Including Tool Holder Pivotable About Axis Patents (Class 483/38)
  • Patent number: 10857639
    Abstract: A tool exchange device for tool magazine includes a base having a driving member, a pressure cylinder, a movement member pivotally connected to the base adjacent to the driving member, and a tool retrieving member disposed on the movement member. The driving member has a connection portion and a twisting portion. The pressure cylinder has a piston rod pivotally connected to the connection portion for driving the driving member. The twisting portion is removably received in a receiving portion of the movement member. With the rotation of the driving member, the twisting portion forces the movement member to move along an arc shape route, such that the movement member rotates by an angle, and the tool retrieving member sways between a vertical and horizontal positions. Therefore, the tool exchange device is driven with a lower force, and the tool retrieving tool stably sways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Chen Sound Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ying Sun
  • Patent number: 10363641
    Abstract: A machine tool includes: a revolving-type turret including a plurality of grips provided along a circumferential direction thereof, each of the plurality of grips being configured to hold the tool attached to a spindle; a first rotary shaft configured to rotate about a swing axis of the turret; a second rotary shaft extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first rotary shafts, and configured to rotate the turret about a revolving axis; a motor configured to rotate the first rotary shaft; a power transmission unit including a first gear connected to the first rotary shafts and a second gear connected to the second rotary shaft, the second gear being configured to be meshed with the first gear; and a rotation prohibition unit configured to, when swinging the turret, prohibit rotation of the second rotary shaft in order to swing the second rotary shaft about the first rotary shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshifumi Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 9789576
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tool holder to receive and lock a tool taper on a tool magazine, an unlocking device to unlock a tool taper that is received and is locked in a tool holder of this type, and a tool magazine for a machine tool comprising one or more tool holders of this type and an unlocking device of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: DECKEL MAHO PFRONTEN GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Lechleiter, Matthias Mayr, Michael Trenkle
  • Patent number: 9751173
    Abstract: A tool magazine includes at least one tool carriage movable along a circulation path. The tool holders each have tool pot sockets to which the tool pots are mountable. The tool holders are disposed pivotably about a pivot axis with respect to the at least one tool carriage. The tool pot sockets include a first and second tool pot sockets. An angle is created in a pivoting direction about the pivot axis between a first tool pot mounted to the first tool pot socket and a second tool pot mounted to the second tool pot socket. The turning device turns each of the tool holders about the pivot axis at a position on the circulation path. The tool pot stopper positions each of the tool pots and stops one of the first tool pot and the second tool pot at a pivotable location in the pivoting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: YAMAZAKI MAZAK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Javon D. Carson, Jonathon Marshall, Takuya Il
  • Patent number: 8920295
    Abstract: A cutter-changing device includes a cutter-magazine carrying cutters, a rotary telescopic cylinder, and a clamping sub-assembly. The clamping sub-assembly includes a cutter-changing arm, and a pair of clamping assemblies. The rotary telescopic cylinder drives the cutter-changing arm to rotate, extend and retract. Each clamping assembly includes a mounting member, an elastic member, a piston, and at least one resisting member. The mounting member is mounted on the cutter-changing arm, and defines at least one mounting hole through the sidewall thereof. The elastic member and the piston are sleeved with the mounting member, and the two opposite ends of the elastic member press against the piston and the mounting member. The resisting member is mounted between the elastic member and the mounting member, and capable of being resisted by the piston to be partially exposed from the mounting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xian-Cai Zeng, Dong-Cheng Liu, Chin-Tsan Huang
  • Publication number: 20140342891
    Abstract: A machine tool includes a receptacle extended from a stand, a working spindle rotatably attached to the receptacle and having a chuck device for grasping and releasing a tool member from the working spindle, a follower slidably attached onto the working spindle for actuating the chuck device to selectively grasp or release the tool member, a lever arm having one end pivotally attached to the receptacle with an axle, an actuator attached to the lever arm for actuating the follower to operate the chuck device to grasp and to release the tool member, and a driving device includes a piston for moving the lever arm and the actuator to actuate and move the chuck device to release the tool member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Kugi Tech Corp.
    Inventor: Che Sen LIU
  • Publication number: 20130345034
    Abstract: A fast tool changing system by means of synchronizing displacement and linkage of a main spindle is provided, wherein when a servo-motor drives the main spindle to raise or drop, two linkage panes, which are provided at two lateral sides of the main spindle respectively and each of which comprises a flat portion and a concave portion defining a height difference, can synchronizing move. The roller wheel, which is provided on a roller wheel adjusting base at a lateral side of the cool magazine, slides on the linkage panel. Because of the heath difference, the swing arm is driven to swing, so that action of fast tool changing by means of synchronizing displacement and linkage of the main spindle can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Yi-Jun Liu
  • Patent number: 7972252
    Abstract: An ergonomic tool lifting machine and method particularly useful for manipulating a machine tool or another heavy object. In one embodiment of the invention, the machine tool is a large milling cutter. The ergonomic tool lifting machine generally includes an articulating arm attached at a fixed end to a vertical lift mechanism, and at a free end to a grasping device or tool holder adapted for gripping and retaining an object of interest. When the object is a milling cutter, the ergonomic tool lifting machine may be used to transfer the cutter between a stored position and an installed position in a milling machine. Consequently, the tool holder of this embodiment is preferably able to rotate between a pick-up/drop-off position and an installation/removal position associated with the cutter. In general, the ergonomic tool lift machine allows heavy loads to be accurately moved with very little effort required on the part of an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Freedus McDermitt, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100205800
    Abstract: A machine tool has, on a machine bed, two stands which can be moved in the horizontal x- and z-direction, on which y-slides carrying tool spindles can be vertically moved. Arranged on one of the stands directly above a bridge projecting over its upper side is at least one tool magazine, with which a tool changer is associated for each stand. The drives for the y-slides are attached below the upper side of the stands to the stands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Licon mt GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Winfried Benz, Stefan Niethammer, Bernd Schröter, Gerald Stengele, Thomas Weinbuch
  • Publication number: 20090148252
    Abstract: An improved milling machine makes use of individually controlled x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis carriages. These carriages provide positive and precise control of the position of the cutting tools and the blank to be cut. The tools are located in spindles that are moved in the x-axis. A work piece or blank is manipulated in the y-axis and the z-axis. The tools are offset in the x-axis. Lights on a work space door are used to signal the condition of the mill machine and the milling operation. A tool changer allows the tools to be changed to accommodate other materials. A camera or other sensor is used to detect the location and wear on the tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: D4D TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mark S. Quadling, Henley S. Quadling, Rod Duncan
  • Patent number: 7322916
    Abstract: The invention provides a tool magazine device for a vertical machining center having a protective cover for a shank. A tool magazine device 100 disposed in a vertical machining center comprises a chain 120 moved between sprocket wheels 130 and 140, and the chain 120 is equipped with tool holders 200. Each tool holder 200 has a tool holder member 220 for holding the shank portion of the tool 1 and a shank pod 230 for covering the shank portion. The automatic tool change preparation device 300 lifts the shank pod 230 by gripping a knob 250 of a shaft 240 connected to the shank pod 230, so as to enable an automatic tool change arm to change the tool 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Hazeyama, Takeshi Yasuda
  • Patent number: 7153252
    Abstract: A storage arrangement (1) for machine tools is proposed, comprising at least two storage shelves (12) arranged vertically one above the other and in each case having a multiplicity of tool or workpiece retainers (14), the tool or workpiece retainers (14) being arranged in a circle, and a movable gripping arm (16) which is rotatably arranged about an axis through the center of the circle formed by the storage retainers (14) and which furthermore is arranged so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the storage shelves (12) and which furthermore is arranged so as to be movable horizontally and radially from the circle center, the gripping arm (16), during its horizontal movement, covering at most a distance which corresponds to the radius of the circle formed by the storage retainers (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Mikron Comp-Tec AG
    Inventor: Thomas Lüscher
  • Patent number: 7131940
    Abstract: The present invention provides a machine tool whose width dimension is not increased even when it includes a tool magazine. The present invention includes: a bed; a saddle disposed on the bed to be movable in a forward and backward (Y-axis) direction in a front view of the machine tool; a table disposed on the saddle to be movable in right and left (X-axis) direction; a column fixed on the bed a spindle head disposed on the column to support a spindle and movable in a vertical (Z-axis) direction; an automatic tool changer disposed on a back face side of the column, wherein the column has an opening which allows the back face side and a front face side of the column to communicate with each other, and the automatic tool changer replaces a tool on the spindle side by a tool on a tool magazine side through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Hiramoto, Akihiro Mochizuki, Shunsuke Nakazawa, Satoshi Matsui
  • Patent number: 6949057
    Abstract: A multi-function end effector includes a plurality of tool change mechanisms in a housing in which a spindle is also mounted for translation along an axis of the spindle. Each tool change mechanism has a gripper that releasably grips a tool holder in which a tool is mounted. The gripper of each tool change mechanism is movable between a stowed position to a tool-change position in which the gripper is coaxially aligned with the axis of the spindle for placing a tool holder held in the gripper in a position to be received by the spindle and for positioning the gripper to receive a tool holder from the spindle. The tools mounted in the tool holders include a drill bit, a countersink tool, and a fastener insertion tool. The end effector also includes a fastener feed system, a hammer device, and a sealant applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Curtis Everson, Michael K Jones, Scott Lee Rule, Maher A. Matteeka, Arnold J. Fabris, William M. Brunner, Jr., Benny Granot, Omer Einav, Everett E. Jones
  • Patent number: 6857995
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tool changer for changing tools between a spindle and a tool magazine of a machine tool. The object of the invention is to provide a simple and compact tool changer. A plurality of tool pots 19 are detachably held by a circular ring tool magazine 21. Once the tool pot 19 receiving a tool to be changed is positioned at a predetermined position 39, the tool pot 19 is rotated 90 degrees to the inside of the tool magazine 21 so that the axis of the tool to be changed is parallel to the spindle 7. The tools are changed through linear motion and rotational motion of a tool changing arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Makino Milling Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Maeda
  • Patent number: 6855099
    Abstract: A production system for manufacturing a workpiece comprises an index system including a plurality of index devices removably mounted on the workpiece at known longitudinally spaced locations therealong, and a longitudinally extending index member releasably engaged with at least two of the index devices such that a position and orientation of the index member are fixed relative to the workpiece by the index devices, the index member having position-indicating features distributed therealong. The production system further comprises a machine module mounted for longitudinal movement along the index member and operable to perform an operation, the machine module being operable to detect the position-indicating features on the index member and thereby determine a position of the machine module relative to the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Laurance N. Hazlehurst, Bobby C. Philpott, Jr., James N. Buttrick, Darrell D. Jones, Kostadinos D. Papanikolaou, David P. Banks, Terrence J. Rowe, Ronald Outous, Charles H. Glaisyer, Harry E. Townsend, Mark Boberg, Paul Elfes Nelson, John R. Porter
  • Patent number: 6814692
    Abstract: A tool handling device for a machine tool has a plurality of tool holders, which are arranged stationarily in one plane. A boom is able to be pivoted around a pivot axis normal to such plane and bears a tool gripper arrangement able to be moved in a radial direction normal to the pivot axis. Tools may be moved by it between a transfer station and the tool holders. This tool handling device is suitable both for use as a tool magazine and also as a magazine extension module for a machine tool to permit high speed tool changing with simple movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Berthold Hermie AG
    Inventors: Anton Mattes, Timo Wäschle
  • Publication number: 20040162201
    Abstract: A machine tool consists in a pair of slide ways set apart one from another and extending parallel with a longitudinal axis, a machining station between the slide ways, presenting a first zone and a second zone adjacent one to the other, and a traveling gantry set in motion along the slide ways and carrying a machining head positionable in the first and second zones. Installed alongside at least one of the slide ways and containing a supply of tools attachable to the machining head is a magazine equipped with a first changer element positioned to coincide with the first zone of the station, and a second changer element positioned to coincide with the second zone, so that whichever of the two zones the machining head happens to occupy at any given moment, the tool currently in use can be replaced with a tool from the magazine by the relative changer element with minimal loss of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Maurizio Ferrari, Carlo Massari
  • Patent number: 6773382
    Abstract: An automatic tool-exchanging apparatus is provided which extends/contracts an arm with a rational and simple structure and can realize a high-speed operation essentially obtainable by making the arm's turning radius small. The apparatus comprises: an arm-driving shaft for being driven to rotate; an arm provided on the shaft and capable of being rotated, the arm capable of being moved to extend/contract and comprising a grip arm for attaching/detaching a tool, and an arm support movably supporting the grip arm; a clutch between the arm support and the shaft, the clutch for connecting the arm support and the shaft to make them rotate integrally, and disconnecting the arm support and the shaft to generate a relative rotation therebetween; and a link between the grip arm and the shaft, the link for transmitting the relative rotation of the shaft in respect to the arm support to make the grip arm move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Sankyo Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Heizaburo Kato
  • Patent number: 6736767
    Abstract: A machine tool with a driven tool spindle that is rotatable about a spindle axis that includes a tool exchanger including grippers to displace tool-holders or tools between a receiver position in the tool spindle and a storage position, or vice versa. The tool-holders or tools in these two positions are identically oriented, and the storage position and the receiver position are displaced with respect to each other along the spindle axis direction of the tool spindle. The tool exchanger possesses a transport mechanism that includes a carrier element pivotable about a pivot axis inclined with respect to the spindle axis, to which grippers pivotable about axes perpendicular to each other are connected. Guide elements are mounted so they may be driven and rotate about the first axis parallel to the pivot axis in the opposite direction to the pivot direction of the carrier element are included on the carrier element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Deckel Maho Seebach GmbH
    Inventor: Thorsten Lasch
  • Publication number: 20040029691
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tool changer for changing tools between a spindle and a tool magazine of a machine tool. The object of the invention is to provide a simple and compact tool changer. A plurality of tool pots 19 are detachably holed by a circular ring tool magazine 21. Once the tool pot 19 receiving a tool to be changed is positioned at a predetermined position 39, the tool pot 19 is rotated 90 degrees to the inside of the tool magazine 21 so that the axis of the tool to be changed is parallel to the spindle 7. The tools are changed through liner motion and rotational motion of a tool changing arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Masahiro Maeda
  • Patent number: 6637290
    Abstract: A housing (21) which comprises an input shaft (22) and a second output shaft rotatably supported in a housing (21), and a first output shaft (23) rotatably supported to be movable in the axial direction as well as the rotational direction, a first cam mechanism (25A) which transmits the rotation of the input shaft (22) to a rotation movement of the first output shaft (23), a second cam mechanism (25B) which converts the rotation of the input shaft (22) to an oscillating rotation of the second output shaft (24) and transmits it, a third cam mechanism (25C) which converts the rotation of the input shaft (22) to an oscillating rotation of the second output shaft (24) and transmits it, and the housing (21) is rotatably supported capable of oscillating to a fixed system such as a base by a supporting shaft, and a link mechanism for converting the oscillating rotation of the second output shaft (24) to an oscillating movement of the housing (21) is provided in between the second output shaft (24) and the fixed syst
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Sankyo Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Heizaburo Kato
  • Publication number: 20030186795
    Abstract: A machine tool with a driven tool spindle that is rotatable about a spindle axis (1a) that includes a tool exchanger including grippers (2) to displace tool-holders (4) or tools between a receiver position in the tool spindle (1) and a storage position, or vice versa. The tool-holders (4) or tools in these two positions are identically oriented, and the storage position and the receiver position are displaced with respect to each other along the spindle axis direction of the tool spindle (1). The tool exchanger possesses a transport mechanism that includes a carrier element (3) pivotable about a pivot axis (5) inclined with respect to the spindle axis (1a), to which grippers (2) pivotable about axes (6; 7) perpendicular to each other are connected. Guide elements (10) mounted so they may be driven and rotate about the first axis (8) parallel to the pivot axis (5) in the opposite direction to the pivot direction of the carrier element (3) are included on the carrier element (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventor: Thorsten Lasch
  • Patent number: 6520895
    Abstract: A polishing device includes a wafer chuck mechanism which retains a wafer while its plane to be polished faces upward, a polishing pad component which possesses a polishing plane which polishes the wafer, a polishing head, and a shift mechanism which enables a relative displacement of said polishing pad component in relation to the wafer. A fixation and retention mechanism fixes and retains said polishing pad component to the polishing head in a detachable fashion while its polishing plane faces downward. The displacement distance of the shift mechanism ranges from the polishing position of the wafer to the exchange position of the polishing pad component, so that the polishing pad component is automatically exchanged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Senga, Kazuo Kobayashi, Satoru Ide, Kiyoshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6454684
    Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic tool changing apparatus which comprises a tool magazine storing a multiplicity of tools each held by tool holding means, the tool magazine having a tool port through which the tools are loaded into or unloaded from the tool magazine; a tool shifter translating the tools for loading into or unloading from the tool magazine; a standby magazine having tool holding means by which the tools loaded or unloaded by the tool shifter are temporarily held and stand by; and an automatic tool changer changing the tool held in the standby magazine for the tool fitted to a spindle. The standby magazine has a plurality of tool holding means which are provided on an output shaft of a rotation indexing mechanism and which come to rest at delivery positions and to/from the tool shifter and the automatic tool changer, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Sankyo Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Heizaburo Kato
  • Publication number: 20020115541
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tool changer for removal and installation of tools in a machining center having a spindle for holding a tool including a tool rack having a plurality of locations for holding tools and a rotatable arm movable between the spindle and the plurality of locations. Each of the plurality of locations has a clip for holding a tool and each clip has two arms with the arm on a first side of the clip having an inclined surface. The rotatable arm includes at least two grippers with each gripper defining at least one cam surface, the cam surface being structured and arranged to engage the inclined surface of the clip to allow for the removal of a tool in the clip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Himat Patel, Walter Bautz
  • Patent number: 6416450
    Abstract: A tool changer for a machine tool having a toolhead assembly including a spindle with device for detachable securing a tool thereto, generally consisting of at least one device for holding a tool detachably securable to the spindle, pivotally connected to the assembly and angularly displaceable in a plane including the axis of the spindle between a retracted position and an extended position for transferring a tool between the tool holding device and the spindle; and device for angularly displacing the tool holding device between such retracted and extended positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Susnjara
  • Publication number: 20020035018
    Abstract: A tool changing device for a tool machine having a tool spindle which can be moved at least in the spindle direction and with which a tool can be engaged in a spindle hand-over position. A tool magazine/storage area houses a tool to be changed in a magazine ready position with an orientation diverging from the spindle direction. A transport device is fitted with a tool holder which, by means of an operating device provided with a driving guide/guide path, swivels the tool about a swiveling axis during its transport from the ready position in the tool magazine and an orientation parallel to the spindle direction. The transport device is designed for an entire transport path between the magazine ready position and a spindle hand-over position. The transport device is aligned with the rotation axis of the stored tool. The swiveling axis runs perpendicularly to the transport direction and the spindle axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: Deckel Maho Seebach GmbH
    Inventor: Thorsten Lasch
  • Publication number: 20010041650
    Abstract: A polishing device includes a wafer chuck mechanism which retains a wafer while its plane to be polished faces upward, a polishing pad component which possesses a polishing plane which polishes the wafer, a polishing head, and a shift mechanism which enables a relative displacement of said polishing pad component in relation to the wafer. A fixation and retention mechanism fixes and retains said polishing pad component to the polishing head in a detachable fashion while its polishing plane faces downward. The displacement distance of the shift mechanism ranges from the polishing position of the wafer to the exchange position of the polishing pad component, so that the polishing pad component is automatically exchanged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Senga, Kazuo Kobayashi, Satoru Ide, Kiyoshi Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20010041649
    Abstract: A tool changer for a machine tool having a toolhead assembly including a spindle with means for detachable securing a tool thereto, generally consisting of at least one means for holding a tool detachably securable to the spindle, pivotally connected to the assembly and angularly displaceable in a plane including the axis of the spindle between a retracted position and an extended position for transferring a tool between the tool holding means and the spindle; and means for angularly displacing the tool holding means between such retracted and extended positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: susnjara
    Inventor: KENNETH J. SUSNJARA
  • Patent number: 6190294
    Abstract: A horizontal machine tool has a spindle head which supports a horizontal tool spindle. The spindle head is guided on a top surface portion of a base such that the spindle head is movable in two horizontal directions X and Z. A workpiece support for supporting a workpiece on its upper end is guided on the vertical front face portion of the base for movement in a vertical direction Y. When the spindle head is located at a machining position at the center in the X direction, a pair of guide portions of each of a front/back guide mechanism for the spindle head and a vertical guide mechanism for the workpiece support body take symmetrical positions with respect to a vertical plane including the axis of the tool spindle. A first index member and a second index member for supporting the workpiece are provided on the workpiece support body. Therefore, all surfaces of the workpiece excepting an attachment surface can be machined while being directed to a tool on the tool spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Okada, Kengo Yoshioka, Fumio Sakamoto, Sentaro Sugita, Hidekazu Hirano, Takeshi Nishikayama, Hiroyuki Takahara
  • Patent number: 6183404
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Karl Deufel
  • Patent number: 6099448
    Abstract: A knife picking device includes a base member which is connected to a linear guide frame. The linear guide frame is movably connected to a linear guide board in two perpendicular directions. A block is connected to the base member and a cylindrical member movably and rotatably extends through the block. The cylindrical member has a spiral groove and a connection device actuated by a first cylinder is connected between the base member and the block. The connection device is engaged with the spiral groove and a second cylinder is connected to the cylindrical member. An arm activated by a third cylinder is connected to the base member and the linear guide frame. The second cylinder is moved to a desired position of a knife receiving unit by operating the first cylinder and the third cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Inventor: Ho Wei Sun
  • Patent number: 6090026
    Abstract: An automatic tool exchanging machine include a machine body such as gear box, a tool exchanging arm having a tool grasping member and supported by the machine body to be rotatable and to be linearly reciprocally movable in an axial direction of a rotation shaft of the machine body, a rotation drive mechanism provided for the machine body, and a power transmission mechanism for transmitting a driving power of the rotation drive mechanism to the tool exchanging arm. The power transmission mechanism is provided with a motion conversion mechanism for converting a rotational motion of the rotation drive mechanism including servo-motors to a linear reciprocal motion of the tool exchanging arm and the motion conversion mechanism is composed of a feed screw mechanism. The feed screw mechanism is a ball screw mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yutaka Hosokawa, Toshihiro Ueta, Hirohiko Honda
  • Patent number: 6007464
    Abstract: In a tool-changing apparatus for a machine tool, a tool-locking pin and an arm-locking pin are provided in a tool-changing arm and urged upward. When the arm is moved downward by a swinging shaft, the tool-locking pin and the arm-locking pin are moved upward by the urging force of respective springs, and a tapered surface of the tool-locking pin presses an end of a roller shaft projecting from a through-hole of the tool-changing arm, thus preventing a sliding movement of the roller shaft toward the through-hole, and a tapered surface of the arm-locking pin fits in a circular groove formed on the peripheral surface of an arm central shaft coupled with the swinging shaft, thus preventing the rotation of the arm relative to an arm-supporting member. When a tool is mounted into a tool-mounting portion, arm locking is released to enable the arm to move independently of the swinging shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Narihiko Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 5997454
    Abstract: A machine for cutting panels, the substantially horizontal worktable of which supports the panels and presents a lateral guide extending in a given direction; the guide supporting a carriage presenting at least one cutting member; the carriage being movable in freely-sliding manner in the aforementioned direction to cut the panels by means of a cutting member; clamping means being provided over the worktable to clamp the panels during cutting; a store containing further cutting members being provided to the side of the worktable; and a device for picking up the cutting members being provided between the carriage and the store to replace a cutting member on the carriage with a cutting member from the store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Selco S.r.l.
    Inventor: Valter Naldi
  • Patent number: 5947879
    Abstract: A device for controlling a tool shaft of a cutting machine includes a casing in which the tool shaft is rotatably and movably received therein, the casing having a first and a second detection member, a first, a second and a third switch member respectively thereto, two racks selectably engaged with a toothed section of the tool shaft and each of the two racks having a damping device disposed therein. The tool shaft has head portion connected to a cylinder and the head portion has two rods extending therefrom. When the first rod is detected by the first detection member, and the head portion actuates the first switch member and one of the racks rotates the tool shaft till the second rod is detected by the second detection member so as to lower the tool shaft. The other rack is therefore engaged with and rotates the tool shaft till the damping device in the rack actuates the third switch member to raise the tool shaft to let the first rod be detected by the first detection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: Ho Wei Sun
  • Patent number: 5938578
    Abstract: An outer shaft gear installed at an external side of a pivoting shaft for pivoting a tool exchange arm main body is fitted to a finger driving cam shaft, a driving force from an ATC drive shaft is transmitted via the outer shaft gear to a finger driving cam installed to the finger driving cam shaft, and a driven portion in contact with the finger driving cam is operated by which fingers FA and FB at front ends of pairs of fingers are opened. When the fingers FA and FB are not pressed by the operation of the finger driving cam, the fingers FA and FB are closed by urging forces of springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Haruki Baba
  • Patent number: 5928120
    Abstract: When pairs of fingers grasp tools and a tool exchange arm starts lowering, upper ends of lock pins which have been held by a spindle head are released, the lock pins are pushed up by urging forces of springs, and tapered portions of the lock pins push out steel balls to external sides. Thus, cylindrical portions of the pairs of fingers are prevented from opening, and opening and closing of the pair of fingers are locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumio Kameyama
  • Patent number: 5871427
    Abstract: The machine tool comprises a machine stand (10) with a vertically movable vertical carrier (12) carrying a spindle head (SK1) for treatment of a workpiece. To exchange the spindle head (SK1) against a new spindle head (SK2), an exchange unit (15) is provided, comprising an exchange arm (16) pivotable by 90.degree. about a vertical axis (37). Two holding couplings (17,18) are mounted above each other on the exchange arm (16), each adapted to carry a spindle head (SK1,SK2). A delivery means (21), gripping the spindle heads from above, is used to supply the spindle heads for transfer to the exchange unit (15). The exchange unit (15) grips the spindle heads from the side. By pivoting the exchange arm (16) over 90.degree., the spindle head is pivoted to a position in front of the machine stand (10) and thus can be taken over by the vertical carrier (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Honsberg Lamb Sonderwerkzeugmaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Koelblin, Reinhard Schneider
  • Patent number: 5868656
    Abstract: A machine tool comprises a spindle having a tool receptacle for receiving tool holders in their working position. A tool changer is provided for conveying a tool holder in a first changing step between a magazine position and a spindle position at said spindle. Further provided is a linear stroke mechanism for conveying said tool holder in a second changing step between said spindle position and said working position. A common drive mechanism is linked to said tool changer and said linear stroke mechanism such as to affect both said first and second changing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Chiron Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Eugen Rutschle
  • Patent number: 5860901
    Abstract: A machine tool comprises a spindle that rotates about a spindle axis and that comprises a receptacle for toolholders. There is further provided a number of tool changers distributed around the spindle, the gripper arm of each tool changer carrying a toolholder that can be transferred, by means of the gripper arm on which it is mounted, between a magazine position spaced from the spindle above the receptacle, and a working position on the receptacle. The toolholders are arranged in their magazine position with their longitudinal axes extending at an angle relative to the spindle axis so that they point away from the spindle obliquely in downward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rudolf Haninger, Hans-Henning Winkler
  • Patent number: 5855541
    Abstract: A machine tool comprises a spindle and a tool changer for conveying tool holders between a magazine position and a working position at the spindle. The tool changer has two longitudinal rods and two transverse rods that are joined to said two longitudinal rods via universal joints so as to form an articulated rectangle. Each of said two longitudinal rods is rotatably mounted in the vicinity of its respective center. The tool changer comprises two grippers for gripping said tool holders to be conveyed. Said grippers are mounted on certain of said longitudinal and transverse rods such that upon rotation of the longitudinal rods the grippers are conveyed between said magazine position and working position while substantially maintaining said tool holders in their preferably vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Chiron Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Eugen Rutschle
  • Patent number: 5820536
    Abstract: An automatic tool exchanging apparatus carries tools between a magazine pot allocated to an exchanging position and a leading end of a spindle of a machine tool spinning a tool about a vertical axis through the turning and displacement movements of an exchanging arm. A single drive motor is used to drive the tool exchanging arm for rotation and displacement and a tool magazine for rotation. The drive system is thus simplified, thereby reducing the substantial production cost and the space to be occupied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventor: Mikohiko Sato
  • Patent number: 5816987
    Abstract: An automatic tool changer in a machining center includes a reducer, a compound cam, a cylindric cam, a four-bar mechanism, an elliptic trammel mechanism, and a tool changer device. The compound cam and the cylindric cam are driven by a motor after speed reduction through a belt and gear train. The compound cam which is composed of a roller gear cam and a face cam performs the tool change motions. During the tool change motions, the cylindric cam drives the follower which is fixed on the slider of the elliptic trammel mechanism to make the other slider push the pull bar which produces the pushing and pulling tool motions in the spindle head. By way of using this design, the tool change time is largely reduced, the tool change motions are smoother, and the cost is less expensive than the previous designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: National Science Council
    Inventors: Hong-Sen Yan, Wen-Miin Hwang, Fu-Chen Chen, Han-Chuan Huang, Yan-Sheng Fan
  • Patent number: 5795278
    Abstract: A single driving system (4, 5, 6) is provided for a plurality of pairs of controlled systems and axis controllers (1, 12:2, 13). This driving system is connected to a required pair of the controlled systems and the axis controllers as needed using an axis changing device (3) and a changing controller (7). At this time, the shaft position data of the driving system, at the time when a controlled system is separated from the driving system, is stored in a first axis shaft position data storing device (8) or a second axis shaft position data storing device (11). When the connection is returned, an offset signal is sent to the changing controller (7) from a first axis shaft position offset calculator (9) or a second axis shaft position offset calculator (10). Thus, a plurality of controlled systems can be driven by a single driving system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Saruwatari, Koji Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 5662569
    Abstract: A stepping apparatus capable of large angle oscillation comprising an output shaft and a driving shaft arranged parallel to, and spaced apart from, each other wherein the output shaft is provided with a roller wheel plate, both sides of the wheel plate being pivoted with a plurality of alternately spaced rollers, a pair of plate cams being secured on the driving shaft for driving in combination with the rollers on both sides of the wheel plate, allowing the driving shaft to drive the output shaft for reverse angular rotation, standstill, forward angular rotation, indexing, and other stepping sequential operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Inventors: Chun-Hsien Liu, Ching-Huan Tseng
  • Patent number: 5624365
    Abstract: A machine tool (10) has a revolving spindle (14) borne in a spindle tube (13) which has a locating opening (15) to receive tool holders; (16, 17). A tool magazine (55) is also provided to hold a number of tool holders. Moreover, a tool changer (18) with at least two gripper arms (21, 22) is provided to transport tool holders; (16, 17) between a transfer position (23) in the area of the tool magazine (55) and a common spindle position (24) beneath the locating opening (15). A holding device (31) bearing the tool changer (18) is borne on the spindle tube (13) in such a way that it can be moved longitudinally in the sense of a stroke movement (33) and transfer the respective tool holder (16) from the spindle position (24) into its working position in the locating opening (15). The holding device (31) is borne on the spindle tube (13) along its longitudinal axis so that it can be rotated in such a way that the gripper arms (21, 22) have a common transfer position (23) to the tool magazine (55).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rudolf Haninger, Hans-Henning Winkler
  • Patent number: 5620406
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tool clamping mechanism for use in a machining center, which includes a pivoting member having at opposite ends a pair of fingers for grasping a tool, the pair of fingers being connected by means of a hinge, a rotating block fixedly mounted on a shaft so as to be rotated clockwise and counter-clockwise in a given range by the shaft, the rotating block being rotatably positioned in the center of the pivoting member, a pair of sliders for respectively pushing and pulling the pairs of fingers to open or close, a pair of rotating block links for respectively connecting the rotating block with the pair of sliders, a pair of slider links for connecting each of the sliders with each pair of fingers, and an actuating means for rotating the shaft and thus rotating block, wherein the rotating block is rotated to push or pull the pair of sliders so as to open or close the pairs of fingers through the cooperation of the links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Mansu Bae
  • Patent number: 5514063
    Abstract: A machine tool which comprises a headstock (111) and at least one tool changer (120). The tool changer (120) shifts the production tools (116) between a magazine position and a working position, a drive unit (123) being provided for it in the form of at least one fluid power drive cylinder (1), wherein a piston is arranged for axial motion and for whose terminal fluid damping a damping device is provided. The drive cylinder (1) provided with a setting device, by means of which the terminal position damping may be switched over between at least two preset values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kurt Stoll, Udo Preussler, Peter Grund