Abstract: A laser beam hardening tool is comprised of an engagement portion for freely engaging with a tool holding portion of a machine tool, a beam guide path which is a passage of supplied laser beam, and a torch portion for radiating laser beam which passed through the beam guide path on a workpiece, thereby executing hardening with laser beam inside the machine tool by installing the laser beam hardening tool in the tool holding portion of the machine tool.

Abstract: Voltage fluctuating time integrating means integrates voltage fluctuating time when voltage of a sensor electrode fluctuates as a voltage fluctuation integrated time, and voltage fluctuation occurrence rate computing means computes a rate of occurrence of voltage fluctuation for time on the basis of the voltage fluctuation integrated time integrated. By doing so, quantity of generated plasma can be taken as the rate of occurrence of voltage fluctuation, and plasma detection judging means can easily detect large volume of generated plasma on the basis of the computed voltage fluctuation occurrence rate. Then, it is not necessary to provide a circuit for measuring electric resistance between the sensor electrode and a workpiece as a conventional way, thereby avoiding complexly structured plasma detector.

Abstract: A laser beam generating unit has a semiconductor laser unit having a plurality of beam emitting portions located in the shape of a matrix, and a plurality of optical fibers for individually transmitting laser beam emitted from the beam emitting portions. An optical fiber bundle is formed by binding a plurality of the optical fibers on a side where laser beam emits, and laser beam is emitted through a taper adaptor provided on the side where laser beam emits. Then, laser beam can be transmitted by the optical fibers at a good condition, and can be collected by a beam transmitting path of the adaptor having the thinner diameter with high efficiency and the power density can be raised.

Abstract: A laser beam machine can make quality of machining almost constant in such a manner that a first reflecting means in a first beam guide portion is moved and driven so as to maintain a length of an optical path of laser beam to be almost constant in spite of a moved position of a machining head. According to the invention, a second reflecting means for catching laser beam in a second beam guide portion is located at a position facing the first reflecting means, thereby relatively shortening a length of the optical path between the first and second reflecting means and shortening the whole length of the optical path, and maintaining quality of machining with laser beam good.

Abstract: Machining is possible in such a manner that an optional position of a workpiece is positioned just under a tool by rotation of a turn table in a C-axis direction, movement of the turn table in a Y-axis direction, and movement of a spindle in a Z-axis direction, so that a width of a main unit in a X-axis direction can be made shorter in comparison with machining by moving the turn table in the X-axis direction. Besides, the turn table located on a front side of the main unit, an ATC located on the rear side thereof, and a separated control panel located on the rear side of the ATC, independent from the main unit can also make the width of a machining center in the X-axis direction shorter.

Abstract: A turret body is provided with a tool spindle for detachably attaching a complex tool so as to be freely rotated with an axial center as its center. The turret body is provided with indexing means for indexing the tool spindle, and clamping means for clamping the tool spindle at an indexed position indexed by the indexing means. The turret body has a function for indexing the tool spindle for attaching the complex tool thereto and a function for clamping, thereby using the complex tool in a turret lathe.

Abstract: When exchanging a tool, a tool of a spindle is stored in an empty pocket of a tool magazine, and thereafter, upward movement of the spindle and rotation of the tool magazine are simultaneously executed. At this time, synchronous control is performed in order to prevent a collision between the spindle and the tool. When installing a next tool in the spindle, both downward movement of the spindle and rotation of the tool magazine are executed while synchronously controlling. The tool exchange time can be shortened with simultaneously executing the movements of the spindle and the tool magazine.

Abstract: Machining is possible in such a manner that an optional position of a workpiece is positioned just under a tool by rotation of a turn table in a C-axis direction and movement of a spindle on a Y-Z plane, so that a width of a main unit in a X-axis direction can be made shorter in comparison with machining by moving the turn table in the X-axis direction. Besides, the turn table located on a front side of the main unit, an ATC located on the rear side thereof, and a separated control panel located on the rear side of the ATC, independent from the main unit can also make the width of a machining centre in the X-axis direction shorter.

Abstract: A model producing means for modeling a chip model at an edge of a solid model of a nozzle through a predetermined space in a three-dimensional virtual space, and a trace machining propriety judging means for watching a state of an interference between the chip model and the solid model of a workpiece at the time of simulation of laser beam machining program and outputting a predetermined signal when releasing the state of the interference are provided. If an inconvenient instruction wherein the nozzle and the workpiece do not face each other is included in the laser beam machining program, the chip model departs from the solid model of the workpiece and the trace machining propriety judging means outputs a predetermined signal, through which program error can be properly detected with no visual observation of an operator.

Abstract: At the time of execution of concurrent six-axes cylindrical interpolation instruction wherein a start point, an intermediate point, an end point and feed speed are instructed in a machining program PRO, a machining data computing portion 59 computes angular velocity of first, second, and third rotational axis directions and moving speed of first, second and third axial directions so as to correspond the feed speed of a torch with respect to a workpiece with the feed speed instructed in the machining program PRO, and the machining control portion 55 simultaneously controls the first, second and third axes and the first, second and third rotational axes on the basis of the angular velocity and the moving speed which are computed so as to rotate a chuck holding the workpiece and to move the torch, so that machining on the workpiece is executed.

Abstract: A workpiece is irradiated by a laser beam scanned in an oscillating track as the workpiece is advanced along a feed path in a hardening process. Sinusoidal variations in scan velocity are offset by decreasing the laser beam power level at phases in the scanning cycles corresponding to high and low scan displacement peaks, where the scan velocity is least. The beam power is increased near the scanning center line where the scan velocity is highest. The beam energy applied per unit of area is thus equalized over the scanning cycle. The workpiece temperature can be sampled at regular phases by a non-contact temperature sensor in the optical path, and used to control beam power versus phase in a subsequent scanning cycle. Alternatively or in addition, a sinusoidal beam power pattern can be stored and used to offset scan velocity variations as a function of phase.

Abstract: An apparatus for aiding a machinist in preparing a machining program. A machining simulator simulates a basic machining program. Values of machining variables are obtained during the simulation and stored in a simulation result data memory. A spindle load determiner, a cutting speed determiner, and a rotating speed determiner analyze the machining variable values of a certain machining process to determine the machining efficiency of that process. A navigation information memory stores a plurality of messages for giving advice on how to change the cutting conditions. A message, which depends on the analysis of the machining variable values, is selected from the memory and is shown on a display. Accordingly, an operator can easily modify the basic machining program by following the message on the display, even if the operator does not have much knowledge or experience.

Abstract: A tool holder for attaching a complex tool having a plurality of kinds of cutting edges to a turret, has a base portion attachably and detachably formed at the turret. The base portion has a rotatable tool spindle attachably and detachably installing the complex tool thereon. The tool spindle is provided with indexing means for indexably rotating the tool spindle at an indexed position corresponding to each cutting edge of the complex tool. And, clamping means for clamping the tool spindle at a predetermined indexed position is provided. Indexing rotational function and clamping function owned by the tool holder makes the use of the complex tool in the lathe possible.

Abstract: A nozzle holding means (13) having a nozzle (19) being free to eject laser beam from its top end is provided being free to move along a guide means among a plurality of machine tools. Nozzle holding means operation control means (6, 33) for controlling hardening operation on a workpiece by the nozzle are provided, and communication control means (6, 33) are provided for exchanging information necessary for hardening operation on a workpiece to be machined with each machine tool between the control means and a control means of each machine tool. The nozzle moves among the machine tools and hardening operation is performed on workpieces (29, 30) in the respective machine tools, thereby it is not necessary to provide a hardening unit for exclusive use every each machine tool, and it is possible to provide a hardening equipment having high working ratio.

Abstract: A saddle 18 is movable along a guide means 16 provided, passing through an neighborhood of machining area MA of a plurality of machine tools 1, 2. The saddle 18 is provided with a machining head 33, being free to selectively insert in and retreat from the machining area MA, and a plurality of kinds of nozzles 48 for ejecting laser beam. The nozzle 48 suitable for a portion of workpiece 3, 4 to be hardened is selected so as to attach it to the machining head 33. When hardening is instructed, the nozzle 48 is moved to a desired position with respect to the workpiece 3, 4 in the state of the workpiece 3, 4 located on the machine tool 1, 2, and the laser beam 51 is ejected from the nozzle 48 so as to harden the workpiece 3, 4.

Abstract: A sharp corner judgment means judges as to whether a corner of cut shape in a workpiece is a sharp corner is not on the basis of a machining program. When the corner is regarded as the sharp corner, an additional locus producing means for producing sharp corner produces an additional locus for producing sharp corner when machining on the corner regarded as the sharp corner, and a sharp corner machining execution means executes machining on the corner on the basis of the produced additional locus for producing sharp corner. Then, the additional locus for producing sharp corner can be automatically produced for the sharp corner so as to execute machining.

Abstract: In a complex tool to be installed on a machine tool capable of turning machining and milling machining operations, a main body is provided, and carries inserts for turning machining, inserts for milling machining and inserts for drilling machining. Turning machining and drilling/milling machining operations can be executed using the inserts installed on the main body, without the need for tool exchange, saving time and labor. The inserts as installed have opposite rotational cutting directions, and are placed on opposite sides of concavities that extend radially inwardly and axially back from the end of the main body. The inserts can be placed at the same or different cutting distances and can be brought into engagement with the workpiece by selection of the relative orientations of the rotation axis and the workpiece.

Abstract: A sensor 42d is provided for detecting release of a state of a workpiece fixed and held with workpiece holding members during rotation of a spindle 9. When the release of the state of the wokpiece fixed and held is detected, the sliding members are driven in a direction of an axial center (in a direction as shown by an arrow D) by a reciprocating drive means 42. Even if holding force, such as the oil pressure of the workpiece holding member, is lowered, the decrease of the holding force of the workpiece can be extremely avoided by moving the sliding members in the direction of the workpiece.

Abstract: A chuck unit for a machine tool is capable of holding a workpiece installed on a spindle by workpiece holding members that move in a radial direction with respect to an axial center. Workpiece holding rods are provided at the workpiece holding member and move radially. Screw operating portions are operated by a rotating operation jig at an outer peripheral side of the chuck unit. A workpiece end face abutment moves and holds the workpiece in the axial direction.

Abstract: A machining control system maintaining optimum machining states and enhancing efficiency and reliability even when an actual machining environment fluctuates. The machining control system includes a machining information determination portion for determining initial machining conditions on the basis of information stored in a machining data base and in accordance with adaptive control characteristics defined by adaptive control modes and adaptive control parameters, and an adaptive control portion for controlling machining by changing the machining conditions in accordance with the machining states observed during machining with the initial machining conditions as an initial value of the machining conditions.