With Tool Turret Patents (Class 82/121)
  • Patent number: 11383341
    Abstract: A machine tool configured to attach multiple tools to a turret is provided to improve the efficiency of a tool exchanging operation and, thus, also the production efficiency. A control device determines whether an expired tool, which is a tool needs to be exchanged, is present among the tools held by the turret. The control device sets a tool exchanging position, which is a position within the movable range of a head section and is a position where the expired tool is exchanged with a new tool. If the control device determines that an expired tool is present, the control device causes a head section driving device to move the head and rotate the turret to position the expired tool at the tool exchanging position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: FUJI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinya Kumazaki
  • Patent number: 9969037
    Abstract: An apparatus for machining a workpiece has a housing having a vertical front wall and first and second side walls extending generally perpendicularly back from outer edges of the front wall, directed horizontally oppositely away from each other, and defining first and second planes themselves delimiting a space. First and second vertical guides on the first and second side walls outside the housing carry first and second vertical slides moveable vertically on the first and second vertical guides of the first and second side walls. First and second horizontal guides on the first and second vertical slides carry first and second horizontal slides movable horizontally on the first and second horizontal guides of the first and second vertical slides between the first and second front work stations and the first and second rear transfer stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: EMAG HOLDING GMBH
    Inventor: Achim Feinauer
  • Patent number: 8991287
    Abstract: A combined method of machining and applying a surface texture to a work piece and a tool assembly that is capable of machining and applying a surface texture to a work piece are disclosed. The disclosed method includes machining portions of an outer or inner surface of a work piece. The method also includes rotating the work piece in front of a rotating cutting tool and engaging the outer surface of the work piece with the rotating cutting tool to cut dimples in the outer surface of the work piece. The disclosed tool assembly includes a rotating cutting tool coupled to an end of a rotational machining device, such as a lathe. The same tool assembly can be used to both machine the work piece and apply a surface texture to the work piece without unloading the work piece from the tool assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rohit Arun Bhapkar, Eric Richard Larsen
  • Patent number: 8978219
    Abstract: A lathe is provided that can produce complex shapes. The lathe includes a turret movement system with a B axis, which can be activated by a control. The turret axis may be designed as an H axis, which extends in a place at right angles to the B axis and can be activated by the control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Index-Werke GmbH & Co. KG Hahn & Tessky
    Inventors: Ulrich Baumann, Heinz Forst
  • Patent number: 8974357
    Abstract: The invention provides a vertical turret lathe capable of preventing an inner diameter turning tool attached to a turret tool rest from interfering with a workpiece during machining of the outer diameter of the workpiece. The vertical turret lathe comprises a work table that holds a workpiece W1 and rotates, and a working head 40 having a turret tool rest 50 and capable of moving in X-axis and Z-axis directions. A tool holder 70 for holding an inner diameter turning tool T2 via hydraulic pressure is attached to a part of the tool supporting portions 60 of the turret tool rest. The automatic tool changer apparatus 100 includes a turret-type tool magazine 120 and pistons 160 and 162, which mechanically press the pins 74 and 76 of the tool holder 70 and clamp or unclamp the tool T2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Kitayama, Naoya Tanaka, Eiji Takeuchi, Toraharu Ryuta, Hyunkoo Park
  • Publication number: 20150040732
    Abstract: A machine tool 1 includes a turret (4, 104) to which a tool unit 2 is adapted to be radially mounted, a cylindrical turret pivoting driving shaft (5, 105) for transmission of pivoting driving force to the turret (4, 104), a rotary tool driving shaft (8, 108) adapted to be rotated with respect to an indexing axis for transmission of rotation driving force to a tool (7, 107) of a rotary tool unit (2b, 102b) mounted on the turret (4, 104), and a unit pivoting driving shaft (12, 112) adapted to be rotated with respect to the indexing axis independently of the rotary tool driving shaft (8, 108) for transmission of pivoting driving force to the rotary tool unit (2b, 102b) mounted on the turret (4, 104) to change the direction of the rotation axis AX2 of the tool (7, 107). The rotary tool driving shaft and the unit pivoting driving shaft are coaxially arranged inside the turret pivoting driving shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Satoru OZAWA
  • Patent number: 8893362
    Abstract: A turret tool holder, having structure capable of easily avoiding unnecessary free rotation of a turret, is provided. When a linearly movable shaft is moved toward a turret head section by driving a servomotor, an annular movable coupling element arranged in the turret begins to disengage from an annular fixed coupling element fixed to a support. While the movable coupling member is still engaged with the fixed coupling member, clutch teeth of a clutch member are engaged with other clutch teeth. Therefore, even when the annular movable coupling element is disengaged from the annular fixed coupling element, the turret is prevented from freely rotating by the engaged clutch teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Citizen Machinery Miyano Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Aoyagi
  • Patent number: 8887360
    Abstract: A turning tool is arranged at a tool spindle (102) of a composite working lathe (1) to improve working efficiency. A composite working lathe (1) includes a first workpiece headstock (20) placed on a bed (10). A chuck (24) of a workpiece spindle (22) is rotated as holding a workpiece (K.sub.1). A tool headstock (100) arranged at a carriage (50) is rotated about B-axis while being linearly moved in the directions of X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis. The tool headstock (100) operates a mill tool (110) and includes a comb-shaped cutting tool rest (150) having turning tools attached at the opposite side of a housing in a comb-shaped manner, so that turning processing can be performed with tool indexing in a short time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Michinari Fukuoka, Yukikazu Kitamura, Yukio Morita, Minoru Kitayama
  • Publication number: 20140326114
    Abstract: An apparatus for machining a workpiece has a housing having a vertical front wall and a first vertical side wall generally perpendicular thereto, respective first front and side vertical guides on the front and first side walls, and a first vertical slide extending along the front and first side walls. First front and side formations on the first vertical slide engage the first front and side guides for vertical movement of the first vertical slide relative to the housing. A first spindle unit adapted to hold the workpiece is carried on the first vertical slide, and a tool holder adapted to hold tools in a first work station is provided below the first vertical slide so that the spindle unit can engage the workpiece with a one of the tools in the work station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventor: Norbert HESSBRUEGGEN
  • Patent number: 8875604
    Abstract: There is provided a machine tool which holds a large number of tools and capable of performing various kinds of works without replacing the tools, which is easy to operate and which allows faster and accurate operations with less number of movable parts. A front tool post (141) and a back spindle (120) are configured to be integrally movable in a Y-axis direction, and a plurality of front working tools (140) and a plurality of back working tools (130) are disposed on the front and back tool posts (141) and (131), respectively, in a plurality of tiers in the Y-axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignees: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd, Citizen Machinery Miyano Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Umeo Tsuyusaki, Satoru Akimoto, Hiroshi Shinohara
  • Publication number: 20140298961
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine tool, in particular a lathe, comprising a machine frame 1 having a first carrier side TS1 and a second carrier side TS2, wherein the machine frame 1 includes a first carrier portion 1a, a second carrier portion 1b and a middle carrier portion 1c which is arranged between the first and second carrier portions, a first spindle carrier 31 which is arranged on the first carrier side TS1 of the first carrier portion 1a and which holds a first work spindle 21, a first spindle carrier slide 42 which is arranged on the first or second carrier side of the second carrier portion 1b and on which a second spindle carrier 32 is arranged which holds a second work spindle 22 facing the first work spindle 21, wherein the spindle axes are aligned in parallel, in particular coaxially, and wherein the second spindle carrier 32 can be moved in direction W parallel to the spindle axes, and a second tool carrier slide 52 which is arranged on the first carrier side TS1 of the middle portio
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: GILDEMEISTER Italiana S.p.A.
    Inventors: Jürgen Walz, Franco Rigolone, Gottfried Deuringer, Renato Rota, Manuel Gerst
  • Patent number: 8844411
    Abstract: A machining apparatus for a shaft-type workpiece has a housing or frame defining a pair of spaced and upright side walls and a vertical front wall bridging the side walls. Vertical guides on one of the side walls carry a vertically shiftable headstock and tailstock capable of rotating a workpiece about an upright axis. Horizontal guides on the front wall carry a turret adapted to hold first machining tools and horizontally shiftable for engagement of the first tools with a workpiece held and rotated by the headstock and tailstock. A holder on the other of the side walls can hold a workpiece with an end of the workpiece exposed so that a second tool can engage and machine the exposed end of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Emag Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Schuster
  • Publication number: 20140251097
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine tool, in particular to a lathe, comprising a machine frame 1, a first work spindle 21 which is arranged on a spindle carrier face of the machine frame 1 and is to receive a first workpiece W1, a second work spindle 22 which faces the first work spindle 21, is arranged on a spindle carrier face of the machine frame 1 and is to receive a second workpiece W2, the axis of the second work spindle 22 being aligned parallel, in particular coaxially to the axis of the first work spindle 21, and comprising two movable tool carrier slides 51 and 52, on which a respective tool-carrying tool carrier 61 and 62 is arranged. According to the invention, provided between the work spindles 21 and 22 is a tool carrier 62 which can be moved transversely to the spindle axes, is configured as a tool turret and the turret axis of which is aligned transversely to the spindle axes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: GILDEMEISTER Italiana S.p.A.
    Inventors: Jürgen Walz, Franco Rigolone, Gottfried Deuringer, Renato Rota, Manuel Gerst
  • Publication number: 20140251096
    Abstract: A lathe has a plurality of turret positions with at least one having a toolholder, a pair of blades projecting from one end of the toolholder with the toolholder structured to assume a first position with a first blade machining said workpiece which is rotating in a first direction and a second position with a second blade structured to assume a second position with the workpiece rotating in the other direction. The toolholder remains fixed during machining, Related methods and toolholders are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Oberg Industries
    Inventor: JEFFREY C. HANKEY
  • Publication number: 20140245870
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine tool, in particular a lathe, having a machine frame 1, a first work spindle 21, arranged on a face of a first carrier portion 1a of the machine frame 1, for receiving a first workpiece W1, a second work spindle 22, facing the first work spindle 21 and arranged on a face of second carrier portion 1b of the machine frame 1, for receiving a second work piece W2, the spindle axis of the second work spindle 22 being aligned parallel to, in particular coaxial with, the spindle axis of the first work spindle 21, and two displaceable tool carrier slides 51 and 52 on each of which a tool-carrying tool carrier 61 or 62 is arranged. According to the invention, a third tool carrier 63 is provided which is displaceable between the work spindles 21 and 22 transverse to the spindle axes and which is arranged on a tool carrier face WTS3 of a central carrier portion 1c positioned between the first and the second carrier portion 1a, 1b.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: GILDEMEISTER Italiana S.p.A.
    Inventors: Jürgen Walz, Franco Rigolone, Gottfried Deuringer, Renato Rota, Manuel Gerst
  • Patent number: 8800125
    Abstract: In order to save the investment for a separate cold rolling machine for applying threads etc. a cold rolling unit is placed in a moveable manner onto the Z-drives of a turning machine wherein the cold rolling unit can be configured much larger and much more stable and with less wear than a cold rolling unit used in a tool revolver. Even parallel processing through turning and rolling is facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: MAG IAS GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Stanik, Hans-Joachim Stumpp
  • Publication number: 20140196583
    Abstract: A tool chucking fixture having a tool holder that receives a tool and is intended for insertion into a receptacle of a tool carrier, which tool carrier is embodied with a corresponding receptacle. To compensate for position errors of the tool holder relative to the tool carrier, at least two adjusting elements, located separately from one another and adjustable via associated adjusting means, are provided on the tool holder, while the tool carrier has at least two contact points, associated with the adjusting elements of the tool holder used, at which points the adjusting elements rest with a precise fit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventor: Joel Judas
  • Patent number: 8720311
    Abstract: A combination live/dead tool holder for use on an indexing tool turret of a machine tool includes a live tool holder as well as a dead tool holder mount. The dead tool holder mount is configured to interchangeably mount to a variety of different dead tool holders. The tool holder includes a y-axis adjustment mechanism that facilitates adjustment of the position of the tool holder relative to the turret along the y axis (i.e., along a circumferential direction of the turret).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Hardinge, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Harry Sheehy, Neil Andrew Moxey
  • Patent number: 8707528
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for use in production of bevel gears. The device comprises a turning machine (22), with a working spindle (22.1) and a counter-holder (23), arranged co-axially to a rotational axis (B1) of the working spindle (22.1) for the coaxial tensioning of a workpiece blank (K1). A multi-functional tool holder (24) is provided, which may be displaced relative to the workpiece blank (K1) held in the turning machine (22) and comprises a tool base (25) mounted to rotate about an axis (B2). The tool base (25) is provided for fixing one or more tools. A tool housing (26) with milling head (27) is provided, the tool housing (26) being displaceable relative to the workpiece blank (K1) held in the turning machine (22) and the milling head (27) is mounted to rotate about a milling head axis (B3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Klingelnberg GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Ozdyk, Roger Kirsch, Elmar Hackenberger, Harald Lamsfuss, Torsten König
  • Patent number: 8689418
    Abstract: Instead of a conventional slide arrangement Z/X/Y and a B-axis that is pivotable thereon, a more compact and less complex configuration is achieved in that a tool support that is pivotable about the B-axis is directly placed onto the X-slide and only a single rotationally drivable tool spindle is additionally movable in Y-direction in this pivotable tool support, whereas all other tool receivers for stationary tools are fixated at the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Mag IAS GmbH
    Inventors: Olaf Martens, Sieghard Kälber Er
  • Patent number: 8640571
    Abstract: An automatic rotating turret device for work machinery is provided, in which a lift turret is not used. The turret device is provided with an axial-direction slide body, which is advanced or retracted in the direction of the axis of rotation of the turret by the drive device advancing or retracting the drive body in a direction orthogonal to the direction of rotation axis; and a clutch device that is engaged or disengaged by the axial-direction slide body being advanced or retracted, the turret being of a non-lift-type, and there being provided to the drive body a tapering action part for generating an expanding action caused by the movement of the drive body and pressingly sliding the axial-direction slide body against the turret stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: O-M Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Shimizu, Takio Nakamura, Akihiro Goto, Yuki Noguchi
  • Patent number: 8631727
    Abstract: A machine tool includes a spindle side position measuring unit measuring a spindle axial position in a spindle radial direction relative to a first reference position and a tool side position measuring unit measuring the position of a tool post relative to a second reference position. The spindle side position measuring unit includes a first scale extending in the spindle radial direction and a first readout unit, one of a base end portion of the first scale and the first readout unit is disposed at a spindle axis and the other of the base end portion of the first scale and the first readout unit is disposed at the first reference position. One of a base end portion of a second scale and a second readout unit is disposed on the tool post and the other is disposed at the second reference position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 8584560
    Abstract: A main spindle device has a main spindle (1) having a hollow hole, and a chuck unit (10) for grasping a work (W). A pipe unit (71) is inserted into the hollow hole of the main spindle (1) and receives insertion of the work (W) to thereby prevent the work (W) from vibrating when rotated together with the rotation of the main spindle. A support unit (72) supports the pipe unit (71) at one end of the main spindle (1) such that the axial line of the pipe unit (71) coincides with the axial line of the main spindle (1) and such that one end of the pipe unit (71) projects from the one end of the main spindle (1) to be positioned inside the chuck unit (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Tsugami Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Terai, Takao Tatemi, Hidenori Sato, Hiroaki Kazama
  • Publication number: 20130276600
    Abstract: A lathe machine includes a tailstock unit having a bottom seat driven by a saddle of a turret unit to move longitudinally relative to a headstock by means of a first coupler unit, and a tailstock mount mounted on the bottom seat and driven by a turret mount to move transversely by means of a second coupler unit such that a selected one of a centering mandrel and a drilling tool holder disposed on the tailstock mount is in line with a spindle axis of the headstock. A positioning unit includes blocking and abutment members respectively disposed on the bottom seat and the tailstock mount and having rightward- and leftward-facing inclined surfaces which matingly abut against each other to permit the centering mandrel to be kept in line with the spindle axis, thereby rendering the centering process easy and precise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: ALEX-TECH MACHINERY INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Peter T.H. Tsai
  • Patent number: 8549720
    Abstract: A tool revolver unit for a machine tool for machining workpieces has a housing (1) and a tool drive rotatable relative to the housing about an axis (3), has a rotary drive (13, 15) for a rotational motion of the tool disk, and has another rotary drive (19, 23). The other rotary drive (19, 23) is a servomotor for controlling a locking device (5, 31, 37) enabling a releasable rotary lock between the housing (3) and the tool disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Sauter Feinmechanik GmbH
    Inventor: Detlef Sahm
  • Patent number: 8549964
    Abstract: A multi-axis turning center for turning operations includes a machine body, a tool rest means for holding a tool, a first headstock for holding a workpiece, and a second headstock disposed in confronting relation to the first headstock, for holding a workpiece. The second headstock has a front chuck and a rear chuck for gripping respective workpieces. The second headstock performs a workpiece changing function by swiveling about a central axis. The multi-axis turning center is capable of automatically changing the workpieces by itself while it is carrying out a machining process, without the need for a workpiece changer. The multi-axis turning center does not need to stop its machining process for changing workpieces, resulting in an increase in the utilization ratio thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Fujimoto, Kento Komine, Tsutomu Tokuma, Yutaka Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8505421
    Abstract: A tool-holding device for a lathe is provided including a lathe-attachment portion, with a base sized and shaped for placement on a lathe and attaching means for attaching the base to the lathe. The lathe-attachment portion also has a circular-perimeter, angled mounting apparatus integral with the base and having equal-sized wedge-shaped, double sloped clamping portions and a partly threaded central locking base-bore. Attached to the lathe-attachment portion is a frusto-conical multiple-tool tool-holder having a lower surface with an equal number of equal-sized wedge-shaped, double sloped clamping surfaces to mate with the clamping portions of the base. The upper surface of the tool-holder has insert pockets for attachment of tools. A central bore extends through the tool-holder for locking the tool-holding device to a lathe or other machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventor: Tony Ray Roden
  • Patent number: 8464409
    Abstract: The machine includes: elements for supporting the lens and for driving it in rotation about a first axis of rotation, the rotation of the lens being driven by first driver element, a tool-carrier mounted to turn about a second axis of rotation, turning of the tool-carrier being driven by second driver element, a plurality of working tools mounted on the tool-carrier to rotate about tool axes, with at least two of the tools including tools for shaping the periphery of the lens for shaping having distinct tool axes, third driver element for driving relative spacing movements between the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation, swivel elements for enabling the tool-carrier to be pivoted relative to the first axis of rotation about a third axis of rotation that extends substantially transversely to the first axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale d'Optique)
    Inventor: Michel Nauche
  • Publication number: 20130133488
    Abstract: A machining apparatus for a shaft-type workpiece has a housing or frame defining a pair of spaced and upright side walls and a vertical front wall bridging the side walls. Vertical guides on one of the side walls carry a vertically shiftable headstock and tailstock capable of rotating a workpiece about an upright axis. Horizontal guides on the front wall carry a turret adapted to hold first machining tools and horizontally shiftable for engagement of the first tools with a workpiece held and rotated by the headstock and tailstock. A holder on the other of the side walls can hold a workpiece with an end of the workpiece exposed so that a second tool can engage and machine the exposed end of the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventor: Markus SCHUSTER
  • Patent number: 8448549
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tool post of a machine tool capable of enhancing the accuracy of positioning a tool. A positioning key 20 is fixed to an attached surface 10c formed on a tool holder 10, and a positioning block 21 fitting to the positioning key 20 is fixed to a holder attaching surface 11c formed on an outer peripheral surface 11a of a turret 11, in which the positioning key 20 is elastically deformed when it is fitted to the positioning block 21, and thereby brought into close contact with the positioning block 21.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Ueda, Masao Fukumori
  • Publication number: 20130087026
    Abstract: A carriage is moved in a direction including a Y axis component in order to move a turning process tool that is attached to a tool spindle along a horizontal line that is perpendicular to a Z axis, and thus, a turning process is carried out on a workpiece which is attached to a workpiece spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: YAMAZAKI MAZAK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130061726
    Abstract: A machine tool apparatus and method for exterior and interior cutting operations on a workpiece is provided. In one form, the machine tool apparatus has a common support assembly with a tailstock and a boring tool holder mounted thereto. The common support assembly has a common support carriage that is mounted to a machine base for travel along a longitudinal axis parallel to a central axis of the workpiece. The tailstock and boring tool holder are mounted to a mounting base portion for travel transverse to the workpiece central axis. In one form, a turret having external cutting tools is separate from the boring tool holder and mounted to the machine base for performing external cutting operations on the workpiece. This separate mounting allows the turret to machine the exterior of the workpiece while also permitting a longer boring tool to perform deep internal cutting operations on the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Yoshiya Katsu, Koichi Kawamura, Jimmie Couch, Mark Hadley
  • Publication number: 20130042732
    Abstract: A machining apparatus has a frame having an upright front wall and two vertical guides on the front wall carrying respective spindle units displaceable on the guides and each having a workpiece holder rotatable about a respective vertical axis and vertically shiftable between a respective upper machining station and a respective lower pick-up/drop-off station. A horizontal guide on the front wall carries a tool turret carrying a tool and shiftable along the horizontal guide between one position aligned with the axis of one of the spindles and another position aligned with the axis of the other of the spindles. A conveyor transports unmachined workpieces into the lower stations and machined workpieces out of the lower stations. Respective actuators shift the spindle units vertically along the respective axis between the lower stations and the upper stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventor: Norbert HESSBRUEGGEN
  • Patent number: 8371195
    Abstract: A lathe machine includes a turret having a saddle movable along a longitudinal direction toward a headstock, and a turret body mounted on the saddle and movable along a transverse direction on the saddle, and a tailstock having a bottom seat movable along the longitudinal direction toward the headstock, and a tailstock body mounted movably on the bottom seat. A first coupler unit is provided to couple releasably the saddle and the bottom seat so that the bottom seat can be driven by the saddle to move along the longitudinal direction toward the headstock. A second coupler unit is provided to couple releasably the turret body and the tailstock body so that the tailstock body can be driven by the turret body to move along the transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Alex-Tech Machinery Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter T. H. Tsai
  • Publication number: 20130032012
    Abstract: A lathe is provided that can produce complex shapes. The lathe includes a turret movement system with a B axis, which can be activated by a control. The turret axis may be designed as an H axis, which extends in a place at right angles to the B axis and can be activated by the control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: Index-Werke GmbH & Co. KG Hahn & Tessky
    Inventors: Ulrich Baumann, Heinz Forst
  • Patent number: 8332997
    Abstract: A dental prosthesis manufacturing machine is disclosed. The machine includes two spindles each having a roughing tool and a finishing tool, a workpiece holder for holding a workpiece which forms the dental prosthesis, and a base supporting the two spindles and the workpiece holder. The machine is capable of simply alternating the roughing tool with the finishing tool according to the accuracy required when the workpiece is machined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Vatech Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jae Doc Kim, Yeong Kyun Kim, Sung Kuk Kim, Heon Joo Kim, Jae Yun Park
  • Patent number: 8297158
    Abstract: Turrets (11, 12), which can rotate about a common axis (y-y) and on the outer peripheral surfaces of which a plurality of tools (15) are radially installed, are disposed along the axis (y-y) in a turret housing (100). Respective turrets (11, 12) can be dividedly rotated by separate turret driving motors (13, 14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Watanabe, Atsushi Aoyagi
  • Publication number: 20120152069
    Abstract: Computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines, adjustable material-working tools, and methods of operating an adjustable tool with a CNC machine are presented herein. An adjustable tool for a material-working machine is disclosed. The adjustable tool includes an elongated housing, and one or more cutting inserts at least partially disposed within the housing. Each cutting insert is selectively transversely repositionable with respect to the housing. A wedge is selectively longitudinally repositionable with respect to the housing. The wedge mates with the cutting insert(s) such that longitudinal movement of the wedge effectuates transverse movement of the cutting insert(s). A control arm is movably mounted to the housing. The control arm is configured to mechanically couple the wedge to a prime mover of the material-working machine such that motive force is transferred from the prime mover through the control arm to the wedge for the selective repositioning thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gregory Hyatt, Abhijit Sahasrabudhe
  • Publication number: 20120103150
    Abstract: A turning tool is arranged at a tool spindle of a composite working lathe to improve working efficiency. A composite working lathe (1) includes a first workpiece headstock (20) placed on a bed (10). A chuck (24) of a workpiece spindle (22) is rotated as holding a workpiece (K1). A tool headstock (100) arranged at a carriage (50) is rotated about B-axis while being linearly moved in the directions of X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis. The tool headstock (100) operates a mill tool (110) and includes a comb-shaped cutting tool rest (150) having turning tools attached at the opposite side of a housing in a comb-shaped manner, so that turning processing can be performed with tool indexing in a short time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: YAMAZAKI MAZAK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michinari Fukuoka, Yukikazu Kitamura, Yukio Morita, Minoru Kitayama
  • Patent number: 8166622
    Abstract: A machine for machining workpieces, for example plastic spectacle lenses, has a workpiece spindle which rotates the workpiece about a workpiece rotation axis, and a fast tool arrangement which moves a turning tool in the direction to and from the workpiece, wherein the workpiece spindle and the fast tool arrangement can moreover be moved relative to one another in a direction transverse to the workpiece rotation axis. A tool holder is connected to the fast tool arrangement and carries the turning tool. An engraving tool is spaced from the workpiece rotation axis and has an essentially point-shaped end facing towards the workpiece. The engraving tool can be moved in the direction of the workpiece and away therefrom in a highly dynamic manner via the tool holder, so that a marking can be produced on the workpiece in particular by a needling engagement of the engraving tool with the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Satisloh AG
    Inventors: Urs Meyer, Marc Savoie
  • Patent number: 8136214
    Abstract: A machining apparatus (1) for machining rotation-symmetrical workpieces (10), comprising a machine frame (4), which has a vertical front face (11), further comprising at least one vertical workpiece spindle (2) that is arranged on the front face (11) and can be driven rotatorily, comprising at least two tool holders (3 and 3a), which are arranged on the front face (11) displaceably horizontally and vertically by means of compound slides (5 and 5a), further comprising a conveyor (9) for workpieces (10), and a loading and unloading device (13), wherein the workpieces (10) can be transported by the conveyor (9) in a direction parallel to the front face (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: EMAG Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Norbert Hessbrüggen
  • Publication number: 20120048075
    Abstract: A machining apparatus has a frame and two generally parallel horizontal guides on the frame, one of which extends through at least one loading station and through at least one work station. A slide carrying a pair of spindles each capable of gripping a workpiece is shiftable between positions with the spindles aligned with the stations. A tool holder is shiftable on the other of the guides toward and away from the work station. Respective guides between each of the spindles and the slide allow vertical movement of the spindles on the slide. Actuators shift the slide horizontally on the one guide, shift the tool holder horizontally parallel to the slide on the other guide, and shift the spindles vertically on the slide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Markus HESSBRUEGGEN, Juergen Mueller, Juergen Moebus
  • Patent number: 8087332
    Abstract: In order to improve a lathe comprising a machine frame, a spindle housing which is arranged on the machine frame and in which a workpiece spindle rotatable about a spindle axis is arranged, as well as at least one functional unit designed as a tool carrier and/or as a workpiece transport device in such a manner that as efficient a machining as possible of the workpiece is possible, it is suggested that the spindle housing be designed as an upright housing member, that the upright housing member be arranged on one side of a working space and border on it and that several functional units be arranged on the upright housing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Index-Werke GmbH & Co. KG Hahn & Tessky
    Inventors: Walter Grossmann, Bernd Walker
  • Patent number: 8074543
    Abstract: Disclosed in one embodiment is a computer numerically controlled machine having a coolant nozzle that is mounted on a turret of the machine and that is rotatable relative to the turret under the control of a computer control system. The nozzle is fluidically connected to a source of a coolant. The machine includes a computer control system that is operatively coupled to the various components of the machine including the nozzle. In some embodiments, the nozzle may be moved to cause a constant contact angle with respect to one of said tool and said workpiece. In other embodiments, the nozzle may be moved to cause a constant coolant time to interface. Also disclosed are related methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Mori Seiki USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Hyatt, Abhijit Sahasrabudhe
  • Publication number: 20110290089
    Abstract: Instead of a conventional slide arrangement Z/X/Y and a B-axis that is pivotable thereon, a more compact and less complex configuration is achieved in that a tool support that is pivotable about the B-axis is directly placed onto the X-slide and only a single rotationally drivable tool spindle is additionally movable in Y-direction in this pivotable tool support, whereas all other tool receivers for stationary tools are fixated at the support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Olaf Martens, Sieghard Kälber Er
  • Patent number: 8020267
    Abstract: A roll turning lathe is provided herein which can not only machine with high precision circumferential transverse grooves in the peripheral surface of a roll but can also machine with high precision longitudinal grooves in the peripheral surface. The precision roll turning lathe includes a fly cutter spindle device and a tool post having a plurality of cutting tools that are mounted on a tool swivel. By selectively using the tool post and the fly cutter spindle device, high-precision machining of transverse grooves and longitudinal grooves on a roll-shaped workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takanobu Akiyama
  • Patent number: 8020268
    Abstract: There is provided a precision roll turning lathe which can machine with high precision a three-dimensional pattern of three-sided pyramids or four-sided pyramids in the surface of a roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takanobu Akiyama, Satoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 7987567
    Abstract: A machine tool has a pair of guide rails and a pair of upper and lower ball screws. No forces are transferred between a beam of a double column frame and a movable unit. The guide rails are spaced from each other and disposed on a bed, and the movable unit is horizontally movably supported on the guide rails. The upper and lower ball screws are mounted respectively on upper and lower portions of the double column frame for moving the movable unit horizontally. Even when the beam is deformed by flexing downwardly by gravity, the movable unit moves stably and smoothly at a high speed to machine a workpiece highly accurately without being adversely affected by the deformation of the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yasuda, Hiroshi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7926155
    Abstract: A machine tool having a machine frame. A first workpiece carrier unit is disposed on the machine frame and has a workpiece receiving mechanism. At least one tool carrier unit is disposed on the machine frame, on which at least one tool for machining a workpiece held in the workpiece receiving mechanism is disposed. In an embodiment, there is a working space, in which a workpiece, held in the workpiece receiving means, can be machined with the tool. In an embodiment, the tool carrier unit has a tool carrier base and a tool carrier head, which is movable in relation to the tool carrier base along an axis of advance via a guiding arm. The tool carrier head is rotatable about an axis of rotation coincident or parallel to the axis of advance, by the tool carrier head being fixedly connected to the guiding arm and by the tool carrier head being formed as a multiple tool carrier which has at least two tool planes, in which at least one respective tool extends in at least one of its tool directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Index-Werke GmbH & Co. KG Hahn & Tessky
    Inventor: Walter Grossmann
  • Patent number: 7913596
    Abstract: A turret tool rest is provided with a tool rest body, which is rotatable around the vertical axis, on a lower saddle. A turret is provided on a side surface of the tool rest body, and an anti-vibration mechanism is provided on a side surface that is adjacent to the side surface at a right angle. Indexing can be performed by selecting from the turret and the anti-vibration mechanism by rotation of the tool rest body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventor: Michiharu Hirose