Abstract: A workcenter (10) comprises its supports (14a,b,c) which each carry a carriage (24a,b,c) movable along the supports by motors (30a,b,c) under central computer control (41). Each support is an aluminium extruded U-shaped section having four tracks (28) comprising steel strips (27) in slots (29). The carriage is likewise extruded having undercut slots (83) receiving the heads (92) of axles (90) which have eccentric stubs (96) on which bearing wheels (26) are journalled. Four wheels are so-mounted at each end of the carriage. The workcenter is adaptable between different modes of operation; overhang or cantilever by virtue of the profile of the supports.

Abstract: Positioning apparatus for multiple-spindle machining, comprising: (a) a plurality of upstanding columns rigidly interconnected to a common platform and aligned parallel to each other and perpendicular to the platform within an accuracy of .+-.0.0005 inches; (b) rail means extending between each of the columns along the periphery defined by the footprint of the columns for providing movable support and having bearing means on the columns providing for movement of each rail means along the Y-axis; (c) other movement means slidable on each of the rail means along at least another axis of movement; (d) linear motor means for selectively moving the rail means and other movement means along said respective Y and another axis at peak accelerations or decelerations of about 1-2 G's; and (d) spindle means on each ram having a spindle rotationally driven about an S-axis thereof.

Abstract: The generally vertical, rectangular base frame (10) of the machine surrounds a support grate (14) with attachment members for the flat work pieces (8). A carrier (40) is moveable along two oppositely disposed frame sides (12) over the support grate, and a carriage (45) is moveable on the carrier (40), the carriage (45) carrying a work mechanism (50) equipped with at least one work tool spindle with its work tool axis directed toward the support grate (14). Feeding or positioning of the work mechanism (50) is accomplished by means of fixed and non-rotatably attached finely threaded feed spindles and associated rotatably drivable spindle nuts. The spindle nuts are each part of an associated feed device with a numerically controlled feed motor. Each of the feed spindles is attached to an associated one of the two frame sides (12) and the associated feed device is connected with one end of the carrier (40) through a bracket (42), the involved feed motors being synchronously controlled.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in a tilting mechanism for a saddle swivel head for a double housing type machine tool. The saddle swivel head 13 is provided at the sides thereof in the tilting direction with hydraulic cylinders 18R, 18L, to which is connected a hydraulic piping system 19 for giving swivel balancing pressures and back pressures when the swivel head 13 is tilted by a predetermined angle by a tilting driving mechanism. The saddle swivel head 13 is tilted while providing swivel balancing pressures to the hydraulic cylinders 18R, 18L, and after tilting the head by the predetermined angle, back pressures are applied to the hydraulic cylinders 18R, 18L to compensate for a tilting moment of the saddle swivel head 13.

Abstract: A machine tool has a work table movable in a first direction on a frame. Operating units such as drills fitted with rotating tools are mounted on the frame in a manner movable in a direction perpendicular to the said first direction. Means are provided to ensure individual mobility of the operating units namely individual motors incorporated within their casings. The invention is useful in the machining of printed circuits especially by drilling and shaping.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning tooling (16, 16) with respect to an arc-shaped workpiece assembly (12) spaced radially away from a centerline (14). The apparatus includes axially spaced apart support arm assemblies (40, 42) which are swingable about the centerline. Each support arm is provided with a fixed portion (72) and a radially inwardly and outwardly movable portion (70), the movable portions of both arm assemblies being simultaneously movable under the control of a CNC controller (58). The ends of inner and outer beams (36, 38) are supported by the radially movable portion (70). Supported upon each of the inner and outer beams is a carriage assembly (32, 34) movable along the beam (36, 38). A head (28, 30) is supported upon each of the carriages, each head having a relatively stationary half (124) and a shiftable half (122), the shiftable half being mounted upon a track carried by the stationary half to provide for movement about a center point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cutting mat board, and more specifically for cutting apertures including non-linear boundaries in mat board. The preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention includes an automatically controlled rotating cutting tool, preferably with a V-bit for cutting apertures having bevelled boundaries according to a predetermined pattern. The preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention includes stacking first and second mat boards and cutting through said first board into said second, removing said first board into said second, removing said first board, and cutting the same aperture in the same location in said second mat board which has been stacked on a third, uncut mat board.

Abstract: A machining device includes a toolholder (24) displaceable in three coordinates (X, Y, Z) perpendicular with respect to one another by means of three linear guides (23, 15, 28) and associated drives (25, 19, 30) on a frame of the device. The device is characterized in that the frame (1, 8) of the device is of an essentially U-shaped configuration and that the toolholder (24), retained in a shape-mating fashion, is displaceable on a carriage (23) extending transversely to the legs (1a, 8a; 1b, 8b) in the first coordinate direction (X) and the third coordinate direction (Z). This carriage, retained in a shape-mating fashion with its ends (22) on the legs (1a, 8a; 1b, 8b) of the frame, is displaceable along the legs in the second coordinate direction (Y). Preferably, the frame of the device consists of a U-shaped supporting stand (1) and of a rotary stand (8) having a U-shape and being swivelable thereon, the toolholder (24) being displaceable on the rotary stand in the three coordinate directions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine tool for multiple surface machining having a work supporting device provided on a base and having a work supporting portion which is freely rotatable and freely adjustable in a vertical position, a slide base freely adjustably movable on the base in a horizontal direction toward and away from the work supporting device, a tool supporting table provided on the slide base, the tool supporting table being freely adjustably movable in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the direction of movement of the slide base, a vertical machining device mounted on the tool supporting table to perform machining from the upper direction on a workpiece that is supported by the work supporting portion, and a plurality of horizontal machining devices mounted on the tool supporting table to perform machining on the workpiece from the horizontal direction.

Abstract: A machine tool is equipped with a fully articulatable crossbeam arranged between a pair of vertical columns. The crossbeam carries a tool carriage or saddle which is provided with a driven cutting tool element. The cutting tool element engages a workpiece clamped on a table between the columns and below the crossbeam. The crossbeam may articulate in mutually perpendicular planes, independently thereof. With this feature, the machine tool is flexible and versatile and may be used by semi-skilled operators with a minimum of training to perform a series of intricate operations easily and conveniently.

Abstract: The universal machine-tool for carrying machining operations comprises, mounted between two uprights, a cradle pivoting about an axis and carrying the table, susceptible of being rotatingly driven whereas a general slider enables to bring closer to the part carried by the table on one hand a milling head movable according to three axes and on the other hand a drum carrier movable according to two axes, the machine enabling to carry out milling, turning and boring operations.

Abstract: A structural component having a twisted profile or cross-section, such as a arge scale wing for a windmill or for a helicopter, has an upper portion and a lower portion intimately bonded to each other along an interface formed by two separation surfaces. A longitudinal axis extends in said interface. The interface is defined by simultaneously twisting or rotating and longitudinally moving a polygonal line (PZ) relative to the longitudinal axis while a central portion of the polygonal line extends perpendicularly to the central axis. The machine tool for machining the separation surfaces has a tool carrier (14), and a carrier support (20) for holding the tool carrier (14) in such a manner that the tool carrier is tiltable about the longitudinal axis of the interface. Simultaneously the carrier support is movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis (A).

Abstract: A mechanical tool manipulating method and apparatus including apparatus and process for splitting axes of drive, wherein the drive means include preloaded lead screw nuts for minimal backlash, and "v" wheels and cylindrical slides for lineal tracking, as well as apparatus and process for precision clamping of the workpiece, and for recirculating exhaust air for clearing debris.

Abstract: The workpiece supporting bed of the present machine is provided with a ballast filled frame structure therebelow for forming a solid unitary support structure to dampen operational vibrations normally transmitted to the bed. A gantry extends above and across the workpiece supporting bed and includes a cast main beam formed of lightweight material to facilitate rapid movement, particularly rapid acceleration and deceleration during forward and rearward movement of the gantry. Integrally cast longitudinally and laterally extending ribs are provided on the main beam to provide additional stiffness and rigidity thereto. A single drive motor is provided to drive opposed sides of the gantry simultaneously and in accurate alignment with each other. A rearwardly extending housing is attached to the main frame and is filled with a lightweight plastic material for adding further rigidity and stiffness to the gantry, without substantially increasing the weight thereof.

Abstract: A tool for grinding irregular surfaces such as transition welds includes a base adapted to rest on the surface of the workpiece, a track on the base and a carriage which moves longitudinally of the weld with one end on the track and the other end of the carriage having a roll which contacts the top of the workpiece. A trolley is supported on the carriage for transverse movement and carries a grinding wheel and its motor. Guide tracks on the carriage cause the grindling wheel to move in a non-linear path. The base is placed in position and the grinding wheel is reciprocated transversely as the carriage reciprocates longitudinally. If the weld is longer than the carriage movement, the base is moved after the grinding is finished at the first position to a second position adjacent thereto and the operation is repeated until the weld is completely ground as desired.

Abstract: In a numerically controlled, gantry-type routing machine, a workpiece pressure-foot assembly is disposed crosswise over an elongate workpiece supporting bed for providing an effective hold-down force for stacked workpiece sheets. The hold-down force is applied to the workpiece stack at locations adjacent a router tool that is held and turned by a motor driven spindle assembly movably mounted on a gantry for orthogonally related lengthwise and crosswise movements with respect to the bed and workpiece. The pressure-foot assembly includes a pair of spaced parallel rails, pivotally supported about axes parallel to the rails, and a plurality of pressure-bearing rollers mounted on axes directly underlying each of the rails for supporting the rails, and accommodating travel of the assembly over the upper surface of the workpiece. The pair of rails and supporting rollers are arranged crosswise of the bed, paralleling the gantry, and underlying the spindle assembly.

Abstract: A machine for cutting a profile into the respective ends of a flat rectangular piece of rubberized material having a clamping table with an overhead reciprocating carriage that has a rotating profile cutter that cuts an interlocking profile at a single pass into such material.