Low mass spindle and Z-axis unit
US5108236A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 24, 1990 |
| Grant date | Apr 28, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 24, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T409/305544
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A spindle and Z-axis unit comprises a spindle housing and a hollow rotor shaft rotatable and axially movable with respect to the spindle housing. The rotor shaft carries a collet at its lower end for chucking a machine tool such as a drill bit. The tool is changed in the collet by pneumatic actuation of a diaphragm which actuates a push rod within the rotor shaft to move the collet axially against a spring bias to clamp and unclamp the tool. The shaft is moved in the Z-direction along with a thrust bearing assembly by a screw nut which actuates a road to move the rotor shaft in the Z-direction to drill a workpiece after a pressure foot has first been moved to clamp the workpiece with respect to the spindle. Thus, the moving weight or mass previously attributable to parts such as a spindle saddle and spindle housing can be eliminated without impairing the reliability and chucking force of the collet mechanism.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.