HK40048080A

HK40048080A - Ninety degree auto changer spindle mounting assembly

Info

Publication number: HK40048080A
Application number: HK62021037864.7A
Authority: HK
Inventors: 凯玛·多兹
Original assignee: 涡轮机技术有限公司
Priority date: 2018-06-06
Filing date: 2019-06-06
Publication date: 2021-11-26

Description

Ninety-degree automatic converter rotating shaft and mounting shaft ring assembly

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority from and is related to the following prior application entitled "ninety degree automatic converter spindle mounting collar assembly" U.S. provisional application No. 62/681,441 filed on 11/6/2018. This prior application, including all written descriptions and drawings, is incorporated by reference into this application.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to machining processes, and more particularly to apparatus and methods for machining.

Background

Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines are used for machining processes and utilize a computer controller, which typically reads G code instructions, to drive a mechanical device having a motive apparatus that can selectively remove metal material to produce a metal part. CNC machines allow numerical control interpolation of cutting tools within the working range of the machine.

The power machine is typically a pneumatic tool (e.g., a drill bit) that can be coupled to, e.g., inserted into and removed from, a CNC machine. The pneumatic tool or spindle may be manually coupled with a CNC machine or an automatic tool changer may be used.

Some tools are available from the CNC tool library, but after a tool change, the machine must be paused in order to establish the proper power connection for that tool. Other tools have been previously connected to the pneumatic source, but must be manually engaged with the CNC machine. Thus, CNC machines are typically paused prior to a conventional machining cycle in order to manually assemble the tool or to establish a suitable power connection for the tool after it is coupled to the machine.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides an apparatus and a method for machining. The technical features of the following examples enable on the one hand machining and on the other hand facilitate the tool change-over process at the same time. These technical features also provide flexibility allowing the use of different kinds of tools on CNC machines or other control devices.

The presently claimed invention provides an apparatus and method of machining that facilitates a tool change process. The invention further provides an apparatus and method that provides flexible resilience, allowing the use of tools of different kinds and operating in a plane parallel to the ground.

More particularly, a rotating shaft and mounting collar assembly is disclosed. The mounting collar assembly includes an insertable top portion for insertion into and rotation within the mounting collar, the insertable top portion defining an upper disc shape having a first diameter and a lower disc shape having a second diameter and adjacent to the upper disc shape, an outer periphery of the upper disc shape having a groove formed therein, and the upper and lower disc shapes having a channel formed axially through the upper and lower disc shapes perpendicular to the groove. The mounting collar assembly further includes a sleeve disposed below the insertable top, the sleeve defining an opening having a sidewall perpendicular to the insertable top, the opening sized to receive the spindle, a port in a wall of the sleeve defining the opening providing fluid communication with the passageway of the insertable top, the sleeve further including a rim perpendicular to the opening, the rim defining an arcuate channel concentric with the opening and having a given depth, and the arcuate channel extending to a region of the sidewall of the opening remote from the rim.

In one example, the side walls of the opening further define one or more holes perpendicular thereto for securing the spindle within the opening.

In another example, in the mounting collar assembly, the first diameter of the upper disc is smaller than the second diameter of the lower disc.

In yet another example, the shaft and mounting collar assembly further includes an end cap (collar sleeve) having an end cap body defining an opening therethrough to receive the insertable top portion such that the insertable top portion rotates 360 degrees relative to the collar sleeve. The shaft and mounting collar assembly includes a collar having a mounting collar and a collar arm, the mounting collar defining a collar opening therethrough to receive the collar sleeve.

In various examples, the shaft and mounting collar assembly further includes an end cap (collar sleeve) having an outer sidewall, the collar sleeve defining an opening therethrough to receive the insertable top portion such that the insertable top portion is rotatable 360 degrees relative to the collar. The mounting collar assembly includes an arc scale disposed on the outer sidewall to show the amount of rotation of the insertable top relative to the collar.

The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and claims.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary machining system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another portion of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the shaft and mounting collar assembly of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the mounting collar assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the mounting collar assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is another side view of the mounting collar assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the quick-change adapter end;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the quick-change adapter end of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the quick-change adapter end of FIG. 7; and

fig. 10 is a side view of the shaft and mounting collar assembly of the system of fig. 1 with a different quick-change end adapter.

Detailed Description

As required, detailed embodiments are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and that the systems and methods described below may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure and function. Also, the words and phrases used in the specification are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description.

As used herein, the singular articles "a", "an" and "the" refer to one or to more than one of the quantity; the term "plurality" as used herein means two or more; the term "another" means at least another one or more; "comprising" and "having" mean "including" (an open language); "coupled" means "connected", although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

The term "air" is intended to broadly encompass many different types of fluids, including oil mixed with air. Various materials or combinations of materials may be used to construct the mounting collar assembly and its components. For example, materials such as metals, alloys, composites, plastics, ceramics and other inorganic or organic materials or combinations of the above may be used.

Machining system

Referring to the drawings, and in particular to fig. 1-2, a machining system is shown and generally indicated by reference numeral 102. The system 102 may include control devices, such as a CNC machine 104, a tool carousel 140, and one or more tools or spindles 142. The control device 104 may include a user input device 106 for inputting commands. The control device 104 may utilize various computing hardware and software to implement a machining process on a workpiece, and the present disclosure is not intended to be limited based on the type of control utilized.

The system 102 may also have a Universal Spindle Mount Assembly (USMA)150 that cooperates with the spindle 142 to allow automatic conversion of the spindle to the CNC machine 104. In an exemplary embodiment of the system 102, the spindle 142 is switched between the CNC machine 104 and the tool carousel 140 by an automatic switch device, which will be described in more detail later. However, the present disclosure also contemplates the use of other structures and techniques to connect and disconnect the spindle 142 from the CNC machine 104 by using the USMA150, such as a linear dial.

Referring to fig. 2, the USMA150 may include a mounting collar assembly 230 and a mounting block or manifold cavity 200. As shown, the mounting collar 220 is operably coupled to a mounting collar assembly 230, the mounting collar assembly 230 maintaining an axis of rotation 360 parallel to the ground, and the mounting block or manifold cavity 200 is operably coupled to the CNC machine 104. A workpiece 290 to be processed by the system 102 is also shown.

Ninety degree mounting assembly

Fig. 3 is a side view of the shaft and mounting collar assembly 240 of the system of fig. 1. Starting from the top as shown is a USMA150 for mechanical coupling with the CNC machine 104. Next is the mounting collar 220. Mounting collar 220 includes a top surface 326 and a bottom surface 328. Mounting collar 220 includes a collar opening 324, shown as passing through top surface 326 and bottom surface 328.

The mounting collar 220 includes a passage 324 in fluid communication between the air intake assembly 322 and a collar opening 324. The air intake assembly 322 has a threaded end 323 for insertion into the mounting collar 220. In one example, the intake assembly 322 includes a spring-loaded check valve that opens above a given pressure to allow a fluid, such as air, to flow into the intake assembly 322. The use of a check valve greatly reduces any dust and unwanted debris from entering the intake assembly 322; this is particularly important when the mounting collar assembly 230 and spindle 360 with cutting tip 362 are stored in the tool carousel and/or not in use. In another example, air is directed through the USMA150 itself (not shown). The mounting collar 220 is mechanically coupled to the collar sleeve 330.

Further, the collar sleeve 330 may mechanically retain the mounting collar assembly 230, as will be described further below. A prior art spindle 360 having a cutting tip 362 is also shown. While the present invention is not limited to a particular type of shaft 360, shafts available from air turbine technology of bocardon have proven to work effectively with the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the mounting collar assembly 230 of fig. 3. Starting from the top, an insertable top 344 for insertion of the collar sleeve 330 is shown. The mounting collar assembly 230 is rotatably mounted inside the collar sleeve 330 to adjust to any of the 360 degree circular positions. In one example, an arc scale (not shown) is provided on the outer sidewall of the mounting collar assembly 230 to show the angle of rotation of the insertable top portion 344 relative to the collar sleeve 330.

The insertable top portion 344 is formed with an upper disc 346 and a lower disc 348 to define a groove that seals the channel 347. The sealing channel may include an O-ring (not shown). In one example, the upper disk 346 has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the lower disk 348. In addition, the outer peripheral edge of the insertable tip 344 includes an arcuate channel 356 recess formed therein. The axial air passage 342 is formed through an insertable tip 344 that includes an upper disk 346 and a lower disk 348. The axial air passages 342 are shown in phantom in the side view shown in fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a side view of the mounting collar assembly 230 of fig. 4. The sleeve 352 is shown disposed below the insertable top 344 of the mounting collar assembly 230. The sleeve has a substantially circular opening 354, the opening 354 having a sidewall 360 to receive the shaft 360. The sidewall 360 includes a port 364 in fluid communication with the axial air passage 342. The port 364 provides compressed air to the spindle 360. The axial air passage 342 includes an inner sidewall O-ring 341 to seal with the USMA 150. The axial air passage 342 is also formed with a threaded sidewall. A threaded nipple 343 having external threads is threaded into the threads of the axial air passage 342 to allow pressurized air to pass through and secure the shaft 360 to the mounting collar assembly 230. In addition to the nipple 343, a locking screw (not shown) may optionally be used.

The circular opening 354 is substantially perpendicular to the axial air passage 342. In other words, this perpendicular alignment is ninety degrees (90 °) relative to the USMA 150. The sleeve 352 includes a rim 358 perpendicular to the circular opening 354 that surrounds more than half of the circumference of the circular opening 354. The rim 358 defines an arcuate channel 356 concentric with the circular opening 354. The depth of the arcuate channel 356 extends to the region of the sidewall 360 away from the edge 358.

Fig. 6 is another side view of the mounting collar assembly 230 of fig. 4. Arcuate channels 356 are shown that extend in depth to the region of the sidewalls 360 away from the edge 358. An inner arcuate channel 366 is formed in the side wall 360. There is fluid communication between the inner arcuate channel 366 and the arcuate channel 356 to allow exhaust gases exiting the main shaft 360 to pass from the inner arcuate channel 366 through the arcuate channel 356.

Fig. 7 is a side view of a quick-change adapter end 310, such as a universal spindle mounting collar assembly (USMA) 312. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the quick-change adapter end of fig. 7 showing a plurality of openings 802 through 812. These openings 802-812 may be threaded and have set screws (not shown) that engage the channels 347 of fig. 4 to retain the mounting collar assembly 230 in the collar sleeve 330 of fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is a bottom view of the quick-change adapter end of fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a side view of the spindle and mounting collar assembly 240 of the system of fig. 1 with a different quick-change end adapter 378. An example of a cutting tip 1040 is also shown. It is important to note that this cutting tip is merely an example, and that other cutting tips are contemplated within the true scope of the present invention.

The mounting collar assembly 230 may be made of various metallic and non-metallic materials including organic and inorganic materials or composite materials. The embodiments described herein are intended to provide a comprehensive understanding of the structure of various embodiments and are not intended to fully describe all the elements and features of all the devices and systems that may be applied to the structure of the present invention. Many different embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this specification. Various other embodiments may be derived and used, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The figures are intended to be schematic and not necessarily to scale, some portions may be exaggerated for illustrative purposes, and other portions may be in lighter weight. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. Although specific embodiments have been described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments. This disclosure is intended to cover adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the various embodiments of the invention, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The described embodiments of the invention are to be considered only as the best modes for carrying out the invention. The present invention is intended to include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A swivel and mounting collar assembly (240), the mounting collar assembly (230) comprising:

an insertable top (344) for insertion into and rotation within a mounting collar (220), the insertable top (344) forming an upper disc shape (346) having a first diameter and a lower disc shape (348) having a second diameter and adjacent to the upper disc shape (346), an outer periphery of the upper disc shape (346) having a groove (347) formed therein, and the upper disc shape (346) and the lower disc shape (348) having an air passage (342) formed axially through the upper disc shape (346) and the lower disc shape (348) perpendicular to the groove (347); and

a sleeve (352) disposed below the insertable top (344), the sleeve (352) defining an opening (354) having a sidewall (360) perpendicular to the insertable top (344), the opening (354) sized to accommodate a rotating shaft, a port (364) in a wall of the sleeve (352) defining the opening (354) providing fluid communication with an air channel (342) of the insertable top (344), the sleeve (352) further including a rim (358) perpendicular to the opening (354), the rim (358) defining an arcuate channel (356) concentric with the opening (354) and having a given depth, and the arcuate channel (356) extending to a region of the sidewall (360) of the opening (354) away from the rim (358).

2. The shaft and mounting collar assembly (240) of claim 1, wherein a first diameter of the upper disc (346) is smaller than a second diameter of the lower disc (348).

3. The shaft and mounting collar assembly (240) of claim 1, wherein the sidewall (360) further defines one or more holes perpendicular thereto for securing the shaft within the opening (354).

4. The shaft and mounting collar assembly (240) of claim 1, further comprising:

a collar sleeve (330) having a body, the collar sleeve (330) defining an opening therethrough to receive the insertable top portion (344) to rotate the insertable top portion (344) 360 degrees relative to the collar sleeve (330); and

a collar having a mounting collar (220) and a collar arm, the mounting collar (220) defining a collar opening therethrough to receive the collar sleeve (330).

5. The shaft and mounting collar assembly (240) of claim 4, further comprising:

a collar sleeve (330) having an outer sidewall for defining an opening therethrough to receive the insertable top (344) to rotate the insertable top (344) 360 degrees relative to the collar; and

an arc scale disposed on the outer sidewall to show an amount of rotation of the insertable top (344) relative to the collar.

6. The shaft and mounting collar assembly (240) of claim 4, further comprising:

an air intake assembly (322) coupled to the mounting collar (220);

wherein the mounting collar (220) further defines a passage in fluid communication between the air intake assembly (322) and the collar opening.

7. The shaft and mounting collar assembly (240) of claim 6, wherein the gas intake assembly (322) includes a check valve adapted to allow gas above a given pressure to enter the gas intake assembly (322) above the given pressure.

8. The shaft and mounting collar assembly (240) of claim 4, further comprising:

a main shaft.

9. The shaft and mounting collar assembly (240) of claim 4, further comprising:

an air supply line releasably attached to the air intake assembly (322).

10. The shaft and mounting collar assembly (240) of claim 4, further comprising:

a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine (104) releasably attached to the collar.

11. A machining system, comprising:

main shaft

A CNC machine (104);

an automatic converter device;

a gas supply line; and

mounting collar assembly (230) comprising

12. The machining system of claim 11, wherein a first diameter of the upper disc (346) is smaller than a second diameter of the lower disc (348).

13. The machining system of claim 11, wherein said side wall (360) further defines one or more holes perpendicular thereto for securing said shaft within said opening (354).

14. The machining system of claim 11, further comprising:

15. The machining system of claim 14, further comprising:

16. The machining system of claim 14, further comprising:

an air intake assembly (322) coupled to the mounting collar (220);

17. The machining system of claim 16, wherein the gas intake assembly (322) includes a check valve adapted to allow gas above a given pressure to enter the gas intake assembly (322) above the given pressure.

18. The machining system of claim 11, wherein the air passage (342) axially formed in the insertable tip (344) is formed with an internal thread and a nipple (343) threadedly connected with the internal thread to allow passage of pressurized gas and secure the spindle to the sleeve (352).