Linearly Moveable Tool Changer Patents (Class 483/26)
  • Patent number: 10504372
    Abstract: A system for detecting a load location and a dump location at a worksite is provided. The system includes a controller coupled to a position detection module and a speed detection module. The controller receives a position signal and a speed signal associated with the machine. The controller identities a load location based on a relative distance between the machine and a loading tool and the speed of the machine. The controller monitors a velocity of the machine as the machine moves away from the identified load location, gathers data related to a plurality of stops made by the machine, and builds a heuristic model. The controller selects one stop from the plurality of stops as a dump location based on a distance between the respective dump location and the load location, a duration of stopping of the machine, and a confidence score associated with the respective dump location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Sanat A. Talmaki, Jason L. Smallenberger
  • Patent number: 8814769
    Abstract: A machine tool having a turning function and a milling function includes a spindle, a spindle housing supporting the spindle in a rotatable manner, a main clamp provided at the spindle, an auxiliary clamp provided at the spindle housing, and a double arm with a first gripper and a second gripper. The auxiliary clamp clamps a tool holder together with the main clamp during fixing a fixed tool. The double arm exchanges a tool holder grasped at the first gripper for another tool holder grasped at the second gripper by rotating and sliding movements. The auxiliary clamp is arranged at a position not interfering with the double arm that moves during exchanging tool holders. By such a configuration, a machine tool achieving a clamping force sufficient to withstand the load during a turning process, and that allows tool exchange in a short period of time, and a tool holder employed in such a machine tool, can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: DMG Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Fujioka, Yohei Shinkai, Katsuhito Miyahara, Kaoru Yasumatsuya
  • Patent number: 8114000
    Abstract: A tool changing unit moves between a magazine position and a changing position to transfer a tool. A machine tool has a plurality of tool changing positions. One of the tool changing positions is selected in advance for changing the tools next time. The tool changing unit and the tool mounted on a tool spindle move to the selected changing position for changing the tools in the selected changing position. Accordingly, the tool changing unit and the tool spindle move respective short distances for changing the tools, thereby shortening the non-machining time of a machine tool combined with the automatic tool changer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yasuda, Hiroto Matsushita
  • Patent number: 5417637
    Abstract: A knife changing method is disclosed which is applicable to a veneer lathe equipped with a knife carriage to which a veneer peeling knife is clamped with its cutting edge set at a predetermined elevation relative to the knife carriage. The knife carriage is shiftable to at least one knife changing position and the lathe has formed in at least one of its side frames a knife passage adjacent the knife changing position of the carriage. In the knife changing operation, the knife carriage is firstly shifted to its knife changing position, where an old knife is released from the knife carriage by undoing knife clamps. The freed knife is laterally moved away from the veneer lathe through the knife passage in the side frame. Then, a new, or reground knife is moved laterally into the veneer lathe through the knife passage to a predetermined knife installing position on the knife carriage, where the new knife is fixed to the carriage by activating the knife clamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Meinan Machinery Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Michito Ninomiya