Patent EP-0261261-B1 (EP)
IPC: B23Q3/157
Filed: 1986-09-23
Granted: 1990-08-01
Abstract: 1. Processing machine with a carriage (2) which can travel in the longitudinal direction and which is mounted on a sub-structure (3) in between a processing position and a tool changing position, with an auxiliary carriage (62) which is mounted on this carriage (2), and which can travel in the longitudinal direction relative to the carriage (2), with a tool changing facility, which can be rotated by means of a motor around a vertical axis (16), and which is in the form of a changing ring (15) mounted on the auxiliary carriage (62), the periphery of which is provided with at least two take-up couplings (21-31) for the purpose of coupling and uncoupling interchangeable tool carriers (7, 8, 9, 50), with a driving unit (10) which is mounted on the carriage (2) and which is provided with at least one power supply facility (33) for the operation of the tool carrier (9) which is located in the work position and at least one take-up and clamping element (34-37) for fixing and clamping the tool carrier (9) which is located in the work position and which is enclosed in a circular manner by the changing ring (15), and with a counter-bearing (65) which is mounted on the substructure (3) which, subsequent to a return movement from the processing position to the tool changing position causes the changing ring (15) to be stopped in such a manner that, together with the tool carrier (9) which is located in the work position, with a relative movement remains stationary as compared to the driving unit (10) which continues to travel in the return direction and thereby uncouples the tool carrier (9) from the driving unit (10) whereby angled slots (48, 48a) are provided in the auxiliary carriage which, in conjunction with the guiding elements (60, 61) on the carriage (2) combine to cause the changing ring (15) to travel vertically (A, T) when the driving unit (10) continues its return travel, in such a manner that the side-tracked tool carriers (7, 8, 50) are lifted from the rests (4, 5, 6) by means of the changing ring (15), in order to exchange the previously operated tool carrier (9) for another tool carrier (7, 8, 50) which is then coupled to the driving unit (10) subsequent to a positioning movement in the opposite direction characterized in that the counter bearing (65) is provided with a stopping facility (66) for the auxiliary carriage with a roller (67) which is mounted inside a cage which is part of the stopping facility, in such a manner that it can be rotated, and which springs forward in the direction of the auxiliary carriage (62), and that a spring element (68) is provided in between the carriage (2) and the auxiliary carriage (62) and which acts in the horizontal direction of travel of the carriage (2) and the auxiliary carriage (62) and one end of which is supported on the carriage (2) and the other end is supported by means of a roller (70) which is mounted inside a guiding bushing (69) in such a manner that the auxiliary carriage (62) which is located in the tool changing position is continually pressed in the direction of the stopping facility (66) and is pre-clamped.