and removed from this opening 11b1 in a freely insertable and removable manner. On one side (front side) of the side surface of the cylindrical body portion 11b, a notch portion 11b2 communicating with the notch portion 11a1 of the pedestal portion 11a is provided, and the output terminal 14 protrudes from the notch portion 11b2.

[0023] Further, the biasing means 13 has its lower end portion fixed to the upper surface of the pedestal portion 11a inside the cylindrical body portion 11b of the sensor case 11, and is capable of expanding and contracting in the vertical direction (Y1, Y2 directions) inside the cylindrical body portion 11b.

[0024] The AE sensor 12 is formed in a columnar shape, and its upper end portion is the sensing surface (detection surface) 12a. Further, the lower end portion of the AE sensor 12 is fixed to the upper end portion of the coil spring 13 housed inside the cylindrical body portion 11b of the sensor case 11, and its upper end side is inserted into and removed from the opening 11b1 on the upper surface of the cylindrical body portion 11b in a freely insertable and removable manner. The AE sensor 12 is also provided with an output terminal 14 for outputting a signal detected by itself.

[0025] And the AE sensor unit 10 is housed inside the jig main body portion 100 in a state where the upper end portion of the AE sensor 12 can protrude upward from the opening 100a1 of the work placement surface 100a of the jig main body portion 100, or the upper end surface (sensing surface 12a) of the AE sensor 12 can be retracted to the same height position as the work placement surface 100a, with the AE sensor 12 inserted into the opening 100a1 in a freely insertable and removable manner. Hereinafter, the operation of the AE sensor 12 provided in the jig 1 when the work W is placed on the work placement surface 100a of the jig 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0026] Here, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the AE sensor unit when a workpiece is placed on the jig with the machining information acquisition sensing function. (a) is a schematic diagram showing a state before the workpiece is placed on the placement surface of the jig with the machining information acquisition sensing function, and the upper end side of the AE sensor protrudes from the placement surface. (b) is a schematic diagram showing a state where the workpiece is placed on the upper end of the AE sensor protruding from the placement surface of the jig with the machining information acquisition sensing function, and the upper end side of the AE sensor is pushed downward by the weight of the workpiece. (c) is a schematic diagram showing a state where the AE sensor is further pushed downward by the weight of the workpiece from the state of (b), the upper end of the AE sensor is flush with the workpiece placement surface, and the workpiece is installed on the placement surface.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4(a), when the workpiece W is not placed on the placement surface 100a1 of the jig 1, the upper end portion of the AE sensor 12 protrudes upward (in the Y1 direction) from the placement surface 100a. Also, as shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), when the workpiece W is about to be placed on the placement surface 100a of the jig 1, the workpiece W is first placed on the upper end portion (sensing surface 12a1) of the AE sensor 12 protruding from the placement surface 100a, and the AE sensor 12 receives a downward load (in the Y2 direction) due to the weight of the workpiece W.

[0028] As a result, as shown in FIGS. 4(b) and 4(c), the biasing means 13 that supports the AE sensor 12 receives a downward load via the AE sensor 121 and contracts. Along with this, the sensing surface 12a, which is the upper end portion of the AE sensor 12 protruding from the placement surface 100a, is pushed downward and retracts to the height position of the placement surface 100a. At this time, since the AE sensor 12 is biased upward (in the Y1 direction) by the biasing means 13, the sensing surface 12a is pressed against the lower surface of the workpiece W.

[0029] Thereafter, when the workpiece W placed on the placement surface 100a is fixed in a state where it is positioned at a predetermined position by a workpiece fixing mechanism (not shown) of the jig 1, the upper surface side, which is the machining surface of the workpiece W, is machined by the machining unit of the machine tool. Also, during the machining of the upper surface of the workpiece W, the AE sensor 12 with its sensing surface 12a pressed against the lower surface of the workpiece W detects the state (machining information) of the workpiece W being machined, and the detected machining information (detection signal) is input into the amplifier 200 via the output terminal 14 and the cable 110. Further, the amplifier 200 amplifies the input machining information (detection signal) and transmits the amplified machining information (detection signal) to the control unit of the machine tool. Then, based on the received machining information (detection signal), the control unit of the machine tool grasps the state change of the workpiece W being machined and controls the operation of the machining unit to machine the workpiece W.

[0030] In this embodiment, four AE sensors 12 each detect the state (machining information) of the workpiece W being machined and transmit the detected machining information (detection signal) to the control unit of the machine tool via the cable 120 and the amplifier 200. Therefore, for example, the control unit of the machine tool calculates the average value of the four machining information (detection signals) and uses the calculated average value to control the operation of the machining unit to machine the workpiece W.

[0031] Thus, in the jig 1 of this embodiment, since the sensing surface 12a of the AE sensor 12 is pressed against the lower surface side opposite to the machining surface of the workpiece W, unlike the method in the prior art of "detecting the state of the workpiece while machining the workpiece by bringing the detection surface of the AE sensor into contact with the upper surface (machining surface) of the workpiece", no dead zone is formed on the machining surface of the workpiece W, the machining area of the workpiece W is not restricted, and the state of the workpiece W during machining can be detected.

[0032] In addition, the AE sensor 12 provided in the jig 1 of the present embodiment is biased by the biasing means 13 so that the sensing surface 12a faces the lower surface of the workpiece W and is directly pressed against it in a contacting state. That is, in the jig 1 of the present embodiment, since the sensing surface 12a of the AE sensor 12 can be directly pressed against the lower surface of the workpiece W, the state of the workpiece W during processing can be detected with high precision. Therefore, according to the jig 1 of the present embodiment, even a minute change in the workpiece W can be detected (the minute change can be grasped), and it is possible to cope with the fine processing of the workpiece W. In addition, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to surely maintain the state in which the sensing surface 12a of the AE sensor 12 is in contact with the workpiece W.

[0033] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the jig 1 with a processing information acquisition sensing function capable of detecting minute changes in the workpiece W without restricting the processing area of the workpiece W.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0034] W... Workpiece 1... Jig with processing information acquisition sensing function (jig) 10... AE sensor unit 11... Sensor case 11a... Pedestal part 11a1... Notch 11b... Cylindrical part 11b1... Opening 11b2... Notch 12... AE sensor 12a... Sensing surface (detection surface) 13... Biasing means 14... Output terminal 100... Jig main body part 100a... Mounting surface (workpiece mounting surface) 100a1... Opening 100b... Side surface part 100b1... Notch 110... Cable 200… amplifier device

Claims

1. A jig with a machining information acquisition sensing function provided on a machine tool, comprising: a jig body portion having a work placement surface on which the lower surface on the side opposite to the machining surface of the work to be machined is placed; an AE sensor unit having an AE sensor whose upper end portion serves as a detection surface; the AE sensor unit is housed in the jig body portion with the detection surface of the AE sensor exposed from the work placement surface; when the lower surface of the work is placed on the work placement surface, the detection surface of the AE sensor abuts against the lower surface of the work, and the AE sensor is configured to detect the state of the work. A jig with a machining information acquisition sensing function, characterized in that.

2. the AE sensor unit includes a sensor case that accommodates the upper end portion side of the AE sensor in a freely insertable and removable manner, and a biasing means that is housed inside the sensor case, supports the AE sensor, and biases the AE sensor upward; the AE sensor is biased by the biasing means so that the detection surface is pressed against the lower surface of the work placed on the work placement surface. The jig with a machining information acquisition sensing function according to claim 1, characterized in that.

3. an opening is provided in the work placement surface, and the upper end portion side of the AE sensor constituting the AE sensor unit is inserted into the opening in a freely insertable and removable manner; when the work is not placed on the work placement surface, the upper end portion of the AE sensor protrudes upward from the work placement surface; when the lower surface of the work is placed on the upper end portion of the AE sensor protruding from the work placement surface, the AE sensor receives a downward load due to the weight of the work, and the biasing means that supports the AE sensor receives the downward load through the AE sensor and contracts. Accordingly, the detection surface, which is the upper end portion of the AE sensor protruding from the work placement surface, is pushed downward and retracted to the height position of the work placement surface. The jig with a machining information sensing function according to claim 2, characterized in that.

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