Abstract: A transport apparatus includes a bearing assembly for transporting an article. The bearing assembly includes a support structure for receiving the article, and a plenum housing for receiving the support structure. The plenum housing and the support structure define a plenum cavity, the plenum cavity being configured to receive and direct a flowing gas for floatingly supporting the article above the support structure. The bearing assembly further includes at least one sensor assembly, which includes a sensor for transmitting and receiving energy emissions for determining a location of the article relative to the support structure. The sensor assembly may determine the location of the article relative to the support structure substantially through at least one aperture located on the bearing assembly. The article location determined by the sensor assembly may be communicated to a display panel or a control unit for adjusting the location if necessary.

Abstract: A transport apparatus includes a bearing assembly for transporting an article. The bearing assembly includes a support structure for receiving the article, and a plenum housing for receiving the support structure. The plenum housing and the support structure define a plenum cavity, the plenum cavity being configured to receive and direct a flowing gas for floatingly supporting the article above the support structure. The bearing assembly further includes at least one sensor assembly, which includes a sensor for transmitting and receiving energy emissions for determining a location of the article relative to the support structure. The sensor assembly may determine the location of the article relative to the support structure substantially through at least one aperture located on the bearing assembly. The article location determined by the sensor assembly may be communicated to a display panel or a control unit for adjusting the location if necessary.

Abstract: An improved machine tool having a support structure (16), a spindle (18) rotatably supported by the structure, the spindle adapted for engagement with a workpiece (56), the spindle operatively arranged to selectively rotate in an annular A-axis (19) and about a linear Z-axis (20), a tool frame (25) supported by the structure, the tool frame having an array of individual tool-holding stations adapted for engagement with a tool (49), an actuating mechanism (24), the actuating mechanism operatively arranged to selectively provide movement of the workpiece in the spindle relative to the tool in the tool frame in the Z-axis, in a linear Y-axis (21) that is perpendicular to the Z-axis, and in a linear X-axis (22) that is perpendicular to both the Z-axis and the Y-axis, the position of the stations in the array defined by at least an X-axis coordinate and a Y-axis coordinate, at least two of the stations in the array positioned such that the two stations have neither the same X-axis coordinate nor the same Y-axis co

Abstract: An improved machine tool having a support structure (16), a spindle (18) rotatably supported by the structure, the spindle adapted for engagement with a workpiece (56), the spindle operatively arranged to selectively rotate in an annular A-axis (19) and about a linear Z-axis (20), a tool frame (25) supported by the structure, the tool frame having an array of individual tool-holding stations adapted for engagement with a tool (49), an actuating mechanism (24), the actuating mechanism operatively arranged to selectively provide movement of the workpiece in the spindle relative to the tool in the tool frame in the Z-axis, in a linear Y-axis (21) that is perpendicular to the Z-axis, and in a linear X-axis (22) that is perpendicular to both the Z-axis and the Y-axis, the position of the stations in the array defined by at least an X-axis coordinate and a Y-axis coordinate, at least two of the stations in the array positioned such that the two stations have neither the same X-axis coordinate nor the same Y-axis co