Abstract: A carving assembly 10 for use in duplicating a blank or form. The carving assembly 10 includes stylus 112 and a tool holder 120 which are coupled together using a slidable carriage 14 to allow any movement of the stylus to cause a cutting tool 121 mounted in the tool holder 120 to move in the exact same manner. Carriage 14 is mounted upon a frame, assembly which permits sliding motion in two orthogonal directions 101, 102.

Abstract: A three dimensional tool guide includes first, second and third elongate guide arms mounted orthogonally and in series so as to provide X, Y and Z axes for the guide. The arms are interconnected by carriage means allowing free relative movement between adjacent arms in at least one direction and a balancing means to allow substantially unbiased vertical movement for the arm or arms. The first arm is adapted for mounting to a reference point and the third arm is adapted for holding and guiding the tool.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to enhancing the accuracy with which tooth restorations are performed, including the manner by which a tooth is prepared and fit with a dental prosthetic, such as a crown or bridge. Further, the present invention is directed to reducing the skill-dependent tasks associated with tooth restoration, including root canals, while at the same time, improving the precision with which these procedures are performed and by aesthetics of the prosthetic. By improving the accuracy of restoration procedures, any need to repeat these procedures for a given patient can be eliminated and patient comfort can be improved. In addition, by improving the precision with which a prosthetic is prepared for attachment to the prepared tooth of a patient, and/or fit to patient, durability and longevity of the prosthetic are improved.

Abstract: In a method for engraving printing cylinders for rotogravure in an electronic engraving machine, at least two engraving lanes with predetermined lane widths lying side-by-side in an axial direction of the printing cylinder are engraved with a respectively allocated engraving element. Before the engraving, an axial reference position is predetermined for each engraving element, the axial spacings thereof relative to one another corresponding to the predetermined lane widths of the engraving lanes. The engraving elements are roughly positioned to their reference positions. Subsequently, the axial spacing errors between the reference positions and the actual position of the engraving element the rough positions are measured. During engraving, the engraving elements are moved along the printing cylinder with the faulty spacings relative to one another caused by their rough positioning.

Abstract: A three-dimensional apparatus for a router for positioning and guiding the router to produce, from a workpiece, at least one of a substantial duplicate of a three-dimensional configuration of a template and a substantial variation of such three-dimensional configuration of such template by routing such workpiece. The three-dimensional apparatus for a router including a workpiece mounting platform for mounting the workpiece, a template mounting platform for mounting the template, a router mounting platform for mounting the router, a router positioning mechanism for positioning the router mounting platform adjacent to the workpiece mounting platform, a probe for tracing the three-dimensional configuration of the template and a linkage interconnecting the probe and the router mounting platform to move the router mounting platform in response to movement of the probe.

Abstract: A new duplicating carving machine that will allow individuals to easily and accurately carve wooden propellers, musical instruments, sculpture or other items. The invention has a unique and rigid carving mechanism, having a stylus and motorized cutter mounted upon a rigid "U"-shaped frame, combined with a simple and accurate alignment system, in which the U-frame pivots upon a transverse bar which is aligned upon side rails in the manner of a T-square, enabling the duplicator to easily and accurately carve a propeller or other item from a three-dimensional master. The duplicating carver of the invention is very simple to set up and operate, and includes a novel brake mechanism to stabilize the cutting motion. The average craftsman will be able to quickly and precisely shape a workpiece--any design from violin faces, electric guitar bodies or scroll work on cabinet doors, to airplane propellers, to name only a few. Only sanding is required to achieve the finished shape.

Abstract: A machine for engraving using a stylus-guided cutting head is disclosed in the present invention. The cutter's motion along three, mutually perpendicular axes is transmitted by air-supported bearings so that play and frictional losses are greatly reduced. This promotes ease of use and accuracy which is of importance when engraving small areas such as billiard cue stick handles and the like.

Abstract: A system for locating a plurality of engraving heads on an engraver wherein a plurality of engraving heads are automatically positioned into a predetermined configuration. A mechanism for positioning the engraving heads preferably includes a leadscrew and a drive nut which is rotatable relative to the leadscrew. In addition, each of the engraving heads preferably includes a rotatable drive nut with a respective motor for rotating the nut whereby the heads may be selectively positioned into a predetermined configuration. In a further aspect of the invention, the engraving heads are mounted on a carriage which is movable in an axial direction relative to a cylinder to be engraved. The heads are selectively positionable on the carriage and the carriage includes a nut threadably engaged with a leadscrew whereby the carriage may be driven in an axial direction relative to the cylinder to be engraved.

Abstract: A working apparatus includes a pair of supports which are provided on a base, and a pair of parallelly disposed linear servo-motors each of which is settled on each of the supports. Sliders of the linear servo-motors support the ends of a beam so that the beam extends perpendicular to the servo-motors and is moved according to the simultaneous movements of the sliders. Another linear servo-motor is provided on the beam, and the slider of this motor bears a working head. The working head is moved along the beam in accordance with the slider movement.

Abstract: A pit defining a machining cavity is positioned downstream of a loading conveyor. A workpiece such as a foam block to be machined into a lost foam pattern for use in full-mold casting is fixedly mounted on an invertable workpiece mount base that is positioned above the machining cavity. The machining cavity houses a cutting unit for cutting, from below, the foam block supported on the workpiece mount base. Chips produced when the foam block is cut by the cutting unit are discharged by a chip discharger disposed beneath the machining cavity. The machining cavity can be substantially closed by the workpiece mount base or the foam block mounted thereon. There may be employed upstream and downstream machining stations each having the machining cavity, the workpiece mount base, and the cutting unit. The workpiece mount base in the upstream machining station is vertically movable, and the upstream and downstream machining stations are interconnected by transfer units.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for guiding a powered cutting tool as a function of a traced preselected pattern. The apparatus preferably includes a table member for supporting both of work piece and a paper or the like, exhibiting the pattern of interest. A first pair of rail members are fixedly mounted to or adjacent opposite sides of the table member, in parallel with each other, and on opposite sides of both the work piece and the paper exhibiting the pattern. In addition, a carriage assembly is slidably positioned on the first pair of rails, for movably supporting a stylus above the paper exhibiting the pattern, and for movably supporting the cutting tool and its driving mechanism adjacent the work piece.

Abstract: A system for suspending a tool for horizontal movement with respect to a workpiece, wherein a carriage carrying said tool is slidably carried on a set of parallel rails, which are in turn slidably carried by a second set of parallel rails at right angles to the first set of rails, to allow motion of the tool along any path in a horizontal plane. The tool suspension system is disclosed in a sign cutting apparatus wherein a template and workpiece are mounted on a work table and the carriage includes a stylus for tracing a pattern on the template to be reproduced in the workpiece by movement of the tool utilizing the suspension system, which is independent of the work table.