Patent ID: 10071427

Abstract:
In accordance with one aspect, a vertical machine tool is provided having an upper headstock with an upper spindle and a lower tailstock with a lower spindle. A workpiece is secured to the lower tailstock and the headstock drives the upper spindle and a milling tool connected thereto at high speeds for milling the workpiece. The vertical machine tool is also operable to perform turning operations on the workpiece using a turning tool connected to the headstock spindle. The headstock has a mechanical spindle lock that may be configured to rigidly fix the headstock spindle to the headstock housing so that, during the turning operation, the headstock spindle is secured against rotation from loading applied to the turning tool held in the headstock spindle. The lower tailstock drives the lower spindle to rotate the workpiece at speeds up to 2,500 RPM while the non-rotating turning tool held in the upper headstock machines the workpiece.