US3555963A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Removable head for a machine tool
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1968-10-01
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Granted: 1971-01-19
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Expires: 1988-10-01
Abstract
Abstract An automatic spindle transfer machine of the type known as boring, tapping, drilling, reaming, turning or milling machine, is provided with a removable spindle toolholder. A conveyor or transfer mechanism is used to convey to and away from the work station the worked and unworked parts. Suitable pallets for different toolholders are provided which enable the transfer mechanism to remove a spindle toolholder from the machine and to substitute a new toolholder suitable for another operation. The organization of several production lines using this toolholder removing technique is described.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald J Evans
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:32
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q3/00; B23Q3/155; B23Q3/157; B23Q1/00; B23Q1/0063; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/51; Y10T29/5104; Y10T29/5105; Y10T29/5107; Y10T408/00; Y10T408/36; Y10T408/38; Y10T409/00; Y10T409/30; Y10T409/303752; Y10T409/309576
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
In a spindle machine tool having a frame, elongated guide means provided on said frame, a driving slide engaged on said guide means, driving means for operating said driving slide, a tool head detachably connected with said driving slide, means for powering said head, and transfer means for moving a workpiece to and away from the machine tool, the improvement comprising: at least one substitute tool head; power means for automatically attaching and detaching one of said heads to said driving slide, said heads comprising at least one toolholder and associated tool and gearing; and power means for positioning at least one of said heads on said transfer means so as to move said last named head to and away from the driving slide by said transfer means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a spindle machine tool having a frame, elongated guide means provided on said frame, a driving slide engaged on said guide means, driving means for operating said driving slide, a tool head detachably connected with said driving slide, means for powering said head, and transfer means for moving a workpiece to and away from the machine tool, the improvement comprising: at least one substitute tool head; power means for automatically attaching and detaching one of said heads to said driving slide, said heads comprising at least one toolholder and associated tool and gearing; and power means for positioning at least one of said heads on said transfer means so as to move said last named head to and away from the driving slide by said transfer means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A spindle machine tool as set forth in claim 1 in which said transfer means comprise a plurality of pallets on which the workpieces can be located and attached.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A spindle machine tool as set forth in claim 1 in which said means for positioning said heads on said transfer means comprise a plurality of pallets on which said heads can be located.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A spindle machine tool as set forth in claim 2 in which said means for positioning said heads on said transfer means comprise a plurality of pallets on which said heads can be located.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of machining a workpiece on which material working operations are to take place simultaneously, comprising the steps of: a. locating at least two separate spindle tool heads, comprising at least one toolholder, and associated tool and gearing, on transfer means disposed by a machine tool; b. locating a workpiece to be worked on the same transfer means; c. operating the transfer means to bring one of the heads to a driving slide forming part of the machine tool and attaching the head to the driving slide; d. operating the transfer means to bring the workpiece to the driving slide and performing a working operation thereon; e. operating the transfer means to move the worked workpiece away from the driving slide; f. operating the transfer means to bring a suitable portion thereof to the driving slide and detaching the first used head from the driving slide and locating it on the transfer means; g. operating the transfer means to remove the first used head from the driving slide, and to convey another head to the driving slide and attaching it to the driving slide; and h. operating the transfer means to return the worked workpiece to the driving slide and performing another working operation thereon.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of machining a workpiece on which material working operations are to take place simultaneously, comprising the steps of: a. locating at least two separate spindle tool heads, comprising at least one toolholder, and associated tool and gearing, on transfer means disposed by a machine tool; b. locating a workpiece to be worked on the same transfer means; c. operating the transfer means to bring one of the heads to a driving slide forming part of the machine tool and attaching the head to the driving slide; d. operating the transfer means to bring the workpiece to the driving slide and performing a working operation thereon; e. operating the transfer means to move the worked workpiece away from the driving slide; f. operating the transfer means to bring a suitable portion thereof to the driving slide and detaching the first used head from the driving slide and locating it on the transfer means; g. operating the transfer means to remove the first used head from the driving slide, and to convey another head to the driving slide and attaching it to the driving slide; and h. operating the transfer means to return the worked workpiece to the driving slide and performing another working operation thereon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the steps of moving and attaching the detaching heads, of moving a workpiece to and away from the driving slide, of machining a workpiece are repeated with different heads on the same workpiece until the workpiece is completely worked.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
256 words
A method of automatically working a workpiece on which multiple material working operations are to take place simultaneously comprising the steps of: a. attaching at least two separate spindle tool heads, comprising at least one tool holder and associated tool and gearing, on two separate suitable pallets conveyable by transfer means operable under control of a machine tool; b. locating a workpiece to be worked on the same transfer means; c. operating the transfer means to bring one of the heads located on one of said pallets to a driving slide forming part of the machine tool and attaching the head to the driving Slide; d. operating the transfer means to remove the empty pallet from the driving slide, and to convey to the driving slide a workpiece to be worked; e. performing a working operation on said workpiece; f. operating the transfer means to remove the worked workpiece from the driving slide; g. operating the transfer means to convey to the driving slide an empty pallet and detaching the first used head from the driving slide and locating it on said empty pallet; h. operating the transfer means to remove said first used head in said pallet from the driving slide and to convey another head, locating a second pallet on the driving slide and attaching it to the driving slide; and i. operating the transfer means to remove said second empty pallet from the driving slide and to return the worked workpiece to the driving slide, and performing another working operation on said workpiece.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
256 words
A method of automatically working a workpiece on which multiple material working operations are to take place simultaneously comprising the steps of: a. attaching at least two separate spindle tool heads, comprising at least one tool holder and associated tool and gearing, on two separate suitable pallets conveyable by transfer means operable under control of a machine tool; b. locating a workpiece to be worked on the same transfer means; c. operating the transfer means to bring one of the heads located on one of said pallets to a driving slide forming part of the machine tool and attaching the head to the driving Slide; d. operating the transfer means to remove the empty pallet from the driving slide, and to convey to the driving slide a workpiece to be worked; e. performing a working operation on said workpiece; f. operating the transfer means to remove the worked workpiece from the driving slide; g. operating the transfer means to convey to the driving slide an empty pallet and detaching the first used head from the driving slide and locating it on said empty pallet; h. operating the transfer means to remove said first used head in said pallet from the driving slide and to convey another head, locating a second pallet on the driving slide and attaching it to the driving slide; and i. operating the transfer means to remove said second empty pallet from the driving slide and to return the worked workpiece to the driving slide, and performing another working operation on said workpiece.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the steps of moving and attaching and detaching heads, of moving a workpiece to and away from the driving slide, of machining a workpiece, are repeated with different heads on the same workpiece until the workpiece is completely machined.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
304 words
Apparatus for automatically working a workpiece on which multiple material working operations are to take place comprising at least two separate tool heads, each of said heads comprising at least one toolholder and associated tool and gearing, at least two separate pallets, power means for attaching said heads on respective pallets, transfer means for conveying said pallets in response to command signals, a workpiece, power means for locating said workpiece on said transfer means, said transfer means responsive to command signals to bring one of the heads located on one of said pallets to said driving slide, power means for removing said one head from its pallet and attaching said one head to the driving slide, means for operating the transfer means to remove said last named empty pallet from said driving slide and to convey to the driving slide a workpiece to be worked, means for performing a working operation on said workpiece using said one head, said transfer means responsive to command signals to remove the worked workpiece from the driving slide, said transfer means responsive to command signals to convey to the driving slide an empty pallet, power means for detaching the first used head from the driving slide and locating it on said empty pallet, said transfer means responsive to command signals to remove said first used head in said pallet from the driving slide and to bring another head attached on its respective pallet to said driving slide, power means for removing said another head from its pallet and attaching said another head to said driving slide, and said transfer means responsive to command signals to remove said second empty pallet from the driving slide and to return the worked workpiece to the driving slide and means for performing another working operation on said workpiece using said another head.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
304 words
Apparatus for automatically working a workpiece on which multiple material working operations are to take place comprising at least two separate tool heads, each of said heads comprising at least one toolholder and associated tool and gearing, at least two separate pallets, power means for attaching said heads on respective pallets, transfer means for conveying said pallets in response to command signals, a workpiece, power means for locating said workpiece on said transfer means, said transfer means responsive to command signals to bring one of the heads located on one of said pallets to said driving slide, power means for removing said one head from its pallet and attaching said one head to the driving slide, means for operating the transfer means to remove said last named empty pallet from said driving slide and to convey to the driving slide a workpiece to be worked, means for performing a working operation on said workpiece using said one head, said transfer means responsive to command signals to remove the worked workpiece from the driving slide, said transfer means responsive to command signals to convey to the driving slide an empty pallet, power means for detaching the first used head from the driving slide and locating it on said empty pallet, said transfer means responsive to command signals to remove said first used head in said pallet from the driving slide and to bring another head attached on its respective pallet to said driving slide, power means for removing said another head from its pallet and attaching said another head to said driving slide, and said transfer means responsive to command signals to remove said second empty pallet from the driving slide and to return the worked workpiece to the driving slide and means for performing another working operation on said workpiece using said another head.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-18 | 1974-07-20 | 1975-01-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-18 | 1978-07-20 | 1979-01-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-18 | 1982-07-20 | 1983-01-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |