Abstract: In a spindle device, a movable member is provided on a cover member, which is attached to a spindle housing and covers the outer peripheral surface of a chuck portion which is a disk-shaped rotating member. The movable member is moved by a gas flowing through a flow passage formed in the cover member and thereby brought into contact with the chuck portion. The movable member is electrically connected to a ground.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing material to a desired shape by controlling a cutting tool by wireless communication, capable of performing cutting/beveling and processing using one cutting tip and performing cutting and improvement operations of a tube material. The processing apparatus includes a drive wheel rotatably coupled to one side of a main body part while a workpiece penetrates the drive wheel, a main motor unit for rotating the drive wheel (in a C-axis direction), at least one stage coupled to the front of the drive wheel to precisely reciprocate in a center direction of the workpiece (in an X-axis direction), a cutting tool mounted to the stage so as to cut an outside surface or an end surface portion of the workpiece, and a control unit for controlling the stage and the main motor unit, wherein the control unit and the stage are controlled by wireless communication.

Abstract: In a machine tool having a rotary shaft for use in rotating a tool or a workpiece, a plurality of stable rotation speeds at which the chatter vibrations are expected to be suppressed, and at least one switching rotation speed across which a dynamic characteristic of a rotary shaft system changes are stored. The plurality of stable rotation speeds may be determined from chatter vibrations detected using a vibration detection unit. Optimum rotation speed that is a rotation speed to which a rotation speed of the rotary shaft is changeable without crossing the switching rotation speed is selected from the plurality of stable rotation speeds, and the rotation speed of the rotary shaft is changed to the optimum rotation speed. Thus, chatter vibrations generated during rotation of the rotary shaft can be suppressed effectively.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for machining a workpiece, the apparatus including: a support; a boom mounted to the support; a machining station mounted to the boom; and displacement means provided on the boom for moving the boom relative to the support through engagement with a support surface. The support includes a boom pivot about which the boom is rotatable, the machining station being mounted on the boom remote from the boom pivot. The displacement means includes wheels or rollers having an axis of rotation extending along a radius from the boom pivot. The wheels or rollers have an at least partly tapered contact surface and have a diameter which increases along the axis of rotation away from the boom pivot.

Abstract: A machine tool is provided, comprising a machine frame, at least one carrier device for a tool or a workpiece by means of which a tool acting on a workpiece or a workpiece being acted upon by a tool is held during the machining of a workpiece, and a holding device holding the at least one carrier device in a non-movable or movable manner relative to the machine frame, wherein a bearing device is provided by means of which the at least one carrier device is mounted in a floating manner on the holding device with displaceability in a direction of displacement along a displacement path, and wherein an adjusting device is provided by means of which the position of the at least one carrier device along the displacement path can be adjusted and fixed.

Abstract: A milling machine has a base, a work platform mounted movably on the base, and a ruler mounted on the work platform. The work platform is movable relative to a base axis. The thermal compensation system includes a sensor and a control unit. The sensor is configured to be mounted on the base for sensing a position of each of the work platform and the ruler relative to the base axis. The control unit is coupled to the sensor, and determines a work platform displacement and a ruler displacement according to the positions sensed by the sensor. The control unit further calculates a compensation value based on the work platform displacement and the ruler displacement. The control unit is configured to correct the position of the work platform relative to the base axis according to the compensation value.

Abstract: A minimum five-axis machine tool (11) has first to third linear feed axes orthogonal to each other as well as first and second rotational feed axes orthogonal to each other, wherein a rotational axis line of the first rotational feed axis C is parallel to the first linear feed axis Z. While a tool T and a work W are moved relatively through the second and third linear feed axes X, Y to perform machining of the work W by means of the tool T, the machine tool controls the first rotational feed axis C such that a rotational axis line of the second rotational feed axis A is perpendicular to the direction of relative movement of the perpendicular to the direction of relative movement of the tool T to the work W, and controls a power supplied to a motor for the second rotational feed axis A when a torque around the second rotational feed axis A exceeds a specified threshold.

Abstract: In an advantageous embodiment, an apparatus comprises a housing associated with a machine, a shaft, a sleeve, and a biasing system. The shaft is associated with the housing, and the shaft has an end configured to receive a tool. The shaft is configured to be rotated by the machine about an axis of rotation extending through the shaft. The sleeve is associated with the housing, and the sleeve has a channel that is configured to receive the shaft. The biasing system is associated with the housing and configured to move the sleeve along the axis of rotation against a workpiece on which a drilling operation is performed during which a sleeve end presses against the workpiece with a force while the shaft with the tool is rotated by the machine.

Abstract: Complex workpieces, particularly aeronautical parts made of solid stock presenting a bottom wall and at least one stiffening rib transverse to the bottom wall, are machined using a device having a tool head furnished with a transmission component rotatable about a relative longitudinal axis, and a tool, typically a milling cutter, connected to the transmission component and capable of piercing the transverse rib. The longitudinal axis of the tool is disposed obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the transmission component so that the stiffening rib can be pierced at a point close to the bottom wall of the workpiece. The device also incorporates a feeler mechanism associated with the tool head and designed to engage the bottom wall during the movement of the tool toward the machining location, in such a way that the position of the tool head can be actively controlled and the tool deployed at a selected distance from the bottom wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to the transmission of power and/or data from/to a stationary part of a machine tool 200 to/from an accessory 100 mounted in the spindle 210 of the machine tool 200. A first electrical link or interface 1a,1b,1c,1d provides electrical communication between the stationary part 200 and the spindle 210, and a second electrical link or interface 3 is provided electrically connected to the first electrical link at the accessory mounting area 230. The second link 3 is in the form of electrical contacts. The invention extends to an accessory shank 360 for mounting to the spindle 210 of the machine tool, and also to an accessory 100 e.g. in the form of a measurement probe, connected to the said shank 360.

Abstract: A reference block 30 attached to a housing 20a is moved together with a main spindle 20 to a measurement start position A1, and the reference block 30 is so moved in a Z-axis direction as to across air injected from an air injection nozzle 25, so that a thermal displacement of the main spindle 20 is calculated based on change in pressure measured in the movement. The outer circumference of a tool mounted on the main spindle 20 is brought close to a leading end face of the air injection nozzle 25, and the air is injected to the outer circumference of the tool while rotating the tool at a predetermined position, and the air pressure is measured so that the rotational deflection of the tool is calculated based on the change in the measured pressure.

Abstract: The transmission of power and/or data from/to a stationary part of a machine tool to/from an accessory mounted in the spindle of the machine tool. A first electrical link or interface provides electrical communication between the stationary part and the spindle, and a second electrical link or interface is provided electrically connected to the first electrical link at the accessory mounting area. The second link is in the form of electrical contacts. An accessory shank for mounting to the spindle of the machine tool, and also to an accessory e.g. in the form of a measurement probe, connected to the said shank.

Abstract: The invention is a method of creating greater accuracies for wear compensation of a finishing tool during the finishing of workpieces, in which a reference surface is ablated by initially traversing the finishing tool over the reference surface and determining the actual wear of the finishing tool as a result of this initial feed motion of the finishing tool controlled by an NC feed program of an NC machine. The actual measured wear of the finishing tool as a result of the initial traversing feed motion over the reference surface is compared to a known empirical wear trend line for the workpiece and the feed motion of the NC feed program for the next workpiece is recalculated as a function of the comparative actual wear of the finish tool with respect to the known empirical wear trend line.

Abstract: The invention relates to the transmission of power and/or data from/to a stationary part of a machine tool 200 to/from an accessory 100 mounted in the spindle 210 of the machine tool 200. A first electrical link or interface 1a,1b,1c,1d provides electrical communication between the stationary part 200 and the spindle 210, and a second electrical link or interface 3 is provided electrically connected to the first electrical link at the accessory mounting area 230. The second link 3 is in the form of electrical contacts. The invention extends to an accessory shank 360 for mounting to the spindle 210 of the machine tool, and also to an accessory 100 e.g. in the form of a measurement probe, connected to the said shank 360.

Abstract: A method of controlling a relative movement of a cutting blade and a workpiece which are moved relative to each other by a movement device in an operation with a machine tool. The method includes a step of bringing the cutting blade and an object into contact with each other, by moving at least one of the cutting blade and the object toward each other by the movement device, and a step of controlling the relative movement on the basis of a relative position of the cutting blade and the object which is detected by the movement device upon the contact of the cutting blade and the object with each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spindle (9) for a machine tool, having a housing (12) to accommodate an electric motor (11) and a shaft (13) driven by the latter and having a tool holder for a tool (10) for machining workpieces, at least one data acquisition element (2) being provided to record operating and/or state data of the spindle (9), and at least one spindle-integrated data storage element (1) being provided to store the recorded data from the data acquisition element (2).

Abstract: In a numerical-control machine tool use is made of a mandrel-holding structure that makes it possible for the machine tool to be used to smoothing/facing and polishing purposes under utilization of traditional pan-like tools, in which the force acting on the working tool is delivered by a pre-established adjustable pneumatic pressure, while the weight of the moving parts of the mandrel is compensated for by a compression spring. When the pneumatic pressure is substituted for by an oleodynamic, i.e. oil-pressure force acting in the opposite direction, the machine switches over to normal operating conditions as a regular numerical-control machine tool.

Abstract: A device for detecting thermally caused linear expansions of a machine element, wherein the device includes a temperature sensor placed along an expansion direction. The temperature sensor includes a first metallic conductor having an electrical resistance that is proportional to an average temperature of an area to be monitored and a plurality of trimmer tracks in the form of further metallic conductors placed next to the first metallic conductor. The temperature sensor further includes electrical connections selectively interconnecting the plurality of trimmer tracks with the first metallic conductor and wherein the plurality of the trimmer tracks have an effective electrical resistance that is proportional to the average temperature of the area to be monitored.

Abstract: A method of controlling a relative movement of a cutting blade and a workpiece which are moved relative to each other by a movement device in an operation with a machine tool. The method includes a step of bringing the cutting blade and an object into contact with each other, by moving at least one of the cutting blade and the object toward each other by the movement device, and a step of controlling the relative movement on the basis of a relative position of the cutting blade and the object which is detected by the movement device upon the contact of the cutting blade and the object with each other.

Abstract: A coupling device for engaging an exchangeable tool support (7) for corotation with a shaft (2) of a motor (1), with the shaft (2) mounting at is driven end a hollow shaft projection (3) for receiving the tool support (7). Alternatively, the tool support (7) can mount the hollow shaft projection for receiving the driven end of the shaft. The shaft (2) and/or the tool support mounts a locking device for securing the tool support (7), and which is actuated by centrifugal force. The coupling device is designed and constructed so as to permit a simple mounting of even heavy tools to the output shaft of the motor, and a reliable connection of the tool and drive.

Abstract: A method of controlling a relative movement of a cutting blade and a workpiece which are moved relative to each other by a movement device in an operation with a machine tool. The method includes a step of bringing the cutting blade and an object into contact with each other, by moving at least one of the cutting blade and the object toward each other by the movement device, and a step of controlling the relative movement on the basis of a relative position of the cutting blade and the object which is detected by the movement device upon the contact of the cutting blade and the object with each other.

Abstract: A device in a tool holding assembly for axially moving a rotatable shaft on which is arranged at a first end of the shaft a device for performing work during rotation of the shaft includes an electric motor for rotating the shaft, and at least one bearing radially supporting the shaft and permitting movement of the shaft in the axial direction. The shaft has a second end forming a free end and an electromagnetic mechanism is arranged to affect or operate on the second end of the shaft to draw the shaft in the axial direction from the first end to the second end against the affect of pressure acting against the second end of the shaft in the opposite axial direction. A mechanism controls the electromagnetic mechanism to achieve axial movement of the shaft during rotation of the shaft.

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: A spindle device equipped with a combined externally pressurized gas-magnetic bearing assembly, and a machining apparatus utilizing the spindle device. The spindle device is capable of accomplishing a high speed rotation with high rotational precision and includes a main shaft (4) rotatably supported by the combined bearing assembly (6 to 9), an electric current detecting device (15 to 18) disposed in a spindle controller (3) for detecting a current supplied to electromagnets of the combined bearing assembly (6 to 9). Also provided is a machining status determining device (19) for determining the machining status in reference to the current detected by the current detecting device (15 to 18). The machining status may be an indication of the extent to which a machining tool is impaired.

Abstract: In a finishing apparatus, a plurality of works are retained at distances from each other in a direction of an X-axis. A single spindle is disposed on a table movable in the direction of the X-axis, the spindle has an axis parallel to an axis of each of bores to be finished, and is capable of being advanced and retracted axially. A measuring device is provided that measures an inside diameter of each finished bore and which is advanced and retracted independently from the spindle in a direction along the axis of each finished bore. A combination tool is mounted at a tip end of the spindle and finishes an inner surface of any of the bores to be finished, even if the position of insertion of the combination tool into each of the bores is changed.

Abstract: A method of controlling a relative movement of a cutting blade and a workpiece which are moved relative to each other by a movement device in an operation with a machine tool. The method includes a step of bringing the cutting blade and an object into contact with each other, by moving at least one of the cutting blade and the object toward each other by the movement device, and a step of controlling the relative movement on the basis of a relative position of the cutting blade and the object which is detected by the movement device upon the contact of the cutting blade and the object with each other.

Abstract: A tool tip conductivity sensor and method for determining when a tool tip of a machine contacts a workpiece. The sensor has at least two external connectors, one to the workpiece and the other to the machine. When the tool tip grazes the workpiece surface an electrical circuit is completed. The signal from the contacts is supplied to a trigger circuit, which preferably compares the signal to a DC offset. The trigger signal from the trigger circuit is supplied to a notification circuit, which provides a signal indicating contact. Preferably, the notification circuit receives the trigger signal and provides a steady “On” condition for an LED or activates an audible device, such as a piezoelectric transducer. The notification circuit can also provide a reference for further machining to a controller of the machine using the sensor as a contact probe.

Abstract: A machine is provided for stripping the ground wall insulation from a stator bar quickly and in such a manner that the copper strands will not be damaged. The apparatus of the invention includes a power driven cutting tool for milling or routing the insulation from a portion of the insulated bar, a sensing device for detecting the location of the copper strands and a height adjustment assembly for determining a disposition of the bar with respect to the cutting tool. In an exemplary embodiment, the height adjustment assembly is adjusted in accordance with the location of the copper strands as detected by the sensing device to substantially prevent the cutting tool from making damaging contact with the copper strands.

Abstract: An adaptive control system for adaptively controlling a turning operation performed at a work piece by a turning tool adjusts a controlled input operation parameter F to maintain an output operation parameter &Dgr;M substantially at a predetermined value &Dgr;Mo to compensate variation of the output operation paramemeter &Dgr;M caused by the variation of at least one operation condition B=B (t). The system comprises a sensor (8) of the output operation parameter &Dgr;M for providing a signal Uc proportional to a current value &Dgr;Mc and an adaptive controller (10) for determining a value Fc to which the input operation parameter F should be adjusted, as a function of kUc, where k is a signal transmission coefficient which comprises an invariant signal transmission coefficient component ko inversely proportional to &Dgr;Mo.

Abstract: A working machine includes a cutting machine, a tool holder which can be installed to or removed from the spindle of the cutting machine, a transmission and reception mechanism installed in the tool holder, and a controller for performing radio communication with the transmission and reception mechanism via electromagnetic waves. An antenna configuring the transmission and reception mechanism is installed in a radio wave transparent material and a cover material at a distance from the circumference of the tool holder for radio communication between the tool holder and the external controller.

Abstract: An articulated milling arm for a milling instrument, which includes a milling arm support movably attached to a frame to allow vertical displacement of the milling arm support; a first vertical axle, rotatably connecting the first milling arm support to a middle portion of the milling arm to allow swiveling of the middle portion of the milling arm horizontally about a vertical axis of the first vertical axle, the first vertical axle being provided with a braking surface; a second vertical axle, rotatably connecting the middle portion of the milling arm to a milling unit support to allow swiveling of the milling unit support horizontally about a vertical axis of the second vertical axle, the second vertical axle also being provided with a braking surface. The milling arm is provided with a movable braking plate, on the middle portion of the milling arm, which movably contacts the braking surface of the first vertical axle and the breaking surface of the second vertical axle.

Abstract: The device includes an operating head movable by a control unit with respect to a board for machining; the operating head includes a board holder device and an electric motor for a tool spindle; the rotor of the motor rotates with respect to the stator on air-cushion supports, and the stator slides axially on a further air-cushion support and is insulated with respect to the operating head; a signal generator senses the capacitance between the rotor and the stator, and generates an electric signal upon the tool on the spindle contacting the upper surface of the board; and the signal is used to define a reference dimension relative to the upper surface, and to so condition the control unit as to feed the tool to a predetermined depth as of the upper surface.

Abstract: A machining method is provided for use with a smart card of the type having at least one conducting winding at some distance from the opposed faces of the card, with the end portions of the winding forming electrical connection pads for an electronic chip. According to the method, an electric potential is generated in the winding. The milling tool is made to orthogonally penetrate the card in a region of at least one of the pads, and the electric potential of the milling tool is concomitantly monitored to detect a variation in electric potential that identifies a reference position of the milling tool with respect to the card and pad. The penetration of the milling tool is continued for a predetermined travel from the reference position so as to reach a machining position. In one preferred method, the milling tool is moved parallel to the card at the depth of the machining position in order to form a cavity in the smart card. A machining apparatus for machining a cavity in a smart card is also provided.

Abstract: A system for operation of pneumatic tooling has a plurality of pneumatically operable tools (2). A servo-controller (21) is switchable to actuate any of the plurality of tools, to move that tool to a desired position. A position transducer (4) includes an element (9, 10) which is displaced from a home position by such actuation of any one of the tools. The position transducer sends a position feedback signal to indicate to the servo-controller when the desired tool position has been reached. The servo-controller is switchable by virtue of having its output connected to a number of valves (22), i.e. one valve per tool, where preferably only one valve is energized at a time. When a valve is at rest, the pneumatic circuit is such that the tool is held in its home position. When energized, the servo-controller outputs are routed to the tool to operate the tool.

Abstract: The device includes an operating head movable by a control unit with respect to a board for machining; the operating head includes a board holder device and an electric motor for a tool spindle; the rotor of the motor rotates with respect to the stator on air-cushion supports, and the stator slides axially on a further air-cushion support and is insulated with respect to the operating head; a signal generator senses the capacitance between the rotor and the stator, and generates an electric signal upon the tool on the spindle contacting the upper surface of the board; and the signal is used to define a reference dimension relative to the upper surface, and to so condition the control unit as to feed the tool to a predetermined depth as of the upper surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a workpiece's surface position. One embodiment of the invention includes two conductive bodies that are insulated from each other. During a surface position determining operation, one of these bodies has a first potential, while the other body has a second potential. These bodies are then moved towards a conductive surface of the workpiece, until both of these bodies are electrically detected to contact the surface. Finally, the distance that one of these bodies traverses is used to identify the position of the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of the invention detects a machining load acting on a tool during a machining process, estimates abrasion amount of the tool based on the machining load and a tool abrasion characteristic registered in advance in a memory, and changes automatically tool position compensation amount based on the tool abrasion. The estimating computation of tool abrasion amount is performed by, for example, obtaining in advance a tool abrasion coefficient based on tool abrasion amount per unit time when a main spindle load current value is taken as a reference machining current value, and integrating for a machining time the product of a ratio of a main spindle load current value during an actual machining process to the reference current value and said tool abrasion coefficient.

Abstract: A tool device for machining workpieces has a machining tool and at least one sensor oriented toward a machining area of a workpiece to be machined by the machining tool. The at least one sensor senses at least a portion of the machining area and produces sensing signals. At least one processing unit for receiving and processing the sensing signals of the at least one sensor is provided so that an on-line control of the machining process is possible.

Abstract: A machine alignment compensation actuator system is disclosed. The system is designed to selectively orient the tool head of a machine tool to maintain the tool along a desirable axis of alignment. The system includes a framework and a machine slide assembly configured to hold the tool. An actuator assembly having a plurality of actuators is disposed between the machine slide assembly and the framework. Each actuator is disposed at a unique location to permit selective reorientation of the machine slide assembly and tool with respect to the framework.

Abstract: A numerical control apparatus can process a workpiece at high speed and high precision while suppressing tool abrasion by maintaining optimum cutting conditions determined by a combination of spindle rotational speed and tool feed speed. A spindle rotational speed control section changes the speed of the spindle according to a tool feed speed obtained by a tool feed speed deciding section based on the shape of the tool moving path commanded by a machining program. Alternatively, the spindle rotational speed is changed by a spindle rotational speed control section based on a change in the contact position between the tool and the workpiece to be cut in the tool axial movement direction. Further, the spindle rotational speed may be changed by the spindle rotational speed control section based on the tool feed speed including tool axial movement direction data obtained by a feed speed deciding section based on the shape of the tool moving path.

Abstract: In a first preferred embodiment a transmitting acoustic transducer mounted on the tool axis or spindle of a grinding tool affords a method for pre-contact recognition and control (touch-off) independent of tool grit, workpiece material, and all natural machining frequencies. The transmitting transducer such as a piezoelectric polymer or crystal generates a selected frequency of approximately 1-5 MHz. As the tool enters a lubricating plume surrounding the workpiece, the ultrasonic transmission couples through the fluid interface to the workpiece. A receiving transducer mounted on the optical workpiece gives a unequivocal and rapid detection of the transmission by a highly filtered(band pass) receiving transducer before the tool contacts the workpiece. In a second preferred embodiment, a photoacoustic laser excites a modulated frequency to the grinding tool and to the receiving transducer.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention permit the accurate sensing of the height of a solder nozzle above a circuit board during operation of the solder nozzle. A non-contact limit switch, which provides an indication of the presence of a planar surface at a preselected proximity, is mounted in a fixed relationship with a solder nozzle which is manipulatable by means of a robotic arm. A reference surface is provided which includes a proximity sensor, such as a through beam fiber optic switch. The proximity sensor is mounted a predetermined distance above the reference surface and is utilized to detect the solder nozzle as it is moved toward the reference surface.

Abstract: A vibration sensor, located on a chuck member for a workpiece and rotating therewith, detects the signal emitted at the instant a tool member contacts the workpiece. The vibration sensor produces an output signal to modulate a transmitter and a receiver fastened to the machine tool frame receives the information broadcast by the transmitter. The information is processed to produce a signal which reduces the speed of a motor controlling the advance of the tool member. The speed of the tool member is thus reduced as soon as the tool member contacts the workpiece. The arrangement is particularly suited to machines for grinding interior diameters and prevents damage following accidental collision of the workpiece and tool member.

Abstract: The arrangement enables controlling the speed of advance of the tool part of a machine tool during its approach phase toward a workpiece and reducing such speed as soon as the tool contacts the workpiece.It includes an acoustic sensor adapted to detect the signal emitted at the instant of contact, an electronic circuit for processing such signal and a motor responding to the circuit to regulate the speed of advance of the tool part. The sensor is fastened to a feeler mounted on the machine framework by means of shock absorbers, said feeler being arranged to be in contact with the workpiece or its carrier.

Abstract: A high precision processing equipment includes a contactor provided in a numerical control processing unit and moved in a direction parallel to a spindle, so that the contactor is brought into contact with a workpiece or its support member during feeding motion of the spindle so as to define a positional relationship between the contactor and the spindle. When a magnetic-electric converting element attached to the contactor is opposed to a magnet on the spindle during feeding movement of the spindle, the element detects movement of the magnet, and a resulting detection signal is used to obtain a positional relationship between the spindle and a workpiece, i.e. the starting position of a subsequent processing motion during activation of the processing unit.

Abstract: A contact detecting system for detecting the contact of a tool element, supported by a main shaft of a machine, with a workpiece comprises exciting and detecting coil assemblies, an electric power source for supplying a high frequency electric current to the exciting coil assembly to cause the latter to produce an induction current flowing in a loop circuit constituted by the machine shaft, the tool element and a framework of the machine, and a detector unit for generating a detection signal indicative of the actual contact of the tool element with the workpiece when the detector unit has detected the presence of a current component, which has resulted from the induction current generated by the exciting coil assembly, in the output signal from the detecting coil assembly.

Abstract: In effecting positioning of a workpiece relative to a working tool, indexing is carried out by obtaining precision measurement of the relative distance between the workpiece and the working tool by using a laser beam. Positioning can be effected with improved precision and working can be achieved with improved dimensional accuracy.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the control of the path of the grinding tool of an all-around edge grinding machine supporting a glass pane for movement about a rotational axis. The grinding tool is positively guided into contact with the edge of the glass pane as controlled by the contour of the glass pane. A scanning roller, also guided into contact with the edge of the glass panel provides the control heretofore described. Both the grinding head and scanning roller are movable in a direction toward the rotational axis of the glass pane. Path signals determined by the scanning roller are stored in a sliding register, and delayed at its output for a period of time required for movement of the glass pane through an angle which corresponds to the rotational angle (.alpha.,.beta.) between the point of contact of the scanning roller and the point of contact of the grinding tool on the edge of the glass pane. The path signals from the sliding register are used in position controlling the grinding tool.

Abstract: A machine tool comprising a rotary drive unit rotating a tool or workpiece, a load torque detecting device disposed between the rotary drive unit and the tool or workpiece rotated thereby, a linear drive unit moving one of the tool and the workpiece toward and away from the other, a main start switch for actuating the rotary drive unit, and a control device.

Abstract: A device for production rate finishing and deburring of the ends of lengths of pipe with minimum loss of time, utilizing the finishing tool as a sensor to control the feed rate, whereby the end finishing and deburring is accomplished in a single pass and the tools are driven to the workpiece at a high feed rate.