US Patent: 4,038,740
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| Vertical Lathe with Automatic Tool Change Facility
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Patentee:
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| Claude M. Grinage (exact or similar names) - Stratford, Fairfield County, CT |
| Assignees: |
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Bullard Co. - Bridgeport, Fairfield County, CT |
| Manufacturer: |
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Bullard Co. - Bridgeport, Fairfield County, CT |
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Patent Dates:
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| Applied: |
Sep. 16, 1974 |
| Granted: |
Aug. 02, 1977 |
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Joel Havens
Vintage Machinery entry for Bullard Machine Tool Co.
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Description: |
| Abstract:
The disclosure relates to a tool change system for a vertical lathe or the like which, among other things, greatly reduces the nonproductive time of the machining head. During machining with a first tool, a second tool is selected from a storage library and is transported over to the ram housing from which the ram and cutting tool are supported. The new tool, held by the transfer carrier, remains in a predetermined position with respect to the ram housing, even though the latter is moving in the course of machining operations. When the machining program subsequently calls for a tool change, it is only necessary to retract the ram, and the tool is waiting to be installed. A unique arrangement of torque limiting clutch enables the transfer carrier to follow the movements of the ram housing in the desired manner in preparation for the tool change to be executed.
The disclosure also relates to an improved "flow-through" arrangement for effecting tool change, whereby a new tool is slid into position from one side of the ram, while the used tool simultaneously slid out of engagement with the ram from the opposite side. A two-pronged loader simultaneously engages both the new and old tools to effect the desired flow-through tool exchange motion.
The new apparatus includes advantageous arrangements for eccentrically mounting right-hand and left-hand tools in the machine ram. Control means are provided for properly positioning the transfer carrier and loader means, taking into account the left-hand or right-hand character of both the new and used tools. Provision for eccentric mounting of the tools enables a much heavier and stronger ram to be employed.
Significant reductions are realized in the nonproductive time of the machine, required to effect a tool change, first because the new tool is always in position immediately adjacent and moving along with the ram housing, and second because of the provision for flow-through tool exchange. As soon as the two-pronged loading device has cleared the used tool from the back side of the ram and has withdrawn from the newly positioned tool, the ram can be returned to machining position and machining operations can resume. The balance of the tool change sequence, involving return of the used tool to a transfer carrier and transport by the carrier to the tool library, and the subsequent selection and transfer over to the ram housing of a new tool, all can take place after machining operations have been resumed. |
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