Machine tool with improved tool changer means

• US 6,416,450 B2
• Filed: 07/28/1999
• Issued: 07/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thermwood Corporation
• Original Assignee: Thermwood Corporation
• Inventors: Susnjara, Kenneth J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wellington, A. L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ergenbright, Erica
• Application Number:
  US09/362,106
• Publication Number:
  US 20020006853A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,077 Days
• Field of Search: 483/1, 483/4, 483/5, 483/7-11, 483/38, 483/47, 483/50, 483/51, 483/64, 483/902, 279/900, 211/69, 211/70.6, 294/110, 294/110.1, 294/110.2
• US Class Current: 483/47
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 2003/15537 Linearly moving storage devices
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 2003/155421 the grippers moving independently from each other
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 2003/155432 about different axes
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 2003/155446 with translation of the pivoting axis
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/15536 Non-rotary fixed racks
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/15539 Plural magazines, e.g. involving tool transfer from one magazine to another involving manual operation B23Q3/15533
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/1554 Transfer mechanisms, e.g. tool gripping arms; Drive mechanisms therefore
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/15706 a single tool being inserted in a spindle directly from a storage device, i.e. without using transfer devices B23Q3/15786 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/1574 the axis of the stored tools being arranged perpendicularly to the rotating or circulating plane of the storage means
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/15746 the storage means comprising pivotable tool storage elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 483/902 Tool grippers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 483/1752 including tool holder pivotable about axis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 483/1774 Distinct tool changer for each tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 483/1781 Tool holder pivotable about plural nonparallel axes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 483/1783 including linearly translatable tool changer [e.g., shuttle, ram, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 483/1855 including tool replenishing

Abstract

A tool changer for a machine tool having a toolhead assembly including a spindle with device for detachable securing a tool thereto, generally consisting of at least one device for holding a tool detachably securable to the spindle, pivotally connected to the assembly and angularly displaceable in a plane including the axis of the spindle between a retracted position and an extended position for transferring a tool between the tool holding device and the spindle; and device for angularly displacing the tool holding device between such retracted and extended positions.

Claims

1. A tool changer for a machine tool having a toolhead assembly including a spindle with means for detachably securing a tool thereto, comprising:

at least one means for releasably holding a tool detachably securable to said spindle, pivotally connected to said assembly and angularly displaceable in a plane including the axis of said spindle between a retracted, nontransfer position wherein a tool is stored therein and an extended, transfer position for releasing a tool to or accepting a tool from said spindle; and

means for angularly displacing said at least one holding means between said retracted, nontransfer and extended, transfer positions, operable to maintain said at least one holding means at said extended transfer position while the tool is released to or accepted from said spindle, and then to displace said at least one holding means to said retracted, nontransfer position;

wherein in operation, once said tool is released from said at least one holding means to said spindle, said means for angularly displacing is operable to displace said at least one holding means to said retracted, nontransfer position while said tool is held by said spindle.

2. A tool changer according to claim 1 wherein said at least one holding means includes a gripping section disposable in axial alignment with said spindle when said at least one holding means is in said extended, transfer position, for yieldably gripping a tool.

3. A tool changer according to claim 2 wherein said gripping section includes a set of spring biased portions.

4. A tool changer according to claim 2 wherein said gripping section includes a set of arcuately spaced, substantially parallel finger portions, biased radially inwardly relative to the axis of a circumference including an arc along which said finger portions are spaced.

5. A tool changer according to claim 1 wherein said at least one holding means has a J-shaped arm section pivotally connected to said assembly and a gripping section disposable in axial alignment with said spindle when said at least one holding means is in said extended, transfer position for yieldably gripping a tool.

6. A tool changer according to claim 5 wherein said gripping section is disposed on a free end of said arm section.

7. A tool changer according to claim 6 wherein said gripping section includes a set of arcuately spaced, substantially parallel finger portions, biased radially inwardly relative to the axis of a circumference including an arc along which said finger portions are spaced.

8. A tool changer according to claim 1 wherein said displacing means is operated by a controller.

9. A tool changer according to claim 1 wherein the operation of said displacing means is controlled by a program executed by a controller.

10. A tool changer according to claim 1 wherein said displacing means comprises a fluid actuated cylinder assembly.

11. A tool changer according to claim 1 wherein said displacing means comprises an air actuated cylinder assembly.

12. A tool changer according to claim 1 including a plurality of said at least one holding means arcuately spaced relative to the axis of said spindle, each angularly displaceable between said retracted, nontransfer and extended transfer positions by a separate displacing means.

13. A tool changer according to claim 12 wherein said displacing means are selectively operated by a controller.

14. A tool changer according to claim 12 wherein the operation of said displacing means is controlled by a program executed by a controller.

15. A tool head assembly for a machine tool comprising:

a support means mountable on said machine tool;

a spindle supported on said support means and having means for detachably securing a tool thereto;

at least one means for releasably holding a tool detachably securable to said spindle, pivotally connected to said support means and angularly displaceable between a retracted, nontransfer position wherein a tool is stored therein and an extended, transfer position for releasing a tool to or accepting a tool from said spindle; and

means for angularly displacing said at least one holding means between said retracted, nontransfer and extended, transfer positions, operable to maintain said at least one holding means at said extended transfer position while the tool is released to or accepted from said spindle, and then to displace said at least one holding means to said retracted, nontransfer position;

wherein in operation, once said tool is released from said at least one holding means to said spindle, said means for angularly displacing is operable to displace said at least one holding means to said retracted, nontransfer position while said tool is held by said spindle.

16. A toolhead assembly according to claim 15 wherein said at least one holding means includes a gripping section disposable in axial alignment with said spindle when said at least one holding means is in said extended, transfer position, for yieldably gripping a tool.

17. A toolhead assembly according to claim 16 wherein said gripping section includes a set of spring biased portions.

18. A toolhead assembly according to claim 16 wherein said gripping section includes a set of arcuately spaced, substantially parallel finger portions, biased radially inwardly relative to the axis of a circumference including an arc along which said finger portions are spaced.

19. A toolhead assembly according to claim 15 wherein said at least one holding means has a J-shaped arm section pivotally connected to said support means and a gripping section disposable in axial alignment with said spindle when said at least one holding means is in said extended, transfer position, for yieldably gripping a tool.

20. A toolhead assembly according to claim 19 wherein said gripping section is disposed on a free end of said arm section.

21. A toolhead assembly according to claim 20 wherein said gripping section includes a set of arcuately spaced, substantially parallel finger portions, biased radially inwardly relative to the axis of a circumference including an arc along which said fingers are spaced.

22. A toolhead assembly according to claim 15 wherein said displacing means is operated by a controller.

23. A toolhead assembly according to claim 15 wherein the operation of said displacing means is controlled by a program executed by a controller.

24. A toolhead assembly according to claim 15 wherein said displacing means comprises a fluid actuated cylinder assembly.

25. A toolhead assembly according to claim 15 wherein said displacing means comprises an air actuated cylinder assembly.

26. A toolhead assembly according to claim 15 including a plurality of said at least one holding means arcuately spaced relative to the axis of said spindle, each angularly displaceable between retracted, nontransfer and extended, transfer positions by a separate displacing means.

27. A toolhead assembly according to claim 26 wherein said displacing means are selectively operated by a controller.

28. A toolhead assembly according to claim 26 wherein the operation of said displacing means is controlled by a program executed by a controller.

29. A tool changer system for a machine comprising:

a toolhead assembly including a spindle with means for detachably securing a tool thereto;

at least one first means for releasably holding a tool detachably securable to said spindle, pivotally connected to said assembly and angularly displaceable in a plane including the axis of said spindle between a retracted, nontransfer position wherein a tool is stored therein and an extended, transfer position for releasing a tool to or accepting a tool from said spindle;

displaceable means for angularly displacing said at least one first holding means between said retracted, nontransfer and extended, transfer positions, operable to maintain said at least one first holding means at said extended transfer position while the tool is released to or accepted from said spindle, and then to displace said at least one first holding means to said retracted, nontransfer position;

at least one second means for holding a tool detachably securable to said spindle mounted on said machine, accessible to said spindle for yielding a tool to or accepting a tool from said spindle; and

means for positioning said spindle in relation to said at least one second holding means for transferring a tool therebetween;

wherein in operation, once said tool is released from said at least one first holding means to said spindle, said means for angularly displacing is operable to displace said at least one first holding means to said retracted, nontransfer position while said tool is held by said spindle.

30. A tool changer system according to claim 29 wherein said spindle includes a collet operable for selectively gripping and releasing a tool retained by either of said at least one first and at least one second holding means.

31. A tool changer system according to claim 29 wherein said at least one second holding means is stationary and said spindle is displaceable along orthogonal x, y and z-axes.

32. A tool changer system according to claim 31 wherein said at least one second holding means is mounted on a stationary worktable.

33. A tool changer system according to claim 31 wherein the angular displacement of said at least one first holding means and the displacement of said spindle along the x, y and z-axes is controlled by a programmed controller.

34. A tool changer system according to claim 29 wherein said at least one second holding means is displaceable along an x-axis and said spindle is displaceable along y and z-axes.

35. A tool changer system according to claim 34 wherein said at least one second holding means is mounted on a table displaceable along the x-axis.

36. A tool changer system according to claim 34 wherein the angular displacement of said at least one first holding means, the displacement of said at least one second holding means along the x-axis and the displacement of said spindle along the y and z-axes are controlled by a programmed controller.

37. A tool changer system for a machine comprising:

a toolhead assembly including a spindle with means for detachably securing a tool thereto;

at least one first means for releasably holding a tool detachably securable to said spindle, pivotally connected to said assembly and angularly displaceable in a plane including the axis of said spindle between a retracted, nontransfer position wherein a tool is stored therein and an extended, transfer position for releasing a tool to or accepting a tool from said spindle;

means for angularly displacing said at least one first holding means between said retracted, nontransfer and extended, transfer positions, operable to maintain said at least one first holding means at said extended transfer position while the tool is released to or accepted from said spindle, and then to displace said at least one first holding means to said retracted, nontransfer position;

at least one second means for holding a tool detachably securable to said spindle mounted on a unit separate from said machine, accessible to said spindle for yielding a tool to or accepting a tool from said spindle; and

means for positioning said spindle in relation to said at least one second holding means for transferring a tool between said spindle and said at least one second holding means;

wherein in operation, once said tool is released from said at least one first holding means to said spindle, said means for angularly displacing is operable to displace said at least one first holding means to said retracted, nontransfer position while said tool is held by said spindle.

38. A tool changer system according to claim 37 wherein said unit includes a plurality of said second holding means and means for indexing selected ones of said second holding means in relation to said spindle for transferring a tool between said selected second holding means and said spindle.

39. A tool changer system according to claim 37 wherein said spindle is displaceable along orthogonal x, y and z-axis.

40. A tool changer system according to claim 37 wherein said machine includes a workpiece support table displaceable along an x-axis and said spindle is displaceable along y and z-axes.

41. A tool changer system according to claim 37 wherein said at least one first holding means and said spindle are displaceable responsive to a program executed by a controller.

42. A tool changer system according to claim 37 including at least one third means for holding a tool detachably securable to said spindle, mounted on said machine and accessible to said spindle for yielding a tool to or accepting a tool from said spindle, and wherein said positioning means also is operable for positioning said spindle in relation to said at least one third holding means for transferring a tool between said at least one third holding means and said spindle.

43. A tool changer system according to claim 42 wherein said spindle is displaceable along orthogonal x, y and z-axes.

44. A tool changer system according to claim 42 wherein said machine includes a workpiece support table displaceable along an x-axis and said spindle is displaceable along y and z-axes.

45. A tool changer system according to claim 42 wherein said at least one first holding means and said spindle are displaceable responsive to a selected program executed by a controller.

46. A tool changer system according to claim 45 wherein said at least one first holding means, said workpiece support table and said spindle are displaceable responsive to a program executed by a controller.