GB1346370A - Automatic latches - Google Patents

Abstract

1346370 Automatic lathe CHURCHILL GEAR MACHINES Ltd 12 Oct 1972 [29 Oct 1971] 50456/71 Heading B3T An automatic lathe is of the type having a rotatable work spindle, a multi-armed tool turret 11 indexable about an axis parallel to the axis of the work spindle, means for effecting feed and return strokes along its indexing axis and dead-stops for limiting the feed strokes of the turret, a locating guide being provided for engaging, in succession, tenons on the respective turret arms during the feed return strokes, the lathe being characterized by means, controlled from a console for automatically setting the dead stops according to a programme. The selection of the required positions of the dead stops, each of which is constituted by a piston 1a-1d is made at the control console whereupon dead stop gates 3a-3d are raised by solenoid operation of the valves 10a-10d to actuate the gate pistons 2a-2d. After predetermined time delay a solenoid valve 16 operates to permit fluid pressure to retract the dead stops. At the end of the retraction movement the stops actuate respective plungers 17a-17d to cause reversal of the fluid flow to the stop cylinder 20 by valve 16 to effect advance of the dead stops. The advance of the dead stop piston is monitored by limit switches 4a-4d as their plungers engage notches 21 on the stops and whereby when the stops reach their respective required positions in accordance with the programme the pistons 2a-2d are actuated to engage the gates 3a-3d to lock the stops in their selected position. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 4 the dead stops and their control mechanism are housed in a main body 7 attached to the turret 11. In the embodiment, Figs. 6 and 7 (not shown), the deadstops are mounted on the turret and their control mechanism is mounted partly on the turret and partly on the machine frame. In the embodiment, Figs. 8-10 (not shown), the dead stops and their control mechanism are mounted on the lathe frame.