Patents by Inventor Karl-Heinz RAFFKE

Karl-Heinz RAFFKE 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: 11850693
    Abstract: A machine tool for machining workpieces comprises at least one tool spindle, at least one workpiece table, at least one first tool magazine, and at least one second tool magazine. The at least one tool spindle and the at least one workpiece table are movable relative to one another along a vertical axis and two horizontal axes to machine a workpiece that is clamped on the workpiece table with a tool that is clamped in the tool spindle. The vertical axis and the two horizontal axes are orthogonal to one another. The at least one first tool magazine, a tool set is provided that comprises a plurality of tools for machining, wherein the tools can be selectively clamped in the tool spindle. The at least one second tool magazine, a tool set is provided that comprises a plurality of tools for machining, wherein the tools can be selectively clamped in the tool spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: CHIRON Group SE
    Inventors: Michael Eble, Karl-Heinz Raffke, Swenja Koch-Weiler, Heinrich Bissert, Claus Eppler, Robert Gref
  • Publication number: 20230356338
    Abstract: An equipping device for a machine tool comprises a tool shuttle that is movable between a first transfer position and a second transfer position, a provision location for insertion or removal of a tool, and a tool carrying unit that is associated with the tool shuttle. The tool carrying unit comprises at least one gripping mechanism that is adapted to grip a tool to be transferred and to secure it to the tool shuttle. The provision location is accessible for the tool shuttle in the first transfer position. The tool shuttle is configured to exchange a tool between the provision location and a magazine location of a tool magazine. The magazine location is accessible for the tool shuttle in the second transfer position. The gripping mechanism comprises a guide element that is movable relative to a base body of the tool shuttle and a securing element that is movable relative to the guide element. At least the guide element is movable parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Michael EBLE, Karl-Heinz RAFFKE, Claus EPPLER
  • Publication number: 20220055163
    Abstract: A machine tool comprises a frame, which carries a fixed gantry for supporting at least one tool spindle. The gantry comprises a gantry recess, through which a working space is accessible. The one or more tool spindles on the gantry can each be moved vertically in a first direction and in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The machine tool further comprises a workpiece table with at least one location for supporting workpieces. The workpiece table is movable in translation in a third direction Y orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. At least one tool magazine is associated with the at least one tool spindle tool spindle. Tools for tool changing can be fed through at least one magazine opening in the gantry. Tool changing between the one or more tool spindles and the at least one tool magazine takes place in a pick-up process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Tobias HALTMEYER, Karl-Heinz RAFFKE, Daniel GEMS, Claus EPPLER
  • Publication number: 20210178539
    Abstract: A machine tool for machining workpieces comprises at least one tool spindle, at least one workpiece table, at least one first tool magazine, and at least one second tool magazine. The at least one tool spindle and the at least one workpiece table are movable relative to one another along a vertical axis and two horizontal axes to machine a workpiece that is clamped on the workpiece table with a tool that is clamped in the tool spindle. The vertical axis and the two horizontal axes are orthogonal to one another. The at least one first tool magazine, a tool set is provided that comprises a plurality of tools for machining, wherein the tools can be selectively clamped in the tool spindle. The at least one second tool magazine, a tool set is provided that comprises a plurality of tools for machining, wherein the tools can be selectively clamped in the tool spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Michael EBLE, Karl-Heinz RAFFKE, Swenja KOCH-WEILER, Heinrich BISSERT, Claus EPPLER, Robert GREF