Turret unit having a B axis and a machine tool, particularly a lathe

Abstract

The turret unit for a lathe includes a turret body (M) configured to be mounted on a carrier support of a machine tool, and a turret head (H) mounted on the turret body (M) and including a turret disk (H2). The turret disk is configured to be rotatable about a disk axis (X), which is the rotation axis of the turret disk (H2), by a first drive means (D1). The turret unit (T) includes a second drive means (D2) for turning the turret head (H) about the turret axis (Y), and the second drive means (D2) is a reversing motor.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present application relates to a compact turret unit for a machine tool, in particular a lathe. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional turret units, such as those found in DE 42 35 095 C2, have a tool turret with a turret body, a turret disk and tool holders for fixed and rotating tools, the turret disk being supported by a hollow shaft. To drive the turret and the tools, gears are provided between the respective drives and the turret or shaft. This requires a relatively large space and is susceptible to interference with the respective further transmission parts. Furthermore, the use of a gearbox inevitably leads to design asymmetries, which are detrimental to the operation of the tool turret unit and the associated mechanical stresses due to vibrations and uneven, and therefore less effective, cooling of the system.

[0003] To provide the tools for machining, tool carriers are provided, which are usually made available on movable tool carrier slides, in particular compound slides, which are arranged on the machine frame and are movable relative to the work spindle by one or more linear axes (for example in three directions, such as the X-, Y- or Z-direction). Such machine tools of this type are known, for example, from EP 2 714 307 B1, EP 2 714 308 B1, EP 2 714 309 B1 or EP 2 714 310 B1. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] To perform a particular workpiece machining operation, it is frequently necessary to controllably rotate the entire turret, and at the same time the machine tool must also perform a rotational movement.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an optimized turret unit which overcomes the problems of conventional turret constructions. A further object is to provide a turret unit which allows to improve the machining accuracy of the machine tool, with a reduced space requirement and at the same time an increased rigidity. Furthermore, an object is to provide an optimized machine tool, in particular a lathe. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the problem, the features of the independent claims are proposed. Preferred developments are found in the dependent claims.

[0007] A turret unit according to an embodiment of the present application may comprise a turret body configured to be mounted on a carrier support (and / or a tool carrier support or assembly) of the machine tool, and a turret head mounted on the turret body and including a turret disk. The turret disk may be configured to be rotatable by a first drive means about a disk axis, which is the axis of rotation of the turret disk. Preferably, the axis may be an axis of symmetry of the preferably symmetrical turret disk. The turret unit may comprise a second drive means for pivoting the turret head about the turret axis. The second drive means may be a motor, such as a direct drive motor, having a rotor arranged radially outside the stator, the second drive means being integrated in the turret body. By providing this particular structure, a compact and cost-effective assembly with increased rigidity may be achieved. Furthermore, by providing a turret unit according to the present invention, the unit may be installed on various carrier supports of the machine tool due to its symmetrical design.

[0008] The second drive means may be integrated with the turret body such that an inner cylinder (preferably an innermost cylinder) of the turret body forms the stator of the second drive means and / or an outer cylinder of the turret body forms the rotor of the second drive means. Furthermore, the turret body may have a cylindrical shape, and the ratio of the length of the cylinder to its outer diameter may preferably be in the range of 0.5 to 1.7, more preferably about 1.2, and a significant reduction in vibrations may be achieved. Furthermore, a compact and efficient turret unit may be provided.

[0009] The turret body may include an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder, the outer cylinder being arranged to at least partially surround the inner cylinder, the inner cylinder may include a mounting surface for mounting the turret unit to the tool carrier assembly, and a magnet of the rotor of the second drive means is attached to an inner surface of the outer cylinder.

[0010] The second drive means may be configured to directly (gearlessly) drive the turret head to pivot about the turret axis. Furthermore, the second drive means and the base of the turret head may provide a synchronous drive assembly. Thus, a compact and efficient turret unit may be provided.

[0011] The turret head may be directly mounted on the rotor of the second drive means. Furthermore, the turret body may have a symmetrical structure so that the turret unit can be used on the left and right side of the lathe or machine tool. In other words, the turret body may be symmetrical with respect to its longitudinal axis. A compact and efficient turret unit with improved rigidity may be provided.

[0012] The turret disk may be arranged such that the disk axis intersects the rotor magnet of the second drive means, preferably perpendicularly. A compact and efficient turret unit can thus be provided, since the disk is arranged very close to the motor. The turret disk may comprise a controllably driven movable disk including a number of turret disk tool holder recesses, which are arranged in the circumferential direction of the disk and are therefore designed to receive, for drive purposes, end portions of corresponding profiles of an automatic machine tool. Furthermore, the intersection of the disk axis with the turret axis may be within the axial extent of the magnet of the rotor or within the axial length of the rotor.

[0013] The turret unit may be a tool turret, the form of which may realise a disk turret which can be rotated in a controlled manner about a turret axis extending parallel to the workpiece spindle axis in order to enable each tool to be moved into operating position, at least in lathes which do not have a B axis or which have a B axis at the starting position of the tool turret.

[0014] The turret head can rotate at least 100°, more preferably 110°, about the turret axis, thus providing a compact and flexible turret unit.

[0015] The turret body has a through hole that is centrally located and extends along the turret axis to allow wiring and hydraulic tubing to pass through, thus providing a compact and efficient turret unit with improved rigidity.

[0016] The turret body may have a flange portion for mounting the turret unit to the carrier support of the machine tool and an inner shaft extending along the turret axis, thus providing a compact and efficient turret unit.

[0017] The inner shaft may be attached on one side to the flange portion and on the other side to a stator core of the stator. In a further development, the flange portion is integral with the inner shaft.

[0018] The stator core of the second drive means may extend axially over half of the inner shaft, thereby covering the centre of the inner shaft, and thus the length of the stator core may be greater than 0.5 of the length of the inner shaft.

[0019] In an alternative embodiment, the second drive means may be omitted and instead the turret body structure includes a fixed shaft, the turret head being mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft of the body.

[0020] The second drive means may be configured to directly pivot the turret head without a transmission therebetween, thus providing a direct drive for the first and / or second and / or third drive means.

[0021] The turret head may be arranged on the circumference of the outer tubular portion of the turret body. For a particular compact construction and improved vibration characteristics, a turret head mounting surface attached to the rotor may be arranged to coincide with an outer surface of the rotor of the second drive means. Thus, the rotor outer surface may be at least partially covered by the turret head. Preferably, the disk axis and the turret axis may be arranged on separate non-interfering planes.

[0022] The turret head may be arranged eccentrically on the turret body and the turret disk may have a plurality of tool stations for carrying tools, at least one of which may comprise a tool rotatably driven by a third drive means about a tool axis preferably oriented perpendicularly to the rotation axis of the turret disk. The rotation axis of the third drive means may be coaxial with a central axis of a tool slot of the turret disk.

[0023] The third drive means may be arranged parallel to and spaced apart from and / or eccentrically to the disk axis, and a coolant directing piston may be arranged parallel to the third drive means. Furthermore, a disk brake (extending radially) may be arranged preferably between the rotor and the stator of the second drive means. Thus, a disk brake may be provided between the outer cylinder of the turret body and the inner cylinder of the turret body.

[0024] The first drive means may be mounted to a base of the turret head and the rotation axis of the first drive means may preferably be parallel to and / or spaced from the disk axis. Hydraulic and / or electrical lines of the third drive means and the first drive means may be connected in parallel to a main support portion extending through the through hole of the turret body.

[0025] The turret body may include an inner turret shaft which is the stator of the second drive means.

[0026] The first drive means may be arranged to extend along the rotation axis of the first drive means away from the turret disk, preferably perpendicular to the turret axis, thus realizing an improved movement space with a compact structure.

[0027] The rotor of the second drive means may be supported via at least two bearings, at least one of which includes an internal encoder. Preferably, the bearing located near the mounting surface of the turret unit includes the internal encoder.

[0028] A machine tool, in particular a lathe, comprising a turret unit according to any one of the preceding aspects. The machine tool, in particular the lathe, may further comprise a machine frame having an upper tool carrier support part, a lower tool carrier support part, a spindle carrier part arranged between the upper tool carrier support part and the lower tool carrier support part, and a spindle carrier arranged above or at the height of the spindle carrier parts of the machine frame and supporting a main spindle configured to receive a workpiece, the main spindle having a horizontally arranged spindle axis, the machine frame further comprising one or more tool carriers, each tool carrier being supported on a tool carrier assembly arranged above the upper tool carrier support part or above the lower tool carrier support part of the machine frame, the lower side of the lower tool carrier support part on which the one or more tool carriers can be mounted being arranged with an overhanging incline. Each carrier support part and carrier part is preferably arranged to receive a turret unit.

[0029] Further, the lower side of the lower tool carrier support part may be inclined with an overhang angle in the range of 300° to 330°, in particular substantially 315°.

[0030] The machine tool may be configured such that one or more, or each, tool carrier assembly is configured to independently move each of the tool carriers in one or more linear directions, the one or more linear directions including at least one of a Z-axis movement direction for moving the tool carrier horizontally in a direction parallel to a spindle axis of a main spindle, an X-axis movement direction for moving the tool carrier radially relative to the spindle axis of the main spindle, and a Y-axis movement direction for moving the tool carrier in a direction perpendicular to the spindle axis of the main spindle and perpendicular to the X-axis movement of the main spindle.

[0031] A method for machining a workpiece using a machine tool having a turret unit of any one of the preceding aspects, comprising pivoting the turret head about a turret body axis to provide b-axis motion.

[0032] According to the structural aspects of the turret unit, a compact and cost-effective structure with improved rigidity can be realized. Furthermore, by providing a turret unit according to the invention, the unit can be installed on various carrier supports of the machine tool due to its symmetrical design.

[0033] The disclosure of the European Patent application having application number EP 18191544.8 (EP 3616832) is incorporated herein by reference.

[0034] Those skilled in the art will understand that various adaptations, modifications and / or combinations of the above aspects can be constructed. It should therefore be understood that additional aspects other than those specifically described herein may be implemented. In addition, those skilled in the art will understand in light of this disclosure that various aspects described herein may be combined to form other aspects of the disclosure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0035]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

[0036] Detailed Description of the Drawings and Description of Exemplary Embodiments Preferred aspects and embodiments will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Identical or similar features in different drawings and embodiments are referred to by similar reference numerals. It should be understood that the following detailed description relating to various preferred aspects and preferred embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0037] 1 exemplarily shows a schematic perspective view of a lathe L according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The lathe L is exemplarily realized as a turret lathe, which comprises a machine frame for supporting preferably four tool carrier assemblies 150, a workpiece-carrying main spindle supported by a main spindle carrier, and a workpiece-carrying counter spindle supported by a counter spindle carrier to provide more efficient workpiece machining. The lathe L according to the present invention includes an auxiliary spindle carrier 130 arranged to be between the main spindle carrier and the counter spindle carrier.

[0038] Additionally, the turret unit T is mounted to the tool carrier assembly 150 and / or the main spindle carrier or the counter spindle carrier.

[0039] In order to provide efficient and cost-effective workpiece machining, the present invention proposes an improved turret unit T, which on the one hand reduces the required mounting space on the machine tool, while at the same time significantly improves vibration characteristics and mechanical rigidity. Besides conventional systems, in one embodiment, the concept of a counter-rotating motor is combined with a gearless design while at the same time eliminating the torque transmission shaft.

[0040] As shown on the left side of FIG. 1, the turret unit T has a compact design due to the configuration of the counter-rotating motor and the gearless torque transmission. The turret unit T includes a turret body M that can be attached to the tool carrier assembly 150 via a mounting section M1 of the turret body. The mounting section M1 is arranged on the rear side of the turret body M, the opposite side of which, which may be referred to as the front side of the body M, is the free end of the turret body M. While conventional turret units include a turret body separated from a drive means for controlling the pivoting of the turret head H about the B-axis or the Y-axis, the present invention proposes an integrated drive means, referred to as the second drive means D2. The second drive means B2 is integrally formed in the turret body M as its structural part. Thus, the outer cylinder of the turret body M and the inner cylinder of the turret body are respectively designed as the actual rotor and stator of the second drive means D2. As shown on the left side of FIG. 1, the outer cylinder of the turret body M is rotatable about the Y-axis. This motion is generally referred to as the B-axis motion.

[0041] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the Y-axis, which is the axis of rotation of the turret body (or the turret axis of rotation), extends perpendicular to the spindle axis of the main spindle. To change the turret head position, a B-axis movement is incorporated into the lathe to rotate the turret head H and the turret disk H2 about the Y-axis, so that various tools or workpieces mounted on the turret disk H2 can be flexibly positioned relative to the main spindle or the auxiliary spindle, allowing flexible and efficient machining of the workpieces. Also, the lathe according to the invention is superior to conventional lathes, since the tool carrier assembly allows vertical and horizontal movements of the turret unit T, as is evident for example from FIG. 2, and in combination with the turret unit T enabling the B-axis movement, very efficient machining of the workpieces can be realized.

[0042] As is clear from FIG. 1, the turret head H comprises a turret head base H1 and a turret disk H2. The turret disk H2 has a rotation axis X. The turret disk H2 is arranged to rotate about said turret disk rotation axis X. The rotating turret disk H2 has slots for machine tools and / or workpieces. Furthermore, the turret disk H2 has integrated third drive means D3 making it possible to drive tools mounted or inserted in the slots of the turret disk H2. Preferably, the third drive means is a direct drive motor.

[0043] The configuration of the turret disk H2 extends in the radial direction of the Y axis of the turret body M. Thus, the turret disk H2 is located radially outside the turret body M. In relation to the axial direction of the Y axis of the turret body M, the turret head H does not extend farther than the free end of the turret body M. The turret head H extends in the axial direction of the Y axis of the turret body M approximately to the end face of the free end of the turret body M. Thus, a very efficient and compact design can be realized, and the distance between the turret disk H2 and the mounting section M1 of the turret body can be minimized. The inventors have realized a specific design that can significantly improve the mechanical stability and precision of the turret unit and the entire lathe L.

[0044] The turret head H has a flat turret design such that the base H1 of the turret head H is flat. On said base H1 a turret disk H2 is rotatably mounted. The turret disk H2 is rotatable about an X-axis. Preferably, the X-axis is approximately perpendicular to the Y-axis of the turret body M. To make the turret head H even flatter, a further drive means necessary for rotating the turret disk H2 is arranged on the base H1 of the turret head as a first drive means D1, covering a part of the outer cylindrical shaft of the turret body M. The first drive means D1 extends along the X-axis away from the turret disk H2. The base H1 of the turret head with the attached first drive means D1 forms an L-shape, which is arranged to surround the turret body M, thereby realizing a vibration-resistant, compact turret unit T that can be flexibly mounted on each of the various tool carrier assembly positions of the lathe L or machine tool. Therefore, the radial outer circumferential surface of the turret body M is a mounting surface for the turret head H so that the turret head H can be mounted radially spaced from the turret rotation axis Y.

[0045] In FIG. 2, a schematic perspective view of a tool carrier assembly 150 is shown. Exemplary one, two, three or four tool carrier assemblies 150 raised on the machine frame of a machine tool can all be realized in the same way. Therefore, due to the symmetrical design of the tool carrier assembly and the turret unit T, a flexible and interchangeable turret positioning can be realized on the machine tool. More specifically, due to the specific design of the turret unit, said turret unit can be installed in each of the four positions of the tool carrier assembly of the lathe, for example, as shown in FIG. 1. Depending on the respective position on the lathe, the position of the turret head H can be rotated around the Y axis of the turret body M. Therefore, to equip the lathe L with four turret units T, only one type of turret unit T is needed, and four identical turret units T can be mounted in the respective mounting positions of the lathe L. Therefore, the turret unit T of the present application can provide a flexible and cost-effective machine tool and lathe.

[0046] The tool carrier assembly 150 in Fig. 2 includes a carrier support slide 151 configured to be slidably mounted on the guides of the upper and lower support parts of the machine frame of a lathe or machine tool. The carrier support slide 151 is thus configured to be moved horizontally along the guides in a horizontal Z-axis parallel to the horizontal and coaxially arranged spindle axis of the spindle when mounted on the upper support part of the guide. On the other hand, the carrier support slide 151 is configured to be moved horizontally along the guides in a horizontal Z-axis parallel to the horizontal and coaxially arranged spindle axis of the spindle when mounted in a suspended state at the overhanging lower support position of the guide.

[0047] At the front side of the carrier support slide 151 of the tool carrier assembly 150 facing the machining area of ​​the machine tool or lathe between the spindles, a tool carrier support slide 152 is slidably mounted on the carrier support slide 151. The tool carrier support slide 152 is configured to be moved vertically along a vertical guide arranged at the front side of the carrier support slide 151. Furthermore, typically, at the front side of the tool carrier support slide 152 of the tool carrier assembly 150 facing the machining area of ​​the machine tool between the spindles, a horizontally arranged tool carrier quill or turret 153 is provided for mounting the tool carrier, which extends vertically from the front side of the tool carrier support slide 152 into the machining area of ​​the machine tool. The turret 153 shown in FIG. 2 can therefore also be, for example, a turret unit T according to FIG. 1, including a turret head H. It should be noted that in alternative embodiments, the turret body M may also be fixed, so that rotation about the B axis may not be possible in certain applications, but otherwise the features are identical to the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the turret unit T, specifically the turret head H. Additionally, FIG. 3 shows the piping and wiring for the hydraulic and electrical systems of the turret unit T. To allow efficient and optimized wiring and piping, the turret body M includes a hollow shaft as the innermost cylinder. Thus, there is a through hole 24, which extends axially through the turret body M along the Y axis to provide an opening for the piping and wiring to connect the turret head H to the hydraulic and electrical systems in an improved manner.

[0049] As already shown in Fig. 1, the mounting section M1 of the turret body M is arranged on the side opposite to the free end side of the turret body M. The turret body M includes an integral second drive means D2. The drive means D2 includes a rotor D2R of the second drive means D2 arranged outside a stator D2S of the second drive means. At the outermost circumferential surface of the rotor of the second drive means D2R, the base H1 of the turret head is attached to the turret body M.

[0050] The central hydraulic L1 includes a number of hydraulic and / or electrical couplings for connecting with hydraulic lines. More specifically, curved hydraulic lines L2 are connected to each connection section of the central hydraulic line L1. These curved sections are configured to bend depending on the swivel angle of the turret head H about the Y axis, and thus independently of the axis movements.

[0051] Preferably, the curved section can be bent by 90°, more preferably by 120°, so that a safe hydraulic connection between the central hydraulic line L1 and the turret head H can be guaranteed even when the turret head H is pivoted about the Y axis. The bending movement of the curved section of the hydraulic line L2 is configured in such a way that twisting of the piping and wiring along the longitudinal axis can be avoided. Thus, as can also be derived from FIG. 3, bending in the longitudinal direction or twisting about the longitudinal axis can be avoided, instead, only bending about the transverse axis of the piping is required, so that even with a specific B-axis movement of the turret unit, a very reliable and compact comprehensive connection with the piping and wiring of the electrical and hydraulic systems can be achieved.

[0052] The central hydraulic line L1 is connected to the stator of the second drive means D2S, which forms the innermost cylindrical hollow section of the turret body M. Through a curved section of hydraulic and electrical wiring, the connection of the central hydraulic line L1 to the rotor of the turret body M, specifically to the hydraulic mounting side of the rotor of the second drive means D2R, can be realized. Thus, an outer hydraulic connection section L3 is preferably provided, which is fixed to the rotor of the second drive means D2R. Furthermore, hydraulic piping is connected to the base H1 of the turret head and to the hydraulic means mounted on the rotor D2R. Electrical wiring can also preferably be included and connected accordingly.

[0053] The turret head H preferably has a flat design by having a plate-shaped base H1 of the turret head directly attached to the rotor D2R of the turret body M. The plate-shaped base H1 of the turret head may include guides for accurate positioning of the turret head on the rotor D2R. A number of bolts and screws are preferably provided to fasten the base H1 of the turret head to the rotor D2R.

[0054] Furthermore, the turret head base H1 provides a support for the turret disk H2. The turret disk H2 can therefore be rotated relative to the turret head base H1. The rotation of the turret disk H2 is preferably about the X-axis of the turret disk H2. The turret disk H2 has a number of tool receiving slots 35 with disk faces 34. The tool receiving slots 35 extend radially of the turret disk H2 towards the X-axis of the turret disk H2. Preferably, the turret disk H2 has at least 12 or 16 tool receiving slots 35 for receiving respective tools. The hydraulic and electrical connections of the turret disk H2 are preferably realised via the turret head base H1. The turret head base H1 therefore includes the connections of the piping and wiring to the rotor connection L3.

[0055] To realize the rotational movement of the turret disk H2 about its X-axis, first drive means D1 are provided. Preferably, the first drive means D1 are directly attached to the base H1 of the turret head via a gear D10. The first drive means D1 extends away from the turret disk H2 across the turret body M, so that the base H1 of the turret head and the first drive means D1 have an L-shape that at least partially surrounds the outer periphery of the turret body M, resulting in a very compact and vibration-resistant construction. Axialwise, the turret disk H2 is provided with a cover 33 that can be removed for maintenance purposes.

[0056] 4 shows another cross-sectional view of the turret unit T with the attached turret head H. Planes A and B show respective cross-sectional views of the turret unit.

[0057] In FIG. 5, a cross-sectional view corresponding to a plane extending along the axial direction of the turret body M as shown in FIG. 4 is shown. On the left side of the turret body M, the mounting section M1 of the turret body is shown. Said mounting section M1 is provided for mounting the turret unit T to a tool carrier of a machine tool. Thus, preferably, the left side of the mounting section M1 of the turret body M is fixed to the tool carrier of a machine tool or lathe. A compact design can be achieved by integrating the stator of the second drive means D2 with the fixed part of the turret body M as shown in FIG. 5. The actual stator of the second drive means D2S can thus be considered as a shaft assembly including a mounting section M1 having a flange part 32 to which the inner shaft 28 is fixedly connected. On said inner shaft 28, the stator core 22 can be fixedly mounted. In order to achieve a particular efficient and compact design and improved machining accuracy, a disk break B is provided on the circumferential outer side of the stator D2S adjacent to the flange part 32 and the mounting section M1. The length of the disk breakage portion B may extend in the radial direction of the stator core 22.

[0058] The support of the rotor D2R of the second drive means D2 is realized by providing a front bearing 25 and a bearing 26, preferably a rolling bearing. In one development, the rolling bearing 26 includes a built-in encoder, allowing a very accurate control while at the same time realizing a compact design by using an integrated encoder. Thus, the turret unit T can be designed even more compactly.

[0059] Preferably, the front bearing 25 of the turret body M for supporting the rotor D2R of the second drive means D2 is arranged at the free end of the turret body M. On the opposite side to said side, a rolling bearing 26 is provided adjacent to the flange portion 32. Between said bearings, the rotor D2R provides a mounting section to which the turret head H is mounted. Preferably, this mounting section does not extend axially along the Y axis of the turret body beyond the front bearing 25 or the rolling bearing 26. In other words, preferably, the fixing and mounting parts of the mounting section for fixing the turret head H on the rotor D2R are provided between the front bearing 25 and the rolling bearing 26. More preferably, the mounting section including mounting holes and guides for mounting the turret head H on the rotor D2R is provided radially above the stator core 22 and the magnets 21 of the rotor D2R so that the distance between the mounting section and the base H1 of the turret head and the magnets 21 of the rotor D2R can be minimized. As shown in FIG. 5, the first driving means D1 is provided directly above the magnet 21 of the rotor D2R and directly above the stator core 22, preferably such that the first driving means D1 does not extend axially along the Y axis beyond the axial length of the magnet 21 and / or the axial length of the stator core 22.

[0060] The second drive means D2 is configured to be a gearless drive in order to allow a gearless drive (direct drive) of the turret head H to pivot about the turret axis Y. More specifically, a counter-rotating motor is provided that is integrated into the structure of the turret body M. Said counter-rotating motor has a stator, which is simultaneously used as the inner shaft of the turret body M. The outer shaft of the turret body M is configured as the rotor D2R of the second drive means D2. This design, which mainly provides a rotor with rotor magnets 21 on the radial outside and stator core 22 on the radial inside, allows the size of the rotor magnets 21 to be significantly reduced. The diameter of the turret body M in the radial direction can therefore be significantly reduced, and therefore the mechanical loads.

[0061] The described specific design, in which the inverted motor concept is realized as the structure of the turret body M, synergistically produces the effect of a compact turret unit design with improved accuracy due to reduced mechanical stresses. In other words, the compact design with the inverted motor concept and the reduced thickness of the magnets 21 can reduce the distance and mechanical forces and therefore the resulting moments applied to the turret unit during the movement and working process and the forces applied during static use cases.

[0062] In order to further reduce the size of the turret unit T and at the same time ensure an efficient connection of the hydraulic and / or electrical means of the turret unit T, a body through hole 24 is provided which preferably extends through the entire turret body M. Thus, the wiring and piping and the hydraulic lines 23 can extend along the Y axis of the turret body M. To connect the inner shaft 28 with the flange portion 32, fastening means 30 and 31 are provided, which are for example bolts or screws for securely mounting the associated parts. Thus, the stator core 22 can also be safely attached to the inner shaft 28.

[0063] The rotor D2R of the second drive means D2 comprises magnets 21 arranged circumferentially inside the rotor D2R. Preferably, the rotor D2R also comprises an outer shaft with a mounting surface for mounting the base of the base H1 of the turret head H. The turret head H can thus be mounted directly on the rotor D2R of the second drive means D2. To achieve an improved support of the rotor D2R, a front bearing 25 is mounted on the rotor D2R via a rotor fixing cover 29 mounted on the free end of the turret body M. To further reduce the mechanical stresses, the front bearing 25 is arranged radially inside the magnets 21 of the rotor D2R. At the same time, a rolling bearing 26 is arranged radially further from the X-axis than the front bearing 25. The rolling bearing 26 closer to the mounting section M1 therefore has a larger diameter than the front bearing 25.

[0064] An aspect of the present application is that the turret head H is mounted close to the second drive means D2. For example, the axis of rotation of the turret disk H2, for example referred to as the X-axis in FIG. 1, is arranged to intersect with the magnet 21 of the rotor, so that the turret head H is placed in the immediate vicinity of the drive means D2, which may also be a direct drive motor. More preferably, the axis of rotation of the turret disk H2 has an intersection, preferably vertical, with the outer periphery of the magnet 21 of the rotor. Thus, no additional transmission shaft is needed to transmit the torque of the second drive means D2 for rotating or pivoting the turret head H, since the turret head is fixed directly to the outer surface of the rotor D2R. Thus, the axial distance between the center of the second drive means D2 and the axis of rotation X of the turret disk H2 can be minimized and preferably kept close to zero. Therefore, in one preferred application example, the rotation axis X of the turret disk H2 is axially arranged in conjunction with the axial center of the second drive means D2, specifically the center of the stator core 22 and / or the center of the rotor D2R, with respect to the Y axis of the turret body M.

[0065] In other words, with respect to the mounting section M1 of the turret body M, the turret unit T of the present application allows the second drive means D2 to be arranged on the same side of the turret body M as the turret head H (in view of the flange), thereby avoiding a transmission shaft for transmitting torque from the remote drive means to the actual turret head. At the same time, the piping and wiring 23 are provided in the Y axis, which is the axis of rotation of the turret body M, enabling the B axis movement. Furthermore, it will be clear that with respect to the cross section shown in FIG. 5, the design of the turret body M can be considered symmetrical, allowing flexible use of the turret unit on the machine tool and in different positions on the machine tool. The turret body M is therefore configured to be symmetrical with respect to a plane extending along the axis of rotation of the turret body, specifically the axis of rotation Y. In other words, the turret unit T uses a symmetrical turret body M.

[0066] FIG. 6 shows a view along the Y axis with a cross-sectional view of the turret head H. The turret disk H2 comprises several tool receiving slots 35 regularly arranged around the circumference of the turret disk H2. Each slot extends in the radial direction of the turret disk H2. Parallel to the drive means arranged in the center of the turret disk H2, coolant guide pistons 36 are provided. More specifically, the third drive means D3 is a motor arranged inside the turret disk H2. Parallel to said third drive means D3, the coolant guide pistons 36 are provided in the immediate vicinity of the tool receiving slots 35. The close arrangement of the coolant guide pistons 36 allows to significantly reduce the distance over which the coolant is provided to the tool receiving slots 35 and to the tools applied thereto, respectively. Thus, the compact design of the turret unit can be further improved, making it even more compact while at the same time ensuring that the coolant is provided to each tool. In other words, the coolant guide pistons 36 are provided spaced apart in a direction parallel to the axis of symmetry of the turret disk H2, along the X axis. The drive axis of the third drive means D3 may be provided parallel to the centerline of the tool receiving slot 35 and the respective tool to be inserted therein.

[0067] The first drive means D1 is applied to extend over the outer peripheral surface of the turret body M. The first drive means D1 is connected to the base H1 of the turret head H via an external gear section D10 and an internal gear section D11. The base H1 of the turret head H combined with the first drive means D1 forms an L-shape that at least partially (preferably vertically and horizontally) surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the turret body M. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, the entire turret head (H) having the x-axis as the central axis can be swiveled as is evident from the two positions of the x-axis shown in the figure.

[0068] 6, the stator core 22 of the stator body D2S and the magnets 21 of the rotor D2R are arranged in close radial proximity to the mounting surface and mounting means of the turret head H, specifically the base of the turret head H1. The center of the turret head is located outside the rotation axis of the turret body M, and more specifically, the centers of the turret head H and the turret disk H2 are arranged radially spaced apart from the rotation axis of the turret body and the stator core 22 of the second drive means D2.

[0069] The turret head H1 has a base through hole 38 provided for wiring. Thus, by providing this additional through hole 38, it is possible to include wiring through the base of the turret head for mounting the turret head hydraulic and / or electrical lines.

[0070] The above exemplary embodiments suggest advantageous aspects and features for improving the machining options of the turret unit and the machine tool, in particular the lathe, to provide a compact machine concept enabling more flexible, accurate, efficient and reliable machining operations and / or for improving the accuracy and / or stability of the machine tool.

[0071] While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are illustrative only and are not limiting of the broad invention, and that embodiments of the invention are not limited to the specific constructions and configurations shown and described, since various other modifications, combinations, omissions, variations and substitutions are possible, in addition to those described in the above paragraphs.

[0072] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations, modifications and / or combinations of the above-described embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate, in light of the present disclosure, that the various embodiments of the present invention described herein may be combined to form other embodiments of the present invention. It should therefore be understood that the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Claims

1. A turret unit (T) for a machine tool, comprising: a turret body (M) configured to be mounted on a carrier support (152) of the machine tool; a turret head (H) attached to the turret body (M) and including a turret disk (H2); The turret disk (H2) is configured to be rotatable about a disk axis (X), which is a rotation axis of the turret disk (H2), by a first driving means (D1); The turret unit (T) includes a second drive means (D2) for rotating the turret head (H) around a turret axis (Y), the second driving means (D2) is a motor having a rotor disposed radially outside a stator (D2S), and the second driving means (D2) is integrated with the turret body (M); The second driving means (D2) is a turret unit (T) that is integrated with the turret body (M) such that an inner cylindrical portion of the turret body (M) forms the stator (D2S) of the second driving means (D2) and an outer cylindrical portion of the turret body (M) forms the rotor (D2R) of the second driving means (D2).

2. 2. The turret unit (T) of claim 1, wherein the second drive means (D2) is configured to directly drive the turret head (H) to pivot the turret head (H) about the turret axis (Y).

3. 3. The turret unit (T) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the turret head (H) is directly mounted on the rotor (D2R) of the second drive means (D2).

4. 2. A turret unit (T) according to claim 1, wherein said turret disc (H2) is arranged such that said disc axis (X) perpendicularly intersects with a rotor magnet (21) of said second drive means (D2).

5. 2. The turret unit (T) of claim 1, wherein the turret head (H) can be pivoted at least 110 degrees about the turret axis (Y).

6. The turret unit (T) of claim 1, wherein the turret body (M) has a through hole (24) that is centrally located and extends along the turret axis (Y) to allow wiring and / or piping to pass therethrough.

7. The turret unit (T) of claim 1, wherein the turret body (M) has, as part of the inner cylinder portion, a flange portion (32) for attaching the turret unit (T) to the transport body support (152) of the machine tool, and an inner shaft (28) extending along the turret axis (Y).

8. The turret unit (T) of claim 7, wherein the inner shaft (28) is attached to the flange portion (32) on one side, and the inner shaft (28) is attached to a stator core (22) of the stator (D2S) on the opposite side.

9. 2. The turret unit (T) according to claim 1, wherein the turret head (H) is arranged on a circumference of the outer cylindrical portion of the turret body (M).

10. 2. The turret unit (T) according to claim 1, wherein the turret head (H) is arranged eccentrically to the axis of symmetry of the turret body (M), and the turret disk (H2) has a plurality of tool stations for carrying tools, at least one of which can be provided with a tool rotatably driven by a third drive means (D3) about a tool axis oriented perpendicular to the rotation axis of the turret disk (H2).

11. The turret unit (T) according to claim 10, wherein the third drive means (D3) is enclosed in the turret disc (H2) and arranged parallel to and / or spaced apart from the disc axis (X).

12. 12. The turret unit (T) of claim 11, wherein the disk axis (X) and the turret axis (Y) are disposed in separate, non-interfering planes.

13. The turret unit (T) of claim 12, wherein the first drive means (D1) is attached to a base (H1) of the turret head, and the rotation axis of the first drive means (D1) is parallel to the disk axis (X) and / or spaced apart from the disk axis (X).

14. 2. The turret unit (T) according to claim 1, wherein the turret body (M) includes an inner turret shaft which is the stator (D2S) of the second drive means (D2).

15. The turret unit (T) according to claim 13, wherein the first drive means (D1) is arranged to extend perpendicular to the turret axis (Y) away from the turret disk (H2) along the axis of rotation of the first drive means (D1).

16. 2. The turret unit (T) of claim 1, wherein the rotor (D2R) of the second drive means (D2) is supported via at least two bearings, at least one of the bearings including an internal encoder.

17. A machine tool equipped with a turret unit (T) described in any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. A machine tool as described in claim 17, wherein the transport body support (152) is configured to independently move each of the turret units (T) in one or more linear directions, the one or more linear directions including at least one of a Z-axis movement direction for moving the turret unit (T) horizontally in a direction parallel to a spindle axis of the main spindle, and an X-axis movement direction for moving the turret unit (T) radially relative to the spindle axis of the main spindle.

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