Abstract: The invention concerns a kinematic device for supporting and programmably moving a terminal element. The platform (11) bearing the terminal element (12) is linked by four swivel joints (9) and (10) with two legs each consisting of two support rods (7) or (8) forming deformable parallelograms mounted each on slides (3) or (4) mobile in the x direction. The pivot plate (29) articulated on the platform (11) about the hinge pin (30) is controlled by the control rods (27), controlling pivoting (14) and lateral displacement (18) connected respectively by the swivel joints (26, 13 and 17) to the slides (3, 12 and 26). It consists in a parallel kinematics with four degrees of freedom, namely three translational and one rotational whereof the angle can be greater than 120°.

Abstract: A control system comprises several slave modules each operative to control a specific function and a master module operative to control all the slave modules. Each slave module comprises a processing circuit cooperating with an input/output interface permitting conversation with the operator and a memory circuit intended to specify the function which must be controlled by the slave module. The master module comprises a processing circuit cooperating with a memory for the conversation software and for processing the information received by the slave modules, and with an input/output interface permitting conversation with the operator. All the modules are interconnected on the one hand by a conversation bus between the modules and, on the other hand, by a master bus which enables the master module to read directly into a memory of each slave module the additional software necessary for conversation with the slave module.

Abstract: Copying machine with optical reading device comprising three optical reading heads the respective luminous beams of which follow three curves moving in synchronism and which control the displacements in directions which are different from each other of a working unit, each reading head controlling the displacements of the said unit in a proper direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming non-circular workpieces including a rotatable workpiece carrying element which is laterally displaceable as it rotates to form the desired non-circular workpiece profile. The workpiece carrying element has three cam surfaces at least two of which have a non-circular profile, each bearing against fixed roller bearings to guide the workpiece against a fixed cutting surface to form the desired workpiece profile. The apparatus also is utilized to form at least the two non-circular profile cam surfaces.