Inventors:
Sanford S. Zimmerman - Westport CT
Louis W. Syarto - Fairfield CT
Assignee:
Wesflex International Corporation - Westport CT
International Classification:
B23C 112
B23Q 104
Abstract:
A material machining center for the machining of workpieces of varying size and of various materials has a worktable supported by a base assembly. The worktable has a vacuum table for immovably holding the workpiece during the machining thereof. The machining center also has a gantry assembly movably mounted on the worktable, the gantry assembly further has a workhead assembly movably mounted thereon and a machining tool adapted for movement. The movements of the gantry assembly, the workhead assembly and the machining tool define a coordinate system having an X, Y, and Z axis, respectively. The machining center further includes a means for controllably inclining the worktable relative to the base assembly whereby dust and chips created during the machining of the workpiece fall from the workpiece to the floor. The means for controllably inclining the worktable is disclosed in an illustrative embodiment to be a hydraulic cylinder having an extendable piston rod for applying an upwardly directed force to the worktable, thereby causing the worktable to rotate about a hinge assembly provided between the worktable and the base assembly. The vacuum table has an open-frame construction and is comprised of a plurality of hollow members, thereby both reducing the weight of the vacuum table and facilitating the removal of dust and chips from the workpiece.