Abstract: An application method of the thermal error-temperature loop in the spindle of a CNC machine tool. This uses a bar and two displacement sensors to determine radial thermal errors of the spindle. Meanwhile two temperature sensors are used to determine the temperature of the upper and lower surfaces of the spindle box. Then, the thermal error-temperature loop is drawn with the temperature difference between two temperature sensors as the abscissa and the radial thermal error of the spindle as the ordinate. Finally, the loop is employed to analyze the mechanism of the radial thermal deformation of the spindle and the thermal error level is evaluated. Since the method is based on measured data, the results of the analysis are closer to the reality, compared to those from the numerical simulations.

Abstract: A system and method for physically destroying the data storage portion of electronic media electronic storage devices such as hard disk drives, solid state drives and hybrid hard drives that comprises a rotatable milling cutter and a cradle for locating the media electronic storage device in a positioned to engage the milling cutter. An integrated computer is included containing a data base of various parameters of different types of hard drives available. A scanning system determines information about the type of media electronic storage device being introduced in the system to be destroyed and conveys the such information to the computer whereby the data base may be used to provide information to properly locate the cradle and milling cutter to destroy the data storage portion and for printing out a certificate of destruction specifically identifying the hard drive that has had it data destroyed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bending tool storage device (1) for storing bending tools (2), comprising at least one storage unit (3), which comprises an outer tool storage (4) which is ring-shaped or partial-ring-shaped and has a plurality of guide rails (14) for holding and guiding bending tools (2), characterized in that the storage unit (3) comprises at least one inner tool storage (5, 6) which is arranged inside the outer tool storage (4) and has a plurality of guide rails (15, 16) for holding and guiding bending tools (2), and in that the outer tool storage (4) and the inner tool storage (5, 6) are rotatable relative to one another, wherein, in different positions of relative rotation between outer tool storage (4) and inner tool storage (5), at least one guide rail (14) of the outer tool storage (4) is in each case in aligned orientation with another guide rail (15, 16) of the inner tool storage (5, 6).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting and correcting a spatial position of a workpiece held in a positioning device, wherein a machining head having at least one sensor and position sensor is fed into at least one measuring position. Contactless sensing of an actual position of a measuring point of the workpiece is carried out at the measuring position using the machining head and the sensed actual position is compared with an expected nominal position and deviation values between the actual position and the nominal position are ascertained. The ascertained deviation values are compared with an admissible tolerance value and the machining head is fed to a contour when the ascertained deviation is within the admissible tolerance value, or the machining head and the workpiece are oriented with respect to one another and to the contour such that a deviation of the actual position is within the admissible tolerance values following orientation.

Abstract: A friction stir welding tool attachable to a spindle of a machine tool includes: a shank connected to the spindle; a chuck connected to the shank through a heat insulating portion; a welding tool connected to the chuck and usable for friction stir welding; and a cooling jacket provided on a circumferential surface of the chuck. The cooling jacket is provided with a refrigerant path for delivering a refrigerant.

Abstract: A numerical controller includes a machine learning device for performing machine learning of machining condition adjustment of a machine tool. The machine learning device calculates a reward based on acquired machining-state data on a workpiece, and determines an adjustment amount of machining condition based on a result of machine learning and machining-state data, and adjusts machining conditions based on the adjustment amount. Further, the machine learning of machining condition adjustment is performed based on the determined adjustment amount of machining condition, the machining-state data, and the reward.

Abstract: This application relates to methods for applying automated precision machining operations to an oversized workpiece with a compact computer numerical control (CNC) machining apparatus. By shifting an oversized workpiece through a working area of the CNC machining apparatus, the CNC machining apparatus can apply machining operations to any portion of the workpiece in an automated manner. To achieve precision results, a position of the workpiece is tracked as the workpiece is shifted through the working area. In some embodiments, a probe can be utilized to track the shifting of the workpiece by determining a location of a machined feature after a particular shift has been completed. In this way, a position of the workpiece can be tracked without having to rely upon tolerances inherent to a workpiece manipulator.

Abstract: A through-hole depth measurement device includes a cutting force sensor configured and mountable in a position to sense cutting force exerted by a drill bit of a drill against a workpiece or stack of workpieces. A controller is coupled to the force sensor, is coupleable to a workpiece surface position sensor, and is configured to record the through-hole depth of the workpiece or stack of workpieces in response to signals received from the workpiece surface position sensor when the drill bit reaches a drill bit exit point. The cutting force sensor is configured and positionable to sense cutting force transmitted between a drill spindle and a spindle housing.

Abstract: At a contact step in a tool radius adjusting method, a reference portion of a movable body provided radially movably on a housing of a boring tool and a position adjusting reference member fixed on a machine tool are brought into contact by sliding the movable body relative to the housing so that the position of a cutting blade comes to a predetermined position in a direction to go away from a rotational axis. Then, at an adjusting step, the position of the cutting blade relative to the rotational axis is adjusted by changing the relative position between a tool spindle holding the boring tool and the position adjusting reference member in a direction to come close to each other by drive mechanisms of the machine tool used for positioning a spindle head with the tool spindle relative to a workpiece in machining the workpiece with the cutting blade.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments may provide an apparatus comprising a vision system, a drilling tool, and a system controller. The vision system may be configured to generate data about a number of laser signatures on a surface of a workpiece. The drilling tool may be configured to drill a number of holes in the surface of the workpiece. The system controller may be configured to generate drilling instructions for the drilling tool using the data generated by the vision system.

Abstract: Drilling apparatus and method, the apparatus comprising: a first robot (10); a first member (30) (e.g. a pressure foot) and a drilling tool (38) both coupled to the first robot (10); a second robot (12); and a second member (52) coupled to the second robot (12); wherein the apparatus is arranged to press the members (30, 52) against opposite sides of a part to be drilled (2, 100) (e.g. an aircraft panel) so as to hold the part (2, 100) and prevent deflection of at least a portion of the part (2, 100); and the first member (30) and the drilling tool (38) are arranged such that the drilling tool (38) may drill into the portion of the part (2, 100) of which deflection is opposed from the side of the part (2, 100) pressed against by the first member (30). The robots (10, 12) may be robotic arms.

Abstract: A machine tool 1 comprises a bed 11, a column 12, a spindle head 15, a spindle 16, a saddle 17, a table 18, a feed mechanism for moving the spindle head 15, the saddle 17 and the table 18 in Z-axis, Y-axis and X-axis directions respectively, a position detector for detecting the positions of the spindle head 15, saddle 17 and table 18, a controller for feedback controlling the feed mechanism, a position detector 51 for detecting the position of the spindle head 15, a position detector 54 for detecting the position of the spindle head 15, a position detector 57 for detecting the position of the table 18, and a measurement frame 50 which is configured with a different member from the bed 11 and the column 12 and on which readers 53, 56, 59 of the position detectors 51, 54, 57 are disposed.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments may provide an apparatus comprising a vision system, a drilling tool, and a system controller. The vision system may be configured to generate data about a number of laser signatures on a surface of a workpiece. The drilling tool may be configured to drill a number of holes in the surface of the workpiece. The system controller may be configured to generate drilling instructions for the drilling tool using the data generated by the vision system.

Abstract: A cutting tool setting system contains a tool head for the settable holding of a cutting tool, the head having an adjustment device for the cutting tool. The cutting tool setting system has a setting tool which can be mechanically removably engaged in the tool head at an interface for adjusting the adjustment device in the tool head. The setting tool contains a shaft body having a key part. A key engagement for actuating the adjustment device is designed on the tool head. The key part can be displaced relative to the shaft body in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the body in order to selectively couple and release the key part of the setting tool and the key part at the interface of the tool head.

Abstract: A boring holder in a tool radius adjusting system is provided with a cutting blade and fine and coarse motion adjusting mechanisms each capable of adjusting the position of the cutting blade relative to a rotational axis of the boring holder. The tool radius adjusting system is provided with a tool radius measuring device for measuring the tool radius of the boring holder and a controller configured to calculate a compensation amount based on a tool radius measured by the tool radius measuring device and a target tool radius and to operate the fine and coarse motion adjusting mechanisms based on the compensation amount so that the tool radius is brought into agreement with the target tool radius.

Abstract: A long shaft inner surface machining apparatus of the present invention includes: a long shaft support device 10 that fixes a long shaft 1 so as not to bend; a machining head 20 capable of being inserted into the prepared hole 2 of the long shaft 1 in the axial direction; a head support device 30 that is coupled with the machining head 20 from one end of the long shaft 1 through the prepared hole 2 and moves the machining head 20 in the axial direction; and a blade drive device 40 that is coupled with the machining head from the other end of the long shaft 1 through the prepared hole 2 and rotary-drives the blade 29 around a shaft axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing an eyeglass lens which is capable of forming a hole or various shapes on an eyeglass lens is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pair of lens fixing shafts for clamping a lens; a carriage which supports and moves the lens fixing shafts; a lens rotation motor for rotating the lens fixing shafts; and a drilling part for forming a hole on the lens, wherein the drilling part includes: a drill head having a drill to which a drill bit is fixed; a drill head mover which is connected with the drill head and moves the drill head straightly; and a fixing block which supports and fixes the drill head mover on the apparatus for processing an eyeglass lens.

Abstract: Spindle inclination detectors (41A, 41B) are equipped in columns (32A, 32B) of a portal bridge (24) of a machine tool (21). Each spindle inclination detector includes: a string (43) which hangs vertically with an upper end fixed to the column (reinforcement (32b)) and a lower end attached to a weight (45); a gap sensor (44) which is attached to the string to measure a distance to a front face plate (32a) of the column; and an oil damper (46). Moreover, a spindle inclination correction controller provided to the machine tool controls a Peltier device (42A, 42B) attached to a rear face plate (32d) of the column, on a basis of an average distance measured by the gap sensor, and thus corrects an inclination of a spindle (28) due to the thermal deformation of the column by correcting thermal deformation of the column.

Abstract: A machine tool includes a crossbeam which is movably mounted on a column in an upright direction and on which a spindle carriage is transversely slidably mounted for mounting a spindle. The crossbeam extends transversely to terminate at a cantilever portion which extends rightwardly and beyond the column. A hydraulic bracing unit is mounted to brace the cantilever portion so as to stabilize the vertical movement of the crossbeam, while preventing the crossbeam from being subjected to bending stress even when the saddle is moved to the cantilever portion.

Abstract: Complex workpieces, particularly aeronautical parts made of solid stock presenting a bottom wall and at least one stiffening rib transverse to the bottom wall, are machined using a device having a tool head furnished with a transmission component rotatable about a relative longitudinal axis, and a tool, typically a milling cutter, connected to the transmission component and capable of piercing the transverse rib. The longitudinal axis of the tool is disposed obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the transmission component so that the stiffening rib can be pierced at a point close to the bottom wall of the workpiece. The device also incorporates a feeler mechanism associated with the tool head and designed to engage the bottom wall during the movement of the tool toward the machining location, in such a way that the position of the tool head can be actively controlled and the tool deployed at a selected distance from the bottom wall.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for automatically detecting the position of a cutting tool in a computerized numerically controlled lathe which is capable of preventing over-load operation of a driving motor by allowing an arm having a touch sensor mounted thereto to safely stop at a position while the driving motor stops operating. The touch sensor is pivoted by means of a gear assembly driven by the driving motor. When the arm is rotated and reaches a proper position, a worm and a worm wheel of the gear assembly are rotated until a camshaft is brought into contact with a stopper. The arm is moved toward the cutting tool and the cutting tool is brought into contact with the touch sensor in accordance with a program that is preprogramedly input into the computerized numerically controlled lathe.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing a position of a cutting tool in a computer numerical controlled machine tool is provided including an arm supporting and moving a sensor that cooperates with the cutting tool. Also provided is a housing including a gear assembly and a driving motor for moving the arm, and a stopper for defining an operating position of the arm. The driving motor supplies rotation force to the gear assembly so as to pivot the arm against the stopper and then apply force to an elastic member. When the driving motor is stopped, the elastic member applies a force, through the gear assembly, urging the arm against the stopper in the operating position.

Abstract: A laser-guided coordination hole tool for precisely drilling holes in large parts includes a positioning table, a bushing cavity for receiving drill bushings, a clamping device, and a laser target. A laser-guided coordination hole tool may include a software interlock to prevent drilling in an improper location on the part. A method of drilling coordination holes includes probing a part to determine its reference frame, rigidly affixing a laser-guided coordination hole tool to the part, probing a target on the laser-guided coordination hole tool to determine the reference frame for the laser-guided coordination hole tool, accurately positioning a drill bushing over the hole location, and drilling a hole. A system for drilling coordination holes includes a laser-guided coordination hole tool, a bushing, a tooling, a drill motor, a laser tracker, and a computer running a coordination-hole drilling program.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method and apparatus for drilling holes or cutting at specified locations on a beam or other material, even if the beam is offset from an ideal beam configuration. In some embodiments, the apparatus is configured to determine the correct locations of holes in the beam despite the beam's offset and drill holes in the beam according to this determination. The apparatus may be capable of drilling holes at specified locations on a web of an I-beam. In some embodiments, the method comprises determining the correct locations of the holes in the particular beam using the apparatus and drilling the holes in the correct locations in the beam according to that determination. Some embodiments include using one or more clamping mechanisms and one or more drilling members to determine the correct locations of the holes in the particular beam.

Abstract: A system for cutting a given portion of a surface of a core insert includes a piezoelectric actuator, a turning tool, a rotating member, a driving unit and a numerically-controlled unit. The controlling unit stores coordinates of the storing coordinates of each point on the given portion of the surface in a predetermined coordinate system, and compares the instant coordinates of the cutting portion of the turning tool with the stored coordinates of the given portion, thus controlling the piezoelectric actuator to drive the turning tool to cut the given portion of the surface if the coordinates of the cutting portion of the turning tool match with the stored coordinates of any point on the given portion of the surface.

Abstract: An eyeglass lens processing apparatus for processing a peripheral edge of an eyeglass lens, includes: a processing unit including a plurality of processing tools that process the peripheral edge of the eyeglass lens held by a lens chuck shaft; a calibrating lens; a mode selector that selects a calibration mode; a memory that stores calibration processing data for processing the calibrating lens to a predetermined shape; a detecting unit that includes a tracing stylus that contacts a surface of the calibrating lens which is processed by the processing unit based on the calibration processing data to detect the shape of the processed calibrating lens in the calibration mode; and a calculating unit that obtain calibration data by comparing a detected result by the detecting unit with the calibration processing data in the calibration mode.

Abstract: A reference block 30 attached to a housing 20a is moved together with a main spindle 20 to a measurement start position A1, and the reference block 30 is so moved in a Z-axis direction as to across air injected from an air injection nozzle 25, so that a thermal displacement of the main spindle 20 is calculated based on change in pressure measured in the movement. The outer circumference of a tool mounted on the main spindle 20 is brought close to a leading end face of the air injection nozzle 25, and the air is injected to the outer circumference of the tool while rotating the tool at a predetermined position, and the air pressure is measured so that the rotational deflection of the tool is calculated based on the change in the measured pressure.

Abstract: A method for setting a working origin for a rotary tool in contact with a work piece to be machined, having: applying to a main spindle which holds the rotary tool, with a tip of a cutting edge of the rotary tool in contact with an outer surface of the work piece fixed to a work table, a load torque to such an extent that the rotary tool is not caused to be rotated; applying the load torque to the main spindle, and moving either the work table or the main spindle in a jog feed in a direction of any one of feed shafts such that the tip of the cutting edge is moved away from the outer surface along an axial direction of the rotary tool or in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction; and setting a coordinate at the moment when the main spindle starts rotation as a working origin of the jog feed in the direction of the any one of the feed shafts.

Abstract: A machine for boring spaced, axially-aligned surfaces of a part includes a frame and a boring apparatus associated with the frame. The boring apparatus is configured to bore at least one surface of the part and includes a boring bar associated with a cutting tool configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the boring bar. The machine further includes a mounting fixture associated with the frame configured to mount the part in a fixed relationship with respect to the frame. The machine also includes an alignment assembly including at least one pair of plates. At least one of the plates of the pair of plates is configured to pivot such that the longitudinal axis of the boring bar is aligned with an axis defined by the axially-aligned surfaces of the part.

Abstract: A via drilling system is preferably constructed to process one target at a time. The via drilling system preferably provides a relatively small footprint for the via drilling system, relatively small moment arms between via drilling system components, a relatively short stiffness loop, and a relatively fast processing time for a target. Multiple tools are preferably provided to perform multiple operations substantially simultaneously on the target.

Abstract: A boring machine including a rotatable boring bar carrying a tool holder that is movable radially of the boring bar, wherein a sensor is provided on the tool holder to sense the proximity thereof to a work piece having a variable radius of curvature in a plane perpendicular to the boring bar.

Abstract: A size and position detecting system includes a laser sensor and a controller. The laser sensor includes an emitter emitting a laser beam to a receiver. The controller is configured to compute a first time of how long the emitter emits the laser beam and a second time of how long the receiver receives the laser beam when a cutting tool moves along a first direction perpendicular to and coplanar with a straight line connecting the emitter and the receiver. The controller is configured to record a first position of the cutting tool at a moment when the second time is less than the first time, and a second position of the cutting tool when the second time remains changeless for a predetermined amount of time, to determine whether the cutting tool is off-centered according coordinates difference between the first and second positions along the first direction.

Abstract: A method of controlling a drilling machine comprising the steps of: providing a drilling machine (13); equipping said machine (13) with a tool (15); providing a workpiece (19); associating said workpiece with a support (17a, 17b); applying a load (21) to said workpiece; working said workpiece by means of said tool, the method comprising a step of measuring load variations induced by the workpiece resistance to the working. The invention also concerns an apparatus for carrying out said method.

Abstract: A drilling system includes a controller, a human-machine interface, and a drilling device. The controller stores a drilling procedure and a startup mode module for the drilling procedure, and generates an information list which includes location information and corresponding procedure line number for each hole. The human-machine interface is configured for selecting the startup mode module for the drilling procedure, and for inputting a query information corresponding to the selected startup mode module. The controller invokes the corresponding procedure line according to the inputted query information to restart the drilling process to enable the drilling device to return to work.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing an eyeglass lens which is capable of forming a hole or various shapes on an eyeglass lens is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pair of lens fixing shafts for clamping a lens; a carriage which supports and moves the lens fixing shafts; a lens rotation motor for rotating the lens fixing shafts; and a drilling part for forming a hole on the lens, wherein the drilling part includes: a drill head having a drill to which a drill bit is fixed; a drill head mover which is connected with the drill head and moves the drill head straightly; and a fixing block which supports and fixes the drill head mover on the apparatus for processing an eyeglass lens.

Abstract: A test site is incorporated on a circuit board having a set of test connections passing through a test via on respective test connection layer, the test connection layers including (1) a first layer adjacent to a target layer, and (2) a second layer spaced apart from the target layer with the first layer therebetween. The test via is back-drilled from the direction of the second layer to remove undesired via metallization, breaking the test connections of all the layers through which it passes, and the continuity of the test connections is measured to determine a pattern of broken and non-broken test connections resulting from the back-drilling. The pattern of broken and non-broken test connections is examined to ascertain the actual depth of the back-drilling in relation to the target layer.

Abstract: There is provided a drilling method capable of improving machining accuracy of a printed board drilling apparatus as a whole by decreasing dispersion of the machining accuracy even if it is a multi-spindle printed board drilling apparatus. A misalignment of an axial center of a drill with respect to a designed axial center in X and Y directions is detected in advance per a certain number of revolutions of each spindle that rotates the drill. Holes of two or more types of diameter are made on a printed board by making holes of at least one diameter, e.g., an exposure master hole, per each spindle and by making holes of all other diameters almost simultaneously by all of the spindles.

Abstract: A clamping assembly for clamping a product to allow drilling and/or cutting of the product by a drilling or cutting assembly, the clamping assembly including control means, activation means, moving means and clamp foot means being operatively connected whereby the control means controls the activation means to control the torque and distance moved on the activation means and moving means such that any movement of the drilling or cutting or clamp assembly relative to each other can be controlled such that the depth of and timing of drilling or cutting and or clamping by the drilling or cutting or clamping assembly can be adjusted accordingly such that if the product being clamped by the clamp foot means is moved during any additional forces that occur during drilling or cutting, then the control means can compensate and ensure the drilling or cutting depth is maintained.

Abstract: A machine alignment system is disclosed that includes a support member. A workpiece is supported by the support member during a machine operation. A robot includes a tool that is spaced from the support member. A laser is associated with the tool and is configured to provide a laser beam. An alignment tool is arranged on the support member. The laser and alignment tool cooperate to ensure alignment of the tool relative to the workpiece. The alignment tool includes an aperture. An adjustment member is associated with one of the tool and the support member. The adjustment member is configured to adjust a relative position between the tool and the support member to enable the laser beam to pass through the aperture and onto a target surface during an alignment procedure.

Abstract: A double-spindle machine tool comprises two tool-holder spindles and two work holding fixtures allocated thereto. A work holding fixture comprises a work carrier plate which supports itself on an adjustable abutment. This abutment is adjusted by means of an adjusting device in dependence on changes in the distance of the axes of rotation of the tool-holder spindles.

Abstract: The invention is a non contact laser inspection self centering device to inspect the counter sink portion of a counter sunk fastener hole on a surface. In detail, the self centering and seating device includes a combination laser transmitter and receiver for transmitting a laser bean across a surface and for receiving the return signal from the surface. A self centering device is attached to the combination laser transmitter and receiver for aligning the laser transmitter with the fastener hole such that the transmitted and received laser beam passes across the center of the counter sink portion of the fastener hole. A computer system is connected to the combination laser transmitter and receiver for analyzing the transmitted and returned laser signal from the surface and determining if the counter sink portion of the hole is within tolerance.

Abstract: A method and system design and manufacture of the monogrammed faceted and stone adorned eyeglass lenses via a computer program allowing a design, intricate facet cuts and stone placement on a computer lens model. Software may utilize a touch probe or laser scanner to gather point data from a previously designed lens, converting the data to a computer model. The data is then used to send signals to an articulated robotic arm holding a lens shape. The robotic arm receives the commands from the computer, moving and rotating the lens shape against an abrasive wheel, rotating cutter blade or rotating drill thereby duplicating the facet cuts, slots notches or depressions or other designs contained in the computer lens model. Varying pressure is applied by the articulated arm and various degrees of abrasiveness of the abrasive wheel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a turret servo control device with an overriding function and control method thereof.

Abstract: A laser-guided coordination hole tool for precisely drilling holes in large parts includes a positioning table, a bushing cavity for receiving drill bushings, a clamping device, and a laser target. A laser-guided coordination hole tool may include a software interlock to prevent drilling in an improper location on the part. A method of drilling coordination holes includes probing a part to determine its reference frame, rigidly affixing a laser-guided coordination hole tool to the part, probing a target on the laser-guided coordination hole tool to determine the reference frame for the laser-guided coordination hole tool, accurately positioning a drill bushing over the hole location, and drilling a hole. A system for drilling coordination holes includes a laser-guided coordination hole tool, a bushing, a tooling, a drill motor, a laser tracker, and a computer running a coordination-hole drilling program.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tool (7B) comprising a cutting edge (24) that is located at the junction between a rake face and a flank face (23), said rake face having a front facet (26) that is intended to be moved transversely to the relative direction of movement (29, 30) between the piece (2) and the tool (7B) during machining operations and an inclined facet (27) that is disposed between the front facet (26) and the flank face (23). The above-mentioned cutting edge (24) is located at the junction between the inclined facet (27) of the rake face and the flank face (23).

Abstract: A printed board drilling method and a printed board machining apparatus capable of improving machining quality, such as improving positional accuracy of holes and true roundness of machined holes, and improving work efficiency by minimizing a runout of the tip of a drill. An extension of the drill extending out of a spindle when the drill is held by the spindle is defined in advance per type or mode of use of each drill. One drill is selected among a plurality of drills corresponding to a shape of holes to be drilled in the printed board and the spindle holds the drill so that the selected drill extends out of the spindle by the extension corresponding to the selected drill. Then, the move of the spindle with respect to the printed board is controlled and the selected drill is rotationally driven by the spindle to drill the printed board.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning and holding a tool (3) relative to a workpiece (35) comprising a carriage (1) for conveying the tool over the surface of the workpiece (35) and means (7, 9, 11, 13) for holding the carriage (1) onto the surface of the workpiece (35), the holding means being selectively switchable between a low grip state in which the carriage (1) is held against the workpiece surface whilst remaining capable of movement relative thereto and a high grip state in which the carriage (1) is held substantially fixedly to the workpiece surface for the tool (3) in use to operate thereon. Such an arrangement provides a robot capable of “crawling” over a workpiece (35) and carrying out precise manufacturing operations thereon.

Abstract: A laser-guided coordination hole tool for precisely drilling holes in large parts includes a positioning table, a bushing cavity for receiving drill bushings, a clamping device, and a laser target. A laser-guided coordination hole tool may include a software interlock to prevent drilling in an improper location on the part. A method of drilling coordination holes includes probing a part to determine its reference frame, rigidly affixing a laser-guided coordination hole tool to the part, probing a target on the laser-guided coordination hole tool to determine the reference frame for the laser-guided coordination hole tool, accurately positioning a drill bushing over the hole location, and drilling a hole. A system for drilling coordination holes includes a laser-guided coordination hole tool, a bushing, a tooling, a drill motor, a laser tracker, and a computer running a coordination-hole drilling program.

Abstract: The orientation of a machine 2 relative to a work-piece 10 is manually controlled by means of an alignment device 4. The device 4 includes a light source 24 rigidly attached to a foot 12 that is resiliently movably attached to the main body 18 of the device. The body 18 of the device 4 houses a light detector 26 for detecting a light beam from the light source 24, the position of the region on the detector 26 illuminated by the beam depending on the orientation of the machine 2 relative to the work-piece 10. The operator is provided with feedback on whether the machine 2 is correctly aligned with a target orientation (usually perpendicular to the surface) and concerning the direction of corrective movement required, if any.

Abstract: In adjusting phase for work (W), the operation of mounting/dismounting a reference tool on a spindle (6) is dispensed with and so is a storage space for the reference tool, and besides, it is arranged that the thrust on the work (W) does not directly act on the spindle (6) at the time of this phase adjustment. In a machine tool in which a spindle housing (7) supporting the specifically directed spindle (6) for rotation alone is supported for parallel motion in orthogonal three-axis directions (XYZ) by a numerical control mechanism (4), in determining the phase for the work (W) is feed-rotated around a specific axis (S), it is arranged that with a reference block (9) fixed to the spindle housing (7), the work (W) is feed-rotated around the specific axis (S) to abut the phase reference section (W1) of the work against the reference block (9), so as to find the amount of feed-rotation of the work at the time of this abutment.