Apparatus for the variable machining of workpieces

An apparatus for the variable machining of workpieces is described which consists of a central module, which is constructed as a hollow carrier unit and which takes over the functions of the machine housing, and also of a plurality of horizontal and vertical modules which can be selectively connected with this central module and with one another via predetermined mechanical and electrical interfaces. The central module has an outwardly disposed and rotatably mounted carrier sleeve which can be axially displaced by a restricted amount, which can also be clamped, and which has mounts for tool support units, with the mounts extending over only part of the height of the carrier sleeve and being distributed around its periphery. The inner chamber of the central module is provided with fitted guide surfaces for a vertical module which is constructed as a columnar unit with a base end connection surface and with external guide surfaces complementary to the guide surfaces of the central module. The horizontal module consists of carriages which can be connected to one another and/or to the connection surfaces of the central module and columnar unit.

The invention relates to an apparatus for the variable machining of 
workpieces, the apparatus comprising a machine housing which is equipped 
with drives, with fluid supplies, with control devices and auxiliary 
devices, and with at least one mount for tools, in particular 
automatically changeable tools, and which can be connected with 
controllable carriage units. 
Pieces of apparatus of this kind are generally known and are extensively 
used in practice. In many cases it is however disadvantageous that the 
machine, which generally represents a comparatively high investment, 
cannot be used in the ideal manner in relation to the actual machining 
task. By way of example, a machine which has been constructed for diverse 
machining tasks, and which thus represents a very high investment cost, 
can, in particular as a result of changing production requirements, 
frequently only be used for work which could also be carried out by a 
machine which offers fewer possibilities and which would therefore be more 
economical. At the same time situations are likewise often encountered in 
which tasks which are just a bit more elaborate can no longer be dealt 
with by a simpler machine so that additional machines have to be acquired. 
When making further investments of this kind, which are necessary to 
enlarge the scope of production, care must however be taken to ensure that 
the existing tools and spindle heads can also be used with the new 
machines in order to avoid unnecessary costs. This requirement is however 
in turn a disturbing restriction on the decisions which have to made with 
regard to the acquisition of machinery. 
The principal object underlying the present invention is to further develop 
an apparatus of the initially named kind so that progressive investment 
which goes hand in hand with production requirements is possible, so that 
existing tool systems can at least largely continue to be used, and so 
that, having regard to the machining requirements and the usability of 
tool systems, ideal flexibility is always present both from the point of 
view of fundamental usability of the machine and also from the point of 
view of the technical machining conditions and in particular of the 
technical chip forming conditions. 
In order to satisfy this object the invention provides an apparatus of the 
initially named kind which is however characterised in that there is 
provided a central module, which is constructed as a hollow carrier unit 
and which takes on the functions of the machine housing, and a plurality 
of horizontal and vertical modules which can be selectively connected with 
the central module and with one another via predetermined mechanical and 
electrical interfaces; in that the central module has a connection surface 
at its base and an outwardly disposed and rotatably mounted carrier sleeve 
which can be axially displaced by a restricted amount, which can also be 
clamped and which has mounts for tool support units, with the mounts 
extending over only part of the height of the carrier sleeve and being 
distributed around its periphery; in that the internal chamber of the 
central module is provided with fitted guide surfaces for a vertical 
module; in that the vertical module is constructed as a columnar unit with 
a connection surface at its base end and with external guide surfaces 
complementary to the guide surfaces of the central module; and in that the 
horizontal modules consist of carriages which can be connected to one 
another and/or to the connection surfaces of the central module and 
columnar unit. 
As a result of the consequent subdivision of the apparatus of the invention 
into individual modules with special functions being associated with each 
of these modules one provides an apparatus which can be matched to the 
particular requirements and which can be built up or added to, and also 
returned to a simpler machine, in accordance with the nature of a modular 
system. In its simplest form the apparatus consists of a central module 
which is secured to a stationary support surface. Even in this simplest 
form the apparatus already offers all the possible variations with regard 
to the use of different tools, spindle heads and also special spindle 
heads. 
An arrangement displaceable in the Y-direction can be provided by the 
simple combination of the central module with a vertical module and this 
arrangement can also be combined with a horizontal module, or with 
horizontal modules which have been combined together to form a crossed 
carriage arrangement. Suitably predesigned mechanical and electrical 
interfaces make this modular build-up or breaking down of the machine 
possible, and simplify the carrying out of such conversions to a decisive 
extent. 
The central module preferably has a substantially cylindrical basic body 
with a base end flange, with this flange serving for the connection with 
further modules. At the opposite end from the connection flange the basic 
body is provided with a terminal wall which serves as a carrier for drive 
units, for connection units and also for an apparatus for weight 
equalisation, which is preferably of hydraulic construction. 
The basic body and the carrier sleeve can be clamped hydraulically against 
one another in the axial direction via face-toothed rings by means of 
devices disposed in the region of these rings. In the clamped state this 
arrangement results in the required centering of the carrier sleeve to a 
high degree of accuracy. 
In accordance with a further special feature of the invention the region of 
the carrier sleeve and of the basic body disposed above the mounts for the 
tool carrier units is constructed as a pressure fluid distributor with 
circulation grooves, with the pressure fluid distributor being connected, 
on the one hand, via lines and/or bores with supply connections on the 
basic body, and, on the other hand, via bores with the mounts provided on 
the carrier sleeve. 
In this manner it is possible to associate special pressure fluid supplies, 
which are necessary for special tool carrier units, multi-spindle boring 
and thread-cutting heads, hydraulic facing heads, NC facing heads, spindle 
heads with hydrodynamically journalled spindles, spindle heads for deep 
hole boring and other special heads, with specific mounting positions. 
The basic body of the central module is preferably of two part construction 
with the separating plane lying above the pressure fluid distributor. In 
this manner it is possible to connect either a cylindrical part with the 
lower part of the basic body, which extends the lower part of the basic 
body upwardly, as is necessary in the case of a combination of a central 
module and a vertical module, or to connect a terminal plate to the lower 
part of the basic body, so that in the latter case the constructional 
height is substantially reduced, which can be advantageous if the 
apparatus of the invention is to be used in its simplest form. The 
gearing, coupling and auxiliary units which are provided between the main 
drive and the coupling region for the tool carrier unit which is to be 
driven in any particular case are preferably mounted and journalled in the 
inner chamber of the central module in such a way that when using the 
embodiment with reduced constructional height, i.e. the embodiment with a 
terminal plate connected to the lower part of the basic body, it is only 
necessary to use a shortened drive shaft and other simply effected 
adaptations. 
The pivotal movement of the carrier sleeve in two directions is preferably 
limited by a blocking device to a predeterminable amount, in particular to 
270.degree.. This selectively usable blocking device makes it possible to 
leave electrical connection lines which pass to certain spindle heads, in 
particular NC facing heads, unchanged even when decoupling the spindle 
heads from the drive and on pivoting of the carrier sleeve. In this way, 
without using slip rings, there is no danger of unintentional damage or 
destruction of these connection lines, and the corresponding heads are 
always available for use by pivoting them into the working position. 
A further important feature of the invention lies in the fact that a 
respective adaptor plate is provided between the mounts on the carrier 
sleeve and the drill heads and other heads which are to be coupled 
therewith. An adaptor plate with an integrated clamping, indexing and, 
optionally, a release device, and with throughflow channels, is used 
depending on the particular drill head or unit which is to be arranged in 
the mount. 
Adaptor plates constructed as closure plates are advantageously provided 
for non-occupied tool mounts. 
By means of these adaptor plates it is possible, in simple manner, to 
couple in drill heads for quick release tapers of different sizes and/or 
numbers of spindles, multi-spindle spindle heads, NC facing heads and also 
special heads, with all the supply lines required for the operation of 
these drill heads or spindle heads preferably passing through the 
respective adaptor plate. 
It is significant in practice that it is also possible to couple in the 
spindle heads with hydrodynamically journalled spindles, and also spindle 
heads for the boring of deep holes, because the required supply of 
pressure fluid and of flushing fluid can likewise take place in the 
already described manner and it is possible to preselect the respectively 
required speeds of rotation. 
It is of particular significance in the context of the invention that the 
desired spindle speed can be predetermined by the speed of the main shaft, 
which is selectable via a gear box associated with the main drive, and/or 
by a fixed stepping up or stepping down ratio in the gearing of a 
selectable drill head. In this manner it is possible for each tool to be 
driven with the optimum speed of rotation, cutting speed and also with the 
optimum torque for its operation. 
A drill head changer and/or a changing system for multi-spindle spindle 
heads is preferably associated with the central module, in addition to the 
tool changer that is envisaged. The translational movements resulting from 
the optionally used horizontal and/or vertical modules can be used for 
tool changing purposes. 
A particularly advantageous tool changer is associated with a unitary tool 
magazine and has a linearly translatable changer arm which can move to 
three controlled positions and can effect a tool change in each of these 
positions. The two lateral positions, which can be travelled to one after 
the other, are in this arrangement associated with a double spindle 
device, or with an asymmetrical single spindle device, whereas the central 
position serves for tool changing with a single spindle head. 
It is of particular advantage if an additional magazine is associated with 
the magazine for single tools arranged on the basic body above the carrier 
sleeve, and if a double-arm tool changer with a vertical pivot axis is 
provided between these two magazines. This additional magazine is 
preferably constructed as the second story of a magazine for multi-spindle 
spindle heads and/or drill heads, with the main changer provided for the 
spindle heads and drill heads expediently being combined with the 
double-arm tool changer for the single tools. 
The individual modules of the apparatus of the invention are suitable for 
being coupled onto any desired transfer system, and indeed both with 
synchronous and also with asynchronous transfer. The individual modules 
are also able to operate with any palette-type system and also with 
workpiece movement devices, in particular for space angle machining (in 
German:Raumwinkelbearbeitung). 
As a result of the universal possibilities of coupling tools and tool heads 
to the corresponding mounts of the carrier sleeve, or to the adaptors 
which are provided there, it is possible to mount practically any units 
that may be desired, which means that each user has the possibility of 
continuing to use the tool system he already has, at least in the previous 
manner, but can nevertheless ideally adapt to the prevailing machining 
task by the additional use of interchangeable spindle stocks. From the 
point of view of economical considerations this is of very special 
significance. 
Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the 
subordinate claims.

As seen in FIG. 1 there is provided a central module 1, a horizontal module 
2 which is associated with the X-direction, a horizontal module 3 which is 
associated with the Z-direction and also a vertical module 4. 
The horizontal modules 2 and 3 can be carriages constructed in the 
customary manner, but must however have suitable connection surfaces for 
the vertical module 4 and for the central module 1. 
The central module 1 has a substantially cylindrical basic body 10 which is 
equipped at its lower end with a flange 11. The surface of this flange 11 
which faces away from the basic body 10 forms a connection surface 5 by 
which the central module 1 can be secured either to a fixed surface or to 
one of the horizontal modules 2, 3. 
The lower region of the basic body 10 of the central module 1 is surrounded 
by a carrier sleeve 6 which is rotatably mounted and which can be 
displaced in an axial direction by a restricted amount. This carrier 
sleeve 6 is likewise provided at its lower end with a flange 14 which 
faces the flange 11 of the basic body 10. 
Two face-toothed rings 12, 13 which cooperate with one another are arranged 
between the two flanges 11 and 14, with the ring 12 being fixedly 
connected with the flange of the base body and with the ring 13 being 
fixedly connected with the flange of the carrier sleeve. 
Piston-in-cylinder arrrangements 29 are located adjacent to these 
face-toothed centering and indexing rings 12, 13 and make it possible, on 
the one hand, to lift the carrier sleeve and thus to decouple the 
face-toothed rings 12, 13, and, on the other hand to mutually clamp the 
rings 12, 13 against one another and thus to center the carrier sleeve 6. 
The carrier sleeve 6 is provided with a ring gear 30 which cooperates with 
a pinion 16 which is connected with a drive motor 19 via a shaft 17. In 
this manner, with the toothed rings 12, 13 in the decoupled state, the 
carrier sleeve 6 can be pivoted relative to the base body 10 in the manner 
desired in a particular case. 
The carrier sleeve 6 has a plurality of mounts 7 for tool carrier units, in 
particular four such mounts, which are located adjacent the ring flange 14 
and are uniformly distributed over the periphery of the carrier sleeve. It 
is possible, by way of example, to secure drill heads 21 for quick-release 
tapers of different sizes and/or different numbers of spindles to these 
mounts 7 via adaptor plates 22. In the region of the carrier sleeve 6 
above the mounts 7 there is provided a schematically illustrated pressure 
fluid distributor, indicated by the reference numeral 15, which can be 
connected, on the one hand, via lines and/or bores with connections on the 
basic body, and, on the other hand, via bores with the mounts 7 on the 
carrier sleeve 6. These bores, which can be of different numbers and/or 
dimensions, at least in part, are closable and freeable independence on 
the relative position of the basic body 10 and the carrier sleeve 6. In 
this manner special functions can be associated with the stations 
distributed around the periphery of the basic body for the various mounts 
7, in addition to their respective universal functions, with these special 
functions again being independent of the nature of the tool carrier unit 
which is actually provided in the respective mount. 
The basic body 10 has a terminal wall 18 at its upper end which serves as a 
carrier for various drive motors, in particular the motor 19 for driving 
the pinion 16, the main drive motor 20 and an optionally mountable motor 
28 for displacing the central module 1 in the Y-direction. 
The main drive motor 20 is connected via a change-over gear and a shaft 23 
with a gear and control unit 24 mounted in the basic body 10. The gear and 
control unit 24 can be connected via couplings 25, 26 with the tool 
carrier unit 21 which is secured in any particular case to a mount 7 via 
an adaptor plate 22. 
The gear and control unit 24 embraces an angle transmission (for example 
mitre gearing) for transmitting the drive power via the clutch 25 to the 
respective tool carrier unit. Furthermore, this unit contains alignment 
devices including angular transducers, blocking elements for fixing 
spindle and coupling positions and also further auxiliary devices. The 
central module that has been described represents a functionally 
independent unit which can be mounted on a fixed support and already 
offers, even in this simplest form of the machine tool, a high degree of 
variability with regard to the tool carrier units which can be swung into 
the actual machining position. It is thus suitable for many diverse 
applications. 
The central module 1 is provided with internal guides 31 in its inner 
chamber which can cooperate with external guides 32 of complementary shape 
on the vertical module 4, 
If the vertical module 4 is introduced into the central module 1 then the 
central module 1 can be displaced as a unit in the Y-direction. The drive 
motor 28 and a schematically illustrated ball drive 33 are provided for 
this purpose. A hydraulically operated support device, which is not shown 
in the drawing but which is secured to the basic body 10, can be provided 
for weight synchronisation. 
The perspective illustration of FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the apparatus 
in accordance with the invention in which a central module 1 is combined 
with a horizontal module 2 and also with a palette-type workpiece store 27 
and a magazine 38, 39. 
A palette changing device 34 is provided between the palette-type workpiece 
store 27 and the central module 1. The individual tools provided in a tool 
store arranged above the carrier sleeve 6, in particular tools with 
quick-release tapers, can be positioned in the spindle head 21 or other 
spindle mounts by means of a double-arm tool changer 36 with a horizontal 
pivot axis. 
A horizontally translatable and pivotable main changer 40 is arranged 
between the central module 1 and the magazine 38 for multi-spindle spindle 
heads and/or drill heads and/or outside facing heads and the like. In 
order to substantially increase the capacity of the magazine for 
individual tools the magazine for the spindle heads and the like is 
equipped with a second story 39 in which individual tools are provided 
which can be changed over into the magazine 35 at the central module by 
means of a double-arm tool changer 35 with a vertical axis of rotation. 
The double-arm tool changer 37 is combined with the main changer 40 and is 
preferably so constructed that pivotal and vertical movements of this 
double-arm tool changer 37 can be controlled independently from the main 
changer 40. The horizontal drive for the main changer 40 can also be used 
for the double-arm tool changer 27. 
The advantages achieved by the invention are extremely diverse and include 
in particular the following: 
(a) the ability to combine the individual modules with one another, and 
with auxiliary units such as palette-type workpiece stores and additional 
tool stores, 
(b) the maximum variability of the individual mounts, 
(c) the ability to simply pivot all the mounts from a waiting position to 
the working position and vice versa, 
(d) the free choice of the speed of rotation, of the speed of advance and 
of a torque which is matched to the particular machining task, 
(e) the ability to use practically all known tool carrier units, 
(f) the manner in which the choice of the tools and the spindle heads can 
be readily matched to the particular machining task, 
(g) the fact that the machine can be universely used in transfer systems, 
in palette systems and with workpiece moving devices, and 
(h) the fact that the machine can always be combined with the ideal tool 
changing systems in any particular case. 
Although the appended claims are directed to the combination of the central 
module with other modules it will be understood that the invention is also 
directed to the construction of the central module itself.