Z-axis drive assembly
AssigneeHoudaille Industries, Inc.
InventorJames L. Frazierr
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A Z-axis drive assembly for a turret machining center incorporates a variable speed DC motor mounted on a vertically adjustable carriage and connected through a harmonic drive unit to rotate a pinion. The pinion forms part of a rack and pinion mechanism, for controlling the vertical elevation of the rack relative to the carriage.
Claims13
In a machine tool having spindle support means for supporting a spindle, and guide means adapted to guide movement of said support means in a direction parallel to the axis of said spindle;
- a variable speed drive for driving said support means relative to said guide, comprising, in combination, a rack secured to said support means, a pinion in engagement with said rack, a harmonic drive unit supported in fixed relation relative to said guide for driving said pinion, and a variable speed electric motor mounted in fixed relation relative to said harmonic drive unit for driving said harmonic drive and for moving said support means relative to said guide.
In a turret type machining center having a plurality of spindles supported on a turret, means for indexing said turret so that one of said spindles is in operating position, drive means for rotating the spindle in operating position, and slide means for moving said turret in a spindle feed direction parallel to the spindle axis, a spindle feed drive comprising, in combination, a speed reducing harmonic drive unit mounted in fixed relationship with said slide means for moving said turret in said spindle feed direction, and a variable speed DC motor mounted in fixed relationship with said harmonic drive unit for controlling the speed of said spindle feed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.