Support device for machining workpieces

Claim 2

A support device for machining a workpiece comprising a first pair of parts consisting of a first part defining a fixed bed, a second part defining a saddle, interengaging guide means interposed between the saddle and the bed for supporting the saddle on the bed for movement in a first direction, a second pair of parts consisting of a third part defining a chassis mounted on the saddle to pivot about a first axis substantially orthogonal to said first direction and a fourth part defining a table for receiving and holding the workpiece, interengaging guide means interposed between the table and the chassis for supporting the table on the chassis for rotation about a second axis substantially orthogonal to said pivot axis of the chassis, means for relatively moving said parts, releasable locking means for maintaining said parts in desired positions relative to each other, a plurality of hydraulically operated weight compensating means in a plurality of spaced-apart regions and interposed between parts of one pair of said pairs of parts, each weight compensating means being capable of producing a relative steady force between the parts of said one pair of parts, and hydraulic means for independently varying said relative force produced by each of the compensating means substantially as a function of forces exerted substantially in said regions through said guide means of said one pair of parts due to the weight and position of the workpiece relative to said one pair of parts so as to substantially balance said forces exerted by the workpiece.

Claim 3

A support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said weight compensating means comprise lightening means which comprise groups of fluid cylinders fixed to one of the parts of said one pair of parts and having piston rods and rolling elements carried by the piston rods and adapted to bear and roll against a rolling face carried by the other of the parts of said one pair of parts, said relative forces produced by said lightening means being forces biasing the parts of said one pair of parts away from each other.

Claim 4

A support device as claimed in claim 2, comprising five pairs of lightening fluid cylinders between the parts of said pair of parts.

Claim 5

A support device as claimed in claim 1, comprising between the saddle and the bed a plurality of lateral guiding and positioning means comprising rolling elements carried by the saddle and bearing against a guide face carried by the bed, said rolling elements being adjustably mounted on eccentrics so as to permit adjustment of pre-stressing of the lateral guiding of the saddle in its travel and permit a precise adjustment of orthogonality between said first axis and said first direction.

Claim 6

A support device for machining a workpiece comprising a first part defining a fixed bed, a second part defining a saddle, interengaging guide means interposed between the saddle and the bed for supporting the saddle on the bed for movement in a first direction, a third part defining a chassis mounted on the saddle to pivot about a first axis substantially orthogonal to said first direction, a fourth part defining a table for receiving and holding the workpiece, interengaging guide means interposed between the table and the chassis for supporting the table on the chassis for rotation about a second axis substantially orthogonal to said pivot axis of the chassis, means for relatively moving said parts, releasable locking means for maintaining said parts in given positions relative to each other, and a plurality of hydraulically operated weight compensating means in a plurality of spaced-apart regions and interposed between the chassis and the table, each weight compensating means being capable of producing a relative steady force between the table and chassis, and hydraulic means for independently varying said relative force produced by each of the compensating means substantially as a function of forces exerted substantially in said regions through said guide means of the table and chassis due to the weight and position of the workpiece relative to said table and chassis so as to substantially balance said forces exerted by the workpiece.

Claim 7

A support device for machining a workpiece comprising a first part defining a fixed bed, a second part defining a saddle, interengaging guide means interposed between the saddle and the bed for supporting the saddle on the bed for movement in a first direction, a third part defining a chassis mounted on the saddle to pivot about a first axis substantially orthogonal to said first direction, a fourth part defining a table for receiving and holding the workpiece, interengaging guide means interposed between the table and the chassis for supporting the table on the chassis for rotation about a second axis substantially orthogonal to said pivot axis of the chassis, means for relatively moving said parts, releasable locking means for maintaining said parts in given positions relative to each other, and a plurality of hydraulically operated weight compensating means in a plurality of spaced-apart regions and interposed between the chassis and the table, each weight compensating means being capable of producing a relative steady force between the table and chassis, and hydraulic means for independently varying said relative force produced by each of the compensating means substantially as a function of forces exerted substantially in said regions through said guide means of the table and chassis due to the weight and position of the workpiece relative to said table and chassis so as to substantially balance said forces exerted by the workpiece.

Claim 8

A support device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said weight compensating means comprise lightening means comprising groups of fluid jacks fixed to one of the parts consisting of the chassis and the table and having piston rods and rolling elements carried by the piston rods and adapted to bear and roll against a rolling face carried by the other of said parts consisting of the chassis and the table, said relative forces produced by said lightening means being forces biasing the table and chassis away from each other.

Claim 9

A support device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said weight compensating means comprise at least two pairs of lightening fluid jacks interposed between the chassis and the table, said relative forces produced by said lightening means being forces biasing the table and chassis away from each other.

Claim 10

A support device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said weight compensating means comprise weighting means which comprise a plurality of fluid jacks fixed to one of the parts consisting of the chassis and the table and having piston rods, levers pivotably mounted on said one of said parts consisting of the chassis and the table and having first end portions respectively connected to the piston rods and second end portions, rolling elements respectively carried by the second end portions and a rolling face on the other of said parts consisting of the table and the chassis ,said rollers bearing against said rolling face and tending to urge the table against the chassis.

Claim 11

A support device for machining workpieces comprising a first part defining a fixed bed, a second part defining a saddle mounted on the bed to be slidable in a first direction, a third part defining a chassis mounted on the saddle to pivot about a first axis substantially orthogonal to said first direction, a fourth part defining a table mounted on the chassis to be rotatable about a second axis substantially orthogonal to said pivot axis of the chassis, means for relatively moving said parts, locking means for maintaining said parts in given positions relative to each other, and weight compensating means interposed between the chassis and the table and adapted to oppose the forces exerted by the weight of the workpiece carried by the table, the action of said weight compensating means depending on the weight and position of said workpiece and, in particular, on the pivotal position of the chassis, said weight compensating means comprising lightening means comprising groups of fluid motors fixed to one of the parts consisting of the chassis and the table and having piston rods which carry rolling elements adapted to bear and roll against a rolling face carried by the other of said parts consisting of the chassis and The table, said weight compensating means further comprising weighting means which comprise a pair of fluid jacks fixed to one of the parts consisting of the chassis and the table and having piston rods, levers pivotably mounted on said one of said parts consisting of the chassis and the table and having first end portions respectively connected to the piston rods and second end portions, rolling elements respectively carried by the second end portions, a rolling face on the other of said parts consisting of the table and the chassis, said rollers bearing against said rolling face and tending to urge the table against the chassis, means for supplying the weighting fluid jacks with fluid when the inclination of the chassis is at least 60* to the horizontal.

Claim 12

A support device for machining workpieces comprising a first part defining a fixed bed, a second part defining a saddle mounted on the bed to be slidable in a first direction, a third part defining a chassis mounted on the saddle to pivot about a first axis substantially orthogonal to said first direction, a fourth part defining a table mounted on the chassis to be rotatable about a second axis substantially orthogonal to said pivot axis of the chassis, means for relatively moving said parts, locking means for maintaining said parts in given positions relative to each other, and weight compensating means interposed between the chassis and the table and adapted to oppose the forces exerted by the weight of the workpiece carried by the table, the action of said weight compensating means depending on the weight and position of said workpiece and, in particular, on the pivotal position of the chassis, said weight compensating means comprising lightening means comprising groups of fluid motors fixed to one of the parts consisting of the chassis and the table and having piston rods which carry rolling elements adapted to bear and roll against a rolling face carried by the other of said parts consisting of the chassis and The table, said weight compensating means further comprising weighting means which comprise a pair of fluid jacks fixed to one of the parts consisting of the chassis and the table and having piston rods, levers pivotably mounted on said one of said parts consisting of the chassis and the table and having first end portions respectively connected to the piston rods and second end portions, rolling elements respectively carried by the second end portions, a rolling face on the other of said parts consisting of the table and the chassis, said rollers bearing against said rolling face and tending to urge the table against the chassis, means for supplying the weighting fluid jacks with fluid when the inclination of the chassis is at least 60* to the horizontal.

Claim 13

A support device for machining workpieces comprising a first part defining a fixed bed, a second part defining a saddle mounted on the bed to be slidable in a first direction, a third part defining a chassis mounted on the saddle to pivot about a first axis substantially orthogonal to said first direction, a fourth part defining a table mounted on the chassis to be rotatable about a second axis substantially orthogonal to said pivot axis of the chassis, means for relatively moving said parts, locking means for maintaining said parts in given positions relative to each other and a mechanism pivoting the chassis to the saddle comprising a shaft fixed with respect to the saddle and carried by two supports having a tapered inner bearing face which is convergent toward the middle of the shaft, the shaft carrying outside said supports respectively two groups of two rolling bearings mounted in opposed relation and having outer bearing rings integral with the chassis.

Claim 14

A support device for machining workpieces comprising a first part defining a fixed bed, a second part defining a saddle mounted on the bed to be slidable in a first direction, a third part defining a chassis mounted on the saddle to pivot about a first axis substantially orthogonal to said first direction, a fourth part defining a table mounted on the chassis to be rotatable about a second axis substantially orthogonal to said pivot axis of the chassis, means for relatively moving said parts, locking means for maintaining said parts in given positions relative to each other and a mechanism pivoting the chassis to the saddle comprising a shaft fixed with respect to the saddle and carried by two supports having a tapered inner bearing face which is convergent toward the middle of the shaft, the shaft carrying outside said supports respectively two groups of two rolling bearings mounted in opposed relation and having outer bearing rings integral with the chassis.

Claim 15

A support device as claimed in claim 10, wherein in the region of one of the supports the shaft has a corresponding tapered shape and, in the region of the other of said supports, the shaft is cylindrical, a sleeve having a cylindrical inner face and a tapered outer face being interposed between the shaft and said second support.

Claim 16

A support device for machining workpieces comprising a first part defining a fixed bed, a second part defining a saddle mounted on the bed to be slidable in a first direction, a third part defining a chassis mounted on the saddle to pivot about a first axis substantially orthogonal to said first direction, a fourth part defining a table mounted on the chassis to be rotatable about a second axis substantially orthogonal to said pivot axis of the chassis, means for relatively moving said parts, locking means for maintaining said parts in given positions relative to each other and three main hydraulic circuits connected in parallel with each other, a first of said circuits being adapted to control the feed of the saddle with respect to the bed, a second of said circuits being adapted to control the pivoting feed of the chassis with respect to the saddle, and a third of said circuits being adapted to control the rotational feed of the table with respect to the chassis, each of said main circuits comprising in series a selecting valve, a sequence valve for establishing a regulated pressure value in the corresponding circuit and drive means for producing the corresponding feed.

Claim 17

A support device for machining workpieces comprising a first part defining a fixed bed, a second part defining a saddle mounted on the bed to be slidable in a first direction, a third part defining a chassis mounted on the saddle to pivot about a first axis substantially orthogonal to said first direction, a fourth part defining a table mounted on the chassis to be rotatable about a second axis substantially orthogonal to said pivot axis of the chassis, means for relatively moving said parts, locking means for maintaining said parts in given positions relative to each other and three main hydraulic circuits connected in parallel with each other, a first of said circuits being adapted to control the feed of the saddle with respect to the bed, a second of said circuits being adapted to control the pivoting feed of the chassis with respect to the saddle, and a third of said circuits being adapted to control the rotational feed of the table with respect to the chassis, each of said main circuits comprising in series a selecting valve, a sequence valve for establishing a regulated pressure value in the corresponding circuit and drive means for producing the corresponding feed.

Claim 18

A support device as claimed in claim 12, wherein fluid supply circuits for the locking means are branch connected to the main circuits between the selecting valve and the sequence valve.

Claim 19

A support device for machining workpieces comprising a first part defining a fixed bed, a second part defining a saddle mounted on the bed to be slidable in a first direction, a third part defining a chassis mounted on the saddle to pivot about a first axis substantially orthogonal to said first direction, a fourth part defining a table mounted on the chassis to be rotatable about a second axis substantially orthogonal to said pivot axis of the chassis, means for relatively moving said parts, locking means for maintaining said parts in given posItions relative to each other,weight compensating means interposed between the chassis and the table and adapted to oppose the forces exerted by the weight of the workpiece carried by the table, the action of said weight compensating means depending on the weight and position of said workpiece and, in particular, on the pivotal position of the chassis,three main hydraulic circuits connected in parallel with each other, a first of said circuits being adapted to control the feed of the saddle with respect to the bed, a second of said circuits being adapted to control the pivoting feed of the chassis with respect to the saddle and a third of said circuits being adapted to control the rotational feed of the table with respect to the chassis, each of said main circuits comprising in series a selecting valve, a sequence valve for establishing a regulated pressure value in the corresponding circuit, drive means for producing the corresponding feed,and supply circuits for the locking means and weight compensating means branch connected to the main circuits between the selecting valve and the sequence valve.

Claim 20

A support device for machining workpieces comprising a first part defining a fixed bed, a second part defining a saddle mounted on the bed to be slidable in a first direction, a third part defining a chassis mounted on the saddle to pivot about a first axis substantially orthogonal to said first direction, a fourth part defining a table mounted on the chassis to be rotatable about a second axis substantially orthogonal to said pivot axis of the chassis, means for relatively moving said parts, locking means for maintaining said parts in given posItions relative to each other,weight compensating means interposed between the chassis and the table and adapted to oppose the forces exerted by the weight of the workpiece carried by the table, the action of said weight compensating means depending on the weight and position of said workpiece and, in particular, on the pivotal position of the chassis,three main hydraulic circuits connected in parallel with each other, a first of said circuits being adapted to control the feed of the saddle with respect to the bed, a second of said circuits being adapted to control the pivoting feed of the chassis with respect to the saddle and a third of said circuits being adapted to control the rotational feed of the table with respect to the chassis, each of said main circuits comprising in series a selecting valve, a sequence valve for establishing a regulated pressure value in the corresponding circuit, drive means for producing the corresponding feed,and supply circuits for the locking means and weight compensating means branch connected to the main circuits between the selecting valve and the sequence valve.

Claim 21

A support device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the drive means for producing the feed between the saddle and the bed, between the chassis and the saddle and between the table and the chassis respectively, are each subjected to means responsive to pressure inserted in the main circuit between the selecting valve and the sequence valve.

Claim 22

A support device as claimed in claim 13, comprising lightening means interposed between the bed and the saddle and adapted to oppose the forces exerted by the weight of the workpiece carried by the device, the action exerted by said lightening means depending on the weight and position of said workpiece and in particular on the pivot position of the chassis, said lightening means comprising fluid motors and fluid supply circuits branch connected to the main circuits between the selecting valve and the sequence valve and comprising in series a pressure reducer and a three-position distributing valve controlled by an electric control.

Claim 23

A support device as claimed in claim 13, comprising weight compensating means interposed between the chassis and the table and adapted to oppose the forces exerted by the weight of the workpiece carried by the table, the action of said weight compensating means depending on the weight and position of said workpiece and, in particular, on the pivotal position of the chassis and said weight compensating means comprising fluid motors and fluid supply circuits branch connected to the main circuits between the selecting valve and the sequence valve and comprising in series a pressure reducer and a three-position distributing valve controlled by an electric control.

Claim 24

A support device as claimed in claim 16, comprising a conduit in parallel with the distributing valve which directlyly supplies at least one group of lightening fluid motors.

Claim 25

A support device for machining workpieces comprising a first part defining a fixed bed, a second part defining a saddle mounted on the bed to be slidable in a first direction, a third part defining a chassis mounted on the saddle to pivot about a first axis substantially orthogonal to said first direction, a fourth part defining a table mounted on the chassis to be rotatable about a second axis substantially orthogonal to sais pivot axis of the chassis, means for relatively moving said parts, locking means for maintaining said parts in given positions relative to each other, and three main hydraulic circuits connected in parallel with each other, a first of said circuits being adapted to control the feed of the saddle with respect to the bed, a second of said circuits being adapted to control the pivoting feed of the chassis with respect to the saddle and a third of said circuits being adapted to control the rotational feed of the table with respect to the chassis, each of said main circuits comprising in series a selecting valve,a sequence valve for establishing A regulated pressure valve in the corresponding circuit, drive means for producing the corresponding feed, said drive means for pivoting the chassis with respect to the saddle comprising two fluid motors respectively disposed on each side of the saddle, a rapid feedcircuit for supplying fluid to the saddle fluid motors for rapid pivoting of the chassis with respect to the saddle and a slow feed circuit for supplying fluid to the saddle fluid motors for slowly pivoting the chassis with respect to the saddle for positioning purposes.

Claim 26

A support device for machining workpieces comprising a first part defining a fixed bed, a second part defining a saddle mounted on the bed to be slidable in a first direction, a third part defining a chassis mounted on the saddle to pivot about a first axis substantially orthogonal to said first direction, a fourth part defining a table mounted on the chassis to be rotatable about a second axis substantially orthogonal to sais pivot axis of the chassis, means for relatively moving said parts, locking means for maintaining said parts in given positions relative to each other, and three main hydraulic circuits connected in parallel with each other, a first of said circuits being adapted to control the feed of the saddle with respect to the bed, a second of said circuits being adapted to control the pivoting feed of the chassis with respect to the saddle and a third of said circuits being adapted to control the rotational feed of the table with respect to the chassis, each of said main circuits comprising in series a selecting valve,a sequence valve for establishing A regulated pressure valve in the corresponding circuit, drive means for producing the corresponding feed, said drive means for pivoting the chassis with respect to the saddle comprising two fluid motors respectively disposed on each side of the saddle, a rapid feedcircuit for supplying fluid to the saddle fluid motors for rapid pivoting of the chassis with respect to the saddle and a slow feed circuit for supplying fluid to the saddle fluid motors for slowly pivoting the chassis with respect to the saddle for positioning purposes.

Claim 27

A support device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the rapid feed circuit comprises a three-position distributing valve having an electric control and three branches respectively connecting said distributing valve to two corresponding groups of chambers of the fluid motors, each branch comprising a non-piloted check valve and an electrically piloted retaining valve connected in parallel, and two piloted check valves controlling an inlet and an outlet of the fluid for each of the chambers, the piloted retaining valves being placed in a return path of the fluid between said chambers and the distributing valve and adapted to exert a counter-pressure tending to oppose the return of said fluid under predetermined conditions and in particular when the effect of the weight of the workpiece on the chassis and the table tends to accentuate the pivoting movement, and piloted by position detectors actuated by the chassis to open and no longer exert said counter-pressure when the effect of the weight of the workpiece tends to oppose the pivoting movement produced by the fluid motors.

Claim 28

A support device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the slow-feed circuit comprises in series a flow regulator and a three-position distributing valve having an electric control respectively connected to two branches of the rapid-feed circuit at points located between the chambers of the fluid motors and the associated check valves.

Claim 29

A support device for machining a workpiece, comprising a first part defining a fixed bed, a second part defining a saddle, guide means interposed between the saddle and the bed for supporting the saddle on the bed for movement in a first direction, a third part defining a chassis mounted on the saddle to pivot about a first axis substantially orthogonal to said first direction and a fourth part defining a table for receiving and holding the workpiece, guide means interposed between the table and the chassis for supporting the table on the chassis for rotation about a second axis substantially orthogonal to said pivot axis of the chassis, hydraulic means for relatively moving the four parts, releasable locking means for maintaining said parts in desired positions relative to each other, a plurality of lightening means in a plurality of spaced-apart regions and interposed between the saddle and the bed and between the table and the chassis, each lightening means being hydraulic jack means capable of exerting a force in a direction for biasing the saddle away from the bed and the table away from the chassis, and hydraulic control means connected to the hydraulic jack means for varying the force exerted by the jack means substantially as a function of forces exerted substantially in said regions through said first and second guide means due to the weight and position of the workpiece relative to said four parts.

Claim 30

A support device for machining a workpiece, comprising a first part defining a fixed bed, a second part defining a saddle, guide means interposed between the saddle and the bed for supporting the saddle on the bed for movement in a first direction, a third part defining a chassis mounted on the saddle to pivot about a first axis substantially orthogonal to said first direction and a fourth part defining a table for receiving and holding the workpiece, guide means interposed between the table and the chassis for supporting the table on the chassis for rotation about a second axis substantially orthogonal to said pivot axis of the chassis, hydraulic means for relatively moving the four parts, releasable locking means for maintaining said parts in desired positions relative to each other, a plurality of lightening means in a plurality of spaced-apart regions and interposed between the saddle and the bed and between the table and the chassis, each lightening means being hydraulic jack means capable of exerting a force in a direction for biasing the saddle away from the bed and the table away from the chassis, and hydraulic control means connected to the hydraulic jack means for varying the force exerted by the jack means substantially as a function of forces exerted substantially in said regions through said first and second guide means due to the weight and position of the workpiece relative to said four parts.

Claim 31

A device as claimed in claim 22, wherein said hydraulic control means comprise position detecting means associated with the chassis and responsive to changes in angular position of the chassis about said first axis, hydraulic valve means for controlling actuation of said jack means and associated with said position detective means so that the angular position of the chassis about said first axis determines in which of said regions said hydraulic jack means are operative.