Reconfigurable machining center

Abstract

A reconfigurable machining center includes a base structure extending in a first direction, a movable crossmember movable in the first direction and provided with a machining head, supporting elements on the base structure to enable movement of the movable crossmember along the first direction, a first leadscrew rack, integral with the base structure and having a first helical circular toothed sector, and extending along the entire base structure parallel to the first direction, and a first screw rotatably coupled to the movable crossmember and engaging a corresponding first leadscrew rack, and having a rotation axis parallel to the first direction. The longitudinal extension of the base structure in the first direction is an integer multiple of the pitch of tooth of the leadscrew racks, and the base structure includes coupling elements adapted to couple the base structure to a following and/or preceding adjacent base structure along the first direction.

Claims

1. A reconfigurable machining center (1, 100), comprising: a base structure (2), which extends longitudinally in a first direction (X); a first movable crossmember (3), which is supported to be movable with respect to the base structure (2) in the first direction (X) and is provided with an equipped machining head (4); supporting elements that support the first movable crossmember (3) on the base structure (2) and enable the first movable crossmember to move along the first direction (X); a first leadscrew rack (5), integral with the base structure (2) and comprising a first helical circular toothed sector (51), the first leadscrew rack (5) extending along the base structure (2) in a longitudinal direction parallel to the first direction (X) for an entire extension of the base structure in the first direction (X); and a first screw (6) rotatably coupled to the first movable crossmember (3) by way of a moving assembly (7), said first screw (6) engaging the first leadscrew rack (5), the screw having a rotation axis parallel to the first direction (X), wherein a longitudinal extension of the base structure (2) in the first direction is an integer multiple of a pitch of teeth of the first leadscrew rack (5), and wherein the base structure (2) further comprises coupling elements (8) that are adapted to couple the base structure (2) to one or both of a following or preceding adjacent base structure (2′), along the first direction (X).

2. The reconfigurable machining center (1, 100) according to claim 1, wherein: the base structure (2) comprises a second leadscrew rack (5) parallel to the first leadscrew rack (5), the second leadscrew rack comprising a second helical circular toothed sector (51) with the same pitch of teeth as the first leadscrew rack or an integer multiple thereof, the second leadscrew rack (5) extending along the base structure (2) in a longitudinal direction parallel to the first direction (X) for the entire extension of the base structure in the first direction (X), and the machining center comprises a second screw (6) rotationally coupled to the first movable crossmember (3) by way of the moving assembly (7), said second screw (6) engaging the second leadscrew rack (5), the second screw having a rotation axis parallel to the first direction (X), wherein the first and the second screw (6) define a same pair of screws.

3. The reconfigurable machining center (1, 100) according to claim 1, wherein the supporting elements comprise bearings cooperating with rails.

4. The reconfigurable machining center (1, 100) according to claim 2, wherein the supporting elements comprise one or both of said first or said second leadscrew rack (5).

5. The reconfigurable machining center (1, 100) according to claim 2, wherein the moving assembly (7) is single for the first and the second screw (6) of a same pair of screws and comprises a motor (71) and a transmission shaft (72) that is common to the first and to the second screw (6) of the same pair, each of the first and the second screws (6) being coupled to said shaft (72), so that the first and the second screws (6) of the same pair rotate synchronously.

6. The reconfigurable machining center (1, 100) according to claim 1, wherein the equipped machining head (4) is adapted to move with respect to the first movable crossmember (3) in a second direction (Y), perpendicular to the first direction (X), a first plane on which the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y) lie being a horizontal plane when the machining center (1) is operating.

7. The reconfigurable machining center (1, 100) according to claim 6, wherein the equipped machining head (4) comprises a tool-holder (44) that is adapted to move with respect to the equipped head (4) in a third direction (Z), perpendicular to said first plane.

8. The reconfigurable machining center (1, 100) according to claim 2, wherein the helical circular toothed sector (51) of one or both of said first or said second leadscrew rack (5) is defined by a center angle of amplitude comprised between 30° and 90°, so that the first or the second leadscrew rack (5) has a function of moving the first movable crossmember (3) with respect to the base structure (2).

9. The reconfigurable machining center (1, 100) according to claim 2, wherein the helical circular toothed sector (51) of one or both of said first or said second leadscrew rack (5) is defined by a center angle of amplitude comprised between 90° and 300°, so that the first or the second leadscrew rack (5) has a function of moving and supporting the first movable crossmember (3) with respect to the base structure (2), thus constituting at least part of said supporting elements.

10. The reconfigurable machining center (1, 100) according to claim 1, further comprising a workpiece-holding table (10) arranged parallel to the first movable crossmember (3) and supported to move on said base structure (2) along a direction parallel to the first direction (X).

11. The reconfigurable machining center (1, 100) according to claim 10, wherein the base structure (2) comprises a first leadscrew rack of the workpiece-holding table (5″′) integral with the base structure (2), further comprising a first helical circular toothed sector, the first leadscrew rack of the workpiece-holding table (5′″) extending along the base structure (2) in a longitudinal direction parallel to the first direction (X) for the entire extension of the base structure in the first direction (X), and wherein the workpiece-holding table (10) comprises a first screw of the workpiece-holding table (6″′) rotatably coupled to the workpiece-holding table (10) by way of a moving assembly, said first screw of the workpiece-holding table (6″′) engaging the corresponding first leadscrew rack of the workpiece-holding table (5′″), the first screw of the workpiece-holding table (6″′) having a rotation axis parallel to the first direction (X).

12. The reconfigurable machining center (1, 100) according to claim 11, wherein the base structure (2) comprises a second leadscrew rack of the workpiece-holding table (5′″) integral with the base structure (2), further comprising a second helical circular toothed sector, the second leadscrew rack of the workpiece-holding table (5′″) extending along the base structure (2) in a longitudinal direction parallel to the first direction (X) for the entire extension of the base structure in the first direction (X), and wherein the workpiece-holding table (10) comprises a second screw of the workpiece-holding table (6″′) rotatably coupled to the workpiece-holding table (10) by way of a moving assembly, said second screw of the workpiece-holding table (6″′) engaging with the second leadscrew rack of the workpiece-holding table (5′″), the second screw of the workpiece-holding table (6″′) having a rotation axis parallel to the first direction (X).

13. The reconfigurable machining center (1, 100) according to claim 1, further comprising an additional base structure (2′) that extends longitudinally in the first direction (X), further comprising one or both of a first or a second leadscrew rack (5) of the additional base structure, which are integral with the additional base structure (2′) and identical to the first or second leadscrew rack (5) of the base structure (2), wherein the first or the second leadscrew rack (5) of the additional base structure extend along the additional base structure (2′) in a longitudinal extension parallel to the first direction (X) for the entire extension of the additional base structure in the first direction (X), wherein the longitudinal extension of the additional base structure (2′) in the first direction is a multiple of the pitch of teeth of the leadscrew racks (5), and wherein, when the base structure (2) and the additional base structure (2′) are coupled, one or both of the first or second leadscrew rack (5) of the additional base structure are aligned and contiguous with the first or second leadscrew rack (5) of the base structure (2), so as to enable a modular coupling of a plurality of base structures (2, 2′) all extending in the first direction (X).

14. The reconfigurable machining center (1, 100) according to claim 1, wherein the base structure further contains at least two electric conductors, and the moving assembly (7) comprises sliding contacts.

15. The reconfigurable machining center (1, 100) according to claim 1, further comprising an electromagnetic source for an electric power supply of motors present on the first movable crossmember by way of an electromagnetic field.

16. The reconfigurable machining center (100) according to claim 1, further comprising: a second base structure (200) that extends longitudinally in a direction (X′) parallel to the first direction (X) of the first base structure (2); and a second leadscrew rack (500), integral with the second base structure (200), which comprises a second helical circular toothed sector, the second leadscrew rack (500) extending along the second base structure (200) in a longitudinal direction parallel to the first direction (X) for the entire extension of the second base structure (200) in the direction (X′) parallel to the first direction (X), wherein: a pitch of a tooth of the second leadscrew rack (500) of the second base structure (200) is identical to the pitch of the tooth of the leadscrew rack (5) of the base structure (2), and the longitudinal extension of the second base structure (200) in the direction (X′) parallel to the first direction (X) is an integer multiple of the pitch of tooth of the leadscrew racks (5, 500), further comprising at least one distribution base structure (201) that is adapted to move with respect to the base structure (2) in a distribution direction (Ydist), perpendicular to the first direction (X), wherein said distribution base structure (201) extends longitudinally in a direction parallel to the first direction (X) of the base structure (2), said distribution base structure (201) comprising a distribution leadscrew rack (501) integral with the distribution base structure (201), further comprising a respective helical circular toothed sector, the distribution leadscrew rack (501) extending along the distribution base structure (201) in a longitudinal direction parallel to the first direction (X), so as to be coupled without discontinuities in a helical thread alternatively to the base structure (2) or to the additional base structure (200) in order to enable a travel at least of said first movable crossmember (3) between the base structure (2) and the additional base structure (200).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0125] The invention will be described below with reference to non-limiting examples, provided for explanatory and non-limiting purposes in the accompanying drawings. These drawings show different aspects and embodiments of the invention and, where appropriate, reference numerals designating similar structures, components, materials and/or elements in different figures are designated by similar reference numerals.

[0126] In the accompanying figures:

[0127] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a machining center according to the invention;

[0128] FIGS. 2 and 3 are two perspective views from different angles of an equipped crossmember of the machining center according to the invention;

[0129] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of part of the machining center of FIG. 1 and of a modular extension of the base structure according to the present invention;

[0130] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the machining center of FIG. 1;

[0131] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the base structure of the machining center of FIG. 1;

[0132] FIGS. 7 and 8 are two perspective views from different angles of a non-equipped movable crossmember of the machining center of FIG. 1;

[0133] FIG. 9 is a simplified cross-sectional view of the assembly for moving the screws, with the screws of the machining center of FIG. 1 mounted;

[0134] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a screw of the machining center of FIG. 1;

[0135] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the simplified cross-section of the moving assembly of FIG. 9 with the screws engaged in the leadscrew seats;

[0136] FIGS. 12 and 13 are respectively a perspective view and a transverse cross-sectional view of the coupling between a screw and an open leadscrew of the machining center of FIG. 1;

[0137] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a variation of the base structure of the machining center according to the invention;

[0138] FIG. 15 is a view of a variation of the assembly for moving the screws with a variation of the screws that are applicable to a variation of the base structure of the machining center according to the invention;

[0139] FIGS. 16 and 17 are respectively a perspective view and a transverse cross-sectional view of the coupling between a variation of the screw and a variation of the open leadscrews that are applicable to a variation of the base structure of the machining center according to the invention;

[0140] FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another variation of the machining center according to the invention;

[0141] FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a further variation of the machining center according to the invention;

[0142] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an advanced embodiment of the machining center according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0143] Although the invention is susceptible of various changes and alternative constructions, some preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail.

[0144] It should be understood, however, that there is no intention of limiting the invention to the specific embodiment shown, but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover all the changes, alternative and equivalents constructions, that fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0145] The use of “for example”, “etc.”, and “or” indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation, unless specified otherwise.

[0146] The use of “includes” means “includes, but not limited to”, unless specified otherwise.

[0147] Indications such as “vertical” and “horizontal”, “upper” and “lower” (in the absence of other indications) must be read with reference to the assembly (or operating) conditions and with reference to the normal terminology in use in the current language, where “vertical” indicates a direction that is substantially parallel to that of the force of gravity vector “g” and “horizontal” a direction perpendicular thereto.

[0148] With reference to FIGS. 1-13, a machining center according to the invention, generally designated with the reference numeral 1 is generally and in detail shown.

[0149] The machining center 1 comprises a base structure 2 which extends longitudinally in a first direction X.

[0150] Such base structure 2 is preferably made of metal and has a substantially H-shaped transverse cross-section with respect to the direction X, in this embodiment.

[0151] Other transverse cross-sections are possible, but all have at least two parallel and mutually spaced apart vertical wings, 28, 29, which extend from the ground.

[0152] The base structure 2, generally speaking, comprises a first leadscrew rack 5, integral with the base structure 2, which comprises a first helical circular toothed sector 51, the leadscrew rack 5 extending along the base structure 2 in a longitudinal direction parallel to the first direction X for the entire extension of the base structure in the first direction X.

[0153] The base structure in the embodiment shown for the purposes of example in FIGS. 1-13 also comprises a second leadscrew rack 5, parallel to the first.

[0154] Similarly, the second leadscrew rack 5 comprises a second helical circular toothed sector 51 with a pitch of teeth preferably equal to that of the first leadscrew rack or in an integer ratio with the pitch of the first rack.

[0155] Also similarly, the second leadscrew rack 5 extends along the base structure 2 in a longitudinal direction parallel to the first direction X for the entire extension of the base structure in the first direction X.

[0156] With reference to the base structure 2, this has a longitudinal extension d (in the first direction X) which is an integer multiple of the pitch of teeth of the leadscrew racks 5.

[0157] Since each rack 5 is as long as the base structure 2, it immediately follows from this that the racks 5 also have a length (in the direction X) that is equal to a multiple of the pitch of teeth of the leadscrew racks.

[0158] By “pitch of teeth” what is meant, as is customary in the technical field, is the distance between two homologous points of two adjacent teeth of the helical thread measured along the longitudinal axis (X axis).

[0159] By multiple, what is meant is preferably an integer multiple.

[0160] In this manner, when two base structures 2, 2′ provided as just described (as in FIG. 4) are placed side by side (one preceding and one following along the direction X), the leadscrew racks 5 of the two base structures will have no interruptions in the helical thread at the point of mutual mating, so that they behave overall as a single thread without discontinuities in the interface area of the two base structures.

[0161] The base structure 2 further comprises coupling elements 8 that are suitable to couple the base structure 2 to an adjacent additional base structure 2′, following and/or preceding, along the first direction X.

[0162] Such coupling elements 8 are preferably conical seats provided on one end side of the base structure 2 and complementary conical protrusions provided on the opposite end side of the base structure 2.

[0163] In this manner, two adjacent base structures 2, 2′ can be connected relatively rapidly and precisely, since the conical seats and protrusions perform a self-centering function, which ensures that the racks of the two base structures are aligned.

[0164] We will return to the second base structure 2′ later.

[0165] The machining center 1 further comprises a first movable crossmember 3 which is supported so that it can move with respect to the base structure 2 in the first direction X and is provided with an equipped machining head 4.

[0166] To this end, there are supporting elements for supporting the movable crossmember 3 on the base structure 2 so that it can move along the first direction X, and we will return to these elements later.

[0167] The machining center 1 further comprises a first screw 6 rotationally coupled to the movable crossmember 3 by way of a moving assembly 7.

[0168] The screw 6 has a helical threading adapted to cooperate with the rack 5.

[0169] Preferably the helical thread of the screw 6 is trapezoidal, but it could also be of a different type.

[0170] The screw 6 engages in fact with the corresponding leadscrew rack 5 and has a rotation axis parallel to the first direction X.

[0171] In the embodiment shown, there is also a second screw 6, parallel to the first and rotationally coupled to the movable crossmember 3 by way of a moving assembly 7.

[0172] In other embodiments (not shown) the second screw 6 (and therefore the second rack) is absent and/or substituted by a sliding bearing, for example a rail/slider coupling or the like.

[0173] If it is present, the second screw 6 engages with the corresponding second leadscrew rack 5.

[0174] The second screw 6 has its rotation axis parallel to the first direction X and (therefore) parallel to that of the first screw 6, so that the first and the second screw 6 can be considered as belonging to the same pair.

[0175] Therefore, the movable crossmember 3 moves in the direction X (both ways) along the base structure 2 or 2′ by virtue of the action of the screws 6 on the leadscrew racks 5.

[0176] From the foregoing description, it follows that a machining center is provided that is extremely versatile, the length of which in the direction X can be extended at will, it being sufficient merely to add, relatively simply and inexpensively, a number of additional base structures to the initial base structure.

[0177] Likewise, it follows that, owing to such length that can be modified at will, there can be a plurality of crossmembers 3 with equipped head 4 which operate on the same base structure.

[0178] With regard to the equipped head 4, it preferably can move with respect to the crossmember 3 in a second direction Y perpendicular with respect to the first direction X.

[0179] To this end the equipped head 4 is coupled to the crossmember 3 by way of sliding bearing rails 43 adapted to enable the movement of the head 4 in the direction Y.

[0180] In this sense, it is possible for the plane on which the first direction X and the second direction Y lie to be a horizontal plane (when the machining center is operational or installed in an operational position).

[0181] Preferably, also, the equipped machining head 4 comprises a tool-holder 44 that can move with respect to the equipped head 4 in a third direction Z, perpendicular to the first plane.

[0182] To this end, the equipped head 4 comprises a frame 42 on which a supporting column 41 is mounted, along which the tool-holder 44 in turn performs a translational motion in the direction Z, which, in the example provided and illustrated, is a vertical direction.

[0183] In some embodiments, the tool-holder 44 is designed to support and move a milling tool, while in other embodiments it is a measurement tool, an extrusion head, a turning tool, a cutting and/or welding head, or the like.

[0184] Moving on now to describe the supporting elements for supporting the movable crossmember 3 on the base structure 2 so that it can move along the first direction X, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-13, such elements comprise bearings 91 cooperating with rails 92.

[0185] In the example, the bearings 91 are coupled to the crossmember 3 and the rails 92 are coupled to the base structure 2, parallel to the leadscrew racks 5 and suitably spaced apart from them; in other embodiments the positions of the bearings 91 and the rails 92 are reciprocated (bearings 91 on the base structure 2 and rails 92 on the crossmember 3).

[0186] In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIGS. 14-17, the supporting elements for supporting the movable crossmember 3 on the base structure comprise (or, in a variation, are constituted only by) the first and/or the second leadscrew rack 5′.

[0187] In the first case, i.e. when there are dedicated supporting elements (e.g. bearings and rails or the like), the helical circular toothed sector 51 of the leadscrew racks 5 is defined by a center angle A (see FIG. 13) which can be of amplitude comprised between 30° and 90°: in this case in fact the only function of the first and/or the second leadscrew rack 5 is to move the movable crossmember 3 with respect to the base structure 2.

[0188] In the second case, however, i.e. when dedicated supporting elements are absent or when, although present, it is considered that at least some of the functionality for supporting the crossmember 3 should be borne by the leadscrew racks 5′, it is necessary that the helical circular toothed sector 51′ of the leadscrew racks 5′ is capable of exercising such additional function, and it is therefore advantageous to define it with a center angle B (see FIG. 17) of amplitude comprised between 90° and 300°.

[0189] In this way the first and/or the second leadscrew rack 5′ have, in addition to the movement function, the function of supporting the movable crossmember 3 with respect to the base structure 2, thus constituting at least part of such supporting elements.

[0190] In some variations, as shown in FIG. 15, the screw or screws 6′ have an intermediate portion in which the helical threading is absent, for example in order to reduce friction, and only the end portions 62′ of the screw 6′ are threaded.

[0191] As regards the motion imparted to the screws 6, 6′, which enables the movement of the crossmember 3 in the direction X, it is obtained by way of a moving assembly 7, which generally comprises at least one motor means coupled to the screw 6, 6′.

[0192] In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, there is one moving assembly 7 for the first and the second screw 6 or 6′ of a same pair of screws.

[0193] The moving assembly 7 is accommodated on the movable crossmember 3 and connected to both of the screws.

[0194] In the preferred embodiment, it comprises a motor 71 and a common transmission shaft 72 for the first and the second screw 6 of the same pair.

[0195] Each screw 6 is therefore coupled to the shaft 72, for example by way of bevel gears 61, so that the two screws 6 or 6′ of the same pair rotate synchronously, thus ensuring a steady traction in the movement of the crossmember 3.

[0196] The motor 71 is preferably an electric motor, and to power it the base structure comprises at least two isolated electric conductors (not shown).

[0197] Preferably such conductors are in the form of electric tracks and the assembly 7 comprises sliding contacts to electrically power the motor 71.

[0198] Alternatively, the machining center comprises an electromagnetic source for the electric power supply of the motors present on the crossmembers by way of an electromagnetic field.

[0199] Moving on now to other variations of the invention, in one of these, shown in brief in FIG. 19, the machining center 1 also comprises a workpiece-holding table 10 arranged parallel to the movable crossmember 3 and supported so that it can move on the base structure 2 along a direction parallel to the first direction X.

[0200] To this end the base structure 2 comprises preferably a first leadscrew rack of the workpiece-holding table 5′″ integral with the base structure 2.

[0201] Similarly to the foregoing, the first leadscrew rack of the workpiece-holding table 5′″ comprises a first helical circular toothed sector, the leadscrew rack of the workpiece-holding table 5′″ extending along the base structure 2 in a longitudinal direction parallel to the first direction X preferably for the entire extension of the base structure in the first direction X.

[0202] Similarly, the workpiece-holding table 10 comprises a first screw of the workpiece-holding table 6′″ rotationally coupled to the workpiece-holding table 10 by way of a moving assembly (not shown but similar to the assembly 7 described above).

[0203] The first screw of the workpiece-holding table 6′″ has its rotation axis parallel to the first direction X and engages with the corresponding first leadscrew rack of the workpiece-holding table 5′″, so as to move the workpiece-holding table in a manner similar to what is described above with reference to the crossmember.

[0204] In some solutions a single screw/rack is sufficient to move the workpiece-holding table 10 along the direction X.

[0205] In other solutions (as in the example shown), the base structure 2 instead can comprise a second leadscrew rack of the workpiece-holding table 5′″ integral with the base structure 2.

[0206] Such second leadscrew rack of the workpiece-holding table 5′″ comprises a second helical circular toothed sector.

[0207] The second leadscrew rack of the workpiece-holding table 5′″ also extends along the base structure 2 in a longitudinal direction parallel to the first direction X, preferably for the entire extension of the base structure in the first direction X.

[0208] The workpiece-holding table 10 similarly comprises a second screw of the workpiece-holding table 6′″ rotationally coupled to the workpiece-holding table 10 by way of a moving assembly, the second screw of the workpiece-holding table 6′″ engaging with the corresponding second leadscrew rack of the workpiece-holding table 5′″, the second screw of the workpiece-holding table 6′″ having its rotation axis parallel to the first direction X.

[0209] Returning to FIG. 4, a basic modular implementation is shown, in which the machining center 1 comprises an additional base structure 2′ that extends longitudinally in the first direction X, and comprises in turn a first and/or a second leadscrew rack 5 of the additional base structure, integral with the additional base structure 2′ and identical to the first and/or second leadscrew rack 5 of the base structure 2.

[0210] The first and/or the second leadscrew rack 5 of the additional base structure 2′ extend along the latter in a longitudinal direction parallel to the first direction X for the entire extension of the additional base structure in the first direction X.

[0211] The longitudinal extension of the additional base structure 2′ in the first direction is, as for the base structure 2, a multiple of the pitch of teeth of the leadscrew racks 5, so as to provide the coupling advantages described above.

[0212] When a base structure 2 and an additional base structure 2′ are coupled, in fact, the first and/or the second leadscrew rack 5 of the additional base structure are aligned and contiguous with the first and/or second leadscrew rack 5 of the base structure 2, so as to enable a modular coupling of a plurality of base structures 2, 2′ which extend in the first direction X.

[0213] In an advanced embodiment of FIG. 20, the machining center 100 further comprises an additional base structure 200 that extends longitudinally in a respective first direction X′ parallel to the first direction X of the first base structure 2.

[0214] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 20 the machining center 100 comprises (but is not limited to) three additional base structures 200, but there may also be only one, two, or more.

[0215] The additional base structure 200 is provided in a similar manner to the base structure 2 described earlier.

[0216] In particular the additional base structure 200 comprises a respective leadscrew rack 500 which is integral with the additional base structure 200, and which comprises a respective helical circular toothed sector.

[0217] The leadscrew rack 500 of the additional base structure 200 is extended along the latter in a respective longitudinal direction parallel to the first direction X substantially for the entire extension of the additional base structure 200 in the respective first direction X′, thus being parallel and co-planar with the rack 5 and with any other racks 500 of other additional base structure 200 that are optionally present.

[0218] In practice the base structure 2 and the additional base structure or base structures 200 are substantially mutually parallel; on this point it is emphasized that the additional base structure 200 can comprise, in some embodiments, the same characteristics described above for the base structure 2 and about which we will say no more for the sake of brevity.

[0219] The pitch of teeth of the leadscrew rack 500 of the additional base structure 200 is also identical to the pitch of teeth of the leadscrew rack 5 of the base structure 2, so that a crossmember 3, 300 that moves on the base structure 2 can also move on the additional base structure 200 in the same way.

[0220] Similarly, the longitudinal extension of the additional base structure 200 in the respective first direction X′ is an integer multiple of the pitch of teeth of the leadscrew racks 5, 500, so as to enable a modularity of additional base structures that can be extended along the axis X′ indefinitely, similarly to what happens for the base structure 2.

[0221] In order to allow the transfer at least of the crossmember 3, 300 from one base structure 2 to an additional base structure 200 (or between additional base structures 200), in this embodiment 100 there is at least one distribution base structure 201, which is provided with dedicated leadscrew racks 501.

[0222] The distribution base structure 201 can move with respect to the base structure 2 (and therefore with respect to the base structures 200) in a distribution direction (Ydist) which is perpendicular with respect to the first direction (X) (and therefore with respect to the directions X′).

[0223] To this end the machining center 100 comprises transverse distribution tracks 900 mounted on a transverse distribution base structure 211, which extend perpendicular to the base structures 2, 200, and means for moving the distribution base structure 201 along the distribution tracks 900, for example an electric motor and an adapted kinematic chain (not shown).

[0224] In the embodiment shown, the distribution tracks 900 comprise a rack with helical thread and a cooperating screw, in a manner similar to that described above.

[0225] The distribution tracks 900 and the corresponding movement systems extend longitudinally along the direction Ydist so as to enable the movement of the distribution base structure 201 for a length at least equal to that comprised between the base structure 2 and the additional base structure 200 that is furthest from the base structure 2.

[0226] The leadscrew racks 500 of all the additional base structures 200 have, at the end facing the distribution base structure 201, leadscrew racks in which the helices have an identical geometry to that of the helices present on the base structure 2, so as to enable the crossmembers 3, 300 to move between one and the next.

[0227] The distribution leadscrew rack 501 comprises a respective helical circular toothed sector and is extended along the distribution base structure 201 in a respective longitudinal direction parallel to the first direction X, so as to be capable of being coupled without discontinuities in the helical thread alternatively to the base structure 2 or to the additional base structure 200.

[0228] Thus a movement is enabled at least of the first movable crossmember 3 between the base structure 2 and the additional base structure 200 or between additional base structures 200.

[0229] The distribution base structure 201 is, in a preferred embodiment, completely similar to the base structure 2 and 200 described previously.

[0230] The distribution transverse base structure 211 extends longitudinally in the distribution direction Ydist, parallel to the first direction X of the base structure 2 with a length that can be modulated at will, in a similar manner to the foregoing; to this end in fact the leadscrew racks of the distribution tracks 900 will preferably be made in a similar manner to the leadscrew racks 5, 500 in terms of the threading, so that multiple distribution transverse base structures 211 can be joined together to provide a distribution path that extends in the direction Ydist, the length of which can be determined at will as a function of the operating needs.

[0231] Although Ydist is shown in FIG. 20 as a direction that lies substantially on a horizontal plane, it should be understood that its arrangement can (in other configurations, not shown) vary; for example Ydist is a direction that lies substantially on a vertical plane.

[0232] Thus the above mentioned objects are achieved.

[0233] Naturally, many variations of what is described up to now are possible, all of which should be considered equivalent to what is claimed later.

[0234] The content of Italian patent application no. 102016000013699 (UB2016A000624), the priority of which is claimed in the present application, is incorporated as a reference.

[0235] Where the technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference numerals and/or signs, those reference numerals and/or signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference numerals and/or signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference numerals and/or signs.