Abstract: A rotary workpiece indexing apparatus including a spindle supported in a housing for rotation about a spindle axis and including a workpiece-mounting surface coaxially disposed at one axial end of the spindle. A spindle lock releasably secures the spindle against rotational motion relative to the housing and includes clamps carried by the housing in circumferentially-spaced locations around the spindle. The clamps are driven to respective clamped positions securing the spindle against rotational motion by clamping the spindle to the housing through the application of clamping forces at respective spaced-apart locations around the spindle.

Abstract: A rotary workpiece indexing apparatus including a spindle supported in a housing for rotation about a spindle axis and including a workpiece-mounting surface coaxially disposed at one axial end of the spindle. A spindle lock releasably secures the spindle against rotational motion relative to the housing and includes clamps carried by the housing in circumferentially-spaced locations around the spindle. The clamps are driven to respective clamped positions securing the spindle against rotational motion by clamping the spindle to the housing through the application of clamping forces at respective spaced-apart locations around the spindle.

Abstract: A motorized precision spindle apparatus (10) including an outer cartridge spindle (12) supported on a motor cartridge spindle (14) and a motor-driven outer cartridge spindle shaft (16) supported for rotation on bearings (22) disposed between the shaft (16) and an outer spindle shaft housing (20). A tool holder (26) releasably holds a tool in position for rotation with the shaft (16). A draw-bar (30) is supported through the shaft (16) and the motor cartridge spindle (14) for reciprocal axial motion, is connected to the tool holder (26), and is biased in an axial direction that causes the tool holder (26) to grip a tool (28). An actuator (32) is connected to the draw-bar (30) and moves the draw-bar (30) in a direction opposite the bias, thereby releasing any tool the holder may be holding. An isolation tube (36) is supported within the motor cartridge spindle (14), is connected to the shaft (16), and supports the shaft (16) against transmitting axial forces to the bearings (22).

Abstract: A motorized precision spindle apparatus (10) for rotating and exchanging tools in a flexible machining operation and includes an outer cartridge spindle (12) removably and interchangeably supported on a motor cartridge spindle (14). An outer cartridge spindle shaft (16) is supported for rotation about a spindle axis (18) within a an outer cartridge spindle shaft housing (20) on outer cartridge spindle bearings (22) between the outer cartridge spindle shaft (16) and the outer cartridge spindle shaft housing (20) and a spindle motor (24) supported in the motor cartridge spindle (14) and detachably coupled to the outer cartridge spindle shaft (16). A tool holder (26) is supported on the outer cartridge spindle shaft (16) and releasably holds a tool in position for rotation with the outer cartridge spindle shaft (16) about the spindle axis (18). A draw-bar (30) is supported through the outer cartridge spindle shaft (16) and the motor cartridge spindle (14) for reciprocal axial motion.