US3670458A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Programmed contouring machine for machining, by tool heads, irregularly shaped workpieces
Assignee: Acme Maschinenfabrik GmbH
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Filing: 1971-01-28
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Granted: 1972-06-20
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Expires: 1991-01-28
Abstract
Abstract A turret table, indexed by an indexing mechanism, carries along its circumference a plurality of work piece spindles on which work pieces, to be shaped, may be mounted. Fixed beneath the turret are a plurality of cams, one group of cams for each work station, which are revolved synchronously. A cam follower on one cam acts to deflect track portions of a roughly circular, articulated endless track. Each spindle is linked to a runner, running on the track which, as it is deflected by the cam follower, transfers deflecting motion to the spindle to present the work piece in predetermined attitudes to the machine tool head. Additional cam means can be provided at each station to selectively and in accordance with the programmed rotation of the cam, twist, start or otherwise orient the work piece head, such as a grinding belt or the like, with respect to the work piece.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Faure
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:25
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24B; B24B27/00; B24B27/0023; B23; B23Q; B23Q16/00; B23Q16/02; B23Q16/04; B23Q16/06; B23Q39/00; B23Q39/04; B23Q39/042; B24B19/00; B24B21/00; B24B21/006; B24B21/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
Programmed contouring machine for machining, by a machine tool head, irregularly shaped work pieces (I) comprising a turret table (R), said table being mounted for indexing movements, in steps, to present selected work pieces at predetermined work stations (P1-P6) adjacent the circumference of the turret table, each station being equipped with a machine tool head; a plurality of work piece spindles (B) spaced along the periphery and extending from said turret table (R) to carry the work pieces; at least two cam and cam follower means (C1, C2, 19, C3, 23) and a common cam shaft (H) associated with each work station and fixedly located with respect to each work station, one of the cams at each work station being shaped to control movement of the spindle (B) when indexed for the specific station in a pre-determined manner, as determined by the contour of the work piece, and another cam controlling alignment of the machine tool head (40, 41, 42) with the work piece on the spindle about an axis other than the axis of the spindle (B); and means (25, 31) connected to each spindle (B) and travelling with the turret table and selectively and progressively engaging said one cam and cam follower means at each work station, whereby the work piece will be presented to the work head in attitudes required by its contour and individual for each work station.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
Programmed contouring machine for machining, by a machine tool head, irregularly shaped work pieces (I) comprising a turret table (R), said table being mounted for indexing movements, in steps, to present selected work pieces at predetermined work stations (P1-P6) adjacent the circumference of the turret table, each station being equipped with a machine tool head; a plurality of work piece spindles (B) spaced along the periphery and extending from said turret table (R) to carry the work pieces; at least two cam and cam follower means (C1, C2, 19, C3, 23) and a common cam shaft (H) associated with each work station and fixedly located with respect to each work station, one of the cams at each work station being shaped to control movement of the spindle (B) when indexed for the specific station in a pre-determined manner, as determined by the contour of the work piece, and another cam controlling alignment of the machine tool head (40, 41, 42) with the work piece on the spindle about an axis other than the axis of the spindle (B); and means (25, 31) connected to each spindle (B) and travelling with the turret table and selectively and progressively engaging said one cam and cam follower means at each work station, whereby the work piece will be presented to the work head in attitudes required by its contour and individual for each work station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
Machine according to claim 1 including a common drive (15, 16) interconnecting all the cam shafts (H) of the machine to drive all said cam shafts synchronously.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
Machine according to claim 2 wherein the common drive and the indexing means are driven by a common motor (M) to provide for synchronous indexing and cam movement of said cam-cam follower combination.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
Machine according to claim 3 wherein the ratio of transmissioN of the common motor provides for one revolution of the cam shaft for each indexing step of the turret table.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
94 words
Machine according to claim 1 wherein the indexing means (FIG. 2) comprises a ratchet (6, 7, 8) and a push rod (5) engaging the ratchet; spring means (4) tending to push the rod in a direction to transfer indexing movement to the turret table; a motor (M) and a cam (1) driven by the motor; means (2, 2'', 3, 9, 10) interconnecting the spring (4) and the cam (1) to progressively stress the spring upon rotation of the cam when driven by the motor; and a sear releasing the spring to operate the ratchet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
Machine according to claim 5 wherein the time duration which the motor turns the cam to stress the spring corresponds substantially to the working time of the working heads of the work stations, whereby the spring is stressed progressively during the period of the intervals between indexing movements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
130 words
Machine according to claim 1 wherein the means connected to each spindle and travelling with the turret table to engage said one cam means at each work station comprises a non-indexing closed loop track (27, 27'', 28) formed of mutually shiftable elements; means (28, 31, 31b, 33, 35) transferring a representation of the specific position of a track element, with respect to the periphery of the turret table, to the work piece spindle (B) and thus determined spindle rotation; and lever means (L) engaging said one cam means (C3) and the elements of said track (28) to determine the position of at least some of said elements with respect to the periphery of the turret table in accordance with the shape of the cam means engaged by the lever means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
Machine according to claim 7 wherein the means transferring a representation of a specific position of the track elements comprises a runner (28) engaging the track; and linkage means connected to said runner and to the spindle (B) and transferring a representation of instantaneous position of the runner on the track, and movement of the track upon rotation of the cam means to the spindle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
Machine according to claim 7 wherein the lever means engaging said one cam means and said track comprises a bowed lever (L) partially surrounding said one cam means (C3) and engaging said cam means in a central region of said lever means; said lever means being mounted for swinging movement at one end and engaging an element of said track with another end to determine the position of the shiftable elements thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
Machine according to claim 1 wherein (FIGS. 11 to 13) at least one of the machine heads is a grinding station, comprising an endless grinding belt (40), tensioning pulleys guiding said driving belt in a pre-determined path; and drive means coupled to drive the endless belt.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
Machine according to claim 10 wherein a tensioning pulley (42) is provided, mounted swingable about a fixed axis transverse to its axis of rotation; one other of said cam means (C1, 211) controlling the extent swing of said tensioning pulley about said fixed axis and being connected thereto.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
Machine according to claim 11 wherein another of said pulleys (41) is crowned and swingable about an axis transverse to the axis of rotation and in a plane non-parallel with respect to said fixed axis, to provide for deflection of the grinding belt with respect to the spindle (B).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
Machine according to claim 11 including a third cam and cam follower means (C2, 192), said third cam follower means controlling the operation of said grinding belt.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
Machine according to claim 10 wherein the drive means comprises an individual motor drive (Mb) for the belt, the motor of said motor drive being spring mounted to absorb shocks upon starting.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
73 words
Machine according to claim 1 including means (191, 192; 211, 212) interconnecting the cam follower means of at least one of said cam means with tHe machine tool head to position the machine tool head in predetermined alignment with respect to a work piece (I) on said spindle, the instantaneous alignment of said machine tool head being determined by the instantaneous position and shape of the associated cam acting on said cam follower.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
Machine according to claim 15 wherein the interconnection between said cam follower and said machine tool head comprises a Bowden cable.
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) | 1975-06-20 | 1975-12-20 | 1976-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-20 | 1979-12-20 | 1980-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-20 | 1983-12-20 | 1984-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |