Machine tools abstract
Multiple operator station (1) for machine tools designed in particular
for chip removal along several axes, comprises several operator
units (345) suitable for coupling with a tool or a workpiece,
these operator units (345) being fitted on a bearing structure
(2) that is curved in shape with the concave part facing downwards,
and positioned in such a way that below the zone (6) in which the
part is positioned during machining, there are no functional parts
of the machine subject to movement of one part in relation to another.
Machine tools claims
What is claimed is:
1. A multiple operator station for machine tools with chip removal
from a workpiece by at least one of turning, milling and grinding
operations along several axes, the operator station comprising:
a bearing structure having a first vertical side and a second vertical
side joined together by an intermediate third side; said first,
second and third sides extending in respective planes which are
one of parallel and coplanar; said first, second and third sides
being structured and arranged to form a concave open portion facing
downwardly away from said third side;
a first guide journal attached to said first side and extending
in the direction of a first axis; a second guide journal attached
to said second side and extending in the direction of a second axis;
and a third guide journal attached to said third side and extending
in the direction of a third axis; said first, second and third axis
being perpendicular to said first, second and third side, respectively;
said first and second guide journal being movable relative to said
first and second surface, respectively, in a direction perpendicular
to said first and second sides, respectively; said third guide journal
being rotatable relative to said third axis;
a first operator unit comprising a first spindle extending in a
first direction of a first spindle axis, said first operator unit
being attached to said first guide journal; a second operator unit
comprising a second spindle extending in a second direction of a
second spindle axis, said second operator unit being attached to
said second guide journal; and a third operator unit comprising
a third spindle extending in a third direction, said third operator
unit being attached to said third guide journal; said first, second
and third spindle being rotatable relative to and movable in the
direction of, said first, second and third spindle axis, respectively;
said first, second and third spindle being structured and arranged
for coupling one of a tool and a workpiece holder to a respective
first, second and third spindle end; and said first, second and
third spindle end being spaced from each other to provide a work
zone adjacent said concave open portion.
2. The multiple operator station according to claim 1 wherein
the bearing structure is curved in shape and has a C-profile.
3. The multiple operator station according to claim 2 wherein
each of the first, second and third spindle is structured and arranged
to rotate at a preset speed.
4. The multiple operator station according to claim 1 wherein
each of the first, second and third spindle is structured and arranged
to rotate at preset angles.
5. A machine tool comprising a plurality of multiple operator stations
according to claim 1 positioned parallel to and aligned with each
other such that the concave open portion of each bearing structure
together form a tunnel.
Machine tools description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention concerns the field of machine tools for removing
material, and refers more particularly to a multiple operator station
suitable for such machines and equipment in order to be able to
handle milling, turning, drilling and grinding operations in the
direction of predetermined axes, by means of a series of operator
units.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
An operator station of this type is currently obtained by superimposing
or mechanically linking several parts, of which each can move in
the direction of one axis only of the orthogonal trio of Cartesian
coordinates and/or perform rotary movements, all such traversing
and rotation movements being necessary to impart the various advance,
working and adjustment movements of the various tools and/or workpieces.
This of necessity means that each superimposed part forming the
station has to be constructed in such a way as to afford sufficient
rigidity and enable the required working precision, thus entailing
massive, heavy structures.
In addition, as the parts that have to traverse in relation to
each other along the required direction are interconnected by a
sliding guide system, these guides must be very carefully constructed
to ensure that the machining tolerances and play between the parts
forming the guides of the various parts that are suprimposed or
interconnected with each other to form the operator station, do
not compromise the required degree of machining precision, when
all the effects of their imprecisions and vibrations are combined.
A final disadvantage that cannot be overcome with operator stations
as per the present state of the art lies in the fact that, when
carrying out a grinding operation, the minute fragments of abrasive
of the (grinding wheels*) used inevitably tend to fall onto the
parts of the machine below, penetrating the sliding guides between
the parts or between these and the base support, with the obvious
results of serious damage to these parts. These stations thus cannot
normally be used to handle grinding operations as well, unless there
are expensive complex mechanical devices to prevent the action of
minute grinding fragments as described above.
In summarizing the above disadvantages, it can be seen that multiple
operator stations according to the present state of the art are
more expensive and cumbersome, with relative difficulty in achieving
working precision, and with the limitation of not normally being
able to handle grinding work amongst other tasks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The inventor of this invention has designed a multiple operator
station that is light and simple to construct, in which the various
component parts are positioned and coordinated in such a way as
to substantially reduce the disadvantages and limitations described
above.
To this effect, in fact, the inventor has designed the subject
of this invention, which consists of a multiple operator station
for machine tools with chip removal for turning, milling and grinding
operations along several axes, characterized by the fact that it
consists of several independent operator units suitable for connection
equally to either a tool or workpiece, and to impart a machining
and/or advance movement to each respectively, these units being
fitted on a bearing structure that is curved in shape, with the
concave part facing downwards, and positioned in such a way that,
below the zone in which the part is positioned during any machining
phase, there are no functional parts of the machine subject to movement
in relation to each other.
A more detailed description is now given of a preferred form of
construction of the operator station as per the invention in which
all of the achievable advantages can be seen.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the description, reference is also made to the attached drawings,
which represent the following:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred form of construction
of a multiple station as per the invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bearing structure only at "C"
on the station in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another form of construction of
the invention in which the operator units are interposed between
two parallel C-profile bearing structures to provide greater rigidity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Looking at FIG. 1 it can be seen how the multiple operator station
as per this invention is formed: on a bearing structure 2 that is
curved in shape with the concave part facing downwards, which, in
the preferred form of construction shown has a "C" profile,
a series of separate operator units 3 4 5 are fitted, with three
shown in this case. These operator units are all equipped With a
spindle 3m, 4m, 5m, designed for coupling with any tool with a handle
of appropriate profile, for example conical, of known type, or with
a tool-holder likewise provided with a profiled coupling handle
in a similar way. One, 3 of these units is fixed to the central
part of the horizontal side 2a of the "C" section, and
has vertical axis K, whilst the other two, 4 5 which have horizontal
axes h, z, are fixed in a position facing its other two sides 2b,
2c, respectively.
These operator units are thus positioned such that, at any point
during machining, and irrespective of which units are acting as
a tool-holder and which as a workpiece-holder, below the zone 6
in which the workpiece is located, there are no functional parts
of the machine subject to relative movement in relation to each
other. This arrangement enables, as already stated, even grinding
operations to be handled without the problem of grinding wheel fragments,
which at worst fall onto a smooth surface formed by the base support
of the multiple station 1 (not shown), and which can in fact be
periodically removed by known methods without any problem.
The operational capabilities of each unit, 3 4 5 may vary according
to the requirements of the proposed work cycle.
According to one indicative example proposed by the inventor, each
of the spindles 3m, 4m, 5m, of the operator units 3 4 5 may be
moved in a rotary action at a preset speed, in order to be able
to carry out operations such as drilling and boring with the spindles
holding the tools, or turning operations with the spindle holding
the workpiece.
The operator unit with vertical axis k is adjustable vertically
and its axis k can also be rotated to a preset angle .alpha. in
the vertical plane containing it, running parallel to the "C"
profile structure 2.
Each of the two operator units 4 5 positioned on the vertical
sides 2b, 2c of the "C" profile structure 2 or the relative
spindle, is also adjustable in an axial direction, i.e. parallel
to the structure, and laterally, ie.. perpendicular to this. This
latter movement can be achieved for example by sliding the operator
unit in relation to guide journals 7 which slide axially within
holes 8 (FIGS. 1 and 2) provided in
the bearing structure 2.
The spindles 3m, 4m, 5m of the operator units 3 4 5 can also
be rotated by preset angles within the respective axes k, h and
z, and then maintained in this position for example throughout a
machining phase in which the spindles 3m, 4m, 5m fulfil the function
of workpiece-holders.
It will be evident to an engineer in this sector how this latter
adjustment capability is much easier and much more efficient, for
example, than using a distributor of known type.
With a multiple station as described above, it is possible to handle
even highly complex and delicate machining cycles quickly and with
minimum relative displacement between the various parts, whilst
still obtaining optimum results in terms of precision with a much
simpler, lighter and more versatile station than the conventional
type.
The bearing structure 2 can be arranged in various ways, as well
as vertically as in the case shown.
Depending on the type of machining, this may also be constructed
of different types of material, for example with granite as well
when a particular dimensional stability is required, guaranteed
by the type of material and its low thermal expansion.
To enhance the rigidity still further, a multiple operator station
as per the invention may also comprise a second bearing structure
12 that is curved in shape and arranged parallel to the first bearing
structure 2 with the different units interposed so that they slide
between the two structures 2 and 12 as also shown by a broken line
in FIG. 3.
Several multiple stations can finally be arranged parallel to and
aligned with each other so that the concave sections form a tunnel
through which the parts can be fed from station to station in the
case of automated machining cycles.
Other construction solutions are finally available to an engineer
in the sector to achieve the optimum solution in each case for given
machining cycles. These constructions, albeit different from those
described and shown thus far, still fall within the scope of protection
granted by the attached claims where based on the concepts established
herein.
It is pointed out that the multiple operator station as per the
invention is suitable for carrying out machining cycles with chip
removal on parts made of any material such as metals, synthetic
resins, wood, ceramics, composites, etc.
Also, by using appropriate tools, the station can also handle tasks
other than chip removal, such as coupling parts, measurement and
dimensional checks. |