Gear cutting – milling – or planing – Milling – With means to remove chip
Patent
1999-10-01
2000-12-19
Wellington, A. L.
Gear cutting, milling, or planing
Milling
With means to remove chip
409136, 483 31, 29DIG50, 29DIG83, 29DIG94, 416 44, 416 93R, 416135, 416146R, 1442521, 15405, B23Q 1100, B23C 900
Patent
active
061619949
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a device for cleaning the work area of metal cutting machines, particularly removing chips, cooling lubricants and other debris.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Although attention is being paid to the removal of chips and coolants or lubricants from machine tools that perform metal cutting operations, most of the time it is unavoidable that chips or other debris settle on the workpiece, its surroundings and on the machine components. Upon completion of the machining process the machine components in the work area, work tables, clamping devices mounted on the tables and the workpieces are covered with chips, cooling lubricants and other debris. Therefore, the work area is typically cleaned manually either following each workpiece or from time to time after several workpieces have been machined. The protective doors of the booth are opened, and the work area is hosed down. However, most of the time this is only feasible if the machine tool is not in operation which reduces the available operating time.
The required labor results in additional personnel expenses, and the loss in operating time increases the machine costs per each machined workpiece.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, an object of the invention is to provide a device which addresses the problems associated with cleaning the work area of a metal cutting machine. The present invention provides these and other advantages and overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a device for cleaning a work area of a tool machine which substantially eliminates the need for manual cleaning of chips and other residues and debris from the work area. The solution is particularly suitable for machine tools equipped with a tool changing device or with several work spindles. The device of the invention is arranged either in the tool stacker or on one of the tool spindles and serves to clean the work area by a blowing process when required. The device is equipped with a means of connection by means of which it is arranged on a work spindle and can be grasped by a clamping chuck, for example. If required, the device may also be equipped with means that interact with a tool changer. This may be a ring flange, a disk flange, or similar device.
If the device of the invention is integrated into a tool changing system the machining program may be structured such that the device is the last tool included in the machining cycle. Consequently, the cleaning process is included in the programmable automatic machining cycle, and the operators will find a clean work area upon completion of the machining cycle.
In order to optimize the cleaning effect it is advantageous to initially position the device at an optimal distance over the elements to be cleaned by means of the machine's existing programmable axial positioning movements after the rotating motion has begun and to move it laterally, if required.
The device of the invention is a cleaning tool that relieves the operating personnel insofar as no manual or substantially no manual removal of the chips is required. In addition, the cleaning process takes less time than before which saves machine time. Furthermore, the cleaning effect is uniform and easily reproduced as a result of the programmable cleaning path and the programmable rotating speed of the device. Therefore, scrap arising from an insufficiently clean work area is prevented.
The cleaning tool (the device) has pivotally mounted propeller blades which, in the off position, are folded into a position in which the device requires minimal space. When the cleaning tool rotates the propeller unfolds in that the propeller blades pivot into a substantially radial position. For this purpose, the propeller blades are mounted on a base by means of hinge elements. The hinge elements define pivot axes which, for example, are oriented transversely to the base's axis of revolution. The propeller blades, which are oriented approximately axial in the off position, open up as a result of the cen
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Ergenbright Erica
Wellington A. L.
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