Abstract: An intellectual automatic tool changer (ATC) speed moderating system, which is disposed between a tool magazine and a tool exchanging arm, includes an image capture device for capturing the image of tools, and a processing device connected with the image capturing device. The processing device includes a receiving module for receiving the images of tools, a calculating module for calculating an assessment value of a tool according to the image of the tool, and a signal transmitting module connected with a controller of the tool exchanging arm for transmitting the assessment value of the tool to the controller. Therefore, the tool changing speed of the tool changing arm is controlled and moderated.

Abstract: A tool radius adjusting device executes an operation for adjusting the tool radius of a boring holder in parallel with execution of a machining program for executing an operation of a spindle head and an operation of a tool changer. A carrier control unit determines whether the tool changer is executing a tool changing process. When the tool changing process is not being executed, the carrier control unit allows the carrier device to execute an operation for picking the boring holder out from the tool magazine and an operation for returning the boring holder, of which the tool radius has been adjusted, to the tool magazine.

Abstract: A head tool changer for use with a deposition-based digital manufacturing system, the head tool changer comprising a tooling unit configured to retain a deposition head, a grip unit configured to engage with tooling unit and to relay electrical power to the tooling unit, and a master unit operably mounted to a gantry and configured to engage with the tooling unit and to relay electrical power to the tooling unit.

Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and tool changing system for changing tools on a machine. The tool changing system includes a tool magazine, a tool transporter, and an automatic tool changer (ATC). The ATC includes a tool holder and a tool changer. The tool magazine is configured to store at least one tool received at the tool loading station. The tool transporter is configured to transport a tool from the tool loading station or the tool magazine to a tool transfer position of the ATC, and to hold the tool at the tool transfer position during an automatic tool change process. The tool holder is configured to hold the tool at the tool transfer position during the automatic tool change process when the tool transporter is not positioned at the tool transfer position. The tool changer is configured to provide the tool at the tool transfer position to a tool change position of a machine during the automatic tool change process.

Abstract: Method for a memory including a first, second, third and fourth cells include applying a read, program, or erase voltage, the first and second cells coupled to a first top interconnect, the third and fourth cells coupled to a second top interconnect, the first and third cells coupled to a first bottom interconnect, the second and fourth cells are to a second bottom interconnect, each cell includes a switching material overlying a non-linear element (NLE), the resistive switching material is associated with a first conductive threshold voltage, the NLE is associated with a lower, second conductive threshold voltage, comprising applying the read voltage between the first top and the first bottom electrode to switch the NLE of the first cell to conductive, while the NLEs of the second, third, and the fourth cells remain non-conductive, and detecting a read current across the first cell in response to the read voltage.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a tool replacement system that is capable of preventing the waiting time from occurring as much as possible although an intermediate magazine arranged therefore has a smaller capacity than prior arts. In the tool replacement system, programs pertaining to the sequence of operation and operation time of operating tools 7 are established, wherein, when the operation time of individual tools 7 is shorter than the conveyance time for reciprocation of the tool conveyance apparatus 3 between the tool magazine 1 and the tool replacement arm 4, the object can be solved by realizing transfer of at least a part of the tools planned to be operated in a next process of the corresponding individual tools 7 to the tool replacement arm 4 after the tools are arranged to the intermediate magazine 5.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for replacing a process instrument in a processing apparatus, in which a target object is loaded by transfer mechanism into a processing unit and is subjected to a process by use of the process instrument. The method includes confirming that a process on the target object is finished in a processing unit designated as a process instrument replacement target, and providing information that a process instrument replacing operation is permitted to start. The method further includes, when a shutter of the processing unit designated as the process instrument replacement target is closed to perform a process instrument replacing operation and an operation prohibition state is thereby applied to the transfer mechanism, canceling the operation prohibition state to allow the transfer mechanism to perform a load/unload operation relative to a processing unit not designated as a process instrument replacement target.

Abstract: A device for cutting tubular and rod-shaped work pieces using the whirling method includes a whirling unit on which a holder mounted so as to rotate, connected with a drive, for a saw blade having internal teeth is disposed. The holder and saw blade are provided with corresponding reference mechanisms for fixation of the saw blade in a defined position. The device also includes a mechanism for automatic replacement of the saw blade. A saw blade having internal teeth is also provided for use in this device. The saw blade has at least two indexing bores and at least two gripping openings, which are disposed offset relative to one another.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for replacing a process instrument in a processing apparatus, in which a target object is loaded by a transfer mechanism into a processing unit and is subjected to a process by use of the process instrument. The method includes confirming that a process on the target object is finished in a processing unit designated as a process instrument replacement target, and providing information that a process instrument replacing operation is permitted to start. The method further includes, when a shutter of the processing unit designated as the process instrument replacement target is closed to perform a process instrument replacing operation and an operation prohibition state is thereby applied to the transfer mechanism, canceling the operation prohibition state to allow the transfer mechanism to perform a load/unload operation relative to a processing unit not designated as a process instrument replacement target.

Abstract: A reconfigurable system having at least one detachable component and at least one detachable head assembly. The reconfigurable system may be a numerically controlled (NC) machine for manufacturing processes, such as milling or automatic fiber placement (AFP). The reconfigurable system may further comprise a gantry structure comprised of movably attached beams on which detachable components may be movably attached. The detachable components may include a concave component and a convex component. At least one detachable head assembly may be movably attached to at least one of the detachable components. The detachable components and head assemblies may be at least one of physically, electrically, and pneumatically connected to a connecting assembly attached to the gantry structure.

Abstract: A tool changer includes a tool attachment mechanism and a changer electronics module. The changer electronics module implements a tool changer node on a device network for the tool changer and a tool plate node on the device network for a tool plate of an automated tool that may be latched to the tool changer.

Abstract: A system and method for a rail assembly ensures that the correct arms are connected to the correct receivers. Each arm has a unique associated arm code, and each receiver is assigned a unique receiver code based on the job to be performed by the rail assembly. After the arms are connected to the receivers, a processor compares the receiver code of each receiver with the arm code of the arm inserted in that receiver. If the two codes do not match, the system generates an alert to notify the user of the improper connection. The alert may be an audible alert, a visual alert, and/or an operational stoppage of the rail assembly.

Abstract: A tool changing device of a machine tool which prevents chips adhering to a tool. By using a drive motor with which a tool changing device of the machine tool is usually provided, to vibrate the tool, the chips are prevented from adhering to the tool, especially to a tapered portion of the tool, and/or the chips adhered to the tool are removed, without using any additional device.

Abstract: A bending press system provided with a bending press (1) with at least one bending station to mount a plurality of divided tools, tool housing devices (65, 123) to house divided metals to be used on the bending press, tool exchange devices (61, 143) which mount the divided tools on the bending station, and provide a first memory (403) which stores housed positions of each divided tool housed in the housing devices and a second memory (405) which stores the bending line length of the bent part, the flange length and the bending angle of the bent product, a first computation (407) which, based on the bending line length, flange length, and bending angle, computes the tool (cross section shape) type and the length of the bending station, a second computation (409) which, based on the tool type and length of the bending station computes the arrangement of each divided tool on the bending station, and an NC control (411) which controls the tool exchange device so that each divided tool is moved from the housed pos

Abstract: The present invention is an automatic tool changer. The automatic tool changer is adapted to perform a tool magazine indexing operation in response to an indexing command and perform a tool changing operation in response to a tool changing command. If an indexing command is not output within a predetermined time period after completion of a tool changing operation, power to the servo motor driving the tool magazine is temporarily stopped and when the next indexing command is output, the power to the servo motor is resumed to perform the indexing operation. If a tool changing command is not output within a predetermined time period after completion of the tool magazine indexing operation, the power supply to the servo motor is temporarily stopped and when the next tool changing command is output, the power to the servo motor is resumed to perform the tool changing operation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an indexing tool turret assembly and method for operating the same. The indexing tool turret assembly includes a tool turret assembly rotatably supported on the machine tool, an indexing assembly for selectively rotating the tool turret assembly to a desired location. The indexing assembly includes a locking assembly to prevent rotation of the tool turret assembly during operation of either a stationary tool assembly or live tool assembly located on the tool turret assembly. A cushioning bearing assembly is provided for selectively separating the tool turret assembly from the locking mechanism during an indexing operation. The cushioning bearing assembly provides a slight lift to separate the tool turret assembly from the locking mechanism to reduce friction and other potential damages forces between these components.

Abstract: There is provided a machining control system which is capable of keeping the optimum machining states and enhancing the efficiency and the reliability even in the case where an actual machining environment fluctuates. A machining control system includes a machining information determination portion (102) for determining initial machining conditions (107) on the basis of information (105) stored in a machining data base (101) and in accordance with adaptive control characteristics (106) defined by adaptive control modes and adaptive control parameters, and an adaptive control portion (103) for controlling the machining in appropriate states by changing the machining conditions in accordance with the machining states observed during the machining with the initial machining conditions (107) as an initial value of the machining conditions.

Abstract: A machine tool includes a tool magazine for accommodating a plurality of tools, the tool magazine including a tool ejecting section, feeding means for selectively feeding one of the tools accommodated in the tool magazine to the tool ejecting section of the tool magazine, and feed control means for controlling the feeding means so that a feeding speed of the feeding means is set on the basis of a type of a machining operation executed during feed of the tool.

Abstract: In a tool changer system comprising one or more tool grippers together with a pressure foot insert change pod supported on a U-V slide which is independent of the machine work table. The slide services a tool magazine mounted on the machine tool in close proximity to the work table. Because the tool changer is independent of the machine table, the selection and retrieval of the next tool to be used is performed while the machine tool is working in a work cycle. Similarly, the replacement of the used tool back into its storage location is also performed while the machine tool is working. Exchange of the pressure foot insert is also done as part of the tool change process in part during the tool change work cycle. Time is saved because the machine tool work need not be interrupted and the machine tool table need not be moved to accommodate the tool change.

Abstract: A single driving system (4, 5, 6) is provided for a plurality of pairs of controlled systems and axis controllers (1, 12:2, 13). This driving system is connected to a required pair of the controlled systems and the axis controllers as needed using an axis changing device (3) and a changing controller (7). At this time, the shaft position data of the driving system, at the time when a controlled system is separated from the driving system, is stored in a first axis shaft position data storing device (8) or a second axis shaft position data storing device (11). When the connection is returned, an offset signal is sent to the changing controller (7) from a first axis shaft position offset calculator (9) or a second axis shaft position offset calculator (10). Thus, a plurality of controlled systems can be driven by a single driving system.

Abstract: An automatic programming system is provided for a lathe which has more than one spindle. The system has one program which controls the machining processes which are performed using the spindles. The same program also controls a process which transfers a workpiece between the spindles. Additionally, the programming system is able to relocate the origin of a coordinate system used as a reference for the machining based on data relating to the length of the workpiece and the distance between the chucks of the spindles.

Abstract: An automated workstation is adapted to cut parts of different size and shape from workpieces of flat sheet or molded preforms. A fixtured workpiece is moved into the work area of a preprogrammed cutting robot on a shuttle table. The position of the workpiece to be cut is determined by the robot which cuts it using preprogrammed instructions for the desired part. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of independently operable shuttle tables are provided so that the robot can work substantially continuously while workpieces are load, unloaded, machined or moved around.

Abstract: The invention provides an automatically operable manufacturing and machining plant. It comprises a plurality of machining cells, a management system for the workpieces including storage appliances for storing the workpieces, transporting appliances for transporting the workpieces and handling appliances for manipulating the workpieces, and a data handling and exchange system for controlling the operations of the manufacturing and machining plant. The data handling and exchange system comprises a first external data handling and exchange network with a central data processing unit for the exchange of operation control data between the central data processing unit and the machining cells and for the exchange of transporting control data between the central processing unit and the transporting appliances. Further, there is provided a second internal data handling and exchange network for the exchange of data between the storage appliances, the transporting appliances and the handling appliances.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the speed and efficiency of a drilling machine during the drilling of holes in printed circuit boards includes automatically setting a dwell time according to one or more predefined drilling parameters. A plurality of dwell times which vary in accordance with the predefined parameters are stored in a computer memory device. A drilling machine controller automatically selects an optimal dwell time from the memory device according to the drilling conditions of a particular drilling operation so that the shortest feasible dwell time is used for obtaining a desired degree of hole placement accuracy and hole quality for the drilling operation. The apparatus is a drilling machine system that includes a controller which contains dwell times that vary in accordance with the diameter of a drill tool.

Abstract: To embody a method for automatically editing multi-faced polyhedron machining processes in a manner capable of efficiently operating a machine tool, a processor of an automatic programming apparatus causes a first one of definition statements associated with upper face machining to be transferred from a first file of a memory device of the programming apparatus to a second file and to be deleted from the first file (S13), and sequentially performs transfer of upper face machining process definition statements, specifying the same tool number as that specified by the first one of the upper face machining process definition statements, to the second file, and deletion of these statements from the first file. Similar processing is sequentially performed for each of different tool numbers, whereby the upper face machining process definition statements for each tool number are collectively stored in the second file.

Abstract: In a machine tool such as a machining center or the like having an automatic tool changing apparatus, the tool holders adapted to respectively hold the tools provided for the automatic tool change are equipped with transmitters for transmitting signals indicative of tool data including the tool discrimination data of the tools. The receiver which receives the transmitted signals from the transmitters is attached to the machine tool. When a transmitter approaches the receiver, the transmitted data is received by the receiver. The kind and other data concerning the tool stored in the tool holder to which a transmitter is attached can be discriminated by the control unit of the machine tool on the basis of the received data.

Abstract: A tool management method in a factory automation (FA) system uses an FA computer and machining cells. An FA computer such as a cell controller is connected with computer numerically-controlled units via bi-directional communication lines. When data on a tool service life or the like is changed on the cell controller (S1, S2), the changed data on the tool service life is sent to a computer numerically-controlled unit (S3) to update the data on the tool service life stored in the computer numerically-controlled unit (CNC) (S4). Similarly, when the computer numerically-controlled unit changes the number of times the tool has been used or the like, the changed data is sent to the cell controller in the same way. This enables the cell controller to be always informed of the most recent tool management data. And as the computer numerically-controlled units can immediately obtain tool management data that has been changed at the cell controller, a more efficient tool management is ensured.

Abstract: The numerically controlled machine tool provided with an automatic tool exchange device and a work indexing device. After the spindle head completely retreats, the preparation for the next tool, the exchange of the tools or the change of the machined surface are carried out. Since the interference region at the time of the change of the machined surface is determined, the tools can be exchanged closest to the work but without interfering with the work. The indirect operation time required for the exchange of the tools and the change of the machined surface can be minimized. When the work has multiple surfaces to machine, the work can be rotated minimum angle in a predetermined direction without interfering with the peripheral device by the indexing device to change the machined surface. The operator can confirm the direction on the display.

Abstract: Automatic machine tool head designed for the assembly of mechanical sub-assemblies such as aircraft, automobile and vessel structures, etc., comprising equipment used for rapid coupling and changeover of multi-task end effectors (MTEE), the equipment presenting a pair of Cartesian axes after two polar axes.