Abstract: In a frame with a horizontal bed (10) and a vertical upright (12) there is for bracing and stiffening a vertical rigid wall (14) rigidly with the bed (10) and the upright (12) connected. The bed (10), the upright (12) and the wall (14) are cast as a single piece of a polymerizable resin-concrete. The wall (14) provides the frame with a high bend and torsional stiffness at a low weight. The wall (14) additionally serves to receive guides and bearing arrangements for functional elements of the machine tool, which by this means can be disposed spatially one above the other.

Abstract: A milling and drilling unit utilizes a stiff arm and a articulated arm, both arms being supported on an upright post and each being fitted with a clamping member that is capable of engaging bodies of substantial cross-sectional variation. The arms can be raised and lowered on a rack, using a meshing pinion that is operated from either side of the unit, and they are capable of rotation about the supporting post when lowered sufficiently to disengage the rack-and-pinion mechanism; clamping levers serve to fix the arms in selected vertical positions.

Abstract: In a cutting machine having an octahedral framework, a cutting tool is carried by a servostrut support having a platform mounted on extendable and retractable struts. In order to reduce deflections and to limit transfer of bending moments, from the servostrut support to the other connected support sections of the framework, the six struts are mounted at pivot mounts such as ball joints in a triangular support. Three of the pivotal mounts are positioned in a first triangle and in corners of the triangle support, and the other three struts are positioned in a second larger triangle in the triangular support. The nominal axis of rotation of spindle drive for the cutting tool may be either about nominal horizontal axis, a nominal vertical axis or a nominal 45.degree. axis. Several frameworks may be arranged to define a hollow tunnel with platforms projecting their cutting tools from opposite sides of the transfer tunnel.

Abstract: An automatic open-structure machine tool has an upright (3) which moves along a track (2) (axis X) fixed to a base (1), the upright being integral with a projecting crosspiece (4) along which moves (axis Y) the support (5) of a sleeve (6) which moves along an axis orthogonal to the preceding ones (axis Z). An additional structure (8) designed to be located at the open side of the machine tool is, fitted with a connector system (9) which slides along the structure, such connector system being designed for connection to the free end of the crosspiece, so as to make the open-structure into a gantry machine.

Abstract: A machine such as a machine tool includes a pair of spaced platforms. One platform may mount an operator such as a tool in a spindle, and the other platform may mount an object such as a workpiece. The spaced platforms are joined by six powered and extensible legs joined to the respective platforms by universal joints. The length of the legs is individually manipulated to vary the positions of the platforms and, therefore, the object and operator relative to each other. Four of the legs are arranged into two pairs which are spaced apart to provide between them a part of a corridor for moving the workpiece into a working position. The two legs in each pair may cross each other. The other two legs extend away from each other and provide another part of the corridor between their inboard ends.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a machine tool having a crossrail, which carries a tool unit and which is braced by at least one column. The column includes a bottom section and an upper section, which can be moved telescopically relative to the bottom section and on which the crossrail is attached from the top. The supporting bodies make it possible that the upper section sits firmly in multiple positions from the top on the bottom section.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vertical milling and boring machine incorporating a gantry, comprising a lower table adapted to support the pieces to be machined, a gantry comprising two uprights disposed on either side of the table and a tie joining the upper ends of said uprights, a crosspiece supported by said gantry and mobile vertically along said uprights, a carriage supported by said crosspiece and mobile horizontally and a tool-holder member mounted to move vertically on said carriage, said table and said gantry being capable of moving with respect to each other, characterized in that the tie presents a flat front face located in the plane of the front faces of the uprights, in that the crosspiece is mobile vertically solely along the front face of said tie, and in that the rear face of the crosspiece is maintained in abutment on the front face of the tie and on the front faces of the uprights, at least during the machining phases, by locking means.

Abstract: A multiple-axis machine for positioning a rotary-driven spindle, such positioning being by use of linear motors. The machine has a support for defining multiple axes, with (i) a rigid vibration-dampening bed defining at least an X-axis; (ii) at least one hollow column defining a Y-axis and having one end adjacent and movable along the bed and the other end extending away from said bed; (iii) a slide adapted for movement along the Y-axis of the column; (iv) a cage rigidly fixed to the slide for defining a Z-axis way; and (v) a hollow ram slidable within the cage and along the Z-axis way and carrying the spindle. The machine has bearing assemblies interposed between the column one end and the bed, between the column and slide, and between the cage and ram to provide for respective relative movements along the axes, the bearing assemblies being preloaded to provide an interference fit of 10-20% of the maximum bearing loading.

Abstract: A machine such as a machine tool includes a pair of spaced platforms. One platform (11, 31, 185, 72, 159, 142) may mount an operator such as a tool in a spindle and the other platforms (10, 20, 180, 170, 144, 163) may mount an object such as a workpiece. The spaced platforms are joined by six powered and extensible legs (20-25, 40-45, 64-69, 145-150, 166, 182-84, 187-89) joined to the respective platforms by universal joints. The length of the legs is individually manipulated to vary the position of the platforms and, therefore, the object and operator relative to each other in six axes. The powered legs may be hydraulic cylinders (20-25) or recirculating ball screw driven (195, 197, 198). The distance between the spaced platforms may be measured by separate extensible instrument arms (130, 131, 171) which join the platforms. The instrument arms may use a digital position device (238, 240) to measure the extension and contraction of the instrument arms or may use a laser interferometer (267) for that purpose.

Abstract: A cable passes over pulleys to precisely control the linear movement of a machine element back and forth along a guideway. The cable path connects multiple pulleys on stationary machine elements to multiple pulleys on the movable machine element, affording mechanical advantage to one driven pulley. A particular arrangement and alignment of the pulleys that pull in one direction with the pulleys that pull in the opposite direction cancel extraneous forces and moments and cause the resultant force to act on the center of gravity of the moving element.

Abstract: A linear motor assembly having enhanced mechanical stiffness, comprising: (a) at least one pair of rigidly interconnected tandem rails defining a first axis of movement and spaced apart normal to such first axis; (b) at least one pair of frames movable along said pair of rails, each frame presenting at least one pair of opposed parallel bearing surfaces; (c) at least one linear motor effective to operate between each rail and frame; (d) bearings supported between each rail and each bearing surface of each frame, said bearings being preloaded with an interference load while permitting bearing movement; and (e) support structure between said frames defining axes of movement actuated by other linear motors.

Abstract: A vise transport for milling machines and comprised of articulated inner and outer lever arms, the inner lever arm received in an adapter socket secured to the milling machine, and the outer lever arm universally carrying a vise support, the articulating axes of the inner and outer lever arms being vertical and parallel and the axes of the vise support being vertical and horizontal for manipulating positions of the vise and its alignment with the milling machine table to which it is mounted, there being an adapter plate for safe attachment of the vice to the vise support.

Abstract: A workcenter (10) comprises its supports (14a,b,c) which each carry a carriage (24a,b,c) movable along the supports by motors (30a,b,c) under central computer control (41). Each support is an aluminium extruded U-shaped section having four tracks (28) comprising steel strips (27) in slots (29). The carriage is likewise extruded having undercut slots (83) receiving the heads (92) of axles (90) which have eccentric stubs (96) on which bearing wheels (26) are journalled. Four wheels are so-mounted at each end of the carriage. The workcenter is adaptable between different modes of operation; overhang or cantilever by virtue of the profile of the supports.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of building a machine system having a plurality of cutting machines involves a taking of the final print tolerance and budgeting and using the tolerances for fixtures and machines in a manner to determine stiffness requirements and tolerances for such as tool cut depth, tracking of feed slide and perpendicularity of the spindle face. To gauge very fine tolerances, special reference datum surfaces are provided on the fixtures and machines to provide a "granite" plane from which very precise measurements may be made to set up initially the machine with the assigned tolerances. Indicators can be mounted on the spindle to sweep the targets on the fixture to level the spindle face to very fine tolerances. An indicator traveling with cutting head along a feed slide may sweep targets on the fixture and a tracking means may be adjusted to a precise tracking tolerance.

Abstract: A process for replicating a surface on a machine base support surface relative to a reference surface, comprising the steps of providing a reference surface on the machine base; providing a fixture having a surface; positioning the fixture surface over the support surface to a predetermined position in close proximity to the support surface so that a gap is maintained between the fixture surface and the support surface; adjusting the fixture surface relative to the reference surface such that the fixture surface is precisely parallel with the reference surface; filling the space between the fixture surface and the support surface with flowable hardenable substance; permitting the substance to cure; removing the fixture.

Abstract: A reinforcement rib structure for a support column of a rotary machine tool is disclosed. The reinforcement rib structure includes a first set of ribs which are inclined clockwise with respect to the vertical and a second set of ribs which are inclined counterclockwise with respect to the vertical such that the first and second ribs intersect each other. In the preferred embodiment, the ribs are formed on opposing sidewalls of the support column and form acute angles with respect to a vertical within the range of 30.degree..+-.20%. With this reinforcing rib structure, the rotary machine tool may be operated at higher speeds while maintaining machining accuracy due to the enhanced rigidity of the support column with minimal weight increase.

Abstract: A machine tool frame is disclosed which is comprised of twelve struts connected together at their ends in six nodes to define the eight triangular panels of an octahedron. Forces generated by the operation of the machine tool are received by the frame at its nodes, being the nodes of opposed parallel triangular panels, upper and lower, in the specific examples illustrated. The octahedral frame displays superior rigidity due to its inherently closed kinematic loop, and to the virtual absence of bending stress in its constituent members accomplished by nodal loading. Movable machine elements are mounted upon six extensible and retractable servo-struts emanating in pairs from the nodes of a given triangular panel of the octahedral frame while opposing fixed elements located within the octahedral frame are supported tripodally from the frame nodes associated with a single triangular panel of the frame.

Abstract: This invention relates to a machine tool, designed for rapid machining of models in particular, which comprises a C-shaped structure fitted with a toolhead with several degrees of freedom which can move parallel to one of the machine axes in order to machine non-tough materials rapidly; for example, it can be used to produce plastic models which are to undergo further finishing operations.

Abstract: A machine tool for processing platelike workpieces, particularly for machining the contours of superimposed sheet metal elements, comprises a work-supporting deck having a supporting surface and workpiece-fixing means, and a tool unit, which is mounted on a tool carriage and is movable over the supporting surface, wherein a holding-down device is provided, which is movable over the supporting surface in unison with the tool unit and comprises a holding-down shoe, which is adapted to be forced against the top surface of the workpiece to hold the workpiece in position close to the location at which the workpiece is being processed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a machine-tool incorporating a mobile standard and a horizontal broach, wherein the mobile standard is disposed between a fixed lower base and a fixed upper base connected together by a rigid static support located behind the mobile standard, and is guided at each of its ends by parallel guiding means provided on said bases. The mobile standard is, moreover, driven at each of its ends by synchronized drive means.

Abstract: A precision head (10) for a machine tool includes a ram (12) axially movable along an axis A within an outer stationary ram support (14) of a polygonal shape. The outer stationary ram support (14) includes a pair of fixed bearing portions (16, 17) spaced from each other on one side (18) of the support (14) and a central bearing portion (20) on the other side (22) of the ram support (14) between the fixed bearing portions (16, 17). A pair of adjustable bearings (24, 25) bias the ram (12) against the pair of fixed bearing portions (16, 17). One of the adjustable bearing portions (24) is positioned on the central bearing portion (20) and the other adjustable bearing (25) is positioned in opposed relation to fixed bearing portion (16). The adjustable bearing portion (24) positions ram (12) with respect to the fixed bearing portions (16, 17).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine tool and in particular a machine for making three dimensional models, having a carrying structure of the closed monocoque body type, with the advantage of greater lightness and rigidity with respect to known machines with latticework or tubular structures.

Abstract: A machining center having a bed that supports a work table, a carriage movable along the bed, an upright column moveable across the carriage, a machining head movable vertically on the upright column and a tool magazine with a tool changer. The bed is designed as an inclined bed with a downward slope toward the rear and the work table is mounted on the front side of bed by means of a suitable console.

Abstract: A lifting and storage apparatus is disclosed for handling a vise attachment for a vertical turret milling machine. The lifting means includes an articulated support arm that is adapted to attach at one end thereof to the glide or way provided on such machines for support and axial movement of the motorized milling tool. The articulated support is adapted at the distal end thereof to be clamped within the jaws of the vise attachment for support of the vise attachment when the movable bed of the milling machine is lowered. The articulation of the support arm allows free movement in the horizontal plane only; therefore, after the bed is lowered, the supported vise may be moved laterally to the side to a new position above the bed or to a storage position that is clear of the bed and of the work area related to the bed.

Abstract: A machine tool is equipped with a machine bed (10) and a carriage (23) of a headstock which is guided linearly on the said bed. To this end, the machine bed is provided with a guide rail (11), while the carriage (23) is equipped with a shoe (20) running on the guide rail (11) in form-locking engagement. The shoe (20) and the guide rail (11) engage each other by flat sliding surfaces (51 to 56) formed by the surfaces (51, 53, 55) of plastic sliding pads (46, 48, 50) and by metallic surfaces (52, 54, 56). The guide rail (11) has a narrower lower portion (15) and a wider upper portion (16) comprising a projection (17) extending laterally beyond the lower portion (15). The shoe (20) is split along a horizontal plane (40) and has its upper part (30) guided by the upper face of the projection (17) and its lower part guided by the lower face of the projection (17) (FIG. 3).

Abstract: This invention relates to a six-axis machine for locating an operator with respect to an object, and more particularly to a versatile machine tool in which the tool can be moved in three lineal directions and three rotational directions in relation to the surface of a workpiece.

Abstract: A machine includes a pair of spaced supports, one of which may mount an operator such as a tool in a spindle and the other of which may mount an object such as a workpiece. The spaced platforms are joined by six powered and extensible legs joined to the respective platforms by universal joints. The length of the legs is individually manipulated to vary the position of the platforms and therefore the object and operator relative to each other in six axes. The powered legs may be hydraulic cylinders or recirculating ball screw driven. The distance between the spaced platforms may be measured by separate instrument arms which join the platforms. The instrument arms may use a digital position device to measure the extension and contraction of the instrument arms or may use a laser interferometer for that purpose. The changes in the instrument arm's lengths may be used to generate signals which are used to control the extension and contraction of the powered legs.

Abstract: The process for securing a machine tool bed to a base includes the steps of providing a base having a horizontally disposed first surface wherein a plurality of cooperating grooves are disposed. A selected quantity of hardenable grout material is deposited into the grooves. A bed has a second surface from which a plurality of tongues extend, and each tongue has side surfaces which are relatively rougher than the associated distal surface. The bed is horizontally positioned above the base so that each tongue is received in an associated groove and each distal surface is spaced from the associated underlying groove, thereby causing the grout material to rise by an amount insufficient to contact the second surface. The bed is maintained spaced above the base until the grout material has hardened and thereby binds each side surface but not the associated distal surface to the base.

Abstract: A machine tool consisting of a stand for a spindle case which travels along the horizontal Z-axis and the vertical Y-axis, with at least one horizontal working spindle and a non-deformable bed with guides for workpiece bench traveling horizontally along the X-axis. To allow simultaneous milling and lathe work on several workpieces, the machine tool comprises a complete milling unit, and next to it on the machine bed, a complete lathe unit. To the side of the workpiece bench of the milling unit, an independent, rotation driven device is placed within the guides of the bed for clamping horizontally aligned workpieces, and next to it a turret head upon which turning tools are secured.

Abstract: A machine tool comprises a motion unit that can be displaced relative to a work table along a horizontal axis. Guide rails extend in the direction of the axis, being fixed against movement in this direction. Supporting guide elements of the motion unit run on the guide rails in axially offset arrangement. A drive motor serves for effecting a relative movement between the motion unit and the guide rails.In order to reduce the overall depth of the machine tool in the direction of the axis and to improve the accessibility of the drive elements, the drive motor has its stator rigidly connected to the said motion unit and is arranged in substantially axial orientation between the said guide elements.

Abstract: A very stiff mounting device, particularly for a machine tool or measuring instrument, is constructed from six rod-like members the ends of which are rigidly coupled together to form a tetrahedral structure and mounting means comprising a rigid member fixedly coupled to three of said rod-like members, said three rod-like members not being co-planar.

Abstract: A machining device includes a toolholder (24) displaceable in three coordinates (X, Y, Z) perpendicular with respect to one another by means of three linear guides (23, 15, 28) and associated drives (25, 19, 30) on a frame of the device. The device is characterized in that the frame (1, 8) of the device is of an essentially U-shaped configuration and that the toolholder (24), retained in a shape-mating fashion, is displaceable on a carriage (23) extending transversely to the legs (1a, 8a; 1b, 8b) in the first coordinate direction (X) and the third coordinate direction (Z). This carriage, retained in a shape-mating fashion with its ends (22) on the legs (1a, 8a; 1b, 8b) of the frame, is displaceable along the legs in the second coordinate direction (Y). Preferably, the frame of the device consists of a U-shaped supporting stand (1) and of a rotary stand (8) having a U-shape and being swivelable thereon, the toolholder (24) being displaceable on the rotary stand in the three coordinate directions.

Abstract: A method for machining an enlarged profiled bore in a workpiece utilizing a numerically controlled machine and particularly a tool comprising a boring bar rotatable and axially displaceable relative to the workpiece. The milling cutter is eccentrically mounted in the boring bar thereby facilitating radial movement of the milling cutter. The milling cutter is adapted to follow a predetermined contour during removal of the boring bar from the workpiece thereby to form a correspondingly profiled bore.

Abstract: A carriage unit for a machine tool, especially forming a tool support for drilling or milling machines, comprises a carriage having a guiding foot which has a cross-section in form of a quarter of a circular cylindrical ring and is provided with a cylindrical outer surface and two ring intersecting surfaces which form sliding surfaces of the guiding foot, and supporting elements including a parallelepiped-shaped guiding block mountable on a machine tool housing and having a quarter cylindrical bearing surface on which the outer cylindrical surface of the guiding foot abuts, and two guiding strips mounted on the guiding block and each having a counter surface for abutting by a respective one of the ring intersecting surfaces of the guiding foot.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement in a machine tool having a pedestal, a vertical column fixedly mounted on the pedestal, a workhead mounted on the column, an elevating mechanism for elevating the workhead along the column, and a worktable provided the pedestal. The workhead carries a spindle, a motor for driving the spindle, a reduction gear and a longitudinal feed gear. According to the present invention, another worktable is provided at a different height from the first worktable and at a position displaced by at least 90 degrees from the first worktable with respect to the column. This considerably reduces the restrictions on the size of a workpiece which can be worked by the machine tool.

Abstract: A carriage for a machine tool includes ways (16) and (18), a base (14) supporting the ways and a saddle (20) supported by bearings (22) and (24) for movement along the ways to carry a column (26) along the X-axis of the machine tool. The load bearing surface (16a) of way (16) is located at a higher level above machine tool support surface (16a) than the load bearing surface (18a) of way (18). Thrust directed against column (26) in the course of a machining operation is transmitted to saddle (20) through Z-axis ways 40 and way bearings (42), and is transmitted from saddle (20) to thrust bearing surface (16c) of way (16).

Abstract: A link-band cover for guideways and moving parts of machine tools, as well as for other structural elements of machine tools that could lead to accidents. The cover includes individual rigid strips that can be sequentially arranged in a plane. Each strip has long sides, with adjacent long sides of adjacent ones of the strips each being provided with a respective slot that is open toward the adjacent strip and has an undercut base. Hinge members in the form of hinge eyes are disposed between each two adjacent strips to pivotably interconnect the same, with each hinge eye being anchored in one of the slots of the strips. Hinge eyes between two adjacent strips are aligned on a pivot shaft, with adjacent hinge eyes being anchored in the slots of different strips.

Abstract: A machining center, particularly adapted for automated turning of workpieces, includes a headstock with one or more rotatably mounted spindles located in spaced generally horizontal alignment with drive means connected to rotate the spindles independently of each other as necessary. Automatic chucks or collets are mounted on and driven by each spindle. A bed supporting a power-driven cross slide extends across the axis of the spindle and at one end substantially beyond, in an offset T configuration, defining one or more machining areas between the chucks and one end of the bed. A ram carrying one or more tools, and mounted on the slide parallel to the spindle axes, faces into the machining area. A ram drive moves it toward and away from the chuck to maneuver a tool with respect to workpieces.

Abstract: A material machining center for the machining of workpieces of varying size and of various materials has a worktable supported by a base assembly. The worktable has a vacuum table for immovably holding the workpiece during the machining thereof. The machining center also has a gantry assembly movably mounted on the worktable, the gantry assembly further has a workhead assembly movably mounted thereon and a machining tool adapted for movement. The movements of the gantry assembly, the workhead assembly and the machining tool define a coordinate system having an X, Y, and Z axis, respectively. The machining center further includes a means for controllably inclining the worktable relative to the base assembly whereby dust and chips created during the machining of the workpiece fall from the workpiece to the floor.

Abstract: A drill stand includes a base plate, an elongated guide column extending outwardly from the base plate and a drilling device movably supported on the column. The guide column is formed of two laterally spaced elongated support members each having the same cross-section transversely of the elongated direction. A drilling device is positioned between the two support members. A rack is secured to the guide column and a feed mechanism for moving the drilling device includes a pinion in meshed engagement with the rack. Guide members on the support members fit into correspondingly shaped guide grooves on the drilling device.

Abstract: An elongated carriage extends between the beds of first and second milling machines to operatively join the first and second milling machines to one another. The carriage is attached to the milling machines in a manner which allows longitudinal movement of the carriage with respect to the milling machines to allow the milling machines to simultaneously mill first and second workpieces respectively.

Abstract: A machine tool is equipped with a fully articulatable crossbeam arranged between a pair of vertical columns. The crossbeam carries a tool carriage or saddle which is provided with a driven cutting tool element. The cutting tool element engages a workpiece clamped on a table between the columns and below the crossbeam. The crossbeam may articulate in mutually perpendicular planes, independently thereof. With this feature, the machine tool is flexible and versatile and may be used by semi-skilled operators with a minimum of training to perform a series of intricate operations easily and conveniently.

Abstract: A process for constructing machine tools. The process includes constructing a form, pouring concrete into the form, allowing the concrete to set, and grinding the sliding surfaces to be properly aligned and precision surfaces. Also disclosed are machine tools made by the process, and a method of assembling such machine tools.

Abstract: The universal machine-tool for carrying machining operations comprises, mounted between two uprights, a cradle pivoting about an axis and carrying the table, susceptible of being rotatingly driven whereas a general slider enables to bring closer to the part carried by the table on one hand a milling head movable according to three axes and on the other hand a drum carrier movable according to two axes, the machine enabling to carry out milling, turning and boring operations.

Abstract: A machining center in which the moment exerted on a support base and support table during a machining operation is remarkably reduced. The machining apparatus includes a pair of guide rails extending in the longitudinal direction relative to the workpiece upon which the machining head is slidably supported either directly or via a table. The rear one of this pair of guide rails is made higher than the other guide rail, thereby reducing the reaction forces exerted upon the upper surfaces of the guide rails, and hence the moment exerted on the supporting base.

Abstract: A process for constructing machine tools. The process includes constructing a form, pouring concrete into the form, allowing the concrete to set, and grinding the sliding surfaces to be properly aligned and precision surfaces. Also disclosed are machine tools made by the process, and a method of assembling such machine tools.

Abstract: A machining center having an upright boxlike housing which projects upwardly adjacent the rear side of the table through a substantial vertical extent. The housing defines an interior chamber therein in which is positioned a movable support for mounting a plurality of tools. This housing has a pair of sidewalls which, at their front edges, have forwardly projecting protrusions which overhang the table. A slide is mounted on the upper surfaces of the housing and is movable horizontally in perpendicular relationship to the table movement. This slide, on the front end thereof, mounts a tool spindle head for displacement along a vertical axis. The front wall of the boxlike housing has an opening which extends therethrough and projects vertically up through the top wall thereof, so that rearward slidable displacement of the slide permits the spindle head to be moved rearwardly into the interior chamber to provide access to the stored tools.

Abstract: An attachment is mounted and dismounted onto and from a spindle head or ram of a machine tool having a rotatable spindle by apparatus comprising a collet including a plurality of circumferentially arranged flexible members extending in parallel with the spindle from a surface on which the attachment is to be mounted, and provided with enlarged heads; a clamping rod having an opening facing the surface, a small inner diameter projection formed on the inner surface of the opening, and a large inner diameter portion adapted to receive the heads; a piston-cylinder assembly for reciprocating the clamping rod toward and away from the collet; and a release piston reciprocated in the clamping rod for radially expanding the enlarged heads of the collet.

Abstract: An automatic numerically controlled machine tool or "bed machining center" presents a tool carrying spindle rotating in a vertically movable head sliding on a forwardly and rearwardly movable column, for cutting tool engagement with a workpiece clamped on a laterally movable table. The head, the column and the table are slidingly movable by precision ball screws on mutually perpendicular way members, accurately positioned with pivoting fine adjustment. Sliding ramp gib pack cam block pairs further adjust the sliding members for maximum precision. Replacement spindle and vertical ball screw assemblies are easily substituted for rapid maintenance. High volume coolant circulation flushes chips away from the workpiece. A concealed tool change carriage glides forward from an enclosure, receives the previous tool from the spindle, indexes the next tool, releases it for automatic loading in the spindle collet, and retracts into its enclosure.

Abstract: A machining center of a horizontal type including a vertical base is disclosed. A pallet carrying a workpiece to be machined is mounted on a pallet slide with a pallet surface being vertical so that the pallet is movable along a first horizontal axis and rotatable about this first axis. The pallet slide is mounted on the vertical base so as to be movable vertically along a first vertical surface of this base, this surface being parallel to the first axis. A spindle supporting a tool for machining the workpiece is mounted in a spindle slide so that the spindle is rotatable about a second horizontal axis making a right angle with the first axis. The spindle slide is supported by the vertical base so as to be movable horizontally along a second vertical surface of the base, said second surface making a right angle with the first vertical surface of the base. Accordingly, a wide space is formed below the workpiece and tool supported by the pallet slide and spindle slide respectively.