Multi-spindle machine control system

Apparatus usable in connection with a multi-spindle machine including a plurality of rotatable spindles,

• wherein each spindle is configured to hold and rotate a metal work piece,
• wherein the machine is configured to move each spindle and engaged work piece to a plurality of disposed stations,
• wherein the machine is configured to cause work pieces in a plurality of the disposed stations to rotate and undergo machining generally concurrently,
• a metal cutting tool movably positioned adjacent to a first station,
• wherein the tool is movable to engage a work piece at the first station, and tool engagement with the work piece during machining produces metal chips,
• a high speed fluid actuated clutch,
• a low speed fluid actuated clutch,
• at least one electrically actuated fluid control valve,
• wherein the at least one fluid control valve is in operative connection with the high speed clutch and the low speed clutch,
• wherein the at least one fluid control valve is selectively operative to cause fluid pressure to be applied to and removed from the high speed clutch and the low speed clutch,
• wherein the application of fluid pressure to a respective clutch causes the respective clutch to be engaged and the removal of fluid pressure causes the respective clutch to be disengaged,
• the apparatus comprising a controller including circuitry specifically configured for control of the multi-spindle machine and which includes at least one processor and at least one data store,
• wherein the controller is configured to be in operative connection with the at least one fluid control valve,
• wherein the controller is configured to cause
• the high speed clutch to be engaged during a high speed portion of a machine cycle when the spindles are moving between stations,
• the low speed clutch to be engaged during a low speed portion of the machine cycle while work pieces are generally concurrently undergoing machining in the plurality of disposed stations, wherein engagement of the low speed clutch causes the spindles and engaged work pieces to rotate while the work pieces undergo machining,
• the low speed clutch to disengage for brief predetermined periods during a low speed portion of the machine cycle while the tool engaged work piece at the first station undergoes machining,
• wherein the disengagement of the low speed clutch for the periods breaks continuity of chips generated by tool engagement with the work piece at the first station.

Apparatus comprising:

• a multi-spindle machine including a plurality of rotatable spindles,
• wherein each spindle is configured to hold and rotate a metal work piece,
• wherein the machine is configured to move each spindle and engaged work piece to a plurality of disposed stations,
• wherein the machine is configured to cause work pieces in a plurality of the disposed stations to undergo machining generally concurrently,
• a metal cutting tool movably positioned adjacent to a tool station,
• wherein the tool is movable to engage a work piece at the tool station,
• wherein tool engagement with the work piece during machining produces metal chips,
• a high speed fluid actuated clutch,
• a low speed fluid actuated clutch,
• at least one electrically actuated fluid control valve,
• wherein the at least one fluid control valve is in operative connection with the high speed clutch and the low speed clutch,
• wherein the at least one fluid control valve is selectively operative to cause fluid pressure to be applied to and removed from the high speed clutch and the low speed clutch,
• wherein the application of fluid pressure to a respective clutch causes the respective clutch to be engaged and the removal of fluid pressure causes the respective clutch to be disengaged,
• a controller,
• wherein the controller includes circuitry specifically adapted for machine control and which includes at least one processor and at least one data store,
• wherein the controller is in operative connection with the at least one fluid control valve,
• wherein the controller is configured to cause
• the high speed clutch to be engaged during a high speed portion of a machine cycle when the spindles are moving between stations,
• the low speed clutch to be engaged during a low speed portion of the machine cycle while work pieces are generally concurrently undergoing machining in the plurality of disposed stations, wherein engagement of the low speed clutch causes the spindles and engaged work pieces to rotate while the work pieces undergo machining,
• the low speed clutch to disengage for brief predetermined periods which vary in both timing and duration during the low speed portion of the machine cycle while the tool engaged work piece at the tool station undergoes machining,
• wherein the disengagement of the low speed clutch for the periods breaks the continuity of chips generated by tool engagement with the work piece at the tool station.

Apparatus comprising:

• a multi-spindle machine including a plurality of rotatable spindles,
• wherein each spindle is configured to hold and rotate a metal work piece,
• wherein the machine is configured to move each spindle and engaged work piece to a plurality of disposed stations,
• wherein the machine is configured to cause work pieces in a plurality of the disposed stations to undergo machining generally concurrently,
• a metal cutting tool movably positioned adjacent to a tool station,
• wherein the tool is movable to engage a work piece at the tool station,
• wherein tool engagement with the work piece during machining produces metal chips,
• a high speed fluid actuated clutch,
• a low speed fluid actuated clutch,
• at least one electrically actuated fluid control valve,
• wherein the at least one fluid control valve is in operative connection with the high speed clutch and the low speed clutch,
• wherein the at least one fluid control valve is selectively operative to cause fluid pressure to be applied to and removed from the high speed clutch and the low speed clutch,
• wherein the application of fluid pressure to a respective clutch causes the respective clutch to be engaged and the removal of fluid pressure causes the respective clutch to be disengaged,
• a controller,
• wherein the controller includes circuitry specifically adapted for machine control and which includes at least one processor and at least one data store, wherein the data store includes machining data,
• wherein the controller is in operative connection with the at least one fluid control valve,
• wherein the controller is configured to cause
• the high speed clutch to be engaged during a high speed portion of a machine cycle when the spindles are moving between stations,
• the low speed clutch to be engaged during a low speed portion of the machine cycle while work pieces are generally concurrently undergoing machining in the plurality of disposed stations, wherein engagement of the low speed clutch causes the spindles and engaged work pieces to rotate while the work pieces undergo machining,
• the low speed clutch to disengage for brief predetermined periods during the low speed portion of the machine cycle while the tool engaged work piece at the tool station undergoes machining, wherein at least one of timing and duration of the periods of disengagement is varied responsive at least in part to the machining data,
• wherein the disengagement of the low speed clutch for the periods breaks the continuity of chips generated by tool engagement with the work piece at the tool station.

Apparatus comprising:

• a multi-spindle machine including a plurality of rotatable spindles,
• wherein each spindle is configured to hold and rotate a metal work piece,
• wherein the machine is configured to move each spindle and engaged work piece to a plurality of disposed stations,
• wherein the machine is configured to cause work pieces in a plurality of the disposed stations to undergo machining generally concurrently,
• a metal cutting tool movably positioned adjacent to a tool station,
• wherein the tool is movable to engage a work piece at the tool station,
• wherein tool engagement with the work piece during machining produces metal chips,
• a tool actuator in operative connection with the tool, wherein the tool actuator is operative to cause the tool to move relative to the work piece along a direction other than a rotational direction at the tool station during machining,
• a high speed fluid actuated clutch,
• a low speed fluid actuated clutch,
• at least one electrically actuated fluid control valve,
• wherein the at least one fluid control valve is in operative connection with the high speed clutch and the low speed clutch,
• wherein the at least one fluid control valve is selectively operative to cause fluid pressure to be applied to and removed from the high speed clutch and the low speed clutch,
• wherein the application of fluid pressure to a respective clutch causes the respective clutch to be engaged and the removal of fluid pressure causes the respective clutch to be disengaged,
• a controller,
• wherein the controller includes circuitry specifically adapted for machine control and which includes at least one processor and at least one data store,
• wherein the controller is in operative connection with the at least one fluid control valve and the tool actuator,
• wherein the controller is configured to cause
• the high speed clutch to be engaged during a high speed portion of a machine cycle when the spindles are moving between stations,
• the low speed clutch to be engaged during a low speed portion of the machine cycle while work pieces are generally concurrently undergoing machining in the plurality of disposed stations, wherein engagement of the low speed clutch causes the spindles and engaged work pieces to rotate while the work pieces undergo machining, and wherein the controller controls tool speed along the direction during machining,
• the low speed clutch to disengage for brief predetermined periods during the low speed portion of the machine cycle while the tool engaged work piece at the tool station undergoes machining,
• wherein the disengagement of the low speed clutch for the periods breaks the continuity of chips generated by tool engagement with the work piece at the tool station.

Apparatus usable in connection with a multi-spindle machine including a plurality of rotatable spindles,

• wherein each spindle is configured to hold and rotate a metal work piece,
• wherein the machine is configured to move each spindle and engaged work piece to a plurality of disposed stations,
• wherein the machine is configured to cause work pieces in a plurality of the disposed stations to rotate and undergo machining generally concurrently,
• a metal cutting tool movably positioned adjacent to a first station,
• wherein the tool is movable to engage a work piece at the first station, and tool engagement with the work piece during machining produces metal chips,
• a high speed fluid actuated clutch,
• a low speed fluid actuated clutch,
• at least one electrically actuated fluid control valve,
• wherein the at least one fluid control valve is in operative connection with the high speed clutch and the low speed clutch,
• wherein the at least one fluid control valve is selectively operative to cause fluid pressure to be applied to and removed from the high speed clutch and the low speed clutch,
• wherein the application of fluid pressure to a respective clutch causes the respective clutch to be engaged and the removal of fluid pressure causes the respective clutch to be disengaged,
• the apparatus comprising a controller including circuitry specifically configured for control of the multi-spindle machine and which includes at least one processor and at least one data store, wherein the at least one data store includes machining data,
• wherein the controller is configured to be in operative connection with the at least one fluid control valve,
• wherein the controller is configured to cause
• the high speed clutch to be engaged during a high speed portion of a machine cycle when the spindles are moving between stations,
• the low speed clutch to be engaged during a low speed portion of the machine cycle while work pieces are generally concurrently undergoing machining in the plurality of disposed stations, wherein engagement of the low speed clutch causes the spindles and engaged work pieces to rotate while the work pieces undergo machining,
• the low speed clutch to disengage for brief predetermined periods during a low speed portion of the machine cycle while the tool engaged work piece at the first station undergoes machining, wherein at least one of timing and duration of the periods of disengagement is varied responsive at least in part to the machining data,
• wherein the disengagement of the low speed clutch for the periods breaks continuity of chips generated by tool engagement with the work piece at the first station.