New Patents
the system including tool storage means com-
prising a close-packed generally planar array of
tool store locations 13, each adapted to receive
the base portion ofa tool with its machining por-
tion directed upwardly and tool selector means
for moving over said tool storage means and for
gripping a selected tool and moving it vertically
out of its location, then to a transfer station.
4654955
TOOL CHANGER MECHANISM
FOR MACHINING CENTERS
Gerald Mathie assigned to The Valeron Cor-
poration
The disclosure relates to a tool changing
mechanism comprising an arm with hands at
each end thereof having means to pick up both
boring and turning tools. The arm is actuated by
hydraulic rotary actuators and the tools are grip-
ped by air operated fingers. A turret assembly is
equipped with a boring tool holder and a turning
tool holder for the acceptance of tools changed
by the changing mechanism. A magazine holds
replacement boring bars and turning tools until a
tool change is required. An automatic tool lock-
unlock mechanism is provided to lock the tools
in cutting position.
4654957
FLEXIBLE MACHINING
APPARATUS WITH SINGLE
SHANK TOOL AND MULTI-
SPINDLE TOOL HEAD
CHANGING AND OPERATING
CAPABILITIES
Thomas A Powell, Kenneth 0 Kolnes, Kenneth
J Sprenger, John Casarotto, Kenneth P Whit-
ney, Gerald Hammer assigned to Ex-Cell-OCor-
poration
The machining apparatus includes a machine
tool having a primary spindle slide with a trans-
verselyextending 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
iii
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 opera-
tion 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 auto-
matically without manual change-over or
modification thereof.
4655071
TRANSFER PRESS WITH QUICK
CHANGE DIE SET
ARRANGEMENT
Werner K Allweier, David W Knight assigned to
The U S Baird Corporation
A metal forming press having a reciprocating
ram and a transfer mechanism for transferring
workpieces sequentially between a multiplicity
of work stations located on a multi-post die set
has a quick change die set arrangement enabling
the press to be utilized in a £37 just-in-time+38
+ 0 manufacturing system. The knockout and
stripper mechanism of the press are designed to
eliminate the need for disassembly of the same
during removal and replacement of die sets.
4655652
METHOD OF MULTIPLE
STATION DRILLING
Brian D Schissler assigned to The 0 SKelly
Company
A multiple station drilling apparatus is used for
performing a large number of repetitive but
variable machining operations, and includes a
turntable having a plurality of workpiece hol-
ding fixtures distributed in spaced relation
around its periphery, a plurality of tool supports
mounted around and outward of the periphery