Abstract: Automated Part Loader (APL) systems and methods for loading and unloading product parts within a machine, e.g., a vertical mill, are provided. The APL system is compact and has a smaller footprint compared with current automated loading systems. The APL system may include a spring-based rotatable loader arm that may be actuated to rotate, e.g., via low voltage motors, relative to a loading table, e.g., 90 degrees, and extend linearly through a side door of the machine for loading and unloading product parts. The loader arm may include a pair of pneumatic grippers configured for picking up and releasing product parts.

Abstract: A mist extraction system is provided that includes a plenum box having an inlet configured to be coupled in fluid communication with a machine tool enclosure. A blower is coupled in fluid communication with the plenum box and is configured to draw air into the plenum box from the machine tool enclosure via the inlet of the plenum box and exhaust the air back into the machine tool enclosure via an outlet of the blower. A baffle plate is arranged in the plenum box to redirect the air drawn into the plenum box through the inlet of the plenum box and a filter panel is arranged in the plenum box to filter the air redirected by the baffle plate prior to the air entering the blower. A collector arranged to collect mist from the air condensed on the baffle plate and the filter panel.

Abstract: A mist extraction system is provided that includes a plenum box having an inlet configured to be coupled in fluid communication with a machine tool enclosure. A blower is coupled in fluid communication with the plenum box and is configured to draw air into the plenum box from the machine tool enclosure via the inlet of the plenum box and exhaust the air back into the machine tool enclosure via an outlet of the blower. A baffle plate is arranged in the plenum box to redirect the air drawn into the plenum box through the inlet of the plenum box and a filter panel is arranged in the plenum box to filter the air redirected by the baffle plate prior to the air entering the blower. A collector arranged to collect mist from the air condensed on the baffle plate and the filter panel.

Abstract: A mist extraction system is provided that includes a plenum box having an inlet configured to be coupled in fluid communication with a machine tool enclosure. A blower is coupled in fluid communication with the plenum box and is configured to draw air into the plenum box from the machine tool enclosure via the inlet of the plenum box and exhaust the air back into the machine tool enclosure via an outlet of the blower. A baffle plate is arranged in the plenum box to redirect the air drawn into the plenum box through the inlet of the plenum box and a filter panel is arranged in the plenum box to filter the air redirected by the baffle plate prior to the air entering the blower. A collector arranged to collect mist from the air condensed on the baffle plate and the filter panel.

Abstract: A mist extraction system is provided that includes a plenum box having an inlet configured to be coupled in fluid communication with a machine tool enclosure. A blower is coupled in fluid communication with the plenum box and is configured to draw air into the plenum box from the machine tool enclosure via the inlet of the plenum box and exhaust the air back into the machine tool enclosure via an outlet of the blower. A baffle plate is arranged in the plenum box to redirect the air drawn into the plenum box through the inlet of the plenum box and a filter panel is arranged in the plenum box to filter the air redirected by the baffle plate prior to the air entering the blower. A collector arranged to collect mist from the air condensed on the baffle plate and the filter panel.

Abstract: A leveling pad for stabilizing a device is provided. The leveling pad comprises a metal base having a socket configured to receive a portion of the device and a liner coupled to the metal base and being configured to cold flow into a profile of a floor surface when a weight of the device is applied to the leveling pad. The liner may be of a polymer, such as vinyl. The liner is further configured to plastically deform into the profile of the floor surface. The plastic deformation is designed to increase a magnitude of a shear force or a tensile force required to separate the liner from a portion of the floor surface into which it is configured to plastically deform.

Abstract: A machine tool coolant supply system includes a chassis configured to mount the coolant supply system to a coolant storage tank of a machine tool. The coolant supply system further includes a concentrate tank arranged within the chassis, a first flow control valve coupled to the concentrate tank, a second flow control valve coupled to a water supply line, and a mixer configured to mix a concentrate with water. The mixer includes a first inlet coupled to the first flow control valve and configured to receive the concentrate from the concentrate tank via the first flow control valve, a second inlet coupled to the second flow control valve and configured to receive the water from the water supply line via the second flow control valve, and an outlet configured to dispense a mixture of the concentrate and the water into the coolant storage tank of the machine tool.

Abstract: A leveling pad for stabilizing a device is provided. The leveling pad comprises a metal base having a socket configured to receive a portion of the device and a liner coupled to the metal base and being configured to cold flow into a profile of a floor surface when a weight of the device is applied to the leveling pad. The liner may be of a polymer, such as vinyl. The liner is further configured to plastically deform into the profile of the floor surface. The plastic deformation is designed to increase a magnitude of a shear force or a tensile force required to separate the liner from a portion of the floor surface into which it is configured to plastically deform.

Abstract: A leveling pad for stabilizing a device is provided. The leveling pad comprises a metal base having a socket configured to receive a portion of the device and a liner coupled to the metal base and being configured to cold flow into a profile of a floor surface when a weight of the device is applied to the leveling pad. The liner may be of a polymer, such as vinyl. The liner is further configured to plastically deform into the profile of the floor surface. The plastic deformation is designed to increase a magnitude of a shear force or a tensile force required to separate the liner from a portion of the floor surface into which it is configured to plastically deform.

Abstract: A rotary union including a housing, a piston, and a shaft is provided. The piston has a first fluid passage therethrough and is configured to slide axially between a first position and a second position. The shaft has a second fluid passage therethrough and is configured to rotate. A first port is arranged in the housing and is in fluid communication with a cavity formed between the housing and the piston. The first port is configured to deliver a pressurized fluid into the cavity to actuate the piston from the first position to the second position. A chamber is formed in the housing and surrounds an interface between the first and second fluid passages. A second port arranged in the housing is in fluid communication with the chamber. The second port is configured to apply a vacuum to the chamber to evacuate fluid leaked into the chamber from the interface.

Abstract: A machine tool coolant supply system includes a chassis configured to mount the coolant supply system to a coolant storage tank of a machine tool. The coolant supply system further includes a concentrate tank arranged within the chassis, a first flow control valve coupled to the concentrate tank, a second flow control valve coupled to a water supply line, and a mixer configured to mix a concentrate with water. The mixer includes a first inlet coupled to the first flow control valve and configured to receive the concentrate from the concentrate tank via the first flow control valve, a second inlet coupled to the second flow control valve and configured to receive the water from the water supply line via the second flow control valve, and an outlet configured to dispense a mixture of the concentrate and the water into the coolant storage tank of the machine tool.

Abstract: A dampened spindle cartridge and a dampened spindle adaptor are provided for damping tool vibrations during operation of a machine tool. Damping media is arranged inside a cavity formed within the spindle adaptor or the spindle cartridge. The damping media may be a solid aggregate, such as steel shot or sand, or a viscous fluid, such as oil. The damping media attenuates and/or converts tool vibrations into friction and heat, thereby dissipating vibration energy generated during cutting operations performed by the machine tool and prevents reinforcement of the forced vibration.

Abstract: A leveling pad for stabilizing a device is provided. The leveling pad comprises a metal base having a socket configured to receive a portion of the device and a liner coupled to the metal base and being configured to cold flow into a profile of a floor surface when a weight of the device is applied to the leveling pad. The liner may be of a polymer, such as vinyl. The liner is further configured to plastically deform into the profile of the floor surface. The plastic deformation is designed to increase a magnitude of a shear force or a tensile force required to separate the liner from a portion of the floor surface into which it is configured to plastically deform.

Abstract: A smart machine tool lubrication system monitors the distance traveled by a motion component in a machine tool. A predetermined amount of lubricant is dispensed at a lubrication point of the motion component when the monitored distance exceeds a first threshold value. The smart machine tool lubrication system may further monitor the duration of time the motion component is in motion and dispense the predetermined amount of lubricant with the monitored duration of time exceeds a second threshold value.

Abstract: A rotary union including a housing, a piston, and a shaft is provided. The piston has a first fluid passage therethrough and is configured to slide axially between a first position and a second position. The shaft has a second fluid passage therethrough and is configured to rotate. A first port is arranged in the housing and is in fluid communication with a cavity formed between the housing and the piston. The first port is configured to deliver a pressurized fluid into the cavity to actuate the piston from the first position to the second position. A chamber is formed in the housing and surrounds an interface between the first and second fluid passages. A second port arranged in the housing is in fluid communication with the chamber. The second port is configured to apply a vacuum to the chamber to evacuate fluid leaked into the chamber from the interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining and displaying a time to overload of a motor in a computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine tool are provided. A method includes monitoring a fuse level of a motor in a CNC machine tool and calculating a time to overload of the motor based on the fuse level. The method further includes displaying the time to overload on a user interface based on the fuse level of the motor and a load acting on the motor.

Abstract: A dampened spindle cartridge and a dampened spindle adaptor are provided for damping tool vibrations during operation of a machine tool. Damping media is arranged inside a cavity formed within the spindle adaptor or the spindle cartridge. The damping media may be a solid aggregate, such as steel shot or sand, or a viscous fluid, such as oil. The damping media attenuates and/or converts tool vibrations into friction and heat, thereby dissipating vibration energy generated during cutting operations performed by the machine tool and prevents reinforcement of the forced vibration.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining and displaying a time to overload of a motor in a computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine tool are provided. A method includes monitoring a fuse level of a motor in a CNC machine tool and calculating a time to overload of the motor based on the fuse level. The method further includes displaying the time to overload on a user interface based on the fuse level of the motor and a load acting on the motor.

Abstract: A linear actuator for a rotating shaft assembly includes a cylinder and a piston arranged within a cavity defined by the cylinder. Faces of the piston delimit first and second chambers within the cavity. A rotatable shaft fixed to the piston defines a first main passage in fluid communication with the first chamber and a second main passage in fluid communication with the second chamber. A pressure delivery body rotatably fixed to the rotatable shaft defines a first delivery passage in fluid communication with the first main passage and a second delivery passage in fluid communication with the second main passage. A passage isolation system selectively isolates fluid communication between the first delivery passage and the first main passage and fluid communication between the second delivery passage and the second main passage. A pressure limiting system selectively blocks fluid communication through the first and second main passages.

Abstract: A smart machine tool lubrication system monitors the distance traveled by a motion component in a machine tool. A predetermined amount of lubricant is dispensed at a lubrication point of the motion component when the monitored distance exceeds a first threshold value. The smart machine tool lubrication system may further monitor the duration of time the motion component is in motion and dispense the predetermined amount of lubricant with the monitored duration of time exceeds a second threshold value.