GB2037212A - Vertical turning machines - Google Patents

Abstract

A vertical turning machine for large size work-pieces, such as railway vehicle wheels comprises a base (10) on which is mounted a chuck (11) rotatable about a vertical axis and at least two tool turrets (22, 23) mounted generally circumferentially of the axis on independent supports (15, 16), whereby each turret is favourably arranged to accept working loads, independently of the other or others. Each turret is vertically and horizontally movable on slides (17-20). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Vertical turning machines This invention relates to vertical turning machines of the kind comprising a base on which is mounted a chuck for carrying a workpiece, the chuck being mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, and at least two tool turrets for carrying tools to work on the workpiece, as it rotates in the chuck.

Vertical turning machines of this kind are generally of large size and are intended for machining large workpieces. With such machines, the machining loads are also large and precautions must be taken to provide adequate support or reaction for the loads.

In conventional machines of this kind there are two tool turrets adjustably mounted on a beam extending across the machine above the chuck, the turrets being located at opposite sides of a plane passing through the vertical axis of the chuck. The turrets are thus arranged so that working loads on tools on one of them are directly applied onto the beam. The other turret however has working loads on its tools applied in the opposite direction, that is away from the beam. There is thus good support or reaction for the said one turret but that for the other turret is unfavourable.

It is the object of this invention to provide a vertical turning machine in which tool turret support or reaction to machining loads is favourable on all the turrets.

According to the invention a vertical turning machine comprises a base, a chuck mounted for rotation about a vertical axis on the base and at least two tool turrets, the turrets being mounted on individual supports on the base, the turrets being presented generally circumferentially with respect to the axis of vertical rotation of the chuck and angularly spaced with respect to one another about said axis, so that working loads are applied directly onto the supports for the turrets respectively.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I is a perspective view of a vertical turning machine constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine; and Figure 3 is a side elevation view of the machine.

The vertical turning machine shown is a large scale machine intended for machining large workpieces such as railway wagon wheels or other similar large circular workpieces.

The machine comprises a base 10 on which is rotatably mounted a chuck 11. The chuck is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, indicated in Figures 1 and 2 by numeral 12. The chuck 11 has movable jaws 13 adjustable radially with respect to the axis 12 to grip a workpiece in conventional manner. A mechanism (not illustrated) is provided for adjustment of the jaws.

Fixed to the base is an electric motor 14 providing drive for the machine and in particular for rotating the chuck 11 on the base 10. This drives through a gearbox and in this example extends generally tangentially with respect to the axis 12.

There are two supports 15, 16 mounted independently of one another on the base 10. Each comprises a large superstructure having a horizontal slideway 17, 18 respectively. The two supports are arranged at angularly spaced positions with respect to the axis 12 of the chuck and the two slideways 17, 18 are mutually perpendicular. The two supports are disposed at opposite sides of a plane indicated at 19 passing through the said axis 12. This plane is notional and is shown by way of example laying parallel with the slideway 17. Essentially it lies between the supports 15, 16.

Mounted on the respective slideways 17, 18 are slides 20, 21 which in turn carry respective indexable tool turrets 22, 23. The slides 20, 21 are in two parts.

One part is mounted directly on the slide 17 or 18 and the other part is mounted on the first part for adjustment in a vertical plane and directly carries the turret 22 or 23.

There are electric motors 24, 25, 26, 27 for carrying out horizontal or vertical adjustment of the slides 20, 21 as required. To carry the power cables to the motors 26, 27 which control vertical movement of the slides 20, 21 there are armoured flexible casings 28,29.

The slides can be adjusted by the electric motors through conventional rack and pinion or screw and nut mechanisms in known manner.

The tool turrets 22, 23 are square blocks having slots 30 to accept the tool holders which in turn carry the tools for machining the workpiece. Alternatively, the slots may be of dove-tail shape.

The tool turrets 22, 23 are presented in directions mutually perpendicular to one another such directions being substantially circumferentially arranged with respect to the axis 12 of rotation of the chuck 11.

The tool turrets 22, 23 are disposed over the chuck 11 although it is possible to adjust them to positions in which they lie outside the perimeter of the chuck.

The circumferential disposition of the turrets 22, 23 is preferred but they must be disposed at small angles with respect to said circumferential disposition if required.

Furthermore, the supports may be disposed so that the slideways and therefore the turrets are not presented in mutually perpendicular directions. It is, however, necessary that machining loads are, in use, absorbed directly from the tools carried on the respective turrets into the respective supports.

The machine is shown in Figure 2 with a tank 31 for containing coolant and all the Figures show a control unit 32 mounted on an arm 33 which is carried on the support 16. This control provides centralised switches and other devices for control of the functions of the machine.

Figure 3 also shows machine guards 34 which may be raised from the position shown, to screen the machining area.

In an alternative construction more than two supports with respective turrets are provided but in all cases the turrets are mounted on supports in such a manner that machining loads are applied directly onto the respective supports.

Claims (5)

1. A vertical turning machine comprising a base, a chuck mounted for rotation about a vertical axis on the base and at least two tool turrets, the turrets being mounted on individual supports on the base, the turrets being presented generally circumferentially with respect to the axis of vertical rotation of the chuck and angularly spaced with respect to one another about said axis, so that working loads are applied directly onto the supports for the turrets respectively.

2. A vertical turning machine as claimed in claim 1 in which the supports for the turrets are secured independently of one another to the base.

3. A vertical turning machine as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 in which the turrets have respective mutually perpendicularly adjustable slides.

4. Avertical turning machine as claimed in any one of claims 1,2 and 3, in which the turrets are presented circumferentially with respect to the axis of the chuck.

5. A vertical turning machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.