Machine tool having a tool spindle

Abstract

A machine tool is provided with two vertically oriented tool spindles that are arranged to hold tools and that are movable vertically in a first direction and horizontally in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. Furthermore, the machine tool is provided with two workpiece support devices for clamping workpieces in place. At least one of the two workpiece support devices is movable horizontally in a third direction orthogonal to the first and the second direction. The two tool spindles and the two workpiece support devices are mounted on a common machine frame with a common working space, wherein the two tool spindles are movable parallel to one another in the second direction. The two tool spindles are facing one another.

Claims

1. A machine tool, comprising: a vertically oriented tool spindle, the tool spindle being movable vertically in a first direction and horizontally in a second direction, which is orthogonal to the first direction, a workpiece support device configured to support and clamp workpieces to be machined, a tool change magazine that is arranged in a stationary manner, a tool storage magazine that is arranged in a stationary manner, the tool storage magazine and the tool change magazine being arranged one above the other, a transfer device adjacent to the tool change magazine and the tool storage magazine, the transfer device being arranged to transfer tools between the tool change magazine and the tool storage magazine, and wherein the tool spindle and the workpiece support device are mounted on a machine frame that defines a working space, wherein the tool change magazine comprises a respective inner end and a respective outer end that are spaced away from one another in the second direction, the inner end being permanently arranged in the working space, so that accessibility for the tool spindle for a pickup tool change is provided, wherein the tool change magazine and the tool storage magazine are associated with the tool spindle, wherein the transfer device is arranged externally to the footprint of the machine frame so as to be disposed completely outside of the working space, wherein the tool storage magazine comprises a respective inner end and a respective outer end that are spaced away from one another in the second direction, and wherein the tool change magazine and the tool storage magazine are offset at their respective inner ends in the second direction so that only the tool change magazine is accessible to the tool spindle for the pickup tool change.

2. The machine tool of claim 1, wherein the workpiece support device is movable horizontally in a third direction, which is orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction.

3. The machine tool of claim 2, further comprising a guide that extends in the third direction on the machine frame, and wherein the workpiece support device is mounted on the guide.

4. The machine tool of claim 1, wherein a virtual straight line, which is oriented parallel to the vertically-extending first direction, extends through the tool change magazine and the tool storage magazine.

5. The machine tool of claim 1, wherein the machine frame has a portal beam that extends in the second direction, and wherein the tool spindle is mounted on the portal beam.

6. The machine tool of claim 5, wherein the machine frame has a base plate and an end wall, and wherein the portal beam is formed at the end wall.

7. The machine tool of claim 1, wherein the workpiece support device has a pivot axis.

8. The machine tool of claim 1, wherein the tool change magazine projects with its respective outer end out of the working space in the second direction.

9. The machine tool of claim 1, wherein the tool storage magazine is arranged above the tool change magazine.

10. The machine tool of claim 9, wherein the inner end of the tool storage magazine faces the working space, and wherein the inner end of the tool change magazine is in the second direction offset from the inner end of the tool storage magazine and protrudes into the working space.

11. The machine tool of claim 10, wherein the inner end of the tool storage magazine is set back in the second direction with respect to the inner end of the tool change magazine.

12. The machine tool of claim 1, wherein transfer device is arranged outside the working space and, in the second direction, adjacent to the machine frame.

13. The machine tool of claim 1, wherein for each of the tool change magazine and the tool storage magazine a respective separate casing is provided.

14. The machine tool of claim 13, wherein the tool change magazine and the tool storage magazine form a pair of magazines.

15. A machine tool, comprising: a vertically oriented tool spindle, the tool spindle being movable vertically in a first direction and horizontally in a second direction, which is orthogonal to the first direction, a workpiece support device configured to support and clamp workpieces to be machined, at least one tool change magazine configured to change tools, the at least one tool change magazine being arranged in a stationary manner, at least one tool storage magazine that is arranged above the at least one tool change magazine such that a virtual straight line, which is oriented parallel to the vertically-extending first direction, extends through the at least one tool change magazine and the at least one tool storage magazine, and at least one transfer device adjacent to the at least one tool change magazine and the at least one tool storage magazine, the at least one transfer device being arranged to transfer tools between the at least one tool change magazine and the at least one tool storage magazine, wherein the workpiece support device is movable horizontally in a third direction, which is orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, wherein the tool spindle and the workpiece support device are mounted on a common machine frame that defines a working space, wherein the machine frame has a portal beam that extends in the second direction, wherein the tool spindle is mounted on the portal beam, wherein the machine frame has a base plate and an end wall, wherein the portal beam is formed at the end wall, wherein the at least one tool change magazine comprises an inner end and an outer end, the inner end and the outer end spaced away from one another in the second direction, wherein the inner end is permanently arranged in the working space and the outer end projects out of the working space, wherein the at least one tool storage magazine comprises an inner end and an outer end, the inner end and the outer end spaced away from one another in the second direction, wherein the at least one tool change magazine and the at least one tool storage magazine are offset at their respective inner ends in the second direction so that only the at least one tool change magazine is accessible to the tool spindle for a tool change in accordance with a pickup method, and wherein the at least one transfer device is arranged externally to the footprint of the machine frame so as to be disposed completely outside of the working space.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further features and advantages of the disclosure are disclosed by the following description of a plurality of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a machine tool;

(3) FIG. 2 is a sectional illustration of the machine tool of FIG. 1, as seen along the line II-II in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective top view of the machine tool of FIG. 1, wherein the tool change magazine and tool storage magazine, which are omitted in FIGS. 1 and 2 for clarity reasons, are shown; and

(5) FIG. 4 shows, in an illustration similar to the arrangement of FIG. 3, an embodiment of a machine tool with casing walls that delimit a machining space within the working space.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(6) FIG. 1 shows a side view, which is not necessarily true to scale, of a machine tool 10, which has an upwardly open, U-shaped machine frame 11. The individual components of the machine tool 10 are indicated merely schematically. It is to be noted in this context that it is not necessarily the specific particular design but rather the general layout, arrangement and interaction that may contribute to potential advantages that are realized with the structure of the machine tool 10 in accordance with at least some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. However, this shall not be understood to be limiting.

(7) The machine frame 11 comprises a base plate 12, from which two end walls 14, 15 protrude vertically, at each of the upper ends 16, 17 of which a portal beam 18, 19 is arranged. The base plate 12, end walls 14, 15, and portal beams 18, 19 are either formed integrally with one another or manufactured as separate components and subsequently connected firmly together, for example bonded together.

(8) Mounted on the portal beam 18 is a spindle head 21, which supports a rotatable tool spindle 22, that is, a tool spindle 22 which is rotatable about a spindle axis and in which a tool 23 has been clamped in place. Also arranged on the portal beam 19 is a spindle head 24 that supports a tool spindle 25 which is rotatable about a spindle axis and in which a tool 26 has been clamped in place.

(9) The tools 23 and 26 serve to machine workpieces 27 and 28 that have been clamped in place in schematically illustrated devices 29 and 31, which can turn the workpieces 27 and 28 about their longitudinal axes in a generally known manner for positioning and/or setting them in rotation for machining by turning. This is not to be understood to be limiting.

(10) The tool spindles 22 and 25 and the devices 29 and 31 are arranged in a common working space 32 that is enclosed by the machine frame 11. In the working space 32, the tools 23, 26 and the workpieces 27, 28 are moved in order in this way to be able to machine the workpieces 27, 28 and transfer them between the devices 29, 31, and to be able to change the tools 23, 26.

(11) To this end, the tool spindles 22 and 25 are movable on the portal beams 18, 19, extending parallel to one another, in a first direction 33 via the spindle heads 21 and 24, respectively, said first direction 33 extending vertically and being identified generally as the Z-axis.

(12) Furthermore, the tool spindles 22 and 25 are movable on the portal beams 18, 19 in a second, horizontal direction 34, orthogonal to the first direction 33, via the spindle heads 21, 24, said second direction 34 being identified generally as the Y-axis and extending perpendicularly into the plane of the drawing in FIG. 1.

(13) The two tool spindles 22, 25 are spaced apart from one another in a third direction 35 that is orthogonal to the first and second directions 33, 34 and is identified generally as the X-axis and extends horizontally.

(14) The spindle heads 21 and 24 are located opposite to one another in a “head-to-head” manner in the direction 35.

(15) Shown at the top left of FIG. 1 is a coordinate system 36, which indicates the orientation of the directions 33, 34 and 35. The coordinate system 36 is also illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4.

(16) An opening 37 is provided in the end wall 14 and an opening 38 is provided in the end wall 15. The opening 37 serves to feed an unmachined workpiece 27, while the opening 38 serves to transport a finished workpiece 28 away.

(17) The workpieces 27, 28 are fed and transported away in a basically conventional manner.

(18) It should also be mentioned that the two devices 29 and 31 are movable in the third direction 35, for which purpose guides 39 and 41, of which only the guide 39 can be seen in FIG. 1, are arranged on the base plate 12.

(19) FIG. 2 shows a sectional illustration of the machine tool 10 in FIG. 1 as seen along the line II-II in FIG. 1.

(20) In FIG. 2, first of all the two guides 39, 41 for the device 29 can be seen, with which said device 29 can be moved in the third direction 35. The device 31 also travels on the guides 39, 41.

(21) The device 29 has a spindle 42 with which the workpiece 27 can be turned or rotated about its longitudinal axis. The spindle 42 is mounted, in a manner pivotable about a pivot axis 43, on two side plates 44, 45, via which the entire device 29 is movable in the third direction 35 along the guides 39, 41. The pivot axis 43 is oriented parallel to the second direction 34.

(22) It is also apparent from FIG. 2 that the portal beam 18 extends in the second direction 34 and has a guide 46 on which the spindle head 21 can be moved in the second direction 34.

(23) As mentioned above, the spindle head 21 is also movable in the first direction 33. Arrows 47 and 48 indicate the movability of the spindle head 21 in the second direction 34 and in the first direction 33.

(24) It goes without saying that the spindle head 24 is mounted on the portal beam 19 in a movable manner in the same way as the spindle head 21 on the portal beam 18.

(25) Furthermore, the device 31 is constructed and movable and pivotable in the same way as the device 29. Thus, the two devices 29, 31 run on the guides 39, 41 such that partially machined workpieces 27 can be transferred between them.

(26) In FIG. 1, numeral 49 indicates the spindle of the device 31, with which the workpiece 28 can be turned and set in rotation. Furthermore, the pivot axis of the device 31 is shown at 51 in FIG. 1.

(27) A workpiece that has been introduced through the opening 37 into the working space 32 and has been clamped in place in the spindle 42 of the device 29 is machined, using the tool 23 that has been clamped in place in the tool spindle 22, until all of the sides and faces that project out of the spindle 42 have been machined. To this end, the device 29 is moved in the third direction 35 and its spindle 42 optionally pivoted about the pivot axis 43.

(28) When the partial machining of the workpiece 27 has been concluded, the device 29 travels in the direction towards the device 31 and/or the device 31 travels in the direction towards the device 29, whereupon the workpiece 27 is clamped in place in the spindle 49 and is available there as a partially machined workpiece 28 for further machining.

(29) As a result of the device 39 being moved in the third direction 35 and/or of the spindle 49 being pivoted about the pivot axis 43, the partially machined workpiece 28 is now presented to the tool 26 in the tool spindle 25 such that all of the sides and faces that have not yet been machined can be finished.

(30) When the workpiece 28 has been finished, the spindle 49 pivots about the pivot axis 51 through about 180° such that the workpiece 28 can be removed or unloaded in a suitable manner through the opening 38.

(31) Since the workpieces 28, 27 require complex machining, two tools 23, 26 are not enough for machining, for which purpose tool magazines are provided, as will now be described in conjunction with FIG. 3.

(32) FIG. 3 shows the machine tool 10 from FIGS. 1 and 2 in a perspective view from above, wherein the same reference signs indicate identical design features.

(33) It is apparent from FIG. 3 that each spindle head 21, 24 has been assigned a tool change magazine 53, 54, which is arranged with its inner end 55, 56 permanently in the working space 32, while with its outer end 57, 58 it is arranged next to the machine frame 11 in the second direction 34, that is, it protrudes laterally out of the working space 32.

(34) In each tool change magazine 53, 54, a plurality of tools 23, 26 are kept available in a manner known per se in what are known as magazine positions, which can be moved within a tool change magazine 53, 54 such that they are available at the inner end 55, 56 for the tool change.

(35) As a result of the spindle heads 21, 24 being moved in the second direction 34 and the first direction 33, this again being indicated by the arrows 47, 48, the respective tool spindle 22, 25 can approach the inner end 55, 56 of the tool change magazine 53 or 54, respectively, and, using the pickup method, deposit tools 23, 26 in free magazine positions there and take new tools 23, 26 from occupied magazine positions.

(36) Depending on the need for tools 23, 26 to be stored and the dimensions thereof, the tool change magazines 53, 54 can have different dimensions.

(37) If the number of tools becomes very high, however, a tool storage magazine 59, 61 may be arranged above each tool change magazine 53, 54, wherein said tool storage magazine 59, 61 is arranged in the first direction 33 between the respective tool change magazine 53, 54 and portal beam 18, 19.

(38) Provided in the tool storage magazine 59, 61 are further tools, which cannot be exchanged directly with the tool spindles 22, 25, however, but have to be transferred into the tool change magazine 53 or 54, respectively, for this purpose.

(39) This transfer takes place using transfer devices 62, 63, which are arranged outside the working space 32 next to the machine frame 11 in the second direction 34 such that they can transfer tools 23, 26 between the tool storage magazines 59, 61 and the tool change magazine 53, 54.

(40) Each tool storage magazine 59, 61 has an inner end 64, 65, which is set back in the second direction 34 with respect to the inner end 55, 56 of the tool change magazine 53, 54 located therebeneath, respectively, such that the magazines 53 and 59, and 54 and 61 are each arranged in a terraced manner. In this way, each tool change magazine 53, 54 located under the tool storage magazines 59, 61 can be approached at its inner end 55 or 56, respectively, by the tool spindles 22, 25 for a tool change using the pickup method.

(41) It should also be noted that each tool change magazine 55, 54 and each tool storage magazine 59, 61 can have its own casing, this being identified by the reference sign 66 for all four magazines 53, 54, 59, 61. However, it is also possible to provide a common casing for the tool storage magazine 59 and the tool change magazine 55, and for the tool storage magazine 61 and the tool change magazine 54, respectively. The casings serve to protect the operating personnel and are intended to collect dripping coolant.

(42) Because the tool storage magazines 59, 61 are arranged above the tool change magazines 53, 54, and the tool change takes place only at the lower tool change magazines 53, 54, the stroke in the first and the second direction 33, 34 that a spindle head 21, 24 has to carry out in order to be disengaged from the workpiece 27, 28 currently being machined and to approach the tool change position is very small, such that the machine tool 10 requires only a short Z- and a short Y-axis mechanism, which moves the respective spindle head 21, 24 in the direction of the first or second direction 33 or 34, respectively.

(43) The arrangement of the four magazines 53, 54, 59, 61 transversely to the third direction 35 results overall in a very compact machine tool, which is extremely rigid due to the portal design, wherein the rigidity is increased further by the short dimensions in all three directions 33, 34, 35.

(44) The spindle heads 21, 24 move only in the first direction 33 and the second direction 34, while the relative movement between the tool 23, 26 and workpiece 27, 28 in the third direction 35 is realized by the devices 29, 31.

(45) This means that the spindle heads 21, 24 are not prone to tilting movements because they are not also moved in the third direction 35. This, too, contributes to the stiffness of the machine tool 10.

(46) Furthermore, no X-axis mechanism with a separate drive is required for the tool spindles, resulting in a reduction in the moved masses. This allows higher dynamics.

(47) Due to the high rigidity and the high dynamics of the machine tool 10, rapid travel movements both of the spindle heads 21, 24 and of the devices 29, 31 are possible without this resulting in precision problems or problems in the reproducibility of machining.

(48) Conversely, this means that the workpieces 27, 28 can be machined very quickly with the machine tool 10 and tools 23, 26 can be changed very quickly.

(49) Due to the short paths between the devices 29, 31, the partially machined workpieces 27 can also be transferred very quickly into the second device 31, such that, as a whole, the time required for the overall machining of a workpiece 27, 28 is very small, and so the entire machining time for a workpiece 27, 28 is very short.

(50) In order to protect the environment and operating personnel from flying chips and spraying coolant, it is possible—as illustrated in FIG. 4—for a machining space 73, in which the machining of the workpieces 27, 28 with the tools 23, 26 takes place, within the common working space 32 to be separated off by schematically indicated casing walls 71.

(51) In a manner similar to the casing wall 71, the machining space 73 is likewise separated off by a casing wall 71, which is not illustrated in FIG. 4, on its side remote from the magazines 53, 54, 59, 61.

(52) These casing walls 71 extend in the first and the third direction 33, 35.

(53) The front casing wall 71 in FIG. 4 has a door 74, through which the spindle head 21 can be retracted from the machining space 73 such that a tool change at the inner end of the tool change magazine 53 is possible. In the casing 66 of the tool change magazine 53, it is possible, for this purpose, for an opening that is optionally closable by a flap to be provided, through which it is possible to access the magazine positions—which are empty or fitted with tools 23, 26—in the interior of the tool change magazine 53.

(54) For the spindle head 24, a corresponding door—which is not shown in FIG. 4, however—is provided in the casing wall 71.

(55) Between the spindle heads 21, 24, a further casing wall 72 is indicated in the machining space 73, said further casing wall 72 extending in the first and second directions 33, 34. The casing wall 72 prevents chips that are produced during machining by one of the two spindle heads 21, 24 and coolant that is employed from passing into the working region of the other spindle head 24, 21.

(56) Also provided in the casing wall 72 is a door—not apparent in FIG. 4—which is opened when one or both of the devices 29, 31 is moved in the third direction 35, in order to transfer or receive workpieces 27, 28.

(57) Alternatively, the casing walls 71 can also be far enough apart from one another in the second direction 34 for the machining space 73 to correspond to the working space 32 at least in the second direction 34. At least the—lower—tool change magazines 53, 54 then project with their inner ends 55, 56 through the casing walls 71 into the working space 32, such that the tool change can take place there using the pickup method.

(58) In order to protect the mechanism of the tool change magazine 53, 54 and the stored tools 23, 26 from chips and coolant, an access opening can again be provided in the casing 66, said access opening being opened up by a flap when a tool change is intended to take place.