Multi-station machine tool with pairs of tool-and work-spindles

Abstract

A multi-station machine tool wherein the bed of the frame supports two spaced-apart upright columns and the columns support an indexible shaft for a turret which is disposed between the columns. The turret has several sets of clamping jaws for elongated rod-shaped workpieces which are introduced and removed at a first station or which are introduced at a first station and removed at a second station. The number of stations may greatly exceed two, and each column supports several spindles including at least one rotary and axially movable tool spindle and at least one axially movable and preferably rotary work spindle. Each spindle in one of the carriers is coaxial with a spindle in the other carrier, and the turret indexes the workpieces in such a way that they come to rest between successive or selected pairs of coaxial spindles. The tool spindles carry holders for tools which can treat the end faces of workpieces while the workpieces are held by the respective jaws, and the work spindles include centers and means for rotating the workpieces (while the workpieces are temporarily released by the respective jaws) so that the rotating workpieces can be treated by tools which are mounted in slides movable lengthwise and/or transversely of ways provided on the bed and/or on a crosshead which connects the upper end portions of the columns.