Ex-cell-o Gmbh

Thomas A Powell

Kenneth O Kolnes

Kenneth J Sprenger

Gerald M Hammer

John D Casarotto

Kenneth P Whitney

The machining apparatus includes a machine tool having a primary spindle slide with a transversely extending tool head support rail member thereon which is aligned successively with a tool head load rail mechanism and unload rail mechanism on a side of the machine tool by movement of the primary spindle slide to load or unload a multi-spindle tool head. When the tool head is loaded in operative position on the rail member, the spindles of the tool head are driven by the primary spindle through a gear train in the tool head. An overhead gantry robot conveys tool heads between the load and unlaod rail mechanisms and a stationary tool head storage unit on the side of the machine tool. A single shank tool conveyor assembly is disposed on the other side of the machine tool and a pivotal tool changer is located on that side to exchange single shank tools between the primary spindle itself and a tool chain conveyor on the tool conveyor assembly when the machine tool is not in operation using a single or multi-spindle tool head. The machine tool, load and unload mechanisms, overhead robot, pivotal tool changer and tool conveyor assembly are controlled by a common programmable computer. The machine tool can be operated in the single shank tool mode or single or multi-spindle tool head mode automatically without manual change-over or modification thereof.

Flexible machining apparatus with single shank tool and multi-spindle

A drive mechanism for an automatic transfer machine has a mechanical transfer drive including a motor driven gear box with an output shaft connected to a single, rotatable drive arm with cam follower means thereon selectively engageable with one or the other of a pair of spaced cam slots on a transfer buggy to define a linear geneva index for producing a harmonic motion, two stroke, transfer of the transfer buggy so as to produce improved start-stop-start-stop sequences of movement of pallets in a linear geneva operated transfer system.

Double pitch mechanical transfer drive

A machine tool control system adapted to provide automatic depth compensation for a cutting tool which controls the position of the tool in relation to a workpiece to hold the predetermined depth of a sleeve bore surface.

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Rockford, IL, United States of America

Thomas A Powell