Abstract: A method for lengthening the machining travel of a machine-tool operating at a very high speed, including a tool-carrying ram mobile on three axes. The method combines with the machining movements of the tool-carrying ram along one or several axes, one or several rectilinear movements of the part to be machined by parametering and digitizing the relative travels and speeds of the part to be machined with respect to the tool-carrying ram. The invention also concerns the device for implementing this method and the machine-tool using such a device.

Abstract: A method of generating holes in fiber-reinforced metal laminate material is provided, including creating a first bore 18 by passing a cutting element 16 from a first side 24 of the fiber-reinforced metal laminate material 10 to a second side 26, the first bore 18 including first bore sidewalls 19 at least a portion of which includes a taper 28 having a taper diameter 33 and a taper depth 32; passing the cutting element 16 through the first bore 18; moving the cutting element 16 outward of the taper diameter 33; and retracting the cutting element 16 through the first bore 18 to create a second bore 34 having straight second bore sidewalls 36.

Abstract: A hand tool apparatus uses a cutting tool with a first width and a tool axis to machine a hole in an object. The hole has a second width at least as large as the first width of the cutting tool. The apparatus includes a housing, a spindle unit in the housing for rotating the cutting tool and an orbital drive for rotating the spindle unit. An axial feed mechanism moves the orbital drive and the spindle unit jointly either toward or away from the object being machined.

Abstract: A method for forming a cavity in a handle of a ratchet type ring spanner includes providing a ring spanner having a handle and a head extending from the handle, forming a cutout on a face of the head, the cutout being communicated with a hole of the head, placing a cutter in the hole of the head, and moving the cutter toward the handle until a shaft of the cutter is stopped by a periphery defining the cutout, thereby forming a cavity in the handle. The cavity thus formed is larger than that formed by conventional methods. Thus, a larger pawl can be received in the larger cavity, which, in turn, increases the overall torque-bearing capacity of the ratchet type ring spanner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a remote controlled machine axis (or indexer) system that comprises a horizontal base plate, a first vertical plate, and a second vertical plate, wherein the first vertical plate and the second vertical plate are coupled to the horizontal base plate. The system further comprises a first arbor coupled to the first vertical plate, a second arbor coupled to the second vertical plate, a bearing positioned through the first vertical plate and the first arbor, a rotatable base plate coupled to the first arbor and to the second arbor, and a vice coupled to the rotatable base plate. The system also comprises a wireless transceiver coupled to the horizontal base plate, a servomotor coupled to the wireless transceiver and to the horizontal base plate, an integrated power source coupled to the servomotor, to the wireless transceiver, and to the horizontal base plate, and a reducer coupled to the integrated servomotor and to the second vertical plate.

Abstract: A customized prosthesis, or instrument, for medical/dental applications is provided which replicates the desired bone-graft, tooth, or tool, being replaced. The dimensions of the prosthesis, or instrument, are determined by mathematically interpolating key-points that characterize a specific part. A computer controlled machine then cuts the desired part out of a pre-fabricated blank, directly at the site of operation. Methods of the invention relate to selecting the type of part being replaced, identifying and measuring the coordinates of key-points for that part, and initializing the automated machining process. Also, special supporting devices that include pre-fabricated features common between certain parts, are used in order to facilitate the machining process. The identification of key-points is done by comparing a schematic drawing of the type of part being replaced to the actual part. A grid is then used to measure the coordinates for those key-points.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of screw pump rotors comprising a pitch and/or depth of teeth which can be modified along the axis of the rotor. By means of a simple profiled machine tool (7), a first part of the profiled flank contour is clearly defined along the rotor axis (8) by means of its specific tool guide mechanism, and is then produced in a definitive manner. The remaining second part of the profiled flank contour is then determined according to the rolling movement of the pair of rotors according to the first part of the profiled flank contour carried out by the tool, by means of an approximation which is as precise as possible. It is thus possible to obtain transversally different profiled contours according to the pitch and/or depth of teeth which can be modified along the axis of the rotor. A disk milling cutter is selected to be used as a profiled machine tool.

Abstract: A process for edge-machining an optical (spectacle) lens including preliminary machining of an edge of the lens rotatable in controlled manner about a rotational axis of a workpiece by a first edge-machining tool adjustable radially relative to the rotational axis of the workpiece, whereby the lens is given a circumferential contour which corresponds to the circumferential contour of a lens holder apart from a slight degree of oversizing, contactless measurement of the preliminarily machined lens edge, and finish-machining of the lens edge, taking account of the detected edge data of the preliminarily machined lens, by means of a second edge-machining tool adjustable radially relative to the rotational axis of the workpiece, whereby the lens is provided with a circumferential contour substantially complementary to the circumferential contour of the lens holder.

Abstract: For producing forked roots of turbine blades, the turbine blades are, in a first step, roughed-in and smoothed (finished) on their outer faces in a single operation with two rigidly coupled disk milling cutters that are provided hard metal cutter inserts. In a second step, the forked root is formed with fingers by a set of rigidly coupled disk milling cutters that are provided with hard metal cutter inserts. The disk milling cutters form slots in the forked root. All of the slots are simultaneously opened (roughed-in) and smoothed (finished), the slots having parallel walls.

Abstract: A device 10 and method for forming a non-tapered end 12 of a gypsum board 14 into a tapered configuration 16 includes a rotary drive tool 18 that imparts rotary motion to a tool bit 20 removably secured thereto, a pair of oppositely disposed angle members 22 having cooperating base portions 24 configured to promote attaching a dust collection collar 17 to the base portions 24, the angle members 22 disposing and guiding the rotating tool bit 20 between outer paper walls 28 of a non-tapered end 12 of the gypsum board 14 to ultimately severe portions of gypsum from the non-tapered end 12 thereby forming a recess 32 without damaging the paper walls 28, the tool bit 20 removing the severed portions of gypsum from the recess 32 via a spiral channel 34 circumferentially disposed about the tool bit 20, and a vacuum system 36 that removes the severed portions of gypsum from the gypsum board 14 when the tool bit 20 “lifts” the severed portions form the recess 32 whereby the non-tapered end 12 is forcibly be

Abstract: A plunge milling system (10) for effecting rapid removal of material from a workpiece blank during a rough and/or finishing cutting procedure. In this system, an axial cutting tool (12) is rotated about its axis and axially moved into engagement with the workpiece blank for cutting material from the workpiece. When the tool (12) is engaged with the workpiece, the tool is also moved transaxially and simultaneously with the axial movement whereby material is removed from the workpiece blank along a curved path.

Abstract: A method of machining a plurality of workpieces in an unmanned manner, including the steps of holding, with a jig, a first one of the workpieces, attaching the jig holding the first workpiece, to a workpiece holding device of at least one machining device, so that the first workpiece is machined by the machining device, detaching, after the machining of the first workpiece, the jig holding the first workpiece, from the workpiece holding device, removing the first workpiece from the jig, and holding, with the jig, a second one of the workpieces, and repeating the attaching step, the detaching step, and removing step.

Abstract: A method of generating holes in fiber-reinforced metal laminate material is provided, including creating a first bore 18 by passing a cutting element 18 from a first side 24 of the fiber-reinforced metal laminate material 10 to a second side 26, the first bore 18 including first bore sidewalls 19 at least a portion of which includes a taper 28 having a taper diameter 33 and a taper depth 32; passing the cutting element 18 through the first bore 16; moving the cutting element 18 outward of the taper diameter 33; and retracting the cutting element 18 through the first bore 16 to create a second bore 34 having straight second bore sidewalls 36.

Abstract: A knuckle 1 has a through hole 3 provided in a fitting hole 4 thereof. A cutting tool 9, which has a diameter being larger than that of the through hole 3 and also has a cutting part having a hemispherical leading end portion, is caused to go into the through hole 3 at an angle at which the tool 9 does not touch the remaining part of the knuckle 1. Then, a burr formed at a fitting-hole-side open end portion 7 of the through hole 3 is removed by rotating the cutting tool 9 while the leading end portion thereof is made to obliquely abut against the open end portion 7 of the through hole 3.

Abstract: A hole saw having peripheral cutting capability includes a saw cup, a shank portion, and a location drill. A plurality of cutting teeth are formed on a bottom (open end) of the saw cup and the shank portion is attached to a top of the saw cup with any suitable fastening process. An opening is formed through the shank to receive the location drill. Peripheral cutting teeth are formed on an outside circumference of the saw cup, at a top thereof. The peripheral cutting teeth may be hobbed, cast, or pressure formed into the saw cup. The peripheral cutting teeth may also be a separate structure that is fastened to the saw cup with any suitable attachment method. An abrasive cutting surface may also be formed on the saw cup.

Abstract: Airfoil blades are machined in a workpiece using a circular machining tool defining a machining ring having inner and outer circumferential surfaces. The airfoil blades are created by generating engagement movements between the rotating circular machining tool and the workpiece so as to define a concave side of an airfoil with the outer circumferential cutting surface of the machining ring and a convex side of an adjacent airfoil with the inner circumferential cutting surface of the machining ring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for machining workpieces with rotationally symmetrical surfaces, for example crankshafts, by which the setting and idle times are minimised, transposition of the workpiece to another machine is avoided, and both large batch sizes and also small numbers of items are economically machined. Machining of the workpiece is effected both by a method in which the machining speed is produced primarily by the rotation of the workpiece, and also by a method in which the machining speed is achieved primarily by the rotation of the tool.

Abstract: A method is provided for machining the stainless steel automotive exhaust components that allows such components to be machined in high volumes and at a reasonable cost. An exemplary embodiment of the method includes the steps of: (a) supporting the manifold on a work structure; (b) clamping the manifold to the work structure; and (c) machining the supported and clamped manifold; (d) where the clamping step includes the step of clamping each of the plurality of inlet coupling flanges of the manifold separately; and (e) the machining step includes the step of machining the interface surfaces of the inlet coupling flanges. In a more detailed embodiment, the supporting and clamping steps orient the planes of the interface surfaces of the inlet coupling flanges of the manifold perpendicular to a spindle access of the milling machine.

Abstract: A tool for metal-cutting machining of a surface of an opening particularly of a valve seat in a cylinder head of an internal combustion engines. The tool has a cutter tip with at least one geometrically defined cutting edge. The cutter tip rests on two supporting regions in the tool which are arranged at an angle &agr;, and an angle-bisecting line runs essentially perpendicularly with respect to the active cutting edge which then is removing chips from the valve seat. A claw holds the cutting tip to the tool end. Coolant and lubricant are supplied through an outlet from the claw.

Abstract: In a method for machining a workpiece, and for identifying a sequence of steps for machining a workpiece, a final shape required for the whole or part of the workpiece (is identified at 34), a three dimensional envelope shape is generated around the required shape (36), differences between the current shape and the envelope shape are generated at (38) to allow a sequence of cuts to be generated at (40) and a tool path at (42) from which the current stock part can be cut down to the envelope shape. The definition of the current stock is then updated at (44) and the sequence repeated until the workpiece has been machined to the required shape.

Abstract: A technique having superior efficiency for manufacturing a bevel gear forging die is presented. In the present invention, raw material is machined by means of a radius end mill, manufacturing a bevel gear forging die 10. In recent years, it has become possible to use radius end mills to form complex shapes from raw materials having a high degree of hardness, owing to the fact that NC construction devices and their controlling programs control the deployment of radius end mills, and due to the improved accuracy of the radius end mill itself. By improving the process path of the radius end mill, the inventors have succeeded in creating a process whereby a radius end mill can be used to cut a bevel gear forging die 10 having a side face, a base face, and a diagonal face.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for shaping an edge of a tile. The preferred embodiment enables an operator to place a tile between an elevator and a reference plate. The operator snugs the edge of the tile up against a reference plate, and causes the elevator to press the tile towards the reference plate. The reference plate and the elevator are coupled with a transporter. The transporter is moved to maintain the tile in contact the guide surface, whereby the edge is placed into an edge shaping zone of a shaping tool, such as a router bit or a saw. Two or more shaping tools may be placed in series along the guide surface whereby the edge may be successively shaped by each shaping tool in a two or multi-stage process. A motor and a lead screw or a chain may be used to move the transporter and tile.

Abstract: The invention concerns a 3D milling machine and a 3D milling process. The milling machine comprises a milling unit (2) with a motor driven work spindle (4) for receiving a milling tool, a work table for clamping work pieces, guide and drive device for producing relative movement of the milling unit and the work table in at least three spatial directions, and a laser device (12) for emitting a laser beam. A laser assisted milling of free-form surfaces is made possible in that the milling unit is a spherical cutter (6), further, that a mounting device (30, 32) and a driving device (36, 38) are provided for producing a precise movement of the laser emitter (12) about a point on the beam axis, such that the laser beam (14) circles about a central axis, which intersects the axis of the work spindle (4) at an acute angle, as well as a mounting device and a driving device for at least one of pivoting and rotating of the work table (18) about at least one axis.

Abstract: A burr located at an edge of a steel piece is cut by disposing a cutter such that the flank of the cutter is substantially in parallel with the surface of the steel piece and the angle between the cutting edge of the cutter and the edge of the steel piece which the burr intersects is at least 45°. The cutter is relatively moved toward the outside of the steel piece along the lengthwise direction of the burr, or the cutter is disposed with the flank of the cutter substantially in parallel with the surface of the steel piece and the angle between the cutting edge of the cutter and the edge of the steel piece is at least 90°. The burr located at the edge of the steel piece is cut by relatively moving the cutter perpendicularly to the lengthwise direction of the burr.

Abstract: A milling method is provided for the manufacture of components composed of difficult-to-cut materials for turbomachines, aircraft and spacecraft by producing recesses with one or more side walls. An end milling cutter which cuts at the circumference and at the tip and has a tip contour which is rounded towards the circumference is used as the rotating milling tool. In addition to rotation about its axis, the milling tool performs an eccentric orbiting motion about an orbital axis spaced apart from its axis. The opposite senses of rotation lead to downcut milling, and the orbital axis performs a translational advance motion on a straight and/or curved path transversely to its longitudinal direction, with or without a swivelling motion.

Abstract: A method of guiding a tool for machining a work piece of a material block, the material-removing work portion of the tool being guided to move along a first guide path while a further point on the axis of the tool, which is located at a distance from the work portion, is guided along a prescribed second guide path, whereby the five kinematic coordinates of the movement of the tool are fully determined.

Abstract: A method for cutting metal includes providing a rotating cutting tool and making a first cut in the material using a first tooth of the cutting tool, such that an amount of heat is conducted into the material. A second cut is made in the material using a second tooth of the cutting tool, before the heat dissipates from the material. The time between the first cut and the second cut is such that the heat softens the material and allows the second tooth to more easily cut the material.

Abstract: A process for the metal-removing machining of a workpiece, where a disc-shaped external milling cutter is provided having cutting edges positioned on its outer circumference, the workpiece is rotated, and peripheral surfaces of the workpiece are machined with the milling cutter, by rotating the milling cutter to have a cutting speed of at least 180 m/min when roughing and at least 200 m/min when finishing, and a chip thickness of between 0.05-0.5 mm.

Abstract: In order to further develop a process for making a groove in a board-like workpiece by means of a processing machine, wherein the workpiece is placed on a supporting table of the processing machine aligned essentially horizontal for holding the workpiece in a machining plane and wherein a milling unit held on a machining head of the processing machine is displaced and a groove is thereby milled into a workpiece by means of a milling disk rotating about a drive shaft aligned parallel to the machining plane, in such a manner that the groove can be milled more precisely with a defined groove depth it is suggested in accordance with the invention that the milling unit be guided at right angles to the machining plane by means of a touch roller associated with the milling disk and adapted to roll on the workpiece. In addition, a processing machine for carrying out the process is suggested as well as the use of the processing machine for the milling of a groove into a multilayered or composite material board.

Abstract: An NC apparatus 1 replaces a required machining shape of a workpiece 5 with a predetermined canned machining cycle depending on a specification of machining conditions including a machining start point, a machining end point, and the size of an end mill E to be used. Calculation of an estimated value of cutting force exerted on the end mill E fed along the assumed tool path during the replaced canned machining cycle is repeated until a predetermined comparison and evaluation result is obtained in comparison with a predetermined appropriate value. Accordingly, the tool path of the end mill E together with the feed rate in each portion of the tool path is determined. This permits generation of an NC program which is used in a NC machine equipped with an end mill serve as a cutting tool, and which optimizes the tool path of the end mill together with the feed rate in each portion of the tool path such as to achieve high machining efficiency and accuracy.

Abstract: A cutter holder assembly for holding a cutting tool supported at a tool carriage moving in at least an X-Y plane and provided with a cutter for engraving an item to be engraved includes a mounting base capable of being fitted to the tool carriage, a holder base supported at the mounting base in such a manner as to be freely moveable along a Z-axis provided in direction of a prescribed straight line, and a cutter holder having a cutting tool support supporting the cutting tool and being fixed to the holder base. Rotation of the cutter holder about the Z-axis with respect to the mounting base is restrained and an angle of inclination &thgr; constituted by an angle formed when a longitudinal axis of the cutter and the Z-axis intersect can be held at a prescribed angle. It is therefore possible to provide a cutter holder assembly for an engraver capable of implementing engraving technology capable of a variety of types of engraving of a wide variation without limitation at a part to be engraved.

Abstract: An existing straight pipe 1 is cut off at two locations by rotating two seal-up housings 2 each mounted with a cutter 3, to form two cutoff groove 12C. A straight pipe portion 1p between the two cutoff grooves 12C remains left without retrieval, to impart a flexibility and contraction and expansion properties to a pipeline.

Abstract: The system constructed according to the present invention operates by properly positioning a base compact disc (CD) onto a cutting table and then cutting the CD to a preprogrammed shape. Base CDs are stacked on an elevator system. The CDs include one side on which data is recorded, and another side on which the CD label is printed. A robotic arm with a vacuum gripper then picks-up a CD from the stack and moves the CD to a cutting table. While the arm moves the CD, a machine vision system takes a picture of the CD label and compares the picture to an image of the label stored in data. An image mapping program then determines the rotational orientation of the CD by comparing the picture and data image. Once the orientation of the disc is known, the robot arm rotates the disc a calculated amount so that it can then be placed on the cutting table in a proper normalized orientation. The CD is held in place on the cutting table by a vacuum chucking system.

Abstract: In a method of machining a first and a second surface recess in a workpiece, the workpiece has a longitudinal axis and a first local Cartesian coordinate system. The machine tool has a longitudinal axis and a second local Cartesian coordinate system, the first and second surface recess are associated with a first and second recess longitudinal axis and a non-circular cross-section. The recesses are separated on the surface of the workpiece such that they are mirror images of each other about a plane along the longitudinal workpiece axis. A skew angle is defined between the first recess longitudinal axis and the workpiece axis in the first plane.

Abstract: A hole of a hole size is cut in a composite material workpiece by selecting a milling cutter having an effective cutter size less than the hole size, mounting the composite material workpiece in operable relation to the milling cutter, rotating the milling cutter about an axis of rotation, and advancing the milling cutter longitudinally into the composite material workpiece parallel to the axis of rotation at a rate of longitudinal advance, while laterally moving the milling cutter perpendicular to the axis of rotation to interpolate the hole. The rate of longitudinal advance is controlled such that the hole remains substantially a flat-bottomed hole as it is cut. The composite material workpiece is desirably affixed to a backing fixture with an adhesive material during the cutting of the hole.

Abstract: The aircraft panel detab router to trim tabs from airframe parts such as wing elements, panels and airframe skin structures includes a tool fixture having a clamping mechanism for securing to a panel edge. The tool fixture includes a linear slide to which a sliding assembly is slidably engaged. The sliding assembly includes an eccentric cam ring mount for retaining and position adjustment of a router relative to the panel edge. The router has a cutting tool attached which cutting tool at its distal end is also supported by a support arm attached to the sliding assembly. A vacuum manifold is also attached to the sliding assembly to remove debris created by the trimming action of the cutter tool.

Abstract: A cutting tool having a blade section on one end is mounted on a spindle of a cutting machine, and the blade section is contacted with a workpiece to perform planing of the workpiece into a desired shape. Because the tip of the blade section is disposed on the spindle axis, the position of the cutting edge is controlled by performing drive control of the X-axis and Y-axis of the spindle. Thus, the control of the cutting machine is simplified, and path errors resulting from synchronous control can be eliminated.

Abstract: A coupling device, particularly for vehicle wheels undergoing surface finishing, comprising means (14) for the releasable fixing of the wheel (11) to a chuck (12), which act in holes (13) for the passage of screws for fixing the wheel (11) to a hub of a vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for milling fishbone-type notches (3) which are arranged on the perimeter of a turbine shaft (2) and which are used to receive blade footings. A step-tapered preform (15) of the cross-section (3) of the notch is pre-milled in preferably three machining steps. On the basis of this preform (15), at least the substantial part of the fishbone-type cross-section form which is characterised by undercuts in the step flanks is milled in one tool passage by means of a profile milling cutter (21).

Abstract: A guide for a machine tool including a vertical upper column (1) adapted for stable positioning at a work station and an elongate horizontally orientated arm (2) extending outwardly from and pivotally attached to the upper column at a pivot is disclosed wherein the pivot is provided by two vertically spaced apart pivot points (3) so as to allow the arm free radial movement in a horizontal plane.

Abstract: A milling tool includes a milling body and a plurality of cutting inserts. The milling body has fastening devices to hold the cutting inserts in a plurality of respective insert pockets each having at least one base surface. Each of the cutting inserts has at least one cutting edge. The tool has a rotational axis and a rotational direction, as well as a feed direction and an end surface. The milling tool is provided to cut a work piece substantially in an axial direction of the tool, which is substantially perpendicular to the feed direction.

Abstract: A burr located at an edge of a steel piece is cut by disposing a cutter such that the flank of the cutter is substantially in parallel with the surface of the steel piece and the angle between the cutting edge of the cutter and the edge of the steel piece which the burr intersects is at least 45°. The cutter is relatively moved toward the outside of the steel piece along the lengthwise direction of the burr, or the cutter is disposed with the flank of the cutter substantially in parallel with the surface of the steel piece and the angle between the cutting edge of the cutter and the edge of the steel piece is at least 90°. The burr located at the edge of the steel piece is cut by relatively moving the cutter perpendicularly to the lengthwise direction of the burr.

Abstract: This invention aims at avoiding interference of a blade when a plurality of grooves of a diffraction grating element are formed. In order to achieve this object, in a method of working a diffraction optical grating element shape on a working target surface, a main spindle for rotatably supporting a cutting blade is provided on X-, Y-, and Z-coordinate axes of the working target surface, and an angle of an edge of the cutting blade mounted on the main spindle performs working to have an inclination with such an angle that interference with a planned working position at an outer peripheral portion of a curved surface of the diffraction optical grating element is avoided.

Abstract: A machining feed rate for machining a workpiece portion to be machined by a machining tool based upon a machining program is set by reading a data of the workpiece portion, by sectionalizing the workpiece portion in an area corresponding to a workpiece shape of the workpiece portion, and by determining a shape change point based upon a workpiece shape of the workpiece portion. The machining feed rate is set for each area and for each shape change point with reference to a predetermined parameter corresponding to an attribute of the each sectionalized area and corresponding to an attribute of the each determined shape change point.

Abstract: A method of cutting planar material with a controlled cutting machine having a cutting tool with a tool tip includes performing a cutting test on various planar materials with the cutting machine under selected cutting conditions which produce deflection forces on the cutting tool due to the interaction of the cutting tool and materials so as to cause the tool tip to offset and move along deviated or offset cutting paths relative to desired cutting paths, and determining compensating offsets in order to align and coincide the actual cutting paths with the desired cutting paths A schedule of the compensating offsets to align and coincide the actual cutting paths with the desired cutting paths is established as determined by the cutting tests. The schedule is to be repeatedly used thereafter for cutting planar material having cutting conditions associated with the schedule.

Abstract: Method and device for making a relief surface to improve surface quality. The method is that, simultaneously with the main element's movement in two mutually perpendicular directions, it is being moved in horizontal and vertical planes along various paths. The device contains horizontal and vertical supports installed on a motionless chassis and a program controlled mechanisms with a position regulating drive to set the stock width.

Abstract: The apparatus and method includes a spindle portion which holds a cutting tool. The drill is initially moved forwardly of a pressure foot portion of the apparatus. The pressure foot portion is then moved forwardly along with the spindle and drill to clamp the mechanical assembly. A thrust control arrangement produces a reduction of the thrust on the tool holder such that as the assembly is being clamped, the tool initially contacts the workpiece and then remains stationary while the pressure foot moves forward to complete clamp-up. The positions of the tip of the tool and the surface of the workpiece are recorded and compensation is then made to the apex position of the spindle stroke, using a previously determined reference position of the tool relative to the workpiece.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cutting a low density flexible material and passing through a semi-rigid base material simultaneously by means of a rotary milling cutter and simultaneously applying a compressive force to the flexible material to increase the rigidity of the flexible material while cutting the flexible material, the method includes passing the cutter through a part of the semi-rigid material. The compression force is applied by a partial cylindrical shaped compression head having the rotary milling cutter extending therethrough.

Abstract: A circumferential milling machine is for milling along an arcuate portion of a cylindrical work piece having a cylindrical outer surface and is capable of milling a series of circumferentially space holes or slots, axially expanded holes or slots and/or tapered holes or slots in the arcuate portion of the cylindrical work piece. The machine includes a circumferential moving block mounted for circumferential movement along the arcuate portion with a pair of axial moving blocks mounted at opposite ends of the circumferential moving block being capable of axial movement with respect thereto. A radial moving block is mounted on either of the axial moving blocks for radial movement toward and away from the cylindrical outer surface and includes a milling device rigidly mounted thereon.

Abstract: The invention concerns a 3D milling machine and a 3D milling process. The milling machine comprises a milling unit (2) with a motor driven work spindle (4) for receiving a milling tool, a work table for clamping work pieces, guide and drive means for producing relative movement of the milling unit and the work table in at least three spatial directions, and a laser device (12) for emitting a laser beam. A laser assisted milling of free-form surfaces is made possible in that the milling unit is a spherical cutter (6), further, that mounting means (30, 32) and drive means (36, 38) are provided for producing a precise movement of the laser emitter (12) about a point on the beam axis, such that the laser beam (14) circles about a central axis, which intersects the axis of the work spindle (4) at an acute angle, as well as mounting means and drive means for at least one of pivoting and rotating of the work table (18) about at least one axis.