Patent GB-746525-A (GB)
Title: Actuating mechanism for machine tool slides
IPC: B23Q5/34
Filed: 1954-01-04
Abstract: 746,525. Converting rotary into reciprocating motion. WARNER & SWASEY CO. Jan. 4. 1954 [Jan. 22. 1953], No. 124/54. Class 80(1) [Also in Group XXII] Mechanism for reciprocating the tool slides of a machine tool such as a multiple spindle lathe comprising a lower rack bar 75, Figs. 5 and 7, operatively connected to a slide of the machine and engaged by a pinion 56 in a slide block 52, the pinion also being engaged by an upper rack bar 71. The slide block 52 is actuated directly by a roller 57 thereon engaging in a cam groove in a fast-motion cam 50 on a shaft 40 and the upper rack bar 71 is actuated from a feed cam 49 through a rocker arm 60 having a roller 72 engaging a groove in the cam and coupled by a rod 68 to the bar 71. The cam grooves are so shaped that from the extreme rearward position of the rack bar 75 and hence the slide as shown in Fig. 5 to the extreme forward position shown in Fig. 7, the cam 50 rotating anti-clockwise first moves the slide block 52 forward whilst no movement is imparted to the upper rack bar 71. This results in the lower rack bar 75 being driven forward at a fast speed' through the pinion 56, which corresponds to the idle movement of the tool slide. On the block 52 reaching its forward position as in Fig. 7, it remains stationary whilst the upper rack bar 71 is moved backward by the cam 49. rocker 60 and rod 68. This results in a further forward movement of the rack bar 75 at a lower speed corresponding to the feeding movement of the tool slide. From the extreme forward position of the rack bar 75 in Fig. 7. continued rotation of cams 50 and 49 effect simultaneously a rearward movement of block 52 and a forward movement of rack bar 71 which results in a rapid return movement of bar 75 and its connected slide to the initial position of Fig. 5. In order that the feed movement of the rack bar 75 can be adjusted to suit the workpiece the anchor block 64 of the rod 68 coupling the upper rack bar 71 to the rocker arm 60 is adjustable along the arcuate portion 61 thereof which in the rearward position of Fig. 7. corresponding to the extreme forward position of rack bar 75 and the tool slide, has its centre at the coupling pin 70 of the rod 68 with rack bar 71. This arrangement provides that for all adjusted feed movements the extreme.forward position of the tool slide remains the same, the variations being in the initial starting position of the slide. A pointer on the block 64 cooperates with a scale along the arcuate part 61 of the rocker arm to facilitate the desired feed adjustment. The application of the mechanism to the front and rear longitudinal slides 37, 38, Fig. 3, and central longitudinal slide 35 of a six spindle automatic lathe is duescribed the spindles 25, Fig. 2, being mounted upon an indexible carrier 24 and the central slide 35 being supported on a horizontal supporting post 34 and having six tool supporting faces. Cross slides 28, 29, 31, 32 and 33; Figs. 1 and 2, for performing various operations may also be actuated if desired by the mechanism of the invention. The drive for the mechanisms is preferably obtained from the main motor 39 of the machine.