Abstract: An apparatus for aligning and shimming plates being anchored to a substratum having a plurality of threaded anchor holes coaxially aligned with corresponding apertures and coaxial threaded bores through each plate. The apparatus includes an external threaded cylindrical shim having a shimming surface and a second (outer) surface adapted to accept rotary force for rotational movement and adjustment of the separation produced by the shim between the substratum and the anchored plate. For anchoring, the 2nd surface of the shim further includes a counterbored or countersunk hole having a shoulder including a narrower passthrough aperture aligned with the threaded anchor hole, through which an anchor screw extends for rotational mating with the threaded anchor hole. The anchor screw also has a head wider than the passthrough aperture, and adapted to accept rotary force for rotational movement and fixing the shim in place.

Abstract: A boring tool has one or more cutters whose radial and axial positions are both easily adjusted. The radial positions are adjusted by the axial movement of wedges that press against cartridges holding the cutters. The axial positions are adjusted by the axial movement of screws that support the cartridges holding the cutters.

Abstract: In a machine tool in which a spindle head is driven by a spindle head drive motor via a ball screw/nut mechanism, tools of different weights are each installed in the spindle head beforehand, a load torque applied to the spindle head drive motor is obtained, and relational data between the tool weight and the load torque is stored. When each tool is installed in the spindle head, the weight of the tool is estimated from, the load torque detected by a load torque detection unit while the spindle head is stopped, and the relational data between the tool weight and load torque.

Abstract: A tool for drilling, tapping, and back spot facing a hole in dynamoelectric machines includes a servo motor cutting device and a drill unit skid. The servo motor cutting device includes a cutting tool. The drill unit skid engages a hook fit slot in a case of the dynamoelectric machine and supports the servo motor cutting device. The drill unit skid includes hook fit slides configured to guide the drill unit skid along the hook fit slot and act as a stop in a radial direction. The tool includes a laser positioning device configured to detect the position of the cutting tool, and a micro switch configured to stop the servo motor cutting device when the micro switch activates. The servo motor cutting device rotates the cutting tool to create the hole, and a rotor of the dynamoelectric machine is left in place during drilling, tapping and back spot facing.

Abstract: A through-hole depth measurement device includes a cutting force sensor configured and mountable in a position to sense cutting force exerted by a drill bit of a drill against a workpiece or stack of workpieces. A controller is coupled to the force sensor, is coupleable to a workpiece surface position sensor, and is configured to record the through-hole depth of the workpiece or stack of workpieces in response to signals received from the workpiece surface position sensor when the drill bit reaches a drill bit exit point. The cutting force sensor is configured and positionable to sense cutting force transmitted between a drill spindle and a spindle housing.

Abstract: A cutting tool adjustment system comprising a body in the form of a cartridge (10) adjustably carrying a cutting tool (10a), adjustment means (17; 23; 29; 39) mechanically adjustably engageable with the body for positionally adjusting a cutting edge of the cutting tool (10a), and means (19, 20; 30, 31; 34, 35) electronically engageable with the body aid including power supply means for powering display means (21; 28; 36) for indicating the adjustment of the cutting edge position.

Abstract: A smart tool holder is for use with a machine tool platform. The smart tool holder includes a body having a first end and an opposite second end, a processor disposed with the body, and a transceiver disposed with the body and in communication with the processor. The transceiver is structured to communicate with an external receiving device. The first end of the body is structured to be coupled to the machine tool platform and the opposite second end is structured to be selectively coupled to a cutting assembly having a number of sensors. The processor is structured to communicate with the number of sensors when the cutting assembly is coupled to the body. The processor may perform data analysis tasks using model based data analysis, digital filtering, and other techniques. The smart tool holder may suggest changes to the machining process based on two-way communication with a machine tool controller through a receiver or interface device.

Abstract: The single point machining head includes a probe that is removably mounted on a carriage that moves radially relative to a central axis of the machining head. A system controller moves the carriage in a radial direction while the machining head is fed in a vertical direction so that the probe contacts the surface of a workpiece. Each point of contact on the workpiece becomes a datapoint including the radial position and the vertical position when contact occurred. The surface of the workpiece is scanned with the probe and a profile is generated using the points of contact. A system controller calculates a difference between the measured profile and a desired profile to be machined to determine the amount of material to remove.

Abstract: A veterinary precision fixation device for use in tibial plateau leveling osteotomy procedures includes a jig assembly having a center jig member having a first and second end, a first jig leg pivotally coupled to the first end, and a second jig leg pivotally coupled to the second end. The device also includes a saw guide assembly having a saw fixation member slidably coupled to at least one slide bar wherein the slide bar is coupled to the center jig member proximate the first end. A method for using the precision fixation device in a tibial plateau leveling osteotomy is also provided.

Abstract: A production system for manufacturing a workpiece comprises an index system including a plurality of index devices removably mounted on the workpiece at known longitudinally spaced locations therealong, and a longitudinally extending index member releasably engaged with at least two of the index devices such that a position and orientation of the index member are fixed relative to the workpiece by the index devices, the index member having position-indicating features distributed therealong. The production system further comprises a machine module mounted for longitudinal movement along the index member and operable to perform an operation, the machine module being operable to detect the position-indicating features on the index member and thereby determine a position of the machine module relative to the workpiece.

Abstract: An optical unit for projecting an image including first and second locating lines for substantially eliminating the introduction of visual parallax error. In one preferred form, the optical unit is incorporated into a machine for performing a forming operation on a workpiece and is operative to project an image of a portion of a scale to a position easily read by the user during machine operation. The optical unit includes a prism portion having a first side disposed adjacent the scale, a second side at an angle to the first side for reflecting the image and a third side through which the projected image may be viewed. The first locating line is disposed on the first side and the second locating line is disposed on the third side such that visual alignment eliminates the introduction of visual parallax error associated with reading a scale.

Abstract: An optical unit for projecting an image including first and second locating lines for substantially eliminating the introduction of visual parallax error. In one preferred form, the optical unit is incorporated into a machine for performing a forming operation on a workpiece and is operative to project an image of a portion of a scale to a position easily read by the user during machine operation. The optical unit includes a prism portion having a first side disposed adjacent the scale, a second side at an angle to the first side for reflecting the image and a third side through which the projected image may be viewed. The first locating line is disposed on the first side and the second locating line is disposed on the third side such that visual alignment eliminates the introduction of visual parallax error associated with reading a scale.

Abstract: A drill bit, circular saw blade, milling head or other cutting tool on which are disposed a repeating series of color coded marks spaced uniformly at small predetermined increments so that they can be seen and distinguished while the tool is in use and can therefore be used as depth gauges for cutting, shaping or drilling to a desired depth.

Abstract: An indicator that provides information on the wear status of a composite tool that is subject to abrasion during use. The composite tool contains at least one wear groove in the area subject to abrasion. The wear groove has a desired length and predetermined depth. The wear groove is formed of a desired length and of a predetermined depth into the tool in the area subject to abrasion. During use of the tool in composite forming, the tool is inspected for the presence and depth of the wear groove thereby indicating the wear status of the tool.

Abstract: A portable cambearing line boring tool for an internal combustion engine with an aluminum head or a cast iron block with aluminum caps and an overhead camshaft with non-replaceable bearings that are cast in as an integral part of the cylinder head which utilizes a cutting bar formed with blind openings for receiving spring loaded cutters. Centering of the cutting bar is by the use of locating bushings selected to fit a plurality of different cam-oil-seal and/or oil-plug openings at either end of the cylinder head. The bushings remain in place during the line boring. Horizontal alignment is by alignment ears secured to the upper valve cover gasket surface. For long heads a center bar support is provided. Rotation of the bar is by a portable hand held drill.

Abstract: A boring bar and associated measuring gage device, according to the invention, includes a gaging surface on the measuring gage device that is engagable with a gaging surface on the boring bar. By such engagement, a measuring surface on the measuring gage device remains perpendicular to a reference plane defined by the cutting tip of the boring bar's cutting tool and the rotational center line of the boring bar, thereby substantially assuring accurate measuring, gaging, or positioning of the radial position of the cutting tip. Preferably, attachment means are provided for releasably fixing the measuring means to the boring bar in order to maintain such engagement of the gaging surfaces during such measuring, gaging or positioning of the cutting tool.

Abstract: A tool of a metal-cutting machine provided with numerical control has an information data carrier for storing various data of tool characteristics such as the length, diameter, service life and other parameters of the tool. The data carrier is formed by an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory which has a large storage capacity. The memory is rigidly inserted in the tool or tool holder and is protected against damage and contamination. Inadvertent release and loss of the data carrier are avoided.

Abstract: An electro-optical sensor probe is removably mounted on a conventional machine tool, for example, at a location whereat a tool would normally be mounted, for sensing the condition of a workpiece. Signals received by the sensor probe can be conveyed to a control location either by radio telemetry or across electrical and/or fiber optic lines operationally coupled to the sensor probe. Alternatively, robot based positioning of said probes is disclosed.

Abstract: An instrument for aligning the spindle of a vertical milling machine perpendicular to the milling machine table or work surface. The instrument comprises a first right circular cylinder member that is coaxially attached to the machine spindle about a first axis. This is typically accomplished with the use of a spindle collet. A second pivotal member contains that portion of the first member protruding from the spindle collet. The second member allows rotational and axial freedom of the first member, and the first member is so contained that radial clearance between the first and second member is held to be negligible. The second member is constructed to provide for pivotal attachment to a third or main frame member about a second axis which is orthogonal but not necessarily coplanar with the first axis. The third member has provision for contact with the milling machine table at two points that define a third axis which is orthogonal but not necessarily coplanar with the second axis.

Abstract: An optical presetter for precision alignment of a tool on a machine turret to be positioned on a lathe or the like. The presetter includes a base support, a light source, an adjustable carriage, and a viewer with a reference. When a tool is mounted on a turret and the turret is mounted on the carriage with the tool in the light beam; the tool can be precision aligned by moving the tool relative to the turret and noting the change of the tool image on the viewer.

Abstract: A device for setting cutters in the periphery of an annular cutter holder to a plurality of selected radii, said device including a base for rotatably supporting the cutter holder and an adjustable gauge mounted on said base which may be selectively positioned at a plurality of settings to provide a plurality of distances to which cutters may be set from the center of the cutter holder, said cutter holder having one or more angular shaped slots in the underside thereof for receiving cutters therein and wedge means for securing the cutters in said slots.

Abstract: An improved boring head assembly that is designed for being easily and accurately adjusted to different standard sizes of boring diameters so that it can be accomplished by persons without having a great deal of skill; the device consisting of a spindle for insertion into a chuck of a machine, and an adaptor adjustably mountable on the end of the spindle so to be axially offset a particular amount which is accomplished by means of specifically dimensioned blocks interchangeably placed therebetween, the adaptor serving to hold a boring bar which on its end retains a flying cutter.

Abstract: Simultaneous rotation and feed or withdrawal movements are imparted to a shaft carrying a screw tapping element in an automatic thread cutting apparatus by a rack and pinion drive on which is mounted a ramp-shaped cam, the rack and pinion, through a gear train, effecting rotation of the shaft, and the cam through a lever linkage effecting feed or withdrawal of the shaft and tapping element.