DEVICE FOR THE QUICK CHANGE OF TOOL HOLDER ADAPTERS

Abstract

A device for the quick change of tool holder adapters, especially for use on CNC machine tools such as multi-spindle or single-spindle lathes, turning and milling centres, transfer machine tools, for orienting and clamping the different tool holder shanks in the appropriate seats of the rotating and non-rotating shafts present in the mechanical bodies such as motorised or non-motorised tool holders, multiple or single, comprising a tool holder shank of truncated-cone shape designed to fit, starting from its smaller diameter rear part, into a complementary housing made in the rotating shaft of a motorised module. On the smaller diameter rear face of the tool holder shank a milling cut is made configured to accommodate at least one removable insert which protrudes partly frontally in the direction of a recess made on the back wall of the tapered seat of the rotating shaft of the motorized module.

Claims

1. A device (10) for the quick change of tool holder adapters, especially for use on CNC machine tools such as multi-spindle or single-spindle lathes, turning and milling centres, transfer machine tools, for orienting and clamping the different tool holders shanks in the appropriate seats of the rotating and non-rotating shafts present in the mechanical bodies such as motorised or non-motorised tool holders, multiple or single, comprising a tool holder shank (12) of truncated-cone shape designed to fit, starting from its smaller diameter rear part, into a complementary housing made in the rotating shaft (16) of a motorised module, on the smaller diameter rear face of said tool holder shank (12) of truncated-cone shape being made a milling cut (22) configured to accommodate at least one removable insert (24).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the removable insert (24) defines a lozenge configuration with rounded edges and extends diametrically into the milling cut (22) of the tool holder shank (12) with respect to which it protrudes partly frontally in the direction of a recess (32) made on the back wall (18) of the tapered seat of the rotating shaft (16) of said motorised module.

3. The device according to claim 2, characterised by the fact that the removable insert (24) is provided with one or more through holes in which are arranged respective screws (26) intended to engage in corresponding threaded holes made on the tool holder shank (12).

4. The device according to claim 3, characterised by the fact that the stem of each of said screws (26) is provided with a groove (28) wherein is placed a radial clamping ring (30).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The construction and functional characteristics of the device for the quick change of tool holder adapters of the present invention will be more clearly comprehensible from the detailed description below in which reference is made to the appended drawings which show a preferred and non-limiting embodiment and wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1 schematically represents an axonometric view of the device of the invention, of the free end of the rotating shaft of the motorised module into which it is inserted, as well as the conventional key used for the temporary locking of such shaft;

[0015] FIG. 2 schematically represents a front view of the rotating shaft present in the motorised module to which the device is coupled;

[0016] FIG. 3 shows schematically, in an enlarged axonometric view, a part of the device in FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 4 schematically represents the axonometric view of a part of the device in FIG. 3 coupled to the free end of the rotating shaft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] With reference to the aforesaid figures, the device for the quick change of tool holder adapters of the present invention is globally denoted by reference numeral 10 in FIG. 3 and comprises a truncated cone shaped tool holder shank 12; said shank is, for example, coupled with a ring nut 14, which is not part of the device described and claimed in this application but belongs, together with other components, to a different context protected independently by a parallel application filed by the same applicant. The truncated cone shank 12 is intended to fit, starting from its smaller diameter rear face, into a complementary housing traditionally made in the rotating shaft 16 of the motorised module, or into a fixed support of a standard tool holder. A conventional shaped key 20 is used to avoid the possible rotation of said shaft 14 when the truncated cone shank 12 is inserted in it.

[0019] According to the invention, on the smaller diameter rear face of said shank 12, a milling cut 22 is made, preferably with a diametrical extension, configured so as to accommodate a removable insert 24; said insert, of any shape and extension, is such as not to protrude from the perimeter edge of the rear face of the shank 12, with respect to which it instead protrudes frontally in the direction of a recess 32 made on the back wall 18 of the tapered seat of the rotating shaft 16 of the motorised module.

[0020] According to a preferred, non-critical embodiment, the removable insert 24 defines a lozenge configuration with rounded edges, but it is understood that it may be any shape, e.g. regular or irregular prismatic, and be made in one piece or in two complementary parts; said insert 24 is provided with one or more through holes in which are arranged respective screws 26, e.g. of the Allen type with cylindrical head, intended to engage in corresponding threaded holes made on shank 12. The latter is provided centrally with an additional hole, schematically shown by reference numeral 29 in FIGS. 3, 4 and placed between the screws 26 of the insert 24, which also crosses the shank and performs the traditional function of allowing the passage of a fluid to reach and cool the tool from time to time used, at the point Where contact with the material being machined occurs.

[0021] At the same time, the rotating shaft 16 of the motorised module is provided with the above-mentioned recess 32, schematically shown in FIG. 2, in which the removable insert 24 fixed to the shank 12 is fitted. Said insert has the function of orienting and preventing the possible rotation of the shank 12 when the latter is subjected to heavy machining operations. In other situations, the removable insert 24 can advantageously be removed from the shank 12, to allow the end user to use, as desired, tool holder shanks from different manufacturers with an ER-type connection; in this case the connection is made according to the traditional system, i.e. by coupling the conical surfaces on the shank and on the rotating shaft.

[0022] In practice, by means of the device of the present invention, the possibility of a dual use is achieved in an extremely advantageous manner; this without any increase in the costs which instead would have to be sustained for specific motorised modules, in order to be able to also use traditional tool shanks of different manufacturers.

[0023] The attachment and removal of the removable insert 24 with respect to the shank 12 is carried out in an extremely simple and quick manner by acting on the pair of screws 26; the stem of each is provided with a radial groove 28 in which a radial elastic ring 30 is placed, in order to prevent the accidental release of the screws and to facilitate at the same time the handling and storage of said removable insert 24 when not used.

[0024] As may be seen from the above, the advantages which the invention achieves are evident.

[0025] The device for the quick change of tool-holder adapters of the present invention is flexible from an operational point of view as it allows use in a dual manner, with or without the removable insert 24 applied to the tool-holder shank 12; in the first case the solution allows the orientation and prevention of the possible rotation of the shank when it is subjected to heavy machining operations, in the second case it allows the use also of conventional tool-holder shanks of different manufacturers without additional costs as there is no need of as many specific motorised modules.

[0026] Despite the invention having been described above with reference to one of its embodiments, given solely by way of a non-limiting example, numerous modifications and variants will appear evident to a person skilled in the art in the light of the above description. The present invention therefore sets out to embrace all the modifications and variants which fall within the sphere and scope of the following claims.