Tool Rest Patents (Class 82/158)
  • Patent number: 6619163
    Abstract: A cutting method which can efficiently cut braking surfaces of a brake rotor of a wheel bearing assembly. A reference surface on one side of a vehicle body-mounting flange provided on an outer member of the wheel bearing assembly is brought into abutment with positioning pieces of a positioning member, and a cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the outer member is clamped by a chuck device. By advancing pushrods of first and second pressing devices, a raceway member and a hub ring forming the inner member are pressed axially to put the assembly into an actual mounted state. The inner member and the brake rotor are rotated by rotating the pushrod of the second pressing device, and a cutting tool is moved in a direction parallel to the reference surface to cut the braking surfaces of the brake rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Tanio, Hirohiko Nishio
  • Patent number: 6584878
    Abstract: A tool that can be mounted and clamped in the circle tool receptacle of automatic screw machines and allows the holding and use of square shanked lathe tools. The technologically advanced tooling systems that are available to the computerized, numerically controlled machine industry are all square shanked and will now be available to the screw machine industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Gregory Lee Gipson
  • Patent number: 6571671
    Abstract: A quick-change tool post, having a rectangular tool post body with a bore there through defining an axis of rotation. The body defines a plurality of generally rectangular tool support faces and a plurality of laterally offset external dovetail connections receiving internal dovetail connections of overlapping tool support members. A post extends through the body and defines a pivot about which the body is rotatable. An indexing mechanism having locking and unlocking conditions permits unlocking of the post during a first increment of rotational locking handle movement and rotation of the post during a second increment of rotational movement of the handle in the same rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Inventor: Enrico R. Giannetti
  • Patent number: 6568303
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting rings from ring forgings of titanium or related materials is described. The ring forging is gripped and rotated about its centerline in a centering chuck. A tool holder is mounted parallel to and spaced from the centerline of the forging. The displacement of the tool holder is controlled both along and perpendicular to the centerline. First and second cutter bars having first and second cutter bits are mounted to the tool holder. The first cutter bar is mounted so that it may be moved along a diameter of the ring forging with the second cutter bar moving along a line parallel to, coplanar with and spaced from this diameter. The second cutter bit is wider than the first cutter bit. The second cutter bit widens the cut made by the first cutter bit, thereby providing chip clearance and cooling for the ring being cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventor: Richard Bentley
  • Patent number: 6557445
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tool holding assembly with an adjustment means capable of causing the tool holding end of the assembly to bend in relation to the opposite attachment end of the assembly. This is accomplished by providing first and second contact surfaces longitudinally spaced from each other along the assembly, and providing an adjustment means having at least one adjustment screw, wherein by adjusting the screw, pressure can be simultaneously applied by the adjustment means onto the first and second contact surfaces, such that an axis of one end of the assembly can be displaced by bending in relation to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: NT Tool Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hitoshi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6532849
    Abstract: A complex tool has a main body and a turning tool provided at an outer periphery portion of the main body. The turning tool is capable of machining on a rotating workpiece without rotating itself. An insert installed on the turning tool has a top end which contacts a workpiece by projecting a predetermined amount outside the main body's outer peripheral face. It also projects a predetermined amount from a top end portion of the main body in a direction of an axial center of the tool. The complex tool also has a rotating tool for machining by rotating itself. The rotating tool accomplishes machining corresponding to an axial center of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Yamazaki Mazak Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsunehiko Yamazaki, Naoe Fukumura, Masayoshi Mizukado, Kazuhiro Kikata, Sadami Miyazaki, Koichi Maki
  • Publication number: 20030029287
    Abstract: A device for positionally-accurate accommodation of at least one secondary member on a carrier, such as a toolholder on a turret disc, comprises of adjustable locating means for positionally-accurate adjustment of the secondary member relative to the carrier. The locating means comprise of a bearing surface (24), which is laterally arranged on the carrier in the vicinity of its seat-engaging surface and which are arranged on a locating member that is adjustable relative to the carrier by means of adjusting means (30). Moreover the secondary member (17) comprises of stopping means, which are similarly allocated to the locating member in the vicinity of its seat-engaging surface (170) and which, when a secondary member is mounted on the seat-engaging surface of the carrier, are held in contact with the stopping face with prestress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Applicant: ESA Eppinger GmbH
    Inventor: Joel Judas
  • Patent number: 6513410
    Abstract: The invention provides a tool support for machine tools comprising a base unit, a holding member arranged on the base unit and two supporting surfaces extending at an acute angle to one another arranged on the holding member for supporting a tool holder in first and second supporting areas. A clamping device acts on a clamping member of the tool holder such that the tool holder acts upon the supporting surfaces with the two supporting areas. The clamping element may be mounted in the holding member for rotation about an axis and bear a wedge surface movable around the axis for acting on the clamping member. The wedge surface of the clamping element may engage over the clamping member proceeding from an insert position during the rotation of the clamping element in a first direction of rotation and displace the clamping member increasingly in the clamping direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Traub Drehmaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Forst, Rainer Koeneke, Werner Sonnek
  • Patent number: 6484612
    Abstract: A plurality of connecting members are provided to a tool adaptor to which a tool is mounted, a plurality of connecting jaw members having inclined faces which are engaged with and detached from the connecting members when the connecting jaw members are displaced in radial directions, a rod that expands and contracts due to operation of air pressure, and a cam-type converting mechanism for converting the expanding/contracting operation of the rod to operations of displacement of the jaw members are provided to a mounting unit mounted to a robot hand, and a stopper portion for preventing the connecting member from being detached and falling from the inclined face when the air pressure reduces is provided to each the jaw member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Miyachi, Yoshihiro Toshimori, Motohiro Sato
  • Patent number: 6473951
    Abstract: A spindle device for machine tools that can eliminate the need for laborious air bleeding work and labor-demanding fitting/removing work for maintenance. The spindle device for machine tools includes a drawbar that is axially movably inserted into an axial hole of a tool spindle body. The drawbar serves to bias a tool in a clamping direction. An unclamping cylinder mechanism is provided in a rear of the tool spindle and serves to move the drawbar in an unclamping direction. The unclamping cylinder mechanism has a cylinder block fixed to a rear end wall of the tool spindle body and includes a plurality of bolts. A relay oil passage allows a hydraulic passage in the tool spindle body and a hydraulic passage in the cylinder block to communicate with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masamitsu Nakaminami, Kazuhiko Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6467381
    Abstract: A tool holder apparatus mountable on a machine spindle which apparatus is adjustable and provides a solid stable support for the tool holder to eliminate any gap or spacing between the end of a machine spindle and the support collar of the tool holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventors: Laszlo Frecska, James T. Hartford
  • Patent number: 6450074
    Abstract: An assembly for fastening and locating an added head of a numerical machine tool comprises two cylinder mounts located in the periphery of a main shaft of the numerical machine tool. A piston is movably disposed between the two cylinder mounts such that the piston is driven by the hydraulic-pneumatic loops to move up and down so as to control the movement of an engagement block for retaining a retaining block of the added head. The main shaft of the numerical machine tool is provided with a crank-tooth coupler to facilitate the adjusting of the angular position of the added head in accordance with the operational requirement for processing a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Awea Mechantronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuan Yong-Chang
  • Publication number: 20020124695
    Abstract: A vacuum holding fixture for a thermoformed part carries a base attachment plate which is releasably coupled to the top wall of a vacuum support box having a vacuum passage sealed to a vacuum passage within the attachment plate and a vacuum chamber within the holding fixture. The attachment plate is precisely positioned and releasably locked to the vacuum box by a plurality of couplers each including a stud projecting downwardly from the attachment plate and received within a corresponding cylinder recessed within the vacuum box. Each cylinder has locking balls which releasably grip the corresponding stud in response to axial movement of a fluid actuated spring biased piston surrounding the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Applicant: Tooling Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Anthony C. Seger
  • Patent number: 6428253
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for infinitely variable support of a tool on a drivable tool spindle of a machine tool. To provide such a device which allows exact adjustment of the tool within a range of one millimetre, at the same time avoiding centrifugal force-related imbalances, it is proposed that the tool is exchangeably attached to a tool carrier which is mounted in a housing so as to be pivotable about an axis of rotation of the tool carrier extending at an angle, preferably at a right angle, to the axis of rotation of the tool spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Iprotec Maschinen-und Edelstahlprodukte GmbH
    Inventor: Guido Kochsiek
  • Patent number: 6425308
    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 apposition 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: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Peterson Tool Company
    Inventors: John D. Hargis, Mark G. Charleton, Lawrence A. Ballew, Fred E. Chaffin, Clifford M. Garcia
  • Patent number: 6389938
    Abstract: A CNC (computer numeral controlled) composite tool holder has a body, an outer cover, a spindle, a cutter headstock, a control rod, a cutter bracket, a control cylinder and parts used to fit the cutter bracket onto the cutter headstock. The outer cover covers the body that holds the driving parts. The spindle is mounted in the body. The cutter headstock has a central hole to allow the spindle to pass through the cutter headstock. The control rod is slidably positioned in the spindle. The cutter bracket is mounted on the cutter headstock and has two lathe tools. The control cylinder is mounted in the outer cover and connected to the spindle. With the two lathe tools, an article can be cut on two faces at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Victor Taichung Machinery Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Ho Huang
  • Patent number: 6386079
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Timothy L. Hoopman
  • Publication number: 20020035902
    Abstract: A cutting tool system includes a clamping device and a cutting tool mounted therein. The cutting tool carries a cutting edge and includes a shaft clamped within an aperture of the clamping device. Prior to being clamped, the shaft is movable relative to the clamping device in either a longitudinal or rotational direction, in order to locate the cutting edge in a desired position. Either the clamping device or the cutting tool carries a spring-loaded device which engages a recess formed in the other of the cutting tool and clamping device when the cutting tool and its cutting edge are in a desired position, to provide an indication that the cutting tool is in such desired position by providing a sudden increase in a force necessary to displace the cutting tool out of such desired position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventors: Hakan Ericksson, Tryggve Sorlund
  • Patent number: 6340274
    Abstract: In an interference fit type cutting tool according to the present invention, a projection 8 of an edge section 2 and a hole portion 10 of a shank section 3 are fitted by shrinkage fitting. The shank section 3 is provided with an insertion hole 14 that is coaxial with the center axis O2 thereof, and a threaded hole 14b is provided in a part thereof. A rodlike set screw 15 is in threaded engagement with the insertion hole 14, and a leading end portion 15a thereof can project into a space 13 between the projection 8 and the hole portion 10. By screwing the set screw 15 in to press an end face 8b of the projection 8 of the edge section 2 in a heated state, the edge section 2 can be detached from the shank section 3, and the edge section 2, the shank section 3, and the like can be replaced without causing the problem of waste oil disposal and without chipping the edge section 2 or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shimomura, Hidehiko Nagaya
  • Publication number: 20010049985
    Abstract: A tool that can be mounted and clamped in the circle tool receptacle of automatic screw machines and allows the holding and use of square shanked lathe tools. The technologically advanced tooling systems that are available to the computerized, numerically controlled machine industry are all square shanked and will now be available to the screw machine industry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Gregory Lee Gipson
  • Publication number: 20010049984
    Abstract: A tool holder includes a holder body which in turn includes a shank portion, a flange portion, and a tool attachment portion; a taper cone fitted to the shank portion; an elastic member interposed between a rear-end face of the flange portion and a front-end face of the taper cone; and a stopper member disposed on the shank portion so as to support a rear-end face of the taper cone. The outer surface of the taper cone is tapered at an angle equal to that at which the wall surface of a taper hole formed in a spindle of a machine tool is tapered. The inner surface of the taper cone and the outer surface of the shank portion are equally tapered at an angle smaller than the angle at which the outer surface of the taper cone is tapered. Through drawing of the holder body, the taper cone expands radially to thereby be tightly held within the taper hole. A spacer is bonded to the end face of the spindle so as to eliminate a gap which is formed between the flange portion and a spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: Nikken Kosakusho Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakazu Matsumoto, Masahiro Taguchi, Yusaku Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6325573
    Abstract: An arrangement comprising a bore-type hobbing cutter and a holding arbor wherein the bore of the hobbing cutter has ground cylindrical centering surfaces at its ends and the arbor has complementary seating surfaces and wherein the hobbing cutter is axially chucked on the holding arbor by means of axial chucking means, where a preferably sleeve-shaped cage is disposed between centering surfaces and has a thickness which is smaller than the radial distance between centering and seating surfaces, and has an outside diameter which is smaller than the inside diameter of centering surfaces, the cage supports, in a circumferential direction, at least a number of prechucking elements, which are preferably metallic and are in contact with the associated centering surface and the seating surface, and said diameter and the distance between the contacting points or contacting lines of prechucking members are slightly larger than the radial distance between centering and seating surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Wilhelm Fette GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Carmincke, Christian Davids, Andreas Ebert, Jürgen Hinzpeter, Werner Kölker, Wolfram Lämmerhirt, Ansgar Pleus, Meinhard Schadowski, Wolfgang Soltau, Gerhard Steffen
  • Publication number: 20010041106
    Abstract: In an interference fit type cutting tool according to the present invention, a head section and a shank section are fitted together by shrinkage fitting. The shank section is provided with a shaft portion and a taper portion. The head section is provided with a hole portion to be fitted on the shaft portion, and a tapered portion to be fitted on the taper portion. The hole portion and the tapered portion have an interference, and the inner diameters thereof are smaller than the outer diameters of the shaft portion and the taper portion. Two-surface restraint is established by fixing the shaft portion and the hole portion, and the taper portion and the tapered portion with the interference pressure by shrinkage fitting. A key is formed on the leading end face of the-shaft portion, a key groove is formed in the bottom face of the hole portion, and the key and the key groove are fitted together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: nagaya
    Inventors: HIDEHIKO NAGAYA, HIROSHI SHIMOMURA, MASAYUKI OKAWA, KAZUYA YAMAZAKI, TAKAMASA SHIMANO
  • Patent number: 6312201
    Abstract: In an interference fit type cutting tool according to the present invention, a head section and a shank section are fitted together by shrinkage fitting. The shank section is provided with a shaft portion and a taper portion. The head section is provided with a hole portion to be fitted on the shaft portion, and a tapered portion to be fitted on the taper portion. The hole portion and the tapered portion have an interference, and the inner diameters thereof are smaller than the outer diameters of the shaft portion and the taper portion. Two-surface restraint is established by fixing the shaft portion and the hole portion, and the taper portion and the tapered portion with the interference pressure by shrinkage fitting. A key is formed on the leading end face of the shaft portion, a key groove is formed in the bottom face of the hole portion, and the key and the key groove are fitted together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Hidehiko Nagaya, Hiroshi Shimomura, Masayuki Okawa, Kazuya Yamazaki, Takamasa Shimano
  • Patent number: 6295905
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Peterson Tool Company
    Inventors: John D. Hargis, Mark G. Charleton, Lawrence A. Ballew, Fred E. Chaffin, Clifford M. Garcia
  • Publication number: 20010022123
    Abstract: A turning assembly for turning a workpiece includes a holder and plurality of turning bits mounted next to one another in a parallel relationship for simultaneously engaging a the workpiece. The turning bits are mounted in respective holding elements which are individually adjustably mounted in the holder. Spacers can be provided to space the turning bits apart. Safety devices are provided, each including an elastic element for frictionally retaining a respective turning bit and/or spacer within the holder to enable the holder to be manipulated without the turning bits and/or spacers falling out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventor: Norbert Schiffers
  • Patent number: 6270293
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for releasable holding a toolholder shank having a lockable surface and a releasable surface utilizing an actuating bolt. The actuating bolt is reciprocally movable along an axis to engage one side of the shank for locking the toolholder within the support member and an opposing side of the shank for releasing the toolholder from the tool support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Kennametal PC Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Erickson, William M. Long
  • Publication number: 20010006015
    Abstract: A rotary device has a releasable tool holder. A spindle with two ends has one end adapted to secure to a rotary device and the other includes a bore to receive a tool. A mechanism to retain and release the tool from the spindle bore is coupled with the spindle adjacent the bore end. At least two unlike retention members to apply a force on the tool in the bore are adjacent the bore. A sleeve surrounds the bore end of the spindle as well as the at least two unlike retention members. The sleeve has a common surface to apply a force on the at least two unlike retention members such that when the sleeve is axially moved along the spindle, the force is varied with respect to the position of the surface on the retention member. This force maintains the tool in the bore or enables the tool to be removed from the bore. A biasing member maintains the sleeve in a retention position on the spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Inventors: Dale K. Wheeler, Thomas J. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 6237453
    Abstract: A rigid tool slide support is disposed to be mounted in a screw machine in either of two different operating positions in each of which a tool slide reciprocates on the upper surface of the support to convey a cutting tool to and from the work that is to be machined. Projecting centrally from the bottom surface of the slide is an elongate, dovetail shaped guide which is slidably mounted in a similarly shaped but slightly wider recess in the support. Secured in the recess of the support adjacent one side thereof, and slidably engaged with a confronting side of the dovetail guide of the slide, is an elongate expansion gib having therein an adjusting screw that is rotatably adjustable to expand or contract the length of the gib, thereby to adjust the running clearance between the support and the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: C.J. Winter Machine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Snow, Sandro G. Belpanno
  • Patent number: 6230595
    Abstract: A tool post has gibs for locking tool holders onto dovetail tool mounts, the gibs having an extended range of movement vertically on the tool post to permit mounting of tool holders in a range of vertical positions on the tool mounts. The tool post has mounts for several tool holders, which may be independently locked on the mounts and unlocked from the mounts by adjustment of independently movable gibs. The tool post has a handle with a movable adjustable pawl, and upwardly-projecting screw heads projecting from the top of the tool post. The pawl is movable so that the handle can selectively be rotated between screw heads. The screw heads drive screws which move gibs for locking and unlocking tool holders on the tool mounts. The tool post has a base plate with a non-circular element rigidly attached thereto. The element may be fixed on a lathe to prevent rotation of the body of the tool post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Aloris Tool Technology Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Romano Kranjac
  • Patent number: 6205895
    Abstract: A tube cutter designed for cutting a pipe where access is limited to the interior of the tube only. A rotatable cutter head mounted at the end of an elongated drive shaft carries a plurality of cuffing wheels. The tube cutter is inserted into a tube to be cut from one end thereof using the elongated drive shaft to position the cutter head in the tube. When the cutter head is inserted into the predetermined location, a feed drive is energized which rotates a scroll head to cause the cutting wheels to move in a radial direction to advance and engage the interior surface of the tube in a concentric manner undergoing cutting. When the tube has been severed, the feed drive rotation is reversed to retract the cutting wheels into the rotatable head, so as to enable removal of the rotary tube cutter from the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Schartinger, Terry Hunter
  • Patent number: 6202521
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and controller for machining non-circular work pieces. The apparatus, method and controller are preferably used in combination with rotating, equipment, such as a turning center having an x-y table capable of gross movements. The apparatus includes at least one position sensor for deriving an angular position signal of the work piece, a preferably longitudinally-disposed, flexible tool holder attached to a rigid tool block which holds the machine tool, a preferably solid state vibration actuator imparting active vibrational forces to the end of the tool holder, thus vibrating the machine tool at high frequency to impart the desired ovality to the work piece, and a control system for generating the output signal to the vibration actuator. Preferably, the control system includes manually adjusted magnitude and phase thereby providing a non-circular work piece profile with the desired ovality and positioning thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventors: Dino J. Rossetti, William S. Jensen, John H. Highfill, III, Mark A. Norris
  • Patent number: 6196094
    Abstract: A clamping apparatus for detachably connecting a tool unit to a tool supporter with increased holding force is provided. The clamping apparatus includes a housing, a pair of opposing locking spheres within the housing, a cylindrical canister member mounted within the housing that is matable with an insert-supporting tool unit and which has a pair of opposing apertures in its sidewalls for conducting the locking spheres from a locking to an unlocking position, and a lock rod reciprocally movable within the interior of the canister member along an axis A and having opposing cam portions for radially moving the locking spheres through the canister apertures into wedging engagement with opposing angled walls of sphere receiving openings in the tool unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Kennametal PC Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Erickson
  • Patent number: 6176163
    Abstract: A pipe end machining unit (1) is provided with a housing (2) which is composed of two parts (2a, 2b). The clamping device (13) and the tool support (9) are supported in the upper housing part (2a). The lower housing part (2b) is of modular design and accommodates at least those components (18) which are relevant for controlling the motor. With a pipe end machining unit (1) designed in such a manner, conversion from an electrical drive to a pneumatic drive, or vice versa, is possible in a simple manner and within a very short time. Furthermore, the essential parts can be standardized, which results in major advantages from the manufacturing point of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Rohrverbindungstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Kramer
  • Patent number: 6158311
    Abstract: A machine tool comprises a support mounted for rotation about a machining axis, a first motor operable to rotate the support about the machining axis, a tool holder mounted on the support for rotation about a tool positioning axis which is parallel to and off-set from the machining axis, a second motor operable to rotate the tool holder about the tool positioning axis, and control means. For a constant diameter machining circle, the support and the tool holder are rotated about their respective axes at equal angular velocities so that they rotate as a unit. To adjust the diameter of the machining circle, one of the motors operates for a period at a different angular velocity to the other motor, thereby altering the position of the tool holder relative to the support about the tool positioning axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Technology Limited
    Inventors: Adrian Howard Watkins, Colin Wyatt
  • Patent number: 6082234
    Abstract: An adjustable toolholder apparatus includes a base plate having a planar supporting surface. A holder body includes a bottom planar supported surface which slideably engages and rests upon the supporting surface of the base plate. A linear position adjuster provides a linear sliding motion of the holder body upon the base plate. An angular position adjuster provides a rotational sliding motion of the holder body upon the base plate. The holder body has a wedge shaped recess within which is received a wedge shaped carrier block. A vertically adjustable column supports the wedge shaped carrier block from the base plate to adjust a height of the cutting tool. After linear and angular adjustment of the cutting tool relative to the base plate, the wedge shaped carrier block is clamped to the holder body, and the holder body and base plate are clamped to a cross slide to fix the cutting tool in its final desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Peterson Tool Company
    Inventors: John L. Peterson, Carl E. Herbert, Fred E. Chaffin, John D. Hargis, Mark G. Charleton
  • Patent number: 6058816
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for supporting a beam having a longitudinal axis. The apparatus includes a clamping assembly that surrounds and grips a portion of the beam. The clamping assembly is relatively compliant to deflections of the beam in at least one direction transverse to the axis, but relatively resistant to axial displacements of the beam and to torsional rotations of the beam about the axis. The apparatus further includes at least one actuator situated externally to the beam and arranged to urge the beam in the compliant direction or directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: General Dynamics Advanced Technology Systems
    Inventor: Igor Golioto
  • Patent number: 6000306
    Abstract: A side activated clamping mechanism is disclosed for detachably connecting a tool unit to a tool support housing. The tool unit has a shank with openings which are engaged by locking elements extending radially from apertures in a canister mounted within the tool support housing. Mechanical advantage of the locking elements may be increased by angling the locking element contact surfaces relative to one another. The locking elements are driven along a ball track on a reciprocating lock rod. To accommodate the angle between the contact surfaces, the ball track must be angled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Kennametal Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Erickson
  • Patent number: 5967007
    Abstract: The invention relates to a position drive for a tool head for use in machine tools. The tool head comprises a base body (12), a tool shank (16) which protrudes axially over the base body (12) and is coupleable to a rotating machine spindle (14), and a thrust member (18) which is movable with respect to the base body (12) and which serves to move at least one tip holder or cutting tool (76). Further, an electric motor arrangement (24), which is coupleable to the thrust member (18), and a power supply device (26) for the motor arrangement (24) are positioned on the base body (12). In order to ensure a compact construction having an efficient motor arrangement, a hollow shaft (50) is borne rotatable about an axis of the base body (12), which is concentric with respect to a displacement axis (52) of the thrust member (18), and the hollow shaft (50) has an internal thread which engages in an external thread (42) of the thrust member (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Komet Praezisionswerkzeuge Robert Breuning GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Scheer
  • Patent number: 5960688
    Abstract: A box turning tool for a Greenlee automatic screw machine with a conventional endworking attachment uses a conventional indexable carbide insert to produce proper cutting action on a workpiece. The box turning tool has a shank clamped in the endworking attachment. The shank has an insert seat that lies in a transverse plane that makes an angle of approximately 83 degrees with a central longitudinal plane defined by the shank. The indexable carbide insert cutting edge is mounted to the shank insert seat such that a cutting edge is inherently parallel to a horizontal plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the automatic screw machine spindle and the workpiece. The shank is adjusted in the endworking attachment to bring the carbide insert cutting edge into coincidence with the horizontal plane through the automatic screw machine longitudinal axis. The shank can be formed to locate the carbide insert such that the cutting tip thereof leads or trails the cutting edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Diversified Machining, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Defatte
  • Patent number: 5943927
    Abstract: An apparatus (20) for counterboring a pipe (25) includes an expander unit (24), a shaft (26) extending from the expander unit, a flywheel (30) rotatably and slidably mounted on the shaft, a frame (34) mounted on the flywheel to be movable in a radial direction, a tool mount (50) and a guide wheel mount (52) formed on the frame, the tool mount traveling with the flywheel into the interior of the pipe during counterboring and the guide wheel mount traveling outside of the pipe during counterboring, the guide wheel mount being connected to the tool mount by guide wheel arm (51) having a radial member (54) that is axially offset to the rear of the tool mount by a distance at least the length of the counterbore to be machined in the pipe, a cutting tool (56) adjustably mounted to the tool mount, a guide wheel (72) rotatably mounted on the guide wheel mount, an inward force applying member (116) and an outward force applying member (122) connected between the flywheel and the frame such that the frame can be moved
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: CRC-Evans Pipeline International, Inc.
    Inventors: Beverley F. Hanson, Oliver Trueman Dierlam
  • Patent number: 5927168
    Abstract: An improved, short-stroke clamping apparatus for detachably connecting a tool unit to a tool supporter is provided of the type having a canister member which includes apertures for admitting spherical locking elements, and a lock rod that is reciprocally movable a stroke distance along an axis and which has cam portions for moving the spherical locking elements through the canister apertures into engagement with the tool unit. In the improved clamping apparatus, the canister member apertures are elongated along the stroke axis. This allows the spherical locking elements to move axially along the cam portions of the lock rod as well as radially, such that locking engagement can be achieved with a shorter axial stroke movement of the lock rod. The aperture walls may also be angled toward the spherical locking elements to allow even greater axial movement of the locking elements, thereby further shortening the lock rod stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Kennametal Inc.
    Inventor: Greg W. Needham
  • Patent number: 5875696
    Abstract: A tool fixing device for machine tools has a tool holder with a tool holder body for bearing the tool, and a tool carrier with a tool station. The tool station has a support surface and a receiver for receiving a shaft from the tool holder. An aligning device operative between the tool holder body and the tool carrier is used to position the tool holder body relative to the tool carrier, such that the tool holders in the respective tool station of the tool carrier need not be readjusted each time they are inserted. The aligning device has two aligning elements, one on the tool carrier, and the other on the tool holder body. When the shaft from the tool holder is clamped in the receiver on the tool station, the aligning elements fix the tool carrier so as to be aligned in a single position using form-fitting elements which engage in one another without clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Index-Werke GmbH & Co. KG Hahn & Tessky
    Inventor: Walter Grossmann
  • Patent number: 5868051
    Abstract: A method and apparatus has been developed for metal cutting machine using a cutting die tool that pivots as it cuts a metal workpiece. By pivoting the cutting tool, the orientation of the metal surface being cut in the workpiece may be varied along the cutting path. A particular application of the invention is for screw metal cutting machine, e.g., a Swiss-type screw lathe, that cuts screw threads in screw blank rods, such that the threads have a variable cant along the length of the screw. The cutting die tool is mounted in a tool holder that is pivoted by a computer controller in accordance with machining instructions for the screw or other device being machined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Pakos Group
    Inventor: Andrew E. Pakos
  • Patent number: 5848562
    Abstract: A side operated clamp for a resharpenable insert tool holder includes a clamping member movable into a converging recess on the tool holder body to clamp the tool insert against a shelf on the tool holder body. An actuator is movable transversely in a transverse slot extending across the tool holder. A threaded member is rotated to cause the actuator to move. The actuator has a projecting portion fitting into a dovetail keyway on the clamping member. The keyway is inclined to the transverse axis to cause clamping/unclamping movement when the actuator moves in the transverse slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Somma Tool Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Herman R. Somma
  • Patent number: 5829331
    Abstract: A tool holder composed of: a holder body, the holder body including: a tip mounting portion; a cutting tip held to the holder body at the tip mounting portion; a face adjoining the cutting tip; and a protrusion projecting from the face to thereby rebound chips produced by the cutting tip during a cutting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takaaki Mori
  • Patent number: 5809855
    Abstract: The body section of the holder carries at one side a shaving tool bit and work supporting roller, and is removably mounted at its opposite side on the slide section of the holder by a quick release pin, which is reciprocable in a bore in the slide section. A spring normally urges the inner end of the pin into an opening in the body section to prevent its removal from the slide section, but to permit limited floating movement of the body section relative to the slide section. The pin may be retracted manually to allow removal of the body section. The work supporting roller is also removably and adjustably mounted on the body section; and the slide section is adjustably supported on an adapter to be mounted thereby on a machine cross slide. Two sets of ball bearings are interposed between the body and slide sections to facilitate floating movement of the former on the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: C.J. Winter Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul P. Francia
  • Patent number: 5778746
    Abstract: A tandem tool point apparatus for simultaneously machining surfaces on opposite sides of a thin wall may be used on an annulus having flat machining surfaces or on a circular wall having curved machining surfaces. The tool has spaced apart first and second tool points mounted in first and second tool holders respectively and a coupling element for coupling the first and second tool holders together to maintain the first and second tool points in tandem during a machining operation on the opposite sides of the wall. The apparatus preferably includes a tandem adjusting element for simultaneously adjusting the space between the tool points. A spacer may be used between the holders extending longitudinally over a portion of a length of the holders and the adjusting element longitudinally disposed between the tool points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Keller, Alexander Reid
  • Patent number: 5718154
    Abstract: A reciprocating tool post assembly is disclosed that may provide substantially linear excursions of a cutting tool mounted therein. The apparatus includes a voice coil assembly having a longitudinal axis that provides for the reciprocating movement of the assembly and to which a pair of coil arms is attached. The assembly also includes a pair of lever arms, each being pivotally attached between a respective coil arm and a draw bar, with a pair of fulcrum members attached to a base of the assembly that engage each respective lever arm to provide a fulcrum about which each respective lever arm may pivot. One end of the draw bar is attached to a tool support that is guided in a substantially axial movement by a guide member, such that, when a cutting tool is attached to the tool support and the movement of the voice coil causes the cutting tool to reciprocate substantially axially with respect to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb, Inc.
    Inventor: Buford W. Council, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5662015
    Abstract: A cutting tool holder assembly comprises a body having a shaft non-rotatably mounted therein for axial movement to enable adjustment of a cutting tool on a cutting tool holder member carried by the shaft. Strain gauge elements are mounted on a blade which is arranged to be deflected upon relative movement between the shaft and the body. The strain gauge elements produce an output signal proportional to the deflection of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Rigibore Limited
    Inventors: Roger Bassett, Terence Ian Negus, Roger Sidey