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:
Feb. 16, 1999
Filed:
Sep. 19, 1997
Norimitsu Araki, Yokkaichi, JP;
Kazumi Hattori, Gifu, JP;
Howa Machinery, Ltd., Aichi-ken, JP;
Abstract
A machining center has a tool change device provided above a horizontally mobile column that has a main spindle for holding a tool. A circular tool magazine for carrying a plurality of tools in a horizontal attitude is provided on a support base which is positioned above the region in which the mobile column moves. The support base is supported in a cantilever fashion by posts erected on a bed. The tool magazine rotates within a horizontal plane for indexing tools to a standby position. The tools are accommodated in pots suspended via rolling members from the body of the tool magazine and adapted to move along a ring-shaped path under the tool magazine body. The tool magazine body has a local removal opening or cutout, from where a shifter at a standby position carries a pot to a tool delivery position.