Patent ID: 8529419
Filing Date: 2013-09-10
Classification: B23B,B23Q,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A machine tool comprising: a main spindle adapted to be rotatable about an axis with a workpiece chucked thereby; a tool spindle adapted to rotate a tool about a tool rotation axis and configured to move in directions of three axes perpendicular to each other and configured to pivot about one of the three perpendicular axes, the one axis being perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the main spindle and to the tool rotation axis; an automatic tool changer adapted to selectively detachably attach a first tool and a chucking unit to the tool spindle, the first tool being used for machining the workpiece chucked by the main spindle, the chucking unit being used for chucking the workpiece; and a tool post having a second tool mounted thereon, the second tool being used for machining the workpiece chucked by the chucking unit attached to the tool spindle; a workpiece carrier adapted to support a plurality of workpieces mounted thereon, the workpiece carrier being adapted to move within reach of the chucking unit attached to the tool spindle, a numerical controller configured to cause the tool spindle with the chucking unit attached thereto to pivot about the one axis to position the tool rotation axis at a first orientation, to cause the tool spindle with the chucking unit at the first orientation to pick up any one of the workpieces from the workpiece carrier, and to cause the tool spindle with the chucking unit and the one picked-up workpiece to pivot about the one axis to a second orientation at which the tool rotation axis is transverse with respect to the first orientation thereof, and to cause the tool spindle with the chucking unit at the second orientation to hand off the one picked-up workpiece to the main spindle, wherein the tool post is configured to move relative to the main spindle in directions of at least two of the three axes that are perpendicular to each other, wherein the first tool and the second tool are configured to simultaneously machine the workpiece held by the main spindle, when the first tool is attached to the tool spindle.