Patent Publication Number: US-2019184507-A1

Title: CNC Single-Turret Twin-Spindle Efficiency-Doubled Metal Processing Machine

Description:
(a) TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a processing machine, and more particularly to a computer numerical control (CNC) single-turret twin-spindle efficiency-doubled metal processing machine. 
     (b) DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     A conventional processing machine comprises a spindle to which a work piece is attached and a tool carried by a turret to carry out a processing operation on the work piece. 
     The known processing machine suffers poor working efficiency and a general-purpose efficiency-doubled CNC turning machine has been proposed, such as Taiwan Utility Model M436521, in which an arrangement of two spindles and two turrets is disclosed so that the two spindles may each carry a workpiece and tools carried on the two turrets may simultaneously carry out processing operations on the two work pieces carried by the two spindles, whereby doubling of the working efficiency can be realized. However, such a processing machine is bulky in size because two turrets are included. In addition, the overall cost is significantly increased due to the increased number of turrets, making it poor in market competition. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the above, to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art double-efficiency processing machine that the size is bulky, the fabrication cost is high, and the market competition power is poor, the present invention provides a computer numerical control (CNC) single-turret twin-spindle efficiency-doubled metal processing machine, which generally comprises: a chassis, which comprises a Z-axis mounting surface and a Y-axis mounting surface that is perpendicular to the Z-axis mounting surface; a spindle driving source, which is mounted on the Z-axis mounting surface of the chassis; a first spindle unit, which is arranged on the Z-axis mounting surface of the chassis and is coupled to the spindle driving source; a second spindle unit, which is arranged on the Z-axis mounting surface of the chassis and is coupled to the spindle driving source so that the spindle driving source is operable to simultaneously drive the first spindle unit and the second spindle unit to do reciprocal movement on the same axis for approaching and leaving; a turret unit, which is mounted on the Y-axis mounting surface of the chassis, the turret unit being provided with a plurality of clamp groups arranged at predetermined angles respectively, the clamp group of each of the angles comprising two tool clamps, so that the two tool clamps respectively clamp two identical tools. since the present invention needs just one single turret unit to simultaneously carry out processing operations on two work pieces, it is possible to achieve an effect of doubling the processing efficiency, and it is also possible to greatly reduce the overall size and also reduce the fabrication cost thereby improving market competition power. 
     The foregoing objectives and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts. 
     Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view showing a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  in an assembled form. 
         FIG. 3  is a partly exploded view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 4-7  are schematic views illustrating an operation of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view illustrating a condition of use of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view showing a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9  in an assembled form. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic view illustrating an operation of the embodiment of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic view illustrating a condition of use of the embodiment of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following descriptions are exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-8 , the present invention provides, as a first embodiment, a computer numerical control (CNC) single-turret twin-spindle efficiency-doubled metal processing machine  100 , which generally comprises a chassis  10 , a spindle driving source  20 , a first spindle unit  30 , a second spindle unit  40 , and a turret unit  50 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the chassis  10  is securely positioned on a ground surface (or a planar fixture surface). The chassis  10  comprises a Z-axis mounting surface  11  and a Y-axis mounting surface  12  that is perpendicular to the Z-axis mounting surface  11 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the spindle driving source  20  is mounted on the Z-axis mounting surface  11  of the chassis  10 . The spindle driving source  20  comprises a driving motor  21 , a bearing seat  22 , a screw rod  23 , a first nut  24 , and a second nut  25 . The driving motor  21  is mounted on the Z-axis mounting surface  11  of the chassis  10 , and the bearing seat  22  is mounted on the Z-axis mounting surface  11  of the chassis  10  at an opposite end portion thereof. The screw rod  23  has one end coupled to the driving motor  21  and an opposite end supported by the bearing seat  22 , so the screw rod  23  is rotatable, in situ, on the Z-axis mounting surface  11 . The screw rod  23  has an outer circumferential surface that comprises a forward (such as right-handed) thread section  231  and a backward (such as left-handed) thread section  232 . The first nut  24  is in threading engagement with the forward thread section  231  of the screw rod  23 , and the second nut  25  is in threading engagement with the backward thread section  232 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the first spindle unit  30  comprises a first compensation seat  31 , a first compensation power source  32 , a first spindle seat  33 , and a first spindle  34 . The first compensation seat  31  is securely fixed to the first nut  24  of the spindle driving source  20 . The first compensation power source  32  is mounted on the first compensation seat  31 . The first compensation power source  32  comprises a motor  321 , a bearing seat  322 , a screw rod  323 , and a nut  324 . The motor  321  is mounted on the first compensation seat  31 , and the bearing seat  322  is mounted on an opposite end portion of the first compensation seat  31 . The screw rod  323  has an end coupled to the motor  321  and an opposite end supported by the bearing seat  322 . The nut  324  is in threading engagement with the screw rod  323 . The first spindle seat  33  is securely fixed to the nut  324  of the first compensation power source  32 . The first spindle  34  is mounted on the first spindle seat  33  to clamp a work piece to be processed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the second spindle unit  40  comprises a second spindle seat  41  and a second spindle  42 . The second spindle seat  41  is securely fixed to the second nut  25  of the spindle driving source  20 . The second spindle  42  is mounted on the second spindle seat  41  to clamp a work piece to be processed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the turret unit  50  comprises a Y-axis driving source  51 , a Y-axis seat  52 , an X-axis driving source  53 , an X-axis seat  54 , and a turret  55 . The Y-axis driving source  51  is mounted on the Y-axis mounting surface  12  of the chassis  10 . The Y-axis driving source  51  comprises a motor  511 , a bearing seat  512 , a screw rod  513 , and a nut  514 . The motor  511  is mounted on the Y-axis mounting surface  12 . The bearing seat  512  is mounted on an opposite end portion of the Y-axis mounting surface  12 . The screw rod  513  has an end coupled to the motor  511  and an opposite end supported by the bearing seat  512 . The nut  514  is in threading engagement with the screw rod  513 . The Y-axis seat  52  is securely fixed to the nut  514  of the Y-axis driving source  51 . The Y-axis seat  52  comprises an X-axis mounting surface  521 . The X-axis driving source  53  is mounted on the X-axis mounting surface  521  of the Y-axis seat  52 . The X-axis driving source  53  comprises a motor  531 , a bearing seat  532 , a screw rod  533 , and a nut  534 . The motor  531  is mounted on the X-axis mounting surface  521 . The bearing seat  532  is mounted on an opposite end portion of the X-axis mounting surface  521 . The screw rod  533  has an end coupled to the motor  531  and an opposite end supported by the bearing seat  532 . The nut  534  is in threading engagement with the screw rod  533 . The X-axis seat  54  is securely fixed to the nut  534  of the X-axis driving source  53 . The turret  55  is rotatably mounted to the X-axis seat  54 . The turret  55  comprises a plurality of clamp groups  551  respectively arranged at predetermined angles thereof and the clamp group  551  of each of the angles comprises two tool clamps  552 , so that the two tool clamps  552  may respectively clamp two identical tools  553 . 
     The above provides a description to the components of the CNC single-turret twin-spindle efficiency-doubled metal processing machine  100  according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention and the assembly thereof, and the following will provide a description to an operation thereof. 
     Firstly, as shown in  FIG. 4 , in the present invention, the turret unit  50  uses the motor  511  of the Y-axis driving source  51  to drive the screw rod  513  to rotate for causing the nut  514  to carry out a linear reciprocal movement, so that the nut  514  drives the Y-axis seat  52  to carry out a Y-axis reciprocal movement to have the tools  553  of the turret unit  50  moved in unison therewith for a Y-axis reciprocal movement. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , in the present invention, the turret unit  50  uses the motor  531  of the X-axis driving source  53  to drive the screw rod  533  to rotate for causing the nut  534  to carry out a linear reciprocal movement, so that the nut  534  drives the X-axis seat  54  to carry out an X-axis reciprocal movement to have the tools  553  of the turret unit  50  moved in unison therewith for an X-axis reciprocal movement. Namely, the tools  553  are controlled to simultaneously carry out the Y-axis reciprocal movement and the X-axis reciprocal movement, or to carry out the Y-axis reciprocal movement or the X-axis reciprocal movement individually. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , in the present invention, the first spindle unit  30  uses the motor  321  of the first compensation power source  32  to drive the screw rod  322  to rotate for causing the nut  324  to carry out a linear reciprocal movement, so that the nut  324  drives the first spindle seat  33  to carry out a reciprocal movement in a compensating axis (wherein the compensating axis is perpendicular to the Z-axis) to have a work piece clamped on the first spindle  33  moved in unison therewith for a reciprocal movement in the compensating axis, where the compensating axis is parallel to the X-axis mounting surface  521 . 
     In the present invention, the spindle driving source  20  includes just one single screw rod  23  with a forward thread section  231  and a backward thread section  232  formed on the screw rod  23 . The forward thread section  231  and the backward thread section  232  are respectively in mating threading engagement with the first nut  24  and the second nut  25  and the first nut  24  and the second nut  25  are securely fixed with the first spindle unit  30  and the second spindle unit  40 , respectively. Thus, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the driving motor  21  of the spindle driving source  20 , when put into operation, drives the screw rod  23  to rotate, causing the first nut  24  and the second nut  25  to respectively drive the first spindle unit  30  and the second spindle unit  40 , following the screw rod  23 , to simultaneously carry out linear reciprocal movements along the same axis (Z-axis) for approaching and moving away. As such, the two tools  553  that are clamped by the clamp group  551  at a specific angle of the turret unit  50  are allowed to simultaneously carry out processing operations on work pieces  56  respectively clamped on the first spindle unit  30  and the second spindle unit  40 , thereby providing an effect of doubling the operation efficiency. 
     Further, in the above embodiment, the Z-axis mounting surface  11 , the Y-axis mounting surface  12 , and the X-axis mounting surface  521  are all inclined surfaces. 
     Based on the above, since the present invention needs just one single turret unit to simultaneously carry out processing operations on two work pieces, it is possible to achieve the effect of doubling the processing efficiency, and it is also possible to greatly reduce the overall size and also reduce the fabrication cost thereby improving market competition power. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9-12 , the present invention provides, as a second embodiment, a CNC single-turret twin-spindle efficiency-doubled metal processing machine  200 , which is substantially the same as the previously described embodiment by comprising a chassis  10 , a spindle driving source  60 , a first spindle unit  30 , a second spindle unit  40 , and a turret unit  50 . Differences of the instant embodiment from the previous embodiment are as follows: 
     In the instant embodiment, the spindle driving source  60  comprises a first driving motor  61 , a first bearing seat  62 , a first screw rod  63 , a first nut  64 , a second driving motor  65 , a second bearing seat  66 , a second screw rod  67 , and a second nut  68 . The first driving motor  61  is mounted on the Z-axis mounting surface  11  of the chassis  10 . The first bearing seat  62  is mounted on the Z-axis mounting surface  11  of the chassis  10  at a location close to a middle thereof. The first screw rod  63  has an end coupled to the first driving motor  61  and an opposite end supported by the first bearing seat  62 , so that the first screw rod  63  is rotatable, in situ, on the Z-axis mounting surface  11 . The first nut  64  is in threading engagement with the first screw rod  63  and the first nut  64  is securely fixed to the first spindle unit  30  to drive the first spindle unit  30  to carry out a linear reciprocal movement along a Z-axis. The second driving motor  65  is mounted on an opposite end portion of the Z-axis mounting surface  11 . The second bearing seat  66  is mounted on the Z-axis mounting surface  11  of the chassis  10  at a location close to the middle thereof. The second screw rod  67  has an end coupled to the second driving motor  66  and an opposite end supported by the second bearing seat  66 , so that the second screw rod  67  is rotatable, in situ, on the Z-axis mounting surface  11 . The second nut  68  is in threading engagement with the second screw rod  67  and the second nut  68  is securely fixed to the second spindle unit  40  to drive the second spindle unit  40  to carry out a linear reciprocal movement along the Z-axis. 
     In the instant embodiment, the first spindle unit  30  and the second spindle unit  40  are separately driven to move, but with the first driving motor  61  and the second driving motor  65  being put into operation simultaneously, the first spindle unit  30  and the second spindle unit  40  can be simultaneously driven to move along the first screw rod  63  and the second screw rod  67  to both carry out linear reciprocal movements for approaching or moving away on the same axis (the Z-axis), allowing two tools  553  of the turret unit  50  to simultaneously carry out processing operations on two work pieces  56  clamped on the first spindle unit  30  and the second spindle unit  40 , respectively. 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the claims of the present invention.