Machine Tool Robot Layout for In-Chamber Machining Assistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine tools face challenges in automation due to large size and high cost, with robots being limited to conveying workpieces and not utilized for machining assist or information acquisition, and the need for additional driving units to handle workpieces in landscape posture, which restricts the number of workpieces that can be mounted.
Innovation Solution
A machine tool design featuring a headstock for rotating workpieces horizontally, a tool post movable in two axes, and an articulated robot with a linear-motion root joint and rotary joints, allowing the robot to extend and contract to perform various tasks inside and outside the working chamber, including workpiece exchange and machining assistance, while maintaining cost efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a robot is used only for conveying workpieces in a horizontal lathe, then the robot structure can be simplified, but the robot cannot perform machining assist work or information acquisition work in the working chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The robot is designed with a linear-motion root joint that enables it to perform multiple functions including workpiece conveyance, machining assist work, and information acquisition work within the working chamber, making a single robot structure serve multiple purposes that would traditionally require separate systems
2Ease of operation
If the robot's link unit is constantly positioned inside the working chamber, then the robot can perform machining assist work, but the robot cannot efficiently convey workpieces between the workpiece stocker outside and the headstock
Solution Approach 1:
The root joint is designed as a linear-motion joint that dynamically changes the robot's position between inside and outside the working chamber, allowing the robot to adapt its location based on the specific task required - whether conveying workpieces or performing machining assist operations
3Quantity of substance
If workpieces are mounted in landscape posture on the workpiece stocker, then the workpiece axial direction is parallel to the horizontal direction, but the number of workpieces that can be mounted is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The robot changes the orientation parameter of workpieces by rotating them from landscape posture to portrait posture using its articulated joints, thereby increasing the number of workpieces that can be mounted on the workpiece stocker without requiring additional driving units
Data Source
AI summary
A machine tool includes a headstock that holds a workpiece, a tool post that is movable in a first axis direction parallel to a workpiece rotation axis and in a second axis direction orthogonal to the first axis and holds a tool, an in-machine robot, an opening for communicating the inside and the outside of a working chamber, and a door that opens and closes the opening. The robot includes a root joint fixed in the working chamber and a link unit positioned on a distal end side of the root joint. The root joint is a linear-motion joint extendable in a direction orthogonal to the workpiece rotation axis, and is a linear-motion joint extendable between the length for causing the entire link unit to be positioned inside the working chamber and the length for causing the entire link unit to be positioned outside the working chamber.