US 6,190,294 B1 · Horizontal machine tool

Abstract

A horizontal machine tool has a spindle head which supports a horizontal tool spindle. The spindle head is guided on a top surface portion of a base such that the spindle head is movable in two horizontal directions X and Z. A workpiece support for supporting a workpiece on its upper end is guided on the vertical front face portion of the base for movement in a vertical direction Y. When the spindle head is located at a machining position at the center in the X direction, a pair of guide portions of each of a front/back guide mechanism for the spindle head and a vertical guide mechanism for the workpiece support body take symmetrical positions with respect to a vertical plane including the axis of the tool spindle. A first index member and a second index member for supporting the workpiece are provided on the workpiece support body. Therefore, all surfaces of the workpiece excepting an attachment surface can be machined while being directed to a tool on the tool spindle. The horizontal machine tool has an automatic tool change apparatus including a tool change arm unit, a tool magazine, and an intermediate transport unit. The tool magazine is disposed on the front side of the machine tool and on one side of the workpiece support body in the X direction, and is designed such that a plurality of tools can be stored into and removed from the magazine from the front side thereof.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A horizontal machine tool comprising:

a non-movably provided base having a top surface portion and an attachment portion extending from a front side of the base, said attachment portion comprising a vertical front face and having an upper surface lower than the top surface portion;
a spindle head which supports a tool spindle to be rotatable about a horizontal axis perpendicular to a vertical plane including the vertical front face portion of said base;
a first guide mechanism for guiding said spindle head such that said spindle head is movable in a first direction perpendicular to the axis of said tool spindle;
a second guide mechanism for guiding said spindle head such that said spindle head is movable in a second direction parallel to the axis of said tool spindle;
a first feed mechanism for feeding said spindle head in the first direction;
a second feed mechanism for feeding said spindle head in the second direction;
a workpiece support mounted directly to the vertical front face portion of said base and having a workpiece attachment portion at a position above the top surface portion of the base;
a third guide mechanism for guiding said workpiece support on the vertical front face portion for movement in a third direction, which is a vertical direction perpendicular to the first and second direction;
and
a third feed mechanism for feeding said workpiece support in the third direction, whereby
said spindle head such that said spindle head is movable in the first and second directions intersecting perpendicularly in a horizontal plane, while said third guide mechanism guides said workpiece support such that said workpiece support is movable in the vertical third direction.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Horizontal machine tool

Life of this patent

Horizontal machine tool

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16