MACHINE TOOL

Abstract

The present invention relates to a machine tool which has the following: a machine bed 10 which is supported on machine feet 3, 3a and is formed from a supporting structure of ribs which are connected to one another, wherein two guide rails 1 are arranged on the top side, on opposite outer sides of the machine bed 10, and a machine table 2 is provided between the two guide rails 1, wherein first main ribs 11 are provided on either side of the machine bed 10, the profile of the said first main ribs, in cross section of the machine bed 10, beginning below the guide rails 1 and extending obliquely inwards in the machine bed 10 to external machine feet 3a in order to introduce loads, which act on the guide rails 1, into the machine feet 3, 3a.

Claims

1. Machine tool, comprising: a machine bed which is supported on machine feet and is formed from a supporting structure of ribs which are connected to one another, wherein two guide rails are arranged on the top side, on opposite outer sides of the machine bed, and a machine table is provided between the two guide rails, characterized in that first main ribs are provided on either side of the machine bed, the profile of the said first main ribs, in cross section of the machine bed, beginning below the guide rails and extending obliquely inwards in the machine bed to machine feet in order to introduce loads, which act on the guide rails, into the machine feet.

2. Machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that second main ribs are provided on either side on the inside in relation to the first main ribs, the profile of the said second main ribs, in cross section of the machine bed, beginning below the machine table and extending obliquely outwards in the machine bed to the external machine feet in order to introduce loads, which act on the machine table, into the machine feet.

3. Machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the machine bed has a clearance laterally below the guide rails in the base region in each case, the said clearance being suitable for inserting a material-transporting device laterally beneath the machine bed.

4. Machine tool according to claim 3, characterized in that the material-transporting device can be inserted beneath the machine bed along an entire side length of the machine bed.

5. Machine tool according to claim 3, characterized in that an outer side of the material-transporting device terminates substantially flush with a corresponding outer side of the machine bed after the insertion of the material-transporting device beneath the machine bed.

6. Machine tool according to claim 3, characterized in that directing ribs are provided on either side in the machine bed, the profile of the said directing ribs, in cross section of the machine bed, beginning below an outer side of the machine table and extending obliquely outwards in the machine bed to the corresponding clearance in order to direct material falling from the machine table to the clearance, wherein the directing ribs are arranged laterally further to the outside than the second main ribs in the machine bed.

7. Machine tool according to claim 6, characterized in that the first main ribs have a large number of passage openings which are provided periodically, wherein the material on the directing ribs is directed through the passage openings to the respective clearance.

8. Machine tool according to claim 3, characterized in that the material-transporting device is a chain-type and/or spiral-type chip conveyor.

9. Machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the machine tool has a portal which supports a machining device, having two stands and a crossbar which is supported by the stands, wherein the stands can be moved beyond the machine table on the guide rails.

10. Machine tool according to claim 9, characterized in that the machining device which is supported by the crossmember can be moved by means of two linear spindles, wherein the two linear spindles are arranged both perpendicular to one another and also perpendicular to the guide path of the guide rails.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0036] FIG. 1 schematically shows a cross section through an embodiment of a machine tool according to the invention, comprising first and second main ribs and directing ribs;

[0037] FIG. 2 schematically shows a three-dimensional view of a sectional illustration of an embodiment of the machine tool according to the invention, comprising visible passage openings in the first main rib; and

[0038] FIG. 3 schematically shows an enlarged detail of a sectional illustration of a front view of an embodiment of the machine tool according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES AND PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0039] Examples and exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the appended figures. Identical or similar elements in the figures can be denoted by the same reference symbols here.

[0040] It should be noted however that the present invention is in no way limited or restricted to the exemplary embodiments described below and the design features thereof, but rather furthermore includes modifications to the exemplary embodiments, in particular those which are included by modifying the features of the described examples or by combining individual features or several of the features of the described examples within the scope of protection of the independent claims.

[0041] FIG. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a machine tool 100 according to the invention, comprising first and second main ribs 11, 12 and directing ribs 13 which are provided as a supporting structure in a machine bed 10 of the machine tool 100.

[0042] In this case, the machine bed 10 is installed on a large number of machine feet 3, 3a which support the entire load of the machine tool 100 including a clamped-in workpiece. The support structure, which is intended to provide a corresponding supporting load and rigidity to the machine bed 10, is constructed in such a way that the first main ribs 11 extend from the guide rails 1 to the machine feet (here the machine feet 3a which span a footprint of the machine tool 100), wherein the first main ribs 11 run obliquely inwards in the machine bed 10 since the machine feet 3a which are arranged furthest to the outside are arranged further to the inside in relation to the machine bed 10 than the guide rails 1 which are provided on the top side of the machine bed 10.

[0043] Two advantages are achieved as a result: firstly, the rigidity of a device (for example a portal 40 which supports a working spindle) which can be moved on the guide rails 1 is increased since the distance between the guide rails 1 corresponds approximately to the width of the machine bed 10 and therefore a maximum possible guide carriage spacing (distance between the guide rails 1, identified in FIG. 1) can be ensured. Secondly, a clearance 20 is created through the first main ribs 11 which run inwards in the direction of the machine feet 3a, the said clearance being located below the guide rails 1 and in the vicinity of the base and it being possible to use the said clearance for inserting a material-transporting device (for example a chain-type and/or spiral-type chip conveyor 21; not shown in FIG. 1 but merely indicated by the rectangles in the bottom left and bottom right corners of the machine bed 10).

[0044] The insertion of the chip conveyor 21 (not shown in FIG. 1; see FIGS. 2 and 3) beneath or into the machine bed 10 provides further advantages. The chip conveyor 21 can therefore be provided closer to the machine table 2 of the machine tool 100, so that metal chips (or particles of another material) and/or cooling lubricant can be carried away from the machine tool 100, in particular from the working region 30, in a relatively rapid and reliable manner.

[0045] In addition, the chip conveyor 21 can be inserted beneath or into the machine bed 10 in such a way that it terminates flush with an outer face of the machine tool 100, so that the machine bed 10 substantially has a rectangular outer contour (as viewed in cross section). In addition to a more compact design of the machine tool 100, this also provides increased safety for the machine operator since fewer assemblies and apparatuses on which the machine operator can injure himself or over which said machine operator can trip are arranged on the or around the machine tool 100.

[0046] The directing ribs 13 are a further element in the support structure of the machine bed 10. The said directing ribs direct metal chips and/or cooling lubricant which fall from or flows beneath the machine table 2 to the corresponding clearance 20 comprising the inserted chip conveyor 21 (not shown in FIG. 1; see FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0047] In this case, the directing ribs 13 are positioned at a steep angle in such a way that metal chips falling from the machine table 2 slide across the directing ribs 13 to the chip conveyor 21 without an additional apparatus. On account of the arrangement of the rib portions and of the chip conveyor 21, the metal chips and also the cooling lubricant have/has to be directed through the first main ribs 11. However, this is possible since the first main ribs 11 have a large number of passage openings 14 which are usually arranged periodically. However, the distances between the passage openings 14 can also have deviations. This may be necessary, for example, when further elements of the support structure of the machine bed 10 do not permit a periodic arrangement of the passage openings 14.

[0048] The second main ribs 12 are a further essential element in the support structure of the machine bed 10. The said second main ribs run below the outer region of the machine table 2 obliquely outwards to the machine feet 3a. In this case, the said second main ribs are able both to absorb the load of the machine table 2 and of a clamped-in workpiece and to introduce the said load into the machine feet 3a and also to reliably introduce lateral forces from the machine table 2, which occur during machining of the workpiece, into the machine feet 3a and in this way to minimize the influence of these forces on the surrounding support structure.

[0049] The arrangement of the first main ribs 11 and second main ribs 12 forms a special feature of the support structure of the machine bed 10. The said first main ribs and second main ribs are formed in a V shape in relation to one another. This leads to the mutual influencing of the first main ribs 11, which absorb the loads and forces of the guide rails 1, and the second main ribs 12, which absorb the forces and loads of the machine table 2, being limited to a minimum.

[0050] This is particularly advantageous since the forces which are produced are primarily variable forces (for example variable mass/masses of the workpiece, continuously changing lateral forces during machining of the workpiece etc.). These forces are variable over time and can therefore be monitored and possibly compensated for only with a high degree of complexity (for example a large number of further position measuring systems etc.) during the machining process. It is therefore advantageous to keep the mutual influencing of the machine table 2 and machining device (for example working spindle on a portal 40) as small as possible from the start on account of the forces which occur.

[0051] Furthermore, it is advantageous when the machine tool 100 according to the invention is installed on a 3-point support which is formed by the machine feet 3, 3a.

[0052] In this way, the high degrees of rigidity of the machine bed 10 on account of the first and second main ribs 11, 12 are combined with the stability and easy adjustability of a 3-point support. As a result, forces which occur during the machining process and/or loads, for example, of the workpiece to be processed can be introduced into the substrate in an optimum manner.

[0053] In addition, this is advantageous since only minimal deformations of the machine bed 10 can occur on account of, for example, variable loads, wherein these deformations, however, cannot have a further effect on the stability of the machine bed 10. Precision in respect of machining of a workpiece can be improved in this way.

[0054] In addition, individual machine feet 3, 3a can be designed in a fixed/loose bearing combination in order to not cause any deformations by clamping of the machine bed 10, for example in the case of thermal expansions of the machine bed 10. This can additionally increase the precision in respect of machining of a workpiece.

[0055] In addition to the first and second main ribs 11, 12, the support structure also has a large number of horizontal ribs 15 and vertical ribs 16 which, in interaction with the first and second main ribs 11, 12 and also the directing ribs 13, increase the rigidity of the machine bed 10 overall or provide the support structure with the correspondingly required or desired rigidity.

[0056] However, in addition to the mentioned ribbed portions, the support structure can also have further ribs, which run obliquely between the horizontal and vertical ribs 15, 16 for example, in order to increase the rigidity of the machine bed 10.

[0057] FIG. 2 schematically shows a three-dimensional view of a sectional illustration of an embodiment of the machine tool 100 according to the invention, comprising visible passage openings 14 in the first main rib 11.

[0058] Here, in the side region of the machine tool 100, amongst other things, one of the first main ribs 11, comprising passage openings 14, and also a chip conveyor 21 (for example a chain-type chip conveyor) are illustrated in a manner projecting from the rest of the machine bed 10.

[0059] The passage openings 14 which are now identifiable are designed in such a way that they have an arcuate contour or two rounded corner regions in their upper region, so that their upper region has a bridge-like form. This has the advantage that the first main ribs 11 are of more rigid design in the longitudinal direction, that is to say in the direction of the guide path of the guide rails 1 (on which, for example, a portal 40 with a machining device can be moved), and as a result can absorb higher forces which act along the longitudinal direction. These forces can now be directly introduced into the machine feet 3, 3a, without the second main ribs 12 and accordingly the support structure below the machine table 2 being excessively severely influenced in the process.

[0060] At the same time, the bridge-like form of the upper region of the passage openings 14 facilitates the formation of large passage openings 14. This provides the advantage of providing both a high degree of rigidity in the machine bed 10 and at the same time reliably ensuring that material (for example metal chips etc.) which are produced and/or cooling lubricant are/is rapidly transported away.

[0061] The metal chips and/or the cooling lubricant which fall from and, respectively, flows downwards from the machine table 2 are fed to the chip conveyor 21 by means of the directing ribs 13. The said chip conveyor can now convey the metal chips and/or the cooling lubricant out of the machine tool 100 or, depending on the design of the chip conveyor 21, equally separate metal chips and cooling lubricant. This may be advantageous in order to firstly ensure disposal of the metal chips and at the same time to rapidly feed the cooling lubricant to a means for further treatment.

[0062] Furthermore, FIG. 2 shows a corresponding three-dimensional view of the horizontal and vertical ribs 15, 16.

[0063] FIG. 3 schematically shows an enlarged detail of a sectional illustration of a front view of an embodiment of the machine tool 100 according to the invention indicating the profile of the directing ribs 13 (dashed line).

[0064] The said figure shows how material (for example metal chips) falling from the machine table 2 or cooling lubricant flowing away from the said machine table is directed on the surface of the directing rib 13 to the clearance or to the chip conveyor 21. Here, the directing rib 13 is positioned at a steep angle in such a way that the falling material and/or the cooling lubricant flowing downwards can slide or flow from the machine table 2 in the direction of the chip conveyor 21 without additional apparatuses.

[0065] Furthermore, the profile of the first and second main ribs 11, 12 in the machine bed 10 is very clearly shown, and therefore the first main rib 11 and the second main rib 12 have a V-shaped arrangement in relation to one another and meet at the point of the machine foot 3a. This advantageously reduces the mutual influencing of the first and second main ribs 11, 12 by the respective, variable loads and forces. The accuracy of the machine tool 100 could be effectively increased in this way.

[0066] Furthermore, FIG. 3 once again shows the arrangement of the guide rails 1 and of a portal 40 which can be moved on the guide rails 1, and also a corresponding front view of the horizontal and vertical ribs 15, 16.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0067] 1 Guide rail [0068] 2 Machine table [0069] 3, 3a Machine foot [0070] 10 Machine bed [0071] 11 First main rib [0072] 12 Second main rib [0073] 13 Directing rib [0074] 14 Passage opening [0075] 15 Horizontal rib [0076] 16 Vertical rib [0077] 20 Clearance [0078] 21 Chip conveyor [0079] 30 Working region [0080] 40 Portal [0081] 100 Machine tool