Abstract: An assembly for removing chips from a cutting tool working area on a workpiece, including a support structure for supporting a first end of an axially expandable and collapsible tubular member; a cross-piece for supporting a second end of the tubular member; at least one biasing spring configured and arranged for resiliently biasing the support structure and the cross-piece away from one another; a housing with a chips-receiving chamber located adjacent one of the ends of the tubular member for engagement with the working area of the workpiece, an outlet from the chamber of the housing being configured to be connected to a vacuum source for removing chips from the chamber; and a hub portion located at the other of the ends of the tubular member for engagement with a cutting machine.

Abstract: A method and cutting tool for producing a hole or a recess in a workpiece which includes flat or curved sheets of fiber-reinforced composite material, metal or combinations thereof. The cutting tool has a shaft with a longitudinal axis and an axial cutting surface and at least one cutting edge disposed on the axial cutting surface and extending radially from the longitudinal axis with a gap between the radial inner extent of the cutting edge and the longitudinal axis. The method of use includes rotating the cutting tool about its longitudinal axis and also translating the cutting tool during rotation.

Abstract: An orbital machining apparatus for producing a hole in a workpiece using a cutting tool and including a first actuator for rotating the cutting tool about its longitudinal center axis, a second actuator for moving the cutting tool in an axial feed direction, a third actuator for rotating the cutting tool about a principal axis and a radial offset mechanism. The radial offset mechanism includes an inner cylindrical body having an eccentric cylindrical hole and which supports a spindle unit, the inner cylindrical body radially supported in an eccentric cylindrical hole of an outer cylindrical body to adjust the radial distance of the cutting tool longitudinal center axis from the principal axis. The third actuator includes first and second motors which rotate the outer and inner cylindrical bodies, respectively, in synchronism to maintain a mutual rotary position thereof to keep a cutting tool radial offset position unchanged during operation.