Machine tool parts that automate the maintenance and cleaning of collet chucks

Abstract

To automatize maintenance and washing of a main shaft of a machine tool, especially a collet chuck.SOLUTION: A spindle of a machine tool has: a connection plate (100) for connecting the spindle (1) to a compressed air unit and a lubricant supply part of a machine tool; a shank body (110) fitted to the connection plate (100) of the spindle (1); and a spindle shank (121). A connection piece (124) connecting a connection component of a spindle chuck (200) receives a processing tool or a maintenance tool in the spindle. The shank body (110) has a through hole (113) in a longitudinal direction (L) of the spindle (1). The connection plate (100) has: a lubricant inlet (105) to be connected to the lubricant supply source; and at least one separate compressed air suction port (104) to be connected to the compressed air unit. In the connection plate, the through hole (113) of the shank body (110) is in fluid communication with at least one compressed air suction port (104) and the lubricant inlet (105).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a spindle of a machine tool, in particular a machine tool for machining workpieces, such as printed circuit boards, a collet chuck connected to such a spindle, a maintenance tool for such a collet chuck, the machine tool, and a method for maintaining and cleaning the collet chuck of such a machine tool. The machine tool components of the present invention, as well as the machine tool itself, allow for the automation of the maintenance of the collet chuck. [Background technology]

[0002] Modern machine tools need to be manufactured precisely, for example to ensure the functionality of the manufactured products. These demands on precision are particularly high in the production of printed circuit boards. For example, copper-plated through-holes are used to install electronic components or to connect internal copper layers. Furthermore, the miniaturization of electronic components leads to higher precision requirements. The interaction between the tool and the machine tool when machining a workpiece, for example a through-hole, is of great importance for compliance with the precision requirements. The interface between the tool and the machine tool is therefore crucial for compliance with the above-mentioned requirements.

[0003] Collet chucks are generally used to clamp tools, for example to clamp a drill to a machine tool, and are connected to the rotating spindle of the machine tool so that the tool can be inserted. The drive speed and drive torque are thus transmitted from the drive unit of the machine tool through the spindle and the collet chuck to the tool. To reliably transmit these process variables, the collet chuck is required to ensure a process-reliable clamping of the tool, e.g. a process-reliable force closure between the clamping surface of the collet chuck and the tool shank. The quality of the force closure can be determined by the holding torque, which resists unintentional twisting of the tool shank in the collet chuck. The holding torque can depend on the cleanliness of the contact surfaces of the collet chuck and the tool, and contamination of these contact surfaces, i.e. foreign matter on the clamping surface of the collet chuck and dirt on the tool shank with cuttings and drilling dust, has a negative effect on and reduces the holding torque. At the same time, the concentricity and / or coaxiality of the tool shank and clamping face can be adversely affected by such foreign objects, ultimately resulting in poor drilling quality, reduced positional accuracy, increased tool wear, and an increased risk of tool failure.

[0004] Among other things, conventionally known drilling and milling machines are characterized in that the machine tool is capable of automatic insertion and exchange of tools into the collet chuck, for example when replacing worn tools or inserting tools more suitable for processing. The collet chuck is opened by a pneumatic actuator, and depending on the selected collet chuck configuration, one part of the collet chuck is axially displaced relative to the other part of the collet chuck to allow the removal of the current tool and the insertion of a new tool. When the pneumatic actuator is deactivated, the axial opening force is eliminated, so that the collet chuck can be closed, for example, by spring force, and the tool can be clamped or chucked. The spring force can be applied by a spring or a spring pack.

[0005] The opening, closing or clamping cycles of a collet chuck can be several thousand times during its lifespan, which will show signs of wear. Furthermore, deposits and surface welds can adversely affect the functionality of the collet chuck. To counter this, the clamping surfaces of collet chucks should always be free of deposits and, if possible, wetted with a thin film of lubricant.

[0006] The combined activities required for the purpose of cleaning and lubricating the collet chuck are usually performed manually by a service technician and are generally referred to as collet chuck maintenance. Collet chuck maintenance takes a considerable amount of time and leads to downtime of the machine tool, i.e., expenditure of time and money. In addition to the expenditure of time and money, the process of collet chuck maintenance itself is controversial. The maintenance work includes spraying the open collet chuck with a lubricant as well as cleaning the collet chuck with a strong chemical cleaner and a brush. This procedure can result in deposits and contaminants being introduced deeper into the collet chuck, while the chemical cleaner acts as a lubricating film, for example for the springs arranged in the collet chuck. In addition, since the maintenance is performed manually, the quality of the collet chuck maintenance is highly dependent on the person performing the maintenance, which is especially why the maintenance process does not have a reliable reproducibility. Finally, the materials used for lubrication and cleaning are classified as hazardous to health, thereby posing a risk to the health of the person performing the collet chuck maintenance in particular. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The object of the present invention is to avoid the above-mentioned drawbacks by optimizing the maintenance process of the collet chuck of a machine tool, and furthermore to provide a maintenance process, in particular for a collet chuck, and the machine tool components required for this purpose, which improves the reproducibility of the maintenance and allows the automation of the maintenance of the collet chuck. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The above object is achieved by a spindle as set forth in claim 1, a collet chuck as set forth in claim 8, a maintenance tool as set forth in claim 12, a machine tool as set forth in claim 18, and a method for performing maintenance on a collet chuck as set forth in claim 22.

[0009] The inventive spindle of a machine tool, in particular a machine tool for machining a workpiece, comprises a connection plate, a shank body which can be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the spindle and which is attached to the connection plate, and a spindle shank which can rotate in the circumferential direction of the spindle. Furthermore, the spindle shank comprises a connection piece for connecting a connection part of a collet chuck which is configured to receive a processing tool or a maintenance tool to the spindle. For example, here the connection piece can be pressed into the spindle shank or can be designed as a single piece with the spindle shank. The connection piece preferably has an internal thread, and the connection part of the collet chuck can be screwed into the connection piece. The connection plate is further used for connecting the spindle to a compressed air unit and a lubricant supply source of the machine tool. Furthermore, the shank body of the spindle comprises a through hole in the longitudinal direction of the spindle, and the connection plate comprises a lubricant inlet for connection to a lubricant supply source and at least one separate compressed air inlet for connection to a compressed air unit. The connection plate is further configured for fluidly connecting the through hole of the shank body to at least one compressed air inlet and a lubricant inlet.

[0010] The spindle according to the invention preferably extends further in the longitudinal direction than in the radial direction perpendicular thereto and simultaneously supplies lubricant and compressed air. The spindle is preferably connected to the remaining periphery of the machine tool or is arranged to be connected thereto via a connection plate. Preferably, such a machine tool has a drive unit, e.g. a motor, which can rotate the spindle shank of the spindle relative to the shank body and the connection plate. The spindle shank (rotor) is also accommodated in a stator, which is rotatably fixed relative to the spindle shank. During the rotation of the spindle shank, the spindle shank rotates inside the stator. The connection plate further has a compressed air inlet opening and a lubricant inlet opening, which ensures the supply of lubricant and compressed air. Compressed air can be supplied to the machine tool from the compressed air unit through the compressed air inlet and lubricant can be supplied to the connection plate from a lubricant source, e.g. a lubricant reservoir, through the lubricant inlet. Furthermore, the connecting plate is configured to supply compressed air and lubricant to the through holes of the shank body of the spindle and for this purpose has corresponding through passages so that the compressed air and lubricant can flow through the inside of the connecting plate to the shank body at the through holes.

[0011] When connecting the spindle to the machine tool, the shank body of the spindle is arranged on the side of the connecting plate facing away from the machine tool, i.e. on the side of the connecting plate referred to as the second underside. The shank body is here preferably mounted non-rotatably on the connecting plate in such a way that it is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the spindle. On the inside of the shank body, the aforementioned through holes extending longitudinally over the entire length of the shank body are arranged and are set to convey the compressed air supplied to the connecting plate and the lubricant supplied to the connecting plate. The shank body is pneumatically displaceable in the longitudinal direction by supplying compressed air through the compressed air inlet. Furthermore, the spindle is set to be connected to the collet chuck on the side facing away from the machine tool and for this purpose has a connecting piece, for example, as already explained. Furthermore, the spindle or the stator of the spindle can be at least locally covered with a spindle cover arranged on the opposite side of the connecting plate. The spindle cover is fixed non-rotatably with respect to the spindle shank such that the spindle cover does not rotate when the spindle shank rotates. When loosening the collet chuck connected to the spindle from the spindle, it may be necessary to loosen the spindle cover. The collet chuck is preferably connected to the spindle, i.e. to the connecting piece of the spindle, in such a way that the spindle shank of the spindle rotates at the same time as the collet chuck rotates. During the operation of the machine tool, the through-holes of the shank body of the spindle do not necessarily need to be continuously supplied with compressed air and lubricant, so that corresponding valves or the like, which may be arranged both on the connecting plate and on the machine tool, regulate the corresponding supply of compressed air and lubricant. Such metering valves here can distribute a defined amount of lubricant at a defined time and can be operated in particular with controlled air. The lubricant reservoir here can include a pressurized container. As a result, the spindle according to the invention allows the supply of lubricant and compressed air from the machine tool, which must be done manually by a service technician and introduced on the collet chuck side.

[0012] In one embodiment, the shank body carrying the compressed air and the lubricant is designed in multiple parts, preferably in two parts, and the parts of the shank body can be connected to each other by being screwed together.

[0013] In one embodiment, the connecting plate of the spindle has a lubricant line, which protrudes into the through-hole of the shank body. For example, the lubricant line can be connected here in the form of a capillary or a flexible hose to a lubricant inlet of the connecting plate or to a passage adjacent to the lubricant inlet. As a result, the lubricant can be guided from a lubricant source to the lubricant inlet of the connecting plate and further through the lubricant line to the corresponding through-hole of the shank body. A part of the lubricant line can here first extend inside the connecting plate and then leave the connecting plate and enter the through-hole of the shank body. Furthermore, the lubricant line can be connected to a through-hole on the inside of the connecting plate. The through-hole of the shank body is simultaneously connected to at least one compressed air inlet of the connecting plate, so that the through-hole can both carry the lubricant line coming from the connecting plate and be set to convey the compressed air flowing in from a separate compressed air inlet. Furthermore, the lubricant and compressed air can be conveyed here inside the connecting plate, possibly inside the through-hole of the shank body in passages arranged spatially separated from one another, i.e. the lubricant duct and the through-hole, the lubricant being conveyed inside the lubricant duct and the compressed air being conveyed to the area of ​​the through-hole of the shank body surrounding the lubricant duct. Regardless of whether the lubricant and compressed air flow simultaneously or sequentially, i.e. one after the other, into the through-hole or the corresponding passage of the shank body, a lubricant mist can be generated or the fluid lubricant can first be dispersed by the compressed air. Similarly, it is possible to blow off excess lubricant at the end of the maintenance process or to first blow off foreign objects such as chips and drilling dust and then introduce the lubricant at the beginning of the maintenance process.

[0014] Throughout the application, the term "through hole" is always understood as a continuous passage, i.e. allowing the flow to pass completely through the component in which it is provided from one end of the through hole to the other end of the through hole, even if the diameter of the through hole or the number of passages in the through hole may vary locally inside the through hole. For example, a through hole in a two-part shank body configured to convey compressed air may locally have four individual passages, so that the air flow is divided into four partial air flows.

[0015] In another embodiment, the lubricant line has at least one guide part, which has a recess and / or locally abuts against the inner surface of the through-bore of the shank body. Here, the guide part can be designed to fix the position of the lubricant line in the radial direction of the through-bore. In particular, this allows a more targeted supply of compressed air and lubricant to the through-bore of the shank body or to the connected collet chuck when the lubricant line passes through the entire through-bore of the shank body. As a result, the at least one guide part is characterized in that the lubricant line and the inner surface of the through-bore maintain a predetermined distance. Optimally, the lubricant line has at least two guide parts so that it can maintain a uniform distance from the inner surface of the through-bore over its entire length. In order to prevent the guide part from blocking the through-bore of the shank body and to ensure that a continuous conveyance of compressed air is possible, the guide part has a recess or locally abuts against the inner surface of the through-bore. In order to keep the distance between the lubricant duct and the inner surface of the through bore constant, the guide part for this purpose has at least three contact points or contact surfaces with the inner surface of the through bore of the shank body.

[0016] In another embodiment of the spindle, the shank body of the spindle is arranged displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the spindle relative to the lubricant duct. This means that the shank body is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the spindle relative to the connecting plate, and the lubricant duct leaving the connecting plate is fixed in position in the axial direction together with the connecting plate. When the shank body moves in the longitudinal direction of the spindle, the shank body is displaced in the axial direction and the lubricant duct inside the through hole of the shank body is displaced relative to the shank body. When the lubricant duct has at least one of the above-mentioned guide parts, this guide part slides along the inner surface of the through hole of the shank body. Here, preferably, this guide part contacts only the inner surface of the through hole of the shank body, reducing friction between these two components. In order to displace the shank body in the longitudinal direction, an additional drive or actuator can be installed on the machine tool for this purpose. For example, a pneumatic actuator can be used to displace the shank body with a corresponding air flow relative to the connecting plate of the spindle.

[0017] Thus, in another embodiment of the connection to the compressed air unit, the connecting plate of the spindle has at least one additional compressed air inlet, and the shank body of the spindle is arranged so that it can be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the spindle by compressed air supply through the at least one additional compressed air inlet. As a result, the connecting plate has at least two compressed air inlets and at least one lubricant inlet, one compressed air inlet supplies compressed air to the through-hole of the shank body of the spindle, one compressed air inlet supplies compressed air for axially displacing the shank body, and the lubricant inlet supplies lubricant to the through-hole of the shank body of the spindle. Even if the inlet mainly performs the above-mentioned functions, the compressed air of the additional compressed air inlet can at least partially flow into the through-hole of the shank body. The compressed air flowing into the connecting plate through the at least one additional compressed air inlet preferably acts on the connecting part of the shank body, which is arranged, for example, in a cylinder bore of the connecting plate, and stores the shank body in the connecting plate so that the shank body can be axially displaced in the longitudinal direction of the spindle. By exposing the connecting piece to compressed air, it is possible to displace the shank body.

[0018] In an alternative embodiment, the connecting plate of the spindle is disk-shaped, and at least one of the compressed air inlets and / or lubricant inlets is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the disk-shaped connecting plate. The disk-shaped connecting plate therefore essentially has three outer surfaces, a surface facing towards the machine tool, the so-called first upper surface, a surface facing away from the machine tool, the second lower surface already mentioned above, and an outer circumferential surface formed between these two surfaces.

[0019] Alternatively, the object of the invention is achieved by a collet chuck according to claim 8, in which the collet chuck is set for connection to a spindle according to one of the above-mentioned embodiments. The collet chuck further comprises a clamping body, in particular for clamping a tool, in particular a processing or maintenance tool, and a connection part, in particular configured for connecting the collet chuck to a connection piece of the spindle. The clamping body is here arranged behind the connection part in the longitudinal direction of the collet chuck. Furthermore, the clamping body and the connection part each have a through hole, the through hole of the clamping body being set for receiving a tool and having a clamping surface. The clamping surface of the clamping body is here set for abutting a tool clamped to the clamping body. In addition, the through hole of the clamping body and the through hole of the connection part together form a through passage through the collet chuck.

[0020] As a result, the collet chuck essentially consists of two components: a clamping body and a connecting part. With the collet chuck connected to the spindle of the machine tool, the connecting part is oriented towards the machine tool. In the longitudinal direction of the collet chuck, the clamping body is located on the side of the collet chuck that is opposite the connecting part. Here, the connecting part preferably has a thread, which can be screwed into the connecting piece of the spindle. The shank body preferably has a cylindrical part and at least one conical part. Furthermore, both the connecting part and the clamping body each have a through hole, the through holes being arranged or the connecting part and the clamping body are arranged such that the through holes together form a through passage, i.e. a complete passage through the entire component of the collet chuck. The through hole of the clamping body further comprises a clamping surface, which is preferably arranged on the inner surface of the through hole of the clamping body. The collet chuck is further designed such that the clamping surface of the clamping body is set to clamp a tool for processing the workpiece between these clamping surfaces, and the clamping surface of the clamping body abuts against the tool shank of the tool. As soon as a tool is clamped between the clamping surfaces of the clamping body and the collet chuck is connected to the spindle of the machine tool, the rotational movement of the spindle can be transmitted to the tool. The clamping surfaces thus generate a holding torque which counteracts the twisting of the clamped tool inside the through-hole of the clamping element. The clamping surfaces of the clamping body are preferably of concave design, so that when the clamping body is switched from the open position, the diameter of the through-hole is preferably reduced in the area of ​​the clamping body, and the tool can be introduced into or removed from the clamping body, into the closed position, in which the tool can be clamped between the clamping surfaces of the clamping body.

[0021] For example, a collet chuck according to the present invention can be derived by correspondingly modifying the collet chuck model "METODRILL Collet WW-49860."

[0022] In another embodiment, the through-passage of the collet chuck is arranged so that the collet chuck is connected to the spindle, for example by screwing it to a connecting piece of the spindle, thereby establishing a fluid connection with the through-hole of the shank body of the spindle. The collet chuck can be arranged to convey compressed air and / or lubricant and to direct the corresponding medium directly into the through-passage of the collet chuck, since it can be connected to the spindle of the machine tool, in particular via a connecting piece. The advantage in this respect is that the corresponding medium, i.e. compressed air and / or lubricant, can be conveyed into the collet chuck and can be used here for maintenance purposes. Furthermore, the constant compressed air flow led into the collet chuck from the spindle, i.e. from the through-hole of the shank body of the spindle and possibly from the lubricant line, can ensure that drilling dust, chips, etc. cannot enter the collet chuck, in particular during processing of the workpiece, and that the collet chuck is protected from the undesired ingress of foreign bodies by the compressed air, i.e. sealed air.

[0023] In another embodiment of the invention, the connecting part of the collet chuck is arranged at least partially inside the clamping body of the collet chuck, and the clamping body is arranged displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the collet chuck relative to the connecting part, in particular against the spring force of a spring arranged between the clamping body and the connecting part. The collet chuck can here be opened and closed by correspondingly displacing the clamping body relative to the connecting part of the collet chuck. A spring, in particular a spring pack, can be arranged between the clamping body and the connecting part, which can apply the necessary restoring force, for example, which moves the collet chuck to a closed position, and the connecting part and the clamping body are displaced relative to each other. Opening can then be performed via a force transmission of the aforementioned, in particular pneumatic, displacement of the shank body of the spindle. Here, the connecting part usually has a smaller outer diameter than the clamping body. The relative displaceability of the clamping body relative to the connecting part of the collet chuck also allows a displacement of the shank body of the spindle in the longitudinal direction of the spindle, which leads to a corresponding relative displacement of the clamping body and the connecting part. Once the collet chuck is connected to the spindle of the machine tool, it is possible to open and close the collet chuck using the displacement of the shank body of the spindle.

[0024] In summary, the shank body includes, among other things, an oval cylindrical body having an air-controlled through hole which can be axially displaced longitudinally of the spindle relative to the spindle shank to actuate the collet chuck opening mechanism.

[0025] In order to prevent undesired ingress of foreign bodies, such as, for example, drilling dust, chips, lubricants, etc., into the intermediate space between the connecting part and the clamping body of the aforementioned displaceable collet chuck, in another embodiment of the collet chuck, the through-passage of the collet chuck has a sealing part, which seals in particular the area between the connecting part and the clamping body with respect to the through-passage. Furthermore, the seal can be configured to seal the stop surface between the shank body of the spindle and the connecting part of the collet chuck, for example, when the clamping body and the connecting part cannot be displaced relative to each other. Furthermore, additional sealing parts can be arranged in particular on the inside of the through-passage of the collet chuck, in particular to seal important open areas inside the collet chuck. For example, such important open areas can be through-holes arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the through-passage of the collet chuck, or other areas where the ingress and press-in of foreign bodies caused by compressed air is undesirable.

[0026] Furthermore, the object of the present invention is achieved by a maintenance tool according to claim 12 of the present invention. Such a maintenance tool has a rod with an outer peripheral surface and a through hole extending along the longitudinal axis of the rod, the through hole of the maintenance tool being set to form a fluid connection with the through hole of the collet chuck as soon as the maintenance tool is placed in the through hole of the collet chuck. The maintenance tool therefore essentially comprises a cylindrical, in particular tubular, component that can be introduced into the collet chuck. The outer diameter of the maintenance tool should be determined as a function of the collet chuck with which the maintenance tool is used and is essentially equal to the tool shank diameter of the processing tool that can be used with the collet chuck. This means that the present invention also provides a maintenance tool for frequently used collet chucks, suitable for a tool shank diameter of 3.175 mm. A stop is preferably arranged in the through hole of the collet chuck, which allows the maintenance tool to be pushed into the collet chuck until the maintenance tool abuts against this stop. Since in automated machine tools the processing tools are changed automatically, the maintenance tool is also usually changed like the processing tools. This means that the maintenance tool is introduced into the collet chuck instead of the processing tool as soon as the corresponding maintenance cycle of the automated machine tool is performed. Thus, similar to the processing tool, the maintenance tool can be rotated by rotating the collet chuck relative to the shank body of the spindle. Thus, when the maintenance tool is introduced into the through-passage of the collet chuck, it preferably covers the clamping surface of the collet chuck, so that the medium, e.g. compressed air or lubricant, flowing into the through-passage of the collet chuck can pass through the clamping surface and be blown out through the through-hole of the rod of the maintenance tool. The aforementioned sealing part of the collet chuck can be used to introduce the maintenance tool into the sealing part, for example, if the sealing part has an annular shape. As soon as the maintenance tool is placed in the collet chuck, it allows the medium to flow directly into the through-hole of the rod of the maintenance tool, minimizing the risk of the medium also flowing by the maintenance tool.In this way, the clamping surface of the collet chuck can be effectively prevented from becoming wet with the lubricant.

[0027] In another embodiment of the maintenance tool, the outer circumferential surface of the rod of the maintenance tool has a seal, for example a rubber lip, which is set to seal the clamping surface of the collet chuck as soon as the maintenance tool is placed in the through-passage of the collet chuck. As a result, the rod can be made of a body, for example a metallic material, and an area on the outer circumferential surface of this body has a corresponding seal. For example, the outer surface, i.e. the coating of the rod, can be partially rubberized to achieve a corresponding sealing effect. Alternatively, the rod can be made of two or more components with different materials.

[0028] In another embodiment, the rod has a catch tank at one end or is configured to be introduced into the catch tank, and the through hole of the rod is configured to be fluidly connected with the catch tank. As soon as the inventive collet chuck is connected to the inventive spindle and maintenance is performed, a maintenance tool can be introduced into the through passage of the collet chuck. During maintenance of the collet chuck, in particular such as introducing compressed air and lubricant into the through passage of the collet chuck through the shank body of the spindle, the lubricant and possibly foreign matter can blow out of the collet chuck and be collected in the catch tank. This makes it possible to avoid undesirable contamination of the machine tool parts or the machine tool environment. Furthermore, the catch tank can be used to prevent uncontrolled outflow of lubricant and foreign matter. In principle, the maintenance tool is introduced into the collet chuck as described above, similar to a tool change for processing the workpiece, the collet chuck is opened and the maintenance tool is introduced into the collet chuck and clamped. Alternatively, the maintenance tool may be introduced without first opening the collet chuck and held in the collet chuck by a seal, i.e., by a seal part of the collet chuck and / or by a seal of the maintenance tool.

[0029] In another embodiment, the rod of the maintenance tool is pivotally mounted relative to the catch tank. For this purpose, the rod is preferably pivotally mounted on the catch tank, projecting into the catch tank. The catch tank is thereby pivotable relative to the rod of the maintenance tool, so that the rod can be pivoted, for example, during a maintenance procedure independently of the catch tank. This allows, in particular, a reduction in rotating masses. It is likewise possible to first introduce the maintenance tool into the collet chuck and then attach the catch tank to the rod or introduce the maintenance tool into the catch tank. Since the catch tank does not necessarily have to rotate as a function of the maintenance tool, the pivotally mounted rod on the catch tank makes it easier to connect additional components, for example, to connect a hose to the catch tank.

[0030] Alternatively, and in case the maintenance tool is fixedly connected to the catch tank, the maintenance tool can be accommodated in the collet chuck together with the catch tank during the maintenance procedure. This means that the rod of the maintenance tool is introduced into the collet chuck and the catch tank is fixed to the maintenance tool while introducing the maintenance tool. For example, the connection between the maintenance tool and the catch tank can be realized by a removable snap connection. In this embodiment, the rod of the maintenance tool is attached non-rotatably relative to the catch tank. In particular, the fixed connection between the maintenance tool and the catch tank ensures that the time required for tool change during the introduction of the maintenance tool into the collet chuck can be reduced.

[0031] In another embodiment of the invention, the catch tank has at least one breathable filter fleece. For example, the filter fleece here can form the outer wall of the catch tank or can be arranged inside the catch tank. Here, the filter fleece preferably serves to filter the lubricant from the compressed air, thereby making it possible to prevent the emission of lubricant mist outside the machine tool. The filter fleece is preferably designed in such a way that it can be easily replaced as soon as it no longer adequately filters the compressed air.

[0032] Furthermore, the object of the invention is also achieved by a processing station for a machine tool according to claim 18, which comprises a spindle according to the above description, a collet chuck according to the above description connected to the spindle, a machine tool according to the above description, a compressed air unit connected to a compressed air inlet and a lubricant source connected to a lubricant inlet of the spindle. Furthermore, the processing station comprises a drive unit arranged to rotate the spindle and a control unit. The control unit of the processing station is here arranged to control the processing station in at least two operating modes. A first of these two operating modes may function, for example, to process a workpiece and a second operating mode may function, for example, to perform maintenance of the processing station. When the processing station is activated to operate in the first operating mode, the compressed air unit of the spindle supplies compressed air to a first pressure stage, in particular for blowing out foreign objects. When the processing station operates in a second operating mode in which a maintenance tool is introduced into the through passage of the collet chuck, the compressed air unit and the lubricant supply of the spindle supply lubricant and compressed air sequentially or simultaneously in at least one second pressure stage.

[0033] Among other things, the processing station is characterized by having a main spindle. Furthermore, the machine tool is characterized by having at least one processing station. However, modern machine tools often have several such processing stations. Ideally, each processing station is equipped according to the invention. When the machine tool has several processing stations, it may be useful to provide the machine tool with only one central control unit or central lubricant reservoir, for example, so that the processing stations can be operated centrally and the corresponding media (compressed air, lubricant) can be supplied. Various valves, pressure reducers, control parts, pumps, pressurized containers, etc. may be used to enable, control and regulate the supply of lubricant and compressed air. These components therefore form part of the infrastructure required for the flow of compressed air and lubricant.

[0034] In a first operating mode of the operating station, the processing station can be set up to process the workpiece with a processing tool. For this purpose, a tool, for example a drill, is first clamped in the processing station, which is then activated in the first operating mode through the control unit. The collet chuck, in which the tool is clamped, and the spindle shank of the spindle of the processing station, to which the collet chuck is connected, rotate as a function of the rotation of the spindle shank. Here, the clamping surface of the collet chuck fixes the processing tool in a predetermined position. In the first operating mode, the compressed air unit, as already mentioned above, supplies compressed air, in particular through the through-hole of the shank body of the spindle and through-way of the collet chuck, the continuous supply of compressed air prevents, for example, foreign objects from entering the collet chuck during the processing of the workpiece. Furthermore, the compressed air can be used to blow out foreign objects, the blowing out process being particularly preferably carried out as soon as the tool is removed from the collet chuck. As a result, the compressed air supply can be performed continuously or, in the first operating mode, with interruptions, and with regard to compressed air and lubricant, the first operating mode is characterized in that in particular only compressed air is supplied to the collet chuck in this operating mode. Furthermore, the first operating mode is characterized in that during operation, a maintenance tool is clamped in the collet chuck, and not a tool for processing.

[0035] In contrast, in the second operating mode, both the lubricant and the compressed air are supplied to the collet chuck through the lubricant supply source and the compressed air unit simultaneously or sequentially. This supply can also take place continuously or with some interruption. If the lubricant is supplied simultaneously with the compressed air, a lubricant mist is formed. This is particularly suitable for the distribution of the lubricant inside the collet chuck. Furthermore, this also results in the lubricant being particularly well distributed in the contact area between the collet chuck and the spindle. Alternatively, the compressed air or the lubricant can be supplied first. Here, it is also possible to subsequently distribute the lubricant, for example through the supplied compressed air. In order to prevent the clamping surfaces of the collet chuck from being contaminated and wetted with lubricant in the second operating mode, in this operating mode a maintenance tool is introduced into the collet chuck. As a result, the through-path of the collet chuck can be extended with cylindrical and tubular maintenance tools, and the lubricant mist or the lubricant and the compressed air can be carried out on the clamping surfaces of the collet chuck and lead out of the collet chuck. As mentioned above, the maintenance tool can also have a seal, which additionally seals the clamping surface against contamination. In addition, it is particularly preferred to supply compressed air to the collet chuck at the end of operating the processing station in the second operating mode, thereby preventing the lubricant from subsequently dripping out of the collet chuck. After this, the maintenance tool is removed from the collet chuck.

[0036] In another embodiment, the shank body of the spindle is displaced in the longitudinal direction of the shank body of the spindle in the second operating mode, so that the connecting part of the collet chuck connected to the spindle is displaced relative to the clamping body of the collet chuck in the longitudinal direction of the shank body. The displacement of the shank body and the displacement of the connecting part preferably serve to open and close the collet chuck. In particular, this makes the intermediate space between the clamping body and the connecting part particularly easily accessible, so that the lubricant can be particularly well distributed. Furthermore, this makes it possible to dissolve and blow out the contaminants that have accumulated in the intermediate space by compressed air. As already mentioned above, the displacement of the connecting part relative to the clamping body can be carried out against a spring force.

[0037] In another embodiment, the spindle shank of the spindle rotates with varying rotational speed in the second operating mode. As a result, the collet chuck of the processing station connected to the spindle shank rotates with varying rotational speed. The change in rotational speed of the spindle shank, i.e. the so-called spin-up performance of the collet chuck connected to the spindle shank, serves in particular the dispersion of the lubricant into the interior of the collet chuck, which is assisted by centrifugal force. For this purpose, for example, the introduction of the lubricant into the collet chuck can be carried out first, so that the collet chuck can be spun up via the spindle shank and then the excess lubricant can be blown off.

[0038] In another embodiment of the processing station, the control unit obtains at least one of the following information: The time the processing station operates in the second operating mode. · The number and / or duration of operations of the processing station in the second operating mode. The amount of lubricant supplied during operation of the processing station in the second operating mode.

[0039] For this purpose, the machine tool may have a suitable sensor array, for example, for measuring the filling level of the lubricant reservoir of the processing station, so that the amount of lubricant supplied can be determined during operation in the second operating mode. A predefined amount of lubricant is preferably prescribed or provided for performing the maintenance of the collet chuck, so that the control unit can stop the supply of lubricant as soon as this amount of lubricant is reached. Furthermore, for example, the measured value of the filling level can inform the user of the need to replenish the lubricant in the lubricant reservoir. Similarly, information about the time the processing station has been operated in the second operating mode can be used to determine the time interval during which the processing station has been maintained. Again, exceeding a predefined duration can inform the user of the processing station that the processing station should be maintained. Information about the number or duration of operation of the processing station in the second operating mode can be determined as well. The duration of the maintenance can provide information in particular about the completeness of the performed maintenance or about the form of the maintenance. Maintenance on a smaller scale, in shorter time periods and at longer intervals can be performed with the assistance of the processing station and by correspondingly activating the control unit. Furthermore, the determined information may be used to ascertain whether the filter fleece in the catch tank of the maintenance tool should be changed.

[0040] The object of the present invention is further achieved by a method for performing maintenance of a collet chuck of the above-mentioned processing station according to claim 22. The method for performing maintenance of a collet chuck comprises the following steps: A step of checking whether the collet chuck passage is holding a tool for processing the workpiece. - When holding a tool, this is the step to take out the tool. A step of introducing a maintenance tool into the passage of the collet chuck. Supplying compressed air and / or lubricant to the collet chuck through a through hole in the shank body of the spindle of the processing station. Removing a maintenance tool from the passageway of the collet chuck.

[0041] To carry out the method, the through-passage of the collet chuck is first inspected for the presence or absence of a tool for processing the workpiece, for example a drill. This step is necessary since the method for carrying out the maintenance of the processing station is carried out in the aforementioned second operating mode of the processing station without a tool for processing the workpiece clamped in the collet chuck. For this reason, when a tool for processing the workpiece is arranged inside the collet chuck, it is first removed from the collet chuck. In principle, these steps can always be fully automated by the processing station, but they can also be partially automated or carried out manually. As soon as the tool for processing the workpiece that was arranged in the collet chuck is no longer there, a maintenance tool can be introduced into the through-passage of the collet chuck. The maintenance tool is here in particular configured to protect the clamping surface of the collet chuck from contamination during maintenance. As soon as the maintenance tool, i.e. the maintenance tool with the catch tank, is introduced into the collet chuck, the lubricant and / or compressed air supply can be started. As already mentioned above, the lubricant and compressed air are supplied into the through-passage of the collet chuck through the inlet of the connecting plate of the spindle and the through-hole of the shank body of the spindle. Since the maintenance tool, as a rule, lengthens the through-passage of the collet chuck, the compressed air and lubricant are also supplied into the through-hole of the maintenance tool. During this step, the lubricant mist and lubricant dispersed by the compressed air into the inside of the collet chuck serve to lubricate the collet chuck, and in particular the compressed air can remove contaminants from the collet chuck.

[0042] In another embodiment, the method for performing maintenance on a collet chuck additionally includes one of the following steps. A step of moving the shank body of the machine tool spindle in the longitudinal direction of the shank body. A spindle shank rotation step of said spindle while varying the rotation speed. The time this method is performed decision Step 2: A step of deciding to implement the method. - Determining the duration of the method. Determining the amount of lubricant to be delivered.

[0043] These additional steps can be performed during maintenance of the collet chuck and fulfill the objects and advantages already enumerated above in the description.

[0044] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the embodiments and drawings. All the features described herein and / or illustrated in the graphs, whether they are summarized or referenced in the claims, whether taken separately or in any combination, constitute the subject matter of the invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0045] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a spindle according to the present invention having a collet chuck connected thereto according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of a connecting plate of a spindle according to the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a connecting plate of a spindle according to the invention having lubricant lines. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a side cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a shank body of a spindle according to the present invention. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a side cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a shank body of a spindle according to the present invention. [Figure 4C] 4C is a top view of the side of the collet chuck-side outlet of the shank body according to FIG. 4B. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a lubricant with a guide part. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a top view of a first embodiment of a guide part for a lubricant line. [Figure 6B]FIG. 6B is a top view of another embodiment of a guide piece for a lubricant line. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of a collet chuck according to the present invention. [Figure 8A] FIG. 8A is a side cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a maintenance tool according to the present invention. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is a side cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a maintenance tool according to the present invention having a catch tank. [Figure 8C] FIG. 8C is a side cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a maintenance tool according to the present invention having a catch tank. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0046] Figures 1 to 8C, described below, show in sequence a spindle to which a collet chuck is connected (Figure 1), details of the components of the spindle (Figures 2 to 6B), a collet chuck 200 (Figure 7), and three embodiments of a maintenance tool 300 (Figures 8A and 8C).

[0047] Furthermore, the arrow L in all figures indicates the longitudinal direction of the respective inventive component of the machine tool or processing station, i.e. the longitudinal direction of the spindle, the longitudinal direction of the collet chuck or the longitudinal direction of the maintenance tool. Furthermore, the arrow U indicates the circumferential direction, which is synonymous with the direction of rotation of the collet chuck and of the tool clamped here, when the collet chuck is connected according to the invention to a spindle shank of a processing station spindle.

[0048] The spindle 1 according to the invention preferably comprises a disk-shaped connecting plate 100 with a first upper surface 101 adapted for connection to a processing station of a machine tool. Furthermore, the spindle 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises an actuator 126 and a stator 122 arranged in a rotationally fixed manner around a spindle shank 121. On the side of the spindle shank 121 opposite the connecting plate 100, a connecting piece 124 is provided which is adapted for connecting a collet chuck 200 to the spindle 1. During processing of a workpiece, a processing tool is clamped in the collet chuck 200. The spindle shank 121 arranged inside the stator 122 is then rotated in the circumferential direction U, which results in the rotation of the collet chuck 200 and thus also of the workpiece. In order to fix the spindle shank 121 in the stator 122 against falling out, the spindle 1 has a spindle cover 123 on the side facing the connecting plate.

[0049] The inside of the spindle shank 121 has a recess 125 in which the shank body 110 is placed. The actuator 126 is set to promote the axial displacement of the shank body 110. To this end, the pneumatic actuator has a pressure chamber and a seal, not shown, to axially displace the shank body 110 controlled by air. The shank body 110 is attached to one end of the connecting plate 100 so as to be displaceable in the axial direction, which is the longitudinal direction L of the spindle, and abuts against the collet chuck 200 at the opposite end. The inside of the shank body 110 has a through hole 113 in which the lubricant conduit 108 is placed. The through hole 113 can be supplied with compressed air from a compressed air unit through a compressed air intake port 104, and the lubricant conduit 108 can be supplied with lubricant from a lubricant reservoir through a lubricant inlet port 105. The lubricant conduit 108 , in particular a capillary tube, can be guided in the through-bore 113 of the shank body 110 with the aid of a guide piece 117 .

[0050] To open the collet chuck 200, the shank body 110 is displaced longitudinally, thereby displacing the connecting piece 202 relative to the clamping body 201 against the force of the spring pack 210. In the open state, a tool can be introduced into or removed from the collet chuck 200. In particular, the collet chuck 200 is then reset, biased by the spring force of the spring pack 210, and can thereby be switched to the closed state. During processing of a workpiece or while performing maintenance on the collet chuck 200, the connecting plate 100 can be used at all times to convey compressed air or lubricant through the corresponding passages (compressed air inlet 104, lubricant inlet 105, through passage 107, lubricant duct 108, through hole 113, through passages 203, 204).

[0051] The connecting plate 100 shown in Fig. 2 and shown in an alternative configuration in Fig. 3 has a second lower surface 102 oriented in the direction of the shank body 110 of the spindle 1 shown in Figs. 4A and 4B. When the collet chuck 200 is connected to the spindle 1, the lower surface 102 faces the collet chuck 200. In the side view of the disk-shaped connecting plate 100 in Fig. 2, the compressed air inlet 104, the lubricant inlet 105 and the further compressed air inlet 106 arranged on the outer circumferential surface 103 can be clearly seen. The outer circumferential surface 103 of the connecting plate 100 is also particularly well shown.

[0052] In the pneumatic actuator 126, the pressure chambers of the actuator can be filled with compressed air through the compressed air inlet 106. As a result, the actuator's internal structure, which consists of several chambers, is movable with the beveled shank body 110 relative to the outer shell of the actuator 126, facilitating axial displacement of the shank body.

[0053] In the exemplary embodiment of the connecting plate 100 according to FIG. 3, the lubricant inlet 105 is connectable to the lubricant line 108 through the through passage 107. On the shank body side, the lubricant line 108 protrudes from the cylinder bore 109 of the connecting plate 100. On the machine tool or processing station side, the lubricant inlet 105 of the connecting plate 100 is connectable to a lubricant supply source, so that the lubricant can flow from the lubricant reservoir of the machine tool to the lubricant inlet 105. The compressed air inlet 104 is connected to a compressed air unit on the machine tool side, so that the compressed air flowing from the machine tool can flow into the connecting plate 100. When the connecting plate 100 does not have the lubricant line 108, the compressed air from the compressed air inlet 104 and the lubricant from the lubricant inlet 105 flow in the direction of the cylinder bore 109 of the connecting plate 100 and can accumulate there. The compressed air intake port 104 and the lubricant inlet port 105 are used here, inter alia, for supplying compressed air and lubricant used in the maintenance of the collet chuck 200, and the compressed air intake port 106 is used, inter alia, for pneumatically operating or displacing the shank body 110 of the spindle 1 which is axially displaceably attached to the connecting plate 100.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 4A, the shank body 110 is in the first position up to its end, where the first lower surface 102 of the connecting plate 100 and the stop 111 can abut. The connecting part 112 of the shank body 110 is arranged inside the cylinder bore 109 of the connecting plate 100. When the shank body 110 is in this position, the collet chuck 200 is closed. As soon as compressed air flows into the connecting plate 100 through the compressed air inlet 106 and exposes the connecting part 112 of the shank body 110 to the compressed air, the shank body 110 is displaced away from the connecting plate 100 in the longitudinal direction of the shank body. This movement of the shank body is transmitted to the corresponding connecting part 202 of the collet chuck 200, which can open the collet chuck. When the collet chuck 200 has a spring or spring pack 210 for restoring force, the connecting piece 202 of the collet chuck 200 is automatically displaced as soon as the compressed air is relieved, thereby closing the collet chuck 200.

[0055] FIG. 4B shows an alternative configuration of the shank body 110, which consists of two parts that can be connected to each other using conventional connection techniques. In the region of the collet chuck-side outlet 115, the through-hole 113 is divided into five passages, which are formed together with the through-hole of the shank body. The embodiment shown in FIG. 4C shows that the lubricant conduit 108 extends through a central through-hole, around which four additional through-holes are arranged. Thus, the compressed air flow flowing from the connecting plate-side inlet 114 in the direction of the collet chuck-side outlet 115 is divided into four partial air flows in the region of the collet chuck-side outlet 115. In this embodiment, the guiding function of the lubricant conduit 108 is ensured by the narrowing of the through-hole, through which the lubricant conduit 108 is guided to the region of the collet chuck-side outlet 115. For example, when the shank body 110 according to the embodiment of Figures 4B and 4C is offset in the longitudinal direction L of the shaft part away from the connecting plate 100, it can be pneumatically guided by exposing the surface of the shank body to pressure in the region of the connecting plate-side inlet 114 (not shown in Figure 4B, the part in the direction of the connecting plate-side inlet is omitted since Figure 4B shows only the shank body part).

[0056] To supply compressed air and lubricant to the collet chuck, compressed air can flow through the compressed air inlets 104, 106, the through passage 107 and the cylinder bore 109 into a through hole 113 extending in the longitudinal direction of the shank body 110 in the direction of a collet chuck-side outlet 115 via a connecting plate-side inlet 114. Whether the lubricant is likewise supplied to the cylinder bore 109 through the through passage 107 or flows directly into the through hole 113 of the shank body 110 through the lubricant line 108, the lubricant can also flow out through the connecting plate-side inlet 114 in the direction of the collet chuck-side outlet 115 of the through hole 113.

[0057] When the spindle according to the invention has a lubricant conduit 108, the lubricant conduit can abut against and be supported on the inner surface 116 of the through bore 113 via a guide part 117 (see Figs. 1, 5, 6A and 6B). Alternatively, the lubricant conduit 108 can be guided as previously described and shown in Figs. 4B and 4C. When the shank body 110 of the spindle is displaced in the longitudinal direction, at least one guide part 117 slides along the inner surface 116 of the through bore 113 or the guide part 117 slides along the lubricant conduit 108. In other embodiments according to Figs. 4B and 4C, the lubricant conduit 108 slides along the area of ​​the through bore 113 with a reduced diameter.

[0058] The guide piece has, for example, the shape shown in FIG. 6A or 6B, in which only the contact surface 118 of the guide piece 117 abuts against the inner surface 116 of the through hole 113 of the shank body 110, so that the guide piece 117 arranged inside the through hole 113 can pass compressed air and / or lubricant without blocking the through hole 113. Between the contact surfaces 118 of the guide piece 117, protrusions 119 are arranged, through which the guide piece does not abut against the inner surface 116 of the through hole 113. As a result, the compressed air flowing through the connecting plate side inlet 114 can flow through the guide piece 117, passing through the protrusions 119 and possibly also the openings 120. As an alternative to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A and 6B, the guide piece can also be designed in the form of a circular ring and can have a recess through which the compressed air can flow. In this case, the guide piece abuts completely against the inner surface 116 of the through hole 113. Furthermore, the guide piece 117 has an opening 120 through which the lubricant conduit 108 passes, so that the guide piece 117 can be placed on the lubricant conduit 108, which does not necessarily have to abut the opening 120. For example, the guide piece 117 can also be fixedly fixed to the shank body 110 and displaced axially with the shank body 110 relative to the lubricant conduit 108. The lubricant conduit 108 allows the lubricant to enter directly into the through hole 113 of the shank body 110 or directly into the through passage of the collet chuck 200, where it moves in the direction of the collet chuck 200 due to the push of the air flow and / or gravity.

[0059] The collet chuck 200 comprises a clamping body 201 and a connecting part 202. The clamping body 201 and the connecting part 202 shown in FIG. 7 are fixedly connected to each other. Both the clamping body 201 and the connecting part 202 have a through hole 203 and a through hole 204, respectively. The through hole 203 and the through hole 204 together form a through passage, so that in particular the compressed air and / or the lubricant flowing into the collet chuck 200 can flow completely through the collet chuck 200. Inside the through hole 204 of the collet chuck 200, a clamping surface 205 is arranged, which is configured to clamp a tool, in particular a tool for processing a workpiece. Furthermore, a sealing part 206 is arranged in the clamping body 201. The sealing piece 206 is used in particular given a displaceable collet chuck, i.e. a collet chuck in which the clamping body 201 is arranged so that it can be displaced relative to the connecting piece 202 in the longitudinal direction L of the collet chuck 200, for the purpose of sealing the intermediate space between the connecting piece 202 and the clamping body 201. Furthermore, although not shown here, a maintenance tool can be introduced into the through hole 204 of the clamping body 201 and in particular the sealing piece 206 can be arranged so that the through hole 203 can be directly connected to the through hole 302 in the upper region of the collet chuck 200 (shown in Figs. 8A-8C). The collet chuck 200 further has a drill sleeve 207. Instead of a threaded sleeve, conventional collet chucks often have a grub screw blocking the through passage shown here. The grub screw prevents compressed air and lubricant from migrating from the upper region of the collet chuck (see the through hole 203) to the lower region of the collet chuck (see the through hole 204).

[0060] As soon as the collet chuck 200 is connected to the spindle, compressed air and lubricant can flow out of the collet chuck side outlet 115 through the through hole 113 of the shank body 110, into the spindle side inlet 208 of the collet chuck 200, and then out of the outlet 209 of the collet chuck 200.

[0061] During maintenance, i.e. while the machine tool or processing station is operating in the second operating mode, a maintenance tool 300 as shown in Fig. 8A-8C can be introduced into the through hole 204 of the collet chuck 200. Such a maintenance tool 300 comprises a rod 301 and is essentially set up to send lubricant and compressed air together with any other foreign bodies present past the clamping surface 205 of the collet chuck 200. The rod 301 has a tubular body with a through hole 302, the lubricant and compressed air entering through a collet chuck side inlet 303 and exiting through an outlet 304. The illustrated rod 301 comprises a sealant 305 on the collet chuck side, which is set up to seal in particular the clamping surface 205 of the collet chuck 200 as soon as the maintenance tool 300 is introduced into the collet chuck 200. An outlet side rod 306 is arranged opposite the sealant 305. The outlet rod 306 is preferably made of a metallic material, in particular may extend over the entire length of the rod 301, and may be provided with a sealant 305 only on its outer surface (see FIG. 8C). When the maintenance tool 300 is clamped to the collet chuck 200, the sealant 305 preferably seals the clamping surfaces 205, so that they are not wetted with lubricant.

[0062] Depending on the design of the maintenance tool 300, the outlet 304 may also empty into a catch tank 307 in which the maintenance tool 300 is mounted. The catch tank 307 is connected to the maintenance tool (see Figs. 8B and 8C). Alternatively, the maintenance tool 300 is first introduced and clamped in the collet chuck 200. The maintenance tool 300 introduced into the catch tank 307 is then rotatable relative to the catch tank 307 (see Fig. 8A). Regardless of whether the catch tank 307 is already connected to the maintenance tool 300 during use of the maintenance tool 300 or is only connected after maintenance, the catch tank 307 has a bearing 308 that defines an interface between the maintenance tool 300 and the catch tank 307. Thus, depending on the selected bearing 308, the rod 301 may be rotatable relative to the catch tank 307 or may only rotate with the catch tank 307.

[0063] The catch tank 307 shown in FIG. 8B has a box shape with walls 309, one of which is provided with a filter fleece 310. The maintenance tool 300 according to FIG. 8C also shows the catch tank 307 with the filter fleece 310. As soon as the maintenance tool 300 is introduced into the collet chuck 200 for maintenance, the rod 301 can rotate depending on or independently of the catch tank 307. The compressed air flowing out of the maintenance tool 300, containing lubricant particles and possible foreign objects, is collected in the catch tank 307, and the filter fleece 310 can be used to filter the lubricant from the compressed air flowing through it. The filter fleece 310 is preferably designed in such a way that it can be replaced and replaced by a new filter fleece in the catch tank 307.

[0064] During operation of a machine tool or a processing station, in particular during operation of a fully automated machine tool having at least one processing station and a control unit, the control unit can operate the processing station in two operating modes. While the processing station is operating in a first operating mode, the processing station is set for processing a workpiece, the spindle is connected to the processing station, the collet chuck 200 is connected to the spindle and holds a tool for processing, e.g. a drill, between the clamping surfaces 205 of the clamping body 201 of the collet chuck 200. As soon as a drive unit, e.g. a motor, rotates the spindle or spindle shank 121, the collet chuck 200 also rotates and thus the tool for processing the workpiece. During operation in the first operating mode, compressed air from the compressed air unit flows through the compressed air inlet 104 of the connection plate 100 of the spindle 1 into the spindle or shank body 110 and from there can flow through the through hole 113 of the shank body 110 into the collet chuck 200. In particular, the air flow can here act as sealing air, thus protecting the through-passage of the collet chuck from the unwanted ingress of foreign bodies. If the processing station now operates in a second operating mode, in which maintenance of the collet chuck is performed, the compressed air of the compressed air unit can flow into a further compressed air inlet 106 and displace the shank body 110 of the spindle in the longitudinal direction of the spindle.

[0065] When the connecting part 202 is arranged displaceably in the longitudinal direction of the collet chuck 200 relative to the clamping body of the collet chuck 200, this relative movement can be used to open the collet chuck, widen the clamping surface 205 and release the clamped tool. The maintenance tool 300 can then be introduced into the through hole 204 and the spindle can be supplied with compressed air through the compressed air inlet 104 and with lubricant through the lubricant inlet 105. As soon as the maintenance tool is placed inside the through hole 204, the clamping surface 205 is sealed. Thus, the clamping surface 205 of the collet chuck is protected from contaminants, so that a mixture of lubricant and air can enter the collet chuck through the through hole 113 of the shank body 110 through the spindle shank-side inlet 208 of the collet chuck 200, be dispersed there and exit again through the through hole 302 of the maintenance tool 300. The collet chuck 200 connected to the spindle 1 can be rotated further, while the compressed air unit and the lubricant supply of the machine tool are used to introduce lubricant and compressed air into the collet chuck and to clean and lubricate it, i.e. to maintain it, thereby dispersing the lubricant assisted by centrifugal force. The collet chuck 200 can likewise be opened and closed with the aid of the aforementioned movement of the rod 301 in the longitudinal direction of the spindle 1, allowing additional support of the dispersion of the lubricant. The maintenance tool 300 is then preferably fixed so as not to fall out together with the sealant 305 in the sealing part 206. Alternatively, the collet chuck can only be opened and closed after the maintenance tool 300 has been removed from the collet chuck, which is pre-held in the collet chuck 200 with the aid of the clamping surface 205. During maintenance, the maintenance tool 300 conveys a compressed air flow directly past the clamping surface 205, possibly in conjunction with a filter fleece 310 disposed in a catch tank 307, to filter the compressed air flow.

[0066] As a result, the present invention allows for fully automated maintenance of machine tools, in particular involving the introduction of compressed air and lubricant into the collet chuck of the spindle. Furthermore, the structure of the spindle, collet chuck and maintenance tool also allows for targeted, partially automated maintenance, for example, where the maintenance tool is manually inserted into the collet chuck and lubricant and compressed air are automatically supplied. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1 spindle 100 (Main shaft) connection plate 101 (1st) Top surface 102 (2nd) Bottom surface 103 Outer surface 104 Compressed air intake 105 Lubricant inlet 106 (Additional) Compressed Air Inlet 107 Passage 108 Lubricant Pipe 109 Cylinder bore 110 Shank body 111 Stop part 112 Connection parts 113 Through hole 114 Connection plate side inlet 115 Collet chuck side outlet 116 Inner surface of through hole 117 Guide parts 118 Contact surface 119 Protrusion 120 Opening through which lubricant duct passes 121 Spindle shank 122 Stator 123 Spindle cover 124 Connection piece 125 Recess 126 Actuator 200 collet chuck 201 Clamp body 202 Connection parts 203 Through hole (connection part) 204 Through hole (clamp body) 205 Clamping surface 206 Sealing parts 207 Drill sleeve 208 Spindle side entrance 209 Exit 210 Spring Pack 300 Maintenance Tools 301 Rod 302 Through hole 303 Collet chuck side entrance 304 Exit 305 Sealing material 306 Outlet Rod 307 Catch Tank 308 Bearings 309 Side wall 310 Filter fleece L Longitudinal U outer circumferential direction

Claims

1. A spindle (1) of a machine tool, comprising: a connection plate (100) for connecting the spindle (1) to a compressed air unit and a lubricant supply; a shank body (110) displaceable in a longitudinal direction (L) of the spindle (1) and attached to the connection plate (100) of the spindle (1); and a spindle shank (121) rotatable in a peripheral direction (U) of the spindle (1), the spindle shank (121) having a connection piece (124) for connecting a connection part (202) of a collet chuck (200) set so that a processing tool or a maintenance tool is received on the spindle, The shank body (110) has a through hole (113) in the longitudinal direction (L) of the spindle (1), and the connection plate (100) has a lubricant inlet (105) connected to a lubricant supply and at least one separate compressed air inlet (104) connected to a compressed air unit, the connection plate (100) being configured to fluidly connect the through hole (113) of the shank body (110) to the at least one compressed air inlet (104) as well as to the lubricant inlet (105).

2. 2. The spindle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting plate (100) has a lubricant conduit (108) which projects into the through hole (113) of the shank body (110).

3. 3. The spindle (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the lubricant conduit (108) has at least one guiding part (117), which has a recess and / or locally abuts against an inner surface (116) of the through hole (113) of the shank body (110).

4. The spindle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the shank body (110) is of multi-part design, each of the parts of the shank body (110) being connected to one another by means of a screw connection.

5. 3. The spindle (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the shank body (110) of the spindle (1) is arranged displaceably relative to the lubricant line (108) in the longitudinal direction (L) of the spindle (1).

6. 2. The spindle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting plate (100) of the spindle (1) has at least one additional compressed air inlet (106) connected to the compressed air unit, and the shank body (110) of the spindle (1) is arranged so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction (L) of the spindle (1) by compressed air supplied via the at least one additional compressed air inlet (106).

7. 2. The spindle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting plate (100) is disk-shaped, and at least one of the compressed air intake (104, 106) and / or the lubricant inlet (105) is formed on an outer circumferential surface (103) of the disk-shaped connecting plate (100).

8. 8. A collet chuck (200) for connecting a spindle according to claim 1, comprising a clamping body (201) configured to clamp a tool and a connecting piece (202) configured to connect the collet chuck (200) to the connecting piece (124) of the spindle (1), the clamping body (201) and the connecting piece (202) being arranged side by side in a longitudinal direction (L) of the collet chuck (200), each of the clamping body (201) and the connecting piece (202) having a through hole (203, 204), A collet chuck (200), wherein the through hole (204) of the clamp body (201) is set to receive a tool, the clamping surface (205) of the clamp body (201) is set to abut against a tool clamped in the clamp body (201), and the through hole (203) of the clamp body (201) and the connecting part (202) together form a through passage (203, 204) through the collet chuck (200).

9. The collet chuck (200) according to claim 8, characterized in that the through passage of the collet chuck is set to establish a fluid connection with the through hole (113) of the shank body (110) of the spindle (1) as soon as the collet chuck (200) is connected to the spindle (1).

10. The collet chuck (200) of claim 8, wherein the connecting part (202) of the collet chuck (200) is at least locally arranged inside the clamping body (201) of the collet chuck (200), and the clamping body (201) is arranged displaceably relative to the connecting part (202) in the longitudinal direction (L) of the collet chuck.

11. The collet chuck (200) of claim 10, characterized in that the through passage of the collet chuck has a sealing part (206) that seals the area between the connecting part (202) and the clamping body (201) against the through passage (203, 204).

12. 9. A maintenance tool (300) for a collet chuck (200) according to claim 8, characterized in that the maintenance tool has a rod (301) having an outer circumferential surface and a through hole (302) extending along the longitudinal axis of the rod, the maintenance tool (300) being configured to form a fluid connection with the through passage of the collet chuck (200) as soon as the maintenance tool (300) is placed in the through passage of the collet chuck (200).

13. The maintenance tool (300) of claim 12, characterized in that the outer peripheral surface of the rod (301) has a seal (305) having a rubber lip, the seal (305) being configured to seal the clamping surface of the collet chuck (201) as soon as the maintenance tool (300) is placed in the through passage of the collet chuck (200).

14. The maintenance tool (300) of claim 12, characterized in that the rod (301) has a catch tank (307) at one end or is configured to be disposed in a catch tank, and the through hole (302) of the rod (301) is configured to be fluidly connected to the catch tank (307).

15. The maintenance tool (300) according to claim 14, characterized in that the rod (301) of the maintenance tool (300) is rotatably attached to the catch tank (307).

16. The maintenance tool (300) according to claim 14, characterized in that the rod (301) of the maintenance tool (300) is attached non-rotatably to the catch tank (307).

17. 15. The maintenance tool (300) according to claim 14, characterized in that the catch tank (307) comprises at least one permeable filter fleece (310).

18. A processing station of a machine tool having a spindle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the collet chuck (200) connected to the spindle (1) according to claim 8, the maintenance tool (300) according to claim 12, the compressed air unit connected to the compressed air inlet (104) of the spindle (1), and a lubricant supply connected to the lubricant inlet (105) of the spindle (1), the processing station further comprising a drive unit configured to rotate the spindle (1), and a control unit, the control unit being configured to:

1. A processing station configured to operate the processing station in at least two operating modes, a first operating mode for processing a workpiece and a second operating mode for performing maintenance of the processing station, characterized in that in the first operating mode the compressed air unit of the spindle (1) removes foreign bodies for blowing, and the compressed air unit and the lubricant supply of the spindle supply lubricant and compressed air successively or simultaneously in the second operating mode, and a maintenance tool is introduced into the through-passage of a collet chuck (200).

19. 19. The processing station according to claim 18, characterized in that the shank body (110) of the spindle (1) is further repeatedly displaced in the second operating mode in the longitudinal direction (L) of the shank body (110) of the spindle (1), so that the connecting part (202) of the collet chuck (200) connected to the spindle is displaced in the longitudinal direction (L) of the shank body (110) relative to the clamping body (201) of the collet chuck (200).

20. 19. The treatment station according to claim 18, characterized in that the spindle shank (121) of the spindle (1) rotates at a varying rotational speed in the second operating mode, so that the collet chuck (200) of the treatment station connected to the spindle shank (121) rotates at a varying rotational speed.

21. The control unit the time that the processing station operates in the second mode of operation; the number and / or duration of operations of the processing stations in the second mode of operation, 20. The treatment station according to claim 18, further comprising: a) a lubricant supply amount during operation of the treatment station in the second mode of operation;

22. 20. A method for performing maintenance on the collet chuck (200) of the processing station of claim 18, comprising the steps of: - checking whether the passage of the collet chuck (200) according to claim 8 holds a tool for processing a workpiece; - when holding a tool, taking out the tool; - introducing the maintenance tool (300) according to claim 12 into the through passage of the collet chuck (200); - supplying compressed air and / or lubricant to the collet chuck (200) through a through hole in the shank body (110) of the spindle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 of the processing station; - removing the maintenance tool (300) from the passageway of the collet chuck (200).

23. 23. A method for performing maintenance on the collet chuck (200) of claim 22, comprising the steps of: - moving the shank body (110) of the spindle (1) of the machine tool in the longitudinal direction (L) of the shank body (110); Rotating the spindle shank (121) of the spindle (1) at varying rotational speeds; - determining the time at which the method is carried out; - determining whether to implement the method; - determining the duration of the method; and - determining the amount of lubricant to be dispensed.

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