Abstract: An apparatus for measuring displacement between two members subject to movement relative to one another. The apparatus includes a scale defined by spaced marks provided on one of the members. A light source is arranged to illuminate the marks, wherein light reflected from the marks constitutes light signals. A light-receiving device is provided on the other of the members for receiving at least two light signals reflected from the marks in predetermined phase relationship. A determining circuit is coupled for receiving the light signals and for determining the sense of direction of the relative movement of one of the members based upon the phase relationship of the two light signals. A single optical fiber is provided for transmitting the light signals between the light-receiving device and the determining circuit. Additionally, color-encoding means are located for color-encoding the respective light signals.

Abstract: In a machine tool having a spindle supporting a work holder, means are provided for automatically operating the work holder to grip or release a workpiece and for automatically securing the work holder to the spindle or release it therefrom. Within the spindle, a compression spring acts on a slide which has claws gripping a head provided at one end of a holder housing to draw the latter into engagement with a conical socket of the spindle thereby to secure the holder. Within the holder housing, a compression spring urges a set of jaws into a conical socket of the housing thereby to grip a workpiece. A hydraulic actuator mounted on fixed structure is adapted both for opening the jaws and for releasing the holder from the spindle. For opening the jaws, a piston of the actuator is moved through an initial distance X thereby to move the jaws in opposition to the spring in the opening sense. The piston acts through the intermediary of a rod supported in the slide for free movement relative thereto.

Abstract: A tool (12) is releasably supported on a head (10) by a kinematic support (35) having elements (36,37) provided respectively on the head (10) and the tool (12) and extending in a plane (A--A) transverse to an axis (10A) of the head (10) by a releasable coupling (17) which comprises a first element (21) provided on the head (10) and engaged with a second element (26) provided on the tool. To release the tool (12) from the head (10) the latter is moved to position the tool (12) at a magazine (16) and by such movement to connect the second element (26) with an operating member (41) provided on the magazine (16). Rotation of the second element (26) by the operating member (41) releases the second element (26) from the first element (21) and frees the head (10) for withdrawal in the direction of its axis (10A).

Abstract: A numerically controlled machine tool capable of milling and turning operations has a continuously rotatable first spindle (10) to which is releasably secured a work holder (50). A rotationally positionable second spindle (20) has releasably secured thereto a tool holder (60). For turning operations, the second spindle (20) is locked against rotation and has secured thereto a tool holder having a turning tool (61), the workpiece (51) being held by the work holder on the first spindle (10). For milling operations, the second spindle (20) is unlocked, the work holder (50) is secured to the second spindle (20), and a tool holder (60) with a milling tool therein is secured to the first spindle (10). The changeover of work and tool holders is done by a transfer mechanism which takes appropriate holders (60), as well as work blanks, from a magazine system.

Abstract: A numerically controlled machine tool has a rotatable spindle (10) to which is connected, in the place of the usual cutting tool, a probe (16) for measuring a work surface (25) to be, or having been, machined by a said tool. The probe (16) includes an electric circuit (30) adapted to respond to engagement between the probe (16) and the work surface (25), by disestablishing a signal (26) to a control system (12) and thereby effect measurement of the position of the work surface (25). The circuit (30) is energized by a battery (31) normally disconnected from the circuit (30) and connectable thereto by the control system (12) effecting a transient rotation of the spindle (10). The rotation acts on a centrifugally operated, normally open switch (FIG. 2) arranged within the probe (16). The circuit (30) is arranged to latch the switch in the "on" condition when the transient rotation ceases whereafter the probe (16) is ready for the probing operation.

Abstract: In a co-ordinate measuring machine a probe is connected to the head of the machine by a pivotal arm, and the orientation of the probe is changed by moving the head so that the arm engages a fixed structure and a moment is applied to the arm which is thereby caused to turn and present the probe in the required orientation.

Abstract: A machine tool spindle (10), rotatable in a housing (11), is adapted to receive, as an alternative to a cutting tool, a probe (12) having a stylus (14) whereby to sense a workpiece (15) for the purpose of measuring it. On sensing the workpiece (15) the probe (12) generates a signal which is transmitted to a fixed location (X) on the housing (11). The probe (12) has a body (13) secured to the spindle (10) for rotation therewith, such rotation being required for certain measuring manouvres. To cope with the transmission of the signal (17) from the rotating probe (12) to the fixed location (X), the signal (17) is transmitted through the intermediary of a sleeve (19) supported on the probe body (13) such that the body (13) can rotate while the sleeve (19) is held still by an axially disengageable mechanical connector (21) connecting the sleeve (19) to the housing (11).

Abstract: A probe for use in measuring apparatus has a base member including a two-dimensional seat for an intermediate member which, in turn, includes a two-dimensional seat for a stylus holder. The two seats face in opposite directions so that the stylus holder can be displaced from the seated position in either of two opposite directions.