Abstract: A machining cell capable of providing tool movement along at least one axis is provided with at least one, but preferably a pair of articulated debris shields mounted to a tool carriage that translates along an axis of motion. Each articulated debris shield occludes space vacated by the tool carriage as it translates along the axis of motion. In a preferred embodiment, the machining cell provides tool movements along x-, y-, and z-axes and has a stationary housing that supports a z-axis carrier frame slidably mounted thereto for translation along the z-axis. An x-axis carriage is slidably mounted to the z-axis carrier frame for translation along the x-axis. A y-axis spindle frame is slidably mounted to the x-axis carrier frame for vertical translation along the y-axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a rotary transfer machine for machining workpieces, and more particularly to a rotary apparatus for presenting workpieces to a multi-spindle machining cell. The rotary transfer machine comprises an index table having plural index stations having corresponding indexing axes and dedicated workpiece fixtures mounted at the index stations. The workpiece fixtures are adapted to hold a workpiece and present a face thereof to be machined at a desired offset from the corresponding indexing axes of the index stations while presenting that face for machining to a pre-determined spindle or spindles of the machining cell.

Abstract: A machining cell capable of providing tool movement along at least one axis is provided with at least one, but preferably a pair of articulated debris shields mounted to a tool carriage that translates along an axis of motion. Each articulated debris shield occludes space vacated by the tool carriage as it translates along the axis of motion. In a preferred embodiment, the machining cell provides tool movements along x-, y-, and z-axes and has a stationary housing that supports a z-axis carrier frame slidably mounted thereto for translation along the z-axis. An x-axis carriage is slidably mounted to the z-axis carrier frame for translation along the x-axis. A y-axis spindle frame is slidably mounted to the x-axis carrier frame for vertical translation along the y-axis.

Abstract: A machining cell capable of providing tool movement along at least one axis is provided with at least one, but preferably a pair of articulated debris shields mounted to a tool carriage that translates along an axis of motion. Each articulated debris shield occludes space vacated by the tool carriage as it translates along the axis of motion. In a preferred embodiment, the machining cell provides tool movements along x-, y-, and z-axes and has a stationary housing that supports a z-axis carrier frame slidably mounted thereto for translation along the z-axis. An x-axis carriage is slidably mounted to the z-axis carrier frame for translation along the x-axis. A y-axis spindle frame is slidably mounted to the x-axis carrier frame for vertical translation along the y-axis.

Abstract: A spindle assembly, with improved belt drive, is suitable for a multi-axis machining cell providing tool movements along predetermined axes of motion, such as the X-, Y- and Z-axes. Plural machining spindles, each provided with a driven pulley, are mounted to a headstock of a machining cell. A spindle, drive motor is also mounted to the headstock and is provided with a drive pulley. A drive belt is trained, preferably by serpentine wrap, over the drive pulley and subsets of driven pulleys, and transmits rotational motion from the drive pulley to the driven pulleys. Preferably, at least one set of drive pulley and driven pulleys is constituted by herringbone sprockets.

Abstract: A fixture is provided for supporting and aligning small samples of material on a goniometer for X-ray diffraction analysis. A sample-containing capillary is accurately positioned for rotation in the X-ray beam by selectively adjusting the fixture to position the capillary relative to the x and y axes thereof to prevent wobble and position the sample along the z axis or the axis of rotation. By employing the subject fixture relatively small samples of materials can be analyzed in an X-ray diffraction apparatus previously limited to the analysis of much larger samples.