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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Disclosed are a turning method and apparatus. The apparatus, which otherwise may be conventional, 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: 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: 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 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 milling tool and a workpiece each may be rotated at a rotational velocity of at least 25 m/min in a compound machining operation. Disclosed are a computer numerically controlled machine, a method for operation of a computer numerically controlled machine, a computer program product, and a method for determining compound machining parameters. In some embodiments, a processing parameter for compound machining is selected and other processing parameters are algorithmically determined based thereon.

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: A toolholder (50) with a controllable critical angle, such as a lead, trailing, rake or clearance angles, includes a tool spindle (42a) for retaining the toolholder in a tool rest (42) of a machine tool. The machine tool (10) 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 (54) supports a cutting tool (56) that is retained in the adaptor by a clamp (58). The cutting tool (56) 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 (56) can be positioned on opposite side of a centerline of rotation of the workpiece to effectively double the life of the cutting tool.

Abstract: The invention described is a method of milling bimetallic, aluminum-cast iron components with silicon nitride based ceramic cutting inserts.

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.