Patents by Inventor Takaichi Nakaya

Takaichi Nakaya has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11517991
    Abstract: A machine tool includes: a cutting tool; rotating means; feeding means; and vibration means for reciprocatingly vibrating the cutting tool and the workpiece relative to each other; wherein the cutting process is carried out by a relative rotation of the workpiece and the cutting tool, and feeding of the cutting tool, to thereby move the cutting tool continuously along a plurality of predetermined movement paths each having a different machining feeding direction. The machine tool further includes vibration restriction means that operates as the movement of the cutting tool changes from one movement path of two consecutive movement paths to the other movement path, for restricting the reciprocating vibration for a predetermined period from the movement starting position of the movement paths, and starting the reciprocating vibration after the lapse of said predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignees: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD., CITIZEN MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takaichi Nakaya, Kazuhiko Sannomiya, Hiroshi Shinohara
  • Patent number: 11465230
    Abstract: A machine tool includes a first main shaft, a first drive source for moving the first main shaft, a second main shaft, a second drive source for moving the second main shaft, and a control means for carrying out a control so as to bring the workpiece held by the first main shaft and the workpiece held by the second main shaft into contact with each other while rotating them relative to each other, thereby to carry out the friction-heating, and to stop the relative rotation of the pair of workpieces and move only the second main shaft in the axial direction while holding the first main shaft stationary, thereby to carry out friction-welding of the pair of workpieces. The control means controls the operation of the first drive source upon the friction-welding of the pair of workpieces, so as to maintain the axial position of the first main shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignees: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD., CITIZEN MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takaichi Nakaya, Ai Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 11446781
    Abstract: A control device for a machine tool and a machine tool capable of easily performing cutting with vibration according to the amount of feed is provided. A control device (180) for a machine tool comprises a control means (181) for controlling the relative rotation and feeding of a cutting tool and a material, the control means performing control such that cutting is performed with vibrating the cutting tool relative to the material by combining a forward feed movement in the machining direction, in which the cutting tool machines the material, and a return movement in the counter-machining direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignees: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD., CITIZEN MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takaichi Nakaya, Hiroshi Shinohara
  • Patent number: 11338386
    Abstract: Disclosed is a friction welding method including: a heating step wherein, in relation to joining surfaces (S1, S2) defined by opposite end surfaces of a pair of materials (W1, W2), the pair of materials (W1, W2) are moved from a state in which their axes are unaligned with each other, in a direction for aligning the respective axes with each other, to a prescribed position where the joining surfaces (S1, S2) are brought into contact with each other and friction heated; and a pressure contacting step wherein the pair of materials are brought into pressure contact with each other. The method is characterized in that the heating step and the pressure contacting step are carried out while rotating each of the materials (W1, W2) at the same rotation speed in the same direction, as seen from one side in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignees: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD., CITIZEN MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takaichi Nakaya
  • Patent number: 11338404
    Abstract: A machine tool and a control apparatus thereof include an amplitude control unit to control the amplitude of reciprocal vibration by a vibration unit. The amplitude control unit is configured to reduce the amplitude of the reciprocal vibration by the vibration unit as a cutting tool is fed in a feeding direction when the cutting tool reaches a predetermined cutting tool work stopping position on a workpiece in the feeding direction (Z-axis direction) to prevent the cutting tool from cutting the workpiece beyond the cutting tool work stopping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignees: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD., CITIZEN MACHINERY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Sannomiya, Takaichi Nakaya
  • Patent number: 11256236
    Abstract: An abnormality detection device of a machine tool includes a plurality of vibration sensors mounted on a body of the machine tool at a plurality of positions; and a determination portion that determines an operation condition of the machine tool based on vibration information detected by the vibration sensors. The abnormality detection device detects abnormality of the machine tool according to determination information of the determination portion. The determination portion specifies a predetermined item whose machining accuracy lowers based on the mounted position of the vibration sensor that has detected abnormal vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignees: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd., Citizen Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaichi Nakaya, Yasuhiro Kera, Ayami Misono
  • Patent number: 11224952
    Abstract: A machine tool includes: a cutting tool; rotating means; feeding means; vibrating means for reciprocatingly vibrating the cutting tool and the workpiece relative to each another; and amplitude control means for controlling the amplitude of the reciprocating vibration by the vibrating means. The cutting process is carried out by rotation of the workpiece and the cutting tool relative to each other and feeding of the cutting tool accompanied by the reciprocating vibration with said amplitude in the machining feeding direction of the cutting tool, to thereby move the cutting tool along a predetermined movement path relative to the workpiece. The movement path comprises a plurality of divisional paths divided at predetermined coordinate positions on the movement path. The amplitude control means is adapted to set the amplitude individually for each of the divisional paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignees: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD., CITIZEN MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takaichi Nakaya
  • Publication number: 20210370455
    Abstract: A control device for a machine tool and a machine tool capable of easily performing cutting with vibration according to the amount of feed is provided. The control device includes a control section for controlling the relative rotation and feeding of a cutting tool and a material, the control section performing cutting with vibration of the cutting tool relative to the material by combining a forward feed movement in the machining direction, in which the cutting tool machines the material, and a return movement in the counter-machining direction. A return movement setting section sets a pulse-like signal including a command for moving a cutting tool in the machining direction and a command for the return movement. A forward feed setting section makes the cutting tool reach a change point by combining the movement in the machining direction on the basis of the return movement setting section and the forward feed movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicants: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD., CITIZEN MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko SANNOMIYA, Takaichi NAKAYA
  • Publication number: 20210291294
    Abstract: A machine tool includes a first main shaft, a first drive source for moving the first main shaft, a second main shaft, a second drive source for moving the second main shaft, and a control means for carrying out a control so as to bring the workpiece held by the first main shaft and the workpiece held by the second main shaft into contact with each other while rotating them relative to each other, thereby to carry out the friction-heating, and to stop the relative rotation of the pair of workpieces and move only the second main shaft in the axial direction while holding the first main shaft stationary, thereby to carry out friction-welding of the pair of workpieces. The control means controls the operation of the first drive source upon the friction-welding of the pair of workpieces, so as to maintain the axial position of the first main shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Applicants: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD., CITIZEN MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takaichi NAKAYA, Ai KIKUCHI
  • Publication number: 20210129262
    Abstract: Disclosed is a friction welding method including: a heating step wherein, in relation to joining surfaces (S1, S2) defined by opposite end surfaces of a pair of materials (W1, W2), the pair of materials (W1, W2) are moved from a state in which their axes are unaligned with each other, in a direction for aligning the respective axes with each other, to a prescribed position where the joining surfaces (S1, S2) are brought into contact with each other and friction heated; and a pressure contacting step wherein the pair of materials are brought into pressure contact with each other. The method is characterized in that the heating step and the pressure contacting step are carried out while rotating each of the materials (W1, W2) at the same rotation speed in the same direction, as seen from one side in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicants: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD., CITIZEN MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takaichi NAKAYA
  • Publication number: 20200310393
    Abstract: An abnormality detection device of a machine tool includes a plurality of vibration sensors mounted on a body of the machine tool at a plurality of positions; and a determination portion that determines an operation condition of the machine tool based on vibration information detected by the vibration sensors. The abnormality detection device detects abnormality of the machine tool according to determination information of the determination portion. The determination portion specifies a predetermined item whose machining accuracy lowers based on the mounted position of the vibration sensor that has detected abnormal vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Takaichi NAKAYA, Yasuhiro KERA, Ayami MISONO
  • Publication number: 20200282502
    Abstract: A machine tool includes: a cutting tool; rotating means; feeding means; and vibration means for reciprocatingly vibrating the cutting tool and the workpiece relative to each other; wherein the cutting process is carried out by a relative rotation of the workpiece and the cutting tool, and feeding of the cutting tool, to thereby move the cutting tool continuously along a plurality of predetermined movement paths each having a different machining feeding direction. The machine tool further includes vibration restriction means that operates as the movement of the cutting tool changes from one movement path of two consecutive movement paths to the other movement path, for restricting the reciprocating vibration for a predetermined period from the movement starting position of the movement paths, and starting the reciprocating vibration after the lapse of said predetermined period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicants: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD., CITIZEN MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takaichi NAKAYA, Kazuhiko SANNOMIYA, Hiroshi SHINOHARA
  • Patent number: 10744567
    Abstract: The invention provides a control apparatus for a machine tool, which can perform reciprocating vibration in consideration of a vibration frequency, increase flexibility in machining a workpiece, and perform vibration cutting by means of an external spindle or the like without rotating a spindle. The control apparatus and the machine tool include control means. The control means includes an imaginary spindle regarded as a spindle for rotating a workpiece W or a cutting tool. The control means sets the number of rotations of the imaginary spindle and the number of reciprocating vibrations in accordance with a vibration frequency attributable to a cycle during which an operation instruction can be issued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignees: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD., CITIZEN MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Sannomiya, Takaichi Nakaya
  • Patent number: 10744611
    Abstract: In a machine tool, under user set conditions, a cutting tool is fed in a feeding direction while the cutting tool is moved repetitively to cut a workpiece smoothly while separating chips easily. In the machine tool and a control apparatus thereof, control means is configured to set the number of rotations of relative rotation for executing machining of a workpiece, and the number of repetitions of repetitive movement during one rotation of the relative rotation in accordance with a repetitive movement frequency attributable to a cycle during which an operation instruction can be issued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignees: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd., Citizen Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaichi Nakaya, Kazuhiko Sannomiya, Hiroshi Shinohara
  • Publication number: 20200238465
    Abstract: A machine tool includes: a cutting tool; rotating means; feeding means; vibrating means for reciprocatingly vibrating the cutting tool and the workpiece relative to each another; and amplitude control means for controlling the amplitude of the reciprocating vibration by the vibrating means. The cutting process is carried out by rotation of the workpiece and the cutting tool relative to each other and feeding of the cutting tool accompanied by the reciprocating vibration with said amplitude in the machining feeding direction of the cutting tool, to thereby move the cutting tool along a predetermined movement path relative to the workpiece. The movement path comprises a plurality of divisional paths divided at predetermined coordinate positions on the movement path. The amplitude control means is adapted to set the amplitude individually for each of the divisional paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicants: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD., CITIZEN MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takaichi NAKAYA
  • Publication number: 20200156200
    Abstract: A control device for a machine tool and a machine tool capable of easily performing cutting with vibration according to the amount of feed is provided. A control device (180) for a machine tool comprises a control means (181) for controlling the relative rotation and feeding of a cutting tool and a material, the control means performing control such that cutting is performed with vibrating the cutting tool relative to the material by combining a forward feed movement in the machining direction, in which the cutting tool machines the material, and a return movement in the counter-machining direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicants: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD., CITIZEN MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takaichi NAKAYA, Hiroshi SHINOHARA
  • Patent number: 10625355
    Abstract: A numerical control apparatus includes: a drive unit controlling a main shaft rotating a workpiece, a first drive shaft feeding a cutting tool relatively to the workpiece along a perpendicular direction to a lead direction of a thread, and a second drive shaft feeding the cutting tool relatively to the workpiece along the lead direction; and a vibration unit superimposing, on movement of the first drive shaft, vibration having a period having a predetermined ratio with a rotation period of the main shaft, and forms a thread on the workpiece by moving the cutting tool and the workpiece relative to each other and performing cut processes on the workpiece. The numerical control apparatus includes a thread-cutting vibration adjustment unit controlling the drive unit to shift phase of the vibration with respect to phase of the main shaft by a predetermined vibration phase shift amount every time in the cut processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD, CITIZEN MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Watanabe, Masakazu Sagasaki, Yuki Hirata, Kazuhiko Sannomiya, Takaichi Nakaya
  • Patent number: 10610993
    Abstract: A control apparatus for machine tool, in accordance with user set conditions, feeds a cutting tool in a feeding direction while reciprocatively vibrating the cutting tool, smoothly cuts a workpiece, and achieves a machined surface having an improved appearance. In a machine tool and a control apparatus thereof, a control means is configured to set the number of rotations of relative rotation and the number of vibrations of reciprocating vibration during one rotation of the relative rotation in accordance with a vibration frequency attributable to a cycle during which an operation instruction can be issued, and the control means includes adjusting means configured to adjust the number of rotations or the number of vibrations set by the control means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignees: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd., Citizen Machinery Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaichi Nakaya, Kazuhiko Sannomiya, Ayako Kitakaze
  • Patent number: 10589367
    Abstract: A machine forms threads on a workpiece by relatively feeding the workpiece and a cutting tool in a feeding direction while relatively rotating the workpiece and the cutting tool, and by performing a helical cutting work multiple times while carrying out relative reciprocal vibration of the workpiece and the cutting tool in a radial direction of the workpiece. The machine tool or a control device of the machine tool includes a vibration setting unit to set a pattern of vibration during each cutting work accompanied by the reciprocal vibration so that a cut portion of one cutting work partially includes a portion that has been cut in another cutting work. The machine tool and the control device prevent a long, continuous chip from becoming entangled with a workpiece or a cutting tool in the process of forming threads on the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignees: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd., Citizen Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Sannomiya, Takaichi Nakaya
  • Patent number: 10359765
    Abstract: A control device for a machine tool to produce a plurality of different-shaped products efficiently and successively is provided. In the control device, each driving shaft of modules is assigned to different control systems. The device includes a multi-system program storage part for storing a plurality of multi-system programs to machine a workpiece in different shapes, a multi-system program dividing part for dividing the multi-system programs into machining programs, a divided program storage part for storing the divided machining programs individually, a system-based program storage part for storing the machining programs for the respective control systems, and a machining program selection part for selecting the machining program from the divided program storage part in accordance with the machining step to be executed and for storing the selected machining program in the system-based program storage part for the respective control systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignees: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD., CITIZEN MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takaichi Nakaya, Hitoshi Matsumoto