Abstract: A numerical controller for a machining center comprising a microprocessor, which selectively executes an automatic programming function and a numerical control function. The microprocessor selectively displays on a CRT display unit various information which instructs an operator to input machining information regarding the blank and finished shapes of a workpiece and the mounting position of the workpiece on a work table. The operator inputs the machining information with a key board-type data input device in response to the information displayed on the CRT screen, and the machining information is stored in a data storage device. Based upon the stored machining information, the microprocessor then displays on the CRT screen the blank shape and the finished shape of the workpiece so that the operator can observe if the machining information has been correctly input.

Abstract: A numerical controller for a machining center comprising a microprocessor connected to a data input device, a CRT display device and a data storage device. The microprocessor prepares an NC program for a workpiece to be machined, based upon machining information manually input by the use of the data input device and stored in the data storage device. The debugging of the prepared NC program is then executed, wherein the microprocessor obtains by calculation a workpiece interference space defined outwardly from the outer periphery of the workpiece, based upon workpiece blank shape and dimension data and workpiece mounting position data stored in the data storage device. The microprocessor further calculates, based upon the NC program, a tool path along which a tool spindle of the machining center would be moved relative to a work table in accordance with the NC program.

Abstract: A bed for a grinding machine includes a bed body formed at the upper surface thereof with a coolant receiving portion on which a layer of resin mortar is formed. The resin mortar is formed by a mixture of epoxy resin, a hardner and sand with a weight ratio of approximately 12.2:2.8:85. The bed includes a peripheral wall and the coolant receiving portion is trough shaped and has a flat surface portion so as to communicate with a coolant exhaust conduit.

Abstract: A machine tool with an automatic tool change function wherein a rotatable tool spindle carries a movable key engageable with either of a pair of key-ways formed on a tool. A tool changing arm, serving as a tool support device, friction-rotatably supports at least one tool for being selectively inserted within and removed from the tool spindle. When tool changing operation is to be performed, rotation of the spindle is changed to a predetermined speed permitting key-engagement. A first confirming device is provided for confirming the fact that the spindle has reached a first predetermined position during rotation thereof. The tool change arm is then operated to remove the tool from the spindle in response to the first confirming device. A second confirming device is provided for confirming that the spindle has reached a second predetermined position during rotation thereof.

Abstract: A device for detecting grinding wheel life is provided including a truing tool wear detection device for detecting a total wear amount of a truing tool after every truing operation and an arithmetic and judgement circuit arrangement. The circuit arrangement compensates for the total wear amount by a theoretic in-feed amount through which the truing tool has to have been in-fed from its original position when the grinding wheel is worn down to a predetermined limit. Further, the circuit arrangement calculates an actual in-feed amount of the truing tool and by comparing the actual in-feed amount with the compensated theoretical in-feed amount, judges whether or not the grinding wheel has been worn down to a predetermined limit.

Abstract: A feed safety apparatus for a movable member slidably supported on a stationary bed of a machine tool. A feed device moves the movable member at various speeds. A hydraulic cylinder is fixedly mounted on the movable member and includes a piston slidably received therein. A reference plate member is secured to the bed and operatively connected to the piston for permitting bodily movement of the hydraulic cylinder and the piston within a predetermined distance, but restraining movement of the piston beyond the predetermined distance to cause relative movement between the hydraulic cylinder and the piston. A fluid flow regulating device is disposed between the pair of cylinder chambers of the hydraulic cylinder for restrictively controlling relative movement between the hydraulic cylinder and the piston.

Abstract: A guard device for a grinding wheel in a grinding machine comprises a side guard plate pivotably mounted upon a guard body for covering one side face of the grinding wheel. A front cover member is slidably mounted upon the top portion of the guard body for covering the upper front portion of the grinding wheel. A latch member is mounted on the front cover member to be engaged with a saw-toothed member so as to restrict movement of the front cover member away from the periphery of the grinding wheel but to allow movement of the front cover member toward the periphery of the grinding wheel. A locking member is pivotably mounted on the top of the guard body to lock the side guard plate in a closed state. When the locking member is pivoted to be disengaged from the side guard plate, the saw-toothed member is also disengaged from the latch member.

Abstract: In a machine tool with an automatic tool change function, a rotatable tool spindle carries a movable key engageable with a key-way formed on a tool. A tool changing arm, serving as a tool support device, friction-rotatably supports at least one tool for selectively inserting and removing same into and from the tool spindle. When a tool change operation is to be performed, rotation of the spindle is changed into a predetermined speed permitting key-engagement. A detecting device is provided for detecting movement of the movable key to confirm engagement of the movable key with the key-way of the tool. A clamp device clamps the tool inserted into the spindle in response to the detecting device. After the tool is clamped on the spindle, rotation of the spindle is changed into a machining speed. A confirming device is provided for confirming that the spindle is reached at a predetermined angular position during rotation thereof.

Abstract: A tool storage magazine of the type wherein a plurality of tool sockets each for removably storing a cutting tool therein are pivotably carried on an indexable element is provided with an engaging member moved by a hydraulic cylinder for pivoting each tool socket at a tool taking out position from a horizontal position to a vertical position through engagement with a pair of engaging rollers which are rotatably supported by each tool socket and located outside the side faces of each tool socket. The magazine is further provided with a locking mechanism which prevents a holding plunger of any tool socket indexed to the tool taking out position from being disengaged from a tool received in the tool socket until the tool socket is pivoted to its vertical position.

Abstract: A rest apparatus for supporting a cylindrical portion of a workpiece to be machined. A pilot shaft is supported at the opposite ends thereof by a support head and provided with a piston portion to form a hydraulic cylinder with a cylinder bore of a rest housing so as to move the rest housing toward and away from the workpiece. The axis of the pilot shaft passes through or slightly above the axis of the workpiece. Rotation of the rest housing about the pilot shaft is prevented. A pair of rest shafts are slidably but nonrotatably received in the rest housing for horizontally and vertically supporting the workpiece by a pair of rest shoes. Feed apparatus is operatively connected to the pair of rest shafts to feed the pair of rest shoes toward the center of the workpiece.

Abstract: In a grinding machine, a grinding wheel is digitally fed toward a workpiece being supported by a rest apparatus. Means is provided to measure a diametral dimension of the workpiece during a grinding operation. A taper amount of the workpiece ground under the support of the rest apparatus being positioned at its advanced position is calculated at the time when the measuring means generates a signal for finishing a grinding operation on the workpiece. An advanced position of the rest apparatus is compensated for a next grinding operation in response to the calculated taper amount.