Abstract: A machine tool turret, usable in a machine tool having a rotatable workpiece spindle, that includes first and second tool spindles journaled on the turret. The turret is mounted for compound movement in an x-c plane defined by an x axis perpendicular to the c axis of the work spindle. Each tool spindle may be locked against rotation or, alternatively, it may be rotated. In either case, the operative position of each tool spindle may be used in the machining of a workpiece which also may be rotating or non-rotating. The turret axis is perpendicular to the x-c plane so that as the turret is rotated the tool spindles remain in this x-c plane for a plurality of operative positions for machining. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Abstract: A spindle mechanism is capable of rotating for a rotative tool and is capable of being locked for mounting a nonrotative tool. First and second curvic couplings may be forced into engagement by a large hydraulic force which concurrently unloads a combined thrust and radial bearing at the outboard end of the support. This permits the spindle, when mounting a nonrotative tool, to be rigidly supported in a nonrotative condition. A smaller hydraulic force may be utilized to move the spindle axially inwardly which disengages the first and second curvic couplings and preloads the combined thrust and radial bearing providing a properly preloaded rotational mode of support when the spindle is mounting a rotative tool. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Abstract: A rotatable offset indexable fixture is rotatable by being mounted on a work spindle. A faceplate is journaled on the fixture for rotation about an indexing axis parallel to but spaced from the workpiece spindle axis. A workpiece may be secured to the faceplate. First and second cooperable toothed coupling members are concentric with the indexing axis and one is fixed to the rotatable workpiece spindle and the other fixed to the faceplate so that they rotate together about the spindle axis when coupled together. A fluid-actuated piston is provided to relatively move the coupling members along the indexing axis to couple and uncouple the members and for independent rotation of the second coupling member when uncoupled. A first aperture may be machined in the rotating workpiece concentric with the spindle axis and then the faceplate indexed to a second position and a second aperture machined concentric with the spindle axis at a location spaced from the first aperture.

Abstract: A combined tool and work changer assembly is disclosed for a machine tool wherein a carrier moves in a first path on an elongated beam parallel to the length of the machine tool. Both the tool changer and workpiece are mounted on the carrier and the tool changer is movable in the space defined by X, Y, and Z mutually perpendicular axes, with the first path being parallel to the Z-axis. This first path has a length sufficient to move the tool changer between a tool storage magazine and the machine tool, and the work changer is mounted on the second portion of the carrier to be movable in this first path between a workpiece storage area and the machine tool. Numerical control is used to control movement of the tool changer and movement of the workpiece changer with common control of both changers along the first path by movement of the carrier. This simplifies the construction of the combined changers.

Abstract: A diameter gage is disclosed which measures a plurality of diameters on a workpiece after the workpiece has been machined. First and second U-shaped gage frames mount first and second gage blocks relative to a gage platform, and this gage platform is moved vertically upwardly to a position whereat the gage blocks of each set straddle different ones of the plurality of different diameters on the workpiece. Parallel leaf springs provide low friction mounting of the gage blocks, and also provide urging means to urge the gage blocks into contact with the opposite sides of the workpiece. An electrical output gage is moved in accordance with the relative movement between the two gage blocks of each set to provide an error signal which is passed to the numerical control to correct the machining diameter of the machine tool which machines successive workpieces.

Abstract: A tool turret mechanism is for use with a machine tool having a rotatable workpiece spindle. The axis of the turret is at a small acute angle to the axis of the workpiece spindle for tool clearance and the turret has first and second surface portions mounting first and second pluralities of OD turning tools and ID turning tools, respectively. The two pluralities of tool mounting surfaces are generally in the same plane. The plurality of OD turning tool mounting surfaces is in a plane which intersects the ID tool mounting surfaces. The turret is asymmetric in that the spacing angles between the OD turning tool mounting surfaces are less than the spacing angles between the ID turning tool mounting surfaces, thereby permitting a greater number of tools to be mounted on a given size turret, and giving greater flexibility in permitting first given numbers of OD and ID tools or, alternatively, a greater number of OD turning tools and a lesser number of ID turning tools.

Abstract: A tool storage mechanism is disclosed wherein a tool storage magazine is mounted by a pivotal connection to a vertically movable tool slide. The tool slide also carries a horizontally movable tool slide carrying a rotatable tool for operating on a workpiece which moves in the third mutually perpendicular direction. The carried tool slide retracts to a tool change position whereat a tool changer will interchange a tool in the tool spindle with one in a socket of the tool storage magazine. Accordingly, the tool storage magazine moves up and down vertically with the first tool slide but has its own second drive means separate from the first drive means of the first slide. This second drive means is close to the nominal center of mass of the tool storage magazine but this center of mass changes as the magazine moves to present selected tools to the tool changer.

Abstract: A plural slide machine is disclosed for machining a first and a second workpiece comprising a first and a second slide for respectively receiving the first and the second workpiece. The first and second slides are mounted on ways for movement in a substantially horizontal plane. A toolholder for holding a workpiece tool is mounted through a third and a fourth slide for enabling movement of the workpiece tool in a substantially vertical plane. Control means is connected to the slides for enabling machining of the first workpiece through movement of the first, third and fourth slide and for enabling machining of the second workpiece through movement of the second, third, and fourth slide. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.