Machine tool for processing crankshafts

A machine tool for machining holes in crankshafts comprising:

• a base;
• a spindle box carried by the base and having at least two spindles each rotatable about a separate first axis and constructed and arranged to drive a separate tool, and the spindles being constructed and arranged so that the first axes are parallel to and spaced apart from each other;
• a turntable rotatable about a second vertical axis disposed at substantially a right angle to each first axis;
• a workpiece carrier carried by the turntable for rotation therewith and having a holder with at least two clamping devices each for holding a separate crankshaft with a third longitudinal axis of rotation at substantially a right angle to the second axis for rotation of the crankshaft by the turntable about the second axis to dispose the third axis of each clamped crankshaft at an oblique angle to the first axis of a corresponding spindle for machining with the tool driven by the spindle an oblique hole in the crankshaft;
• the holder being carried by the workpiece carrier and constructed and arranged to be movable about a fourth axis substantially parallel to each third axis and at substantially a right angle to the second axis between a machining position in which the crankshafts are substantially vertically spaced apart and facing the spindles and a crankshaft changing position in which the crankshafts are spaced from the machining position and do not face the spindles;
• and
• a first slide carried by the base and constructed and arranged to move relatively the turntable and the spindle box along a fifth axis substantially perpendicular to each of the first and second axes;
• whereby holes at a plurality of generally axially spaced apart locations may be machined each at an oblique angle to the third axis of each of the crankshafts by tools carried by the spindles.