Machine tool with removable workpiece support

1. A machine tool comprising:

a workpiece holding shaft;

a workpiece supporting shaft;

a tool holder associated with the workpiece supporting shaft for holding at least one tool;

a drive operable to rotate the workpiece holding shaft and the workpiece supporting shaft around an axis;

a work holder of the workpiece holding shaft configured to secure a workpiece to the workpiece holding shaft;

the workpiece holding shaft and the workpiece supporting shaft axially shiftable relative to one another to adjust a position of the workpiece relative to the workpiece supporting shaft;

a removable workpiece support configured to be releasably connected to the workpiece supporting shaft and rotate therewith, the workpiece support configured to slidably contact the workpiece and permit axial movement of the workpiece relative to the workpiece support; and

the workpiece holding shaft having an axially extended position relative to the workpiece supporting shaft that permits a probe to be connected to the workpiece holding shaft with the workpiece support removed from the workpiece supporting shaft.

2. The machine tool of claim 1 wherein the workpiece holding shaft has an axially retracted position relative to the workpiece supporting shaft wherein the workpiece holding shaft positions the probe to be contacted by the tool of the tool holder.

3. The machine tool of claim 1 in combination with the probe, wherein the workpiece supporting shaft includes a forward end;

wherein the probe includes an adapter portion configured to be connected to the workpiece holding shaft and a sensing portion; and

wherein the adapter portion of the probe is rearward of the forward end of the workpiece supporting shaft and the sensing portion is forward of the forward end of the workpiece supporting shaft with the probe connected to the workpiece holding shaft and the workpiece holding shaft in an axially retracted position relative to the workpiece supporting shaft.

4. The machine tool of claim 1 in combination with the probe;

wherein the workpiece supporting shaft includes a forward end and the workpiece holding shaft includes a forward end;

wherein the workpiece holding shaft forward end is rearward of the workpiece supporting shaft forward end with the workpiece holding shaft in an axially retracted position relative to the workpiece supporting shaft; and

wherein the probe includes a sensing portion forward of the workpiece supporting shaft forward end with the workpiece holding shaft in the axially retracted position.

5. The machine tool of claim 4 wherein the workpiece holding shaft forward end is closer to the workpiece supporting shaft forward end with the workpiece holding shaft in the extended position than in the retracted position to facilitate connecting of the probe to the workpiece holding shaft.

6. The machine tool of claim 1 in combination with the probe, wherein the workpiece supporting shaft has a forward end and the workpiece holding shaft is a first axial distance from the forward end of the workpiece supporting shaft with the workpiece holding shaft in an axially retracted position relative to the workpiece supporting shaft; and

wherein the probe includes a sensing portion and the probe has an axial length greater than the first axial distance so that the sensing portion of the probe is forward of the forward end of the workpiece supporting shaft with the workpiece holding shaft in the retracted position.

7. The machine tool of claim 1 wherein the workpiece supporting shaft has an opening; and

wherein the workpiece support includes an adapter portion sized to fit in the opening and a detent member having an unlocked position wherein the detent member permits the workpiece support adapter to be positioned in the opening of the workpiece supporting shaft opening and a locked position wherein the detent member secures the workpiece support to the workpiece supporting shaft.

8. The machine tool of claim 1 wherein the workpiece support includes a detent member having an unlocked position wherein the detent member permits the workpiece support to be connected to the workpiece holding shaft and a locked position wherein the detent member secures the workpiece support to the workpiece holding shaft; and

an actuator of the workpiece support operable to shift the detent member from the unlocked position to the locked position.

9. The machine tool of claim 8 wherein the workpiece supporting shaft and the workpiece support include a keyway and a key configured to resist turning of the workpiece support relative to the workpiece supporting shaft.

10. The machine tool of claim 1 wherein the support includes a guide bushing having a central opening that receives the workpiece.

11. The machine tool of claim 1 wherein the workpiece holding shaft and the workpiece supporting shaft include a spline connection therebetween configured to transfer rotation of one of the workpiece holding shaft and the workpiece supporting shaft to the other of the workpiece holding shaft and the workpiece supporting shaft.

12. The machine tool of claim 1 wherein the workpiece holding shaft includes a first gear and the workpiece supporting shaft includes a second gear; and

a middle gear assembly engaged with the first and second gears to transfer rotation of one of the workpiece holding shaft and the workpiece supporting shaft to the other of the workpiece holding shaft and the workpiece supporting shaft.

13. The machine tool of claim 1 wherein the drive includes a first motor operable to rotate the workpiece holding shaft and a second motor operable to rotate the workpiece supporting shaft.