Loader and unloader for machine tool
AssigneeVisteon Global Technologies, Inc.
InventorsWilliam George Wheeling, Anthony Wayne Melton, David Frederic Hiatt, Stephen Kinsen Leo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Loader and unloader mechanism (10) for a machine tool having a workpart-holding spindle (14) wherein a workpart load tube (32) and unload tube (34) and associated workpart loading fluid cylinders (40, 42) are arranged relative to a tool-carrying turret (20) in a manner that workparts (W) are fed to the spindle (14) through the load tube (32) and removed from the spindle after machining to a workpart holder (33) on the tool-carrying turret (20), which then positions the workpart holder between an unloading tube (34) and a workpart unloading fluid cylinder (76) where the workpart is ejected from the workpart holder into the unload tube.
Claims10
A workpart loader mechanism for a machine tool having a workpart-holding spindle, comprising a load tube communicating to the spindle and first and second workpart loading fluid cylinders for moving a workpart to be machined to a first axial position relative to the spindle to eject a previously machined workpart therefrom and then to a second axial position where the workpart to be machined is positioned in the spindle for machining, said first fluid cylinder having a stroke selected to position the workpart to be machined at said first axial position and being disposed on an axial slide, said second fluid cylinder being positioned to move said slide and said first fluid cylinder thereon with a stroke selected to move the workpart to be machined from said first axial position to said second axial position.
A workpart unloader mechanism for a machine tool having a workpart-holding spindle, comprising a tool-carrying turret having a workpart holder thereon with the turret being axially and rotatably movable to a first turret position to receive a machined workpart ejected from said spindle and to a second turret position, a workpart unloading fluid cylinder for ejecting the machined workpart from said workpart holder at said second turret position, and an unload tube positioned to receive the machined workpart ejected from said workpart holder.
A workpart loader and unloader mechanism for a machine tool having a workpart-holding spindle, comprising:
- a loader mechanism including a load tube communicating to a rear of the spindle and first and second workpart loading fluid cylinders for moving a workpart to be machined to a first axial position relative to the spindle to eject a previously machined workpart therefrom and then to a second extended axial position where the workpart to be machined is positioned in the spindle for machining, said first fluid cylinder having a stroke selected to position the workpart to be machined at said first axial position and being disposed on an axial slide, said second fluid cylinder being positioned to move said slide and said first fluid cylinder thereon with a stroke selected to move the workpart to be machined from said first axial position to said second axial position, and
- an unloader mechanism comprising a tool-carrying turret having a workpart holder thereon, said turret being axially and rotatably movable to a first turret position to receive a machined workpart ejected from said spindle and to a second turret position, a third workpart unloading fluid cylinder for ejecting the machined workpart from said workpart holder at said second turret position, and an unload tube positioned to receive the machined workpart from said workpart holder.
A method of loading and unloading a workpart relative to a workpart-holding spindle of a machine tool, comprising:
- positioning a workpart to be machined relative to a load tube communicated to said spindle,
- actuating a first fluid cylinder to move said workpart to be machined at a first axial position relative to the spindle to eject a previously machined workpart therefrom,
- actuating a second fluid cylinder to move a slide and said first fluid cylinder thereon to position the workpart to be machined at a second axial position where the workpart to be machined is positioned in the spindle for machining,
- receiving in a workpart holder of a tool-carrying turret the previously machined workpart ejected from said spindle by movement of said workpart to be machined to said first axial position,
- moving said turret to a position where said workpart holder is positioned between a third workpart unloading fluid cylinder and an unload tube, and
- actuating said third fluid cylinder to eject the previously machined workpart from said workpart holder into said unload tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.