Patent ID: 7171878

Claim:
A rotating transfer multi-station machine for machining pieces, comprising: an indexable rotary turret having a plurality of work-holding devices distributed around the periphery of the turret, a plurality of devices for holding and positioning tools, distributed among a plurality of machining stations around the turret and adapted to machine the workpieces carried by the work-holding devices, the work-holding devices include turning spindles, in fixed positions on the turret, each with its axis oriented toward the periphery of the turret, and which rotate a workpiece for an operation of turning by turning tools in at least one of the machining stations, the turning spindles are capable of being indexed in angular positions to allow other machining of the workpiece by suitable other tools in at least one of the machining stations, the work-holding devices are electrospindles disposed on the turret side by side one after the other, wherein at least one of the machining stations having a support structure carrying a machining unit including a tool for selectively (1) moving the machining unit parallel to the axis of the turning spindle and/or (2) moving the machining unit perpendicular to the axis of the turning spindle, and wherein the tool is configured for selectively moving the machining unit in a vertical direction perpendicular to the axis of the turning spindle.