The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 07, 1987
Filed:
Jun. 22, 1984
Thomas A Powell, Rockford, IL (US);
Kenneth O Kolnes, Rockford, IL (US);
Kenneth J Sprenger, Rockford, IL (US);
John D Casarotto, Rockford, IL (US);
Kenneth P Whitney, Rockford, IL (US);
Gerald M Hammer, Rockford, IL (US);
Ex-Cell-O Corporation, Troy, MI (US);
Abstract
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.