Abstract: A device for controlling the accuracy of the orbit along which a work spindle of an NC machine is moved during the manufacture of high-precision circular bores, inner and outer surfaces as well as radii essentially consists of a control unit (1), a clamping element (3) as well as an intermediate piece (2). The clamping element is connected to the work spindle of the machine tool and the control unit is placed on the work table of the machine tool, at the location at which the workpiece is held during the machining. The intermediate piece (2) is formed by a transducer (24) or comprises a transducer. If deviations from the nominal radius occur, the transducer transmits a signal to an amplifier, said signal being amplified and subsequently displayed and/or recorded. A shaft encoder (61) allows the precise determination and, if so required, registration of the respective measuring position. A special routing of the measuring cable and an internal transmission by means of a slip ring (66) and sensors (67), e.g.

Abstract: A ferrofluidic seal is fitted with a centering ring having an inner edge adapted for engagement with a rotating shaft for centering the seal about the rotating shaft. The centering ring automatically engages the shaft and centers the seal when the seal is fitted onto the shaft. The centering ring is affixed to the housing, and/or magnet and pole module. In one embodiment, the centering ring may be removed after it performs its centering function. In another embodiment, the centering ring is non-removable and remains within the seal permanently. According to this latter embodiment, the centering ring serves the additional purpose of retaining ferrofluid, expelled from the seal during "bursting", within magnetic reach of the seal so as to be re-drawn into the seal, thus extending seal life. Additionally, a ferrofluid retaining ring absent a centering function may be employed.

Abstract: A modular-fixturing system utilizing machine-tool coordinate precision extended through a locating tool positioned within a machine-tool spindle nose, to accurately locate and position modular-fixturing components upon a baseplate.

Abstract: A setup device for a milling machine includes a spindle having a rotatable element and a spindle mount for mounting the spindle with the axis of rotation of the rotatable element being at a known location relative to the machining process of the milling machine. A related method of positioning a milling machine relative to a part is also disclosed.

Abstract: A drill press assembly including a spindle supported by a column and base, a work table and an adjustable fence assembly. The adjustable fence assembly includes clamping means permitting the fence to be adjustably mounted on the column of the drill press. The fence includes a vertically oriented planar surface. Clamping means permit the planar surface to be adjusted in an infinite number of vertical and horizontal positions thereby to facilitate positioning of a workpiece for precise drilling operations. A V-block may be mounted to the fence to facilitate drilling into the end of a cylindrical workpiece.

Abstract: An edge finder held on the end of a spindle of a milling machine is provided with a flat on the outer cylindrical surface of the working end member thereof. When the edge of a work piece mounted on the table of the milling machine is slowly advanced by a machinist to contact the rotating end member, the flat thereon produces an audible clicking sound each revolution of the spindle. Moreover, upon contact, the flat on the rotating working end member causes it to vibrate radially thereby enhancing the sidewise jump thereof and making it easier for the jump to be observed by the machinist.

Abstract: A tool setter is used to locate the cutting edges of a cutting machine tool with respect to the rotational axis of a lathe's workpiece holder. One or more machine tool detecting probes are mounted on the tool setter having their styluses in predetermined registration with the rotational axis of the workpiece holder. The machine tool is moved into contact with the styluses so that the location of the cutting edges of the machine tool relative to the rotational axis may be calculated. Once the precise location of the machine tool is known, the path the machine tool is required to traverse may be accurately calculated for machining the workpiece. The tool setter is removed from the workpiece holder prior to securing a workpiece to prevent contamination from spewn cutting chips and cutting oil during the machining process.

Abstract: An instrument used to establish precise perpendicular quill (32) alignment with respect to the work table of vertical milling machines with adjustable head assemblies (34). This instrument incorporates three basic tools into one device: (a) an internal cylindrical square; (b) a straight collet with flanged base; (c) a horizontal crosstest level with two vials at right angles to each other. This instrument is designed to be used on machines which have been set on concrete foundations, leveled, and then grouted to machine manufacturers specifications. The squaring process includes first setting the instrument flange (10) down on the work table directly under the quill (32). The quill is then telescoped into the collet bore (18) and the collet closing block (20) is then locked by bolt (20B). The position of the crosstest vial readings (24L) and (24F) are then noted and the head alignment bolts (30F) and (30A) are manipulated to establish a level condition.

Abstract: An adjustable stop assembly for use with a drill press including a ratchet bar adapted to be vertically positioned between spaced ears on the housing of the press and adapted to pass through an annular quill stop carried by the quill of the press so that the quill stop moves up and down the ratchet bar in response to vertical movement of the quill. A slide assembly is positioned on the ratchet bar and includes a slide, a ratchet dog, a stop nut, and a lock nut. The slide includes a lower annular base portion, an upper externally threaded barrel portion, and a central bore slidably passing the ratchet bar. The ratchet dog comprises a spring biased plunger mounted in the slide base portion and having an inner tip for ratcheting engagement with the ratchet bar. The stop nut and the lock nut are threaded onto the externally threaded barrel portion of the slide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for finding an edge of a workpiece prior to machining the workpiece by a machine tool. The apparatus includes a collar that is mountable to be secured to the head of a machine tool. The collar has four flat surfaces spaced in quadrature on the outside surface thereof and an adjustable reference member extending outwardly therefrom for initial calibration. The apparatus also includes an edge finding assembly that is releasably clamped to the collar at the reference members for edge finding and carrying a dependent contact probe coupled to a dial indicator for indicating the movements of the contact probe, the collar and edge finding assembly being adapted to be fixed in a preselected vertical plane when mounted to the collar secured to the head of a machine tool for finding the true zero X & Y reference edges of a workpiece to be machined.

Abstract: A method of precisely calibrating a spindle position with respect to a drilling apparatus worktable. The drilling apparatus includes a control device, which calculates an expected relative position of the spindle and the worktable based upon predetermined information, and the controlled movement of the spindle relative to the worktable. The method includes positioning the spindle in a first position, empirically determining the position of the spindle with respect to the worktable in both a first and a second direction, and determining a "correction factor" between the expected spindle position relative to the worktable at the first position and the empirically determined spindle position relative to the worktable in the first and second directions.

Abstract: An adjustable support fixture and method for using same with a cutting assembly for milling or grinding a flat surface on a workpiece, the fixture including a suspended platen on which the workpiece is mounted, removable apparatus for establishing the cutting plane, devices for positioning the flat surface of the workpiece against the plane-establishing apparatus, and a mechanism for retaining the workpiece in this position as the plane-establishing apparatus is removed and the cutting operation is performed.

Abstract: An instrument for aligning the spindle of machine tools such as drill presses or vertical milling machines at various angles with respect to a work surface. In one embodiment the upper portion of an elongated shaft is engaged in a chuck or collet of the spindle while the lower potion is operably mounted to shaft bearings, which permits the shaft to pivot, rotate and to move vertically and horizontally with respect to the work surface of the machine tool. A displacement detector for detecting pivotal movement of the shaft is mounted on a member of the shaft bearing in fixed relation to the pivot of the shaft. A linear interface provides contact between the shaft and displacement detector and permits predictable repeatable movement of the displacement detector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tool for aligning a true axis of a milling machine spindle with an edge of the workpiece to allow exact positioning of the spindle above a center of a bore to be drilled. The edge finder has an elongated body which carries a measuring gauge and which is provided with a push pin which contacts the edge of the workpiece and pushes a pivotal arm of the gauge to indicate a location of the edge of the workpiece.

Abstract: A device and method for quickly aligning a machine tool spindle to the work surface of the machine tool. The device comprises a shank designed to be attached to the machine tool spindle, transducers used to sense the work surface, and indicators used by the operator to calibrate the position. The device can be used to determine and set the proper angle of the machine tool spindle in any two dimensions.

Abstract: An adjustable stop assembly for use with a drill press including a ratchet bar adapted to be vertically positioned between spaced ears on the housing of the press and adapted to pass through an annular quill stop carried by the quill of the press so that the quill stop moves up and down the ratchet bar in response to vertical movement of the quill. A slide assembly is positioned on the ratchet bar and includes a slide, a ratchet dog, a stop nut, and a lock nut. The slide includes a lower annular base portion, an upper externally threaded barrel portion, and a central bore slidably passing the ratchet bar. The ratchet dog comprises a spring biased plunger mounted in the slide base portion and having an inner tip for ratcheting engagement with the ratchet bar. The stop nut and the lock nut are threaded onto the externally threaded barrel portion of the slide.

Abstract: A gauge holder for mounting a gauge on a machine chuck jaws and a bed is provided. The gauge holder includes a fixture which is adapted to be secured in the chuck jaws, and a pair of rods. Either one of the rods is slidably engagable in the fixture, parallel to the bed. The rods are swivelly interconnectable to each other at their ends, and a gauge can be connected to one end of each rod. This configuration allows centering of a work piece on the bed using hard to reach surface as a reference.

Abstract: A portable milling machine is provided for solving in-place machining problems encountered on turbines, pumps, electric motor bases, and other types of field equipment requiring a close tolerance, machined surface prior to installation. Such portable milling machine is set up at a job-site using a plurality of levels in conjunction with an optical leveling kit and a vertical scale magnetically mounted at selective locations on such portable milling machine during set-up. The set-up time for such portable milling machine substantially is cut in half by using levels in conjunction with optics and accuracy may be achieved within 0.001 to 0.002 of an inch.

Abstract: The center locator utilizes a probe mounted for limited universal movement by a ball and socket arrangement. The center locator is affixed to the machine tool spindle so that the center of the ball coincides with the axis of the machine tool spindle. One end of the probe, provided, for example, with a sharp point, is placed in registry with a punch mark or pilot hole. The other end of the probe cooperates with two orthogonally located sensors. Each sensor includes a plunger confined for rectilinear movement by a hollow calibration nut, the plunger of one sensor being movable in the X direction in a plane at right angles to the spindle axis, and the plunger of the other sensor being movable in the Y direction in said plane. Springs cause the plungers to maintain contact with the probe end to follow the probe end along the X and Y axes respectively. The ends of the plungers are flat and move inwardly and outwardly of correspondingly flat tactile ends of the calibration nuts as the probe tilts in its mounting.

Abstract: A turret tool measuring device which includes an annular member shaped to enable it to fit easily and securely into the hub of a screw machine tool turret. A flange member formed integrally with the annular member, which together form the base element of the invention, cooperates to ensure that the annular member remains securely in the hub and the device is fully rotatable about the turret's central axis. The flange member includes the means to receive a rod member on which a guide member may be mounted. The guide member includes an opening conformed to slidably receive the rod member and an indicator arm extending therefrom. The guide member also includes a locking element adapted to fixedly secure the guide member to the rod when the device is in the process of measuring the longitudinal position of a turret tool.

Abstract: A tool for use in adjusting the camber and/or caster of a vehicle wheel attached to a suspension system of a vehicle having a strut member which is secured at an upper end of the vehicle at a first position includes a mechanism for selecting a second position to secure the strut member to the vehicle and includes a mechanism for selecting the second position including a guide for assisting in making an aperture at the second position.

Abstract: A milling machine positioning apparatus is set forth wherein a first "X" table is slidable relative to a milling machine in a first direction with a "Y" table slidable relative to the milling machine orthogonally relative to the "X" table, A first scale and second scale are oriented relative to the respective "X" and "Y" tables including a single, continuous scale with spring-biased friction reels securing each terminal end of the scale, wherein each friction reel is mounted at each end of the respective "X" and "Y" tables to enable a sliding positioning of the associated scale realtive to its associated table.

Abstract: An automatic workpart centering mechanism for a magnetic or other chuck of a machine tool is provided. A computer microprocessor controls a digital air pressure regulator and/or an air solenoid valve to supply air pressure to a pneumatic centering hammer to control striking force on a workpart as it is rotated by the chuck and held thereon by a given chuck holding force with the location of the striking force on the workpart also under control of the microprocessor.

Abstract: The device includes a bed plate which can be placed on the table of a table saw and held against the rip fence and onto the table top by a block clamped to the rip fence which allows the bed to be moved fore-and-aft upon the table top parallel to the saw balde. A live center and a dead center are provided to hold a work piece therebetween parallel to the saw blade. In one aspect of the invention the work piece can be indexed and engage the saw blade to cut three or more equidistant lengthwise facets thereon. In another aspect these facets can be tapered end to end or from the center to each end by shifting the tail stock towards the blade or by first shifting the tail stock and then the head stock. In a still further aspect, the head stock includes means to rotate the work piece by a source of power so that a tapered cylindrical shape may be cut or dowels may be formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic measurement system and the method of employing the system with a cutting tool device. The measurement system includes a tool holder for mounting a cutting tool. A measurement probe is automatically mounted and dismounted from the tool holder without removing the cutting tool. The tool holder is preferably affixed to a work support table which is adapted to support a workpiece to be machined and measured thereon.

Abstract: A tool offset indicator for setting up cutting, milling and drilling operations in manually or programmable numerically controlled machines is provided. The tool offset indicator includes a block of insulating material interposed between electrically conductive top and bottom plates. An electric circuit providing power to an indicator is connected between the top and bottom plates such that when a tool cutting edge contacts either of the plates, the circuit is completed and the indicator device energized. One of the plates is compressively mounted to a surface of the block to prevent damage to the tool cutting edge if it over travels initial contact with the indicator surface.

Abstract: A device for supporting a stylus in a touch sensor comprises a casing, a stylus having its one end part protruding out of the casing for detecting an object, and a spring for pressing an inner base part of the stylus housed concentrically in the casing outwards from behind wherein a ball is provided at each of three abaxial positions on one of the mutually opposite faces of the stylus inner base part and an end part of the casing while an engaged part with which the ball is allowed to come into contact is configured at each of three corresponding positions on the other of said opposite faces, the three engaged parts are configured respectively into different shapes so the stylus can be kept steady in the casing.

Abstract: Indicator device for determining the distance between a workpiece set up in a working machine, and a tool set up in said machine. The device comprises a lower portion (2) with an underside (13) which is adapted to lie against the workpiece, and an upper portion (1) with a topside (8) against which the tool is intended to come into contact, the topside being parallel to the underside (13) of the lower portion and movable towards the underside against the efect of a resilient force. A voltage source (4) and an indicator (5) are provided. The underside (13) and the topside (8) are electrically conductive but are insulated from each other, and the indicator (5) and the voltage sorce (4) are electrically coupled so that the indicator (5) provides and indication when a circuit (16) between the topside (8) and the underside (13) is closed via the workpiece, the machine, the tool, the voltage source (4) and the indicator (5).

Abstract: A workpart chuck is provided with a centering member that is movable toward the axis of rotation of the chuck as the chuck rotates the workpart in an eccentric non-centered position. As the centering member moves the workpart, a sensing device senses the extent of changing eccentric movement of the workpart and generates an electrical signal that is indicative of the extent of such eccentric movement. The workpart is moved toward the chuck axis until the signal reaches a predetermined value indicative that the workpart is rotating about its axis; i.e., the workpart axis and chuck axis are substantially coaxial. The centering member is offset slightly relative to the chuck axis of rotation to assure that excessive movement of the centering member placing the workpart center beyond the chuck axis of rotation will not result in the workpart being driven to an extremely eccentric position and possibly even off the face of the chuck.

Abstract: A jig is disclosed having a beam and a pair of L-shaped guide blocks mounted thereon, one block being rigidly secured thereto while the other block can be moved along the beam and then tightened thereon at any adjusted spacing from the fixed block. Each guide block has substantially parallel opposite side surfaces, and top and edge reference surfaces extended therebetween and disposed normal to one another to meet across an interior corner. In use, the top and edge reference surfaces of the jig are adapted to be butted flush against the top and edge surfaces of each respective board. The fixed guide block has a single drill guide opening and the slidable guide block has two parallel drill guide openings, each guide opening being formed through and normal to the guide block edge surface in a direction parallel to the side surfaces and to the top reference surface and being spaced from the top reference surface a single identical distance "t".