Staging station and machine tool

Abstract

To provide a tool magazine which can easily adjust a fitting posture of a tool rack, and a machine tool comprising such a tool magazine.SOLUTION: A tool magazine comprises: a base member (310); a tool rack 320 having a facing part (322) which faces the base member (310) in a first direction (X-axis direction), and an extension part 323 which extends in a second direction (Z-axis direction) orthogonal to the first direction (X-axis direction) from the facing part (322) and is provided with a notch 321 into / from a tool is inserted / removed along the second direction (Z-axis direction); a block (330) which faces the extension part (323) in the first direction (X-axis direction), and is fitted to the base member (310); a screw member (340) which is engaged with the facing part (322), and extends in the first direction (X-axis direction); and a first position adjustment mechanism (350) which can adjust a fitting position of the block (330) to the base member (310) in the first direction (X-axis direction).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tool magazine and a machine tool. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2023-141843 (Patent Document 1) discloses a tool magazine equipped with a tool changing device that changes old tools in the tool magazine with new tools outside the tool magazine. The tool changing device has a fixed frame installed in an opening provided at a predetermined position in the tool magazine, a swivel frame disposed within the fixed frame so as to be swivelable about a vertical swivel axis, and a tool changing rack fixed to the swivel frame. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-141843 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the tool magazine disclosed in the aforementioned Patent Document 1, the replacement tool rack has multiple notches through which tools can be inserted and removed in one direction. In this configuration, tools are transferred to and from the replacement tool rack in the tool magazine by a tool transport device, which is a robot. Therefore, if the replacement tool rack is not installed in the correct position, the transfer of tools may not be carried out smoothly. Therefore, a means for easily adjusting the installation position of the tool rack when assembling the tool magazine is needed.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a tool magazine in which the mounting posture of a tool rack can be easily adjusted, and a machine tool equipped with such a tool magazine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A tool magazine according to the present invention comprises a tool rack consisting of a plate having a base member, an opposing portion opposing the base member in a first direction, and an extension portion extending from the opposing portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and having a notch through which tools are inserted and removed along the second direction, the first direction corresponding to the thickness direction; a block opposing the extension portion in the first direction and attached to the base member; a screw member threadedly engaged with the opposing portion and extending in the first direction; and a first position adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the attachment position of the block relative to the base member in the first direction.

[0007] A machine tool according to the present invention includes the above-described tool magazine, a tool spindle, and an automatic tool changer capable of exchanging a tool held by the tool spindle with a tool stored in the tool magazine. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a tool magazine in which the mounting posture of a tool rack can be easily adjusted, and a machine tool equipped with such a tool magazine. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view showing a setup station in the tool magazine in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a side view showing the tool magazine as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrow III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the tool magazine taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3 as viewed in the direction of the arrows. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the tool magazine shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing the first position adjustment mechanism. [Figure 7] 7 is a side view showing the tool magazine in the area surrounded by the two-dot chain line VII in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a flow of tool transfer and tool exchange between a tool spindle and a tool magazine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a top view showing a machine tool. Referring to Fig. 1, machine tool 10 is a machining center that processes a workpiece by bringing a rotating tool into contact with the workpiece. Machine tool 10 is a horizontal machining center in which the rotation axis of the tool extends horizontally.

[0012] The machine tool 10 is an NC (Numerically Controlled) machine tool in which various operations for machining a workpiece are automated by computer numerical control.

[0013] The machine tool 10 has a cover body 80, a tool spindle 30, an automatic tool changer (ATC) 40, and a tool magazine 100.

[0014] The cover body 80 defines the machining area 20. The tool spindle 30 is provided in the machining area 20. The machining area 20 is a space where the workpiece is machined, and is sealed by the cover body 80 to prevent foreign matter such as chips or cutting oil generated during workpiece machining from leaking outside the machining area.

[0015] The tool spindle 30 has a built-in clamping mechanism that is configured to removably hold a tool. The tool spindle 30 is motor-driven and can rotate the tool around a horizontally extending rotation center axis 50. The tool spindle 30 can be moved within the machining area 20 by various feed mechanisms, guide mechanisms, servo motors, etc.

[0016] The automatic tool changer 40 is a device for automatically changing the tools held by the tool spindle 30. The tool magazine 100 is a device for storing a plurality of tools so as to sequentially supply the tools to the machining area 20 according to the machining purpose.

[0017] When the automatic tool changer 40 automatically changes a tool, the tool spindle 30 is positioned at a tool change position J shown in FIG. 1 in the machining area 20. A tool pot 120 for holding a tool is disposed at a tool standby position K outside the machining area 20, facing the tool spindle 30 across the automatic tool changer 40. The automatic tool changer 40 has a rotating arm (not shown) that is rotatable about a rotation center axis 45 that is parallel to the rotation center axis 50 of the tool spindle 30 and can hold a tool. The rotating arm rotates 180° about the rotation center axis 45 while holding a tool held by the tool spindle 30 and a tool held in the tool pot 120, thereby changing a tool between the tool spindle 30 and the tool pot 120 at the tool standby position K.

[0018] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a setup station in the tool magazine in Fig. 1. X-, Y-, and Z-axes, which are a coordinate system in the tool magazine 100, are shown in Figs. 1 and 2, as well as Figs. 3 to 7, which will be described later.

[0019] The X-axis extends horizontally. The Y-axis extends vertically. The Z-axis extends horizontally, perpendicular to the X-axis direction. The X-axis direction corresponds to the lateral direction of the tool magazine 100, the Y-axis direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the tool magazine 100, and the Z-axis direction corresponds to the depth direction of the tool magazine 100. The structure of the tool magazine 100 will be described below with reference to the mutually perpendicular X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions.

[0020] 1 and 2, the tool magazine 100 includes a tool storage section 110, a magazine cover 140, and a tool transport device .

[0021] The tool storage unit 110 can store multiple tools. The tools are stored in the tool storage unit 110 while being held in tool pots 120. The tool storage unit 110 is a rack type, and stores multiple tools arranged in an X-axis-Y-axis plane that is parallel to an X-axis extending horizontally and a Y-axis extending vertically.

[0022] The tool storage unit 110 has a tool rack 115. The tool rack 115 is made of a plate whose thickness direction corresponds to the Z-axis direction. The tool rack 115 has multiple notches aligned in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, and tool pots 120 that hold tools are inserted into and removed from the notches.

[0023] The magazine cover 140 defines an internal magazine space 145. The magazine cover 140 is provided to prevent an operator from inadvertently entering the internal magazine space 145. The tool storage section 110 is provided in the internal magazine space 145.

[0024] The tool transport device 130 has a gripping portion (not shown) capable of gripping the tool pot 120. The tool transport device 130 is movable in three directions, the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction, by various feed mechanisms, guide mechanisms, servo motors, etc., and is also capable of rotating 90° around a rotation center axis 135 extending in the Y-axis direction (up and down direction) at a rotation position L adjacent to the tool standby position K.

[0025] A tool holding device 60 is installed at the tool standby position K. The tool holding device 60 can hold a tool in an orientation in which the rotation axis of the tool is parallel to the X-axis. The tool transport device 130 transports a tool between the tool storage unit 110 and the tool holding device 60.

[0026] The operation of the tool transport device 130 when transporting a tool from the tool storage unit 110 to the tool holding device 60 will be described as a representative example. The tool transport device 130 moves to a position facing the tool to be transported in the X-axis direction. The tool transport device 130 grips the tool pot 120 by sliding in one direction along the X-axis direction, and then removes the tool pot 120 from the tool rack 115 by sliding in the other direction along the X-axis direction. The tool transport device 130 moves to a turning position L and, at the turning position L, turns 90° counterclockwise in FIG. 1. The tool transport device 130 delivers the tool to the tool holding device 60.

[0027] The tool magazine 100 further includes a setup station 200. The setup station 200 is a device for setting up the tools T stored in the tool magazine 100 (tool storage section 110).

[0028] The tool magazine 100 (setup station 200) has a rotating body 230. The rotating body 230 is rotatable about a predetermined axis 510 extending in the Y-axis direction (up and down direction). The rotating body 230 is manually rotated about the predetermined axis 510.

[0029] The rotating body 230 includes a shaft 220, a base member 310 (310A, 310B), and a rotating cover 231 (231A, 231B).

[0030] The shaft 220 extends in the Y-axis direction along a predetermined axis 510. The shaft 220 is supported so as to be rotatable about the predetermined axis 510.

[0031] The base member 310 is made of a pillar extending in the Y-axis direction. When cut along the X-axis-Z-axis plane, the base member 310 has a rectangular cross section. The base member 310 is provided at a position spaced apart from the predetermined axis 510 (shaft 220) and outward in the radial direction of the predetermined axis 510.

[0032] Base member 310A is provided at one end of rotating body 230 radially outward from predetermined axis 510. Base member 310B is provided at the other end of rotating body 230 radially outward from predetermined axis 510. The distance between predetermined axis 510 and base member 310A in the radial direction of predetermined axis 510 is the same as the distance between predetermined axis 510 and base member 310B in the radial direction of predetermined axis 510. Base member 310A and base member 310B form the framework of rotating body 230 at one end and the other end of rotating body 230 radially outward from predetermined axis 510, respectively.

[0033] The swivel cover 231 is composed of a cover body arranged parallel to the Y-axis direction. The swivel cover 231 is attached to the base member 310. The swivel cover 231A and the swivel cover 231B face each other across the shaft 220. The swivel cover 231A and the swivel cover 231B are attached to the base member 310A at one end of the swivel body 230 radially outward from the predetermined axis 510. The swivel cover 231A and the swivel cover 231B are attached to the base member 310B at the other end of the swivel body 230 radially outward from the predetermined axis 510.

[0034] The swivel cover 231 separates a space in which a tool T held by a first setup unit 260A (described later) is placed, from a space in which a tool T held by a second setup unit 260B (described later) is placed.

[0035] The revolving body 230 further includes a first setup unit 260A and a second setup unit 260B. Each of the first setup unit 260A and the second setup unit 260B can hold a plurality of tools T.

[0036] The first setup unit 260A is provided at one end of the rotating body 230 radially outward of the predetermined axis 510. The tool T held by the first setup unit 260A faces the rotating cover 231A.

[0037] The second setup unit 260B is provided at the other end of the rotating body 230 radially outward from the predetermined axis 510. The second setup unit 260B is provided at a position shifted 180° from the first setup unit 260A around the predetermined axis 510. The tool T held by the second setup unit 260B faces the rotating cover 231B.

[0038] The setup station 200 further includes a lock pin 240 and a detection unit 245. The lock pin 240 is provided so as to be insertable into and removable from the revolving body 230 by an actuator such as an air cylinder. When the lock pin 240 is inserted into the revolving body 230, the revolving movement of the revolving body 230 about the predetermined axis 510 is restricted, and when the lock pin 240 is removed from the revolving body 230, the revolving movement of the revolving body 230 about the predetermined axis 510 is permitted.

[0039] The detection unit 245 is configured to be able to detect insertion and removal of the lock pin 240 into the revolving unit 230. When the detection unit 245 detects the insertion of the lock pin 240 into the revolving unit 230, the machine tool 10 allows the operation of the tool transportation device 130, and when the detection unit 245 detects the removal of the lock pin 240 from the revolving unit 230, the machine tool 10 restricts the operation of the tool transportation device 130.

[0040] 1, the first setup unit 260A is disposed in a space outside the magazine interior space 145, and the second setup unit 260B is disposed in the magazine interior space 145. The rotating cover 231, together with the magazine cover 140, defines the magazine interior space 145. In the second setup unit 260B, a tool rack 320 (described later) is disposed on the same X-axis-Y-axis plane as the tool rack 115 in the tool storage section 110. The lock pin 240 is inserted into the rotating body 230.

[0041] In this case, outside the magazine space 145, an operator performs setup work such as removing a used tool T from the first setup unit 260A and attaching a new tool T to the first setup unit 260A. Meanwhile, in the magazine space 145, the tool transport device 130 exchanges tools between the second setup unit 260B, to which the new tool T has been attached, and the tool storage section 110.

[0042] The worker removes the lock pin 240 from the revolving body 230 by operating an operation unit such as an operation button (not shown). The worker applies a force to the revolving body 230 in the circumferential direction of the predetermined axis 510, causing the revolving body 230 to rotate 180° around the predetermined axis 510. The worker inserts the lock pin 240 into the revolving body 230 by operating an operation unit such as an operation button (not shown). As a result, the first setup unit 260A is placed in the magazine space 145, and the second setup unit 260B is placed in the space outside the magazine space 145. The worker can then perform setup work for the tool T in the second setup unit 260B.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 1 , the machine tool 10 further has an ATC shutter 70. An opening 82 is provided in a cover body 80 that defines the machining area 20. The opening 82 is open between the tool holding device 60 installed at the tool standby position K and the tool spindle 30 positioned at the tool change position J. The ATC shutter 70 is provided in the opening 82. The ATC shutter 70 is operable by an actuator such as an air cylinder (not shown) between an open position that opens the opening 82 and a closed position that closes the opening 82.

[0044] The ATC shutter 70 is operated from the closed position to the open position when tool change by the automatic tool changer 40 starts, and is operated from the open position to the closed position when tool change by the automatic tool changer 40 is completed. When tool change by the automatic tool changer 40 starts, the machine tool 10 allows the ATC shutter 70 to operate if the detection unit 245 detects that the lock pin 240 has been inserted into the revolving body 230, and restricts the operation of the ATC shutter 70 if the detection unit 245 detects that the lock pin 240 has been removed from the revolving body 230.

[0045] With this configuration, the opening operation of the ATC shutter 70 is not permitted unless each of the setup units 260, the first setup unit 260A and the second setup unit 260B, is positioned at a predetermined position inside or outside the magazine interior space 145. Furthermore, if each of the setup units 260, the first setup unit 260A and the second setup unit 260B, is in the middle of rotating around the predetermined axis 510 or is stopped mid-rotation, the opening operation of the ATC shutter 70 is not permitted.

[0046] Fig. 3 is a side view showing the tool magazine (setup station) as viewed in the direction indicated by arrow III in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the tool magazine (setup station) as viewed in the direction of the arrows on line IV-IV in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the tool magazine (setup station) shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an exploded assembly view showing the first position adjustment mechanism. Fig. 7 is a side view showing the tool magazine (setup station) in the area surrounded by the two-dot chain line VII in Fig. 3.

[0047] Next, the structure of the setup unit 260 will be described in detail. The first setup unit 260A and the second setup unit 260B have the same structure. Figures 3 to 7 representatively show the first setup unit 260A.

[0048] 2 to 7, the setup unit 260 has a tool rack 320. The tool rack 320 is arranged parallel to the Y-axis direction. The tool rack 320 is made of plates arranged parallel to the Y-axis-Z plane, with the X-axis direction corresponding to the thickness direction. The tool rack 320 has an elongated shape with the Y-axis direction being the longitudinal direction and the Z-axis direction being the lateral direction. The X-axis direction (the "first direction" in this invention) corresponds to the radial direction of the specified axis 510. The Y-axis direction (the "third direction" in this invention) corresponds to the axial direction of the specified axis 510. The Z-axis direction (the "second direction" in this invention) corresponds to the tangential direction of the circumference centered on the specified axis 510.

[0049] 3 and 4, the tool rack 320 has a facing portion 322 and an extending portion 323. The facing portion 322 faces the base member 310 in the X-axis direction. The facing portion 322 is superimposed on the base member 310 in the X-axis direction. The extending portion 323 extends from the facing portion 322 in the Z-axis direction. The extending portion 323 does not face the base member 310 in the X-axis direction.

[0050] The extension portion 323 is provided with a notch 321. The notch 321 penetrates the extension portion 323 in the X-axis direction and has a notch shape that is open facing one direction in the Z-axis direction. The notch 321 has a notch shape that can receive the tool pot 120. A tool (tool pot 120) is inserted into and removed from the notch 321 along the Z-axis direction. The tool is held in the tool rack 320 by inserting the tool pot 120 into the notch 321.

[0051] A plurality of notches 321 (seven notches 321 in this embodiment) are provided in the extending portion 323. The plurality of notches 321 are arranged at intervals in the Y-axis direction.

[0052] The length of extension portion 323 in the Z-axis direction is greater than the length of facing portion 322 in the Z-axis direction. The length between facing portion 322 and notch 321 in the Z-axis direction is greater than the length of facing portion 322 in the Z-axis direction.

[0053] The setup unit 260 further includes a block 330. The block 330 has a rectangular cross section when cut along the X-axis-Z-axis plane and extends in the Y-axis direction. The length of the block 330 in the Y-axis direction is smaller than the length of the base member 310 in the Y-axis direction. The cross-sectional area of ​​the block 330 when cut along the X-axis-Z-axis plane is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the base member 310 when cut along the X-axis-Z-axis plane. The length of the block 330 in the Z-axis direction is smaller than the length of the base member 310 in the Z-axis direction. The length of the block 330 in the Z-axis direction is smaller than the length of the block 330 in the X-axis direction.

[0054] The block 330 faces the extending portion 323 in the X-axis direction. The block 330 faces the base member 310 in the Z-axis direction. The block 330 is attached to the base member 310.

[0055] The setup unit 260 has a plurality of blocks 330 (three blocks 330 in this embodiment). The plurality of blocks 330 are arranged at intervals in the Y-axis direction. When the tool rack 320 is divided into three equal parts in the Y-axis direction to define an upper region, a middle region, and a lower region of the tool rack 320, the plurality of blocks 330 are arranged so as to face the extension portions 323 in the upper region, the middle region, and the lower region, respectively.

[0056] The setup unit 260 further includes a screw member 340. The screw member 340 is threadedly engaged with the opposing portion 322. The screw member 340 extends in the X-axis direction.

[0057] The screw member 340 is made of a hollow set (a screw with a hexagonal hole in the head). An internal thread 326 is provided in the facing portion 322. The internal thread 326 penetrates the facing portion 322 in the X-axis direction. The internal thread 326 opens opposite the base member 310 in the X-axis direction. The screw member 340 is threadedly engaged with the internal thread 326.

[0058] 3, when viewed in the X-axis direction, the screw member 340 is provided at a position offset in the Z-axis direction from the block 330. The block 330 is provided in a height region H in the Y-axis direction. The screw member 340 is provided in a height region H in the Y-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the length between the screw member 340 and the block 330 in the Z-axis direction is shorter than the length between the block 330 and the notch 321 in the Z-axis direction.

[0059] The setup unit 260 has a plurality of screw members 340. The plurality of screw members 340 are provided at intervals from one another in the Y-axis direction. The plurality of screw members 340 are provided corresponding to the plurality of blocks 330, respectively.

[0060] In this configuration, by inserting a tool such as a wrench into the hexagonal hole provided in the head of the screw member 340 and turning the tool, the length of the screw member 340 protruding from the opposing portion 322 toward the base member 310 can be freely changed.

[0061] The setup unit 260 further includes a first position adjustment mechanism 350. The first position adjustment mechanism 350 is provided on the block 330. The first position adjustment mechanism 350 is capable of adjusting the mounting position of the block 330 relative to the base member 310 in the X-axis direction.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 , the base member 310 is provided with a female screw 316. The female screw 316 extends in the Z-axis direction and opens facing the block 330. The first position adjustment mechanism 350 is composed of a bolt 331 and an elongated hole 336. The elongated hole 336 is provided in the block 330. The elongated hole 336 extends in the Z-axis direction while forming an elongated hole-shaped (track-shaped) opening with the X-axis direction as the longitudinal direction and the Y-axis direction as the lateral direction. The bolt 331 is inserted into the elongated hole 336 and threadedly engaged with the female screw 316, thereby attaching the block 330 to the base member 310.

[0063] The setup unit 260 has a plurality of first position adjustment mechanisms 350. The plurality of first position adjustment mechanisms 350 are provided corresponding to the plurality of blocks 330, respectively. In this embodiment, two pairs of bolts 331 and elongated holes 336 are provided for each block 330, spaced apart in the Y-axis direction.

[0064] In this configuration, by shifting the position of the elongated hole 336 into which the bolt 331 is inserted in the X-axis direction, the attachment position of the block 330 relative to the base member 310 can be freely changed in the X-axis direction.

[0065] The setup unit 260 further includes a plurality of second position adjustment mechanisms 360. The plurality of second position adjustment mechanisms 360 are provided on the tool rack 320 (extension 323). The plurality of second position adjustment mechanisms 360 are provided at intervals in the Y-axis direction. The second position adjustment mechanisms 360 can adjust the mounting position of the tool rack 320 relative to the block 330 in the Z-axis direction.

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 7, the base member 310 is provided with a female screw 317. The female screw 317 extends in the X-axis direction and opens facing the tool rack 320. The second position adjustment mechanism 360 is composed of a bolt 327 and an elongated hole 328. The elongated hole 328 is provided in the tool rack 320. The elongated hole 328 extends in the X-axis direction while forming an elongated hole-shaped (track-shaped) opening with its longitudinal direction in the Z-axis direction and its lateral direction in the Y-axis direction. The bolt 327 is inserted into the elongated hole 328 and threadedly engaged with the female screw 317, thereby attaching the tool rack 320 to the block 330.

[0067] The plurality of second position adjustment mechanisms 360 are provided corresponding to the plurality of blocks 330, respectively. In this embodiment, two pairs of bolts 327 and elongated holes 328 are provided for each block 330, spaced apart in the Y-axis direction.

[0068] In this configuration, by shifting the position of the elongated hole 328 into which the bolt 327 is inserted in the Z-axis direction, the attachment position of the tool rack 320 relative to the block 330 can be freely changed in the Z-axis direction.

[0069] To summarize the configuration of the tool magazine 100 in the embodiment of the present invention described above, the tool magazine 100 in the present embodiment includes a base member 310, an opposing portion 322 opposing the base member 310 in a first direction (X-axis direction), and an extension portion 323 extending from the opposing portion 322 in a second direction (Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the first direction (X-axis direction) and having a notch 321 through which a tool is inserted and removed along the second direction (Z-axis direction), the tool rack 320 being made of a plate whose thickness direction is the first direction (X-axis direction), a block 330 opposing the extension portion 323 in the first direction (X-axis direction) and attached to the base member 310, a screw member 340 threadedly engaged with the opposing portion 322 and extending in the first direction (X-axis direction), and a first position adjustment mechanism 350 that can adjust the attachment position of the block 330 relative to the base member 310 in the first direction (X-axis direction).

[0070] With this configuration, by rotating the screw member 340 to change the length of protrusion of the screw member 340 from the opposing portion 322 and by using the first position adjustment mechanism 350 to change the mounting position of the tool rack 320 relative to the block 330 in the Z-axis direction, the tilt of the tool rack 320, which abuts the screw member 340 and the block 330 at two points spaced apart in the Z-axis direction (the tilt of the tool rack 320 relative to the Z-axis when viewed in the Y-axis direction), can be adjusted to match the tool insertion / removal direction along the Z-axis. This makes it possible to easily adjust the mounting orientation of the tool rack 320 and facilitate smooth insertion and removal of tools into and from the cutout 321.

[0071] The extension portion 323 is provided with a plurality of notches 321 spaced apart in a third direction (Y-axis direction) perpendicular to the first direction (X-axis direction) and the second direction (Z-axis direction). The tool magazine 100 includes a plurality of blocks 330 spaced apart in the third direction (Y-axis direction), a plurality of screw members 340 spaced apart in the third direction (Y-axis direction) and respectively provided at positions shifted in the second direction (Z-axis direction) from the plurality of blocks 330 when viewed in the first direction (X-axis direction), and a plurality of first position adjustment mechanisms 350 provided in the plurality of blocks 330, respectively.

[0072] With this configuration, the inclination of tool rack 320 can be adjusted at each position in the Y-axis direction where screw member 340 and first position adjustment mechanism 350 are provided. This allows tools to be smoothly inserted and removed from each of the multiple cutouts 321 arranged at intervals in the Y-axis direction.

[0073] The tool rack 320 is attached to a plurality of blocks 330. The tool magazine 100 includes a plurality of second position adjustment mechanisms 360 that are provided on the tool rack 320 at intervals in the third direction (Y-axis direction) and each of which is capable of adjusting the attachment position of the tool rack 320 relative to the block 330 in the second direction (Z-axis direction).

[0074] With this configuration, by changing the mounting position of the tool rack 320 relative to the block 330 in the Z-axis direction at each position in the Y-axis direction where the second position adjustment mechanism 360 is provided, the tilt of the tool rack 320 (the tilt of the tool rack 320 relative to the Y-axis when viewed in the X-axis direction) can be adjusted to match the tool insertion / removal direction along the Z-axis, thereby making tool insertion / removal even smoother.

[0075] In this embodiment, the present invention has been described as being applied to the installation of tool rack 320 provided in setup station 200, but the present invention is not limited to this and may also be applied to the installation of tool rack 115 provided in tool storage unit 110. In the present invention, tools may be held directly in the tool rack without using a tool pot. The machine tool to which the tool magazine of the present invention is applied is not limited to a horizontal machining center and may, for example, be a vertical machining center or a multi-tasking machine having both turning and milling functions.

[0076] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of tool transfer and tool exchange between the tool spindle and the tool magazine.

[0077] 1 and 8, in an initial state, after automatic tool change is performed on the tool spindle 30, the ATC shutter 70 performs a closing operation (S201). The tool spindle 30 holds a tool A, and the tool holding device 60 holds a used tool B.

[0078] After the ATC shutter 70 is closed, in the processing area 20, the tool spindle 30 starts processing the workpiece using tool A (S101), and at the tool standby position K outside the processing area 20, tool B is transferred from the tool holding device 60 to the tool transport device 130 (S301). In step S301, the tool transport device 130 grips tool B held by the tool holding device 60 with its gripping section, and the tool holding device 60 releases its grip on tool B.

[0079] Next, the tool transport device 130 moves from the tool standby position K to the tool rack 115 where tool B is to be stored (S302). Next, the tool transport device 130 transports tool B into the tool rack 115 (S303). In this step, the tool transport device 130 causes tool B held by the gripper to enter the tool rack 115 and releases the gripper from tool B. Next, the tool transport device 130 moves to the tool rack 115 that stores tool C to be used in the next process (S304). Next, the tool transport device 130 transports tool C out of the tool rack 115 (S305). In this step, the tool transport device 130 causes the gripper to enter the tool rack 115 and grips tool C with the gripper.

[0080] Next, the tool transport device 130 moves from the tool rack 115 toward the tool standby position K (S306). Next, the tool transport device 130 hands over the tool C to the tool holding device 60 (S307). In this step, the tool transport device 130 causes the tool C held by the gripping unit to enter the tool holding device 60, releases the gripping of the tool C by the gripping unit, and the tool holding device 60 holds the tool C.

[0081] The tool spindle 30 completes workpiece machining using tool A (S102). The tool spindle 30 moves to tool change position J in the machining area 20. Typically, step S307 is completed before step S102. After step S102, the ATC shutter 70 opens (S202). Next, the automatic tool changer 40 exchanges tools between the tool spindle 30 and the tool holding device 60 (S203). Through this step, tool C is held in the tool spindle 30, and the used tool A is held in the tool holding device 60. Next, the ATC shutter 70 closes (S204). After the ATC shutter 70 is closed, the tool spindle 30 starts workpiece machining using tool C (S103).

[0082] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 10 machine tool, 20 machining area, 30 tool spindle, 40 automatic tool changer, 45, 135 turning center axis, 50 rotation center axis, 60 tool holding device, 100 tool magazine, 110 tool storage section, 115, 320 tool rack, 120 tool pot, 130 tool transport device, 140 magazine cover, 145 magazine space, 200 setup station, 220 shaft, 230 rotating body, 231, 231A, 231B turning cover, 240 lock pin, 245 detection section, 260 setup unit, 260A first setup unit, 260B second setup unit, 310, 310A, 310B base member, 316, 317, 326 female thread, 322 opposing portion, 323 extension portion, 327, 331 Bolt, 328, 336 oblong hole, 330 block, 340 screw member, 350 first position adjustment mechanism, 360 second position adjustment mechanism, 510 predetermined axis, H height area, J tool change position, K tool standby position, L swivel position, T tool.

Claims

1. A base member; a tool rack including a plate having a facing portion facing the base member in a first direction, and an extension portion extending from the facing portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and having a notch through which a tool is inserted and removed along the second direction, the first direction corresponding to a thickness direction of the plate; a block facing the extension portion in the first direction and attached to the base member; a screw member that is threadedly engaged with the opposing portion and extends in the first direction; a first position adjustment mechanism provided on the block and capable of adjusting the mounting position of the block relative to the base member in the first direction;

2. the extending portion is provided with a plurality of the notches arranged at intervals in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, The tool magazine includes: a plurality of the blocks arranged at intervals in the third direction; a plurality of the screw members arranged at intervals in the third direction and provided at positions shifted in the second direction from the plurality of the blocks when viewed in the first direction; The tool magazine according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of the first position adjustment mechanisms provided in the plurality of blocks, respectively.

3. The tool rack is attached to a plurality of the blocks, The tool magazine includes:

3. The tool magazine according to claim 2, further comprising a plurality of second position adjustment mechanisms provided on the tool rack at intervals in the third direction, each of which is capable of adjusting the mounting position of the tool rack relative to the block in the second direction.

4. a setup station for setting up tools stored in the tool magazine; The setup station includes: a rotating body that can rotate around a predetermined axis extending in the vertical direction; a first setup unit provided at one end of the rotating body radially outward from the predetermined axis; a second setup unit provided at the other end of the rotating body at a position shifted 180° from the first setup unit around the predetermined axis and radially outward from the predetermined axis, the rotating body is made of a column extending in the vertical direction, and includes the base member that forms a framework of the rotating body at each end of the one end and the other end, 3. The tool magazine according to claim 1, wherein each of the first setup unit and the second setup unit includes the tool rack, the screw member, and the block, which are arranged so that the first direction corresponds to a radial direction of the predetermined axis and the second direction corresponds to a tangential direction of a circumference centered on the predetermined axis.

5. The tool magazine according to claim 1 or 2; A tool spindle; a machine tool including an automatic tool changer capable of exchanging a tool held by the tool spindle with a tool stored in the tool magazine;

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