Process Of Turning Patents (Class 82/1.11)
  • Patent number: 6363821
    Abstract: A disk brake lathe has a pair of tool bits mounted to tool holders which are translatable parallel to a lathe axis to adjust the separation of the tool bits from a brake disk. A displacement gauge responds to changes in the separation between the tool holders. When the tool bits are in continuous contact with the disk, the separation indicates the thickness which would result from machining the disk. This separation can be compared to a specification to determine whether to machine or discard the disk. A method for machining a disk starts by mounting and aligning the lathe to a wheel hub on which the disk is mounted. The tool bits are each advanced until they are in continuous contact the disk surfaces, when the separation of the tool bits is measured and preferably compared to a specification. When the tool bits are sequentially advanced, variation in the separation can be used to determine depth of cut for each tool bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Pro-Cut Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher L. Greenwald, Jeffrey P. Hastings
  • Publication number: 20020033081
    Abstract: A machining method for a workpiece with a lathe device, wherein compressed air and liquid are individually supplied to the interior of a turret. After the compressed air and the liquid are separately passed through the interior of the turret, they are separately supplied to the interior of a tool holding means fixed to the turret. At the interior of the tool holding means, the compressed air and the liquid are mixed and atomized to form a mist. Atomized mist is then delivered to a tip of a working tool for machining, either along the outer surface or within the interior of the working tool, and is sprayed onto a working part from the tip of the working tool. The machining method does not cause problems such as hardening, like quenching, of a surface of the workpiece with generated cutting heat even during high-speed cutting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventor: Mitsugu Hara
  • Patent number: 6358382
    Abstract: In order to simplify its production, a target consists of a target plate (1) and a retaining ring (2) which is mounted thereon and can be inserted in the manner of a bayonet lock into a receiving orifice of a holding device (4). A downward-facing stop (8) on the inside of the retaining ring (2), whose upper surface is flush with that of the target plate (1), cooperates with an opposite stop (7) on the latter, which is produced in a simple manner by producing an all-round step, for example by turning. The lower surface of the target plate (1) projects beyond that of the retaining ring (2), so that a metal foil (9) is pressed against its lower surface under the action of a cooling liquid under pressure, and, via the opposite stop (7) and the stop (8), presses upward-facing fastening cheeks (5) of the retaining ring (2) against retaining projections (6) of the holding device (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Unaxis Balzers Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Ulrich Stucki, Wolfgang Siegl
  • Patent number: 6357324
    Abstract: A number of annular or short tubular elements are obtained from an elongate tube having a length calculated as a multiple of the length of the elements. A tube is automatically transferred into a chuck of a twin-spindle lathe to turn the inner bore of an end portion of the tube. The end portion is then cut off the tube, thereby obtaining an annular element. The element is automatically reversed and fitted to a mandrel for turning its outer surface and its end where the cutting was performed. The so finished or partly-finished element is then automatically delivered to an outfeed conveyor. Such a sequence is repeated cyclically until the last portion of the tube is processed, leaving no waste tips of the tube. A numerically controlled lathe for performing the process is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Erling Zackrisson, Franco Caldana
  • Patent number: 6357325
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement, including a surface to be sealed off of a rotationally symmetrical machine element and a radial shaft sealing ring. The sealing ring has a sealing lip made of polymer material, which contacts the surface along a sealing edge that is formed of two mutually intersecting conical surfaces, the first conical surface, facing the space to be sealed off, forming a steeper angle with the axis of rotation than the conical surface facing away from it. A spiral-shaped groove having a rounded groove bottom is recessed into the surface, the groove bottom has a radius of curvature of 0.4 to 1.6 mm, and the depth of the groove is less than 15 &mgr;m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventor: Rolf Vogt
  • Publication number: 20020029667
    Abstract: A centering apparatus for centering a disk about a center member such as a shaft or hub includes a plurality of pairs of actuator units. The actuator units of each of the pairs faces each other through the disk. Each of the actuator units has a member which moves linearly and can come into contact with the disk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: MITSURU SHIRAISHI, KOICHI OIKAWA, HITOSHI KOMORIYA, YUTAKA NAKAMURA, TAKAO HIRAHARA
  • Patent number: 6353987
    Abstract: A method of constructing a reciprocator and moving element for a reciprocator. Also, a method of producing a non-contacting alignment of relatively reciprocating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Clever Fellows Innovation Consortium, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Corey
  • Publication number: 20020020256
    Abstract: A device aids the setter of a cutter head for cutting, e.g., milling or hobbing, of spiral bevel gears to align all rod-shaped blades with their tip cutting edges to an axial height which is as uniform as possible and to move them with their profile cutting edges to a correct radial position in the cutter head so that uniform chip removal can take place. The device has a stable arm which can be moved numerically controlled axially and radially to the cutter head, with positions which are continuously measured and with which each individual blade can be automatically pushed into its chamber in the cutter head. A probe which is connected to the arm measures the axial height of the tip cutting edge of each blade before, during and shortly after each blade is pushed in.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventor: Georg Mies
  • Publication number: 20020014138
    Abstract: In a method of machining a workpiece wherein a complex tool 21 having a plurality of inserts 22, 23, 25, 26, 29, 30 thereon is installed on a tool holding means 20 of a machine tool so as to machine a workpiece 17, turning machining is performed on rotating workpiece, selectively using one or more inserts of a plurality of inserts installed on the complex tool, with the complex tool being fixed and held, and milling machining is performed on a workpiece using one or more inserts of a plurality of inserts installed on the complex tool, with the complex tool being rotated and driven. Then, both turning machining and milling machining can be performed without changing tool, and extremely efficient machining is possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventors: Tsunehiko Yamazaki, Naoe Fukumura, Masayoshi Mizukado, Kazuhiro Kikata, Sadami Miyazaki, Koichi Maki
  • Patent number: 6341547
    Abstract: A lathe includes a frame for supporting rotatable chucking equipment adapted to hold a work piece. The frame further supports at least one lathe tool for machining the work piece. The chucking equipment and the lathe tool are displaceable relative to each other in at least a radial direction. The lathe includes a housing attached to the frame, with the housing extending about a longitudinal axis and having a cylindrical inner space extending from one end of the housing. The inner space has a longitudinal axis parallel to, though offset from, the longitudinal axis of the housing. An angularly displaceable shaft is arranged in the inner space and carries the chucking equipment. A rotatable outer casing peripherally encloses the cylindrical elongate housing. The rotatable outer casing carries the lathe tool. Rotation of the rotatable outer casing causes the lathe tool to effect a radial displacement relative to the chucking equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Lidkoping Machines Tools AB
    Inventor: Mats Heijkenskjöld
  • Patent number: 6332385
    Abstract: A rotating metallic workpiece, the hardness of which lies within the interval of 45-65 HRC, is turned by a cutting insert while being rotated about an axis. The insert has a cutting edge made of cubic boron nitride. The cutting insert is fed in a feed direction into the rotating workpiece, by a distance which is shorter than an effective cutting edge length in order to cut a surface having a finish Ra of maximum 0.2 &mgr;m. The ends of the cutting edge are situated outside the zone of contact with the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Seco Tools AB
    Inventors: Eilert Kautto, Norbert König
  • Patent number: 6331093
    Abstract: An apparatus radially adjusts a position of a plurality of tool cartridges of a machine tool having rotatable, concentric, elongate, inner and outer drive spindles. A plurality of pockets are formed through the outer spindle to communication with a passage for the inner spindle. A wedge is disposed in each pocket for longitudinal movement in response to relative rotation of the inner spindle when the inner spindle is in a predetermined selectable position. A rotatable member is disposed in each pocket and has a threaded external surface operably engageable to move the rotatable member longitudinally in response to rotation of the rotatable member with respect to the outer spindle. A tool cartridge is operably engaged within each pocket for radial movement in response to relative movement of the corresponding wedge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Ex-Cello Machine Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: John Graham, Robert B. Raible, Johann S. Klimach
  • Patent number: 6327946
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a mechanical seal used in fluid applications, wherein the mechanical seal is comprised of a sintered (cemented) tungsten carbide ring that is turned on a lathe at a negative top rake angle instead of formed by grinding. The cemented tungsten carbide ring is initially prepared by rounding corners of the top surface to form a radii. The resulting mechanical seal yields significantly less surface damage, can be formed using faster cutting speeds and feeds than when grinding, enables formation of a greater range of complex geometries for the mechanical seals, and requires fewer passes than grinding. The compact is also formed at a significantly reduced cost as compared to grinding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Advanced Metal Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Allen Felter, Tracy Shane Nye
  • Patent number: 6327947
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically compensating for the lateral runout between an on-car lathe apparatus and a vehicle hub axis including one or more stop discs that rotate with the drive shaft of the lathe and that can be selectively stopped from rotating with the shaft by a stop mechanism. In response to such stopping, one or more adjustment discs are caused to rotate in order to adjust the relative position of the axis of the lathe with respect to the axis of the disc brake assembly. In this manner, the system compensates for and corrects lateral runout that exists between two concentrically attached rotating shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventors: Harold Newell, John Wiggins
  • Patent number: 6324949
    Abstract: 054637723 The invention relates to a machine tool comprising a machine frame and at least one workpiece spindle. A workpiece can be clamped in the workpiece spindle and driven for rotation about a workpiece spindle axis into defined rotary positions by means of a numerically controlled C-axis. A support is provided on which the workpiece spindle is arranged and with which the workpiece spindle can be moved relative to the machine frame and transversely to the workpiece spindle axis into at least two spindle stations stationarily arranged with respect to the machine frame. At least one tool carrier associated with a selected one of the spindle stations is provided, which comprises a transverse-slide carrier mounted on the machine frame and having a transverse slide for a tool movable in an X direction relative to the workpiece spindle located in the selected spindle station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Index-Werke GmbH & Co. KG Hahn & Tessky
    Inventors: Helmut Friedrich Link, Guenther Heinrich Trautmann
  • Patent number: 6318219
    Abstract: A cutting method in which a solution is sprayed or jetted to a machining portion when machining by use of a water-insoluble cutting oil, wherein recovered liquid is collected and stored in one recovery tank, and separated into the water-insoluble cutting oil and another solution on the basis of the specific gravity difference, and are re-used. Stable machining is enabled by using the water-insoluble cutting oil, and measures against disaster are fully taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Taiyu Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuo Kato
  • Patent number: 6318220
    Abstract: A method of machining a differential housing defining a cavity having opposed concave interior surfaces from a workpiece having first and second transverse bores defined therein. A tool having a retractable cutting insert is mounted on a spindle of a machining center, the cutting insert being pivotably mounted within the tool to rotate about a pivot axis and having distal and proximal cutting edges at opposite ends thereof. The tool is inserted into the first bore defined in the workpiece while the cutting insert is retained in a retracted position within the tool. A force is applied to the cutting insert so as to overcome a bias urging the cutting insert into the retracted position, the force being sufficient to urge the distal and proximal cutting edges into contact with corresponding interior portions of the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Malpal, Inc.
    Inventor: Bert P. Erdel
  • Patent number: 6318221
    Abstract: A process of manufacturing sinusoidal shaped sealing rings is provided in which the rings are machined from solid bars of material. The rings are machined from the outer diameter of the bar by means of OD turning, trepanning or face-grooving tool and a parting tool. All of the tools synchronously oscillate precisely with the spindle by means of computer control to form the sinusoidal shape. The remaining material is then salvaged and retained at a smaller diameter than it started. The smaller diameter bar is then used to make smaller diameter rings at a later date.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Hydra-Seal, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul D. Gallagher
  • Publication number: 20010039861
    Abstract: In order to eliminate errors in roundness and the occurrence of helical waves, a skiving head is provided with at least three skiving blades arranged in a radially displaceable manner in the skiving head. With this skiving head, both the requirement for self-centering of the skiving blade set as well as the requirement for circular skiving geometry with consistent cutting depth are fulfilled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: ECOROLL AG Werkzeugtechnik
    Inventor: Alfred Ostertag
  • Publication number: 20010037707
    Abstract: A multi-spindle CNC lathe comprises a frame assembly mounted on a base and including spaced apart, rigidly interconnected subframes defining spaced, parallel alignment surfaces. A plurality of spindles each includes a collet for rotating a stock about a spindle axis. An indexing mechanism positions the spindles in alignment worth with stations located at equally spaced intervals about a central axis. Internal tool slides mounted on the alignment surface of one of the subframes each comprise a servo mechanism for advancing and retracting a cutting tool along a work station axis. External tool slides mounted on the alignment surface of the other subframe each comprise a first servo mechanism for advancing and retracting a cutting tool toward and away from the work station axis and a second servo mechanism for selectively moving the cutting tool back and forth along a path extending parallel to the work station axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Applicant: Crudgington Machine Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Crudgington, Graham J. Crudgington
  • Publication number: 20010037706
    Abstract: A method for cuffing or hard turning the surface of a workpiece comprising using a cutting tool in which a cooling fluid is supplied to the cutting area by means of at least one jet nozzle. The cooling fluid is supplied as a jet with high pressure leaving the jet nozzle with a pressure above 60 bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventor: Jacek Kaminski
  • Patent number: 6311590
    Abstract: Cutting blade and system that allows all the freedoms of the three-side-ground cutting blade while using a two-side-ground cutting blade. A new cutting edge can be defined on the two-side-ground cutting blade that will duplicate the tooth surface cut by the three-side-ground cutting blade with different hook and side rake angles. The new cutting edge of the two-side-ground cutting blade is determined by a plurality of points, each point corresponding to a point on the three-side-ground cutting blade, such that when cutting, each point along the cutting edge of a two-side ground cutting blade will lie on the same epicycloid generated by the corresponding points on a three-side-ground cutting blade with different hook and side rake angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: The Gleason Works
    Inventor: Hermann J. Stadtfeld
  • Patent number: 6305257
    Abstract: A multi-spindle CNC lathe comprises a frame assembly mounted on a base and including spaced apart, rigidly interconnected subframes defining spaced, parallel alignment surfaces. A plurality of spindles each includes a collet for rotating a stock about a spindle axis. An indexing mechanism positions the spindles in alignment with stations located at equally spaced intervals about a central axis. Internal tool slides mounted on the alignment surface of one of the subframes each comprise a servo mechanism for advancing and retracting a cutting tool along a work station axis. External tool slides mounted on the alignment surface of the other subframe each comprise a first servo mechanism for advancing and retracting a cutting tool toward and away from the work station axis and a second servo mechanism for selectively moving the cutting tool back and forth along a path extending parallel to the work station axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Crudgington Machine Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Crudgington, Graham J. Crudgington
  • Publication number: 20010029770
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for knurling a workpiece in which the knurl pattern includes grooves of at least two different configurations. The apparatus includes a knurl wheel holder that allows angular rotation of the knurl wheel about the holder longitudinal axis while maintaining the knurl wheel point of contact on the longitudinal axis. The apparatus also includes a knurling wheel that includes teeth of at least two different configurations. Also disclosed is a method of molding a molded article with the knurled workpiece to impart the inverse of the knurl pattern onto the molded article, such a molded article, a method of forming a structured abrasive article with the molded article, and such an abrasive article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Timothy L. Hoopman
  • Patent number: 6302004
    Abstract: A CNC machine tool has a turret (10), a reservoir of coolant, a pump supplying coolant under pressure from the reservoir (not shown) to the turret (10), a tool holder (13) mounted on the turret at a tool station (8) opposite a rotatable spindle (not shown) upon which a workpiece is mounted for a cutting operation. A coolant bored tool bar (18) is clamped in the tool holder. It has an insert (9) with a rake face (38) for gouging out metal chips. The insert rake face and chips have an an edge boundary temperature gradient decreasing away from the rake face. A sleeve (24) removeably attaches to the coolant bored tool bar and an O-ring (25) seals around the end of the bar defining a chamber (30) supplied with coolant under pressure. The only outlet from this chamber is the bore (32) of the tool bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Inventor: Aaron Gawain Taylor
  • Patent number: 6302003
    Abstract: A bar stock loader (10) having a synchronizing head (16) for matching the flats of a fresh length of bar stock (14) with the flats of a remnent of bar stock (14′) being machined in an automatic screw machine (12). The synchronizing head (16) has a selectively engageable drive controlled by a timing signal (66) that allows the fresh length of a bar stock (14) to be rotated at a speed approximately the speed of rotation of the remnant segment of bar stock (14′). A clutch (30) is provided for selectively interlocking a driven member (22) having a bushing (24) in which the fresh length of bar stock (14) is received to a bar stock engaging member (23) that is connected to the spindle (28) of the automatic screw machine. A method of loading bar stock is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Ski Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis A. Haller, Mark W. Winkler, John J. Saputo
  • Patent number: 6298757
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for presetting the cutting tools of a cut-off machine for a pipe or a shaft. A cutting tool cassette associated with a rotatable cutting head is removed from the cutting head and mounted and aligned on a separate presetting frame, which is provided with fixing and centering unit for a pipe or a shaft, and with a reference surface which has a predetermined position relative to the position of a tool present in the cutting head and operating a cutting wheel. The cassette placed on the presetting frame has its adjusting device adjusted by means of the reference surface in such a way that the cutting wheel is set at a desired initial machining distance from the surface of the pipe or shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: T-Drill Oy
    Inventor: Jari Virtanen
  • Publication number: 20010023629
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for knurling a workpiece in which the knurl pattern includes grooves of at least two different configurations. The apparatus includes a knurl wheel holder that allows angular rotation of the knurl wheel about the holder longitudinal axis while maintaining the knurl wheel point of contact on the longitudinal axis. The apparatus also includes a knurling wheel that includes teeth of at least two different configurations. Also disclosed is a method of molding a molded article with the knurled workpiece to impart the inverse of the knurl pattern onto the molded article, such a molded article, a method of forming a structured abrasive article with the molded article, and such an abrasive article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Timothy L. Hoopman
  • Publication number: 20010023628
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing chips from a workpiece on a lathe including a spindle with a through hole formed therein, a chuck having a through hole formed therein and affixed adjacent a forward end of the spindle, a cutting mechanism cooperative with the chuck so as to remove metal chips from a workpiece mounted on the chuck, and a coolant line connected to the cutting mechanism and directed generally toward the through hole of the chuck so as to drive metal chips through the through hole of the spindle and outwardly of a rear end of the spindle. A guide sleeve is positioned within the through hole of the spindle so as to be fixed and nonrotatable therewithin. The coolant line includes a high pressure coolant line and a low pressure coolant line. The cutting system includes a turret with a cutting tool affixed to a station of the turret. The coolant line is connected to the turret and extends so as to have an outlet adjacent to the cutting tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Applicant: Japan Machine Tools, Corp.
    Inventors: Ryoichi Yamaji, Toshio Yato
  • Publication number: 20010023627
    Abstract: An improved hydrodynamic bearing design and method for fabricating a hydrodynamic bearing is disclosed, which incorporates a filling groove so that oil or other lubricating fluid can be efficiently inserted into the bearing gap without risking the loss of fluid during operation; the method provides for fabricating the hydrodynamic bearing and its oil filling groove so that the efficiency of the manufacturing process is not compromised. The same grooving tool which forms the hydrodynamic bearing is scraped across an abutment on the sleeve which supports the counterplate to form a shallow filling groove under the counterplate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventor: Roger Allen Addy
  • Publication number: 20010022122
    Abstract: A method of machining seats of a compressor piston having an approximately hemispherical recess. A surface of a piston extending perpendicular to an axis of the piston is machined by annularly moving a cutting element while the cutting element is rotated with respect to the piston to form an annularly cut portion. The surface is further machined by moving the same cutting element in a direction toward the surface while the cutting element and the piston are relatively rotated to form a hemispherical recess in the surface. The firstly formed annularly cut portion becomes an annular chamfered portion on the periphery of the hemispherical recess. In this way, it is possible to form the hemispherical recess, and the annular chamfered portion on the periphery thereof, with the common cutting tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventors: Katsunori Kawai, Wataru Mase, Tomotaka Sawa
  • Patent number: 6289776
    Abstract: A scroll machine has a shell which houses a first scroll member, a second scroll member, a driving member and a bearing housing. The bearing housing rotatably supports the driving member and is attached to the shell. The bearing housing is designed such that it can be fully machined while being located and clamped into a single position. By completing the entire machining of the bearing housing in a single operation, multiple set-ups, multiple operations and tolerance stack up are eliminated creating a high quality component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas John Altstadt, Gary Joseph Diller
  • Publication number: 20010020406
    Abstract: A method of milling a large thread length with a thread milling cutter having a shank and a milling section having a plurality of rows of teeth arranged in each row one after another with at least two adjacent teeth in each row being separated, in an axial direction by a missing tooth space, with the method including positioning the cutter in a bore of a workpiece, with the cutter being adjusted in an axial direction and fed outwardly, forming a portion of the thread by imparting to the cutter rotational, axial feeding, and circular movements, and forming a further portion of the thread by imparting to the cutter a further circular movement corresponding to the tooth missing space, while continuing to impart to the cutter rotational and axial feeding movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Inventor: M. Norbert Schmitt
  • Patent number: 6286402
    Abstract: A multi-spindle CNC lathe comprises a frame assembly mounted on a base and including spaced apart, rigidly interconnected subframes defining spaced, parallel alignment surfaces. A plurality of spindles each includes a collet for rotating a stock about a spindle axis. An indexing mechanism positions the spindles in alignment with stations located at equally spaced intervals about a central axis. Internal tool slides mounted on the alignment surface of one of the subframes each comprise a servo mechanism for advancing and retracting a cutting tool along a work station axis. External tool slides mounted on the alignment surface of the other subframe each comprise a first servo mechanism for advancing and retracting a cutting tool toward and away from the work station axis and a second servo mechanism for selectively moving the cutting tool back and forth along a path extending parallel to the work station axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Crudgington Machine Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Crudgington, Graham J. Crudgington
  • Publication number: 20010018854
    Abstract: A toolholder apparatus is provided for holding a cutting tool adjacent a rotating workpiece. The apparatus includes a mounting block base and a mounting block body slidably supported on the base. A first adjustable connector connects the body to the base so that a position of the body on the base can be adjusted in a first direction toward the workpiece. A center adjustment block slidably engages the body. A second adjustable connector connects the center adjustment block and the body so that a position of the center adjustment block on the body can be adjusted in a second direction transverse to the first direction and transverse to the rotational axis of the workpiece. A head is detachably mounted on the center adjustment block. The head is removable from the center adjustment block by sliding movement in a third direction transverse to both of the first and second directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Inventors: John D. Hargis, Mark G. Charleton, Lawrence A. Ballew, Fred E. Chaffin, Clifford M. Garcia
  • Publication number: 20010018853
    Abstract: A multi-spindle CNC lathe comprises a frame assembly mounted on a base and including spaced apart, rigidly interconnected subframes defining spaced, parallel alignment surfaces. A plurality of spindles each includes a collet for rotating a stock about a spindle axis. An indexing mechanism positions the spindles in alignment worth with stations located at equally spaced intervals about a central axis. Internal tool slides mounted on the alignment surface of one of the subframes each comprise a servo mechanism for advancing and retracting a cutting tool along a work station axis. External tool slides mounted on the alignment surface of the other subframe each comprise a first servo mechanism for advancing and retracting a cutting tool toward and away from the work station axis and a second servo mechanism for selectively moving the cutting tool back and forth along a path extending parallel to the work station axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Applicant: Crudgington Machine Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Crudgington, Graham J. Crudgington
  • Patent number: 6283000
    Abstract: A magnetic bar stock puller for a CNC type, numerically controlled turret lathe, the magnetic bar puller configured to engage and pull bar stock for positioning same. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bar puller has a body having an engaging end and a mounting end, the mounting end mounted to a station on the rotary turret. The bar puller is actuated by fluid pressure from liquid coolant flowing from the cooling system of the lathe, the coolant passing through a longitudinal bore in the body of the unit so as to urge a piston, having a high field strength magnet, to migrate within the longitudinal bore towards the engaging end of the bar holder, so as to provide a magnetic field in the vicinity of the engaging end, to selectively engage a bar or other ferrous object in the vicinity of the engaging end of the bar puller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Odie L. Hughes, III
  • Publication number: 20010017069
    Abstract: A lathe includes a frame for supporting rotatable chucking equipment adapted to hold a work piece. The frame further supports at least one lathe tool for machining the work piece. The chucking equipment and the lathe tool are displaceable relative to each other in at least a radial direction. The lathe includes a housing attached to the frame, with the housing extending about a longitudinal axis and having a cylindrical inner space extending from one end of the housing. The inner space has a longitudinal axis parallel to, though offset from, the longitudinal axis of the housing. An angularly displaceable shaft is arranged in the inner space and carries the chucking equipment. A rotatable outer casing peripherally encloses the cylindrical elongate housing. The rotatable outer casing carries the lathe tool. Rotation of the rotatable outer casing causes the lathe tool to effect a radial displacement relative to the chucking equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventor: Mats Heijkenskjold
  • Patent number: 6279436
    Abstract: A method of setting a gemstone having a profile including at least three notch surfaces in a jewelry setting includes the step of cutting notches into the inner surface of each setting prong. Each notch has as least three notch surfaces, each surface being complementary to a corresponding profile surface of the gemstone. The gemstone is set in the setting prongs so that portions of the gemstone profile surfaces are received in respective notches. The gemstone is secured within the setting by manually deforming the setting prongs such that the notch surfaces of each notch substantially conform to the corresponding profile surfaces of the gemstone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: Jayce P. Walters
  • Publication number: 20010015116
    Abstract: A CNC tapping machine includes a spindle to which a tap is attached and a spindle motor for rotating the spindle. The load torque acting on the spindle motor that is detected when performing a tapping procedure without a workpiece is stored in a memory as referential, torque data. During a tapping procedure, a detection device detects the load torque acting on the spindle motor. A computer computes the difference between the load torque defected by the detection device and the referential load torque and uses the difference as the cutting load acting on the tap. As a result, the cutting load torque acting on the tap is accurately detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Kakino, Makoto Fujishima, Hisashi Otsubo, Hideo Nakagawa, Torao Takeshita, Yoshinori Yamaoka
  • Publication number: 20010014260
    Abstract: A radial drilling device (1) for a lathe (5) for radially piercing a turning part (4) supported by the lathe. At least one drill bit (2b) is supported by a mobile drilling jaw (3a, 3b) in a transverse orthogonal plane to the axis of rotation of the part (4) to be drilled. A principal revolving drilling set (ERP) carries the drilling assembly and causes the drilling assembly to rotate around the longitudinal axis of revolution of the part (4), at the same rotational speed as that of the part (4) which is to be drilled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventor: Thierry Monnet
  • Patent number: 6272726
    Abstract: Identical ring-shaped metal blanks are machined whereby each blank forms a plurality of identical components. The blanks are first machined on both sides, and then a stack of the blanks is clamped axially adjacent one another on an arbor. Tools machine the blanks for reshaping the blanks. One of the tools is a slitter which makes axial cuts through the stack to separate each blank into a plurality of components distributed around the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Sandvik Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Ingemar Qvarth
  • Patent number: 6269718
    Abstract: A platform for supporting an engraving head in a manner accommodating translational movement without any associated rotation. The platform has a deck which is supported by a pair of flexible support columns. In operation the platform is situated alongside a rotating printing cylinder. The engraving head is mounted on the deck of the platform and is provided with a guide shoe which rides against the surface of the printing cylinder. As the cylinder rotates to angular positions having different radii, the engraving head responds with a purely linear reaction. Consequently the engraving head is able to engrave uniform-depth cavities in the surface of the printing cylinder. In two alternative embodiments the deck is driven by a resilient link arrangement which is coupled to a leadscrew and carriage assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: MDC Max Daetwyler AG
    Inventors: John W. Fraser, Kenneth F. Bornhorst, Jr., Thomas J. Eichhorn, Robert D. Likins
  • Patent number: 6270295
    Abstract: Cutting tool, such as a gun reamer or a drill, with a rotating cutting blade and a rotating support member for supporting the workpiece, where at least one of the cutting blade and the support member are selectively biased. The selective bias on the blade and/or the support member is preferably effected by selectively pressurized fluid which bears on the blade member and/or the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Makino, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Aaron Hyatt, David Wayne Bricker
  • Patent number: 6257108
    Abstract: In a work transfer method in a machine tool with a movable spindle, a machined work transfer portion for laying a machined work on a first pallet and for transferring the work is disposed in an upper stage or a lower stage of a non-machined work transfer portion for laying a non-machined work on a second pallet and for transferring the work. Then, the non-machined work pallet is moved between a non-machined work receiving position and a work loading position. The machined work pallet is moved between a machined work sending position and a work unloading position. Thus, the work is received or sent between a chuck and a work transfer apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kimitaka Otake
  • Patent number: 6257109
    Abstract: A turret (11) is clamped to a tool rest main body (10) by a pair of coupling members (27). During indexing rotation for selecting a tool, the tool rest main body (10) and the turret (11) are moved relatively in a Z-axis direction, and the pair of coupling members (27) are unclamped. At this time, the tool rest main body (10) is moved in the Z-axis direction relative to a lathe main body (100) in synchronism with the relative movement in the Z-axis direction between the tool rest main body (10) and the turret (11). This movement of the tool rest main body (10) is adjusted in direction and moving distance so that the relative movement between the turret (11) and a spindle table (1) is eliminated. As a result of this movement control, the turret (11) and the tool fitted to the former do not have relative displacement to the spindle table (1) and to a work, so that the danger of mutual interference among these constituent elements and the work can be eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shinohara, Takaichi Nakaya
  • Patent number: 6256885
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic gas bearing structure which can effectively prevent the half speed whirl phenomenon and prevent wear at the time of activation or stopping of rotation is implemented in a simple manner. The hydrodynamic gas bearing has a shaft body having an outer periphery, and a cylindrical bearing body opposing to the shaft body with a space maintained in the radial direction. The shaft body has a hollow portion extending in the axial direction. In a cross section vertical to the axial line of the shaft body, the hollow portion has a not-complete-round, symmetrical shape with respect to a line passing through the center of the cross section, for example, an approximately regular triangular shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisao Takeuchi, Kaoru Murabe
  • Patent number: 6247219
    Abstract: This invention relates to method for fabricating a vehicle hub, bearing and brake disc assembly wherein the brake surface of the brake disc is oriented in a predetermined relationship relative to the outer race of the bearing assembly. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a vehicle hub including a hub flange; (b) providing a bearing assembly having an outer race; (c) installing the bearing assembly about the vehicle hub; (d) providing a separately formed brake disc having a brake surface; (e) securing the brake disc to the hub flange of the vehicle hub to produce a vehicle hub, bearing and brake disc assembly; (f) supporting the vehicle hub, bearing and brake disc assembly on a machining apparatus; and (g) using the machining apparatus to machine the brake surface of the brake disc of the vehicle hub, bearing and brake disc assembly whereby the brake surface is oriented in a predetermined relationship relative to the outer race of the bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventors: Vince J. Austin, Glenn Kochan, Raymond C. Rapisardi
  • Patent number: 6227082
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a special process and devices for the production preferably by machining of workpieces with non-circular outer and inner contours such as squares, hexagons, ellipses, polygons and the like, or eccentric circular bores and/or tappets. In the claimed process, the workpiece is rotated at constant angular velocity while a tool (e.g. the blade of a lathe tool) set eccentrically in relation to the workpieces if moved without rotating about is own axis at controllable speed in a circular path, workpiece and tool being moved towards one another in cycles with the appropriate advance. This ensures that apart from a small cuttings volume far each advance, very narrow tolerances can be set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Inventors: Gerd Hörmansdörfer, Hans Ley, Wolfgang Westerteicher
  • Publication number: 20010000566
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically compensating for the lateral runout between an on-car lathe apparatus and a vehicle hub axis including one or more stop discs that rotate with the drive shaft of the lathe and that can be selectively stopped from rotating with the shaft by a stop mechanism. In response to such stopping, one or more adjustment discs are caused to rotate in order to adjust the relative position of the axis of the lathe with respect to the axis of the disc brake assembly. In this manner, the system compensates for and corrects lateral runout that exists between two concentrically attached rotating shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Publication date: May 3, 2001
    Inventors: Harold Newell, John Wiggins