Center spacer between workpiece and dead center of machine tool
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorGabriel John Ellicott
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A machine tool for supporting and rotating a workpiece includes a first machine center supporting a first workpiece end of the workpiece. A dead center defines a second machine center of the machine tool. A center spacer has a first spacer end rotatably supported on the second machine center and a second spacer end supporting a second workpiece end of the workpiece. A drive mechanism is configured to rotate the workpiece and, during rotation of the workpiece, the center spacer is configured to rotate with the workpiece about the second machine center. The second workpiece end includes a first material and the center spacer includes a second material that is different than the first material.
Claims18
A machine tool for supporting and rotating a workpiece, comprising:
- a first machine center supporting a first workpiece end of the workpiece;
- a dead center defining a second machine center;
- a center spacer having a first spacer end rotatably supported on the second machine center and a second spacer end supporting a second workpiece end of the workpiece;
- an adhesive between the second spacer end and the second end of the workpiece;
- and
- a drive mechanism configured to rotate the workpiece;
- wherein, during rotation of the workpiece, the center spacer is configured to rotate with the workpiece about the second machine center;
- wherein the second workpiece end includes a first material and the center spacer includes a second material that is different than the first material.
A method of supporting and rotating a workpiece with a machine tool, comprising steps of:
- supporting a first workpiece end of the workpiece with a first machine center of the machine tool;
- supporting a first spacer end of a center spacer with a second machine center of the machine tool, wherein the second machine center is a dead center;
- supporting a second workpiece end of the workpiece with a second spacer end of the center spacer, wherein the second workpiece end includes a first material and the center spacer includes a second material that is different than the first material;
- applying an adhesive between the second spacer end and the second end of the workpiece;
- and
- rotating the workpiece with a drive mechanism;
- wherein the rotating step includes rotating the center spacer with the workpiece about the second machine center.
A machine tool for supporting and rotating a workpiece, comprising:
- a first machine center supporting a first workpiece end of the workpiece;
- a dead center defining a second machine center;
- a center spacer having a first spacer end rotatably supported on the second machine center and a second spacer end supporting a second workpiece end of the workpiece;
- a lubricant between the first spacer end and the second machine center;
- an adhesive between the second spacer end and the second end of the workpiece;
- and
- a drive mechanism configured to rotate the workpiece;
- wherein, during rotation of the workpiece, the center spacer is configured to rotate with the workpiece about the second machine center;
- wherein the second workpiece end includes a first material and the center spacer includes a second material that is different that the first material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.