Abstract: A rack storage unit for use in an automation system for a storage of work pieces and/or work piece pallets and/or tools, which includes a base frame with a rack stand and two rack side parts arranged at a distance from one another, wherein facing surfaces of the rack side parts are provided with interfaces for mounting placement devices. It is provided that the base frame is produced as a one-piece cast body from artificial stone, and that the interfaces are held by adhesive force as separately formed insert parts in the facing surfaces of the rack side parts.

Abstract: A rack storage unit for use in an automation system for a storage of work pieces and/or work piece pallets and/or tools, which includes a base frame with a rack stand and two rack side parts arranged at a distance from one another, wherein facing surfaces of the rack side parts are provided with interfaces for mounting placement devices. It is provided that the base frame is produced as a one-piece cast body from artificial stone, and that the interfaces are held by adhesive force as separately formed insert parts in the facing surfaces of the rack side parts.

Abstract: An embodiment of a circular, annular tool magazine shelf of a tower construction, comprises a base frame adapted for receiving a tool shelf which has a plurality of immovable tool deposit plates, arranged in vertical succession and in a circular ring, adapted for machining one or more tools, and a power-driven tool handling system adapted for transporting tools between the tool magazine shelf and a machine-side pick-up tool magazine store. The magazine shelf also comprises a spindle tower which is mounted rotatably about a vertical rotation shaft being arranged in a circle center-point of one or more tool deposit plates, wherein the base frame includes a monolithically constructed, plate-shaped foundation in which the rotation shaft is mounted overhanging freely by way of a mounting arrangement.

Abstract: A vertical machining center in gantry construction may comprise a machine frame having two side walls configured to receive a tool-carrying assembly and a workpiece-carrying assembly, a moveable pickup tool magazine store within the two side walls of the machine frame configured for a tool change by the pickup method, and a machine enclosure which completely encloses the machining center. Below the moveable pickup tool magazine store there may be a free space in which there is additionally at least one further spare magazine, equivalent in construction to the pickup tool magazine store. A force-driven reloading handling system, with which machining tools can be reloaded from the spare magazine into the pickup tool magazine store and vice versa, may be provided within the machine enclosure at an access opening of the machine frame.

Abstract: A vertical machining center in gantry construction may comprise a machine frame having two side walls configured to receive a tool-carrying assembly and a workpiece-carrying assembly, a moveable pickup tool magazine store within the two side walls of the machine frame configured for a tool change by the pickup method, and a machine enclosure which completely encloses the machining center. Below the moveable pickup tool magazine store there may be a free space in which there is additionally at least one further spare magazine, equivalent in construction to the pickup tool magazine store. A force-driven reloading handling system, with which machining tools can be reloaded from the spare magazine into the pickup tool magazine store and vice versa, may be provided within the machine enclosure at an access opening of the machine frame.

Abstract: An embodiment of a circular, annular tool magazine shelf of a tower construction, comprises a base frame adapted for receiving a tool shelf which has a plurality of immovable tool deposit plates, arranged in vertical succession and in a circular ring, adapted for machining one or more tools, and a power-driven tool handling system adapted for transporting tools between the tool magazine shelf and a machine-side pick-up tool magazine store. The magazine shelf also comprises a spindle tower which is mounted rotatably about a vertical rotation shaft being arranged in a circle centre-point of one or more tool deposit plates, wherein the base frame includes a monolithically constructed, plate-shaped foundation in which the rotation shaft is mounted overhanging freely by way of a mounting arrangement.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a two-part power-driven tool spindle that comprises a spindle motor housing in which a first liquid cooling duct extends, a spindle head housing in which a second liquid cooling duct extends, the first and second liquid cooling ducts forming a liquid cooling circuit for a coolant, and a liquid duct, through which the coolant can be conveyed out of the liquid cooling circuit to at least one resealable outlet opening in the spindle head housing and/or in the spindle motor housing. The liquid duct branches off from the second liquid cooling duct in the spindle head housing and/or from the first liquid cooling duct in the spindle motor housing, in such a way that the coolant in the spindle motor housing and the coolant in the spindle head housing can flow out of the tool spindle under gravity.

Abstract: A vertical machining centre in gantry construction may comprise a machine frame having two side walls configured to receive a tool-carrying assembly and a workpiece-carrying assembly, a moveable pickup tool magazine store within the two side walls of the machine frame configured for a tool change by the pickup method, and a machine enclosure which completely encloses the machining centre. Below the moveable pickup tool magazine store there may be a free space in which there is additionally at least one further spare magazine, equivalent in construction to the pickup tool magazine store. A force-driven reloading handling system, with which machining tools can be reloaded from the spare magazine into the pickup tool magazine store and vice versa, may be provided within the machine enclosure at an access opening of the machine frame.

Abstract: A machining center that includes a swivel bridge supported by a bearing wall and pivotable about a horizontal axis, at least one drive sprocket attached to a disc-type connector of the swivel bridge, and at least one drive system attached adjacent the bearing wall and operatively connected to the drive sprocket of the swivel bridge. The machining center is characterized by clamping of the swivel bridge being performed by a friction-locked clamping system which is arranged rotationally fixed about a bearing pin of the swivel bridge in a circular ring shape and which is operatively connected to the disc-type connector. A clamping force of the friction-locked clamping system is generated by an energy storage.

Abstract: A cutting machine having a workpiece changer possessing a receiving element for the workpieces and/or workpiece palettes, said receiving element pivots about a vertical axis and is linearly shiftable in a plane normal to such axis. A tool spindle moves on two parallel side walls which are divided by a transverse wall or by door which can opened or shut between a front machining area and a rear supply area. The radius of the receiving element extends at least partly into a supply area and the tool spindle is movable over the front machining area. Accordingly a person minding or controlling the functioning cutting machine is not hampered by workpiece changing.

Abstract: A machining center that includes a swivel bridge supported by a bearing wall and pivotable about a horizontal axis, at least one drive sprocket attached to a disc-type connector of the swivel bridge, and at least one drive system attached adjacent the bearing wall and operatively connected to the drive sprocket of the swivel bridge. The machining center is characterized by clamping of the swivel bridge being performed by a friction-locked clamping system which is arranged rotationally fixed about a bearing pin of the swivel bridge in a circular ring shape and which is operatively connected to the disc-type connector. A clamping force of the friction-locked clamping system is generated by an energy storage.

Abstract: A workpiece changer for transfer of workpiece palettes between a storage arrangement arranged in front of a machining machine for such workpiece palettes and a workpiece table, possesses a gripper device for receiving and putting down workpiece palettes and a rotary drive for swiveling the gripper device about a vertical axis. A linear drive serves to shift the gripper means between a first position on the storage arrangement and a second position on the workpiece table. The storage arrangement possesses at least one change station for the transfer and acceptance of workpiece palettes by the gripper device, a conveyor apparatus being provided for the supply and removal of workpiece receiving station to and from the change station. Accordingly, satisfactory access is provided to the workpiece table during machining and workpiece changing operations may be performed at a high speed on any desired machining machines.

Abstract: A cutting machine comprises a workpiece changer possessing a receiving element for the workpieces and/or workpiece palettes, said receiving element being able to be pivoted about a vertical axis and to be linearly shifted in a plane normal to such axis. At least one slide arrangement is able to be power driven in the two horizontal directions for a tool spindle and is adapted to run on two parallel side walls of the cutting machine designed in the form of a gantry machine. The intermediate space between the side walls is divided by a transverse wall or by door, which during workpiece machining is closed and during the workpiece changing operation is at least partly open, into a front machining area and a rear supply area, the radius of pivoting of the receiving element, engaging a workpiece or a workpiece palette, extending at least partly into a supply area. Accordingly a person minding or controlling the functioning cutting machine is not hampered by workpiece changing.

Abstract: A workpiece changer for shifting workpieces or workpiece palettes between a set-up station arranged in front of a machining machine and a workpiece table has a gripper means for accepting and depositing workpiece or workpiece palettes, there being a rotary drive for pivoting the gripper means about a vertical axis and a lifting means for lifting and lowering the gripper means. A linear drive serves for transferring the gripper means between a first position at the set-up station and a second position at the workpiece table. Accordingly while ensuring satisfactory access to the workpiece table during machining extremely high speed workpiece changing operations may be performed at any desired machining machine.

Abstract: A workpiece changer for the transfer of workpieces or workpiece palettes between a storage arrangement arranged in front of a machining machine for such workpieces and/or workpiece palette and a workpiece table, possesses a gripper means for receiving and putting down workpieces or workpiece palettes and a rotary drive for swiveling the gripper means about a vertical axis. A linear drive serves to shift the gripper means between a first position on the storage arrangement and a second position on the workpiece table. The storage arrangement possesses at least one change station for the transfer and acceptance of workpieces or workpiece palettes by the gripper means, a conveyor means being provided for the supply and removal of palettes and/or workpiece receiving means to and from the change station. Accordingly satisfactory access is provided to the workpiece table during machining and workpiece changing operations may be performed at a high speed on any desired machining machines.

Abstract: A workpiece holding means for machine tools and more particularly for milling and/or drilling machines, comprising a pivoting bridge supported between two bearing walls. The bearing walls respectively laterally delimit a working area. At least one drive motor serves for pivoting the pivoting bridge, such motor being arranged outside the working area on at least one outer side of the bearing walls. The pivoting bridge is provided with a gear ring adjacent to one or both of the inner sides of the bearing walls, such gear ring being drivingly connected with the drive gear wheel driven by at least one drive motor. The bearing points or bearing pins of the pivoting bridge accordingly do not have to transmit any drive torque and are not subjected to any torque load so that more precise running and more precise positioning is possible.

Abstract: A spindle head for a machine tool with a motor-spindle unit arranged on or integrated in the spindle head has a drive motor whose shaft is in the form of a spindle to hold tools, workpieces or workpiece blanks. The drive motor of the motor-spindle unit is able to be slid in the axial direction in the spindle housing, a compressible means being provided for impeding axial displacement of the drive motor into the spindle housing and by such compressible means the drive motor is held as far as a predetermined axial force level in its predetermined working position. Accordingly protection against collisions may be provided in a simple and economic manner also for spindle heads whose drive motor is integrated in the spindle housing.

Abstract: A workpiece holding means for machine tools and more particularly for milling and/or drilling machines, comprising a pivoting bridge supported between two bearing walls. The bearing walls respectively laterally delimit a working area. At least one drive motor serves for pivoting the pivoting bridge, such motor being arranged outside the working area on at least one outer side of the bearing walls. The pivoting bridge is provided with a gear ring adjacent to one or both of the inner sides of the bearing walls, such gear ring being drivingly connected with the drive gear wheel driven by at least one drive motor. The bearing points or bearing pins of the pivoting bridge accordingly do not have to transmit any drive torque and are not subjected to any torque load so that more precise running and more precise positioning is possible.