# US 7,743,689 B2 · Turning center > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,743,689 B2 - Document ID: US7743689B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/324,126 - Filed: 2008-11-26 - Published: 2009-05-28 - Granted: 2010-06-29 - Earliest claimed: 2006-05-30 - Assignees: Index-Werke GmbH & Co. KG Hahn & Tessky - Inventors: Walter Grossmann - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7743689B2 ## CPC - B23Q 1/015: {Frames, beds, pillars} - B23Q 39/048: {the work holder of a work station transfers directly its workpiece to the work holder of a following work station} - Y10T 29/5114: Lathe and tool - Y10T 82/25: Lathe - Y10T 82/2508: with tool turret - Y10T 409/307672: Angularly adjustable cutter head - 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 - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The invention relates to a turning center which comprises a machine frame, a first workpiece spindle unit having a first workpiece spindle, a second workpiece spindle unit, which is disposed on the machine frame and having a second workpiece spindle, at least one tool carrier unit, which is disposed on the machine frame and on which at least one tool for machining a workpiece held in the workpiece spindle units is disposed, and a working space, in which workpieces held in the workpiece spindle units can be machined with the tool. The aim of the invention is to provide a turning center which is compact as possible while allowing extensive turning and/or milling applications, and also ensures highest possible machining accuracy. For this purpose, the machine frame having a machine bed formed by two spaced-apart columns, by the first workpiece spindle unit being disposed on a front side of a first of the columns, facing the working space, by the second workpiece spindle unit being disposed on a front side of a second of the columns, facing the working space, and by the at least one tool carrier unit being disposed on a transverse side of one of the columns, facing the respective other column. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Turning center comprising a machine frame, a first workpiece spindle unit, which is disposed on the machine frame and has a first workpiece spindle that is rotatable about a first workpiece spindle axis, a second workpiece spindle unit, which is disposed on the machine frame and has a second workpiece spindle that is rotatable about a second workpiece spindle axis, at least one tool carrier unit, which is disposed on the machine frame and on which at least one tool for machining a workpiece held in the workpiece spindle units is disposed, and a working space, in which workpieces held in the workpiece spindle units can be machined with the tool, the machine frame having a machine bed formed by two spaced-apart columns, the first workpiece spindle unit being disposed on a front side of a first of the columns, facing the working space, the second workpiece spindle unit being disposed on a front side of a second of the columns, facing the working space, and the at least one tool carrier unit being disposed on a transverse side of one of the columns, facing the respective other column. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Turning center according to claim 1, wherein the columns extend with their longitudinal axes transversely to a standing area of the machine frame. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) Turning center according to claim 1, wherein the columns extend parallel to one another. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) Turning center according to claim 2, wherein the columns extend substantially perpendicularly to the standing area. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) Turning center according to claim 1, wherein the columns are of approximately the same length. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) Turning center according to claim 1, wherein at least one opening is provided between the columns. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) Turning center according to claim 1, wherein the columns are connected to one another by at least one cross bracing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) Turning center according to claim 7, wherein the columns are connected at the ends by at least one cross bracing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) Turning center according to claim 8, wherein the at least one cross bracing is formed onto at least one of the columns. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) Turning center according to claim 1, wherein the machine bed is made up of two parts. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) Turning center according to claim 10, wherein the machine bed is made up of a first column with at least one crosspiece and a second column. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) Turning center according to claim 1, wherein the columns are connected to form a yoke-like body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) Turning center according to claim 12, wherein the yoke-like body encloses at least one opening. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) Turning center according to claim 13, wherein the yoke-like body encloses two openings. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) Turning center according to claim 1, wherein the columns have flat front sides. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) Turning center according to claim 1, wherein the respective front side runs transversely to the standing area of the machine frame. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) Turning center according to claim 1, wherein the columns have mutually facing flat transverse sides. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) Turning center according to claim 17, wherein the first and second transverse sides are disposed on opposite sides of the opening. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) Turning center according to claim 17, wherein the transverse sides run transversely to a standing area of the machine frame. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) Turning center according to claim 1, wherein the columns have an approximately rectangular cross-sectional form. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) Turning center according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the workpiece spindle units is guided movably in relation to the machine bed parallel to the respective front side. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) Turning center according to claim 21, wherein each of the workpiece spindle units is guided movably in relation to the machine bed parallel to the front side respectively carrying said units. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) Turning center according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the workpiece spindle units is guided movably in relation to the machine bed parallel to the respective workpiece spindle axis. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) Turning center according to claim 23, wherein both workpiece spindle units are guided movably in relation to the machine bed parallel to their respective workpiece spindle axis. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) Turning center according to claim 1, wherein one of the workpiece spindle units is guided movably in relation to the machine bed transversely to the respective workpiece spindle axis. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) Turning center according to claim 1, wherein both workpiece spindle units are movable with their workpiece spindle axes in a common first geometric spindle guiding plane. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1) Turning center according to claim 1, wherein two tool carrier units are provided. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) Turning center according to claim 27, wherein each of the two tool carrier units is disposed on a transverse side of one of the columns of the machine bed. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) Turning center according to claim 27, wherein a first tool carrier unit is provided. ### Claim 30 (depends on 27) Turning center according to claim 27, wherein a second tool carrier unit is provided. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) Turning center according to claim 30, wherein the first and second tool carrier units are disposed on different columns of the machine bed. ### Claim 32 (depends on 29) Turning center according to claim 29, wherein the first tool carrier unit is associated with the first workpiece spindle unit. ### Claim 33 (depends on 29) Turning center according to claim 29, wherein the first tool carrier unit is disposed on the column carrying the first workpiece spindle unit. ### Claim 34 (depends on 30) Turning center according to claim 30, wherein the second tool carrier unit is associated with the second workpiece spindle unit. ### Claim 35 (depends on 30) Turning center according to claim 30, wherein the second tool carrier unit is disposed on the column carrying the second workpiece spindle unit. ### Claim 36 (depends on 1) Turning center according to claim 1, wherein the at least one tool carrier unit extends into the respective opening. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) Turning center according to claim 36, wherein the tool carrier unit extends through the respective opening. ### Claim 38 (depends on 1) Turning center according to claim 1, wherein the at least one tool carrier unit has a tool carrier base and a tool carrier. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) Turning center according to claim 38, wherein the tool carrier base is disposed at least partially in the opening. ### Claim 40 (depends on 38) Turning center according to claim 38, wherein the tool carrier is movable in the working space outside the opening.