Rotary tooling devices and machine tools
The rotary tool device addresses machining accuracy issues by employing multiple tool holders with precise rotational and swiveling mechanisms, ensuring high-precision machining and miniaturization without an automatic tool changer.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-03-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-18
AI Technical Summary
The rotary tool unit holder in existing machine tools is positioned away from the swivel motor, leading to potential shifts in swivel position due to rigidity issues, which affects machining accuracy.
A rotary tool device with multiple rotatable tool holders, including a first and second tool holder, rotational drive force generating units, and mechanisms that ensure precise rotation and swiveling, with drive force transmission members positioned to minimize shifts and enhance rigidity.
Enables high-precision machining by reducing the risk of swivel and rotational position shifts, allowing for miniaturization and increased design freedom while supporting various tools without an automatic tool changer.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a rotary tool device and a machine tool.
Background Art
[0002] A machine tool having a pair of swivel holders that swivel along a pair of swivel axes orthogonal to the extending direction of the spindle is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The machine tool described in Patent Document 1 includes a rotary tool unit holder, a thread whirling holder, a swiveling motor, a tool rotation motor, and a base body.
[0003] In the machine tool described in Patent Document 1, the rotary tool unit holder is disposed below the base body and a plurality of rotary tool units are mounted thereon, the thread whirling holder is disposed below the base body and a thread whirling tool for threading is mounted thereon. The tool rotation motor is disposed above the base body and swivels the rotary tool unit holder and the thread whirling holder via a swivel drive transmission mechanism disposed on the base body. The swiveling motor and the tool rotation motor are disposed above the base body and rotate the rotary tool unit and the thread whirling via a tool rotation mechanism disposed on the base body. The base body houses the swivel drive transmission mechanism and the tool rotation mechanism.
[0004] The machine tool described in Patent Document 1 can be miniaturized by swiveling the rotary tool unit holder and the thread whirling holder by a single swiveling motor and rotating the rotary tool unit and the thread whirling by a single tool rotation motor.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0005]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0006] However, in the machine tool described in Patent Document 1, the rotary tool unit holder is positioned away from the swivel motor, so the swivel position may shift depending on the rigidity of the rotary tool unit holder, which may reduce the machining accuracy of the tool mounted on the rotary tool unit.
[0007] The present invention aims to solve these problems and to provide a rotary tooling device that has multiple rotatable tool holders and is capable of high-precision machining. [Means for solving the problem]
[0008] The rotary tool device according to the present invention includes a first tool holder and a second tool holder that rotatably hold a tool for machining a workpiece held on a spindle, a rotational drive force generating unit that generates rotational drive force to rotate the first tool holder and the second tool holder, a first rotation mechanism that holds the first tool holder and rotates the first tool holder in a rotational direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the spindle in response to the supply of rotational drive force, a second rotation mechanism that holds the second tool holder and rotates the second tool holder in a rotational direction in response to the supply of rotational drive force, and a rotational drive force transmitting member that transmits the rotational drive force supplied to the first tool holder to the second tool holder, wherein the first rotation mechanism has a rotational drive force supply unit to which rotational drive force is supplied from the rotational drive force generating unit, and the rotational drive force supply unit is arranged between the end of the first rotation mechanism furthest away from the first tool holder in the rotational direction and the first tool holder.
[0009] Furthermore, the rotary tool device according to the present invention further includes a fixing part for fixing the second tool holder at a desired rotation angle, and the second rotation mechanism has a fixed part that is fixed by the fixing part, and it is preferable that the fixed part is positioned between the end of the second rotation mechanism that is furthest away from the second tool holder in the rotational direction and the second tool holder.
[0010] Furthermore, the rotary tool device according to the present invention further comprises a rotational drive force generating unit that generates a rotational drive force to rotate tools held in a first tool holder and a second tool holder, and a rotational drive force supply mechanism having a supply gear to which rotational drive force is supplied from the rotational drive force generating unit, a first supply shaft that supplies rotational drive force to the first tool holder via the supply gear, and a second supply shaft that supplies rotational drive force to the second tool holder via the supply gear, wherein the supply gear is preferably arranged between the first supply shaft and the second supply shaft.
[0011] Furthermore, in the rotary tool device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the rotational drive force generating unit is arranged to extend horizontally between the first tool holding unit and the rotational drive force generating unit.
[0012] Furthermore, in the rotary tool device according to the present invention, it is preferable that at least one of the first tool holding portion and the second tool holding portion is detachable.
[0013] Furthermore, in the rotary tool device according to the present invention, the first swivel mechanism further has a first engaging portion that engages with a swivel drive force transmission member, and it is preferable that the first engaging portion is positioned between the end of the first swivel mechanism that is furthest away from the first tool holder in the swivel direction and the first tool holder.
[0014] Furthermore, in the rotary tool device according to the present invention, the second swivel mechanism further has a second engaging portion that engages with the swivel drive force transmission member, and it is preferable that the second engaging portion is positioned between the end of the second swivel mechanism that is furthest away from the second tool holder in the swivel direction and the second tool holder.
[0015] Furthermore, in the rotary tool device according to the present invention, the tool held by the first tool holder and the second tool holder has a rod-shaped base and a cutting portion located at the tip of the base, and it is preferable that the extension direction of the base of the tool held by the first tool holder differs from the extension direction of the base of the tool held by the second tool holder.
[0016] Furthermore, the machine tool according to the present invention has a spindle that rotatably holds a workpiece, and a rotary tool device that rotatably holds a tool for machining the workpiece rotatably held on the spindle. The rotary tool device includes a first tool holder and a second tool holder that rotatably hold a tool for machining the workpiece held on the spindle, a rotational drive force generating unit that generates rotational drive force to rotate the first tool holder and the second tool holder, and a unit that holds the first tool holder and, in response to the supply of rotational drive force, rotates the first tool holder perpendicular to the extension direction of the spindle. The device comprises a first swivel mechanism that swivels in the swivel direction, a second swivel mechanism that holds a second tool holder and swivels the second tool holder in the swivel direction in response to the supply of swivel driving force, and a swivel driving force transmission member that transmits the swivel driving force supplied to the first tool holder to the second tool holder. The first swivel mechanism further comprises a swivel driving force supply unit to which swivel driving force is supplied from a swivel driving force generation unit, and the swivel driving force supply unit is positioned between the end of the first swivel mechanism that is furthest away from the first tool holder in the swivel direction and the first tool holder. [Effects of the Invention]
[0017] The rotary tooling device according to the present invention has multiple rotatable tool holders and enables high-precision machining. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0018] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a machine tool according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] (a) is a front view of the first tool holder shown in Figure 1, and (b) is a side view of the first tool holder shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] (a) is a plan view of the first tool holder shown in Figure 1, and (b) is a bottom view of the first tool holder shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view along line BB shown in Figure 2(a). [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 1 is a flowchart showing an example of workpiece machining using a machine tool. [Figure 7](a) is a diagram showing the workpiece moving process shown in FIG. 6, and (b) is a diagram showing the first front machining process shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] (a) is a diagram showing the cutting process shown in FIG. 6, and (b) is a diagram showing the cutting process shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] (a) is a diagram showing the first back machining process shown in FIG. 6, and (b) is a diagram showing the second back machining process shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 10] It is a cross-sectional view of a mechanism housing portion that houses a first turning mechanism and a second turning mechanism according to a modified example.
Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention
[0019] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a rotary tool device and a machine tool according to the present invention will be described. However, note that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to those embodiments, and extends to the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.
[0020] (Configuration and Functions of a Rotary Tool Device and a Machine Tool According to an Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a machine tool according to an embodiment.
[0021] The machine tool 100 has a front spindle portion 110 and a back spindle portion 130 that face each other left and right, and a tool rest 120 and a back tool holder 140 are provided in the front and back. The movement and operation of the front spindle portion 110, the tool rest 120, and the back spindle portion 130 are controlled by an NC (Numerical Control) device 150, which is also referred to as a control unit. The NC device 150 has a storage device that stores a workpiece machining process program for executing a workpiece machining process, and an arithmetic device that executes the workpiece machining process program.
[0022] The right-side front spindle section 110 rotatably supports the front spindle 111, also simply called the spindle. The left-side rear spindle section 130 rotatably supports the rear spindle 131. The front spindle 111 and the rear spindle 131 integrally hold the workpiece via a chuck. The rear tool post 120 has a rotary tooling device 1 and holds a tool for machining the workpiece held on the front spindle 111. The front-side rear tool holder section 140 holds a tool for machining the workpiece held on the rear spindle 131. The machine tool 100 processes the workpiece held on the front spindle 111 using a tool held on the tool post 120 by moving the front spindle section 110, the rear spindle section 130, and the tool post 120. Furthermore, the machine tool 100 processes a workpiece held on the rear spindle 131 using a tool held on the rear tool holder 140 by moving the rear spindle 130. With respect to the machine tool 100, the axial direction of the front spindle 111 and the rear spindle 131 is defined as the Z direction, the vertical direction perpendicular to the Z direction is defined as the Y direction, and the horizontal direction perpendicular to both the Z and Y directions is defined as the X direction. The configuration and function of the front spindle 110, the rear spindle 130, the rear tool holder 140, and the NC device 150 are conventionally known, so a detailed explanation is omitted.
[0023] The rotary tool device 1 includes a first tool holder 11, a second tool holder 12, a rotational drive force generating unit 13, a rotational drive force generating unit 14, and a mechanism housing unit 15. The first tool holder 11 and the second tool holder 12 are spaced apart horizontally and are rotatably supported by the mechanism housing unit 15 with the Y direction as the axis. The first tool holder 11 and the second tool holder 12 rotatably hold the first tools 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d and the second tools 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d for machining a workpiece held on the front spindle 111. The first tool holder 11 rotates around a first pivot axis that extends in a rotational direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the spindle, and the second tool holder 12 rotates around a second pivot axis that extends in a rotational direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the spindle. The first pivot axis of the first tool holder 11 and the second pivot axis of the second tool holder 12 are different from each other. The first tool holder 11 holds the first tools 11a to 11d, which are rotating tools, and the second tool holder 12 holds the second tools 12a to 12d, which are rotating tools.
[0024] Figure 2(a) is a front view of the first tool holder 11, Figure 2(b) is a side view of the first tool holder 11, Figure 3(a) is a top view of the first tool holder 11, and Figure 3(b) is a bottom view of the first tool holder. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line BB shown in Figure 2(a).
[0025] The first tool holder 11 includes a tool housing 20, a drive shaft 21, a drive force transmission mechanism 22, a first rotating shaft 23, a second rotating shaft 24, a third rotating shaft 25, and a fourth rotating shaft 26, and is detachably positioned on the lower surface of the mechanism housing 15. The first tool holder 11 rotates the first tool 11a held on the first rotating shaft 23, the first tool 11b held on the second rotating shaft 24, the third tool 11c held on the third rotating shaft 25, and the fourth tool 11d held on the fourth rotating shaft 26.
[0026] Each of the first tools 11a to 11d is a rotary tool such as a drill or end mill, having a rod-shaped base 11a1 to 11d1 and cutting sections 11a2 to 11d2 positioned at the tips of the rod-shaped bases 11a1 to 11d1.
[0027] The tool housing 20 has an insertion hole 20a formed on its upper surface, which accommodates the drive shaft 21 to the fourth rotation shaft 26. The insertion hole 20a is into which the supply shaft that transmits the driving force generated by the rotational driving force generation unit 14 is inserted. The drive shaft 21 is an axial member that extends in the X direction, and it engages with the supply shaft inserted through the insertion hole 20a and rotates in accordance with the rotation of the engaged supply shaft.
[0028] The drive force transmission mechanism 22 is a gear train that is screwed onto the drive shaft 21, the first rotating shaft 23, the second rotating shaft 24, the third rotating shaft 25, and the fourth rotating shaft 26. It rotates in response to the rotation of the drive shaft 21 and transmits the driving force generated by this rotation to the first rotating shaft 23, the second rotating shaft 24, the third rotating shaft 25, and the fourth rotating shaft 26.
[0029] The first rotating shaft 23 is screwed onto one gear in the gear train forming the drive force transmission mechanism 22, and rotates in accordance with the rotation of the screwed gear. As the first rotating shaft 23 rotates, the first tool 11a held on the first rotating shaft 23 rotates. The second rotating shaft 24 is screwed onto two gears in the gear train forming the drive force transmission mechanism 22, and rotates in accordance with the rotation of the screwed gear. As the second rotating shaft 24 rotates, the first tool 11b held on the second rotating shaft 24 rotates. The third rotating shaft 25 is screwed onto two gears in the gear train forming the drive force transmission mechanism 22, and rotates in accordance with the rotation of the screwed gear. As the third rotating shaft 25 rotates, the first tool 11c held on the third rotating shaft 25 rotates. The fourth rotating shaft 26 is screwed onto one gear in the gear train forming the drive force transmission mechanism 22, and rotates in accordance with the rotation of the screwed gear. As the fourth rotation axis 26 rotates, the first tool 11d, which is held by the fourth rotation axis 26, rotates.
[0030] The second tool holder 12, like the first tool holder 11, is detachably positioned on the lower surface of the mechanism housing 15. Since the configuration and function of the second tool holder 12 are the same as those of the first tool holder 11, a detailed explanation is omitted here. The second tool holder 12 holds the second tools 12a to 12d. Each of the second tools 12a to 12d is a rotary tool such as a drill or end mill, similar to the first tools 11a to 11d. The first tool holder 11 and the second tool holder allow tools to be mounted in the opposite direction to the first tools 11a to 11d and the second tools 12a to 12d.
[0031] The rotational drive force generation unit 13 includes a servo motor and a reduction gear, which in one example is a roller gear cam, and is positioned between the first tool holder 11 and the rotational drive force generation unit 14 so as to extend in the X-axis direction, i.e., horizontal direction. The servo motor of the rotational drive force generation unit 13 generates rotational drive force that rotates the first tool holder 11 and the second tool holder 12 around the first and second rotation axes, which extend in the Y-axis direction. The rotational drive force generation unit 13 supplies the generated rotational drive force to the first tool holder 11 and the second tool holder 12 via the reduction gear, which in one example is a roller gear cam.
[0032] The rotational drive force generation unit 14 includes a servo motor, a reduction gear, and a rotating shaft. The rotational drive force generation unit 14 is arranged to extend in the Y-axis direction and generates rotational drive force to rotate the first tools 11a-11d and the second tools 12a-12d held by the first tool holder 11 and the second tool holder 12. The servo motor of the rotational drive force generation unit 14 generates rotational drive force to rotate the first tools 11a-11d and the second tools 12a-12d held by the first tool holder 11 and the second tool holder 12. The rotational drive force generation unit 14 supplies the generated rotational drive force to the first tool holder 11 and the second tool holder 12 via the reduction gear and the rotating shaft.
[0033] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A shown in Figure 1.
[0034] The mechanism housing section 15 includes a housing 30, a first slewing mechanism 31, a second slewing mechanism 32, a slewing drive force transmission member 33, a first upper bearing 34, a first lower bearing 35, a second upper bearing 36, a second lower bearing 37, a fixed section 38, and a rotational drive force supply mechanism 39. The housing 30 houses the first slewing mechanism 31, the second slewing mechanism 32, the slewing drive force transmission member 33, the first upper bearing 34, the first lower bearing 35, the second upper bearing 36, the second lower bearing 37, the fixed section 38, and the rotational drive force supply mechanism 39.
[0035] The first swivel mechanism 31 comprises a first shaft body 40, a first engagement portion 41, a swivel drive force supply portion 42, and a first connection portion 43, and is a hollow shaft body with a through hole formed in the extension direction. The first shaft body 40 holds the first tool holder portion 11, and in response to the supply of swivel drive force from the swivel drive force generation portion 13, it swivels the first tool holder portion 11 in a swivel direction which is perpendicular to the extension direction of the front main shaft 111. The first engagement portion 41 is located at the upper end of the first shaft body 40 and engages with the swivel drive force transmission member 33. The upper end of the first shaft body 40 where the first engagement portion 41 is located is the end furthest away in the swivel direction from the first swivel mechanism 31 and the first tool holder portion 11 of the first shaft body 40. The swivel drive force supply unit 42 (for example, a roller follower) is located in the center of the first shaft body 40 and is screwed onto the roller gear cam 13a of the swivel drive force generation unit 13. The swivel drive force generated by the servo motor of the swivel drive force generation unit 13 causes the roller gear cam 13a to rotate, causing the swivel drive force to rotate. The first connection unit 43 is located at the bottom of the first shaft body 40 and is connected to the first tool holder unit 11. The first tool holder unit 11, which is connected to the first swivel mechanism 31 by the first connection unit 43, is positioned such that the extension direction of the first tools 11a to 11d is parallel to the adjacent direction, which is the direction in which the first swivel mechanism 31 and the second swivel mechanism 32 are adjacent.
[0036] The swivel drive force supply unit 42 is positioned between the first engagement unit 41 and the first connecting unit 43 which is connected to the first tool holding unit 11 which holds the first tools 11a to 11d for machining the workpiece. Therefore, it is positioned between the first engagement unit 41 and the first tools 11a to 11d. Since the swivel drive force supply unit 42 is positioned between the first engagement unit 41 and the first tools 11a to 11d, the distance between the swivel drive force supply unit 42 and the first tools 11a to 11d is shorter than the distance between the swivel drive force supply unit 42 and the first tools 11a to 11d.
[0037] The second swivel mechanism 32 has a second shaft body 45, a second engaging portion 46, a fixed portion 47, and a second connecting portion 48, and is a hollow shaft body with a through hole formed in the extension direction, similar to the first shaft body 40. The second shaft body 45 holds the second tool holding portion 12 and, in response to the supply of swivel driving force from the swivel driving force generation portion 13, swivels the second tool holding portion 12 in a swivel direction which is perpendicular to the extension direction of the front main shaft 111. The second engaging portion 46 is located at the upper end of the second shaft body 45 and engages with the swivel driving force transmission member 33. The upper end of the second shaft body 45 where the second engaging portion 46 is located is the end furthest away in the swivel direction from the second swivel mechanism 32 and the second tool holding portion 12 of the first shaft body 45. The fixed portion 47 is located in the central part of the second shaft body 45 and can be clamped by the fixing portion 38. The fixed portion 47 is clamped by the fixing portion 38, thereby fixing the second tool holder 12 at a desired rotation angle. The second connecting portion 48 is located at the lower part of the second shaft body 45 and is connected to the second tool holder 12. The second tool holder 12, which is connected to the second rotation mechanism 32 by the second connecting portion 48, is positioned such that the extension direction of the second tools 12a to 12d is perpendicular to the direction in which the first rotation mechanism 31 and the second rotation mechanism 32 are adjacent.
[0038] The first tool holder 11 is positioned such that the extension direction of the first tools 11a to 11d is parallel to the adjacent direction of the first swivel mechanism 31 and the second swivel mechanism 32. The second tool holder 12 is positioned such that the extension direction of the second tools 12a to 12d is perpendicular to the adjacent direction of the first swivel mechanism 31 and the second swivel mechanism 32. In this exemplary embodiment, the first tool holder 11 and the second tool holder 12 are positioned such that the extension direction of the first tools 11a to 11d is perpendicular to the extension direction of the second tools 12a to 12d. For example, when the extension direction of the first tools 11a to 11d is perpendicular to the extension direction of the second tools 12a to 12d, the shift angle between the extension direction of the first tools 11a to 11d and the extension direction of the second tools 12a to 12d is 90°.
[0039] The fixed portion 47 is positioned between the second engaging portion 46 and the second connecting portion 48 connected to the second tool holding portion 12, and is therefore positioned between the second engaging portion 46 and the first rotation axis 23 and the second rotation axis 24 of the second tool holding portion 12, which holds the second tools 12a to 12d.
[0040] The slewing drive force transmission member 33 is formed of a flexible member such as a belt and chain, and engages with the first engagement portion 41 of the first slewing mechanism 31 and the second engagement portion 46 of the second slewing mechanism 32. The slewing drive force transmission member 33 transmits the slewing drive force supplied from the slewing drive force generation unit 13 to the first slewing mechanism 31 via the roller gear cam 13a and the slewing drive force supply unit 42 to the second slewing mechanism 32.
[0041] The first upper bearing 34 and the first lower bearing 35 are positioned between the housing 30 and the first slewing mechanism 31, and support the first slewing mechanism 31 so that it can rotatably move. The first upper bearing 34 is positioned between the first engagement portion 41 and the slewing drive force supply portion 42, and the first lower bearing 35 is positioned between the slewing drive force supply portion 42 and the first connecting portion 43. Since the first upper bearing 34 and the first lower bearing 35 are positioned so as to sandwich the slewing drive force supply portion 42, the slewing drive force supply portion 42 is positioned between the first upper bearing 34 and the first lower bearing 35.
[0042] The second upper bearing 36 and the second lower bearing 37 are positioned between the housing 30 and the second pivot mechanism 32, and support the second pivot mechanism 32 so that it can pivot. The second upper bearing 36 is positioned between the second engagement portion 46 and the fixed portion 47, and the second lower bearing 37 is positioned between the fixed portion 47 and the second connecting portion 48. Since the second upper bearing 36 and the second lower bearing 37 are positioned to sandwich the fixed portion 47, the fixed portion 47 is positioned between the second upper bearing 36 and the second lower bearing 37.
[0043] The fixing part 38 is a brake that stops the rotation of the second swivel mechanism 32 by clamping the fixed part 47, thereby fixing the second tool holder 12 at a desired swivel angle. By clamping the fixed part 47 with the fixing part 38, when machining a workpiece with the second tools 12a to 12d held by the second tool holder 12, the risk of the swivel angle position of the second tools 12a to 12d shifting and reducing machining accuracy is reduced. Since the swivel drive force transmission member 33 is formed of a flexible member such as a belt and chain, when the second tool holder 12 is not fixed by the fixing part 38, the second tool holder 12 is not fixed, and when machining a workpiece with the second tools 12a to 12d, there is a risk that the second tool holder 12 may wobble in the swivel direction due to the second tools 12a to 12d contacting the workpiece. The fixing portion 38 secures the second tool holder 12, preventing the tool holder 12 from wobbling in the rotational direction when machining a workpiece with the second tools 12a to 12d. This reduces the risk of the rotational angle position of the second tools 12a to 12d shifting, which could lead to a decrease in machining accuracy.
[0044] The rotational drive force supply mechanism 39 includes a first gear 51, a second gear 52, a first supply shaft 53, and a second supply shaft 54, and supplies the rotational drive force generated by the rotational drive force generation unit 14 to the first tool holding unit 11 and the second tool holding unit 12.
[0045] The first gear 51, also called the supply gear, engages with the tip of the rotating shaft 141 of the rotational drive force generation unit 14, and is supplied with rotational drive force generated by the rotational drive force generation unit 14 from the rotational drive force generation unit 14. The first gear 51 is screwed onto the first supply gear 53a and the second gear 52 formed at the upper end of the first supply shaft 53. The second gear 52 is screwed onto the first gear 51 and also onto the second supply gear 54a formed at the upper end of the second supply shaft 54, thereby supplying the rotational drive force supplied to the first gear 51 to the second supply shaft 54.
[0046] The first supply shaft 53 has a first supply gear 53a formed at its upper end and a first supply threaded portion 53b formed at its lower end, and the portion excluding the first supply gear 53a and the first supply threaded portion 53b is housed inside the first swivel mechanism 31. The first supply gear 53a is screwed onto the first gear 51, and the first supply threaded portion 53b is screwed onto the drive shaft 21 of the first tool holder 11. The first supply shaft 53 supplies rotational driving force supplied from the first gear 51 via the first supply gear 53a to the drive shaft 21 of the first tool holder 11 via the first supply threaded portion 53b.
[0047] The second supply shaft 54 has a second supply gear 54a formed at its upper end and a second supply threaded portion 54b formed at its lower end, and the portion excluding the second supply gear 54a and the second supply threaded portion 54b is housed inside the second swivel mechanism 32. The second supply gear 54a is screwed onto the second gear 52, and the second supply threaded portion 54b is screwed onto the drive shaft 21 of the second tool holder 12. The second supply shaft 54 supplies rotational driving force supplied from the second gear 52 via the second supply gear 54a to the drive shaft 21 of the second tool holder 12 via the second supply threaded portion 54b.
[0048] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of workpiece machining by the machine tool 100. Figure 7(a) shows the workpiece movement process shown in Figure 6, Figure 7(b) shows the first front machining process shown in Figure 6, Figure 8(a) shows the second front machining process shown in Figure 6, and Figure 8(b) shows the cutting process shown in Figure 6. Figure 9(a) shows the first back machining process shown in Figure 6, and Figure 9(b) shows the second back machining process shown in Figure 6. The workpiece machining process shown in Figure 6 is executed mainly by the processing unit of the NC device 150 in cooperation with each element of the machine tool 100, based on a workpiece machining program pre-stored in the memory unit of the NC device 150. Figures 7 and 8 are explained using an example where the first tool, second tool, first tool holder, and second tool holder are arranged before and after the front machining process and back machining process, respectively.
[0049] First, as shown in Figure 7(a), in the workpiece movement process, the NC device 150 moves the workpiece W held by the front spindle 111 to a predetermined machining position (S101). The NC device 150 moves the first tool holder 11 and the second tool holder 12 to the machining position by moving the tool post 120 in the X and Y directions.
[0050] Next, as shown in Figure 7(b), in the first front machining process, the NC device 150 performs cutting of the workpiece W using the first tool 11a held in the first tool holder 11 (S102). The NC device 150 moves the tool post 120 in the X and Y directions, and rotates the first tool holder 11 to a desired rotation angle around the first axial rotation axis extending in the Y direction. The NC device 150 also fixes the second tool holder 12 at a desired rotation angle by clamping the fixed part 47 with the fixing part 38. In the machine tool 100, as an example, the rotation angle θ1 that the first tool holder 11 can rotate is 135°, which is the sum of 90° between the angle perpendicular to the extension direction of the workpiece W and the extension direction of the workpiece W, and 45° directed in the opposite direction from the angle perpendicular to the extension direction of the workpiece W.
[0051] Next, as shown in Figure 8(a), in the second front machining process, the NC device 150 performs cutting of the workpiece W using the second tool 12a held in the second tool holder 12 (S103). The NC device 150 moves the tool post 120 in the X and Y directions, and rotates the second tool holder 12 around the second axial rotation axis extending in the Y direction. The NC device 150 also fixes the second tool holder 12 at a desired rotation angle by clamping the fixed part 47 with the fixing part 38. In the machine tool 100, as an example, the rotation angle θ2 in which the second tool holder 12 can rotate is 135°, the same as the rotation angle θ1 in which the first tool holder 11 can rotate.
[0052] Next, as shown in Figure 8(b), in the cutting process, the NC device 150 holds the workpiece W on the rear spindle 131 and cuts the workpiece W with a cutting tool (not shown) (S104).
[0053] Next, as shown in Figure 9(a), in the first back machining process, the NC device 150 performs cutting of the workpiece W using the second tool 12a held in the 21st tool holder 12 (S105). Then, as shown in Figure 9(b), in the second back machining process, the NC device 150 performs cutting of the workpiece W using the first tool 11a held in the first tool holder 11 (S106). The first and second back machining processes are the same as the first and second front machining processes, except that the workpiece W is held on the back spindle 131 instead of the front spindle 111, and the opposite tools held in the first tool holder 11 and the second tool holder 12 are used.
[0054] (Effects and effects of the rotary tooling device and machine tool according to the embodiment) The rotary tool device 1, by having a first tool holder 11 and a second tool holder 12, can use many rotary tools without the need for an automatic tool changer (ATC), thus enabling miniaturization of the machine tool by omitting the ATC. Miniaturization of the machine tool reduces the number of parts (such as drive sources), leading to reduced power consumption and a more environmentally friendly machine tool.
[0055] Furthermore, in the rotary tooling device 1, the first tool holder 11 and the second tool holder 12 are arranged horizontally apart, resulting in higher rigidity than when they are arranged vertically apart, thus enabling high-precision machining.
[0056] Furthermore, in the rotary tooling device 1, the swivel drive force supply unit 42 is positioned between the first tool holding unit 11, which holds the first tools 11a to 11d, and the first engagement unit 41, which engages with the swivel drive force transmission member 33. Therefore, the distance between the swivel drive force supply unit 42 and the first tools 11a to 11d is short. In the rotary tooling device 1, because the distance between the swivel drive force supply unit 42 and the first tools 11a to 11d is short, there is a low risk of the swivel position shifting depending on the rigidity of the first shaft body 40, enabling high-precision machining by the first tools 11a to 11d.
[0057] Furthermore, in the rotary tooling device 1, the swivel drive force supply unit 42 is positioned between the first upper bearing 34 and the first lower bearing 35, so the distance between the swivel drive force supply unit 42 and the first tools 11a to 11d is shorter than when the swivel drive force supply unit 42 is positioned above the first upper bearing 34. In the rotary tooling device 1, since the distance between the swivel drive force supply unit 42 and the first tools 11a to 11d is shorter than when the swivel drive force supply unit 42 is positioned above the first upper bearing 34, there is a lower risk of the swivel position shifting depending on the rigidity of the first shaft body 40, enabling high-precision machining.
[0058] Furthermore, in the rotary tooling device 1, the fixed part 47 is positioned between the second tool holding part 12, which holds the second tools 12a to 12d, and the second engaging part 46, which engages with the rotational drive force transmission member 33. Therefore, the distance between the fixed part 47 and the second tools 12a to 12d is short. In the rotary tooling device 1, because the distance between the fixed part 47 and the second tools 12a to 12d is short, there is a low risk of the rotational position shifting depending on the rigidity of the second shaft body 45, enabling high-precision machining by the second tools 12a to 12d.
[0059] Furthermore, in the rotary tooling device 1, the fixed part 47 is positioned between the second upper bearing 36 and the second lower bearing 37, so the distance between the fixed part 47 and the second tools 12a to 12d is shorter than when the fixed part 47 is positioned above the second upper bearing 36. In the rotary tooling device 1, since the distance between the fixed part 47 and the second tools 12a to 12d is shorter than when the fixed part 47 is positioned above the second upper bearing 36, there is a lower risk of the rotational position shifting depending on the rigidity of the second shaft body 45, enabling high-precision machining.
[0060] Furthermore, in the rotary tool device 1, the swivel drive force generation unit 13 is screwed into the swivel drive force supply unit 42 by the roller gear cam 13a, so backlash does not occur, and the swivel angle of the first tool holder unit 11 held by the first swivel mechanism 31 can be set at high speed and with high precision.
[0061] Furthermore, in the rotary tooling device 1, the rotational drive force generating unit 13 is positioned to extend horizontally between the first tool holding unit 11 and the rotational drive force generating unit 14, thus reducing the number of members extending in the height direction of the machine tool 100. Since the number of members extending in the height direction of the machine tool 100 is reduced in the rotary tooling device 1, the design freedom in the height direction can be increased.
[0062] Furthermore, in the rotary tool device 1, the first gear 51, which is supplied with rotational driving force from the rotational driving force generation unit 14, is positioned between the first supply shaft 53 and the second supply shaft 54. This allows for a reduction in the number of gears positioned between the first gear 51 and the first and second supply shafts 53 and 54. By reducing the number of gears positioned between the first gear 51 and the first and second supply shafts 54 in the rotary tool device 1, rotational driving force loss and backlash in the rotational driving force supply mechanism 39 are suppressed.
[0063] Furthermore, in the rotary tool device 1, since a portion of the first supply shaft 53 and the second supply shaft 54 are housed inside the first swivel mechanism 31 and the second swivel mechanism 32, it is possible to miniaturize the mechanism housing section 15 that houses the first swivel mechanism 31, the second swivel mechanism 32, and the rotational drive force supply mechanism 39.
[0064] Furthermore, in the rotary tool device 1, the first tool holder 11 and the second tool holder 12 are detachable from the mechanism housing 15, so a single rotary tool device 1 can implement tool holders capable of holding various tools of different shapes.
[0065] Furthermore, in the rotary tooling device 1, the shift angle between the extension direction of the first tools 11a to 11d and the extension direction of the second tools 12a to 12d is 90°, and the rotation angles θ1 and θ2 of the first tool holder 11 and the second tool holder 12 are 135°. Also, the rotation angles θ1 and θ2 of the first tool holder 11 and the second tool holder 12 overlap over a distance of 45°. The angle that can be machined by the first tools 11a to 11d and the second tools 12a to 12d is 225°, which is obtained by subtracting the 45° overlap between rotation angles θ1 and θ2 from 270°, which is the sum of the rotation angles θ1 and θ2, both of which are 135°. In the rotary tooling device 1, since the angle that can be machined by the first tools 11a to 11d and the second tools 12a to 12d is 180° or more, various machining operations such as forming recesses on opposing parts of the circumferential surface of the workpiece become possible.
[0066] (Modified examples of rotary tooling devices and machine tools according to the embodiment) In the rotary tool device 1, both the first tool holder 11 and the second tool holder 12 are detachable from the mechanism housing 15. However, in the rotary tool device according to this embodiment, it is sufficient if at least one of the first tool holder 11 and the second tool holder 12 is detachable from the mechanism housing 15.
[0067] Furthermore, although the rotary tool device 1 has a first tool holding section 11 and a second tool holding section 12, the rotary tool device according to the embodiment may have three or more tool holding sections. Even when the rotary tool device according to the embodiment has three or more tool holding sections, the swivel driving force is generated by a single swivel driving force generating section, and the rotational driving force is generated by a single rotational driving force generating section.
[0068] Furthermore, in the rotary tool device 1, the first tool holder 11 and the second tool holder 12 hold the first tools 11a to 11d, which are cutting tools, in their extending direction, and the second tools 12a to 12d. However, in the rotary tool device according to the embodiment, the first tool holder 11 and the second tool holder 12 may hold rotary tools other than cutting tools. Also, in the rotary tool device according to the embodiment, a thread whirling tool may be held instead of the first tool holder 11 and the second tool holder 12.
[0069] Furthermore, in the rotary tooling device 1, the shift angle between the extension direction of the first tools 11a to 11d and the extension direction of the second tools 12a to 12d is 90°. However, in the rotary tooling device according to this embodiment, the shift angle may be an angle other than 90°, such as 0° and 180°. When the shift angle is 0°, the first tool holder 11 and the second tool holder 12 are arranged so that the extension direction of the first tools 11a to 11d is parallel to the extension direction of the second tools 12a to 12d. When the shift angle is 180°, the first tool holder 11 and the second tool holder 12 are arranged so that the first tools 11a to 11d face the second tools 12a to 12d.
[0070] Furthermore, in the rotary tooling device 1, the sum of the swivel angles θ1 and θ2 and the shift angle is 225°, but in the rotary tooling device according to this embodiment, the sum of the swivel angles θ1 and θ2 and the shift angle may be an angle other than 225°.
[0071] Furthermore, in the rotary tool device 1, the first engaging portion 41 and the second engaging portion 46 that engage with the swivel drive force transmission member 33 are positioned at the ends furthest away in the swivel direction from the first tool holding portion 11 and the second tool holding portion 12 of the first swivel mechanism 31 and the second swivel mechanism 32. However, in the rotary tool device according to this embodiment, the engaging portion that engages with the swivel drive force transmission member 33 may be positioned at an end other than the end furthest away in the swivel direction from the first tool holding portion 11 and the second tool holding portion 12.
[0072] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the mechanism housing section that accommodates the first and second pivot mechanisms according to a modified example. The cross-sectional view shown in Figure 10 corresponds to the cross-sectional view along line BB shown in Figure 2(a).
[0073] The mechanism housing section 60 differs from the mechanism housing section 15 in that it has a first swivel mechanism 61 and a second swivel mechanism 62 instead of the first swivel mechanism 31 and the second swivel mechanism 32. The first swivel mechanism 61 has a first engaging portion 63 instead of the first engaging portion 41, and the second swivel mechanism 62 has a second engaging portion 64 instead of the second engaging portion 42. The configuration and function of the components housed in the mechanism housing section 60 other than the first engaging portion 63 and the second engaging portion 64 are the same as the configuration and function of the components housed in the mechanism housing section 15, which are given the same reference numerals, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.
[0074] The first engaging portion 63 is positioned between the end of the first swivel mechanism 61 that is furthest away from the first tool holding portion 11 in the swivel direction and the first tool holding portion 11, and engages with the swivel drive force transmission member 33. More specifically, the first engaging portion 63 is positioned between the first upper bearing 34 and the swivel drive force supply portion 42 and the first lower bearing 35.
[0075] The second engaging portion 64 is positioned between the end of the second swivel mechanism 62 that is furthest away from the second tool holding portion 12 in the swivel direction and the second tool holding portion 12, and engages with the swivel drive force transmission member 33. More specifically, the second engaging portion 64 is positioned between the second upper bearing 36 and the fixed portion 47 and the second lower bearing 37.
[0076] In the first rotation mechanism 61 and the second rotation mechanism 62, the first engagement portion 63 and the second engagement portion 64 are positioned closer to the first tool holder portion 11 and the second tool holder portion 12 than the first engagement portion 41 and the second engagement portion 46, resulting in higher rigidity than the rotary tool device 1 and enabling even higher precision machining.
[0077] The swivel drive force transmission member 33 is formed of a flexible member such as a belt and a chain, but in the rotary tool device according to this embodiment, the swivel drive force transmission member may be composed of a gear train made of a non-flexible member such as a gear. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0078] 1. Rotary tooling device 11 1st tool holding part 12 2nd tool holding part 13. Swinging drive force generation unit 14 Rotational drive force generation unit 15, 60 Mechanism housing 30 cabinets 31, 61 First rotation mechanism 32, 62 Second slewing mechanism 33 Swivel drive force transmission member 34. First upper bearing 35. First lower bearing 36. Second upper bearing 37. Second lower bearing 38 Fixed part 39 Rotary drive force supply mechanism 110 Front main shaft section 120 Knife rest 130 Back main shaft section 140 Rear tool holder 150 NC equipment
Claims
1. A first tool holder and a second tool holder that rotatably hold a tool for machining a workpiece held on the spindle, A pivoting drive force generating unit that generates a pivoting drive force to rotate the first tool holding unit and the second tool holding unit, A first swivel mechanism holds the first tool holder and, in response to the supply of the swivel driving force, swivels the first tool holder in a swivel axis direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the main spindle, A second swivel mechanism holds the second tool holder and rotates the second tool holder in the swivel axis direction in response to the supply of the swivel driving force, It includes a pivoting drive force transmission member that transmits the pivoting drive force supplied to the first tool holder to the second tool holder, The first pivot mechanism has a pivot drive force supply unit to which the pivot drive force is supplied from the pivot drive force generation unit, The swivel drive force supply unit is positioned between the end of the first swivel mechanism that is furthest away from the first tool holder in the swivel axis direction and the first tool holder. The second tool holder further has a fixing part for fixing it at a desired pivot angle, The second pivot mechanism has a fixed part that is fixed by the fixed part, The fixed portion is positioned between the end of the second swivel mechanism that is furthest away from the second tool holding portion in the swivel axis direction and the second tool holding portion. A rotary tooling device characterized by the following features.
2. The rotary tool device according to claim 1, wherein the rotational drive force generating unit has a roller gear cam that supplies rotational drive force to the rotational drive force supply unit.
3. A rotational drive force generating unit that generates a rotational drive force to rotate the tools held by the first tool holding unit and the second tool holding unit, The rotational drive force supply mechanism further includes a supply gear from which the rotational drive force is supplied from the rotational drive force generating unit, a first supply shaft that supplies the rotational drive force to the first tool holder via the supply gear, and a second supply shaft that supplies the rotational drive force to the second tool holder via the supply gear. The rotary tool device according to claim 1, wherein the supply gear is disposed between the first supply shaft and the second supply shaft.
4. The rotary tool device according to claim 3, wherein the rotational drive force generating unit is arranged to extend horizontally between the first tool holding unit and the rotational drive force generating unit.
5. The rotary tool device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first tool holder and the second tool holder is detachable.
6. The first slewing mechanism further has a first engaging portion that engages with the slewing drive force transmission member, The rotary tool device according to claim 1, wherein the first engaging portion is positioned between the end of the first swivel mechanism that is furthest away from the first tool holding portion in the direction of the swivel axis and the first tool holding portion.
7. The second slewing mechanism further has a second engaging portion that engages with the slewing drive force transmission member, The rotary tool device according to claim 6, wherein the second engaging portion is positioned between the end of the second swivel mechanism that is furthest away from the second tool holding portion in the direction of the swivel axis and the second tool holding portion.
8. The tool held by the first tool holder and the second tool holder has a rod-shaped base and a cutting portion positioned at the tip of the base. A rotary tool device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the extension direction of the base of the tool held in the first tool holding portion differs from the extension direction of the base of the tool held in the second tool holding portion.
9. A spindle that holds the workpiece in a rotatable manner, The rotating tool device includes a rotating tool that rotatably holds a tool for machining a workpiece rotatably held on the main spindle, and the rotating tool device is A first tool holder and a second tool holder rotatably hold a tool for machining a workpiece held on the main spindle, A pivoting drive force generating unit that generates a pivoting drive force to rotate the first tool holding unit and the second tool holding unit, A first swivel mechanism holds the first tool holder and, in response to the supply of the swivel driving force, swivels the first tool holder in a swivel axis direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the main spindle, A second swivel mechanism holds the second tool holder and rotates the second tool holder in the swivel axis direction in response to the supply of the swivel driving force, It includes a pivoting drive force transmission member that transmits the pivoting drive force supplied to the first tool holder to the second tool holder, The first pivot mechanism further includes a pivot drive force supply unit to which the pivot drive force is supplied from the pivot drive force generation unit, The rotational drive force supply unit is positioned between the end of the first rotational mechanism that is furthest away from the first tool holder in the rotational axis direction and the first tool holder. The second tool holder further has a fixing part for fixing it at a desired pivot angle, The second pivot mechanism has a fixed part that is fixed by the fixed part, The fixed portion is positioned between the end of the second swivel mechanism that is furthest away from the second tool holding portion in the swivel axis direction and the second tool holding portion. A machine tool characterized by the following features.