US 4,646,422 AGranted

Machine tool

AssigneeRenishaw PLC

InventorDavid R. McMurtry

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A numerically controlled machine tool capable of milling and turning operations has a continuously rotatable first spindle (10) to which is releasably secured a work holder (50). A rotationally positionable second spindle (20) has releasably secured thereto a tool holder (60). For turning operations, the second spindle (20) is locked against rotation and has secured thereto a tool holder having a turning tool (61), the workpiece (51) being held by the work holder on the first spindle (10). For milling operations, the second spindle (20) is unlocked, the work holder (50) is secured to the second spindle (20), and a tool holder (60) with a milling tool therein is secured to the first spindle (10). The changeover of work and tool holders is done by a transfer mechanism which takes appropriate holders (60), as well as work blanks, from a magazine system. In a modification the second spindle (20) is also adapted for continuous rotation, and the first spindle (10) is lockable against rotation so that the workpiece is always held on the second spindle for machining by milling or turning tools on the first spindle.

Claims8

Dependent claims

Machine tool comprising:

(a) two spindles;
(b) two work holders;
(c) gripper elements for releasably gripping a workpiece provided at each work holder;
(d) a tool holder;
(e) storage means for storing said holders;
(f) first support means provided at one of said spindles for releasably supporting said tool holder;
(g) second support means provided at said other spindle for releasably supporting one of said work holders;
(h) transfer means for moving said tool holder between said storage means and said first support means and for moving a selected one of said work holders between said storage means and said second support means;
wherein the improvement comprises:
(i) said first and second support means each being arranged to individually releasably support one of said work holder and said tool holder;
(j) each said spindle including means for operating the gripper elements of a work holder, as supported at a respective one of the spindles, to grip and release a workpiece held by said work holder;
and
(k) said transfer means being constructed for moving each of said holders, respectively between said storage means and said first and second support means, respectively, for moving a workpiece between said two work holders as supported at a respective one of said spindles.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 06/555,881Filed 9 Nov 1983
Priority: GB 820695110 Mar 1982
Granted: 3 Mar 1987
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification21 codes

B23Q 3/15713
Of rotary tools: a transfer device taking a single tool from a storage device and inserting it in a spindle
B23B 31/18
Chucks with simultaneously-acting jaws, whether or not also individually adjustable: pivotally movable in planes containing the axis of the chuck
B23B 31/207
Characterized by features relating primarily to remote control of the gripping means: using mechanical transmission through the spindle
B23B 31/2073
Using mechanical transmission through the spindle: axially fixed cam, moving jaws