Tool Turret Patents (Class 29/39)
  • Patent number: 11420324
    Abstract: A parallel link robot includes: a base portion; a movable portion; arms that connect the base portion and the movable portion in parallel; base actuators that are disposed on the base portion and that drive the respective arms; an additional actuator that drives an additional mechanism portion attached to the movable portion; an auxiliary link that pivotally connects the additional actuator to at least one of the arms; and a power transmission shaft portion that transmits a rotational driving force of the additional actuator to the additional mechanism portion. Each of the arms includes a drive link and two passive links. The auxiliary link bridges the two passive links and is pivotally connected to each of the two passive links. The power transmission shaft portion includes a ball spline in which a spline shaft and a nut are meshed with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kentarou Ootani
  • Patent number: 11260411
    Abstract: The present utility model relates to an autonomous interior painting robot for homes, commercial premises, hotels, etc. The robot is designed for painting and outlining while recognizing obstacles in the work area and aimed at reducing the efforts and time needed to carry out these operations. It is applicable in the field of interior design and the completion of small conditioning works. The autonomous painting robot comprises a mobile base (1) equipped with a paint tank and a pump or compressor, characterized in that the base (1) comprises a series of detectors configured to locate the base (1) and to detect obstacles, a substantially vertical lifting column (4), at the end of which a robot arm (5) is articulated and topped with a head (6) that carries a paint gun (7) connected to the pump, one or more cameras (9), and a proximity sensor (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: SOSA GONZÁLEZ, S.L.
    Inventor: Carmelo Sosa González
  • Patent number: 10946527
    Abstract: A manipulator has a manipulator arm with a manipulator flange at one free end. The flange holds an end effector having an application device for machining a workpiece. The manipulator flange is rotatable about hand axes. A first hand axis extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the manipulator arm, a second hand axis extends transversely to the first hand axis and a third hand axis extends transversely to the second hand axis. The hand axes intersect at a common intersection point. A machining force acting on the application device is diverted into the manipulator arm by way of the end effector. So that process forces during a mechanical operation do not lead to impairment of the machining pose of the manipulator arm, provision is made to fix the application device to the manipulator flange at an attachment angle to the first hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: BA Assembly & Turnkey Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Sergej Pidan, Thomas Oetken
  • Patent number: 10780590
    Abstract: A data-center-module relocation device may include a plurality of interchangeable end effectors, including at least one module relocation effector that is dimensioned to hold data-center modules. The device may also include a robotic arm with a distal end adapted to switch between the plurality of interchangeable end effectors and select the module relocation effector as an active end effector for the robotic arm. In addition, the device may include an actuator that moves the robotic arm to cause the robotic arm to relocate, from one location in a data center to another location in the data center, a data-center module held by the module relocation effector. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Gold, Scott C. Wiley
  • Patent number: 10632543
    Abstract: A vertical lathe, including: a headstock provided on the upper side of a base so as to be capable of moving in the lateral direction and the vertical direction; a main spindle rotatably supported by the headstock; a workpiece chuck provided at the lower end section of the main spindle; a turret support stand provided so as to be capable of moving in the longitudinal direction orthogonal to the lateral direction and the vertical direction; an actuator for moving the turret support stand in the longitudinal direction; a turret having tool mounting parts provided at a plurality of circumferential positions, the turret being supported by the turret support stand so as to enable turn-indexing about the axis in the longitudinal direction; and a plurality of processing tools attached at each of the tool mounting parts so as to be set apart from each other in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: KANZAKI KOKYUKOKI MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Shimomura, Masao Higaki
  • Patent number: 10603755
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lubricating device for wheel machining, which is composed of an air compressor, a safety valve, an oil drain valve, an oil tank, an oil filling port, an oil quantity regulating valve, an oil mist pressure regulating valve and the like. The air compressor is fixed on a frame, and an oil mist pressure regulating knob is connected outside the regulating valve; the other path is connected to an air pressure regulating valve, and an air pressure regulating knob is connected outside the regulating valve; an oil mist pressure gauge interface is arranged between the oil mist pressure regulating valve and an oil mist generator, and an oil mist pressure gauge is connected outside the interface; an air pressure gauge interface is arranged between the air pressure regulating valve and an air separator, and a compressed air pressure gauge is connected outside the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: CITIC Dicastal CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Huiying Liu, Bowen Xue
  • Patent number: 10428809
    Abstract: To keep a discharge pressure or a discharge flow rate of a pumping system that jets a fluid from a nozzle selected from a plurality of nozzles a set value every selected nozzle. A pumping system that jets the fluid from the nozzle selected from the plurality of nozzles is provided with: a piston pump as a positive-displacement pump; a permanent-magnet type synchronous motor as a rotational speed variable drive unit; a turret device as selecting arrangement; a discharge pipe; the nozzle; a controller that controls the rotational speed of the drive unit; a storage that stores control parameters and a target value of the discharge pressure corresponding to each nozzle; and a pressure sensor, wherein the controller controls the rotational speed of the drive unit by feeding back the discharge pressure using the control parameters corresponding to the selected nozzle to match the discharge pressure with the target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: SUGINO MACHINE LIMITED
    Inventors: Yoshiteru Kawamori, Yukinobu Takata, Akinori Shibata
  • Patent number: 10265814
    Abstract: An integrated control system for a flexible pressing system may include a first robot including a gripper for manipulating a part, a second robot including a pressing tool, and a controller configured to instruct the first robot to move the part into a pressing position and to instruct the second robot to concurrently ready the pressing tool for pressing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignees: Ford Motor Company, ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Alexander Marrocco, Hossein Firoozgan, Joosok Jinn, Isaac Zolotarev, Arnold Bell
  • Patent number: 9694427
    Abstract: In a lathe equipped with a spindle for rotatably driving a work and a tool rest having a turret (rotary member) rotatably supporting a plurality of tools in an indexable manner about a horizontal axis, the tool rest is detachably installed on a tool rest installation portion formed so as to be positioned on an operator side so that the tools of the turret face the work side gripped by the spindle in an attachable and detachable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: DMG MORI SEIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takayuki Akai, Yoshihiro Matsumoto, Masashi Yokoyama, Toshiaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9656394
    Abstract: A robotic system includes a robotic arm and an end-effector assembly movably coupled to the robotic arm. The end-effector assembly includes a main boom, a frame rail coupled to the main boom, and a plurality of tool branches movably coupled to the frame rail. Each tool branch includes a branch rail movably coupled to the frame rail, a lock coupling the branch rail to the frame rail, and a protrusion coupled to the first lock. The robotic system also includes a configuration tool movably coupled to the robotic arm. The configuration tool includes including a tool body, a gripper coupled to the tool body, and a driver bit extending from the tool body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yhu-Tin Lin, Dooil Hwang
  • Patent number: 9527187
    Abstract: A tool operating assembly for a lens shaping machine to finish the peripheral edge of a corrective lens wherein the tool operating assembly is disposed in operative relationship relative to a lens operating assembly comprising a lens support assembly to support the corrective lens to be finished and a multi-axis lens positioning assembly to move the corrective lens relative to the tool operating assembly during the finishing operation to finish the peripheral edge of the corrective lens, the tool operating assembly comprising a multi-station tool support assembly to selectively position one of a plurality of tools in operative position to engage the peripheral edge of the corrective lens to be finished and a tool drive assembly to rotate the selected tool during the finishing operation to finish the peripheral edge of the corrective lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: ASSOCIATED DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard L. Burner, Alan Hodges
  • Patent number: 9399273
    Abstract: A cutting fluid control device for a machine tool is used to adjust the amounts of supply of a cutting fluid and water, thereby controlling the concentration of the cutting fluid in a cutting fluid tank, and comprises an operating unit which inputs a machining condition of the machine tool, a computing unit which calculates the concentration of the cutting fluid based on the machining condition input through the operating unit, and an adjustment unit which adjusts the amounts of supply from a cutting fluid undiluted-solution supply device and a water supply device so that the concentration of the cutting fluid in the cutting fluid tank is equal to the cutting fluid concentration calculated by the computing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshinori Hoshino
  • Patent number: 9321124
    Abstract: Provided is a spot welding electrode housing apparatus having a reduced size such that an operation of mounting electrodes on a welding gun is less likely to affect a line takt time. Specifically, a rotation regulator positioned adjacent to a rotating plate in a direction of a rotation axis is configured to allow the rotating plate to abut against an electrode housed and held in a first recess or a second recess and thereby to regulate a rotation of the rotating plate toward one direction around the rotation axis when the rotating plate rotationally biased by a spiral spring toward the one direction around the rotation axis is allowed to rotate toward the other direction around the rotation axis against a biasing force of the spiral spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Kyokutoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kotaro Nakajima
  • Publication number: 20150052716
    Abstract: A machining tool, such as a forming, embossing, punching or pinching tool carries at least two tool elements at radial external faces for processing sheet metal. The tool elements are fixed to a tool body, either as separate pieces or integrated therein, and the tool body is rotatably supported in a receptacle. The tool body is rotatable about a rotation axis which is not perpendicular to the sheet metal during processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Markus Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 8821086
    Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (200) of contact machining having applications in profiling operations utilizes at least one static cutting tool (101) and turret (102) driven by rotary motion (103) about a support mechanism (109) for providing sufficient force to achieve deformation by controlled fracturing (523). This allows the separation of material from a workpiece (105) without imposing axial symmetry upon either the cutting tool (101) or the workpiece (105). The apparatus and method mitigates and/or eliminates the adverse effects of plastic deformation (504) while machining a wider range of shapes and materials with greater productivity and precision than existing methods of machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Tennine Corporation
    Inventors: William Q. Tingley, III, William Q. Tingley, Daniel R. Bradley
  • Publication number: 20140202293
    Abstract: A dampening adapter is disclosed for mounting a cutting tool onto a machine turret to reduce vibration and flexing when the cutting tool engages a work piece, and a method of using the dampening adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: A TO Z MACHINE COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Gerald Richard Van Handel, David Robert Zietlow
  • Publication number: 20140157559
    Abstract: A frame defines a workpiece-transfer station, a machining station, and a tool station all centered on a common vertical plane. A carousel in the tool station carries a plurality of tools having shanks. A slide movable vertically and horizontally in the plane carries a tool head rotatable about a vertical axis itself having a tool socket adapted to fit shanks of the tools and a workpiece grab. This tool head can move horizontally in the plane to pick up and drop off tools and move workpieces between the transfer and the machining station, and can also move vertically during machining of a workpiece rotating in the machining station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventor: Markus HESSBRUEGGEN
  • Patent number: 8677584
    Abstract: To provide a coolant supply structure for a turret tool rest in which the central part of the intermediate shaft can be utilized effectively as a space and there is no need to allow this shaft to be hollow when a shaft such as a driving shaft is inserted. In a coolant supply structure for a turret tool rest to supply a coolant to a tool mounting part of a turret 12, which is provided in a turret tool rest 1 having a turret 12 with a tool T being mounted thereon, a hollow rotating shaft 15 for rotating the turret 12 and a hollow intermediate shaft 19 arranged within the rotating shaft 15, wherein the coolant supply structure has a cylindrical member 23 inserted into the intermediate shaft 19, and a space served as a passage 24 of the coolant is formed between the cylindrical member 23 and the intermediate shaft 19.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Citizen Machinery Miyano Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Aoyagi
  • Publication number: 20140059823
    Abstract: A tool-changing carrier, that is to say a tool turret (1) with a rotary turret unit having at least two tool mounts (9) and arranged such that it can be rotated relative to a basic turret body (12), has radiation-transmission means which are provided for passing electromagnetic radiation through the tool-changing carrier or along the same. A tool system comprises such a tool-changing carrier and at least two tool heads (3, 5, 15, 17, 18, 27, 34, 40, 43), intended for fixing on the tool mounts (9), wherein at least one tool head is an optical tool head (3, 15, 17, 18) which is suitable for exposing a workpiece (11) to electromagnetic radiation and has a tool optics unit (23) for deflecting and/or forming the electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicants: A. MONFORTS WERKZEUGMASCHINEN GmbH, FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FÖRDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Joerg Frank, Sascha Bausch, Dominic Deutges
  • Publication number: 20130174394
    Abstract: An engage device for a tool seat of a rotary tool turret includes an engage block mounted into the rotary tool turret for positioning the tool seat. A bolt extends through the engage block and is screwed into the rotary tool turret for holding the engage block in place and making the engage block securely abutting the tool seat. A locking member is mounted to the engage block to prevent the bolt from detaching from the engage block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: APEX DYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventor: Chang Robin C.S.
  • Patent number: 8413561
    Abstract: A multiple punch and die assembly adapted to a punch press for carrying out a punching or forming operation comprises a punch assembly for holding a plurality of selectively operable punches that selectively engage a workpiece. The punch assembly has a punch carrier for reciprocal motion within a punch guide and a striker body engaging the punch carrier, said striker body being selectively, toollessly connectable to the punch carrier while permitting relative rotation of the striker body and punch carrier to select a punch for engagement by the striker. A detent means releasably positions the striker body in one of a plurality of operating positions, at which a punch is positioned for being struck selectively by the ram via the striker body such that one punch is driven to an operating position when at least one other punch is inactive, the inactive punches engageable by a lock plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Mate Precision Tooling, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Thielges, Ron Windingstad, Larry Villeneuve, Phil Lysdahl
  • Publication number: 20130074301
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tool turret, comprising a tool disk (2), which can be swiveled about a support column (32) that defines a swivel axis (26) into positions in which at least one machining tool that can be fastened to the tool disk (2) is in a machining position, and comprising a drive device (14), the driving means (8, 10) of which can be connected by means of a controllable coupling device (18) to output means (20, 22), which are used to drive the tool disk (2) or the machining tool. Said tool turret is characterized in that the drive device (14) is arranged inside the tool disk (2) together with the driving means (8, 10) and the output means (22) used to drive the machining tool and in that the output means used to drive the tool disk (2) in a swiveling manner have a gear train arrangement (34) outside the tool disk (2) on the support column (32). The gear train arrangement has an output shaft (70) that extends along the support column (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Jürgen Stiefel, Dietmar Linder, Günther Schips
  • Publication number: 20130055538
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tool turret, comprising a tool disk (1), which has at least one tool receptacle (7) for a machining tool and which is fastened to an accommodating disk (51), which can be swiveled about a support column that defines a swivel axis into positions in which the particular machining tool is in a working position, a contact surface (55) being provided on the tool disk (1), wherein said contact surface can be clamped to an accommodating surface (53) on the accommodating disk (51) by means of a clamping device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventor: Jürgen Stiefel
  • Publication number: 20120186053
    Abstract: A tool turret for machining workpieces has a housing and with a part that can be rotated around an axis of rotation into several rotary positions. On the rotating part, several tool holders are mounted on the circumference for holding tools to which a cryogenic cooling medium can be fed by means of a first feed line and a respective second feed line. The first feed line can be moved in a linear manner in at least some sections by linear actuator whereby the first feed line is connected in a first position with the second feed line belonging to the tool in work position and in a second position is disconnected from the second feed lines for changing the rotary position of the rotating part. The tool turret enables the cryogenic cooling medium to be fed to the tools in a simple and reliable manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Moshe Israel Meidar, Wolfgang Horn, Heiner Lang, Waldemar Haus
  • Patent number: 8166622
    Abstract: A machine for machining workpieces, for example plastic spectacle lenses, has a workpiece spindle which rotates the workpiece about a workpiece rotation axis, and a fast tool arrangement which moves a turning tool in the direction to and from the workpiece, wherein the workpiece spindle and the fast tool arrangement can moreover be moved relative to one another in a direction transverse to the workpiece rotation axis. A tool holder is connected to the fast tool arrangement and carries the turning tool. An engraving tool is spaced from the workpiece rotation axis and has an essentially point-shaped end facing towards the workpiece. The engraving tool can be moved in the direction of the workpiece and away therefrom in a highly dynamic manner via the tool holder, so that a marking can be produced on the workpiece in particular by a needling engagement of the engraving tool with the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Satisloh AG
    Inventors: Urs Meyer, Marc Savoie
  • Patent number: 8112854
    Abstract: A tool holding device is disposed between a headstock unit and a tailstock unit of a five-axis lathe, and includes a saddle driven to move longitudinally, a cross-slide riding on the saddle and driven to move transversely, a turntable platform disposed on a base mount that is disposed on the cross-slide and driven to revolve about an upright axis, and a tool post mounted on a base rest that is disposed on the turntable platform and driven to move uprightly. An indexable turret is disposed on the tool post for holding tool bits such that the five-axis lathe can perform movements about five axes to machine a workpiece so as to obtain a complicated geometric shape, thereby reducing setup time and errors and increasing production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Wey Yii Corp.
    Inventor: Kuo-Yuan Lee
  • Publication number: 20110035917
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided an automatic rotating-type turret device for work machinery, in which a lift-type turret is not used. The configuration makes it possible for a clutch device to lock a turret using one drive device (actuator), and generates a wedge effect, thereby obviating the need for a large driving force capable of directly countering a load during cutting operation. The turret can even be locked using air or a small driving force generated by a motor and obviates the need for hydraulics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: O-M LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Shimizu, Takio NAKAMURA, Akihiro Goto, Yuki Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20100139065
    Abstract: A tool revolver unit for a machine tool for machining workpieces, having a housing (1) and a tool disc rotatable relative thereto about an axis (3), and having a rotary drive (13, 15) for a rotational motion of the tool disc, and additionally having a further rotary drive (19, 23), is characterized in that the further rotary drive (19, 23) is a servomotor for controlling a locking device (5, 31, 37) enabling a releasable rotary lock between the housing (1) and the tool disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Detlef Sahm
  • Patent number: 7506424
    Abstract: A rotary tool-equipped tool rest is provided, including a movable member made to move frontwardly when a turret is clamped with respect to a non-swiveling housing after swiveling and indexing. Then, a phase determining pin provided in the turret is made to project and engage with the non-swiveling housing. Further, a coupling mechanism to clamp the turret with respect to the non-swiveling housing has three coupling members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya Neo, Tsutomu Osaki, Takahiko Shozusawa
  • Patent number: 7395589
    Abstract: A rotational power servo toolpost includes a plurality of rotational tool holders, which can freely rotate 360 degrees, to cut a workpiece from various angles. The rotational power servo toolpost has a turret base, a turret, tool holders mounted on a side surface of the turret and having a variety of needed tools, a tool-holder-rotating device, and a tool-rotating device. When the tool holder with the needed tool rotates along with the turret to the preset area, a servo motor of the tool-holder-rotating device drives the related members to freely rotate the tool holder around 360 degrees according to the machining requirements. The tool-driving device then drives the tool, thereby cutting the workpiece from various angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventor: Ching-Hui Kuo
  • Patent number: 7305745
    Abstract: A method of optimizing the tool selecting operation of a turret according to the contents of a machining program in a turret tool rest allowing a rotating tool to be fitted thereto, including a step (101) for determining whether the rotating tool is contained in various types of tools fitted to the turret, a step (102) for, when the rotating tool is contained, selecting whether the phase of the rotating motion of the rotating tool fitted to the turret is adjusted to be identical in each time the rotating tool is disposed at an indexing position, a step (103) for, when the phase of the rotating motion of the rotating tool is adjusted to be identical, performing a “less than one rotation control” in which the cumulative sum of the turning indexing motion of the turret in a same turning direction is less than one rotation, and a step (104) for, when the rotating tool is not contained in the fitted tools or the adjustment of the phase of the rotating motion is not performed even if the rotating tool is contained
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yutaka Shibui
  • Patent number: 7263915
    Abstract: A turret includes a central shaft, a piston sleeve positioned around the central shaft and having moving sticks thereon, a push rod, an actuating seat, and internal and external turrets; the piston sleeve is left and right movable by a power source; the moving sticks are passed through a ringed sleeve, which props a push rod passed through a fixed clutch claw, and facing the actuating seat; the actuating seat includes a rotary shaft, a pivotal shaft, and a toothed ring seat; the piston sleeve can be moved such that the moving sticks and the push rod move forwards, and the rotary shaft engages the toothed ring seat for a tool of a straight tool seat to function; alternatively the piston sleeve can be moved such that the moving sticks and the push rod move backwards, and the rotary shaft disengages the toothed ring seat for allowing replacement of the toothed ring seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Far East Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yung-Hsiang Lu
  • Patent number: 7172542
    Abstract: A tool changing device and a tool cleaning method capable of surely removing foreign matter such as swarf adhered to tapered portions and/or flange portions of tools, which serve as contact faces to be in contact with a spindle. There is arranged tool cleaning nozzles for spouting coolant on both sides of the spindle in the rotating position of a turret. The tool cleaning nozzle has a position and a posture such that the coolant spouted from the nozzle hits against the tapered portions and/or the flange portions of the tools held by the turret. The coolant is spouted from the tool cleaning nozzle with the rotation of the turret at the time of tool selection. Each time the turret rotates, the tapered portions and/or the flange portions of the tools held by the turret are cleaned by the coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Naoki Sato, Akihiko Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 7150085
    Abstract: A turret for use on a machine tool has a turret body, a swivel drum, an indexing actuator, a drive motor and a joint. While one of rotating tools on the turret is indexed to an indexed position, the joint directly connects the rotating tool to the drive shaft of the drive motor to rotate the rotating tool with the drive motor. The drive motor is fixed to the turret body and the drive motor has a housing supported on the turret body. The turret further comprises a liner whose thickness is adjustable disposed immediately behind the housing. The liner has the thickness thereof adjusted to adjust a position of the drive motor with respect to the turret body. The drive motor can be highly accurately assembled onto the turret body through an opening, of the turret body, which provides easy access to the turret body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Haruki Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 7010839
    Abstract: A tool turret mechanism includes internal and external tool turrets, a toothed ring secured to the internal tool turret, a central shaft secured to the external turret, a power switch, and a clutch; the central shaft has a piston fitted thereto; the power switch is used for providing power to the internal and the external turrets through the toothed ring and the shaft respectively; the clutch includes a fixed clutch claw, external and internal ring clutch claws, which are respectively securely connected to inner edge of the internal turret, and inner edge of the external turret; the ring clutch claws will rotate, and engage each other; when the piston is actuated, and displaced, the external turret will be forced to change position, and both the turrets will be left and right displaced between a first position, in which they engage the clutch, and a second position, in which they disengage the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Factory Automation Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yung-Hsiang Lu
  • Patent number: 6925694
    Abstract: A tool turret includes a housing (10) for connection to a machine tool, and an electric drive motor (28). A tool disk (14), is mounted to rotate relative to the housing (10) about a longitudinal axis (34), may be fixed in selected angular positions, and has recesses (16) for machining tools (18). At least one rotating machining tool (18) may be driven by the drive motor (28) using shafts (24, 30), extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis forming the swiveling axis of the tool disk (14). The electric drive motor (28) is arranged within the tool disk (14). The driveshaft (30) from the electric drive (28) is aligned with the driveshaft (24) for the machining tool (18), and is aligned with the driveshaft (24) for the machining tool (18) or extends parallel to it. An economical drive design for machining tools on a tool turret is achieved, with a small installation volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Sauter Feinmechanik GmbH
    Inventors: Reiner Sauter, Detlef Sahm
  • Patent number: 6865789
    Abstract: A tool holder for attaching a complex tool having a plurality of kinds of cutting edges to a turret, has a base portion attachably and detachably formed at the turret. The base portion has a rotatable tool spindle attachably and detachably installing the complex tool thereon. The tool spindle is provided with indexing means for indexably rotating the tool spindle at an indexed position corresponding to each cutting edge of the complex tool. And, clamping means for clamping the tool spindle at a predetermined indexed position is provided. Indexing rotational function and clamping function owned by the tool holder makes the use of the complex tool in the lathe possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Yamazaki Mazak Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichiro Katoh, Kazuo Kawasaki, Naoya Tanaka, Minoru Kitayama
  • Patent number: 6789299
    Abstract: A versatile quick change tooling system for internally and externally mounted machine tools which provides components adaptable to a system which is easy to maintain since it has no moving parts. The system would allow for universal adaptation of both internal and external tools on a machine turret and would include a turret having a face portion for mounting tools thereon; a plurality of receivers adjustable to centerline engaged either to the face portion or the perimeter portion of the turret; a tapered bore formed into each of the receivers; a tool holder, with a tool secured to a first end, and having a second end being a tapered shank to be positioned within the tapered bore of each of the receivers; a retainer secured to the tapered shank to secure each tool holder to each receiver; and allowing each of the tool holders mounted to the receivers to be easily removed by unsecuring the retainer from the tapered shank, and replacing the tool holder with a new tool holder and tool secured thereupon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Ronnie J. Kidder
  • Patent number: 6749427
    Abstract: Dental articles including at least one optical surface formed of a multilayer optical film including layers of at least one strain-induced birefringent material are disclosed. The multilayer optical films included in the dental articles is preferably post-formed into desired non-planar shapes in manners that result in some deformation of the optical stack of the multilayer optical films. A variety of dental implements can be constructed with multilayer optical film including dental mirrors, light guides for use in connection with photo-curing dental materials, and matrix bands for use in molding photo-curing dental restoratives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kathryn R. Bretscher, Sumita B. Mitra, Olester Benson, Jr., James M. Jonza, William W. Merrill, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Michael F. Weber, Janis R. Gust
  • Patent number: 6744155
    Abstract: A motor for driving a load, such as a tool or a workpiece, can be installed in a machine, for example an eccentric lathe. The motor has an output-drive section associated with the useful load, a reaction section which interacts with the drive section, and a base that rigidly supports the motor in the machine. The reaction section of conventional motors is typically rigidly attached to the machine, so that vibration can be introduced in the machine bed if a strong force is transmitted to or received from the load. According to the invention, these vibrations can be reduced or eliminated by mounting the reaction section on the base in such a way that any movement by the output-drive section can be compensated by a corresponding opposing movement of the reaction section. The inertia of the reaction section hence compensates the corresponding opposing forces in the event of sudden or strong acceleration of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Dietmar Stoiber
  • Publication number: 20040093707
    Abstract: A post assembly for providing a selected tool member from a plurality of tool members and using the tool member in a machine operation is provided. The assembly includes a support post rotatable about its longitudinal axis and extending vertically during use from a bottom end to a top end thereof. Tool members each have a first end section and a second end section and each are pivotably attached at their first end section to the post in the vicinity of the top end. Each tool member is pivotable from a first position used for storage to a working position where the selected tool member extends radially outwardly from the support post. A linearly movable actuating member is able to selectively pivot any one of the tool members from the first position to the working position. A bearing arrangement supports the support post for rotation about its longitudinal axis and a power drive is operatively connected to a lower section of the post in order to rotate same about its longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: PRO-LINE AUTOMATION SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventors: Vinode Ramnauth, Leon Gimelschtein
  • Patent number: 6722005
    Abstract: A turret includes a housing connected to a machine tool, a rotatably mounted toolholder for mounting of machining tools, and an electric drive for rotating the toolholder into a particular working station for the machining tools. The electric drive has a rotor and a stator with coil windings. The rotor of the electric drive is connected to the toolholder. The stator is connected to elements of the housing. The rotary movement for the toolholder is generated without gearing and directly by the electric drive of the rotor enclosing the stator. Since both the rotor and the stator are enclosed by the toolholder and since the rotor is in direct contact with the toolholder on the side of the external circumference and rigidly connected to the toolholder for transmission of torque, the rotor-stator layout creates an external rotor for the electric drive. In that layout, the rotor rotates externally, with the tool holder and the stator being mounted internally of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Sauter Feinmechanik GmbH
    Inventors: Reiner Sauter, Alfred E. Müller, Detlef Sahm, Jochen Dieringer
  • Publication number: 20030046799
    Abstract: A turret type tool post 1 includes a tool post body 10, a turret 11, a first drive shaft 14, an indexing drive mechanism 20 having a third drive shaft 21, a tool rotation drive mechanism 30 having a second drive shaft 31, a power transmission switching mechanism 40 having a hollow piston 42 and a hollow switching shaft 44 rotatably held in the piston 42, etc. When the piston 42 is moved to one side, the second drive shaft 31 is inserted into the switching shaft 44 in engagement, allowing rotational power to be transmitted to the second drive shaft 31. When the piston 42 is moved to the other side, gears 44a of the switching shaft 44 and the third drive shaft 21 are mated with each other, allowing rotational power to be transmitted to the third drive shaft 21.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: Yusuke Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6467145
    Abstract: An operating unit for a transfer tool machine comprises a turret head having a rotary plate, a plurality of tool holding devices arranged on the rotary plate, a supporting arm supporting the turret head on the tool machine framework and a mandrel which is driven by a reducing driving device also mounted on the machine tool framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventor: Oscar Porta
  • Patent number: 6442815
    Abstract: A reconfigurable tool changer allows a tool cartridge to be easily attached to, or detached from, a standard machine-tool spindle head. The modular design, includes a revolving tool cartridge having a plurality of tool holders, a meshing gear for engaging a tool holder with the spindle of the machine tool, and an adapter block for positioning the revolving tool cartridge on any standard machine-tool spindle head. The adapter block allows the automatic tool changer to be easily coupled to a wide variety of commercial machine-tool spindles, making the invention a truly reconfigurable and portable tool changer. The revolving tool cartridge incorporates a novel three-dimensional cam structure mechanism, which allows tool indexing to be achieved by means of only one actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Yong-Mo Moon, Sridhar Kota
  • Patent number: 6438813
    Abstract: A rotary drive adapted to perform a speed of rotation switching of a tool holding device, comprising an output drive shaft bearing the tool holding device, said output drive shaft being able to be moved into first and second axial positions by means of a setting drive. The output drive shaft is coupled in the first axial position with a power driven first drive gear wheel and in the second axial position with a concentric tubular shaft, which is adapted to be driven by a power driven second drive gear wheel by way of a worm drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Berthold Hermle AG
    Inventor: Franz-Xaver Bernhard
  • Publication number: 20010039705
    Abstract: In order to improve a tool support for machine tools comprising a base unit, a holding member which is arranged on the base unit and on which two supporting surfaces extending at an acute angle to one another are arranged for supporting a tool holder in a first supporting area and a second supporting area, and a clamping device for acting on a clamping member of the tool holder in a clamping direction extending in such a manner that the tool holder acts upon the supporting surfaces with the first and the second supporting areas, in such a manner that clamping of a tool holder is possible in as simple a way as possible it is suggested that the clamping element be mounted in the holding member for rotation about an axis and bear a wedge surface movable on a path around the axis for acting on the clamping member, and that the wedge surface of the clamping element engage over the clamping member proceeding from an insert position during the rotation of the clamping element in a first direction of rotation and act
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: Traub Drehmaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Forst, Rainer Koeneke, Werner Sonnek
  • Patent number: 6298531
    Abstract: A machine tool (1) has at least one but preferably two machining units (13, 14), which are assigned to two workpiece receptacles (8, 9). The machining units (13, 14) are adjustable in three axes (X, Y, Z), and they can each reach both workpiece receptacles (8, 9). The machining units (13, 14) are oriented such that their work spindles (11, 12) are in a preferably right space angle to one another. As a result, they can be moved past one another without colliding. Moreover, they can also work on the same workpiece at the same time. The workpiece receptacles are positionable independently of one another about a preferably but not necessarily common pivot axis (S). The workpieces are also rotatable about an axis (V) perpendicular to the pivot axis. This arrangement enables flexible machining of the workpieces from arbitrary directions in space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Witzig & Frank GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Baumbusch, Walter Bauer
  • Publication number: 20010016973
    Abstract: A rotary turret head apparatus for installing a fastener such as a rivet. The rotary turret head apparatus has a plurality of machining and fastener installation tools disposed perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the turret. The individual tools are independently powered and the entire turret head apparatus is fed toward the workpiece by a single actuator mechanism such as a roller screw or hydraulic cylinder thereby eliminating the need for a separate actuating mechanism for each tool and eliminating the need for engagement of each tool with a central actuating mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventors: Thomas H. Speller, John Michael Perrelli, Cheyenne Saunders
  • Patent number: 6276035
    Abstract: The tool-changing device comprises a tool carrier rotatably mounted in a basic housing by means of a hollow shaft. This tool carrier is driven via a ring motor, the rotor of which is directly connected to the hollow shaft. A servomotor for the drive of tools is provided in the interior of the hollow shaft. Furthermore, the cavity of the hollow shaft also accommodates supply lines for the tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: EMAG Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Hessbrüggen, Christoph Wernz