Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically re-pointing twist drill bits includes a drill support mechanism including means for rotatably and axially translatably holding the shank of a drill bit, and a fluted portion receiver for supporting the fluted front cutting portion of the drill bit. The apparatus also includes an optical sensor unit which views the tip and blade part of the drill bit with the drill support mechanism in an off-line position, i.e., rotated away from a grinding wheel station. Responsive to error correction servo command signals received from a comparison of the actual orientation of drill bit cutting lips with a desired pre-determined template position, rotary and linear actuators in the drill support mechanism rotate the drill bit to the proper angular orientation, and advance the bit axially to a pre-determined protrusion length.

Abstract: A drill case (10) includes a case box (20) having a longitudinally elongated rectangular cross-sectional shape closeable at one transverse end thereof by a lid (23). The case includes a slidably removable longitudinally elongated drill stand base (50) having in the upper surface thereof a plurality of longitudinally disposed, laterally spaced apart grooves (51) for receiving rectangular block-shaped drill stands (60) having longitudinally spaced apart vertical bores (61) for receiving drill bits (1). Stand base (50) has protruding outwardly from opposite lateral sides thereof a pair of parallel longitudinally disposed ribs (52) which are slidably receivable in a pair of upper or lower grooves (27) and (28) formed in the inner side walls of box (20), depending on whether short or long shank drill bits are contained in stands (60).