With Means To Advance Work Or Product Patents (Class 409/159)
  • Patent number: 8573908
    Abstract: A machining center wherein improved workability of a control board, a widened movable zone of a column and a reduced installation space are achieved. The machining center includes a column movably supported on a column sliding portion in an X-axis direction, a work table movably supported on a table sliding portion in a Z-axis direction, a main spindle head slidably supported on the column in a Y-axis direction, and an automatic tool changer disposed at an inner side of the column sliding portion. The control board is arranged at an opposite side of the automatic tool changer and is provided in parallel with a side surface of a front portion of a table sliding portion and is arranged side by side with an openable/closable door for an operator provided on a side surface of a cover in a vicinity of a rear end portion of the side surface of the table sliding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignees: JTEKT Corporation, Mitsui Seiki Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kozo Imanishi, Yasukazu Yamaguchi, Yasutaka Uchimura, Masanao Kato
  • Patent number: 8297892
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus includes a base frame, a pair of holder assemblies, an overhead frame, a cutter assembly and a controller. The pair of holder assemblies are operably connected to the base frame with one holder assembly holding the first workpiece and the other holding the second workpiece. The pair of holder assemblies independently move relative to one another along a transverse axis. The overhead frame is connected to the base frame. The cutter assembly is connected to the overhead frame and moves along a vertical axis and a horizontal axis. The cutter assembly includes a rotary cutter mechanism with a rotating cutting tool. The controller controls and moves of the pair of holders and the cutter assembly so that the rotating cutting tool cuts the first workpiece in a first desired configuration then moves to the second workpiece to cut the second workpiece in a second desired configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignees: Sony Corportion, Sony Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Esteban Arturo Alvarez Serrano
  • Patent number: 8132305
    Abstract: A package cutting apparatus includes at least two spindles installed at a sawing robot and cutting a frame including a plurality of packages into packages using cutting bits; a frame loading jig loading the frame so that the frame is cut; and a frame-and-unit picker installed at an orthogonal robot to load and unload the frame on and from the frame loading jig, wherein a state of the cutting bit installed at the spindle is checked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tai-Kew Choi, Yong-Kyun Sun, Hee-Sang Yang, Yo-Se Eum, Ho-Soo Jang
  • Patent number: 8114001
    Abstract: A workpiece processing plant comprises several machine tools which are arranged in opposite rows. The rows define a free space between each other. A loading and unloading device is provided which comprises a girder above the machine tools and above the free space. Rails are provided on the upper side of the girder. A loading and unloading unit configured as a multiple-axis robot is displaceable along the rails, the loading and unloading unit comprising several arms which are articulated to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: MAG IAS, LLC
    Inventors: Wolfgang Horn, Moshe Israel Meidar, Thomas Bayha, Ralf Haug
  • Patent number: 8051543
    Abstract: The invention provides a composite working lathe capable of improving the efficiency of workpiece machining area by arranging a workpiece handling device below a spindle of the composite working lathe. The composite working lathe 1 comprises a spindle 20 and a tool spindle 30 on a bed 10. A workpiece handling device 40 arranged below the spindle 20 can be moved along a W axis parallel to the axis line C1 of the spindle. The workpiece handling device 40 has a workpiece handling head 50 that pivots in the direction of arrow F around an axis line C2, and grips the workpiece K1 via a gripper 60. The axis line C2 is an axis perpendicular to the vertical plane including the axis line C1 of the spindle 20, and the workpiece handling head 50 is raised for 90 degrees when the gripper 60 receives the workpiece K1 from the spindle 20. The angular position of the workpiece handling head 50 is allocated and the workpiece K1 is machined via a tool T1 on the tool spindle 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Arisue, Naokazu Okabe, Yasuhiro Goshima, Minoru Kitayama
  • 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: 7937165
    Abstract: A method and a device for tuning and control of industrial processes having varying material flow rate. An adder is configured to add excitation signals to the controller output signal. A measurement system is configured to measure a property in response to the excitation signals. A model based tuning unit is adapted to estimate the value of at least one parameter with unknown value of a process model structure describing the effect of varying material flow rate, based on the measurements of the property and the output signal from the controller, and to calculate a model that describes the dynamics from controller output to controller input based on the estimated value of the parameter, and to perform model based tuning of the controller based on the model that describes the dynamics from controller output to controller input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Per-Erik Modén, Pontus Bergsten, Rickard Lindkvist
  • Publication number: 20110052341
    Abstract: A machine tool has a tool spindle which can be moved in an x-direction and a y-direction and a workpiece slide which can be moved in the z-direction and has a swiveling table which can be pivoted about an A-axis which is parallel to the x-axis. A feed and removal device is provided, which has an H-shaped pallet changing mechanism, which can be pivoted about a y1-axis which is parallel to the y-direction, a y1-pivot drive and a lift drive (24) for displacing the pallet changing mechanism from a lower feed and removal position into a central pallet depositing position and into an upper pallet lifting out position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Wolfgang Horn, Joachim Krischke, Horst Schmauder
  • Publication number: 20110008120
    Abstract: The invention relates to a milling machine (1) for milling at least one surface (2) of a slab (3), wherein the milling machine (1) is preferably a component of a device for producing a metal strip by continuous casting, wherein the milling machine (1) comprises a machine base (4) on which a spindle holder (5) is disposed and from which a spindle holder (5) is formed, in which at least one bearing (7) holding at least one milling cutter (6) is disposed. In order to achieve improved vibration damping during the milling of hot slabs, the invention makes provision such that the machine base (4) is formed at least in sections, preferably completely, from a number of metal walls (8) which enclose a volume, the volume being filled with concrete (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Matthias Kipping, Juergen Merz, Juergen Seidel, Peter Sudau, Frank Benfer
  • 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: 7707705
    Abstract: Metallic guide elements having a functional area are made from profiled blanks by hot forming the profiled blanks and subsequently milling in a high speed milling cutter system the profiled blanks by a position-controlled milling cutter head with milling disks of a great diameter, wherein in the step of hot forming the profiled blanks are matched with regard to a cross-sectional mass distribution of the profiled blanks, respectively, to the subsequent step of milling such that by a partial cutting removal in the areas of the profiled blanks that become the functional area of the guide element narrow dimensional tolerances are produced. The material flow of the profiled blanks within the high-speed milling cutter system is controlled autonomously by an integrated stacking device that has manipulators and turning stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Hoesch Schwerter Profile GmbH
    Inventors: Lothar Pleugel, Ingo Strege, Olaf Frigge, Dietmar Bretzke
  • Publication number: 20090317204
    Abstract: An edge milling cutter assembly for cutting opposite edges of a workpiece, has a first cutting assembly; a second cutting assembly positioned a predetermined distance from the first cutting assembly; a first guide roll assembly positioned in front of the first cutting assembly; a second guide wall assembly positioned in front of the second cutting assembly; wherein the first guide roll assembly and the second guide roll assembly are movable in relation to each other in equal distances; and a mechanism which engages the first guide roll assembly and the second guide roll assembly to facilitate equal movement of each of the guide rolls in such a manner that the first and second cutting assemblies cut equal amounts of material from opposite edges of the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventor: John R. Buta
  • Patent number: 7621704
    Abstract: A machine for cutting a block of soft material has a machine frame, a table adapted to support the soft-material block adjacent the machine frame, a center support shiftable transversely on the machine frame relative to the table, and a cutting tool carried on and transversely shiftable with the center support and engageable with the block on the table for longitudinally cutting the block. A hold-down device has a hold-down frame vertically displaceable on the machine frame above the table and a plurality of longitudinally shiftable hold-down plates longitudinally shiftable on the hold-down frame and separated by longitudinally extending gaps at least one which is transversely wider than the center support. The center support projects vertically through the one gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Albrecht Baumer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rudolf Schmitt, Walter Mees, Jörg Schornstein, Jochen Weniger
  • Publication number: 20090087274
    Abstract: A milling head for a milling device, particularly a rotary milling device, wherein the milling head is capable of imparting a desired finish on a tube, preferably of a heat exchanger tube. The milling head includes one or more milling elements capable of cutting and/or removing heat dissipating elements connected to an outer surface of the tube. The heat dissipating elements are removed from the tube in a longitudinal direction along the tube length. In one embodiment, the milling head also includes a bevel milling element. Methods for milling a tube having heat dissipating elements are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: H&S Toll, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Randall Hall
  • Patent number: 7252124
    Abstract: A work feeding and conveying device for a planing machine includes a conveying unit assembled on an intermediate base of a planing machine. The conveying unit has a power source, a front shaft, a rear shaft and a conveying belt. The front shaft is secured at the front end of the intermediate base and connected with a power source for being rotated. The rear shaft is pivotally connected with the rear end of the intermediate base, able to be moved back and forth horizontally for a present distance. The conveying belt formed with a rough surface with high friction coefficient is fitted around the intermediate base and passes on the front and the rear shaft. The conveying belt can smoothly convey a work piece, and evenly apply force on its surface, able to carry out wood processing precisely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Bor-Yann Chuang
  • Patent number: 7237309
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine intended for the machining of profiled elements (10), of the type comprising a longitudinal frame (1) provided with holding dollies (11, 13) for holding the profiled element to be machined (10). This machine is characterized in that it comprises at least two holding dollies (11, 13) capable, in the machining, of securing the slide-holding of the profiled element (10), and at least one drive dolly (15, 17), in which the profiled element (10) is slide-mounted, this drive dolly (15, 17) being provided with a device for securing its temporary fixed connection to the profiled element (10) such that the relative displacement of the latter relative to the machining head (9) in the longitudinal direction (yy?) is secured, at least in part, by the displacement of this drive dolly (15, 17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Cinetic Machining
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Nicaise
  • Patent number: 7147595
    Abstract: A CNC machine tool includes a worktable supporting two workpieces and rotatable on a base so as to exchange the positions of the workpieces. A post member is fixed on the base. A first horizontal rail unit is movable vertically on the post member. A second horizontal rail unit is movable on the first horizontal rail unit along a first horizontal direction. A spindle head unit is movable on the second horizontal rail unit along a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Inventor: Hsi-Kuan Chen
  • Patent number: 7140089
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a compact, low-cost, lightweight, versatile and easy-to-operate, processor-controlled carving and multi-purpose shaping device (“PCCMPS machine”). The PCCMPS machine that represents one embodiment of the present invention is configured, in part, similarly to common, commercially available portable wood planers and ubiquitous laser and ink-jet computer printers, with work pieces fed into the PCCMPS machine in a horizontal direction. The PCCMPS machine includes a motor-powered cutting head that can power detachable bits to drill, cut, shape, and rout a work piece under processor and computer control. The cutting head may be translated, under processor control, back and forth across the surface of the work piece in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the work piece is fed into the PCCMPS machine and moved by motor-powered rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: LHR Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Scott Lovchik, James David Jochim, Dennis Girard Lawler
  • Patent number: 7127976
    Abstract: A guide comprises one or more brackets for securing the guide to a cutting tool, a horizontal support member secured to and moveable with respect to the brackets, and one or more arm assemblies secured to the horizontal support member and adapted to secure a working piece relative to the horizontal support member. With the working piece secured to the guide in this manner, the working piece may be readily advanced over a blade of the cutting tool by grasping and moving the horizontal support member relative to the brackets, thus ensuring a precise cutting of the working piece while also allowing a user to keep their hands away from the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Inventor: George Fitzsimmons
  • Patent number: 7013938
    Abstract: A drive shiftable rolling feed device includes front and rear feed rollers mounted on a support carriage of a wood planing machine for feeding a workpiece, a reduction gear train disposed to convert a primary drive of a cutter shaft into two reduction drives and coupled to two spaced-apart driven gears to deliver the two reduction drives, a clutch actuating shaft surrounded by the driven gears and having a coupling segment which is movable between first and second positions, and a clutch member disposed to couple the coupling segment to one of the driven gears when the coupling segment is in a corresponding one of the first and second positions such that the coupled driven gear can be rotated with a rotational drive that is transmitted to the feed rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Shinmax Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chin Yuan Liu
  • Patent number: 7013543
    Abstract: In a vertical machining center, a spindle head is movable in three mutually transverse axes directions relative to a workpiece and a table is arranged below. A vertical stocker is disposed in the vicinity of a machining area and stocks the bar workpiece in a vertical direction. A hand portion which grips and releases the bar workpiece is provided on the spindle head. The spindle head moves between the stocker and the table so that the hand portion transfers the bar workpiece and performs putting and removing the bar workpiece to the stocker and a chuck of the table, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Hitech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Iwabuchi, Hajime Kimura, Ryuichi Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 6843622
    Abstract: An apparatus for the automated profiling the edge of successive optical disks, and including an optical disk supply assembly for holding a supply of optical disks to be profiled, a turntable for receiving an optical disk to be profiled, and for reciprocating between an optical disk loading position and an optical disk profiling position. A clamping assembly is provided for clamping the optical disk in a stationary condition to the turntable during movement between the loading position and the profiling position. A profiling cutter profiles the edge of the optical disk into a predefined shape when the turntable is in the profiling position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Concept Design Electronics and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Eugene DeMint, Richard Lee Clark
  • Patent number: 6836941
    Abstract: A machine tool for machining rod-shaped workpieces comprises a traveling column, to which a tool spindle rotatable about a spindle axis is fastened. The tool spindle is capable of swiveling about a swivel axis. The swivel axis is arranged perpendicularly to both the spindle axis and a longitudinal axis of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Prust, Rudolf Haninger
  • Patent number: 6826821
    Abstract: An installation for machining work pieces (15) comprises at least a machine tool (36). It is provided with a supply and take-down equipment (41), which is disposed before the machine tool (36) on a side of the working area (14) that faces away from the work spindle (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Cross Hüller GmbH
    Inventors: Dietrich Geiger, Wolfgang Horn, Gerhard Stengele
  • Patent number: 6823572
    Abstract: A machine for carrying out mechanical workings preferably by showing removal includes a frame arranged for receiving a semi-worked piece having a cross section exhibiting dimensions remarkably smaller than the length of the piece measured along its own longitudinal axis. The semi-worked piece is arranged with the longitudinal axis along a working axis in a working station. A clamp is arranged at a number of cross sections of the semi-worked piece for locking the semi-worked piece in the working station. A tool is arranged for carrying out workings on faces of the semi-worked piece. A support to which the semi-worked piece is fixed by the clamp is suitable to be rotated about a service axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: EMMEGI S.A., Luxembourg, Lugano Branch
    Inventor: Marco Bellucci
  • Patent number: 6817814
    Abstract: A system and method for inscribing an item is provided. The system includes a housing having a door, an inscriber, and a support. The inscriber is disposed in the housing and is operable to inscribe the surface of an item secured in an item carrier. The support has a positioning structure that is configured to engage the item carrier and establish a reference point so that the location of the surface of the item with respect to the support is determinable. The support moves between a loading position and an inscribing position to position the item for inscribing. There is also provided a controller that governs the movements of the inscriber and includes an input device. The input device is moveable between a first position to receive characteristics about the item to be inscribed and a second position to receive a message to be inscribed on the surface of the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: The Hillman Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Mueller
  • Patent number: 6711804
    Abstract: A machine tool in which a plurality of machining positions is orbited by a work spindle unit carrying a workpiece and capable of radial displacement relative to the central axis of rotation. The work spindle unit may be one of one or more such units mounted upon a bridge element angularly displaceable about that axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: EMAG Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventor: Gerrit Eicher
  • Publication number: 20040057807
    Abstract: A machine for carrying out mechanical workings preferably by shaving removal comprises frame means (4) arranged for receiving a semi-worked piece (P) to be worked, the semi-worked piece (P) having a cross section exhibiting dimensions remarkably smaller than the length of the piece (P) measured along its own longitudinal axis, and said semi-worked piece (P) being arranged with said longitudinal axis along a working axis (Z1; Z2; Z3) in a working station, clamp means (46) arranged at a plurality of cross sections of said semi-worked piece (P) for locking said semi-worked piece (P) in said working station, tool means (29) arranged for carrying out workings on faces of said semi-worked piece (P), supporting means (16, 5) to which said semi-worked piece is fixed by said clamp means (46), said supporting means (16, 5) being suitable to be rotated about a service axis (Z).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Marco Bellucci
  • Patent number: 6647605
    Abstract: The present relates to a machine tool for machining a workpiece by moving a tool and the workpiece relative to each other and to a pallet changer thereof. The machine tool is provided with a spindle for mounting the tool thereon, a table for a pallet (P) having the workpiece mounted thereon to be placed on the table, a pallet loading station for setting up the workpiece to the pallet (P) on the pallet loading station, and a pair of pallet change arms arranged to swivel about a vertical axis between the table and the pallet loading station, one pallet change arm (37) of which is arranged to be able to move independently of the other pallet change arm (37) in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Makino Milling Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Hiramoto, Keigo Tada, Takashi Hoshi
  • Publication number: 20030172510
    Abstract: An installation for machining work pieces (15) comprises at least a machine tool (36). It is provided with a supply and take-down equipment (41), which is disposed before the machine tool (36) on a side of the working area (14) that faces away from the work spindle (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Dietrich Geiger, Wolfgang Horn, Gerald Stengele
  • Publication number: 20030050160
    Abstract: A machining apparatus has a lower housing part, an upper housing part having a lower side, and a plurality of support posts fixed to the upper and lower parts and holding the upper part fixedly at a spacing above the lower part. A tool holder displaceable parallel to a horizontal tool axis on the lower side of the upper housing part carries a chuck rotatable about the tool axis and can hold a machining tool. A supply station on the lower part offset horizontally perpendicular to the tool axis from the tool holder is can hold a plurality of the workpieces. A cross slide connected between the upper housing part and a workpiece chuck displaces the workpiece chuck in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the tool axis and in a vertical direction to displace a workpiece between the station and a position aligned on the tool axis with the tool chuck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: EMAG Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventors: Konrad Joseph Popp, Robert Merk
  • Patent number: 6487937
    Abstract: A computer-controlled band saw sharpener employing electrically powered, X and Y axis drivers, each having a reciprocating element. The X-axis driver actuates a feed finger mechanism, to index the saw in repetitive, stepped fashion, while each tooth is successively ground. In concert with the X-axis driver, the Y axis driver repetitively lowers and raises a grinding head, provided with a rotary grinding wheel. Both the X and Y axis drivers include servomotors to rotate the shaft of an elongated ball screw. A carrier box houses a non-rotatable ball screw nut. The nut travels back and forth along the ball screw shaft in accordance with its direction and extent of rotation. Drive arms for the feed finger mechanism and the grinding head mechanism are bolted at their lower ends to a threaded bushing in the nut carrier box. The computerized controller is programmable, to produce virtually any desired tooth shape in the saw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventors: Gary E. Schurb, Allen D. Degan, Andrew P. Gordon, Richard W. Mayberry
  • Publication number: 20020154962
    Abstract: The present relates to a machine tool for machining a workpiece by moving a tool and the workpiece relative to each other and to a pallet changer thereof. The machine tool is provided with a spindle for mounting the tool thereon, a table for a pallet (P) having the workpiece mounted thereon to be placed on the table, a pallet loading station for setting up the workpiece to the pallet (P) on the pallet loading station, and a pair of pallet change arms arranged to swivel about a vertical axis between the table and the pallet loading station, one pallet change arm (37) of which is arranged to be able to move independently of the other pallet change arm (37) in the vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Hiramoto, Keigo Tada, Takashi Hoshi
  • Publication number: 20020028118
    Abstract: A method for lengthening the machining travel of a machine-tool operating at a very high speed, including a tool-carrying ram mobile on three axes. The method combines with the machining movements of the tool-carrying ram along one or several axes, one or several rectilinear movements of the part to be machined by parametering and digitising the relative travels and speeds of the part to be machined with respect to the tool-carrying ram. The invention also concerns the device for implementing this method and the machine-tool using such a device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Applicant: laur
    Inventors: RAYMOND LAUR, ANDRE AZEMA
  • Publication number: 20010027152
    Abstract: The machining center has a base, a frame and at least a machine tool mounted onto the frame, at least a tool magazine associated with the machine tool for changing the tool and a workpiece gripping and supporting member. The machining center comprises a movable vertical member adapted to support from the top the workpiece gripping and supporting member. The movable vertical member is adapted to position the workpiece gripping and supporting member in a first operative position in which the workpiece is automatically loaded onto or unloaded from the workpiece gripping and supporting member of the machining center and in a second operative position in which the workpiece is machined by the machine tool of the machining center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventor: Giuseppe Bolledi
  • Patent number: 6227776
    Abstract: A machine tool in which a feed member is fed in a feeding direction relative to a fixed member wherein the feed member is guided by a linear linkage mechanism including a first arm linked to the fixed member at its one end so as to swivel about a first axis, a second arm having the same length as the first arm and being linked to the first arm at its one end so as to swivel about a second axis and also linked to the feed member at its other end so as to swivel about a third axis. A first gear is secured on the fixed member at the one end of the first arm and is coaxial with the first axis. A second gear is secured on the second arm at the other end thereof and is coaxial with the second axis. A chain is provided around the first and the second gears. The first gear has a diameter twice that of the second gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Kitamura Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Kitamura, Kousaku Kitamura, Shigeru Yamada
  • Patent number: 6082937
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a finished battery terminal suitable for a first application into a battery terminal suitable for a second application in one operation that does not require reforming of the finished battery terminals by picking the finished battery terminal suitable for a first application from a delivery rack and delivering the finished battery terminal suitable for a first application to a depth stand that includes a cutter which removes a portion of the finished battery terminal suitable for a first application while the depth stand limits the portion removed to thereby form a finished battery terminal suitable for a second application from the battery terminal suitable for a first application and then deliver the finished battery terminal suitable for a second application for shipment to a customer without requirement of further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventor: Robert W. Ratte
  • Patent number: 6080039
    Abstract: A machine tool comprising a bed, a worktable movable relative to the bed along a linear path and a tool movable to engage a workpiece on the worktable wherein drive means for effecting the movement of the worktable relative to the bed and therefore to the tool comprises a friction drive so as to provide a smooth carriage motion to the worktable. The worktable may be slidable along a slideway which defines the linear path for the worktable and the drive means therefor comprises an elongate member forming a track mounted parallel to the slideway. Wheel means frictionally engages the track and is carried by drive means therefor mounted on the worktable so that the axis of rotaion of the wheel means is fixed in relation to the worktable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Unova U.K. Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher David Bartlett, Michael Laycock, Peter Brian Leadbeater
  • Patent number: 5966798
    Abstract: A long length product is conveyed by a conveyor to a propulsion mechanism into contact therewith. The product is gripped by a first conveyor line vise and cut at its tailing end side into a specified dimension. The product is advanced by the propulsion mechanism against the conveying force of the conveyor and then gripped by the first conveyor line vise and machined. A series of these operations are iterated. Finally, the product is advanced to a second conveyor line side, where it is gripped by a second conveyor line vise and subjected to final machining with the propulsion mechanism retreated. Instead of using a process of cutting to cut the leading end side of the product to a specified dimension, the leading end side of the product may be put into contact with the stopper and fed by referencing the leading end of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Shinobu Ohnishi
    Inventors: Shinobu Ohnishi, Yasuhiro Miya
  • Patent number: 5964016
    Abstract: In the case where a product having a free-curved surface is obtained, a machining work is performed by separate machine tools. Therefore, works of attaching and removing a half-machined product are necessary. Consequently, a lot of working time and labor are required. Also in an automatic production system, productivity is lowered if the system is stopped by failure in gripping during the attaching and removing works and an enormous equipment cost is required. A machining apparatus M comprises a main chuck head 1 having a control axis for holding and rotating a long bar member W, a head stock assembly 3 having three or more control axes, and a bar member feeder 5 for feeding the long bar member W to the head stock assembly 3. These four axes are simultaneously controlled to manufacture a plurality of products V having free-curved surfaces from the long bar member W.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaru Ito, Goro Yamazaki, Toshiro Yamasaki, Masahiro Awai
  • Patent number: 5913646
    Abstract: Table extensions for use with a numerically controlled (CNC) milling machine are disclosed. A gauge table extension has a platform, and means for feeding a workpiece along the platform into the milling machine. A number of support means hold up the platform and feeding means. Lower guide rails attached to each of the support means and upper guide rails attached to the platform transverse to the lower guide rails connect to the lower guide rails through a number of dual-axis bearings that allow the platform to be translated with respect to the support means. A catch tray catches filings and coolant that result from the machining process and recycles the coolant to the CNC milling machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Precast Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael K. Kinney
  • Patent number: 5595464
    Abstract: An improved crank adapter mounts on the end of a milling machine worktable and enables the operator to adjust the worktable lateral position with a forward facing crank. This relieves the need for the operator to reach past the worktable end and manipulate a sidewards facing crank. The crank adapter mechanism includes a bevel gear mounted on the end of the worktable lead screw which engages a second bevel gear driven by a forward facing crank. The crank adapter mechanism can be mounted on either or both ends of the worktable after removal of the existing end plate or end plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Inventor: Warren H. Daniels, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5556243
    Abstract: A neck down cutter for notching parallel sides in a rectangular sample of corrugated material to be subjected to edge crush testing is disclosed. The cutter comprises a suction box formed with a recessed surface in the top thereof through which a motor driven cylindrical cutting element projects for rotary movement about a vertical axis. The recessed surface defines a slide path for a sample holder formed with a recessed positioning slot which receives the side edges of the sample material being cut. The sample holder is movable between a non-working position (out of cutting contact) into a working or cutting position with the cutting element. A supporting notch in the sample holder is itself initially formed via contact with the cutting element to accurately register and support the notch formed in the specimen during subsequent cutting. A method of cutting notches in rectangular corrugated test specimens is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Chesapeake Corporation
    Inventor: William H. Bory
  • Patent number: 5533844
    Abstract: An attachment for a work supporting table of a-metal working machine is provided which will effectively substantially enable the supporting surface to be increased to enable an existing machine to handle large work pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Inventor: Donald A. Ekleberry
  • Patent number: 5368538
    Abstract: A boring apparatus provided with feed and discharge roller conveyors for drilling holes in heavy steel structural shapes can be constructed so that at least one boring unit is transformable into a milling unit, the computer being programmed with a milling program. The mechanism for advancing the workpiece used for boring is thus used also for displacing the workpiece during milling so that milling tables upon which the workpiece must be clamped and the like need not be provided. The system also avoids the need to move the massive workpieces between boring/milling units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Carl Ullrich Peddinghaus
    Inventors: Carl U. Peddinghaus, Reiner Poting
  • Patent number: 5249896
    Abstract: A pit defining a machining cavity is positioned downstream of a loading conveyor. A workpiece such as a foam block to be machined into a lost foam pattern for use in full-mold casting is fixedly mounted on an invertable workpiece mount base that is positioned above the machining cavity. The machining cavity houses a cutting unit for cutting, from below, the foam block supported on the workpiece mount base. Chips produced when the foam block is cut by the cutting unit are discharged by a chip discharger disposed beneath the machining cavity. The machining cavity can be substantially closed by the workpiece mount base or the foam block mounted thereon. There may be employed upstream and downstream machining stations each having the machining cavity, the workpiece mount base, and the cutting unit. The workpiece mount base in the upstream machining station is vertically movable, and the upstream and downstream machining stations are interconnected by transfer units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takaoki Namba, Teruo Kamada
  • Patent number: 5084952
    Abstract: A manufacturing line along which PCB's are fed and operated on includes a processing fixture for receiving an individual board and displacing it clear of the line toward a router bit. The router bit is shiftable transverse of the line, and the processing fixture is shiftable parallel to the line and in an underlapping relation to adjacent stations so as to address the whole area of the board with the router bit without increasing the length of the manufacturing line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: Cencorp, Inc.
    Inventor: Glen M. Grabow
  • Patent number: 4679295
    Abstract: The machine tool comprises one or several modules comprising a rigid chassis formed of a lower tubular frame (11) and an upper tubular frame (12). The lower frame forms a case containing a lubricating unit and an apparatus for the removal of chips (17). The upper frame (12) has the form of a prism of which two sides (18 and 19) in the form of isoceles triangles are connected by a connecting beam (20) of square section whose faces are inclined at 45.degree. with respect to the vertical. A mobile swivel support (23) is disposed astride the connecting beam (20). This swivel support carries two machining units (24 and 25) mounted symmetrically with respect to the axis (27) of a bar of raw material. Each machining unit comprises a spindle (28) actuated by a motor (29) and a device for displacing the spindle along three axes. The swivel support (23) may be turned around on the beam (20). It may also be prepared beforehand and programmed on a module outside the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Assignee: Jean Greub S.A.
    Inventor: Angel Lopez
  • Patent number: 4312110
    Abstract: A metal-cutting machine includes a bed with slideways, a movable unit with a headstock and a drive for moving it in a horizontal plane over the bed slideways, a work table with stock guides for moving the pallets carrying the workpieces and provided with coupling members for gripping the pallets, at least one platform installed before the work table in the direction of movement of the workpieces and is provided with stock guides for the pallets. The platform and work table are arranged for movement relative to each other in a horizontal plane so that when the pallet moves to and from the working position the stock guides of the platform serve as a continuation of the stock guides of the work table. The machine also incorporates a device for gripping the pallet in order to move it over the stock guides of the platform and work table to and from the working position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1982
    Inventors: Oleg I. Averyanov, Leonid M. Kordysh