Gear cutting – milling – or planing – Milling – Machine frame
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-01
2001-08-14
Hail, III, Joseph J. (Department: 3723)
Gear cutting, milling, or planing
Milling
Machine frame
C409S191000, C408S234000, C029S281100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273653
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a machine tool for the cutting process of work pieces, having at least one horizontally lodged work spindle, preferably for high speed and/or high precision processing, with the work spindle being able to be moved on and/or inside a frame-like tool carrier vertically placed on a machine support having slides moving along x-, y-, and z-axes.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,668 is a generic machine tool wherein the tool carrier is vertically placed on a machine support and wherein the horizontally lodged spindle can be moved in the x and y-direction. The work piece holder is also placed on the machine support and can be displaced in z-direction and be turned around a vertical axis, too. Mobility of the work spindle in z-direction is not feasible and/or not provided for therein.
EP-0 232 548 A2 describes a processing station, particularly for comparably large work pieces, equipped with a processing unit preferably having a laser, wherein the processing unit is also lodged at a frame-like vertical support post and can be moved in x-, y-, and z-direction,
On certain applications, e.g. on high-speed and/or high-precision processing, it became evident that high acceleration and processing forces act on the tool carrier when the processing unit is moved in z-direction. On processing it might lead to inaccuracies, and it calls for a very stable and expensive design and construction of the tool carrier, particularly if the work space is very large and if the feed forward speed and/or acceleration rate are very fast. Moreover, substantial displacement between tool side and work piece side has frequently become evident in processing centers known thus far, due to involvement of coolants, different coolant temperatures, and changes in hall temperature.
Known from DE 38 32 975 C1 is a multiple-spindle autolathe with a frame-like casing consisting of a bottom machine bed, a spindle post with a controllable spindle drum, a drive post for the drives of the processing tools and a top traverse between spindle post and drive post. The work space is interspersed by a central pipe on which a longitudinal slide block is placed and which rests supported in the spindle drum on the one hand and in the drive post on the other hand.
Mobility of the spindle by the aid of x-, y-, and z-slides is not provided for hereunder. Moreover only relatively small work pieces can be processed.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Therefore it is the primary task ofthe present invention to propose a generic machine tool which does not pose these problems and which allows for an exact positioning of the processing unit in relation to the work piece.
The solution to this task is attained by a frame type tool carrier and a frame type workpiece holder mounted on a support. A connection bar or means connects the workpiece holder to the tool carrier to form a single stable unit.
According to the invention a vertical, frame-like tool carrier is mounted on the support. In parallel with the tool carrier and on opposite site of the support is placed a vertical frame-like work piece holder or carrier. Upper basically equally high horizontal traverses of these carriers are connected through one or several preferably horizontal connecting bars and/or means to form a stable unit. Thus a frame-like structure is created in a z-direction, which prevents relative movement between the work piece holder and the tool carrier even if high acceleration and processing forces are applied. At the same time it makes a precise positioning between tool and work piece feasible. The work piece holder may also be shaped like a frame in the x- and y-directions, similar to the tool carrier, so that the work piece is positioned inside the frame in an easy and simple manner. The work piece can be moved through the frame in z-direction and, if required, be transported into or out of the machine tool in the x- or y-direction.
The connecting bar or means between the tool carrier and the work piece holder may be placed particularly off center, such as at one of the longitudinal sides or at both, so that the space directly over the point of processing remains free, for example to load and unload the work piece. A unilateral eccentric arrangement of a connecting means may bear the advantage that better access to the processing space or room is then possible or allowed from the opposite side.
The connecting bar or means may also be shaped like a fork, with two legs of the fork attacking at the upper end of the vertical side posts of the tool carrier or work piece holder and with the opposite leg being connected with an upper traverse of the work piece holder an or tool carrier. Layouts adapted to the size and shape of work pieces, tool changing equipment and to other requirements are also possible and included.
For example, to be able to process work pieces in z-direction simultaneously from both sides, it is also feasible under this invention to place tool carriers at both sides of a work piece holder, where the tool carriers are connected via connecting means to the work piece holder.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2007314 (1935-07-01), Stuhlmacher
patent: 3825363 (1974-07-01), Lanman
patent: 4632615 (1986-12-01), Yamamura
patent: 4987668 (1991-01-01), Roesch
patent: 5938577 (1999-08-01), Lindem
patent: 5988959 (1999-11-01), Sugata
patent: 1910 693 (1969-10-01), None
patent: 33 33 480 A1 (1985-04-01), None
patent: 38 32 975 C1 (1987-08-01), None
patent: 0 232 548 (1987-08-01), None
Geiger Dietrich
Horn Wolfgang
Hail III Joseph J.
Huller Hille GmbH
McGlew and Tuttle , P.C.
Wilson Lee
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