Abstract: An assembly for the removal of particulate residue generated by a CNC machine including a first means mounted on a gantry thereof for directing a stream of air downwardly toward a worktable thereof and at a degree toward a tool holder thereof effective to form an air current across a forwardly disposed opening of such gantry and entrain particulate residue, a second means mounted on such gantry rearwardly of such first means for directing a stream of air downwardly toward such worktable and to a degree toward such tool holder effective to form an air curtain across a rearwardly disposed opening of such gantry and entrain particulate residue and means mounted on such gantry for exhausting air entrained with such particulate residue from within such gantry between such air curtain.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a machine whereby a workpiece is held on a worktable of the machine with a suction force. When the work piece has a surface area insufficient to receive a full cut from a tool mounted in a tool head of the machine, the machine automatically adjusts the depth and the cutting speed of the tool to lesson the cut so the workpiece is not moved or ejected from the worktable. The depth and speed of the tool may be adjusted in a single cut pass of the tool or they may be adjusted in successive cut passes.

Abstract: A toolhead assembly for a CNC machine displaceable along orthogonal x, y and z-axes generally consisting of a support assembly, a tool carrier supported on the support assembly having a rotatable tool axis and being displaceable relative to the support assembly between a first position wherein the tool axis is aligned with the z-axis and a second position wherein the tool axis is misaligned with the z-axis, structure for yieldably biasing the tool carrier assembly into the first position and structure responsive to a displacement of the tool carrier assembly to the second position for breaking an electrical grounding circuit of a controller operatively connected to the machine.

Abstract: A method and system for calibrating a machine capable of automatically calibrating the axes of the machine by comparing an initial calibration state of a particular axis with a subsequent motion of the machine along the same axis. The machine adjusts the motion along such axis based on the angular displacement by modifying the reference data in the computer memory of the machine to accord with the subsequent motion along the axis.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a machine whereby a workpiece is held on a worktable of the machine with a suction force. When the work piece has a surface area insufficient to receive a full cut from a tool mounted in a tool head of the machine, the machine automatically adjusts the depth and the cutting speed of the tool to lesson the cut so the workpiece is not moved or ejected from the worktable. The depth and speed of the tool may be adjusted in a single cut pass of the tool or they may be adjusted in successive cut passes.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a machine whereby a workpiece is held on a worktable of the machine with a suction force. When the work piece has a surface area insufficient to receive a full cut from a tool mounted in a tool head of the machine, the machine automatically adjusts the depth and the cutting speed of the tool to lesson the cut so the workpiece is not moved or ejected from the worktable. The depth and speed of the tool may be adjusted in a single cut pass of the tool or they may be adjusted in successive cut passes.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and a method using a multi-purpose flexible CNC machine that is able to perform a variety of machining operations on all parts of a product. Specific operations include carving, boring, cutting, grooving, molding, shaping, routing, mortising, edge working, sawing, planing, squaring, sanding, drilling and dovetailing. The CNC control integrates machining instructions, operator instructions and sequence of operations into a coherent package.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and a method using a multipurpose flexible CNC machine that is able to perform a variety of machining operations on all parts of a product. Specific operations include carving, boring, cutting, grooving, molding, shaping, routing, mortising, edge working, sawing, planing, squaring, sanding, drilling and dovetailing. The CNC control integrates machining instructions, operator: instructions and sequence of operations into a coherent package.

Abstract: In a machine tool having a base member, a member moveable relative to the base member, an elongated drive screw supported on the base member and an operative connection between the moveable member and the drive screw whereby upon driving the drive screw the moveable member will be caused to be displaced relative to the base member, an anti-whip device generally consisting of a drive screw support member pivotally supported on the base member, having angularly spaced arm sections alternatively disposable in a line of travel of the operative connection and engageable with the elongated drive screw in supporting relation at points intermediate the ends thereof, each of the arm sections being engageable by a component of the moveable member as it traverses in a selected direction to cause the arm section to pivot out of its drive screw support engagement, ahead of the operative connection, and simultaneously cause the other of the arm sections to pivot into its drive screw support engagement, behind the passage o

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed providing improved maintainability for CNC machine tools with serviceable parts. An electronic manual with video, audio, and textual information is stored in memory on a computer system integrated with the CNC tool control. A first register in computer system memory stores predetermined cycle value for at least one serviceable part. A service clock accumulates information collected from tool movement data monitored using the CNC machine tool control in a second register. Maintenance events are indicated for at least one serviceable part based on a comparison of first and second register contents. A graphical display with a graphical representation of the CNC machine shows where the maintenance event has occurred and where maintenance is required with an accompanying alarm indication. Such an indication may be a visual alarm indication superimposed on the graphical display in proximity to location of maintenance event.

Abstract: A tailstock assembly mountable on a machine tool and cooperable with a headstock assembly for retaining a workpiece inbetween.

Abstract: A machine tool generally consisting of a base member; a table mounted on the base member having a workpiece support surface, a plenum and at least one port in the support surface of the table communicating with the plenum; means communicable with the plenum for producing a vacuum therein; a check valve including a body disposable on the table in blocking relation with the port, having a passageway therethrough intercommunicating the plenum and the exterior of the table when the valve body is disposed in blocking relation with the port, and a valve element disposed in the body passageway of the valve body displaceable between a first position under a first condition blocking the body passageway and a second position under a second condition unblocking the body passageway; and a tool operatively engageable with a workpiece positioned on the table overlying the check valve when the valve element of the check valve is in the second position under the second condition.

Abstract: A dust collector assembly for a toolhead assembly of a machine tool, having a base unit, a bracket supported on the base unit and pivotal relative thereto about a first axis and a tool unit supported on the bracket and pivotal relative thereto about a second axis, generally consisting of a first duct member supported on the base unit, having an inlet and an outlet communicable with a vacuum producing source; a second duct member supported on the bracket, having an inlet and an outlet communicating with the inlet of the first duct member through a first slip ring connection disposed coaxially with the first axis; and third duct supported on the bracket, having an inlet disposed adjacent a tool of the tool unit and an outlet communicating with the inlet of the second duct through a second slip ring connection disposed coaxially with the second axis.

Abstract: A machine for carving workpieces having substantially similar configurations generally including a base member, means disposed on the base member for retaining at least one workpiece thereon, means for rotationally indexing the workpiece disposed on the retaining means, about an axis, a working tool operatively engageable with a workpiece disposed between the retaining means, supported on the base member and displaceable along x, y and z axes pursuant to a programmed sequence of motions coordinated with the workpiece indexing means for shaping the workpiece in a selected configuration, and at least one means for successively positioning a plurality of similarly configured workpieces in a selected orientation including a support member, a jointed linkage supported on the base member, supporting the support member and manipulatable to position the support member into a support relationship with an initial one of the workpieces disposed in the selected orientation and held by the retaining means, means for fixin

Abstract: A machine for carving workpieces having substantially similar configurations generally including a base member, means disposed on the base member for retaining at least one workpiece thereon, means for rotationally indexing the workpiece disposed on the retaining means, about an axis, a working tool operatively engageable with a workpiece disposed between the retaining means, supported on the base member and displaceable along x, y and z axes pursuant to a programmed sequence of motions coordinated with the workpiece indexing means for shaping the workpiece in a selected configuration, and at least one means for successively positioning a plurality of similarly configured workpieces in a selected orientation including a support member, a jointed linkage supported on the base member, supporting the support member and manipulatable to position the support member into a support relationship with an initial one of the workpieces disposed in the selected orientation and held by the retaining means, means for fixin

Abstract: The invention provides a machine tool comprising a base member, a workpiece support means mounted on the base member, a toolhead support means mounted on the base member, a toolhead assembly mounted on the toolhead support means, rotatable about a given axis relative to the toolhead support means, at least two tools mounted on the toolhead assembly, having axes radially disposed and circumferentially spaced relative to the given axis, a means for operating a selected one of the tools when the selected tool is disposed in a predetermined position relative to the workpiece support means operatively interconnecting the toolhead support means and the toolhead assembly for selectively, rotatably indexing the toolhead assembly about the given axis to position a selected one of the tools in the predetermined position; and means for locking the toolhead assembly relative to the toolhead support means when a selected one of the tools is disposed in the predetermined position.

Abstract: A machine for carving workpieces having substantially similar configurations generally including a base member, means disposed on the base member for retaining at least one workpiece thereon, means for rotationally indexing the workpiece disposed on the retaining means, about an axis, a working tool operatively engageable with a workpiece disposed between the retaining means, supported on the base member and displaceable along x, y and z axes pursuant to a programmed sequence of motions coordinated with the workpiece indexing means for shaping the workpiece in a selected configuration, and at least one means for successively positioning a plurality of similarly configured workpieces in a selected orientation including a support member, a jointed linkage supported on the base member, supporting the support member and manipulatable to position the support member into a support relationship with an initial one of the workpieces disposed in the selected orientation and held by the retaining means, means for fixin

Abstract: A toolhead assembly for a machine tool generally consisting of a housing supportable on the machine tool and having at least one elongated bore therein, a liner formed of a structural polymer material disposed in the bore, adhesively secured to the housing and having a cylindrical inner wall surface, a spindle shaft journal in the housing and disposed coaxially in the liner for axial displacement therein, the spindle shaft having a head section rigidly mounted on the spindle shaft and engagable in sliding relation to the liner inner wall to provide fluid chambers on either side thereof, means for injecting fluid under pressure selectively into the chambers for axially displacing the spindle shaft, means for spinning the spindle shaft about its axis and means for securing a tool bit to the spindle shaft.

Abstract: A toolhead assembly for a machine tool generally consisting of a housing supportable on the machine tool and having at least one elongated bore therein, a liner formed of a structural polymer material disposed in the bore, adhesively secured to the housing and having a cylindrical inner wall surface, a spindle shaft journal in the housing and disposed coaxially in the liner for axial displacement therein, the spindle shaft having a head section rigidly mounted on the spindle shaft and engagable in sliding relation to the liner inner wall to provide fluid chambers on either side thereof, means for injecting fluid under pressure selectively into the chambers for axially displacing the spindle shaft, means for spinning the spindle shaft about its axis and means for securing a tool bit to the spindle shaft.

Abstract: Square inside corners are formed in raised panels from a single workpiece to be used in the manufacture of cabinetry, furniture and the like. A machine with a rotatable spindle provides the drive for the square corner forming tool bit. The tool bit is mounted on a support that translates the rotary motion of the spindle to a reciprocating motion of the tool bit. The tool bit has a pair of side wall surfaces that are displaced at an angle equal to one half the angle formed by the corner, relative to the line of travel of the tool bit. The lower edges of the side wall surfaces are formed with cutting blades, ridges, or abrasive surfaces or, alternatively, the bottom wall surface of the tool bit is formed with such cutting edges.