Tool changing – Including machine tool or component – Rotary spindle machine tool
Reexamination Certificate
2002-02-15
2003-11-11
Wellington, A. L. (Department: 3722)
Tool changing
Including machine tool or component
Rotary spindle machine tool
C483S031000, C483S030000, C483S902000, C483S053000, C483S067000, C279S004010, C279S004030
Reexamination Certificate
active
06645131
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to machine tools, and more specifically, to an automated tool storage and handling device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a hydrostatic tool system including a tool assembly having a hydrostatic tool holder for holding a rotating tool, for example a machine or cutting tool. The hydrostatic tool system may also include a tool storage system, a tool transport system and a tool drive system. The hydrostatic tool system may also include an hydraulic coupler for hydraulically connecting the hydrostatic tool holder to a pressurizing or depressurizing source. The hydrostatic tool system may also include a system controller.
Each tool assembly includes a hydrostatic tool holder having an inner sleeve nested within an outer sleeve which cooperate in such a manner as to form a gap between the outer circumferential surface of the inner sleeve and the inner circumferential surface of the outer sleeve. A chamber is defined by the gap between the inner and outer sleeves, the nesting configuration of the bulkheads and flanges of the inner and outer sleeves and the nesting configuration of the flanges of the inner and outer sleeves. The inner sleeve includes an inner bore configured to concentrically engage a machine spindle. The outer sleeve includes an outer circumferential surface configured to concentrically engage a rotatable tool. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the hydrostatic tool holder outer sleeve includes an hydraulic fitting which permits the introduction, pressurization and extraction of the hydraulic fluid into the chamber between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve. The hydraulic fitting may be configured as an hydraulic test point including a poppet valve. The hydraulic test point is configured to releasably engage and hydraulically communicate with an hydraulic coupler which, in turn, communicates hydraulically with a pressurized source of hydraulic fluid. The inner and outer sleeves of the hydrostatic tool holder deflect slightly under hydrostatic fluid pressure to engage both the spindle and the rotating tool.
The hydrostatic tool holder also includes a collar which is configured for gripping engagement by a pair of articulated clamping arms of the tool transport system and a pair of opposing fingers of a tool clamp of the tool storage system.
The hydrostatic tool system may also include a tool storage system. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the tool storage system is configured as a turret including a plurality of tool assembly receivers. The turret is mounted on a shaft and a plurality of tool assembly receivers are connected to the turret. Each tool assembly receiver is configured to hold and support a tool assembly. The turret may be rotated and indexed to any selected position corresponding to a selected tool assembly. The tool storage system may include hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical or mechanical means to rotate and index the turret, for example a pneumatic rotary actuator. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the turret is rotated by a rotary actuator, such as a model manufactured by Bimba Manufacturing Company, model No. PTF-196325 rotary actuator 325° with position feedback. Indexing or stopping turret rotation at a selected position is accomplished by a pneumatic stop cylinder such as the model No. M171-DBZ cylinder, 1½″ bore and 1½″ stroke, block mount cylinder, manufactured by the Bimba Manufacturing Company.
In the alternative, the tool storage system may feature a linear configuration wherein the tool assemblies are arranged side by side in sequence. Similarly, the tool storage system may feature a stacked configuration wherein the tool assemblies are arranged one above another or side by side. For instance, the tool storage system may include stacked rows or stacked turrets as desired.
In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the tool assembly receivers are configured as tool clamps. Each tool clamp includes a pair of opposing fingers. Each clamp is biased towards a closed position. A tool assembly may be forced against the clamp thereby gaining entry into the tool clamp. The spring bias creates ample compressive holding force to maintain the tool assembly securely in position at the tool storage system. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the tool assembly receivers are configured as “dummy” spindles. In this embodiment of the invention, a tool assembly may be placed down on the “dummy” spindle with essentially the same motion employed by the tool transport system for placing the tool assembly on the motor driven spindle.
The hydrostatic tool system according to the present invention may also include a tool transport system. The tool transport system includes, generally, a tool assembly pick and place member for retrieving a tool assembly from the tool storage system and for placing the tool assembly on a motor driven spindle and a tool transport device for transporting the tool assembly between the tool storage system and a motor driven spindle. The tool transport system may also include a system for pressurizing the hydrostatic tool holder. The tool transport system may also include a system for the de-pressurization and extraction of hydraulic fluid from the hydrostatic tool holder.
In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the tool transport system includes a primary frame mounted to a carriage which may be advanced along an X axis by a horizontal travel actuator between the tool storage system and a motor driven spindle. The horizontal travel actuator may be configured as a rodless cylinder including a piston and a carriage slidable along an outer circumferential surface of a cylinder tube, the piston and the carriage each include magnets, allowing the piston to move the carriage along the cylinder tube by the attraction force between the magnets. A force transmitted to the piston, for instance fluid pressure, causes the piston to travel through the tube and is transmitted to the carriage through magnetic attraction thereby advancing the carriage along the cylinder tube. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the rodless cylinder is a model TA-MS4D-2½B×2S-OSM, 2½″ bore by 2″ stroke rodless cylinder manufactured by TRD.
In another embodiment, the tool transport system includes a primary frame mounted to a rotatable carriage, which selectively rotates about a substantially vertical axis by operation of a rotational motion actuator and locates between two or more stations, a first station wherein a tool assembly is retrieved or placed at a tool storage system and a second station wherein the tool assembly is placed on a motor driven spindle. One such rotational motion actuator is manufactured by Bimba Manufacturing Company, model No. Q107221, 150° and 1{fraction (1/16)}″ bore.
In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the tool transport system includes a lifting cylinder having a substantially vertical lifting capacity attached to the primary frame. A head frame assembly is attached to the lifting cylinder and is movable with the substantially vertical travel of the lifting cylinder along a Y axis. A clamping arm cylinder is also attached to the head frame assembly. A clamp arm frame is attached to the clamping arm cylinder and is movable with the substantially vertical travel of the clamping arm cylinder along a Y axis. A pair of articulated clamping arms are attached to the clamp arm frame and are actuated by the clamping arm cylinder. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, both the lifting cylinder and the clamping arm cylinder are of the double end type, wherein the piston is held stationary within a frame and the cylinder travels within the frame. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the lifting cylinder includes a TRD model No. TA-MS4D-3¼B×6S-OSM, 3¼″ bore and 6″ stroke double ended cylinder and the clamping arm cylinder includes a TRD model No. TA-MS4D-2½B×2S-OSM
Asp Andrew
Jensen Raliegh J.
Holland Joseph W.
Ross Dana
Wellington A. L.
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