Abstract: Complex workpieces, particularly aeronautical parts made of solid stock presenting a bottom wall and at least one stiffening rib transverse to the bottom wall, are machined using a device having a tool head furnished with a transmission component rotatable about a relative longitudinal axis, and a tool, typically a milling cutter, connected to the transmission component and capable of piercing the transverse rib. The longitudinal axis of the tool is disposed obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the transmission component so that the stiffening rib can be pierced at a point close to the bottom wall of the workpiece. The device also incorporates a feeler mechanism associated with the tool head and designed to engage the bottom wall during the movement of the tool toward the machining location, in such a way that the position of the tool head can be actively controlled and the tool deployed at a selected distance from the bottom wall.

Abstract: Workpieces of large dimensions, typically body pressings or fuselage panels, are supported and secured for machining by a device capable of movement in a vertical direction and adaptable thus to the particular geometry of the workpiece. The vertical movement is produced by a rod of which the top end carries a head incorporating a pivotable fixture mechanism, equipped with a suction cup connected to a source of negative pressure by way of a suction duct and activated to clamp the work once the head is in position.

Abstract: A device for checking countersink dimensions comprises a measuring head (2) associated with a spindle (3) of a multi-axis process machine (4), and a processing unit operatively associated with the spindle (3) to control spindle movements, the measuring head (2) comprising a contact element (5) that can be inserted into a countersink (101) and a comparator element (7) which, by coming into contact with the countersink and withdrawing, detects the stroke of the contact element (5) inside the countersink (101). A floating member (22) automatically corrects any alignment errors between the contact element (5) and the axis of the countersink (101).

Abstract: A device for checking countersink dimensions comprises a measuring head (2) associated with a spindle (3) of a multi-axis process machine (4), and a processing unit operatively associated with the spindle (3) to control spindle movements, the measuring head (2) comprising a contact element (5) that can be inserted into a countersink (101) and a comparator element (7) which, by coming into contact with the countersink and withdrawing, detects the stroke of the contact element (5) inside the countersink (101). A floating member (22) automatically corrects any alignment errors between the contact element (5) and the axis of the countersink (101).

Abstract: Complex workpieces, particularly aeronautical parts made of solid stock presenting a bottom wall and at least one stiffening rib transverse to the bottom wall, are machined using a device having a tool head furnished with a transmission component rotatable about a relative longitudinal axis, and a tool, typically a milling cutter, connected to the transmission component and capable of piercing the transverse rib. The longitudinal axis of the tool is disposed obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the transmission component so that the stiffening rib can be pierced at a point close to the bottom wall of the workpiece. The device also incorporates a feeler mechanism associated with the tool head and designed to engage the bottom wall during the movement of the tool toward the machining location, in such a way that the position of the tool head can be actively controlled and the tool deployed at a selected distance from the bottom wall.

Abstract: In a multi-axis machine tool comprising a slide way aligned on a longitudinal axis, a traveling column coupled via one end with the slide way, an arm mounted slidably to the column and traversable at least in a first direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the slide way, and a machining head carried by the arm, the material used for the arm is one typified by low thermal expansion.

Abstract: A toolhead for use on a multi-axis machine tool consists of a support assembly equipped with a pivoting spindle designed to accept a removable tool-holder, and centered on a machining axis about which a tool clamped to the tool-holder can be driven in rotation. Also forming part of the toolhead is a depth stop affording an active surface substantially transverse to the machining axis and positionable against a surface of a workpiece. The depth stop is mounted to the support assembly and capable of movement along the machining axis between a first position, distanced from the spindle, and a second position of proximity to the spindle. Transducers incorporated into the toolhead are able to sense the position of the active surface relative to the support assembly, and thus used to control the depth to which the workpiece is penetrated by the tool.

Abstract: A machine tool equipped with a supporting body and at least one tool-holder spindle, rotatable about a respective axis, also has a built-in dust extraction device comprising an extractor hood located in close proximity to the spindle and presenting a suction port positionable near to a machining area, so as to extract chips and dust generated in the course of machining operations; the hood is capable of movement along a direction parallel to the axis of rotation, extended and retracted by the action of respective translating members operating in conjunction with sensors able to read the profile of a workpiece, in such a way that the suction port can be positioned to best advantage.

Abstract: Workpieces of large dimensions, typically body pressings or fuselage panels, are supported and secured for machining by a device capable of movement in a vertical direction and adaptable thus to the particular geometry of the workpiece. The vertical movement is produced by a rod of which the top end carries a head incorporating a pivotable fixture mechanism, equipped with a suction cup connected to a source of negative pressure by way of a suction duct and activated to clamp the work once the head is in position.

Abstract: In a multi-axis machine tool comprising a slide way aligned on a longitudinal axis, a traveling column coupled via one end with the slide way, an arm mounted slidably to the column and traversable at least in a first direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the slide way, and a machining head carried by the arm, the material used for the arm is one typified by low thermal expansion.

Abstract: In a machine tool with a spindle capable of motion along at least three axes x, y, and z, the position of the spindle is checked by a device that operates utilizing electromagnetic signals sent out by four emitters, located externally of the machine tool, and picked up by a receiver mounted directly to the spindle. The signals are fed into a master control unit and processed by circuits in such a way as to produce an output that can be used to verify and if necessary correct the position of the spindle on the three axes X, Y, and Z.

Abstract: A toolhead for use on a multi-axis machine tool consists of a support assembly equipped with a pivoting spindle designed to accept a removable tool-holder, and centered on a machining axis about which a tool clamped to the tool-holder can be driven in rotation. Also forming part of the toolhead is a depth stop affording an active surface substantially transverse to the machining axis and positionable against a surface of a workpiece. The depth stop is mounted to the support assembly and capable of movement along the machining axis between a first position, distanced from the spindle, and a second position of proximity to the spindle. Transducers incorporated into the toolhead are able to sense the position of the active surface relative to the support assembly, and thus used to control the depth to which the workpiece is penetrated by the tool.

Abstract: A machine tool equipped with a supporting body and at least one tool-holder spindle, rotatable about a respective axis, also has a built-in dust extraction device comprising an extractor hood located in close proximity to the spindle and presenting a suction port positionable near to a machining area, so as to extract chips and dust generated in the course of machining operations; the hood is capable of movement along a direction parallel to the axis of rotation, extended and retracted by the action of respective translating members operating in conjunction with sensors able to read the profile of a workpiece, in such a way that the suction port can be positioned to best advantage.

Abstract: In a machine tool with a spindle capable of motion along at least three axes x, y, and z, the position of the spindle is checked by a device that operates utilizing electromagnetic signals sent out by four emitters, located externally of the machine tool, and picked up by a receiver mounted directly to the spindle. The signals are fed into a master control unit and processed by circuits in such a way as to produce an output that can be used to verify and if necessary correct the position of the spindle on the three axes X, Y, and Z.

Abstract: A method for digitizing drilling jigs comprising: insertion in a jig hole of a feeler pin provided with a rounded-shaped head having the same diameter as the hole, such feeler pin being connected to a measuring system suitable for finding its position continuously. The method includes storing of the coordinates of a point on the hole axis nearby the surface of the jig; deep insertion of the feeler pin and finding of the coordinates of a second point on the hole axis nearby the back; and calculation of the axis inclination through the coordinates of the two points found.