| 摘要 |
<p>The specification is directed to a method of operating a machine tool which enables a machining center, a transfer line or a flexible manufacturing system to be rapidly converted from the manufacture of one work piece to the manufacture of another workpiece. This is achieved by mounting all the tools associated with one series of machining steps on a common carrier unit and adapting the carrier unit so that it can be placed quickly in position on the machine tool and automatically centered in a variety of positions so that each of the individual tools can be brought into a desired machining relationship with the workpiece. The tools can comprise both stationary and driven tools and the machine tool is adapted to allow relative movement between the workpiece and the individual tools so as to carry out the desired machining steps. The tools can be preadjusted in their mounts before the carrier unit is placed on the machine tool and are to be stored already mounted on the carrier units to avoid tool losses when not in use. During machinery the tools preferably remain in the mounts but in one embodiment tools can be withdrawn from the mounts and transferred to a machining head. The carrier units are preferably of bell-like form and located on machine tools by means of a pair of mating Hirth rings.</p> |
