Abstract:
A processing machine for cutting a workpiece with a tool is presented. The processing machine includes a base member configured to support a table for receiving the workpiece, and a tool support disposed on the base member for rotation between a vertical position and a horizontal position and configured to support the tool, wherein the tool support is formed from a right leg portion, a left leg portion, and a main portion, such that the main portion connects upper ends of the right leg portion and the left leg portion, wherein the main portion is located above the table when the tool support is in the vertical position, and wherein a space above the table is not covered by the main portion when the tool support is in the horizontal position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(a), this application claims the benefit of the earlier filing date and right of priority to Japanese Application No. 2010-135105, filed on Jun. 14, 2010, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is related to a processing machine, and more specifically, to a processing machine suitable for cutting a workpiece using a tool. 
     2. Discussion of the Related Art 
     A conventional processing machine performs a processing operation, such as cutting, on a workpiece using a tool, such as a cutter or an endmill. 
       FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ) illustrate a processing machine of the prior art. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a processing machine  100  includes a base member  106  for supporting a table  104  which receives a workpiece  102 . Side members  108   a  and  108   b  extend upward from the side ends of the base member  106 . A rear member  110  extends upward from a rear part of the base member  106  and connects the side members  108   a  and  108   b . Additionally, the processing machine  100  includes a pair of guide rails  112 , a head portion  114  slidably mounted on the guide rails for supporting a tool  122  for use in cutting the workpiece  102 , an upper member  116  disposed on upper ends of the rear member  110  and the side members  108   a  and  108   b , an inclined member  118  disposed in front of the upper member  116  for rotation about a Y-axis in an XYZ-orthogonal coordinate system, and a front member  120  disposed in front of the base member  106  for rotation about a Y-axis. 
     More specifically, the base member  106 , the side members  108   a  and  108   b , the rear member  110 , the upper member  116 , the inclined member  118 , and the front member  120  define a space within the processing machine  100 . The inclined member  118  and the front member  120  are made of a transparent material. 
     The space formed in the processing machine  100  can be accessed by lifting the inclined member  118  in the direction of arrow D and pulling the front member  120  in the direction of arrow E. Access to the space of the processing machine  100  allows for the workpiece to be placed on the table  104  or the tool  122  to be placed on the head portion  114 . The head portion  114  includes a movable member  114   a  slidably mounted on the guide rails  112 , a second movable member  114   b  mounted on the movable member  114   a , and a main spindle unit  114   c  mounted on the second movable member  114   b  for supporting the tool  122 . The second moveable member  114   b  may be moved up and down. 
     Specifically, the movable member  114   a  includes a movable portion  114   a - 1  slidably mounted on the guide rails  112  and an upright portion  114   a - 2  mounted on the movable portion  114   a - 1  and extending upward therefrom in the Z-direction. A drive means (not shown), such as a motor, for sliding the movable portion  114   a - 1  along the guide rails  112  is disposed in the upright portion  114   a - 2 . 
     Also, the second movable member  114   b  includes a pair of guide rails  114   b - 1  located on the movable portion  114   a - 1  of the movable member  114   a  and extending upward therefrom in the Z-direction (only one of the paired guide rails  114   b - 1  is shown in  FIGS. 1(   a ) and ( b )). The second moveable member  114   b  also includes a movable portion  114   b - 2  slidably mounted on the guide rails  114   b - 1 . A drive means (not shown), such as a motor, for sliding the movable portion  114   b - 2  along the guide rails  114   b - 1  is disposed in the movable portion  114   b - 2 . 
     In addition, the main spindle unit  114   c  includes a main spindle head  114   c - 1  for supporting a tool, and a main spindle  114   c - 2  located under the movable portion  114   b - 2  of the second movable member  114   b . The main spindle unit  114   c  also includes a drive means (not shown), such as a motor, for rotating the tool  122  supported by the main spindle head  114   c - 1 . The overall operation of the processing machine  100  is controlled by a control part which includes a microcomputer (not shown). 
     In the above configuration, in order to cut the workpiece  102  with the processing machine  100 , the operator opens the processing machine  100  and then attaches the tool  122  to the main spindle unit  114   c  and places the workpiece  102  on the table  104 . Next, the operator closes the processing machine  100  and inputs cutting data via the control part (not shown). 
     The table  104  moves in the X-direction, the movable member  114   a  moves in the Y-direction, and the second movable member  114   b  moves in the Z-direction, according to the cutting data input into the processing machine  100 . As a result, three-dimensional processing may be performed on the workpiece  102  via the tool  122  being controlled by the control part. 
     In the prior art processing machine, the main spindle  114   c - 2  of the main spindle unit  114   c  is fixed in a vertical direction. Accordingly, it becomes difficult for the operator to attach the tool  122  to the main spindle head  114   c - 1  and the time to change tools may be cumbersome. 
     It is useful to provide a processing machine in which tools can be easily changed. 
     SUMMARY 
     Features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, a processing machine for cutting a workpiece with a tool is presented. The processing machine includes a base member configured to support a table for receiving the workpiece, and a tool support means disposed on the base member for rotation between a vertical position and a horizontal position and configured to support the tool, wherein the tool support means is formed from a right leg portion, a left leg portion, and a main portion, such that the main portion connects upper ends of the right leg portion and the left leg portion, wherein the main portion is located above the table when the tool support means is in the vertical position, and wherein a space above the table is not covered by the main portion when the tool support means is in the horizontal position. 
     According to one feature, the table is configured to be movable in an X-direction of an XYZ-orthogonal coordinate system, wherein the tool is supported by the tool support means for movement in a Y-direction and a Z-direction, and wherein the tool support means is disposed such that the right leg portion and the left leg portion are disposed in contact with opposite side faces of the base member. Furthermore, the processing machine further includes a right side member and a left side member provided on opposite side faces of the base member for rotation between a vertical position and a horizontal position. Additionally, the right side member and the left side member are provided on the side faces of the base member with which the, respective, right leg portion and the left leg portion of the tool support means are disposed. 
     According to another feature, the right side member and the left side member are foldable. 
     According to yet another feature, the right side member and the left side member are removably attached to the base member. 
     According to still yet another feature, the processing machine further includes comprising a pair of cover members attachable to and removable from side faces of the base member which are opposite from the side faces on which the right side member and the left side member are disposed. 
     According to one feature, the processing machine further includes a fixing member provided on the base member for rotation between a vertical position and a horizontal position for maintaining the tool support means when the tool support means is in the vertical position. 
     According to another feature, the fixing member is rotatably attached to the base member by a ring portion formed at a lower end thereof and has a protrusion formed at an upper end thereof and engageable with one of the right leg portion or the left leg portion to maintain the tool support means when the tool support means is in the vertical position. 
     These and other embodiments will also become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular embodiment disclosed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description of preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a processing machine according to the prior art. 
         FIG. 2  to  FIG. 6  illustrate a processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8  illustrate a head portion accommodating member according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a cover member of the processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawing figures which form a part hereof, and which show by way of illustration specific embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood by those of ordinary skill in this technological field that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural, electrical, as well as procedural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. 
     It should be noted that in the following description, components which are the same as or corresponding to those of a processing machine according to the prior art which was descried with reference to  FIGS. 1(   a ) and ( b ) are designated by the same reference numerals as used above and detailed description of their configuration and effect is omitted as appropriate. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate a processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a processing machine  10  may include a base member  16  for supporting a table  104  configured to receive a workpiece  102  thereon and movable in an X-direction of an XYZ-orthogonal coordinate system. The processing machine  10  may also include side members  18   a  and  18   b  rotatably and removably attached to both right and left sides of the base member  16 . The processing machine  10  may further include a head portion accommodating member  20  for accommodating a head portion  114  which supports a tool  122  and moves the tool  122  in the Z-direction and Y-direction. The head portion accommodating member  20  may be rotatably attached to the base member  16 . Finally, a front cover member  22  may be rotatably and removably attached to a front part of the base member  16 , and a rear cover member  24  may be rotatably and removably attached to a rear part of the base member  16 . 
     The overall operation of the processing machine  10  is controlled by a control part  26  including a control device such as a microcomputer. 
     The processing machine  10  performs a cutting operation on the workpiece  102 , when the side members  18   a  and  18   b , the head portion accommodating member  20 , the front cover member  22 , and the rear cover member  24  are standing around the base member  16  as illustrated in  FIGS. 2(   a ) and  2 ( b ). In the following description, the state where the side members  18   a  and  18   b , the head portion accommodating member  20 , the front cover member  22  and the rear cover member  24  stand around the base member  16 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2(   a ) and  2 ( b ), will sometimes be referred to as a “usage state.” 
     In addition, the processing machine  10  may be in an “open state” when the side members  18   a  and  18   b , the head portion accommodating member  20 , the front cover member  22 , and the rear cover member  24  are placed in a horizontal position (See  FIGS. 3(   a ) and  3 ( b )). 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a configuration of the base member according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the base member  16  has a generally rectangular solid shape and includes a table  104  adapted to receive the workpiece  102  thereon. The table  104  is movable in the X-direction. Furthermore, a fixing member  40  may be accommodated in a recess  16   d  formed in a top face  16   c  of the base member  16  at a front part of a right side face  16   a  thereof. Moreover, a fixing member  42  may be accommodated in a recess  16   e  formed in the top face  16   c  of the base member  16  at a front part of a left side face  16   b  thereof. Finally, a connecting portion  16   a - 1  may be provided on a generally central portion of the right side face  16   a  for connecting the side member  18   a , and a connecting portion  16   b - 1  may be provided on a generally central portion of the left side face  16   b  for connecting the side member  18   b  (See  FIGS. 4(   a ) and ( b )). 
     In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a protrusion  16   a - 2  is provided at a front part of the right side face  16   a , and a protrusion  16   a - 3  is provided at a rear part of the right side face  16   a . A protrusion  16   b - 2  is provided at a front part of the left side face  16   b , and a protrusion  16   b - 3  is provided at a rear part of the left side face  16   b . The protrusion  16   a - 2  and the protrusion  16   b - 2  are located on the same plane in the Y-axis direction, and the protrusion  16   a - 3  and the protrusion  16   b - 3  are located on the same plane in the Y-axis direction. 
     The table  104  is movable in the X-direction along guide grooves  17   a  and  17   b  extending in the X-direction by a movement mechanism (not shown). A conventionally known technique is used for the movement mechanism for the table  104 , and therefore, the movement mechanism will not be described in detail. 
     The connecting portion  16   a - 1  has a generally rectangular solid shape, and has a top face  16   a - 1   a  having a groove  16   a - 1   b . Additionally, the connecting portion  16   b - 1  has a generally rectangular solid shape and has a top face  16   b - 1   a  having a groove  16   b - 1   b.    
       FIG. 5  illustrates a configuration of the base member according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the fixing member  40  includes a front protrusion  40   b  protruding forward and a rear protrusion  40   c  protruding rearward at its upper end. Additionally, the fixing member  40  includes a ring portion  40   d  defining a hole  40   f  at its lower end. 
     A protrusion  16   da  protrudes to the right in the recess  16   d  formed at the right side face  16   a  in the top face  16   c . The fixing member  40  is disposed for rotation around the protrusion  16   da  by fitting the hole  40   f  of the fixing member  40  over the protrusion  16   da.    
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4(   a ) and  FIG. 5(   a ), the fixing member  40  is accommodated in the recess  16   d  when in a horizontal position, illustrated as dotted lines in  FIG. 5(   a ), and is brought into a vertical position, illustrated as a solid line in  FIG. 5(   a ), when rotated in the direction of arrow A around the protrusion  16   da.    
     In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 5(   b ), the fixing member  42  includes a front protrusion  42   b  protruding forward and a rear protrusion  42   c  protruding rearward at its upper end. The fixing member  42  also includes a ring portion  42   d  defining a hole  42   f  at its lower end. 
     A protrusion  16   ea  is formed to protrude to the left in the recess  16   e  formed at the left side face  16   b  in the top face  16   c , and the fixing member  42  is disposed for rotation around the protrusion  16   da  by fitting the hole  42   f  of the fixing member  42  over the protrusion  16   ea.    
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4(   a ) and  FIG. 5(   b ), the fixing member  42  is accommodated in the recess  16   e  when in a horizontal position, illustrated as dotted lines in  FIG. 5(   b ), and is brought into a vertical position, illustrated as a solid line in  FIG. 5(   b ), when rotated in the direction of arrow B around the protrusion  16   ea.    
       FIG. 6  illustrates a configuration of a side member according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the side member  18   a  includes a base portion  18   a - 1  and a top portion  18   a - 2 . The base portion  18   a - 1  and the top portion  18   a - 2  are connected to each other in such a manner that the top portion  18   a - 2  can be folded in the direction of arrow C at the connecting portion  600  between the base portion  18   a - 1  and the top portion  18   a - 2  ( FIG. 6(   a )). 
     The base portion  18   a - 1  has a cutout portion  18   a - 1   a , and a rod-like engaging member  18   a - 1   b  is provided in the cutout portion  18   a - 1   a . Furthermore, the base portion  18   a - 1  has a recess  18   a - 1   c  extending from its generally intermediate portion to the connecting portion between the base portion  18   a - 1  and the top portion  18   a - 2 . The top portion  18   a - 2  has a recess  18   a - 2   a  extending from the connecting portion between the base portion  18   a - 1  and the top portion  18   a - 2  to its opposite end. In addition, a magnet  28  is disposed in the recess  18   a - 1   c  of the base portion  18   a - 1 , and a magnet  30  is also disposed in the recess  18   a - 2   a  of the top portion  18   a - 2 . 
     The side member  18   a  described above is rotatably engaged by fitting the engaging member  18   a - 1   b  into the groove  16   a - 1   b  of the connecting portion  16   a - 1  provided on the right side face  16   a  of the base member  16  ( FIG. 6(   b )). The side member  18   b  includes a base portion  18   b - 1  and a top portion  18   b - 2 . The base portion  18   b - 1  and the top portion  18   b - 2  are connected to each other in such a manner that the top portion  18   b - 2  can be folded in the direction of arrow C at the connecting portion  600  between the base portion  18   b - 1  and the top portion  18   b - 2   FIG. 6(   a )). 
     The base portion  18   b - 1  has a cutout portion  18   b - 1   a  which is provided with a rod-like engaging member  18   b - 1   b . Additionally, the base portion  18   b - 1  has a recess  18   b - 1   c  extending from its intermediate portion to the connecting portion between the base portion  18   b - 1  and the top portion  18   b - 2 . The top portion  18   b - 2  has a recess  18   b - 2   a  extending from the connecting portion between the base portion  18   b - 1  and the top portion  18   b - 2  to its opposite end. In addition, a magnet  32  is disposed in the recess  18   b - 1   c  of the base portion  18   b - 1 , and a magnet  34  is also disposed in the recess  18   b - 2   a  of the top portion  18   b - 2 . 
     The side member  18   b  constituted as described above is rotatably engaged by fitting the engaging member  18   b - 1   b  into the groove  16   b - 1   b  of the connecting portion  16   b - 1  provided on the left side face  16   b  of the base member  16  ( FIG. 6(   b )). The side members  18   a  and  18   b  can be brought into a horizontal position ( FIG. 3(   a )) and may also be brought into a horizontal position with the top portions  18   a - 2  and  18   b - 2  folded ( FIG. 3(   b )). In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the side members  18   a  and  18   b  can be brought into a vertical position when rotated around the engaging members  18   a - 1   b  and  18   b - 1   b . The side members  18   a  and  18   b  can be maintained in the vertical position since the magnets  28 ,  30 ,  32 , and  34  attract the metal plates provided on the head portion accommodating member  20 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a configuration of the head portion accommodating member according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the head portion accommodating member  20  includes side members  20 - 1  and  20 - 2 , an upper member  20 - 3  connecting the side members  20 - 1  at an upper portion  20 - 1   a  and connecting the side members  20 - 2  an upper portion  20 - 2   a.    
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , guide rails  112  connecting an intermediate portion  20 - 1   b  with an intermediate portion  20 - 2   b  are disposed between the side members  20 - 1  and  20 - 2 . The head portion  114  supporting the tool  122  is slidably mounted on the guide rails  112 . 
     The upper member  20 - 3  has a hollow body and a part of the head portion  114  mounted on the guide rails  112  is located in the upper member  20 - 3 . Because the head portion  114  has the same configuration as that of the processing machine  100  according to the prior art previously described, it will not described in detail. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , a connector  27  is provided behind the upper member  20 - 3 , and the upper member  20 - 3  is removably connected to the connector  27 . The control part  26  is connected via the connector  27  to the head portion  114 , the movement mechanism for moving the table  104 , and the like (not shown). The control part  26  performs various control functions, such as controlling the cutting conditions, including the spindle speed of the tool  122  or the movement of the table  104  and the tool  122 , for example. 
     Additionally, the head portion accommodating member  20  is connected at a lower rear end portion  20 - 1   ca  to the base member  16  by a fixing member  48 . The head portion accommodating member  20  is also connected at a lower rear end portion  20 - 2   ca  to the base member  16  by a fixing member  50  ( FIGS. 8(   a ) and  8 ( b )). 
     In this example, the fixing member  48  and the fixing member  50  are located on the same plane in the Y-axis direction, and the head portion accommodating member  20  may be rotated around the fixing member  48  and the fixing member  50 . In other words, the head portion accommodating member  20  with a gate-like shape is disposed in such a manner that a pair of leg portions thereof are in contact with the right side face  16   a  and the left side face  16   b  of the base member  16  with the base member  16  sandwiched there between. 
     In addition, the side member  20 - 1  has a recess  20 - 1   cb , such that, a front protrusion  40   b  of the fixing member  40  may be engaged with the recess  20 - 1   cb  ( FIG. 8(   a )). Additionally, the side member  20 - 2  has a recess  20 - 2   cb , such that, a front protrusion  42   b  of the fixing member  42  may be engaged with the recess  20 - 2   cb  ( FIG. 8(   b )). Accordingly, when the front protrusion  40   b  of the fixing member  40  is engaged with the recess  20 - 1   cb  and the front protrusion  42   b  of the fixing member  42  is engaged with the recess  20 - 2   cb , the head portion accommodating member  20  is fixed in its vertical position. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8(   a ), the side member  20 - 1  is provided with a disk-shaped metal plate  52  on the upper portion  20 - 1   a  and a disk-shaped metal plate  54  on the intermediate portion  20 - 1   b . The metal plates  52  and  54  are provided at positions where they may be attracted by the magnets  30  and  28 , respectively, when the side member  18   a  is in the vertical position. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8(   b ), the side member  20 - 2  is provided with a disk-shaped metal plate  56  on the upper portion  20 - 2   a  and a disk-shaped metal plate  58  is provided on the intermediate portion  20 - 2   b . The metal plates  56  and  58  are provided at positions where they may be attracted by the magnets  34  and  32 , respectively, provided on the side member  18   b  when the side member  18   b  is in the vertical position. 
     Therefore, the head portion accommodating member  20  can be brought into a horizontal position ( FIG. 3(   b )) or a vertical position when rotated around the fixing members  48  and  50  ( FIG. 3(   a )). The head portion accommodating member  20  brought into the vertical position is maintained in the vertical position when the fixing members  40  and  42  are engaged with the recesses  20 - 1   cb  and  20 - 2   cb , respectively. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates the front cover member and rear cover member of the processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 9(   a ), the front cover member  22  has a generally plate-like shape with lower right end portion  22   a  and lower left end portion  22   b  protruding therefrom. The lower right end portion  22   a  has a cutout portion  22   aa , and the lower left end portion  22   b  has a cutout portion  22   ba  ( FIG. 9(   a )). 
     The cutout portion  22   aa  is engaged with the protrusion  16   a - 2  provided at a front part of the right side face  16   a  of the base member  16  and the cutout portion  22   ba  is engaged with the protrusion  16   b - 2  provided at a front part of the left side face  16   b  of the base member  16 , whereby the front cover member  22  is removably attached to the base member  16  for rotation around the protrusion  16   a - 2  and the protrusion  16   b - 2 . 
     Therefore, the front cover member  22  can be brought into a horizontal position ( FIG. 3(   a )), and can be maintained in a vertical position ( FIG. 2(   a )) when leaned against a front face  18   aa  of the side member  18   a  and a front face  18   ba  of the side member  18   b  when the side members  18   a  and  18   b  and the head portion accommodating member  20  are in their vertical position. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9(   b ), cover member  24  has a generally plate-like shape with a lower right end portion  24   a  and a lower left end portion  24   b  protruding therefrom. The lower right end portion  24   a  has a cutout portion  24   aa , and the lower left end portion  24   b  has a cutout portion  24   ba.    
     The cutout portion  24   aa  is engaged with the protrusion  16   a - 3  provided at a rear part of the right side face  16   a  of the base member  16  and the cutout portion  24   ba  is engaged with the protrusion  16   b - 3  provided at a rear part of the left side face  16   b  of the base member  16 , whereby the rear cover member  24  is removably attached to the base member  16  for rotation around the protrusion  16   a - 3  and the protrusion  16   b - 3 . 
     Therefore, the rear cover member  24  can be brought into a horizontal position ( FIG. 3(   a )), and can be brought into a vertical position when rotated around the protrusion s  16   a - 3  and  16   b - 3  of the base member  16 . The rear cover member  24  can be maintained in the vertical position when leaned against a rear face  18   ab  of the side member  18   a  and a rear face  18   bb  of the side member  18   b  when the side members  18   a  and  18   b  and the head portion accommodating member  20  are in their vertical position ( FIG. 2(   b )). 
     In the above configuration, when a workpiece is processed with the processing machine  10 , the front cover member  22 , the rear cover member  24 , the side member  18   a , and the side member  18   b  of the processing machine  10  are in the usage state ( FIGS. 2(   a ) and  2 ( b )). The top portion  18   a - 2  of the side member  18   a  and the top portion  18   b - 2  of the side member  18   b  may then be folded, and the fixing members  40  and  42  may be accommodated into the recesses  16   d  and  16   e , respectively. After the fixing members  40  and  42  are accommodated, the head portion accommodating member  20  is pulled down rearward. 
     Accordingly, the processing machine would be in an open state by pulling down the head portion accommodating member  20 , the side members  18   a  and  18   b , the front cover member  22  and the rear cover member  24 . 
     Next, the workpiece  102  may be placed on the table  104  provided on the base member  16 . Once the piece is set, after the head portion accommodating member  20  is brought into the vertical position, the fixing member  40  is brought into the vertical position to engage the front protrusion  40   b  of the fixing member  40  with the recess  20 - 1   cb  and the fixing member  42  is brought into the vertical position to engage the front protrusion  42   b  in order to maintain the head portion accommodating member  20  in the vertical position. 
     After the head portion accommodating member  20  is fixed in the vertical position, the top portion  18   a - 2  of the side member  18   a  is unfolded and then the side member  18   a  is brought into the vertical position to allow the metal plates  52  and  54  to be attracted by the magnets  30  and  28 , respectively. Accordingly, the side member  18   a  is attracted by the head portion accommodating member  20  into the vertical position. Similarly, the top portion  18   b - 2  of the side member  18   b  is unfolded and then the side member  18   b  is brought into the vertical position to allow the metal plates  56  and  58  provided on the head portion accommodating member  20  to be attracted by the magnets  34  and  32 , respectively. Thus, the side member  18   b  is attracted by the head portion accommodating member  20  into the vertical position. 
     Thereafter, the front cover member  22  is brought into the vertical position by leaning against the front face  18   aa  of and the front face  18   ba . The rear cover member  24  is brought into the vertical position by leaning against the rear face  18   ab  and the rear face  18   bb.    
     After the processing machine  10  is brought into the usage state again, a cutting operation on the workpiece  102  with the tool  122  is performed. During the cutting operation, the operator may visually monitor the cutting operation through the front cover member  22  or the rear cover member  24 . When the cutting operation is completed, the operator pulls down the front cover member  22 , the rear cover member  24 , the side members  18   a  and  18   b  and the head portion accommodating member  20  to bring the processing machine  10  into the open state. 
     As previously described, the processing machine  10  according to the present invention can be brought into an open state by pulling down the side members  18   a  and  18   b , the head portion accommodating member  20 , the front cover member  22  and the rear cover member  24  into their respective horizontal positions. This enables inserting the tool  122  into a main spindle  114   c  and placing the workpiece on the table  104 . 
     The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Accordingly, the present invention may be modified as required. 
     For example, in the embodiments described above, the head portion accommodating member  20 , the side members  18   a  and  18   b , the front cover member  22 , and the rear cover member  24  are arranged around the base member  16  such that the cutting debris generated during the cutting operation cannot be scattered or the tool  122  cannot be touched during a cutting operation. 
     However, according to another embodiment, only the head portion accommodating member  20  may be attached to the base member  16  or the base member  16  may be equipped only with the head portion accommodating member  20  and the side members  18   a  and  18   b  without the front cover member  22  and the rear cover member  24 . 
     In the embodiments described above, the base member  16 , the side members  18   a  and  18   b  and the head portion accommodating member  20  can be made of a resin, for example, although not specifically stated, the material of each constituent member may be suitably selected as appropriate. 
     In the embodiments described above, the side members  18   a  and  18   b  are disposed for rotation around the engaging members  18   a - 1   b  and  18   b - 1   b , respectively, by engaging the engaging members  18   a - 1   b  and  18   b - 1   b  of the side members  18   a  and  18   b  with the grooves  16   a - 1   b  and  16   b - 1   b  of the connecting portions  16   a - 1  and  16   b - 1  with a generally rectangular solid shape. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this configuration and alternate configurations may be employed as long as the side members  18   a  and  18   b  can be rotated relative to the base member  16  between the horizontal and vertical positions. 
     In the embodiments described above, the front protrusions  40   b  and  42   b  of the fixing members  40  and  42  are engaged with the recess  20 - 1   cb  and  20 - 2   cb , respectively, of the head portion accommodating member  20  to fix and maintain the head portion accommodating member  20  in the vertical position. However, the embodiments of present invention are not limited to this configuration. 
     For example, the head portion accommodating member  20  may be fixed and maintained in the vertical position by providing magnets on bottom faces  20 - 1   cc  and  20 - 2   cc  of the lower portions  20 - 1   c  and  20 - 2   c  of the side members  20 - 1  and  20 - 2  of the head portion accommodating member  20  and providing metal plates or magnets at positions where the magnets abut against the top face  16   c  of the base member  16  when the head portion accommodating member  20  is in the vertical position. In other words, various configurations may be employed as long as the head portion accommodating member  20  can be fixed on the base member  16  as necessary. 
     The embodiments described above may be combined as appropriate. Additionally, foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses and processes. The description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.