Cutting by use of rotating axially moving tool – Processes – Bit detachable
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-28
2001-12-18
Tsai, Henry (Department: 3722)
Cutting by use of rotating axially moving tool
Processes
Bit detachable
C408S147000, C408S164000, C082S001110, C082S001200, C082S133000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06331093
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to mechanically driven tool compensation, and more particularly, to a tool compensation method and apparatus for a cutting tool having a plurality of tool cartridges or body members to be moved radially with respect to a rotating axis of the cutting tool.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electrically driven tool compensators are known for moving a tool between a working position and a retracted position in combination with gauging equipment which signals a predetermined increment of tool travel each time tool adjustment is needed. The tool is moveable radially outward and inward in response to axial movements of a draw bar. An electric motor with a gear reducer, drives a screw nut assembly connected to the draw bar so that the draw bar is moved back and forth along the longitudinal axis of the draw bar, where the direction of movement is determined by the direction of rotation of the motor. The nut is formed to a cylindrical shape and has an interior cavity with a threaded opening. The drive nut is slidably mounted within the housing cavity and a draw bar assembly is removably affixed to the nut so that the draw bar moves axially as the nut rotates. A boring bar is conventionally secured to the draw bar and is operable to provide for radially inward and outward movement of a cutting tool. A cam on the boring bar is operated in response to axial movement of the draw bar in one direction to flex a strip member and move the tool radially outwardly toward the workpiece. The amount of adjustment permitted in known tool compensator configurations is less than the degree of movement desired. In particular, if additional movement could be provided more intricate profiles could be cut. Additional movement could also provide more efficient cutting operation, by allowing multiple cuts to be simultaneously performed at different radial positions at the same time. Accuracy, reliability, and repeatability of the positioning movement of the radially moveable body member is also desirable.
The known boring bar configurations can provide radial adjustment of a single cutting tool, or simultaneous adjustment of a plurality of cutting tools. Uneven rates of wear can occur on the cutting edges of a multiple cutter machine tool. Simultaneous radial adjustment of all cutters does not accurately compensate for the differences in rates of wear between the various cutting surfaces. It would be desirable to provide an apparatus for radially adjusting the position of a plurality of tool cartridges individually and independently of one another.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An apparatus according to the present invention radially adjust a position of a plurality of tool cartridges of a machine tool. The machine tool has rotatable, concentric, elongate, inner and outer drive spindles. The outer drive spindle has a plurality of pockets formed in the outer drive spindle exposing a portion of the inner drive spindle. A wedge is disposed in each pocket for movement relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate drive spindle in response to relative rotation of the inner drive spindle with respect to the outer drive spindle when the inner drive spindle or boring bar is in a predetermined selectable position with respect to each pocket. Each wedge has either a threaded inner surface or other operable connection to the inner drive spindle, such as a groove for receiving a flange connected to a rotatable member or nut. The nut or rotatable member is disposed in each pocket. The rotatable member has either a threaded external surface operably engagable with the threaded inner surface of the corresponding wedge, or a threaded external surface operably engagable with the threaded inner surface of the outer drive spindle. The rotatable member is selectably operably engagable with a portion of the inner drive spindle when the inner drive spindle is in an operable longitudinal position corresponding to each pocket. A tool cartridge operably engages within each pocket of the outer drive spindle for radial movement relative to the longitudinal axis of the outer drive spindle in response to relative movement of the corresponding wedge. A ring spring is provided for urging each tool cartridge to operably engage each corresponding wedge.
Each rotatable member has a central passage with a plurality of radially inwardly spaced splines or other suitable female coupling adapter extending along a predetermined axial length of the passage. The inner drive spindle is engagable through the central passage and has a plurality of longitudinally spaced, progressively staggered, gear portions or other appropriate male coupling adapter operably engagable with the corresponding female coupling adapter. The male or gear portions are selectively engagable with the plurality of inwardly directed splines or female portions along individual axial lengths of each rotatable member. Different combinations of gear portions and splines, or male portions and female portions, operably align with one another at individual, discreet, predetermined longitudinal positions of the inner drive spindle as the inner drive spindle is moved axially with respect to the outer drive spindle. Preferably, only one single combination of male and female portions are operably engagable with one another at any individual discreet predetermined longitudinal position of the inner drive spindle during axial movement between a first end limit of travel and a second end limit of travel. This configuration provides the ability to selectably adjust the radial position of each individual tool cartridge independent of one another through longitudinal and rotational manipulation of the inner drive spindle or boring bar with respect to the outer drive spindle.
A method according to the present invention adjusts radial positions of a plurality of tool cartridges of a machine tool. The machine tool has rotatable, concentric, elongate, inner and outer drive spindles. The outer drive spindle has a plurality of pockets formed in the outer drive spindle exposing a portion of the inner drive spindle. The method includes the step of moving a wedge disposed in each pocket relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate inner drive spindle in response to relative rotation of the inner drive spindle with respect to the outer drive spindle when the inner drive spindle is in a predetermined selectable position with respect to each pocket. Each wedge includes either a threaded inner surface operably engagable with a portion of the inner drive spindle through a rotatable member or nut, or other operable connection to the inner drive spindle, such as a groove for receiving a flange connected to the rotatable member or nut. The method also includes the step of operably engaging either a threaded external surface of a rotatable member disposed in each pocket with the threaded inner surface of the corresponding wedge, or a threaded external surface of a rotatable member disposed in each pocket with the threaded inner surface of the outer drive spindle. The rotatable member selectively operably engages with a portion of the inner drive spindle when the inner drive spindle is in an operable longitudinal position corresponding to that particular pocket. The method also includes the step of radially moving a tool cartridge operably engaged within each pocket of the inner drive spindle relative to the longitudinal axis of the spindle in response to relative movement of the corresponding wedge. Each tool cartridge is urged to operably engage each corresponding wedge with a ring spring, or any suitable substitute.
The method according to the present invention can also include the step of selectively adjusting the radial position of each individual tool cartridge independently of one another through longitudinal and rotational manipulation of the inner drive spindle with respect to the outer drive spindle. The method can also include the step of moving the inner drive spindle longitudinally to operably engage a male coupling portion of the inner drive spindle with
Graham John
Klimach Johann S.
Raible Robert B.
Antonelli Terry Stout & Kraus LLP
Ex-Cello Machine Tools, Inc.
Tsai Henry
LandOfFree
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