Abstract: A structural element for a precision linear a motion system is provided which is extremely light in weight when compared to cast iron structural components yet provides the necessary rigidity and stability. The structural element is constructed from at least one sheet of sheet material sheared and bent to form the side walls of the structural element which run parallel to a longitudinal axis of the structural element. End surfaces of the structural elements are formed by a flat piece of sheet metal having a shape matching the shape of the side walls and having side sections each of which is spot welded to the inside surfaces of the side walls. Baffles, identical in shape to the end surfaces, are positioned at spaced locations in the longitudinal direction of the structural element. The components of a way system are accurately mounted in a precise alignment by placing the components on layers of any epoxy material which has a high compressive modulus when cured and low shrinkage while curing.

Abstract: An apparatus for containing carbon or other dust particles created during machining with rotating cutters such as drills or end mills includes a box fastened to the table of the machine tool, a pivoting lid with a hole to admit a spindle or other tool component into the box when the lid is closed and a vacuum system connected to the box to maintain a negative pressure within the box during cutting.

Abstract: Disclosed is an enclosure or housing for a machine tool that includes a rear wall, two side walls, a top wall and a partial front wall. A door, is positioned above the partial front wall and covers that portion of the housing not covered by the remaining walls. The door is constructed in two sections with one section lying above the other in a closed position. The two sections are preferably joined by a hinge, and a door is opened by lifting the bottom section in an upward direction which thereby causes a top section to also lift until the rear faces of the top and bottom sections meet at an acute angle. A pair of rollers is connected to the lower section and the roller will roll on a track on the side walls while at the same time the upper section swings on the hinge which connects the upper section to the top wall. A door counterweight facilitates the lifting of the door and maintains the door in an open position.

Abstract: A digital control system is provided for regulating the position and velocity of a load. Within the control system, both commanded and actual motion of the load are represented by a bi-directional pulse train in which each pulse represents an increment of movement, so that the pulse repetition rate represents the speed of the load. A bi-directional pulse generator is provided in which the polarity and repetition rate of the output signal are dependent respectively on the sign and magnitude of the differential pulse accumulation between the commanded and actual motion signals. In one embodiment, a pulse-actuated incremental stepping motor is used to move the load, so that the bi-directional pulse train from the pulse generator can be applied directly to the stepping motor through a pulse conditioner, and is also fed back through a single feedback connection as the actual motion signal.