Abstract: A work piece carrier is provided with two reference systems for accurately positioning it with regard to a chuck member. The work piece carrier comprises a central aperture with the two opposite ends of the aperture surrounded by one of the reference systems. The two reference systems are independent from each other and allow the work piece carrier to be attached to the chuck member in two different positions. Assigned to each reference system is a protrusion surrounding the central aperture and extending substantially in the direction of the central longitudinal axis of the work piece carrier. The particular protrusion is provided with a shoulder serving as a clamping surface, adapted to be engaged by clamping elements provided in the chuck member. Preferably, also the centering elements for defining the position of the work piece carrier with regard to the chuck member are located on the particular protrusion.

Abstract: A clamping fixture features a chuck provided with a locking mechanism for releasably locating a workpiece pallet. The locking mechanism comprises a plurality of clamping members which in the locked position are engineered to engage a clamping spigot connected to the workpiece pallet. Each clamping member, or alternatively an actuating member assigned to a clamping member, is provided with a feedthru bore which on correct locking and/or release of the corresponding clamping members is closed off at one end. The feedthru bores are connectable by a common connecting conduit to a compressed air source. In addition, at least one sensor is provided for sensing air flow in the connecting conduit by means of which it can detected whether the clamping members are correctly released or locked.

Abstract: A clamping fixture comprises a chuck (1) and a workpiece pallet (22) releasably located thereon. The chuck (1) is provided with a clamping mechanism for locating the workpiece pallet (22). The clamping mechanism comprises a plurality of clamping members configured as plungers (10). The workpiece pallet (22) comprises a clamping surface (28a) running essentially along its shell surface (26) for surface contacting the plungers (10) by its front part (12) provided with a compression surface (13) during clamping.

Abstract: A handling manipulator assembly comprises a vertical extending main support (2) arranged on a rotary plate (3). Arranged on the main support (2) is a vertically travelling vertical carriage (9) to which a horizontal extension arm (12) is secured. Mounted on the horizontal extension arm (12) is an articulated arm (14) provided at the end with a manipulator gripper (18). Such a handling manipulator assembly (1) is suitable to advantage to feed/remove tools or workpieces to/from a machine tool provided with a front portal.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus comprises a chuck member and a collet member that includes, at its rear side, a peripheral shoulder. The top side of this shoulder is provided with a thrust surface adapted to engage radially displaceable clamping balls of the chuck member. The bottom side of the shoulder is provided with four centering grooves that cooperate with four centering cams provided in the chuck member. Upon clamping the collet member to the chuck member, the collet member is positioned in X- and Y-directions as well as regarding the angular orientation around the Z-axis by means of the centering cams of the chuck member engaging the centering grooves of the collet member. The collet member is provided with an annular rear surface adapted to rest on Z-reference surface portions of the chuck member upon clamping the collet member to the chuck member.

Abstract: A system and a method for joining non-transparent parts (1, 2) by means of an electromagnetic radiation curable adhesive comprises at least one at least partly transparent element (3) inserted between the parts (1, 2) to be joined together such that electromagnetic radiation beamed into the element (3) initiates curing of a film of adhesive applied to the element (3) and/or to a non-transparent part (1, 2).

Abstract: The clamping apparatus comprises a first coupling element and a second coupling element that can be releasably attached thereto. The first coupling element is provided with four at least partially conical centering pins that are adapted to engage four grooves correspondingly arranged on the second coupling element. Both coupling elements have stop surfaces serving as Z references, cooperating upon clamping together the two coupling elements to determine the position of the second coupling element with regard to the first coupling element in Z-direction once they are clamped together. The centering pins are, in relation to the grooves, designed such that each centering pin rests only on one flank of the associated groove. Thus, a gap remains between the centering pin and the other flank of the groove.

Abstract: In a system for an exchange of information between a machine tool (1) and a transfer device (11) for feeding blank or pre-machined work pieces or tools to the machine tool (1) or removing machined products or tools from the machine tool (1), the machine tool (1) comprises a control unit (3) and an interface (4), whereby the control unit (3) monitors and controls machining states of the machine tool (1) and transmits information regarding the machining states of the machine tool (1) via the interface (4) to the transfer device (11) to activate the transfer device (11). The transfer device (11) receives the information via an interface (14) assigned to it, processes the information by means of a control unit (13) assigned to it and reacts in response to the information, whereby a printer interface is used as the interface (4) of the machine tool (1).

Abstract: The clamping apparatus comprises a chuck member and a pallet releasably attachable thereto. The chuck member has four centering grooves, arranged offset to each other by 90° around the central Z-axis, while the pallet has four correspondingly located centering pins. In each of the four centering grooves, one of the groove flanks serves for centering the associated centering pin of the pallet, while the other groove flank is constituted by a clamping member. Upon clamping the pallet to the chuck member, the associated clamping member engages a recess provided on the centering pin and pulls the latter one in Z-direction into the centering groove of the chuck member. Simultaneously, the clamping member also presses the centering pin against the other groove flank. Thereby, the pallet is positioned relative to the chuck member in X-, Y- and Z-directions and clamped to the chuck member.

Abstract: The clamping apparatus comprises a clamping chuck and a work piece carrier releasably connected thereto. The clamping chuck is provided with a central opening for receiving a clamping pin attached to the work piece carrier. The central opening of the clamping chuck has a conical inserting portion, and the clamping pin has at least one surface portion corresponding in shape to the conical inserting portion, or several surface portions for aligning the clamping pin in X- and/or Y-direction. The clamping chuck comprises a clamping mechanism for clamping the clamping pin. The top of the clamping chuck is provided with at least one surface portion serving as a Z-stop member. The clamping pin is dimensioned such that, prior to activating the clamping mechanism, a gap exists between the flat bottom surface of the work piece carrier and the surface portion of the clamping chuck serving as a Z-direction stop member.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus for fixing and non-rotatably clamping threaded shafts, particularly threaded shafts used as electrodes for eroding threads, comprises a hollow cylindrical shaft with a clamping sleeve member located at its front end. The clamping sleeve member has a central bore and a rectangular aperture opening into that central bore. A rectangular clamping member is slidably received in the aperture and comprises at its front surface, facing the central bore, a number of thread convolutions matching the thread convolutions of the shaft to be clamped. For moving the clamping element towards a threaded shaft received in the central bore, a rotating collar is provided, located around the outside of the clamping sleeve member, and having a an inner circular surface with a diametrically gradually enlarging recessed portion into which the clamping element protrudes.

Abstract: In a clamping apparatus for fixing a work piece carrier with a clamping pin in a clamping chuck, the clamping chuck is provided with a central opening for receiving the clamping pin and with a clamping mechanism firmly keeping the clamping pin in the central opening. The central opening has a conical inserting portion, and the clamping pin comprises a rear section with exposed aligning surfaces, engaging the conical inserting portion, to align the clamping pin with regard to the clamping chuck in X- and/or Y-directions. Circular seat portions on top of the clamping chuck constitute the Z-stop for the work piece carrier. For pneumatically cleaning the exposed aligning surfaces, the conical inserting portion is provided with gas outlet openings, located corresponding to the arrangement of the exposed aligning surfaces. The surface areas of the work piece carrier that will rest on the seat portions are pneumatically cleaned by gas outlet openings located in the center of the seat portions.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a chuck member to be mounted within the operating area of the machine tool and a work piece carrier that can be put onto the chuck member and clamped thereto. First positioning members provided on the chuck member and second positioning members provided on the work piece carrier cooperate to define the position of the work piece carrier along three coordinate axes each running perpendicular to each other as well as with regard to the angular orientation. A clamping mechanism fixes the work piece carrier member to the chuck member in the afore mentioned defined position. In order to ensure an increased resistance against tilting momenta and torque occurring during the machining of a work piece, the first positioning members are constituted by conical centering pins and the second positioning members are constituted by recesses in the shape of a two-stage groove having two shoulders.

Abstract: The apparatus for clamping a work piece in a well defined position within the operating area of a machine tool comprises a chuck member to be mounted within the operating area of the machine tool and a work piece carrier that can be put onto the chuck member and clamped thereto. First positioning members provided on the chuck member and second positioning members provided on the work piece carrier cooperate to define the position of the work piece carrier along three coordinate axes each running perpendicular to each other as well as with regard to the angular orientation. A clamping mechanism fixes the work piece carrier member to the chuck member in the afore mentioned defined position. In order to ensure an increased resistance against tilting momenta and torque occurring during the machining of a work piece, the clamping mechanism comprises a plurality of clamping devices.

Abstract: In a method of positioning a work piece carrier member with regard to a machining apparatus, it is provided to insert the work piece carrier member into the machining apparatus and to fix it there in a position which at least approximately corresponds to a desired nominal position. Thereafter, the effective position of the work piece carrier member is determined by scanning two reference marks provided on the work piece carrier member. The determination of the exact position of the work pieces received in the work piece carrier member is carried out in a separate measuring and aligning station. The positional data thus determined are transferred to the machining apparatus. The effective position of the work pieces received in the work piece carrier member can be calculated on the basis of the position of the reference marks. Further there is a work piece carrier member comprising at least two reference marks located in a certain horizontal distance from each other.

Abstract: The driving apparatus for the spindle of an electro erosive machining apparatus comprises an electric motor adapted to be operated to rotate in two opposite directions and a reduction gear box assembly operatively coupled to the electric motor. The gear assembly is provided with a pinion and two gear wheels which are rotatable with reference to each other. Both gear wheels mesh with the pinion. One of the gear wheels is under the influence of a torsional biasing force. A first of the gear wheels is torsionally fixedly connected to the spindle of the electro erosive machining apparatus, while the second gear wheel is rotatable with reference to the spindle. Such a driving apparatus operates with low expenditure without backlash in both senses of rotation whereby an eventually occurring wear is automatically compensated.

Abstract: The clamping apparatus comprises a base member adapted to be fixed in the working area of the machining apparatus and a work piece carrier member adapted to be put onto the base member and to be clampingly fixed to the base member, the work piece carrier member being adapted to receive a work piece to be machined. Aligning elements fixed to the work piece carrier member and to the base member and cooperating in pairs define the position of the work piece carrier member in X-, Y- and Z-direction as well as with regard to its angular orientation. For the definition of the X-Y-position, three aligning element pairs are provided. Two of them are located opposite to each other at the two lateral end regions of the clamping apparatus and define the position along the Y-axis which runs perpendicular to a connection line between the two aligning element pairs. The third aligning element pair is located in the center between the two other ones and defines the position in the X-axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for clamping a work piece comprises a base and a work piece carrier adapted to be put onto and fixed to the base. The base and the carrier comprise aligning means to align the position of the carrier relative to the base along three perpendicular coordinate axes as well as the angular position. The aligning means comprises first aligning element pairs in the form of cooperating reference surfaces at the carrier and the base, which define the position of the carrier in the Z-axis. The aligning means further comprises second and third aligning element pairs in the form of cooperating linear aligning element pairs, which define the position of the carrier in the X and Y-axes, respectively. The cooperating pairs each comprise a wedge-shaped centering member and a counterpart member with a matching centering slit. Clamping means is provided for clamping the carrier to the base in a well defined position which is defined by the aligning means.

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: The magazine, having a fixed place in a manufacturing plant, is intended to cooperate with at least one machining device and with a handling device associated with said machining device in order to automatically exchange tools and/or workpieces on said machining device. The magazine comprises a rotating rack having a plurality of storing planes mounted upon another on a support for bearing the objects to be handled. Said rotating rack is designed as a separate constructional unit which is exchangeably inserted in a stationary part of the magazine, which stationary part comprises means for rotating said rotating rack. In this manner, the space needed by the auxiliary devices in the magazine station as well as the moving space of the handling device is considerably reduced, due to the fact that even in a prolonged operation of the manufacturing plant one sole magazine is sufficient, and that thus, for the exchange of the objects to be handled, the action of any grip means is limited to this sole magazine.