FIELD OF INVENTION:
The present invention relates to the field of machining. More particularly the present invention relates to a vertical machining center having means for disposing off waste metal products such as metal wafers/ chips/ scraps from the machine and recycling of these metal wastes.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART:
Vertical machining centers (VMC) are well known to perform a vast number of operations, some very complex, such as slot and keyway cutting, planing, drilling, diesinking, rebating, routing, etc.
When work pieces are machined, material is removed from the work piece. That material, known as chips or swarf, must be removed from the machining environment so that it does not interfere with machining. If the material of the work piece is valuable enough, it may be economical to reclaim that material and fabricate it into other useful items such as additional work pieces.
A major problem in the vertical machining centers is disposing off the metal waste such as wafers/chips after cutting due to large volume. A number of methods are available for disposing off these wastes from VMC. These wastes contain high value metals which are further sent for recycling to collect the metal. There are a number of methods available for recycling too which is completely done by separate machines such as compactors etc.
US patent 4,557,190 provides an apparatus to compact scrap materials as relatively comminuted chip, waste, and the like, which comprises a vertically extending briguetting machine, upstream whereof there is provided at least one horizontal pre-compression device. The briquetting machine has a portal-like configuration and a vertical compacting ram arranged to penetrate a side intake feed chamber and a vertical axis die. A closure anvil is movable under the die. The die is mounted with a small clearance in the die holder and has an indentation along one generatrix of the outer surface. Thus, the die will be ruptured along the generatrix line during the compression stroke. The vertical arrangement eliminates eccentric wear as due to the weight of the horizontally

moving elements of known briquetting machines, and facilitates the intaking of the pre-compressed material.
US publication no. 20100330217 relates to an apparatus for recycling metal scraps, that can convert the scraps, produced in the machining of a metal material, into a solid compact having a high specific gravity, so that the scraps are not lost due to oxidation when they are being melt, and convert the scraps without using cutting fluid, thereby reducing the creation of pollutants.
However till date no methods and apparatus are available to dispose off the metal waste from VMC and to recycle them through a single machine.
The present invention is directed towards overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
The principal object of the present invention is to provide a machine having means for easy disposal and recycling of waste metal products such as metal wafers/ chips/ scraps.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method for disposing off waste metal products such as metal wafers/ chips/ scraps from VMC.
Another object of the invention is to provide to properly collect the waste products generated.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method for recycling of waste metal products such as metal wafers/ chips/ scraps.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide automatic cleaning inside the machine.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and better alternative for getting higher value for recycled metal waste.

Still another object of the present invention is to reduce the workload for operator to remove the products from the machine.
Another object of the invention is to reduce the time required for machine cleaning and maintenance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
Accordingly the present invention relates to an improved vertical machining center (VMC) having means for disposing off the metal waste such as but not limited to metal chips/ wafers/ scraps from VMC and means for recycling of these metal wastes. Recycled waste metals such as metal chips/ wafers/ scraps are in the form of a block of metal which is easy to handle and it utilizes much less space than the chips/ wafers/ scraps. These recycled metal blocks can be further used in the place of the metal piece.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings and tables illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
Fig. 1 shows a vertical machining center with a compressor unit according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
During the process of cutting the blocks of metals such as Al, steel, a large amount of metal wafers are generated which are huge in volume and need to be cleaned after the metal piece has been cut. It takes a lot of man hours to do this job. These wafers are sold as scraps. The present invention provides a vertical machining center comprising a compressor unit to melt and solidify the metal wafers. In this way the volume of wafers is reduced to a solid form and also it reduces the man hours as well. Added advantage is that the solidified wafers can be reused.

Fig. 1 shows the arrangement of the VMC with a compressor unit according to the present invention. The VMC after molding throws out the waste metal chips/ wafers which are collected into a compressor unit. VMC also comprises a mechanically operated brush to better collect the metal chips from the areas of the machine that are not easily accessible. The metal chips from the VMC enter into the compressor unit through a door which is operated by limit switch so that whenever hydraulic press is in operation no fresh chips are added to the press. Hydraulic press is equipped with electromagnet for easy suction of metal chips for compression. The outer gate at the compression unit is provided for cleaning and maintenance of the machine.
Another embodiment of the invention provides a method for making solid blocks (e.g., hard or soft objects) from previously extruded metal scraps/ chips. The method includes the steps of obtaining extruded metal scraps/ chips into a powder form; transporting the extruded metal chips/ scraps to the collector of the hydraulic press; applying the pressure on the extruded metal chips/ scraps to produce the solid blocks.
Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

WE CLAIM:
1. A method and apparatus for disposal and recycling of waste metal chips/
scraps comprising an injection mold having an inlet for extruding the metal
chips/ scraps and an outlet communicating with a collector of a hydraulic
press for collecting the extruded metal chips/ scraps; a door movably mounted
near the outlet of the mold so as to open and close the outlet of the mold; a
door actuator moving the door to an opening or closing position; a scrap
feeder supplying the metal scraps into the collector of the hydraulic press and
a pressure generation means for converting and compressing the metal scrap
into a solid block.
2. The method and apparatus for disposal and recycling of waste metal chips/ scraps as claimed in claim 1 wherein the hydraulic press comprises an electromagnet for easy suction of metal chips for compression.
3. The method and apparatus for disposal and recycling of waste metal chips/ scraps as claimed in claim 1 wherein the door movably mounted near the outlet of the mold is actuated by a limit switch so that whenever hydraulic press is in operation no fresh chips are added to the press.
4. The method and apparatus for disposal and recycling of waste metal chips/
scraps as claimed in claim 1 wherein the injection mold comprises an
automatic brush for sweeping the scraps at regular intervals for better
collection of metal scrap/ chip.
5. The method and apparatus for disposal and recycling of waste metal chips/
scraps as claimed in claim 1 wherein the method for making solid blocks from
metal scraps/ chips comprises the steps of - obtaining extruded metal scraps/
chips into a powder form; transporting the extruded metal chips/ scraps to the
collector of the hydraulic press; applying the pressure on the extruded metal
chips/ scraps to produce the solid blocks.
6. A method and apparatus for disposal and recycling of waste metal chips/
scraps substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings accompanying this specification.