Patents Assigned to Walter Maschinenbau GmbH
  • Patent number: 12179287
    Abstract: A method for the material-removing machining of a workpiece by laser beam pulses. The laser beam pulses are directed to impact points on the surface of a volume to be removed of the workpiece in order to cut away material from the volume to be removed. Cutting away the volume to be removed results in a new contour surface to be produced on the workpiece. An impact angle of the laser beam pulses relative to the contour surface to be produced is set in accordance with a predefined condition during the removal of at least part of the volume to be removed that directly adjoins the contour surface to be produced. According to this condition, the impact angle is the same as a threshold angle (as), or somewhat smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: WALTER MASCHINENBAU GMBH
    Inventors: Bruno Frei, Claus Dold, Maximilian Warhanek
  • Patent number: 10919122
    Abstract: Grinding and/or erosion machine (10) for machining a chip-cutting rotary tool including a tool body (18) and several cutting plates (19) per existing pitch (TR). A control device (25) activates an axis arrangement (11) to move a machine tool (12) and the rotary tool (13) to be machined relative to each other. An interface device (26) triggers a data import function for reading-in the position data of the cutting plates (19). The position data (P) describe at least one angular value (?1, ?2), a first length value (z1) and a second length value (z2). The control device (25) imports the position data (P) in chaotic order and allocates the position data (P) of each cutting plate (19) in the imported machine data set (M) to respectively one separate virtual pitch (TV), independent of whether the cutting plates (19) belong to a common pitch of the rotary tool (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: WALTER Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Siegfried Hegele, Ulrich Braendle
  • Patent number: 10730707
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transport device (38) for transporting a workpiece (23) between a clamping chuck (22) and a workpiece carrier (30). The transport device (38) comprises a gripper arrangement (39) with a pivot arm (40). One end of the pivot arm (40) is supported on the machine tool (20) and, in particular, a machine slide (25) via a first pivot drive (41) so as to be pivotable about a first pivot axis (S1). On the other end, the pivot arm (40) supports a second pivot drive (42) that defines a second pivot axis (S2). A workpiece gripper (43) is supported so as to be pivotable about this second pivot axis (S2). The two pivot axes are inclined by 45° relative to each other. A workpiece (23) held by the workpiece gripper (43) has a workpiece longitudinal axis (W) that extends in a first position (I) of the workpiece gripper (43) at a right angle with respect to the pivot axis (S1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: WALTER MASCHINENBAU GMBH
    Inventor: Lukas Gussmann
  • Patent number: 10401827
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (15) and a method (V) for machining a tool (16) by removing material. The tool (16) is first of all measured in three dimensions using a measuring unit (17) and a three-dimensional virtual tool model (M) is produced therefrom. This virtual tool model (M) is compared with a reference contour (R) from a particular tool data record (WD). If a match was determined, a machining program (PR) assigned to the tool data record (WD) is selected and a desired contour (SK) is determined by fitting the reference contour (R) into the three-dimensional virtual tool model (M). The tool (16) can then be machined on the basis of this desired contour (SK).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Walter Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Wenke, Manfred Maier, Christoph Plüss
  • Patent number: 10357858
    Abstract: An actuating device (10) actuates jaws (12) of a steady rest (11). The jaws can be used for clamping or supporting a workpiece (13). The actuating device includes a carrier (18) with a mounting side (20) to which the steady rest (11) can be mounted. An outer end (27b) of an actuating part (27) projects away from the mounting side (20) of the carrier (18) and includes a connecting arrangement (29) as the interface for the connection with an input part (14) of the steady rest (11). An inner end (27 c) of the actuating part (27) is movably coupled with a piston (35) of a pneumatic cylinder (36) via a coupling arrangement (34). The coupling arrangement 34 includes a slide (40) that is immovably connected to the piston (35), said slide having on it at least one slotted gate (44). The slotted gate (44) defines a gate path oriented obliquely to longitudinal direction L and to height direction H, along which gate path the at least one gate element (46) can be guided in a movable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Walter Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Nuber, Stefan Wolfgram
  • Patent number: 9694473
    Abstract: A rotary tool (21) working surface (23) includes a plurality of cutting bodies (24). The rotary tool (21) can be driven about a rotational axis (R). The actual enveloping surface (HF) of the working surface (23) is ascertained by an optical measuring arrangement (29). At least one other target variable (GS) is detected, which describes a microscopic parameter of the working surface (23). The actual variable (GI) corresponding to each specified target variable (GS) is detected by the measuring arrangement (29), and the deviation between the target variable (GS) and the actual variable (GI) is determined. If the actual enveloping surface (HF) lies outside of a specified target enveloping area (HR) or if a deviation (D) between an actual variable (GI) and the corresponding target variable (GS) is unacceptably large, selected first and/or second cutting bodies (24a, 24b) are machined and/or removed by a laser device (35).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: WALTER MASCHINENBAU GMBH
    Inventors: Christoph Plüss, Heinrich Mushardt, Oliver Wenke
  • Patent number: 9610666
    Abstract: A lifting apparatus includes a lifting part that can be moved in linear direction between a rest position and a working position. At least one drive device is disposed for moving the lifting part. Each drive device includes a toggle lever mechanism, having a first toggle supported pivotally on the lifting part and a second toggle supported on a base part. A positioning device prespecifies the position of the lifting part in lifting direction and in a direction transverse to lifting direction in working position. To do so, said toggle preferably has a stop surface against which the lifting part is pushed into working position by the at least one drive device. In this working position, the toggle joint angle ? of the toggle lever mechanism is smaller than 180° so that the two toggles and are outside the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Walter Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Schindler, Simon Kümmerle
  • Patent number: 9496669
    Abstract: A sliding contact arrangement (13) is used in an erosion arrangement (10) or an erosion machine. The sliding contact arrangement (13) establishes an electrical connection with a slip ring (14), whereby said slip ring can be driven about a rotational axis (D), and with a current source or voltage source (11). The sliding contact arrangement (13) has an electrical connecting line (12) that can be electrically connected to the current source or voltage source (11). The connecting line (12) is mechanically and electrically connected to an electrically conductive body (20). On an underside (21) associated with the slip ring (14), the body (20) includes a plurality of projecting contact wires (35) bundled into several strands. In not loaded, not bent state, the strands (37) extend parallel to each other away from the underside (21) toward their free ends (39), which contact a common generated surface of a cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: WALTER MASCHINENBAU GMBH
    Inventor: Bernhard Pichler
  • Patent number: 9409271
    Abstract: A coolant distributor (10) includes a rigid connection unit (17) installed to be movable relative to the machine frame. An exchangeable distributor unit (18) can be connected to or disconnected from the connection unit (17) via a gripper device associated with the machine tool. The connection unit (17) has a connection face, on which at least one coolant supply channel opens. A distributor face on the distributor unit (18), where at least one distributor channel opens, contacts the connector face. The plane in which the connection face extends and the plane in which the distributor face extends are tilted from a connection direction (R) in which the distributor unit (18) moves to make and break the connection. A retaining force can be applied in the connection direction (R) by a locking device to retain the distributor unit in the connected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: WALTER MASCHINENBAU GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Wolgram, Wolfgang Nuber
  • Publication number: 20140235074
    Abstract: A sliding contact arrangement (13) is used in an erosion arrangement (10) or an erosion machine. The sliding contact arrangement (13) establishes an electrical connection with a slip ring (14), whereby said slip ring can be driven about a rotational axis (D), and with a current source or voltage source (11). The sliding contact arrangement (13) has an electrical connecting line (12) that can be electrically connected to the current source or voltage source (11). The connecting line (12) is mechanically and electrically connected to an electrically conductive body (20). On an underside (21) associated with the slip ring (14), the body (20) includes a plurality of projecting contact wires (35) bundled into several strands. In not loaded, not bent state, the strands (37) extend parallel to each other away from the underside (21) toward their free ends (39), which contact a common generated surface of a cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Walter Maschinenbau GMBH
    Inventor: Bernhard Pichler
  • Patent number: 8688269
    Abstract: An apparatus for teaching a gripping device is disclosed. The gripping device includes an arm. The arm has a free end that can be freely moved in an operating region and includes a gripper. The gripper includes at least one, preferably two pairs of spaced apart gripping tongs consisting of an electrically conductive material. A control unit is included electrically connected to the tongs or a measuring body. A detecting means detects current in a control line. The apparatus uses a reference component having three reference surfaces to determine a reference coordinate system. By pre-specifying several points on the reference component that are to be approached, an automated determination of the position and alignment of a chuck or pallet can be utilized. A highly accurate analysis of a current signal is used by the apparatus for teaching the gripping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Walter Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Marx
  • Publication number: 20140021668
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine (10) for machining and/or measuring a workpiece (49). Machine (10) has a machine frame (18), a first transverse member (24) which is rotatably mounted by means of a first round guide (25) about a first rotational axis (D1) on the machine frame (18) and on which a tool unit (11) with a tool (13, 14) is arranged, where the tool (13, 14) is arranged at a distance from the first rotational axis (D1). Machine 10 also has a second transverse member (40) which is rotatably mounted by means of a second round guide (41) about a second rotational axis (D2) on the machine frame (18), and on which a workpiece clamping device (12) is arranged at a distance from the second rotational axis (D2). The two rotational axis (D1, D2) are aligned parallel to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: WALTER MASCHINENBAU GMBH
    Inventor: Harald Gosebruch
  • Patent number: 7546787
    Abstract: A dynamic spindle adjustment permitting an adjustment movement for the compensation of a wobble of the body held by the work spindle is provided on the spindle bearing of a machine tool. The regulation is designed at least dynamically enough for the regulation to permit a reliable tracking of the rotating work spindle. As a result of this, one or more spindles can be moved relative to a stationary machine in such a manner that the path of a body held on the work spindle represents an ideal rotation about the desired body axis, that is, the axis of symmetry. The compensation motion can be achieved by energizing appropriate actuators of the bearing devices with sinusoidal and cosinusoidal adjustment signals, which are superimposed to produce a circular motion of the affected bearing device. This circular motion compensates for orbital motions of the misaligned body (7) held on the work spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Walter Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Háckh, Paul Helmut Nebeling
  • Patent number: 7103441
    Abstract: A method for calibration of grinding and/or erosion machines assumes an initial calibration process and corresponding re-calibration processes. Calibration of the machine is performed with a reference piece and a reference tracer in an initial calibration process. Grinding tests follow the first tracing process from all directions during which tests deviations are determined and made ineffective with the iterative procedure. The machine-internal measuring system is calibrated immediately after performing the machining tests and thereby immediately after the initial referencing of the machining apparatus whereby the machine tracer and a test piece is traced from all coordinate directions and the resulting position values are stored. Subsequent re-calibrations supply measured values, which are compared to the stored values whereby correction values are determined then from the deviations for additional machining of workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Walter Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Engelfried, Heinz Häckh, Christian Dilger
  • Patent number: 7081039
    Abstract: Both a grinder system and a corresponding grinding method are based on a module, embodied preferably as a program or program segment, which, preferably automatically, defines the geometry of the corner cutting edge and the corner cutting face of a metal-cutting tool on the basis of predetermined peripheral conditions. The axial rake angle of the face-end cutting edge and the axial rake angle of the circumferential cutting edge as well as a desired effective profile can serve as the predetermined peripheral conditions. Further peripheral conditions may be a smooth transition of the cutting faces between the face-end chip cutting face, corner cutting face and circumferential cutting face. Tools are obtained that have a long service life and with which at the same time good machining quality can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Walter Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Dilger, Mikhail Simakov
  • Publication number: 20060073764
    Abstract: A data set (D) is provided for machine control of a grinding machine to determine time-efficient, collision-free travel paths whereby said data set has a collision parameter of “0” or “1” in each separate coordination point (X, Y, Z, A) as well as for each combination of the separated tool types (WZI) and workpiece types (WSJ). Said collision parameter indicates if the constellation assigned to the corresponding coordination point (X, Y, Z, A), which means the relative position of workpiece (11) and tool (3), does or does not result in a collision or spatial overlapping of the tool and the workpiece. Said data base (D) forms a lookup table that can be used to check given paths or expansions or the step-by-step layout of paths. The computation of time-efficient paths can be performed within a few seconds, even at limited computing capacities, since the time-intensive and computing-intensive collision calculation is omitted. The pre-computed lookup table is referred to for this purpose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Applicant: WALTER MASCHINENBAU GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Simakov, Christian Dilger
  • Publication number: 20060074511
    Abstract: A method for calibration of grinding and/or erosion machines assumes an initial calibration process and corresponding re-calibration processes. Calibration of the machine is performed with a reference piece and a reference tracer in an initial calibration process whereby the reference piece is fastened to a working spindle or a workpiece carrier and the reference tracer is fastened to the workpiece carrier or the working spindle. Grinding tests follow the first tracing process from all directions during which tests deviations are determined and made ineffective with the iterative procedure, especially deviations based on the tolerance of the tracer, which are an integral part of the tracing process. The machine-internal measuring system is calibrated immediately after performing the machining tests and thereby immediately after the initial referencing of the machining apparatus whereby the machine tracer and a test piece is traced from all coordinate directions and the resulting position values are stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Applicant: WALTER MASCHINENBAU GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Engelfried, Heinz Hackh, Christian Dilger
  • Publication number: 20050202759
    Abstract: Both a grinder system and a corresponding grinding method are based on a module, embodied preferably as a program or program segment, which, preferably automatically, defines the geometry of the corner cutting edge and the corner cutting face of a metal-cutting tool on the basis of predetermined peripheral conditions. The axial rake angle of the face-end cutting edge and the axial rake angle of the circumferential cutting edge as well as a desired effective profile can serve as the predetermined peripheral conditions. Further peripheral conditions may be a smooth transition of the cutting faces between the face-end chip cutting face, corner cutting face and circumferential cutting face. Tools are obtained that have a long service life and with which at the same time good machining quality can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Publication date: September 15, 2005
    Applicant: Walter Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Dilger, Mikhail Simakov