Milling machine including improved tool knock-out means

Abstract

A milling machine includes a C-shaped frame, tool support member movable in a vertical direction, a saddle member movable in a transverse direction, a work table movable in a longitudinal direction, a tool drive unit, a tool knock-out assembly and two oppositely positioned and removable bearing ways associated with each direction of travel. For the vertical axis the bearing ways are between the C-shaped frame and the tool support member. The tool drive unit includes a hollow tool spindle and a drive motor with a vertically extending output shaft which is rigidly and coaxially connected to the hollow tool spindle. The tool knock-out assembly includes a spring-loaded tool collet assembly and a double-action air cylinder arranged in a surrounding coaxial relationship with the output shaft. The tool collet assembly includes a spindle shaft surrounded by a vertical stack of belleville spring washers and the distal end is fitted with a tool collet which includes six collet arms and this tool collet assembly is movable between a tool-gripped position and a tool-released position. Each vertical axis bearing way longitudinally extends in a vertical direction and includes a track shaft portion attached to the C-shaped frame and a bearing case portion attached to the tool support member. Reciprocating relative motion between the tool support member and the C-shaped frame occurs at the two bearing way locations and the drive motor for the tool moves with the hollow tool spindle in a vertical direction.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.