Machine tool

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to a machine tool having a table adapted to move back and forth with respect to a main spindle on a bed with a workpiece mounted thereon, more particularly to a machine tool having a table adapted to pivot up and down about a pivot shaft extending perpendicularly to the direction of the movement of the table.

#2. Description of the Prior Art

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a machine tool according to one embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the machine tool with stationary covers and movable covers being removed therefrom;

#FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining where the movable covers are located in the machine tool;

#An embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the attached drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a horizontal machining center 1 includes: a bed 11; a column (not shown) provided at one end of the bed 11 and movable along the X-axis on the bed 11; a main spindle 12 supported by the column via a spindle head and vertically movable along the Y-axis; and a table 13 having a generally U-shaped cross section and movable back and forth with respect to the main spindle 12 along the Z-axis on the bed 11. The table 13 rotatably retains a palette P with a workpiece being fixed thereon.

#As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the table 13 is supported pivotally about a pivot shaft 15 extending along the X-axis by a table frame 14 which is movable back and forth along the Z-axis along a pair of slideways 11a provided on the bed 11. A pivot mechanism such as including a reduction gear mechanism 17 and a servo motor 16 for rotating the pivot shaft 15 fixed to the table 13 is provided on an outer side of one of support portions 14a of the table frame 14 which supports the pivot shaft 15.

#A center trough 11b is provided between the pair of slideways 11a on an upper surface of the bed 11 as extending along the Z-axis, and a chip conveyer 18 for transporting chips away to the outside is provided in the center trough 11b.