Swarf collection device, machining equipment comprising such a device and swarf collection method by such a device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for collecting swarf, comprising: - a box (40) open at the top which defines a first axis (X) of longitudinal extension, - first rotation means (30) configured to allow rotation of the box (40) around said first axis (X), where, during the normal use of such a device (10), the box (40) is configured to be oriented with the first axis (X) inclined with respect to the vertical direction (Y) so that depositing the swarf within the box (40) in an area spaced from the first axis (X) induces such a rotation.

Description

[0001] SWARF COLLECTION DEVICE, MACHINING EQUIPMENT COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE AND SWARF COLLECTION METHOD BY SUCH A DEVICE.

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The invention relates to a device for collecting machining swarf.

[0004] The invention also relates to machining equipment comprising such a device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a swarf collection method by means of such a device.

[0005] Swarf is defined as that waste material mainly produced by machine tools. These machines work by swarf removal, thus moulding and shaping a workpiece, removing excess material.

[0006] The swarf can have various shapes depending on the properties of the material being machined, from the continuous shape of ductile materials up to the segmented shape of hard but tough materials, to the interrupted or dust shape for hard but brittle materials.

[0007] The swarf can therefore be of various materials; typical examples are wood and metal alloys such as steel or cast iron.

[0008] As is known, the mechanical machining for removing swarf requires the scraps be ejected from the machine, usually through conveyor belts. Then, at the end of the conveyor belts, there will be appropriate evacuation openings and the collection of swarf will occur in special devices placed near such evacuation openings.

[0009] Such devices are substantially boxes generally made of folded sheet metal.

[0010] However, a similar swarf collection device, although well known and appreciated, has some important limitations related to the conformation thereof.

[0011] In particular, the conformation of such a device means that the accumulation of swarf within the box is not homogeneous, but substantially pyramid-shaped.

[0012] Therefore, disadvantageously, the entire available volume of the box for collecting swarf is not utilised. This requires frequent operator intervention to level the swarf within the box and prevent it from going to clog the evacuation opening, causing machine downtime.

[0013] Disadvantageously, such an operation requires the use of resources which could be employed in other activities within the company.

[0014] Equally disadvantageously, in the event of machine downtime due to such a problem, there will be a significant drop in productivity.

[0015] The task of the present invention is to develop a swarf collection device capable of obviating the aforementioned drawbacks and limitations of the prior art.

[0016] In particular, it is the aim of the present invention to make a device whose configuration allows a homogeneous accumulation of swarf therein.

[0017] Further, an aim of the invention is to develop a device which allows to exploit the entire volume available thereto.

[0018] The above-mentioned task and objects are achieved by a device according to claim 1 .

[0019] Further characteristics of the device according to claim 1 are described in the dependent claims.

[0020] The task and the aforesaid objects, together with the advantages that will be mentioned hereinafter, are indicated by the description of an embodiment of the invention, which is given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, where:

[0021] - Figure 1 represents a side view of a first embodiment example of the device according to the invention;

[0022] - Figure 2 represents a sectional front view of the device of Figure 1 ;

[0023] - Figure 3 represents a sectional side view of the device of Figure 1 ;

[0024] - Figure 4 represents a perspective view of a second embodiment example of a device according to the invention;

[0025] - Figure 5 represents a perspective view of a third embodiment example of a device according to the invention;

[0026] - Figure 6 represents a front view of a fourth executive example of a device according to the invention;

[0027] - Figure 7 represents a perspective view of the device of Figure 6;

[0028] - Figure 8 represents a perspective view of machining equipment comprising a device according to the invention.

[0029] With reference to the cited figures, a device according to the invention is indicated as a whole by number 10.

[0030] It should be noted that the device 10 which is the subject matter of the invention can be used not only for collecting swarf but also for other materials or small objects such as doughs, flours or various small parts.

[0031] Such a swarf collection device 10, clearly visible in Figures 1 to 7, comprises: - a box 40 open at the top so as to be able to receive swarf therein, where such a box defines a first axis X of longitudinal extension;

[0032] - first rotation means 30 configured to allow a rotation of the box 40 around the first axis X.

[0033] What distinguishes such a device 10 is the fact that, during normal use, such a box 40 is configured to be oriented with the first axis X inclined with respect to the vertical direction Y, as clearly visible in Figures 2 and 6, so that the deposit of swarf within the box 40 in an area spaced from the aforesaid first axis X induces the aforesaid rotation.

[0034] The configuration of such a device 10 ensures that the accumulation of swarf therein occurs homogeneously.

[0035] In particular, the inclination of the first axis X makes the weight of the swarf within the box 40 in an area spaced from such an axis X generate a momentum which induces the rotation of the box 40 with respect to such a first axis X. Specifically, it will be the component of the weight force orthogonal to the axis X which will generate such momentum.

[0036] The rotation of the box 40 avoids the formation of a pyramid of swarf due to the fact that the point of accumulation of such swarf will not be fixed in the centre of the box, but in the area spaced from the first axis X, which will continue to rotate due to the aforesaid accumulation.

[0037] Advantageously, such a configuration allows a constant levelling of the swarf within the box.

[0038] Equally advantageously, the shape of such a device 10 allows exploiting all the volume therein.

[0039] Moreover, advantageously, such a configuration only allows the rotation of the box 40 when there is a further deposit and accumulation of swarf. In fact, it is such a further deposit and accumulation of swarf within the box 40 which will generate the aforesaid momentum. Such momentum will induce the rotation of the box 40 up to a new equilibrium point.

[0040] Advantageously, such a configuration favours a uniform and levelled accumulation of swarf within the box 40, exploiting all the available space.

[0041] Preferably, such an inclination is greater than or equal to 4°. Even more preferably, such an inclination is greater than or equal to 5°. If the device 10, or only the box 40, is made of aluminium, the preferred inclination is 7°.

[0042] Advantageously, such a value is optimal for favouring the rotation described above.

[0043] The device 10 further comprises a support structure 20 operatively connected by the first rotation means 30 to the box 40.

[0044] Such a support structure 20 comprises movement means 24 adapted to enable the movement of said device 10.

[0045] In particular, such movement means 24 are wheels placed at the vertices of the support structure 20.

[0046] Such a configuration, advantageously, allows easily handling the device 10. Preferably, the box 40 has a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0047] In some possible implementation examples, visible in Figures 1 to 5, the upper opening of said box 40 is flared outwards, substantially forming a hopper.

[0048] Furthermore, the support structure 20 comprises locking means 23, visible in Figures 1 , 2, 3, 6 and 7, placed in contact with the outer walls of the box 40 and adapted to lock and support such a box 40 in a stationary configuration.

[0049] In particular, in a first embodiment example, visible in Figures 1 , 2 and 3, such locking means 23 comprise a first shaped plate configured to be placed in contact with the outer wall of the box 40, a second shaped plate projecting from the support structure 20 and a pin operatively connected to such a first shaped plate and to such a second shaped plate.

[0050] In some possible embodiment variants of the invention, visible in Figures 4 and 5, the device 10 comprises second rotation means 53 operatively connected between the box 40 and the support structure 20 so as to allow the rotation of such a box 40 around a third axis transverse to the first axis X. Such a rotation occurs from an accumulation position to an unloading position, and vice versa. The “accumulation position” is intended as when the opening of the box 40 is substantially facing upwards, so as to allow the accumulation of swarf within such a box 40.

[0051] The “unloading position” is intended as when the opening of the box 40 is substantially facing to the side or downwards, so as to allow unloading swarf within the box 40.

[0052] Advantageously, such a configuration favours the emptying of the box 40.

[0053] In a possible embodiment variant of the invention, visible in Figure 5, such second rotation means 53 comprise at least one pinion 51 operatively connected to a wall of the box 40 and at least one rack 52 operatively connected to the support structure 20 arranged horizontally with respect to the ground. Such a pinion 51 and such a rack 52 form a pinion-rack system 50 configured to allow the translation, in a substantially horizontal direction, of the box 40 and the tilting thereof.

[0054] In particular, such an embodiment of the invention envisages the presence of two pinions 51 and two racks 52. Such pinions 51 engage on the respective racks 52. Such pinions 51, rotating on such racks, allow the rotation of said box 40 from said accumulation position to said unloading position.

[0055] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the first rotation means 30 comprise a pin 31, visible in Figures 1 and 2, arranged coaxially to the first axis X, and mechanical bearings 32, visible in Figures 1 and 2, adapted to allow the rotation of the box 40 around the aforesaid pin 31.

[0056] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the first rotation means 30 are idle. In particular, the pin 31 is idle.

[0057] As is known, first idle rotation means 30 means that such first rotation means 30 do not receive motion from motion-generating means. Such first rotation means 30 are therefore not connected to a motor member.

[0058] Such a configuration causes the deposit of swarf within the box 40 in an area spaced from the first axis X, inducing the rotation of the box 40 around the first axis X.

[0059] However it is not excluded that, in a possible embodiment of the invention, the first rotation means 30 comprise motion-generating means, not visible in the figure but known per se, configured to induce the rotation of the box 40 around the pin 31. Such motion-generating means act as an aid to the rotation of the box 40.

[0060] As mentioned above, equipment 100 for machining a material comprising at least one unloading opening 102 and a device 10 described above, is also part of the invention, such an unloading opening 102 being oriented so as to deposit the swarf within the box 40 of the device 10, in the area spaced from the first axis X.

[0061] Also part of the invention is a swarf collection method by means of a device 10 described above. Such a method is characterised in that the deposit of swarf within the box 40 occurs in such an area spaced from the first axis X and outside of a plane in which such a first axis X and the second axis Y lie, so that the weight of the swarf generates a momentum which induces the rotation of the box 40 with respect to the aforesaid first axis X. It has in practice been established that the invention achieves the intended task and aims.

[0062] In particular, with the invention a device has been developed whose configuration allows a homogeneous accumulation of swarf therein.

[0063] Furthermore, a device has been developed which allows exploiting the entire volume available thereto.

[0064] The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept; moreover, all the details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0065] In practice, the components and materials used, as well as the dimensions and shapes, as long as they are compatible with the specific use, can be any according to requirements and the state of the art.

[0066] If the characteristics and techniques mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, these reference signs are to be intended for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and, consequently, such reference signs have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by these reference signs.

Claims

CLAIMS1 ) Device (10) for collecting swarf, comprising:- a box (40) open at the top so as to be able to receive said swarf therein, said box (40) defining a first axis (X) of longitudinal extension,- first rotation means (30) configured to allow rotation of said box (40) around said first axis (X), characterised in that, during normal use, said box (40) is configured to be oriented with said first axis (X) inclined with respect to the vertical direction (Y) so that the deposit of said swarf within said box (40) in an area spaced from said first axis (X) induces said rotation.2) A device (10) according to claim 1 , characterised in that said inclination is greater than or equal to 4°.3) A device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised by comprising a support structure (20) operatively connected by said first rotation means (30) to said box (40), said support structure (20) comprising movement means (24) adapted to allow the movement of said device (10).4) A device (10) according to claim 3, characterised in that said box (40) has a substantially cylindrical shape, said support structure (20) comprising locking means (23) placed in contact with the outer walls of said box (40) and adapted to lock and support said box (40) in a stationary configuration.5) A device (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterised by comprising second rotation means (53) operatively connected between said box (40) and said support structure (20) so as to allow the rotation of said box (40) with respect to a third axis transverse to said first axis (X) from an accumulation position to an unloading position, and vice versa.6) A device (10) according to claim 5, characterised in that said second rotation means (53) comprise at least one pinion (51 ) operatively connected to a side wall of said box (40) and at least one rack (52) operatively connected to said support structure (20) arranged horizontally with respect to the ground.7) A device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said first rotation means (30) comprise a pin (31 ) arranged coaxially to said first axis (X) and mechanical bearings (32) adapted to allow said rotation of said box (40) around said pin (31 ).8) A device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterisedin that said first rotation means (30) are idle.9) A device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that said first rotation means (30) comprise motion-generating means configured to induce said rotation.10) Equipment (100) for machining a material comprising at least one unloading opening (102) of machining swarf, characterised by comprising a device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, said unloading opening (102) being oriented so as to deposit said swarf within said box (40) of said device (10), in said area spaced from said first axis (X).11 ) Method for collecting swarf by means of a device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the deposit of said swarf within said housing (40) occurs in said area spaced from said first axis (X) and outside a plane in which said first axis (X) and said second axis (Y) lie, so that the weight of said swarf generates a momentum which induces said rotation of said box (40) with respect to said first axis (X).

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