Rotary Disc Patents (Class 483/67)
  • Patent number: 10220478
    Abstract: A machining center including a machine main body, an upper section of which supports a head moving device and a head raising and lowering device, configured such that a tool magazine is stored inside the machine main body, and with a magazine moving device configured to move the tool magazine such that, during tool exchange, the tool magazine is advanced to protrude from a side of the machine main body, so that, from the multiple tool holders, the tool holder used for exchange is positioned inside the movement range of the main shaft by the head moving device, and wherein the entire tool magazine is able to be moved beyond the movement range of the tool magazine by the magazine moving device to a position outside of the machine main body and detached from the machine main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: FUJI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuya Asakawa, Shuichi Hirata
  • Publication number: 20150119215
    Abstract: A single power tool changing device of a CNC machining center includes a tool magazine unit, a cam-based tool changing unit, and a power clutch unit. The tool magazine unit includes a tool magazine body, a rotatable disk, and a plurality of tool sets. The cam-based tool changing unit includes a tool change base, a cam mechanism, and a tool changing mechanism. The power clutch unit includes a first force output axle that drives the tool magazine unit to operate, a second force output axle that drives the cam-based tool changing unit to operate, and a power mechanism, which selectively transmits power to the first or second force output axle. As such, the present invention allows for performance of both operations of tool selection and tool change with a single driving power source so as to achieve an advantage of reducing installation cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: FENG-TIEN CHEN
  • Patent number: 8974358
    Abstract: A multi-spindle machining machine with a tool changing mechanism contains a base; a carrier including a seat to move in Z axis, a rotary shaft fixed on the seat laterally to drive the seat to rotate in A axis, and a fixing holder coupled to an end portion of the rotary shaft to fix a work piece; a tool changing mechanism including a mount mounted to the rotary shaft to rotate with the rotary shaft and a monitor fixed on the seat to measure a length of the tool clamped on a driving spindle, and including a plurality of slots to receive the tools respectively; a working head moving above the carrier and the tool changing mechanism in X and Y axes and including the driving spindle mounted on a lower end thereof to rotate axially, and the lower end of the driving spindle allowing to engage and disengage the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Shenq Fang Yuan Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheng Hsiu Shih
  • Patent number: 8814770
    Abstract: A method for processing workpieces with a laser processing machine including a laser processing head having a nozzle receiving member configured to receive a laser nozzle. The method includes holding a workpiece on a workpiece support plane of a workpiece support, transferring a laser nozzle between a nozzle magazine of a nozzle changing device located at a first side of the workpiece support and a nozzle receiving member of the laser processing head located at a second side of the workpiece support such that the laser nozzle is assembled on or disassembled from the nozzle receiving member, and moving the laser nozzle through a through-opening defined in the workpiece support along a transverse direction to the workpiece support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Frank Schmauder
  • Publication number: 20140100094
    Abstract: A tool magazine that can make a long tool reasonably coexist with other tools and a machining center with the tool magazine are provided. The tool magazine has a rotatable magazine main body and plural of tool holders installed on the magazine main body. Each of the tool holders moves to a tool exchange position sequentially. A part or all of the tool holders has a capability of changing between an exchange posture that holds the tool in parallel to a rotation shaft of the magazine main body and a transport posture that holds the tool along with a plane perpendicular to the rotation shaft of the magazine main body. The tool holder capable of changing postures takes the exchange posture when it locates in the tool exchange position and takes the transport posture when it leave the exchange position. The machining center has the above tool magazine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Komatsu NTC Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi HAYASHI, Fumihiro KAMIKONYA, Yasuo HASEGAWA
  • Patent number: 8672820
    Abstract: A tool stocker includes main stockers for holding a plurality of tools detachably mounted on a main spindle for machining a workpiece, an auxiliary stocker for holding and transferring tools to and from the main stockers, and a tool transfer mechanism for transferring tools between the main stockers and the auxiliary stocker. The auxiliary stocker includes a plurality of tool pods for removably supporting the tools therein, a rail in sliding engagement with outer surfaces of the tool pods, a chain for moving the tool pods in sliding engagement with the rail, and a motor for actuating the chain. The rail has a recess defined therein in alignment with the tool transfer mechanism, such that the tools transferred by the tool transfer mechanism pass through the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoki Uchikawa, Shoji Shibata, Takeshi Shibata, Shugo Arakawa, Masakazu Kubo, Tatsuhiko Tanaka, Kenichi Masuda
  • Patent number: 8652018
    Abstract: A machine tool is provided with a tool magazine including a guiding plate, a turntable and holders. The guiding plate includes an annular groove with a semi-circular section and a semi-oval section. The semi-circular section is defined by a radius. The semi-oval section is defined by a semi-major axis identical to the radius of the semi-circular section and a semi-minor axis shorter than the semi-major axis. The turntable includes claws extending from the periphery. Each of the holders is pivotally connected to a related one of the claws and includes an end for holding a tool and another end formed with a ball movably located in the annular groove. Thus, some of the holders of which the balls are located in the semi-circular section of the annular groove close while the other holders of which the balls are located in the semi-oval section of the annular groove open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Ying Sun
  • Patent number: 8574140
    Abstract: A mechanical device is used to change a laser nozzle of a nozzle mount of a laser processing machine. The mechanical device includes a nozzle magazine with at least one nozzle holder for storing a laser nozzle at a nozzle storage location, and a dirt collector. The nozzle holder is movable by means of a positioning device provided for that purpose or alternatively the dirt collector is movable by means of a positioning device provided for that purpose into a stand-by position defined on the mechanical device. The nozzle holder and the dirt collector can also be transferred to a position remote from the stand-by position with the respective positioning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: TRUMPF Maschinen AG
    Inventors: Werner Erlenmaier, Frank Schmauder, Armin Felber, Reto Gedeon
  • Patent number: 8574139
    Abstract: A machine tool having an automatic tool changer (ATC). The machine tool includes a gantry, a spindle extending from the gantry, a configurable work area, and an ATC adjacent to a front wall of the machine tool. The ATC includes a rotary tool magazine and a plurality of receptacles oriented radially around the rotary tool magazine configured to hold a plurality of cutting tools having cutting edges. The cutting edges of the cutting tools point radially inwardly around the rotary tool magazine, and the cutting tools are removed directly from the automatic tool changer by the spindle and brought to a part to be machined. A tool sensor may be located between the ATC and the spindle to take measurements of the cutting tool. The ATC includes at least one receptacle configured to hold a cutting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Microlution, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Honegger, Andrew Phillip, Deepkishore Mukhopadhyay, Abhinandan Tulsian, Elizabeth Creighton
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20120220437
    Abstract: A tool magazine that can make a long tool reasonably coexist with other tools and a machining center with the tool magazine are provided. The tool magazine has a rotatable magazine main body and plural of tool holders installed on the magazine main body. Each of the tool holders moves to a tool exchange position sequentially. A part or all of the tool holders has a capability of changing between an exchange posture that holds the tool in parallel to a rotation shaft of the magazine main body and a transport posture that holds the tool along with a plane perpendicular to the rotation shaft of the magazine main body. The tool holder capable of changing postures takes the exchange posture when it locates in the tool exchange position and takes the transport posture when it leave the exchange position. The machining center has the above tool magazine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Junichi Hayashi, Fumihiro Kamikonya, Yasuo Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20110319239
    Abstract: A disclosed example tool changer for changing a tool on a spindle of a machine tool comprises a tool drum having a plurality of tool holders to hold tools. The example tool changer also includes an axle carrier on which the tool drum is rotatably supported to align the tool holders with the spindle. A first coupling portion is rotatably supported on the axle carrier. At least one first gear stage is provided via which the first coupling portion is connected to the tool drum. The first coupling portion is adapted to be coupled or uncoupled with a second coupling portion rotatably supported on a spindle stock of the machine tool and connected to the spindle of the machine tool via at least one second gear stage. The tool drum is adapted to be driven, when the first and second coupling portions are in a coupled state, by the spindle of the machine tool via the at least one second gear stage, the second and first coupling portions and the at least one first gear stage to align the tool holders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Manuel Gerst, Michael Bergbaur
  • 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: 20110039670
    Abstract: A machine tool having an automatic tool changer (ATC). The machine tool includes a gantry, a spindle extending from the gantry, a configurable work area, and an ATC adjacent to a front wall of the machine tool. The ATC includes a rotary tool magazine and a plurality of receptacles oriented radially around the rotary tool magazine configured to hold a plurality of cutting tools having cutting edges. The cutting edges of the cutting tools point radially inwardly around the rotary tool magazine, and the cutting tools are removed directly from the automatic tool changer by the spindle and brought to a part to be machined. A tool sensor may be located between the ATC and the spindle to take measurements of the cutting tool. The ATC includes at least one receptacle configured to hold a cutting tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: MICROLUTION, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Honegger, Andrew Phillip, Deepkishore Mukhopadhyay, Abhinandan Tulsian, Elizabeth Creighton
  • Publication number: 20110015050
    Abstract: A tool magazine includes: a rotary shaft; and a plurality of tool gripping members radially extending around the rotary shaft. The tool magazine is configured to transfer tools between the tool gripping members and a tool attachment portion of a machine tool. The plurality of tool gripping members are arranged such that two tool gripping members are at least partially adjacent to each other and disposed in different heights in a direction of the rotary shaft, so that a tool is transferred between one of the two tool gripping members and the tool attachment portion without interference of the tool attachment portion against a tool gripped by the other one of the adjacent tool gripping member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Okuma Corporation
    Inventor: Ryuei HAKAMATA
  • Publication number: 20100173762
    Abstract: A tool changer for machine tools, the tool changer having at least one rotatable tool gripper, a supporting column for the tool gripper which can be lifted and lowered and rotated about a rotational axis, a mechanical cam gear for generating the lifting and rotating movements of the tool gripper, all driven by a drive motor connected to a cam barrel and intermediate gearing. The cam barrel has a tappet for the rotational drive of the tool gripper on its upper front and a cam curve or groove on its peripheral surface for the lifting movement of the tool gripper. The tappet drives a Maltese wheel supported on a shaft parallel to the rotational axis of the tool gripper. The Maltese wheel, the cam barrel, and the supporting column of the tool gripper are successively supported in a manner parallel to the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: DECKEL MAHO SEEBACH GMBH
    Inventors: Udo TÃœLLMANN, Stephan KÃœMMEL, Andreas KRETZSCHMAR
  • Patent number: 7713183
    Abstract: Apparatus (12) for storing robotic tooling for vehicle body sheet metal robotic assembly operates a robot to transfer robotic tooling between an assembly station and a rotary storage rack (56) of a storage rack assembly (28). The storage rack (56) has vertically spaced storage locations and is rotated about a vertical axis to provide circumferentially spaced storage locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Utica Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Gordon, John R. Heal
  • Patent number: 7594882
    Abstract: A tool changer for a machine tool includes a disc magazine having a plate, and a number of retainers attached to the outer peripheral portion of the plate for detachably supporting tool members, the retainers each include a base portion attached to the outer peripheral portion of the plate, and a holding device disposed on the base portion and having two arms for resiliently holding and carrying and supporting the tool member. The retainers each include a coupling portion coupled between two legs, the arms of the holding devices may be extended from the legs and may be formed from a longitudinal wire or rod member for reducing the weight of the retainers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Inventor: Alan Xiao
  • Publication number: 20090233774
    Abstract: A subsea tool changer comprises a housing; a rotatable carousel rotatably mounted within the housing and adapted to receive a plurality of selectively removable tools; a tool changer that can select a predetermined one of the plurality of tools from the carousel; and a power drive adapted to provide a predetermined function to a tool selected by the tool changer, the power drive further comprising a first power drive interface. In typical use, a selectively removable tool is placed onto the rotatable carousel which is rotated so that a desired selectively removable tool is positioned adjacent to a tool driver which is then mated with the desired selectively removable tool. The tool changer and mated selected removable tool are moved outward toward an outer boundary of the housing and the tool changer extended at least partially outside the housing outward towards a predetermined tool working position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventor: Richard W. McCoy, JR.
  • Patent number: 7569006
    Abstract: A tool pots mounting structure for a tool magazine, wherein the tool pots inside can be engaged into the engaging notches of the first and second mounting discs directly without using without any bolts, pivots or pivotal structures, and without using tools, such as power screwdriver, to assemble the tool pots. Hence, not only is the assembly process simplified, the assembly cost is reduced, but also the follow-up maintenance work is also reduced. A tool change device is disposed at one side of a tool change port of the tool magazine, by using a pressure cylinder to drive a drive member to move, and further driving a pivotal member to clamp the desired tool pot, the tool pot can be pivoted to disengage from the first and second mounting discs. By such arrangements, the tool change operation can be carried out by only a single tool change device. Hence, not only is the cost considerably reduced, but also the assembly process is also much simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Gifu Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tony Liu
  • Patent number: 7476190
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Haas Schleifmaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Dieter Braun
  • Patent number: 7462144
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Haas Schleifmaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Dieter Braun
  • Patent number: 7462145
    Abstract: A machine tool is described, in particular a grinding machine, with a tool storage device. The tool storage device contains an outer magazine wheel (34) and an inner magazine wheel (58), which are independently concentrically rotatable in a controlled manner. The outer magazine wheel (34) preferably holds grinding tools (56), while the inner magazine wheel (58) preferably holds grinding wheel protectors (68). The grinding tool (56) and the grinding wheel protector (68) are removed from the tool storage device and are returned to the latter by the tool spindle (30). The grinding tools (56) and grinding wheel protectors (68) can be exchanged independently in arbitrary combinations and possibly also simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Haas Schleitmaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Bader, Hans-Dieter Braun
  • Patent number: 7341549
    Abstract: A gripping and holding device in the handling system of a machine tool. The device comprises at least one preferably plate-like support member provided with at least two retainer fingers spreadable against a return force and defining a common accommodation orifice for a component to be clamped. At least one resiliently displaceable retainer finger is integrally formed with the support member and can be locked in its clamping position by a locking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: DECKEL MAHO Pfronten GmbH
    Inventor: Robert Jung
  • Patent number: 7316639
    Abstract: A tool magazine exhibits a storage wheel, on the circumference of which there are attached, in the direction of its rotational axis protruding in both directions, tool receivers designed to receive tools. To transport the tools to a tool changer arranged on one side of the storage wheel there is provided a tool handover device, which is movable by means of a 4-position drive. To also enable the tools arranged to face away from the tool changer to be transported, the storage wheel exhibits passage opening that is open towards its circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Huller Hille, GmbH
    Inventor: Horst Schmauder
  • Patent number: 7267642
    Abstract: An automatic tool changing device (30) has a tool storage device (31) with a plurality of tools stored therein, a tool chucking unit (41) and a tool unchucking unit (51) both capable of advancing/retreating between the tool storage device (31) and a tool changing position (P2), and a tool delivery mechanism (61). The tool chucking unit (41) is provided with a tool fastening mechanism (42) for fastening the tool chucking mechanism (24), and the tool unchucking unit (51) is provided with a tool loosening mechanism (52) for loosening the tool chucking mechanism (24). The tool delivery mechanism (61) delivers the tool positioned at a tool delivery position from the tool storage device into the tool fastening mechanism of the tool chucking unit so that the tool is held by the tool fastening mechanism, and delivers the tool retrieved by the tool unchucking unit from the tool unchucking unit to the tool storage device so that the tool is stored by the tool storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Arai, Takeshi Momochi, Yukio Teshima, Hidemi Yoshino, Norio Yamanishi
  • Patent number: 7250024
    Abstract: A tool shelf magazine for milling and drilling machines has at least one shelf, a plurality of compartments provided in the shelf above each other at predetermined intervals and also a plurality of notches, which are open on one side accommodating one suspended tool. A handling device is vertically and horizontally shiftable by means of a motor located adjacent to the shelf. At least one gripper arrangement is provided for extracting predetermined tools from the shelf and for transferring them to a tool changer. At least one shelf has compartments with notches serving as tool accommodations on the front and back side. The notches on the front side are located in the access range of the handling device and the notches on the back side are accessible for retooling. The shelf is formed so as to be rotatable about an axis for a change of sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Deckel Maho Pfronten GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Geissler, Hans Gronbach
  • Publication number: 20070167303
    Abstract: A tool magazine exhibits a storage wheel, on the circumference of which there are attached, in the direction of its rotational axis protruding in both directions, tool receivers designed to receive tools. To transport the tools to a tool changer arranged on one side of the storage wheel there is provided a tool handover device, which is movable by means of a 4-position drive. To also enable the tools arranged to face away from the tool changer to be transported, the storage wheel exhibits passage opening that is open towards its circumference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventor: Horst Schmauder
  • Patent number: 7156795
    Abstract: A plurality of atomizers or other tools are disposed in a mounting plate (10) in storage places (12), respectively. The mounting plate (10) is rotatable relative a paint robot of a coating installation and has a pneumatic lock or a tool holder (19) that can only be released automatically during storage of the atomizers by an external control device of the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Dürr Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans J. Nolte, Rainer Melcher, Michael Baumann, Stefano Giuliano
  • Patent number: 7063654
    Abstract: Machining is possible in such a manner that an optional position of a workpiece is positioned just under a tool by rotation of a turn table in a C-axis direction and movement of a spindle on a Y-Z plane, so that a width of a main unit in a X-axis direction can be made shorter in comparison with machining by moving the turn table in the X-axis direction. Besides, the turn table located on a front side of the main unit, an ATC located on the rear side thereof, and a separated control panel located on the rear side of the ATC, independent from the main unit can also make the width of a machining centre in the X-axis direction shorter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Yamazaki Mazak Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Taniguchi, Toshiyuki Andou, Mitsuhiro Yamada, Kazutaka Murai, Yuichiro Yoshimura, Jiro Nishida, Atsushi Kohama, Shigeto Noma, Michio Norimatsu, Seiichi Kodama, Haruhiko Koike
  • Publication number: 20040242391
    Abstract: To provide a pivoting type tool pot having small number of parts, capable of being mounted on and removed from a tool holding rotating drum easily and capable of holding more tools on the tool holding rotating drum. In a tool pot for pivotally supporting a tool on a tool holding rotating drum in a machine tool automatic tool-replacing device, a tool pot has a tool supporting portion for removably holding the tool and a drum mount portion bolted onto the tool holding rotating drum. The drum mount portion comprises a supporting plate screwed onto a rear end portion of the tool supporting portion and a drum mount plate pivoted on the supporting plate. The tool supporting portion is pivotally supported on the tool holding rotating drum by being bolted on the tool holding rotating drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Araki, Michio Oitaka, Atsushi Maeda
  • Publication number: 20040176228
    Abstract: A tool changing device of a machine tool which prevents chips adhering to a tool. By using a drive motor with which a tool changing device of the machine tool is usually provided, to vibrate the tool, the chips are prevented from adhering to the tool, especially to a tapered portion of the tool, and/or the chips adhered to the tool are removed, without using any additional device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: FANUC LTD
    Inventors: Kunio Kojima, Naoki Sato
  • Publication number: 20030220178
    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: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: Maschinenfabrik Berthold Hermle AG
    Inventors: Anton Mattes, Timo Waschle
  • Patent number: 6645131
    Abstract: An hydrostatic tool system including a tool assembly having a hydrostatic tool holder for holding a rotating tool, for example a machine or cutting tool. The hydrostatic tool system may also include a tool storage system, a tool transport system and a tool drive system. The hydrostatic tool system may also include an hydraulic coupler for hydraulically connecting the hydrostatic tool holder to a pressurizing or depressurizing source. The hydrostatic tool system may also include a system controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventors: Andrew Asp, Raliegh J. Jensen
  • Patent number: 6626809
    Abstract: A machining center is provided with a cutter depot structure comprising a cutter socket, a cutter disk, and a round machine frame. The cutter socket is rotatably mounted on the periphery of the cutter disk by a retaining pin which is put through an L-shaped rod of the cutter socket. The L-shaped rod is provided with a roller. The cutter disk is provided with an annular stop surface. The round machine frame is provided with a wearproof annular pad having a cut. The cutter socket in motion is confined by the stop surface of the cutter disk and the annular pad of the machine frame such that the cutter socket is kept in the horizontal state. The cutter socket is turned on the retaining pin to facilitate the inverting of the cutter, thereby resulting in reduction in length of a cutter exchanging arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventor: Yaw-Der Hwang
  • Publication number: 20030130101
    Abstract: A tool holding structure comprises a tool tray and a plurality of tool frames, each having a U-shaped fitting piece and a fastening seat. The tool frames are fastened with the tool tray by the fastening seat. The fitting piece is provided with a fitting edge and a plurality of elastic pieces. The tool is held in the tool frame such that the handle of the tool is pressed against by the elastic pieces of the fitting piece of the tool frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventor: Yaw-Der Hwang
  • Patent number: 6506143
    Abstract: In a finishing apparatus, a plurality of works are retained at distances from each other in a direction of an X-axis. A single spindle is disposed on a table movable in the direction of the X-axis, the spindle has an axis parallel to an axis of each of bores to be finished, and is capable of being advanced and retracted axially. A measuring device is provided that measures an inside diameter of each finished bore and which is advanced and retracted independently from the spindle in a direction along the axis of each finished bore. A combination tool is mounted at a tip end of the spindle and finishes an inner surface of any of the bores to be finished, even if the position of insertion of the combination tool into each of the bores is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kaname Goto, Yuzo Abe, Koichi Arai, Tsugio Ueno, Yasuo Kondo
  • Publication number: 20020107122
    Abstract: A machine tool comprising a machining spindle, a device for inserting an auxiliary unit into the machining spindle, a tool magazine for providing a multitude of tools and a tool changer comprising at least one tool gripper for holding tools for the machining spindle for the transportation of tools between the tool magazine and an exchange position at the machining spindle. To ensure an automatic supply to the machining spindle as well as to the auxiliary unit in a simple and fast way the tool changer has at least one additional tool gripper for holding tools for the auxiliary unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: HOPPE
    Inventor: GERD HOPPE
  • Patent number: 6402671
    Abstract: A tool-exchange apparatus making an area to install a whole machine tool compact and facilitating a attachment/detachment and a maintenance and the like of a tool. The tool-exchange apparatus includes a plurality of tool pots 10 respectively having tool storage portion 10a. The tool pot 10 is indexed at an indexing position for exchanging tools, whereby the next tool T put in the opening of the tool storage portion 10a is exchanged for the present tool T installed in a spindle. The tool pots 10 are circumferencially spaced away from each other, and an opening of each tool accommodation area 10a is centrally directed. The tools T are held by the tool pots 10 in a radial manner. The tool magazine 1 can be made compact because the tools T are radially held with the tips thereof centrally directed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidehito Ota
  • Publication number: 20020052272
    Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic tool changer which employs a servo motor as a drive source for a tool magazine and, yet, features a minimized power consumption and a reduced steady torque of the servo motor. The automatic tool changer is adapted to perform a tool magazine indexing operation in accordance with an indexing command and then perform a tool changing operation in accordance with a tool changing command. If the next indexing command is not outputted within a predetermined time period after completion of the tool changing operation, power supply to the servo motor for driving the tool magazine is temporarily stopped and, when the next indexing command is outputted, the power supply to the servo motor is resumed for performing the indexing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Applicant: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satohiro Izumi
  • Patent number: 6228008
    Abstract: A tool carousel comprising a plurality of wheel sections which can be joined together to form a carousel wheel and a plurality of tool-holding portions. Each tool-holding portion and wheel section is configured such that each tool-holding portion can be journalled to a respective wheel section for rotation between a tool-storage position and a tool-accessing position in which a tool can be installed thereupon or removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Bridgeport Machines Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Roy Pollington, Harish Devji Mandalia
  • 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: 6203479
    Abstract: An automatic tool changing device (ATC) for machining tools is disclosed. The ATC consists of arbor rotation guide means, arbor position changing means, arbor rotation means, tool changing means and ATC protection means. The ATC is positioned at a side of the movable table and effectively changes tools within the inner diameter circle of a rotary housing, thus shortening the arbor movement stroke and conserving the tool changing time during a tool changing operation. The ATC is also protected from the spindle stock of a machining tool, thus being free from any damage caused by chips from the spindle stock. The ATC is positioned at a side of the movable table in place of the column different from a typical ATC, so that it remarkably reduces the volume of the ATC protection cover and saves the manufacturing cost of such machining centers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Hwacheon Machine Tool Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ohira Gengo, Ki Tai Kim, Chang Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 6155961
    Abstract: A tool carousel comprising a plurality of wheel sections which can be joined together to form a carousel wheel and a plurality of tool-holding portions. Each tool-holding portion and wheel section is configured such that each tool-holding portion can be journalled to a respective wheel section for rotation between a tool-storage position and a tool-accessing position in which a tool can be installed thereupon or removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Bridgeport Machines Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Roy Pollington, Harish Devji Mandalia
  • Patent number: 6102840
    Abstract: A tool changer for a machine tool includes a disc magazine having a number of openings opened radially outward from the peripheral portion for receiving tool members. Two or more retainers are rotatably secured to the disc magazine and extended inward of each of the openings of the disc magazine for engaging with the tool members and for retaining the tool members in place. A number of springs are further secured to the disc magazine and engaged with the tool members for clamping the tool members in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventor: Alan Xiao
  • Patent number: 6077206
    Abstract: A storage device for a machine tool having a ram, includes a cylinder of mounted for rotation in a chamber mounted to a frame of the machine tool adjacent the ram. The chamber has an opening and the cylinder is mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of the ram. This cylinder has parts for storing tools, a plurality of grippers for gripping a tool to be transferred to the ram, and a flap having dimensions corresponding to dimension of the opening, and mounted on the cylinder at a position such that it seals the opening. The grippers are mounted at angular positions which are different from those of the flap, and so are all protected by the flap when the flap closes the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Renault Automation
    Inventor: Andre Azema
  • Patent number: 5899840
    Abstract: A tool changer for a machine includes a disc having a number of protrusions extended radially outward and a number of grooves formed between the protrusions. A rod has a projection for engaging with the grooves of the disc and for precisely rotating the disc step by step when the rod is rotated. The protrusions each includes a curved rib. The rod includes a stud and one or more stops for engaging with the curved rib and for retaining the curved rib and the disc in place when the projection does not rotate the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Inventor: Alan Xiao
  • Patent number: 5899839
    Abstract: A tool changer for a machine includes a disc having a number of protrusions extended radially outward and a number of grooves formed between the protrusions. A rod has a projection for engaging with the grooves of the disc and for precisely rotating the disc step by step when the rod is rotated. The protrusions each includes a curved rib. The rod includes a stud and an arc for engaging with the curved rib and for retaining the curved rib and the disc in place when the projection does not rotate the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Inventor: Alan Xiao
  • Patent number: 5762594
    Abstract: A program-controlled machine tool with automated tool changing, where the machine tool consists of a motor-driven machining unit with a working spindle that can be moved in at least one coordinate. The machine tool also includes a work table that can be driven by a motor in at least one coordinate, at least one tool magazine, and a programmable control unit. In order to be able to carry out tool changing operations without any auxiliary equipment, especially without a tool changer, within a short period of time, the tool magazine is mounted in a certain spatial arrangement with the working area of the machining unit so that its changing position can be approached directly by the working spindle in order to carry out the tool changing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Deckel Maho GmbH
    Inventor: Gerd Hoppe
  • Patent number: 5702336
    Abstract: A tool magazine having a plurality of grips for gripping tool holders for use in a machine tool. The tool holder gripped at the grip is transferred to a holder portion of a spindle of a machine tool, or the tool holder held in the holder portion is transferred to the grip. The magazine has a magazine disk rotatable about a horizontal axis for tool indexing operation. The tool holder extends in the horizontal direction when it is gripped by the grip, and the spindle also extends in the horizontal direction. Each grip includes a pair of first and second arm members pivotally supported on the magazine disk and extending in a radial direction of the magazine disk. The first and second arm members has tool gripping portions movable toward and away from each other for gripping and releasing the tool holder. A compression spring is provided between the pair of first and second arm members for normally urging the first and second arm members to their tool gripping positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumio Kameyama