Abstract: A free form cutting machine is disclosed. The free form cutting machine includes a table, a spindle; and a cutting arrangement attached to the spindle. The cutting arrangement having at least a cutting tool used to cutting selected portions from a workpiece on the table. The free form cutting machine causes the cutting tool to apply a continuous shaping force to the surface of the workpiece until a first surface shape of the workpiece conforms with a predefined finished spline surface shape.

Abstract: An ultra-precision machine tool capable of accurately detecting a machining start position, in which movable axes are supported by fluid bearings. A workpiece is mounted on a rotary table of a B axis, and the rotary table is mounted on an X axis that is a linear motion axis. A tool is mounted on a Y axis. The Y axis is mounted on a Z axis. The X axis is moved reciprocally each time the Z axis is moved a predetermined amount, a machining surface of the workpiece is scanned, and it is determined whether or not position deviation of the X, Y and B axes reaches or exceeds a reference value. The Y axis is driven and the tool is moved toward the workpiece a predetermined amount, and the above-described scan is performed.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing wooden floor boards having an antique and used look, the boards of planed new wood being subjected to a mechanical treatment for making damages in its circumferential surface, and after that to a chemical treatment of at least the entire top surface. The chemical treatment comprises the impregnation of at least the entire top surface and applying a hard wax oil after that.

Abstract: An elliptical vibratory cutting apparatus includes a control mechanism which applies a sinusoidal voltage having a predetermined phase difference to piezoelectric elements. Flexure vibrations are accordingly generated in X and Y directions. The vibrations in the X direction cause interference with the vibrations in the Y direction and vice versa. An amount of interference, caused by vibrations in one direction, with vibrations in another direction, is correctively eliminated by the control mechanism (interference eliminating unit. A workpiece is thus cut by means of a cutting tool through elliptical vibrations with high precision.

Abstract: A record engraving apparatus having a table with a vacuum source for retaining thereon a master lacquer with portions thereon having pre-recorded disc-shaped record portions. The rotatable table is precisely positionable in all directions of the plane of the table as well as in orthogonal directions, and includes provision for mounting the master lacquer with the center thereof in one of at least two locations depending on the center of the record portions relative to the master lacquer. A vertically adjustable arm is provided with a turret head having thereon a plurality of heated sapphire cutters of different sizes, each of which may be indexed into position. The arm is adjustable in a direction orthogonal to the plane of the table to provide variations in depths of cuts.

Abstract: Cutters for removing excess weld material from elongated welds are moved by hydraulic cylinders into precise positions in proximity to the article having the welds to maintain the desired uniform thickness of the welds. The movement of the hydraulic cylinders is controlled by tracer control valves having operating elements engaged by members connected to sensing rollers which engage the article as the article is moved past the sensing rollers. The positions of the rollers and the cutter are adjustable to accommodate articles of various sizes.

Abstract: An apparatus for machining a workpiece to a predetermined contour in accordance with a reference pattern comprises a cam mechanism which defines the reference pattern. The cam mechanism is mounted on a carrier assembly, on which is mounted a rotary workpiece holder for positioning a workpiece in relation to a machining tool. The cam mechanism is coupled to the workpiece holder by drive means and is driven so as to impart an oscillatory pivotal movement to the workpiece holder while rotating the workpiece holder, thereby effecting a predetermined pattern of movement of the workpiece in relation to the tool.

Abstract: Apparatus for making the finishing cut on the internal outline of a rough cut female die has two carriages one sliding in one direction upon the other, and the other carriage sliding upon a base at right angles to the first. A male punch comprising a template of the outline to which the die is to be finish cut is mounted on one carriage and the die or workpiece is mounted in an indexing work holder on the other carriage. The template engages a tracer finger fixed relative to the base and to a hacksaw blade which finish cuts the die or workpiece by strokes with the plane of the blade perpendicular to the die surface being cut. The tracer and blade are in common planes to which one carriage moves perpendicularly and the other parallel. The cutter blade and tracer respectively engage the die or workpiece and punch or template in the same direction so that cutting action urges the template and tracer into engagement.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a spherical hob for generation of a gear, which has a plurality of hob blades formed on the surface of a spherical hob blank, is disclosed. This method comprises forming spirally on the peripheral surface of the hob blank projections having a section defining an involute tooth profile by means of a cutting tool, cutting and forming a plurality of blade spaces intersecting said projections to thereby form a plurality of spirally continuous hob blades, and forming reliefs on the side faces and peripheral face of each hob blade so that as the blade faces of the hob are cut, the tooth profile of each hob blade corresponds to the tooth profile before cutting with a certain amount of addendum.

Abstract: An apparatus trims woodwind instrument reed material for use in bassoons and the like in a precise and efficient manner. A cylindroid section of reed material is attached to the apparatus for rotation about its longitudinal axis. A cam, journalled in parallel relation to the reed material, defines a gradient to be trimmed thereon. The reed material and cam are interlocked for rotation in fixed parallel relation. A reed cutting assembly is pivotally disposed above the reed material and the cam and is movable about the longitudinal axes thereof. The cutting assembly includes a cam follower adjacent the cam and a blade in contacting relation with the reed material. The cutting assembly trims the gradient defined by the cam onto the reed material. The trimming is done by rotating the interlocked reed support and cam assembly about the longitudinal axis of the reed material, while linearly moving the cutting assembly along the longitudinal axis of the reed material.