Abstract: A quill spindle includes a quill assembly within which a spindle assembly is rotationally mounted. The quill assembly includes a coolant flow path, and the spindle assembly includes a plurality of coolant flow paths. The quill assembly flow path and one of the plurality of spindle assembly flow paths provide cooling to bearings that allow the rotation of the spindle assembly within the quill assembly. Another of the plurality of coolant flow paths within the spindle assembly provides cooling flow to a cutting tool installed on an end of the quill spindle.

Abstract: In a vertical machining center, a spindle-drive sleeve is axially immovable in the machine frame, but rotates about its longitudinal axis to rotate a spindle mounted in the sleeve for rotation by the sleeve while axially slidable independent of the sleeve. A linear drive, non-rotating ball screw connected to the upper end of the spindle is driven axially by a rotationally powered, axially anchored ball nut to advance and retract the spindle in the sleeve. A drawbar coupling system extends inside the spindle from the top to the bottom to connect to any one of various toolholders in an index disk which is rotatable for positioning toolholders sequentially in line with the spindle axis. A pneumatically actuated drawbar operator shaft extends inside and coaxially with the ball screw from the top to the bottom. The shaft actuator is mounted to the top of the ball screw and drives the shaft axially inside the screw when a toolholder is to be approached for connection.

Abstract: In a vertical machining center, a tubular spindle-drive sleeve rotates about its longitudinal axis while axially immovable. A spindle is axially slidable in and rotatably driven by the sleeve. A linear drive, non-rotating ball screw connected to the upper end of the spindle is driven axially by a powered ball nut to advance and retract the spindle in the sleeve. A coupling plug fixed at the bottom of the spindle connects to any one of various toolholders in a turret. Axial movement of the spindle by the ball nut automatically couples and decouples the spindle to and from the toolholder. Gaseous or liquid fluid supply down through the spindle is provided. In one embodiment, an air motor is mounted inside the spindle and coupled to a second spindle in the changeable toolholder to supplement the main spindle drive and drive the toolholder spindle for driving a cutting tool at a much higher rotational rate than is possible with the main spindle alone.

Abstract: A machining center of the type incorporating a spindle for driving tools wherein the spindle is movable rectilinearly along the axis of the spindle for engaging tool holders to move tool holders, and tools secured thereto, into an operative position wherein the tools contact a work piece. The rotational speed of the spindle, as well as its rectilinear motion, is controlled by a programmed numerical control center which also controls the bed upon which the work piece is mounted; the bed is movable, at predetermined rates, in the X, Y and Z directions. A positioning means, such as turret or carousel, is positioned beneath the spindle and is used to hold several tool holders, each of which supports tools for use in the machining operation. The tool holders are temporarily secured in the positioning means and are removed therefrom through the operation of the lowering spindle; the tool holders are formed in three sections, the first of which contacts and is driven by the rotating spindle.

Abstract: A tool holder for machine tools particularly adapted for use in turret structures having a plurality of retainers for holding a plurality of such tool holders each carrying a different tool such as a drill, tap, reamer or other metal working tool. The disclosure relates to a mechanically actuated tool holder having mechanical locking means adapted to snap into annular retainers in a turret structure of a mechanical tool and wherein locking means alternately is operable to hold the tool holder in the turret retainer ring and to lock the tool holder onto an annular ledge of a stub means carried by a rotatable and reciprocable machine tool driving spindle.