Abstract: A milling machine calibration technique, and article of manufacture are described. The article comprises a calibration fixture, together with a calibration pin. The calibration fixture preferably is shaped as a cube, and each of the side faces of the cube comprise a set of indentations (dimples or features) that are configured in a predetermined pattern. A preferred pattern is a “5-dimple” pattern. To find a mapping between axis coordinates (of a mill spindle) and the mill mandrel at some orientation, the calibration fixture is inserted into the mandrel, and the calibration pin is inserted into a collet. Using an x-axis directional position error-based probing mechanism, the system then registers the exact position of each of the five (5) dimples on the surface of the die. Using the positional information so determined, spindle-mandrel spatial relationships for one or more orientations of the mandrel are then identified for calibration purposes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dump truck parking position/direction indication system and a hauling system that allow the operator of a loading machine to determine a parking position and a parking direction of a dump truck that let the operator easily perform the loading operation and to make the dump truck stop and park at the parking position and in the parking direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to feedback systems that are used with power tools to provide the user with sensory feedback information allowing the user to determine the position of an adjustable portion of a power tool with respect to a stationary portion of a power tool or with respect to a workpiece without having to refer to a scale or manual measuring device. This feedback information may make it easier and faster for the user to determine the orientation or location of an adjustable portion of a power tool or determine the orientation or location of the workpiece with respect to an operational member of the power tool allowing the user to concentrate his thinking on executing the operation instead of concentrating on set up.

Abstract: A rack has a plurality of LEDs arranged on the front surface thereof correspondingly to respective units. The rack is provided with an LED lighting circuit which lights these LEDs, on the back of a display section and an input section. The LED lighting circuit has an LED lighting control section and a memory. The LED lighting control section acquires correspondence relation information indicating correspondence between servers and apparatuses from the input section, and stores the information in the memory. When a server is selected, the LED lighting circuit lights some of the plurality of LEDs based on the correspondence relation information stored in the memory.

Abstract: A clamp rod (5) is vertically movably inserted into a housing (3). The housing (3) has a lower end wall (3b) formed with a detecting hole (58) substantially concentrically with an axis of the clamp rod (5). The detecting hole (58) has a peripheral surface opened to provide at least one inlet hole (71, 72) for supplying compressed air. A detecting member (62) is vertically movably fitted into the detecting hole (58). The detecting member (62) has an outer peripheral surface provided with a closing surface (68) which closes an opening portion (71a, 72a) of the inlet hole (71, 72) and with a recess (69) which communicates the opening portion (71a, 72a) with the outside air. The clamp rod (5) has a downwardly oriented projection (5a). The projection (5a) is connected to the detecting member (62) so that it can make a relative movement radially.

Abstract: A rotary direction indicator provided for use with a rotating element which causes the rotation of an associated member. The rotary direction indicator has an internally compliant body fixed in a normal to a central axis which has formed thereon a pair of arrows which appear to be three-dimensional moving in a clockwise direction. One of the three-dimensional arrows appears to plunge into the surface of the body while the other of three-dimensional arrows appear to rise out of the surface of the body thereby providing a visual indication of a correspondence between the direction of rotation of the rotary element and the movement of the associated member.

Abstract: A cutting depth setting device is provided for a saw machine which includes a base portion having a positioning block protruding therefrom, a drive arm pivotally engaged with the base portion about a pivot axle, a protruding block projecting from the drive arm and located above the positioning block, a threaded hole vertically defined through the protruding block, a circular saw blade rotatably mounted on the drive arm to pivot therewith for cutting a workpiece, a working platform mounted beneath the saw blade for holding the workpiece, the cutting depth setting device including an adjusting bolt threadedly extending through the threaded hole of the protruding block to be displaced vertically relative to the protruding block, a head fixedly mounted on an upperside of the adjusting bolt for rotating the adjusting bolt, a pointer pivotally engaged on an underside of the adjusting bolt to move vertically therewith, a first panel movably mounted on the drive arm and having a flat surface which is located adjacent

Abstract: In a method for positioning a machine element having a first reference point the first reference point is provided at the machine element which has an operative portion. A second reference point is provided at an abutment. The machine element is moved relative to the second reference point. The machine element is coupled to a display device with first and a second display unit wherein on the first display unit a first display value for the distance between the operative portion and the second reference point is displayed and wherein on the second display unit a second display value for the distance between the first reference point and the operative portion is displayed. The first display value is a predetermined finishing distance when the second display value equals the actual distance between the first reference point and the operative portion.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a piston slidably mounted in a fluid cylinder for decelerating the motion of an object acting on the shock absorber. A metering mechanism adjusts the rate at which fluid escapes from the cylinder upon displacement of the piston caused by impact of the object. A proximity sensor disposed in the end of the cylinder provides an indication of when the piston reaches a displacement position corresponding to a stroke length in which maximum energy is transferred from the object to the fluid. The proximity sensor includes an electrical probe extending through the end wall of the cylinder and possesses an electrical property whose magnitude varies in accordance with the distance between the piston and the probe.

Abstract: A mobile material handling machine includes a material handling element and an operator's control cab. A plate is pivotally attached to the material handling element in line with the operator's line of sight from the cab towards the element. The plate has first indicia on the edges thereof; second indicia on the top surface thereof; and third indicia on the bottom surface thereof. The first indicia is in line with the operator's line of sight when the material handling element is positioned at a predetermined angle relative to the operator's cab.

Abstract: A measuring attachment is shown for use on a lathe or other machine tool which includes a pair of parallel bars or slots, one associated with the saddle of the lathe and the other associated with the cross slide. Mounted upon the parallel bars (or within the slots) are a pair of blocks each including a latching arm that latches each block to one bar or the other. A single stop is mounted on the first block, while a group of several stops may be mounted upon the second block. When an outer diameter is to be cut, the several stops may be attached to the bar mounted upon the radially fixed saddle. In this arrangement, the shortest of the several stops is used as the center line reference against which the single stop engages. The longest of the several stops provides the reference for the first outer diameter cut. When an inner diameter cut is to be made, the block mounting the several stops may be attached to the bar which is mounted upon the cross slide.

Abstract: A position detector comprises a probe having an enlarged head which can be engaged with a workpiece to be machined by a machine tool. The probe is slidably mounted in a holder for rectilinear movement relative thereto along an axis and its translational displacement along this axis is measured by a transducer. The holder is in turn mounted on a body for pivotal movement about another axis, the pivotal displacement of the holder being measured by a further transducer. The two axes are mutually perpendicular and mutually intersecting.

Abstract: A bucket position indicator assembly for relieving the operator from constantly maintaining visual contact with the bucket and thereby taking his attention away from other operator functions. The bucket position indicator assembly includes a fluid cylinder, a slidable piston actuator, and an indicator panel that is mounted within the operator's compartment. The actuator includes a rod member which is pivotally attached at one end to the bucket movement linkage for reciprocal movement in response to rotational movement by the bucket. The piston end of the actuator is slidably movable within the fluid cylinder in response to the movement of the bucket during its normal duty cycle. A bore through the rod member permits fluid pressure to escape into an annular chamber formed between sealing disks at the piston end of the actuator. A plurality of orifices along the periphery of the fluid cylinder are connected by conduits to corresponding fluid inputs at the indicator panel.