Tool changing – Including machine tool or component – Rotary spindle machine tool
Patent
1998-11-27
2000-07-04
Briggs, William
Tool changing
Including machine tool or component
Rotary spindle machine tool
297265, 409231, 483 13, B23Q 3157, B23C 900
Patent
active
060831456
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of machine tools and more particularly to modifications with which handling, in particular coupling as well as mounting and demounting of a tool-carriage electric spindle of a machine tool for high-speed machining can be achieved under the best conditions.
2. Discussion of the Background
High-speed machining of parts in a machine tool generally takes place by means of a tool driven rotationally by the motor shaft of an electric spindle installed in a slide, which itself is mounted to be movable by translation along three axes X, Y and Z.
A machine tool classically has three main working stations, to wit: the motor shaft of the electric spindle and shaping the part to be machined, an assembly of mechanisms that in particular ensure the translational displacements of the slide of the electric spindle along the X, Y and Z axes, as well as the supply of power to the electric spindle for rotation of its tool-carriage shaft, of a program of instructions preestablished to take charge of the different phases of machining of the said part.
The powers required of electric spindles during high-speed machining are such that they are of large dimensions and can reach masses as heavy as sixty kilograms. The exterior surface of these electric spindles is formed classically by a cylinder provided with a shoulder situated at the front thereof to permit fixation of the electric spindle in the slide, as well as of a projecting or non-projecting motor shaft providing drive for the tools. These electric spindles are of large dimensions and masses, and so the operations of handling them are difficult.
In fact, coupling of an electric spindle having the characteristics cited in the foregoing is achieved by positioning the rear end thereof to face the slide in order to be able to connect and couple, via supply connectors disposed on the rear end of the electric spindle, the cables located inside the slide and necessary for operation of the electric spindle. Holding in this position is indispensable for connection of all cables. This holding operation is made difficult by the high position of the slide, relative to the floor, at which the electric spindle must be held in facing relationship.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates more particularly to mounting of the electric spindle in the slide, which is performed after coupling and comprises inserting the rear body of the electric spindle in a slide such as that already described by the Applicant in French Patent Application No. 9600912. This slide is formed in particular by three successive recessed shoulders forming collars, the first exterior shoulder situated at the entrance to the slide defining an opening diameter larger than the opening diameter of the other two intermediate and interior shoulders. Thus, during mounting of the electric spindle, the rear body thereof comes into contact with the two intermediate and interior shoulders, which are provided with sealing elements in order to create a leaktight chamber to be filled with oil or any other interposed material capable of damping the vibrations due to high-speed machining. The fixation of the electric spindle in the slide is achieved by causing the rear face of the shoulder of the electric spindle to abut against the intermediate shoulder of the slide, said rear face being held in position by a flange fixed by means of bolts passed therethrough and engaging with the first exterior shoulder of the slide.
The operation of inserting the said rear body in the slide is tricky, because it necessitates great precision in order to avoid any damage to the said sealing elements, which in turn would present the risks of leakage and therefore lower efficiency of vibrational damping and the possibility of accident due to the presence of the electrical connections necessary for operation of the electric spindle. This precision is difficult to achieve by virtue of the weight and volume of the electric spindle, which must be
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Briggs William
Renault Automation
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