Steady rest

• US 20090001643A1
• Filed: 06/09/2008
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smw-Autoblok Spannsysteme GmbH
• Original Assignee: Smw-Autoblok Spannsysteme GmbH
• Inventors: Rehm, Fritz
• Granted Patent: US 7,597,035 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 269/55
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 1/76 Steadies; Rests B23B13/126 takes precedence; steadies combined with cutting tool holders B23B29/16
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 11/10 Arrangements for cooling or lubricating tools or work incorporated in tools, see the relevant subclass for the tool , e.g. B23B27/10, B23B51/06, B23C5/28, B23D77/006; for circular saw blades B23D59/02, for cooling grinding surfaces B24B55/02
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 82/2583 Tool and work rest
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 82/2593 Work rest

Abstract

In a steady rest (1) with three holding elements (5, 6, 7), of which the two outer holding elements (6, 7) can be swiveled about articulated pins (8, 9) mounted in a housing (2) and the middle holding element (5) can be adjusted in a straight line, with one chip protection cap (11, 12) each provided with outlet ducts attached to one or both outer holding elements (6, 7) and with the possibility of supplying cooling or rinsing agent in a controlled fashion via ducts (13, 15) worked into the holding elements (6, 7) for application to the workpiece (10), each of the ducts (13, 15) provided in the outer holding elements (6, 7) is directly connected to a duct (27) running in the housing (2) of the steady rest (1) via kidney-shaped openings (21, 22) running concentrically to the articulated pins (8, 9).

This embodiment makes it possible to carry the coolant or lubricant into the outer holding elements (6, 7) without difficulties. This is because the coolant or lubricant cannot penetrate into the interior (28) of the steady rest (1) because the openings are to be reliably sealed by means of circumferential seals (24).

Claims

1. A steady rest (1) for clamping of rod-shaped workpieces (10) of a circular configuration on a lathe with three holding elements (5, 6, 7) arranged in a plane and provided with rollers, of which the two outer holding elements (6, 7) can be swiveled about articulated pins (8, 9) mounted in a housing (2) and a middle holding element (5) is adjustable in a straight line in relation to the workpiece (10), with a chip protection cap (11, 12) provided with one or more outlet ducts (14, 16), attached to at least one of the outer holding elements (6, 7), the outlet ducts being adapted to supply a cooling or rinsing agent in a controlled fashion via holding element ducts (13, 15) in the holding elements (6, 7) for application of the agent onto the workpiece (10), wherein each of the holding element ducts (13, 15) is connected directly to a housing duct (25) running in a selected one of the housing (2) of the steady rest (1) or in a cover (3) of the housing (2) by means of an opening (21, 22) that runs concentrically to the articulated pins (8, 9) of the holding elements (6 or 7) and has a kidney-shaped profile and is sealed laterally.

2. The steady rest in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of the openings (21, 22) is worked into the cover (3) of the housing (2) with a constant distance from the axis of the articulated pins (8, 9) and the openings (21, 22) extends at least beyond an adjustment range of the outer holding elements (6, 7).

3. The steady rest in accordance with claim 1, wherein a selected one of the housing (2) and the cover (3) is provided with the housing duct (25) running in a straight line for transporting the rinsing or cooling agent into one of the openings (21, 22) and from which a side duct (27) branches off in order to supply the coolant or lubricant to the other outer holding element (7).

4. The steady rest in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of the openings (21, 22) is sealed by means of a circumferential seal (24) that is configured.

5. The steady rest in accordance with claim 1, wherein the interior (28) of the housing (2) of the steady rest (1) is sealed so it is liquid-tight, by means of a selected one of an O-ring and a gasket (29) inserted in a selected one of the housing (2), the cover (3), and between the housing and cover, and configured endlessly.

6. The steady rest in accordance with claim 5, wherein each gasket (29) is disposed generally concentrically around an articulated pins (8, 9) in a generally semicircular shape.

7. The steady rest in accordance with claim 5, wherein the interior (28) of the housing (2) of the steady rest (1) is pressurised by barrier air, supplied under positive pressure.

8. The steady rest in accordance with claim 5, wherein relief grooves (31) in communication with the atmosphere, and having a V-shaped cross section, are disposed in a selected one of the housing (2) and the cover (3), between the seals (24) enclosing the openings (21, 22) and the gasket (29) assigned to the interior (28) of the housing (2).

9. The steady rest in accordance with claim 8, wherein each relief groove (31) runs generally mid-way between the seals (24) and gaskets (29) and is in communication with the atmosphere in at least one end areas.