Abstract: An imaging system includes a probe device configured to make displacement measurements of a sample. A mounting stage to support the sample, where at least one of the probe device or mounting stage comprises a rotatory actuator that rotates the one of the probe device or mounting stage. A processing system is coupled to at least one of the probe or the mounting system and comprises a memory coupled to a processor configured to be capable of executing programmed instructions to: initiate the displacement measurements with the probe device; initiate with the rotary actuator a change in a rotational position of the sample for the displacement measurements; determine a lateral position of features of the sample based on the displacement measurements and the different rotational positions; and generate an image of the sample based on the determined lateral position of the features.

Abstract: A modular contact assembly for transferring electrical energy from a fixed object to a rotating object, and a machine tool that includes the contact assembly. The machine tool may include a housing, a rotating spindle mounted in the housing, and an electrical device mounted in the rotating spindle. The contact assembly includes a mounting plate joinable to a housing by movement of the plate into an attached position on the housing; a first brush assembly, first and second electrical contacts disposed in the mounting plate, an actuator joined to the mounting plate, and a first energy supply connection disposed in the mounting plate and in communication with the actuator. The machine tool may also include a magnet that is rotatable a quarter turn to retain the contact assembly in the machine tool. The electrical device may be an ultrasonic transducer operable to perform ultrasonic machining by the tool.

Abstract: A method of polishing objects using an apparatus comprised of a rotary positioning device comprising a turret; a base mounted on the turret; a drive wheel connected to a rotatable shaft, the drive wheel having a perimeter, and the rotatable shaft disposed in a housing. The polishing wheel assembly may include an elongated arm including a proximal end joined to the base, and a distal end; a rotatable polishing wheel supported at the end of the elongated arm; and a polishing belt comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface engageable with the perimeters of the drive wheel and the polishing wheel. The method is comprised of contacting the outer surface of the polishing belt to a contact region of the surface of the object; and controlling the contact region by rotating the elongated arm around the turret axis.