Abstract: The device is primarily designed to be used with vertical milling machines. This device may also be adapted to any machine tool spindle which uses an internally tapered end to hold the tool holder, collets, etc. etc. Due to the fact that this mechanism functions internally, it does not take away any of the machine's capabilities and no modifications are required to the existing spindle. Basically the device is composed of two major parts: the chuck that goes keyed inside the spindle and the air cylinder which is disposed on the side axially opposite from the chuck and fixed to the body of the machine. The chuck has an axially disposed plunger, a compression spring and two sets of spheres connected by a set of pins. The plunger is shaped to force radially outward a first set of spheres which in turn activates a second set of locking spheres to cause them to move radially inward and engage the tool holder.

Abstract: A mechanical system for allowing removable attachment of tools to a robot which is capable of accommodating positional and angular errors between the tool and the robot during attachment and release of the tool by using tapered attachments.

Abstract: A milling machine includes a C-shaped frame, tool support member movable in a vertical direction, a saddle member movable in a transverse direction, a work table movable in a longitudinal direction, a tool drive unit and two oppositely positioned and removable bearing ways associated with each direction of travel. For the vertical axis the bearing ways are between the C-shaped frame and the tool support member. The tool drive unit includes a hollow tool spindle and a drive motor with a vertically extending hollow output shaft which is rigidly and coaxially connected to the hollow tool spindle. Each vertical axis bearing way longitudinally extends in a vertical direction and includes an outer race portion attached to the C-shaped frame and a ball circulating track portion attached to the tool support member.

Abstract: A toolholder has a shank with a tapered body which is adapted to fit into a complementary socket in an end face of a machine tool spindle. A blind bore in the body is engageable by holding means for holding the shank in the socket. A first axial section of this bore is threaded for engagement with a threaded member of one kind of holding means such as a pulling rod or a set bolt coacting with pulling means. A second axial section of the bore is enlarged to form an annular groove for engagement by an expansible head of a pulling member of an alternative kind of holding means. An encoder ring is removably fixed at the toolholder. Each time the tool is exchanged the encoder ring is replaced by an encoder ring corresponding to the new tool.

Abstract: A Drawbolt is rotatably mounted within the spindle of a machine tool to secure a toolholder to a socket in the front end of the spindle. First and second spur gears are formed on the rear end of the spindle and drawbolt, respectively, and are positioned side by side. The two spur gears are equal in diameter, but have differing numbers of teeth. A planetary gear cage surrounds the spur gears and has pinion gears which are meshed with both spur gears. The planetary gear cage is attached to the armature of an electric motor which, when energized, rotates the cage and thus causes rotation of the drawbolt at a reduced speed. The speed reduction depends on the difference in the number of teeth in the two spur gears. The armature is axially shiftable to move a locking ring on the planetary gear cage into and out of engagement with the spur gear on the spindle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a machine tool which comprises a spindle head, and an automatic tool changing apparatus which comprises a tool release mechanism adapted to be operated by movement of the spindle head in the direction of axis of the spindle and a tool magazine supported in floating manner with respect to the direction of the axis of spindle. When the spindle head is axially moved away from the tool magazine with the tool in the spindle being held by the tool magazine, in order to remove the tool from the spindle the tool is released from engagement with the spindle by a release mechanism, and the tool magazine can be moved together with the spindle head until the tool has been released.

Abstract: An apparatus for power assisted locking and unlocking of cutting, grinding, or like tools received within the tool holder of a machine such as a vertical milling machine or the like. The described machine includes a spindle and a quill, and the tool is received within a collet held in a taper at the end of the spindle. A drawbar extends through the spindle and holds the collet into the taper locking the tool in the collet opening. The locking and unlocking apparatus includes a drawbar driving motor, a drawbar driving member associated with the motor, and means associated with the drawbar for providing a drive connection between the drawbar and the motor when the drawbar is in a pedetermined position. Means are provided to position the drawbar so that a part thereof engages the motor drive at the same time that a switch is closed so as to energize the motor and cause it to rotate the drawbar in one direction or the other.

Abstract: This invention provides a frictional clamping arrangement for holding the workpiece being cut by a router so as to prevent movement of the cutout portion of the workpiece in the last increment of the cut. The device includes a pressure foot having a clamping member which is forced downwardly against the surface of the workpiece when the cut is nearly completed for holding the cutout portion of the workpiece motionless relative to the worktable so as to prevent its lateral movement during completion of the cut. The clamping member is fixed relative to the spindle during the principal part of the cut, but is released for limited movement relative to the spindle when holding the workpiece.