Method of controlling comb-cutter lathe

Details Method of controlling comb-cutter lathe Method of controlling comb-cutter lathe

1984-06-18

1987-07-14

Smith, Jerry

Boots, shoes, and leggings

82 2B, G05B 1900, G06F 1500

Patent

active

046807195

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to copending U.S. patent application U.S. Ser. No. 621,927.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method of controlling a comb-cutter lathe in which one face of a tool rest is provided with two or more juxtaposed tools for subjecting a workpiece to machining by using predetermined tools in succession.
When it becomes necessary to change tools in an ordinary turret lathe, the turret is moved to a position where the tools will not interfere with a stationary part of the machine or with the workpiece even when the turret is rotated. The turret is then rotated to select the desired tool, and the selected tool is positioned at a machining starting point. Machining is then performed by the selected tool. Since a turret lathe thus requires moving the turret to a tool changing position, selecting a tool by rotation of the turret, and positioning the turret at a machining starting point, a comparatively long period of time is needed to select a tool. In machining a small article that requires a machining time of from 10 seconds to several minutes, the amount of time needed for tool selection cannot be ignored. In particular, where a large number of lots are concerned, a reduction in the tool selection time is desired. To achieve a machining time reduction a comb-cutter lathe has come into use because it has a plurality of tools provided in juxtaposition on one face of a tool rest, with predetermined ones of the tools being used one after another to machine a workpiece. An advantage of a comb-cutter lathe of this kind is that tool selection time is shortened since it is unnecessary to rotate the tool rest when selecting a tool. With a comb-cutter lathe, however, it is necessary to slide the tool rest when selecting a tool, and to arrange the tools so that they do not interfere with the workpiece when sliding takes place.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method of controlling a comb-cutter lathe wherein a tool will not interfere with a workpiece when a tool rest is slid during tool selection.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of controlling a comb-cutter lathe wherein the path of a tool rest at the time of a tool selection is generated automatically.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a method of controlling a comb-cutter lathe wherein the path of a tool rest at the time of a tool selection can be shortened to enable a reduction in the time needed for the tool selection.
The present invention provides a method of controlling a comb-cutter lathe wherein machining at machining locations assigned to respective tools mounted on a tool rest is performed in sequential fashion, and after completion of machining performed by one tool, the tool rest is moved in order to position a subsequent tool at a machining location where machining is to be performed by that tool. The method includes: (1) moving the tool rest along a Z axis (longitudinal direction) to a point P.sub.r at which none of the tools will contact the workpiece when the tool rest is moved in a direction (X-axis direction) at right angles to the longitudinal direction (Z-axis direction) of the workpiece, and (2) thereafter moving the tool rest along the X axis to a point P.sub.t at which an X-axis position of a selected tool will coincide with an X-axis coordinate value of a position at which machining is to be started by the tool, and thenceforth performing machining using a selected tool. According to the invention, a tool will not interfere with the workpiece when a tool is selected, and tools can be changed along the shortest path.


BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1(A)-1(D) illustrate the machining performed by a comb-cutter lathe;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an automatic programming apparatus to which the present invention appertains;
FIGS. 3(A)-3(C) illustrate a flowchart of the processing for creating a part program according to the present invention;

REFERENCES:
patent: 3854353 (1974-12-01), Cutler
patent: 4033206 (1977-07-01), Morita
patent: 4074349 (1978-02-01), Ueda
patent: 4131836 (1978-12-01), Noda
patent: 4199814 (1980-04-01), Rapp
patent: 4424569 (1984-01-01), Imazeki
patent: 4442493 (1984-04-01), Wakai
patent: 4445182 (1984-04-01), Morita
patent: 4490781 (1984-12-01), Kishi et al.
patent: 4513380 (1985-04-01), Spooner
patent: 4521860 (1985-06-01), Kanematsu

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