Abstract: In a machining method of supporting a workpiece having a cylindrical machined portion such that the workpiece is rotatable and feeding a grinding wheel in a radial direction, a start diameter that is a diameter including a measurement start point on a surface of the machined portion is measured, and, after the measurement start point passes through a machining application portion, an end diameter that is a diameter including a measurement end point is measured. An actual grinding depth at the time when the measurement start point is machined is computed by the equation, U=|D0?D1|, a runout of the machined portion is computed from a relative difference in the actual grinding depth (U) between positions of the machined portion in a rotational direction, and infeed control of the grinding wheel is executed such that the runout is removed.

Abstract: A cutting tip including a cutting edge portion made of a high-hardness material to take a thin-plate shape; and a support portion made of a material which is more worn in contact with a workpiece than the cutting edge portion not to exert a machining action on the workpiece even in contact with the workpiece, and securing and supporting the cutting edge portion on a reverse side of a rake face of the cutting edge portion. Thus, the width of flank wear is prevented from increasing and chipping of the cutting edge is prevented, so that the life of the cutting tip can be extended.

Abstract: A cutting tip including a cutting edge portion made of a high-hardness material to take a thin-plate shape; and a support portion made of a material which is more worn in contact with a workpiece than the cutting edge portion not to exert a machining action on the workpiece even in contact with the workpiece, and securing and supporting the cutting edge portion on a reverse side of a rake face of the cutting edge portion. Thus, the width of flank wear is prevented from increasing and chipping of the cutting edge is prevented, so that the life of the cutting tip can be extended.

Abstract: A fiber laser oscillator (1; 100) has an optical fiber (10), a pumping light emitting device (30), a light guide member (40; 140), and a core member (50). The core member (50) is configured to have a flat plate-shaped, cylindrical, annular, or hollow spherical configuration. The optical fiber (10) is wound around the surface of the core member (50) or partially embedded within the surface of the core member (50). The light guide member (40; 140) has a light receiving surface (40a) and an opposite surface (40b) opposing the receiving surface. The opposite surface (40b) of the light guide member (40; 140) contacts the circumferential surface of the core member (50). Light (Lin) emitted from the light emitting device (30) travels (i.e., pumping light (Lin)) travels within the core member (50) along the circumference of the core member (50) and excites the core portion (12) of the optical fiber (10).

Abstract: A shape measuring instrument is provided as being capable of measuring a surface shape of a target with a small contact force while changing the contact force. A measuring probe 32 is supported while a tilt ? is provided. A retracting force of the measuring force 32 is produced by the tilt ?, and thus, is obtained as mgsig ? which is much small as compared with a self weight “m”. On the other hand, biasing is provided with an extruding force Fc by means of an air cylinder 40. Thus, a contact force of the measuring probe 32 relevant to a work piece W is obtained as a difference between a measuring probe self weight tilt component mgsig? and the extruding force Fc of the air cylinder 40 (F=Fc?mgsig?), thus making it possible to reduce a contact force to be very small.

Abstract: A shape measuring instrument is provided as being capable of measuring a surface shape of a target with a small contact force while changing the contact force. A measuring probe 32 is supported while a tilt ? is provided. A retracting force of the measuring force 32 is produced by the tilt ?, and thus, is obtained as mgsig ? which is much small as compared with a self weight “m”. On the other hand, biasing is provided with an extruding force Fc by means of an air cylinder 40. Thus, a contact force of the measuring probe 32 relevant to a work piece W is obtained as a difference between a measuring probe self weight tilt component mgsig? and the extruding force Fc of the air cylinder 40 (F=Fc?mgsig?), thus making it possible to reduce a contact force to be very small.

Abstract: A fiber laser oscillator 1 is provided with a pumping light source 30 for emitting pumping beams Lin; beam condensing means (light duct) 50 for condensing the pumping beams Lin emitted from the pumping light source 30; and a laser oscillation optical fiber 10 for receiving the pumping beams Lin condensed by the beam condensing means 50 to generate an output laser beam Lout. The beam condensing means 50 has an incident surface Min for making the pumping beams Lin from the pumping light source 30 incident thereon and an emission surface Mout for emitting the pumping beams Lin therefrom. The emission surface Mout is made smaller in area than the incident surface Min. Further, the area of the emission surface Mout is made to be the same as or smaller than that of one end surface of the laser oscillation optical fiber 10.

Abstract: In order to detect accurately a seating of clamped body and a clamping force at a seating, the workpiece supporting device has plural seating mechanisms 40. Each of the seating mechanisms 40 includes a load sensing element 45 receiving a clamping force or a fixing force. The load sensing element 45 consists of a material having a characteristic that said load sensing element is not substantially deformed by an applied load, especially it consists of a composite material dispersing a material having a pressure resistance effect or a magnetic resistance effect in a matrix of an electric insulation ceramics material. An abnormal clamping or fixing of the clamped body and an abnormal overload are detected by detecting an output from plural load sensing elements 45 supporting the clamped body.

Abstract: A fiber laser oscillator (1; 100) has an optical fiber (10), a pumping light emitting device (30), a light guide member (40; 140), and a core member (50). The core member (50) is configured to have a flat plate-shaped, cylindrical, annular, or hollow spherical configuration. The optical fiber (10) is wound around the surface of the core member (50) or partially embedded within the surface of the core member (50). The light guide member (40; 140) has a light receiving surface (40a) and an opposite surface (40b) opposing the receiving surface. The opposite surface (40b) of the light guide member (40; 140) contacts the circumferential surface of the core member (50). Light (Lin) emitted from the light emitting device (30) travels (i.e., pumping light (Lin)) travels within the core member (50) along the circumference of the core member (50) and excites the core portion (12) of the optical fiber (10).

Abstract: Optical waveguides, lens arrays and laser collecting devices are disclosed. The optical waveguide is formed with an output surface which is made smaller in dimension in a fast axis direction than an input surface. The waveguide collects in the fast axis direction plural laser beams output from plural laser emitting parts arranged in the fast axis direction and outputs from the output surface. The entrance surface of the optical waveguide is provided with first lenses to correspond respectively to the plural laser emitting parts. Each of the first lenses is located to be offset first predetermined distances from a corresponding one of the laser emitting parts in the beam traveling direction and in said fast axis direction, and the first predetermined distances are determined for each of the first lens in taking into account the focal length of each first lens and an angle which each first lens makes with the output surface of the waveguide.

Abstract: A cylindrical grinder includes a workpiece support section adapted to support a generally cylindrical workpiece and rotate the workpiece about a rotational axis, and a wheel head adapted to support and rotate a grinding wheel. The wheel head is moved relative to the workpiece support section, along a first direction parallel to a rotational axis of the workpiece and along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in order to grind an outer surface of the workpiece. The wheel head is turnable relative to the workpiece so that a rotational axis of the grinding wheel can be tilted within a plane substantially passing through the rotational axis of the grinding wheel and the rotational axis of the workpiece, within a range extending across a reference plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of the workpiece. Further, link-type parallel link mechanisms for moving the grinding wheel are disclosed.

Abstract: In order to detect accurately a seating of clamped body and a clamping force at a seating, the workpiece supporting device has plural seating mechanisms 40. Each of the seating mechanisms 40 includes a load sensing element 45 receiving a clamping force or a fixing force. The load sensing element 45 consists of a material having a characteristic that said load sensing element is not substantially deformed by an applied load, especially it consists of a composite material dispersing a material having a pressure resistance effect or a magnetic resistance effect in a matrix of an electric insulation ceramics material. An abnormal clamping or fixing of the clamped body and an abnormal overload are detected by detecting an output from plural load sensing elements 45 supporting the clamped body.

Abstract: A cylindrical grinder includes a workpiece support section adapted to support a generally cylindrical workpiece and rotate the workpiece about a rotational axis, and a wheel head adapted to support and rotate a grinding wheel. The wheel head is moved relative to the workpiece support section, along a first direction parallel to a rotational axis of the workpiece and along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in order to grind an outer surface of the workpiece. The wheel head is turnable relative to the workpiece so that a rotational axis of the grinding wheel can be tilted within a plane substantially passing through the rotational axis of the grinding wheel and the rotational axis of the workpiece, within a range extending across a reference plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of the workpiece. Further, link-type parallel link mechanisms for moving the grinding wheel are disclosed.

Abstract: A beam collecting device and a laser emission device are disclosed incorporating a laminated optical waveguide array and refraction means therein. The laminated optical waveguide array is composed of a plurality of plate-like optical waveguides made of a material having a predetermined refractive index and a plurality of spacer members having a lower refractive index than that of said optical waveguides and arranged alternately with said optical waveguides. The spacer members take the form of cylindrical members, spherical members or plate-like members. The beam collecting device and laser emission device comprise a semiconductor laser array having a plurality of laser emitting parts arranged in fast and slow axis directions, the optical waveguide array, optical fibers and a collective lens. The laser emitting parts are divided into plural groups separated in the slow axis direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a circularity deviation of a cylinder of an object intended to be integrally rotated about a rotation axis, the cylinder being eccentric as either intended or not with the rotation axis, the apparatus includes a measuring device, a motion controlling mechanism, and a circularity deviation calculating device. The measuring device is adapted to measure a circumferential surface of the cylinder at each measuring point “p” thereon in a three-point contact method. The motion controlling mechanism is configured to permit the measuring device to be moved along a circumference of the cylinder, which circumference lays on a cross section of the cylinder perpendicular to the rotation axis, in contact with the circumferential surface of the cylinder, during rotation of the cylinder about the rotation axis.

Abstract: A beam collecting device and a laser emission device are disclosed incorporating a laminated optical waveguide array and refraction means therein. The laminated optical waveguide array is composed of a plurality of plate-like optical waveguides made of a material having a predetermined refractive index and a plurality of spacer members having a lower refractive index than that of said optical waveguides and arranged alternately with said optical waveguides. The spacer members take the form of cylindrical members, spherical members or plate-like members. The beam coll cting device and laser emission device comprise a semiconductor las r array having a plurality of laser emitting parts arranged in fast and slow axis directions, the optical waveguide array, optical fibers and a collective lens. The laser emitting parts are divided into plural groups separated in the slow axis direction.

Abstract: Optical waveguides, lens arrays and laser collecting devices are disclosed. The optical waveguide is formed with an output surface which is made smaller in dimension in a fast axis direction than an input surface. The waveguide collects in the fast axis direction plural laser beams output from plural laser emitting parts arranged in the fast axis direction and outputs from the output surface. The entrance surface of the optical waveguide is provided with first lenses to correspond respectively to the plural laser emitting parts. Each of the first lenses is located to be offset first predetermined distances from a corresponding one of the laser emitting parts in the beam traveling direction and in said fast axis direction, and the first predetermined distances are determined for each of the first lens in taking into account the focal length of each first lens and an angle which each first lens makes with the output surface of the waveguide.

Abstract: A cylindrical grinder includes a workpiece support section adapted to support a generally cylindrical workpiece and rotate the workpiece about a rotational axis, and a wheel head adapted to support and rotate a grinding wheel. The wheel head is moved relative to the workpiece support section, along a first direction parallel to a rotational axis of the workpiece and along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in order to grind an outer surface of the workpiece. The wheel head is turnable relative to the workpiece so that a rotational axis of the grinding wheel can be tilted within a plane substantially passing through the rotational axis of the grinding wheel and the rotational axis of the workpiece, within a range extending across a reference plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of the workpiece. Further, link-type parallel link mechanisms for moving the grinding wheel are disclosed.

Abstract: A wheel-head feed mechanism for a grinder comprising a base and a wheel head which is guided by a linear guide section provided on the base and rotatably supports a grinding wheel via a wheel spindle driven by a motor. The wheel-head feed mechanism includes feed screw mechanism composed of a screw shaft and a nut unit engaged with the screw shaft, the feed screw mechanism advancing and retracting the wheel head with respect to a workpiece, and servomotor for rotating one of the screw shaft and the nut unit. The screw shaft is offset from the linear guide section toward the wheel spindle. The nut unit includes a radial hydrostatic bearing section for supporting the root of a male thread of the screw shaft in the radial direction of the screw shaft by hydrostatic pressure, as well as a thrust hydrostatic bearing section for supporting the flanks of the male thread of the screw shaft in the axial direction of the screw shaft by hydrostatic pressure.

Abstract: A machining spindle apparatus has a hydrostatic bearing for machine tools. The machining spindle apparatus includes a built-in motor built into the middle of a housing, as well as front and rear hydrostatic bearings respectively mounted on the front side and the rear side of the housing. A machining spindle is driven by the built-in motor and rotatably supported by the front and rear hydrostatic bearings. The front hydrostatic bearing comprises a radial bearing pocket and a thrust bearing pocket. In addition, a pair of pneumatic seals lie over the radial and thrust bearing pockets. The rear hydrostatic bearing includes a radial bearing pocket and a constant-pressurized oil chamber. The constant-pressurized oil chamber operates as a piston cylinder. Accordingly, a predetermined pressure acts forward, i.e. opposite the thrust bearing pocket of the front hydrostatic bearing. And another pair of pneumatic seals lies over both of the radial bearing pocket and the constant-pressurized oil chamber.