Abstract: A tool for use during double sided incremental forming of a workpiece. The tool includes a sleeve with a hollow interior space. A contact member is positioned within the hollow interior space of the sleeve. The contact member is sized with a working tip positioned outward beyond the sleeve to contact against a workpiece. A mount is positioned on the opposing end of the sleeve and configured to connect to a tool holder. The tool is configured to provide for translational and/or rotational movement of the contact member. The axial and rotational movement provides for the working tip to remain in contact with the workpiece during the forming process.

Abstract: A robot control system according to an embodiment is a control system for a robot comprising an arm, the arm being capable of holding a tool while rotating the tool and capable of moving the tool in at least two-dimensional directions, the arm being equipped with a rotating mechanism provided for the tool. The robot control system comprises a load-acquiring unit and a control-signal-generating unit. The load-acquiring unit is configured to acquire a force measured by a force sensor configured to measure a force applied from the tool to the arm during profile copying performed on a machining object by moving the arm while a copying guide attached to the arm and a copying mold placed on the machining object are kept in contact with each other.

Abstract: A method for plunge milling a workpiece. The method includes rotating a cutting head while advancing the cutting head along a direction towards the workpiece; removing material from the workpiece with frontal teeth disposed on a frontal face of the cutting head; bending a tool holder configured to lead the cutting head inside the workpiece; stopping the advancing of the cutting head along the direction towards the workpiece when the cutting head has reached a predetermined depth inside the workpiece; and retrieving while rotating the cutting head from the inside of the workpiece such that side teeth of the cutting head remove material from the inside of the workpiece due to the bending of the tool holder.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for shaving the inside of barrels. The invention relates to reconditioning used wine barrels by shaving the inside surface to a predetermined depth, ready for re-crozering, toasting, and re-use. Conventional shaving methods typically involve routing the internal surface by hand, but this technique is problematic in that it is a very slow process, the quality of the wood is often adversely affected, and there is no way of ensuring that the surface will be shaved to the same depth across the entire surface. The resultant internal dimensions of the barrel are not reflective, relatively, of the original barrel surface. The invention includes a scanning device to scan the internal dimensions of the barrel, and a cutting device to shave the internal surface to a predetermined depth relative to the scanned internal dimensions and where the scanning device and the cutting device may be supported by different robotic arms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for shaving the inside of barrels. In particular, the present invention relates to reconditioning used wine barrels by shaving the inside surface to a predetermined depth, ready for re-crozering, toasting, and re-use. Conventional shaving methods typically involve routing the internal surface by hand, but this technique is problematic in that it is a very slow process, the quality of the wood is often adversely affected, and there is no way of ensuring that the surface will be shaved to the same depth across the entire surface. Therefore, the resultant internal dimensions of the barrel are not reflective, relatively, of the original barrel surface. The apparatus of the present invention includes a scanning device adapted to scan the internal dimensions of the barrel, and a cutting device adapted to shave the internal surface to a predetermined depth relative to the scanned internal dimensions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to machine a curved surface such as an inner or outer peripheral surface of a pipe. The pipe is held stationary during machining and a rotatable spindle of a machine head moves along multiple orthogonal axes to align the rotational axis of the spindle with the longitudinal pipe axis. Preferably, the pipe axis is located by using a touch probe to engage the curved surface at multiple spots and the calculating the location of the pipe axis. The cutting tool, which is preferably a cutting tool insert, is rotated by the spindle to machine the curved surface.

Abstract: An airfoil root fillet having a predetermined compound curve profile can be flank milled with a single flank milling cutter having a generally conical flank milling portion and a rounded tip portion defining a compound curve.

Abstract: A table with a working surface has a parallel rail on each side of the working surface. A slide assembly includes a shaft with ends and a pair of brackets. Each bracket has a hole. The holes receive the ends of the shaft. The slide assembly includes cylindrical tunnels. The tunnels slidably receive the rails. An operating assembly has primary and secondary arms. Each arm has a free exterior end and an interior portion. The interior portion is coupled to the shaft. A router is secured to, and depends from, the free end of the secondary arm. Control mechanisms include a scribe. The scribe is secured to, and depends from, the free end of the primary arm. Movement of the primary arm and scribe with respect to a template will cause corresponding movement of the secondary arm and router with respect to work pieces to be routed.

Abstract: In a method for adjusting at least one pressing element of a molding machine for machining workpieces of wood or plastic material relative to a workpiece, transported through the machine and to be machined by the machine, the pressing element is adjusted outside of the molding machine in an adjusting device with the aid of a template of the workpiece and the adjusted pressing element is then inserted into the molding machine.

Abstract: A shape outlining device for a user to easily mark or cut a predetermined shape on a surface. The shape outlining device includes a post assembly with a lower end for resting on a surface and an upper free end. A spool base has a central shaft with an upper and lower flange. A cam with a profile surface for determining a shape to be outlined on the surface is removably mounted on the central shaft of the spool base. The cam has a central passage through which the central shaft is received with the cam resting on the upper flange of the post assembly. A spool grip is placed over the spool base for permitting hand gripping of the post assembly. The spool grip has an upper and lower flange, and a sleeve with a central aperture that receives the central shaft of the spool base. An arm assembly is removably and rotatably mounted on the post assembly by way of a central tube member that receives and rides on the flanges of the spool base and the spool grip.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for securely clamping and routing straight or rectangular grooves, slots, and recesses into the sides or edges of a workpiece. The apparatus comprises opposed front and rear jaw-pieces located on opposite sides of a gap for receiving a workpiece; clamping means connected to the jaw-pieces for clamping the front and rear jaw-pieces to the workpiece located in the gap; a platform area means for supporting the router over the workpiece, the platform area being provided on at least one of the front and rear jaw-pieces; and a laterally adjustable guiding means, for guiding the router, and provided on the platform area, the laterally adjustable guiding means comprising at least one guide fence positioned parallel to the gap.

Abstract: A transparent shield is attached to a template and workpiece and used to move the workpiece against an inverted router blade. The transparent shield prevents inadvertent contact of fingers or hands with the router blade, yet allows visual observation of the workpiece proximate to the router blade. A router table may support the workpiece being cut by the router blade. Handles may be attached to the transparent shield for holding thereof. Sensors in the router table may determine the position of the transparent shield in relation to the router blade and the router blade may be stopped if the transparent shield is not covering the router blade. A video camera may be positioned over the router table. The router table, router blade and transparent shield images may be tracked in relation to one another such that if the transparent shield is not covering the router blade, then the router blade may be stopped.

Abstract: A transparent shield is attached to a template and workpiece and used to move the workpiece against an inverted router blade. The transparent shield prevents inadvertent contact of fingers or hands with the router blade, yet allows visual observation of the workpiece proximate to the router blade. A router table may support the workpiece being cut by the router blade. Handles may be attached to the transparent shield for holding thereof. Sensors in the router table may determine the position of the transparent shield in relation to the router blade and the router blade may be stopped if the transparent shield is not covering the router blade. A video camera may be positioned over the router table. The router table, router blade and transparent shield images may be tracked in relation to one another such that if the transparent shield is not covering the router blade, then the router blade may be stopped.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an instrument such as a technoscope, for machining the surfaces of for example, engine blades in normally inaccessible cavities, having a machining tool able to be simultaneously observed at the machining location with an optic, comprising an instrument shank to which a head is distally coupled, said head carrying the tool and being pivotable relative to the longitudinal axis of the instrument shank. In order to create the possibility of being able to measure damage to the surface to be machined with this instrument, a measuring tool with a measuring template is attachable to the instrument head, and with this instrument head, is pivotable into the field of view of the optic. The measuring tool may be attached to the head of the instrument in a simple manner instead of a machining tool. However the measuring template may also be arranged directly at the machining tool.

Abstract: A device for cutting trim moldings according to their displayed surface designs including a base for securely holding various molding widths, a profile gauge and a clamp for locking the profile gauge in an adjusted position on the base for a selected molding. The edge of the profile gauge functions to guide a cutting device such as a router. In a preferred embodiment, the clamp includes a router plate which is mounted at a predetermined angle relative to the base so the object molding is cut at such angle.

Abstract: A portable power tool cutting guide comprised of a single guidepiece of extruded material molded to form a dual-sided fence with a remaining flat but ribbed upper surface surrounding the fence and a smooth lower surface, where a reference edge indexed to the particular power tool is cut by aligning the power tool with the fence and cutting the guidepiece parallel to said edge, and the reference edge is then aligned with the desired straight cutting line of a workpiece by means of attachment to the workpiece itself in order to make a straight cut.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting an end of a work piece having a work piece curved face along a curve which is substantially the mirror image of the cross-sectional curvature of the work piece curved face includes a work piece support structure; a work piece anchoring and positioning structure for securing the work piece onto the support structure in a position to be cut; a cutting assembly carriage structure mounted to move toward and away from the end of the work piece; a work piece cutting assembly slidably mounted on the cutting assembly guide structure and including a work piece cutting member; a cutting member guide structure including a guide template having a template guide surface with a guide surface contour; and a guide surface following structure connected to the work piece cutting assembly for guiding the cutting member along a path substantially duplicating the guide surface contour. The work piece support structure preferably includes a platform member resting on several platform member legs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine for forming grooves of uniform configuration in a face surface of a one-piece frame such that the adjacent grooves meet at inside corners to define miter lines. This machine comprises a support means adapted to securely support a side of the frame under a predetermined angle with relation to the horizontal plane, a cutter assembly having a cutter means, a first guiding means adapted to guide the cutter means along the respective miter line in order to cut the inside corner and the miter line, and a second guiding means adapted to guide the cutter means along the side of the frame to cut a side groove portion extending between the opposite miter lines on the side of the panel. The frame is extended from the support means outwardly upwardly, and the first guiding means further comprises a stop means adapted to restrict the movement of the cutter means beyond the area designated for formation of the respective inside corner defined by the corresponding miter lines.

Abstract: A drilling/cutting machine for forming joints for accommodating metal protrusions of a metal plate connector. The machine can cut one or more joints simultaneously with a drilling/cutting bit that drills and simultaneously cuts smaller and larger width slots completing the joint.

Abstract: A router guide to enable a router to be free floating within selected planes above a workpiece. A support platform is adjustable in height and reciprocally movable in orthogonal directions, within ranges, allowing it to be easily moved to any position over the workpiece for routing. By use of the guide a router can be free floating for free-hand control, can be made to follow a template, or can be set for movement only in a lateral or longitudinal direction, relatively. The platform on which a router can be mounted is movably supported on two parallel bars for lateral movement which are movably supported on two parallel bars for longitudinal movement which are supported by adjustable legs. An adjustable arm extending laterally from the support allows the guide to follow a template outline, or by attaching a peg in the end of the arm the guide can follow a template groove.

Abstract: A matched edge jointer is used with a router to produce matched edge surfaces on two workpieces. The guide contains an elongated guide bar, an elongated platform mounted and centered longitudinally under the guide bar, an elongated base adjustably mounted under the platform, and a means for adjusting the gap between the platform and the base. The platform has a width such that the distance from the edge of the guide bar to the edge of the platform is equal to or greater than the offset of the router, and is made of a material which is readily trimmed by the router before use. The device is customized for a particular router before being used with a workpiece. Two workpieces with matched edge mating surfaces are produced by alternately working the two workpieces using opposite sides of the jointer.

Abstract: An end-effector apparatus, used in combination with a machining device and robotic arm, for use in template-guided robotic machining a workpiece. The end-effector apparatus includes a holding means which holds a guide bushing against the machining template in a consistent orientation with a constant force independent of the orientation of the end-effector apparatus. The end-effector apparatus further includes two separate means for translational travel of the machining device. This translational travel allows the machining device cutting element to controllably follow substantial contour changes along the periphery of the template with a minimal number of spatial coordinates required to be programmed within an interfacing computer.

Abstract: A router attachment which hasa body member, having a mounting end, mountable to a router; and a work end having an inclined guide surface capable of engaging a variable width slot in a template;the body member has a centrally located bore passing from said mounting end to said work end.

Abstract: An apparatus for precisely forming curved surfaces on a wooden workpiece in which the workpiece is automatically centered on a work table which is controllably movable inwardly and outwardly relative to a rotating cutter. The rotating cutter is slidably mounted withing a supporting frame so that the cutter can be controllably moved past the workpiece as the workpiece is moved inwardly and outwardly relative to the cutter. A template and a template follower precisely controls the movement of the table and the workpiece relative to the cutter to produce precisely formed curved surfaces on the workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming shaped edges which includes a support table, means for securing components to be shaped to the support table, and shaping means which are mounted upon the table and can be moved relative to the table. The shaping means is guided for at least part of its travel by cam means which are arranged to guide the shaping means so as to cut profiles of pre-determined shape in the components to be shaped.

Abstract: A vacuum clamping system for trimming a flat or gently curved part from a sheet of material includes a template and a plurality of hold-down members, or pods, that sandwich the template between the pods and the workpiece. The template has a plurality of circular openings through its thickness. Each pod has an expandable bellows with an open suction end that extends downwardly through one of such openings, and comes into contact with and is closed by the workpiece. Subsequent evacuation of the bellows causes it to contract, thus pulling the workpiece tightly against one side of the template, and further pulling a clamping portion of the pod tightly down against the template's other side. This fixes the template in position between the pod and workpiece. Preferably, a number of pods are used in combinatiton with any given template to improve the clamping action.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting grooves in moulding members adapted to have their ends joined in L-shaped assembly by an L-shaped bracket, the apparatus comprising:(a) a first base, and a first guide surface on the base to engage the back side of the moulding thereby to position the moulding directionally laterally, and to extend directionally longitudinally,(b) a first stop to engage and position the mitred end of the moulding, thereby to position the moulding longitudinally,(c) clamp means movable to engage the positioned moulding and retain the moulding on the base,(d) a first router and a rotary drive therefor, the router projecting into lapping relation with said mitred end of the moulding,(e) means to displace the first rotating router relative to the base to directionally sidewardly engage and penetrate the mitred end of the moulding, thereby to produce said groove, the router thereafter being sidewardly removable from said groove,(f) and means to adjustably position the base, laterally, thereby to position the

Abstract: An engraving machine has a cutter head (18) on a mount (17) movable in X and Y directions above a platen for holding a workpiece, the mount with the cutter head being movable in the Z direction between a raised and a lowered working position. The cutter head has a cutter (32) variable projectable from a nose cone (33), and the cutter head is also movable in the Z direction on its mount.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting an insert groove in a longitudinally elongated moulding having a backside and mitred end includes:(a) a first base, and a first guide surface on the base to engage the back side of the moulding thereby to position the moulding directionally laterally, and to extend directionally logitudinally,(b) a first stop to engage and position the mitred end of the moulding, thereby to position the moulding longitudinally,(c) clamp structure movable to engage the positioned moulding and retain the moulding on the base,(d) a first router and a rotary drive therefor, the router projecting into lapping relation with the mitred end of the moulding,(e) and guide structure to guide bodily displacement of the first rotating router relative to the base to directionally engage and penetrate the mitred end of the moulding, thereby to produce the groove, the router thereafter being sidewardly removable from the groove.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting grooves in moulding members adapted to have their ends joined in L-shaped assembly by an L-shaped bracket, the apparatus comprising:(a) a first base, and a first guide surface on the base to engage the back side of the moulding thereby to position the moulding directionally laterally, and to extend directionally longitudinally,(b) a first stop to engage and position the mitered end of the moulding, thereby to position the moulding longitudinally,(c) clamp means movable to engage the positioned moulding and retain the moulding on the base,(d) a first router and a rotary drive therefor, the router projecting into lapping relation with said mitered end of the moulding,(e) means to displace the first rotating router relative to the base to directionally sidewardly engage and penetrate the mitered end of the moulding, thereby to produce said groove, the router thereafter being sidewardly removable from said groove,(f) and means to adjustably position the base, laterally, thereby to position t

Abstract: A mechanism and control for mechanically moving a rotary metal removing tool such as a milling cutter or grinder in a path determined by a regular or irregular contour of a work part. The control is such that the tool may move at a constant feed rate or at a variable rate, for example, more slowly, in areas where a heavier cut is necessary. A contour cam controls the tool position and a second cam controls the feed rate in either a constant or variable velocity as determined by the workpiece.

Abstract: Reverse contour changes, e.g., changes from a convex peripheral portion to concave peripheral portion are scored in a glass sheet by moving the glass sheet along an X-Y axes while pivoting a scoring wheel housing about an axis transverse to the first and second axes so as to positively rotate the housing in response to contour changes.Further, a pattern cutter includes a sheet support which is mounted for movement along X and Y axes and about a pivoting Z axis relative to a stationary scoring wheel so as to positively control the scoring of the glass sheet during changes from convex portions to concave portions.

Abstract: A gang tool assembly for drilling a precise pattern of holes in a workpiece or otherwise cutting surfaces and the like on such workpiece and including a mounting panel of rigid sheet material having a pattern of holes formed therein to receive supports for powered tool heads to detachably support the same to form a gang pattern of either drills or cutters for simultaneously drilling a pattern of holes in a workpiece or forming a contoured surface thereon.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sender unit is attached to the portion of the body corresponding to the damaged opposite portion and a surfacing unit is attached to the damaged portion. A sending head is traversed horizontally and vertically, either separately or simultaneously in a composite motion, over the undamaged portion of the body and this sender head is provided with a plurality of surface contacting probes which follow the contour accurately. Each probe moves upwardly and downwardly following the contour of the body and transmits these movements by flexible cable to the surfacing unit. The surfacing unit is provided with a surfacing head which also traverses the damaged area horizontally and vertically in synchronization with the movement of the sending head.

Abstract: A mechanism for duplicating an image includes a pantograph mechanism which is carried on a slide which may be selectively moved axially to position the pantograph. Carried on the pantograph is a cutting or marking device which may be readily interchanged. This device may be a standard rotating engraving cutter, a diamond drag engraving cutter, a laser cutting device, a heat producing device, a brush, a felt tip pen, or other apparatus.

Abstract: The following specification discloses a universal guide or pattern for use with a panograph. The panograph can comprise a number of arms that are interconnected at hinge points that support a spindle having a cutting tool for milling or cutting a circular, ornate, or eccentric shape, as well as angles and lines. The spindle with the cutter correspondingly follows the movement of a stylus that overlies the universal pattern that is formed with an arm that guides the stylus in either a two or three dimensional pattern. The pattern is formed in part on a plate having a centrally oriented pin or support post that holds a rotatable arm having a scale thereon. The rotatable arm has a pair of stops that can be set along its length at different locations with respect to the scale. The panograph stylus can be implaced within a stylus holder that moves along the arm between the stops or within the stylus holder that is secured by a set screw.