With Work Feeder Or Remover Patents (Class 82/124)
  • Patent number: 11491548
    Abstract: The machine tool includes modules and a control portion. Each of the modules includes a main spindle for holding a workpiece and a tool post for holding a tool. The tool is used to machine the workpiece held by the main spindle. The control portion is configured to control to restrict a parallel execution of predetermined machining for the workpiece and machining affected by the predetermined machining and to permit an execution of machining other than the restricted machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignees: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd., Citizen Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shozen Yanakawa
  • Patent number: 10618163
    Abstract: A simulation device that performs a convey operation simulation in which the position and orientation of a workpiece in the conveyor device changes in a random fashion. The simulation device may include a model arrangement section, an offset setting section for setting an offset amount from the reference position of the workpiece model, a conveying operation execution section for executing a convey operation to convey the workpiece model by the conveyor device model, an interference detection section for detecting interference between two workpiece models, a non-interfering position search section for searching for a non-interfering position where interference does not occur, and a workpiece position correction section for correcting the position of at least one workpiece model based on the non-interfering position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Atohira
  • Patent number: 10518333
    Abstract: A device and method for recovering and unloading bar crop ends is suitable for use with a loading apparatus for supplying bars to a machine tool. The devices includes a grasping element suitable for engaging a bar-pushing unit of the loading apparatus and a bar crop-end to be taken and unloaded. A slide element receives and conveys the bar crop ends to a collecting zone. A supporting and transferring unit transfers the grasping element from an upper position, in which it is axially aligned on the advancement trajectory of the bar-pushing unit, to a lower position in which it is near the slide element. The device further includes an ejecting unit that is drivable for penetrating the grasping element in the lower position to eject the crop end and sending the crop end, by the slide element, to the collecting zone. A method is also disclosed for recovering and unloading bar crop ends from a machine tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Cucchi Giovanni & C. S.r.l.
    Inventor: Cesare Cucchi
  • Patent number: 9354041
    Abstract: Coordinate measuring apparatus includes a probe having an optical system emitting light along a plane at a workpiece, an image capture apparatus having image capture elements arranged on an image capture plane and capturing an image of the workpiece from a position different from that of the predetermined plane, and a controller controlling the emitting optical system. The controller determines whether the image capture elements arranged in an image capture region on the image capture plane detect light incident on the workpiece due to the light from the emitting optical system, turns on the light emitted from the emitting optical system when the image capture elements arranged within the image capture region detect the incident light, and blinks the light emitted from the emitting optical system at a predetermined periodicity when the image capture elements arranged within the image capture region do not detect the incident light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masaoki Yamagata
  • Patent number: 9299007
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for low resolution item identification using brightness compensated images. An image of an unknown item is captured in digital RGB image format and converted to HSV image format. Then the HSV formatted image is quantized which greatly reduces the resolution of the image. The quantized HSV image data of the unknown item is compared to a plurality of quantized HSV image data for known items. The comparison includes using a signal-to-noise ratio calculated using the quantized HSV image data for both the unknown and known items. A match is found when the calculated signal-to-noise ratio is above a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Utsumi
  • Patent number: 9289871
    Abstract: To prevent entrance of swarf or cutting oil from a workpiece recovery opening, in a workpiece recovery unit, a cover 21 which covers an upper side and a lateral side of a workpiece recovery opening 19 opening in an upper side of a workpiece recovery section 18 disposed lateral to a holder 13 which holds a processed workpiece 1?, a workpiece transport path 23 from an entrance 22 opening in a lower side provided in the cover 21 to the recovery opening 19 is formed in a step-like shape, the holder 13 is supported so as to be movable in an up-and-down direction and a right-and-left direction, the workpiece 1? is moved along the transport path 23 by the holder 13, and is transported to the upper side of the recovery opening 19 from the entrance 22 so as to be recovered in the recovery opening 19.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignees: CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD., CITIZEN MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Asahara, Hiroshi Kasuya, Kyota Kotake, Yoshiki Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 9089975
    Abstract: In order to reduce the cost of robotic arm, the invention provides a robotic arm, which includes an arm member having a first pivot connection portion, a locating member affixed to the arm member, a sliding member movably mounted at the locating member, a stop member affixed to the sliding member, a wrist member having a second pivot connection portion pivoted to the sliding member and a third pivot connection portion movable relative to the second pivot connection portion, and a driving device including a body member pivoted to the first pivot connection portion and an extension member pivoted to the third pivot connection portion of the wrist member and movable relative to the body member. Using the locating member, the sliding member, the stop member and the wrist member to match with the driving device, the robotic arm achieves the effect of moving and swinging and cost reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: HIWIN TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
    Inventor: Wu-Teng Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9085031
    Abstract: A thread whirling device for producing a thread on a workpiece on a numerically controlled turning machine by a thread whirling method, having a retention structure for fitting the thread whirling device to the turning machine, a whirling head which is retained on the retention structure, has an opening and carries one or more cutters which are arranged peripherally on the edge of the opening, having a first drive device which is configured to drive the whirling head in a rotational manner about a first rotation axis which extends through the opening. The thread whirling device further includes a second drive device which is configured to drive the whirling head in a rotational manner about a second rotation axis which extends transversely relative to the first rotation axis, in order to orientate an angle between the first rotation axis and the spindle axis of the turning machine work spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: GILDEMEISTER ITALIANA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Franco Rigolone, Renato Rota, Marco Cavadini, Luca Milesi
  • Patent number: 9038509
    Abstract: A single apparatus handles drill steel to position the drill steel pieces for tooling and repair by a lathe. Drill steel needing repair is accepted on rails of the apparatus. A drill steel piece to be repaired is moved along the rails and is moved onto hydraulic drive cylinders. The drive cylinders raise and move a first end of the drill steel piece into the lathe. Support cylinders raise to support the piece while it is being re-threaded and repaired by the lathe. The drive cylinders reverse to remove the drill steel piece from the lathe. A pivot raises to capture the drill steel piece and rotates the piece to present a second end of the piece to the lathe. The drive cylinders and support cylinders likewise present, support, and remove the second end to the lathe for re-threading and repair. A unitary frame supports the rails, the drive cylinders, the support cylinders, the lifting/rotating pivot cylinder, and the hydraulics of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventor: Charles F. Wroble
  • Patent number: 8991288
    Abstract: The machine tool system includes a machine tool, a loader and a support frame structure. The machine tool includes a bed and a processing equipment disposed above the bed to process a work. The loader includes a guide unit disposed above the machine tool and a movable body movable along the guide unit to load and unload the work relative to the processing equipment. The support frame structure includes left and right stands installed on a floor surface at left and right sides of the bed to support the guide unit from below and a reinforcement member inserted in a throughhole, which is provided in the bed so as to extend in a leftward and rightward direction, in a non-contact fashion without contacting an inner face of the throughhole, with left and right ends thereof connected to vertically halfway portions of the associated stands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8961081
    Abstract: Gear processing machine (4), such as a gear cutting or grinding machine, wherein a chamfering and/or deburring apparatus (2) and auxiliary spindle (10) are included on the same machine. A transfer mechanism (8) loads, unloads and transfers workpieces between a machining spindle (6) and the auxiliary spindle (10) thereby enabling simultaneous cutting and chamfering and/or deburring processes to be carried out. Via the auxiliary spindle, completed workpieces may be removed from the machine and blank workpieces may be loaded into the machine while another gear is being processed on the machine spindle thereby enhancing machine output and creating a more efficient operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Gleason Works
    Inventors: Craig R. Ronald, Alan S. Metelsky
  • Patent number: 8881627
    Abstract: There is provided a workpiece supply/conveyance device that can remove a workpiece from a spindle and supply another workpiece to the spindle smoothly and in a short time. A workpiece holding section of one of a plurality of arms includes an unmachined workpiece holding section 29 for holding an unmachined workpiece and a machined workpiece holding section 21 for holding a machined workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Citizen Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Masuda
  • Patent number: 8726770
    Abstract: There is provided a work supplying apparatus for automatically and smoothly supplying workpieces having various shapes and sizes from a rear end of a hollow spindle in a machine tool or assembling machine. The work supplying apparatus has a work pushing means for pushing the workpiece held by a holding means into a chuck, and a pusher for pushing and holding the workpiece supplied to a work receiver in the direction of the holding means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignees: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd., Citizen Machinery MIyano Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaichi Nakaya, Shigeo Yanagidaira, Koichi Yabe
  • Publication number: 20130333532
    Abstract: The machine tool system includes a machine tool, a loader and a support frame structure. The machine tool includes a bed and a processing equipment disposed above the bed to process a work. The loader includes a guide unit disposed above the machine tool and a movable body movable along the guide unit to load and unload the work relative to the processing equipment. The support frame structure includes left and right stands installed on a floor surface at left and right sides of the bed to support the guide unit from below and a reinforcement member inserted in a throughhole. which is provided in the bed so as to extend in a leftward and rightward direction, in a non-contact fashion without contacting an inner face of the throughhole, with left and right ends thereof connected to vertically halfway portions of the associated stands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: MURATA MACHINERY, LTD.
    Inventor: Masayuki Watanabe
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8584559
    Abstract: The device for automatically feeding blanks or half-finished workpieces to a machine tool, more particularly a CNC lathe, and automatically unloading the machined workpieces is composed of a gantry loader having an integrated feeder device that allows loading bars into the rear of the spindle of the lathe, thereby constituting a universal automatic feeding device. Furthermore, the latter more particularly allows a controlled removal of the bar end after all workpieces have been machined from a respective bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Samsys GmbH
    Inventor: Marc S. Geiser
  • 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: 8529419
    Abstract: A machine tool includes: a main spindle adapted to be rotatable with a workpiece chucked thereby; a tool spindle capable of moving in directions of three axes perpendicular to each other and capable of pivoting about one of the axes, the axis being perpendicular to the main spindle; an automatic tool changer adapted to detachably attach a first tool and a chucking unit to the tool spindle, the first tool being used for machining the workpiece chucked by the main spindle, the chucking unit being used for chucking the workpiece; and a tool post having a second tool mounted thereon, the second tool being used for machining the workpiece chucked by the chucking unit attached to the tool spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Star Micronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Kawasumi, Satoru Ozawa
  • Patent number: 8453545
    Abstract: A machine tool includes a bed, a main spindle, a first tool rest, a first tool, a first driving mechanism, a second tool rest, a second tool, a second driving mechanism and a control device. The main spindle is located over the bed. The first tool is mounted on the first tool rest. The second tool is mounted on the second tool rest. The control device controls the first driving mechanism and the second driving mechanism to drive the first tool rest and the second tool rest, respectively, such that the first tool and the second tool move along the same direction, and machine a processing surface of a workpiece in order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu-An Lin
  • Publication number: 20130104705
    Abstract: Machine for the cylindrical turning, conical turning, heading and threading of sleeves (11) or suchlike, comprising at least a work station (13a, 13b, 13c) in which means (15) for holding the sleeve are present, of the gripper-type (16a, 16b), and at least a work unit (17b, 17c) configured to carry out a threading operation on the sleeve (11). The means (15) for holding the sleeve are configured to support the sleeve (11) substantially in cantilevered fashion, acting on its external surface and according to an orientation of the holding means (15) that is substantially orthogonal to the direction of movement (Y) of the work unit (17b, 17c), which direction substantially coincides with the longitudinal axis (X) of the sleeve (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: DANIELI & C. OFFICINE MECCANICHE SPA
    Inventors: Carlo Mattanza, Andrea Lavaroni
  • Patent number: 8353231
    Abstract: A feed rod vibration prevention support of a material feeder includes a guide device for guiding a feed rod moving to feed a material to a working machine, and a vibration attenuation mechanism for preventing the feed rod from being vibrated. The guide device further includes a guide and a bush supported by the guide having a feed rod placed thereon. The vibration attenuation mechanism includes a first elastic material located between the bush and the guide. The bush is provided with a flanged portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Alps Tool Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Yamaguchi, Shigeo Kuribayashi
  • Patent number: 8333135
    Abstract: A device and method to feed metal bars associated with a work machine including at least a drawing member for the metal bars. The device includes loading members to load one or more metal bars to the work machine, and one or more containing members in which the metal bars are disposed in respective bundles. The device also includes deflector members disposed downstream of the containing members and upstream of the drawing member, and movable laterally in independent manner with respect to the containing members, so as to be able to condition the position of at least a head portion of each of the metal bars picked up, relative to their lying position in the containing members, so as to displace them sideways one by one, or in groups, with respect to a nominal axis (X) in which the metal bars lie stationary in the respective containing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: M.E.P. Macchine Elettroniche
    Inventor: Giorgio Del Fabro
  • Patent number: 8244396
    Abstract: The turning machine according to the present invention includes a displacement sensor (200) which measures a distance between an immobile reference point and a position of variable point which reflects the positional displacement of the tool, the immobile reference point being able to determine a relative positional correlation relating to a variable position of tools with the progress of machining of the workpiece (W) by the tool (421). In drawings the reference point is set up in the guide bush (90). And based on the measured result by the displacement sensor, the tool is moved so that the center height of the tool and the center line of the workpiece satisfy relatively the predetermined positional correlation. Accordingly, the center height deviation amount due to heat deformation and the like is corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Tsugami Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Terai, Takao Tatemi, Hidenori Sato, Hiroaki Kazama
  • Publication number: 20120186407
    Abstract: There is provided a work supplying apparatus for automatically and smoothly supplying workpieces having various shapes and sizes from a rear end of a hollow spindle in a machine tool or assembling machine. The work supplying apparatus has a work pushing means for pushing the workpiece held by a holding means into a chuck, and a pusher for pushing and holding the workpiece supplied to a work receiver in the direction of the holding means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicants: CITIZEN MACHINERY MIYANO CO., LTD., CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takaichi Nakaya, Shigeo Yanagidaira, Koichi Yabe
  • Publication number: 20120125165
    Abstract: A machining apparatus has a frame defining a transfer station and a machining station thereabove, a spindle having a workpiece grab and vertically displaceable on the frame between an upper position with the grab in the machining station and a lower position with the grab in the transfer station, a tool holder horizontally displaceable on the frame toward and away from the machining station, and a workpiece conveyor extending through the transfer station. After shifting a deflector underneath the machining station into a side position out from underneath the grab, the grab is lowered to pick an at least partially unmachined workpiece in the transfer station off the conveyor and then raised with the workpiece into the machining station. The deflector is then shifted between a use position over the transfer station and under the machining station and a side position allowing the spindle to pass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Norbert Hessbrueggen, Markus Hessbrueggen, Helmut Schuster, Markus Schuster
  • Patent number: 8161853
    Abstract: The invention relates to a centering bushing for centering a material bar which is supplied to a chuck of a lathe. An outer construction and an inner construction arranged therein are rotatably arranged about the longitudinal axis of a material bar. The inner construction is arranged to be rotatable with respect to the outer construction. The outer construction has means to fix the inner construction with respect to the chuck. The outer construction has a centrifugal force device which produces a force corresponding to the rotational speed. The inner construction has a centering device which leads to a centering of the material bar due to a force exerted on the centering device. A force transmission unit is arranged between the outer construction and the inner construction and ensures that the inner construction can rotate, with respect to the outer construction, and transfers the force produced by the centrifugal force device to the centering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Moser Mechanik
    Inventor: Hansjürg Moser
  • Patent number: 8146465
    Abstract: An installation for sequential loading of bars of material in a machining center includes a frame, a first device, and a second device. The frame includes at least one first arcuate bearing surface and at least one second arcuate bearing surface connected to the first bearing surface at a first station. The first device includes a first elongated body having a peripheral first face engaging the at least one first bearing surface and a plurality of first longitudinal cavities in the first face. The first elongated body is configured to rotate such that the first bearing surface blocks an opening of the first longitudinal cavities between a first position where a bar is loaded into the first longitudinal cavity and a second position where a bar exits the first longitudinal cavity at the first station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: LNS S.A.
    Inventor: Rolf Schaerer
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8127644
    Abstract: Rotary transmission leadthrough with: a shaft (3) able to turn about a longitudinal axis running in the longitudinal direction (L) with at least one longitudinal borehole (26, 27, 28) running in the longitudinal direction (L), in which a push rod (43, 44, 45) is arranged and can move back and forth relative to the shaft (3) in the longitudinal direction (L), and with at least one opening (22, 23) in a lateral wall of the shaft which extends to a coordinated longitudinal borehole (26, 27, 28) and at least one push fork (12, 13, 14) which can travel in the longitudinal direction (L) outside the shaft (3) and is coordinated with one of the push rods (43, 44, 45), and an active connection running through the coordinated opening (22, 23) to the coordinated longitudinal borehole (26, 27, 28) between the coordinated push fork (12, 13, 14) and the coordinated push rod (43, 44, 45), which transmits a back and forth motion of the coordinated push fork (12, 13, 14) relative to the shaft (3) onto the coordinated push rod
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: Ulrich Rattunde
  • 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: 8082643
    Abstract: A machining apparatus has a vertical support frame defining two machining stations spaced apart in a direction, holders in the stations for rotating respective workpieces each about a respective station axis, and a transfer device for loading rough workpieces into the holders and for taking finished workpieces out of the holders. A single machining tool can be shifted in the direction between one position engaging the workpiece in one of the stations and out of engagement with the workpiece in the other of the stations and another position engaging the workpiece in the other station and out of engagement with the workpiece in the one station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Emag Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Guido Hegener, Roland Schmitz
  • Patent number: 8061242
    Abstract: A tool carrier device for adjustable arrangement of tools along a forming path comprises two carrier rails arranged so as to run parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction of the forming path and above the latter, at least one cross member which can be detachably connected to both carrier rails at a plurality of predetermined positions along the forming path in such a way that the cross member is arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction of the forming path, and at least one tool holder which can be detachably connected to the cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: KAMA GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Herfurth, Steffen Pieper
  • Patent number: 8051755
    Abstract: A feed rod vibration prevention support of a material feeder includes a guide device for guiding a feed rod moving to feed a material to a working machine, and a vibration attenuation mechanism for preventing the feed rod from being vibrated. The guide device further includes a guide and a bush supported by the guide having a feed rod placed thereon. The vibration attenuation mechanism includes a first elastic material located between the bush and the guide. The bush is provided with a flanged portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Alps Tool Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Yamaguchi, Shigeo Kuribayashi
  • Patent number: 8051543
    Abstract: The invention provides a composite working lathe capable of improving the efficiency of workpiece machining area by arranging a workpiece handling device below a spindle of the composite working lathe. The composite working lathe 1 comprises a spindle 20 and a tool spindle 30 on a bed 10. A workpiece handling device 40 arranged below the spindle 20 can be moved along a W axis parallel to the axis line C1 of the spindle. The workpiece handling device 40 has a workpiece handling head 50 that pivots in the direction of arrow F around an axis line C2, and grips the workpiece K1 via a gripper 60. The axis line C2 is an axis perpendicular to the vertical plane including the axis line C1 of the spindle 20, and the workpiece handling head 50 is raised for 90 degrees when the gripper 60 receives the workpiece K1 from the spindle 20. The angular position of the workpiece handling head 50 is allocated and the workpiece K1 is machined via a tool T1 on the tool spindle 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Arisue, Naokazu Okabe, Yasuhiro Goshima, Minoru Kitayama
  • Publication number: 20110214540
    Abstract: Machine tool for machining one or more work piece(s) with a drive shaft driven by a drive with an adapter fitting for the optional connection of the drive shaft with a clamping device or a lathe chuck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: GROB-WERKE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Burkhart Grob
  • Patent number: 7992474
    Abstract: A separator chute is placed at a standby position while a part is machined, and when the processing of the part is completed, the separator chute is swung and moved to a reception position to receive the part separated from a spindle. An opening portion of a cover structure, formed near a pivot shaft of the separator chute, is formed in the size through which the machined part can be discharged. The opening portion is closed by the separator chute when the chute is in the standby position and opened when the chute is in the reception position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomonori Maehara, Umeo Tsuyusaki
  • Patent number: 7975356
    Abstract: A machine for processing optical work pieces having a work piece spindle for the work piece driving rotationally about a work piece rotation axis. At least one processing unit has a tool that can machine the work piece and an adjusting mechanism causes a relative movement between the work piece spindle and tool to selectively enable loading, unloading and processing of the work piece. The adjusting mechanism has a linear drive unit and a swivel drive unit that are stacked on each other to rotate the swivel drive unit and the work piece spindle about a swivel axis that is perpendicular to the work piece rotation axis, and has the linear drive unit move the work piece spindle along a linear axis that can be perpendicular to one of the swivel axis and the work piece rotation axis and parallel to or aligned with the other axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Satisloh AG
    Inventors: Holger Schäfer, Steffen Wallendorf
  • Patent number: 7882770
    Abstract: A feeding device is installed on a machine and is utilized to convey a workpiece to be machined. The feeding device includes first and second feeding apparatus and in conveying the workpiece the workpiece has two lateral sides engaged by the first and second feeding apparatuses respectively. A clamping device is installed on the machine and is utilized to hold the moving workpiece. The clamping device includes first clamping mechanism including first and second clamping apparatuses and a second clamping mechanism including a third clamping apparatus, with the first and second clamping device holding the lateral sides of the workpiece and with the third clamping apparatus holding the top side of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Way Train Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Han Lin, Yong-Sheng Chen
  • Publication number: 20100282037
    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: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: MORI SEIKI CO., LTD
    Inventors: Koji FUJIMOTO, Kento Komine, Tsutomu Tokuma, Yutaka Nishimura
  • Patent number: 7748302
    Abstract: A workpiece exchanging apparatus for exchanging a machined workpiece with an unmachined workpiece is provided, the workpiece exchanging apparatus including a gripping arm provided at its two longitudinal end sections with gripping sections for gripping, respectively, a machined workpiece and an unmachined workpiece, the gripping arm being able to turn around a turn axis that is positioned at a longitudinal center section of the gripping arm and being able to move linearly in the axial direction of that turn axis; a first cam mechanism for making the gripping arm turn; and a second cam mechanism for making the gripping arm linearly move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Sankyo Seisakusho Co.
    Inventor: Heizaburo Kato
  • Patent number: 7739778
    Abstract: A method for machining particularly spectacle lenses by means of a machine which comprises at least one cutting unit and at least one turning unit in a common working space, wherein at least two spectacle lenses are machined at the same time in the working space, one of said spectacle lenses being cut while the other is turned. The machine frames of the cutting unit and of the turning unit are essentially decoupled from one another in terms of vibration and/or at least two machining units of the machine comprise workpiece spindle units for generating a transverse movement of the spectacle lens to be machined with respect to the respective tool, the workpiece spindle units being arranged essentially perpendicular to one another. As a result, it is possible for spectacle lenses to be machined in an extremely short time with high machining performance and with high surface precision and quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Satisloh GmbH
    Inventors: Udo Fiedler, Manfred Hanisch, Karl-Heinz Tross, Steffen Wallendorf, Holger Schaefer
  • Patent number: 7726219
    Abstract: The invention is a CNC machine tool, namely a CNC lathe, that includes a horizontal main spindle. The unfinished parts to be machined are supplied to the machine tool horizontally to the working compartment by a handling device integrated into the CNC control, and are then supplied via the handling device to a chuck that is to the horizontal main spindle. The machine tool according to the invention is particularly well-suited for small machining runs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Werner Conen
  • Publication number: 20100101384
    Abstract: There is provided a workpiece supply/conveyance device that can remove a workpiece from a spindle and supply another workpiece to the spindle smoothly and in a short time. A workpiece holding section of one of a plurality of arms includes an unmachined workpiece holding section 29 for holding an unmachined workpiece and a machined workpiece holding section 21 for holding a machined workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventor: Masaaki Masuda
  • Publication number: 20100089208
    Abstract: A manipulating device (1) for lathes is described, in particular for vertical turret lathes including at least one toolholder saddle, of the type comprising at least a first and a second workpiece manipulator device (10,11) associated with the saddle, such that by means of the displacement of the toolholder saddle the manipulator devices are displaceable between a station (C) for loading workpieces (P) to be machined and a station (S) for unloading the machined workpieces, a workpiece table (4) of the lathe being placed between the stations (C,S) to support the workpiece (P) during machining, wherein the first and the second manipulator device (10, 11) are displaceable with movements independent of one another, at least in the direction (X) of displacement of the toolholder saddle to and from the loading and unloading stations (C,S) and the workpiece table (4), in such a way that the distance between the manipulator devices (10, 11) on the lathe is adjustable at least in that direction (X).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: MAUS S.P.A
    Inventor: Roberto Sammartin
  • Patent number: 7694611
    Abstract: A workpiece ejector and a method for ejecting workpieces from a turning machine such as a lathe. The turning machine has at least one spindle for receiving workpieces therethrough and at least one chuck associated with the spindle for holding a workpiece during machining operations. In one embodiment, the ejector includes a piston mounted at a location outside the spindle and proximate the chuck, the piston having a first end adapted to engage the workpiece and being movable between a first position where the first end is located outside the spindle and a second position where the first end and at least a portion of the piston are within the spindle. An actuator is operative to move the piston from the first position toward the second position. The actuator may include a mechanical spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: J.F. Berns Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Frank Berns, Jr., Gary Wildt
  • Publication number: 20100058902
    Abstract: Material loss can be reduced by means of floating clamping of a work piece during peeling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Alfred Bartz, Michael Diethert
  • Patent number: 7674217
    Abstract: The present invention provides a machine tool with a spindle chuck replacing mechanism which is simply configured to enable a reduction in time for work replacement without the need to sense the rotation speed of a spindle chuck or the like. The machine tool includes a pre-rotation-transmission mechanism 7 transmits rotation of a spindle motor 4, via a path different from a chuck coupling portion 3a of a spindle 3, to a spindle chuck 5 placed in a processing position P1 and not coupled the chuck coupling portion 3a. The pre-rotation-transmission mechanism 7 makes a difference in rotation speed between the spindle chuck 5 and the spindle 3. The pre-rotation-transmission mechanism 7 has a speed difference absorbing mechanism 23 that absorbs the difference in rotation speed with the spindle chuck 5 coupled to the chuck coupling portion 3a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidetsugu Kawai
  • Patent number: 7637188
    Abstract: A workpiece ejecting device for a machine tool, in which the ejecting bar cannot be rotatably driven at the time of high velocity rotation of the spindle to thereby prevent occurrence of vibration, noise and frictional heat, and so that the workpiece can be ejected smoothly. The workpiece ejecting device comprises: a front bearing unit installed at an inner peripheral surface of a front end portion of the drawing tube; an ejecting cylinder located behind the chucking cylinder and installed directly on an axial line identical with that of the front bearing unit, and an ejecting rod, wherein the ejecting rod is provided at a center axis thereof with at least one fluid passing opening through which fluid for removing alien materials is supplied, and a front end of the ejecting rod is installed to be supported by the front bearing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Doosan Infracore Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae Hwan Joo, Kyeong Sik Kwon
  • Patent number: 7637856
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a machine tool with a spindle chuck replacing function which has a simple configuration and enables a reduction in work replacement time. The machine tool with the spindle chuck replacing function includes a spindle 3, a spindle motor 4, a plurality of spindle chucks 5, 5, a spindle chuck replacing mechanism 10, a pre-rotation motor 7, a rotation speed sensing arrangement, and a replacement spindle motor speed control device. The replacement spindle motor speed control device controls the rotation speed of the spindle motor 4 according to a speed sensed by the rotation speed sensing arrangement so that when the spindle chuck replacing mechanism 10 passes the spindle chuck located at a spindle opposite position P1 to a chuck coupling portion 3a of the spindle 3, the rotation speed of the spindle 3 synchronizes with the rotation speed of the spindle chuck 5 located at the spindle opposite position P1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetsugu Kawai, Haruaki Kozawa
  • Publication number: 20090151524
    Abstract: The invention provides a device for automatically carrying in and out a workpiece cooperating with a tool spindle stock of a composite working lathe. The composite working lathe comprises a main spindle 10, a workpiece handling device 20 and a tool spindle stock 30 that rotates around a B axis. A workpiece carry-in/out device 100 comprises a frame 120 including a material carry-in hand 130 and a finished product tray 140, and a cylinder 110 for moving the frame back and forth. A door 60 of a cover 50 is opened to carry in a material B1 and carry out a finished product P1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Ko Hioki, Yasuhiro Goshima, Masahiro Sugiura, Toru Yamamoto