Ex-cell-o Gmbh

Bryant Grinder Corporation

John S Clark

William A Mitchell

John K Forlow

Charles R Johnson

Paul G Black

An antifriction bearing support (12) disclosed includes an outer support member (50) for mounting thereof on a spindle housing (16) and an inner support member (52) for mounting an antifriction bearing (42) which rotatably supports a spindle (38). The support also includes at least one flexible diaphragm (54) extending between the inner and outer support members to radially fix the inner support member and the antifriction bearing and preload the antifriction bearing axially with respect to the axis of spindle rotation so as to permit high speed spindle rotation. Preferably, a pair of the diaphragms (54) are utilized and are mounted in a spaced and parallel relationship to each other. Inner and outer round edges of the diaphragms are secured between axial surfaces (80, 82, 88, 90) of the support members and associated retaining ring (76, 78, 84, 86) that have soldered connections to the support members. Threading of the outer support member onto the housing flexes the diaphragms to provide the preloading of the antifriction bearing mounted by the diaphragm support. Another antifriction bearing (48) on the housing is also preloaded through the spindle by the diaphragms. A first end of the inner support member includes an opening (112) that receives the antifriction bearing (42) and a second end of the inner support member includes a heat exchanger (116) for removing heat. An oil-mist lubrication system feeds an oil-mist lubricant to the antifriction bearings and to the heat exchanger so as to increase the speed at which the spindle can be rotated.

Antifriction bearing support

A machine tool high speed spindle assembly and draw bar assembly, wherein the spindle assembly includes a hollow, rotary spindle shaft, and the draw bar assembly is nonrotational relative to the spindle shaft. The draw bar assembly is axially movable within the hollow rotary spindle shaft, and it includes a tool holder gripping means. The draw bar assembly rotates with the hollow rotary spindle shaft during a machining operation. The draw bar assembly with its tool holder gripping means is moved by an actuator means between an operative position for retaining a tool holder or the like in the spindle shaft, and an inoperative position to permit a tool holder or the like to be removed from or inserted into the spindle shaft. A spindle shaft holding or gripping means retains the hollow rotary spindle shaft in a stationary position when the draw bar actuator means moves the draw bar assembly between said operative and inoperative positions. The spindle shaft holding means comprises a collet means having relatively movable collet members and collet clamp ring members. The draw bar assembly actuator means includes a detachable spline means having relatively movable spline members and a drive motor means. The draw bar assembly actuator means and spindle shaft holding means are free from the spindle shaft and have no physical contact with said shaft during a machine tool operation.

High speed spindle and draw bar assembly

A machine tool high speed spindle assembly and draw bar assembly, wherein the spindle assembly includes a hollow, rotary spindle shaft, and the draw bar assembly is nonrotational relative to the spindle shaft. The draw bar assembly is axially movable within the hollow rotary spindle shaft, and it includes a tool holder gripping means. The draw bar assembly rotates with the hollow rotary spindle shaft during a machining operation. The draw bar assembly with its tool holder gripping means is moved by an actuator means between an operative position for retaining a tool holder or the like in the spindle shaft, and an inoperative position to permit a tool holder or the like to be removed from or inserted into the spindle shaft. A spindle shaft holding or gripping means retains the hollow rotary spindle shaft in a stationary position when the draw bar actuator means moves the draw bar assembly between said operative and inoperative positions. The draw bar assembly actuator means and spindle shaft holding means each comprise collet means having relatively movable collet members and collet clamp ring members. The draw bar assembly actuator means and spindle shaft holding means are free from the spindle shaft and have no physical contact with said shaft during a machine tool operation.

A tool holding assembly wherein a self-locking chuck or tool holder is releasably secured in a rotary spindle by a draw bar and collet type tool holder gripping means. The self-locking chuck is provided with a spring-biased, ball locking means that functions as a safety retainer means for holding the chuck or tool holder in the spindle in case of a breakage of the collet type tool holder gripping means. The spindle is provided with a tapered seat against which the balls of the ball locking means are normally urged by a spring biased plunger that is movable to a ball unlocking position by the draw bar.

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Springfield, VT, United States of America

John S Clark