Indexable Patents (Class 409/221)
  • Patent number: 11103968
    Abstract: A rotary table apparatus includes: a table part having a placement surface; a support part having a guide surface facing an opposing surface which is on an opposite side of the placement surface of the table part; an air film forming part that forms an air film by supplying compressed air between the guide surface and the opposing surface; a negative pressure generating part that sucks air between the guide surface and the opposing surface; a discharge part formed with a discharge port; and an opening adjusting part that adjust the size of an opening area of the discharge port in accordance with the size of a compressed air pressure corresponding to a load applied to the table part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Tamagawa, Hisayoshi Sakai
  • Patent number: 10372103
    Abstract: A numerical controller includes: a program analyzing unit to obtain an end point position of a tool; a first angle calculating unit to calculate an inclination angle of a synthetic feeding direction that maximizes a synthetic torque, based on an upper limit movement torque of the tool in each of the two axis directions; a second angle calculating unit to calculate an inclination angle of a cutting feed direction of the tool based on a start point position and the end point position of the tool; a rotation angle calculating unit to calculate a difference between the inclination angle of the synthetic feeding direction and the inclination angle of the cutting feed direction as a rotation angle of a table; and a servo motor control unit to control rotation of the table based on the rotation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouji Sekimoto, Kazuo Sato, Hideaki Maeda
  • Patent number: 10365629
    Abstract: A numerical controller includes: a program analyzing unit to obtain a first movement end point position of the tool; a direction calculating unit to calculate a synthetic movement direction that maximizes a synthetic velocity, based on an upper limit movement velocity of the tool in each of the two axis directions; an end point position calculating unit to calculate an intersection position of a circle and the synthetic movement direction as a second movement end point position, wherein the circle has as a radius a distance from a rotation center position of the table to the first movement end point position; a rotation angle calculating unit to calculate a rotation angle of the table based on the first movement end point position and the second movement end point position; and a rotation control unit to control rotation of the table based on the rotation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouji Sekimoto, Kazuo Sato, Hideaki Maeda
  • Patent number: 10046427
    Abstract: A workpiece change for use in a machine tool that comprises a tool spindle for clamping tools for machining workpieces, comprises two wheels arranged parallel to one another and rotatable about an axis of rotation into at least two prominent angular positions. Two swivel tables for clamping workpieces are arranged between the wheels and are each mounted on the wheels to swivel about a swivel axis which runs parallel to the axis of rotation. In each prominent angular position, one of the swivel tables is located in its working position in which clamped workpieces can be machined with the tools. Both wheels are supported at their rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: CHIRON-WERKE GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Prust, Michael Eble
  • Patent number: 9669538
    Abstract: A tool table with top as a first rotating element that rotates relative to the top about its center. Within the rotating element is a secondary rotating element that rotates relative to the rotating element. A variety of tools affix or are used in used in connection with the second rotating element such that the tool can be installed above top of the table and then flipped to rotate such that the motor is below the top of the table but the blade or cutting element is above the top of the table. The tool can also slide within the secondary rotating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Inventor: Joseph Iannelli
  • Patent number: 8784021
    Abstract: A jig device holding a work piece is used with a milling machine that cuts from the work piece a prosthesis having a surface essentially free of defects. The jig device is inserted repeatedly into the machine in the same predetermined location, even upon inverting the jig device. This maintains the spatial relationship between the jig device and milling so, at start up, they are always in the same exact spatial relationship. The milling machine partially cuts through a first side of the work piece to form in the work piece a cavity having a surface part corresponding to at least a portion of the prosthesis being made. The jig device is then removed from the machine, inverted and reinserted into the machine at the same predetermined location. A support material is placed in the cavity prior to reinserting the jig device. Upon reinserting the jig device, the machine precisely cuts through an opposed side of the work piece to form within the work piece a prosthesis having a surface essentially free of defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: O'Brien Dental Lab, Inc.
    Inventors: Derrick Luksch, Christophorus Luksch
  • Patent number: 8764356
    Abstract: A dust collecting case provided on a cutting machine for cutting a target object includes an outer case member and an inner case member. The outer case member includes a bottom plate, a first side member extending from a peripheral edge of the bottom plate, and a suction port. The inner case member includes a second side member positioned inside the first side member, and an upper member provided between an upper portion of the first side member and an upper portion of the second side member such that the upper member closes from above a space surrounded by the first side member and the second side member. The second side member includes an inner peripheral surface that faces and surrounds an outer periphery of the target object. A gap is located in between an outer surface of the second side member and an inner surface of the first side member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Roland DG Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Suyama
  • Patent number: 8672819
    Abstract: In the course of a machining of a workpiece with a tool, a drive spindle with a tilt table secured thereto of a tilt device provided on a work table of a machining center is rotated by a direct drive motor to control the relative angular position between the tool and the workpiece, and within a predetermined period of time in the course of a machining, the direct drive motor is rotated at a high speed with a spindle head and the work table of the machining center kept away to rotate the drive spindle and hence, the tilt table at a high speed, so that chips and cutting lubricant can be shaken from the workpiece and the tilt table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignees: Sankei C and C Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokai Kyohan Co., Ltd., Shoho Ironworks Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Sakane, Yuko Kamata
  • Patent number: 8561284
    Abstract: A machining device has a machine head capable of displacement along at least three translation axes X, Y, Z for machining an immobile part fixed above the machining head. The machining head is maintained in a constant orientation by at least three articulated connecting rods. Two connecting rods define together with the machining head and with a first Y carriage, on which they are articulated, an deformable articulated parallelogram in the XZ plane. Another connecting rod is articulated on the machining head and on a second Y carriage and the second Y carriage is capable of displacement along Y on a second X carriage capable of displacement along X. The relative movement along X of the Y carriages results in a displacement in the Z direction. Several devices can be positioned in a plurality of tunnels, these tunnels being arranged so as to share several things.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Andre Greffioz, Michel Vives
  • Patent number: 8333536
    Abstract: A multi-spindle machining machine comprises a base including a working room to move a tool and a workpiece; a working head including a driving spindle disposed on a lower end thereof to clamp the tool; a carrier including a seat fixed on one side of the working room, a rotary shaft mounted on the seat laterally to drive the seat to rotate in an axial direction, a fixing holder connected to the rotary shaft to fix the workpiece to the fixing holder; a lateral driving device disposed on the base and located on one side of the working room in a horizontal direction to drive the working head to move in X and Y axes; a vertical driving device disposed on the base and located on another side of the working room in a lateral direction to drive the seat to move in Z axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Shenq Fang Yuan Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheng Hsiu Shih
  • Patent number: 8214985
    Abstract: A rectangular parallelepipedic (cuboidal) work is fixed by clamping the opposing two edges between clamp jaws attached to a pair of clamps. With the work fixed, at least one surface of the work is machined. Then, the position of the work is changed by rotating the clamps and the work all together around the rotating axis, and the other surface is machined. The foregoing step is repeated to machine all the six surfaces of the work, during which the work is kept fixed by clamping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Kitamura Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiro Kitamura
  • Patent number: 8087858
    Abstract: An instantly aligning collet indexer that can be instantly mounted on the standard tooling vises found on most milling machines. A constant clamping pneumatic collet closing system with the valve and manifold is built into the body. The design is compact enough to fit in any standard 6? machine tool vise and rigid enough to be useful for machining operations. The collet indexer can be used in a vertical or horizontal position in a typical mill vise of a milling machine. The device can be driven by a simple graduated hand crank or by a servo type motor controlled by various programs used in conjunction with a computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sherline Products Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph H. Martin
  • Patent number: 7625162
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machining apparatus (1) having a frame (2) for the machining of a workpiece (3) that has a tool holder (4) that is mounted such that it can be shifted in a straight line in three axial directions (x, y, z) relative to a workpiece support (5) that is mounted beneath the tool holder (4), the workpiece support (5) being designed such that it can swivel the workpiece (3) about at least one axis (A, B). For improving the applicability of the machining apparatus, this machining apparatus according to the invention is characterized by a workpiece-holding table (6) that is designed such that it bridges the workpiece support (5) and can thus be firmly attached to the frame (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: OPS-Ingersoll Funkenerosion GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Stein
  • Publication number: 20090290947
    Abstract: A rectangular parallelepipedic (cuboidal) work is fixed by clamping the opposing two edges between clamp jaws attached to a pair of clamps. With the work fixed, at least one surface of the work is machined. Then, the position of the work is changed by rotating the clamp means and the work all together around the rotating axis, and the other surface is machined. The foregoing step is repeated to machine all the six surfaces of the work, during which the work is kept fixed by clamping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: KITAMURA MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akihiro Kitamura
  • Patent number: 7556460
    Abstract: A copy milling device for the production of in particular dental workpieces, comprising a carrier plate for a model body and a shaping blank, an arm which is arranged pivotably about a horizontal axis extending substantially normal to its longitudinal direction and which has a motor-driven machining tool for cutting shaping of a workpiece from the shaping blank and a tracing device for tracing the model portion, wherein the machining tool and the tracing device are mechanically and synchronously movably connected, wherein the copy milling device comprises a suspension device for the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Inventor: Heinrich Steger
  • Patent number: 7491022
    Abstract: An inclining and rotating table apparatus is provided with a rotary table device having a driven rotating shaft driven to rotate by a first drive source, and a rotary table driven to rotate by the driven rotating shaft; a driven turning shaft for causing inclination of a table surface of the rotary table device by causing the rotary table device to turn, the driven turning shaft being driven to turn by a second drive source; and a clamping device for clamping at least one of the driven rotating shaft and the driven turning shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignees: Sanko Seisakusho Co., Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Heizaburo Kato, Koki Torimaru, Toshihiko Yokoe
  • Publication number: 20080260485
    Abstract: The present invention describes a machine to that includes a casing and a toolholder spindle. The machine tool further includes a drive mechanism that drives the toolholder spindle. The drive mechanism includes first and second drive members. The first drive member rotates the spindle about its axis. The second drive member translates the spindle and is screwed onto the spindle in such a way that the spindle advances or reverses as a function of the relative speed of rotation between the first and second drive members. The machine tool also includes a first motor and a second motor. The first motor rotates the first drive member and the second motor rotates the second drive member. The machine too further includes a control unit that controls and adjusts the speed of rotation of the first motor and the second motor independently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: Cooper Power Tools SAS
    Inventors: Jacques Jaillon, Jerome Galand
  • Patent number: 7437810
    Abstract: A pallet P is moved in a vertically held state from a pallet-mounting surface vertically formed on a table 115 of a machine tool 101 onto a pallet-mounting surface of a pallet support member 17 that is vertically formed on a pallet exchanger 11. After a turning plate 15 is turned and indexed by 180° about the vertical axis, a pallet P? is moved from the pallet support member 17 onto the table 115.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Makino Milling Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidenari Ota
  • Publication number: 20080187406
    Abstract: A machine tool, wherein the front face of a base of the machine tool is formed in a single plane and a jig for fixing a workpiece to be machined with a tool is installed extending forwardly from a vertical intermediate front part of the base that defines an area between right and left lateral end front parts of the base having the vertical overall length portions or the vertical roughly overall length portions at right and left end parts of the front face formed in the single plane is formed detachably from the other portions of the base. The jig for fixing the work machined with the tool may be installed in the state of being extended from the vertical intermediate position of the front face in a forward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventor: Hisahiro Kai
  • Patent number: 7296331
    Abstract: A method is provided for centering a workpiece on a metal shaping machine. First and second guide plates have respective first and second aligned bores therein for supporting a centering pin mounted therein for axial movement between a retracted position and a use position. At least one spring is engaged with the centering pin for exerting a predetermined axial bias against the centering pin in the direction of the workpiece for urging the centering pin into the use position. The centering pin is locked in the use position during the operation of the machine on the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Edward Mascarenas, James Henry Madge
  • Patent number: 7243407
    Abstract: A modular base plate system is for use with a CNC machine for holding workpieces during manufacturing. The system includes a “turret-style” base plate having a plurality of stations positioned around the side of the base plate. Each station comprises a U-shaped pocket machined or otherwise formed in the base plate sidewall. The base plate system further includes a number of fixture blocks that fit in the pockets, with each block having a holder for holding workpieces. In operation, workpieces are attached to the fixture blocks, the fixture blocks are inserted into the pockets, and the fixture blocks are removably secured to the base plate. Then, the base plate is affixed to a CNC machine in a standard manner, e.g., using a pallet or rotary table or the like. In this manner, machining operations can be performed on a number of parts in sequence before any part changeover is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Marox Corporation
    Inventor: Paul E. Daris
  • Patent number: 7168899
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for centering a workpiece on a machine tool that includes first and second guide plates having respective first and second aligned bores therein for supporting a centering pin mounted therein for axial movement between a retracted position and a use position. The centering pin cooperates with a workpiece such as a fan rotor blade of a turbine engine for positioning the workpiece in a predetermined position relative to a metal shaping operation to be carried out by the machine on the workpiece. At least one spring cooperates with the centering pin for exerting a predetermined axial bias for urging the centering pin into the use position. A lock locks the centering pin in the use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Edward Mascarenas, James Henry Madge
  • Patent number: 7155788
    Abstract: A C-axis driving device of a computer numerical controlled (CNC) lathing and milling machine includes a spindle, an encoder, a spindle motor, and a servo motor. The spindle has a clamping device and a transmission portion. This encoder connects with the transmission portion via an auxiliary timing belt. The spindle motor and the servo motor connect with the transmission portion via at least one driving timing belt. Only at most one of the spindle motor and the servo motor is to drive this transmission portion at any time during operation. So, it has a simple structure to achieve the clutching change function. It can save more space. And, it can significantly reduce the manufacturing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Leadjeck Automation Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Yu Chang
  • Patent number: 7150213
    Abstract: A vertical machining center with a tool slide, which can be moved in a controlled manner, and a workpiece feed on one side of a machining area is designed for automatically changing the workpiece holders with workpieces. To this end, the workpiece feed is designed for holding available and accepting workpiece holders with workpieces and is mounted so as to be in alignment with a CNC rotary table on that side of the vertical machining center, on which the respective workpiece holder is held by the CNC rotary table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Inventor: Walter Bautz
  • Patent number: 7137940
    Abstract: Machining is possible in such a manner that an optional position of a workpiece is positioned just under a tool by rotation of a turn table in a C-axis direction, movement of the turn table in a Y-axis direction, and movement of a spindle in a Z-axis direction, so that a width of a main unit in a X-axis direction can be made shorter in comparison with machining by moving the turn table in the X-axis direction. Besides, the turn table located on a front side of the main unit, an ATC located on the rear side thereof, and a separated control panel located on the rear side of the ATC, independent from the main unit can also make the width of a machining center in the X-axis direction shorter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignees: Aisin AW Co., Ltd., Yamazaki Mazak Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Taniguchi, Toshiyuki Andou, Mitsuhiro Yamada, Kazutaka Murai, Yuichiro Yoshimura, Jiro Nishida, Atsushi Kohama, Shigeto Noma, Michio Norimatsu, Seiichi Kodama, Haruhiko Koike
  • Patent number: 7111372
    Abstract: A milling machine for shaping blanks to create filter lenses for a clip-on accessory whose pair of filter lenses register with a pair of optical lenses in prescription eyeglasses when the accessory is hitched onto the frame of the eyeglasses. The frame of the eyeglasses is composed of two like half sections having a predetermined geometry, an optical lens being mounted in each half-section. The filter lenses in the accessory which are joined by a bridge piece have a geometry matching that of the half-sections of the frame whereby the appearance of the clip-on accessory is compatible with that of the eyeglasses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Opti-Clip Ltd.
    Inventors: Zvi Feldman, Eyal Peleg
  • Patent number: 7094012
    Abstract: A quick set-up tilt table for securement to a precision vise of a tool. The tilt table is made from a plate of metal with a pair of flat parallel sides with holes formed in an arc for insertion of pins. The tilt table may be placed in the precision vise with pins inserted in appropriately marked holes and resting against the top of the precision vise to provide an upper surface to which a clamping fixture may be attached at the desired angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Inventors: Charles A. Bang, George Iljin
  • Patent number: 7013544
    Abstract: An APC is provided in a five-axis controlling vertical machining center. A spindle head is movable in three mutually transverse axes directions to a workpiece. A table disposed below swings to be positioned and is directed upwardly and indexed. A pallet setup base is provided outside a machining area. A pallet change arm has pallet grip portions for gripping and releasing the pallets. The arm makes a swivel motion and makes an ascending and descending motion. Thus, the pallet is transferred between the table and the pallet setup base and is received and discharged to the table and the pallet setup base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Hitech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yasuda, Tomoaki Ishida
  • Patent number: 6983527
    Abstract: Gripping unit for automated machining of parts and device and process integrating such a unit. The gripping unit comprises a pallet (16) that supports gripping systems (18) through orientation systems (22). The pallet (16) also supports at least one control box (28) capable of activating orientation systems (22), and possibly gripping systems (18) to modify the position or orientation of the block of material to be machined when the gripping unit is placed in a machine tool (12). The control system (28) takes actions in response to orders issued by the control system (40) of the machine tool (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Airbus France
    Inventor: Hervé Lanvin
  • Patent number: 6938312
    Abstract: A work pallet that is arranged to be simple in construction capable of machining five faces of a work by rotating it around the axis of rotation. A work pallet (4) comprises a base body (5) detachably fixed to the table (3) of a machine-tool (1), a pallet main body (6) fixed on the top face of this base body (5), and a work setting face forming body (7), provided on this pallet main body (6) in a way to turn around the rotational axis (20) and having a work setting face (21a) for fixing a work (2), and the pallet main body (6) is provided with a clamping mechanism (31) for releasably fixing the work setting face forming body (7), and a rotational driving mechanism (32) for rotationally driving the work setting face forming body (7) around the rotational axis (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Pascal Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Ichiro Kitaura
  • Patent number: 6908266
    Abstract: An apparatus for making microlens molds and microlens array molds is described which utilizes a forming element having a rotating half radius diamond cutting member. A substrate is alignably arranged with the diamond cutting member so that the cutting member can mill a mold cavity in the substrate. The apparatus can be used to make high sag lens molds with high accuracy and a nearly 100% fill factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: John Border, Robert Dambrauskas, Craig A. Sadlik
  • Patent number: 6904652
    Abstract: A universal machine tool having a workpiece slide movable on a machine bed by means of a motor for the workpieces to be machined and a machining unit which is movable about a plurality of axes by means of a motor. The machining unit includes a motor-driven work spindle for receiving the machining tools. To enable turning operations in addition to milling and drilling operations with high cutting performance in a single clamping position, according to the present invention, the workpiece slide is provided with at least one rotatable workpiece accommodation and an associated rotary drive means. The rotary drive means can drive the workpiece accommodation for carrying out turning operations on the workpiece to be machined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Deckel Maho GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Geissler, Reinhold Seitz
  • Patent number: 6886225
    Abstract: A worktable for numerical control machines, having a supporting structure hinged to the frame of the machine tool, and a faceplate fitted for rotation to the supporting structure to rotate, on command, about a first reference axis; the worktable having a first drive unit specially designed, on command, to rotate, and maintain rotation of, the faceplate at high speed about the first axis, and a second drive unit specially designed to vary, as required, the angular position of the faceplate about the first axis and with respect to a predetermined angular reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: O.M.V. Officine Meccaniche Venete S.r.l.
    Inventor: Franco Pasquetto
  • 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: 6772493
    Abstract: A workpiece changing system capable of automatically changing a heavy workpiece using a robot. A jig for attaching a workpiece thereto is mounted on a jig mounting device. The jig mounting device comprises a jig mounting unit having a rotary member and a swing member. The rotary member rotates the jig and the workpiece on the jig and hold them at a desired rotary position. The tilting member swings around an axis to tilt the jig and the workpiece on the jig and hold them at a desired tilting position. As the jig and the workpiece on the jig can take a suitable orientation or posture for being handled by the handling robot, the handling robot can hold a heavy workpiece without exerting excessive load on the robot wrist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Koji Yamanashi, Takashi Fujii
  • Publication number: 20040120782
    Abstract: The present invention provides a remote controlled machine axis (or indexer) system that comprises a horizontal base plate, a first vertical plate, and a second vertical plate, wherein the first vertical plate and the second vertical plate are coupled to the horizontal base plate. The system further comprises a first arbor coupled to the first vertical plate, a second arbor coupled to the second vertical plate, a bearing positioned through the first vertical plate and the first arbor, a rotatable base plate coupled to the first arbor and to the second arbor, and a vice coupled to the rotatable base plate. The system also comprises a wireless transceiver coupled to the horizontal base plate, a servomotor coupled to the wireless transceiver and to the horizontal base plate, an integrated power source coupled to the servomotor, to the wireless transceiver, and to the horizontal base plate, and a reducer coupled to the integrated servomotor and to the second vertical plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Eric L. Gunstone
  • Patent number: 6719502
    Abstract: A drill press is provided that is specially adapted for drilling openings into a cylindrical block. The cylindrical block is placed on an indexing plate that is circular and capable of rotational movement on the drill press table around the center axis of the cylindrical block and indexing plate. An indexing plate support is used to help precisely rotate the indexing plate. The drill press can drill a plurality of openings through the cylindrical block at the same radial distance from the center axis of the block without need to move the drill spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: AMSTED Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Sieradzki
  • Publication number: 20040047701
    Abstract: A CNC machine tool includes a worktable disposed movably on a machine bed and having a fixed first engaging element, a working disk mounted rotatably on the worktable for holding a workpiece to be cut, and a rotating unit with a rotating shaft journalled on the worktable. A second engaging element is fixed to the working disk. The working disk is rotated mechanically by a preset angle by the rotating unit per one-revolution rotation of the rotating shaft on the worktable. When the rotating unit does not rotate the working disk during rotation of the rotating unit, it activates the first and second engaging elements to engage each other so as to fix the working disk relative to the worktable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Hsi-Kuan Chen
  • Publication number: 20030182782
    Abstract: A machining system has a frame defining at least one work station, a guide extending in a first direction on the frame, first and second slides movable independently of each other on the guide, and a support having a pair of sides. Respective first and second main links each have one end pivoted on the support at a respective one of the sides and an opposite end pivoted on a respective one of the slides. A machining unit is carried on the support. Actuators connected to the slides can independently move them and thereby pivot the support and unit about an axis perpendicular to the guide and move the support and unit parallel and transverse to the guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: EMAG Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Hessbruggen, Jurgen Walz, Christoph Wernz, Hans Georg Boehringer
  • Patent number: 6619895
    Abstract: The invention relates to a workpiece support assembly including an indexing unit adapted for the automated adjustment of a workpiece being machined. The assembly includes a central support column having at least one indexing unit secured thereto. The indexing unit includes a base member integrated with the central support column, a main body to which a workpiece may be selectively secured and a locking assembly permitting the selective locking and rotation of the main body relative to the base member. The main body is mounted on the base member for selective rotation required to rotate a workpiece as mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: David L. Durfee, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6604896
    Abstract: Devices adapted to position exactly a workpiece and a machine tool for machining the workpiece to create a shaped article that conforms to a specification therefor. The device for positioning the workpiece includes a rotary table in which the workpiece is held so that it can be machined in the round by the tool. The table is turned by a slider that is driven by a stepping motor and is reciprocated by a pair of drums which are linked by flexible metal bands to opposite ends of the slider. When the motor causes the drums to rotate clockwise, the slider is then pulled in one direction by the bands, and when the drums are caused to rotate counterclockwise, the slider then advances in a reverse direction. A similar device serves to exactly position the machine tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Opti-Clip International LLC
    Inventors: Zvi Feldman, Yehuda Avikazar
  • Patent number: 6557860
    Abstract: Each of a plurality of passages in a fixture has a piston movable therein and cooperating with a collet therein to simultaneously move each collet to its workpiece retaining position and to release each collet from its workpiece retaining position. A recess in the bottom of the fixture supports a locking nut for each passage. Each locking nut has a circular passage extending therethrough to receive an end of the collet having threads on its outer surface. The circular passage has threads of the same pitch but the threads have an interrupted portion in the circumferential and axial directions. The locking nut has a first portion movable relative to a second portion to take up the pitch clearance in the threads on the collet due to the interrupted portion of threads in the circular passage to prevent rotation of the collet prior to the piston moving the collet to its workpiece retaining position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Lexair, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford W. Allen, III, Theodore P. O'Canna, Marshall B. Reynolds, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6502835
    Abstract: A work piece holder with clamping and rotation mechanisms in a support. A holder or brake exists next to a collet and sleeve assembly to restrain the assembly from rotating. Hydraulic pumps and connections operate on the mechanisms for the clamping and rotating actions. An electronic controller is connected with the mechanisms and operates the system in a sequence for selective machining on the work pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Beere Tool Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Clair L. Tiede
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6415204
    Abstract: A robots (210A, 210B), which is fixed onto a base (20, 20B) having a rectangular shape, has a mechanical hand (211A, 211B). A plurality of robot tools, each of which is freely attached to the tip of the mechanical hand (211A, 211B) for pinching a part, and a plurality of trays (6) each containing assembling jigs to be used for assembling parts, are brought in a movable range (RA, RB) of the robot, and the assembling tools are set at a predetermined position within the movable range (RA, RB). Then, an assembling job for the parts is carried out by using the assembling tools thus set. With this arrangement, the exchanging processes of the assembling tools can be carried out without depending on the human hands, even when the type of the assembly product is changed. Consequently, it becomes possible to efficiently carry out the manufacturing process of a small number of many types of products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Idec Izumi Corporation
    Inventors: Michio Hirabayashi, Katsuhisa Ida, Nobuo Higuchi, Yoshihito Sugano, Yoshihiko Nakanishi, Hiromi Kitaura, Kenichi Kuruma, Hiroyuki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6328508
    Abstract: An indexing device and method is provided to selectively orient work pieces at predetermined angular positions and hold the work pieces at those positions. The indexing device has a rotary member rotatably coupled to a support and a trigger pivotally coupled to the support. The rotary member holds a fixture and has a plurality of index pins extending from the rotary member at equally spaced about the axis of rotation. The trigger operates a stop assembly to engage holes in the rotary member to position the working holding fixture at the desired position. The indexing device is constructed such that the trigger and one of the index pins can be simultaneously contacted by a control member. The trigger includes an elongated contact surface along which the control member translates to contact the index pins and rotate the rotary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Arnold R. Jines
  • Patent number: 6203255
    Abstract: A router guide apparatus for use in forming rosette designs in a work piece includes a frame having a work surface with a wheel rotatably mounted upon the work surface. The wheel has a plurality of position stops. The rosette design can be formed in a synthetic material (eg. Corian®) and filled with a filler or glue or settable material of a different color to form an inlaid design. The frame includes an adjustable guide for holding and a tracking a router with a cutting blade. The frame includes stops for limiting movement of the router during use. The guide and stops are configured to enable the cutting blade to cut two petals of a rosette design in a single pass. Inserts (fence blocks and/or router filler blocks) can be added to vary the position tracked by the router. The wheel is affixable into multiple angular positions relative to the guide so that multiple cuts can be made at different angular orientations relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Southern Quality Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: Dwayne J. Broussard
  • Patent number: 6094793
    Abstract: An intelligent fixture system has the ability to clamp and machine a family of nonidentical parts without requiring the use of separate dedicated fixtures for each part. A first part sensing system identifies a part to be machined and configures the clamps on a fixture in accordance with the size and shape of the part. A second part sensing system determines the exact location of the part after it has been clamped into the fixture and develops error signals representative of position and orientation of the actual position of the clamped part relative to the intended position and orientation of the clamped part. X, Y, and Z position errors signals and roll error signals of the clamped part are provided as offsets to the machine tools which will machine the part in order to compensate for the errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: UNOVA IP Corp.
    Inventor: Philip S. Szuba
  • Patent number: 6070496
    Abstract: A chuck (25) for chucking a journal (271) of a crankshaft (27) is attached to the distal end of a main spindle (22) rotated by a drive motor. A phasing rotary shaft (53) is connected to the chuck (25) to rotate about an axis offset from the axis of the main spindle (22). The chuck (25) is provided with a coupling (63) that releasably connects the phasing rotary shaft (53) and the chuck (25). Further, a locking mechanism for locking the phasing rotary shaft (53) is provided. The coupling (63) has a pair of coupling plates (64 and 65) that can be moved closer to and farther from each other. Opposing faces of these coupling plates (64 and 65) have teeth (641 and 651), which are meshed when the coupling plates (64 and 65) are brought close to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Nippei Toyama Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Uchida, Yukio Kokaji
  • Patent number: 6003571
    Abstract: A router guide apparatus for use in forming rosette designs in a work piece includes a frame having a work surface with a wheel rotatably mounted upon the work surface. The wheel has a plurality of position stops. The frame includes an adjustable guide for holding and a tracking a router with a cutting blade. The frame includes stops for limiting movement of the router during use. The guide and stops are configured to enable the cutting blade to cut two petals of a rosette design in a single pass. The wheel is affixable into multiple angular positions relative to the guide so that multiple cuts can be made at different angular orientations relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventor: Dwayne J. Broussard