MULTIPLE OPERATOR STATION FOR MACHINE TOOLS

Abstract: Multiple operator station (1) for machine tools designed in particular for the removal of along several axes, comprises several operator units (3, 4, 5) suitable for coupling with a tool or a workpiece, these operator units (3, 4, 5) 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.

Description: Multiple operator station for machine tools 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 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 lmprecisions 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 carrymg 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 gπndmg work amongst other tasks 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 In the description, reference is also made to the attached drawings, which represent the following Fig 1 is a perspective view of the said 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_profιle bearing structures to provide greater rigidity 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 centre part of the horizontal side 2a of the "C" section, and has vertical axes 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 m 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 said axis k can also be rotated to a preset angle 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 said structure, and laterally, le 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 m the bearing structure 2 The spindles 3m, 4m, 5m of the said operator units 3, 4, 5 can also be rotated by preset angles within the said respective axes k, h and z, and then maintamed 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 obtaming 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 m various ways, as well as vertically as in the case shown Dependmg on the type of machinmg, 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 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 withm the scope of protection granted by the attached claims where based on the concepts established m this It is pomted out that the multiple operator station as per the invention is suitable for carrymg 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 said station can also handle tasks other than chip removal, such as coupling parts, measurement and dimensional checks.

Claims: Claims 1 Multiple operator station with several mdependent operator units for machine tools designed in particular for the removal of material by turnmg, milling and grinding along several axes, characterized by the fact that these mdependent operator units (3, 4, 5) are suitable for couplmg equally with tools or a workpiece, and to impart their respective machining and/or advance movement, these units being fitted on a bearing structure (2) that is curved m shape with the concave part fac g downwards, and positioned in such a way that below the zone (6) in which the part is positioned during any machmmg phase, there are no functional parts of the machine subject to movement of one part in relation to another 2 Operator station (1 ) for machine tools as per claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises a) a bearmg structure (2) of C profile with the concave part facmg downwards, b) three independent operator units (3, 4, 5) of which one (3) of vertical axis is fixed to the centre part of the horizontal side (2a) of the C profile, whilst the other two (4, 5) of horizontal axes (h, z) are fixed to one of its two vertical sides (2b, 2c) respectively, so that they are facing each other 3 Operator station as per claim 2, in which - each of the spindles (3m, 4m, 5m) of the said operator units (3, 4, 5) can be moved in rotation at a preset speed, - the operator unit (3) of vertical axis (k) is adjustable vertically, and its said vertical axis (k) can also be rotated at preset angles (α) in the vertical plane passing through it and 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) is adjustable axially, I e parallel to the said structure, and laterally, l e perpendicular to it, - The spmdles (3m, 4m, 5m) of the said operator units (3, 4, 5) may also be rotated by preset angles within the said axes (k, h, z) and mamtamed m this position throughout a machmmg phase in which these spmdles act as workpiece holders 4 Machme tool with several operator stations m succession for automatic machmmg m series obtamed by combmmg several operator stations (1 ) in accordance with any of the above claims, positioned parallel next to and aligned with each other

Inventors: MANTOVANI SASCHA, MANTOVANI, SASCHA
Applicants: MANTOVANI SASCHA, MANTOVANI, SASCHA
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B23Q39
IPC codes: B23Q1