Fluid ejection tool, chip removal method, and chip removal system

Abstract

To provide a technique for removing residues such as chips in a machine tool safely and reliably while suppressing a decrease in working efficiency. 【Solution means】The fluid ejection tool 50 is attached to the spindle 3 in the machining center 1A capable of ejecting a fluid such as a coolant liquid in a center-through manner. The fluid ejection tool is provided on the tip 54 side, and includes a side through-hole portion 63 that penetrates to the outside from the inner peripheral surface 60b of the internal flow path portion 60 and ejects the fluid that has passed through the internal flow path portion to the outside. A tip through-hole portion 61 that penetrates to the outside along the tool axis is provided at the tip. The side through-hole portion is inclined so that the outer opening 63d is closer to the base portion than the inner opening 63c. The side through-hole portion is provided at a position where the distance from the tip is the first distance and a position where the distance is the second distance, and both the first distance and the second distance are lengths that are 1 / 4 or less of the length along the tool axis direction of the portion protruding from the tool holder in the tool.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid ejection tool attached to a tool attachment portion of a machine tool, a chip removal method using the fluid ejection tool, and a chip removal system.

Background Art

[0002] When machining, for example, a tapped hole of a blind hole using a machine tool such as a machining center equipped with an automatic tool changer (autochanger), an NC lathe, or a turning center (composite machine tool), between the process of machining a pilot hole and the process of cutting a screw thread in the pilot hole, or between the process of cutting a screw thread and the process of finishing, the operation of the machine tool is once stopped, and the operator removes the chips in the pilot hole or the screw hole by himself / herself using an air gun or the like.

[0003] As a technique related to such chip removal, conventionally, for example, a chip removal device described in Patent Document 1 below is known. In the chip removal device described in Patent Document 1, a spiral flow generation portion composed of a plurality of guide pieces twisted in a screw shape is provided at the tip of an air blow nozzle. The spiral flow generation portion is for changing the air flowing in the air blow nozzle into a spiral flow, and has cut portions provided every 120 degrees around the axis, and an opening portion is provided at the tip of the axis. By using such a chip removal device having a spiral flow generation portion, it is said that the residues such as chips in the machining hole can be lifted up in a toroidal shape from near the bottom of the machining hole such as a pilot hole or a screw hole toward the opening direction of the machining hole and removed outside the opening portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

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

[0006] In addition, when an operator holds an air gun himself / herself to remove chips at the site of machining using a machine tool, chips and coolant (cutting oil) may scatter toward the operator, and the emergence of a technology for suppressing the occurrence of injuries and dirt has been expected. Also, the emergence of a technology for reliably removing chips regardless of the operator's experience in chip removal work has been expected.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. That is, the problem to be solved is to provide a technology for safely and reliably removing residues such as chips in a machine tool while suppressing a decrease in work efficiency.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] One aspect of a fluid ejection tool made to solve the above problems is a fluid ejection tool that is attachable to a tool mounting portion in a machine tool that can automatically exchange the tool to be used, can machine the workpiece by rotating either the workpiece or the tool, and can eject a fluid that is either coolant or air in a center-through manner, wherein the base portion side, which is the side attached to the tool mounting portion, is tubular with an opening, has an internal flow path portion that extends in the tool axis direction and allows the fluid ejected through the inside of the tool mounting portion to pass through, and is provided on the tip side opposite to the base portion, penetrates from the inner peripheral surface of the internal flow path portion to the outside of the fluid ejection tool, and has a side through hole portion that ejects the fluid that has passed through the internal flow path portion to the outside of the fluid ejection tool. The side through-hole portion is inclined at a predetermined angle in the tool axis direction rather than in the tool diameter direction orthogonal to the tool axis direction so that the outer opening is closer to either the base portion or the tip than the inner opening, and is a fluid ejection tool characterized by this.

[0009] The fluid ejection tool of this aspect can eject a fluid such as coolant liquid or air in a center-through manner, and is attached to a tool mounting portion such as a spindle in a machine tool capable of automatic tool change. The fluid that has flowed into the inside from the tool mounting portion can be ejected to the outside from the side through-hole portion. And the side through-hole portion is inclined at a predetermined angle in the tool axis direction rather than in the tool diameter direction so that the outer opening is positioned closer to either the base portion or the tip than the inner opening. Therefore, if it is inclined so that the outer opening is closer to the base portion than the inner opening of the side through-hole portion, the chips can be suitably blown off toward the base portion side of the fluid ejection tool. Also, if it is inclined so that the outer opening is closer to the tip than the inner opening of the side through-hole portion, the chips can be suitably blown off toward the tip side of the fluid ejection tool. Therefore, it is possible to remove the chips by using the fluid ejected through the inside of the tool mounting portion without stopping the operation of the machine tool. As a result, it is possible to safely and surely remove the chips in the machine tool compared to manual cleaning using an air gun or the like by an operator while suppressing a decrease in work efficiency.

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

[0011] According to the fluid ejection tool of this aspect, it is easy to eject the fluid evenly over the entire circumferential direction of the fluid ejection tool. Therefore, it is possible to improve the chip removal accuracy.

[0012] Furthermore, in the fluid ejection tool of the above aspect, The side through-hole portion is At a first position where the distance from the tip in the tool axis direction is a first distance, a plurality are provided in the circumferential direction of the fluid ejection tool, and at a second position where the distance from the tip in the tool axis direction is a second distance longer than the first distance, it is desirable that a plurality are provided in the circumferential direction of the fluid ejection tool.

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

[0014] Further, in the fluid ejection tool of the above aspect, the side through-hole portion is inclined such that the outer opening is closer to the base portion than the inner opening, it is desirable that a tip through-hole portion penetrating from the inner tip surface of the internal flow path portion to the outside of the fluid ejection tool along the axis of the fluid ejection tool is provided at the tip portion.

[0015] According to the fluid ejection tool of this aspect, since the fluid can be ejected along the tool axis from the tip through-hole portion, thereby, chips remaining on the machining portion of the workpiece or the workpiece fixing jig can be lifted up. Then, the lifted chips can be blown off to the base portion side (tool mounting portion side) of the fluid ejection tool by the fluid ejected from the side through-hole portion inclined such that the outer opening is closer to the base portion than the inner opening. Therefore, it is easy to blow off chips remaining on the machining portion of the workpiece or the workpiece fixing jig outside the workpiece and the fixing jig.

[0016] Further, one aspect of the chip removal method made to solve the above problems is A chip removal method using the fluid ejection tool according to the above aspect, After a machining step of machining a bottomed hole portion, which is a blind hole or a threaded hole of a blind hole, in the workpiece, a replacement step of replacing the tool to be used with the fluid ejection tool; An insertion step of inserting the fluid ejection tool into the bottomed hole portion formed by the machining step and positioning the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion in the bottomed hole portion; A chip removal step of rotating the fluid ejection tool in a direction opposite to the tool rotation direction during the formation of the bottomed hole portion while ejecting the fluid from the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion, and moving the fluid ejection tool in a direction to exit from the bottomed hole portion. The chip removal method is characterized by including the above steps.

[0017] According to the chip removal method of this aspect, after inserting the fluid ejection tool attached to the tool attachment portion into the bottomed hole portion and positioning the tip through hole portion and the side through hole portion in the bottomed hole portion, while ejecting the fluid from the tip through hole portion and the side through hole portion, the fluid ejection tool is rotated in a direction opposite to that during the formation of the bottomed hole portion and moved in a direction to exit from the bottomed hole portion, so that the chips remaining in the bottomed hole portion can be surely blown out of the bottomed hole portion. Further, when the bottomed hole portion is a threaded hole of a blind hole, it is possible to move the chips spirally along the thread groove and discharge them completely out of the bottomed hole portion.

[0018] In addition, one aspect of a chip removal system made to solve the above problems is A chip removal system including the fluid ejection tool according to the above aspect and the machine tool, wherein the machine tool has a control unit that controls the operation of the machine tool based on input work instruction data, The control unit is A tool replacement process of replacing the tool to be used with the fluid ejection tool after a machining step of machining a bottomed hole portion, which is a blind hole or a threaded hole of a blind hole, in the workpiece, A tool insertion process of inserting the fluid ejection tool into the bottomed hole portion formed by the machining process and positioning the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion within the bottomed hole portion, a chip removal process of rotating the fluid ejection tool in a direction opposite to the tool rotation direction during the formation of the bottomed hole portion while ejecting the fluid from the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion, and moving the fluid ejection tool in a direction of coming out of the bottomed hole portion, wherein the chip removal system is characterized by performing the above.

[0019] According to the chip removal system of this aspect, the control unit of the machine tool replaces the tool to be used with a fluid ejection tool after the machining process of machining the workpiece, inserts the fluid ejection tool into the bottomed hole portion, positions the tip through hole portion and the side through hole portion within the bottomed hole portion, and then rotates the fluid ejection tool in a direction opposite to that during the formation of the bottomed hole portion while ejecting the fluid from the tip through hole portion and the side through hole portion, and moves it in a direction of coming out of the bottomed hole portion. Thereby, it is possible to surely blow out the chips remaining in the bottomed hole portion to the outside of the bottomed hole portion. Further, when the bottomed hole portion is a tapped hole of a blind hole, it is possible to move the chips spirally along the thread groove and discharge them completely to the outside of the bottomed hole portion.

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

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

[0022] Also, in the chip removal system of the above aspect, it is desirable that the control unit inserts the fluid ejection tool into the bottomed hole portion at a depth not exceeding the insertion depth of the tool in the machining process in the tool insertion process.

[0023] According to the chip removal system of this aspect, since the fluid ejection tool does not go too deep into the bottomed hole portion, it is possible to prevent the workpiece from being damaged, such as by pressing the fluid ejection tool against the bottom of the bottomed hole portion.

[0024] Also, in the chip removal system of the above aspect, in the chip removal process, it is desirable for the control unit to rotate the fluid ejection tool at a rotational speed corresponding to the rotational speed of the tool in the machining process.

[0025] According to the chip removal system of this aspect, the control unit of the machine tool rotates the fluid ejection tool at a rotational speed corresponding to the rotational speed of the tool in the machining process in the chip removal process. Therefore, it is possible to remove chips suitable for the machined bottomed hole portion. Also, if a tapped hole of a blind hole is machined, the fluid ejection tool is rotated in the opposite direction to the machining direction at a rotational speed corresponding to the rotational speed of the tool when threading, so that the chips can be reliably moved spirally along the thread groove, and the chips in the tapped hole can be removed accurately.

[0026] Also, in the chip removal system of the above aspect, in the chip removal process, it is desirable for the control unit to move the fluid ejection tool in the direction of exiting the bottomed hole portion at a feed rate corresponding to the feed rate of the tool in the machining process.

[0027] According to the chip removal system of this aspect, the control unit of the machine tool moves the fluid ejection tool in the direction of exiting the bottomed hole portion at a feed rate corresponding to the feed rate of the tool in the machining process in the chip removal process. Therefore, it is possible to remove chips suitable for the machined bottomed hole portion. That is, it is possible to prevent the speed of pulling out the fluid ejection tool from the bottomed hole portion from being too fast or too slow, and it is possible to balance the chip removal accuracy and the efficiency of the chip removal operation.

[0028] Also, in another aspect of the fluid ejection tool made to solve the above problems, It is desirable that the side through-hole portion is inclined such that the outer opening is closer to the tip than the inner opening.

[0029] According to the fluid ejection tool of this aspect, chips can be blown off toward the tip side (the side of the workpiece or the fixing jig) of the fluid ejection tool by the fluid ejected from the side through-hole portion where the outer opening is closer to the tip than the inner opening. Therefore, it is possible to suitably remove the chips remaining at the processing location of the type that penetrates the workpiece.

[0030] Another aspect of the chip removal method for solving the above problems is a chip removal method using the fluid ejection tool of the above other aspect, after a processing step of processing a through-hole portion, which is a through-hole or a threaded hole of a through-hole, in the workpiece, an exchange step of exchanging the tool to be used with the fluid ejection tool, a chip removal step of passing the fluid ejection tool through the through-hole portion while rotating the fluid ejection tool in the same direction as the tool rotation direction at the time of forming the through-hole portion while ejecting the fluid from the side through-hole portion, characterized by including

[0031] According to the chip removal method of this aspect, by passing the fluid ejection tool attached to the tool mounting portion through the through-hole portion while rotating it in the same direction as when forming the through-hole portion while ejecting the fluid from the side through-hole portion, it is possible to surely blow off the chips remaining in the through-hole portion to the outside of the through-hole portion. Further, when the through-hole portion is a threaded hole of a through-hole, it is possible to move the chips spirally along the thread groove and discharge them completely outside the through-hole portion.

[0032] Another aspect of the chip removal system for solving the above problems is a chip removal system including the fluid ejection tool of the above other aspect and the machine tool, the machine tool having a control unit that controls the operation of the machine tool based on the input operation instruction data, the control unit is After the machining step of machining a through-hole portion, which is a through-hole or a threaded hole of a through-hole, in the workpiece, a tool change process of changing the tool to be used to the fluid ejection tool, a chip removal process of passing the fluid ejection tool through the through-hole portion while rotating the fluid ejection tool in the same direction as the tool rotation direction at the time of forming the through-hole portion while ejecting the fluid from the side through-hole portion, is performed. A chip removal system characterized by that.

[0033] According to the chip removal system of this aspect, the control unit of the machine tool replaces the tool to be used with a fluid ejection tool after the machining step of machining the workpiece, and the fluid ejection tool ejects fluid from the side through-hole portion while rotating in the same direction as when forming the through-hole portion. It is passed through the through-hole portion while being rotated. As a result, it is possible to surely blow off the chips remaining in the through-hole portion to the outside of the through-hole portion. Further, when the through-hole portion is a threaded hole of a through-hole, it is possible to move the chips spirally along the thread groove and discharge them completely to the outside of the through-hole portion.

[0034] Another aspect of the chip removal method made to solve the above problems is a chip removal method using the fluid ejection tool of the above-described one aspect, a replacement step of replacing the tool to be used with the fluid ejection tool, a chip removal step of positioning the side through-hole portion and the tip through-hole portion in a T-slot groove formed in a table of the machine tool, and moving the fluid ejection tool in the direction in which the T-slot groove extends while rotating the fluid ejection tool while ejecting the fluid from the side through-hole portion and the tip through-hole portion. A chip removal method characterized by including.

[0035] According to the chip removal method of this aspect, the tip through-hole portion and the side through-hole portion of the fluid ejection tool attached to the tool mounting portion are positioned in the T-slot groove of the table in the machine tool, and while ejecting fluid from the tip through-hole portion and the side through-hole portion, the fluid ejection tool is rotated and moved in the extending direction of the T-slot groove, so that the chips remaining in the T-slot groove can be reliably blown out of the T-slot groove.

[0036] Still another aspect of the chip removal system made to solve the above problems is a chip removal system including the fluid ejection tool of the above one aspect and the machine tool, wherein the machine tool has a control unit that controls the operation of the machine tool based on the input work instruction data, the control unit performs a tool change process of changing the tool to be used to the fluid ejection tool, and a chip removal process of positioning the side through-hole portion and the tip through-hole portion in the T-slot groove formed in the table of the machine tool, ejecting the fluid from the side through-hole portion and the tip through-hole portion, and moving the fluid ejection tool in the extending direction of the T-slot groove while rotating the fluid ejection tool. The chip removal system is characterized by this.

[0037] According to the chip removal system of this aspect, after the machining process of machining the workpiece, the control unit of the machine tool changes the tool to be used to the fluid ejection tool, positions the tip through-hole portion and the side through-hole portion of the fluid ejection tool in the T-slot groove of the table in the machine tool, and while ejecting fluid from the tip through-hole portion and the side through-hole portion, moves the fluid ejection tool in the extending direction of the T-slot groove while rotating the fluid ejection tool. Thereby, the chips remaining in the T-slot groove can be reliably blown out of the T-slot groove.

[0038] Still another aspect of the chip removal method made to solve the above problems is a chip removal method using the fluid ejection tool of the above one aspect, A replacement step of replacing the tool to be used with the fluid ejection tool; A chip removal step of approaching a chuck of the machine tool while rotating the fluid ejection tool while ejecting the fluid from the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion. The chip removal method is characterized by including these steps.

[0039] According to the chip removal method of this aspect, after replacing the tool to be used with the fluid ejection tool, while ejecting the fluid from the tip through hole portion and the side through hole portion and rotating the fluid ejection tool, by approaching the chuck in the machine tool, it is possible to surely blow off the chips remaining on the chuck in a direction away from the chuck.

[0040] Another aspect of the chip removal system made to solve the above problems is A chip removal system including the fluid ejection tool of the above one aspect and the machine tool, wherein the machine tool has a control unit that controls the operation of the machine tool based on input work instruction data. The control unit A tool replacement process of replacing the tool to be used with the fluid ejection tool; A chip removal process of approaching a chuck of the machine tool while rotating the fluid ejection tool while ejecting the fluid from the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion. The chip removal system is characterized by performing these processes.

[0041] According to the chip removal system of this aspect, the control unit of the machine tool replaces the tool to be used with the fluid ejection tool after the machining process of machining the workpiece, and approaches the chuck in the machine tool while rotating the fluid ejection tool while ejecting the fluid from the tip through hole portion and the side through hole portion. Thereby, it is possible to surely blow off the chips remaining on the chuck in a direction away from the chuck.

[0042] In still another aspect of the fluid ejection tool made to solve the above problems, The tip has a blade for machining the workpiece, The side through-hole portion is inclined such that the outer opening is closer to the base portion than the inner opening, and it is desirable that the side through-hole portion is formed so that the fluid ejected from the side through-hole portion hits the chips cut by the blade.

[0043] According to the fluid ejection tool of this aspect, while ejecting a fluid such as a coolant liquid or air from the side through-hole portion that is inclined so that the outer opening is closer to the base portion than the inner opening, the fluid ejection tool is rotated relatively or absolutely and the blade is applied to the workpiece. By proceeding with the cutting process, the chips generated by the processing can be blown away to the base portion side (tool attachment portion side) by the fluid ejected from the side through-hole portion. That is, it is possible to simultaneously proceed with the machining of the workpiece and the removal of the chips. As a result, it is possible to greatly improve the working efficiency.

Advantages of the Invention

[0044] According to the technology disclosed in this specification, it is possible to safely and surely remove chips in the machine tool while suppressing a decrease in working efficiency.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0045]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

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

[0047] The fluid ejection tool 50 can be mounted on a tool mounting portion (such as a spindle, turret, etc.) of various known machine tools such as a machining center, a NC lathe, and a multi-tasking machine (turning center). The fluid ejection tool 50 is provided with a plurality of through-hole portions (a tip through-hole portion 61 and a side through-hole portion 63 described later). The fluid ejection tool 50 is a cleaning tool that ejects a fluid such as coolant liquid or air that is jetted through the inside of a tool mounting portion such as the spindle 3 in a center-through manner from the plurality of through-hole portions (in other words, oil holes) to the outside, and is used for removing chips and the like remaining in the machining space (area for machining the workpiece) within the machine tool.

[0048] In this specification, the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of each part of the machining center 1A and the fluid ejection tool 50 are described as being the same as the vertical direction and the horizontal direction as viewed from a person facing the machining center 1A with the fluid ejection tool 50 attached to the spindle 3 along the vertical direction. Further, the front direction of each part of the machining center 1A and the fluid ejection tool 50 is described as the direction approaching the person facing the machining center 1A in the same state, and the rear direction of each part of the machining center 1A is described as the direction away from the person facing the machining center 1A in the same state. Also, the horizontal direction is the X-axis, the front-rear direction is the Y-axis, and the vertical direction is the Z-axis.

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

[0050] The work support device 40 includes a table 41 that supports a work Wa via a fixing jig 43, and a base 42 that rotatably supports the table 41. The table 41 is supported by the base 42 so as to be rotatable about an axis AX1 along the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) by a driving device (not shown). The work support device 40 may be configured such that the table 41 is swingable about the X-axis. Further, the work support device 40 may be configured such that the table 41 cannot rotate about the axis AX1.

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

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

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

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

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

[0056] The rotating body 5 is configured such that a drawbar 5b is disposed inside a rotating shaft body 5a, and a tool holder 80 gripping a tool is attached to the attachment portion at the tip (the lower end in FIG. 2) of the drawbar 5b with a pull stud 8 interposed therebetween.

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

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

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

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

[0061] Further, an internal flow path portion 60 for allowing a fluid such as a coolant liquid or air injected through the main shaft 3 to flow in is formed inside the fluid ejection tool 50. The diameter d1 of the internal flow path portion 60 (that is, the inner diameter d1 of the fluid ejection tool 50 common to the main body portion 55 and the shank portion 57) is about 8 mm. Also, the thickness of the bottom portion 51 is about 2 mm, and the total length of the internal flow path portion 60 extends over almost the entire area from the base end 50b to the tip 50a of the fluid ejection tool 50.

[0062] A plurality of through-hole portions for penetrating the internal flow path portion 60 to the outside and injecting the fluid that has passed through the internal flow path portion 60 to the outside are provided at the tip portion 54 of the fluid ejection tool 50. Specifically, first, a tip through-hole portion 61 that penetrates from the inner tip surface 60a of the internal flow path portion 60 to the outside is formed along the axial center direction of the fluid ejection tool 50 at the center of the bottom portion 51 having a circular shape when viewed from the bottom. The tip through-hole portion 61 is a cylindrical through-hole and is provided coaxially with the central axis of the internal flow path portion 60 (the axis AX3 of the fluid ejection tool 50). The diameter of the tip through-hole portion 61 is about 3 mm. The fluid that has passed through the internal flow path portion 60 is ejected in the axial direction from the tip through-hole portion 61.

[0063] In addition, a plurality of lateral through-hole portions 63 that penetrate from the inner peripheral surface 60b of the internal flow path portion 60 to the outside are provided at the tip portion of the peripheral wall portion 52. The plurality of lateral through-hole portions 63 include four first lateral through-hole portions 63a provided at intervals of 90 degrees in the circumferential direction at a position (an example of a first position) approximately 5 mm (an example of a first distance) from the tip 50a, and four second lateral through-hole portions 63b provided at intervals of 90 degrees in the circumferential direction so as to be shifted by 45 degrees from each of the first lateral through-hole portions 63a at a position (an example of a second position) approximately 10 mm (an example of a second distance) from the tip 50a.

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

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

[0066] As described above, in the fluid ejection tool 50 of this embodiment, a plurality of through-hole portions (tip through-hole portion 61 and each side through-hole portion 63) are provided in a range of about 15 mm in the axial direction from the tip 50a. Therefore, the fluid ejection tool 50 allows the fluid injected through the inside of the main shaft 3 to flow into the internal flow path portion 60 from the opening on the base portion 56 side of the fluid ejection tool 50, and further allows the fluid that has passed through the internal flow path portion 60 to be ejected along the axial direction from the tip through-hole portion 61, and to be ejected from the first side through-hole portion 63a and the second side through-hole portion 63b so as to face the base portion 56 side rather than the radial direction. By using the fluid ejection tool 50 of this embodiment, by ejecting the fluid in this way, it is possible to remove the chips generated by machining the workpiece Wa, as described below.

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

[0068] Conventionally, after threading, it was necessary to stop the operation of the machining center 1A and have an operator (worker) remove the chips K accumulated in the blind screw hole Ha in this way using an air gun or the like. Also, after the counterboring (drilling) before threading, chips were accumulated in the counterbore before threading. Therefore, the operator (worker) had to stop the operation of the machining center 1A and remove the chips in the counterbore using an air gun or the like, and it was not possible to perform the counterboring and threading in a series of automatic operations.

[0069] According to the chip removal system KSA of this embodiment, after drilling or threading, the tool attached to the spindle 3 is exchanged from a cutting tool to a fluid ejection tool 50 by the automatic tool changer 20. Then, by operating the fluid ejection tool 50 as follows, the chips K are removed from the drilled hole or threaded hole.

[0070] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of removing chips K from the drilled hole Fa before threading using the fluid ejection tool 50. As shown in FIG. 8, after the control device 30 of the machining center 1A exchanges the tool attached to the spindle 3 from a drilling drill to the fluid ejection tool 50, it moves the fluid ejection tool 50 to the position of the drilled hole Fa (an example of a bottomed hole portion), and inserts the tip portion 54 of the fluid ejection tool 50 into the drilled hole Fa. Here, the control device 30 moves the fluid ejection tool 50 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction so that the central axis of the drilled hole Fa and the rotation axis AX3 of the fluid ejection tool 50 coincide. Further, the control device 30 inserts the fluid ejection tool 50 into the drilled hole Fa (moves it in the Z-axis direction) at a depth where the tip 50a (tip surface) of the fluid ejection tool 50 does not contact the bottom surface Fb of the drilled hole Fa (for example, separating the tip 50a from the bottom surface Fb by about 5 to 8 mm).

[0071] Then, the control device 30 drives a fluid supply device (not shown) to feed coolant (cutting oil) into the internal flow path portion 60 of the fluid ejection tool 50, and moves the fluid ejection tool 50 (in other words, the spindle 3) along the axial direction toward the base portion 56 side (upward) at a predetermined feed rate. The predetermined feed rate can be set as appropriate, but for example, it may be the same as the feed rate of the drill during drilling. Note that the predetermined feed rate may be set in the range of about 70% to 130% of the feed rate of the drill during drilling. The feed rate within this range corresponds to the feed rate corresponding to the feed rate of the tool in the machining process.

[0072] The fluid sent to the fluid ejection tool 50 is axially ejected from the tip through-hole portion 61 through the internal flow path portion 60. When the fluid ejected from the tip through-hole portion 61 hits the bottom surface Fb of the counterbore Fa, it enters the gap M between the outer peripheral surface of the fluid ejection tool 50 and the inner peripheral surface Fc of the counterbore Fa through the gap between the tip 50a (tip surface) and the bottom surface Fb. Due to such a fluid flow, the chips K deposited on the bottom surface Fb of the counterbore Fa are blown upward while being blown toward the periphery of the bottom surface Fb and enter the gap M between the outer peripheral surface of the fluid ejection tool 50 and the inner peripheral surface Fc of the counterbore Fa.

[0073] Also, the fluid sent to the fluid ejection tool 50 is also ejected from the side through-hole portions 63 (the first side through-hole portion 63a and the second side through-hole portion 63b) through the internal flow path portion 60. Since eight side through-hole portions 63 are provided at 45-degree intervals over the entire circumference of the fluid ejection tool 50, the fluid ejected from the side through-hole portions 63 is ejected evenly over the entire circumference of the inner peripheral surface Fc of the counterbore Fa. Further, the side through-hole portions 63 are inclined toward the base portion 56 side rather than the radial direction of the fluid ejection tool 50. Therefore, the fluid ejected from the side through-hole portions 63 is ejected inclined toward the base portion 56 side rather than the radial direction of the fluid ejection tool 50 (that is, inclined upward rather than the left-right direction in FIG. 8). Therefore, when the fluid ejected from the side through-hole portions 63 hits the inner peripheral surface Fc of the counterbore Fa, it rises along the inner peripheral surface Fc. That is, by ejecting the coolant liquid (cutting oil) from the tip through-hole portion 61 and the side through-hole portions 63 of the fluid ejection tool 50, a linear upward flow that sends the chips K from the bottom of the counterbore Fa to the upper opening Fe is formed.

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

[0075] Note that the size, number, and shape of the opening surfaces of the through-hole portions (the tip through-hole portion 61 and the side through-hole portion 63) of the fluid ejection tool 50 can be appropriately changed within the range where the velocity of the ejected fluid can suitably remove the chips K. However, if the total opening area of the through-hole portions becomes too large, the flow velocity of the coolant liquid ejected may become too slow, which may reduce the chip removal performance. If the total opening area of the through-hole portions becomes too small, the chip removal efficiency may decrease. Therefore, it is desirable to appropriately design while achieving a balance between these. Also, the pressure for sending a fluid such as a coolant liquid (cutting oil) or air may be appropriately set within the range where the chips K can be blown away.

[0076] Next, the removal of chips from the blind tap hole Ha will be described. FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of removing chips K from inside the blind tap hole Ha using the fluid ejection tool 50. As shown in FIG. 9, after the control device 30 of the machining center 1A exchanges the tool attached to the spindle 3 from a tapping tap to the fluid ejection tool 50, it moves the fluid ejection tool 50 to the position of the blind tap hole Ha and inserts the tip portion 54 of the fluid ejection tool 50 into the blind tap hole Ha. Here, the control device 30 moves the fluid ejection tool 50 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction so that the central axis of the blind tap hole Ha and the rotation axis AX3 of the fluid ejection tool 50 coincide. Further, the control device 30 inserts the fluid ejection tool 50 into the blind tap hole Ha (moves it in the Z-axis direction) at a depth such that the tip 50a of the fluid ejection tool 50 does not contact the bottom surface Hb of the blind tap hole Ha (for example, separating the tip 50a from the bottom surface Hb by about 5 to 8 mm).

[0077] Then, the control device 30 drives a fluid supply device (not shown) to send coolant liquid (cutting oil) into the internal flow path portion 60 of the fluid ejection tool 50, and while rotating the fluid ejection tool 50 (in other words, the spindle 3) at a predetermined rotational speed in the direction opposite to the tapping operation (that is, the direction in which the screw is loosened, specifically counterclockwise if it is a right-handed screw and clockwise if it is a left-handed screw), it moves it axially along the original portion 56 side (upward) at a predetermined feed rate. The predetermined rotational speed and the predetermined feed rate can be set as appropriate, but for example, they may be set to the same rotational speed and feed rate as those of the tap during tapping. By doing so, the amount fed by the fluid ejection tool 50 per rotation can be adjusted to match the pitch of the blind tap hole Ha, and smooth removal of the chips K along the screw groove Hd can be expected. Note that the predetermined rotational speed may be set in the range of about 70% to 130% of the rotational speed of the tap during tapping. The rotational speed within this range corresponds to the rotational speed corresponding to the rotational speed of the tool in the machining process. Also, the predetermined feed rate may be set in the range of about 70% to 130% of the feed rate of the tap during tapping. The feed rate within this range corresponds to the feed rate corresponding to the feed rate of the tool in the machining process.

[0078] The fluid sent to the fluid ejection tool 50 is axially ejected from the tip through-hole portion 61 through the internal flow path portion 60. When the fluid ejected from the tip through-hole portion 61 hits the bottom surface Hb of the blind tapped hole Ha, it enters the gap N between the outer peripheral surface of the fluid ejection tool 50 and the inner peripheral surface Hc of the blind tapped hole Ha through the gap between the tip 50a and the bottom surface Hb. Due to such a fluid flow, the chips K deposited on the bottom surface Hb of the blind tapped hole Ha are blown upward toward the periphery of the bottom surface Hb while being lifted upward, and enter the gap N between the outer peripheral surface of the fluid ejection tool 50 and the inner peripheral surface Hc of the blind tapped hole Ha.

[0079] Also, the fluid sent to the fluid ejection tool 50 is also ejected from the side through-hole portions 63 (the first side through-hole portion 63a and the second side through-hole portion 63b) through the internal flow path portion 60. The side through-hole portions 63 are provided eight at 45-degree intervals over the entire circumference of the fluid ejection tool 50. Further, the fluid ejection tool 50 is moved in the direction of coming out from inside the blind tapped hole Ha (with the Z-axis direction upward) while being rotated in the loosening direction of the screw. And the side through-hole portions 63 are inclined toward the base portion 56 side rather than the radial direction of the fluid ejection tool 50 (that is, inclined upward rather than the left-right direction in FIG. 9). Therefore, when the fluid ejected from the side through-hole portions 63 hits the inner peripheral surface Hc of the blind tapped hole Ha, it rises spirally along the thread groove Hd of the inner peripheral surface Hc. That is, by injecting the coolant liquid (cutting oil) from the tip through-hole portion 61 and the side through-hole portions 63 while rotating the fluid ejection tool 50, the chips K accumulated at the bottom of the blind tapped hole Ha are sent into the gap N between the fluid ejection tool 50 and the inner peripheral surface Hc of the blind tapped hole Ha, and a spiral upward flow is formed that sends the chips K sent into the gap N, together with the chips K accumulated in the thread groove Hd, upward to the upper opening He of the blind tapped hole Ha along the thread groove Hd.

[0080] Due to such a spiral upward flow, the chips K in the blind tap hole Ha are sent upward along the thread groove Hd. Furthermore, as the fluid ejection tool 50 is withdrawn from the blind tap hole Ha (as it moves upward in the Z-axis direction), the position where this upward flow hits also gradually rises upward on the inner peripheral surface Hc. In this way, all the chips K accumulated in the blind tap hole Ha are discharged from the upper opening He of the blind tap hole Ha to the outside of the blind tap hole Ha. By using the fluid ejection tool 50 in this form, it is possible to preferably remove the chips K from the blind tap hole Ha.

[0081] In this form, in the fluid ejection tool 50, the first side through-hole portion 63a and the second side through-hole portion 63b are provided with their positions shifted in the axial direction. Therefore, it is possible to blow the chips K blown to the base portion 56 side by the fluid ejected from the first side through-hole portion 63a close to the tip 50a of the fluid ejection tool 50 further to the base portion 56 side by the second side through-hole portion 63b.

[0082] Note that by using the fluid ejection tool 50 in this form, not only can the chips K accumulated in the bottomed hole portions such as the pilot hole Fa and the blind tap hole Ha be preferably removed, but also the coolant liquid (cutting oil) accumulated in the bottomed hole portions can be preferably removed. Those that require removal such as the chips K and the coolant liquid (cutting oil) are collectively referred to as residues.

[0083] When removing the coolant liquid accumulated in the bottomed hole portion, it is only necessary to change the fluid ejected from the tip through-hole portion 61 and the side through-hole portion 63 of the fluid ejection tool 50 from the coolant liquid to air. Here, it is assumed that the machining center 1A of the present embodiment can feed air into the fluid ejection tool 50 not only through the coolant liquid but also through the inside of the main shaft 3. Specifically, the control device 30 of the machining center 1A inserts the fluid ejection tool 50 into the counterbore Fa shown in FIG. 8 or the blind screw hole Ha shown in FIG. 9 at a predetermined feed rate while feeding air into the fluid ejection tool 50. Thereby, it is possible to suitably discharge the coolant liquid accumulated in the counterbore Fa and the coolant liquid accumulated in the blind screw hole Ha to the outside of each bottomed hole portion. Note that the feed rate of the fluid ejection tool 50 may be set as appropriate. The process of ejecting air from the fluid ejection tool 50 to remove the coolant liquid in the bottomed hole portion is referred to as a residue removal process.

[0084] Next, the process of the control device 30 when forming the blind screw hole Ha in the unprocessed workpiece by the machining center 1A will be described with reference to FIG. 10. According to the chip removal system KSA of the present embodiment including the fluid ejection tool 50, the machining center 1A can perform all the steps from the cleaning of the workpiece to the completion of machining only by the operator performing the machining instruction operation once. When the operator operates the input / output device 32 and the processor of the control device 30 receives the machining instruction for the screw hole, the processor of the control device 30 performs, for example, the screw hole forming process shown in FIG. 10. Note that the screw hole forming process shown in FIG. 10 is a process of forming four blind screw holes Ha in the workpiece Wa as shown in FIG. 7.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 10, first, after the processor of the control device 30 drills four center holes in the workpiece Wa, the tool of the spindle 3 is replaced with a drill for counterboring to form four counterbores Fa (step S1). Subsequently, the processor of the control device 30 performs a tool change process of operating the automatic tool changer 20 or the like to replace the tool of the spindle 3 from the drill for counterboring with the fluid ejection tool 50 (step S2). Then, a chip removal process of removing the chips K in the counterbore Fa using the fluid ejection tool 50 is performed (step S3).

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

[0087] Subsequently, the processor of the control device 30 sends the coolant through the inside of the spindle 3 to the internal flow path portion 60 of the fluid ejection tool 50, and while ejecting from each through-hole portion (the tip through-hole portion 61 and the side through-hole portion 63), the spindle 3 (the fluid ejection tool 50) is moved in the direction of coming out of the counterbore Fa at a predetermined feed rate (see FIG. 8). The feed rate here is set within a certain range (about plus or minus 30%) based on the feed rate of the drill during counterboring. This is because if the feed rate is too fast, there is a possibility that the chips K cannot be sufficiently removed, and if the feed rate is too slow, the processing efficiency may deteriorate.

[0088] By controlling the fluid ejection tool 50 (main spindle 3) in this way, the chips K in the underhole Fa are suitably removed. When the removal of the chips K for the first underhole Fa is completed, the processor of the control device 30 similarly performs the removal of the chips K one by one for the remaining underholes Fa. According to the chip removal system KSA of this embodiment, the operating conditions (operation data) of the fluid ejection tool 50 can be determined with reference to the machining conditions (machining data) of the underhole Fa. Therefore, the fluid ejection tool 50 can be moved to an optimal position with respect to the machined underhole Fa, and the fluid ejection tool 50 can be operated at a speed optimal for removing the chips K in the underhole Fa. Therefore, the removal of the chips K in the underhole Fa can be performed more accurately than in a configuration where an operator manually performs the removal.

[0089] Next, the processor of the control device 30 replaces the tool of the main spindle 3 with a chamfering tool to chamfer the inlet of each underhole Fa, and further replaces the tool of the main spindle 3 with a tap for thread cutting to cut a thread in each underhole Fa to form a blind thread hole Ha (step S4). When coolant liquid accumulates in the underhole Fa due to the chip removal process in step S3, it is preferable to perform a residue removal process of injecting air from the fluid ejection tool 50 between step S3 and step S4.

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

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

[0092] Subsequently, the processor of the control device 30 sends the coolant through the inside of the main shaft 3 to the internal flow path portion 60 of the fluid ejection tool 50, and while ejecting from each through-hole portion (the tip through-hole portion 61 and the side through-hole portion 63), rotates the fluid ejection tool 50 in the loosening direction of the screw at a predetermined rotational speed and moves the main shaft 3 (fluid ejection tool 50) in the direction of coming out of the blind tapped hole Ha at a predetermined feed rate (see Fig. 9). The rotational speed and feed rate here are set to be the same as the rotational speed and feed rate of the tap during the threading process. In this way, by matching the operating conditions (operation data) of the fluid ejection tool 50 with the threading processing conditions (processing data), it becomes easier for the coolant to reach all the screw grooves Hd, and it is possible to easily discharge the chips K along the screw grooves Hd without leaving them inside the blind tapped hole Ha until outside. Note that the rotational speed and feed rate of the fluid ejection tool 50 can be appropriately changed within a range where the chips K can be suitably removed even if they do not exactly match the threading processing conditions. For example, the rotational speed and feed rate of the fluid ejection tool 50 may be set within a certain range (about plus or minus 30%) based on the rotational speed and feed rate of the tap during the threading process.

[0093] By controlling the fluid ejection tool 50 (main spindle 3) in this way, the chips K in the blind tapped hole Ha are preferably removed. When the removal of the chips K from the first blind tapped hole Ha is completed, the processor of the control device 30 similarly removes the chips K one by one for the remaining blind tapped holes Ha as well. According to the chip removal system KSA of the present embodiment, the operating conditions (operation data) of the fluid ejection tool 50 can be determined with reference to the machining conditions (machining data) of the blind tapped hole Ha. Therefore, the fluid ejection tool 50 can be moved to an optimal position with respect to the machined blind tapped hole Ha, and the fluid ejection tool 50 can be operated at a rotational speed and feed rate optimal for removing the chips K in the blind tapped hole Ha. Therefore, it is possible to remove the chips K in the blind tapped hole Ha more accurately than in a configuration where the operator manually performs the removal.

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

[0095] According to the chip removal system KSA of the present embodiment including the fluid ejection tool 50 in this way, it is possible to cause the machining center 1A to continuously perform all steps up to the completion of machining including the cleaning of the workpiece by the operator (worker) operating the input / output device 32 only once at the start of machining. Therefore, after the formation of the pilot hole Fa or after the formation of the blind tapped hole Ha, there is no need for the operator to temporarily stop the operation of the machining center 1A to perform the removal work of residues such as chips K. Therefore, the work efficiency of the operator is improved, and it is possible to increase the production efficiency of the factory. In addition, compared to a configuration in which the operator himself / herself removes chips and the like, there is no risk of the operator being injured and no dirt.

[0096] Furthermore, according to the chip removal system KSA of the present embodiment, as described above, the chip removal accuracy of the chips K (residues) is higher (less chips K are left unremoved) compared to the removal of the chips K (residues) by the operator himself / herself. Thus, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to remove the chips K with high precision in a safe, clean, and efficient manner.

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

[0098] That is, the processor of the control device 30 inserts the fluid ejection tool 50 near the bottom surface Jb of the blind screw hole Ja, and brings the fluid ejection tool 50 closer to the inner peripheral surface Jc so that the axis AX3 of the fluid ejection tool 50 is closer to the inner peripheral surface Jc than the central axis AX4 of the blind screw hole Ja. Then, while rotating the fluid ejection tool 50 in a direction opposite to that during machining with respect to the direction of rotation of the fluid ejection tool 50 (rotation around the axis AX3 of the fluid ejection tool 50), the direction of revolution of the fluid ejection tool 50 along the inner peripheral surface Jc of the blind screw hole Ja (rotation around the central axis AX4 of the blind screw hole Ja) is also set to the direction opposite to that during machining, and the fluid ejection tool 50 is pulled up while drawing a circle along the inner peripheral surface Jc (that is, pulled up in a spiral shape). At this time, the movement of the fluid ejection tool 50 is controlled so that it rises by one pitch of the blind screw hole Ja in the Z-axis direction per one revolution of the revolution of the fluid ejection tool 50. In other words, the rotation and feed of the fluid ejection tool 50 are synchronized, and the feed amount per revolution is controlled to be the pitch amount of the blind screw hole Ja. Then, the processor of the control device 30 injects coolant liquid from the tip through hole portion 61 and the side through hole portion 63 of the fluid ejection tool 50 together with such movement control. According to such control of the fluid ejection tool 50, the chips K in the blind screw hole Ja are likely to be reliably conveyed to the upper opening Je along the screw groove Jd of the blind screw hole Ja. Therefore, it is possible to accurately remove the chips K in the blind screw hole Ja. Note that such control of the movement and fluid injection of the fluid ejection tool can also be suitably used for removing the chips K from a blind hole without a screw formed by helical machining.

[0099] Note that the relatively large-diameter blind screw hole Ja shown in FIG. 11A may be formed by a method of cutting a thread by helical feed from the hole bottom toward the hole opening using a threading tool after forming the pilot hole. In the chip K removal process when the blind screw hole Ja is formed by such a method, the processor of the control device 30 may set the direction of rotation and the direction of revolution of the fluid ejection tool 50 to the same direction as that during threading.

[0100] Here, when forming the blind screw hole Ja by helical machining, the processor of the control device 30 performs the screw hole forming process shown in FIG. 11B. Since the processes from step S1 to step S6 in the screw hole forming process shown in FIG. 11B are the same as the processes from step S1 to step S6 in the screw hole forming process shown in FIG. 10, the description thereof is omitted. As shown in FIG. 11A, after forming the blind screw hole Ja by helical machining (step S4) and performing the chip removal process using the fluid ejection tool 50 (steps S5 and S6), the processor of the control device 30 replaces the tool of the spindle 3 with a screw cutting tool for finish machining and performs finish machining on the blind screw hole Ja (step S10). Thereafter, the processor of the control device 30 replaces the tool of the spindle 3 with the fluid ejection tool 50 again (step S11) and removes the chips K generated by the finish machining from the blind screw hole Ja (step S12). Subsequently, the processor of the control device 30 performs a residue removal process (step S13). In the residue removal process, the processor of the control device 30 inserts the fluid ejection tool 50 into the blind screw hole Ja while feeding air into the fluid ejection tool 50 to discharge the coolant liquid accumulated in the blind screw hole Ja by the chip removal process in step S12. According to the chip removal system KSA of this embodiment including the fluid ejection tool 50, even in the machining of a workpiece including screw cutting by helical machining, the operator can make the machining center 1A continuously perform all the processes from finish machining to subsequent cleaning by operating the input / output device 32 only once at the start of machining.

[0101] As described in detail above, the fluid ejection tool 50 according to the first embodiment is a tool attached to the spindle 3 in the machining center 1A. The machining center 1A can automatically exchange the tool attached to the spindle 3, can machine a workpiece by rotating the tool, and can eject a fluid such as coolant liquid or air in a center-through manner (see FIG. 1). The fluid ejection tool 50 has a tubular shape with an open end on the base portion 56 side, extends in the tool axis direction along the axial direction of the spindle 3 in a state of being attached to the spindle 3, and has an internal flow path portion 60 through which the fluid ejected through the inside of the spindle 3 passes, and is provided on the tip portion 54 side opposite to the base portion 56, penetrates from the inner peripheral surface 60b of the internal flow path portion 60 to the outside of the fluid ejection tool 50, and includes a side through hole portion 63 (first side through hole portion 63a, second side through hole portion 63b) for ejecting the fluid that has passed through the internal flow path portion 60 to the outside of the fluid ejection tool 50 (see FIGS. 4 to 6). The side through hole portion 63 is inclined at an inclination angle θ1 (about 40 degrees in this embodiment) in the tool axis direction rather than in the tool diameter direction so that the outer opening 63d is closer to the base portion 56 than the inner opening 63c (see FIG. 6).

[0102] According to the fluid ejection tool 50 of this aspect, the fluid such as coolant liquid injected from the spindle 3 and flowing into the inside can be ejected to the outside from the side through hole portion 63. Since the side through hole portion 63 is inclined at the inclination angle θ1 in the tool axis direction rather than in the tool diameter direction so that the outer opening 63d is located closer to the base portion 56 than the inner opening 63c, the cutting chips K can be preferably blown away toward the base portion 56 side of the fluid ejection tool 50. Therefore, it is possible to remove the cutting chips K by using the fluid ejected through the inside of the spindle 3 without stopping the operation of the machining center 1A. As a result, while suppressing a decrease in work efficiency, it is possible to safely and surely remove the cutting chips K in the machining center 1A as compared with manual cleaning using an air gun or the like by an operator.

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

[0104] Further, the first embodiment discloses a chip removal system KSA including a machining center 1A having a control device 30 that controls operations based on input work instruction data and a fluid ejection tool 50. In this chip removal system KSA, the control device 30 performs a tool replacement process (steps S2 and S5 in FIG. 10) of replacing the tool to be used with the fluid ejection tool 50 after a machining step of machining a bottomed hole portion (drilled hole Fa or tapped hole Ha) in a workpiece Wa, a tool insertion process (a part of the processing included in steps S3 and S6 in FIG. 10) of inserting the fluid ejection tool 50 into the bottomed hole portion formed by the machining step and positioning the lateral through-hole portion 63 and the tip through-hole portion 61 within the bottomed hole portion, and a chip removal process (the other part of the processing included in steps S3 and S6 in FIG. 10) of rotating the fluid ejection tool 50 in a direction opposite to the tool rotation direction during the formation of the bottomed hole portion while ejecting fluid from the lateral through-hole portion 63 and the tip through-hole portion 61 and moving the fluid ejection tool 50 in a direction to exit from the bottomed hole portion.

[0105] According to the chip removal method and the chip removal system KSA disclosed in the first embodiment, after inserting the fluid ejection tool 50 attached to the spindle 3 into the bottomed hole (drilled hole Fa or tapped hole Ha) and positioning the tip through-hole 61 and the side through-hole 63 inside the bottomed hole, while ejecting fluid from the tip through-hole 61 and the side through-hole 63, the fluid ejection tool 50 is rotated in the direction opposite to the formation direction of the bottomed hole and moved in the direction of exiting from the bottomed hole, so that the chips K remaining in the bottomed hole can be reliably blown out of the bottomed hole (see FIGS. 8 and 9). In particular, when the bottomed hole is a tapped hole Ha, it is possible to move the chips K spirally along the thread groove Hd and discharge them completely out of the bottomed hole (see FIG. 9). When removing residues such as chips K using the fluid ejection tool 50, since the slide door (not shown) in the machining center 1A is closed and the machining space is closed, the coolant liquid and the chips K do not scatter outside the machining center 1A.

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

[0107] Also, in the chip removal system KSA disclosed in the first embodiment, since the control device 30 inserts the fluid ejection tool 50 into the bottomed hole to a depth not exceeding the insertion depth of the tool in the machining process, it is possible to prevent the workpiece from being damaged, such as by pressing the fluid ejection tool 50 against the bottom of the bottomed hole (the bottom surface Fb of the drilled hole Fa, the bottom surface Hb of the tapped hole Ha).

[0108] Also, in the chip removal system KSA disclosed in the first embodiment, since the control device 30 rotates the fluid ejection tool 50 at a rotational speed corresponding to the rotational speed of the tool in the machining process, it is possible to remove chips K suitable for the machined bottomed hole portion. In particular, when machining a blind tapped hole Ha, by rotating the fluid ejection tool 50 in the direction opposite to the machining direction at a rotational speed corresponding to the rotational speed of the tool when cutting the thread, the chips K can be reliably moved spirally along the thread groove Hd, and the chips K in the blind tapped hole Ha can be accurately removed.

[0109] Also, in the chip removal system KSA disclosed in the first embodiment, since the control device 30 moves the fluid ejection tool 50 in the direction of exiting from the bottomed hole portion at a feed rate corresponding to the feed rate of the tool in the machining process, it is possible to remove chips K suitable for the machined bottomed hole portion. That is, it is possible to prevent the speed at which the fluid ejection tool 50 is withdrawn from the bottomed hole portion from being too fast or too slow, and it is possible to balance the chip removal accuracy and the efficiency of the chip removal operation.

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

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

[0112] Specifically, in the fluid ejection tool 50A according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the entire bottom surface (the surface of the tip 50Aa of the fluid ejection tool 50A) of the bottom portion 51A is closed. Therefore, the fluid (coolant liquid, air) that has passed through the internal flow path portion 60A is not ejected in the axial direction of the fluid ejection tool 50A. Further, in the fluid ejection tool 50A according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the side through-hole portion 63A is inclined at a predetermined inclination angle θ2 in the axial center direction with respect to the radial direction of the fluid ejection tool 50A so as to eject the fluid that has passed through the internal flow path portion 60A toward the bottom portion 51A (the tip 50Aa of the fluid ejection tool 50A) side rather than in the radial direction of the fluid ejection tool 50A. In other words, the side through-hole portion 63A is inclined such that the outer opening 63Ad is located closer to the bottom portion 51A (the tip 50Aa of the fluid ejection tool 50A) than the inner opening 63Ac. In this embodiment, the inclination angle θ2 of the side through-hole portion 63A is about 40 degrees.

[0113] Also in the second embodiment, the side through-hole portions 63A are provided four by four every 90 degrees in the circumferential direction at two positions: a first position close to the bottom portion 51A when viewed in the axial direction and a second position farther from the bottom portion 51A than the first position. Each first side through-hole portion 63Aa at the first position close to the bottom portion 51A and each second side through-hole portion 63Ab at the second position farther from the bottom portion 51A than this are provided with a 45-degree shift in the circumferential direction. The dimensions of each part of the fluid ejection tool 50A according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the fluid ejection tool 50 according to the first embodiment. Also, the position of the outer opening 63Ad of each side through-hole portion 63A in the second embodiment is the same as the position of the outer opening 63d of each side through-hole portion 63 in the first embodiment. Note that the various dimensions of the fluid ejection tool 50A can be appropriately changed within a range where the function of removing chips can be preferably exhibited. Also, the inclination angle θ2 is preferably in the range of 10 degrees to 70 degrees.

[0114] The fluid ejection tool 50A according to the second embodiment configured as described above allows the fluid injected through the inside of the main shaft 3 to flow into the internal flow path portion 60A from the opening on the base portion 56A side of the fluid ejection tool 50A, and further allows the fluid that has passed through the internal flow path portion 60A to be ejected from the first side through-hole portion 63Aa and the second side through-hole portion 63Ab so as to face the bottom portion 51A (the tip 50Aa of the fluid ejection tool 50A) side rather than the radial direction. By using the fluid ejection tool 50A of this embodiment, by ejecting the fluid in this way, as described below, it is possible to preferably remove the chips K adhering to the screw hole in the through-hole formed in the workpiece.

[0115] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which chips K are removed from the screw hole Pa (hereinafter also referred to as "through-screw hole Pa") of a through-hole using the fluid ejection tool 50A. When removing chips K from the through-screw hole Pa (an example of a through-hole portion), as shown in FIG. 14, the control device 30 of the machining center 1A replaces the tool attached to the main shaft 3 from a tapping tap with the fluid ejection tool 50A, and then moves the fluid ejection tool 50A in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction so that the central axis AX5 of the through-screw hole Pa and the rotation axis of the fluid ejection tool 50A coincide.

[0116] Then, while driving a fluid supply device (not shown) to send coolant liquid (cutting oil) into the internal flow path portion 60A of the fluid ejection tool 50A, the control device 30 rotates the fluid ejection tool 50A (in other words, the main shaft 3) in the same direction as during threading (i.e., the direction in which the screw is tightened, specifically clockwise if it is a right-handed screw and counterclockwise if it is a left-handed screw) at a predetermined rotational speed, and moves it downward along the axial direction (Z-axis direction) toward the lower opening Pf side of the through screw hole Pa at a predetermined feed rate. The predetermined rotational speed and the predetermined feed rate can be set as appropriate. For example, they may be set to the same rotational speed and feed rate as those of the tap during threading. By doing so, the amount sent per one rotation of the fluid ejection tool 50 can be adjusted to match the pitch of the through screw hole Pa, and smooth removal of the cutting chips K along the screw groove Pd can be expected. Note that the predetermined rotational speed may be set in the range of about 70% to 130% of the rotational speed of the tap during threading. The rotational speed within this range corresponds to the rotational speed corresponding to the rotational speed of the tool in the machining process. Also, the predetermined feed rate may be set in the range of about 70% to 130% of the feed rate of the tap during threading. The feed rate within this range corresponds to the feed rate corresponding to the feed rate of the tool in the machining process.

[0117] The fluid sent to the fluid ejection tool 50A is ejected from the side through-holes 63A (the first side through-hole 63Aa and the second side through-hole 63Ab) through the internal flow path portion 60A. The side through-holes 63A are provided eight at 45-degree intervals over the entire circumference of the tip portion 54A of the fluid ejection tool 50A. Also, while the fluid ejection tool 50A is rotated in the tightening direction of the screw, it is moved in the direction of passing through the through-screw hole Pa (with the Z-axis direction downward). And the side through-holes 63A are inclined toward the bottom 51A side rather than the radial direction of the fluid ejection tool 50A (that is, inclined downward rather than the left-right direction in FIG. 14). Therefore, when the fluid ejected from the side through-holes 63A hits the inner peripheral surface Pc of the through-screw hole Pa, it descends spirally along the screw groove Pd of the inner peripheral surface Pc. That is, by ejecting the coolant (cutting oil) from the side through-holes 63A while rotating the fluid ejection tool 50A, a spiral downward flow is formed that sends the chips K adhering to the inner peripheral surface Pc of the through-screw hole Pa along the screw groove Pd to the lower opening Pf of the through-screw hole Pa.

[0118] Due to such a spiral downward flow, the chips K in the through-screw hole Pa are sent downward along the screw groove Pd. Further, as the fluid ejection tool 50A moves downward in the through-screw hole Pa (descends in the Z-axis direction), the position where this downward flow hits also gradually descends downward on the inner peripheral surface Pc. In this way, all the chips K adhering in the through-screw hole Pa are discharged from the lower opening Pf of the through-screw hole Pa to the outside of the through-screw hole Pa. By using the fluid ejection tool 50A of this embodiment in this way, it is possible to suitably remove the chips K from the through-screw hole Pa.

[0119] In this embodiment, in the fluid ejection tool 50A, the first side through-hole 63Aa and the second side through-hole 63Ab are provided with their positions shifted in the axial direction. For this reason, it is possible to blow off the chips K blown toward the bottom 51A side by the fluid ejected from the second side through-hole 63Ab, which is far from the bottom 51A of the fluid ejection tool 50A, further toward the bottom 51A side by the first side through-hole 63Aa.

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

[0121] According to the fluid ejection tool 50A in this aspect, the chips K can be blown off toward the tip 50Aa side (the side where the workpiece or the fixing jig is located) of the fluid ejection tool 50A by the fluid ejected from the side through-hole portion 63A. Therefore, it is possible to suitably remove the chips remaining at the machining location of the type that penetrates the workpiece.

[0122] Note that the second embodiment discloses a chip removal method using the fluid ejection tool 50A, which includes an exchange step of replacing the tool to be used with the fluid ejection tool 50A after a machining step of machining a through-hole portion (for example, a through-screw hole Pa) in the workpiece, and a chip removal step of passing the fluid ejection tool 50A through the through-hole portion while rotating the fluid ejection tool 50A in the same direction as the tool rotation direction at the time of forming the through-hole portion while ejecting fluid from the side through-hole portion 63.

[0123] The second embodiment also discloses a chip removal system including a machining center 1A having a control device 30 that controls operations based on input work instruction data, and a fluid ejection tool 50A. In this chip removal system, the control device 30 performs a tool replacement process of replacing the tool to be used with the fluid ejection tool 50A after a machining step of machining a through-hole portion (for example, a through-screw hole Pa) in the workpiece, and a chip removal process of passing the fluid ejection tool 50A through the through-hole portion while rotating the fluid ejection tool 50A in the same direction as the tool rotation direction at the time of forming the through-hole portion while ejecting fluid from the side through-hole portion 63.

[0124] According to the chip removal method and chip removal system disclosed in the second embodiment, by rotating the fluid ejection tool 50A attached to the spindle 3 in the same direction as when forming the through-hole portion (for example, the through-threaded hole Pa) while ejecting fluid from the side through-hole portion 63 and passing through the through-hole portion, it is possible to reliably blow out the chips K remaining in the through-hole portion to the outside of the through-hole portion (see Fig. 14). In particular, when the through-hole portion is the through-threaded hole Pa, it is possible to move the chips K spirally along the thread groove Pd and discharge them completely to the outside of the through-hole portion (see Fig. 14).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0132] Then, the control device 30 drives a fluid supply device (not shown) to send coolant liquid (cutting oil) into the internal flow path portion 60 of the fluid ejection tool 50, and as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, while rotating the fluid ejection tool 50 (in other words, the spindle 3) at a predetermined rotational speed in a predetermined rotational direction (counterclockwise in this embodiment), it moves the fluid ejection tool 50 (and thus the spindle 3) in a predetermined direction (rightward or leftward) along the extending direction of the T-slot groove 210 at a predetermined feed rate. When cleaning one T-slot groove 210, it is desirable to move the fluid ejection tool 50 at least once from the left end to the right end of the T-slot groove 210. Note that the fluid ejection tool 50 may be reciprocated between the left end and the right end one or a plurality of times with respect to one T-slot groove 210. The rotational speed and the feed rate of the fluid ejection tool 50 can be set as appropriate.

[0133] As described above, by using the fluid ejection tool 50, the fluid ejected axially from the tip through-hole portion 61 can blow off and lift up the chips K adhering to the bottom surface 210c of the wide groove 210a of the T-slot groove 210 in the tool radial direction. Then, with the rotation of the fluid ejection tool 50, a rising flow that spirally rises toward the upper opening of the T-slot groove 210 is formed by the fluid ejected from each side through-hole portion 63 toward the base portion 56 side in the tool radial direction. As a result, all the chips K in the wide groove 210a of the T-slot groove 210 and the chips K in the narrow groove 210b can be blown off outside the T-slot groove 210.

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

[0135] The chip removal system KSB of the third embodiment described above includes a machining center 1B having a control device 30 that controls the operation based on the input work instruction data, and a fluid ejection tool 50. The control device 30 performs a tool change process of replacing the tool to be used with the fluid ejection tool 50, positions the side through-hole portion 63 and the tip through-hole portion 61 in the T-slot groove 210 formed in the table 200, ejects fluid from the side through-hole portion 63 and the tip through-hole portion 61, and moves the fluid ejection tool 50 in the direction in which the T-slot groove 210 extends while rotating the fluid ejection tool 50 (see FIGS. 17 and 18). For this reason, the chips K remaining in the T-slot groove 210 can be surely blown off outside the T-slot groove 210.

[0136] In addition, a chip removal method using a fluid ejection tool 50 according to the third embodiment includes an exchange step of replacing the tool to be used with the fluid ejection tool 50, and a side through-hole portion 63 and a tip through-hole portion 61 are positioned in a T-slot groove 210 formed in a table 200 of a machining center 1B. While ejecting fluid from the side through-hole portion 63 and the tip through-hole portion 61, a chip removal method is disclosed that includes a chip removal step of moving the fluid ejection tool 50 in the direction in which the T-slot groove 210 extends while rotating the fluid ejection tool 50.

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

[0138] As shown in FIG. 19, the chip removal system KSC according to the fourth embodiment includes a composite machine tool 1C (an example of a machine tool) and the same fluid ejection tool 50 as in the first embodiment. The composite machine tool 1C is a machine tool with a turning function added to a machining center, and includes a main shaft 3 (tool spindle) of a machining head 2 and a work spindle unit 300 including a work spindle for rotating a workpiece. Further, the composite machine tool 1C includes an automatic tool changer 20 and a control device 30, similar to the machining center 1A according to the first embodiment. The control device 30 can automatically exchange any one of a plurality of tools set in a tool magazine 22 of the automatic tool changer 20 and a tool mounted on the main shaft 3 (an example of a tool mounting portion) of the machining head 2 based on work instruction data. The chip removal system KSC includes the fluid ejection tool 50 as one of the tools set in the tool magazine 22, and the fluid ejection tool 50 can be attached to the main shaft 3 as shown in FIG. 19 by a tool exchange process by the control device 30.

[0139] In addition, a chuck (vice) 310 for fixing the workpiece Wb is attached to the machining spindle unit 300 of the multitasking machine tool 1C. In this embodiment, the chuck 310 is a three-jaw chuck provided with three jaw portions 312 at intervals of 120 degrees around the central axis AX6 of the machining spindle unit 300. Each jaw portion 312 is movable in the radial direction of the chuck 310 by a driving device (not shown). By moving each jaw portion 312 closer to the central axis AX6 of the chuck 310, the workpiece Wb can be clamped and fixed to the machining spindle unit 300, and by moving each jaw portion 312 away from the central axis AX6 of the chuck 310, the workpiece Wb can be removed.

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

[0141] Similar to the machining center 1A according to the first embodiment, the multitasking machine tool 1C of this embodiment is also capable of injecting various fluids such as coolant liquid and air through the inside of the spindle 3 in the center-through method.

[0142] Next, a method for removing chips using the fluid ejection tool 50 in the multitasking machine tool 1C will be described. After machining the workpiece by the multitasking machine tool 1C, as shown in FIG. 20, chips K remain on the surface near the center of the disk-shaped body 314 of the chuck 310 or inside the claw portion 312 (on the central axis side of the chuck 310). In a state where chips K remain on the chuck 310 in this way, the multitasking machine tool 1C cannot be used for the next machining. Conventionally, the cleaning of the chuck 310 of such a multitasking machine tool 1C has also been performed by an operator using an air gun or the like. According to the chip removal system KSC of the present embodiment, it is possible to automate such a cleaning operation of the chuck 310. That is, the operator operates the input / output device 32 of the control device 30 to replace the tool attached to the spindle 3 with the fluid ejection tool 50, and by simply operating the fluid ejection tool 50 as follows, it is possible to complete the cleaning of the chuck 310.

[0143] That is, after replacing the tool attached to the spindle 3 with the fluid ejection tool 50, the control device 30 of the multitasking machine tool 1C moves the position and orientation (posture) of the spindle 3 so that the rotation axis of the fluid ejection tool 50 coincides with the central axis AX6 of the chuck 310, for example, as shown in FIG. 20. Then, while driving a fluid supply device (not shown) to send coolant liquid (cutting oil) into the internal flow path portion 60 of the fluid ejection tool 50, the fluid ejection tool 50 (in other words, the spindle 3) is rotated in a predetermined rotation direction (counterclockwise in this embodiment) at a predetermined rotation speed, and is moved closer to the chuck 310 (to the left in this embodiment) at a predetermined feed rate. Here, the fluid ejection tool 50 is moved closer to the chuck 310 to such an extent that the tip 50a of the fluid ejection tool 50 does not contact the surface of the body 314 of the chuck 310 (for example, to a position about 5 to 8 mm away from the surface of the body 314). The rotation speed and feed rate of the fluid ejection tool 50 can be set as appropriate.

[0144] As described above, by using the fluid ejection tool 50, the chips K adhering to the surface of the body 314 of the chuck 310 can be blown radially of the chuck 310 by the fluid ejected axially from the tip through-hole portion 61. Further, a spiral flow directed from each side through-hole portion 63 toward the base portion 56 side (the main shaft 3 side in FIG. 20) is formed by the fluid ejected with the rotation of the fluid ejection tool 50. As a result, while blowing off the chips K adhering to each claw portion 312 away from the chuck 310, as the fluid ejection tool 50 approaches the body 314, the spiral flow also enters the gap between the claw portion 312 and the body 314, etc., and it is possible to blow off the chips K adhering to the body 314 and the chips K adhering to the base (the portion on the body 314 side) of the claw portion 312 away from the chuck 310.

[0145] Thus, by using the fluid ejection tool 50 according to this embodiment, since the side through-hole portion 63 is inclined toward the base portion 56 side (the main shaft 3 side) with respect to the tool radial direction, it is difficult for the chips K to remain in various gaps on the chuck 310, and it is possible to remove substantially all of the chips K adhering to the chuck 310.

[0146] Incidentally, the method of cleaning the chuck 310 using the fluid ejection tool 50 described above is just an example, and the operation of the fluid ejection tool 50 can be appropriately changed according to the degree of adhesion of the chips K to the chuck 310. Specifically, for example, before cleaning the central portion of the chuck 310, the fluid ejected from the fluid ejection tool 50 is sprayed onto the chuck 310 from above or obliquely above the chuck 310, or the fluid ejection tool 50 is moved closer to each chuck 310 in order, or the fluid ejection tool 50 is moved in a circular motion along the circumferential direction of the chuck 310. It is desirable to appropriately change the operation of the fluid ejection tool 50 using numerical control by the control device 30. Further, in the cleaning of the chuck 310 using the fluid ejection tool 50, the chuck 310 may be rotated. In this case, both the chuck 310 and the fluid ejection tool 50 may be rotated together, or only the chuck 310 may be rotated. When both the chuck 310 and the fluid ejection tool 50 are rotated together, it is desirable that their rotation speeds are different. That is, in cleaning the chuck 310 using the fluid ejection tool 50, it is sufficient that the fluid ejection tool 50 rotates relative to the chuck 310.

[0147] Also, the fluid ejection tool 50 of the present embodiment can be suitably used for a complex machine tool having two main spindles. Specifically, for example, after cleaning the chuck of the first main spindle as described above, the main spindle to which the fluid ejection tool 50 is attached is rotated by a predetermined angle (for example, 180 degrees, etc.) so that the fluid ejected from the fluid ejection tool 50 is applied to the chuck of the second main spindle on the side opposite to the first main spindle. Then, the chuck of the second main spindle can also be cleaned in the same manner as the chuck of the first main spindle.

[0148] The chip removal system KSC of the fourth embodiment described above includes a composite machine tool 1C having a control device 30 that controls operations based on input work instruction data, and a fluid ejection tool 50. The control device 30 performs a tool change process of changing the tool to be used to the fluid ejection tool 50, and a chip removal process of bringing the fluid ejection tool 50 closer to the chuck 310 of the composite machine tool 1C while ejecting fluid from the side through-hole portion 63 and the tip through-hole portion 61 and rotating the fluid ejection tool 50 (see FIG. 20). Therefore, it is possible to surely blow off the chips K remaining on the chuck 310 in a direction away from the chuck 310.

[0149] Note that the fourth embodiment discloses a chip removal method using the fluid ejection tool 50, which includes an exchange step of changing the tool to be used to the fluid ejection tool 50, and a chip removal step of bringing the fluid ejection tool 50 closer to the chuck 310 of the composite machine tool 1C while ejecting fluid from the side through-hole portion 63 and the tip through-hole portion 61 and rotating the fluid ejection tool 50.

[0150] 5. Fifth Embodiment Next, the chip removal system of the fifth embodiment will be described. The chip removal system of the fifth embodiment includes the fluid ejection tool 50B shown in FIG. 21 and the same machining center 1A as in the first embodiment. That is, in the fifth embodiment, the fluid ejection tool 50B shown in FIG. 21 is set as a tool that can be exchanged by the automatic tool changer 20 in the machining center 1A. In the description of the fifth embodiment, the same components and components with the same functions as those in the first embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description may be omitted.

[0151] As shown in Fig. 21, a fluid ejection tool 50B according to the fifth embodiment is an end mill with an exchangeable cutting edge, provided with a lateral through-hole portion 63B. Specifically, in the fluid ejection tool 50B, two blades (tips) T are attached to the tip portion 54B at equal intervals around the tool axis AX7. Inside the fluid ejection tool 50B, an internal flow path portion 60B for flowing a fluid (such as coolant) ejected through the inside of the main shaft 3 is provided in a circular tube shape. The tip (the lower end in the figure) of the internal flow path portion 60B has a smaller diameter than the entrance side (the upper side in the figure). Note that the shape of the internal flow path portion 60B is not limited to having a smaller diameter at the tip than the entrance side, and can be configured in an appropriate shape.

[0152] In the fluid ejection tool 50B, two lateral through-hole portions 63B are formed that penetrate through the small-diameter tip flow path portion 60Ba in the internal flow path portion 60B and the outside. Each lateral through-hole portion 63B is drilled at the same inclination angle θ1 (see Fig. 6) as the lateral through-hole portion 63 of the first embodiment so that the outer opening 63Bd is located closer to the tool base portion in the axial direction than the inner opening 63Bc. The outer opening 63Bd of the lateral through-hole portion 63B opens to the surface (groove surface GA) of the groove adjacent to the blade T.

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

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

[0155] Thus, according to the fluid ejection tool 50B according to this embodiment, it is possible to proceed with the cutting process and the removal of the chips K generated by this cutting process simultaneously. Therefore, the removal of the chips K is also completed at the same time as the end of the cutting process, and the working efficiency is extremely high. In addition, it is possible to suppress the chips K generated by the cutting process from biting between the blade T and the workpiece Wc and damaging the blade T and the workpiece Wc.

[0156] Note that the fluid ejection tool 50B according to this embodiment is different from the conventionally known end mill with an oil hole in that the coolant liquid coming out of the side through-hole portion 63B is not ejected toward the tip (cutting point) of the blade T, but is ejected toward the chips K generated by the cutting (the side through-hole portion 63B is provided inclined closer to the tool axis with respect to the tool radial direction so as to be like that).

[0157] Although the working efficiency is lower compared to this embodiment, it is also possible to remove the chips K accumulated in the pocket hole Qa using the fluid ejection tool 50 according to the first embodiment after forming the pocket hole Qa using an end mill. Even in such a case, it is possible to sufficiently increase the working efficiency compared to removing the chips K manually by the operator. In this case, it is preferable to operate the fluid ejection tool 50 following the operating conditions of the tool during the processing of the pocket hole Qa using the end mill.

[0158] The fluid ejection tool 50B according to the fifth embodiment described above has a blade T for machining the workpiece Wc at the tip portion 54B, and a side through-hole portion 63B that is inclined at the same inclination angle θ1 as in the first embodiment so that the outer opening 63Bd is closer to the base portion (closer to the spindle) than the inner opening 63Bc. The side through-hole portion 63B is formed so that a fluid such as a coolant liquid ejected from the side through-hole portion 63B hits the chips K cut by the blade T. Therefore, while proceeding with the cutting process, the chips K generated by the process can be blown off toward the base portion side (spindle side) by the fluid ejected from the side through-hole portion 63B. That is, it is possible to simultaneously proceed with the machining of the workpiece Wc and the removal of the chips K. As a result, it is possible to greatly improve the working efficiency.

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

[0160] Also, in a cutting tool used for machining in which the workpiece is rotated without rotating the tool, a side through-hole portion may be provided in the same manner as in the fifth embodiment. That is, an internal flow path portion is provided in the cutting tool in the same manner as the internal flow path portion 60B of this embodiment, and further, a side through-hole portion is provided in the vicinity of the cutting edge of the cutting tool in the same manner as the side through-hole portion 63B of this embodiment. Then, such a cutting tool (an example of a fluid ejection tool) with a side through-hole portion is set on a turret (an example of a tool mounting portion) of a NC lathe (an example of a machine tool). The turret functions as an automatic tool changer, and the NC lathe is capable of sending a fluid such as coolant through the inside of the tool through the center-through method. By using such an NC lathe to perform machining such as boring with a cutting tool having a side through-hole portion, the chips generated by the boring process can be discharged outside the hole during machining by the fluid ejected from the side through-hole portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the chips from accumulating inside the workpiece and improve the working efficiency. Note that if it is possible to eject a fluid such as coolant through the inside of the tool by the center-through method, it is also possible to mount a cutting tool with a side through-hole portion on an NC lathe equipped with a comb-tooth type tool rest (an example of a tool mounting portion).

[0161] As described above, the chip removal systems of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment, and the fifth embodiment have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be appropriately modified without departing from the gist thereof.

[0162] The above-described fluid ejection tools 50, 50A, and 50B are not limited to being used in the above-described machine tools, and can be used in various machine tools capable of ejecting a fluid such as coolant through the inside of the tool by the center-through method.

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

[0164] In the fluid ejection tool 50 according to the first embodiment, eight side through-hole portions 63 (the first side through-hole portion 63a and the second side through-hole portion 63b) are provided in the circumferential direction so that fluids such as coolant liquid can be ejected radially and uniformly. However, if this point is not considered, at least one side through-hole portion 63 is sufficient. The same applies to the fluid ejection tool 50A according to the second embodiment and the fluid ejection tool 50B according to the fifth embodiment. In consideration of the cleaning performance, it is desirable that two to three or more side through-hole portions 63 are provided in the circumferential direction of the tool.

[0165] In the fluid ejection tool 50 according to the first embodiment, one tip through-hole portion 61 along the tool axis direction is provided in the bottom portion 51, but two or more may be provided. Also, a configuration without providing the tip through-hole portion 61 may be adopted.

[0166] In the cleaning of the pilot hole Fa using the fluid ejection tool 50 according to the first embodiment, the fluid ejection tool 50 inserted into the pilot hole Fa may be removed while rotating the fluid ejection tool 50. In this case, the rotation direction of the fluid ejection tool 50 may be the reverse direction or the same direction as when the pilot hole Fa is machined.

[0167] Also, the cleaning of the pilot hole Fa may be performed by a method of inserting the fluid ejection tool 50 into the pilot hole Fa while ejecting fluid from the tip through-hole portion 61 and the side through-hole portions 63. If the depth of the pilot hole Fa is not too deep (for example, 20 mm or the like), the chips K in the pilot hole Fa can be sufficiently blown away by the momentum of the fluid ejected from the fluid ejection tool 50 before the fluid ejection tool 50 is inserted near the bottom surface Fb of the pilot hole Fa.

[0168] Also, using the fluid ejection tool 50 according to the first embodiment, it is also possible to clean an unthreaded through-hole (an example of a through-hole portion). In this case, the fluid ejection tool may be passed through the through-hole while rotating it in the direction opposite to or the same as when the through-hole is machined, or it may be passed through the through-hole without rotation. By cleaning the through-hole using the fluid ejection tool 50, when chips adhere to the inner peripheral surface or the like of the through-hole, the chips can be preferably removed.

[0169] Also, in the third embodiment, it is preferable to remove the chips K adhering to the upper surface of the table 200 after or before cleaning the T-slot groove 210. By numerically controlling and simply changing the position where the fluid ejection tool 50 moves, similar to the cleaning inside the T-slot groove 210, the chips K adhering to the table upper surface can also be preferably removed.

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

[0171] Also, in each of the above embodiments, the configuration is such that the chips K are removed by ejecting the coolant from the fluid ejection tools 50, 50A, 50B. However, in a machine tool capable of injecting air, the configuration may be such that the chips K are removed by ejecting air from the fluid ejection tools 50, 50A, 50B.

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

[0173] In each of the above-described embodiments, the processor of the control device 30 may be configured to automatically calculate and set the operating conditions (position to be moved, depth, rotational speed, feed rate) of the fluid ejection tool 50 with reference to the numerical values of the machining process (operating conditions of the machining tool). In this case, if the rotational speed of the tool in the machining process is less than a predetermined lower threshold value, the rotational speed of the fluid ejection tool 50 in the chip removal process may be set to be higher than that during machining. If the rotational speed of the tool in the machining process is greater than a predetermined upper threshold value, the rotational speed of the fluid ejection tool 50 in the chip removal process may be set to be lower than that during machining. Also, if the feed rate of the tool in the machining process is slower than a predetermined lower threshold value, the feed rate of the fluid ejection tool 50 in the chip removal process may be set to be faster than that during machining. If the feed rate of the tool in the machining process is faster than a predetermined upper threshold value, the feed rate of the fluid ejection tool 50 in the chip removal process may be set to be slower than that during machining. This is to achieve both chip removal performance and work efficiency improvement.

[0174] In the present invention, configurations such as "rotating the fluid ejection tool" and "the fluid ejection tool rotates" include both a configuration in which the fluid ejection tool itself rotates and a configuration in which the cleaning target (workpiece, table, chuck, etc.) rotates so that the fluid ejection tool rotates relative to the cleaning target. That is, "rotation of the fluid ejection tool" includes both absolute rotation and relative rotation of the fluid ejection tool.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0175] 1A, 1B... machining center (machine tool) 1C... multi-tasking machine tool (machine tool) 3... spindle 30... control device (control unit) 50, 50A, 50B... fluid ejection tool 54, 54A, 54B... tip portion 56, 56A... base portion 60, 60A, 60B... internal flow path portion 60b... inner peripheral surface 61... tip through hole portion 63, 63A, 63B... Side through-hole parts 63a, 63Aa... First side through-hole parts 63b, 63Ab... Second side through-hole parts 63c, 63Ac, 63Bc... Inner opening 63d, 63Ad, 63Bd... Outer opening 210... T-slot groove 310... Chuck KSA, KSB, KSC... Chip removal system Wa, Wb, Wc... Workpiece Fa... Counterbore Ha... Tap hole Pa... Clearance hole T... Blade θ1, θ2... Inclination angle

Claims

1. A machine tool capable of automatically changing tools to be used, capable of machining a workpiece by rotating either a workpiece or the tool, and a fluid ejection tool attached to a tool attachment part of the machine tool capable of ejecting a fluid, which is a coolant liquid or air, by a center-through method, It is used to remove residues after processing of the workpiece. The base portion side, which is the side attached to the tool attachment portion, is tubular and open, an internal flow passage portion extending in a tool axial direction and through which the fluid passes when the fluid passes through the inside of the tool attachment portion; a lateral through-hole portion that is provided on the tip end side opposite to the base portion, that penetrates from an inner circumferential surface of the internal flow path portion to the outside of the fluid jetting tool, and that jets the fluid that has passed through the internal flow path portion to the outside of the fluid jetting tool, the lateral through hole portion is inclined at a predetermined angle toward the tool axis direction with respect to a tool radial direction perpendicular to the tool axis direction such that an outer opening is closer to the base portion than an inner opening, The outer opening is formed in an outer peripheral surface that forms an outer diameter of the fluid ejection tool, a tip through-hole portion is provided in the tip portion, the tip through-hole portion penetrating from an inner tip surface of the internal flow path portion to an outside of the fluid jet tool along an axis of the fluid jet tool, the lateral through-hole portion is provided at least at a first position that is a first distance from a tip end in the tool axial direction and a second position that is a second distance from the tip end in the tool axial direction that is longer than the first distance, The fluid ejection tool, wherein the first distance and the second distance are each equal to or less than ¼ of a length along a tool axial direction of a portion of the fluid ejection tool protruding from a tool holder.

2. The fluid ejection tool according to claim 1 , The fluid jetting tool, wherein a plurality of the lateral through-hole portions are provided in a circumferential direction of the fluid jetting tool at both the first position and the second position.

3. A method for removing chips using the fluid ejection tool according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: A replacement step of replacing a tool to be used with the fluid ejection tool; a chip removal step of positioning the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion within a T-slot groove formed in a table of the machine tool, and ejecting the fluid from the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion while rotating the fluid ejection tool and moving it in the direction in which the T-slot groove extends.

4. A chip removal system comprising the fluid ejection tool according to claim 1 or 2 and the machine tool, the machine tool having a control unit that controls an operation of the machine tool based on input work instruction data, The control unit is A tool replacement process for replacing a tool to be used with the fluid ejection tool; a chip removal process in which the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion are positioned within a T-slot groove formed in a table of the machine tool, and the fluid is ejected from the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion while rotating the fluid ejection tool and moving it in the direction in which the T-slot groove extends.

5. A method for removing chips using the fluid ejection tool according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: A replacement step of replacing a tool to be used with the fluid ejection tool; and a chip removal step of rotating the fluid ejection tool while ejecting the fluid from the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion and moving the fluid ejection tool closer to a chuck of the machine tool that is not clamping a workpiece.

6. A chip removal system comprising the fluid ejection tool according to claim 1 or 2 and the machine tool, the machine tool having a control unit that controls an operation of the machine tool based on input work instruction data, The control unit is A tool replacement process for replacing a tool to be used with the fluid ejection tool; a chip removal process in which the fluid is ejected from the side through hole portion and the tip through hole portion while rotating the fluid ejection tool and bringing it closer to a chuck of the machine tool that is not clamping a workpiece.

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