Machine Frame Patents (Class 409/235)
  • Patent number: 7778724
    Abstract: A device for estimating machining dimensions of a machine tool which employs tool members each being rotatably driven by a driving unit includes: a vibration sensor; a characteristics extracting unit for extracting amounts of characteristics from an output of the vibration sensor; a neural network for classifying the amounts of characteristics into categories; and a conversion unit. Amounts of characteristics of generated output by racing the tool member are used for training the neural network, and inputted again to the trained competitive learning neural network to excite neurons so that the relationships between Euclidean distances and machining dimensions of workpieces are registered in the conversion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazutaka Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7739778
    Abstract: A method for machining particularly spectacle lenses by means of a machine which comprises at least one cutting unit and at least one turning unit in a common working space, wherein at least two spectacle lenses are machined at the same time in the working space, one of said spectacle lenses being cut while the other is turned. The machine frames of the cutting unit and of the turning unit are essentially decoupled from one another in terms of vibration and/or at least two machining units of the machine comprise workpiece spindle units for generating a transverse movement of the spectacle lens to be machined with respect to the respective tool, the workpiece spindle units being arranged essentially perpendicular to one another. As a result, it is possible for spectacle lenses to be machined in an extremely short time with high machining performance and with high surface precision and quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Satisloh GmbH
    Inventors: Udo Fiedler, Manfred Hanisch, Karl-Heinz Tross, Steffen Wallendorf, Holger Schaefer
  • Patent number: 7721410
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine tool (1) comprising a machine tower (2) which can be displaced in a linear manner along a straight track (13), a tool head (4) which is arranged on the machine tower (2) and a tool (5) which is used to process work pieces. A first mounting device (25) is arranged on a first side of the straight track (13) and a second mounting device (26) is arranged on the other side of the straight track (13) which is opposite the first side. The tool head (4) can be positioned in such a manner that it can selectively process a first work piece in the first mounting device (25) or a second work piece in the second mounting device (26). Initially, the first work piece is mounted in the first mounting device for processing, and the tool head is positioned in such a manner that the first work piece can be processed. During processing, the second work piece is mounted in the second mounting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Gudel Group AG
    Inventors: Hans Ulrich Kurt, Rudolf Heid, Herbert Wirz
  • Patent number: 7665200
    Abstract: A multiple purpose CNC machine that is mountable on a framed, mobile dolly. The machine includes: an open frame base Y-axis (200), a gantry X-axis (300), and a double angle plate (400) that provides mounting surfaces for tooling/instruments such as a Z axis module (500). The double angle plate also allows for mounting of a second Z axis module on the opposite face. The modular Z axis module includes a horizontally rigid counterweight assembly. The counterweight assembly facilitates the adding/subtracting of counterbalancing weights. The Y axis base includes provisions for placement of a tooling plate that is secured on precision machined pads of the Y axis base. The pads also include reference dowel pins. The CNC machine is multiple purpose and can be configured with a high-speed spindle or other material-removing tools, can be used with tooling such as in robotic applications, or can be used with a camera system such as for inspection tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Inventor: Mike Seiji Shimooka
  • Patent number: 7645103
    Abstract: A workpiece table arrangement for a milling and drilling machine comprising a rigid machine tool frame comprising an upper cross girth, a machining unit movable on the front side of the cross girth along at least two coordinate axes by means of a motor and including a rotationally driven work spindle including exchangeable tools. The workpiece table is disposed in front of the machine tool frame and horizontally movable along at least one coordinate axis by means of a motor and comprises a tabletop for clamping at least one workpiece. The machine tool frame comprises two rigid side walls rigidly connected to each other by the upper crossbar and a front end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Deckel Maho Seebach GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Schmidt, Ines Prautzsch
  • Patent number: 7625162
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machining apparatus (1) having a frame (2) for the machining of a workpiece (3) that has a tool holder (4) that is mounted such that it can be shifted in a straight line in three axial directions (x, y, z) relative to a workpiece support (5) that is mounted beneath the tool holder (4), the workpiece support (5) being designed such that it can swivel the workpiece (3) about at least one axis (A, B). For improving the applicability of the machining apparatus, this machining apparatus according to the invention is characterized by a workpiece-holding table (6) that is designed such that it bridges the workpiece support (5) and can thus be firmly attached to the frame (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: OPS-Ingersoll Funkenerosion GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Stein
  • Patent number: 7621029
    Abstract: A multi-spindle machining center for the chip forming processing of workpieces comprises a spindle group having at least two spindles arranged in a spindle row adjacent to each other to mount a chip forming tool, and a workpiece support, on which at least two workpiece holders, correlated with the geometrical arrangement of the spindles, for holding workpieces for a simultaneous processing by means of the spindles, are arranged, the workpiece support having a beam-like longitudinal support member bearing the workpiece supports, and the spindles are guided for a movement toward the workpiece support in a first axial direction on a spindle linear guide arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Alfing Kessler Sondermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Lombacher, Stefan Hansch
  • Patent number: 7621030
    Abstract: A multi-spindle machining center for the chip forming processing of workpieces comprises a spindle group having at least two spindles arranged in a spindle row to mount a chip forming tool, and a workpiece support, on which at least two workpiece holders, correlated with the geometrical arrangement of the spindles, for holding workpieces for a simultaneous processing by means of the spindles, are arranged, the workpiece support having a beam-like longitudinal support member, bearing the workpiece supports, which at its longitudinal terminal regions is movably held on a respective workpiece support bearing structure and the spindles are guided for a movement toward the workpiece support in a first axial direction on a spindle linear guide arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Alfing Kessler Sondermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Lombacher, Stefan Hansch
  • Patent number: 7604442
    Abstract: In a multi-axis machine tool comprising a first slide way (2a) and a second slide way (2b) set apart one from the other and extending parallel along a longitudinal axis (X), a machining station (3) delimited laterally by the slide ways (2a, 2b), a cross member (4) presenting opposite ends (4a, 4b) each coupled to a respective slide way (2a, 2b), and a machining head (5) mounted to the cross member (4) and positionable over the machining station (3), at least the cross member (4) is fashioned from a low thermal expansion material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: JOBS S.p.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Motta, Piergiacomo Bongiorni
  • Patent number: 7591620
    Abstract: A milling and drilling machine comprising a rigid machine tool frame comprising an upper cross girth, a machining unit movable on the front side of the cross girth along at least two coordinate axes by means of a motor and including a rotationally driven work spindle including exchangeable tools, and a workpiece table which is disposed in front of the machine tool frame and horizontally movable along at least one coordinate axis by means of a motor and comprises a tabletop for clamping at least one workpiece. The machine tool frame comprises two rigid side walls rigidly connected to each other by the upper crossbar and a front end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: DECKEL MAHO Seebach GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Schmidt, Ines Prautzsch
  • Patent number: 7591619
    Abstract: A machining apparatus includes a support frame, first and second workbenches, and a tool-mounting unit. The support frame includes a first horizontal frame part, and a second horizontal frame part disposed above the first horizontal frame part. The first and second workbenches are mounted slidably on the first horizontal frame part of the support frame, and is slidable relative to the support frame in a first horizontal direction. The tool-mounting unit is mounted slidably on the second horizontal frame part of the support frame, and is slidable relative to the support frame in a second horizontal direction transverse to the first horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignees: Buffalo Machinery Co., Ltd., The Department of ElectricalEngineering, National Chang-Hua University of Education
    Inventors: Paul Chang, Tsair-Rong Chen, Jeen-Sheen Row, Yuan-Fu Tsai
  • Patent number: 7578036
    Abstract: In order to improve a machine tool for machining a workpiece by a relative movement between the workpiece and a tool, comprising a first receiving device for the workpiece or the tool, a compound slide system with a second receiving device for the tool or the workpiece and comprising a drive device for moving the second receiving device in relation to the first receiving device, which drive device acts at least two spaced-apart points of application by at least three drive struts extending parallel to at least two different directions and each with a pivot joint, and with which drive device the at least two points of application can be positioned by means of the at least three drive struts, in such a way that exact positioning of the second slide element can be achieved by structural measures, it is proposed that four drive struts of invariant length, each with a pivot joint, act on the slide element, each of which struts is pivotally connected to a guiding slide, which is guided in a linearly movable manner
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Index-Werke GmbH Co. KG Hahn & Tessky
    Inventor: Walter Grossmann
  • Publication number: 20090191017
    Abstract: Machine tool comprising a machine frame (10, 20), a tool spindle (30) that can be driven so as to rotate, a workpiece clamping mechanism (12) and a magazine, wherein the tool spindle (30) and the workpiece clamping mechanism (12) can be moved relative to one another on a linear X-axis in a controlled manner, and wherein the tool spindle (30) can be moved in a controlled manner in relation to machine frame (10, 20) in Y- and Z-axes which are perpendicular to the X-axis and to each other and can be pivoted in a controlled manner around a C-axis parallel to the Z-axis, wherein the magazine has at least one magazine wheel (42, 66) which can be positioned rotating around a rotational axis parallel to the Z-axis, that the magazine wheel (42, 66) has recesses (58, 76) for tools (60) and/or workpieces (62, 64, 78) arranged distributed in its circumferential direction, wherein a workpiece gripper (34), which can be moved in common with the tool spindle (30), is assigned to the tool spindle (30), and wherein the tool s
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: Haas Schleifmaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Dirk Wember
  • Publication number: 20090155012
    Abstract: A machining apparatus has a vertical support frame defining two machining stations spaced apart in a direction, holders in the stations for rotating respective workpieces each about a respective station axis, and a transfer device for loading rough workpieces into the holders and for taking finished workpieces out of the holders. A single machining tool can be shifted in the direction between one position engaging the workpiece in one of the stations and out of engagement with the workpiece in the other of the stations and another position engaging the workpiece in the other station and out of engagement with the workpiece in the one station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Guido Hegener, Roland Schmitz
  • Patent number: 7547270
    Abstract: An operator station is positioned on the outside of a machine tool on the same side of the machine as the tool magazine and the automatic tool changer, to improve the ergonomics of the machine by keeping the tool loading access as close as possible to the operator. This location also allows easy visual access to the tools in the magazine and in the ready position in the tool changer. An angled “tunnel” window passing across the front of the tool magazine and the Y-axis column allows direct visual observation of the working zone of the machine tool from the operator station. A door on the side of the machine allows access from the operator station to a utilities panel located just inside of the door permitting ready operator access to switches, valves, fill points, filters and gages that are located on the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Cincinnati Machine, LLC
    Inventors: Peter L. Mischler, Randal S. VonMoll
  • Patent number: 7534078
    Abstract: The frame of a machine tool forms a closed force loop design that surrounds a workzone containing the spindle head. The X and Y-axis drive motors are mounted on stationary elements of the machine. The Y-axis column is fixed, and supports a Z-axis ram. The mounting and positioning of the Z-axis ram minimizes the change in droop and the effects of acceleration forces on the Z-axis structure. The X, Y, and Z-axis drive motors are all mounted outside of the workzone to shield them from contamination and debris generating during the machining process, and for ease of maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Cincinnati Machine, LLC
    Inventor: Peter L. Mischler
  • Patent number: 7527460
    Abstract: A horizontal milling-boring machine including a horizontal bed anchored to the floor, a column structure supported by the bed and slidable there along, a slide carriage slidabe vertically along said column structure, and a slide supporting the tool head and movable axially to said carriage in a direction perpendicular to the axis of said bed, characterized in that: said bed is monolithic and is separated from the work table,—said column structure is formed as a portal, with two columns connected together by an upper crosspiece and provided lowerly, for their support on the bed, with portions lying external to the opening of said portal, which is delimited laterally by said columns and extends lowerly into proximity with said bed—the slide carriage is slidable along the facing internal walls of said columns,—guide structure and drive structure being interposed between said column structure and said bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: HPT Sinergy S.r.l.
    Inventors: Francesco Gueli, Gabriele Piccolo
  • Patent number: 7524152
    Abstract: A three-axis micro- or meso-scale machining apparatus. Embodiments of the apparatus include a spindle having a tool for machining a workpiece, a z-axis movement platform for supporting the spindle and translating the spindle along a z-axis, a mount for supporting the workpiece, and a suspended x-y axes movement platform for supporting the mount and translating the mount along both x- and y-axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees if the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Andrew Honegger, Richard E. DeVor, Shiv G. Kapoor
  • Patent number: 7509718
    Abstract: The frame of a machine tool forms a closed force loop design that surrounds a workzone containing the spindle head. The X, Y, and Z-axis drive systems are all mounted outside of the machine to shield them from contamination and debris generating during the machining process, and for ease of maintenance without having to enter the machine or remove workzone covers to access them. The X and Y-axis drives are mounted on stationary parts of the machine, eliminating the need for flexible cables to power and control these drives and reducing the mass of the moving elements of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Cincinnati Machine, LLC
    Inventors: Peter L. Mischler, Randal S. VonMoll
  • Patent number: 7493681
    Abstract: A machine tool, and in particular a milling and drilling machine, which includes a rigid base on which an inclined support surface pointing forward and upward is formed. The support surface forms a support for a workpiece support rotatable about the central axis and comprises a support supported on the support surface and rotatable about its central axis. A workpiece table is provided on a bent support portion of the support. The axis of the workpiece table forms an acute angle with the central axis of the support surface. The support surface is laterally offset with respect to the vertical central plane of the base so that its central axis forms an acute angle with the vertical central plane of the base, and the workpiece table assumes a forward tilted posture in intermediate positions within a rotational angle range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Deckel Maho Seebach GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Schmidt, Ines Prautzsch
  • Patent number: 7487576
    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: January 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Husqvarna Outdoor Products Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Baratta, Luciano Cuevas
  • Patent number: 7467449
    Abstract: A CNC drilling and milling machine comprised of a movable drill motor platform (20) with a laser reference point finder (30) in the form of a laser (34) that is attached to the machine adjacent a spindle (22). The reference point is aligned on the workpiece (26) with an identical reference located in a CNC computer (38). A workpiece holder (20) has two opposed bars (42) attached to a T-groove base of the drilling and milling machine, with each bar having a longitudinal notch (44) for holding the edges of a workpiece (26). A plate compression support and debris collecting member (62) collects debris and provides support for the workpiece (26). The entire platform is moved to drill or mill at predetermined computer selected positions, having the initial reference point (32) located with the calibrated laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Inventors: S. Peter Lee, Francis Pan
  • Patent number: 7441994
    Abstract: A machine tool includes a machine frame, a worktable, and a spindle unit. The worktable is movable on the machine frame along a first horizontal direction, a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, and a vertical direction. The spindle unit is movable on the machine frame along the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Inventor: Shu-Yen Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7437809
    Abstract: An eyeglass lens processing apparatus includes: a piercing unit that includes a piercing tool for piercing a hole in an eyeglass lens; a first input unit that inputs position data and depth data of a non-through hole to be formed in a refractive surface of the lens; a detecting unit that detects a position of a front end of the piercing tool; and a control unit that controls a process of forming the non-through hole based on the detected front-end position data, and the input position data and the input depth data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayasu Yamamoto, Hirokatsu Obayashi, Yoshiaki Kamiya
  • Patent number: 7424773
    Abstract: An eyeglass lens processing apparatus includes: a hole forming portion that includes a hole forming tool which forms a hole for attaching a rimless frame in an eyeglass lens; and breakage detector that detects whether or not the hole forming tool is broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokatsu Obayashi, Motoshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7412759
    Abstract: A telescopic safety shield device includes a carrier movably engaged onto a platform and having one or more guideways tilted relative to the platform, a tool rest movably engaged onto the guideways and moveable inclinedly relative to the carrier and the platform, and a telescopic shielding device having two or more casing members coupled between the platform and the tool rest for shielding the area between the platform and the tool rest, the casing members are pivotally coupled to the platform and the tool rest for allowing the casing members to be pivoted relative to the platform and the tool rest respectively and for preventing dirt or contaminant from entering into the areas between the platform and the tool rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Hardinge Taiwan Precision Machine Ltd.
    Inventors: Tom Hsieh, Gary Lin
  • Publication number: 20080187406
    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: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventor: Hisahiro Kai
  • Patent number: 7373707
    Abstract: The milling apparatus (10) is arranged in such a manner that the deep groove cutter (21) is attached to the milling cutter (20) and the rotational drive shaft (23a) is approximately orthogonal to a spine (16a) of a sheet bundle (16) by the mechanism for tilting the drive apparatus (24) when an EVA-based hot melt adhesive is used. The milling apparatus (10) is arranged in such a manner that the shallow cutter (22) is attached to the milling cutter (20) and the rotational drive shaft (23a) is tilted with respect to a conveying direction of the sheet bundle (16) by the mechanism for tilting the drive apparatus (24) when a PUR-based holt melt adhesive is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Horizon International Inc.
    Inventors: Ko Ouchiyama, Hirohito Nakanishi, Shigenobu Fukuda, Kanta Kambara
  • Patent number: 7357769
    Abstract: Machine tool simplifying maintenance, reducing manufacturing costs, and enabling high precision machining. The machine tool is equipped with: a bed furnished with a rectangular base, right and left sidewalls provided standing either side of the base, and a rear sidewall provided standing along the back of the base; a table disposed in the space surrounded by the three sidewalls; a first saddle shaped in the form of a rectangular frame shape, provided free to shift back and forth supported on the tops of the left and right sidewalls; a second saddle penetrated by a perpendicular through-hole and arranged free to shift sideways inside the first saddle frame; and a spindle head arranged free to shift perpendicularly inside the through-hole in the second saddle; and a main spindle arranged over the table and supported by the spindle head free to rotate centered on its axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoshi Takayama, Michio Watanabe, Nobuyuki Kimura, Kazuyuki Hiramoto, Takayuki Akai
  • Patent number: 7357608
    Abstract: A rotary tapered tool holder includes a shank including a front mounting portion and an aperture. An expansion sleeve is disposed about a portion of the shank. The expansion sleeve includes a front mounting portion adjacent the front mounting portion of the shank. An expansion rod is disposed within the shank and includes a pocket or cam surface. An expansion pin is at least partially received in the aperture of the shank. The expansion pin has a first end or cam surface for engaging the pocket of the expansion rod, and a second end for engaging the front mounting portion of the expansion sleeve. A force applied to the expansion rod in a first direction causes the expansion pin to move in a second direction and into positive engagement with the front mounting portion of the expansion sleeve, thereby forcing the expansion sleeve into positive contact with a tapered bore of a spindle of the tool holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Kennametal Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Erickson, Ted R. Massa
  • 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: 7352110
    Abstract: A tool head includes a holder for accommodating a tool and two actuators each of which is connected to the holder via a web. On the one hand, the actuators enable the holder to be deflected by a few micrometers from a resting position and, on the other hand, enable ultrasound to be applied to the holder. For this purpose, the actuators contain a piezoelectric drive. Depending on the application, the tool head can be mounted on a conventional machine tool. The tool head is suitable for many applications, in particular for the production of micro-mechanical structures in the surface of a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: Peter Hess
  • Patent number: 7334304
    Abstract: In order to improve a machine tool for machining a workpiece by a relative movement between the workpiece and a tool, comprising a first receiving device for the workpiece or the tool, a compound slide system with a second receiving device for the tool or the workpiece and comprising a drive device for moving the second receiving device in relation to the first receiving device, which drive device acts at at least two spaced-apart points of application by at least three drive struts extending parallel to at least two different directions and each with a pivot joint, and with which drive device the at least two points of application can be positioned by means of the at least three drive struts, in such a way that exact positioning of the second slide element can be achieved by structural measures, it is proposed that four drive struts of invariant length, each with a pivot joint, act on the slide element, each of which struts is pivotally connected to a guiding slide, which is guided in a linearly movable mann
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Index-Werke GmbH & Co. KG Hahn Tessky
    Inventor: Walter Grossmann
  • Patent number: 7322082
    Abstract: An eyeglass lens processing apparatus for processing a periphery of an eyeglass lens, the apparatus includes: a lens chuck shaft that holds and rotates the lens; an end mill that processes the periphery of the lens; an end mill tilting unit that varies a tilt of the end mill with respect to the lens chuck shaft; an end mill moving unit that relatively moves the end mill with respect to the lens held by the lens chuck shaft; a target lens shape input unit that inputs an target lens shape; a lens measuring unit that detects a position of a processing edge of the lens based on the input target lens shape; a memory that stores a beveling shape including a beveling tilt angle on a front surface side of the lens and a beveling tilt angle on a rear surface side of the lens; and a control unit that controls the end mill tilting unit and the end mill moving unit to perform a roughing process on the lens using the end mill based on the input target lens shape and to perform a beveling process on the roughing-processed
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Natsume, Yoichi Sugiura
  • Patent number: 7318693
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for machining workpieces, especially for chip removing machining. The device includes a spindle which is mounted on a first end of a pivoting arm in such a way that it can be linearly displaced in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the spindle, and a console on which the pivoting arm is mounted by its second end in such a way that it can rotate about an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the spindle. The console can be displaced in a direction which is perpendicular to the displacement direction of the spindle in all of the pivoting positions of the pivoting arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Alfing Kessler Sondermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Hansch, Peter Bielitza
  • Patent number: 7296956
    Abstract: A machine-tool production machine is disclosed, with a workspace that can be viewed by an operator through a window or transparent pane, whereby the window or transparent pane can be used with a projection unit as a head-up display for displaying information for the operator. The device provides the operator with a simple, cost-effective and clear representation of information about the manufacturing and production processes as well as other processes running on the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rainer Dirnfeldner
  • Patent number: 7293337
    Abstract: A machining apparatus for conducting at least one of a cutting process and a grinding process, comprises a stationary base; and a working device mounted on the stationary base and having a degree of freedom of more than two axes to conduct at least one of a cutting process and a grinding process, the working device comprising a first working bench which is formed of a ceramic material and is movable linearly with a degree of freedom of not less than one axes or more while holding a work piece or a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventor: Shigeru Hosoe
  • Publication number: 20070248428
    Abstract: In a three degrees of freedom parallel mechanism, a spindle head is carried by first and second movable support members to be movable along a Z-axis and to be pivotable along each of A and B-axes. The spindle head is jointed through three rods to drive sliders which are movable along three parallel linear guides secured stationarily. For jointing, there are employed spherical joints and universal joints. Kinematic parameters used in converting each command position of the movable body to target operational positions for three actuators of the Z, A and B-axes are compensated based on inversely converted command positions and inversely converted actually measured positions which have been gathered with the spindle head being located at positions of a suitable number, so that the kinematic parameters can be updated to those newest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Applicant: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Hiromichi Ota
  • Patent number: 7273335
    Abstract: A machine tool includes a table supported by a bed for forward and rearward movement along a path of movement, left and right transversely aligned upright columns on opposite sides of the path of movement, a cross rail supported in the columns for movement upwardly and downwardly along forward and rear guide rails on inwardly facing column surfaces, a spindle head supported by the cross rail for movement leftwardly and rightwardly. The cross rail, the left and right columns, the spindle head and the guide rails are symmetrically positioned from front to rear and vertically by vertical or horizontal symmetry defining planes so that heat generated creates balanced self-cancelling forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Furuhashi, Koji Takenaka
  • Patent number: 7261502
    Abstract: Described herein is a nNumeric-control machine (1) comprising: a flatbed (2) provided with a horizontal working surface (3), on which a workpiece (4) is to be positioned; a machining head (5) which is able to move in space above the working surface (3), and a supporting structure (6), which is designed to support and displace the machining head (5) in space above the working surface (3), the supporting structure (6) consisting of: a floating platform (7) mounted so that it can move above the working surface (3), a series of articulated supporting arms (8) designed to support the floating platform (7) above the working surface (3) on opposite sides of the platform itself, and members for moving (13, 14) capable of displacing upon command and independently the articulated arms (8), each articulated arm (8) being designed to connect the flatbed (2) of the machine with the overlying floating platform (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: O.M.V. Officine Meccaniche Venete S.r.l.
    Inventor: Franco Pasquetto
  • Patent number: 7261503
    Abstract: In a multi-axis machine tool comprising a slide way aligned on a longitudinal axis, a traveling column coupled via one end with the slide way, an arm mounted slidably to the column and traversable at least in a first direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the slide way, and a machining head carried by the arm, the material used for the arm is one typified by low thermal expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: JOBS S.p.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Motta, Sandro Foletti
  • 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: 7220090
    Abstract: A linear motor actuated machine tool includes a bed, a column, upper and lower X-axis guides, a saddle, upper and lower X-axis linear motor magnets, and upper and lower X-axis linear motor coils. Upper and lower X-axis guides are attached to the upper and lower portion of front surface of the column, which is mounted on the bed in the vertical direction, in the horizontal direction. Upper and lower X-axis linear motor magnets is fixed on the front surface of the column at upper side and lower side of the upper and lower X-axis guides in the direction of X-axis with making pole surfaces thereof face to frontward. Upper and lower X-axis linear motor coils are fixed to upper end and lower end of the rear surface of the saddle, which is mounted on the front surface of the column with being guided by upper and lower X-axis guides and having a through space at the center portion thereof, with opposing to upper and lower X-axis linear motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshio Wakazono, Kozo Imanishi, Fumitaka Achiwa
  • Patent number: 7220087
    Abstract: A main shaft (6) movable in a direction of X-axis is provided at a position on one side of a foundation (1), and a lateral stand (12) is fixed on the top portion of the rotation support shaft (10). On the upper surface of the lateral stand (12), there is provided a work grip rotation feed mechanism portion (13) for rotating bar-like work (w) about a specific lateral axis (S) on the upper surface. The rotation support shaft (10) and the specific lateral axis (S) are horizontally separated by a required distance (L0). The rotational position of the rotation support shaft (10) is varied between the case where the bar-like work (w) is processed by the operation of the main shaft (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Horkos Corp.
    Inventors: Shinsuke Sugata, Tadashi Makiyama
  • 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: 7179029
    Abstract: A machine for machining workpieces has at least one milling tool with an internal cutter. The machine is provided with a first guide system and a second guide system parallel to the first guide system. The first guide system has at least one compound slide having a slide part, wherein the at least one compound slide is moveable in a longitudinal direction of the first guide system and wherein the slide part is moveable transversely to the longitudinal direction. A milling tool is secured on the slide part. The first and second guide systems have sliding guides or roller bearing guides. The at least one compound slide has a transverse guide system and the slide part is guided on the transverse guide system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Gebr. Heller Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Hemming, Wolfgang Märker, Heinrich Bonfert
  • 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: 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