Tool Magazine and Tool Change Method for a Machining Center for Blisks

Abstract

The present invention provides a tool magazine for a brisk machining center, which includes a T2-axis rotation assembly and an A-axis rotation assembly. The T2-axis rotation assembly can move along the T1 axis. When the axis of the swing head is parallel to the plane including the cutter head or located in the plane including the cutter head, the axis of the swing head is parallel to or overlaps with the linear axis of the cutter head. The present invention further provides a tool changing method for a brisk machining center, which does not require the use of complex devices such as manipulators. The process of tool changing is fully realized by the mutual combination of the Z-axis, Y-axis and T1-axis of the machine tool. Moreover, in the process of tool changing, the operations of gripping and releasing the tool are realized only by combining the movements of a single linear axis, greatly reducing the complexity of the tool changing operation, simplifying the logic of tool changing in the machine tool, making the operation easy, having a simple structure, excellent stability and being easy to maintain.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of machine tool machining, and particularly to a tool magazine and a tool change method for a machining center for blisks.

Background Art

[0002] In a fine machining process such as for a blisk, in order to machine the shape of the blade, there is a certain degree of rotation between the tool of the machining center for the blisk and the workpiece to be machined, and this rotation is formed by a combination of relative movements in a plurality of dimensions between the workpiece and the tool.

[0003] In order to machine the blisk better, when the machine tool performs a machining operation at the 5-axis Rotation Tool Center Point, it is guaranteed that the moving speed and acceleration of each physical axis are maintained within a lower range compared to a machine tool with a general structure. The machining center for the blisk uses an inclined swing head and aligns the cutting edge point on the rotation axis of the swing head. Thereby, when the swing head rotates for machining, it is guaranteed that no large speed and acceleration are generated on the linear axis.

[0004] Conventional machine tools need to add and install a tool change mechanism such as a manipulator to realize tool change. Tool change is realized by the operation of the tool change mechanism itself or the coordinated operation between the tool change mechanism and the machine tool. However, adding a tool change mechanism such as a manipulator increases the manufacturing cost of the machine tool and occupies a large space. Moreover, by using an inclined swing head, there is a certain included angle between the axis of the spindle, the axis of the tool, and the coordinate axis of the machine tool. In order to align with the inclined swing head, such a tool change method has high requirements for the mounting position and posture of the manipulator, and it is necessary to make the axis of the tool in the tool magazine, the axis of the spindle, and the axis for gripping the tool of the manipulator parallel or coincident, which increases the difficulty of accurately controlling the tool change operation, makes the logic of tool change complicated, makes the tool change operation cumbersome, and is disadvantageous for efficient and accurate machining.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides a tool magazine for a machining center for a blisk and a tool changing method for solving the above problems.

[0006] A tool magazine for a machining center for a blisk, including a T1 linear axis assembly, a T2 axis rotation assembly, and an A axis rotation assembly, wherein the T1 linear axis assembly is used to drive the T2 axis rotation assembly to perform a linear motion, the T2 axis rotation assembly is used to drive a cutter head to perform a rotational motion, and the A axis rotation assembly is used to drive a swing head to which a tool is attached to perform a rotational motion. When the axis of the swing head is parallel to the plane including the cutter head or is located in the plane including the cutter head, the axis of the swing head is parallel to or overlaps with the linear axis of the cutter head.

[0007] Furthermore, the T2 axis rotation assembly is provided on a tool magazine base, the tool magazine base is provided on one side of a bed, a support column movable along the Z-axis direction is provided on the other side of the bed, a saddle movable along the Y-axis direction is provided on the support column, the A axis rotation assembly is provided on the saddle, and a table is further provided on the bed, and the table is provided on the same side as the tool magazine base. The tool magazine base has a mounting slope, the T2 axis rotation assembly is provided on the mounting slope and can move along the mounting slope.

[0008] Furthermore, the T2-axis rotation assembly includes a cutter head rotation fixed base, a cutter head, and a cutter head rotation motor. The cutter head rotation fixed base is attached to the mounting inclined surface. The cutter head is rotatably attached to the cutter head rotation fixed base. The cutter head rotation motor is fixed to the cutter head rotation fixed base via a motor base. A driven gear is coaxially fixed to the cutter head. The driven gear meshes with a driving gear. The cutter head rotation motor is drivably connected to the driving gear.

[0009] Furthermore, the T1 linear axis assembly includes a driving motor and a guide rail provided on the mounting inclined surface. The driving motor is connected to the T2-axis rotation assembly via a lead screw and a nut. The T2-axis rotation assembly is attached to the guide rail via a slider.

[0010] Furthermore, it includes a detection switch bracket. One end of the detection switch bracket is fixed to the cutter head rotation fixed base, and a detection switch is provided at the other end. The detection switch is directed towards a tool provided on the cutter head.

[0011] Furthermore, the T2-axis rotation assembly includes a cutter head. A tool holder for clamping a tool is provided in the circumferential direction of the cutter head. The axes of the tools all intersect perpendicularly with the axis of the cutter head. The tool holder clamps the tools on both sides in the axial direction of the cutter head.

[0012] Furthermore, the included angle α between the T1 axis and the horizontal direction is 30°, 45°, or 60°.

[0013] A tool changing method for a machining center for blisks using the tool magazine of the machining center for blisks, including the following steps.

[0014] In S1, the column moves along the Z-axis, the saddle moves along the Y-axis, and the A-axis rotation assembly drives the swing head to rotate, thereby making the axis of the swing head to which the tool is attached intersect perpendicularly with the axis of the cutter head and be in the same plane as the axis of the tool.

[0015] In S2, the T2-axis rotation assembly rotates the cutter head, thereby aligning the axis of the tool held thereby with the axis of the swing head.

[0016] In S3, the T2-axis rotation assembly moves along the T1-axis, thereby causing the swing head to hold the tool.

[0017] In S4, the column moves along the Z-axis, thereby separating the tool from the cutter head.

[0018] A tool changing method for a blisk machining center using a tool magazine of the blisk machining center, comprising the following steps.

[0019] In S1, the column moves along the Z-axis, the saddle moves along the Y-axis, and the A-axis rotation assembly drives the swing head to rotate, thereby making the axis of the swing head to which the tool is attached intersect perpendicularly with the axis of the cutter head and the distance between the axis of the swing head and the cutter head is greater than the distance between the tool attachment port in the cutter head and the cutter head.

[0020] In S2, the T2-axis rotation assembly rotates the cutter head, thereby making the axis of the tool attachment port in the cutter head parallel to the axis of the swing head.

[0021] In S3, the T2-axis rotation assembly moves along the T1-axis, thereby aligning the tool attachment port in the cutter head with the tool in the swing head.

[0022] In S4, the support moves along the Z axis, thereby loading the tool into the cutter head.

[0023] In S5, the swing head loosens the tool, and the T2-axis rotation assembly moves along the T1 axis, thereby disengaging the tool from the swing head.

[0024] The tool magazine and tool change method of the machining center for a blisk disclosed by the present invention do not require the use of complex devices such as manipulators. The tool change process is completely realized by the mutual combination of the Z-axis, Y-axis, and T1-axis of the machine tool, greatly reducing production costs, decreasing the occupied space of the machine tool, being advantageous for the arrangement of the machine tool structure itself, and reducing the possibility that the tool change operation and the machining operation interfere with each other. During the tool change process, the operations of gripping and releasing the tool are realized only by combining the movements of a single linear axis. By simply aligning the axis of the spindle and the axis of the tool in the tool magazine, the tool change can be realized, greatly reducing the complexity of the tool change operation, simplifying the logic of tool change in the machine tool, making the operation easy, contributing to high-precision and efficient machining, and having a simple structure, excellent stability, and being easy to maintain.

[0025] To more clearly explain the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings necessary for describing the embodiments or the prior art are briefly described below. The drawings shown below are only some embodiments of the present invention. It is obvious that those skilled in the art can obtain other related drawings based on these drawings without creative efforts.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0027] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are some, rather than all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, this embodiment discloses a tool magazine of a machining center for a blisk, which includes a T2-axis rotation assembly and an A-axis rotation assembly. The T2-axis rotation assembly is used to drive the cutter head 2 to perform a rotational movement. The A-axis rotation assembly is used to drive the swing head 1 to which the tool is attached to perform a rotational movement. The T2-axis rotation assembly can move along the T1 axis. When the axis of the swing head 1 is parallel to the plane including the cutter head 2 or is located in the plane including the cutter head 2, the axis of the swing head 1 is parallel to or overlaps with the straight axis of the cutter head.

[0029] The tool magazine and tool change method of the machining center for a blisk disclosed by the present invention do not require the use of complex devices such as manipulators. The tool change process is fully realized by the mutual combination of the Z-axis, Y-axis, and T1-axis of the machine tool. Moreover, in the process of tool change, the operations of gripping and releasing the tool are realized only by combining the movements of a single linear axis, greatly reducing the complexity of the tool change operation, simplifying the logic of tool change in the machine tool, making the operation easy, having a simple structure, excellent stability, and being easy to maintain.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the axis of the swing head 1 is parallel to the plane including the cutter head 2. A tool is provided on the cutter head, and the axis of the tool overlaps the axis of the swing head 1. The T2-axis rotation assembly moves along the T1-axis and cooperates with the tool gripping mechanism of the swing head to realize the operations of gripping and releasing the tool, without requiring the cooperation of multiple axes.

[0031] In this embodiment, the T2-axis rotation assembly is provided on the tool magazine base 3. The tool magazine base 3 is provided on one side of the bed 4. On the other side of the bed 4, a support column 5 movable along the Z-axis direction is provided. On the support column 5, a saddle 6 movable along the Y-axis direction is provided. The A-axis rotation assembly is provided on the saddle 6. Further, a table 7 is provided on the bed 4, and the table 7 is provided on the same side as the tool magazine base 3. The tool magazine base 3 has a mounting inclined surface. The T2-axis rotation assembly is provided on the mounting inclined surface and can move along the mounting inclined surface.

[0032] In this embodiment, the swing head can realize movement in the Z-axis and Y-axis directions via the support column and the saddle. The table 7 can move along the X-axis direction on the bed 4, and there is no need for the swing head to move in the X-axis direction. The rotation of the table, the movement of the swing head in the Z and Y directions, and the swing of the swing head itself combine to complete multi-dimensional movement and finish the processing of the brisk. There is no need to move the swing head in the X-axis direction, which is more advantageous for the stability of the swing head during the processing process, is easy to control, and helps optimize the processing logic. The tool change process is realized by combining the tool gripping mechanism of the swing head and the T1 axis, greatly reducing the operations and related moving assemblies in the conventional tool change process. As a result, the overall tool change logic is simple, easy to operate, has a simple structure, and reduces the probability of errors in installation and debugging.

[0033] In this embodiment, the T2-axis rotation assembly includes a cutter head rotation fixed base 8, a cutter head 2, and a cutter head rotation motor 9. The cutter head rotation fixed base 8 is attached to the attachment inclined surface. The cutter head 2 is rotatably attached to the cutter head rotation fixed base 8. The cutter head rotation motor 9 is fixed to the cutter head rotation fixed base 8 via a motor base 10. A driven gear 11 is coaxially fixed to the cutter head 2. The driven gear 11 meshes with a driving gear 12, and the cutter head rotation motor 9 is transmission-connected to the driving gear 12. The T1 linear axis assembly includes a driving motor and a guide rail 13. The attachment inclined surface is provided with the driving motor and the guide rail 13 installed along the T1-axis direction. The driving motor is connected to the T2-axis rotation assembly via a lead screw and a nut. The T2-axis rotation assembly is attached to the guide rail 13 via a slider.

[0034] The tool magazine base 3 is fixed to the bed 4. The tool magazine base 3 has a wedge-shaped structure with an inclined upper surface, and the angle of the inclined surface is determined based on the angle of the swing head. The cutter head 2 is attached to the cutter head rotation fixing base 8 via bearings. A motor base 10 is further fixed to the cutter head rotation fixing base 8 via brackets, and the cutter head rotation motor 9 is fixed to the motor base 10. The driven gear 11 is installed coaxially with the cutter head 2, and the diameter of the driven gear 11 is larger than that of the driving gear 12. The motor drives the cutter head 2 to rotate via the driving gear and the driven gear.

[0035] In this embodiment, it further includes a detection switch bracket 14. One end of the detection switch bracket 14 is fixed to the cutter head rotation fixing base 8, and a detection switch 15 is provided at the other end. The detection switch 15 is directed at the tool provided on the cutter head 2.

[0036] Tool holders 16 for clamping tools are provided in the circumferential direction of the cutter head 2. The axes of the tools all intersect perpendicularly with the axis of the cutter head 2. The tool holders 16 clamp the tools on both axial sides of the cutter head 2.

[0037] Tools are provided on both sides of the cutter head. By doubling the number of tools attached to the cutter head, the processing efficiency can be improved. During tool change, the swing head performs tool change from the side of the tool to be replaced. The detection switch bracket is installed along the radial direction of the cutter head. The detection switches 15 are provided between the tools on both sides. Two detection switches 15 are provided, and the two detection switches 15 are respectively aligned with the tools on both sides and are used to detect whether the tool is clamped by the tool holder.

[0038] The included angle between the swing head and the linear axis of the machine tool is 30°, 45° or 60°. The included angle α between the T1 axis and the horizontal direction is 30°, 45° or 60°. In this embodiment, the included angle α between the T1 axis and the horizontal direction is 45°.

[0039] The present invention further discloses a tool changing method for a blisk machining center using the tool magazine of the blisk machining center, including the following steps.

[0040] In S1, the column moves along the Z-axis, the saddle moves along the Y-axis, and the A-axis rotation assembly drives the swing head to rotate, so that the axis of the swing head for mounting the tool and the axis of the cutter head intersect perpendicularly, and are in the same plane as the axis of the tool.

[0041] In S2, the T2-axis rotation assembly rotates the cutter head, so that the axis of the tool to be gripped coincides with the axis of the swing head. At this time, the tool to be gripped is located above the cutter head.

[0042] In S3, the T2-axis rotation assembly moves along the T1-axis, so that the swing head grips the tool.

[0043] In S4, the column moves along the X-axis, so that the tool is disengaged from the cutter head.

[0044] When the tool is not clamped on the swing head, the above method is used to grip the tool.

[0045] The present invention further discloses a tool changing method for a blisk machining center using the tool magazine of the blisk machining center, including the following steps.

[0046] In S1, the column moves along the Z-axis, the saddle moves along the Y-axis, and the A-axis rotation assembly drives the swing head to rotate, so that the axis of the swing head on which the tool is mounted and the axis of the cutter head intersect perpendicularly, and the distance between the axis of the swing head and the cutter head is greater than the distance between the tool mounting port on the cutter head and the cutter head.

[0047] In S2, the T2-axis rotation assembly rotates the cutter head, thereby making the axis of the tool mounting port on the cutter head parallel to the axis of the swing head. At this time, the tool mounting port is located at the upper part of the cutter head.

[0048] In S3, the T2-axis rotation assembly moves along the T1 axis, thereby aligning the tool mounting port on the cutter head with the tool on the swing head.

[0049] In S4, the support moves along the Z axis, thereby loading the tool into the cutter head.

[0050] In S5, the swing head loosens the tool, and the T2-axis rotation assembly moves along the T1 axis, thereby detaching the tool from the swing head.

[0051] When a tool is clamped in the swing head, the above method is used to return the tool.

[0052] Figure 6 shows four tool change positions, which are respectively used for tool change on both sides of the cutter head.

[0053] When the cutter head moves upward along the guide rail to the limit, it becomes the automatic tool change position. When the cutter head moves downward along the guide rail to the limit position, it becomes the rotation position of the cutter head and the manual tool change position.

[0054] Before the swing head grips or returns the tool, the cutter head rotates one full turn. The detection switch detects the tool holding state of each tool holder on the cutter head, and the numerical control system records each position and state information. When changing tools, if the tool is not gripped by the swing head, the tool can be directly gripped by the above method. However, if the tool is gripped by the swing head, it is necessary to return the tool into the tool magazine by the above method and then grip the tool again.

[0055] The tool change method disclosed in this embodiment positions only along the Z and Y axes of the machine tool, linearly moves the tool magazine using the T1 axis, and cooperates with the swing head to grip and release the tool. During the tool change process, there is no need to combine two or more linear axes, and interpolation movement is also unnecessary. It realizes rapid and accurate tool change, makes the tool change operation simpler, its logic simpler, easier to control, and improves the processing efficiency of the machine tool.

[0056] Finally, the points to be explained are as follows. Each of the above embodiments is only for explaining the technical solution of the present invention and does not limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand the following. It is still possible to modify the technical solutions described in the above embodiments or perform equivalent substitution on some or all of their technical features, and these modifications or substitutions do not deviate from the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the scope of the technical solutions of each embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Signs

[0057] 1 Swing head, 2 Cutter head, 3 Tool magazine base, 4 Bed, 5 Column, 6 Saddle, 7 Table, 8 Cutter head rotation fixing base, 9 Cutter head rotation motor, 10 Motor base, 11 Driven gear, 12 Driving gear, 13 Guide rail, 14 Detection switch bracket, 15 Detection switch, 16 Tool holder

Claims

1. A tool magazine for a brisk machining center, comprising: a T1 linear axis assembly, a T2 axis rotation assembly, and an A axis rotation assembly, wherein the T1 linear axis assembly is used to drive the T2 axis rotation assembly to perform a linear motion, the T2 axis rotation assembly is used to drive a cutter head (2) to perform a rotational motion, and the A axis rotation assembly is used to drive a swing head (1) to which a tool is attached to perform a rotational motion, when the axis of the swing head (1) is parallel to the plane including the cutter head (2) or is located in the plane including the cutter head (2), the axis of the swing head (1) is parallel to or coincides with the linear axis of the cutter head. A tool magazine for a brisk machining center, characterized by this.

2. The T2 axis rotation assembly is provided on a tool magazine base (3), the tool magazine base (3) is provided on one side of a bed (4), a support column (5) movable along the Z-axis direction is provided on the other side of the bed (4), a saddle (6) movable along the Y-axis direction is provided on the support column (5), the A axis rotation assembly is provided on the saddle (6), and a table (7) is further provided on the bed (4), and the table (7) is provided on the same side as the tool magazine base (3), the tool magazine base (3) has a mounting slope, the T2 axis rotation assembly is provided on the mounting slope and can move along the mounting slope. The tool magazine for a brisk machining center according to Claim 1, characterized by this.

3. The T2-axis rotation assembly includes a cutter head rotation fixed base (8), a cutter head (2), and a cutter head rotation motor (9). The cutter head rotation fixed base (8) is attached to the mounting inclined surface. The cutter head (2) is rotatably attached to the cutter head rotation fixed base (8). The cutter head rotation motor (9) is fixed to the cutter head rotation fixed base (8) via a motor base (10). A driven gear (11) is coaxially fixed to the cutter head (2). The driven gear (11) meshes with a driving gear (12). The cutter head rotation motor (9) is transmissionally connected to the driving gear (12). The tool magazine of the machining center for a blisk according to claim 2 is characterized in that.

4. The T1 linear axis assembly includes a driving motor and a guide rail (13) provided on the mounting inclined surface. The driving motor is connected to the T2-axis rotation assembly via a lead screw and a nut. The T2-axis rotation assembly is attached to the guide rail (13) via a slider. The tool magazine of the machining center for a blisk according to claim 2 is characterized in that.

5. Furthermore, it includes a detection switch bracket (14). One end of the detection switch bracket (14) is fixed to the cutter head rotation fixed base (8), and a detection switch (15) is provided at the other end. The detection switch (15) is directed at the tool provided on the cutter head (2). The tool magazine of the machining center for a blisk according to claim 3 is characterized in that.

6. The T2-axis rotation assembly includes a cutter head (2). A tool holder (16) for clamping a tool is provided in the circumferential direction of the cutter head (2). The axes of the tools all intersect perpendicularly with the axis of the cutter head (2). The tool holder (16) clamps the tool on both sides in the axial direction of the cutter head (2). The tool magazine of the machining center for a blisk according to claim 1 is characterized in that.

7. The included angle α between the T1 axis and the horizontal direction is 30°, 45°, or 60°. The tool magazine of the machining center for a blisk according to claim 1 is characterized in that.

8. Using the tool magazine of the machining center for a blisk according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The column moves along the Z-axis, the saddle moves along the Y-axis, and the A-axis rotation assembly drives the swing head to rotate, thereby making the axis of the swing head on which the tool is mounted intersect perpendicularly with the axis of the cutter head and be in the same plane as the axis of the tool. Step S1; The T2-axis rotation assembly rotates the cutter head, thereby overlapping the axis of the tool to be gripped with the axis of the swing head. Step S2; The T2-axis rotation assembly moves along the T1-axis, thereby causing the swing head to grip the tool. Step S3; The column moves along the X-axis, thereby detaching the tool from the cutter head. Step S4. A tool changing method for a machining center for a blisk, characterized by comprising the above steps.

9. Using the tool magazine of the machining center for a blisk according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, The column moves along the Z-axis, the saddle moves along the Y-axis, and the A-axis rotation assembly drives the swing head to rotate, thereby making the axis of the swing head on which the tool is attached intersect perpendicularly with the axis of the cutter head, and the distance between the axis of the swing head and the cutter head is greater than the distance between the tool attachment port on the cutter head and the cutter head. Step S1; The T2-axis rotation assembly rotates the cutter head, thereby making the axis of the tool attachment port on the cutter head parallel to the axis of the swing head. Step S2; The T2-axis rotation assembly moves along the T1-axis, thereby aligning the tool attachment port on the cutter head with the tool on the swing head. Step S3; The column moves along the Z-axis, thereby loading the tool into the cutter head. Step S4; The swing head loosens the tool, and the T2-axis rotation assembly moves along the T1-axis, thereby detaching the tool from the swing head. Step S5. A tool changing method for a machining center for a blisk, characterized by comprising the above steps.

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