Compact High Precision Multiple Spindle Computer Controlled Machine Tool
OwnerSteven S. Miyano, Thomas T. Miyanoinventors
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Abstract
A compact, multiple spindle computer-controlled machine tool is disclosed. The machine may have a spindle base with two spindles disposed vertically relative to one another along an axis, the spindles having parallel axes of rotation. The spindle base may be computer controlled and have z and x axis motion relative to a tool post. The tool post may have a tool turret and may provide computer-controlled y axis motion so that the tool turret may be utilized with both spindles. The tool post may also have a machining unit that may be used to machine workpieces held by either spindle.
Claims16
A computer controlled lathe, the lathe comprising:
- a machine base;
- a spindle head mounted on the machine base and having a first spindle configured to rotate on a first rotational axis and a second spindle configured to rotate on a second rotational axis, where the first and second rotational axes are parallel to one another and the first rotational axis is substantially vertical to the second rotational axis respective to the tool base, and each of the first and second spindles has a gripping hand for securely engaging a workpiece;
- a first tool post mounted on the machine base and having a first rotatable tool turret configured to hold at least one cutting tool for use in cutting the workpiece while it is rotated by the first spindle;
- and
- a second tool post mounted on the machine base and having a second rotatable tool turret configured to hold at least one cutting tool for use in cutting the workpiece while it is rotated by the second spindle;
- where the spindle head, the first tool post, and the second tool post are mounted to provide computer controlled motion along a z axis that is parallel to the first and second rotational axes and computer controlled motion along an x axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first and second rotational axis.
A computer controlled machine tool, the tool comprising:
- a machine base;
- a spindle head mounted on the tool base and having a first spindle configured to rotate on a first rotational axis and a second spindle configured to rotate on a second rotational axis, where the first and second rotational axes are parallel to one another and the first rotational axis is substantially vertical to the second rotational axis respective to the tool base, and each of the first and second spindles has a gripping hand for securely engaging a workpiece;
- a tool post mounted on the machine base and having a rotatable tool turret configured to hold at least one cutting tool for use in cutting the workpiece while it is rotated by at least one of the first and second spindles;
- where the spindle head and the tool post are mounted to provide computer controlled motion along a z axis that is parallel to the first and second rotational axes, computer controlled motion along an x axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first and second rotational axis;
- and
- where the tool post is configured to provide computer controlled motion along a y axis that is perpendicular to the first and second rotational axes and the x axis.
A multiple spindle computer controlled machine tool for working a workpiece, the multiple spindle machine tool comprising:
- first spindle means for engaging the workpiece and rotating the workpiece in a first rotational axis;
- second spindle means for engaging the workpiece and rotating the workpiece in a second rotational axis;
- spindle support means for mounting the first and second spindle means to a tool base;
- tool supporting means having at least one tool for processing the workpiece while it is rotating by one of the first and second spindle means;
- and
- where at least one of the spindle support means and tool supporting means is configured to provide computer controlled motion along a z axis that is parallel to the first and second rotational axes, along an x axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first and second rotational axes, and along a y axis that is perpendicular to the first and second rotational axes and the x axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.