Abstract: A laser tube-cutting machine is disclosed. The tube-cutting machine may include a processing station where raw material enter the machine, a holding and positioning station configured to hold and position the raw material, at least one combined measurement and laser cutting station including a laser and at least one sensor configured to measure various aspects of the tube both before and after cutting, and an outflow processing station where cut material exit the machine.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a machine tool configured to perform small-scale, high-accuracy drilling operations for small-hole applications. The small-hole applications for which the machine tool is designed includes holes with one or more diameters. A part may have a larger-diameter hole that penetrates through a fraction of the thickness of a part and a smaller-diameter hole that penetrates from the bottom of the larger-diameter hole through the remainder of the part thickness. Additionally, the machine tool may be used with parts in any of the following categories: (i) both the step-hole and the flow-hole are created using the machine tool; or, (ii) the step-hole is created with an up-stream process and the machine tool may accept the part, measure the step-holes and create the flow-holes; or, (iii) no step-hole is used and the machine tool may accept the part, measure the raw surface and create the flow-holes.

Abstract: A machine tool accessory including a monolithic flexure travel guide, a motor, and a position feedback sensor is provided. The machine tool accessory also includes an accessory tool spindle configured to rotate a tool, the accessory tool spindle being disposed within the monolithic flexure travel guide. The motor is configured to move the monolithic flexure travel guide, and the position feedback sensor is configured to measure position of the monolithic flexure travel guide. In some embodiments, the machine tool accessory further includes a controller configured to (i) communicatively couple to the motor, (ii) communicatively couple to one or more external devices, and (iii) cause the motor to move the accessory tool spindle in response to signals received from the one or more external devices.

Abstract: A machine tool having a monolithic base is disclosed. The monolithic base includes at least two flat surfaces that are mutually orthogonal and that are convex with respect to each other. The machine tool includes at least two moveable stages, each mounted to one of the flat surfaces, and each stage also being mutually orthogonal.

Abstract: A machine tool accessory including a monolithic flexure travel guide, a motor, and a position feedback sensor is provided. The machine tool accessory also includes an accessory tool spindle configured to rotate a tool, the accessory tool spindle being disposed within the monolithic flexure travel guide. The motor is configured to move the monolithic flexure travel guide, and the position feedback sensor is configured to measure position of the monolithic flexure travel guide. In some embodiments, the machine tool accessory further includes a controller configured to (i) communicatively couple to the motor, (ii) communicatively couple to one or more external devices, and (iii) cause the motor to move the accessory tool spindle in response to signals received from the one or more external devices.

Abstract: A machine tool having a monolithic base is disclosed. The monolithic base includes at least two flat surfaces that are mutually orthogonal and that are convex with respect to each other. The machine tool includes at least two moveable stages, each mounted to one of the flat surfaces, and each stage also being mutually orthogonal.

Abstract: A machine tool having an automatic tool changer (ATC). The machine tool includes a gantry, a spindle extending from the gantry, a configurable work area, and an ATC adjacent to a front wall of the machine tool. The ATC includes a rotary tool magazine and a plurality of receptacles oriented radially around the rotary tool magazine configured to hold a plurality of cutting tools having cutting edges. The cutting edges of the cutting tools point radially inwardly around the rotary tool magazine, and the cutting tools are removed directly from the automatic tool changer by the spindle and brought to a part to be machined. A tool sensor may be located between the ATC and the spindle to take measurements of the cutting tool. The ATC includes at least one receptacle configured to hold a cutting tool.

Abstract: A method an apparatus for providing speed control in a spindle system are provided. The apparatus includes an air turbine spindle that rotates at a speed, an electromagnetic device coupled to the spindle for creating a torque to maintain a desired speed of the spindle, and a tachometer for generating a measurement of the rotational speed of the spindle. The electromagnetic device applies a torque to the spindle in response to the measurement to change the speed of the spindle to the desired speed.

Abstract: A machine tool having an automatic tool changer (ATC). The machine tool includes a gantry, a spindle extending from the gantry, a configurable work area, and an ATC adjacent to a front wall of the machine tool. The ATC includes a rotary tool magazine and a plurality of receptacles oriented radially around the rotary tool magazine configured to hold a plurality of cutting tools having cutting edges. The cutting edges of the cutting tools point radially inwardly around the rotary tool magazine, and the cutting tools are removed directly from the automatic tool changer by the spindle and brought to a part to be machined. A tool sensor may be located between the ATC and the spindle to take measurements of the cutting tool. The ATC includes at least one receptacle configured to hold a cutting tool.

Abstract: A method an apparatus for providing speed control in a spindle system are provided. The apparatus includes an air turbine spindle that rotates at a speed, an electromagnetic device coupled to the spindle for creating a torque to maintain a desired speed of the spindle, and a tachometer for generating a measurement of the rotational speed of the spindle. The electromagnetic device applies a torque to the spindle in response to the measurement to change the speed of the spindle to the desired speed.