Patents by Inventor Dirk Prust

Dirk Prust has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7507193
    Abstract: A machine tool comprising at least one machining unit having at least one work spindle for accommodating tools in order to machine workpieces in a working area is provided with a first and a second transport device, by which workpieces are transported between the working area and a loading/unloading station. A second machining unit is arranged laterally next to the first machining unit in such a way that, alternating with the first machining unit, it can reach the workpieces in the working area from the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Prust, Hans-Henning Winkler
  • Patent number: 7419461
    Abstract: A machine tool is provided with at least one tool spindle which is travelling in a work space (11) and on which a tool receptacle for clamping tools is provided. The machine tool also contains a magazine for tools which can be introduced into the tool receptacle in the tool spindle, the magazine having a transport chain which can be moved back and forth in a transport direction and on which carriers are arranged for receiving tools. The carriers extend from the transport chain essentially transversely to the transport direction. At least one carrier has at least two storage spaces for tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Prust, Hans-Henning Winkler
  • Publication number: 20080080941
    Abstract: A machine tool has a work space (17) in which a device (15) for accommodating workpieces (16) to be machined is arranged. The machine tool further has a work spindle (18) for machining the workpieces (16) and a slide (34) which carries the work spindle (18) and is traversable in a longitudinal direction relative to the device (15), a respective cover (25), variable in length in the longitudinal direction (x), for the work space (17) being provided on the slide (34) on each of its sides, said cover (25) being connected with its respective first end to the slide (34) and with its respective second end to a side wall (21, 22; 51) of the work space (17). Each cover (25) variable in length has a respective rear wall (26) and a respective top (27), whereby the top (27) is connected to the rear wall (26) in a detachable, push-in, manner. A further flexible cover (31) is arranged in front of the slide (34) to protect the work space (17) at the bottom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk PRUST, Hans-Henning WINKLER
  • Patent number: 7347807
    Abstract: In the case of a machine tool which comprises at least one working spindle with a tool-holding fixture for tool holders carrying tools, and a tool changer with a gripper for the tool holders in order to transfer the tool holders between their magazine position, which is spaced apart from the tool-holding fixture, and their working position in the tool-holding fixture, a clamping system with a clamping apparatus by means of which a tool holder inserted into the tool-holding fixture is fixed is arranged in the working spindle, the clamping system additionally comprising a retaining apparatus for a tool holder situated in the tool-holding fixture. In the case of a method carried out on this machine tool, the clamping system carries out a retaining operation which temporally precedes the clamping operation in order to grasp the tool holder inserted into the tool-holding fixture before the clamping apparatus fixes the tool holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: CHIRON-WERKE GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Prust, Hans-Henning Winkler
  • Publication number: 20070213867
    Abstract: A method for compensating thermal displacements is carried out on a machine tool having a worktable for mounting workpieces to be machined, and having a tool spindle which can be traversed relative to the worktable on at least one axis and into which it is possible to clamp tools with the aid of which a machining process is carried out on the workpieces. In this case a calculating rule is used to calculate from at least one temperature value currently measured at a measuring point on the machine tool at least one correction value for the at least one axis. The calculating rule is tuned in this case to the respective machining process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Dirk Prust, Hans-Henning Winkler
  • Patent number: 7255667
    Abstract: A carrier for tool holders of a machine tool has at least one movable jaw which can be pivoted about a pivot axis that runs transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of said tool holders. Said movable jaw can be pivoted between an expanded position and a closed position in which it grasps in a form-fitting manner a tool holder which is inserted into said carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Prust, Hans-Henning Winkler
  • Publication number: 20070167302
    Abstract: In the case of a machine tool which comprises at least one working spindle with a tool-holding fixture for tool holders carrying tools, and a tool changer with a gripper for the tool holders in order to transfer the tool holders between their magazine position, which is spaced apart from the tool-holding fixture, and their working position in the tool-holding fixture, a clamping system with a clamping apparatus by means of which a tool holder inserted into the tool-holding fixture is fixed is arranged in the working spindle, the clamping system additionally comprising a retaining apparatus for a tool holder situated in the tool-holding fixture. In the case of a method carried out on this machine tool, the clamping system carries out a retaining operation which temporally precedes the clamping operation in order to grasp the tool holder inserted into the tool-holding fixture before the clamping apparatus fixes the tool holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: Dirk Prust, Hans-Henning Winkler
  • Patent number: 7211033
    Abstract: A machine tool has at least one working spindle, in which a tool receptacle for tool holders is provided. Furthermore, there is a tool-changing arm with a gripper, for a tool holder in order to transfer this tool holder between its magazine position, which is spaced apart from the tool receptacle, and its working position, in which the tool holder can be clamped into the tool receptacle. Orientation means are provided between the gripper and the tool holder supported by it and secure the tool holder in a nonrotatable manner on the gripper at least during its transfer between the magazine position and the working position and release it after it has been clamped into the tool receptacle, with the result that the tool holder can be rotated in relation to the gripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Prust, Rudolf Haninger, Hans-Henning Winkler
  • Publication number: 20070015646
    Abstract: A machine tool comprising at least one machining unit having at least one work spindle for accommodating tools in order to machine workpieces in a working area is provided with a first and a second transport device, by which workpieces are transported between the working area and a loading/unloading station. A second machining unit is arranged laterally next to the first machining unit in such a way that, alternating with the first machining unit, it can reach the workpieces in the working area from the same direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventors: Dirk Prust, Hans-Henning Winkler
  • Patent number: 7125208
    Abstract: A machine tool has a spindle which has a tool receptacle for an interchangeable tool holder. The tool holder is chucked into the tool receptacle during operation of the machine tool. A first passage having an outlet opening is arranged in the interior of the spindle. The outlet opening opens out inside the tool receptacle. The tool holder has a coolant tube which engages in the outlet opening of the first passage. According to the invention, the first passage comprises a continuous inner tube, the first end of which is connected to a connection for a coolant source and the second end of which is designed for connection to the coolant tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Anton Schweizer, Dirk Prust
  • Patent number: 7115082
    Abstract: A machine tool has a working spindle in which a tool receptacle for tool holders is provided. Furthermore, there is at least one tool-changing arm with a gripper in which a tool holder is held in a peripheral alignment with respect to the gripper in order to transfer this tool holder between its magazine position, which is spaced apart from the tool receptacle, and its working position, in which the tool holder can be clamped into the tool receptacle. A positioning indicator is provided for the peripheral alignment of the tool holder, the indicator indicating a misalignment between the tool holder and gripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Prust, Hans-Henning Winkler, Rudolf Haninger
  • Publication number: 20050277530
    Abstract: A carrier for tool holders of a machine tool has at least one movable jaw which can be pivoted about a pivot axis that runs transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of said tool holders. Said movable jaw can be pivoted between an expanded position and a closed position in which it grasps in a form-fitting manner a tool holder which is inserted into said carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: Dirk Prust, Hans-Henning Winkler
  • Publication number: 20050159280
    Abstract: A machine tool is provided with at least one tool spindle which is travelling in a work space (11) and on which a tool receptacle for clamping tools is provided. The machine tool also contains a magazine for tools which can be introduced into the tool receptacle in the tool spindle, the magazine having a transport chain which can be moved back and forth in a transport direction and on which carriers are arranged for receiving tools. The carriers extend from the transport chain essentially transversely to the transport direction. At least one carrier has at least two storage spaces for tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Inventors: Dirk Prust, Hans-Henning Winkler
  • Publication number: 20050095075
    Abstract: A machine tool has a spindle which has a tool receptacle for an interchangeable tool holder. The tool holder is chucked into the tool receptacle during operation of the machine tool. A first passage having an outlet opening is arranged in the interior of the spindle. The outlet opening opens out inside the tool receptacle. The tool holder has a coolant tube which engages in the outlet opening of the first passage. According to the invention, the first passage comprises a continuous inner tube, the first end of which is connected to a connection for a coolant source and the second end of which is designed for connection to the coolant tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Inventors: Anton Schweizer, Dirk Prust
  • Patent number: 6874213
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine tool for machining a rod-shaped workpiece. The machine tool comprises a tool spindle, and also a first holder and a second holder for accommodating the workpiece. In a machining position, the second holder is oriented coaxially to the first holder, and it is arranged so as to be capable of rotating or swiveling about an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Prust, Rudolf Haninger
  • Publication number: 20050014617
    Abstract: A machine tool has a working spindle in which a tool receptacle for tool holders is provided. Furthermore, there is at least one tool-changing arm with a gripper in which a tool holder is held in a peripheral alignment with respect to the gripper in order to transfer this tool holder between its magazine position, which is spaced apart from the tool receptacle, and its working position, in which the tool holder can be clamped into the tool receptacle. A positioning indicator is provided for the peripheral alignment of the tool holder, the indicator indicating a misalignment between the tool holder and gripper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Inventors: Dirk Prust, Hans-Henning Winkler, Rudolf Haninger
  • Publication number: 20050014618
    Abstract: A machine tool has at least one working spindle, in which a tool receptacle for tool holders is provided. Furthermore, there is a tool-changing arm with a gripper, for a tool holder in order to transfer this tool holder between its magazine position, which is spaced apart from the tool receptacle, and its working position, in which the tool holder can be clamped into the tool receptacle. Orientation means are provided between the gripper and the tool holder supported by it and secure the tool holder in a nonrotatable manner on the gripper at least during its transfer between the magazine position and the working position and release it after it has been clamped into the tool receptacle, with the result that the tool holder can be rotated in relation to the gripper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Inventors: Dirk Prust, Rudolf Haninger, Hans-Henning Winkler
  • Patent number: 6836941
    Abstract: A machine tool for machining rod-shaped workpieces comprises a traveling column, to which a tool spindle rotatable about a spindle axis is fastened. The tool spindle is capable of swiveling about a swivel axis. The swivel axis is arranged perpendicularly to both the spindle axis and a longitudinal axis of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Prust, Rudolf Haninger
  • Publication number: 20020194967
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine tool for machining a rod-shaped workpiece. The machine tool comprises a tool spindle, and also a first holder and a second holder for accommodating the workpiece. In a machining position, the second holder is oriented coaxially to the first holder, and it is arranged so as to be capable of rotating or swiveling about an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Dirk Prust, Rudolf Haninger
  • Publication number: 20020189063
    Abstract: A machine tool for machining rod-shaped workpieces comprises a traveling column, to which a tool spindle rotatable about a spindle axis is fastened. The tool spindle is capable of swiveling about a swivel axis. The swivel axis is arranged perpendicularly to both the spindle axis and a longitudinal axis of the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Dirk Prust, Rudolf Haninger