Rotary Tool Holder Patents (Class 29/40)
  • Publication number: 20080125904
    Abstract: A method of controlling drive of a driving motor for a rotary indexing device is provided. The device includes an indexing mechanism that indexes an angular position of a circular table by rotating the circular table with the use of the driving motor as a driving source, a clamping mechanism that holds the indexed angular position, and a control unit that controls drive of the driving motor by position control. In the method, the control unit controls the drive of the driving motor during operation of the clamping mechanism with a content of control in which an output torque of the driving motor by the position control becomes smaller than an output torque by the position control during indexing of the angular position of the circular table for an equivalent positional deviation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: TSUDAKOMA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Haruo OSAKI, Takeshi YONENAGA
  • Publication number: 20080086861
    Abstract: In a rotary tool-equipped tool rest 1, a movable member 27 is made to move frontwardly when a turret 1 is clamped with respect to a non-swiveling housing 2 after swiveling and indexing. Then, a phase determining pin 8 provided in the turret 1 is made to project and engaged with the non-swiveling housing 2. Further, a coupling mechanism to clamp the turret 1 with respect to the non-swiveling housing 2 has three-pieces coupling including a first coupling member 26, a second coupling member 28 and a third coupling member 29.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: Okuma Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya NEO, Tsutomu Osaki, Takahiko Shozusawa
  • Patent number: 7343656
    Abstract: A CNC machine for automatically re-indexing and machining multiple faces of a workpiece includes a traditional three-axis CNC machine and a gripper tool. A bar stock defining a first and at least a second workpiece is loaded within a first and a second vice on the table such that the first workpiece is disposed within the first vice and at least a portion of the second workpiece is disposed within the first and the second workpiece. The CNC machine machines the first face of the workpiece within the first vice. Next, the CNC machine grasps the first workpiece using the gripper tool removably disposed within the spindle. The first workpiece is re-indexed and is loaded into a third vice disposed on the table and the next face of the first workpiece is machined. A support rack is preferably used to support a portion of the bar stock overhanging the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: George Gordon Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Belanger, David M. Lorenzo, Ronald L. Downing
  • Patent number: 7305745
    Abstract: A method of optimizing the tool selecting operation of a turret according to the contents of a machining program in a turret tool rest allowing a rotating tool to be fitted thereto, including a step (101) for determining whether the rotating tool is contained in various types of tools fitted to the turret, a step (102) for, when the rotating tool is contained, selecting whether the phase of the rotating motion of the rotating tool fitted to the turret is adjusted to be identical in each time the rotating tool is disposed at an indexing position, a step (103) for, when the phase of the rotating motion of the rotating tool is adjusted to be identical, performing a “less than one rotation control” in which the cumulative sum of the turning indexing motion of the turret in a same turning direction is less than one rotation, and a step (104) for, when the rotating tool is not contained in the fitted tools or the adjustment of the phase of the rotating motion is not performed even if the rotating tool is contained
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yutaka Shibui
  • Patent number: 7150085
    Abstract: A turret for use on a machine tool has a turret body, a swivel drum, an indexing actuator, a drive motor and a joint. While one of rotating tools on the turret is indexed to an indexed position, the joint directly connects the rotating tool to the drive shaft of the drive motor to rotate the rotating tool with the drive motor. The drive motor is fixed to the turret body and the drive motor has a housing supported on the turret body. The turret further comprises a liner whose thickness is adjustable disposed immediately behind the housing. The liner has the thickness thereof adjusted to adjust a position of the drive motor with respect to the turret body. The drive motor can be highly accurately assembled onto the turret body through an opening, of the turret body, which provides easy access to the turret body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Haruki Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 7137180
    Abstract: A turret for a machine tool is provided with: a turret body; a swiveling drum on which a tool holder for holding the rotating tool is mountable; a swiveling and indexing drive portion for swiveling the swiveling drum with a swiveling and indexing motor and for indexing any desired rotating tool; and a rotational driving motor, having a rotating shaft directed to an index position, incorporated into the swiveling drum and supported to the turret body. Under the condition that the rotating tool is indexed, a holder shaft of the tool holder of the rotating tool and the rotating shaft are coupled directly with each other and thereby the rotating tool is rotated by the rotational driving motor. Thus, when the rotating tool is drivingly rotated, the power transmission efficiency for rotational drive is high to thereby make it possible to reduce the heat generation, vibration and noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuji Matsumoto, Haruki Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 7013775
    Abstract: A cutter holder for CNC lathe is disclosed to include a bottom holder block, which is affixed to the frame of a CNC lathe with screws and has a positioning groove with a middle semispherical recess for holding a barrel that holds a tool shank with a front chuck for holding a cutting tool, and a top holding down block, which is detachably affixed to the bottom holder block with screws to hold down the barrel and has a semispherical bottom recess fitting the spherical middle flank portion of the barrel corresponding to the middle semispherical recess of the bottom holder block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventors: Yeo-Ching Song, Ting-Tsai Hsu
  • Patent number: 7010839
    Abstract: A tool turret mechanism includes internal and external tool turrets, a toothed ring secured to the internal tool turret, a central shaft secured to the external turret, a power switch, and a clutch; the central shaft has a piston fitted thereto; the power switch is used for providing power to the internal and the external turrets through the toothed ring and the shaft respectively; the clutch includes a fixed clutch claw, external and internal ring clutch claws, which are respectively securely connected to inner edge of the internal turret, and inner edge of the external turret; the ring clutch claws will rotate, and engage each other; when the piston is actuated, and displaced, the external turret will be forced to change position, and both the turrets will be left and right displaced between a first position, in which they engage the clutch, and a second position, in which they disengage the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Factory Automation Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yung-Hsiang Lu
  • Patent number: 6931972
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tool revolver comprising a revolver head (12) which is supported by a housing (20) and which can be rotated in relation to said housing (20) by means of at least one axial bearing (24). The axial bearing (24) is mounted in between the revolver head (12) and the housing (20) in the direction of the revolver head (12) by means of a locking member (32). The hydraulic medium producing the fluidic pressure can be placed in between the locking member (32) and a connecting element (38). The connecting element (38) engages with the locking member (32) from below in such a way that the axial bearing (24) is subject to pressure when the revolver head (12) is in a locked or unlocked state. Consequently, all major functions are brought together in a minimum amount of construction space, requiring only a minimum amount of components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Sauter Feinmechanik GmbH
    Inventors: Detlef Sahm, Edgar Kirsch, Peter Quass
  • Patent number: 6925694
    Abstract: A tool turret includes a housing (10) for connection to a machine tool, and an electric drive motor (28). A tool disk (14), is mounted to rotate relative to the housing (10) about a longitudinal axis (34), may be fixed in selected angular positions, and has recesses (16) for machining tools (18). At least one rotating machining tool (18) may be driven by the drive motor (28) using shafts (24, 30), extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis forming the swiveling axis of the tool disk (14). The electric drive motor (28) is arranged within the tool disk (14). The driveshaft (30) from the electric drive (28) is aligned with the driveshaft (24) for the machining tool (18), and is aligned with the driveshaft (24) for the machining tool (18) or extends parallel to it. An economical drive design for machining tools on a tool turret is achieved, with a small installation volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Sauter Feinmechanik GmbH
    Inventors: Reiner Sauter, Detlef Sahm
  • Patent number: 6865789
    Abstract: A tool holder for attaching a complex tool having a plurality of kinds of cutting edges to a turret, has a base portion attachably and detachably formed at the turret. The base portion has a rotatable tool spindle attachably and detachably installing the complex tool thereon. The tool spindle is provided with indexing means for indexably rotating the tool spindle at an indexed position corresponding to each cutting edge of the complex tool. And, clamping means for clamping the tool spindle at a predetermined indexed position is provided. Indexing rotational function and clamping function owned by the tool holder makes the use of the complex tool in the lathe possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Yamazaki Mazak Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichiro Katoh, Kazuo Kawasaki, Naoya Tanaka, Minoru Kitayama
  • Patent number: 6825630
    Abstract: A longer life, low cost tool and tool holder enabling change of posture with respect to a spindle, having a high machining accuracy of a workpiece, and resistant to generation of vibration or heat, provided with a working tool for processing a workpiece, a motor having an output shaft to which the working tool is connected and rotating the working tool, a first holder for holding the working tool and the motor, a mount attached to the spindle, a generator to which rotational force is transmitted from the spindle through the mount and generating electric power for driving the motor, a second holder for holding the mount rotatably, holding the generator, and engaged with a nonrotating portion of the machine tool, and a posture adjustment mechanism which connects the first holder and the second holder and is able to change the posture of the working tool with respect to the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouichi Katoh, Yasunori Kato, Takazumi Watanabe, Makoto Sagara
  • Patent number: 6785943
    Abstract: An indexing tool turret assembly is disclosed including a rotatable indexable turret tooling plate having mounted thereon stationary as well as live tooling. A single drive motor is utilized in order to perform indexing as well as to drive the live tooling. A plurality of live tools can be simultaneously mounted on the turret tooling plate and the single drive motor is selectively engageable with each of the live tools so that only one of the plurality of live tools is driven at a given time. The selective live tool drive train includes an axially movable drive shaft and bevel drive gear for selectively engaging the driven bevel gear of the desired live tool. The axially movable shaft assembly includes a mechanism for adjusting the backlash between the driving and driven bevel gears when these gears are engaged with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Hardinge, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrence Sheehan, Stephen M. Wightman, Jacek Mierzejewski, Gary Comstock
  • Patent number: 6722005
    Abstract: A turret includes a housing connected to a machine tool, a rotatably mounted toolholder for mounting of machining tools, and an electric drive for rotating the toolholder into a particular working station for the machining tools. The electric drive has a rotor and a stator with coil windings. The rotor of the electric drive is connected to the toolholder. The stator is connected to elements of the housing. The rotary movement for the toolholder is generated without gearing and directly by the electric drive of the rotor enclosing the stator. Since both the rotor and the stator are enclosed by the toolholder and since the rotor is in direct contact with the toolholder on the side of the external circumference and rigidly connected to the toolholder for transmission of torque, the rotor-stator layout creates an external rotor for the electric drive. In that layout, the rotor rotates externally, with the tool holder and the stator being mounted internally of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Sauter Feinmechanik GmbH
    Inventors: Reiner Sauter, Alfred E. Müller, Detlef Sahm, Jochen Dieringer
  • Patent number: 6704983
    Abstract: A turret type tool post 1 includes a tool post body 10, a turret 11, a first drive shaft 14, an indexing drive mechanism 20 having a third drive shaft 21, a tool rotation drive mechanism 30 having a second drive shaft 31, a power transmission switching mechanism 40 having a hollow piston 42 and a hollow switching shaft 44 rotatably held in the piston 42, etc. When the piston 42 is moved to one side, the second drive shaft 31 is inserted into the switching shaft 44 in engagement, allowing rotational power to be transmitted to the second drive shaft 31. When the piston 42 is moved to the other side, gears 44a of the switching shaft 44 and the third drive shaft 21 are mated with each other, allowing rotational power to be transmitted to the third drive shaft 21.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yusuke Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20030221525
    Abstract: A tool holder for attaching a complex tool having a plurality of kinds of cutting edges to a turret, has a base portion attachably and detachably formed at the turret. The base portion has a rotatable tool spindle attachably and detachably installing the complex tool thereon. The tool spindle is provided with indexing means for indexably rotating the tool spindle at an indexed position corresponding to each cutting edge of the complex tool. And, clamping means for clamping the tool spindle at a predetermined indexed position is provided. Indexing rotational function and clamping function owned by the tool holder makes the use of the complex tool in the lathe possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Koichiro Katoh, Kazuo Kawasaki, Naoya Tanaka, Minoru Kitayama
  • Patent number: 6640404
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an indexing tool turret assembly and method for operating the same. The indexing tool turret assembly includes a tool turret assembly rotatably supported on the machine tool, an indexing assembly for selectively rotating the tool turret assembly to a desired location. The indexing assembly includes a locking assembly to prevent rotation of the tool turret assembly during operation of either a stationary tool assembly or live tool assembly located on the tool turret assembly. A cushioning bearing assembly is provided for selectively separating the tool turret assembly from the locking mechanism during an indexing operation. The cushioning bearing assembly provides a slight lift to separate the tool turret assembly from the locking mechanism to reduce friction and other potential damages forces between these components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Hardinge Inc.
    Inventors: Terrence Sheehan, Brian C. Sheehan, Gary L. Comstock
  • Patent number: 6564449
    Abstract: A method of making a wire connection in a semiconductor device, the method comprising: (a) forming an under bump metallurgy (UBM) over a chip including the bonding pad formed thereon; (b) forming a gold bump on the UBM at a location corresponding to the bonding pad; (c) etching the UBM with the gold bump as a mask; and (d) connecting one end of a bonding wire to a conductive lead by ball bonding and the other end thereof to the gold bump on the bonding pad of the chip by stitch bonding. The conductive lead is located external to the chip as a part of a lead frame or a substrate. Alternatively, the semiconductor chip having bumps may be formed by electroless plating a nickel layer on the bonding pads of the chip, and followed by electroless plating a gold layer on the nickel layer. It is noted that the semiconductor chip having metal bumps is formed by wafer bumping process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Yu Fang Tsai, Jian Wen Chen, Min Lung Huang
  • Patent number: 6497020
    Abstract: In order to improve a tool support for tool holders of rotationally driven tools which can be driven via a gear wheel arranged on one side of the tool holder and mounted for rotation about a gear wheel axis, comprising a receiving means provided on the tool support for at least one tool holder and a first toothed ring provided on the tool support it is suggested that a second toothed ring movable about the toothed ring axis so as to turn on a second path be provided on the tool support, that the second path have a second area of engagement nearest to the gear wheel axis for a gear wheel on the tool holder side, this area of engagement extending at a greater radial distance from the gear wheel axis that the first area of engagement and being located closer to the tool holder in the direction of the gear wheel axis than the first area of engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Traub Drehmaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Heinz Forst
  • Patent number: 6473951
    Abstract: A spindle device for machine tools that can eliminate the need for laborious air bleeding work and labor-demanding fitting/removing work for maintenance. The spindle device for machine tools includes a drawbar that is axially movably inserted into an axial hole of a tool spindle body. The drawbar serves to bias a tool in a clamping direction. An unclamping cylinder mechanism is provided in a rear of the tool spindle and serves to move the drawbar in an unclamping direction. The unclamping cylinder mechanism has a cylinder block fixed to a rear end wall of the tool spindle body and includes a plurality of bolts. A relay oil passage allows a hydraulic passage in the tool spindle body and a hydraulic passage in the cylinder block to communicate with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masamitsu Nakaminami, Kazuhiko Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6467145
    Abstract: An operating unit for a transfer tool machine comprises a turret head having a rotary plate, a plurality of tool holding devices arranged on the rotary plate, a supporting arm supporting the turret head on the tool machine framework and a mandrel which is driven by a reducing driving device also mounted on the machine tool framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventor: Oscar Porta
  • Patent number: 6442815
    Abstract: A reconfigurable tool changer allows a tool cartridge to be easily attached to, or detached from, a standard machine-tool spindle head. The modular design, includes a revolving tool cartridge having a plurality of tool holders, a meshing gear for engaging a tool holder with the spindle of the machine tool, and an adapter block for positioning the revolving tool cartridge on any standard machine-tool spindle head. The adapter block allows the automatic tool changer to be easily coupled to a wide variety of commercial machine-tool spindles, making the invention a truly reconfigurable and portable tool changer. The revolving tool cartridge incorporates a novel three-dimensional cam structure mechanism, which allows tool indexing to be achieved by means of only one actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Yong-Mo Moon, Sridhar Kota
  • Patent number: 6442829
    Abstract: A production and/or assembly apparatus for processing workpieces has a stationary frame forming basic unit of the system. A motion device is movably supported on the frame. A plurality of workpiece carriers are moved in an indexed manner relative to processing modules and feeders arranged in a fixed position on the frame. The workpiece carriers and/or the processing modules and/or the feeders are detachably fastenable in their respective positions by fastening devices which have an identical design in each case for the workpiece carriers and/or the processing modules and/or the feeders. The apparatus can be reset or retooled by simply exchanging one or more of the workpiece carriers, one or more of the processing modules, and/or one or more of the feeders. The resetting and retooling thereby does not affect the frame forming the basic unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Feintool International Holding
    Inventor: Sigmund Kumeth
  • Patent number: 6387025
    Abstract: A machining device equipped with a spindle position interchanger comprises a longitudinal table provided on a bed and movable in a horizontal direction; a transverse table provided on the longitudinal table and movable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal table; a column erected on the transverse table and turnable in a horizontal plane; a first spindle head vertically movable along the column; a second spindle head provided at a position different from (at a position at 1800° to, or opposite to) the position of the first spindle head and vertically movable along the column independently of the first spindle head; a first main spindle and a second main spindle attached to the first spindle head and the second spindle head, respectively; a tool change arm for changing a tool in the second main spindle; and a tool magazine mounted on an upper portion of the column for housing many tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Watanabe, Katsumi Kawagoe, Mitsuyuki Konishi, Isamu Takehana
  • Patent number: 6381985
    Abstract: A jewelry apparatus. The jewelry apparatus may be adapted to serve as practically any type of jewelry, but is best suited for use as a pendant or a broach. A shaft portion may be removably attached to a base piece by means of a slotted locking member. The shaft piece is used to carry ornamental elements, such as decorative beads or precious or semi-precious stones. The ornamental elements may be permanently affixed to the shaft, or most desirably may be slipped onto the shaft so as to be interchangeable. Accordingly, the invention permits a user to change the ornamental elements by removing the shaft from the base piece and selectively interchanging the ornamental elements and then replacing the shaft upon the base piece. Alternatively, the entire shaft with ornamental elements thereon may be selectively replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Gregg Burgard
  • Publication number: 20020029447
    Abstract: In order to improve a tool support for tool holders of rotationally driven tools which can be driven via a gear wheel arranged on one side of the tool holder and mounted for rotation about a gear wheel axis, comprising a receiving means provided on the tool support for at least one tool holder and a first toothed ring provided on the tool support and movable about a toothed ring axis so as to turn on a first path, wherein the first path has a first area of engagement nearest to the gear wheel axis for the gear wheel on the tool holder side, in such a manner that an adaptation of the transmission ratios can be realized in a simple manner it is suggested that a second toothed ring movable about the toothed ring axis so as to turn on a second path be provided on the tool support, that the second path have a second area of engagement nearest to the gear wheel axis for a gear wheel on the tool holder side, this area of engagement extending at a greater radial distance from the gear wheel axis that the first area o
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventor: Heinz Forst
  • Publication number: 20010039706
    Abstract: An indexing tool turret assembly is disclosed including a rotatable indexable turret tooling plate having mounted thereon stationary as well as live tooling. A single drive motor is utilized in order to perform indexing as well as to drive the live tooling. A plurality of live tools can be simultaneously mounted on the turret tooling plate and the single drive motor is selectively engageable with each of the live tools so that only one of the plurality of live tools is driven at a given time. The selective live tool drive train includes an axially movable drive shaft and bevel drive gear for selectively engaging the driven bevel gear of the desired live tool. The axially movable shaft assembly includes a mechanism for adjusting the backlash between the driving and driven bevel gears when these gears are engaged with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: sheehan
    Inventors: TERRENCE SHEEHAN, STEPHEN M. WIGHTMAN, JACEK MIERZEJEWSKI, GARY COMSTOCK
  • Publication number: 20010039705
    Abstract: In order to improve a tool support for machine tools comprising a base unit, a holding member which is arranged on the base unit and on which two supporting surfaces extending at an acute angle to one another are arranged for supporting a tool holder in a first supporting area and a second supporting area, and a clamping device for acting on a clamping member of the tool holder in a clamping direction extending in such a manner that the tool holder acts upon the supporting surfaces with the first and the second supporting areas, in such a manner that clamping of a tool holder is possible in as simple a way as possible it is suggested that the clamping element be mounted in the holding member for rotation about an axis and bear a wedge surface movable on a path around the axis for acting on the clamping member, and that the wedge surface of the clamping element engage over the clamping member proceeding from an insert position during the rotation of the clamping element in a first direction of rotation and act
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: Traub Drehmaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Forst, Rainer Koeneke, Werner Sonnek
  • Patent number: 6298531
    Abstract: A machine tool (1) has at least one but preferably two machining units (13, 14), which are assigned to two workpiece receptacles (8, 9). The machining units (13, 14) are adjustable in three axes (X, Y, Z), and they can each reach both workpiece receptacles (8, 9). The machining units (13, 14) are oriented such that their work spindles (11, 12) are in a preferably right space angle to one another. As a result, they can be moved past one another without colliding. Moreover, they can also work on the same workpiece at the same time. The workpiece receptacles are positionable independently of one another about a preferably but not necessarily common pivot axis (S). The workpieces are also rotatable about an axis (V) perpendicular to the pivot axis. This arrangement enables flexible machining of the workpieces from arbitrary directions in space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Witzig & Frank GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Baumbusch, Walter Bauer
  • Patent number: 6293742
    Abstract: A tool is rotated by a spindle mounted on a Z-axis table carried on a column and moved in the direction of a Z-axis to process a workpiece, while moving an X-axis table supported on a column rising from a bed in the direction of an X-axis and moving a Y-axis table supported on the X-axis table in the direction of a Y-axis to move the workpiece supported on the Y-axis. By controlling the movement of the X-axis and Y-axis tables in a contouring manner to move the workpiece along any path, holes having various sizes and shapes can be made by one type of the tool. Moreover, the wear of a cutting blade of the tool can be compensated by correcting the path of movement of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyoshi Miyagi, Fujio Nonomura, Noriyoshi Katoh, Hiroki Nomura, Kazushige Nakatsuka, Katsutoshi Yamauchi, Kouji Ujihashi
  • Publication number: 20010016973
    Abstract: A rotary turret head apparatus for installing a fastener such as a rivet. The rotary turret head apparatus has a plurality of machining and fastener installation tools disposed perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the turret. The individual tools are independently powered and the entire turret head apparatus is fed toward the workpiece by a single actuator mechanism such as a roller screw or hydraulic cylinder thereby eliminating the need for a separate actuating mechanism for each tool and eliminating the need for engagement of each tool with a central actuating mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventors: Thomas H. Speller, John Michael Perrelli, Cheyenne Saunders
  • Patent number: 6276035
    Abstract: The tool-changing device comprises a tool carrier rotatably mounted in a basic housing by means of a hollow shaft. This tool carrier is driven via a ring motor, the rotor of which is directly connected to the hollow shaft. A servomotor for the drive of tools is provided in the interior of the hollow shaft. Furthermore, the cavity of the hollow shaft also accommodates supply lines for the tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: EMAG Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Hessbrüggen, Christoph Wernz
  • Patent number: 6195876
    Abstract: In an electronic component placing apparatus, four magazines are mounted on a head, and yet electronic components are housed in each magazine. In this apparatus, by an operation of selectively inserting a suction nozzle into four insertion openings in the magazines, it is possible to load a desired electronic component on a substrate, and this component loading can be repeatedly performed until the housed components are exhausted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Taiyo Yuden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazushige Koyama, Kikuji Fukai, Kiyoshi Murase, Masaru Aoki, Taro Yasuda, Koji Saito
  • Patent number: 6128812
    Abstract: In a tool turret for a machine tool, in particular, a lathe, comprising a turret head rotatable about a turret indexing axis, the turret head tapering on either side of a diameter plane of the turret head extending perpendicularly to the turret indexing axis and having on each side of this diameter plane a circular ring-shaped row of tool stations which is concentric with the indexing axis, each of the tool stations having a tool receiving means for clamping a toolholder for a machining tool, in order to increase the machining operations which are performable with a tool turret and the machining accuracy, such a tool turret is so designed that: each tool station comprises a planar contact surface formed by the outer surfaces of the turret head for a toolholder; the contact surfaces of the two rows of tool stations define regular pyramids of identical shape which point away from one another and whose axes coincide with the turret indexing axis; each row of tool stations has at least one tool receiving means fo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Index-Werke GmbH & Co. KG Hahn & Tessky
    Inventors: Helmut Friedrich Link, Walter Grossmann
  • Patent number: 6079090
    Abstract: A numeric-control machine tool for turning and hobbing mechanical parts, comprising: a main mandrel, which is provided with grip means for a mechanical part and can be rotated about its own axis; a first carriage, which supports a turret tool post for turning and/or milling and/or drilling; and a second carriage, which supports a gear hobbing tool head. The first and second carriages can move on command, in a controlled manner, with respect to the main mandrel in order to selectively move the tools installed on the turret tool post and the hobbing tools so that they machine the part supported by the main mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Nuova Trasmissione S.r.l.
    Inventor: Stefano Ongaro
  • Patent number: 6076442
    Abstract: A new type of multi-chopper for cutting strands or ribbon shaped material such as strands of glass fibers, and a method of using this chopper, is disclosed. The chopper has at least two chopper assemblies on a rotating frame. When one chopper assembly needs repair, the frame is rotated which brings a rebuilt or repaired chopper assembly into operating position quickly and also brings the assembly needing repair into a position where it can be worked on while the other chopper is operating resulting in much reduced downtime. The frame of the chopper can rotate around a vertical or horizontal line, or around a line passing through two opposite corners of a frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Johns Manville International, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell D. Arterburn, Randall C. Bascom, Shawn E. Dennis, Douglas J. Kempski
  • Patent number: 6016729
    Abstract: Positioning engaging members (27) are provided between a base table (10) and a turret (11) which is indexed relative to the base table (10) by a driving force of an indexing/tool turning motor (32) so as to be engageable with or disengageable from each other. The positioning engaging members (27) engage with each other to prevent the turret (11) from turning. Further, the driving force of the indexing/tool turning motor (32) is transmitted or not transmitted to the turret (11) by clutch pieces (31). The driving force of the indexing/tool turning motor (32) is transmitted to a turning tool (14) mounted on tool mounting portions (12) of the turret (11) via a power transmission member. The positioning engaging members (27) engage with or disengage from each other by an engaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Pfeifer, Kenji Sugimoto, Hiroshi Shinohara
  • Patent number: 6003415
    Abstract: The invention relates to toolholders and mechanisms for securing the toolholder to a lathe turret or tool indexer. One embodiment of the invention comprises a base adapted to be secured to a rotary lathe table via a mechanism receivable in slots or grooves which can be wedged and compressively secured about selected positions about an engagement surface. A second embodiment comprises a bore securable to a lathe table via both fastening and positioning mechanisms where the bore defines a dovetail groove receivable to a complementary tongue where the toolholder is securable to the bore in a cam locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Houston Instrument Tooling Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Turner, Samuel Goertz
  • Patent number: 5970837
    Abstract: A new type of multi-chopper for cutting strands or ribbon shaped material such as strands of glass fibers, and a method of using this chopper, is disclosed. The chopper has at least two chopper assemblies on a rotating frame. When one chopper assembly needs repair, the frame is rotated which brings a rebuilt or repaired chopper assembly into operating position quickly and also brings the assembly needing repair into a position where it can be worked on while the other chopper is operating resulting in much reduced downtime. The frame of the chopper can rotate around a vertical or horizontal line, or around a line passing through two opposite corners of a frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Johns Manville International, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell D. Arterburn, Randall C. Bascom, Shawn E. Dennis, Douglas J. Kempski
  • Patent number: 5933934
    Abstract: A bidirectional indexing turret mechanism for machine tools having a housing for mounting to a machine tool, with a spline being fixed to the housing. An indexing shaft is mounted for rotation within the housing and has a rotary turret support fixed thereto for supporting a turret having machining tools for machining a workpiece. The rotary turret support is a rotary spline having spline teeth positioned for registry with the teeth of the fixed spline. A locking spline is positioned about the indexing shaft and is movable to a locking position for locking engagement with the fixed and rotary splines and is movable to an unlocked position permitting rotation of said rotary turret support and the indexing shaft. A shaft driver having splined engagement with the indexing shaft is in positioning engagement with the locking spline and is movable linearly and rotatably by a roller driver supporting a plurality of drive rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventor: Enrico R. Giannetti
  • Patent number: 5934346
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for machining panels, in particular panels made of derived timber products, in and essentially horizontal position. The device has a sawing and/or milling jig with at least one saw blade and/or at least on milling cutter. The device is preferably fitted with a combined sawing/milling jig whose movements are controlled by computer using several parameters. The device can also have a preferably computer-controlled panel-holding rig, a suction device for removing machining residues, such as chips and dust, means for conveying the panel and/or cutouts out of the device following machining or means for lifting the machined panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignees: Schenk Werkzeug und Maschinenbau GmbH, Kunz GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Joachim Windeisen, Wolfgang Schnabel
  • Patent number: 5921159
    Abstract: A rotating turret (10) having an outer plate (12) with several interchangeable tool (13) posts mounted to an index plate (22). The index plate (22) is mounted to a first axle (23) that extends through a block (24) and rotates on a set of bearings (28) mounted inside the block (24). The index plate (22) provides for rotation of the turret (10) between the several tool (13) positions. The index plate (22) is locked into position by a set of pins (34, 37) that fit into apertures (31) in the index plate. The pins (34, 37) are spring-biased toward the index plate (22) by springs (52, 55, and 58). A handle (16) attaches to a second axle (40) to provide a quick release mechanism. The second axle (40) mechanically engages with the pins (34, 37) and a sliding wedge (49) such that when the handle (16) is rotated the pins (34, 37) are retracted from the index plate (22) against the force of the springs (52, 55, 58).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventor: Johnny Ralph Watkins
  • Patent number: 5875696
    Abstract: A tool fixing device for machine tools has a tool holder with a tool holder body for bearing the tool, and a tool carrier with a tool station. The tool station has a support surface and a receiver for receiving a shaft from the tool holder. An aligning device operative between the tool holder body and the tool carrier is used to position the tool holder body relative to the tool carrier, such that the tool holders in the respective tool station of the tool carrier need not be readjusted each time they are inserted. The aligning device has two aligning elements, one on the tool carrier, and the other on the tool holder body. When the shaft from the tool holder is clamped in the receiver on the tool station, the aligning elements fix the tool carrier so as to be aligned in a single position using form-fitting elements which engage in one another without clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Index-Werke GmbH & Co. KG Hahn & Tessky
    Inventor: Walter Grossmann
  • Patent number: 5842259
    Abstract: The invention provides a machine tool comprising a base member, a workpiece support means mounted on the base member, a toolhead support means mounted on the base member, a toolhead assembly mounted on the toolhead support means, rotatable about a given axis relative to the toolhead support means, at least two tools mounted on the toolhead assembly, having axes radially disposed and circumferentially spaced relative to the given axis, a means for operating a selected one of the tools when the selected tool is disposed in a predetermined position relative to the workpiece support means operatively interconnecting the toolhead support means and the toolhead assembly for selectively, rotatably indexing the toolhead assembly about the given axis to position a selected one of the tools in the predetermined position; and means for locking the toolhead assembly relative to the toolhead support means when a selected one of the tools is disposed in the predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Hardesty, David A. Stutsman, Edwin H. Haefling, Robert A. Hardy
  • Patent number: 5820537
    Abstract: For the change of tools of machine tool operating units, a device is provided which comprises a tool-holder support or carriage (144,204) on which there are mounted at least two tool-holder spindles (48,148) with a corresponding tool (50,150), and the axis of at least one of these at least two tool-holder spindles is inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the axis of the spindle (10,110) of the operating unit. Means controlled by the spindle (10,110) of the operating unit pivot this support or carriage (44,204) and the corresponding at least one tool-holder spindle (48,148) by this predetermined angle, in order to position the required tool-holder in axial alignment with this spindle (10,110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Riello Macchine Utensili SpA
    Inventors: Luigi Zecchetto, Zeno Borsaro, Andrea Riello
  • Patent number: 5765456
    Abstract: A CNC automatic lathe has at least one carriage system having an X, a Y, and a Z axis that carries a tool revolver designed as a so-called disk revolver for working with lathe tools and rotary machining tools. In order to reduce as much as possible the distance between a defined cutting plane for the turning process and the carriage system, the Y axis forms with the normal to the cutting plane a relatively small acute angle (beta), so that when the tool revolver is rotated in a controlled manner around its axis, a rotatively driven machining tool mounted on the revolver and located in its working position is swivelled with its axis of rotation through an acute angle out of the cutting plane in the direction of the carriage system. The machining area of the machining tool thus described a movement with a component that extends in the minus direction of the Y axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Index-Werke GmbH & Co. Hahn & Tessky
    Inventor: Walter Grossmann
  • Patent number: 5745967
    Abstract: A turret head device for machine tool comprises a housing; a motor mounted on a rear surface of said housing; a first and second planetary gear mechanisms, both integrated into the housing; a turret for mounting tools; and a tool driving shaft integrated into the turret.Wherein said turret is connected with said motor through said first and second planetary gear mechanisms and the tool driving shaft is connected with the motor through the first planetary gear mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Dyadic Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masakazu Kojima
  • Patent number: 5735029
    Abstract: An arbor mill machine which performs multiple machining operations on a workpiece in one work station. A rotatable tool turret carries a plurality of arbor cutting tools each of which can be indexed into the work station for performing a machining operation on a workpiece carried by a slide which advances the workpiece into the arbor tool and retracts the workpiece from it. A single drive spindle carried by a slide is advanced to releasably engage and drive the arbor tool in the work station to machine the workpiece and is retracted to release and disengage the arbor tool so that it can be removed from the work station when the turret is indexed to advance another arbor tool into the work station to perform another machining operation on the workpiece. The turret is releasably locked to prevent it from rotating while an arbor tool is machining a workpiece and is released between machining operations to permit indexing of the turret to position another arbor tool in the work station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Western Atlas, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Panetta
  • Patent number: 5730691
    Abstract: In a turret type of machine tool having a turret head which can be rotated for indexing to selectively index an arbitrary one of tool mounting members provided in a plurality of circumferential portions into a machining position which coincides with a predetermined radial direction, the construction of the turret head is simplified to reduce the cost and increase the reliability. A first supporting body is provided which is connected to a moving mechanism which advances or recedes the turret head along an axis of machining coinciding with the axial line of the tool mounting member at the machining position. A second supporting body which is movable along the axis of machining is supported on the first supporting body, and the turret head is rotatably supported on the second supporting body so as to be rotated for indexing. A spindle head is fixed to the first supporting body such that a spindle to be supported on the spindle head coincides with the axis of machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuto Tokura, Yosiharu Watabe, Katsuyuki Abe, Hitoshi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 5727297
    Abstract: A tool turret has a housing, a head connected nonrotatably with the housing, and a tool face arranged concentrically to and encompassing the head. The tool face is rotatable around the housing longitudinal axis relative to the housing and head, and is lockable in predetermined angular positions with the housing. A receiving and holding area for a drivable tool is provided in the tool face. A head shaft extends radially in the head relative to its central longitudinal axis. The head shaft can be driven through a miter-wheel gearing and a transmission shaft extending in the rotary axis of the tool face by a motor. A clutch is movable in a longitudinal direction along the head shaft axis relative to the driving shaft of a tool found in the work position, to join the head shaft and the tool shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Sauter Feinmechanik GmbH
    Inventors: Detlef Dieter Sahm, Kurt Birk