TOOL CUTTING EDGE ADJUSTING HEAD, METHOD OF OPERATING SAME AND CORRECTING TOOL CUTTING EDGE WEAR

Abstract

The adjustment head is intended for use in the working space of a CNC machine which has a base station set up and intended for the exchange of information with a measuring probe or bore measuring mandrel, which base station is connected to a control of the CNC machine, and comprises a first function module and a second function module, wherein the first function module is divided into a power supply module and a data transmission module, wherein the second function module comprises a machining module for receiving at least one tool, wherein the machining module comprises a tool adjustment device for adjustment the tool in a radial and/or an axial direction and/or in an angular orientation of the tool based on specifications of the control, and wherein the power supply module supplies components of the adjustment head, including the data transmission module and the tool adjustment device, with electrical power, and wherein the data transmission module is arranged and intended for exchanging information concerning at least the adjustment of tool accommodated in the adjustment head with the base station of the measuring probe or bore gauge in the working space of the CNC machine.

Claims

1. An adjustment head intended and arranged for use in a working space of a CNC machine having a base station arranged and intended for information exchange with a measuring probe or bore gauge connected to a control of the CNC machine, the adjustment head comprising: a first function module and a second function module, the first function module being divided into a power supply module and, a data transmission module, the second function module comprising a machining module for receiving at least one tool, the machining module comprising a tool adjustment device for adjustment the tool or its cutting edge/s in a radial and/or an axial direction and/or in an angular orientation of the tool based on instructions from the controller, and wherein, the power supply module supplies electrical power to components of the adjustment head, including the data transmission module and the tool adjustment device, and wherein, the data transmission module is arranged and intended for exchanging information concerning at least the adjustment of the tool accommodated in the adjustment head with the base station of the measuring probe or bore gauge in the working space of the CNC machine.

2. An adjustment head according to claim 1, wherein the data transmission module of the adjustment head and the base station are arranged and intended to exchange the information concerning at least the adjustment of tool received in the adjustment head via a wireless bidirectional radio interface or a wireless bidirectional infrared interface.

3. An adjustment head according to claim 1, in which the power supply module and the data transmission module have an integrated coolant duct for passing coolant to at least one machining point of the machining module, and/or in which an integrated displacement measurement module is provided for detecting the displacement of the tool in the machining module.

4. An adjustment head according to claim 1, wherein the machining module is adapted to receive a spindle tool with adjustable adjustment of the tool or its cutting edge/s, which does not allow any change during machining operation, or the machining module allows for an adjustment of the tool or its cutting edge/s during machining, or the machining module is adapted to receive a reaming tool having a plurality of cutting edges, allowing a finely adjustable adjustment of the tool or its cutting edge/s during machining, or the machining module is adapted to receive a honing tool and is adapted to adjust the honing tool during machining, the machining module is adapted to receive a honing tool and is adapted to adjust honing stones of the honing tool during machining and to signal data on a current diameter of the honing tool via the data transmission module to the control of the CNC machine so as to trigger termination of a honing process by the control when a programmed production dimension is reached.

5. An adjustment head according to claim 1, in which an adjustment of the tool or its cutting edge/s in the machining module is to be effected electrically, for example by means of an electric motor or a piezo drive, or an adjustment of the tool or its cutting edge/s in the machining module is to be effected hydraulically by means of a pressurised fluid, wherein an adjustment of the tool or its cutting edge/s is to be effected by the fluid.

6. An adjustment head according to claim 1, wherein in the variant of hydraulic adjustment of the tool or its cutting edge/s data transmitted from the control of the CNC machine to the data transmission module serves to control a fluid valve in order to effect, together with an integrated displacement measurement module, an adjustment of the tool or its cutting edge/s in accordance with the data from the control of the CNC machine during the cutting operation.

7. An adjustment head according to claim 1, wherein the data transmission module is arranged and intended to signal raw data signals or process status signals from the adjustment head to the control of the CNC machine.

8. An adjustment head according to claim 1, in which at least one sensor is provided in the machining module, adapted and intended to detect operating parameters of one or more cutting edges of a tool located in the machining module, for example temperature, vibration, tool cutting condition or cutting force of the tool or its cutting edge/s, etc., and to signal them via the data transmission module as a raw data signal or as a process status signal to the control of the CNC machine.

9. A variable displacement head according to claim 1, wherein a turbine is provided in the power supply module, which is to be set in rotation by means of a pressurised (cooling) fluid, wherein the turbine is operatively coupled to a generator, which supplies converted energy to a battery and/or capacitor for intermediate storage.

10. An adjustment head according to claim 1, in which cumulatively or alternatively to the data transmission module, an interface module is provided which is intended and set up to detect and process one or more manual inputs by means of a contacting or non-contacting external transmitter in the form of an actuating pin, a light or sound source, a permanent or electromagnet, or the like, in order to effect a signalling to the machining module in the sense of a (line) adjustment of the tool or its cutting edge/s, the assumption of a (retracted or extended) end position, a predefined nominal position, or the like.

11. An adjustment head according to claim 1, in which the interface module has an optical, acoustic and/or haptic output unit for feedback of an input that has been made, and is intended and set up for triggering different positioning sequences of a tool located in the processing module or of its cutting edge/s depending on the respective input by corresponding control of the actuator in the form of an electric motor, piezo drive, fluid valve or the like to trigger an adjustment of the located tool or its cutting edge/s.

12. An adjustment head according to claim 1, wherein the data transmission module and the interface module are arranged and intended to receive an activation and/or message of the adjustment head for selectively effecting a manual adjustment or an adjustment predetermined via a wireless data link of a tool or its cutting edge/s located in the machining module.

13. A CNC machine comprising a machining room set up and intended to machine a workpiece (WS) with at least one tool accommodated in a spindle of the CNC machine, the spindle and the workpiece (WS) being movable relative to one another under the control of a CNC control, the or one of the spindles also being set up and intended to accommodate a measuring probe, which is configured and intended to to scan the workpiece (WS) in a contacting or non-contacting manner and to output corresponding measuring signals wirelessly for communication between the measuring probe and a base station connected to a controller of the CNC machine or to a control computer, and wherein the spindle is also configured and intended as a tool for machining the workpiece (WS), an adjustment head which is also configured and intended for wireless communication with the base station, wherein the adjustment head preferably comprises the features of claim 1.

14. A base station for use in a machining space of a CNC machine connected to a control of the CNC machine or to a control computer, and which is set up and intended for machining a workpiece (WS) with at least one tool accommodated in a spindle of the CNC machine, wherein the or one of the spindles is also set up and intended for accommodating a measuring probe which is set up and intended to scan the workpiece (WS) contactless or tactile and to output corresponding measuring signals wirelessly to the base station, and wherein the or one of the spindles is also set up and intended for accommodating as a tool for machining the workpiece (WS), an adjustment head which is also intended and arranged for wireless communication with the base station, wherein the adjustment head preferably comprises the features of claim 1.

15. A method for adjustment of the tool or its cutting edge/s in the machining module of an adjustment head having one or more features of claim 1, wherein, during chip-removing machining of a workpiece by means of a tool located in the machining module, wear occurring on the cutting edge/s of the tool is offset against tool data, present in the CNC control, of the tool located in the machining module, and the CNC control compensates for the occurring wear of the cutting edge/s of the tool by corresponding correction of the position of the cutting edge/s of the tool during machining of the workpiece.

16. The method for adjustment the tool or its cutting edge/s in the machining module of an adjustment head according to claim 15, in which an actual dimension on the workpiece is detected by means of a sensing or measuring head, a correction value is determined in the CNC control on the basis of the actual dimension and a deviation determined from the nominal dimension of the workpiece, which is provided to the adjustment head, and an adjustment of the tool or its cutting edge/s is triggered by corresponding control of the actuator, the correction value being communicated to the adjustment head via a data link and being stored in the data memory of the adjustment head.

17. The method for adjustment of the tool or its cutting edge/s in the machining module of an adjustment head according to claim 15, in which a zero position and a current position of the cutting edge/s of the tool are stored in a data memory of the adjustment head, and in a teach-in step the information “zero position” and “current position of the cutting edge/s of the tool stored in the adjustment head are exchanged with the CNC control by the data transmission module.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] Further objectives, features, advantages and possible applications result from the following description of some embodiments and associated drawings. In this context, all the features described and/or illustrated constitute the object disclosed here, either individually or in any combination, also irrespective of their combination in the description or the drawings, or their grouping in the claims or their references.

[0060] FIG. 1a, 1b schematically illustrate a working space of a CNC machine with a measuring probe and an adjustment head, which are both accommodated one after the other in the same spindle of the CNC machine.

[0061] FIG. 1c schematically illustrates a working space of a CNC machine with a measuring probe and an adjustment head, both of which are simultaneously accommodated in different spindles of the CNC machine.

[0062] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a variant of an adjustment head of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0063] FIG. 1a, 1b schematically illustrate a machining centre in the form of a CNC machine 110 with a working or machining space 112 in which a spindle 114 is machining (milling, drilling or the like) a clamped workpiece WS during operation of the machining centre. The machining centre has a CNC control 140. Here, the spindle 114 is movable and drivable in three orthogonal directions X, Y, Z within the machine space 112 of the machining centre—relative to the workpiece WS. In a machining centre with one spindle, work can be performed on the workpiece WS as shown here and measured in alternation. In the situation shown here, a measuring probe 120 and an adjustment head 100 are alternately inserted into the spindle 114 by an automatic tool changer, which is not further illustrated, and are prompted by the CNC control 140, in order to measure or machine the machined workpiece WS.

[0064] The measuring probe 120 shown here functions by contact; it detects a (workpiece) surface when it comes into contact with it. For each detected feature, the tactile probe 120 emits corresponding measuring signals. Such a tactile probe of the applicant is disclosed, for example, in DE 102 62 188 A1, the contents of which are referred to here. Communication between the measuring probe 120 and a base station 130 arranged in the engine room 112 takes place wirelessly either by optical signals or by radio signals. Measuring signals are output from the measuring probe 120 to the base station 130, and control commands are output from the base station 130 to the measuring probe 120.

[0065] FIG. 1c schematically illustrates a machining centre in the form of a CNC machine 110 with a working or machining space 112 in which two spindles 114, 116 are machining (milling, drilling, or the like) a clamped workpiece WS during operation of the machining centre. The machining centre has a CNC control 140. The two spindles 114, 116 are here movable and drivable in three orthogonal directions X, Y, Z within the machining space 112 of the machining centre relative to the workpiece WS. In a machining centre with two spindles, for example, two workpieces can be machined simultaneously, or both spindles can work on the workpiece WS simultaneously, as shown here. In the situation shown here, a measuring probe 120 and an adjustment head 100 have already been inserted into the respective spindle 116, 114 by an automatic tool changer, which is not shown further, and which is initiated by the CNC control 140, in order to measure or machine the machined workpiece WS.

[0066] The measuring probe 120 shown here also functions by contact; it corresponds to the measuring probe from FIG. 1b.

[0067] Details of the procedure for signal transmission between the one, here illustrated, or here not further illustrated, several measuring probe(s) 120 and the stationary base station 130 are also disclosed in a variant in DE 10 2013 008 182 A1 of the applicant, the contents of which are referred to here. With the signal transmission procedure described there, it is possible for several components to use the same wireless transmission channel. If the transmission channel is an (infrared) light path, the measuring probes 120 use light signals of the same wavelength and modulation schemes. If the transmission channel is a radio link, for example in an ISM band (e.g. 2.4 GHz), the measuring probes 120 use the same carrier frequencies and modulation schemes. This makes it possible for the measuring probes 120 to communicate with one and the same stationary base station 130 via the transmission channel.

[0068] As explained above, a workpiece WS is to be machined with the CNC machine 110, more precisely with a tool received in a spindle 114 of the CNC machine. The spindle 114 and the workpiece are movable relative to each other, controlled by a CNC control 140. The or one of the spindles 114, 116 may also receive a probe 120. The probe 120 illustrated in FIG. 1 is used to contact-sense the workpiece WS and to wirelessly output corresponding measurement signals for communication between the probe 120 and the base station 130 connected to the controller 140 of the CNC machine 110. The or one of the spindles 114, 116 accommodates an adjustment head 100 as a tool for machining the workpiece WS. This adjustment head 100, or other adjustment heads 100 not illustrated here, is also intended and arranged for wireless communication with the base station 130. The adjustment head 100 preferably has one or more of the features explained below.

[0069] The base station 130 is connected to a controller 140 of the CNC machine 110 or a control computer. The base station 130 is used to communicate with at least one probe 120 received in a spindle 114, 116 of the CNC machine 110 and to communicate alternately or (quasi-)simultaneously with an adjustment head 100 also received in a spindle 114, 116 of the CNC machine 110.

[0070] The adjustment head 100 illustrated schematically in FIG. 1 in a situation of use comprises, as illustrated in more detail in FIG. 2, a roughly circular-cylindrical base body which is divided into a first function module 150 and a second function module 160, the first function module 150 being divided into a power supply module 152 and a data transmission module 154. The second function module 160 has a machining module 162 for receiving at least one tool. The machining module 162 has a tool adjustment device 164 for adjustment the tool in a radial direction based on inputs from the CNC controller. The power supply module has batteries 158, and supplies electrical power to components of the adjustment head 100, i.e., the data transfer module 154, the tool adjustment device 164, and other components of the adjustment head 100 described in further detail below.

[0071] The data communication module 154 is capable of, programmed for, and arranged to exchange information regarding at least the movement of tooling received in the adjustment head with the base station 130 of the probe 120 or a bore gauge in the working space 121 of the CNC machine 110 with the controller 140 of the CNC machine 110. In other words, both the adjustment head 100 and the measuring probe 120 or a bore plug gauge (not shown in more detail) in the working space 121 of the CNC machine 110 communicate bidirectionally with the control 140 of the CNC machine 110 via the base station 130. For this purpose, the adjustment head 100 uses infrared transmitter/receiver diodes 182 evenly distributed along the circumference of the data transmission module 154, via which the data transmission module 154 communicates with corresponding infrared transmitter/receiver diodes of the base station 130. Thus, the wireless bidirectional infrared interface 180b is implemented. This is implemented by wireless bidirectional radio interface 180a in another variant not shown.

[0072] More specifically, the data transmission module 154 of the adjustment head 100 sends to the base station 130, and through it to the control 140 of the CNC machine 110, the information concerning, among other things, the adjustment of the tool 170 housed in the adjustment head 100 via the wireless bidirectional infrared interface 180b shown in Figs. In addition, the data transmission module 154 of the adjustment head 100 receives information or commands (path/angle information for one/all cutting edges of the tool 170) for adjustment the tool 170 accommodated in the adjustment head 100 from the control 140 of the CNC machine 110 via the base station 130.

[0073] In one variation of the adjustment head, the power supply module 152 and the data transmission module 154 have a first section of an integrated coolant channel 155 for passing coolant, and the machining module 162 has a second section of an integrated coolant channel 165 leading to at least one machining location of the machining module 162. An integrated displacement measurement module 200 in the machining module 162 is used to detect the displacement of the tool 170 in the machining module 162.

[0074] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the cutting position of a tool 170 located in the machining module 162 can be changed electrically, in this case by means of a piezo drive 210. The extent of the change is determined by a command from the CNC control 140, which is transmitted via the base station 130 and the wireless bidirectional infrared interface 180b to the data transmission module 154 of the adjustment head 100. There, the command is converted into corresponding control signals for the piezo drive 210, resulting in the adjustment of the alignment of the cutting edges 170a, 170b. The integrated displacement measurement module 200 in the machining module 162 detects the adjustment of the tool 170 in the machining module 162 and signals the corresponding values through the data transmission module 154 of the adjustment head 100 via the wireless bidirectional infrared interface 180b back to the CNC control 140 via the base station 130.

[0075] In a variant not further illustrated, the tool or its cutting edge/s in the machining module 162 is adjusted hydraulically by means of a pressurised cooling fluid. The fluid can be used indirectly or directly to adjust the tool 170 or its cutting edge/s 170a, 170b.

[0076] The integrated displacement measurement module 200 in the machining module 162 performs its measurements on the position of the cutting edges or the tool. For particularly precise control of the geometry of the cutting edges, the condition of the cutting edges and other machining parameters, one or more sensors for detecting operating parameters of the cutting edge/s of the tool 170 located in the machining module 162 may be provided in addition to or instead of the integrated displacement measurement module 200 in the machining module 162. These include sensors 212 for sensing temperature, vibration, condition of the cutting edge of the tool, for example by sensing the required cutting force/forces. The data transmission module 154 receives the signals from these sensors 212 and sends them as raw data signals or as process status signals through the data transmission module 154 of the adjustment head 100 via the bidirectional infrared interface 180b to the CNC control 140 via the base station 130.

[0077] In variants of the adjustment head 100 according to FIGS. 1 and 2, an interface module 240 is provided cumulatively to the data transmission module 154 in order to detect and process manual inputs provided by an external encoder in the form of a magnetic actuation pin MAG with several sensors, for example in the form of contact points 240a . . . d. Based on these inputs, a signal is sent to the machining module 162 in the sense of a (fine) adjustment of the cutting edge/s of the tool 170 located in the machining module 162, the assumption of a (retracted or extended) end position, a predefined set position stored in a data memory of the adjustment head 100, or the like. In the variant shown, several contact points 240a d are provided, each of which triggers the execution of a predefined command when the magnetic actuation pin MAG approaches. These commands can be sent from the CNC control 140 via the base station 130 to the data transmission module 154 of the adjustment head 100. There they are stored in the data memory. Alternatively or additionally, when the magnet actuating pin MAG approaches the respective one of the contact points 240a . . . d, corresponding functions can be executed or values, e.g. positioning positions of the tool 170 or its cutter(s) 170a, 170b can be called or changed. These respective executed functions or values are also output on a display 244.

[0078] Thus, depending on the selected sequence of the respective contact points 240a . . . d, different positioning sequences can be started, for example, in order to manually approach a target position of the tool 170 or its cutting edge/s 170a, 170b. Ultimately, with the aid of the interface module, different positioning sequences of a tool or its cutting edge/s 170a, 170b located in the processing module can be effected according to the respective manual input, independently of or in addition to the control by the wireless bidirectional radio or infrared interface 180 via the base station 130 by corresponding control of the actuator (electric motor, piezo drive or fluid valve).

[0079] These manually activatable functions can also be performed on the adjustment head 100 in the CNC machine by wireless transmission of a corresponding correction value. For example, if the activation of the adjustment head 100 by a magnetic pin MAG is detected at the corresponding contact point 240a . . . d, the adjustment head 100 is activated. However, the wireless bidirectional radio or infrared interface 180 remains deactivated. Through the contactless interaction with the magnetic pin MAG, the desired target position of the tool 170 or its cutting edge/s 170a, 170b can be approached.

[0080] The adjustment head 100 presented here is a battery-operated motorised adjustable fine adjustment head which allows both manual adjustment and adjustment of the tool 170 or its cutting edge/s 170a, 170b specified via a wireless data link.

[0081] This makes presetting devices with additional hardware superfluous. This eliminates acquisition, follow-up and maintenance costs.

[0082] In the case of the adjustment head 100 shown here, the interface module has an LED(-array) as an output unit for feedback of a completed input.

[0083] In order to adjust the tool 170 or its cutting edge/s 170a, b in the machining module of the adjustment head, wear of the cutting edge/s of the tool occurring during machining of a workpiece by means of the adjustment head 100 is calculated with tool data of the tool located in the machining module available in the CNC control. The method for automatic correction of the cutting edge wear provides that the deviation from the nominal dimension of the machined workpiece determined by a measuring probe (or a measuring head) causes an adjustment of the cutting edge/s of the tool 170 by providing a correction value determined on the CNC control to the adjustment head. In this way, further machining leads to dimensional accuracy of the workpiece. The correction value is communicated to the adjustment head via a data link. The CNC control calculates the correction value, which is then communicated to the adjustment head and stored there in the memory. Measuring and correcting does not necessarily have to take place during the machining of one and the same workpiece. In series production, a workpiece dimension is thus kept within very narrow tolerance limits even for identical workpieces produced one after the other.

[0084] The CNC control then compensates for wear of the cutting edge/s of the tool occurring during machining of the workpiece by correcting the position of the cutting edge/s of the tool accordingly. For this purpose, corresponding commands are sent from the CNC control 140 to the adjustment head 100 via the wireless interface 130, and the latter supplies measurement data to the CNC control 140 in the opposite direction.

[0085] To adjust the tool or its cutting edge/s in the machining module of the adjustment head 100, a zero position and a current position of the cutting edge/s of the tool are stored in a data memory of the adjustment head. During a teach-in step, the information “zero position” and “current position of the cutting edge/s of the tool” stored in the data memory of the adjustment head 100 are transmitted to the CNC control by the data transmission module.

[0086] The variants of the method and the device described above are merely intended to provide a better understanding of the structure, the mode of operation and the properties of the solution presented; they do not limit the disclosure to the variants. The Figs. are schematic, with essential features and effects shown, in some cases significantly enlarged, to illustrate the functions, operating principles, technical embodiments and features. In this context, any mode of operation, principle, technical design and feature(s) disclosed in the Fig. or in the text may be freely and arbitrarily combined with all claims, any feature in the text and in the other Fig., other modes of operation, principles, technical designs and features contained in or resulting from this disclosure, so that all conceivable combinations are to be attributed to the described solution. Combinations between all individual embodiments in the text, i.e. in each section of the description, in the claims and also combinations between different variants in the text, in the claims and in the Figs. are also included.

[0087] The device and process details explained above are shown in context; however, they can also be used independently of each other and freely combined with each other. The relationships of the individual parts and sections thereof to each other and their dimensions and proportions shown in Fig. are not to be understood as restrictive. Rather, individual dimensions and proportions may also deviate from those shown.

[0088] The claims also do not limit the disclosure and thus the possible combinations of all the features disclosed. All the features disclosed are also explicitly disclosed here individually and in combination with all the other features.