US 7,972,097 B2Granted

Rigid tapping feedback assembly for a milling machine

AssigneesDwayne S. Elrod, Elizabeth A. Domokos-Elrod

InventorDwayne S. Elrod

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Abstract

This invention is related to a rigid tapping feedback assembly that is adapted to being retrofit on a milling machine having a spindle with a spindle end extending beyond a bearing cap and an automated drive. In embodiments, the assembly comprising a housing, spindle-pulley adapter that is drivably engaged with the spindle end, pulley assembly, shaft assembly, housing cover plate, and rotary encoder. The housing mounts to the bearing cap and holds the shaft assembly in substantially parallel-spaced alignment with the spindle-pulley adapter. The pulley assembly mechanically links the spindle-pulley adapter and the shaft assembly, typically utilizing pulleys and a timing belt. The housing cover plate mounts to the housing enclosing the assembly components above and supporting the rotary encoder in substantial axial alignment with the shaft assembly. In operation, the rotary encoder senses spindle rotational speed spindle and provides feedback to the automated drive to control downward movement of the spindle.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A rigid tapping feedback assembly for a milling machine having a spindle with a spindle end machined on one end and opposed end configured to attach a tool, a computing device operably connected to an automated drive that translates the spindle, and a milling machine motor that rotates the spindle at a rate of revolution, the rigid tapping feedback assembly comprising:

a spindle-pulley adapter that is drivably engaged to the spindle end;
a housing that is fixedly attached to the milling machine, wherein the housing is fixedly attached to a bearing cap of the milling machine, the bearing cap configured with an aperture to receive the spindle end extending therethrough;
a sensor shaft that is rotatably coupled to the housing, the housing supporting the sensor shaft in substantial parallel-spaced relation to the spindle-pulley adapter;
a pulley assembly that mechanically links the spindle-pulley adapter and the sensor shaft, wherein the rate of revolution of the spindle is generally proportional to resultant angular rotation of the sensor shaft;
and
a sensor configured to monitor the resultant angular rotation of the sensor shaft, wherein the sensor communicates an indication of the resultant angular rotation to the computing device;
and
a housing cover plate fixedly attached to the housing, where the attached housing cover plate and housing substantially encompass the pulley assembly, and wherein the housing cover plate includes a mounting footprint, the mounting footprint is adapted to receive fasteners for attaching a drawbar to the housing cover plate, wherein the spindle-pulley adapter, which is drivably engaged to the spindle end, is interconnected between the spindle and the draw bar.

5 more elements

A milling machine, comprising:

a spindle with a spindle end machined on one end and configured to attach a tool to opposed end, wherein the spindle is configured to rotate at a rate of revolution;
an automated quill drive that translates the spindle at an extension rate;
a CNC controller that is operably connected to the automated quill drive;
wherein the CNC controller is configured to control the extension rate of the automated quill drive;
a milling machine motor that rotates the spindle at an initial rotational speed;
a spindle-pulley adapter that is drivably engaged to the spindle end;
a housing;
an encoder shaft that is rotatably coupled to the housing, the housing supporting the encoder shaft in substantial parallel-spaced relation to the spindle-pulley adapter;
a pulley assembly that comprises a drive pulley circumferentially engaged to the spindle-pulley adapter, a timing pulley circumferentially engaged to the encoder shaft, and a belt that mechanically links the drive pulley and the timing pulley, wherein the rate of revolution is of the spindle-pulley adapter is tracked by angular rotation of the encoder shaft;
a rotary encoder that utilizes the encoder shaft to sense the angular rotation of the encoder shaft;
a cover plate fixedly attached to the housing to a create a protective body, the protective body substantially encompassing the pulley assembly;
and
a drawbar mounted to the cover plate, the cover plate having an aperture for receiving a portion of the spindle-pulley adapter, the portion of the spindle-pulley adapter drivably engaged with the drawbar.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/777,109Filed 12 Jul 2007
Published: US 2009/0016833 A115 Jan 2009
Granted: 5 Jul 2011
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

B23Q 5/043
Rotary shafts, e.g. working-spindles: accessories for spindle drives
B23Q 17/10
Arrangements for observing, indicating or measuring on machine tools: for indicating or measuring cutting speed or number of revolutions
Y10T 29/49716
Method of mechanical manufacture: converting
Y10T 408/17
With control means energized in response to activator stimulated by condition sensor: to control infeed