US 4,443,929 A · Machining center

Abstract

A machining center of the type incorporating a spindle for driving tools wherein the spindle is movable rectilinearly along the axis of the spindle for engaging tool holders to move tool holders, and tools secured thereto, into an operative position wherein the tools contact a work piece. The rotational speed of the spindle, as well as its rectilinear motion, is controlled by a programmed numerical control center which also controls the bed upon which the work piece is mounted; the bed is movable, at predetermined rates, in the X, Y and Z directions. A positioning means, such as turret or carousel, is positioned beneath the spindle and is used to hold several tool holders, each of which supports tools for use in the machining operation. The tool holders are temporarily secured in the positioning means and are removed therefrom through the operation of the lowering spindle; the tool holders are formed in three sections, the first of which contacts and is driven by the rotating spindle. The second section of the tool holder is held against rotation by an anti-rotation device which operates through a coupling secured at one end to a vertically movable ram and at the other end to the second section of the tool holder. The tool holder also includes a third section that incorporates a tool holding spindle; the first section and the third section of the tool holder are interconnected by a drive coupling that permits significant variations from the conventional spindle rotational velocity and rectilinear motion. Selected drive couplings are provided for three dimensional angular displacement of the tool holding spindle relative to the rotational axis of the spindle on the machine center. Further selection of the drive coupling in the machine tool permits the simultaneous use of multiple tools, the utilization of multiple tools rotating about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the spindle, and rotational velocities of tools in excess of the rotational velocity of the driving spindle.

Claims23

Dependent claims

In a machining center having:

a frame;
a spindle for driving tools, rotatable about an axis and movable rectilinearly along said axis for engaging tool holders to move said tool holders, and tools secured thereto, toward a work piece;
the improvement comprising:
a. a positioning means for holding a plurality of tool holders and arranged to move a selected tool holder into a work station where the tool holder may be removed from the positioning means and attached to said spindle;
b. a tool holder, for attaching a tool thereto such as a drill or reamer, having an axis of rotation, removably secured to said positioning means and movable from a stored position on said positioning means to an operating position out of contact with said positioning means;
said tool holder including a first section for attachment to said spindle for rotation therewith, a second section adapted to be restrained against rotation;
and a third section for attachment to a tool for rotationally driving said tool;
said tool holder including drive means interconnecting said first and third section for transmitting torque from said spindle to said tool;
c. an anti-rotation device comprising a disengageable coupling including a first portion secured to the second section of said tool holder and a second portion secured against rotation to said frame and movable along a rectilinear path parallel to the axis of rotation of said tool holder.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Machining center

Life of this patent

Machining center

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23