Tool cleaning device

Abstract

Provided is a tool cleaning device for removing foreign matter adhering to the surface of a cutting tool, the tool cleaning device being capable of improving maintainability for maintaining the removal performance of the foreign matter. 【Solution means】A tool cleaning device 1 for cleaning a substantially circular cutting tool TL, comprising: a holding part 2 for holding the cutting tool TL; and a cleaning mechanism 3 for cleaning the cutting tool TL held by the holding part 2. The cleaning mechanism 3 includes a feeding part 32 for feeding out a strip-shaped sheet 31 for wiping off foreign matter adhering to the surface of the cutting tool TL, and a collecting part 33 for collecting the fed-out strip-shaped sheet 31.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tool cleaning device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a cutting tool having a substantially circular shape (for example, a substantially circular blade, a substantially circular spacer) used in a cutting device for cutting an object to be cut such as a metal plate, foreign matter such as cutting chips adheres during the cutting process. If the cutting process is continued with foreign matter adhering, the cutting accuracy may decrease. Patent Document 1 discloses a dust removal device for removing foreign matter such as metal dust adhering to a cutting tool. The dust removal device described in Patent Document 1 includes a dust removal tool that wipes foreign matter in contact with the circumferential surface and side surface of the cutting tool of a cutting device for cutting a traveling metal plate.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the dust removal tool described in Patent Document 1 is composed of felt, leather, cotton cloth, etc., and needs to be replaced regularly. Also, when replacing the dust removal tool, it is necessary to stop the operation of the cutting device. For this reason, the dust removal device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the maintainability of the dust removal tool is low and it is likely to cause a decrease in productivity in the cutting process of the cutting device.

[0005] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a tool cleaning device capable of improving the maintainability for maintaining the foreign matter removal performance in a tool cleaning device for removing foreign matter adhering to the surface of a cutting tool.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The tool cleaning device of the present invention is a tool cleaning device for cleaning a substantially circular cutting tool, and includes a holding portion for holding the cutting tool and a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the cutting tool held by the holding portion. The cleaning mechanism includes a feeding portion for feeding out a belt-like sheet for wiping foreign matter adhering to the surface of the cutting tool, and a collecting portion for collecting the fed-out belt-like sheet.

Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, there is provided a tool cleaning device capable of improving the maintainability for maintaining the foreign matter removing performance in a tool cleaning device for removing foreign matter adhering to the surface of a cutting tool.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 6

Figure 7A

Figure 7B

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a tool cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the following embodiment is merely an example, and the tool cleaning device of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0010] The tool cleaning device 1 (see FIGS. 1 to 4) according to the present embodiment is a device for cleaning a substantially circular cutting tool TL (see FIGS. 2 to 4). The cutting tool TL is a member for cutting a workpiece W such as a metal plate. When the cutting tool TL cuts the workpiece W in the cutting process, foreign matters such as chips may adhere. Further, when a lubricant such as lubricating oil is applied to the surface of the cutting tool TL, the chips may be mixed in the lubricant. Further, rust may occur on the surface of the cutting tool TL. The tool cleaning device 1 (see FIGS. 1 to 4) according to the present embodiment is configured to be able to remove foreign matters (for example, chips, rust, etc.) present on the surface of the cutting tool TL, as will be described later. In the present embodiment, the cutting tool TL is a cutting blade BL for cutting a workpiece W such as a metal plate, and the case where the cutting tool is the cutting blade BL will be described as an example. However, the cutting tool TL is not limited to the cutting blade BL, and may include an intermediate member ME (see FIGS. 5A, etc.) such as a spacer for maintaining the interval between a plurality of cutting blades BL in the cutting device. The cutting tool TL is formed in a cylindrical shape having a through hole penetrating in the axial direction D1. Further, as will be described later, the inner peripheral surface of the cutting tool TL facing the through hole can be gripped by a handling robot 202 described later and held by a holding portion 2 described later of the tool cleaning device 1.

[0011] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the tool cleaning device 1 is provided within the working area AR of a handling robot 202 capable of gripping a substantially circular cutting tool TL. In the present embodiment, the handling robot 202 is a robot that constitutes a tool changing device for changing the cutting tool TL of a cutting device. Specifically, the handling robot 202 is configured to move the cutting tool TL between a shaft portion of the cutting device CD to which the cutting tool TL is attached and a storage portion 203 that stores the cutting tool TL removed from the shaft portion. In the present embodiment, the handling robot 202 is configured to be able to move the cutting tool TL between the shaft portion 201a (see FIGS. 5A and 5B), the storage portion 203, and a holding portion 203 (described later) of the tool cleaning device 1. Thus, the handling robot 202 is configured to perform a tool changing operation of the cutting tool TL within the working area AR. The "working area AR of the handling robot 202" is an area in which the handling robot 202 can perform work.

[0012] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the tool cleaning device 1 is used as a device for cleaning a cutting tool TL in a cutting system CS that cuts a workpiece W such as a metal plate with a cutting tool TL such as a blade. In this embodiment, the tool cleaning device 1 is configured to clean at least a portion of the cutting tool TL that may affect the cutting accuracy. In this embodiment, the tool cleaning device 1 is configured to clean the entire surface of the cutting tool TL (both end faces BL4, inner peripheral surface BL8, and outer peripheral surface BL2 (see FIGS. 10 to 13) in the axial direction D5 (see FIGS. 10 to 13) orthogonal to the radial direction D4 (see FIGS. 10 to 13)). Note that the portion to be cleaned of the tool cleaning device 1 is not particularly limited as long as it can clean a portion of the cutting tool TL that may affect the cutting accuracy. For example, the tool cleaning device 1 may be configured to clean only the cutting edge BL1 (see FIGS. 10 to 13) of the blade BL and the portion near the cutting edge BL1. Also, the installation location of the tool cleaning device 1 is not limited to the operating area of the cutting system CS. The tool cleaning device 1 may be installed, for example, in dedicated equipment for cleaning the cutting tool TL or recycling equipment for the cutting tool TL.

[0013] The workpiece W of the cutting system CS is not particularly limited as long as it can be cut by a substantially circular blade BL. For example, it is a metal plate such as a steel plate. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the cutting system CS cuts a strip-shaped metal plate as the workpiece W, that is, cuts (cuts along the length direction) it so as to divide it in the strip width direction. In the following description, the case where the workpiece W is a strip-shaped metal plate (hereinafter also referred to as strip plate W) will be described.

[0014] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the cutting system CS includes a cutting device CD that slits the strip W, a tool changing system ES that exchanges the cutting tool BL, and a tool cleaning device 1 that cleans the cutting tool TL such as the cutting tool BL. The tool changing system ES includes a temporary spindle device 201 having a shaft portion 201a (see FIGS. 5A and 5B) to which a set of cutting tools TL in a predetermined pattern is attached, a handling robot 202 that grips and transports the cutting tool TL, and a storage unit 203 such as a storage shelf that stores the cutting tool TL. The handling robot 202 transports the cutting tool TL between the storage unit 203 and the shaft portion 201a, and the cutting tool TL is exchanged. When a set of cutting tools TL in a predetermined pattern is attached to the shaft portion 201a, the temporary spindle device 201 having the shaft portion 201a moves to the position of the cutting device CD, and a set of cutting tools TL in a predetermined pattern is attached to the cutting device CD. Further, a set of used cutting tools TL used in the cutting device CD is collected by the shaft portion 201a of the temporary spindle device 201, and when the temporary spindle device 201 is located within the working area AR of the handling robot 202, it is moved to the storage unit 203 by the handling robot 202 and stored.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the handling robot 202 is configured to grip and transport the cutting tool TL. The handling robot 202 includes a pedestal portion 202a, an arm portion 202b having a plurality of joints and rotatably fixed to the pedestal portion 202a, and a plurality of fingers 202c provided at the tip of the arm portion 202b for gripping the cutting tool BL. The handling robot 202 grips the cutting tool BL with the plurality of fingers 202c and transports the cutting tool BL by the operation of the arm portion 202b.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 6, the handling robot 202 includes three fingers 202c. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, each finger 202c is arranged to extend along a substantially horizontal direction from the tip of the arm portion 202b. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the handling robot 202 has two fingers 202c that contact the upper part and one finger 202c that contacts the lower part of the inner peripheral surface of the cutting tool BL. Specifically, when viewed from the tip side of each finger 202c, the handling robot 202 is arranged at positions corresponding to two vertices sandwiching the base of an isosceles triangle in reverse, and at a position below the base and corresponding to the remaining vertex of the isosceles triangle in reverse. When the three fingers 202c approach the tool cleaning device 1 and transfer the cutting tool BL between the tool cleaning device 1, as shown in FIG. 6, they are arranged at positions where they do not interfere with the upper support portion 21 and the lower support portion 22 (to be described later) of the tool cleaning device 1. Specifically, for example, the two upper fingers 202c are arranged such that the upper support portion 21 is located between the two upper fingers 202c in the horizontal direction and the upper support portion 21 is separated from the two upper fingers 202c. Also, the one lower finger 202c is arranged such that the one lower finger 202c is located between the two lower support portions 22 in the horizontal direction and the one lower finger 202c is separated from the two lower support portions 22. The three fingers 202c are arranged in the through hole BL7 of the cutting tool BL, and the two upper fingers 202c and the one lower finger 202c move in a direction away from each other to press the inner peripheral surface facing the through hole of the cutting tool BL, thereby gripping the cutting tool BL. Also, when transferring the cutting tool BL, the three fingers 202c are arranged in the through hole BL7 of the cutting tool BL, and the two upper fingers 202c and the one lower finger 202c move in a direction approaching each other to release the pressing on the inner peripheral surface BL8 facing the through hole BL7 of the cutting tool BL, thereby releasing the grip on the cutting tool BL (releasing the cutting tool BL).

[0017] The handling robot 202 takes out, for example, a cutting tool BL mounted on the shaft portion 201a of the temporary assembly shaft device 201 (see Fig. 5A), and mounts the taken-out cutting tool BL on a holding portion 2 described later in the tool cleaning device 1 (see Fig. 5B). Further, the handling robot 202 mounts the cleaned cutting tool BL mounted on the holding portion 2 of the tool cleaning device 1 on the shaft portion 201a of the temporary assembly shaft device 201. Further, the handling robot 202 takes out an uncleaned cutting tool BL from the storage portion 203 (see Fig. 7A), and mounts the taken-out cutting tool BL on the holding portion 2 of the tool cleaning device 1 (see Fig. 7B). Further, the handling robot 202 stores (returns to the storage portion 203) the cleaned cutting tool BL mounted on the tool cleaning device 1 in the storage portion 203 (see Fig. 1).

[0018] As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the tool cleaning device 1 includes a holding portion 2 and a cleaning mechanism 3.

[0019] The holding part 2 holds the cutting tool TL. In the examples shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 and FIG. 6, the holding part 2 holds the cutting blade BL. Note that the holding part 2 may hold the intermediate member ME instead of the cutting blade BL. The configuration of the holding part 2 is not particularly limited as long as it can hold the cutting tool TL. In the present embodiment, the holding part 2 holds the cutting tool TL such that the axial direction of the cutting tool TL faces substantially the horizontal direction. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the holding part 2 suspends and holds the cutting tool TL in a state of being in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cutting tool TL arranged such that the axial direction of the cutting tool TL faces substantially the horizontal direction. The holding part 2 has an upper support part 21 that supports the upper inner peripheral surface (for example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the upper inner peripheral surface BL81 of the cutting blade BL) of the inner peripheral surface of the cutting tool TL, and a lower support part 22 that supports the lower inner peripheral surface (for example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the lower inner peripheral surface BL82 of the cutting blade BL) of the inner peripheral surface of the cutting tool TL. The upper support part 21 has a length longer than the thickness (axial length) of the cutting tool TL. The lower support part 22 has a length longer than the thickness of the cutting tool TL. The holding part 2 can support the cutting tool TL by bringing the upper support part 21 into contact with the upper inner peripheral surface BL81 and the lower support part 22 into contact with the lower inner peripheral surface BL82. In the present embodiment, the upper support part 21 and the lower support part 22 are configured in a columnar shape. The upper support part 21 and the lower support part 22 are configured to rotate (spin) around a central axis extending in the length direction, as will be described later. Thereby, the upper support part 21 and the lower support part 22 can rotate the cutting tool TL around the axis of the cutting tool TL, as will be described later. Note that in FIG. 6, the lower support part 22 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cutting tool TL and the lower finger 202c is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cutting tool TL, but actually, the lower support part 22 and the lower finger 202c do not contact the inner peripheral surface of the cutting tool TL at the same timing. For example, when the lower support part 22 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cutting tool TL, the lower finger 202c is separated from the inner peripheral surface of the cutting tool TL. When the lower finger 202c is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cutting tool TL, the lower support part 22 is separated from the inner peripheral surface of the cutting tool TL.

[0020] In this embodiment, the holding portion 2 is provided with a drive mechanism (not shown) for moving the upper support portion 21 and / or the lower support portion 22. The upper support portion 21 and the lower support portion 22 are configured to be movable between a gripping position for gripping the cutting tool TL and a gripping release position where the gripping of the cutting tool TL is released by the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is configured to move the upper support portion 21 and / or the lower support portion 22 using the power of a drive source such as a cylinder device or a motor. Specifically, for example, the drive mechanism is configured to move the upper support portion 21 and the lower support portion 22 in a direction of relatively approaching and separating along the vertical direction. When the upper support portion 21 and the lower support portion 22 move in a direction of relatively approaching each other, the upper support portion 21 and the lower support portion 22 are positioned at the gripping release position, and the cutting tool TL can be supported only by the upper support portion 21 among the upper support portion 21 and the lower support portion 22. Further, when the upper support portion 21 and the lower support portion 22 move in a direction of relatively separating from each other, the upper support portion 21 and the lower support portion 22 are positioned at the gripping position, and both the upper support portion 21 and the lower support portion 22 press the inner peripheral surface of the cutting tool TL (for example, the inner peripheral surface BL8 of the blade BL) in opposite directions. Thereby, the cutting tool TL (for example, the blade BL) can be fixed and supported by the upper support portion 21 and the lower support portion 22.

[0021] The number of the upper support portions 21 and the number of the lower support portions 22 are not particularly limited as long as they can hold the cutting tool TL and do not interfere with the handling robot 202 when transferring the cutting tool TL between them. For example, in the examples shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the number of the upper support portions 21 is one, and the number of the lower support portions 22 is two. Also, the positions of the upper support portion 21 and the lower support portion 22 are not particularly limited as long as they can hold the cutting tool TL and do not interfere with the handling robot 202 when transferring the cutting tool TL between them. For example, in the examples shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, when viewed from the direction along the length direction (axial direction D1) of the upper support portion 21, one of the two lower support portions 22 is located diagonally downward with respect to the one upper support portion 21, and the other of the two lower support portions 22 is located diagonally downward on the opposite side of the one lower support portion 22 with respect to the upper support portion 21. And the two lower support portions 22 are arranged at positions corresponding to two vertices sandwiching the base of the isosceles triangle, and the one upper support portion 21 is arranged at a position corresponding to the remaining vertex of the isosceles triangle.

[0022] When transferring the cutting tool TL from the handling robot 202 to the holding part 2, for example, the transfer can be performed as follows. Here, as the state before the transfer, it is assumed that the handling robot 202 is gripping the cutting tool TL. From this state, for example, first, the distance between the upper support part 21 and the lower support part 22 of the holding part 2 is made narrower than the support distance (the distance at which the blade BL can be supported by the upper support part 21 and the lower support part 22). In this state, the handling robot 202 moves the blade BL gripped by the fingers 202c of the handling robot 202 so as to be positioned outside the upper support part 21 and the lower support part 22. As a result, the upper support part 21 and the lower support part 22 are inserted into the through-hole BL7 of the blade BL. Next, the distance between the upper support part 21 and the lower support part 22 is widened to the above-mentioned support distance. As a result, the upper support part 21 and the lower support part 22 can hold the blade BL. Next, the gripping of the blade BL by the upper fingers 202c and the lower fingers 202c is released, and the handling robot 202 retreats. As a result, the upper fingers 202c and the lower fingers 202c can be detached from the through-hole BL7 of the blade BL. Through the above steps, the cutting tool TL can be transferred from the handling robot 202 to the holding part 2.

[0023] The cleaning mechanism 3 is configured to clean the cutting tool TL. The cleaning mechanism 3 (see FIGS. 2 to 4 and FIG. 8) has a feeding part 32 that feeds out a strip-shaped sheet 31 for wiping foreign matter adhering to the surface of the cutting tool TL, and a collecting part 33 that collects the fed-out strip-shaped sheet 31. The strip-shaped sheet 31, the feeding part 32, and the collecting part 33 constitute a wiping part 3A. The wiping part 3A is configured to shift the contact position between the strip-shaped sheet 31 and the cutting tool TL in the feeding direction by feeding the strip-shaped sheet 31 from the feeding part 32 to the collecting part 33. Specifically, the feeding part 32 is configured to unwind the strip-shaped sheet 31 wound in a roll shape. The collecting part 33 is configured to wind up the unwound strip-shaped sheet 31.

[0024] The wiping unit 3A is configured to wipe foreign matter by moving the strip-shaped sheet 31 relative to the cutting tool TL in a state where the strip-shaped sheet 31 is in contact with the surface of the cutting tool TL. The configuration for relatively moving the strip-shaped sheet 31 with respect to the cutting tool TL is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, the tool cleaning device 1 further includes a rotation mechanism 4 (see FIGS. 2 to 4) that causes the cutting tool TL to rotate along the circumferential direction D3, so that foreign matter adhering to the surface of the cutting tool TL is wiped off onto the strip-shaped sheet 31. In the present embodiment, by rotating the cutting tool TL in the circumferential direction D3 by the rotation mechanism 4, the cutting tool TL can be cleaned without moving the cleaning mechanism 3. In the present embodiment, the rotation mechanism 4 includes the above-described holding unit 2 (upper support unit 21 and lower support unit 22) and a rotation drive unit 41 that rotates the holding unit 2. Specifically, the upper support unit 21 and the lower support unit 22 of the holding unit 2 are configured to rotate (revolve) around a center line extending in the length direction (a center line passing through the radial center). The rotation drive unit 41 can rotationally drive the upper support unit 21 and the lower support unit 22. The upper support unit 21 and the lower support unit 22 can rotate the cutting tool TL in the circumferential direction (for example, the circumferential direction D3 shown in FIG. 8) by revolving while in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cutting tool TL. The upper support unit 21 and the lower support unit 22 are configured to rotate in the same direction. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the cutting tool TL rotates in the counterclockwise direction (left-handed direction) with respect to the paper surface, but it may rotate in the clockwise direction (right-handed direction) with respect to the paper surface. When the cutting tool TL rotates in the circumferential direction, the strip-shaped sheet 31 can be moved relative to the cutting tool TL. Thereby, the strip-shaped sheet 31 can wipe off foreign matter present on the surface of the cutting tool TL. Note that the configuration of the rotation mechanism 4 is not limited to the above example. For example, the rotation mechanism 4 may include the above-described holding unit 2 (upper support unit 21 and lower support unit 22), a rotating body (not shown) having a cylindrical surface provided so as to contact the end surface (end surface in the axial direction) of the cutting tool TL, and a rotation drive unit (not shown) that rotationally drives the rotating body in the axial circumferential direction.The rotating body is arranged to rotate the cutting tool TL along the circumferential direction. By rotating the rotating body, the cutting tool TL can be rotated along the circumferential direction of the cutting tool TL as the rotating body rotates.

[0025] The belt-like sheet 31 (see FIGS. 1, 8, 10 to 13) is not particularly limited in its configuration as long as it can wipe off foreign matter adhering to the surface of the cutting tool TL. The belt-like sheet 31 is a flexible sheet configured to be able to entangle chips generated in the cutting process of the object to be cut W (see FIG. 1) by the cutting tool TL. Further, the belt-like sheet 31 is configured to be able to absorb the lubricating oil applied to the surface of the cutting tool TL. In the present embodiment, the belt-like sheet 31 is constituted by a waste cloth. The waste cloth is a fabric capable of entangling chips generated in the cutting process of the object to be cut W. Further, the waste cloth can absorb lubricants such as lubricating oil. With the configuration capable of absorbing the lubricant, the belt-like sheet 31 can absorb the lubricant and foreign matters such as chips mixed in the lubricant. Therefore, the wiping portion 3A can wipe off foreign matter adhering to the surface of the cutting tool TL with the belt-like sheet 31.

[0026] When the belt-like sheet 31 is soiled by the wiping operation, the wiping portion 3A (see FIGS. 1, 8, 10 to 13) feeds out the belt-like sheet 31 from the feeding portion 32 by a driving source such as a motor, and the belt-like sheet 31 for the fed-out length is recovered by the recovery portion 33. The length fed out by the feeding portion 32 is, for example, the length corresponding to the region in contact with the cutting tool TL in the belt-like sheet 31. By the wiping portion 3A feeding out the belt-like sheet 31 and recovering the belt-like sheet 31 having a length corresponding to the fed-out length, the soiled portion in the belt-like sheet 31 moves toward the recovery portion 33. When a certain length of the belt-like sheet 31 moves toward the recovery portion 33, the soiled portion in the belt-like sheet 31 is recovered by the recovery portion 33. Therefore, the non-soiled portion (clean portion) in the belt-like sheet 31 comes into contact with the cutting tool TL. Thereby, the wiping portion 3A can maintain the foreign matter removal performance with a simple configuration.

[0027] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, the tool cleaning device 1 further includes a guide portion 5 that guides the strip-shaped sheet 31 so that the strip-shaped sheet 31 is disposed along the surface of the cutting tool TL. Thereby, the guide portion 5 can position the strip-shaped sheet 31 so that the flexible strip-shaped sheet 31 has a shape along the portion to be cleaned on the cutting tool TL. Further, the guide portion 5 can sandwich the strip-shaped sheet 31 between the guide portion 5 and the portion to be cleaned on the cutting tool TL. In this embodiment, the guide portion 5 is composed of a first guide portion 5A (see FIGS. 10 and 11) and a second guide portion 5B (see FIGS. 12 and 13). The first guide portion 5A positions the strip-shaped sheet 31 so as to have a shape along the inner peripheral surface of the cutting tool TL (the inner peripheral surface BL8 of the blade BL in the example shown in FIGS. 10 and 11) and one end surface in the axial direction D5 orthogonal to the radial direction D4 of the cutting tool TL (the right end surface BL4 in the example shown in FIGS. 10 and 11). The second guide portion 5B positions the strip-shaped sheet 31 so as to have a shape along the outer peripheral surface of the cutting tool TL (the outer peripheral surface BL2 of the blade BL in the example shown in FIGS. 12 and 13) and the other end surface in the axial direction D5 of the cutting tool TL (the left end surface BL4 in the example shown in FIGS. 12 and 13).

[0028] The inside of the case 5 includes a first portion 51 that contacts the circumferential surface of the cutting tool TL (the inner circumferential surface BL8 of the cutting blade BL in the example shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, and the outer circumferential surface BL2 of the cutting blade BL in the example shown in FIGS. 12 and 13) of the strip-shaped sheet 31, and a second portion 52 that contacts the end surface of the strip-shaped sheet 31 in the axial direction D5 orthogonal to the radial direction D4 of the cutting tool TL (the right end surface BL4 in the example shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, and the left end surface BL4 in the example shown in FIGS. 12 and 13). The first portion 51 presses the strip-shaped sheet 31 against the circumferential surface of the cutting tool TL by sandwiching the strip-shaped sheet 31 between the first portion 51 and the circumferential surface of the cutting tool TL. In such a state, when the strip-shaped sheet 31 and the circumferential surface of the cutting tool TL move relative to each other (for example, relative movement by the rotation mechanism 4), the strip-shaped sheet 31 can wipe off foreign matter present on the circumferential surface of the cutting tool TL. The second portion 52 presses the strip-shaped sheet 31 against the end surface of the cutting tool TL by sandwiching the strip-shaped sheet 31 between the second portion 52 and the end surface of the cutting tool TL. In such a state, when the strip-shaped sheet 31 and the end surface of the cutting tool TL move relative to each other (for example, relative movement by the rotation mechanism 4), the strip-shaped sheet 31 can wipe off foreign matter present on the end surface of the cutting tool TL. The relative movement between the strip-shaped sheet 31 and the cutting tool TL can be performed by the movement of at least one of the strip-shaped sheet 31 and the cutting tool TL. For example, when the cutting tool TL receives a rotational force from the rotation mechanism 4 and rotates, the cutting tool TL can move relative to the strip-shaped sheet 31.

[0029] In this embodiment, the tool cleaning device 1 includes a moving mechanism 6 (see FIGS. 2 to 4) that moves the belt-like sheet 31 between a cleaning position (see FIGS. 2, 3, 10, and 12) where the belt-like sheet 31 is in contact with the cutting tool TL and a retracted position (see FIGS. 4, 11, and 13) where the belt-like sheet 31 is separated (retracted) from the cutting tool TL. The retracted position P2 is a position retracted from the movement path of the cutting tool TL when the cutting tool TL is attached to and detached from the holding portion 2 (when the cutting tool TL is transferred between the handling robot 202 and the holding portion 2).

[0030] Specifically, the moving mechanism 6 is configured to move, for example, the guide part 5. Along with the movement of the guide part 5, the moving mechanism 6 can move the belt-like sheet 31. The moving mechanism 6 is configured to move the guide part 5 (see FIGS. 10 and 11) in the radial direction D4 and the axial direction D5 of the cutting tool TL, for example. The configuration of the moving mechanism 6 is not particularly limited as long as it can move the belt-like sheet 31 between the cleaning position (see FIGS. 2, 3, 10, and 12) and the retracted position (see FIGS. 4, 11, and 13). The moving mechanism 6 can be constituted by, for example, a moving mechanism such as a cylinder device that moves the guide part 5 along the radial direction D4 of the cutting tool TL and a moving mechanism such as a cylinder device that moves the guide part 5 along the axial direction D5 of the cutting tool TL. In the example shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, the guide part 5 is retracted from the cutting tool TL in the radial direction D4 and the axial direction D5 of the cutting tool TL. From this state, the moving mechanism 6 moves the guide part 5 in the radial direction D4 and the axial direction D5 toward the portion to be cleaned of the cutting tool TL. Thereby, the guide part 5 moves to a position (cleaning position) where the belt-like sheet 31 is sandwiched between the portion to be cleaned of the cutting tool TL and the guide part 5 (see FIGS. 11 and 13). The moving mechanism 6 may move the guide part 5 in this order in the radial direction D4 and the axial direction D5, or may move the guide part 5 in the radial direction D4 and the axial direction D5 simultaneously. Further, the moving mechanism 6 moves the guide part 5 along a path opposite to the moving path from the retracted position to the cleaning position described here. Thereby, the moving mechanism 6 can move the cutting tool TL from the cleaning position to the retracted position. The tool cleaning device 1 can switch the mode between a state where the belt-like sheet 31 is in contact with the cutting tool TL (cleaning mode) and a state where the belt-like sheet 31 is retracted from the cutting tool TL (retracted mode) by moving the belt-like sheet 31 between the cleaning position and the retracted position. And in the retracted mode, the handling robot 202 can attach and detach the cutting tool TL to and from the tool cleaning device 1.That is, in the retracted mode, since the strip sheet 31 has retracted from the cutting tool TL, the handling robot 202 can easily perform the attachment / detachment operation of the cutting tool TL to / from the tool cleaning device 1.

[0031] In the present embodiment, the cleaning mechanism 3 further includes a brushing part 3B (see FIGS. 2 to 4, FIGS. 8 and 9) that removes foreign matter adhering to the surface of the cutting tool TL. The brushing part 3B is configured to remove foreign matter adhering to the surface of the cutting tool TL by brushing using the brush 35. The configuration of the brush 35 is not particularly limited as long as it can remove the foreign matter existing on the surface of the cutting tool TL. In the present embodiment, the brush 35 has a configuration in which a plurality of hairs are implanted around the core material. The material of the hairs is not particularly limited as long as it can remove foreign matter. The hairs can be constituted by, for example, a synthetic resin having flexibility and a certain degree of rigidity. Further, the brush 35 can be configured, for example, in a substantially cylindrical shape. The brush 35 is arranged such that the axial direction of the brush 35 is along the radial direction of the cutting tool TL in a state of being in contact with the surface (end face) of the cutting tool TL (see FIG. 3). In the examples shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the brushing part 3B is constituted by a first brushing part that cleans one end face in the axial direction of the cutting tool TL and a second brushing part that cleans the other end face in the axial direction of the cutting tool TL. Thereby, the brushing part 3B can clean both end faces in the axial direction of the cutting tool TL.

[0032] The brushing part 3B can scrape off foreign matter (such as rust) sticking to the surface of the cutting tool TL. The brushing part 3B can remove foreign matter that is difficult to remove with the above-described strip sheet 31 depending on the strength of the bristles of the brush 35. Further, when a recess (such as a groove configured to represent characters or figures) is provided in advance on the surface of the cutting tool TL by the hairs of the brush 35, the brushing part 3B can scrape out the foreign matter that has entered the recess.

[0033] The rotation mechanism 4 is configured to rotate the cutting tool TL so as to remove foreign matter adhering to the surface of the cutting tool TL to the brushing portion 3B. With the brush 35 of the brushing portion 3B in contact with the surface of the cutting tool TL, by rotating the cutting tool TL, the cutting tool TL rotates relative to the brush 35. Thereby, the brush 35 can remove foreign matter present on the surface of the cutting tool TL. In the present embodiment, the brushing portion 3B includes a brush rotation mechanism 36 (see FIGS. 2 to 4) that rotates the brush 35 with the brush 35 in contact with the surface of the cutting tool TL. The rotation mechanism 36 includes, for example, a rotation shaft 361 connected to the brush 35 and a drive unit 362 such as a motor that rotationally drives the rotation shaft. The brush rotation mechanism 36 is configured to rotate the brush 35 so that the brush 35 rotates in a direction D6 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) opposite to that of the cutting tool TL at the contact position between the brush 35 and the cutting tool TL. In the example shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the brush 35 is configured to rotate around a rotation shaft 361 extending along the radial direction of the cutting tool TL. Thereby, compared with the case where the brush 35 is not rotated, the relative speed of the peripheral surface of the brush 35 with respect to the surface of the cutting tool TL increases. Therefore, the performance of removing foreign matter by the brushing portion 3B can be enhanced.

[0034] In this embodiment, the brushing unit 3B (see FIG. 3) is configured to remove foreign matter by contacting the surface of the cutting tool TL before wiping off foreign matter (see FIG. 4) adhering to the cutting tool TL with the strip-shaped sheet 31. As described above, the brushing unit 3B can roughly clean the surface of the cutting tool TL with the brush 35. On the other hand, the above-described wiping unit 3A can finely clean the surface of the cutting tool TL. Therefore, after rough cleaning is performed by the brushing unit 3B, finishing cleaning can be performed by the wiping unit 3A. In this case, the wiping unit 3A and the brushing unit 3B can be configured not to contact the surface of the cutting tool TL at the same timing. When the brushing unit 3B is in contact with the surface of the cutting tool TL, the wiping unit 3A does not contact the surface of the cutting tool TL. When the wiping unit 3A is in contact with the surface of the cutting tool TL, the brushing unit 3B does not contact the surface of the cutting tool TL. Specifically, with the wiping unit 3A separated from the surface of the cutting tool TL, the brushing unit 3B is brought into contact with the surface of the cutting tool TL, and cleaning is performed by the brushing unit 3B (see FIG. 3). Next, the brushing unit 3B is separated from the surface of the cutting tool TL, and the wiping unit 3A is brought into contact with the surface of the cutting tool TL, and cleaning is performed by the wiping unit 3A (see FIG. 4). In this case, the wiping unit 3A does not contact the cutting tool TL during cleaning by the brushing unit 3B. For this reason, it is possible to prevent foreign matter (for example, relatively large foreign matter) removed by rough cleaning by the brushing unit 3B from adhering to the strip-shaped sheet 31 of the wiping unit 3A. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the strip-shaped sheet 31 from being contaminated as compared with the case where cleaning by the brushing unit 3B and cleaning by the wiping unit 3A are performed simultaneously. As shown in FIG. 8, the wiping unit 3A and the brushing unit 3B may be brought into contact with the surface of the cutting tool TL, and cleaning by the wiping unit 3A and cleaning by the brushing unit 3B may be performed simultaneously.

[0035] In this embodiment, the tool cleaning device 1 further includes a brush moving mechanism 7 (see FIGS. 2 to 4) that moves the brush 35 so that the brush 35 contacts the surface of the cutting tool TL. The brush moving mechanism 7 is configured to move the brush 35 between a cleaning position (see FIG. 3) where the brush 35 is in contact with the cutting tool TL and a retracted position (see FIG. 2) where the brush 35 is retracted from the cutting tool TL. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the brush 35 is retracted so as to be separated from the cutting tool TL in the thickness direction and the radial direction of the cutting tool TL. FIG. 4 shows a state where the brush 35 is located at an intermediate position between the retracted position shown in FIG. 2 and the cleaning position shown in FIG. 3. At the intermediate position, the brush 35 is separated from the cutting tool TL in the thickness direction of the cutting tool TL. The intermediate position is the position of the brush 35 when the cleaning by the wiping portion 3A is performed.

[0036] The brush moving mechanism 7 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) is not particularly limited in its configuration as long as it can move the brush 35 between the cleaning position (see FIG. 3) and the retracted position (see FIG. 2). The brush moving mechanism 7 is configured to move the brush 35, for example, between a cleaning position where the brush 35 faces the end face of the cutting tool TL and a retracted position where the brush 35 is separated from the cutting tool TL to the outside in the radial direction of the cutting tool TL. The retracted position is a position retracted from the movement path of the cutting tool TL when the cutting tool TL is attached to and detached from the holding portion 2 (when the cutting tool TL is transferred between the handling robot 202 and the holding portion 2).

[0037] In the examples shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the brush moving mechanism 7 is configured to swing the brush 35 between a cleaning position and a retracted position. The center point of the swing is provided outside the radial direction of the cutting tool TL. The tool cleaning device 1 can switch the mode between a state where the brush 35 is in contact with the cutting tool TL (cleaning mode) and a state where the brush 35 is separated from the cutting tool TL (retracted mode) by moving the brush 35 between the cleaning position and the retracted position. And in the retracted mode, the handling robot 202 can attach and detach the cutting tool TL to and from the tool cleaning device 1. That is, in the retracted mode, since the brush 35 is retracted from the cutting tool TL, the handling robot 202 can easily perform the attaching and detaching operation of the cutting tool TL to and from the tool cleaning device 1.

[0038] In the present embodiment, the brushing unit 3B further includes a foreign matter removing unit 37 (see FIG. 9) for removing foreign matters attached to the brush 35. The foreign matter removing unit 37 is configured to be able to remove foreign matters attached to the brush 35 by using the brush 35. The configuration of the foreign matter removing unit 37 is not particularly limited as long as it can remove foreign matters attached to the brush 35. In the present embodiment, the foreign matter removing unit 37 is configured as a comb-shaped part having a plurality of teeth. The foreign matter removing unit 37 is arranged in a state where the plurality of teeth are inserted into the tuft of the brush 35. Thereby, as the brush 35 rotates, the plurality of teeth can scrape out the foreign matters in the tuft. Therefore, the foreign matter removing unit 37 can remove the foreign matters attached to the brush 35.

[0039] In the present embodiment, the brushing unit 3B further includes a cover part 38 that covers the periphery of the brush 35. The cover part 38 is configured not to interfere with the cutting tool TL when the brush 35 is in contact with the cutting tool TL. Specifically, the cover part 38 is configured not to cover the portion of the brush 35 that faces the cutting tool TL (the region corresponding to the portion is open). The cover part 38 can prevent the foreign matters scattered by the brushing of the brushing unit 3B from adhering to the cutting tool TL again.

[0040] In this embodiment, the brushing unit 3B further includes a container 39 for collecting foreign matter removed by brushing. The container 39 is provided below the brush 35 and the cover portion 38. The foreign matter removed from the cutting tool TL by the brushing unit 3B falls into the container 39. Therefore, the container 39 can collect the foreign matter removed by brushing.

[0041] In this embodiment, the cleaning mechanism 3 is configured to move between a cleaning position (see FIGS. 3, 11, and 13) in contact with the cutting tool TL held by the holding portion 2 and a retracted position (see FIGS. 2, 10, and 12) outside the path of the cutting tool TL when the handling robot 202 moves the cutting tool TL.

[0042] The "path of the cutting tool TL when moving the cutting tool TL" is the moving path of the cutting tool TL when the cutting tool TL is transferred between the handling robot 202 and the holding portion 2. The moving path of the cutting tool TL at the time of transfer is not particularly limited. For example, it is a path along the length direction of the holding portion 2 (the upper support portion 21 and the lower support portion 22) (for example, the direction orthogonal to the plane of FIG. 6, the axial direction D5 in FIGS. 10 and 12). The cleaning mechanism 3 contacts the cutting tool TL held by the holding portion 2 and cleans the cutting tool TL while being located at the cleaning position. Further, the cleaning mechanism 3 retracts from the moving path of the cutting tool TL while being located at the retracted position. Therefore, when the cutting tool TL is transferred between the handling robot 202 and the holding portion 2, the cleaning mechanism 3 does not interfere with the cutting tool TL. Thereby, the transfer of the cutting tool TL between the handling robot 202 and the holding portion 2 can be performed smoothly.

[0043] In the examples shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 and FIGS. 10 to 12, the tool cleaning device 1 includes a moving mechanism 6 (see FIGS. 2 to 4) that moves the belt-like sheet 31 between a cleaning position (see FIGS. 2, 3, 10, and 12) where the belt-like sheet 31 is in contact with the cutting tool TL and a retracted position (see FIGS. 4, 11, and 13) where the belt-like sheet 31 is separated (retracted) from the cutting tool TL. The retracted position is a position retracted from the movement path of the cutting tool TL when the cutting tool TL is attached to and detached from the holding portion 2 (when the cutting tool TL is transferred between the handling robot 202 and the holding portion 2).

[0044] Specifically, the moving mechanism 6 is configured to move the guide part 5, for example. As the guide part 5 moves, the moving mechanism 6 can move the belt-like sheet 31. The moving mechanism 6 is configured to move the guide part 5 (see FIGS. 10 and 11) in the radial direction D4 and the axial direction D5 of the cutting tool TL, for example. The configuration of the moving mechanism 6 is not particularly limited as long as it can move the belt-like sheet 31 between the cleaning position (see FIGS. 2, 3, 10, and 12) and the retracted position (see FIGS. 4, 11, and 13). The moving mechanism 6 can be constituted by, for example, a moving mechanism such as a cylinder device that moves the guide part 5 along the radial direction D4 of the cutting tool TL and a moving mechanism such as a cylinder device that moves the guide part 5 along the axial direction D5 of the cutting tool TL. In the example shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, the guide part 5 is retracted from the cutting tool TL in the radial direction D4 and the axial direction D5 of the cutting tool TL. From this state, the moving mechanism 6 moves the guide part 5 in the radial direction D4 and the axial direction D5 toward the portion to be cleaned of the cutting tool TL. As a result, the guide part 5 moves to a position (cleaning position) where the belt-like sheet 31 is sandwiched between the portion to be cleaned of the cutting tool TL and the guide part 5 (see FIGS. 11 and 13). The moving mechanism 6 may move the guide part 5 in this order in the radial direction D4 and the axial direction D5, or may move the guide part 5 in the radial direction D4 and the axial direction D5 simultaneously. Further, the moving mechanism 6 moves the guide part 5 along a path opposite to the moving path from the retracted position to the cleaning position described here. Thereby, the moving mechanism 6 can move the cutting tool TL from the cleaning position to the retracted position. The tool cleaning device 1 can switch the mode between a state where the belt-like sheet 31 is in contact with the cutting tool TL (cleaning mode) and a state where the belt-like sheet 31 is retracted from the cutting tool TL (retracted mode) by moving the belt-like sheet 31 between the cleaning position and the retracted position. And in the retracted mode, the handling robot 202 can attach and detach the cutting tool TL to and from the tool cleaning device 1.That is, in the retracted mode, since the strip sheet 31 has been retracted from the cutting tool TL, the handling robot 202 can easily perform the attachment / detachment operation of the cutting tool TL with respect to the tool cleaning device 1.

[0045] In this embodiment, the cleaning device 1 is provided within the working area AR of the handling robot 202. Therefore, the cutting tool TL can be attached to the tool cleaning device 1 by the handling robot 202, and the cutting tool TL can be cleaned. Thereby, the tool cleaning device 1 can remove foreign matter adhering to the surface of the cutting tool TL without requiring strenuous work by the operator. And, the handling robot 202 enables automation of the cleaning work. Particularly in this embodiment, the handling robot 202 is configured to be able to move the cutting tool TL between the shaft portion 201a, the storage portion 203, and the holding portion 2 of the tool cleaning device 1. In this case, the used and dirty cutting tool TL can be directly moved from the shaft portion 201a or the storage portion 203 to the holding portion 2 of the tool cleaning device 1, and after cleaning, it can be directly returned to the shaft portion 201a or the storage portion 203. Also, since the cleaning work is completed within the working area AR of the handling robot 202, no extra space outside the working area AR of the handling robot 202 is required for cleaning, and a space-saving design can be achieved. Further, the tool cleaning device 1 is configured to perform cleaning by bringing the cleaning mechanism 3 into contact with the cutting tool TL held by the holding portion 2. Therefore, even when the cutting tool TL is a heavy object, the cutting tool TL can be cleaned in a stable state. Also, the tool cleaning device 1 is configured such that the cleaning mechanism 3 retracts to a retracted position outside the path of the cutting tool TL when the handling robot 202 moves the cutting tool TL. Therefore, interference between the cutting tool TL and the cleaning mechanism 3 is prevented when the cutting tool TL is being transferred between the handling robot 202 and the holding portion 2. Thereby, the transfer of the cutting tool TL between the handling robot 202 and the holding portion 2 can be performed smoothly. Also, even when removing the cutting tool TL from the cutting device CD and cleaning the cutting tool TL, the time for stopping the cutting device CD can be shortened.That is, since the handling robot 202 transports the cutting tool TL between the temporary spindle device 201 and the tool cleaning device 1 and cleans the cutting tool TL, even if the cutting tool TL is a heavy object, the cutting tool TL can be quickly transported and cleaned. Therefore, the time for stopping the cutting device CD can be shortened.

[0046] Note that the guide portion 5 and the wiping portion 3A are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be configured, for example, as follows (see FIG. 14). In the example shown in FIG. 14, the guide portion 5 is configured to prevent the position of the belt-like sheet 31 from shifting in the width direction of the belt-like sheet 31 during cleaning by the wiping portion 3A. Further, the wiping portion 3A is configured to prevent the position of the belt-like sheet 31 from shifting in the width direction of the belt-like sheet 31 during cleaning. This will be specifically described below.

[0047] When the cutting tool TL is cleaned by the wiping portion 3A, the belt-like sheet 31 is in contact with the cutting tool TL. Specifically, the belt-like sheet 31 is in contact with the cutting tool TL while being sandwiched between the cutting tool TL and the guide portion 5. Further, when the cutting tool TL is cleaned by the wiping portion 3A, the cutting tool TL rotates in the circumferential direction D3 (see FIG. 8) by the rotation mechanism 4. When the cutting tool TL rotates, due to the frictional force generated between the cutting tool TL and the belt-like sheet 31, the belt-like sheet 31 is dragged by the rotation of the cutting tool TL and tends to move (shift in position) in the width direction of the belt-like sheet 31. In the example shown in FIG. 14, the guide portion 5 is configured to prevent such a position shift of the belt-like sheet 31. Further, the wiping portion 3A is configured to prevent such a position shift of the belt-like sheet 31.

[0048] In the example shown in FIG. 14, the contact surface of the guide portion 5 with the strip-shaped sheet 31 (hereinafter also referred to as the sheet contact surface) is configured such that the frictional force with the strip-shaped sheet 31 is increased. For example, the guide portion 5 includes a contact layer 5a including the sheet contact surface and a support layer 5b that supports the contact layer 5a. The configuration of the contact layer 5a is not particularly limited as long as it is configured such that the frictional force with the strip-shaped sheet 31 is increased. The contact layer 5a includes, for example, an elastic layer (hereinafter also referred to as an elastic layer. Specifically, a layer made of a sponge-like synthetic resin). Since the contact layer 5a has elasticity, the contact layer 5a can be brought into close contact with the strip-shaped sheet 31 to increase the frictional force. Further, the contact layer 5a may include, instead of or in addition to the elastic layer, a layer made of a material having a large coefficient of friction (hereinafter also referred to as a high-friction layer). When the contact layer 5a includes the elastic layer and the high-friction layer, the high-friction layer can be provided on the surface of the elastic layer. The high-friction layer can be configured by, for example, a sheet member having a high coefficient of friction (such as sandpaper). Since the contact layer 5a has the high-friction layer, the frictional force can be increased. By increasing the frictional force between the strip-shaped sheet 31 and the guide portion 5, it is possible to suppress the strip-shaped sheet 31 from being dragged by the rotation of the cutting tool TL and being displaced in the width direction of the strip-shaped sheet 31. Further, since the contact layer 5a includes the elastic layer and the high-friction layer, the frictional force can be further increased.

[0049] Also, in the example shown in FIG. 14, the guide portion 5 includes a restricting member 5c that restricts the movement of the belt-like sheet 31 in the width direction of the belt-like sheet 31. The configuration and number of the restricting member 5c are not particularly limited as long as the restricting member 5c can restrict the movement of the belt-like sheet 31 in the width direction of the belt-like sheet 31. In the example shown in FIG. 14, the restricting member 5c is configured in a substantially C shape so as to straddle the belt-like sheet 31 in the width direction. Further, the guide portion 5 includes one or a plurality (four in the example shown in FIG. 14) of the restricting members 5c. The plurality of restricting members 5c are provided at intervals along the length direction of the belt-like sheet 5c. The restricting member 5c includes a portion (first restricting portion) that restricts the movement of the belt-like sheet 31 to one side in the width direction, a portion (second restricting portion) that restricts the movement of the belt-like sheet 31 to the other side in the width direction, and a portion (third restricting portion) that restricts the movement of the belt-like sheet 31 in the thickness direction. In the example shown in FIG. 14, the first restricting portion is connected to one end of the third restricting portion, and the second restricting portion is connected to the other end of the third restricting portion. The restricting member 5c is configured in a substantially C shape by the first restricting portion, the second restricting portion, and the third restricting portion. The restricting member 5c can allow the movement of the belt-like sheet 31 in the length direction, while restricting the movement of the belt-like sheet 31 in the width direction and the movement in the thickness direction. Therefore, the restricting member 5c can prevent the belt-like sheet 31 from being displaced in the width direction, prevent the belt-like sheet 31 from being displaced in the thickness direction, and prevent the belt-like sheet 31 from falling off the guide portion 5.

[0050] In the example shown in FIG. 14, the feeding portion 32 of the wiping portion 3A includes a shaft portion 32a around which the belt-like sheet 31 is wound, and a pair of flange portions 32b provided at both ends of the shaft portion 32a. One of the flange portions 32b is configured to restrict the movement of the belt-like sheet 31 to one side in the width direction. The other flange portion 32b is configured to restrict the movement of the belt-like sheet 31 to the other side in the width direction. Therefore, the pair of flange portions 32b can prevent the belt-like sheet 31 from being displaced in the width direction, and can prevent the belt-like sheet 31 from dropping off from the feeding portion 32 in the width direction. Note that the pair of flange portions 32b may be biased in a direction approaching each other. By biasing the pair of flange portions 32b in a direction approaching each other, the pair of flange portions 32b can elastically sandwich the belt-like sheet 31 in the width direction. In this case, the function of preventing the belt-like sheet 31 from dropping off by the pair of flange portions 32b can be further enhanced. The recovery portion 33 of the wiping portion 3A includes a shaft portion 33a around which the belt-like sheet 31 is wound, and a pair of flange portions 33b provided at both ends of the shaft portion 33a, similar to the feeding portion 32. Therefore, the recovery portion 33 can prevent the belt-like sheet 31 from dropping off from the recovery portion 33 in the width direction, similar to the feeding portion 32.

[0051] Also, in the example shown in FIG. 14, the feeding portion 32 and the recovery portion 33 are configured to feed and recover the belt-like sheet 31, respectively, while applying tension to the belt-like sheet 31. Specifically, for example, the feeding portion 32 and the recovery portion 33 are configured to rotate while adjusting the rotation speed so as to apply tension to the belt-like sheet 31. Therefore, by applying tension to the belt-like sheet 31, it is possible to suppress the belt-like sheet 31 from dropping off from the feeding portion 32 and the recovery portion 33 in the width direction.

[0052] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The above-described embodiments mainly explain the invention having the following configuration.

[0053] (1) A tool cleaning device for cleaning a substantially circular cutting tool, comprising: a holding part for holding the cutting tool; and a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the cutting tool held by the holding part. The cleaning mechanism includes a feeding part for feeding out a belt-like sheet for wiping foreign matter adhering to the surface of the cutting tool, and a collecting part for collecting the fed-out belt-like sheet.

[0054] (2) The tool cleaning device further includes: a rotating mechanism for rotating the cutting tool along the circumferential direction to wipe foreign matter adhering to the surface of the cutting tool onto the belt-like sheet, according to the tool cleaning device of (1).

[0055] (3) The tool cleaning device further includes: a guiding part for guiding the belt-like sheet so that the belt-like sheet is disposed along the surface of the cutting tool, wherein the guiding part includes a first part for bringing the belt-like sheet into contact with the circumferential surface of the cutting tool, and a second part for bringing the belt-like sheet into contact with an end surface in the axial direction orthogonal to the radial direction of the cutting tool, according to the tool cleaning device of (1) or (2).

[0056] (4) The cleaning mechanism further includes: a brushing part for removing foreign matter adhering to the surface of the cutting tool, wherein the rotating mechanism is configured to rotate the cutting tool with the brushing part in contact with the surface of the cutting tool, so as to remove foreign matter adhering to the surface of the cutting tool by the brushing part, and the brushing part is configured to contact the surface of the cutting tool to remove foreign matter before the belt-like sheet wipes foreign matter adhering to the cutting tool, according to any one of (1) to (3).

[0057] (5) The tool cleaning device is provided within the working area of a handling robot capable of gripping the cutting tool. The cleaning mechanism is configured to move between a cleaning position in contact with the cutting tool held by the holding part and a retracted position outside the path of the cutting tool when the handling robot moves the cutting tool, the tool cleaning device according to any one of (1) to (4).

[0058] (6) The handling robot is a tool changing device configured to move the cutting tool between a shaft part of a cutting device where the cutting tool is mounted and a storage part for storing the cutting tool removed from the shaft part. The handling robot is configured to be able to move the cutting tool between the shaft part, the storage part, and the holding part of the tool cleaning device, the tool cleaning device according to any one of (1) to (5).

Explanation of Signs

[0059] 1 Tool cleaning device 2 Holding part 21 Upper support part 22 Lower support part 3 Cleaning mechanism 3A Wiping part 31 Belt-like sheet 32 Feeding part 32a Shaft part 32b Flange part 33 Recovery part 33a Shaft part 33b Flange part 3B Brushing part 35 Brush 36 Brush rotation mechanism 361 Rotation shaft 362 Driving part 37 Foreign matter removal part 38 Cover part 39 Container 4 Rotation mechanism 41 Rotation driving part 5 Guide 5A First guide part 5B Second guide part 5a Contact layer 5b Support layer 6 Moving mechanism 7 Brush moving mechanism 201 Temporary assembly shaft device 201a Shaft part 202 Handling robot 202a Base part 202b Arm part 202c Finger 203 Storage part Working area of AR handling robot BL Cutting tool BL1 Cutting edge BL2 Outer peripheral surface BL4 End face BL7 Through hole BL8 Inner peripheral surface BL81 Upper inner peripheral surface BL82 Lower inner peripheral surface CD Cutting device CS Cutting system D1 Axial direction of the sleeve D3 Circumferential direction of the cutting tool (rotation direction of the cutting tool) D4 Radial direction of the cutting tool D5 Axial direction of the cutting tool D6 Rotation direction of the brush ES Tool change system TL Cutting tool W Object to be cut (strip)

Claims

1. A tool cleaning device for cleaning a substantially circular cutting tool, comprising: A holding part for holding the cutting tool; a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the cutting tool held by the holding part, The cleaning mechanism includes a feed section that feeds out a strip-shaped sheet for wiping off foreign matter adhering to a surface of the cutting tool, and a recovery section that recovers the fed strip-shaped sheet, the tool cleaning device is provided within a working area of ​​a handling robot capable of holding the cutting tool, the cleaning mechanism is configured to move between a cleaning position in which it contacts the cutting tool held in the holding portion and a retracted position that is outside the path of the cutting tool when the handling robot moves the cutting tool.

2. The tool cleaning device includes: The tool cleaning device according to claim 1 , further comprising a rotation mechanism that rotates the cutting tool in a circumferential direction to wipe off foreign matter adhering to a surface of the cutting tool onto the band-shaped sheet.

3. The tool cleaning device includes: A guide portion for guiding the strip sheet so that the strip sheet is disposed along a surface of the cutting tool, 2. The tool cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion has a first portion that brings the strip into contact with a peripheral surface of the cutting tool, and a second portion that brings the strip into contact with an end surface of the cutting tool in an axial direction perpendicular to a radial direction.

4. The cleaning mechanism includes: A brushing unit is further provided for removing foreign matter adhering to a surface of the cutting tool, The rotation mechanism is configured to rotate the cutting tool with the brushing part in contact with the surface of the cutting tool, thereby causing the brushing part to remove foreign matter adhering to the surface of the cutting tool, The tool cleaning device according to claim 2 , wherein the brushing unit is configured to contact a surface of the cutting tool to remove foreign matter before the band-shaped sheet wipes off the foreign matter adhering to the cutting tool.

5. the handling robot is a tool exchange device configured to move a cutting tool between a shaft portion of a cutting device to which a cutting tool is attached and a storage portion that stores the cutting tool detached from the shaft portion, The tool cleaning device according to claim 1 , wherein the handling robot is configured to be able to move the cutting tool between the shaft part, the storage part, and a holding part of the tool cleaning device.

Images