Spindle Comprises Tool Changer Patents (Class 483/55)
  • Patent number: 11179211
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for coupling to a robotic surgical assembly configured to transfer rotational forces to the surgical instrument is provided. The surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft, an end effector coupled to a distal end of the elongated shaft, and a drive assembly operatively coupled to the end effector. The drive assembly includes one or more cables connected to the end effector. Movement of the one or more cables actuates a movement of the end effector. The one or more cables may be coated with parylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Mike Zemlok, Matthew Hartzsch
  • Patent number: 11162241
    Abstract: A robotic machine includes at least one sensor coupled to the robotic machine configured to generate a signal indicative of a worksurface for which a worksurface operation is to be conducted. The robotic machine also includes a machine and robotic control system configured to receive the signal indicative of the worksurface, identify the worksurface operation to be conducted, and generate control signals for an end effector of the robotic machine to carry out the identified worksurface operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Scott S. Hendron, Mark J. Cherney, Michael G. Kean, John J. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 10905507
    Abstract: A system includes a plurality of manipulators and a controller. The controller is configured to detect mounting of a first imaging device to a first manipulator of the plurality of manipulators, determine a first reference frame for the first imaging device based on the mounting of the first imaging device to the first manipulator, detect mounting of a second imaging device to a second manipulator of the plurality of manipulators, select the first imaging device as a reference imaging device, and in response to selecting the first imaging device as the reference imaging device, control the second imaging device relative to the first reference frame. In some embodiments, the controller is configured to select the first imaging device as the reference imaging device in response to the first imaging device being mounted prior to the second imaging device operator selection or based on a type of the first imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Niels Smaby, Gregory W. Dachs, II, Nicola Diolaiti, Pushkar Hingwe, Thomas R. Nixon, Bruce M. Schena, Nitish Swarup
  • Patent number: 10086485
    Abstract: A machine tool includes: a spindle head; a spindle rotatably supported on the spindle head; a chuck unit configured to chuck a tool inserted in an axis direction of the spindle; a tool holder configured to hold the tool attached to the chuck unit; and a rotary arm configured to move the tool holder to a reachable position of the spindle. The tool holder is supported on the rotary arm by a support mechanism, and the support mechanism includes a displacement following mechanism configured to support the tool holder on the rotary arm in a manner to be capable of displacing the tool holder in a direction intersecting an axis of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: TOSHIBA KIKAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinya Itani, Yutaka Tsukita, Hiromi Masuda, Hiroshi Uchimura, Mitsunori Kokubo
  • Patent number: 9815125
    Abstract: A machine tool includes a linear movement axis for moving a main spindle, at least two linear movement axes for moving a table, and a rotation table including at least one rotation axis, the rotation table being placed on the table. A numerical controller performs machining by executing a machining program for tool center point control where the tool orientation is fixed to a certain axis or a certain surface, and by changing the tool orientation by controlling each axis of the machine tool based on set tool use range and tool orientation change waveform pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daisuke Uenishi
  • Patent number: 9233445
    Abstract: An apparatus for machining metal workpieces has a frame defining machining, pick-up, and drop-off stations. A vertical slide is vertically shiftable on the machine frame. In turn a horizontal slide carrying a rotatably driven holder is horizontally shiftable on the vertical slide between respective pick-up, machining, and drop-off positions above the stations. A holder is provided in the machining station, and one of the holders is adapted to hold a tool and the other of the holders for holding a workpiece for machining the workpiece in the machining station. A pair of shields is fixed to the vertical slide and horizontally flanks the machining station. One of the shields is between the machining station and the pick-up station. Respective slidable doors on each of the shields are shiftable between a closed position blocking movement of the rotatable holder past the respective shield and an open position permitting such movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: EMAG HOLDING GMBH
    Inventor: Hans Georg Boehringer
  • Patent number: 9211621
    Abstract: A frame defines a workpiece-transfer station, a machining station, and a tool station all centered on a common vertical plane. A carousel in the tool station carries a plurality of tools having shanks. A slide movable vertically and horizontally in the plane carries a tool head rotatable about a vertical axis itself having a tool socket adapted to fit shanks of the tools and a workpiece grab. This tool head can move horizontally in the plane to pick up and drop off tools and move workpieces between the transfer and the machining station, and can also move vertically during machining of a workpiece rotating in the machining station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: EMAG HOLDING GMBH
    Inventor: Markus Hessbrueggen
  • Patent number: 9114453
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a containerless casting forming machine, including: a multi-axis motion system which at least includes an X-axis motion system, a Y-axis motion system and a Z-axis motion system, and a workbench which is below the multi-axis motion system; and further includes: a moving platform system below the workbench, including a moving bracket which can reciprocate along the direction parallel to the X axis, a lifting device provided on the moving bracket, which is used for lifting and supporting the workbench to enable the linkage between the workbench and the moving bracket. The containerless casting forming machine of the disclosure can move the workbench without a lifting tool, and machine a casting mold with a large size and a complex cavity, and causes little pollution to the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Advanced Manufacture Technology Center, China Academy Of Machinery Science & Technology
    Inventors: Zhongde Shan, Feng Liu, Limin Liu, Xiwen Li, Shaokai Chen
  • Patent number: 8951175
    Abstract: A section member drilling or milling machine comprises a machine bed for supporting a workpiece to be drilled, the machine bed including guides for controllably sliding thereon a support comprising precision vertical guides thereon a platform is engaged, the platform comprising parallel horizontal guides slidably supporting a carriage, in turn supporting a cantilever arm, including a driving motor for controllably driving a drilling and milling tool along parallel guides of the cantilever arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ficep S.p.A.
    Inventor: Alessandro Pirovano
  • Patent number: 8951176
    Abstract: A tool changing device for a cutting head of a machine for cutting flat glass sheets, the tool changing device comprising: a bridge; a carriage for supporting the cutting head, the carriage being slidingly attached to the bridge for translation along the bridge; an electric motor that provides for translational motion of the carriage with respect to the bridge; and a tool supporting slider, which is configured to support a plurality of tools such that the tools can be automatically exchanged between the tool supporting slider and the cutting head, the tool supporting slider coupled, by way of reversible fixing elements to the cutting head supporting carriage during work by the cutting head, and wherein the tool supporting slider is uncoupled from the cutting head supporting carriage during tool changing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Newtech-Engineering S.r.l.
    Inventor: Silvano Sgarabottolo
  • Patent number: 8905907
    Abstract: A cutting device includes a support base, a first slide module, a second slide module slidably connected to the first slide module, and a cutting module. The support base includes a support surface and a slide portion on the support surface. The first slide module is slidably positioned on the slide portion. The sliding direction of the second slide module is perpendicular to the sliding direction of the first slide module. The cutting module includes a fixed frame fixed on the second slide module, a driving device fixed on the fixed frame, and a cutter connected to the driving device. The driving device drives the cutter to rotate around a central axis of the cutter and move up and down along the central axis. The central axis is perpendicular to the support surface. The cutter includes a hollow cylindrical blade. An end surface of the blade faces the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shao-Kai Pei
  • Patent number: 8721512
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Arix CNC Machine Inc.
    Inventor: Yi-Chen Yang
  • Publication number: 20140080690
    Abstract: A replacement device of a processing apparatus includes a gripping device having a single first support member positionally fixed, a first gripping portion provided on the first support member to grip a holder not to rotate in a releasing direction when the processing member is removed from the holder, and a second gripping portion provided on the first support member apart from the first gripping portion to grip the holder not to rotate in a restricting direction when the processing member is attached to the holder, and a holding device having a single movable second support member, plural first holding portions provided on the second support member to respectively accommodate the processing member removed from the holder, and plural second holding portions provided on the second support member apart from the first holding portions to respectively accommodate the processing member that is to be attached to the holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicants: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., F-TECH INC.
    Inventors: Naohiro Noma, Yukio Shoji, Tsutomu Kobayashi, Mitsuru Sayama
  • Patent number: 8591389
    Abstract: A tool transfer system configured to transfer a tool between first and second tool holding devices by causing the first and second tool holding devices to be moved relative to each other. The first tool holding device includes a clamp sleeve forced in a direction toward the second tool holding device so as to be positioned in a clamping position. The second tool holding device includes: a hole defining member defining a receiving hole that is to receive the tool; and a movable engaging member that is movable between a working position and a non-working position depending on movement of the hole defining member. The movable engaging member is engageable with the clamp sleeve, while being positioned in the working position, such that the clamp sleeve can be moved, by engagement of the movable engaging member with the clamp sleeve, so as to be positioned in an unclamping position, during relative axial movement of the first and second tool holding devices toward each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignees: Fuji Seiko Limited, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuhiko Tomioka, Akihiro Fujii, Akinori Tsujino, Tomoyasu Ota, Toshiyuki Nishi
  • Patent number: 8529420
    Abstract: A machine tool for achieving a high degree of flexibility during workpiece processing comprises a machine bed with side walls arranged thereon, which respectively comprise a basic body with a front overhanging projection arranged thereon. On the side walls a tool spindle is arranged to be linearly movable by means of slides. Underneath the front overhanging projections a processing space is formed for the workpiece processing, in which a workpiece positioning unit is arranged. The processing space underneath the front overhanging projections is freely accessible, whereby depending on the processing task different workpiece positioning units can be arranged therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: MAG IAS GmbH
    Inventors: Moshe Israel Meidar, Wolfgang Horn, Bernhard Pause, Waldemar Haus, Joachim Krischke, Heiner Lang
  • Patent number: 8376921
    Abstract: A machine tool comprising a tool spindle and a workpiece clamping mechanism moveable relative to one another on a linear X-axis in a controlled manner, wherein the tool spindle can be moved in a controlled manner in relation to a machine frame on Y and Z-axes which are perpendicular to the X-axis and to each other and can be pivoted in a controlled manner around a C-axis parallel to the Z-axis, and wherein a workpiece gripper, which can be moved in common with the tool spindle, is assigned to the tool spindle, and that the tool spindle can travel with the workpiece gripper to a magazine wheel on the Y, Z and C-axes and can be aligned with recesses on the magazine wheel, movement on the X, Y, Z and C-axes effecting transfer of a workpiece between the workpiece gripper and the workpiece clamping mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Haas Schleifmaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Dirk Wember
  • Patent number: 8366592
    Abstract: An automated tool includes a quick change spindle assembly. In another aspect of the present invention, the quick change spindle includes an attachment assembly for interchangeable fastener drivers. A further aspect of the present invention employs release member to actuate a drive member in the spindle assembly causing a retainer to uncouple a fastener driver with the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Cinetic Automation Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Hathaway, Michael A. Hageman, James W. Grimes
  • Patent number: 8352066
    Abstract: A machine tool with a main positioning device for positioning a main support element in a translational linear direction within a main region of displacement is provided. A main machining device and an accessory machining device are arranged on the main support element. The machining devices have pivoting devices for pivoting the machining heads in a rotatory basic pivoting direction. Every accessory pivoting device is connected to the main support element via a respective supplementary accessory positioning device for positioning the respective accessory machining head in the translational linear direction relative to the main support element within a respective supplementary accessory region of displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Eberhard Zentgraf
  • Patent number: 8002686
    Abstract: A tool changer includes a spindle including a first collet, an auxiliary arm having a second collet, a tool-pan having a plurality of tool-seats, and an auxiliary tool-magazine. The auxiliary tool-magazine comprises a main body, a turnplate rotatable relative to the main body, a first tool-carrier attached to the turnplate, and a second tool-carrier attached to the turnplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Foxnum Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yueh-Hsun King
  • Publication number: 20100062919
    Abstract: A manually actuated robotic tool changer includes a first housing having a generally cylindrical piston with a central axis partially extending from the first housing, the piston rotatable about the axis. A plurality of tabs are disposed about the circumference of a portion of the piston extending from the first housing. A second housing has a bore to receive a portion of the piston. A plurality of locking lugs are disposed about the bore. The tool changer is manually actuated from an unlocked position wherein the piston assumes a position with respect to the first housing such that the extending portion of the piston may be moved within the bore with the tabs moving between the locking lugs, to a locked position wherein the piston is rotated with respect to the first housing such that the tabs move beneath the locking lugs to lock the first and second housings together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: ATI Industrial Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Allen Norton, Kenneth L. Potts
  • Patent number: 7497817
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: D4D Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark S. Quadling, Henley S. Quadling, Rod Duncan
  • Publication number: 20090029836
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for quickly changing CNC machine tools is presented. Tool changes of 40 seconds or less are possible. A tool repository of linearly spaced apart tool forks translates to a storage position for CNC machining operations. For tool changing, the tool repository translates to a staging location, where an existing tool may be deposited to an empty location in the tool repository, whereupon another tool may be selected and engaged on the CNC machining spindle. The tool repository retracts to a storage position, and CNC machining operations may continue. This design may be used for CNC machines with many additional axes of operation, and appears more compact, less expensive, more robust, and lighter that traditional turret carousel designs. Stacked tools 5 inches high and diameters of 8 inches may be used in one embodiment. In the same space 15 smaller tools of 1.5 inch diameter may be stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: Adam Britton
  • Publication number: 20090023371
    Abstract: A power-driven hand tool comprises a drive spindle adapted to drive a tool, that can be driven to oscillate about its longitudinal axis, which tool can be fixed on a retaining section of the dive spindle by a securing element, and further comprises a displacing device that serves to displace the securing element between a releasing position in which the securing element can be released from the drive spindle and a clamping position in which the securing element is clamped on the retaining section by a spring element, the securing element comprising a clamping shaft adapted to be inserted into the securing element, which is axially fixed in the drive spindle for clamping the tool in the clamping position, and which can be detached in the releasing position. For clamping of the tool a split chuck is provided which is clamped on the retaining section by the securing element in the clamped position and is connected with the retaining section in form-locking engagement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Juergen Blickle, Uwe Frueh
  • Patent number: 7442154
    Abstract: In a machine tool comprising at least one tool carrier and at least one moveable workpiece carrier with which one or more workpieces are positionable for machining, a tool can be changed in a simple manner by providing a tool holding device connected to the at least one workpiece carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Ex-Cell-O GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Boehler, Stefan Bergmann, Markus Stanik
  • Publication number: 20080242522
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Bernhard Keller, Roland Hoherz, Sven Anhut
  • Publication number: 20080207417
    Abstract: A tool magazine for a machine tool has a magazine wheel (34) on whose periphery a tool holder (50) for mounting tools (56) is located. The positions and spacings between the tool holders (50) in a T-groove (48) on the periphery of the magazine wheel (34) are adjustable and fixable in their respective positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: Haas Schleifmaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Dieter Braun
  • Patent number: 7384221
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine tool for introducing bores into a workpiece, said machine tool comprising a machine frame, a drilling tool holder which is arranged on the machine frame and has at least one tool spindle, and a workpiece carrier which is arranged on the machine frame, the boring tool holder and the workpiece carrier being displaceable in relation to each other in a direction of displacement. A longitudinal direction of the at least one tool spindle is oriented transversally in relation to a horizontal plane, and the drilling tool holder is arranged on the machine frame in such a way that it can be pivoted in relation to the workpiece carrier, so that inclined bores can be introduced into the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Ex-Cell-O GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Feinauer, Hans Straub, Wolfgang Bieg
  • Patent number: 7374526
    Abstract: A tool changing apparatus automatically changes tools mounted on the spindle of a transfer machine module. The apparatus includes a tool gripper magazine that releasably holds at least two tools. A guillotine supports the tool gripper magazine for motion between a raised stand-by position clear of the spindle and a lowered tool change position closer to the spindle so that the tools in the magazine can be exchanged with a tool supported on the spindle. A carriage movably supports the guillotine on a support frame for motion between a forward position adjacent the transfer line and the spindle and a rearward position displaced from the transfer line. When the carriage is in the rearward position, the guillotine can be lowered to a position where it is easily accessible to an operator so that the tools in the magazine can be replenished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Inventors: Roy L. Wolschlager, Ali M. Saeedy, Hussein M. Kalaoui, Philip S. Szuba, Keller J. McGaffey, Floyd P. Crelley
  • Publication number: 20080039307
    Abstract: A tool magazine is located adjacent to the work space of a machine tool. The tool magazine has a magazine wheel (34) that is rotatable in a controlled manner about a vertical axis and exhibits tool holders (50) on its periphery, in which tools can be held with the tool axis directed radially with respect to the magazine wheel (34) and can be removed with their shafts directed toward the inside of the magazine wheel (34). The horizontally aligned tool spindle is displaceable along the horizontal Y-axis and along the vertical Z-axis and can be lowered into the magazine wheel (34) from above, in order to directly remove the tools from the inside of the magazine wheel (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: Haas Schleifmaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Dieter Braun
  • Patent number: 7217230
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for detecting a position of a drawbar unit installed in a spindle unit. The apparatus is a part of an automatic tool exchange device for exchanging tools in the spindle unit of a machine tool. The apparatus transmits a signal to a main controller after detecting the position of the drawbar such that the main controller checks a state of a tool clamped by the drawbar unit. The drawbar unit is installed in the spindle unit forming the automatic tool exchange device and clamps the tool at a front thereof. A core is installed at a rear peripheral portion of the drawbar unit and a coil section having a cylindrical shape is wound around an outer peripheral portion of the core. An LC oscillating circuit is provided such that the LC oscillating circuit includes the coil section as a part thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Yiwon Engineering Inc.
    Inventor: Young-Jin Hyun
  • Patent number: 7210212
    Abstract: A bayonet collet pickup tool includes a collet chuck having a collet portion including a bore disposed therein. A collet is held in the bore and is operable therein. A bayonet cap is mounted to an outer surface of the collet chuck proximate the bore. The bayonet cap includes a tubular socket concentric with the bore, at least one pair of diametrically opposed linear slots adjacent the socket, and a circular ledge adjacent the socket and perpendicular to the slots. A part including a shaft and at least one pair of diametrically opposed pins projecting from the shaft is receivable in the bayonet cap and the bore. Rotating the collet chuck while the pins are level with the ledge and then closing the collet releasably retains the part in the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Yhu-Tin Lin
  • Publication number: 20040110615
    Abstract: A large size flange-machining device is disclosed. The device is the rear side of the seat is provided with a protruded platform and the top of the platform is disposed with a sliding seat, and the sliding seat is provided with a blade platform which can move horizontally on the sliding seat, a blade seat is disposed on the blade platform and the blade seat can move up and down on the blade platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventor: Chen Sung Tan
  • Patent number: 6645132
    Abstract: A machining device comprising five axial kinetic coordinate systems that can be controlled simultaneously, three axes of which are linear moving axes and two axes of which are rotary axes, with one axis of the five axes being provided with a tool rotating function, whereby said machining device is equipped with a cutting tool 51 and a friction stir welding tool 52. The current value observed when a large-diameter portion of said tool 52 contacts the work object is set in advance, and by observing the torque current of the rotary shaft of the tool 52 during friction stir welding, the insertion depth of the tool 52 can be controlled by maintaining the observed torque current above the preset current value, thus providing a good weld. A single device can provide both the cutting and the welding. Thus, it is possible to reduce equipment cost, installation space, plant area, lead time and production cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Fumio Yoshinaga
  • Patent number: 6589144
    Abstract: A dental automatic cutting apparatus is disclosed, having a construction in which cutting tools are made automatically detachable to a chuck and a tool cassette by automatic control mechanism comprising: an engagement means provided to the tool cassette and a base block to maintain the tool cassette in a detachable manner to the base block to a desired position relation, the tool cassette provided on its front surface side with at least two post-inserting bore through which each tool post having a function to accommodate and hold the cutting tool which can be inserted, and the base block is fixed to a main body of the dental automatic cutting apparatus, and connection means for connecting the engagement means provided in the tool cassette to the base block to fix the tool cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: GC Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Ebihara, Tokichi Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20030125175
    Abstract: An automatic tool changer for machine tool comprises a machine frame with a changer frame portion, and a spindle rotatably attached to the machine frame and adapted to removably grip a tool in position. An up-down carriage is mounted to the changer frame portion of the machine frame for elevational movement between a raised position and a lowered position. A magazine carriage is laterally movably mounted to the up-down carriage for movement between a home position far away from the spindle and an operative position close to the spindle. A tool storage magazine is carried by the magazine carriage and has a plurality of tool holders for changeably holding different kinds of tools. A vertical magazine actuator serves to cause the up-down carriage, the magazine carriage and the tool storage magazine to move in a vertical direction. A horizontal magazine actuator is adapted to cause the magazine carriage and the tool storage magazine to move in a horizontal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Applicant: DAEWOO HEAVY INDUSTRIES & MACHINERY LTD.
    Inventor: Myung Kook Seo
  • Patent number: 6579216
    Abstract: A tool exchanging apparatus for a processing center, provided with at least one tool spindle (2), in which a tool (1) can be clamped and which can be moved in the direction of the spindle axis and at least also in a direction vertical to this direction, equipped with a tool magazine (3) and with two tool holding devices (4a) on a transporting device (4) with which the tool holding device (4a) can be moved to a tool exchanging position located in the movement region of the tool spindle (2), wherein one used tool (1) can be deposited from the tool spindle (2) and a new tool can be removed from the tool spindle (2). Each of the tool holding devices (4a), which are provided at least in pairs, is allocated to its own transporting device (4) so that the transporting devices can be moved back and forth independently of each other between the tool exchanging position and a tool receptacle (3a) of the tool magazine (3). The tool receptacles (3a) of the tool magazine (3) are movable in a circulating manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Deckel Maho Seebach GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Germerodt, Thorsten Lasch, Eberhard Stenzel
  • Patent number: 6569070
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Dallas Design and Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Harrington, Joseph A. Leaf
  • Publication number: 20020137611
    Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic-tool-changer-equipped lathe which has excellent rigidity for holding tools, which causes no interference between a tool and a work, and which has no limitation on the number of changeable tools. The lathe has: a slide 15 relatively movable in the X and Z axis directions relative to a work head 12; a tool-rest 18 provided on the slide 15 for holding a tool; and a tool changer 20 for storing a plurality of tools and indexing each of the tools at a tool changing position. The tool-rest 18 can turn on the X-Z plane and comprises one tool spindle 19 acting as a tool insert part. The tool spindle 19 is secured to the tool-rest 18.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: Big Alpha Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Komine
  • Publication number: 20020077233
    Abstract: A milling machine includes a bi-directional, variable speed, rotary workpiece-holding table, a table drive sized to achieve relatively high acceleration and deceleration rates, a cutting tool mounted to a single or dual axis head, and a control system adapted to achieve a high degree of tool position and table rotational position accuracy cooperating to permit high-speed machining operations, including substantially dome-shaped parts characterized by circumferential surface portions interrupted by radial wall portions. A dual table drive and interchangeable head arrangement make the machine also suitable for conventional turret lathe operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: IMTA Manufacturing Technology & Automation Company
    Inventor: Tino Oldani
  • Patent number: 6387026
    Abstract: A machine tool has a workpiece table for fixing workpieces to be machined and a tool spindle for receiving in a fixture the tools used for machining the workpieces. The machine tool works with an overhead tool pointing upwards in the operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Anton Schweizer, Hans-Henning Winkler
  • Patent number: 6352496
    Abstract: A milling machine includes a bi-directional, variable speed, rotary workpiece-holding table, a table drive sized to achieve relatively high acceleration and deceleration rates, a cutting tool mounted to a single or dual axis head, and a control system adapted to achieve a high degree of tool position and table rotational position accuracy cooperating to permit high-speed machining operations, including substantially dome-shaped parts characterized by circumferential surface portions interrupted by radial wall portions. A dual table drive and interchangeable head arrangement make the machine also suitable for conventional turret lathe operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: IMTA Manufacturing Technology & Automation Company
    Inventor: Tino Oldani
  • Patent number: 6348029
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine tool comprising at least one machining unit having at least one work spindle which can be driven. The machine tool also comprises at least one tool magazine arranged in the working area, and has actuating devices for automatically shifting the tools between the tool holding fixture situated on the spindle and the tool holding fixture situated on the tool magazine. The tool holding fixture situated on the spindle is provided with a hydraulic expansion chuck which, with the aid of the spindle, can automatically press against the tool shaft of a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Witzig & Frank GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Baumbusch, Walter Bauer
  • Patent number: 6332861
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Otsuka, Masaru Oda, Kenji Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20010002380
    Abstract: An assembling device for supplying and assembling a part on an object has a table and a first moving means disposed above the table, wherein the first moving means includes a guide and a movable body. The guide extends in a first direction parallel to a surface of the table out of a range in which the table is positioned. The movable body is movable to a position out of the range in which the table is positioned. The assembling device also has a second moving means disposed on the table and movable in a second direction transverse to the first direction, the object being mounted on the second moving means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Publication date: May 31, 2001
    Applicant: kananen
    Inventors: MORIO TOMINAGA, KATSUYA ARAI, SHOICHI HAYASHI, KENICHI KATO, TSUYOSHI INOUE, HIROYUKI SUZUKI, TETSUO HIGEWAKE, HIDEAKI TOMIKAWA, TAKESHI TOKITA, NORIFUMI OTSUKA, HIROSHI TERANISHI
  • Patent number: 6228006
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machining center, wherein at least one work spindle with a preferably horizontal spindle position can be displaced preferably in the direction of X, Y and Z and each work spindle is allocated at least one substantially circular tool store which can rotate around a central axis and which is provided with storage locations so that the working spindle(s) can deposit one or several tools. The invention is characterized in that a) the tool store (2) comprises one or several tool disk(s) (3) which are arranged parallel to each other and grouped together in a drum store, wherein b) the tool disk(s) can be individually or jointly rotated around a central axis (4) which is perpendicular to the spindle axis and c) the tools (5) can be inserted with their tips (6) forward into tool holders (7) in the tool store (2) which are arranged in a tangential to radical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Hüller Hille GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Horn, Dietrich Geiger
  • Patent number: 6228007
    Abstract: The machine tool comprises a workpiece carrier (16) into which crankshafts (10, 10a) can be clamped one above the other in horizontal alignment. The workpiece carrier (16) is fixed to a turntable (15) on a horizontal slide (14) with the turntable being pivoted around a vertical axis (A). After the turntable (15) has been brought into an inclined position, the crankshafts (10, 10a) are provided with oblique drill holes by means of the drills (26, 26a). A tool magazine (32) comprises a first circulating magazine (33) for drilling tools and a second circulating magazine (34) for drill bushings (27, 27a). The tools are exchanged between tool magazine (32) and spindle box (24) by means of the pick-up process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Honsberg Lamb Sonderwerkzeugmaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Quak, Hans-Joachim Dey
  • Patent number: 6200247
    Abstract: A machine tool and more particularly a drilling and/or milling machine, which has a machine stand, on which a slide arrangement, which runs on guide rails and is motor driven, is able to be moved in either direction of horizontal motion. On this slide arrangement a working head is arranged to receive rotary tools. Underneath the working head in a working area a power driven machining table runs along vertical guide rails for the performance of vertical working movements. The working area is laterally delimited by two side walls at least partly, such side walls extending in parallelism to the longitudinal direction, the vertical guide rails for the working table being arranged on one of the side walls. This means that there is a simple design allowing for removal of shavings to the rear and accordingly a narrow form of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Berthold Hermle AG
    Inventor: Hans-Dieter Braun
  • Patent number: 6098274
    Abstract: The machine tool featuring a number of machining heads for machining printed circuit boards has a worktable movable along the Y axis, and two rows of four machining heads fitted to a common carriage movable along the X axis. The circuit boards are arranged in packs, each having two locating pins for aligning and locking the pack to a respective rectangular fixture fitted to the worktable with the short side parallel to the Y axis. Each pair of heads is provided with a pair of tool-change devices and a common tool store, which is defined by one or two boxes removably insertable inside respective supports fitted to the carriage; three pairs of tool-change devices are housed inside gaps between adjacent pairs of fixtures; and a further two pairs of tool-change devices are located adjacent to the end fixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Pluritec Italia S.p.A.
    Inventor: Angelo Raiteri
  • Patent number: 6066078
    Abstract: The machine tool comprises two headstocks (16,17), arranged on a support (10), which are movable independently of each other along their height and their longitudinal direction. A respective one (17) of the headstocks is active in the treatment of a workpiece attached on a workpiece carrier (20), while the other headstock (16) can be moved behind a tool magazine (24) for receiving a tool therefrom. While the one headstock is still working on the workpiece, the other headstock with the next tool can already be accelerated to the required working rotational speed and be advanced to the tool. Thus, the time required for exchange of tools is extremely shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Honsberg Lamb Sonderwerkzeugmaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Koelblin, Reinhard Schneider, Werner Mueller, Horst Fein
  • Patent number: 5954623
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tool changer which can be placed on the table of an existing machine tool, while utilizing the existing control computer of the machine tool to automate the tool changing process. This simplified tool changer allows the owner of an entry level machine tool to automate the machine tool at a relatively low cost and without many modifications to the machine tool as compared to current alternatives. The tool changer of the present invention requires no external power, no additional motors, and no modifications to the spindle of the machine tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Inventor: Steven E. Davis