Binary machine tool holder
AssigneeCommand Tooling Systems
InventorsWilliam R Keefe, Randolf N. Johnson, Christopher M. Lodermeier, Peter J. Ness, Bradley E. Rowell, Mark A. Shannon, John Niethammer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tool holder having two distinct phases, a first phase in which the tool is held in an interference fit with sufficient mechanical interaction between the two for the tool to be rotated at high speed and perform its intended purpose on a workpiece, and a second phase in which the tool is sufficiently released from the interference fit to be rapidly removed from the holder (as by an automated apparatus).
Claims51
A combination for holding a tool, comprising:
- (a) a tool for cutting or forming, comprising a shank having a length and a cross-sectional shape, and
- (b) a tool holder, consisting essentially of at least a layer of shape memory alloy, but not including any conventional material between the shape memory alloy and the cutting or forming tool;
- in which the tool holder is configured to hold the tool along at least a portion of the length of the shank when the shape memory alloy is in the austenitic phase, with sufficient mechanical interaction for the tool to perform its cutting or forming, and
- in which the shape memory alloy has a martensitic/austenitic transition temperature below a temperature at which the tool performs its cutting or forming.
A combination for holding a tool, comprising:
- (a) a tool for cutting or forming, comprising a shank having a length and a cross-sectional shape, and
- (b) a tool holder, consisting essentially of at least a layer of shape memory alloy, but not including any conventional material between the shape memory alloy and the cutting or forming tool;
- in which the tool holder is configured to hold the tool along at least a portion of the length of the shank when the shape memory alloy is in the martensitic phase, with sufficient mechanical interaction for the tool to perform its cutting or forming, and
- in which the shape memory alloy has a martensitic/austenitic transition temperature above a temperature at which the tool performs its cutting or forming.
A combination for holding a tool, comprising, in combination,
- (a) a tool for cutting or forming, comprising a shank having a length and a cross-sectional shape, and
- (b) a tool holder, consisting essentially of at least a layer of a material characterized by a change in strain upon application of an external agent to the material, but not including any conventional material between the material and the cutting or forming tool;
- in which the holder is configured to hold the tool along at least a portion of the length of the shank with sufficient mechanical interaction for the tool to perform its cutting or forming when the material is in a first phase, and to release the tool when the material is in a second phase;
- and
- in which the material has a phase transition point outside ambient conditions of the tool during use.
A method of holding a cutting or forming tool comprising a shank having a length and a cross-sectional shape, with a tool holder consisting essentially of at least a layer of shape memory alloy but not including any conventional material between the shape memory alloy and the cutting or forming tool;
- the method comprising holding the tool along at least a portion of the length of the shank when the shape memory alloy is in the austenitic phase, with sufficient mechanical interaction for the tool to perform its cutting or forming;
- and in which the shape memory alloy has a martensitic/austenitic transition temperature below a temperature at which the tool performs its cutting or forming.
A method of holding a cutting or forming tool comprising a shank having a length and a cross-sectional shape, with a tool holder consisting essentially of at least a layer of shape memory alloy but not including any conventional material between the shape memory alloy and the cutting or forming tool;
- the method comprising holding the tool along at least a portion of the length of the shank when the shape memory alloy is in the martensitic phase, with sufficient mechanical interaction for the tool to perform its cutting or forming;
- and in which the shape memory alloy has a martensitic/austenitic transition temperature above a temperature at which the tool performs its cutting or forming.
A method of holding a tool for cutting or forming and comprising a shank having a length and a cross-sectional shape, with a tool holder, consisting essentially of at least a layer of a material characterized by a change in strain upon application of an external agent to the material, but not including any conventional material between the material and the cutting or forming tool, the method comprising holding the tool with the tool holder along at least a portion of the length of the shank with sufficient mechanical interaction for the tool to perform its cutting or forming when the material is in a first phase, and to release the tool when the material is in a second phase;
- and in which the material has a phase transition point outside ambient conditions of the tool during use.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.