GB1150471A - Improvements in or relating to Machine Tools - Google Patents

Abstract

1,150,471. Multi-spindle lathes. B.S.A: TOOLS Ltd. 24 April, 1967 [5 Feb., 1966], No. 5150/66. Heading B3T. In a multi-spindle lathe having a main drive motor for the spindles 2, there is provided at least one variable speed motor 10, independent of the main motor, which is movable, directly or indirectly, into and out of driving engagement with one or more of the spindles and each spindle has means whereby it can be connected to and disconnected from the main drive so that one or more of the spindles may be rotated independently of the remaining spindles. The or each independent motor 10 is movable on slides 13 for engagement via pinions 11, 12 with a gear 9 on each respective spindle 2, tachometer means 16 co-operating with an electrical interlocking system controlling the motor speed to ensure clean engagement between the gears. Each spindle is normally driven from a main gear 1 through a spindle gear 3 which is journalled on a clutch outer member 4 on which it rotates through the medium of an overrunning spragg clutch 5. From the clutch outer member 4 a slow speed drive is transmitted to the spindle whenever clutch members 4 and 6 are engaged. When the independent motor is in driving engagement with the spindle via the gear 9 the spindle may be driven at a higher speed than that from the main drive facilitated by the overrunning clutch 5. A spindle brake 7, 8 is provided on each spindle. An independent motor may be adapted to drive one or a pair of the spindles or alternatively two or more motors may be provided to permit several or all of the spindles to be driven at different rotational speed to one another. The motors may be electrically or fluid operated.