Broken tool detector
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A detecting apparatus for a machine tool comprising;
- a head member, a spindle assembly supported by said head member, means for rotating said spindle assembly and moving it axially from an initial position through a full cycle including an approach phase in which said spindle assembly and a workpiece are moved relative to each other and a feed phase during which work is done on said workpiece, a tool supported by said spindle for rotation therewith and limited axial movement relative thereto, means biasing said tool and spindle to an axially extended position and resisting relative axial movement with a predetermined force when said tool engages an obstacle, means associated with said spindle and being responsive to relative axial movement of said spindle and said tool to generate a signal, a timer activated for a predetermined period of time in a selected one of said phases, said timer being responsive to the presence of said generated signal in said feed phase to continue said cycle and being responsive to said generated signal in said approach phase to discontinue said cycle.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A detecting apparatus for machine tools with rotating spindles having adapter for holding tools such that when any of the tools engage an obstacle such as another broken tool or a workpiece, a signal is generated and is transmitted to a timer activated for predetermined periods of time during selected phases of operation. The timer is responsive to the presence or to the absence of a signal during its active period to continue or to discontinue the cycle of machining operations.
-
Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A detecting apparatus for a machine tool comprising;
- a head member, a spindle assembly supported by said head member, means for rotating said spindle assembly and moving it axially from an initial position through a full cycle including an approach phase in which said spindle assembly and a workpiece are moved relative to each other and a feed phase during which work is done on said workpiece, a tool supported by said spindle for rotation therewith and limited axial movement relative thereto, means biasing said tool and spindle to an axially extended position and resisting relative axial movement with a predetermined force when said tool engages an obstacle, means associated with said spindle and being responsive to relative axial movement of said spindle and said tool to generate a signal, a timer activated for a predetermined period of time in a selected one of said phases, said timer being responsive to the presence of said generated signal in said feed phase to continue said cycle and being responsive to said generated signal in said approach phase to discontinue said cycle.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
Specification