Including Means To Infeed Work To Cutter Patents (Class 409/145)
  • Patent number: 11872696
    Abstract: A redundant parallel mechanism with less actuation and multi-degree-of-freedom outputs and a control method thereof are provided, which relate to the field of robot mechanisms. The redundant parallel mechanism includes: a fixed platform, a moving platform, multiple moving branch chains, and one or more redundant branch chains. Two ends of each moving branch chain are respectively connected to the fixed platform and the moving platform, and a brake is arranged on each moving branch chain. Two ends of each redundant branch chain are respectively connected to the fixed platform and the moving platform, and an actuating part is arranged on each redundant branch chain. There are n redundant branch chains arranged. During control, the number of follow-up moving branch chains is set to n, and the n moving branch chains move to expected positions and postures under the control of the n redundant branch chains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Yanshan University
    Inventors: Yundou Xu, Yiming Zhang, Yongsheng Zhao, Xiaoyu Pang, Shenglong Nie, Pengyang Gao
  • Patent number: 11787081
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing wooden members for wooden trusses includes a control computer receiving a batch list, a series of infeed chutes for automatically transferring wooden members of different types to a conveyor, a scanner to detect defects, a defect saw for trimming such defects, a finger-jointer for joining wooden members end-to-end, a flying saw for cutting wood discharged from the finger-jointer, a cutting saw for cutting wooden members processed by the first flying saw into web member blanks, and a component saw for cutting angles on the ends of the web member blanks. The control computer analyzes the batch list for causing a first infeed chute to feed in wooden members of a first type sufficient to produce all web members formed from wood of the first type, and then causes a second infeed chute to feed in wooden members of a second type. A related method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Frametec Alpha IP LLC
    Inventor: Marvin M. Phelps
  • Patent number: 11624603
    Abstract: A coordinate positioning machine includes a drive frame and a metrology frame. The drive frame includes a drive arrangement for moving a structure around a working volume of the machine. The metrology frame includes a metrology arrangement for measuring the position of the structure within the working volume. The metrology arrangement is a hexapod metrology arrangement and the drive arrangement is a non-hexapod drive arrangement. The metrology frame has a coefficient of thermal expansion that is lower than that of the drive frame. The drive frame is coupled to the metrology frame via a coupling arrangement which prevents at least some distortion associated with any extra thermal expansion and contraction of the drive frame from being transferred to the metrology frame. The drive arrangement moves the structure around the working volume, and the metrology arrangement measures the position of the structure within the working volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: RENISHAW PLC
    Inventor: Stephen Mark Angood
  • Patent number: 11610523
    Abstract: Disclosed is a driving circuit of a stretchable display capable of being stretched, which includes a driving part that includes a driving transistor connected with a light-emitting element and drives the light-emitting element depending on a signal of a data line, a switching transistor that is connected between the driving part and the data line and includes a gate terminal connected with a first gate line, and a stretch-sensitive sensor that is connected with the switching transistor between the driving part and the data line, and the stretch-sensitive sensor may include a stretch-sensitive material whose resistance characteristic changes depending on a stretching force applied to the stretchable display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: UIF (University Industry Foundation), Yonsei University
    Inventors: Hyun Jae Kim, Hyung Tae Kim, Hee Jun Kim, Dongwoo Kim, Won Kyung Min, Dong Hyun Choi, Sujin Jung, Jong Bin An
  • Patent number: 11401726
    Abstract: A base isolation unit comprises a first connector and a second connector disposed in a direction of base isolation with a predetermined distance therebetween, and a movement regulator provided between the first connector and the second connector and receiving an external force in the direction of base isolation. The movement regulator includes a first casing having one end connected to the first connector, a second casing having one end connected to the second connector, a first damping device accommodated inside the first casing, a second damping device accommodated inside the second casing, a vibration damper provided between the first casing and the second casing, and a coupling member coupling the first damping device and the second damping device together. The first damping device and the second damping device each have a cylinder, a compressible fluid and a piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Kato, Junji Takaki
  • Patent number: 10682780
    Abstract: A facer facing the ends of polyolefin pipes for butt fusion is modular in the sense that it employs three types of modules, a drive unit, two blade holders and a motor assembly, that are separable from one another and each independently light enough to be hand-lifted along walls and up to ceilings. The drive unit module is adjustable to accommodate different guide rail spacings. The blade holder modules are interchangeable to accommodate different diameters of pipe. The motor assembly module has multispeed capability to accommodate the total area of material to be faced. Each module can be exchanged or modified without use of tools to change the geometry of the assembled facer to accommodate different fusion machines and/or diameters of pipe within working spaces dictated by the diameter of the pipe and not by a fixed geometry of a facer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: MCELROY MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Thoman, Arthur H. McElroy, II, Jason A. Lawrence, Paul John Donaldson, Brian M. O'Connell, Seth P. Ahrens
  • Patent number: 10668643
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machining device, in particular for machining workpieces of wood, wood materials, plastic or the like, comprising a workpiece table with a workpiece holder for holding at least one workpiece, and a feeding device for supplying at least one workpiece to the workpiece table, wherein the workpiece can be positioned in three dimensions with respect to the workpiece table. The invention further relates to a corresponding method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: HOMAG GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Friese, Volker Schmieder, Christian Sturm
  • Patent number: 9248606
    Abstract: A method of preparing a pipe for joining to another pipe, the method including the steps of fixing a cutting tool to one side of a fusion welding machine; fixing a pipe to an other side of the welding machine; moving the cutting tool with respect to the pipe so that the cutting tool engages an internal wall of the pipe to thereby cut the internal wall of the pipe, preparing the pipe for joining to another pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Murphy Pipe & Civil IP Pty Ltd
    Inventor: James Francis Darcy
  • Publication number: 20150016913
    Abstract: In a machine tool, a saddle is supported by a guide disposed on a bed. A cover protecting the guide is secured to the saddle and moves together with the saddle to enter or leave a space formed under a column. A chip intrusion stopper is attached to the column to prevent chips from entering the space when the cover and the saddle enter the space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Masahiro KAKUMU
  • Publication number: 20140260841
    Abstract: A machine tool having a monolithic base is disclosed. The monolithic base includes at least two flat surfaces that are mutually orthogonal and that are convex with respect to each other. The machine tool includes at least two moveable stages, each mounted to one of the flat surfaces, and each stage also being mutually orthogonal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: MICROLUTION INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Honegger, Michael Howard, Elizabeth Amundsen, Brendon DiVincenzo, Grzegorz Nowobilski, Andrew Phillip
  • Patent number: 8517798
    Abstract: The present invention provides a polishing pad used for planarizing inter layer dielectrics and the like by CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) in the manufacturing process of a semiconductor device, a method of producing the polishing pad and a method of producing a semiconductor device by using the polishing pad. The present invention relates to a semiconductor wafer polishing pad having grooves in a polishing surface and formed from a foamed polyurethane, wherein a processed surface of the groove comprising a side surface and a bottom surface has a surface roughness Ra of not more than 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kimura, Yoshiyuki Nakai, Masahiro Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20120141221
    Abstract: A stroke controller is mounted on a key duplicator and has a base, a drive shaft, a knob and a driven shaft. The base has a longitudinal shaft hole and a transverse shaft hole. The drive shaft is mounted rotatably through the transverse shaft hole. The knob is mounted on the drive shaft and has a drive gear. The driven shaft is mounted slidably through the longitudinal shaft hole and has a rack section engaging the drive shaft so that rotating the knob drives the driven shaft to slide relative to the base. The stroke controller precisely controls the movement of an original key and a key workpiece clamped on the key duplicator to manufacture a fine key duplicate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventor: KUO-SHEN WU
  • Patent number: 8002003
    Abstract: A system is provided for creating bevel edges on a plank. In some embodiments, the system comprises two bevel-cutting tools disposed in fixed positions and two guided cylinders disposed to independently move two edges of a plank to within varying degrees of contact with the bevel-cutting tools. Separate controllers can be provided to independently control the time, frequency, and rate of movement of the guided cylinders. Methods are provided for creating the appearance of a hand-scraped wood plank. A method for creating irregular bevel edges on a plank is also provided as are a system and method that use a plank production line operation. A plank having irregular beveled edges and the appearance of a hand-scraped wood plank is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Mannington Mills, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Nicholas Walker
  • Patent number: 7950883
    Abstract: An engraving machine includes a base with two side panels extending upward from two sides of the base, and a top board is driven horizontally by a motor in the base. A horizontal frame is movably mounted on two rods connected between the two side panels by a motor. A vertical frame is located on a front side of the horizontal frame and is movable along two rods in vertical direction by another motor. The horizontal frame, the vertical frame and the top board are movable along X, Y and Z directions by three independent motors. A chuck is connected to the vertical frame and secures an engraving tool which is driven by a main motor connected between the two side panels. The object to be engraved is secured on the top board and engraved by the engraving tool in X, Y and Z directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Yuehting Chen
  • Publication number: 20110085869
    Abstract: The table on which a workpiece is put can travel on a guide rail mechanism relative to a working head with a cutting tool mounted thereon. The table is connected through a nut to a ball screw part to move in an axial direction thereof as the ball screw part rotates. One end of the ball screw part is supported by a bearing and the other end is connected to a servomotor to be rotationally driven. A hollow part is provided in the table to receive therein a damper mechanism part, which comprises a spring, a damper, and a weight, the table and the weight being arranged to enable traveling separately on guide rails. Thereby, even when the workpiece is heavy, the weight can move relative to the table to effectively damp vibrations of the table in a feed direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki ONOZUKA, Koji Utsumi, Toshio Yamanaka, Masayuki Kyoi
  • Patent number: 7901163
    Abstract: A gun drill having excellent cutting efficiency, having high deep-hole drilling efficiency, and having a prolonged blade service life has a cutter head having a coolant discharge port communicating with a coolant supplying path at the distal end face at the distal end of a hollow shank portion having a cutting chip discharge groove, whose section along the lengthwise direction is V-shaped, on the outer surface and having the interior thereof made into a coolant supplying path, wherein a blade portion of the cutter head is made of cemented carbide alloy, and at the same time, the guide pads and that are brought into sliding contact with the inner circumference of a cutting bore are composed of a dissimilar material having higher hardness than the cemented carbide alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Unitac, Inc.
    Inventor: Takuji Nomura
  • Patent number: 7861753
    Abstract: A system is provided for creating bevel edges on a plank. In some embodiments, the system comprises two bevel-cutting tools disposed in fixed positions and two guided cylinders disposed to independently move two edges of a plank to within varying degrees of contact with the bevel-cutting tools. Separate controllers can be provided to independently control the time, frequency, and rate of movement of the guided cylinders. Methods are provided for creating the appearance of a hand-scraped wood plank. A method for creating irregular bevel edges on a plank is also provided as are a system and method that use a plank production line operation. A plank having irregular beveled edges and the appearance of a hand-scraped wood plank is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Mannington Mills, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Nicholas Walker
  • Patent number: 7607872
    Abstract: A machine tool for machining a molded part, such as an elastomeric coated valve component includes a rotatable cutting tool having a shape corresponding to the shape of a cavity of the valve component. A method of machining the molded part is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Buckhorn Rubber Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward W. Hulse, Kevin W. Pennewell, James W. Dorsey, Gregg A. Teel
  • Publication number: 20090136311
    Abstract: To provide a device and a corresponding method for producing a slit diaphragm using a very simple production process, the device includes a cutting tool (12) capable of cutting along a straight line, and means capable of effecting a relative movement between the cutting tool (12) and a workpiece (10), such that the cutting tool (12) cuts the workpiece (10) along a line which corresponds a beam path in the slit diaphragm to be produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: BAM BUNDESANSTALT FUER MATERIALFORSCHUNG UND-PRUEFUNG
    Inventors: KURT OSTERLOH, UWE EWERT, HEINZ-JUERGEN KNISCHEK, UWE ZSCHERPEL
  • Patent number: 7441994
    Abstract: A machine tool includes a machine frame, a worktable, and a spindle unit. The worktable is movable on the machine frame along a first horizontal direction, a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, and a vertical direction. The spindle unit is movable on the machine frame along the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Inventor: Shu-Yen Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7216415
    Abstract: A scuffing device (30) arranged to impart texture to a plastic pallet surface (12) having a plurality of cutting members (34) axially aligned and mounted adjacent each other, the cutting members (34) having radial toothed edges for cutting into and imparting texture to the plastic pallet surface upon rotating engagement therewith. The device further having a shaft upon which the cutting members are mounted for providing rotational movement to the cutting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Jeff Hentges, Philip King, William J. Rehrig
  • Patent number: 7207753
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for shaping an edge of a tile. The preferred embodiment enables an operator to place a tile between an elevator and a reference plate. The operator snugs the edge of the tile up against a reference plate, and causes the elevator to press the tile towards the reference plate. The reference plate and the elevator are coupled with a transporter. The transporter is moved to maintain the tile in contact the guide surface, whereby the edge is placed into an edge shaping zone of a shaping tool, such as a router bit or a saw. Two or more shaping tools may be placed in series along the guide surface whereby the edge may be successively shaped by each shaping tool in a two or multi-stage process. A motor and a lead screw or a chain may be used to move the transporter and tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventors: Dennis C Stoscher, Enrique Rayon
  • Patent number: 6938321
    Abstract: A scuffing device (30) arranged to impart texture to a plastic pallet surface (12) having a plurality of cutting members (34) axially aligned and mounted adjacent each other, the cutting members (34) having radial toothed edges for cutting into and imparting texture to the plastic pallet surface upon rotating engagement therewith. The device further having a shaft upon which the cutting members are mounted for providing rotational movement to the cutting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Jeff Hentges, Philip King, William J. Rehrig
  • Patent number: 6881018
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for shaping an edge of a tile. The preferred embodiment enables an operator to place a tile between an elevator and a reference plate. The operator snugs the edge of the tile up against a reference plate, and causes the elevator to press the tile towards the reference plate. The reference plate and the elevator are coupled with a transporter. The transporter is moved to maintain the tile in contact the guide surface, whereby the edge is placed into an edge shaping zone of a shaping tool, such as a router bit or a saw. Two or more shaping tools may be placed in series along the guide surface whereby the edge may be successively shaped by each shaping tool in a two or multi-stage process. A motor and a lead screw or a chain may be used to move the transporter and tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Inventors: Dennis C. Stoscher, Enrique Rayon
  • Patent number: 6773204
    Abstract: An apparatus for resurfacing a pair of guide plugs includes a turntable rotatably mounted on a frame having cutting tools Interacting with resurfaceable guide plugs mounted on a reciprocating slide assembly which includes a guide support block adapted for reciprocating motion with respect to the cutting tools. The block has a pair of saw guides selectively attached thereto so as to be parallel to each other so that parallelism is maintained during the resurfacing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventors: James Emter, James Emter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6668692
    Abstract: The invention consists of a process for the control of the motorized feed drive for the movable workplace table of a machine tool, in particular the rolling carriage of a circular saw. The manual force that is applied by the operator in direction of the feed is sensed and converted to a corresponding measured value. From this a set value for the feed rate of the rolling carriage is created and from that is derived a control signal for the drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Wilhelm Altendorf GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Siegfried Thiele, Reiner Moeres
  • Patent number: 6364818
    Abstract: A CNC machine center with double-speed shifting feature in X and Z axes, comprises an upright stand for disposing a worktable assembly and a tool holder assembly. The worktable assembly and the tool assembly are relatively movable with each other in two perpendicular coordinate axes, i.e., X-axis and Z-axis. It is characterized in that in at least one of X-axis and Z-axis, the tool holder assembly and the worktable assembly are interconnected with each other by a screw rod having a positive thread section and a counter thread section, thereby the tool holder assembly and worktable assembly can be simultaneously shifted in opposite directions to obtain a relative shifting speed double of conventional one, so that the non-cutting operation time of a machine center is greatly reduced, and so that the overall machining speed and efficiency are improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: Hsi-Kuan Chen
  • Patent number: 6319104
    Abstract: A tool for use in an abrading or resurfacing machine includes a head portion, a shank portion and a base portion, the shank portion joining the head and base portions and having a shape that tapers outwardly from a narrow neck where it joins the head portion to the base portion. The tool is inserted into a pocket in an abrading wheel having the same shape as the tool. Because of the irregular shape, centrifugal force will not cause the tool to become dislodged. The tapered neck serves to distribute torsional forces imparted by an adjustment screw which alleviates metal fatigue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: James Emter
  • Patent number: 6059703
    Abstract: A device for numerically controlled (NC) manufacturing, manipulating and measuring apparatuses has a frame structure with peripheral force introduction locations and at least one movement unit with peripheral force introduction locations. At least three adjusting devices each having a first and a second part are provided. Each adjusting device has a first and a second connecting member positioned at a spacing to the first connecting member. The first parts are connected by the first connecting members to the force introduction locations of the movement unit, wherein these force introduction locations are positioned in a first imaginary coupling plane. The first parts are connected by the second connecting members to the force introduction locations of the frame structure, wherein these force introduction locations are positioned in a first imaginary coupling plane of the frame structure. The second parts are connected by the first connecting members to the movement unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventors: Uwe Heisel, Martin Gringel
  • Patent number: 5893691
    Abstract: In a machine tool provided with a column 4 mounted on a back end portion of a bed 1 having a table 2, and a spindle head 20 arranged in a vertically movable manner to the column 4, both sides of an upper portion of the column 4 is connected with both sides of a front-end portion of the bed 1 through support members 42, 43. Even the machine has a structure that the spindle head 20 embeds a main shaft rotating at high rpm, vibration can be reduced. The column is affected by a force to fall down in the direction due to the weight of the spindle head 20, but the tilt caused by the force can be avoided. Accordingly, a high finish surface accuracy can be ensured without an increase in size and weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Nakajima, Masahito Shiozaki
  • Patent number: 5538373
    Abstract: A machine tool isolation system is disclosed. The preferred system includes a pair of platforms connected by a plurality of legs. A tool is typically connected to one platform, and a workpiece to the other. The legs are able to move one platform with respect to the other which can create vibrations. A base, typically formed by a plurality of legs, is mounted to one of the platforms to support the two platforms and legs connected therebetween. A vibration isolator is disposed between the base legs and the floor or other support on which the entire system is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Giddings & Lewis, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward E. Kirkham
  • Patent number: 5489168
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a metrology framework for determining the position of a first object, such as an operator, relative to a second object when the first object is moved relative to the second object. The metrology framework comprises a plurality of extensible instrument arms that are operatively connected in proximity to the first object and the second object. A sensor is in communication with each extensible instrument arm to provide a signal indicative of the extension of the instrument arm. The combination of the signals can be used to determine the position of the first object relative to the second object in all six degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Giddings & Lewis
    Inventors: Paul C. Sheldon, Edward E. Kirkham, Lyle D. Ostby, Bruce P. Konkel
  • Patent number: 5468101
    Abstract: A table translation apparatus for a wood working machine is disclosed wherein a table can be repetitively moved at a high speed within a small distance to enhance the working efficiency for wood. A pair of front and rear screw shafts are supported for rotation linearly at front and rear portions of a bed extending forwardly and backwardly and driven to rotate forwardly or reversely independently of each other by a motor. A pair of front and rear shuttles are held in threaded engagement with the front and rear screw shafts, respectively. A pair of front and rear side clutches for releasably connecting the table and the front and rear side shuttles to each other, respectively, are provided on the table mounted for forward and backward sliding movement on the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Inventor: Isao Shoda
  • Patent number: 5388935
    Abstract: A machine such as a machine tool includes a pair of spaced platforms. One platform may mount an operator such as a tool in a spindle, and the other platform may mount an object such as a workpiece. The spaced platforms are joined by six powered and extensible legs joined to the respective platforms by universal joints. The length of the legs is individually manipulated to vary the positions of the platforms and, therefore, the object and operator relative to each other. Four of the legs are arranged into two pairs which are spaced apart to provide between them a part of a corridor for moving the workpiece into a working position. The two legs in each pair may cross each other. The other two legs extend away from each other and provide another part of the corridor between their inboard ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Giddings & Lewis, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul C. Sheldon
  • Patent number: 5354158
    Abstract: A machine such as a machine tool includes a pair of spaced platforms. One platform (11, 31, 185, 72, 159, 142) may mount an operator such as a tool in a spindle and the other platforms (10, 20, 180, 170, 144, 163) may mount an object such as a workpiece. The spaced platforms are joined by six powered and extensible legs (20-25, 40-45, 64-69, 145-150, 166, 182-84, 187-89) joined to the respective platforms by universal joints. The length of the legs is individually manipulated to vary the position of the platforms and, therefore, the object and operator relative to each other in six axes. The powered legs may be hydraulic cylinders (20-25) or recirculating ball screw driven (195, 197, 198). The distance between the spaced platforms may be measured by separate extensible instrument arms (130, 131, 171) which join the platforms. The instrument arms may use a digital position device (238, 240) to measure the extension and contraction of the instrument arms or may use a laser interferometer (267) for that purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Kearney & Trecker Corporation
    Inventors: Paul C. Sheldon, Edward E. Kirkham, Lyle D. Ostby, Bruce P. Konkel
  • Patent number: 5028180
    Abstract: This invention relates to a six-axis machine for locating an operator with respect to an object, and more particularly to a versatile machine tool in which the tool can be moved in three lineal directions and three rotational directions in relation to the surface of a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Inventors: Paul C. Sheldon, Edward E. Kirkham
  • Patent number: 4987668
    Abstract: The spindle of a machine-tool is mounted on a carriage movable along a horizontal transverse member which is carried by the columns of a part of the frame of the machine having the shape of a closed porch, and which is situated in front of these columns. This transverse member moves vertically along the columns. The workpiece-carrying table, which can rotate on itself, is mounted on a carriage movable in a direction parallel to the spindle axis on a portion of the frame situated in front of the porch. Thus, the machine is compact and, whatever the extreme positions of its movable elements might be, no cantilever condition is produced which could generate machine deformations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: Dixi S.A.
    Inventor: Edouard Roesch
  • Patent number: 4988244
    Abstract: A machine includes a pair of spaced supports, one of which may mount an operator such as a tool in a spindle and the other of which may mount an object such as a workpiece. The spaced platforms are joined by six powered and extensible legs joined to the respective platforms by universal joints. The length of the legs is individually manipulated to vary the position of the platforms and therefore the object and operator relative to each other in six axes. The powered legs may be hydraulic cylinders or recirculating ball screw driven. The distance between the spaced platforms may be measured by separate instrument arms which join the platforms. The instrument arms may use a digital position device to measure the extension and contraction of the instrument arms or may use a laser interferometer for that purpose. The changes in the instrument arm's lengths may be used to generate signals which are used to control the extension and contraction of the powered legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: Kearney & Trecker
    Inventors: Paul C. Sheldon, Edward E. Kirkham
  • Patent number: 4909682
    Abstract: The herein proposed invention relates to mechanical engineering. The essence of the invention resides in the fact that a contrivance for setting the table position includes two disks provided with drives for moving the table in a horizontal plane and disposed eccentrically one above the other as to be free to rotate about their pivot pins, the upper disk being rotatably mounted with respect to the pivot pin of the lower disk. The pivot pin of the lower disk mounts one device for reading the length of table movement in a horizontal plane along one of the coordinate axes, and a pin is fixed in position on the upper disk a distance from its axis equal to the amount of eccentricity between the pivot pins, the pin being movably associated with the table so as to carry another device for reading the length of table movement in a horizontal plane along the other of the coordinate axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Inventors: Juozas P. Rudzyanskas, Alexei A. Shkolyarenko-Milukas, Galina J. Rudzyanskaite
  • Patent number: 4842456
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming welding electrode chips in which the cutters engage the electrode chips to be formed while the electrode chips remain installed in the welding unit. The cutters are elastically supported to accommodate movement of the electrode chips against the cutters. Movement of the electrode chips is limited by a rigid support. The cutters are rotated manually or by a motor-drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Inventor: Akihiro Saito
  • Patent number: 4830074
    Abstract: A tool stand including a vertical support panel with a horizontal work-supporting table mounted for vertical adjustment thereon. The support panel horizontally mounts a power router with the router bit overlying the table. An elongate retainer rail mounts on the table outward of the bit, and a finger guard mounts on the rail and extends inwardly therefrom in overlying relation to the bit. The retainer rail is adjustable on the table for varying the width of the work area between the rail and the support panel. The guard is spring-biased to an extended position overlying the bit for selective retraction thereof as may be required upon the introduction of a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Inventor: Richard J. Lundblom
  • Patent number: 4685845
    Abstract: A babbit guide plug resurfacing apparatus includes a motorized clamp assembly for holding a circular saw guide in a fixed position so that guide plugs on both sides thereof are exposed, and for moving the saw guide into engagement with an abrading assembly. The abrading assembly comprises upper and lower turntables coupled by a belt to a motor. The turntables, which include cutter heads on their inside surfaces, are separated by a spacer so as to allow the guide plugs to pass between the plates for simultaneous resurfacing which insures uniformity of the smoothness of the surface of each plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Inventor: James Emter
  • Patent number: 4640651
    Abstract: A method for machining a thin workpiece to equalize machining induced stresses within the workpiece. The method produces a thin workpiece on which the machining lines intersect on the workpiece's machined surface. The method includes passing the workpiece under a fly cutter while at the same time rotating the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: Substrate Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Runyon
  • Patent number: 4553885
    Abstract: An apparatus for original and improvement machining of the active surfaces of steer cams, mainly of brake spanners, in which the kinematic chain connecting together a work piece being rotation-safely clamped and a basic slide comprises a non-reversing free wheel, the external side of which being secured to the milling headstock. A unilateral claw clutch is coupled with the non-fixed inner part of the free wheel, the claw clutch being reversely operated with the non-reversing free wheel. A gear connectd to an intermediate shaft is in connection with one side of the unilateral claw clutch and elements are coupled with the gear, the elements transforming angular displacement to rectilinear displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: Magyar Vagon-es Gepgyar
    Inventors: Pal Kovari, Tibor Galambos, Ferenc Bogisich, Imre Teringer
  • Patent number: 4544310
    Abstract: A mechanism for machining an object, such as a key blank, to a desired shape at a plurality of successive positions in an axial direction of the object, includes a holder for the object. The holder is axially movable by means of a transfer mechanism with a rotatable shaft. There is a feeder member connected to the rotatable shaft and cooperating with a clutch device axially stationary relatively to the holder. Cooperating guiding surfaces are arranged to transmit to the holder an axial movement during a limited turning of the rotatable shaft. This turning is only a small portion of a full turn of the rotatable shaft. The machining of the object takes place as a continuous guided operation during such a turning of the rotatable shaft which is separate from the turning thereof causing the holder to move axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: Oy Wartsila Ab
    Inventors: Esko Tyynela, Tuomo Pitkanen
  • Patent number: 4364696
    Abstract: A material working machine for edge finishing of workpieces of different sizes and shapes and of different materials has a material work station supported by a table like construction with a mechanical cutting tool mounted at the work station. The machine includes a workpiece feeding assembly comprised of a pair of resilient juxtaposed feeding belts having opposed gripping surfaces adapted to grip the opposite faces or sides of a workpiece to feed the workpiece across the working station as the resilient belts are moved. An adjustable pressure plate is mounted behind the feeding surface of each belt and can be moved toward or away from the opposite belt so as to be able to adjust the pressure exerted by the belts on the workpiece and also to accommodate workpieces of varying thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1982
    Inventors: Louis W. Syarto, Sanford S. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 4242019
    Abstract: A milling machine includes a C-shaped frame, tool support member movable in a vertical direction, a saddle member movable in a transverse direction, a work table movable in a longitudinal direction, a tool drive unit and two oppositely positioned and removable bearing ways associated with each direction of travel. For the vertical axis the bearing ways are between the C-shaped frame and the tool support member. The tool drive unit includes a hollow tool spindle and a drive motor with a vertically extending hollow output shaft which is rigidly and coaxially connected to the hollow tool spindle. Each vertical axis bearing way longitudinally extends in a vertical direction and includes an outer race portion attached to the C-shaped frame and a ball circulating track portion attached to the tool support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1980
    Inventor: Gerald V. Roch
  • Patent number: 4198183
    Abstract: A motion translation apparatus and method is provided which is particularly suitable for use with machine tools wherein the workpiece is moved relative to a tool. A stationary guideway member having a track of ball bearings mounted partially projecting from a V-shaped channel is fixed relative to the tool and relative to a rotatably driven turntable on which a hydraulic fluid operated actuator is pivotably mounted at one end. The piston of the actuator is pivotably secured to a link member which is in turn pivotably mounted on one end to the turntable. The free end of the link member opposite the end pivotably mounted to the turntable is pivotably connected to a movable guideway member which has a V-shaped channel adapted to receive and engage projecting portions of the ball bearings in the stationary guideway member for a predetermined arc of rotation of the turntable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1980
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Kummer, Heinz O. Kramer, Stephan Weyeneth, Claus Kowitz
  • Patent number: 4173920
    Abstract: A gear shaving machine employing plunge cut (radial infeed with no lateral traverse) in which the rate of relative infeed between a meshed gear-like tool and a work gear is controlled by hydraulic escapement mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1979
    Assignee: Lear Siegler, Inc.
    Inventor: John J. Sigman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4156307
    Abstract: An improved process for fabricating a sealing flange assembly useful for oval and other noncircular access ports in high vacuum equipment is disclosed. The process is applicable to sealing flange assemblies of the type which include relatively hard metallic flange members having opposed, mating surfaces at least a portion of which are chamfered to define a V-shaped notch therebetween and a relatively soft metallic sealing member disposed in the notch under compression against the chamfered surfaces. The process relates specifically to the machining of the chamfered sealing surfaces by a milling process which utilizes a specially ground end mill and selected depths of cut to provide a more or less grooved sealing surface profile essentially devoid of tool chatter marks and metal folds which represent nonsealable surface defects. The as-milled chamfered sealing surfaces are much coarser (32.mu. inch finish) than those produced by grinding (8.mu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1979
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Alan F. Haught, David J. McFarlin, Richard F. Dondero