METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING A TOOL CARTRIDGE, SUCH AS A CUTTER BODY

摘要

An apparatus for radially adjusting a position of at least one tool cartridge includes a machine tool having rotatable, concentric, elongate, inner and outer drive spindles with at least one pocket formed in the outer drive spindle exposing at least one corresponding portion of the inner drive spindle. A wedge is disposed in each pocket for movement relative to the longitudinal axis of the inner drive spindle and is responsive to relative rotation of the inner drive spindle with respect to the outer drive spindle. Each wedge has a threaded surface operably engageable with either a threaded portion of the inner drive spindle, or a threaded portion of the outer drive spindle. A tool cartridge is operably engaged within each pocket of the outer drive spindle for radial movement relative to the longitudinal axis of the outer drive spindle in response to relative movement of the corresponding wedge. A ring spring is provided for urging each tool cartridge into operable engagement with the corresponding wedge with sufficient strength to maintain operable engagement at maximum rotational speed. A controller is provided for controlling the relative rotation of the inner spindle with respect to the outer spindle in response to at least one input signal. The controller can compensate for wear of a tool connected to the tool cartridge with relative rotation of the inner spindle with respect to the outer spindle. The controller can also adjustably position each tool cartridge with respect to the outer spindle during a machining operation.