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US 4,141,133 AGranted
Tool changer for vertical boring machine
AssigneeThe Bullard Company
InventorClaude M. Grinage
Life of this patent
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AssigneeThe Bullard Company
InventorClaude M. Grinage
Estimating the term…
The disclosure relates to a tool change system for a vertical lathe or the like which, among other things, greatly reduces the nonproductive time of the machining head. During machining with a first tool, a second tool is selected from a storage library and is transported over to the ram housing from which the ram and cutting tool are supported. The new tool, held by the transfer carrier, remains in a predetermined position with respect to the ram housing, even though the latter is moving in the course of machining operations. When the machining program subsequently calls for a tool change, it is only necessary to retract the ram, and the tool is waiting to be installed. A unique arrangement of torque limiting clutch enables the transfer carrier to follow the movements of the ram housing in the desired manner in preparation for the tool change to be executed. The disclosure also relates to an improved "flow-through" arrangement for effecting tool change, whereby a new tool is slid into position from one side of the ram, while the used tool simultaneously slid out of engagement with the ram from the opposite side. A two-pronged loader simultaneously engages both the new and old tools to effect the desired flow-through tool exchange motion.
A carousel assembly for holding a plurality of tool blocks, where the blocks are formed with upwardly opening clamping slots extending from side to side, which comprises
In combination with a tool block storage and conveyor means for carrying a plurality of randomly located tool blocks to and away from a tool transfer position, the tool blocks having a plurality of identification elements thereon, and sensing means being positioned in fixed position adjacent the conveyor means for contacting said identification elements and identifying tool blocks as they pass in succession, the improvement in said sensing means, which comprises
In a tool block loader for a machine tool, wherein the loader includes a tool block engaging finger, means to advance the loader for engagement of a tool block by said finger and means for retracting the loader together with a tool block, the improvement which comprises
In a tool block loader of the type having a pair of tool block engaging fingers for reception in openings provided therefor in a pair of tool blocks, means for advancing the loader to simultaneously engage a just-used tool block with one finger and a new tool block with the other finger, means for shifting the loader laterally to slide the used block cut of operative position and the new block into operative position, and means for retracting the loader with the used tool block, the improvement which comprises
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.