METHOD FOR MEASURING TOOLS WITH A MEASURING DEVICE, AND MEASURING APPARATUS WITH A MEASURING DEVICE FOR MEASURING TOOLS

Abstract

A method is proposed for measuring tools on a machine tool with a measuring device, wherein by means of a movement of a spindle of the machine tool the measuring device is temporarily positioned at a measuring point on the machine tool in order to carry out one or more measurements, the measuring point differing from a spindle mount. Furthermore, a measuring apparatus is proposed which is embodied in such a way that the measuring device can be positioned at a measuring point on the machine tool for a measuring operation by means of a spindle movement of a machine tool, said measuring point differing from a spindle mount.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and will be explained below in more detail with a specification of further advantages and details. In the drawings;

FIGS. 1 to 6 show instantaneous recordings, each in perspective illustration, of the positioning of a measuring device as part of a measuring apparatus and instantaneous recordings of a standardization operation and measuring operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a machine table 1 of a machine tool with a spindle mount 1a (otherwise not illustrated). The machine table 1 has a snap-action device 2 for a measuring device 3 (see in particular FIG. 1d).

The measuring device 3 is part of a measuring apparatus 4 with a conical stem 5, by means of which the measuring apparatus 4 can be picked up by the spindle mount 1a of the machine tool and moved.

FIG. 1 a illustrates the state in which the spindle mount 1a is in the process of picking up the measuring apparatus 4 via the conical stem 5 and of moving the measuring apparatus 4 to the snap-action device 2 by means of the displacement and positioning possibilities of the machine tool. A somewhat advanced state is shown in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 3, the measuring apparatus 4 has been snapped into the snap-action device 2 by means of a pin element 6.

The measuring device 3 is then disconnected from the rest of the measuring apparatus 4 so that the measuring device 3 remains in the snap-action device 2. The pin element 6 is correspondingly arranged on the measuring device 3 (see FIG. 4).

The disconnection can be carried out by means of a release mechanism triggered by a machine controller.

The remaining measuring apparatus 4a advantageously comprises a standardization element 7 which, as was previously the case for the entire measuring device 4, can be moved by means of the spindle of the machine tool.

In the present case, the standardization element 7 is embodied as a hollow cylinder with a standardization bead 7a (see FIG. 5).

The geometry of the standardization element 7 and the position of the standardization element 7 with respect to a positioning device for the machine tool 1a are preferably known.

Longitudinal standardization can thus be performed by probing with the standardization element 7 on a probe 3a of the measuring device 3 in a parallel direction to the rotational axis of the spindle (see FIG. 5).

As soon as the standardization element, triggers a switching signal on the probe 3a, the machine controller records the corresponding coordinate value in the axial direction. On the basis of the recorded value and using the knowledge of the geometry and position of the standardization element with respect to the spindle, a longitudinal position can then be determined on a tool.

Corresponding standardization can be performed for later determination of a radius of a tool by virtue of the fact that the standardization bead 7a of the standardization element 7 is made to approach the probe 3a in a perpendicular direction with respect to the rotational axis of the spindle. The diameter of a tool can be determined in a subsequent measuring pass on the basis of the coordinate value recorded in this direction and the diameter of the standardization element.

The advantage of the present embodiment lies in particular in the hollow cylindrical construction of the standardization element 7 which can be fitted over the measuring device 3 in order to take it up and move it. As a result, not only a very compact design is provided if the calibration element and measuring device are not disconnected from one another but also protection is also provided for the measuring device which is reliably held within the calibration element.

After a successful standardization process, a desired tool 8 which is held in the spindle 1a of the machine tool can be measured, for example with regard to a longitudinal position and its diameter (see FIG. 6).

After this operation, before a workpiece processing operation starts the measuring device can be removed again by picking it up with the calibration element and accommodating it in a parking position, for example, a suitable docking station (not illustrated).

For this purpose, the measured tool is preferably intermediately stored in the tool magazine in order to pick it up again for processing operation after measurement has been carried out.

It is however also conceivable for the measuring device to remain for a specific processing cycle in the region of a workpiece which is to be processed, in order to be able to perform a measurement of the tool repeatedly.

The measuring device is removed from this area again only in a later operation.

If appropriate, the measuring device also remains positioned on the machine table 1 over a plurality of processing operations.

Standardization can basically be carried out it an automatic sequence by virtue of the proposed procedure.

Furthermore, the configuration of a clamping surface on a machine tool can also be optimized. Moreover, the soiling or the risk of damage to a machine device can be minimized by virtue of the fact that the measuring device is arranged on the tool table only for the measurement of tools and is then removed again.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

• 1 Machine table
• 1 a Spindle mount
• 2 Snap-action device
• 3 Measuring device
• 3 a Probe
• 4 Measuring apparatus
• 4 a Measuring apparatus without measuring device
• 5 Conical stem
• 6 Pin element
• 7 Standardization element
• 7 a Standardization bead
• 8 Tool

Claims

1. A method for measuring tools on a machine tool with a measuring device, wherein by means of a movement of a spindle of the machine tool the measuring device is temporarily positioned at a measuring point on the machine tool in order to carry out one or more measurements, the measuring point differing from a spindle mount.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measuring device is removed from the measuring point on the machine tool after the measurement or measurements has/have been concluded.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measuring device is moved from the measuring point to a parking station after a measurement is terminated.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measuring device is mounted together with a standardization normal for positioning at a measuring point.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measuring device is removed from the standardization normal after the measuring device has been positioned at a measuring point.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measuring device is standardized after the positioning of the measuring device at a measuring point.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein after the standardization the standardization normal is moved into a parking position.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein before the removal of the measuring device from the measuring point the measuring device is connected to a standardization normal.

9. A measuring apparatus having a measuring device for measuring tools, wherein the measuring device is embodied in such a way that the measuring device can be positioned at a measuring point on the machine tool for a measuring operation by means of a spindle movement of a machine tool, said measuring point differing from a spindle mount.

10. The measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the measuring device comprises contact-forming measuring device.

11. The measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the measuring device comprises a contactless measuring device.

12. The measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein a standardization normal is provided which is connected to the measuring device in a releasable connection.

13. The measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the measuring device can be disconnected from the standardization normal, in particular after it has been positioned at the measuring point on a machine tool.

14. The measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein, for a positioning process on the machine tool, the measuring device is arranged at least partially in a standardization normal.

15. The measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the standardization normal is hollow cylindrical.

16. The measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the measuring device has an adaptor device for attachment to a machine tool.

17. The measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the measuring device has a standing surface for placing it on a tool table of a machine tool.

18. The measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the apparatus is configured for accommodation in a conventional tool magazine.

19. The measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the apparatus has a tool mount for a tool spindle.

20. The measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the measuring device is embodied in such a way that it is activated by the disconnection from the standardization normal.

21. The measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the measuring device is configured in such a way that it is activated by positioning on the machine tool.

22. The measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the measuring device can be placed in an active state by sensing with a standardization normal.

23. The measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the measuring device can be activated and/or deactivated by means of infrared signals or radio signals.