US1845478A - Automatic multiple spindle center turning machine - Google Patents

Description

Ebb. w, 1932. BULLARD JR 1,845,478

AUTOMATIC MULTIPLE SPINDLE CENTER TURNING MACHINE Filed Aug. 5, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet l FBalhinf '71.

Feb. 16, 3932. E. P. BULLARD. JR 1,845,478

AUTOMATIC MULTIPLE SPINDLE CENTER TURNING MACHINE Filed Aug. 3, 1929 6 She ets-She'et 2 INVENTOR. fid'wam'fflullaraf J7:

. A TTORNEYS.

Feb. 16, 1932. BULLARD JR 1,845,478

AUTOMATIC MULTIPLE SPINDLE CENTER TURNING MACHINE Filed Aug. 5, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

FfiullarafJr wmv A TTORNE YS.

Feb. 16, 1932. BULLARD, JR 1,845,478

AUTOMATIC MULTIPLE SPINDLE CENTER TURNING MACHINE Filed Aug. 3, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 1 IN V EN TOR.

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(2M QFA A TTORNEYS.

Feb. 16, 1932. 4 H p, BULLARD, JR 1,845,478

AUTOMATIC MULTIPLE SPINDLE CENTER TURNING MACHINE Filed Aug. 5, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.

Edward Ffiullaraf BY 2% W W A TTORNEYS.

Feb. 16, 1932. E. P. BULLARD. JR I 1 845478 AUTOMATIC MULTIPLE SPINDLE ,CENTER TURNING MACHINE Fild'Aug. 3, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 5mm y ATTORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWARD IP. BULIJARD, JB., OF STBATFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOB TO THE BULLABD COMPANY, OF BRIDGEPORT,

AUTOMATIC MULTIPLE CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION 01 CONNECTICUT SPINDLE CENTER TURNING MACHINE Application filed August 3, 1829- Serial No. 888,354.

The present invention relates to an automatic center-turning machine of the multiple spindle type, and has for an object to provide a machine having a circular series of work spindles, and in which the work is supported vertically between upper and lower center supports, adapted to move into relation with a circular series of tool carriers arranged for successive operation upon the work.

The present exemplar embodiment of the invention is illustrated 1n connection with a Bullard Mult-Au-Matic type of machine, wherein the circular series of work spindles are supported upon a rotatable carrier that is intermittently indexed, the work being conveyed from one set of tools to another. The tools for operation upon the work are arranged for vertical and horizontal traverse and feeding movements, being adapted for performing various machining operations and having one or more tools in each too head, depending upon the particular work being performed.

By center-turning machine I mean a machine adapted for turning relatively long cylindrical pieces of work when rotatably supported between centers and while being operated upon by one or more cutting tools. This includes the means herein shown comprising a revolving chuck for holding one end of the work and a center for supporting the opposite end of the work and also applies to other supporting means for holding the work between two centers and revolving it as by means of a face plate and a dog.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved type of multiple spindle center turning machine having independent variable or adjustable drive means for the several work spindles in combination with the respective tail stock supports and whereby each turning unit or station may employ a different and independent speed, best suited to the particular cutting operation to be performed at that station.

While the invention is shown-in connection with a station type of vertical spindle machine, the work being intermittently moved from one fixed station to the next,

obviously it may be applied to a continuous the accompanying drawings,

Contin-U-Matic, in which the work and tools move continuously about the machine while the machining operations take place.

A further ObJGCt is to provide a supporting means for the upper center supports whereby they are indivldually adjustable to different lengths of work, and are rigidly supported in relation to each other, and concentric to the tool supporting column, to the end that the work will be uniform and accurate, and torsional, vibratory and other strains will be minimized. Another object is to provide such center turning means which may be conveniently incorporated in the present types of Mult-Au-Matic and Contin- U-Matic machine tools.

A still further object is to provide a machine in which the tool operating means are arranged in alternate relation with the work supports.

With the above and other objects in view an embodiment of the invention is shown in and this embodiment will be hereinafter more fully described with reference thereto, and the invention will be finally pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings Fig. 1 shows a front elevational perspective view of a Mult-Au-Matic type of turning machine having my novel center-turning means applied thereto;

Fig. 2 shows a sectional plan view of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1, taken on an irregular horizontal line, in part above two of the work supporting drive plates, in part through two of the tail stock guides and in part just above. the remaining two of the tail stock guides;

Fig. 3 shows a central vertical sectional view taken through the machine in line with two of the work spindles, tail stocks and guides mounted upon the carriage;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged front elevation of one of the tail stock guides and a fragmentary showing of the adjoining parts of the machine, including an offset view of the tool slides;

Fig. -5 is a sectional elevationshowing a V Fig. 9 shows a vertical sectional View through the tail stock taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 7.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the machine shown therein, and in which the present improvements are embodied, is of the Bullard Mult-Au-Matic type, and consists generally of a baselO, upon the central portion of which is mounted a column 11, whose lower portion is substantially round, while the upper .por-

. tion is of a hexagonal shape. This column,

in part, serves as a central bearing around which the work carrier 12, that supports the vertical work spindles, is rotated, and further provides suitable guiding surfaces upon which the several tool carrying slides are mounted, and also as a means for supporting the several feed works, one for each tool slide, enclosed within the upper casing 13 The work spindles 14 are each journaled in spindle bcaringsl5 and 16, the bearing 15 being disposed in an opening 17 in the carrier and having its flanged upper end 18 bolted to the carrier. Upon each of said spindles is mounted a gear 19 which meshes with and is driven through a slip gear 19*, upon the lower endof a shaft 6 journaled in bearings of the column, by gearing in the base 10, operated by the feed works before referred to, and whereby the various work spindles may be operated at different and independent speeds. The tool slides 20 mounted on five sides of the central column are arranged intermediate of and in alternate relation to the work spindles when positioned at the work stations. These slides have vertical movement and thetool heads 21 carrying the tools 22 have both vertical and horizontal movement, movement being imparted thereto by the feed works 13 carried in the casin 13 The work carrier 12 is adapted to be inter mittently indexed to bring the work spindles into successive relation with the tools.

The machine includes a series of five tool carrying slides 20 for operating in conjunction with the five work carrying spindles 14 when positioned adjacent to the tool carrying slides. Each of these spindles, as well as the slides, are operated through a separate set of feed works 13 of which there are five arranged in the upper inclosure 13 of the machine and arranged around a large gear (1 upon the central drive shaft 7) through which they are driven These feed works are alike in construction as are their operative connections with the work spindles and tool carrying slides, substantially like that shown and described in my prior Patent No. 1,285,019 and therefore but a brief description of said feed worksis thought to be here necessary.

These feed works serve to rotate the spindles and move the tool carrying heads up and down horizontally, and include change gears 0 whereby the speed of the several sets of feed works may be varied. The feed works include a frame of I special construction in which is mounted a vertical shaft bearing a gear (2 that meshes with and is driven by the before mentioned large gear a. The feed works further includes gearing, such as spiral gears, worms, etc. through which driven shafts e and f are operated, both being journaled in the feed works frame. The shaft 6 extends down in the lower portion ofthe column, forming a disconnectible drive, for operating the rotatable work spindles 14 at variable speeds while the other shaft f serves to operate the tool slides 20 both verticaliiy and horizontally at different and indepen ent speeds.

These tool slides are provided with suitable cutting tools that are forwardly projected in the direction of the movement of the can rier to engage the work upon the spindles. They are operatively connected to be drawn backward out of the path of movement of the advancing workpieces mounted on the successive spindles, at the completion of the work turning operations thus to allow a free unobstructed movement of the work from one station to another.

The several work spindles together with the work supporting means are alike in construction, so that only one will be described in detail.

The work spindle is provided at its upper end with a chuck head 23 having chuck Jaws 2;} for gripping and rotating the work and a ,central cone center 25, for engaging and centering the lower end of the work.

Upon the flange 18 of the spindle bearing there is bolted the base 26 of the supporting guide for the upper work centering and supporting stock. This supporting guide surrounds and covers each spindle and consists of flanged uprights 27 and 28, formed integrally with and extending upwardly at each side of the base, and a connecting integrally formed top portion 29 having a central openin; 30 therein. A ring 31 disposed concentrically about the column 11 is secured by bolts 32 and dowels 33 to the top portion 29 of each of the supporting guides, the forward edge of said top portion being curved to conform to the ring and said ring being outwardly spaced with respect to the opening 30. The inner surfaces of the uprights are curved in concentric relation to the vertical axis of the center supports, and the upper.

center supporting stock 34, having its ends v correspondingly curved as at 35 and 36, is

engaged therein and adjustably fixed in po-, sition. For this purpose a series of space holes 37 is provided in each of the uprights 27 and 28, through which bolts 38 are engaged and screwed into suitable threaded sockets 39 in the sides of stock 34, the stock bein thus rigidly supported at any desired heig it above the chuck, depending upon the length of the particular work being done.

A cylindrical bearing 40 is provided centrally of the stock 34 in axial alignment with the cone center 25, the upper part of this hearing pro'ecting above the upper surface of the stock and adapted to be engaged in the opening 30 of the guide frame. Upon the forward side of the stock there is formed a forwardly projecting communication with the cylindrical bearing opening through a lever opening or slot 42, and a clamping block opening or slot 43 spaced below said opening 42.

\Vithin the bearing 40 there is slidably mounted a tubular shaft 44 keyed against rotation by means of a key 45 engaging a slot 46 in the bearing. A cone center bearing 47 has its shank 48 inserted and secured in the shaft 44, and through projection and retraction of the shaft, as will presently more fully appear, the cone center is engaged and dis engaged with the upper end of the work. In the upper end of the bearing 40 there is engaged a screw cap 49, provided centrally with an adjustment screw '50, having a flanged washer 51 at its inner end disposed within the passage of the shaft 44, and between this washer and a disc 52 set upon a shoulder 53 within the passage, there is provided a pressure spring 54 adapted to project the shaft and retain the cone bearing in engagement with'the work. A collar 55 is screwed upon the lower end of the shaft, and through abutment with the lower end of the bearing 40 limits the retracting movement of the shaft.

The means for retracting and releasing the shaft 44 consists of a lever 56 pivotally mounted upon a pin 57 and having aprojecting operating handle 58, the inner end of this lever having an eccentric cam portion 59 which engages a binding block 60 disposed in the passage 43. and which is adapted in the raised position 9f the lever to bear against the shaft 44 to retain it. A link 61 is pivoted to the lever 56 and has aslot 62 in its'upper end engaged by a stud 68 provided upon a lever arm 64, pivotally-mounted upon a pin 65 and having its end projecting through the slot 42 and rockably engaged in a notch 66 in the shaft 44.

Assuming that the shaft 44 is in its retracted or raised position as shown in. Fig. 8, the operation of releasing and projecting it is as follows :-The lever 56 is pulled downwardly, its initial movement, which through the slot connection 62 takes place independhousing portion 41 in ently of the lever 64, causing the binding d block to be released from the shaft throu h rotation of the eccentric cam, whereupon t e spring 54 projects the shaft and engages and retains the cone center bearing 47 in relation with the upper end of the work, as indicated in Fig. 3. The shaft and cone hearing are raised to release the work by moving the lever 56 upwardly, the lever arm 64, which is moved upwardly through the link connection 61, lifting the shaft against the force of the spring 54, and the final upward movement of the lever 56 bringing the eccentric cam 59 into binding relation with the block 60, and thereby retaining the shaft in its raised relation.

It will be understood that the work is loaded at the loading and unloading station A at the forward side of the machine, there bein five work stations to each of which the wor then successively moves see arrow B Fig. 2,

being finally unloaded at the loading and unloading station Where a new piece replaces it. Obviously the present improvement may be incorporated in continuous turning and other types and arrangements of machines.

I have illustrated and described a preferred and satisfactory embodiment of the invention, but it will be obvious that changes may be made therein; within the spirit and s lzope thereof, as defined in the appended c aims. 1

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an automatic center turning machine, a base including a central column, a carrier mounted on said base, to rotate concentrically with said column, a series of rotary work spindles mounted in the carrier, means for indexing the carrier to move the spindles from one work station to another, a frame disposed upward at opposite sides and extending over each spindle and disposed in relation thereto, a center support adjustably positioned in each of said frames, means independent of the column for tying the upper portion of said members together.

2. In an automatic center turning machine, a base including a central column, a carrier rotatably mounted thereon, a circular series of rotary work spindles mounted in the carrier, means for indexing the carrier to move the spindles from one work station to another, a separate frame mounted on the carrier over and at the sides of each spindle and disposed in relation thereto, an independent center bearing carried by each frame to engage the upper end of work supported upon the spindles, and a circular series of tool means supported on the column and adapted to be engaged with work upon the spindles.

3. In an automatic center turning machine, a base, a rotary carrier, a rotary work spindle, a-vertically disposed frame mounted upon the carrier and comprising a base, uprights having their upper en connected and adapted to surround and cover the said spindle, a tail stock supported in said frame apart uprights having their upper ends connected and adapted to surround and cover the said spindles, a tail stock supported in each of said frames in spaced relation above said spindle, a center bearing carried by each of [said stocks and adapted to be engaged with the "upper end of work supported by said spindle, and tool means adapted to be engaged with said work.

5. In an automatic center turning machine tool, abase, a carrier rotatably mounted thereon, a circular series of spindles mounted in the carrier, a circular series of frames mounted on the carrier one disposed in relation to each of said respective spindles, an independently adjustable tail stock supported in each of said frames in spaced relation above said s indle, a center bearing carried by each of sai stocks and adapted to be engaged with the upper end of said s indle, and a circular series of tool means a apted to be engaged with the work carried by said spindles.

6. In an automatic center turning machine, a base, a carrier rotatably mounted thereon, a circular series of spindles mounted in the carrier, a circular series of frames mounted on the carrier and each surrounding and covering a spindle, a removable stock supported in each of said frames in spaced relation above said s indle, a center bearing carried by each of said stocks and adapted to be engaged with the upper end of work supported by said spindle, and a circular series of tool means arranged in alternate relation into said spindles and adapted to be engaged with the work carried by said spindles.

7. In an automatic center turning machine, abase, a column carried by said base, a carrier rotatably mounted on said base, a circular series of spindles, mounted in the carrier, a circular series of frames mounted on the car: rier and each surrounding and covering a spindle, a stock adjustably supported in each of said frames in spaced relation above said spindle, a center bearing carried by each of said stocks and adapted to be engaged with the upper end of work supported by said spindle, and tool means mounted on said column and adapted to be engaged with the work carried by said spindles.

s aced apart I a l 8. In an automatic center turning machine, a base, a stationary column carried by said base, a carrier rotatably mounted on said base, a circular series of spindles, mounted in the carrier, a circular series of frames mounted on the carrier and surrounding and covering the respective spindles, a stock removably supported in each of said frames in spaced relation above said spindle, a center bearing carried by each of said stocks and adapted to be engaged with the upper end of work supported by said spindle, and tool means mounted on said column and adapted to be engaged with the work carried by said spindles.

9. In a center turning machine, a base, a stationary column carried by said base, a carrier rotatably mounted on said base, a circular series of spindles, mounted in the carrier, a circular series of frames mounted on the carrier and each surrounding and covering a spindle, a stock supported in each of said frames in spaced relation above said spindle, a center bearing carried by each of said stocks and adapted to be engaged with the upper end of work supported by said spindle, and a series of tool means mounted on said column and adapted to be engaged with the work carried by said respective spindles, said carrier adapted to be indexed to bring said spindles into successive relation with said tool means.

10. In an automatic center turning machine, a base, a column carried by said base, a'carrier rotatably mounted on said base, a circular series of spindles, mounted in the carrier, a separate frame mounted on the carrier and surrounding and covering each of said spindles, bearingmeans connected to and extending between adjacent frames in outwardly spaced relation to said column, a stock supported in each of said frames in spaced relation above said spindle, a center bearing carried by each of said stocks and adapted to be engaged with the upper end of work supported by said spindle. and tool means mounted on said column and adapted to be engaged with the work carried by said spindles.

11. In a center turning machine, a base, a column carried by said base, a carrier rotatably mounted on said base, a circular series of spindles mounted in the carrier, a separate frame mounted on the carrier and surrounding and covering each of said spindles, a stock supported in each of said frames in spaced relation above said spindles, means for adjusting each of said stocks independently of the others, a center bearing carried by each of said stocks and adapted to be engaged with the upper end of work supported by said spindle, and tool means mounted on said column and adapted to be engaged with the work carried by said spindles.

12. In a center turning machine, a work support, a rotary spindle carried by said support, work chucking means carried by said spindle, a center bearing centrally of said ucking means, a frame mounted upon said support and comprising side portions and a top portion constituting a work receiving space above said chucking means, a stock supported between said side portions in spaced relation above said chucking means, a center bearing carried by said stock and adapted to be engaged with the upper end of work supported upon said spindle, and tool means adapted-to...be engaged with said work.

l3.--In an automatic center turning machine, a base, a rotary work support, a rotary spindle carried by said support, work chucking means carried by said spindle, a center bearing centrally of said chucking means, a frame mounted upon said support and comprising diametrically disposed side portions having circumferential inner suraces and a top portion constituting a work receiving space above said chucking means, a stock supported between said side portions in spaced relation above said chucking means 2 and having circumferential side surfaces engaged' with said circumferential inner suraces of the frame, means for adjusting the position of said stock, a center bearing carried by said stock and adapted to be engaged with one end of work supported upon said spindle, and tool means adapted to be engaged with said work.

14. In a center turning machine, a base having a central column, a carrier, a vertical rotary work spindle mounted in the carrier, a vertically disposed frame mounted on the base over said spindle and comprising spaced apart uprights having an integrally formed connecting top portion, a stock su ported in 1 said frame in spaced relation a bove said spindle, a center bearing carried by said stock adapted to be projected to engage the upper end of work supported upon said spindle and retracted to disengage said work, and tool means mounted on the column adapted to be engaged with said work.

Si ed at Bridgeport, in the county of Fair old and State of Connecticut this 11th day of February, A. D. 1929.

EDWARD P.- BULLARD, JR.

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