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: An automatic grinding machine for cleaning castings, including a machine stand, supporting mutually adjustable clamping or holding devices for processing a casting, and further including a tool holder, on which a grinding and/or cutting-off disk is adjustable with respect to the casting via a sliding device supported on a machine support, permits non-contact, precise generation of a control signal. The clamping devices are electrically insulated from the machine stand, and the grinding and/or cutting-off disk is electrically insulated from the tool holder. The grinding and/or cutting-disk is electrically conductive. The grinding and/or cutting-off disk and the clamping devices, including the casting held therebetween, are series-connected to a regulable high-tension generator and an ignition current evaluating switching unit, which supplies the control signal.

Abstract: Machining apparatus comprises a boom rotatable about a pivot support within a cylindrical workpiece with a machining station, such as a milling cutter, mounted on the remote end of the boom. Two angularly spaced wheel units are provided on respective sides of the boom to support the boom on the workpiece. Each wheel unit has an actuator to raise or lower that side of the boom relative to the support surface. Variations in the level of the support surface are determined by sensors monitoring a reference such as a rigid template or a planar laser beam. Each actuator has a respective sensor for independently adjusting each wheel unit and each sensor may be on a radius from the pivot to the associated wheel unit.In an alternative embodiment, the boom is linearly displaceable along spaced rails and the machining station is displaceable perpendicularly to the linear direction along the boom.

Abstract: A vibration sensor, located on a chuck member for a workpiece and rotating therewith, detects the signal emitted at the instant a tool member contacts the workpiece. The vibration sensor produces an output signal to modulate a transmitter and a receiver fastened to the machine tool frame receives the information broadcast by the transmitter. The information is processed to produce a signal which reduces the speed of a motor controlling the advance of the tool member. The speed of the tool member is thus reduced as soon as the tool member contacts the workpiece. The arrangement is particularly suited to machines for grinding interior diameters and prevents damage following accidental collision of the workpiece and tool member.

Abstract: A high precision processing equipment includes a contactor provided in a numerical control processing unit and moved in a direction parallel to a spindle, so that the contactor is brought into contact with a workpiece or its support member during feeding motion of the spindle so as to define a positional relationship between the contactor and the spindle. When a magnetic-electric converting element attached to the contactor is opposed to a magnet on the spindle during feeding movement of the spindle, the element detects movement of the magnet, and a resulting detection signal is used to obtain a positional relationship between the spindle and a workpiece, i.e. the starting position of a subsequent processing motion during activation of the processing unit.

Abstract: A silicon wafer diffusion processing quartz boat carrier slot plunge cutter machine is provided that has a vertical rapid traverse power feed variable speed spindle with automatic stop switches controlling down feed and return with spindle speeds generally in the range of 3,000 RPM to 4,500 RPM for effective quartz slot cutting. Work piece table longitudinal and cross travel are manually driven with longitudinal travel for work piece to cutting tool alignment and cross travel being for indexing of specific slotting configurations. A fixed table support is adapted to mounting of various jig types for slotting as desired.

Abstract: In an automatic fastening machine comprising a frame, drilling assembly carried by the frame for drilling a fastener receiving hole in a workpiece and an arrangement carried by the frame for installing a fastener in the hole drilled in the workpiece, the drilling assembly comprising a drill spindle having an axis of rotation and a drilling tool at one end thereof and rotatably mounted in a ram movable on the machine frame toward and away from the workpiece, the improvement of a brushless synchronous a.c. servomotor including an output shaft having an axis of rotation and an arrangement for connecting the motor directly to the drill spindle with the axis of rotation of the motor shaft coincident with the axis of rotation of the drill spindle. There is also provided a fan on the frame and positioned to direct cooling air onto the motor.

Abstract: This invention relates to metal cutting and more particularly to method for manufacturing constant velocity universal joints. A construction is disclosed wherein spherical turning, milling and grinding of the races and grooves of the joint members of a universal joint are performed on common machines without removing the workpieces and the workpieces are held in common workheads. During the machining operations, relative movements between the tools and workpieces are referenced to common axes thereby duplicating the relative positions and movements between the workpieces during actual service. The inventive concept provides a means for achieving consistent product quality and is adaptable to the automated manufacturing of constant velocity universal joints.

Abstract: A machine tool system having an adjustable implement mounted in a holder or chuck and moveably positioned relative to a moveable workpiece support, wherein implement adjustments are produced by controlled differential motion between the implement holder and an adjustment fixture on the workpiece support. The support is moved to engage the implement in the fixture, from which state further relative movement unlocks an implement clamp and produces a desired adjustment in the implement. Typical implement adjustment applications would include setting of a boring bar cutting radius (or setting of a measurement gauge dimension). The adjustments can be performed open loop based on prior calibration of implement adjustment versus extent of support motion, or closed loop wherein an initial cut (or measurement) is made by open loop implement adjustment with subsequent adjustments based upon a measurement made of the implements effective cutting (or measurement) dimension.

Abstract: An automatic machine for displacing a shaping tool, such as a router, over a work area includes a tool mounting assembly carried by support means such as an articulated arm. The arm is movable by first movement means relative to fixed structure of the machine over the whole work area, while the tool mounting assembly can be moved within a limited zone relative to the arm by second movement means. The movement of the tool mounting assembly (and thus of the tool) is directly measured relative to the machine fixed structure and compared with a required movement to generate an error signal. This signal is fed to the second movement means which endeavors to move the tool mounting assembly as required over the work area.

Abstract: An apparatus for displacing at least one of the electrodes of an electrical discharge machine laterally in a plane perpendicular to the axis of relative longitudinal feed of the electrodes, with an amplitude proportional to the longitudinal displacement of the electrodes. The apparatus comprises a rotatable shaft longitudinally controlled as a function of the axial position of one of the electrodes. An eccentric member is driven in rotation by the shaft, and the amount of eccentricity of rotation of the eccentric member is controlled by a moveable camming member supported at three points, one of the points being a fixed pivot point on the axis of the shaft and the two other points having an axial position and a radial position varying as a function of the longitudinal displacement of the shaft and defining the amount of eccentricity of the eccentric member.