Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a lathe positioning apparatus such that a work held by a chuck can be positioned at an arbitrary position in main shaft direction and the installation space and the size of the apparatus can be decreased. A lathe positioning apparatus for positioning a work W held by a chuck 6 in a main shaft 4 direction is provided with an apparatus body 12 having a shaft center along the main shaft 4 direction. An abutting portion 26 for abutting the work W is formed on a chuck 6 side end of the apparatus body 12. A mechanism for advancing or withdrawing the abutting portion 26 with respect to the chuck 6 is provided. An extension/contraction mechanism for extending or contracting the apparatus body 12 in the main shaft 4 direction is provided in the apparatus body 12. The abutting portion 26 is advanced or withdrawing with respect to the chuck 6 by the extending or contracting by the extension/contraction mechanism.

Abstract: There is provided a machine tool capable of working a workpiece regardless whether it is gripped by a front spindle or a back spindle while guiding a free end side thereof by one guide bushing (160), is simplify and compacted and suppresses an increase of a number of axes to be controlled. The machine tool comprises the front and back spindles (112) and (122) having one and same axial line and disposed opposite each other and a guide bushing (160) having an axial line identical with the axial line. The guide bushing (160) is disposed between the front and back spindles (112) and (122), is configured so that the guide bushing (160) can guide the workpiece on both ends of the workpiece (W), so that the workpiece gripped either by the front spindle (112) or the back spindle (122) can be inserted, and so that the guide bushing (160) is movable in an axial direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for orienting and rigidly clamping a cutting tool in alignment with a lathe's spindle axis in a manner to minimize the setup time required. The method and apparatus uses the lathe's spindle chuck for establishing and clamping the angular orientation and radial position of a cutting tool retainer in order to align the cutting tool with the lathe's spindle axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool holder (1) that either has a modular design, and the modules of which are centered via interfaces, or/and in which a centered interface (9) is provided between the tool (5) and the tool receiver (4) such that high concentricity, and thus a high processing accuracy are achieved. The present invention further relates to a system comprising a tool holder (1) and a tool (5).

Abstract: The guide bushing (1) for a machine tool, especially for an automatic lathe, includes at least two segments (2), each segment being connected on both sides to a neighboring segment by an elastic means (3) in order to form an axisymmetric body of axis (1A) and has a central opening (10) enabling a bar to be machined to pass through, each of the elastic means (3) extends axially along the axis (1A) in a groove (8) of the guide bushing.

Abstract: A clutch device for tool holders or tool chucking or workpiece chucking devices is used for the releasable form-fitting engagement of a drive shaft, comprising a spindle of the tool holder or chucking devices, said spindle being coaxial with the drive shaft. The drive shaft and the spindle have separate dog elements, whereby, between the two dog elements, a clutch element is arranged that compensates for alignment errors between the drive shaft and the spindle and that can be moved in a limited manner between the drive shaft and the spindle. The clutch element is in form-fitting engagement with the dog elements of the drive shaft and of the spindle.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a part selected from a plurality of part types is disclosed. The method involves the step of selecting, from a supply of workpieces, a workpiece of a type that is associated with the type of part selected, the workpiece having a void and a substantially annular outer surface. Using a lathe, the selected workpiece is machined into the selected part. The workpiece, during the machining step, is mounted to the lathe by a collet associated with the type of part selected. The collet is an expanding collet which, during machining, is received by the void and engages the workpiece in gripping relation. The part can be a bushing for an aircraft landing gear and the workpiece can be an oversized bushing. The method can be carried out at an aircraft repair facility and the oversized bushings can be procured from specialist fabricators.

Abstract: A quick-adjust draw rod positioning nut which is attachable to a machine's chuck and/or de-chuck prime mover via a base portion. The positioning nut includes an engagement portion preferably comprising at least two segments that can be held in a collapsed position, where the segments threadably engage a draw rod, or an expanded position, where the segments are out of engagement with the draw rod, depending on the presence or positioning of a ring. In the collapsed position, the engagement portion can be disengaged from the base to permit rotation of the engagement portion and thereby effecting axial movement of the draw rod in order to achieve proper axial positioning of the draw rod in the machine. The engagement portion can be locked in one of a plurality of incrementally spaced rotational positions to adjust the axial position of the draw rod to a desired position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward the design of a holding apparatus which allows contact lens lathes to hold contact lens buttons during the contact lens manufacturing process. The holding apparatus functions to hold lenses manufactured from a different sized stock than what the lens manufacturing equipment is designed to hold. In general the holding apparatus has a circular portion having a mating surface on a one side and a cylindrical protrusion extending from the other side. A contact lens lathe can hold the cylindrical protrusion of the holding apparatus while the mating surface mates with a surface on a contact lens button. The lens button and holding apparatus surfaces can be modified to allow more efficient machining of the lens buttons.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tool holder interchangeably attached to a machine tool such as a combined machining lathe. A combined machining lathe 1 comprises main spindles 20 and 30 for gripping a workpiece, and a machining main spindle head 50 which rotates around a B axis. There are provided stockers S1 and S2 inside the lathe, and tool holders 200 and 300 are respectively stored in the stockers S1 and S2. The tool holder 200 comprises a taper shank portion 230 of a main shaft in a housing 210 and four pull studs PS2 around the taper shank portion 230 of a main shaft, and is gripped by collet chucks of the machining main spindle head 50. Rotation of the taper shank portion 230 of a main shaft is transmitted to a shaft 250 via a gear mechanism, to drive a drill tool 252 to drill a deep hole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machining unit in which the pieces are carried by an electric turning spindle radially arranged on a turret with a vertical axis of rotation. On rotation of the turret the pieces are successively introduced into machining stations, arranged peripherally around said turret and comprising tool support means. A large space is thus available around the periphery of the machine for housing the tools. The electric turning spindles are adapted to selectively hold the pieces at any fixed angle, thus permitting not only turning operations but also other machining operations on fixed pieces.

Abstract: An improved collet assembly made adaptable for use in a computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine as well as in a non-CNC type of machine having one or more sub-spindles adaptably configured to accept and receive the collet assembly. The collet assembly generally comprising a collet body geometrically configured to accept and house a plunger assembly comprising a plunger cylinder integrally attached to a plunger rod having one end threadably attached to an ejector tip and a second end slidably engaged to a plunger retainer and fitted with biasing means, all of which serving as means to hold a workpiece during machining thereof and eject the workpiece from the collet body as biasing means advances forward within the collet body to a fully extended state.

Abstract: A cylinder has a rotating member, a cap, a piston, a collar, two control valves and two check valves. The piston is moveably mounted between the rotating member and the cap. The piston has a flange dividing the inner space between the rotating member and the cap into two chambers. The control valves are attached to the rotating member, respectively communicate with the chambers and respectively communicate with two I/O channels in the collar. The check valves are attached to the rotating member, respectively communicate with the chambers and respectively communicate with the I/O channels in the collar. Accordingly, the thickness of the flange of the piston can be decreased so as to reduce the weight of the cylinder, and the torsion for rotating the cylinder and the load to the axle of the machine are also reduced.

Abstract: A modular device for holding a workpiece or a bar of a material to be machined in a gripping chuck of a rotating spindle of a machine tool. A gripping chuck is actuated by a thrust tube coaxial with the spindle. To tighten the chuck, various forces are exerted including: a spring applying a first axial force on a thrust tube and applying a first air pressure force introduced through a duct into at least one tightening-pressure chamber. The tightening-pressure chamber is defined between at least a first wall fastened axially to the thrust tube and at least a second wall fastened axially to a regulating tube. Loosening of the chuck is obtained by a second air pressure introduced through another duct into at least one loosening-pressure chamber made between and on the other faces of the first walls fastened axially to the thrust tube and the other faces of the second walls fastened axially to a regulating tube.

Abstract: A part clamping fixture assembly for locating and holding a knuckle/hub assembly, including a knuckle, a wheel hub and a bearing, for final finishing of a flange face of the wheel hub includes a top portion, a first housing portion, and a second housing portion. The first housing portion is intended to engage a first appendage of the knuckle and the second housing portion is intended to engage a second appendage portion of the knuckle. The fixture assembly also includes a puller member having an upper end for communicating with a drive mechanism in order to rotate the knuckle/hub assembly and a lower end opposite the upper end. An encasing is disposed around the puller member and has a lower portion for contacting the bearing.

Abstract: An automatic lathe is provided including a table stand having a top with a plurality of legs coupled thereto and extending downwardly therefrom. A pair of spindle spinning assemblies are positioned on the top of the table stand. Each spindle spinning assembly has a securement rod rotatably mounted thereon which is adapted to releasably secure to an end of a spindle for spinning the same. A carriage assembly is adapted to slide between each spindle spinning assembly. The carriage assembly has a blade mechanism mounted thereon for engaging a front surface of the spindle secured between the spindle assemblies. The carriage assembly further includes a carriage motor functioning to move the carriage in a forward direction upon the receipt of a forward signal and move the carriage in a reverse direction upon the receipt of a reverse signal only when the carriage motor is actuated.

Abstract: A reference stop for use in a lathe having a movable chuck and a draw tube adjacent to the chuck. A movable backstop is provided for rectilinear movement within a sleeve. The sleeve is inserted through the chuck of the lathe and extends into the draw tube. A threaded rod is attached to the backstop and extends outwardly from the sleeve, into the draw tube, and in a direction away from the chuck. The threaded rod is turned by a wrench and driver combination, and turning of the threaded rod causes corresponding rectilinear movement of the backstop in the sleeve, thereby allowing for a workpiece reference stop which is adjustable with respect to the chuck.

Abstract: A clamping collet of the type used in spindle lathes is provided having a stop mechanism to effect accurate positioning of the workpiece. The stop mechanism includes a rod that is reasonably held in position by a locking collet.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting stock includes a stock forming machine (10), a stock feeder which feeds stock into the stock forming machine, and a stock detector (32). The stock detector includes a housing (34), which includes a bore (42). The housing further includes a face (50) adjacent said bore. The stock detector further includes a piston (54), which is slidably mounted in the bore, and which is moved in the bore by the stock. The bore further includes a fluid filled chamber (74), which is located between the piston and the face. The pressure of the fluid within the chamber is increased when the piston is moved by the stock towards the face, and this increase in pressure in the chamber causes the piston to decelerate. The stock detector further includes a sensor (88) which is positioned in the housing adjacent the bore, for detecting the movement of the piston.

Abstract: A spindle liner and spindle liner assembly are for use in a lathe. A quick-change feature allows the spindle liner to be readily installed and readily replaced with a new spindle liner. The spindle liner has a tubular sleeve with a set of annular bearing rings and an annular mounting flange. An adapter specially configured for mounting on a particular lathe is designed for use with the spindle liner. The adapter has an annular body with a center hole to allow the tubular sleeve of the spindle liner to be slid through it. A recessed shoulder around the hole has a diameter to accommodate the annular mounting flange of the spindle liner. The adapter also has at least one and preferably opposed retainer lugs extending inwardly from a peripheral edge of the annular body and overlying the recessed shoulder. An equal number of notches in the mounting flange of the spindle liner are positioned to align with the retainer lugs when the spindle liner is positioned in the lathe.

Abstract: A push-type collet and seat assembly has a push-type collet including an elongated cylindrical body having a rear end portion, a front end portion tapering inwardly towards a front end thereof, an opening extending longitudinally through the collet, and slots extending longitudinally through at least the front end portion in communication with the opening to divide the front end portion into separated compressible portions. A workpiece is inserted into the opening of the collet and extends forwardly of the compressible portions. A seat partially receives the collet therein so that, when the collet front end portion is forcibly wedged against the seat, the compressible portions are squeezed against the workpiece to fix the workpiece relative to the collet. A stop is disposed a predetermined distance forwardly of the seat and adapted to receive the workpiece front end so that, when the workpiece front end is forcibly wedged against the stop, the stop limits forward movement of the workpiece.

Abstract: In a three jaw chuck the traditional chip guard is replaced by a stop guard having internal threads. An extension tube is threaded to the stop guard forming an adjustable length cylinder. An idler is optionally mounted inside the extension tube(s) to stabilize the work piece. A stop assembly is screwed into either the stop guard or the extension tube(s). The stop assembly has an adjustable stop bolt enabling the positioning of the stop at any position ranging from the jaw face to the end of the last extension tube.

Abstract: A spindle work stop including a collet having an externally threaded rear end portion with an external groove extending longitudinally therethrough and a slotted outwardly tapered front end portion, where an opening extends longitudinally through the collet, a rod inserted in the opening of the collet, a nut threadedly engaged on the threaded rear end portion of the collet, a sleeve member receiving the collet therein, and a lock member positioned between the nut and the sleeve member being disposed in the groove of the collet.

Abstract: A collet type work driver for holding and driving a workpiece which is located between work centers upon a grinder, lathe or similar machinery, is disclosed. The work driver includes a unique free-floating collet package which rotates essentially free from contact with the remaining components of the work driver. Radial positioning forces are thus eliminated and existing workpiece eccentricities are automatically accommodated. The work driver can be rapidly loaded and unloaded and can have a significant effect upon production rates. The collet package portion is loosely retained within the work driver during idle periods and will not be lost or damaged. Uniform gripping action by means of the work driver eliminates workpiece deflection and surface marking and enables the device to be used with very fragile and brittle workpieces.