Align boring machine

Abstract

An align boring machine for boring .Iadd.a plurality of generally aligned .Iaddend.bearing .[.housings.]. .Iadd.units .Iaddend.of an automotive engine .[.block.]. wherein a boring bar is rotatably suspended by and rotatably driven between two columns positioned upon machine ways, and the engine .[.block.]. .Iadd.unit having the bearing units .Iaddend.is mounted for aligned movement along said ways.

Having thus described my invention, what is claimed is: 
     
       1. A boring machine for alignment boring of a plurality of bearing housings of an automotive engine block comprising: a horizontally elongated base having vertical and horizontal longitudinally extending machine ways;   a first vertically adjustable-in-height support positioned on one end region of said elongated base and engageable and alignable with said machine ways, and a second vertically adjustable-in-height support positioned on an opposite end region of said elongated base and engageable and alignable with said machine ways;   an elongated horizontal track on said base between said supports, which track defines a longitudinal axis and horizontal reference plane in alignment with said vertical and horizontal machine ways;   a table adapted to be supported by and be longitudinally movable along said track,   feed means for selectively moving said table along said track;   a boring bar;   bearing support means for horizontally and rotably supporting ends of said boring bar on and between said first and second supports and along a line in a first plane parallel with the plane of said vertical machine ways and coincident in a second plane parallel with the plane of said horizontal machine ways;   drive means coupled to one end of said boring bar for rotating said boring bar;   engine block support means for rigidly supporting an engine block on said table with said boring bar through bearing housings with said bar concentrically positioned with respect to the center of a desired bore through said bearing housings; and   at least one cutting tool mounted on said boring bar, whereby bearing housings of an engine block may be bored by moving said table longitudinally by operation of said feed means.   
     
     
       2. A boring machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said engine block support means comprises means for enabling vertical and horizontal positioning of an engine block. 
     
     
       3. A boring machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said engine support means comprises means for adjustably, vertically and laterally, supporting an engine block. 
     
     
       4. A boring machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said vertical machine ways comprises a pair of spaced vertical slots in said base, and said horizontal ways comprises a top surface region of said base. 
     
     
       5. A boring machine as set forth in claim 4 wherein said bearing support means comprises a live center mounted on one of said vertical columns and providing an undriven support. 
     
     
       6. A boring machine as set forth in claim 1 further comprising first swivel means attached to said first support and mounted on said base at a point spaced from said ways, including means for raising said first support means free of said machine ways and moving it horizontally to a position spaced from said machine ways. 
     
     
       7. A boring machine as set forth in claim 6 further comprising second swivel means attached to said second support and mounted on said base at a point spaced from said ways, including means for raising said second support means free of said machine ways and moving it horizontally to a position spaced from said machine ways. 
     
     
       8. A boring machine as set forth in claim 7 wherein said adjustable-in-height supports each comprise: a post assembly including a vertically positioned post securable to said ways;   a collar member attached to fit around and move vertically on said post;   a vertically positioned, axially secured, threaded rod which is threadably engaged with said collar member and rotable, whereby, upon rotation of said rod, there will be effected vertical movement of said collar member; and   said bearing support means are supported on said collar members of the adjustable-in-height supports. .Iadd.   
     
     
       9.  A boring machine for alignment boring of a plurality of generally in-line bearing units of an automotive engine comprising: a horizontally elongated base having vertical and horizontal longitudinally extending machine ways;   a first vertically adjustable-in-height support positioned on one end region of said elongated base and engageable and alignable with said machine ways, and a second vertically adjustable-in-height support positioned on an opposite end region of said elongated base and engageable and alignable with said machine ways;   an elongated horizontal track on said base between said supports, which track defines a longitudinal axis and horizontal reference place in alignment with said vertical and horizontal machine ways;   a table adapted to be supported by and be longitudinally movable along said track;   feed means for selectively moving said table along said track;   a boring bar;   bearing support means for horizontally and rotably supporting ends of said boring bar on and between said first and second supports and along a line in a first plane parallel with the plane of said vertical machine ways and coincident in a second plane parallel with the plane of said horizontal machine ways;   drive means coupled to one end of said boring bar for rotating said boring bar;   support means for rigidly supporting a unit of an automotive engine having a plurality of generally in-line bearing units to be bored on said table with said boring bar through bearing units with said bar concentrically positioned with respect to the center of a desired bore through said bearing units; and   at least one cutting tool mounted on said boring bar, whereby bearing units of an engine may be bored by moving said table longitudinally by operation of said feed means..Iaddend.