US 5,181,898 A · Cover assembly for multi-configurable machine tool

Abstract

A cover assembly for a machine tool having a base supporting a workhead and a second machine part such as a spindle housing, headstock or tool turret, and wherein a rotatable workpiece changing mechanism is provided in conjunction with the workhead. The cover assembly includes an external housing member which encloses the workhead and the second machine part and permits movement of the second machine part therewithin. The external housing member further includes a workpiece exchange opening and a workpiece exchange shield which is reciprocable between a first position which effectively closes the opening, and a second position which allows unencumbered rotation of the workpiece changing mechanism. The shield is reciprocable in parallel with the workpiece changing mechanism to obviate added machine idle time. An internal housing substantially encloses the second machine part within the external housing, and is mounted for movement with the second machine part. The cover assembly accommodates varying machine tool configurations with only minimal changes of relatively modular parts.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A cover assembly for a machine tool having a workhead and a workpiece changing mechanism with a pair of spaced apart workpiece transfer stations for alternately rotating workpieces between the workhead and a workpiece loading/unloading zone, said cover assembly comprising a housing substantially enclosing said machine tool and having a workpiece exchange opening, and a workpiece exchange shield attached to said housing adjacent said opening, said opening providing sufficient clearance for rotation of said workpiece changing mechanism, said shield having means for sealingly engaging said workpiece changing mechanism when in sealing position to substantially close said opening, and means for reciprocating said shield away from said changing mechanism to an exchange position which accommodates the rotation of said changing mechanism without interference.

A cover assembly for a machine tool having a base with longitudinal and transverse axes, a workhead mounted on the base for supporting a workpiece, a rotatable workpiece changing mechanism for alternately locating workpieces adjacent said workhead and a remote workpiece loading/unloading zone, and a second machine part supported on said base for movement relative to said longitudinal and transverse axes and a workpiece for machining operations, said cover assembly comprising:

an external housing member substantially enclosing said workhead and said second machine part and permitting movement of said second machine part therewithin, said external housing member further comprising a workpiece exchange opening and a reciprocable workpiece exchange shield attached thereto having a first sealing position wherein said reciprocable shield interfaces with said rotatable workpiece changing mechanism to substantially close said opening, and a workpiece exchange position which accommodates rotation of said changing mechanism;
and
an internal housing substantially enclosing said second machine part and mounted within said external housing member, at least a portion of said internal housing attached for movement with said second machine part.

A cover assembly for a machine tool having a base with longitudinal and transverse axes, a workhead mounted on the base for supporting a workpiece, a rotatable workpiece changing mechanism surmounting said workhead, and a second machine part supported on said base for movement relative said longitudinal and transverse axes and a workpiece on said workhead for machining operations, said cover assembly comprising:

an external housing member substantially enclosing said workhead and said second machine part and permitting movement of said second machine part therewithin, said external housing member further comprising a workpiece exchange opening and a reciprocable workpiece exchange shield attached adjacent thereto, said exchange shield having a sealing position in which it interfaces with said rotatable workpiece changing mechanism to substantially close said opening, and an exchange position which accommodates rotation of said changing mechanism;
and
an internal housing substantially enclosing said second machine part and mounted for movement with said second machine part within said external housing.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Cover assembly for multi-configurable machine tool

Life of this patent

Cover assembly for multi-configurable machine tool

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20