Abstract: The invention concerns a very high-speed machining machine-tool (M) consisting of a parallel structure including link bars (100) whereof one first end (110) is linked to a mobile member (200) supporting at least a tool and whereof the second end (120) is linked to at least means (300) setting it in motion relative to a frame (B). The said machine-tool is characterized in that the linkages (400) to the ends (100 [sic, should be 110. -Translation Editor) and 120) of the said bars (100) consist in an association of fictitious pivots (410, 420, 430) so as to form a joint whereof the degrees of freedom enable the parallel structure to be set in motion. The said feature enables to avoid all drawbacks related to ball linkages. The invention is applicable to high-speed machining.

Abstract: A device for using a parallel structure designed for positioning and displacing a mobile member including at least a fixed element and at least three actuators each including a fixed part and a mobile part, the mobile member including a support-sheath of a tool spindle. The device includes a balancing assembly which, enabling the support-sheath to move in rectilinear manner along axes X, Y and Z, maintains the support-sheath such that the weight of the support-sheath is not transferred to the parallel structure.

Abstract: A method for lengthening the machining travel of a machine-tool operating at a very high speed, including a tool-carrying ram mobile on three axes. The method combines with the machining movements of the tool-carrying ram along one or several axes, one or several rectilinear movements of the part to be machined by parametering and digitizing the relative travels and speeds of the part to be machined with respect to the tool-carrying ram. The invention also concerns the device for implementing this method and the machine-tool using such a device.

Abstract: A machining machine-tool having a fixed frame with a closed structure. The machining zone is delimited by the fixed frame internal surfaces and includes a machining head supporting the driving unit of a machine-tool. The machine-tool fixed frame has a C-shaped profile, and ends of branches of the C are linked to the machine-tool machining head. The ergonomic arrangement of the machine-tool functional parts is also considered.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for machining crankshaft comprising the following main operations: determining starting points; machining the ends, bearings and crank pins; producing lubricating oil holes; finishing the ends, bearings and crank pins, dynamic measurement and optionally removing material for balancing purposes. The method is characterized in that it consists in carrying out dynamic mass measurements and eliminating material for balancing purposes, before the finishing operations. The invention also concerns a device for implementing said method. The invention is applicable to production lines machining and balancing crankshafts.

Abstract: A high speed machining machine tool (M) of the type that allows the independent setting into motion along at least three axis of two tool carrying slide (100 and 100′). This machine tool implements said motions of each slide by linear motors.

Abstract: A protection device (D) for the driving mechanism of a mobile element (O) against the cuttings of a machine tool includes a driving section (P1) and a machining zone (P2) separated by a protection wall. The protection wall is constituted by a plate (100) having a free translational motion on a disk (200) rotating freely with respect to the wall. A first displacement window (210) in the disk (200), and a second displacement window (310) in the wall are provided wherein both displacement windows (210 and 310) are arranged with respect to each other in such a way that the translational displacement of the plate (100) and the rotation of the disk (200) occlude the opening of both displacement windows (210 and 310).

Abstract: A tool storage and tool exchange device of a high speed machining machine-tool having a horizontal ram that receives a tool. The exchange device includes a tool storage module that has a multiplicity of housings receiving the tools, a handling module that loads or unloads at least one tool from a housing and transports the tool from the housing toward an exchange zone with a transfer module, and a transfer module that transports a tool present in the ram from an exchange zone with the ram toward the exchange zone with the handling nodule and vice-versa. The multiple modules allow simultaneous execution of different operations by a tool storage and tool exchange device.

Abstract: A method for machine a V crankshaft. A measurement is made of the dynamic mass and the centering points are drilled. The reference surfaces are preset by machining the raw crankshaft reference surfaces before the dynamic mass measurement.

Abstract: A high speed machining machine-tool including a mechanical module having a machining station and a driving station and an equipment module with “n” number different parts located up line. The module bases are connected to a common supporting frame, with the mechanical module being fixedly connected thereto. The equipment module is connected to the machine so as to slide on its longitudinal axis. The different mobile parts of the machine-tool adopt two positions: a first, so-called “folded” position, in which the equipment module and all its parts engage each other and the mechanical module; a second, so-called “extended” position, in which the whole equipment module or a subset of its component parts have slid on the supporting frame towards the rear so as to form a transversal handling passage running through and through the machine. The invention is useful for high speed machining.

Abstract: A rotary device for changing parts to be machined by a machine-tool. The device includes a supporting table which has at least two pallet supports arranged at regular angular intervals for receiving each a part-carrying pallet, and is rotationally mounted between the machining station of the machine-tool and the post for supplying part-carrying pallets arranged opposite said machining station. The supporting table is pivotally mounted about its central axis and tiltingly between a horizontal position and an inclined position relative to the horizontal plane. The invention is useful for changing parts for a machine-tool.

Abstract: A telescoping protective cowling for removing part of a machine tool. The device includes at least three elements consisting of panels and one of which is stationary or relative to the frame and provided with a window with inside edges restricting the freedom of movement of a moving part. The second panel is slidable relative to the first panel along two axes, is longer than the window of the first panel and is provided with a window within which the moving part is free to move. The third panel is movable and substantially larger than the window in the first panel and receives the moving part in its central portion. As a result, the movements of the moving part in the plane of the two axes in the window in the first panel means that the second panel has a proportional mobility and is thus able to fill the opening of the window in the first panel after it has been left clear by the third panel following the movements of the moving part.

Abstract: A machine tool for machining crankshafts (200), including, arranged in the same horizontal plane on a frame extending along the transfer axis (arrow A) of a machining line (C), a machining station (P1) with two tool holder discs (110, 120) for machining the crankshafts (200), and two parallel work stations (S1, S2) arranged upstream and downstream from the machining station (P1) for rotating the two crankshafts, whereby the tool holder disc (110, 120) of the machining station, movably mounted (arrow X) along the transfer axis (arrow A) can move back and forth between one work station (S1 or S2) and the other (S2 or S1) and machine a crankshaft (200) at a work station (S1 or S2) during the auxiliary operations needed to position a new crankshaft (200) in the other work station (S2 or S1), and vice versa. An operating method and a machining line comprising such a machine tool are also disclosed. Said machine tool is useful for turning/shaving crankshafts for engines with four in-line cylinders.

Abstract: A handling device for a cylindrical electric tool holder spindle. The device includes a handling cradle including a combination of a receptacle in which the electric spindle is placed, a gripping member for lifting the handling cradle and a fastening member for fastening the cradle to the holder so that the electric spindle is held in place relative to the holder. The fastening member is arranged in front of the handling cradle and includes a cylindrical tube cut along a horizontal plane and having an outer diameter matching the inner diameter of the cylindrical holder so that it is coaxial therewith. It also has an inner diameter greater than the diameter of the rear body of the electric spindle. The device may be used for maintaining machine tools.

Abstract: A storage device for a machine tool having a ram, includes a cylinder of mounted for rotation in a chamber mounted to a frame of the machine tool adjacent the ram. The chamber has an opening and the cylinder is mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of the ram. This cylinder has parts for storing tools, a plurality of grippers for gripping a tool to be transferred to the ram, and a flap having dimensions corresponding to dimension of the opening, and mounted on the cylinder at a position such that it seals the opening. The grippers are mounted at angular positions which are different from those of the flap, and so are all protected by the flap when the flap closes the opening.

Abstract: A carriage slide for an electric spindle of a high speed machine tool. A sealed chamber is defined between the surfaces of the slide which contact the spindle. Two ring-shaped seals are arranged between the contact surfaces so that the spindle can be filled with oil. The slide includes three inwardly projecting shoulders which form rings. The first outer shoulder at the inlet of the slide defines a greater opening diameter than the other two shoulders. The slide can be used in high speed machine tools.

Abstract: A logical structure of a frame of a machine tool enables displacements of a movable mechanism, such as a slide, along three axes X, Y, and Z. A first pair of parallel transverse horizontal guide rails is disposed in a vertical plane and enables horizontal displacements of the slide along the X axis. A second pair of parallel lateral vertical guide rails is disposed in the same vertical plane and enables vertical displacements of the slide along the Y axis which is perpendicular to the X axis. A third pair of parallel longitudinal horizontal guide rails is disposed in a horizontal plane and enables horizontal displacements of the slide along the Z axis which is perpendicular to both the X and Y axes. A front portion of the slide is unencumbered by drive mechanisms and passes through a telescopic cowling which follows movements of the slide and separates a drive station from a machining station.

Abstract: A machine tool for machining crankshafts for four cylinder engines. A machining station and two parallel workstations are arranged in the same horizontal plane on a frame extending along the transfer axis of a machining line. The machining station has two tool holder disks for machining the crankshafts. The two parallel work stations are arranged upstream and downstream from the machining station for rotating the two crankshafts. The tool holder disk of the machining station is movably mounted along the transfer axis and can move back and forth between one workstation and the other. A crankshaft can be machined at a workstation during the auxiliary operations needed to position a new crankshaft in the other workstation.

Abstract: A mechanism for coupling tooling cassettes (60) in a numerical control machining unit for a transfer machine of the type comprising a frame (10) with rails (11, 12) for moving (X arrow) a vertical knee (20) with two posts (21 and 22) also provided with rails (21a and 22b) on which a movable headstock (30) slides (Y arrow), with a spindle-supporting slide (40) passing through the headstock (Z arrow); and a magazine (50) for a tooling cassette (60) positioned on the headstock (30), surrounding the knee (20), and through which the slide (40) may pass, comprising a ring (5) supporting the cassettes (60) and rotatably mounted (R arrow) about the knee (20).

Abstract: A process and device for interpositioning the tools of a body assembly machine which includes departing from all the intermediate mechanisms for putting these tools in place, from the function of their geometric referencing, so as to impart to the tools themselves the ability to be interpositioned after temporary isolation of a part of them from their positioning mechanism. According to the process, these tools are made to have a lateral orientation.