US2326847A - Surface material working - Google Patents

Description

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,Aug. 17, 1943. F. H. FANNING SURFACE MATERIAL WORKING 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Sept. 2, 1939 NWN Ww w MN mwN . INVENTOR Hero ,4. fiMv/Nq' ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 17, 1943 OFFICE SURFACE MATERIAL WOBKING Fred n. Fanning, Pittsburgh, Pa, asslgnor to Blaw-Knox Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of New Jersey Application September 2, 1939, Serial No. 293,269

20 Claims.

This application relates particularly to a work table or holder in an apparatus for surface material working. My applications, Serial No. 343,604, for improvements in Surface working method, filed July 2, 1940, and Serial No. 370,470,

for improvements in Surface working apparatus,

filed December tions based on this application.

The present invention relates to material working operations, and more particularly to re moving surface material from sides of ingots, billets, slabs, plates, and the like by an operation commonly known as scalpingfif The machine to be described is especially designed for removing appreciable amounts of surface metal from the sides or opposite faces of metal slabs. Particularly in the working of aluminum and like metals and allows, it has been found desirable to remove surface metal of irregular composition, physical properties, and contour from slabs in either the as-cast condition or the partially-worked condition by a machining operation. It is with the problem of so removing surface metal that the embodiment of the invention here particularly described is best adapted to be employed.

In prior scalping practice it has been customary, in some instances, to mount a slab to be scalped in a work holder and to traverse the work holder and slab past a rotary, milling-type cutter which operates on a faceof the slab exposed to the cutter as the slab is held in the holder.

One method of operation under the above practice has included loading the slab into the holder at theloading position, traversing the holder and slab past the cutter, unloading the work from the holder at a position distant from the loading position, traversing the empty holder back to the loading position, and thereafter reinstituting the cycle of operations. Another method of operation under the above practice has included loading the slab into the holder, advancing the cutter into operable position, traversing the holder and slab past the cutter, retracting the cutter out of operable position, returning the holder and slab back to the loading position, there unloading the slab, and thereafter reinstituting the cycle of' operations. In either of the above described methods of operation the form of the machine and the method used have involved considerable amounts of waste time, in that the cutter could not be usefully employed during appreciable lengths of time, for instance, while the work holder is being returned to loading position, or

17, 1940, are divisional applicacutting tool. Thus an while a slab is being removed and a new slab is being loaded into the work holder.

A means of saving time in the operation of a scalping machine is embodied in the form of machine described herein, which machine employs a work holder comprised of two work supporting units. These work supporting units are i arranged in one work holder on opposite sides thereof so as to be adapted to alternate presentation to the work loading apparatus and to the ingotv or slab may be loaded or unloaded, inverted and loaded, as desired, at one position withrespect to a work supporting unit temporarily located adjacent thereto, while another ingot or slab is being held in an opposite work supporting unit facing a cutting tool, by means of which an ingot or slab may be scalped while the necessary operations are being made at the ,first mentioned work supporting unit. 1

The presently preferred arrangement provides for the location of two oppositely disposed work supportingunits in a common work holder which is rotatable about an axis midway between the work supporting units, so that by a simple rotary motion a newly loaded slab and a scalped slab may exchange positions in a very short period of time and thus make possible the rapid reinstitution of the scalping or surface machining operation.

The above mentioned novel type of work holder has been associated in the present invention with a cutting tool mounted and operated in a novel manner, and with loading, unloading, inverting, and conveying means of novel construction for use adjacent one work supporting position. I

By comparison of the method and machine described hereinafter with the above mentioned methods and apparatus, several objects and advantages can be readily appreciated. One object of the present invention is the elimination of lost time in the operation of a surface metal working machine, especially as respects the period in which the metal working tool is employed for actually removing met Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel form of work holder having multiple work supporting units therein. A further object is the provision of novel means for securing rigidity of the work holder. Another object is the provision of simple means for delivery of power to various motive mechanisms located in a rotatable work holder.

Another object is the provision in a surface metal working machine of improved apparatus for receiving, loading, unloading, inverting, and discharging slabs at one position relative to the work supporting units. Another object of the invention is improved slab handling means in association with a multiple unit work holder.

A further object is the provision of improved work positioning mechanisms associated with each work supporting unit operable in association with the work loading apparatus arranged to set a slab into a work supporting unit of a work holder.

Another object isthe provision of a multiple unit work holder adapted to support work pieces for simultaneous presentation to cutting position and to loading and unloading position or positions.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the accompanying description of the preferred form of the invention in connection with the drawings. The objects particularly set forth are to be considered as intended to express the general purposes of the invention described, either singly or in combination.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a plan view of a preferred form of slab or ingot scalping machine showing the work manipulator, the work holder and frame therefor with slabs located therein, the chip conveyor, and the cutting mechanism (the work manipulating mechanism being partially removed in this figure) Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the machine shown in Fig.1 showing the general arrangement of the parts with a slab shown therein (the work manipulating mechanism being removed);

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with slabs shown therein and showing also the work manipulating mechanism and work holder in side elevation;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of the work manipulating mechanism with a slab shown in a portion of the work holder and showing in more detail that mechanism as shown partially in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged composite front elevation and section of the work holder showing in more detail one of the work supporting units as viewed in Fig. 2, but without a slab located therein;

Fig. 6 is a composite side elevation and section of the work holder to the same scale as Fig. 5 with slabs shown therein and showing in more detail a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged rear view, partly sectioned, of the cutter head carriage and cutter drive mechanism; and

Fig. 8 is a section through the cutter head mechanism and carriage therefor to the same scale as Fig. '7 and taken on the line VIIL-VIII of Fig. '7, this view being a section similar to the end elevation shown in Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, Figs. 1, 2 and 3 show the general arrangement of the preferred embodiment of the invention which may be said to be comprised of a work manipulator l adapted to function also as part of a conveying means for delivering slabs or ingots to or from the apparatus, a main frame 2, a rotatable work holder 3 comprised of two work supporting units 4 in which the slabs may be clamped and held for surface machining, a carriage bed 6, a movable cutter carriage I, a cutter head 8 incorporating a cutter 9 which is adapted to be traversed past a slab for removal of surface metal, and a chip conveyor It) (only partially shown in the drawings) for disposal of scalpings or chips removed by the cutter, the latter having no direct bearing on the novel mode of operation of the machine.

Reference numerals i2 indicate slabs or ingots located in the supporting units 4 (and shown dotted in process of being inverted in Fig. 4); and it will be noted by reference to Figs. 1 and 3 that two slabs l2 may be located in holder 3 at one time, one on the cutter side of the holder and one on the manipulator side of the holder. As will be described later in detail, theholder 3 is rotatable about its vertical central axis so that a slab loaded into one supporting unit 4 may be presented to the cutter 9 by rotation of the holder, and so that a scalped or machined slab may be re-presented to the manipulator I, either to be discharged if then finished on both sides, or to be reversed when desired and reloaded into the holder if a side has yet to be finished, or refinished in case of insufficient scalping on its first pass through the machine.

In the embodiment of the invention shown, the manipulator l and the holder 3 are mounted in fixed positions relative to the cutter head 8 which latter, on its carriage I, is traversable over its bed 6 past the work held in a work supporting unit presented thereto. This arrangement, rather than a reciprocatory mounting of the holder 3, is preferably because it permits greater rigidity in the mounting of the holder than would be obtained if it were movably mounted; and a single fixed location of the manipulator is desirable to simplify and expedite the handling of slabs. This arrangement also makes possible the use of a novel means for advancing, retracting, and traversing the cutter head 8,,but the invention is not to be considered limited to this arrangement.

Work manipulator Fig. 4 may now be considered in connection with Figs. 1, 2, and 3 for a description of the slab or ingot manipulator l. l serves the functions of horizontally delivering a slab toward or away from a supporting unit 4, vertically placing a slab into or removing it from a supporting unit 4, and inverting a slab when desired.

In Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 a slab or slabs I2 are shown in full line, presented to a supporting unit or units 4. Also in Fig. 4 a position of a slab I2 is illustrated in dotted lines at which it is in the process of being inverted by mechanism included in the manipulator I. Referring now particularly to Fig. 4, the manipulator l is comprised of a roller table IS, the upper surface of which is normally comprised of a plurality of rollers l6 and 11. work inverting arms 42 and 43 normally horizontally disposed and supported in laterally spaced relation on pivoted frame 46; and rollers I! are suitably mounted on shaft 51 supported in bearings 58 in pivoted manipulator frame 46. The composite roller table IS with frame 46 is hingedly mounted on a shaft l8 located in suitable bearings in a fixed manipulator base l9 at one end and is movably supported at approximately its center by means of a connecting linkage associated with a pressure cylinder 22. The above described mounting of roller table I5 is such that its normally plane upper surface may The manipulator Rollers I5 are supported in pivotedv be slightly inclined either toward or away from the holder 3, as indicated by dotted positions of end rollers I6 in Fig. 4, through the operation of pressure cylinder 22, whereby to cause a slab resting on the table to move by gravity either toward or away from the holder 3.

Also associated with, and forming part of, the manipulator I as presently described are a plurality of spaced, parallel work loading arms 25 interleaved longitudinally between inverting arms 43 and pivoted to fixed base I9 adjacent one end of manipulator I on shaft 26 to which they are secured, the loading arms 25 bearing a plurality of work-engaging rollers identified by reference numerals 21, 28, 29, and 30, presenting an outwardly convex work-engaging surface; the work-engaging rollers 28, it will be noted, project beyond the longitudinal axis of the loading arms 25 a slight distance greater than do the rollers 27, 29, and 30. The loading arms 25 are adapted to be moved from a substantially horizontal position below the surface of roller table I5, shown dotted in Fig. 4, to a substantially vertical position, shown in full line in Fig. 4, and to be re turned, through the operation of a connecting linkage and a pressure cylinder 34.

When a slab I2 resting horizontally on roller table I5 is to be placed into a work supporting unit 4, the work loading arms 25 occupy the horizontal position, with the rollers 21, 28, 29, and 36 forming a surface substantially parallel to the interleaved surface formed by rollers I6 carried by arms 43. The slab I 2 assumes a position over loading arms 25 by gravity movement over the previously or then tilted roller table I5, its movement in the direction of the supporting unit 4 being arrested by a plurality of work supporting fingers 36 mounted on loading arms 25, the fingers then being held in a position substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axes of arms 25 by means of a connecting linkage and pressure cylinder 46 (shown in Fig. 6) associated therewith. It is pointed out that fingers 36 in the dotted horizontal position of arms 25, shown in Fig. 4, are retracted and not in the perpendicular position described; their position relative to arms 25 is shown in the full line position of arms 25. Thus a slab I2 resting on a portion of roller table I5 and abutting against fingers 36 may be lifted by loading arms 25 and tilted into vertical position, then deposited on gripping inserts 19 of bottom jaw members 80 in a supporting unit 4, as will be hereinafter described. The fingers 36 are mounted on through shaft 3| common to all arms 25. In the erect position of arms 25, the extended fingers 36 preferably support a slab I2 slightly above lower jaw inserts 19. After the slab has been properly aligned as hereinafter described, the fingers 36 may be retracted with respect to arms 25 by means of pressure cylinder 40 and its connecting linkage so that slab I2 is lowered into gripping position and the arms 25 may then be returned to horizontal position without interference by the positioned slab I2 with fingers 36, i. e. so that fingers 36 will clear the outermost lower edge of slab I2. The supporting surfaces of fingers 36 are preferably smooth so as to facilitate easy sliding of slab I2 thereon during the aligning operation.

The loading arms 25 are necessarily returned to the horizontal position to permit rotation of the holder 3, as will be further enlarged upon, and then the arms 25 may again be brought to the vertical position and the fingers 36 actuated into supporting position, whereupon the arms 25 may be returned again to horizontal position to remove a finished or semi-finished slab from the work holder 3. After a slab has been returned to the roller table I5 as above described, it must then. be inverted so that the unfinished surface thereof may be exposed when reloaded for operation of the cutting tool.

For inverting slabs the aforementioned roller table I5 is constructed with pivoted inverting arms 42 and 43, in which the rollers I6 are mounted, and the centrally located series of rollers I1 over which the end of the ingot or slab I2 may rock as it is inverted by motion of the arms 42 and 43 to and from the inclined dotted positions shown in Fig. 4.

The inverting arms 42 and 43 are secured to shafts 44 and 45, respectively, mounted in the pivoted frame portion 46 of the roller table I5, previously identified as pivoted on shaft I8 in fixed base I9 of the manipulator I. Means for causing rotation of arms 42 from the horizontal to a position less than Vertical, and for simultaneously causing rotation of arms 43 to a position slightly beyond vertical is provided in the form of a pressure cylinder 41 mounted on trunnions 48 in suitable bearings in pivoted frame 46 of manipulator I and the connecting linkage therefor. A piston rod 49 from pressure cylinder 47 connects to a lever 50 extending from shaft 44 and secured thereto, to which inverting arms 42 are secured, this linkage being adapted to impart a rotary motion to shaft 44. A rotary motion opposite in direction to that applied to shaft 44 by pressure cylinder 4'! through the aforementioned linkage is at the same time imparted to shaft 45 through the medium of a crank 5| secured to shaft 44, an adjustable link 52 connected at one end to lever 5I, a crank 53 rotatable about shaft I8 to which the opposite end of link 52 is secured, a gear segment 54 fixed for angular movement with lever 53, and a meshing gear segment 55 mounted on and secured to shaft 45.

As will be noted in the drawings, the gear I ratio between segments 54 and 55 is such that segment 55, and thereby shaft 45, has a greater increment of angular movement for each increment of angular movement of shaft 44, the cranks 5| and 53 being of the same length. Thus the arms 43 on shaft 45 will be rotated through a greater angle than will arms 42 on shaft 44, both being actuated by the common operating means comprised of pressure cylinder 41 and the connecting linkages associated therewith. The arrangement of arms 42 and 43 and the actuating mechanism therefor is provided so that a slab located in substantially horizontal position near the Work holder 3 may be turned up, beyond over-center by arms 43 and allowed to return to horizontal position with arms 42 and thus be inverted as arms 42 and 43 are folded up and unfolded, whereupon the slab may be caused to approach holder 3 and again be loaded into a supporting unit 4, by means of loading arms 25, in a reversed position. As aforementioned, the rollers I! serve as an abutment over which the slab I2 to be inverted may be rocked. They are preferably free mounted on a through shaft 5! mounted in bearing members 58 in pivoted frame 46. The lower position of inverting arms 42 and 43 with reference to frame 46 is preferably fixed by means of abutments 60 on frame 46 adaptedv to support the arms 42 and 43 through projections 6i thereon.

As aforementioned, the whole roller table IS with frame 46 is movable for slight inclination in either direction about shaft i8 through the medium of pressure cylinder 22. This cylinder 22 is mounted on trunnions located in suitable bearing members in the fixed base IS. A piston rod 2| actuated by pressure cylinder 22 is operable to cause the movement of roller table 15 and frame 46 through the medium of a suitable universal coupling 23 and a cushion 24, preferably of rubber or the like for absorbing shocks. Thus the elevation of the center of table i5 is established by the position of the piston in cylinder 22. It is then preferable and desirable that the piston be approximately at the center of its travel when table I5 is horizontal.

The loading arms 25 are mounted for motion from horizontal to vertical position preferably by being secured to shaft 26, to which motive forces are applied by means of pressure cylinder 34 mounted on trunnions 35 in suitable bearing members located on fixed base Ill. The piston of pressure cylinder 34 acts on a piston rod 33 engaging a bracket 32 on an arm 25 and is adapted to cause movement of all the work loading arms 25 through the arm which carries bracket 32 and the shaft 216 to which the arms 25 are secured.

For actuating the fingers 36 there is provided a double-acting pressure cylinder 46 (see also Fig. 6) mounted on trunnions 4| bearing in a yoke 39 secured to the shaft 26. The pressure cylinder 40 actuates the various fingers 36 through the medium of piston rod 38, crank 31, and through shaft 3! to which crank 31 is secured. Thus the fingers 36 are moved with through shaft 3| to which they are secured, the shaft being journalled in arms 25.

The limiting position of arms 25 when moved so that their longitudinal axes are substantially vertical is preferably controlled by means of two adjustable sto pins 65 adapted to abut against dogs 66 keyed to shaft 26 at opposite ends thereof (Fig. 4 shows one set of such stop pins 65 and dogs 66). The stop pins 65 are preferably commonly actuated for adjustable pred termined position by means of a hand wheel 61 on a shaft 68 carrying worms adapted to turn suitable externally toothed nuts 64 to drive the screw threaded stoo pins 65 to a predetermined position. Dials 69 are provided on the opposite ends of nuts 64 whereby the setting of stop pins 65 may be calibrated for ready predetermination. The two sets of stop pins 65 and dogs 66 are provided for operation on either end of shaft 26 for accuracy in locating the upper position of arms 25 and to minimize variation in location of arms 25 possible through torsional strain of shaft 26, so that these arms 25 may form a locating surface ada ted to predetermine the position of a slab l2 in a work supporting unit 4.

Work supporting units A slab I2 i placed in a work supporting unit 4 of work holder 3 by means of the work loading arms 25, the projecting rollers 28 being adapted to predetermine the outward location of the outer surface of the slab, since the arms 25 will have a location predetermined by th setting of stop pins 65. As will appear, the location of the outer surface of slab l2 by the position of arms 25 predetermines the amount of material to be surface machined from slab l2.

Each work supporting unit a slab I2 is presented by the loading arms 4 to either of which 25 of the manipulator I is comprised of mechanism located generally on one side of a central plane through the axis of rotation of the holder 3. Each unit 4 (see Figs. 5 and 6) includes four gripping jaws 19 in fixed bottom jaw members 36 integral with the body or housing of holder 3, four gripping Jaws 18 in movable top law members 8| (any two or more upper and lower pairs of which Jaws may be selectively employed) pressure cylinders 82 for operating each of the top Jaw members 8|, two spring bumpers 15 for cushioning the slab l2 as it is placed into a supporting unit 4, and six motorized alignment screws located in the body of holder 3 and cooperatively arranged to locate, align, and back up a slab placed in a supporting unit 4, the alignment screws 96 being disposed with reference to slab l2 in spaced relation opposite the loading arms 25 as they assume their substantially vertical position.

As a slab is brought from the roller table l5 by the loading arms 25 into a supporting unit 4, it engages the two aforementioned horizontally projecting spring bumpers 15. The spring bumpers serve to retain engagement between rollers 28 and slab 12 as the slab is being located and aligned by motorized screws 90, as will be described. The spring bumpers 15, being yieldable, do not interfere with the aligmnent of the slab l2 by the screws 96 and they also serve the additional useful function of tending to eject the slab I2 when the top Jaws 8i are released after completion of a machining operation and when loading arms 25 are in readiness to unload the slab l2.

The bumpers 15 comprise a cylindrical housing 16 secured in the body of holder 3, a sleeve 11 shouldered at its inner end, a coiled compression spring 18, and a bearing button to which reference numeral 15 is directed, the spring acting between housing 18 and the bearing button portion of bumpers 15, which latter is screwed into sleeve 11.

In order to align the slab I2 after it has been presented to the holder 3 and while it is being supported on fingers 36, th plurality of horizontal alignment screws may be motor actuated with their outer ends in a common vertical plane to position against the inner face of slab i2, pressure aligning it in cooperation with rollers 28 on arms 25 and thus both predetermining the depth of material to be removed by the cutter and the plane through which the cutter is to act, that plane being one parallel to the vertically aligned inner face of the slab.

In the embodiment of the invention shown, referring to Figs. 5 and 6, it will be noted that sixalignment screws 90 are provided, but it must be pointed out that for determining a vertically aligned plane for the inner face of slab l2 only three of the screws 96 should preferably be employed. Rather than provide for disengaging means in the driving mechanism for screws 90. the expedient of removal pressure buttons 9| is preferably resorted to, thusany of the six screws may be made operable by the sliding insertion of buttons 9i on selected screws 90, preferably on three of them; mor of the screws may be employed if desired, and those selected will be those best adapted to accommodate the particular size of slab l2 to be worked on.

In cases where the work or slabs l2 have regular depressions or projections, buttons SI of different axial length may be inserted in screws 99, or the screws 99 may be located in gears 95 in different axial'position relative to one another. However, as described here, buttons 9i will normally rest in a common verticalplane movable against the inner face of the work. The screws 99 for each individual supporting unit 4 are actuated by means oi. electric motors 92 mounted in holder 3. through drive shafts 93, bevel gearings 94, and a train of gears 95 Journalled in holder 9. In the outer six of the cluster of 7 gears 95 the screws 99 are threadedly supported within internally threaded apertures. Suitable right or left hand threads of like pitch are preferably employed on screws 99 and within outer gears 95 so that alike axial motion of the screws 99 will be imparted thereto by rotation of motors 92, drive shafts 93, bevel gearings 94 and gears 95. Screws 99 are provided with longitudinal bores and keyways so that suitable keys 96 may be inserted in rods 91 passing therethrough and held at one end in the body of holder 3 to prevent rotation of the screws within the internally threaded gears 95.

Motors 92 are preferably of the type known as torque motors, which may be energized to drive screws 99 against the back face of slab I2 with a predetermined force until the motors 92 are stalled. It is desirable that motors 92 be capable of being stalled under full load so that the desired backing up pressure against the back face of slab I2 may be exerted through alignment screws 99, prior to clamping of slab I2 by engagement of the opposed gripping jaws through inserts I9. Suitable time relays not shown in the drawings are preferably provided for automatically cutting oil the current to each motor 92 when it has been stalled for a predetermined length of time. It will be apparent that the pitch and thread of the screws 99 in the internally threaded portions of gears 95 may conveniently be such that the screws are selflocking and will not tend to be driven back by back pressure of the slab, if such there be, when a motor 92 has been electrically disconnected.

For convenience and universal automatic use it is desirable that motors 92 be adapted to drive screws 99 back away from work-engaging position after the slab is removed from a supporting unit 4 and before a new slab is repositioned. Suitable well known mechanical and electrical means may be employed for effecting the automatic retraction of the screws 99 in the described manner.

It will appear from the (above description that arms 25, and screws 99, which are adapted to be driven in a common plane, align and locate slab I2 with its inner face in proper vertical position for a machining or cutting operation on its outer face, whereupon it is desirable to firmly grip the slab I2 to permit retraction of the loading arms 25 and so that the slab I2 will be firmly held in holder 3 when the same is rotated into the cutting position.

In Figs. 5 and 6 the aforementioned bottom jaw members 89 are shown integral with the body of work holder 3 and are provided with suitable gripping jaw inserts I9. The movable top jaw members 8i are slidably supported on T-shaped guides 83 below flange 94 of holder 3, the jaw members Bibeing thereby secured to the body of holder 3 and provided with like suitable gripping inserts 19. The jaw members 8| are each individually actuated by pressure cylinders -82 through piston rods 85,

the cylinders 82 being suitably supported on flange 84 integral with the body of the holder 9.

In this embodiment of the invention the cylinders 82 are. double acting oil cylinders supplied with oil pressure from pump 99, driven by motor 91, Jaws 8| in each unit 4 being controlled by one of two. electrically operated piston valves 99 associated therewith. The oil reservoir for the'cylinders 82 is provided in a chamber 99 within the holder 3. This arrangement provides a self contained system within the rotatable holder 3, electrically and hydraulically controlled, and hydraulically'independent of fixed frame 2, for operating the clamping mechanism of each supporting unit 4 and insuring that even gripping and positive withdrawing forces are exerted by each of the Jaw members 8i.

Work holder After a slab I2 has been loaded into a work supporting unit 4, the slab located and gripped by the mechanism above described, and the loading arms 25 returned to horizontal position, the work holder 3 must be rotated 189 to present that slab I2 to the cutter 9 and to return a previously machined slab I2 to the loading and unloading position. The holder 3 is mounted in main frame 2 for rotation on a thrust bearing I95. The thrust bearing I rests in a yoke I96 suspended from main frame 2 on piston rods I91 connecting to pistons in cylinders I98 secured to the bracketed upper portion of main frame 2. The yoke I96 carries a suitable lower bearing race I99, and the shouldered main shaft II9 of holder 3 bears a cooperating upper bearing race Ili adapted to ride on balls H2 held between the races III and I99. The shouldered main shaft H9 is journalled in yoke I96 by means of a suitable sleeve bearing II3 in the yoke I96 located below the thrust bearing I95. This main shaft II9 has an upwardly extending portion journalled for rotatable and vertical sliding movement in sleeve bearing H9 held in the main frame 2 above the yoke I96, and shaft II 9 supports the holder 3 including the mechanism carried thereby on its downwardly extending portion to which it is fitted and held by key III.

The holder 3 is rotatable and vertically slidable at its lower portion on a stub pivot shaft 5 located in the bottom portion of main frame 2 and carries within its body a sleeve bearing H9. Thus vertical and axial alignment of the holder is provided through the medium of journal bearings H4 and H6 and shafts H9 and H5.

For securing the holder 3 against rotation during the machining operation, it is arranged to rest on interengaging portions comprising two inverted V-shaped wedges I29 mounted on main frame 2 and located on either side of stub pivot shaft H5, and suitable cooperative inverted V- shaped bearing seats I2I provided in holder 3. These wedges and bearing seats I29 and I2I, respectively, since they interlockingly bear the weight of the holder 3, serve to prevent rotation of the holder 3 and give it rigidity at its lower portion until the same is lifted for turning. For giving additional rigidity to the holder 3 at its upper portion and for holding it down on wedges I29, there are provided two pressure cylinders I24 mounted in the main frame 2 of the appa- I21 bracketed to the side portions of main frame 2 and arranged so that the dowel pins I26 enter recessed apertures I28 in the flange 84 of holder 3. Cylinders I24 are suitably pressure operated to drive the dowel pins I26 into the apertures I28 above mentioned (see Fig. 5), the taper permitting pressure to be transmitted downwardly to wedges I20 and serving to increase the rigidity of the apparatus.

When it is desired to release the holder 3 for rotation to reverse the relative positions of the supporting units 4, the tapered dowel pins I26 may be withdrawn by means of the aforedescribed pressure cylinders I24 and piston rods I25, but the employment of the V-shaped wedges I20 requires that the holder 3 be lifted so that the bottom portion and bearing seats I2I thereof will clear the wedges I20; and it is for this purpose that the holder 3 is hung from the main frame 2 by means of the aforementioned piston rods I01 actuated by pressure cylinders I08. Thus to permit turning of the holder 3 the cylinders I08 are actuated, after dowel pins I26 have been raised, to lift the yoke I06 by means of piston rods I01, the yoke I06 lifting the holder 3 through thrust bearing I05 and shouldered main shaft I I0.

When the work holder has been thus raised so that its bottom portion clears wedges I20, it may then be actuated for rotation. To impart a turning motion to the work holder, there is provided a pressure cylinder I30 (see Figs. 1 and 5), a piston rod I3I pinned to a slidable cross-head I32, a link I33, a crank I34, a spring held latch member- I35, a shaft I36, 9, gear I31, and a pinion I38 mounted on main shaft I I0. Through the aforementioned mechanical linkage the piston rod I3I may be actuated by cylinder I30 to push on crank I34 for turning holder 3. The ratchet toothed portion of crank I34 is then adapted to cause rotary movement of the corresponding latching member I35 held by the spring I36 and keyed to shaft I36 to impart to shaft I36 a rotary movement. Thus shaft I36 through gear I31 and pinion I38 will impart rotary movement to the holder 3. Piston rod I3I may be quickly moved a sufficient distance to give turning movement to holder 3, and then it may be withdrawn, the slippage between crank I34 and latching member I35 permitting free rotary movement of holder 3 in the proper turning direction; or the piston rod I3I and linkage associated therewith may be arranged to follow the rotation of holder 3 through its full 180 movement.

For stopping holder 3 and preliminarily locating it, two horizontal latches I40 are located in the main frame 2 on either side of the holder adjacent the apertures I28 for the tapered dowel pins I26. These latches I40 have blunt V-shaped ends, vertically disposed and adapted to engage vertically disposed V-shaped recesses in the flanged portion 84 of holder 3, and they are each spring-held against flange 84 on the recesses by two springs I4I adjustably preloaded by means of screws I42 (Fig. 2). The latches I40 are such that the force imparted by cylinder I30 is sufficient to overcome their holding power against rotary movement, and such that the coasting or final rotary motion of the holder 3 may be arrested thereby. Thus the holder 3 may be stopped on the approach of recessed portions in flange 84 to the latches I40.

When the holder 3 has been turned through an angle of 180 and stopped by the latches I40, it

may then be lowered by means of pressure cylinders I08 to rest on the wedges I20, and thereafter the tapered dowel pins may be forced into position by means of cylinders I24 to positively lock the holder 3 in its lowered position.

The ratchet construction between crank I34 and latch I35, employed in connection with the cylinder I30 for causing rotation of the holder, permits return movement of the piston rod I3I without effect upon the work holder and places bothtin condition for the next 180 rotary movemen When the holder is raised and rotated the work or slabs I2 pass over the inverted V-shaped wedges I20. In order to protect the surfaces of the wedges I20 from scalpings and chips which might fall onto them during the rotary movement of the holder 3, covers I45 for the wedges I20 have been provided which are adapted to automatically slip over the wedges I20 when the holder is lifted and to be automatically retracted from the wedges when the holder is returned to rest on the wedges. Mechanism for protecting each wedge I20 comprises a cover I45 actuated through a link I46 by a bell crank I41, the other end of whichbell crank I41 is adapted to be engaged through a roller by an integral tripper I48 on the bottom portion of the holder 3 (Fig. 5). The bell crank I41 is held against tripper I48 by means of a coil spring I48 attached at one portion to the main frame 2 and at its other end to an extending dog I secured to the bell crank pivot shaft I5I in a bracket from frame 2. It will be seen that downward movement of the holder 3 will press bell crank I41 and withdraw the cover I45 from the wedge I20. Likewise upward movement of the holder 3 will permit spring I49 to pull bell crank I41 to oscillate the same on shaft I5I to replace cover I45 over wedge I20.

A collector ring assembly, identified generally by reference numeral I55, is mounted for turning movement on the upper portion of main shaft IIO. This assembly is provided as a suitable means for bringing electric power into the work holder 3 whereby electrically thrust valves 88, pump motor 81, and alignment screw motors 92 may be operated, and pressure cylinders 82 and pump 86 actuated independently of any external pressure system. This construction generally provides a self-contained, unitary mechanism.

A base I56 for the collector unit I55 is shown supported within sleeve bearing I I4 on shaft I I0, and slidabl with shaft IIO for vertical movement of holder 3 on vertical pins I51 secured in the upper portion of main frame 2, the pins I51 passing through suitable bosses on base I56 also serving to prevent rotation of base I56 with holder 3. From the upper portion of base I56 a cover plate I58 is preferably supported on four rods I53.

The collector rings I60 are grouped on a central shaft I6I rotatably supported between base plate I56 and cover plate I58 and are electrically insulated from shaft I6I and from each other. The shaft I6I carries a thrust collar I62 adapted to seat on a recessed aperture of base I56. An extending portion of shaft'I6I is keyed into a turning plate I64 secured as by bolts to the top of shaft IIO. Shaft H0 is provided with a hollow central bore I65 through which individual leads I66 are brought from collector rings I60 to the holder 3. Brushes I61 (one of which is shown in Fig. 6) may be conveniently mounted on rods I59 supported on base I56 for making electrical contact with rings I60. Suitable conductors tapped into leads I66 and connected to the alignment screw motors 92, the pump motor 81 and the electrically operated valves 88 are adapted to electrically control the work aligning and clamping mechanisms.

Cutter carriage After a slab I2 has been loaded into work holder 3, the holder rotated to bring the slab, in a supporting unit 4, around to a position adjacent the cutter 9, and the holder lowered onto wedges I20 and secured by the dowel pins I26, the slab is ready for a surface machining operation to be effected by cutter 9.

Reference is now made to Figs. 7 and 8 in particular and also to Figs. 1, 2, and 3. In these figures the cutter 9 comprises a plurality of cutting tools (not shown in detail) peripherally mounted in cutter head 8. Cutter head 8 is secured to spindle I10 by a suitable threaded and keyed connection at IN, the spindle I10 being supported on cutter carriage 1 by means of two sets of roller bearings I12 and I13. These bearings I12 and I13 incorporate tapered rollers I14 held in suitable bearing races.

The spindle I10 is secured against axial movement with reference to carriage 1 by means of the aforementioned roller bearing I12, the external races of which are secured in bearing member I 90 secured to carriage 1; bearing I13 in bearing member I9I is of the floating type for expansion of spindle I 10. The spindle I10 is particularly secured at bearing I12 by means of a keyed spanner nut I92 engaging a threaded split nut I93 in spindle I 10 and acting against a ring I99 surrounded by a sealing member I95, which latter.

sealing member I95 is retained by a recessed retainer ring I96 secured to bearing member I90 as by bolts. The thrust bearing arrangement provided is to prevent axial play of spindle I10 which would result in tool chatter marks on the surface of ingot I2.

Cooling and lubricating oil for cutting tools forming cutter 9 is supplied from reservoir I15 by means of suitabl pipe lines I16, oil pump I 11, flexible line I18, and an internal conduit I19 axially mounted in spindle I10 which rotates thereabout on suitable bearings 238, the conduit leading to an oil distributing orifice I80 at the center of cutter head 8. Flexible line I18 is attached to conduit I19 to deliver oil to orifice or spray nozzle I80 by means of a suitable coupling I8I. Pump I11, mounted on a sub-base I91, is driven by an electric motor I82 through suitable gearing I83 and coupling I 84.

The cutter 9 is driven by an electric motor I85 through a sheave I88 mounted on the shaft thereof carrying V-belts I81 to a sheave I88 keyed to spindle I10. The motor I85 is adjustably mounted on carriage 1 by take-up screw I89 so that proper tension in V-belts I81 may be preset and slack in the belts eliminated.

The carriage 1 rests on ways 2I1 and 2I8 of a sub-base 'I 91, and has limited movement with respect thereto in a'direction parallel to the spindle from an advanced cutting position to a retracted position. Sub-base I 91, in turn, rests on ways 2I5 and 2I 6 of carriage foundation bed 6 perpendicular to the spindle and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the work holder 3, and is movable thereon to carry or traverse the cutter past the work and return. The length of this motion may be fixed suitable to the longest slabs to be scalped, but it is preferred to provide several selectable means for automatically stopping, retracting and returning the cutter at different lengths of travel to suit a variety of slab lengths, which may be in the form of limit switches 239 mounted on bed 6 and actuated by a cam 240 secured to the subbase I91. This provision increases the capacity of the machine considerably if a wide variation in slab lengths prevails, by reducing the time for the tool to traverse the work holder 3 when scalping slabs of less than maximum length.

The above mentioned motions are imparted to the carriage 1 and sub-base I91 by a hydraulic cylinder 200 and cooperating elements hereinafter to be described in detail. Oil to ways 2I5 and 2I6 is supplied from reservoir 20I (Fig. 8) through piping 202, pump 203, and suitable oil lines (not shown). The pump 203 is driven by an electric motor 204 through suitable gearing 205 and coupling 206. The electric motor 204 and pump 203 are mounted on subbase I91 adjacent to the aforementioned pump I11 and motor I82 for delivering coolant oil to the cutter 9. The aforementioned coolant oil reservoir I15 is suitably located on the bed of the machine or on the floor, and the line I16 is adapted to be traversed over the reservoir during the movement of the cutter carriage 1. Like wise the line 202 entering oil reservoir 20I is adapted to be traversed with the carriage 1, the reservoir 20I being mounted adjacent reservoir I15 on the cutter bed 0. A lubricating oil reservoir 2I0 is located within carriage 1, oil from which may be circulated to bearings and other parts by means of pump 2 (see Fig. 1) driven by motor 2l2 through suitable gears and a coupling 2M.

Since the cutter 9 must face of slab I2 after the surface machining operation, it is desirable that it be retracted before the return movement of the carriage 1, and that it be advanced to a preset position prior to the forward movement of the carriage 1. The feeding cylinder 200 acting on piston rod 201 is adapted to effect automatic advancing, traversing, retracting, and returning of the cutter head 8 and carriage 1 by'means of a composite bell crank linkage to be described.

The carriage bed 6 has formed thereon the aforementioned longitudinally extending ways 2I5 and 2I6 provided with suitable liners. The way 2I5 is an inverted V-shaped way for lending lateral rigidity to the sub-base I91 and the way 2| 6 is substantially flat. The sub-base I91 of the cutter carriage is adapted to have longitudinal movement on carriage bed 0 over the ways 2I5 and 2I6. In other words, the cutter carriage on sub-base I91 is adapted to have its traversing and return movements over cutter bed 6 in a direction past the work to feed or return the cutter 9. This longitudinal movement of subbase I91 is imparted by feeding cylinder 200 through piston rod 201 in a manner which will be described in detail hereinafter.

The sub-base I91 carries two laterally extending ways 2I1 and 2I8 on its upper portion for slidably supporting the cutter carriage 1. way 2I1 is merely flat and the way 2I8 is an inverted V-shaped way for lending longitudinal rigidity to carriage 1, both ways carrying suitable liners. At the cutter head end of sub-base I91 there is secured a stop 2I9 adapted to limit the outward movement of cutter carriage 1 on the ways 2I1 and 2I8 of sub-base I91.

The carriage 1 is adapted to have lateral movement over its sub-base I91 on the ways 2I1 and 2I8, and is adapted to have its axial advancing be returned across the movement limited through the engagement of an integral wedge 220 with the stop 2I9 carried on sub-base I91. A suitable stop nut 231 (Fig. '1) is associated with the piston rod 201 and extension rod 235 for limiting the retracting movement of carriage 1 over sub-base I91 as will be described.

As will be seen, movements in two perpendicular directions must be imparted to the carriage I and cutter head 8. These movements are effectuated through sub-base I91 movable longitudinally relative to bed 6 and cutter carriage I movable laterally relative to sub-base I91 by means of piston rod 201,'slidably connected to a crank 225 (Figs. 1, '1, and 8) secured to a shaft 226 journalled in sub-base I91. The turning movement imparted to shaft 226 is carried therethrough to a crank 221 above sub-base I91, the crank 221 being suitably secured to the shaft 226. Crank 225, shaft 226, and crank 221 may be termed a composite bell crank. A connecting link 228 is pinned to the end of crank 221 and at'its opposite extremity is pinned to cutter carriage 1 at 229.

The connection between piston rod 201 and crank 225 comprises (see Figs. 1, '1, and 8) a cross head including a sleeve 230 fitted over a portion of rod 201 carrying bosses 23I, on which are fitted suitable rectangular bearing members 232 slidable in the end of crank 225. This construction is provided so that piston rod 201 will not be moved out of line by its action on crank 225. For maintaining alignment of piston rod 201, there is provided beyond its point of engagement with crank 225 an extending portion 235, which is suitably guided in a bearing portion 236 of sub-base I91 and carries at its extremity adjustably positioned nuts 231 adapted to be set to determine the retractive travel of carriage 1 with reference to sub-base I91, since it will appear that pulling of piston rod 201 will turn crank 225 only until nut 231 engages the bearing portion 236. Thereafter the piston rod 201 will pull the sub-base I91 directly without further lateral movement of carriage 1. The advancing movement of carriage 1 could be controlled by means of a stop placed on extension rod 235 adjacent to crank 225, but it is preferable to employ the wedge and stop 220 and 2I9, respectively, in order to assure an accurate solid forward positioning of cutter head 8 and carriage 1. In the preferred embodiment of this feature of the invention crank 225 is substantially longer than crank 221 to insure positioning of the cutter head laterally before the sub-base I91 is moved.

Mention has been made of selective means for predetermining the stroke of cylinder 200 as by limit switches 239, and of provision for advancing the cutter at a suitable cutting rate and returning it at a suitable faster rate. It will be understood, of course, that any preferred type of electrical and hydraulic equipment may be used for this purpose, such equipment being well known and requiring no elaboration.

Operation The preferred cycle of operations with which the presently described embodiment of the invention is employed is as follows: A slab I2 may be brought to the manipulator I in horizontal position by means of a suitable conveyor longitudinally extending back of manipulator I and interleaved therewith if desired, or the slab I2 may be deposited upon the roller tabl I of manipulator I by a suitable crane and tongs or other means. Assuming that the slab will be at rest on the rollers I6 on the inverting arms 42, it may be caused to slide over to the rollers I6 on the inverting arms 43 by inclining the table I5 by means of the pressure cylinder 22 acting on the pivoted frame 46. The slab will roll then toward the loading arms 25 and will come to rest against the fingers 36, the arms 25 then being in substantially horizontal position shown dotted in Fig. 4, but with fingers 36 perpendicular. The arms 25 will then be rotated through approximately to carry slab I2 from a horizontal position to a vertical position where it will be supported on fingers 36.

The upward position of loading arm 25 will have been predetermined by a setting of stop pin 65, and therefore the outermost set of projecting rollers 28 will predetermine the outward position of slab I2, against which slab I2 will be located and pressed by the outward driving movement of motorized alignment screws 90. Preferably three of'these screws 90 will be provided with contacting buttons 9I, such screws being selected as will best accommodate the size of slab I2 being located in holder 3. When screws 90 have been moved to their stalled position, the motor 92 driving the same will come to rest under full torque and then will be electrically disconnected. The fingers 36 will then be retracted, lowering slab I2 onto lower jaw inserts 19. Opposed upper jaw inserts 19 will then be brought into engagement through action of cylinders 82 on jaw members 8| to securely clamp slab I2 in unit 4 in aligned and indexed position at a predetermined distance from the axis of rotation of holder 3.

After slab I2 has been gripped in a supporting unit 4, the loading arms 25 may then be withdrawn from the face of ingot I2 and returned to substantially horizontal position interleaved with the arms 43 of manipulator I.

At this point the holder 3 will be ready to be rotated, and for this purpose the dowel pins I26 will be lifted by means of cylinders I24. Thereupon the work holder body or housing 3 will be lifted by means of cylinders I08 and the holder will be rotated by the action of cylinder I30 through gear I31 and pinion I38 on the main shaft III] of the work holder 3. The holder will be iven an angular momentum by cylinder I30 and will turn through an angle of whereupon it will be snap-locked by latches I40 adapted to preliminarily locate the holder as it is lowered by release of pressure on cylinders I08 so that it may rest on wedges I20.

The holder is then more securely located through the re-engagement of dowels I26 within apertures I28 in the upper flange 84 of holder 3 by theaction of cylinders I24. At this position the holder is secured for the surface machining operation and the slab or ingot is ready to be scalped or surface machined by the cutting tool 9 in cutter head 8. Immediately upon the location of the holder as aforementioned, the cutter head 8 may be automatically advanced axially on carriage 1 over ways 2I1 and 2I8 by the initial movement of piston rod 201 actuated by feeding cylinder 200. When the cutter head 8 has been advanced properly and stopped by the engagement of wedge 220 with stop 2I9, the further movement of piston rod 201 by the action of feeding cylinder 200 will cause the cutter head 8, cutter carriage 1, and sub-base I91 to be longitudinally traversed over ways 2I5 and 2 I 6.

Suitable means may be provided to cause a rapid traverse approach of cutter head 8 to the the extension rod 235 and nut 23! then abutting against and pulling on bearing member 236. It is also possible to provide suitable means for causing the return movement of cutter head 8 and carriage 1 to be eflectuated at a rapid rate. Upon the return of'cutter head 8 toward starting position, the holder 3 may be immediately rotated 180 as aforedescribed to present a new slab 12 to the cutter 9, whereupon the cutting cycle may be reinstituted in the same manner as described for the previous slab. Prior to the reinstitution of the cutting cycle immediately abovementioned, a second slab will have been placed upon manipulator l and loaded into holder 3 in the manner first described.

Returning to the cycle of operations with respect to the first slab i 2 loaded into the machine, this slab l2 will now have been returned to the position adjacent manipulator I. While the second slab I2 is being machined by the cutter 9. the first slab l2 may then be withdrawn from its supporting unit 4 by the raising of the loading arms 25 to the vertical position, whereupon the lifting fingers 36 may be raised to rest under the slab 12. Then the arms 25 may be returned to horizontal position carrying the slab l2 back to rest upon the rollers IS in the inverting arms 43. At this point the slab I2 is ready to be inverted so that its second surface may then be surface machined. For inverting the slab [2 the inverting arms 42 and 43 are raised to the dotted position shown in Fig. 4, the arms 43 carrying the slab l2 up and over a vertical center position; then the arms 42 and 43 may be returned to horizontal position, the slab l2 following arms 42 and then resting in the position first described, except that the opposite unmachined surface then will be in contact with the rollers IS in arms 42.

At this point the cycle of operations first described may be reinstituted, the slab caused to approach loading arms 25, the loading arms 25 caused to reload the slab [2 into a supporting unit 4, and the slab l2 suitably located and gripped therein. In this position the slab will present its second face for a second machining operation which may be immediately instituted upon the completion of the first machining operation on the second slab l2 then being acted upon by cutter 9. Thereafter the operation of the machine may be madecontinuous by the removal of slabs machined on both sides and the further supply of unmachined slabs to the manipulator I.

It is to be noted that this cycle of operations permits of loading, unloading, and inverting one slab while a second slab is being machined so that the cutter 9 may be operated at its fullest efficiency and will not have to await any of the loading, unloading, and inverting operations but may be immediately returned to working operation after it has been retracted and returned to its starting position following each preceding machining operation.

The appended claims are intended to be ex- When the pressive of the novel features and arrangements of parts forming the present invention, it being understood that various modifications may be made in the preferred embodiment thereof here shown and described without departing from its nature or scope.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus of the character described a work holder supported for rotation about a vertical axis, a work supporting unit incorporated in said holder, means for rotating said holder on its axis to move said supporting unit from a work loading station to a work performing station, means for positively locking said holder at its two said stations, said locking means incorporating interengaging cooperating portions of said holder and a supporting frame therefor, and

" means for raising and lowering said holder to effectuate interengagement and locking thereof.

2. In an apparatus of the character described a rotatable work holder having a work supporting unit, said supporting unit incorporating work aligning and clamping means for securing Work in position for a, working operation thereon, means for rotating said holder to move said supporting unit from a Work loading station to a work performing station, an abutment fixed with respect to said holder, and means for raising and lowering said holder into and out of engagement with said abutment to positively secure said holder at its two said operating stations.

3. An apparatus for surface material working comprising a rotatable work holder incorporating a plurality of work supporting units, means for presenting the work to said units, said supporting units including a plurality of commonly driven alignment screws adapted to align the inner face of the work presented thereto and to locate the work in cooperation with said work presenting means, clamping means for securing the work therein, and motive means for said clamping means, means for rotating said holder to successively present said supporting units to work presenting and to surface working stations, a material working device for removing surface material from the work, and means for efiecting relative movement between said working device and said holder.

4. In an apparatus for surface material working, a rotatable work holder incorporating two work supporting units oppositely disposed about a central vertical axis of rotation thereof, and a common means for loading and unloading the work to and from said supporting units at one side of said holder, each of said supporting units comprising a plurality of commonly driven alignment screws adapted to have movement in a predetermined plane to press the work against said loading means to locate and align the same with its inner face in predetermined alignment, common means for driving said screws, clamping means for securing the work therein, and motive means for said clamping means.

5. In an apparatus for surface material working, a rotatable work holder incorporating a plurality of work supporting units, said units comprising work locating and aligning means including motive means therefor, work clamping means including motive means therefor, and electrical means associated with both of said motive means for providing actuating energy for the same, means for rotating said holder to succurrent into said holder and connecting to said electrical means, whereby said motive means in said holder may be electrically controlled.

6. In an apparatus for surface material working, a rotatable work holder incorporating two oppositely disposed work supporting units, each of said supporting units comprising work clamping means, at least one pressure cylinder for actuating said clamping means, said cylinder being connected to pressure developing means and a reservoir for a pressure medium in said holder, an electric motor in said holder for driving said pressure developing means, and at least one electrically operated valve associated with said cylinder, reservoir, and pressure developing means, all of said elements comprising said supporting units being mounted within and rotatable with said rotatable holder, means for rotating said holder, and means for conducting electric current through a plurality of circuits into said holder and connecting to each said electric motor and each said electrically operated valve, whereby said holder is independent of external pressure systems.

'7. In an apparatus for surface material working, a rotatable work holder incorporating a plurality of work supporting units, said units comprising work locating and aligning means, work clamping means, a hydraulic system for actuating one of the aforesaid means, an electric motor, a pump in said hydraulic system driven by said electric motor, and at least one electrically operated valve in said hydraulic system, means for rotating said holder, and means for completing a plurality of electric circuits into said holder and connecting to said electric motor and said electrically operated valve, said circuit completing means comprising a plurality of rotatable collector rings centrally mounted for rotation on said holder, leads from said collector v rings centrally disposed within said holder, and

a plurality of current conducting brushes fixed against rotation and adapted to engage said collector rings, whereby said hydraulic system is independent of external pressure sources and whereby the work locating and aligning means and the work clamping means may be electrically controlled externally.

8. In an apparatus for surface material working, a rotatable work holder incorporating a plurality of work supporting units, a vertically movable member adapted to rotatably support said holder, means for raising and lowering said vertically movable member, means for securing said holder against rotation comprising vertically interengaging portions on said holder and a frame therefor, said vertically movable member when lifted adapted to free said holder of said securing means, and means for rotating said holder when lifted to successively present said supporting units to a surface working device.

9. In an apparatus for surface material working, a rotatable work holder incorporating a plurality of work supporting units, a vertically movable member adapted to rotatably support said holder, means for raising and lowering said vertically movable member, means for securing said holder against rotation comprising vertically interengaging portions on said holder and a frame therefor, movable tapered members adapted to be inserted into tapered apertures in said holder remotely located from said vertically engaging portions and adapted to secure said holder to said frame, means for inserting and withdrawing said movable tapered members into and fromsaid holder, and means for rotating said holder when lifted to successively present said supporting units to a surface working device.

10. In an apparatus for surface material working, a rotatable work holder incorporating a plurality of work supporting units, a vertically movable member adapted to rotatably support said work holder, means for raising and lowering said vertically movable member, means for securing said holder against rotation comprising vertically interengaging portions on said holder and a frame therefor, said vertically movable member when lifted adapted to free said holder of said securing means, means for rotating said holder when lifted to successively present said supporting units to a surface workin device, and at least one spring actuated latch adapted to engage said holder for stopping rotation of said holder and preliminarily locating the same for actuation of said securing means.

11. In an apparatus for surface material working, a rotatable work holder incorporating a plurality of work supporting units, a vertically movable yoke adapted to rotatably support said work holder, means for raising and lowering said yoke, means for securing said holder against rotation comprising vertically interengaging portions on said holder and a frame therefor, vertically movable tapered pins adapted to be downwardly inserted into tapered apertures in said holder and adapted thereby to press said holder portion against said frame portion and to hold said holder against rotation, and means for lowering and withdrawing said pins into and from said holder, and at least one spring actuated latch adapted to engage said holder for stopping rotation of said holder and preliminarily locating the same for actuation of said securing means.

12. In an apparatus for surface material working, a rotatable work holder incorporating a plurality of work supporting units, a vertically movable yoke adapted to rotatably support said work holder, means for raising and lowering said yoke, means for securing said holder against rotation comprising vertically interengaging portions on said holder and a frame therefor, at least one cover for said frame interengaging portion, means for moving said cover over said frame portion when said holder is raised for rotation, and means actuated by the lowering of said holder for withdrawing said cover, said yoke when lifted adapted to free said holder of said securing means, and means for rotating said holder when lifted to successively present said supporting units to a surface working device.

13. In an apparatus for surface material working, a rotatable work holder incorporating two oppositely disposed work supporting units, each of said supporting units comprising work locating and aligning means, an electric motor for commonly driving said locating and aligning means, work clamping means, at least one pressure cylinder for actuating said clamping means, said cylinder being connected to pressure developing means and a reservoir for a pressure medium in said holder, an electric motor in said holder for driving said pressure developing means, and at least one electrically operated valve associated with said cylinder, reservoir, and pressure developing means, all of said elements comprising said supporting units being mounted within and rotatable with said rotatable holder, means for rotating said holder, and means for conducting electric current through a plurality of circuits into said holder and connecting to each of said electric motors and each said electrically operated valve, whereby said holder is independent of external pressure systems.

14. In an apparatus for surface material working, a rotatable work holder incorporating a plurality of work supporting units, said units comprising work clamping means, a hydraulic system for actuating the aforesaid means, an electric motor, a pump in said hydraulic system driven by said electric motor, and at least one electrically operated valve in said hydraulic system, means for rotating said holder, and means for completing a plurality of electric circuits into said holder and connecting to said electric motor and said electrically operated valve, said circuit completing means comprising a plurality of rotatable collector rings centrally mounted for rotation on said holder, lead from said collector rings centrally disposed within said holder, and a plurality of current conducting brushes fixed against rotation and adapted to engage said collector rings, whereby said hydraulic system is independent of external pressure sources and whereby the work clamping means may be electrically controlled externally.

15. An apparatus for surface material working comprising a rotatable work holder incorporating a work supporting unit, means for presenting work to said unit, said unit including a plurality of commonly driven alignment screws adapted to align the inner face of the work presented thereto and to locate the work in cooperation with said work presenting means, clamping -means for securing the work therein, and motive means for said clamping means, means for rotating said holder to present said supporting unit to work presenting and to surface working stations, a material working device for removing surface material from the work, and means for effecting relative movement between said working device and said holder.

16. In an apparatus for surface material working, a rotatable work holder incorporating a work supporting unit', said unit comprising work locating and aligning means including motive means therefor, work clamping means including motive means therefor, and electrical means associated with both of said motive means for providing actuating energy for the same, means for rotatactuating said clamping means, said cylinder being connected to pressure developing means and a reservoir for a pressure medium in said holder, an electric motor in said holder for driving said pressure developing means, and an electrically operated valve associated with said cylinder, reservoir, and pressure developing means, all of said elements comprising said supporting unit being mounted within and rotatable with said rotatable holder, means for rotating said holder, and means for conducting electric current through a plurality of circuits into said holder and connecting to said electric motor and said electrically operated valve, whereby said holder is independent of external pressure sys tems.

18. In an apparatus for surface material working, a rotatable work holder incorporating a work supporting unit, a vertically movable member adapted to rotatably support said holder, means for raising and lowering said vertically movable member, means for securing said holder against rotation comprising vertically interengaging portions on said holder and a frame therefor, movable tapered members adapted to be inserted into tapered apertures in said holder adapted to secure said holder to said frame, mean for inserting and withdrawing said movable tapered members into and from said holder, and means for rotating said holder when lifted to present said supporting unit to a surface working device.

19. In an apparatus for surface material working, a rotatable work holder incorporating a work supporting unit, a vertically movable yoke adapted to rotatably support said work holder, means for raising and lowering said yoke, means 'for securing said holder against rotation comprising vertically interengaging portions on said holder and a frame therefor, and means for mg said holder to present said supporting unit to work loading :and surface working stations, and at least one electric circuit for conducting electric current into said holder and connecting to said electrical means, whereby said motive means may be electrically controlled.

1'7. In an apparatus for surface material working, a rotatable work holder incorporating a work supporting unit, said supporting unit comprising work clamping means, a pressure cylinder for pressing said holder portion against said frame portion.

20. In an apparatus for surface material working, a rotatable work holder incorporating a work supporting. unit, a vertically movable yoke adapted to rotatably support said work holder, means for raising and lowering said yoke, means for securing said holder against rotation comprising vertically interengaging portions on said holder and a frame therefor, at least one cover for said frame interengaging portion, means for moving said cover over said frame portion when said holder is raised for rotation, and means actuated by the lowering of said holder for withdrawing said cover, said yoke when lifted adapted to free said holder of said securing means, and means for rotating said holder when lifted to present said supporting unit to a surface working d vice.

FRED H. FANNING.

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