Tool holder

Abstract

To prevent the formation of red rust on the entire tool holder. [Solution] The tool holder (1) comprises a shank portion (11), a flange portion (12), and a chuck portion (13). The flange portion (12) has a first hole portion (15) that is recessed from its outer circumferential surface toward the inner diameter. The shank portion (11), flange portion (12), first hole portion (15), and chuck portion (13) are all provided with a triiron tetroxide surface layer on their entire outer surface. A tip (40) is fitted into the first hole portion (15), on which a two-dimensional code (44) storing an identification number and the tool number (43) of the tool holder are printed. The tip (40) is made of synthetic resin or a metal material having a passivation film on its surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a tool holder, and particularly to a tool holder for gripping the shank of a cutting tool.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, in order to manage a huge number of tool holders, a technique is known in which a QR code (registered trademark) or the like is attached to the tool holder, and the information of the tool holder can be obtained by reading the QR code with a reader.

[0003] As a document disclosing such a technique, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-142613 (Patent Document 1) is known. Patent Document 1 discloses that a QR code is marked on a flat surface provided on a part of the outer peripheral surface of a tool holder.

[0004] On the other hand, generally, the color of the metallic surface (silver color) of the metal material as it is appears on the outer surface of the tool holder. However, such a tool holder may have red rust or the like on its outer surface due to aging deterioration. In order to prevent such red rust, a tool holder having a rust prevention treatment (RP treatment) on its outer surface is known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In order to attach a QR code for managing a tool holder with a rust prevention treatment, laser marking may be considered. However, since the rust prevention treatment at the laser marked portion is removed, red rust may occur from the portion where the QR code is marked.

[0007] The present invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its objective is to provide a tool holder on which a two-dimensional code is printed, which can prevent the occurrence of red rust on the entire tool holder. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] For this purpose, a tool holder according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a shank portion mounted on the spindle of a machine tool, a flange portion provided on the tip side of the shank portion, and a chuck portion located on the tip side of the flange portion and receiving and gripping the shank portion of a cutting tool along the axial direction. The flange portion has a first hole portion recessed from its outer circumferential surface toward the inner diameter side. The shank portion, flange portion, first hole portion, and chuck portion are all provided with a triiron tetroxide surface layer on their entire outer surface. A tip is fitted into the first hole portion, on which a two-dimensional code storing the tool holder's identification number and the tool number of the tool holder are printed. The tip is made of synthetic resin or a metal material having a passivation film on its surface.

[0009] Preferably, the first hole is located in a keyway that engages with a key provided on the spindle of a machine tool.

[0010] Preferably, the two-dimensional code is a barcode or a QR code (registered trademark).

[0011] Preferably, the surface layer is dark in color, and the chips are light in color.

[0012] Preferably, the flange portion further has a second hole portion located at a position 180° circumferentially with respect to the first hole portion, and recessed toward the inner diameter side from its outer circumferential surface.

[0013] Preferably, the first hole is the same size as the second hole, and a dummy chip with the same mass as the chip is fitted into the second hole.

[0014] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a tool holder comprising a shank portion mounted on the spindle of a machine tool, a flange portion provided on the tip side of the shank portion, and a chuck portion located on the tip side of the flange portion for receiving and gripping the shank portion of a cutting tool along its axial direction. The flange portion includes a first hole portion recessed inward from its outer circumferential surface, and a second hole portion provided at a position 180° circumferentially with respect to the first hole portion, and recessed inward from its outer circumferential surface. The shank portion, flange portion, first hole portion, second hole portion, and chuck portion are all provided with a triiron tetroxide surface layer on their entire outer surface. The first hole portion is fitted with a tip on its outer surface that has a two-dimensional code storing the identification number of the tool holder and the tool number of the tool holder printed on it, and the second hole portion is for fitting a dummy tip of the same mass as the tip. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, the occurrence of red rust can be prevented for the entire tool holder. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a side view showing a tool holder according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a partial cross-sectional view shown by line II-II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a side view showing the tool holder body with the tip removed. [Figure 4] This is a plan view showing a magnified view of the chip. [Figure 5] This is a partial cross-sectional view showing a modified example of a tool holder. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the tool holder 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In FIG. 1, the dashed-dotted line O is the axis. The arrow T is referred to as the front side in the axial direction (also referred to as the tip side), and the opposite direction of the arrow T is referred to as the rear side in the axial direction (also referred to as the rear end side).

[0019] Particularly as shown in FIG. 1, the tool holder 1 according to the present embodiment is for chucking a cutting tool 30 such as a drill and is attached to the spindle of a machine tool. The tool holder 1 includes, as main components, a collet chuck body 10 and a clamping member 20 attached to the front side in the axial direction of the collet chuck body 10. The tool holder 1 in the assembled state holds the cutting tool 30.

[0020] The collet chuck body 10 includes a shank portion 11, a V-shaped flange portion 12 provided with a V-groove on the tip side of the shank portion 11, and a chuck portion 13 located on the tip side from the flange portion 12 and receiving and gripping the shank portion of the cutting tool 30 along the axial direction. Further, the collet chuck body 10 has a through hole (not shown) communicating from the rear end side to the tip side along the axial direction. The collet chuck body 10 is made of, for example, steel, and a surface layer of iron trioxide (Fe3O4) is provided on its entire outer surface.

[0021] The surface layer of iron trioxide may include not only iron trioxide but also other oxide layers such as iron oxide (Fe2O3), and is formed inside the base material. Its thickness is, for example, several microns. Further, the surface layer of iron trioxide is formed up to the through hole (inner peripheral surface of the collet chuck body 10) of the collet chuck body 10. This surface layer will be described later.

[0022] The shank portion 11 is a portion to be attached to the spindle of a machine tool. The shank portion 11 extends along the O axis from the flange portion 12 toward the rear end side. Its outer peripheral surface is a tapered surface whose diameter decreases toward the rear end side from the flange portion 12.

[0023] The flange portion 12 is the part that is gripped when the cutting tool 30 is replaced, and is provided with a V-groove for gripping. The flange portion 12 is the flange portion that protrudes the furthest outward from the collet chuck body 10, and protrudes outward more than the shank portion 11 and the chuck portion 13. The flange portion 12 is provided with a keyway 14 that engages with a key provided on the spindle of the machine tool. In this embodiment, the keyway 14 has a shape that opens toward the rear in the axial direction, but depending on the shape of the key, it may also have a shape that opens toward the front in the axial direction, and the shape of the keyway 14 is not limited. Although not shown in the figures, it is preferable that a pair of keyways 14 are provided at positions approximately 180° apart in the circumferential direction.

[0024] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the keyway 14 has a first hole 15 recessed inward from its outer surface at approximately the center. The first hole 15 is approximately cylindrical in shape and is formed by a roughly circular bottom wall and a peripheral wall rising from the bottom wall. The depth D1 of the first hole 15 is smaller than the depth D2 of the keyway 14. A tip 40 is fitted into the first hole 15, and the shape of the first hole 15 corresponds to that of the tip 40. Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, only the top surface (outer surface) 41 of the tip 40 is exposed, while the other surfaces are located inside the first hole 15 and face the wall surface of the first hole 15. The tip 40 will be described later.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, the chuck portion 13 is located on the axially forward side of the collet chuck body 10. The chuck portion 13 is the end of the collet chuck body 10 located on the opposite side from the shank portion 11. A male thread (not shown) is formed at the tip of the chuck portion 13, and a clamping member 20 is attached from the outer diameter side. A collet (not shown) for directly gripping the cutting tool 30 may be provided on the inner diameter side of the chuck portion 13.

[0026] The clamping member 20 is for reducing the diameter of the collet to tightly and firmly grip the cutting tool 30 into the collet chuck body 10. The clamping member 20 is a cylindrical member having a through hole in its radial center, and a female thread is formed on its inner circumferential surface that engages with the male thread of the chuck portion 13. As a result, the clamping member 20 is fitted to the outer circumference of the collet chuck body 10 so as to be rotatable and movable in the axial direction of the chuck portion 13. The clamping member 20, like the collet chuck body 10, is made of, for example, steel, and has a triiron tetroxide surface layer on its entire outer surface. The triiron tetroxide surface layer is formed even in the through hole (inner circumferential surface of the clamping member 20) of the clamping member 20 that clamps and holds the collet.

[0027] As described above, the shank portion 11, flange portion 12, first hole portion 15, and chuck portion 13 of the collet chuck body 10 are provided with a triiron tetroxide surface layer on their entire outer surface. The triiron tetroxide surface layer is a layer formed by a so-called rust prevention treatment (RP treatment). Rust prevention treatment is a process in which steel is immersed in a chemical soda aqueous solution and boiled to form a thin film of several microns in thickness, such as triiron tetroxide, on its surface, thereby exhibiting rust prevention and corrosion prevention effects.

[0028] The surface layer of triiron tetroxide is dark in color, specifically black. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the surface layer of triiron tetroxide is formed on the bottom wall and periphery wall of the first hole 15 into which the chip 40 is fitted.

[0029] As described above, a tip 40 is fitted into the first hole 15. The tip 40 is approximately smaller than the first hole 15. The tip 40 is fixed to the bottom wall and peripheral wall of the first hole 15, for example, with an adhesive. The shape of the tip 40 is typically approximately cylindrical, but it may also be a polygonal prism shape such as a rectangular prism, and is not limited to that shape, however, it is preferable that the top surface 41 is a flat surface.

[0030] The tip 40 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin or a metal material having a passivation film on its surface. If the tip 40 is made of a synthetic resin, it is preferably made of polyoxymethylene (POM resin). This improves the chemical resistance of the tip 40. Examples of metal materials having a passivation film on their surface include aluminum and stainless steel.

[0031] The tip 40 is a light color, specifically white, cream, etc. A light color is a color that is brighter than a dark color, and is a color that allows the tool number 43 and the two-dimensional code 44, which are printed in black as described later, to be clearly visible. Preferably, the entire tip 40 is made of synthetic resin, aluminum, or stainless steel, but at least the top surface 41 may be made of synthetic resin, aluminum, or stainless steel.

[0032] As shown in Figure 4, the tool number 43 and two-dimensional code 44 of the tool holder 1 are printed on the upper surface (outer surface) 41 of the tip 40. These tool number 43 and two-dimensional code 44 are printed on the upper surface 41 of the tip 40 by laser marking or the like, but they may also be printed by other methods such as printing.

[0033] The tool number 43 and the two-dimensional code 44 are printed in a dark color, specifically black. Therefore, because the tip 40 is light in color, the tool number 43 and the two-dimensional code 44, which are printed in black, can be seen.

[0034] Tool number 43 is a unique identifier for managing tool holder 1. In this embodiment, tool number 43 consists only of numbers, but is not limited to that and may be a combination of numbers and symbols, letters, etc. The operator can visually recognize tool number 43 for tool holder 1. In this embodiment, in a group of multiple tool holders (tool holder group) used in multiple processing machines, each tool holder 1 is assigned a unique tool number 43. A unique tool number is the only number for that tool holder and does not have duplicates. In this embodiment, tool number 43 and the identification number read by the two-dimensional code 44 are the same number, but they may be represented by different numbers and linked together.

[0035] The two-dimensional code 44 stores the identification number of the tool holder 1, and by reading it with a reader, the identification number can be recognized. The identification number is a unique number used to identify the tool holder 1, and is a number that is uniquely determined among multiple tool holders. By identifying the identification number, tool data associated with the identification number in the tool database can be referenced. Tool data includes, for example, tool number, tool diameter, tool length, tool diameter wear amount, tool length wear amount, tool life setting unit / value, tool life value used, tool life prediction setting value, tool large diameter mark, etc. The two-dimensional code 44 is, for example, a barcode or QR code (registered trademark). In this embodiment, the tool holder 1 is assigned a unique tool number 43 to each tool holder within a processing cell, which is a production system composed of machine tools, robots, and various peripheral equipment.

[0036] When laser marking 2D codes or other markings were applied to conventional rust-proofed tool holders, the rust-proofing coating would come off at the marked area, causing red rust to form and making the 2D code unreadable.

[0037] In contrast, in this embodiment, the tool number 43 and the two-dimensional code 44 are printed on a tip 40 made of synthetic resin or a metal material having a passivation film on its surface, thus preventing the formation of red rust from the tip 40. Furthermore, since a surface layer of triiron tetroxide is provided on the entire outer surface of the shank portion 11, flange portion 12, first hole portion 15, and chuck portion 13 of the tool holder 1, the formation of red rust can also be prevented for the tool holder 1 as a whole.

[0038] In this embodiment, the tool holder 1 has a triiron tetroxide surface layer formed not only on the outer surface of the collet chuck body 10 but also in the through-hole that penetrates axially, thus preventing the occurrence of red rust on both the outer and inner surfaces. Furthermore, since the clamping member 20 also has a triiron tetroxide surface layer formed not only on the outer surface but also on the inner surface, the occurrence of red rust can be prevented for the entire tool holder 1.

[0039] In this embodiment, the chip 40 has not only a two-dimensional code 44 but also a tool number 43 printed on it. Therefore, even without a reader to read the two-dimensional code 44, the operator can visually identify the tool number 43. This allows the operator to visually locate the tool holder 1 while checking a list that contains the tool numbers 43 of the tools required for machining, eliminating the need to read each tool individually using the two-dimensional code 44, thus improving work efficiency.

[0040] Furthermore, the chip 40 on which the tool number 43 and the two-dimensional code 44 are printed is light in color and stands out conspicuously in the dark-colored tool holder 1, making it easy to see the tool number 43 on the tool holder 1 and easy to read the two-dimensional code 44 with a reader.

[0041] Furthermore, since the two-dimensional code 44 of the tool holder 1 in this embodiment can be rewritten, it is less expensive than conventional tool holders that have an embedded ID chip that cannot be rewritten.

[0042] A modified example of the tool holder 1 will be described with reference to Figure 5. As shown in Figure 5, the keyways 14 and 14A of the tool holder 1A are located at approximately 180° positions in the circumferential direction. As in the embodiment described above, a first hole 15 is provided in the keyway 14, and the tip 40 is fitted into the first hole 15. Furthermore, a second hole 15A is provided in the keyway 14A, which is located opposite (symmetrically) to the keyway 14, and is recessed from its outer circumferential surface toward the inner diameter. The second hole 15A is located at 180° in the circumferential direction relative to the first hole 15. The second hole 15A has the same shape as the first hole 15. The second hole 15A, like the first hole 15, has a surface layer of triiron tetroxide.

[0043] A tip 40A is placed in the second hole 15A. The tip 40A is made of the same material as tip 40 and has approximately the same weight (same mass), but it does not have a tool number 43 and a two-dimensional code 44. The tip 40A has the same weight and shape as tip 40 and is a so-called dummy tip.

[0044] A dummy tip 40A, which has the same weight as the tip 40, is fitted into the second hole 15A, which is located at a 180° angle in the circumferential direction to the first hole 15. This balances the weight with the side in which the tip 40 is fitted, stabilizing the overall balance of the tool holder and enabling machining accuracy similar to that of a tool holder without the first hole 15.

[0045] Furthermore, although not shown in the illustration, as another modification, the second hole 15A in the above-described modification may be replaced with a hole in the keyway 14A that is recessed inward from the outer surface. Unlike the second hole 15A, this hole is simply a hole into which the tip 40A is not fitted. This hole is a so-called balance correction hole and may have a different shape from the first hole 15, for example, a tapered conical shape. In this case, unlike the above-described modification, a dummy tip is not placed in the hole, so in order to balance the weight with the side into which the tip 40 is fitted, it is preferable that the size of the hole be smaller than the size of the first hole 15.

[0046] Although the tool holder 1 of this embodiment has been described as comprising a collet chuck body 10 and a clamping member 20, it may also be formed only of a collet chuck body 10 comprising a shank portion 11, a flange portion 12, and a chuck portion 13.

[0047] Furthermore, although the holes 15 and 15A for fitting the tip 40 in this embodiment were provided in the keyways 14 and 14A of the flange portion 12, it can also be applied to tool holders in which keyways 14 and 14A are not formed, and it is sufficient that they are provided in at least the flange portion 12.

[0048] In the tool holder 1 described above, the tip 40 is fitted into the first hole 15, and in the modified tool holder 1A, a dummy tip 40A is further fitted into the second hole 15A. However, a tool holder without the tip 40 and the dummy tip 40A may also be provided.

[0049] Although embodiments of this invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, this invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiments within the same scope as this invention, or within the equivalent scope. [Industrial applicability]

[0050] This invention is advantageously utilized in machine tools. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] 1,1A Tool holder, 10 Collet chuck body, 11 Shank, 12 Flange, 13 Chuck, 14,14A Keyway, 15 First hole, 15A Second hole, 20 Clamping member, 30 Cutting tool, 40 Tip, 40A Dummy tip, 41 Top surface (outer surface), 43 Tool number, 44 QR code.

Claims

1. The shank portion that is attached to the spindle of a machine tool, A flange portion provided on the tip side of the shank portion, The flange portion is located on the tip side and comprises a chuck portion that receives and grips the shank portion of the cutting tool along the axial direction, The flange portion has a first hole portion that is recessed from its outer circumferential surface toward the inner diameter side, The shank portion, the flange portion, the first hole portion, and the chuck portion are provided with a triiron tetroxide surface layer on their entire outer surface. The first hole has a chip embedded in its outer surface that has a two-dimensional code storing the identification number of the tool holder and the tool number of the tool holder printed on it. The aforementioned tip is a tool holder made of synthetic resin or a metal material having a passivation film on its surface.

2. The tool holder according to claim 1, wherein the first hole is provided in a keyway that engages with a key provided on the spindle of the machine tool.

3. The tool holder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the two-dimensional code is a barcode or a QR code (registered trademark).

4. The tool holder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the surface layer is dark in color and the tip is light in color.

5. The tool holder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flange portion further has a second hole portion provided at a position 180° in the circumferential direction with respect to the first hole portion, and recessed toward the inner diameter side from its outer circumferential surface.

6. The second hole is the same size as the first hole. The tool holder according to claim 5, wherein a dummy tip having the same mass as the tip is fitted into the second hole.

7. The shank portion that is attached to the spindle of a machine tool, A flange portion provided on the tip side of the shank portion, The flange portion is located on the tip side and comprises a chuck portion that receives and grips the shank portion of the cutting tool along the axial direction, The flange portion includes a first hole portion recessed toward the inner diameter from its outer circumferential surface, and a second hole portion provided at a position 180° circumferentially with respect to the first hole portion, which is also recessed toward the inner diameter from its outer circumferential surface. The shank portion, the flange portion, the first hole portion, the second hole portion, and the chuck portion are provided with a surface layer of triiron tetroxide on their entire outer surface. The first hole portion has a chip on its outer surface into which a two-dimensional code storing the identification number of the tool holder and the tool number of the tool holder are printed. The second hole is a tool holder into which a dummy tip having the same mass as the aforementioned tip is fitted.

Images