TOOL MAGAZINE

Abstract

Tool magazine for the provision of tools for a machine tool, wherein the tool magazine has a multiplicity of receiving positions for tools. A first tool can be removed from or inserted into a first receiving position along a removal direction, and at least one further receiving position for receiving a further tool is provided.

Claims

1. A tool magazine for the provision of tools for a machine tool, wherein the tool magazine has a multiplicity of receiving positions for tools and a first tool can be removed from or inserted into a first receiving position along a removal direction, wherein, before or after the first receiving position in the removal direction, the tool magazine has at least one further receiving position which is intended for receiving a further tool, characterized in that at least one transfer device is provided which undertakes at least part of the transportation of the tools in the tool magazine and/or to an interface, and the transfer device is rotatable about an axis of rotation, and the transfer device has a carrier which is rotatable about the axis of rotation and at each end of which at least one gripper for receiving tools is provided.

2. The tool magazine according to claim 1, characterized in that the transfer device is movably mounted along at least one longitudinal axis.

3. The tool magazine according to claim 1, characterized in that the transfer device has three or more grippers, wherein a first gripper is provided to carry a tool to be loaded, a second gripper is provided to carry the tool to be removed, and at least one further gripper is provided as a temporary buffer store for a tool which is initially resting on a receiving position which is obstructing the loading and removal of a tool.

4. The tool magazine according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving positions are movable and move relative to the transfer device when transferring tools.

5. The tool magazine according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving positions are substantially fixed and the transfer device moves relative to the receiving positions when transferring tools.

6. The tool magazine according to claim 1, characterized in that two grippers are provided at one end of the carrier.

7. The tool magazine according to claim 1, characterized in that a multiplicity of receiving positions are arranged behind one another or above one another in a plurality of levels.

8. The tool magazine according to claim 1, characterized in that the tool magazine is designed as a rack magazine, disk magazine, ring magazine or similar, and the receiving positions are formed by a plate-shaped element of the tool magazine, in which receiving slots are made, and the tools are arranged in these receiving slots behind one another in the removal direction.

9. The tool magazine according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one indexing region, which determines the radial/rotational alignment of a tool in the receiving position, is provided at the receiving slot.

10. The tool magazine according to claim 1, characterized in that a chain magazine is provided for the tool magazine and the receiving position is arranged on at least one chain link.

11. A machine tool having at least one tool magazine according to claim 1.

12. The machine tool according to claim 11, characterized in that the tool magazine is located outside the machine tool and a further tool magazine is provided in or at the machine tool.

13. A method for removing tools from a tool magazine of a machine tool comprising the steps: A) Removal of a requested tool by means of a transfer device, which is rotatable about an axis of rotation and has a carrier which is rotatable about the axis of rotation and at each end of which at least one gripper for receiving tools is provided, from the receiving position if the requested tool is directly accessible, B) Removal, by means of the transfer device, of another tool, which is stored in a receiving position which is located in front of the requested tool in the removal direction, buffering of this other tool and subsequent removal of the requested tool by means of the transfer device from its receiving position if the requested tool is not directly accessible.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the removed tool is fed directly to a spindle of a machine tool.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, before being fed to a spindle of a machine tool, the removed tool is buffered in a second tool magazine or that the buffering of the tools is undertaken by the transfer device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DIFFERENT VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0038] The invention is shown schematically in the drawings, in particular in exemplary embodiments. In the drawings:

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a plan view on a machine tool having an embodiment of a tool magazine according to the invention,

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a plurality of receiving positions of an embodiment of a tool magazine according to the invention,

[0041] FIG. 3 shows a perspective overall view of an embodiment of a tool magazine according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0042] In the figures, identical or corresponding elements are in each case designated by the same references and, unless expedient, are therefore not described again. The disclosures contained in the overall description can be transferred analogously to identical parts with the same references or same component designations. The positional information chosen in the description, such as for example top, bottom, side etc., relates to the figure directly described and shown, and in the event of a positional change, is to be conferred analogously on the new position. Furthermore, individual characteristics or combinations of characteristics from the different exemplary embodiments shown and described can also constitute independent, inventive solutions or solutions according to the invention in their own right.

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a plan view on a machine tool having an embodiment of a tool magazine according to the invention. A machine tool is shown on the left-hand side of FIG. 1. Here, the clamping table 30 for the workpiece or workpieces can be seen at the bottom, and the working spindle 31 is located on the right above the clamping table 30. Here, a conventional tool magazine 3, with which the tools are stored and transported with the help of a magazine wheel, is located inside the machine tool. The tools are transported from the tool magazine 3 to the working spindle 31 and inserted therein by means of the changing device 32. Likewise, tools which are no longer needed are removed by the changing device 32 from the working spindle and returned to the tool magazine 3. Here, the changing device 32 is designed as a multi-jointed manipulator arm which has a gripper 21 at its tip. A further tool magazine 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown adjacent to the machine tool shown on the left. The machine tool and the tool magazine 1 are connected to one another by means of the connecting opening 33. The tools stored in the tool magazine 1 are arranged behind one another in multiple rows. Each tool is stored on its own receiving position 11, wherein each receiving position 11 can only receive one tool. In the case shown, the receiving positions 11 are arranged next to one another and behind one another. In the plan view shown, receiving positions are initially arranged in the form of a circular arc around an axis of rotation A which runs into the plane of the drawing. Here, the direction 12 for removing tools from this circular-arc-shaped arrangement runs radially with respect to the axis of rotation A. When tools are removed from their receiving positions 11, these tools are moved along the removal direction at least at the start of the removal. Once they have actually been removed from the receiving positions 11, the tools are then of course also moved in other directions in order to reach the machine tool and the working spindle 31. In the tool magazine 1 shown in FIG. 1, receiving positions 11 for tools are arranged in two circular arcs running concentrically around the axis of rotation A. Here, a receiving position 11 of the outer circular arc lies behind a receiving position 11 of the inner circular arc viewed in the removal direction 12. Of course, more than two receiving positions 11 can be arranged behind one another in the removal direction 12. In FIG. 1, it can be clearly seen that the tool magazine 1 designed according to the invention can store nearly twice as many tools as the conventional tool magazine 3, wherein the external dimensions or the required installation space of both tool magazines is nearly identical. The tool magazine 1 is additionally designed in a plurality of levels vertically above one another in order to be able to provide even more receiving positions 11 for storing tools. The transfer device 2, rotatably mounted about the axis of rotation A, can be seen in the middle of the tool magazine 1. The tools are removed from the receiving positions 11, buffered and reloaded with the help of the transfer device 2. In the case shown, the transfer device 2 is formed by a carrier 18 which has a gripper 21 at each of its ends. When transferring tools, the transfer device 2 moves in different directions: the carrier 18 is rotatably mounted about the axis of rotation A, wherein a suitable rotary drive is also provided. The grippers 21 can additionally move linearly backwards and forwards along the longitudinal direction of the carrier 18. In addition, the carrier 18 moves together with the grippers 21 in the vertical direction, i.e. along the axis of rotation A which runs into the plane of the drawing. Further degrees of freedom for the transfer device can of course be provided. In the case shown, the transfer device 2 hands over a tool which has been removed from the tool magazine 1 through the connecting opening to the tool magazine 3, which in turn is arranged in the interior of the machine tool. However, in other embodiments, it would also be conceivable that the transfer device 2 hands over a removed tool directly to the working spindle 31. One or more gate systems 13 are provided in order to populate the tool magazine 1 with tools. By means of these gate systems 13, tools can be loaded into and removed from the tool magazine 1 by an operator 34.

[0044] The tool magazine 3 shown accordingly in FIG. 1 as the prior art can also be formed by a tool magazine according to the invention, for example in the form of a tool magazine 1 shown on the right next to the processing machine.

[0045] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a plurality of receiving positions 11 of an embodiment of a tool magazine according to the invention. In the embodiment shown, the base of the receiving positions 11 is formed by a plate-shaped element 14. Here, two receiving positions 11 in each case are arranged in receiving slots 15. At the same time, the two receiving positions 11 of a receiving slot 15 are arranged behind one another in the removal direction 12. In the embodiment shown, indexing regions 16 are in each case provided at the receiving slots 15 in each receiving position 11. These indexing regions serve to always load the tools in the same rotational alignment in the receiving positions 11. An identical rotational alignment at all times ensures problem-free insertion of the tools in the machine tool. In the case shown, the indexing regions 16 are designed as recesses into which the appropriate key regions 19 of the tools can be introduced in an interlocking manner.

[0046] FIG. 3 shows a perspective overall view of an embodiment of a tool magazine 1 according to the invention. The tool magazine 1 in FIG. 3 corresponds to the tool magazine 1 in FIG. 1. Considerably more levels of tools or receiving positions 11 can be seen above one another in the perspective view of FIG. 3. The transfer device 2, which is rotatably arranged about the axis of rotation A, can be seen in the center of the tool magazine 1. In order to carry out the rotational movements about the axis of rotation A, a rotary drive is provided in the bottom part of the transfer device 2. The transfer device 2 has a horizontally running carrier 18, which here runs horizontally and at the ends of which grippers 21 are attached in each case. In the case shown, the gripper 21 at the front end of the carrier 18 is presently carrying a tool. The carrier 18 can additionally be moved linearly along its longitudinal direction. In order to be able to reach the various levels, the whole carrier 18 with the grippers 21 can also be moved in the vertical direction along or parallel to the axis of rotation A. In the case shown, a linear guide 23 with appropriate drive is provided on the transfer device 2 for this vertical movement. On the right-hand side of the depicted tool magazine 1 can be seen tools which have been removed from the tool magazine 1 or are to be introduced into the tool magazine 1 via the gate system 13. The forward-facing opening of the tool magazine 1 can be closed by means of safety doors. The tool magazine shown can therefore be completely secured against access by operators. A tool magazine 1 according to the invention can, as shown, be accommodated in its own housing. Alternatively however, it is also possible to arrange a tool magazine 1 inside a machine tool and its housing.

[0047] Possible characteristics of the proposal are reproduced in structured form below. The following characteristics, which are reproduced in structured form, can be combined with one another in any way and can be incorporated into the claims of the application in any combination. It is clear to the person skilled in the art that the invention ensues from the subject matter with the fewest characteristics. In particular, advantageous or possible embodiments, but not the only possible embodiments of the invention, are reproduced below.

[0048] The invention comprises:

[0049] A tool magazine for the provision of tools for a machine tool, wherein the tool magazine has a multiplicity of receiving positions for tools and a first tool can be removed from or inserted into a first receiving position along a removal direction, wherein, before or after the first receiving position in the removal direction, the tool magazine has at least one further receiving position which is intended for receiving a further tool.

[0050] A tool magazine as previously stated, wherein at least one transfer device is provided which undertakes at least part of the transportation of the tools in the tool magazine and/or to an interface.

[0051] A tool magazine as previously stated, wherein the transfer device can be rotated about an axis of rotation and/or is movably mounted along at least one longitudinal axis.

[0052] A tool magazine as previously stated, wherein the transfer device has three or more grippers, wherein a first gripper is provided to carry a tool to be loaded, a second gripper is provided to carry the tool to be removed, and at least one further gripper is provided as a temporary buffer store for a tool which is initially resting on a receiving position which is obstructing the loading and removal of a tool.

[0053] A tool magazine as previously stated, wherein the transfer device has a carrier which is rotatable about the axis of rotation and at the ends of which at least one gripper, at one end preferably also two grippers, are provided.

[0054] A tool magazine as previously stated, wherein the receiving positions are movable and move relative to the transfer device when transferring tools.

[0055] A tool magazine as previously stated, wherein the receiving positions are substantially fixed and the transfer device moves relative to the receiving positions when transferring tools.

[0056] A tool magazine as previously stated, wherein the tool magazine is located outside or inside the machine tool for which it provides the tools.

[0057] A tool magazine as previously stated, wherein a multiplicity of receiving positions are arranged behind one another or above one another in a plurality of levels.

[0058] A tool magazine as previously stated, wherein the tool magazine is designed as a rack magazine, disk magazine, ring magazine or similar, and the receiving positions are formed by a plate-shaped element of the tool magazine, in which receiving slots are made, and the tools are arranged in these receiving slots behind one another in the removal direction.

[0059] A tool magazine as previously stated, wherein at least one indexing region, which determines the radial/rotational alignment of a tool in the receiving position, is provided at the receiving slot.

[0060] A tool magazine as previously stated, wherein a chain magazine is provided for the tool magazine and the receiving position is arranged on at least one chain link.

[0061] The invention further includes a machine tool having at least one tool magazine according to one or more of the preceding embodiments.

[0062] A machine tool as previously stated, wherein at least one first tool magazine according to one or more of the previously described embodiments is located outside the machine tool and a second tool magazine is provided in or at the machine tool.

[0063] The invention also includes a use of a tool magazine according to one or more of the preceding embodiments for the arrangement and provision of tools which have an identical design and are intended for identical machining steps on workpieces in adjacent receiving positions which are arranged behind one another in the removal direction.

[0064] The invention also includes a method for removing tools from a tool magazine of a machine tool comprising the steps: A) Removal of a requested tool from the receiving position if the requested tool is directly accessible, B) Removal of another tool which is stored in a receiving position which is located in front of the requested tool in the removal direction, buffering of this other tool and subsequent removal of the requested tool from its receiving position if the requested tool is not directly accessible.

[0065] The method can be carried out in particular by means of a previously mentioned tool magazine and/or by means of a previously mentioned machine tool. Removal can be carried out in particular by means of a previously mentioned transfer device.

[0066] The previously stated method, alternatively comprising the steps that the removed tool is fed directly to a spindle of a machine tool or that, before being fed to a spindle of a machine tool, the removed tool is buffered in a second tool magazine or that the buffering of the tools is undertaken by the transfer device.

[0067] The claims submitted with the application and submitted later are without prejudice for the achievement of further protection.

[0068] If on closer inspection here, particularly also of the relevant prior art, it should be found that one or other characteristic, although favorable for the object of the invention, is however not of decisive importance, then, of course, a formulation which no longer features such a characteristic, particularly in the main claim, is sought at this stage. Such a sub-combination is also covered by the disclosure of this application.

[0069] It must further be noted that the embodiments and variants of the invention described in the various embodiments and shown in the figures can be combined with one another at will. In doing so, individual or several characteristics can be interchanged as required. These combinations of characteristics are likewise disclosed.

[0070] The counter-references stated in the dependent claims refer to the further embodiment of the subject matter of the main claim by way of the characteristics of the respective sub-claim. However, these are not to be understood as a renunciation of the achievement of independent, objective protection for the characteristics of the referenced sub-claims.

[0071] Characteristics which have been disclosed only in the description, and also individual characteristics from claims which include a multiplicity of characteristics, may be incorporated into the independent claim/claims at any time as being of significance essential to the invention for differentiation from the prior art, including when such characteristics have been mentioned in conjunction with other characteristics or achieve particularly favorable results in conjunction with other characteristics.

[0072] Although the invention has been described based on particular exemplary embodiments which are presented in great detail, it is pointed out that this is only by way of explanation and that the invention is not necessarily restricted thereto, as alternative exemplary embodiments and procedures are clear to persons skilled in the art with regard to the disclosure. Changes, which can be made without deviating from the content of the described invention, are accordingly taken into account.