Position-adjusting device

• US 6,625,894 B1
• Filed: 06/08/2000
• Issued: 09/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kennametal Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Kennametal Incorporated
• Inventors: Bolden, Joseph G., Kovach, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): TSAI, HENRY
• Application Number:
  US09/590,706
• Time in Patent Office: 1,209 Days
• Field of Search: 821/51, 821/15, 821/58, 821/70, 821/73, 821/22, 821/17, 332/01, 335/48, 335/49, 335/03, 335/04
• US Class Current: 33/201
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 17/2216 for adjusting the tool into its holder B23Q17/0923 - B23Q17/0942 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 17/2225 with the toolholder as reference-element
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/061 height gauges

Abstract

A device and method for adjusting the position of machine tools relative to tool clamps. The device includes a plurality of tool clamps, a surface plate defining a flat surface, an adjustment member and a gauging system. Each tool clamp is adapted to support a tool relative to the flat surface. The adjustment member is adapted to adjust each tool relative to a respective one of the tool clamps and a gauging system including a measuring unit adapted to engage each of the tools in each respective one of the tool clamps and to move to any desired position along a common plane to permit the measuring unit to align with each of the tools supported by each respective tool clamp.

Claims

1. A device for adjusting the position of machine tools relative to tool clamps, said device comprising:

a surface plate defining a flat surface;

a plurality of tool clamps supported relative to said flat surface, each said tool clamp being adapted to support a tool;

an adjustment member adapted to adjust each tool relative to a respective one of said tool clamps; and

a gauging system including a measuring unit adapted to engage each of the tools in each respective one of said tool clamps and to move to any desired position along a common plane to permit said measuring unit to align with each of the tools supported by each respective tool clamp.

2. The device of claim 1, further including a plurality of pots secured to said surface plate, each said pot being adapted to support a respective one of said tool clamps.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein each said tool clamp is adapted to be secured to a respective one of said pots by a clamp assembly.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein each said adjustment member includes a fine adjusting screw having an end that is adapted to engage each respective one of the tools in each respective one of said tool clamps.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein each said fine adjusting screw is threaded into a respective adjusting screw housing supported relative to said surface plate.

6. The device of claim 1, further including a gauging system including a measuring unit and a display unit connected to the measuring unit, said measuring unit being adapted to engage each of the tools in each respective one of said tool clamps, said display unit providing a visual indication representing the position of each tool as the position of the tool is adjusted.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said measuring unit is supported by a measuring unit clamp being supported by a pivot bar.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said measuring unit clamp includes opposing clamp ends, a first one of said clamp ends is adapted to support said measuring unit, and a second one of said clamp ends is adapted to be secured to said pivot bar.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein said pivot bar is adapted to pivot to permit said measuring unit clamp to move within a plane parallel to said flat surface defined by said surface plate to permit said measuring unit to align with each of the tools supported by each respective tool clamp.

10. The device of claim 6, wherein said measuring unit is adapted to move along an arc and said tool clamps are arranged along an arc having a radius equal to the arc of movement of said measuring unit and a focal point coaxial to that of the arc of movement of said measuring unit.

11. The device of claim 7, wherein an end of said pivot bar is pivotally secured to a support shaft.

12. A device for adjusting the position of machine tools relative to tool clamps, said device comprising:

a surface plate defining a flat surface;

a plurality of tool clamps supported relative to said flat surface, each said tool clamp being adapted to support a tool;

a plurality of adjustment members, each said adjustment member being adapted to adjust each tool relative to a respective one of said tool clamps; and

a gauging system including;

a measuring unit; and

a display unit connected to said measuring unit, said measuring unit being adapted to engage each of the tools in each said tool clamp, said display unit providing a visual indication representing the position of each tool as the position of the tool is adjusted.

13. The device of claim 12, further including a plurality of pots secured to said surface plate, each said pot being adapted to support a respective one of said tool clamps.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein each said tool clamp is adapted to be secured to a respective one of said pots by a clamp assembly.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein each said adjustment member includes a fine adjusting screw threaded into an adjusting screw housing supported relative to said surface plate, each said fine adjusting screw having an end that is adapted to engage the tool in each respective one of said tool clamps.

16. The device of claim 12, wherein said measuring unit is supported by a measuring unit clamp being supported by a pivot bar, said measuring unit clamp including opposing clamp ends, a first one of said clamp ends being adapted to support said measuring unit, a second one of the clamp ends is adapted to be secured to said pivot bar.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein said pivot bar is adapted to pivot to permit said measuring unit clamp to move within a plane parallel to said flat surface defined by said surface plate to permit said measuring unit to align with each of the tools supported by each respective tool clamp.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein said measuring unit is adapted to move along an arc and said tool clamps are arranged along an arc having a radius equal to the arc of movement of said measuring unit and a focal point coaxial to that of the arc of movement of said measuring unit.

19. A method for adjusting the position of a tool relative to a tool clamp comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a clamp and a measuring device spaced apart from the clamp;

(b) inserting a tool into the clamp;

(c) engaging the tool with the measuring device;

(d) adjusting the position of the tool to achieve a desired measurement as determined by the measuring device; and

(e) tightening the clamp upon the tool to hold the tool in a fixed position;

(f) providing at least one additional clamp;

(g) supporting the clamps in a co-planar relationship with one another;

(h) inserting an additional tool in the additional clamp;

(i) aligning the measuring device with the additional tool after step (e) and engaging the additional tool with the measuring device;

(j) adjusting the position of the additional tool to achieve a measurement as determined by the measuring device identical to the measurement achieved in step (d); and

(k) tightening the additional clamp upon the additional tool to hold the additional tool in a fixed position.