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US 8,720,311 B2Granted
Tool holder
AssigneeHardinge Inc.
InventorsThomas Harry Sheehy, Neil Andrew Moxey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A combination live/dead tool holder for use on an indexing tool turret of a machine tool includes a live tool holder as well as a dead tool holder mount. The dead tool holder mount is configured to interchangeably mount to a variety of different dead tool holders. The tool holder includes a y-axis adjustment mechanism that facilitates adjustment of the position of the tool holder relative to the turret along the y axis (i.e., along a circumferential direction of the turret).
Claims10
A tool holder comprising:
- a base constructed and shaped to be mounted to a rim of an indexing turret of a machine tool, the base defining an x-axis that extends radially away from the turret when the base is mounted to the turret, the base defining a z axis that is parallel to a pivotal axis of the turret, the base defining a y axis that is perpendicular to the x and z axes;
- a tool mount for releasably attaching a tool to the tool holder;
- an adjustable y axis alignment structure adjustably connected to the base so as to be positionable in a plurality of y axis positions relative to the base, the y axis alignment structure having a y axis key surface positioned and shaped to mate with a complimentary key surface of the turret rim so as to control the y axis position of the base relative to the turret;
- and
- a first threaded element threadingly engaged with one of the base and alignment structure such that rotation of the first threaded element moves the first threaded element along a first threaded element axis relative to the one of the base and the alignment structure,
- wherein the first threaded element axis is at a skewed angle relative to the x and y axes, and
- wherein the first threaded element operatively abuts the other of the base and alignment structure such that movement of the first threaded element in a first direction along the first threaded element axis forces the y axis alignment structure in a positive y axis direction relative to the base.
4 more elements
A tool holder comprising:
- a base constructed and shaped to be mounted to a rim of an indexing turret of a machine tool, the base defining an x-axis that extends radially away from the turret when the base is mounted to the turret, the base defining a z axis that is parallel to a pivotal axis of the turret, the base defining a y axis that is perpendicular to the x and z axes;
- a tool mount for releasably attaching a tool to the tool holder;
- an adjustable y axis alignment structure adjustably connected to the base so as to be positionable in a plurality of y axis positions relative to the base, the y axis alignment structure having a y axis key surface positioned and shaped to mate with a complimentary key surface of the turret rim so as to control the y axis position of the base relative to the turret;
- a first threaded element threadingly engaged with one of the base and alignment structure such that rotation of the first threaded element moves the first threaded element along a first threaded element axis relative to the one of the base and the alignment structure between:
- (i) an operatively abutting position in which the first threaded element operatively abuts the other of the base and alignment structure, and
- (ii) an operatively retracted position in which the first threaded element does not operatively abut the other of the base and alignment structure;
- and
- a second threaded element threadingly engaged with the one of the base and alignment structure such that rotation of the second threaded element moves the second threaded element along a second threaded element axis relative to the one of the base and the alignment structure between:
- (i) an operatively abutting position in which the second threaded element operatively abuts the other of the base and alignment structure, and
- (ii) an operatively retracted position in which the second threaded element does not operatively abut the other of the base and alignment structure,
- wherein when the first threaded element is in its operatively abutting position, movement of the first threaded element in a first direction along the first threaded element axis forces the y axis alignment structure to move in a positive y axis direction relative to the base,
- wherein when the first threaded element is in its operatively abutting position, the first threaded element prevents the alignment structure from moving in a negative y axis direction unless the first threaded element is moved in a second direction along the first threaded element axis,
- wherein when the first threaded element is in its operatively retracted position, the first threaded element does not prevent the alignment structure from moving in the negative y axis direction,
- wherein when the second threaded element is in its operatively abutting position, movement of the second threaded element in a first direction along the second threaded element axis forces the y axis alignment structure to move in the negative y axis direction relative to the base,
- wherein when the second threaded element is in its operatively abutting position, the second threaded element prevents the alignment structure from moving in the positive y axis direction unless the second threaded element is moved in a second direction along the second threaded element axis, and
- wherein when the second threaded element is in its operatively retracted position, the second threaded element does not prevent the alignment structure from moving in the positive y axis direction.
13 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.