Patents Examined by Erica Cadugan
  • Patent number: 7347652
    Abstract: A numerical control unit issues a sequence of instructions for causing a spindle of a cutter disk in a tool machine to perform successive straight displacements approximating a spiral of Archimedes, with a predetermined angle step from one point to the next, and issues one or more ADIS instructions for merging each of the straight displacements with the next. The spiral path is such that the cutter disk will progressively shave a chip of a predetermined thickness over several revolutions, until its cutting edge is near the intended groove bottom. The tool is then caused to follow a merging path leading to a final point lying on the intended groove bottom, and finally is caused to follow a full circular path coaxial to the bore starting from the final point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Vigel S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gian Luca Giovanelli, Andrea Gay
  • Patent number: 7344342
    Abstract: A machining apparatus capable of irregularly forming a plurality of dimples on a surface of a workpiece in a short period of time. The machining apparatus includes a tool for machining a plurality of dimples on a surface of a workpiece, each dimple having a depth in a first direction; a drive unit for displacing the tool relative to the workpiece in the first direction and a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction; a controller for controlling the drive unit so as to displace the tool relative to the workpiece in the first direction such that the tool cuts into or leaves the workpiece, while the tool is being moved relative to the workpiece in the second direction, wherein a trigger of the displacement of the tool in the first direction is timing calculated by using a second waveform, the second waveform being determined by comparing the magnitude of a first waveform with a predetermined threshold, at least one of frequency and amplitude of the first waveform being irregular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Tomohiko Kawai, Kenzo Ebihara, Takayuki Oda
  • Patent number: 7341549
    Abstract: A gripping and holding device in the handling system of a machine tool. The device comprises at least one preferably plate-like support member provided with at least two retainer fingers spreadable against a return force and defining a common accommodation orifice for a component to be clamped. At least one resiliently displaceable retainer finger is integrally formed with the support member and can be locked in its clamping position by a locking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: DECKEL MAHO Pfronten GmbH
    Inventor: Robert Jung
  • Patent number: 7337523
    Abstract: An annular core cutting apparatus includes a cutting head including a generally cylindrical sidewall having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has a cutting edge, and wherein the sidewall includes a plurality of openings having at least one sharpened edge. A spindle is coaxially and rigidly coupled to the second end of the cylindrical sidewall, and the spindle configured to rotate about a rotational axis. In a further embodiment, a generally conical member is disposed within the cutting apparatus to assist with grinding and removal of waste material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael S. Heuschober, Jeffrey E. Polus
  • Patent number: 7334971
    Abstract: An extractor device for machine tools which have at least one tool-holder machining head has an annular blowing distributor for generating a tubular gaseous barrier around the tool-holder machining head, and an annular extractor manifold, positioned inside the barrier and concentric with the annular blowing distributor, for extracting shavings and/or dusts created by machining confined in the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: P.E.I. Protezioni Elaborazioni Industriali S.r.l.
    Inventors: Michele Benedetti, Giorgio Tabellini
  • Patent number: 7334313
    Abstract: Numeric control bore for boring an eyeglass lens and corresponding method. The bore comprises a bedplate (1), attachment device (3) for the lens (5), rotation device (9) for the lens (5) according to a first axis (7) (first degree of freedom), and a support column (11) with a head (15), wherein the attachment device (3) and the support column (11) can be moved between each other (second degree of freedom). The support column (11) has a first end linked to the bedplate (1) being capable of rotating about a second end (third degree of freedom) and the head (15) is linked to the column (11) by translation structure (fourth degree of freedom). The apparatus only has these four degrees of freedom in order to fix the relative position between the head (15) and the lens (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Indo Internacional, S.A.
    Inventors: Santiago Albert Seseña, Sergio Fructuoso González, Carlos Pérez Ribera
  • Patent number: 7334304
    Abstract: In order to improve a machine tool for machining a workpiece by a relative movement between the workpiece and a tool, comprising a first receiving device for the workpiece or the tool, a compound slide system with a second receiving device for the tool or the workpiece and comprising a drive device for moving the second receiving device in relation to the first receiving device, which drive device acts at at least two spaced-apart points of application by at least three drive struts extending parallel to at least two different directions and each with a pivot joint, and with which drive device the at least two points of application can be positioned by means of the at least three drive struts, in such a way that exact positioning of the second slide element can be achieved by structural measures, it is proposed that four drive struts of invariant length, each with a pivot joint, act on the slide element, each of which struts is pivotally connected to a guiding slide, which is guided in a linearly movable mann
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Index-Werke GmbH & Co. KG Hahn Tessky
    Inventor: Walter Grossmann
  • Patent number: 7331740
    Abstract: An apparatus having a mounting body, a support having a first end and a second end. The first end of the support being pivotally secured to the mounting body for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal primary pivot axis. A rail grooming head mounted to the second end of the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Inventor: David S. Fenton
  • Patent number: 7331741
    Abstract: A numerically controlled machine tool performs machining by rotating a rotational tool attached to a tool holder mounted on a spindle, with keys fitted into key grooves in the tool holder. The numerically controlled machine tool includes predetermined-amount rotating unit for stopping the tool holder at a predetermined rotational position and then rotating the tool holder by a given amount, and a distance sensor which is installed apart from the tool holder and measures a distance to the outer surface of the tool holder. The predetermined-amount rotating unit stops the tool holder at a rotational position at which the key grooves do not face the distance sensor, then rotates the tool holder by the given amount. The distance sensor measures the distance to the tool holder while the tool holder is rotating. The measurement result is compared with a reference distance or distances to discriminate between normal and abnormal rotational run-out of the tool holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Masahiro Murota, Akihiko Fujimoto, Norio Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7322779
    Abstract: The invention relates to an interface between two parts of a tool system, in particular to a metal cutting tool (1). Said interface comprises a holder (3) provided with a cavity (31), an interchangeable head (5) which is arranged on the axial extension of the holder and provided with a projection (33) introducible into the cavity (31) and a clamping device (19) for fixing the interchangeable head (5) to the holder (3). The inventive interface is characterised in that the clamping device (19) is provided with a holding bolt (41) and an eccentric element (21) which axially displaces said bolt and is actuated through a peripheral surface (17) of the metal cutting tool (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: MAPAL Fabrik fur Prazisionswerkzeuge
    Inventors: Dieter Kress, Friedrich Häberle
  • Patent number: 7322105
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing endodontic instruments by milling. A provided metallic (e.g., a nickel-titanium alloy or stainless steel) thread or wire having a longitudinal axis is advanced along its longitudinal axis at a feedrate while contacting at least a portion of the metallic thread or wire with a plurality of rotating milling heads so as to remove portions of the thread or wire and yield a metallic rod including a cutting portion having a plurality of cutting edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Ultradent Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Lewis
  • Patent number: 7320567
    Abstract: The invention relates to a clamping device for clamping a tool (8), or tool holder in a working spindle (4), in particular, of a machine tool, comprising a drawbar (10), arranged to be displaced within the working spindle (4), a clamping set (12), arranged in the working spindle (4) and displaceable between a clamping position and a released position by means of the drawbar (10), a spring arrangement (14) provided for the drawbar (10) to generate the drawing force for the clamping set (12) and a releasing unit (17; 49), by means of which the clamping set (12) may be moved into the released position by the drawbar (10) against the force of the spring arrangement (14). According to the invention, a simplified operation of the clamping device may be achieved, whereby the releasing unit (17; 49) may be operated by an electrical actuator (62, 63, 53, 54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Ott-Jakob Spanntechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Greif, Wolfgang Bechteler
  • Patent number: 7318693
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for machining workpieces, especially for chip removing machining. The device includes a spindle which is mounted on a first end of a pivoting arm in such a way that it can be linearly displaced in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the spindle, and a console on which the pivoting arm is mounted by its second end in such a way that it can rotate about an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the spindle. The console can be displaced in a direction which is perpendicular to the displacement direction of the spindle in all of the pivoting positions of the pivoting arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Alfing Kessler Sondermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Hansch, Peter Bielitza
  • Patent number: 7313850
    Abstract: A compact, economical, and easy-to-use small parts machine tool that can machine small parts from bar stock as well as castings, forgings, slugs, and near net shape raw materials, is comprised a base with a spindle for moving a workpiece, a first carriage connected to the base that moves along a Z axial direction, a second carriage connected to the first carriage that moves along a Y axial direction, a third carriage connected to the second carriage that moves along an X axial direction, and a tool holder system that holds a plurality of machining tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Inventor: Lee Norris Miller
  • Patent number: 7311482
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a spindle apparatus which facilitates assembling and removing operations at the time of maintenance and which is low cost. In the invention, the diameter becomes smaller in the order of an inner peripheral diameter of an outer cylinder (3), an inside diameter of a stator (4), and an outside diameter of a bearing sleeve (11); a sub-assembly (2) made up of a front housing (8), a rotating shaft (6), and the bearing sleeve (11) is withdrawable from the outer cylinder (3); and the diameter of a rotating part in an arbitrary section located rearwardly of the bearing sleeve (11) is made smaller than a minimum diameter of a non-rotating part between a rear end of the bearing sleeve (11) and the section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Sumio Sugita, Mitsuho Aoki, Yoshifumi Inagaki, Yasushi Morita
  • Patent number: 7310863
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hobbing machine. The hobbing machine includes a clamp fixture adapted to retain a gear blank. A motor is operatively connected to the clamp fixture and is configured to rotate the clamp fixture and the gear blank together at a predetermined speed. A rotatable cutter is translatable into engagement with the gear blank and is configured to cut the gear blank and thereby produce a plurality of gear teeth. A de-burring tool is translatable into engagement with the gear blank and is configured to remove burrs from the gear blank as the gear teeth are being cut. A motorized spindle is operatively connected to the de-burring tool, and is configured to power and rotate the de-burring tool at a predefined speed to optimize the removal of the burrs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Lee, Frank H. Kays, Travis M. Thompson, Stephen D. Doubler
  • Patent number: 7309197
    Abstract: An internal gear shaving machine 1 which brings a shaving cutter 3 and an internal gear held by a workpiece chuck 2 into engagement with a crossed axes angle, and subjects the tooth flanks of the internal gear to final machining while it rotationally drives at least one of the shaving cutter 3 and the workpiece chuck 2. The workpiece chuck 2 and shaving cutter 3 are supported movably toward and away from each other in a vertical direction with the workpiece chuck 2 higher and supported movably in the horizontal direction relative to each other. The workpiece chuck 3 is constituted to hold the outer circumferential surface of the internal gear with the axis of rotation of the internal gear oriented in a up-down direction so that shavings produced during processing by the shaving cutter can fall downwardly from the internal gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki MFG. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Taki, Ryoji Yoshida, Masaaki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7309082
    Abstract: A document sheet with a removably attached object thereon having simplified inexpensive construction and having a reduced cross-sectional thickness enabling use of the sheet in printers without the risk of jamming the printer. The document sheet also allows both sides of the object to be printed prior to its removal from the sheet with preferably at least 60% of the rear surface being accessible for printing through the use of an indentation window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventor: Paul R. Edwards
  • Patent number: 7305748
    Abstract: An automated floor assembly machine is provided for attaching longitudinally aligned floor boards to transverse positioned cross-members of a wheeled trailer. The machine comprises a carriage for longitudinal movement relative to the floor boards, a drill mounted on the carriage so that the drill is vertically and laterally movable with respect to the carriage, a fastener driver mounted on the carriage so that the fastener driver is vertically and laterally movable with respect to the carriage, a sensor operably mounted to the carriage so that the transverse mounted cross-members are detectable by the sensor, a drive motor in communication with the carriage for moving the carriage longitudinally along the floor boards into alignment with the cross-members, and a control system having a processor in operative communication with the carriage, the drill, the fastener driver, the sensor, and the drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Great Dane Limited Partnership c/o CC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven A. Sprague, P. Alan Whiten, R. Wayne Achtziger
  • Patent number: 7305746
    Abstract: A system is disclosed to use a first rotary milling head to break or cut the bond of a heat transfer fin base to a boiler tube, thereby removing the heat transfer fins from the boiler tube, and a second rotary milling head to bevel the exposed end of the boiler tube, thereby facilitating the more efficient repair of the boiler tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Esco Tool
    Inventor: James Moruzzi