Patent ID: 7509718

Claim:
A machine tool having an X, Y, and Z-axis and a movable spindle located in a workzone for machining a workpiece, the machine tool comprising: an X-axis drive mounted on a stationary part of the machine tool for positioning the workpiece in front of the spindle; a Y-axis drive mounted on a stationary bifurcated column of the machine tool for positioning the spindle in a desired location along the Y-axis relative to the workpiece, the Y-axis drive including Y-axis drive motors mounted on the bifurcated column on either side of the spindle, drive screws coupled to the drive motors for driving the spindle along the Y-axis, and vertical ways mounted on the column for guiding movement of the spindle; a Z-axis drive for positioning the spindle in a desired location along the Z-axis relative to the workpiece, wherein the X, Y, and Z axis drives are all located on the outside of the machine tool; and wherein the column is located between the workzone and the Y-axis drive motors and drive screws.