Abstract: A machine tool coolant supply system includes a chassis configured to mount the coolant supply system to a coolant storage tank of a machine tool. The coolant supply system further includes a concentrate tank arranged within the chassis, a first flow control valve coupled to the concentrate tank, a second flow control valve coupled to a water supply line, and a mixer configured to mix a concentrate with water. The mixer includes a first inlet coupled to the first flow control valve and configured to receive the concentrate from the concentrate tank via the first flow control valve, a second inlet coupled to the second flow control valve and configured to receive the water from the water supply line via the second flow control valve, and an outlet configured to dispense a mixture of the concentrate and the water into the coolant storage tank of the machine tool.

Abstract: A machine tool coolant supply system includes a chassis configured to mount the coolant supply system to a coolant storage tank of a machine tool. The coolant supply system further includes a concentrate tank arranged within the chassis, a first flow control valve coupled to the concentrate tank, a second flow control valve coupled to a water supply line, and a mixer configured to mix a concentrate with water. The mixer includes a first inlet coupled to the first flow control valve and configured to receive the concentrate from the concentrate tank via the first flow control valve, a second inlet coupled to the second flow control valve and configured to receive the water from the water supply line via the second flow control valve, and an outlet configured to dispense a mixture of the concentrate and the water into the coolant storage tank of the machine tool.

Abstract: A cut optimization system controls chatter in a machine tool during a cutting operation. A microphone is configured to capture acoustic noise emitted by the machine tool during the cutting operation and to generate an AC signal corresponding to the captured acoustic noise. A filter is configured to attenuate frequencies of the AC signal outside of a frequency band and a rectifier is configured to rectify the filtered AC signal into a DC component. A controller is configured to compare the DC component with a threshold value and, if the DC component is greater than the threshold, cyclically vary the rotational speed of a spindle in the machine tool from a commanded speed.

Abstract: A method of controlling the motion of a moveable door includes determining the direction that the door is moving with respect to its anticipated closed position, and based on the direction, regulating an amount of force that is available to the door for its motion. The method may further include monitoring the position of the door as it is moving, and adjusting the motion of the door and regulating the amount of force available to the door for its motion, based on the calculated difference between the door's position as detected during monitoring and its expected position.

Abstract: A smart machine tool lubrication system monitors the distance traveled by a motion component in a machine tool. A predetermined amount of lubricant is dispensed at a lubrication point of the motion component when the monitored distance exceeds a first threshold value. The smart machine tool lubrication system may further monitor the duration of time the motion component is in motion and dispense the predetermined amount of lubricant with the monitored duration of time exceeds a second threshold value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining and displaying a time to overload of a motor in a computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine tool are provided. A method includes monitoring a fuse level of a motor in a CNC machine tool and calculating a time to overload of the motor based on the fuse level. The method further includes displaying the time to overload on a user interface based on the fuse level of the motor and a load acting on the motor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining and displaying a time to overload of a motor in a computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine tool are provided. A method includes monitoring a fuse level of a motor in a CNC machine tool and calculating a time to overload of the motor based on the fuse level. The method further includes displaying the time to overload on a user interface based on the fuse level of the motor and a load acting on the motor.

Abstract: A method of controlling the motion of a moveable door includes determining the direction that the door is moving with respect to its anticipated closed position, and based on the direction, regulating an amount of force that is available to the door for its motion. The method may further include monitoring the position of the door as it is moving, and adjusting the motion of the door and regulating the amount of force available to the door for its motion, based on the calculated difference between the door's position as detected during monitoring and its expected position.

Abstract: A cut optimization system controls chatter in a machine tool during a cutting operation. A microphone is configured to capture acoustic noise emitted by the machine tool during the cutting operation and to generate an AC signal corresponding to the captured acoustic noise. A filter is configured to attenuate frequencies of the AC signal outside of a frequency band and a rectifier is configured to rectify the filtered AC signal into a DC component. A controller is configured to compare the DC component with a threshold value and, if the DC component is greater than the threshold, cyclically vary the rotational speed of a spindle in the machine tool from a commanded speed.

Abstract: A smart machine tool lubrication system monitors the distance traveled by a motion component in a machine tool. A predetermined amount of lubricant is dispensed at a lubrication point of the motion component when the monitored distance exceeds a first threshold value. The smart machine tool lubrication system may further monitor the duration of time the motion component is in motion and dispense the predetermined amount of lubricant with the monitored duration of time exceeds a second threshold value.

Abstract: A machine tool controller is provided that includes a processor configured to execute a sequence of instructions in accordance with an operating program and a user program. A volatile memory temporarily stores instructions and data during execution of the sequence of instructions by the processor, and is coupled to the processor via a first interface. A first non-volatile memory stores the operating program and is coupled to the processor via a second interface. A second non-volatile memory stores the user program and is coupled to the processor via a third interface. A video controller is configured to control a user display in accordance with display data generated by the processor and is coupled to the processor via a fourth interface. A dual-port memory is coupled to the processor via a fifth interface and couples a serial bus controller configured to control communications with an external device via a serial bus to the processor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an index fixture system comprising a casting mounting, an indexing fixture which provides rotative positioning of a work held within a collet holder spindle. A worm gear and worm affixed to a synchronous stepping motor, giving a total of 28,800 index positions, controls the indexing fixture, the motor being controlled by a computer program containing a pre-computed list of motor step times.