Abstract: A cutting tool, for example a milling cutter, capable of omini-directional machining of a workpiece as disclosed. In a preferred form, the cutting tool is embodied as a ball nosed end mill having a cylindrical shank terminating in a spherically shaped cutting end with recesses shaped for receipt of at least two indexable cutting inserts, each insert mounted in lay-down fashion, and providing a portion of an effective overall arcuate cutting edge, the cutting zones of each insert overlapping each other. Each insert has the form of an equilateral polygon bounded by planar flanks, each flank intersecting a convex portion of a major face of an insert to form an arcuate cutting edge. The convex major face portion forms the clearance face and the planar flank portion the rake face for each associated arcuate cutting edge.

Abstract: A tool for a nc machine is provided with a radially displaceable surface slide serving as a tool holder. The tool head is interchangeable by a tool head changing device mounted on the nc machine. The tool head is automatically releasably mounted on the work spindle by means of a clamping cone and a tie rod concentrically disposed within the work spindle and engaging the conical surface of the clamping cone. There is provided a pair of control rods for radially displacing the surface slide and for limiting the radial movement of the surface slide, which control rods are adapted to be automatically separated by releasable clutches for interchanging the tool head (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A machine tool of the type having a rotatably mounted housing circumscribing a longitudinal axis of rotation and adapted for having coupled thereto a tool holder having at least one cutting tool which is adjustable radially of the axis such that a cutting edge of the cutting tool is caused to engage and disengage a workpiece as a result of a camming action between the cutting tool and a drawbar resulting from reciprocation of the drawbar as the roller screw to which it is attached rotates.

Abstract: A tool holder, and a locking pin for use therewith, of the type having a recess into which a cutting insert is removeably secured by passing the locking pin through a bore in the insert and into a bore in the tool holder.

Abstract: A touch probe construction that enables it to be used in place of tool holders used in existing turning centers to perform workpiece inspection operations without requiring modification of the machine. The probe housing is designed to generally correspond in shape to the tool holders and includes a self-contained battery power supply and transmission circuitry for radiating an infrared signal to a remote receiver head when the probe stylus contacts an object such as a workpiece surface. The probe circuitry is designed so that current drain on the battery is minimized.

Abstract: A cutting tool for improved chip forming material removal efficiency over a wide mid-range of typically used feed rates and depths of cut is disclosed in a preferred form of an indexable polygonal cutting insert. A first chip control groove of uniform width and cross section radius extends from a cutting edge at each side of the polygon and terminates inwardly from the edge in a second chip control groove having a cross section of larger radius but of lesser depth than that of the first chip control groove. The second groove has its largest width at a point substantially midway between adjacent cutting corners of the polygon and diminishes to zero width at the end of each straight cutting edge, the first groove continuing around a substantial corner radius adjoining adjacent ends of the straight portions of such grooves.

Abstract: A circular chip breaking insert having a plurality of overlapping peripheral conical depressions extending to the cutting edge including secondary conical depressions formed at the overlapping areas of the primary depressions.

Abstract: A touch probe for detecting contact with a workpiece or other object is disclosed on features a repositionable disc protective shield for the moveable portion of the touch probe. The shield includes a predetermined rest position while providing freedom of movement for the moveable portion.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the position of a probe relative to a workpiece, for example probe contact with the workpiece, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a transducer for converting probe contact to an electrical signal and a plurality of light emitting semiconductors for wirelessly transmitting an indication of the occurrence of the signal via infrared radiation. The apparatus is particularly suitable for operation with a mechanical switch type probe transducer. The apparatus is easily adapted to transmit the occurrence of probe contact by either amplitude modulation or frequency modulation of the emitted infrared radiation.

Abstract: A probe for detecting contact with an object such as a workpiece includes a movable carrier having a first set of contacts mounted thereto and a fixed carrier having a second set of contacts mounted thereon. The first carrier is operably connected to a probe stylus and moves therewith when the probe stylus contacts an object thereby making or breaking electrical connection between one or more of the contacts. Each of the carrier members is made of a body of high flexural strength nonconductive material, preferably glass fiber reinforced plastic, to thereby simplify electrical insulation of the contacts as well as to insure repeatability of the probe measurements.

Abstract: A cutting tool with precisely adjustable disposable cutting inserts. In the preferred embodiment of a face milling cutter, the tool utilizes insert holding cartridges mounted in cavities spaced about the periphery of the cutter body, each cartridge including an insert mounting pocket for presenting each insert such that its cutting portion extends beyond a face of the cutter body. The insert mounting portion of each cartridge is rendered flexible by a slot in the cartridge body. A wedge mechanism adjacent each cartridge causes the cartridge to bend in a manner such that the insert cutting tip will traverse an arcuate path thereby finally and precisely varying the extent to which the cutting portion of the insert extends beyond the cutter body face.

Abstract: Positional information about movable components in a machine system relative to the workpiece is wirelessly transmitted by infrared radiation to a remote receiver. The receiver is operative to convert the infrared signals into electrical signals for controlling operational cycles of the machine system.

Abstract: A tool is disclosed for adjusting the tilt of a stylus in a probe. The tool includes a pair of arcuate caliper arms having inwardly directed pins for engaging openings in a pair of beveled washers extending between opposing faces of the probe housing and an adapter. In the disclosed method, the tool is then moved about the circumference of the probe until a given tool portion is generally in line with the direction of the tilt of the stylus. Then, the tool is used to move the pins toward each other to cause relative rotation of the washers to thereby bring the axis of the stylus into a desired orientation.

Abstract: A touch probe is disclosed having a stylus holder mounting arrangement utilizing the combined effects of a planar reed spring and at least one linear wire spring to restrict permissible movement of the stylus holder relative to the probe housing to two axes.

Abstract: A probe for detecting contact with an object such as a workpiece includes a movable carrier having a first set of contacts mounted thereto and a fixed carrier having a second set of contacts mounted thereon. The first carrier is operable connected to a probe stylus and moves therewith when the probe stylus contacts an object thereby making or breaking electrical connection between one or more of the contacts. Each of the carrier members is made of a body of high flexural strength nonconductive material, preferably glass fiber reinforced plastic, to thereby simplify electrical insulation of the contacts as well as to insure repeatability of the probe measurements.

Abstract: A worn tool detector system for analyzing input signals from a sensor were the signal is in the form of an analog waveform exhibiting periodic impulses exceeding the average amplitude thereof as the tool wears. A microprocessor controlled variable gain amplification network is utilized to normalize the average waveform amplitude to a fixed level. During machine operation, impulses are detected by comparing the sensor waveform to a programmable selected ratio of the normalized level. When a given number of successive impulses are received the microprocessor generates a warning signal which may be used to retract the tool. An adaptive mode is disclosed wherein the sensor waveform throughout the course of the machining operation is repetitively normalized to adjust for different sensor waveform amplitudes.

Abstract: A probe construction is disclosed which incorporates several techniques for adjusting the position of the stylus.

Abstract: A touch probe for use in turning centers includes a cylindrical shank portion that allows the probe to be mounted in the same manner as the tools and also provides a compartment for batteries supplying power to infrared transmission circuitry for wirelessly transmitting information about the inspected workpiece back to the machine controller.

Abstract: A cutting tool for improved material removal efficiency at relatively high feed rates is disclosed. In a preferred form of an indexable polygonal cutting insert, an edge land and chip contacting ramp surfaces in at least a top face of the insert are advantageously arranged for reduced cutting forces and friction, ample cutting edge strength and inducement of free chip flow. In order to overcome deleterious chip convergence and resultant high pressures in the vicinity of the nose radius of the cutting corner of the insert, a recessed control surface is positioned in each corner portion of the polygonal insert.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an insert for a metal cutting tool having a chip breaking groove in the top face thereof of truncated conical lateral cross section defined by spaced angularly related straight side walls joined by a straight bottom portion extending parallel to the top face of the insert.