Processing device

Abstract

To provide a processing device, which is configured to perform a process for replacing a material to be processed, in a short time, without using a lifting machine or the like.SOLUTION: A processing device, which has a function of automatically replacing a tool, comprises lifting means that lifts and moves a support part, between a support position and a non-support position. The support part is constituted of a first support part provided with a roller that slidably supports a detachment / attachment sub table at the support position. Positioning mechanisms are provided on a machine table and the detachment / attachment sub table. The positioning mechanisms are constituted of a locator block arranged on an upper surface of the machine table and a piston built-in locator arranged on a back side of the detachment / attachment sub table. The locator block has an uneven groove part whose lower step part is larger in width than an upper stage part thereof. The piston built-in locator comprises a piston part in which an expanding portion expanding in a horizontal direction is formed at a tip thereof. The piston part operates between a clamp state where the expanding portion pressure-welds an upper surface of the lower stage part and an unclamp state where the expanding portion separates therefrom.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing apparatus having an automatic tool changing function.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a processing apparatus having an automatic tool changing function, equipped with a numerical control device, a so-called NC (Numerical Control) device or a computerized numerical control device, a so-called CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) device, and controlled and driven as a machining center.

[0003] In this type of processing apparatus, the workpiece is automatically or manually exchanged each time the processing is completed. The automatic type uses a so-called pallet changer to exchange the pallet on which the workpiece is placed, so the investment at the time of equipment introduction becomes large. In a processing apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as a general-purpose machine) in which such a pallet changer is not installed, a manual exchange process is performed, but since it is necessary to stop the processing apparatus for a long time when exchanging the workpiece, improvement of the operation rate has been demanded.

[0004] As a method for solving such problems, a method of retrofitting a pallet exchange jig to a general-purpose machine has been devised. However, since the positioning pins formed on the machine table are fitted into the bushes formed on the detachable sub-table, when exchanging the detachable sub-table, it is necessary to lift the detachable sub-table by the length of the positioning pins. Since such a detachable sub-table is a heavy object, it is necessary to install a hoist or the like to lift the detachable sub-table. Therefore, it cannot be said to be a sufficient solution in terms of reducing equipment investment and improving the operation rate.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to realize the replacement process of a workpiece in a processing apparatus in a short time without using a crane or the like.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a processing apparatus according to the present invention is a processing apparatus having an automatic tool change function for processing a workpiece made of metal into a predetermined shape on a detachable sub-table detachably mounted on a machine table. The processing apparatus has lifting means for moving a support portion up and down between a support position for slidably supporting the detachable sub-table and a non-support position below the support position. The support portion includes a first support portion provided with rollers for slidably supporting the detachable sub-table at the support position, or a second support portion provided with a low friction layer for allowing the sliding movement of the detachable sub-table at the support position. A positioning mechanism is provided on the machine table and the detachable sub-table. The positioning mechanism includes a locator block disposed on the upper surface side of the machine table and a piston-built-in locator disposed on the back surface side of the detachable sub-table. The locator block has a stepped groove portion in which the width of the lower step portion is larger than the width of the upper step portion. The piston-built-in locator includes a piston portion formed with a projecting portion projecting horizontally at the tip. The piston portion operates between a clamped state in which the projecting portion is in pressure contact with the upper surface of the lower step portion and an unclamped state in which the projecting portion is separated from the upper surface of the lower step portion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, the replacement process of a workpiece in a processing apparatus can be realized in a short time without using a crane or the like.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a part of a processing apparatus having an automatic tool changing function and for processing a workpiece made of metal into a predetermined shape. However, main components of the processing apparatus such as processing tools are omitted from the illustration. Referring to this figure, a machine base 100 is installed directly below or in front of a processing tool, and a machine table 200 is disposed on this machine base 100. Note that the machine table 200 can be moved on the machine base 100.

[0011] Fixed sub-tables 600 are fixed to both ends of the machine table 200, and a detachable sub-table 300 that can slide in the direction of arrow X is provided between these fixed sub-tables 600. The fixed sub-table 600 can be utilized as a rough guide material when sliding the detachable sub-table 300. A jig (not shown) is attached to the detachable sub-table 300, and processing is performed by a processing tool with the workpiece fixed to such a jig.

[0012] The reason for dividing the table placed on the machine table 200 into a detachable sub-table 300 and a fixed sub-table 600 will be described. Generally, the entire processing device is covered by a cover, and a cover opening and a door for opening and closing this cover opening are provided at a position facing the pedestal 100 of the machine in front of the cover.

[0013] Here, generally, since the width of the cover opening is smaller than the width of the machine table 200, if the widths of the detachable sub-table 300 and the machine table 200 are made the same, the detachable sub-table 300 cannot be taken in and out through the cover opening. Therefore, by dividing the table placed on the machine table 200 into a detachable sub-table 300 and a fixed sub-table 600, it is possible to take the detachable sub-table 300 in and out through the cover opening. Therefore, the width of the detachable sub-table 300 is smaller than the widths of the machine table 200 and the cover opening.

[0014] The carriage 400 is used to carry out the detachable sub-table 300 that has been slid and moved in the direction of arrow X, or to transfer the detachable sub-table 300 carrying the workpiece to be processed to the machine table 200. By running the carriage 400 along the guide groove 501 of the guide pedestal 500, it can be moved to a position close to the pedestal 100 of the machine (hereinafter, also referred to as the proximity position). And at this proximity position, the detachable sub-table 300 can be transferred. Note that the guide pedestal 500 functions as a step for adjusting to the height of the operator. Therefore, when an operator with a relatively large height works, the guide pedestal 500 is omitted.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the machine table 200, the detachable sub-table 300, and the fixed sub-table 600, showing the arrangement when processing the workpiece. The processing of the workpiece is carried out with the detachable sub-table 300 in contact with and fixed to the machine table 200. The fixed sub-table 600 is formed with a plurality of grooves 601 extending in the longitudinal direction of the detachable sub-table 300. The groove 601 is formed in a T-shape consisting of an enlarged groove portion 601a with a relatively large width and a reduced groove portion 601b with a relatively small width. Note that this groove 601 is a known one and is generally referred to as a T-groove.

[0016] In plan view, the detachable sub-table 300 is formed in a rectangular shape, and a plurality of grooves 301 extending in the longitudinal direction of the detachable sub-table 300 are formed on the upper surface. The groove 301 is the same as the groove 601 in that it consists of an enlarged groove portion and a reduced groove portion (that is, it is a T-groove). Note that the groove 301 is also a known one.

[0017] The upper surfaces of the detachable sub-table thick portion 302 and the detachable sub-table thin portion 303 of the detachable sub-table 300 are flush, and the back surface of the detachable sub-table thin portion 303 is located above the back surface of the detachable sub-table thick portion 302. Therefore, a relatively large clearance is formed between the machine table 200 and the detachable sub-table thin portion 303. A part of the positioning mechanism described later is mounted on the detachable sub-table thin portion 303.

[0018] A chip cover 5 thinner than the detachable sub-table thin portion 303 is provided between the detachable sub-table 300 and the fixed sub-table 600. The chip cover 5 is disposed slightly below the upper surfaces of the detachable sub-table 300 and the fixed sub-table 600. Since iron chips and the like generated during processing fall onto the chip cover 5, it is possible to prevent the iron chips and the like from falling onto the machine table 200 below the chip cover 5.

[0019] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the machine table 200. In plan view, the machine table 200 is formed in a rectangular shape, and a plurality of grooves 201 (corresponding to the machine table groove portions) extending in the longitudinal direction of the machine table 200 are formed on the upper surface. The groove 201 is the same as the groove 601 in that it consists of an enlarged groove portion 201a and a reduced groove portion 201b (that is, it is a T-groove). Note that the groove 201 is also known.

[0020] In each groove 201, the support portion 2 is accommodated. S shown by hatching in FIG. 3 schematically shows the region where the support portion 2 is arranged. Since the groove 201 is an existing one to which a spacer block or the like for evenly supporting the load of the T-slot nut 4 and the detachable sub-table 300 is attached, it is not necessary to separately form an accommodation groove for the support portion 2 in the machine table 200. Thereby, the equipment cost of the processing apparatus can be reduced.

[0021] FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory view of the support portion 2. The support portion 2 (corresponding to the first support portion described in claim 1) includes a roller 21 and a bearing portion 22. The roller 21 is cylindrical, and the rotation shaft 21a of the roller 21 is rotatably supported with respect to the bearing portion 22. The direction normal to the paper surface corresponds to the X axis in FIG. 1. The number and arrangement of the rollers 21 may be appropriately set from the viewpoint of smoothly sliding the detachable sub-table 300.

[0022] In the state shown in FIG. 2, the support portion 2 is covered by the detachable sub-table 300. That is, in a plan view, the roller 21 is in a state of being hidden under the detachable sub-table 300. Here, if metal chips generated when machining the workpiece enter the gap between the machine table 200 and the detachable sub-table 300, the metal chips may interfere and it may become impossible to easily push the detachable sub-table 300. Therefore, conventionally, it has been considered that the roller 21 cannot be mounted at the machining position of the workpiece. The present invention has been created by overcoming such a technical prejudice, and since the workpiece is machined with the roller 21 covered by the detachable sub-table 300, it is possible to prevent metal chips generated during machining from entering the gap between the machine table 200 and the detachable sub-table 300. Thereby, the roller 21 can be arranged in an environment where it has been considered impossible to install conventionally.

[0023] Referring again to FIG. 4, the fluid chamber 23 as the lifting means is made of an elastic material, and the lower end of the bearing portion 22 is fixed to the upper end portion of the fluid chamber 23. A fluid supply port 23a is provided at the end of the fluid chamber 23. When pressure fluid is fed into the fluid chamber 23 through the fluid supply port 23a from a supply portion (corresponding to the lifting means) not shown, the fluid chamber 23 expands upward, so that the roller 21 can be lifted together with the bearing portion 22 (corresponding to the "support position (after lift)" in FIG. 4). By discharging the pressure fluid from the fluid chamber 23, the roller 21 can be lowered together with the bearing portion 22 (corresponding to the "unsupported position (before lift)" in FIG. 4). Note that the support portion 2 of the present embodiment has a structure similar to that of a ball lifter in that the position of the support portion can be adjusted in the vertical direction by the inflow and outflow of the pressure fluid.

[0024] Air can be used as the pressure fluid. By using air, the cost can be reduced. Also, if it is air, it can be discharged to the atmosphere after use, and the post-treatment is easy. However, instead of air, oil can also be used as the pressure fluid.

[0025] By moving the roller 21 upward, the detachable sub-table 300 is pushed up by the roller 21. Thereby, the detachable sub-table 300 can be lifted above the machine table 200. Then, when a horizontal force is applied to the detachable sub-table 300, the roller 21 rolls due to the frictional force, so that the detachable sub-table 300 can be smoothly slid. That is, since the detachable sub-table 300 can be moved manually, the installation of a hoist or the like is not required.

[0026] Since the support portion 2 of the present embodiment has a structure in which the fluid chamber 23 is expanded using the pressure fluid, the detachable sub-table 300, which is a heavy object (the weight may reach about 300 kg), can be surely lifted.

[0027] Here, when the lifting distance of the roller 21 (corresponding to the distance between the supported position and the non-supported position) is denoted as K, the lifting distance K is preferably 15 mm or less, and more preferably 5 mm or less. The smaller the lifting distance K, the more relaxed the stroke amount limit of the processing tool. By suppressing the lifting distance K to 15 mm or less, the stroke amount limit of the processing tool is sufficiently relaxed, so that the degree of freedom in processing can be increased. Such an effect can be further enhanced by suppressing the lifting distance K to 5 mm or less. Note that the lifting distance K of the roller 21 can be appropriately adjusted according to the expandable volume of the fluid chamber 23 and the supply amount of the pressure fluid.

[0028] Next, a positioning mechanism for positioning the detachable sub-table 300 on the machine table 200 will be described. The positioning mechanism includes a locator block 30 and a piston-built-in locator 40. The piston-built-in locator 40 is disposed on the back surface side of the thin-walled portion 303 of the detachable sub-table. Since FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the detachable sub-table 300, the piston-built-in locator 40 is not shown. The locator block 30 is disposed on the upper surface side of the machine table 200. The positioning mechanism is realized by the cooperation of the locator block 30 and the piston-built-in locator 40.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the piston-built-in locator 40, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the locator block 30. FIGS. 7 and 8 are operation explanatory views of the positioning mechanism. FIG. 7 corresponds to the clamping time, and FIG. 8 corresponds to the unclamping time. For simplicity of the drawing, the right half of the positioning mechanism is shown as a cross-sectional view, and the left half is not shown as a cross-sectional view.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 6, the locator block 30 has legs 31 at the bottom, and is mounted by fitting the legs 31 into the grooves 201 of the machine table 200. Since the grooves 201 are existing ones as described above, there is no need to separately create mounting holes or the like for mounting the locator block 30. At the center of the locator block 30, a stepped groove portion 32 extending in the longitudinal direction of the locator block 30 is formed. The stepped groove portion 32 consists of a lower step portion 32a and an upper step portion 32b, and the width of the lower step portion 32a is larger than the width of the upper step portion 32b.

[0031] On the side surface of the upper step portion 32b, flat portions 32b1 facing each other are formed, and a single lock ball groove portion 32b2 is formed in each flat portion 32b1. The lock ball groove portion 32b2 is formed in a substantially V shape and extends in the longitudinal direction of the locator block 30 (in other words, the sliding direction of the detachable sub-table 300).

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 5, 7, and 8, the piston-integrated locator 40 has a piston portion 41, and a chamber 42 is formed between the upper end of the piston portion 41 and the back surface of the thin-walled portion 303 of the detachable sub-table. The chamber 42 communicates with a fluid supply port 303a provided on the outer surface of the thin-walled portion 303 of the detachable sub-table, and pressure fluid can be pumped into the chamber 42 through this fluid supply port 303a. The same pressure fluid as that used for the support portion 2 can be used. When pressure fluid is supplied into the chamber 42, the chamber 42 expands downward and the piston portion 41 is pushed down. The chamber 42 is sealed by seal rings 42a to 42c.

[0033] A spring accommodation portion 41b is formed in the piston portion 41, and a clamp spring 45 is disposed in the spring accommodation portion 41b. The upper end of the clamp spring 45 abuts against the upper wall portion of the spring accommodation portion 41b, and the lower end of the clamp spring 45 abuts against a spring support portion 40a protruding toward the central axis C side of the piston portion 41.

[0034] Even if the piston portion 41 is pushed down, the spring support portion 40a is fastened to the detachable sub-table thin-walled portion 303 and thus does not synchronize with the piston portion 41. Therefore, when the piston portion 41 is pushed down, the clamp spring 45 is pressed toward the spring support portion 40a and charged in the shortening direction. When the supply of the pressure fluid is stopped, the piston portion 41 is pushed up by the spring force charged in the clamp spring 45, and the chamber 42 is reduced.

[0035] At the tip of the piston portion 41, a piston protruding portion 41c that protrudes radially outward is provided. Inside the piston portion 41, a piston hollow portion 41a is formed so as to surround the central axis C of the piston portion 41, and a lock pin 44 is disposed in the piston hollow portion 41a. The lock pin 44 is suspended by a lock release spring 47. At the lower end portion of the lock pin 44, a throttle-shaped portion 44a having a diameter smaller than other portions is formed. Further, a speed adjustment spring 48 is provided on the lock pin 44.

[0036] On the side surface of the piston portion 41, a ball support opening 41d that supports the lock ball 49a is formed. The outer diameter of the ball support opening 41d is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the lock ball 49a. A plate material 49b is provided on the side surface of the piston portion 41, and the lock ball 49a partially protrudes from a plate material hole portion 49b1 formed in the plate material 49b, and the lock ball 49a does not pass through the plate material hole portion 49b1 and fall off.

[0037] At the center of the locator block 32, a two-sided restraint portion 32c composed of a tapered surface 32c1 and a non-tapered surface 32c2 is provided, and the piston-built-in locator 40 is provided with a two-sided restraint portion 41e composed of a tapered surface 41e1 and a non-tapered surface 41e2. With the two-sided restraint portion 32c of the locator block 32 and the two-sided restraint portion 41e of the piston-built-in locator 40 in contact, the switching between the unclamped state and the clamped state, which will be described in detail below, is performed. It is desirable that the taper standard conform to JIS B6064-1 and ISO 12164-1.

[0038] Next, the operation of the positioning mechanism will be described with reference to the operation explanatory diagrams of FIGS. 7 and 8. In the clamped state, the piston portion 41 is suspended by the clamp spring 45, and the piston protruding portion 41c is in a state of being pressed against the upper surface 32a1 of the lower portion 32a of the locator block 30. In this clamped state, the machining process of the workpiece by the machining tool is carried out. Also, in the clamped state, the lock ball 49a is pressed against the lock ball groove portion 32b2. By pressing the lock ball 49a against the lock ball groove portion 32b2, the clamped state can be further stabilized.

[0039] In the clamped state, when pressure fluid is supplied into the chamber 42, the piston portion 41 moves downward while charging the clamp spring 45 in the shortening direction. When the piston portion 41 moves downward, the lock ball 49a is pushed out toward the central axis C side of the piston portion 41 while ascending the lock ball groove portion 32b2. According to the configuration of the present embodiment, when transitioning from the clamped state to the unclamped state, the lock ball 49a can be moved while holding the lock ball 49a with the throttle-shaped portion 44a of the piston portion 41. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the lock ball 49a from falling out of the piston hollow portion 41a.

[0040] Also, as described above, since the lock pin 44 is suspended by the unlocking spring 47 so as to be swingable in the vertical direction, when the lock pin 44 swings upward, the unlocking operation of the lock ball 49a that disengages from the lock ball groove portion 32b2 is allowed. That is, if the lock pin 44 is fixed without being suspended by a spring, when the lock ball 49a climbs the lock ball groove portion 32b2, it may interfere with the lock pin 44, and the piston portion 41 may become inoperable. In the present embodiment, since the structure is such that the lock pin 44 is pushed upward by the lock ball 49a that climbs the lock ball groove portion 32b2 (in other words, the structure that retracts the lock pin 44 upward), it is possible to more reliably prevent the malfunction of the piston portion 41.

[0041] Also, as described above, the lock pin 44 is provided with a speed adjustment spring 47, and by this speed adjustment spring 47, the speed when the lock pin 44 is pushed upward can be decelerated. That is, when an unexpected load acts when the lock pin 44 is pushed upward, the contact between the lock ball 49a and the throttle-shaped portion 44a may be interrupted, and the lock ball 49a may fall into the piston hollow portion 41a. By implementing the speed adjustment spring 47, even when an unexpected load acts, it is possible to switch from the clamped state to the unclamped state while maintaining the contact between the lock ball 49a and the throttle-shaped portion 44a. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the lock ball 49a from falling.

[0042] With the positioning mechanism switched to the unclamped state, by moving the support portion 2 upward from the non-support position to the support position, the roller 21 abuts against the detachable sub-table 300, and the detachable sub-table 300 can be lifted. Then, by pushing the detachable sub-table 300 toward the front side of the processing apparatus, the roller 21 rolls, and the detachable sub-table 300 can be smoothly slid.

[0043] Conventionally, since a hoisting machine or the like was installed to lift the detachable sub-table 300, equipment investment increased and the replacement took time. According to the present embodiment, the replacement work can be performed only by moving the support portion 2 upward from the non-support position to the support position and manually sliding the detachable sub-table 300. Therefore, compared with the conventional method, equipment investment can be suppressed and the replacement time can be shortened.

[0044] Further, the detachable sub-table 300 with the jig and the workpiece set in advance can be carried in by the carriage 400 and set at the processing position in a short time only by sliding it. As a result, since the non-operating time of the processing apparatus is significantly shortened, the operating rate of the processing apparatus can be increased.

[0045] In addition, since the support portion 2 and the positioning mechanism can be easily retrofitted to a general-purpose machine, the operating rate of the general-purpose machine can be improved by retrofitting.

[0046] (Modification 1) With reference to FIG. 9, Modification 1 of the present embodiment will be described. Note that elements having the same functions as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. On the side surface of the detachable sub-table 300, a side surface groove 301a is formed. The side surface groove 301a is a so-called T-groove and extends in the longitudinal direction of the groove 301. Here, for convenience of explanation, the longitudinal direction of the groove 301 is defined as the X1 direction, and the direction orthogonal to the X1 direction is defined as the X2 direction.

[0047] The support legs 61 are provided in a pair, each extending in the vertical direction. At the lower end of the support leg 61, a leg mounting portion 61a to be mounted in the side surface groove 301a is provided. At the upper end of the support leg 61, a holding portion 61b for holding the slide rail 62 so as to be slidable in the X1 direction is provided.

[0048] A ball spline 63 is attached to the slide rail 62 via an attachment member 62a. The ball spline 63 includes a spline shaft 63a extending in the X2 direction and a spline nut 63b attached to the spline shaft 63a. A magnet stand (not shown) with an indicator (not shown) attached is attached to the spline nut 63b. The indicator is of the dial type. The spline nut 63b can be linearly moved in the X2 direction along the spline shaft 63a. Therefore, by moving the slide rail 62 in the X1 direction or moving the spline nut 63b in the X2 direction, the position of the indicator can be changed in the plane direction. The indicator can be used to check (or in other words, perform centering work on) the setting status of the workpiece (including parallelism and perpendicularity with respect to the groove 301).

[0049] According to this modification example, the centering work using the indicator can be performed outside the machine in advance, and the detachable sub-table 300 after the centering work is completed can be quickly transported into the machine. It goes without saying that the process of transporting the detachable sub-table 300 into the machine is carried out after removing the equipment used for the centering work (including the support leg 61, the slide rail 62, the ball spline 63, etc.). Since there is no need to perform the centering work inside the machine, the effect of the above-mentioned detachable sub-table 300 (realizing the replacement process of the workpiece in a short time without using a hoist or the like) can be enhanced. Since the side groove 301a is an existing groove provided in the conventional detachable sub-table, there is no need to separately process an attachment groove for attaching the support leg 61.

[0050] (Modification Example 2) Referring to FIG. 10, a second modification of the present embodiment will be described. Note that elements having the same functions as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. The support portion 2 of this modification is different from the support portion of the embodiment in that the member lifted by the fluid chamber 23 is a plate material 70 (corresponding to the second support portion) provided with a low friction layer 71. For the plate material 70, for example, a steel material can be used. The steel material may be any steel type that does not undergo plastic deformation due to the weight of the desorption sub-table 300. A low friction layer 71 that allows the sliding movement of the desorption sub-table 300 is formed on the surface of the plate material 70. For the low friction layer 71, for example, one containing a fluororesin can be used.

Explanation of Signs

[0051] 2 Support portion 5 Scrap cover 21 Roller 22 Bearing portion 23 Fluid chamber 23a Fluid supply port 30 Locator block 31 Leg portion 32 Step groove portion 32a Lower stage portion 32a1 Upper surface 32b Upper stage portion 32b1 Flat portion 32b2 Groove portion for lock ball 32c Two-sided restraint portion 32c1 Tapered surface 32c2 Non-tapered surface 40 Piston-built-in locator 40a Spring support portion 41 Piston portion 41a Piston hollow portion 41b Spring accommodation portion 41c Piston protruding portion 41d Ball support opening 41e Two-sided restraint portion 41e1 Tapered surface 41e2 Non-tapered surface 42 Compartment 44 Lock pin 44a Throttle-shaped part 45 Clamp spring 47 Release spring 48 Speed adjustment spring 49a Lock ball 49b Plate material 49b1 Plate material hole part 61 Support leg 62 Slide rail 63 Ball spline 70 Plate material 71 Low friction layer 100 Machine pedestal 200 Machine table 300 Detachable sub-table 302 Detachable sub-table thick part 303 Detachable sub-table thin part 303a Fluid supply port 600 Fixed sub-table 400 Trolley 201 301 601 Groove 301a Side groove S Region where the support part is arranged

Claims

1. In a processing apparatus having an automatic tool change function for processing a workpiece made of metal into a predetermined shape on a detachable sub-table detachably mounted on a machine table, there is a lifting means for moving a support portion up and down between a support position for slidably supporting the detachable sub-table and a non-support position below the support position, The support portion is composed of a first support portion provided with rollers for slidably supporting the detachable sub-table at the support position, or a second support portion provided with a low friction layer for allowing the detachable sub-table to slide at the support position, A positioning mechanism is provided on the machine table and the detachable sub-table, The positioning mechanism is composed of a locator block disposed on the upper surface side of the machine table and a piston-built-in locator disposed on the back surface side of the detachable sub-table, The locator block has a stepped groove portion in which the width of the lower step is larger than the width of the upper step, The piston-built-in locator includes a piston portion formed with a projecting portion projecting horizontally at the tip, The piston portion operates between a clamped state in which the projecting portion is in pressure contact with the upper surface of the lower step and an unclamped state in which the projecting portion is separated from the upper surface of the lower step, A processing apparatus characterized by the above.

2. The piston portion transitions from the clamped state to the unclamped state using pressure fluid as power, The processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. A groove portion for a lock ball is formed on the side surface of the upper step, The piston portion has a lock ball supported by a ball support opening formed on the side surface of the piston portion, The lock ball is pressed against the groove for the lock ball in the clamped state and disengages from the groove for the lock ball when transitioning from the clamped state to the unclamped state. The processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.

4. The piston portion has a piston hollow portion extending in the vertical direction. A lock pin for preventing the lock ball from falling into the piston hollow portion is housed in the piston hollow portion. The lock pin is suspended by a spring. The processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that.

5. The tip of the lock pin has a tapered shape portion. The tapered shape portion is in contact with the lock ball. The processing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that.

6. A side groove is formed on the side surface of the detachable sub-table. The side groove is a mounting groove for mounting an indicator for checking the setting status of the workpiece. The processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.

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