Patents Examined by Michael Vitale
  • Patent number: 10695878
    Abstract: A tool change rotary position determining device includes: a turret rotation controller configured to control a turning motor so as to turn a turret clockwise and counterclockwise in a state where a tool holder of a tool gripped by a specific grip on the turret is inserted in an attachment hole of a spindle; and a tool change rotary position determining unit configured to determine a tool change rotary position of the turret when the tool is transferred between the specific grip and the spindle to be attached to and removed from the spindle, based on the load torques and the rotary positions of the turning motor when the turret is turned clockwise and counterclockwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventor: Susumu Maki
  • Patent number: 10688617
    Abstract: Machine tool, comprising a workpiece carrier assembly (11) including a workpiece carrier (12), said workpiece carrier assembly (11) being supported on a workpiece carrier support (1) for horizontal movement in a first direction in parallel with a horizontal Z axis; a first tool carrier (21), supported on a tool carrier support (2) for horizontal movement in a second direction, said first tool carrier (21) being displaceable in said second direction between an operative position in which said first tool carrier (21) is facing said workpiece carrier assembly (11), and an inoperative position in which said first tool carrier (21) is not facing the workpiece carrier assembly (11). The invention also relates to a method of machining a connecting rod using the machine tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: ETXE-TAR, S.A.
    Inventors: Francisco Ayestaran Lazcano, Jorge Ibarra Garces
  • Patent number: 10668543
    Abstract: A machine is disclosed for use in duplicating features of an existing key within a key blank. The machine may have an identification module configured to capture data associated with the features of the existing key, a fabrication module configured to cut the features in the key blank based on the data, a user input device, and a controller in communication with the identification module, the fabrication module, and the user input device. The controller may be configured to regulate operation of the identification module and the fabrication module, and to receive input from a user via the user input device. The input may be indicative of the user being a first type of user or a second type of user. The controller may also be configured to selectively implement one of a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation based on the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: The Hillman Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Spangler, Michael Burkett, Jordan Shoenhair
  • Patent number: 10668589
    Abstract: Machine tool, comprising at least two workpiece carrier assemblies (11), each including a workpiece carrier (12), said workpiece carrier assemblies (11) being supported on respective workpiece carrier support (1) for horizontal movement in a first direction in parallel with a horizontal Z axis; at least a first tool carrier (21), supported on a tool carrier support (2) for horizontal movement in a second direction, said first tool carrier (21) being displaceable in said second direction between at least one operative position (A) in which said first tool carrier (21) is facing one of said workpiece carrier assemblies (11), and at least one inoperative position in which said first tool carrier (21) is not facing any workpiece carrier assembly (11). The invention also relates to a method of machining a connecting rod using the machine tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: ETXE-TAR, S.A.
    Inventors: Francisco Ayestarán Lazcano, Jorge Ibarra Garcés, Ibon Iribarren Aristizabal
  • Patent number: 10661360
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotary cutting tool assembly comprising a toolholder which has a central tool holding receptacle, and a cutting tool which has a holding projection that can be detachably held in the tool holding receptacle and via which the cutting tool is secured to and radially centered on the tool, wherein the holding projection has at its free end a pin-like, first centering section and an adjoining externally threaded section, wherein the holding projection ends in a radially outwardly projecting shoulder having an end face abutment surface, and the tool holding receptacle has an internally threaded section for receiving the externally threaded section and a first centering seat section which is positioned deeper within the tool holding receptacle and in which the centering section of the cutting tool is held.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: KENNAMETAL INC.
    Inventor: Frank Funke
  • Patent number: 10639755
    Abstract: A tool magazine for tools of a machine tool for processing workpieces includes a first magazine unit that is close to a processing station of the machine tool and a second magazine unit that is remote from the processing station of the machine tool. The second magazine unit includes a permanent tool carrier and a temporary tool carrier. The permanent tool carrier is permanently accessible to a tool handling device. The temporary tool carrier is temporarily accessible to the tool handling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Marc Klinkhammer, Stefan Kerscher
  • Patent number: 10632583
    Abstract: A resonant frequency dampened through-coolant machine tool for selective mounting to machining systems for precision vibration free machining and has an elongate tool body. An internal dampening chamber is defined within the machine tool body and contains a resonant frequency dampening mass that is moveable within the dampening chamber. Axial and diametrical tunable dampening devices support the dampening mass in spaced relation with internal walls of the dampening chamber. A tuning piston is moveable within the machine tool body and has a tuning flange that is disposed in contact with one of the axial tunable dampening devices. The tuning piston has a pair of oppositely angulated surfaces that are selectively engaged by angulated drive heads of adjustment screws that are supported by threaded openings of the tool body and are rotated to selectively drive the tuning piston forwardly or rearwardly for precise tuning activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Inventor: Enrico R. Giannetti
  • Patent number: 10610991
    Abstract: A machine tool includes a rotatable spindle, a spindle drive, a tool magazine, a tool changer including a rotating shaft, a rotating shaft drive motor, an angular position detector, a tool change arm having gripping units at both ends, and a controller. After interchanging a first tool mounted on the spindle and a second tool held in a tool pot, when rotating the tool change arm to an intermediate position, rotation of the spindle is started as soon as the second tool mounted on the spindle and the gripping unit are out of contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: DMG MORI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Satoshi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 10562142
    Abstract: A pallet changing apparatus which adopts a table 4 that is able to move back and forth in relation to a turning shaft 1 and has a oscillating portion 41 for placing workpieces W, W? by way of pallets P, P? so as to oscillate freely by a rising portion 42 at the leading end of the table, and a bridging extending portion 31 which bridges a supporting portion of pallet P or P? in a pallet changing arm 3 with both sides of the turning shaft 1 forming a shape of covering across the upper side of the rising portion 42 at a stage of the table 4 transferring pallet P.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Matsuura Machinery Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiko Kato, Takashi Tameto, Kyusuke Horiguchi
  • Patent number: 10537944
    Abstract: A milling device having a first milling station with a first workpiece spindle capable of rotating about a first spindle axis A1 intended to receive a first lens blank and with a first milling tool with first cutters capable of rotating about a first milling axis FA1 intended for machining a received first lens blank. At least one second milling station with a second workpiece spindle capable of rotating about a second spindle axis A2 receives a second lens blank, and with a second milling tool with second cutters capable of rotating about a second milling axis FA2 machining the received second lens blank, the spindle axes A1, A2 being aligned parallel to one another, the milling axes FA1, FA2 being aligned parallel to one another, and obliquely aligned to the spindle axes A1, A2. The invention also includes a method for the operation of the milling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: OptoTech Optikmaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Roland Mandler
  • Patent number: 10532416
    Abstract: A machining tool for deburring boreholes, which lead laterally into a recess, comprising: a shaft; a cutting head with at least one circumferential cutting blade associated with a chip groove and having a cutting edge extending, at least in sections, in an axial direction, and which can perform a cutting process by virtue of relative movement between the tool and a workpiece, and which lies on a virtual cylindrical rotation surface; and at least one cutting-blade-free and chip-groove-free surface area; at least one fluid channel closed on the cutting head side, extending through the shaft into the cutting head; and at least one branch channel with an outlet opening. The outlet opening is in a dynamic pressure active surface radially set back relative to the virtual rotation surface, and is larger than a flow cross-sectional area of the at least one branch channel at the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Guehring KG
    Inventor: Gerhard Schanz
  • Patent number: 10525603
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching a nozzle to a fluid dispensing system and a tip to the nozzle. In one illustrative example, the fluid dispensing system may be moved by a robotic device towards a nozzle retaining structure having nozzle retaining areas holding nozzles. A nozzle may be selected for use based on a nozzle identifier element corresponding to each of the nozzles. The robotic device may move the fluid dispensing system to the nozzle selected to attach the fluid dispensing system to the nozzle selected. Further, the fluid dispensing system may be moved by a robotic device towards a tip retaining structure having tip retaining areas holding tips. A tip may be selected for use based on a tip identifier element corresponding to each of the tips. The robotic device may move the fluid dispensing system to the tip selected to attach the nozzle to the tip selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Raul Tomuta, Martin Hanna Guirguis, Don David Trend, Richard Philip Topf, Angelica Davancens
  • Patent number: 10500687
    Abstract: A tool magazine (40) is able to move among a machining position where a tool (2) attached to a spindle (30) machines a workpiece, a tool exchange position where the tool (2) attached to the spindle (30) is exchanged, and a retreat position where an automated workpiece carrying device is not disturbed in placing or removing of the workpiece with respect to a workpiece placing part (20). The workpiece is placed on the workpiece placing part (20) from above or removed upward from the workpiece placing part (20) by the automated workpiece carrying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gaku Isobe, Akihiko Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 10486315
    Abstract: A machine tool includes: an exterior cover covering a machining area where a workpiece on a worktable is machined by a machining tool; an articulated robot arranged inside the exterior cover and configured to replace the workpiece on the worktable; a controller configured to control a posture of the articulated robot and a coordinate point at which a hand of the articulated robot is positioned; and an air nozzle arranged inside the exterior cover and configured to remove scattered matter that has been generated during machining of the workpiece and has adhered at least to the hand when the articulated robot is set at a predetermined posture or when the hand is moved to a predetermined coordinate point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshinori Hoshino
  • Patent number: 10486243
    Abstract: A machining center for machining profiles may include: a base having a longitudinal axis, the base defining a work surface extending with first and second ends along the longitudinal axis, wherein the base is configured to receive a profile manually laid along the longitudinal axis of the base by an operator or by a specially-designed automatic feeder; a plurality of support and lock members for supporting and locking the profile on the base, wherein each of the support and lock members can be placed on respective profiled guides which extend parallel to the longitudinal extent of the base between the first and second ends, and wherein each of the support and lock members is displaceable independently along the longitudinal extent of the base; a pair of vertical columns, each of the columns supporting at least one first motorized spindle; and/or a portal structure, comprising an upper beam, above the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: MECAL S.R.L.
    Inventor: Ennio Cavezzale
  • Patent number: 10464143
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wheel cap section chamfering device, comprising a main frame, a secondary frame, a lower servo motor, a key, a bearing seat, a left bearing seat, a left shaft, a left bearing, a left driven friction wheel, a left sleeve, left corner cylinder pressure claws, a left turntable, a left mandrel seat, a left mandrel, a chamfer mill, a tool apron, a feeding platform, a feeding cylinder, guide sleeves, guide posts, a support plate, guide rails, a compression cylinder, a translation sliding table, an upper servo motor, a driving friction wheel, a right mandrel, a right mandrel seat, a right turntable, right corner cylinder pressure claws, a right sleeve, a right driven friction wheel, a right bearing, a right shaft, a right bearing seat, a station rotating platform, a shaft and a bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: CITIC DICASTAL CO., LTD
    Inventors: Huiying Liu, Yuexin Lu, Guorui Wu, Shiqi Zhang
  • Patent number: 10464178
    Abstract: A docking assembly for docking and retrieving a filament holding device includes a motor casing rod defining a recess, filament holders and docking stations. Each filament holder defines a filament receiver channel for receiving the rod and a stop member that is selectively engaged with the recess of the rod, thus coupling a filament holder to the rod for retrieval of the filament holder. Each docking station includes a deployment latch operable to rotate when the rod is inserted into the docking receiver channel so that the deployment latch urges the stop member to the deployed configuration for coupling together the rod and the filament holder. Thus, a filament holder is captured for removal from the docking station. The docking apparatus includes a release lever that operates in reverse of the deployment latch so as to release a filament holder from the rod back to its docking station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Inventors: Samuel J. Steeb, Eric Eugene Rolfe
  • Patent number: 10418544
    Abstract: The invention provides equipment for manufacturing a torque sensor shaft by forming a magnetostrictive region including a metallic glass coating in a predetermined pattern on a side face of a shaft-shaped workpiece. The shaft-shaped workpiece is rotatably attached on a conveying pallet. The conveying pallet is successively conveyed to each of work devices including a preheating device for the shaft-shaped workpiece, a thermal spraying device for forming a metallic glass coating on a side face of the shaft-shaped workpiece, a masking device configured to provide a covering corresponding to the pattern on the coating, and a shot blasting device configured to provide shot blasting directed toward the metallic glass coating including the covering. Preheating, thermal spraying, masking, and shot blasting are performed respectively on the shaft-shaped workpiece while rotating the shaft-shaped workpiece on the conveying pallet at each of the work devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: USUI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Komaki, Hironobu Tsutano, Takumi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10406617
    Abstract: A method for machining a workpiece, includes: rotating a rotary tool around a rotation axis, the rotary tool including at least one edge positioned on an outer periphery of the rotary tool around the rotation axis; relatively moving the rotary tool toward the workpiece in a first direction so that the at least one edge cuts the workpiece by a predetermined depth while the rotary tool is rotated around the rotation axis; and relatively moving the rotary tool with respect to the workpiece in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction and that is inclined to a third direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis and the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: YAMAZAKI MAZAK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Minoru Kitayama, Hiroshi Itoh, Yuki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10399151
    Abstract: Described herein is a first method of forming a hole in a workpiece, having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The method includes forming a first hole, having a first diameter, in the workpiece by passing a first cutter through the workpiece from the first surface to the second surface. Additionally, the method includes forming a chamfer in the second surface of the workpiece concentric with the first hole using a second cutter. The chamfer has a second diameter larger than the first diameter. The method further includes forming a second hole, having a third diameter larger than the first diameter, in the workpiece concentric with the first hole by passing a third cutter through the workpiece from the first surface to the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Donald E. Henry, Frank P. Hess, Brian A. Thompson