System and method for inserting or removing cutting inserts of a cutting tool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12070846-B2
Application number	US-202117537914-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 30, 2021
Priority date	Dec 1, 2020
Publication date	Aug 27, 2024
Grant date	Aug 27, 2024

Abstract

A system for inserting and removing cutting inserts of a cutting tool includes a first processing device, a second processing device, and a controller coupled to the first processing device and the second processing device, wherein the first processing device includes a gripping element for holding or securing a cutting insert, wherein the second processing device includes a fastening tool for fastening or releasing a fastening mechanism holding the cutting insert, and wherein the control is adapted to control the first processing device to hold the cutting insert, to control the second processing device to fasten or release the fastening mechanism when the cutting insert is held.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A system for inserting or removing cutting inserts of a cutting tool, comprising:
a first processing device;
a second processing device;
a controller coupled to the first processing device and the second processing device;
a storage device having a plurality of receptacles for temporarily storing the cutting inserts, the storage device configured to insert the cutting inserts into and remove the cutting inserts from the plurality of receptacles, each of the plurality of receptacles is configured to accommodate one of the cutting inserts,
wherein the at least one receptacle comprises a centering device shaped complementary to the cutting insert and configured to hold the cutting insert in a predetermined orientation,
wherein the first processing device comprises a gripping element for holding or securing a cutting insert,
wherein the second processing device comprises a plurality of fastening tools each configured for fastening or loosening a fastening means holding the cutting insert, and
wherein the controller is adapted to control the first processing device to hold the cutting insert and to control the second processing device, when the cutting insert is held, to fasten or loosen the fastening means.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the gripping element comprises a suction gripper or a clamping gripper.

3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein one of the plurality of fastening tools comprises a screw driving device.

4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first processing device and said second processing device is a multi-axis robot.

5. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a separate fixing device for receiving a cutting tool to which the cutting insert is attachable for use, for inserting and removing the cutting insert with the cutting tool arranged on the fixing device.

6. The system according to claim 5 , wherein the fixing device is arranged in an area which is located in a working area of the first processing device and the second processing device.

7. The system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first processing device and said second processing device is adapted to carry a replaceable handling tool.

8. The system according to claim 7 , wherein the controller is configured to read in an identifier of the cutting tool carrying the cutting insert when handling the cutting insert and to control the at least one of the first and second processing devices so that the at least one of the first and second processing devices receives a corresponding handling tool.

9. A method of inserting or removing cutting inserts of a cutting tool, comprising:
positioning a gripping element of a first processing device on a cutting insert;
holding the cutting insert by the gripping element;
positioning a fastening tool of a second processing device on a fastening means holding the cutting insert;
fastening or loosening the fastening means by the fastening tool with the cutting insert held in place;
releasing the cutting insert by the first processing device; and
inserting the cutting insert into a receptacle of a storage device, the receptacle comprising a centering device shaped complementary to the cutting insert and configured to hold the cutting insert in a predetermined orientation.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
removing the cutting tool carrying the cutting insert from a machine tool or a transport device;
inserting the cutting tool into a fixing device;
after handling the cutting insert with the cutting tool arranged in the fixing device, removing the cutting tool from the fixing device, and
inserting the cutting tool into the machine tool or the transport device.

11. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the holding comprises applying a vacuum to a suction gripper or moving members of a clamping gripper to clamp the cutting insert.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein said fastening or unfastening comprises operating a screw driving device on said second processing device.

Assignees

• Premium Aerotec Gmbh

Inventors

• Kiefer Lucas
• Maeusle Christian

Classifications

• B25J15/0616

  with vacuum · CPC title

• B25J15/0608

  with magnetic holding means · CPC title

• B23Q2003/155404

  the transfer mechanism comprising a single gripper · CPC title

• B23Q3/15536

  Non-rotary fixed racks · CPC title

• B23P19/006

  Holding or positioning the article in front of the applying tool · CPC title