Method for machining workpiece, and adapter for use when machining workpiece

Abstract

To provide an adaptor of machine tools for machining a workpiece with an irregular shape without the need to change collets.SOLUTION: An adaptor has a main body 1. The main body 1 has a hole 4 extending along an axial direction of the main body 1. The through hole 4 forms an inner support surface 2 for receiving a workpiece 4a. The main body 1 further includes an outer support surface 3 which is the outer circumferential surface of the main body 1. The main body 1 is configured to be inserted into a clamping mechanism 5 of a machine tool, and to be coupled to the clamping mechanism using the outer support surface 3. The shape of the cross-section of the outer support surface 3 is different from the shape of the cross-section of the inner support surface 2. Preferably, the shape of the cross-section of the inner support surface 2 is constant along the axial direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and an adapter configured to improve the connection between a machine tool, particularly a chuck and / or an adapter of a lathe, and an elongated workpiece.

Background Art

[0002] Workpieces are usually supported to rotate on the spindle of a lathe by attaching the workpiece to a chuck or a draw-in collet. However, in order to machine workpieces of different shapes, it is usually necessary to remove the lathe chuck and change it to a different clamping tool. Such a process is time-consuming and makes the machining process more complicated.

[0003] Machining of workpieces is realized by various machine tools such as drill presses, CNC machines, lathes, etc., and these machines perform machining operations on workpieces using removable tools. Similarly, the tools are drill bits, milling bits, lathe cutters, or other tools having a generally cylindrical base that is housed within a generally cylindrical recess.

[0004] Normally, workpieces or tools are held by appropriate clamping mechanisms. Also, various clamping systems commonly used in the industry, such as scroll chucks, collets, various chucks, etc., can be implemented to machine workpieces having different shapes or sizes.

[0005] For example, a collet / adapter assembly can be used to equip a lathe with a tool or workpiece support collet that includes a conventional draw-in collet, some connection means, and a collet adapter.

[0006] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a rotatable collet / adapter assembly that is connected to a lathe spindle without removing the lathe chuck. In this system, the collet can be connected to the chuck of the spindle via an adapter. Thereby, the collet can be attached. It includes a conventional draw-in collet, a spindle nose, and a collet adapter.

[0007] The system of Patent Document 1 is thus designed to provide additional adapters for exchange between different clamping mechanisms. This solution is not useful for the connection between a clamping mechanism and an elongated workpiece that may have a non-standard shape or an irregular cross-section.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] As will be appreciated, different types of clamping mechanisms or combinations of clamping mechanisms are typically used to hold workpieces of different sizes, but the commonly used shapes are polygonal or circular. However, it is difficult to securely hold a workpiece with an irregular cross-section using a standard clamping mechanism. In addition, the efficiency and gripping strength of a standard clamping mechanism may be insufficient for holding a workpiece and for further machining operations.

[0010] The unreliable holding of the workpiece can thus cause machining of the workpiece with unacceptable machining errors due to excessive protrusion of the bar or inaccurate machining of the workpiece.

[0011] That is, there is a risk of losing the workpiece, and during the machining of the workpiece, the position of the workpiece is likely to change, resulting in a high probability of obtaining a non-optimal product. Furthermore, during the machining operation of the workpiece, the irregular shape held by the commonly used clamping mechanism can increase the risk of harm to the operator.

[0012] The above considerations are particularly applicable when the shape of the workpiece is very irregular and cannot be efficiently held by standard collets or chucks, and the above problems may occur. Therefore, there is a specific need for a technology that can reduce the potential problems of machining workpieces with irregular cross-sections.

[0013] Furthermore, changing the collet or chuck in a machine tool usually requires a lot of time. Therefore, further optimizing a clamping system with a machine tool adapter for machining workpieces with irregular shapes without the need to change the collet promotes work efficiency and improves the overall speed of the machining process.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0014] The above problems are solved in the appended claims. Specifically, an adapter for supporting a workpiece in a machine tool, particularly a lathe, can be proposed, which has a body having a hole extending in the axial direction of the body, and the hole forms an inner support surface for receiving the workpiece. The body may further include an outer support surface that is the outer peripheral surface of the body. The body may be configured to be inserted into a chuck of a machine tool and connected to the chuck by the outer support surface. The shape of the cross-section of the outer support surface may be different from the shape of the cross-section of the inner support surface. The inner support surface may be constant along the axial direction. More preferably, the cross-section of the inner support surface is constant along the entire (axial) length of the body, along the (axial) length of the body, or along at least half of the (axial) length of the body.

[0015] The shapes of the inner and outer support surfaces described above can be defined as geometric figures formed on the surface by the inner and outer surfaces orthogonal to the axial direction. In this case, in the comparison of the figures, their sizes are irrelevant. For example, circular shapes of the outer and inner support surfaces with different diameters are considered the same shape. Further, a quadrangular outer support surface is considered the same as a quadrangular inner support surface shifted by a certain angle with respect to the outer support surface. As a further example, a hexagonal outer support surface is considered different from a circular inner support surface.

[0016] Summarizing the above, the shapes are considered different when their symmetries are different. The differences in symmetry will be further detailed in the description.

[0017] According to this adapter, by avoiding changes between different clamping systems, the overall speed of the machining operation of the workpiece in the machine tool can be further improved. In addition, a workpiece having an irregular cross-section can be reliably held by the inner support surface, which efficiently prevents the possible misalignment of the workpiece or the loss of the workpiece during the machining operation.

[0018] The adapter may be configured to be inserted into a clamping mechanism of a lathe, such as a chuck, and fixed only by being clamped by the clamping mechanism.

[0019] In addition, when a workpiece is mounted on the spindle or clamping mechanism of the machine tool, the position of the workpiece is maintained in the axial direction by the clamping system.

[0020] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a hole may extend axially through the body. Such an adapter may be implemented in a system having a bar feeder mechanism or introduced into a Swiss-type lathe.

[0021] Furthermore, the inner support surface may have an irregular cross-section. Additionally, the outer support surface may have a regular cross-section. Specifically, a regular cross-section refers to typical shapes of tools or clamping mechanisms used in the relevant technical field, namely, circular and highly symmetric polygons. An irregular cross-section refers to shapes other than typical shapes used in the relevant technical field, that is, shapes that are not circular or not highly symmetric polygons. In other words, the shape of the irregular cross-section may have a symmetry different from that of the regular cross-section.

[0022] As a preferred further development, the surface roughness of the outer support surface is different from that of the inner support surface. In particular, the surface roughness of the outer support surface is greater than that of the inner support surface.

[0023] Such a system enables effective holding of an elongated workpiece by friction in a reliable manner.

[0024] Another aspect of the present disclosure is that the cross-section of the outer support surface orthogonal to the axial direction has a higher symmetry, particularly a higher point group symmetry, than the cross-section of the inner support surface orthogonal to the axial direction.

[0025] Such a system enables effective holding of an elongated workpiece by friction in a reliable manner.

[0026] As a possible modification, the cross-section of the outer support surface may remain constant along the axial direction, which can prevent excessive pressure applied to the adapter part from a clamping mechanism such as a collet or chuck. In other words, the distance between the outer support surface and the longitudinal axis or axial direction of the adapter may be constant over the entire axial length of the adapter or at least at the center of the adapter.

[0027] The adapter provided may be designed to be used in combination with commonly used clamping systems such as collets, scroll chucks, and other types of chucks. Another aspect of the present disclosure is that the adapter may have an outer support surface having a cylindrical or polygonal shape extending axially, and the shape of the cross-section of the inner support surface matches the cross-section of the workpiece to be received. The workpiece may have an irregular shape in a cross-section orthogonal to the axial direction.

[0028] Such a system enables effective holding of an elongated workpiece by friction in a reliable manner. Thereby, the stability when clamping the workpiece is improved, and the clamping position of the workpiece is finely adjusted, so that the clamping efficiency of the workpiece is improved.

[0029] Therefore, by using a common shape of the cross-section of the outer support surface, it becomes possible to efficiently combine the adapter with different clamping mechanisms. For example, the opening of a polygonal prism-shaped clamping mechanism (collet) usually has high symmetry. For example, the opening of the collet can have a regular polygonal shape, where all angles between different sides of the polygon are equal to each other and all sides have the same length. Therefore, an n-sided polygon has rotational symmetry of order n. In other words, an n-sided polygonal prism has at least a rotational symmetry operation (Cn) of order n, that is, a rotation of 360° / n. In this case, the symmetry operation is considered with respect to the axial direction.

[0030] Furthermore, preferably, the cross-section of the outer support surface orthogonal to the axial direction has higher symmetry, specifically higher point group symmetry, with respect to the axial direction than the cross-section of the inner support surface orthogonal to the axial direction. The outer support surface of the adapter has the shape of the cross-section of tools or workpieces commonly used in the art, and these usually have a high point symmetry group. In contrast to the outer support surface, the inner support surface having an irregular cross-section can mostly be characterized by a point group with low symmetry.

[0031] Generally, the symmetry of the cross-section of the inner support surface is less than that of the cross-section of the outer support surface. For example, if the outer support surface has a maximum symmetry rotation operation of Cn rotation around a fixed point by a multiple of the angle 360° / n, the inner support surface has a maximum symmetry rotation operation of Cn-1 or less.

[0032] However, as an alternative to having a limited number of symmetry operations, especially having only one two-fold symmetry axis and two non-equivalent mirror planes, a workpiece with an irregular cross-section may have only a single reflection operation, which means that the figure (the cross-section of the workpiece) has only a single axis of bilateral symmetry.

[0033] Such a system enables effective holding of an elongated workpiece by friction in a reliable manner. This improves the stability when clamping the workpiece, and also finely adjusts the clamping position of the workpiece, thereby improving the clamping efficiency of the workpiece.

[0034] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a workpiece having an irregular cross-section may be completely asymmetric with respect to the axial direction. The asymmetry of a workpiece having an irregular cross-section means that the cross-section of the workpiece has only the trivial group symmetry C1 including only the same operation of a 360° rotation.

[0035] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the cross-section of the inner support surface may be asymmetric or may have low symmetry with respect to an axis orthogonal to the axial direction. In particular, being asymmetric means that there is no symmetry operation available for the current cross-section in two dimensions. The identity operation C1 is the only available operation. As a result, it may be difficult to hold a workpiece with an irregular cross-section in the hollow portion of the collet, and the hollow portion of the collet does not penetrate the entire collet.

[0036] In this case, the axial direction of the machining tool has a common meaning suitable in the art and is also referred to as the longitudinal axis. For example, the axial direction can be defined as the axis formed by the spindle and the rotating workpiece. The cross-sections of the outer support surface and the inner support surface are orthogonal to the axial direction.

[0037] Basically, the cross-section of the support surface further described in this specification is orthogonal to the axial direction.

[0038] To avoid misinterpretation, symmetry can be described by two-dimensional point groups that define isometric transformations in Euclidean space. For example, the two-dimensional point group may be a cyclic group Cn having n-fold rotational symmetry or a dihedral group having n-fold rotational and n-fold reflection symmetry.

[0039] In this case, the inner support surface for a workpiece having an irregular cross-section usually has a lower symmetry group than the outer support surface. Symmetry can be compared in the context of this application, for example, by comparing the highest symmetry operations available for the cross-section, in particular by comparing the cross-sections of the outer support surface and the inner support surface.

[0040] For example, a group having the highest degree of operation corresponding to C6 corresponding to symmetry with respect to a 60° rotation is considered to have higher symmetry than a group having the highest degree of symmetry corresponding to C2 corresponding to the symmetry of the cross-section with respect to a 180° rotation.

[0041] Alternatively, the symmetry of the groups of the inner support surface and the outer support surface cross-sections can be compared based on the total number of symmetry operations available for the cross-section of the outer support surface orthogonal to the axial direction and the total number of symmetry operations for the cross-section of the inner support surface orthogonal to the axial direction.

[0042] As a result, by implementing the adapter according to the present disclosure, it is possible to efficiently clamp a workpiece having an irregular cross-section by a clamping mechanism via the adapter without the need to replace the collet / chuck or introduce other support mechanisms.

[0043] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the body of the adapter may have holes and / or protrusions, and the body is adapted to (elastically) transmit the clamping force applied to the outer support surface to the inner support surface for clamping the workpiece.

[0044] Preferably, the adapter may have holes and / or protrusions in the body that do not axially penetrate the entire body, thereby elastically deforming the adapter and clamping the tool disposed within the inner support surface. As a result, the problem of the workpiece deforming due to the clamping force and / or cutting force during machining of the workpiece is solved by the combination of using the adapter of the present disclosure according to the claims.

[0045] In addition, the positions of the holes and protrusions / slits in the body may be arranged to obtain a substantially uniform transmission of the clamping force applied to the outer support surface from the chuck or collet (clamping mechanism) to the inner support surface of the body.

[0046] In addition, the axial shape of the outer support surface of the body may be divided into at least a first portion and a second portion. In the first portion, the slit and / or hole extends through the body, and the shape of the outer support surface is constant along the axial direction. For example, the length of the first portion of the adapter can be from 60% to 90% of the length of the body 1 in the axial direction. In the second portion of the body, the size of the outer support surface may gradually decrease, and the shape of the second portion may have a different shape with a smaller axial length compared to the first portion.

[0047] Furthermore, the slit and the hole may extend to a specific point or a specific length of the body, for example, from 60% to 90% of the length of the body in the axial direction. The slits may be radially displaced from each other at the same angle between 0° and 120°, preferably between 10° and 60°. Alternatively, the slits may be radially displaced from each other at different angles.

[0048] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the adapter may have at least two bodies configured to be spatially displaced from each other along an axial direction when received by a clamping mechanism. The cross-sections of the inner support surfaces of the two bodies have the same shape and are configured to slidably receive a workpiece having an irregular cross-section. The bodies may have a plurality of body portions that are separated from each other on one side of the bodies and connected to each other on the other side of the bodies.

[0049] By using an adapter consisting of two or more bodies, it is possible to improve the fixation of the workpiece and distribute the pressure applied from the clamping mechanism to different regions of the workpiece. Optionally, some of the adapter bodies may be spatially displaced from each other at the same distance, and a clamping force may be applied to each of them from a clamping mechanism, such as a collet or a chuck. The shape of the cross-section of the inner support surface orthogonal to the axial direction is the same for each body.

[0050] Another aspect of the present disclosure is that the friction coefficients between the outer support surface and the inner support surface may be different. Specifically, the friction coefficient of the inner support surface may be lower than the friction coefficient of the outer support surface.

[0051] Such an adapter enables effective holding of an elongated workpiece by friction in a reliable manner. Thereby, the stability when clamping the workpiece is improved. Also, the clamping position of the workpiece is finely adjusted, and the clamping efficiency of the workpiece is improved.

[0052] Alternatively, the bodies may be displaced at different distances from each other, which may be related to the weight distribution of the workpiece. On the other hand, the shapes of the inner support surfaces orthogonal to the axial direction of the body may be different. The different shapes of the cross-section of the adapter body may be useful when the holding portions of the workpiece have different thicknesses across different portions of the workpiece. The different thicknesses of the holding portions of the workpiece may be due only to the axial uneven shape of the workpiece, or may be due to some damage occurring in the holding portion of the workpiece. For example, if there are protrusions and / or holes in the holding portion of the workpiece, the efficiency of holding the workpiece by the clamping system may decrease.

[0053] Furthermore, the adapter system may be implemented to further improve the holding of the workpiece. Specifically, it is possible to propose an adapter system comprising the above-described adapter and one or more guide elements, each guide element comprising a guide body, a guide outer support surface, a guide inner support surface, and a through hole extending axially through the guide body, the guide inner support surface being configured to receive the workpiece, the guide outer support surface being the outer peripheral surface of the guide body, and the cross-sectional shapes of the guide outer support surface and the guide inner support surface being different.

[0054] It should be noted that the adapter is clamped by a clamping mechanism of the spindle of the machining tool, and a further element as a guide element is arranged inside or outside the spindle in the supply device of the machine tool for supplying a very long workpiece.

[0055] In another aspect of the present disclosure, one or more guide elements may be movable along the axial direction, and the guide outer support surface may preferably remain constant along the axial direction and be configured to be coupled to the workpiece by friction.

[0056] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the friction coefficients between the guide outer support surface and the guide inner support surface may be different. Specifically, the friction coefficient of the guide inner support surface may be higher than the friction coefficient of the guide outer support surface.

[0057] Specifically, the guide element may be used to support the workpiece inside the spindle and / or bar loader. In addition, considering the irregular shape of the workpiece to be received, the guide element does not rotate with respect to the workpiece due to the shape coupling between the workpiece and the guide inner support surface and the frictional contact between the adapter and one or more guide elements and the workpiece. At the same time, the axial position is maintained during the axial movement of the workpiece in the case of a Swiss-type lathe or a similar machine tool.

[0058] The addition of further guide elements is very useful for machining very long and slender workpieces that cannot be reliably held by the clamping system alone. As a result, it may be valuable to introduce additional elements into machine tools such as lathes, CNC machines, etc. One or more guide elements may be located in the spindle portion of the machine tool. The guide element is positioned in the same way as the adapter, specifically, the guide inner support surface is orthogonal to the axial direction. Also, for such a long workpiece, the shape of the cross-section of the workpiece, i.e., the cross-section orthogonal to the axial direction, is substantially the same. Therefore, the guide inner support surface may have the same orientation and shape as the inner support surface of the adapter of the body.

[0059] Although several guide elements may be referred to in the present application, a system consisting of only an adapter and one guide element can also be used.

[0060] One difference between the guide element and the body of the adapter is that the guide element is axially movable and the guide element is coupled to the elongate workpiece by friction. As a result, during machining, the workpiece is axially pulled and can be supported by the flexible movable guide element throughout the process.

[0061] Furthermore, at least one, preferably each, guide element can comprise connecting means, and one or more guide elements are configured to connect via the connecting means to the body of the adapter or an adjacent guide element, especially by interlocking, when moved axially together with the workpiece.

[0062] In addition, the guide element stops its axial movement when contacting or connecting with another guide element or adapter, or a stop mechanism that prevents the guide element from entering the machining area of the machine tool.

[0063] When several guide elements are used, the connection means that the several guide elements can be connected to each other after the elongate workpiece is pulled out from the machine tool. As a result, the orientation of the guide element can be efficiently maintained.

[0064] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the adapter system can comprise connecting means having one or more pins, the guide body having one or more holes, the holes being disposed on a second side of the guide of the guide body, the pins extending axially, and by stacking the guide elements together, the pins of one guide element are slidably movable axially into the holes of another / adjacent guide element, and the first side surface of the guide and the second side surface of the guide are side surfaces of the guide body perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0065] Furthermore, at least one guide element may have a guide body and at least one hole and one pin in the body. Preferably, the guide element has at least two holes and two pins adjacent to the position of the hole located on the other side of the guide body. By providing pins and holes in the guide element, the relative rotational position of the stacked guide elements with respect to the workpiece can be maintained. The adapter is clamped by a clamping mechanism and is not axially movable in the clamped state. The adapter may thus have at least one hole for receiving at least one pin of the guide element.

[0066] In another aspect, the connecting means of at least one guide element has one or more connecting means, preferably hooks, the guide body has one or more openings, and the interlocking means is arranged on the first side of the guide element and extends axially. On the second side of the guide element, one or more openings are provided at a position opposite to the interlocking means on the first side of the guide element. When the guide elements are stacked together, the interlocking means of one guide element is pushed into and / or clamped into the opening of the adjacent guide element to prevent the axial (relative) movement of the stacked guide elements after interlocking. The first side and the second side of the guide element are the sides of the guide body perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0067] The advantage of using hooks and openings as connecting means is that the stacked guide elements can be maintained in an axial position relative to each other. Therefore, it is possible to remove all the elements together in one movement. As a result, the efficiency and speed of the operation are improved.

[0068] Furthermore, the adapter may be part of an adapter / clamping mechanism system, and the adapter / clamping mechanism system may include the above-mentioned adapter and a clamping mechanism such as a collet, a chuck, etc.

[0069] Furthermore, another aspect of the present disclosure is a machine tool for machining a workpiece, which may include a spindle for rotating the workpiece in the axial direction and a clamping system including a clamping mechanism and an adapter, wherein the clamping mechanism is connected to the spindle and applies a clamping force to the adapter and / or the workpiece therebetween.

[0070] Furthermore, the adapter system can also be introduced into the machine tool. In such a configuration, the adapter is clamped by the clamping system, and the guide element is disposed within the spindle or the bar feeder.

[0071] In addition, the above-described adapter can be introduced into a method for machining a workpiece. Specifically, a method for machining a workpiece using a machine tool, the method may include one or more of the following steps: receiving the workpiece by an adapter disposed within a clamping mechanism of the machine tool, particularly by a chuck, wherein the adapter has a body having an axially penetrating through-hole, an inner support surface for receiving an elongated workpiece, and an outer support surface which is an outer peripheral surface of the body, and the body is coupled to the chuck via a frictional and / or form-fitting connection at the outer support surface, and the shapes of cross-sections of the outer support surface and the inner support surface orthogonal to the axial direction are different. The method further includes a step of fixing the position of the workpiece by frictional engagement by applying a clamping force to the adapter.

[0072] Another aspect of the present disclosure is to apply the clamping force of the clamping mechanism to the outer support surface of the adapter body and transmit it to the inner support surface, preferably elastically deforming the body to clamp the workpiece.

[0073] Another aspect of the present disclosure is that the adapter includes a guide element for machining a workpiece. Alternatively, the adapter system can be implemented to include the above-described adapter and guide element. When receiving the workpiece, the position of the body is maintained axially by adjusting the clamping force applied to the outer support surface. The guide element receives and / or supports the workpiece at an inner and / or outer position of the spindle axially and is preferably configured to move axially with the workpiece via a frictional connection between the guide inner support surface and the workpiece.

[0074] In another aspect of the present disclosure, when pulling and / or pushing the workpiece axially, one or more guide elements are coupled to the workpiece via a frictional connection and move with the workpiece. The guide elements are stacked together such that one or more pins of one guide element are slidably moved axially into a receiving portion of another guide element, and one or more hooks of one guide element are pushed and / or clamped into a receiving portion of another guide element to prevent movement of the axially overlapping guide elements. When the workpiece is further pulled or pushed axially from the rear, all the stacked guide elements remain in the stacked position.

[0075] In addition, the adapter body can have a receiving portion similar to the guide element. Specifically, the body may include an opening and a hole on a surface perpendicular to the axial direction and facing the guide element. In such a configuration of the body, the pins of one guide element are slidably moved axially into the receiving portion of the adapter, and / or one or more hooks of one guide element are pushed and / or clamped into the receiving portion of the adapter body.

[0076] The advantage of the claimed solution is that, according to the present disclosure, by the adapter, by avoiding changes between different clamping systems, it is possible to further improve the overall speed of the machining operation of the workpiece in the machine tool. Also, the adapter clamped by the clamping mechanism can reliably hold a workpiece with an irregular cross-section.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0077]

Figure 1a

Figure 1b

Figure 2

Figure 3a

Figure 3b

Figure 3c

Figure 4a

Figure 4b

Figure 4c

Figure 5

Figure 6a

Figure 6b

Figure 7a

Figure 7b

Figure 8a

Figure 8b

Figure 9a

Figure 9b

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0078] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments and modes will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar features in different drawings and embodiments are referred to by the same reference numerals. It should be understood that the following detailed description of various preferred embodiments and preferred modes does not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0079] FIG. 1a shows a conventional collet assembly used on a lathe having a spindle 6 and a clamping mechanism 5 such as a chuck or collet designed to clamp a workpiece 4a. The clamping mechanism 5 may include, for example, a conventional draw-in collet, a collet that supports the spindle nose, and a hollow cylindrical collet adapter. The chuck is tightened to apply a clamping force to the workpiece 4a or the adapter, or the adapter or the chuck may be loosened to accommodate the workpiece 4a or the adapter.

[0080] Figure 1b shows an adapter in a machine tool according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. The spindle device of the machine tool is connected to a clamping mechanism 5, and the clamping mechanism applies a clamping force to an adapter for supporting a long and / or slender workpiece 4a. Further, the adapter may have at least some adapter bodies that can be used to support the slender workpiece 4a, and the adapter bodies are disposed between the workpiece 4a and the clamping mechanism 5 in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction. In some examples, the adapter may be defined as an additional structure for defining a turning axis for machining the workpiece 4a by adapting the clamping mechanism 5 as a collet of a lathe to the cross-section of the workpiece 4a.

[0081] The spindle 6 and the clamping mechanism 5 are common units of the machine tool. For example, the collet / adapter assembly may be part of a machine tool that can be a multi-axis turning machine, and the machine tool includes a machine frame, a turret body rotatably supported by the machine frame, and a plurality of workpiece spindles disposed on the turret body. Each of the workpiece spindles has a workpiece receiving portion on one side of the turret body facing the machining space of the machine tool for receiving the respective workpiece 4a.

[0082] Specifically, the spindle device for use in a machine tool, particularly a lathe, is configured to receive a slender workpiece 4a, and includes a spindle assembly including a spindle motor for driving the spindle rotation of the workpiece about the spindle axis of the spindle and / or the rotation of the clamping mechanism 5 disposed coaxially with the workpiece spindle with respect to the spindle axis / axial direction.

[0083] The clamping mechanism 5 is configured to receive the slender workpiece 4a and / or, preferably, to enable the movement of the slender workpiece 4a in the direction of the spindle axis, i.e., the axial direction.

[0084] The spindle 6 or spindle assembly and the clamping mechanism 5 are preferably configured to be connected to each other along the spindle axis, preferably by a torque transmission connection disposed between the spindle 6 and the clamping mechanism 5. The driving torque during acceleration and deceleration of the spindle rotation driven by the motor is transmitted to the clamping mechanism 5 in synchronization with the driving acceleration and deceleration of the rotation of the work spindle.

[0085] In some machine tools, the spindle 6 or spindle assembly may include a workpiece spindle that can be used in a machine tool such as a lathe, for example, a single-spindle lathe, a double-spindle lathe, or a multi-spindle lathe. The spindle 6 may include a spindle housing disposed such that the spindle shaft is rotatably supported. Also, a built-in spindle drive device (for example, an electromagnetic drive type spindle motor) is used (not shown) to rotationally drive the spindle shaft about the spindle axis within the spindle housing.

[0086] Typically, the elongated workpiece 4a may be held in the hollow portion of the spindle shaft by the spindle 6 and extends axially with respect to the spindle shaft.

[0087] On the front side of the spindle 6, the spindle 6 includes a clamping mechanism 5 configured to clamp the workpiece 4a, for example, during a machining process if necessary, and also to clamp an adapter. In the clamped state, when the clamping mechanism 5 clamps the workpiece 4a via the adapter, the workpiece 4a is firmly fixed to the spindle shaft, and when the spindle drive device rotationally drives the spindle about the spindle axis, the workpiece 4a rotates about the spindle axis, that is, axially.

[0088] Also, for example, in order to push or move the workpiece 4a in the axial direction of the spindle axis or the axial direction (Z is parallel to the vertical / axial direction), the machine tool moves other parts of the workpiece 4a toward the machining area where it engages with the tool. To do this, the clamping mechanism 5 may be released, for example, by actuating the clamping mechanism 5 to release the workpiece 4a.

[0089] Regarding such a clamping function, the clamping mechanism 5 may be operable to clamp and unclamp (release) the workpiece 4a, which may be performed automatically, for example, electronically, electromagnetically, pneumatically, and / or hydraulically.

[0090] In the clamped state, the clamping mechanism 5 applies a clamping force to the outer support surface 3 of the main body 1. Under the applied force, the main body 1 elastically deforms and transmits the clamping force to the inner support surface 2 and to the workpiece 4a. The elastic deformation may be caused by reducing the distance between the slit and the hole of the main body 1 that facilitates the transmission of the clamping force.

[0091] In the released state, the clamping mechanism 5 either does not apply a clamping force or reduces the clamping force to a level at which the main body 1 returns to its original shape from the elastic deformation under the previously applied clamping force. The outer support surface 3 can be in frictional connection with the clamping mechanism in the released state.

[0092] Figure 2 shows a schematic view of the clamping mechanism 5, the adapter, and the spindle 6 in a plane orthogonal to the axial direction. The spindle 6 of the machine tool is connected to the clamping mechanism 5. The adapter has a main body 1 that extends in the axial direction of the main body 1 and has a through hole 4 adapted to receive the workpiece 4a. The through hole 4 forms an inner support surface 2 for receiving the workpiece 4a, and the main body 1 further includes an outer support surface 3 that is the outer peripheral surface 3 of the main body 1.

[0093] The adapter is disposed between the workpiece 4a and the collet 5 in the radial direction. The outer support surface 3 of the main body 1 may have a common shape, for example, as a conical or polygonal prism as shown in FIG. 8a, and has a circular or polygonal cross-section on a plane orthogonal to the axial direction. As a result, the cross-sectional shape of the outer support surface 3 has very high symmetry.

[0094] In addition, the friction coefficients between the outer support surface 3 and the inner support surface 2 may be different. Specifically, the friction coefficient of the inner support surface may be higher than the friction coefficient of the outer support surface 3.

[0095] The inner support surface 2 is adapted to receive the workpiece 4a having an irregular cross-section. Here, the cross-section refers to a cross-section orthogonal to the axial direction. The workpiece 4a having an irregular cross-section has very low symmetry and is a low symmetry point group.

[0096] Generally, the irregular cross-section of the workpiece 4a may mean that the symmetry of the inner support surface 2 is smaller than the symmetry of the outer support surface 3. Specifically, when the outer support surface 3 has a rotation (Cn rotation) at an angle of 360° / n around a fixed point as the maximum symmetry operation, the maximum symmetry operation of the inner support surface 2 is Cn-1 or less.

[0097] To clearly establish the basis for comparing symmetries, in this case, the symmetries of the outer support surface 3 and the inner support surface 2 can be compared, for example, by comparing the highest-order symmetry operation possible in the cross-section of the outer support surface 3 with the highest-order symmetry operation possible in the cross-section of the inner support surface 2.

[0098] For example, in relation to the workpiece 4a shown at the lower part of FIG. 8a, the outer support surface 3 having a rotational symmetry (C6) every 60° as the highest-order operation is considered to have a higher symmetry than the symmetry group having a 360° rotation (identity operation, C1) as the highest-order operation shown in the workpiece 4a of FIG. 8b.

[0099] Alternatively or additionally, according to another method, the symmetry of the cross-sections of the inner support surface 2 and the outer support surface 3 can be determined based on a comparison between the total number of symmetry operations of the cross-section of the outer support surface 3 perpendicular to the axial direction and the total number of symmetry operations of the cross-section of the inner support surface 2 perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0100] Furthermore, the second method of comparing symmetries can also be combined with the first method. For example, if the highest available symmetry operation for both the outer support surface 3 and the inner support surface is the same, the comparison between the symmetries can be made based on the total number of original symmetry operations. For example, the inner support surface 2 having only C2 symmetry and a 180° rotation has a lower symmetry than the outer support surface 3 having one C2 symmetry and two mirror symmetries. In fact, the above situation can be observed by comparing the symmetry of a general parallelogram having only one available C2 symmetry with the symmetry of a rectangle having C2 symmetry and two mirrors.

[0101] For example, the workpiece 4a having an irregular cross-section can have only one two-fold rotation axis and two non-equivalent mirror planes. Alternatively, the workpiece 4a having an irregular cross-section may have only a single reflection operation, which means that the figure (cross-section of the workpiece 4a) has only one axis of symmetry.

[0102] The workpiece 4a having an irregular cross-section may be overall asymmetric with respect to the axial direction. The asymmetry of the workpiece 4a having an irregular cross-section means that the cross-section of the workpiece 4a has the trivial group symmetry C1 including only a 360° rotation.

[0103] Figures 3a to 3c show some examples of the adapter structure according to the present disclosure. The body 1 of the adapter has holes and / or protrusions. Specifically, the protrusions and holes serve to transmit the clamping force applied to the adapter from the clamping mechanism 5. Furthermore, the slits and protrusions facilitate the elastic deformation of the adapter.

[0104] According to one configuration of the present disclosure, the main body 1 may have a hole extending axially in the main body 1 (FIG. 3c). The hole may have a circular or substantially circular shape. Further, the holes may have the same radius / diameter, or alternatively, the holes may be divided into several groups of holes having different diameters / radii mounted within the main body 1. Based on different configurations of the adapter, possible modifications of the adapter may be made. The hole may extend axially through the entire main body 1, or may extend to a certain length at a certain point of the main body, for example, from 60% to 90% of the axial length of the main body 1. The outer support surface 3 may be kept constant axially, or may be divided into two parts as will be described later.

[0105] According to some configurations of the present disclosure, the shape of the outer support surface 3 may remain constant axially, i.e., in FIG. 3c. Alternatively, the axial shape of the outer support surface 3 of the main body 1 may be divided into at least a first part and a second part. In the first part, slits and / or holes penetrate the main body, but the slits or holes do not completely penetrate the main body 1, and the shape of the outer support surface 3 is constant along the axial direction. The length of the first part of the adapter may be, for example, from 60% to 90% of the length of the main body 1 in the axial direction.

[0106] In the second part of the main body 1, the size of the outer support surface 3 may gradually decrease in FIGS. 3a and 3b. For example, in the case of the circular outer support surface 3, the change in size may correspond to the change in the diameter of the cross-section of the outer support surface.

[0107] According to another configuration of the present disclosure, the main body 1 may have slits / protrusions passing from the outer support surface 3 to the inner support surface 2 (Fig. 3a). The slits may be evenly distributed across the main body 1. The slits may be provided radially at equal intervals from each other between 0° and 120°, preferably between 10° and 60°. A large number of slits may be beneficial in adapting the transmission of the clamping force to the workpiece 4a with an irregular cross-section via the outer support surface 3 to the inner support surface 2. In another example, each slit may be radially displaced by 45° with respect to the other slits (Fig. 3a).

[0108] Furthermore, the slits may be radially displaced from each other at different angles. Furthermore, the portions of the main body 1 formed by the slits, the outer support surface 3, and the inner support surface 2 may have different sizes or shapes.

[0109] According to another configuration of the present disclosure, a combination of holes and protrusions can be implemented in the main body 1 (Fig. 3b). In such a configuration, in order to further enhance the transmission of the clamping force applied from the clamping mechanism 5 to the workpiece 4a, it is important to maximize the area of the outer support surface 3 in contact with the clamping device and possibly the area of the inner support surface 2 in contact with the workpiece 4a (Fig. 3b). Therefore, it may be required to provide only small slits with respect to the outer support surface 3 and the inner support surface 2, which can implement holes of different sizes between the outer support surface 3 and the inner support surface 2. Specifically, the structure of the main body 1 may be divided into a plurality of radially distributed T-shaped portions. The upper part of the T-shaped portion is defined by the outer support surface 3 and may have a circular or linear shape. The base of the T-shaped portion is a straight portion connecting the outer support surface 3 and the inner support surface. The lower part of the T-shaped portion is defined by the inner support surface 2 and has a shape adapted to hold a part of the workpiece 4a having an irregular cross-section.

[0110] The slit and the hole may extend to a specific point and a specific length of the body, for example, axially from 60% to 90% of the length of the body 1. The slits may be displaced radially from each other at the same angle between 0° and 120°, preferably between 10° and 60°. Alternatively, the slits may be displaced from each other at different angles radially.

[0111] Furthermore, the shape of the outer support surface 3 may remain constant in the axial direction of FIG. 3a, or the shape of the body 1 in the axial direction may be divided into a first part and a second part. In the first part, the slit and / or the hole penetrate the body, but the slit or the hole does not completely penetrate the body 1, and the shape of the outer support surface 3 is constant along the axial direction. In the second part of the body 1, the size of the outer support surface 3 may gradually decrease. For example, in the case of a circular outer support surface 3, the change in size may correspond to the change in the diameter of the cross-section of the outer support surface.

[0112] Furthermore, when the body 1 is divided into a first and a second part, the transition between the first part and the second part of the body 1 may be abrupt or gradual. The shape of the first part of the body 1 is expected to have the shape of a generally used workpiece such as a polygonal prism or a cone as shown in FIG. 8a, and the shape of the second part may have a different shape with a smaller axial length compared to the first part as long as the clamping system 5 is not affected by the second part of the body 1.

[0113] Furthermore, the body 1 may be configured to transmit the machining torque / force from the collet (clamping mechanism 5) to the machining part, and the material of the main part is preferably a metal alloy, preferably steel, that can give appropriate rigidity to the body. For example, FIG. 3a shows a rigidity solution based on the use of the entire material (excluding cuts for clamping deformation). Furthermore, FIGS. 3b and 3c show solutions with lower rigidity. Specifically, in the case of low cutting force and / or low-precision machining, an adapter with lower rigidity may be used. In this case, a polymer material may also be preferable.

[0114] The adapter according to the present disclosure can also be made of metal, a combination of metals, or a polymeric material, based on the type of workpiece 4a to be machined and the required operations. Thus, in a further preferred form, the material of the adapter is selected based on the required clamping force and the accuracy of the desired workpiece machining. Further, preferably, the clamping force applied through the adapter, specifically the elasticity of the adapter, can be appropriately selected for the purpose of use (preferably depending on factors including the material of the workpiece to be machined, the type of machining operation, and the required machining accuracy), and it is also possible to combine metal and polymeric materials for the hybrid material of the adapter (and / or the body).

[0115] The adapter 1 can be implemented in combination with a chuck and a collet guide used to hold or position a workpiece during a cutting operation, more specifically in the field of automated CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) lathes. However, in some further variations, the disclosure regarding the adapter may also be applied to lathes capable of performing Swiss-type machining.

[0116] The adapter system can also be implemented together with one or more guide elements 7. The adapter system is very suitable for Swiss-type lathes or machine tools in which the workpiece 4a moves axially during the machining operation.

[0117] A lathe known as a Swiss-type sliding headstock lathe uses a non-fixed headstock and a chuck. The chuck grips, rotates, and axially feeds a workpiece stock while a cutting bit remains stationary longitudinally and moves only radially to machine a workpiece 4a. The Swiss-type sliding headstock lathe utilizes a fixed guide bushing or clamping mechanism 5 that is positioned in front of and aligned with the sliding headstock chuck to guide and support the workpiece stock. Different machining operations determine which type of CNC lathe is suitable for manufacturing a particular part. The Swiss-type sliding headstock lathe is preferred for manufacturing slender, small-diameter parts such as needles because all cutting is performed near the end of the guide bushing where the workpiece 4a is supported against the deflecting force of the cutting bit by the guide bushing and the opposite end of the workpiece 4a is supported by a sub-spindle.

[0118] As a result, the workpiece 4a needs to be supported in an irregular shape not only at the part of the clamping mechanism 5 but also in the spindle 6. Therefore, an additional guide element 7 adapted to the workpiece 4a may be arranged within the spindle to hold the received workpiece 4a.

[0119] The guide element 7 or additional element is configured to adapt the clamping mechanism 5 (collet) to the cross-section of the workpiece 4a or bar stock and to define the axis of the turned part.

[0120] When the workpiece 4a / bar is mounted on the spindle 6, the position of the guide element 7 / additional element is axially maintained by the clamping mechanism 5 / clamping system.

[0121] The guide element according to the second embodiment is shown in more detail in FIGS. 4a to 4c.

[0122] The adapter system may be attached to an automatic CNC turning lathe having a sub-spindle that enables the lathe to perform Swiss-type turning. A further object is to provide a device that does not require a large-scale modification of the chuck of the automatic CNC lathe and enables operation without hindering the radial gripping of the automatic CNC lathe.

[0123] In the adapter system, a clamping mechanism 5 connected to the spindle 6 clamps the adapter 1. One or more guide elements 7 are configured to receive and hold a long and / or slender workpiece 4a. The adapter system has one or more guide elements 7, and each guide element has a guide body 1a, a guide outer support surface 3a, a guide inner support surface 2a, and a through hole extending axially through the guide body 1a. The guide inner support surface 2a is configured to receive the workpiece 4a. The guide outer support surface 3a is the outer peripheral surface of the guide body 1a. The guide outer support surface 3a and the guide inner support surface 2a have different cross-sectional shapes.

[0124] FIG. 4a shows a cross-section of the spindle having the guide element 7 viewed axially. Parts 8 and 8a are components of the spindle. The guide element 7 may have a shape similar to that of the adapter. However, preferably, the friction coefficients between the guide inner support surface 2a and the guide outer support surface 3a are different. The guide outer support surface 3a may be the same as the shape of the outer support surface 3 of the adapter, and in particular, has a cylindrical or polygonal shape extending axially. However, since one or more guide elements 7 are not clamped by the clamping mechanism 5 and are installed in the spindle, the requirements for the shape of the guide outer support surface 3a may be different from the shape of the outer support surface 3. In particular, the guide outer support surface 3a may be circular, or may have a different diameter or size from the outer support surface 3 of the adapter.

[0125] Some configurations of the machine tool may include a spindle 6 that can provide the workpiece 4a by bar feeding along the central axis of the spindle, i.e., in the axial direction. The provided workpiece 4a can be machined on the front end side by one or two tools of each tool carrier assembly of the machine tool, or by each tool of a turret unit positioned vertically above or below a horizontal axis, for example.

[0126] It should be noted that generally, the workpiece 4a can be loaded into the machine tool by a workpiece loading device such as a bar loader, bar feeder, and / or handling robot. The machined workpiece 4a can be taken out by an unloading device, for example, by a handling robot.

[0127] In the case of the elongated workpiece 4a, it has an elongated substantially identical cross-section orthogonal to the axial direction. The shape of the guide inner support surface 2a can be the same as the shape of the inner support surface 2. Further, the guide element 7 may have a shape in which the guide inner support surface 2a and / or the guide outer support surface 3a is constant along the axial direction.

[0128] Also, the guide element 7 is movable along the axial direction and can be coupled to the workpiece 4a by friction. Further, the guide outer support surface 3a is preferably constant along the axial direction.

[0129] Figures 4b and 4c show further aspects of the guide element 7. Specifically, the guide element has different connection means located on different sides of the guide body 1a. The guide body 1a has a guide first side 11 as a connection side having connection means for connecting to another guide element 7, and a guide second side as a receiving side having holes and / or openings for receiving the connection means of another guide element 7. The connection means may also be interlock means.

[0130] For example, the guide element 7 in FIG. 4c may be located above and below the hollow portion 4 of the guide body 1a and have two pins 13 extending in the axial direction. The pins 13 are arranged on the guide first surface 11. Further, two holes 13a adjacent to the pins 13 are arranged on the second side surface 14 of the guide element.

[0131] The positions of the pins 13 and the holes 13a are selected such that when the guide elements 7 are stacked together, the pins 13 of one guide element 7 can slide axially into the holes 13a of another guide element 7 by the stacking of the guide elements 7 together.

[0132] During the machining of a generally elongated workpiece, the workpiece 4a is usually pushed or pulled towards the clamping mechanism 5 and the adapter. Accordingly, the guide element first side 11 of the guide element 7 is a surface of the guide body 1a orthogonal to the axial direction and is closer to the adapter and / or the clamping mechanism 5 than the guide element second side 14 which is another surface of the guide body 1a orthogonal to the axial direction.

[0133] Additional elements support the bar inside the spindle 6 and the bar loader. The elements do not rotate relative to the bar by form fit. The elements are coupled to the bar by friction. The axial position is maintained during the axial movement of the bar. They stop the axial movement when touching another element. When the elements are stacked together, there is a system to maintain them in the axial position, and thus it is possible to remove the elements together at once.

[0134] With this configuration of the connecting means / coupling means, the guide elements can be stacked on top of each other at the end of the path near the clamping mechanism 5. Also, by pushing the pins 13 into the adjacent holes 13a, the orientation of the guide elements 7 relative to each other can be properly maintained.

[0135] Furthermore, the connecting means may have one or more hooks 12 located on the first side surface 11 of the guide element. In each hook, the straight axis portion of the hook 12 extends in the axial direction, and the bent portion of the hook is bent in the transverse direction orthogonal to the axial direction. For example, FIG. 4c shows a guide element 7 having two hooks 12 schematically shown on the left and right sides from the through hole 4 of the guide element 7.

[0136] Similar to the position of the hole 13a, the guide body 1a has one or more openings 12a on the second side surface 14 of the guide element. In FIG. 4c, exactly two openings are schematically shown on the left and right sides from the through hole 4 of the guide body 1a. The opening 12a is provided at a position on the first side 11 of the guide element opposite to the connecting means as a hook.

[0137] When the guide elements 7 are stacked together, the hook (or interlocking means) of one guide element 7 is pushed into and / or clamped in the opening 12a of the adjacent guide element 7, preventing the axial movement of the stacked guide elements 7 after interlocking, as shown in FIG. 5. Specifically, when the guide element 7 moves and is connected to another guide element 7, the pin enters the adjacent hole 13a of another guide element, and the hook 13 of one guide element 7 is connected to the opening of another guide element.

[0138] The opening 12a of the guide element may have various shapes that can be clamped by the hook 12. For example, according to FIGS. 4c and 5, the opening may have a keyhole shape, specifically, a circular shape having a trapezoid with a width smaller than the diameter of the circle. Specifically, it is a shape in which a circle and a trapezoid are combined, and as shown in FIGS. 5 and 4c, the small parallel sides of the trapezoid are the connection points of the circle and the trapezoid. Alternatively, the keyhole-shaped opening 12a may have a circular shape combined with a rectangle having a width smaller than the diameter of the circle protruding from the bottom.

[0139] The shape of the above-mentioned opening is shown in the X-Z plane where Z is the axial direction and X is an axis orthogonal to the axial direction, and is, for example, as shown in FIG. 4a.

[0140] Furthermore, the opening 12a having a keyhole shape may penetrate the main body along one of the axes orthogonal to the axial direction. For example, according to FIGS. 4b and 4c, each opening having a keyhole shape passes through the guide outer support surface 3a of the guide main body 1a and reaches the guide inner support surface 2a.

[0141] In the guide element 7 configured without the pin 13 and the hole 13a, the stacked guide elements can be separated by pulling some of the guide elements in the axial direction or sliding a plurality of guide elements 7 in the Y direction parallel to the direction of the opening passing through the guide main body 1a and orthogonal to the axial direction.

[0142] To simplify the description of the guide element 7, the first surface 11 of the guide element and the second surface of the guide element are shown orthogonal to the axial direction. However, both the first surface and the second surface of the guide element 7 may have some inclination with respect to the axial direction. For example, the same inclination can be set for the first surface and the second surface of the guide element. In the guide component of this configuration, the directions of the hook 12 and the pin 13 on the first side of the guide element extend in the axial direction.

[0143] Alternatively, the first side 11 of the guide element and the second side 14 of the guide element may have different inclinations. However, in this configuration, the surface of the first side 11 of the guide element of one guide element 7 can be in surface connection with the second side 14 of the guide element of another guide element 7. In other words, the sum of the angle between the axial direction and the second side 14 of the guide element and the angle between the axial direction and the first side 11 of the guide element of another guide element 7 is equal to 180°. In other words, the sum of the angle formed by the axial direction and the second side 14 of the guide element and the angle formed by the axial direction and the first side 11 of the guide element of another guide element 7 is equal to 180°.

[0144] Figure 6a shows a standard system having a bar loader with a spindle 6 and / or a clamping mechanism 5. The workpiece 4a can be pushed forward towards the clamping mechanism 5 or axially pulled from the clamping mechanism 5. Parts 8 and 8a are standard parts of the spindle 6 or the bar loader, and part 8 can be any holding mechanism adapted to hold the workpiece 4a having a regular cross-section such as circular or polygonal as described above. Part 8 may be the outer casing of the spindle or the bar feeder.

[0145] Figure 6b shows an adapter system according to the present disclosure. Specifically, a bar feeder having a spindle or a clamping mechanism 5 includes an additional guide element 7 and an adapter for a workpiece 4a having an irregular cross-section. The adapter is located between the workpiece 4a and the clamping mechanism 5 attached to the spindle 6 or the bar feeder. A plurality of guide elements 7 are arranged axially inside the spindle 6 or the bar feeder. The outer support surface 3a of the guide is in contact with the holding mechanism 8, and the inner support surface 2a is in frictional contact with the workpiece 4a having an irregular cross-section. The guide element 7 is axially movable along the workpiece 4a of the spindle 6. Parts 8 and 8a of the spindle 6, or the bar feeder, represent standard parts of these mechanisms used in the art.

[0146] The sliding force between the guide body 1a and the workpiece 4a and / or the sliding force between the guide body 1a and the spindle 8 portion (Figure 6) may be different. Specifically, the different sliding forces are, for example, due to different coupling tolerances between the guide body 1a and the workpiece 4a and / or between the guide body 1a and the spindle 8 portion (see Figure 6). When a small interference occurs between the guide body 1a and the workpiece 4a, the workpiece 4a presses against the inner guide support surface 2a of the guide body 1, thereby forming a small gap between the guide body 1a and the spindle 8 portion, for example, due to different frictional forces (see Figure 6).

[0147] As a result, the guide element can slide axially along the movement of the workpiece 4a.

[0148] The guide body 1a may be made of some polymeric materials that are deformable to fit (or clamp) a workpiece 4a made of, for example, a metal alloy, thereby generating an appropriate coupling frictional force between the guide body 1a and the workpiece 4a.

[0149] Alternatively, instead of the polymeric material, the guide element 7 may be made of a metal alloy (such as steel, bronze, etc.) that generates a preload between the guide body 1a and the workpiece 4a by macroscopic deformation.

[0150] In this alternative form, when the guide element 7 is made of metal, the guide body 1a may further have a coupling portion 16 (or, an elastic pressing portion; or, a plurality of leaf spring portions extending inward from the guide body 1a in the direction of the body center) as shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b. The coupling portion 16 of the guide element 7 may extend at an (predetermined) angle (preferably, 30°) with respect to the axial direction in the direction from the guide inner support portion 2a toward the center of the hollow portion 4. The coupling portion 16 may be configured to protrude from a portion near the second side 14 of the guide element of the guide inner support surface 2a. The coupling portion 16 is attached to the receiving portion (end portion) of the guide body 1a of the workpiece 4a and may be configured to extend, for example, in the direction in which the workpiece is moved to the processing region. The coupling portion 16 may be one or more metal brackets welded to the guide body 1a.

[0151] The angle between the coupling portion 16 and the axial direction may be between 0° and 50°. Preferably, it is between 30° and 10°. In an advantageous form, the length of the protruding portion of the coupling portion 16 in the axial direction does not exceed the distance between the second side surface 14 and the first side surface 11 of the guide element, or the length of the guide body 1a. Thus, the coupling portion 16 is configured to extend in the axial direction of the guide body 1a. Further, with the workpiece 4a received in the guide body 1a, the coupling portion 16 is pressed against the workpiece 4a, and the axial length of the protrusion of the coupling portion 16 pressed against the workpiece 4a does not exceed the distance between the second side 14 and the first side 11 of the guide element or the length of the guide body 1a. Further, in an advantageous form, the coupling portion 16 is a ring-shaped, more specifically, a funnel-shaped spring portion whose outer peripheral surface is attached to the inner surface of the guide body 1a. Also, this special design can also be used for the configuration of the body 1 having a funnel-shaped spring whose outer peripheral surface is attached to the inner surface of the body 1. In a further form, the spring constant of the body spring may be different from the spring constant of the guide body spring.

[0152] Figures 7a and 7b show a process of machining a workpiece 4a using an adapter system of a machine tool. The workpiece 4a is received by a spindle 6 and / or a bar loader of the machine tool. Guide elements 7 (each guide element includes a guide body 1a, a guide outer support surface 3a, a guide inner support surface 2a, and a through hole extending axially through the guide body 1a) may be arranged at substantially the same distance from each other along the workpiece 4a. Alternatively, the guide elements may be arranged at different distances from each other axially. The body 1 of the adapter is coupled to a chuck or a clamping mechanism 5 via a frictional coupling and / or a form-fitting coupling on the outer support surface 3, and the shapes of the cross-sections perpendicular to the axial direction of the outer support surface 3 and the inner support surface 2 are different.

[0153] During operation, the workpiece 4a of the machine tool is axially pulled or pushed from the rear as shown in Figure 7a. The plurality of guide elements 7 are connected to the workpiece 4a, for example, by friction, and thus move with the workpiece 4a. While the workpiece 4a is moving along the axial direction, the guide element 7 moves to the body 1 of the adapter and is stopped by the adapter. During the axial movement of the workpiece 4a / workpiece, the adapter remains stationary in its axial position due to external constraints such as a stopper 15. For example, a specific mechanism such as the stopper 15 in Figure 7b can be used to stop the adapter during the movement of the part. After the feeding operation, the clamping mechanism 5 can clamp the adapter and the stopper 15 can be removed. The stopper may also be returned for the next feeding operation. Alternatively, if the coefficient of friction of the outer support surface 3 is higher than that of the inner support surface 2, the axial movement of the adapter can be prevented.

[0154] The movement of the guide element can be stopped by the body 1 of the adapter (see Fig. 7a). The subsequent guide element 7a continues to move axially, and the next guide element reaches the guide element stacked on the body 1, and the interlocking means of one guide element passes through the receiving portion of another guide element 7. The step-by-step process of connecting the guide elements 7 together is shown step by step in Fig. 7a, and the initial distribution of the guide elements 7 of the machine tool and the final position of the stacked guide elements 7 are shown in Fig. 7b.

[0155] In step 1 of Fig. 7a, the feed operation is started, and the workpiece 4a is pushed from the rear or pulled forward axially. The clamping mechanism is in an unclamped state but is in contact with the outer support surface 3 of the body 1 of the adapter. The axial movement of the body 1 is prevented by a stopper 15 (not shown) and / or by the difference in the coefficient of friction between the outer support surface and the inner support surface of the body 1. The other guide elements 7 are moved axially together with the workpiece 4a through frictional connection with the workpiece 4a. In this embodiment, the guide element 7 closest to the body may be counted as the first guide element, and the guide element 7 farthest from the body 1 is the fourth guide element.

[0156] In step 2 of Fig. 7a, during the feed operation, the first guide element moves axially (the feed direction is, for example, the axial direction towards the body 1) until it overlaps with the body 1, and further axial movement of the first guide element is prevented. The other guide elements 7 continue to move axially together with the workpiece 4a.

[0157] Based on the different structures of the body 1, the interlocking means of the first guide element is movable within the receiving portion of the body 1, and this receiving portion is similar or identical to the receiving portion of the guide element 7. However, according to different configurations of the present disclosure, the adapter may have a configuration without a receiving portion, and the first guide element may not have interlocking means for stacking with the body. In such a configuration, all the guide elements 7 are stacked on top of each other at the end of the feeding operation and can be removed together.

[0158] In some other configurations of the present disclosure, the axial movement of the guide element can be stopped by an external restraint stop mechanism (not shown) disposed between the first guide element and the body 1. In other configurations of the present disclosure, the axial movement of the guide element may be stopped by a stop mechanism as an external restraint (not shown) disposed between the first guide element and the body 1.

[0159] In step 3 of FIG. 7a, during the feeding operation, the second guide element moves axially until it contacts the first guide element. The interlocking means of the second guide element passes through the receiving portion of the first guide element that enables stacking of the guide elements 7. The other guide elements 7 continue to move axially together with the workpiece 4a.

[0160] In step 4 of FIG. 7a, during the feeding operation, the third guide element moves axially until it contacts the second guide element. The interlocking means of the third guide element passes through the receiving portion of the second guide element that enables stacking of the guide elements 7 with each other. The fourth guide element continues to move axially together with the workpiece 4a.

[0161] In step 5 of FIG. 7a, during the supply operation, the fourth guide element moves axially until it contacts the third guide element. The interlocking means of the fourth guide element passes through the receiving portion of the third guide element that enables the guide elements 7 to be stacked on top of each other. As a result, in the example of FIG. 7a, all the guide elements 7 are stacked on top of each other and on top of the body 1.

[0162] FIG. 7b shows the configuration of an adapter system having a guide element 7 with an external restraint, i.e., a stopper 15. Specifically, FIG. 7b shows the initial / first step of the supply operation and the final step of the supply operation where all the guide elements 7 can be stacked on top of each other and overlap the body 1. All the steps described in relation to FIG. 7a are applicable to FIG. 7b.

[0163] Furthermore, the body 1 may have a receiving portion similar to that of the guide element 7. Specifically, the surface of the body 1 that is orthogonal to the axial direction and faces the guide element may have an opening 12a and a hole 13a having the same limitations as the above-described guide element 7. Thus, the interlocking means of one guide element can be pushed into or clamped in the opening of the body 1 to prevent the stacked guide elements 7 from moving axially after connection.

[0164] The above embodiments illustrate the general principles of the present disclosure. Various combinations of embodiments and teachings can both be implemented. Furthermore, parts and modifications of one embodiment can also be applied to other embodiments. In addition, in light of the disclosure of the present application, those skilled in the art can implement various combinations of changes within the same embodiment.

[0165] The expressions such as collet, chuck, clamping system, clamping mechanism are used interchangeably, and a collet and a chuck are examples of a clamping mechanism. Therefore, these expressions can be used interchangeably without affecting the meaning.

[0166] In addition, the terms guide element, additional element, or element have the same meaning. Also, the terms workpiece, elongated workpiece, and bar have the same meaning. Further, the terms adapter or adaptor have the same meaning and can be used interchangeably.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0167] 1 Main body 1a Guide main body 2 Inner support surface 3 Outer support surface 2a Guide inner support surface 3a Guide outer support surface 4 Hollow portion 4a Elongated workpiece (workpiece) 5 Collet (clamping mechanism) 6 Spindle 7 Guide element 11 First side of the guide element (first side of the guiding element) 12 Hook 12a Opening 13 Pin 13a Hole 14 Second side of the guide element (second side of the guiding element) 15 Stopper (external restraint) 16 Coupling portion

Claims

1. An adapter for supporting a workpiece (4a) in a machine tool, in particular a lathe, comprising: The adapter has a body (1), the body (1) having a hole (4) extending along an axial direction of the body (1), The hole (4) defines an inner support surface (2) for receiving a workpiece (4a), The body (1) further includes an outer support surface (3) which is the outer peripheral surface of the body (1); The body (1) is adapted to be inserted into a clamping mechanism (5) of a machine tool and to be coupled to said clamping mechanism using an outer support surface (3), The cross-sectional shape of the outer support surface (3) is different from the cross-sectional shape of the inner support surface (2), The cross-sectional shape of the inner support surface (2) is preferably constant along the axial direction. adapter.

2. the hole (4) extending axially through the body (1) is a through hole; and / or The inner bearing surface (2) has an irregular cross-section and the outer bearing surface (3) has a regular cross-section. The adapter of claim 1 .

3. a cross section of the outer support surface (3) perpendicular to the axial direction has a higher degree of symmetry than a cross section of the inner support surface (2) perpendicular to the axial direction; The adapter of claim 1 .

4. The outer support surface (3) has a cylindrical or polygonal shape extending in the axial direction, the cross-sectional shape of the inner support surface (2) corresponds to the cross-section of the received workpiece (4a) and preferably has an irregular shape; An adapter according to any preceding claim.

5. the cross section of the inner support surface (2) is asymmetric about an axis perpendicular to the axial direction; An adapter according to any preceding claim.

6. the body (1) having holes and / or protrusions and adapted to transmit a clamping force applied to the outer support surface (3) to the inner support surface (2) to clamp a workpiece (4a); the surface roughness of the outer support surface (3) is different from the surface roughness of the inner support surface (2); An adapter according to any preceding claim.

7. the adapter has at least two bodies (1), the bodies (1) being configured to be spatially offset from one another in the axial direction when received within the clamping mechanism (5); the cross sections of the inner support surfaces (2) of the two bodies (1) have the same shape and are adapted to slidably receive a workpiece (4a) of irregular cross section; An adapter according to any preceding claim.

8. An adapter system comprising an adapter according to any of the preceding claims and one or more guide elements (7), Each guide element (7) has a guide body (1a), a guide outer support surface (3a), a guide inner support surface (2a) and a through hole extending through said guide body (1a) in the axial direction; The guide inner support surface (2a) is adapted to receive a workpiece (4a), The guide outer support surface (3a) is an outer peripheral surface of the guide body (1a), The cross-sectional shapes of the guide outer support surface (3a) and the guide inner support surface (2a) are different. Adapter system.

9. the one or more guide elements (7) are configured to be movable along the axial direction and to be coupled to the workpiece (4a) by friction; The guide outer support surface (3a) preferably remains constant along the axial direction. An adapter system according to the preceding claims.

10. At least one, and preferably each, of said guide elements (7) has a connection means, the one or more guide elements (7) are configured to connect with the body (1) of the adapter or with an adjacent guide element (7) via the connection means, in particular by interlock, when moving axially together with the workpiece; 10. An adapter system according to claim 8 or 9.

11. The connection means comprises one or more pins (13), The guide body (1a) has one or more holes (13a), The hole (13a) is located on the second guide side surface (14) of the guide body (1a), The pin (13) extends in the axial direction, By stacking the guide elements together, the pin (13) of one guide element is axially slidably moved into the hole (13a) of another guide element; The guide first side surface (11) and the guide second side surface are side surfaces of the guide body perpendicular to the axial direction. The adapter system of claim 10.

12. said connection means comprising one or more interlocking means and preferably a hook (12); The guide body (1a) has one or more openings (12a), The interlocking means is disposed on a first side (11) of the guide element and extends in the axial direction; a second side (14) of the guide element is provided with one or more openings (12a) at a position opposite the interlocking means at the first side (11) of the guide element; when the guide elements (7) are stacked together, the interlocking means of one of the guide elements (7) is forced and / or clamped into the opening (12a) of the adjacent guide element (7) and prevents movement of the axially overlapping guide elements (7) after interlocking; The first side surface (11) of the guide element and the second side surface of the guide element are side surfaces of the guide body perpendicular to the axial direction. An adapter system according to any one of claims 8 to 10.

13. 1. A machine tool for machining a workpiece, comprising: a spindle (6) for rotating the workpiece (4a) in an axial direction; A clamping system including a clamping mechanism (5) and an adapter; Equipped with the clamping mechanism (5) is connected to a spindle (6) and applies a clamping force to the adapter and / or the workpiece (4a) therebetween; The adapter is an adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 11. Machine tools.

14. A method for machining a workpiece (4a) using a machine tool, comprising the steps of: The method comprises: receiving said workpiece (4a) by means of an adapter arranged in a clamping mechanism (5) of said machine tool, in particular a chuck, The adapter has a body (1), The body (1) is A hole (4) passing axially through the body; an inner support surface (2) for receiving said elongated workpiece (4a); an outer support surface (3) which is the outer peripheral surface of the main body (1); the body (1) is coupled to the clamping mechanism (5) via friction and / or via a form-fit connection at the outer support surface (3), and the outer support surface (3) and the inner support surface (2) have different shapes in cross section perpendicular to the axial direction, The method further comprises the step of fixing the position of the workpiece (4a) by applying a clamping force to the adapter through a frictional connection. A method for machining a workpiece (4a).

15. a clamping force of the clamping mechanism (5) is applied to the outer support surface (3) of the adapter body (1) and is transferred to the inner support surface (2) for clamping the workpiece (4a), preferably by elastically deforming the body (1); A method for machining a workpiece (4a) according to claim 13.

16. The adapter has a guide element (7), maintaining the axial position of the body (1) by adjusting the clamping force applied to the outer support surface (3) when receiving the workpiece (4a); the guide element (7) being adapted to receive and / or support the workpiece (4a) inside and / or outside the spindle (6) in an axial position and to be movable together with the workpiece (4a) in the axial direction; and / or When pulling and / or pushing the workpiece (4a) in the axial direction, one or more guide elements (7) are connected to the workpiece (4a) via a frictional connection and move together with the workpiece (4a), the guide elements (7) are stacked such that one or more pins (13) of one of the guide elements (7) are slidably inserted into a receiving portion of the other guide element (7) in the axial direction; and / or one or more hooks (12) of one of the guide elements (7) are pressed and / or clamped into a receiving portion of the other guide element (7), thereby preventing the stacked guide elements (7) from moving axially. A method for machining a workpiece (4a) according to claim 13 or 14.

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