# US 7,578,037 B2 · Method for fixing a tool in a defined axial position

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- Number: US 7,578,037 B2
- Document ID: US7578037B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/536,196
- Filed: 2003-12-03
- Published: 2006-03-09
- Granted: 2009-08-25
- Earliest claimed: 2002-12-07
- Assignees: E. Zoller GmbH & Co. KG Einstell-Und MessgeräTe
- Inventors: Christian Pfau
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7578037B2

## CPC

- B23Q 17/2457: {of tools}
- B23B 31/028: {the axial positioning of the tool being adjustable (B23B31/208 takes precedence; with means for adjusting the chuck with respect to the working spindle B23B31/36)}
- B23B 31/1179: {using heating and cooling}
- B23P 11/027: {for mounting tools in tool holders}
- B23Q 17/0923: {Tool length}
- B23B 2231/42: Chucks operated by a motor which is movable to engage with, or disengage from, the chuck operating means
- Y10T 29/49764: with testing or indicating
- Y10T 29/49769: Using optical instrument [excludes mere human eyeballing]
- Y10T 29/49771: Quantitative measuring or gauging
- Y10T 29/4978: Assisting assembly or disassembly
- Y10T 29/49865: by temperature differential [e.g., shrink fit]
- Y10T 279/3418: for particular tool or workpiece
- Y10T 279/3487: Tool or work stop or locator
- Y10T 403/48: Shrunk fit
- Y10T 409/308624: with limit means to aid in positioning of cutter bit or work [e.g., gauge, stop, etc.]
- B23Q: DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING (tools of the kind used in lathes or boring machines B23B27/00); MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT
- B23B: TURNING; BORING (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q)
- B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

The invention relates to a method for fixing a tool (10, 22, 64), especially a shaft tool, in a clamping chuck (8, 18, 60), whereby the tool (10, 22, 64) is introduced into the clamping chuck (8, 18, 60) and fixed therein (8, 18, 60) upon reaching an axial nominal position. According to the invention, the tool (10, 22, 64) is brought against an abutment (42, 70) and the position of a characteristic element of the tool (10, 22, 64) is measured. The tool (10, 22, 64) is positioned in the axial nominal position by moving the abutment (42, 70) along a positioning section (Z1) calculated from the measurement.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for fixing a tool having a shank in a tool chuck in comprising:
inserting the tool into the tool chuck;
fixing the tool in the tool chuck when an axial desired position is reached;
positioning the tool with its shank against a stop and measuring a position of a characteristic element of the tool to obtain a measurement; and
positioning the tool in the axial desired position by a movement of the stop by a positioning distance calculated from the measurement,
wherein a cutting lip of the tool is used as characteristic element.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tool is brought against the stop after the insertion.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tool is moved out of the tool chuck by the movement of the stop.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein an actual distance of the characteristic element from a reference point is determined, and the positioning distance is calculated from the difference between the actual distance and a desired distance.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tool is shrunk in place in the tool chuck after reaching the desired position.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tool is inserted, pre-positioned and shrunk in place in the tool chuck and is loosened again before the movement of the stop by the positioning distance.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tool is brought in front of an optical measuring system before the insertion, and the optical measuring system is focused on the characteristic element.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the tool is moved in such a way that the optical measuring system can be focused on the characteristic element.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the optical measuring system remains focused on the characteristic element during the insertion.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixing of the tool in the tool chuck is released, and the stop moves the tool out of the tool chuck.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the tool is moved out of the tool chuck up to a predetermined position of the stop.

### Claim 12

A method for fixing a tool having a shank in a tool chuck in comprising:
inserting the tool into the tool chuck;
fixing the tool in the tool chuck when an axial desired position is reached;
positioning the tool with its shank against a stop and measuring a position of a characteristic element of the tool to obtain a measurement; and
positioning the tool in the axial desired position by a movement of the stop by a positioning distance calculated from the measurement,
wherein a retaining stop supported in the tool chuck is brought against the tool, after the tool is in the desired position.

### Claim 13

A method for fixing a tool having a shank in a tool chuck in comprising:
inserting the tool into the tool chuck;
fixing the tool in the tool chuck when an axial desired position is reached;
positioning the tool with its shank against a stop and measuring a position of a characteristic element of the tool to obtain a measurement; and
positioning the tool in the axial desired position by a movement of the stop by a positioning distance calculated from the measurement, wherein
the tool is inserted, pre-positioned, and shrunk in place in the tool chuck and is loosened again before the movement of the stop by the positioning distance, and
before the insertion, the characteristic element of the tool is measured for its position relative to a stop point at the tool to obtain a length, and the stop is moved by a positioning distance calculated from the length, before the tool is brought against the stop.

### Claim 14

A method for fixing a tool having a shank in a tool chuck in comprising:
inserting the tool into the tool chuck;
fixing the tool in the tool chuck when an axial desired position is reached;
positioning the tool with its shank against a stop and measuring a position of a characteristic element of the tool to obtain a measurement; and
positioning the tool in the axial desired position by a movement of the stop by a positioning distance calculated from the measurement,
wherein striking of the tool against the stop is recorded by a data processing system, and after that the determination of the position of the characteristic element is triggered.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the recording is effected by an optical measuring system.