Rotary shaft locking device, machining head, and multi-tasking machine

A machining head comprising:

• a first rotary actuator configured to rotate a rotary shaft about a first axis;
• a housing surrounding the rotary shaft;
• and
• a rotary shaft locking device comprising:
• the rotary shaft which is rotatable about the first axis and which has a first contact surface and a mounting portion on which a tool is configured to be mounted;
• a first angular contact ball bearing comprising:
• an inner ring connected to the rotary shaft to surround the rotary shaft around the first axis such that the inner ring is rotatable together with the rotary shaft around the first axis;
• an outer ring provided opposite to the inner ring to surround the inner ring around the first axis;
• and
• a plurality of balls disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring such that the outer ring supports the inner ring via the plurality of balls and such that the inner ring and the outer ring are relatively rotatable around the first axis;
• a support to which the outer ring is connected and which rotatably supports the rotary shaft via the first angular contact ball bearing, the support having a second contact surface which is configured to contact the first contact surface to prohibit the rotary shaft from rotating;
• and
• an actuator configured to move the rotary shaft and the inner ring with respect to the support and the outer ring in a first direction parallel to the first axis so that the first contact surface contacts the second contact surface and so that precompression that acts on the plurality of balls is reduced.

A multi-tasking machine comprising:

• a machining head comprising:
• a rotary shaft locking device;
• a first rotary actuator configured to rotate a rotary shaft about a first axis;
• and
• a housing surrounding the rotary shaft;
• a workpiece holding device configured to hold a workpiece;
• a machining head actuator configured to move the machining head relative to the workpiece holding device;
• and
• a controller,
• wherein the rotary shaft locking device comprises
• the rotary shaft which is rotatable about the first axis and which has a first contact surface and a mounting portion on which a tool is configured to be mounted,
• a first angular contact ball bearing comprising:
• an inner ring connected to the rotary shaft to surround the rotary shaft around the first axis such that the inner ring is rotatable together with the rotary shaft around the first axis;
• an outer ring provided opposite to the inner ring to surround the inner ring around the first axis;
• and
• a plurality of balls disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring such that the outer ring supports the inner ring via the plurality of balls and such that the inner ring and the outer ring are relatively rotatable around the first axis;
• a support to which the outer ring is connected and which rotatably supports the rotary shaft via the first angular contact ball bearing, the support having a second contact surface which is configured to contact the first contact surface to prohibit the rotary shaft from rotating, and
• an actuator configured to move the rotary shaft and the inner ring with respect to the support and the outer ring in a first direction parallel to the first axis,
• wherein the workpiece holding device comprises
• a workpiece holder configured to hold a workpiece,
• a second support configured to support the workpiece holder to be rotatable about a second axis, and
• a second rotary actuator configured to rotate the workpiece holder about the second axis,
• wherein the machining head actuator is configured to move the machining head relative to the workpiece holding device when the controller transmits a first control signal to the machining head actuator,
• wherein the first rotary actuator is configured to rotate the rotary shaft about the first axis when the controller transmits a second control signal to the first rotary actuator,
• wherein the second rotary actuator is configured to rotate the workpiece holder about the second axis when the controller transmits a third control signal to the second rotary actuator, and
• wherein, when the controller transmits a fourth control signal to the actuator, the actuator is configured to move the rotary shaft and the inner ring relative to the support and the outer ring in the first direction so that the first contact surface contacts the second contact surface and so that precompression that acts on the plurality of balls is reduced.