Abstract: A system and method for modifying a gas turbine engine in the field to drill a series of cooling holes in a turbine rotor disk made of a superalloy. A portable field repair system includes a stand configured to receive, support, and position a turbine rotor disk, a drill having a self-feeding spindle and configured to automatically drill a predetermined depth through a superalloy and to automatically stop upon completion, a drill guide configured to coordinate the drill with a plurality of radial axes associated with a precise hole pattern to be cut and a drill mount configured to mechanically couple the drill to the drill guide and to position the drill during the modification of the gas turbine engine turbine rotor disk.

Abstract: A self-service, fully-automatic kiosk for duplicating keys includes a kiosk housing having a customer interface for receiving payment from a customer for the purchase of at least one duplicate of the customer's key. A key analysis system within the housing analyzes the blade of a key inserted in the key-receiving entry to determine whether the inserted key matches one of a group of preselected key types and, if so, which preselected key type is matched. A key blank extraction system extracts from a magazine within the kiosk a key blank for the preselected key type matched by the blade of the key inserted in the key-receiving entry. Then a key duplicating system within the kiosk replicates the tooth pattern of the blade of the key inserted in the key-receiving entry, on the blade of the extracted key blank. The kiosk includes a processor coupled to sensors and controllable devices within the kiosk and to a communications port for communicating with a remote central server.

Abstract: A wall trim coping assembly includes a frame with a front side, a back side, a first lateral side and a second lateral side. A plurality of first rails extends between the front and back sides. A chassis is mounted on the first rails. A second rail is mounted to the chassis and is orientated perpendicular to the first rails. A cutting assembly is mounted on the second rail. A receiving plate is mounted on the frame and a guide plate is mounted to the frame. An engagement member mounted to a chassis is configured to engage and follow the contouring of a face of guide trim removably clamped to the receiving plate. Wall trim is positioned on the receiving plate and is cut by the cutting assembly as the engagement member follows the guide trim.

Abstract: A copy cutting machine includes a base having a worktable, a rack movable on the worktable and for holding a workpiece for cutting. A pointer is movable to trace the contour of a pattern and to guide the movement of the rack subject to the contour of the pattern via a connection bar connected between the rack and the pointer. A rolling cutter is inserted through the worktable and the rack and is rotatable to cut the workpiece carried in the rack. A motor drive is arranged for rotating the rolling cutter. A support arm is fixedly mounted on the base, a first cutter holder is connected to the support arm to hold one end of the rolling cutter, and a second cutter holder is mounted in the base to hold the other end of the rolling cutter.

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: Apparatus for enabling a tool (5) to reproduce a pattern from a template (11) on a workpiece (9), the apparatus comprising a first support mechanism (1) which supports the tool (5) in a spaced relationship with a pattern follower (7), a second support mechanism (3) which supports the template (11) and the workpiece (9) in a spaced relationship which one another, the first and second support mechanisms (1, 3) being brought together in use such that the pattern follower (7) overlies the pattern on the template (11) and the tool (5) overlies the workpiece (9), wherein the first support mechanism (1) and the second support mechanism (3) are not connected to one another. The movement of the pattern follower (7) as it follows the pattern on the template (11) produces an identical movement of the tool (5) over the workpiece (9).

Abstract: A lathe attachment device is disclosed for producing long articles with complicated profiles. The device contains a beveled multi-teeth cutter driven to rotate in a direction opposite the rotation of a billet to ensure a very short period of contact time between an individual cutting tooth and the article. The cutter is slightly tilted towards the billet in both horizontal and vertical plane. The teeth of the cutter are shaped to each have a pointed end facing the rough part of the billet. Provisions are made to draw the cutter along the billet. The device allows producing a smooth finished long article with complicated surface profile in a single pass with high productivity. Due to limited contact time, it offers extended life of the cutter. The device is used most advantageously to produce long wood articles.

Abstract: A three-dimensional mirror-image duplicating carver for producing a three-dimensional mirror-image of a three-dimensional object. First and second platforms are rotatably connected to a frame about spaced apart parallel first and second axes, respectively, and also parallel to the base. The platforms rotate equal and in opposite directions only to effect repositioning. A three-dimensional object to be duplicated in mirror image is attached to and positioned centrally on the first platform while a carvable workpiece is attached to and positioned centrally on the second platform. A support member includes a stylus and a carving tool having a carving tip spaced from the stylus a distance equal to the distance between the first and second axes and lying in a plane perpendicular to said base.

Abstract: A customized prosthesis, or instrument, for medical/dental applications is provided which replicates the desired bone-graft, tooth, or tool, being replaced. The dimensions of the prosthesis, or instrument, are determined by mathematically interpolating key-points that characterize a specific part. A computer controlled machine then cuts the desired part out of a pre-fabricated blank, directly at the site of operation. Methods of the invention relate to selecting the type of part being replaced, identifying and measuring the coordinates of key-points for that part, and initializing the automated machining process. Also, special supporting devices that include pre-fabricated features common between certain parts, are used in order to facilitate the machining process. The identification of key-points is done by comparing a schematic drawing of the type of part being replaced to the actual part. A grid is then used to measure the coordinates for those key-points.

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: A key imaging system and method for identifying and matching a key blank with an original key when duplicating an original key by placing the key on a supporting flat surface and forming images of the grooves and indentations on the shank of the original key by illuminating the lateral surface containing the grooves and indentations and imaging those grooves and indentations by reflecting light off of the surrounding reflective surface and scattering light off of the grooves and indentations. The resultant images are scanned and recorded by means of a digital video camera/scanner. The scanned image is relayed to a computer where it is saved in computer memory. The saved image is compared to previously stored known original key blank images for the purpose of indicating a precise duplicate key blank matching the original key.

Abstract: A key imaging system for identifying and matching a key blank with an original key when duplicating an original key by placing the key on a supporting flat surface and forming images of the grooves and indentations on the shank of the original key by illuminating the lateral surface containing the grooves and indentations and imaging those grooves and indentations by reflecting light off of the surrounding reflective surface and scattering light off of the grooves and indentations. The resultant images are scanned and recorded by means of a digital video camera/scanner. The scanned image is relayed to a computer where it is saved in computer memory. The saved image is compared to previously stored known original key blank images for the purpose of indicating a precise duplicate key blank matching the original key.

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 method of cloning printed wiring boards by milling one side of the board to a minimum thickness, then X-raying the board to produce a film negative. This negative is photographed to provide a reversed negative which is converted to a diazo photograph.

Abstract: An X-Y coordinate carriage for a routing machine with which such a routing machine can be retrofitted. The coordinate carriage includes a cross-carriage and a longitudinal carriage having a torsion- and bending-resistant frame of lightweight construction, displaceably guided by mutually spaced bearings on a guide shaft mountable laterally to a worktable of the routing machine and supported on an opposite side of the worktable by a support roller against a support rod fastened laterally thereto and running parallel to the guide shaft. Guide shafts and retaining blocks support and guide the cross carriage, and bearing blocks are provided for displaceable mounting the cross carriage. The bearing blocks are disposed in spaces between hollow members of the longitudinal carriage and the cross carriage, whereby the guide shafts run approximately at a level of longitudinal horizontal center plane of the hollow members of the longitudinal carriage.

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 apparatus for shaping a wooden workpiece according to a template configuration including a carriage supported on a motion translating device displaceable either longitudinally or transversely. A template follower is secured to the carriage and is engagable with selected templates. Any of a selected number of cutter heads may be brought into engagement with the workpiece by rotating a turret carrying the selected cutters to the desired position and engaging the cutter shaft with the motor shaft at a detachable coupling. Another embodiment of the invention utilizes a pantograph mechanism and is adaptable for use with conventional shapers.

Abstract: A carving machine which has a tubular framework that allows easy attachment of one or more supplemental frames and additional carving spindles to the base frame. The length of the machine frame also can be extended very easily to accommodate longer workpieces. The carver includes individual motors driving the carving tools. The motors are mounted in housings provided with vacuum attachments for inducing a flow of cooling air for the individual motors. The housings also are sound deadened to reduce the noise level.

Abstract: A method of controlling an operation of a copy-cutting apparatus including a tracer for tracing automatically a pattern and a cutting gas torch interconnected to the tracer in a given relationship. Prior to the actual working, the tracer is manually moved with respect to the pattern along a given path and stores coordinates of operational points such as a piercing point, a copy start point, a copy end point, an intermediate point, a slow down point, etc. During the actual working the stored coordinates are read out to control the movement of the tracer in such a manner that until the tracer has reached a copy start point the copying apparatus is set in a position setting mode in which the tracer is moved under the control of the read out coordinates. After the tracer has reached the copy start point the copying apparatus is switched into a copying mode in which the movement of tracer along the pattern is controlled by detecting the pattern.

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.

Abstract: A carving machine which has universally movable multiple work spindles mounted on a frame, and movable along rails in a normal manner. The tracing station (the station which holds the pattern used in the carving operation) is located outboard of one lateral side of the rails, and outboard of the frame, so that a worker can easily trace on large patterns at the tracing station.