Importance

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Abstract

The disclosure relates to an improvement in multiple spindle, single drive, rotary indexing machine tool systems. The basic machine comprises a fixed circular base and a central, upwardly projecting column. An indexing circular worktable is mounted on the base, for incremental, rotary indexing movements about the central column. The worktable carries a number of rotatable, work-holding chucks or spindles, which are progressively indexable with the worktable from a loading station progressively through a series of rotationally displaced work positions. Pursuant to the invention, one of the work stations is arranged to be mechanically independent of the primary machine drive and is provided with a tool slide with independent, numerically controlled motors for X and Y axis tool movement, and a third independent motor for spindle rotation. The three motors at the final work station are coordinated by a computerized numerical control system, in itself of a known design, so that the final finish machining step may include a variety of operations not otherwise possible, such as complex contouring, threading, and the like. Additionally, the CNC controlled machining operations may be carried out in a manner to override the machining tolerance limitations which are otherwise inherent in the basic nature of the multiple spindle, rotary indexing type machine tool system.

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First Claim