Tool change apparatus for machining center and the like
US4817267A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 19, 1987 |
| Grant date | Apr 4, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 19, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T483/1767
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A tool change apparatus for a machining center and the like comprises a spindle head vertically slidably mounted on a column, and a spindle rotatably mounted in the spindle head. The spindle has at the lower end thereof a tapered tool reception bore in which a tool is releasably held. When a draw bar is shifted upwards, resilient clamper arms are forced to enter a reduced bore to be contracted thereby so that a head of the tool is clamped. When the draw bar is shifted downwards, engageable end portions are moved into an enlarged recess-like portion whereby the clamper arms are allowed to expand outwards to release the head of the tool. Even when the head is released, a stop pin urged by a spring continues to engage the head of the tool whereby the tool is still held by the spindle. Tools are held by a series of magazine pots. Each pot is indexed to a tool change station. A tool change shaft has two oppositely extending pairs of tool change arms which function to transfer tools between an indexed tool pot and the spindle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.