Patent GB-481507-A (GB)
Title: Milling machine
IPC: B23Q5/56
Filed: 1936-09-09
Abstract: 481,507. Feed mechanism for milling-machines. JERECZEK, V. Sept. 9, 1936, No. 24579. Convention date, Sept. 25, 1935. [Class 83 (iii)] [Also in Group XXIV] In a milling-machine wherein the work is fed in the same direction as the cutter movement, two nuts are caused by cooperating oblique surfaces to bear in opposite directions against the thread flanks of one or two threaded spindles, the forces occurring at the beginning of the feed being transmitted from one spindle or nut to the other to maintain a continuous load on the feed mechanism so as to prevent backlash. The table 6 is moved in the same direction as an operative tooth of the cutter 8 by means of oppositely threaded spindles 4, 5, screwing into corresponding nut threads which are combined in a single nut 3<3>. The spindle 4 is driven in either direction to produce the table feed by means of a gear 35<1>. The spindle 4 carries a loose coupling bush 9 flanged at 91 and having coupling teeth engaging with a keyed bush 11. A helical wheel 14 slides on the bush 9 and has teeth 16 engaging teeth in the flange 9<1>. The hub of the wheel may also bear against a disc 19. A helical wheel 15 is rotatable on the bush 11 and bears on opposite sides against the flange 9<1> and a bush 44 slidably keyed in a bearing plate 22 connected to the table 6. The wheels 14, 15 are of opposite hand and engage with corresponding teeth on a double gear 18 slidably keyed to the spindle 5. The left-hand end of the spindle 5 is connected to the table by a nut 51 bearing against a thrust bearing 50 while the righthand end of spindle 5 is carried in a ball bearing 29 arranged in a transverse member 40 which includes one or more flexible yielding plates 40<1>. The opposite ends of the transverse member are guided by a pin 42 and a limiting screw 41. An end nut 27 positions the member 40 and secures the spindle 5 axially. In operation, the spindles 4 and 5 are rotated in opposite directions, the spindle 4 moving towards the right and the wheel 14, through the inclination of its teeth moving towards the left. The bush 44 moves to the right with the spindle 4 and the member 43 thus acts against the lower part of member 40 and moves this to the right, thus exerting a tension on the spindle 5 through the bearing 29 . and engaging the right-hand side of the spindle thread with the nut threads 3<1>, The member 40 then causes the table to move to the left until the bearing 50 abuts the nut 51 and the spindle 5 is completely stressed. As soon as the wheel 14 abuts the ring 19 it rotates the gear 18<1>, and forces gear 18<1> to the right. The portion 18<2> drives the loose wheel 15 at higher speed than the wheel 14 and owing to the axial pressure on the wheel 15 an increased turning movement is imparted to wheel 18<1> thus increasing the axial thrust against the member 22. The resistance of the wheel 15 also takes up all backlash in the helical gearing. After stressing of the parts as above described, the feed of the table commences. When a cutter tooth 8 engages the work the cutting pressure acts in the direction of feed and produces a load on the upper end of the transverse member 40, whereupon the lower end forces back the bush 44 and applies additional axial load to the wheel 15 so that greater turning moment is produced on wheel 18<1> which is forced more strongly to the right against plate 22 and applies a brake to the spindle 5. If the cutting pressure suddenly ceases, the spindle 4 owing to its axial movement still maintains the tension in the spindle 5 so that irregularities in the feed cannot occur. In some cases the member 40 may be rigid and the bearing 50 have a resilient support in the table. Initial tension may be adjusted by means of nut 27 which engages the right-hand flanks of the screw 5 and acts through the transverse member to engage the left-hand flanks of the screw 4. The one-piece nut 3<3> is supported by a member 53 and by a pin 49 whose centre lies outside the line joining the spindle centres so that distortion of the nut by pressure on the spindle 5 increases the pressure on the threads of spindle 4. In a modification, a similar feed mechanism could be arranged at the opposite end of the table so that milling in the same direction as the feed would be possible in both directions. In another modification, Fig. 7, the non-rotatable screw 5<2> which actuates the cutter slide of a gear hobbing machine, carries nuts 3<1>, 3<2>, keyed to helical gears 14, 15 respectively, the former being free to move axially and being driven by the worm gearing 35. The gear 14 engages gears 18<3>, 18<5>, the spindle of the latter also carrying a gear 18<6> which drives the gear 15 and nut 3<2>. A resilient member 55 acts through ball bearings on a cross member 40<2> and also forces the wheel 18<3> onto a friction surface 57. The wheel 18<5> is also forced against a friction surface thus increasing the load on the gear 14 and increases the axial thrust of the helical wheels. The axial thrust is further increased by the engagement of the member 40<2> with the wheel 15.