System for adapting an automatic screw machine to achieve computer numeric control
AssigneeAMT Machines Systems Ltd.
InventorsDennis R. Pugh, William Blair Shook, Thomas M. Walliser, Vincent J. Vohnout
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for adapting existing conventional screw machines to be capable of computer numerical control operation. The system incorporates the use of a VersaCam device which replaces the turret cam of a single spindle screw machine. The VersaCam system monitors the motion of the screw machine camshaft and actuates the turret slide in synchronization with the camshaft. The VersaCam system also provides a means of specifying the desired turret slide trajectory for any given job.
Claims24
A machine tool apparatus comprising:
- an operator interface adapted to allow an operator to specify parameters for a turn-around operation and a feed-in operation, said turn-around operation for computing a trajectory which connects adjacent operations, said feed-in operation for a cutting operation in which a turret tooling is advanced into a feedstock;
- and
- a tool slide adapted to move in said trajectory, said trajectory including said turn-around operation and said feed-in operation;
- and
- wherein said feed-in operation uses initial position, feed-in rate, and final position as parameters.
A machine tool apparatus comprising:
- an operator interface adapted to allow an operator to specify parameters for a turn-around operation and a dwell operation, said turn-around operation for computing a trajectory which connects adjacent operations, said dwell operation for causing a tool slide to remain in a predetermined position for a specific number of spindle revolutions;
- and
- said tool slide adapted to move in said trajectory, said trajectory including said turn-around operation and said dwell operation;
- and
- wherein said dwell operation uses duration as a parameter.
A machine tool apparatus comprising:
- an operator interface adapted to allow an operator to specify parameters for a turn-around operation and a feed-out operation, said turn-around operation for computing a trajectory which connects adjacent operations, said feed-out operation for a cutting operation in which a turret tooling is retracted out of a feedstock;
- and
- a tool slide adapted to move in said trajectory, said trajectory including said turn-around operation and said feed-out operation;
- and
- wherein said feed-out operation uses feed-out rate and final position as parameters.
A machine tool apparatus comprising:
- an operator interface adapted to allow an operator to specify parameters for a turn-around operation, said turn-around operation for computing a trajectory which connects adjacent operations;
- and
- a tool slide adapted to move in said trajectory, said trajectory including said turn-around operation;
- wherein said turn-around operation uses minimum clear position and minimum clear period as parameters.
A machine tool apparatus comprising:
- an operator interface adapted to allow an operator to specify parameters for a turn-around operation and a position operation, said turn-around operation for computing a trajectory which connects adjacent operations, said position operation for positioning a tool slide in a location for a specified duration;
- and
- a tool slide adapted to move in said trajectory, said trajectory including said turn-around operation and said position operation;
- and
- wherein said position operation uses final position and duration as parameters.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.