Utilizing Transfer Arm Patents (Class 409/7)
  • Patent number: 9821392
    Abstract: A rotary machining apparatus that includes a rotary that supports and rotates a workpiece having helical teeth; a grinding wheel that grinds the helical teeth of the workpiece to be rotated by the rotary with grinding teeth; and a conveyor for carrying the workpiece in and out of the rotary, wherein the conveyor includes, around a turning center axis, a plurality of grippers for sandwiching the workpiece and a plurality of dressers for forming toothed surfaces of the grinding teeth, and turns around the turning center axis so that the grippers sequentially approach the rotary and the dressers sequentially approach the grinding wheel, and dress teeth of the dressers each have different shapes of toothed surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Susumu Kato, Akira Takagai, Masahiro Otani
  • Patent number: 8151437
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for green machining bevel gears, including a CNC machining station for gear cutting a wheel blank (K2). The machining station includes a tool spindle which is used to receive a gear cutting tool and a work piece spindle which is used to receive the gear blank (K2). The machining station also relates to a machining station which operates in a vertical manner. The device also comprises a vertical processing station having a tool holder and a work piece spindle which is used to receive a work piece blank (K1). The machining station mechanically forms a functional unit together with the pre-machining station, wherein the work piece blank (K1) undergoes green machining in the pre-machining station, and is transferred as a gear blank (K2) to the first machining station after the first green machining where it is cut into a gear. The machining station and the pre-machining station are linked together in terms of data and control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Klingelnberg GmbH
    Inventors: Hartmuth Müller, Joachim Thomas, Karl-Martin Ribbeck, Burkhard Schneider, Dietmar Loh
  • Patent number: 7309197
    Abstract: An internal gear shaving machine 1 which brings a shaving cutter 3 and an internal gear held by a workpiece chuck 2 into engagement with a crossed axes angle, and subjects the tooth flanks of the internal gear to final machining while it rotationally drives at least one of the shaving cutter 3 and the workpiece chuck 2. The workpiece chuck 2 and shaving cutter 3 are supported movably toward and away from each other in a vertical direction with the workpiece chuck 2 higher and supported movably in the horizontal direction relative to each other. The workpiece chuck 3 is constituted to hold the outer circumferential surface of the internal gear with the axis of rotation of the internal gear oriented in a up-down direction so that shavings produced during processing by the shaving cutter can fall downwardly from the internal gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki MFG. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Taki, Ryoji Yoshida, Masaaki Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20070271766
    Abstract: A method for processing a gear set through a lapping operation that includes: providing a lapping machine tool having a first spindle and a second spindle, the second spindle being rotatable about an axis that is generally perpendicular to a rotational axis of the first spindle, the lapping machine tool having a loading zone for loading the first and second spindles; providing a robot with an end effector; loading a first gear set to a first end of the end effector, the first gear set having a ring gear and a pinion gear; moving the first end of the end effector into the loading zone; and loading the first gear set to the lapping machine tool without removing the end effector from the loading zone such that the ring gear is loaded onto the first spindle and the pinion gear is loaded onto the second spindle. An end effector is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Daniel Thomas Bickersteth, Robert G. Greene, Kenneth Jonh Gembel
  • Publication number: 20040161314
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for positioning a workpiece in a spindle of a machine tool and/or removing a workpiece from the spindle. The machine spindle includes an axis of rotation and the workpiece includes a centerline extending between a first end surface and a second end surface. A mechanism is provided for grasping the workpiece, preferably on its centers, in a position proximate the spindle whereby the workpiece centerline is coincident with the axis of rotation of the spindle. The spindle is moved relative to the workpiece in the direction of the axis of rotation whereby the workpiece is inserted into the spindle or removed from the spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: James J. Gnadt
  • Patent number: 5885038
    Abstract: Machine comprising a main frame (1), machine bed (2), headstock (3) and tailstock (4) with means (17, 18) for mounting of the work for rotation about a work axis (C2), the means being disposed on the machine bed, with the headstock being movable in a direction (Z-axis) parallel to the work axis (C2). The machine also includes a slide system supported by the main frame (1) comprising two controlled-drive slides (7, 10), of which one (10) is displaceable in a direction (Y-axis) perpendicular to the work axis (C2), and the other (7) in a direction (X-axis) perpendicular to the Y and Z axes. Further included is a cradle (12) supported by the slide system (7, 10) and holding a tool head (13) for angular setting about an axis (A) perpendicular to the work axis (C2), the tool head being disposed between the headstock and tailstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: The Gleason Works
    Inventor: Manfred Huber
  • Patent number: 5443338
    Abstract: A machine for the precision working of tooth flanks of a gear-shaped workpiece. The machine having an internally toothed tool, a tool head angularly adjustable about an axis directed transversely with respect to a workpiece axis for rotationally drivably receiving the tool, means for receiving the workpiece to be machined and means for accomplishing the feeding and working movements of the tool relative to the workpiece in which movable tables existing in conventional machines for receiving the workpieces are avoided with the disadvantages resulting therefrom. The machine also having a frame, a first carriage horizontally movable in an X-direction transversely with respect to a workpiece axis, on which carriage is arranged a second carriage vertically movable in a Y-direction. The tool head is received pivotally about an axis lying in the X-direction in a circular guide in the second carriage. On each side of the tool head there are provided a headstock and a tailstock for receiving the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Hurth Maschinen und Werkzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Huber, Richard Mueller, Anton Schaller
  • Patent number: 5213559
    Abstract: The apparatus is one by which blanks are changed automatically in a hobbing machine of the general type comprising at least one tool head capable of movement along horizontal and vertical axes and consisting essentially in a horizontal spindle and a coaxial outer bearing that can be moved toward and away from one another, between which a tool is supported and set in rotation; in the apparatus disclosed, a vertical post rotatable about its own axis carries a number of peripheral supports that feature two dissimilar structures, the one designed to restrain and/or support a tool and the other a blank, in such a way that the tool currently fitted to the head can be discarded and a replacement tool supplied automatically, utilizing the one type of support, whilst the blanks are changed by the other type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Mikron S.p.A. Bologna
    Inventor: Alessandro Lunazzi
  • Patent number: 4832543
    Abstract: The device, which controls operation of the loading magazine in an automatic machine tool and is capable of measuring the handling diameter of single workpieces fed into the machine, comprises a set of jaws located between the magazine and the automatic feed facility, and a transducer which monitors the distance separating the jaws when encompassing the workpiece and relays a corresponding information signal back to the unit which controls the operation of the machine tool as a whole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: C.I.M.A. Costruzioni Italiane Macchine Attrezzi S.p.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Negri, Mario Serra
  • Patent number: 4744707
    Abstract: A method is disclosed which envisages the use of a vertical axis equipment magazine with a number of stations, each occupied by a workholding device, and a change arm that is rotatable through a horizontal plane and which picks up devices singly from the magazine and transfers them to a work rest. The work rest itself is provided with a flat horizontal surface and a vertical cylindrical surface serving to support and locate the device, respectively, and a scraper is employed for the purpose of keeping these surfaces clean. A sensor detects any error in the position of the workholding device relative to the two surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: C.I.M.A. Costruzioni Italiane Macchine Attrezzi S.p.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Negri, Mario Serra
  • Patent number: 4743147
    Abstract: The invention concerns an automatic loader for gear shaving machines. The machine utilizes a rotary cutter which meshes with the gear to be shaved. The gear is brought into a shaving position by a loader having a moveable feed member including a first slide which moves in a vertical direction and a second slide which moves in a horizontal direction. The gear to be shaved is supported by a first end of a rocker arm. The rocker arm is centrally articulated about the first slide and is connected to a gas spring at its second end. When the gear approaches the rotary cutter but fails to mesh with it the rocker arm is angularly displaced and actuates an electronic switch. The switch controls the movement of the vertical and horizontal slides and readjusts the position of the gear until it successfully meshes with the rotary cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: Metalcastello srl
    Inventor: Ettore Bettocchi
  • Patent number: 4519733
    Abstract: A sliding member having two gripping devices removes a finished workpiece from a machine and at the same time introduces a blank workpiece. The sliding member carries out a rectilinear feed and return movement, for which it is hydraulically driven. All movements of the two gripping device systems are controlled by cams, including (1) opening and closing the finished part gripping device when picking up the finished part, (2) swivelling the finished part gripping device approximately 90.degree., (3) opening and closing the blank gripping device as the sliding member is returned, (4) again erecting the finished part gripping device when outside of the machine, and (5) stabilizing the blank and finished part gripping devices during movement of the sliding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1985
    Assignee: Carl Hurth Maschinen- und Zahnradfabrik GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Hans Gregg
  • Patent number: 4473146
    Abstract: A positioning and alignment loader for a gear cutting machine adapted to receive cold formed toothed blanks, preferably of conical gear form, having differently conformed front and rear surfaces requiring positioning of the blank with a selected side up. The blanks are advanced along a chute and the position of the blank in the chute is sensed and if the blank is reversed, it is rotated 180.degree. before further advance. Thereafter the properly positioned blank with its proper selected side up is advanced horizontally and its teeth are located in proper angular position by engagement with a toothed orientor rack located at one side of the path of advance. The properly positioned blank with its teeth in substantially precise angular location is now engaged by a pick-up device which transfers the blank into a gear finishing machine in proper stock dividing position so that the machine may remove small, substantially equal amounts of stock from opposite sides of the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1984
    Assignee: Braun Engineering Company
    Inventor: Samuel J. Oree, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4405270
    Abstract: A broaching machine broaches a multiplicity of generally flat work pieces having a projection at only one side, which are advanced in a single file with the projections extending in the same direction. In order to broach the work pieces in stacked pairs in which the peripheries of the work pieces are continuous, rather than spaced apart by confronting projections, half of the work pieces are inverted and a pair consisting of one inverted work piece and one work piece which has not been inverted are stacked together and presented to a pot broach which broaches the peripheries of both work pieces of the pair in continuous cutting strokes. The finished work pieces are advanced away from the broaching station in stacked condition and are separated into two groups, one of which consists of the bottom work pieces of the pair and the otherconsists of the top work pieces of the pair. This places all work pieces in the same orientation with respect to the lateral projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1983
    Assignee: Lear Siegler, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard A. Gabriele
  • Patent number: 4287659
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting an automated exchange of a tool in hobbing machines. At least a pair of gripping devices are mounted on a shaft for relative sliding movement therealong and for selective locking engagement with the shaft so that a rotation of the shaft will effect a rotary movement of a selected one of the gripping devices. The rotary movement of the selected gripping device is between a storage position and a working position. The gripping device is capable of holding a tool which is to be exchanged for a worn out tool. The other gripping device is generally empty and is first moved into the working position to extract the worn out tool from the milling spindle. Thereafter, the gripping devices are shifted to bring the appropriate device having a new tool therein into a position so that it can be rotated with the shaft to bring the new tool into the working position and inserted onto the milling spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1981
    Assignee: Carl Hurth Maschinen- und Zahnradfabrik GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Manfred Erhardt, Werner Fendt, Manfred Huber
  • Patent number: 4264247
    Abstract: A mechanism for loading and unloading workpieces includes a transfer arm for aligning a number of workpieces into a stack which can then be moved to a loading arm for placement of the stack of workpieces on an arbor of a gear manufacturing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1981
    Assignee: The Gleason Works
    Inventors: Thomas A. Deprez, David A. Wright