Abstract: A machining location for machining workpieces, comprising: a machine tool; an enclosure for said machine tool that encloses the entire machine tool within a predetermined space; workpiece storage within said predetermined space for storing workpieces at least prior to being worked on by said machine tool and for subjecting such workpieces when so stored to said machining environment to become oriented thereto. The machining location is mounted and supported to be separate from and independent of said machine tool so that vibrations are not transmitted from said enclosure to said machine tool. The machining location further comprises ambient environment controls for effecting control of at least the temperature of the air within said predetermined space.

Abstract: A machine tool, particularly for grinding workpieces, has a single rotatable spindle (2) carrying a fixed cup-shaped inner grinding wheel (8) and an axially slidable cup-shaped outer grinding wheel (22). A T-shaped annular piston (14) engages in a recess with the spindle to form front and rear annular chambers to each of which hydraulic oil is alternately connectable. The piston has an outer part (18) on which is mounted the grinding wheel (22), being preferably the coarser of the two wheels for use in rough grinding. A tooth-shaped location device (32) at each side of the piston (14) engages with a respective device (34) on the spindle to prevent relative rotation of the wheel (22) and to provide a driving torque when it is advanced to its working position beyond the inner wheel (8).

Abstract: A machine tool, comprising: a worktable assembly slidably carried by the machine frame for reciprocal movement along a work axis and which is configured to carry a workpiece. A worktool assembly is slidably carried by said machine frame for reciprocal movement along a worktool axis at a predetermined angle with respect to said work axis and so as to intersect same. A reference straight edge is carried by said worktable assembly and has a reference surface. Reference sensing means is carried by said machine frame for coaction with said reference straight edge reference surface, to measure reference spacing between said reference surface and said reference sensing means and to provide a reference output indictive of said reference spacing. Control means is provided to facilitate movement of said worktool towards and away from said work axis, which is responsive to said reference output to further facilitate worktool movement towards said work axis.

Abstract: A machine tool comprising a bed, a worktable movable relative to the bed along a linear path and a tool movable to engage a workpiece on the worktable wherein drive means for effecting the movement of the worktable relative to the bed and therefore to the tool comprises a friction drive so as to provide a smooth carriage motion to the worktable. The worktable may be slidable along a slideway which defines the linear path for the worktable and the drive means therefor comprises an elongate member forming a track mounted parallel to the slideway. Wheel means frictionally engages the track and is carried by drive means therefor mounted on the worktable so that the axis of rotaion of the wheel means is fixed in relation to the worktable.

Abstract: A CNC cylindrical grinding machine comprising a bed, a worktable movable relative to the bed along a linear path, wheelhead movable in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of worktable travel, a rotatable grinding wheel mounted thereon for engagement with a workpiece mounted on the worktable, wheel drive means on the wheelhead for rotating the grinding wheel, headstock and tailstock means carried by the worktable for supporting a workpiece at its opposite ends, drive means associated with the headstock and tailstock means for rotating the workpiece, worktable drive means for effecting movement of the worktable relative to the bed and therefore the wheelhead, wheelhead drive means for effecting movement of the wheelhead and therefore the grinding wheel towards and away from the workpiece, control means by which all of the drive means and particularly the worktable and wheelhead drive means, are controlled, thereby to enable the workpiece to be positioned axially and rotationally relative to the

Abstract: A reference straight-edge is mounted on the worktable of a machine tool so that the position of the worktable and a workpiece carried thereon can be determined in respect of the x-axis of the machine tool by sensing the straight-edge; in addition a linear scale is carried by the tool carriage of the machine tool for cooperation with a reading head to provide an indication of the tool position along the x-axis. Another linear scale is carried by the worktable and coacts with a read head to provide the position of the worktable and workpiece along the z-axis. The linear scale of the tool and the reference straight-edge, and the reading head and sensing device associated therewith are all in the same plane. The workhead and tailstock spindles are equipped with hydrostatic bearings which have sensing devices to determine forces applied to workpieces carried between the headstock and tailstock on a worksteady and cooperate therewith to activate a probe to offset such forces.