Patent Description:
There is known a machine tool system that includes a machine tool having a processor to process a workpiece with a tool, and a bed on which the processor is mounted, and a transport apparatus that has a plurality of legs, that transports the workpiece, and that feeds the workpiece to the processor or discharges the workpiece from the processor (see Patent Literature <NUM>). Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a configuration in which the legs of the transport apparatus are installed on the floor surface independently of the bed of the machine tool as shown in <FIG>. Patent Literature <NUM> also discloses a configuration in which the legs of the transport apparatus are mounted on the bed of the machine tool as shown in <FIG>.

In the machine tool system shown in <FIG> of Patent Literature <NUM>, the legs of the transport apparatus are installed independently of the bed of the machine tool, and as a result, vibrations occurring at the time of driving the transport apparatus are unlikely to be transmitted to the bed and thus have a limited influence on workpiece processing accuracy. However, since the bed and the legs are independent of each other, the transport apparatus and the machine tool may be displaced relatively to each other, which may hinder transfer of the workpiece between the transport apparatus and the machine tool. In the machine tool system shown in <FIG> of Patent Literature <NUM>, the legs of the transport apparatus are installed on the bed of the machine tool, and as a result, vibrations occurring at the time of driving the transport apparatus are likely to be transmitted to the bed (processor) and may thus have an increased influence on workpiece processing accuracy, while the transport apparatus and the machine tool are unlikely to be displaced relatively to each other.

An object of the present invention is to provide a machine tool system capable of suppressing displacement of the relative positions of a transport apparatus and a machine tool while suppressing a reduction in workpiece processing accuracy caused by vibrations of the transport apparatus.

A machine tool system according to an aspect of the present invention comprises: a machine tool having a processor to process a workpiece with a tool, and a bed on which the processor is mounted; a transport apparatus that has two, left and right, legs arranged apart from the bed, that transports the workpiece, and that feeds the workpiece to the processor or discharges the workpiece from the processor; and a plate that connects the bed to the leg and is elastically deformable, wherein the plate is arranged upright such that a plate surface is aligned with a front-rear direction, and a connection portion of the plate that connects with the bed and a connection portion of the plate that connects with the leg are displaced in a front-rear direction.

The machine tool system of the above aspect suppresses transmission of vibrations of the transport apparatus, which occur when a workpiece is transported or discharged, to the bed (processor), so that it is possible to suppress deterioration of workpiece processing accuracy. Since the legs of the transport apparatus are connected to the bed by a plate, relative displacement between the transport apparatus and the machine tool is regulated, and transfer of a workpiece can thus be performed smoothly between the transport apparatus and the machine tool.

In the above machine tool system, the processor may have a main spindle that holds and rotates a workpiece, and the tool may move in a left-right direction to thereby regulate the depth of cutting in the workpiece being rotated. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress a reduction in positional accuracy of the cutting depth of the tool with respect to a workpiece. In the above machine tool system, the legs may be arranged in contact with a mounting surface on which the bed is mounted. With this configuration, it is possible to maintain the positional relationship between the legs and the bed in the left-right direction by means of the plate while releasing the load of the transport apparatus to the mounting surface. In the above machine tool system, the legs may be arranged apart in the up-down direction from the mounting surface, on which the bed is mounted. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress transmission of vibrations in the left-right direction to the bed while receiving the load of the transport apparatus by means of the plate. In the above machine tool system, the plate has a rigidity capable of receiving the load of the transport apparatus in the vertical direction. With this configuration, the plate can reliably support the load of the transport apparatus. In the above machine tool system, the bed may have a supporter in contact with the mounting surface, and the leg may be arranged directly above or in the vicinity of a position directly above the supporter and may be apart from the bed. With this configuration, the load of the transport apparatus is applied to a position directly above or to a position in the vicinity of a position directly above the supporter, so that vibrations of the legs can be quickly transmitted to the mounting surface, and furthermore it is possible to suppress a bending moment and the like from occurring in the bed of the machine tool. In the above machine tool system, a second leg may be arranged at the rear of each of the two, left and right, legs, and the plate may connect the leg and the second leg arranged in the front-rear direction to the bed. With this configuration, it is possible, with one plate, to connect both the leg and the second leg to the bed. In the above machine tool system, a connection portion of the plate that connects with the bed may be provided between a connection portion that connects with the leg and a connection portion that connects with the second leg. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress transmission of vibrations in the left-right direction of the second leg to the bed.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments will be described. In the drawings referred to in the following description, from the viewpoint of simplification of the description, scale may be changed as necessary such as by illustrating a component or an element in a size that differs from the actual size thereof, or by enlarging or emphasizing it to make a contrast with other components or elements. In the drawings, an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is used to describe directions of components or elements in each drawing. The X directions indicate left-right directions of a machine tool system <NUM>, with the +X direction being the right side and the -X direction being the left side when the machine tool system <NUM> is viewed from the front side. The Y directions indicate up-down directions of the machine tool system <NUM>, with the +Y direction being the upper side and the -Y direction being the lower side. The Z directions are directions orthogonal to the X directions and the Y directions and indicate front-rear directions of the machine tool system <NUM>, with the +Z direction being the front side and the -Z direction being the rear side when the machine tool system <NUM> is viewed from the front side.

A first embodiment will be described below, with reference to the drawings. Configurations and functions of a machine tool system <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described, with reference to <FIG>. <FIG> is a front elevation view showing an example of the machine tool system <NUM> according to the first embodiment. <FIG> is a right-side view of the machine tool system <NUM> shown in <FIG>. <FIG> is a perspective view showing an example of a machine tool <NUM> that constitutes the machine tool system <NUM>. It should be noted that illustration of tools <NUM> described later is omitted in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the machine tool system <NUM> includes a machine tool <NUM>, a loader (transport apparatus) <NUM>, a workpiece feeder <NUM>, a workpiece collector <NUM>, connecting plates (plates) <NUM>, and a controller <NUM>. This machine tool system <NUM> is installed on a floor surface (mounting surface) FS of a building of a factory or the like. In the machine tool system <NUM>, the controller <NUM> controls the machine tool <NUM> and the loader <NUM>, and the machine tool <NUM> processes or machines a workpiece W transported by the loader <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the workpiece W is of a cylindrical shape, however, the workpiece W may be of an arbitrary shape and may, for example, be a disc-shaped workpiece. The workpiece W may be an elongated rod-shaped workpiece.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the machine tool <NUM> includes a first processing apparatus <NUM>, a second processing apparatus <NUM>, and a reversing apparatus <NUM>. The machine tool <NUM> processes the workpiece W transported by the loader <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first processing or machining apparatus <NUM> has a bed <NUM> and a processor or machining section <NUM>. The first processing apparatus <NUM>, for example, performs the first processing or machining on the workpiece W by means of the processor <NUM>.

The bed <NUM> has a main body <NUM> and a plurality of leveling bolts (supporters) <NUM>. The main body <NUM> is, for example, of a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is supported by the plurality of leveling bolts <NUM> and mounted on the floor surface FS. The leveling bolts <NUM> are attached in the vicinity of four corners on the lower face side of the main body <NUM>, and each thereof comes in contact with the floor surface FS. That is to say, the bed <NUM> is mounted on the floor surface FS.

The bed <NUM> has the processor <NUM> mounted on an upper face side thereof. The processor <NUM> has a main spindle <NUM>, a turret <NUM> and a plurality of tools <NUM>. The main spindle <NUM> is supported rotatably around an axis parallel to the Z direction (front-rear direction) and is rotated by a rotation driver not shown in the drawings. The main spindle <NUM> includes a chuck not shown in the drawings capable of gripping the workpiece W at a distal end thereof on the +Z side. The chuck has a plurality of gripping claws capable of gripping an end of the workpiece W. The main spindle <NUM> rotates the workpiece W gripped by the chuck around an axis parallel to the Z direction. The turret <NUM> is arranged on the -X side of the main spindle <NUM>. The turret <NUM> is supported rotatably around an axis parallel to the Z direction and is rotated by a rotation driver not shown in the drawings. On an outer peripheral surface of turret <NUM> there are provided a plurality of tool holders to hold the tools <NUM>. The plurality of tools <NUM> are, for example, cutting tool bits, end mills, or the like, and are attached respectively to the tool holders of the turret <NUM> in a detachable manner. The plurality of tools <NUM> may be tools of the same type or tools of different types.

The first processing apparatus <NUM> rotates the turret <NUM> to select a tool <NUM> for use from the plurality of tools <NUM> and moves the turret <NUM> in the X direction (and the Z direction) while axially rotating the workpiece W together with the main spindle <NUM>, to thereby process the workpiece W by means of the tool <NUM>. In such a case, the movement of the turret <NUM> in the X direction is controlled by the controller <NUM>. The position to which the turret <NUM> is moved in the X direction (left-right direction) regulates the depth of cutting in the workpiece W.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the second processing or machining apparatus <NUM> is arranged on the +X direction side with respect to the first processing apparatus <NUM> and has the same components as those of the first processing apparatus <NUM>. The second processing apparatus <NUM> performs the second processing or machining on the workpiece W that has undergone the first processing performed by the first processing apparatus <NUM>, for example. The second processing apparatus <NUM> differs from the first processing apparatus <NUM> in that the arrangement of the main spindle <NUM> and the turret <NUM> is reversed in the X direction. The first processing apparatus <NUM> and the second processing apparatus <NUM> each have an individual bed <NUM>, however, the invention is not limited to this form. For example, the first processing apparatus <NUM> and the second processing apparatus <NUM> may be configured to share one bed <NUM>. The processing performed on the workpiece W by the second processing apparatus <NUM> may differ from the processing performed on the workpiece W by the first processing apparatus <NUM>. Therefore, the tool <NUM> used by the processor <NUM> of the second processing apparatus <NUM> may be different from the tool <NUM> used by the processor <NUM> of the first processing apparatus <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the reversing apparatus <NUM> is arranged on the +Y side (above) of the first processing apparatus <NUM> and the second processing apparatus <NUM>. The reversing apparatus <NUM> is supported on the bed <NUM>, for example, by a frame or the like not shown in the drawings. The reversing apparatus <NUM> reverses the workpiece W that has undergone the first processing performed by the first processing apparatus <NUM> in the Z direction before transporting the workpiece W to the second processing apparatus <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the reversing apparatus <NUM> has chucks <NUM>, <NUM> and a reverser <NUM>. The chucks <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged in a line along the X direction. The chucks <NUM>, <NUM> each have gripping claws not shown in the drawings and can grip the workpiece W. The chuck <NUM> is provided on the reverser <NUM>. The reverser <NUM> moves the chuck <NUM> so as to face the chuck <NUM>. After having gripped an end of the workpiece W by means of the chuck <NUM>, the reversing apparatus <NUM> causes the reverser <NUM> to move the chuck <NUM> and causes the chuck <NUM> to grip the opposite end of the workpiece W. Next, after the grip of the workpiece W, by means of the chuck <NUM>, has been released, the reverser <NUM> returns the chuck <NUM> to the original position thereof to thereby reverse the workpiece W in the Z direction. Such operations of the reversing apparatus <NUM> are controlled by the controller <NUM>. It should be noted that the reversing apparatus <NUM> may be of any configuration. In a case where the workpiece W need not be reversed, the machine tool <NUM> need not include the reversing apparatus <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the configuration including the first processing apparatus <NUM> and the second processing apparatus <NUM> has been described as an example of the machine tool <NUM>, however, the invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the machine tool may include only either one of the first processing apparatus <NUM> and the second processing apparatus <NUM>. Also, the machine tool <NUM> may include another processing apparatus in addition to the first processing apparatus <NUM> and the second processing apparatus <NUM>, for example. In the present embodiment, the form in which the tools <NUM> are attached to the turret <NUM> has been described as an example, however, the invention is not limited to this form. For example, the tools <NUM> may be held by a comb-shaped tool post instead of the turret <NUM>. In such a case also, by moving in the X direction (left-right direction), the comb-shaped tool post regulates the depth of cutting in the workpiece W performed by the tool <NUM>.

The loader <NUM> has two, left and right, legs <NUM>, a beam <NUM> (see <FIG>), an X-guide <NUM>, an X-slider <NUM>, a Z-slider <NUM>, an elevation rod <NUM>, a loader head <NUM>, and two, left and right, second legs (see <FIG>). The loader <NUM> is a portal-type loader or a gantry loader. The loader <NUM> transports the workpiece W between the workpiece feeder <NUM>, the first processing apparatus <NUM>, the second processing apparatus <NUM>, and the workpiece collector <NUM>. For example, the loader <NUM>: transports the workpiece W from the workpiece feeder <NUM> to feed it to the first processing apparatus <NUM>; transports the workpiece W processed by the first processing apparatus <NUM> to the reversing apparatus <NUM>; feeds the workpiece W reversed by the reversing apparatus <NUM> to the second processing apparatus <NUM> from the reversing apparatus <NUM>; and transports the workpiece W processed by the second processing apparatus <NUM> to the workpiece collector <NUM> from the second processing apparatus <NUM>.

The two, left and right, legs <NUM> are arranged on both the left and right sides respectively of the machine tool <NUM> on the +Z side (front side) of the machine tool <NUM>. These legs <NUM> are arranged apart from the bed <NUM> of the machine tool <NUM>. Each leg <NUM> has a leg main body 31A and a leveling bolt 31B. The leveling bolt 31B is attached to a lower end of the leg main body 31A and is in contact with the floor surface FS. The two, left and right, second legs <NUM> are arranged on both the left and right sides respectively of the machine tool <NUM> on the -Z side (rear side) of the machine tool <NUM>. Each of the two second legs <NUM> is arranged on the rear side (-Z side) of the leg <NUM>. These second legs <NUM> are arranged apart from the bed <NUM> of the machine tool <NUM>. Each second leg <NUM> has a leg main body 131A and a leveling bolt 131B. The leveling bolt 131B is attached to a lower end of the leg main body 131A and is in contact with the floor surface FS. That is to say, in the present embodiment, the two legs <NUM> and the two second legs <NUM> are both in contact with the floor surface FS.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a lower right portion of the machine tool system <NUM>. <FIG> is a plan view showing an example of an arrangement of the bed <NUM>, the leg <NUM>, and the connecting plate <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the leg <NUM> is arranged near the leveling bolt <NUM> of the bed <NUM>. A clearance D is formed between the leg <NUM> and the bed <NUM> in the X direction (left-right direction). <FIG> and <FIG> only show the +X side portion of the machine tool system <NUM>, however, the -X side portion is also configured in a similar manner in which the leg <NUM> is arranged near the leveling bolt <NUM> of the bed <NUM>, and a clearance D is formed between the leg <NUM> and the bed <NUM> in the X direction (left-right direction). The two second legs <NUM> are arranged at the rear (in the -Z direction) of the respective legs <NUM> and apart from the bed <NUM> in the -Z direction.

As shown in <FIG>, the beam <NUM> extends in the Z direction and connects an upper portion of the leg <NUM> and an upper portion of the second leg <NUM> to increase the rigidity of the loader <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and so forth, the X guide <NUM> extends in the X direction and is fixed to upper ends of the two, left and right, legs <NUM> (leg main body 31A). The X-slider <NUM> is moved in the X direction (left-right direction) along the X-guide <NUM> by the driver not shown in the drawings. The Z-slider <NUM> is moved by a driver not shown in the drawings in the Z direction (front-rear direction) along a Z-guide that is included in the X-slider <NUM> and not shown in the drawings. The elevation rod <NUM> is moved by a driver not shown in the drawings in the Y direction (up-down direction) along an elevation guide that is included in the Z-slider <NUM> and not shown in the drawings. The loader head <NUM> is provided at a lower end of the elevation rod <NUM>. The loader head <NUM> includes a chuck (gripping claws) not shown in the drawings and is capable of gripping an end of the workpiece W. The loader head <NUM> can switch the orientation of the gripped workpiece W between downward-facing (-Y direction) and side-facing (-Z direction) by means of a swivel joint or the like, for example.

The workpiece feeder <NUM> is arranged on the -X side of the machine tool <NUM>. One or more workpieces W that have not been processed by the machine tool <NUM> are placed on the workpiece feeder <NUM>. The workpiece collector <NUM> is arranged on the +X side of the machine tool <NUM>. One or more workpieces W that have been processed by the machine tool <NUM> are placed on the workpiece feeder <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the connecting plate <NUM> connects a lower part of the leg <NUM> to the bed <NUM>. The connecting plate <NUM> also connects a lower part of the second leg <NUM> to the bed <NUM>. That is to say, one connecting plate <NUM> connects the leg <NUM>, the second leg <NUM>, and the bed <NUM>. In the machine tool system <NUM> of the present embodiment, two of the connecting plates <NUM> are used. Of the two connecting plates <NUM>, one connecting plate <NUM> is used on the -X side of the first processing apparatus <NUM> to connect the leg <NUM>, the second leg <NUM>, and the bed <NUM> of the first processing apparatus <NUM>. The other one of the connecting plates <NUM> is used on the +X side of the second processing apparatus <NUM> to connect the leg <NUM>, the second leg <NUM>, and the bed <NUM> of the second processing apparatus <NUM>. The two connecting plates <NUM> are identical or substantially identical, however, may be of different shapes.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the connecting plate <NUM> is arranged upright such that a plate surface 62A is aligned with the Z direction (front-rear direction). That is to say, the connecting plate <NUM> is arranged in a manner such that the plate surface 62A orthogonal to the plate thickness direction (left-right direction, X direction) thereof includes the Y direction (up-down direction) and the Z direction (front-rear direction). As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the connecting plate <NUM> has a symmetrical shape as viewed in the X direction and has a main body <NUM> and two projections <NUM>. The main body <NUM> is of a rectangular shape as viewed from the plate thickness direction thereof. The projections <NUM> are provided to increase the strength of connection between the leg <NUM> and the second leg <NUM>. Each of the two projections <NUM> is of a triangular shape as viewed from the plate thickness direction thereof. The two projections <NUM> project upward from an upper end face of the main body <NUM> at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the main body <NUM> (in the front-rear direction or the Z direction), with their inclined faces opposed to each other, and are provided so as to be shifted toward the center from both ends of the main body <NUM> in the longitudinal direction. The plate thickness and the vertical dimension of the connecting plate <NUM> can be set arbitrarily.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the connecting plate <NUM> is connected to a side face of the bed <NUM> by a plurality of screws <NUM> arranged in the Z direction and the Y direction, forming a connection portion 66A. The connecting plate <NUM> is connected to the leg main body 31A of the leg <NUM> by screws or the like not shown in the drawings to form a connection portion 66B. The connecting plate <NUM> is connected to the leg main body 131A of the second leg <NUM> by screws or the like not shown in the drawings to form a connection portion 166B. In the longitudinal direction of the main body <NUM>, the connection portion 66A deviates from the lengthwise center thereof toward the +Z side. That is to say, in the Z direction (front-rear direction), the distance between the connection portion 66A and the connection portion 66B is shorter than the distance between the connection portion 66A and the connection portion 166B. As a result, the supporting rigidity of the leg <NUM> in the X direction (left-right direction) and in the Y direction (up-down direction) is higher than the supporting rigidity of the second leg <NUM> in the X direction and in the Y direction. Since the leg <NUM> includes the X-guide <NUM> at an upper end thereof, it receives much of the load of the loader <NUM> and is likely to vibrate. Since the supporting rigidity of the legs <NUM> is high as mentioned above, the loader <NUM> can be operated stably. It should be noted that the two projections <NUM> are both arranged between the leg <NUM> and the second leg <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

As an example, the connecting plate <NUM> is a plate composed of metal and is elastically deformable in a direction orthogonal to the plate surface 62A (plate thickness direction). As described above, the connecting plate <NUM> is arranged upright such that the plate surface 62A is aligned with the Z direction (front-rear direction). Therefore, the connecting plate <NUM> has a rigidity higher in the Y direction (up-down direction) and in the Z direction (front-rear direction) than in the X direction (left-right direction). That is to say, the connecting plate <NUM> has a rigidity capable of receiving the load of the loader <NUM> in the Y direction (up-down direction) while being allowed to flex (deform elastically) in the X direction (left-right direction). As a result, while receiving the load of the loader <NUM>, if the leg <NUM> vibrates (oscillates) in the X direction, the connecting plate <NUM> flexes to thereby suppress transmission of the vibrations in the X direction to the bed <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> controls each component of the machine tool <NUM> and each component of the loader <NUM>. The control of the operation of each component performed by the controller <NUM> will be described later.

Next, operations of the processing performed on the workpiece W by the machine tool system <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described, with reference to <FIG> are diagrams for describing operations of the processing performed on the workpiece W by the machine tool system <NUM> of the present embodiment and are front elevation views of the machine tool system <NUM> showing from the start of the processing to the end of the processing. These figures are numbered in chronological order of the processing operations.

When a worker inputs processing conditions and so forth for the workpiece W into an operation panel (interface) not shown in the drawings, the controller <NUM> performs control of the machine tool system <NUM> in accordance with the input information. First, as shown in <FIG>, at the start of the processing, the loader head <NUM> of the loader <NUM> descends from above the workpiece feeder <NUM>, grips the workpiece W, and then lifts it (see <FIG>). As the loader head <NUM> ascends or descends, the leg <NUM> and the second leg <NUM> vibrate in the up-down direction (Y direction). Next, after the loader head <NUM> has ascended, the X-slider <NUM> moves in the +X direction along the X-guide <NUM> and stops above the main spindle <NUM> of the first processing apparatus <NUM> (see <FIG>). As the X-slider <NUM> moves and stops in this manner, the leg <NUM> and the second leg <NUM> vibrate in the left-right direction (X direction). Next, the loader head <NUM> descends to a position opposed to the main spindle <NUM> (overlapping position in the Z direction) as the elevation rod <NUM> descends, and after changing the orientation of the workpiece W from downward direction to -Z side-facing, the Z-slider <NUM> moves in the - Z direction to thereby transfer the workpiece W to the main spindle <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The first processing apparatus <NUM> axially rotates the workpiece W held by the main spindle <NUM> and performs processing on the workpiece W while moving the tool <NUM> attached to the turret <NUM> in the +X direction. When the processing has ended, the workpiece W held by the main spindle <NUM> is transferred to the loader head <NUM>. The workpiece W on the loader head <NUM> is transferred to the chuck <NUM> of the reversing apparatus <NUM> by moving the X-slider <NUM>, the Z-slider <NUM>, and the elevation rod <NUM> (omitted in the drawings). The reversing apparatus <NUM> reverses the workpiece W by transferring the workpiece W from the chuck <NUM> to the chuck <NUM>. After the loader head <NUM> has received the reversed workpiece W, the workpiece W is transferred to the main spindle <NUM> of the second processing apparatus <NUM> by moving the X-slider <NUM>, the Z-slider <NUM>, and the elevation rod <NUM> (omitted in the drawings).

The second processing apparatus <NUM> axially rotates the workpiece W held by the main spindle <NUM> and performs processing on the workpiece W while moving the tool <NUM> attached to the turret <NUM> in the -X direction. When the processing has ended, the workpiece W held by the main spindle <NUM> is transferred to the loader head <NUM>. During the transfer of the workpiece W between the main spindle <NUM> and the reversing apparatus <NUM>, the movement of the X-slider <NUM> causes the leg <NUM> and the second leg <NUM> to vibrate in the left-right direction (X direction), the ascent and descent of the elevation rod <NUM> causes the leg <NUM> and the second leg <NUM> to vibrate in the up-down direction (Y direction), and the movement of the Z-slider <NUM> causes the leg <NUM> and the second leg <NUM> to vibrate in the front-rear direction (Z direction).

Next, the X-slider <NUM> moves in the +X direction along the X-guide <NUM> and stops above the workpiece collector <NUM>. The movement of the X-slider <NUM> performed in this manner causes the leg <NUM> and the second leg <NUM> to vibrate in the left-right direction (X direction). Next, the loader head <NUM> gripping the workpiece W, which has already undergone the processing, descends as the elevation rod <NUM> descends, and places the workpiece W on the workpiece collector <NUM> (see <FIG>). The ascent and descent of the elevation rod <NUM> performed in this manner causes the leg <NUM> and the second leg <NUM> to vibrate in the up-down direction (Y direction). Through the operations exemplified above, the processing of the workpiece W according to the present embodiment is completed. By repeating the above operations, a plurality of workpieces W are processed, and as such processing is performed on the workpieces W, the leg <NUM> and the second leg <NUM> vibrate in the left-right direction (X direction), the up-down direction (Y direction), and the front-rear direction (Z direction). The loader <NUM> continues to operate even during the processing being performed on the workpiece W by the first processing apparatus <NUM> and the second processing apparatus <NUM>.

Next, actions of the first embodiment will be described, with reference to the drawings. As mentioned above, the bed <NUM> of the machine tool <NUM> and the leg <NUM> and the second leg <NUM> of the loader <NUM> are connected to each other by the connecting plate <NUM>. The connecting plate <NUM> is an elastic deformable plate, and the connection portion 66A that connects with the bed <NUM> and the connection portion 66B that connects with the leg <NUM> are displaced or offset in the Z direction (front-rear direction). The connection portion 66A that connects with the bed <NUM> and the connection portion 166B that connects with the second leg <NUM> are also displaced in the Z direction (front-rear direction).

<FIG> is a schematic diagram showing routes over which vibrations generated by the loader <NUM> are transmitted to the floor surface FS in the machine tool system <NUM> according to the present embodiment. The black arrows denote the propagation direction of vibrations of the legs <NUM> generated by the loader <NUM>, and the white arrows denote the propagation direction of vibrations generated by the main spindles <NUM> of the first processing apparatus <NUM> and the second processing apparatus <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, in the machine tool system <NUM> of the present embodiment, the leg <NUM> and the bed <NUM> are connected by the connecting plate <NUM>. Therefore, the relative positions of the machine tool <NUM> and the loader <NUM> to each other are unlikely to displace, and thus the workpiece W can be transferred smoothly between the machine tool <NUM> and the loader <NUM>. Some of the vibrations generated by the operation of the loader <NUM> are transmitted to the bed <NUM> of the machine tool <NUM> and transmitted from the leveling bolts <NUM> of the bed <NUM> to the floor surface FS. Since the connecting plate <NUM> has a high rigidity in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction, vibrations of the legs <NUM> in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction are transmitted from the connecting plate <NUM> to the floor surface FS through the leveling bolts <NUM> of the bed <NUM>. The vibrations generated by the main spindle <NUM> and the tool <NUM> (turret <NUM>) of the machine tool <NUM> are transmitted to the floor surface FS through the leveling bolts <NUM> of the bed <NUM>.

The connecting plate <NUM> is elastically deformable in the X direction, and furthermore, the connection portion 66A that connects with the bed <NUM> and the connection portion 66B that connects with the leg <NUM> are displaced in the Z direction (front-rear direction). Therefore, even when the leg <NUM> vibrates in the X direction, the elastic deformation of the connecting plate <NUM> absorbs some of the vibrations and reduces transmission of the vibrations in the X direction to the bed <NUM>. The X direction (left-right direction) is a direction in which the depth of cutting in the workpiece W performed by the tool <NUM> is regulated in the first processing apparatus <NUM> and the second processing apparatus <NUM>. Therefore, since the vibrations of the loader <NUM> (legs <NUM>) in the X direction are unlikely to be transmitted to the bed <NUM>, variations in the depth of cutting in the workpiece W are small, and a reduction in the accuracy of the processing performed on the workpiece W can be suppressed. Although not illustrated in <FIG>, similarly, even when the second leg <NUM> vibrates in the X direction, the elastic deformation of the connecting plate <NUM> absorbs some of the vibrations and reduces transmission of the vibrations in the X direction to the bed <NUM>. That is to say, in the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress displacement of the relative positions of the machine tool <NUM> and the loader <NUM> while suppressing a reduction in the accuracy of the processing performed on the workpiece W.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in the machine tool system <NUM> of the present embodiment, the two legs <NUM> are in contact with the floor surface FS by means of the leveling bolts 31B. The two second legs <NUM> are also in contact with the floor surface FS by means of the leveling bolts 131B. As a result, some of the vibrations generated by the loader <NUM> can be transmitted directly to the floor surface FS. Therefore, vibrations to be absorbed by the connecting plate <NUM> can be reduced. That is to say, by releasing some of the vibrations generated by loader <NUM> from the legs <NUM>, it is possible to adjust the magnitude of the vibrations transmitted to bed <NUM>.

The connecting plate <NUM> has a rigidity more capable of receiving the load of the loader <NUM> in the Y direction (up-down direction) and in the Z direction (front-rear direction) than in the X direction (left-right direction). Accordingly, when the connecting plate <NUM> receives the vibrations of the loader <NUM>, even if it deforms elastically in the X direction, it is unlikely to or does not deform in the Y direction and the Z direction. Therefore, in the machine tool system <NUM> of the present embodiment, transmission of vibrations of the legs <NUM> (second legs <NUM>) in the X direction to the bed <NUM> is suppressed, and vibrations of the legs <NUM> in the Y direction and the Z direction are transmitted to the bed <NUM> so as to be dampened together with the bed <NUM>. In many cases, vibrations in the Y direction and the Z direction have limited influence on the accuracy of the processing performed on the workpiece W. Therefore, it is possible by suppressing vibrations in the X direction to suppress a reduction in the accuracy of the processing performed on the workpiece W.

In the present embodiment, the legs <NUM> and the second legs <NUM> are in contact with the floor surface FS by means of the leveling bolts 31B, 131B. That is to say, a majority of the load of the loader <NUM> can be released from the legs <NUM> and the second legs <NUM> to the floor surface FS through the leveling bolts 31B, 131B. As a result, the burden on the connecting plate <NUM> in the up-down direction (Y direction) is reduced, and the rigidity of the connecting plate <NUM> in the up-down direction can be reduced, which reduces the sourcing cost of the connecting plate <NUM> and prevents deterioration of the connecting plate <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, one connecting plate <NUM> is connected to the leg <NUM> and the second leg <NUM>. That is to say, one connecting plate <NUM> is used for both connecting with the leg <NUM> and connecting with the second leg <NUM>. Therefore, the number of connecting plates <NUM> used can be reduced compared to the case where the leg <NUM> and the second leg <NUM> are connected by separate connecting plates <NUM>, and as a result, the manufacturing cost of the machine tool system <NUM> can be reduced. In the present embodiment, the configuration is not limited to using one connecting plate <NUM> to connect the leg <NUM> and the second leg <NUM> to the bed <NUM>. For example, the leg <NUM> and the second leg <NUM> may each be connected to the bed <NUM> by a separate connecting plate <NUM>.

Next, a machine tool system 10A according to a second embodiment will be described, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> is a perspective view of a lower right portion of the machine tool system 10A according to the second embodiment. In the following description, configurations similar to those of the machine tool system <NUM> of the first embodiment are assigned with the same reference signs and descriptions thereof are omitted or simplified. In the following description, portions that differ from those of the machine tool system <NUM> according to the first embodiment will be described. As shown in <FIG>, the machine tool system 10A differs from the machine tool system <NUM> of the first embodiment (see <FIG> and so forth) in that the two legs <NUM> and the two second legs <NUM> are arranged apart in the Y direction (up-down direction) from the floor surface FS. That is to say, in the machine tool system 10A, the leg <NUM> is composed of the leg main body 31A only, the second leg <NUM> is composed of the leg main body 131A only, and the leg <NUM> and the second leg <NUM> do not have the leveling bolts 31B, 131B.

The leg <NUM> (leg main body 31A) is arranged directly above or in the vicinity of a position directly above the leveling bolt <NUM> of the bed <NUM> and is apart from the bed <NUM>. Here, the term "vicinity" means, for example, a position shifted from a position directly above the leveling bolt <NUM>, and as shown in <FIG>, the leg main body 31A and the leveling bolt <NUM> of the bed <NUM> are adjacent to each other in the X direction while having a clearance D therebetween in the Y direction. In the present embodiment, the leg main body 31A is arranged in the vicinity of a position directly above the leveling bolt <NUM>, however, the invention is not limited to this form. For example, the leg <NUM> (leg main body 31A) may be arranged directly above the leveling bolt <NUM>.

The connecting plate <NUM> has a rigidity capable of receiving the load of the loader <NUM> in the up-down direction. In the present embodiment, the load of the loader <NUM> is received by the bed <NUM> through the connecting plate <NUM>. Since each leg <NUM> is arranged in the vicinity of a position directly above the leveling bolt <NUM>, the bending moment on the bed <NUM> can be reduced and vibrations transmitted from the leg <NUM> to the bed <NUM> through the connecting plate <NUM> can be released quickly to the floor surface FS compared to the case where the leg <NUM> is positioned far away from the position directly above the leveling bolt <NUM>. That is to say, the influence of the load of the loader <NUM> or of the vibrations of the loader <NUM> on the bed <NUM> can be reduced. The same applies to the case where the leg <NUM> is arranged directly above the leveling bolt <NUM>.

Next, actions of the present embodiment will be described, with reference to <FIG> is a schematic diagram showing routes over which vibrations generated by the loader <NUM> are transmitted to the floor surface FS in the machine tool system 10A according to the present embodiment. The black arrows denote the propagation direction of vibrations generated by the loader <NUM>, and the white arrows denote the propagation direction of vibrations generated by the main spindles <NUM> of the first processing apparatus <NUM> and the second processing apparatus <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, in the machine tool system 10A of the present embodiment, the positions of the machine tool <NUM> and the loader <NUM> are unlikely to displace relatively to each other, and the connecting plate <NUM> reduces transmission of vibrations of the loader <NUM> (legs <NUM>) in the X direction to the bed <NUM>, which suppresses a reduction in the accuracy of the processing performed on the workpiece W. The load of the loader <NUM> and the vibrations of the leg <NUM> in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction are transmitted from the connecting plate <NUM> to the floor surface FS through the leveling bolts <NUM> of the bed <NUM>. That is to say, in the present embodiment, as with the first embodiment described above, it is possible to suppress displacement of the relative positions of the machine tool <NUM> and the loader <NUM> while suppressing a reduction in the accuracy of the processing performed on the workpiece W.

Claim 1:
A machine tool system (<NUM>, 10A) comprising:
a machine tool (<NUM>) having a processor (<NUM>, <NUM>) to process a workpiece (W) with a tool (<NUM>), and a bed (<NUM>) on which the processor (<NUM>, <NUM>) is mounted;
a transport apparatus (<NUM>) having two, left and right, legs (<NUM>) arranged apart from the bed (<NUM>), the transport apparatus (<NUM>) configured to transport the workpiece (W), and feed the workpiece (W) to the processor (<NUM>, <NUM>) or discharge the workpiece (W) from the processor (<NUM>, <NUM>); characterised in that it comprises
a plate (<NUM>) that connects the bed (<NUM>) to a leg (<NUM>) and that is elastically deformable,
wherein the plate (<NUM>) is arranged upright such that a plate surface (<NUM>) is aligned with a front-rear direction, and
wherein a connection portion (66A) of the plate (<NUM>) that connects with the bed (<NUM>) and a connection portion (66B) of the plate (<NUM>) that connects with a leg (<NUM>) are displaced in a front-rear direction.