With Means To Condition Or Adjust Tool Or Tool Support Patents (Class 483/13)
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Patent number: 10717163Abstract: This method, for controlling a machine tool using a tool holder to which a coolant pipe is attached, includes: a step of detecting, in response to a signal indicating that a tool is prepared on a tool loading station of the machine tool, whether or not an abnormality has occurred in attaching the coolant pipe to the tool holder of the tool while the tool holder is at the tool loading station; and a step of issuing an alarm when the abnormality is detected in the step of detecting the occurrence of the abnormality.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2016Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: MAKINO MILLING MACHINE CO., LTD.Inventors: Shunsuke Ueno, Takeshi Kawada
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Patent number: 10343244Abstract: A chain link includes a base area, confined by four sides, and first to third link portions respectively on first to third sides. The first and second link portions respectively receive first and second connection elements for connecting the chain link to first and second adjacent chain links, and respectively and relatively define first and second rotational axes of adjacent first and second chain links. The third link portion receives a third connection element for connecting the chain link to a tool receptacle and defines a third rotational axis of a rotary motion of the tool receptacle in relation to the chain link. The first and second axes define a first plane, the first plane is parallel to the chain link base area, and the third axis lies outside the first plane. A tool magazine for a machine tool includes a link chain from chain links for the tool transport.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2016Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: DECKEL MAHO SEEBACH GMBHInventors: Udo Tüllmann, Stephan Kümmel, Andreas Kretzschmar, Andreas Heumann
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Patent number: 10150191Abstract: A tool changer includes a tool magazine, a support shaft disposed to have a center axis parallel to an axis of a tool spindle, a drive mechanism for rotating the support shaft about the center axis and moving the support shaft in the axial direction, three tool change arms fixed to the support shaft and each having a tool holding unit, a tool transfer mechanism for transferring a tool pot from the tool magazine to a standby position, and a provisional placing pot disposed at a provisional placing position. The tool changer starts a tool change operation in a state where a tool to be attached to the tool spindle, a tool to be used next, and a tool to be used after the next tool are held by the tool holding units of the tool change arms.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: DMG Mori Co., Ltd.Inventors: Dai Wakisaka, Taketo Kimura
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Patent number: 9802242Abstract: A progressive cold forming machine and a robot for automatically changing a cutoff cassette, tooling cassettes, a transfer slide and transfer cam. A loading area adjacent the machine and robot has provisions for supporting a tooling cassette pallet and a transfer slide and camshaft pallet and a holding area for temporarily receiving some of the componentry being exchanged.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2015Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: NATIONAL MACHINERY LLCInventors: Aaron T. Hall, Douglas M. Hoerig, James A. Gase
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Publication number: 20150111710Abstract: In a tool changer configured so that a turret is turned to index a desired tool to be changed, the front and rear surfaces of the turret are covered individually by covers. These covers are each formed in the shape of a truncated cone. Chips and a cutting fluid dropped onto an upper part of the cover that covers the rear surface of the turret flow away from a gap between the covers along a slope of the cover concerned, so that they can be prevented from getting into the turret through the gap.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventor: Masahiro MUROTA
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Publication number: 20150105229Abstract: A tool changer configured so that a turret is turned to index a desired tool to change the tool is provided with front and rear covers that cover front and rear surfaces, respectively, of the turret. A projection or a recess, which defines a passage for chips or a cutting fluid, is formed on or in an outer peripheral portion of the rear cover. Thus, the chips produced during machining and the cutting fluid used in the machining can be prevented from getting into the turret through a gap between the front and rear covers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventor: Guanghui LI
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Patent number: 8998785Abstract: A tool radius adjusting device executes an operation for adjusting the tool radius of a boring holder in parallel with execution of a machining program for executing an operation of a spindle head and an operation of a tool changer. A carrier control unit determines whether the tool changer is executing a tool changing process. When the tool changing process is not being executed, the carrier control unit allows the carrier device to execute an operation for picking the boring holder out from the tool magazine and an operation for returning the boring holder, of which the tool radius has been adjusted, to the tool magazine.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2011Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: JTEKT CorporationInventors: Eiji Nakamura, Akihiko Kadota, Takashi Yokoyama
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Patent number: 8721512Abstract: A tool magazine device includes a magazine body adapted to be disposed on a machine body of a machine tool to confront a working space, a plurality of insertion openings formed in a right side wall of the magazine body and each extending towards a left side wall of the magazine body to form a storage chamber, a plurality of gripping members fitted in the insertion openings for grippingly engage cutting tools, an inlet disposed in the magazine body for introducing therein a flow of pressurized air, and an air duct unit disposed on the left side wall and coupled to communicate the inlet with the storage chambers so as to permit the pressurized air to flow out of the insertion openings to thereby clean swarf from the cutting tools.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2011Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Arix CNC Machine Inc.Inventor: Yi-Chen Yang
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Publication number: 20140106950Abstract: A method for changing a gear cutting tool with a double-sided bearing between a tool magazine and a machining head by way of a tool changer maintains a vertical alignment of the gear cutting tool along the vertical Z-axis. The method includes exchanging the gear cutting tool between the tool changer and the tool magazine or the machining head, moving the tool changer and the gear cutting tool between the machining head and the tool magazine or between the tool magazine and the machining head, and exchanging the gear cutting tool between the tool changer and the other of the tool magazine and the machining head while maintaining a vertical alignment of the tool throughout each exchanging and moving act or operation. A tool changer for carrying out the method mentioned is also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbHInventor: Thomas ZELLER
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Patent number: 8694150Abstract: A machining installation for workpieces comprises a workpiece positioning device comprising a workpiece holder pivot unit as well as a tool positioning device comprising a tool holder pivot unit. The workpiece holder pivot unit is designed such that a workpiece holder is pivotable about at least three and no more than four workpiece holder pivot axes. Moreover, the tool holder pivot unit is designed such that a tool holder is pivotable about no more than two tool holder pivot axes. The machining installation has a simple design and ensures flexible and accurate machining of workpieces.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2009Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: MAG IAS GmbHInventors: Moshe Israel Meidar, Wolfgang Horn, Siegfried Schmalzried, Waldemar Haus
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Patent number: 8574140Abstract: A mechanical device is used to change a laser nozzle of a nozzle mount of a laser processing machine. The mechanical device includes a nozzle magazine with at least one nozzle holder for storing a laser nozzle at a nozzle storage location, and a dirt collector. The nozzle holder is movable by means of a positioning device provided for that purpose or alternatively the dirt collector is movable by means of a positioning device provided for that purpose into a stand-by position defined on the mechanical device. The nozzle holder and the dirt collector can also be transferred to a position remote from the stand-by position with the respective positioning device.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2009Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: TRUMPF Maschinen AGInventors: Werner Erlenmaier, Frank Schmauder, Armin Felber, Reto Gedeon
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Publication number: 20120289388Abstract: The present invention relates to a work station for a packaging machine, comprising an upper tool and a lower tool arranged below the upper tool. These tools are configured for acting on a packaging web. A lifting unit is able to move the upper tool and/or the lower tool such that, at a specific position, the two tools abut on one another or are only spaced apart at a small distance. According to the present invention, the two tools are adapted to be coupled to one another by a releasable coupling at this position so that they can be removed from the work station in common. The invention also relates to a corresponding method for removing a lower tool from a work station, e.g. for the purpose of tool exchange.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: Multivac Sepp Haggenmuller GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Elmar EHRMANN, Helmut SPARAKOWSKI
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Publication number: 20120172185Abstract: A tool magazine device includes a magazine body adapted to be disposed on a machine body of a machine tool to confront a working space, a plurality of insertion openings formed in a right side wall of the magazine body and each extending towards a left side wall of the magazine body to form a storage chamber, a plurality of gripping members fitted in the insertion openings for grippingly engage cutting tools, an inlet disposed in the magazine body for introducing therein a flow of pressurized air, and an air duct unit disposed on the left side wall and coupled to communicate the inlet with the storage chambers so as to permit the pressurized air to flow out of the insertion openings to thereby clean swarf from the cutting tools.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2011Publication date: July 5, 2012Applicant: ARIX CNC MACHINE INC.Inventor: Yi-Chen Yang
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Publication number: 20120058871Abstract: A tool radius adjusting device executes an operation for adjusting the tool radius of a boring holder in parallel with execution of a machining program for executing an operation of a spindle head and an operation of a tool changer. A carrier control unit determines whether the tool changer is executing a tool changing process. When the tool changing process is not being executed, the carrier control unit allows the carrier device to execute an operation for picking the boring holder out from the tool magazine and an operation for returning the boring holder, of which the tool radius has been adjusted, to the tool magazine.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2011Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATIONInventors: Eiji NAKAMURA, Akihiko Kadota, Takashi Yokoyama
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Publication number: 20120058872Abstract: The invention relates to a machine tool guide carriage assembly, comprising a first linear guide track having at least two first parallel guide rails, wherein a first carriage is mounted on the guide track in a linearly displaceable manner, which carriage surrounds a free space in which a second carriage can be linearly displaced at a right angle to the first guide track, wherein the free space is formed by two bearing elements that are arranged at a distance from each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2010Publication date: March 8, 2012Inventor: Jürgen Röders
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Publication number: 20100184575Abstract: A robotic tool changer and systems and methods for controlling the operation of a robotic tool changer are provided. The tool changer, methods, and systems include a robot-side component mountable to a robot arm end interface; a tool-side component adapted to engage a tool; a first slave module associated with the robot-side component and adapted to communicate with a first master module; and a second master module associated with the robot-side component and adapted to communicate with a second slave module associated with the tool. The second slave module may include a temporary power supply, for example, a battery or a capacitor, for instance, a super capacitor. Aspects of the invention are advantageous for performing high-speed robotic connections and disconnections, and for providing tool and tool changer performance information gathering.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2010Publication date: July 22, 2010Applicant: APPLIED ROBOTICS, INC.Inventors: Jennifer WILLIAMS, Clay C. COOPER, Michael F. BOWMAN, John RINALDI
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Patent number: 7727132Abstract: The invention relates to a method of fitting a machine tool with tools which are cooled by a free-flowing medium during operation of the machine tool, comprising the following method steps: a plurality of various tools are provided in order to carry out successive machining operations on a workpiece; a plurality of various nozzle devices are provided, each of which can be fitted together with a specific tool and connected to a medium source and has such a medium jet geometry that the respective medium jets strike locations where the machining takes place; a specific nozzle device is in each case fitted together with a specific tool and connected to the medium source before the operation of the machine tool is started.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2007Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Richard Bähr GmbH Formen-und WerkzeugbauInventor: Richard Bähr
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Patent number: 7651453Abstract: In an automatic chuck jaw change system, a combined machining lathe capable of positioning with high precision and a robot with lower positioning precision than the combined machining lathe cooperate to automatically change a chuck jaw. The system includes a robot disposed in front of the combined machining lathe, and the robot can be selectively mounted on a front end of an arm thereof with a work hand for operating a work, a chuck jaw, and a nut runner hand for operating a drive mechanism of the chuck. The robot cooperates with a tool for jaw mounted on a tool spindle of the combined machining lathe to automatically change a chuck jaw of a main spindle.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Yamazaki Mazak CorporationInventors: Shinya Terazono, Fumiya Mizutani
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Publication number: 20090286662Abstract: An adapter assembly (28) for use in an automated handling equipment system includes a first component and a second component that is selectively mountable to the first component. At least one first code member (82) is associated with the first component and at least one second code member (84) is associated with a second component. The at least one first code member and the at least one second code member have a variable orientation relative to each other that controls whether the second component can be mounted to the first component.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2007Publication date: November 19, 2009Applicant: SYRON ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING, LLCInventors: James R. Kalb, Anthony Jenkins, Michael A. Filipiak, Timothy John Key
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Publication number: 20090181837Abstract: A mechanical device is used to change a laser nozzle of a nozzle mount of a laser processing machine. The mechanical device includes a nozzle magazine with at least one nozzle holder for storing a laser nozzle at a nozzle storage location, and a dirt collector. The nozzle holder is movable by means of a positioning device provided for that purpose or alternatively the dirt collector is movable by means of a positioning device provided for that purpose into a stand-by position defined on the mechanical device. The nozzle holder and the dirt collector can also be transferred to a position remote from the stand-by position with the respective positioning device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2009Publication date: July 16, 2009Applicant: TRUMPF MASCHINEN AGInventors: Werner Erlenmaier, Frank Schmauder, Armin Felber, Reto Gedeon
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Publication number: 20080290614Abstract: An exemplary pressing device (100) includes a first movable member (10) and a second movable member (20). Each of the first and second movable members includes an upper clamping element (11, 21) and a lower clamping element (12, 22). The upper clamping element has a first fringe portion and a plurality of first latching grooves (111, 211) having different sizes are defined in the first fringe portion. The lower clamping element has a second fringe portion and a plurality of second latching grooves (121, 221) having different sizes are defined in the second fringe portion. Each first latching groove of the second movable member has a same size as that of a corresponding first latching groove of the first movable member. Each second latching groove of the second movable member has a same size as that of a corresponding second latching groove of the first movable member.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2007Publication date: November 27, 2008Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventors: MING-LU YANG, YA-DONG ZHANG
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Publication number: 20080242522Abstract: A linear unit has a drive unit, a stator, a drive roller connected to the drive unit, a freewheeling roller supported on the stator adjacent to one of longitudinal ends of the stator, the drive belt being wound around the drive roller and around the freewheeling roller, a traveler movable along the stator by the drive belt, the drive belt being connected to the traveler in at least one fastening point, so that a distance between an end of the traveler which is oriented toward an end of the stator associated with the freewheeling roller, and the fastening point situated the closest to the end of the traveler is at least equal to a radius of the freewheeling roller.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2008Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventors: Bernhard Keller, Roland Hoherz, Sven Anhut
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Publication number: 20080214374Abstract: A machine tool includes a wheel rotation spindle supported rotatably for holding a tool for processing a work by rotation; a tool changing unit for exchanging a tool provided at a predetermined position for the tool held on the side of the wheel rotation spindle; a rotation balance adjustment device for adjusting the balance due to the rotation of the wheel rotation spindle; a tool information memory section for storing the tool information including the balance data of the tool held on the side of the wheel rotation spindle; and a control section for actuating the rotation balance adjustment device on the basis of the tool information of the tool held on the wheel rotation spindle stored in the tool information memory section thereby to implement the control of the rotation balance adjustment.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2008Publication date: September 4, 2008Applicant: JTEKT CorporationInventors: Kazuhisa SUGIYAMA, Tetsuro Furuhata
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Patent number: 7360976Abstract: A machining center including a machining head, a tool changer, an air driven tool and an air valve system. The air driven tool is connectable to the machine head by action of the tool changer. The air valve system has a first portion associated with the machining head and a second portion associated with the air driven tool. The first portion and the second portion include a connection therebetween having an airflow across the connection before the connection seals.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2006Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Inventor: Steve M. Bryan
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Patent number: 7354386Abstract: Machine-tool thermal displacement correcting device having: a tool-temperature estimating unit for recognizing—based on identification data obtained from a controller for designating, out of tools stowed in the tool-changer tool magazine, an exchange-target tool—the directly-after-use temperature of the ID'd tool, and estimating the tool temperature directly before use, based on the recognized directly-after-use tool temperature and on lapsed time, obtained from the controller, since previous use of the ID'd tool, and for estimating, based on the estimated directly-before-use tool temperature and on the spindle temperature, during-use temperature of the tool; a correction determining unit for estimating, based on the estimated during-use tool temperature, axial thermal displacement of the tool, and determining a correction amount for canceling out the displacement; and a correction executing unit for carrying out correction based on the determined correction amount.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2006Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.Inventor: Nobuhiko Iefuji
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Patent number: 7217229Abstract: An apparatus for automatically changing a tool tip member for a robot includes a tip member changing jig disposed in an operational area of the robot. The tip member changing jig includes a base member, a rotating member supported by the base member so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis, and tip member holding means disposed at positions that are offset from the rotation axis of the rotating member. The tip member holding means holds the tool tip member so that a central axis of relative rotation, for threadedly mounting or demounting the tool tip member on or from the tool body, extends substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the rotating member and so that rotation of the tool tip member, with respect to the rotating member, is locked.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2004Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Fanuc LtdInventors: Masahiro Hagihara, Masaaki Saito, Takeshi Tsumura, Toshihiko Inoue
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Patent number: 7204792Abstract: An apparatus for automatically changing a tool tip member for a robot includes a tip member changing jig disposed in an operational area of the robot. The tip member changing jig includes a base member, a rotating member supported by the base member so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis, and tip member holding means disposed at positions that are offset from the rotation axis of the rotating member. The tip member holding means holds the tool tip member so that a central axis of relative rotation, for threadedly mounting or demounting the tool tip member on or from the tool body, extends substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the rotating member and so that rotation of the tool tip member, with respect to the rotating member, is locked.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2006Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Assignee: Fanuc LtdInventors: Masahiro Hagihara, Masaaki Saito, Takeshi Tsumura, Toshihiko Inoue
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Patent number: 7172542Abstract: A tool changing device and a tool cleaning method capable of surely removing foreign matter such as swarf adhered to tapered portions and/or flange portions of tools, which serve as contact faces to be in contact with a spindle. There is arranged tool cleaning nozzles for spouting coolant on both sides of the spindle in the rotating position of a turret. The tool cleaning nozzle has a position and a posture such that the coolant spouted from the nozzle hits against the tapered portions and/or the flange portions of the tools held by the turret. The coolant is spouted from the tool cleaning nozzle with the rotation of the turret at the time of tool selection. Each time the turret rotates, the tapered portions and/or the flange portions of the tools held by the turret are cleaned by the coolant.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Fanuc LtdInventors: Naoki Sato, Akihiko Fujimoto
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Patent number: 7156795Abstract: A plurality of atomizers or other tools are disposed in a mounting plate (10) in storage places (12), respectively. The mounting plate (10) is rotatable relative a paint robot of a coating installation and has a pneumatic lock or a tool holder (19) that can only be released automatically during storage of the atomizers by an external control device of the mounting plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2002Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: Dürr Systems, Inc.Inventors: Hans J. Nolte, Rainer Melcher, Michael Baumann, Stefano Giuliano
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Patent number: 7150705Abstract: A tool changing device of a machine tool which prevents chips adhering to a tool. By using a drive motor with which a tool changing device of the machine tool is usually provided, to vibrate the tool, the chips are prevented from adhering to the tool, especially to a tapered portion of the tool, and/or the chips adhered to the tool are removed, without using any additional device.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2004Date of Patent: December 19, 2006Assignee: Fanuc LtdInventors: Kunio Kojima, Naoki Sato
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Patent number: 7033308Abstract: An automatic tool changing device capable of cleaning a contact surface of a spindle, which is to be in contact with a tool holder, with a simple structure. The device includes a turret having a plurality of grippers on its outer circumference and holding the tool holder by means of the grippers. At the time of tool change, the grippers grip and pull out the tool holder fixed to the spindle. Rotation of the spindle causes the turret to rotate through a spindle gear, a turret gear, and a decelerating device, to thereby select a tool. At this moment, a coolant is spouted from a nozzle portion of a manifold toward a spindle taper hole in which the tool holder is interfitted and washes the taper hole. Due to the rotation of the spindle, the coolant is spouted onto the whole circumference of the taper hole, and the surface to be in contact with the tool holder is surely washed.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2004Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: Fanuc LTDInventors: Akihiko Fujimoto, Naoki Sato, Norio Watanabe
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Publication number: 20040266595Abstract: An arrangement of a CNC machining center for an automatic machining sequence of machining operations with subsequent thermal smoothing is described in order to compact, by means of thermal smoothing, edges or decorative grooves formed by the machining. In order to integrate this thermal smoothing operation in a program sequence, a heating device is provided on the tool magazine, which heating device, controlled by the program sequence, heats a tool located in the magazine to the requisite temperature in order to then replace it in the tool spindle using the conventional gripping arm. For this purpose, a thermal coil is transferred into the heating position, in which the tool can be swung out of the cassette and can be enclosed by the coil and heated. The heating is controlled and kept at a specific value via a thermostatic thermostat preferably designed as an infrared sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2004Publication date: December 30, 2004Inventor: Horst Rosch
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Publication number: 20040167001Abstract: An apparatus for automatically changing a tool tip member for a robot includes a tip member changing jig disposed in an operational area of the robot. The tip member changing jig includes a base member, a rotating member supported by the base member so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis, and tip member holding means disposed at positions that are offset from the rotation axis of the rotating member. The tip member holding means holds the tool tip member so that a central axis of relative rotation, for threadedly mounting or demounting the tool tip member on or from the tool body, extends substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the rotating member and so that rotation of the tool tip member, with respect to the rotating member, is locked.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2004Publication date: August 26, 2004Applicant: FANUC LTDInventors: Masahiro Hagihara, Masaaki Saito, Takeshi Tsumura, Toshihiko Inoue
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Patent number: 6569070Abstract: A system for changing a tool head (24) carried by a robot (20) includes a locking mechanism (23) having a keyhole-shaped slot (37) therein, and a lock key assembly (25) having a key (65). Depression of a button (52) rotates a cam arm (57) to extend the key (65) outwardly where it can be received in the larger opening (38) of the slot (37). Depression of the button (35) of the locking mechanism (23) moves the slot (37) such that the neck (68) of the key (65) is received in the smaller opening (39) of the slot (37). Release of the buttons (52, 35) then allows a spring (71) to retract the key (65) until its head (69) is received in a recess (40) of the locking mechanism (23) to attach the tool head (24) to the robot (20). The parts are detached by again depressing the button (52) which extends the key (65) to remove its head (69) from the recess (40) and then depressing a button (34) to move the slot (37) so that the key (65) is again in the larger opening (38) from where it may be removed.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2002Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: Dallas Design and Technology, Inc.Inventors: James F. Harrington, Joseph A. Leaf
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Patent number: 6527686Abstract: A movable spindle tool machine, such as a printed circuit board line drilling machine includes a base and a spindle mounted to the base. A magazine is mounted proximate the spindle for storing a supply of tools. A pitch independent tool changer is moveably mounted relative to the base for transferring tools from the magazine for insertion into the spindle. A tool locator is mounted in line with the spindle. The tool changer is operable to initially transfer a tool from the magazine to the tool locator to align the tool with the spindle and thereafter transfer the tool to the spindle for insertion into the spindle. The spindle is mounted to a nested outrigger guide. A positioning system can move two or more spindles simultaneously. A bit detector in a pressure foot button uses fiber optics to detect broken bits.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2000Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: David Erle Houser, Joseph Duane Kulesza, Candido Tiberia
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Patent number: 6506143Abstract: In a finishing apparatus, a plurality of works are retained at distances from each other in a direction of an X-axis. A single spindle is disposed on a table movable in the direction of the X-axis, the spindle has an axis parallel to an axis of each of bores to be finished, and is capable of being advanced and retracted axially. A measuring device is provided that measures an inside diameter of each finished bore and which is advanced and retracted independently from the spindle in a direction along the axis of each finished bore. A combination tool is mounted at a tip end of the spindle and finishes an inner surface of any of the bores to be finished, even if the position of insertion of the combination tool into each of the bores is changed.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2000Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kaname Goto, Yuzo Abe, Koichi Arai, Tsugio Ueno, Yasuo Kondo
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Patent number: 6436021Abstract: A lubricant supply apparatus 1 includes a tank holder portion 3 and a lubricant tank portion 2. In case where a tool holder clamp device 62 provided on a spindle shaft 61 pushes against an abutting member 35 disposed in the lubricant supply apparatus 1, lubricant filled in a pressure chamber 11 formed in the lubricant supply apparatus 1 can be jetted out from injection holes 39, —formed in the abutting member 35. The thus jetted-out lubricant is supplied to the tool holder clamp device 62.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2001Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Nippei Toyama CorporationInventor: Mitsuru Nukui
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Patent number: 6428452Abstract: A method and a device for assembling an air-craft wing incorporating at least two of the operations drilling, riveting and fitting of anchor nuts (20), where a robot (7) is mobile relative to the wing in a plane parallel to the wing and where the robot (7) is equipped with an arm (9) designed to accommodate a tool holder (15), where the tool holder (15) is primarily equipped with tools for performing a single work operation, whereby the robot is moved so that the robot arm (9) is positioned at the first work position on the aircraft wing unit, where the robot (7) carries out the first work operation at the said first work position, where the robot arm (9) is manoeuvred in the correct order to new work positions on the wing unit within a work area (10) reachable by the robot arm (9), and carries out the first work operation at these new work positions.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2000Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: SAAB ABInventors: Per Dahlström, Håkan Andersson, Anders Högne, Ronnie Stensson, Roger Holmstedt, Johan Carlsson, Per Benkowski
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Patent number: 6409641Abstract: A cleaning device for a machine tool is provided wherein the machine tool is provided with an automatic tool change mechanism for replacing a tool attached to a main shaft by another tool, and a cutting fluid nozzle for emitting coolant supplied from a coolant pump to a cutting location where a workpiece is machined by a tool. The cleaning device has at least one cleaning nozzle from which clean coolant is sprayed toward portions of the machine tool where adherence of machining chips affects changing of tools. The cleaning nozzle includes a nozzle hole that is open downwards, and an inclined wall that faces the opening of the nozzle hole and is inclined in a direction pointing to the tool. During changing of tools, clean coolant is supplied from the coolant pump to the cleaning nozzles through a filter.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1999Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Narihiko Hashimoto
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Patent number: 6406413Abstract: A rolled plate joining apparatus for joining rolled plates by cutting one surface of the tailing end of a preceding rolled plate and the other surface of the leading end of a succeeding rolled plate while traveling in the width direction and by overlapping the resulting cut surfaces to be joined. The joining apparatus includes machining apparatuses each having a cutter for cutting the undersurface of the tailing end and the upper surface of the leading end, a traversing apparatus for running said machining apparatuses in the plate width direction to move said machining apparatuses to waiting positions outside of the plate width, and cutter cooling apparatuses provided in said waiting positions for cooling said cutters.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2001Date of Patent: June 18, 2002Assignees: Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Metal Industries Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nobuhiro Tazoe, Toshio Iwanami, Masami Oki, Kouiti Sakamoto, Toshihiro Mori
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Patent number: 6394940Abstract: A chip suction type machine tool continuously removing chips produced during work machining by air suction, comprising a tool attaching part (200) in which a vent hole (s1) is formed and a spindle head (100) having an air suction hole (s2) communicating with the vent hole (s1) wherein, with the tool attaching part (200) installed on the spindle head (100), a telescoping cylinder means (201) which is formed in an inclined surfaces crossing at an angle (&thgr;) of approximately 60° or below, and facing closely, the direction of the spindle, allows at least one of the downstream end part of the vent hole and the upstream end part of the air suction hole to be deformably telescoped and, in free state, is held in a retracted state so that these downstream and upstream end parts are departed from each other by elastic member (205) which is provided between the downstream end part of the vent hole (s1) and the upstream end part of the air suction hole (s2).Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2001Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: Horkos Corp.Inventors: Shinsuke Sugata, Yoshinori Seo
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Publication number: 20020025235Abstract: A method of high speed milling, and apparatus for performing the method, comprises directing a jet of hgih pressure coolant at the cutting zone of a rotary cutting tool. The jet of coolant has a delivery pressure of up to 500 bar at a flow rate of up to 60 liters per minute. The method is especially effective when used with a rotary cutting tool having at least 20 cutting edges and up to 100 cutting edges.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2001Publication date: February 28, 2002Applicant: Rolls-Royce plcInventors: Richard Church, Christopher P.R. Hill, James R. Watkins
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Publication number: 20010056013Abstract: A vibration dampened spindle and tool holder assembly for a rotary cutting machine. The assembly includes a spindle and a tool holder retained therewith. The tool holder has an interfacing ledge with a top surface for abutment with a distal spindle surface, and a continuous channel disposed in a proximal portion of the top surface. A resilient dampening member, having a rectangular or a circular cross sectional configuration, resides in the channel for compressed abutment with the spindle surface. Because the dampening member is situated within the channel, the interfacing placement of the spindle surface and tool holder top surface meet as the dampening member is enshrouded in the channel by these abutting surfaces and thereby protected from contaminant entry during dampening action.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2001Publication date: December 27, 2001Inventor: Harold D. Cook
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Patent number: 6332861Abstract: A floating cylinder 12 and a rotating shaft fixing cylinder 11 are attached to a flange RB1 at the distal end of a robot arm via an attaching member 17. Attached to the floating cylinder 12 is a rotary tool 10. To mount or demount a bladed tool to or from a collet chuck 13, the rotating shaft fixing cylinder 11 is operated to advance a stopper 15 so that a rotating shaft 14 of the rotary tool is locked. The chuck nut of the collet chuck 13 is inserted and fixed into a collet fixing groove in which the bladed tool is stored. The robot is operated so as to rotate the flange RB1, by which the rotating shaft 14 and the chuck nut of the collet chuck 13 are rotated relatively to tighten or loosen the bladed tool in the collet chuck 13.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2000Date of Patent: December 25, 2001Assignee: Fanuc Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhisa Otsuka, Masaru Oda, Kenji Takahashi
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Patent number: 6325749Abstract: A robot vehicle for hot-line job for transmission and distribution lines which comprises an insulating boom formed of an insulating material at a tip end stage of multiple stage booms, a base end of which is supported on an elevated work vehicle to be capable of swinging, pivoting up and down, and extending and contracting, and a frame provided on the tip end of the insulating boom, the frame mounting thereon double arm manipulators of multishaft construction for performing a distribution work, a slide device for sliding independently these right and left double arm manipulators front to rear, and lifting arms of multishaft construction having a function of lifting a heavy article, so as to allow an operator to perform remote control. An electric actuator is used for driving the double arm manipulators and the slide device, and hydraulic manipulators for driving the lifting arms.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1999Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki, Kyushu Electric Power Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hirofumi Inokuchi, Toshihide Tomiyama, Yoshihiro Yurita, Shinji Murai, Yusuke Hirano, Shinji Harada, Kengo Tsuruta, Youichi Motomura, Kazutoshi Imai, Yoshiaki Haga, Yoshikatsu Nakamura, Yukio Hashiguchi, Mitsuhiro Matsuzaki, Hiromichi Yamada, Akihiko Mishima, Yoshinaga Maruyama, Kyoji Yano, Moriyuki Nakashima, Osamu Yamashita
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Publication number: 20010046929Abstract: A universal robotic end effector for use with a robot system is disclosed. The end effector is suited for transport by a high speed apparatus and, upon delivery to its destination, the end effector is capable of disengaging from the transport device. Once disengaged, the end effector is capable of independent operation. The end effector may rely on self-contained power and control signals, or may receive them from any workstation to which it is docked and locked, or from a remote source. Finally, the end effector is capable of reacquiring the moving transport device when it is ready to be moved to a new workstation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2001Publication date: November 29, 2001Inventor: Stephen J. Derby
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Publication number: 20010016545Abstract: The present invention relates to a floating tool changer for an automobile and more particularly, to a floating tool changer for an automobile which can set at least two different floating tools simultaneously and exchange a socket portion of the floating tool by using a desirable grip means automatically so that the floating tool changer is applicable to in assembly lines for variety kinds of automobiles and thus, a productivity and an operation efficiency can be enhanced.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2000Publication date: August 23, 2001Inventor: In Ho Jeong
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Patent number: 6264590Abstract: The invention relates to a unit for holding a tool for chuck mounting heads used in machining where chips are removed from the worked part and waste material consequently produced. The unit comprises: a tool holder spindle designed to be attached to the chuck of the head; and an extraction device associated to the spindle and comprising an annular manifold comprising a first pipe which extends from a first end giving onto an area close to the tool and ends at a second end equipped with a first union designed to be quickly connected with the inside of a second union which matches the first and which is located at a connection unit associated to the chuck mounting head; said first and second unions forming a detachable coupling designed to connect the extraction device, through a second pipe, to a pump that creates a flow of fluid at a defined pressure along the first pipe so as to remove the waste material produced by machining from the area close to the tool.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2000Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: JOBS S.p.A.Inventor: Maurizio Ferrari
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Patent number: 6183404Abstract: A machine tool (10) has a spindle (11) for receiving a tool (15) for machining a workpiece (16). A mechanism (17) for clamping the workpiece (16) is also provided. Also provided is a changing mechanism (37) for a machining tool (29), which holds the machining tool (29) in a gripper hand (38) which it introduces laterally into a workpiece cavity (21) in such a way that it can be automatically coupled there to an adapter tool (32) carried by the spindle (11).Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1999Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Karl Deufel
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Patent number: 6149562Abstract: A manually operated apparatus for removal and insertion of a tool holder to and from a tool pocket of a magazine includes two components--a multi-function insertion/removal tool, and a pivot bracket. The multi-function tool generally comprises an elongated bar having a tool holder removal element at one end and an insertion element at the opposite end. The removal element can constitute a known pry tool having a fork portion configured to facilitate insertion between the rim of the tool pocket and the underside of the circumferential flange of the tool holder. The insertion element of the multi-function insertion/removal tool comprises a pivot block and a pressure plate. The pivot block includes a pivot pin projecting therefrom that is configured for pivoting engagement within a channel defined in the pivot bracket. The pivot bracket is mounted to the housing of the tool magazine at a manually accessible location relative to the tool pockets with the open end of the channel facing away from the tool pocket.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1999Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Assignee: Hurco Companies, Inc.Inventors: Himat Patel, Mihai Leahu