Patent GB-226178-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to lathes, screw machines and other machine tools
IPC: B23Q37/00
Filed: 1924-11-19
Abstract: 226,178. Potter, W. W. Dec. 11, 1923, [Convention date]. Lathes.-Relates to multiple spindle machine tools and comprises an assembly of units each having its own spindle and one or more tool carriers and also its own motor, and each having a frame, the external form of which is such that on assembly of the units it fits in with the frames of other units. Each unit comprises a cubical frame 10, Fig. 1, with a chamber to hold a cylindrical casing 11 containing the working parts of the unit machine. The casing may be removed from the frame by means of an overhead crane with two blocks and falls. Each unit may be provided on the front with a shoot 131 for collecting chips falling from the work, the shoot leading to a horizontal trunk 132 with a screw conveyer 133. On a bracket extending from the rear wall of the unit is mounted an electric motor carrying a pinion in mesh with a gear wheel 170, Fig. 11, which is loosely mounted on a main shaft 17 but is adapted to be operatively connected thereto by a friction clutch 18. The shaft carries a fixed pinion 171 meshing with a gear wheel 120, Fig. 6, to rotate a spindle 12 which carries the work, shown as a piston of a gas engine. The spindle is surrounded by a sleeve on which are mounted a cam drum 21, a profile cam 22 and a differential gear 23, the driven gear member of which is keved to the cam drum. The differential gear is driven from a pinion 25 slidable upon a shaft 26 and adapted to be brought manually into engagement with a clutch 27 which receives motion from the main shaft 17. The shaft 26 may also be manually rotated by means of a crank engaging a shaft 32 which is provided with a pinion 31 adapted to be pressed, against spring pressure, into engagement with a pinion 30 on the end of the shaft 26. Cams 41 on the cam drum 21 engage a roller on a slidablymounted rod 43, carrying a holder 44 for turning tools 50. The tools 50 are held in a block 51, Figs. 4 and 12, pivotally mounted on a post 53 carried by the holder 44 and are normally held, by spring means, away from the work. The tools are brought into cutting position by means of a tapered pin 55 fitting within a hole 54 formed by corresponding recesses in the block 51 and post 53. The pin is connected to a chain 56 which tightens and draws the pin further into the hole 54 as the tool-holder slides away from the casing, thereby causing the block 51 to turn on its pivot. As the holder slides back towards the casing a stop 58 strikes against the end of the pin and loosens it allowing the tools to be withdrawn from the cutting position. Other tools comprise a facing tool 64, a chamfering tool 65. three grooving tools 66 and a skiving tool 68. These tools are mounted in a holder 59 carried by an arm 60 which is fixed to a rock-shaft 61, the latter being oscillated by means of the profile cam 22. For turning work on centres a bracket may be mounted on an extension of the rock-shaft 61 and on a support for the turning tool carrier, the bracket carrying a tail-stock. A hand lever 19, Fig. 11, mounted on the front of the casing 11 has a gear segment 89 meshing with a rack 90 on a slide bar 91 which at one end has a projection 91<a> overlapping the end of a sleeve 92. The sleeve has rack teeth meshing with a segment 94 on a lever 95 engaging a collar 96 which is slidable on the main shaft 17 to operate the clutch 18. When the lever 95 is moved to engage the clutch with the gear wheel 170, the parts are locked in position by a spring- pressed pin 97 entering a slot in the sleeve 92. The unit machine is stopped automatically by means of a lug on the side of the profile cam 22, the lug engaging a dog 100 on the bar 91 so as to move the bar, thereby pressing a bevelled key thereon into engagement with key 97 to release the sleeve 92 and allow it, under the action of a spring 99, to operate the segment 94 and disengage the clutch 18, simultaneously expanding a friction brake 103 against a stationary surface 104. Chucks; sockets.-The work-holder is fixed to the end of the spindle 12 and comprises a cylindrical block 13, Fig. 6, formed with a shoulder over which the open end of the piston is adapted to be held. The piston carries a pin 69 connected to a rod 70 which may be moved to tighten the piston in position by means of levers 74 and a slidable cone 76. The latter is moved by means of a lever 79 connected to the rod 80 of a piston in a cylinder 83. Air under pressure is supplied to either side of the piston depending upon the position of a valve which may be operated by hand or automatically by dogs on the cam drum 21 engaging a pin on an extension of the valve stem. Instead of air-pressure operation, the work-holder may be operated by two solenoids, the cores of which are connected to the lever 79. The solenoids are in circuit with switches which may be actuated by dogs on the cam drum as in the case of the pneumatic device. Specifications 247,579, 247,580, and 247,581 are referred to.