Abstract: A machine tool has a substantially straight guide element extending along a first axis; two carriages, which are arranged at a fixed distance from one another along the guide element and are capable of sliding together along the guide element; a slide, which is interposed between the two carriages, is carried by the two carriages and can slide relative to them along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; and a milling head, which is carried by the slide and is configured to carry a milling tool.

Abstract: A C-axis unit for a machine tool, the C-axis unit comprising a bushing (134) adapted to be fixed to a unit support (121) of the machine tool; a head mounting platform (130) adapted to receive an operating head (40), the head mounting platform being supported by the bushing (134) and being rotatable relative to the bushing (134) around a vertical axis; a platform rotation motor (150) supported by the bushing (134) and configured to control the rotation of the head mounting platform (130); and a spindle motor (160) configured to control the rotation of a tool-carrying spindle (45) on the operating head (40) through a driving extension (163) arranged in a through-bore (133) obtained through the head mounting platform (130). The spindle motor (160) is fixed to and is rotationally integral with the head mounting platform (130).

Abstract: The pallet changing system comprises a pallet deposition and pick-up station and a pallet loading and unloading station, horizontally spaced from one another along a first horizontal direction (A-A), as well as a pallet handling unit.

Abstract: A C-axis unit for a machine tool, the C-axis unit comprising a bushing (134) adapted to be fixed to a unit support (121) of the machine tool; a head mounting platform (130) adapted to receive an operating head (40), the head mounting platform being supported by the bushing (134) and being rotatable relative to the bushing (134) around a vertical axis; a platform rotation motor (150) supported by the bushing (134) and configured to control the rotation of the head mounting platform (130); and a spindle motor (160) configured to control the rotation of a tool-carrying spindle (45) on the operating head (40) through a driving extension (163) arranged in a through-bore (133) obtained through the head mounting platform (130). The spindle motor (160) is fixed to and is rotationally integral with the head mounting platform (130).

Abstract: A method for checking positioning accuracy of a CNC machine with a machine tool head and a machine table using an x, y, z coordinate system, the method comprising: a) arranging a plurality of vessels on the table, the vessels in fluid connection with each other to form a system of vessels, the vessels filled with a liquid, b) mounting a distance sensor to the tool head, c) positioning the tool head to a position above the surface of the liquid in one of the vessels, d) a determining the z coordinate for which the distance sensor touches the surface of the liquid, or, for a predetermined position of the tool head in z direction above the liquid, determining the distance between the distance sensor and the liquid; steps c) and d) are repeated for each vessel to determine a z coordinate of the surface of the liquid.

Abstract: The pallet changing system comprises a pallet deposition and pick-up station and a pallet loading and unloading station, horizontally spaced from one another along a first horizontal direction (A-A), as well as a pallet handling unit.

Abstract: The machine tool comprises a fixed bearing structure, a movable bearing structure supported by the fixed bearing structure and displaceable with respect thereto along a horizontal direction, a tool-carrying carriage mounted vertically translatable in the movable bearing structure between an upper end position and a lower end position, situated at respective heights or levels separated by a predetermined vertical distance, and a motor adapted to cause a horizontal displacement of the movable bearing structure with respect to the fixed bearing structure and/or a vertical displacement of the tool-carrying carriage with respect to the movable bearing structure. The fixed bearing structure is configured such that the movable bearing structure is supported and driven in its displacement at a height or level intermediate between the heights or levels of the end positions of the tool-carrying carriage.

Abstract: A method of determining a positioning error of a CNC machine is provided and an system thereof. A calibration element is placed within the CNC machine. A first sensor reading is taken of the calibration element. A second sensor reading is taken and the sensor is moved in a manner that the difference between the first and second sensor data decreases until the difference becomes less or equal to a pre-determined threshold value. A positioning error of the tool head is determined based on the movement of the sensor.

Abstract: A method for moving a tool of a CNC machine over a surface, wherein the CNC machine is provided with a sensor unit, comprising the steps of: (a) moving the tool over the surface in a predetermined direction and/or with a predetermined velocity and/or along a predetermined path, (b) treating the surface by the tool in accordance with a predetermined value of a treatment parameter, (c) determining, by the sensor unit, a response value indicating a response of the tool to treating the surface and/or to being pressed to the surface, and (d) determining a new direction and/or a new velocity and/or a new path and/or a new value for the treatment parameter based on the response value.

Abstract: A method for checking positioning accuracy of a CNC machine with a machine tool head and a machine table using an x, y, z coordinate system, the method comprising: a) arranging a plurality of vessels on the table, the vessels in fluid connection with each other to form a system of vessels, the vessels filled with a liquid, b) mounting a distance sensor to the tool head, c) positioning the tool head to a position above the surface of the liquid in one of the vessels, d) a determining the z coordinate for which the distance sensor touches the surface of the liquid, or, for a predetermined position of the tool head in z direction above the liquid, determining the distance between the distance sensor and the liquid; steps c) and d) are repeated for each vessel to determine a z coordinate of the surface of the liquid.

Abstract: A numerically controlled machine tool, and method for control thereof, to display virtual two-dimensional future positions to be adopted by a workpiece and by the machine tool in a pre-set predictive time window. The system and method calculate target coordinate values defining positions of the tool along axes of the machine tool on the basis of a machining program. While machining is in progress, a processor receives the calculated target coordinate values to generate and display image data on the basis of the target coordinate values and of stored mathematical models of the machine, of the workpiece, and of the tool.

Abstract: An optically-connected system is disclosed for exchanging data among industrial automation devices, that is composed of a plurality of connection modules, where each module comprises at least two pairs of optical transmitters and receivers on the main side, and one optical receiver on the opposing main side, that are opposite with respect to another pair of transmitters and receivers in a following module; and where each one of the transmitters and receivers is adapted to communicate with industrial automation devices to cooperate for exchanging data between modules, sending one interrogation signal requesting an identity of the module and the receiver is adapted to send to each corresponding response signal containing characteristics of the receiver.

Abstract: A method of determining a positioning error of a CNC machine is provided and an system thereof. A calibration element is placed within the CNC machine. A first sensor reading is taken of the calibration element. A second sensor reading is taken and the sensor is moved in a manner that the difference between the first and second sensor data decreases until the difference becomes less or equal to a pre-determined threshold value. A positioning error of the tool head is determined based on the movement of the sensor.

Abstract: A numerically controlled machine tool, and method for control thereof, to display virtual two-dimensional future positions to be adopted by a workpiece and by the machine tool in a pre-set predictive time window. The system and method calculate target coordinate values defining positions of the tool along axes of the machine tool on the basis of a machining program. While machining is in progress, a processor receives the calculated target coordinate values to generate and display image data on the basis of the target coordinate values and of stored mathematical models of the machine, of the workpiece, and of the tool.

Abstract: An optically-connected system is disclosed for exchanging data among industrial automation devices, that is composed of a plurality of connection modules, where each module comprises at least two pairs of optical transmitters and receivers on the main side, and one optical receiver on the opposing main side, that are opposite with respect to another pair of transmitters and receivers in a following module; and where each one of the transmitters and receivers is adapted to communicate with industrial automation devices to cooperate for exchanging data between modules, sending one interrogation signal requesting an identity of the module and the receiver is adapted to send to each corresponding response signal containing characteristics of the receiver.

Abstract: A method for moving a tool of a CNC machine over a surface, wherein the CNC machine is provided with a sensor unit, comprising the steps of: (a) moving the tool over the surface in a predetermined direction and/or with a predetermined velocity and/or along a predetermined path, (b) treating the surface by the tool in accordance with a predetermined value of a treatment parameter, (c) determining, by the sensor unit, a response value indicating a response of the tool to treating the surface and/or to being pressed to the surface, and (d) determining a new direction and/or a new velocity and/or a new path and/or a new value for the treatment parameter based on the response value.

Abstract: An optically-connected system is disclosed for exchanging data among industrial automation devices, that is composed of a plurality of connection modules, where each module comprises at least two pairs of optical transmitters and receivers on the main side, and one optical receiver on the opposing main side, that are opposite with respect to another pair of transmitters and receivers in a following module; and where each one of the transmitters and receivers is adapted to communicate with industrial automation devices to cooperate for exchanging data between modules, sending one interrogation signal requesting an identity of the module and the receiver is adapted to send to each corresponding response signal containing characteristics of the receiver.

Abstract: A system and a process are disclosed, that are automated and integrated with numerically controlled systems, for measuring, compensating and testing numerically controlled machine tool heads (1) and/or tables. The system comprises: at least one support base (11) equipped with a plurality of distance sensors (14); at least one device (16) of the gage tool type composed of an elongated cylinder (17) that is equipped at one of its ends with connection means (18) for the heads (1) and is equipped at another opposite end with a ball (20), wherein the ball (20) is placed next to the sensors (14) so that they are able, always and in any position, to measure the distance that separates them from the ball (20) and determine thereby the position in the Cartesian space.

Abstract: A system and a process are disclosed, that are automated and integrated with numerically controlled systems, for measuring, compensating and testing numerically controlled machine tool heads (1) and/or tables. The system comprises: at least one support base (11) equipped with a plurality of distance sensors (14); at least one device (16) of the gage tool type composed of an elongated cylinder (17) that is equipped at one of its ends with connection means (18) for the heads (1) and is equipped at another opposite end with a ball (20), wherein the ball (20) is placed next to the sensors (14) so that they are able, always and in any position, to measure the distance that separates them from the ball (20) and determine thereby the position in the Cartesian space.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for working a workpiece with a numerically controlled machine tool having a working tool. An electronic representation of an object to be worked is read and stored. Then, the working tool is moved in real-time based on the electronic representation that is read. To move the working tool, a user provides at least one movement parameter for the working tool, where the parameter includes at least one of direction parameters, space limits, and tool movement topologies. Moreover, moving the working tool is based on the at least one parameter provided by the user, and an initial movement of the working tool occurs when the electronic representation of the object is stored and the at least one parameter for working the object is provided.