Abstract: Automated Part Loader (APL) systems and methods for loading and unloading product parts within a machine, e.g., a vertical mill, are provided. The APL system is compact and has a smaller footprint compared with current automated loading systems. The APL system may include a spring-based rotatable loader arm that may be actuated to rotate, e.g., via low voltage motors, relative to a loading table, e.g., 90 degrees, and extend linearly through a side door of the machine for loading and unloading product parts. The loader arm may include a pair of pneumatic grippers configured for picking up and releasing product parts.

Abstract: A mist extraction system is provided that includes a plenum box having an inlet configured to be coupled in fluid communication with a machine tool enclosure. A blower is coupled in fluid communication with the plenum box and is configured to draw air into the plenum box from the machine tool enclosure via the inlet of the plenum box and exhaust the air back into the machine tool enclosure via an outlet of the blower. A baffle plate is arranged in the plenum box to redirect the air drawn into the plenum box through the inlet of the plenum box and a filter panel is arranged in the plenum box to filter the air redirected by the baffle plate prior to the air entering the blower. A collector arranged to collect mist from the air condensed on the baffle plate and the filter panel.

Abstract: A mist extraction system is provided that includes a plenum box having an inlet configured to be coupled in fluid communication with a machine tool enclosure. A blower is coupled in fluid communication with the plenum box and is configured to draw air into the plenum box from the machine tool enclosure via the inlet of the plenum box and exhaust the air back into the machine tool enclosure via an outlet of the blower. A baffle plate is arranged in the plenum box to redirect the air drawn into the plenum box through the inlet of the plenum box and a filter panel is arranged in the plenum box to filter the air redirected by the baffle plate prior to the air entering the blower. A collector arranged to collect mist from the air condensed on the baffle plate and the filter panel.

Abstract: A machine tool coolant supply system includes a chassis configured to mount the coolant supply system to a coolant storage tank of a machine tool. The coolant supply system further includes a concentrate tank arranged within the chassis, a first flow control valve coupled to the concentrate tank, a second flow control valve coupled to a water supply line, and a mixer configured to mix a concentrate with water. The mixer includes a first inlet coupled to the first flow control valve and configured to receive the concentrate from the concentrate tank via the first flow control valve, a second inlet coupled to the second flow control valve and configured to receive the water from the water supply line via the second flow control valve, and an outlet configured to dispense a mixture of the concentrate and the water into the coolant storage tank of the machine tool.

Abstract: A method of detecting machine tool vibration is provided. The method includes receiving, from a sensor arranged in a machine tool, motion data measured along an axis. The method also includes comparing the motion data against a first threshold. The method also includes adjusting a counter if the motion data has a magnitude greater than the first threshold. The method also includes generating an alarm if the counter is greater than a second threshold.

Abstract: A cut optimization system controls chatter in a machine tool during a cutting operation. A microphone is configured to capture acoustic noise emitted by the machine tool during the cutting operation and to generate an AC signal corresponding to the captured acoustic noise. A filter is configured to attenuate frequencies of the AC signal outside of a frequency band and a rectifier is configured to rectify the filtered AC signal into a DC component. A controller is configured to compare the DC component with a threshold value and, if the DC component is greater than the threshold, cyclically vary the rotational speed of a spindle in the machine tool from a commanded speed.

Abstract: A dampened spindle cartridge and a dampened spindle adaptor are provided for damping tool vibrations during operation of a machine tool. Damping media is arranged inside a cavity formed within the spindle adaptor or the spindle cartridge. The damping media may be a solid aggregate, such as steel shot or sand, or a viscous fluid, such as oil. The damping media attenuates and/or converts tool vibrations into friction and heat, thereby dissipating vibration energy generated during cutting operations performed by the machine tool and prevents reinforcement of the forced vibration.

Abstract: A method of detecting machine tool vibration is provided. The method includes receiving, from a sensor arranged in a machine tool, motion data measured along an axis. The method also includes comparing the motion data against a first threshold. The method also includes adjusting a counter if the motion data has a magnitude greater than the first threshold. The method also includes generating an alarm if the counter is greater than a second threshold.

Abstract: A method of controlling the motion of a moveable door includes determining the direction that the door is moving with respect to its anticipated closed position, and based on the direction, regulating an amount of force that is available to the door for its motion. The method may further include monitoring the position of the door as it is moving, and adjusting the motion of the door and regulating the amount of force available to the door for its motion, based on the calculated difference between the door's position as detected during monitoring and its expected position.

Abstract: A smart machine tool lubrication system monitors the distance traveled by a motion component in a machine tool. A predetermined amount of lubricant is dispensed at a lubrication point of the motion component when the monitored distance exceeds a first threshold value. The smart machine tool lubrication system may further monitor the duration of time the motion component is in motion and dispense the predetermined amount of lubricant with the monitored duration of time exceeds a second threshold value.

Abstract: A method for decelerating a motor in a computer numerical controlled machine tool is provided. The method includes calculating a present rate of deceleration DP, for a motor of a motor drive system, based on a present speed SP of the motor, a reference speed SR of the motor, and a reference rate of deceleration DR of the motor. The method also includes decelerating the motor from SP according to DP. The motor drive system comprises a maximum power rating that defines a maximum power, generated by the motor while decelerating, that can be dissipated without overloading the motor drive system. DR is a rate of deceleration such that power, generated by the motor while decelerating from SR according to DR, is equal to the maximum power rating. Power, generated while decelerating the motor from SP according to DP, is equal to or less than the maximum power rating.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining and displaying a time to overload of a motor in a computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine tool are provided. A method includes monitoring a fuse level of a motor in a CNC machine tool and calculating a time to overload of the motor based on the fuse level. The method further includes displaying the time to overload on a user interface based on the fuse level of the motor and a load acting on the motor.

Abstract: Rule based display systems and methods are provided. In an aspect of the disclosure, a display screen is dynamically generated using one or more display boxes selected from a plurality of display boxes stored in memory. Each of the plurality of display boxes has rules associated with the display box. To generate the display screen, a rules module generates a set of conditions based on current conditions of the system. The rules module then compares the rules of each display box with the set of conditions to identify display boxes having rules that are satisfied by the set of rules. A display module then generates the display screen using the display boxes identified by the rules module, thereby dynamically generating the display screen.

Abstract: A lubrication system is provided for delivering coherent packets of a lubricant to a cutting surface of a machine tool. The system includes a nozzle for delivering a coherent packet of lubricant to the cutting surface, a pump for providing the lubricant to the nozzle via a supply line, and a controller configured to control the pump to provide the nozzle with a desired volume of lubricant. The coherent packet of lubricant has a volume substantially equal to the desired volume provided by the pump. The nozzle may be movable, and the controller may be configured to position and orient the movable nozzle. The controller may be an integrated controller configured to control both the operation of the lubrication system and the operation of the machine tool.

Abstract: A linear actuator for a rotating shaft assembly includes a cylinder and a piston arranged within a cavity defined by the cylinder. Faces of the piston delimit first and second chambers within the cavity. A rotatable shaft fixed to the piston defines a first main passage in fluid communication with the first chamber and a second main passage in fluid communication with the second chamber. A pressure delivery body rotatably fixed to the rotatable shaft defines a first delivery passage in fluid communication with the first main passage and a second delivery passage in fluid communication with the second main passage. A passage isolation system selectively isolates fluid communication between the first delivery passage and the first main passage and fluid communication between the second delivery passage and the second main passage. A pressure limiting system selectively blocks fluid communication through the first and second main passages.

Abstract: A spindle liner including an axial sleeve having an axial length and an inner bore for receiving a stock piece is provided. The spindle liner further includes fins extending radially outward from the axial sleeve for supporting the axial sleeve within a spindle. Each fin extends along the axial length of the spindle liner. The spindle liner may be extruded from a high density material such as high density polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride or nylon and molybdenum disulfide. The spindle liner may further include an retaining flange attached to a distal end of the spindle liner.

Abstract: A system for controlling a machine tool is provided. The system includes a user input device deflectable from a neutral position and a controller configured to receive information corresponding to an amount of deflection of the user input device from the neutral position and to output a control signal to control a movement of the machine tool in an axis of movement at a rate corresponding to the amount of deflection of the user input device from the neutral position. A machine is provided, including a work tool movable along an axis of movement and a control system including a user input device deflectable from a neutral position and a controller configured to receive information corresponding to an amount of deflection of the user input device from the neutral position and to output a control signal to control a movement of the work tool in an axis of movement at a rate corresponding to the amount of deflection of the user input device from the neutral position.

Abstract: A display system comprises a controller having a plurality of TTL inputs and a corresponding plurality of LVDS output pairs, the controller configured to receive display data comprising a first plurality of TTL signals at the plurality of TTL inputs, to convert each of the first plurality of TTL signals to a corresponding LVDS signal, and to output each of the plurality of LVDS signals at one of the plurality of LVDS output pairs. The system further comprises a bus operatively coupled with the controller, the bus having a plurality of parallel channels, each channel being configured to carry one of the plurality of LVDS signals, a LVDS-to-TTL converter operatively coupled with the bus, the LVDS-to-TTL converter being configured to receive the plurality of LVDS signals from the bus and to convert each of the plurality of LVDS signals to a corresponding TTL signal, and a display configured to receive the plurality of TTL signals from the LVDS-to-TTL converter.