This invention relates to a greatly simplified workpiece changer mechanism in combination with a simplified tool storage and changing mechanism for a machine tool. To accomplish this, a rotatable work carrying spindle is adapted to support a workpiece for selective rectilinear movement relative to an associated rotary cutting tool, and to support the same workpiece for selective rotational movement relative to a rectilinearly movable cutting tool carried by the same spindle. The work receiving spindle is mounted in spaced apart relationship to a storage support adapted to releasably carry a workpiece for selective interchange with a workpiece carried by the work spindle. To effect a selective interchange of workpieces between the work spindle and the storage support, a work transfer arm is pivotally supported between the work spindle and the work support. At its opposite ends, the work transfer arm is provided with oppositely extending openings respectively adapted to receive work support rings of like size and configuration. The arrangement is such that the transfer arm pivots 90.degree. in one direction for moving the oppositely disposed openings presented thereby into clamping engagement with the workpieces respectively carried by the work spindle and the storage member. Automatic clamping means respectively associated with the work receiving openings are disposed to be actuated into clamped engagement with the workpieces for retaining them in predetermined angularly clamped positions during the interchange. Next, the work spindle and support member are retracted from engagement with the respective work supports, and the transfer arm rotated through another 180.degree. for respectively realigning the work supports in interchanged position with the work spindle and the support member respectively. The latter are moved forward into clamping reengagement with the now interchanged work supports. The transfer arm clamping means are then released and the transfer arm pivotally moved 90.degree. in the opposite direction to return the transfer arm to its central parked position. To accelerate controlled movement of the work transfer arm, a velocity control system is provided in combination with automatic clamping means for retaining work support rings in clamped engagement within the oppositely disposed openings provided in the transfer member.
A tool transfer arm is pivotally mounted on a tool transfer housing which is movable between a tool storage magazine and the spindle of a machine tool to transfer tools between the tool storage magazine and the spindle. The tool transfer arm has two pair of toolholder jaws, one pair on each end thereof. One toolholder jaw of each pair is movable and the other jaw is fixed. Each movable jaw is pivotable between an open and closed position by a clamp arm which is pivotally connected to the corresponding movable jaw and slidably engages an arcuate guide slot in the tool transfer arm. A cylindrical abutment on the spindle head near the spindle and on the tool storage magazine bears against the adjacent clamp arm when the tool transfer arm approaches either the tool storage magazine or the spindle in one angular orientation to close the corresponding movable jaw and clamp a toolholder in the jaws for removal from the tool storage magazine or spindle. A conical abutment on the spindle head near the spindle and on the tool storage magazine bears against the adjacent clamp arm when the tool transfer arm approaches either the tool storage magazine or the spindle in the other angular orientation to open the corresponding movable jaw and release the toolholder clamped in the jaws for insertion into the tool storage magazine or spindle.
A mechanism for loading and unloading workpieces includes a transfer arm for aligning a number of workpieces into a stack which can then be moved to a loading arm for placement of the stack of workpieces on an arbor of a gear manufacturing machine.
A work changing mechanism for machine tools, especially lathes, designed for automatic change of works to be clamped by centers or chucks comprising a shuttle car movable in the direction of the spindle axis of the lathe, a slide vertically movable along the shuttle car and rotatably arranged on the slide and about a horizontal shaft extending transversely to the spindle axis is a gripping mechanism including two pairs of jaws which are horizontally displaceable parallel to the shaft on opposite sides thereof. The first jaw pair is adapted to feed work into the machine tool and the second pair to remove machined work from the machine tool. Loading and removing work pieces may be rapidly achieved because the work changing mechanism is controlled by computer.
Improvement to lathes with central headstock used for machining internally and/or externally a workpiece, and comprising a bed supporting a headstock on which two workpiece-clamping chucks are mounted for pivoting on the same spindle, said chucks being fitted symmetrically on two opposite faces of the headstock. The means for transferring the workpieces from one chuck to the other are pivotally mounted on said headstock, said means being used in combination with workpiece- injecting and ejecting means situated coaxially to the spindle and opposite the two chucks of the headstock, respectively. The invention finds an application in lathes with central headstock used for machining short workpieces.
A machine for simultaneously turning and boring a ring-shaped workpiece has a frame of four parallel structural shafts secured between end stands. An active spindle assembly is mounted on a carriage slidably mounted on the shafts. The carriage is hydraulically drivable axially toward a stop cylinder of a passive spindle assembly rotatably mounted but axially immovable on one stand, to clamp the workpiece ring between a clamp cylinder of the active spindle assembly and the stop cylinder. The clamp cylinder is rotatable by the main machine drive motor for turning the workpiece. The workpiece ring is introduced laterally to the working area by a loader shuttle. Then the workpiece is centered in the work space by an axially drivable centering crescent as the workpiece is clamped in position between the clamp cylinder and stop cylinder for the turning to commence. Cylindrical slides and slideways are provided at right angles for both radial and axial movement of the external turning tool mounting bar. Cylindrical slides at right angles to each other are also provided for radial and axial movement of a boring bar. The finished workpiece moves into a gage which simultaneously measures the inside diameter with a pyramidal plug, and the outside diameter between a stop and a wedge, the wedge and plug being operated by linear actuators driving rotary encoders providing signals useful in a computer for control of the slide drive screws for automatic adjustment if and as needed in response to measured deviations from a standard.
