Manufacturing method and manufacturing line that realizes tool transfer and exchange using a work transfer system

Abstract

A manufacturing method and production line for implementing tool transport and exchange using a workpiece transport system, in which a load is attached to a workpiece transport pallet (1), the physical attributes of the load and information about the workpiece transport pallet (1) are input into a production line management control system, the workpiece transport system transports the workpiece transport pallet (1) to the target numerically controlled machine tool, an exchange mechanism loads the load into the numerically controlled machine tool, the numerically controlled machine tool accepts the load, and performs a tool gripping operation / workpiece machining operation. The workpiece transport pallet (1) supports a tool carrier (2) and / or workpiece, transports the tool and / or workpiece, and uses the spindle of the numerically controlled machine tool to grip the tool, change the tool, replenish the tool magazine, or directly process the tool, so that the workpiece and tool can share a single transport system, realizing the transport of the workpiece and tool, and eliminating the need to install two transport lines, significantly reducing manufacturing costs, reducing installation space, and improving manufacturing efficiency.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of manufacturing line processing, and more particularly to a manufacturing method and manufacturing line that realizes tool transfer and exchange using a workpiece transfer system. [Background technology]

[0002] In conventional manufacturing lines of numerically controlled machine tools, in order to realize continuous machining, a workpiece transport system is generally provided to transport workpieces to be machined to the numerically controlled machine tool and to transport completed workpieces to be removed from the numerically controlled machine tool. At the same time, since the space in the tool magazine of the numerically controlled machine tool itself is limited, it is difficult to store all the waiting tools. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a tool transport system that allows the numerically controlled machine tool to retrieve tools from a central tool magazine, thereby meeting machining needs. However, since both the workpiece transport system and the tool transport system are provided at the same time, the manufacturing cost increases significantly and more space is required for installation. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention provides a manufacturing method and manufacturing line that realizes tool transportation and exchange using a workpiece transportation system that solves the above-mentioned problems.

[0004] The manufacturing method that realizes tool transfer and exchange using a work transfer system is as follows: An empty work transport pallet is provided in a work preparation area of ​​the work transport system, and a step S1 of attaching a load to the work transport pallet; Step S2: inputting physical attributes of the loaded object and workpiece transport pallet information into the production line management control system, and the physical attributes of the loaded object are a tool carrier or a workpiece; Step S3: the production line management control system sends a control command to the work transport system to transport the work transport pallet, and the work transport pallet and the load are transported to the pallet exchange transport position of the target numerically controlled machine tool, and the production line management control system sends a control command to the numerically controlled machine tool, so that the numerically controlled machine tool prepares to receive the work transport pallet; After the production line management control system confirms that the load has been transported to the pallet exchange transport position of the target numerically controlled machine tool, the production line management control system sends a control command to the exchange mechanism to transport the load into the numerically controlled machine tool, and sends a control command to the numerically controlled machine tool in step S4; Step S5: the numerically controlled machine tool receives the loaded object based on the control command, and performs a tool gripping operation / workpiece machining operation based on the control command; The numerically controlled machine tool includes step S6, in which after completing the operation, the numerically controlled machine tool feeds back information to the production line management control system, and the production line management control system sends a control command to the work transport system, thereby causing the load to be returned into the work transport system via the exchange mechanism.

[0005] Further, in S4, when the production line management control system confirms that the load has been transported to the target pallet exchange transport position of the numerically controlled machine tool, the production line management control system sends a control command to the numerically controlled machine tool, so that the numerically controlled machine tool reads the workpiece transport pallet information at the pallet exchange transport position and compares it with the workpiece transport pallet information transmitted from the production line management control system. If the comparison result is consistent, the numerically controlled machine tool feeds back the comparison information to the production line management control system, and the numerically controlled machine tool opens the protective door of the numerically controlled machine tool to prepare to receive the pallet; When the production line management control system receives a signal from the numerically controlled machine tool indicating that the comparison result is a match, it sends a control command to the exchange mechanism to load the load into the numerically controlled machine tool, and also sends a control command to the numerically controlled machine tool to accept the load.

[0006] Furthermore, in S5, the spindle of the numerically controlled machine tool grips the tool, and then transfers one or more tools from the tool carrier into the tool magazine based on a command sent from the production line management control system.

[0007] Furthermore, in S5, after the spindle of the numerically controlled machine tool has grasped the tool, it loads one or more tools from the tool carrier into the tool magazine based on a command sent from the production line management control system, and then removes one or more tools that were previously stored in the tool magazine and loads them into the tool carrier.

[0008] Furthermore, in S5, after the spindle of the numerically controlled machine tool has gripped the tool, the workpiece is prepared for machining based on commands sent from the production line management control system.

[0009] Furthermore, in S3, the control command sent by the production line management control system to the numerically controlled machine tool includes physical attributes of the loaded object, workpiece transport pallet information and corresponding operations; If the load is a tool carrier, the corresponding action is to transfer one or more tools in the tool carrier to the tool magazine with the spindle, or to exchange one or more tools in the tool carrier with one or more tools in the tool magazine with the spindle, or to grip the tools; If the load is a workpiece, the corresponding operation is to fix the workpiece and then process the workpiece.

[0010] Furthermore, after the spindle of the numerically controlled machine tool grips the tool, the tool is measured using a tool measuring device, and if the tool measuring device is provided outside the numerically controlled machine tool, the tool information is transmitted to the numerically controlled machine tool.

[0011] Furthermore, the workpiece transport system includes a workpiece transport pallet, the workpiece transport pallet is provided with a zero-point positioning structure, and the worktable of the numerically controlled machine tool is provided with a zero-point positioning system, and the zero-point positioning structure cooperates with the zero-point positioning system to connect the workpiece transport pallet and the worktable of the numerically controlled machine tool.

[0012] Furthermore, when the numerically controlled machine tool does not require a tool, the production line management control system issues a control command to the workpiece transport system to transport the workpiece to the numerically controlled machine tool.

[0013] Furthermore, the numerically controlled machine tool is a vertical numerically controlled machining center, and the axis of the tool in the tool carrier is oriented vertically.

[0014] Furthermore, the numerically controlled machine tool is a horizontal numerically controlled machining center, and the axis of the tool in the tool carrier is oriented horizontally.

[0015] Furthermore, the numerically controlled machine tool is a five-axis numerically controlled machining center, and the load is a tool carrier, and the tool carrier is transported into the numerically controlled machine tool and attached to the work table of the numerically controlled machine tool; The attitude of the spindle of the numerically controlled machine tool and the attitude of the work table are adjusted so that the axial direction of the spindle is the same as the axial direction of the tool in the tool carrier.

[0016] The manufacturing line that realizes tool transfer and exchange by the work transfer system includes a work transfer system, a manufacturing line management control system, and a numerically controlled machine tool, The workpiece transport system includes a workpiece transport pallet, the workpiece transport pallet supports a load, and can transport the load to a pallet exchange transport position of a target numerically controlled machine tool based on a control command, the load is a tool carrier or a workpiece, and one or more tools can be mounted on the tool carrier; the production line management control system is capable of acquiring physical attributes of the load and workpiece transport pallet information, and transmits a control command set based on the physical attributes, and controls the workpiece transport system and the numerically controlled machine tool to perform corresponding operations based on the received control commands; When the load arrives at the pallet exchange transport position of the target numerically controlled machine tool, the numerically controlled machine tool can perform a tool gripping operation / workpiece machining operation based on a control command.

[0017] Furthermore, the workpiece transport pallet is a jig subplate, and a jig master plate that cooperates with the jig subplate is provided on the workbench of the numerically controlled machine tool.

[0018] Furthermore, the workpiece transport system includes an exchange mechanism, which is one of a pallet forklift, a manipulator, a gantry robot, and an industrial robot.

[0019] Furthermore, the tool carrier includes a body and a tool holder mounted on the body, the tool holder having an opening through which the tool enters and leaves the tool holder.

[0020] Furthermore, the numerically controlled machine tool has a spindle, the spindle including a core shaft, and the spindle moves along the axial direction of the core shaft to grip the tool and remove the tool along a direction perpendicular to the axis of the core shaft, thereby allowing the tool to be removed from the tool carrier.

[0021] Furthermore, the numerically controlled machine tool includes a spindle, a turret and a work spindle, the work spindle is connectable to the work transport pallet, and the spindle or the turret can move toward the work spindle along a direction perpendicular to the axis of the work spindle to grip a tool, move along the axial direction of the work spindle to remove the tool, and release the tool from the tool carrier.

[0022] Furthermore, a pin hole is provided in the tool carrier, a positioning pin is provided in the work sub-plate, the positioning pin passes through the pin hole, a lock hole is provided at the end of the positioning pin, and a lock pin is provided in the lock hole, thereby locking and fixing the tool carrier to the work sub-plate.

[0023] According to the manufacturing method and production line disclosed in the present invention, which realizes tool transportation and change using a workpiece transportation system, a workpiece transportation pallet is used to support a tool carrier and / or a workpiece, and the tool and / or workpiece is transported. The spindle of a numerically controlled machine tool is used to grip the tool, and tool change, tool magazine replenishment, or direct processing is performed. This allows the workpiece and tool to share a single transportation system, realizes the transportation of the workpiece and tool, and eliminates the need to install two transportation lines, greatly reducing manufacturing costs, reducing installation space, and improving manufacturing efficiency.

[0024] In order to more clearly describe the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces drawings necessary for describing the embodiments or the prior art. However, the drawings shown below are only some embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious that a person skilled in the art can obtain other related drawings based on these drawings without any creative efforts. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a flowchart of a manufacturing method for realizing tool transportation and exchange using a workpiece transportation system disclosed in a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a structural schematic diagram of a workpiece transport pallet and a tool carrier disclosed in a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a workpiece transport pallet equipped with a tool carrier disclosed in a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a structural schematic diagram of a workpiece transport pallet and a tool carrier disclosed in a seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5]FIG. 11 is a plan view of a workpiece transport pallet equipped with a tool carrier disclosed in a seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a manufacturing line operation that realizes tool transportation and exchange using a workpiece transportation system disclosed in a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a manufacturing line operation in which tool transportation and exchange are realized by a workpiece transportation system disclosed in a seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a manufacturing line operation in which tool transportation and exchange are realized by a workpiece transportation system disclosed in an eighth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] In order to clarify the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention, but it should be obvious that the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments, and all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without any creative efforts fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0027] Example 1 As shown in FIG. 1, the manufacturing method for realizing tool transfer and exchange using the workpiece transfer system disclosed in this embodiment includes the following steps. In S1, an empty work transport pallet is provided in the work preparation area of ​​the work transport system, and the load is attached to the work transport pallet. In S2, the physical attributes of the load and the workpiece transport pallet information are input into the production line management control system, and the physical attributes of the load are the tool carrier or the workpiece. In S3, the production line management control system sends a control command to the work transport system to transport the work transport pallet, and the work transport pallet and the load are transported to the pallet exchange transport position of the target numerically controlled machine tool, and the production line management control system sends a control command to the numerically controlled machine tool, causing the numerically controlled machine tool to prepare to receive the work transport pallet. In S4, after the production line management control system confirms that the load has been transported to the target position of the numerically controlled machine tool, the production line management control system sends a control command to the exchange mechanism, thereby transporting the load into the numerically controlled machine tool, and also sends a control command to the numerically controlled machine tool. In S5, the numerically controlled machine tool receives the loaded object based on the control command, and performs the tool gripping operation / workpiece machining operation based on the control command. In S6, the numerically controlled machine tool feeds back information to the production line management control system after completing the operation, and the production line management control system sends a control command to the work transport system, thereby causing the load to be returned into the work transport system via the exchange mechanism.

[0028] The workpiece transport system includes a workpiece transport pallet, a moving unit, and an exchange mechanism, the moving unit is used to drive the exchange mechanism to move linearly, and the exchange mechanism is used to exchange an object with a numerically controlled machine tool.

[0029] The work transport system further includes a work preparation area, which is used to load objects such as workpieces onto a work transport pallet and then load the work transport pallet into the exchange mechanism, and the pallet exchange transport position refers to the position where the work transport pallet is placed just before the exchange mechanism exchanges the object with the numerically controlled machine tool.

[0030] In this embodiment, the numerically controlled machine tool is a numerically controlled machining center that is equipped with its own tool magazine and can realize automatic tool exchange. During the machining process, if the tool magazine of the numerically controlled machine tool is short of the tools required for machining, a tool must be retrieved from the central tool magazine. In the work preparation area, an empty workpiece transport pallet is provided as a standby pallet for logistics exchange. The tools required for the numerically controlled machine tool are loaded onto the tool carrier, and the tool carrier is placed into the empty workpiece transport pallet. Then, the workpiece transport pallet with the tool carrier loaded is loaded into the exchange mechanism.

[0031] The technical solution disclosed in this embodiment can also be applied to general numerically controlled machine tools, by retrieving a tool from a central tool magazine, transporting the tool through a workpiece transport system, and inserting the tool into the numerically controlled machine tool through an exchange mechanism, thereby realizing tool exchange of the numerically controlled machine tool.

[0032] When the numerically controlled machine tool is in a normal machining state and there is no need to supply a tool, a workpiece to be machined can be placed in the work transport pallet to be controlled in the work preparation area.

[0033] Using the tool carrier as the load, the physical attributes of the load and the workpiece transport pallet information are input into the production line management control system, and the physical attributes of the load and the workpiece transport pallet information are correlated with each other. The production line management control system then sends a control command to the workpiece transport system to operate the moving unit to move the exchange mechanism to the position of the target numerically controlled machine tool, specifically to its pallet exchange and transport position. At the same time, the production line management control system sends a control command to the numerically controlled machine tool to notify the numerically controlled machine tool of the physical attributes of the load and the workpiece transport pallet information, etc. After the numerically controlled machine tool receives the information, it prepares to receive the workpiece transport pallet.

[0034] When the workpiece transport pallet is transported to the pallet exchange transport position of the target numerically controlled machine tool and the production line management control system confirms that the load has been transported to the pallet exchange transport position of the target numerically controlled machine tool, the production line management control system sends a control command to the numerically controlled machine tool, and upon receiving the command, the numerically controlled machine tool reads the pallet information at the pallet exchange transport position and compares it with the pallet information transmitted from the production line management control system, and if the comparison result is a match, the numerically controlled machine tool feeds the comparison information back to the production line management control system, and the numerically controlled machine tool opens the protective door of the numerically controlled machine tool to prepare to receive the pallet.

[0035] When the production line management control system receives a signal from the numerically controlled machine tool indicating that the comparison result is a match, it sends a control command to the exchange mechanism to load the load into the numerically controlled machine tool, and also sends a control command to the numerically controlled machine tool to accept the load.

[0036] The exchange mechanism carries the workpiece transport pallet into the numerically controlled machine tool, and the numerically controlled machine tool directly grasps the tool in the tool carrier based on a control command from the production line management control system.

[0037] After the tool gripping operation is completed, the numerically controlled machine tool feeds back information to the production line management control system, which then sends a control command to the workpiece transport system, and the exchange mechanism removes the workpiece transport pallet from the numerically controlled machine tool and returns it to the workpiece transport system.

[0038] After the spindle of the numerically controlled machine tool has grasped the tool, it prepares the workpiece for machining based on a command sent from the production line management control system. That is, the spindle of the numerically controlled machine tool has grasped the tool and is ready to start machining, and the grasped tool is the tool required for machining in the next step. The production line management control system allocates the workpiece to be machined and feeds it into the numerically controlled machine tool, so that machining can begin.

[0039] In S3, the control command sent by the production line management control system to the numerically controlled machine tool includes the physical attributes of the load, the workpiece transport pallet information and the corresponding operation.

[0040] In this example, the payload is a tool carrier and the corresponding action is to grasp a tool.

[0041] If the load is a workpiece, the corresponding operation is to fix the workpiece and then process the workpiece.

[0042] In this embodiment, after the spindle of the numerically controlled machine tool grips the tool, the tool is measured using the tool measuring device of the numerically controlled machine tool, and if the tool measuring device is installed outside the numerically controlled machine tool, the tool information is transmitted to the numerically controlled machine tool.

[0043] In this embodiment, the workpiece conveying pallet is provided with a zero-point positioning structure, which is a pull-out pin. A fixture master plate is provided on the worktable of the numerically controlled machine tool, and a zero-point positioning system is provided on the fixture master plate. The zero-point positioning structure cooperates with the zero-point positioning system to connect the workpiece conveying pallet to the worktable of the numerically controlled machine tool. A zero-point positioning system is disclosed in Chinese Invention Patent CN114131377A, "Automated Zero-Point Positioning System and Fixture Master Plate," and its specific structure and operating principle will not be described here. A workpiece master plate is provided on the worktable of the numerically controlled machine tool, and the zero-point positioning system positions and connects the workpiece master plate to the workpiece conveying pallet. The numerically controlled machine tool attaches the workpiece master plate to the worktable based on a command sent from the production line management control system.

[0044] If the numerically controlled machine tool does not need a tool, the production line management control system sends a control command to the workpiece transport system to transport the workpiece to the numerically controlled machine tool. At this time, the load is the workpiece, and the corresponding operation in S3 is to fix the workpiece and then process it.

[0045] In this embodiment, the numerically controlled machine tool is a vertical numerically controlled machining center or a vertical numerically controlled machine tool, and the axis of the tool in the tool carrier is oriented vertically.

[0046] The vertical numerically controlled machining center or vertical numerically controlled machine tool has a main axis direction in the vertical direction. The tool carrier includes a main body and a tool holder mounted on the main body. The tool holder has an opening through which a tool enters and exits the tool holder. The central part of the tool holder has a storage space for storing a tool. The cross-sectional shape of the storage space is circular. The tool can be inserted into the storage space through the opening, and the axis of the storage space is vertical. After the tool is attached to the tool holder, the axis of the tool coincides with the axis of the storage space. The main body of the tool carrier is provided with multiple tool holders, which are arranged in a rectangular or circular pattern and are on the same plane, with space for tool entry and exit at the opening of the tool holder.

[0047] Example 2 This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it is necessary to replenish tools in the tool magazine of the numerically controlled machine tool. After gripping the tool, the spindle of the numerically controlled machine tool loads the tool into the tool magazine based on a command sent from the production line management control system. When multiple tools are attached to the tool carrier, the numerically controlled machine tool loads the multiple tools into the tool magazine in sequence based on a command sent from the production line management control system.

[0048] In this embodiment, the payload is a tool carrier, and in S3, the corresponding operation is to load one or more tools in the tool carrier into the tool magazine by the spindle.

[0049] Example 3 This embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that tools must be replaced in a tool magazine of a numerically controlled machine tool.

[0050] The spindle of the numerically controlled machine tool holds a tool and carries it into the tool magazine, then holds a tool that was previously stored in the tool magazine and loads it into the tool carrier. When multiple tools need to be replaced in the tool magazine, the numerically controlled machine tool sequentially removes the multiple tools from the tool magazine and loads them into the tool carrier based on a command sent from the production line management control system.

[0051] In this embodiment, the load is a tool carrier, and in S3, the corresponding operation is to replace one or more tools in the tool carrier with one or more tools in the tool magazine in the spindle, i.e., to load the tools in the tool carrier into the tool magazine, and to load the tools previously stored in the tool magazine into the tool carrier.

[0052] Example 4 This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the numerically controlled machine tool is a horizontal numerically controlled machining center or horizontal machine tool, and the tool axis of the tool carrier is horizontal. The tool carrier includes multiple layers of tool holders, each layer having multiple tool holders arranged in a circular or rectangular shape, with the tool holder axis passing through the center of the circle or rectangle. The multiple-layer tool holder structure increases the loading capacity of the tool carrier, allowing more tools to be carried at one time.

[0053] Example 5 This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the numerically controlled machine tool is a five-axis numerically controlled machining center, the load is a tool carrier, and the tool carrier is transported into the numerically controlled machine tool and attached to the workbench of the numerically controlled machine tool.

[0054] The attitude of the spindle of the numerically controlled machine tool and the attitude of the work table are adjusted so that the axial direction of the spindle is the same as the axial direction of the tool in the tool carrier.

[0055] In this embodiment, the tool carrier can adopt the type of embodiment 3, embodiment 4, or other types, and the spindle can grip the tool by adjusting the attitude of the spindle and the attitude of the worktable. This embodiment broadens the range of available tool carrier structures, and is not limited to the arrangement direction of the tool holder, and can accommodate tool carriers with a wider variety of structural types.

[0056] Example 6 This embodiment discloses a manufacturing line that realizes tool transport and replacement using a workpiece transport system, and the manufacturing line implements a manufacturing method that realizes tool transport and replacement using a workpiece transport system, and includes a workpiece transport system, a manufacturing line management control system, and a numerically controlled machine tool.

[0057] The workpiece transport system includes a workpiece transport pallet 1, which supports a load and can transport the load to a target position of a numerically controlled machine tool based on a control command, the load being a tool carrier 2 or a workpiece, and one or more tools 7 can be mounted on the tool carrier 2.

[0058] The production line management control system can identify the physical attributes of the load, and transmit a set of control commands based on the physical attributes, thereby controlling the workpiece transport system and the numerically controlled machine tool to perform corresponding operations based on the received control commands.

[0059] When the load arrives at the position of the target numerically controlled machine tool, the numerically controlled machine tool can perform a tool gripping operation / workpiece machining operation based on a control command.

[0060] The production line management control system can acquire the physical attributes of the load, and inputs information about the physical attributes of the load and the work transport pallet 1 into the production line management control system, thereby allowing the production line management control system to acquire information such as the physical attributes of the load.

[0061] In this embodiment, the workpiece transport system includes a workpiece transport pallet 1, which is a jig subplate, and is provided with a pull-out pin 6. A jig master plate cooperating with the jig subplate is provided on the workbench of the numerically controlled machine tool, and the jig master plate can fasten the pull-out pin 6 on the jig subplate. The workpiece transport system further includes a moving unit and an exchange mechanism, the moving unit is used to drive the exchange mechanism to move it linearly, and the exchange mechanism is used to exchange an object with the numerically controlled machine tool, specifically, the exchange mechanism can load an object into the interior of the numerically controlled machine tool or remove an object from the interior of the numerically controlled machine tool.

[0062] In this embodiment, the exchange mechanism is one of a pallet forklift, a manipulator, a gantry robot, and an industrial robot.

[0063] In this embodiment, the tool carrier 2 includes a main body and a tool holder provided on the main body, the tool holder has an opening, and the tool 7 enters and leaves the tool holder through the opening.

[0064] The tool carrier 2 has a variety of structures and can be installed to accommodate different types of numerically controlled machine tools. As shown in FIG. 6 , the numerically controlled machine tool of this embodiment is a vertical numerically controlled machine tool, and the tool carrier 2 is provided with multiple tool holders on the same plane. The central part of the tool holder has an accommodation space for accommodating tools 7. The cross-sectional shape of the accommodation space is circular, and the tool 7 can be inserted into the accommodation space through an opening. The axis of the accommodation space is vertical. After the tool 7 is attached to the tool holder, the axis of the tool 7 coincides with the axis of the accommodation space. The multiple tool holders are arranged in a rectangular or circular pattern, and the openings of the tool holders provide space for the tools 7 to enter and exit. This structure of the tool carrier 2 is applicable to a vertical numerically controlled machining center or vertical numerically controlled machine tool, and the axis of the tools 7 in the tool carrier 2 is vertical and coincides with the spindle direction.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the workpiece transport pallet 1 enters the inside of the numerically controlled machine tool along the Y-axis direction and is fixedly connected to the worktable, and the spindle of the numerically controlled machine tool moves along the Z-axis direction to grasp the tool 7, and then loads it into the tool magazine or prepares it for processing. In this embodiment, the numerically controlled machine tool has a spindle, which includes a core shaft, and the spindle moves along the axial direction of the core shaft to grip the tool 7 and remove the tool 7 along a direction perpendicular to the axis of the core shaft, thereby allowing the tool 7 to be released from the tool carrier 2.

[0066] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the tool carrier 2 is fixedly connected to the workpiece transport pallet 1. In this embodiment, the tool carrier 2 is provided with pin holes 3, the workpiece sub-plate is provided with positioning pins 4, the positioning pins 4 pass through the pin holes 3, and locking holes are provided at the ends of the positioning pins 4, and locking pins 5 are provided in the locking holes to lock and fix the tool carrier 2 to the workpiece sub-plate.

[0067] The length of the positioning pin 4 is greater than that of the pin hole 3, and the end of the positioning pin 4 extends from the pin hole 3, so that the locking pin 5 can be inserted into the locking hole.

[0068] The tool carrier 2 and the workpiece transport pallet 1 may be fixed by other methods such as bolt fastening.

[0069] Example 7 This embodiment differs from the sixth embodiment in that the numerically controlled machine tool is a horizontal numerically controlled machine tool.

[0070] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the tool carrier 2 is configured as a multi-layer tool holder structure. Each layer is provided with multiple tool holders, and each tool holder can be provided with a tool 7. The tool holders may be arranged in a circular or rectangular shape, with the axis of the tool holder passing through the center of the circle or rectangle. The multi-layer tool holder structure increases the mounting capacity of the tool carrier 2, allowing it to carry more tools 7 at one time. As shown in FIG. 7, the workpiece transport pallet 1 enters the inside of the numerically controlled machine tool along the X-axis direction and is fixedly connected to the work table, and the spindle of the numerically controlled machine tool moves along the Z-axis direction to grasp the tool 7, and then loads it into the tool magazine or prepares it for processing.

[0071] Example 8 This embodiment differs from the seventh embodiment in that the numerically controlled machine tool is a horizontal lathe-milling combined machining center.

[0072] As shown in Figure 8, the numerically controlled machine tool according to this embodiment includes a spindle, a turret, and a workpiece spindle, and the workpiece transport pallet 1 is parallel to the X1-axis and Y-axis plane. The workpiece transport pallet 1 enters the numerically controlled machine tool along the Y-axis direction and is fixedly connected to the workpiece spindle. In this embodiment, the workpiece spindle is provided with a zero-point positioning system, and the workpiece spindle is fixedly connected to the workpiece transport pallet 1 through the zero-point positioning system. The spindle of the numerically controlled machine tool moves along the X1-axis, grips a tool 7, and then loads it into a tool magazine or prepares it for processing.

[0073] The turret in this embodiment is a servo-driven turret that can move along the X2 axis. When the workpiece spindle rotates, the axis of the tool 7 on the tool carrier 2 passes through the rotation axis of the turret, and when the turret rotates, the axis of the tool gripping mechanism on the turret overlaps the axis of the tool 7, causing the turret to move along the X2 axis and grip the tool 7, and the workpiece spindle to move along the Z axis, thereby releasing the tool 7 from the tool carrier 2.

[0074] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are merely for illustrating the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the same. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions described in the above embodiments may still be modified, or some or all of the technical features thereof may be equivalently replaced, and such modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to depart from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1 Work transport pallet 2 Tool Carriers 3 pin holes 4 Locating Pins 5 Locking pin 6 Extraction pin 7 Tools

Claims

1. A manufacturing method for realizing tool transportation and exchange by a work transportation system, comprising: Step S1: an empty work transport pallet is provided in a work preparation area of ​​the work transport system, and a load is attached to the work transport pallet; Step S2: inputting physical attributes of the loaded object and workpiece transport pallet information into the production line management control system, where the physical attributes of the loaded object are a tool carrier or a workpiece; Step S3: the production line management control system sends a control command to the work transport system to transport the work transport pallet, and the work transport pallet and the load are transported to a pallet exchange transport position of the target numerically controlled machine tool, and the production line management control system sends a control command to the numerically controlled machine tool, thereby causing the numerically controlled machine tool to prepare to receive the work transport pallet; After the production line management control system confirms that the load has been transported to the pallet exchange transport position of the target numerically controlled machine tool, the production line management control system sends a control command to the exchange mechanism, thereby transporting the load into the numerically controlled machine tool, and also sends a control command to the numerically controlled machine tool in step S4; Step S5: the numerically controlled machine tool receives the loaded object based on the control command, and performs a tool gripping operation / workpiece machining operation based on the control command; a step S6 in which the numerically controlled machine tool feeds back information to the production line management control system after completing the operation, and the production line management control system sends a control command to the work transport system, thereby returning the loaded object into the work transport system via the exchange mechanism.

2. A manufacturing method for realizing tool transfer and exchange using a workpiece transport system according to claim 1, wherein in step S4, when the production line management control system confirms that the load has been transferred to the target pallet exchange transport position of the numerically controlled machine tool, the production line management control system sends a control command to the numerically controlled machine tool, so that the numerically controlled machine tool reads the workpiece transport pallet information of the pallet exchange transport position and compares it with the workpiece transport pallet information transmitted from the production line management control system, and if the comparison result is consistent, the numerically controlled machine tool feeds back the comparison information to the production line management control system, and the numerically controlled machine tool opens the protective door of the numerically controlled machine tool to prepare to receive the pallet; When the production line management control system receives a signal indicating a match between the comparison results fed back from the numerically controlled machine tool, it sends a control command to the exchange mechanism to load the load into the numerically controlled machine tool, and sends a control command to the numerically controlled machine tool to accept the load.

3. 2. A manufacturing method for realizing tool logistics exchange using the workpiece transport system according to claim 1, wherein in step S5, the spindle of the numerically controlled machine tool grips the tool, and then carries one or more tools from the tool carrier into the tool magazine based on a command sent from the manufacturing line management control system.

4. 4. A manufacturing method for realizing tool logistics exchange using a workpiece transport system according to claim 3, wherein in step S5, the spindle of the numerically controlled machine tool grips the tool, and then loads one or more tools from the tool carrier into the tool magazine based on a command sent from the production line management control system, and then removes one or more tools previously stored in the tool magazine and loads them into the tool carrier.

5. 2. A manufacturing method for realizing tool transportation and exchange using the workpiece transportation system according to claim 1, wherein in S5, the spindle of the numerically controlled machine tool grips the tool and then prepares the workpiece for machining based on a command sent from the manufacturing line management control system.

6. 2. A manufacturing method for realizing tool transportation and exchange by the work transportation system according to claim 1, wherein in S3, the control command sent by the production line management control system to the numerically controlled machine tool includes physical attributes of the loaded object, work transportation pallet information, and corresponding operations; If the load is a tool carrier, the corresponding action is to transfer one or more tools on the tool carrier to the tool magazine with the spindle, or to exchange one or more tools on the tool carrier with one or more tools in the tool magazine with the spindle, or to grip the tools; When the load is a workpiece, the corresponding operation is to fix the workpiece and then process the workpiece.

7. 2. A manufacturing method for realizing tool transportation and exchange using the workpiece transportation system according to claim 1, wherein after a spindle of a numerically controlled machine tool grips a tool, the tool is measured using a tool measuring device, and if the tool measuring device is provided outside the numerically controlled machine tool, tool information is transmitted to the numerically controlled machine tool.

8. 2. A manufacturing method for realizing tool transportation and exchange using a workpiece transportation system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the workpiece transportation system includes a workpiece transportation pallet, the workpiece transportation pallet is provided with a zero-point positioning structure, and the workbench of the numerically controlled machine tool is provided with a zero-point positioning system, and the zero-point positioning structure cooperates with the zero-point positioning system to connect the workpiece transportation pallet and the workbench of the numerically controlled machine tool.

9. 2. A manufacturing method for realizing tool transportation and exchange using the work transportation system described in claim 1, characterized in that when the numerically controlled machine tool does not require a tool, the manufacturing line management control system issues a control command to the work transportation system to transport the work to the numerically controlled machine tool.

10. 2. A manufacturing method for realizing tool logistics exchange using the workpiece transportation system according to claim 1, wherein the numerically controlled machine tool is a vertical numerically controlled machining center, and the axis of the tool in the tool carrier is oriented vertically.

11. 2. A manufacturing method for realizing tool logistics exchange using the workpiece transport system according to claim 1, wherein the numerically controlled machine tool is a horizontal numerically controlled machining center, and the axis of the tool in the tool carrier is oriented horizontally.

12. 2. A manufacturing method for realizing tool logistics exchange using a workpiece transport system according to claim 1, wherein the numerically controlled machine tool is a five-axis numerically controlled machining center, the loaded object is a tool carrier, the tool carrier is transported into the numerically controlled machine tool and attached to the workbench of the numerically controlled machine tool, A manufacturing method comprising adjusting the attitude of the spindle of a numerically controlled machine tool and the attitude of the work table so that the axial direction of the spindle is the same as the axial direction of a tool in a tool carrier.

13. A manufacturing line that realizes tool transportation and exchange by a work transportation system for realizing the manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising: a work transportation system, a manufacturing line management control system, and a numerically controlled machine tool; The workpiece transport system includes a workpiece transport pallet, the workpiece transport pallet supports a load, and can transport the load to a pallet exchange transport position of a target numerically controlled machine tool based on a control command, the load is a tool carrier or a workpiece, and one or more tools can be mounted on the tool carrier; the production line management control system is capable of acquiring physical attributes of the load and workpiece transport pallet information, and transmits a control command set based on the physical attributes, and controls the workpiece transport system and the numerically controlled machine tool to perform corresponding operations based on the received control commands; A manufacturing line characterized in that the numerically controlled machine tool can perform a tool gripping operation / workpiece processing operation based on a control command when the load arrives at the pallet exchange transport position of the target numerically controlled machine tool.

14. A manufacturing line that realizes tool transportation and exchange using the work transportation system described in claim 13, characterized in that the work transportation pallet is a jig subplate, and a jig master plate that cooperates with the jig subplate is provided on the workbench of a numerically controlled machine tool.

15. 14. A manufacturing line that realizes tool transportation and exchange using the work transportation system according to claim 13, wherein the work transportation system includes an exchange mechanism, and the exchange mechanism is one of a pallet forklift, a manipulator, a gantry robot, or an industrial robot.

16. 14. A production line that realizes tool logistics exchange using the workpiece transport system according to claim 13, wherein the tool carrier includes a main body and a tool holder provided on the main body, the tool holder has an opening, and the tool enters and leaves the tool holder through the opening.

17. 14. A production line that realizes tool logistics exchange using the workpiece transportation system according to claim 13, wherein the numerically controlled machine tool has a spindle, the spindle includes a core shaft, the spindle moves along the axial direction of the core shaft to grip the tool, and removes the tool along a direction perpendicular to the axis of the core shaft, thereby detaching the tool from the tool carrier.

18. 14. A manufacturing line that realizes tool logistics exchange by the workpiece transportation system according to claim 13, wherein the numerically controlled machine tool includes a spindle, a turret and a workpiece spindle, the workpiece spindle is connectable to the workpiece transportation pallet, and the spindle or the turret moves toward the workpiece spindle along a direction perpendicular to the axis of the workpiece spindle to grip a tool, moves along the axial direction of the workpiece spindle to take out the tool, and releases the tool from the tool carrier.

19. 15. A production line that realizes tool logistics exchange using the workpiece transport system according to claim 14, wherein the tool carrier is provided with a pin hole, the workpiece sub-plate is provided with a positioning pin, the positioning pin passes through the pin hole, a lock hole is provided at an end of the positioning pin, and a lock pin is provided in the lock hole, thereby locking and fixing the tool carrier to the workpiece sub-plate.

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