Bar loader apparatus for use with a machine tool and machine tool equipped with such bar loader apparatus

A bar loader apparatus configured to be used with a machine tool including at least one workpiece spindle that is configured to receive an elongated workpiece, the bar loader apparatus comprising:

• a storage portion configured to store a plurality of elongated workpieces including the elongated workpiece;
• a loading system configured to load the elongated workpiece of the plurality of elongated workpieces from the loading system to a corresponding workpiece spindle of the at least one workpiece spindle;
• a transfer device configured to transfer the elongated workpiece of the plurality of elongated workpieces from the storage portion to the loading system;
• and
• for each workpiece spindle of the plurality of workpiece spindles of the machine tool, a respective workpiece guide channel assembly configured to receive and guide a respective elongated workpiece of the plurality of elongated workpieces, the respective workpiece guide channel assembly including a fixed guide channel portion and at least one slidable guide channel portion, the at least one slidable guide channel portion being movable in the longitudinal direction of the respective workpiece spindle of the plurality of workpiece spindles,
• wherein the fixed guide channel portion of the respective workpiece guide channel assembly is configured to (i) be opened laterally and receive an elongated workpiece of the plurality of elongated workpieces transferred from the storage portion by the transfer device, and (ii) be closed to form a guide channel to hold the received elongated workpiece of the plurality of elongated workpieces.

A bar loader apparatus configured to be used with a machine tool including at least one workpiece spindle that is configured to receive an elongated workpiece, the bar loader apparatus comprising:

• a storage portion configured to store a plurality of elongated workpieces including the elongated workpiece;
• a loading system configured to load the elongated workpiece of the plurality of elongated workpieces from the loading system to a corresponding workpiece spindle of the at least one workpiece spindle;
• a transfer device configured to transfer the elongated workpiece of the plurality of elongated workpieces from the storage portion to the loading system;
• and
• for each workpiece spindle of the plurality of workpiece spindles of the machine tool, a respective workpiece guide channel assembly configured to receive and guide a respective elongated workpiece of the plurality of elongated workpieces, the respective workpiece guide channel assembly including a fixed guide channel portion and at least one slidable guide channel portion, the at least one slidable guide channel portion being movable in the longitudinal direction of the respective workpiece spindle of the plurality of workpiece spindles,
• wherein the at least one slidable guide channel portion of the respective workpiece guide channel assembly includes a guide tube having a guide channel configured to guide the elongated workpiece, and the guide tube is either (i) rotationally fixed, or (ii) is rotatably supported and configured to rotate about an axial direction of the guide tube.

A bar loader apparatus configured to be used with a machine tool including at least one workpiece spindle that is configured to receive an elongated workpiece, the bar loader apparatus comprising:

• a storage portion configured to store a plurality of elongated workpieces including the elongated workpiece;
• a loading system configured to load the elongated workpiece of the plurality of elongated workpieces from the loading system to a corresponding workpiece spindle of the at least one workpiece spindle;
• a transfer device configured to transfer the elongated workpiece of the plurality of elongated workpieces from the storage portion to the loading system;
• and
• for each workpiece spindle of the plurality of workpiece spindles of the machine tool, a respective workpiece guide channel assembly configured to receive and guide a respective elongated workpiece of the plurality of elongated workpieces, the respective workpiece guide channel assembly including a fixed guide channel portion and at least one slidable guide channel portion, the at least one slidable guide channel portion being movable in the longitudinal direction of the respective workpiece spindle of the plurality of workpiece spindles,
• wherein:
• the at least one slidable guide channel portion of the respective workpiece guide channel assembly includes a guide tube having a guide channel configured to guide the elongated workpiece,
• the respective workpiece guide channel assembly includes at least two slidable guide channel portions, and
• a secondary slidable guide channel portion of the of the at least two slidable guide channel portions is configured to (i) be opened laterally and receive an elongated workpiece of the plurality of elongated workpieces transferred from the storage portion by the transfer device, and (ii) be closed to form a guide channel around the received elongated workpiece to hold the received elongated workpiece.

A bar loader apparatus configured to be used with a machine tool including at least one workpiece spindle that is configured to receive an elongated workpiece, the bar loader apparatus comprising:

• a storage portion configured to store a plurality of elongated workpieces including the elongated workpiece;
• a loading system configured to load the elongated workpiece of the plurality of elongated workpieces from the loading system to a corresponding workpiece spindle of the at least one workpiece spindle;
• a transfer device configured to transfer the elongated workpiece of the plurality of elongated workpieces from the storage portion to the loading system;
• for each workpiece spindle of the plurality of workpiece spindles of the machine tool, a respective workpiece guide channel assembly configured to receive and guide a respective elongated workpiece of the plurality of elongated workpieces, the respective workpiece guide channel assembly including a fixed guide channel portion and at least one slidable guide channel portion, the at least one slidable guide channel portion being movable in the longitudinal direction of the respective workpiece spindle of the plurality of workpiece spindles;
• and
• a rotatably supported turret fixture body configured to be attached to a turret body of the machine tool and to rotate together with the turret body of the machine tool about the turret axis.