A workpiece processing system is provided that includes a first carousel rotary conveyor associated with a first plurality of stations through which workpieces are successively rotationally conveyed, a second carousel rotary conveyor associated with a second plurality of stations through which the workpieces are successively rotationally conveyed, and an inter-carousel transport configured to selectively operate in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the inter-carousel transport is operable to successively transfer the workpieces from the first carousel rotary conveyor to the second carousel rotary conveyor. In the second mode, the inter-carousel transport is operable to successively reorient the workpieces of a selected one of the first carousel rotary conveyor or the second carousel rotary conveyor by approximately 180 degrees of rotation for further successive rotational conveyance of the workpieces through the stations associated with the selected first or second carousel rotary conveyor.

A transfer machine for machining operations includes a frame, a rotary table with a rotary feeding movement relative to a machine axis, a plurality of workpiece-holder members associated with the rotary table and spaced by a working radius (r) from the machine axis, and a plurality of workstations accessible by the workpiece-holder members as a result of the feeding movement of the table. The transfer machine further includes at least one rotary unit able to rotate a workpiece-holder member about a respective axis and relative to the table, wherein the rotary unit includes a motor assembly located in the machine base at a distance (d) from the machine axis which is less than the working radius (r).

The present invention relates to a machining center, and more specifically to a horizontal multi-spindle machining center, in which 2-axis (Y- and Z-axis) or 3-axis (X-, Y- and Z-axis) transfer drive units are disposed in the machining center installed to machine workpieces, in which a ram equipped with spindles is moved in the up-down, front-back, and/or left-right directions of the workpieces, in which the spindles are configured to include a plurality of spindles, i.e., 2 to 8 spindles, so that a plurality of workpieces may be machined simultaneously, and in which tool change is simultaneously performed for tools fastened to the plurality of spindles and configured to machine workpieces by using an auto tool changer (ATC), so that tool change speed may be improved and thus manufacturing efficiency may be improved.

A workstation includes at least one machining station with a fixed base provided with at least one tool, and at least one clamping assembly, for at least one workpiece to be machined, which can move between at least one configuration of alignment with a machining station and at least one configuration that is misaligned with respect to that station. The center has a fixed footing, which is provided with a substantially central post for supporting a supporting surface for supporting the at least one machining station, a motor drive unit being coupled to the post. The rotating portion of the motor drive unit is coupled to a turntable which is arranged so as to face and be proximate and parallel to the supporting surface. The at least one clamping assembly is integral with the tool.

The present disclosure includes a part hold-down assembly for retaining an oversized part. The part hold-down assembly is aligned along a central force axis and applies a downward force onto the part. The part-hold down assembly includes a top plate, a bottom plate, and a compression assembly extending between the top and bottom plates. The compression assembly includes two, parallel biasing assemblies that extend along compression axes that are parallel to but offset from the central force axis. Each biasing assembly including an upper collar, a lower collar and a resilient biasing member, in one embodiment in the form of a coil spring, retained between the upper and lower collar. The parallel biasing assemblies are positioned on opposite sides from each other about the central force axis, and may be spaced away from the central force axis an equal distance.

A transfer machine for machining operations includes a frame, a rotary table with a rotary feeding movement relative to a machine axis, a plurality of workpiece-holder members associated with the rotary table and spaced by a working radius (r) from the machine axis, and a plurality of workstations accessible by the workpiece-holder members as a result of the feeding movement of the table. The transfer machine further includes at least one rotary unit able to rotate a workpiece-holder member about a respective axis and relative to the table, wherein the rotary unit includes a motor assembly located in the machine base at a distance (d) from the machine axis which is less than the working radius (r).

A rotary indexing transfer machine includes a machine frame; a rotating table, supported on the machine frame to rotate about an indexing axis; at least one workpiece carrying spindle having a hollow shaft for receiving a workpiece and a clamping device for clamping the workpiece inserted in the hollow shaft. The clamping device includes a collet is coupled to the workpiece carrying spindle. The workpiece carrying spindle is mounted on the rotating table, and the hollow shaft and collet are connected for joint rotation about a spindle rotation axis. The machine includes at least one support in fixed position next to the rotating table, at least one machining station with at least one machining unit supported on the support, to allow machining of the workpiece clamped in the collet. The machine includes at least one drive motor mounted on the rotating table, an indexing device mounted on the machine frame, and an indexing component.

The present disclosure includes a part hold-down assembly for retaining an oversized part. The part hold-down assembly is aligned along a central force axis and applies a downward force onto the part. The part-hold down assembly includes a top plate, a bottom plate, and a compression assembly extending between the top and bottom plates. The compression assembly includes two, parallel biasing assemblies that extend along compression axes that are parallel to but offset from the central force axis. Each biasing assembly including an upper collar, a lower collar and a resilient biasing member, in one embodiment in the form of a coil spring, retained between the upper and lower collar. The parallel biasing assemblies are positioned on opposite sides from each other about the central force axis, and may be spaced away from the central force axis an equal distance.

The present disclosure includes a part hold-down assembly for retaining an oversized part. The part hold-down assembly is aligned along a central force axis and applies a downward force onto the part. The part-hold down assembly includes a top plate, a bottom plate, and a compression assembly extending between the top and bottom plates. The compression assembly includes two, parallel biasing assemblies that extend along compression axes that are parallel to but offset from the central force axis. Each biasing assembly including an upper collar, a lower collar and a resilient biasing member, in one embodiment in the form of a coil spring, retained between the upper and lower collar. The parallel biasing assemblies are positioned on opposite sides from each other about the central force axis, and may be spaced away from the central force axis an equal distance.

A transfer machine comprising: includes a frame, a table which is supported on the frame and can rotate with respect to the frame about a main vertical axis, and work holding assemblies mounted on the table. Each work holding assembly has at least one collet assembly for retaining a workpiece being machined. The collet assembly is able to rotate with respect to the table about a vertical workpiece rotation axis.

The transfer machine includes at least one actuation motor in order to actuate rotationally the collet assembly and is provided with a driving shaft which can rotate about a respective driving axis.

At least one transmission assembly can be activated selectively and is configured to transmit motion from the driving shaft to the collet assembly.

At least one actuation motor is integral with the frame of the machine, with the respective driving shaft arranged horizontally.