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US4648171A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Magazine for replaceable tools and operation method of indexing tools using the magazine
Assignee: Niigata Engineering Co Ltd
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Filing: 1986-01-13
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Granted: 1987-03-10
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Expires: 2006-01-13
Abstract
Abstract A tool magazine for an automatic machine producing various machining operations with the aid of machine tools held by a machine spindle. The magazine for replaceable tool is adapted to hold a plurality of tools each in tool holding mechanisms being held on a tool pallet mounted on a rotary table of the automatic machine. The spindle cooperates with the magazine so as to be in alignment with a tool holding mechanism of the magazine at a tool replacement position; whereby a new tool can be withdrawn from the tool holding mechanisms by the spindle or a used tool held by the spindle can be inserted into the tool holding mechanism. In addition, the magazine is indexed, to align the several tool holding mechanisms, one at a time, with the spindle at the tool replacement position by transmitting spindle movement, preferably through a tool, to the magazine. The magazine may include a plurality of magazine units, each carrying several tool holding mechanisms on a supporter adapted for rotation about a shaft in response to defined spindle movement. Releasable lock mechanisms prevent non-commanded support rotation.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroshi Yasukawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 15:14
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q3/00; B23Q3/155; B23Q3/157; B23Q3/15713; B23Q3/1572; B23Q3/15722; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T483/00; Y10T483/10; Y10T483/17; Y10T483/1733; Y10T483/179
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of indexing a magazine comprising the steps of: transporting a magazine having a plurality of tool holding mechanisms for holding replaceable tools to a machine tool having a spindle; and moving said magazine such that a desired tool is indexed to a predetermined position by engaging tool with the spindle and transmitting movements of said spindle to the magazine through the tool.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of indexing a magazine comprising the steps of: transporting a magazine having a plurality of tool holding mechanisms for holding replaceable tools to a machine tool having a spindle; and moving said magazine such that a desired tool is indexed to a predetermined position by engaging tool with the spindle and transmitting movements of said spindle to the magazine through the tool.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said transporting step comprises the steps of mounting said magazine on a table of said machine tool by means of a tool pallet, and aligning an axis of said tool held by said tool holding mechanism in parallel with an axis of said spindle of said machine tool.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said magazine moving step is carried out in relative movement between said spindle and said magazine in X, Y and Z directions of said machine tool, said Z direction being parallel to the axis of the spindle, and said X and Y directions being perpendicular to the Z direction and to each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said magazine moving step is the rotational indexing movement of said magazine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
96 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said rotational indexing movement comprises the steps of relatively moving said spindle and said magazine in Z-direction of said machine tool such that they are close to each other; engaging one of said tools in said magazine with said spindle; relatively moving said spindle and said magazine in X-Y directions of said machine tool while maintaining said engaging state to rotate said magazine; releasing said one of said tools in said magazine from said spindle; and relatively moving said spindle away from said magazine in Z-direction of said machine tool.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said one of said tools is a tool indexed a predetermined index position of said magazine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said magazine has locking means to prevent unwanted rotation, and wherein said rotational indexing movement further comprises the steps of relatively moving said spindle in the Z-direction of said machine tool apart from said magazine after said spindle engages one of tools in said magazine, and releasing the locking state of said magazine which is normally maintained in the locking state to prevent unwanted rotation between rotational indexing movement.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for replacing tools comprising the steps of; mounting a magazine having a plurality of tool holding mechanisms for holding replaceable tools on a pallet and transporting said magazine with a tool held in one of the tool holding mechanisms of said magazine to a table of a machine tool having a spindle engaging said spindle of said machine tool with one of said tools in said magazine by relative movement between said spindle and said magazine along mutually perpendicular X,Y,Z axes of said machine tool, to thereby index said magazine to a predetermined position; removing the tool indexed to the predetermined index position from said magazine by holding said tool by means of said spindle; and replacing a tool in a magazine of said machine tool with said tool held by said spindle.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for replacing tools comprising the steps of; mounting a magazine having a plurality of tool holding mechanisms for holding replaceable tools on a pallet and transporting said magazine with a tool held in one of the tool holding mechanisms of said magazine to a table of a machine tool having a spindle engaging said spindle of said machine tool with one of said tools in said magazine by relative movement between said spindle and said magazine along mutually perpendicular X,Y,Z axes of said machine tool, to thereby index said magazine to a predetermined position; removing the tool indexed to the predetermined index position from said magazine by holding said tool by means of said spindle; and replacing a tool in a magazine of said machine tool with said tool held by said spindle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said replacing step comprises the step of rotating said table of said machine tool to change relative positions between a pair of magazine units of said magazine for replaceable tools and said spindle, so that the tool group in one of said magazine units is brought into confrontation with said spindle of said machine tool in place of the other tool group in other magazine unit.
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) | 1990-03-09 | 1990-09-08 | 1991-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-03-09 | 1994-09-08 | 1995-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-03-09 | 1998-09-08 | 1999-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |