Multiple-spindle machine tool

In a multiple spindle machine, a combination comprising a frame having two spaced apart frame members;

• spaced apart first and second spindle carriers indexible about a common axis and rotatably supported by said frame;
• a plurality of work spindles mounted in each of said carriers, the axes of said work spindles being parallel to said common axis and each spindle in said first carrier being aligned with a spindle in said second carrier;
• work engaging devices mounted on the spindles of at least one of said carriers and located in the space between said carriers;
• means for indexing said spindle carriers in synchronism about said common axis, whereby said spindles travel along an endles path;
• a plurality of elongated guide members extending in parallelism with said common axis between said spaced apart frame members fixed thereto, said guide members including at least one guide member located at the outer side of said path and at least one guide member located at the inner side of said path;
• tool carriages mounted on and movable with respect to said guide members;
• means for rotating said work spindles in at least one of said carriers, said rotating means and said indexing means respectively comprising discrete first and second prime movers;
• and means for moving said carriages in response to operation of said second prime mover.

In a multiple spindle machine, a combination comprising a frame having two spaced apart frame members;

• spaced apart first and second spindle carriers indexible about a common axis and rotatably supported by said frame;
• a plurality of work spindles mounted in each of said carriers, the axes of said work spindles being parallel to said common axis and each spindle in said first carrier being aligned with a spindle in said second carrier;
• work engaging devices mounted on the spindles of at least one of said carriers and located in the space between said carriers;
• means for indexing said spindle carriers in synchronism about said common axis, whereby said spindles travel along an endless path;
• a plurality of elongated guide members extending in parallelism with said common axis between said spaced apart frame members fixed thereto, said guide members including at leasat one guide member located at the outer side of said path and at least one guide member located at the inner side of said path;
• tool carriages mounted on and movable with respect to said guide members;
• and a tiltable arm for transferring workpieces from the work engaging device on at least one spindle in one of said carriers to the work engaging device of a spindle in the other of said carriers.