Machining center

Claim 2

A machining center comprising: a bed adapted to be supported on a foundation; a substantially continuous inclined surface sloping downwardly to the rear on said bed, said inclined surface providing means for conducting a lubricant material toward the rear on said bed; a carriage mounted on said inclined surface for longitudinal movement thereon; an upright column mounted on said carriage for lateral movement thereon; a machining head mounted to said column for vertical movement thereon; and a work table mounted to the front of said bed for cooperative operation on a workpiece on said wok table by said machining head.

Claim 3

A machining center comprising: a bed adapted to be supported on a foundation; an inclined surface sloping downwardly to the rear on said bed; a carriage mounted on said inclined surface for longitudinal movement thereon; an upright column mounted on said carriage for lateral movement thereon; a machining head mounted to said column for vertical movement thereon; a work table mounted to the front of said bed for cooperative operation on a workpiece on said work table by said machining head; a pair of spaced mounted arranged on said bed, said mounts being adapted to receive a console to which said work table is mounted; and at least one chip chute on the front of said bed to guide machine removed chips away from work areas.

Claim 4

A machining center comprising: a bed adapted to be supported on a foundation; an inclined surface sloping downwardly to the rear on said bed; a carriage mounted on said inclined surface for longitudinal movement thereon; an upright column mounted on said carriage for lateral movement thereon; a machining head mounted to said column for vertical movement thereon; a work table mounted to the front of said bed for cooperative operation on a workpiece on said work table by said machining head; a pair of spaced mounted arranged on said bed, said mounts being adapted to receive a console to which said work table is mounted; and at least one chip chute on the front of said bed to guide machine removed chips away from work areas.

Claim 5

The machining center recited in claim 1, wherein: said upright column is formed of two rigid columns rigidly connected together by means of at least one crosshead; a vertical guide on each said upright column on which said machining head moves vertically.

Claim 6

The machining center recited in claim 2, wherein: said upright column is formed of two rigid columns rigidly connected together by means of at least one crosshead; a vertical guide on each said upright column on which said machining head moves vertically.

Claim 7

The machining center recited in claim 1, wherein said machining head is interchangeably mounted on said upright column.

Claim 8

The machining center recited in claim 2, wherein said machining head is interchangeably mounted on said upright column.

Claim 9

The machining center recited in claim 3, wherein said machining head is interchangeably mounted on said upright column.

Claim 10

The machining center recited in claim 4, wherein said machining head is interchangeably mounted on said upright column.

Claim 11

A machining center comprising: a bed adapted to be supported on a foundation; an inclined surface sloping downwardly to the rear on said bed; a carriage mounted on said inclined surface for longitudinal movement thereon; an upright column mounted on said carriage for lateral movement thereon; a machining head mounted to sad column for vertical movement thereon; a work table mounted to the front of said bed for cooperative operation on a workpiece on said work table by said machine head; and a chip apron coupled between said bed and said upright column for movement therewith so that chips removed from workpieces are guided to a collection area.

Claim 12

A machining center comprising: a bed adapted to be supported on a foundation; an inclined surface sloping downwardly to the rear on said bed; a carriage mounted on said inclined surface for longitudinal movement thereon; an upright column mounted on said carriage for lateral movement thereon; a machining head mounted to sad column for vertical movement thereon; a work table mounted to the front of said bed for cooperative operation on a workpiece on said work table by said machine head; and a chip apron coupled between said bed and said upright column for movement therewith so that chips removed from workpieces are guided to a collection area.

Claim 13

The machining center recited in claim 2, and further comprising a chip apron coupled between said bed and said upright column for movement therewith so that chips removed from workpieces are guided into said chip chute.

Claim 14

A machining center comprising: a bed adapted to be supported on a foundation; an inclined surface sloping downwardly to the rear on said bed; a carriage mounted on said inclined surface for longitudinal movement thereon; an upright column mounted on said carriage for lateral movement thereon; a machining head mounted to said column for vertical movement thereon; and a work table mounted to the front of said bed for cooperative operation on a workpiece on said work table by said machine head; said upright column being formed of two rigid columns rigidly connected together by means of at least one crosshead; a vertical guide on each said upright column on which said machining head moves vertically; and a chip apron coupled between said bed and said upright column for movement therewith so that chips removed from workpieces are guided to a collection area.

Claim 15

A machining center comprising: a bed adapted to be supported on a foundation; an inclined surface sloping downwardly to the rear on said bed; a carriage mounted on said inclined surface for longitudinal movement thereon; an upright column mounted on said carriage for lateral movement thereon; a machining head mounted to said column for vertical movement thereon; and a work table mounted to the front of said bed for cooperative operation on a workpiece on said work table by said machine head; said upright column being formed of two rigid columns rigidly connected together by means of at least one crosshead; a vertical guide on each said upright column on which said machining head moves vertically; and a chip apron coupled between said bed and said upright column for movement therewith so that chips removed from workpieces are guided to a collection area.

Claim 16

The machining center recited in claim 4, and further comprising a chip apron coupled between said bed and said upright column for movement therewith so that chips removed from workpieces are guided into said chip chute.

Claim 17

The machining center recited in claim 9, wherein said chip apron is formed with louvers, the lower end of which is mounted to said bed, the upper end of which is coupled to said machining head for movement therewith.

Claim 18

The machining center recited in claim 10, wherein said chip apron is formed with louvers, the lower end of which is mounted to said bed, the upper end of which is coupled to said machining head for movement therewith.

Claim 19

The machining center recited in claim 11, wherein said chip apron is formed with louvers, the lower end of which is mounted to said bed, the upper end of which is coupled to said machining head for movement therewith.

Claim 20

The machining center recited in claim 12, wherein said chip apron is formed with louvers, the lower end of which is mounted to said bed, the upper end of which is coupled to said machining head for movement therewith.

Claim 21

The machining center recited in claim 1, wherein said work table is interchangeably mounted to said bed.

Claim 22

The machining center recited in claim 2, wherein said console and work table are interchangeably mounted to said bed.

Claim 23

The machining center recited in claim 3, wherein said work table is interchangeably mounted to said bed.

Claim 24

The machining center recited in claim 4, wherein said console and work table are interchangeably mounted to said bed.

Claim 25

The machining center recited in claim 5, wherein said work table is interchangeably mounted to said bed.

Claim 26

The machining center recited in claim 9, wherein said work table is interchangeably mounted to said bed.

Claim 27

The machining center recited in claim 10, wherein said console and work table are interchangeably mounted to said bed.

Claim 28

The machining center recited in claim 1, and further comprising: a tool magazine arranged adjacent said bed; and a tool changer arranged adjacent said tool magazine in operative relationship with said machining head; said tool changer being operable by movement of said carriage on said inclined surface toward said tool magazine.

Claim 29

The machining center recited in claim 2, and further comprising: a tool magazine arranged adjacent said bed; and a tool changer arranged adjacent said tool magazine in operative relationship with said machining head; said tool changer being operable by movement of said carriage on said inclined surface toward said tool magazine.

Claim 30

The machining center recited in claim 3, and further comprising: a tool magazine arranged adjacent said bed; and a tool changer arranged adjacent said tool magazine in operative relationship with said machining head; said tool changer being operable by movement of said carriage on said inclined surface toward said tool magazine.

Claim 31

The machining center recited in claim 4, and further comprising: a tool magazine arranged adjacent said bed; and a tool changer arranged adjacent said tool magazine in operative relationship with said machining head; said tool changer being operable by movement of said carriage on said inclined surface toward said tool magazine.

Claim 32

The machining center recited in claim 9, and further comprising: a tool magazine arranged adjacent said bed; and a tool changer arranged adjacent said tool magazine in operative relationship with said machining head; said tool changer being operable by movement of said carriage on said inclined surface toward said tool magazine.

Claim 33

The machining center recited in claim 10, and further comprising: a tool magazine arranged adjacent said bed; and a tool changer arranged adjacent said tool magazine in operative relationship with said machining head; said tool changer being operable by movement of said carriage on said inclined surface toward said tool magazine.