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: 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.