Spindle apparatus for holding a workpiece

Abstract

A spindle apparatus for holding a workpiece for machining includes a stationary support structure and preferably multiple rotary spindle members for holding individual workpieces. Each rotary spindle member is mounted in a spindle carriage that is rotatably mounted to the stationary support structure. As the spindle carriage is rotated on the support structure, the spindle members move in an orbital path. A rotary indexing apparatus is provided for rotatably driving the spindle members and the spindle carriage. The indexing apparatus is connected to a transmission including a fixed center gear as well as planetary gears and spindle member drive gears for each spindle member. A piston assembly received in each spindle member engages and holds a distal end of the workpiece and allows for the axial advancing of any selected incremental length of the workpiece through the rotary spindle member for machining. A controller operatively controls the rotary indexing apparatus and the movement of the piston assembly in each spindle member. Additionally, a system is provided for preloading bearings that support the spindle carriage on the support structure to allow more precise and reproduceable machining of the workpieces.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.