Abstract: A machining location for machining workpieces, comprising: a machine tool; an enclosure for said machine tool that encloses the entire machine tool within a predetermined space; workpiece storage within said predetermined space for storing workpieces at least prior to being worked on by said machine tool and for subjecting such workpieces when so stored to said machining environment to become oriented thereto. The machining location is mounted and supported to be separate from and independent of said machine tool so that vibrations are not transmitted from said enclosure to said machine tool. The machining location further comprises ambient environment controls for effecting control of at least the temperature of the air within said predetermined space.

Abstract: A machine tool, comprising: a worktable assembly slidably carried by the machine frame for reciprocal movement along a work axis and which is configured to carry a workpiece. A worktool assembly is slidably carried by said machine frame for reciprocal movement along a worktool axis at a predetermined angle with respect to said work axis and so as to intersect same. A reference straight edge is carried by said worktable assembly and has a reference surface. Reference sensing means is carried by said machine frame for coaction with said reference straight edge reference surface, to measure reference spacing between said reference surface and said reference sensing means and to provide a reference output indictive of said reference spacing. Control means is provided to facilitate movement of said worktool towards and away from said work axis, which is responsive to said reference output to further facilitate worktool movement towards said work axis.

Abstract: A method of drive decoupling, and a drive decoupling device, utilized in connecting a driving member to a driven members that is attachable to a workpiece to be rotated about a drive axis, includes a laminated plurality of flexible sheet material, attached to the driving member by at least one off axis connection and to the driven member by at least one other off axis connection circumferentially spaced from the one off axis connection, and which is torsionally rigid in a plane perpendicular to the drive axis so as to accommodate any eccentricity developed through misalignment of the driving member and driven member. The coupling device is centrally apertured so that a headstock can extend therethrough. A pair of drive decoupling devices are also provided in series by connecting the driven member of one to the driving member of another.