Processing apparatus and processing method

Abstract

This disclosure provides a processing apparatus and processing method that can shorten cycle time and improve productivity. [Solution] The processing apparatus according to the present disclosure comprises a cutting mechanism 10 for cutting a workpiece W that is brought in along a first direction, a first chuck mechanism 20 for fixing the workpiece W so that the workpiece W is fixed when the cutting mechanism 10 cuts the workpiece W, and a second chuck mechanism 30 for gripping the cut workpiece W and transporting it to a subsequent process, wherein the position where the first chuck mechanism 20 fixes the workpiece W is provided downstream in the first direction from the position where the cutting mechanism 10 cuts the workpiece W, and the position where the second chuck mechanism 30 grips the cut workpiece W is provided downstream in the first direction from the position where the first chuck mechanism 20 fixes the workpiece W.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , ,

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a processing apparatus and a processing method.

Background Art

[0002] A processing apparatus that cuts an input workpiece to a predetermined length has a chuck mechanism that conveys the cut workpiece to a subsequent process. Patent Document 1 discloses a processing apparatus including a cutting blade that cuts a workpiece and a chuck mechanism that is provided in front of the cutting blade in the conveying direction and conveys the cut workpiece to a subsequent process.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Regarding the processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, the inventors have found the following problems. After the chuck mechanism grips the workpiece conveyed to the processing apparatus, the cutting blade cuts the workpiece. Then, after the chuck mechanism conveys the cut workpiece to a subsequent process, the chuck mechanism returns near the cutting blade. After the returned chuck mechanism grips the next workpiece to be cut, the cutting blade cuts the workpiece. Therefore, until the chuck mechanism conveys the cut workpiece to a subsequent process and returns near the cutting blade, the cutting blade cannot cut the next workpiece. Thus, there is a problem that the cycle time becomes long and the productivity decreases.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and provides a processing apparatus and a processing method capable of shortening the cycle time.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The processing apparatus according to this disclosure comprises a cutting mechanism for cutting a workpiece that has been brought in along a first direction; a first chuck mechanism for fixing the workpiece so that the workpiece is fixed when it is cut by the cutting mechanism; and a second chuck mechanism for gripping the cut workpiece and transporting it to a subsequent process, wherein the position where the first chuck mechanism fixes the workpiece is located downstream in the first direction from the position where the cutting mechanism cuts the workpiece, and the position where the second chuck mechanism grips the cut workpiece is located downstream in the first direction from the position where the first chuck mechanism fixes the workpiece.

[0007] In this way, the first chuck mechanism, which is a different chuck mechanism from the second chuck mechanism that handles workpiece transport, holds the workpiece in place. Therefore, the next cut can be started without waiting for the second chuck mechanism, which handles transport, to return. Consequently, the cycle time can be shortened.

[0008] The first chuck mechanism comprises a fixed chuck positioned in contact with the workpiece along the first direction, and a movable chuck positioned between the fixed chuck and the workpiece, wherein the movable chuck may move toward and toward the fixed chuck by cam drive.

[0009] The fixing force of the workpiece by the first chuck mechanism may be based on the elastic force provided by the spring in the movable chuck.

[0010] The workpiece is a linear member extending along the first direction, and the cutting mechanism is provided at a position to sandwich the workpiece between itself and the fixed chuck, and the workpiece may be cut on the fixed chuck.

[0011] The processing method according to this disclosure comprises a cutting step of cutting a workpiece fixed by a chuck, and a transport step of transporting the cut workpiece to a subsequent process using a chuck different from the chuck, wherein the process of executing the transport step after the cutting step is performed over multiple cycles, and the cutting step in the (n+1)th step is performed while the transport step in the nth step (where n is an integer of 1 or more) is being executed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] This disclosure provides a processing apparatus and processing method that can shorten cycle time and improve productivity. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This is a side view of the first chuck mechanism according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of a flowchart for one step in the processing method according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] This is a detailed flowchart of one step in the processing method according to Embodiment 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] The following describes specific embodiments of this disclosure in detail with reference to the drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. Also, for clarity, the following descriptions and drawings have been simplified as appropriate.

[0015] (Embodiment 1) <Configuration of the processing equipment> First, referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the processing apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a side view of the first chuck mechanism according to Embodiment 1.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the processing apparatus 1 includes a cutting mechanism 10, a first chuck mechanism 20, and a second chuck mechanism 30. The processing apparatus 1 cuts a workpiece carried in along the first direction into a predetermined length. Then, the processing apparatus 1 conveys the cut workpiece to a subsequent process. The workpiece is not particularly limited, and examples include plate-like members and linear members. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, a coil wire W of a linear member extending along the first direction is used as the workpiece.

[0017] In the following description, an xyz three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system will be used as appropriate. In the present Embodiment 1, the first direction, which is the carrying direction of the coil wire W, is taken as the x-axis direction. Also, in the following description, the z-axis direction is taken as the vertical direction, and the xy plane is taken as the horizontal plane. Of course, the z-axis direction may be inclined from the vertical direction, and the xy plane may also be inclined from the horizontal plane.

[0018] The cutting mechanism 10 is a mechanism that cuts the coil wire W carried in along the x-axis direction (first direction) into a predetermined length by one or a plurality of cutting blades. Note that the cutting by the cutting mechanism 10 is not limited to cutting by a cutting blade, and may be, for example, melting by a laser. The cutting mechanism 10 drives the cutting blade by, for example, an air cylinder or a motor not shown in the figure.

[0019] The first chuck mechanism 20 fixes the coil wire W so that the coil wire W is fixed when the coil wire W is cut by the cutting mechanism 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the position where the first chuck mechanism 20 fixes the coil wire W is provided on the downstream side (the +x-axis direction side) with respect to the position where the cutting mechanism 10 cuts the coil wire W. As shown in FIG. 3, the first chuck mechanism 20 includes a fixed chuck 21, a movable chuck 22, a driven joint 23, a linear motion shaft 24, a guide 25, a cam 26, a spring 27, and a screw member 28.

[0020] The fixed chuck 21 is provided at a position in contact with the coil wire W along the x-axis direction at a position facing the movable chuck 22. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the coil wire W is carried in while contacting the upper surface (the surface on the +z-axis direction side) of the fixed chuck 21.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the fixed chuck 21 may have a shape extending along the x-axis direction from the position facing the movable chuck 22 to the position facing the cutting mechanism 10. In this case, a groove 21a is formed at the location where the fixed chuck 21 faces the cutting mechanism 10. The groove 21a suppresses the contact between the cutting blade of the cutting mechanism 10 and the fixed chuck 21 when cutting the coil wire W.

[0022] When a linear member such as the coil wire W is a workpiece to be cut, the end of the coil wire W after being cut by the cutting mechanism 10 is likely to vibrate due to the impact of cutting. Due to the vibration of the end, there is a risk that the coil wire W contacts other members and is damaged. In the case of the fixed chuck 21 as shown in FIG. 2, the end of the coil wire W after being cut by the cutting mechanism 10 is held by the fixed chuck 21. Therefore, the fixed chuck 21 suppresses the vibration of the coil wire W due to the impact of cutting.

[0023] Returning to the explanation of Figure 3, the movable chuck 22 is positioned to sandwich the coil wire W between itself and the fixed chuck 21. The movable chuck 22 moves toward the fixed chuck 21 (negative z-axis direction) and toward the fixed chuck 21 (positive z-axis direction). When the movable chuck 22 moves toward the fixed chuck 21 (negative z-axis direction), the fixed chuck 21 and the movable chuck 22 grip the coil wire W. The coil wire W is fixed in place by being gripped by the fixed chuck 21 and the movable chuck 22. On the other hand, when the movable chuck 22 moves toward the fixed chuck 21 (positive z-axis direction), the fixed chuck 21 and the movable chuck 22 release the coil wire W. In other words, the fixing of the coil wire W is released.

[0024] Furthermore, the material of the contact portion 22a formed at the tip of the movable chuck 22 and in contact with the coil wire W may be a different material from that of the movable chuck 22, such as urethane resin or silicone resin, from the viewpoint of suppressing damage to the coil wire W. Similarly, from the viewpoint of suppressing damage to the coil wire W, the contact portion 22a may have a taper formed on at least one side on both sides in the x-axis direction.

[0025] The driven link 23 is an inverted L-shaped member formed by a longitudinal side extending along the z-axis and a transverse side extending along the x-axis. The longitudinal and transverse sides may be reversed. A movable chuck 22 is provided at the end of the longitudinal side of the driven link 23 (the side in the negative z-axis direction). The transverse side of the driven link 23 is in contact with the cam 26 on the upper side of the cam 26 (the side in the positive z-axis direction).

[0026] The linear motion shaft 24 is a rod-shaped member extending in the z-axis direction and is provided on the driven link 23. The linear motion shaft 24 is restricted by the guide 25 to move only along the z-axis direction. That is, the driven link 23 on which the linear motion shaft 24 is provided is also restricted to move only along the z-axis direction.

[0027] The cam 26 is provided to move the driven link 23 along the z-axis direction. As the cam 26 rotates, the driven link 23 reciprocates along the linear axis 24, i.e., along the z-axis direction. This causes the movable chuck 22 provided on the driven link 23 to move toward the fixed chuck 21 (negative z-axis direction) and toward the fixed chuck 21 (positive z-axis direction). In this way, since the movement of the movable chuck 22 is performed by cam drive, the first chuck mechanism 20 can shorten the operating time for gripping and releasing the coil wire W by the fixed chuck 21 and the movable chuck 22.

[0028] The spring 27 is mounted on the linear shaft 24. One end of the spring 27 (in the positive z-axis direction) is in contact with the guide 25, and the other end (in the negative z-axis direction) is in contact with the screw member 28 fixed to the linear shaft 24. When the driven link 23 moves in the positive z-axis direction due to the rotation of the cam 26, the screw member 28 also moves in the positive z-axis direction. As a result, the spring 27 is compressed and shortened by the screw member 28 and the guide 25. When the cam 26 rotates further, the elastic force of the compressed spring 27 trying to return to its original shape causes the driven link 23 to move in the negative z-axis direction. Therefore, the movable chuck 22 is pressed against the coil wire W by the elastic force of the spring 27. Consequently, the force with which the fixed chuck 21 and the movable chuck 22 grip the coil wire W, that is, the fixing force of the coil wire W by the first chuck mechanism 20, is determined based on the elastic force of the spring 27.

[0029] The elastic force of the spring 27 can be adjusted by, for example, changing to a spring 27 with a different spring constant, or by changing the position of the screw member 28 relative to the linear motion axis 24 in the z-axis direction. Since the fixing force of the coil wire W by the first chuck mechanism 20 can be adjusted by these simple methods, the setup time of the processing device 1 can be shortened even when changing the coil wire W to be processed, for example, to a coil wire W with a different thickness or material.

[0030] Returning to the explanation of Figure 1, the second chuck mechanism 30 grips the coil wire W cut by the cutting mechanism 10 and transports it to the next process. As shown in Figure 1, the position where the second chuck mechanism 30 grips the coil wire W is located downstream (in the positive x-axis direction) from the position where the first chuck mechanism 20 fixes the coil wire W. This brings the position where the first chuck mechanism 20 fixes the coil wire W closer to the position where the cutting mechanism 10 cuts the coil wire W. Therefore, vibration of the end of the coil wire W after cutting can be suppressed.

[0031] The second chuck mechanism 30 is composed of a pair of chucks. One of the pair of chucks may be a movable chuck and the other a fixed chuck, or both of the pair of chucks may be movable chucks.

[0032] First, the second chuck mechanism 30 grips the cut coil wire W with a pair of chucks. Then, the second chuck mechanism 30 transports the gripped coil wire W to the next process. After delivering the cut coil wire W to the next process, it returns to the gripping position of the next coil wire W to be cut, i.e., near the first chuck mechanism 20. The gripping and releasing operations of the coil wire W by the second chuck mechanism 30 are performed by electric drive, for example, using a motor (not shown). However, the gripping and releasing operations of the second chuck mechanism 30 are not limited to electric drive; they may also be hydraulic drive or pneumatic drive. Furthermore, the direction of movement of the second chuck mechanism 30 gripping the coil wire W, i.e., the transport direction, is not limited to the x-axis direction, which is the direction in which the coil wire W is brought in, but may also be in the y-axis or z-axis direction, etc.

[0033] <Processing method> Next, a method for processing a coil wire W, which is a workpiece, using the processing apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the flowchart for one step in the processing method according to Embodiment 1. Figure 5 is a detailed diagram of the flowchart for one step in the processing method according to Embodiment 1.

[0034] As shown in Figure 4, the processing method according to Embodiment 1 consists of a cutting step (step S100) in which a coil wire W fixed by a first chuck mechanism 20 is cut, and a transport step (step S200) in which the cut coil wire W is transported to a subsequent process by a second chuck mechanism 30, and this process is executed over multiple cycles. First, with reference to Figure 5, the cutting step (step S100) and the transport step (step S200) for one process will be explained separately.

[0035] The cutting step (step S100) is described below. First, the first chuck mechanism 20 fixes the coil wire W that has been fed in along the x-axis direction (first direction) (step S101). Next, the cutting mechanism 10 cuts the coil wire W that has been fixed by the first chuck mechanism 20 (step S102). Steps S101 and S102 constitute the cutting step (step S100).

[0036] Next, the transport step (step S200) will be described. After the cutting mechanism 10 cuts the coil wire W, the second chuck mechanism 30, which is a different chuck mechanism from the first chuck mechanism 20, grips the cut coil wire W (step S201). After or simultaneously with the second chuck mechanism 30 gripping the coil wire W, the first chuck mechanism 20 releases the coil wire W, that is, releases the fixing of the coil wire W (step S202). Next, the second chuck mechanism 30 starts moving while still gripping the coil wire W (step S203). Then, the second chuck mechanism 30 hands over the coil wire W to the next process (step S204), and returns to the gripping position of the next coil wire W to be cut, that is, near the first chuck mechanism 20 (step S205). Steps S201 to S205 above constitute the transport step (step S200).

[0037] As described above, the processing method according to this embodiment 1 involves executing a cutting step (step S100) followed by a transport step (step S200) over multiple cycles. In this case, the processing method according to this embodiment 1 executes the cutting step (step S100) in the (n+1)th step while the transport step (step S200) in the nth step (where n is an integer of 1 or more) is being executed. More specifically, in the nth step, the (n+1)th step begins after the second chuck mechanism 30 starts moving while gripping the coil wire W (step S203). In this way, the processing device 1 can start the next step without waiting for the second chuck mechanism 30 to return.

[0038] As described above, the processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment 1 is equipped with a first chuck mechanism 20 for fixing the coil wire W in order to cut the coil wire W, and a second chuck mechanism 30 for transporting the cut coil wire W to a subsequent process, so that the (n+1)th process can be executed while the nth process is being executed. Therefore, the processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment 1 can shorten the cycle time for processing the coil wire W.

[0039] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0040] 1 Processing equipment 10 Cutting mechanism 20. First chuck mechanism 21 Fixed Chuck 21a Groove 22 Movable chuck 22a Contact part 23 dependent clause 24 Linear shaft 25 Guide 26 Cam 28 Screw member 30. Second chuck mechanism W coil wire

Claims

1. A cutting mechanism for cutting a workpiece that has been fed in along a first direction, A first chuck mechanism for fixing the workpiece is provided so that the workpiece is fixed when the workpiece is cut by the cutting mechanism, It comprises a second chuck mechanism for gripping the cut workpiece and transporting it to a subsequent process, The position where the first chuck mechanism fixes the workpiece is provided downstream in the first direction from the position where the cutting mechanism cuts the workpiece. The position where the second chuck mechanism grips the cut workpiece is provided downstream in the first direction from the position where the first chuck mechanism fixes the workpiece. Processing equipment.

2. The first chuck mechanism comprises a fixed chuck positioned in contact with the workpiece along the first direction, and a movable chuck positioned between the fixed chuck and the workpiece. The movable chuck moves toward and toward the fixed chuck by cam drive. The processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The fixing force of the workpiece by the first chuck mechanism is based on the elastic force provided by the spring in the movable chuck. The processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The workpiece is a linear member extending along the first direction, The cutting mechanism is provided in a position that clamps the workpiece between itself and the fixed chuck, and cuts the workpiece on the fixed chuck. The processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3.

5. A cutting step in which a workpiece fixed by a chuck is cut, The system includes a conveying step of transporting the cut workpiece to a subsequent process using a chuck different from the chuck, The process of performing the transport step after the cutting step is carried out over multiple cycles. During the execution of the transport step in the nth step (where n is an integer of 1 or more), the cutting step in the (n+1)th step is executed. Processing method.

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