Patent GB-691850-A (GB)
Title: Selecting device for controlling metal-cutting and like machine tools
IPC: B23Q15/00
Filed: 1951-12-14
Abstract: 691,850. Machine-tool details. BERTHIEZ, C. W. Dec. 14, 1951 [Dec. 16, 1950; July 30, 1961], No. 29348/51. Addition to 654,308. Class 83 (iii). [Also in Group XXXVII] A device, which may be contained in a pendant box, for selectively controlling a plurality of movable parts of a metal-cutting &c. machine tool comprises two selecting elements 171, 191 for selecting the parts to be controlled and a direction-controlling element 8<SP>1</SP>, 141, 15<SP>1</SP>, 161 for each part, the latter elements being mounted in a line on the front face of the device with the two selecting elements substantially symmetrical with respect to the line, and the number of selecting positions being, at most, equal to the number of parts. The device is a modification of the device claimed in the parent Specification. The movable parts may be the work-table 2, the column 4, the slide 5, the headstock 6 and the surfacing plate 39, 40 of a boring and milling-machine. The one or two members to be actuated are indicated by one or both of the pointers 17<SP>1</SP>, 19<SP>1</SP> and the central switches directed to the required direction of movement. The surfacing plate 39, 40 is controlled by the same switch as the headstock 6, the direction of movement being explained by diagrams 41, 42, 44, 45. Warning lights 37, 38 indicate when the member indicated by the associated pointer is under power. Each member can be locked in position by a switch 46, 47, 48 or 49, the locked position being illustrated by a diagram 51, 52. Starting and stopping push-buttons associated with each selecting switch and a selector for the headstock or surfacing plate are provided on the machine itself. Four electric motors which provide the power for moving the machine members are controlled by the switches through two generators (see Group XXXVII). The field windings of the generators are connected to rheostats to control the rotational speed of the motors. If no speed control is desired, a common power supply may be provided. In a modified device, the two selecting switches 171, 19<SP>1</SP> have distinct functions instead of being used interchangeably as in the first embodiment. The switch 171, Fig. 3, controls automatic operation of the members in conjunction with start and stop buttons 91, 92. The switch 191 controls manual operation in conjunction with a button 93. A switch 94 determines which control is to be used. It is thus seen that only one member may be moved at a time. Switches 95, 104 select the speed required for the member to be moved. A reversing position may also be provided on the switch 95. Push-buttons 96 to 99 enable an increase or decrease of the two intermediate speeds of the moving member to be obtained by the control of rheostats, the speed settings being permanently indicated on dials 102, 103. The clamping buttons 46 to 49 actuate motors to rotate a clamping screw until a limit switch is actuated when the slide is fully unclamped or clamped. The circuits of the clamping and traversing motors are interlocked to prevent attempted movement of a locked slide. Pilot lamps 37, 38 indicate when a machine part is in movement under automatic or manual control. The device may be used for controlling other machine parts such as an indexing or rotary milling table or the rotational speed of a vertical turning table or a tool-spindle.