IP Library Granted Patent US 11,759,903
Granted Patent B2
US 11,759,903 · App. 16/734,985 · Granted Sep 19, 2023

Machine tool

Inventor: Joel Judas (Unterensingen, DE)
Assignee: ESA EPPINGER GMBH
B23Q3/15513B23B29/20B23B29/242B23Q2003/15586B23Q2003/155404B23Q2220/002Y10S483/902Y10T483/1719
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,759,903
App. No.
16/734,985
Granted
Sep 19, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

In a machine tool having a tool carrier ( 1 ) that comprises at least one receptacle ( 4 ) for a tool holder ( 3 ) for driven or stationary tools a tool change device is provided that comprises gripping means ( 370 ) for gripping the tool holder ( 3 ) at the housing ( 7 ) or at part ( 71 ) connected with the housing ( 7 ). In addition to the gripping means the tool change device comprises a device for actuating the fastening means that are configured for attachment of the tool holder at the tool carrier.

Claims (16)

1. A machine tool, comprising:

a rotatable tool turret ( 1 ) that comprises a plurality of receptacles ( 4 ) that are circumferentially spaced from one another,

a tool holder ( 3 ), wherein the tool holder ( 3 ) is inserted in a one of the plurality of receptacles ( 4 ) with a pre-defined orientation and is releasably fastened at the tool turret ( 1 ) in a correct positional arrangement, wherein the tool holder ( 3 ) comprises a housing ( 7 ) to which fastening means ( 21 , 24 , 25 ) are assigned, wherein the fastening means ( 21 , 24 , 25 ) are configured to fasten the tool holder ( 3 ) at the tool turret ( 1 ),

a driven tool ( 11 ) or a stationary tool ( 11 ) that is clamped in the tool holder ( 3 ),

a tool change device that comprises gripping means ( 370 , 42 , 43 ) configured for gripping the tool holder ( 3 ) at the housing ( 7 ) or at a part ( 71 ) connected therewith, wherein the tool change device is configured to replace the tool holder ( 3 ), after the tool holder ( 3 ) is released from the tool turret ( 1 ), with another tool holder ( 3 ) and is further configured to insert the another tool holder ( 3 ) in the correct positional arrangement in the one of the plurality of receptacles ( 4 ),

wherein the tool change device further comprises a drive unit ( 55 ) in which a plurality of motors are arranged, one of the plurality of motors driving a corresponding first drive shaft ( 58 ) for actuating the fastening means ( 21 , 24 , 25 ) and another one of the plurality of motors driving a corresponding second drive shaft ( 56 ) for actuating the gripping means ( 370 , 42 , 43 ).

2. The machine tool according to claim 1 , wherein the fastening means ( 21 , 24 , 25 ) are configured to be actuable at an outer side of the tool turret ( 1 ).

3. The machine tool according to claim 1 , wherein the gripping means are integrated in a gripper unit ( 30 ).

4. The machine tool according to claim 3 , wherein the one of the plurality of motors driving the corresponding first drive shaft ( 58 ) is a first gear motor and the another one of the plurality of motors driving the corresponding second drive shaft ( 56 ) is a second gear motor, wherein the drive and gripper units ( 30 , 55 ) are connected with each other.

5. The machine tool according to claim 4 , wherein the drive and gripper units ( 30 , 55 ) are releasably connected with each other.

6. The machine tool according to claim 3 , wherein at least one of the drive and gripper units ( 30 , 55 ) is configured to be releasably coupled with a handling device.

7. The machine tool according to claim 1 , wherein the gripping means ( 370 , 42 , 43 ) are configured to be mechanically operable.

8. The machine tool according to claim 7 , wherein the fastening means ( 21 , 24 , 25 ) are actuatable by the first drive shaft ( 58 ) via first gear means ( 51 , 52 ), and the gripping means comprise gripping jaws ( 370 ) that are actuable by the second drive shaft ( 56 ) via second gear means ( 44 , 46 , 47 ).

9. The machine tool according to claim 1 , wherein the fastening means ( 21 , 24 , 25 ) comprise at least one rotatably supported actuating screw ( 25 ), and the at least one rotatably support actuating screw ( 25 ) is coupled with a rotatable coupler ( 28 ) and with the first drive shaft ( 58 ).

10. The machine tool according to claim 9 , wherein a torque support ( 38 , 39 ) is assigned to the rotatable coupler ( 28 ).

11. The machine tool according to claim 1 , wherein readable identification means ( 96 , 97 ) are assigned to the tool holder ( 3 ) and the tool turret ( 1 ), wherein the readable identification means ( 96 , 97 ) allow a pre-defined assignment of the tool holder ( 3 ) to the one of the plurality of receptacles ( 4 ) to be determined.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 27, 2023
From: ESA EPPINGER GMBH; EGT EPPINGER GETRIEBE TECHNOLOGIE GMBH
To: KAYNE SENIOR CREDIT III LOANCO, LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 063459/0137 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 15, 2020
From: JUDAS, JOEL
To: ESA EPPINGER GMBH
Reel/Frame 051524/0394 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2019 100 257.5 · Jan 8, 2019 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20200215621A1 · Jul 9, 2020