US 5,315,750 A · Loading/unloading system for broaching machine

Abstract

A blind spline broaching machine for machining splines as well as sprockets, keyways, gears, cams and contours on workpieces, such as shafts. The blind spline broaching machine of the preferred embodiment has dual rams reciprocable relative to a rotary dial. The rams hold a corresponding pair of workpieces, while the rotary dial supports one or more broaching tools. The rotary dial is rotatable to index the workpieces to and from the rams. The blind spline broaching machine also incorporates a part moving unit on its periphery, which enables the use of a single loading/unloading station at which workpieces are alternately loaded onto and unloaded from the rotary table. Because the workpieces are loaded and unloaded from the same location on the periphery of the blind spline broaching machine, the side of the blind spline broaching machine opposite the loading/unloading station remains open to permit ready access to the tooling and the interior structure of the blind spline broaching machine. In addition, only one conveyor system is required to transport workpieces to and from the blind spline broaching machine. As a result, the complexity of and the floor space required for the blind spline broaching machine is substantially reduced.

Claims21

Dependent claims

An apparatus for performing work on a plurality of workpieces during a single operation, said apparatus comprising:

a table having receptacles for receiving said plurality of workpieces, said table having at least one machining element;
first and second fixturing members positioned in proximity to said table, said first and second fixturing members each having means for securing thereto a respective one of said plurality of workpieces, said first and second fixturing members being movable relative to said at least one machining element on said table so as to perform work on said respective one of said plurality of workpieces;
means associated with said table for transporting each of said plurality of workpieces to said first and second fixturing members;
and
means associated with said table for repositioning a second workpiece of said plurality of workpieces on said table after a first workpiece of said plurality of workpieces has been secured to said first fixturing member, said second workpiece being repositioned on said table so as to be aligned to encounter said second fixturing member;
whereby at least two workpieces of said plurality of workpieces can be secured in said first and second fixturing members during the operation of said apparatus.

3 more elements

A broaching apparatus for machining a plurality of workpieces during a single operation, said broaching apparatus comprising:

a rotary member having receptacles for receiving said plurality of workpieces, said rotary member having at least one machining element;
a single station on said broaching apparatus for loading and unloading said plurality of workpieces to and from said rotary member;
first and second fixturing members positioned in proximity to said rotary member, said first and second fixturing members each having means for securing thereto a respective one of said plurality of workpieces;
means engaged with said rotary member for rotating said rotary member so as to transport each of said plurality of workpieces to and from said first and second fixturing members and to and from said single station;
means in communication with said first and second fixturing members for relative movement between each said first and second fixturing members and said at least one machining element so as to perform work on said respective one of said plurality of workpieces when secured to a respective one of said first and second fixturing members;
and
means associated with said rotary member for repositioning a second workpiece of said plurality of workpieces on said rotary member after a first workpiece of said plurality of workpieces has been secured to said first fixturing member, said second workpiece being repositioned on said rotary member so as to be aligned to encounter said second fixturing member;
whereby work can be simultaneously performed on said first and second workpieces when said first and second workpieces are secured in said first and second fixturing members, respectively.

5 more elements

A method for loading and unloading a plurality of workpieces to and from a machining apparatus having at least two fixturing members and a rotary member which supports at least one machining element, said method comprising the steps of:

loading each of said plurality of workpieces onto said rotary member at a load/unload station of said machining apparatus, a first workpiece of said plurality of workpieces being loaded in a first nest and a second workpiece of said plurality of workpieces being loaded in a second nest on said rotary member;
transporting said first and second workpieces to a first fixturing member of said at least two fixturing members;
unloading a first machined workpiece from said first fixturing member into a third nest on said rotary member;
securing said first workpiece to said first fixturing member;
loading said second workpiece into said first nest and relocating said first machined workpiece to a fourth nest on said rotary member;
performing work on said first workpiece with said at least one machining element;
transporting said second workpiece to a second fixturing member of said at least two fixturing members;
unloading a second machined workpiece from said second fixturing member into said third nest;
securing said second workpiece to said second fixturing member;
performing work on said second workpiece with said at least one machining element;
transporting said first and second machined workpieces to said load/unload station;
and
unloading said first and second machined workpieces from said rotary member at said load/unload station.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Loading/unloading system for broaching machine

Life of this patent

Loading/unloading system for broaching machine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21