Machine tool

Abstract

The machine tool includes a spindle, a spindle head movable in the vertical direction, an automatic tool changer provided in front of the spindle head for exchanging a tool held by the spindle, and a protective member that covers the gap between the spindle head and the automatic tool changer from above, and the upper surface of the protective member has an inclined surface that is inclined in a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction and the front-rear direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a machine tool.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-128811 discloses a tool changer having a cover for preventing chips and cutting fluid from entering a turret mechanism section.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] There is a long-felt need for a machine tool that can prevent the intrusion of foreign objects.

[0004] An aspect of the present disclosure is a machine tool, including a spindle that detachably holds a tool, a spindle head that holds the spindle and is movable in the vertical direction, an automatic tool changer that is provided in front of the spindle head, can hold a plurality of the tools, and exchanges the tool held by the spindle, and a protection member that covers a gap between the spindle head and the automatic tool changer from above, wherein an upper surface of the protection member has an inclined surface that is inclined in a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction and the front-rear direction.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In a machine tool, when chips and cutting fluid (coolant) scatter in the machining chamber during machining of a workpiece, the scattered chips and cutting fluid enter as foreign matter into the gap (space) between the automatic tool changer and the spindle head. When foreign matter enters this gap, it may affect the operation of the machine tool including the tool changing operation. Specifically, when the spindle holds the tool with chips attached to the tool, the chips may be caught between the spindle and the tool.

[0007] The present disclosure can provide a machine tool that can easily prevent foreign matter from entering the gap between the automatic tool changer and the spindle head.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a machine tool 10 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the machine tool 10. FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the machine tool 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the machine tool 10 includes a spindle 12 (see FIG. 3), a spindle head 14, a pedestal 16, a column 18, a table 20, a plurality of telescopic covers 22x, 22y, a pair of support members 24, a support structure 26, an automatic tool changer 28, a protective cover 30, a protective member 32, and a splash guard 34.

[0009] In the following description, the vertical direction is referred to as the Z direction. The upward direction is referred to as the +Z direction, and the downward direction is referred to as the -Z direction. Among the directions orthogonal to the vertical direction, the direction from the automatic tool changer 28 toward the spindle head 14 is referred to as the +Y direction (rear direction). Among the directions orthogonal to the vertical direction, the direction from the spindle head 14 toward the automatic tool changer 28 is referred to as the -Y direction (front direction). The +Y direction and the -Y direction are collectively referred to as the Y direction (front-rear direction). The direction orthogonal to the Z direction and the Y direction is referred to as the X direction. The right direction when the machine tool 10 is viewed from the front in the +Y direction is referred to as the +X direction. The left direction when the machine tool 10 is viewed from the front in the +Y direction is referred to as the -X direction.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 3, the machine tool 10 processes a workpiece (not shown) with a tool 36 attached to the spindle 12. Examples of the tool 36 include a drill, a milling cutter, a tap, a reamer, a cutting tool, etc. The machine tool 10 is, for example, a machining center.

[0011] The spindle 12 extends in the Z direction. The lower end of the spindle 12 is the tip of the spindle 12. The spindle 12 detachably holds the tool 36. Specifically, the tool 36 is held by a tool holder 38. The tool 36 is removably attached to the spindle 12 via the tool holder 38. The tool 36 is attached to the spindle 12 by inserting the tool holder 38 into a mounting hole 40 provided at the tip of the spindle 12.

[0012] The spindle head 14 rotatably supports the spindle 12 about a rotation axis (Z axis) parallel to the Z direction. Specifically, a spindle rotation motor 42 is provided above the spindle head 14. When the spindle rotation motor 42 is driven, the spindle 12 rotates about the Z axis. Therefore, when the tool 36 is held by the spindle 12, the tool 36 rotates together with the spindle 12. The spindle rotation motor 42 is, for example, a spindle motor.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the column 18 extends in the +Z direction from the pedestal 16. The spindle head 14 is located in front of the column 18 (on the -Y direction side). The spindle head 14 is movably attached to the column 18 in the Z direction. The column 18 guides the movement of the spindle head 14 in the Z direction. Specifically, a spindle movement motor 44 is provided on the column 18. When the spindle movement motor 44 is driven, the spindle head 14 moves in the Z direction along the column 18. The spindle movement motor 44 is, for example, a servo motor.

[0014] Table 20 is supported by pedestal 16. Table 20 is positioned between spindle head 14 and pedestal 16. Table 20 supports the object to be machined. Table 20 is movable in the X direction by a moving mechanism for the X axis (not shown) and is movable in the Y direction by a moving mechanism for the Y axis (not shown). By the movement of spindle head 14 in the Z direction and the movement of table 20 in the X and Y directions, machine tool 10 can machine the object to be machined three-dimensionally.

[0015] The plurality of telescopic covers 22x, 22y protect the moving mechanism for the X axis and the moving mechanism for the Y axis from chips and cutting fluid generated during machining of the object to be machined by machine tool 10. Specifically, one telescopic cover 22y expands and contracts in the Y direction in accordance with the movement of table 20 in the Y direction, thereby covering the moving mechanism for the Y axis. The other telescopic cover 22x expands and contracts in accordance with the movement of table 20 in the X direction, thereby covering the moving mechanism for the X axis.

[0016] Among the components of machine tool 10 that are located in the +Z direction relative to the upper surface of pedestal 16, they are surrounded by splash guard 34. The space surrounded by splash guard 34 is machining chamber 46 of machine tool 10. The ends of the plurality of telescopic covers 22x, 22y abut against one of the four side covers of splash guard 34.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of support members 24 are provided on column 18 at intervals in the X direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the pair of support members 24 extend along the -Y direction from column 18. As shown in FIG. 2, the tip of support member 24 is located in front of spindle head 14. A support structure 26 is attached to the tip of support member 24.

[0018] The support structure 26 extends along the X direction in front of the spindle head 14. One end of the support structure 26 is connected to the tip of the support member 24 on the +X direction side. The other end of the support structure 26 is connected to the tip of the support member 24 on the -X direction side. Arms 48 extend downward at both ends of the support structure 26 (see Fig. 4). A swing shaft portion 50 extending in the X direction penetrates through the arm 48.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, the automatic tool changer 28 is located in front of the spindle head 14. As shown in Fig. 3, the automatic tool changer 28 faces the spindle head 14 and the support structure 26 in the Y direction. The automatic tool changer 28 automatically exchanges the tool 36 attached to the spindle 12.

[0020] The automatic tool changer 28 has a rotary turret (magazine) 52 and a turret rotation drive unit 54. The turret rotation drive unit 54 is a rotation motor such as a servo motor. When the turret rotation drive unit 54 is driven, the turret 52 rotates (swings) around the central axis of the turret 52.

[0021] As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, a pair of arms 56 are provided at intervals in the X direction on the turret rotation drive unit 54. The pair of arms 56 extend toward the pair of arms 48 of the support structure 26. As shown in Fig. 4, the arm 56 is pivotally supported by the swing shaft portion 50. Therefore, the automatic tool changer 28 is supported by the support structure 26 via the arm 56 and the swing shaft portion 50. The automatic tool changer 28 is swingable around the swing shaft portion 50.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 2, the turret 52 has a plurality of grips 58 provided along the circumferential direction. The grip 58 removably holds the tool 36 via the tool holder 38.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 3, the automatic tool changer 28 is covered with a protective cover 30. Specifically, the protective cover 30 has a front cover 30f and a rear cover 30r.

[0024] The front cover 30f covers the automatic tool changer 28 from the front. The front cover 30f rotates together with the turret 52 when the turret 52 rotates. A plurality of notches 60 are formed along the circumferential direction on the front cover 30f. The number of the notches 60 is the same as the number of the grips 58. In the circumferential direction, the intervals between the plurality of notches 60 are the same as the intervals between the plurality of grips 58.

[0025] The rear cover 30r covers the automatic tool changer 28 from the rear and is connected to the turret rotation drive unit 54. Therefore, when the turret 52 rotates, the rear cover 30r does not rotate. The rear cover 30r faces the spindle head 14 and the support structure 26.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, a recess 62 is formed inside the rear cover 30r in the radial direction. The recess 62 is recessed forward. A part of the turret rotation drive unit 54 protrudes rearward from the recess 62 of the rear cover 30r. Note that a stepped portion 64 may be formed on the rear cover 30r instead of the recess 62.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, when the front cover 30f covers the turret 52 from the front and the rear cover 30r covers the turret 52 from the rear, a plurality of holes 66 are formed by the plurality of notches 60 and the edge of the rear cover 30r. The grips 58 are exposed to the outside through the holes 66. The tool 36 is detachable from the grips 58 through the holes 66.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4, the protection member 32 covers the gap 68 between the spindle head 14 and the automatic tool changer 28 from above. Specifically, the protection member 32 is a plate-like member. The protection member 32 covers the space between the rear cover 30r and the support structure 26 located in front of the spindle head 14 from above. The protection member 32 covers the gap 68 between the spindle head 14 and the automatic tool changer 28 from above so as not to interfere with the spindle head 14 and the support structure 26 even when the automatic tool changer 28 swings around the swing shaft portion 50.

[0029] In the machine tool 10, chips and cutting fluid scatter during machining of the workpiece to be machined. As shown by the white arrows in FIG. 5, the scattered chips and cutting fluid fall from above. In the present embodiment, since the gap 68 between the spindle head 14 and the automatic tool changer 28 is covered from above by the protective member 32, it is possible to prevent the fallen chips and cutting fluid from entering the gap 68 as foreign matter.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 5, the upper surface 32a of the protective member 32 is an inclined surface 32b that is inclined obliquely downward with respect to the X direction. Specifically, among the upper surface 32a of the protective member 32, the portion on the +X direction side is inclined obliquely downward as it goes in the +X direction. Among the upper surface 32a of the protective member 32, the portion on the -X direction side is inclined obliquely downward as it goes in the -X direction.

[0031] Thereby, foreign matter that has fallen onto the upper surface 32a of the protective member 32 from above moves along the inclined surface 32b as shown by the solid-line arrow. The moved foreign matter is discharged into the space outside the gap 68 between the spindle head 14 and the automatic tool changer 28 in plan view. As a result, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from accumulating on the upper surface 32a of the protective member 32. Further, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from moving toward the automatic tool changer 28 located in front of the protective member 32 and the spindle head 14 and the support structure 26 located behind the protective member 32.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 4, the protective member 32 is fixed to the automatic tool changer 28. Specifically, the protective member 32 is provided with a fixing arm 70 that extends along the rear cover 30r. By fixing the fixing arm 70 to the rear cover 30r, the protective member 32 is fixed to the automatic tool changer 28. Thereby, the protective member 32 can be easily arranged above the gap 68 between the automatic tool changer 28 and the spindle head 14. Note that the fixing arm 70 is fixed to the rear cover 30r by screws or the like.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the machine tool 10A according to the first modification. FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the machine tool 10A according to the first modification. In the machine tool 10A according to the first modification, the same components as those of the machine tool 10 (see FIGS. 1 to 5) according to the present embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0034] In the first modification, the protection member 32 is fixed to the support structure 26. The protection member 32 is fixed to the support structure 26 by, for example, screws or the like. Notches 72 for avoiding interference with the pair of arms 48 are formed at both ends of the protection member 32 in the X direction. The protection member 32 covers the gap 68 between the spindle head 14 and the automatic tool changer 28 from above so as not to interfere with the automatic tool changer 28 even when the automatic tool changer 28 swings around the swing shaft portion 50. Also in the first modification, by fixing the protection member 32 to the support structure 26, the protection member 32 can be easily arranged above the gap 68 between the automatic tool changer 28 and the spindle head 14.

[0035] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the machine tool 10B according to the second modification. In FIG. 8, the -X direction side portion of the machine tool 10B is shown broken away. In the second modification, the machine tool 10B is provided with a plurality of protection members 32d and 32u. Specifically, above the gap 68 between the automatic tool changer 28 and the spindle head 14, two protection members 32d and 32u are spaced apart in the Z direction. The upper protection member 32u is fixed to the rear cover 30r. The upper protection member 32u is located between the upper portion of the rear cover 30r and the support structure 26. The lower protection member 32d is fixed to the support structure 26. The lower protection member 32d is located in the partial space between the upper portion of the concave portion 62 or the stepped portion 64 of the rear cover 30r and the support structure 26. In plan view, it is desirable that the upper protection member 32u and the lower protection member 32d overlap each other.

[0036] In the second modification, a plurality of protective members 32d and 32u are arranged at intervals in the Z direction above the gap 68 between the automatic tool changer 28 and the spindle head 14, so that the intrusion of foreign matter into the gap 68 can be effectively prevented.

[0037] FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the machine tool 10C according to the third modification. In the third modification, the protective member 32 is fixed to the support structure 26. The protective member 32 is located in a partial space between the concave portion 62 or the stepped portion 64 of the rear cover 30r and the support structure 26. Therefore, at least a part of the protective member 32 is located inside the concave portion 62 or the stepped portion 64. In the third modification, the gap 68 between the automatic tool changer 28 and the spindle head 14 can be covered from above without interference between the protective member 32 and the automatic tool changer 28.

[0038] Regarding the above embodiment, the following additional remarks are further disclosed.

[0039] (Supplementary Note 1) The machine tools (10, 10A, 10B, 10C) of the present disclosure include a spindle (12) that detachably holds a tool (36), a spindle head (14) that holds the spindle and is movable in the vertical direction (Z), an automatic tool changer (28) that is provided in front of the spindle head, can hold a plurality of the tools, and exchanges the tool held by the spindle, and a protective member (32, 32d, 32u) that covers the gap (68) between the spindle head and the automatic tool changer from above. The upper surface (32a) of the protective member has an inclined surface (32b) that is inclined in a direction (X) orthogonal to the vertical direction and the front-rear direction (Y).

[0040] (Supplementary Note 2) In the machine tool according to Supplementary Note 1, the protective member may be fixed to the automatic tool changer.

[0041] (Supplementary Note 3) In the machine tool according to Supplementary Note 1, a plurality of the protective members are provided, and each of the plurality of the protective members may be fixed to the automatic tool changer or a support structure (26) that supports the automatic tool changer.

[0042] (Appendix 4) In the machine tool according to Appendix 1, a protective cover (30) covering the automatic tool changer is further provided. In the protective cover, a recess (62) or a stepped portion (64) is formed in a portion (30r) facing the spindle head, and the protective member may be located inside the recess or the stepped portion.

[0043] (Appendix 5) In the machine tool according to Appendix 1 or 4, the protective member may be fixed to a support structure that supports the automatic tool changer.

[0044] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described individual embodiments. These embodiments can be variously added, replaced, changed, partially deleted, etc., without departing from the gist of the present disclosure or without departing from the gist of the present disclosure derived from the content described in the claims and its equivalents. Further, these embodiments can be implemented in combination. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the order of each operation and the order of each process are shown as examples and are not limited thereto. The same applies when numerical values or mathematical formulas are used in the description of the above-described embodiments.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0045] 10, 10A, 10B, 10C... Machine tool 12... Spindle 14... Spindle head 26... Support structure 28... Automatic tool changer 30... Protective cover 30r... Rear cover 32, 32d, 32u... Protective member 32a... Upper surface 32b... Inclined surface 36... Tool 62... Recess 64... Stepped portion 68... Gap

Claims

1. A spindle that removably holds a tool, a spindle head that holds the spindle and is movable in the vertical direction, an automatic tool changer provided in front of the spindle head, capable of holding a plurality of the tools, and exchanging the tool held by the spindle, a protection member that covers the gap between the spindle head and the automatic tool changer from above, comprising: a machine tool, wherein an upper surface of the protection member has an inclined surface that is inclined in a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction and the front-rear direction.

2. The machine tool according to claim 1, wherein the protection member is fixed to the automatic tool changer.

3. The machine tool according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of the protection members, wherein each of the plurality of protection members is fixed to the automatic tool changer or a support structure that supports the automatic tool changer.

4. The machine tool according to claim 1, further comprising a protection cover that covers the automatic tool changer, wherein a recess or a stepped portion is formed in a portion of the protection cover facing the spindle head, and the protection member is located inside the recess or the stepped portion.

5. The machine tool according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the protection member is fixed to a support structure that supports the automatic tool changer.

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