GB2207478A

GB2207478A - Universal disc cam coupled to a motor

Info

Publication number: GB2207478A
Application number: GB08717892A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth Martin Lewry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-07-28
Filing date: 1987-07-28
Publication date: 1989-02-01
Also published as: GB8717892D0

Abstract

A universal disc cam 8, having a constant advance lobe over part of its periphery, actuates lever 10 to advance machine slide 15, the machine slide returned by means of spring 16. The universal disc cam 8, driven by wormwheel 4 and wormshaft 2 by a numerically controlled motor 1, positions the machine slide with desired strokes and feed rates. <IMAGE>

Description

UNIVERSAL DISC CAM COUPLED TO A N.C. MOTOR This invention relates to a universal disc cam and cam lever, coupled to a numerically controlled motor to position, reciprocate and control feed rates on machine elements, such as machine slides Disc cams are well known as a medium for advancing machine slides, movement is transferred to the machine slide by means of a pivoted cam lever having a geared quadrant. This type of mechanism is extensively used on the well known High Speed Automatic Lathe, a machine for producing repetition components from bar stock.

A new set of disc cams, however, has to be designed, manufactured and fitted for every new design of component to be produced, a relatively expensive procedure.

According to the present invention there is provided a universal disc cam coupled to a numerically controlled motor, means of transferring the cam throw to a machine slide by a cam lever and means to couple the numerically controlled motor to the universal disc cam by a worm and wormwheel drive.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows the universal disc cam, cam lever, drive from the numerically controlled motor and the machine slide.

Figure 2 shows a developed cross-sectional view of the cam mechanism and machine slide.

Referring to the drawing the mechanism comprises a numerically controlled motor 1, rotating workshaft 2, mounted on bearings 3 driving workwheel 4, mounted to shaft 5, with driving key 6. Shaft 5 rotates on bearings 7.

Disc cam 8 with a lobe producing a constant advance to the machine slide 15, driven by wormwheel 4 and pin 9. Cam lever 10, pivoted on shaft 11, has a freely rotating roller 12 at one end and at the other end a toothed quadrant 13 meshing with rack 14 to actuate machine slide 15. The machine slide 15 is returned after each operation by compression spring 16, keeping the roller 12 in contact with the disc cam 8.

A tommy bar hole 17 is furnished in cam lever 10 to provide manual operation of machine slide 15 whilst setting the machine.

Claims

1. A universal disc cam coupled to a numerically controlled motor, means of transferring the cam throw to a machine slide by a cam lever and means to couple the numerically controlled motor to the universal disc cam by a worm and wormwheel drive.

2. A universal disc cam coupled to a numerically controlled motor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cam throw actuates a cam lever to produce consistent movement to a machine slide.

3. A universal disc cam coupled to a numerically controlled motor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the numerically controlled motor provides means of positioning and controlling the feed rate of the machine slide.

4. A universal disc cam coupled to a numerically controlled motor as claimed in claim 3 wherein a single cam provides the means of producing a multiplicity of components.

5. A universal disc cam coupled to a numerically controlled motor as claimed in claim 1, wherein a rapid setting up time for the machine is provided.

6. A universal disc cam coupled to a numerically controlled motor, as claimed in claim 1, wherein means is provided for obtaining a high thrust on the machine slide from a low torque numerically controlled motor.

7. A universal disc cam coupled to a numerically controlled motor, as claimed in claim 3 wherein means is provided to mount additional universal disc cams on a common shaft to operate additional machine slides in sequence.

8. A universal disc cam coupled to a numerically controlled motor as described herein with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing.

8. A universal disc cam coupled to a numerically controlled motor, as claimed in claim 3 wherein means is provided for manually advancing the machine slide when setting by inserting a tommy-bar in the cam lever.

9. A universal disc cam coupled to a numerically controlled motor as described herein with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing.

Amendments to the claims have been filed ae follows 1. A universal disc cam coupled to a numerically controlled motor to operate a machine slide.

2. A universal disc cam coupled to a numerically controlled motor, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cam throw produces consistent movement to a machine slide.

4. A universal disc cam coupled to a numerically controlled motor as claimed in claim 3, wherein a single cam provides the means of producing a multiplicity of components.

7. A universal disc cam coupled to a numerically controlled motor,#as claimed in claim 3, wherein means is provided to mount additional universal disc cams on a common shaft to operate additional machine slides in sequence.