Machine tools, machining methods, machining programs, and machining systems

Abstract

The objective is to provide a machine tool that can shorten the cycle time for manufacturing workpieces. [Solution] The machine tool 10 has a front spindle capable of gripping a rod-shaped first bar material and a second bar material supplied from a material feeder, a gripping device that can be positioned opposite the front spindle and is capable of gripping the first bar material, a tool post that holds a tool for processing the first bar material and the second bar material, and a control device that controls the operation of the front spindle, the gripping device, the tool post and the material feeder. The control device positions the gripping device between the front spindle and the gripping device so that it faces the front spindle, supplies the first bar material to the gripping device via the front spindle, supplies the second bar material to the front spindle after supplying the first bar material to the gripping device, and performs a process to manufacture a workpiece by processing the first bar material and the second bar material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine tool, a machining method, a machining program, and a machining system.

Background Art

[0002] A technique of frictionally welding a plurality of blank materials and cutting the frictionally welded joined material to produce a workpiece is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 describes a friction welding machine having a pair of main shafts arranged opposite to each other and workpiece holding means arranged between the pair of main shafts and capable of holding a blank material. The friction welding machine described in Patent Document 1 can simultaneously or continuously frictionally weld not only two blank materials but also three or more blank materials, and cut the frictionally welded joined material to produce a workpiece.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The friction welding machine described in Patent Document 1 frictionally welds blank materials. Therefore, after producing a workpiece, the blank materials as base materials are held again by the pair of main shafts and the workpiece holding means, so it is not easy to shorten the cycle time for producing the workpiece.

[0005] The present invention solves such problems and aims to provide a machine tool capable of shortening the cycle time for producing a workpiece.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The machine tool according to the present invention comprises a front spindle capable of gripping a rod-shaped first bar material and a second bar material supplied from a material feeder, a gripping device that can be positioned opposite the front spindle and is capable of gripping the first bar material, a tool post that holds a tool for processing the first bar material and the second bar material, and a control device that controls the operation of the front spindle, the gripping device, the tool post and the material feeder. The control device is positioned between the front spindle and the gripping device so as to face the front spindle, the material feeder supplies the first bar material to the gripping device via the front spindle, the material feeder supplies the second bar material to the front spindle after supplying the first bar material to the gripping device, and the front spindle, the gripping device and the tool post execute a process to produce a workpiece by processing the first bar material and the second bar material with a tool.

[0007] Furthermore, in the machine tool according to the present invention, it is preferable that the control device further performs a process in which the front spindle and gripping device friction-join the first bar material and the second bar material, and the process of manufacturing a workpiece includes manufacturing the workpiece by machining the friction-joined first bar material and second bar material with a tool using the front spindle, gripping device and tool post.

[0008] Furthermore, in the machine tool according to the present invention, it is preferable that the control device determines whether the length of the first bar material is less than or equal to the first machining length, which is the machining length of the first bar material in the workpiece, and when it is determined that the length of the first bar material is less than or equal to the first machining length, the material feeder further performs the process of supplying the first bar material to the gripping device via the front spindle.

[0009] Furthermore, in the machine tool according to the present invention, it is preferable that the control device determines whether the length of the second bar material is less than or equal to the second machining length, which is the machining length of the second bar material in the workpiece, and when it is determined that the length of the second bar material is less than or equal to the second machining length, the material feeder further performs the process of supplying the second bar material to the front spindle.

[0010] Furthermore, in the machine tool according to the present invention, it is preferable that the control device obtains weight information indicating the weight of the bar material supplied from the material feeder before supplying the first bar material, and further performs a process to determine whether or not the bar material supplied from the material feeder is the first bar material based on the weight information, and when it is determined that the bar material supplied from the material feeder is the first bar material, it performs a process to supply the first bar material to the gripping device.

[0011] Furthermore, in the machine tool according to the present invention, it is preferable that the control device obtains weight information from the material feeder indicating the weight of the bar material supplied from the material feeder before supplying the second bar material, and further performs a process to determine whether or not the bar material supplied from the material feeder is the second bar material based on the weight information, and when it is determined that the bar material supplied from the material feeder is the second bar material, the material feeder performs a process to supply the second bar material to the front spindle.

[0012] Furthermore, in the machine tool according to the present invention, it is preferable that the length of the first bar material differs from the length of the second bar material.

[0013] Furthermore, in the machine tool according to the present invention, it is preferable that the length of the first bar material is 1.9 times or more and 2.1 times or less the length of the second bar material.

[0014] Furthermore, in the machine tool according to the present invention, it is preferable that the quotient obtained by dividing the length of the first bar material by the first processing length is an integer multiple of the quotient obtained by dividing the length of the second bar material by the second processing length.

[0015] Furthermore, the machine tool according to the present invention further includes a long workpiece device arranged opposite the front spindle and capable of holding a first bar stock, and the control device preferably arranges a gripping device between the front spindle and the long workpiece device so as to face the front spindle, and the material feeder supplies the first bar stock to the long workpiece device via the front spindle, and the material feeder performs the process of supplying a second bar stock to the front spindle after supplying the first bar stock to the long workpiece device.

[0016] The machining method according to the present invention is a machine tool having a front spindle capable of gripping a rod-shaped first bar material and a second bar material supplied from a material feeder, a gripping device that can be positioned opposite the front spindle and capable of gripping the first bar material, a tool post that holds a tool for machining the first bar material and the second bar material, and a control device that controls the operation of the front spindle, the gripping device, the tool post and the material feeder, wherein the gripping device is positioned between the front spindle and the gripping device so as to face the front spindle, the first bar material is supplied to the gripping device via the front spindle, the second bar material is supplied to the front spindle after the first bar material has been supplied to the gripping device, and a workpiece is manufactured by machining the first bar material and the second bar material with a tool.

[0017] The machining program according to the present invention relates to a machine tool having a front spindle capable of gripping a rod-shaped first bar material and a second bar material supplied from a material feeder, a gripping device that can be positioned opposite the front spindle and capable of gripping the first bar material, a tool post that holds a tool for machining the first bar material and the second bar material, and a control device that controls the operation of the front spindle, the gripping device, the tool post and the material feeder. The program involves positioning the gripping device between the front spindle and the gripping device so as to face the front spindle, supplying the first bar material to the gripping device via the front spindle, supplying the second bar material to the front spindle after supplying the first bar material to the gripping device, and causing the control device to execute a process to produce a workpiece by machining the first bar material and the second bar material with a tool.

[0018] The machining system according to the present invention includes a main spindle on the front side capable of gripping a rod-shaped first bar material and a second bar material, a gripping device that can be arranged opposite to the main spindle on the front side and can grip the first bar material, a tool rest that holds tools for machining the first bar material and the second bar material, a machine tool having a control device that controls the operations of the main spindle on the front side, the gripping device, and the tool rest, and a feeding device that is controlled by the control device and supplies the first bar material and the second bar material to the machine tool. The control device arranges the gripping device between the main spindle on the front side and the gripping device so as to face the main spindle on the front side. The feeding device supplies the first bar material to the gripping device via the main spindle on the front side, and after the feeding device supplies the first bar material to the gripping device, it supplies the second bar material to the main spindle on the front side. The main spindle on the front side, the gripping device, and the tool rest execute a process of producing a workpiece by machining the first bar material and the second bar material with tools.

Effect of the Invention

[0019] The machine tool according to the present invention can shorten the cycle time for producing a workpiece.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram of a machining system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of the machining system shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a front view of the machine tool shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view of the bar device shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is a view showing the bar material storage shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] It is a flowchart of the machining process executed by the machining system shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 7] It is a view (Part 1) showing the operations of the main spindle to the bar device and the pushing arrow in the machining process shown in FIG. 6. (a) shows the operation of the process shown in S101, (b) shows the operation of the process shown in S102, (c) shows the operation of the process shown in S104, and (d) shows the operation of the process shown in S105. [Figure 8]FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 2) showing the operations of the main spindle, the long workpiece device, and the pusher arrow in the machining process shown in FIG. 6. (a) shows the operation (part 1) of the process shown in S107, (b) shows the operation of the process shown in S110, (c) shows the operation (part 1) of the process shown in S111, and (d) shows the operation (part 2) of the process shown in S111. [Figure 9] FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 3) showing the operations of the main spindle, the long workpiece device, and the pusher arrow in the machining process shown in FIG. 6. (a) shows the operation (part 3) of the process shown in S111, (b) shows the operation (part 1) of the process shown in S105, (c) shows the operation (part 2) of the process shown in S105, and (d) shows the operation (part 2) of the process shown in S107. [Figure 10] FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 4) showing the operations of the main spindle, the long workpiece device, and the pusher arrow in the machining process shown in FIG. 6. (a) shows the operation (part 1) of the process shown in S102, (b) shows the operation (part 2) of the process shown in S102, and (c) shows the operation (part 3) of the process shown in S102. [Figure 11] FIG. showing a bar stock storage related to a modification example. [Figure 12] FIG. is a flowchart of a machining process according to the first modification example. [Figure 13] FIG. is a flowchart of a machining process according to the second modification example.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, a machine tool, a machining method, a machining program, and a machining system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the following drawings. However, it should be noted that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to those embodiments, and extends to the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

[0022] (Configuration and Function of Machining System According to Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a machining system according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the machining system shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the machine tool shown in FIG. 1.

[0023] The machining system 1 comprises a machine tool 10 and a material feeder 20. The machine tool 10 has a machining chamber covered by a cover with an opening, inside which a front spindle 11, a rear spindle 12, a tool post 13, and a long tool attachment 14 are mounted. A bar-shaped material 100, which is rotatably gripped by the front spindle 11 and the rear spindle 12, can be cut by a rotating tool held on the tool post 13. The front spindle 11 and the rear spindle 12 can accommodate the bar material 100, and the long tool attachment 14 can hold the bar material 100. The rear spindle 12 can be positioned opposite the front spindle 11. The front spindle 11, the rear spindle 12, the tool post 13, and the long tool attachment 14 are controlled by a numerical control (NC) device 15, also called a control device.

[0024] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the long object device 14.

[0025] The long workpiece device 14 includes a bush 41, a cap nut 42, a stabilizer 43, a flange 44, a workstock pipe 45, and a longitudinal adjustment pipe 46. The long workpiece device 14 is positioned opposite the front spindle 11 and holds the bar material 100 supplied from the material feeder 20 via the front spindle 11 and the rear spindle 12.

[0026] The material feeder 20 includes a pusher 21, a pusher drive motor 22, a pusher drive mechanism 23, a bar material position sensor 24, a motor torque sensor 25, a material feed control device 26, and a bar material storage cabinet 27. In response to instructions from the NC device 15, the material feeder 20 controls the pusher drive mechanism 23 to hold the bar material 100 stored in the bar material storage cabinet 27 with a finger chuck 21a on the pusher 21, and to push the bar material 100 in the direction of the front spindle 11 with the pusher 21 holding the bar material 100. The material feeder 20 also controls the pusher drive mechanism 23 to perform a bar material replacement process to replace the bar material 100 in response to instructions from the NC device 15. The bar material position sensor 24 is a position sensor such as a Hall element that detects the rotational position of the pusher drive motor 22, and the motor torque sensor 25 is a torque sensor such as a magnetostrictive, strain gauge, piezoelectric, or optical sensor that detects the torque generated in the pusher drive motor 22. The pusher drive mechanism 23 is formed by gears and cams, and transmits the power generated by the rotation of the pusher drive motor 22 to the pusher 21.

[0027] Figure 5 shows the bar material storage cabinet 27.

[0028] The bar material storage unit 27 stores the first bar material 101 and the second bar material 102 as bar material 100.

[0029] The bar stock storage unit 27 has a first storage area 27a for storing the first bar stock 101 and a second storage area 27b for storing the second bar stock 102. The first bar stock 101 is a bar stock that can be gripped by both the front spindle 11 and the rear spindle 12, and is placed in the first storage area 27a and supplied to the long workpiece device 14 via the front spindle 11 and the rear spindle 12. The second bar stock 102 is a bar stock that differs from the first bar stock 101 in at least one of its material and weight and can be gripped by the front spindle 11, and is placed in the second storage area 27b and supplied to the front spindle 11. The material feeder 20 selects either the first bar stock 101 or the second bar stock 102 stored in the first storage area 27a and the second storage area 27b, respectively, in response to instructions from the machine tool 10 and supplies them to the machine tool 10. Furthermore, the first bar material 101 does not need to be gripped by the front spindle 11, but it is sufficient that it can pass through the front spindle 11.

[0030] (Machining process performed by the machine tool according to this embodiment) Figure 6 is a flowchart of the machining process performed by the machine tool 10. The machining process shown in Figure 6 is mainly performed by the NC device 15 in cooperation with each element of the machine tool 10, based on a machining program that is stored in a memory unit (not shown) of the NC device 15 in advance.

[0031] Figures 7-10 show the operation of the front spindle 11, the long workpiece device 14, and the pusher 21 in the machining process shown in Figure 6. Figure 7(a) shows the operation of the process shown in S101, Figure 7(b) shows the operation of the process shown in S102, Figure 7(c) shows the operation of the process shown in S104, and Figure 7(d) shows the operation of the process shown in S105. Figure 8(a) shows the operation of the process shown in S107 (part 1), Figure 8(b) shows the operation of the process shown in S110, Figure 8(c) shows the operation of the process shown in S111 (part 1), and Figure 8(d) shows the operation of the process shown in S111 (part 2). Figure 9(a) shows the operation of the process shown in S111 (part 3), Figure 9(b) shows the operation of the process shown in S105 (part 1), Figure 9(c) shows the operation of the process shown in S105 (part 2), and Figure 9(d) shows the operation of the process shown in S107 (part 2). Figure 10(a) shows the operation of the process shown in S102 (part 1), Figure 10(b) shows the operation of the process shown in S102 (part 2), and Figure 10(c) shows the operation of the process shown in S102 (part 3).

[0032] First, as shown in Figure 7(a), the NC device 15 moves the rear spindle 12 between the front spindle 11 and the long workpiece device 14 (S101). The NC device 15 controls a rear spindle movement mechanism (not shown) that moves the rear spindle 12 to move the rear spindle 12 to a position where the bar material 100 supplied via the front spindle 11 can be supplied to the long workpiece device 14.

[0033] Next, the NC device 15 instructs the material feeder 20 to supply the first bar material 101 to the long material device 14 (S102). The NC device 15 outputs a first bar material supply signal to the material feeder control device 26 of the material feeder 20, indicating that the first bar material 101 should be supplied to the long material device 14. In response to the input of the first bar material supply signal, the material feeder control device 26 controls the pusher drive mechanism 23 based on the bar material position information indicating the position of the bar material 100 detected by the bar material position sensor 24, as shown in Figure 7(b), to move the pusher 21 and start supplying the first bar material 101. The bar material position information is output from the bar material position sensor 24 and input to the material feeder control device 26 when the NC device 15 outputs a bar material position information request signal to the material feeder control device 26.

[0034] Next, the NC device 15 determines whether or not the first bar material 101 has been supplied to the long material device 14 (S103). The NC device 15 outputs a bar material position information request signal to the material supply control device 26, requesting the output of bar material position information indicating the position of the bar material detected by the bar material position sensor 24. In response to the input of the bar material position information request signal, the material supply control device 26 acquires bar material position information from the bar material position sensor 24, indicating the position of the bar material 100 detected by the bar material position sensor 24. The material supply control device 26 outputs a bar material position signal corresponding to the acquired bar material position information to the NC device 15. The NC device 15 determines whether or not the position of the bar material 100 corresponding to the input bar material position signal is the position where the first bar material 101 was supplied to the long material device 14.

[0035] If the NC device 15 determines that the position of the bar material 100 corresponding to the bar material position signal is the position where the first bar material 101 was supplied to the long material device 14, it determines that the first bar material 101 has been supplied to the long material device 14 (S103-YES). If the NC device 15 determines that the position of the bar material 100 corresponding to the bar material position signal is not the position where the first bar material 101 was supplied to the long material device 14, it determines that the first bar material 101 has not been supplied to the long material device 14 (S103-NO). The NC device 15 repeats the process shown in S103 until it determines that the first bar material 101 has been supplied to the long material device 14 (S103-YES).

[0036] When the NC device 15 determines that the first bar material 101 has been supplied to the long material device 14 (S103-YES), it instructs the material feeder 20 to stop the movement of the first bar material 101 (S104). The NC device 15 outputs a first bar material stop signal to the material feed control device 26, indicating that the movement of the first bar material 101 should be stopped. In response to the input of the first bar material stop signal, the material feed control device 26 stops the push-drive motor 22 and stops the movement of the first bar material 101, as shown in Figure 7(c).

[0037] Next, the NC device 15 instructs the material feeder 20 to supply the second bar material 102 to the front spindle 11 (S105). The NC device 15 outputs a second bar material supply signal to the material feeder control device 26 of the material feeder 20, indicating that the second bar material 102 should be supplied to the front spindle 11. In response to the input of the second bar material supply signal, the material feeder control device 26 controls the pusher drive mechanism 23 based on the bar material position information input from the bar material position sensor 24, as shown in Figure 7(d), to move the pusher 21 and start supplying the second bar material 102.

[0038] Next, the NC device 15 determines whether or not the second bar material 102 has been supplied to the front spindle 11 (S106). The NC device 15 outputs a bar material position information request signal to the material feed control device 26, requesting the output of bar material position information indicating the position of the bar material detected by the bar material position sensor 24. In response to the input of the bar material position information request signal, the material feed control device 26 acquires bar material position information from the bar material position sensor 24, indicating the position of the bar material 100 detected by the bar material position sensor 24. The material feed control device 26 outputs a bar material position signal corresponding to the acquired bar material position information to the NC device 15. The NC device 15 determines whether or not the position of the bar material 100 corresponding to the input bar material position signal is the position where the second bar material 102 was supplied to the front spindle 11.

[0039] If the NC device 15 determines that the position of the bar stock 100 corresponding to the bar stock position signal is the position where the second bar stock 102 was supplied to the front spindle 11, it determines that the second bar stock 102 has been supplied to the front spindle 11 (S106-YES). If the NC device 15 determines that the position of the bar stock 100 corresponding to the bar stock position signal is not the position where the second bar stock 102 was supplied to the front spindle 11, it determines that the second bar stock 102 has not been supplied to the front spindle 11 (S106-NO). The NC device 15 repeats the process shown in S106 until it determines that the second bar stock 102 has been supplied to the front spindle 11 (S106-YES).

[0040] When the NC device 15 determines that the second bar material 102 has been supplied to the front spindle 11 (S106-YES), it instructs the material feeder 20 to stop the movement of the second bar material 102 (S107). The NC device 15 outputs a second bar material stop signal to the material feed control device 26, indicating that the movement of the second bar material 102 should be stopped. In response to the input of the second bar material stop signal, the material feed control device 26 stops the push-drive motor 22 and stops the movement of the second bar material 102, as shown in Figure 8(a).

[0041] Next, the NC device 15 grips the first bar material 101 onto the rear spindle 12 (S108). The NC device 15 grips the first bar material 101 onto the rear spindle 12 by closing the chuck 12a on the rear spindle 12.

[0042] Next, the NC device 15 grips the second bar material 102 onto the front spindle 11 (S109). The NC device 15 grips the second bar material 102 onto the front spindle 11 by closing the chuck 11a on the front spindle 11.

[0043] Next, as shown in Figure 8(b), the NC device 15 performs a friction bonding process to frictionally bond the first bar material 101 and the second bar material 102 (S110). The NC device 15 rotates the front spindle 11 for a predetermined friction bonding time to bond the tip of the first bar material 101 and the tip of the second bar material 102. Alternatively, the NC device 15 may perform the friction bonding process by rotating the rear spindle 12 instead of the front spindle 11, or by rotating both the front spindle 11 and the rear spindle 12.

[0044] Next, the NC device 15 performs a workpiece manufacturing process (S111) in which it manufactures a workpiece by cutting the friction-jointed first bar material 101 and second bar material 102 with a tool 13a held in the tool post 13. The NC device 15 then releases the first bar material 101 and second bar material 102 that are held in place by the rear spindle 12 and the front spindle 11. Next, as shown in Figure 8(c), the NC device 15 outputs a machining position movement signal to the material feed control device 26 indicating that it will move the second bar material 102 to the position where the friction-jointed first bar material 101 and second bar material 102 will be cut by the tool 13a. Next, in response to the input of the machining position movement signal, the material feed control device 26 moves the pusher 21 to move the friction-jointed first bar material 101 and second bar material 102 to the machining position where the machining process will be performed. The NC device 15 grips the first bar material 101 and the second bar material 102 with the rear spindle 12 and the front spindle 11. Next, as shown in Figure 8(d), the NC device 15 rotates the front spindle 11 and the rear spindle 12 and moves the tool post 13 to produce a workpiece including a joint formed by friction bonding of the first bar material 101 and the second bar material 102. Then, as shown in Figure 9(a), the NC device 15 separates the produced workpiece W from the first bar material 101 and the second bar material 102 by parting off, thereby ending the workpiece production process.

[0045] Next, the NC device 15 determines whether or not to terminate the machining process (S112). The NC device 15 refers to the manufacturing information indicating the number of units to be manufactured, which is stored in a memory unit (not shown), and determines whether or not a predetermined number of workpieces have been manufactured. When the NC device 15 determines that a predetermined number of workpieces have been manufactured, it determines to terminate the machining process (S112-YES). When the NC device 15 determines to terminate the machining process (S112-YES), the machining process is terminated.

[0046] When the NC device 15 determines that the machining process is not yet complete (S112-NO), it releases the first bar material 101 held by the rear spindle 12 (S113). The NC device 15 releases the first bar material 101 held by the rear spindle 12 by opening the chuck 12a of the rear spindle 12.

[0047] Next, the NC device 15 releases the second bar material 102 that is gripped by the front spindle 11 (S114). The NC device 15 releases the second bar material 102 that is gripped by the front spindle 11 by opening the chuck 11a of the front spindle 11.

[0048] Next, the NC device 15 determines whether the current length of the second bar material 102 held by the front spindle 11 is greater than or equal to the second processing length, which is the processing length of the second bar material 102 in the workpiece to be manufactured (S115). The NC device 15 calculates the current length of the second bar material 102 from the length of the second bar material 102 before processing, the second processing length in the workpiece to be manufactured by the process shown in S115, and the number of times the second bar material 102 has been used to manufacture a workpiece. Specifically, the NC device 15 calculates the current length of the second bar material 102 by subtracting the total length of the cut material, which is calculated by multiplying the second processing length by the number of times the second bar material 102 has been used to manufacture a workpiece, from the length of the second bar material 102 before processing. The NC device 15 compares the calculated current length of the second bar material 102 with the second processing length that is stored in advance.

[0049] The NC device 15 determines that the current length of the second bar material 102 is equal to or greater than the second machining length (S115-YES), and then determines whether the current length of the first bar material 101 held by the back spindle 12 is equal to or greater than the first machining length, which is the machining length of the first bar material 101 (S116). The NC device 15 calculates the current length of the first bar material 101 from the length of the first bar material 101 before machining, the first machining length of the workpiece produced by the process shown in S115, and the number of times the first bar material 101 has been used to produce a workpiece. Specifically, the NC device 15 calculates the current length of the first bar material 101 by subtracting the total length of the cut material, which is calculated by multiplying the first machining length by the number of times the first bar material 101 has been used to produce a workpiece, from the length of the first bar material 101 before machining. The NC device 15 compares the calculated current length of the first bar material with the first machining length that is stored in advance.

[0050] When the NC device 15 determines that the current length of the first bar material 101 is equal to or greater than the first machining length (S116-YES), it instructs the material feeder 20 to move the second bar material 102 to a position where its tip contacts the tip of the first bar material 101 (S117). The NC device 15 outputs a friction joint position movement signal to the material feed control device 26, indicating that the second bar material 102 should be moved to a position where its tip contacts the tip of the first bar material 101. In response to the input of the friction joint position movement signal, the material feed control device 26 moves the pusher 21 to move the second bar material 102 to a position where its tip contacts the tip of the first bar material 101. The process then returns to S108. From this point onward, the processes shown in S108 to S117 are repeated until it is determined that the current length of the second bar material 102 is not equal to or greater than the second processing length (S115-NO), or until it is determined that the current length of the first bar material 101 is not equal to or greater than the first processing length (S116-NO). As the processes shown in S108 to S117 are repeated, the workpieces W are produced sequentially.

[0051] If the NC device 15 determines that the current length of the second bar material 102 is not equal to or greater than the second machining length (S115-NO), the process returns to S105. In response to the NC device 15 instructing the supply of the second bar material 102 to the front spindle 11 (S105), the material feed control device 26 moves the pusher 21 to start supplying the second bar material 102, as shown in Figure 9(b). Next, the NC device 15 determines whether or not the second bar material 102 has been supplied to the front spindle 11 (S106). The material feed control device 26 moves the pusher 21 until the NC device 15 determines that the second bar material 102 has been supplied to the front spindle 11 (S106-YES). As the push rod 21 is moved by the material feeding control device 26, as shown in Figure 9(c), any portion of the second bar material 102 that is shorter than the second machining length pushed out by the second bar material 102 pushed by the push rod 21 is collected in a chip bucket (not shown). When the NC device 15 determines that the second bar material 102 has been supplied to the front spindle 11 (S106-YES), it instructs the material feeder 20 to stop the movement of the second bar material 102 (S107). In response to the instruction from the NC device 15, the material feeding control device 26 stops the push rod drive motor 22 and stops the movement of the second bar material 102, as shown in Figure 9(d). From this point onward, the processes shown in S108 to S117 are repeated until it is determined that the current length of the second bar material 102 is not equal to or greater than the second processing length (S115-NO), or until it is determined that the current length of the first bar material 101 is not equal to or greater than the first processing length (S116-NO).

[0052] If the NC device 15 determines that the current first machining length is not greater than or equal to (S116-NO), the process returns to S102. In response to the NC device 15 instructing the supply of the first bar material 101 to the long workpiece device 14 (S102), the material feeding control device 26 moves the pusher 21 to start supplying the second bar material 102, as shown in Figure 10(a). Next, the NC device 15 determines whether or not the first bar material 101 has been supplied to the long workpiece device 14 (S103). The material feeding control device 26 moves the pusher 21 until the NC device 15 determines that the first bar material 101 has been supplied to the long workpiece device 14 (S103-YES). As the material feeding control device 26 moves the pusher 21, the second bar material 102, which has been pushed out by the first bar material 101 pushed into the pusher 21, is collected in a chip bucket (not shown), as shown in Figure 10(b). As the material feed control device 26 moves the push rod 21 further, as shown in Figure 10(c), any portion of the first bar material 101 that is shorter than the first processing length pushed out by the first bar material 101 pushed into the push rod 21 is collected in a long material retrieval rack (not shown). When the NC device 15 determines that the first bar material 101 has been supplied to the long material device 14 (S103-YES), it instructs the material feeder 20 to stop the movement of the first bar material 101 (S104). In response to the instruction from the NC device 15, the material feed control device 26 stops the push rod drive motor 22 and stops the movement of the first bar material 101. In response to the instruction from the NC device 15 to supply the second bar material 102 to the front spindle 11 (S105), the material feed control device 26 moves the push rod 21 and starts supplying the second bar material 102. Next, the NC device 15 determines whether or not the second bar material 102 has been supplied to the front spindle 11 (S106). The material feed control device 26 moves the pusher 21 until the NC device 15 determines that the second bar material 102 has been supplied to the front spindle 11 (S106-YES). When the NC device 15 determines that the second bar material 102 has been supplied to the front spindle 11 (S106-YES), it instructs the material feeder 20 to stop the movement of the second bar material 102 (S107). In response to the instruction from the NC device 15, the material feed control device 26 stops the pusher drive motor 22 and stops the movement of the second bar material 102.The processes shown in S108 to S117 are repeated until it is determined that the current length of the second bar material 102 is not equal to or greater than the second processing length (S115-NO), or until it is determined that the current length of the first bar material 101 is not equal to or greater than the first processing length (S116-NO).

[0053] (Effects and effects of the machine tool according to this embodiment) Since the machine tool 10 creates a workpiece W from a second bar stock 102 and a first bar stock 101, which are held in the front spindle 11 and the rear spindle 12 respectively, it is not necessary to replace the base materials, the first bar stock 101 and the second bar stock 102, each time a single workpiece W is created. Because the machine tool 10 does not need to replace the base materials each time a single workpiece W is created, the cycle time for creating workpieces can be shortened.

[0054] Furthermore, when the machine tool 10 determines that the length of the first bar material 101 is less than or equal to the first machining length, it supplies the first bar material 101 from the material feeder 20 to the long material device 14 via the front spindle 11 and the rear spindle 12, enabling quick and easy replacement of the first bar material 101. Similarly, when the machine tool 10 determines that the length of the second bar material 102 is less than or equal to the second machining length, it supplies the second bar material 102 from the material feeder 20 to the front spindle 11, enabling quick and easy replacement of the second bar material 102.

[0055] Furthermore, by making the length of the first bar material 101 longer than the length of the second bar material 102, the machine tool 10 can reduce the risk that the supplied bar material 100 will differ from the desired bar material, even if the density of the materials forming the first bar material 101 and the second bar material 102 are substantially the same.

[0056] The material feeder 20 can prevent the wrong bar material 100 from being supplied by the feeder 20 by placing the first bar material 101 and the second bar material 102 in different storage areas, namely the first storage area 27a and the second storage area 27b.

[0057] (Modified example of a machine tool according to an embodiment) The machine tool 10 has a rear spindle 12, but the machine tool according to this embodiment only needs to have a gripping device capable of gripping the second bar stock 102. The gripping device may be the rear spindle 12, the long tool holder 14, or any other device capable of gripping the second bar stock 102 besides the rear spindle 12 and the long tool holder 14. For example, the machine tool according to this embodiment may have a clamping device arranged on the tool post 13 and capable of gripping the second bar stock 102 instead of the rear spindle 12.

[0058] Furthermore, although the machine tool 10 has a long workpiece attachment 14, the machine tool according to this embodiment does not have to have a long workpiece attachment 14. When there is no long workpiece attachment 14, the NC device 20 arranges the rear spindle 12 to face the front spindle 11, supplies the first bar material 101 to the rear spindle 12 via the front spindle 11, and after supplying the first bar material 101 to the rear spindle 12, supplies the second bar material 102 to the front spindle 11.

[0059] Furthermore, in the material feeder 20, the bar material storage unit 27 stores two types of bar material in different storage units, but in the material feeder according to this embodiment, the bar material storage unit may store two types of bar material in a single storage area.

[0060] Figure 11 shows a modified bar material storage cabinet.

[0061] The bar stock storage unit 28 stores the first bar stock 101 and the second bar stock 102 as bar stock 100. When the density of the materials forming the first bar stock 101 and the second bar stock 102 are approximately the same and the first and second processing lengths are approximately the same, the length of the first bar stock 101 is longer than the length of the second bar stock 102, and the first bar stock 101 is approximately twice the length of the second bar stock 102. Specifically, the length of the first bar stock 101 is 1.9 times or more and 2.1 times or less the length of the second bar stock 102. When the first bar stock 101 is approximately twice the length of the second bar stock 102, the replacement frequency of the second bar stock 102 is twice the replacement frequency of the first bar stock 101. By arranging two second bar stocks 102 interchangeably in the bar stock storage unit 28 after one first bar stock 101, the material feeder 20 can supply bar stocks 100 in accordance with the supply of the machine tool 10. After supplying the first bar stock 101 to the machine tool 10, the material feeder 20 supplies the two second bar stocks 102 to the machine tool 10 in succession.

[0062] (Processing related to the first modified example) Figure 12 is a flowchart of the machining process for the first modified example, which is performed by a machine tool 10 to which bar stock is supplied from a material feeder having a bar stock storage unit 28 related to the modified example. The machining process shown in Figure 12 is mainly performed by the NC device 15 in cooperation with each element of the machine tool 10, based on a machining program that is stored in a memory unit (not shown) of the NC device 15 in advance. The processes shown in S201 and S202 are the same as the processes shown in S101 and S102, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0063] Following the process shown in S202, the NC device 15 determines whether the bar material 100 supplied from the material feeder 20 is the first bar material 101 (S203). The NC device 15 outputs a torque information request signal to the material feed control device 26 requesting the output of torque information indicating the torque detected by the motor torque sensor 25. In response to the input of the torque information request signal, the material feed control device 26 acquires torque information indicating the torque detected by the motor torque sensor 25 from the motor torque sensor 25 and outputs a torque signal corresponding to the acquired torque information to the NC device 15. The NC device 15 determines whether the torque corresponding to the torque signal input from the material feed control device 26 is the torque generated when the first bar material 101 is moved. The NC device 15 compares the torque corresponding to the torque signal with a first torque reference value, which indicates a reference value of the torque generated when the first bar material 101 is moved and is stored, for example, in a memory unit (not shown). The NC device 15 determines that the torque corresponding to the torque signal is the torque generated when moving the first bar material 101 if the absolute value of the difference between the torque corresponding to the torque signal and the first torque reference value is less than a predetermined threshold. The NC device 15 determines that the torque corresponding to the torque signal is not the torque generated when moving the first bar material 101 if the absolute value of the difference between the torque corresponding to the torque signal and the first torque reference value is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold.

[0064] When the NC device 15 determines that the torque corresponding to the torque signal is the torque generated when moving the first bar material 101, it determines that the bar material 100 supplied from the material feeder 20 is the first bar material 101 (S203-YES). On the other hand, when the NC device 15 determines that the torque corresponding to the torque signal is not the torque generated when moving the first bar material 101, it determines that the bar material 100 supplied from the material feeder 20 is not the desired bar material, the first bar material 101 (S203-NO). If the NC device 15 determines that the bar material 100 supplied from the material feeder 20 is not the desired bar material, the first bar material 101 (S203-NO), the process proceeds to S204.

[0065] If the NC device 15 determines that the bar material 100 supplied from the material feeder 20 is not the desired bar material, it stops supplying the bar material 100 (S204). The NC device 15 outputs a bar material supply stop signal to the material feed control device 26 to indicate that it is stopping the supply of the bar material 100. When the material feed control device 26 receives the bar material supply stop signal, it stops the supply process of the bar material 100.

[0066] Next, the NC device 15 outputs a supply bar material alarm signal to a display unit (not shown) and a speaker (S205) indicating that the supplied bar material 100 is different from the desired bar material. When the supply bar material alarm signal is input to the display unit, it displays an alarm image indicating that the supplied bar material 100 is different from the desired bar material. When the supply bar material alarm signal is input to the speaker, it outputs an alarm sound indicating that the supplied bar material 100 is different from the desired bar material. Once the process shown in S205 is executed, the machining process is completed. Based on the alarms from the display unit and the speaker, the operator inspects the bar material storage unit 27 of the material feeder 20 and rearranges the arrangement of the first bar material 101 and the second bar material 102 so that they are supplied in the correct order.

[0067] When the NC device 15 determines that the bar material 100 supplied from the material feeder 20 is the first bar material 101 (S203-YES), it determines whether or not the first bar material 101 has been supplied to the long material device 14 (S206). When the NC device 15 determines that the first bar material 101 has been supplied to the long material device 14 (S206-YES), it instructs the material feeder 20 to stop the movement of the first bar material 101 (S207). Next, the NC device 15 instructs the material feeder 20 to supply the second bar material 102 to the front spindle 11 (S208). The processes shown in S206 to S208 are the same as the processes shown in S103 to S105, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0068] Next, the NC device 15 determines whether the bar material 100 supplied from the material feeder 20 is the second bar material 102 (S209). Similar to the process shown in S203, the NC device 15 outputs a torque information request signal to the material feed control device 26 requesting the output of torque information indicating the torque detected by the motor torque sensor 25. In response to the input of the torque information request signal, the material feed control device 26 acquires torque information indicating the torque detected by the motor torque sensor 25 from the motor torque sensor 25 and outputs a torque signal corresponding to the acquired torque information to the NC device 15. The NC device 15 determines whether the torque corresponding to the torque signal input from the material feed control device 26 is the torque generated when the second bar material 102 is moved. The NC device 15 compares the torque corresponding to the torque signal with a second torque reference value, which indicates a reference value of the torque generated when the second bar material 102 is moved and is stored, for example, in a memory unit (not shown). The NC device 15 determines that the torque corresponding to the torque signal is the torque generated when the second bar material 102 is moved, when the absolute value of the difference between the torque corresponding to the torque signal and the second torque reference value is less than a predetermined threshold. The NC device 15 determines that the torque corresponding to the torque signal is not the torque generated when the second bar material 102 is moved, when the absolute value of the difference between the torque corresponding to the torque signal and the second torque reference value is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold.

[0069] When the NC device 15 determines that the torque corresponding to the torque signal is the torque generated when moving the second bar material 102, it determines that the bar material 100 supplied from the material feeder 20 is the second bar material 102 (S209-YES). On the other hand, when the NC device 15 determines that the torque corresponding to the torque signal is not the torque generated when moving the second bar material 102, it determines that the bar material 100 supplied from the material feeder 20 is not the desired bar material, the second bar material 102 (S209-NO). If the NC device 15 determines that the bar material 100 supplied from the material feeder 20 is not the desired bar material, the second bar material 102 (S209-NO), the process proceeds to S204.

[0070] The NC device 15 determines that the bar material 100 supplied from the material feeder 20 is the second bar material 102 (S209-YES), and then determines whether or not the second bar material 102 has been supplied to the front spindle 11 (S210). The processes shown in S210 to S221 are the same as the processes shown in S106 to S117, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0071] Since the bar material storage unit 28 stores the first bar material 101 and the second bar material 102 in a single unit, the area for storing the bar material 100 can be made smaller than that of the bar material storage unit 27, which stores the first bar material 101 and the second bar material 102 in separate units. Because the area for storing the bar material 100 in the bar material storage unit 28 is smaller than that of the bar material storage unit 27, different types of bar material can be stored without increasing the size of the material feeder 20.

[0072] Furthermore, the machine tool 10 determines whether the supplied bar material 100 is the first bar material 101 or the second bar material 102 based on the torque information indicating the torque detected by the motor torque sensor 25. By determining whether the supplied bar material 100 is the first bar material 101 or the second bar material 102 based on the torque information, the machine tool 10 can prevent the wrong bar material 100 from being supplied from the material feeder 20.

[0073] Furthermore, by setting the length of the first bar material 101 to be at least 1.9 times and no more than 2.1 times the length of the second bar material 102, the machine tool 10 can increase the frequency with which the second bar material 102, which is shorter than the second processing length, can be replaced simultaneously when the first bar material 101 is replaced. By increasing the frequency with which the second bar material 102, which is shorter than the second processing length, can be replaced simultaneously when the first bar material 101 is replaced, the amount of second bar material 102 that is discarded when the first bar material 101 is replaced can be reduced, thereby reducing the amount of second bar material 102 that is discarded. By reducing the amount of second bar material 102 that is discarded, the machine tool 10 can reduce its environmental impact.

[0074] Furthermore, the machine tool 10 can increase the frequency with which it can simultaneously replace the second bar stock 102, which is shorter than the second processing length, when the first bar stock 101 is replaced, by making the number of bar stocks of the first processing length obtained from the first bar stock 101 an integer multiple of the number of bar stocks of the second processing length obtained from the second bar stock 102. In other words, by making the quotient obtained by dividing the length of the first bar stock 101 by the first processing length an integer multiple of the quotient obtained by dividing the length of the second bar stock 101 by the second processing length, the machine tool 10 can increase the frequency with which it can simultaneously replace the second bar stock 102, which is shorter than the second processing length, when the first bar stock 101 is replaced. By increasing the frequency with which it can simultaneously replace the second bar stock 102, which is shorter than the second processing length, when the first bar stock 101 is replaced, the amount of second bar stock 102 that is discarded when the first bar stock 101 is replaced is reduced, thereby reducing the amount of second bar stock 102 that is discarded. The machine tool 10 reduces its environmental impact by reducing the amount of second bar material 102 that is discarded. It is preferable that the number of first-length bar materials obtained from the first bar material 101 be twice the number of second-length bar materials obtained from the second bar material 102.

[0075] The arrangement of the first bar material 101 and the second bar material 102 is appropriately set to minimize the amount of bar material that is discarded, depending on the density and length of the materials forming the first bar material 101 and the second bar material 102, as well as the processing length when manufacturing the workpiece.

[0076] Furthermore, it is preferable that the first bar material 101 and the second bar material 102 have different weights in order to facilitate the determination process of whether one is the first bar material 101 or the second bar material 102. If the density of the materials forming the first bar material 101 and the second bar material 102 is the same or approximately the same, the weight can be made different by making the lengths of the first bar material 101 and the second bar material 102 different. Also, if the density of the materials forming the first bar material 101 and the second bar material 102 differs significantly, the lengths of the first bar material 101 and the second bar material 102 can be made the same or approximately the same.

[0077] Furthermore, in the machining process described with reference to Figures 6 and 12, the machine tool 10 replaces both the first bar material 101 and the second bar material 102 regardless of the remaining amount of the second bar material 102 when the length of the first bar material 101 is not equal to or greater than the first machining length. In the machining process described with reference to Figures 6 and 12, since both the first bar material 101 and the second bar material 102 are replaced regardless of the remaining amount of the second bar material 102, there is a risk that a large amount of the second bar material 102 will be discarded during replacement.

[0078] (Processing related to the second modified example) Figure 13 is a flowchart of the machining process related to the second modified example. The machining process shown in Figure 13 is mainly performed by the NC device 15 in cooperation with each element of the machine tool 10, based on a machining program that is stored in a memory unit (not shown) of the NC device 15 in advance. The processes shown in S301 to S317 are the same as the processes shown in S101 to S117, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0079] The NC device 15 determines that the current length of the second bar material 102 is not equal to or greater than the second machining length (S315-NO), and then determines whether the current length of the first bar material 101 is equal to or greater than the non-replacement length (S318). The non-replacement length is a predetermined threshold length used when determining whether or not to replace the first bar material 101 held by the rear spindle 12.

[0080] If the NC device 15 determines that the current length of the first bar material 101 is greater than or equal to the non-replacement length (S318-YES), the process returns to S305. When the process returns to S305, the NC device 15 replaces only the second bar material 102, as explained with reference to Figures 9(b) to 9(d). On the other hand, if the NC device 15 determines that the current length of the first bar material 101 is not greater than or equal to the non-replacement length (S318-NO), the process returns to S302. When the process returns to S302, the NC device 15 replaces both the first bar material 101 and the second bar material 102, as explained with reference to Figures 10(a) to 10(c).

[0081] The processing method according to the second modification involves replacing both the first bar material 101 and the second bar material 102 only when it is determined that the current length of the first bar material 101 is not equal to or greater than the non-replacement length. This reduces the amount of second bar material 102 that is discarded when the first bar material 101 is replaced. By reducing the amount of second bar material 102 that is discarded when the first bar material 101 is replaced, the processing method according to the second modification further reduces the environmental burden.

[0082] Furthermore, in the described machining process, the NC device 15 performs a friction bonding process between the first bar material 101 and the second bar material 102. However, in the machining process according to this embodiment, the NC device 15 does not need to perform a friction bonding process between the first bar material 101 and the second bar material 102. When the NC device 15 does not perform a friction bonding process between the first bar material 101 and the second bar material 102, it produces separate workpieces from each of the first bar material 101 and the second bar material 102.

[0083] Furthermore, in the machining process according to the first modified example, the NC device 15 outputs a supply bar material alarm signal to the display unit and speaker, but in the machining process according to the embodiment, the NC device 15 may output the supply bar material alarm signal to devices other than the display unit and speaker. For example, the NC device 15 may output a supply bar material alarm signal to the material feeder 20. The material feeder 20 may, upon receiving the supply bar material alarm signal, execute a process to return the bar material 100 supplied to the front spindle 11 to the bar material storage. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0084] 1. Processing System 10 Machine tools 11 Front spindle 12 Back spindle 13. Tool rest 14. Long-barreled equipment 15 NC device 20 Material feeding machine 101 First bar material 102 Second bar material

Claims

1. A front spindle capable of gripping the rod-shaped first bar material and second bar material supplied from the material feeder, A gripping device that can be positioned opposite the front main shaft and capable of gripping the first bar material, A tool post for holding tools for processing the first bar material and the second bar material, It comprises a control device that controls the operation of the front spindle, the gripping device, the tool rest, and the material feeder, The control device is The gripping device is positioned so as to face the front main shaft, The material feeder supplies the first bar material to the gripping device via the front spindle, The material feeder supplies the first bar material to the gripping device, and then supplies the second bar material to the front spindle. The front spindle, the gripping device, and the tool post produce a workpiece by processing the first bar material and the second bar material with the tool. A machine tool characterized by performing processing.

2. The control device is The front spindle and the gripping device are further subjected to a process that frictionally joins the first bar material and the second bar material. The machine tool according to claim 1, wherein the process for manufacturing the workpiece includes manufacturing the workpiece by the front spindle, the gripping device, and the tool post processing the first bar material and the second bar material, which are friction-joined, with the tool.

3. The control device is Determine whether the length of the first bar material is less than or equal to the first processing length, which is the processing length of the first bar material in the workpiece. When it is determined that the length of the first bar material is less than or equal to the first processing length, the material feeder supplies the first bar material to the gripping device via the front spindle. The machine tool according to claim 1, further performing processing.

4. The control device is Determine whether the length of the second bar material is less than or equal to the second processing length, which is the processing length of the second bar material in the workpiece. When it is determined that the length of the second bar material is less than or equal to the second processing length, the material feeder supplies the second bar material to the front spindle. The machine tool according to claim 3, further performing processing.

5. The control device is Before supplying the first bar material, weight information indicating the weight of the bar material supplied from the material feeder is obtained from the material feeder. Based on the weight information, a further process is performed to determine whether the bar material supplied from the material feeder is the first bar material. When it is determined that the bar material supplied from the material feeder is the first bar material, the material feeder supplies the first bar material to the gripping device. A machine tool according to claim 1, which performs processing.

6. The control device is Before supplying the second bar material, weight information indicating the weight of the bar material supplied from the material feeder is obtained from the material feeder. Based on the weight information, a process is further performed to determine whether the bar material supplied from the material feeder is the second bar material. When it is determined that the bar material supplied from the material feeder is the second bar material, the material feeder supplies the second bar material to the front spindle. A machine tool according to claim 5, which performs processing.

7. The machine tool according to claim 1, wherein the length of the first bar material is different from the length of the second bar material.

8. The machine tool according to claim 7, wherein the length of the first bar material is 1.9 times or more and 2.1 times or less the length of the second bar material.

9. The machine tool according to claim 1, wherein the quotient obtained by dividing the length of the first bar material by the first processing length is an integer multiple of the quotient obtained by dividing the length of the second bar material by the second processing length.

10. The device further comprises a long material holder positioned opposite the front main shaft and capable of holding the first bar material, The control device is The gripping device is positioned between the front spindle and the long object device so as to face the front spindle. The material feeder supplies the first bar material to the long material device via the front spindle, The material feeder supplies the first bar material to the long material device and then supplies the second bar material to the front spindle. A machine tool according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which performs processing.

11. A front spindle capable of gripping the rod-shaped first bar material and second bar material supplied from the material feeder, A gripping device that can be positioned opposite the front main shaft and capable of gripping the first bar material, A tool post for holding tools for processing the first bar material and the second bar material, In a machine tool having a control device for controlling the operation of the front spindle, the gripping device, the tool post, and the material feeder, The gripping device is positioned so as to face the front main shaft, The first bar material is supplied to the gripping device via the front main shaft. After supplying the first bar material to the gripping device, the second bar material is supplied to the front spindle. A workpiece is manufactured by processing the first bar material and the second bar material with the tool. A processing method characterized by performing a process.

12. A front spindle capable of gripping the rod-shaped first bar material and second bar material supplied from the material feeder, A gripping device that can be positioned opposite the front main shaft and capable of gripping the first bar material, A tool post for holding tools for processing the first bar material and the second bar material, In a machine tool having a control device for controlling the operation of the front spindle, the gripping device, the tool post, and the material feeder, The gripping device is positioned so as to face the front main shaft, The first bar material is supplied to the gripping device via the front main shaft. After supplying the first bar material to the gripping device, the second bar material is supplied to the front spindle. A workpiece is manufactured by processing the first bar material and the second bar material with the tool. A machining program characterized by causing the control device to execute the processing.

13. A front main shaft capable of gripping a rod-shaped first bar material and a second bar material, A gripping device that can be positioned opposite the front main shaft and capable of gripping the first bar material, A tool post for holding tools for processing the first bar material and the second bar material, A machine tool having a control device for controlling the operation of the front spindle, the gripping device, and the tool post, The machine tool has a material feeder controlled by the control device which supplies the first bar material and the second bar material to the machine tool, The control device is The gripping device is positioned so as to face the front main shaft, The material feeder supplies the first bar material to the gripping device via the front spindle, The material feeder supplies the first bar material to the gripping device, and then supplies the second bar material to the front spindle. The front spindle, the gripping device, and the tool post produce a workpiece by processing the first bar material and the second bar material with the tool. A processing system characterized by performing a process.

Images