Automated machining apparatus having a workpiece holder with a rotatable turret that holds multiple workpieces
OwnerGerald L Rowe, Jose Ramosinventors
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Abstract
An automated machining apparatus has a lathe, a mill, and a workpiece holder that holds a plurality of workpieces to be machined. The workpiece holder includes a rotatable turret that has a plurality of workpiece mounting positions for mounting the plurality of workpieces to be machined to the rotatable turret. A controller in operable communication with the workpiece holder is operable to rotate the rotatable turret sequentially through different workpiece mounting positions according to program instructions that define machining operations to be performed on the plurality of workpieces.
Claims12
A multi-axis automated machining apparatus comprising:
- a first lathe that performs lathe machining operations, the first lathe having a first lathe spindle that rotates about a first axis when performing lathe machining operations;
- a second lathe that performs lathe machining operations, the second lathe having a second lathe spindle that rotates about a second axis when performing lathe machining operations, the second axis being parallel or coaxial with the first axis;
- a mill having a mill spindle that rotates about a third axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis when performing mill machining operations;
- a workpiece holder that holds a plurality of workpieces to be machined, the workpiece holder including a rotatable turret having a plurality of workpiece mounting positions thereon for mounting the plurality of workpieces to be machined to the rotatable turret, the rotatable turret being rotatable around a fourth axis that is substantially parallel to the first axis;
- and
- a controller in operable communication with the first lathe, second lathe, mill, and workpiece holder, the controller being operable to rotate the turret sequentially through different workpiece mounting positions according to program instructions defining machining operations to be performed on the plurality of workpieces.
An automated machining apparatus comprising:
- a lathe that performs lathe machining operations;
- a mill that performs mill machining operations;
- a workpiece holder that holds a plurality of workpieces to be machined, the workpiece holder including a rotatable turret having a plurality of workpiece mounting positions thereon for mounting the plurality of workpieces to be machined to the rotatable turret;
- and
- a controller in operable communication with the workpiece holder, the controller being operable to rotate the rotatable turret sequentially through different workpiece mounting positions according to program instructions defining machining operations to be performed on the plurality of workpieces.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.