Abstract: An apparatus for setting control parameters of a machining apparatus. The setting apparatus includes a storage unit for storing a set of control parameters for each of a plurality of machining modes; an input device for selecting one of the plurality of machining modes; and a control unit for selecting a set of control parameters corresponding the selected machining mode and setting the set of control parameters as control parameters to be used for controlling the machining apparatus.

Abstract: A four-degree-of-freedom parallel robot capable of displacing a traveling plate with four degrees of freedom at a high speed and a high acceleration and positioning the traveling plate with high rigidity and high precision. The four-degree-of-freedom parallel robot has four actuators fixed to a base, four parallel linkages each of which is coupled at its upper end to a tip end of an arm of each of the actuators through a kinematic element such as a universal joint, and a traveling plate whose four corners are coupled to lower ends of the parallel linkages through kinematic elements. By controlling the actuators, a main member of the traveling plate is displaced with four degrees of freedom, i.e., translated in all directions and rotated around a predetermined axis. Only axial forces are applied to rods constituting the parallel linkages. Thus, the traveling plate can be positioned at a high speed and with high rigidity as well as high precision.

Abstract: An apparatus for setting control parameters of a machining apparatus. The setting apparatus includes a storage unit for storing a set of control parameters for each of a plurality of machining modes; an input device for selecting one of the plurality of machining modes; and a control unit for selecting a set of control parameters corresponding the selected machining mode and setting the set of control parameters as control parameters to be used for controlling the machining apparatus.

Abstract: A device for detecting a position of an edge of a cutting tool includes a reference plate positioned to form a slit between the edge of the cutting tool and the reference plate. The slit extends in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the cutting tool. A laser light source is provided to irradiate a laser light to the slit. A detecting device detects a diffraction pattern created through diffraction of the laser light by the slit. A processing device is provided to determine the position of the edge of the cutting tool based on an output signal of the detecting device.