Back to results
US 6,470,547 B2Granted
Machining center with an integral continuous pressure hydraulic clamping system
AssigneeIntercore Resources, Inc.
InventorsPhillip Burge, Douglas Krumreich, James Denney
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to a machining center comprising a pallet changing station in combination with a machining station. The pallet changing station includes a rotating column assembly supporting a platform on which multiple fixtures are supported and moved. A portion of the column assembly defines part of a hydraulic conduit for supplying hydraulic fluid from a fluid source to the fixture for use in clamping parts to the fixture. The integration of a portion of the hydraulic conduit with the rotating column reduces the tendency for the hydraulic conduit to become twisted during rotation of the column or for the various threaded connections of the hydraulic conduit from loosening.
Claims33
A machining center for machining parts carried by a fixture, comprising:
- a housing defining a fixture loading area for receiving the fixture and a machining area for receiving the fixture during the machining of the parts;
- a machining tool located in the machining area for performing machining operations on a part carried by the fixture;
- a pallet changing station comprising a vertically-orientated rotating column assembly and a platform for supporting the fixture, with the platform mounted to the column and having a first portion located in the loading area and a second portion located in the machining area, wherein the rotation of the column assembly moves the platform first portion from the loading area to the machining area and the platform second portion from the machining area to the loading area, so that the fixture is moved from the loading area to the machining area for performing the machining operations on the part and from the machining area to the loading area for removing the machined parts from the fixture;
- a clamping system comprising a hydraulic conduit extending into the pallet changing station for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the fixture from a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid for clamping the parts to the fixture;
- wherein the column assembly comprises a portion having an internal bore forming part of the hydraulic conduit for fluid connection of the hydraulic fluid source with the clamping system;
- and
- an articulating arm comprising a hollow interior, having a first end mounted to the column assembly and a second end for mounting to the fixture, and the hydraulic conduit extends through the hollow interior of the arm to the fixture.
4 more elements
A machining center for machining parts carried by a fixture, comprising:
- a housing defining a fixture loading area for receiving the fixture and a machining area for receiving the fixture during the machining of the parts;
- a machining tool located in the machining area for performing machining operations on a part carried by the fixture;
- a pallet changing station comprising a vertically-orientated rotating column assembly and a platform for supporting the fixture, with the platform mounted to the column and having a first portion located in the loading area and a second portion located in the machining area, wherein the rotation of the column assembly moves the platform first portion from the loading area to the machining area and the platform second portion from the machining area to the loading area, so that the fixture is moved from the loading area to the machining area for performing the machining operations on the part and from the machining area to the loading area for removing the machined parts from the fixture;
- and
- a clamping system comprising a hydraulic conduit extending into the pallet changing station for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the fixture from a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid for clamping the parts to the fixture;
- wherein the column assembly comprises a shaft having an internal bore forming part of the hydraulic conduit for fluid connection of the hydraulic fluid source with the clamping system and a column to which the platform is mounted, a lower end of the shaft is mounted to an upper end of the column to form the column assembly.
3 more elements
A column assembly for a machining center for machining parts carried by a fixture, the machining center comprising:
- a housing defining a fixture loading area for receiving the fixture and a machining area for receiving the fixture during the machining of the parts;
- a machining tool located in the machining area for performing machining operations on a part carried by the fixture;
- a pallet changing station comprising a moveable platform for supporting the fixture, with the platform having a first portion located in the loading area and a second portion located in the machining area whereby movement of the platform moves the platform first portion from the loading area to the machining area and the platform second portion from machining area to the loading area for moving the fixture between the loading area and machining area;
- a clamping system comprising a hydraulic conduit extending into the pallet changing station for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the fixture from a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid for clamping the parts to the fixture;
- and
- the column assembly comprising a portion having an internal bore forming part of the hydraulic conduit and being mounted for rotational movement relative to the housing and carrying the platform whereby the rotation of the column assembly moves the platform first portion from the loading area to the machining area and the platform second portion from the machining area to the loading area.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.