Abstract: There are provided a curved-surface state evaluating unit 20 for forming evaluation data by arranging virtually a tool on a given scheduled path locus not to interfere with a processed surface of a processing object and by setting a plurality of tool path sample points to evaluate a state of the processed surface, and a tool position data forming unit 30 having a command speed deciding portion 32 for deciding a command speed, at which the tool is moved, based on evaluation data of the tool path sample points and a tool position deciding portion 33 for deciding the tool position based on the command speed and a shape of a worked surface such that the tool does not interfere with the worked surface, wherein an operation of the curved-surface state evaluating unit 20 and an operation of the tool position data forming unit 30 are executed in real time.

Abstract: An automatic programming apparatus comprises a machining unit preparing section for preparing plural machining units, a machining unit defining section for selecting a designated machining unit from the prepared machining units and designating the arrangement and size of the machining area of the selected machining unit, and an machined material creating section for creating a shape with the machining area shape removed from the material shape. The automatic programming apparatus and method for an NC machine which can easily create a machining program in complicated machining and also create a correct program quickly in complicated machining by trial and error.

Abstract: A numerical control apparatus allows for the machining of a workpiece based on a three-dimensional work shape which is inputted. The shape of the workpiece is set and the shape of the workpiece and three-dimensional work shape determine the work region to be extracted. The extracted work region is divided into work regions of spot work, contour work, and region work by the characteristics of the work. The work order is set to determine the order in which the divided work regions are to be machined. The work information for each work region is then inputted and command data used in moving a tool is generated from the work order data and the work information.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus comprises an input shaft transmitting a rotation from a steering wheel and an output shaft rotatably connected to the input shaft through a torsion bar relative to the input shaft. A drive motor is coaxially arranged relative to both of the input shaft and the output shaft. A reduction mechanism coaxially provided in a housing relative to the input and output shaft transmits a rotation of the drive motor to the output shaft so as to reduce the rotation of the drive motor at a constant reduction rate. A torque sensor detects a torque added to the torsion bar as a relative rotational displacement between the input shaft and the output shaft. The drive motor is rotationally controlled in accordance with the detected torque by the torque sensor.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus for turning a steerable wheel of a vehicle in response to steering operation by a driver. The apparatus comprises a hydraulic pump for pumping a fluid from a reservoir so as to supply pressurized fluid to a power cylinder formed in a gear housing through a direction control valve which is operable in response to rotation of the steering wheel for selectively delivering the pressurized fluid to pair of pressure chambers of the power cylinder. The apparatus further comprises an electric motor for rotating the hydraulic pump, an accumulator for accumulating the pressurized fluid discharged from the hydraulic pump, a detector for detecting the pressure of the pressurized fluid and for outputting a signal corresponding to the detected pressure, and a controller responsible to the signal from the detector for activating the electric motor only when the detected pressure is below a predetermined level. The hydraulic pump and the electric motor are mounted on the gear housing.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus of rack-and-pinion type comprising an input shaft steered by a driver, an output shaft operatively connected to a rack bar through a rack-and-pinion gear mechanism, a hydraulic cylinder operatively connected to the rack bar, and a rotary valve operatively connected to the input shaft. The steering apparatus further comprises an intermediate rotary member disposed between the input shaft and output shaft for rotation about an axis offset from the rotational axis of the output shaft, and a reduction gear mechanism arranged between the rotary valve and the intermediate rotary member. A cam mechanism is disposed between the intermediate rotary member and the output shaft for transmitting the rotation of the intermediate rotary member to the output shaft.

Abstract: A numerical control device for controlling a machine tool or a robot accepts a mixed program including both conventional G-codes and codes for nonuniform rational B-spline. The blocks of G-codes and rational B-spline codes are discriminated by a respective head code or symbol. Once a set of order, number of control points, and knot vector is input via code blocks of a program, the same setting for the B-spline basis functions is used for generation of the rational B-spline curves until a new set of order, etc., are input.

Abstract: A curved surface designing method comprises the steps of a first step of inputting edge shape data of n-sides of a curved surface, a second step of obtaining a regular n-sided polygon in a parameter space on the basis of the given data of n sides, a third step of calculating distance parameters on the basis of the regular n-sided polygon obtained by the second step, a fourth step of calculating blending values on the basis of the distance parameters, a fifth step of mapping an inner point D of the regular n-sided polygon onto the respective sides so as to calculate boundary parameters, a sixth step of calculating at least one of three-dimensional coordinate points, and, if necessary, tangent vectors, on sides which are boundaries of the curved surface on the basis of the boundary parameters, and a seventh step of calculating arbitrary points on the curved surface on the basis of the distance parameters, the blending values, the three-dimensional coordinate points of the respective sides, and, if necessary, th

Abstract: In a front wheel steering apparatus including an input shaft arranged to be rotated by the driver's steering effort applied thereto, an output member operatively connected to a set of steerable front road wheels by use of a steering linkage and an interconnecting mechanism for operatively interconnecting the input shaft to the output member, an axial projection is provided on an input end of the input shaft in parallel with the rotation axis of the input shaft and at a position radially displaced a predetermined distance from the rotational axis of the input shaft, a cam follower is rotatably mounted on the axial projection, and a cam shaft is arranged in parallel with the input shaft to be applied with the steering effort for effecting rotation of the input shaft.

Abstract: A four-wheel steering system for an automotive vehicle in which a cable linkage is adapted to operatively interconnect front and rear wheel steering mechanisms. The cable linkage is provided with a displacement transmitting mechanism which includes an input element operatively connected to a front lateral bar in the front wheel steering mechanism through the cable linkage, an output element operatively connected to the rear wheel steering mechanism, and a spring element disposed between the input and output elements to transmit displacement of the input element to the output element without any deflection in a condition where the output element is freely movable and to absorb displacement of the input element in a condition where the output element is restrained by an excessive load applied thereto from the rear wheel steering mechanism.

Abstract: The graphics input apparatus enables an operator to input a two or three-dimensional schematic figure into a computer simply by hand-writing a two-dimensioanl figure in a picture plane of a display device such as a cathode ray tube. The graphics input apparatus is provided with a display device, a memory, a position indicator for indicating predetermined positions in the picture plane of the display device, and a cursor display for displaying a cursor at the position indicated by the position indicator.

Abstract: Minute spherical bismuth (III) oxide particles are produced by adding a monocarboxylic acid to an aqueous solution containing trivalent bismuth ions thereby inducing formation of a bismuth-monocarboxylic acid complex in the aqueous solution, further adding an alkali to the aqueous solution thereby inducing precipitation of the complex, separating the precipitated complex from the solution, and firing the separated complex.

Abstract: A curvilinear interpolation system and method for use in a numerical control apparatus such as a machine tool or a robot having two or more drive axes and movable while effecting linear interpolation on a given curve with a plurality of line segments. For each line segment a curvature K.sub.p of the curve is calculated at a current curve interpolating point P.sub.p, and a curvature K.sub.n calculated at a point P.sub.n on the curve spaced a given search length l.sub.S from the point P.sub.p along the curve. Then, a curvature K.sub.s is set equal to K.sub.p when K.sub.p .gtoreq.K.sub.n and set equal to K.sub.n when K.sub.p <K.sub.n. The curvature K.sub.s is compared with a limit curvature K.sub.L established for determining whether a curve portion is a straight line or an arc for establishing the curve portion as an arc having the curvature K.sub.s when K.sub.s .gtoreq.K.sub.

Abstract: A tool magazine is provided wherein an endless chain carrying a plurality of tool sockets is guided on a magazine frame and is indexable to present to a removal station one of the tool sockets receiving a desired tool. An operating arm mechanism carrying a push rod is pivotably supported on the magazine frame. A foot-operated lever, pivotably carried on the magazine frame, is linked with the operating arm mechanism and, when trodden, causes the push rod to push out the desired tool from the one of the tool sockets. A locking device is further provided on the magazine frame for locking the operating arm mechanism each time the same is retracted to its original angular position after pushing-out of the desired tool. Thus, the foot-operated lever is prevented from operation unless the locking device is manipulated to release the operating arm from thereby locking.