Apparatus for chamfering and/or deburring of gears
AssigneeThe Gleason Works
InventorsCraig R. Ronald, Alan S. Metelsky
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Gear processing machine (4), such as a gear cutting or grinding machine, wherein a chamfering and/or deburring apparatus (2) and auxiliary spindle (10) are included on the same machine. A transfer mechanism (8) loads, unloads and transfers workpieces between a machining spindle (6) and the auxiliary spindle (10) thereby enabling simultaneous cutting and chamfering and/or deburring processes to be carried out. Via the auxiliary spindle, completed workpieces may be removed from the machine and blank workpieces may be loaded into the machine while another gear is being processed on the machine spindle thereby enhancing machine output and creating a more efficient operation.
Claims14
An apparatus for processing a workpiece, said apparatus comprising:
- a frame movable in a first direction;
- a workpiece spindle for rotation of a workpiece about a workpiece axis, said workpiece spindle being located within said frame and being movable in said first direction;
- a column located on said frame and being movable in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction;
- a tool spindle for rotation of a tool about a tool axis, said tool spindle being attached to said column and being movable in a third direction perpendicular to said first and said second directions, said tool spindle being pivotable about a pivot axis extending in said third direction,
- said apparatus being positioned proximate a second workpiece spindle and further including a means to transfer one or more workpieces between said workpiece spindle and said second workpiece spindle thereby enabling simultaneous processing of workpieces on said workpiece spindle and on said second workpiece spindle.
A method for processing a workpiece on an apparatus, said method comprising:
- loading a workpiece on a workpiece spindle for rotation about a workpiece axis, said workpiece spindle being located within a frame of said apparatus with said workpiece spindle and said frame each being movable in a first direction;
- providing a tool positioned on a tool spindle for rotation about a tool axis, said tool spindle being attached to a column with said column being located on said frame and being movable in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction, said tool spindle being movable in a third direction perpendicular to said first and said second directions, said tool spindle being pivotable about a pivot axis extending in said third direction,
- rotating said tool and bringing said tool and said workpiece into engagement,
- moving said tool relative to said workpiece along at least one of said first, second third and pivot directions to process said workpiece in a predetermined manner,
- wherein said loading comprises transferring a workpiece from a second workpiece spindle located proximate said workpiece spindle to said workpiece spindle via a transfer device and loading said workpiece on to said workpiece spindle for processing by a first process.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.