Abstract: A method for honing a workpiece includes moving the workpiece onto an intermediate retention member which is rotatable about a vertical workpiece axis. Then, the workpiece is brought into a rolling engagement with a teaching wheel. An angular transfer position of the workpiece is established by the rotary sensor of the teaching wheel retention member. Next, the workpiece is transferred from the intermediate retention member onto a workpiece spindle, where the workpiece is retained onto the workpiece spindle. Then, the workpiece goes through a honing process by bringing the workpiece into a synchronized rolling engagement with a honing tool by utilizing the angular transfer position of the workpiece, thereby eliminating a separate centering step of the workpiece.

Abstract: A tool spindle for a honing machine includes a bowl-shaped holder having a circumferential peripheral wall connected to a bottom part. The bowl-shaped holder is configured to hold a honing ring on an inside of the bowl-shaped holder. At least one expansion element is formed on the inside of the bowl-shaped holder along an inner surface of the circumferential peripheral wall. The at least one expansion element radially clamps and centers the honing ring inside the bowl-shaped holder. A hydraulic chamber is disposed in the bottom part of the bowl-shaped holder. At least one hydraulic line is connecting in fluid communication the at least one expansion element and the hydraulic chamber. A single adjustment element is movable in relation to the bottom part of the bowl-shaped holder, where the single adjustment element is in fluid communication with the hydraulic chamber.

Abstract: A honing machine includes a machine housing enclosing a workpiece spindle and a tool spindle. The workpiece spindle includes a spindle collar with a spindle head configured to hold a workpiece. The tool spindle includes a cup-shaped holder with a honing ring located on an inside of the cup shaped holder. An operating tank is also located within the machine housing, where the operating tank surrounds the tool spindle in an oil-tight manner. The operating tank includes a panel with a recess, where the workpiece spindle is configured to insert the spindle head through the recess and form a first oil-tight seal between the recess and the spindle collar. The panel is moveable relative to the operating tank and tool spindle when the panel is carried along by the workpiece spindle during a feed motion. A second oil-tight seal is formed between the panel and the operating tank.

Abstract: A tool spindle for a honing machine includes a bowl-shaped holder having a circumferential peripheral wall connected to a bottom part. The bowl-shaped holder is configured to hold a honing ring on an inside of the bowl-shaped holder. At least one expansion element is formed on the inside of the bowl-shaped holder along an inner surface of the circumferential peripheral wall. The at least one expansion element radially clamps and centers the honing ring inside the bowl-shaped holder. A hydraulic chamber is disposed in the bottom part of the bowl-shaped holder. At least one hydraulic line is connecting in fluid communication the at least one expansion element and the hydraulic chamber. A single adjustment element is movable in relation to the bottom part of the bowl-shaped holder, where the single adjustment element is in fluid communication with the hydraulic chamber.

Abstract: A method for honing a workpiece includes moving the workpiece onto an intermediate retention member which is rotatable about a vertical workpiece axis. Then, the workpiece is brought into a rolling engagement with a teaching wheel. An angular transfer position of the workpiece is established by the rotary sensor of the teaching wheel retention member. Next, the workpiece is transferred from the intermediate retention member onto a workpiece spindle, where the workpiece is retained onto the workpiece spindle. Then, the workpiece goes through a honing process by bringing the workpiece into a synchronized rolling engagement with a honing tool by utilizing the angular transfer position of the workpiece, thereby eliminating a separate centering step of the workpiece.

Abstract: A honing machine includes a machine housing enclosing a workpiece spindle and a tool spindle. The workpiece spindle includes a spindle collar with a spindle head configured to hold a workpiece. The tool spindle includes a cup-shaped holder with a honing ring located on an inside of the cup shaped holder. An operating tank is also located within the machine housing, where the operating tank surrounds the tool spindle in an oil-tight manner. The operating tank includes a panel with a recess, where the workpiece spindle is configured to insert the spindle head through the recess and form a first oil-tight seal between the recess and the spindle collar. The panel is moveable relative to the operating tank and tool spindle when the panel is carried along by the workpiece spindle during a feed motion. A second oil-tight seal is formed between the panel and the operating tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for tooth-machining of workpieces (3), especially gear wheels, comprising milling, deburring by hobbing and integrated secondary deburring. The method proceeds on a machine tool (1) having two workpiece spindles (11, 12) which may exchange places. A workpiece (3) is mounted on a first workpiece spindle (11), followed by the workpiece spindles (11, 12) exchanging places, followed by pre-milling and, where applicable, cutting (=deburring by shaving) of the workpiece (3), followed by a further exchange of places, followed by chamfering and cutting of the workpiece (3), followed by a further exchange of places, followed by a finish-milling of the workpiece (3), followed by a further exchange of places, followed by a workpiece change. At the same time, the same procedure takes place on the second workpiece spindle (12), staggered in time by an exchange of places of the workpiece spindles (11, 12).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for tooth-machining of workpieces (3), especially gear wheels, comprising milling, deburring by hobbing and integrated secondary deburring. The method proceeds on a machine tool (1) having two workpiece spindles (11, 12) which may exchange places. A workpiece (3) is mounted on a first workpiece spindle (11), followed by the workpiece spindles (11, 12) exchanging places, followed by pre-milling and, where applicable, cutting (=deburring by shaving) of the workpiece (3), followed by a further exchange of places, followed by chamfering and cutting of the workpiece (3), followed by a further exchange of places, followed by a finish-milling of the workpiece (3), followed by a further exchange of places, followed by a workpiece change. At the same time, the same procedure takes place on the second workpiece spindle (12), staggered in time by an exchange of places of the workpiece spindles (11, 12).

Abstract: A base framework for a manipulating apparatus which can be constructed in a modular manner, in particular for an automation cell which is designed for being combined with at least one machine tool, comprising a front wall, a rear wall and side walls which enclose a control space for a control device, a process platform being set up above the control space, the front wall having at least one mechanical interface for fixing a supply module which serves to supply workpieces, and the rear wall having a top rear-wall part which projects beyond the process platform and, on its front side pointing towards the process platform, has a first plurality of mechanical interfaces for the locally variable fixing of a process module for manipulating and/or processing supplied workpieces, the top rear-wall part also having an opening which is arranged above the process platform.

Abstract: A base framework for a manipulating apparatus which can be constructed in a modular manner, in particular for an automation cell which is designed for being combined with at least one machine tool, comprising a front wall, a rear wall and side walls which enclose a control space for a control device, a process platform being set up above the control space, the front wall having at least one mechanical interface for fixing a supply module which serves to supply workpieces, and the rear wall having a top rear-wall part which projects beyond the process platform and, on its front side pointing towards the process platform, has a first plurality of mechanical interfaces for the locally variable fixing of a process module for manipulating and/or processing supplied workpieces, the top rear-wall part also having an opening which is arranged above the process platform.

Abstract: An automated cell for the handling of workpieces is disclosed that comprises a working space within which a two-dimensional gantry that comprises a first and a second linear axis which are coupled to each other. A first gripping device is movable across the working space horizontally and also vertically. A gantry extends above the working space and protrudes towards a machine tool. Along the gantry a second gripping device is displaceable for moving workpieces between the working space of the automated cell and the machine tool. Both linear axes of the two-dimensional gantry are driven by linear motor drives, to allow a fast movement of workpieces and also to allow the performing of supplementary functions without slowing down the machine tool supplied by the automated cell.