Tool imaging device

Abstract

This enables the detection of minute changes in the cutting edge of a tool within the machining chamber of a machine tool. [Solution] The system includes a camera 10 for photographing a tool 200 mounted on a spindle 210, and a light-receiving unit cover 30 that covers the entire shooting space W including the light-receiving unit 10a of the camera 10. The light-receiving unit cover 30 is provided with an air guide path A for air cleaning of the light-receiving unit 10a, while the camera cover 20 is provided with an air supply hole 21 that guides air introduced from the outside into the light-receiving unit cover 30. The air blown out from the air supply hole 21 is released into the light-receiving unit cover 30. The air guide path A includes a concave pocket portion 34 positioned opposite the blowing portion of the air supply hole 21 so that the air released from the air supply hole 21 flows toward the light-receiving unit 10a, and a projection portion 35 positioned adjacent to the pocket portion 34 that guides the air whose direction of flow has been changed by the pocket portion 34 to the front of the light-receiving unit 10a.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a tool imaging device for imaging tools of a machine tool.

Background Art

[0002] Since tool wear leads to poor processing and tool breakage, it is required to monitor the state of the tool during processing. A general monitoring method is that an operator removes the tool from the machine and observes the state of the tool using a measuring instrument or the like. In this method, since the tool is detached and attached every time measurement is performed, the downtime of the machine is long, and the processing accuracy is likely to decrease due to the attachment error of the tool. Therefore, a method has been proposed in which the tool in the state of being attached to the machine is imaged with a camera and the state of the tool is monitored.

[0003] When imaging a tool attached to a machine tool with a camera, it is necessary to bring the imaging device into the machine tool. However, particularly in an environment where coolant is used, there is a problem that foreign substances such as coolant and chips easily adhere to the lens of the imaging device. As a technique related to this problem, in Patent Document 1, the processing chamber and the imaging region where the imaging device is present are separated by a movable partition, and the imaging space is opened only during imaging to insert the tool into the imaging region, thereby preventing foreign substances from adhering to the imaging device. Further, in Patent Document 2, the imaging device is separated from the processing chamber by a transparent cover to prevent foreign substances from adhering to the lens, and the tool in the processing chamber is imaged.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires the tool to be transported outside the processing room, resulting in longer machine downtime. Furthermore, the method in Patent Document 2 aims to confirm whether or not the tool has broken, making it difficult to reliably detect minute changes in the tool, such as tool wear or chipping of the cutting edge.

[0006] Therefore, in view of these problems, the present invention aims to enable the detection of minute changes in the cutting edge of a tool within the machining chamber of a machine tool. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the tool imaging device according to the present invention comprises a camera for imaging a tool mounted on the spindle of a machine tool, and a light-receiving cover that covers the entire imaging space from the front of the light-receiving part of the camera, and is characterized in that the light-receiving cover is provided with an air guide path for air cleaning at least the front of the light-receiving part in the imaging space. With this configuration, the front of the camera's light-receiving section is air-cleaned, allowing for the detection of subtle changes in the tool's cutting edge without removing it from the spindle.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the camera cover covering the camera is provided with an air passage for guiding air introduced from the outside into the light-receiving section cover, the camera cover and the light-receiving section cover are connected, and the air blown out from the air passage is released into the light-receiving section cover, and the air guide passage comprises a concave pocket portion provided at a position opposite the blowing portion of the air passage so that the air released from the air passage flows toward the light-receiving section, and a projection portion provided at a position adjacent to the pocket portion for guiding the air whose direction of flow has been changed by the pocket portion toward the front surface of the light-receiving section. With this configuration, the pocket and protrusions formed in the light-receiving section cover allow air for cleaning to be blown onto the front of the light-receiving section, enabling cleaning of the light-receiving section with a simple setup.

[0009] Another aspect of the present invention, in the above configuration, comprises a light-receiving section cover having a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a tool insertion opening formed on one side and an open side facing the said side, and a rear cover that covers the open side of the tool insertion section cover and releases air that has passed in front of the light-receiving section to the outside, wherein the rear cover has an air guide that guides the inserted tool in a specific direction toward the tip, and an outlet through which the air guided by the air is released to the outside. With this configuration, the air that passes in front of the light-receiving section is guided by the rear cover that covers the back of the tool insertion section cover and released to the outside through a specific flow path. This prevents foreign matter such as mist and coolant from adhering to the lens due to air bounce, and the rear cover prevents foreign matter from entering the light-receiving section from the back, allowing for effective air cleaning of the light-receiving section.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the light-receiving cover always has an open tool insertion port. With this configuration, the tool insertion port is always open, eliminating waiting time associated with opening and closing partition plates, etc. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to this invention, changes in the tool cutting edge can be detected without removing it from the spindle. Moreover, since the camera's light-receiving section is air-cleaned, even subtle changes in the tool cutting edge can be detected. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a schematic cross-sectional diagram illustrating the tool imaging device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the tool imaging device and its fixing device. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view diagram of the light-receiving section cover. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the tool insertion cover. [Figure 5] This is a plan view of the tool insertion section cover and an explanatory diagram of the air passage. [Figure 6] It is a partial cross-sectional view of the light-receiving part cover and a cross-sectional explanatory view of the air flow path. [Figure 7] It is an explanatory view showing the flow of air within the light-receiving part cover.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments embodying the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the outline of a tool photographing device according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory view, and FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the tool photographing device and its fixing device. The tool photographing device 1 includes a camera 10, a camera cover 20 covering the entire camera 10, a light-receiving part cover 30 covering the entire photographing space W in front of the light-receiving part 10a from the front of the lens of the camera 10, and a lighting device 50 for illuminating the imaging object. 60 indicates a fixing device 60 for fixing the tool photographing device 1. Hereinafter, it will be described assuming that the camera 10 of the tool photographing device 1 is disposed above the light-receiving part cover 30 and the camera 10 is attached downward.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the camera cover 20 includes an air hose connection part 300 to which an air hose 310 for supplying air for cleaning is connected. The air hose 310 is connected to an external air supply source not shown. Inside the camera cover 20, an air supply hole (air flow path) 21 for supplying the air supplied from the air hose 310 to the inside of the light-receiving part cover 30 is formed. Further, the camera cover 20 includes a protrusion 22 for connecting to the fixing device 60, and is fixed at a predetermined position within the machine tool by the fixing device 60.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective explanatory view of the light-receiving part cover 30, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view seen from the rear of the tool insertion part cover 31. As shown in FIG. 3, the light-receiving part cover 30 is composed of a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped tool insertion part cover 31 and a back cover 32, and the upper part and the back part of the tool insertion part cover 31 are open as shown in FIG. 4. The tool insertion part cover 31 has a mounting part for the camera cover 20 formed at the upper part, and a tool insertion opening 33 is formed and opened on the front surface H. Further, it has an intermediate member 36 formed therethrough with an opening 36a, a bottom surface 37 closing the bottom, and side surfaces closing the left and right sides. And an air guide path A for guiding the air supplied from the camera cover 20 is formed at the upper part of the tool insertion part cover 31.

[0016] The rear cover 32 is a member that guides the flow of the air that has passed through the front surface of the light receiving part 10a as shown in FIG. 1 and closes the open back of the tool insertion part cover 31. The upper end is closely arranged at the upper end of the back surface 31b of the tool insertion part cover 31. And it is formed to be inclined so as to separate from the tool insertion part cover 31 as it goes downward, and is formed in a skirt shape. This inclined part forms an air guiding part P. And the tip opening of the rear cover 32 is arranged at the part in the tip direction of the inserted tool 200, and a discharge port Q (shown in FIG. 1) for discharging air is formed. With this configuration, the air that has passed through the front surface of the light receiving part 10a flows downward along the rear cover 32 and is discharged to the outside from the discharge port Q. In this way, since the air that has passed through the front surface of the light receiving part 10a is guided by the inclined air guiding part P of the rear cover 32 and a flow for discharging from the discharge port Q at the lower part of the rear cover 32 is formed, it prevents the adhesion of foreign matters such as mist and coolant due to the rebound of the air to the lens and the like. Also, the rear cover 32 can prevent the intrusion of foreign matters from the back to the light receiving part 10a, and the air cleaning of the light receiving part 10a can be carried out well.

[0017] FIGS. 5 and 6 are explanatory views of the air guide path A. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the tool insertion part cover 31, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the air guide path A of the light receiving part cover 30. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the air guide path A is formed by providing irregularities on the upper surface of the tool insertion part cover 31 facing the air blowing outlet of the air supply hole 21, and forms a space for guiding the air blown from the air supply hole 21 at the upper part of the tool insertion part cover 31. The air guide path A consists of a recessed pocket portion 34 formed on the upper surface of the tool insertion portion cover 31 facing the air outlet of the air supply hole 21, and a convex projection portion 35 formed at the boundary between the pocket portion 34 and the imaging space W shown in Figure 1.

[0018] The projection 35 is provided between the pocket portion 34 and the imaging space W, and is formed to be one step higher than the pocket portion 34. However, it is formed to be lower than the upper surface of the tool insertion portion cover 31, so that air can enter the imaging space W. Figure 6 shows E1, E2, and E3, which indicate the direction of air supplied from the air hose 310, and how the direction is changed by the air guide path A configured as described above. E1 shows the inside of the air supply hole 21, E2 shows how the direction is changed by the pocket portion 34, and E3 shows how the air moves towards the light receiving portion 10a by the projection portion 35.

[0019] Furthermore, the tool insertion cover 31 and the back cover 32 may be a single unit, or they may be separate parts as shown in Figure 3. If they are separate parts, they may be made of the same material as the tool insertion cover 31, or different materials. If they are separate parts, the back cover 32 can be fixed to the back surface 31b, sides, etc., of the tool insertion cover 31 by various means such as screws, rivets, or tape. Furthermore, the bottom surface 31a of the tool insertion section cover 31 is formed to serve as the background for the tool 200 being photographed, and is configured to reliably acquire a clear outline of the inserted tool 200.

[0020] The illumination device 50 is installed near the light-receiving unit 10a and illuminates in the same direction as the camera 10's shooting direction. That is, it illuminates the tool 200. The illumination device 50 may be integrated with the camera 10 or it may be a separate component.

[0021] Next, the operation of the tool imaging device 1 will be described. The tool 200 attached to the spindle 210 of the machine tool is inserted into the tool insertion port 33 of the tool imaging device 1 by the movement of the feed axis. Since the tool insertion port 33 is always open, there is no waiting time associated with opening and closing partition plates, etc. Furthermore, the tool imaging device 1 is fixed to a fixing device 60 located in a predetermined location within the machine tool.

[0022] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the airflow inside the light-receiving unit cover 30, with arrow E indicating the overall flow of the cleaning air. As shown in Figure 7, the cleaning air discharged from the air supply hole 21 is supplied to the pocket portion 34 of the tool insertion unit cover 31, and then flows over the projection 35 into the imaging space W. By passing over the projection 35, the air moves upward in the opposite direction to the inflow direction and passes in front of the light-receiving unit 10a. The air then moves downward in the direction of the tip of the tool 200 inserted along the rear cover 32 and is discharged to the outside of the tool imaging device 1 from the discharge port Q provided at the tip of the rear cover 32.

[0023] The air introduced into the light-receiving unit cover 30 is mainly discharged to the outside through the outlet Q, but it is also discharged from the tool insertion port 33. Therefore, the air introduced into the light-receiving unit cover 30 flows throughout the entire imaging space W, cleaning the entire space. Air is constantly supplied into the light-receiving unit cover 30 even during machining, cleaning the entire imaging space W.

[0024] Then, after inserting the tool 200, the tool 200 is illuminated by the lighting device 50 from the same direction as the camera 10, and the tool 200 is photographed by the camera 10 to obtain a clear image of the tool 200. Immediately after the photography is finished, the tool 200 is removed from the tool insertion port 33, and machining is resumed.

[0025] In this way, the front surface of the light-receiving unit 10a is cleaned with air, making it possible to detect subtle changes in the cutting edge of the tool 200 without removing it from the spindle 210. Furthermore, the pocket portion 34 and projection portion 35 formed in the light-receiving portion cover 30 allow air for cleaning to be blown onto the front surface of the light-receiving portion 10a, enabling cleaning of the light-receiving portion 10a with a simple configuration. In addition, since the tool insertion port 33 is always open, there is no waiting time associated with opening and closing partition plates, etc. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0026] 1...Tool imaging device, 10...Camera, 10a...Light receiving unit, 20...Camera cover, 21...Air supply hole (air passage), 22...Protrusion, 30...Light receiving unit cover, 31...Tool insertion unit cover, 31a...Bottom surface, 31b...Back surface, 32...Back cover, 33...Tool insertion opening, 34...Pocket section, 35...Protrusion, 50...Illumination device, 60...Fixing device, 200...Tool, 210...Spindle, 300...Air hose connection section, 310...Air hose, A...Air guide path, P...Air guide section, Q...Discharge port, W...Imaging space, H...Front surface of tool insertion unit cover.

Claims

1. A tool imaging device comprising a camera for imaging a tool mounted on the spindle of a machine tool, and a light-receiving cover that covers the entire imaging space from the front of the light-receiving part of the camera, wherein the light-receiving cover is provided with an air guide path for air cleaning at least the front of the light-receiving part within the imaging space.

2. The camera cover covering the camera is provided with an air passage that guides air introduced from the outside into the light-receiving section cover, the camera cover and the light-receiving section cover are connected, and the air blown out from the air passage is released into the light-receiving section cover. The air guide path includes a concave pocket portion provided at a position opposite the outlet portion of the air path, such that the air released from the air path flows toward the light receiving portion, The tool imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising a projection provided adjacent to the pocket portion, which guides the air whose direction of flow has been changed by the pocket portion to the front surface of the light-receiving portion.

3. The light-receiving section cover has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a tool insertion opening formed on one side, and the side opposite to the said side is open. The tool insertion cover has an open side and a rear cover that covers the open side and allows air that has passed in front of the light receiving section to be released to the outside. The tool imaging device according to claim 2, characterized in that the rear cover has an air guide that guides the inserted tool in a specific direction toward the tip, and an outlet through which the air guided by the air is released to the outside.

4. The tool imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the light-receiving cover always has an open tool insertion port.

Images