Machine tool with cooling nozzle and method for applying cooling fluid

Abstract

Disclosed in one embodiment is a computer numerically controlled machine having a coolant nozzle that is mounted on a turret of the machine and that is rotatable relative to the turret under the control of a computer control system. The nozzle is fluidically connected to a source of a coolant. The machine includes a computer control system that is operatively coupled to the various components of the machine including the nozzle. In some embodiments, the nozzle may be moved to cause a constant contact angle with respect to one of said tool and said workpiece. In other embodiments, the nozzle may be moved to cause a constant coolant time to interface. Also disclosed are related methods.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 plural holders including at least two of a first chuck, a second chuck, and a spindle, one of said holders configured to retain a workpiece and the other of said holders configured to retain a tool for causing removal of material from said workpiece;   a turret having plural facets, at least one of said facets including a nozzle, said nozzle being fluidically coupled to source of a cooling fluid deliverable under pressure to said nozzle; and   a computer control system operatively coupled to said plural holders and to said turret, said computer control system including a computer readable medium having disposed thereon executable code which, when executed, is configured to cause relative movement of said first holder and said second holder and to permit rotation of said turret to a coolant operative position and to permit the selective introduction of coolant through said nozzle, said coolant nozzle being rotatable under control of said computer control system with respect to said turret.   
   
   
       2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , including an additional coolant nozzle. 
   
   
       3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , including a motor operatively coupled to said computer control system and configured to rotate said coolant nozzle, said motor being external to said turret. 
   
   
       4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , including a motor operatively coupled to said computer control system and configured to rotate said coolant nozzle, said motor being internal to said turret. 
   
   
       5 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , said nozzle being rotatable in an A-axis. 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , said nozzle being rotatable in a B-axis. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , said nozzle being rotatable in a C-axis. 
   
   
       8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , said nozzle being disposed at an oblique angle relative to the axis of rotation of the turret. 
   
   
       9 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , said code being configured to adjust the relative position of said first holder and said second holder and to adjust the position of said coolant nozzle to maintain a constant contact angle relative to one of said workpiece and said tool. 
   
   
       10 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , said code being configured to adjust the relative position of said first holder and said second holder and to adjust the position of said coolant nozzle to maintain a constant coolant time to interface. 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus according to  claim 10 , one of said holders including a grinding wheel. 
   
   
       12 . A method comprising:
 in a machine having a first holder, a second holder, and a turret, said turret including plural facets, at least one facet having a coolant nozzle disposed thereon, said coolant nozzle being fluidically coupled to source of a cooling fluid deliverable under pressure to said nozzle, said first and second holder each being one of a first chuck, a second chuck, and a spindle, and a computer control system operatively coupled to said first holder, said second holder, and said turret, said first holder including a tool and said second holder including a workpiece, said coolant nozzle being rotatable under control of said computer control system relative to said turret,   moving said tool relative to said workpiece to cause material to be removed from said workpiece, and   introducing coolant through said nozzle.   
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 12 , the method including rotating said coolant nozzle. 
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 13 , said coolant nozzle being rotatable in an A-axis. 
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 13 , said coolant nozzle being rotatable in a B-axis. 
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 13 , said coolant nozzle being rotatable in a C-axis. 
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 12 , comprising adjusting the position of said tool and said workpiece and moving said coolant nozzle to cause a constant contact angle with respect to one of said tool and said workpiece. 
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 12 , comprising adjusting the position of said tool and said workpiece and moving said coolant nozzle to cause a constant coolant time to interface. 
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 18 , said tool comprising a grinding wheel. 
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 12 , said coolant nozzle dispensing coolant in a laminar flow. 
   
   
       21 . A method comprising:
 in a machine comprising a first holder, and a rotatable grinding wheel disposed in said first holder, a second holder holding a workpiece, and a coolant nozzle that is stationary relative to the axis of rotation of said grinding wheel, said coolant nozzle being fluidically coupled to source of a coolant fluid deliverable under pressure to said nozzle,   rotating said grinding wheel when in contact with said workpiece to cause material to be removed from said workpiece, and   moving said workpiece relative to said coolant nozzle in a manner effective to maintain a constant coolant time to interface.   
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 21 , said coolant nozzle being disposed on a guard of said grinding wheel. 
   
   
       23 . A method according to  claim 21 , said coolant nozzle dispensing coolant in a laminar flow. 
   
   
       24 . An apparatus comprising:
 a machine comprising a first holder, and a rotatable grinding wheel disposed in said first holder, a second holder holding a workpiece, a coolant nozzle that is stationary relative to the axis of rotation of said grinding wheel, said coolant nozzle being fluidically coupled to source of a coolant fluid deliverable under pressure to said nozzle, and a computer control system operatively coupled to said first and second holder, said computer control system including a computer readable medium having disposed thereon executable code which, when executed, is configured to cause movement of said workpiece relative to said coolant nozzle in a manner effective to maintain a constant coolant time to interface.   
   
   
       25 . An apparatus according to  claim 24 , said coolant nozzle being disposed on a guard of said grinding wheel.