Abstract The subject matter of the present invention is an installation for machining crankshafts, camshafts or like workpieces. Each of the workpiece is mounted in non-rotary condition in a workpiece holder. A plurality of such workpiece holders is guided on a straight path with their workpieces in co-axial relationship to each other and to said path. A plurality of tool units is distributed in spaced relationship along the path. Each unit includes an annular rotary tool having internal cutting edges. This tool surrounds an internal clearance space which is larger than the cross-section of the workpiece holders. Therefore, each tool affords passage of said workpiece holders through the clearance space. Each of the tool units further comprises means for moving the annular rotary tool into a position in which its internal clearance space is in registry with the path of the workholders. Conveyor means are provided for intermittently transporting said workpiece holders with the workpieces on a guideway along the path through the clearance spaces of the tool units and for temporarily stopping each workpiece holder in a position in which its workpiece is surrounded by said annular rotary tool and in a position to be machined by the cutting edges thereof. The conveyor means may comprise drag members which are distributed along the path and are adapted to engage the workpiece holders. These drag members are reciprocated parallel to said path in synchronism with each other and thereby feed each of the workpiece holders step by step along the path consecutively through the annular rotary tools.
An installation for machining elongate workpieces such as crankshafts, camshafts or the like, comprising a plurality of workpiece holders each loaded with a workpiece and having means for holding said workpiece fixed against rotation, guiding means for guiding said loaded workpiece holders along a straight path with their elongate workpieces in co-axial relationship to each other and to said path, a plurality of tool units distributed along said path in spaced relationship, each of said units comprising a bed, a tool holder movably mounted thereon for motion transverse to said path, a rotor journaled in said tool holder for rotation about a first axis extending parallel to said straight path, an annular rotary tool mounted on said rotor for relative rotation thereon about its axis offset from said first axis, said annular tool having internal cutting edges and an internal clearance space larger than the cross-section of said loaded workpiece holders so as to afford passage of said loaded workpiece holders through said clearance space, said tool holder and said rotor being movable into a position in which said internal clearance space is in registry with said path, and conveyor means for intermittently transporting said workpiece holders on said guiding means along said path consecutively through the clearance spaces of all of said tool units and for temporarily stopping each workpiece holder in a position in which its workpiece is surrounded by said annular rotary tool and in position to be machined by said cutting edges thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
An installation for machining elongate workpieces such as crankshafts, camshafts or the like, comprising a plurality of workpiece holders each loaded with a workpiece and having means for holding said workpiece fixed against rotation, guiding means for guiding said loaded workpiece holders along a straight path with their elongate workpieces in co-axial relationship to each other and to said path, a plurality of tool units distributed along said path in spaced relationship, each of said units comprising a bed, a tool holder movably mounted thereon for motion transverse to said path, a rotor journaled in said tool holder for rotation about a first axis extending parallel to said straight path, an annular rotary tool mounted on said rotor for relative rotation thereon about its axis offset from said first axis, said annular tool having internal cutting edges and an internal clearance space larger than the cross-section of said loaded workpiece holders so as to afford passage of said loaded workpiece holders through said clearance space, said tool holder and said rotor being movable into a position in which said internal clearance space is in registry with said path, and conveyor means for intermittently transporting said workpiece holders on said guiding means along said path consecutively through the clearance spaces of all of said tool units and for temporarily stopping each workpiece holder in a position in which its workpiece is surrounded by said annular rotary tool and in position to be machined by said cutting edges thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination claimed in claim 1 in which said conveyor means comprises drag members distributed along said path for engaging said workpiece holders and means for reciprocating said drag members in synchronism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination claimed in claim 2 in which waiting stations are provided along said path between said tool units and in which the distance of said tool units is substantially a multiple of the length of reciprocation of said drag members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination claimed in claim 1 in which said guiding means is formed by a track having gaps in which said annular tool holders are accommodated, the length of said gaps being less than that of said workpiece holders.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination claimed in claim 1 in which said bed is formed with a guideway extending transversely to said path, said tool holder being slidably mounted on said guideway.