Abstract: A touch trigger probe interface for a machine tool is described that includes a probe communication portion for receiving probe event information from a touch trigger probe. A machine tool communication portion is also provided for outputting probe event information to a numerical controller of the machine tool. The machine tool communication portion outputs the probe event information as digital data packets, for example over a digital data bus. The digital data packets may include a time stamp and/or the touch trigger probe interface may receive timing information from the machine tool. A touch trigger probing system and a machine tool system including the probe interface are also described.

Abstract: A touch trigger probe interface for a machine tool is described that includes a probe communication portion for receiving probe event information from a touch trigger probe. A machine tool communication portion is also provided for outputting probe event information to a numerical controller of the machine tool. The machine tool communication portion outputs the probe event information as digital data packets, for example over a digital data bus. The digital data packets may include a time stamp and/or the touch trigger probe interface may receive timing information from the machine tool. A touch trigger probing system and a machine tool system including the probe interface are also described.

Abstract: A touch trigger probe interface for a machine tool is described that includes a probe communication portion for receiving probe event information from a touch trigger probe. A machine tool communication portion is also provided for outputting probe event information to a numerical controller of the machine tool. The machine tool communication portion outputs the probe event information as digital data packets, for example over a digital data bus. The digital data packets may include a time stamp and/or the touch trigger probe interface may receive timing information from the machine tool. A touch trigger probing system and a machine tool system including the probe interface are also described.

Abstract: A touch trigger probe interface for a machine tool is described that includes a probe communication portion for receiving probe event information from a touch trigger probe. A machine tool communication portion is also provided for outputting probe event information to a numerical controller of the machine tool. The machine tool communication portion outputs the probe event information as digital data packets, for example over a digital data bus. The digital data packets may include a time stamp and/or the touch trigger probe interface may receive timing information from the machine tool. A touch trigger probing system and a machine tool system including the probe interface are also described.

Abstract: A method of preparing a plasticised particulate polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composition is provided, comprising: mixing, in a mixer, at a mixer speed and for a time sufficient that the mixture attains a temperature of at least 50° C.: particulate PVA resin in an amount from 80% to 90% by weight of the mixture; and plasticiser in an amount from 10% to 20% by weight of the mixture, wherein at least a portion of the plasticiser is water; monitoring the apparent viscosity of the mixture during mixing and continuing mixing until the apparent viscosity of the mixture has peaked to a maximum and dropped off to a substantially constant level, thereby to obtain a plasticised particulate mixture having a moisture content in the range from 7% to 14%; preferably adding an anti-caking agent in an amount from 0.05% to 0.