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 cutting tool holder having a cutting tool support supporting the cutting tool and being fixed to the holder base. Rotation of the cutting tool holder about the Z-axis with respect to the mounting base is restrained and an angle of inclination ? 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: A robotic deburring tool having a housing. Mounted within the housing is a pneumatic motor that includes a backwall and a drive shaft. Secured to the terminal end of the drive shaft is a deburring tool. A pivot-bearing is mounted in the housing adjacent the backwall. A connector extends from the backwall of the pneumatic motor and connects to the pivot bearing, thereby permitting the pneumatic motor to freely articulate radially in any direction while preventing free rotation about the bearing's longitudinal axis. A compliance device extends around the pneumatic motor at a location between the backwall and the deburring tool secured to the drive shaft. The compliance device restricts the movement of the pneumatic motor while applying a compliance force to the pneumatic motor as the pneumatic motor moves with the pivot bearing.

Abstract: A machine tool having at least one or more spindles that can be positioned in space, the spindle being mounted on displaceable slides by rods and the displacement of the slides leading to the spindle being positioned in space. A correction device is provided which defines the actual position of the spindle relating to one or more reference points.

Abstract: A double rotatable spindle head of non-perpendicular axis type has a first half head and a second half head. The first half head is connected to the machine structure and rotates about a first axis. The second half head is coupled to the first half head on a flat surface and rotates about a second axis perpendicular to the flat surface. The rotation of the first and second half heads is achieved by a first and second direct motor, respectively.

Abstract: A machining unit for a program-controlled milling and drilling machine. A head support movable in several coordinate axes has an axis of rotation pointing forward and downward at a 45° angle. A swivel head arranged on a front side of the head support is rotatable about the axis of rotation. A spindle nose is fixedly mounted on the swivel head and has a working spindle with an axis extending at an angle of 45° relative to the axis of rotation. A spindle motor is aligned coaxially with the axis of rotation and a bevel gear arranged in the swivel head for the motor shaft. The swivel head has a cylindrical hollow housing member coaxial with the axis of rotation and in which the spindle motor is mounted. The head support has a housing neck in which the housing member of the swivel head is rotatably supported.

Abstract: A toolhead assembly for a CNC machine displaceable along orthogonal x, y and z-axes generally consisting of a support assembly, a tool carrier supported on the support assembly having a rotatable tool axis and being displaceable relative to the support assembly between a first position wherein the tool axis is aligned with the z-axis and a second position wherein the tool axis is misaligned with the z-axis, structure for yieldably biasing the tool carrier assembly into the first position and structure responsive to a displacement of the tool carrier assembly to the second position for breaking an electrical grounding circuit of a controller operatively connected to the machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing conical holes in a workpiece by using a substantially cylindrical cutting tool having a cutting head diameter essentially smaller than the top and bottom diameter of the hole to be formed. The method comprises the steps of positioning the longitudinal center axis of the cutting tool at an angle, which is offset from a normal to a flat surface of the workpiece such that the inclination of the longitudinal axis of the cutting tool substantially corresponds to the desired inclination of the wall of the conical hole to be formed, rotating the cutting tool about its longitudinal center axis, moving the cutting tool in a circular path about a principal axis corresponding to the longitudinal center axis of the hole to be machined, and feeding the cutting tool in its longitudinal direction towards and into the workpiece.

Abstract: The invention concerns a very high-speed machining machine-tool (M) consisting of a parallel structure including link bars (100) whereof one first end (110) is linked to a mobile member (200) supporting at least a tool and whereof the second end (120) is linked to at least means (300) setting it in motion relative to a frame (B). The said machine-tool is characterized in that the linkages (400) to the ends (100 [sic, should be 110. -Translation Editor) and 120) of the said bars (100) consist in an association of fictitious pivots (410, 420, 430) so as to form a joint whereof the degrees of freedom enable the parallel structure to be set in motion. The said feature enables to avoid all drawbacks related to ball linkages. The invention is applicable to high-speed machining.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine tool for machining a rod-shaped workpiece. The machine tool comprises a tool spindle, and also a first holder and a second holder for accommodating the workpiece. In a machining position, the second holder is oriented coaxially to the first holder, and it is arranged so as to be capable of rotating or swiveling about an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the workpiece.

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

Abstract: A machine tool for machining rod-shaped workpieces comprises a traveling column, to which a tool spindle rotatable about a spindle axis is fastened. The tool spindle is capable of swiveling about a swivel axis. The swivel axis is arranged perpendicularly to both the spindle axis and a longitudinal axis of the workpiece.

Abstract: A device for using a parallel structure designed for positioning and displacing a mobile member including at least a fixed element and at least three actuators each including a fixed part and a mobile part, the mobile member including a support-sheath of a tool spindle. The device includes a balancing assembly which, enabling the support-sheath to move in rectilinear manner along axes X, Y and Z, maintains the support-sheath such that the weight of the support-sheath is not transferred to the parallel structure.

Abstract: A dental measuring and machining system includes a measuring and machining unit for preparing measurement data by measuring a prosthesis model based on a predetermined algorithm and for producing a prosthesis by machining a prosthesis block based on the above measurement data, and an operating unit for operating the measuring and machining unit from the outside. A user is able to produce a dental prosthesis by operating the measuring and machining unit under the control of a computer. The measuring and machining unit is connected to the external operating unit by communication, and the measuring and machining unit can be operated from the outside.

Abstract: An operating head for automatic machine tools of the type mounted on a structure for moving along a set of three Cartesian axes having a first support, fitted to the structure for rotation around a first axis, and a chuck unit fitted to the first support, wherein the chuck unit is interchangeable and projects from the first support, and is designed to allow angular positioning around a second axis orthogonal to the first axis. The first support includes a power transmission system for the chuck unit. The connection of the chuck unit to the first support permits changing from rough to finish work by simply replacing the chuck unit, rather than replacing the entire operating head.

Abstract: A longer life, low cost tool and tool holder enabling change of posture with respect to a spindle, having a high machining accuracy of a workpiece, and resistant to generation of vibration or heat, provided with a working tool for processing a workpiece, a motor having an output shaft to which the working tool is connected and rotating the working tool, a first holder for holding the working tool and the motor, a mount attached to the spindle, a generator to which rotational force is transmitted from the spindle through the mount and generating electric power for driving the motor, a second holder for holding the mount rotatably, holding the generator, and engaged with a nonrotating portion of the machine tool, and a posture adjustment mechanism which connects the first holder and the second holder and is able to change the posture of the working tool with respect to the spindle.

Abstract: A multi-axis Cartesian guided parallel kinematic machine has a frame, a base platform, a multi-axis Cartesian guiding mechanism assembly, multiple driving strut assemblies and a motion platform. The motion platform is connected to the base platform through the driving strut assemblies and the multi-axis Cartesian guiding mechanism assembly. The multi-axis Cartesian guiding mechanism assembly has multiple linear guiding mechanisms and rotary guiding mechanisms that are in-serial linked and arranged in orthogonal to each other according to the Cartesian coordinate system. The multiple driving strut assemblies are in-parallel connected to the base platform and the motion platform using pivot joints. Each driving strut assembly is a telescoping strut assembly or a sliding strut assembly. When the driving strut assemblies are actuated, the motion platforms can be driven to a desired position in the Cartesian workspace with a controllable platform orientation relative to the frame.

Abstract: A milling and drilling machine for rod-shaped material. A motor-driven spindle head is movable on a column along a first coordinate axis and includes a work spindle capable of selectively accommodating milling and turning tools. A separating device transversely separates the rod-shaped material. A clamping device, disposed laterally alongside the workspace, has a workpiece holder with a clamping axis along a horizontal coordinate axis. A rotary drive is provided for the workpiece holder. The spindle head is pivotable about a Y axis at the front side of a headstock movable in the direction of the Y coordinate axis. The headstock is disposed on a motor-driven slide movable on the stationary column along an X coordinate axis parallel to the workpiece clamping axis. The clamping device is disposed on an inclined console located on the face of the column and movable along the Z coordinate axis in guides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine tool (11) for machining a large-sized workpiece (89) such as aircraft parts mounted on a workpiece mounting table (99), by moving a spindle having a tool mounted thereon in directions along the X-axis, the Y-axis and the Z-axis. The machine tool (11) can provide a highly efficient, high-speed and highly precise machining for a large-sized workpiece (89) and solve a problem of a compact installation area. In order to solve this problem, according to the present invention, a workpiece support structure (15) is disposed in opposed relation to a spindle support structure (13) which a spindle head (73) movable in the directions along the X-axis, the Y-axis and the Z-axis. The workpiece mounting table (99) of the workpiece support structure (15) is provided with pallet securing means on two opposed pallet mounting surfaces thereof and is supported to allow for rotational indexing about a horizontal axis extending in the direction along the X-axis.

Abstract: A toolhead intended for a multi-axis machine tool incorporates a tool-holder rotatable about the tool axis and attached to the spindle of a spindlehead, also a stop cage element mounted slidably to the tool-holder, which is furnished with a collar presenting an active surface set transversely to the tool axis and offered to the surface of a workpiece. The stop cage element alternates between a first operating position in which the active surface of the collar is located forward of a countersink portion presented by the tool, considered in relation to the feed direction of the spindlehead as it approaches the surface of the work, and a second operating position in which the countersink portion will be located forward of the active surface, at least in part. The axial position of the stop cage element relative to the tool-holder is monitored continuously by a sensing system.

Abstract: A machining unit for a program-controlled milling and drilling machine. A head support movable in several coordinate axes has an axis of rotation pointing forward and downward at a 45° angle. A swivel head arranged on a front side of the head support is rotatable about the axis of rotation. A spindle nose is fixedly mounted on the swivel head and has a working spindle with an axis extending at an angle of 45° relative to the axis of rotation. A spindle motor is aligned coaxially with the axis of rotation and a bevel gear arranged in the swivel head for the motor shaft. The swivel head has a cylindrical hollow housing member coaxial with the axis of rotation and in which the spindle motor is mounted. The head support has a housing neck in which the housing member of the swivel head is rotatably supported.

Abstract: A machine tool for at least triaxial machining of work pieces comprises a column of the type of a casing with side walls. In an interior space, provision is made for a work spindle which projects into a working area and which is connected via couplers and hinges to a driving skid that is displaceably guided on each side wall straight in a y direction. The driving skids are displaceably guided on two guides which are spaced from each other in the z direction. Provided between the guides are linear motors, a first part of which is mounted on the driving skid and a second part on the side wall.

Abstract: A multi-axis Cartesian guided parallel kinematic machine has a frame, a base platform, a multi-axis Cartesian guiding mechanism assembly, multiple driving strut assemblies and a motion platform. The motion platform is connected to the base platform through the driving strut assemblies and the multi-axis Cartesian guiding mechanism assembly. The multi-axis Cartesian guiding mechanism assembly has multiple linear guiding mechanisms and rotary guiding mechanisms that are in-serial linked and arranged in orthogonal to each other according to the Cartesian coordinate system. The multiple driving strut assemblies are in-parallel connected to the base platform and the motion platform using pivot joints. Each driving strut assembly is a telescoping strut assembly or a sliding strut assembly. When the driving strut assemblies are actuated, the motion platforms can be driven to a desired position in the Cartesian workspace with a controllable platform orientation relative to the frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machining center provided with a workpiece machining tool. Said machine tool comprises: an essentially horizontal working plate (10) which is supported by a machine tool stand (2); a workpiece support (20) which is accommodates a workpiece (2) and which is placed on the working plate (10); a machining head (30) which accommodates a machining tool (29) and which is mounted on a vertical machining column (32) that can pivot around a vertical axis (37) by means of a rotary plate (36), said rotary plate being arranged underneath the working plate (10) and integrated in the machine stand (2), and; a first carrying arm (34) for the machining column (32). One end of said carrying arm is connected in a fixed manner to the rotary plate (36), and the other end is laterally guided out over the working plate (10) in such a manner that the machining column (32) mounted there can be pivoted around the working plate (10).

Abstract: A machine tool for machining large-area workpieces. A column can be moved along one coordinate axis over a long bed. A machining unit, movable at the movable column along at least two other coordinate axes, has a pivotable working spindle. At least one approximately plate-like work carrier can be pivoted from a horizontal set-up position into a vertical machining position. A tripod configuration of the machining unit has a central support pipe and three telescopic legs spaced about 120° with respect to one another. The movable column has, in a central recess, a universal bearing supporting the central support pipe. In each of two lower and one upper recesses a universal bearing for the telescopic legs is provided. A retainer supporting the pivotable working spindle is positioned next to the work area on one end of the central support pipe and is rotatable about an axis of the central support pipe.

Abstract: A machine tool provided with a universal head free from restrictions on its swivel operation due to the presence of a power cable to a motor directly driving a spindle and consequently expanded in range of movement, provided with a ram serving as a support, a swivel member held by the ram to be able to swivel about a predetermined swivel axis, a tool mounting member held at the swivel member, rotatably holding at its front end a spindle to which a tool is mounted, and provided with a motor for driving the spindle, a generator provided at the swivel member and generating power used by the motor, and a power source provided at the ram and supplying power to the generator.

Abstract: The present invention is related to micro-motion machine and micro-element fabricating machine using a 3-degree-of-freedom parallel mechanism. A micro-motion machine achieves a 3-degree-of-freedom micro movement by connecting two arms connected to prismatic flexible joints respectively, adapted to conduct vertical movements, by revolute flexible joints, and one arm connected to another prismatic flexible joint, adapted to conduct vertical movements by universal joint, to a platform by universal joint. This micro-motion machine has a relatively simple and inexpensive construction, high stiffness, and high accuracy, while exhibiting reduced inertia.

Abstract: The invention deals with a machine tool with a tool spindle holding device which is connected over at least one rod with a slide stand. The slide stand can move on a guide. The positioning of the tool spindle holding device is accompanied by the positioning of the slide stand. The tool spindle holding device carries at least two tool spindles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a gantry type hybrid parallel linkage five-axis machine tool composed of a machine framework a parallel spatial linkage mechanism, a feeding shaft mechanism, and a controller unit. The parallel spatial linkage mechanism is formed of three straight feeding molding dies rotatably hinged together with a base so that enabling this rotatable base to perform uni-dimensional linear motion and two-dimensional swiveling. Besides by controlling the operation of the feeding shaft mechanism with the controller unit, the parallel spatial linkage mechanism fixed to the machine framework is able to perform two-dimensional planar motion so as to operate the machine tools more accurately and efficiently in refining work.

Abstract: The invention concerns a very high-speed machining machine-tool (M) consisting of a parallel structure including link bars (100) whereof one first end (110) is linked to a mobile member (200) supporting at least a tool and whereof the second end (120) is linked to at least means (300) setting it in motion relative to a frame (B). The said machine-tool is characterized in that the linkages (400) to the ends (100 [sic, should be 110.—Translation Editor) and 120) of the said bars (100) consist in an association of fictitious pivots (410, 420, 430) so as to form a joint whereof the degrees of freedom enable the parallel structure to be set in motion. The said feature enables to avoid all drawbacks related to ball linkages. The invention is applicable to high-speed machining.

Abstract: In a device for the translatory positioning of a platform (1), in particular a tool mount, with articulated rods (2a, 2′a9 of invariable length, whose first ends are hinged to he platform (1), and whose second ends are coupled with respectively independent rail-mounted slide blocks (3), wherein the coupling points (9) on the platform (1) and coupling points (11) on the sliding blocks (3) respectively do not lie on a straight line, and the articulated rods (2a, 2′a) do not run parallel to either each other or a shared plane, only three independent sliding blocks (3) and accompanying initial articulated rods (2a, 2′a) are present In a first variant, at least one of the coupling points (11) on the sliding blocks (3) is offset relative to the rail axis (4a), and all sliding blocks (3) are arranged on the same rail (4).

Abstract: A relatively compact, program-controlled, universal combined milling and boring machine having a horizontal base as a support for a work table, a machine frame and a supporting system for at least one spindle head. The spindle head contains a dimensionally stable central tube, a spindle head support mounted on the lower end thereof, three telescopic bars arranged at a solid angle displacement of about 120° and coupled to the spindle head support in universal bearings, and an upper support member having universal bearings for the central tube and for each telescopic bar. The machine frame is preferably provided together with the base as an integrated, dimensionally stable, support structure and has two side walls, a top, front traverse and a lower rear wall. The supporting member of the supporting system is inclined between the top side of rear wall and the traverse.

Abstract: A double-rotatable spindle head of non-perpendicular axis type for machine tools, with a first half-head (2) pivoted to the machine structure (4) about a first axis (10) and, for supporting the tool spindle (8), a second half-head (6) coupled to the first half-head (2) on a flat surface (20) and pivoted to it about a second axis (22) perpendicular to said flat surface (20), characterised by comprising a first direct motor (16, 18) for rotating said first half-head (2) with respect to said machine structure (4) and a second direct motor (28, 30) for rotating said second half-head (6) with respect to said first half-head (2).

Abstract: A driving head for the numerically controlled setting movements of a tool spindle or workpiece table around at least one axis of rotation. The basic structure of the driving head comprises a housing (1, 1′) and at least one multi-pole external rotor motor (2) arranged concentrically in relation to the axis of rotation (A, B). The rotor motor is comprised of a ring-shaped, soft-magnetic stator (3) with single-pole windings, which is inserted in the housing (1, 1′); as well as a ring-shaped rotor yoke (5) fitted with permanent magnets (4) On the end side, the rotor yoke (5) is connected to a rotor body (6), which is rotatably supported in the housing (1, 1′). Furthermore, the rotor yoke is arranged between the stator (3) and a segment of the housing that comprises a device (7) for blocking the rotor yoke (5). The device (7) for blocking the rotor yoke preferably consists of a deformable diaphragm (8) acted upon by fluid and placed against the rotor yoke (5) under the pressure of the fluid.

Abstract: This invention relates to the parallel structure of a spatial 3-axis machine tool with three degrees of freedom (3 DOF), which have two translational DOF and one rotational DOF. The machine tool includes a base, a mobile platform to which a tool may be attached, and three kinematic legs. Two of the three legs are in a same plane, and each have one 3-DOF spherical joint and two 1-DOF joints. The third leg has one 1-DOF joint and two universal joints. Compared with traditional machine tools, this invention possesses several advantages such as simple structure, high stiffness, low inertia, low cost, and high speed.

Abstract: A machine tool provided with a universal head free from restrictions on its swivel operation due to the presence of a power cable to a motor directly driving a spindle and consequently expanded in range of movement, provided with a ram serving as a support, a swivel member held by the ram to be able to swivel about a predetermined swivel axis, a tool mounting member held at the swivel member, rotatably holding at its front end a spindle to which a tool is mounted, and provided with a motor for driving the spindle, a generator provided at the swivel member and generating power used by the motor, and a power source provided at the ram and supplying power to the generator.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a frame, a mobile platform and first and second linearly-actuated slides supported on a base connected to the frame. The first and second slides are movable along a line defining a first axis. The apparatus may include a first driving connector movably coupled to the first slide and to the mobile platform, and a second driving connector movably coupled to the second slide and to the mobile platform, such that the mobile platform is displaceable within at least two degrees of freedom defined by linear motions along the first axis and a second axis, the second axis being coplanar and orthogonal to the first axis. An end effector may be also coupled to the mobile platform, the end effector having an axis aligned in a direction defined by the second axis. The end effector may comprise, for example, a tool or a gripper.

Abstract: The present invention describes a head for machine tool on which an electro-spindle is mounted and in particular it describes a tilting head for machine tool on which an electro-spindle is mounted. In one embodiment the invention comprises a tilting head for machine tool comprising: one support element coupled to said tilting head; one electro-spindle; one cradle suitably shaped to incorporate and hold said electro-spindle pivoted on said support element so that it can turn around an axis perpendicular to the axis of said tilting head; said electro-spindle being set up to have mechanic, electric, pneumatic and hydraulic connections with said cradle; wherein said connections of said electro-spindle are of the releasable type so that said electro-spindle is interchangeable and can be rapidly coupled to and uncoupled from said cradle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a gantry type hybrid parallel linkage five-axis machine tool composed of a machine framework a parallel spatial linkage mechanism, a feeding shaft mechanism, and a controller unit. The parallel spatial linkage mechanism is formed of three straight feeding molding dies rotatably hinged together with a base so that enabling this rotatable base to perform uni-dimensional linear motion and two-dimensional swiveling. Besides by controlling the operation of the feeding shaft mechanism with the controller unit, the parallel spatial linkage mechanism fixed to the machine framework is able to perform two-dimensional planar motion so as to operate the machine tools more accurately and efficiently in refining work.

Abstract: In a multi-axis machine tool (M) including an angular dividing head (HD) having a spindle head (9) mounted thereto, the positional correction includes determining an error representative vector componentwise representative of a plurality of positional errors with respect to a plurality of axes of the spindle head at a respective angular position dividable by the angular dividing head, and correcting an arbitrary positional error of the spindle head by calculating a component vector of the error representative vector associated with the respective angular position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine-tool, especially a milling center, comprising a housing (2), a holder (54) for tools and/or workpieces, a coupling guide departing from the housing (2) to guide the holder (54) and a drive device departing from the housing (2) to move and fix the holder (54) guided by the coupling guide. The invention is characterized in that the coupling guide has first means for guiding the holder (54) on a first plane where it brushes over the surface and second means for pivoting the holder 54) on a second plane where it cuts the first plane, wherein the drive device has third means for moving and fixing the holder (54) guided by the coupling guide in an area.

Abstract: A machine tool for at least triaxial machining of work pieces comprises a column of the type of a casing with side walls. In an interior space, provision is made for a work spindle which projects into a working area and which is connected via couplers and hinges to a driving skid that is displaceably guided on each side wall straight in a y direction. The driving skids are displaceably guided on two guides which are spaced from each other in the z direction. Provided between the guides are linear motors, a first part of which is mounted on the driving skid and a second part on the side wall.

Abstract: A device for producing relative motion with two translational degrees of freedom between a spindle means (95, 195, 295 395) with a spindle which bears the first part of a first pair of parts formed from a workpiece and a tool, and a retaining element for holding the second part of the first pair of parts, has a first base part to which a first part of a second pair of parts which is formed from the spindle means (95, 195, 295, 395) and the retaining element is attached. The movement device furthermore comprises a second base part, and at least one of the two base parts can be moved in a straight line with respect to the other along a linear guide with a first translational degree of freedom.

Abstract: A method for producing conical holes in a workpiece by using a substantially cylindrical cutting tool having a cutting head diameter essentially smaller than the top and bottom diameter of the hole to be formed. The method comprises the steps of positioning the longitudinal center axis of the cutting tool at an angle, which is off-set from a normal to a flat surface of the workpiece such that the inclination of the longitudinal axis of the cutting tool substantially corresponds to the desired inclination of the wall of the conical hole to be formed, rotating the cutting tool about its longitudinal center axis, moving the cutting tool in a circular path about a principal axis corresponding to the longitudinal center axis of the hole to be machined, and feeding the cutting tool in its longitudinal direction towards and into the workpiece.

Abstract: Disclosed is a parallel mechanism structure for controlling three-dimensional position and orientation. In the parallel mechanism structure according to the present invention, three links are connected to the main spindle of the mechanism and driven in vertical and horizontal direction, with a consecution that the main spindle connected to the three links achieves the six d.o.f motions. The structure includes three links comprised of a first link transferred along a circular vertical guide and second and third links transferred along corresponding rectilinear vertical guides and a circular horizontal guide on which the circular vertical guide and the two rectilinear vertical guides are horizontally transferred.

Abstract: A spindle device for machine tools that can eliminate the need for laborious air bleeding work and labor-demanding fitting/removing work for maintenance. The spindle device for machine tools includes a drawbar that is axially movably inserted into an axial hole of a tool spindle body. The drawbar serves to bias a tool in a clamping direction. An unclamping cylinder mechanism is provided in a rear of the tool spindle and serves to move the drawbar in an unclamping direction. The unclamping cylinder mechanism has a cylinder block fixed to a rear end wall of the tool spindle body and includes a plurality of bolts. A relay oil passage allows a hydraulic passage in the tool spindle body and a hydraulic passage in the cylinder block to communicate with each other.

Abstract: A hexapod, for example, a hexapod used to position a tool with respect to a part to be machined, includes two spaced plates interconnected by six articulated and extensible legs. The two plates, including a base plate and a mobile plate, and the six legs are joined for varying, at will, the relative position of the mobile plate with respect to that of the base plate. The hexapod further includes a device for reducing and/or compensating for stresses on the elements of the hexapod, which can be a mechanical device, such as a jack, coupling a fixed surface with the periphery of the mobile plate and/or logic (in software) for defining at least one force-limiting criterion.

Abstract: A rotary actuator with improved damping and stiffness is disclosed. The rotary actuator includes one or more bearing plates that form sliding-surface bearings to provide the desired preload to the rotary actuator. One embodiment of the invention includes a multi-piece bearing plate that makes repair or replacement of the bearing material in the sliding-surface bearings easy to perform. Another embodiment for applications where heat dissipation is critical includes thermal barriers on either side of the sliding-element bearings, with resilient members between the thermal barrier and a bearing ring used to supply the appropriate preload to the output shaft. The invention is particularly suited to precision applications, such as the drive unit for the swivel mechanism on the spindle head of certain types of five-axis milling machines.

Abstract: A spindle head holder (5) is pivoted on a base member (1), a linear drive (21) is mounted to the base member (1), a linear guide (50) is mounted to the spindle head holder (5), and an engagement member (60) is engaged with both linear drive and linear guide at a substantially identical part (35, 37) thereof.

Abstract: A reconfigurable tool changer allows a tool cartridge to be easily attached to, or detached from, a standard machine-tool spindle head. The modular design, includes a revolving tool cartridge having a plurality of tool holders, a meshing gear for engaging a tool holder with the spindle of the machine tool, and an adapter block for positioning the revolving tool cartridge on any standard machine-tool spindle head. The adapter block allows the automatic tool changer to be easily coupled to a wide variety of commercial machine-tool spindles, making the invention a truly reconfigurable and portable tool changer. The revolving tool cartridge incorporates a novel three-dimensional cam structure mechanism, which allows tool indexing to be achieved by means of only one actuator.