Abstract: A method for drilling a hole in a work piece, such as printed circuit boards, comprises drilling to a point in a work piece and retracting said drill bit a retract distance. The retract distance is configured such that a tip end of said drill bit remains below a top surface of said work piece. The method further comprises drilling a distance greater than said retract distance into said work piece.

Abstract: A registration alignment system to be used with a printed circuit board drilling machine for registration of PCBs on the tooling plate for drilling and other operations. The registration alignment system includes a registration bar and a registration block that move independently of each other. The movement of the registration bar is constrained to one dimension (i.e., X-axis), and the movement of the registration block is constrained to one dimension (i.e., Y-axis) that is perpendicular to the axis of movement of the registration bar. The registration bar and block contact adjusting screws which are used to control precise movement of the registration bar and block. When the registration pins of the PCB are in position against the registration bar and block, the pins are held in place by clamping bars. When the size of the registration pins change, the registration of the new PCB is still correct and does not have to be adjusted.

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. Similarly, the replacement of the tool back into its storage location is done while the machine tool is working. The exchanging of the pressure foot insert is done as part of the tool change process. Time is saved because the work table does not have to be moved to position the tool changer under the spindle. In fact, the work table may be moved to the next work location while the tool changer changes the tool in the spindle.

Abstract: In a system which interrupts the infeed signal generated by a CNC machine drive signals are applied to at least an RPM Control Electronics Module to drive the rotation of a cutting tool and the infeed drive motor electronics. A solid state relay intercepts the infeed signal and is driven into an on off state by a Variable Frequency Generator. This causes the solid state relay to enter the on off state in response to the input frequency and interrupts the infeed signal applied to the infeed motor electronics in synchronization with the frequency generated. The frequency is user selectable and the frequency used to eliminate or minimize chip formation is dependant upon the material being drilled, the infeed rate, the RPM of the tool, and the diameter and point geometry of the tool so adjustment by the machine operator is required. This permits the user to vary the specific frequency to select a frequency which is suitable for elimination of spirals in a given set of circumstances.

Abstract: A tool changer system is disclosed 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. Similarly, the replacement of the tool back into its storage location is done while the machine tool is working. The exchanging of the pressure foot insert is done as part of the tool change process. Time is saved because the work table does not have to be moved to position the tool changer under the spindle. In fact, the work table may be moved to the next work location while the tool changer changes the tool in the spindle.

Abstract: A retractable registration pin to be used on the tooling plate of a printed wire board drilling machine for alignment of PWB panels on the tooling plate for drilling. In the instant invention, a soft plug which receives a registration pin is mounted on a spline shaft. The bottom of the ball spline shaft is attached to a link which is coupled to a pneumatic cylinder. The pneumatic cylinder is driven by a pneumatic valve which raises and lowers the registration pin on the ball spline assembly. The pneumatic cylinder may either fully retract the registration pin to a position below the surface of the tooling plate, or fully extend the ball spline shaft so that the upper surface of the soft plug holding the registration pin, is parallel to and lies in the same plane as the upper surface of the tooling plate. When the registration pin is in the raised position, work panels may be placed over the registration pin until a suitable number have been prepared for drilling.