Workpiece changer
AssigneeChiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
InventorsDirk Prust, Michael Eble
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A workpiece change for use in a machine tool that comprises a tool spindle for clamping tools for machining workpieces, comprises two wheels arranged parallel to one another and rotatable about an axis of rotation into at least two prominent angular positions. Two swivel tables for clamping workpieces are arranged between the wheels and are each mounted on the wheels to swivel about a swivel axis which runs parallel to the axis of rotation. In each prominent angular position, one of the swivel tables is located in its working position in which clamped workpieces can be machined with the tools. Both wheels are supported at their rim.
Claims22
A workpiece changer for use in a machine tool that comprises a tool spindle for clamping tools for machining workpieces, said workpiece changer comprising:
- two wheels which are arranged parallel to one another and which are rotatable about an axis of rotation into at least a first angular position and a second angular position, said two wheels having respective annular circumferential surfaces and being supported at their respective rims, and
- at least two swivel tables for clamping respective workpieces, the at least two swivel tables being arranged between said two wheels and each being mounted on said two wheels such as to swivel about a respective swivel axis that runs parallel to the axis of rotation,
- wherein in each of the first angular position and the second angular position one of the at least two swivel tables is located in a working position in which the respective workpieces clamped thereto are machined with the tools,
- a rotary drive comprising a rotating motor, a drive shaft operatively connected to said rotating motor, and two drive pinions that are arranged at said drive shaft, wherein each of the two drive pinions is operatively connected via a respective looped drive member to one of said two wheels for rotation thereof about said axis of rotation, and
- each looped drive member extending at least partially about the annular circumferential surface of the corresponding wheel.
A machine tool comprising a tool spindle for clamping tools for machining of workpieces, and a workpiece changer, said workpiece changer comprising:
- two wheels which are arranged parallel to one another and which are rotatable about an axis of rotation into at least a first angular position and a second angular position, said two wheels having respective annular circumferential surfaces and being supported at their respective rims, and
- at least two swivel tables for clamping respective workpieces, the at least two swivel tables being arranged between said two wheels and each being mounted on said two wheels such as to swivel about a respective swivel axis that runs parallel to the axis of rotation,
- wherein in each of the first angular position and the second angular position one of the at least two swivel tables is located in a working position in which the respective workpieces clamped thereto are machined with the tools,
- a rotary drive comprising a rotating motor, a drive shaft operatively connected to said rotating motor, and two drive pinions that are arranged at said drive shaft, wherein each of the two drive pinions is operatively connected via a respective looped drive member to one of said two wheels for rotation thereof about said axis of rotation, and
- each looped drive member extending at least partially about the annular circumferential surface of the corresponding wheel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.