David A Hiatt

US Patent:

61894249, Feb 20, 2001

Filed:

Jun 24, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/339480

Inventors:

William George Wheeling - Indianapolis IN
Anthony Wayne Melton - Greenfield IN
David Frederic Hiatt - Cicero IN
Stephen Kinsen Leo - Indianapolis IN

Assignee:

Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B23B 100

US Classification:

82 111

Abstract:

Loader and unloader mechanism (10) for a machine tool having a workpart-holding spindle (14) wherein a workpart load tube (32) and unload tube (34) and associated workpart loading fluid cylinders (40, 42) are arranged relative to a tool-carrying turret (20) in a manner that workparts (W) are fed to the spindle (14) through the load tube (32) and removed from the spindle after machining to a workpart holder (33) on the tool-carrying turret (20), which then positions the workpart holder between an unloading tube (34) and a workpart unloading fluid cylinder (76) where the workpart is ejected from the workpart holder into the unload tube.