Machine tool

Abstract

A machine tool 1 comprises: an automatic tool exchange device 10 that is capable of oscillating relative to a bed part 50; a motor 12 that is fixed to the automatic tool exchange device 10 and drives the automatic tool exchange device 10; a cable C that is connected to the motor 12 and transmits at least one of electric power and a signal for driving the motor 12; a cable-fixing member 16 that is fixed to the automatic tool exchange device 10 and oscillates together with the motor 12; and a fixing part 17 that fixes the cable C to the cable-fixing member 16.

Description

machine tool

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a machine tool equipped with an automatic tool changer.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, machine tools equipped with automatic tool changers have been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-194407

[0004] In the machine tool disclosed in Patent Document 1, a turret drive unit (motor) is attached to a swinging automatic tool changer. Although not explicitly stated in Patent Document 1, a cable for transmitting power and control signals is connected to such a motor. The cable connected to the motor swings due to the swinging motion of the automatic tool changer, placing a load on the connection between the cable and the motor, potentially damaging the connection. Conventionally, forming has been performed by forming an appropriate curve in the cable to prevent load from being placed on the cable even if the cable swings due to the swinging motion. However, swinging motion can change the angle of the cable connected to the motor, potentially placing a load on the connection between the cable and the motor.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a machine tool that can reduce the load on a connection portion where a cable connects to a motor attached to an automatic tool changer.

[0006] The present disclosure relates to a machine tool comprising: an automatic tool changer that can swing relative to a base member; a motor that is fixed to the automatic tool changer and drives the automatic tool changer; a cable that is connected to the motor and transmits at least one of a signal and power that drives the motor; a cable fixing member that is fixed to the automatic tool changer and swings together with the motor; and a fixing portion that fixes the cable to the cable fixing member.

[0007] 3 shows a conceptual diagram of the machine tool 1 of the first embodiment when the turret has been moved to a non-rotatable position after a tool change. FIG. 3 shows a conceptual diagram of the machine tool 1 of the first embodiment when the turret 11 has been moved to a rotation position (a position where the turret 11 can rotate). FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the vicinity of the cable fixing member 16. FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the cable fixing member 16 taken at the position of arrow A-A in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the cable fixing member 16 taken at the position of arrow B-B in FIG. FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the vicinity of the cable fixing member 16 of the second embodiment. FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the vicinity of the cable fixing member 16 of the third embodiment.

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0009] First Embodiment Fig. 1 shows a conceptual diagram of a machine tool 1 of a first embodiment when the turret 11 has been moved to a non-rotatable position. Fig. 2 shows a conceptual diagram of a machine tool 1 of a first embodiment when the turret 11 has been moved to a rotation position (a position where the turret 11 can be rotated). As shown in Fig. 1, the machine tool 1 of the first embodiment includes an automatic tool changer 10, a machining device 20, a numerical control device 30, a column 40, a bed portion 50, and a work table 60.

[0010] The automatic tool changer 10 is a device that changes a tool holder 14 attached to a spindle 21 with another tool holder 14. Because the tool holder 14 holds a tool T, changing the tool holder 14 changes the tool T. Examples of the tool T include a drill, an end mill, a tap, a hale tool, and a trimmer. The automatic tool changer 10 mainly comprises a turret 11, a motor 12, and a turret swing unit 15.

[0011] The turret 11 is a generally disk-shaped structure with a plurality of grips 13 attached to its outer periphery. 1 and 2 only show the grips 13 that hold the tool T (and the tool holder 14) that is held (mounted) on the spindle 21 in the following description. In this embodiment, the grips 13 are attached to the outer periphery of the turret 11, but the present invention is not limited thereto and the grips 13 may be attached at positions closer to the inner periphery than the outer periphery of the turret 11.

[0012] The motor 12 is a motor that rotates the turret 11. The motor 12 is provided on the base portion 111 of the turret 11. The operation of the motor 12 is controlled by the numerical control device 30. The turret 11 rotates around the rotation axis C1 of the motor 12 at the rotation position shown in FIG. 2. By controlling the motor 12 to rotate the turret 11 by a predetermined amount, the grip 13 that holds the tool T to be replaced can be moved to a position facing the spindle 21.

[0013] The turret swinging unit 15 is a mechanical unit that swings the turret 11 relative to the bed unit 50 to move the turret 11 closer to or away from the spindle 21. The turret swinging unit 15 of this embodiment moves the grip 13 that holds the tool T closer to or away from the spindle 21. The turret swinging unit 15 includes a swing shaft 151, a cam follower 152, a cam 153, etc.

[0014] The swing shaft 151 is a member that supports the +Z side of the base portion 111 of the turret 11. The swing shaft 151 is rotatably supported by the support portion 41 of the column 40. The cam follower 152 is a rotating member that engages with a cam 153 provided on the spindle head 22. The cam follower 152 is provided on the -Z side of the base portion 111 of the turret 11. When the spindle head 22 moves in the vertical direction (Z direction), the cam follower 152 moves along the cam surface of the cam 153. As a result, the turret 11 swings clockwise or counterclockwise in the direction of the arrow around the swing shaft 151. The cam follower 152 and the cam 153 form a cam mechanism of the turret swing unit 15. Note that the configuration for swinging the turret 11 is not limited to a cam mechanism, and may be, for example, motor-driven, or may be swingable using hydraulic pressure, air pressure, or the like.

[0015] The turret 11 is biased by a biasing spring (not shown) toward the spindle head 22. Therefore, in the above-described cam mechanism, when the spindle head 22 moves in the vertical direction (Z direction), the cam follower 152 can move without separating from the cam surface of the cam 153.

[0016] The machining device 20 is a device that machines a workpiece W by rotating and moving a tool T held by a spindle 21. The machining device 20 mainly comprises the spindle 21, a spindle head 22, and a spindle head lifting unit 25.

[0017] The spindle 21 is a part that rotates or holds fixed the tool holder 14 to which the tool T is attached. A clamping mechanism for the tool holder 14 is provided inside the spindle 21.

[0018] The spindle head 22 is a drive mechanism that rotates the spindle 21. The spindle head 22 is provided with a spindle motor (not shown) that applies a rotational force to the spindle 21. The spindle head 22 is supported by an arm portion 251 of the spindle head lifting portion 25.

[0019] The spindle head lifting unit 25 is a mechanism that moves the spindle head 22 in the vertical direction (Z direction). The spindle head lifting unit 25 includes an arm unit 251, a servo motor (not shown), a gear mechanism (not shown), etc. The arm unit 251 supports the spindle head 22. The arm unit 251 is attached to the rail unit 42 of the column 40 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. A servo motor (not shown) moves the spindle head 22 in the vertical direction via the arm unit 251. In the spindle head lifting unit 25, the servo motor, gear mechanism, etc. (not shown) are housed inside the column 40. The operation of the spindle head lifting unit 25 is controlled by the numerical control device 30.

[0020] The column 40 is a part that supports the turret 11 and also supports the arm part 251 of the spindle head lifting part 25 so that it can move freely in the vertical direction (Z direction).

[0021] The bed section 50 is a section that supports the column 40 and part of the spindle head lifting section 25. The bed section 50 also supports the work table 60. The bed section 50 serves as a base member (base) of the machine tool 1 and is installed on, for example, the floor surface.

[0022] The work table 60 is a mechanism that supports the workpiece W so that it can move freely in the left-right direction (X direction) and the front-back direction (Y direction). The work table 60 is provided with an X-axis motor, a Y-axis motor, an encoder, etc. (none of which are shown). The machine tool 1 of this embodiment machines the workpiece W by moving the tool T held by the spindle 21 in the up-down direction (Z direction) while moving the workpiece W in the X-Y directions.

[0023] The turret 11 is driven to rotate by a motor 12. The motor 12 is provided with a connection portion 12a (see FIG. 3) for connecting one end of a cable C for transmitting power and control signals to the motor 12. The other end of the cable C is supported by a cable relay portion 43 provided on the column 40, and then passes through the column 40 to be connected to the numerical control device 30, a power supply unit (not shown), etc.

[0024] As described above, the turret 11 swings around the swing shaft 151 as a fulcrum. The motor 12 also swings in conjunction with the swing of the turret 11. The cable C is formed into a substantially circular ring shape between the cable relay portion 43 and the connection portion 12a, and is capable of following the swing of the motor 12. However, without a structure for supporting the cable C at a position between the cable relay portion 43 and the connection portion 12a, the load on the connection portion 12a increases, and there is a risk of the cable C breaking. Therefore, the machine tool 1 of this embodiment is provided with a cable fixing member 16 to reduce the load on the connection portion 12a. The structure of the cable fixing member 16 will be described below.

[0025] Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the cable fixing member 16. Note that Fig. 3 shows the turret 11 shown in Fig. 2 in a rotated position. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cable fixing member 16 taken along the position of arrow A-A in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cable fixing member 16 taken along the position of arrow B-B in Fig. 3. Note that Figs. 4 and 5 only show parts necessary for explanation.

[0026] The cable fixing member 16 is fixed to the base portion 111 of the turret 11. Therefore, the cable fixing member 16 swings together with the turret 11 and the motor 12. The cable fixing member 16 of this embodiment is formed by bending a metal plate and is disposed so as to surround a portion of the periphery of the motor 12. This configuration can protect the motor 12 from chips and cutting fluid that are scattered during the machining of the workpiece. Note that the cable fixing member 16 is not limited to being formed by bending a metal plate, and may also be formed by, for example, resin molding.

[0027] The cable fixing member 16 is provided with a fixing portion 17 that fixes the cable C to the cable fixing member 16. The fixing portion 17 includes two through holes 16b and a holding member 18. Two through holes 16b are opened side by side on the side of the cable fixing member 16. The holding member 18 passes through the two through holes 16b while holding the cable C and is fixed to the cable fixing member 16. The cable fixing member 16 of this embodiment uses a flexible resin cable tie. The cable tie used for the holding member 18 can be a general-purpose product as appropriate. Note that FIG. 4 omits the detailed shape of the holding member 18 as a cable tie.

[0028] As described above, in this embodiment, the cable C is fixed to the cable fixing member 16. Therefore, even if the turret 11 and the motor 12 swing, the cable C connected to the connection portion 12a will not move, and the load on the connection portion 12a can be reduced.

[0029] Furthermore, an end 16c of the cable fixing member 16, which is located at a position where the cable C extends from the fixing portion 17 and passes through, is bent in a direction away from the cable C. By bending this end 16c, even if the cable C comes into contact with the end 16c of the cable fixing member 16, damage to the cable C can be prevented.

[0030] Second Embodiment Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the cable fixing member 16 of the second embodiment. Note that Figure 6 shows a cross section similar to that of Figure 3 of the first embodiment. The machine tool 1 of the second embodiment has a similar configuration to the machine tool 1 of the first embodiment, except that the shape of the holding member 18B is different from that of the holding member 18 of the first embodiment. Therefore, parts that perform the same functions as those of the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted as appropriate.

[0031] The holding member 18B of the second embodiment is a member formed by bending a metal plate. In the cross section shown in Fig. 6, the holding member 18B surrounds the cable C with a portion formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped cross section with one side open, and holds the cable C. The holding member 18B also has portions extending outward from the opening on both sides, and these extending portions are fixed to the side surface 16a of the cable fixing member 16. The holding member 18B may be fixed to the side surface 16a by adhesive, welding, or using a fastening member such as a bolt (not shown).

[0032] (Third embodiment) Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the cable fixing member 16 of the third embodiment. Note that Figure 7 shows a cross section similar to that of Figure 3 of the first embodiment. The machine tool 1 of the third embodiment has a similar configuration to the machine tool 1 of the first embodiment, except that the shape of the holding member 18C is different from that of the holding member 18 of the first embodiment. Therefore, parts that perform the same functions as those of the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted as appropriate.

[0033] The holding member 18C of the third embodiment is a member made of a flexible material. In the cross section shown in FIG. 7 , one end of the holding member 18C is fixed to the side surface 16a of the cable fixing member 16. The other end of the holding member 18C surrounds and holds the cable C by utilizing the flexibility of the holding member 18C. The holding member 18C is made of a material that can be easily bent manually and is plastically deformable so that it maintains its bent shape. The holding member 18C may be fixed to the side surface 16a by adhesive, welding, or using a fastening member such as a bolt (not shown).

[0034] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, it is possible to reduce the load applied to the connection portion where the cable is connected to the motor attached to the automatic tool changer.

[0035] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, the present disclosure is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. Various additions, substitutions, modifications, partial deletions, etc. are possible in these embodiments without departing from the gist of the present disclosure or the spirit of the present disclosure derived from the content of the claims and their equivalents. These embodiments can also be implemented in combination. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the order of each operation and the order of each process are shown as examples and are not limited to these. The same applies when numerical values ​​or mathematical expressions are used in the description of the above-described embodiments.

[0036] The following supplementary notes are further disclosed regarding the above-described embodiments and modifications: (Supplementary Note 1) A machine tool (1) includes an automatic tool changer (10) that can swing relative to a base member (50), a motor (12) that is fixed to the automatic tool changer (10) and drives the automatic tool changer (10), a cable (C) that is connected to the motor (12) and transmits at least one of a signal and power that drives the motor (12), a cable fixing member (16) that is fixed to the automatic tool changer (10) and swings together with the motor (12), and a fixing portion (17) that fixes the cable (C) to the cable fixing member (16).

[0037] (Supplementary Note 2) In the machine tool (1) described in Supplementary Note 1, the fixing portion (17) includes a holding member (18, 18B, 18C) provided on the cable fixing member (16) in a state in which the cable (C) is held.

[0038] (Appendix 3) In the machine tool (1) described in Appendix 2, the fixing portion (17) has at least one through hole (16b) opening in the cable fixing member (16), and the holding member (18) is flexible and is provided on the cable fixing member (16) passing through the through hole (16b).

[0039] (Appendix 4) In the machine tool (1) described in Appendix 1 or Appendix 2, the cable fixing member (16) is composed of a plate-shaped member, and an end (16c) located at a position where the cable (C) extends from the fixing portion (17) and passes through is bent in a direction away from the cable (C).

[0040] (Supplementary Note 5) In the machine tool (1) described in Supplementary Note 1 or Supplementary Note 2, the cable fixing member (16) is arranged to surround at least a portion of the motor (12).

[0041] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Machine tool 10 Automatic tool changer 11 Turret 12 Motor 12a Connection part 13 Grip 14 Tool holder 15 Turret swing part 16 Cable fixing member 16a Side surface 16b Through hole 16c End part 17 Fixing part 18, 18B, 18C Holding member 20 Machining device 21 Spindle 22 Spindle head 25 Spindle head lifting part 30 Numerical control device 40 Column 41 Support part 42 Rail part 43 Cable relay part 50 Bed part 60 Work table 111 Base part 151 Swing axis 152 Cam follower 153 Cam 251 Arm part

Claims

1. A machine tool comprising: an automatic tool changer that can swing relative to a base member; a motor that is fixed to the automatic tool changer and drives the automatic tool changer; a cable that is connected to the motor and transmits at least one of a signal and power that drives the motor; a cable fixing member that is fixed to the automatic tool changer and swings together with the motor; and a fixing part that fixes the cable to the cable fixing member.

2. A machine tool according to claim 1, wherein the fixing portion comprises a holding member provided on the cable fixing member in a state in which the cable is held.

3. A machine tool according to claim 2, wherein the fixing portion has at least one through hole opening in the cable fixing member, and the holding member is flexible and passes through the through hole and is attached to the cable fixing member.

4. A machine tool as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cable fixing member is made of a plate-like member, and the end portion at the position where the cable extends from the fixing portion and passes through is bent in a direction away from the cable.

5. A machine tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cable fixing member is arranged to surround at least a portion of the motor.

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