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. 20, 2001
Filed:
Sep. 29, 1998
Yasuhiro Okada, Nagoya, JP;
Kengo Yoshioka, Kariya, JP;
Fumio Sakamoto, Toyota, JP;
Sentaro Sugita, Nagoya, JP;
Hidekazu Hirano, Tokoname, JP;
Takeshi Nishikayama, Kariya, JP;
Hiroyuki Takahara, Chiryu, JP;
Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha, Kariya, JP;
Abstract
A horizontal machine tool has a spindle head which supports a horizontal tool spindle. The spindle head is guided on a top surface portion of a base such that the spindle head is movable in two horizontal directions X and Z. A workpiece support for supporting a workpiece on its upper end is guided on the vertical front face portion of the base for movement in a vertical direction Y. When the spindle head is located at a machining position at the center in the X direction, a pair of guide portions of each of a front/back guide mechanism for the spindle head and a vertical guide mechanism for the workpiece support body take symmetrical positions with respect to a vertical plane including the axis of the tool spindle. A first index member and a second index member for supporting the workpiece are provided on the workpiece support body. Therefore, all surfaces of the workpiece excepting an attachment surface can be machined while being directed to a tool on the tool spindle. The horizontal machine tool has an automatic tool change apparatus including a tool change arm unit, a tool magazine, and an intermediate transport unit. The tool magazine is disposed on the front side of the machine tool and on one side of the workpiece support body in the X direction, and is designed such that a plurality of tools can be stored into and removed from the magazine from the front side thereof.