Indexing Matrix Patents (Class 483/66)
  • Patent number: 11759900
    Abstract: A machining apparatus includes: a shuttle unit (3) that holds a differential case (10) and rotates the differential case (10); a pair of opposed right and left machining units (4); and a tool support (6) that supports a tool (40) for machining the differential case (10), in which the pair of right and left machining units (4) each include a slide mechanism dedicated for uniaxial sliding in right and left directions, the shuttle unit (3) is movable in up and down directions and front and back directions, a tool attached to each of the pair of right and left machining units (4) enables machining an end portion of an inner surface of the differential case (10) and a flange hole of the differential case (10), the end portion surrounding a through hole, and a cutting edge of the tool (40) supported by the tool support (6) enables spherically cutting the inner surface of the differential case (10) held and rotated by the shuttle unit (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: HARU TECHNIQUE LABORATORY INC.
    Inventor: Haruo Mandai
  • Patent number: 11541495
    Abstract: A drum-type tool magazine adaptive to a multi-axis machining center allows the machining center to use spindles to directly take and replace tool holders that hold machining tools. The drum-type tool magazine includes a driving member, a drum, and plural tool clamps. The drum is centrally provided with a rotating shaft and peripherally provided with plural separated mounts that are arranged circularly. The driving member drives the drum to rotate. Plural tool clamps are arranged abreast on each of the mount. Every tool clamp of the same mount has a tool-clamping jaw parallel to a tangential direction at a periphery of the drum and communicated with the tool clamp so that the machining tool when clamped is laid horizontal and located close to the periphery of the drum. This allows the volume of the tool magazine to be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: CHEN SOUND INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ying Sun
  • Patent number: 11440150
    Abstract: A tool holder locking device has a base, a horizontal support mounted on the base to hold a first tool holder, and a vertical support mounted on the base to vertically hold a second tool holder. The horizontal support has a supporting block having a holding cavity and an engaging rib radially protruding from the holding cavity to engage with a gripper groove of the first tool holder, a first positioning member fixed on the supporting block to engage with a positioning notch of the first tool holder, and a second member fixed on the supporting block to engage with an orientation notch of the first tool holder. The vertical support has a supporting sleeve and a positioning block mounted on a bottom of the supporting sleeve and extending along a radial direction of the supporting sleeve to engage with two driving grooves of the second tool holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: SHIN-YAIN INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Pen Hung Chen
  • Patent number: 9120157
    Abstract: It is intended to provide an NC lathe which can increase the number of tools to be exchanged. A turret 1 and an additional turret 2 are combined with each other. The turret 1 has a plurality of mounting positions. The additional turret 2 is supported at one of the mounting positions. The additional turret 2 has a plurality of additional mounting positions. Tools 4 are mounted at the additional mounting positions, a work 4 being held by the chuck 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: KAWATA CHUCK MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Kawata
  • Patent number: 8951176
    Abstract: A tool changing device for a cutting head of a machine for cutting flat glass sheets, the tool changing device comprising: a bridge; a carriage for supporting the cutting head, the carriage being slidingly attached to the bridge for translation along the bridge; an electric motor that provides for translational motion of the carriage with respect to the bridge; and a tool supporting slider, which is configured to support a plurality of tools such that the tools can be automatically exchanged between the tool supporting slider and the cutting head, the tool supporting slider coupled, by way of reversible fixing elements to the cutting head supporting carriage during work by the cutting head, and wherein the tool supporting slider is uncoupled from the cutting head supporting carriage during tool changing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Newtech-Engineering S.r.l.
    Inventor: Silvano Sgarabottolo
  • Patent number: 8821083
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine tool (1), comprising a plurality of fixed tool spindles (3) and such that can optionally be displaced from a retracted idle position to an extended working position and can be positioned at different positions in a frame-like rack (2), and a workpiece carrier (4) with at least one workpiece holder (5), with the workpiece (4) carrier being movable at least in several axes in a translational manner and preferably also in a rotational manner. In order to provide advantageous constructional conditions it is proposed that at least one of the tool spindles (3) is associated with a tool magazine (7) plus tool changer (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Anger Machining GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Haas, Klaus Dirnberger
  • Publication number: 20140100094
    Abstract: A tool magazine that can make a long tool reasonably coexist with other tools and a machining center with the tool magazine are provided. The tool magazine has a rotatable magazine main body and plural of tool holders installed on the magazine main body. Each of the tool holders moves to a tool exchange position sequentially. A part or all of the tool holders has a capability of changing between an exchange posture that holds the tool in parallel to a rotation shaft of the magazine main body and a transport posture that holds the tool along with a plane perpendicular to the rotation shaft of the magazine main body. The tool holder capable of changing postures takes the exchange posture when it locates in the tool exchange position and takes the transport posture when it leave the exchange position. The machining center has the above tool magazine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Komatsu NTC Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi HAYASHI, Fumihiro KAMIKONYA, Yasuo HASEGAWA
  • Patent number: 8439811
    Abstract: A mechanical device is used for mounting and/or dismounting a laser nozzle on and/or from a nozzle mount of a laser processing machine for processing workpieces, especially metal sheets. The mechanical device includes a nozzle magazine having a nozzle holder support on which a nozzle holder for a laser nozzle is supported. In addition, the mechanical device has a support positioning drive by means of which the nozzle holder support is positionable together with the nozzle holder in a support positioning direction. A lifting device of the mechanical device serves to position the nozzle holder, when positioned in the support positioning direction in a lifting stand-by position, relative to the nozzle holder support in a positioning lifting direction extending perpendicular to the support positioning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: TRUMPF Maschinen AG
    Inventors: Werner Erlenmaier, Frank Schmauder, Armin Felber, Reto Gedeon
  • Publication number: 20130085051
    Abstract: A cutter-changing device includes a cutter-magazine carrying cutters, a rotary telescopic cylinder, and a clamping sub-assembly. The clamping sub-assembly includes a cutter-changing arm, and a pair of clamping assemblies. The rotary telescopic cylinder drives the cutter-changing arm to rotate, extend and retract. Each clamping assembly includes a mounting member, an elastic member, a piston, and at least one resisting member. The mounting member is mounted on the cutter-changing arm, and defines at least one mounting hole through the sidewall thereof. The elastic member and the piston are sleeved with the mounting member, and the two opposite ends of the elastic member press against the piston and the mounting member. The resisting member is mounted between the elastic member and the mounting member, and capable of being resisted by the piston to be partially exposed from the mounting hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: XIAN-CAI ZENG, DONG-CHENG LIU, CHIN-TSAN HUANG
  • Publication number: 20130085049
    Abstract: A cutter switching system includes a supporting platform, a cutter magazine mounted on the supporting platform, and a sensing assembly mounted on the cutter magazine. The cutter magazine includes a cutter storing frame and a driving assembly. The cutter storing frame includes a cylindrical main body, and a plurality of cutters mounted all around the main body. The driving assembly includes a cam indexer engaging with the cutter storing frame for rotating the cutter storing frame. The sensing assembly is mounted on the cam indexer, and the sensor senses the rotation of the cam indexer to establish the static position and the rotation required of the cutter magazine. The present disclosure further provides a machine tool using the cutter switching system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD .
    Inventors: XIAN-CAI ZENG, DONG-CHENG LIU, CHIN-TSAN HUANG
  • Patent number: 8366593
    Abstract: A laser processing machine for processing workpieces, in particular, metal sheets, has a laser processing head having a nozzle receiving member for a laser nozzle and a workpiece support for workpieces that are intended to be processed and/or for processed workpieces. The workpiece support forms a workpiece support plane. A nozzle changing device is arranged at the lower side of the workpiece support plane remote from the laser processing head. In order to change a nozzle, a laser nozzle can be transferred between a nozzle magazine of the nozzle changing device and the nozzle receiving member of the laser processing head and can be assembled on or disassembled from the nozzle receiving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Frank Schmauder
  • Publication number: 20120220437
    Abstract: A tool magazine that can make a long tool reasonably coexist with other tools and a machining center with the tool magazine are provided. The tool magazine has a rotatable magazine main body and plural of tool holders installed on the magazine main body. Each of the tool holders moves to a tool exchange position sequentially. A part or all of the tool holders has a capability of changing between an exchange posture that holds the tool in parallel to a rotation shaft of the magazine main body and a transport posture that holds the tool along with a plane perpendicular to the rotation shaft of the magazine main body. The tool holder capable of changing postures takes the exchange posture when it locates in the tool exchange position and takes the transport posture when it leave the exchange position. The machining center has the above tool magazine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Junichi Hayashi, Fumihiro Kamikonya, Yasuo Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8167781
    Abstract: A multi-spindle head exchangeable machine tool is provided with a plurality of multi spindle heads movably mounted on an annular rail. When a workpiece is machined by driving a rotary tool by a machining unit, multi spindle heads of the plurality of multi spindle heads being out of use can be separated from the machining unit. Further, a connecting device is provided with an inner slider, ball bearings fitted to an outer periphery of the inner slider, an outer slider, and a coil spring to press the outer slider toward a stopper member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoki Uchikawa, Tomoyoshi Miyagi, Norifumi Hirao, Kaname Goto, Takayuki Motojima
  • Publication number: 20100210433
    Abstract: In order to improve a tool changing device for machine tools which have at least one tool carrier, comprising a tool magazine with a storage element which has a plurality of storage receptacles and can be moved for transferring the storage receptacles into at least one tool exchanging position, and with at least one first operating device, with which a tool can be transferred between the tool exchanging position and a tool changing position, defined by a tool receptacle of the at least one tool carrier located in a tool changing position, in such a manner that it is mounted efficiently on the machine tool it is suggested that the tool magazine and the first operating device be arranged on the machine tool so as to cooperate operatively and that the tool changing device be mounted on a machine frame of the machine tool as a unit essentially only with alignment of the tool changing device relative to the at least one in the tool changing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Index-Werke GmbH & Co. KG Hahn & Tessky
    Inventor: Walter Grossmann
  • Patent number: 7520847
    Abstract: A tool magazine of an automatic tool changer applicable to a machine tool, comprises a magazine body and a plurality of tool holders each being slidably attached to the magazine body and holding a tool head. The tool magazine is characterized by that the tool magazine includes a tool-delivering mechanism for delivering the tool holder that holds the tool to a predetermined position away from the magazine body and disengaging the tool from the tool holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Campro Precision Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Chung Wu, Yueh-Hsia Li
  • Patent number: 7497817
    Abstract: An improved milling machine makes use of individually controlled x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis carriages. These carriages provide positive and precise control of the position of the cutting tools and the blank to be cut. The tools are located in spindles that are moved in the x-axis. A work piece or blank is manipulated in the y-axis and the z-axis. The tools are offset in the x-axis. Lights on a work space door are used to signal the condition of the mill machine and the milling operation. A tool changer allows the tools to be changed to accommodate other materials. A camera or other sensor is used to detect the location and wear on the tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: D4D Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark S. Quadling, Henley S. Quadling, Rod Duncan
  • Patent number: 7445587
    Abstract: An automatic tool changing method and an automatic tool changing device for a machine tool with a numerical controller capable of reducing the occurrence of impact due to tool exchange with a simple structure. A turret that rotates about a pivot shaft is provided on an arm and holds multiple tools. A swing cam CS that cooperates with a swing roller provided on the turret is provided on a spindle head. As the spindle head descends the turret rotates due to the action of the swing roller and the cam CS and exchanges tools. In order to lessen the impact that occurs at this time, the velocity of the spindle head is controlled. The ideal swing velocity pattern for the turret is obtained, and from this swing velocity pattern the swing position of the turret at each moment is obtained. From the swing roller and cam CS positions at this position the position of the spindle head 34 is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Kunio Kojima, Akihiko Fujimoto, Takeru Komiya
  • Patent number: 7419461
    Abstract: A machine tool is provided with at least one tool spindle which is travelling in a work space (11) and on which a tool receptacle for clamping tools is provided. The machine tool also contains a magazine for tools which can be introduced into the tool receptacle in the tool spindle, the magazine having a transport chain which can be moved back and forth in a transport direction and on which carriers are arranged for receiving tools. The carriers extend from the transport chain essentially transversely to the transport direction. At least one carrier has at least two storage spaces for tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Prust, Hans-Henning Winkler
  • Patent number: 7300393
    Abstract: An automatic tool changer in which the load produced when a turret is rotation-driven is reduced, and abrasion in the balls and the like of a speed reducer, and mal-distribution of an axial pressing force are prevented. The speed reducer that drives the turret in the automatic tool changer is constructed by superposing a driving plate, a holder, and a driven plate in the order named. In the driven plate fitted with tools, there is formed a ball groove in a concave-convex shape having the number of cycles corresponding to the number of the tools. In the driving plate, there is provided a ball groove obtained by enlarging the ball groove of the driven plate in the angular direction and copying two cycles. The holder is provided with a plurality of guide holes in the radial direction, which hold their respective balls. The driving plate is rotated by spindle rotation, and the driven plate is driven at a reduced speed of (the number of tools/2) through the balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Akihiko Fujimoto, Naoki Sato
  • Patent number: 7250024
    Abstract: A tool shelf magazine for milling and drilling machines has at least one shelf, a plurality of compartments provided in the shelf above each other at predetermined intervals and also a plurality of notches, which are open on one side accommodating one suspended tool. A handling device is vertically and horizontally shiftable by means of a motor located adjacent to the shelf. At least one gripper arrangement is provided for extracting predetermined tools from the shelf and for transferring them to a tool changer. At least one shelf has compartments with notches serving as tool accommodations on the front and back side. The notches on the front side are located in the access range of the handling device and the notches on the back side are accessible for retooling. The shelf is formed so as to be rotatable about an axis for a change of sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Deckel Maho Pfronten GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Geissler, Hans Gronbach
  • Patent number: 7217229
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically changing a tool tip member for a robot includes a tip member changing jig disposed in an operational area of the robot. The tip member changing jig includes a base member, a rotating member supported by the base member so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis, and tip member holding means disposed at positions that are offset from the rotation axis of the rotating member. The tip member holding means holds the tool tip member so that a central axis of relative rotation, for threadedly mounting or demounting the tool tip member on or from the tool body, extends substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the rotating member and so that rotation of the tool tip member, with respect to the rotating member, is locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Masahiro Hagihara, Masaaki Saito, Takeshi Tsumura, Toshihiko Inoue
  • Patent number: 7204792
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically changing a tool tip member for a robot includes a tip member changing jig disposed in an operational area of the robot. The tip member changing jig includes a base member, a rotating member supported by the base member so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis, and tip member holding means disposed at positions that are offset from the rotation axis of the rotating member. The tip member holding means holds the tool tip member so that a central axis of relative rotation, for threadedly mounting or demounting the tool tip member on or from the tool body, extends substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the rotating member and so that rotation of the tool tip member, with respect to the rotating member, is locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Masahiro Hagihara, Masaaki Saito, Takeshi Tsumura, Toshihiko Inoue
  • Patent number: 7150705
    Abstract: A tool changing device of a machine tool which prevents chips adhering to a tool. By using a drive motor with which a tool changing device of the machine tool is usually provided, to vibrate the tool, the chips are prevented from adhering to the tool, especially to a tapered portion of the tool, and/or the chips adhered to the tool are removed, without using any additional device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Kunio Kojima, Naoki Sato
  • Publication number: 20040266595
    Abstract: An arrangement of a CNC machining center for an automatic machining sequence of machining operations with subsequent thermal smoothing is described in order to compact, by means of thermal smoothing, edges or decorative grooves formed by the machining. In order to integrate this thermal smoothing operation in a program sequence, a heating device is provided on the tool magazine, which heating device, controlled by the program sequence, heats a tool located in the magazine to the requisite temperature in order to then replace it in the tool spindle using the conventional gripping arm. For this purpose, a thermal coil is transferred into the heating position, in which the tool can be swung out of the cassette and can be enclosed by the coil and heated. The heating is controlled and kept at a specific value via a thermostatic thermostat preferably designed as an infrared sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Horst Rosch
  • Publication number: 20040167001
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically changing a tool tip member for a robot includes a tip member changing jig disposed in an operational area of the robot. The tip member changing jig includes a base member, a rotating member supported by the base member so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis, and tip member holding means disposed at positions that are offset from the rotation axis of the rotating member. The tip member holding means holds the tool tip member so that a central axis of relative rotation, for threadedly mounting or demounting the tool tip member on or from the tool body, extends substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the rotating member and so that rotation of the tool tip member, with respect to the rotating member, is locked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: FANUC LTD
    Inventors: Masahiro Hagihara, Masaaki Saito, Takeshi Tsumura, Toshihiko Inoue
  • Patent number: 6719677
    Abstract: The present invention is an automatic tool changer. The automatic tool changer is adapted to perform a tool magazine indexing operation in response to an indexing command and perform a tool changing operation in response to a tool changing command. If an indexing command is not output within a predetermined time period after completion of a tool changing operation, power to the servo motor driving the tool magazine is temporarily stopped and when the next indexing command is output, the power to the servo motor is resumed to perform the indexing operation. If a tool changing command is not output within a predetermined time period after completion of the tool magazine indexing operation, the power supply to the servo motor is temporarily stopped and when the next tool changing command is output, the power to the servo motor is resumed to perform the tool changing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satohiro Izumi
  • Patent number: 6716146
    Abstract: A automatically indexing tool magazine, of the type attached to machining centers that incorporate an automatic tool change function, able to hold a relatively large number of tools in a compact space as means of improving space efficiency. The tool magazine is comprised of a rotatable main table and multiple sub-tables rotatably attached to the main table in a uniformly spaced radial pattern, each sub-table being equipped with a number of tool pots likewise arranged in a uniformly spaced radial pattern. The tool pots serve as containers into which machining tools can be inserted or removed. The main table and sub-tables are rotatably indexed by means of respective main table and sub-table indexing mechanisms. The tool pot holding the tool designated for removal is transported to a tool removal position through the rotational indexing movement of the main table and appropriate sub-table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Sankyo Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Heizaburo Kato
  • Publication number: 20020173413
    Abstract: In a method and device for automatically exchanging knife units of a knife ring slicing device, the knife changing magazine is moved relative to the knife ring into a knife changing position in which the knife receptacles of the knife changing magazine are axially aligned with the knife receptacles of the knife ring. The worn knives of the knife ring are moved axially into empty knife receptacles of the knife changing magazine. A relative movement between the knife changing magazine and the knife ring is carried out until the knife changing magazine and the knife ring are again in a knife changing position in which the knife receptacles with resharpened knife units are aligned with the knife receptacles in the knife ring. The resharpened knife units are introduced in the opposite axial direction into the knife receptacles of the knife ring from which the worn knife units had been removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventor: Wilhelm Pallmann
  • Patent number: 6402671
    Abstract: A tool-exchange apparatus making an area to install a whole machine tool compact and facilitating a attachment/detachment and a maintenance and the like of a tool. The tool-exchange apparatus includes a plurality of tool pots 10 respectively having tool storage portion 10a. The tool pot 10 is indexed at an indexing position for exchanging tools, whereby the next tool T put in the opening of the tool storage portion 10a is exchanged for the present tool T installed in a spindle. The tool pots 10 are circumferencially spaced away from each other, and an opening of each tool accommodation area 10a is centrally directed. The tools T are held by the tool pots 10 in a radial manner. The tool magazine 1 can be made compact because the tools T are radially held with the tips thereof centrally directed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidehito Ota
  • Publication number: 20020052272
    Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic tool changer which employs a servo motor as a drive source for a tool magazine and, yet, features a minimized power consumption and a reduced steady torque of the servo motor. The automatic tool changer is adapted to perform a tool magazine indexing operation in accordance with an indexing command and then perform a tool changing operation in accordance with a tool changing command. If the next indexing command is not outputted within a predetermined time period after completion of the tool changing operation, power supply to the servo motor for driving the tool magazine is temporarily stopped and, when the next indexing command is outputted, the power supply to the servo motor is resumed for performing the indexing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Applicant: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satohiro Izumi
  • Patent number: 6155961
    Abstract: A tool carousel comprising a plurality of wheel sections which can be joined together to form a carousel wheel and a plurality of tool-holding portions. Each tool-holding portion and wheel section is configured such that each tool-holding portion can be journalled to a respective wheel section for rotation between a tool-storage position and a tool-accessing position in which a tool can be installed thereupon or removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Bridgeport Machines Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Roy Pollington, Harish Devji Mandalia
  • Patent number: 5971904
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a machine-tool (20) including at least one machining station able to accommodate selectively a tool, at least one tool magazine for storing the tools, a tool transfer device, and control means for driving the tool magazine. The machine-tool is characterised in that the tool magazine (21) is formed as a closed circuit of several interconnected main supports (30), in that each main support (30) can accommodate and hold several subsidiary supports (31) intended to carry at least two tools. The machine-tool (20) further includes an operator interface for loading/unloading the subsidiary supports (31) from outside the machine-tool (20), independently of the operating state of the machine-tool (20). The storage capacity of such a tool magazine (21) is advantageously high, and makes the machine-tool highly autonomous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Posalux S.A.
    Inventors: Claude Soltermann, Werner Imhof, Alexandre Faoro
  • Patent number: 5913761
    Abstract: A punch press comprising (i) a tool set magazine that is located above a work table for supporting a workpiece and is juxtaposed with a main frame for supporting a punching head and (ii) a tool set delivery system for delivering tool sets between the tool set magazine and the punching head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Ikuo Kamada, Satoshi Matsuura, Takiji Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 5885199
    Abstract: A multifunction, compact machining center has a work spindle which can rotate at high speed, or controlled by a C axis servo driver, and a frame-shaped tool magazine, which is composed of a standing part and a rotatable part. Arranged on the standing part are enough internal and external turning tools to complete all turning processes on one workpiece. Driven tools are held on the rotatable part to do drilling, boring, milling, gear hobbing, grinding, lapping etc. on the same workpiece at arbitrary angles. Additionally, work units for quenching, laser machining, gear shaping, bevel gear cutting, measuring, loading and unloading can also be employed on the tool magazine. By means of movements of the tool magazine relative to the work spindle in the plane perpendicular to the Z axis, each cutting tool or working unit can be put into the working area of the workpiece sequentially so as to complete all machining, measuring, loading and unloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Inventor: Wenyuan Shao
  • Patent number: 5688215
    Abstract: A tool magazine disclosed is fundamentally the same in construction as a corresponding prior art tool magazine but is capable of handling tools of diameters greater than those of tools which can be handled by the prior art tool magazine. The tool magazine comprise a magazine body provided with an endless guide groove, and a plurality of tool pots each for holding a tool, fixedly provided with guide members engaging the endless guide groove for sliding movement along the guide groove. Idlers are disposed between and in contact with adjacent tool pots, respectively, and supported in the endless guide groove so as to move along the endless guide groove. A feed mechanism moves the tool pots and the idlers along the endless guide groove with the idlers in contact with the guide members of the adjacent tool pots, respectively. The idlers are substantially the same in shape and dimensions as the guide members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Howa Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Mase, Yukihiro Sakakibara, Norimitsu Araki
  • Patent number: 5672145
    Abstract: A tool carousel is provided comprising a carousel wheel mounted on a shaft of the tool carousel, a series of holders mounted to and distributed around the periphery of the carousel wheel to hold, respectively, a series of individually removable tools. Carousel locator formations are distributed at intervals around the carousel wheel, whereby the carousel wheel can be rotated or indexed to any desired rotational position corresponding to a selected one of the tools. The carousel wheel of the tool carousel comprises several individual elements, each of a molded plastic material, arranged in a ring side-by-side with each other around the shaft, each element extending radially outwardly from the shaft. A radially outer part of each element is connected or joined to a correspondingly radially outer part of each of two adjacent elements, one on either side thereof, the elements having portions of the carousel locator formations formed integrally therewith and having the holders formed integrally therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Bridgeport Machines Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Roy Pollington, Harish Mandalia
  • Patent number: 5542899
    Abstract: A multispindle-head machine tool has a column, a plurality of multispindle heads each having a plurality of tools and an engaging member and an annular feed passageway supporting the multispindle heads for circulatory movement therealong. The annular feed passageway includes a pair of upper and lower fixed guide members supported on the column, and a movable guide member movable back and forth horizontally for interconnecting ends of the upper and lower fixed guide members near a machining position. A rotary actuator is provided together with a feed mechanism disposed around the annular feed passageway and movable to circulate along the annular feed passageway by the rotary actuator for moving the multispindle heads along the annular feed passageway. An actuator unit is mounted on the column in association with the movable guide member for positioning one of the multispindle heads which is held on the movable guide member in the machining position, and rotating the tools of one of the multispindle heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ichiho Yamada, Tomoyoshi Miyagi, Shoji Nezuka, Satoru Ichihashi, Hiroshi Isozaki
  • Patent number: 5514063
    Abstract: A machine tool which comprises a headstock (111) and at least one tool changer (120). The tool changer (120) shifts the production tools (116) between a magazine position and a working position, a drive unit (123) being provided for it in the form of at least one fluid power drive cylinder (1), wherein a piston is arranged for axial motion and for whose terminal fluid damping a damping device is provided. The drive cylinder (1) provided with a setting device, by means of which the terminal position damping may be switched over between at least two preset values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kurt Stoll, Udo Preussler, Peter Grund
  • Patent number: 5407416
    Abstract: The tool store comprises a prismatic drum having a number of cells in which the tools may be inserted singly or housed inside a magazine; and the tool change device comprises a pair of clamps operated singly and fitted to the work table. The clamps are moved simultaneously in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the drum, for withdrawing or loading the tool from/on to the drum or spindle; the tool being transferred between the drum and spindle by the work table; and a sensor being provided for detecting the tip of the tool inserted in the spindle and so adjusting the axial position of the tool in the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Pluritec Italia S.p.A.
    Inventors: Renato Ottone, Luigi Piovano, Guido Gaida