Patent Application
20170057033
The disclosure relates to metal cutting machine, more particularly it is relating to a multi axis column module.
Existing column module machines are fitted with either 6 or 8 multi-stations. A turret is mounted on the ram housing which is indexed and powered by motor as illustrated in
The machines with one or more spindle have Automatic Tool Changer which is sequential tool change type as illustrated in
Accordingly, the disclosure provides a multi axis column module (1) comprising a support structure (2) of predetermined shape; at least one Automatic Tool Changer [ATC] (3) consisting a tool magazine (4) ensconcing plurality of tools (5) mounted onto the support structure (2), a drive unit (6) connected to said tool magazine (4), a gripper arm (7) connected to the drive unit (6); and at least one ram housing (8) having at least one spindle (9) at center and is mounted over the support structure (2), also provides for a, method of swapping tools in a multi axis column module (1) comprising a support structure (2) of predetermined shape; at least one ATC (3), and at least one ram housing. The at least one ATC consists of or comprises a tool magazine (4) ensconcing a plurality of tools (5) mounted onto the support structure (2), a drive unit (6) connected to said tool magazine (4), and gripper arm (7) connected to the drive unit. The ram housing (8) has at least one spindle (9) at center and is mounted over the support structure (2). Said method comprises acts of positioning ram housing (8) with a spindle (9) to tool change position; rotating gripper arm (7) to a predetermined angle for gripping tool in the spindle (9) and tool magazine (4); de-clamping tool (5) in the spindle (9); swapping of the tools (5) between the spindle (9) and the tool magazine (4); clamping the tool (5) in the spindle (9); and positioning the gripper arm (7) to homing position, and also provides for a method of assembling a multi axis column module (1), said method comprising acts of connecting at least one Automatic Tool Changer [ATC] (3) to a support structure (2); and mounting at least one ram housing (8) having a spindle (9) at center over the support structure (2).
The features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description and drawings are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure.
This disclosure is drawn inter alia to a multi axis column module, method of operating and method of assembling the multi axis column module.
The principal embodiment of the present disclosure provides for a multi axis column module (1) comprising a support structure (2) of predetermined shape; at least one Automatic Tool Changer [ATC] (3)
In still another embodiment of the disclosure the support structure (2) is rectangular in shape provided with guide elements (2a) for movement of the ram housing (8).
In yet another embodiment of the disclosure the tool magazine (4) comprises plurality of tool pockets (4a) ranging from 12 to 24 for ensconcing the tools (5).
In yet another embodiment of the disclosure the gripper arm (7) has at least one gripper at ends of the gripper arm (7) for clamping the tools (5) during swapping in between the tool magazine (4) and the spindle (9).
In yet another embodiment of the disclosure the ram housing (8) is driven to move using a ball screw mechanism.
In yet another embodiment of the disclosure the spindle (9) is driven by a drive mechanism (8a) fixed at rear end of the ram housing (8).
In yet another embodiment of the disclosure the column module (1) is optionally provided with two spindles in a single ram housing (8) driven by drive mechanism.
In yet another embodiment of the disclosure the column module (1) is optionally provided with two ram housings (8) driven independently by drive mechanism, wherein each ram housing (8) has one independent spindle (9).
In yet another embodiment of the disclosure a multi station machine comprising plurality of multi axis column modules (1) configured in a predetermined manner.
In yet another embodiment of the disclosure the multi axis column modules (1) are configured to form double column module, multi column module and column module at an angle.
One more main embodiment of the disclosure provides for a method of swapping tools in a multi axis column module (1) comprising a support structure (2) of predetermined shape; at least one ATC (3), and at least one ram housing. The at least one ATC consists of or comprises a tool magazine (4) ensconcing a plurality of tools 95) mounted onto the support structure (2), a drive unit (6) connected to said tool magazine (4), and a gripper arm (7) connected to the drive unit. The ram housing (8) has at least one spindle (9) at center and is mounted over the support structure (2). Said method comprises acts of: positioning ram housing (8) with a spindle (9) to tool change position; rotating gripper arm (7) to a predetermined angle for gripping tool in the spindle (9) and tool magazine (4); de-clamping tool (5) in the spindle (9); swapping of the tools (5) between the spindle (9) and the tool magazine (4); clamping the tool (5) in the spindle (9); and positioning the gripper arm (7) to homing position.
In yet another embodiment of the disclosure the gripper arm (7) is rotated to about 1800 to swap the tools (5) from the magazine (4) and the spindle (9).
Another main embodiment of the disclosure provides for a method of assembling a multi axis column module (1), said method comprising acts of connecting at least one Automatic Tool Changer [ATC] (3) to a support structure (2); and mounting at least one RAM housing (8) having a spindle (9) at center over the support structure (2).
In yet another embodiment of the disclosure the method comprise an act of placing plurality of multi axis column modules (1) with reference to a fixture (10) to configure column module selected from a group comprising single column module, double column module, multi column module and column module at an angle.
All the moving slides are mounted on the fixed support structure (2) on top of this two numbers of ATCs are mounted. During tool change operation the spindles (9) comes out of working zone i.e. to tool change position and ATCs changes the required tool (5). Tool change takes place simultaneously to reduce the time taken during changing the tools (5). The spindles (9) come back to another position for carrying out next operation. The module (1) is configured to build different purpose machine to machine various components and requirements.
One configuration obtained in multi axis column module is single column module. The configuration can have stationary fixture (10) or rotary table or x-axis on job or with axis on both column and job or with z-axis on both column and job.
Another configuration obtained in multi axis column module is twin spindle column module. The configuration can have rotatable table or with x-axis on job.
Another configuration obtained in multi axis column module is double column module.
The module comprises two single spindle modules facing/opposite to each other or modules placed adjacent to each other or the modules at an angle of about 120 degrees.
Another configuration obtained in multi axis column module is multi column module.
The module comprises 3 columns at 90 degrees to each other with stationary fixture or with rotary table or with two sets of columns facing each other.
Another configuration obtained in multi axis column module is swiveling column. The swiveling column comprises column on rotary table.
The technology of the instant disclosure is further elaborated with the help of following examples. However, the examples should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention.
Advantages: More productivity due to two spindles working at a time, simultaneous tool change takes for both the spindles with the help of double gripper arm type ATC, 25 tool change time of other spindle is masked i.e. overlapped with the first spindle, tool change time thus saved is used for increasing the productivity, more utilization of the machine, the floor space is reduced due to two spindle single machine producing output of two machines, operators walking distance is reduced and reduction in additional capital Investment.
Using two spindles and two double gripper arm type ATC configuration module, productivity is doubled for the identical components with the minimum additional investment. Different faces of the components are machined in a single setup. Machines are easily configured and built using these column modules as per requirement and integrated into the production line. Flexibility and easy to configure the module in to multi-station machine are also achieved for machining of various components and operations.
1: multi axis column module,
2: support structure,
2
a: guide element,
3: Automatic Tool Changer,
4: Tool Magazine,
4
a: Tool Pockets,
5: Tools,
6: Drive Unit,
7: Gripper Arm,
8: RAM Housing,
8
a: drive mechanism,
9: Spindle in the RAM housing, and
10: Fixture.
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, Band C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, Band C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
This application claims priority to the U.S. Patent Application associated with Ser. No. 13/388,403, filed Jun. 15, 2012. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/388,403 is a national stage entry of and claims priority to PCT Application No. PCT/IN10/00522, filed Aug. 5, 2010. The contents of each of the foregoing applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13388403 | Jun 2012 | US |
| Child | 15351090 | US |
