Workpiece positioning system

Abstract

To provide a workpiece positioning system capable of repeatedly positioning a workpiece between a processing machine and a measuring machine with high accuracy.SOLUTION: The workpiece positioning system 70A includes a base member 71 installed in a processing machine 80 and a measuring machine 90, a holder member 71 for fixing a workpiece W and combined with each base member 72 of the processing machine and the measuring machine, and a clamp means 45 for holding a combined state of the holder member and the base member. The holder member and the base member have a positioning mechanism 1A for positioning the work fixed to the holder member in the respective axial directions of an X-axis, a Y-axis and a Z-axis orthogonal to the base member, and the positioning mechanism is composed of a projecting body 2 and a recessed body 3. A cage for holding the rolling element and an energizing means for energizing the cage in the Z-axis direction are attached to the post or the insertion hole of the cylindrical body, and an outer peripheral surface of the post and an inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole of the cylindrical body are pressed by the rolling element in a state where the post is inserted into the insertion hole of the cylindrical body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a workpiece positioning system that positions a workpiece at each of the working positions of a processing machine that processes the workpiece and a measuring machine that measures the dimensions of the workpiece. [Background technology]

[0002] As a conventional positioning device for positioning a workpiece in the X-, Y-, and Z-axis directions, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a positioning and fastening device for use in a processing machine or measuring machine, which includes a detachable holder and a fastener. In this positioning and fastening device, the holder for fixing the workpiece includes a fixed shaft having a pyramidal portion and a first reference surface perpendicular to the axis of the fixed shaft. The fastener includes a fixed hole having an inner surface that is in close contact with the outer periphery of the pyramidal portion, a second reference surface perpendicular to the axis of the fixed hole, and a fastening part that pulls the fixed shaft inserted into the fixed hole toward the other side of the fastener. When the fixed shaft is inserted into the fixed hole and the outer periphery of the pyramidal portion is fitted into the inner surface of the fixed hole, a certain gap is formed between the first and second reference surfaces. When the fixed shaft is then pulled by the fastening part, the pyramidal portion or the fixed hole elastically deforms, causing the first and second reference surfaces to come into contact with each other. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-253649 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the positioning and fastening device described in Patent Document 1, a holding fixture and a fastening fixture are installed as a set on both the processing machine and the measuring machine. Therefore, when a workpiece is processed on the processing machine, measured on the measuring machine, and then finish-machined again on the processing machine using the measurement data, the workpiece must be detached from both the holding fixture of the processing machine and the holding fixture of the measuring machine. In this case, misalignment of the workpiece mounting positions occurs between the processing machine and the measuring machine, which may make it impossible to perform high-precision processing of the workpiece based on the measurement data.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a workpiece positioning system that can repeatedly position a workpiece between a processing machine and a measuring machine with high accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The workpiece positioning system according to the present invention comprises: A workpiece positioning system that positions a workpiece at each of the working positions of a processing machine that processes the workpiece and a measuring machine that measures the dimensions of the workpiece, The measuring apparatus is provided with a base member to be installed on the processing machine and the measuring machine, a holder member to fix a workpiece and to be combined with each of the base members of the processing machine and the measuring machine, and a clamping means to maintain the combined state of the holder member and the base member, The holder member and the base member have a positioning mechanism that positions the workpiece fixed to the holder member in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions that are perpendicular to the base member, The positioning mechanism is composed of a convex body and a concave body that is combined with the convex body, the protruding body has a columnar post with its axis in the Z-axis direction, and end faces extending in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, and a fixing portion on the end face side from which the post protrudes; the concave body has a cylindrical body having an insertion hole with its axis in the Z-axis direction and fitted onto the outside of the post, and a flange portion provided around the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body at the post insertion side end and having end faces extending in each of the X-axis and Y-axis directions; A cylindrical cage is attached to the insertion hole of the post or the cylinder, and the cage holds a plurality of rolling elements arranged between the post and the insertion hole of the cylinder in the circumferential direction, and a biasing means is attached to the cage and biases the cage toward the opposing post or cylinder along the Z-axis direction. When the post is inserted into the insertion hole of the cylindrical body, the outer peripheral surface of the post and the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole of the cylindrical body are pressed by the rolling elements.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the holder member to which the workpiece is fixed is commonly used for the base members installed in both the processing machine and the measuring machine. The holder member and the base member have a positioning mechanism consisting of a convex body and a concave body. With this positioning mechanism, when the post is inserted into the insertion hole of the cylindrical body, the outer peripheral surface of the post and the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole of the cylindrical body are pressed by the rolling elements, thereby positioning the convex body and the concave body with high precision in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. Therefore, the workpiece fixed to the holder member is positioned with high precision in the X-axis and Y-axis directions on the table of the processing machine and the table of the measuring machine. Furthermore, when the post of the convex body is inserted into the insertion hole of the cylindrical body of the concave body and the end face of the fixing portion abuts against the end face of the flange portion, the convex body and the concave body are positioned with high precision in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, the workpiece fixed to the holder member is positioned with high precision in the Z-axis direction on the table of the processing machine and the table of the measuring machine.

[0008] As described above, even if the holder members that secure the workpiece are detached from the base members of the processing machine and the measuring machine, the holder members that secure the workpiece are positioned with high precision on the tables of the processing machine and the measuring machine without causing any misalignment in the mounting positions where they are attached to the base members between the processing machine and the measuring machine. Therefore, by detaching the holder member that secures the workpiece from the base member of the measuring machine and attaching it to the base member of the processing machine, the position of the workpiece on the measuring machine can be reproduced identically on the processing machine. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] As described above, the workpiece positioning system according to the present invention can perform repeated positioning of the workpiece between the processing machine and the measuring machine with high accuracy. Therefore, when a workpiece is processed by the processing machine, measured by the measuring machine, and then finish-machined again by the processing machine, the workpiece can be machined with high accuracy based on the measurement data from the measuring machine. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a workpiece positioning system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a positioning mechanism in the workpiece positioning system of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a positioning mechanism in the workpiece positioning system of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a convex body, in which FIG. 1A is a front view of the convex body and FIG. 1B is a bottom view of the convex body. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a concave body, in which FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the concave body and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the concave body. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a retainer, in which FIG. 1A is a plan view of the retainer and FIG. 1B is a front view of the retainer. [Figure 7] 6A and 6B are diagrams showing a retainer, where FIG. 6A is an X-ray cross-sectional view of FIG. 6A, and FIG. 6B is a Y-ray cross-sectional view of FIG. 6A. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the positioning mechanism in the work positioning system of embodiment 1, in which FIG. 1A is a partial cross-sectional view showing the state before the convex body and the concave body are combined, FIG. 1B is a partial cross-sectional view showing the state when the post has begun to be inserted into the insertion hole of the cylindrical body, and FIG. 1C is a partial cross-sectional view showing the combined state of the convex body and the concave body. [Figure 9]1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining an example of how to use the positioning mechanism in the work positioning system of embodiment 1, in which (a) is a partial cross-sectional view showing the state in which the convex body is being moved by the robot hand, (b) is a partial cross-sectional view showing the position in which the post is inserted into the insertion hole of the cylindrical body and the robot hand is released, and (c) is a partial cross-sectional view showing the state in which a gap is formed between the end faces of the convex body and the concave body when the robot hand is released. [Figure 10] 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the fixing portion of the convex body is grasped by a robot hand when the convex body is released from the concave body in the positioning mechanism shown in the example of FIG. 9. FIG. [Figure 11] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing positioning mechanisms in workpiece positioning systems according to second and third embodiments, where FIG. 1A is a partial cross-sectional view showing the positioning mechanism in the second embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a partial cross-sectional view showing the positioning mechanism in the third embodiment. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the positioning mechanism in the workpiece positioning system of embodiments 4, 5, and 6, where FIG. 10A is a partial cross-sectional view showing the positioning mechanism in embodiment 4, FIG. 10B is a partial cross-sectional view showing the positioning mechanism in embodiment 5, and FIG. 10C is a partial cross-sectional view showing the positioning mechanism in embodiment 6. [Figure 13] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a positioning mechanism in a workpiece positioning system according to a seventh embodiment, in which FIG. 13A is a plan view and FIG. 13B is a partially sectional side view. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing other examples of clamping means, in which FIG. 10A is a partial cross-sectional view showing an example in which the clamping means is a pull stud, and FIG. 10B is a partial cross-sectional view showing an example in which the clamping means is a pressing mechanism. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing modified examples of the positioning mechanism, in which FIG. 10A is a partial cross-sectional view showing an example in which the front row of rollers held by the retainer has a small diameter, and FIG. 10B is a partial cross-sectional view showing an example in which a step portion is provided at the tip of the post. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. (Embodiment 1) The workpiece positioning system of the first embodiment is an example of a workpiece positioning system that positions a workpiece at a fixed position at each of the workpiece processing positions of a processing machine that processes the workpiece and a measuring machine that measures the dimensions of the workpiece. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the workpiece positioning system 70A of the first embodiment includes a base member 72 installed on the processing machine 80 and the measuring machine 90, a holder member 71 that secures the workpiece W and is combined with each of the base members 72 of the processing machine 80 and the measuring machine 90, and a clamp ring (clamping means) 45 that maintains the combined state of the holder member 71 and the base member 72.

[0012] The processing machine 80 is a cutting machine that cuts a workpiece W using a tool 81 such as an end mill. The processing machine 80 includes a table T on which the workpiece W is placed, a processing unit 82 to which the tool 81 is attached, and a moving unit 83 that moves the processing unit 82. The tool 81 can be rotated by the processing unit 82 or the moving unit 83. A base member 72 is installed on the table T to which a holder member 71 to which the workpiece W is fixed is attached. When the holder member 71 is attached to the base member 72, the combined state of the holder member 71 and the base member 72 is held by a clamp ring 45. By attaching the holder member 71 to the base member 72, the workpiece W fixed to the holder member 71 is positioned at a fixed position on the table T of the processing machine 80. Then, the processing machine 80 moves the processing unit 82 using the moving unit 83, and processes the workpiece W fixed to the holder member 71 using the tool 81. The processing machine 80 is not limited to a cutting machine, but may be various other processing machines such as a machining center, a grinding machine, an electric discharge machine, a wire electric discharge machine, a semiconductor manufacturing device, etc. The processing machine 80 may also be one in which the tool 81 is non-rotating and the table T is provided with a mechanism for rotating and moving the workpiece W.

[0013] The measuring machine 90 is, for example, a three-dimensional measuring machine that measures the dimensions of the workpiece W by bringing a probe 91 into contact with the workpiece W. The measuring machine 90 includes a table T on which the workpiece W is placed, a measuring unit 92 to which the probe 91 is attached, and a moving unit 93 that moves the measuring unit 92. The measuring machine 90 can be placed, for example, near the processing machine 80. A base member 72 is installed on the table T to which a holder member 71 to which the workpiece W is fixed is attached. The base member 72 in the measuring machine 90 is the same as the base member 72 installed in the processing machine 80. With the workpiece W machined by the processing machine 80 fixed to the holder member 71, the holder member 71 can be attached to the base member 72 installed in the measuring machine 90. In other words, the holder member 71 to which the workpiece W is fixed is used in common between the processing machine 80 and the measuring machine 90, and can be attached to the base member 72 installed in each of the processing machine 80 and the measuring machine 90. In the measuring machine 90, when the holder member 71 is attached to the base member 72, the combined state of the holder member 71 and the base member 72 is held by the clamp ring 45. By attaching the holder member 71 to the base member 72, the workpiece W fixed to the holder member 71 is positioned at a fixed position on the table T of the measuring machine 90. Then, the measuring machine 90 moves the measuring unit 92 by the moving unit 93, and brings the probe 91 into contact with the workpiece W fixed to the holder member 71 to measure the dimensions of the workpiece W. Note that the measuring machine 90 is not limited to a contact-type measuring machine using the probe 91, but may also be a non-contact measuring machine using a laser or the like.

[0014] In the present embodiment 1, a positioning mechanism 1A is configured to position the workpiece W fixed to the holder member 71 at a fixed position using a holder member 71 and a base member 72. Therefore, by removing the holder member 71, to which the workpiece W is fixed, from the base member 72 of the measuring machine 90 and combining it with the bail member 72 of the processing machine 80, the position of the workpiece W in the measuring machine 90 is reproduced in the processing machine 80 in the same manner.

[0015] Next, the positioning mechanism 1A provided on the holder member 71 and the base member 72 will be described. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the holder member 71 is composed of a convex body 2, and the base member 72 is composed of a concave body 3 that combines with the convex body 2. By combining the convex body 2 and the concave body 3, the workpiece W fixed to the holder member 71 is positioned in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions that are perpendicular to the base member 72. In other words, the convex body 2 and the concave body 3 constitute the positioning mechanism 1A. In this specification, the Z-axis direction is defined as the up-down direction. While the Z-axis and X-axis are shown in Figure 2, the Y-axis is perpendicular to the paper surface.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the convex body 2 has a columnar post 4 with its axis in the Z-axis direction and a disk-shaped fixing portion 5 from which the post 4 protrudes. The post 4 has a polygonal shape, with multiple flat portions 6 extending in the Z-axis direction on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical member, at equal intervals circumferentially around the Z-axis. In this embodiment, the post 4 has a substantially hexagonal shape with six flat portions 6 formed on its outer peripheral surface. The fixing portion 5 is a substantially disk-shaped member extending in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. The fixing portion 5 has a shape with a reduced diameter at the center in the vertical direction. The outer peripheral surfaces of the expanded upper and lower portions of the fixing portion 5 have notched surfaces 7 formed parallel to the flat portions 6 of the post 4. These notched surfaces 7 serve as gripping surfaces for, for example, an industrial robot's robot hand or a worker's tool when gripping the post 4. The industrial robot can recognize the positional relationship of the flat portions 6 of the post 4 by numerical control of the robot hand, or by visual inspection by the worker. The upper and lower surfaces of the fixed portion 5 have flat surfaces extending in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. The upper surface of the fixed portion 5 can be used as a mounting surface for the workpiece W, which is the object to be machined or measured. The lower surface of the fixed portion 5 has an end surface 8 (see Figure 4(b)) that protrudes in an annular shape over a certain range on the outer periphery. This end surface 8 of the fixed portion 5 serves as one reference surface for positioning the convex body 2 and the concave body 3 in the Z-axis direction. The upper surface (workpiece mounting surface) of the fixed portion 5 is formed parallel to the end surface 8. A post 4 protrudes from the center of the lower surface of the fixed portion 5. The fixed portion 5 has a mounting hole 9 that penetrates in the vertical direction. A bolt is inserted into this mounting hole 9 from the underside of the fixed portion 5 to fix the workpiece W to the upper surface of the fixed portion 5.

[0017] As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), the concave body 3 has a cylindrical tube 11 having an insertion hole 10 that fits over the post 4 of the convex body 2, an annular flange 12 provided around the outer periphery of the upper end of the tube 11, which is the end where the post is inserted, and a thick-walled annular base 13 provided around the outer periphery of the lower end of the tube 11. The axis of the insertion hole 10 of the tube 11 is in the Z-axis direction. On the inner periphery of the insertion hole 10 of the tube 11, multiple flat surfaces 14 extending in the Z-axis direction are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction around the Z-axis, and arc-shaped recesses 15 extending in the Z-axis direction are formed between adjacent flat surfaces 14. Each flat surface 14 of the insertion hole 10 is positioned so as to face each flat surface 6 on the outer periphery of the post 4. In the first embodiment, the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11 has a generally hexagonal shape with six flat surfaces 14 formed to correspond to the outer peripheral surfaces of the posts 4. The flange portion 12 has a generally circular plate shape extending in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. The upper surface of the flange portion 12 is an annular end surface 16 extending in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. This end surface 16 of the flange portion 12 serves as the other reference surface for positioning the convex body 2 and the concave body 3 in the Z-axis direction. The outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 12 has a notched surface 17 formed parallel to the flat surfaces 14 of the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11. The upper and lower surfaces of the base portion 13 have flat surfaces extending in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. The lower surface of the base portion 13 can be used as a mounting surface for the table T of the processing machine 80 or the measuring machine 90. The lower surface of the base portion 13 is formed parallel to the end surface 16 of the flange portion 12. The base portion 13 is provided with a mounting hole 18 that penetrates in the vertical direction. A bolt can be inserted into this mounting hole 18 from the top side of the base portion 13 to fix the concave body 3 onto the table T of the processing machine 80 or the measuring machine 90.

[0018] The insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11 is provided with a cylindrical retainer (cage) 20 that circumferentially holds a plurality of rollers (rolling elements) 19 that are arranged between the post 4 and the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11. As shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) and 7(a) and 7(b), the retainer 20 is a polygonal cylindrical member in which a plurality of flat wall portions 21 that face each flat portion 6 on the outer circumferential surface of the post 4 and each flat portion 14 on the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 10 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. A plurality of rollers 19 are rotatably held on each flat wall portion 21 of the retainer 20. In the first embodiment, the retainer 20 has a substantially hexagonal shape with six flat wall portions 21 formed on each side, and four rollers 19 are held on each flat wall portion 21.

[0019] When the post 4 is inserted into the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11, the rollers 19 are arranged in rolling contact between the flat surfaces 6 on the outer circumferential surface of the post 4 and the flat surfaces 14 on the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 10. The distance between the flat surfaces 6 on the outer circumferential surface of the post 4 and the flat surfaces 14 on the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 10 is formed to be slightly shorter than the roller diameter of the rollers 19. Therefore, when the post 4 is inserted into the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11, the flat surfaces 6 on the outer circumferential surface of the post 4 and the flat surfaces 14 on the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 10 are pressed by the rollers 19.

[0020] The retainer 20 is provided with a plurality of coil springs (biasing means) 22 that bias the retainer 20 toward one side in the Z-axis direction. The coil springs 22 are disposed in spring receiving portions 23 of the retainer 20. The spring receiving portions 23 are formed by bulging out from the outer surfaces of the walls between adjacent flat wall portions 21 of the retainer 20. The spring receiving portions 23 are disposed in the recessed portions 15 of the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11. The spring receiving portions 23 are provided with through holes 24 that penetrate in the Z-axis direction, and a pin 60 is inserted into the through holes 24 (see FIG. 7(b)). The pin 60 is provided upright along the Z-axis direction of the insertion hole 10 in the cylindrical body 11. The coil springs 22 are mounted on the pins 60 that protrude from the lower ends of the spring receiving portions 23. This makes it possible for the pins 60 to prevent the coil springs 22 from buckling. The coil spring 22 has its lower end abutting against a cover member 25 (see FIG. 2) disposed at the bottom of the cylindrical body 11, and its upper end engaging with a recess 26 (see FIG. 7(b)) provided at the lower end of the spring receiving portion 23, thereby being disposed in a compressed state, and biasing the retainer 20 toward the upper end of the cylindrical body 11, which is the post insertion end. The biasing force of the coil spring 22 on the retainer 20 can be adjusted as desired by changing the specifications and number of coil springs 22. The cover member 25 is attached to a step 27 (see FIG. 5(b)) provided at the lower end of the insertion hole 10. The cover member 25 is composed of a ring plate 29 provided with a receiving hole 28 that holds the lower end of the pin 60, and a circular plate 30 that closes the bottom of the cylindrical body 11 (see FIG. 3), and is attached to the lower end of the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11 by a snap ring 31. The ring plate 29 has an engaging protrusion 32 (see FIG. 3) on its outer periphery, which engages with an engaging recess 33 (see FIG. 5(b)) provided on the bottom of the cylindrical body 11. As a result, the ring plate 29 is positioned so that the receiving hole 28 for the pin 60 coincides with the position of the pin 60 attached to the retainer 20. Note that the circular plate 30 also has an engaging protrusion 34 on its outer periphery that engages with the engaging recess 33.

[0021] A guide component 35 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) for guiding the insertion of the post 4 is disposed at the upper end of the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11, which is the post insertion end. The guide component 35 is attached to a step 36 (see FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b)) provided at the upper end of the insertion hole 10. Referring to FIG. 3, the guide component 35 is composed of a ring portion 37 and a cylindrical nozzle portion 38 provided on the inner periphery of the ring portion 37. The inner periphery of the nozzle portion 38 has a shape that follows the shape of the outer periphery of the post 4, and flat portions 39 are formed corresponding to the flat portions 6 on the outer periphery of the post 4. The ring portion 37 is provided with a receiving hole 40 that holds the upper end of the pin 60. The guide component 35 is attached to the upper end of the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11 by a snap ring 42 together with a ring plate 41 disposed on its upper surface. The guide component 35 has an engaging protrusion 43 (see FIG. 3 ) serving as an engaging portion on the outer periphery of the ring portion 37, and the engaging protrusion 43 engages with an engaging recess 44 (see FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) ) serving as an engaged portion provided on the upper end of the cylindrical body 11. As a result, the guide component 35 is positioned so that the flat surfaces 39 of the cylindrical mouth portion 38 coincide with the positions of the flat surfaces 14 of the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11, and the receiving hole 40 of the ring portion 37 coincides with the position of the pin 60 attached to the retainer 20. Note that the ring plate 41 also has an engaging protrusion 41 a on the outer periphery that engages with the engaging recess 44. Before the post 4 is inserted into the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11, the upper end of the retainer 20, which is biased by the coil spring 22, abuts against the ring portion 37 of the guide component 35.

[0022] When the post 4 is inserted into the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11 and the end face 8 of the fixed portion 5 comes into contact with the end face 16 of the flange portion 12, combining the convex body 2 and the concave body 3, this combined state is maintained by the clamp ring 45 (see Figure 2). The clamp ring 45 holds the fixed portion 5 of the convex body 2 and the flange portion 12 of the concave body 3 by sandwiching them from the outside.

[0023] Next, a method of using the workpiece positioning system 70A according to embodiment 1 will be described. The following describes a method of using the workpiece positioning system 70A when, after processing the workpiece W with the processing machine 80, the dimensions of the processed workpiece W are measured with the measuring machine 90, and the measurement data is used to perform finish processing again with the processing machine 80. 1, first, concave body 3, which serves as base member 72, is placed on each of table T of processing machine 80 and table T of measuring machine 90, and workpiece W is fixed to the upper surface of fixing portion 5 of convex body 2, which serves as holder member 71. Holder member 71 with workpiece W fixed thereto is attached to base member 72 of processing machine 80, and the combined state of holder member 71 and base member 72 is maintained by clamp ring 45. Then, after processing workpiece W with processing machine 80, clamp ring 45 is removed, and holder member 71 with the machined workpiece W fixed thereto is removed from base member 72 of processing machine 80 and attached to base member 72 of measuring machine 90, and the combined state of holder member 71 and base member 72 is maintained by clamp ring 45. After measuring the dimensions of the machined workpiece W with the measuring machine 90, the clamp ring 45 is removed and the holder member 71 with the measured workpiece W fixed thereto is removed from the base member 72 of the measuring machine 90 and then reattached to the base member 72 of the processing machine 80, with the combined state of the holder member 71 and base member 72 maintained by the clamp ring 45. Then, using the measurement data from the measuring machine 90, the workpiece W is finished by the processing machine 80.

[0024] Next, the operation of the positioning mechanism 1A using the convex body 2 and the concave body 3 will be described. When the holder member 71 and the base member 72 are combined, as shown in Figures 8(a), (b), and (c), the post 4 of the convex body 2 is inserted into the insertion hole 10 of the concave body 3, and the end face 8 of the fixing portion 5 of the convex body 2 is brought into contact with the end face 16 of the flange portion 12 of the concave body 3, thereby combining the convex body 2 and the concave body 3. At this time, the post 4 is brought into contact with the roller 19 of the retainer 20 and aligned with the central axis of the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11, and is inserted into the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11 with low frictional force due to the rolling of the roller 19 (see Figure 8(b)). After the convex body 2 and the concave body 3 are combined, the fixing portion 5 of the convex body 2 and the flange portion 12 of the concave body 3 are fixed by the clamp ring 45, and the end faces 8, 16 are brought into contact with each other without any gaps, thereby maintaining the combined state of the convex body 2 and the concave body 3 (see Figure 8(c)). When removing the convex body 2 from the concave body 3, the above procedure is reversed.

[0025] According to the positioning mechanism 1A, the post 4 can be inserted into the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11 with a relatively light force due to the roller 19 arranged between the post 4 and the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11. Furthermore, the spring force of the coil spring 22 lifts the convex body 22 and supports its weight, so the post 4 can be inserted into the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11 with a relatively light force. The post 4 can also be pulled out of the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11 with a relatively light force due to the roller 19 and coil spring 22. Furthermore, the retainer 20 that holds the roller 19 is biased by the coil spring 22 toward the upper end, which is the post insertion end of the cylindrical body 11, so the post 4 can be inserted into the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11 with the roller 19 interposed between them from the time when the post 4 begins to be inserted into the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11. Then, when the convex body 2 and the concave body 3 are combined and the post 4 is inserted into the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11, the flat portions 6 on the outer circumferential surface of the post 4 and the flat portions 14 of the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11 are pressed by the rollers 19, thereby enabling the convex body 2 and the concave body 3 to be positioned with high precision in the axial directions of the X and Y axes in terms of their positional relationship. Therefore, the workpiece W fixed to the holder member 71 having the convex body 2 is positioned with high precision in the X and Y axes directions relative to the base member 72 having the concave body 3. In other words, the workpiece W is positioned with high precision in the X and Y axes directions on the table T of the processing machine 80 and on the table T of the measuring machine 90.

[0026] Furthermore, by inserting the post 4 into the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11 and abutting the end face 8 of the fixing portion 5 against the end face 16 of the flange portion 12, the convex body 2 and the concave body 3 can be positioned with high precision in the Z axis direction in terms of their relative positions. Therefore, the workpiece W fixed to the holder member 71 having the convex body 2 is positioned with high precision in the Z axis direction between it and the base member 72 having the concave body 3. In other words, the workpiece W is positioned with high precision in the Z axis direction on the table T of the processing machine 80 and on the table T of the measuring machine 90.

[0027] The combined state of the convex body 2 and the concave body 3 is held by the clamp ring 45. As a result, whether the workpiece W is being machined by the processing machine 80 or measured by the measuring machine 90, the workpiece W can be maintained in a highly accurate positioning state in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions on each table T.

[0028] As described above, according to the workpiece positioning system 70A of embodiment 1, no large force is required when attaching or detaching the holder member 71 to or from the base member 72, and the workpiece W fixed to the holder member 71 can be positioned with high accuracy in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions relative to the base member 72. Because no large force is required when attaching or detaching the holder member 71 to or from the base member 72, the holder member 71 can be smoothly attached to the base member 72 by, for example, an industrial robot, allowing for highly accurate positioning.

[0029] Furthermore, the accuracy of repeated positioning of the workpiece W between the processing machine 80 and the measuring machine 90 can be improved. That is, the holder member 71 to which the workpiece W is fixed is commonly used for the base member 72 installed in each of the processing machine 80 and the measuring machine 90. Even if the holder member 71 to which the workpiece W is fixed is detached from the base member 72 in each of the processing machine 80 and the measuring machine 90, the holder member 71 to which the workpiece W is fixed is positioned with high accuracy on the table T of the processing machine 80 and the table T of the measuring machine 90 without causing positional deviation in the mounting position where it is mounted on the base member 72 between the processing machine 80 and the measuring machine 90. Therefore, by detaching the holder member 71 to which the workpiece W is fixed from the base member 72 of the measuring machine 90 and attaching it to the base member 72 of the processing machine 80, the position of the workpiece W in the measuring machine 90 can be reproduced identically in the processing machine 90. Therefore, when the workpiece W is processed by the processing machine 80, measured by the measuring machine 90, and then finish-processed again by the processing machine 80, the workpiece W can be processed with high precision based on the measurement data from the measuring machine 90.

[0030] Furthermore, in this embodiment 1, even if the post 4 of the convex body 2 is inserted into the insertion hole 10 of the concave body 3 and the end face 8 of the fixing portion 5 of the convex body 2 is moved to a position where it abuts against the end face 16 of the flange portion 12 of the concave body 3, the convex body 2 is pushed back together with the retainer 20 by the biasing force of the coil spring 22, and the biasing force of the coil spring 22 can be set so that a small gap (for example, about 1 mm) is formed between the end face 8 and the end face 16 within a range that allows the clamp ring 45 to clamp the fixing portion 5 and the flange portion 12. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the robot hand R grasps and moves the convex body 2 (see FIG. 9(a)). The post 4 of the convex body 2 is inserted into the insertion hole 10 of the concave body 3, and the robot hand R is lowered to a position just before the end face 8 of the fixing portion 5 of the convex body 2 abuts against the end face 16 of the flange portion 12 of the concave body 3 (for example, a position where the distance P between the end face 8 and the end face 16 is about 3 mm) (see FIG. 9(b)). The robot hand R is then released from the convex body 2. When the robot hand R is released, the convex body 2, which fixes the workpiece W, descends due to gravity, but is pushed up together with the retainer 20 by the biasing force of the coil spring 22, forming a small gap G (for example, about 1 mm) between the end faces 8 and 16 (see FIG. 9(c)). This allows the convex body 2 and the concave body 3 to be combined smoothly and quietly. As described above, gap G is set within a range in which clamp ring 45 can clamp fixed portion 5 and flange portion 12. For example, the size of gap G is set within a range in which the distance between the outer peripheral end of fixed portion 5 and the outer peripheral end of flange portion 12 when gap G is present is shorter than the entrance width of the inner recess in clamp ring 45 (the recess into which fixed portion 5 and flange portion 12 fit when clamped). Thereafter, clamp ring 45 clamps fixed portion 5 and flange portion 12, so that end face 8 and end face 16 abut against each other without any gap (see FIG. 8(c)).

[0031] Furthermore, when the convex body 2 is released from the concave body 3, the convex body 2 that secures the workpiece W is pushed up by the biasing force of the coil spring 22 when the clamp ring 45 is removed, and a gap G (for example, about 1 mm) is formed between the end faces 8 and 16. Then, when the robot hand R closes to grip the fixed portion 5 of the convex body 2, even if the position of the robot hand R does not strictly match the position (gripping position) of the reduced diameter portion 5a of the fixed portion 5 as shown in FIG. 10 , the convex body 2 escapes downward due to contact between the inclined surface Rb on the outer surface of the claw portion of the robot hand R and the inclined surface 5b of the reduced diameter portion 5a of the fixed portion 5, and the robot hand R can grip the fixed portion 5 at the correct gripping position. Furthermore, when the robot hand R grasps the fixed portion 5 of the convex body 2, the gap G serves as an escape allowance for the convex body 2, so that no undue load is applied to the robot hand R, preventing damage to the robot hand R, gripping errors, etc.

[0032] The formation of the gap G is set based on the relationship between the biasing force of the coil spring 22 and the weight of the convex body 2 and the workpiece W. However, since the weight of the convex body 2 is constant, if the weight of the workpiece W to be fixed to the convex body 2 is set within a predetermined range, the gap G can be formed by using a coil spring 22 with a predetermined biasing force. In this case, it is not necessary to change the coil spring 22 used each time, which is particularly advantageous when machining mass-produced workpieces W. Furthermore, as shown by the dashed dotted line in Figure 10, a spring B may be added to the tip of the post 4 or the bottom of the insertion hole 10 so as to form the gap G.

[0033] (Embodiment 2) A workpiece positioning system 70B of the second embodiment is configured to use a plurality of positioning mechanisms 1A each consisting of a convex body 2 and a concave body 3 in a holder member 71 and a base member 72. For example, as shown in FIG. 11(a), the holder member 71 is configured such that two convex bodies 2 are attached to the underside of a mounting member M at a predetermined distance, and a workpiece W is fixed to the upper surface of the mounting member M at a midpoint between the two convex bodies 2. Two concave bodies 3 serving as base members 72 are attached to each of the table T of the processing machine 80 and the table T of the measuring machine 90, corresponding to the positions of the two convex bodies 2. According to the second embodiment, the positioning accuracy of the workpiece W around the Z axis can be further improved. Note that the configuration and effects of the second embodiment other than those described above are the same as or equivalent to those of the first embodiment.

[0034] (Embodiment 3) A workpiece positioning system 70C of the third embodiment is configured such that a holder member 71 and a base member 72 use one positioning mechanism 1A consisting of a convex body 2 and a concave body 3, and are provided with multiple clamping means. For example, as shown in FIG. 11(b), the holder member 71 is configured such that one convex body 2 and two pull studs (one component of the clamping means) 45a, located on both the left and right sides of the convex body 2, are attached to the underside of a mounting member M, and a workpiece W is fixed above the convex body 2 on the upper surface of the mounting member M. The table T of the processing machine 80 and the table T of the measuring machine 90 are each equipped with one concave body 3 and two pull stud tension gripping mechanisms (the other component of the clamping means) 45b, located on both the left and right sides of the concave body 3. According to this embodiment 3, when the holder member 71 and the base member 72 are combined, the two pull studs 45a are held in a tensioned state by the two tension gripping mechanisms 45b, and the combined state of the holder member 71 and the base member 72 is maintained. This makes it possible to further improve the positioning accuracy of the workpiece W around the Z axis by the two clamping means 45a, 45b. Note that the configuration and effects of embodiment 3 other than those described above are the same as or equivalent to those of embodiment 1.

[0035] (Embodiment 4) In a workpiece positioning system 70D of the fourth embodiment, the arrangement of the convex body 2 and the concave body 3 on the holder member 71 and the base member 72 is reversed compared to the first embodiment. That is, in the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12(a), the holder member 71 has the concave body 3, and the base member 72 has the convex body 2. The retainer 20 is placed in the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11 of the concave body 3 placed on the upper side, but is held in the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11 by a guide part 35, so that it does not fall from the cylindrical body 11. In the fourth embodiment, the workpiece W is fixed to the upper surface of a base part 13 placed on the upper side of the concave body 3 that forms the holder member 71, and a fixing part 5 placed on the lower side of the convex body 2 that forms the base member 72 is attached to the table T of each of the processing machine 80 and the measuring machine 90. According to this embodiment 4, the concave bodies 3 are arranged in one holder member 71 that is shared between the processing machine 80 and the measuring machine 90, which reduces the number of concave bodies 3 and the number of parts (retainers 20, pins 60, coil springs 22, guide parts 35, ring plates 41, snap rings 42, lid members 25, snap rings 31) incorporated into the concave bodies 3. Note that the configurations and effects of embodiment 4 other than those described above are the same as or equivalent to those of embodiment 1.

[0036] (Embodiment 5) 12(b), a workpiece positioning system 70E of the fifth embodiment is configured such that a holder member 71 has a concave body 3, a base member 72 has a convex body 2, and a retainer 20 is attached by fitting it onto the post 4 of the convex body 2 of the base member 72. When the retainer 20 is fitted onto the post 4 of the convex body 2, a stopper is provided to prevent the retainer 20 from falling off. As this stopper, for example, a configuration in which a flat stopper member 20a (e.g., a movable stopper) is attached to the top of the post 4 so that an end of the retainer 20 engages therewith, or a configuration in which the head of the pin 60 has a large diameter so that one end of the spring receiving portion 23 of the retainer 20 engages therewith (for example, the pin 60 has a threaded base end so that it is screwed to the fixing portion 5), etc. can be used. The retainer 20 is biased toward the tip of the post 4 by a coil spring 22 fitted around the pin 60, and the length of the coil spring 22 is set so that the tip of the retainer 20 is positioned at a height that protrudes from the tip of the post 4 before the post 4 is inserted into the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11. The length of the coil spring 22 may also be set so that the tip of the retainer 20 is positioned at the same height as the tip of the post 4. Furthermore, the cylindrical body 11 of the concave body 3 has the insertion hole 10 opened without forming a step 27 at the end on the post insertion side, and this cylindrical body 11 does not have the guide part 35 of the first embodiment. Note that the configuration and effects of the fifth embodiment other than those described above are the same as or correspond to those of the first and fourth embodiments.

[0037] (Embodiment 6) As shown in FIG. 12(c), the workpiece positioning system 70F of the sixth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the retainer 20 is attached by fitting it onto the post 4 of the convex body 2 of the holder member 71. As in the fifth embodiment, the convex body 2 is provided with a stopper (e.g., stopper 20a) that prevents the retainer 20 from falling off. The coil spring 22 is fitted onto a pin 60 that protrudes from the other end of the spring receiving portion 23, and one end of the coil spring 22 is engaged with a recess 26 at the other end of the spring receiving portion 23, and the other end of the coil spring 22 abuts against the fixed portion 5. As a result, the retainer 20 is urged toward the tip end of the post 4 by the coil spring 22. The length of the pin 60 of the retainer 20 is set so that the tip of the retainer 20 is positioned at a height protruding from the tip of the post 4 before the post 4 is inserted into the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11 of the concave body 3. The length of the pin 60 may be set so that the tip of the retainer 20 is positioned at the same height as the tip of the post 4. Furthermore, the cylindrical body 11 of the concave body 3 has the insertion hole 10 formed without a step 27 at the post insertion end, and this cylindrical body 11 does not have the guide component 35 of the first embodiment. According to the sixth embodiment, the retainer 20, pin 60, and coil spring 22 are attached to the convex body 2 of a single holder member 71 shared between the processing machine 80 and the measuring machine 90, thereby reducing the number of these components. The configuration, functions, and effects of the sixth embodiment other than those described above are the same as or equivalent to those of the first embodiment.

[0038] (Embodiment 7) In the workpiece positioning system 70G of the seventh embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the cylindrical body 11A of the concave body 3 has a rectangular outer peripheral side surface 11s. In the seventh embodiment, the concave body 3 serves as a holder member 71 that secures and transports the workpiece W. The rectangular cylindrical body 11A is formed up to the end face of the concave body 3 and functions as the base portion 13 of the concave body 3 in the workpiece positioning system 70D of the fourth embodiment. In other words, the workpiece W can be secured not only on the end face (top surface) of the rectangular cylindrical body 11A but also on the four side surfaces 11s. Mounting holes 18a for attaching the workpiece are also provided on the side surfaces 11s of the cylindrical body 11A. Such a concave body 3 can be used in various processing machines 80, but the example of FIG. 13 shows a case where it is used in a wire-cutting machine 80a as the processing machine 80. In this case, the workpiece W is attached to the side surface 11s of the cylindrical body 11A via an L-shaped bracket 95 by external setup at a location outside the processing machine 80a. In the example of FIG. 13, the workpiece W is fixed to the two opposing side surfaces 11s of the cylindrical body 11A by tightening bolts B to the L-shaped bracket 95. The workpiece W has a hole h through which the wire 81a passes. Note that the attachment of the workpiece W can be made even easier by using a jig (not shown). In the wire cutting machine 80a, the workpiece W is immersed in a machining fluid and machined with the wire 81a. Therefore, a waterproof packing 96 that closes the insertion hole 10 is attached to the other end surface of the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11A (the end surface opposite the post insertion side). The convex body 2 that becomes the base member 72 is attached to the table T of the wire cutting machine 80a and the table of a measuring machine (not shown).

[0039] As in the case of the first embodiment, the workpiece positioning system 70G of the seventh embodiment can perform high-precision positioning using the wire-cutting machine 80a and the measuring machine. Therefore, the method of using the wire-cutting machine 80a is the same as in the case of the first embodiment: the concave body 3 holding the workpiece W is attached to the convex body 2 installed in the wire-cutting machine 80a, and wire-cutting is performed. Next, the concave body 3 holding the processed workpiece W is attached to the convex body 2 installed in the measuring machine, and the dimensions of the workpiece W are measured. The concave body 3 holding the measured workpiece W is then attached to the convex body 2 installed in the wire-cutting machine 80a again, and the measurement data is used to perform the final wire-cutting. For example, the first wire-cutting process in the wire-cutting machine 80a is performed about 0.2 to 0.5 mm short of the target processing dimensions, the dimensions of the processed workpiece W are measured with the measuring machine, and the measurement data is used to perform the final processing in the wire-cutting machine 80a to achieve the target processing dimensions.

[0040] 13, the workpiece W is wire-cut by moving the processing unit 82 holding the wire 81a using the moving unit 83. However, the workpiece W (the concave body 3 and convex body 2 holding the workpiece W) may be moved to perform the wire-cut processing. In the wire-cutting machine 80a, the concave body 3 holding the workpiece W is attached to the convex body 2 of the wire-cutting machine 80a, and then machining fluid is poured in and wire-cut processing is performed. After the processing is completed, the machining fluid is discharged, and then the concave body 3 holding the processed workpiece W is removed from the convex body 2. Therefore, the concave body 3 and the convex body 2 are attached and detached without machining fluid. When machining fluid is stored, the end faces 8 and 16 of the concave body 3 and the convex body 2 are tightly attached by the clamp ring 45, and the other end face of the insertion hole 10 is sealed with the waterproof packing 96, preventing the machining fluid from entering the insertion hole 10. Furthermore, before measuring the dimensions of the workpiece W with the measuring device 90, the machining fluid adhering to the outer surface of the workpiece W is removed by air blowing or the like.

[0041] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. For example, the following modifications can be made. (1) Instead of the clamp ring 45, the clamping means for maintaining the combined state of the holder member 71 and the base member 72 is configured with a pull stud 47 erected at the center of the tip surface of the post 4 of the convex body 2 and a tension gripping mechanism 48 for the pull stud 47 provided at the bottom of the base portion 13 of the concave body 3, as shown in FIG. 14(a). As a result, when the convex body 2 and the concave body 3 are combined, the pull stud 47 is held in a tensioned state by the tension gripping mechanism 48, pulling the post 4 and maintaining the combined state of the convex body 2 and the concave body 3. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 14(b), the clamping means may be configured with a pressing mechanism 51 that presses down the upper part of the convex body 2 combined with the concave body 3 using a bolt 49 and a pressing plate 50. Furthermore, although not shown, the clamping means may be configured with an internal-type clamping mechanism such as an HSK (hollow shank taper) or various other clamping mechanisms. (2) As shown in FIG. 15(a), the rollers held in the retainer 20 are rollers 52 in the front row that are first arranged between the post 4 and the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11 when the post 4 is inserted into the insertion hole 10 of the cylindrical body 11, and the rollers have a smaller diameter than the other rollers 19. This allows the post 4 to be smoothly inserted into the insertion hole 10 while adjusting its axis relative to the insertion hole 10 as the post 4 begins to be inserted into the insertion hole 10. Note that the front row rollers and the rollers in several rows from the front row (for example, the two rollers in the front row and the second row) may be rollers 52 with smaller diameters. This allows the arrangement area of ​​the small diameter rollers 52 in the retainer 20 to be reduced, thereby shortening the overall length of the retainer 20. (3) As shown in Figure 15(b), the post 4 has a step 53 at the tip of the post where the outer diameter of the post 4 is reduced. Even in this case, when the post 4 starts to be inserted into the insertion hole 10, the post 4 can be smoothly inserted while adjusting its axis relative to the insertion hole 10. (4) Also, the retainer 20 may have both the small-diameter roller 52 described in (2) and the stepped portion 53 described in (3). In this case, the other rollers 19 may have a roller diameter that contacts and presses the stepped portion 53, and the small-diameter rollers 52 may have a roller diameter that does not press the stepped portion 53. The small-diameter rollers 52 that pass through the stepped portion 53 when the convex body 2 and the concave body 3 are in a combined state with their end faces 8, 16 in contact may have a roller diameter that contacts and presses the large-diameter outer peripheral surface of the post 4 continuing from the stepped portion 53 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 11. It is preferable that the difference in roller diameter between the small-diameter rollers 52 and the other rollers 19 be 3% or less, which reduces the difference in circumferential length between the small-diameter rollers 52 and the other rollers 19 when the retainer 20 is movable. (5) The rolling elements held in the retainer may be balls. When balls are used as the rolling elements, the post, the insertion hole of the cylindrical body, and the retainer may be cylindrical. (6) The fact that the end face 8 of the convex body 2 and the end face 16 of the concave body 3 are in contact with each other and seated may be detected by a detection sensor (light detection, current flow detection, etc.). (7) Furthermore, the workpiece positioning system of the present invention may be used not only to process a workpiece with a processing machine and then measure the dimensions of the processed workpiece with a measuring machine (processing machine → measuring machine), but also to measure the dimensions of a workpiece before processing with a measuring machine and then use this measurement data to process the workpiece with the processing machine (measuring machine → processing machine).Furthermore, it is possible to use the system by repeatedly moving back and forth between the processing machine and the measuring machine, such as measuring the dimensions of the workpiece with a measuring machine, then processing the workpiece with the processing machine, then measuring the dimensions of the workpiece with the measuring machine, and then processing the workpiece with the processing machine. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1A, 1B Positioning mechanism 2 Convex body 3 Concave body 4 posts 5 Fixed part 6 Flat surface of post 4 7 Notched surface of fixing portion 5 8 End face of fixed portion 5 9 Mounting holes 10 Insertion hole 11 Cylinder 12 Flange 13 Base 14 Flat surface of insertion hole 10 15 Notch 16 End face of flange portion 12 17 Notched surface of flange portion 12 18 Mounting holes 19 Laura 20 retainer 21 Plane wall section 22 Coil spring 23 Spring bearing part 24 through holes 25 Lid member 26 Recess 27 Step at the bottom end of the insertion hole 28 Receptacle 29 Ring Plate 30 circular plate 31 Snap ring 32 Engagement protrusion of ring plate 29 33 Engagement recess at lower end of insertion hole 34 Engagement protrusion of circular plate 30 35 Guide parts 36 Step at the top end of the insertion hole 37 Ring section 38 Cylinder opening 39 Flat surface of nozzle 38 40 Receptacle 41 Ring Plate 41a Engagement protrusion of ring plate 41 42 Snap ring 43 Engagement protrusion of guide part 35 44 Engagement recess at upper end of insertion hole 45 Clamp ring 60 pins 70A, 70B, 70C, 70D, 70E, 70F, 70G Work Positioning System 71 Holder member 72 Base material 80 Processing machine 81 Tools 82 Processing Department 83 Mobile Unit 90 Measuring Machine 91 Probe 92 Measuring part 93 Mobile Unit G Gap R Robot Hand T-table double work

Claims

1. A workpiece positioning system that positions a workpiece at each of the working positions of a processing machine that processes the workpiece and a measuring machine that measures the dimensions of the workpiece, The measuring apparatus is provided with a base member to be installed on the processing machine and the measuring machine, a holder member to fix a workpiece and to be combined with each of the base members of the processing machine and the measuring machine, and a clamping means to maintain the combined state of the holder member and the base member, The holder member and the base member have a positioning mechanism for positioning the workpiece fixed to the holder member in the directions of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis perpendicular to the base member, The positioning mechanism is composed of a convex body and a concave body that is combined with the convex body, the protruding body has a columnar post with its axis in the Z-axis direction, and end faces extending in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, and a fixing portion on the end face side from which the post protrudes; the concave body has a cylindrical body having an insertion hole with its axis in the Z-axis direction and fitted onto the outside of the post, and a flange portion provided around the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body at the post insertion side end portion and having end faces extending in the X-axis and Y-axis directions; A cylindrical cage is attached to the insertion hole of the post or the cylinder, and the cage holds a plurality of rolling elements arranged between the post and the insertion hole of the cylinder in the circumferential direction, and a biasing means is attached to the cage and biases the cage toward the opposing post or cylinder along the Z-axis direction. A workpiece positioning system configured such that when the post is inserted into the insertion hole of the cylindrical body, the outer peripheral surface of the post and the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole of the cylindrical body are pressed by rolling elements.

2. 2. The workpiece positioning system according to claim 1, The insertion hole of the cylindrical body is provided with a guide part at the post insertion side end for guiding the insertion of the post, the guide component has a ring portion and a nozzle portion provided on an inner periphery of the ring portion and having an inner periphery shape that conforms to the outer periphery shape of the post; A workpiece positioning system in which the holder is attached to the insertion hole of the cylinder and is biased toward the post insertion end of the cylinder by a biasing means, and the end of the holder abuts against the ring portion of the guide part before the post is inserted into the insertion hole of the cylinder.

3. 3. The workpiece positioning system according to claim 2, A plurality of flat surfaces extending in the Z-axis direction are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the post and the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole of the cylindrical body, The rolling elements are rollers, and are held by the cage so that the flat surface of the post and the flat surface of the insertion hole of the cylindrical body are positioned opposite each other. The guide component has a cylindrical opening formed with a plurality of flat surfaces on the inner periphery thereof, the flat surfaces corresponding to the flat surfaces of the post; A workpiece positioning system in which an engaging portion is provided on the ring portion of the guide part, and this engaging portion engages with an engaged portion provided on the post insertion side end of the cylindrical body, thereby positioning the positions of each flat surface of the cylindrical mouth portion to correspond to the positions of each flat surface of the cylindrical body.

4. 2. The workpiece positioning system according to claim 1, A workpiece positioning system in which the holder is fitted onto the outside of the post and is biased toward the tip of the post by a biasing means, so that before the post is inserted into the cylindrical body, the end of the holder is positioned at the same position as the tip of the post or at a position protruding from the tip of the post.

5. The workpiece positioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, This workpiece positioning system is configured so that when the post is inserted into the insertion hole of the cylindrical body and the fixed portion and flange portion are not held by the clamping means, the biasing means forms a gap between the end face of the fixed portion and the end face of the flange portion that is large enough to be clamped by the clamping means.

6. The workpiece positioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The rolling elements are rollers, A workpiece positioning system in which a plurality of rollers are held in the Z-axis direction, and the front row of rollers that are first placed between the post and the insertion hole of the cylindrical body when the post is inserted into the insertion hole of the cylindrical body are arranged with rollers having a smaller roller diameter than the other rollers.

7. The workpiece positioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A workpiece positioning system in which a stepped section is provided on the outer periphery of the tip of the post, reducing the outer diameter of the post.

8. 7. The workpiece positioning system according to claim 6, A workpiece positioning system in which a step is provided on the outer periphery of the tip of the post, reducing the outer diameter of the post.

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