Hob clamping system
AssigneeThe Gleason Works
InventorErnst J. Hunkeler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tensioner having screw threads tightened by rotation of a hob drive (15) is used for applying clamping pressure to a hob (10) in a working position in a hobbing machine. The tensioner extends through the hob between the end supports (11 and 12) of the hobbing machine and has threads arranged so that a wrench system can hold part of the tensioner against rotation while the hob drive tightens the threads to a predetermined clamping torque. The tensioner can be a single draw rod (20) extending from driving end support (11), through hob (10), and into threaded engagement with idler end support (12); and the tensioner can include a hob mounting arbor (45) having threaded ends into which a pair of opposed tensioner rods (20 and 46) are threaded.
Claims31
A system for clamping a hob in a working position between a pair of opposite end supports in a hobbing machine, said hob clamping system comprising:
- a. a tensioner having screw threads and being movable axially of said hob between a disengaged position clear of said hob working position and an engaged position extending through said hob between said end supports;
- and
- b. a wrench system for holding a portion of said tensioner against rotation while said tensioner is in said engaged position and while a hob drive of said hobbing machine rotates said end supports and said hob--in one direction for tightening said threads at a predetermined torque applied by said hob drive for compressively clamping said hob between said end supports--and in an opposite direction for unthreading said threads for unclamping said hob from between said end supports.
An automatic hob changer for a hobbing machine that holds a hob in a working position between a driving support and an idling support, said hob changer comprising:
- a. a tensioner having threads and being movable axially of said hob to extend between said supports;
- and
- b. a wrench system for holding a portion of said tensioner against rotation while rotating the hob drive of said hobbing machine to turn said hob and said supports for tightening said threads at a predetermined torque provided by said hob drive for clamping said hob compressively between said supports, and for unthreading said threads to unclamp said hob from between said supports.
A method of clamping and unclamping a hob in a working position between a driving support and an idling support in a hobbing machine, said method comprising:
- a. closing said idling support and said driving support together so that opposed radial faces of said supports engage and hold opposite ends of said hob in said working position;
- b. axially moving a tensioner to extend through said hob between said supports;
- c. holding a portion of said tensioner against rotation while rotating said driving support with the hob drive of said hobbing machine for tightening threads of said tensioner at a torque predetermined by said hob drive to apply tension between said supports for drawing said supports into compressive clamping engagement with said hob;
- d. holding a portion of said tensioner against rotation while rotating said driving support with said hob drive for unthreading said threads for unclamping said hob;
- and
- e. moving said tensioner axially clear of said working position to allow removal of said hob.
An automatic hob changer for a hobbing machine having a driving support and an idling support with opposed faces between which a hob is held in a working position, said hob changer comprising:
- a. a tensioner extendable axially of said hob between said supports and having a threaded portion by which said tensioner can be tensioned between said supports for compressively clamping said hob between said supports;
- b. a positioner for moving said tensioner axially between a disengaged position clear of said working position and an engaged position extending through said hob between said supports;
- and
- c. a wrench system movably mounted on said hobbing machine to hold a portion of said tensioner against rotation in said engaged position while a hob drive of said hobbing machine rotates said driving support--in one direction for screwing in said threads of said tensioner at a torque predetermined by said hob drive to clamp said hob compressively between said supports--and in another direction for unscrewing said threads for unclamping said hob.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.