Abstract: Customized patient-specific instruments configured to be selectively attached at predetermined locations of a patient's bone are disclosed. The customized patient-specific instruments may include a polymeric body including a bone-facing surface having a customized patient-specific negative contour shaped to match and receive a corresponding positive contour of the patient's bone at the predetermined location. The customized patient-specific instruments also include a metallic coating that defines one or more cutting slots. A method of performing an orthopaedic surgical procedure is also disclosed.

Abstract: An orthopaedic surgical instrument includes a customized patient-specific 5-in-1 cutting block having a plurality of ribs and cutting guide slots extending between each rib. A bone-facing surface of each rib has a customized patient-specific negative contour configured to receive a portion of a corresponding positive contour of the patient's femur.

Abstract: A method includes mapping a contoured surface of at least one bone onto a digital model of a resection guide locator using a processor to create a digital model of a customized resection guide locator and manufacturing the customized resection guide locator. The customized resection guide locator includes a complementary surface of the at least one bone and a wall having a shape that is complementary to an outer profile of a resection guide and defining a pocket. A first elongate slot and at least one first hole are positioned within the pocket such that the first elongate slot aligns with a second elongate slot defined by the resection guide and the at least one first hole aligns with at least one second hole defined by the resection guide when the resection guide is received within the pocket of the customized resection guide locator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical kit, a saw guide and other related tools used in the osteotomy for temporary removal of a piece of a first bone structure to gain temporary access for treatment of defects of a second bone structure, as well as methods for designing and manufacturing said tools.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include devices and methods for implanting arthroplasty devices. Some embodiments include designs that allow for use of x-ray images as the only images used to fully and accurately preoperatively and intraoperatively size and align arthroplasty device components and prepare all necessary tissue.

Abstract: Customized patient-specific instruments configured to be selectively attached at predetermined locations of a patient's bone are disclosed. The customized patient-specific instruments may include a polymeric body including a bone-facing surface having a customized patient-specific negative contour shaped to match and receive a corresponding positive contour of the patient's bone at the predetermined location. The customized patient-specific instruments also include a metallic coating that defines one or more cutting slots. A method of performing an orthopaedic surgical procedure is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses including apparatuses that can be used for guiding resection of a tibia during a knee replacement surgery procedures are disclosed. According to one example, an apparatus for guiding a tibial bone cut during knee replacement surgery is disclosed. The apparatus can comprise a first portion and a second portion. The first portion can be configured to position the apparatus relative to one or more of a medial condyle of a femur, a lateral condyle of the femur, a medial condyle of a femoral component and a lateral condyle of the femoral component. The second portion can be connected to the first portion and can define one or more slots. The slots can be configured for at least one of a first proximal cut and a first sagittal cut to the tibia.

Abstract: A machining unit for a program-controlled machine tool having a measuring and monitoring device for monitoring the position and condition of a tool shaft in the tool holder. This measuring and monitoring device includes a plurality of axial sensors and radial sensors and an evaluating unit for the measurement results detected by the sensors. An outer ring is releasably fastened to the spindle housing and contains an electronic transmission element and terminals for energy and data cables. A rotor is assigned to this stationary outer ring and contains the sensors and is coupled to the outer ring for the non-contact data transmission. The rotor is releasably fastened to the front end face of the spindle by bolted connections.

Abstract: A collaborative approach, incorporating a server for data transmission, security verification, and authentication verification, is implemented between a dental office and a dental laboratory to fabricate a designed dental restoration. A scanner is used in a dental office to take a scan of a patient's mouth. The dental laboratory designs the dental restoration with specialized design software taking into account the scan of the mouth as well as a prescription from the dental office. The parameters defining the designed dental restoration are contained in a design file. The design file is used to create milling specifications defining instructions for milling the designed dental restoration. The materials for the dental restoration are loaded into a mill, where the dental restoration is fabricated in accordance with the milling specifications. Security verification ensures authorized materials are used, and authentication verification ensures authorized materials and processes are used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adaptable therapeutic, diagnostic or surgical guide for an intra-operative adjustment of a guidance element to a pre-planned position. An advantage and innovation of the present invention is that it provides a template or guide that adapts in a controlled way to a changed intra-operative anatomical situation compared to the default planned situation. This adaption maybe purely positional but it may also include force feedback. Feedback, either visual feedback or force feedback that results in an adjustment of a guidance element is also an aspect of the present invention. For example, the feedback can contain information either about the fit of the guide or template onto a bone (in case the guide or template fits onto one bone) or about the relative position of two bones of bone fragments (e.g. ligament tension between the femur and tibia).

Abstract: A system that allows a material to be marked while still on the CNC tooling table and allows an operator to input marking information just prior to, or even during, the tooling cycle. The present invention comprises a sequence controller associated with a computer readable medium and adapted for communication with the CNC controller. An HMI device and a marker controller are also connected with the sequence controller. A lifter assembly is connected with the sequence controller to raise and lower a marker assembly. The lifter assembly is connected to the gantry of the CNC tooling system with an adaptor block. The present invention provides the advantage of reduced time when compared to marking the part at a separate station remotely located from the CNC system, and allows the operator to input marking information just prior to or during the CNC tooling cycle.

Abstract: A vibration suppressing device and a vibration suppressing method that are capable of obtaining an accurate optimum rotation speed and shortening a time period from generation of chatter vibration to calculation of the optimum rotation speed are provided. The vibration suppressing device includes: vibration sensors for detecting time-domain vibrational accelerations of a rotary shaft in rotation; and a control device for calculating a chatter frequency and a frequency-domain vibrational acceleration of the rotary shaft at the chatter frequency on the basis of the time-domain vibrational accelerations detected by the vibration sensors, and when the calculated frequency-domain vibrational acceleration exceeds a predetermined threshold value, calculating an optimum rotation speed on the basis of a predetermined parameter, and rotating the rotary shaft at the calculated optimum rotation speed.

Abstract: A machine tool, wherein the front face of a base of the machine tool is formed in a single plane and a jig for fixing a workpiece to be machined with a tool is installed extending forwardly from a vertical intermediate front part of the base that defines an area between right and left lateral end front parts of the base having the vertical overall length portions or the vertical roughly overall length portions at right and left end parts of the front face formed in the single plane is formed detachably from the other portions of the base. The jig for fixing the work machined with the tool may be installed in the state of being extended from the vertical intermediate position of the front face in a forward direction.

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: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some aspects a custom orthopedic implant is designed, fabricated and sterilized for immediate surgical use to treat a patient's injury. In some aspects, the orthopedic implant is designed using patient and injury specific scan data, fabricated using a five axis milling machine, and sterilized with a sterilization system. In other aspects, the fabricated orthopedic implant is transferred into the sterilization system with a transport system. In some aspects, methods to design, fabricate and sterilize a custom orthopedic implant are presented. In other aspects, patient and injury specific scan data is used to design and plan the placement of a custom orthopedic implant to treat the injury, and the custom orthopedic implant is then fabricated and sterilized to be used in surgery.

Abstract: In a vibration suppressing device provided in a machine tool having a rotary shaft for use in rotating a tool or a workpiece, for suppressing chatter vibrations generated during rotation of the rotary shaft, an arithmetical unit performs an analysis on a vibration of the rotary shaft detected by a detector (vibrations sensors) whenever the vibration is detected and a computation based on a result of the analysis. An operator, while checking results of the analysis and/or the computation displayed in real time in a display unit, manipulates a manipulation element to enter a command to change a rotation speed of the rotary shaft into a rotation speed control unit (NC unit) which controls the rotation speed according to the command entered by the operator through the manipulation element.

Abstract: A composite structure containing an out-of-tolerance area is restored using an automated material removal method. The location of an out-of-tolerance area within the structure is determined by non-destructive inspection and a volume of the structure to be removed is selected based on the location of the out-of-tolerance area. An automatic material removal tool is programmed and used to remove the selected volume of material. The volume of removed material may be is replaced by an integrated patch.

Abstract: A surface of a workpiece is traced when a machining tool is pressed onto the surface of the workpiece under force control so as to find the positional data of the surface shape. This positional data is corrected by an error caused by a bend of a robot. The positional data is compared with the target shape of the surface, from which the burr is removed. A shift of the surface shape in the normal line direction is found. The burr generation start position, the burr generation end position and the height of the burr are found by the shift start position, the shift end position and the shift size. A machining program is made which is composed of a pass connecting the burr end position with the burr start position and also composed of a cutting pass for removing the burr, and the thus made machining program is executed. As the burr position is found and the burr is removed when the machining tool is moved to the burr position, the burr can be effectively removed.

Abstract: A number of orthopaedic surgical instruments are also disclosed. A method, apparatus, and system for fabricating such instruments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of milling at least one hole into a honeycomb structure positioned on a part includes storing dimensional information of the part in a computer processor, locating a timing mark on the flange, positioning a milling tool at an angle relative to the honeycomb structure, and milling a first hole into the honeycomb structure at a feed rate of between approximately 1 inch per minute and approximately 3 inches per minute.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a compact, low-cost, lightweight, versatile and easy-to-operate, processor-controlled carving and multi-purpose shaping device (“PCCMPS machine”). The PCCMPS machine that represents one embodiment of the present invention is configured, in part, similarly to common, commercially available portable wood planers and ubiquitous laser and ink-jet computer printers, with work pieces fed into the PCCMPS machine in a horizontal direction. The PCCMPS machine includes a motor-powered cutting head that can power detachable bits to drill, cut, shape, and rout a work piece under processor and computer control. The cutting head may be translated, under processor control, back and forth across the surface of the work piece in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the work piece is fed into the PCCMPS machine and moved by motor-powered rollers.

Abstract: A cutting machine control determines a required stock-removal amount from a work for each of sections into which a tool path is divided, and feeds the rotating cutting tool at a speed that is controlled according to the required stock-removal volume so that the rotating cutting tool removes a predetermined or target stock-removal volume of material for the component path section from a work per unit time.

Abstract: A number of computer-numerical-control (CNC) machine controllers are associated in the same plant or facility or in related facilities. Each CNC machine controller gathers and stores status information related to the state of operations being performed. A remotely located central computer separately addresses each of the controllers to transfer the status information to a central location where the entire plant or facility operation can be evaluated.

Abstract: A method and system for producing a three-dimensional image of a person's head and the relief produced by the process. The method may be used for producing a three dimensional charm or pendant of a person's face, a three dimensional model of a person's head, a precision formed mold for casting, glass blowing, plastic injection, blow molding, extrusion, thermo forming, manufacturing liquid containers and machine molds for die stamping. A 3-D scanner moving linearly, employs an advanced optical range-finding technique in which a safe, low powered laser projects a vertical plane of light onto a stationary subject to be digitized. The digitized measurements are converted to provide the appropriate milling program. The digitizer then transfers the measurements onto a database on a graphic work station for immediate viewing and editing.

Abstract: A feed-shaft moving method and an apparatus capable of reducing non-cutting motion time. In a first section and a second section, an immediately preceding path is connected with a rapid traverse by a rapid traverse motion path having a curve continuous with the immediately preceding path. The movement is accelerated up to a rapid traverse speed while passing the curve. In the first section, the path is connected with the next path by a rapid traverse path having a curve continuous with the next movement. The movement is decelerated to the next moving speed while passing the curve. The rapid traverse motion of the feed shaft can be completed in less time, with unnecessary interruption and with no impact on the machine.

Abstract: A numerically controlled milling machine is used to mill the surface of a coined spinnerette after punching and before broaching the holes in the spinnerette. A probe is mounted on the milling machine to obtain data points on the bumpy surface of the coined spinnerette. The low points in predetermined areas off of the protuberances on the bumpy surface of the coined spinnerette are detected. Splines connecting the low points in, e.g., concentric rings if the holes in the finished spinnerette will be in rings, are used to generate a representation of the finished surface. A spiral tool path is obtained using the representation of the finished surface and G-codes are generated to control the milling machine to move a tool along the tool path. After the coined spinnerette has been milled, conventional finishing, including broaching is performed.

Abstract: A sewing apparatus is provided with an X-Y unit 4 for horizontally moving a cassette in relation to a sewing machine 3, memory 23 for holding sewing data for driving the X-Y unit 4 in accordance with a sewing pattern and feeding data for feeding only the cassette without entailing stitching action, a drill 10 for grooving a slot in the cassette, a vertical drive mechanism 18 for vertically moving the drill 10, and a CPU 22. The drill 10 is moved downward while rotating, and the X-Y unit 4 is actuated on the basis of the sewing data to form the slot. After the drill 10 has become deactivated and moved upwards, the cassette is fed on the basis of the feeding data. Since the CPU 22 executes the rotation and downward movement of the drill 10 at the time of grooving and the upward movement and interruption of rotation of the drill 10 at the time of feeding, switching operation required to rotate, move downward, move upward and to stop the drill 10 becomes unnecessary.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing signs having raised, prismatic graphic images such as letters, numbers and other graphic images. Initial values for the graphic images are provided, and includes information defining an initial graphic representation for the graphic images, and may also include a return, which is the measure of distance by which the graphic images are raised relative to a background of a sign. A cutting tool is provided and has a radius and a cutting angle. One tool path is determined using the initial graphic representation. Tool passes and depths for the other passes are determined using the initial graphic representation, the cutting angle, and a distance which is not greater than the tool radius. A controller generates signals indicative of the tool paths and respective depths, and presents the signals to operate an automatic cutting machine and cutting tool to selectively remove material from a sheet material to produce the graphic images.

Abstract: A method is provided for embodying a plane reference defined by a specific equation within a rough surface of a frame of a structure being assembled. The equation characterizing the reference surface is stored in a memory. With the aid of an optical sighting mechanism, spatial data is obtained which makes it possible to calculate an equation characterizing the rough surface. The data relating to the equations of the reference surface and the rough surface are compared in an information processing unit. A mobile machining device is positioned close to the rough surface. The machining device is controlled by specific orders generated by the comparison of the equations for the reference and rough surfaces respectively. The machining device gradually rectifies the rough surface to make it progressively coincide with that of the spatial equation of the reference surface.

Abstract: A manuscript picture is inputted at a picture input unit (10) as a set of pixels having a density value. On the plate, cells corresponding to inputted respective pixels are engraved by a stylus (32). The stylus is vibrated by a drive device (33) and is scanned on the plate by a scanning mechanism (31). Functions (A, B, C, D) for converting density values for respective pixels to cell width values indicating sizes of cells to be engraved are prepared. Thus, cell width values corresponding to density values provided at the picture input unit are generated. The stylus engraves cells corresponding to cell width values generated. The manuscript picture is dealt separately every a plurality of picture areas (A0, A1, A2). Conversions using different functions are applied to pixels within different picture areas. To the picture area of character/solid tone, new unique functions (B, D) are applied in order that a more distinct pictorial image is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing jewelry, and an article of jewelry made thereby. According to the method, a pattern is provided for the article in a form suitable for controlling a mechanical table, the workpiece is mounted on the mechanical table through the intermediary of a backing, the pattern is transferred to the workpiece, and the workpiece is removed from both the mechanical table and the backing.The apparatus includes a machine table having a work surface and a machine head actable on the work surface, the machine head being movable in accordance with an input signal, a mount for accepting the workpiece, the mount being mountable on the work surface, and a processor for producing the input signals in accordance with a desired sequence of movements.

Abstract: A woodworking machine has a series of stations spaced along a conveyor having a clamp support for holding flat wood parts and passing the edges through the stations which include cope stations as well as others. The coping stations have a tool unit with a stack of tools mounted on a common spindle. The tools in each stack at the several stations are interrelated such that the cuts of the individual tools can be combined to form different final profiles in a wood part moving through the several stations. The particular cuts in the profile line are analyzed and interrelated to define basic cuts which can be combined to form the final profiles. One tool of each tool stack provides a particular cut, and by precise positioning of the individual tools, the combination of sequential cuts provide the final profile. Each tool may form a complete cut, may overlap a previous cut to form a continuation of such previous cut or may form a cut which includes only a portion of its cutting face.

Abstract: A woodworking apparatus for forming arcuate and circular cuts in a workpiece, includes an elongate base on which an arm is slidably supported with a mounting plate at the outward end of the arm for supporting a router. The base has openings for affixation to a wood board or like workpiece using a woodscrew or similar fastener to define a rotational axis for unitary rotational movement of the base, arm, plate and router to form an arcuate or circular cut.

Abstract: Undulatory rails on a track can be oriented in any given direction by placing the track on a turntable. A wheeled carriage rides to or fro on the track and carries a router. The router bit rises and falls in response to the particular profile of the rails and cuts recesses in an underlying workpiece having shapes dependent on rail contour, bit size and shape and extent of carriage travel. Turntable indexing capabilities facilitate the reproducibility of complex decorative patterns sculptured in the workpiece.

Abstract: An accessory is provided for use with routing apparatus to facilitate the routing of arcuate designs in cabinet doors and similar panels. The routing apparatus is of the type in which a router is mounted on the end of a bar for extension over a panel to be routed and in which the router can be moved in any direction in a plane parallel to the panel by reason of the bar being mounted in a carrier for longitudinal movement in one dimension of the panel, and the carrier being mounted for movement parallel to the other dimension of the panel. The accessory comprises a radius arm which may be adjustably connected at one end to the bar and is slidably mounted in a pivot block mounted for movement in the same direction as the carriage. An adjustable stop on the radius arm limits its longitudinal movement and an adjustable stop limits movement of the pivot block whereby the router can be guided in a preselected curved path by causing the radius arm to pivot around the pivot block.

Abstract: Machine for fabricating shaped parts, such as chair legs in particular, into which the parts to be shaped are positioned by means of a suitable loader. The parts are moved along a substantially straight path and movable tools are movable at right angles to the course of movement of the parts. The movement of the tools is guided by a suitable means that is indexed to the profile of the finished parts. The tools may be cutters or abrading tools.

Abstract: An optical lens grinder device including a main base and a lens carriage pivotally slidably connected along one edge to the base. A first motor mounted on the base drives a pair of closely spaced apart grinder wheels, one for shaping and sizing a lens blank, the other for peripherally beveling the edges thereof.