Patent ID: 6210307
Filing Date: 2001-04-03
Classification: B23Q,Y10T

Abstract:
A vertical machining center including(a) holding means for holding a workpiece;(b) a spindle for holding tools;(c) means for(i) moving at least one of a pair comprising said spindle and said holding means along at least one vertical axis,(ii) moving at least one of the pair comprising said spindle and said holding means in a lateral plane normal to said vertical axis, and(iii) rotating said holding means about at least two axes;(d) means for loading tools into and unloading tools from said spindle;(e) a tray for holding loosely a plurality of workpieces of identical shape and dimension;(f) a parts mover adapted to be loaded in said spindle and to pick up a workpiece from said tray and deposit the work piece in said holding means;(g) means for loading said parts mover in and unloading said parts mover from said spindle; and(h) probe means for determining if a workpiece is properly mounted in said parts mover.