Method of and apparatus for workpiece loading and unloading in lathe
AssigneeNtn Corporation
InventorsMasashi Ogawa, Masayuki Tanio
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a lathe of a type employing a movable main spindle, the main spindle (2) is moved in a leftward and rightward direction (Y-axis direction) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main spindle (2) after a workpiece (W) has been machined, and during the movement of the main spindle (2), the machined workpiece (W) is unloaded from the main spindle (2). At a position to which the main spindle (2) has further been moved, another workpiece (W) to be subsequently machined is loaded on the main spindle (2). The unloading of the machined workpiece (W) is carried out by a method in which the machined workpiece (W) is ejected by a workpiece eject means (7) built in a chuck (2a) in the main spindle (2).
Claims7
A method of selectively loading and unloading a workpiece to be machined in a lathe of a type comprising a main spindle movable in a leftward and rightward direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the main spindle, said method comprising the steps of:
- driving the main spindle in one of said leftward and rightward directions after machining of the workpiece has been completed;
- unloading the workpiece, which has been machined, from the main spindle during movement of the main spindle;
- and
- loading a workpiece to be subsequently machined on the main spindle at a loading position to which the main spindle has been moved.
An apparatus for selectively loading and unloading a workpiece to be machined in a lathe of a type comprising a main spindle movable in a leftward and rightward direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the main spindle, said apparatus comprising:
- a drive means for driving the main spindle in said leftward and rightward direction;
- a movement control means for controlling said drive means to move the main spindle in said leftward and rightward direction after machining of the workpiece has been completed;
- an unloader for unloading the workpiece, which has been machined, from the main spindle during movement of the main spindle;
- and
- a loader for loading a workpiece to be subsequently machined on the main spindle at a position to which the main spindle has been moved.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.