Patent ID: 7674079
Filing Date: 2010-03-09
Classification: B23G,G05B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of machining threads in a curved inner or outer surface of a work piece having cylindrical end portions using a multi-axial machine head configured to machine threads on either the inner or outer curved surface, the method comprising: positioning the work piece on a work support that is spaced from end portions of the work piece to leave the end portions exposed for machining threads thereon; supporting the work piece with a stationary support surface of the work support so that the work piece outer surface is engaged with the stationary support surface; fixing the work piece against rotation about a longitudinal axis thereof on the stationary support surface so that the work piece inner and outer curved surfaces are fixed relative thereto; loading a cutting tool in a rotary spindle of the multi-axial machine head with multi-axial movements of the multi-axial machine head allowing for threads to be machined in either the inner or the outer curved surface of the fixed work piece with the same machine head; shifting the cutting tool radially along a feed-out axis that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis for engaging one of the fixed inner or outer curved surfaces at one of the exposed end portions of the work piece with the cutting tool being shifted radially inwardly to engage the curved outer surface of the work piece when threads are to be machined on the curved outer surface thereof and the cutting tool being shifted radially outward to engage the curved inner surface of the work piece when threads are to be machined on the curved inner surface thereof; rotating the rotary spindle and shifting the cutting tool axially along a feed-in axis generally parallel to the work piece longitudinal axis for cutting threads in the one fixed curved surface of the exposed end portion of the work piece; and fixing the work support against translation during the cutting of the threads so that the work piece does not translate along the feed-out axis and the feed-in axis due to the work support being fixed against translation and does not rotate due to the work piece being fixed against rotation during the during the machining of threads therein.