With Means To Protect Operative Or Machine (e.g., Guard, Safety Device, Etc.) Patents (Class 409/134)
  • Patent number: 11911864
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine tool (100) for machining a workpiece, said machine tool (100) comprising a machine table (10) for clamping the workpiece, a work spindle (20) for receiving a tool for machining the workpiece, a work space (70) substantially defined by the machine table (10) and at least one first cover (30), and a tool changer (50) arranged outside the work space (70) and configured to change the tool received in the work spindle (20), wherein the machine tool (100) is further configured such that, during a tool change, the first cover (30) is moved, as a result of which the work space (70) of the machine tool (100) is expanded by a tool changing area (80) and an access surface (42), through which the tool changer (50) can be moved into the tool changing area (80), is exposed, and the work spindle (20) is positioned in the tool changing area (80) such that the tool changer (50) is able to change the tool received by the work spindle (20) within the tool changing area (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: DECKEL MAHO Seebach GmbH
    Inventor: Andre Engel
  • Patent number: 11590617
    Abstract: According to the present invention, the operating rate of a machine tool can be increased. Solution is made by a machine tool including a processing chamber surrounded by cover walls to perform processing of a workpiece to be processed, an equerre a part of which is arranged inside the processing chamber, the equerre fixing the workpiece, an opening arranged at a part of the cover walls for access to an inside of the processing chamber, and shutter doors movable between open positions where opening of the opening is performed so that the inside of the processing chamber communicates with an outside of the processing chamber, and closed positions where closing of the opening is performed so that the inside of the processing chamber is isolated from the outside of the processing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: KIWA MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shinichi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 11524343
    Abstract: A machining station especially arranged to carry out deep drill and milling operations is disclosed. The machining station now proposed presents a specific structural arrangement, enables the incorporation, contrary to already existing stations, of an axis dedicated to deep drilling, favoring the use of deep drill tools under ideal conditions, without size restriction. Accordingly, the station is comprised of an operating base, on which there lays an operating module and an arrangement module. This new arrangement for the machining station is therefore more versatile and adaptable to the specificities programmed for each part to be machined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: CHETOCORPORATION, S.A.
    Inventor: Sergio David Tavares Andre
  • Patent number: 11491754
    Abstract: A method for monitoring and assessing correct position Pi of a work slide of a wedge drive tool in a press, without a position sensor. The slide of the wedge drive tool is actuated from an end position (XE) back to the starting position (XA) of the slide by a spring. The spring is arranged in the wedge drive tool. The press is opened from a lower press position to an upper press position while a slide bed of the wedge drive tool is relieved. The position of the slide is indirectly detected in that at least the restoring force of the spring is detected and evaluated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Fibro GmbH
    Inventor: Norbert Reinmuth
  • Patent number: 11169502
    Abstract: A device that estimates a life of a clamping mechanism clamping rotation of a rotary table includes a machine learning device. The machine learning device observes operating state data of the rotary table and operation history data of the rotary table as a state variable indicative of a current state of an environment, and acquires life data indicative of the life of the clamping mechanism as label data. In addition, the device uses the state variable that has been observed and the label data that has been acquired and learns the operating state data and the operation history data and the life data in association with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Zhizhen Xia
  • Patent number: 11141827
    Abstract: A workpiece replacing apparatus delivers a pre-machined workpiece into an intra-machine space inside a machine tool from an extra-machine space outside the machine tool, and delivers a workpiece machined by the machine tool to the extra-machine space from the intra-machine space. The workpiece replacing apparatus includes a secured cover, an arm device, and a movable cover. The secured cover is secured to a securing member of the machine tool. The secured cover defines a partition between the intra-machine space and the extra-machine space. The secured cover is provided with an opening. The arm device delivers the workpieces between the intra-machine space and the extra-machine space through the opening. The movable cover is integral with the arm device or in engagement with the arm device such that the movable cover is operable in conjunction with operation of the arm device. The movable cover closes the opening, with the arm device located in the extra-machine space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kozo Imanishi, Yoshio Ootsuka
  • Patent number: 11123834
    Abstract: Proposed is a machine tool unit with a stator unit and a rotor unit which is rotatable about an axis of rotation, wherein the rotor unit comprises a spindle head with a tool-holding unit having a tool-clamping device, wherein a testing device is provided for testing the clamping state of the tool, the testing device having precisely one sensor head for sensory detection. To improve the precision, the sensor head is arranged at a fixed position on the stator unit in such a manner that it measures the distance to an end-side part of the spindle head rotating relative to the sensor head, wherein the testing device is designed to record a temporal/position-related sequence of at least two distance values and/or of at least two successive series of in each case at least two distance values, in order to determine an axial run-out error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Franz Kessler GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Van Sprang, Harald Weing
  • Patent number: 11084138
    Abstract: A debris control apparatus is provided for selective assembly and disassembly with a cutting tool. The debris control apparatus includes a debris control enclosure and a mounting assembly for mounting the enclosure to the cutting tool. The enclosure comprises a vacuum opening assembled and in fluid communication with a vacuum conduit, the vacuum conduit connected to a vacuum source, for extracting the debris from the enclosure. The enclosure and vacuum conduit may be sized, shaped, and contoured to reduce recirculation of debris within the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Inventor: Mark P Chepurny
  • Patent number: 10940548
    Abstract: A machine for machining workpieces, including a first column and a second column facing each other according to a first horizontal axis, a guide system guided displacement of at least one of the columns in parallel with the first horizontal axis, one or two tool units, each tool unit being arranged on respective column for controlled displacement perpendicularly to the first horizontal axis, on each column, a workpiece holding device, at least one of the workpiece holding devices being arranged for controlled displacement in parallel with the first horizontal axis, where the workpiece holding devices are arranged for supporting a workpiece between them and for controlled rotation of the workpiece around a workpiece axis parallel with the first horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: ETXE-TAR, S.A.
    Inventors: Jorge Ibarra Garcés, Amaiur Atutxa Ocerin, Iñaki Escudero Olaciregui, Patxi Eceiza Agote
  • Patent number: 10625387
    Abstract: An adjustable safety guard includes first, second and third portions which are operable to extend from a collapsed position where it can be easily stored, to an expanded position to where it operates as a functioning guard to protect a machine operator. One of the sections of the guard is expandable between an infinite number of positions which provides a flexible system that can be used in many different manufacturing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Gemini Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Tim McCormick
  • Patent number: 10611003
    Abstract: An abrasive-means holding device for holding an abrasive means includes a holding body that is operable to rotate about a central axis. The holding body has a first side, a second side facing away from the first side, and a vacuuming opening that extends therethrough from the first side to the second side. The holding body also has a group of aspiration cavities that are arranged on the first side and that are fluidically connected to each other by at least one through-hole that connects the aspiration cavities. At least one aspiration cavity forms a vacuuming cavity that is directly fluidically connected to the vacuuming opening and that is configured to vacuum-off dust immediately out of an adjacent aspiration cavity and mediately out of a more distantly adjacent aspiration cavity. The aspiration cavities of the group are arranged in relation to each other along a linear course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Christen
  • Patent number: 10421168
    Abstract: The machine tool comprises a headstock provided with a main spindle; a driving unit which moves the headstock in a main spindle axial direction and has a feed mechanism extended in the main spindle axial direction and a front end supporter which rotatably supports a front end of the feed mechanism; a first front cover mounted on the headstock in a first position between the main spindle and the feed mechanism with respect to a diameter direction from a main spindle axis toward the feed mechanism; and a second front cover mounted on the front end supporter in a second position between the main spindle and the feed mechanism. Part of the feed mechanism is covered by both of the first front cover and the second front cover when at least part of the first front cover is on the rear side of the second front cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: STAR MICRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shin Ito
  • Patent number: 10307876
    Abstract: A machine tool has a cover that prevents chips generated by machining and cutting fluid from scattering around and a plurality of movable nozzles with liquid discharge directions thereof being movable so as to wash out chips that have adhered to or accumulated on an inner surface of the cover. The machine tool is capable of changing a discharge direction of each of the movable nozzles individually. The machine tool compares the state of the inside of the cover before start of machining with the state of the inside of the cover after chips are generated to determine an adhesion or accumulation state of chips. The machine tool thus calculates the liquid discharge direction to wash out chips from the movable nozzles based on a result of the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinji Okuda
  • Patent number: 10208524
    Abstract: A machine tool system includes: a machine tool that includes an openable door configured to block an opening of a cover surrounding the machine tool, and a door driving unit configured to open and close the door; and a work exchange device configured to exchange a work disposed in the cover. Further, the machine tool system includes: a first opening width setting unit configured to set a door opening width of the door; a second opening width setting unit configured to set a turnback opening width; and a door control unit configured to control the door driving unit to move the door in an opening direction from a completely closed position of the door to a position of the turnback opening width of the door, then move the door in a closing direction and stop the door at a position of the door opening width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Susumu Maki
  • Patent number: 9952584
    Abstract: A system that can analyze and modify a point map file corresponding to a digital lens design is described. The digital lens design is optimized to meet a patient's ophthalmic prescription. However, a digital surfacing machine may not be physically capable of producing on a lens blank a lens curvature required by the prescription and defined by the point map file. The system takes into account limitations of physical characteristics of the digital surfacing machine, such as the diameter and speed of movement of the cutting tool, and modifies the point map file so that the digital surfacing machine can produce the lens curvature on the lens blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Digital Vision, Inc.
    Inventors: Stan Arrigotti, Douglas S. Hagen
  • Patent number: 9339908
    Abstract: A machine tool has a cover structure adapted for the discharge of chips. The cover is composed of a front cover, left and right side covers, and a bottom part. The bottom part is connected to a bed through the respective lower ends of the front cover and the side covers. Further, at least a part of the bottom part includes a slope gradually inclining from the side connected to the bed toward the outer periphery. Even if the chips produced during machining adhere to members inside the cover, they are washed away by a cutting fluid and discharged into a cutting fluid supply device through a channel located farthest from the central portion of the machine tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naoki Sato
  • Patent number: 9278415
    Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to milling machines and milling techniques, and more particularly, to devices, integrated circuits, computer readable media, apparatuses, milling machines and methods to control automatic loading and/or unloading of work pieces in relation to the adverse milling machine environments. In one embodiment, a method of operating a loader includes applying a cleaning force to portions of contacting surfaces of guide members at different times. The cleaning force originates within pairs of the guide members. The method can also activating a loader member to displace a work piece in a plane that includes the contacting surfaces of the guide members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: Steve Simons
  • Patent number: 9120192
    Abstract: A machining apparatus has a frame defining first and second upper machining stations horizontally offset from each other and first and second lower transfer stations underneath the first and second upper machining stations. First and second spindles have respective workpiece grabs and are displaceable vertically on the frame between upper positions in the respective machining stations and lower positions in the respective transfer stations. A workpiece conveyor extending through the transfer stations can transport workpieces into and out of the transfer stations. A holder carrying tools is displaceable horizontally on the frame between the machining stations. A chip deflector has first and second parts movable between catch positions underneath the respective first and second machining stations and parked positions not underneath the respective first and second machining stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: EMAG HOLDING GMBH
    Inventor: Martin Krieg
  • Patent number: 9015915
    Abstract: A machine permits an end of a thick-walled, high-pressure tubing to be chucked in a collet one time, coned, faced and threaded, using a coning head and threading head which are mounted on a carriage which can be translated laterally between three positions and the coning and threading heads parallel to the longitudinal axis of the workpiece to complete the coning and threading operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventors: Gregory B. Soltys, Brad R. Bilski
  • Publication number: 20150050096
    Abstract: A leaf spring, being a conductive member, fixed to a splash guard body with a fixing bolt, is in contact with a side surface of a door assembled to a predetermined position. The leaf spring is a spring that expands outwardly. The leaf spring is in contact with an uncoated metallic surface of the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: Naoki SATO
  • Publication number: 20140377028
    Abstract: A machine tool has a saddle moving over a bed and a table moving over the saddle. A scattering prevention cover that receives chips generated and a cutting fluid supplied during machining of a workpiece placed on the table is fixed to the table. A first flow path fixed to the saddle receives the chips and cutting fluid discharged from the scattering prevention cover, and a second flow path fixed to the bed receives and discharges the chips and cutting fluid discharged from the first flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Yuuzou INAGUCHI
  • Patent number: 8914957
    Abstract: A capsule type reconfigurable multifunctional machining apparatus is disclosed. A capsule type reconfigurable multifunctional machining apparatus includes a rotating frame in which a plurality of processing modules may be installed to face an object to be machined disposed in a capsule type body and whose machining position and pose are controlled by rotation, a top frame for rotatably supporting the rotating frame, a bottom frame that is combined with the top frame under the top frame to support the top frame and in which vibration proof members are installed in positions where the bottom frame contacts the top frame, and a stage unit fixedly inserted into the internal center of the top frame to settle the object to be machined so that the height of the settled object to be machined may be controlled and in which an X-Y stage or a rotary stage may be selectively mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials
    Inventors: Jong-Kweon Park, Sung Cheul Lee, Byung-Sub Kim, Seung Kook Ro, Sung Kwon Jang
  • Publication number: 20140341671
    Abstract: A machine tool includes a bed, a column and linear-motion guides disposed over the bed, a saddle supported by the linear-motion guides, and a protective cover disposed between the column and the saddle. The saddle is guided by the linear-motion guides to move toward and away from the column. The protective cover includes upper surface portions, side surface portions extending parallel to the direction of movement of the saddle, and folded portions folded from lower ends of the side surface portions toward the linear-motion guides. The heights of the ends of the folded portions are lower than the heights of linear-motion guide mounting surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: FANUC Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki SATO
  • Patent number: 8882415
    Abstract: A telescopic cover of a machine tool is provided with two movable covers connected by a joint, two pulleys mounted on the joint, and a single wire stretched around and between the two pulleys. One and the other ends of the wire are secured to the mobile element, and a middle portion of the wire to a fixed portion. In this arrangement, the two movable covers connected by the joint move half the movement stroke of the mobile element in association with the action of the mobile element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Nagao, Naoki Sato
  • Patent number: 8864427
    Abstract: A processing machine for cutting a workpiece with a tool is presented. The processing machine includes a base member configured to support a table for receiving the workpiece, and a tool support disposed on the base member for rotation between a vertical position and a horizontal position and configured to support the tool, wherein the tool support is formed from a right leg portion, a left leg portion, and a main portion, such that the main portion connects upper ends of the right leg portion and the left leg portion, wherein the main portion is located above the table when the tool support is in the vertical position, and wherein a space above the table is not covered by the main portion when the tool support is in the horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Roland DG Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Tomioka, Yoshihiro Sakurai
  • Publication number: 20140308087
    Abstract: A machine tool having a machine frame which has a stand and a machine sub-structure, a workpiece carrier arrangement which can be moved on linear guides, and a machining unit which is arranged on the stand. The machining unit can be moved along at least one coordinate axis and comprises an exchangeable cutting tool. The linear guides and the linear drives of the workpiece carrier Arrangement are covered by longitudinally continuous, stationary cover elements and are thus protected against chip deposits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: DECKEL MAHO SEEBACH GMBH
    Inventors: Udo Tüllmann, Stephan Kümmel
  • Patent number: 8850938
    Abstract: A slicing apparatus and a weighing and classifying conveyor combination with cleanup position wherein, the elevated food article feed mechanism can be collapsed to a maintenance position, the weighing and classifying conveyor is oriented at a distance from the slicing apparatus and the slicing head cover is automatically lifted to an open cleanup position. The machine has laser intrusion detectors that are used to shut down systems when an unwanted intrusion by a person or object is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Formax, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, Glenn Sandberg, David Hansen, James E. Pasek, David Hancock
  • Publication number: 20140286721
    Abstract: A machine tool includes a table, a saddle, and first and second telescopic covers respectively disposed on two side surfaces of the table or the saddle. The two side surfaces are opposite each other along the direction of travel of the table or the saddle. Upper surfaces of the first and second telescopic covers are inclined in opposite directions perpendicular to the direction of travel of the table or the saddle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: FANUC Corporation
    Inventor: Keita ASANO
  • Patent number: 8819905
    Abstract: The present invention provides a machining center that efficiently machines a long workpiece using two pallets. A machining center 1 includes a saddle 30 that moves in a Y axis direction on a bed 10, and a table unit 50 moves in an X axis direction on the saddle 30. At a right end and a left end of the front surface of the bed 10, setup stations 110 and 120 are respectively disposed. While a spindle head 80 is machining a workpiece W2 with one pallet 140 placed on the table unit 50, a workpiece W1 can be set up onto the other pallet 130. A long workpiece can also be machined on the two pallets 130 and 140 placed on the table unit 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Nakano, Yoshiaki Sawada, Koichi Kawamura
  • Patent number: 8784020
    Abstract: A key cutting machine includes a housing, carriage, key clamp, and motor to drive the carriage. The key cutting machine may include a vacuum removably attached to the housing. The key cutting machine may be selected between manual, automatic, and semi-automatic user modes. Additional improvements or features of a key cutting machine are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Hy-Ko Products Company
    Inventors: Richard W. Ryai, Sr., Michael A. Bass
  • Publication number: 20140169902
    Abstract: A spindle jig and a machining center having the same are disclosed. The machining center includes a spindle jig installed to be movable, a guide rail mounted to guide and move the spindle jig, a spindle that is fitted and supported on the spindle jig, and is equipped with a processing tool and rotates the processing tool, a column on which the spindle jig is mounted, an auto pallet changer equipped with materials, and transferring the materials to a processing area or a non-processing area, a splash guard rotated integrally with the auto pallet exchanger, mounted to be tiltable at a predetermined angle and separating the processing area from the non-processing area, and an upper cover installed to be rotatable on the movement path of the spindle jig along the guide rail. Accordingly, the replacement of the spindle can be quick and easy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Nam-Doo LEE, Joo-Ok PARK, Heedong SON
  • Patent number: 8745831
    Abstract: A pallet changer includes: a machining-side linear guide rail 25 provided on a machining table 8 and extending in a Y-axis direction perpendicular to an X-axis direction (predetermined direction); preparation-side linear guide rails 26, 27 provided on workpiece preparation parts 9, 10 respectively, extending in the Y-axis direction, and coaxial with the machining-side linear guide rail 25; and linear guides 28 provided on respective pallets P1, P2 and slidably engageable with the machining-side and preparation-side linear guide rails 25 to 27, wherein, in changing the machining-side pallet P1 on the machining table 8 and the standby-side pallet P2 on the workpiece preparation part 10, the machining-side pallet P1 and the standby-side pallet P2 are moved in the Y-axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: DMG Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Watanabe, Yoshinori Sakashita, Yoshihiro Yamada, Tomoyoshi Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 8714535
    Abstract: A machine tool comprising a machine column, a work spindle moveable in guides along the machine column in two coordinate axes by a motor and adapted to receive a cutting tool, a machine bed arranged on the front end of the machine column and on the top side of which a horizontal linear guide for a workpiece table is arranged, and a linear motor for moving the workpiece table in the horizontal linear guide in a further coordinate axis. A channel-like chip space for collecting chips accumulating when the workpiece is machined extends on the top side of the machine bed in the direction of the further coordinate axis. The linear motor is arranged on the top side of the machine bed laterally and parallel to the channel-like chip space, wherein first and second guide rails of the horizontal linear guide are arranged on opposite sides of the linear motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: DECKEL MAHO Pfronten GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Jung, Alfred Geissler
  • Publication number: 20140079500
    Abstract: An apparatus for machining metal workpieces has a frame defining machining, pick-up, and drop-off stations. A vertical slide is vertically shiftable on the machine frame. In turn a horizontal slide carrying a rotatably driven holder is horizontally shiftable on the vertical slide between respective pick-up, machining, and drop-off positions above the stations. A holder is provided in the machining station, and one of the holders is adapted to hold a tool and the other of the holders for holding a workpiece for machining the workpiece in the machining station. A pair of shields is fixed to the vertical slide and horizontally flanks the machining station. One of the shields is between the machining station and the pick-up station. Respective slidable doors on each of the shields are shiftable between a closed position blocking movement of the rotatable holder past the respective shield and an open position permitting such movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventor: Hans Georg BOEHRINGER
  • Patent number: 8672820
    Abstract: A tool stocker includes main stockers for holding a plurality of tools detachably mounted on a main spindle for machining a workpiece, an auxiliary stocker for holding and transferring tools to and from the main stockers, and a tool transfer mechanism for transferring tools between the main stockers and the auxiliary stocker. The auxiliary stocker includes a plurality of tool pods for removably supporting the tools therein, a rail in sliding engagement with outer surfaces of the tool pods, a chain for moving the tool pods in sliding engagement with the rail, and a motor for actuating the chain. The rail has a recess defined therein in alignment with the tool transfer mechanism, such that the tools transferred by the tool transfer mechanism pass through the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoki Uchikawa, Shoji Shibata, Takeshi Shibata, Shugo Arakawa, Masakazu Kubo, Tatsuhiko Tanaka, Kenichi Masuda
  • Patent number: 8656576
    Abstract: A machining unit with a work piece changing unit. The work piece changing unit has a cover which can swivel around a rotational axis, and opens and closes the working room of the machining unit for work piece changing processes. The work piece changing unit has at least two lifting and lowering work piece carriers separated by the cover. The work piece carrier remains in the working room during the machining by the machining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Grob-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Alfred J. Höbel
  • Patent number: 8622668
    Abstract: Disclosed is a machining device, particularly for producing tooth replacement parts or models thereof, comprising a workpiece holder and at least one machining tool which is disposed in a machining space for a workpiece that is mounted therein. The feeding axis for the workpiece into the machining space extends at an angle relative to the horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Sirona Dental Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Franz Basler
  • Patent number: 8601906
    Abstract: A machine tool capable of eliminating a laborious attachment/detachment work of a cover member is provided. The machine tool includes a door device 5 having a first door 6 to cover a machining-area opening 3e when machining a workpiece and a second door 7 to cover the machining-area opening 3e when not machining the workpiece and formed to be visible an inside thereof, in which the first door 6 and the second door 7 are arranged in a movable manner between a position-in-use covering the machining-area opening 3e and a position when opened opening the machining-area opening 3e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Syuichi Nishi, Shigetsugu Sakai, Masahiro Yamane
  • Patent number: 8573908
    Abstract: A machining center wherein improved workability of a control board, a widened movable zone of a column and a reduced installation space are achieved. The machining center includes a column movably supported on a column sliding portion in an X-axis direction, a work table movably supported on a table sliding portion in a Z-axis direction, a main spindle head slidably supported on the column in a Y-axis direction, and an automatic tool changer disposed at an inner side of the column sliding portion. The control board is arranged at an opposite side of the automatic tool changer and is provided in parallel with a side surface of a front portion of a table sliding portion and is arranged side by side with an openable/closable door for an operator provided on a side surface of a cover in a vicinity of a rear end portion of the side surface of the table sliding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignees: JTEKT Corporation, Mitsui Seiki Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kozo Imanishi, Yasukazu Yamaguchi, Yasutaka Uchimura, Masanao Kato
  • Patent number: 8574139
    Abstract: A machine tool having an automatic tool changer (ATC). The machine tool includes a gantry, a spindle extending from the gantry, a configurable work area, and an ATC adjacent to a front wall of the machine tool. The ATC includes a rotary tool magazine and a plurality of receptacles oriented radially around the rotary tool magazine configured to hold a plurality of cutting tools having cutting edges. The cutting edges of the cutting tools point radially inwardly around the rotary tool magazine, and the cutting tools are removed directly from the automatic tool changer by the spindle and brought to a part to be machined. A tool sensor may be located between the ATC and the spindle to take measurements of the cutting tool. The ATC includes at least one receptacle configured to hold a cutting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Microlution, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Honegger, Andrew Phillip, Deepkishore Mukhopadhyay, Abhinandan Tulsian, Elizabeth Creighton
  • Patent number: 8561284
    Abstract: A machining device has a machine head capable of displacement along at least three translation axes X, Y, Z for machining an immobile part fixed above the machining head. The machining head is maintained in a constant orientation by at least three articulated connecting rods. Two connecting rods define together with the machining head and with a first Y carriage, on which they are articulated, an deformable articulated parallelogram in the XZ plane. Another connecting rod is articulated on the machining head and on a second Y carriage and the second Y carriage is capable of displacement along Y on a second X carriage capable of displacement along X. The relative movement along X of the Y carriages results in a displacement in the Z direction. Several devices can be positioned in a plurality of tunnels, these tunnels being arranged so as to share several things.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Andre Greffioz, Michel Vives
  • Patent number: 8562497
    Abstract: A machine tool including a base frame, a workpiece table, a machining unit, and a connection portion is disclosed. The base frame has a machining area. The base frame includes two left and right side frames and a connection frame connecting the two side frames. The workpiece table is arranged on the base frame in the machining area. The machining unit is arranged on an upper portion of the base frame and includes a spindle device. A connection portion connects the machining unit and the base frame in a detachable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Komatsu NTC Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Tanizaki, Akira Takase, Yukio Kawasaki, Shiro Murai, Kinya Nakamura, Fumihiro Kamikonya, Yasuo Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8529420
    Abstract: A machine tool for achieving a high degree of flexibility during workpiece processing comprises a machine bed with side walls arranged thereon, which respectively comprise a basic body with a front overhanging projection arranged thereon. On the side walls a tool spindle is arranged to be linearly movable by means of slides. Underneath the front overhanging projections a processing space is formed for the workpiece processing, in which a workpiece positioning unit is arranged. The processing space underneath the front overhanging projections is freely accessible, whereby depending on the processing task different workpiece positioning units can be arranged therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: MAG IAS GmbH
    Inventors: Moshe Israel Meidar, Wolfgang Horn, Bernhard Pause, Waldemar Haus, Joachim Krischke, Heiner Lang
  • Publication number: 20130078046
    Abstract: A protecting cover for an X-axial screw of a carving machine includes a driven base positioned between an X-axial sliding base and an X-axial screw, and a hood. A through groove is bored in the driven base for the hood to pass through to surround the X-axial screw, enabling the driven base to move freely along the hood to effectively protect the X-axial screw. And as the hood doesn't have to be extended or compressed while the X-axial sliding base is moving, it can avoid the disadvantage of being easily broken that would happen to a conventional one owing to constant extending and compressing. So the protecting cover of the invention is pretty reliable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventor: Bor-Yann CHUANG
  • Patent number: 8388283
    Abstract: An apparatus for collecting weld tip chips created by a weld tip dresser is provided that “catches” the chips at the cutting tool and collects them in a container, preventing their disbursement on the factory floor. The apparatus includes a body adapted for connection to the weld tip dresser and with an opening therethrough configured to permit the weld tip dresser therethrough. The body defines an air inlet passage extending from an outer surface of the body to the opening. The body defines an air outlet passage from the opening to the outer surface. A pressurized air supply is connected to the body at the air inlet passage and is configured to blow air through the air inlet passage to blow chips from the opening through the air outlet passage. A container is operatively connected to the body at the air outlet passage for collecting chips blown from the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Randall H. Decker, Robert C. Kennedy, Mark R. Churitch
  • Publication number: 20130039713
    Abstract: Modular machine tools, modular machine-tool beds, and systems for assembling the same are disclosed. Some machine tools and beds may be configured selectively between a cantilever configuration and a gantry configuration. Some modular beds may be assembled selectively to have a desired longitudinal length. The modular nature of the machine tools and modular beds allows users to configure a machine tool in multiple configurations depending on a particular work piece needing to be worked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Climax Portable Machine Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren Paul Weidman, Hitesh K. Patel, John Winfrey Dillman, Garrett Lindon Headrick
  • Patent number: 8333683
    Abstract: A machine tool, wherein the front face of a base of the machine tool is formed in a single plane and a jig for fixing a workpiece to be machined with a tool is installed extending forwardly from a vertical intermediate front part of the base that defines an area between right and left lateral end front parts of the base having the vertical overall length portions or the vertical roughly overall length portions at right and left end parts of the front face formed in the single plane is formed detachably from the other portions of the base. The jig for fixing the work machined with the tool may be installed in the state of being extended from the vertical intermediate position of the front face in a forward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Horkos Corp.
    Inventor: Hisahiro Kai
  • Patent number: 8327519
    Abstract: A machine for producing a three dimensional joint replacement article and which exhibits a three dimensional shaped body incorporating a scanner component for at least receiving a digitized input corresponding to a set of dimensions associated with a replacement article to be produced. Incorporated in die machine is a numerical control guided machining subassembly in communication with at least one material blank corresponding to an article to be produced. Material shavings are vacuum removed and collected for disposal and, following CNC machining, the finished part is deposited into a cavity accessed by a retrieval door for removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Linares Medical Devices, LLC
    Inventor: Miguel A. Linares
  • Patent number: 8210782
    Abstract: A machine tool, wherein the front face of a base of the machine tool is formed in a single plane and a jig for fixing a workpiece to be machined with a tool is installed extending forwardly from a vertical intermediate front part of the base that defines an area between right and left lateral end front parts of the base having the vertical overall length portions or the vertical roughly overall length portions at right and left end parts of the front face formed in the single plane is formed detachably from the other portions of the base. The jig for fixing the work machined with the tool may be installed in the state of being extended from the vertical intermediate position of the front face in a forward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Horkos Corp.
    Inventor: Hisahiro Kai
  • Publication number: 20120141219
    Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to milling machines and milling techniques, and more particularly, to devices, integrated circuits, computer readable media, apparatuses, milling machines and methods to automatically load and/or unload work pieces in relation to the adverse milling machine environments. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a loader member configured to impart a loading force unto a work piece to position the work piece in a milling region. The apparatus can also include an effector configured to transfer the loading force from the loader member to the work piece and is configured further to apply a cleaning force to a path that the work piece traverses to the milling region. In some cases, the apparatus can include an ejector configured to remove a milled work piece from the milling region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventor: Steve Simons