Abstract: A key duplicating apparatus having automatic key clamping mechanisms for a master key and a key blank, a circular key follower and a key cutter mounted on a pivoting base that pivots and slides on a support shaft, and a mounting plate for mounting the clamping mechanisms and the support shaft. The apparatus is preferably automatically controlled by a microprocessing circuit. Also, the circular key follower is eccentrically mounted on a mounting shaft for adjustment of the depth of cutting of the key blank.

Abstract: A method of working on a sloping surface of work is disclosed by means of a numerically controlled machine tool comprising a cutting tool carried by a spindle movable along three orthogonal axes, and a worktable rotatable both about its own axis and about another axis angularly displaced 45 degrees therefrom. The tool movements along the three axes and the worktable revolutions about the two axes are all controlled by a numerical control system, to which there are input prescribed data concerning the particular workpiece to be machined. The numerical control system is programmed to cause the machine tool to work, for example, on a conical surface or to drill one, two or more holes in preassigned positions on a sloping surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool radius compensation method for numerically controlled apparatus in which the coordinates Pi of the position of a tool center are computed which is offset a distance equal to the radius r of the tool in a direction normal to a surface to be cut based on commanded positional information P.sub.1, Pc and P.sub.2, for enabling the tool to three-dimensionally cut a workpiece. Based on the positional information P.sub.1, Pc and P.sub.2, a unit offset vector Vi is determined which lies on a plane defined by vectors U and V normal to first and second surfaces to be cut at a three-dimensional corner point Pc. Components along respective axes of the unit offset vector Vi are corrected so that the tool center will move smoothly along a curve contiguous to paths of movement of the tool center before and after the three-dimensional corner point Pc.

Abstract: A kit and method for constructing a temporary key template from a key code of a lock having pin tumblers is disclosed. The temporary key template is used as a master in order to make a permanent duplicate key having appropriate serrations from a suitable uncut key. The kit includes a converter blank key having an elongate bar in which a plurality of apertures are provided. These apertures are spaced at predetermined distances from one another which correspond to the respective distances between the pin tumblers of the lock. A plurality of different pins are provided which are adapted to be inserted into any of the apertures so that a predetermined upper portion of the pin extends above the elongate bar. The particular pin need for an aperture is determined by the key code so that by filling the appropriate apertures with appropriate pins, a temporary key template is constructed which is easily duplicated on a conventional key duplicating machine.

Abstract: A machine tool is provided with a controller for computing, as a function of an established radius and a preset feedrate, a rotational speed for rotating the machine spindle to provide a uniform surface speed at the working edge of a tool as the tool alternates between linear movement along an X and/or Y axis and arcuate movement along the C-axis of the spindle. A method is provided for gauging straight surfaces and adjoining arcs at a constant feedrate without interruption.

Abstract: Apparatus for fabricating a compensating filter for use in radiation therapy includes a stylus for tracing the profile of a surface portion of a patient and a cutter for cutting a form. The stylus and cutter are positioned on first and second guides which are connected by a tie bar. A plurality of linkages translate movement of the stylus along its guide to the cutter along its guide. A mold is cut in the form which is filled with compensating material for forming the filter. The ratio of movement of the stylus to the cutter is established by the linkages in accordance with the ratio of radiation absorption of the compensating material to the radiation absorption of human tissue.

Abstract: An area cutting method for cutting the interior of an area (AR) bounded by an external shape curve (OLC) including a number of straight lines (S1, S2, . . . S6) and a circular arc (A1). The method includes linearly approximating a circular arc portion (A1') of an offset curve (OFC) which is offset a predetermined amount from the external shape curve. Then an area bounded by the linearly approximated offset curve is divided into a plurality of convex polygons (PG1-PG3). The centroid (Wi) of each convex polygon and the mid-points (M1, M2) of boundary lines (B1, B2) of two mutually adjacent convex polygons are calculated, and a base line (BL) is generated by successively connecting each centroid and each mid-point.

Abstract: A clamp profiling control method in which a profiling feed operation, a profiling starting point return operation and a pick-feed operation are performed alternately, and in which a clamp feed is performed at a set clamp level (LCZ), which method includes specifying a clamp region (H1) by storing an initial position (A) at which clamp feed is performed and a position (B) at which clamp feed is no longer performed during the course of profiling feed, executing repetitive clamp profiling control within the clamp region while changing the clamp level (LCZ) and, when the clamp feed is no longer performed even once in the course of clamp profiling control, setting the clamp level to an initial value and proceeding to the next profiling region where the profiling feed operation, profiling starting point return operation and pick-feed operation are performed.

Abstract: A method of flank milling complex surfaces comprising the steps of analyzing the design surface to determine discrete areas in which straight lines can be drawn, determining straight lines in the discrete areas, transposing the coordinates of these straight lines and comparing them with the flank tool cutter positions, determining the tool positions to said straight lines, back generating the contact lines of said surface and comparing these with the design surface, determining the number of passes of said cutter tool and generating data for numerical control machining.

Abstract: A tool compensation method for cutting a surface on a workpiece having a slanted surface. A radius at a final point is determined by a path computing unit using coordinates of the final cutting point and a tool height. Based on these values thus determined, coordinates of a final offset position, which is aligned with a tool center, is also computed. Corrective values in the directions of the X and Y axes are determined using the computed coordinates and coordinates of a starting offset position, to thereby correct the movement of the tool center.

Abstract: A method and an article, produced by the method, of symbols arranged in a group, taken from a plurality of identifiable symbols, and which may be produced in one piece from a plate of metal with the aid of a set of separate master symbols, wherein selected of the master symbols represent the group of arranged symbols, and with the aid of a transfer-and metal-removing mechanism for transferring the contours of the master symbols onto the plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manipulating an engraving tool in the processing of a plurality of jobs wherein an intelligent terminal processes data supplied by a user, the processed data being transferred to a control unit wherein the data is used to modify instructions from a master font located therein. Within the control unit, the modified master font instructions are transformed into drive signals which are then relayed to a mechanical tool manipulating means, wherein the mechanical tool is manipulated in response to the drive instructions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting wallboards, such as gypsum wallboards or rock wallboards to an appropriate size and shape, and for locating utility boxes hidden behind a panelled wall and cutting of a section of the wall at the opening of the utility boxes. The apparatus of the invention comprises a portable hand tool having an adjustable rest for adjusting the depth of cut and a built-in ruler-guide arrangement permitting to cut parallel to a side of a wallboard or permitting to cut circles in a wallboard. The hand tool may be used in combination with a separate locator and cut-out template member positioned in utility boxes mounted behind an installed wall, which provides an indication of the location of each utility box by way of a wallboard puncturing prong, for cutting out an opening in the wallboard, following appropriate guide grooves in the face of the locator and cut-out template.

Abstract: An arrangement for removing excess material from an object surface, to provide a desired finished surface. Holes are drilled into the object so that the bottoms of the holes lie on the desired finished surface. The holes have a shape so that the observed hole diameter at the prevailing surface of the object is dependent on the hole depth and thereby dependent on the amount of material remaining to be removed between the prevailing surface and the desired finished surface. The prevailing surface is continuously observed and measured, and the depths of material to be removed in a sequence of steps is calculated dependent on the measurements of the prevailing surface and the coordinates of the desired finished surface. As a result of the calculations, the depth of material removed during each step is controlled, so that upon carrying out a sequence of such steps, the surface exposed on the object after the last step has been carried out, coincides with the desired finished surface.

Abstract: An arrangement for removing excess material from an object surface, to provide a desired finished surface. Holes are drilled into the object so that the bottoms of the holes lie on the desired finished surface. The holes have a shape so that the observed hole diameter at the prevailing surface of the object is dependent on the hole depth and thereby dependent on the amount of material remaining to be removed between the prevailing surface and the desired finished surface. The prevailing surface is continuously observed and measured, and the depths of material to be removed in a sequence of steps is calculated dependent on the measurements of the prevailing surface and the coordinates of the desired finished surface. As a result of the calculations, the depth of material removed during each step is controlled, so that upon carrying out a sequence of such steps, the surface exposed on the object after the last step has been carried out, coincides with the desired finished surface.

Abstract: An improved machine tool includes an extendible ram or tool support arm. As the ram is extended, the outer end portion of the ram deflects downwardly under the influence of gravity. To compensate for the deflection of the ram, the angular orientation of the ram relative to upwardly extending tracks is changed to raise the outer end portion of the ram. This is accomplished by means of gibs or deflection compensation cams which are moved to rotate a carriage or saddle on which the ram is mounted. The extent of deflection of the ram varies as a function of the distance which it extends outwardly from the carriage. Therefore it is necessary to store data indicative of the deflection of the ram at various degrees of extension and to adjust the orientation of the ram in accordance with this data as the ram is extended. The data indicating the extent to which the ram deflects is stored by means of a cam mounted on the carriage. The cam is read by a transducer which moves with the ram.