Abstract
Auxiliary spindle AS for clamping at least one workpiece W on a tool holder turret 200A-200D for machining operation, in particular a tool holder turret 200A-200D of a lathe having at least a spindle unit 310 configured to mount the auxiliary spindle AS onto turret port of a tool holder turret 200A-200D and receive a workpiece W for machining operation of the received workpiece W on the tool holder turret. In addition, the spindle unit 310 further includes at least a receiving unit 311 configured to clamp the workpiece W onto the auxiliary spindle AS.
Claims
1. Machining method for machining at least one workpiece in a machining system, in particular a lathe, comprising at least one tool holder turret for holding a number of tools for machining operations and at least one auxiliary spindle mounted to the tool holder turret, wherein the auxiliary spindle includes at least a receiving unit for receiving a workpiece for machining operations, the machining method comprising the steps: on the tool holder turret, clamping the workpiece by the receiving unit of the auxiliary spindle; rotating the clamped workpiece along an auxiliary spindle axis for machining the clamped workpiece.
2. The machining method according to claim 1, wherein the machining method further includes: machining the clamped workpiece on the tool holder turret by a tool mounted onto the at least one tool holder turret and/or a tool mounted onto a main spindle implemented in the machining system.
3. The machining method according to claim 1, wherein the machining method further includes: pivoting the clamped workpiece, by rotating the tool holder turret the auxiliary spindle is mounted onto, along a turret axis; moving the clamped workpiece, by translatory moving the tool holder turret the auxiliary spindle is mounted onto, in at least one of three directions.
4. The machining method according to claim 1, further includes: coupling the auxiliary spindle to the driving system of the tool holder turret by mechanically connecting the auxiliary spindle to a tool turret port of the tool holder turret; driving the rotation of the clamped workpiece by a torque generated by a drive of the at least one tool holder turret.
5. The machining method according to claim 1, further includes: transferring the clamped workpiece from a first auxiliary spindle to a main spindle of the machining system and/or vice versa; transferring the clamped workpiece from a first auxiliary spindle to a second auxiliary spindle mounted to the same or a different tool holder turret as the first auxiliary spindle, and/or wherein the machine method further includes: driving a machining tool mounted on the tool holder turret while, at the same time, having at least one workpiece clamped on the tool holder turret of the machining system, and/or connecting the clamped workpiece with at least one rotation tool of the same or different tool holder turret the auxiliary spindle clamping the workpiece is mounted on; driving the rotation of the clamped workpiece externally by a torque generated by the at least one rotation tool.
6. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions to cause a machining system of claim 1 to execute the steps of claim 1.
7. Auxiliary spindle for clamping at least one workpiece on a tool holder turret for machining operation, in particular a tool holder turret of a lathe, comprising: at least one spindle unit mountable onto a tool turret port of the tool holder turret and configured to receive a workpiece for machining operation of the received workpiece on the tool holder turret; wherein the spindle unit further includes at least a receiving unit configured to clamp the workpiece onto the auxiliary spindle.
8. The auxiliary spindle according to claim 7, wherein the auxiliary spindle is configured to rotate the clamped workpiece along an auxiliary spindle axis for machining the clamped workpiece on the tool holder turret, and/or wherein the auxiliary spindle is configured by mounting the spindle unit to the at least one tool holder turret to physically couple the auxiliary spindle to the driving system of the tool holder turret so that the auxiliary spindle can be controlled by the turret driving system.
9. The auxiliary spindle according to claim 7, wherein the spindle unit is configured to clamp the workpiece at at least one contact position exposing at least two opposing ends of the clamped workpiece for machining operations, and/or wherein the spindle unit includes a sleeve which can be controlled to clamp the workpiece; wherein the sleeve is configured to align the fixated workpiece coaxially to the auxiliary spindle axis.
10. The auxiliary spindle according to claim 7, wherein the spindle unit includes at least one chuck which can be controlled to fixedly clamp the workpiece; wherein the at least one chuck is configured to align the clamped workpiece coaxially to the auxiliary spindle axis; and wherein the at least one chuck includes jaws that are configured to move independently so as to firmly hold irregularly shaped workpieces.
11. A machining system for machining at least one workpiece, in particular a lathe, comprising: at least one tool holder turret for mounting a number of tools on at least one tool turret port for machining operations, in particular live tooling; and at least one auxiliary spindle of claim 9 mounted to the at least one tool holder turret or another tool holder turret implemented in the machining system.
12. The machining system according to claim 11, wherein the workpiece clamped by receiving unit of the auxiliary spindle can be rotated along the auxiliary spindle axis; wherein the rotation of the workpiece is driven by at least a torque generated by a drive of the tool holder turret.
13. The machining system according to claim 11, wherein the machining system is configured, by clamping the workpiece onto the receiving unit of the auxiliary spindle, to machine the workpiece on the tool holder turret by at least one machining tool mounted at a main spindle of the machining system and/or at least one machining tool mounted on one of the tool holder turrets of the machining system, and/or wherein the tool holder turret the auxiliary spindle is mounted onto is configured, by at least a rotational movement along a turret axis and/or a translational movement, to adjust the position of the workpiece clamped by the receiving unit of the auxiliary spindle and/or the direction of the auxiliary spindle axis.
14. The machining system of claim 11, wherein the tool holder turret the at least one auxiliary spindle is mounted onto is configured to mount at least one additional machining tool, and/or wherein the tool holder turret the at least one auxiliary spindle is mounted onto is configured to both, position a clamped workpiece on the auxiliary spindle for at least machining operations of the workpiece on the tool holder turret and position at least one tool for machining a workpiece.
15. The machining system according to claim 11, wherein the machining system includes at least a first and a second tool holder turret on which at least a first and a second auxiliary spindle are respectively mounted to; wherein the machining system is configured, by the movement of the at least two tool holder turrets, to transfer a workpiece clamped by the receiving unit of the first auxiliary spindle of the first tool holder turret to the receiving unit of the second auxiliary spindle of the second tool holder turret, and/or wherein at least one tool holder turret of the machining system is configured to mount at least two auxiliary spindles capable of individually clamping a workpiece for machining processes; and wherein the machining system is configured to independently machine each of the clamped workpieces by at least one machining tool clamped into a main spindle of the machining system and/or at least one machining tool mounted on one of the tool holder turrets of the machining system.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0051] FIG. 1 exemplary illustrates a schematic framework of a multi-spindle lathe having a number of tool holder turrets arranged around the working spindles useful for understanding the invention;
[0052] FIG. 2a exemplary illustrates a conventional setup of a lathe comprising one horizontally aligned main spindle and a tool holder turret:
[0053] FIG. 2b exemplary illustrates a conventional setup of a lathe comprising a vertically aligned main spindle and two tool holder turrets;
[0054] FIG. 3a exemplary illustrates a conventional setup of a lathe comprising a main spindle having a continuous cavity structure and two tool holder turrets;
[0055] FIG. 3b exemplary illustrates an embodiment of the machining system of the present invention consisting of an auxiliary spindle mounted onto a tool holder turrets and two machining tools mounted on a tool holder turret and a working spindle respectively;
[0056] FIG. 4a exemplary illustrates another embodiment of the claimed machining system consisting of an auxiliary spindle of a second kind mounted onto a tool holder turrets, a machining tool mounted in a second tool holder turret and two main spindles;
[0057] FIG. 4b exemplary illustrates the machining system of FIG. 4b with the machining tool processing the clamped workpiece of the auxiliary spindle from another side;
[0058] FIG. 5a exemplary illustrates an embodiment of the claimed machining system consisting of two auxiliary spindles respectively mounted onto a tool holder turret and two tool holder turrets mounting a machining tool;
[0059] FIG. 5b exemplary illustrates an embodiment of the claimed machining system consisting of two auxiliary spindles respectively mounted onto a tool holder turrets and a machining tool capable of processing two workpieces simultaneously;
[0060] FIG. 6a exemplary illustrates potential machining operations of a workpiece clamped onto an auxiliary spindle using machining tools mounted onto a tool holder turret;
[0061] FIG. 6b exemplary illustrates potential machining operations of a workpiece clamped onto an auxiliary spindle using machining tools mounted onto fixated objects;
[0062] FIG. 7a exemplary illustrates an embodiment of the claimed machining system consisting of an auxiliary spindles and two rotation tools respectively mounted onto a tool holder turret, wherein a first rotation tool is driving the rotation of a clamped workpiece of the auxiliary spindle externally;
[0063] FIG. 7b exemplary illustrates the machining system of FIG. 7a wherein the second rotation tool is driving the rotation of the clamped workpiece externally;
[0064] FIG. 8a exemplary illustrates an embodiment of the claimed machining system consisting of a tool holder turret mounting two auxiliary spindles at the same time;
[0065] FIG. 8b exemplary illustrates a cross-section perspective of the tool holder turret of FIG. 8a mounting two auxiliary spindles;
[0066] FIG. 8c exemplary illustrates a cross-section perspective of a tool holder turret mounting three auxiliary spindles;
[0067] FIG. 9a exemplary illustrates a cross-section perspective of a tool holder turret holding a raw workpiece and a pre-machined workpiece via two auxiliary spindles of the second kind;
[0068] FIG. 9b exemplary illustrates a machining mechanism utilizing the tool holder turrets of FIG. 9a and FIG. 9c;
[0069] FIG. 9c exemplary illustrates a cross-section perspective of a tool holder turret holding a pre-machined workpiece and a finished workpiece via two auxiliary spindles of the second kind;
[0070] FIG. 10 exemplary illustrates a cross-section perspective of an embodiment of the clamping mechanism of the receiving unit for mechanically clamping a workpiece onto the auxiliary spindle;
[0071] FIG. 11 exemplary illustrates a cross-section perspective of a second embodiment of a clamping mechanism of the receiving unit for mechanically clamping a workpiece onto the auxiliary spindle;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0072] In the following, preferred aspects and embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Same or similar features in different drawings and embodiments are referred to be similar reference numerals. It is to be understood that the detailed description below relating to various preferred aspects and preferred embodiments are not meant as limiting the scope of the present invention.
[0073] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary configuration of a tooling machine 100, in particular a vertical orientated (in relation to the work floor) lathe, useful for understanding the present invention. Specifically, the tooling machine 100 shown in this figure comprises a framework 110 holding at least a main spindle 120 on the left side of the tooling machine, a counter spindle 140 on the right side as well as an intermediate spindle element 130 in the center of the frame work 110 configured to clamp and position a workpiece W into a respective clamping element 180-182 for machining operations. Further, above and below said spindle devices 120, 130 and 140 the framework 110 additionally includes a number of turret carrier sides 150 onto which, individually, a tool holder turret 160 comprising a rotatable turret head with a number of tool turret ports 170 for mounting machining tools T onto the tool turret head, is mounted.
[0074] Accordingly, machining of a workpiece W in the shown tooling machine 100 is processed by implementing a workpiece W in one of the aforementioned spindle elements 120, 130 or 140 and approaching it with one or more machining tools T implemented in the respective tool holder turrets 160. For doing so, both, the spindle elements 120, 130 and 140 as well as the tool holder turrets 160 are constructed to at least move horizontally (in relation to the work floor) by the aid of horizontally aligned guiding rails 190 and may reduce the distance between a respective machining tool T and the clamped workpiece W by additionally driving the tool turret head the machining tool is mounted onto along a vertically aligned (in relation to the work floor) guidance system 191 implemented in each tool holder turret 160. Additionally, the direction of the clamped machining tool T can be adjusted by pivoting the tool T along a horizontal turret head axis generated by the rotation of the corresponding tool turret head.
[0075] Consequently, by the tooling machine 100 of the prior art, a sufficient machining process of a workpiece positioned in one of the spindle elements 120, 130 or 140 can be conducted. Equally, however, it also becomes evident that for this type of tooling machine 100 shown in FIG. 1, the actual working space for machining said workpiece W remains rather limited and is generally confined due to the small accessible area in front of a spindle element 120, 130 or 140. Furthermore, since a majority of the tooling machines space is conventionally occupied for the adjustment of the machining tools T mounted onto the tool holder turrets 150, also the number of workpieces W that can be processed at the same time becomes restricted, leading to a rather inefficient machining process in terms of workspace utilization.
[0076] FIGS. 2a, 2b and 3a, in which additional setup designs, further emphasize the above mentioned problem. FIG. 2a shows a layout of a most simplified version of a common vertical lathe (in relation to the work floor) comprising at least a horizontally aligned intermediate spindle element 130 that is able clamp and rotate a received workpiece W along a spindle axis SA by means of a clamping element 220 as well as a tool holder turret 200A that mounts at least one machining tool T1 and is able to both, translationally move said tool T1 in three directions as well as pivot the tool along a horizontal turret axis HTA1 for machining the clamped workpiece W.
[0077] In comparison, in FIG. 2b a more sophisticated lathe 230 is shown, presenting a vertical lathe 230 with an intermediate spindle element 130 aligned vertically and centrally positioned between two too holder turrets 200A and 200C containing at least a vertical turret axis VTA1 (in relation to the work floor) and a horizontal turret axis HTA2 (in relation to the work floor) for rotational movement of the mounted machining tools T1 and T2 respectively. Accordingly, since in this system, by means of the two machining tools T provided by the tool holder turrets 200A and 200C, the clamped workpiece W of the main spindle MS can be processed from two sides simultaneously, a faster machining process can be achieved.
[0078] Finally, FIG. 3a shows a third possibility of constructing a lathe 250 similar to those shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, in which, unlike the aforementioned systems, the intermediate spindle element 130 is designed as a continuous passageway enabling the insertion of a workpiece W so that both sides W1 and W2 of the workpiece W can be machined at the same time. On that account, conventional lathes using this type of intermediate spindle element 130 normally consist of several tool holder turrets and/or tool spindles so as to utilize on the additional machining areas released by this kind of spindle element 130. Accordingly, also in this embodiment, the respective lathe includes a plurality of tool holders, particularly a tool spindle capable of rotating a machining tool T4 around a vertical tool axis VToA1 as well as a tool holder turret 200A mounting at least two additional machining tools T1 and T3 and being able to pivot said tools T1 and T3 along a horizontal turret axis HTA1 while, at the same time, enabling at least the rotation of machining tool T3 around a vertical tool axis VToA2, e.g. for drill machining.
[0079] Hence, extracting the main principle of all these tooling machines shown in the aforementioned machining systems, it becomes dominant that, independent from the framework and elements used in each of the lathes shown above, centralization of a workpiece W by means of a spindle element placed amidst a number of tool holding elements appears to be a central feature shared by many tooling machines, logically so as to maximize the accessibility of said workpiece W for as many machining tools T as possible. Conversely, however, in exchange for this specific advantage gained by building the tooling machinery around a specific workpiece holder, the disadvantage of compromising the actual area for potentially processing a workpiece W to a comparably small section of the lathe becomes likewise apparent. In other words, since common tooling machines are usually constructed to provide maximal moving space for implemented tool elements, such as tool holder turrets, so as to improve the number of tools usable at a distinct working spindle, potential workspace within said tooling machine is normally not used for machining a workpiece W but rather to enable efficient allocation of a respective tool, resulting in an inefficiency of the tooling machine in terms of workspace utilization. Additionally, due to this reason, the number of workpieces W that can be processes at the same time is similarly limited.
[0080] On this account, the present invention aims to solve the above stated problem by using the tool holder turrets 200A-200D of a tooling machine as additional working spaces for machining a workpiece W by means of the aforementioned auxiliary spindle AS.
[0081] Here, FIG. 3b, which shows a first embodiment of a machining system using said auxiliary spindle AS and which can be directly related to the tooling machine of the prior art shown in FIG. 3a, may further underline the benefits entailed with the claimed invention. Accordingly, FIG. 3b shows a tooling machine, in particular a lathe, that despite or in addition to the main spindle MS shown in FIG. 3a, utilizes the aforementioned auxiliary spindle AS mounted on a tool holder turret 200B similarly positioned in the tooling machine. Herein, the auxiliary spindle AS shown in the respective embodiment is meant to be connected to the tool holder turret 200B by firmly (e.g. mechanically, electrically or hydraulically) mounting a section of the auxiliary spindle AS, the spindle unit 310, to a turret port of the tool holder turret 200B normally used to fixate a tool holder to the tool holder turret 200B. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the auxiliary spindle AS is shown to clamp a workpiece W via a receiving unit integrated in the auxiliary spindle AS such that both, two opposing ends W1 and W2 of the workpiece W are exposed for machining as well as the workpiece W can be rotated at least along an horizontally aligned auxiliary spindle axis ASA defined by the internal structure of the auxiliary spindle AS. On that account, by the aforementioned setup described for the auxiliary spindle AS shown in FIG. 3b, machining operations on the tool holder turret 200B equivalent or even more efficient to such performed at an intermediate spindle element 130, for example shown in FIG. 3a, can be conducted.
[0082] Here, a major benefit of machining a workpiece W on a tool holder turret 200B by means of the auxiliary spindle AS may, for instance, originate from the additional degrees of freedom entailed when clamping a workpiece W on a tool holder turret 200B. In comparison to common tooling machines only consisting of a central placed workpiece holder, such as a main spindle MS for example, workpieces W clamped via the claimed auxiliary spindle AS on a tool holder turret 200B may be freely transported and/or adjusted by the enhanced movement possibilities normally implied by a tool holder turret 200B, thus being provided a significantly larger workspace areal.
[0083] On that account, also in the machining system shown in FIG. 3b, a precise machining of both sides W1 and W2 of the workpiece W can be achieved by accurately allocating said workpiece W to the machining tools T1, T3 and T4 integrated in an additional, horizontally aligned tool spindle as well as a second tool holder turret 200A respectively, using the internal driving mechanisms of the mounted tool holder turret 200B. More specifically, within this system, the position of the clamped workpiece W and/or the alignment of its auxiliary spindle axis ASA can be alternated by at least translationally moving the mounted tool holder turret 200B in three dimensions and/or pivoting the workpiece W along the turret axis TAW so that, in contrast to conventional tooling machines, the workpiece W can be, potentially, positioned at any location reachable by the tool holder turret 200B.
[0084] On that basis, FIGS. 4a and 4b shows another embodiment of a machining system of the claimed invention delineating a second version of the auxiliary spindle AS mounted on the tool holder turret 200B, in which the receiving unit is constructed in a way so as to reveal only one side of the workpiece W and rotatably align said workpiece W along an auxiliary spindle axis ASA perpendicular to the horizontal turret axis TAW of the mounted tool holder turret 200B. In that way, machining of the workpiece W may be improved by being able to adjust the auxiliary spindle axis ASA (and thus the tilting angle of the workpiece W) simply by rotating the tool holder turret 200B along the turret axis TAW, enabling a more simplified and accurate processing by machining tools such as delineated with T1.
[0085] Moreover, as can be seen in this embodiment of the machining system, adding an additional workpiece holder by means of the auxiliary spindle AS to a tool holder turret 200B of a regular tooling machine construct, e.g. consisting of a main spindle MS and a counter spindle CS including an individual main spindle axis MSA and a counter spindle axis CSA as well as two tool holder turrets 200A and 200B as shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, may significantly increase the production rate of the tooling machine. Exemplarily, in this case, additional machining operations can be conducted even when processing on the main and counter spindles MS and CS experience down times. Even more, due to the cleared space originated from the missing workpieces W on the main and counter spindles MS and CS, more precise machining can be provided (e.g. both sides of the workpiece W, the left (FIG. 4a) and the right (FIG. 4b) side can approached by the machining tool T1) leading to both, a more time-efficient as well as sophisticated processing mechanism of the tooling machine. On that account, integration of an auxiliary spindle AS even into already existing tooling machines may be recommendable, enabling a potential upgrade of already existing machining operations.
[0086] FIGS. 5a and 5b show further embodiments of the machining systems using the auxiliary spindle AS of the invention. Here, FIG. 5a delineates a machining system including four tool holder turrets 200A-200D equally distributed within the tooling machine wherein the tool holder turrets 200B and 200D, located above the tool holder turrets 200A and 200C, are mounting the auxiliary spindles AS1 and AS2 and respectively are able to adjust the position of said auxiliary spindles AS1 and AS2 by translationally moving in three directions and/or rotating along the turret axis TAW1 and TAW2. At it, the aforementioned auxiliary spindles AS1 and AS2 may belong to the same type of auxiliary spindle AS already shown in FIG. 3b and correspondingly are clamping the two workpieces by their respective receiving units again in a way so that respectively two endings of the workpieces W1 and W2 as well as W3 and W4 are revealed for machining operations. Alternatively, both auxiliary spindles AS1 and AS2 can also be configured to individually clamp two workpieces, one from each exit side of the respective receiving unit so as to even further improve the machining process. In addition, the two tool holder turrets 200A and 200C positioned below are mounting at least one machining tool T1 and T2 pivotable by the horizontal turret axes HTA1 and HTA2.
[0087] Accordingly, within the embodiment shown in this figure, even more sophisticated machining operations can be performed on the tool holder turrets 200B and 200D of the respective machining system. Specifically, since with the given number of tool holder turrets 200A-200D a plurality of independently movable machining elements are provided within the system, likewise consecutive or in parallel performed processing steps, i.e. capable of generating automatic productions lines solely produced on the tool holder turrets 200B, can be realized. On this account, the machining system shown in FIG. 5a can be, for example, configured to drive the two tool holder turrets 200B and 200D in such a way that first each of the clamped workpieces is machined by one of the machining tools T1 and T2 separately while in a subsequent machining step both machining tool T1 and T2 are configured to process one workspace, for instance, on both sides W1 and W2 of the workpiece mounted onto tool holder turret 200B. Equally, even more complex machining operations involving any given number of turret, workpiece or machining tool movement could be operated by the given or any other of the herewith presented machining system.
[0088] Furthermore, FIGS. 5b, 6a and 6b are showing more possibilities of potential processing steps used in machining systems of the claimed invention.
[0089] FIG. 5b shows a machining system comprising, additional to the two tool holder turrets 200B and 200D mounting the workpieces already shown in FIG. 5a, a modified machining tool T9 mounted on the previous tool holder turret 200A that consist of two separate machining parts used for machining two areas of a workpiece W or respectively two different workpieces W at the same time. Accordingly, within this embodiment, the machining system utilizing the at least two auxiliary spindles AS mounted onto two different tool holder turrets 200B and 200D as well as the aforementioned machining tool T9 is likewise capable of machining at least two different sides of a workpiece (e.g. W1 and W2) and/or even two different workpieces W synchronously using only one machining tool T9 mounted on a third tool holder turret 200A. Naturally, in alternative machine systems said machining tool T6 can be likewise fixated on a tool holder turret (e.g. 200B) equally mounting an auxiliary spindle AS or being capable of machining auxiliary spindles AS placed on the same or other tool holder turrets 200A-200D. Likewise, the number of machining parts implemented in the machining tool T6 does not have to be limited but can also consist of any number. Thus said machining tool T9 can likewise be able to machine any number of workpiece sides W1-W4 or workpieces W simultaneously.
[0090] FIG. 6a shows further exemplary machining mechanisms implementable in the machining system of the invention. Specifically, from FIG. 6a (1) to FIG. 6a (2) synchronous movement of both, a tool holder turret 200B mounting a workpiece W via the receiving unit 310 of the auxiliary spindle AS as well as a tool holder turret 200A holding two machining tools T1 and T2 on different turret ports, is displayed. In doing so, improvement of the machining operation on the tool holder turret 200B can be realized, for example, by switching the machining tool T1 or T3, by means of rotating the tool holder turret 200A around at least the horizontal turret axis HTA1 or moving the tool turret 200A translationally, in times of readjusting of the workpiece W (e.g. when agitating the tool holder turret 200B after finishing a respective machining step), thus enabling a more time-efficient and error-free machining operation. On that account, since the position of the respective workpiece W as well as its drive for rotation along the auxiliary spindle axis ASA can be intrinsically adjusted, e.g. by the aforementioned driving system implemented in the corresponding tool holder turret 200B, the above mentioned steps are not limited to any specific type of machining tools T, but rather can be implemented for any applicable machining step required for workpiece processing. Accordingly, machining on a tool holder turret 200A-200D according to the claimed invention is generally applicable to any type of machining process or sequences of it.
[0091] Furthermore, it is to be noted that machining systems of the claimed invention are likewise not limited by utilizing machining tools T solely provided (i.e. mounted) on tool holder turrets 200A-200D. Conversely, due to the enhanced mobility of a clamped workpiece W supplied by the drive system of its corresponding tool holder turret 200A-200D, also any other type of tool holder may be sufficient to generate an appropriate machining mechanism.
[0092] On that account, FIG. 6b shows a machining system according to the claimed invention in which the machining tools T7 and T8 for machining any side W1 and W2 of the workpiece clamped into the auxiliary spindle AS are not mounted onto a tool holder turret 200A-200D but solely fixated on stationary elements 710 and 720, such as a solid framework or a foothold. Accordingly, in such conditions, machining operations can still take place by allocating the respective working piece W, by means of driving the tool holder turret 220B the auxiliary spindle AS of the working piece W is mounted onto, to each of the fixated machining tools T7 and T8, thus providing efficient machining operations even in case of poorly accessible machining tools T7 and T8.
[0093] FIGS. 7a and 7b shows another embodiment of the machining system of the invention and a specific machining step usable for process enhancement. Here, besides the tool holder turret 200B providing again a workpiece W via the receiving unit 310 of the auxiliary spindle AS, the machining system of this embodiment also includes two rotation tools T5 and T6 mounted on the tool holder turrets 200A and 200C and being capable of additionally rotate the workpiece W along the auxiliary spindle axis ASA. More specifically, to do this, said rotation tools T5 and T6 include the fastening elements 510 that may function as a chuck to firmly interconnect a rotation tool T5 or T6 with at least one end W1 or W2 of the clamped workpiece W to be processed and singlehandedly (or supplementary to an internal drive of the auxiliary spindle) propel the connected workpiece W by creating a torque (e.g. by rotating its body) aligned along the auxiliary spindle axis ASA of the workpiece W. Consequently, by the above-mentioned rotation tools T5 and T6, additional rotation power can be induced into the auxiliary spindle AS of the machining system, improving the accessibility of the auxiliary spindle AS for machining operations requiring such. Moreover, since during operation of the rotation tool T5 or T6 the fastening element 510 is permanently connected with at least one side W1 or W2 of the workpiece W, rotational imbalances of the workpiece W can be reduced, ultimately leading to a more stable control of the clamped workpiece W during rotational machining operation.
[0094] Accordingly, utilizing the aforementioned benefits, the tool holder turrets 200A and 200C of FIGS. 7a and 7b holding the rotation tools T5 and T6 likewise include at least one additional machining tool T1 and T2 so that during stabilization of the workpiece W, e.g. by means of the rotation tool mounted by a first tool holder turret, at least the other (second) turret may allocate its machining tool for improved workpiece processing. Additionally, in case a different machining tool positioned in said first tool holder turret shall be used in a following machining step, rotation of the workpiece W can be transferred to the rotation tool of the other (second) tool holder turret by simply allocating the respective rotation tool of the second tool holder turret to the workpiece W via the rotational turret axes HTA3 and HTA4 provided for each tool holder turret 200A and 200C.
[0095] Furthermore, in FIG. 8a an additional embodiment of a machining system of the invention is shown comprising at least one tool holder turret 800A mounting at least two auxiliary spindles AS1 and AS2. At it, said tool holder turret 800A is configured to move each of the auxiliary spindles 810A and 810B by rotating at least along the turret axis TAW so that the different workpieces RWP and FWP respectively clamped within the receiving units 810A and 810B of the auxiliary spindles AS1 and AS2 can be individually positioned within the system. Accordingly, with the shown turret composition an efficient and space-saving machining mechanism can be generated.
[0096] As an example, by the machining system shown in FIG. 8a, a raw workpiece RWP can be inserted into the receiving unit 810A of a first auxiliary spindle AS1, for instance in order to enhance the accessability for an assistant to introduce the workpiece RWP into the respective machining system. Alternatively, introduction of a workpiece RWP can be likewise conducted automatically, for instance by transferring the latter from a storage or a spindle similarly positioned within the system. Subsequently, following the clamping of the corresponding raw workpiece RWP within the receiving unit 810A of the auxiliary spindle AS1, the tool holder turret 800A is configured to pivot the clamped workpiece RWP by rotating its corresponding turret head along at least the turret axis TAW so as to allocate the raw workpiece RWP onto the machining tool T1 for machining operations. Finally, after completing the machining process by means of the machining tool T1 (or any additional machining element), the finished workpiece FWP may be again pivoted by the tool holder turret 800A in order to extract it or pass it on to a subsequent machining position, enabling a highly efficient machining line in terms of both, space-efficiency and machining precision.
[0097] Further, FIG. 8b shows a cross section image of the tool holder turret 800A delineated in FIG. 8a. Accordingly, as can be seen by the dashed lines added in FIG. 8b, the two auxiliary spindles 810A and 810B are arranged coaxially to a vertical centerline VTAT1 of the tool holder turret 800A (or perpendicular to the horizontal centerline HTAT1, respectively) so that by rotation of the tool holder turret 800A along the turret axis TAW by 180 degrees, the positions of the raw workpiece RWP and the finished workpiece FWP can be easily exchanged. At that, naturally, a corresponding tool holder turret of the claimed machining system is not limited by only mounting the two auxiliary spindles AS1 and AS2, but rather it can hold any number of auxiliary spindles possible by its inherent turret ports.
[0098] Consequentially, FIG. 8c may be used as an alternative embodiment 800B of the tool holder turret 800A shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b mounting an additional auxiliary spindle AS3 in a triangular alignment. By this constellation, for example, an additional machining step can be integrated into the aforementioned processing line, producing the pre-machined workpiece MWP clamped into the receiving unit 810C of the auxiliary spindle AS3. Accordingly, by the given embodiment, an even more sophisticated machining process can be achieved.
[0099] Furthermore, based on the aforementioned embodiment, FIG. 9a-c shows another machining mechanism conductible by the machining system of the claimed invention.
[0100] Here, equal to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5a, the corresponding machining system comprises four tool holder turrets 900A-900D by which the two tool holder turrets 900A and 900B are configured to individually mount two auxiliary spindles AS4-AS7 of the type already shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, while the tool holder turrets 900C and 900D respectively mount the machining tools T1 and T2. In addition, FIGS. 9a and 9c again show a cross section image of the respective tool holder turrets 900A and 900B with the auxiliary spindles AS4-AS7 similarly coaxially aligned to a vertical centerline VTAT3 or VTAT4 (or respectively perpendicular to the horizontal centerline HTAT3 or HTAT4). The expressions horizontal and vertical concern arrangements in relation to the work floor.
[0101] Accordingly, within the described machining system, a production line additionally using transfer processes of a workpieces W in between auxiliary spindles AS4-AS7 is shown. More specifically, in this given embodiment, the operation procedure provides the machining mechanism to firstly insert and clamp a raw workpiece RWP into a first auxiliary spindle AS4 of a first tool holder turret 900A so that the production line may start. Consecutively, as a second step, the raw workpiece RWP may be allocated to the first machining tool T1 by pivoting the auxiliary spindle via rotation of the tool holder turret 900A along the turret axis TAW1, finally enabling a pre-machining of the clamped raw workpiece RWP and thus the production of the pre-machined workpiece MWP. Furthermore, to continue the processing mechanism, said pre-machined workpiece MVP is subsequently transferred from the aforementioned auxiliary spindle AS4 to auxiliary spindle AS6 mounted onto the second tool holder turret 900B so as to enable machining via the second machining tool T2 and the production line is finished by once more pivoting the finalized workpiece FWP via rotation of the tool holder turret 900B along the turret axis TAW2, allowing extraction of the workpiece and/or further processing by external machining elements.
[0102] Herein, the act of transferring the pre-machined workpiece MWP may be exemplary conducted by approaching the receiving auxiliary spindle AS6 with the workpiece MWP, specifically by precisely agitating the tool holder turret 900A towards said auxiliary spindle AS6 and allowing it to additionally clamp an available site of the workpiece while, at the same time, releasing it from its former fixation. Alternatively, also an external transfer element, such as a workpiece grabber, may be used so that a secured transmission of a workpiece can be achieved.
[0103] Finally, with FIGS. 10 and 11, two preferred embodiments of the clamping mechanism for mechanically clamping a respective workpiece W into a receiving unit 311A and 311B of an auxiliary spindle AS are shown. Here, respective mechanisms may be driven manually or (semi)automatically, for instance by the internal driving system of the tool holder turret the auxiliary spindle AS is mounted onto.
[0104] FIG. 10 shows a first mechanism by depicting a sketched cross-section of the receiving unit 311A along the aforementioned auxiliary spindle axis ASA. In particular, in this embodiment the receiving unit 311A consist of a cavity 1050 used to insert the respective workpiece W into the receiving unit 311A as well as mechanically adjustable body 1005 build around the above stated cavity 1050. Here, to clamp a respective workpiece W within the receiving unit 310A, the body 1005 further has a bottom 1010 and a top component 1040 connected via a screw element 1030 as well as a wedge element 1020 placed in between, comprising a wedge-shaped proportion 1020A on the one end, that is rectilinear at its side facing the bottom component 1010 and increasing in diameter at the side facing the top component 1040, as well a rectilinear proportion 1020B at its other end. Additionally, to slidably fit the wedge element 1020 in between the bottom 1010 and the top component 1040 of the body 1005, the interstice associated to the wedge-shaped proportion 1020A between the top 1040 and the bottom component 1010 is likewise built wedge-shaped while, on the other end, the distance between the top 1040 and bottom component 1010 associated with the rectilinear proportion 1020B remains constant.
[0105] Accordingly, in order to fixate an inserted workpiece W by means of mechanically clamping it onto the receiving unit 311A, the body 1005 is built in a way that by pushing the wedge-shaped proportion 1020A into its corresponding interstice built in between the top 1040 and the bottom component 1010, the wedge-shaped proportion 1020A eventually reaches a point at which it, due to the size of the similarly wedge-shaped interstice, cannot move further, thus creating a pressure force perpendicular to the contact area between the wedge-shaped proportion 1020A and the bottom 1010 and top component 1040 of the body 1005 respectively. As a consequence, since within the given embodiment the contact area between the wedge-shaped proportion 1020A and the bottom component 1010 is constructed to be parallel to the inner surface of the body 1005, the pressure force generated by said pushing of the wedge-shaped proportion 1020A results in a pressing motion of the bottom component 1010 in radial direction, hence is able to firmly press the inner surface of the body 1005 onto an inserted workpiece W and thus enable mechanical fixation by means of clamping.
[0106] FIG. 11, in contrast, shows a second mechanism for fixating a workpiece W into the receiving unit 310B that, in comparison to the wedge element 1020 shown in FIG. 10, utilizes a spring mechanism 1150 to transmit the aforementioned pressure force onto an inserted workpiece W.
[0107] More specifically, in this case the body 1005 of the receiving unit 311B likewise has a bottom component 1110 as well as a top component 1140, wherein the top component 1140 may be further portioned into a force transmission portion 1130 that is slidably attached to the upper surface of the bottom component 1110 as well as an reactive portion 1120 placed above the force transmission portion 1130 and which is horizontally connected to it via a spring 1150. Additionally, the force transmission portion 1130 of the top component 1140 may be further connected via the screw 1030 to a pushing block 1160 so that by introducing the screw 1030 into the transmission portion 1130, a part of the pushing block 1160 may push the reactive portion 1120, resulting in a dislocation of the reactive portion 1120 coaxially to the length axis of the coil spring 1150.
[0108] Accordingly, for generating the aforementioned pressure force in this embodiment, initially the screw 1030 may be further introduced into the force transmission portion 1130 leading to an agitation of the pushing block towards the reactive portion 1120 and, in case of contact, to a pushing force Fp transmitted to the latter. Subsequently, as a consequence of the above-mentioned pushing force Fp, the reactive portion 1120 may become dislocated resulting in a compression of the spring 1150 placed in between the reactive portion 1120 and the force transmission portion 1130, which, in turn, presses the force transmission portion 1130 onto the bottom component 1110 of the receiving unit 310B and with it again produces an adjustable and stable pressure force onto the inner surface of the receiving unit 310B.
[0109] Accordingly, by the aforementioned embodiments, it could be shown that by use of the auxiliary spindle implemented in different variations of machining systems, highly adaptable and efficient machining operations on at least one tool holder turret can be performed. Even more, since said machining operations can be conducted independently and/or in addition to the conventional operations of a corresponding tooling machine, e.g. on a working spindle, it is evident that the claimed invention may lead to vast improvements for tooling machines in terms of space-efficiency, operation times and the general adaptability of the system.
[0110] Lastly, it also has to be noted again that, while certain exemplary embodiments and/or aspects have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments and aspects are merely illustrative of and are not restrictive on the broad invention, and that the embodiments of the invention are not limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other changes, combinations, omissions, modifications and substitutions, in addition to those set forth in the above sections, are possible.
[0111] Also, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations, modifications, and/or combinations of the just described embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope of disclosure of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate, in view of this disclosure, that different embodiments of the invention described herein may be combined to form other embodiments of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention may be also practiced other than as specifically described herein.
