Hydraulically powered spindle for working metals and composite materials
DCFirst Claim
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1. A metal and composite material working system comprising:
- (1) a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid,(2) a hydraulic motor coupled to said source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and having a powered output shaft,(3) a spindle having a spindle shaft directly connected to said powered output shaft, said spindle shaft rotatably supported in a housing directly connected to said motor,(4) a tool coupled to said spindle shaft and adapted for rotatably engaging a workpiece,(5) computer controlled machine tool mounting means configured for mounting said hydraulic motor and spindle assembly to a computer controlled machine tool in movable, accurately controllable relation with said workpiece so that said tool accurately engages said workpiece.
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Abstract
A machining system and method is provided wherein a hydraulic motor of the gear-type where high RPMs are desired, or a piston or GEROLER-type motor where high torque and lower RPMs are desired is mounted to a spindle forming a spindle assembly mountable to a robotic manipulator or other machine tool. Significantly, cutting tools or bits mounted in the spindle are provided with cutting edges having neutral or negative angles, which have been found to greatly facilitate machining operations in composite and other esoteric aerospace and aeronautical materials.
61 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A metal and composite material working system comprising:
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(1) a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, (2) a hydraulic motor coupled to said source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and having a powered output shaft, (3) a spindle having a spindle shaft directly connected to said powered output shaft, said spindle shaft rotatably supported in a housing directly connected to said motor, (4) a tool coupled to said spindle shaft and adapted for rotatably engaging a workpiece, (5) computer controlled machine tool mounting means configured for mounting said hydraulic motor and spindle assembly to a computer controlled machine tool in movable, accurately controllable relation with said workpiece so that said tool accurately engages said workpiece. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12)
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2. A metal and composite material working system comprising:
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(1) a high pressure, high powered source of hydraulic fluid, (2) a hydraulic motor capable of developing power inherent in said high pressure, high powered source of hydraulic fluid, said motor coupled to said high pressure, high powered source of hydraulic fluid and having an output shaft, (3) a spindle having a spindle shaft coupled to said powered output shaft, said spindle shaft rotatably supported in a housing coupled to said motor, said motor and said housing configured to be readily mounted to a movable robotic member, (4) a material working tool coupled to said spindle shaft for rotatably engaging a workpiece. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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9. An end mill adapted to be mounted in a high power hydraulically powered spindle, said end mill capable of functioning as a drill and comprising:
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a shaft, a plurality of cutting edges on an end of said shaft, said plurality of cutting edges being generally perpendicular to an axis of said shaft and having a neutral to negative radial rake for scraping and shearing material from a workpiece, and a plurality of spiral flutes along sides of said shaft, said spiral flutes spiraling about said shaft in a direction opposite to rotation of said shaft so that axial forces that otherwise would tend to draw said end mill into said workpiece are eliminated, whereby wear and breakage of said end mill is greatly reduced. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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Specification