Cutting machine

Abstract

To provide a cutting machine which is excellent in run-out accuracy of a cutting tool gripped by a gripping part of a spindle.SOLUTION: A cutting machine 10 includes a tool stocker 80 for storing a cutting tool 6, a cutting device 50 having a spindle 51 having a gripping part 53 for gripping an apex 6T of the cutting tool 6, and a control device 100, wherein the tool stocker 80 includes a pressing member 82 to which a tip 6B of the cutting tool 6 is pressed, the control device 100 includes a temporary gripping part 108 for inserting the apex 6T of the cutting tool 6 into the gripping part 53 by a first length L1, then closing the gripping part 53, and temporarily gripping the cutting tool 6, and a final gripping part 109 for inserting the apex 6T of the cutting tool 6 into the gripping part 53 in a state where the tip 6B of the cutting tool 6 is pressed to the pressing member 82 by a second length L2 longer than the first length L1, then closing the gripping part 53 and finally gripping the cutting tool 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, cutting machines that cut a workpiece by rotating a cutting tool around an axis have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an example of this type of cutting machine, which includes a spindle having a gripping portion that grips the cutting tool used to cut the workpiece, and a holding portion that holds the workpiece. The cutting machine is equipped with an automatic tool changer (ATC) that automatically changes between multiple cutting tools with different cutting portion shapes in order to automatically and continuously perform a variety of cutting operations in a single operation. The multiple cutting tools are stored, for example, in a tool stocker. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-13155 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When replacing a cutting tool held by the spindle's gripper using an ATC, the spindle is moved above the cutting tool to be replaced, and the spindle is lowered with the gripper open to insert the tip of the cutting tool into the gripper. The gripper is then closed to grip the tip of the cutting tool. However, because slight positional or angular misalignment can occur between the cutting tool stored in the tool stocker and the spindle, a slight tilt can occur when the cutting tool is inserted into the gripper. This can result in a decrease in the runout accuracy of the cutting tool, resulting in a decrease in cutting quality.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cutting machine that has excellent runout accuracy for a cutting tool held by a holding portion of a spindle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The cutting machine according to the present invention comprises a tool stocker capable of storing a plurality of rod-shaped cutting tools, a cutting device configured to be openable and closable and having a spindle having a gripper for gripping the top of the cutting tool stored in the tool stocker and a rotation unit for rotating the gripper, and for cutting a workpiece with the cutting tool, a moving device for moving the cutting device, and a control device for controlling the cutting device and the moving device. The tool stocker comprises a main body portion having a plurality of storage holes for storing the cutting tools, and a pressing member provided on the upper surface of the main body portion and against which the tips of the cutting tools are pressed. The control device comprises a temporary gripping unit that lowers the cutting device with the gripping unit open, inserts the tip of the cutting tool into the gripping unit by a first length, and then closes the gripping unit to temporarily grip the cutting tool; and a final gripping unit that moves the cutting device so that the tip of the temporarily gripped cutting tool is positioned above the pressing member, lowers the cutting device with the gripping unit open, inserts the tip of the cutting tool into the gripping unit by a second length longer than the first length with the tip of the cutting tool pressed against the pressing member, and then closes the gripping unit to finally grip the cutting tool.

[0007] According to the cutting machine of the present invention, the temporary gripping unit inserts the tip of the cutting tool into the gripping unit by a first length, and then closes the gripping unit to temporarily grip the cutting tool. That is, the gripping unit grips the tip of the cutting tool shallower than usual. Then, the main gripping unit inserts the tip of the cutting tool into the gripping unit by a second length while pressing the cutting tool temporarily gripped by the gripping unit against the pressing member with the gripping unit open. This eliminates the tilt even if the cutting tool is held at an angle relative to the gripping unit during temporary gripping. That is, the runout accuracy of the cutting tool is improved, and cutting quality can be improved. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cutting machine that has excellent runout accuracy for a cutting tool held by a holding portion of a spindle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cutting machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the workpiece and the adapter. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cutting machine as viewed from the left. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cutting machine as viewed from the right. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the work holder. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the cutting machine during adapter replacement. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cutting device chamber and the drive device chamber. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the tool stocker. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway side view of the vicinity of the lower end of the cutting device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view of the vicinity of the tip of the cutting device when the cutting tool is replaced. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the cutting machine. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the air blow nozzle and the ceiling wall of the processing chamber. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for spraying air from the air blow nozzle. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a side view showing a state in which the top portion of the cutting tool is inserted into the gripping portion by a first length. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a state in which the tip of the cutting tool is pressed against the pressing member. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a side view showing a state in which the top portion of the cutting tool is inserted into the gripping portion by a second length. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the procedure for replacing the cutting tool. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a cutting machine according to 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 in any particular way. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for members and parts that perform the same functions, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0011] [Cutting machine configuration] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cutting machine 10 according to one embodiment. In the following description, when viewed from the front of the cutting machine 10, 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 terms left, right, top, and bottom refer to the left, right, top, and bottom, respectively, when viewed from the front of the cutting machine 10. Furthermore, the symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawings refer to the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom, respectively.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the workpiece 1 and the adapter 5. The cutting machine 10 according to this embodiment is a cutting machine that cuts the disk-shaped workpiece 1 held in the adapter 5. Here, the cutting machine 10 is a device that cuts the workpiece 1 to produce dental molded products, such as crowns, bridges, copings, inlays, onlays, veneers, custom abutments, and other dental prostheses, as well as artificial teeth and denture bases. The cutting machine 10 according to this embodiment is a dry cutting machine that does not use coolant.

[0013] The workpiece 1 may be made of, for example, a resin such as PMMA, PEEK, glass fiber reinforced resin, or hybrid resin; a ceramic material such as glass ceramics or zirconia; a metal material such as cobalt chromium sintered metal; wax; or gypsum. When zirconia is used as the material for the workpiece 1, semi-sintered zirconia is used, for example. The workpiece 1 is formed in a flat plate shape. Here, the shape of the workpiece 1 is disk-like. However, the workpiece 1 may have other shapes, such as a block shape (e.g., a cube or a rectangular parallelepiped). Hereinafter, the front surface of the workpiece 1 will be referred to as a first surface 1A (see FIG. 2 ), and the back surface will be referred to as a second surface 1B (see FIG. 2 ). The distinction between the first surface 1A and the second surface 1B is for convenience's sake. In this embodiment, the first surface 1A and the second surface 1B of the workpiece 1 before machining are the same. However, the first surface 1A and the second surface 1B of the workpiece 1 before machining may be configured to be distinguishable from each other.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 2, the adapter 5 holds the disk-shaped workpiece 1. In this example, the adapter 5 is a flat adapter with a substantially circular insertion hole 5a formed in the center that corresponds to the workpiece 1. The workpiece 1 is held by the adapter 5 by being inserted into the insertion hole 5a. The workpiece 1, while held by the adapter 5, is housed in the cutting machine 10 and machined.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cutting machine 10 as seen from the left. FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cutting machine 10 as seen from the right. As shown in FIG. 1, the cutting machine 10 has a box-shaped housing 11. The interior of the housing 11 is partitioned into multiple spaces, including a machining chamber 120 (see also FIG. 3) that houses a work holder 20 that holds an adapter 5 (see FIG. 2), a drive unit chamber 130 that houses a holder movement device 30 (see FIG. 4) that moves the work holder 20, a cutting unit chamber 150 (see FIG. 3) that houses a cutting unit 50 (see FIG. 3), an air blow unit 55 (see FIG. 3), and a movement device 60 (see FIG. 3), a changer chamber 170 that houses a work changer 70, and a tool exchange chamber 180 for storing cutting tools 6 (see FIG. 7) in a tool stocker 80 (see FIG. 7). The drive unit chamber 130 is an example of a first chamber. The processing chamber 120 is an example of a second chamber.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the processing chamber 120 is located in the lower left portion of the housing 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the processing chamber 120 extends to the rear end of the housing 11. The changer chamber 170 is located above the front portion of the processing chamber 120. The changer chamber 170 extends to the center of the housing 11 in the front-to-rear direction. The drive unit chamber 130 is located to the right of the processing chamber 120. As shown in FIG. 4, the drive unit chamber 130 extends to the rear end of the housing 11. The tool changer chamber 180 is located above the front portion of the drive unit chamber 130. The tool changer chamber 180 extends to the center of the housing 11 in the front-to-rear direction. The drive unit chamber 130 may be located to the left of the processing chamber 120. In that case, the tool changer chamber 180 may be located to the left of the changer chamber 170. 3 and 4, the cutting device chamber 150 is disposed above the processing chamber 120 and the drive device chamber 130 and behind the changer chamber 170 and the tool exchange chamber 180. In this case, the cutting device chamber 150 occupies almost the entire width of the housing 11 in the left-right direction.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, a processing chamber door 122 is provided at a front opening 121 (see FIG. 3) of the processing chamber 120 so as to be able to open and close freely. A drive unit chamber door 132 is provided at a front opening 131 (see FIG. 4) of the drive unit chamber 130. A changer chamber door 172 is provided at a front opening 171 (see FIG. 3) of the changer chamber 170 so as to be able to open and close freely. A tool exchange chamber door 182 is provided at a front opening 181 (see FIG. 4) of the tool exchange chamber 180 so as to be able to open and close freely. The processing chamber door 122, the changer chamber door 172, and the tool exchange chamber door 182 are provided with transparent windows 122a, 172a, and 182a, respectively, so that the interiors can be seen. An operation panel 110 is provided on the front of the drive unit chamber door 132. 3 and 4, the front surface of the housing 11 (here, front openings 121, 131, 171, 181 of the machining chamber 120, drive device chamber 130, changer chamber 170, and tool exchange chamber 180) is formed at an angle with respect to the bottom surface. The front surface of the housing 11 is formed so as to incline backward.

[0018] The work holder 20 is an example of a holding device that holds the workpiece 1 to be cut by the cutting tool 6 (see FIG. 9). In this example, the work holder 20 holds the workpiece 1 via an adapter 5. However, the work holder 20 may hold the workpiece 1 directly without using any other member. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the work holder 20. As shown in FIG. 5, the work holder 20 has a pair of arms 21 on the left and right. The adapter 5 is held by the work holder 20 by being inserted between the pair of arms 21. The operation of the cutting machine 10 when the adapter 5 is inserted between the pair of arms 21 will be described later.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 5, the holder moving device 30 supports and moves the work holder 20. In this embodiment, the holder moving device 30 moves the work holder 20 in the front-to-rear direction. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the holder moving device 30 moves the work holder 20 (see FIG. 3) obliquely in the front-to-rear direction so as to descend toward the rear. When the work holder 20 is moved forward by the holder moving device 30, it also moves upward. When the work holder 20 is moved backward by the holder moving device 30, it also moves downward. Hereinafter, the direction in which the work holder 20 is moved by the holder moving device 30 will also be referred to as the X-axis direction. Furthermore, hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the front in the X-axis direction will sometimes be simply referred to as the front, and the rear in the X-axis direction will sometimes be simply referred to as the rear.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 5, the holder moving device 30 includes a support arm 31 that extends in the left-right direction and supports the work holder 20. As shown in Fig. 4, the holder moving device 30 includes an X-axis mover 32 connected to the support arm 31, a pair of X-axis guide rails 33, an X-axis drive motor 34, and a ball screw 35. The holder moving device 30 moves the support arm 31 in the X-axis direction, thereby moving the work holder 20 in the X-axis direction. At least a portion of the holder moving device 30 is housed in a drive device chamber 130. Here, the X-axis mover 32, the pair of X-axis guide rails 33, the X-axis drive motor 34, the ball screw 35, and a portion of the support arm 31 of the holder moving device 30 are housed in the drive device chamber 130.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4 , a pair of X-axis guide rails 33 extend in the X-axis direction. The X-axis mover 32 is slidably engaged with the pair of X-axis guide rails 33. The X-axis mover 32 is capable of moving in the X-axis direction along the X-axis guide rails 33. The ball screw 35 extends in the X-axis direction. The ball screw 35 is engaged with a nut provided on the X-axis mover 32. The X-axis drive motor 34 rotates the ball screw 35 about its axis. When the X-axis drive motor 34 is driven to rotate the ball screw 35, the X-axis mover 32 moves in the X-axis direction along the X-axis guide rails 33. Note that the holder movement device 30 is not limited to having a ball screw mechanism and may include, for example, a timing belt or a wire.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 5, the support arm 31 includes a rotary shaft 31a that rotates about an axis AXb extending in the left-right direction, a first arm 31b that is connected to the rotary shaft 31a perpendicular to the axis AXb and rotates in the front-rear direction together with the rotary shaft 31a, and a second arm 31c that is connected to the first arm 31b parallel to the axis AXb (perpendicular to the first arm 31b). As shown in FIG. 4, the X-axis direction mover 32 is provided with a B-axis rotation motor 41B that rotates the rotary shaft 31a (see FIG. 5) about the axis AXb. When the B-axis rotation motor 41B is driven to rotate the rotary shaft 31a, the work holder 20 rotates in the front-rear direction. Hereinafter, the extension direction of the axis AXb will also be referred to as the B-axis direction, and rotation around the axis AXb will also be referred to as rotation around the B-axis. Furthermore, the device in the rotation device 40 that rotates the work holder 20 about the B-axis will also be referred to as the B-axis rotation device 40B.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 5, the rotation device 40 also includes an A-axis rotation device 40A that rotates the work holder 20 in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the A-axis rotation device 40A includes an A-axis rotation motor 41A and a rotation shaft 42A. The A-axis rotation motor 41A is fixed to the second arm 31c. The rotation shaft 42A is connected to the A-axis rotation motor 41A (more specifically, a drive unit including the A-axis rotation motor 41A) and extends in the front-rear direction along the axis AXa. When the A-axis rotation motor 41A is driven, the rotation shaft 42A rotates around the axis AXa. Hereinafter, the extension direction of the axis AXa will also be referred to as the A-axis direction, and rotation around the axis AXa will also be referred to as rotation around the A-axis.

[0024] The machining chamber 120 is partitioned by multiple walls and accommodates the work holder 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the multiple walls include a bottom wall 120D, a left side wall 120L (see FIG. 1), a right side wall 120R, a rear wall 120Rr, a front wall 120F, and a top wall 120U, which are formed of metal plates in this example. The bottom wall 120D is positioned below the work holder 20 and forms the bottom surface of the machining chamber 120. The bottom wall 120D is configured to be approximately horizontal when the cutting machine 10 is installed on a horizontal surface. The top wall 120U is positioned above the work holder 20 and forms the top surface of the machining chamber 120. The left side wall 120L, the right side wall 120R, the rear wall 120Rr, and the front wall 120F are each erected to connect the top wall 120U and the bottom wall 120D. The left side wall 120L is connected to the left end of the bottom wall 120D and extends upward. The left side wall 120L is erected to the left of the work holder 20. The right side wall 120R is connected to the right end of the bottom wall 120D and extends upward. The right side wall 120R is erected to the right of the work holder 20. The rear wall 120Rr is connected to the rear end of the bottom wall 120D and extends upward. The left and right ends of the rear wall 120Rr are connected to the rear end of the left side wall 120L and the rear end of the right side wall 120R, respectively. The rear wall 120Rr is erected rearward of the work holder 20. The front wall 120F is connected to the front end of the bottom wall 120D and extends diagonally upward. The front wall 120F is erected forward of the work holder 20. The front wall 120F extends so as to tilt rearward. The extension direction of the front wall 120F is perpendicular to the X-axis direction. The left and right ends of the front wall 120F are connected to the front ends of the left side wall 120L and the right side wall 120R, respectively. The top wall 120U extends in a direction perpendicular to the front wall 120F, i.e., parallel to the X-axis direction. The top wall 120U slopes downward toward the rear. The top wall 120U is not parallel to the bottom wall 120D. The front, left, right, and rear ends of the top wall 120U are connected to the upper ends of the front wall 120F, the left side wall 120L, the right side wall 120R, and the rear wall 120Rr, respectively.

[0025] 3, a front opening 121 is formed in the front wall 120F of the processing chamber 120. As described above, the front opening 121 is provided with an openable and closable processing chamber door 122. The front opening 121 extends upward from a position above the lower end of the front wall 120F. The area near the lower end of the front wall 120F is a corner that is not open to the outside.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the right side wall 120R separates the machining chamber 120 from the drive unit chamber 130. The right side wall 120R of the machining chamber 120 also serves as the left side wall of the drive unit chamber 130. A slit 123 extending in the X-axis direction and through which the support arm 31 of the holder moving device 30 passes is formed in the right side wall 120R. The slit 123 is an opening through which the support arm 31 is inserted. As shown in FIG. 3 , a dustproof plate 36 is fixed to the support arm 31 to prevent cutting powder generated in the machining chamber 120 from entering the drive unit chamber 130. The dustproof plate 36 is provided to cover at least a portion of the slit 123 and moves in the X-axis direction together with the support arm 31. The dustproof plate 36 is fixed to a portion of the support arm 31 located within the machining chamber 120 and is provided within the machining chamber 120. Here, the dustproof plate 36 is configured to cover different portions of the slit 123 depending on the position of the support arm 31 in the X-axis direction.

[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a state in which the work holder 20 is retracted to the rearmost position in the X-axis direction. FIG. 3 also illustrates a state in which the work holder 20 is positioned at the rear end position. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the cutting machine 10 during replacement of the adapter 5 (see FIG. 2). Details of FIG. 6 will be described later, but FIG. 6 illustrates a state in which the work holder 20 is advanced to the farthest position forward in the X-axis direction, i.e., positioned at the front end position. As shown in FIG. 6, the dustproof plate 36 is configured to cover the rear end of the slit 123 even when the support arm 31 (see FIG. 5) is positioned at the front end position in the X-axis direction. As will be described later, cutting dust tends to collect behind the work holder 20 due to the air flow within the machining chamber 120. Therefore, the dustproof plate 36 covers the rear end of the slit 123 even when the support arm 31 is positioned at the front end position in the X-axis direction. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, when the support arm 31 (see FIG. 5) is located at its rear end position, the dustproof plate 36 is located rearward of the front end of the slit 123. As the support arm 31 approaches its rear end position, the dustproof plate 36 opens a larger portion of the front side of the slit 123. This is because cutting powder tends to collect behind the work holder 20 due to the air flow within the machining chamber 120, and there is less cutting powder in front of the work holder 20. This shortens the length of the dustproof plate 36. This prevents the machining chamber 120 from becoming longer toward the front. Note that a portion of the front side of the slit 123 is open regardless of the position of the work holder 20. As will be described later, this causes an air flow from the drive unit chamber 130 toward the machining chamber 120.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3 , the top wall 120U separates the machining chamber 120 from the changer chamber 170, and also separates the machining chamber 120 from the cutting device chamber 150. The top wall 120U has a front opening 124 that connects the machining chamber 120 to the changer chamber 170, and a rear opening 125 that connects the machining chamber 120 to the cutting device chamber 150. The front portion of the top wall 120U of the machining chamber 120 also serves as the bottom wall of the changer chamber 170. The front opening 124 is formed below the changer chamber 170. The front opening 124 is an opening through which the workpiece 1 transported by the transport device 72 of the work changer 70 can pass. As will be described later, the transport device 72 transports the adapter storage section 71, which stores the adapter 5, to the machining chamber 120 from the front opening 124.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the rear portion of the top wall 120U of the processing chamber 120 also forms the left portion of the bottom wall of the cutting device chamber 150. The rear opening 125 is formed below the cutting device chamber 150. The rear opening 125 is an opening through which at least a portion of the cutting device 50, in this case the lower portion of the spindle 51, can pass. The rear opening 125 is an opening through which the cutting tool 6, the air blow nozzle 56, and a portion of the spindle 51 pass when the spindle 51 is moved in the Z-axis direction (see FIG. 3) by a Z-axis direction moving device 60Z, which will be described later. As will be described in more detail later, the rear opening 125 extends above the drive device chamber 130 so as to communicate between the drive device chamber 130 and the cutting device chamber 150 (see FIG. 7).

[0030] As shown in Fig. 3, the bottom wall 120D of the processing chamber 120 includes a bottom portion 126 that is configured to be substantially horizontal, and a slope 127 that is connected to the rear end of the bottom portion 126 and extends rearward from there. The slope 127 has an upward inclination toward the rear. The slope 127 and the bottom portion 126 are connected so as to bend. The slope 127 is connected to the rear wall 120Rr. A space is formed below the slope 127.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, an exhaust port 128 is opened in the bottom wall 120D. A dust collector 111 (see FIG. 11) is connected to the exhaust port 128 via an exhaust duct 92 (described later) or the like. Air and dust inside the processing chamber 120 are discharged from the exhaust port 128. The exhaust port 128 is provided in the slope 127. More specifically, the exhaust port 128 opens along the connection portion of the slope 127 with the rear wall 120Rr. The rear edge of the exhaust port 128 is formed by the rear wall 120Rr. The exhaust port 128 is provided at the rearmost portion of the slope 127. The slope 127 has an upward incline toward the exhaust port 128.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 5, the exhaust port 128 opens rearward of the work holder 20. This generates an airflow from the front to the rear across the work holder 20. Furthermore, in a plan view, at least a portion of the slope 127 overlaps with at least a portion of the work holder 20 (see also FIG. 3). This allows fragments of the workpiece 1 that fall off during cutting to fall onto the slope 127. Larger fragments of the workpiece 1 that fall onto the slope 127 are not sucked into the exhaust port 128 even when suction is applied from the exhaust port 128, but slide down the slope 127. This allows larger fragments of the workpiece 1 to be separated out.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 5, the exhaust port 128 is provided offset to the right of the center line CL in the left-right direction of the processing chamber 120 (which may or may not coincide with the A-axis). In other words, the exhaust port 128 is provided offset toward the drive unit chamber 130 side of the center line CL in the left-right direction of the processing chamber 120. This allows dust (cutting powder) and the like near the drive unit chamber 130 to be primarily discharged. The exhaust port 128 is a single slit that opens upward. The exhaust port 128 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with a left-right length longer than a front-rear length.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, a dust collection chamber 90 is provided below the exhaust port 128. The dust collection chamber 90 is fixed to the underside of the slope 127. The dust collection chamber 90 is a box-shaped member with an open top, and an upper opening 90U facing upward is connected to the exhaust port 128. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the dust collection chamber 90 includes the upper opening 90U, a bottom wall 90D, a front wall 90F, and a left side wall 90L. The rear and right side walls of the dust collection chamber 90 are respectively formed by the rear wall 120Rr and the right side wall 120R of the processing chamber 120. However, the dust collection chamber 90 may also include a rear wall and a right side wall that are not shared with the processing chamber 120. An internal space is formed in the dust collection chamber 90 by the bottom wall 90D, the front wall 90F, the left side wall 90L, the rear wall 120Rr of the processing chamber 120, and the right side wall 120R of the processing chamber 120. As shown in FIG. 5, the internal space of the dust collection chamber 90 is larger than the exhaust port 128 in plan view.

[0035] The dust collection chamber 90 is formed with an upper opening 90U and a duct connection hole 91. The duct connection hole 91 is an opening to which an exhaust duct 92 is connected. As shown in FIG. 3 , the cutting machine 10 is provided with an exhaust duct 92 connected to the duct connection hole 91. In this example, the duct connection hole 91 opens to the rear wall of the dust collection chamber 90 (the rear wall 120Rr of the machining chamber 120). The opening direction of the upper opening 90U (exhaust port 128) and the opening direction of the duct connection hole 91 intersect. However, the duct connection hole 91 may also open to another side wall of the dust collection chamber 90 (for example, the right side wall 120R). The front end of the exhaust duct 92 is connected to the duct connection hole 91. The exhaust duct 92 is in communication with the exhaust port 128 and the machining chamber 120 via the dust collection chamber 90. The rear end of the exhaust duct 92 extends to the outside of the cutting machine 10. A dust collector 111 (see FIG. 11) is connected to the rear end of the exhaust duct 92. As shown in FIG. 5, the dust collection chamber 90 and the exhaust duct 92 are also disposed to the right of the center line CL in the left-right direction of the processing chamber 120, in other words, biased toward the drive unit chamber 130 side from the center line CL in the left-right direction of the processing chamber 120.

[0036] The workpiece changer 70 is configured to be able to store multiple workpieces 1 and is used to change the workpieces 1 to be machined. As shown in FIG. 3, the workpiece changer 70 includes an adapter storage unit 71 that can store multiple workpieces 1 (here, adapters 5 to which the workpieces 1 are attached, see FIG. 2), and a transport device 72 that transports the adapter storage unit 71 to the processing chamber 120. Except for when changing the workpieces 1, for example, the adapter storage unit 71 is housed in the changer chamber 170. As shown in FIG. 1, the adapter storage unit 71 is provided with multiple shelf-like storage spaces 71a, each of which stores one adapter 5. The multiple storage spaces 71a are aligned vertically. More specifically, the multiple storage spaces 71a are aligned diagonally vertically (hereinafter also referred to as the L-axis direction, see FIG. 3) perpendicular to the X-axis direction.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, the transport device 72 includes a slide arm 72A extending in the L-axis direction, an L-axis direction drive motor 72B, and a ball screw 72C. The slide arm 72A is fixed to the adapter storage section 71 and is slidable in the L-axis direction. A ball screw 72C meshes with the slide arm 72A. The L-axis direction drive motor 72B is connected to the ball screw 72C and rotates the ball screw 72C. When the ball screw 72C is rotated by driving the L-axis direction drive motor 72B, the slide arm 72A moves in the L-axis direction. This causes the adapter storage section 71 to move in the L-axis direction.

[0038] FIG. 6 shows a state in which the adapter storage unit 71 has been lowered into the machining chamber 120. The adapter storage unit 71 moves into the machining chamber 120 through the front opening 124 of the machining chamber 120. As shown in FIG. 6, the work holder 20 advances forward in the X-axis direction and enters the storage space 71a (see FIG. 1) of the adapter 5, whereby the adapter 5 is held by the work holder 20. Note that in this embodiment, the transfer device 72 transfers multiple workpieces 1 to the machining chamber 120 by transferring the adapter storage unit 71 to the machining chamber 120, but the configuration of the transfer device 72 is not limited thereto. The transfer device 72 only needs to be configured to transfer at least one workpiece 1 of the multiple workpieces 1 stored in the adapter storage unit 71 to the machining chamber 120. For example, the transfer device 72 may be configured to grasp and remove the workpiece 1 from the storage space 71a of the fixed adapter storage unit 71 and hand it over to the work holder 20.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, the cutting device 50 is housed in the cutting device chamber 150. The cutting device 50 cuts the workpiece 1 held by the work holder 20 with a cutting tool 6. The cutting device 50 is provided above the work holder 20 and the tool stocker 80 (see FIG. 7). The cutting device 50 includes a spindle 51 that grips and rotates the cutting tool 6. The spindle 51 includes a rotation unit 52 and a gripper 53 provided at the lower end of the rotation unit 52. The rotation unit 52 extends in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction (here, parallel to the L-axis direction). Hereinafter, this direction will also be referred to as the Z-axis direction. The rotation unit 52 rotates the gripper 53 around an axis parallel to the Z-axis direction. Herein, the rotation unit 52 is a unit with a built-in motor. However, the rotation unit 52 may be connected to an external motor via a belt or the like, for example. The gripper 53 is configured to be openable and closable. The gripping portion 53 grips the cutting tool 6 so as to protrude downward in the Z-axis direction. More specifically, the gripping portion 53 grips the top portion 6T (see FIG. 10) of the cutting tool 6 stored in the tool stocker 80 (see FIG. 7). The gripping portion 53 is, for example, an air-driven collet chuck. However, the type of the gripping portion 53 is not particularly limited.

[0040] FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the vicinity of the lower end of the cutting device 50. As shown in FIG. 9, the air blow device 55 is provided on the spindle 51. The air blow device 55 has an air blow nozzle 56 that sprays air and a nozzle support member 57 that supports the air blow nozzle 56. The air blow nozzle 56 is provided on the side of the grip portion 53 of the spindle 51. The nozzle support member 57 is provided above the grip portion 53 in the Z axis direction. The nozzle support member 57 is provided integrally with the spindle 51. Here, the nozzle support member 57 is fixed to the rotation unit 52. The nozzle support member 57 supports the air blow nozzle 56 so that it can move in the Z axis direction. More specifically, the nozzle support member 57 supports the air blow nozzle 56 so that it can move between an end position Pd on the lower side in the Z axis direction (the position shown in FIG. 9, also referred to as the lower end position Pd) and another position above the lower end position Pd in ​​the Z axis direction. A lower end position Pd of the air blow nozzle 56 is set to the side of the grip portion 53. At the lower end position Pd, the grip portion 53 and the air blow nozzle 56 are aligned in the X-axis direction.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 9 , the nozzle support member 57 includes a guide hole 57a through which the air blow nozzle 56 is inserted and a stopper 57b that prevents the air blow nozzle 56 from moving downward beyond the lower end position Pd. The air blow device 55 also includes a biasing member 58 that biases the air blow nozzle 56 supported by the nozzle support member 57 to hold the air blow nozzle 56 at the lower end position Pd. The biasing member 58 is a coil spring. However, the biasing member 58 is not limited to a coil spring and may be, for example, an air cylinder. The air blow nozzle 56 includes a contact portion 56a that contacts the stopper 57b at the lower end position Pd. The stopper 57b and the biasing member 58 hold the air blow nozzle 56 at the lower end position Pd. When the air blow nozzle 56 is pushed upward along the Z axis, it moves upward along the guide hole 57a against the biasing force of the biasing member 58.

[0042] The air blow nozzle 56 is provided above the work holder 20 and is configured to spray air downward (here, vertically downward). The direction of air spray from the air blow device 55 is vertically downward. As a result, air is blown obliquely toward the cutting tool 6 held by the gripping portion 53. However, the air blow nozzle 56 may spray air in other directions. The air blow nozzle 56 has a cut surface 56b formed on its side wall and extending obliquely to the Z-axis direction. The cut surface 56b has an inclination such that it approaches the gripping portion 53 as it extends downward in the Z-axis direction. Here, the cut surface 56b extends obliquely upward from the lower end of the air blow nozzle 56.

[0043] When returning the cutting tool 6 held by the gripping portion 53 of the spindle 51 to the tool stocker 80 or when causing the gripping portion 53 to grip the cutting tool 6 in the tool stocker 80, the Z-axis movement device 60Z moves the gripping portion 53 to a predetermined position in the Z-axis direction (hereinafter also referred to as the work position Po) set to grip or release the cutting tool 6 stored in the tool stocker 80. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the tip of the cutting device 50 when the cutting tool 6 is being replaced. FIG. 10 illustrates a state in which the gripping portion 53 is positioned at the work position Po. As shown in FIG. 10, the air blow nozzle 56 abuts against the tool stocker 80 when the gripping portion 53 is positioned at the work position Po in the Z-axis direction. At this time, the air blow nozzle 56 is pushed by the tool stocker 80 and positioned above the lower end position Pd in ​​the Z-axis direction against the biasing force of the biasing member 58.

[0044] When not in contact with the tool stocker 80, the air blow nozzle 56 is located at a lower end position Pd, which is lower in the Z-axis direction than when in contact with the tool stocker 80. This allows the air blow nozzle 56 to be brought closer to the tip 6B of the cutting tool 6 when machining the workpiece 1, cleaning it, or cleaning the machining chamber 120 (the air blow device 55 is configured to spray air into the machining chamber 120 and the work holder 20, and is also used for cleaning the machining chamber 120). On the other hand, if the air blow nozzle 56 is located at the lower end position Pd, the long air blow nozzle 56 will interfere with the tool stocker 80 or the cutting tool 6 when returning the cutting tool 6 attached to the gripper 53 of the spindle 51 to the tool stocker 80 or when attaching the cutting tool 6 from the tool stocker 80 to the gripper 53. Therefore, in this embodiment, the air blow device 55 is configured to move upward (retract) when the air blow nozzle 56 is pushed upward in the Z-axis direction.

[0045] The cut surface 56b of the air blow nozzle 56 is provided so that the air blow nozzle 56 moves upward when an object presses the air blow nozzle 56 from the side. When an object presses the cut surface 56b from the side, part of the pressing force is converted by the cut surface 56b into an upward force in the Z-axis direction, and the air blow nozzle 56 moves upward.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 3 , the moving device 60, which moves the cutting device 50 and the air blowing device 55, is housed in the cutting device chamber 150. The moving device 60 is provided above the work holder 20. The moving device 60 moves the cutting device 50 and the air blowing device 55 in the Z-axis direction and the left-right direction. The left-right direction is a direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. Hereinafter, the left-right direction will also be referred to as the Y-axis direction. The moving device 60 moves the cutting device 50 in the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, and the holder moving device 30 moves the work holder 20 in the X-axis direction, thereby changing the positional relationship between the cutting tool 6 and the workpiece 1 in three dimensions. The Z-axis direction is a direction intersecting (here, perpendicular to) the ceiling wall 120U of the processing chamber 120. The cutting device 50 and the air blowing device 55 appear in the processing chamber 120 or retreat into the cutting device chamber 150 by moving in the Z-axis direction. The moving device 60 can move the cutting device 50 and the air blow device 55 to a position where at least a portion of the moving device 60 is located above the work holder 20 and below the top wall 120U. The moving device 60 can move the cutting device 50 and the air blow device 55 between the processing chamber 120, the cutting device chamber 150, and the drive device chamber 130.

[0047] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cutting device chamber 150 and the drive device chamber 130. In FIG. 7, some components are omitted so that the interiors of the cutting device chamber 150 and the drive device chamber 130 can be seen. As shown in FIG. 7, the movement device 60 includes a Y-axis movement device 60Y and a Z-axis movement device 60Z. The Y-axis movement device 60Y is a device that moves the cutting device 50 and the air blow device 55 in the Y-axis direction. The Z-axis movement device 60Z is a device that moves the cutting device 50 and the air blow device 55 in the Z-axis direction. The Y-axis movement device 60Y includes a pair of Y-axis guide rails 61Y extending in the Y-axis direction, a Y-axis mover 62Y slidably engaged with the Y-axis guide rails 61Y, a Y-axis drive motor 63Y, and a ball screw 64Y. The pair of Y-axis guide rails 61Y are provided on the bottom wall of the cutting device chamber 150 (i.e., the ceiling wall 120U of the machining chamber 120). The Y-axis guide rail 61Y extends from above the machining chamber 120 to above the drive device chamber 130. The Y-axis mover 62Y is movable in the Y-axis direction along the Y-axis guide rail 61Y. The Y-axis mover 62Y is movable from above the machining chamber 120 to above the drive device chamber 130 along the Y-axis guide rail 61Y. The Y-axis mover 62Y supports the Z-axis mover 60Z. Although not shown, bellows may be provided on the left and right sides of the Y-axis mover 62Y. Both ends of the right bellows are connected to the right end of the Y-axis mover 62Y and the right end of the rear opening 125, respectively. Both ends of the left bellows are connected to the left end of the Y-axis mover 62Y and the left end of the rear opening 125, respectively. The bellows prevent dust and other particles from entering the cutting device chamber 150 through the rear opening 125.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 7, the ball screw 64Y extends in the Y-axis direction. The ball screw 64Y is engaged with the Y-axis mover 62Y. The Y-axis drive motor 63Y rotates the ball screw 64Y. When the Y-axis drive motor 63Y is driven and the ball screw 64Y rotates, the Y-axis mover 62Y moves in the Y-axis direction along the Y-axis guide rail 61Y. As a result, the Z-axis mover 60Z, the cutting device 50, and the air blow device 55 move in the Y-axis direction.

[0049] 3, the Z-axis direction moving device 60Z includes a pair of Z-axis guide shafts 61Z extending in the Z-axis direction, a Z-axis moving body 62Z that slidably engages with the Z-axis guide shafts 61Z and supports the cutting device 50 and the air blow device 55, a Z-axis drive motor 63Z, and a ball screw (not shown). The Z-axis direction moving device 60Z supports the cutting device 50 and the air blow device 55 so that they can move in the Z-axis direction. The Z-axis direction moving device 60Z moves the cutting device 50 and the air blow device 55 in the Z-axis direction in a similar manner to how the Y-axis direction moving device 60Y moves the Z-axis direction moving device 60Z.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 3, an air intake port 152 opens in the ceiling wall 150U of the cutting device chamber 150. Here, the air intake port 152 is composed of a plurality of slits aligned in the left-right direction. However, the shape of the air intake port 152 is not particularly limited. The air intake port 152 is an opening for taking in outside air into the cutting machine 10 in response to air being exhausted from the exhaust port 128. The air intake port 152 communicates with the cutting device chamber 150. The air intake port 152 also communicates with the drive unit chamber 130 and the changer chamber 170 via the cutting device chamber 150. The cutting device chamber 150 and the drive unit chamber 130 are connected by a rear opening 125 (see FIG. 7) that opens in the bottom wall of the cutting device chamber 150 (the ceiling wall of the drive unit chamber 130). The cutting device chamber 150 and the changer chamber 170 are connected without any particular partition. The processing chamber 120 communicates with the intake port 152 via the cutting device chamber 150 and the drive device chamber 130. The drive device chamber 130 and the processing chamber 120 communicate with each other via a slit 123 that opens in a right side wall 120R of the processing chamber 120 (the left side wall of the drive device chamber 130). The processing chamber 120 also communicates with the intake port 152 via the cutting device chamber 150 and the changer chamber 170. The changer chamber 170 and the processing chamber 120 communicate with each other via a front opening 124 that opens in a top wall 120U of the processing chamber 120 (the bottom wall of the changer chamber 170).

[0051] Because the intake port 152 is in communication with the cutting device chamber 150, the cutting device chamber 150 and the processing chamber 120 are in communication with each other through the rear opening 125, and the exhaust duct 92 is in communication with the processing chamber 120, when the dust collector 111 is driven, an air flow F3 is generated from the intake port 152 through the cutting device chamber 150 toward the processing chamber 120, as shown in FIG. 3. The internal pressure of the cutting device chamber 150 is higher than the internal pressure of the processing chamber 120. This makes it difficult for cutting dust and the like generated in the processing chamber 120 to enter the cutting device chamber 150. Similarly, because the intake port 152 is in communication with the changer chamber 170, and the changer chamber 170 and the processing chamber 120 are in communication with each other through the front opening 124, when the dust collector 111 is driven, an air flow F4 is generated from the intake port 152 through the changer chamber 170 toward the processing chamber 120, as shown in FIG. 3. The internal pressure of the changer chamber 170 becomes higher than the internal pressure of the machining chamber 120. This makes it difficult for cutting dust and the like generated in the machining chamber 120 to enter the changer chamber 170. Furthermore, because the intake port 152 communicates with the drive unit chamber 130 and the drive unit chamber 130 and the machining chamber 120 communicate with each other via the slit 123, when the dust collector 111 is driven, as shown in FIG. 5, an air flow F5 is generated from the intake port 152 (see FIG. 3) through the drive unit chamber 130 toward the machining chamber 120. The internal pressure of the drive unit chamber 130 becomes higher than the internal pressure of the machining chamber 120. This makes it difficult for cutting dust and the like generated in the machining chamber 120 to enter the drive unit chamber 130.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 7 , in this embodiment, the tool stocker 80 is housed in the drive unit chamber 130. The tool stocker 80 is configured to store multiple rod-shaped cutting tools 6. The multiple cutting tools 6 are used depending on, for example, the material of the workpiece 1 and the type of cutting. The tool stocker 80 is supported by the X-axis movable body 32. More specifically, the tool stocker 80 is fixed to the upper surface of the X-axis movable body 32. Conventionally, the tool stocker has been supported by the support arm of the holder movement device. Therefore, in conventional cutting devices, the support arm is prone to bending, making it difficult to apply a large load to the workpiece 1 during cutting. Specifically, the amount of cutting per unit time has been limited in consideration of the load caused by cutting. In this embodiment, the tool stocker 80 is supported by the X-axis movable body 32, thereby reducing the load on the support arm 31.

[0053] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a tool stocker 80. As shown in FIG. 8, the tool stocker 80 includes a main body 80A having a plurality of storage holes 81 formed therein, each capable of storing a cutting tool 6, and a pressing member 82 and a tool sensor 83 provided on an upper surface 80U of the main body 80A. The storage holes 81 are formed to penetrate the main body 80A in the Z-axis direction. The storage holes 81 are arranged in a staggered pattern. Specifically, the tool stocker 80 has rows 81A to 81E in which some of the storage holes 81 are arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction (here, the Y-axis direction), and two adjacent rows (e.g., row 81A and row 81B) of the rows 81A to 81E are misaligned in the arrangement direction. The amount of misalignment in the arrangement direction between the two adjacent rows is less than half the pitch of the storage holes 81 in each of the rows 81A to 81E. This staggered arrangement allows the storage holes 81 to be densely arranged. As a result, the space efficiency for storing the cutting tools 6 is improved. Note that every other one of the rows 81A to 81E is aligned in the arranging direction.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 8, the pressing member 82 is a member against which the tip 6B of the cutting tool 6 (see FIG. 9) is pressed. As will be described later, the tip 6B of the cutting tool 6 is pressed against the pressing member 82 when the cutting tool 6 is fully gripped by the gripping portion 53 of the spindle 51. Here, the pressing member 82 is made of a resin material, but it may also be made of a rubber material or the like. Since the pressing member 82 is made of a relatively soft material, wear and deterioration of the tip 6B of the cutting tool 6 can be suppressed. The pressing member 82 is arranged behind the storage hole 81. The pressing member 82 protrudes upward from the upper surface 80U of the main body portion 80A.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 8, the tool sensor 83 is a sensor that detects the length of the cutting tool 6. The tool sensor 83 is made of a conductive material. It is configured so that a current flows when the tool sensor 83 comes into contact with the cutting tool 6. The tool sensor 83 detects the length of the cutting tool 6 based on the position of the spindle 51 when the tool sensor 83 comes into contact with the cutting tool 6. The tool sensor 83 is provided on the side (here, the right side) of the pressing member 82. The tool sensor 83 is arranged behind the storage hole 81. The tool sensor 83 protrudes upward from the upper surface 80U of the main body 80A.

[0056] The cutting device 50 is configured to be able to hold each cutting tool 6 stored in the tool stocker 80, and cuts the workpiece 1 held in the work holder 20 using the held cutting tools 6. To enable this, the moving device 60 moves the cutting device 50 between the drive device chamber 130, the cutting device chamber 150, and the processing chamber 120. In addition, the holder moving device 30 moves the tool stocker 80 below the cutting device chamber 150.

[0057] 7, the holder movement device 30 is configured to be able to move the tool stocker 80 to a tool gripping position P1 that is set below the movement path of the cutting device 50 by the Y-axis movement device 60Y. The tool gripping position P1 is a position below the rear opening 125. By moving the tool stocker 80 to the tool gripping position P1 and then moving the cutting device 50 to a position above the tool gripping position P1, the Z-axis movement device 60Z is driven to lower the cutting device 50, thereby allowing the cutting device 50 to grip the cutting tool 6 in the tool stocker 80. The temporary gripping and final gripping of the cutting tool 6 will be described later.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 7 , the holder moving device 30 is configured to be able to move the tool stocker 80 to a tool changing position P2, which is set forward of the tool gripping position P1. The tool changing position P2 is set below a bottom wall 183 of the tool changing chamber 180. The bottom wall 183 of the tool changing chamber 180 separates the tool changing chamber 180 from the drive unit chamber 130. The bottom wall 183 of the tool changing chamber 180 has an opening 184 located above the tool changing position P2 and opening in the Z-axis direction. The opening 184 is an opening through which a user can insert or remove a cutting tool 6 into or from the tool stocker 80. When the holder moving device 30 is driven to move the tool stocker 80 to the tool changing position P2, the user can access the tool stocker 80 through the opening 184. The tool changing chamber 180 having the opening 184 prevents the user from touching the holder moving device 30 when, for example, replacing the cutting tool 6. Moreover, this configuration prevents foreign matter from entering the drive unit chamber 130 when, for example, replacing the cutting tool 6.

[0059] The control device 100 is connected to the holder moving device 30, the moving device 60, the cutting device 50, and the like, and controls their operation. FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the cutting machine 10. As shown in FIG. 11, the control device 100 is connected to the X-axis drive motor 34 of the holder moving device 30, the A-axis rotation motor 41A and the B-axis rotation motor 41B of the rotation device 40, the rotation unit 52 and the gripper 53 of the cutting device 50, the Y-axis drive motor 63Y and the Z-axis drive motor 63Z of the moving device 60, the L-axis drive motor 72B of the workpiece changer 70, the air blow device 55, the dust collector 111, and the operation panel 110, and controls their operation. Note that the dust collector 111 may be controlled by a control device built into the dust collector 111 or an external device, rather than by the control device 100.

[0060] There is no particular limitation on the configuration of the control device 100. The control device 100 is, for example, a microcomputer. The hardware configuration of the microcomputer is not particularly limited, but it may include, for example, an interface (I / F) that receives cutting data and the like from an external device such as a host computer, a central processing unit (CPU) that executes instructions of a control program, a read only memory (ROM) that stores the program executed by the CPU, a random access memory (RAM) used as a working area for expanding the program, and a storage device such as a memory that stores the program and various data.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 11, the control device 100 includes a cutting control unit 101, a blow control unit 103, a workpiece exchange unit 105, and a tool exchange unit 107. The functions of each unit of the control device 100 are realized by a program. This program is read from a recording medium such as a CD or DVD. The program may also be downloaded via the Internet. The functions of each unit of the control device 100 may also be realized by a processor and / or a circuit.

[0062] The cutting control unit 101 controls the X-axis direction drive motor 34 of the holder moving device 30, the A-axis direction rotation motor 41A and the B-axis direction rotation motor 41B of the rotation device 40, the rotation unit 52 of the cutting device 50, and the Y-axis direction drive motor 63Y and the Z-axis direction drive motor 63Z of the movement device 60 to cut the workpiece 1 into a specified shape. During cutting of the workpiece 1, the dust collector 111 is driven.

[0063] The blow control unit 103 controls the air blow device 55 to spray air from the air blow nozzle 56. The blow control unit 103 controls whether or not to spray air from the air blow nozzle 56 based on the position of the air blow nozzle 56. The blow control unit 103 determines whether the air blow nozzle 56 is located in the cutting device chamber 150, the processing chamber 120, or the drive device chamber 130 based on the position of the air blow nozzle 56. The position of the air blow nozzle 56 is determined by the drive amounts of the Y-axis drive motor 63Y and the Z-axis drive motor 63Z of the moving device 60. The blow control unit 103 controls the air blow nozzle 56 not to spray air when the air blow nozzle 56 is located in the cutting device chamber 150. The blow control unit 103 controls the air blow nozzle 56 not to spray air when the air blow nozzle 56 is located in the drive device chamber 130, as a general rule. The blow control unit 103 is configured to spray air from the air blow nozzle 56 toward the cutting tool 6 when the cutting tool 6 stored in the tool stocker 80 is gripped by the gripper 53 of the spindle 51, even when the air blow nozzle 56 is located in the drive unit chamber 130. That is, the blow control unit 103 sprays air from the air blow nozzle 56 immediately before the cutting tool 6 is gripped by the gripper 53, thereby removing cutting powder adhering to the cutting tool 6. The blow control unit 103 is also configured to spray air from the air blow nozzle 56 toward the cutting tool 6 when the cutting tool 6 gripped by the gripper 53 of the spindle 51 is stored (returned) in the tool stocker 80, even when the air blow nozzle 56 is located in the drive unit chamber 130. That is, the blow control unit 103 injects air from the air blow nozzle 56 immediately before storing the cutting tool 6 held by the gripping unit 53 in the tool stocker 80, thereby preventing cutting powder from entering between the cutting tool 6 and the tool stocker 80. The blow control unit 103 controls the air blow nozzle 56 to inject air when the air blow nozzle 56 is positioned in the machining chamber 120.During cutting of the workpiece 1, the blow control unit 103 appropriately controls the air blow device 55 to spray air from the air blow nozzle 56 to remove cutting powder adhering to the workpiece 1, the adapter 5, and the work holder 20. As shown in Fig. 12, the blow control unit 103 is configured not to spray air from the air blow nozzle 56 when the air blow nozzle 56 is positioned above the ceiling wall 120U of the machining chamber 120. The blow control unit 103 is configured to be able to spray air from the air blow nozzle 56 only when the air blow nozzle 56 is positioned below the ceiling wall 120U of the machining chamber 120.

[0064] Next, a description will be given of the control procedure for spraying air from the air blow nozzle 56. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the control procedure for spraying air from the air blow nozzle 56.

[0065] First, in step S110, the blow control unit 103 determines whether the air blow nozzle 56 is positioned above the ceiling wall 120U of the processing chamber 120. If the air blow nozzle 56 is positioned above the ceiling wall 120U, the process proceeds to step S120. On the other hand, if the air blow nozzle 56 is not positioned above the ceiling wall 120U, the process proceeds to step S130.

[0066] In step S120, the blow control unit 103 controls the air blow nozzle 56 not to spray air because the air blow nozzle 56 is positioned above the top wall 120U.

[0067] In step S130, the blow control unit 103 determines whether the workpiece 1 is being cut by the cutting tool 6. If the workpiece 1 is being cut, the process proceeds to step S140. On the other hand, if the workpiece 1 is not being cut, the process proceeds to step S150.

[0068] In step S140, the blow control unit 103 controls the air blow nozzle 56 to spray air because the workpiece 1 is being cut (that is, because the air blow nozzle 56 is located in the machining chamber 120).

[0069] In step S150, the blow control unit 103 determines whether the cutting tool 6 is being replaced. If the cutting tool 6 is being replaced, the process proceeds to step S160. On the other hand, if the cutting tool 6 is not being replaced, the process proceeds to step S170.

[0070] In step S160, since the cutting tool 6 is being replaced (i.e., the air blow nozzle 56 is located in the drive unit chamber 130), the blow control unit 103 controls the air blow nozzle 56 to spray air when the cutting tool 6 is replaced (for example, just before the top 6T of the cutting tool 6 is grasped by the grasping unit 53).

[0071] In step S170, the blow control unit 103 controls the air blow nozzle 56 so that air is not sprayed.

[0072] The workpiece exchange unit 105 controls the L-axis direction drive motor 72B of the workpiece changer 70 and the X-axis direction drive motor 34 of the holder moving device 30 to exchange the workpiece 1 (here, the adapter 5 holding the workpiece 1). In this way, a plurality of workpieces 1 are machined in sequence.

[0073] The tool exchange unit 107 controls the X-axis drive motor 34 of the holder movement device 30, the Y-axis drive motor 63Y and the Z-axis drive motor 63Z of the movement device 60, and the gripper 53 of the cutting device 50 to exchange the cutting tool 6 held by the gripper 53. As shown in FIG. 11 , the tool exchange unit 107 includes a temporary gripper 108 and a permanent gripper 109. As shown in FIG. 14 , the temporary gripper 108 lowers the cutting device 50 with the gripper 53 open, inserts the top 6T of the cutting tool 6 into the gripper 53 by a first length L1, and then closes the gripper 53 to temporarily grip the cutting tool 6. The final gripping unit 109 moves the cutting device 50 so that the tip 6B of the provisionally gripped cutting tool 6 is positioned above the pressing member 82 of the tool stocker 80, then lowers the cutting device 50 with the gripping unit 53 open, and inserts the tip 6T of the cutting tool 6 into the gripping unit by a second length (see FIG. 16) that is longer than the first length L1 (see FIG. 14) with the tip 6B of the cutting tool 6 pressed against the pressing member 82 (see FIG. 15), and then closes the gripping unit 53 to final grip the cutting tool 6. Note that the mechanism is the same when provisionally gripping the cutting tool 6 and when final gripping the cutting tool 6, with the only difference being the length of the portion gripped by the gripping unit 53 (i.e., the length of the inserted portion of the tip 6T of the cutting tool 6).

[0074] Next, a description will be given of the procedure for replacing the cutting tool 6. Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing the procedure for replacing the cutting tool 6.

[0075] First, in step S210, the tool exchange unit 107 receives an instruction to exchange the cutting tool 6. Here, it is assumed that the cutting tool 6 is not held (attached) by the gripping unit 53. If the cutting tool 6 is held by the gripping unit 53, the tool exchange unit 107 first stores the held cutting tool 6 in a predetermined storage hole 81 of the tool stocker 80, thereby bringing the cutting tool 6 into a state where it is not held by the gripping unit 53.

[0076] In step S220, the temporary gripper 108 moves the cutting device 50 to above the cutting tool 6 to be replaced.

[0077] In step S230, the temporary gripper 108 opens the gripper 53. This allows the cutting tool 6 to be inserted into the gripper 53. The operation of opening the gripper 53 may be performed before step S220.

[0078] In step S240, the temporary gripping unit 108 lowers the cutting device 50 with the gripping unit 53 open, and inserts the top portion 6T of the cutting tool 6 into the gripping unit 53 by a first length L1 (see FIG. 14). That is, the gripping unit 53 grips the cutting tool 6 shallower than usual.

[0079] In step S250, the temporary gripping unit 108 closes the gripping portion 53 to temporarily grip the cutting tool 6. Thereafter, the temporary gripping unit 108 raises the cutting device 50.

[0080] In step S260, the main gripping unit 109 moves the cutting device 50 so that the tip 6B of the temporarily gripped cutting tool 6 is positioned above the pressing member 82 of the tool stocker 80.

[0081] In step S270, the main gripping unit 109 opens the gripping unit 53. This releases the grip of the cutting tool 6 by the gripping unit 53. Note that even if the grip of the cutting tool 6 by the gripping unit 53 is released, an appropriate frictional force acts between the gripping unit 53 and the top 6T of the cutting tool 6, so the cutting tool 6 will not fall from the gripping unit 53.

[0082] In step S280, the gripping unit 109 lowers the cutting device 50 with the gripping unit 53 open, and inserts the top 6T of the cutting tool 6 into the gripping unit 53 by a second length L2 (see FIG. 16), which is longer than the first length L1, with the tip 6B of the cutting tool 6 pressed against the pressing member 82 (see FIG. 15). In this way, by lowering the cutting device 50 while the gripping unit 53 is open and pressing the cutting tool 6 against the pressing member 82, the cutting tool 6 can be inserted into the gripping unit 53 more accurately.

[0083] In step S290, the main gripper 109 closes the gripper 53 to main grip the cutting tool 6. Thereafter, the main gripper 109 raises the cutting device 50. This completes the replacement of the cutting tool 6.

[0084] As described above, in the cutting machine 10 of this embodiment, the temporary gripping unit 108 of the control device 100 inserts the tip 6T of the cutting tool 6 into the gripping unit 53 of the spindle 51 by a first length L1, and then closes the gripping unit 53 to temporarily grip the cutting tool 6. That is, the gripping unit 53 grips the tip 6T of the cutting tool 6 shallower than usual. Then, the main gripping unit 109 of the control device 100 inserts the tip 6T of the cutting tool 6 into the gripping unit 53 by a second length L2 while pressing the cutting tool 6 temporarily gripped by the gripping unit 53 against the pressing member 82 of the tool stocker 80 with the gripping unit 53 open. This eliminates the tilt even if the cutting tool 6 is held at an angle relative to the gripping unit 53 during temporary gripping. That is, the runout accuracy of the cutting tool 6 is improved, thereby achieving improved cutting quality.

[0085] In the cutting machine 10 of this embodiment, the pressing member 82 is made of a resin material. With this configuration, when the cutting tool 6 is pressed against the pressing member 82, wear and deterioration of the tip 6B of the cutting tool 6 can be suppressed.

[0086] In cutting machine 10 of this embodiment, the multiple storage holes 81 are arranged in a staggered pattern. More specifically, tool stocker 80 has multiple rows (here, five rows 81A-81E) in which some of the multiple storage holes 81 are aligned in a predetermined alignment direction (here, the left-right direction), and two adjacent rows of the multiple rows 81A-81E are offset in the alignment direction. This configuration can improve the storage efficiency of cutting tools 6 relative to the space in main body 80A of tool stocker 80, and can prevent main body 80A from becoming larger.

[0087] In the cutting machine 10 of this embodiment, the tool stocker 80 is provided with a tool sensor 83 that detects the length of the cutting tool 6, and the tool sensor 83 is provided to the side of the pressing member 82. With this configuration, the distance between the pressing member 82 and the tool sensor 83 is relatively short, so that the time required to move the spindle 51 in order to detect the length of the cutting tool 6 that is properly gripped while being pressed against the pressing member 82 can be reduced.

[0088] The cutting machine 10 of this embodiment is equipped with a drive unit chamber 130 that houses the tool stocker 80, and a processing chamber 120 that is partitioned from the drive unit chamber 130 and in which the workpiece 1 is cut. This configuration prevents cutting powder that is generated when the workpiece 1 is cut in the processing chamber 120 from adhering to the tool stocker 80. In other words, it is possible to reduce the adverse effects of cutting powder when the cutting tool 6 is temporarily or permanently gripped by the gripping portion 53.

[0089] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention can be embodied in various other forms. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 1 Workpiece 6 Cutting Tools 6B Tip 6T top 10 Cutting machine 20 Work holder (holding device) 50 Cutting equipment 51 Spindle 52 Rotating Unit 53 Gripping part 60 Mobile Device 80 Tool Stocker 80A main body 81 Storage hole 82 Pressing member 83 Tool Sensor 100 control device 107 Tool exchange section 108 Temporary gripping part 109 This Control Department 120 Processing Room 130 Moving device room 150 Cutting device room

Claims

1. a tool stocker capable of storing a plurality of rod-shaped cutting tools; a cutting device configured to be openable and closable, and including a spindle having a gripping portion that grips a top portion of the cutting tool stored in the tool stocker and a rotation unit that rotates the gripping portion, and which cuts a workpiece with the cutting tool; a moving device that moves the cutting device; a control device that controls the cutting device and the moving device, The tool stocker includes: a main body portion having a plurality of storage holes formed therein capable of storing the cutting tool; a pressing member provided on an upper surface of the main body portion, against which a tip end of the cutting tool is pressed; The control device a temporary gripping unit that lowers the cutting device with the gripping unit open, inserts the top of the cutting tool into the gripping unit by a first length, and then closes the gripping unit to temporarily grip the cutting tool; a final gripping section that moves the cutting device so that the tip of the provisionally gripped cutting tool is positioned above the pressing member, then lowers the cutting device with the gripping section open, inserts the top of the cutting tool into the gripping section by a second length that is longer than the first length with the tip of the cutting tool pressed against the pressing member, and then closes the gripping section to final grip the cutting tool.

2. The cutting machine according to claim 1 , wherein the pressing member is made of a resin material.

3. The cutting machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of storage holes are arranged in a staggered pattern.

4. The tool stocker has a plurality of rows in which some of the storage holes are aligned in a predetermined direction, The cutting machine according to claim 3 , wherein two adjacent rows of the plurality of rows are misaligned in the arrangement direction.

5. the tool stocker includes a tool sensor that detects the length of the cutting tool; The cutting machine according to claim 1 , wherein the tool sensor is provided on a side of the pressing member.

6. a first chamber that accommodates the tool stocker; The cutting machine according to claim 1 , further comprising: a second chamber separated from the first chamber and in which the workpiece is cut.

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