WO1999043453A1 - Drive system for vertical rack spline-forming machine - Google Patents

Drive system for vertical rack spline-forming machine Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1999043453A1
WO1999043453A1 PCT/US1999/004107 US9904107W WO9943453A1 WO 1999043453 A1 WO1999043453 A1 WO 1999043453A1 US 9904107 W US9904107 W US 9904107W WO 9943453 A1 WO9943453 A1 WO 9943453A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
machine
slide
motor
screw shaft
roller screw
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1999/004107
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
James C. Everlove, Jr.
Craig J. Everlove
Original Assignee
Anderson-Cook, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Anderson-Cook, Inc. filed Critical Anderson-Cook, Inc.
Priority to AU28775/99A priority Critical patent/AU2877599A/en
Publication of WO1999043453A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999043453A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21HMAKING PARTICULAR METAL OBJECTS BY ROLLING, e.g. SCREWS, WHEELS, RINGS, BARRELS, BALLS
    • B21H5/00Making gear wheels, racks, spline shafts or worms
    • B21H5/02Making gear wheels, racks, spline shafts or worms with cylindrical outline, e.g. by means of die rolls
    • B21H5/027Making gear wheels, racks, spline shafts or worms with cylindrical outline, e.g. by means of die rolls by rolling using reciprocating flat dies, e.g. racks

Definitions

  • This invention is in the field of spline-forming machines, and more particularly spline-forming machines which reciprocate forming tools such as toothed racks across a workpiece.
  • Friction between the mating slide and column faces is inherently high, and the tie bar preloading on the slide columns likely affects the fit of the slides on the column faces, the force of the spline- forming dies on the workpiece, and therefore the quality of the forming operation.
  • spline-forming machine refers to a known class of machines which may go by other names and whose use may vary somewhat depending on the exact nature of the workpiece and type of forming operation.
  • the Saito et al. patent refers to such machines as "apparatus for rolling a cylindrical blank”.
  • the term "spline- forming machine” as used in this application refers to such a class of machines.
  • rack generally refers to that class of forming tools used in spline-forming machines. Saito et al., for example, refers to the forming tools as "flat dies”.
  • the invention is an improved vertical rack spline- forming machine built around a pair of vertical slide bases structurally connected by a novel tie bar arrangement.
  • the structural forces generated by the forming operation are balanced and contained by the slide bases and tie bars alone, without the need for additional structural connections such as the connecting upper frame and lower base shown in the Saito et al. patent.
  • two vertical slide bases are tied together with upper and lower pairs of tie bars symmetrically arranged around the workpiece, allowing the bases to
  • the tie-bar connected bases which form a structural unit of great integrity on their own, can be mounted upright in a simple space frame, with work-generated forces contained between the tie bars and not borne by the space frame.
  • Each of the vertical slide bases mounts a reciprocating slide with a forming tool of conventional type.
  • each of the slides is mounted for travel on its respective slide base by a novel carriage and rail structure in which each slide is connected to a set of spaced rails on the slide base by one or more carriages.
  • the drive system for the vertically reciprocating slides presents another inventive aspect of the new machine.
  • the drive system for each slide is an independent electric motor spinning a roller screw shaft connected to the rail-mounted slide.
  • the roller screw is connected to the slide to rapidly and precisely drive the slide up and down along the slide base.
  • the position and speed of the slide are controlled by monitoring apparatus associated with the motor to keep track of slide position as a function of shaft angle and the total number of shaft rotations.
  • a tooth clutch type brake can be used on the shaft to hold the slide as a safety feature once the servomotor has stopped the slide at a predetermined limit.
  • the illustrated system as a whole has been found capable of controlling the position of each slide within one ten-thousandth of an inch (.0001 inches).
  • Calibration and synchronization of the slides is critical.
  • calibration is achieved with precision ground datum surfaces at the ends of each slide, and synchronization is achieved with complex linkages and timing gears.
  • calibration and synchronization are achieved in novel fashion by replacing physical datum surfaces with electronic "datum surfaces" programmed into the motor control circuitry, for example a PLC built into or communicating with the motors and their shaft angle encoder systems.
  • the independently driven slides are calibrated and then driven synchronously by electronic signal, rather than with the physical reference point and mechanical drive linkage characteristic of the prior art.
  • electromechanical is used broadly here, and encompasses digital, analog, optical and other similar electrical-based, non-mechanical data storage and signal communication devices and techniques.
  • aspects of the present invention include a bolt-together machine design; improved front and rear access to the machine and its control and workpiece-feeding accessories, eliminating unnecessary side access so that machines can be stacked side by side; and improved access to and through an electrical panel uniquely mounted on a portion of the machine's space frame.
  • Figure 1 is an elevational view, partially in section, of the front (workpiece-loading) face of a vertical rack spline-forming machine according to the present invention
  • Figure 1 A is a simplified elevational view of the machine shown in Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of the machine of Figure 1 , from the front left side, additionally illustrating a workpiece holding/loading station of conventional type on the front of the machine, and a novel space frame around the machine in phantom lines;
  • Figure 2A is the same view of the machine as in Figure 2, except that the machine is shown in phantom lines, and the space frame is shown in solid lines;
  • Figure 3 is a right side elevational view of the space frame of
  • Figure 3A is a rear perspective view of the frame and control panel shown in Figure 3;
  • Figure 4 is a simplified front elevational view of the machine in Figure 1 , illustrating the tie bar connecting arrangement for the vertical slide bases;
  • Figure 4A is a plan view, partially in section, of the machine of Figure 1 , illustrating details of the slide bases and slides, in particular the reciprocating rail-mounted carriage structure;
  • Figure 5 is a plan view of a single slide
  • Figure 5A is a side view of the slides in Figure 5;
  • Figure 6 is a shortened, partially sectioned front elevational view of a motor and roller screw drive system according to the invention, used for driving a slide up and down on its slide base;
  • Figure 6A is a simplified, schematic illustration of a preferred drive system according to the invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the electronic control and communication system used to control the machine illustrated in Figures
  • Figure 8 is a schematic flow chart representation of a machine cycle for loading, operating, and unloading the machine of Figures 1 - 7; and, Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of the electronic calibration and synchronization of the slides.
  • FIG. 1 a vertical rack spline-forming machine according to the present invention is illustrated to clearly show its fundamental components: vertical slide bases and tie bar connecting structure; slide and rack fixture assemblies; motor operated roller screw drive system; and non-structural space frame. 7
  • Slide bases 1 2 are each formed from cast and/or machined metal such as steel.
  • the size of the slide bases in the illustrated example is on the order of eight to ten feet high.
  • Slide bases 1 2 include two distinct portions: thick, blocklike structural "plates" 1 2a in the center, and slide rail supports 1 2b extending up and down from the top and bottom edges of plates 1 2a.
  • rail supports 1 2b preferably take the form of two spaced parallel beams extending from the upper and lower ends of plates 1 2a.
  • rail supports 1 2b are separately formed and then attached by welding or bolting to plates 1 2a.
  • Supports 1 2b can also be integrally cast with plates 1 2a. While spaced parallel supports 1 2b are preferred, a single wide support could also be used to support the below-described slide rails if weight and cost are not factors. However, spaced supports 1 2b provide ready-made clearance and access for drive mechanisms discussed below.
  • vertical slide bases 1 2 are structurally joined with tie bars 14.
  • Illustrated tie bars 14 comprise an elongated center stud 1 4a with threaded screw and nut ends 1 4b and
  • each tie bar is secured in one of four threaded blind bores 1 2c formed in lefthand side plate 12a, while threaded nut end 14c and pre-loading nut 1 4e are located in wells 1 2d formed in the outside face of righthand side plate 1 2a.
  • the tie bars may optionally include fitting spacers (not shown) between sleeves 1 4d and side plates 1 2a, as needed, to properly space and tension the two slide bases for different forming operation.
  • tie bar is illustrated by way of preferred example, and that the type of tie bar used to join the slide bases can vary.
  • Pre-loading type nuts 14e are preferred, are commercially available, and can be used not only to produce high pre-stress levels to maintain tie bar tension through thousands of work cycles, but further enable the user to fine-tune the tension of each tie bar 14 so that tension forces on the structurally joined slide bases 12 are even.
  • a standard nut can be used to tension the tie bars.
  • slide bases 1 2 are a structural unit with no further need for framing or connecting other than a stand to hold the machine upright in a vertical position.
  • this is achieved with a space frame 50 formed from steel box tubing welded or bolted together.
  • the lower ends of slide base plates 1 2a rest on horizontal bars 50a and are secured thereto, preferably by bolting.
  • space frame 50 provides a stabilizing support to hold machine 1 0 in an upright position, it does not need to provide structural rigidity, which is achieved with tie bars 14 acting through plates 1 2a.
  • Each slide base 1 2 carries a vertically reciprocating slide and rack fixture assembly on a spaced pair of rails 1 6, which are fastened to plates 1 2a and rail supports 1 2b, preferably by bolting.
  • multiple pairs of slide carriages 20 on rails 1 6 carry a slide 1 8, a fixture 22, and a forming tool such as rack 24.
  • fixtures 22 and racks 24 are of known type, for example manufactured by Anderson Cook, Inc. of Fraser, Michigan and incorporated in their commercially available horizontal spline-forming machines.
  • FIG 4A The slide, carriage and rail structure of the present invention is best shown in Figure 4A, in which rails 1 6 and carriages 20 are illustrated in plan view.
  • Rails 1 6 and carriages 20 can be of a commercially available type, for example the Roller Rail ® system made by Mannesmann Rexroth. While the illustrated embodiment shows multiple sets of carriages 20 for each slide 1 8, the number may vary depending on the length of the slide and the spline-forming rack 24 carried on the slide by fixture 22.
  • Figure 4A also illustrates a roller nut assembly 30 attached to the lower surface of each slide 1 8 between rails 1 6 and carriages 20 (see Figure 1 ) .
  • roller nut assembly 30 is a bracket housing a roller nut 30a connected to a roller screw drive shaft
  • Figure 4A also shows a conventional headstock assembly 25 fastened to the rear of slide bases 1 2, the headstock assembly capable of receiving and rotatably mounting the workpiece 26 along a longitudinal centerline axis between the spline-forming racks 24.
  • the workpiece is fed longitudinally into the center of the machine and onto the headstock spindle by a conventional outboard support device 101 whose details are not part of the present invention.
  • Slide assemblies 1 8, 20, 22, 24 are vertically reciprocated on their respective slide bases, one going up while the other goes down across workpiece 26, which is rotatably held at the centerline of the machine in known fashion.
  • the spline-forming teeth or ridges of racks 24 are set at a wedge-like angle by fixtures 22, progressively increasing their force on workpiece 26 to form the splines.
  • the travel of each rack is on the order of thirty-six inches, which is within an 10 average range for the industry, but which will vary depending on the size of the workpiece and the depth of the splines being formed.
  • the Electric Motor Drive System To drive the slide assemblies up and down on their respective bases, the machine of the present invention is provided with a novel drive system comprising an electric motor and roller screw drive on each slide base 1 2.
  • a novel drive system comprising an electric motor and roller screw drive on each slide base 1 2.
  • roller screw shaft 28 is connected by roller nut assembly 30 to the upper end of slide 1 8 between rails 1 6.
  • Roller screw shaft 28 is fastened to slide base 1 2 by a floating bearing assembly 32 at its lower end, and by a fixed bearing 33 in drive housing 34 on the upper end of base 1 2.
  • Roller screw shaft 28 is intermittently rotated at high speed by a direct drive electric servomotor 36 whose output is coupled to roller screw shaft 28 through a torsion-resistant flexible coupling 38 and tooth clutch type brake 40 in housing 34.
  • roller screw shaft 28 and nut 30, servomotor 36, coupling 38, and tooth clutch brake 40 are commercially 11 available items.
  • suitable planetary roller screws and roller nuts are available from INA of Germany;
  • servomotors 36 can be purchased commercially from the Indramat Division of the Rexroth Corporation of Wood Dale, Illinois;
  • couplings 38 are available from Gam Enterprises Inc. of Chicago, Illinois;
  • tooth clutch brake 40 can be of the type available from Horton Industrial Products, Inc.
  • Space frame 50 is itself novel in that it is designed to provide an upright support for the above- described vertical rack spline-forming machine. Space frame 50 also accommodates the previously mentioned "cell” concept in which it is desirable to group several machines closely together side-by-side.
  • Illustrated space frame 50 is preferably formed from hollow steel tubing in a rectangular or square cross-section ("box tubing"), but may be formed from other known framing members of suitable strength and with different cross-sections, thicknesses and degrees of hollowness in the tubing.
  • Space frame 50 generally consists of a box-like lower main frame 50a, uprights 50b, a box-like upper main frame 50c, floor 12 members 50d with feet 51 , and a lift attachment such as an eyebolt 50e.
  • Illustrated frame 50 in Figures 3 and 3A also preferably includes a rear access frame 50f on which an electrical panel 52 is mounted like a door to swing open for access to the rear of the machine.
  • Frame 50 functions as an upright stand for the vertical rack spline- forming machine 10, which primarily rests on lower main frame 50a, in particular on the right and left horizontal supports as best shown in Figure 1 .
  • Slide base plates 1 2a are wide enough on their lower surfaces to rest on lower frame 50a, and can be secured to lower frame 50a by bolting, for example.
  • the upper surfaces of horizontal supports 50a include reinforcement flanges or brackets 50a' welded to 50a.
  • Slide bases 1 2a are then bolted to frame 50 through supports 50a and flanges 50a' to secure machine 10 against vibration.
  • slide bases 1 2 further include brackets 1 2d bridging the lower ends of rail supports 1 2b for adding stability to supports 1 2b, which are free-hanging in the sense that their ends are not attached to frame 50. It is also desirable to connect the upper end of machine 10 to frame 50, for example by bolting the upper surfaces of side plates 12a to upper main frame 50c.
  • the ends of upper rail supports 1 2b are preferably bridged by a stabilizing bracket 1 2d and are free-standing.
  • frame 50 be sufficiently strong to act as a lift support for machine 1 0, allowing a crane or hoist to be attached to upper main frame 50c, for example to eyebolt 50e, to carry frame 50 and/or machine 1 0 to a different location.
  • the frame members are preferably joined by welding, with the exception of front uprights 50b which are detachable (e.g. bolted to frame 50) to insert and remove machine 1 0 into and from the frame. 13
  • the rear access portion 50f of illustrated frame 50 provides a novel and convenient support structure for electrical panel 52 which houses, for example, power bus terminals and power/control modules for the drive motors, and a programmable logic controller (PLC) with input/output communicating with the motor modules, with the operator workstation at the front of the machine, and with secondary machine components such as the workpiece-feeding outboard support and limit switches.
  • Electrical panel 52 is preferably mounted so that it can be swung open on hinges 50g to provide unobstructed, doorway-type access to the rear half of machine 1 0 through frame 50. Access to the interior of electrical panel 52 is by way of latches and handles 52b and 52c used to open and close door 52a on the electrical panel. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that space frame
  • FIG. 7 a preferred communication and control system is illustrated schematically for machine 10. While it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the exemplary control and communication system for machine 10 disclosed in the present application can be configured with some flexibility, depending on operator requirements, Figure 7 illustrates a basic control layout especially suited for the dual servomotor drive system described above.
  • Operator station 1 00 is of a generally known type, for example comprising an operator terminal and configurable operator panel including 14 display screens, key pads and buttons for entering information and commands, and other functions known to those skilled in the art. In the illustrated embodiment, however, the operator station includes a PLC- type operator terminal and configurable operator panel which can be used to monitor and operate the above-described servomotors 36.
  • Operator station 100 is located in the front of the machine as best shown in Figure 2.
  • Operator station 1 00 communicates by cable with PLC 102, which may be located in the operator station or remotely in the electrical panel
  • PLC 1 02 is a commercially available item, for example part of a CNC-type control system module from Indramat.
  • PLC 1 02 provides output signals to secondary mechanic components collectively shown at 104, and to power control modules
  • a linear scale type device 36' for example as schematically illustrated at 36b, 36c and 36b', 36c' in the drawings, may be used to supply slide position information to modules 1 06.
  • Power control modules 106 enable the servomotors to
  • FIG 8 a machine cycle for loading a workpiece into machine 1 0, forming splines on the workpiece, and unloading the workpiece from the machine is illustrated schematically in flowchart form for a preferred cycle of operation.
  • the workpiece typically an unformed cylindrical shaft
  • a workholding bracket 1 01 a Figure 2 in the outboard support at the front of the machine in known manner.
  • the outboard support is advanced, moving the loaded part into the machine for the forming operation.
  • PLC 1 02 illustrated in Figure 7 receives the "advance outboard support" command from the operator station, and uses an I/O signal to advance the outboard support as a secondary machine component 104.
  • the rack slides are advanced from their "home” position and reciprocated across the loaded workpiece, in the illustrated embodiment forming spline teeth around the portion being formed.
  • PLC 102 receives the "advance slides" command from the operator station.
  • the PLC then provides output to the two servomotor power/control modules, which signal the two servomotors to advance the slide.
  • Motor speed and shaft angle encoder information received through the servomotor feedback cables and shared over the communication cable between the two power/control modules ensures slide synchronicity.
  • the outboard support is returned to remove the formed part from the machine.
  • the PLC receives the "return outboard support” command from the operator station, and the PLC uses I/O signals to return the outboard support.
  • the slides are returned to their "home” position.
  • the PLC receives the "return slides” command from the operator station, and 16 provides output to the two servomotor power/control modules which then signal the two servomotors to return the slides.
  • step 250 the part is unloaded from the machine workholding bracket. This completes the end of one forming cycle, which can then be repeated on subsequent workpieces.
  • home ends 1 8a of schematically illustrated slides 1 8 rest at electronic datu s 1 8b (-x ma ⁇ and + x m a ⁇ in the reference scheme of Figure 9).
  • Electronic datums 1 8b are established by programming in PLC 1 02 ( Figure 7) .
  • Shaft angle encoders 36a built into servomotors 36 provide realtime measurement of the exact position of slides 1 8.
  • Power/control modules 1 06 ( Figure 7) and PLC 1 02 monitor the positions of slides 1 8 with respect to electronic datums 1 8a and to each other.
  • the electronic calibration and synchronization of the present invention eliminates the need for physical determination of datum surfaces and for manually adjusting out-of-sync rack slides and/or regrinding the physical datums when a problem occurs.
  • the electronic synchronization of the present invention through the direct drive motor system, particularly using a roller screw drive with shaft angle encoding, allows the electronic datums and the synchronizations of the slides to be carried out more precisely than with any mechanical, hydraulic, or limit switch controlled system known in the art.
  • the electronic calibration and synchronization of the rack slides in the present invention also eliminates the need for limit switches to prevent overtravel of the rack slides, although limit switches can be provided, if desired, as a backup to the servomotor control over the slides.

Abstract

A vertical rack-type spline-forming machine (10) based on a novel slide base arrangement comprising a pair of vertical slide bases (12) structurally joined by a symmetrically arranged set of the tie bars (14). The structurally-joined vertical slide bases can be rested in an upright position on a nonstructural space frame (50) which provides improved access and lift capabilities to the vertical machine. The machine also includes a novel drive system using independent electric motors (36), one motor associated with each vertical slide base to drive the rack (24) on that base through a roller screw shaft mechanism (28). The racks are further electronically synchronized through position signals communicated between the motor drives, and the rack home positions are calibrated with electronic 'datums' programmed into the motor drives and capable of being recalibrated in programmable fashion if one of the racks loses synchronicity.

Description

1 DRIVE SYSTEM FOR VERTICAL RACK SPLINE-FORMING MACHINE
Field of the Invention This invention is in the field of spline-forming machines, and more particularly spline-forming machines which reciprocate forming tools such as toothed racks across a workpiece.
Background of the Invention Spline forming machines using reciprocating racks are well known in the art as evidenced, for example, by the large number of patents owned by the assignee of the present application. These include: U.S. Patent No. 4,71 2,41 0; U.S. Patent No. 4,71 2,408; U.S. Patent No.
4,689,980; U.S. Patent No. 4,677,836; U.S. Patent No. 4,506,537; U.S. Patent No. 4,487,047; U.S. Patent No. 4,467,631 ; U.S. Patent No. 4,399,678; U.S. Patent No. 4,380,91 8; U.S. Patent No. 4,270,375; U.S. Patent No. 4,729,233; U.S. Patent No. 4,741 , 1 91 ; U.S. Patent No. 4,756, 1 79; U.S. Patent No. 4,756, 1 82; U.S. Patent No. 4,81 9,468;
U.S. Patent No. 4,829,800; U.S. Patent No. 4,852,375; U.S. Patent No. 4,882,926; U.S. Patent No. 4,891 ,962; U.S. Patent No. 4,956,986; and, U.S. Patent No. 5,509,287.
Most spline forming machines currently used in the United States are of the horizontal type, in which horizontally reciprocating forming tools are driven across a rotatable workpiece to form the splines. However, the manufacturing industry is increasingly implementing the "cell" concept in which machines are grouped closely, requiring more efficient use of floor space than the typical horizontal spline-forming machine offers. In Japan, where the cell concept is more widely established, it is known to use vertical rack spline-forming machines of the type shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,646,549 to Saito et al.
Vertical rack spline-forming machines, however, tend to be more lightly built and less rigid than horizontal machines, adversely affecting the spline-forming operation in which powerful forces are generated between the racks and the workpiece. Saito et al., for example, uses narrow "slide columns" as vertical bases, with a direct sliding fit between the slides and the column faces requiring massive slab-like front and rear tie bars through which workfeeding and slide-synchronizing mechanisms must be routed. The Saito et al. columns further require a structural lower base and upper connecting frame to tie the columns together. Friction between the mating slide and column faces is inherently high, and the tie bar preloading on the slide columns likely affects the fit of the slides on the column faces, the force of the spline- forming dies on the workpiece, and therefore the quality of the forming operation.
The hydraulic drive systems on prior machines, especially vertical machines such as Saito et al. where the drive cylinders are on top of the machine, present maintenance difficulties such as keeping the machine clean and free from hydraulic leaks. Known hydraulic drives also take up floor space, generate significant noise with their associated pressure packages, and require timers to shut pressure down during periods of non-use to conserve energy.
Another difficulty with vertical rack spline-forming machines is encountered when trying to locate their slide linkages and timing gear compactly around the machine. The common drive and linkage operating the two sliding racks must be synchronized, and Saito et al. discloses several fairly complicated arrangements for doing so: timing racks connected to the spline-forming "flat dies", the timing racks meshing with a passive synchronizer or timing gear; a hydraulically-driven timing gear; motor-driven crank arms and connecting rods; and a hydraulic circuit activated by limit switch position sensors.
Another drawback of prior art machines is the need for a datum surface against which the reciprocating racks are calibrated during assembly so that each rack is evenly positioned relative to the workpiece. If either of the spline-forming racks loses its calibration and therefore its synchronicity with the other rack, it is often necessary to either regrind the datum surfaces, or to make a full-tooth adjustment to the out-of-sync rack.
Summary of the Invention It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the term
"spline-forming machine" as used herein refers to a known class of machines which may go by other names and whose use may vary somewhat depending on the exact nature of the workpiece and type of forming operation. For example, the Saito et al. patent refers to such machines as "apparatus for rolling a cylindrical blank". The term "spline- forming machine" as used in this application refers to such a class of machines.
It should also be understood that the term "rack" as used herein generally refers to that class of forming tools used in spline-forming machines. Saito et al., for example, refers to the forming tools as "flat dies".
In a first aspect, the invention is an improved vertical rack spline- forming machine built around a pair of vertical slide bases structurally connected by a novel tie bar arrangement. The structural forces generated by the forming operation are balanced and contained by the slide bases and tie bars alone, without the need for additional structural connections such as the connecting upper frame and lower base shown in the Saito et al. patent. In the illustrated embodiment, two vertical slide bases are tied together with upper and lower pairs of tie bars symmetrically arranged around the workpiece, allowing the bases to
"parallel breathe" such that the forces exerted on the workpiece remain centered throughout the work cycle. The tie-bar connected bases, which form a structural unit of great integrity on their own, can be mounted upright in a simple space frame, with work-generated forces contained between the tie bars and not borne by the space frame. Each of the vertical slide bases mounts a reciprocating slide with a forming tool of conventional type. However, each of the slides is mounted for travel on its respective slide base by a novel carriage and rail structure in which each slide is connected to a set of spaced rails on the slide base by one or more carriages.
The drive system for the vertically reciprocating slides presents another inventive aspect of the new machine. Broadly speaking, the drive system for each slide is an independent electric motor spinning a roller screw shaft connected to the rail-mounted slide. The roller screw is connected to the slide to rapidly and precisely drive the slide up and down along the slide base. In one preferred embodiment, the position and speed of the slide are controlled by monitoring apparatus associated with the motor to keep track of slide position as a function of shaft angle and the total number of shaft rotations. A tooth clutch type brake can be used on the shaft to hold the slide as a safety feature once the servomotor has stopped the slide at a predetermined limit. The illustrated system as a whole has been found capable of controlling the position of each slide within one ten-thousandth of an inch (.0001 inches). Calibration and synchronization of the slides is critical. In the prior art, calibration is achieved with precision ground datum surfaces at the ends of each slide, and synchronization is achieved with complex linkages and timing gears. In yet another aspect of the present invention, calibration and synchronization are achieved in novel fashion by replacing physical datum surfaces with electronic "datum surfaces" programmed into the motor control circuitry, for example a PLC built into or communicating with the motors and their shaft angle encoder systems. The independently driven slides are calibrated and then driven synchronously by electronic signal, rather than with the physical reference point and mechanical drive linkage characteristic of the prior art. The term "electronic" is used broadly here, and encompasses digital, analog, optical and other similar electrical-based, non-mechanical data storage and signal communication devices and techniques.
Other aspects of the present invention include a bolt-together machine design; improved front and rear access to the machine and its control and workpiece-feeding accessories, eliminating unnecessary side access so that machines can be stacked side by side; and improved access to and through an electrical panel uniquely mounted on a portion of the machine's space frame.
These and other advantages and inventive features of the new machine will become apparent upon further reading, with reference to the drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is an elevational view, partially in section, of the front (workpiece-loading) face of a vertical rack spline-forming machine according to the present invention;
Figure 1 A is a simplified elevational view of the machine shown in Figure 1 ;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the machine of Figure 1 , from the front left side, additionally illustrating a workpiece holding/loading station of conventional type on the front of the machine, and a novel space frame around the machine in phantom lines;
Figure 2A is the same view of the machine as in Figure 2, except that the machine is shown in phantom lines, and the space frame is shown in solid lines; Figure 3 is a right side elevational view of the space frame of
Figure 2, with a hinged electrical panel illustrated at the rear of the frame in phantom lines;
Figure 3A is a rear perspective view of the frame and control panel shown in Figure 3; Figure 4 is a simplified front elevational view of the machine in Figure 1 , illustrating the tie bar connecting arrangement for the vertical slide bases;
Figure 4A is a plan view, partially in section, of the machine of Figure 1 , illustrating details of the slide bases and slides, in particular the reciprocating rail-mounted carriage structure;
Figure 5 is a plan view of a single slide;
Figure 5A is a side view of the slides in Figure 5;
Figure 6 is a shortened, partially sectioned front elevational view of a motor and roller screw drive system according to the invention, used for driving a slide up and down on its slide base;
Figure 6A is a simplified, schematic illustration of a preferred drive system according to the invention;
Figure 7 is a schematic representation of the electronic control and communication system used to control the machine illustrated in Figures
1 - 6, in particular the electronic control of the motors driving the slides;
Figure 8 is a schematic flow chart representation of a machine cycle for loading, operating, and unloading the machine of Figures 1 - 7; and, Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of the electronic calibration and synchronization of the slides.
Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment Referring first to Figures 1 , 1 A and 2, a vertical rack spline-forming machine according to the present invention is illustrated to clearly show its fundamental components: vertical slide bases and tie bar connecting structure; slide and rack fixture assemblies; motor operated roller screw drive system; and non-structural space frame. 7
The Vertical Slide Bases And Tie Bar Connecting Structure The structural heart of the new machine is a pair of vertical slide bases 1 2 joined together by upper and lower sets of parallel tie bars 14. Slide bases 1 2 are each formed from cast and/or machined metal such as steel. The size of the slide bases in the illustrated example is on the order of eight to ten feet high. Slide bases 1 2 include two distinct portions: thick, blocklike structural "plates" 1 2a in the center, and slide rail supports 1 2b extending up and down from the top and bottom edges of plates 1 2a. As best shown in Figure 2, rail supports 1 2b preferably take the form of two spaced parallel beams extending from the upper and lower ends of plates 1 2a. In the illustrated embodiment, rail supports 1 2b are separately formed and then attached by welding or bolting to plates 1 2a. Supports 1 2b can also be integrally cast with plates 1 2a. While spaced parallel supports 1 2b are preferred, a single wide support could also be used to support the below-described slide rails if weight and cost are not factors. However, spaced supports 1 2b provide ready-made clearance and access for drive mechanisms discussed below.
Referring to Figures 1 , 2, and 4, vertical slide bases 1 2 are structurally joined with tie bars 14. Illustrated tie bars 14 comprise an elongated center stud 1 4a with threaded screw and nut ends 1 4b and
14c, a spacer sleeve 14d, and a pre-loading nut tensioner 14e. Threaded screw end 1 4b of each tie bar is secured in one of four threaded blind bores 1 2c formed in lefthand side plate 12a, while threaded nut end 14c and pre-loading nut 1 4e are located in wells 1 2d formed in the outside face of righthand side plate 1 2a. The tie bars may optionally include fitting spacers (not shown) between sleeves 1 4d and side plates 1 2a, as needed, to properly space and tension the two slide bases for different forming operation.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that only one possible type of tie bar is illustrated by way of preferred example, and that the type of tie bar used to join the slide bases can vary. Pre-loading type nuts 14e are preferred, are commercially available, and can be used not only to produce high pre-stress levels to maintain tie bar tension through thousands of work cycles, but further enable the user to fine-tune the tension of each tie bar 14 so that tension forces on the structurally joined slide bases 12 are even. Alternately, a standard nut can be used to tension the tie bars.
The symmetrical spacing of the high strength, evenly tensioned tie bars orthogonally bracketing the workpiece 26 at the center of the machine (at right angles to the longitudinal workpiece axis) allows the machine to "parallel breathe" as the force generated by the racks on the workpiece increases during a work cycle. Work-generated forces thus remain centered on the workpiece, resulting in more precise control over the critical dimensions of the splines formed on the workpiece.
Once slide bases 1 2 have been joined by the above-described tie bar arrangement, they are a structural unit with no further need for framing or connecting other than a stand to hold the machine upright in a vertical position. In the illustrated embodiment, this is achieved with a space frame 50 formed from steel box tubing welded or bolted together. The lower ends of slide base plates 1 2a rest on horizontal bars 50a and are secured thereto, preferably by bolting. While space frame 50 provides a stabilizing support to hold machine 1 0 in an upright position, it does not need to provide structural rigidity, which is achieved with tie bars 14 acting through plates 1 2a.
The Rack Slides and Rail Structure Each slide base 1 2 carries a vertically reciprocating slide and rack fixture assembly on a spaced pair of rails 1 6, which are fastened to plates 1 2a and rail supports 1 2b, preferably by bolting. In the illustrated embodiment, multiple pairs of slide carriages 20 on rails 1 6 carry a slide 1 8, a fixture 22, and a forming tool such as rack 24. In the illustrated embodiment, fixtures 22 and racks 24 are of known type, for example manufactured by Anderson Cook, Inc. of Fraser, Michigan and incorporated in their commercially available horizontal spline-forming machines.
The slide, carriage and rail structure of the present invention is best shown in Figure 4A, in which rails 1 6 and carriages 20 are illustrated in plan view. Rails 1 6 and carriages 20 can be of a commercially available type, for example the Roller Rail® system made by Mannesmann Rexroth. While the illustrated embodiment shows multiple sets of carriages 20 for each slide 1 8, the number may vary depending on the length of the slide and the spline-forming rack 24 carried on the slide by fixture 22.
Figure 4A also illustrates a roller nut assembly 30 attached to the lower surface of each slide 1 8 between rails 1 6 and carriages 20 (see Figure 1 ) . In the illustrated embodiment, roller nut assembly 30 is a bracket housing a roller nut 30a connected to a roller screw drive shaft
28.
Figure 4A also shows a conventional headstock assembly 25 fastened to the rear of slide bases 1 2, the headstock assembly capable of receiving and rotatably mounting the workpiece 26 along a longitudinal centerline axis between the spline-forming racks 24. The workpiece is fed longitudinally into the center of the machine and onto the headstock spindle by a conventional outboard support device 101 whose details are not part of the present invention.
Slide assemblies 1 8, 20, 22, 24 are vertically reciprocated on their respective slide bases, one going up while the other goes down across workpiece 26, which is rotatably held at the centerline of the machine in known fashion. The spline-forming teeth or ridges of racks 24 are set at a wedge-like angle by fixtures 22, progressively increasing their force on workpiece 26 to form the splines. In the illustrated example, the travel of each rack is on the order of thirty-six inches, which is within an 10 average range for the industry, but which will vary depending on the size of the workpiece and the depth of the splines being formed.
The Electric Motor Drive System To drive the slide assemblies up and down on their respective bases, the machine of the present invention is provided with a novel drive system comprising an electric motor and roller screw drive on each slide base 1 2. By providing each slide assembly with its own motor drive, and further by using a preferred direct drive type servomotor, the racks can be driven with greater precision and synchronized with greater ease than in prior art systems using mechanically or hydraulically linked racks with a common hydraulic drive. The electric motor drive of the present invention allows each rack to be electronically calibrated and synchronized, without the need for physical datum surfaces which must be periodically reground. The electric motor drive also eliminates the noise, pressure package, and maintenance problems associated with prior art hydraulic drives, preserves floor space otherwise taken up by hydraulic drives, and is relatively lightweight and simple, important considerations for a vertical machine where the drive is located at the top of the machine and may only be accessible by ladder. In the illustrated embodiment, with emphasis now on Figures 1 and 6, a roller screw shaft 28 is connected by roller nut assembly 30 to the upper end of slide 1 8 between rails 1 6. Roller screw shaft 28 is fastened to slide base 1 2 by a floating bearing assembly 32 at its lower end, and by a fixed bearing 33 in drive housing 34 on the upper end of base 1 2. Roller screw shaft 28 is intermittently rotated at high speed by a direct drive electric servomotor 36 whose output is coupled to roller screw shaft 28 through a torsion-resistant flexible coupling 38 and tooth clutch type brake 40 in housing 34.
In the illustrated embodiment, roller screw shaft 28 and nut 30, servomotor 36, coupling 38, and tooth clutch brake 40 are commercially 11 available items. For example, suitable planetary roller screws and roller nuts are available from INA of Germany; servomotors 36 can be purchased commercially from the Indramat Division of the Rexroth Corporation of Wood Dale, Illinois; couplings 38 are available from Gam Enterprises Inc. of Chicago, Illinois; and tooth clutch brake 40 can be of the type available from Horton Industrial Products, Inc.
Referring to Figures 6 and 6a, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the specific example of a motor drive system as shown in Figure 6 is a preferred example which is not intended to limit the invention to the specifically-named components above. While many of the components can be purchased commercially, those listed above are not exclusive. The schematic illustration of the drive system in Figure 6a better illustrates the fact that it is the broad concept of a motor drive operating a roller screw shaft which is believed to be inventive. And while the disclosed arrangement of couplings, bearings and braking mechanisms is preferred, the invention is believed to reside more broadly in the motor drive and shaft arrangement.
The Space Frame Referring to Figures 2, 2A and 3, details of the space frame 50 are shown in relation to the vertical machine. Space frame 50 is itself novel in that it is designed to provide an upright support for the above- described vertical rack spline-forming machine. Space frame 50 also accommodates the previously mentioned "cell" concept in which it is desirable to group several machines closely together side-by-side. Illustrated space frame 50 is preferably formed from hollow steel tubing in a rectangular or square cross-section ("box tubing"), but may be formed from other known framing members of suitable strength and with different cross-sections, thicknesses and degrees of hollowness in the tubing. Space frame 50 generally consists of a box-like lower main frame 50a, uprights 50b, a box-like upper main frame 50c, floor 12 members 50d with feet 51 , and a lift attachment such as an eyebolt 50e. Illustrated frame 50 in Figures 3 and 3A also preferably includes a rear access frame 50f on which an electrical panel 52 is mounted like a door to swing open for access to the rear of the machine. Frame 50 functions as an upright stand for the vertical rack spline- forming machine 10, which primarily rests on lower main frame 50a, in particular on the right and left horizontal supports as best shown in Figure 1 . Slide base plates 1 2a are wide enough on their lower surfaces to rest on lower frame 50a, and can be secured to lower frame 50a by bolting, for example. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper surfaces of horizontal supports 50a include reinforcement flanges or brackets 50a' welded to 50a. Slide bases 1 2a are then bolted to frame 50 through supports 50a and flanges 50a' to secure machine 10 against vibration. In the illustrated embodiment, slide bases 1 2 further include brackets 1 2d bridging the lower ends of rail supports 1 2b for adding stability to supports 1 2b, which are free-hanging in the sense that their ends are not attached to frame 50. It is also desirable to connect the upper end of machine 10 to frame 50, for example by bolting the upper surfaces of side plates 12a to upper main frame 50c. Like their lower end counterparts, the ends of upper rail supports 1 2b are preferably bridged by a stabilizing bracket 1 2d and are free-standing. It is preferred that frame 50 be sufficiently strong to act as a lift support for machine 1 0, allowing a crane or hoist to be attached to upper main frame 50c, for example to eyebolt 50e, to carry frame 50 and/or machine 1 0 to a different location. For this purpose the frame members are preferably joined by welding, with the exception of front uprights 50b which are detachable (e.g. bolted to frame 50) to insert and remove machine 1 0 into and from the frame. 13
Electrical Panel Mounting Referring now to Figures 3 and 3A, the rear access portion 50f of illustrated frame 50 provides a novel and convenient support structure for electrical panel 52 which houses, for example, power bus terminals and power/control modules for the drive motors, and a programmable logic controller (PLC) with input/output communicating with the motor modules, with the operator workstation at the front of the machine, and with secondary machine components such as the workpiece-feeding outboard support and limit switches. Electrical panel 52 is preferably mounted so that it can be swung open on hinges 50g to provide unobstructed, doorway-type access to the rear half of machine 1 0 through frame 50. Access to the interior of electrical panel 52 is by way of latches and handles 52b and 52c used to open and close door 52a on the electrical panel. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that space frame
50 lends itself to being paneled over to present a pleasing appearance, to prevent unauthorized access to the interior of the machine (except through the hinged electrical panel 52, which may be locked to rear frame 50f to limit access from the rear of the machine), and to reduce noise.
Communication And Control System Referring next to Figure 7, a preferred communication and control system is illustrated schematically for machine 10. While it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the exemplary control and communication system for machine 10 disclosed in the present application can be configured with some flexibility, depending on operator requirements, Figure 7 illustrates a basic control layout especially suited for the dual servomotor drive system described above. Operator station 1 00 is of a generally known type, for example comprising an operator terminal and configurable operator panel including 14 display screens, key pads and buttons for entering information and commands, and other functions known to those skilled in the art. In the illustrated embodiment, however, the operator station includes a PLC- type operator terminal and configurable operator panel which can be used to monitor and operate the above-described servomotors 36.
Suitable PLC-type operator terminals and configurable operator panels are commercially available, for example from Indramat. Operator station 100 is located in the front of the machine as best shown in Figure 2.
Operator station 1 00 communicates by cable with PLC 102, which may be located in the operator station or remotely in the electrical panel
52 at the rear of the machine. In the illustrated embodiment, PLC 1 02 is a commercially available item, for example part of a CNC-type control system module from Indramat.
PLC 1 02 provides output signals to secondary mechanic components collectively shown at 104, and to power control modules
106, each of which independently communicates with one of servomotors 36 operating the roller screw drive described above. Upon command from operator station 100, PLC 1 02 provides output to modules 106, which signal servomotors 36 via motor cables 108. Feedback cables 1 10 return information such as motor speed, shaft angle, and shaft rotation from the shaft angle encoder built into the servomotor. Alternately or additionally, a linear scale type device 36', for example as schematically illustrated at 36b, 36c and 36b', 36c' in the drawings, may be used to supply slide position information to modules 1 06. Power control modules 106 enable the servomotors to
"talk" with one another by electronic signal for calibration and synchronization purposes, in the illustrated embodiment via communication cable 1 1 2. It may also be possible to provide cable-free communication between the motors, for example by radio, optical, or similar wireless communication techniques known in the art. The means 15 of communication between the two servomotors will depend on the type or make of motor selected for use in the machine.
Referring now to Figure 8, a machine cycle for loading a workpiece into machine 1 0, forming splines on the workpiece, and unloading the workpiece from the machine is illustrated schematically in flowchart form for a preferred cycle of operation.
At step 200 the workpiece, typically an unformed cylindrical shaft, is manually or automatically loaded into a workholding bracket 1 01 a (Figure 2) in the outboard support at the front of the machine in known manner.
At step 210 the outboard support is advanced, moving the loaded part into the machine for the forming operation. PLC 1 02 illustrated in Figure 7 receives the "advance outboard support" command from the operator station, and uses an I/O signal to advance the outboard support as a secondary machine component 104.
At step 220, the rack slides are advanced from their "home" position and reciprocated across the loaded workpiece, in the illustrated embodiment forming spline teeth around the portion being formed. PLC 102 receives the "advance slides" command from the operator station. The PLC then provides output to the two servomotor power/control modules, which signal the two servomotors to advance the slide. Motor speed and shaft angle encoder information received through the servomotor feedback cables and shared over the communication cable between the two power/control modules ensures slide synchronicity. At step 230, the outboard support is returned to remove the formed part from the machine. The PLC receives the "return outboard support" command from the operator station, and the PLC uses I/O signals to return the outboard support.
At step 240, the slides are returned to their "home" position. The PLC receives the "return slides" command from the operator station, and 16 provides output to the two servomotor power/control modules which then signal the two servomotors to return the slides.
At step 250, the part is unloaded from the machine workholding bracket. This completes the end of one forming cycle, which can then be repeated on subsequent workpieces.
Referring now to Figure 9, the electronic calibration and synchronization of the rack slides is illustrated with a diagram representing rack slide travel from a home position relative to a workpiece centered at reference point x = 0. In Figure 9, the longitudinal axis of loaded workpiece 26 is at height x = 0 looking face- on into machine 10. In their home positions, home ends 1 8a of schematically illustrated slides 1 8 rest at electronic datu s 1 8b (-xmaχ and + xmaχ in the reference scheme of Figure 9). In some instances it may be desirable, although not necessary, to back up the electronic datums 1 8b with actual physical datums (not shown) of known type.
While the illustrated example shows home ends 1 8a of slides 1 8 being calibrated to their home position, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the electronic data can be associated with different portions of the slides, fixtures or racks at different vertical locations since it is not limited to a physical surface as in the prior art.
Electronic datums 1 8b are established by programming in PLC 1 02 (Figure 7) . Shaft angle encoders 36a built into servomotors 36 provide realtime measurement of the exact position of slides 1 8. Power/control modules 1 06 (Figure 7) and PLC 1 02 monitor the positions of slides 1 8 with respect to electronic datums 1 8a and to each other.
Communication 1 1 2 between servomotors 36, shown in Figure 7 between the servomotor power/control modules, ensures that the servomotors and the slides remain synchronized throughout the work cycle. If a slide 1 8 becomes out-of-sync, discrepancy between the measured position of the slide and the corresponding electronic datum 17
1 8b at the beginning or end of a workcycle (or whenever a check is effected manually through the operator station keyboard or automatically by PLC programming) will generate an out-of-sync signal to the operator. This condition is corrected by returning the out-of-sync rack slide to a home position corresponding with the electronic datum, and/or zeroing out or re-calibrating the electronic datum. Recalibration is accomplished by entering appropriate commands and information at the operator workstation keyboard.
The electronic calibration and synchronization of the present invention eliminates the need for physical determination of datum surfaces and for manually adjusting out-of-sync rack slides and/or regrinding the physical datums when a problem occurs. Moreover, the electronic synchronization of the present invention through the direct drive motor system, particularly using a roller screw drive with shaft angle encoding, allows the electronic datums and the synchronizations of the slides to be carried out more precisely than with any mechanical, hydraulic, or limit switch controlled system known in the art.
The electronic calibration and synchronization of the rack slides in the present invention also eliminates the need for limit switches to prevent overtravel of the rack slides, although limit switches can be provided, if desired, as a backup to the servomotor control over the slides.
While a currently preferred embodiment of the inventive machine has been illustrated above for purposes of explanation, it should be remembered that this is an exemplary embodiment, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific structure disclosed. It is anticipated that different makes and models of the commercially available motor drive and communication and control components can be used by those skilled in the art. The size and shape of the vertical slide bases and the space frame can vary for different operating requirements; for example, the term "plates" used to refer to the structurally tied portions of the vertical slide bases is not intended to be limited to the specific rectangular structure 1 2a of the illustrated embodiment, although generally rectangular, blocklike, symmetrical bodies capable of resting upright on a horizontal support are preferred. The nature of the forming operation and the forming tools used to shape the workpiece can also vary somewhat within what has been referred to as the "spline-forming" art. These are just a few examples of the physical features of the illustrated embodiment which can be replaced or modified with known equivalents, now that we have disclosed our invention, without removing the machine from the scope of that invention. Accordingly, we claim:

Claims

19 IN THE CLAIMS
1 . A spline-forming machine of the type in which spline- forming racks are simultaneously reciprocated across a rotatable workpiece, comprising: a pair of vertical slide bases on which the spline-forming racks are slidingly mounted by slides to reciprocate up and down across a workpiece rotating on an axis extending between the vertical slide bases; an electric motor drive associated with each vertical slide base for reciprocating the slide on that slide base, the electric motor drive comprising a motor located at an upper end of the slide base and a roller screw shaft, the roller screw shaft coupled to the motor at an upper end and connected at a lower end to the slide such that the rotation of the roller screw shaft is translated into up and down motion of the slide on the slide base.
2. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the motor is mounted on an upper end of the slide base.
3. The machine of claim 2, wherein the slide base includes a pair of spaced rails on which the slide is mounted by a pair of carriages for sliding reciprocation.
4. The machine of claim 3, wherein the roller screw shaft extends down from the motor along the slide base between the spaced rails.
5. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the roller screw shaft is connected to the slide by a roller nut. 20
6. The machine of claim 5, wherein the roller nut is connected to an upper end of the slide, and a lower end of the roller screw shaft is connected to the slide base.
7. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the roller screw shaft includes a braking mechanism.
8. The machine of claim 7, wherein the braking mechanism is a clutch type brake.
9. The machine of claim 1 , wherein each motor includes means associated with the motor for determining vertical slide position.
10. The machine of claim 9, wherein the means for determining vertical slide position comprises means for determining vertical slide position as a function of roller screw shaft rotation.
1 1 . The machine of claim 10, wherein the means for determining vertical slide position comprises a shaft angle encoder associated with each motor.
1 2. The machine of claim 9, wherein the means for determining vertical slide position comprises linear position measuring means.
1 3. The machine of claim 1 , further including a motor control means associated with each motor for determining and controlling vertical slide position in real time, and a communication path between the motors for synchronizing the slide. 21
1 4. The machine of claim 1 3, wherein the motor control means includes a stored electronic datum corresponding to a slide reference position.
1 5. The machine of claim 14, wherein the machine includes programmable means for re-calibrating the electronic datum for each slide.
PCT/US1999/004107 1998-02-27 1999-02-25 Drive system for vertical rack spline-forming machine WO1999043453A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU28775/99A AU2877599A (en) 1998-02-27 1999-02-25 Drive system for vertical rack spline-forming machine

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/032,150 1998-02-27
US09/032,150 US6047581A (en) 1998-02-27 1998-02-27 Drive system for vertical rack spline-forming machine

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999043453A1 true WO1999043453A1 (en) 1999-09-02

Family

ID=21863373

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1999/004107 WO1999043453A1 (en) 1998-02-27 1999-02-25 Drive system for vertical rack spline-forming machine

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US6047581A (en)
AU (1) AU2877599A (en)
WO (1) WO1999043453A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7407349B2 (en) 2004-07-15 2008-08-05 Heinz Kaiser Ag Boring tool

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10028165A1 (en) 2000-06-09 2001-12-13 Ex Cell O Gmbh Cold rolling machine comprises two profiled rollers moving in opposite directions and each arranged on a guide over a carriage, and an adjusting device having an adjustment drive
US6598859B1 (en) 2001-05-31 2003-07-29 Magnetek, Inc. Multiple hoist synchronization apparatus and method
US20090024247A1 (en) * 2007-07-20 2009-01-22 Christopher Scott Lovchik Slip sensor
CN111389951B (en) * 2020-03-26 2020-12-25 燕山大学 Tubular product rolls bloated forming hydraulic press

Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3303682A (en) * 1962-02-01 1967-02-14 Gen Motors Corp Method and apparatus for cold forming toothed elements
JPS5016310B1 (en) * 1971-02-05 1975-06-12
US4095446A (en) * 1977-02-16 1978-06-20 Jury Grigorievich Zabava Cross rolling mill
US4519231A (en) * 1983-03-11 1985-05-28 Roth Robert G Forming machine including drive mechanism having rack and gear synchronization
US4646549A (en) * 1983-03-22 1987-03-03 Osg Mfg. Co. Apparatus for rolling a cylindrical blank
JPS63235036A (en) * 1987-03-25 1988-09-30 Toyota Motor Corp Rolling device
JPS63309340A (en) * 1987-06-11 1988-12-16 Asahi Okuma Ind Co Ltd Device for detecting abnormality of flat thread rolling machine
JPH02187227A (en) * 1989-01-11 1990-07-23 Tatsuya Suzuki Form rolling machine
JPH02224838A (en) * 1989-02-27 1990-09-06 Toyota Motor Corp Motor-driven type form rolling device
US5076086A (en) * 1984-08-22 1991-12-31 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Thread rolling apparatus
US5077998A (en) * 1988-08-03 1992-01-07 Amada Company, Limited Machine tool
JPH04279220A (en) * 1991-03-08 1992-10-05 Amada Co Ltd Bending method and device therefor

Family Cites Families (49)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US382710A (en) * 1888-05-15 Andeew laundby
US609201A (en) * 1898-08-16 hathorn
US716681A (en) * 1902-05-06 1902-12-23 Fred H Daniels Manufacture of springs.
US923852A (en) * 1907-07-16 1909-06-08 William H Kennedy Riveting-machine.
US1266402A (en) * 1915-06-25 1918-05-14 Ferdinand E Canda Ball-rolling mill.
GB1333622A (en) * 1970-02-05 1973-10-10 Olivetti & Co Spa Machine for coining type-wheels or rollers for office machines
US3913476A (en) * 1970-02-05 1975-10-21 Olivetti & Co Spa Machine for embossing type-rollers for office machines
US3717017A (en) * 1971-03-18 1973-02-20 Gen Motors Corp Gear forming
JPS5218483B2 (en) * 1973-06-15 1977-05-21
SU549200A1 (en) * 1975-08-19 1977-03-05 Калининский Ордена Ленина Вагоностроительный Завод Им. М.И.Калинина Device for hot straightening of forged wagon axles
US4155236A (en) * 1978-01-23 1979-05-22 Anderson-Cook, Inc. Tooth forming machine
US4270375A (en) * 1979-07-10 1981-06-02 Anderson-Cook, Inc. Forming machine including rotary drive mechanism
CH655255A5 (en) * 1979-12-12 1986-04-15 Bruss Polt I METHOD FOR PRODUCING FINE WIRE AND DEVICE FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION.
US4399678A (en) * 1981-03-02 1983-08-23 Anderson-Cook, Inc. Rack for splining thin-wall sleeves of power transmission members
US4487047A (en) * 1981-03-02 1984-12-11 Anderson-Cook, Inc. Thin-wall spline forming
US4380918A (en) * 1981-03-02 1983-04-26 Anderson-Cook Inc. Thin-wall spline forming machine
US4610154A (en) * 1982-02-10 1986-09-09 Ex-Cell-O Corporation Tooth forming tool with toothless clamping section for splining tubular elements
US4485657A (en) * 1982-02-10 1984-12-04 Ex-Cell-O Corporation Tooth forming tool and method for splining tubular elements
BR8307391A (en) * 1982-06-04 1984-05-08 Bishop Arthur E TEMPLATE FOR MOLDING A PART OF A RACK BAR AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A RACK BAR
US4467631A (en) * 1982-07-08 1984-08-28 Anderson-Cook, Inc. Apparatus for splining thin-wall power transmission sleeves
US4506537A (en) * 1982-12-06 1985-03-26 Anderson-Cook, Inc. Die for splining thin-wall power transmitting members
US4829800A (en) * 1983-01-17 1989-05-16 Anderson-Cook, Inc. Method and apparatus for cold sizing a round workpiece having multiple diameters
US4712410A (en) * 1983-01-17 1987-12-15 Anderson-Cook, Inc. Method and apparatus for cold sizing a round workpiece having multiple diameters
US4918961A (en) * 1983-06-03 1990-04-24 Micromatic Textron Inc. Machine for splining clutch hubs with close tolerance spline bellmouth and oil seal surface roundness
US4658619A (en) * 1983-09-12 1987-04-21 Ex-Cell-O Corporation Machine for splining clutch hubs
US4712409A (en) * 1983-12-21 1987-12-15 Anderson-Cook, Inc. Threading and projection forming on different size diameters
US4677836A (en) * 1984-06-29 1987-07-07 Anderson-Cook, Inc. Apparatus for flanging and splining a thin-walled power transmission member
US4833605A (en) * 1984-08-16 1989-05-23 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Cascaded information processing module having operation unit, parallel port, and serial port for concurrent data transfer and data processing
JPS6152951A (en) * 1984-08-22 1986-03-15 Toyota Motor Corp Method of screw rolling
US4574605A (en) * 1984-08-29 1986-03-11 Ex-Cell-O Corporation Forming machine with multiple work stations
US4741191A (en) * 1985-06-12 1988-05-03 Anderson-Cook, Inc. Method for splining and flanging thin-walled members
US4756182A (en) * 1985-06-12 1988-07-12 Anderson-Cook, Inc. Die for flanging and chamfering thin-walled members
US4756179A (en) * 1985-06-12 1988-07-12 Anderson-Cook, Inc. Mandrell for flanging and splining thin-walled members
US4691551A (en) * 1985-07-26 1987-09-08 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Rolling method and rolling tools
US4689980A (en) * 1985-08-26 1987-09-01 Anderson-Cook, Inc. Method for snap ring forming and grooving
US4712408A (en) * 1985-09-23 1987-12-15 Anderson-Cook, Inc. Coarse pitch spline rolling
US4852375A (en) * 1986-05-12 1989-08-01 Anderson-Cook, Inc. Rack assembly for forming splines in thin-wall member
US4729233A (en) * 1986-05-12 1988-03-08 Anderson-Cook, Inc. Rack assembly for forming splines in thin-wall member
US4819468A (en) * 1987-08-21 1989-04-11 Anderson-Cook, Inc. Roll forming notches in a thin-wall power transmission member
US4882926A (en) * 1987-08-21 1989-11-28 Anderson-Cook, Inc. Roll forming notches in a thin-wall power transmission member
US4956986A (en) * 1987-08-21 1990-09-18 Anderson-Cook, Inc. Roll forming notches in a thin-wall power transmission member
US4891962A (en) * 1987-08-21 1990-01-09 Anderson-Cook, Inc. Roll forming notches in a thin-wall power transmission member
JPH0224838A (en) * 1988-07-13 1990-01-26 Hitachi Maxell Ltd Production of magnetic recording medium
US5509287A (en) * 1994-09-19 1996-04-23 Anderson-Cook, Inc. Method of conditioning the surface of a spline forming rack
JPH08117910A (en) * 1994-10-24 1996-05-14 Toyota Motor Corp Method for roll forming and device therefor
JP3095979B2 (en) * 1995-09-01 2000-10-10 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Finish rolling device for hot rolled gear
JPH0966332A (en) * 1995-09-01 1997-03-11 Toyota Motor Corp Roll forming device with two roller dies
JP3298764B2 (en) * 1995-09-06 2002-07-08 トヨタ自動車株式会社 High precision gear hot rolling method
US5661994A (en) * 1995-09-25 1997-09-02 Sundquist; Kevin E. Tube shaping apparatus

Patent Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3303682A (en) * 1962-02-01 1967-02-14 Gen Motors Corp Method and apparatus for cold forming toothed elements
JPS5016310B1 (en) * 1971-02-05 1975-06-12
US4095446A (en) * 1977-02-16 1978-06-20 Jury Grigorievich Zabava Cross rolling mill
US4519231A (en) * 1983-03-11 1985-05-28 Roth Robert G Forming machine including drive mechanism having rack and gear synchronization
US4646549A (en) * 1983-03-22 1987-03-03 Osg Mfg. Co. Apparatus for rolling a cylindrical blank
US5076086A (en) * 1984-08-22 1991-12-31 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Thread rolling apparatus
JPS63235036A (en) * 1987-03-25 1988-09-30 Toyota Motor Corp Rolling device
JPS63309340A (en) * 1987-06-11 1988-12-16 Asahi Okuma Ind Co Ltd Device for detecting abnormality of flat thread rolling machine
US5077998A (en) * 1988-08-03 1992-01-07 Amada Company, Limited Machine tool
JPH02187227A (en) * 1989-01-11 1990-07-23 Tatsuya Suzuki Form rolling machine
JPH02224838A (en) * 1989-02-27 1990-09-06 Toyota Motor Corp Motor-driven type form rolling device
JPH04279220A (en) * 1991-03-08 1992-10-05 Amada Co Ltd Bending method and device therefor

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7407349B2 (en) 2004-07-15 2008-08-05 Heinz Kaiser Ag Boring tool

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US6047581A (en) 2000-04-11
AU2877599A (en) 1999-09-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4781517A (en) Robotic automobile assembly
US7055240B2 (en) Positioning apparatus for precisely locating a part or other article
EP1172174B1 (en) Drilling apparatus for panels
CN110842996A (en) Four-axis double-sided engraving machine
CN114226809B (en) Multi-axis linkage type numerical control drilling and milling machine tool
US6047581A (en) Drive system for vertical rack spline-forming machine
US5950471A (en) Vertical rack spline forming machine
CN213164165U (en) Gantry machining center with high production efficiency
CN211333390U (en) Four-axis double-sided engraving machine
US5297907A (en) Portable machine tool
CN214922479U (en) Drilling and milling positioning device for frame material process hole
US5636962A (en) Automatic transfer apparatus
ITMI952778A1 (en) TABLE CHANGE DEVICE FOR A MACHINE FOR WORKING OF PIECES
CN209756590U (en) Five-axis three-dimensional engraving machine
CN111872222B (en) Large-size high-rigidity double-sided incremental forming machine tool
CN207372358U (en) Combined type milling machine
CN219310122U (en) Precise part drilling device capable of being positioned bidirectionally
JP2708918B2 (en) System for transferring workpieces through a series of processing stations
CN210161835U (en) Five-axis three-dimensional engraving machine
CN113043589A (en) Multi-track photocuring 3d printer
CN219582253U (en) Movable fixing mechanism for guide part machining
CN216503453U (en) Hinge beam supporting device
CN220480863U (en) Stable equipment for planer type milling production
CN220427514U (en) Machining auxiliary positioning supporting table
CN220217474U (en) Planer-type milling machine of quick fixed

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CU CZ DE DK EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT UA UG UZ VN YU ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW SD SL SZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: KR

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase