FR2474365A1 - IMPROVEMENT IN MILLING MACHINES COMPRISING AN AUTOMATIC TOOL LOADER - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an improvement to milling machines which have a machine frame on which a column is displaceable in a horizontal direction, which column has a vertically movable slide on which a horizontally movable extension arm is mounted in turn. In order to considerably increase the working capacity of a milling machine of this type, it is proposed according to the invention that the extension arm be provided at each of its ends with a spindle head which has a milling spindle, and that two release tables be arranged on each side of the machine frame (1), between which release tables one automatic tool-change device each is located.

Description

The current. invention to date subject to improvement in milling machines
Milling machines are known which are: made up of a frame on which moves an upright carrying a vertical displacement carriage on which is mounted a horizontally moving slide and comprising at one of its ends a tool-holder spindle .

However, such a machine tool only allows one piece to be produced during a cycle.

However in certain cases, it can be advantageous to carry out with the same machine in maximum of parts
The present invention specifically relates to an improved milling machine to meet this type of machining.

 According to the present invention, the slide is provided at each of its ends with at least one machining head comprising a tool-holder spindle.

The design gives the milling machine according to the invention maximum productivity.

 Indeed, it is possible to machine 2, 4, 8 or 16 pieces at the same time depending on the number of pins chosen (double thanks to the possibility of installing them at each end of the slide).

 It is also possible to disassemble and assemble the parts in "hidden time" during machining.

Finally, it is possible to automatically change the tools mounted on at least eight spindles in time.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood on reading the following description of several exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 is a yue in éléyation of an embodiment of a milling machine according to the invention @ -t: ion.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the milling machine shown in FIG. 1.

Figure 3 is a side view of an embodiment of an automatic tool changer.

 Figure 4 is a plan view of another embodiment of a milling machine comprising a slide provided with several machining heads at each end.

 Figure 5 is a plan view of another embodiment of a milling machine having rotary tables.

Figure 6 is a plan view of another embodiment of a milling machine.

 In Figures 1 and 2 we have represented a @ embodiment of a milling machine according to the invention which comprises a frame 1 provided with horizontal slides 2 on which moves an upright 3 having vertical slides 4 on which is slidably mounted vertically a carriage 5 in which a slide 6 is mounted to slide horizontally.

At each of its ends, the slide 6 is provided with machining heads 7,7 a comprising a tool-holder spindle 8.

 On each side of the frame 1 are arranged two work-holding tables 9, 10 and da, IOa. Between which is mounted an automatic tool changer 11, il-a, so that the machining heads 7..7a moves respectively above tables 9, 10 and tables 9a, lOa as well as above tool changers ll and li a.

 The tool changers al, lia shown in Figure 3 consist of a support member 12 on which is rotatably mounted a plate 13 driven in rotation by a motor member not shown and controlled by a means related to operation of the milling machine.

 The plate 13 comprises housings 14 in which are engaged the tools 15 which are supported on the plate by a flange 16. Above the plate 13 is disposed a casing 17 containing holes 18 for the annealing @e the spindle 8 of the machining head.

 This arrangement allows by means of the heads. s machining 7, 7a to carry out the machining of the parts which are arranged on the tables 9, 9a and by moving the upright 3 on its base 1 to replace the 2 machining tools at the same time when the heads d machining 7.7 a are located above the tool changers 11, 11a.

 Then the displacement of the upright 3 on its frame 1 continues so that the machining heads 7, 7a are located above the tables 10, 10a to perform the machining of 2 new parts fixed on said tables.

 In Figure 4 there is shown another embodiment of a milling machine which consists of the same members as the embodiment mentioned above, however at each end of the flow 6 are provided on the two opposite sides of this last two pairs of machining heads 19 to 19 c and 20 to 20 c.

In this nDde of realization4 the provision
tables 9, 9a and 10, 10a and tool changers
11, 11a is identical to that of FIG. 2, Cepen
in the tool changer 11, 11a allows the change
tools automatically on the 8 spindles and even
time it can be replaced by four ali barrels
each lying a machining head.

Figures 5 and 6 show two
variants of the milling machine in which
the upright 3 is provided on its two opposite faces with
two 5.5a trolleys with synchronized vertical movement
each carrying a 6,6-a flow which is provided to each
of its ends of four machining heads 19 and 20
as in the case of Figure 5 or a single head
machining 7.7a as in FIG. 6.

The sliding movements are synchronized
for machining identical parts (16 parts)
or reversed for machining symmetrical parts.

In the two variants of realization, a single table-piece 21, 21a is arranged on the side
on the other side of frame 1, however this table is animated
of a translational and rotational movement for
allow the machining of the different parts it
supports during the installation of new parts
to @siner. Moreover at both ends of the
table 21, 21a are: available tool changers
22, 22a and 23, 23a which are of the type mentioned above.

Of course various modifications can
be made by those skilled in the art to the devices or
processes which have just been described only at
title of example no - n limitative, without leaving the framework of
the invention.

Claims (5)

EVENDIC, ATZONS 1. Improvement to milling machines consisting of a frame on which horizontally moves an upright carrying a carriage 3 vertical movement on which is mounted a sag moving horizontally, characterized in that the sag is provided at each of its ends with at least one machining head comprising a tool-holder spindle. 2. Improvement to milling machines following claim 1, characterized in that on each side of the frame are arranged two workpiece tables between which is mounted an automatic tool changer. 3. Improvement to milling machines according to claim 2, characterized in that the automatic tool changer consists of at least one pivoting plate having housings in which the tools are engaged. 4. Improvement to milling machines according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the upright is provided with two carriages moving vertically on two opposite faces of said upright and synchronized said carriages respectively carrying a horizontal displacement slide provided at each of its ends d '' at least one machining head comprising a tool holder spindle. 5. Improvement to milling machines according to claims 1 and 4, characterized in that on each side of the frame is arranged a piece table which is driven by a combined movement of translation and pivoting to allow the mounting of new workpieces during l machining, and in that at each end of said table is arranged an automatic tool changer allowing the simultaneous change of all the synchronized or inverted spindles.