Machining apparatus

A machining apparatus includes a support frame, first and second workbenches, and a tool-mounting unit. The support frame includes a first horizontal frame part, and a second horizontal frame part disposed above the first horizontal frame part. The first and second workbenches are mounted slidably on the first horizontal frame part of the support frame, and is slidable relative to the support frame in a first horizontal direction. The tool-mounting unit is mounted slidably on the second horizontal frame part of the support frame, and is slidable relative to the support frame in a second horizontal direction transverse to the first horizontal direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a machining apparatus, more particularly to a relatively efficient machining apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIG. 1illustrates a conventional machining apparatus10that includes a support frame11, a workbench14, a tool-mounting unit19, and first and second operable units13,16. The support frame11includes a first horizontal frame part12, and a second horizontal frame part15disposed above the first horizontal frame part12thereof. The workbench14is mounted slidably on the first horizontal frame part12of the support frame11, and is slidable relative to the support frame11in a first horizontal direction (X). The first operable unit13is mounted on the first horizontal frame part12of the support frame11, is coupled to the workbench14, and is operable so as to move the workbench14in the first horizontal direction (X). The tool-mounting unit19, which holds a tool bit (not shown), is mounted slidably on the second horizontal frame part15of the support frame11, and is slidable relative to the support frame11in a second horizontal direction (Y) transverse to the first horizontal direction (X). The second operable unit16is mounted on the second horizontal frame part15of the support frame11, is coupled to the tool-mounting unit19, and is operable so as to move the tool-mounting unit19in the second horizontal direction (X).

In use, the first operable unit13is first operated to move the workbench14in the first horizontal direction (X) and to dispose the workbench14at a position proximate to the tool-mounting unit19to thereby permit the conventional machining apparatus10to process a workpiece20on the workbench14. Thereafter, the first operable unit13is operated to move the workbench14in the first horizontal direction (X) and to dispose the workbench14at a position distal from the tool-mounting unit19to thereby permit replacement of the workpiece20on the workbench14.

The aforementioned conventional machining apparatus10is disadvantageous in that, since it includes only one workbench14, the conventional machining apparatus10is relatively inflexible and inefficient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a machining apparatus that is relatively flexible and efficient.

According to the present invention, a machining apparatus comprises a support frame, first and second workbenches, first and second operable units, a tool-mounting unit, and a third operable unit. The support frame includes a first horizontal frame part, and a second horizontal frame part disposed above the first horizontal frame part. The first workbench is mounted slidably on the first horizontal frame part of the support frame, and is slidable relative to the support frame in a first horizontal direction. The first operable unit is mounted on the first horizontal frame part of the support frame, is coupled to the first workbench, and is operable so as to move the first workbench in the first horizontal direction. The second workbench is separated from the first workbench, is mounted slidably on the first horizontal frame part of the support frame, and is slidable relative to the support frame in the first horizontal direction. The second operable unit is mounted on the first horizontal frame part of the support frame, is coupled to the second workbench, and is operable so as to move the second workbench in the first horizontal direction. The tool-mounting unit is mounted slidably on the second horizontal frame part of the support frame, and is slidable relative to the support frame in a second horizontal direction transverse to the first horizontal direction. The third operable unit is mounted on the second horizontal frame part of the support frame, is coupled to the tool-mounting unit, and is operable so as to move the tool-mounting unit in the second horizontal direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, the preferred embodiment of a machining apparatus according to this invention is shown to include a support frame30, first and second workbenches60,70, first and second operable units40,50, a tool-mounting unit90, and a third operable unit80.

The support frame30includes a first horizontal frame part31, and a second horizontal frame part32disposed above the first horizontal frame part31thereof.

The first workbench60is mounted slidably on the first horizontal frame part31of the support frame30, and is slidable relative to the support frame30in a first horizontal direction (X).

The second workbench70is separated from the first workbench60, is mounted slidably on the first horizontal frame part31of the support frame30, and is slidable relative to the support frame30in the first horizontal direction (X).

The machining apparatus further includes a pair of spaced apart first and second guide rails33,34, each of which is mounted on the first horizontal frame part31of the support frame30. Each of the first and second workbenches60,70is mounted slidably on the first and second guide rails33,34. The construction as such permits smooth sliding of the first and second workbenches60,70on the first horizontal frame part31.

With further reference toFIG. 4, the first operable unit40is mounted on the first horizontal frame part31of the support frame30, is coupled to the first workbench60, and is operable so as to move the first workbench60in the first horizontal direction (X). In particular, the first operable unit40includes a rotating support42, a screw rod43, a motor41, and a non-rotatable mounting seat44. The screw rod43of the first operable unit40has a first end coupled rotatably to the rotating support42of the first operable unit40, and a second end opposite to the first end thereof. In this embodiment, the screw rod43of the first operable unit40is rotatable relative to the support frame30in opposite first and second rotational directions. The motor41of the first operable unit40is coupled to the second end of the screw rod43of the first operable unit40, and is operable so as to drive rotation of the screw rod43in the first and second rotational directions. The mounting seat44of the first operable unit40is coupled threadedly to the screw rod43of the first operable unit40. In this embodiment, the mounting seat44moves in the first horizontal direction (X) toward the second workbench70when the screw rod43is rotated in the first rotational direction, and away from the second workbench70when the screw rod43is rotated in the second rotational direction. The first workbench60is connected to the mounting seat44of the first operable unit40so as to be co-movable therewith in the first horizontal direction (X).

The second operable unit50is mounted on the first horizontal frame part31of the support frame30, is coupled to the second workbench70, and is operable so as to move the second workbench70in the first horizontal direction (X). In particular, the second operable unit50includes a rotating support52, a screw rod53, a motor51, and a non-rotatable mounting seat54. The screw rod53of the second operable unit50has a first end coupled rotatably to the rotating support52of the second operable unit50, and a second end opposite to the first end thereof. In this embodiment, the screw rod53of the second operable unit50is rotatable relative to the support frame30in the first and second rotational directions. The motor51of the second operable unit50is coupled to the second end of the screw rod53of the second operable unit50, and is operable so as to drive rotation of the screw rod53in the first and second rotational directions. The mounting seat54of the second operable unit50is coupled threadedly to the screw rod53of the second operable unit50. In this embodiment, the mounting seat54moves in the first horizontal direction (X) toward the first workbench60when the screw rod53is rotated in the first rotational direction, and away from the first workbench60when the screw rod53is rotated in the second rotational direction. The second workbench70is connected to the mounting seat54of the second operable unit50so as to be co-movable therewith in the first horizontal direction (X).

The tool-mounting unit90, which holds a tool bit100, is mounted slidably on the second horizontal frame part32of the support frame30, and is slidable relative to the support frame30in a second horizontal direction (Y) transverse to the first horizontal direction (X).

The machining apparatus further includes spaced apart third and fourth guide rails36,37. The tool-mounting unit90is mounted slidably on the third and fourth guide rails36,37. The construction as such permits smooth sliding of the tool-mounting unit90on the second horizontal frame part32.

The third operable unit80is mounted on the second horizontal frame part32of the support frame30, is coupled to the tool-mounting unit90, and is operable so as to move the tool-mounting unit90in the second horizontal direction (Y). In particular, the third operable unit80includes a rotating support82, a screw rod83, a motor81, and a non-rotatable mounting seat84. The screw rod83of the third operable unit80has a first end coupled rotatably to the rotating support82of the third operable unit80, and a second end opposite to the first end thereof. In this embodiment, the screw rod83of the third operable unit80is rotatable relative to the support frame30in opposite third and fourth rotational directions. The motor81of the third operable unit80is coupled to the second end of the screw rod83of the third operable unit80, and is operable so as to drive rotation of the screw rod83in the third and fourth rotational directions. The mounting seat84of the third operable unit80is coupled threadedly to the screw rod83of the third operable unit80. In this embodiment, the mounting seat84moves in the second horizontal direction (Y) when the screw rod83is rotated in the third and fourth rotational directions. The tool-mounting unit90is connected to the mounting seat84of the third operable unit80so as to be co-movable therewith in the second horizontal direction (Y).

In this embodiment, the rotating support42,52,82of each of the first, second, and third operable units40,50,80is in the form of a bearing.

From the above description, since the first and second operable units40,50may be operated to move the first and second workbenches60,70in the first horizontal direction (X) toward and away from each other, the machining apparatus of this invention may be operated in first, second, and third modes.

In the first mode, the first and second operable units40,50are operated to respectively move the first and second workbenches60,70in the first horizontal direction (X) to a machining position, which is proximate to the tool-mounting unit90, as best shown inFIG. 3, thereby permitting the machining apparatus to process a workpiece101on the first and second workbenches60,70, and a replacing position, which is distal from the tool-mounting unit90, thereby permitting replacement of the workpiece101on the first and second workbenches60,70.

In the second mode, as best shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the first operable unit40is operated to move the first workbench60in the first horizontal direction (X) to the machining position to thereby permit the machining apparatus to process a workpiece102on the first workbench60, and the second operable unit50is operated to move the second workbench70in the first horizontal direction (X) to the replacing position to thereby permit replacement of a workpiece103on the second workbench70.

In the third mode, as best shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, the first operable unit40is operated to move the first workbench60in the first horizontal direction (X) to the replacing position to thereby permit replacement of the workpiece102on the first workbench60, and the second operable unit50is operated to move the second workbench70in the first horizontal direction (X) to the machining position to thereby permit the machining apparatus to process the workpiece103on the second workbench70.

It has thus been shown that the machining apparatus of this invention is operable in the first, second, and third modes. When it is desired to process large-sized workpieces, the machining apparatus of this invention may be operated in the first mode. On the other hand, when it is desired to process small-sized workpieces, the machining apparatus of this invention may be operated alternately in the second and third modes.