Workpiece changer mechanism for a machine tool

A method of transferring workpiece holders onto and off of a worktable on a machine tool having a spindle which is moveable along a first axis toward and away from said worktable, comprising the steps of:

• (A) providing a transfer bar which is dimensioned on one end to fit in said spindle and is dimensioned on the other end to engage said workpiece holder;
• (B) clamping said transfer bar in said spindle;
• (C) positioning said spindle to engage said other end of said transfer bar with said workpiece holder;
• (D) moving said spindle along said first axis toward or away from said worktable to pull said workpiece holder onto said worktable or to push said workpiece holder off of said worktable;
• (E) positioning said spindle to disengage the free end of said transfer bar from said workpiece holder;
• and
• (F) removing said transfer bar from said spindle.

A workpiece changer for a machine tool having a frame;

• a worktable mounted on said frame for receiving workpieces to be machined;
• a rotary spindle journalled in said frame and movable axially in a rectilinear path of travel, said spindle being adapted to receive cutting tools and rotate such tools for operating on the workpieces;
• said workpiece changer comprising a workpiece storage support mounted adjacent to said worktable;
• guide means disposed parallel to the axis of said spindle for guiding the workpieces in a path of travel between said storage support and said worktable;
• coupling means operable to couple said spindle to the workpieces selectively;
• and
• power means connected for moving said spindle axially along its rectilinear path of travel so that when the spindle is coupled to a workpiece it may be moved axially to move such workpiece along said guide means for transferring the workpieces between said storage support and said worktable.

A method of transferring workpieces between a workpiece storage support and a worktable on a machine tool having a rotary spindle that is also movable in a rectilinear path of travel comprising,

• placing the workpieces to be machined on a workpiece storage support;
• coupling a workpiece on said storage support to said spindle;
• moving said spindle in its rectilinear path of travel to move said workpiece from said storage support into operating position on said worktable for performing a machining operation on the workpiece;
• uncoupling the spindle from the workpiece to enable a machining operation to be performed on the workpiece;
• coupling the spindle to the completed workpiece after the machining operation has been completed;
• moving the spindle in its rectilinear path of travel for transferring the completed workpiece off of said worktable and onto said storage support;
• and
• uncoupling the spindle from the workpiece on said storage support.