Chip removal method and chip removal system

Abstract

To provide a technology for safely and reliably removing residues such as cutting chips in a machine tool while suppressing a decrease in work efficiency. [Solution] The fluid jetting tool 50 is a fluid jetting tool attached to a spindle 3 in a machining center 1A, which is capable of automatically replacing tools and injecting a fluid, which is a coolant liquid or air, in a center-through manner. The fluid jetting tool is tubular with an opening on the base portion 56 side, extends in the tool axial direction, and includes an internal flow path portion 60 through which a fluid passes to be injected through the inside of the spindle, and a side through-hole portion 63 provided on the tip portion 54 side, penetrates from an inner peripheral surface 60b of the internal flow path portion to the outside of the fluid jetting tool, and jets the fluid that has passed through the internal flow path portion to the outside of the fluid jetting tool. The side through-hole portion is inclined at an inclination angle θ1 toward the tool axial direction from the tool radial direction perpendicular to the tool axial direction so that an outer opening 63d is closer to the base portion than an inner opening 63c.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid ejection device that is attached to a tool attachment portion of a machine tool. Ingredients The present invention relates to a chip removal method and a chip removal system. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, when machining a blind hole using a machine tool such as a machining center equipped with an automatic tool changer (autochanger), NC lathe, or turning center (combined machine tool), the operation of the machine tool is stopped temporarily between the process of drilling the pilot hole and the process of cutting the female thread into the pilot hole, or between the process of cutting the female thread and the process of finishing, and the operator (worker) removes the cutting chips from inside the pilot hole or the tapped hole using an air gun or similar.

[0003] As a technique for removing such chips, for example, a chip removal device described in the following Patent Document 1 has been known. In the chip removal device described in Patent Document 1, a spiral flow generating unit composed of a plurality of guide pieces twisted in a screw shape is provided at the tip of the air blow nozzle. The spiral flow generating unit is for changing the air flowing in the air blow nozzle into a spiral flow, and a cutout portion is provided every 120 degrees around the axis, and an opening is provided at the tip of the axis. It is said that by using such a chip removal device having a spiral flow generating unit, it is possible to lift up residues such as chips in the processed hole and remove them outside the opening by the spiral flow that blows up in a tornado shape from near the bottom of a processed hole such as a pilot hole or a screw hole toward the opening of the processed hole. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3949623 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, even when removing chips using the air blow nozzle described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to temporarily stop the operation of a machine tool such as a machining center. Therefore, even if the machine tool is equipped with an automatic tool changer, it is not possible to complete all processes, including the chip removal work, by only inputting operations at the start of processing, and there is room for improvement in improving work efficiency.

[0006] In addition, when workers at manufacturing sites using machine tools remove chips by holding an air gun, chips and coolant (cutting oil) can fly toward the worker, and so there was a demand for technology to prevent injury or contamination. There was also a demand for technology to ensure chip removal without relying on the worker's experience in chip removal.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for safely and reliably removing residual material such as cutting chips from within a machine tool while suppressing a decrease in work efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of a fluid ejection tool made to solve the above problem is as follows: A fluid ejection tool that can be attached to a tool attachment part of a machine tool, which can automatically replace a tool to be used, can process a workpiece by rotating either a workpiece or the tool, and can eject a fluid, which is a coolant liquid or air, by a center-through method, The base portion side, which is the side attached to the tool attachment portion, is tubular and open, an internal flow passage portion extending in a tool axial direction and through which the fluid passes when the fluid passes through the inside of the tool attachment portion; a lateral through-hole portion that is provided on the tip end side opposite to the base portion, that penetrates from an inner circumferential surface of the internal flow path portion to the outside of the fluid jetting tool, and that jets the fluid that has passed through the internal flow path portion to the outside of the fluid jetting tool, This is a fluid ejection tool characterized in that the lateral through hole portion is inclined at a predetermined angle toward the tool axis direction relative to the tool radial direction perpendicular to the tool axis direction, so that the outer opening is closer to either the base portion or the tip than the inner opening.

[0009] The fluid jetting tool of this aspect is capable of jetting a fluid, which is a coolant liquid or air, in a center-through manner, and is attached to a tool mounting part such as a spindle of a machine tool capable of automatically changing tools, and can jet the fluid that has flowed into the inside from the tool mounting part to the outside from the side through-hole part. The side through-hole part is inclined at a predetermined angle toward the tool axis direction from the tool radial direction so that the outer opening is located closer to either the base or the tip than the inner opening. Therefore, if the outer opening of the side through-hole part is inclined to be closer to the base than the inner opening, the chips can be suitably blown toward the base side of the fluid jetting tool, and if the outer opening of the side through-hole part is inclined to be closer to the tip than the inner opening, the chips can be suitably blown toward the tip side of the fluid jetting tool. Therefore, it is possible to remove the chips by using the fluid jetted through the tool mounting part without stopping the operation of the machine tool. As a result, it is possible to remove chips from inside the machine tool safely and reliably, while preventing a decline in work efficiency, compared to manual cleaning by an operator using an air gun or the like.

[0010] In the fluid ejection tool of the above aspect, It is preferable that a plurality of the side through-holes are provided in the circumferential direction of the fluid ejection tool.

[0011] According to the fluid jetting tool of this aspect, it is easy to jet the fluid evenly over the entire circumferential area of ​​the fluid jetting tool, and therefore it is possible to improve the accuracy of chip removal.

[0012] Further, in the fluid ejection tool of the above aspect, The side through hole portion is a plurality of the fluid ejection tool are provided in a circumferential direction of the fluid ejection tool at a first position that is a first distance from the tip in the tool axis direction, It is desirable that a plurality of the tip portions are provided in the circumferential direction of the fluid ejection tool at second positions that are a second distance from the tip in the tool axis direction that is longer than the first distance.

[0013] According to the fluid jetting tool of this aspect, a plurality of side through-holes are provided at different positions (first position, second position) in the tool axial direction. Therefore, chips blown away by fluid jetted from the plurality of side through-holes at one of the first position or the second position can be further blown away by fluid jetted from the plurality of side through-holes at the other of the first position or the second position. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the accuracy of chip removal.

[0014] In the fluid ejection tool of the above aspect, The side through hole portion is inclined such that the outer opening is closer to the base portion than the inner opening, It is desirable that the tip portion be provided with a tip through-hole portion that penetrates from the inner tip surface of the internal flow passage portion to the outside of the fluid jetting tool along the axis of the fluid jetting tool.

[0015] According to the fluid jetting tool of this aspect, the fluid can be jetted from the tip through-hole portion along the tool axis, so that chips remaining at the machining point of the workpiece or on the workpiece fixing jig can be blown away toward the base side (tool attachment side) of the fluid jetting tool by the fluid jetted from the side through-hole portion inclined so that the outer opening is closer to the base than the inner opening. Therefore, chips remaining at the machining point of the workpiece or on the workpiece fixing jig can be easily blown away outside the workpiece or the fixing jig.

[0016] In addition, one aspect of a chip removal method devised to solve the above problem is to A method for removing chips using the fluid ejection tool of the above aspect, a replacement step of replacing a tool to be used with the fluid ejection tool after a processing step of processing a blind hole or a blind hole threaded hole portion in the workpiece; an inserting step of inserting the fluid ejection tool into the bottomed hole portion formed by the machining step to position the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion within the bottomed hole portion; and a chip removal step of moving the fluid ejection tool in a direction away from the bottomed hole portion while ejecting the fluid from the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion and rotating the fluid ejection tool in a direction opposite to the tool rotation direction when forming the bottomed hole portion.

[0017] According to this aspect of the chip removal method, the fluid ejection tool attached to the tool attachment part is inserted into the bottomed hole part to position the tip through hole part and the side through hole part within the bottomed hole part, and then the fluid ejection tool is rotated in the opposite direction to that used for forming the bottomed hole part while ejecting fluid from the tip through hole part and the side through hole part, and moved in a direction away from the bottomed hole part, thereby making it possible to reliably blow away any chips remaining in the bottomed hole part outside the bottomed hole part. Also, if the bottomed hole part is a blind threaded hole, it is possible to completely remove the chips outside the bottomed hole part by moving the chips in a spiral manner along the thread groove.

[0018] In addition, one aspect of a chip removal system made to solve the above problem is to A chip removal system comprising the fluid ejection tool of the above aspect and the machine tool, the machine tool having a control unit that controls the operation of the machine tool based on input work instruction data, The control unit is a tool changing process for changing a tool to be used to the fluid ejection tool after a processing step for processing a blind hole or a blind hole threaded hole portion in the workpiece; a tool insertion process in which the fluid ejection tool is inserted into the bottomed hole portion formed by the machining process, and the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion are positioned within the bottomed hole portion; This is a chip removal system, characterized by performing a chip removal process in which the fluid is ejected from the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion while rotating the fluid ejection tool in a direction opposite to the tool rotation direction used when forming the bottomed hole portion, and the fluid ejection tool is moved in a direction away from the bottomed hole portion.

[0019] According to this aspect of the chip removal system, the control unit of the machine tool replaces the tool to be used with a fluid ejection tool after the machining process of machining the workpiece, inserts the fluid ejection tool into the bottomed hole portion to position the tip through hole portion and the side through hole portion within the bottomed hole portion, and then rotates the fluid ejection tool in the opposite direction to that used when the bottomed hole portion was formed while ejecting fluid from the tip through hole portion and the side through hole portion, and moves the fluid ejection tool in the direction of exiting the bottomed hole portion. This makes it possible to reliably blow away chips remaining in the bottomed hole portion outside the bottomed hole portion. Also, when the bottomed hole portion is a blind hole, it is possible to completely remove the chips outside the bottomed hole portion while moving them in a spiral shape along the thread groove.

[0020] In the above-mentioned chip removal system, In the tool insertion process, it is desirable that the control unit moves the fluid ejection tool to the same position as a machining position of the workpiece in the machining process.

[0021] According to the chip removal system of this aspect, the fluid ejection tool is moved to the same position as the bottomed hole portion formed in the machining process, so that it is possible to improve the accuracy of removing chips from within the bottomed hole portion.

[0022] In the above-mentioned chip removal system, It is desirable that, in the tool insertion process, the control unit inserts the fluid ejection tool into the bottomed hole portion to a depth that does not exceed a tool insertion depth in the machining process.

[0023] According to this type of chip removal system, the fluid ejection tool is prevented from being inserted too deeply into the bottomed hole, making it possible to prevent the workpiece from being damaged by the fluid ejection tool hitting the bottom of the bottomed hole, for example.

[0024] In the above-mentioned chip removal system, It is desirable that the control unit, in the chip removal process, rotates the fluid ejection tool at a rotation speed corresponding to a rotation speed of a tool in the machining process.

[0025] According to this aspect of the chip removal system, the control unit of the machine tool rotates the fluid ejection tool at a rotation speed corresponding to the rotation speed of the tool in the machining process during the chip removal process. Therefore, it is possible to remove chips suitable for the machined bottomed hole. In addition, if a blind hole is machined, the fluid ejection tool is rotated in the opposite direction to the machining direction at a rotation speed corresponding to the rotation speed of the tool when the thread is cut, so that the chips can be reliably moved in a spiral shape along the thread groove, and the chips in the threaded hole can be removed with high precision.

[0026] In the above-mentioned chip removal system, It is desirable that, in the chip removal process, the control unit moves the fluid ejection tool in a direction to exit the bottomed hole at a feed speed corresponding to a feed speed of a tool in the machining process.

[0027] According to this aspect of the chip removal system, the control unit of the machine tool moves the fluid jetting tool in the chip removal process in the direction of removal from the bottomed hole at a feed speed corresponding to the feed speed of the tool in the machining process. This makes it possible to remove chips appropriate for the bottomed hole that has been machined. In other words, it is possible to prevent the speed at which the fluid jetting tool is removed from the bottomed hole from being too fast or too slow, making it possible to balance the accuracy of chip removal with the efficiency of the removal work.

[0028] In another aspect of the fluid ejection tool for solving the above problem, It is desirable that the lateral through-hole portion be inclined so that the outer opening is closer to the tip than the inner opening.

[0029] According to the fluid jetting tool of this aspect, the fluid jetted from the side through-hole portion, the outer opening of which is closer to the tip than the inner opening, can blow off the chips toward the tip side of the fluid jetting tool (the side of the workpiece or the fixture). Therefore, it is possible to effectively remove the chips remaining at the machining location that penetrates the workpiece.

[0030] Another aspect of the chip removal method for solving the above problem is as follows: A method for removing chips using the fluid ejection tool of the other aspect, comprising: a replacement step of replacing a tool to be used with the fluid ejection tool after a processing step of processing a through hole or a through hole portion, which is a threaded hole of a through hole, in the workpiece; and a chip removal step of passing the fluid ejection tool through the through-hole portion while ejecting the fluid from the lateral through-hole portion and rotating the fluid ejection tool in the same direction as the tool rotation direction when forming the through-hole portion.

[0031] According to the chip removal method of this aspect, the fluid ejection tool attached to the tool attachment part is rotated in the same direction as when the through hole was formed while ejecting fluid from the side through hole part and passing through the through hole part, so that the chips remaining in the through hole part can be reliably blown out of the through hole part. Also, when the through hole part is a threaded through hole, the chips can be completely ejected out of the through hole part while moving in a spiral shape along the thread groove.

[0032] Another aspect of the chip removal system achieved in order to solve the above problem is: A chip removal system comprising the fluid ejection tool according to any one of the above aspects and the machine tool, the machine tool having a control unit that controls the operation of the machine tool based on input work instruction data, The control unit is a tool changing process for changing a tool to be used to the fluid ejection tool after a machining process for machining a through hole portion, which is a through hole or a through hole threaded hole, in the workpiece; and a chip removal process in which the fluid ejection tool is passed through the through-hole portion while ejecting the fluid from the lateral through-hole portion and rotating the fluid ejection tool in the same direction as the tool rotation direction when forming the through-hole portion.

[0033] According to this aspect of the chip removal system, the control unit of the machine tool replaces the tool to be used with a fluid ejection tool after the machining process of the workpiece, and passes the fluid ejection tool through the through hole while rotating the fluid ejection tool in the same direction as when the through hole was formed, while ejecting fluid from the side through hole. This makes it possible to reliably blow away chips remaining in the through hole to the outside of the through hole. In addition, if the through hole is a threaded through hole, it is possible to move the chips in a spiral manner along the thread groove and completely eject them to the outside of the through hole.

[0034] Further, another aspect of the chip removal method achieved in order to solve the above problem is as follows: A method for removing chips using the fluid ejection tool according to the above aspect, A replacement step of replacing a tool to be used with the fluid ejection tool; and a chip removal step of positioning the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion within a T-slot groove formed in a table of the machine tool, and ejecting the fluid from the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion while rotating the fluid ejection tool and moving it in the direction in which the T-slot groove extends.

[0035] According to this embodiment of the chip removal method, the tip through hole portion and side through hole portion of the fluid ejection tool attached to the tool mounting portion are positioned within the T-slot groove of the table of the machine tool, and fluid is ejected from the tip through hole portion and side through hole portion while rotating the fluid ejection tool and moving it in the direction in which the T-slot groove extends, so that any chips remaining in the T-slot groove can be reliably blown out of the T-slot groove.

[0036] Further, still another aspect of the chip removal system achieved in order to solve the above problem is: A chip removal system comprising the fluid ejection tool according to the above aspect and the machine tool, the machine tool having a control unit that controls the operation of the machine tool based on input work instruction data, The control unit is A tool replacement process for replacing a tool to be used with the fluid ejection tool; the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion are positioned within a T-slot groove formed in a table of the machine tool, and the fluid is ejected from the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion while rotating the fluid ejection tool and moving it in the direction in which the T-slot groove extends.

[0037] According to this aspect of the chip removal system, after a machining process for machining a workpiece, the control unit of the machine tool replaces the tool to be used with a fluid jetting tool, positions the tip through hole portion and the side through hole portion of the fluid jetting tool in the T-slot groove of the table of the machine tool, and moves the fluid jetting tool in the extension direction of the T-slot groove while rotating it, while jetting fluid from the tip through hole portion and the side through hole portion. This makes it possible to reliably blow away chips remaining in the T-slot groove to the outside of the T-slot groove.

[0038] Further, still another aspect of the chip removal method devised to solve the above problem is: A method for removing chips using the fluid ejection tool according to the above aspect, A replacement step of replacing a tool to be used with the fluid ejection tool; and a chip removal step of rotating the fluid ejection tool while ejecting the fluid from the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion and moving the fluid ejection tool closer to a chuck of the machine tool.

[0039] According to this aspect of the chip removal method, after replacing the tool being used with a fluid ejection tool, the fluid ejection tool is rotated while ejecting fluid from the tip through hole portion and the side through hole portion, and is then brought closer to the chuck of the machine tool, thereby making it possible to reliably blow away any chips remaining on the chuck in the direction away from the chuck.

[0040] Further, still another aspect of the chip removal system achieved in order to solve the above problem is: A chip removal system comprising the fluid ejection tool according to the above aspect and the machine tool, the machine tool having a control unit that controls the operation of the machine tool based on input work instruction data, The control unit is A tool replacement process for replacing a tool to be used with the fluid ejection tool; and a chip removal process in which the fluid is ejected from the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion while rotating the fluid ejection tool and bringing it closer to a chuck of the machine tool.

[0041] According to the chip removal system of this aspect, after the machining process of machining the workpiece, the control unit of the machine tool replaces the tool to be used with the fluid jetting tool, and moves the fluid jetting tool closer to the chuck of the machine tool while rotating it and jetting fluid from the tip through-hole portion and the side through-hole portion. This makes it possible to reliably blow away the chips remaining on the chuck in a direction away from the chuck.

[0042] In addition, in still another aspect of the fluid ejection tool made to solve the above problem, The tip portion has a blade for machining the workpiece, It is desirable that the lateral through hole portion is inclined so that the outer opening is closer to the base portion than the inner opening, and is drilled so that the fluid spraying from the lateral through hole portion hits the cutting chips cut by the blade.

[0043] According to the fluid jetting tool of this aspect, a fluid such as a coolant liquid or air is jetted from the side through-hole portion which is inclined so that the outer opening is closer to the base portion than the inner opening, and the fluid jetting tool is rotated relatively or absolutely to bring the blade into contact with the workpiece, so that while cutting is proceeding, the chips generated by the cutting can be blown away toward the base portion side (the tool attachment portion side) by the fluid jetted from the side through-hole portion. In other words, it is possible to simultaneously proceed with the machining of the workpiece and the removal of the chips. As a result, it is possible to greatly improve the work efficiency. Effect of the Invention

[0044] According to the technology disclosed in this specification, it is possible to safely and reliably remove chips from within a machine tool while suppressing a decrease in work efficiency. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0045] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view that shows a chip removal system according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the chip removal system including a fluid ejection tool and a machining center. FIG. [Diagram 2] 1 is a vertical sectional view of a tip portion (lower end portion) of a spindle of a machining center according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the fluid ejection tool held in the tool holder. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fluid ejection tool. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the fluid ejection tool. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 5. [Figure 7]FIG. 2 is a plan view of a workpiece in which a blind hole threaded hole is formed, showing a state in which cutting chips have accumulated inside the blind hole threaded hole. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing an example of a method for removing chips accumulated in a pilot hole that is a blind hole by using a fluid ejection tool. [Figure 9] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of a method for removing chips accumulated in a threaded hole of a blind hole using a fluid ejection tool. [Figure 10] 5 is a flowchart of a threaded hole forming process performed by a control device of a machine tool in the chip removal system of the first embodiment. [Figure 11A] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing an example of a method for removing chips accumulated in a threaded hole of a blind hole formed by helical machining using a fluid ejection tool. [Figure 11B] 11 is a flowchart of a threaded hole forming process performed by a control device of a machine tool when a blind hole is formed by helical machining. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the fluid ejection tool according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 12. [Figure 14] 13A to 13C are diagrams showing an example of a method for removing chips remaining in a threaded hole of a through hole using the fluid ejection tool according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a chip removal system according to a third embodiment, the chip removal system including a machining center different from the machining center according to the first embodiment and the same fluid ejection tool as the fluid ejection tool according to the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which chips have accumulated on the upper surface of the table and in the T-slot grooves in the machining center according to the third embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a method for removing chips accumulated in a T-slot groove of a table by using a fluid ejection tool, and is a diagram showing a part of a longitudinal section along the short side direction of the table. [Figure 18]FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view showing an example of a method for removing chips accumulated in a T-slot groove of a table by using a fluid ejection tool, the view being viewed from diagonally above the table to the left. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a chip removal system according to a fourth embodiment, the chip removal system including a multi-purpose machine tool in which a machining center has a turning function, and a fluid jetting tool that is the same as the fluid jetting tool according to the first embodiment. [Figure 20] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a method for removing chips accumulated in a chuck of a work spindle of a composite machine tool using a fluid ejection tool. FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a fluid jetting tool according to a fifth embodiment and an example of use of the fluid jetting tool. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0046] 1. First embodiment A chip removal system KSA according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the chip removal system KSA includes a machining center 1A (an example of a machine tool) and a fluid ejection tool 50. The machining center 1A includes a processing head 2, an automatic tool changer 20, and a control device 30. The control device 30 can automatically exchange any one of a plurality of tools set in a tool magazine 22 of the automatic tool changer 20 with a tool attached to a spindle 3 (an example of a tool attachment portion) of the processing head 2 based on work instruction data. The chip removal system KSA includes a fluid ejection tool 50 held by a tool holder 80 as one of the tools set in the tool magazine 22, and the fluid ejection tool 50 can be attached to the spindle 3 by a tool exchange process by the control device 30 as shown in FIG. 1. The work instruction data is a program for causing the machining center 1A to perform a desired operation such as machining, and can be appropriately input by an operator (worker), etc.

[0047] The fluid jetting tool 50 can be attached to a tool mounting portion (spindle, turret, etc.) of various known machine tools such as a machining center, an NC lathe, and a composite machine tool (turning center). The fluid jetting tool 50 is provided with a plurality of through-hole portions (a tip through-hole portion 61 and a side through-hole portion 63 described later). The fluid jetting tool 50 is a cleaning tool that jets a fluid such as a coolant liquid or air through the inside of a tool mounting portion such as the spindle 3 in a center-through manner from a plurality of through-hole portions (in other words, oil holes) to the outside, and is used to remove chips and the like remaining in a machining space (an area where a workpiece is machined) in the machine tool.

[0048] In this specification, the up-down and left-right directions of each part of the machining center 1A and the fluid jet tool 50 will be described as being the up-down and left-right directions as seen from a person facing the machining center 1A in a state in which the fluid jet tool 50 is attached to the spindle 3 aligned in the vertical direction. Also, the front direction of each part of the machining center 1A and the fluid jet tool 50 will be described as the direction approaching a person facing the machining center 1A in that state, and the rear direction of each part of the machining center 1A will be described as the direction away from a person facing the machining center 1A in that state. Also, the left-right direction is the X-axis, the front-rear direction is the Y-axis, and the up-down direction is the Z-axis.

[0049] The machining center 1A is a vertical machining center, and as shown in Fig. 1, includes a machining head 2, a workpiece support device 40 that supports the workpiece Wa, a moving device 48 that moves the machining head 2 relative to the workpiece support device 40, an automatic tool changer 20, and a control device 30. Although not shown in Fig. 1, the machining center 1A is provided with an outer wall (casing) that surrounds the workpiece support device 40 and the machining head 2, and a sliding door that opens and closes an opening formed in the outer wall, and by opening and closing the sliding door, it is possible to open and close the machining space in which machining of the workpiece Wa is performed.

[0050] The workpiece supporting device 40 includes a table 41 that supports the workpiece Wa via a fixing jig 43, and a base 42 that rotatably supports the table 41. The table 41 is supported on the base 42 so as to be rotatable about an axis AX1 along the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) by a driving device (not shown). The workpiece supporting device 40 may be one in which the table 41 is capable of swinging about the X-axis. Also, the workpiece supporting device 40 may be one in which the table 41 cannot rotate about the axis AX1.

[0051] The moving device 48 moves the machining head 2 relative to the workpiece supporting device 40, and is supported by a base 49. The moving device 48 includes a drive source and a drive mechanism, and is a device capable of moving the machining head 2 along the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction (i.e., moving three-dimensionally).

[0052] The automatic tool changer 20 includes a tool magazine 22 in which a variety of tools such as end mills, drills, taps, and reamers are set, and an exchange arm (not shown), and operates the exchange arm etc. to exchange a tool attached to the spindle 3 of the machining head 2 with a tool set in the tool magazine 22. The chip removal system KSA includes a fluid ejection tool 50, which will be described in detail later, as a tool that is set in the tool magazine 22 and can be attached to the spindle 3.

[0053] The control device 30 (an example of a control unit) controls the rotation of the tool attached to the spindle 3, the movement of the machining head 2 (the operation of the moving device 48), the rotation of the table 41, the operation of the automatic tool changer 20, etc. The control device 30 also controls the operation of a fluid supply device (not shown) that supplies coolant (cutting oil) and air, and a recovery device (not shown) that recovers chips generated by machining the workpiece Wa. Known devices can be used as appropriate for the fluid supply device and recovery device.

[0054] The control device 30 includes a processor, memory (RAM, ROM, etc.), communication circuit, etc. (not shown), and also includes an input / output device 32. The memory stores data necessary for machining the workpiece Wa, programs for operating each component of the machining center 1A, etc., and the processor executes the programs stored in the memory. In this embodiment, the input / output device 32 is a touch panel capable of displaying images and performing input operations. The input / output device may be composed of input devices such as buttons, switches, levers, pointing devices, and keyboards, and output devices such as liquid crystal displays and organic EL displays. An operator (worker) of the machining center 1A can appropriately input a work program (work instruction data) for machining the unmachined workpiece Wa into a desired finished product by operating the input / output device 32. The processor executes the work program, and various devices such as the moving device 48 operate.

[0055] The machining head 2 has a spindle 3. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the tip (lower end in the figure) of the spindle 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the spindle 3 includes a rotating body 5 that holds a tool holder 80 that holds a tool, a bearing 6, and a housing 7 that supports the rotating body 5 via the bearing 6 so that the rotating body 5 can rotate about an axis AX2 along the Z-axis direction. The rotating body 5 is driven to rotate about the axis AX2 by a rotation drive device (not shown). The rotation drive device can be configured to include, for example, a motor having a stator fixed to the housing 7 and a rotor fixed to the rotating body 5.

[0056] The rotating body 5 has a configuration in which a draw bar 5b is arranged inside a rotating shaft main body 5a, and a tool holder 80 holding a tool is attached to the mounting portion at the tip (the lower end in Figure 2) of the draw bar 5b via a pull stud 8.

[0057] The machining center 1A of this embodiment is capable of injecting various fluids such as coolant and air through the inside of the spindle 3 (rotating body 5) in a center-through manner. That is, piping (not shown) for sending these fluids passes through an internal through-hole of the drawbar 5b to the upper part of the pull stud 8, and the coolant and air can be sent into the tool through an internal through-hole of the pull stud 8 that communicates with the internal through-hole of the drawbar 5b and an internal through-hole of the tool holder 80. Note that the configuration of the spindle 3 can be appropriately adopted from known configurations as long as the tool holder 80 holding the tool can be detached and the coolant and other fluids can be injected in a center-through manner.

[0058] A tool holder 80 that holds a tool is attached to the spindle 3. Fig. 3 is a front view of the fluid ejection tool 50 and the tool holder 80 that holds it. As shown in Fig. 3, the tool holder 80 includes a holder body 81 and a nut portion 83 attached to the tip (lower end in Fig. 3) side of the holder body 81. The fluid ejection tool 50 has a stepped shape in which the diameter is smaller on the base end 50b (upper end in Fig. 3) side than on the tip 50a (lower end in Fig. 3) side when viewed in the axial direction.

[0059] The fluid jet tool 50 is held by the tool holder 80 via the collet 85. That is, the fluid jet tool 50 is inserted from the tip into the holder body 81 with the small-diameter shank portion 57 on the base end 50b side being inserted into the collet 85 attached to the nut portion 83, and the tapered portion of the collet 85 is pressed down by rotating the nut portion 83, so that the fluid jet tool 50 is held in the tool holder 80 so as not to come off. Note that the stepped portion of the fluid jet tool 50 comes into contact with the tip surface (the surface at the lower end in FIG. 3) of the collet 85 when the collet 85 is fitted into the fluid jet tool 50, thereby fulfilling the function of positioning. Note that the fluid jet tool 50 may have a shape without a step.

[0060] Next, the fluid jetting tool 50 will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the fluid jetting tool 50, FIG. 5 is a bottom view (a view of the tip surface) of the fluid jetting tool, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 5. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the fluid jetting tool 50 has a bottomed, circular tube shape, and includes a bottom 51 that is circular when viewed from the bottom, and a cylindrical peripheral wall 52 that extends upward from the peripheral edge of the bottom 51. The peripheral edge of the bottom 51 is chamfered. The fluid jetting tool 50 is made of iron. As described above, the fluid jetting tool 50 has a stepped shape in which the base end 50b side is smaller in diameter than the tip 50a side (bottom side) when viewed in the axial direction. The axial length L1 of the fluid ejection tool 50 is approximately 100 mm, and the ratio of the axial length L2 of the large-diameter main body 55 including the tip portion 54 to the axial length L3 of the small-diameter shank 57 including the base portion 56 is approximately 3:2. The outer diameter D1 of the main body 55 is approximately 15 mm, and the outer diameter D2 of the shank 57 is approximately 12 mm.

[0061] An internal flow passage 60 is formed inside the fluid jetting tool 50, through which fluids such as coolant liquid and air injected through the spindle 3 flow in. The diameter d1 of the internal flow passage 60 (i.e., the inner diameter d1 of the fluid jetting tool 50 common to the main body 55 and the shank 57) is about 8 mm. The thickness of the bottom 51 is about 2 mm, and the overall length of the internal flow passage 60 extends over almost the entire area of ​​the fluid jetting tool 50 from the base end 50b to the tip 50a.

[0062] The tip 54 of the fluid jetting tool 50 is provided with a plurality of through-holes that penetrate between the internal flow path 60 and the outside and jet the fluid that has passed through the internal flow path 60 to the outside. Specifically, a tip through-hole 61 that penetrates from the inner tip surface 60a of the internal flow path 60 to the outside is formed along the axial direction of the fluid jetting tool 50 in the center of the bottom 51 that is circular in bottom view. The tip through-hole 61 is a cylindrical through-hole, and is provided coaxially with the central axis of the internal flow path 60 (axis AX3 of the fluid jetting tool 50). The diameter of the tip through-hole 61 is about 3 mm. The fluid that has passed through the internal flow path 60 is jetted from the tip through-hole 61 in the axial direction.

[0063] Further, a plurality of lateral through-holes 63 penetrating from the inner circumferential surface 60b of the internal flow passage portion 60 to the outside are provided at the tip portion of the peripheral wall portion 52. The plurality of lateral through-holes 63 include first lateral through-holes 63a, four of which are provided at 90 degree intervals in the circumferential direction at a position (one example of a first position) about 5 mm (one example of a first distance) from the tip 50a, and second lateral through-holes 63b, four of which are provided at 90 degree intervals in the circumferential direction at a position (one example of a second position) about 10 mm (one example of a second distance) from the tip 50a so as to be shifted by 45 degrees from each of the first lateral through-holes 63a.

[0064] Each of the side through-holes 63 (each of the first side through-holes 63a and each of the second side through-holes 63b) is a cylindrical through-hole that opens in an ellipse with the axial direction as the longitudinal direction. The circumferential width dimension of each of the side through-holes 63 is about 2 mm. Each of the side through-holes 63 is opened so that its axis intersects with the axis of the fluid jetting tool 50 (the internal flow path portion 60). Each of the side through-holes 63 is inclined toward the axis at a predetermined inclination angle θ1 (see FIG. 6) based on the radial direction of the fluid jetting tool 50 so that the fluid that has passed through the internal flow path portion 60 is jetted toward the base portion 56 side rather than the radial direction of the fluid jetting tool 50. In other words, the side through-holes 63 are inclined so that the outer opening 63d is located closer to the base portion 56 than the inner opening 63c. In this embodiment, the inclination angle θ1 of each of the side through-holes 63 is about 40 degrees. The various dimensions of the fluid jetting tool 50, including the inclination angle θ1, can be changed as appropriate within a range in which the function of removing chips can be suitably exhibited. The inclination angle θ1 is preferably in the range of 10 degrees to 70 degrees.

[0065] In addition, the inner bottom surface 50c of the fluid jetting tool 50 (the inner tip surface 60a of the internal flow path portion 60) is a mortar-shaped inclined surface that becomes thinner from the periphery toward the center. This makes it difficult for the fluid that has passed through the internal flow path portion 60 to accumulate on the inner bottom surface 50c of the fluid jetting tool 50.

[0066] In this manner, the fluid jetting tool 50 of this embodiment is provided with a plurality of through-holes (tip through-hole 61 and each side through-hole 63) in a range of about 15 mm in the axial direction from the tip 50a. Therefore, the fluid jetting tool 50 allows the fluid injected through the inside of the spindle 3 to flow into the internal flow passage 60 from the opening on the base 56 side of the fluid jetting tool 50, and further, the fluid that has passed through the internal flow passage 60 can be jetted from the tip through-hole 61 along the axial direction, and from the first side through-hole 63a and the second side through-hole 63b so as to face the base 56 side rather than the radial direction. By using the fluid jetting tool 50 of this embodiment, by jetting the fluid in this manner, it is possible to remove chips generated by machining the workpiece Wa, as described below.

[0067] Next, a method for removing chips using the fluid ejection tool 50 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a plan view of a workpiece Wa machined by a machining center 1A. In FIG. 7, a fixing jig 43 is fixed to a table 41, and the workpiece Wa is fixed to the fixing jig 43. Four blind-hole threaded holes Ha (one example of a bottomed hole portion) are formed in the workpiece Wa by cutting (drilling, threading, etc.). In this specification, the blind-hole threaded holes Ha are also referred to as blind-hole tapped holes Ha. Each blind-hole tapped hole Ha is provided at each of the four corners of the workpiece Wa. The four blind-hole tapped holes Ha have the same shape, and the diameter of each blind-hole tapped hole Ha is larger than the outer diameter D1 of the main body 55 of the fluid ejection tool 50. Inside each blind-hole tapped hole Ha, chips K generated by cutting are accumulated.

[0068] Conventionally, after thread cutting, it was necessary for the operator (worker) to stop the operation of the machining center 1A and remove the chips K accumulated in the blind tap hole Ha using an air gun or the like. Also, even after the pilot hole drilling (hole drilling) before the thread cutting, chips accumulate in the pilot hole before thread cutting. For this reason, the operator (worker) had to stop the operation of the machining center 1A and remove the chips in the pilot hole using an air gun or the like, and it was not possible to perform pilot hole drilling and thread cutting in a series of automatic operations.

[0069] According to the chip removal system KSA of this embodiment, after pilot hole drilling or thread cutting, the tool attached to the spindle 3 is changed from the cutting tool to the fluid jetting tool 50 by the automatic tool changer 20. Then, the fluid jetting tool 50 is operated as follows to remove the chips K from the pilot hole or the screw hole.

[0070] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which chips K are removed from inside a pilot hole Fa before threading using a fluid jetting tool 50. As shown in FIG. 8, the control device 30 of the machining center 1A changes the tool attached to the spindle 3 from a drill for drilling to the fluid jetting tool 50, and then moves the fluid jetting tool 50 to the position of the pilot hole Fa (an example of a bottomed hole portion) and inserts a tip portion 54 of the fluid jetting tool 50 into the pilot hole Fa. Here, the control device 30 moves the fluid jetting tool 50 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction so that the central axis of the pilot hole Fa coincides with the rotation axis AX3 of the fluid jetting tool 50. The control device 30 also inserts the fluid jetting tool 50 into the pilot hole Fa (moves it in the Z-axis direction) at a depth where the tip 50a (tip surface) of the fluid jetting tool 50 does not hit the bottom surface Fb of the pilot hole Fa (for example, the tip 50a is spaced about 5 to 8 mm from the bottom surface Fb).

[0071] The control device 30 drives a fluid supply device (not shown) to feed coolant (cutting oil) into the internal flow passage portion 60 of the fluid jetting tool 50, while moving the fluid jetting tool 50 (in other words, the spindle 3) toward the base portion 56 (upward) along the axial direction at a predetermined feed speed. The predetermined feed speed can be set appropriately, but may be set to the same speed as the feed speed of the drill when drilling the pilot hole, for example. The predetermined feed speed may be set within a range of about 70% to 130% of the feed speed of the drill when drilling the pilot hole. The feed speed in this range corresponds to the feed speed of the tool in the machining process.

[0072] The fluid sent to the fluid jetting tool 50 passes through the internal flow passage 60 and is ejected in the axial direction from the tip through hole 61. When the fluid ejected from the tip through hole 61 hits the bottom surface Fb of the pilot hole Fa, it passes through the gap between the tip 50a (tip surface) and the bottom surface Fb and enters the gap M between the outer circumferential surface of the fluid jetting tool 50 and the inner circumferential surface Fc of the pilot hole Fa. Due to this flow of the fluid, the chips K accumulated on the bottom surface Fb of the pilot hole Fa are blown away toward the periphery of the bottom surface Fb and are blown upward, and enter the gap M between the outer circumferential surface of the fluid jetting tool 50 and the inner circumferential surface Fc of the pilot hole Fa.

[0073] The fluid sent to the fluid jetting tool 50 is also jetted from the side through-holes 63 (first side through-holes 63a, second side through-holes 63b) through the internal flow passage 60. Eight side through-holes 63 are provided at 45 degree intervals around the entire circumference of the fluid jetting tool 50, so that the fluid jetted from the side through-holes 63 is jetted all over the inner circumferential surface Fc of the pilot hole Fa. The side through-holes 63 are inclined toward the base 56 side from the radial direction of the fluid jetting tool 50. Therefore, the fluid jetted from the side through-holes 63 is jetted inclined toward the base 56 side from the radial direction of the fluid jetting tool 50 (i.e., inclined upward from the left-right direction in FIG. 8). Therefore, when the fluid jetted from the side through-holes 63 hits the inner circumferential surface Fc of the pilot hole Fa, it rises along the inner circumferential surface Fc. In other words, by spraying coolant (cutting oil) from the tip through hole portion 61 and the side through hole portion 63 of the fluid jetting tool 50, a linear upward flow is formed that sends the chips K from the bottom of the pilot hole Fa to the upper opening Fe.

[0074] The chips K blown off by the fluid ejected from the tip through-hole portion 61 and entering the gap M between the fluid ejection tool 50 and the inner peripheral surface Fc of the pilot hole Fa are sent upward along the inner peripheral surface Fc by the fluid ejected from the side through-hole portion 63. Then, as the fluid ejection tool 50 is pulled out of the pilot hole Fa (moving upward in the Z-axis direction), the position where the fluid ejected from the side through-hole portion 63 hits also gradually rises upward above the inner peripheral surface Fc. In this way, the fluid ejection tool 50 inserted into the pilot hole Fa is pulled out upward while ejecting the fluid, so that the chips K accumulated in the pilot hole Fa are blown off toward the upper opening Fe of the pilot hole Fa and are discharged from the upper opening Fe to the outside of the pilot hole Fa. In this way, by using the fluid ejection tool 50 of this embodiment, it is possible to suitably remove the chips K from the pilot hole Fa, which is a blind hole.

[0075] The size, number, and shape of the opening surface of the through-hole portion (tip through-hole portion 61, side through-hole portion 63) of the fluid jetting tool 50 can be changed as appropriate within a range in which the speed of the jetted fluid can adequately remove the chips K. However, if the total opening area of ​​the through-hole portion becomes too large, the flow speed of the jetted coolant liquid may become too slow, which may reduce the removal performance of the chips K, and if the total opening area of ​​the through-hole portion becomes too small, the removal efficiency of the chips K may decrease, so it is desirable to design it appropriately while balancing these factors. Also, the pressure for sending the fluid, such as the coolant liquid (cutting oil) or air, may be set as appropriate within a range in which the chips K can be blown away.

[0076] Next, removal of chips from the blind thread hole Ha will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which chips K are removed from the blind thread hole Ha using the fluid ejection tool 50. As shown in FIG. 9, the control device 30 of the machining center 1A changes the tool attached to the spindle 3 from a tap for thread cutting to the fluid ejection tool 50, and then moves the fluid ejection tool 50 to the position of the blind thread hole Ha and inserts the tip 54 of the fluid ejection tool 50 into the blind thread hole Ha. Here, the control device 30 moves the fluid ejection tool 50 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction so that the central axis of the blind thread hole Ha and the rotation axis AX3 of the fluid ejection tool 50 coincide with each other. The control device 30 also inserts the fluid ejection tool 50 into the blind thread hole Ha (moves it in the Z-axis direction) at a depth where the tip 50a of the fluid ejection tool 50 does not hit the bottom surface Hb of the blind thread hole Ha (for example, the tip 50a is spaced about 5 to 8 mm from the bottom surface Hb).

[0077] The control device 30 drives a fluid supply device (not shown) to feed coolant (cutting oil) into the internal flow passage 60 of the fluid jetting tool 50, while rotating the fluid jetting tool 50 (in other words, the spindle 3) at a predetermined rotation speed in the opposite direction to that during thread cutting (i.e., in the direction in which the thread loosens, specifically, counterclockwise for a right-handed thread and clockwise for a left-handed thread), and moves the fluid jetting tool 50 (upward) along the axial direction at a predetermined feed rate. The predetermined rotation speed and the predetermined feed rate can be set appropriately, but for example, they may be set to the same rotation speed and feed rate as the tap rotation speed and feed rate during thread cutting. In this way, the amount of the fluid jetting tool 50 fed per rotation can be matched to the pitch of the blind thread hole Ha, and smooth removal of the chips K along the thread groove Hd can be expected. The predetermined rotation speed may be set within a range of about 70% to 130% of the rotation speed of the tap during thread cutting. The rotation speed in this range corresponds to the rotation speed of the tool in the processing step. The predetermined feed rate is preferably set within a range of about 70% to 130% of the feed rate of the tap during thread cutting. This range of feed rates corresponds to the feed rate of the tool in the machining process.

[0078] The fluid sent to the fluid jetting tool 50 passes through the internal flow passage 60 and is ejected in the axial direction from the tip through hole 61. When the fluid ejected from the tip through hole 61 hits the bottom surface Hb of the blind thread hole Ha, it passes through the gap between the tip 50a and the bottom surface Hb and enters the gap N between the outer circumferential surface of the fluid jetting tool 50 and the inner circumferential surface Hc of the blind thread hole Ha. Due to this flow of the fluid, the chips K accumulated on the bottom surface Hb of the blind thread hole Ha are blown away toward the periphery of the bottom surface Hb and are blown upward, and enter the gap N between the outer circumferential surface of the fluid jetting tool 50 and the inner circumferential surface Hc of the blind thread hole Ha.

[0079] The fluid sent to the fluid jetting tool 50 is also jetted from the side through-holes 63 (first side through-hole 63a, second side through-hole 63b) through the internal flow passage 60. Eight side through-holes 63 are provided at 45 degree intervals around the entire circumference of the fluid jetting tool 50. The fluid jetting tool 50 is moved in a direction to come out of the blind screw hole Ha (upward in the Z-axis direction) while being rotated in the direction to loosen the screw. The side through-holes 63 are inclined toward the base 56 side from the radial direction of the fluid jetting tool 50 (i.e., inclined upward from the left-right direction in FIG. 9). Therefore, when the fluid jetted from the side through-holes 63 hits the inner peripheral surface Hc of the blind screw hole Ha, it rises in a spiral shape along the thread groove Hd of the inner peripheral surface Hc. In other words, by spraying coolant (cutting oil) from the tip through hole portion 61 and the side through hole portion 63 while rotating the fluid ejection tool 50, the chips K that have accumulated at the bottom of the blind thread hole Ha are sent into the gap N between the fluid ejection tool 50 and the inner surface Hc of the blind thread hole Ha, and a spiral upward flow is created that sends the chips K sent into the gap N, together with the chips K that have accumulated in the thread groove Hd, along the thread groove Hd to the upper opening He of the blind thread hole Ha.

[0080] This spiral upward flow sends the chips K in the blind threaded hole Ha upward along the thread groove Hd, and as the fluid ejection tool 50 is pulled out of the blind threaded hole Ha (as it moves upward in the Z-axis direction), the position where the upward flow hits also gradually moves upward on the inner circumferential surface Hc. In this way, all of the chips K that have accumulated in the blind threaded hole Ha are discharged from the upper opening He of the blind threaded hole Ha to the outside of the blind threaded hole Ha. In this way, by using the fluid ejection tool 50 of this embodiment, it is possible to suitably remove the chips K from the blind threaded hole Ha.

[0081] In this embodiment, the first side through hole portion 63a and the second side through hole portion 63b are provided at positions shifted in the axial direction in the fluid jetting tool 50. Therefore, the chips K blown off toward the base portion 56 by the fluid jetted from the first side through hole portion 63a close to the tip 50a of the fluid jetting tool 50 can be further blown off toward the base portion 56 by the second side through hole portion 63b.

[0082] In addition, by using the fluid ejection tool 50 of this embodiment, not only can the chips K accumulated in the bottomed hole portions such as the pilot hole Fa and the blind screw hole Ha be effectively removed, but also the coolant (cutting oil) accumulated in the bottomed hole portions. The chips K, the coolant (cutting oil), and the like that need to be removed are collectively referred to as residues.

[0083] When the coolant liquid accumulated in the bottomed hole portion is to be removed, the fluid to be sprayed from the tip through hole portion 61 and the side through hole portion 63 of the fluid jetting tool 50 is changed from the coolant liquid to air. Here, the machining center 1A of this embodiment is capable of feeding not only the coolant liquid but also air through the inside of the spindle 3 into the fluid jetting tool 50. Specifically, the control device 30 of the machining center 1A inserts the fluid jetting tool 50 into the pilot hole Fa shown in FIG. 8 and the blind screw hole Ha shown in FIG. 9 at a predetermined feed speed while feeding air into the fluid jetting tool 50. This makes it possible to suitably discharge the coolant liquid accumulated in the pilot hole Fa and the blind screw hole Ha to the outside of each bottomed hole portion. The feed speed of the fluid jetting tool 50 may be set appropriately. The process of spraying air from the fluid jetting tool 50 to remove the coolant liquid in the bottomed hole portion is called a residue removal process.

[0084] Next, the process of the control device 30 when the machining center 1A forms blind tapped holes Ha in an unmachined workpiece will be described with reference to FIG. 10. According to the chip removal system KSA of this embodiment including the fluid ejection tool 50, the operator can make the machining center 1A perform all the processes up to the completion of machining, including cleaning of the workpiece, by operating the machining instruction only once. When the operator operates the input / output device 32 and the processor of the control device 30 receives a machining instruction for threaded holes, the processor of the control device 30 performs, for example, a threaded hole forming process shown in FIG. 10. The threaded hole forming process shown in FIG. 10 is a process for forming four blind tapped holes Ha in the workpiece Wa as shown in FIG. 7.

[0085] 10, the processor of the control device 30 first drills four center holes in the workpiece Wa, and then replaces the tool of the spindle 3 with a drill for pilot hole machining to form four pilot holes Fa (step S1). Next, the processor of the control device 30 performs a tool replacement process to operate the automatic tool changer 20 and the like to replace the tool of the spindle 3 from the drill for pilot hole machining to a fluid ejection tool 50 (step S2). Then, a chip removal process is performed to remove chips K from inside the pilot holes Fa using the fluid ejection tool 50 (step S3).

[0086] In the chip removal process (S3), chips K are removed from each of the four pilot holes Fa. First, the fluid ejection tool 50 is moved coaxially with the central axis of the first pilot hole Fa. Then, the fluid ejection tool 50 is inserted into the pilot hole Fa to a depth corresponding to the depth of the pilot hole Fa (a depth at which the tip 50a of the fluid ejection tool 50 does not hit the chips K accumulated in the pilot hole Fa). The operator can easily input a program (work instruction data) for moving the fluid ejection tool 50 coaxially with the central axis of the pilot hole Fa to the control device 30 by referring to the position data (position data in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction) at the time of pilot hole processing. The operator can also easily input a program for inserting the fluid ejection tool 50 at an optimal depth into the pilot hole Fa to the control device 30 by referring to the depth data (position data in the Z-axis direction) at the time of pilot hole processing and taking into account the amount of chips K generated by pilot hole processing.

[0087] Next, the processor of the control device 30 sends the coolant liquid through the inside of the spindle 3 to the internal flow passage 60 of the fluid jetting tool 50, and while jetting the coolant liquid from each through-hole portion (the tip through-hole portion 61 and the side through-hole portion 63), moves the spindle 3 (fluid jetting tool 50) in the direction of exiting the pilot hole Fa at a predetermined feed speed (see FIG. 8). The feed speed here is set within a certain range (approximately plus or minus 30%) based on the feed speed of the drill when drilling the pilot hole. If the feed speed is too fast, there is a possibility that the chips K will not be sufficiently removed, and if the feed speed is too slow, there is a possibility that the machining efficiency will decrease.

[0088] By controlling the fluid jetting tool 50 (spindle 3) in this manner, the chips K in the pilot holes Fa are suitably removed. When the removal of the chips K from the first pilot hole Fa is completed, the processor of the control device 30 similarly removes the chips K from the remaining pilot holes Fa one by one. According to the chip removing system KSA of this embodiment, the operating conditions (operating data) of the fluid jetting tool 50 can be determined by referring to the machining conditions (machining data) of the pilot holes Fa. Therefore, the fluid jetting tool 50 can be moved to an optimal position for the pilot holes Fa that have been machined, and the fluid jetting tool 50 can be operated at an optimal speed for removing the chips K in the pilot holes Fa. Therefore, the chips K in the pilot holes Fa can be removed more accurately than in a configuration in which the operator manually removes the chips K.

[0089] Next, the processor of the control device 30 replaces the tool of the spindle 3 with a chamfering tool to chamfer the entrance of each pilot hole Fa, and further replaces the tool of the spindle 3 with a tap for thread cutting to thread each pilot hole Fa to form a blind tap hole Ha (step S4). If coolant liquid accumulates in the pilot hole Fa due to the chip removal process in step S3, it is advisable to perform a residue removal process in which air is sprayed from the fluid jetting tool 50 between steps S3 and S4.

[0090] Following step S4, the processor of the control device 30 performs a tool changing process to change the tool of the spindle 3 from a tap for thread cutting to the fluid ejection tool 50 by operating the automatic tool changer 20 etc. (step S5). Then, a chip removal process to remove the chips K in the blind thread hole Ha using the fluid ejection tool 50 is performed (step S6).

[0091] In the chip removal process (S6), chips K are removed from each of the four blind thread holes Ha. First, the fluid ejection tool 50 is moved coaxially with the center axis of the first blind thread hole Ha. Then, the fluid ejection tool 50 is inserted into the blind thread hole Ha to a depth corresponding to the depth of the blind thread hole Ha (a depth at which the tip 50a of the fluid ejection tool 50 does not hit the chips K accumulated in the blind thread hole Ha). The operator can easily input a program (work instruction data) for moving the fluid ejection tool 50 coaxially with the center axis of the blind thread hole Ha to the control device 30 by referring to the position data during thread cutting (position data in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction). The operator can also easily input a program for inserting the fluid ejection tool 50 into the blind thread hole Ha at an optimal depth to the control device 30 by referring to the depth data during thread cutting (position data in the Z-axis direction) and taking into account the amount of chips K generated by thread cutting.

[0092] Next, the processor of the control device 30 sends the coolant liquid to the internal flow passage portion 60 of the fluid jet tool 50 through the inside of the spindle 3, and while jetting it from each through-hole portion (the tip through-hole portion 61 and the side through-hole portion 63), rotates the fluid jet tool 50 at a predetermined rotation speed in the direction of loosening the thread, and moves the spindle 3 (the fluid jet tool 50) in the direction of coming out of the blind thread hole Ha at a predetermined feed speed (see FIG. 9). The rotation speed and feed speed here are set to be the same as the rotation speed and feed speed of the tap during thread cutting. In this way, by matching the operation conditions (operation data) of the fluid jet tool 50 to the processing conditions (processing data) of thread cutting, the coolant liquid can easily hit all the thread grooves Hd, and it is possible to easily discharge the chips K along the thread grooves Hd without leaving them outside the blind thread hole Ha. Note that the rotation speed and feed speed of the fluid jet tool 50 can be appropriately changed within a range in which the chips K can be suitably removed, even if they do not completely match the processing conditions of thread cutting. For example, the rotation speed and feed speed of the fluid ejection tool 50 may be set within a certain range (approximately plus or minus 30%) based on the rotation speed and feed speed of the tap during thread cutting.

[0093] By controlling the fluid jetting tool 50 (spindle 3) in this manner, the chips K in the blind thread hole Ha are suitably removed. When the chips K for the first blind thread hole Ha have been removed, the processor of the control device 30 similarly removes the chips K for the remaining blind thread holes Ha one by one. According to the chip removing system KSA of this embodiment, the operating conditions (operating data) of the fluid jetting tool 50 can be determined by referring to the machining conditions (machining data) for the blind thread hole Ha. Therefore, the fluid jetting tool 50 can be moved to an optimal position for the machined blind thread hole Ha, and the fluid jetting tool 50 can be operated at an optimal rotation speed and feed rate for removing the chips K in the blind thread hole Ha. Therefore, the chips K in the blind thread hole Ha can be removed more accurately than in a configuration in which the operator manually removes the chips K.

[0094] Next, the processor of the control device 30 performs a residue removal process (step S7). In the residue removal process, the fluid ejection tool 50 is inserted sequentially into each blind screw hole Ha while air is being fed into the fluid ejection tool 50. This allows the coolant liquid that has accumulated in each blind screw hole Ha by the chip removal process in step S6 to be discharged from each blind screw hole Ha.

[0095] In this way, according to the chip removal system KSA of this embodiment including the fluid ejection tool 50, the operator (worker) only needs to operate the input / output device 32 once at the start of machining, and the machining center 1A can continue to perform all processes up to the completion of machining, including cleaning of the workpiece. Therefore, after the pilot hole Fa is formed or after the blind screw hole Ha is formed, the operator does not need to temporarily stop the operation of the machining center 1A to remove the residue such as the chips K. This improves the operator's work efficiency and makes it possible to increase the production efficiency of the factory. In addition, compared to a configuration in which the operator removes the chips by himself, the operator is less likely to be injured and does not get dirty.

[0096] Furthermore, as described above, the chip removal system KSA of this embodiment has a higher removal accuracy of the chips K (residues) than the removal of the chips K (residues) by the operator himself (leaving less chips K behind). Thus, this embodiment makes it possible to remove the chips K with high accuracy in a safe, clean, and efficient manner.

[0097] Next, the removal of chips K from a blind tapped hole formed by helical machining will be described with reference to Fig. 11A. The blind tapped hole Ja shown in Fig. 11A is a tapped hole with a larger diameter than the blind tapped hole Ha shown in Fig. 9. This blind tapped hole Ja is formed by helical machining in which a thread cutting tool (such as a tap mill) is moved in a spiral shape. When removing chips K from such a blind tapped hole Ja, the processor of the control device 30 replaces the tool attached to the spindle 3 with the fluid ejection tool 50, and then moves it in the reverse order and direction to that used when machining the blind tapped hole Ja.

[0098] That is, the processor of the control device 30 inserts the fluid jet tool 50 close to the bottom surface Jb of the blind threaded hole Ja, and moves the fluid jet tool 50 closer to the inner peripheral surface Jc so that the axis AX3 of the fluid jet tool 50 is closer to the inner peripheral surface Jc than the central axis AX4 of the blind threaded hole Ja. Then, the fluid jet tool 50 is rotated by rotating the fluid jet tool 50 on its axis (rotation around the axis AX3 of the fluid jet tool 50) in the opposite direction to that during machining, and the fluid jet tool 50 is pulled up while rotating in a circular motion along the inner peripheral surface Jc (i.e., pulled up in a spiral). At this time, the movement of the fluid jet tool 50 is controlled so that the fluid jet tool 50 rises in the Z-axis direction by one pitch of the blind threaded hole Ja per revolution of the fluid jet tool 50. In other words, the rotation and feed of the fluid jetting tool 50 are synchronized, and the feed amount per rotation is controlled to be equal to the pitch amount of the blind threaded hole Ja. The processor of the control device 30 controls the movement and jets the coolant from the tip through hole portion 61 and the side through hole portion 63 of the fluid jetting tool 50. According to such control of the fluid jetting tool 50, the chips K in the blind threaded hole Ja are easily transported reliably to the upper opening Je along the thread groove Jd of the blind threaded hole Ja. Therefore, the chips K in the blind threaded hole Ja can be removed with high accuracy. Note that such control of the movement and fluid jet of the fluid jetting tool can also be suitably used for removing the chips K from a blind hole without a thread formed by helical machining.

[0099] 11A may be formed by a method in which a pilot hole is formed and then a thread is cut by helical feed from the bottom of the hole toward the opening of the hole using a thread cutting tool. In the process of removing chips K when the blind thread hole Ja is formed by such a method, the processor of the control device 30 may set the direction of rotation and the direction of revolution of the fluid ejection tool 50 to the same direction as during thread cutting.

[0100] Here, when forming the blind threaded hole Ja by helical machining, the processor of the control device 30 performs a threaded hole forming process shown in FIG. 11B. The process from step S1 to step S6 in the threaded hole forming process shown in FIG. 11B is the same as the process from step S1 to step S6 in the threaded hole forming process shown in FIG. 10, so the description will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 11A, after forming the blind threaded hole Ja by helical machining (step S4) and performing a chip removal process using the fluid ejection tool 50 (steps S5 and S6), the processor of the control device 30 replaces the tool of the spindle 3 with a thread cutting tool for finish machining and performs finish machining on the blind threaded hole Ja (step S10). After that, the processor of the control device 30 replaces the tool of the spindle 3 with the fluid ejection tool 50 again (step S11) and removes the chips K generated by the finish machining from the blind threaded hole Ja (step S12). Next, the processor of the control device 30 performs a residue removal process (step S13). In the residue removal process, the processor of the control device 30 inserts the fluid jetting tool 50 into the blind thread hole Ja while feeding air into the fluid jetting tool 50, and drains the coolant liquid accumulated in the blind thread hole Ja by the chip removal process of step S12. In this way, according to the chip removal system KSA of this embodiment including the fluid jetting tool 50, even in machining of a workpiece including thread cutting by helical machining, the operator (worker) only needs to operate the input / output device 32 once at the start of machining to cause the machining center 1A to continuously perform all processes from finish machining to the subsequent cleaning.

[0101] As described above in detail, the fluid ejection tool 50 according to the first embodiment is a tool attached to the spindle 3 of the machining center 1A. The machining center 1A can automatically replace the tool attached to the spindle 3, can machine a workpiece by rotating the tool, and can eject a fluid, which is a coolant liquid or air, by a center-through method (see FIG. 1). The fluid jetting tool 50 is tubular with an opening on the base 56 side, extends in a tool axis direction along the axial direction of the spindle 3 when attached to the spindle 3, and includes an internal flow passage 60 through which a fluid injected through the inside of the spindle 3 passes, and side through-holes 63 (first side through-hole 63a, second side through-hole 63b) provided on the tip 54 side opposite to the base 56, penetrate from an inner peripheral surface 60b of the internal flow passage 60 to the outside of the fluid jetting tool 50, and jet the fluid that has passed through the internal flow passage 60 to the outside of the fluid jetting tool 50 (see Figs. 4 to 6). The side through-holes 63 are inclined at an inclination angle θ1 (about 40 degrees in this embodiment) toward the tool axis direction from the tool radial direction so that an outer opening 63d is closer to the base 56 than an inner opening 63c (see Fig. 6).

[0102] According to the fluid jetting tool 50 of this embodiment, a fluid such as a coolant liquid that is jetted from the spindle 3 and flows into the inside can be jetted outward from the side through-hole portion 63. The side through-hole portion 63 is inclined at an inclination angle θ1 toward the tool axis direction rather than the tool radial direction so that the outer opening 63d is located closer to the base portion 56 than the inner opening 63c, so that the chips K can be suitably blown away toward the base portion 56 side of the fluid jetting tool 50. Therefore, the chips K can be removed by using the fluid jetted through the spindle 3 without stopping the operation of the machining center 1A. As a result, the chips K in the machining center 1A can be removed safely and reliably while suppressing a decrease in work efficiency, compared to manual cleaning by an operator using an air gun or the like.

[0103] The first embodiment also discloses a chip removal method using a fluid ejection tool 50, which includes an exchange step (steps S2 and S5 in FIG. 10) of exchanging the tool to be used with the fluid ejection tool 50 after a machining process of machining a bottomed hole portion (pilot hole Fa or blind tap hole Ha) in a workpiece Wa, an insertion step (part of the processing included in steps S3 and S6 in FIG. 10) of inserting the fluid ejection tool 50 into the bottomed hole portion formed by the machining process and positioning the lateral through hole portion 63 and the tip through hole portion 61 within the bottomed hole portion, and a chip removal step (other part of the processing included in steps S3 and S6 in FIG. 10) of moving the fluid ejection tool 50 in a direction to exit the bottomed hole portion while rotating the fluid ejection tool 50 in a direction opposite to the tool rotation direction when forming the bottomed hole portion while ejecting fluid from the lateral through hole portion 63 and the tip through hole portion 61.

[0104] The first embodiment also discloses a chip removal system KSA equipped with a machining center 1A having a control device 30 that controls operations based on input work instruction data, and a fluid ejection tool 50. In this chip removal system KSA, after a machining process in which a bottomed hole portion (pilot hole Fa or blind tap hole Ha) is machined into a workpiece Wa, the control device 30 performs a tool change process (steps S2 and S5 in FIG. 10) in which the tool being used is changed to a fluid ejection tool 50, a tool insertion process (part of the processes included in steps S3 and S6 in FIG. 10) in which the fluid ejection tool 50 is inserted into the bottomed hole portion formed by the machining process and the lateral through hole portion 63 and the tip through hole portion 61 are positioned within the bottomed hole portion, and a chip removal process (other processes included in steps S3 and S6 in FIG. 10) in which the fluid ejection tool 50 is moved in a direction to exit the bottomed hole portion while rotating the fluid ejection tool 50 in the opposite direction to the tool rotation direction when the bottomed hole portion was formed while ejecting fluid from the lateral through hole portion 63 and the tip through hole portion 61.

[0105] According to the chip removal method and chip removal system KSA disclosed in the first embodiment, the fluid jetting tool 50 attached to the spindle 3 is inserted into a bottomed hole portion (prepared hole Fa or blind threaded hole Ha) to position the tip through hole portion 61 and the side through hole portion 63 in the bottomed hole portion, and then the fluid jetting tool 50 is rotated in the opposite direction to that used when the bottomed hole portion was formed while jetting fluid from the tip through hole portion 61 and the side through hole portion 63, and moved in the direction of exiting the bottomed hole portion, thereby making it possible to reliably blow off the chips K remaining in the bottomed hole portion outside the bottomed hole portion (see Figs. 8 and 9). In particular, when the bottomed hole portion is a blind threaded hole Ha, the chips K can be completely discharged outside the bottomed hole portion while moving in a spiral shape along the screw groove Hd (see Fig. 9). In addition, when removing residues such as chips K using the fluid ejection tool 50, the sliding door (not shown) of the machining center 1A is closed to enclose the machining space, so that the coolant liquid and chips K do not scatter outside the machining center 1A.

[0106] In addition, in the chip removal system KSA disclosed in the first embodiment, the control device 30 moves the fluid ejection tool 50 to the same position as the machining position of the workpiece in the machining process, thereby making it possible to improve the accuracy of removing the chips K from the bottomed hole portion.

[0107] Furthermore, in the chip removal system KSA disclosed in the first embodiment, the control device 30 inserts the fluid ejection tool 50 into the bottomed hole portion to a depth that does not exceed the insertion depth of the tool in the machining process, thereby preventing the workpiece from being damaged by the fluid ejection tool 50 hitting the bottom of the bottomed hole portion (bottom surface Fb of the pilot hole Fa, bottom surface Hb of the blind tap hole Ha).

[0108] Furthermore, in the chip removal system KSA disclosed in the first embodiment, the control device 30 rotates the fluid ejection tool 50 at a rotation speed corresponding to the rotation speed of the tool in the machining process, making it possible to remove chips K appropriate for the machined bottomed hole. In particular, when machining a blind tapped hole Ha, by rotating the fluid ejection tool 50 in the opposite direction to that during machining at a rotation speed corresponding to the rotation speed of the tool when the thread was cut, the chips K can be reliably moved in a spiral shape along the thread groove Hd, making it possible to accurately remove the chips K in the blind tapped hole Ha.

[0109] Furthermore, in the chip removal system KSA disclosed in the first embodiment, the control device 30 moves the fluid jetting tool 50 in the direction of removal from the bottomed hole at a feed speed corresponding to the feed speed of the tool in the machining process, making it possible to remove the chips K in a manner appropriate for the machined bottomed hole. In other words, it is possible to prevent the speed at which the fluid jetting tool 50 is removed from the bottomed hole from being too fast or too slow, making it possible to balance the accuracy of removal of the chips K and the efficiency of the removal work.

[0110] 2. Second embodiment Next, a chip removal system according to a second embodiment will be described. The chip removal system according to the second embodiment includes a fluid ejection tool 50A shown in Figs. 12 and 13, and the same machining center 1A as in the first embodiment. That is, in the second embodiment, the fluid ejection tool 50A shown in Figs. 12 and 13 is set in the machining center 1A as a tool that can be replaced by the automatic tool changer 20. In the description of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals may be used to designate configurations and configurations having the same functions as in the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof may be omitted.

[0111] Fig. 12 is a bottom view of a fluid jetting tool 50A according to the second embodiment, and Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 12. As shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13, the fluid jetting tool 50A according to the second embodiment is different from the fluid jetting tool 50 of the first embodiment in that a bottom 51A having a circular shape when viewed from the bottom does not have a tip through-hole portion formed therein, and that a side through-hole portion 63A formed in a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 52A extending upward from the peripheral edge portion of the bottom 51A is inclined toward the bottom 51A (tip 50Aa of the fluid jetting tool 50A) from an inner opening 63Ac to an outer opening 63Ad. The other configurations are generally similar to those of the fluid jetting tool 50 of the first embodiment.

[0112] In detail, in the fluid jetting tool 50A according to the second embodiment, the bottom surface (the surface of the tip 50Aa of the fluid jetting tool 50A) of the bottom 51A is entirely blocked as shown in FIG. 12. Therefore, the fluid (coolant liquid, air) that has passed through the internal flow passage portion 60A is not jetted in the axial direction of the fluid jetting tool 50A. In addition, in the fluid jetting tool 50A according to the second embodiment, the side through-hole portion 63A is inclined at a predetermined inclination angle θ2 in the axial direction based on the radial direction of the fluid jetting tool 50A so that the fluid that has passed through the internal flow passage portion 60A is jetted toward the bottom 51A (the tip 50Aa of the fluid jetting tool 50A) side rather than the radial direction of the fluid jetting tool 50A, as shown in FIG. 13. In other words, the side through-hole portion 63A is inclined so that the outer opening 63Ad is located closer to the bottom 51A (the tip 50Aa of the fluid jetting tool 50A) than the inner opening 63Ac. In this embodiment, the inclination angle θ2 of the side through-hole portion 63A is about 40 degrees.

[0113] In the second embodiment, the side through-holes 63A are provided at two positions, a first position close to the bottom 51A as viewed in the axial direction, and a second position farther from the bottom 51A than the first position, with four of them provided at 90 degrees intervals in the circumferential direction, and the first side through-holes 63Aa at the first position close to the bottom 51A and the second side through-holes 63Ab at the second position farther from the bottom 51A are provided at 45 degrees offset in the circumferential direction. The dimensions of each part of the fluid jetting tool 50A according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the fluid jetting tool 50 according to the first embodiment, and the positions of the outer openings 63Ad of the side through-holes 63A in the second embodiment are the same as the positions of the outer openings 63d of the side through-holes 63 in the first embodiment. The dimensions of the fluid jetting tool 50A can be appropriately changed within a range in which the function of removing chips can be suitably exhibited. The inclination angle θ2 is preferably in the range of 10 degrees to 70 degrees.

[0114] The fluid jetting tool 50A according to the second embodiment configured in this manner allows the fluid injected through the inside of the spindle 3 to flow into the internal flow passage 60A from the opening on the base 56A side of the fluid jetting tool 50A, and further allows the fluid that has passed through the internal flow passage 60A to be jetted from the first lateral through-hole 63Aa and the second lateral through-hole 63Ab toward the bottom 51A (tip 50Aa of the fluid jetting tool 50A) side rather than in the radial direction. By using the fluid jetting tool 50A of this embodiment, by jetting the fluid in this manner, it is possible to preferably remove chips K adhering to the inside of the threaded hole of the through hole formed in the workpiece, as will be described next.

[0115] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which chips K are removed from inside a threaded hole Pa of a through hole (hereinafter also referred to as a "through threaded hole Pa") using a fluid jetting tool 50A. When removing chips K from a through threaded hole Pa (an example of a through hole portion), as shown in Fig. 14, the control device 30 of the machining center 1A changes the tool attached to the spindle 3 from a thread cutting tap to the fluid jetting tool 50A, and then moves the fluid jetting tool 50A in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction so that the central axis AX5 of the through threaded hole Pa and the rotation axis of the fluid jetting tool 50A coincide with each other.

[0116] The control device 30 drives a fluid supply device (not shown) to feed coolant (cutting oil) into the internal flow passage portion 60A of the fluid jetting tool 50A, while rotating the fluid jetting tool 50A (in other words, the spindle 3) at a predetermined rotation speed in the same direction as that during thread cutting (that is, the direction in which the screw is tightened, specifically, clockwise for a right-handed thread and counterclockwise for a left-handed thread), and moves the fluid jetting tool 50A (in other words, the spindle 3) toward the lower opening Pf of the through-thread hole Pa (downward) along the axial direction (Z-axis direction) at a predetermined feed rate. The predetermined rotation speed and the predetermined feed rate can be set appropriately, but for example, they may be set to the same rotation speed and feed rate as the rotation speed and feed rate of the tap during thread cutting. In this way, the amount of fluid jetting tool 50 sent per rotation can be matched to the pitch of the through-thread hole Pa, and smooth removal of chips K along the thread groove Pd can be expected. The predetermined rotation speed may be set within a range of about 70% to 130% of the rotation speed of the tap during thread cutting. This range of rotation speed corresponds to the rotation speed of the tool in the machining process. The predetermined feed speed is preferably set in the range of about 70% to 130% of the feed speed of the tap during thread cutting. This range of feed speed corresponds to the feed speed of the tool in the machining process.

[0117] The fluid sent to the fluid jetting tool 50A passes through the internal flow passage 60A and is jetted from the side through-holes 63A (first side through-holes 63Aa, second side through-holes 63Ab). Eight side through-holes 63A are provided at 45 degree intervals around the entire circumference of the tip 54A of the fluid jetting tool 50A. The fluid jetting tool 50A is moved in a direction passing through the through-threaded hole Pa (downward in the Z-axis direction) while being rotated in the screw tightening direction. The side through-holes 63A are inclined toward the bottom 51A side from the radial direction of the fluid jetting tool 50A (i.e., inclined downward from the left-right direction in FIG. 14). Therefore, when the fluid jetted from the side through-holes 63A hits the inner peripheral surface Pc of the through-threaded hole Pa, it descends in a spiral shape along the thread groove Pd of the inner peripheral surface Pc. In other words, by spraying coolant (cutting oil) from the lateral through hole portion 63A while rotating the fluid ejection tool 50A, a spiral downward flow is created which sends the chips K adhering to the inner surface Pc of the through screw hole Pa along the thread groove Pd to the lower opening Pf of the through screw hole Pa.

[0118] This spiral downward flow sends the chips K in the through thread hole Pa downward along the thread groove Pd, and as the fluid jetting tool 50A is moved downward through the through thread hole Pa (down in the Z-axis direction), the position where the downward flow hits also gradually moves downward below the inner circumferential surface Pc. In this way, all of the chips K adhering inside the through thread hole Pa are discharged from the lower opening Pf of the through thread hole Pa to the outside of the through thread hole Pa. In this way, by using the fluid jetting tool 50A of this embodiment, it is possible to suitably remove the chips K from the through thread hole Pa.

[0119] In this embodiment, the first side through hole portion 63Aa and the second side through hole portion 63Ab are provided in the fluid jetting tool 50A with positions shifted in the axial direction. Therefore, the chips K blown off toward the bottom 51A side by the fluid jetted from the second side through hole portion 63Ab farther from the bottom 51A of the fluid jetting tool 50A can be blown off further toward the bottom 51A side by the first side through hole portion 63Aa.

[0120] As described above, the fluid jetting tool 50A of the second embodiment has a lateral through hole portion 63A that is inclined at an inclination angle θ2 (approximately 40 degrees in this embodiment) so that the outer opening 63Ad is closer to the bottom 51A (the tip 50Aa of the fluid jetting tool 50A) than the inner opening 63Ac, as shown in Figure 13, and does not have a tip through hole portion (see Figure 13).

[0121] According to the fluid jetting tool 50A of this embodiment, the fluid jetted from the side through-hole portion 63A can blow off the chips K toward the tip 50Aa side (the side where the workpiece or the fixture is located) of the fluid jetting tool 50A. Therefore, it is possible to suitably remove the chips remaining at the machining location of the type that penetrates the workpiece.

[0122] The second embodiment discloses a chip removal method using a fluid ejection tool 50A, which includes a replacement step of replacing the tool being used with the fluid ejection tool 50A after a machining process of machining a through hole portion (e.g., a through screw hole Pa) into a workpiece, and a chip removal step of passing the fluid ejection tool 50A through the through hole portion while ejecting fluid from the lateral through hole portion 63 and rotating the fluid ejection tool 50A in the same direction as the tool rotation direction when forming the through hole portion.

[0123] The second embodiment also discloses a chip removal system including a machining center 1A having a control device 30 that controls operations based on input work instruction data, and a fluid jetting tool 50A. In this chip removal system, after a machining process of machining a through hole portion (e.g., a through screw hole Pa) in a workpiece, the control device 30 performs a tool changing process of changing the tool to be used to the fluid jetting tool 50A, and a chip removal process of passing the fluid jetting tool 50A through the through hole portion while jetting fluid from a side through hole portion 63 and rotating the fluid jetting tool 50A in the same direction as the tool rotation direction when the through hole portion was formed.

[0124] According to the chip removal method and chip removal system disclosed in the second embodiment, by passing the fluid jetting tool 50A attached to the spindle 3 through the through hole portion (for example, the through hole Pa) while rotating in the same direction as when the through hole portion was formed while jetting fluid from the side through hole portion 63, it is possible to reliably blow away the chips K remaining in the through hole portion to the outside of the through hole portion (see FIG. 14). In particular, when the through hole portion is the through hole Pa, it is possible to completely expel the chips K to the outside of the through hole portion while moving them in a spiral shape along the thread groove Pd (see FIG. 14).

[0125] 3. Third embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the chip removing system KSB will be described with reference to Figures 15 to 18. In the description of the third embodiment, the same components and components with the same functions as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may be omitted.

[0126] As shown in FIG. 15, the chip removal system KSB of the third embodiment includes a machining center 1B (an example of a machine tool) and the same fluid ejection tool 50 as in the first embodiment. The machining center 1B includes a machining head 2, an automatic tool changer 20, and a control device 30, similar to the machining center 1A of the first embodiment, and the control device 30 can automatically exchange any one of a plurality of tools set in a tool magazine 22 of the automatic tool changer 20 with a tool attached to a spindle 3 (an example of a tool attachment portion) of the machining head 2 based on work instruction data. The chip removal system KSB includes a fluid ejection tool 50 as one of the tools set in the tool magazine 22, and the fluid ejection tool 50 can be attached to the spindle 3 by a tool exchange process by the control device 30, as shown in FIG. 15.

[0127] The machining center 1B according to the third embodiment is longer in the X-axis direction (left-right direction) than the machining center 1A according to the first embodiment. The machining center 1B includes a table 200, which is rectangular in plan view with the X-axis direction (left-right direction) as the longitudinal direction and the Y-axis direction (front-back direction) as the short side direction, as a work support device for supporting the work. The machining center 1B also includes a moving device 48 for moving the machining head 2 relative to the table 200. The control device 30 controls the rotation of the tool attached to the spindle 3, the movement of the machining head 2 (operation of the moving device 48), the operation of the automatic tool changer 20, the operation of a fluid supply device (not shown) for supplying coolant (cutting oil) and air, the operation of a recovery device (not shown) for recovering chips K generated by machining the work, and the like. Although not shown in Figure 15, the machining center 1B is provided with an outer wall (casing) that surrounds the table 200 and the machining head 2, and a sliding door that opens and closes an opening formed in the outer wall. By opening and closing the sliding door, it is possible to open and close the machining space in which the workpiece is machined.

[0128] Similarly to the machining center 1A according to the first embodiment, the machining center 1B according to this embodiment is capable of injecting various fluids, such as coolant and air, through the inside of the spindle 3 by a center-through method.

[0129] Next, a method for removing chips using the fluid jetting tool 50 in the machining center 1B will be described. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a table 200 included in the machining center 1B. After machining of a workpiece by the machining center 1B, chips K remain on the table 200 as shown in FIG. 16. Chips K also remain in a T-slot groove 210 provided in the table 200. The T-slot groove 210 is an inverted T-shaped groove in a left side view for fixing a fixture for fixing a workpiece to the table 200, and the groove width on the bottom side is wider than the groove width (width in the Y-axis direction) on the upper opening side. The wide lower portion of the T-slot groove 210 is referred to as the wide groove 210a, and the narrow upper portion is referred to as the narrow groove 210b. The width of the narrow groove 210b is longer than the outer diameter D1 of the main body 55 of the fluid jetting tool 50. The T-slot grooves 210 extend along the longitudinal direction over the entire area of ​​the table 200 from the left end to the right end, and five of them are provided at equal intervals from the front end to the rear end of the table 200.

[0130] As shown in FIG. 16, if chips K remain on the table 200 and in the T-slot groove 210, the machining center 1B cannot be used for the next machining. Conventionally, the cleaning of the table 200 of the machining center 1B was also performed by an operator using an air gun or the like. According to the chip removal system KSB of this embodiment, it is possible to automate the cleaning work of the table 200. That is, the cleaning of the table 200 can be completed by the operator simply operating the input / output device 32 of the control device 30 to replace the tool attached to the spindle 3 with the fluid jetting tool 50 and operating the fluid jetting tool 50 as follows.

[0131] 17 and 18 are diagrams showing an example of a state in which chips K are removed from inside the T-slot groove 210 of the table 200 using the fluid jet tool 50. After replacing the tool attached to the spindle 3 with the fluid jet tool 50, the control device 30 of the machining center 1B inserts the fluid jet tool 50 into the T-slot groove 210 as shown in FIG. 17. The insertion depth of the fluid jet tool 50 is set to a degree that the tip through-hole portion 61 and the side through-hole portion 63 reach the lower wide groove 210a of the T-slot groove 210. Here, the control device 30 moves the fluid jet tool 50 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction so that the axis AX3 of the fluid jet tool 50 is located at the center of the T-slot groove 210 in the front-rear direction. The control device 30 also inserts the fluid ejection tool 50 into the T-slot groove 210 (moves it in the Z-axis direction) to a depth such that the tip 50a of the fluid ejection tool 50 does not hit the bottom surface 210c of the T-slot groove 210 (for example, by separating the tip 50a by about 2 mm from the bottom surface 210c).

[0132] The control device 30 drives a fluid supply device (not shown) to feed coolant (cutting oil) into the internal flow passage portion 60 of the fluid jetting tool 50, while rotating the fluid jetting tool 50 (in other words, the spindle 3) in a predetermined rotational direction (counterclockwise in this embodiment) at a predetermined rotational speed, as shown in Figs. 17 and 18, and moving the fluid jetting tool 50 in a predetermined direction (rightward or leftward) along the extension direction of the T-slot groove 210 at a predetermined feed speed. When cleaning one T-slot groove 210, it is desirable to move the fluid jetting tool 50 from the left end to the right end of the T-slot groove 210 at least once. The fluid jetting tool 50 may be reciprocated between the left end and the right end of one T-slot groove 210 once or multiple times. The rotational speed and feed speed of the fluid jetting tool 50 can be set appropriately.

[0133] By using the fluid jetting tool 50 as described above, the chips K adhering to the bottom surface 210c of the wide groove 210a of the T-slot groove 210 can be blown away in the tool radial direction and thrown up by the fluid jetted from the tip through-hole portion 61. Then, the fluid jetted from each side through-hole portion 63 toward the base portion 56 with the rotation of the fluid jetting tool 50 forms an upward flow that rises in a spiral shape toward the upper opening of the T-slot groove 210, and this makes it possible to blow away all the chips K in the wide groove 210a of the T-slot groove 210 and all the chips K in the narrow groove 210b of the T-slot groove 210 outside the T-slot groove 210.

[0134] In particular, according to this embodiment, since the lateral through-hole portion 63 is inclined toward the base portion 56 with respect to the tool radial direction, the fluid can be applied to the chips K adhering to the upper surface 210d of the wide groove 210a of the T-slot groove 210. Therefore, the chips K do not remain on the upper surface 210d of the wide groove 210a, and it is possible to remove almost all of the chips K in the T-slot groove 210.

[0135] The chip removal system KSB of the third embodiment described above includes a machining center 1B having a control device 30 that controls the operation based on input work instruction data, and a fluid jetting tool 50. The control device 30 performs a tool replacement process for replacing the tool to be used with the fluid jetting tool 50, and a chip removal process for positioning the side through-hole portion 63 and the tip through-hole portion 61 in the T-slot groove 210 formed in the table 200, and moving the fluid jetting tool 50 in the direction in which the T-slot groove 210 extends while rotating the fluid jetting tool 50 (see Figs. 17 and 18). Therefore, it is possible to reliably blow off the chips K remaining in the T-slot groove 210 to the outside of the T-slot groove 210.

[0136] The third embodiment discloses a chip removal method using a fluid ejection tool 50, which includes a replacement step of replacing the tool being used with the fluid ejection tool 50, and a chip removal step of positioning the lateral through hole portion 63 and the tip through hole portion 61 in a T-slot groove 210 formed in a table 200 of a machining center 1B, ejecting fluid from the lateral through hole portion 63 and the tip through hole portion 61, while rotating the fluid ejection tool 50 and moving it in the direction in which the T-slot groove 210 extends.

[0137] 4. Fourth embodiment Next, a chip removal system KSC according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 19 and 20. In the description of the fourth embodiment, the same components and components with the same functions as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0138] As shown in Fig. 19, the chip removal system KSC of the fourth embodiment includes a composite machine tool 1C (an example of a machine tool) and the same fluid ejection tool 50 as in the first embodiment. The composite machine tool 1C is a machine tool that adds a turning function to a machining center, and includes a spindle 3 (tool spindle) of a processing head 2 and a work spindle unit 300 including a work spindle that rotates a workpiece. Similarly to the machining center 1A of the first embodiment, the composite machine tool 1C includes an automatic tool changer 20 and a control device 30, and the control device 30 can automatically change any one of a plurality of tools set in a tool magazine 22 of the automatic tool changer 20 and a tool attached to the spindle 3 (an example of a tool attachment unit) of the processing head 2 based on work instruction data. The chip removal system KSC is equipped with a fluid ejection tool 50 as one of the tools set in the tool magazine 22, and the fluid ejection tool 50 can be attached to the spindle 3 by the tool exchange process performed by the control device 30, as shown in Figure 19.

[0139] Further, a chuck (vice) 310 for fixing a workpiece Wb is attached to the work spindle unit 300 of the composite machine tool 1C. In this embodiment, the chuck 310 is a three-jaw chuck having three jaws 312 arranged at 120 degree intervals around the central axis AX6 of the work spindle unit 300. Each jaw 312 can be moved in the radial direction of the chuck 310 by a drive device (not shown). By moving each jaw 312 so as to approach the central axis AX6 of the chuck 310, the workpiece Wb can be clamped and fixed to the work spindle unit 300, and by moving each jaw 312 so as to move away from the central axis AX6 of the chuck 310, the workpiece Wb can be removed.

[0140] The multi-purpose machine 1C also includes a moving device 48 that moves the machining head 2 relative to the chuck 310. The control device 30 controls the rotation of the tool attached to the spindle 3, the movement of the machining head 2 (the operation of the moving device 48), the rotation of the workpiece attached to the work spindle unit 300, the opening and closing of the chuck 310, the operation of the automatic tool changer 20, the operation of a fluid supplying device (not shown) that supplies coolant (cutting oil) and air, and the operation of a recovery device (not shown) that recovers chips K generated by machining the workpiece. Although not shown in FIG. 19, the multi-purpose machine 1C is provided with an outer wall (casing) that surrounds the work spindle unit 300 and the machining head 2, and a sliding door that opens and closes an opening formed in the outer wall, and the opening and closing of the sliding door makes it possible to open and close the machining space in which the workpiece is machined.

[0141] Similarly to the machining center 1A according to the first embodiment, the multi-purpose machining center 1C according to this embodiment is capable of injecting various fluids, such as coolant and air, through the inside of the spindle 3 using a center-through method.

[0142] Next, a method for removing chips using the fluid jetting tool 50 in the multi-function machine tool 1C will be described. After machining of a workpiece by the multi-function machine tool 1C, as shown in FIG. 20, chips K remain near the center of the disk-shaped body 314 of the chuck 310 and on the inner surface of the jaws 312 (the central axis side of the chuck 310). In this state where chips K remain in the chuck 310, the multi-function machine tool 1C cannot be used for the next machining. Conventionally, the cleaning of the chuck 310 of the multi-function machine tool 1C was also performed by an operator (worker) using an air gun or the like. According to the chip removal system KSC of this embodiment, it is possible to automate the cleaning work of the chuck 310. That is, the operator operates the input / output device 32 of the control device 30 to replace the tool attached to the spindle 3 with the fluid jetting tool 50, and the fluid jetting tool 50 is operated as follows, and the cleaning of the chuck 310 can be completed.

[0143] That is, the control device 30 of the composite machining center 1C replaces the tool attached to the spindle 3 with the fluid jetting tool 50, and then moves the position and orientation (posture) of the spindle 3 so as to align the rotation axis of the fluid jetting tool 50 with the central axis AX6 of the chuck 310, as shown in FIG. 20, for example. Then, while driving a fluid supply device (not shown) to feed coolant (cutting oil) into the internal flow passage portion 60 of the fluid jetting tool 50, the control device 30 moves the fluid jetting tool 50 (in other words, the spindle 3) so as to approach the chuck 310 (leftward in this embodiment) at a predetermined feed rate while rotating the fluid jetting tool 50 (in other words, the spindle 3) at a predetermined rotation speed in a predetermined rotation direction (counterclockwise in this embodiment). Here, the fluid jetting tool 50 is brought close to the chuck 310 to such an extent that the tip 50a of the fluid jetting tool 50 does not come into contact with the surface of the body 314 of the chuck 310 (for example, to a position where the tip 50a is about 5 to 8 mm away from the surface of the body 314). The rotation speed and feed speed of the fluid ejection tool 50 can be set appropriately.

[0144] By using the fluid jetting tool 50 as described above, the chips K adhering to the surface of the body 314 of the chuck 310 can be blown away in the radial direction of the chuck 310 by the fluid jetted in the axial direction from the tip through-hole portion 61. In addition, a spiral flow moving in a direction away from the chuck 310 is formed by the fluid jetted toward the base portion 56 side (the spindle 3 side in FIG. 20) from each side through-hole portion 63 with the rotation of the fluid jetting tool 50, and thus the chips K adhering to each claw portion 312 are blown away from the chuck 310, while the spiral flow also enters the gap between the claw portion 312 and the body 314 as the fluid jetting tool 50 approaches the body 314, and the chips K adhering to the body 314 and the base of the claw portion 312 (the portion on the body 314 side) can be blown away from the chuck 310.

[0145] In this manner, when the fluid ejection tool 50 according to this embodiment is used, the lateral through-hole portion 63 is inclined toward the base portion 56 (toward the spindle 3) relative to the tool radial direction, so that the chips K are less likely to become lodged in the various gaps on the chuck 310, and it is possible to remove almost all of the chips K adhering to the chuck 310.

[0146] The above-described cleaning method of the chuck 310 using the fluid jet tool 50 is an example, and the operation of the fluid jet tool 50 can be appropriately changed depending on the adhesion of the chips K to the chuck 310. Specifically, for example, before cleaning the center of the chuck 310, the fluid jetted from the fluid jet tool 50 is sprayed onto the chuck 310 from above or obliquely above the chuck 310, the fluid jet tool 50 is moved so as to approach each chuck 310 in order, or the fluid jet tool 50 is moved in a circular manner along the circumferential direction of the chuck 310. It is preferable to appropriately change the operation of the fluid jet tool 50 using numerical control by the control device 30. In addition, when cleaning the chuck 310 using the fluid jet tool 50, the chuck 310 may be rotated. In this case, both the chuck 310 and the fluid jet tool 50 may be rotated, or only the chuck 310 may be rotated. In addition, when both the chuck 310 and the fluid jetting tool 50 are rotated, it is preferable that the rotation speeds of the two are different. That is, when cleaning the chuck 310 using the fluid jetting tool 50, it is sufficient that the fluid jetting tool 50 rotates relative to the chuck 310.

[0147] The fluid jetting tool 50 of this embodiment can also be suitably used for a compound machine having two work spindles. Specifically, for example, after cleaning the chuck of the first work spindle as described above, the spindle to which the fluid jetting tool 50 is attached is rotated by a predetermined angle (e.g., 180 degrees, etc.) so that the fluid jetted from the fluid jetting tool 50 is applied to the chuck of the second work spindle on the opposite side to the first work spindle, and the chuck of the second work spindle can be cleaned in the same manner as the chuck of the first work spindle.

[0148] The chip removal system KSC of the fourth embodiment described above includes a multi-function machine 1C having a control device 30 that controls operation based on input work instruction data, and a fluid jetting tool 50. The control device 30 performs a tool changing process for changing the tool to be used to the fluid jetting tool 50, and a chip removal process for moving the fluid jetting tool 50 closer to the chuck 310 of the multi-function machine 1C while rotating the fluid jetting tool 50 and jetting fluid from the side through-hole portion 63 and the tip through-hole portion 61 (see FIG. 20). This makes it possible to reliably blow away the chips K remaining on the chuck 310 in a direction away from the chuck 310.

[0149] The fourth embodiment discloses a chip removal method using a fluid ejection tool 50, which includes a replacement step of replacing the tool being used with the fluid ejection tool 50, and a chip removal step of rotating the fluid ejection tool 50 while ejecting fluid from the side through hole portion 63 and the tip through hole portion 61, and moving the fluid ejection tool 50 closer to a chuck 310 of the composite machining center 1C.

[0150] 5. Fifth embodiment Next, a chip removal system according to a fifth embodiment will be described. The chip removal system according to the fifth embodiment includes a fluid ejection tool 50B shown in FIG. 21 and the same machining center 1A as in the first embodiment. That is, in the fifth embodiment, the fluid ejection tool 50B shown in FIG. 21 is set in the machining center 1A as a tool that can be replaced by the automatic tool changer 20. In the description of the fifth embodiment, the same reference numerals may be used to designate configurations and configurations having the same functions as in the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof may be omitted.

[0151] As shown in FIG. 21, the fluid jetting tool 50B according to the fifth embodiment is an end mill with an indexable cutting edge and a lateral through-hole portion 63B. Specifically, the fluid jetting tool 50B has two blades (tips) T attached to a tip portion 54B at equal intervals around the tool axis AX7. Inside the fluid jetting tool 50B, an internal flow passage portion 60B is provided in a cylindrical shape through which a fluid (coolant liquid, etc.) injected through the inside of the spindle 3 flows. The tip (lower end in the figure) of the internal flow passage portion 60B has a smaller diameter than the inlet side (upper side in the figure). The shape of the internal flow passage portion 60B is not limited to one in which the tip is smaller in diameter than the inlet side, and can be configured in any appropriate shape.

[0152] The fluid jet tool 50B is formed with two side through-holes 63B penetrating between the small-diameter tip flow passage portion 60Ba in the internal flow passage portion 60B and the outside. Each side through-hole portion 63B is drilled at an inclination angle θ1 (see FIG. 6) similar to that of the side through-hole portion 63 of the first embodiment so that the outer opening 63Bd is located closer to the tool base in the axial direction than the inner opening 63Bc. The outer opening 63Bd of the side through-hole portion 63B opens into the surface (groove surface GA) of the groove adjacent to the blade T.

[0153] By using the fluid jetting tool 50B according to the fifth embodiment configured as described above, it is possible to simultaneously perform cutting of the workpiece Wc with the blade T and removal of chips K with the coolant liquid jetted from the side through-hole portion 63B. Specifically, for example, when machining a pocket hole Qa (an example of a bottomed hole portion) having a rectangular shape in plan view in the workpiece Wc as shown in FIG. 21, the control device 30 of the machining center 1A drives a fluid supply device (not shown) to feed coolant liquid (cutting oil) into the internal flow path portion 60B of the fluid jetting tool 50B when the fluid jetting tool 50B is attached to the spindle 3 and the fluid jetting tool 50B is operated according to a machining program for a desired pocket hole Qa. The coolant liquid that has passed through the internal flow path portion 60B is jetted from each side through-hole portion 63B.

[0154] Each side through-hole portion 63B is provided corresponding to each blade T of the fluid jetting tool 50B, and is inclined toward the tool base side (in other words, upward, which is the opening direction of the pocket hole Qa) from the radial direction of the fluid jetting tool 50B. Therefore, the coolant liquid sprayed from each side through-hole portion 63B hits the chips K cut by the corresponding blade T and blows the chips K out of the pocket hole Qa. This makes it possible to prevent the chips from remaining in the pocket hole Qa formed by cutting.

[0155] In this way, according to the fluid ejection tool 50B of this embodiment, it is possible to simultaneously carry out the cutting process and the removal of the chips K generated by the cutting process. Therefore, the removal of the chips K is completed when the cutting process is finished, and the work efficiency is extremely high. In addition, it is possible to prevent the chips K generated by the cutting process from getting caught between the blade T and the workpiece Wc, which causes damage to the blade T and the workpiece Wc.

[0156] The fluid ejection tool 50B of this embodiment differs from conventional end mills with oil holes in that the coolant coming out of the lateral through hole portion 63B is ejected not toward the tip of the blade T (the cutting point), but toward the chips K generated by cutting (the lateral through hole portion 63B is inclined toward the tool axis relative to the tool radial direction to ensure this).

[0157] Although the working efficiency is lower than that of this embodiment, it is also possible to form the pocket hole Qa using an end mill and then remove the chips K accumulated in the pocket hole Qa using the fluid jetting tool 50 according to the first embodiment. Even in this case, it is possible to sufficiently improve the working efficiency compared to removing the chips K manually by an operator. In this case, it is preferable to operate the fluid jetting tool 50 according to the operating conditions of the tool when machining the pocket hole Qa using an end mill.

[0158] The fluid jetting tool 50B according to the fifth embodiment described above has a blade T for machining the workpiece Wc at the tip 54B, and a side through-hole portion 63B inclined at an inclination angle θ1 similar to that of the first embodiment so that the outer opening 63Bd is closer to the base (spindle) than the inner opening 63Bc. The side through-hole portion 63B is drilled so that a fluid such as a coolant liquid jetted from the side through-hole portion 63B hits the chips K cut by the blade T. Therefore, while the cutting process is proceeding, the chips K generated by the process can be blown away to the base side (spindle side) by the fluid jetted from the side through-hole portion 63B. That is, the machining of the workpiece Wc and the removal of the chips K can be simultaneously carried out. As a result, the work efficiency can be greatly improved.

[0159] In the fifth embodiment, the number of blades of the fluid jetting tool 50B is two, but it can be changed appropriately to three, four, six, etc. In this case, it is preferable to increase the number of side through-hole portions 63B corresponding to the number of blades (provide the same number of side through-hole portions 63B as the number of blades). In the fifth embodiment, the fluid jetting tool 50B is an end mill with replaceable blades, but the side through-hole portions may be provided in a tool whose blade cannot be replaced, such as a solid mill.

[0160] Also, in a cutting tool used in a cutting process in which a workpiece is rotated without rotating a tool, a side through hole portion may be provided in the same manner as in the fifth embodiment. That is, an internal flow path portion is provided in the cutting tool similar to the internal flow path portion 60B in this embodiment, and a side through hole portion is provided in the vicinity of the blade of the cutting tool similar to the side through hole portion 63B in this embodiment. Then, such a cutting tool with a side through hole portion (an example of a fluid ejection tool) is set in a turret (an example of a tool mounting portion) of an NC lathe (an example of a machine tool). The turret functions as an automatic tool changer, and the NC lathe is capable of sending a fluid such as a coolant liquid into the tool through the inside of the turret in a center-through method. If a boring process or the like is performed using a cutting tool with a side through hole portion by such an NC lathe, chips generated by the boring process can be discharged outside the hole during processing by the fluid ejected from the side through hole portion, so that the chips are prevented from accumulating in the workpiece, and the work efficiency can be improved. In addition, if it is possible to spray a fluid such as coolant through the tool using a center-through method, a tool bit with a lateral through hole may be attached to an NC lathe equipped with a comb-type tool rest (an example of a tool mounting part).

[0161] The above describes the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth embodiments of the chip removal system. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0162] The above-mentioned fluid ejection tools 50, 50A, 50B are not limited to use in the above-mentioned machine tools, but can be used in various machine tools that can eject fluids such as coolant through the tool using a center-through method.

[0163] In the fluid jetting tool 50 according to the first embodiment, the lateral through-hole portions 63 are provided in two rows (first lateral through-hole portion 63a, second lateral through-hole portion 63b) at different positions in the tool axial direction, but they may be provided in one row, or three or more rows in the tool axial direction. The same applies to the fluid jetting tool 50A according to the second embodiment. In the fluid jetting tool 50B according to the fifth embodiment, the lateral through-hole portions 63B may be provided in two or more rows in the tool axial direction.

[0164] Furthermore, in the fluid jetting tool 50 according to the first embodiment, eight side through-hole portions 63 (first side through-hole portion 63a, second side through-hole portion 63b) are provided in the circumferential direction to enable uniform radial jetting of a fluid such as a coolant liquid, but if this point is not taken into consideration, at least one side through-hole portion 63 is sufficient. The same is true for the fluid jetting tool 50A according to the second embodiment and the fluid jetting tool 50B according to the fifth embodiment. In consideration of cleaning performance, it is desirable to provide two to three or more side through-hole portions 63 in the circumferential direction of the tool.

[0165] In the fluid ejection tool 50 according to the first embodiment, one tip through hole 61 is provided along the tool axial direction in the bottom portion 51, but two or more may be provided. Also, a configuration in which the tip through hole 61 is not provided may be adopted.

[0166] Furthermore, in cleaning the pilot hole Fa using the fluid jetting tool 50 according to the first embodiment, the fluid jetting tool 50 inserted into the pilot hole Fa may be removed from the pilot hole Fa while rotating. In this case, the rotation direction of the fluid jetting tool 50 may be the opposite direction to that during machining of the pilot hole Fa, or the same direction.

[0167] The pilot hole Fa may also be cleaned by inserting the fluid jetting tool 50 into the pilot hole Fa while jetting fluid from the tip through-hole portion 61 and the side through-hole portion 63. If the pilot hole Fa is not too deep (e.g., 20 mm), the force of the fluid jetted from the fluid jetting tool 50 can be sufficient to blow away the chips K in the pilot hole Fa by the time the fluid jetting tool 50 is inserted near the bottom surface Fb of the pilot hole Fa.

[0168] The fluid jetting tool 50 according to the first embodiment may also be used to clean a through hole (an example of a through hole portion) that is not threaded. In this case, the fluid jetting tool may be passed through the through hole while rotating in the opposite direction to or the same direction as that used for machining the through hole, or may be passed through the through hole without rotating. By using the fluid jetting tool 50 to clean the through hole, when chips are attached to the inner peripheral surface of the through hole, the chips can be suitably removed.

[0169] In the third embodiment, it is also advisable to remove the chips K adhering to the top surface of the table 200 after or before cleaning the T-slot groove 210. By simply changing the position to which the fluid ejection tool 50 moves using numerical control, the chips K adhering to the top surface of the table can be suitably removed in the same way as the inside of the T-slot groove 210 is cleaned.

[0170] Furthermore, the removal of residues such as chips K and coolant liquid using the fluid ejection tool 50 according to the first embodiment may be performed on parts other than the workpiece, table, chuck (fixed jig), etc. (parts other than these within the machining space of the machine tool).

[0171] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the chips K are removed by spraying coolant liquid from the fluid jetting tool 50, 50A, 50B. However, in a machine tool capable of jetting air, the chips K may be removed by spraying air from the fluid jetting tool 50, 50A, 50B.

[0172] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the fluid ejection tools 50, 50A, 50B are made of iron, but they may be made of other metals such as stainless steel.

[0173] In each of the above embodiments, the processor of the control device 30 may automatically calculate and set the operating conditions (position to be moved, depth, number of rotations, feed rate) of the fluid jetting tool 50 with reference to the numerical values ​​of the machining process (operating conditions of the machining tool). In this case, if the number of rotations of the tool in the machining process is smaller than a predetermined lower threshold, the number of rotations of the fluid jetting tool 50 in the chip K removal process may be set to be larger than that during machining, and if the number of rotations of the tool in the machining process is larger than a predetermined upper threshold, the number of rotations of the fluid jetting tool 50 in the chip K removal process may be set to be smaller than that during machining. Also, if the feed rate of the tool in the machining process is slower than a predetermined lower threshold, the feed rate of the fluid jetting tool 50 in the chip K removal process may be set to be faster than that during machining, and if the feed rate of the tool in the machining process is faster than a predetermined upper threshold, the feed rate of the fluid jetting tool 50 in the chip K removal process may be set to be slower than that during machining. This is to achieve both the removal performance of the chip K and the efficiency of the work.

[0174] In the present invention, the configurations "rotating the fluid jetting tool" and "the fluid jetting tool rotates" include a configuration in which the fluid jetting tool itself rotates, and a configuration in which the fluid jetting tool rotates relative to the cleaning target (workpiece, table, chuck, etc.) as a result of the rotation of the cleaning target. In other words, "rotation of the fluid jetting tool" includes both absolute rotation and relative rotation of the fluid jetting tool. [Explanation of symbols]

[0175] 1A, 1B...Machining center (machine tool) 1C…Compound machine tool (machine tool) 3…Spindle 30...Control device (control unit) 50, 50A, 50B…Fluid jetting tool 54, 54A, 54B…Tip 56, 56A…Motobe 60, 60A, 60B...Internal flow passage 60b…Inner peripheral surface 61...Tip through hole section 63, 63A, 63B...Side through hole section 63a, 63Aa...first side through hole section 63b, 63Ab...Second side through hole section 63c, 63Ac, 63Bc…inner opening 63d, 63Ad, 63Bd...Outer opening 210…T-slot groove 310…Chuck KSA, KSB, KSC...Chip removal systems Wa, Wb, Wc...Work Fa…Pre-drilled hole Ha...Blind screw hole Pa…Through screw hole T…blade θ1, θ2…Inclination angle

Claims

1. A method for removing chips using a fluid ejection tool attached to a tool attachment part of a machine tool capable of automatically replacing a tool to be used, the machine tool being capable of machining a workpiece by rotating either a workpiece or the tool, and capable of ejecting a fluid, which is a coolant liquid or air, in a center-through manner, comprising: As the fluid ejection tool, The base portion side, which is the side attached to the tool attachment portion, is tubular and open, an internal flow passage portion extending in a tool axial direction and through which the fluid passes when the fluid passes through the inside of the tool attachment portion; a lateral through-hole portion that is provided on the tip end side opposite to the base portion, that penetrates from an inner circumferential surface of the internal flow path portion to the outside of the fluid jetting tool, and that jets the fluid that has passed through the internal flow path portion to the outside of the fluid jetting tool, the lateral through-hole portion is inclined at a predetermined angle toward the tool axis direction with respect to a tool radial direction perpendicular to the tool axis direction such that an outer opening is closer to the base portion than an inner opening, The tip portion is provided with a tip through-hole portion that penetrates from an inner tip surface of the internal flow path to the outside of the fluid jet tool along an axial center of the fluid jet tool, a replacement step of replacing a tool to be used with the fluid ejection tool after a processing step of processing a blind hole or a blind hole threaded hole portion in the workpiece; an inserting step of inserting the fluid ejection tool into the bottomed hole portion formed by the machining step to position the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion within the bottomed hole portion; a chip removal step of moving the fluid ejection tool in a direction away from the bottomed hole portion while ejecting the fluid from the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion and rotating the fluid ejection tool in a direction opposite to the tool rotation direction when forming the bottomed hole portion.

2. A machine tool capable of automatically changing tools to be used, capable of machining a workpiece by rotating either a workpiece or the tool, and capable of injecting a fluid, which is a coolant liquid or air, by a center-through method; a fluid ejection tool attached to a tool attachment portion of the machine tool, The machine tool is a chip removal system having a control unit that controls the operation of the machine tool based on input work instruction data, The fluid ejection tool includes: The base portion side, which is the side attached to the tool attachment portion, is tubular and open, an internal flow passage portion extending in a tool axial direction and through which the fluid passes when the fluid passes through the inside of the tool attachment portion; a lateral through-hole portion that is provided on the tip end side opposite to the base portion, that penetrates from an inner circumferential surface of the internal flow path portion to the outside of the fluid jetting tool, and that jets the fluid that has passed through the internal flow path portion to the outside of the fluid jetting tool, the lateral through-hole portion is inclined at a predetermined angle toward the tool axis direction with respect to a tool radial direction perpendicular to the tool axis direction such that an outer opening is closer to the base portion than an inner opening, a tip through-hole portion is provided in the tip portion, the tip through-hole portion penetrating from an inner tip surface of the internal flow path portion to an outside of the fluid jet tool along an axis of the fluid jet tool, The control unit is a tool changing process for changing a tool to be used to the fluid ejection tool after a processing step for processing a blind hole or a blind hole threaded hole portion in the workpiece; a tool insertion process for inserting the fluid ejection tool into the bottomed hole portion formed by the machining process, so that the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion are positioned within the bottomed hole portion; a chip removal process in which the fluid ejection tool is moved in a direction away from the bottomed hole portion while ejecting the fluid from the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion and rotating the fluid ejection tool in a direction opposite to the tool rotation direction used to form the bottomed hole portion.

3. 3. The swarf removal system of claim 2, The control unit, during the tool insertion process, moves the fluid ejection tool to a position that is the same as a machining position of the workpiece during the machining process.

4. 3. The swarf removal system of claim 2, The control unit, in the tool insertion process, inserts the fluid ejection tool into the bottomed hole portion to a depth that does not exceed a tool insertion depth in the machining process.

5. 3. The swarf removal system of claim 2, The chip removal system, wherein the control unit, in the chip removal process, rotates the fluid ejection tool at a rotation speed corresponding to a rotation speed of a tool in the machining process.

6. 3. The swarf removal system of claim 2, The control unit, in the chip removal process, moves the fluid ejection tool in a direction to exit the bottomed hole portion at a feed speed corresponding to a feed speed of a tool in the machining process.

7. A method for removing chips using a fluid ejection tool attached to a tool attachment part of a machine tool capable of automatically replacing a tool to be used, the machine tool being capable of machining a workpiece by rotating either a workpiece or the tool, and capable of ejecting a fluid, which is a coolant liquid or air, in a center-through manner, comprising: As the fluid ejection tool, The base portion side, which is the side attached to the tool attachment portion, is tubular and open, an internal flow passage portion extending in a tool axial direction and through which the fluid passes when the fluid passes through the inside of the tool attachment portion; a lateral through-hole portion that is provided on the tip end side opposite to the base portion, that penetrates from an inner circumferential surface of the internal flow path portion to the outside of the fluid jetting tool, and that jets the fluid that has passed through the internal flow path portion to the outside of the fluid jetting tool, the lateral through-hole portion is inclined at a predetermined angle toward the tool axis direction with respect to a tool radial direction perpendicular to the tool axis direction such that an outer opening is closer to the base portion than an inner opening, The tip portion is provided with a tip through-hole portion that penetrates from an inner tip surface of the internal flow path to the outside of the fluid jet tool along an axial center of the fluid jet tool, a replacement step of replacing a tool used with the fluid ejection tool after a machining step of machining a non-threaded blind hole in the workpiece; an inserting step of inserting the fluid ejection tool into the blind hole formed by the machining step to position the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion within the blind hole; a chip removal step of moving the fluid ejection tool in a direction to pass through the blind hole while ejecting the fluid from the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion and rotating the fluid ejection tool in the same direction as the tool rotation direction when forming the blind hole or without rotating the fluid ejection tool.

8. A machine tool capable of automatically changing tools to be used, capable of machining a workpiece by rotating either a workpiece or the tool, and capable of injecting a fluid, which is a coolant liquid or air, by a center-through method; a fluid ejection tool attached to a tool attachment portion of the machine tool, The machine tool is a chip removal system having a control unit that controls the operation of the machine tool based on input work instruction data, The fluid ejection tool includes: The base portion side, which is the side attached to the tool attachment portion, is tubular and open, an internal flow passage portion extending in a tool axial direction and through which the fluid passes when the fluid passes through the inside of the tool attachment portion; a lateral through-hole portion that is provided on the tip end side opposite to the base portion, that penetrates from an inner circumferential surface of the internal flow path portion to the outside of the fluid jetting tool, and that jets the fluid that has passed through the internal flow path portion to the outside of the fluid jetting tool, the lateral through hole portion is inclined at a predetermined angle toward the tool axis direction with respect to a tool radial direction perpendicular to the tool axis direction such that an outer opening is closer to the base portion than an inner opening, a tip through-hole portion is provided in the tip portion, the tip through-hole portion penetrating from an inner tip surface of the internal flow path portion to an outside of the fluid jet tool along an axis of the fluid jet tool, The control unit is a tool changing process for changing a tool to be used to the fluid ejection tool after a machining process for machining a non-threaded blind hole in the workpiece; a tool insertion process in which the fluid ejection tool is inserted into the blind hole formed by the machining process, and the side through-hole portion and the tip through-hole portion are positioned within the blind hole; a chip removal process in which the fluid ejection tool is moved in a direction to pass through the blind hole while ejecting the fluid from the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion and rotating the fluid ejection tool in the same direction as the tool rotation direction when forming the blind hole or without rotating the fluid ejection tool.

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