GB2045668A

GB2045668A - Machine tooling arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2045668A
Application number: GB8010722A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Webster & Bennet Ltd
Current assignee: Webster & Bennet Ltd
Priority date: 1979-04-10
Filing date: 1980-03-31
Publication date: 1980-11-05
Also published as: GB2045668B

Abstract

A machine tool has a rotary workpiece support 12 for carrying a workpiece W and conveniently being mounted at a plane inclined to the horizontal, two tooling arrangements 18-22 and 25-27 being arranged for machining of the workpiece but only one of the tooling arrangements 18-22 permitting machining to the centre of the workpiece support and travel of the other tooling arrangement 25-27 being limited on its slideway to a position spaced from the axis precluding possible collision of the tooling arrangements. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Machine tools This invention relates to machine tools particularly lathes or large boring machines. Such a machine has a rotary workpiece support which may be on a vertical, horizontal or on an inclined axis and tooling arrangements on at least two slideways which move in mutually transverse, usually mutually perpendicular transverse directions.

On such machines the travel of the slides on the slideways allows the tools to reach the centre of the workpiece support so that machining of the whole of a solid workpiece can take place or so that other machining operations to the centre can be accomplished.

With such tooling arrangements it is always possible, on conventional machines that the tools in the respective slides may collide. This will cause damage to tools, workpiece and to the slides and associated equipment. On larger machines furthermore, the inertia of the parts may be such that the damage may be very extensive. On numerically controlled machines the risk exists that an error in the programme will result in collision.

The object of this invention is to provide a machine tool in which the risk of such collision is removed.

According to the invention a machine tool is provided with a rotary workpiece support and at least two mutually transverse slideways on which respective tooling arrangements are mounted, the travel of the tooling arrangements on one of the slideways permitting machining to the centre of ghe workpiece support and the travel of the tooling arrangements on the other slideway being limited to a position spaced from the centre of the workpiece support, by a distance precluding the collision of the tooling arrangements on the respective slideways.

The invention will now bw described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a machine tool constructed in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is an end elevation view thereof, Figure 3 is a plan view, Figure 4 is a side elevation view of an alternative form of machine tool constructed in accordance with the invention, Figure 5 is an end elevation view thereof, and Figure 6 is a plan view thereof.

Referring to the machine tool shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 this is a numerically controlled machine having a base 10 defining an inclined upwardly and laterally presented surface 11. Mounted on an axis perpendicular to such surfaces 11 is a workpiece support 12 on which is shown a workpiece indicated at W.

The workpiece support 12 is rotated by an electric motor 13 mounted on the base driving a main spindle through a gearbox 14 and rotary coupling 15. The whole of the drive train is not however illustrated.

The base contains swarf and coolant clearance systems which are situated at the lower end of the sloping surface 11. Such apparatus is generally indicated in Fig. 1 by numeral 16.

Tooling arrangements are provided on the base and these include a support structure 17 extending along one side of the machine on which is provided a slideway 18. On this slideway is mounted a saddle 19. This slideway 18 is arranged so that the saddle 19 can movw towards and away from the position of the workpiece W in a plane parallel with the axis of rotation of the workpiece support 12.

Carried on the saddle 19 is a carriage 20 on which in turn is mounted a slide 21 which carries a tool turret 22. This assembly is capable of bringing a tool on the turret 22 to the centre of the workpiece and in the drawings it is shown in such a position. The mutually perpendicular directions of the slideway 18 and the slideway on the saddle 19 allow movement of the tools appropriate for carrying out machining operations.

At the end of the machine opposite to the workpiece support 12 is a further tool support structure 23. This has a slideway 24 inclined to the horizontal and also parallel to the axis of rotation of the workpiece support 12. This slideway 24 carries a saddle 25 on which in turn is mounted a slide 26 carrying a further tool turret 27. The slideways are arranged mutually perpendicularly so that the tools on the turret 27 can be moved in appropriate directions for carrying out machining operations on the workpiece but there is a limitation on such movement. It can be seen from Fig.

3 that the saddle 25 will not allow the slide 26 to slide towards the tool support structure 17 as far as the position of the axis of the workpiece support 1 2. It will only approach the centre to a position in which it will be clear of the permitted travel of the turret 22 on its support. This limitation ensures that tooling carried on the respective turrets 22 and 27 cannot collide. It is therefore impossible to machine to the centre of the workpiece using the turret 27 but this can be accomplished using the turret 22. On such a numerically controlled machine it is arranged that cutting on outer portions of the workpiece is normally accomplished using tools on the turret 27 whereas cutting to the centre is accomplished with tools on the turret 22.

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 show an alternative machine having the same characteristics as to base and workpiece support as those in the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. This is also a numerically controlled machine having a workpiece support which is mounted on an inclined axis.

Tooling arrangements on this machine include a tool support structure 30 at the end of the machine opposite the workpiece support 12. This tool support structure has a first slideway 31 on which is mounted a saddle 32. This is arranged to move in a plane which is laterally offset from the axis of the workpiece support 12, and which is in a plane parallel with the surface 11 on which the workpiece support 12 is mounted. The saddle carries a slide 33 on which is mounted a tool turret 34. As illustrated, this turret is situated on the axis of the workpiece support 12 and therefore cutting can take place to said axis by means of tools carried on the turret 34.

The workpiece support structure 30 however has a further slideway 35 which is perpendicular to the slideway 31. This carries a saddle 36 on which is mounted a slide 37 carrying a turret 38.

As can be seen particularly from Fig. 6 this turret 38 is restrained from movement towards the axis of the workpiece support 12 to a position which will preclude collision between tooling carried on the respective turrets 34 and 38.

Other tooling arrangements are possible but in all cases interference and collision between the respective turrets is prevented by limiting their possible travel in directions towards one another.

In place of the turrets, other known tooling supports may be provided including, if desired, tool changing apparatus.

Claims

1. A machine tool provided with a rotary workpiece support and at least two mutually transverse slideways on which respective tooling arrangements are mounted, the travel of the tooling arrangements on one of the slideways permitting machining to the centre of the workpiece support and the travel of the tooling arrangements on the other slideway being limited to a position spaced from the centre of the workpiece support, by a distance precluding the collision of the tooling arrangements on the respective slideways.

2. A machine tool as claimed in claim 1 in which the workpiece support is mounted for rotation about an axis at an inclination to the horizontal, the tooling arrangements being arranged to move towards and away from said axis in mutually perpendicular directions.

3. A machine tool as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the tooling arrangements include slides and slideways permitting relative adjustment in two mutually perpendicular planes.

4. A machine tool as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which one or more of the tooling arrangements carries a tool turret to which tools are securable to machine a workpiece carried on the workpiece support.

5. A machine tool substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

6. A machine tool substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.