Spindle units and cutting machines

Abstract

To make cutting powders hard to adhere to a tip end portion of a machining tool during cutting machining.SOLUTION: A spindle unit 40 is equipped with a spindle 120, and an air housing 130 that covers the spindle 120. The spindle 120 has a spindle housing 121, a grip portion 126 that grips a machining tool 6 having a center axis A50 extending in an axial direction D1, and projects out from one end in an axial direction D1 of the spindle housing 121, and a rotation mechanism 128 that rotates the machining tool 6 gripped by the grip portion 126 around the center axis A50. The air housing 130 covers the spindle housing 121. The air housing 130 is formed with an air introducing portion 141, an air channel 142 that is connected to the air introducing port 141, and an air discharging port 143 that is connected to the air channel 142. The air discharging portion 143 opens toward a tip end portion 6a of the machining tool 6 gripped by the grip portion 126.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a spindle unit and a cutting machine. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cutting device that performs cutting on a workpiece used, for example, when making dentures. This cutting device has a housing with a machining space formed inside. In this machining space, the workpiece is cut.

[0003] When cutting a workpiece, cutting dust is generated. The cutting dust accumulates in the machining space of the housing. Therefore, in the cutting device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a dust collector is connected to the machining space of the housing. When the dust collector is activated, the cutting dust in the machining space is sucked up by the dust collector.

[0004] Furthermore, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a spindle motor that is resistant to the adhesion of cutting powder. This spindle motor includes a motor housing and a chuck that is rotatable relative to the motor housing and to which a machining tool, such as a drill bit, is attached. The chuck protrudes downward from the motor housing. Here, the machining tool rotates as the chuck rotates. By bringing the rotating machining tool into contact with a workpiece, a hole can be drilled in the workpiece.

[0005] In this spindle motor, a gas inlet and a gas passage are formed in the motor housing, and a gap is formed between the motor housing and the chuck. Air taken in through the gas inlet passes through the gas passage and exits the gap. The air exiting the gap blows away cutting powder that has accumulated between the motor housing and the chuck. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-136794 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-154405 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, while the spindle motor disclosed in Patent Document 2 can blow away cutting powder that accumulates between the motor housing and the chuck, cutting powder can also adhere to the tip of the processing tool. The tip of the processing tool is the blade that comes into contact with the workpiece when cutting the workpiece, so it is best to remove as much cutting powder as possible from the tip of the processing tool.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its object is to provide a spindle unit and a cutting machine in which cutting powder is less likely to adhere to the tip portion of the processing tool. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The spindle unit according to the present invention includes a spindle and an air housing that covers the spindle. The spindle has a spindle housing, a gripping portion, and a rotation mechanism. The gripping portion grips a machining tool having a central axis extending in the axial direction. The gripping portion protrudes from one axial end of the spindle housing. The rotation mechanism rotates the machining tool gripped by the gripping portion around the central axis. The air housing is provided to cover the surface of the spindle housing. The air housing is formed with an air inlet through which air is introduced, an air flow path connected to the air inlet, and an air outlet connected to the air flow path. The air outlet opens toward the tip portion of the machining tool gripped by the gripping portion.

[0010] According to the spindle unit of the present invention, air introduced through the air inlet passes through the air flow path and is discharged from the air outlet. Here, since the air outlet opens toward the tip of the machining tool held by the gripper, the air discharged from the air outlet is blown toward the tip of the machining tool. Therefore, even if cutting powder attempts to adhere to the machining tool held by the gripper, the air blown from the air outlet makes it difficult for cutting powder to adhere to the tip of the machining tool. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a spindle unit and a cutting machine in which cutting powder is less likely to adhere to the tip portion of the processing tool. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a cutting machine according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the cutting machine according to the embodiment, showing a state in which the door is open. [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cutting machine according to an embodiment, as viewed from the left side. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a workpiece with a holding fixture attached thereto. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a cutting machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a holding member and a rotation support member. [Figure 7] 10 is a plan view of the holding member and the rotation support member, showing a state in which a workpiece is held by the holding member. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a spindle unit provided in the second carriage. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12]FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the spindle unit. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the air housing taken along the line XIII-XIII in FIG. 12. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the first support plate of the first carriage. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, a cutting machine equipped with a spindle unit according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiment described here is not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for members and parts that perform the same functions, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cutting machine 10 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the cutting machine 10. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cutting machine 10 as viewed from the left side. In the following description, when viewed from the front of the cutting machine 10 by an operator facing the front (here, door 30), the side away from the cutting machine 10 is referred to as the front, and the side approaching the cutting machine 10 is referred to as the rear. The left, right, top, and bottom of the cutting machine 10 refer to the left, right, top, and bottom of the cutting machine 10 as viewed from the front. Furthermore, the symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawings refer to the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom of the cutting machine 10, respectively.

[0015] In this embodiment, the cutting machine 10 is disposed on an XY plane defined by the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, which are mutually orthogonal axes. Here, the X-axis direction is the front-rear direction, the Y-axis direction is the left-right direction, and the Z-axis direction is the up-down direction. However, these directions described above are merely defined for the convenience of explanation, and do not limit the installation mode of the cutting machine 10, nor do they limit the present invention or this embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a workpiece 5 to which a holder 8 is attached. The cutting machine 10 according to this embodiment cuts and, if necessary, polishes the workpiece 5 (see FIG. 4 ). The type of workpiece obtained by cutting the workpiece 5 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the cutting machine 10 cuts the workpiece 5 to produce dental molded products, such as crown prostheses (e.g., crowns, inlays, onlays, and veneers), artificial teeth, and denture bases. As shown in FIG. 4 , the shape of the workpiece 5 is, for example, a disk. The workpiece 5 may be formed from various materials, such as zirconia, wax, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), hybrid resin, PEEK (polyether ether ketone), or gypsum. When zirconia is used as the material for the workpiece 5, semi-sintered zirconia may be used. However, the shape and material of the workpiece 5 are not particularly limited.

[0017] In this embodiment, a holder 8 is attached to the workpiece 5. With the holder 8 attached, the workpiece 5 is housed in a cutting machine 10 and is cut. Here, a fitting hole 8a is formed in the center of the holder 8. The workpiece 5 is attached to the holder 8 by fitting the workpiece 5 into this fitting hole 8a. The holder 8 holds the workpiece 5.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, cutting machine 10 is formed in a box shape. Cutting machine 10 includes a housing 20 and a door 30. Housing 20 is placed along the XY plane. As shown in Fig. 2, housing 20 is hollow and has an internal space A2 inside housing 20.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 20 has a bottom wall 21, a front wall 22, a left side wall 23 (see FIG. 2), a right side wall 24 (see FIG. 2), a top wall 25, and a rear wall 26. The bottom wall 21 is disposed parallel to the XY plane. As shown in FIG. 2, the left side wall 23 is connected to the left end of the bottom wall 21. The left side wall 23 extends from the bottom wall 21 in the Z-axis direction. The right side wall 24 is connected to the right end of the bottom wall 21. The right side wall 24 extends from the bottom wall 21 in the Z-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the rear wall 26 is connected to the rear end of the bottom wall 21. The rear wall 26 extends from the bottom wall 21 in the Z-axis direction. The left and right ends of the rear wall 26 are connected to the rear ends of the left side wall 23 and the right side wall 24, respectively. The top wall 25 is disposed parallel to the bottom wall 21 and is connected to the upper ends of the left wall 23, the right wall 24, and the rear wall 26.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 3, a front wall 22 is connected to the front end of the bottom wall 21. The front wall 22 extends diagonally upward and rearward from the front end of the bottom wall 21. As shown in Fig. 2, the left end of the front wall 22 is connected to the left side wall 23, and the right end of the front wall 22 is connected to the right side wall 24. In this embodiment, the front wall 22 is lower in height than the left side wall 23 and the right side wall 24. Therefore, an opening 27 is formed in the front of the housing 20.

[0021] The door 30 is provided at the opening 27 of the housing 20. The door 30 is supported by the housing 20 so as to be able to open and close the opening 27. In this embodiment, the door 30 is attached to the housing 20 so as to be able to slide up and down along the front end of the left side wall 23 and the front end of the right side wall 24. The door 30 is provided with a window 31 through which the internal space A2 of the housing 20 can be seen. The window 31 is formed of a transparent or translucent member, for example, an acrylic plate.

[0022] In this embodiment, the interior of the housing 20 is divided into multiple spaces by internal walls. As shown in FIG. 3 , the housing 20 has internal walls including a bottom wall 35, a rear wall 36, a partition wall 37, and a rear partition wall 38. The rear partition wall 38 is disposed inside the housing 20 closer to the rear wall 26 and extends in the Z-axis direction. The rear partition wall 38 divides the interior of the housing 20 into a front space and a rear space. The rear space divided by the rear partition wall 38 constitutes a rear space A1. The rear space A1 accommodates a control device 170 (described later) and other components.

[0023] A bottom wall 35 and a rear wall 36 are arranged in the front space partitioned by the rear partition wall 38. The bottom wall 35 is connected to the upper end of the front wall 22 of the housing 20. The bottom wall 35 is arranged perpendicular to the front wall 22. As described above, the front wall 22 is formed to slope downward toward the rear, and the bottom wall 35, which is arranged perpendicular to the front wall 22, is also formed to slope with respect to the XY plane. More specifically, the bottom wall 35 slopes downward toward the rear. The rear end of the bottom wall 35 is connected to the rear wall 36. The rear wall 36 is arranged perpendicular to the bottom wall 35. The rear wall 36 extends diagonally upward and rearward from the connection portion with the bottom wall 35 and is connected to the rear partition wall 38.

[0024] The internal space A2 of the housing 20 according to this embodiment is a space surrounded by a bottom wall 35, a rear wall 36, a portion of the rear partition wall 38 above the rear wall 36, the top wall 25, the left side wall 23 (see FIG. 2), and the right side wall 24 (see FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 2, the internal space A2 is divided into left and right spaces by a partition wall 37 disposed parallel to the left side wall 23. Here, the space to the left of the partition wall 37 is referred to as a processing space A21, and the space to the right of the partition wall 37 is referred to as a control space A22.

[0025] The machining space A21 is a space where cutting, polishing, etc. are performed on the workpiece 5. Cutting dust generated when the workpiece 5 is cut is generated in the machining space A21. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the machining space A21 is a space surrounded by a bottom wall 35, a rear wall 36, a rear partition wall 38, a top wall 25, a left side wall 23 (see FIG. 2), and a partition wall 37. As shown in FIG. 2, when the door 30 opens the opening 27, the machining space A21 is in communication with the outside. The machining space A21 is configured to be larger than the control space A22.

[0026] The control space A22 is a space that houses a drive unit that controls the rotation and movement of a holding member 80 (described later) and a tool magazine 60 (see FIG. 2). A cover 39 that isolates the control space A22 from the outside is attached to the front of the control space A22.

[0027] In the following description, as shown in FIG. 3, in the machining space A21, the direction perpendicular to the bottom wall 35 will be referred to as the Z1-axis direction. Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the front wall 22, which is perpendicular to the bottom wall 35, will be referred to as the X1-axis direction. The X1-axis direction, the Y-axis direction (see FIG. 2), and the Z1-axis direction are mutually orthogonal. Furthermore, in the mutually orthogonal X1-axis and Z1-axis directions, the front in the X1-axis direction is designated as F1, the rear as Rr1, the upper side in the Z1-axis direction as U1, and the lower side as D1. However, these directions are merely defined for the sake of convenience and do not limit the installation manner of the cutting machine 10 in any way.

[0028] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , the cutting machine 10 includes a control device 170, a spindle unit 40, and a movement mechanism 45. The control device 170 controls the cutting of the workpiece 5. The configuration of the control device 170 is not particularly limited. The control device 170 is, for example, a microcomputer. The hardware configuration of the microcomputer is not particularly limited, but may include, for example, an I / F, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and a storage device. The control device 170 is disposed, for example, in the back space A1 of the housing 20. However, the control device 170 does not have to be provided inside the housing 20. For example, the control device 170 may be realized by a computer installed outside the housing 20. In this case, the control device 170 is communicably connected to a circuit board (not shown) inside the housing 20 via a wired or wireless connection.

[0029] The spindle unit 40 is disposed in the machining space A21. The spindle unit 40 holds the machining tool 6 and rotates the machining tool 6 about a central axis A50 (see FIG. 11) of the machining tool 6. When cutting the workpiece 5, the rotating machining tool 6 is brought into contact with the workpiece 5, thereby cutting the workpiece 5. The configuration of the spindle unit 40 will be described in detail later.

[0030] The moving mechanism 45 is a mechanism that moves the spindle unit 40. Here, the moving mechanism 45 is a mechanism that moves the spindle unit 40 in the Y-axis direction and the Z1-axis direction. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the cutting machine 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the moving mechanism 45 is connected to and controlled by the control device 170. Here, the moving mechanism 45 has a Y-axis direction moving mechanism 50 and an elevating mechanism 55.

[0031] The Y-axis direction moving mechanism 50 is a mechanism that moves the spindle unit 40 in the Y-axis direction, i.e., in the left-right direction. The configuration of the Y-axis direction moving mechanism 50 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the Y-axis direction moving mechanism 50 has a first guide shaft 51, a first carriage 52, and a first drive motor 53 (see FIG. 5).

[0032] The first guide shaft 51 is disposed in the machining space A21. The first guide shaft 51 extends in the Y-axis direction. There are two first guide shafts 51 in this embodiment, and the two first guide shafts 51 are disposed vertically side by side. The left end of the first guide shaft 51 is connected to the left side wall 23. The right end of the first guide shaft 51 passes through the partition wall 37 and is connected to the right side wall 24. The first carriage 52 is slidably engaged with the first guide shaft 51. The first carriage 52 is configured to be movable in the Y-axis direction along the first guide shaft 51. In this embodiment, the first carriage 52 is provided with a second carriage 57, which will be described later, and the spindle unit 40 is provided on the second carriage 57.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 5, the first drive motor 53 is connected to the first carriage 52 via a predetermined drive mechanism. The first drive motor 53 is connected to and controlled by the control device 170. In this embodiment, as the first drive motor 53 is driven, the first carriage 52 moves in the Y-axis direction along the first guide shaft 51, as shown in Fig. 2. The second carriage 57 provided on the first carriage 52 and the spindle unit 40 provided on the second carriage 57 also move in the Y-axis direction together with the first carriage 52.

[0034] The lifting mechanism 55 is a mechanism for raising and lowering the spindle unit 40, in this case, a mechanism for moving it in the Z1-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the lifting mechanism 55 is connected to and controlled by the control device 170. The configuration of the lifting mechanism 55 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the lifting mechanism 55 has a second guide shaft 56, a second carriage 57, and a second drive motor 58 (see FIG. 5). The second guide shaft 56 is disposed in the machining space A21. The second guide shaft 56 extends in the Z1-axis direction and is provided on the first carriage 52. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, there are two second guide shafts 56, and the two second guide shafts 56 are disposed side by side on the left and right.

[0035] 3, the first carriage 52 has a first support plate 54a and a second support plate 54b. The first support plate 54a forms the lower end of the first carriage 52 and extends in the X1-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The first support plate 54a is an example of a passing plate.

[0036] The second support plate 54b constitutes the upper end of the first carriage 52 and extends in the X1-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The second support plate 54b is disposed above the first support plate 54a. In this embodiment, the second guide shaft 56 is disposed between the first support plate 54a and the second support plate 54b. The lower end of the second guide shaft 56 is connected to the first support plate 54a. The upper end of the second guide shaft 56 is connected to the second support plate 54b.

[0037] As described above, the spindle unit 40 is provided on the second carriage 57. The second carriage 57 is slidably engaged with the second guide shaft 56. The second carriage 57 is configured to be able to move up and down along the second guide shaft 56 (here, able to move in the Z1-axis direction).

[0038] As shown in Fig. 5, the second drive motor 58 is connected to the second carriage 57 via a predetermined drive mechanism. The second drive motor 58 is connected to and controlled by the control device 170. In this embodiment, when the second drive motor 58 is driven, the second carriage 57 moves up and down along the second guide shaft 56, as shown in Fig. 3. The spindle unit 40 provided on the second carriage 57 also moves up and down together with the second carriage 57.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 2, the cutting machine 10 includes a tool magazine 60, a rotation support member 70 (see also Fig. 6), a holding member 80 (see Fig. 6), and a movement mechanism 90. In this embodiment, the tool magazine 60, the rotation support member 70, and the holding member 80 are arranged in the machining space A21. The movement mechanism 90 is arranged in the control space A22.

[0040] Fig. 6 is a plan view of the holding member 80 and the rotation support member 70. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the holding member 80 and the rotation support member 70, and shows a state in which the workpiece 5 is held by the holding member 80. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the tool magazine 60. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the movement mechanism 90.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 8, the tool magazine 60 is capable of accommodating a plurality of machining tools 6. As shown in Fig. 2, the tool magazine 60 is provided between the rotation support member 70 and the movement mechanism 90. As shown in Fig. 9, the tool magazine 60 is connected to the movement mechanism 90. The tool magazine 60 is configured to be movable in the X1 axis direction by the movement of the movement mechanism 90 in the X1 axis direction. The tool magazine 60 is formed in a box shape.

[0042] As shown in Figure 8, a plurality of holes 62 for accommodating the machining tools 6 are formed in the upper surface 60A of the tool magazine 60. The machining tools 6 are inserted into the holes 62 with their upper portions exposed. When replacing the machining tools 6, the machining tools 6 held by a gripping portion 126 (see Figure 10) of the spindle unit 40, which will be described later, are returned to the holes 62. Then, the spindle unit 40 is moved to a position above the machining tool 6 to be used next, and the gripping portion 126 of the spindle unit 40 grips the upper end of the machining tool 6 positioned below the spindle unit 40.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 9, a movement mechanism 90 that moves the tool magazine 60 in the X1 axis direction is provided to the right of the tool magazine 60. The movement mechanism 90 includes a main body case 96, a guide shaft 97, a sliding member 98, a motor 99, and a connecting member 98A. The main body case 96 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The guide shaft 97 extends in the X1 axis direction. The guide shaft 97 is disposed within the main body case 96. The sliding member 98 is slidably supported by the guide shaft 97.

[0044] The motor 99 is connected to the sliding member 98. As shown in Fig. 5, the motor 99 is connected to and controlled by the control device 170. Here, as shown in Fig. 9, when the motor 99 is driven, the sliding member 98 can move in the X1-axis direction along the guide shaft 97. A connecting member 98A that connects the tool magazine 60 and the sliding member 98 is provided on the left side of the sliding member 98.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, the tool magazine 60 is provided with a rotary shaft 64 that rotatably supports a rotary support member 70. The rotary shaft 64 extends in the Y-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 6, the rotary support member 70 is coupled to the rotary shaft 64. The tool magazine 60 is provided with a motor 65 (see FIG. 5) that rotates the rotary shaft 64 in direction T1 around the Y-axis. As shown in FIG. 5, the motor 65 is connected to and controlled by the control device 170. When the motor 65 is driven, the rotary shaft 64 rotates in direction T1, as shown in FIG. 6. Then, in accordance with the rotation of the rotary shaft 64, the rotary support member 70 rotates in direction T1 around the Y-axis.

[0046] The rotation support member 70 supports the holding member 80 rotatably in direction T2 around the X1 axis. The rotation support member 70 is formed in a semicircular arc shape in a plan view. The rotation support member 70 includes a first portion 71, a second portion 72, and a third portion 73. The first portion 71 extends in the X1 axis direction. The rotation shaft 64 is connected to the first portion 71. The second portion 72 extends leftward from the rear end of the first portion 71. The third portion 73 extends leftward from the front end of the first portion 71. The second portion 72 and the third portion 73 face each other.

[0047] The holding member 80 is rotatably supported on the left part of the second section 72 and the left part of the third section 73. A case 76 that houses a motor 75 is provided in the third section 73. The motor 75 rotates the holding member 80 in direction T2 around the X1 axis. As shown in FIG. 5, the motor 75 is connected to and controlled by the control device 170. The rotation support member 70 moves in the X1 axis direction as a result of the movement mechanism 90 (see FIG. 2) moving in the X1 axis direction.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the holding member 80 detachably holds the workpiece 5. For example, the workpiece 5 is attached to the holding member 80 as shown in FIG. 7 by moving the workpiece 5 in the direction of arrow Y1 while it is positioned to the left of the holding member 80 as shown in FIG. 6 . Here, the holding member 80 holds the holder 8 and holds the workpiece 5 via the holder 8. The holding member 80 has a shape corresponding to the holder 8. Here, the holding member 80 is configured in a semicircular arc shape. In this embodiment, the holding member 80 includes screws or the like (not shown), and the worker tightens the screws or the like to fix the workpiece 5 to the holding member 80.

[0049] In this embodiment, the holding member 80 includes a first portion 81, a second portion 82, and a third portion 83. The first portion 81 extends in the X1 axis direction. The second portion 82 extends leftward from the rear end of the first portion 81. The third portion 83 extends leftward from the front end of the first portion 81. The second portion 82 and the third portion 83 face each other. As shown in FIG. 7 , a first rotation shaft 77 is provided in the second portion 72. A second rotation shaft 78 is provided in the third portion 83. The first rotation shaft 77 is rotatably supported by the second portion 72 of the rotation support member 70. The second rotation shaft 78 is rotatably supported by the third portion 73 of the rotation support member 70. In this embodiment, when the motor 75 is driven, the holding member 80 rotates in direction T2 about the first rotation shaft 77 and the second rotation shaft 78.

[0050] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the cutting machine 10 includes a dust collector 100 and a collection pipe 105. The dust collector 100 collects cutting powder generated in the machining space A21 of the housing 20 when the workpiece 5 is machined. The dust collector 100 sucks the cutting powder in the machining space A21 of the housing 20. The dust collector 100 is connected to the housing 20 and communicates with the machining space A21. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a control device 170 is connected to the dust collector 100. The operation of the dust collector 100 is controlled by the control device 170.

[0051] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , a collection port 101 is formed in the housing 20. The collection port 101 is formed in the lower part of the housing 20. Specifically, the collection port 101 is formed in the lower part of the rear wall 36 that constitutes the rear surface of the machining space A21 of the housing 20. Here, the lower part of the rear wall 36 refers to the part below the center of the rear wall 36 in the Z1 axis direction (here, on the D1 side). The dust collector 100 is connected to the collection port 101 formed in the housing 20. Therefore, the dust collector 100 is disposed at the rear of the housing 20. Note that the position of the collection port 101 relative to the housing 20 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the collection port 101 be formed in a location where cutting dust is likely to collect or in a portion nearby the location. The collection port 101 may be formed, for example, in the left side wall 23 or the bottom wall 35 of the housing 20. The position of the dust collector 100 relative to the housing 20 is appropriately determined to correspond to the position of the collection port 101.

[0052] 3, the dust collector 100 is connected to the collection port 101 of the housing 20 via a collection pipe 105. One end (here, the front end) of the collection pipe 105 is connected to the collection port 101. The other end (here, the rear end) of the collection pipe 105 is connected to the dust collector 100. The collection pipe 105 extends in a plane (here, the XY plane) on which the housing 20 is placed. More specifically, the collection pipe 105 extends in the X-axis direction, and extends rearward from the collection port 101.

[0053] Next, the spindle unit 40 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 3, the spindle unit 40 is disposed in the machining space A21. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the spindle unit 40 provided in the second carriage 57. FIGS. 11 and 12 are a front view and a bottom view, respectively, of the spindle unit 40. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the air housing 130 taken along the line XIII-XIII in FIG. 12. As shown in FIG. 11, the spindle unit 40 includes a spindle 120 and an air housing 130. The spindle 120 holds the machining tool 6 and rotates the machining tool 6 about a central axis A50 of the machining tool 6. Here, the direction in which the central axis A50 of the machining tool 6 attached to the spindle 120 extends is referred to as an axial direction D1. In this embodiment, the axial direction D1 is the Z1-axis direction.

[0054] 14 and 15 are a perspective view and a front view, respectively, of the spindle 120. As shown in FIG. 15, the spindle 120 has a spindle housing 121, a gripping portion 126, and a rotation mechanism 128. The spindle housing 121 is hollow and has a space therein. The spindle housing 121 forms the outer circumferential surface of the spindle 120. The shape of the spindle housing 121 is not particularly limited. Here, the spindle housing 121 extends in the axial direction D1, and at least the lower portion is cylindrical.

[0055] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14 , the spindle housing 121 has a prismatic portion 122, a large-diameter portion 123, and a small-diameter portion 124. As shown in FIG. 15 , the prismatic portion 122 has an outer surface shape of a prismatic column. The large-diameter portion 123 has an outer surface shape of a cylindrical column and is connected to the lower end of the prismatic portion 122. The large-diameter portion 123 extends downward (toward the D1 side in this case) from the prismatic portion 122. The small-diameter portion 124 has an outer surface shape of a cylindrical column and is connected to the lower end of the large-diameter portion 123. The small-diameter portion 124 extends downward (toward the D1 side in this case) from the large-diameter portion 123. The outer diameter of the small-diameter portion 124 is smaller than the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 123. In this embodiment, the small-diameter portion 124 has a longer length in the axial direction D1 than the large-diameter portion 123. However, the length in the axial direction D1 of the small diameter portion 124 may be shorter than the length in the axial direction D1 of the large diameter portion 123, or may be the same as the length in the axial direction D1 of the large diameter portion 123. In this embodiment, a step portion 125 is formed between the outer circumferential surface of the small diameter portion 124 and the outer circumferential surface of the large diameter portion 123.

[0056] The gripping portion 126 grips the processing tool 6. Here, the gripping portion 126 grips the upper part of the processing tool 6. The gripping portion 126 protrudes downward from one end (here, the lower end) of the spindle housing 121 in the axial direction D1. In this embodiment, the gripping portion 126 has a shape that extends in the axial direction D1 and grips the processing tool 6. Here, a part of the gripping portion 126 protrudes downward from the spindle housing 121, and another part of the gripping portion 126 is housed within the spindle housing 121. This gripping portion 126 is what is called a collect chuck.

[0057] The rotation mechanism 128 shown in FIG. 15 rotates the machining tool 6 held by the gripper 126 about a central axis A50. In this embodiment, the gripper 126 is configured to be rotatable relative to the spindle housing 121 about an axis extending in the axial direction D1. Here, the central axis A50 shown in FIG. 15 is also the central axis of the gripper 126. The rotation mechanism 128 rotates the machining tool 6 about the central axis A50 by rotating the gripper 126. In this embodiment, the rotation mechanism 128 is disposed inside the spindle housing 121. Note that the configuration of the rotation mechanism 128 is not particularly limited. The rotation mechanism 128 is configured, for example, by a rotation motor (not shown) disposed inside the spindle housing 121. The machining tool 6 held by the gripper 126 is rotated by driving the rotation motor. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the rotation mechanism 128 (more specifically, the rotation motor) is connected to and controlled by the control device 170.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 13, the air housing 130 covers the spindle 120. The air housing 130 is used to blow air onto the tip portion 6a of the processing tool 6 held by the holding portion 126 of the spindle 120. Here, the tip portion 6a of the processing tool 6 is formed with a blade. In this embodiment, the air housing 130 is provided so as to cover the surface of the spindle housing 121 of the spindle 120. More specifically, the air housing 130 covers the circumferential surface of the large diameter portion 123 and the circumferential surface of the small diameter portion 124 of the spindle housing 121.

[0059] The shape of the air housing 130 is not particularly limited. Figures 16 and 17 are both perspective views of the air housing 130. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, the air housing 130 has a cylindrical shape. Here, as shown in Figure 16, the air housing 130 has a tubular portion 131, an end surface 132, and an attachment portion 133.

[0060] The tubular portion 131 has a cylindrical shape. Here, as shown in Fig. 13, the tubular portion 131 has a first tubular portion 131a and a second tubular portion 131b. The first tubular portion 131a and the second tubular portion 131b are both cylindrical. The second tubular portion 131b is connected to the lower end of the first tubular portion 131a. The second tubular portion 131b extends downward (here, toward the D1 side) from the second tubular portion 131a.

[0061] The first cylindrical portion 131a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 123 of the spindle housing 121 so as to cover the large diameter portion 123. The second cylindrical portion 131b is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 124 of the spindle housing 121 so as to cover the small diameter portion 124.

[0062] The inner diameter of the first cylindrical portion 131a and the inner diameter of the second cylindrical portion 131b may be the same or different. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the first cylindrical portion 131a is the same as the outer diameter of the second cylindrical portion 131b. However, the outer diameter of the first cylindrical portion 131a may be larger or smaller than the outer diameter of the second cylindrical portion 131b. Here, as shown in FIG. 13, the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion of the second cylindrical portion 131b has an air inclined surface 134 that slopes downward toward the center of the air housing 130.

[0063] 16, the end surface 132 constitutes the end surface of the lower end of the air housing 130. Here, the end surface 132 is disposed at one end (here, the lower end) of the tubular portion 131 (more specifically, the second tubular portion 131b) in the axial direction D1. The end surface 132 is a surface that extends in the X1-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The shape of the end surface 132 is annular, with a circular inner periphery and an outer periphery.

[0064] In this embodiment, the air housing 130 is detachably attached to the spindle housing 121. The attachment portion 133 is used to attach the air housing 130 to the spindle housing 121. Here, as shown in FIG. 17 , the attachment portion 133 is connected to the upper end of the tubular portion 131 (more specifically, the upper end of the first tubular portion 131a) and protrudes upward (here, toward the U1 side) from the tubular portion 131. The shape of the attachment portion 133 is rectangular and plate-like. However, the position and shape of the attachment portion 133 are not particularly limited.

[0065] Furthermore, the configuration for attaching the air housing 130 to the spindle housing 121 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 15, first mounting holes 129 are formed in the spindle housing 121. The first mounting holes 129 are formed in the rectangular column portion 122 of the spindle housing 121. The number of first mounting holes 129 is not particularly limited. Here, there are two first mounting holes 129, and the two first mounting holes 129 are arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction and open forward.

[0066] As shown in Figure 17, second mounting holes 139 are formed in air housing 130. Second mounting holes 139 are formed in positions that overlap first mounting holes 129 (see Figure 15) when air housing 130 is attached to spindle housing 121. Here, second mounting holes 139 are formed in mounting portion 133. The number of second mounting holes 139 is not particularly limited, but may be two, for example, the same as the number of first mounting holes 129. The two second mounting holes 139 are arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction and open forward.

[0067] In this embodiment, mounting screws 140 (see FIG. 11) are inserted into first mounting holes 129 and second mounting holes 139. Here, spindle housing 121 is inserted into air housing 130 so that first mounting holes 129 and second mounting holes 139 overlap. Then, mounting screws 140 are inserted into first mounting holes 129 and second mounting holes 139 and tightened. This allows air housing 130 to be attached and fixed to spindle housing 121.

[0068] 13, the air housing 130 is formed with an air inlet 141, an air flow path 142, and an air outlet 143. Air is introduced through the air inlet 141. The air inlet 141 is formed in the upper part of the air housing 130, and more specifically, in the upper part of the second cylindrical portion 131b.

[0069] Here, as shown in FIG. 13, the cutting machine 10 is equipped with an air compressor 150. The air compressor 150 supplies air to the inside of the air housing 130. Here, the air supplied by the air compressor 150 is so-called compressed air. The air compressed by the air compressor 150 may have a pressure of approximately 0.1 MPa or more, for example, 0.4±0.05 MPa. As shown in FIG. 5, the air compressor 150 is connected to a control device 170, and the operation of the air compressor 150 is controlled by the control device 170.

[0070] 13, the air inlet 141 is connected to an air compressor 150, and air supplied from the air compressor 150 is introduced into the air inlet 141. In this embodiment, a connection part 145 is connected to the air inlet 141, and the air compressor 150 is connected to the air inlet 141 via the connection part 145. The connection part 145 is, for example, what is called a plug. The connection part 145 protrudes from the air inlet 141 outward from the air housing 130 (to the right in this case).

[0071] The air flow path 142 is connected to the air inlet 141. The air flow path 142 is a flow path through which air introduced from the air inlet 141, in this case air supplied from the air compressor 150, passes. In this embodiment, the air flow path 142 extends downward (towards the D1 side in this case) from the air inlet 141. The air flow path 142 is formed around the circumferential direction of the air housing 130. For example, when the air housing 130 is cut in the radial direction, the shape of the air flow path 142 is annular.

[0072] In this embodiment, the air flow path 142 has a first flow path 142a and a second flow path 142b. The first flow path 142a is a flow path that extends along the axial direction D1, and the air inlet port 141 is connected to an upper part of the first flow path 142a. The second flow path 142b is connected to a lower end of the first flow path 142a and extends from the lower end of the first flow path 142a toward the outside in the radial direction of the air housing 130. That is, here, when the air housing 130 is cut along the axial direction D1, the shape of the air flow path 142 is L-shaped.

[0073] In this embodiment, at least a portion of air flow path 142 is formed between the outer peripheral surface of spindle housing 121 and air housing 130. Here, a first flow path 142a of air flow path 142 is formed between the outer peripheral surface of spindle housing 121 and air housing 130. Here, a groove 138 extending in axial direction D1 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of air housing 130 (more specifically, second cylindrical portion 131b). This groove 138 becomes first flow path 142a and second flow path 142b.

[0074] The air outlet 143 is used to discharge air introduced from the air inlet 141 and flowing through the air flow path 142 from the air housing 130. Here, the air outlet 143 opens toward the tip portion 6 a of the processing tool 6 held by the gripper 126. Therefore, the air discharged from the air outlet 143 is blown toward the tip portion 6 a of the processing tool 6 held by the gripper 126.

[0075] The position of air outlet 143 relative to air housing 130 is not particularly limited. Here, as shown in Fig. 16, air outlet 143 is formed in end surface 132 of air housing 130. More specifically, air outlet 143 is formed in the wall of air housing 130 that forms end surface 132, and is formed in a portion having a predetermined thickness.

[0076] 13, the peripheral surface of the air discharge port 143 has an inclined surface 144 that is inclined toward the center of the air housing 130 as it approaches the tip (here, the lower end) of the gripping part 126. The inclined surface 144 is inclined toward the radially inner side of the air housing 130 as it extends downward. Therefore, the air discharged from the air discharge port 143 can easily be blown onto the tip portion 6a of the processing tool 6 gripped by the gripping part 126.

[0077] The number of air exhaust ports 143 is not particularly limited and may be one or more. In this embodiment, the number of air exhaust ports 143 is two. Here, as shown in FIG. 12, a line along the end face 132 that passes through the center C1 of the end face 132 is defined as a division line L1. This division line L1 is, for example, a line extending in the Y-axis direction. Here, when the end face 132 is divided into two by the division line L1, the portions of the end face 132 are defined as a first end face portion 132a and a second end face portion 132b. The first end face portion 132a forms the rear portion of the end face 132 and is the portion on the collection port 101 (see FIG. 3) side formed in the housing 20. As shown in FIG. 12, the second end face portion 132b forms the front portion of the end face 132 and is the portion opposite the collection port 101 (see FIG. 3). The air exhaust port 143 is formed in the second end face portion 132b of the end face 132. For example, the angle R1 formed by a line L21 connecting one air outlet 143 and the center C1 of the end face 132 and a line L22 connecting the other air outlet 143 and the center C1 of the end face 132 is, for example, 90 degrees. However, the value of the angle R1 is not particularly limited.

[0078] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13 , it is preferable that air introduced through the air inlet 141 not be discharged through any portion other than the air outlet 143, for example, the gap between the spindle housing 121 and the air housing 130. Therefore, here, the spindle unit 40 is provided with a seal member 148. The seal member 148 is disposed between the spindle housing 121 and the air housing 130 to seal the gap between the spindle housing 121 and the air housing 130. Here, the seal member 148 is disposed between the outer circumferential surface of the large diameter portion 123 of the spindle housing 121 and the inner circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion 131a of the air housing 130, and is disposed above the air flow path 142. The seal member 148 is disposed along the circumferential direction of the spindle housing 121 and the air housing 130. The seal member 148 has, for example, an annular shape. Note that the material for the seal member 148 is not particularly limited. The seal member 148 is made of, for example, rubber.

[0079] Here, the spindle housing 121 and the air housing 130 are made of metal, but the materials from which the spindle housing 121 and the air housing 130 are made are not particularly limited.

[0080] In this embodiment, as described above, the spindle unit 40 is raised and lowered by the lifting mechanism 55 (see FIG. 10). At this time, the spindle unit 40 is configured to be movable in the Z1-axis direction relative to the first carriage 52, as indicated by an arrow A80 in FIG.

[0081] FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the first support plate 54a of the first carriage 52. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, a first passage opening 161 and a second passage opening 162 are formed in the first support plate 54a of the first carriage 52. The spindle housing 121 provided with the air housing 130 is inserted into the first passage opening 161. When the spindle unit 40 moves up and down, the spindle housing 121 provided with the air housing 130 passes through the first passage opening 161. Here, the first passage opening 161 is large enough to allow the large diameter portion 123 and the small diameter portion 124 of the spindle housing 121 to pass through but not the rectangular column portion 122. The first passage opening 161 has a shape corresponding to the outer circumferential shape of the air housing 130, and in this case is circular.

[0082] In this embodiment, when the spindle unit 40 moves up and down, the connection part 145 connected to the air inlet 141 (see FIG. 13) of the air housing 130 passes through the second passage opening 162. The second passage opening 162 is continuous with the first passage opening 161. The second passage opening 162 has a shape corresponding to the connection part 145 when viewed from the U1 side. Here, the second passage opening 162 has a rectangular shape with rounded corners.

[0083] A flexible member 164 is provided in the second passage opening 162. This flexible member 164 is pushed by the connection portion 145 when the connection portion 145 passes through the second passage opening 162, and is thereby flexible. The material from which the flexible member 164 is made is not particularly limited. Here, the flexible member 164 is made of rubber, for example. Here, a notch is made in the flexible member 164 along the Y-axis direction. This notch separates the flexible member 164 into a first flexible portion 165 and a second flexible portion 166.

[0084] In this embodiment, when the connecting portion 145 passes through the second passage opening 162, the first flexible portion 165 and the second flexible portion 166 are pushed by the connecting portion 145, causing the first flexible portion 165 and the second flexible portion 166 to bend, thereby opening the gap between the first flexible portion 165 and the second flexible portion 166 and opening the second passage opening 162. On the other hand, when the connecting portion 145 does not pass through the second passage opening 162, the first flexible portion 165 and the second flexible portion 166 do not bend and are in contact with each other. Therefore, at this time, the second passage opening 162 is closed by the flexible member 164.

[0085] The spindle unit 40 according to this embodiment has been described above. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13 , the workpiece 5 is machined while the machining tool 6 held by the gripping portion 126 of the spindle 120 is rotated about the central axis A50. During this process, cutting powder is generated as the workpiece 5 is machined. Here, the air compressor 150 is operating during the machining process. Therefore, air supplied from the air compressor 150 is introduced into the air housing 130 through the air inlet 141 of the air housing 130. The air introduced through the air inlet 141 passes through the air flow path 142 and is discharged through the air outlet 143. The air discharged through the air outlet 143 is blown toward the tip portion 6 a of the machining tool 6 held by the gripping portion 126, as indicated by the arrow A70. This makes it difficult for cutting powder to adhere to the tip portion 6 a of the machining tool 6. That is, the cutting powder is blown by the air discharged from the air discharge port 143, and falls to the bottom of the machining space A21.

[0086] During cutting, the dust collector 100 shown in Fig. 3 is in operation. Therefore, the cutting powder that has fallen to the bottom of the machining space A21 is sucked by the dust collector 100 toward the collection port 101 formed in the housing 20. This allows the cutting powder in the machining space A21 to be removed.

[0087] As described above, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the cutting machine 10 includes a spindle unit 40 and an air compressor 150. The spindle unit 40 includes a spindle 120 and an air housing 130 that covers the spindle 120. The spindle 120 includes a spindle housing 121, a gripper 126, and a rotation mechanism 128 (see FIG. 15). The gripper 126 grips a machining tool 6 having a central axis A50 extending in the axial direction D1 and protrudes from one end of the spindle housing 121 in the axial direction D1. The rotation mechanism 128 shown in FIG. 15 rotates the machining tool 6 gripped by the gripper 126 about the central axis A50. As shown in FIG. 13, the air housing 130 is provided to cover the surface of the spindle housing 121. The air housing 130 is formed with an air inlet 141 through which air is introduced, an air flow path 142 connected to the air inlet 141, and an air outlet 143 connected to the air flow path 142. The air outlet 143 opens toward the tip portion 6a of the processing tool 6 held by the holding part 126. The air compressor 150 supplies air to the air inlet 141 of the spindle unit 40.

[0088] According to this embodiment, air introduced from the air inlet 141 passes through the air flow path 142 and is discharged from the air outlet 143. Here, since the air outlet 143 opens toward the tip portion 6a of the processing tool 6 held by the gripper 126, the air discharged from the air outlet 143 is blown onto the tip portion 6a of the processing tool 6. Therefore, even if cutting powder attempts to adhere to the processing tool 6 held by the gripper 126, the air blown from the air outlet 143 makes it difficult for cutting powder to adhere to the tip portion 6a of the processing tool 6.

[0089] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the air housing 130 is provided in the spindle housing 121, when the spindle 120 moves up and down, the air exhaust port 143 formed in the air housing 130 also moves up and down. Therefore, when the spindle 120 moves up and down, the relative position between the processing tool 6 held by the holding part 126 and the air exhaust port 143 does not change. Therefore, even when the spindle 120 moves up and down, the air exhausted from the air exhaust port 143 can easily be blown onto the tip portion 6a of the processing tool 6.

[0090] In this embodiment, air is supplied to the air inlet 141 from an air compressor 150. Therefore, by operating the air compressor 150, air can be supplied into the air housing 130. When the air compressor 150 is operated, air can be blown from the air outlet 143 to the tip portion 6a of the processing tool 6.

[0091] In this embodiment, the air housing 130 is detachably attached to the spindle housing 121. The spindle 120 deteriorates over time and is replaced when the total number of rotations of the spindle 120 exceeds, for example, a predetermined upper limit number of rotations. On the other hand, the air housing 130 can be used for a longer period of time than the spindle 120. For example, when replacing the spindle 120, the air housing 130 is removed from the spindle housing 121. Then, the existing air housing 130 is attached to the spindle housing 121 of the new spindle 120. Therefore, by configuring the air housing 130 to be detachable from the spindle housing 121, the existing air housing 130 can continue to be used even when the spindle 120 is replaced.

[0092] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 15, a first mounting hole 129 is formed in spindle housing 121. As shown in Fig. 17, a second mounting hole 139 is formed in air housing 130 at a position overlapping with first mounting hole 129. Mounting screws 140 (see Fig. 11) are inserted into first mounting hole 129 and second mounting hole 139. In this way, even if spindle 120 is replaced, air housing 130 can be attached to spindle housing 121 so that first mounting hole 129 and second mounting hole 139 overlap. Thereafter, by inserting and tightening mounting screws 140 into first mounting hole 129 and second mounting hole 139, air housing 130 can be easily attached and fixed to spindle housing 121.

[0093] 13, the spindle unit 40 includes a seal member 148 provided between the spindle housing 121 and the air housing 130 at a position where the air flow path 142 is not formed. This makes it difficult for air passing through the air flow path 142 to leak from the gap between the spindle housing 121 and the air housing 130.

[0094] 16 , the air housing 130 has a cylindrical portion 131 that covers the circumferential surface of the spindle housing 121 along the axial direction D1, and an end face 132 that is located at one end (here, the lower end) of the cylindrical portion 131 in the axial direction D1. The air exhaust port 143 is formed in the end face 132. Here, as shown in FIG. 13 , the end face 132 of the air housing 130 is the part of the air housing 130 that is closest to the tip portion 6 a of the processing tool 6 held by the holding portion 126. In this way, by forming the air exhaust port 143 in the end face 132 that is close to the tip portion 6 a of the processing tool 6, it is possible to make it easier for the air exhausted from the air exhaust port 143 to be blown onto the tip portion 6 a of the processing tool 6.

[0095] 12, when the end face 132 of the air housing 130 is divided into two along a dividing line L1 passing through the center C1 of the end face 132, a plurality of air exhaust ports 143 are formed in a portion of the end face 132 on one side of the dividing line L1 (here, the second end face portion 132b). This makes it easier for the air discharged from the plurality of air exhaust ports 143 to be blown in the same direction. This makes it easier for cutting powder to be blown away in the same direction.

[0096] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , the housing 20 of the cutting machine 10 has a machining space A21 in which the spindle unit 40 is disposed. The housing 20 is formed with a collection port 101 that communicates with the machining space A21. The collection port 101 is connected to the dust collector 100. Here, as shown in FIG. 12 , when the end surface 132 of the air housing 130 is divided into two parts, one on the collection port 101 side (here, the first end surface portion 132a) and the other on the opposite side from the collection port 101 (here, the second end surface portion 132b), with the center C1 of the end surface 132 as the boundary, a plurality of air exhaust ports 143 are formed on the side of the end surface 132 opposite from the collection port 101 (here, the second end surface portion 132b). This makes it easier for air discharged from the plurality of air exhaust ports 143 to be blown toward the collection port 101. This makes it easier to blow cutting dust toward the collection port 101. In addition, since the dust collector 100 is connected to the collection port 101, the cutting dust blown toward the collection port 101 is sucked from the collection port 101 by the dust collector 100. Therefore, the cutting dust can be efficiently removed from the machining space A21.

[0097] 13 , the peripheral surface of the air outlet 143 has an inclined surface 144 that is inclined toward the center of the air housing 130 as it approaches the tip (here, the lower end) of the gripping part 126. As a result, the air discharged from the air outlet 143 is discharged along the inclined surface 144, and is therefore easily blown by the tip portion 6 a of the processing tool 6 gripped by the gripping part 126.

[0098] In this embodiment, the spindle unit 40 includes a connection portion 145 that protrudes from the air inlet port 141 to the outside of the air housing 130 and to which an air compressor 150 is connected. As shown in FIG. 3, the cutting machine 10 includes a lifting mechanism 55 that raises and lowers the spindle unit 40 and a first support plate 54a, which is an example of a passing plate. As shown in FIG. 18, the first support plate 54a is formed with a first passing port 161 through which the air housing 130 passes when the spindle unit 40 is raised and lowered, and a second passing port 162 through which the connecting portion 145 passes when the spindle unit 40 is raised and lowered. This prevents the air housing 130 and the connecting portion 145 from coming into contact with the first support plate 54a, even when the spindle unit 40 is raised and lowered.

[0099] In this embodiment, the second passage opening 162 of the first support plate 54a is provided with a flexible member 164 that is pushed by the connecting portion 145 and bends when the connecting portion 145 passes through. The flexible member 164 is configured to close the second passage opening 162 when the connecting portion 145 does not pass through the second passage opening 162. As a result, when the spindle unit 40 moves up and down, the flexible member 164 is pushed by the connecting portion 145 and bends, allowing the connecting portion 145 to pass through the second passage opening 162 while bending the flexible member 164. Furthermore, when the connecting portion 145 does not pass through the second passage opening 162, the flexible member 164 does not bend and closes the second passage opening 162. Therefore, when the connecting portion 145 does not pass through the second passage opening 162, it is possible to make it difficult for cutting powder to pass through the second passage opening 162. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 6 Processing Tools 10 Cutting machine 20 Case 40 Spindle unit 54a First support plate (passing plate) 55 Lifting mechanism 100 Dust Collector 101 Collection entrance 120 spindle 121 Spindle housing 126 Gripping part 128 Rotation Mechanism 129 First mounting hole 130 Air Housing 131 Cylinder part 132 End face 139 Second mounting hole 140 Mounting screw 141 Air intake 142 air flow path 143 Air exhaust port 144 Slope 145 Connection 148 Sealing material 150 Air Compressor 161 1st passage gate 162 2nd passage gate 164 Flexible Members

Claims

1. A spindle and an air housing that covers the spindle; Equipped with The spindle A spindle housing; a gripping portion that grips a processing tool having a central axis extending in an axial direction and that protrudes from one end of the spindle housing in the axial direction; a rotation mechanism that rotates the processing tool held by the holding portion around the central axis; and the air housing is provided to cover a surface of the spindle housing and is detachably provided with respect to the spindle housing; The air housing includes: an air inlet through which air is introduced; an air flow path connected to the air inlet; an air outlet connected to the air flow path; is formed, The air exhaust port is open toward the tip portion of the processing tool held by the holding portion.

2. The spindle housing has a first mounting hole formed therein, A second mounting hole is formed in the air housing at a position overlapping with the first mounting hole, The spindle unit according to claim 1 , wherein mounting screws are inserted into the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole.

3. 3. The spindle unit according to claim 1, further comprising a seal member provided between the spindle housing and the air housing at a position where the air flow path is not formed.

4. The air housing is a cylindrical portion covering a peripheral surface of the spindle housing along the axial direction; an end surface disposed at one end of the cylindrical portion in the axial direction; and 4. The spindle unit according to claim 1, wherein the air exhaust port is formed in the end surface.

5. When the end surface of the air housing is divided into two along a dividing line passing through the center of the end surface, The spindle unit according to claim 4 , wherein the air exhaust port is formed in a plurality of portions on the end face on one side of the dividing line.

6. 6. The spindle unit according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral surface of the air outlet has an inclined surface that is inclined toward the center of the air housing as it approaches the tip of the gripping portion.

7. A spindle unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6; an air compressor that supplies air to the air inlet of the spindle unit; A cutting machine equipped with

8. the spindle unit includes a connection portion that protrudes from the air inlet to the outside of the air housing and to which the air compressor is connected, a lifting mechanism for lifting and lowering the spindle unit; a passage plate having a first passage opening through which the air housing passes when the spindle unit moves up and down and a second passage opening through which the connection portion passes when the spindle unit moves up and down; The cutting machine according to claim 7, comprising:

9. a flexible member that is pushed by the connection portion and bends when the connection portion passes through the second passage opening of the passage plate, The cutting machine according to claim 8 , wherein the flexible member is configured to close the second passage opening when the connecting portion does not pass through the second passage opening.

10. a housing having a processing space in which the spindle unit is disposed and having a collection port formed therein that communicates with the processing space; a dust collector connected to the collection port; 10. The cutting machine according to claim 7, further comprising:

11. The air housing is a cylindrical portion covering a peripheral surface of the spindle housing along the axial direction; an end surface disposed at one end of the cylindrical portion in the axial direction; and When the end surface of the air housing is divided into two parts, one on the collection port side and the other on the opposite side to the collection port, with the center of the end surface as the boundary, The cutting machine according to claim 10 , wherein a plurality of the air discharge ports are formed on the end face on the opposite side to the collection port.

Images