Machine tool and workpiece processing system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10293409-B2
Application number	US-201515322676-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 23, 2015
Priority date	Jun 30, 2014
Publication date	May 21, 2019
Grant date	May 21, 2019

Abstract

In an embodiment, a machine tool includes two fixed modules and two movable modules each of which having a main spindle, a headstock, and a tool post being integrally formed, and a bed on which these are installed. The movable modules are provided on the bed to be movable in the Y-axis direction, the fixed modules are fixed on the bed on the opposite sides of the these movable modules, and a recess is provided next to the fixed module, the recess being formed by cutting out the bed. The movable modules are movable such that the axis lines of the main spindles of the movable modules are aligned with the axis line of the main spindle of the fixed module or the fixed module. The movable module is movable to the opposite position of the recess.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A machine tool comprising:
a plurality of modules each including a workpiece holder that holds a workpiece and an operation part holder that holds an operation part for performing a predetermined operation to the workpiece held by the workpiece holder, the workpiece holder and the operation part holder being integrally provided; and
a bed on which each of the modules is installed, wherein:
the modules include two movable modules arranged in parallel and an opposite module disposed to face the two movable modules,
the workpiece is processed while being transferred between at least one of the movable modules and the opposite module,
the movable modules are arranged in parallel to be movable in a direction in which the movable modules are arranged,
a recess is provided next to the opposite module, the recess being formed by cutting out the bed,
at least one of the movable modules is movable to be aligned with the opposite modules, and
at least one of the movable modules is provided to be movable to face the recess.

2. The machine tool according to claim 1 , wherein
the workpiece holder is a main spindle that grips the workpiece,
the operation part is a tool that processes the workpiece gripped by the main spindle, and
the operation part holder is a tool post that holds the tool.

3. The machine tool according to claim 1 , wherein
the opposite module is unmovably fixed on the bed as a fixed module.

4. The machine tool according to claim 1 , wherein
the opposite module is two modules arranged in parallel.

5. The machine tool according to claim 4 , wherein
the two movable modules comprise a first movable module and a second movable module, and
the two opposite modules comprise a first opposite module and a second opposite module, and
at least one of the first and second movable modules are movable to be aligned with at least one of the first and second opposite modules.

6. The machine tool according to claim 1 , wherein an isolation wall that isolates processing regions for processing the workpiece is openably and closably provided between adjacent modules to be openable and closable.

7. A workpiece processing system comprising a plurality of machine tools according to claim 1 arranged in parallel such that the recess is provided therebetween.

8. The workpiece processing system according to claim 7 , wherein
the movable modules of the plurality of machine tools are movably provided and capable of facing the opposite module of respectively adjacent machine tools,
the workpiece is transferred between the plurality of machine tools, and
the workpiece is processed in a plurality of steps while being transferred between the plurality of machine tools.

9. The machine tool according to claim 1 , wherein
the two movable modules comprise a first movable module and a second movable module, and each of the first and second movable modules are movable to be aligned with the opposite module.

10. A workpiece processing system comprising:
a plurality of machine tools, each of the machine tools, including:
a plurality of modules each having a workpiece holder that holds a workpiece and an operation part holder that holds an operation part for performing a predetermined operation to the workpiece held by the workpiece holder, the workpiece holder and the operation part holder being integrally provided; and
a bed on which each of the modules is installed, wherein

the modules include a movable module and an opposite module disposed to face the movable module,
the workpiece is processed while being transferred between the movable module and the opposite module,
a recess is provided next to the opposite module, the recess being formed by cutting out the bed,
the movable module is movable to be aligned with the opposite module,
the movable module is provided to be movable to face the recess,
the plurality of the machine tools is arranged in parallel such that the recess is provided therebetween, and
the movable module is commonly used as a movable module for one of the machine tools and as a movable module for another of the machine tools.

11. A workpiece processing system comprising:
a plurality of machine tools, each of the machine tools, including:
a plurality of modules each having a workpiece holder that holds a workpiece and an operation part holder that holds an operation part for performing a predetermined operation to the workpiece held by the workpiece holder, the workpiece holder and the operation part holder being integrally provided; and
a bed on which each of the modules is installed, wherein

the modules include a movable module and an opposite module disposed to face the movable module,
the workpiece is processed while being transferred between the movable module and the opposite module,
a recess is provided next to the opposite module, the recess being formed by cutting out the bed,
the movable module is movable to be aligned with the opposite module,
the movable module is provided to be movable to face the recess,
the plurality of the machine tools is arranged in parallel such that the recess is provided therebetween,
the workpiece processing system includes two movable modules, and
the two movable modules are commonly used as movable modules for each of the machine tools arranged in parallel.

Assignees

• Citizen Watch Co Ltd
• Citizen Machinery Co Ltd

Inventors

• Nakaya Takaichi
• Kubota Mamoru
• Nakazawa Sakae
• Sannomiya Kazuhiko

Classifications

• B23Q41/04

  Features relating to relative arrangements of machines · CPC title

• B23Q2039/008

  Machines of the lathe type · CPC title

• B23B3/30 Primary

  Turning-machines with two or more working-spindles, e.g. in fixed arrangement · CPC title

• B23Q39/02

  the sub-assemblies being capable of being brought to act at a single operating station · CPC title

• B23Q41/02

  Features relating to transfer of work between machines (arrangements for handling work for machine tools coordinated in production lines B23Q7/14) · CPC title