Abstract: A workcenter comprises a track (14) having a carriage (24) moveable along the track by a screw (32) rotated by a motor (30). The carriage has a bore (42) surrounding the screw. Two sleeve members (160) are received in the bore at either end thereof and surround said screw. The sleeve members are segmented and have threads for engagement with the screw. The sleeve members are pressed radially into engagement with the screw by a spring ring (198). The sleeve members are constructed from deformable plastics material and are screwed onto the screw against the opposite shoulders (163) around the bore in the carriage sufficient to deform the threads so as to take up axial freedom of movement between the carriage and screw. This arrangement allows an inexpensive rolled steel screw having inherent inaccuracies to be employed without loss of positional accuracy.

Abstract: A flange lock for securing a disk 8 on the spindle 10 of a power tool is described. It comprises a boss 11 screwable on the spindle and inner and outer flanges 4,1 non-rotatably mounted on said boss 11 so as to be relatively movable thereon between a first, separated relation rigid with said boss and a second, less separated relation. Separation balls 5 are mounted between the flanges 4,1 and disposable between a first condition in which the flanges are maintained in the first, separated relation and a second condition in which the flanges 4,1 are able to move relatively together to the second, less separated condition.

Abstract: A workcenter (10) comprises its supports (14a,b,c) which each carry a carriage (24a,b,c) movable along the supports by motors (30a,b,c) under central computer control (41).Each support is an aluminum extruded U-shaped section having four tracks (28) comprising steel strips (27) in slots (29).The carriage is likewise extruded having undercut slots (83) receiving the heads (92) of axles (90) which have eccentric stubs (96) on which bearing wheels (26) are journalled. Four wheels are so-mounted at each end of the carriage.

Abstract: A workcenter (10) comprises its supports (14a,b,c) which each carry a carriage (24a,b,c) movable along the supports by motors (30a,b,c) under central computer control (41). Each support is an aluminium extruded U-shaped section having four tracks (28) comprising steel strips (27) in slots (29). The carriage is likewise extruded having undercut slots (83) receiving the heads (92) of axles (90) which have eccentric stubs (96) on which bearing wheels (26) are journalled. Four wheels are so-mounted at each end of the carriage. The workcenter is adaptable between different modes of operation; overhang or cantilever by virtue of the profile of the supports.