Machine tool and machining method

Abstract

[Problem] An objective of the present invention is to prevent positional deviation of a workpiece while avoiding interference between workpiece support units and components related to machining during machining of the workpiece. [Solution] This machine tool comprises: a lift device that lifts a workpiece in a second direction, which is a direction moving away from a plurality of workpiece support units; a movement mechanism that moves the plurality of workpiece support units in a first direction relative to a main body unit while maintaining the position of the lift device in the first direction relative to the main body unit; and a control device that, after the workpiece has been machined by a machining head, causes the lift device to separate the workpiece from the plurality of workpiece support units, causes the movement mechanism to move the plurality of workpiece support units a prescribed distance in the first direction, then releases the lifting by the lift device to achieve a state in which the workpiece is supported by the plurality of workpiece support units, and causes the machining head to machine the workpiece.

Description

Machine Tool and Machining Method

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine tool and a machining method.

[0002] A machining method is known in which tapping is performed on a plate-shaped workpiece supported by a plurality of workpiece support portions provided on a pallet (see Patent Document 1). In this machining method, in order to avoid interference between the workpiece support portion and the tap during tapping, when the tapping position of the workpiece coincides with the support position by the workpiece support portion, the workpiece is displaced horizontally with respect to the workpiece support portion.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H23-224728

[0004] In the technique described in Patent Document 1, when the workpiece is displaced horizontally with respect to the workpiece support portion, while maintaining the position of the workpiece support portion with respect to the main body portion of the machine tool, the position of the workpiece with respect to the main body portion is displaced horizontally. However, with such a method, there is a risk of displacement of the workpiece with respect to the main body portion of the machine tool.

[0005] The present invention has been made against the background of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to prevent displacement of a workpiece while avoiding interference between a workpiece support portion and a configuration related to machining during workpiece machining.

[0006] A machine tool according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a main body fixed in position with respect to the installation floor surface, a plurality of work support parts, each longitudinal and arranged parallel to each other at predetermined intervals in a first direction, a machining head for machining a workpiece supported by the plurality of work support parts, and a frame part for moving the machining head in at least a first direction relative to the main body, the machine tool comprising: a lift device for lifting the workpiece in a second direction which is a direction away from the plurality of work support parts, a moving mechanism for moving the plurality of work support parts in a first direction relative to the main body while maintaining the position of the lift device in the first direction relative to the main body, and a control device for controlling the machining head, lift device, and moving mechanism so that after machining the workpiece with the machining head, the lift device separates the workpiece from the plurality of work support parts, the moving mechanism moves the plurality of work support parts a predetermined distance in the first direction, the lift by the lift device is released so that the workpiece is supported by the plurality of work support parts, and the machining head machines the workpiece.

[0007] A machining method according to an aspect of the present invention is a machining method for a machine tool comprising: a main body fixed in position with respect to the installation floor surface; a plurality of work support parts, each longitudinal and arranged parallel to each other at predetermined intervals in a first direction; a machining head for machining a workpiece supported by the plurality of work support parts; a frame for moving the machining head in at least a first direction relative to the main body; and a lift device for lifting a workpiece in a second direction which is a direction away from the plurality of work support parts, wherein the machining method includes: machining the workpiece with the machining head, then lifting the workpiece in a second direction which is a direction away from the plurality of work support parts; moving the plurality of work support parts a predetermined distance in the first direction relative to the main body while maintaining the position of the lift device in the first direction relative to the main body with respect to the plurality of work support parts, and releasing the lift by the lift device so that the workpiece is supported by the plurality of work support parts, and then machining the workpiece with the machining head.

[0008] In the machine tool and machining method according to an aspect of the present invention, instead of shifting the workpiece, multiple workpiece support parts are shifted relative to the main body. This configuration makes it possible to prevent workpiece displacement while avoiding interference between the workpiece support parts and the machining components during workpiece machining.

[0009] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment of the machine tool, a clamping part is provided that is not movable relative to the main body in a first direction but is movable relative to the main body in a second direction, and clamps the workpiece to fix the position of the workpiece in the first direction relative to the main body. The control device may control the lifting device, the moving mechanism, and the clamping part so that, with the workpiece clamped by the clamping part, the lifting device separates the workpiece from the multiple workpiece support parts, the moving mechanism moves the multiple workpiece support parts a predetermined distance in the first direction, and then releases the lifting by the lifting device so that the workpiece is supported by the multiple workpiece support parts. With such a configuration, the position of the workpiece in the first direction is stabilized, and displacement of the workpiece during machining can be prevented. This enables highly accurate machining.

[0010] Furthermore, according to the machine tool described above, the clamping section may clamp the workpiece when the workpiece is being processed by the machining head. This configuration improves machining accuracy and ensures safe machining.

[0011] Furthermore, according to the machine tool described above, the lifting device includes a plurality of lifting members that directly face the workpiece support and support and lift the opposing surface of the workpiece, and a lifting drive unit that raises and lowers the plurality of lifting members. The control device may control the lifting drive unit to raise the plurality of lifting members in a direction that approaches the workpiece in a second direction, temporarily stop them at a stop position a predetermined distance from the opposing surface in the second direction, and after the temporary stop at the stop position, raise the plurality of lifting members again in a direction that approaches the workpiece in the second direction to lift the workpiece. With such a configuration, the timing of contact between each of the plurality of lifting members with the lower surface of the workpiece can be synchronized.

[0012] Furthermore, according to the machine tool of the above embodiment, the machining head may be a cutting mechanism comprising a cutting spindle and a cutting tool attached to the cutting spindle and driven to rotate. With this configuration, the cutting tool does not come into contact with the support plate, thereby avoiding damage to both the cutting tool and the support plate, as well as affecting the machining process.

[0013] Furthermore, according to the machine tool of the above embodiment, the moving mechanism can change the relative position between the work support and the workpiece between a first relative position and a second relative position shifted by a predetermined distance in the first direction relative to the first relative position. When the workpiece and work support at the first relative position are viewed in the second direction, the area of ​​the workpiece that overlaps with the work support is called the overlapping area. When the workpiece and work support at the second relative position are viewed in the second direction, the overlapping area overlaps with the space area where the work support is not located. The machining head may then machine the overlapping area of ​​the workpiece while in the second relative position. With this configuration, machining in the overlapping area can be performed efficiently. This makes it easier to avoid interference and improves machining accuracy and efficiency.

[0014] Furthermore, according to the machine tool of the above embodiment, the machining head performs multiple machining operations on a workpiece in a single machining process. These multiple operations include a first machining operation in which the machining positions are included in the overlapping region, and a second machining operation different from the first machining operation. The control device may execute the first machining operation with the relative position moved from the first relative position to the second relative position, and after executing the first machining operation, change the relative position from the second relative position to the first relative position to execute the second machining operation. With this configuration, multiple machining operations can be efficiently performed at different machining positions while avoiding interference with the workpiece support. This makes it possible to safely and reliably perform multiple machining operations in a single machining process.

[0015] Furthermore, according to the machine tool described above, in the second machining process, the area of ​​the workpiece excluding the overlapping area may be machined. This configuration prevents interference and enables smooth machining.

[0016] Furthermore, according to the machine tool of the above embodiment, the lifting device is positioned between the workpiece and the lifting member in the second direction and includes a cover that covers the lifting member while the first and second processing are being performed. The lifting device may retract the cover so that the lifting member is exposed when viewed from the second direction when the lifting member rises in a direction that approaches the workpiece in the second direction. With this configuration, chips can be prevented from adhering to the workpiece lifting member by covering it during processing. In addition, it is possible to prevent the workpiece lifting member from being damaged by the laser beam during laser processing.

[0017] This figure shows an example of a machine tool according to this embodiment. This is a perspective view of a part of the machine tool according to this embodiment. This figure shows an example of a lift mechanism according to this embodiment. This figure shows another example of a lift mechanism according to this embodiment. This is a block diagram of a program conversion device according to this embodiment. This figure illustrates coordinate transformation according to this embodiment. This figure illustrates the first and second machining processes according to this embodiment. This is a view of the overlapping region according to this embodiment from the Z direction. This is a view of the overlapping regions in Figures 7 and 8 from the Y direction. This figure illustrates the second machining program according to this embodiment. This is a block diagram of the control device according to this embodiment. This is a functional block of the processor according to this embodiment. This figure illustrates the operation flow of the machine tool according to this embodiment. This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the machine tool according to this embodiment. This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the machine tool according to this embodiment. This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the machine tool according to this embodiment. This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the machine tool according to this embodiment. This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the machine tool according to this embodiment. This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the machine tool according to this embodiment. This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the clamping section provided in the machine tool according to this embodiment.

[0018] The present invention will be described below through embodiments, but the invention claimed is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention. In addition, in the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations may be omitted. Also, the shape and size of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clearer explanation, and may differ in shape and dimensions from the actual product.

[0019] In the following explanation, directions in the figures will be described using the XYZ coordinate system. In this XYZ coordinate system, the vertical direction is the Z direction, and the horizontal directions are the X and Y directions. Furthermore, the X, Y, and Z directions will be referred to as the + side with the arrows pointing to them, and the opposite side with the - side. The X direction is an example of the first direction of the present invention. The Z direction is an example of the second direction of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of a machine tool 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a part of the machine tool 1 according to this embodiment. The machine tool 1 is a device that performs multiple processing operations on a plate-shaped workpiece W. The machine tool 1 is a composite processing machine capable of performing laser processing and cutting. However, it is not limited to this, and the machine tool 1 may be, for example, a laser processing machine, a cutting machine, a drilling machine, a milling machine, or a machining center. Also, although the processing direction of the machine tool 1 in this embodiment is vertical, it is not limited to this. For example, if the machine tool 1 is a vertical machine tool, the processing direction will be a direction other than vertical. Multiple processing operations refer to a series of processing operations performed on the workpiece W from the time the workpiece W is brought into the machine tool 1 until it is brought out. For example, multiple processing operations in cutting operations are operations in which a tool intermittently makes contact with and separates from the workpiece W. One processing operation is defined as the process from when the tool makes contact with the workpiece W, performs processing, and then separates from the workpiece W, and in the case of multiple processing operations, this process is performed multiple times.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the machine tool 1 comprises a pallet 100, a pallet moving mechanism 110, a laser processing unit 120, a cutting unit 130, a lifting device 140, and an information processing system 150. The plate-shaped workpiece W is an example of a workpiece. The pallet moving mechanism 110 and the lifting device 140 are examples of the moving mechanisms of the present invention. The moving mechanism can change the relative position in the X direction between the workpiece W in the processing area of ​​the machine tool 1 and the workpiece support portion of the pallet 100.

[0022] The pallet 100 is a member that supports the workpiece W. The pallet 100 comprises a base plate 111 and a plurality of support plates 112. The base plate 111 is, for example, a plate-shaped member extending in the XY plane. The plurality of support plates 112 are provided in an upright position relative to the base plate 111.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, the support plate 112 is a plate-shaped member that is flattened in the X direction and extends in the Y direction, and has a plurality of protrusions 112P at its upper end. For example, the plurality of protrusions 112P have a sawtooth shape when viewed from the X direction. The support plates 112 are arranged in a fixed position on the upper surface of the base plate 111, with predetermined intervals in the X direction. That is, the plurality of support plates 112 have a shape that extends in the Y direction and are arranged parallel to each other along the X direction. That is, the plurality of support plates 112 are each configured in a longitudinal shape and are arranged parallel to each other at predetermined intervals in the X direction. The support plate 112 or protrusions 112P is an example of a workpiece support. The pallet 100 is movable in and out of the machine tool 1. In the example shown in Figure 1, the pallet 100 moves in the ±X direction.

[0024] The pallet moving mechanism 110 moves the pallet 100 in the ±X direction. The pallet moving mechanism 110 includes, for example, a pair of rails 101 for moving the pallet 100 in the ±X direction, and a drive source 102 such as a motor for moving the pallet 100 on the pair of rails 101. The pair of rails 101 may be, for example, shaped to extend in the +X direction to a pallet changer (not shown). The pallet changer is, for example, provided on the +X side of the machine tool 1, and exchanges a pallet 100 on which processed workpieces are placed after being discharged from the machine tool 1 with a pallet 100 on which unprocessed workpieces are placed, and loads the pallet 100 on which unprocessed workpieces are placed into the machine tool 1. The pallet 100 is equipped with, for example, wheels that can move along the rails 101. The configuration of the pallet moving mechanism 110 is not limited to moving the pallet 100 in the ±X direction, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the pallet moving mechanism 110 may be a chain conveyor or a roller conveyor. Alternatively, the pallet moving mechanism 110 may be moved by using an electric motor to pull the pallet 100 with a wire or the like.

[0025] The pallet moving mechanism 110 loads a pallet 100 with a workpiece W on it into the machine tool 1, and loads a pallet 100 with a processed workpiece W on it out of the machine tool 1. In addition to loading and unloading the pallet 100, the pallet moving mechanism 110 can also move the pallet 100 in the ±X direction within the machine tool 1.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the laser processing unit 120 includes a laser head 121, a first gantry 122, a first slider 123, and a first lifting unit 124.

[0027] The laser head 121 irradiates a workpiece W supported on a pallet 100 with laser light to laser process the workpiece W. The laser head 121 is installed in the first gantry 122. The laser head 121 shown in Figure 1 is installed in the first gantry 122 via a first lifting unit 124 and a first slider 123. By irradiating the workpiece W with laser light, the laser head 121 can perform drilling and cutting on the workpiece W. Note that the laser head 121 is an example of a processing head of the present invention.

[0028] The first gantry 122 is provided to be movable in the X direction above the workpiece W supported on the pallet 100. The first gantry 122 shown in Figure 2 is a member that extends in the Y direction. The first gantry 122 shown in Figure 2 is provided from the first frame F1 to the second frame F2 of the machine tool 1. The first gantry 122 shown in Figure 2 moves in the X direction guided by X guides G1 provided on the upper surfaces of the first frame F1 and the second frame F2. The first frame F1 to the second frame F2 are fixed in position relative to the floor surface 700 (installation floor surface) on which the machine tool 1 is installed by their own weight or by fasteners, etc. That is, in this embodiment, the first frame F1 to the second frame F2 correspond to the main body (at least a part of the main body) of the machine tool 1.

[0029] The first slider 123 is provided above the workpiece W so as to be movable in the Y direction. As shown in Figure 1, the first slider 123 moves in the Y direction guided by a Y guide G2 provided on the upper surface of the first gantry 122. The Y guide G2 may also be provided on the side surface of the first gantry 122.

[0030] The first lifting unit 124 is a device that is provided above the workpiece W so as to be movable in the Z direction. The first lifting unit 124 shown in Figure 2 is provided on the side of the first slider 123. The first lifting unit 124 shown in Figure 2 moves in the Z direction guided by the Z guide G3 provided on the side of the first slider 123.

[0031] The laser head 121 shown in Figure 2 is attached to the first lifting unit 124. The laser head 121 shown in Figure 2 moves in the X direction above the workpiece W supported on the pallet 100 as the first gantry 122 moves in the X direction. The laser head 121 shown in Figure 2 moves in the Y direction above the workpiece W supported on the pallet 100 as the first slider 123 moves in the Y direction. The laser head 121 shown in Figure 2 moves in the Z direction above the workpiece W supported on the pallet 100 as the first lifting unit 124 moves in the Z direction.

[0032] As described later, the machine tool 1 of this embodiment is further equipped with a laser head 121, which is a non-contact processing head that performs processing without contacting the workpiece, in addition to a cutting unit 130, which is a contact processing head. With this configuration, both contact processing such as cutting and non-contact processing such as laser processing can be performed on the same machine tool 1, resulting in improved processing efficiency. Even with non-contact processing, by processing the position where the support plate 112 is to be avoided in the processing direction (second direction), it is possible to avoid or reduce the adhesion and damage of foreign matter to the support plate 112, damage to the non-contact processing head, etc.

[0033] The cutting unit 130 comprises a cutting tool 131, a second gantry 132, a second slider 133, and a second lifting unit 134.

[0034] The cutting tool 131 is a tool used to perform cutting operations on the workpiece W. Cutting operations include, for example, drilling, tapping, and counterboring. The cutting tool 131 is directly or indirectly mounted on the second gantry 132. In Figure 2, the cutting tool 131 is mounted on the second gantry 132 via the second lifting unit 134 and the second slider 133. Note that the cutting tool 131 is an example of a machining head of the present invention.

[0035] The second gantry 132 is provided above the workpiece W supported on the pallet 100 so as to be movable in the X direction. The second gantry 132 shown in Figure 2 is provided extending from the first frame F1 to the second frame F2 of the machine tool 1. The second gantry 132 shown in Figure 2 moves in the X direction guided by the X guide G1. That is, the guide that guides the first gantry 122 and the guide that guides the second gantry 132 are common to the X guide G1. In other words, in this embodiment, the second gantry 132 corresponds to a support section that moves the cutting tool 131 at least in the X direction relative to the first frame F1 and the second frame F2.

[0036] The second slider 133 is provided above the workpiece W so as to be movable in the Y direction. As shown in Figure 2, the second slider 133 moves in the Y direction guided by a Y guide G2 provided on the upper surface of the second gantry 132.

[0037] The second lifting section 134 is provided above the workpiece W so as to be movable in the Z direction. The second lifting section 134 shown in Figure 2 is provided on the side of the second slider 133. The second lifting section 134 shown in Figure 2 moves in the Z direction guided by the Z guide G3 provided on the side of the second slider 133.

[0038] The cutting unit 130 is a contact machining head that performs the first and second machining processes described later by directly contacting the workpiece W. Specifically, the cutting unit 130 is a cutting mechanism 136 comprising a cutting spindle 135 and a cutting tool 131 attached to the cutting spindle 135 and driven to rotate. When machining the workpiece W with such a cutting mechanism 136, interference between the cutting tool 131 and the support plate 112 becomes a problem. However, by moving to a first relative position and a second relative position, as described later, and separating the machining, the cutting tool 131 will no longer come into contact with the support plate 112, thereby avoiding damage to both components and preventing interference with the machining process. In other words, the effects of using the configuration of the invention are significantly demonstrated.

[0039] The cutting tool 131 shown in Figure 2 is attached to the second lifting unit 134. The cutting tool 131 shown in Figure 2 moves in the X direction above the workpiece W supported on the pallet 100 as the second gantry 132 moves in the X direction. The cutting tool 131 shown in Figure 2 moves in the Y direction above the workpiece W supported on the pallet 100 as the second slider 133 moves in the Y direction. The cutting tool 131 shown in Figure 2 moves in the Z direction above the workpiece W supported on the pallet 100 as the second lifting unit 134 moves in the Z direction.

[0040] The lifting device 140 is positioned directly below the pallet 100 in the machining area R. The lifting device 140 separates the workpiece W and the pallet 100 by lifting the workpiece W placed on the pallet 100 in the machining area R of the machine tool 1. That is, the lifting device 140 lifts the workpiece W placed on the pallet 100 in a second direction, which is the direction that separates it from the multiple workpiece support parts, in the machining area R of the machine tool 1.

[0041] The lifting device 140 comprises a plurality of lifting mechanisms 141. The plurality of lifting mechanisms 141 are provided, for example, on the upper surface of a lift base (not shown). The plurality of lifting mechanisms 141 are provided in an upright position relative to the lift base.

[0042] The lift mechanism 141 lifts the workpiece W placed on the pallet 100 in a second direction, which is the direction that separates it from the multiple workpiece support parts. The lift mechanism 141 contacts the underside of the workpiece W placed on the pallet 100, and places the workpiece W in a state where it is separated from the pallet 100 by a predetermined distance (hereinafter referred to as the "separated state").

[0043] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of the lift mechanism 141 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the lift mechanism 141 comprises two lifting drive units 142 and a lifting body 143.

[0044] The lifting drive unit 142 raises and lowers the lifting body 143 in the Z direction. The lifting drive unit 142 is not particularly limited as long as it is a device that raises and lowers the lifting body 143. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, it includes an air cylinder. In the lifting drive unit 142 shown in FIG. 1, the lifting body 143 is connected to the piston rod 142P of the air cylinder, and the lifting body 143 is raised and lowered by moving the piston rod 142P in the vertical direction by compressed air. Note that the lifting drive unit 142 is not limited to an air cylinder and may include a motor, and the lifting body 143 may be raised and lowered by the driving force of the motor.

[0045] The two lifting drive units 142 are arranged at a predetermined interval in the Y direction. The lifting body 143 is provided between the two lifting drive units 142. The lifting body 143 includes a base member 145, a first support member 146, and a plurality of second support members 147. The first support member 146 is an example of the lifting member of the present invention. The plurality of second support members 147 are examples of the lifting members of the present invention.

[0046] The base member 145 is connected to the piston rod 142P of the lifting drive unit 142 provided on the +Y side and the piston rod 142P of the lifting drive unit 142 provided on the -Y side, respectively.

[0047] The first support member 146 is provided on the base member 145. The first support member 146 is provided so as to contact the lower surface of the workpiece W when the lifting body 143 rises in the +Z direction. The first support member 146 is, for example, in the shape of a flat plate extending in the Y direction. Note that the first support member 146 may have any shape as long as it can lift the workpiece W in the +Z direction.

[0048] The second support member 147 is, for example, attached to the first support member 146 and supports the workpiece W together with the first support member 146. The position of the tip of the first support member 146 in the +Z direction and the position of the tip of the second support member 147 in the Z direction are adjusted to the same position. The second support members 147 are provided on both sides of the first support member 146 in the X direction, and four second support members 147 that overlap in the X direction are provided, two on the +X side with respect to the first support member 146 and two on the -X side with respect to the first support member 146. The second support member 147 is a member that extends in the vertical direction. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the second support member 147 has a cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto and may have a polygonal prism shape.

[0049] Both or either of the first support member 146 and the second support member 147 support and lift the opposing surface of the workpiece W that directly faces the workpiece support portion. For example, the control device 210 raises the plurality of lifting members in a direction approaching the workpiece in the second direction and temporarily stops them at a stop position that is separated from the opposing surface of the workpiece by a predetermined value in the second direction. Then, after temporarily stopping at the stop position, the control device 210 controls the lifting and lowering drive unit 142 to raise the plurality of lifting members again in a direction approaching the workpiece W in the second direction to lift the workpiece W.

[0050] The two lifting and lowering drive units 142 raise the lifting body 143 by simultaneously advancing their respective piston rods 142P upward in the +Z direction. As a result, the first support member 146 and the second support member 147 advance upward from between the plurality of support plates 112 in the X direction. Then, the first support member 146 and the second support member 147 contact the lower surface of the workpiece W, push it up by a predetermined value, and separate the workpiece W.

[0051] The lift mechanism 141 is not limited to the mechanism illustrated in Figure 3, and for example, the mechanism shown in Figure 4 may be adopted. The lift mechanism 141A shown in Figure 4 comprises a lifting drive unit 142A, a lifting rod 148, and a cover 149. Multiple lift mechanisms 141A are provided on the upper surface of a base plate (not shown), and the multiple lift mechanisms 141A contact the lower surface of the workpiece W and push it up, thereby separating the workpiece W. The lifting drive unit 142A is, for example, an air cylinder. The lifting drive unit 142A raises and lowers the lifting rod 148 when the cover 149 is open. The cover 149 has two inclined surfaces that are tilted with respect to the Z direction and has a shape like a triangular roof. As a result, even if laser light hits the cover, there is less part that is irradiated vertically and it is less likely to be damaged. In addition, when laser light hits the inclined surface of the cover 149, the laser light is diffused, and the energy of the laser light that is applied to the cover can be dispersed. The lifting rod 148 is raised in the +Z direction by the lifting drive unit 142A, contacts the lower surface of the workpiece W, and pushes it up. The cover 149 prevents foreign matter such as dust from adhering to or entering the lifting rod 148 and the storage compartment that houses the lifting rod 148. The lifting rod 148 is an example of a lifting member of the present invention.

[0052] The cover 149 is positioned between the workpiece W and the lifting member in the second direction and covers the lifting member while the first and second processing are being performed. When the lifting member rises in a direction approaching the workpiece W in the second direction, for example, the lift mechanism 141A retracts the cover 149 so that the lifting member is exposed when viewed from the second direction. By covering the lifting member with the cover 149 during processing, the lift mechanism 141A can prevent chips from adhering to the lifting member. It can also prevent the lifting member from being damaged by laser light during laser processing.

[0053] As described above, the lift mechanism 141 lifts the workpiece W in the Z direction, which is the direction away from the plurality of support plates 112. The pallet moving mechanism 110 then moves the plurality of support plates 112 (pallet 100) in the X direction relative to the first frame F1 and the second frame F2, while maintaining the position of the lift mechanism 141 in the X direction with respect to the first frame F1 and the second frame F2 (without changing their relative positions). In this way, the relative position of the workpiece W and the plurality of support plates 112 in the X direction is shifted without changing the position of the workpiece W in the X direction with respect to the first frame F1 and the second frame F2.

[0054] The control device 210 controls the cutting unit 130, the lifting device 140, and the pallet moving mechanism 110 so that after the cutting unit 130 processes the workpiece W, the lifting device 141 separates the workpiece W from the multiple support plates 112, the pallet moving mechanism 110 moves the pallet 100 a predetermined distance in the X direction, and then releases the lift from the lifting device 140 so that the workpiece W is supported by the multiple support plates 112, and the cutting unit 130 processes the workpiece W. Details of this operation will be described later with reference to Figure 7, etc.

[0055] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of the clamping section 600 as viewed in the X direction to illustrate the configuration of the clamping section 600 provided on the machine tool 1. As shown in Figure 20, the machine tool 1 is equipped with a clamping section 600 that clamps the workpiece W to fix the position of the workpiece W in the X direction relative to the first frame F1 and the second frame F2 (hereinafter simply referred to as frame F unless otherwise specified). Figure 20 illustrates a configuration in which one clamping section 600 is provided corresponding to the first frame F1 and the second frame F2, but multiple clamping sections 600 are installed at predetermined intervals in the direction in which the first frame F1 and the second frame F2 extend (X direction). The clamping sections 600 may also be arranged only on one side of the workpiece W in the Y direction.

[0056] The clamping section 600 includes a clamp body 602 configured to switch between a state in which the workpiece W is gripped and a state in which it is not gripped (a state in which the gripping is released), and a clamp support section 604 that supports the clamp body 602 with respect to the frame F so that it is not movable relative to the frame in the X direction but is movable relative to the frame in the Z direction.

[0057] The clamp support portion 604 is provided with a guide portion 604a along the Z direction, and the clamp body 602 is mounted so as to be movable in the Z direction along this guide portion 604a. A stopper is provided at the lower end of the guide portion 604a to prevent the clamp body 602 from falling off the guide portion 604a. In addition, a guide portion 606 is provided along the Y direction on the mounting surface of the clamp support portion 604 on the frame F, and the clamp support portion 604 is mounted so as to be movable in the Y direction along this guide portion 606. With this configuration, the clamp portion 600 is mounted so as to be immovable relative to the frame F in the X direction but movable relative to the Z direction.

[0058] The clamp section 600 is equipped with an actuator 610 that switches the state of the clamp body 602 between a state in which the workpiece W is gripped and a state in which it is not gripped. This actuator is, for example, a hydraulic cylinder.

[0059] The clamp section 600 includes an actuator 612 that switches the position of the clamp support section 604 between a first position in which the clamp body 602 protrudes from the frame F in a plan view, and a second position in which it does not protrude from the frame F (it is retracted to both sides). This actuator is, for example, a hydraulic cylinder.

[0060] The control device 210 controls the driving of actuators 610 and 612. When the clamp body 602 would be in the way if it protruded from the frame F, such as when loading the pallet 100 into the machine tool 1, the actuator 612 is controlled so that the clamp support portion 604 is in the second position. On the other hand, when the laser processing unit 120 and the cutting unit 130 process the workpiece W, the actuator 612 is controlled so that the clamp support portion 604 is in the first position shown in Figure 20, and the actuator 610 is controlled so that the clamp body 602 grips the workpiece W. In other words, the clamp portion 600 fixes the position of the workpiece W in the X direction relative to the frame F by clamping the workpiece W when the laser processing unit 120 and the cutting unit 130 process the workpiece W.

[0061] The clamping section 600 fixes the position of the workpiece W relative to the frame F in the X direction by clamping the workpiece W even when the relative position of the workpiece W and the plurality of support plates 112 (pallet 100) in the X direction is shifted. In other words, the control device 210 controls the lifting device 140, the pallet moving mechanism 110, and the clamping section 600 so that the lifting by the lifting device 140 is released after the workpiece W is clamped by the clamping section 600, the lifting device 140 moves the workpiece W away from the plurality of support plates 112, the pallet moving mechanism 110 moves the pallet 100 a predetermined distance in the X direction, and then the lifting by the lifting device 140 is released so that the workpiece W is supported by the plurality of support plates 112.

[0062] As described above, the clamp body 602 is mounted to the clamp support portion 604 so as to be movable relative to it in the Z direction. Therefore, when the workpiece W is moved in the Z direction by the lift device 140, the clamp body 602 follows and moves in the Z direction while gripping the workpiece W. On the other hand, since the clamp body 602 is positioned so as to be immovable relative to the frame F in the X direction, the position of the workpiece W in the X direction relative to the frame F is maintained by the clamp portion 600. This makes it possible to fix the position of the workpiece W in the X direction relative to the frame F when shifting the relative position in the X direction between the workpiece W and the multiple support plates 112 (pallet 100).

[0063] When shifting the workpiece W horizontally relative to the support plate 112, if the position of the support plate 112 relative to the frame F of the machine tool 1 is maintained while shifting the position of the workpiece W horizontally relative to the frame F, there is a risk of misalignment of the workpiece W relative to the main body of the machine tool 1. Furthermore, because the relative position of the workpiece W in the machining area R of the machine tool 1 changes, it is necessary to change the origin position before and after shifting the workpiece W horizontally relative to the support plate 112, which complicates the control.

[0064] In the machine tool 1 of this embodiment, when the workpiece W is shifted horizontally relative to the support plate 112, the pallet 100 (support plate 112) is shifted horizontally relative to the frame F while maintaining the position of the workpiece W relative to the frame F of the machine tool 1. This prevents the workpiece from shifting relative to the main body of the machine tool 1, and because the relative position of the workpiece W in the machining area R of the machine tool 1 does not change, there is no need to change the origin position before and after shifting the workpiece W horizontally relative to the support plate 112, thus simplifying control.

[0065] In the machine tool 1 of this embodiment, the clamping section 600 clamps the workpiece W, thereby fixing the X-direction position of the workpiece W relative to the frame F when shifting the relative position in the X-direction between the workpiece W and the multiple support plates 112 (pallet 100). Furthermore, when processing the workpiece W with the laser processing unit 120 and the cutting unit 130, the workpiece W is clamped, thereby fixing the X-direction position of the workpiece W relative to the frame F. In other words, since the clamping section 600 is used as both a clamping mechanism when processing the workpiece W with the laser processing unit 120 and the cutting unit 130, and when shifting the relative position in the X-direction between the workpiece W and the multiple support plates 112, there is no need to provide separate clamping mechanisms for each.

[0066] As shown in Figure 1, the information processing system 150 includes a program conversion device 200 and a control device 210.

[0067] The program conversion device 200 is installed, for example, in an HMI (Human-Machine Interface) such as a panel computer. The program conversion device 200 receives machining programs from external devices. For example, the program conversion device 200 acquires machining programs from an automatic programming device 500 as an external device.

[0068] The automatic programming device 500 generates a machining program. The machining program is, for example, a program for performing multiple machining operations on a workpiece W, and contains information about the multiple machining operations to be performed on the workpiece W. The information about the multiple machining operations includes, for example, information indicating each of the multiple machining operations to be performed on the workpiece W, and the machining positions P in the X and Y directions for each machining operation (for example, machining positions P1 to P4 shown in Figures 7 to 9). The machining program is, for example, NC data (numerical control data). The machining position P is the position where the workpiece W is machined by the machining heads of the present invention, such as the laser head 121 and the cutting tool 131.

[0069] The automatic programming device 500 uses coordinates from a single coordinate system, for example, with a predetermined position on the machine tool 1 as the origin on the workpiece W, to represent the machining position for each machining operation on the workpiece W. This coordinate system is, for example, a coordinate system where the direction parallel to one side of the workpiece W is the X direction, the direction parallel to the other side of the workpiece is the Y direction, and the thickness direction of the workpiece W is the Z direction. The origin on the workpiece W is determined, for example, according to the position of the corners of the workpiece W during machining. For example, the automatic programming device 500 has basic information on where the workpiece W on the pallet 100 is planned to be placed in the above coordinate system during machining, and based on this basic information, it sets the origin position on the workpiece to coincide with the position of one corner of the workpiece W (for example, one of the four corners on the +Z side face of the workpiece W).

[0070] The automatic programming device 500 communicates with the program conversion device 200 by wire or wireless connection. The automatic programming device 500 transmits the generated machining program to the program conversion device 200.

[0071] The program conversion device 200 acquires the machining program from the automatic programming device 500. However, the program conversion device 200 is not limited to acquiring the machining program from the automatic programming device 500. For example, the program conversion device 200 may acquire the machining program from a storage medium such as a USB memory or flash memory, which is an example of an external device, or it may acquire the machining program from cloud storage, which is another example of an external device. Furthermore, the machining program is not limited to one created by the automatic programming device 500, but may also be one manually generated by a user, for example.

[0072] Here, if laser processing or cutting is performed according to a processing program acquired from an external device, the processing position and the position of the protrusion 112P may overlap, causing interference between the cutting tool 131 and the protrusion 112P, or causing slag generated by laser processing to get caught on the protrusion 112P. In other words, if processing is performed when the processing position overlaps with the workpiece support in the Z direction, the cutting tool 131 and the protrusion 112P may interfere, or slag generated by laser processing may get caught on the protrusion 112P. Therefore, when the program conversion device 200 acquires a processing program from an external device, it converts it into a processing program so that the processing position and the position of the protrusion 112P do not overlap. This avoids interference between the cutting tool 131 and the protrusion 112P and suppresses slag from getting caught on the protrusion 112P.

[0073] In the following, the processing program acquired from the external device may be referred to as the "first processing program," and the processing program converted by the program conversion device 200 may be referred to as the "second processing program" to distinguish between them.

[0074] The program conversion device 200 according to this embodiment will be described in detail below. Figure 5 is a block diagram of the program conversion device 200 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the program conversion device 200 includes a coordinate transformation unit 220, an interference determination unit 230, and a creation unit 240.

[0075] Figure 6 illustrates the coordinate transformation according to this embodiment. Figure 6 shows the workpiece W on the pallet 100 viewed from above (+Z direction). The workpiece W1 shown in Figure 6 represents the state when the pallet 100 is transported to the machine tool 1.

[0076] Here, for example, a worker may use scrap material (workpiece W2) as the workpiece to be processed at the work site, as shown in Figure 6. The scrap material may already have punch holes H formed in it. Therefore, the worker can change the processing standard for the product from processing standard B1 to processing standard B2, as shown in Figure 6, so that processing is not performed at the location of the punch holes H.

[0077] Information about the workpiece W2 placed on-site is input to the program conversion device 200, for example, by the operator. For example, the operator directly or indirectly inputs information about how much the machining reference is shifted in the X and Y directions (hereinafter referred to as "offset information") to the program conversion device 200. The operator inputs the offset information to the program conversion device 200 by shining the laser beam of a guide laser (not shown) onto the position to be set as the machining reference at the work site. In the example shown in Figure 6, the operator inputs the offset information from machining reference B1 to the program conversion device 200 by shining the laser beam of a guide laser (not shown) onto machining reference B2. Based on the input offset information, the coordinate transformation unit 220 changes the machining reference in the first machining program from machining reference B1 to machining reference B2. Note that the configuration of the coordinate transformation unit 220 is not necessarily required and can be omitted if there is no need to change the machining reference. Note that the change of the machining reference by the coordinate transformation unit 220 is performed, for example, when scrap material is used as the workpiece W, and is performed before the second machining program is created. Therefore, please note that the processing of the coordinate transformation unit 220 does not adjust the machining reference that has shifted due to the operation of the machine tool 1 shown in Figure 12, which is executed by the second machining program. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the pallet 100 (support plate 112) is shifted horizontally relative to the frame F without changing the position of the workpiece W, the origin position does not shift in the first place.

[0078] The interference determination unit 230 distinguishes between machining operations that interfere with the protrusion 112P and machining operations that do not interfere with the protrusion 112P. For example, the interference determination unit 230 sets all machining operations whose machining position is included within the overlapping region M defined by the position of the work support unit, among the machining positions of each machining operation after the machining standard has been changed by the coordinate transformation unit 220, as machining operations that interfere with the protrusion 112P (hereinafter referred to as "first machining operations"). On the other hand, the interference determination unit 230 sets all machining operations other than the first machining operations among the multiple machining operations as machining operations that do not interfere with the protrusion 112P (hereinafter referred to as "second machining operations").

[0079] The overlapping region M is the region of the workpiece that overlaps with the workpiece support in the Z direction when the relative position of the workpiece support and the workpiece W is at the first relative position. That is, the overlapping region M is the region of the workpiece W that overlaps with the workpiece support in a plan view when the relative position of the workpiece support and the workpiece W is at the first relative position. The first relative position is, for example, the relative position when the pallet 100 is brought into a fixed position within the machining area R. The overlapping region M is defined, for example, by the position of the support plate 112 (for example, the position in the X direction). For example, the overlapping region M includes the position of the support plate 112 in the X direction when the pallet 100 is brought into a fixed position within the machine tool 1. The program conversion device 200 has information on the position of each support plate 112 in advance.

[0080] Figure 7 illustrates the first and second machining processes according to this embodiment. The pallet 100 shown in Figure 7 is in a state where the relative position between the workpiece support and the workpiece W is at the first relative position (for example, the state when it is loaded into the machine tool 1). Note that the number of support plates 112 shown in Figure 7 is set for the convenience of explanation and does not limit the invention. The number of support plates 112 can be any number.

[0081] In the example shown in Figure 7, four types of machining are performed on the workpiece W: machining K1, machining K2, machining K3, and machining K4. These four machining processes K1 to K4 include, for example, laser drilling, drilling, tapping, and counterboring. The machining processes K1 to K4 performed on the workpiece W may all be of different types, or they may include the same type of machining. Furthermore, machining processes K1 to K4 may include laser or drilling for drilling a pilot hole, which is performed prior to tapping. Laser or drilling for drilling a pilot hole, which is performed prior to tapping, is also a machining process that needs to avoid interference with the protrusion 112P, similar to the example above. Each of the machining processes K1 to K4 has a machining position set after the machining reference has been changed by the coordinate transformation unit 220. Specifically, machining position P1 is set for machining K1, machining position P2 for machining K2, machining position P3 for machining K3, and machining position P4 for machining K4.

[0082] The overlapping region M is set for each position of the support plate 112 in the X direction. For example, each of the overlapping regions M1 to M4 shown in Figure 7 is set within the ranges X1 ≤ M1 ≤ X2, X3 ≤ M2 ≤ X4, X5 ≤ M3 ≤ X6, and X7 ≤ M4 ≤ X8. The interference determination unit 230 classifies the machining at machining position P as a first machining operation if it is included in any of the overlapping regions M, and classifies it as a second machining operation if it is not included in any of the overlapping regions M. In the example shown in Figure 7, machining positions P1 and P3 are set within the overlapping region, so machining operations K1 and K3 are classified as first machining operations, and machining operations K2 and K4 are classified as second machining operations.

[0083] The creation unit 240 creates a second processing program for performing the classified first and second processing. The creation unit 240 creates a second processing program that changes the relative position of the pallet 100 (work support part) with respect to the workpiece W from the initial first relative position to the second relative position, then performs the first processing, and after performing the first processing, returns the relative position from the second relative position to the first relative position and performs the second processing. The second relative position is a relative position shifted by a predetermined distance T in the first direction relative to the first relative position. The predetermined distance T is, for example, half the distance (half pitch) between adjacent protrusions 112P in the X direction. The overlapping region M, when in the second relative position, overlaps in the Z direction with the space region 800 where the work support part is not placed. The space region 800 is, for example, the area shown by the diagonal lines in Figure 8.

[0084] Figure 8 shows the state in which the position of the pallet 100 relative to the workpiece W is shifted by a predetermined distance T (half a pitch, etc.) from the state in Figure 7. That is, Figure 8 shows the state in which the relative position of the workpiece support and the workpiece W is at the second relative position. Figure 9 shows the positional relationship between the overlapping region M of the workpiece W and the projection 112P at the first relative position (state in Figure 7), and the positional relationship between the overlapping region M of the workpiece W and the projection 112P at the second relative position (state in Figure 8), and is shown as viewed from the Z direction. The second machining program executes the first machining first, and then the second machining. Here, if the first machining is executed in the state shown in Figure 7, the machining head may interfere with the projection 112P of the pallet 100, or the slag may interfere with the projection 112P. Therefore, when executing the first machining, the workpiece support is shifted in the X direction to change the relative position between the workpiece W and the workpiece support from the first relative position to the second relative position. As a result, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, in the first machining (machining K1 and K3), machining positions P1 and P3, located within the overlapping region M of the workpiece W, are located away from the position of the workpiece support. In other words, at the second relative position, which is the position when the first machining is performed, machining positions P1 and P3 can be said to overlap with a spatial region where the workpiece support is not located. In other words, the first machining is a machining process in which the machining positions include the overlapping region M, with the relative position between the workpiece W and the workpiece support changed from the first relative position to the second relative position. The first machining is performed in the state shown in Figure 8.

[0085] On the other hand, if the second machining (machining K2 and K4) is performed in the state of the second relative position shown in Figure 8, it will interfere with the projection 112P of the pallet 100. Therefore, when performing the second machining, the work support is shifted in the X direction to return the relative position between the workpiece W and the work support to the first relative position shown in Figure 7. As a result, as shown in Figures 7 and 9, in the second machining (machining K2 and K4), machining positions P2 and P4, which are located outside the overlapping region M of the workpiece W, are located away from the position of the work support. In the first relative position, which is the position when performing the second machining, machining positions P2 and P3 can be said to overlap with the spatial region where the work support is not placed. In other words, the second machining is machining that does not include the overlapping region M in the machining position. The second machining is performed in the state shown in Figure 7 after the first machining has been performed.

[0086] Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating a second processing program according to this embodiment. The second processing program is a program that executes four main processes. For example, the second processing program includes a first software module J1, a second software module J2, a third software module J3, and a fourth software module J4.

[0087] The first software module J1 is executed to change the relative position between the workpiece W and the workpiece support to the second relative position. The second software module J2 is executed after the first software module J1 and is executed to perform the first machining while the relative position between the workpiece W and the workpiece support is the second relative position. In this case, when the pallet 100 is in the second relative position, which is shifted by a predetermined distance T from the workpiece W, the cutting tool and slag will not interfere with the projection 112P during the first machining. However, if the second machining is performed, the cutting tool and slag may interfere with the projection 112P. Therefore, the second machining is not performed when the workpiece is in the second relative position.

[0088] The third software module J3 is executed after the second software module J2 and returns the relative position of the pallet 100 with respect to the workpiece W to the first relative position. This prevents the cutting tool or slag from interfering with the projection 112P when the second machining is performed. The fourth software module J4 is executed after the third software module J3 and performs the second machining with the relative position of the pallet 100 with respect to the workpiece W returned to the first relative position. If the second machining includes outer circumference cutting, the outer circumference cutting is performed last. Outer circumference cutting is a process in which the outer circumference of the product is cut with a laser relative to the workpiece W.

[0089] Figure 11 is a block diagram of the control device 210 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 11, the control device 210 includes a communication I / F 300, a storage device 310, and a processor 320. Note that the storage device 310 may be an external storage device rather than being part of the control device 210. If the storage device 310 is an external storage device, the control device 210 is connected to the storage device 310 by wire or wireless connection and sends and receives information with the storage device 310.

[0090] The communication interface 300 is a communication interface for communicating with external devices. The communication network with which the communication device 60 communicates may be wired, wireless, or both.

[0091] The storage device 310 includes, for example, non-volatile memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage device 310 stores the second processing program generated by the program conversion device 200. The second processing program may be provided by a computer-readable storage medium or by an external device via a wired or wireless communication network. The provided second processing program is stored in the storage device 310 and executed by the processor 320.

[0092] Examples of computer-readable storage media mentioned above may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, etc. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media may include diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (ERPOM or flash memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EERPOM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital multipurpose disc (DVD), Blu-ray (RTM) disc, memory stick, integrated circuit card, etc.

[0093] The processor 320 controls the operation of the machine tool 1. For example, the processor 320 reads a second machining program or the like stored in the storage device 310 and controls the operation of the machine tool 1. The processor 320 includes, for example, at least one of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit).

[0094] Figure 12 shows the functional blocks of the processor 320 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 12, the processor 320 comprises a first-half processing unit 400 and a second-half processing unit 410. The first-half processing unit 400 and the second-half processing unit 410 are realized by the processor 320 executing a program stored in the storage device 310.

[0095] The first-half processing unit 400 controls the pallet moving mechanism 110 and the lift device 140 to change the relative position of the pallet 100 with respect to the workpiece W from the first relative position, which is the position when the workpiece is loaded, to the second relative position. Then, with the relative position at the second relative position, the first-half processing unit 400 controls both or either the laser processing unit 120 and the cutting processing unit 130 to perform the first processing on the workpiece W.

[0096] The second-half processing unit 410 controls the pallet moving mechanism 110 and the lift device 140 to return the relative position of the pallet 100 with respect to the workpiece W to the first relative position. Then, with the relative position returned to the first relative position, the second-half processing unit 410 controls both or either the laser processing unit 120 and the cutting processing unit 130 to perform the second processing on the workpiece W.

[0097] The following describes the operation flow of the machine tool 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating the operation flow of the machine tool 1 according to this embodiment. The operation shown in Figure 13 is realized by the execution of the second machining program. Note that the operation of the machine tool 1 shown in Figure 13 represents the operation in a single machining process from when the workpiece is loaded into the machine tool 1 until it is unloaded. The machine tool 1 performs multiple machining operations in this single machining process.

[0098] When the relative position between the workpiece W and the workpiece support is at the first relative position, the control device 210 controls the lift device 140 to lift up the workpiece W placed on the pallet 100 as shown in Figure 14 (step S101). For example, the lift device 140 may not raise the first support member 146 all at once until it contacts the lower surface of the workpiece W, but may instead temporarily stop at a stopping position that is a predetermined value below (in the -Z direction) the lower surface of the workpiece W.

[0099] The stopping position may be, for example, a position where the distance between the position of the first support member 146 and the position in contact with the lower surface of the workpiece W is sufficiently small compared to the distance between the position just before contact, the position before rising, and the position in contact with the lower surface of the workpiece W, or the position just before contact may be within 15 mm of the lower surface of the workpiece W. For example, the first support member 146 may be temporarily stopped at a point 200 mm above the position before rising, and then raised another 10 mm to lift the workpiece W. That is, the control device 210 controls each lift device 140 to temporarily stop all the first support members 146 just before they contact the lower surface of the workpiece W. Then, after the temporary stop at the stopping position, the control device 210 raises all the first support members 146 again to contact the lower surface of the workpiece W and lift the workpiece W. Here, it is preferable that the speed of the first support member 146 when raising it again is slower than the speed of the first support member 146 when raising it to the position just before contact. This allows the timing of contact between each of the multiple first support members 146 and the lower surface of the workpiece W to be synchronized. Furthermore, since the workpiece W is not moved in the first direction, the position of the workpiece W does not change when viewed in the second direction, which is the machining direction. In other words, when changing the relative position of the workpiece W and the workpiece support, it is possible to prevent misalignment of the workpiece W in the first direction.

[0100] When the workpiece W is moved away from the pallet 100, the control device 210 controls the pallet moving mechanism 110 to shift the pallet 100 by a predetermined distance (for example, half a pitch) in the X direction, as shown in Figure 15 (step S102). As a result, the relative position between the workpiece W and the workpiece support changes from the first relative position to the second relative position.

[0101] As shown in Figure 16, the control device 210 lifts the workpiece W onto the pallet 100 (step S103) and performs the first machining (step S104). When the pallet 100 is in a second relative position, shifted by a predetermined distance T, in a plan view from the Y direction, each machining position of the first machining does not overlap with the protrusion 112P. In other words, each machining position of the first machining is in a different position from the protrusion 112P. It can also be said that each machining position of the first machining is in a position that avoids the protrusion 112P. On the other hand, when viewed from the Y direction, each machining position of the second machining overlaps with at least a part of the protrusion 112P. Therefore, when the workpiece is in the second relative position, the control device 210 performs only the first machining.

[0102] Once the first processing is complete, the control device 210 controls the lift device 140 to lift the workpiece W placed on the pallet 100 in a second direction, which is the direction that separates it from the multiple workpiece support parts, as shown in Figure 17 (step S105). The method for lifting the workpiece W is the same as in step S101. The control device 210 controls the pallet moving mechanism 110 to return the relative position of the pallet 100, which was shifted in step S102, back to the first relative position, as shown in Figure 18 (step S106).

[0103] When the relative position of the pallet 100 returns to the first relative position, the control device 210 lifts the workpiece W onto the pallet 100 (step S107) as shown in Figure 19, and performs the second machining (step S108). For example, in the second machining, the machine tool 1 machines the area of ​​the workpiece W excluding the overlapping area M. If the second machining includes outer circumference cutting, the control device 210 performs the outer circumference cutting last. For example, when performing a machining process to separate the product from the workpiece W, this separation machining is classified as the second machining process and is performed as the last machining process of the second machining process. For outer circumference cutting, for example, a laser may be used. In this way, after the control device 210 performs the first machining on the workpiece W with the machining head, it uses the lift device 140 to separate the workpiece W from the multiple workpiece support parts. Then, the control device 210 moves the multiple workpiece support parts a predetermined distance in the first direction using the moving mechanism, and then releases the lift by the lift device 140, leaving the workpiece W supported by the multiple workpiece support parts. The control device 210 causes the machining head to perform a second machining operation on the workpiece W when the workpiece W is supported by multiple workpiece support parts.

[0104] Once the second processing step is complete, the pallet moving mechanism 110 removes the pallet 100 from the machine tool 1. The relative position of the workpiece W to the pallet 100 when the pallet 100 is removed is the same as the first relative position when the workpiece W was loaded into the machine tool 1. After processing by the machine tool 1, the workpiece W may be transported to a conveying device. The conveying device performs product removal and waste discharge on the processed workpiece W. In this case, if there is a discrepancy in the position of the workpiece W relative to the pallet 100 between the time the workpiece W is loaded into the machine tool 1 and the time the workpiece is removed from the machine tool 1, the conveying device may not be able to properly remove the product or waste.

[0105] For example, machine tool 1 may perform the second machining process before the first machining process, and after performing the second machining process, change the relative position between the workpiece W and the workpiece support from the first relative position to the second relative position, and then perform the first machining process. However, in this case, machine tool 1 may unload the workpiece W into the conveying device when the relative position between the workpiece W and the workpiece support is at the second relative position, which is shifted by a predetermined distance T compared to when it was loaded. If the conveying device recognizes the position of the workpiece W on the pallet 100 at the time of loading as its intended state, the position of the machined workpiece W after it has been transported to the conveying device will be shifted by a predetermined distance T from its intended state. As a result, the conveying device may not be able to properly unload the product or discharge the remaining material.

[0106] As an example of this embodiment, the machine tool 1 changes the relative position between the workpiece W and the workpiece support from a first relative position to a second relative position before performing the first machining operation, and then returns the relative position between the workpiece W and the workpiece support to the first relative position, i.e., the original state, before performing the second machining operation. Therefore, when the workpiece W is transported to the transport device after the second machining operation is completed, the workpiece W on the pallet 100 is in the original state. As a result, the product can be properly unloaded and leftover materials can be discharged by the transport device.

[0107] However, in cases where the machine tool 1 performs product unloading and waste material discharge manually rather than automatically, or where some measures are taken in the conveying device, the second processing may be performed before the first processing, and after the second processing is performed, the first processing may be performed in a second relative position with the pallet 100 shifted by a predetermined distance T.

[0108] In the above embodiment, the machine tool 1 was described as performing the first machining by shifting the pallet 100 and then returning the pallet 100 to perform the second machining in order to avoid interference between the cutting tool 131 and the projection 112P, or slag generated by laser machining getting caught on the projection 112P, but it is not limited to this. The machine tool 1 may automatically shift the relative position between the pallet 100 and the workpiece W, or it may shift the position of the workpiece W relative to the pallet 100. In other words, the machine tool 1 may shift the pallet 100, shift the workpiece, or shift both the pallet 100 and the workpiece W.

[0109] Thus, since the machine tool 1 can automatically change the relative position between the workpiece support and the workpiece W, there is no need to manually move the workpiece W. As a result, the machine tool 1 can avoid interference between the cutting tool 131 and the projection 112P, and prevent slag generated by laser processing from getting caught on the projection 112P, while also improving usability.

[0110] In steps S101 and S105, the machine tool 1 separates the workpiece W from the pallet 100 by lifting the workpiece W from the pallet 100, but is not limited to this. For example, in steps S101 and S105, the machine tool 1 may separate the workpiece W from the pallet 100 by lowering the pallet 100 while supporting the workpiece W with some member, or it may separate the workpiece W from the workpiece support by raising the workpiece W and lowering the pallet 100.

[0111] The above embodiment discloses the following configuration: (Configuration 1) A machine tool comprising: a main body fixed in position with respect to the installation floor surface; a plurality of work support parts, each longitudinal and arranged parallel to each other at predetermined intervals in a first direction; a processing head for processing workpieces supported by the plurality of work support parts; and a frame part for moving the processing head in at least a first direction relative to the main body, wherein the machine tool is characterized by comprising: a lift device for lifting a workpiece in a second direction which is a direction away from the plurality of work support parts; a moving mechanism for moving the plurality of work support parts in a first direction relative to the main body while maintaining the position of the lift device in the first direction relative to the main body; and a control device for controlling the processing head, lift device, and moving mechanism so that after processing the workpiece with the processing head, the lift device separates the workpiece from the plurality of work support parts, the moving mechanism moves the plurality of work support parts a predetermined distance in the first direction, the lift by the lift device is released so that the workpiece is supported by the plurality of work support parts, and the processing head processes the workpiece. (Configuration 2) The machine tool according to Configuration 1, comprising a clamping section provided with respect to the main body so as to be immovable in a first direction and movable in a second direction, which clamps the workpiece to fix the position of the workpiece in the first direction relative to the main body, wherein the control device controls the lifting device, the moving mechanism, and the clamping section so that, with the workpiece clamped by the clamping section, the lifting device separates the workpiece from the plurality of workpiece support sections, the moving mechanism moves the plurality of workpiece support sections a predetermined distance in the first direction, and then releases the lifting by the lifting device so that the workpiece is supported by the plurality of workpiece support sections. (Configuration 3) The machine tool according to Configuration 2, wherein the clamping section clamps the workpiece when the workpiece is processed by the machining head.(Configuration 4) The machine tool according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3, wherein the lifting device comprises a plurality of lifting members that directly face the work support and support and lift the opposing surface of the workpiece, and a lifting drive unit that raises and lowers the plurality of lifting members, and the control device controls the lifting drive unit to raise the plurality of lifting members in a direction that approaches the workpiece in a second direction, temporarily stop at a stop position that is a predetermined value away from the opposing surface in the second direction, and after the temporary stop at the stop position, raise the plurality of lifting members again in a direction that approaches the workpiece in the second direction to lift the workpiece. (Configuration 5) The machine tool according to any one of Configurations 1 to 4, wherein the machining head is a cutting mechanism comprising a cutting spindle and a cutting tool that is attached to the cutting spindle and rotated. (Configuration 6) The moving mechanism can change the relative position between the work support and the workpiece to a first relative position and a second relative position shifted by a predetermined distance in the first direction relative to the first relative position, and when the workpiece and work support at the first relative position are viewed in the second direction, the area of ​​the workpiece that overlaps with the work support is called the overlapping area, and when the workpiece and work support at the second relative position are viewed in the second direction, the overlapping area overlaps with the space area where the work support is not located, and the machining head, when in the second relative position, machinees the overlapping area of ​​the workpiece, as described in any of Configurations 1 to 5. (Configuration 7) The machining head performs multiple machining operations on a workpiece in a single machining process, the multiple machining operations include a first machining operation in which the machining position is included in the overlapping region and a second machining operation different from the first machining operation, and the control device performs the first machining operation with the relative position moved from the first relative position to the second relative position, and after the first machining operation is performed, changes the relative position from the second relative position to the first relative position and performs the second machining operation, as described in any of Configurations 1 to 6. (Configuration 8) The machine tool according to Configuration 7, in which the second machining operation processes the area of ​​the workpiece excluding the overlapping region.(Configuration 9) The machine tool according to any one of Configurations 1 to 8, wherein the lifting device is positioned between the workpiece and the lifting member in a second direction and includes a cover that covers the lifting member while the first and second machining processes are being performed, and the lifting device retracts the cover so that the lifting member is exposed when viewed from the second direction when the lifting member rises in a direction that approaches the workpiece in the second direction.

[0112] One or more of the requirements described in the embodiments described above may be omitted. Furthermore, the requirements described in the embodiments described above can be combined as appropriate. Also, the execution order of each procedure shown in this embodiment can be implemented in any order, as long as the results of the previous procedure are not used in the subsequent procedure. Furthermore, even if the operations in the embodiments described above are described using terms such as "first," "next," and "followed by," it is not essential to perform them in this order. In addition, to the extent permitted by law, the disclosures of Japanese Patent Application (JP 2024-175088) and all documents cited in the embodiments described above are incorporated into this specification as part of its description.

[0113] 1...Machine tool, 100...Pallet, 110...Pallet moving mechanism, 120...Laser processing unit, 130...Cutting unit, 140...Lifting device, 200...Program conversion device, 210...Control device

Claims

1. A machine tool comprising: a main body fixedly positioned on a floor surface; a plurality of work support parts, each longitudinal and arranged parallel to each other at predetermined intervals in a first direction; a processing head for processing workpieces supported by the plurality of work support parts; and a frame for moving the processing head at least in the first direction relative to the main body, wherein the machine tool further comprises: a lift device for lifting the workpiece in a second direction which is a direction away from the plurality of work support parts; a moving mechanism for moving the plurality of work support parts in the first direction relative to the main body while maintaining the position of the lift device in the first direction relative to the main body; and a control device for controlling the processing head, the lift device, and the moving mechanism so that after processing the workpiece with the processing head, the lift device separates the workpiece from the plurality of work support parts, the moving mechanism moves the plurality of work support parts a predetermined distance in the first direction, the lift by the lift device is released so that the workpiece is supported by the plurality of work support parts, and the processing head processes the workpiece.

2. The machine tool according to claim 1, comprising a clamping portion provided with respect to the main body portion so as to be immovable in a first direction and movable in a second direction, which clamps the workpiece to fix the position of the workpiece in the first direction relative to the main body portion, wherein the control device controls the lifting device, the moving mechanism, and the clamping portion so as to move the workpiece away from the plurality of workpiece support portions by the lifting device while the workpiece is clamped by the clamping portion, move the plurality of workpiece support portions a predetermined distance in the first direction by the moving mechanism, and then release the lifting by the lifting device so that the workpiece is supported by the plurality of workpiece support portions.

3. The machine tool according to claim 2, wherein the clamping portion clamps the workpiece when the workpiece is processed by the processing head.

4. The machine tool according to claim 1, wherein the lifting device comprises a plurality of lifting members that directly face the work support portion and support and lift the opposing surface of the work, and a lifting drive unit that raises and lowers the plurality of lifting members, and the control device controls the lifting drive unit to raise the plurality of lifting members in a direction approaching the work in the second direction, temporarily stop them at a stop position a predetermined value away from the opposing surface in the second direction, and after the temporary stop at the stop position, raise the plurality of lifting members again in a direction approaching the work in the second direction to lift the work.

5. The machine tool according to claim 1, wherein the machining head is a cutting mechanism comprising a cutting spindle and a cutting tool attached to the cutting spindle and rotated.

6. The moving mechanism is capable of changing the relative position between the work support and the workpiece between a first relative position and a second relative position shifted by a predetermined distance in the first direction relative to the first relative position, and when the workpiece and the work support are viewed in the second direction at the first relative position, the area of ​​the workpiece that overlaps with the work support is defined as the overlapping area, and when the workpiece and the work support are viewed in the second direction at the second relative position, the overlapping area overlaps with the space area where the work support is not located, and the machining head, in the state at the second relative position, machinees the overlapping area of ​​the workpiece, according to claim 5.

7. The machining head performs multiple machining operations on the workpiece in a single machining process, the multiple machining operations include a first machining operation in which the machining position is included in the overlapping region and a second machining operation different from the first machining operation, and the control device performs the first machining operation with the relative position moved from the first relative position to the second relative position, and after performing the first machining operation, changes the relative position from the second relative position to the first relative position and performs the second machining operation, the machine tool according to claim 6.

8. The machine tool according to claim 7, wherein the second machining process involves machining the area of ​​the workpiece excluding the overlapping area.

9. The machine tool according to claim 7, wherein the lifting device is positioned between the workpiece and the lifting member in the second direction and includes a cover that covers the lifting member while the first and second machining processes are being performed, and the lifting device retracts the cover so that the lifting member is exposed when viewed from the second direction when the lifting member rises in a direction approaching the workpiece in the second direction.

10. A machining method for a machine tool comprising: a main body fixed in position with respect to the installation floor surface; a plurality of work support parts, each longitudinal and arranged parallel to each other at predetermined intervals in a first direction; a machining head for machining a workpiece supported by the plurality of work support parts; a frame for moving the machining head at least in the first direction relative to the main body; and a lift device for lifting the workpiece in a second direction away from the plurality of work support parts, the machining method comprising: machining the workpiece with the machining head, then lifting the workpiece in a second direction away from the plurality of work support parts; moving the plurality of work support parts a predetermined distance in the first direction relative to the main body while maintaining the position of the lift device in the first direction relative to the main body with respect to the plurality of work support parts; and releasing the lift by the lift device so that the workpiece is supported by the plurality of work support parts, and then machining the workpiece with the machining head.

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