Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~Q ~
This invention relates to multiple spindle machine
tools which utilize a plurality of interchangeable multiple
spindle toolheads.
In the past, such machines had relatively com~
plicated transfer mechanisms for transferring toolhea~ from
the storage magazine t~ the toolhead driver and a relatively
long time was required to effect this transfer, Transfer of
the toolheads from the toolhead driver back to the storage
magazine was equally complex and time-consuming.
Accordingly, the principle object of this invention
is to provide a multiple spindle toolhead transfer mechanism
which is simpler and faster than those heretofore known in
the-art.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will
be apparent from the detailed description herein.
In accordance with this invention, there is pro-
vided a toolhead changer arm which is journalled for rotation
about an axis that is inclined at an angle of 45 to the axis
along which the toolhead driver is mounted for movement,
particularly sliding movement.
In particular the invention provides a multiple
spindle machine tool including a plurality of multiple spindle
toolheads, a toolhead magazine for storing said toolheads,
a worktable, a toolhead driver for driving any selected one of
said toolheads, said toolhead driver being mounted for move-
ment along a first axis toward and away from said worktable,
a rotary toolhead changer journaled for rotation about a
second;axis which is inclined at an angle of 45 to said first
axis, said toolhead changer having portions for receiving tool-
heads, clamping mèans -on said portions for clamping said tool-
heads thereto, said toolhead changer being adapted to receive
toolheads from said toolhead magazine and upon rotation to
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transfer said toolheads to said tool head driver and vice
versa, characterized by said toolhead changer being mounted
independently of and in an elevated position above said tool-
head driver, said toolhead driver having clamping means for
clamping thereto a toolhead in position to be driven by said
toolhead driver, the toolhead being released from said tool-
head changer for movement along said first axis with said
toolhead driver upon engagément of said clamping means on
said toolhead driver.
In accordance wi-~h one embodiment the toolhead
changer arm has two diametrically opposed ends which are each
inclined at an angle of 45 to the rotary axis of the tool-
head changer arm. Clamps are mounted on both ends of the
toolhead changer arm for clamping toolheads thereto.
The invention is illustrated in particular and
preferred embodiments by reference to the accompanying draw-
ings in which:
Figure 1 is a side elevation view of one preferred
embodiment of the invention,
2~ Figure 2 is a plan view of the embodiment shown
:
in Figure 1,
' Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation
view of the drive mechanism for the toolhead changer arm
shown in Figure 1,
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1~91~18~
Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken
on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary end view of one end of the
toolhead changer arms taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. l;
Fig. 6 is an end view similar to Fig. 5 but with exterior
portions cut away to reveal inner details.
Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side view taken on the line 7-7 of
Fig. S;
Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line
8-8 of Figs. 5 and 6.
Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation view of
the toolhead driver and the toolhead clamped thereto;
Fig. 10 is a fragmentary end view of the toolhead driver
taken on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9;
; 15 Fig. 11 is a fragmentary end view of the toolhead taken on
the line 11-11 of Fig. 9;
Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional
view of the drive connection between the toolhead driver and the
toolhead;
Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary end view, partially cut
away, of one toolhead clamp on the toolhead driver;
; Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view taken on the
line 14-14 of Fig. 13;
~ Fig. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary side view taken on the
line 15-15 of Fig. 14;
Fig. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation view of
the toolhead shifter for shifting the toolheads from the tool-
head storage magazine to the toolhead changer arm;
Fig.-17 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view
taken on the line 17-17 of Fig. 16; and
Fig. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view taken on the
line 18-18 of Fig. 16.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMsoDIMENTs
Referring to Fig. 1, one preferred embodiment of the in-
vention includes a first bed portion 20 upon which a worktable
22 is slidably mounted for movement along a horizontal X axis
and is rotatably mounted for rotation about a vertical B axis
perpendicular to the X axis. A pallet 24 carrying a workpiece
26 is shown mounted on worktable 22.
A second bed portion 28 has a toolhead driver 30 slidably
mounted thereon on ways 32 for movement along a Z axis 34 toward
and away from worktable 22. Toolhead driver 30 is selectively
driven along ways 32 by a Z axis motor 36 along with the conven-
tional mechanical coupling means (not shown) and the conventional
electrical control means (not shown). Toolhead driver 30 con-
tains a drive shaft 38 (Fig. 12) which is rotated by a spindle
drive motor 40 (Fig. 1) along with the conventional mechanical
coupling means (not shown) and the conventional electrical con-
trol means (not shown) . Toolhead driver 30 also contains clamp
means for locating and clamping multiple spirxlle toolhead 42 thereto as
described in later paragraphs.
Each multiple spindle toolhead 42 has a plurality of spin-
dles 44 which are each equipped to receive a drill or a tap and
I
are all simultaneously rotated by a common drive shaft 46 (Fig.
12) which mates with toolhead drive shaft 38 and is driven there-
by. In the operation of this embodiment, multiple spindle tool-
25 heads 42 are clamped to toolhead driver 30 and are then moved
; against workpiece 26 to simultaneously drill or tap a predeter-
mined pattern of holes therein.
In this embodiment of the invention, a toolhead storage
~ magazine 48 (Fig. 1) and toolhead transfer mechanism 50 are
30 mounted on an elevated frame 52 which is supported above toolhead
driver 30 by a single rear post 54 and a pair of front posts 56
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(Fig. 2) which are arranged in a triangular pattern with front
posts 56 flanking toolhead driver 30. Toolhead transfer mechan-
ism 50 includes a toolhead changer arm 58, which is journalled
to frame 52 for rotation about an axis 60, and a toolhead shifter
62, which shifts toolhead 42 from toolhead magazine 48 to the
adjacent end of toolhead changer arm 58. The rotary axis 60
of toolhead changer arm 58 is inclined at an angle of 45 to Z
axis 34. The diametrically opposed ends 64 and 66 of toolhead
changer arm 58 are each inclined at an angle of 45 to the rotary
axis 60 thereof as indicated by the corresponding longitudinal
toolhead axes 68 and 70. This particular disposition of the
axes 60, 68 and 70 permit toolhead changer arm 58 to swing tool-
heads 42 from a horizontal to a vertical position and vice versa.
; As toolhead changer arm 58 swings through an 180 arc to inter-
,15 change the toolheads 42, the toolheads 42 travel in a conical
path which has an apex angle of 90
The mechanism which rotates toolhead changer arm 58 is
shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Toolhead changer arm 58 has a central
circular hub 72 which is journalled to frame 52 by bearings 74.
A ring gear 76 is rigidly attached to arm 58 around hub 72 and
is driven by a pinion 78 on shaft 79 which is journalled to frame
52 by bearings 80 and 82. Shaft 79 is driven by a bevel gear set
84 whose pinion is attached to a shaft 86 which is journalled to
frame 52 by bearings 88, 90 and 91. Shaft 86 is driven by a spiroid
gear set 92 whose worm iæ attached to a shaft 94 which is journalled
by bearings 96 and 98 to frame 52 and is driven by an electric motor
100 mounted on frame 52.
Motor 100 is energized by conventional control circuitry (not
shown) to drive the above-described gear train to cause toolhead
changer arm 58 to rotate through a 180 arc and then to stop at the
location shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with the toolhead 42 on one end
-
iO9148~
eing adjacent to tool storage magazine 48 and the toolhead 42
on the other end being adjacent to toolhead driver 30. When tool-
head changer arm 58 is rotated a second time through an 180 arc,
the position of the two toolheads 42 is interchanged.
Figs. 5-8 show the clamp on the ends of toolhead changer
arm 58 for clamping the toolheads 42 thereto. Each of the tool-
heads 42 have a pair of tapered rails 102 (Figs. 5 & 6) attached
thereto by bolts 103. Each of the rails 102 has an inwardly taper-
ed surface 104 against which a pair of opposed clamp blocks 106
are wedged. Clamp blocks 106 are slidably mounted on two guide
rods 107 which serve to carry the weight of toolhead 42. Clamp
blocks 106 are connected to opposite ends of a threaded shaft 108
by threaded sockets 110 which are attached to blocks 106 by bolts
112. One end of shaft 108 is threaded in the right hand direction
l~15 while the other is threaded in the left hand direction so that blocks
; 106 will be spread apart when shaft 108 is rotated in one direction
and will be drawn together when shaft 108 is rotated in the opposite
direction.
Shaft 108 is journalled within a bore 114 in the end 66 of
;2;0 tool changer arm 58 by bearings 116 and 118 and has a worm gear
120 rigidly attached to its inner portion. Worm gear 120 meshes
with another worm gear 122 (Fig. 8) on shaft 124 which is journal-
led to arm end 66 through bearings 126 and 128. Shaft 124 extends
at right angles to shaft 108 and is driven by a hydraulic motor 130.
Motor 130 is controlled by a conventional electro-hydraulic
motor control circuit (not shown) to turn in one direction when it
is desired to clamp a toolhead 42 to tool changer arm end 66 and to
turn in the other direction when it is desired to unclamp the tool-
head 42. Clamping is effected by pressing clamp blocks 106 outwardly
against rails 102 and unclamping is effected by moving clamp blocks
106 inwardly away from rails 102 far enough to clear rails 102.
. ., . ~ . ' , , ' , ' .
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An identical clamping structure is mounted on the other end
- 64 of the toolhead changer arm 58 for clamping a toolhead 42 there-
to.
Figs. 9-15 show the locating and clamping of toolhead 42
to toolhead driver 30. Toolhead 42 is supported on toolhead driver
30 by a pair of lugs 132 (Figs. 9 & 10) on the end of toolhead 42
which rest on a pair of matching brackets 134 that project from the
front of toolhead driver 30. Toolhead 42 is clamped to toolhead
driver 30 by the combination of four clamp assem~lies 136 (Fig. 10)
~10 on the toolhead driver 30 which rotate lugs 138 into recesses 139
(Fig. 11 ~ 14) behind rails 140 on toolhead 42 and then press lugs
138 against rails 140. Rails 140 are clamped against blocks 141
that are fastened to clamp assembly 136. Each of the lugs 138 pro-
jects at right angles from a rotatable sleeve 142 (Fig. 14) which
has a pinion gear 144 thereon which meshes with a rack 146 (Fig.
13). Rack 146 is slidably mounted in clamp assembly 136 and is
moved back and forth by a hydraulic cylinder 148 to cause lug 138
to rotate through a 90 arc to engage and disengage rail 140.
After lug 138 is engaged with rail 140 a second portion of
~2~0 the clamp structure is actuated to press lug 138 against rail 140.
This second portion of the clamp structure is illustrated in Figs.
14 and 15. Sleeve 142 rotates 90 on camshaft 143 which has a cam
slot 150 therein (Fig. 14) which is shaped to interact with a wedge
152 which is slidably mounted in clamp assembly 136 and is moved
back and forth by a hydraulic cylinder 154. When wedge 152 is moved
in one direction by cylinder 154, it wedges lug 138 against rail 140.
When wedge 152 is moved in the other direction, it releases the
pressure on lug 138 and frees it to be disengaged from rail 140.
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Each of the clamping assemblies 136 is identical
to the above-described clamping assembly 136 and are actuated
simultaneously by conventional hydraulic cylinder control
circuits (not shown) to simultaneously clamp or unclamp
all four corners of toolh~ad 42.
Two additional clamping assemblies 156 and 158
(Fig. 10) are mounted on the front of toolhead driver 30.
Clamping assembly 156 has a hydraulic cylinder 160 and a
clamp member 162 which is moved -thereby and which interacts
with a matching clamp member 164 (Figs. 9 & 11) on toolhead
42. Clamping assembly 158 has a hydraulic cylinder 166
and a clamp member 168 which is moved thereby and which
interacts with rail 140.
Fig. 12 shows the driving connection between
toolhead 42 and toolhead driver 30. Toolhead 42 has a drive
shaft 46 which is journalled therewithin by bearings 170
and projects outwardly therefrom. An alignment flange 172
is rigidly attached to shaft 46 and has alignment notches
174 (Fig. 11) cut therein which engage an alignment pin 176
(Fig. 12) when toolhead 42 is detached from toolhead driver
30. Shaft 46 always stops with a notch 174 aligned with pin
176. Alignment pin 176 is spring loaded outwardly by a
spring 178 and is pressed inwardly to release shaft 46
for rotation by a release pin 180 on hub 182 which surrounds
drive shaft 38 on toolhead driver 30. Drive shaft 38 makes
driving connection with ~rive shaft 46 via a key 184 on
shaft 38 which engages a slot 185 in shaft 46 when toolhead
driver 30 is moved by the Z axis drive into contact with
toolhead 42. This movement also causes release pin 180
to depress alignment pin 176 and thus to release shaft 46
for rotation. When toolhead driver 30 is moved by the Z axis
~09i~84
drive away from toolhead 42, alignment pin 176 moves back
into contact with alignment notch 174 and thus locks drive
shaft 46 in position.
Figs. 16, 17 and 18 show the details of toolhead
shifter 62 which transfers toolheads 42 from toolhead maga-
zine 48 to the adjacent end of toolhead changer arm 58.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 17, toolhead 42 is rollably sup-
ported on horizontal rails 186 by rollers 188. Horizontal
rails 186 are supported by vertical arms 190 having rack
gears 192 thereon. Vertical arms 190 are slidably mounted
on frame 52 for upward and downward movement and are
driven upwardly and downwardly by pinion gears 194
and 196. Pinion gears 194 and 196 are mounted on opposite
ends ,of a shaft 198 which is journalled to frame 52 by
bushings 200. Pinion gear 196 extends past rack 192 and
engages a rack 202 on a shaft 204 (Fig. 16) which is slidably
mounted in frame 52 and is driven by a hydraulic cylinder
206. When shaft 204 is extended by hydraulic cylinder 206,
it causes arm 190 to raise, and when shaft 204 is retracted
by hydraulic cylinder 206, it causes arms 190 to lower.
Toolhead 42 is shifted longitudinally along rollers
188 by a pin 208 which engages a socket 210 in the bottom
of toolhead 42. Two sockets 210 are provided in the bottom
of each toolhead 42 to permit two shifting movements for
each toolhead 42. Pin 208 is slidably mounted in a carriage
212 which is rollably mounted on frame 52 by rollers 214.
Pin 208 has a rack gear formed therein which engages a
pinion gear 216 (Fig. 18) on a shaft 218 journalled to
carriage 212. Pinion gear 216 engages a second rack gear
220 on a shaft 222 which is extended and retracted by a
hydraulic cylinder 224 to raise and lower pin 208. The
_ ,9 _
1091~184
entire carriage 212 is moved horizontally by a relatively
large hydraulic cylinder 226 which is coupled thereto.
To shift toolhead 42 from the end of toolhead
changer arm 58 to toolhead magazine 48, cylinder 226 is
first actuated to place pin 208 under the socket 210 nearest
toolhead magazine 48. Cylinder 224 is then actuated to
raise pin 208 into socket 210. Cylinder 226 is then extended
to move carriage 212 toward toolhead magazine 28. ~he first
stroke of cylinder 226 moves toolhead 42 halfway to tool-
head magazine 48. Pin 208 is then detached from socket 210
and cylinder 226 is retracted until pin 208 is under socket
210 f~rthest from toolhead magazine 48. Pin 208 is inserted
into socket 210. Cylinder 226 is then extended a second
time to move toolhead 42 the rest of the way into the tool-
head magazine 48. Pin 208 is then disengaged from socket
~ 210 and cylinder 226 is retracted.
The foregoing process is reversed to shift a
toolhead 42 from toolhead magazine 48 to the end of tool-
head changer arm 58. The elevator mechanism described
previously is used to lower horizontal rails 186 clear
of toolhead 42 just previous to a toolhead interchange.
Toolhead magazine 48 contains suitable rollers
(not shown) for slidably receiving toolheads 42 along with
conventional indexing means for selectively presenting any
desired compartment thereof to the loading and unloading
position adjacent to toolhead shifter 62.
Although the illustrative embodiments of the inven-
tion have been described in considerable detail for the
purpose of fully disclosing a practical operative structure
incorporating the invention, it is to be understood that
the particular apparatus shown and described is intended
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109i~84
to be illustrative only and that the various novel features
of the invention may be incorporated in other structural
forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined in the subjoined claims.
