Semi-contact guide apparatus and machine tool using the guide apparatus

A semi-contact guide apparatus comprising:

• a first member;
• a second member having a sliding surface and movably guided on the first member;
• a plural number of oil-hold means formed on the sliding surface and subject to leakage of lubricant oil therein during movement of the second member on the first member, wherein dimensions of at least two of the oil-hold means are different and are defined according to a load distribution of the weight of the second member;
• and
• oil-supply means for supplying lubricant oil to the oil-hold means, wherein a different amount of the lubricant oil is supplied to each of the oil-hold means of different dimensions and is defined according to dimensions of the respective oil holding means.

A machine tool using a semi-contact guide apparatus comprising:

• a bed having a table on which a workpiece is attached;
• a column having a tool and a sliding surface, and movably guided on the bed;
• a drive device connected for moving the column on the bed;
• a plural number of oil-hold portions formed on the sliding surface and subject to leakage of lubricant oil therein during movement of the column on the bed, wherein dimensions of at least two of the oil-hold portions are different and are defined according to a load distribution of the weight of the column;
• and
• an oil-supply device constructed and connected to supply lubricant oil to the oil-hold portions, wherein said oil-supply device is configured such that a different amount of the lubricant oil is supplied to each of the oil-hold portions of different dimensions and is defined according to dimensions of the respective oil-hold portions.