Patent GB-1275557-A (GB)
Title: Machining complex
Inventor: MCCALL ROY HENRY
IPC: B23Q7/14
Filed: 1968-09-09
Abstract: 1275557 Machine tool details; lathes ALFRED HERBERT Ltd 9 Sept 1969 [9 Sept 1968] 42769/68 Headings B3B and B3T [Also in Division G3] A machining complex comprises a plurality of machine tools, e.g. a drilling machine 12, rough turning lathes 13, 14 and finishing lathes 15, 16, each being numerically controlled; work holding devices 19 which act as rotary chucks on the lathes; transfer means 11, 50, 51; workpiece recognition means associated with each machine tool and work holding device; and master control means including data storage means for machining operations to be carried out on differing workpieces. Workpiece transferring.-Workpieces are mounted in holding devices 19 at a station 20 and passed via conveyer 21 to a gate 22. Holding devices 19 may be directed to a setting station 24 where a new batch of workpieces are set and identifying information is sent to the master control before being passed via conveyer 28 to the gate 22. The holding devices 19 are then passed by gravity operated roller conveyers 11 to the machine tools before reaching a conveyer 18 which returns them to station 20 for unloading. Each holding device has a set of identifying grooves (39) (Fig. 7, not shown) which are read by reading devices 40, 42-49. Alternatively the holding devices may be recognized by adjustable code elements or by a key which fits in a socket. Fig. 10 (not shown) shows a conveyer run feeding two machine tools. The holding devices are transferred from the conveyers to the machine tool by a trolley (53) (Fig. 2, not shown) which is movable along a rail (52) and carries vertically movable elements (54) for engaging the holding devices. Beds and frames.-Each of the lathes 13-16 have vertical spindles and comprise a vertical bed (96), a saddle (97) vertically slidable on the bed, a cross slide (98) and a tool mount (98a) carrying a tool (99). A workpiece holding device 19 is mounted on a spindle nose (82). The drilling machine 12 is similarly constructed but the holding device 19 is non-rotationally mounted thereon. Spindles.-The vertical lathe spindle (Fig. 7, not shown) comprises a fluid pressure operated means for clamping a holding device 19 e.g. a chuck, on to the spindle nose (82). The holding device 19 includes a spigot (31) which is gripped by jaws (85) of a member (84) as it is retracted by a piston-cylinder device (89), (90). Chucks.-The holding device 19 is in the form of a chuck having jaws (29), a ring (30) for engaging the spindle nose and the spigot (31). An external sleeve (36) includes a flange (37) for engagement by the elements (54) on the trolley (53). Machine tool details.-The lathes may have automatic gauging apparatus for checking dimensions of components and automatically correcting any errors by altering a datum position in the numerical control system. Alternatively automatic tool setting may be provided whereby tools are set by gauges on each machine tool. Automatic tool charging may be provided for each machine tool. Control system.-A master data store and master process unit (Fig. 9, not shown) controls the machining complex. An interface is provided between the master controls and the individual machine tool controls and the transfer mechanism controls which is used e.g. for feeding information from the loading and setting stations 20, 24 to the master controls.