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: A spindle control system for a milling machine is provided. The milling machine includes a column, an overarm, a spindle for mounting a cutter, a first motor mounted on the column for driving movement of the overarm, and a second motor mounted on the overarm for driving rotation of the spindle. The spindle control system includes a distance sensor and a temperature sensor, each to be mounted on the overarm and to be disposed proximate to the end portion of the spindle. The spindle control system further includes a central control unit for determining a compensation parameter based on the displacement sensed by the distance sensor and the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor, and for controlling movement of the overarm by the first motor through a compensation distance based on the compensation parameter to compensate for at least one of the cutter deformation and the spindle deformation.

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 package cutting apparatus includes at least two spindles installed at a sawing robot and cutting a frame including a plurality of packages into packages using cutting bits; a frame loading jig loading the frame so that the frame is cut; and a frame-and-unit picker installed at an orthogonal robot to load and unload the frame on and from the frame loading jig, wherein a state of the cutting bit installed at the spindle is checked.

Abstract: A machining unit, particularly for machining the surface of cylindrical cavities, has a tool-holder assembly, including an electric actuator for adjustment of the radial tool position. The control signals of the actuator are transmitted to said actuator by a stationary electronic control unit via a wireless communication system. Also provided on board the tool-holder assembly is a system for electrical supply of the actuator, constituted, for example, by one or more batteries or else by an electrical-generation microsystem that exploits a portion of the flow of the high-pressure lubricant-coolant that is fed into the machining area.

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 planer having a base, a first support member attached to the base and supporting a cutterhead for selective travel in a first direction toward the base and a second opposite direction, a top frame attached to the first support member and a depth stop mechanism attached to the top frame for selectively preventing travel of the cutterhead in the first direction beyond a pre-selected distance from the base. A depth measuring device including a retractable tape may be attached to the cutterhead. A workpiece level indicator plate movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position may be attached to the planer to indicate contact with a workpiece. A locking mechanism for locking a pivotable infeed table of a planer in the upright position for storage, and thereby switching off power to the planer is also disclosed. The planer may include a readily attachable and detachable dust removal assembly.

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 numerically controlled machine tool performs machining by rotating a rotational tool attached to a tool holder mounted on a spindle, with keys fitted into key grooves in the tool holder. The numerically controlled machine tool includes predetermined-amount rotating unit for stopping the tool holder at a predetermined rotational position and then rotating the tool holder by a given amount, and a distance sensor which is installed apart from the tool holder and measures a distance to the outer surface of the tool holder. The predetermined-amount rotating unit stops the tool holder at a rotational position at which the key grooves do not face the distance sensor, then rotates the tool holder by the given amount. The distance sensor measures the distance to the tool holder while the tool holder is rotating. The measurement result is compared with a reference distance or distances to discriminate between normal and abnormal rotational run-out of the tool holder.

Abstract: In the method, a tool is tested for an aligning fit or an imbalance in a tool spindle. The tool spindle is set into rotation. A light beam is used to check whether the tool wobbles. The tool spindle and the light beam are moved relative to one another until the light beam impinges on the area covered by the wobbling movement and a received signal generated from the light beam has an intermittent signal path for the first time. The then prevailing relative position between the tool spindle and the light beam is evaluated in respect of a non-aligning fit of the tool or in respect of a tool imbalance.

Abstract: An improved spring tracer for duplicating machine for punched and laser keys comprising a longitudinal spindle suspended from an end of a synchronous lateral lever having the other end laterally connected to a longitudinal shaft for a duplicating tool in parallel with the longitudinal spindle, which can be longitudinally slidably secured on a body portion in accordance with a common longitudinal axis of the longitudinal spindle; a spring-loaded tracer engaged in the inner lower end of the longitudinal spindle for biasing a tracer stylus against an original punched or laser key by means of the spring force for tracing the depths of the key teeth of the original punched key in accordance with the said common longitudinal axis; and a regulating sleeve rotatably secured at the outer lower end of the longitudinal spindle for regulating the elevation of the spring-loaded tracer in accordance with the said common longitudinal axis, in order that a regulating action, a securing action and a biasing action can be effe

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine tool having at least one or more spindles that can be positioned in space, the spindle being mounted on displaceable slides by means of rods and the displacement of the slides leading to the spindle being positioned in space. A correction device is provided which defines the actual position of the spindle relating to one or more reference points.

Abstract: A duplicating machine for punched and laser keys. The machine has on a base two clamps moving simultaneously in a horizontal plane for an original key to be duplicated and for a key blank to be cut, and a carriage moving vertically relative to the clamps and supporting by means of self-centering chucks, a feeler above the original key and a cutter above the blank key, the height of the feeler above its clamp being adjustable independently of the cutter.

Abstract: A tool head for use in machine tools has an adjustable slide (18) capable of moving with respect to the base body (10) transversely to its axis of rotation (12) and of being provided with a tool holder, as well as a device (30) for direct measurement of the travel of the slide (18). The measurement device (30) has two substrate plates (32, 34) upon whose facing surfaces are arranged the capacitive measurement structures of a measuring scale and of a sensor. The substrate plates (32, 34) are arranged in eccentric tangential planes parallel to the axis of rotation. The radially inner substrate plate is surface-linked to a bearing surface of the slide (18), whereas the radially outer substrate plate is surface-supported by the bearing surface (62), capable of forming a support after surface material removal, of a bearing strip (56) that can be detachably inserted into a radial window cutout (54) of the base body (10, 36).

Abstract: An axially compliant tool assembly for a programmable position controller is disclosed. Various construction details have been developed which provide a responsive means to make the tool axially compliant to deviations between the programmed path of the tool and the surface being worked upon by the tool. In one particular embodiment, the axially compliant means includes a base, a sleeve axially movable relative to the base, a tool disposed on an internally splined shaft, and a radial bearing disposed between the shaft and the sleeve. The sleeve includes a flange which defines in part two sealed cavities wherein the differential pressure between the two sealed cavities provides a working force for the tool and wherein the flange may move axially within the limits of the sealed cavities.

Abstract: In conventional fabrication manufacture the thickness of the steel plates are often determined by the metal section required at the weld joints. The subject apparatus and method overcomes this problem by selectively forming a thickened edge along the edge of a thinner steel plate which can now be limited to the thickness required to withstand the stresses on the fabrication. The thickened edge is produced by passing a plate supported on a table through a forming apparatus having a forming roller. The table is movable in an oblique direction relative to the plate so that the shape of the thickened edge may be varied. The forming apparatus and table are automatically controlled to produce a thickened edge of a desired shape intermittently or continuously along a linear or non-linear edge of the plate.

Abstract: An engraving apparatus for engraving the outer surface of a cylinder used in a gravure printing process includes an engraving stylus mounted onto a shaft for engraving the surface of the cylinder. A drive mechanism is employed for producing angular movement of the shaft and the stylus aboout the central axis of the shaft. A position sensor comprising a light beam illuminator and a light beam detector is associated with the shaft to sense the angular movement of the shaft and produce a shaft position signal representative thereof. A reference signal generator is employed for producing a reference drive signal and a video signal generator is used to produce a video drive signal representative of the information to be engraved into the surface of the cylinder.

Abstract: Bore holes are formed in opposite side walls of a part in alignment with each other by two separate cutting tools in two separate machine tools disposed on opposite sides of the part. One of the machine tools is a master and the other is a slave with the master machine tool being disposed at the position at which it is to form a bore hole in one of the opposite side walls. Then, the slave machine tool is moved so that the longitudinal axis of its spindle is in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the spindle of the master machine tool whereby the two bore holes will be aligned with each other and extend through the entire part. This alignment is accomplished by a laser on a spindle carrier of the master machine tool producing a laser beam in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the spindle of each of the spindle carriers and being received by a laser target on the spindle carrier of the slave machine tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for connection to a machine tool having a rotating head and a fixed part is capable of automatically moving a cutting tool radially while a spindle carrying the cutting tool rotates. The apparatus includes a body which is engageable to the tool machine so as to remain fixed with respect to a central axis. A spindle is rotatably mounted to the body and is connected to the head of the tool machine for rotation. A slide holder is fixed to the spindle and carries a toolholder for sliding movement in a radial direction with respect to the central axis. An electric motor is mounted in the non-rotating body and drives a gear train which can radially move the toolholder while the spindle, slide holder and toolholder rotate. A position transducer is engaged with the electric motor for determining its position and thus the position of the toolholder on the spindle.

Abstract: A machine tool includes a tool holder supporting a cutting tool and receivable in a tool spindle. A device is provided in the tool holder to be engageable with a work table for adjusting the radial position of the cutting tool by utilizing the relative movement between the tool spindle and the work table. A contact detecting device detects the contact between the work table and the adjusting device. Relative movement between the tool spindle and the work table is caused to adjust the radial position of the cutting tool after the contact between the work table and the adjusting device is detected.

Abstract: A tool setting device for a machine tool (10) having a numerical control (22) includes a gage unit (24) with a frame (26) adapted to be secured upon a slide (20) of the machine tool. A photodetector, which includes a source (96) and a receiver (98), is mounted upon the frame for generating a first signal indicating the arrival of the tip of a tool (18). A slide (64) mounted upon the frame carries an engagement head (38) adapted to be contacted and displaced by the tool tip. An LVDT (60) is mounted upon the frame in proximity to the engagement head for sensing its axial displacements. A control meter relay (86,88) is operatively connected to the LVDT and generates a second signal after initial displacement of the engagement head and a third signal after displacement of the engagement head to a reference position.

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.