Patents Assigned to Mazak Corporation
  • Publication number: 20220388076
    Abstract: A jaw exchanger includes a stocker configured to store jaws which are configured to be attached to a chuck body of a machine tool, a stocker movement mechanism configured to move the stocker between a first position and a second position, and a jaw transferor configured to transfer the jaws to the stocker positioned at the first position from a jaw receiver to receive the jaws, and configured to transfer the jaws to the chuck body from the stocker positioned at the second position. The chuck body is rotatable about a rotation axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro KINTOKI, Tetsuya ITO, Yuki MORI, Yuki MYOREN
  • Publication number: 20220371143
    Abstract: A workpiece installation method includes obtaining a reference image that shows a reference workpiece whose posture has been adjusted, setting workpiece reference lines on a boundary of a first image area occupied by the reference workpiece in the reference image, obtaining a measurement image that shows a workpiece, generating, using a processor, a measurement combined image in which workpiece reference lines are superimposed on the measurement image and which shows the workpiece reference lines pass through positions respectively identical to workpiece reference line positions, and adjusting a posture of the workpiece such that a boundary of a second image area occupied by the workpiece in the measurement combined image is shown to be substantially parallel to or substantially coincident with the workpiece reference lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuya HORIBE, Kazumasa MARUTA, Hiromasa YAMAMOTO, Hyunkoo PARK, Masatoshi ITOH, Ryuichi MIZUKAMI
  • Patent number: 11458564
    Abstract: A method of friction stir processing (FSP) includes contacting a first workpiece with a FSP tool, where the first workpiece is a low-melting temperature metal or alloy and the FSP tool is a single-body FSP tool having a diamond working surface. The method also includes rotating the FSP tool in contact with the first workpiece at an interface and generating thermal energy at the interface to heat the first workpiece. The method further includes conducting thermal energy away from the interface with the FSP tool, and friction stirring the first workpiece at a temperature of the FSP tool below 800° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney Dale Fleck, Russell J. Steel
  • Patent number: 11440133
    Abstract: A friction stir processing (FSP) tool includes a working material. The working material has a matrix phase and a particulate phase. The matrix phase includes tungsten and an alloy material. The particulate phase is located within the matrix phase, and the particulate phase has an indentation hardness less than 45 GPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Qingyuan Liu, Russell J. Steel, Rodney Dale Fleck
  • Publication number: 20220275903
    Abstract: A table rotation device includes a bearing assembly, a table support member, a support block, and a cooling block. The bearing assembly includes a fixed ring, a movable ring, and rolling elements provided between the fixed ring and the movable. The movable ring is rotatable about the rotation axis. The table support member is connected to the movable ring so as to fix a position of the table support member relative to a position of the movable ring. The support block is connected to the fixed ring so as to fix a position of the support block relative to a position of the fixed ring. The cooling block is connected to at least one of the fixed ring and the support block such that the cooling block is in contact with both the fixed ring and the support block. The cooling block provides a cooling passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Jojiro KIMURA, Makoto TAHARA, Nobuhiro SAKAI
  • Publication number: 20220226928
    Abstract: A stir pin includes a base end portion configured to be held rotatably about a first axis, a stirring portion provided to project from a shoulder member to be rotatable about the first axis together with the base end portion, and an intermediate portion including a second portion connected to the stirring portion to be rotatable about the first axis together with the stirring portion and having a second diameter passing through the first axis, and a first portion provided between and connected to the base end portion and the second portion to be rotatable about the first axis together with the base end portion and the second portion. The first portion has an end surface to which the second portion is connected and which has a maximum diameter larger than the second diameter. The end surface has a ring-shaped receiving surface configured to receive a material waste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Applicant: Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Seigo OUCHI, Eiji MATSUBARA, Masayasu MINATANI, Toru MURAKAMI
  • Patent number: 11364576
    Abstract: A laser machining apparatus includes a chuck configured to hold a workpiece such that the workpiece is rotatable about a rotational axis, a first workpiece support provided on a first side with respect to the chuck in an axial direction along the rotational axis and configured to support a projected workpiece projecting from the chuck on the first side, and a parts catcher configured to receive a product when the projected workpiece is not supported by the first workpiece support and convey the product to a loading dock. The parts catcher includes a first catcher workpiece support configured to support the projected workpiece. In the axial direction, a first distance between the first catcher workpiece support and the chuck is shorter than a second distance between the first workpiece support and the chuck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: YAMAZAKI MAZAK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke Kageyama, Kazuya Shimamoto, Keita Hachiya
  • Publication number: 20220184731
    Abstract: A sheet metal working system includes a laser machining apparatus for processing a sheet metal in a laser machining region, a camera for photographing the laser machining region, an illuminator for illuminating the sheet metal, and circuitry configured to process an image photographed by the camera. The laser machining apparatus includes a sheet metal support member having a plate shape, the sheet metal support member having a plurality of elongated projections arranged in a first direction in a laser machining region. The sheet metal is disposed on the plurality of elongated projections. The camera is arranged such that the optical axis of the camera is oriented substantially parallel to the first direction when viewed in the height direction of the laser machining apparatus. The circuitry detects a bright region in the image as a machining available area of the sheet metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Hikaru IRYODA, Yoshihiko SAKAI, Tetsuro NAKAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20220187798
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for remaining useful life prediction. Operational data is collected from a test machine until a component fails, and a training dataset generated from the operational data. The training dataset is used to define and validate a prediction model. Operational data received from one or more field machines is provided to the prediction model. The prediction model then predicts the remaining useful life of the component of the field machine. To reduce the time-to-failure of the component in the test machine, the component may be repeatedly subjected to an accelerated wear cycle. The prediction model may be defined by extracting features from the training dataset. Like features may be extracted from the field dataset and provided to the prediction model as part of the prediction process. The operational data received from the field machines may be used to generate an updated prediction model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicants: University of Cincinnati, Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Moslem Azamfar, Vibhor Pandhare, Marcella Miller, Fei Li, Pin Li, Jaskaran Singh, Hossein Davari, Jay Lee, Joseph Frank Sanders, JR., Keita Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20220176506
    Abstract: A tool storage includes a tool receiver, a tool magazine, and a tool carriage. The tool receiver is provided on a one side of a machine tool with respect to a workpiece holder of the machine tool along a machine tool direction and is configured to receive a tool from an outside of the machine tool. The tool magazine is provided on another side opposite to the one side with respect to the workpiece holder along the machine tool direction. The tool carriage is configured to carry the tool between the tool receiver and the tool magazine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro KINTOKI, Seiya ONO, Reiji MAEKAWA, Mitsumasa IEDA, Keijiro KINOSHITA, Kenji YOSHIMOTO, Masaki TANASE
  • Publication number: 20220179391
    Abstract: A controller includes data collect circuitry configured to collect machining data including a date and a time when at least one machined portion of a workpiece has been machined by a machine tool, temperature circuitry configured to obtain, at predetermined time intervals, temperature data at positions on the machine tool, dimension data input circuitry configured to receive dimension measurement data which includes a dimension of the machined portion after the machined portion has been machined, learning data generate circuitry configured to generate learning data based on the machining data and the dimension measurement data, and machine learning circuitry configured to execute a machine learning based on the temperature data and the learning data to obtain a correction coefficient based on which a displacement caused by a change in a temperature of the machine tool is corrected according to a thermal displacement correction equation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihito OKUDA, Ryo YOSHIDA, Akira ISEKI, Yasuhiko SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20220178257
    Abstract: A method for producing an integrally bladed rotor includes providing imaginary front and rear lattice points on the ridges of the front and rear edges; providing a first imaginary line on positive-pressure and negative-pressure surfaces to connect a first imaginary front lattice point and a first imaginary rear lattice point; providing a second imaginary line on the positive-pressure and negative-pressure surfaces to connect a second imaginary front lattice point next to the first imaginary front lattice point and a second imaginary rear lattice point next to the first imaginary rear lattice point; providing a spiral path on the positive-pressure and negative-pressure surfaces by connecting the first and second imaginary lines with a spiral curve; and cutting the positive-pressure and negative-pressure surfaces by moving a cutting point corresponding to a cutting edge of a turning tool along the spiral path. point around the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihide HARADA, Tetsuji FUJITA
  • Publication number: 20220155750
    Abstract: A tool load displaying method for a machine tool includes inputting a machining program that specifies a plurality of tools used during machining work and that specifies machining processes which constitute the machining work and each of which is performed by using each of the plurality of tools. At least one piece of load information corresponding to each of the plurality of tools during each of the at least one machining process is calculated. Selected load information is selected from the at least one piece of load information. The plurality of tools are displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Jun MATSUI, Yuuki YAMAMOTO, Takuro KATAYAMA, Morikuni KIMURA
  • Publication number: 20220155751
    Abstract: A tool load displaying method includes displaying tools specified by a machining program and selectively displaying at least one of machining processes which are specified by the machining program and each of which is performed by using each of the tools. Load information and values of machining parameters in a selected machining process selected among the at least one of machining processes displayed are displayed. A selected tool is selected among the tools. A first selection window showing at least one replacement tool replaceable with the selected tool is displayed so as to select a selected replacement tool among the at least one replacement tool. A second selection window showing at least one machining process performed by using the selected tool is displayed so as to select among the at least one machining process, at least one selected replacement-tool machining process to be performed by using the selected replacement tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Jun MATSUI, Yuuki YAMAMOTO, Takuro KATAYAMA, Morikuni KIMURA
  • Publication number: 20220134482
    Abstract: A laser working machine includes a first slot provided at another end portion of a first body. In the first slot, either one of a first shielding plate and a first light transmissive plate is selectively insertable in a sealed manner. The first shielding plate is configured to block a first optical path. The first light transmissive plate has a first optical path hole through which the first optical path and a second optical path are connectable. The laser working machine includes a second slot provided at a second body end portion of a second body. In the second slot, either one of a second shielding plate and a second light transmissive plate is selectively insertable in a sealed manner. The second shielding plate is configured to block the second optical path. The second light transmissive plate has a second optical path hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohisa NAKAYAMA, Satoshi SASAKI, Tetsuichi KITAMOTO
  • Patent number: 11314233
    Abstract: A controller includes a determination circuit, a setting circuit, and a control circuit. The determination circuit is configured to determine whether a chatter vibration is occurring while a spindle is rotating and a workpiece is being cut. The setting circuit is configured to set an upper limit and a lower limit on a change amount of a rotational speed of the spindle. The control circuit is configured to determine the change amount randomly from a range between the upper limit and the lower limit and configured to rotate the spindle at a second rotational speed obtained by changing a first rotational speed by the change amount that has been determined if the chatter vibration is determined as occurring while the control circuit controls the rotational speed of the spindle at the first rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: YAMAZAKI MAZAK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromasa Yamamoto, Tatsuya Matsuda, Jumpei Kitayama, Kento Yoshida, Masatoshi Itoh
  • Patent number: 11311977
    Abstract: A machine tool includes a tool spindle, a tool intermediate device, and a tool storage which includes first tool magazines, a first tool magazine support mechanism, an additional first tool magazine support mechanism, and a tool carrier. The first tool magazine support mechanism includes a first shaft to support at least one of the first tool magazines to be rotatable about a first rotation axis. The additional first tool magazine support mechanism includes an additional first shaft to support at least one of the first tool magazines to be rotatable about an additional first rotation axis. The tool carrier includes a first guide extending along the first and additional first rotation axes, a second guide extending along a line connecting the first and additional first rotation axes, and a lift configured to move along the first guide. The first guide is movable along the second guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: YAMAZAKI MAZAK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Nishida, Takahiro Kugimoto, Masanori Shimaoka, Mikio Wakida, Takuya Mizuno
  • Publication number: 20220105597
    Abstract: A workpiece support device includes a shaft rotatable about a shaft rotation axis of the shaft, a first support, a first reciprocating mechanism, and a first connecting rod having one end and another end. The shaft extends along a longitudinal direction of a workpiece. The first support includes a first support roller that is rotatable about a first roller rotation axis orthogonal to the shaft rotation axis and that is configured to contact the workpiece to support the workpiece. The first reciprocating mechanism has one end connected to the first support and is configured to reciprocate in a first expansion-contraction axis direction. The one end of the first connecting rod is rotatably connected to the first support. The another end of the first connecting rod is connected to the shaft such that the another end of the first connecting rod is rotatable together with the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Keisuke KAGEYAMA, Kazuya SHIMAMOTO, Keita HACHIYA
  • Publication number: 20220004158
    Abstract: A method for editing a machining program includes obtaining tool information specifying a tool mountable on a machine tool. A program editing window and at least one assistance window are displayed. The program editing window shows a program code of the machining program to control the machine tool. Each of the assistance window selectively shows the tool information and a control method. The tool is to be controlled according to the control method. In the program code, an insertion position at which a new code is to be inserted into the program code is specified. Selected information is selected from the tool information when the tool information is shown in the at least one assistance window. A command corresponding to the selected information is inserted into the program code at the insertion position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki MATSUZAWA, Yuuki YAMAMOTO, Takuro KATAYAMA, Morikuni KIMURA
  • Publication number: 20210365005
    Abstract: An input assistance method includes: a plurality of steps in which setting-information based on which the machine tool is configured to be controlled to machine a workpiece so as to make a product is input. A setting step in which a selected information is to be input is selected among the plurality of steps. The selected information of the plurality of steps constitutes the setting-information. A setting interface via which the selected information is input is displayed. Whether inputting the selected information has been completed is determined. Information indicating that inputting the selected information has been completed is displayed, when inputting the selected information is determined to have been completed. The plurality of steps includes a first step in which a shape of the product is input and a second step in which a shape of the workpiece and a material of the workpiece are input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya KUMASAKA, Yuuki YAMAMOTO, Takuro KATAYAMA, Morikuni KIMURA