Tool turret mechanism

Abstract

A tool turret mechanism is for use with a machine tool having a rotatable workpiece spindle. The axis of the turret is at a small acute angle to the axis of the workpiece spindle for tool clearance and the turret has first and second surface portions mounting first and second pluralities of OD turning tools and ID turning tools, respectively. The two pluralities of tool mounting surfaces are generally in the same plane. The plurality of OD turning tool mounting surfaces is in a plane which intersects the ID tool mounting surfaces. The turret is asymmetric in that the spacing angles between the OD turning tool mounting surfaces are less than the spacing angles between the ID turning tool mounting surfaces, thereby permitting a greater number of tools to be mounted on a given size turret, and giving greater flexibility in permitting first given numbers of OD and ID tools or, alternatively, a greater number of OD turning tools and a lesser number of ID turning tools. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.