Machining center

Details Machining center Machining center

1999-11-10

2001-05-08

Briggs, William (Department: 3722)

Tool changing

Including machine tool or component

Rotary spindle machine tool

C483S058000, C483S067000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06228006

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to a machining center, wherein at least one working spindle with a preferably horizontal spindle position is displaceable preferably in the X, Y and Z directions and at least one essentially circular tool magazine rotatable around a central axis with storage places for depositing the tool or tools by the working spindle(s) is associated with each working spindle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Twin-spindle CNC machining centers (see, e.g., prospectus: Hüller Hille, nb-twin) with automatic tool changer, in which one or two tool magazine disks rotatable around a central horizontal axis are arranged on the side next to the working spindles, belong to the state of the art. The axis of rotation of these tool magazine disks is arranged in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the working spindles (spindle axis). Recesses for receiving the tools, whose longitudinal axes likewise extend in parallel to the axis of rotation of the tool magazine disks and of the working spindle, are arranged at the outer circumference of the tool magazine disks. These prior-art tool magazine disks require a relatively large space and can receive only a limited number of tools.
A machine tool with a plurality of spindles for the simultaneous or different, separate machining of a plurality of works, in which at least two spindles that can be driven around their axes of rotation are displaceable at least in their longitudinal axis (direction C) and in a direction at right angles thereto (direction X), has been known from DE 195 14 058 A1. A common multiple turret, which is tipped with tools associated with both tool spindles, is associated with the vertically arranged spindles. The tool turret comprises an essentially circular disk, on the circumference of which the tools are arranged with their tips to the outside. The tool turret is rotatable around an axis that is slightly tilted in relation to the horizontal direction. Only relatively few tools can be arranged on the tool turret in this case as well.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a machining center of this type, which has a tool magazine with high storage density or with a considerably larger number of tools, wherein the tools can be deposited in a simple manner directly from the working spindle.
According to the invention, a machining center is provided wherein at least one working spindle with preferably horizontal spindle position is displaceable preferably in the X, Y and Z. At least one essentially circular tool magazine, which is rotatable around a central axis, is provided with storage places for depositing the tool or tools by the working spindle(s) and is associated with each working spindle. The tool magazine includes a tool disk or a plurality of tool disks, which are arranged in parallel to one another and are integrated in one drum magazine. The tool disk(s) is/are rotatable individually or together around a central axis arranged at right angles to the spindle axis. The tools with the tool tip can be pushed forward from the outside to the inside into the tool holders of the tool magazine. The central axes of the tool holders extend past the central axis of rotation of the said tool magazine.
The tool magazine according to the present invention comprises, e.g., in the case of horizontal spindle position, a plurality of tool disks arranged one on top of another with a common vertical axis of rotation and tool holders arranged on the circumference of the individual tool disks. The tool magazine, designed as a so-called drum magazine, is arranged in the vicinity of the working spindles such that the tools can be pushed into the tool holders and can be removed from these tool holders radially or in an essentially radially inwardly directed manner from the outside possibly only by displacing the working spindles. By simply rotating the drum magazine around the vertical axis, all the tool holders arranged on the circumference of a tool disk can be made accessible to the tip of the working spindle. In the case of, e.g., a plurality of working spindles arranged one on top of another, these can move simultaneously to the tool holders of two or more tool disks arranged one on top of another. Since the tool tips usually have a smaller diameter than the holders for the tools, considerably more tools can be accommodated on one tool disk, and the space can be utilized optimally.
In addition, a practically unlimited number of tool disks maybe arranged one on top of another.
Moreover, it has been found to be favorable to additionally arrange work holders for receiving works on the tool disk or on the tool magazine as well, wherein both the tool holders and the work holders can be brought by rotating the tool magazine into such a position that they are directly accessible from the tip of the working spindle. To achieve this, one or more tool magazines and optionally also one or more devices with work holders are arranged on a swinging or rotating device or on an NC turntable. A plurality of magazines for tools and/or works may be advantageously arranged on one turntable, one magazine being accessible for the working spindles, and, e.g., another magazine being in a position for loading and unloading the tools and/or works. Work holders and tool holders may also be interchanged with one another in their positions, preferably on one tool disk.
Furthermore, the tool magazines may also be picked up and/or moved according to the present invention by a pallet swinging device for the tools or by a separate NC turntable with or without a pallet swinging device.
To increase the security against fracture, it has proved to be favorable to arrange predetermined breaking points on the tool and work holders to protect the entire tool disk or even the drum magazine from damage in the case of possible errors in operation or other malfunctions.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.


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Hüller Hille,Das Zweispindlige CNC-Bearbeitungszentrum nb-h twin.

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