Abstract: Disclosed are a tool indexer assembly, a computer numerically controlled machine that includes such tool indexer assembly, and associated methods. The assembly in one embodiment includes a turret and an indexer, the indexer including a portion that is movable with respect to the turret and that includes plural tool station configured to receive plural tool structures. The tool indexer is disposed on a facet of the turret, and, in some embodiments includes a table that is rotatable about an axis that is generally orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the turret. In another embodiment, a tool indexer includes a clamping mechanism having a source of pressurized fluid and a piston that is hydraulically actuated by the pressurized fluid and movable to a clamping position. The assembly further includes a conduit for delivery of the pressurized fluid proximal the tool structure as coolant fluid.

Abstract: A toolholder with a controllable critical angle, such as a lead, trailing, rake or clearance angles, includes a tool spindle for retaining the toolholder in a tool rest of a machine tool. The machine tool includes at least one linear axis, for example, three mutually perpendicular axes, a rotary axis and a rotation axis. The rotary axis and/or rotation axis is controllable to move to a specified position in synchronization with a movement of one of the linear axes. An adaptor supports a cutting tool that is retained in the adaptor by a clamp. The cutting tool defines a critical angle, such as a lead angle, a trailing angle, a rake angle and a flank clearance angle, wherein the critical angle is corrected as a vector of movement of at least one of the linear axis is changed. In addition, the cutting tool can be positioned on opposite side of a centerline of rotation of the workpiece to effectively double the life of the cutting tool. A method of controlling a toolholder is also disclosed.

Abstract: Computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines, adjustable material-working tools, and methods of operating an adjustable tool with a CNC machine are presented herein. An adjustable tool for a material-working machine is disclosed. The adjustable tool includes an elongated housing, and one or more cutting inserts at least partially disposed within the housing. Each cutting insert is selectively transversely repositionable with respect to the housing. A wedge is selectively longitudinally repositionable with respect to the housing. The wedge mates with the cutting insert(s) such that longitudinal movement of the wedge effectuates transverse movement of the cutting insert(s). A control arm is movably mounted to the housing. The control arm is configured to mechanically couple the wedge to a prime mover of the material-working machine such that motive force is transferred from the prime mover through the control arm to the wedge for the selective repositioning thereof.

Abstract: A method of machining a workpiece may include continuously rotating the workpiece, continuously rotating a tool having at least one cutting surface, and positioning the tool relative to the workpiece so that the at least one cutting surface engages the workpiece at a first discrete location at a periphery of the workpiece. The method may further include continuing to rotate the workpiece and the tool so that the at least one cutting surface engages a second discrete location at the periphery of the workpiece, and controlling a tool surface velocity VT relative to the workpiece surface velocity VW so that the first and second discrete locations are discontinuous. The tool may make multiple iterative passes over the workpiece to engage subsequent discrete locations, wherein the first discrete location, second discrete location, and multiple subsequent discrete locations may form a machined surface that extends continuously around the workpiece.

Abstract: Disclosed in one embodiment is a computer numerically controlled machine having a coolant nozzle that is mounted on a turret of the machine and that is rotatable relative to the turret under the control of a computer control system. The nozzle is fluidically connected to a source of a coolant. The machine includes a computer control system that is operatively coupled to the various components of the machine including the nozzle. In some embodiments, the nozzle may be moved to cause a constant contact angle with respect to one of said tool and said workpiece. In other embodiments, the nozzle may be moved to cause a constant coolant time to interface. Also disclosed are related methods.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining information about a workpiece may include a measuring device having a nozzle defining an orifice in fluid communication with a source of incompressible fluid. A fluid monitoring apparatus may monitor a parameter of the substantially incompressible fluid, and a pump may be fluidly coupled to the source and configured to supply incompressible fluid to the orifice. The pump may have a pump chamber with a first displacement setting having a first fixed volume, so that operation of the pump at a first pump speed with the pump chamber in the first displacement setting generates a first fluid flow having a substantially constant first volumetric rate. The pump may have more than one displacement setting, or the pump may be operated at different speeds to change the volumetric flow rate. The nozzle may include multiple, independent orifice sets that may be selectively provided fluid, thereby to obtain information on different parts of the workpiece with a single placement of the nozzle.

Abstract: An integrated medical software system with embedded transcription functionality, and a method of using that system, is disclosed. The system includes a clinical software module that is configured to be executed by a processor to create an electronic document and to capture clinical data for a patient in the electronic document during an encounter with the patient. The system also includes a transcription software application that is configured to be executed by the processor to select predefined clinical data that will appear within the electronic document in response to speech commands and to automatically transcribe dictated clinical data that will appear within the electronic document in response to dictation, wherein the predefined clinical data being previously linked to at least one of a diagnosis code and a procedure code and the dictated clinical data being automatically linked to at least one of a diagnosis code and a procedure code as it is transcribed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus in the field of computer numerically controlled machine tools. A rotating workpiece is brought into contact with a tool, the tool being disposed in a rotating tool holder and traversing an eccentric path. By rotating the tool holder and workpiece synchronously, various characteristics forms may be produced. The method in some embodiments is useful in the turning of noncircular shapes, such as ovoid pistons and other parts.

Abstract: A turning method and apparatus includes a tool holding mechanism, such as a turret, and a workpiece holder, typically a chuck disposed on a main machine spindle. The tool holding mechanism may be translated in three directions relative to the workpiece holder, including a Z-direction that is along the axis of the rotation of the workpiece holder and X- and Y-directions orthogonal thereto. Under the control of the computer control system, the tool holding mechanism is moved in a direction having both an X- and Y-component relative to the workpiece holder.

Abstract: Machine tool systems and methods include methods of synchronizing cutting tools with a workpiece retainer. In some embodiments, the methods and systems provide at least two cutting tools that are synchronized to machine a common surface of a workpiece in a quick and efficient manner. A controller having a single line of code for controlling both cutting tools and the workpiece retainer may be used. The cutting tools may be synchronized such that they engage substantially opposite portions of the workpiece, thereby to reduce resulting forces in the workpiece that may tend to induce workpiece deflection and/or chatter. In other embodiments, a cutting tool is synchronized with a split workpiece holder that may be controlled to induce a compression, tension, or torsion pre-load in the workpiece.

Abstract: A milling cutter (10) comprises a cutter body (12) having at least two operational annular rings (13, 14). An outer ring (13) is provided for rough milling and includes a plurality of cutting inserts spaced about the periphery of the cutter body. Positioned radially inward of the outer ring (13) is at least one ring (14) comprises a coating of abrasive material. As a result, a workpiece can be both tough and finish milled by a single milling cutter (10) with the rough cutting inserts (18) and the abrasive material.

Abstract: Disclosed are a machine with a grinding wheel and a dressing surface and related method. The dressing surface is movable in at least two axes of translation relative to the grinding wheel. The rotational speed of the grinding wheel and dressing surface preferably are under the control of a computer control system, whereby the speed of rotation of the dressing surface may be adjusted as the diameter of the dressing wheel and as the diameter of the grinding wheel is decreased during use. The machine may be used in continuous or intermittent dressing operations.

Abstract: Disclosed in one embodiment is a computer numerically controlled machine having a coolant nozzle that is mounted on a turret of the machine and that is rotatable relative to the turret under the control of a computer control system. The nozzle is fluidically connected to a source of a coolant. The machine includes a computer control system that is operatively coupled to the various components of the machine including the nozzle. In some embodiments, the nozzle may be moved to cause a constant contact angle with respect to one of said tool and said workpiece. In other embodiments, the nozzle may be moved to cause a constant coolant time to interface. Also disclosed are related methods.

Abstract: A cutting insert rotated about its axis may be utilized during a metalworking operation and applied against the rotating workpiece to enhance tool performance. A method, including an assembly with a rotatable insert mounted to a toolholder may be utilized to achieve this result.

Abstract: Disclosed are a computer numerically controlled incompressible machine and related methods. The machine includes a measuring device that has a source of fluid that is fluidically communicable with a nozzle and that configured to deliver fluid at a constant volumetric flow rate when a measurement reading is taken. The pressure of fluid delivered to the nozzle is monitored and, from this pressure, a measurement parameter is determined. Other embodiments are disclosed; for instance, the invention in some embodiments provides an integrated cutting tool and nozzle.

Abstract: Disclosed are a computer numerically controlled machine and methods for forming, grinding, or dressing cutting tools in a computer numerically controlled machine. In some embodiments, the computer numerically controlled machine is provided with a cutting tool and an abrasive surface. The abrasive surface is brought into contact with the cutting tool to abrade material from the cutting tool in a grinding or dressing operation. In certain embodiments, it is not necessary to remove the cutting tool from the computer numerically controlled machine for dressing. In some non-mutually-exclusive embodiments, the machine is provided with tool blanks, from which cutting tools are prepared using an abrasive surface in the machine.

Abstract: Disclosed are a tool indexer assembly, a computer numerically controlled machine that includes such tool indexer assembly, and associated methods. The assembly in one embodiment includes a turret and an indexer, the indexer including a portion that is movable with respect to the turret and that includes plural tool station configured to receive plural tool structures. The tool indexer is disposed on a facet of the turret, and, in some embodiments includes a table that is rotatable about an axis that is generally orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the turret. In another embodiment, a tool indexer includes a clamping mechanism having a source of pressurized fluid and a piston that is hydraulically actuated by the pressurized fluid and movable to a clamping position. The assembly further includes a conduit for delivery of the pressurized fluid proximal the tool structure as coolant fluid.

Abstract: A toolholder with a controllable critical angle, such as a lead, trailing, rake or clearance angles, includes a tool spindle for retaining the toolholder in a tool rest of a machine tool. The machine tool includes at least one linear axis, for example, three mutually perpendicular axes, a rotary axis and a rotation axis. The rotary axis and/or rotation axis is controllable to move to a specified position in synchronization with a movement of one of the linear axes. An adaptor supports a cutting tool that is retained in the adaptor by a clamp. The cutting tool defines a critical angle, such as a lead angle, a trailing angle, a rake angle and a flank clearance angle, wherein the critical angle is corrected as a vector of movement of at least one of the linear axis is changed. In addition, the cutting tool can be positioned on opposite side of a centerline of rotation of the workpiece to effectively double the life of the cutting tool. A method of controlling a toolholder is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cutting insert rotated about its axis may be utilized during a metalworking operation and applied against the rotating workpiece to enhance tool performance. The cutting insert is secured within a toolholder having features to secure the insert but at the same time make for efficient removal of the insert from the toolholder.

Abstract: A cutting insert rotated about its axis may be utilized during a metalworking operation and applied against the rotating workpiece to enhance tool performance. A method, including an assembly with a rotatable insert mounted to a toolholder may be utilized to achieve this result.