Abstract: A method and kit for retrofitting an inertia reel door onto the seat back of a pre-constructed ejection seat. The method includes removing existing rivets from the seat back exposing rivet holes. Alignment holes are then drilled into the seat back. An aperture is cut into the seat back along flanges of an upper support bracket and a drogue chute bracket. A doubler is aligned with the rivet holes and alignment holes in the seat back and then attached to the seat back. A track is attached to a wall of the aperture and an inertia reel is mounted to the track. An inertia reel door is attached to the doubler.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for producing a barrel marking on the inner side (4) of the barrel (2) of a firearm. Barrel markings on firearms are used for marking projectiles fired from the respective firearm and to thusly allow a largely definitive allocation of a projectile to the weapon from which it was fired. The invention is characterized by the fact that at least one groove which follows the rifling (5) of the barrel is mechanically produced in the barrel wall by means of a finger-like tool (1) that can be displaced relative to the longitudinal axis (6) of the barrel and turned about the longitudinal axis of the barrel, namely after the inner side of the barrel (2) is finished, preferably during the manufacture of the barrel. The invention also pertains to thusly manufactured barrels and to a device for carrying out said method.

Abstract: Method and device to make holes for components of wings for doors or windows comprising a frame consisting of uprights (14) on which blinds (16) oscillating with respect to an axis are mounted. The method provides to calculate the number of blinds (16) which can be applied in the wing and the interaxis “p” of the assembly holes (17) by dividing the height of the wing gap by the height of said blinds (16), rounding up the result of the division to obtain a whole number, calculating the overlap value between each blind (16) relation to the number of blinds (16) to be applied and comparing the overlap value obtained from this calculation with a pre-defined minimum value.

Abstract: A processing cell of automatic machining system configured in that it is easy to decide or change the number of steps and to design, and to reduce the installation cost. The control unit of the processing cell comprises an operation data storing means for storing every position necessary data for operation at each position of the processing cell installed in the machining section of the automatic machining system, and a position designating means for designating the after-installation position. The control unit reads necessary data for operation out of the operation data storing means in accordance with the position designated by the position designating means. Thus, the operation of each cell can be switched in accordance with the position, and the processing cells can be easily changed in position and adjusted in quantity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a work center for wood working including: a support base (1) for the pieces to be worked; a structure (6), mobile along said base in the direction of a first numerically controlled axis (X); a support (12) of a tool group (13) mounted on said structure and mobile, under numeric control, along a second axis orthogonal the first two, wherein a second tool group (15) is provided, mounted on said support (12), said second tool group (15) being mobile between a first position in which it fits completely within said support (12) and a second position in which said second tool group protrudes from the said support (12). According to a second preferred embodiment, the machine includes, mounted onto the same structure (6), a second carriage mobile along said second axis and supporting a second tool group mobile along said third axis (Z) orthogonal to the first two.

Abstract: A tool presetter and a tool offset amount calculation method are provided which ensure easy and accurate determination of reference tool offset amounts in a machine tool having a pivotal tool spindle stock. The tool presetter is mounted in a composite lathe having a pivotal tool spindle stock 17. The tool presetter calculates tool offset amounts Oz (=A−Zm), Ox (=B−Xm) on the basis of machine coordinate values Zm, Xm of the tool spindle stock detected when a nose of a tool T is in contact with Z-axis and X-axis detection points of a presetter sensor 18 with the tool spindle stock 17 pivoted by a pivot angle &agr;, and machine coordinate values A, B of the Z-axis and X-axis detection points of the presetter sensor 18, and calculates reference tool offset amounts Lz, Lx from predetermined expressions on the basis of the tool offset amounts Ox, Oz and the pivot angle &agr; of the tool spindle stock 17.

Abstract: A system including a bench, selection template and drilling template registerable to the bench. The drilling template including apertures which can receive a guide bushing for guiding a plunge router into a panel for drilling an aperture pattern in the panel. The aperture pattern can be a system 32 pattern.

Abstract: A workpiece is assembled by removably mounting an alignment tool to a conventional wing structure so that the alignment tool holds multiple conventional strut fittings to the wing structure. A frame of a CNC manufacturing machine is moved to and removably mounted to the workpiece. The orientation of the workpiece with respect to the frame mounted thereto is quantified. A predetermined pattern of operations to be performed by the CNC manufacturing machine to form attachment holes for use in attaching the strut fittings to the wing structure is adjusted to compensate for the orientation of the workpiece relative to the frame. Thereafter, the CNC manufacturing machine automatically forms the attachment holes.

Abstract: A CNC tapping machine includes a spindle to which a tap is attached and a spindle motor for rotating the spindle. The load torque acting on the spindle motor that is detected when performing a tapping procedure without a workpiece is stored in a memory as referential, torque data. During a tapping procedure, a detection device detects the load torque acting on the spindle motor. A computer computes the difference between the load torque defected by the detection device and the referential load torque and uses the difference as the cutting load acting on the tap. As a result, the cutting load torque acting on the tap is accurately detected.

Abstract: A system including a bench, selection template and drilling template registerable to the bench. The drilling template including apertures which can receive a guide bushing for guiding a plunge router into a panel for drilling an aperture pattern in the panel. The aperture pattern can be a system 32 pattern.

Abstract: A device for accurately aligning the screw holes for installation of hidden hinges is disclosed. The jig comprises a jig body having a handle portion and a template portion. The template portion has a center hole for positioning a hinge cup drill hole in a cabinet door and an upper and lower offset hole for locating hinge plate mounting screw drill holes in a cabinet wall. An upper moveable arm is attached to the top end and a lower moveable arm is attached to the bottom end of the handle portion. Stopping means are provided for aligning the template portion along a vertical edge of the cabinet door or the cabinet wall.

Abstract: An improved drilling machine and drilling method will allow rapid configuration and calibration. The drilling machine is small, mobile, and possesses extensive computing power to download positions of hole sites and to control the positioning of the end effector. The mini-driller conforms to various jig configurations regardless of the program model or position on the wing. In short, the controller for the mini-driller quickly orients the machine, downloads the hole sites appropriate to the model under construction and determines with accuracy the mini-driller's precise location in relation to the work piece. A graphic user interface allows the operator to read the projected position of the hole sites, as downloaded from the Numeric Control Server, off of the graphic user interface and to make ad hoc corrections to the projected hole sites.

Abstract: The cutting tool for machining valve seats comprises a driving system, a machining head, a pilot, a depth gauge, and a system controller. The driving system provides rotational movement and vertical movement for the machining head which is controlled by the system controller. The machining head further comprises a pinion feed driving assembly and a universal cutting blade. The pinion feed driving assembly causes the cutting radius of the cutting tool to decrease as the machining head rotates. The pilot is attached to the bottom of the machining head to provide a means for centering the cutting tool. The depth gauge is disposed on the driving system and is electrically connected to the system controller. The depth gauge measures the distance between a valve seat and the cutting blade. The system controller includes memory and programming for controlling the operation of the cutting tool. An operator can input the parameters that define the geometry of the valve seat profile.

Abstract: The cutting tool for machining valve seats comprises a driving system, a spindle assembly, and a system controller. The driving system provides rotational movement and vertical movement for the spindle assembly which is controlled by the system controller. The spindle assembly further comprises a spherical sheath providing capability to align a spindle to any valve seat orientation, the spindle for rotating a universal cutting blade, a machining head attachable to the spindle, a tool holder carriage for holding the universal cutting blade, and a pinion feed driving assembly or set of connecting rods for controlling the cutting radius of the universal cutting blade. The pinion feed driving assembly is driven by a servo motor which moves the spindle vertically and independent from the vertical movement of the spindle assembly and the rotational movement of the spindle. The system controller includes memory and programming for controlling the operation of the universal cutting blade.

Abstract: A pin and an oil hole are modeled in an X, Y, and Z space (a three-dimensional coordinate system). Then, the model is cut with a plane which passes through a central axis of the hole and which includes a line normal to a tangent of the pin at a point at which the central axis of the oil hole and the surface of the pin (cylindrical surface) intersect. By this operation, shapes of the pin and the oil hole are recognized in two dimensions. Following this, a point of a chamfering drill is made to overlap the pin and the oil hole on a plane. Since a shape of the chamfering drill is already known, dimensions of a chamfered portion when viewed on said plane can be determined geometrically. Then, chamfering is performed with the chamfering drill kept at such an angle of inclination that desired dimensions of chamfer can be obtained on said plane.

Abstract: A high throughput drilling system for printed circuit board hole formation. Two spindles are disposed at each spindle station, doubling the number of holes produced in a given time period. Each spindle in connected to an overhead linear drive by a mini slide. A first set of the spindles, one for each spindle station, is driven by a first X axis linear drive. A second set is driven by a second X axis linear drive. The work piece table is elongated to support work pieces for all stations, and is supported by a set of bearing guides, with outrigger bearings coupled to the table by flexure mounts that relieve stress due to differential temperature expansion rates between the work piece table and the base table. High speed spindles are employed to obtain higher productivity, with larger holes routed by router tools, eliminating the need for stocking large drill sizes on the system tool changer.

Abstract: The workpiece or pack of printed circuit boards is fitted to a clamping fixture carried by the table and is machined by a machining head; the head and the table being movable with respect to each other along two coordinate X, Y axes. The aligning method includes the steps of providing the pack with two locating holes; fitting the pack to the fixture; determining the distances between the real positions of the holes and two reference positions; and moving the pack on the fixture to eliminate the distances. The aligning device has an optoelectronic sensor carried by the head to determine the real position of each hole; and a number of motors controlled on the basis of the real position of each hole to move a locating member for locating a first pin on the pack, and to move one bar of a pair of bars for clamping the other pin on the pack.

Abstract: Methods for forming fastener holes in the construction of fuselage assemblies. The method utilizes a triple gantry drilling system with upper, left and right side gantries, within which are dedicated robotic deployment arms having an automatic tool change system with drill attachment exchangeable with a plurality of tools. Each gantry is capable of translational movement along three different axis, as well as rotational movement about an axis of rotation and axis of pitch, respectively, such that simultaneous drilling about the fuselage can be achieved. The method further includes the incorporation of a vision system with camera to assist mechanics to view the drilling processes and verify structure position.

Abstract: The drilling machine has a cross member along which slide two carriages supporting two machining heads; the two carriages are moved independently of each other along the X axis; one of the two machining heads is fitted to the respective carriage by means of a slide which is also moved along the Y axis by an electric motor controlled by a numeric-control unit; the maximum travel of the slide is at least twice the pitch of the rows in the matrix of holes in the printed circuit boards; and the movement of the slide provides for both setting the two machining heads along the Y axis, and enabling the two machining heads to simultaneously drill two adjacent rows in the matrix of holes.

Abstract: The workpiece or pack of printed circuit boards is fitted to a clamping fixture carried by the table and is machined by a machining head; the head and the table being movable with respect to each other along two coordinate X, Y axes. The aligning method includes the steps of providing the pack with two locating holes; fitting the pack to the fixture; determining the distances between the real positions of the holes and two reference positions; and moving the pack on the fixture to eliminate the distances. The aligning device has an optoelectronic sensor carried by the head to determine the real position of each hole; and a number of motors controlled on the basis of the real position of each hole to move a locating member for locating a first pin on the pack, and to move one bar of a pair of bars for clamping the other pin on the pack.

Abstract: A multi-head drilling machine, for use in particular in the simultaneous drilling of a plurality of side frame components for shutters, the drilling machine having a machine frame, a support carriage moveable along the frame, a transverse drilling head bar mounted transversely of the carriage, and moveable to and fro with the carriage, a first pair of drills mounted on the transverse head bar on one side of the carriage and a second pair of drills mounted on the transverse head bar on the opposite side of the carriage and being moveable in unison along either side of the carriage, clamps for clamping work pieces on either side of the carriage, in registration with respective drills, a first drill of each pair being mounted at a first predetermined position on the transverse head bar, and a second one of the drills being mounted at a second predetermined position on the transverse head bar, the first and second drills being offset with respect to one another longitudinally and laterally along the path of movem

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing the drilling position of a multi-layer printed circuit board prior to drilling. Each board is x-rayed to determine location coordinates information of the inner layers of multi layer circuit board panels. An optimization process determines optimal locations for drilling. The board is then drilled according to the optimized coordinates. By minimizing misregistration between the drilled holes and inner layers of the multi layer semiconductor circuit board, the present invention reduces a significant cause of scrap to the circuit board industry as well as removing a major impediment to further increasing circuit density and wireability.

Abstract: A numerical controller controls a machine tool to achieve a tapping operation with high accuracy and satisfactory quality without being constrained by a set axial feed distance and a specified axial feed speed. An analyzing unit (4B) calculates a minimum axial feed distance (L.sub.min) necessary for securing a constant machining program set in an input unit (7). A speed pattern adjusting unit (4C) modifies the axial feed speed pattern so that the constant speed time (T) can be secured. An(??) distributing unit (4A) determines drive instructions for a synchronous tapping operation. A drive control unit (5) gives the drive instructions to servomotors included in a driving unit (3).

Abstract: A computer assisted manual machine tool system and method for milling, turning and grinding uses a computer model of machine objectives and location feedback signals from the tool to control motion switch means enabling and disabling tool motion. The manual machinist may position a tool to a target position by enabling motion along each controlled axis while the tool's position feedback for that axis is outside of the tolerance specification and disabling motion once the tool is within that tolerance. The machinist may contour within a specified tolerance zone by toggling the motion switch means for each axis to produce motion along that contour. The machinist may pocket by enabling motion while the tool is away from the pocket surfaces and disabling motion when the tool position is within a predetermined distance of any pocket surface.

Abstract: A drill jig for installing a lockset in a hanging door with an aperture for the lockset. The drill jig has a plate with a plug on one side dimensioned to fit into the aperture. An array of drill bushings is mounted in the plate aligned with a level on the top edge of the plate. Rubber feet protect the the door from being marred by the plate. The plate is positioned against the door in preparation for drilling holes through the drill bushing into the door.

Abstract: A drill incorporates an axial feed drive, measuring system for determining the feed distance, a computer for controlling the axial feed drive as a function of the axial feed distance and a rotary drive for driving the tool spindle with pre-established on-load speed or pre-established torque or load moment. The flow or feed of cutting lubricant to the tool is controlled as a function of the pre-established on-load speed or the combination of the pre-established load moment, and the axial feed.

Abstract: In a system which interrupts the infeed signal generated by a CNC machine drive signals are applied to at least an RPM Control Electronics Module to drive the rotation of a cutting tool and the infeed drive motor electronics. A solid state relay intercepts the infeed signal and is driven into an on off state by a Variable Frequency Generator. This causes the solid state relay to enter the on off state in response to the input frequency and interrupts the infeed signal applied to the infeed motor electronics in synchronization with the frequency generated. The frequency is user selectable and the frequency used to eliminate or minimize chip formation is dependant upon the material being drilled, the infeed rate, the RPM of the tool, and the diameter and point geometry of the tool so adjustment by the machine operator is required. This permits the user to vary the specific frequency to select a frequency which is suitable for elimination of spirals in a given set of circumstances.

Abstract: A portable pneumatic power drill whose tool-carrying spindle is rotated by a pneumatic motor. According to the invention spindle speed is under the control of an electric motor as a function of the speed of rotation of the tool-carrier spindle and of instructions stored in a memory card, control being provided by two microprocessors. This provides operating modularity that is better than that of conventional power drills.

Abstract: The length of a drilling cycle in a bowling ball fitting and drilling method is reduced in an apparatus including a fitting apparatus (10) usable by a bowler to determine the size of a thumb hole and at least one finger hole to be drilled in a bowling ball and including a drilling apparatus (14) having a ball support (22), a rotatable drilling tool (30) movable relative thereto and a drive (36) for the drilling tool (30). A dove tail slide connection (50), (52) provides for moving the drilling tool (30) in an orbital path and an adjustment mechanism (56), (58), (60), (62), (70), (84) is provided whereby the diameter of the orbital path may be varied to vary the diameter of a hole drilled in the ball. A control motor (122) is responsive to the fitting apparatus (10) to operate the adjusting mechanism (56), (58), (60), (62), (70), (84). The control motor 122 is carried by the drive (36) and thus, may be adjusted "on the fly".

Abstract: Delays in fitting and drilling bowling balls are eliminated in a point of sale bowling ball fitting and drilling apparatus. A fitting apparatus (30) includes two movable finger blocks (34), (36) and a thumb aperture (38). Through the use of inserts taken from a group of inserts (150), the fitting apparatus (30) may be utilized to generate control signals to a drilling apparatus (46). A ball (204) may be positioned within the drilling apparatus (46) and insert receiving holes drilled therein in response to the information received by the drilling apparatus (46) from the fitting apparatus (30).

Abstract: In a drilling control apparatus for properly controlling a load sitting on a drill, a cutting reaction force estimate unit (1) estimates a disturbance load torque Yz acting on a servomotor (feed axis) (63) based on a speed signal X1z to the servomotor (63) and a torque value U1z commanded to the servomotor (63). In drilling operations, the cutting reaction force Yz is equivalent to a cutting reaction force generated between a drill (75) and a workpiece (91). Note, rotation of the drill (75) is controlled by a spindle motor (73) and a position in a Z-axis direction of the drill (75) and a feed speed of the drill (75) are controlled by the servomotor (63) through a spindle head (74).

Abstract: An automatic drilling machine has an electric drilling unit on which a cylindrical cutter is rotatably mounted. The drilling machine includes a drill motor for rotating the cutter and a feed motor for linearly moving the cutter for the purpose of drilling into materials such as concrete. The current flowing through the drill motor before a drilling load is imposed thereon is detected for a microprocessor to determine the type of the cutter being used. The drill motor is driven at a rotation speed suitable for the cutter being used and the feed motor is driven at a speed such that the rotation speed of the drill motor thus set is maintained unchanged. Particularly, the drill motor is driven at a reduced rotation speed from the start of drilling until a predetermined drilling depth is reached to reduce chatter vibration which may otherwise be generated if the drill motor is driven at a regular constant speed from the beginning of drilling until the end.

Abstract: In a machine tool equipped with a numerical control unit for digitally controlling a spindle motor, the number of revolutions and feed speed of a spindle for rigid tapping are obtained by designating the number of revolutions and the tapping pitch from an input device and calculating the feed speed of the spindle by an arithmetic device based on the designated number of revolutions and tapping pitch. Alternatively, they are obtained by designating the tapping pitch from the input device, changing the number of revolutions by a number-of-revolutions changing device and calculating the feed speed of the spindle by the arithmetic device based on the designated pitch and the changed number of revolutions.

Abstract: A processing machine comprises at least three powered guides (13,15,27) for movement along Cartesian axes for a support (12) to hold a tool (21) on a horizontal table (11). Motors (14,16,19) for movement along the three guides are connected to an integrated control device in the machine comprising a microprocessor sending to the motors movement signals reading data for position and moving from memories connected thereto, at least one of said memories being enclosed in an external module (125) connected in a removable manner to the microprocessor through a connector arranged toward the outside of the machine. To the microprocessor are also connected a keyboard (130) for sending command signals and means (131) for display of operating information.

Abstract: To allow automatic determination of the order of drilling in slot drilling.The positions of holes located along a line are described via a binary vector. The order of drilling is also described via a binary vector. The former binary vector is made to correspond to the latter binary vector through a conversion matrix, where every corresponding partial matrix is regular. The positions of the holes are determined from the drilling order, or the drilling order is determined from the positions of the holes by their correspondence.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning punch and die blocks or retainers in order to bore dowel-receiving and screw-receiving holes in shoes of die sets.

Abstract: An automatic machine for performing framing operations on a power pole. The machine is controlled by a programmable logic control and interchangeable programs are provided to control the operation of the machine according to a pole frame specification. Poles to be framed are received on a primary conveyor. The poles are sequentially scanned for length and position and are transferred in sequence to a longitudinal feed station where the poles are oriented on a first set of supports. An end of the pole is clamped to a movable carriage to maintain the pole orientation. The pole is fed through a movable rotatable tool ring either by movement of the pole clamp carriage or movement of the tool ring. The tool ring supports tooling to perform the framing operation on the pole. The programmable logic control coordinates the movement of the pole clamp carriage, the movement of the tool ring and the rotation of the tool ring to position the tools in the proper relation to the pole.

Abstract: A supply conveyer carries to a supply position a pallet on which process boards and a sacrifice board fitting the process board are stacked, and after a robot positions the sacrifice board at a predetermined position of a suction table, the robot positions the process board on the sacrifice board in order. A numerical control router processes the process boards on the sacrifice board.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the speed and efficiency of a drilling machine during the drilling of holes in printed circuit boards includes automatically setting a dwell time according to one or more predefined drilling parameters. A plurality of dwell times which vary in accordance with the predefined parameters are stored in a computer memory device. A drilling machine controller automatically selects an optimal dwell time from the memory device according to the drilling conditions of a particular drilling operation so that the shortest feasible dwell time is used for obtaining a desired degree of hole placement accuracy and hole quality for the drilling operation. The apparatus is a drilling machine system that includes a controller which contains dwell times that vary in accordance with the diameter of a drill tool.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method of rapidly drilling holes in a workpiece on a drilling machine having first and second spindles holding first and second drill tools, a first and second pressure foot mounted on the first and second spindles and a work table mounted beneath the spindles on which workpieces can be mounted.

Abstract: An arrangement for providing universal movement of a machine tool is provided in which there are parallelogram linkages, one of which has a link which maintains parallelism with a worktable and is movable in any direction in a plane. A machine tool is carried by this link to perform an operation on a workpiece on the worktable. Two linear actuators converge from pivotal mountings on the worktable to the link. Selective extension and retraction of the actuators causes appropriate planar movement of the machine tool. A limit switch arrangement is provided by marking the movement of a portion of the mechanism on a plate as the mechanism is extended to its limits, cutting out the plate along the line marked, and positioning the actuating arm of a limit switch in the opening. Movement to the limits of the mechanism's travel will trip the switch and interrupt power to the actuators.

Abstract: A multispindle machine for drilling, milling or the like of workpieces has several spindles mounted on at least one crossbeam rail (4), and the workpieces and spindles can be displaced relative to one another along X and/or Y coordinates. To minimize machining time, each crossbeam rail mounts at least two spindles (3) which are displaceably independently of one another in the long direction or X coordinate of the crossbeam rail (4).

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: Disclosed is a numerical control (NC) sentence creation system for creating an NC sentence for a two stage drilling operation by which a hole drilled by a first stage drilling operation is further drilled by a second stage drilling operation using a second drill having a smaller diameter, wherein machining configuration data are input (S1), machining condition data including a first amount of clearance and a second amount of clearance are input (S2, S3), and an NC sentence is created. The NC sentence enables the hole to be drilled in the first stage drilling operation and the second drill for the second stage drilling operation to be moved by a cutting feed from the bottom of the hole drilled by the first stage drilling operation to the machining end point of the second stage drilling operation (S4), whereby a machining time for the second stage drilling operation is shortened.

Abstract: An arrangement for driving a rotary tool is provided in which the tool shank is engaged and frictionally driven by the engagement of three or more drive rollers. Axial movement of the tool is accomplished by tilting the axes of the rollers as permitted by flexible portions of the shafts which drive the rollers. The tool is released by moving one roller away from the other two. A pressure foot is provided at the bottom of the assembly reciprocated by a cam arrangement to engage the workpiece when the tool is in operation. A position pick-off senses the axial position of the tool so that the tilt angle of the rollers can be controlled by a dual feedback path servo loop having an improved preconditioning circuit for its feedback position counter.

Abstract: A benchmark device for a plane face comprises at least three benchmark elements which together define a reference plane parallel to said plane face, together with a system of rectangular axes enabling any point of said plane face to be located.

Abstract: A computerized apparatus and method for drilling holes in elongated workpieces. Predetermined locations for holes are input into a computer by visually aligning hole locations on a template with the drilling axis of the apparatus. The computer controls movement of the drill and of the ring segment relative to the drill. The workpiece is moved relative to the drill and is stopped at each predetermined location for drilling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling glass drilling in which the starting position for the drill bit is calibrated prior to drilling. The drill bit is initially spaced close to the surface to be drilled and the rotating bit is slowly advanced toward the surface while a cooling fluid is discharged through an axial passage through the bit. Contact between the bit and the surface is determined by sensing either an increase in the fluid back pressure or a decrease in the fluid flow rate. The determined bit position is stored and used as a starting position when subsequently drilling holes. The starting position may be modified for subsequent workpieces to compensate for bit wear.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for selectively and simultaneously drilling a plurality of holes in thin panels such as printed circuit boards, while providing for automatic changing of the drill bits, individually or plurally, as required. A tray of drill bits is driveable in X and a row of vacuum pickers are driveable in Y, so that the various bit locations of the tray are addressable by such X-Y positioning, and selectable vacuum pickers are extensible and retractable so as to pick and place the drill bits at various matrix locations of the tray. The vacuum pickers also are extensible and retractable through corresponding tray openings in order to deliver replacement bits to, and retrieve used bits from, a flipper assembly associated with each drilling module.

Abstract: A roller hold down device for removable work table which has a pair of rollers which extend transversely across the workpiece mounted on the movable table so as to hold it down and with a pair of cam roller members mounted on either side of the movable table and formed with cam portions so as to engage the rollers at the end of travel so as to force the rollers up away from the workpiece and also so as to prevent the rollers from falling off of the end of the workpiece. The rollers are controlled by hydraulic cylinders which can be actuated to automatically move them to the down position and also to move them to the up position.