Machine Frame Patents (Class 408/234)
  • Patent number: 7360977
    Abstract: A machine tool transmission, in particular a spindle transmission, with which the force and/or the torque transfer from an output shaft (3) of a transmission (1) takes place directly on a spindle (15). The spindle (15) is placed co-axially over the output shaft (3). An integration of a sealed rotary feed-through is proposed to serve as a transfer device for the flow of cooling fluids, oil or air between the transmission output shaft and the spindle (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Harald Eckert
  • Patent number: 7356895
    Abstract: Machine tool furnished with: a table (20) free to swivel about a horizontal swivel center axis, and having a table body (22) for carrying a workpiece, and an axially rotatable rotary shaft (23) disposed with the axis of the rotary shaft (23) coinciding with the swivel center axis, with a first end of the rotary shaft affixed to the table body (22); a support structure (15) for supporting rotatably the rotary shaft (23) via a bearing (15b); a swivel drive mechanism (25) for axially rotating the rotary shaft (23); riding members (31) abutting on an outer-peripheral locus on a rotary shaft (23) second end, off a portion, supported by the bearing (15b), of the rotary shaft (23); and hold-down mechanisms (32) arranged on the support structure (15), for supporting the riding members (31) and thereby pressing on and apply a load to the rotary shaft (23) outer-peripheral locus from above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidehito Ota
  • Patent number: 7354227
    Abstract: A production line for carrying out machining and cleaning operations on rectangular frameworks, is provided. Elongate plastic frame members are welded together in a welding machine, thereby forming two rectangular frameworks located one above the other. These are moved to a framework processing machine along separate predetermined paths with the first path being located above the second path. The paths are provided by horizontally extending guide arrangements on the machine which has a power tool for carrying out machining operations, this tool being supported by a transporting mechanism capable of moving the tool both horizontally and vertically. Machining steps are carried out on the two frame works while they are held one above the other. The frameworks are moved to a weld cleaning machine along respective upper and lower paths for further processing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Pro-Line Automation Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Vinode Ramnauth, Leon Gimelshtein
  • Patent number: 7275897
    Abstract: A drilling machine for drilling variable-thickness on-edge supported wood, plastics material, aluminum panels, comprises a bottom intermittent conveyor for abutting against a bottom edge of a panel and horizontally conveying a panel to be processed to a tool bearing a rotary turret, top horizontal axis vertically movable abutment and guide rollers for abutting against the top edge of the panel and rear vertical axis rollers. for abutting against and guiding the rear surface of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Inventor: Luigi Reguzzi
  • Patent number: 7241090
    Abstract: An open-topped collection trough for arrangement under a machine tool to collect downwardly flowing coolant emitted from coolant spray nozzles of the machine tool which direct coolant jets onto cutting tools and adjacent surfaces, in which the collection trough is provided with a height adjusting mechanism and a seal system made of foam seal material between the top edge at the side of the trough and the undersurfaces of a machine tool to seal the gap between the trough and the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventor: Luc Reynders
  • Patent number: 7223055
    Abstract: A support structure or sleeve for the spindle of a machine tool consists of a tubular casing, preferably made of sheet steel with a high modulus of elasticity, in contact with a layer of agglomerate obtained by casting inside the casing a mixture formed by a granulate of stone and/or ceramic and/or expanded clay material as well as a synthetic resin of the hardening type, which is subject to cross-linking. The structure thus obtained combines a high vibration damping factor with an excellent mechanical strength and a reduced weight. The structure may also comprise a second casing which is located inside the layer of agglomerate and in contact therewith. The mass of agglomerate may also have, embedded in it, pipes for circulation of a cooling fluid in order to dispose of the heat produced by the spindle during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Luca Toncelli
  • Patent number: 7214007
    Abstract: A drill assembly, for example for drilling or coring concrete, has a drill column formed from a composite material. A track for a wall saw or for supporting other structures for movement along the track is formed from a composite material. A composite column, rail or other longitudinally extending composite structure having a hollow interior portion includes an internal support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Husqvarna Outdoor Products Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Baratta
  • Patent number: 7198438
    Abstract: A drilling system includes a stationary base table for supporting a work piece under process at a fixed position at a drilling spindle station. A drilling spindle carries and applies rotational force to a drilling tool. A compound overhead guiding system carries the spindle above the work piece under process. The overhead guiding system includes a Y drive system for moving the spindle along a Y axis in relation to the base table, and an X drive system for driving the spindle along an X axis. The guiding system has a lightweight laminated crossbeam structure for carrying the spindle and X axis drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Inventor: Wojciech B. Kosmowski
  • Patent number: 7189194
    Abstract: Machine tool with: a bed furnished with a base and two side walls provided standing along respective left and right sides of the base; a first saddle composed of a rectangular frame, with vertical sides provided perpendicularly and transverse sides provided sideways, and both ends of the frame sideways being supported on rear faces of the side walls so as to be perpendicularly movable; a second saddle arranged within the first-saddle frame and provided to be movable sideways, and having a front-to-rear penetrating through-hole; a spindle head arranged in the second-saddle through-hole and provided to be movable back-and-forth; a tool-retaining spindle supported, by the spindle head, with its axis paralleling the front-to-rear orientation and rotatable about its axial center; and, arranged on the bed, a table on which workpieces are set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoshi Takayama, Michio Watanabe, Satoshi Komatsu
  • Patent number: 7179030
    Abstract: A machine tool for machining workpieces includes a spindle group with at least two spindle arrangements placed alongside each other, each spindle arrangement possessing a spindle to receive a machining tool. Each spindle arrangement is guided on a guide arrangement in the direction of the axis of the respective spindle in a longitudinally sliding manner on a holding device or frame for the spindle group, each guide arrangement possesses an external clearance which is larger than the width of the respective spindle and that the guide arrangements of two directly adjacent spindle arrangements of the spindle group are arranged on mutually different sides of the holding device or frame so that the spindle axes are arranged closer together than in the case of an arrangement of the guide arrangements on the same side of the holding device or frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Alfing Kessler Sondermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Carsten Krosta, Ralf Müllner, Stefan Hansch
  • Patent number: 7165630
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for manufacturing operations using non-contact position sensing are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a track assembly adapted to be attached to a workpiece, a carriage assembly moveably coupled to the track assembly and moveable relative to the workpiece, and a position sensor. The position sensor includes a sensor element adapted to detect at least one edge of an index feature on the workpiece from a distance away from the index feature. In an alternate embodiment, the position sensor may include a sensing circuit that receives an analog signal from the sensing element and provides both analog and digital output signals. In another embodiment, a controller that controls manufacturing operations may be mounted directly on the carriage assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Paul R. Arnston, Ronald W. Outous, Theodore M. Boyl-Davis, James N. Buttrick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7165919
    Abstract: In a machine tool (10) with a machine base (11), a working area (14), in which workpieces (13) are machined, and a device (25), which receives chips (24) formed during machining of the workpieces (13) from the working area (14) and conveys them onward, at least one tunnel (31, 33) provided for receiving one end (39) of a chip conveyor (38) is provided in the machine base (11), which tunnel extends at least to below the device (25) and is there of upwardly open (28) design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Anton Richard Schweizer, Hans-Henning Winkler
  • Patent number: 7137760
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manufacturing operations using opposing-force support systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a track assembly adapted to be attached to a workpiece, and a carriage moveably coupled to the track assembly. The carriage includes a tool support adapted to receive and support a manufacturing tool. An opposing-force support assembly is operatively coupled to the carriage and is adapted to be secured to the workpiece. The opposing-force support assembly at least partially counterbalances a manufacturing force exerted on the workpiece by the manufacturing tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Theodore M. Boyl-Davis, James N. Buttrick, Jr., Darrell D. Jones
  • Patent number: 7128507
    Abstract: The present invention provides a machine tool capable of achieving a higher feed rate of a spindle and weight reduction while ensuring necessary stiffness of a column. The present invention includes: a bed; a saddle disposed on the bed to be movable in a Y-axis direction in a front view of the machine; a table disposed on the saddle to be movable in an X-axis direction; a column having a shape of a gate that is bridged over a travel range of the table and has right and left legs fixed on the bed and a beam connecting tops of the right and left legs; and a spindle head disposed on a front face of the beam to be movable in a Z-axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Hiramoto, Akihiro Mochizuki, Shunsuke Nakazawa, Satoshi Matsui
  • Patent number: 7125206
    Abstract: A platform for a drill is supported on four support members which are pivotable on the platform to alter the angle between opposite members. In one embodiment a stop limits the movement of the support members so that the maximum angle between them can be controlled to suit the diameter of a pipe on which the apparatus is mounted. In another embodiment, the support members are attached by connecting rods to a cross member which is raised and lowered on a threaded rod to pivot the members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Inventor: Gordon Henry Turner
  • Patent number: 7125211
    Abstract: A machine tool for performing a machine tool function including components adapted to cooperate with each other to execute the machine tool function. The machine tool has a number of constituent parts and a number of sheets of damping material. Each component includes constituent parts with sheets of damping material interposed between the constituent parts. The sheets dampen vibration of the machine tool during performance of the machine tool function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Racer Machinery International Inc.
    Inventor: Don Zoran
  • Patent number: 7104169
    Abstract: A machine tool includes X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis moving units for producing relative movements between a tool and a workpiece; a C-axis drive unit for rotating the workpiece about a C-axis parallel to the Z-axis; and a B-axis turning unit for turning the tool about a B-axis parallel to the Y-axis. The tool is disposed in such a manner that a machining point of the tool coincides with the B-axis. The moving units, the drive unit, and the turning unit are controlled in such a manner that a work point of the workpiece coincides with the machining point of the tool. The bed is formed through casting and has a hollow structure and a hole as cast; and a cover is provided to cover the hole as cast in order to close the interior of the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yutaka Inada, Hiroaki Suzuki, Hideki Iwai, Katsuhiko Takeuchi, Tomohisa Katou
  • Patent number: 7101129
    Abstract: A machine tool for machining large-area workpieces. A column can be moved along one coordinate axis over a long bed. A machining unit, movable at the movable column along at least two other coordinate axes, has a pivotable working spindle. At least one approximately plate-like work carrier can be pivoted from a horizontal set-up position into a vertical machining position. A tripod configuration of the machining unit has a central support pipe and three telescopic legs spaced about 120° with respect to one another. The movable column has, in a central recess, a universal bearing supporting the central support pipe. In each of two lower and one upper recesses a universal bearing for the telescopic legs is provided. A retainer supporting the pivotable working spindle is positioned next to the work area on one end of the central support pipe and is rotatable about an axis of the central support pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: DECKEL MAHO Pfronten GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Gronbach
  • Patent number: 7065856
    Abstract: A machine tool apparatus is provided employing a plurality of tool heads which may be sequentially or simultaneously automatically controlled to perform preprogrammed operations on either the same or different workpieces. In one form, a plurality of tool heads are supported on the same frame, guideway or track and may be separate prepositioned or driven under remote or automatic control to perform preprogrammed operations wither in sequence or simultaneously on the same workpiece or simultaneously on separate workpieces spaced apart on a common conveyor such as a flight conveyor while the conveyor is either in motion or stationary. In another form, the conveyor is automatically stopped with units of work thereon, each disposed so as to be predeterminately located with respect to a respective machine tool which has been prepositioned adjacent the work-holding conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: Jerome H. Lemelson
  • Patent number: 7044696
    Abstract: The present invention provides a chip discharging device for a machine tool, which is capable of making the entire machine small by minimizing a protruding amount of the chip discharging device toward the backside of the machine, and making an install space thereof small. A column 4 is arranged and fixed on an upper surface of a rear wall portion 2d of a bed 2, the rear wall portion 2d is arranged to deviate upward, rear wall inclined surfaces 2g and 2g? rising obliquely upward are formed on a bottom portion of the rear wall portion 2d, a storage tank 27 for storing coolant is arranged inside a rectangular frame of the bed 2, the storage tank 27 having a form which extends through a space beneath the rear wall portion 2d to the backside of the machine and further stands up obliquely upward along the rear wall inclined surfaces 2g and 2g?, and a chip conveyor 26 is arranged inside the storage tank 27 for conveying chips to the backside of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Hiramoto, Kazutoyo Moriguchi, Kaoru Yasumatsuya
  • Patent number: 7029214
    Abstract: There is provided a linear guide apparatus which, owing to the use of a gap-free braking device in a rolling guide, has a sufficiently high damping capacity. The linear guide apparatus for guiding a linear motion of a movable body along a guide rail on a fixed structure in a machine tool, includes: a rolling guide section including a rolling element for rolling on a rolling element-rolling surface of the guide rail; and a brake section for enhancing the damping capacity of the rolling guide section, the brake section including a pair of brake shoes, having a flexible structure, for sliding on the rolling element-rolling surface of the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Shiba, Yoshiaki Kai, Takao Date
  • Patent number: 7025542
    Abstract: There is provided a guide device for a machining head capable of machining a workpiece such as a cylinder head of an engine accurately, a machine having the guide device, and a guide method. At least one of guide posts formed in a guide post member has an air pressure controlling function capable of fitting and holding a guide bar in the guide post in a non-contact state, and other guide bars have a very small clearance with the guide post facing to the guide bar. Thereby, the position at which the machining head is held is accurately held.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuo Nakanishi, Yoshio Ogawa, Toshiaki Takagi
  • Patent number: 7018148
    Abstract: The present invention provides a machine tool capable of enhancing chip discharge efficiency and improving work efficiency with improved approachability to a spindle. A machine tool according to the present invention is structured such that a recession 2c with a back face side and an upper face side thereof opened is formed at a center portion of a bed 2, Y-axis guide rails 18 and Y-axis ball screws (drive shafts) 16 for guiding and driving the saddle 4 are disposed on right and left saddle supports (edges) 2b of the recession 2c and are covered with right and left Y-axis cutting covers 56, the right and left Y-axis cutting covers 56 are formed in an inclined shape with the recession 2c side thereof becoming lower, and a chip receptor 48 for discharging chips dropped into the recession 2c to a back face side of the bed 2 is disposed in the recession 2c.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Hiramoto, Akihiro Mochizuki, Shunsuke Nakazawa, Satoshi Matsui
  • Patent number: 6945147
    Abstract: A clamping device for machine tools is disclosed that is capable of ensuring the clamping force for a tailstock while maintaining a small overall size of the device and a reduced number of parts. The tailstock (movable carriage) movably mounted on a fixed bed is clamped at a specified position to the fixed bed. A stationary rack (stationary fitting member) extending in a direction of movement is fixed to the fixed bed. A movable rack (movable fitting member) is provided on the tailstock so as to be movable in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the tailstock. Wedge-shaped fitting surfaces are formed at mutually opposing portions of the stationary rack and the movable rack. The movable rack is driven to perform advance-and-retreat motions between a clamping position where the movable rack fits together with the stationary rack and an unclamping position where the clamping state is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshinori Sakashita
  • Patent number: 6932546
    Abstract: A drill stand for a portable core drill has a base plate (2) with an elongate opening (3) for securing the base plate (2) on a workpiece and with at least one reinforcing chamber (8a, 8b) that is closed along its edges extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (A) of the annular core bit of the core drill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Oliver Ohlendorf
  • Patent number: 6902362
    Abstract: In an automatic machine tool (1) comprising a spindle mounting slide (4) which is driven by a linear electric motor (9) in a vertical direction (V) in a slideway (8), the slide (4) is equipped with a counterweight device (13) comprising a cylinder (19) within which there slides a piston 17. The cylinder (19) and the piston (17) form a first balancing chamber (31) and a second counterbalancing chamber (32), the second counterbalancing chamber (32) being connected to a circuit (33) for feeding a fluid (34) under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: JOBS S.p.A.
    Inventors: Maurizio Ferrari, Adriano Granata, Bruno Schiavi
  • Patent number: 6869258
    Abstract: A drill stand (1) for a manually operable tool device (2) is formed of a fixedly mountable base plate (4) having a through passageway (5) extending perpendicularly therethrough for the passage of a clamping bolt (6) having at least one axially effective stop shoulder (7a, 7b), so that at least one detent means (8) with an axially effective counter shoulder (10a, 10b) for axial form-locking engagement of the shoulder stops (7a, 7b) of the clamping bolt (6). At least one manually operable eccentric cam (11a, 11b) affords axial clamping of the clamping bolt (6) locked by the detent means (8) and arranged relative to the through passageway (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Marcus Flock, Stefan Hammerstingl
  • Patent number: 6843624
    Abstract: A machine tool capable of performing an accurate machining by preventing a second saddle 6 from displacing aslant to suppress the vibrations of a spindle head 8, wherein a column 2 is fixedly installed on bed 1, a first saddle 4 is movably guided by the column 2 in vertical direction f1, a second saddle 6 is movably guided by the first saddle 4 in lateral direction f2, a spindle head 8 is movably guided by the second saddle 6 in longitudinal direction 18, and interfitted guide route devices 5A, 5B, 5C for guiding the second saddle 6 in lateral direction f2 are formed at the rear lower position of the first saddle 4 as well as at the front upper and lower positions of the first saddle 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Horkos Corp.
    Inventors: Shinsuke Sugata, Yoshihide Seo
  • Publication number: 20040255736
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a bed of a machine tool to be stably leveled and supported by three support points and to reduce the strain of the bed of which structure is simplified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: TOYODA KOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Teruhiro Nakamura, Hiroaki Kikuchi, Eiji Fukuta, Kikutoshi Okada
  • Patent number: 6832878
    Abstract: An automated quill drive assembly is adapted to be retrofit on a milling machine having a frame presenting a quill head and a quill supported on the head for rotation and for relative shiftable movement along a linear axis between retracted and extended positions. The quill head includes a centrally disposed lower lug, a quill feed engagement control lever boss located above and spaced to one side of the lug, and a transmission cover opening located above and spaced to a side of the lug opposite the quill feed engagement control lever boss. The automated quill drive assembly includes a housing adapted to be mounted to the lug, the quill feed engagement control lever boss, and the transmission cover opening, a motor supported on the housing, and a transmission supported on the housing for transmitting automated movement from the motor to the quill to move the quill between the retracted and extended positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventors: Dwayne S. Elrod, Elizabeth Domokos-Elrod
  • Patent number: 6758798
    Abstract: A machining machine-tool having a fixed frame with a closed structure. The machining zone is delimited by the fixed frame internal surfaces and includes a machining head supporting the driving unit of a machine-tool. The machine-tool fixed frame has a C-shaped profile, and ends of branches of the C are linked to the machine-tool machining head. The ergonomic arrangement of the machine-tool functional parts is also considered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Renault Automation Comau
    Inventor: Claude Fioroni
  • Publication number: 20040090126
    Abstract: The structure for symmetrically disposed linear motor operated tool machine comprises two parallelly erected sustaining walls, a movable gantry, a sliding saddle, a tool spindle, and a weight compensation device. At both sides of the movable gantry between the sustaining walls, between the gantry and the sliding saddle, and between the tool spindle and the sliding saddle, a pair of linear motors is symmetrically disposed such that the armature reaction between the winding and magnet is compensated each other by the opposite one therefore any possible deformation force to the tool machine structure is eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Chin-Mou Hsu, Hsuan-Jen Kung, En-Sheng Chang
  • Publication number: 20040057805
    Abstract: The invention concerns a partitioning device (D) between the machining station and a machine-tool driving station (M) of the type driving at least two tool-holder rams (100, 100′). Said device is characterized in that it consists, at least between the two rams (100, 100′), of a flexible curtain (500) called a central curtain whereof the two ends (510 and 520) are integral with a first ram (100) and which is linked to the second ram (100′) so that the relative movement of one ram (100 and/or 100′) with respect to the other (100′ and/or 100) along a first axis of movement (X), stretches more or less a length of curtain (500) between the two rams (100 and 100′). The invention is useful for separating the machining station from a station driving a double-spindle machine-tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Andre Azema
  • Patent number: 6705809
    Abstract: A drill press table includes a drill table having a pivot element on one end of the drill table, and a support member having a bracket with at least one bracket recess. The drill table is mounted to the support member such that the pivot element is rotatably engaged with the bracket. The pivot element includes a pivot element plate with an arcuate slot that received a bolt. A locking mechanism extends through the pivot element plate, and removably secures the pivot element to the support member bracket. Ends of the arcuate slot, in cooperation with the bolt provide positive stops at extreme tiltable positions of the drill table at 90° and 45° from horizontal. The drill press table also includes a detent mechanism, which at least partially engages with the bracket recess, thereby indicating a desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventor: James T. Manos, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040013484
    Abstract: A drill stand for a portable core drill has a base plate (2) with an elongate opening (3) for securing the base plate (2) on a workpiece and with at least one reinforcing chamber (8a, 8b) that is closed along its edges extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (A) of the annular core bit of the core drill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventor: Oliver Ohlendorf
  • Patent number: 6662685
    Abstract: A splash cover is assembled to a mount of a base. A space for holding a packing is provided between the splash cover and the mount. A packing port is provided to the accommodating space. The structure allows an operator to install or remove the packing to or from the accommodating portion inside the splash cover without interference from the splash cover. Thus, installing or removing the packing can be easily performed. In addition, because the packing is invisible from outside, the appearance of the splash cover is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuteru Kuriki, Toshio Ichino
  • Patent number: 6652204
    Abstract: A machine tool comprises a rack, a horizontally displaceable x skid and a y skid that is vertically displaceable thereon. The skids are drivable by linear motors which are arranged on the front side of the rack and the face side of the x skid, respectively, and on the rear side of the x skid and the rear side of the y skid, respectively. The same may apply to the x guides and the y guides. The air gaps of the linear motors of each skid are arranged in one plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Hüller Hille GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald Stengele, Dietrich Geiger
  • Patent number: 6644897
    Abstract: A method of using a drilling end effector includes providing a drilling end effector having a plurality of photogrammetry targets secured thereto. The positional orientation of the drilling end effector along six degrees of freedom is detected using a photogrammetry sensor to determine the orientation of the plurality of photogrammetry targets and outputting a position signal to a controller. The drilling end effector is robotically manipulated adjacent to a part to be drilled in response to the position signal to accurately position a drill bit relative to the part to be drilled. The part is then drilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Antonio B. Martinez, Eric Whinnem, Angelica Davancens, William Paul Zanteson
  • Patent number: 6634838
    Abstract: A NC machine tool having a constitution in which a table (15, 115) for placing a work thereon and a spindle (14, 114) for setting a tool are relatively moved by three feed mechanisms (18-20, 118-120), for X-axis, for Y-axis, and for Z-axis, to carry out machining. A preload is applied to all the three feed mechanisms (18-20, 118-120), for X-axis, for Y-axis, and for Z-axis, using a rack-pinion (21, 22, 24, 25, 27, 28, 121, 122, 124, 125, 127, 128), and using two motors (16, 23, 29) for each axis to prevent backlash in the rack-pinion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Kitamura Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichiro Kitamura, Akihiro Kitamura, Kosaku Kitamura
  • Patent number: 6634839
    Abstract: In a machine tool of the type comprising a spindle mounting slide which is driven by a linear electric motor and which runs in a vertical direction in a slideway, the slide comprises two runners designed to engage with corresponding fixed sliding guides integral with the slideway, and two roller pads that slide on corresponding longitudinal sliding surfaces which are also integral with the slideway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Jobs S.p.A.
    Inventors: Maurizio Ferrari, Carlo Massari
  • Patent number: 6626618
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a vertical machining center (1) which has working regions (&agr;, &bgr;) separable by a partition plate (P), and comprises a spindle head (15) adapted to move within one of the working regions (&agr;, &bgr;) separated by the partition plate (P) in a first machining mode and to move across the working regions (&agr;, &bgr;) not separate by the partition plate (P) in a second machining mode, and a stopper (20) which prevents the spindle head (15) from moving from the one working region into the other working region in the first machining mode and permits the spindle head (15) to move between the working regions (&agr;, &bgr;) in the second machining mode. The stopper (20) includes a movable stopper member (21) attached to a saddle (13) and stationary stopper members (26,27) attached to a bed (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co, Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Matsui
  • Patent number: 6623222
    Abstract: In a machine tool (2), in particular for cutting treatment of workpieces (9) comprising a machine frame, a workpiece table (15) borne on the machine frame and an approximately horizontally disposed processing unit (8) which is mounted to the machine frame, the processing unit (8) is mounted also to a support (6) of the machine frame overlapping the workpiece table (15). This upper mounting prevents displacement of the processing unit relative to the workpiece due to the forces acting thereon during processing, in particular in the Z-direction. These forces are accommodated by the machine frame which is self-contained through the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Schwäbische Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Kroll, Wolfgang Armleder
  • Patent number: 6609861
    Abstract: A drilling apparatus for panels of wood, plastics, aluminium or the like, comprises conveyor means for conveying a panel to be processed along a horizontal axis x, in an intermittent manner, to locate the panel at a tool bearing rotary turret, and being characterized in that the apparatus further comprises top horizontal guide means, vertically arranged along an axis y; abutment means at the horizontal guide means, and suitable to translate along an axis z to fit their position to the thickness of the panel being processed; holding means applied to vertical uprights and suitable to form a fixed support wall for the panel being processed, bottom guide means adapted to translate along the axis z, independently from the horizontal guide means, and which can be adjusted depending on the thickness of the panel, which can be different at different regions of the panel itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Inventor: Luigi Reguzzi
  • Publication number: 20030147710
    Abstract: A drill press table includes a drill table having a pivot element on one end of the drill table, and a support member having a bracket with at least one bracket recess. The drill table is mounted to the support member such that the pivot element is rotatably engaged with the bracket. The pivot element includes a pivot element plate with an arcuate slot that received a bolt. A locking mechanism extends through the pivot element plate, and removably secures the pivot element to the support member bracket. Ends of the arcuate slot, in cooperation with the bolt provide positive stops at extreme tiltable positions of the drill table at 90° and 45° from horizontal. The drill press table also includes a detent mechanism, which at least partially engages with the bracket recess, thereby indicating a desired position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: James T. Manos
  • Patent number: 6582168
    Abstract: A machine tool having at least one tool spindle which can be moved and positioned in at least one working plane by a movement system. It is proposed to produce the movement system from at least two guide rods connected to one another in an articulated manner by a guide rod joint, and that in the process, the free ends of the guide rods can be moved in opposite relative directions towards and apart from one another and/or in the same direction as one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Grob-Werke Dr. h.c. mult. Dipl.-Ing Burkhart Grob e.K.
    Inventors: Josef Högl, Fritz Windel
  • Patent number: 6575212
    Abstract: A workstation having an adjustable support structure is disclosed. The workstation includes a beam, a position locking apparatus, and a workpiece-supporting device slideable along the beam to a position where it is locked by the locking apparatus. The locking apparatus is configured to exert a constraining force proportional to a load force. Also disclosed is a workstation including a means for supporting a workpiece, a means for supporting a means for supporting the workpiece at a selected distance above a floor, and a means for frictionally securing the means for supporting the workpiece to the means for supporting the means for supporting the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Gilman Engineering & Manufacturing Co. LLC
    Inventors: Paul D. Terpstra, Lee K. Hilgendorf
  • Publication number: 20030095842
    Abstract: A power tool (2) comprising a handle (6), a tool body (4) pivotably coupled to the handle (6), a motor (16) mechanically coupled to a rotary output (20) housed in the tool body (4), a trigger switch (32) housed in the handle (6) and a locking mechanism for permitting or preventing pivotal movement of the tool body (4) relative to the handle (6), wherein the tool body (4) can pivot relative to the handle through an angle greater than 90°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventor: Gareth Bone
  • Patent number: 6551038
    Abstract: A machine tool and a cover device for the machine tool capable of preventing work cutting chips and coolant from falling on the rear part of a spindle head (8) and the operating positions of a first saddle (4) and a second saddle (6) without expanding the lateral width of the machine tool, wherein a column (2) is fixedly installed on a bed (1), the first saddle (4) is guided on the front surface of the column (2) movably in vertical direction (f1), the second saddle (6) is guided on the front surface of the first saddle (4) movably in lateral direction (f2), and the spindle device (8) is guided on the second saddle (6) movably in longitudinal direction (f3) and, in addition, a first cover plate (31) is fixed to the second saddle (6), a side cover plate (33) is installed continuously with each of the right and left side edges of the cover plate (31) bendably in longitudinal direction (f3), a second cover plate (39) is fixed integrally with the first saddle (4), and a third cover plate (41) is installed fixedly
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Horkos Corp.
    Inventors: Shinsuke Sugata, Yoshihide Seo
  • Patent number: 6547499
    Abstract: A prestressing device for a mechanical component of a mechanical finishing device has at least one rigid prestressing unit mounted in the mechanical component. This can provide a prestressing tension to the mechanical component. The bending and the deformation of the mechanical component can be prevented. The useful life of the mechanical finishing device is prolonged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Victor Taichung Machinery Works, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kelson Yen, Chen-Chien Hsu
  • Patent number: 6519823
    Abstract: A machine tool capable of reducing the vibration of a spindle head to enable a high-precision machining, wherein a column (2) is mounted fixedly onto a bed (1), a first saddle (4) forming a square frame body of rectangular cross-section is mounted on the column (2) movably in vertical direction (f1), a second saddle (6) forming a square frame body (6a) smaller in size than the above square frame body is mounted inside the first saddle (4) movably in lateral direction (f2), a horizontal guide frame (6b) of a specified length is mounted on the rear surface of the square frame body (6a) of the second saddle (6) in the state of being crossed at right angle to the rear surface, rail members (5, 7) are laid down on square frame body upper and lower prismatic bodies (4b, 4c) of the first saddle (4) and the horizontal guide frame (6b) of the second saddle (6), and concrete is filled sealingly into the square frame body of the first saddle (4) and/or the square frame body of the second saddle (6) and the horizontal gu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Horkos Corp.
    Inventors: Shinsuke Sugata, Yoshihide Seo