Apparatus and method for machining a workpiece

Abstract

A spindle assembly for machining a cast workpiece includes a fixture that provides rotational movement to the workpiece around a fixture axis. A first spindle provides rotational movement to a cutting tool around a first spindle axis and a second spindle provides rotational movement to a second cutting tool around a second spindle axis. The first spindle axis and the second spindle axis are transverse to the fixture axis. The fixture is disposed between the first spindle and the second spindle. The pivotal movement of the fixture provides access to opposite sides of the workpiece to the first spindle and the second spindle enabling the cutting tools to simultaneously cut opposing sides of the workpiece. The first cutting tool and the second cutting tool are replaceable by a third cutting tool and a fourth cutting tool to cut an alternative or different aperture into the workpiece.

1 . A spindle assembly for machining a cast workpiece, comprising:
 a fixture for securing a workpiece, said fixture providing rotational movement to the workpiece around a fixture axis defined by said fixture;   a first spindle extending in an opposing direction to a second spindle, said first spindle providing rotational movement to a cutting tool around a first spindle axis and said second spindle providing rotational movement to an alternate cutting tool around a second spindle axis, said first spindle axis and said second spindle axis each being transverse to said fixture axis; and   said fixture being disposed between said first spindle and said second spindle and translating pivotal movement to the workpiece around the fixture axis providing access to opposite sides of the workpiece to said first spindle and said second spindle; and said cutting tool being moveable along said first spindle axis for cutting said workpiece to a first depth defining a first feature in said workpiece and said alternate cutting tool being moveable along said second spindle axis for simultaneously cutting an opposite side of the workpiece to a depth necessary to define a second feature of the aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said first spindle axis and said second spindle axis are displaceable into a parallel relationship. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said first spindle axis and said second spindle axis are coaxial. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said first cutting tool includes a different configuration than said second cutting tool with said first cutting tool cutting a first portion of an aperture into the workpiece and said second cutting tool cuts a second portion of the aperture into the workpiece. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said first spindle axis and said second spindle axis are displaceable thereby presenting said first cutting tool and said second cutting tool to different locations of the workpiece. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said first cutting tool and said second cutting tool are replaceable with a third cutting tool and a fourth cutting tool for cutting alternative apertures into the workpiece. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said fixture simultaneously provides accesses to said first cutting tool and said second cutting tool for simultaneously cutting features into opposing sides of the workpiece. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly set forth in  claim 6 , wherein said fixture simultaneously provides accesses to said third cutting tool and said fourth cutting tool for simultaneously cutting features into opposing sides of the workpiece. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said first spindle and said second spindle are each movable in along three axes of a Cartesian coordinate system and said fixture is moveable along two axes of the Cartesian coordinate system. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said first spindle and said second spindle provide sequential movement for sequentially cutting complimentary features of a single aperture. 
     
     
         11 - 20 . (canceled)