Patent GB-1279747-A (GB)
Title: Machine tools
IPC: B23Q3/155
Filed: 1970-02-10
Abstract: 1279747 Tool changers KEARNEY & TRECKER CORP 10 Feb 1970 [10 Feb 1969] 6282/70 Headings B3B B3C B3K and B3T [Also in Division G3] A machine tool comprises a frame 15, 29, a work-receiving support 20, 23 and a toolreceiving operator 36 carried by the frame for relative movement to perform a machining operation. Mounted on the frame is a rotatable tool storage magazine 90 having a plurallity of storage sockets 92, 93 adapted to receive tools 57 having locking flanges 64. Separate latch means 118, 119 are provided for each socket urged by springs to engage the locking flange 64 of the tools 57. A stationary cam 114 has a contoured bevelled edge 171 to provide a first cam portion to hold a latch 118, 119 free from the locking flange 64 at a manual tool loading and unloading station, and a second cam portion to hold a latch 118, 119 free from the locking flange 64 of a selected tool at a tool transfer station. The magazine is rotatable to move the tools through the said manual tool loading station adjacent the first cam portion, and a tool change mechanism 96 is provided to interchange tools between the operator 36 and a magazine socket at the transfer station adjacent the second cam portion. Machine tool details.-The machine tool comprises a bed 15, a column 29 having a vertically movable spindle head 34, and a work headstock 20 movable along the bed. The machine tool can be used for turning, milling or drilling and the headstock includes a spindle mounted work support 22 having radially movable jaws 23. An automatic work changing device 26 is provided. The tools carried by the magazine 90 may be non-rotary turning tools or rotary milling heads. Tool changer details.-For a tool change the spindle head 34 is moved vertically to be horizontally aligned with the tool transfer station of the magazine 90. The tool change mechanism 96 comprises an arm 98 having grippers 99 at each end and rotatable to interchange a new and an old tool. The arm 98 is movable laterally to extract and insert the tools from and into the spindle 36 and magazine 9. The magazine rotates on bearings 126 supported by the column 29 and comprises radial sockets 92, 93 having key and keyway connections 156, 160 to hold a tool in correct orientation to align a tool identifying arm 140 to be read by a fixed read head 103. The said arm 140 includes a number of elements forming a binary code identification which is read by the read head 103 to stop the magazine. The overrun of the magazine is corrected by reversing the rotation of magazine until a stop device 180 is engaged. Spindles.-The tool operator 36 includes a spindle 48 rotated by a gear 107. The operator front face also includes a plate 39 having a keyway for receiving a non-rotary tool head. For a rotary operation the tool 57 has splines 60 engaging splines 58 of the spindle. For a non- rotary operation an actuator 54 draws rearwardly and radially inwardly a set of jaws 67, 73 to engage the locking flange 64. The tool is moved rearwardly to disengage the splines 58, 60 and engage the tool with the fixed plate 39. Machine control.-The machine tool is controlled by a programme tape which controls the selection of a tool from the magazine, the angular positioning of the spindle 48 to receive a tool and the interchange of workpieces on the work support 22.