Device for automatically connecting a high-speed spindle to a numerically controlled machine

Abstract

An apparatus 10 for automatically connecting a high-speed spindle 40 to a numerically controlled machine is described, the apparatus 10 comprising a first connecting element 11 and a second connecting element 31, the first connecting element 11 comprising a first electrical contact element 14 and a first duct 12 for passing pressurized air, the second connecting element 31 comprising a second electrical contact element 34 configured to establish electrical contact with said first electrical contact element 14 to power the high-speed spindle 40, and a second conduit 32 for passing pressurized air coming from the first duct 12. A method for automatically sealing the first and second connecting elements 11, 31 of the apparatus 10 is also described.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for automatically connecting a high-speed spindle to a numerically controlled machine, and more particularly to a device for automatically connecting a high-speed electric spindle to a tool holder spindle of a numerically controlled machine.

Background Art

[0002] Numerically controlled machines are known in the art and include a spindle having a tool holder connected to an electric motor sized according to performance with respect to the rotational speed and drive torque required by a tool for machining.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a device for automatically connecting a high-speed spindle to a numerically controlled machine as described in the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] When these known numerically controlled machines are used for machining at high speeds with tools, it is necessary to use a specific electric spindle having a tool and an electric motor for high-speed driving of the tool, which is coupled to the tool holder spindle and must be manually connected by an operator to a numerically controlled machine having a series of electrical, hydraulic and / or pneumatic connectors, resulting in problems of time waste and increased machining costs.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a device for connecting a high-speed spindle to a numerical control machine, which can use a high-speed electric spindle by automatically connecting the high-speed spindle to the tool holder spindle of the numerical control machine in an automatic mode, without the need for operator intervention to couple the high-speed spindle and the tool holder spindle, and as a result, save time and reduce machining costs, thereby solving the problems of the aforementioned prior art.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] As will be apparent from the following description, the foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by a device for automatically connecting a high-speed spindle to a numerical control machine as described in claim 1. Preferred embodiments and non-obvious variations of the present invention form the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0008] It is understood that all of the appended claims form an essential part of this specification.

[0009] As will be apparent from the appended claims, it will immediately become clear that numerous variations and modifications (for example, with respect to shape, dimensions, arrangement, and parts having equivalent functions) can be made to what is described without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0010] The present invention will be better described by means of several preferred embodiments provided by way of non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Referring to the drawings, an apparatus 10 for automatically connecting a high-speed spindle 40 of the present invention to a numerically controlled machine tool is configured to be fixed to a tool holder spindle of the numerically controlled machine tool, preferably configured to be fixed to a support structure of the spindle, and includes a first connection element 11 and a second connection element 31 configured to be connected to the first connection element 11 and configured to be fixed to the high-speed spindle 40. Preferably, the electric spindle includes a tool 41 and an electric motor for driving the tool 41 at high speed. The first connection element 11 and the second connection element 31 are configured to automatically make electrical and pneumatic connections of the high-speed spindle 40.

[0013] The first connection element 11 includes at least one first electrical contact element 14, preferably a plurality of spring contacts made of a known type, such as nickel, silver, stainless steel, copper-beryllium, gold-plated, for supplying power to the high-speed spindle 40, and a first duct 12 through which pressurized air passes, for example, via a chamber 15 and an inlet pipe 16 to the chamber 15, connected to a pressurized air supply network.

[0014] The second connecting element 31 comprises a plurality of bars made of a conductive material configured to establish electrical contact with at least one second electrical contact element 34, preferably the first electrical contact element 14, and to supply power to the high-speed spindle 40, and a second duct 32 through which pressurized air coming from the first duct 12 of the first connecting element 11 passes.

[0015] Preferably, the first connecting element 11 comprises a plurality of holes 21 formed in the closing wall 22 of the first duct 12, and further comprises a pressure element 18 inserted into the first duct 12 and configured to apply pressure onto the pin 38 of the second connecting element 31. As will be described in more detail below, when the first and second connecting elements 11, 31 are sealed, the pressure element 18 has one end connected to a plate 19 configured to deflect the air flow coming out of the holes 21 so as to keep the surfaces of the first and second electrical contact elements 14, 34 and the interior of the first connecting element 11 clean, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Preferably, the closing wall 22 comprises a plurality of holes 21 arranged circularly around the pressure element 18.

[0016] When the first and second connecting elements 11, 31 are not firmly connected, as shown in FIG. 4, there is a space between the first connecting element 11 and the second connecting element 31, the pin 38 is inserted into the second duct 32 so as to block the air flow from the second duct 32 to the mandrel 40, the pressure element 18 is configured to contact the pin 38 when the electrical contact elements 14, 34 are not in contact, and the air flow coming from the first duct 12 is allowed to pass through the space between the unsealed first connecting element 11 and the second connecting element 31 and exit to the outside.

[0017] Preferably, the second connecting element 31 comprises a pin 38 inserted inside the second conduit 32, said pin 38 having an outer surface that mates with the inner surface of the second conduit 32 to prevent the flow of air between the pin 38 and the second conduit 32 and to prevent the flow of air from these to the mandrel 40 when the first connecting element 11 and the second connecting element 31 are not sealed. Preferably, said pin 38 communicates with the duct 32 via a plurality of openings 33 and comprises an internal seat 35 that communicates with the high-speed spindle 40. When the pressure element 18 applies pressure to the pin 38 to move it, for example, axially slide the pin 38 within the conduit 32 so that the outer surface of the pin 38 moves away from the inner surface of the conduit 32, the passage of the air flow from the second conduit 32 to the spindle 40 is enabled and the air flow can flow between the pin 38 and the second conduit 32, and the first and second connecting elements 11, 31 are sealed to each other.

[0018] Preferably, said pin 38 is connected to elastic means 36, such as a spring 36 configured to apply a force to the pin 38, so that when the pressure element 18 is moved away from the pin 38 and the connecting elements 11, 31 are separated, the pin 38 contacts the second conduit 32 to close the openings 33.

[0019] Preferably, the first connecting element 11 comprises a seat 55 for inserting the second connecting element 31, said seat 55 having an inner surface with a shape substantially similar to the outer surface of the second connecting element 31. Preferably, the first and / or second connecting elements 11, 31 comprise sealing means 37, such as a sealing O-ring 37 inserted into a groove formed on the outer surface of the second connecting element 31, to prevent the air flow flowing between the first and second connecting elements 11, 31 from flowing out externally and to seal the first connecting element 11 and the second connecting element 31 so that the air flow from the first connecting element 11 to the second connecting element 31 can be sent to the mandrel 40 through the respective ducts 12, 32.

[0020] In the operation of the device 10 of the present invention, the high-speed spindle 40 and the numerically controlled machine are automatically connected by a known tool changing system and configured to position the spindle to hermetically connect the first connecting element 11 and the second connecting element 31, connect the electrical contacts 14, 34, and pass an air flow from the first connecting element 11 to the second connecting element 31 to reach the mandrel 40.

[0021] Preferably, the first connecting element 11 includes a closing element 56, for example, a sliding lid, and the sliding lid is controlled by an operating means 57 including a pneumatic element such as a cylinder supplied with pressurized fluid, preferably compressed air, from a third duct 52. The pneumatic element 57 slides inside the seat 58 and is connected to a pair of gears 59, 60 configured to move the closing element 56.

[0022] In particular, the pair of gears 59, 60 includes a first gear 59 engaged with a tooth portion 67 obtained on the cylinder 57. The first gear 59 is rotated by the movement of the cylinder / pneumatic element 57 in the seat 58. The first gear 59 is coaxially connected to a second gear 60 engaged with a tooth portion 66 obtained on the cover / closing element 56. The second gear 60 is rotated by the movement of the first gear 59 connected to the cylinder / pneumatic element 57 and slides the cover / latch 56.

[0023] Preferably, the first connecting element 11 also includes at least one sensor, for example, a proximity sensor, to confirm the correct opening and closing of the closing element.

[0024] To automatically seal the first and second connecting elements 11, 31, the following steps, namely, - Inserting the second connecting element 31 inside the sheet 55 of the first connecting element 11, wherein the first and second connecting elements 11, 31 are not firmly connected, and thus, as shown in FIG. 4, there is a space between the sheet 55 of the first connecting element 11 and the second connecting element 31. In this step, the electrical contact elements 14, 34 are not yet in contact, the pressure elements 18 and the pins 38 are in contact, and the air flow coming from the first duct 12 passes through the hole 21 in the closing wall 22, is deflected by the plate 19, and exits to the outside across the space between the sheet 55 of the first connecting element 11 and the second connecting element 31. - A step of making a sealed connection by applying pressure between the first connecting element 11 and the second connecting element 31, for example via a mandrel, wherein the inner surface of the sheet 55 of the first connecting element 11 substantially contacts the outer surface of the second connecting element 31, and the sealing means 37 prevents the air flow from flowing between the first connecting element 11 and the second connecting element 31. In this step, an electrical contact is established between the electrical contact elements 14, 34, and the pressure element 18, particularly the plate 19, compresses the elastic means 36 to slide the pin 38 into the second duct 32, applying a pressure to the pin 38 that enables the air flow from the first duct 12 to enter the inner sheet 35 of the pin 38 through the opening 33 and pass towards the high-speed spindle 40. is assumed.

[0025] Advantageously, the device for automatically connecting the high-speed spindle according to the present invention to a numerically controlled machine can use a high-speed electric spindle by connecting the high-speed spindle to the tool holder spindle of the numerically controlled machine, without the need for operator intervention to couple the spindle and the tool holder spindle at high speed, resulting in time savings and reduced machining.

Claims

1. An apparatus (10) for automatically connecting a high-speed spindle (40) to a numerically controlled machine, comprising a first connecting element (11) configured to be fixed to a tool holder spindle of the numerically controlled machine, and a second connecting element (31) configured to be connected to the first connecting element (11) and fixed to the high-speed spindle (40) comprising a tool (41) and an electric motor for operating the tool (41). - The first connecting element (11) comprises at least one first electrical contact element (14) for electrically supplying the high-speed spindle (40), and a first duct (12) connected to a pressurized air supply network for passing pressurized air therethrough. - The second connecting element (31) comprises at least one second electrical contact element (34) configured to establish electrical contact with the first electrical contact element (14) to electrically supply the high-speed spindle (40), and a second duct (32) for passing pressurized air coming from the first duct (12). In the apparatus (10) comprising sealing means (37) for sealingly connecting the first and the second connecting elements (11, 31) to prevent the pressurized air from flowing out externally as it flows between the first and the second connecting elements (11, 31), and to enable it to pass through the respective ducts (12, 32) to send the pressurized air from the first connecting element (11) to the high-speed spindle (40) through the second connecting element (31), the second connecting element (31) comprises a pin (38) inserted inside the second duct (32) to prevent the pressurized air between the second duct (32) and the high-speed spindle (40) when the first and the second connecting elements (11, 31) are not sealingly connected, the first duct (12) comprises a pressure element (18) inserted therein and configured to contact the pin (38) when the first electrical contact element (14) and the second electrical contact element (34) are not in contact with each other, and the pressurized air coming from the first duct (12) can exit externally across the space between the first connecting element (11) and the second connecting element (31) which are not sealingly connected. The device (10) is characterized in that the first connecting element (11) comprises a plurality of holes (21) obtained in the closing wall (22) of the first duct (12), and the pressure element (18) has one end connected to a plate (19) configured to deflect the pressurized air emerging from the holes (21) in order to keep clean the surfaces of the first and second electrical contact elements (14, 34) and the interior of the first connecting element (11). Claim 2 The device (10) for automatically connecting a high-speed spindle (40) according to claim 1 to a numerically controlled machine, characterized in that the sealing means (37) comprises a sealing O-ring (37) inserted into a groove obtained on the outer surface of the second connecting element (31). Claim 3 The device (10) for automatically connecting a high-speed spindle (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 2 to a numerically controlled machine, characterized in that the pin (38) has an outer surface that coincides with the inner surface of the second duct (32) in order to prevent the pressurized air between the pin (38) and the second duct (32) and the pressurized air from there to the high-speed spindle (40), the pin (38) further comprising an internal seat (35) communicating with the second duct (32) through a plurality of openings (33) and communicating with the high-speed spindle (40), the outer surface of the pin (38) and the inner surface of the second duct (32) not being in contact, and allowing the pressurized air from the second duct (32) to pass to the high-speed spindle (40) when the pressurized air can flow between the pin (38) and the second duct (32). Claim 4 The device (10) for automatically connecting a high-speed spindle (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 to a numerically controlled machine, characterized in that the pressure element (18) inserted into the interior of the first duct (12) is configured to apply pressure to the pin (38) when the first and second connecting elements (11, 31) are in sealed connection. Claim 5 The pin (38) is configured such that the pressurized air coming from the first duct (12) flows between the pin (38) and the second duct (32) through the opening (33) into the inner sheet (35) of the pin (38) and reaches the high-speed spindle (40). When the pin (38) slides within the second duct (32) under the action of the pressure element (18), the elastic means (36) is connected to the pin (38) so as to apply a force to the pin (38) in a direction to bring the pin (38) into contact with the second duct (32). The device (10) for automatically connecting the high-speed spindle (40) according to claim 3 to a numerical control machine is characterized in that.

6. The first connecting element (11) is driven by an operating means (57) comprising a pneumatic element to which a pressurized fluid is supplied, and comprises a closing element (56) for closing the opening of the first connecting element (11) on the side opposite to the second connecting element (31). The device (10) for automatically connecting the high-speed spindle (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 to a numerical control machine is characterized in that the pneumatic element slides in order to operate the closing element (56).

7. A process for automatically sealingly connecting the first and second connecting elements (11, 31) of the device (10) for automatically connecting the high-speed spindle (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 to a numerical control machine, - A step of inserting the second connecting element (31) into the seat (55) of the first connecting element (11), wherein the first and second connecting elements (11, 31) are not yet sealingly connected, and in this step, the first and second electrical contact elements (14, 34) are not yet in contact, the pressure element (18) and the pin (38) are in contact, and the pressurized air coming from the first duct (12) crosses the hole (21) in the closing wall (22) and is deflected by the plate (19) and exits to the outside across the space between the seat (55) of the first connecting element (11) and the second connecting element (31), the step; - A step of moving the high-speed spindle to a predetermined position by the tool exchange system for making a sealed connection between the first and second connection elements (11, 31), in which step, electrical contact is established between the first electrical contact element (14) and the second electrical contact element (34), and the pressure element (18) compresses elastic means (36) configured to apply a force to the pin (38) in a direction of bringing the pin (38) into contact with a second duct (32), thereby sliding the pin (38) into the second duct (32), and pressurized air from the first duct (12) to the second duct (32) enters into the internal seat (35) of the pin (38) through a plurality of openings (33) communicating the internal seat (35) and the second duct (32), applying a pressure to the pin (38) that enables it to pass towards the high-speed spindle (40), step; A process including this.

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