Abstract: A method and device is disclosed wherein a subject is excited by electromagnetic radiation in a locally limited range to emit radiation that is not coherent with the exciting radiation. The radiation of atoms lying close to one another on the surface of the subject is not correlated, i.e., the excited point of light radiates incoherently in space, and generally also in time. Since only this incoherent radiation emitted by the point of light is analyzed in distance determination, no speckle structure occurs in the point of light, which makes it possible more accurately to find the position of the point of light and thus also to find the distance much more accurately.

Abstract: A process for precision control of a laser beam for machining workpieces while achieving high surface quality. The actual distance between a reference location and the workpiece surface is determined. A setpoint/actual value deviation between a predetermined setpoint distance and the actual distance measured is also determined. Control parameters are determined by a control unit in accordance with the setpoint/actual value deviation. The resulting control parameter outputs are coupled to a laser control unit to control the beam power of the laser. The disclosure also includes the apparatus for accomplishing the process.

Abstract: A milling head is provided having an axially displacable spindle for retaining a machine tool, the spindle being pivotally movable with respect to a workhead, and the lower end of the machine tool lying on the axis of rotation. In a first embodiment, the spindle is rotatably mounted to the workhead via an angular carrier, and the workhead is axially movable. In a second embodiment, the workhead includes guide rails for guiding rotational movement of a plate-shaped structure with respect to the workhead, and the plate-shaped structure includes guides for controlling linear displacement of the angular carrier.

Abstract: A process for texturing the surface of a workpiece with a laser beam, the beam being moved by a control unit along a tracking line predetermined by tracking points on the surface of the workpiece to be processed. Desired points that form the midpoints of surface areas are found on the trajectory established on the surface of the workpiece. A tracking point is determined in each of the surface areas. Furthermore, recessed areas and surface areas can be established arbitrarily on the surface of the workpiece, wherein the tracking points fall within the surface areas and not in the recessed areas. Moreover, an imaginary matrix can be formed upon the surface of the workpiece that includes tracking points determined in accordance with a degree of coverage and a random value.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a pallet carrier for machine tools, said carrier being mounted on an NC work table and comprising profiled slideways as well as centering elements and hydraulic clamping members. For thorough cleaning and improved adjustment the invention provides pressure-fluid ducts within the pallet carrier coupled to quick-action connectors in the front of the pallet carrier and leading to spray nozzles which are disposed within the slide faces of the said slideways.

Abstract: A tool gripper to remove a tool from and position the tool in a work spindle or a tool magazine, respectively, includes two tong-like gripper arms, a support attached to a tool changer on which the two gripper arms are mutually movably mounted, and an operating device to open and close the two gripper arms. To achieve a simple construction with only a few individual parts, and to avoid technically complicated hydraulic or pneumatic driving mechanisms, according to the invention a first spring is disposed between the two gripper arms to provide a closing force. Further, the support having a bore therein, is motor-driven and movably arranged on a column. A pin inserted in the bore, which is axially parallel to the column, may be shifted against a second spring, and a locking member laterally attached to the bore engages between the rear legs of the two gripper arms.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and a device for the manufacture of relatively deep cavities in massive workpieces through a laser beam, whereby the material is removed by the laser beam (7) in close guide paths. According to the invention, during each linear ablation process the laser beam (7) deviated vertically is rotated by a predetermined angle while the workpiece (12) is moved back and forth synchronously on a circular path (14) around the rotating axis (4) of the laser beam (7). Upon ablation of a material layer, these linear ablation processes are repeated until the predetermined depth of the cavity has been reached. According to the invention, pocket-like or chamber-like cavities (13) with vertical or undercut walls can be produced with considerable ablation performance in often inappropriate materials such as ceramics, titanium, etc.

Abstract: An automatic pallet switching mechanism comprising a pallet support for accommodating a work pallet in a fixed position, a pallet changer for elevating and rotating the work pallet, and pallet fixing structure having clamping apparatus. For fixing the work pallet at a precise position the fixing structure comprises two clamping slides biased against one another and provided with keys for locking engagement in lateral keyways formed on a locking bolt. At least one of the clamping slides is formed with a lateral recess for engagement therein of a control element. Inside the pallet support there is mounted at least one shaft carrying the control element at one end thereof and having its other end adapted to be coupled with the pallet changer via an operating member.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a machine tool for laser beam machining of workpieces, comprising a housing mounted on a column and having a longitudinally movable guide tube disposed therein. The rear end portion of the housing has a laser unit mounted thereon, and the laser beam passes through a focussing optical system and exits from a nozzle head provided with means for supplying at least one fluid to the central exit opening of the laser beam. In order also to enable metal cutting machining of a workpiece the invention provides for a motor driven hollow main spindle journaled within the housing, the spindle having locking elements for fixing a tool holder therein. Advantageously, the focussing optical system and the nozzle head are attached to a standardized tool holder which can be fitted into the main spindle.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and a device for the manufacture of relatively deep cavities in massive workpieces through a laser beam, whereby the material is removed by the laser beam (7) in close guide paths. According to the invention, during each linear ablation process the laser beam (7) deviated vertically is rotated by a predetermined angle while the workpiece (12) is moved back and forth synchronously on a circular path (14) around the rotating axis (4) of the laser beam (7). Upon ablation of a material layer, these linear ablation processes are repeated until the predetermined depth of the cavity has been reached. According to the invention, pocket-like or chamber-like cavities (13) with vertical or undercut walls can be produced with considerable ablation performance in often inappropriae materials such as ceramics, titanium, etc.

Abstract: A tool exchanger for programmed machine tools includes a device for the conveyance of selected tools between a tool room and a main spindle of the machine tool and with two grip devices moving along a prescribed rotation angle and arranged in a carrier support mounted to the conveyance device and able to rotate between an alternate position and at least one standby position. In order to achieve faster exchange operations of the tools in a horizontal and vertical machining spindle, the drives to open and close both tool grips are activated at the same time. The support mounted includes a locking device which blocks the tool grip to standby position in its closed condition.

Abstract: This invention concerns a control unit for program-controlled machine tools with control circuits for the individual feed motors (20) of the moving machine parts (2) which are connected to the program control unit (34) and also contain at least one switching element (14) for manually switching on feed motors (20). In order to give the operator a feel for the respective operating process in manual operation, each control circuit according to this invention has at least one sensor (26, 42) for detecting a power parameter (I;M) of the respective feed motor (20). Furthermore, a brake gear (30 or 44) that is controlled by the output signals of the sensor (26; 42) is assigned to each switching element that is designed as a manually adjustable control element (14), whereby the braking device is actuated in proportion to the power parameters picked up by the sensors and it makes continued turning of the control element which is designed as a hand crank more difficult.

Abstract: A machining center having a bed that supports a work table, a carriage movable along the bed, an upright column moveable across the carriage, a machining head movable vertically on the upright column and a tool magazine with a tool changer. The bed is designed as an inclined bed with a downward slope toward the rear and the work table is mounted on the front side of bed by means of a suitable console.

Abstract: Object of the invention is a pallet exchanger for machine tools (1), which features a rotating unit (24), arranged between the workpiece table (5) and the standby position, with support elements for a form-closed and releasable fastening of a pallet. In order to transfer the workpiece pallet (6), the rotating unit (24) rotates along the vertical axis. To avoid additional support elements for the pallets, the support elements are designed as support hooks (25), which subsequent to a vertical elevation of the rotating unit (24) engage with support profiles (28) on the pallet (6) and hold the pallet self-supportedly.

Abstract: A machining tool, in particular a polishing head and its attachment to mount it to the spindle housing of a milling machine. The invention provides the machining tool with an adapter arranged on the front side of the spindle housing to which the housing of the machining tool is attached, sluable on a transverse plane at a right angle to the spindle axis. The adapter has a coupling for the rotary connection to the horizontal work spindle as well tension devices to compensate for play.

Abstract: A mechanism for angularly positioning the work spindle of a program-controlled milling and drilling machine. The positioning mechanism comprises a drive unit mounted on the spindle housing for rotating the spindle after the main drive has been shut off, and a locating member for locating the work spindle when it has reached its predetermined angular position. Angular positioning of the work spindle will effect predetermined angular positions of the horizontal and vertical spindles. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the drive unit comprises an electric motor the shaft of which is adapted to be selectively coupled by means of a pinion to a gear mounted on the spindle. The locating member is a spring-loaded indexing bolt having a centering cone for engagement in a bore formed in the gear. The electric motor and the indexing bolt are mounted on a pivot plate which is pivoted by an actuating drive from an upper inoperative position to a lower operative position.

Abstract: A machine tool consisting of a stand for a spindle case which travels along the horizontal Z-axis and the vertical Y-axis, with at least one horizontal working spindle and a non-deformable bed with guides for workpiece bench traveling horizontally along the X-axis. To allow simultaneous milling and lathe work on several workpieces, the machine tool comprises a complete milling unit, and next to it on the machine bed, a complete lathe unit. To the side of the workpiece bench of the milling unit, an independent, rotation driven device is placed within the guides of the bed for clamping horizontally aligned workpieces, and next to it a turret head upon which turning tools are secured.

Abstract: An auxiliary magazine for electronically-driven machine tools which greatly increases the efficiency and tool magazine capacity of the machine tool. A separate unit has revolving chain tool storage units adapted to integrate, through a guide shoe, with the machine-native magazine.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is an apparatus for the transfer of pallets having workpieces clamped thereto between a pallet terminal and the work support of a machine tool. In order to permit positioning of the pallet terminal close to the machine tool with small dimensions, the apparatus is provided, according to the invention, with a pallet carrier (10) with longitudinal guides (11) arranged between the pallet terminal (6) and the work support (2). The apparatus is rotatable about its vertical axis (20) between an inoperative position and a transfer position and has motor-actuated pushers (18) for transporting the pallets (12).

Abstract: A tool changing assembly for program controlled milling and drilling machines comprising a vertically movable knee-type unit for the work table, and a vertical milling head. The tool changing assembly includes a power-driven pivotable mounting which is arranged in the form of a bracket for pivoting movement about a vertical axis on a column mounted on the knee-type unit laterally spaced from the work spindle of the milling head. The free end of the bracket has gripping pliers mounted thereon for pivoting movement about a likewise vertical axis, the pivoting movement of the gripping pliers being opposite to the pivoting movement of the bracket and being derived therefrom.