Abstract

A pallet load stand and manipulator allows a pallet to receive a workpiece and the workpiece to be clamped to the pallet while the pallet is in a horizontal position. Once the workpiece has been clamped to the pallet, the pallet may be rotated to a vertical position so that the pallet may be loaded onto a machine tool that operates on a workpiece with the pallet in the vertical position. The pallet may also be rotated to an intermediate position, similar to an artist's easel, in which the pallet is held in an inclined position, between the horizontal and vertical positions by positive locating assemblies and positive stops.

IPC Classes  ?

• B23Q 5/34 - Feeding other members supporting tools or work, e.g. saddles, tool-slides, through mechanical transmission
• B23Q 5/22 - Feeding members carrying tools or work
• B23Q 7/03 - Arrangements for handling work specially combined with or arranged in, or specially adapted for use in connection with, machine tools, e.g. for conveying, loading, positioning, discharging, sorting by means of endless chain conveyors

Abstract

The frame of a machine tool forms a closed force loop design that surrounds a workzone containing the spindle head. The X, Y, and Z-axis drive systems are all mounted outside of the machine to shield them from contamination and debris generating during the machining process, and for ease of maintenance without having to enter the machine or remove workzone covers to access them. The X and Y-axis drives are mounted on stationary parts of the machine, eliminating the need for flexible cables to power and control these drives and reducing the mass of the moving elements of the machine.

IPC Classes  ?

• B23Q 5/22 - Feeding members carrying tools or work
• B23Q 5/28 - Electric drives
• B23Q 5/40 - Feeding other members supporting tools or work, e.g. saddles, tool-slides, through mechanical transmission feeding continuously by feed shaft, e.g. lead screw
• B23Q 1/01 - Frames, beds, pillars or like membersArrangement of ways

Abstract

The frame of a machine tool forms a closed force loop design that surrounds a workzone containing the spindle head. The X and Y-axis drive motors are mounted on stationary elements of the machine. The Y-axis column is fixed, and supports a Z-axis ram. The mounting and positioning of the Z-axis ram minimizes the change in droop and the effects of acceleration forces on the Z-axis structure. The X, Y, and Z-axis drive motors are all mounted outside of the workzone to shield them from contamination and debris generating during the machining process, and for ease of maintenance.

IPC Classes  ?

• B23Q 1/28 - Means for securing sliding members in any desired position
• B23Q 1/26 - Movable or adjustable work or tool supports characterised by constructional features relating to the co-operation of relatively movable membersMeans for preventing relative movement of such members
• B23Q 1/25 - Movable or adjustable work or tool supports
• B23B 1/00 - Methods for turning or working essentially requiring the use of turning-machinesUse of auxiliary equipment in connection with such methods

Abstract

An operator station is positioned on the outside of a machine tool on the same side of the machine as the tool magazine and the automatic tool changer, to improve the ergonomics of the machine by keeping the tool loading access as close as possible to the operator. This location also allows easy visual access to the tools in the magazine and in the ready position in the tool changer. An angled "tunnel" window passing across the front of the tool magazine and the Y-axis column allows direct visual observation of the working zone of the machine tool from the operator station. A door on the side of the machine allows access from the operator station to a utilities panel located just inside of the door permitting ready operator access to switches, valves, fill points, filters and gages that are located on the panel.

IPC Classes  ?

• B23Q 5/00 - Driving or feeding mechanismsControl arrangements therefor
• B23Q 3/155 - Arrangements for automatic insertion or removal of tools
• B23Q 15/00 - Automatic control or regulation of feed movement, cutting velocity or position of tool or work
• B23Q 17/00 - Arrangements for indicating or measuring on machine tools

Abstract

A machine tool has pass-through pallet loading allowing pallets to be loaded or discharged from either side of the machine. The pallet receiver is mounted on the X- axis of the machine, and the pallet is loaded onto the pallet receiver with the pallet in a vertical orientation. Cross axis rollers on the pallet receiver support the pallet and spacing rollers maintain the pallet spaced from Z-axis locating pads as it moves to a centered position on the pallet receiver. The Z-axis pads present a relatively large surface area to the rear face of the pallet, and are configured to provide vacuum clamping to lock the pallet in all three axes once it is centered on the pallet receiver. A rotating key is provided to center and lock the pallet relative to the pallet receiver before the vacuum clamping is applied.

IPC Classes  ?

• B23Q 7/00 - Arrangements for handling work specially combined with or arranged in, or specially adapted for use in connection with, machine tools, e.g. for conveying, loading, positioning, discharging, sorting
• B23Q 7/04 - Arrangements for handling work specially combined with or arranged in, or specially adapted for use in connection with, machine tools, e.g. for conveying, loading, positioning, discharging, sorting by means of grippers
• B23Q 7/05 - Arrangements for handling work specially combined with or arranged in, or specially adapted for use in connection with, machine tools, e.g. for conveying, loading, positioning, discharging, sorting by means of roller-ways
• B23Q 3/06 - Work-clamping means

Abstract

A rotary clamp mechanism for a fiber placement head comprises a one-way bearing and a freewheeling roller mounted upstream of the restart mechanism. An actuating mechanism brings the freewheeling roller and the one-way bearing into contact with the fiber tow and allows the tow to be fed through the head from the upstream to the downstream end, but prevents the fiber tow from traveling in the reverse direction through the head. The rotary clamp is put into contact with the fiber tow prior to cutting the tow, and remains in contact with the tow until the restart mechanism has advanced the cut tow to the delivery end of the head. The rotary clamp eliminates the need for precise timing between the cutting and clamping mechanisms, and increases the application rate of fiber tow by the head.

IPC Classes  ?

• B65H 81/00 - Methods, apparatus, or devices for covering or wrapping cores by winding webs, tapes, or filamentary material, not otherwise provided for
• B29C 70/38 - Automated lay-up, e.g. using robots, laying filaments according to predetermined patterns

Abstract

A motorized head for applying fiber composite material to an application surface includes a drive roll and a backup roll for feeding fiber composite material toward the application surface, a compaction roll for pressing fiber composite material onto the application surface, and a restart pinch roll assembly located between the drive roll and the compaction roll for driving fiber composite material received from the drive roll to the compaction roll. The drive roll nip between the drive roll and the backup roll forms a drive zone that grips and drives the composite material, a clamp zone that prevents movement of the composite material after it has been cut, and a free zone that allows composite material to be freely pulled through the head. Two cutters mounted on the drive roll mesh with a single anvil on the backup roll to cut the composite material to the desired length.

IPC Classes  ?

• B29C 70/38 - Automated lay-up, e.g. using robots, laying filaments according to predetermined patterns
• B29C 70/30 - Shaping by lay-up, i.e. applying fibres, tape or broadsheet on a mould, former or coreShaping by spray-up, i.e. spraying of fibres on a mould, former or core