Abstract: The invention provides work piece support apparatus for supporting resilient sheet material during a machining operation, e.g., routing, in which the support apparatus includes hydrostatic clamping means comprising perforated support pads positioned each side of the resilient material and connected to a fluid supply. By this arrangement a fluid layer under relatively high pressure is interposed between each pad and the adjacent region of sheet material which is thus fluid pressure supported in the immediate vicinity of the routing tool throughout the machining process. The invention beneficially provides a routing machine including the work piece support apparatus in which the work piece is positioned in a generally vertical plane and the routing tool is mounted about a generally horizontal axis.

Abstract: A tool handling system for tools 5 of the type having a machining portion and a common base portion 9 (e.g. an international taper) for being engaged by the drive spindle of a workhead, said system being adapted for storing said tools and for moving a selected tool to a transfer station, the system including tool storage means comprising a close-packed generally planar array of tool store locations 13, each adapted to receive the base portion of a tool with its machining portion directed upwardly and tool selector means for moving over said tool storage means and for gripping a selected tool and moving it vertically out of its location, then to a transfer station.