Patent ID: 6050162
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: B23Q,F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
A retrofit system for incorporation into a multiple spindle machine, wherein the multiple spindle machine includes:a motor;a power feed train, operatively driven by the motor at either a low speed by a low speed drive train or a high speed by a high speed drive train;a main drum shaft and a timing shaft both driven in synchronous relation by the power feed train, wherein machining components of the multiple spindle machine are operative responsive to the main drum shaft and the timing shaft;wherein the retrofit system comprises:a high speed clutch selectively operative to connect the motor to the high speed drive train, whereby when the high speed clutch is engaged, the motor drives the high speed drive train which is operable to drive the power feed train;a feed clutch operative to selectively connect the power feed train to either the low speed drive train or the high speed drive train, whereby when the feed clutch is engaged, the power feed train is driven by either the low speed drive train or the high speed drive train, whereby when the feed clutch is disengaged the power feed train does not receive power from the motor;a brake clutch, wherein the brake clutch is selectively operative to slow the speed of the power feed train; andan electrical control system in operative connection with the high speed clutch, feed clutch and brake clutch, wherein the control system is operative to cause the high speed clutch and the feed clutch to be engaged, whereby the machining components are operated at a high speed, and wherein the control system is further operative to cause the high speed clutch to be disengaged and the feed clutch to be disengaged while the brake clutch is engaged to slow the rotational speed of the power feed train from the high speed.