Excellon Industries, Inc.

Optima Industries, Inc.

Joseph E Smith

William F Marantette

A tool changer is provided in which a rotary tray positioned beneath the forward edge of a machine tool supports a large number of tools in individual cartridges. A tool changer head includes two outwardly projecting tubular members and can be rotated about a horizontal axis, moved vertically and pivoted about a vertical axis. A vacuum or positive pressure can be generated in the tubular members. Therefore, the tubular members can be positioned over a tool in one of the cartridges after which the tool changer head is raised and rotated to extend the tool into the spindle of a machine tool which has been run past the forward edge of the machine. Negative pressure will withdraw the tool from the cartridge and positive pressure will drive the tool into the spindle. Similarly, a tool can be removed from the spindle by negative pressure and reinserted into the cartridge by positive pressure.

Tool changer

This invention provides a frictional clamping arrangement for holding the workpiece being cut by a router so as to prevent movement of the cutout portion of the workpiece in the last increment of the cut. The device includes a pressure foot having a clamping member which is forced downwardly against the surface of the workpiece when the cut is nearly completed for holding the cutout portion of the workpiece motionless relative to the worktable so as to prevent its lateral movement during completion of the cut. The clamping member is fixed relative to the spindle during the principal part of the cut, but is released for limited movement relative to the spindle when holding the workpiece.

Pressure foot for machine tool

This invention provides a drill changing device for a drilling machine in which a collar is provided on the shank of a drill at a predetermined location relative to the tip of the drill, the collar being frictionally gripped by a split sleeve so that the shank projects outwardly from the sleeve, the sleeve being slidable relative to a fixed support and normally biased against a shoulder on the support, allowing overtravel when the collet of a drilling machine engages the collar and receives the shank. The tip of the drill is at a predetermined position relative to the collet when the collet engages the collar so that the drill will effect proper penetration of the workpiece in a drilling operation.

Growing community of inventors

Torrance, CA, United States of America

Joseph E Smith