Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for working of a work piece, comprising the step of a) providing a template (1) with at least one opening (4, 6, 8, . . . 32) to the work piece (2), b) providing a work tool (70) at the opening (4, 6, 8, . . . 32), c) determining a distance (a) between a fixed reference (17, 116) for the tool (70) and a surface (118) of the work piece (2) facing the template (1), d) collecting the determined distance (a) into a memory (126), e) vibrating a rotary cutting tool (68) on the work tool (70) by means of a vibrating means (77); and f) working the work piece (2) based on said collected distance (a). The present invention also relates to a system for working and measuring objects comprising a computer (128) including a computer program (P) for carrying out the method. The present invention also relates to a computer program (P) and a computer program product for performing the method steps.

Abstract: Method and system for producing holes of various dimensions and configurations in a workpiece (42) using a portable orbital drilling machine (44), wherein said workpiece has attached thereto a template (10) with preformed guide holes (12-40) located in a pattern corresponding to the positions of the holes to be formed in the workpiece. Each guide hole (12-40) is provided with a readable information carrier (12i-40i) containing an identification of the respective guide hole. When fixating the drilling machine (44) in a guide hole, the latter is identified by a hole database (48) by sensing the respective information carrier. A control unit (50) associated with the hole database (48) controls the drilling machine (44) to perform a relevant hole-cutting process in the workpiece.

Abstract: An orbital drilling tool unit configured to be detachably mounted to a rotatable spindle of a stationary machine tool. The tool unit comprises an outer eccentric body having an eccentric, longitudinally extending cylindrical hole, an inner eccentric body rotatably supported in the eccentric hole of the outer eccentric body and having likewise an eccentric, longitudinally extending cylindrical hole, a spindle motor for detachably supporting a cutting tool and rotatably supported in the eccentric hole of the inner eccentric body. The machine tool end of the outer eccentric body is configured to be concentrically mounted to a tool holder attached to the machine tool spindle for rotating the outer eccentric body.

Abstract: A fixation device for positioning and fixating a portable drilling machine onto a guide bushing on a template, wherein a single locating pin is associated with the guide bushing and extends axially through a separate hole in the drill template adjacent to the guide bushing. A clamping mechanism of the device is configured to concentrically circumscribe a portion of the guide bushing and has a recess for simultaneous engagement with the single locating pin in order to positively lock the housing and a drilling machine attached thereto circumferentially in a predetermined position.

Abstract: A fixation device for fixating a portable drilling machine to a drill template, comprising a housing having a distal end holding a clamping mechanism configured to detachably fixate the housing onto two locating pins attached to and projecting from a drill template diametrically opposed to each of a plurality of guide holes therein. The clamping mechanism includes a support member having two diametrically opposed recesses for receiving the respective locating pins therein. Axial end surface portions of the support member are configured to engage an opposing surface of the template when the fixation device is attached to the locating pins. A sleeve-shaped piston is rotatable and axially movable in a cylinder within the support member. A distal end of the piston has two helical cams with wedge surfaces configured to come into engagement with a respective undercut cam surface of each locating pin upon rotating and axially displacing the piston.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a hole depth in a composite-material workpiece machined by a orbital cutting tool, including the steps of applying a low-level electric potential to an electrically insulated cutting tool having a cutting head with radial and axial cutting edges and with a predetermined axial length; determining a first zero reference position as the cutting tool initially contacts a first surface of the workpiece and closes an electric circuit through the grounded workpiece; and detecting a second reference position when the cutting head penetrates an opposite, second surface of the workpiece. The finished hole depth is determined by deducting the predetermined axial length of the cutting head from the total length of axial advancement from the first zero reference position to the second reference position. The orbital machining apparatus includes ceramic bearings electrically insulating the spindle and the cutting tool from surrounding components of the apparatus.

Abstract: An orbital machining apparatus for producing a workpiece hole with a cutting tool, including: a first actuator for rotating the tool about its longitudinal center axis during the machining of the hole; a second actuator for moving the tool in an axial feed direction substantially parallel to the tool axis; a third actuator for rotating the cutting tool about a principal axis; and a radial offset mechanism. The third actuator includes a rotating drive driven by a motor, a carrier ring connected to and rotated by the drive by two opposed, radial drive pins. The ring performs a radial sliding movement relative to the drive while being rotated thereby. Two opposed, radial carrier guide shafts circumferentially spaced 90° from the drive pins and connecting the ring and an inner cylindrical eccentric body such that the latter may perform a radial sliding movement relative to the ring while being rotated thereby.

Abstract: A device for the temporary fixation of a portable cutting machine to a template for making holes and/or recesses in a workpiece including a guide sleeve and a tensioning unit. The guide sleeve includes a tubular hub with an outer diameter corresponding to an inner diameter of an aperture in the template, a forward end of the hub having radially extending lugs configured and located so as to match corresponding recesses in the aperture during the insertion of the guide sleeve therein and to obtain a locking engagement with an inner surface of the template after a partial rotation of the guide sleeve relative to the template. A rearward end of the hub has a tubular adapter socket that is mounted to a nose portion of the cutting machine. The tensioning unit is mounted to the adapter socket for axial displacement relative thereto and having a forward end surface for engagement with an outer surface of the template.

Abstract: An assembly for removing chips from a cutting tool working area on a workpiece, including a support structure for supporting a first end of an axially expandable and collapsible tubular member; a cross-piece for supporting a second end of the tubular member; at least one biasing spring configured and arranged for resiliently biasing the support structure and the cross-piece away from one another; a housing with a chips-receiving chamber located adjacent one of the ends of the tubular member for engagement with the working area of the workpiece, an outlet from the chamber of the housing being configured to be connected to a vacuum source for removing chips from the chamber; and a hub portion located at the other of the ends of the tubular member for engagement with a cutting machine.

Abstract: An orbital machining apparatus for producing a workpiece hole with a cutting tool, including: a first actuator for rotating the tool about its longitudinal center axis during the machining of the hole; a second actuator for moving the tool in an axial feed direction substantially parallel to the tool axis; a third actuator for rotating the cutting tool about a principal axis; and a radial offset mechanism. The third actuator includes a rotating drive driven by a motor, a carrier ring connected to and rotated by the drive by two opposed, radial drive pins. The ring performs a radial sliding movement relative to the drive while being rotated thereby. Two opposed, radial carrier guide shafts circumferentially spaced 90° from the drive pins and connecting the ring and an inner cylindrical eccentric body such that the latter may perform a radial sliding movement relative to the ring while being rotated thereby.

Abstract: A fastener assembly is inserted into a throughhole of a composite laminate to thereby fasten the composite laminate together. The throughhole has a length extending from a first outer surface of the composite laminate to a second outer surface of the composite laminate. The throughhole has a first width at the first outer surface, a second width at the second outer surface, and a third width at a point along the length of the throughhole between the first outer surface and the second outer surface. The third width is less than each of the first width and the second width. The fastener assembly includes a substantially annular fastener device having an axial opening and a peripheral surface substantially conforming to the inner surface of the throughhole.

Abstract: A fixation device for positioning a rotating machine tool onto a template, the template having at least one hole and at least one locating pin. The fixation device includes a housing with a housing tool end and a housing template end, a seat located on the housing tool end for coupling with the rotating machine tool, and a clamping mechanism disposed at least partially at the housing template end for coupling with at least one locating pin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing conical holes in a workpiece by using a substantially cylindrical cutting tool having a cutting head diameter essentially smaller than the top and bottom diameter of the hole to be formed. The method comprises the steps of positioning the longitudinal center axis of the cutting tool at an angle, which is offset from a normal to a flat surface of the workpiece such that the inclination of the longitudinal axis of the cutting tool substantially corresponds to the desired inclination of the wall of the conical hole to be formed, rotating the cutting tool about its longitudinal center axis, moving the cutting tool in a circular path about a principal axis corresponding to the longitudinal center axis of the hole to be machined, and feeding the cutting tool in its longitudinal direction towards and into the workpiece.

Abstract: A hand tool apparatus uses a cutting tool with a first width and a tool axis to machine a hole in an object. The hole has a second width at least as large as the first width of the cutting tool. The tool axis passes through a predetermined point on a surface of the object. The apparatus includes an actuating assembly including a housing. The housing contains an axial feed mechanism configured for moving the cutting tool in an axial direction, a spindle motor configured for rotating the cutting tool about the tool axis, and a radial offset mechanism. The radial offset mechanism is configured for moving the axial feed mechanism in a radial direction such that the tool axis is offset from a principal axis. A motor is configured for rotating said axial feed mechanism and the cutting tool about the principal axis.

Abstract: A method and cutting tool for producing a hole or a recess in a workpiece which includes flat or curved sheets of fiber-reinforced composite material, metal or combinations thereof. The cutting tool has a shaft with a longitudinal axis and an axial cutting surface and at least one cutting edge disposed on the axial cutting surface and extending radially from the longitudinal axis with a gap between the radial inner extent of the cutting edge and the longitudinal axis. The method of use includes rotating the cutting tool about its longitudinal axis and also translating the cutting tool during rotation.

Abstract: A hand tool apparatus uses a cutting tool with a first width and a tool axis to machine a hole in an object. The hole has a second width at least as large as the first width of the cutting tool. The apparatus includes a housing, a spindle unit in the housing for rotating the cutting tool and an orbital drive for rotating the spindle unit. An axial feed mechanism moves the orbital drive and the spindle unit jointly either toward or away from the object being machined.

Abstract: A hand tool apparatus uses a cutting tool with a first width and a tool axis to machine a hole in an object. The hole has a second width at least as large as the first width of the cutting tool. The apparatus includes a housing, a spindle unit in the housing for rotating the cutting tool and an orbital drive for rotating the spindle unit. An axial feed mechanism moves the orbital drive and the spindle unit jointly either toward or away from the object being machined.

Abstract: A hand tool apparatus uses a cutting tool with a first width and a tool axis to machine a hole in an object. The hole has a second width at least as large as the first width of the cutting tool. The tool axis passes through a predetermined point on a surface of the object. The apparatus includes an actuating assembly including a housing. The housing contains an axial feed mechanism configured for moving the cutting tool in an axial direction, a spindle motor configured for rotating the cutting tool about the tool axis, and a radial offset mechanism. The radial offset mechanism is configured for moving the cutting tool such that the tool axis is offset from a principal axis. A motor is configured for rotating the axial feed mechanism and the cutting tool about the principal axis.

Abstract: An orbital machining apparatus for producing a hole in a workpiece using a cutting tool and including a first actuator for rotating the cutting tool about its longitudinal center axis, a second actuator for moving the cutting tool in an axial feed direction, a third actuator for rotating the cutting tool about a principal axis and a radial offset mechanism. The radial offset mechanism includes an inner cylindrical body having an eccentric cylindrical hole and which supports a spindle unit, the inner cylindrical body radially supported in an eccentric cylindrical hole of an outer cylindrical body to adjust the radial distance of the cutting tool longitudinal center axis from the principal axis. The third actuator includes first and second motors which rotate the outer and inner cylindrical bodies, respectively, in synchronism to maintain a mutual rotary position thereof to keep a cutting tool radial offset position unchanged during operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for grinding and/or polishing a surface of a wall element includes a first elongate guide device oriented substantially parallel to the surface of the wall element. A second elongate guide device is movably coupled to the first elongate guide device and oriented orthogonally relative thereto. The second elongate guide device is oriented substantially parallel to the surface of the wall element and moves along the first elongate guide device. A polishing device is movably coupled to the second elongate guide device. The polishing device moves along the second guide device and polishes the surface of the wall element at a plurality of locations along the second guide device and along the first guide device.