Abstract:
An apparatus for adjusting the grip of a tubular collet upon work, the collet receivable in a bore formed by a holder, and comprising a rotatable connector member having first and second thread connections to the collet and to the holder, respectively; the thread connections characterized as differential, with respect to the collet and to the holder, whereby as the member is rotated, the collet closes toward the work, with high mechanical advantage.
Abstract:
A quick setting and release actuator for cooperating with an axially movable chuck for holding a tubular workpiece in fixed position includes an anchor member (12) that is mounted in fixed relationship relative to a housing of a machine tool (20) and a thrust member (42) carried by a pivotally mounted carrier member (38) that pivots towards and away from the anchor member to drive the thrust member (42) into engagement with the end wall (44) of a multi-segment collet (26) to cause the collet to ride along its segment bearing surfaces (30) in a radial direction to engage the periphery of a workpiece (24) to be retained in the machine tool (20). Thrust member (42) may be pivotally mounted by a pivot connection (48) on the carrier (38) so that the thrust member will align itself with the end wall (44) of collet (26) even when the carrier is not precisely parallel with the collet end wall. In an alternative arrangement, rounded thrust pins may be used to transmit axial force to the collet (26) and this arrangement may include a thrust transmitting spacer (86). A lever (50) and cam (52) arrangement is provided to exert positive force on the carrier (38) at its terminal pivoted position by means of a thrust rod (54) cooperating with a thrust nut (58) connected to the thrust rod. A quick release pivot connection (40) may be provided to enable quick separation of the carrier (38) from its normal operating position adjacent the anchor member to thereby permit quick changing of the collet in the tool.
Abstract:
A collet chuck 1 having a chuck body 3, a collet 11 disposed in the body 3, a nose ring 23 for radially compressing the collet 11, and a locknut 30 for axially moving the nose ring 23 into compressive engagement with the collet 11 is provided with a bearing assembly 45 disposed between the nose ring 23 and the collet 11 which loads compressive forces in a direction which is advantageously parallel to the axis of rotation A of the chuck. Both the locknut 30 and the nose ring 23 include flange portions 27, 43 that confront each other with opposing surfaces 47, 49 that are complementary in shape to the spherical profile of the ball bearings 50 and which traverse a line L parallel to the axis of rotation A of the chuck. The collet chuck 1 further includes O-rings 61, 65 disposed between the nose ring 23 and the locknut 30both in front of and behind the ball bearings 50 for sealing the bearing assembly 45 against dust and debris and retaining lubricant. Finally, the portion of the nose ring 23 which wedgingly engages the collet 11 to compress it inwardly is undercut with a groove 72 in order to enhance the compliance between the nose ring 23 and the collet 11, thus providing a more uniform radial compressive force around the collet 11 which in turn results in improved gripping characteristics.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for balancing a high speed rotary tool assembly (1) is provided, wherein the apparatus includes a rotary tool holder (3) having an axis of rotation (11), a cutting tool retainer (13) in the rotary tool holder (3) having a lockring (23) that circumscribes the axis of rotation (11) of the holder (3), and a pair of axially spaced balancing rings (35a, 35b) for balancing the entire rotary tool assembly (1) which are rotatably mounted around bearing surfaces (37) circumscribing the lockring (23) so as to be angularly positionable around the axis of rotation (11) of the tool holder (3). In the method of the invention, the unbalance of the tool holder (3) and cutting tool (17) is first determined, and then the rings (35a, 35b) are rotatably adjusted about the bearing surface (11) on the lockring (23) to create an unbalance which cancels out the determined unbalance of the tool holder (3) and cutting tool. The balancing rings (35a, 35b) are then secured in the unbalanced-neutralizing position by means of set screws (50). The positioning of the balancing rings (35a, 35b) on an existing lockring (23) of the assembly (1) advantageously allows the apparatus of the invention to be easily retrofitted onto a standard rotary tool holder with a minimum amount of machining and parts.
Abstract:
A clamping device for locking the workpiece-carrying collet of an automatic machine tool has a spring made of flexible plastic material. The spring has a flat elasticity characteristic and cooperates with an adjusting nut and an indicator nut. Pivotable closing levers that cooperate with a profiled abutment sleeve are also provided.
Abstract:
A quick disconnect coupling mechanism for a collet and collet tube facilitates connection and disconnection of the two members to and from one another. In a preferred form, the collet is provided with circumferentially spaced external threaded portions which are separated by unthreaded portions. The collet tube is provided with internally threaded, circumferentially spaced mating threaded portions which are separated by unthreaded portions. The collet tube can be quickly slipped over the collet, and located at a predetermined axial position thereon, and the two components can be rotated relative to one another to cause the threads to be moved into engagement with each other. The invention provides an indicator system for providing initial alignment of the collet tube with the collet. In a independently limits axial movement of the members relative to one another beyond a preset torque limit.
Abstract:
A power tool, such as a surgical drill, has a tool element retained in a collet coupled to the output spindle of the tool. Resilient member constantly maintains the collet in its closed position. Upon rotation of the spindle in a reverse direction, opposite to its normal driving direction, a cam is actuated to open the collet against the force of the resilient member, thereby facilitating removal of the tool element from the collet. Preferably, the tool is of the cordless type and has a reversible electric motor controlled by a pair of triggers mounted on the pistol-grip handle for the tool. The triggers are conveniently disposed adjacent to each other and are easily distinguishable from one another, thereby providing for a convenient one-hand operation of the tool.
Abstract:
A dental handpiece includes a drive shaft rotatably supported interiorly thereof, the drive shaft being hollow at least at the operating end thereof and having an internal thread; and a tubular friction collet in the hollow space having an external thread end evidencing in the inoperative condition thereof inwardly bent resilient tongues formed by a plurality of slits for the receipt and gripping of the shaft of an implement. The external thread of the friction collet is arranged at the implement-sided end thereof as in a threaded collet, the friction collet having an external conical surface and the hollow drive shaft having an internal conical surface cooperating with the external conical surface.
Abstract:
Advancing mechanism for a series of fixtures having collets for workpieces are actuated by a fluid actuated double-acting cylinder to lock and unlock the collet. A driven rotatable table has a plurality of equally spaced fixtures mounted thereon which are advanced seriatim to a plurality of machining stations where work is performed thereon. Each advancement moves a fixture to the unloading and loading station where the collet is released, the finished workpiece removed and a workpiece to be machined placed within the collet. The double-acting cylinder was actuated by the fluid to release the collet and after a workpiece was placed therein a reversal of the fluid clamped the collet in secured position. The collet is locked and unlocked by the operation of a transverse pin in a sloping slot in a sleeve which is advanced over the collet to move the sections of the head into clamped position to hold the workpiece. The table is driven to advance the collets the distance the fixtures are spaced apart and are accurately located by a shot pin which enters a hole in the table. Thereafter a dwell time is provided during which work is performed on the workpieces located at each of the stations. Any number of stations may be provided depending upon the number of machining operations to be performed.
Abstract:
A lever operated collet chuck with a collet having screw-threads on the rear external surface thereof, and slots at the front to permit opening and closing about the work, a collet closing sleeve moved by a plurality of thrust balls housed in the chuck body and moved radially inwardly by a lever operated actuating sleeve; and a geared ring in screw-threaded engagement with the collet, a pinion turned by a key being employed for rotating the ring to adjust the collet axially into initial engagement with the work.