Processing device and method for controlling the same

Abstract

To provide a processing device that can efficiently clean a workpiece with reduced movements by changing the trajectory of cleaning motion at a front surface and a rear face of the workpiece when cleaning the workpiece.SOLUTION: A processing device 200 processes an object to be processed W fixed to a support mechanism 40 using a tool 12 fitted to a spindle 11. The processing device 200 can execute cleaning motion to the support mechanism 40. The cleaning motion varies in accordance with the front and rear of the support mechanism 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing device that processes a workpiece, and a method for controlling a processing system including the processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] In a processing device, if chips generated when machining a workpiece accumulate in the support mechanism that supports the workpiece, rattles may occur when the workpiece is attached, and cleaning may be required. To continue machining while maintaining machining accuracy and to easily remove the workpiece when machining is complete, cleaning operations must be performed during and after machining, and the milling machine must be cleaned periodically. Processing devices that perform cleaning operations when machining is complete are known (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-125455 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the processing device described in Patent Document 1, cleaning is performed on both the front and back surfaces of the workpiece in the same manner, and the cleaning operation may take too much time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In consideration of the above problems, the processing device of the present invention is a processing device that processes a workpiece fixed to a support mechanism using a tool attached to a spindle, and is characterized in that it is capable of performing a cleaning operation on the support mechanism, and the cleaning operation differs depending on the front and back of the support mechanism. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, when cleaning a workpiece, by changing the cleaning operation between the front surface and the back surface of the workpiece, the cleaning operation time can be shortened with fewer movements, and efficient cleaning can be achieved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an external front view of a processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a processing machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the machining system according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a control flowchart for executing a cleaning operation. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a top view of a surface 410 of a support mechanism 40 according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a top view of the rear surface 412 of the support mechanism 40 according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a top view of the tool magazine 70 according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] <Embodiment> The embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of a processing system 1 of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0009] [Processing system] The machining system 1 includes a machining device 200 and a coolant liquid supply device 210. The machining device 200 machines a workpiece W using a tool 12 in a machining area 120. The machining device 200 houses a processing machine 100 in an exterior cover 101 serving as a housing. That is, the exterior cover 101 houses a spindle 11, a tool magazine 70, and other components described below. An openable door (not shown) is provided at the front opening of the exterior cover 101. When the openable door is open, the interior of the housing, i.e., the machining area 120 described below, is accessible, allowing for the replacement of the workpiece W and the manual replacement of the tool 12.

[0010] The coolant supply device 210 supplies coolant, which is a liquid for cooling the workpiece W, the tool 12, etc., into the machining area 120 of the machining apparatus 200. The coolant supply device 210 of this embodiment is disposed below the machining apparatus 200 and includes a tank 211, a pump 212, a flow meter 213, and a solenoid valve 214, which are connected by pipes 220 to 224. The arrows shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 indicate the path and direction of coolant flow. The tank 211 contains coolant, and the pump 212 sucks the coolant from the tank 211 via the pipe 220 and sends it to the pipe 221. The coolant sent to the pipe 221 passes through the flow meter 213 via the pipe 222. The flow meter 213 measures the flow rate of the coolant supplied from the pump 212 and sends a signal to a CPU 85 (FIG. 4) that serves as a main control unit of the machining system 1, which will be described later. A strainer 215 is provided midway along the pipe 222 to remove foreign matter from within the pipe path.

[0011] The coolant liquid that has passed through the flow meter 213 is sent to a pipe 223 and reaches a solenoid valve 214 provided on the pipe 223. The solenoid valve 214 opens and closes the flow path and is controlled by the above-mentioned CPU 85 to start and stop the supply of the coolant liquid to the machining device 200. The pipe 223 is connected to the machining device 200, and the coolant liquid that has passed through the solenoid valve 214 in an open state is supplied into the machining area 120 via a coolant discharge unit 202 serving as a coolant liquid supply unit provided in a spindle head 201 of the machining device 200. When the solenoid valve 214 is closed, the coolant liquid supplied from the pump 212 is returned to the tank 211 via a pipe 224 branching from the pipe 221.

[0012] The coolant discharge unit 202 is, for example, a nozzle provided around the spindle 11 (FIG. 3) of the spindle head 201, and supplies coolant liquid downward toward the tool 12 held by the spindle 11 and the workpiece W, which is the object to be machined. The coolant liquid supplied from the coolant discharge unit 202 accumulates in the lower part of the machining area 120 and is discharged from the lower part of the machining device 200. A tray 216 is provided below the machining device 200 to receive the coolant liquid discharged from the machining device 200 and return it to the tank 211. As described above, the machining system 1 of this embodiment uses coolant liquid to cool the tool 12 and the workpiece W during machining. As described above, the machining system 1 is a so-called wet-type machining system that performs machining while discharging coolant liquid to cool them. Note that in this embodiment, an air blow unit 87 (FIG. 4) provided on the spindle 11 (FIG. 3) of the spindle head 201 is configured to be able to blow air onto the tool, etc. In other words, it can operate as a dry machining system and can perform machining using either wet or dry machining methods, although this does not preclude a configuration in which these methods are combined and machining is performed while switching between blowing air and discharging coolant during machining.

[0013] [Processing machine] Next, the processing machine 100 arranged inside the exterior cover 101 of the processing device 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The processing machine 100 includes a frame 1xz as a movement mechanism support member, a first movement mechanism (Z-axis movement mechanism) 10, a second movement mechanism (X-axis movement mechanism) 20, and a third movement mechanism (Y-axis movement mechanism) 30, each supported by the frame 1xz, a support mechanism 40 that supports a workpiece W as a processing target, a first rotation mechanism (rotation device) 50 and a second rotation mechanism 60 as rotation means capable of rotating the support mechanism 40, a tool magazine 70, and an electrical unit 80. The first movement mechanism 10, the second movement mechanism 20, and the third movement mechanism 30 constitute a movement device 100A that serves as movement means for relatively moving a spindle 11 and a holding device 41 (described later) in the three axial directions of X, Y, and Z.

[0014] The first movement mechanism 10 is supported by the first frame portion 3 of the frame 1xz via the second movement mechanism 20, and is capable of moving the spindle 11 in the Z-axis direction (vertical direction, first direction). A tool 12 is detachably attached to the spindle 11 via a tool holder 12a. In other words, the spindle 11 is capable of gripping the tool 12. The spindle 11 is rotationally driven by a motor 13. The first movement mechanism 10 has a motor 14 and a guide shaft (not shown) arranged in the Z-axis direction, and is driven by the motor 14 to reciprocate (raise and lower) the spindle 11 along the guide shaft in the Z-axis direction. The spindle 11 is movably supported on the guide shaft via a Z-axis support member (not shown). The guide shaft and the Z-axis support member are covered by a cover 17.

[0015] The second movement mechanism 20, which serves as a movement unit, is supported by the first frame portion 3 of the frame 1xz and is capable of moving the main shaft 11 together with the first movement mechanism 10 in the X-axis direction (predetermined direction, horizontal direction, second direction) perpendicular to the Z-axis direction. The second movement mechanism 20 has a motor 21, a guide shaft 22 arranged in the X-axis direction, and rails 23 and 24 arranged in the X-axis direction. Driven by the motor 21, the first movement mechanism 10 reciprocates along the guide shaft 22 in the X-axis direction. Specifically, the guide shaft 22, which is a threaded shaft, is inserted into a nut member 19 fixed to a holder 18 that holds the main shaft 11 and the first movement mechanism 10. The holder 18 is also provided with engagement portions 25 and 26 that engage with the rails 23 and 24. When the guide shaft 22 is rotated by the motor 21, the nut member 19, which is threadedly engaged with the guide shaft 22, moves along the guide shaft 22. The holding portion 18 to which the nut member 19 is fixed, and the spindle 11 and first moving mechanism 10 held by the holding portion 18, move in the X-axis direction based on the engagement between the engaging portions 25, 26 and the rails 23, 24. The second frame portion 4 is connected to the lower end of the first frame portion 3 so as to extend in the Y-axis direction, and the first frame portion 3 and the second frame portion 4 are further connected by a reinforcing plate 29.

[0016] The third movement mechanism 30 is supported on the underside of the second frame portion 4 of the frame 1xz, and is capable of moving the support mechanism 40 in the Y-axis direction (horizontal direction, third direction) perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction. The third movement mechanism 30 has a motor 32 and a guide shaft (not shown) arranged in the Y-axis direction, and is driven by the motor 32 to move the support mechanism 40 back and forth in the Y-axis direction along the guide shaft. As shown in FIG. 3, the side of the gantry 2 facing the support mechanism 40 in the Y-axis direction is open. The third movement mechanism 30 is capable of moving the support mechanism 40 in the Y-axis direction together with the second rotation mechanism 60 and the first rotation mechanism 50, as will be described in detail later.

[0017] The support mechanism 40 supports a workpiece W, which is an object to be machined, such as a dental prosthesis, by the tool 12. A holding device 41, which serves as a holder for holding the workpiece W, is a disk jig or a block jig depending on the object to be machined. The support mechanism 40 has the holding device 41 and a support part 42, both ends of which are connected to the rotating part 51 of the first rotation mechanism 50 and which supports the workpiece W via the holding device 41. The workpiece W is supported by a presser plate 41a, which is fixed to the support part 42 via the holding device 41 with screws.

[0018] The first rotation mechanism 50, which serves as a rotation device, can rotate the support mechanism 40 around the a-axis, which serves as a rotation axis perpendicular to the Z-axis direction. In this embodiment, the a-axis is parallel to the X-axis direction. The first rotation mechanism 50 includes a support frame 53 that rotatably supports the rotating unit 51 and a motor that rotates the rotating unit 51. The support frame 53 is formed in a generally U-shape so as to surround the periphery of the support mechanism 40, and is composed of a first support part 53a that supports the motor and the rotating unit 51 on one side (the driving side), a second support part 53b that supports the rotating unit on the other side (the driven side), and a connecting part 53c that connects the first support part 53a and the second support part 53b.

[0019] The rotating part 51 supported by the first support part 53a and the rotating part supported by the second support part 53b are arranged to face each other in the a-axis direction and to be rotatable around the a-axis as a rotation axis. Both ends of the support mechanism 40 in the a-axis direction are supported by the rotating parts on both sides. As a result, the first rotation mechanism 50 supports the support mechanism 40 rotatably around the a-axis (X-axis).

[0020] The first rotation mechanism 50 can rotate at least 180° and can turn over the workpiece W supported by the support mechanism 40. In this embodiment, the first rotation mechanism 50 can rotate the support mechanism 40 360° around the a-axis.

[0021] The second rotation mechanism 60 can rotate the support mechanism 40 around the b-axis, which is another rotation axis perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and the a-axis. In this embodiment, the b-axis is parallel to the Y-axis direction. The second rotation mechanism 50 has a rotating unit to which the support frame 53 of the first rotation mechanism 50 is attached, and a motor that rotates and drives the rotating unit. The rotating unit is attached to a connecting portion 53c of the support frame 53, and is rotated by the motor to rotate the support frame 53 around the b-axis.

[0022] The tool magazine 70 serving as a tool holding section can store a plurality of tools 12 and is disposed adjacent to the first rotation mechanism 50. The tool magazine 70 can be moved in the Y-axis direction together with the support mechanism 40 and the like by the third movement mechanism 30. However, even if the support mechanism 40 rotates around the a-axis, the tool magazine 70 does not rotate, and even if the support mechanism 40 rotates around the b-axis, the tool magazine 70 does not rotate.

[0023] In the tool magazine 70, a plurality of types of tools 12, each formed integrally with a tool holder 12a, are held and arranged in a plurality of rows along the Y-axis direction. The tools 12 attached to the spindle 11 are replaceable.

[0024] In addition, in this embodiment, before and after storing or removing the tool, an operation is performed to confirm whether or not the tool 12 is being held by the spindle 11 by bringing the tip of the tool 12 into contact with a touch sensor 96, which serves as tip detection means capable of detecting the tip of the tool 12 held by the spindle 11.

[0025] The electrical unit 80 is attached to the inside of the frame 1xz. That is, the electrical unit 80 is disposed on the upper side of the second frame portion 4, opposite to the side on which the first movement mechanism 10 of the first frame portion 3 is supported. Such an electrical unit 80 controls the machining system 1 or the machining device 200, and includes a control board that controls the drive of the motors of the spindle and each axis, and a plurality of control units that calculate pulses to be output to the motors from signals from the rotary encoders of the corresponding motors and appropriately control the rotation of the corresponding motors.

[0026] The processing machine 100 of this embodiment is an NC processing machine that performs automatic processing under computer control. NC is an abbreviation for numerical control. An NC processing machine is a machine tool equipped with a numerical control device. Specifically, processing data is created by a CAD / CAM system using an external device 800 such as a personal computer, and the workpiece W is processed by numerical control based on this data. A CAD / CAM system is a system in which design, manufacturing, and machine tool control are performed on a computer. For this purpose, an external device 800 such as a personal computer that issues commands to the processing machine 100 is connected to the processing machine 100. Note that the processing machine 100 itself may be provided with a computer equipped with a CPU and memory capable of numerical control. The control means described below may be provided in either the processing machine or a computer connected to the processing machine.

[0027] For example, when a dental prosthesis (dental material) is produced using the processing machine 100, data of the dental prosthesis measured by a three-dimensional measuring device is transferred to a CAD / CAM system, and processing data is created by the CAD / CAM system. Then, based on this processing data, the processing machine 100 is controlled to cut the workpiece W with the tool 12, thereby producing the dental prosthesis.

[0028] Next, the control configuration within the electrical unit 80 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The electrical unit 80 includes a CPU 85 as control means (main control unit), an input / output port (I / O) 86i, motor control units 84x, 84y, and 84z, a spindle control unit 84c, an a-axis control unit 84a, and a b-axis control unit 84b. The CPU 85 performs various calculations using memory 86m based on input data and signals, and sends instructions on rotation speed and position to the connected control units 84x, 84y, 84z, 84a, 84b, and 84c, which serve as servo amplifiers.

[0029] The I / O 86i is connected to the compressor 350, the pump 212, the touch sensor 96, the air pressure detection sensor 91, the flow meter 213, and the solenoid valve 214. The compressor 350 supplies air to an air blow unit 87 of the processing device 200. The air blow unit 87 blows the air supplied from the compressor 350 onto the tool 12 attached to the spindle 11 to cool the tool 12 and remove chips adhering to the tool 12. The pressure of the air supplied to the air blow unit 87 is detected by an air pressure detection sensor 91, and a detection signal of the air pressure detection sensor 91 is sent to the CPU 85 via the I / O 86i.

[0030] As described above, the pump 212 supplies coolant to the coolant discharge unit 202. The coolant discharge unit 202 supplies the coolant toward the tool 12 and the workpiece. As described above, the touch sensor (tool length sensor) 96 as a tip detecting means is used to confirm whether or not the tool 12 is held by the spindle 11 during a tool changing operation, and also detects the length of the tool 12 and sends a signal to the CPU 85.

[0031] Motor control units 84x, 84y, and 84z provided in the CPU 85 drive the X, Y, and Z motors based on commands from the CPU 85. Each of the motors 21, 32, and 14 is provided with an encoder as a position detection means. The encoder detects, for example, the number of rotations, rotation angle, and rotation direction of the rotation shaft of each of the motors 21, 32, and 14. The encoder then detects the amount of actual movement of each of the stages x, y, and z (actual position, the relative position of the spindle 11 with respect to the holding device 41) by driving each of the motors 21, 32, and 14.

[0032] The main shaft control unit 84c controls the rotation speed of the main shaft (spindle) by controlling a motor (not shown) that rotates the main shaft 11. The a- and b-axis control units 84a and 84b drive the a-axis and b-axis motors 54 and 62 based on commands from the CPU 85. These motors 54 and 62 are also provided with encoders 54a and 62a, which can detect the rotation angles of the support mechanism 40 around the a-axis and b-axis.

[0033] In this way, the CPU 85 controls each part of the processing machine 100, thereby performing predetermined processing on the workpiece W held as described above. The CPU 85 loads a program into storage means such as the memory 86m and executes each operation and process described below.

[0034] The cleaning operation of the processing device in this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0035] By blowing air from the air blow unit 87 onto the workpiece W, the support mechanism 40, and the tool magazine 70, chips adhering to the workpiece W, the support mechanism 40, and the tool magazine 70 can be removed.

[0036] An example of an NC file is shown in Table 1. [Table 1]

[0037] The NC file has the file name on line 3, the time required for machining on line 4, and information about the jig and material on line 6. The code related to the actual machining is written from line 8 onwards, and the flow in Figure 5 is executed by reading this machining code line by line.

[0038] The cleaning mode operation is executed by a specific M code, such as M30 (cleaning code MC) in the executed NC file. M codes control the machine other than cutting operations and are set to correspond to the execution of cleaning operations. In this example, cleaning code MC was used, but any code in the NC file can be used.

[0039] First, in S401 (S represents a step in each process), it is determined whether the cleaning code at the end of machining is MC. When the cleaning mode is executed, the current coordinate position is first stored in the memory 86m as the return coordinate position as a preparatory operation for the cleaning operation. The control unit 84z raises the spindle 11, moves the tool away from the workpiece to stop the rotation of the spindle 11, and controls the spindle 11 to move to the top of the tool magazine 70, and then stores the tool 12 in the tool magazine 70.

[0040] If it is determined in S401 that the character string in the NC file is the cleaning code MC during machining, the CPU 85 instructs the cleaning operation during machining in S406.

[0041] In S407, the cleaning operation for the support mechanism 40 during machining is performed only on the surface currently being machined. Therefore, if the surface currently being machined is the front surface of the workpiece W, the control unit 84z raises the spindle 11 from the height at which the tool 12 is released and stored in the tool magazine 70, and then the control units 84x and 84y move the spindle 11 to a cleaning operation start point for the front surface 410 of the support mechanism 40. If the surface currently being machined is the back surface of the workpiece W, the control unit 84z moves the spindle 11 to a cleaning operation start point for the back surface 412 of the support mechanism 40. In this embodiment, the cleaning operation start point is the fixed part 411a at the lower right of the support mechanism 40 shown in FIG. 6 for the front surface 410, and the fixed part 413a at the lower right of the support mechanism 40 shown in FIG. 7 for the back surface 412. However, the cleaning operation start point may be a left front, left rear, or right rear corner of the support mechanism 40.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a view of the support mechanism 40 in the processing device 200 as viewed from the front surface 410. FIG. 7 is a view of the support mechanism 40 in the processing device 200 as viewed from the back surface 412. The front surface 410 and the back surface 412 of the support mechanism 40 differ in the arrangement of screws and the number of areas where chips tend to accumulate. The front surface recesses on the front surface 410 of the support mechanism 40 refer to male threaded portions (surface fixing portions) for attaching the holding device 41 and the workpiece W, such as male threaded portions 411a, 411b, 411c, 411d, 411e, and 411f in FIG. 6. When attaching the holding device 41 and the workpiece W, they must be fixed from one side of the support mechanism 40. The "one side" refers to the front surface side of the support mechanism 40, and screws must be inserted from the front surface side of the support mechanism 40 to fix them.

[0043] The rear recess on the rear surface 412 of the support mechanism 40 refers to a female thread portion (rear surface fixing portion) for attaching the holding device 41 to the support portion 42, such as female thread portions 413a, 413b, 413c, and 413d in FIG. 7. A cleaning operation is performed such that the cleaning path follows different paths on the front surface 410 of the support mechanism 40 and the rear surface 412 of the support mechanism 40, passing over at least the screws, which are recessed areas where chips tend to accumulate. While this example illustrates fixing using screws, any fixing method may be used, and when a fixing portion (fixing portion) is required, the cleaning operation of the embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

[0044] In addition, the cleaning operation during processing can be performed by moving on at least one of the recesses on the front side and the back side of the support mechanism 40, depending on the surface currently being processed, thereby making it possible to shorten the time required for the cleaning operation as much as possible.

[0045] The control unit 84z lowers the spindle 11 to a height above the support mechanism 40 where air can be blown out, and starts the air blow. The position of the spindle 11 at this time is a position where the air blow can blow away chips accumulated in the recesses of the support mechanism 40, and the closer the spindle 11 is to the support mechanism 40, the better. While blowing air at the maximum possible flow rate, the spindle 11 is moved so as to pass over fixed portions where chips tend to accumulate, as shown by the trajectory (arrow) 411 in FIG. 6 or the trajectory (arrow) 413 in FIG. 7, to blow away chips accumulated on the front surface 410 of the support mechanism 40 or the back surface 412 of the support mechanism 40. When the spindle 11 has moved to the end point of the cleaning operation of the front surface 410 of the support mechanism 40 or the back surface 412 of the support mechanism 40, the air blowing is stopped, and the control unit 84z raises the spindle 11.

[0046] 6, the main shaft 11 moves above the male threads 411b and 411e, which are the fixed parts of the holding device 41 on the surface 410, and the male threads 411a, 411c, 411d, and 411f, which are the fixed parts of the presser plate 41a, and the air blown from the air blow unit 87 blows away chips from the male threads 411a to 411f and the surrounding recessed parts. Note that this is just one example, and if there are other fixed parts of the holding device 41 or the fixed part of the presser plate 41a, the trajectory may be configured to pass through them as well.

[0047] 7, as the main shaft 11 moves above the female threads 413a to 413d, which are the fixed parts of the holding device 41 on the back surface 412, air blown from the air blow unit 87 blows away chips from the female threads 413a to 413d and the surrounding recessed parts. The female threads corresponding to the male threads 411a, 411c, 411d, and 411f, which are the fixed parts of the pressing plate 41a, are hidden when attached to the support part 42, so that no air blow is necessary, and the moving distance is shorter than when following the trajectory (arrow) 411 in FIG. 6, thereby shortening the cleaning operation time.

[0048] Next, in S408, control units 84x and 84y move the spindle 11 to the start point of the cleaning operation of the tool magazine 70. Control unit 84z lowers the spindle 11 to a height at which air will be blown and starts discharging air. While blowing air at the maximum possible flow rate, the spindle 11 is moved along trajectory (arrow) 414 in FIG. 8 to blow away chips accumulated in the tool magazine 70. Once the spindle 11 has moved to the end point of the cleaning operation of the tool magazine 70, the air blow is stopped and control unit 84z raises the spindle 11, completing the cleaning operation.

[0049] If the spindle 11 grips a tool while chips are still accumulated in the tool magazine 70, the chips may be caught in the spindle. After the cleaning operation of 412 is performed, the cleaning operation of the tool magazine 70 is finally performed.

[0050] If the character string in the NC file in S401 is the end-of-machining cleaning code MC, the CPU 85 instructs the end-of-machining cleaning operation in S402, and then in S403 starts the cleaning operation of the surface 410, the control unit 84z raises the spindle 11 from the height at which it released the tool 12 and stored the tool 12 in the tool magazine 70, and the control units 84x and 84y move the spindle 11 to the start point of the cleaning operation of the surface 410 of the support mechanism 40.

[0051] The control unit 84z lowers the spindle 11 to a height at which air is blown and starts discharging the air. While blowing air at the maximum possible flow rate, the spindle 11 is moved along the trajectory (arrow) 411 in Figure 6 to blow away chips accumulated on the surface 410 of the support mechanism 40. Once the spindle 11 has moved to the end point of the cleaning operation on the surface 410 of the support mechanism 40, the air blow is stopped and the control unit 84z raises the spindle 11.

[0052] Next, in S404, the cleaning operation of the back surface 412 is started, and control units 84x and 84y move the main spindle 11 to the cleaning operation start point of the back surface 412 of the support mechanism 40. Control unit 84z lowers the main spindle 11 to a height at which air is blown and starts discharging the air blow. While blowing air at the maximum possible flow rate, the main spindle 11 is moved along trajectory (arrow) 413 in FIG. 7 to blow away chips accumulated on the back surface 412 of the support mechanism 40. Once the main spindle 11 has moved to the cleaning operation end point of the back surface 412 of the support mechanism 40, the air blow is stopped, and control unit 84z raises the main spindle 11.

[0053] Finally, in S405, the control units 84x and 84y move the spindle 11 to the start point of the cleaning operation of the tool magazine 70. The control unit 84z lowers the spindle 11 to a height at which air is blown and starts discharging air. While blowing air at the maximum possible flow rate, the spindle 11 is moved along the trajectory (arrow) 414 in FIG. 8 to blow away chips accumulated in the tool magazine 70. Once the spindle 11 has moved to the end point of the cleaning operation of the tool magazine 70, the air blow is stopped and the control unit 84z raises the spindle 11, completing the cleaning operation.

[0054] Since it is highly likely that the user will remove the workpiece W when processing is completed, by performing cleaning operations on the front surface 410 of the support mechanism 40, the back surface 412 of the support mechanism 40, and both surfaces of the support mechanism 40, it becomes easier to remove the workpiece when processing is completed, and it becomes possible to save the user the trouble of cleaning.

[0055] Furthermore, when cleaning the support mechanism 40, the workpiece W is tilted away from the tool magazine 70 and the cleaning operation is performed. It is even more preferable to tilt the b-axis 15 to 20 degrees to the left as viewed from the device. By tilting the workpiece W and performing the cleaning operation from top to bottom, chips accumulated on the workpiece W can be efficiently removed, preventing chips from flying into the tool magazine 70 and getting into the gaps in the holding device 41.

[0056] Furthermore, when cleaning the tool magazine 70, the workpiece W is tilted and the cleaning operation is performed. Any angle of tilt is acceptable as long as it allows chips to slide off easily, but it is more preferable to tilt the a-axis by 90 degrees so that the surface of the workpiece W is parallel to the XZ plane. By tilting the workpiece W and performing the cleaning operation of the tool magazine 70, it is possible to prevent chips from accumulating on the workpiece W when cleaning the tool magazine 70.

[0057] This control enables continuous machining while maintaining machining accuracy, and prevents errors caused by chips.

[0058] In the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which the cleaning operation was performed using an M-code from the machining information, but any code may be used. Alternatively, when a specific code is executed at a specific position or in a specific order, the M-code for the cleaning operation may be executed by internal processing. Furthermore, cleaning operations may be performed according to the tool being used by linking and storing the tool information with the cleaning operation. Furthermore, cleaning operations may be performed only when a tool that generates a large amount of chips is used, depending on the tool diameter used for machining. Furthermore, machining area information may be read from the NC data, and cleaning operations may be performed according to the machining range.

[0059] In the above-described embodiment, the cleaning operation is performed using only the discharge of air blow, but the cleaning operation may also be performed using only the discharge of coolant, or may also be performed using both the discharge of air blow and the discharge of coolant.

[0060] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be applied within the scope of the present invention. In addition, it is noted that the inventions described below are also included in the present invention.

[0061] (Appendix 1) A processing device that uses a tool attached to a spindle to process a workpiece fixed to a jig and performs a cleaning operation to remove chips generated during the processing, wherein the cleaning operation passes through different parts depending on the surface of the workpiece that is the target of the cleaning operation.

[0062] (Appendix 2) The processing device described in Appendix 1 is characterized in that the jig has a front-side recess for fixing the workpiece from one side and a back-side recess on the opposite side to the one side, the front-side recess and the back-side recess are arranged differently, and the cleaning operation involves the main shaft moving above the front-side recess and the back-side recess.

[0063] (Appendix 3) The processing device according to claim 1, wherein after the cleaning operation, another cleaning operation is performed on the magazine storing the tools.

[0064] (Appendix 4) The machining device described in Appendix 1 is characterized in that, when a cleaning operation is performed while the workpiece is being machined or when a tool is being replaced, the main spindle performs a cleaning operation by moving over at least one of the front-side recess and the back-side recess, and then performs another cleaning operation on the magazine that stores the tools, and when a cleaning operation is performed at the end of machining, the main spindle performs a cleaning operation by passing over both the front-side recess and the back-side recess, and then performs another cleaning operation on the magazine that stores the tools.

[0065] (Appendix 5) 5. The processing device according to claim 3, wherein the other cleaning operation is performed by tilting the jig at a predetermined angle.

[0066] (Appendix 6) A control method for a machining system including a machining device that uses a tool to machine a workpiece fixed to a jig and performs a cleaning process for chips generated during machining, wherein the cleaning process passes through different parts depending on the surface of the workpiece to be cleaned. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1 Processing equipment 10 1st movement mechanism 11 Spindle 12 Tools 20 Second movement mechanism 30 Third movement mechanism 40 Support mechanism 70 Tool Magazine 410 Support mechanism surface 412 Back side of support mechanism

Claims

1. A processing device that processes a workpiece fixed to a support mechanism using a tool attached to a spindle, A cleaning operation can be performed on the support mechanism, The processing device is characterized in that the cleaning operation differs depending on whether the support mechanism is on the front or back.

2. It has an air blower that blows air onto the tool.

2. The processing device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning operation is performed by air blown out from the air blow unit.

3. The support mechanism includes a surface fixing portion for fixing the workpiece from one side; The back fixing part on the opposite side of one side and 3. The processing device according to claim 2, wherein the cleaning operation includes blowing the air onto each of the fixing portions.

4. 4. The processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cleaning operation involves blowing the air onto the support mechanism and then onto the magazine storing the tools.

5. When the cleaning operation is performed while the object to be processed is being processed, the air is blown onto either the front or rear of the support mechanism during processing; 4. The processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the cleaning operation is performed after the processing of the workpiece is completed, the air is blown onto both the front and back surfaces of the support mechanism.

6. 1. A control method for a machining system including a machining apparatus that performs machining on a workpiece fixed to a support mechanism using a tool attached to a spindle, comprising: A cleaning operation can be performed on the support mechanism, A method for controlling a machining system, wherein the cleaning operation differs depending on whether the support mechanism is on the front or back side.

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