Abstract: A machine tool operative as both a chucking type lathe and as a horizontal spindle machine center comprises a rotatable spindle horizontally journaled to a spindlehead vertically reciprocal on a machine tool upright, the upright being slidably mounted for movement on one leg of an "L" shaped bed. A saddle, mounted for movement along the other leg of the bed, carries a table rotatably journaled therein. Affixed to the table is a tailstock which carries both toolholders and workpiece holders. A changer arm, journaled to the spindle for rotation about, and linear movement along, an axis parallel to the axis of spindle rotation is operative, when the upright is moved along the bed to a first changer position, to transfer toolholders and workpiece holders between the spindle and a storage drum journaled to the bed for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of spindle rotation.

Abstract: A machining center for machining the interior of an elongate tubular workpiece includes a bed on which a rotatably indexable member is slidably mounted for movement on the bed along a first axis. Removably fastened on the indexable member in spaced parallelism are a first and second hollow bore spindles each engaging the exterior surface of a tubular workpiece whose interior is to be machined. The first spindle is rotatably driven to rotate the tubular workpiece about its axis responsive to machine tool control system commands slidably mounted on the bed for movement thereon along a path perpendicular to the path of member movement in an upright. Extending from the upright parallel to the axis of upright movement for insertion into the workpiece bore is an arm which is movable along the upright along a vertical direction. At the distal end of the arm is a right angle, high speed rotary driven cutting tool carrying spindle.

Abstract: Pressurized hydraulic fluid for energizing the collet unclamping mechanism of a machining center is supplied through a first solenoid valve from an accumulator which is charged by a piston pump. The piston pump is attached to the machining center between the Z axis slide and the Z bed so that as the Z axis slide is moved to a home position at the outset of a tool change cycle, the pump charges the accumulator, allowing pressurized hydraulic fluid to be admitted into the collet unclamping cylinder through the solenoid control valve in response to machining center control system commands. Following pressurization of the unclamping mechanism from the accumulator, both the unclamping mechanism and the piston pump drain to the oil sump to reduce any drag on the Z axis slide or on the unclamping mechanism itself.

Abstract: An unmanned diagnostic communications system for analyzing the operation of a remotely situated computer controlled machine tool and for diagnosing any abnormalities disclosed during machine tool operation includes an auto dialer and MODEM coupled between the computer controlled machine tool and one end of a communications channel and an auto answer MODEM coupled between the other end of the communications channel and a diagnostic computer. In response to a test command entered by an operator to the remotely situated computer controlled machine tool or a machine tool initiated test command, the auto dialer automatically establishes a communications link with the diagnostic computer through the auto answer MODEM. Thereafter, the diagnostic computer determines the identity of the remotely situated computer controlled machine and then transmits instructions to the computer controlled machine tool to direct its operation.

Abstract: Remote control of a computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tool is facilitated by an intelligent portable control box coupled to the CNC machine tool through a radio frequency link, typically taking the form of a single conductor coaxial cable. The portable control box includes a transmit/receive circuit and a plurality of input devices and output devices, the transmit/receive circuit, the input devices and output devices all being coupled to, and controlled by a microcomputer. Information from the CNC machine tool indicative of machine tool operating conditions is transmitted across the RF link in the form of carrier keyed radio frequency signals to the portable control box. The transmit/receive circuit demodulates the carrier keyed signals and in accordance with the demodulated signals supplied thereto from the output transmit/receive circuit, the microcomputer renders the output devices operative to display machine tool operating characteristics.

Abstract: An electronic control system for a machine tool employs a monitoring system for monitoring the absolute position of a reversibly (and linearly or rotationally) movable moving member in the machine tool. The monitoring system includes a clock, a digital feedback position counter having a predetermined count range, an exciter, a feedback device responsive to movement of the movable member, a digital position storage device, a zero crossing detector, and a zero position counter. The feedback position counter, which operates at a clock frequency, controls the exciter which provides a pulsed exciter signal to the feedback device. The feedback position counter also provides a position count Nc to the position storage device and to the zero position counter.

Abstract: For interrupting all values of electric current in a high voltage circuit which cause operation of a fuse within one hour, a plurality of parallel connected helically configured fusible elements formed preferably of cadmium are embedded within quartz sand in granular form disposed within a housing structure which includes a tubular member of insulating material to the ends of which terminal caps are secured and connected to the ends of the fusible elements respectively so that currents of a high order of magnitude are interrupted in a fraction of a half cycle in a current limiting fashion and so that currents of a low order of magnitude and which are slightly in excess of normal rated load current of the fuse cause the temperature of the fusible elements to rise to approximately the melting point so that the fusible elements melt in random sequence following which arcs are established progressively by commutation action along a substantial portion of the length of each fusible element by direct arc contact, b

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing the cross sectional area of a wire comprises stabilizing means arranged to receive the wire and to limit extrusion thereof in a direction transverse to its length and movable projecting means for engaging the wire while restrained by the stabilizing means so as to effect a deformation of the wire and a concomitant reduction of its cross sectional area.

Abstract: Multilingual computer-specified control messages are communicated to an operator in an operator-selected language by the combination of a message writer and a language changer. The language changer contains a set of message storage tables, each containing a set of control messages written in a particular language, and a set of message address tables, each message address table referencing a computer-generated message code indicative of a specific condition to a respective one of the control messages in an associated message location table. In accordance with an operator command indicative of a desired control message language, the language changer supplies the message writer with the corresponding message storage table and message address table.

Abstract: A vertical spindle numerically controlled machining center includes a stationary bed or base on which a workpiece holding table is slidably mounted for movement along a first axis. A vertically extending upright or column, having a vertically reciprocal spindlehead slidably mounted thereon, is slidably mounted on the bed for movement along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis so that the spindlehead overlies a portion of the table. Within the upright is a recess adjacent to the bed. A tool storage magazine is located in the recess and is slidably mounted on the bed for movement through the recess along an axis parallel to the second axis. During a tool change cycle, the toolholder then held in the spindle is returned to the tool storage magazine by first moving the spindlehead to the ready position and then moving the tool storage drum toward the spindlehead to engage the tool then held in the spindle.

Abstract: A spindle keylock for stopping and locking the spindle of a machine tool at a predetermined angular orientation to align the machine tool spindle key with the toolholder key to facilitate tool exchange includes a collar fastened about the spindle for co-joint rotation therewith. The collar has a helically cammed exterior surface into which an axially extending slot or channel is inscribed. A cam follower, pivotally mounted to the machine tool spindlehead so as to lie within a plane passing through the spindle axis which is at a predetermined angular orientation with respect to a reference plane passing through the spindle axis in alignment with the spindle key, is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the spindle for engaging with the cammed collar surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for setting cutting tool length on numerically controlled machine tools includes a base having a leg extending perpendicularly therefrom. A rod is fastened to the base parallel to the leg. Overlying the end of the rod distal from the base is a cap which is reciprocal along the axis of the rod and which is biased away from the base by a spring interposed between the rod and the cap. A dial indicator gauge is fastened to the rod to abut the cap for indicating the displacement of the cap along the rod relative to the base. A setting block is pivotally mounted to the leg a known distance from the base and is rotatable about the axis of the leg for urging the cap against the spring so that the distance between the cap and the base corresponds to the known distance between the setting block and the base, to facilitate zeroing of the dial indicator gauge.

Abstract: An automatic tool changer for a machine tool having a rotary toolhead with cross-feed slide includes a tilt unit having a tool socket which is pivotal between a first position, parallel to the axis of a machine tool storage magazine to permit loading or unloading of a machine tool carrier into the tool socket from the tool storage magazine by a transfer arm, and a second position parallel to the axis of the rotary toolhead. A tool changer arm, having tool grippers at opposite ends, moves along and rotates about an axis parallel to the rotary toolhead to exchange the tool carrier in the tool socket of the tilt unit with the tool carrier in the rotary toolhead, thereby permitting a new machining operation to be performed by the machine tool as well as storage of the machine tool carrier previously held in the rotary toolhead.

Abstract: An electric cutout includes a fuseholder in which a fusible element is mounted, a conducting element pivotally mounted to the lower end of the fuseholder and having a pair of trunnions disposed within a pair of spaced jaws on which a pair of guide surfaces are respectively mounted for cooperation with complementary guiding surfaces of arcuate configuration on the conducting element so that rotation of the fuseholder and conducting element about the trunnions may be effected in such manner that the trunnions are securely held against the bight portions of the jaws thereby to prevent rocking action of the fuseholder during closing movement thereof, an ejector latching element pivotally mounted on the conducting element and arranged to eject the fusible element upon rupture thereof and also arranged to engage a part of the fuseholder so as to prevent relative movement between the conducting element and the fuseholder, a U-shaped contact fixed in position adjacent the jaws and arranged to engage opposite surfaces

Abstract: A fuse striker affords a visual or other indication of an operated condition of an associated fuse and is mounted within the fuse and comprises a housing structure coaxially arranged within the fuse with an end of the housing in contact with an end of the fuse, closure structure for the opposite end of the striker housing and comprising mating half sections with a longitudinal groove formed in at least one complementary surface through which an elongated high resistance ignition element extends and which is in shunt with the fusible elements of the fuse so as to contact with pyrotechnic material interposed between the closure means and a cup like piston element having an outwardly flared lip portion whereby ignition of the pyrotechnic element drives the piston toward the opposite end of the housing so as to thrust a striker pin mounted therein through the fuse cap so as to afford a visual indication of the operated condition of the fuse, the pyrotechnic material being ignited upon rupture of the fusible eleme

Abstract: The invention involves new high voltage current limiting fuses employing composite metal fuse elements. One metal of the composite is aluminum which is of high conductivity and high melting point while the other is cadmium which is of low melting point, so that melting of the low melting point metal occurs at any and all locations along the element when its temperature reaches the said low melting point. The resulting composite exhibits properties that are not the mean of the metals employed and has a reversible resistance characteristic thus facilitating the design of the fuse for low current fault interruption.

Abstract: A probe is mounted on the nose of a toolholder which fits into the spindle of a numerically controlled machine tool. An oscillator is mounted within the toolholder and is powered by a battery within the toolholder. The output of the oscillator is coupled to a primary coil on the toolholder which is inductively coupled to a ringshaped secondary coil on the spindlehead of the machine tool. Switches within the toolholder are wired to the oscillator to cause it to shift frequency when the probe stylus makes contact with a workpiece when moving along any one of the X, Y or Z axes. The ringshaped secondary coil is coupled to the machine tool's NC circuits to indicate when the probe makes contact with the workpiece.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring digital data between a mass memory and a random access memory. The mass memory has a plurality of memory loops, each having a plurality of memory cells, and a read/write device which either outputs data from the memory cells or inputs data to the memory cells. Each memory cell is identified by an address that specifies its place in the loop sequence starting from a reference cell. A loop position counter is set at zero when the reference cell of the selected memory loop is at the read/write device. The loop position counter is advanced by one count each time the next memory cell in the sequence is moved into operative relationship with the read/write device. Transfer of data between the mass memory and the random access memory is accomplished without any delay under the control of a random access memory address counter which is synchronized with the loop position counter.

Abstract: A diagnostic communication system for machine tools interlinks a computer controlled machine tool with diagnostic and analysis equipment located at a location remote from the machine tool. The computer associated with the machine tool is connected with the diagnostic apparatus over a telephone line, and the machine tool is caused to execute a predetermined routine as a result of instructions transmitted to the computer from the diagnostic apparatus. The operating characteristics of the machine are monitored during the operation of the machine, and are communicated to the diagnostic apparatus, where they are compared with corresponding characteristics previously collected for the same machine, and with design limit parameters. Such comparisons furnish an indication of the present operating condition of the machine tool, and establish trends, which are useful in identifying the nature and location of incipient faults or failures before they occur.