Gear generating machine
AssigneeThe Gleason Works
InventorsThomas A. Deprez, Philip F. White
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a machine of the type in which cutting tools are arranged on successive links of an endless chain, each tool being in offset rotation to the preceding tool, at right angles to the direction of travel, means are provided for periodically shifting the workhead and work spindle parallel with the plane in which the tools travel when cutting. The means for shifting are operatively independent of the means for driving the chain and the work spindle in generation, and are operated when the tools and workpieces are disengaged, and normally after a predetermined number of stacks of workpieces has been cut, in order to equalize wear on the blades carried by the chain.
Claims8
In a machine for cutting gears and other toothed workpieces, and of the type in which a series of cutting tools are arranged on successive links of an endless chain,
- each tool being in offset relation to the preceding tool of the chain, at right angles to the direction of travel,
- said chain being arranged with a straight portion such that the tools travel substantially in a plane when cutting, and in which there is also provided
- a machine base,
- a rotatable work spindle, for carrying one or more workpieces, mounted in a workhead and having a rotational axis parallel to the plane of tool travel,
- means for relatively angularly adjusting the chain and the work spindle for making a helix angle setting,
- means for driving said endless chain and said work spindle in timed relationship, and means for effecting relative movement of the chain and the work spindle to bring tools and workpieces to and from working engagement, the improvement in said machine comprising
- automatic shifting means, operatively independent of said driving means, for effecting unidirectional intermittent lateral movement of said workhead and work spindle when the tools and workpieces are disengaged, said movement being parallel with said plane of tool travel and at an angle to the direction of said travel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.