Workpiece machining system, machine tool, support device, and workpiece support

Abstract

The invention relates to a workpiece machining system, which comprises a machine tool with a support device 100 with a receiving device 120 for a workpiece support 200, which is designed to be driven in rotation about a rotation axis R relative to a base 400 of the machine tool during workpiece machining. The system also comprises a workpiece support 200 which can be fastened to the receiving device 120 and which has a clamping device 220 by means of which a workpiece 300 to be machined is fastened to the workpiece support 200. The workpiece support 200 comprises a monitoring device designed to monitor the clamping state of the clamping device 220. The support device 100 and the workpiece support 200 fixed to the receiving device 120 are electrically coupled to each other via a non-contact information transmission interface 141, 241 so that the monitoring device of the fixed workpiece support 200 can transmit information about the clamping state monitored by the monitoring device, in particular during workpiece machining, to the support device 100 via the information transmission interface 141, 241. The supporting device 100 and the workpiece support 200 fixed to the receiving device 120 are designed to be coupled to each other via energy transmission interfaces 130, 230 for transmitting hydraulic and / or pneumatic energy between the supporting device 100 and the workpiece support 200.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a workpiece machining system, a machine tool used in the workpiece machining system, a support device used in the machine tool, and a workpiece support body used in the workpiece machining system. [Background technology]

[0002] When machining a workpiece using a machine tool, the tool and the workpiece to be machined by the tool are moved relative to one another to machine the workpiece, for example during a milling and / or turning operation.

[0003] The workpiece is typically fixed or clamped on a workpiece support, and the machine tool typically includes a number of drives for effecting relative movement between the workpiece support and a tool-carrying machining device, such as a workpiece spindle, which drives allow both translational and rotational movement of the workpiece support and / or machining device.

[0004] For this purpose, so-called rotary milling machines are known from the prior art, which allow the workpiece support to be rotated about an axis of rotation in order to enable not only milling with a stationary workpiece support, but also turning with a rotating workpiece support, including a clamped workpiece.

[0005] The rotational speeds usually required for turning are relatively high, which leads to correspondingly high safety requirements in operation, in particular the need for secure clamping of the workpiece to the workpiece support and monitoring of the stress state of the workpiece clamped to the workpiece support, which are made even more difficult to achieve due to the connection of the rotary milling machine to the workpiece support, which is usually detachable, and the rotational movements of the rotary milling machine that occur during operation relative to the fixed base of the machine tool.

[0006] For this purpose, it is known from the prior art that different sensors and / or actuators may be arranged on the workpiece support, which are coupled contactlessly to the milling turntable via a transmission interface in order to transmit electrical energy and / or information in the form of electrical signals between the workpiece support and the rotary milling machine.

[0007] EP 1 522 377 A1 shows a rotatable rotary milling machine with contactless inductive (or capacitive) transmission of electrical energy from the rotary milling machine to a workpiece support attached to the rotary milling machine for the purpose of information transmission and to supply energy to actuators arranged on the rotary milling machine for interaction with a clamped workpiece.

[0008] Although contactless transmission of electrical energy is generally low-wear, it limits the possibilities for sensors and / or actuators that can be used on the workpiece support, which may in turn have a negative impact on operational safety, for example, in the event of a failure of the electrical energy transmission. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved workpiece machining system, in particular a system for milling and turning workpieces, which has a compact structure while ensuring increased operational reliability.

[0010] To achieve this object, a workpiece machining system, in particular for milling and turning, according to claim 1, a machine tool for use in the workpiece machining system according to claim 14, a support device for use in the machine tool according to claim 15, and a workpiece support for use in the workpiece machining system according to claim 16 are proposed.

[0011] Each dependent claim relates to a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention, which may be provided individually or in any combination.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a workpiece machining system comprising: a machine tool having a support device with a receiving device for a workpiece support configured to be driven to rotate about a rotation axis relative to a base of the machine tool when the workpiece is being machined; and a workpiece support fixable to the receiving device and having a clamping device used to fix the workpiece to the workpiece support to be machined, the workpiece support comprising a monitoring device configured to monitor a stress state of the clamping device. The support device and the workpiece support attached to the receiving device are electrically coupled to each other via a contactless information transmission interface so that the monitoring device of the attached workpiece support can transmit information regarding the stress state monitored by the monitoring device via the information transmission interface to the support device, in particular when the workpiece is being machined. The support device and the workpiece support fixed to the receiving device are further configured to be coupled to each other via an energy transmission interface for transmitting hydraulic and / or pneumatic energy between the support device and the workpiece support.

[0013] The interface should be understood as a combination of a part on the work support side and a part on the support device side, between which, in an established or existing connection, it is possible to transmit electrical signals in both directions for an information transmission interface, or hydraulic and / or pneumatic energy for an energy transmission interface, which can be advantageously used to transmit information and / or control commands as well as to provide energy to the work support.

[0014] At least in the coupled state, the provision of hydraulic and / or pneumatic energy allows energy to be supplied to the workpiece support via the energy transmission interface, which should be understood as any supply of energy-consuming or energy-actuating devices on the workpiece support, such as clamping devices, where the hydraulic and / or pneumatic energy supply takes place, for example, in the form of providing hydraulic and / or pneumatic medium at a certain supply pressure or a certain volumetric flow rate via the energy transmission interface.

[0015] The interface is preferably configured so that both energy and information can be transmitted bidirectionally, i.e. from the support device side towards the workpiece support and vice versa.

[0016] An example of a workpiece support is a pallet fitted with a clamping device for fixing the workpiece, as known from the field of machine tool construction. The clamping device may be removably attached to the pallet, and the clamping device may be, for example, a multi-jaw chuck, as known from the field of turning.

[0017] The stress state of the clamping device monitored by the monitoring device of the work support provides information about the fixation of the workpiece to the work support and may be determined, for example, based on clamping force, stress value, or position or path information of the clamping elements of the clamping device.

[0018] The system according to the invention for machining a workpiece advantageously combines monitoring of the stress state of a workpiece fixed to a workpiece support, including contactless information transmission via an information transmission interface, with hydraulic and / or pneumatic energy supply via an energy transmission interface.

[0019] Thus, there are two independent interfaces between the support device and the workpiece support, each of which may be used in the course of different tasks when machining a workpiece using the system of the present invention, thereby enabling task-specific use of the two interfaces when machining a workpiece, and the more advantageous interface may be used depending on any task to be performed or any function to be provided in the course of the process.

[0020] On the one hand, electrical coupling via an information transmission interface is advantageous for monitoring the state of the workpiece support or its clamping device in the course of machining the workpiece, since the relevant information is transmitted reliably as electrical signals, contactlessly and usually with relatively low power, and the transmission means required for this, as well as the supply or connection means leading from and / or to these, e.g. electrical cables, require a relatively small installation space.

[0021] On the one hand, the risk of breakdowns due to wear and tear and therefore of failure of condition monitoring can be significantly reduced in this way, and on the other hand, due to the low power transmission, i.e. the voltages and currents required for information transmission are usually relatively low, the load on the information transmission interface, for example in the form of thermal stress due to electrical loads, can be significantly reduced, thereby increasing, inter alia, the reliability and service life of the information transmission interface.

[0022] In this way, the information transmission interface of the workpiece processing system according to the present invention advantageously implements the so-called black channel technology, and all information (or even control commands) related to the workpiece support can be transmitted safely and reliably via a central information transmission interface, the so-called black channel, independently of the energy supply of the workpiece support.

[0023] Typically, only low-power electrical signals are used to transmit information, and there is no simultaneous high-power contactless energy transmission to supply energy to the work support, so that destructive interactions between high-power and low-power currents do not occur, a problem well known from the prior art in the case of contactless transmission, as for example in the case of the interface shown in EP-A-1 522 377.

[0024] The risk of information relating to the stress state of the clamping device being falsified by interaction is therefore significantly reduced compared to the interface of the device of EP 1 522 377 A1.

[0025] In contrast, energy is supplied to the work support using pneumatic and / or hydraulic coupling via an energy transmission interface, thereby providing a relatively safe and reliable energy supply to the work support compared to a purely electrical energy supply.

[0026] Therefore, in the case of the workpiece processing system according to the present invention, the electrical connection for information transmission and the hydraulic and / or pneumatic connection for the energy supply of the workpiece support are used in an advantageous manner compared to interfaces for information and energy transmission which are configured purely electrically, as shown, for example, in EP 1 522 377 A, in that the information transmission interface for the electrical connection between the support device and the workpiece support is only subjected to extremely low loads, and in addition, an independent and separately usable hydraulic and / or pneumatic energy supply for the workpiece support is available.

[0027] Furthermore, the at least partly electrically implemented coupling between the support device and the workpiece support according to the present invention allows for a significant reduction in the installation space required for hydraulic and / or pneumatic supply lines, etc. in the support device and in the workpiece support, compared to purely hydraulic couplings known from the prior art which have one or more rotary feedthroughs.

[0028] The energy transmission interface is preferably configured to be detachable, so that the workpiece support attached to the support device can be replaced or exchanged with relatively little effort, which is advantageous in the context of automated workpiece processing from the perspective of mass production.

[0029] The clamping device of the workpiece support is preferably configured as a multi-jaw chuck having a plurality of clamping jaws as clamping means, and the multi-jaw chuck is configured to fix and / or release the workpiece by displacing individual clamping jaws of the plurality of clamping jaws in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the support device.

[0030] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the support device and the workpiece support may be coupled via an energy transmission interface such that in the coupled state energy, in particular hydraulic and / or pneumatic energy, is supplied to the clamping device of the attached workpiece support via the energy transmission interface.

[0031] Thus, energy provided via the energy transmission interface can be used independently of operation at the information transmission interface to operate a clamping device of the work support to fix a workpiece on the work support or subsequently release the workpiece therefrom.

[0032] The use of hydraulic or pneumatic energy offers the advantage, in particular, of applying very large fixing or clamping forces with a relatively simple structure, thereby enabling a more secure and reliable attachment of the workpiece to the workpiece support via the clamping device compared to a purely electrical energy supply, as shown, for example, in EP 1 522 377 A1, which force is essential for firmly fixing the workpiece during turning operations at high rotational speeds.In addition, the stress state in the clamping device can be relatively easily adjusted and / or determined via such an energy supply, since the stress state can be determined, for example, directly from the supply pressure provided at the energy transmission interface or from the pressure of the hydraulic and / or pneumatic medium applied to the clamping device.

[0033] Preferably, the clamping device of the workpiece support comprises one or more self-locking actuation devices for actuating the clamping device, thus ensuring that the workpiece remains fixed by the clamping device even if the energy supply fails or is disconnected via the energy transmission interface.

[0034] The self-locking may be implemented such that when the coupling is released via the energy transmission interface, the hydraulic and / or pneumatic pressure applied to the actuator remains constant, i.e., the applied hydraulic and / or pneumatic pressure does not decrease, or at least does not decrease significantly, when the coupling via the energy transmission interface is released.

[0035] As an alternative or in addition to a self-locking actuation device, the clamping device may comprise a mechanically designed locking device configured to prevent movement of the clamping elements of the clamping device for securing the workpiece when not coupled at least via the energy transmission interface.

[0036] Designs with self-locking actuators and / or mechanical locking devices further increase operational safety.

[0037] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the monitoring device for monitoring the stress state comprises one or more sensor units from a sensor unit group, which comprises a pressure sensor unit for detecting the hydraulic and / or pneumatic pressure in the clamping device, an end position sensor unit for detecting the end position of the clamping device, in particular of a clamping means of the clamping device for clamping a workpiece, a displacement sensor unit for detecting the displacement path of the clamping device, in particular of the clamping means of the clamping device, and a force sensor unit for detecting the clamping force of the clamping device acting on the workpiece.

[0038] A large number of sensor units from the sensor unit group enable comprehensive and application-specific monitoring of the stress state, and the information sensed by the sensor units is transmitted by the monitoring device in the form of an electrical signal from there, in turn, from the workpiece support to the support device, and further transmitted from the support device to the control device of the machine tool, for example for consideration in the machine control.

[0039] For example, if the monitoring device senses an insufficient stress state for turning, the controller may respond by reducing the rotational speed or by immediately stopping the machine tool.

[0040] In most cases, especially when the rotational speed remains largely constant, an end position sensor detecting the end position or end configuration of the clamping device with the workpiece fixed is usually sufficient, but when the rotational speed varies, monitoring the clamping force has proven to be particularly advantageous, as this allows for a more accurate indication of changes in the clamping force that may occur, for example, due to the weight of the workpiece or centrifugal forces.

[0041] The monitoring device for monitoring the stress state preferably comprises at least two different sensor units from the group of sensor units.

[0042] In this way, redundant monitoring of the stress state may be provided, including at least two different types of sensor units, thereby improving the monitoring of the stress state and thus increasing operational reliability. In particular, a combination of an end position sensor unit associated with the structure and a pressure sensor unit associated with the energy supply is preferred.

[0043] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the energy transmission interface in the coupled state is further configured to transmit electrical energy between the support device and a work support fixed to the receiving device, in particular to supply energy to a clamping device of the fixed work support.

[0044] As a result, for example, different clamping devices can be used on the work supports, some of which may be electrically actuated depending on the configuration.

[0045] The use of electrical energy is in no way limited to supplying the clamping device, but may also be used for further devices on the workpiece support that require an energy supply.

[0046] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the support device is configured to establish and / or release coupling between the support device and the fixed work support via the energy transmission interface by relative movement between a portion of the energy transmission interface on the support device side and a portion of the energy transmission interface on the work support side.

[0047] In this way, the fixation of the workpiece support to the support device is independent of the energy transmission interface, so that after fixation to the receiving device the coupling via the energy transmission interface can be established and / or released again at any time.

[0048] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the support device is configured to establish and / or release the coupling between the support device and the fixed work support via the energy transmission interface by translational movement of a part of the energy transmission interface on the support device side in the direction of the movement axis, in particular in the direction of the rotation axis of the receiving device.

[0049] In this way, a relatively simple way of establishing coupling via the energy transmission interface is provided: for example, the support device side part may be moved towards the underside of the work support by an upward movement directed in the direction of the rotation axis in order to establish coupling on the underside of the work support by docking with the work support side part of the interface.

[0050] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the system is configured such that while the workpiece is being machined, the coupling between the support device and the fixed workpiece support is released via the energy transmission interface.

[0051] For example, to clamp a workpiece by means of a clamping device of a workpiece support fixed to a receiving device, in this case a coupling is established via the energy transmission interface, energy is supplied to the clamping device, and the clamping device can be activated. After the workpiece has been clamped by the clamping device, the coupling is released again while the stress state of the clamping device is maintained, and then the workpiece is machined while the coupling via the energy transmission interface is released.

[0052] In this way, part of the energy transmission interface on the support device side is not connected to the work support during workpiece processing, and as a result, it does not need to follow the rotational movement of the work support, which in turn greatly simplifies storage of parts on the support device side.

[0053] Preferably, the part of the energy transmission interface on the supporting device side substantially maintains its position relative to the base of the machine tool during rotation of the receiving device when the workpiece is being machined.

[0054] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the system is configured such that a coupling between the support device and the fixed workpiece support is established via an energy transmission interface while the workpiece is being machined.

[0055] In this case, coupling via the energy transmission interface is present both during the actuation of the clamping device for fixing the workpiece, which is made possible by the energy supply, and during the subsequent processing of the workpiece.

[0056] In this way, not only an information transmission interface but also an energy transmission interface is available while the workpiece is being machined, with part of the interface on the support device rotating around the rotation axis together with the fixed workpiece support, so that, for example, the clamping device can be supplied with energy even while the workpiece is being machined, which means that the stress state can be changed or readjusted, for example, if the monitoring device detects a decrease in clamping force while the workpiece is being machined.

[0057] Furthermore, further monitoring of the stress state on the support device side may be advantageously carried out by being able to sense the supply pressure of hydraulic and / or pneumatic medium to the clamping device applied via the energy transmission interface, for example even while the workpiece is being machined, thereby further increasing operational reliability.

[0058] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the support device, in particular a part of the energy transmission interface on the support device side, and the base of the machine tool are coupled to each other via a further energy transmission interface for the transmission of hydraulic and / or pneumatic and / or electrical energy, and are coupled so that while the workpiece is being machined, energy is transmitted between the support device and the base via the further energy transmission interface, in particular so as to supply energy to the clamping device via the energy transmission interface between the support device and the workpiece support.

[0059] In this way, an additional interface is provided that allows part of the energy transmission interface on the support device side to be connected to an energy supply source arranged on the base side of the machine tool, even when it rotates together with the workpiece support, so that hydraulic and / or pneumatic energy can be continuously supplied by the energy supply source even during machining.

[0060] In a particularly preferred embodiment, part of the further energy transmission interface is configured as a rotary feedthrough with a sealed transition between the support device and a hydraulic fluid supply and / or a gas supply and / or a vacuum supply arranged on the base side of the machine tool.

[0061] In this way, a further energy transmission interface configuration in the form of a rotary feedthrough is provided, which is reliable and established in the prior art, allowing hydraulic and / or pneumatic energy to be transmitted between two components that rotate relative to each other, in this case allowing a reliable and secure supply to the supporting device by an energy supply source on the base side of the machine tool in the form of a hydraulic fluid supply and / or a gas supply and / or a vacuum supply.

[0062] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the part of the information transmission interface on the support device side substantially maintains its position relative to the base of the machine tool during rotation of the receiving device while the workpiece is being machined.

[0063] Substantially maintaining should be understood here to mean that no intentional changes in the position of parts of the support device occur due to displacement movements while the workpiece is being processed, although changes in the positional behavior due to deformation or vibration of individual components may still occur.

[0064] At this point, it should be noted that the base of the machine tool itself does not need to be fixed relative to the rest of the machine tool, but may be moved or rotated via linear or rotary axes to position or align support devices connected to the base relative to the machining devices of the machine tool, and in particular the work spindle that carries the tool.

[0065] In a particularly preferred embodiment, a part of the information transmission interface on the support device side and a part on the workpiece support side are each embodied as an inductive coupler configured for inductively transmitting information to each other in the form of an electrical signal across an air gap.

[0066] Inductive transmission is contactless and therefore low-wear, as well as offering a safe and fault-resistant transmission option, which has proven particularly advantageous for transmitting safety-related information, such as information about the stress state of clamping devices.

[0067] Preferably, the inductive coupler on the support device side is electrically coupled to a control device of the machine tool arranged on the base side of the machine tool so that while the workpiece is being machined, information in the form of electrical signals, in particular information regarding the stress state of the clamping device monitored by the monitoring device, is transmitted between the support device and the control device, and this information is transmitted to the support device via an information transmission interface.

[0068] In a particularly preferred embodiment, this coupling between the inductive coupler on the support device side and the control device takes place via a second contactless information transmission interface, which is in particular configured for inductive transmission.

[0069] In this way, the use of additional connecting cables and / or plug-in connections between the support device and the base is avoided, which allows for a clear construction, a compact design and easy replacement of individual parts or assemblies, for example during maintenance.

[0070] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a machine tool for use in the workpiece machining system according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0071] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a support device for use in the machine tool according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0072] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a workpiece support for use in the workpiece machining system according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0073] Further aspects and advantages thereof, as well as more specific exemplary embodiments of the above-described aspects and features, are described below with reference to the figures illustrated in the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0074] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a detailed perspective view of an embodiment according to a first aspect of the invention including a workpiece support together with a clamping device, a support device and a base of a machine tool.

[0075] [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a two-dimensional cross section of the embodiment of FIG. 1 without the clamping device of the workpiece support.

[0076] [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a support device according to the third aspect of the present invention.

[0077] [Figure 4] 4a-4c show exemplary embodiments of parts of the information and energy transmission interfaces of the support device and the work support on the work support side and the support device side.

[0078] The same or similar elements in the drawings may be designated by the same reference number, or in some cases, by different reference numbers.

[0079] It is emphasized that the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described below and the features of their implementation: the present invention also includes modifications of the exemplary embodiments described, in particular those resulting from modifications and / or combinations of one or more features of the exemplary embodiments described within the scope of the independent claims. <Detailed Description of the Drawings>

[0080] FIG. 1 shows a detailed perspective view of an embodiment according to a first aspect of the invention including a workpiece support 200 together with a clamping device, a support device 100 and a base 400 of a machine tool.

[0081] The illustrated structure represents a rotary milling machine, by means of which the workpiece 300 carried by the workpiece support 200 can be rotated about a rotation axis R, which runs vertically here, when the workpiece is being machined. Rotation about the rotation axis R may be performed both as part of milling workpiece machining, in which an angular reorientation of the ring-shaped workpiece 300 by a specific angle value about the rotation axis R is performed, and in the context of turning workpiece machining, in which the workpiece support 200 rotates together with the workpiece 300 about the rotation axis R at a constant rotational speed. This results in relatively high requirements for fixing the workpiece 300 on the workpiece support 200.

[0082] The workpiece support 200 includes a pallet 210 and a jaw chuck 220, and the jaw chuck 220 is attached to the top of the pallet 210 as a clamping device for fixing the workpiece 300.

[0083] The jaw chuck 220 shown in FIG. 1 is a three-jaw chuck having three clamping jaws 221 (one of which is not shown due to the cross-sectional view), which can be displaced along respective guide grooves 222 in a radial direction relative to the rotation axis R so as to attach and firmly secure the workpiece 300 to the workpiece support 200.

[0084] The workpiece support 200 is detachably connected to the support device 100 of the machine tool below the pallet 21, and the entire workpiece support 200, i.e., the pallet 210 and jaw chuck 220 together with the workpiece 300, can be quickly and easily exchanged or replaced within the scope of automated industrial production.

[0085] The workpiece support 200 may be supplied with a hydraulic medium for energy supply when attached to the support device 100 to operate the jaw chuck 220 for the purpose of clamping or releasing the workpiece 300 .

[0086] For workpiece machining, the pallet 210 of the workpiece support 200 is fixed to the pallet support 120 of the support device 100 of the machine tool configured as a receiving device, the fixation being achieved via clamping cones of the pallet support 120, which are not shown in the selected perspective view.

[0087] To rotate the workpiece support 200 fixed to the pallet support 120, the pallet support 120 is connected to a rotor 112 of an electric drive motor 110, the stator 111 of which is located on the base 400 side of the machine tool. As the rotor 112 rotates relative to the stator 111 about the rotation axis R, the pallet support 120 and the fixed workpiece support 200 also rotate together with the workpiece 300.

[0088] The pallet support 120 of the support device 100 is supplied with hydraulic medium via a non-rotating distributor flange 150 for actuating clamping cones for securing the workpiece support 200. The distributor flange 150 may be connected to or separated from the hydraulic supply of the machine tool via a hydraulic coupling 151 displaceable in the direction of the rotation axis R.

[0089] In particular, hydraulic energy is supplied to the workpiece support 200, and thus also to its jaw chuck 220, via a centrally located energy transmission interface, in order to actuate the clamping jaws 221 of the jaw chuck 220 in this way to firmly clamp the workpiece 300, or to release the workpiece 300 again from the jaw chuck 220 after machining has been carried out.

[0090] On the support device 100 side, the energy transmission interface comprises a media coupler 130, which can be coupled to a receptacle 230 on the work support side to enable media transfer of hydraulic media between the support device 100 and the work support 200, thereby providing, for example, a specific hydraulic supply pressure for actuating the clamping jaws 221.

[0091] In the illustration, the energy transmission interface has been removed, so there is no coupling via said interface. To establish coupling via the energy transmission interface, and in particular to supply energy to the jaw chuck 220, the media coupler 130, starting from the configuration shown in FIG. 1, is displaced towards the work support 200 by an upward movement directed in the direction of the rotation axis R to dock with the receptacle 230.

[0092] Before workpiece machining begins, the media coupler 130 is lowered back to the configuration shown in Figure 1, thereby disengaging the coupling via the energy transmission interface. The workpiece support 200 is configured such that, upon said disengagement, the hydraulic pressure previously present in the hydraulic network of the workpiece support 200 is maintained and does not decrease, or at least does not decrease significantly.

[0093] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the media coupler 130 is configured not to rotate about the rotation axis R, but rather to maintain its position relative to the base 400 as the workpiece support 200 rotates while the workpiece is being machined.

[0094] The media coupler 130 is displaceable in the direction of the rotation axis R and is arranged around the internal structure 140, which is stationary relative to the base 400 and has a pot 146 on its underside, a piston 142 attached thereto, and a first induction coupler 141 connected thereto. Here, the media coupler 130 has a cylindrical recess surrounding a portion of the internal structure 140 so that the media coupler 130 is attached displaceably in the direction of the rotation axis R. To eliminate the remaining rotational degree of freedom of the media coupler 130 relative to the internal structure 140, the media coupler 130 is also connected to the piston 142 via a torque support (see FIG. 2).

[0095] Between the piston 142 and the media coupler 130 a lifting hydraulic system is arranged (see FIG. 2), via which a displacement of the media coupler 130 in the direction of the rotation axis R is carried out in order to establish or release the coupling via the energy transmission interface.

[0096] The piston 142 itself has an internal cylindrical recess as a cable feedthrough 145 through which a supply or transmission cable is routed from the base 400 to the first inductive coupler 141 .

[0097] The first inductive coupler 141 is part of the information transmission interface between the support device 100 and the workpiece support 200 and serves to transmit information in the form of electrical signals.

[0098] The information transmission interface consists of a first inductive coupler 141 on the support device side and a second inductive coupler 241 on the work support side, which are configured to inductively transmit information to each other via an air gap 242 in the form of an electrical signal.

[0099] The first induction coupler 141 is fixed relative to the base 400 while the workpiece is being machined, and the second induction coupler 241 is located in a central recess in the pallet 210 and rotates with the rest of the workpiece support 200 while the workpiece is being machined, so that the first induction coupler 141 and the second induction coupler 241 rotate relative to each other while not in contact, but are separated from each other via the air gap 242. Thus, induction transmission through this interface provides a low-wear option for providing electrical coupling between the workpiece support 200 and the support apparatus 100 despite relative movement or rotation of the two couplers 141, 241, even while the workpiece is being machined.

[0100] The second induction coupler 241 is connected via connection means passing in the connection channel 243 to a monitoring device (not shown here) of the workpiece support 200, which monitoring device is configured to monitor the stress state of the jaw chuck 220 and transmit relevant information via an information transmission interface, primarily for the purpose of forwarding to a control device (not shown here) of the machine tool. The monitoring device may generally be provided as part of the clamping device or jaw chuck 220, but also as a separate device of the workpiece support 200.

[0101] The above-described arrangement also allows for safety-related monitoring of the stress state while the workpiece is being machined, so that the control device may be configured, for example, to immediately stop the rotation of the workpiece support in the event of insufficient or loose fixation.

[0102] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the workpiece support or its jaw chuck 220 is hydraulically energized, and safety-related information about the stress state of the jaw chuck 220 is transmitted electrically via a central contactless information transmission interface of the support device 100 and the workpiece support 200.

[0103] In this way, the optimum form of transmission for each task is selected, since the energy supplied by hydraulics is optimal for actuating clamping devices, and contactless transmission is optimal for transmitting information (especially safety-related information) since, when the power of the transmitted electrical signals is low, inductive and therefore contactless transmission is fail-safe and particularly robust against disturbances.

[0104] FIG. 2 further illustrates a two-dimensional cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, but for clarity does not show the clamping device or jaw chuck 220 of the work support 200.

[0105] As a complement to the illustration of FIG. 1, the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 primarily illustrates the aforementioned structure of the support device 100 of an exemplary embodiment of the system according to the present invention.

[0106] FIG. 2 particularly shows a hydraulic system 143 for lifting and lowering the media coupler 130 between the piston 142 and the media coupler 130 for moving the media coupler 130 in the direction of the rotation axis R, as well as a torque support 144 used to support the media coupler 130 between the media coupler 130 and the piston 142.

[0107] The lifting hydraulic pressure 143 is implemented by two hydraulic chambers, each delimited between the media coupler 130 and a radially protruding piston extension of the piston 142 that extends into a recess in the media coupler 130. Viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, there is a first hydraulic chamber below the piston extension and a second hydraulic chamber (here unfilled) above the piston extension. Starting from the configuration shown in Figure 2, the media coupler 130 may be displaced axially upwards in the direction of the rotation axis R by filling the second hydraulic chamber and emptying the first hydraulic chamber, so that in this way the media coupler 130 docks with a receptacle 230 of the work support or pallet 210, and a coupling is established via the energy transmission interface.

[0108] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a part of an exemplary embodiment of a support device according to the third aspect of the invention, but without the receiving device for the workpiece support, the structure shown essentially corresponding to the structure of the support device already described in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0109] FIG. 3 shows the internal structure 140 of the support device, which includes a pot 146, a piston 142 attached thereto, and an inductive coupler 141 attached thereto as part of an information transmission interface between the support device and a mountable work support (not shown here) rotatable about a rotation axis R.

[0110] A media coupler 130, as part of an energy transmission interface between the support apparatus and its attached work support, is mounted for displacement relative to the internal structure 140 along the rotation axis R to establish or release coupling to the attached work support for transmission of hydraulic and electrical energy via displacement. A torque support 144 between the piston 142 and the media coupler 130 prevents the media coupler 130 from rotating relative to the internal structure 140.

[0111] The lifting movement for axial displacement of the media coupler 130 is effected via a lifting hydraulic system 143, the operating principle of which has already been described in connection with FIG.

[0112] In the configuration shown in Figure 3, the media coupler 130 is in a suitable position for docking with the work support, the second hydraulic chamber (upper) is filled, and the first hydraulic chamber (lower) of the lifting hydraulics 143 is empty.

[0113] The energy transmission between the media coupler 130 and a suitable counterpart on the workpiece support side takes place via an upper-side arranged coupling 131 for medium transfer, by means of which hydraulic media (or alternatively pneumatic media) can be exchanged with one another. In addition, a further energy transmission interface in the form of several electropins 132 for transmitting high-power electrical energy, at least higher than the electrical signals transmitted via the information transmission interface, is arranged on the upper side of the media coupler 130.

[0114] The energy supply to the media coupler 130 is via terminals 133 for the media supply arranged on the underside, which may be connected to a hydraulic fluid supply (not shown here) and / or a gas supply and / or a vacuum supply. Electrical energy is supplied via connection means (also not shown here) which pass under the electropins 132 in the cable feedthrough 145 and are connected to an electrical energy source (not shown here).

[0115] Thus, the support device shown (at least in part) allows the work support attached thereto to be supplied with both hydraulic and / or pneumatic energy via an energy transmission interface and with electrical energy via a further energy transmission interface, while information can be transmitted to its counterpart on the work support side via a centrally arranged first induction coupler 141.

[0116] 4a and 4b show enlarged planar perspective views of a portion of the support device side of the energy and information transmission interface of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in a position corresponding to the coupled state in FIG. 4a and in a position corresponding to the uncoupled state in FIG. 4b, respectively.

[0117] The medium coupler 130 forms part of the energy transmission interface on the support device side, which, when coupled to the work support or its receptacle 230, can provide hydraulic and / or pneumatic medium for supplying energy to the work support via four couplings 131 arranged around the periphery for medium transport.

[0118] Furthermore, there is a further energy transmission interface with three electropins 132 arranged on a partial periphery of the upper side of the media coupler 130, via which electrical energy can be supplied in the coupled state for the energy supply of the workpiece support.

[0119] The first inductive coupler 141 of the information transmission interface is centrally located and surrounded by the medium coupler 131 .

[0120] In comparison with Figure 4b, Figure 4a shows the position of the media coupler 130 when coupled to the work support or its receptacle 230. The first induction coupler 141 is fixed relative to the base of the machine tool (not shown here), and the media coupler 130 is displaced axially upward relative to the first induction coupler 141 to establish coupling and downward to release coupling. Figure 4a shows the upwardly displaced position, and Figure 4b shows the downwardly displaced position of the media coupler 130.

[0121] FIG. 4c shows an exemplary embodiment of a counterpart on the work support that matches part of the associated interface on the support device shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b.

[0122] To establish a coupling via an energy transmission interface, the work support has on its underside a receptacle 230 for a media coupler 130 shown in Figures 4a and 4b. The receptacle 230 has four coupling nipples 231 distributed around its periphery that are configured to couple the couplings 131 for media transfer shown in Figures 4a and 4b in order to establish a hydraulic and / or pneumatic network between the support device and the work support, through which energy is supplied to the work support.

[0123] Furthermore, in the area of ​​the receptacle 230, three electro-pins 132 distributed over a portion of the periphery are arranged as part of a further energy transmission interface, and electrical coupling for relatively high power electrical energy transmission between the support device and the work support is achieved via said electro-pins 132.

[0124] Surrounded by a receptacle 230 for the medium coupler 130, a second inductive coupler 241 matching that shown in Figures 4a and 4b is centrally located, which second inductive coupler 241 can be used in conjunction with the first inductive coupler 141 as an information transmission interface regardless of the position of the medium coupler 130, and therefore independent of coupling via the energy transmission interface(s) (see the configuration of Figures 4a and 4b).

[0125] The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their advantages have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0126] It is emphasized again that the present invention is in no way limited to the above-described embodiments and their implementing features: the present invention also includes modifications of the exemplary embodiments described, in particular those resulting from modifications and / or combinations of one or more features of the exemplary embodiments set forth within the scope of the independent claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 100 Support device 110 drive motor 111 Stator 112 rotor 120 Pallet support 130 Medium Coupler 131 Couplings for medium transport 132 Electropin 133 Media supply terminal 134 Cable feedthrough for Electropin current supply 140 Internal structure 141 First Inductive Coupler 142 Piston 143 Lifting hydraulics 144 Torque Support 145 Cable Feedthrough 146 Pot 150 distributor flange 151 Hydraulic coupling for distributor flange 200 Work support 210 pallets 220 jaw chuck 221 Clamp Claw 222 Guide groove 230 Receptacle for medium coupler 231 Coupling nipple 241 Second Inductive Coupler 242 Air Gap 243 connection channels 300 Work 400 Machine Tool Base R rotation axis

Claims

1. A system for machining a workpiece (300), comprising: A machine tool and workpiece support (200) is provided, The machine tool comprises a base (400) and a support device (100); The support device (100) is connected to the base (400), and the support device (100) includes a receiving device (120) for receiving the work support (200); The receiving device (120) is configured to be driven to rotate about a rotation axis (R) relative to the base (400) during workpiece processing; The workpiece support (200) is fixable to the receiving device (120); The workpiece support (200) has a clamping device (220), and the workpiece (300) to be machined by the system is fixed to the workpiece support (200) by the clamping device (220); the workpiece support (200) further comprises a monitoring device configured to monitor the stress state of the clamping device (220); the support device (100) and the workpiece support (200) are electrically coupled to each other via the information transmission interface (141, 241) so that, when the workpiece support (200) is fixed to the receiving device (120) of the support device (100), the monitoring device of the workpiece support (200) can transmit information about the stress state monitored by the monitoring device to the support device (100) via the non-contact information transmission interface (141, 241); When the workpiece support (200) is fixed to the receiving device (120) of the support device (100), the support device (100) and the workpiece support (200) are configured to be coupled to each other via an energy transmission interface (130, 230) configured to transmit hydraulic and / or pneumatic energy between the support device (100) and the workpiece support (200). Workpiece processing system.

2. When the workpiece support (200) is fixed to the receiving device (120) of the support device (100), the support device (100) and the workpiece support (200) can be coupled to each other via the energy transmission interfaces (130, 230) so that, in a coupled state, energy is supplied to the clamping device (220) of the workpiece support (200) via the energy transmission interfaces (130, 230). The system of claim 1 .

3. The monitoring device for monitoring the stress state comprises one or more sensor units from a group of sensor units, the group of sensor units comprising: a pressure sensor unit for detecting hydraulic and / or pneumatic pressure in the clamping device (220); an end position sensor unit for detecting the end position of the clamping device (220); a displacement sensor unit for detecting the displacement of the clamping device (220); and a force sensor unit for detecting the clamping force of the clamping device (220) acting on the workpiece (300).

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When the workpiece support (200) is fixed to the receiving device (120) of the support device (100), the energy transmission interface (130, 132, 230) is further configured to transmit electrical energy between the support device (100) and the workpiece support (200) in a coupled state. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The energy transmission interface (130, 230) includes a support device side component (130) arranged on the support device (100) and a work support side component (230) arranged on the work support (200), when the workpiece support (200) is fixed to the receiving device (120) of the support device (100), the support device (100) is configured to establish and / or release a coupling between the support device (100) and the workpiece support (200) via the energy transmission interface (130, 230) by a relative movement in the direction of the rotation axis (R) between the support device side part (130) of the energy transmission interface (130, 230) and the workpiece support side part (230) of the energy transmission interface (130, 230). A system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. when the workpiece support (200) is fixed to the receiving device (120) of the support device (100), the support device (100) is configured to establish and / or release the coupling between the support device (100) and the workpiece support (200) via the energy transmission interface (130, 230) by translational movement of the support device-side part (130) of the energy transmission interface (130, 230) in the direction of the rotation axis (R). The system of claim 5.

7. When the workpiece support (200) is fixed to the receiving device (120) of the support device (100), the system for processing the workpiece (300) is configured such that the coupling between the support device (100) and the workpiece support (200) via the energy transmission interface (130, 230) is released during workpiece processing.

7. The system according to claim 5 or 6.

8. the system for machining the workpiece (300) is configured such that, when the workpiece support (200) is fixed to the receiving device (120) of the supporting device (100), the coupling between the supporting device (100) and the workpiece support (200) is established via the energy transmission interface (130, 230) during workpiece machining; 7. The system according to claim 5 or 6.

9. the support device (100) and the base (400) of the machine tool are coupled to each other via a further energy transmission interface configured for transmitting hydraulic and / or pneumatic and / or electrical energy, such that during workpiece machining, energy is transmitted between the support device (100) and the base (400) via the further energy transmission interface. The system of claim 8.

10. the further energy transmission interface is configured as a rotary feedthrough with a sealed transition of hydraulic fluid and / or gas and / or vacuum between the support device (100) and respective hydraulic fluid supplies and / or gas supplies and / or vacuum supplies arranged on the base (400) side of the machine tool, The system of claim 9.

11. The information transmission interface (141, 241) includes a support device side component (141) arranged on the support device (100) and a work support side component (241) arranged on the work support (200), the support device side component (141) of the information transmission interface (141, 241) fixes the position of the support device side component (141) relative to the base (400) of the machine tool while the receiving device (120) is rotating during the workpiece machining process. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. the support device side part (141) and the work support side part (241) of the information transmission interface (141, 241) are configured as inductive couplers configured to inductively transmit information to each other in the form of an electric signal across an air gap (242), The system of claim 11.

13. the support device (100) is electrically coupled to a control device of the machine tool arranged on the base (400) side via a non-contact second information transmission interface, and the second information transmission interface is configured to transmit information in the form of an electrical signal between the support device (100) and the control device.

13. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A machine tool for use in a system for machining a workpiece (300) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A support device (100) for use in a machine tool according to claim 14.

16. A workpiece support (200) for use in a system for machining a workpiece (300) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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