Loader and unloader for machine tool

Details Loader and unloader for machine tool Loader and unloader for machine tool

1999-06-24

2001-02-20

Tsai, Henry (Department: 3722)

Turning

Process of turning

C082S124000, C082S127000, C082S129000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06189424

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a workpart loader and unloader mechanism for a machine tool. 2. Description of Related Art
Computer numerical controlled (CNC) lathes are known having a rotatable spindle with a collet chuck to grip a workpart to be machined and having a workpart loading/unloading tube communicated to a rear of the spindle collet chuck such that a workpart can be fed through the tube to the spindle chuck where it is machined and then unloaded from the spindle collet chuck back through the same loading/unloading tube. Such a workpart loader and unloader mechanism for a spindle collet chuck is disadvantageous in that the cycle time to load, machine, and unload a workpart is relatively lengthy.
An object of the invention is to provide a workpart loader and unloader mechanism for a machine tool, such as a CNC lathe, that reduces the cycle time to load, machine and unload workparts relative to a workpart-holding spindle of the machine tool.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A loader mechanism pursuant to the invention includes a load tube that communicates to a spindle having a workpart holding chuck and first and second workpart loading fluid cylinders for moving a workpart to be machined to a first axial position relative to the spindle to eject a previously machined workpart therefrom and then to a second final axial position in the spindle where the workpart to be machined is positioned for machining. The first and second fluid cylinders comprise relatively long and short stroke fluid cylinders to this end with the long stroke cylinder mounted on a slide that is moved axially by the short stroke cylinder. The load tube preferably comprises an air manifold through which the workparts are successively fed to the spindle with the manifold having one or more air discharge orifices through which pressurized gas is discharged toward the spindle to prevent dirt, machining chips, and the like from entering the load tube.
An unloader mechanism pursuant to the invention includes a tool-carrying turret having a workpart holder thereon with the turret being axially movable and rotary indexable to a first turret position to receive a machined workpart ejected from the collet chuck by movement of a workpart to be machined at the first axial position in the spindle and to a second turret position where the machined workpart in the workpart holder is ejected into an unload tube by a third workpart unloading fluid cylinder.
The arrangement of the load and unload tubes and turret workpart holder to transfer a machined workpart from the spindle to the unload tube, while a workpart to be machined is positioned in the spindle for machining reduces cycle time to load, machine, and unload any given workpart.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3937331 (1976-02-01), Spercel
patent: 4316398 (1982-02-01), Link et al.
patent: 4680896 (1987-07-01), Breitenstein et al.
patent: 4794831 (1989-01-01), Cheng
patent: 5505584 (1996-04-01), Berns
patent: 5662014 (1997-09-01), Link
patent: 5715735 (1998-02-01), Alden et al.
patent: 5911804 (1999-06-01), Haller et al.

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