Spindle assembly for a single or a multiple spindle machine
AssigneeColdstream
InventorJames W. McConkey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved spindle assembly for a single or a multiple spindle machine is disclosed. An outer tubular member is mounted for rotation by the spindle machine. An inner shaft is positioned within the tubular member and a collet is movable between a locked and an unlocked position. A workpiece can be removed from the unlocked collet by high pressure liquid from the inner shaft. In one embodiment the inner shaft is rotated independently from the tubular member and is also axially reciprocable. A tool mounted on the inner shaft provides for interior machining at the same time as an exterior operation is being performed. In another embodiment the collet remains axially stationary.
Claims24
A spindle assembly for a spindle machine having at least one spindle for holding a workpiece during a machining operation, said spindle assembly comprising, in combination, an outer tubular member having an outer end and mounted for rotation on such spindle machine, drive means for rotating said outer tubular member, an inner shaft positioned within said outer tubular member, bearing means for rotatably supporting said inner shaft within said outer tubular member, a collet assembly mounted on said outer end of said outer tubular member, said collet assembly being movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, said inner shaft defining an axial liquid passageway in liquid communication with said collet assembly, pump means for supplying a pressurized liquid and coupling means for providing said pressurized liquid to said axial passageway, whereby said pressurized liquid ejects such workpiece from said collet assembly when in such unlocked position.
A spindle assembly for a spindle machine having at least one rotatable spindle for holding a workpiece, said spindle assembly comprising, in combination, a tubular spindle member mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis on such spindle machine, said tubular spindle member having an inner end and an outer end, a collet assembly disposed at said outer end, said collet assembly including an axially movable collet shaft positioned within said tubular spindle member, a collet having an inner end coupled to said tubular spindle member and an outer workpiece receiving end defining at least a pair of inwardly extending slots, said workpiece receiving end of said collet being axially fixed relative to said outer end of said tubular spindle member, and collet operating means coupled to said collet shaft for moving said collet between a closed position and an open position, wherein such workpiece can be removed when in such open position.
An apparatus for a spindle machine having at least one rotatable spindle comprising, in combination, an outer tubular member mounted for rotation and having an outer end, first drive means for rotating said outer tubular member, a collet assembly mounted at said outer end of said outer tubular member, said collet assembly being movable between an open position and a closed position, an inner tubular member disposed within said outer tubular member and defining an axial passageway, second drive means for rotating said inner tubular member, a tool holder mounted on said inner tubular member adjacent said collet assembly, means for axially translating said inner tubular member and said tool holder, pump means for supplying a fluid under pressure and means for coupling said pump means to said axial passageway of said inner tubular member.
An apparatus for a spindle machine having at least one rotatable spindle comprising, in combination, an outer tubular member mounted for rotation and having an outer end, first drive means for rotating said outer tubular member, a collet assembly mounted at said outer end of said outer tubular member, said collet assembly including an axially movable middle tubular member disposed within said outer tubular member, a collet having an inner end coupled to said outer tubular member and an outer workpiece receiving end, said middle tubular member coupled to means for opening and closing said collet, an inner tubular member disposed within said middle tubular member and defining an axial passageway, pump means for supplying a fluid under pressure and means for coupling the said pump means to said axial passageway of said inner tubular member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.