Abstract: In a method and apparatus for duplicating an original key, the keyway and keycode of the original key are measured and duplicated in a preform. The preform used in the duplication process need not include any keyway or keycode prior to the duplication process and, therefore, a single type of preform may be used in generating duplicates of many different types of keys. The apparatus may be automated to take the measurements of the original key and to cut the duplicate key, thus reducing the possibility of producing a nonfunctional duplicate.

Abstract: The workpiece or pack of printed circuit boards is fitted to a clamping fixture carried by the table and is machined by a machining head; the head and the table being movable with respect to each other along two coordinate X, Y axes. The aligning method includes the steps of providing the pack with two locating holes; fitting the pack to the fixture; determining the distances between the real positions of the holes and two reference positions; and moving the pack on the fixture to eliminate the distances. The aligning device has an optoelectronic sensor carried by the head to determine the real position of each hole; and a number of motors controlled on the basis of the real position of each hole to move a locating member for locating a first pin on the pack, and to move one bar of a pair of bars for clamping the other pin on the pack.

Abstract: A profile processing method and a processing machine therefor which can obtain a good finish surface accuracy in all the carving surfaces and curb the decrease in tool's life are provided.More specifically, an end mill is first moved along an outermost side of an annular groove in carving the annular groove to a work. Consequently, the end mill is gradually moved to inside to be moved and carve along the annular groove. When the outermost side of the annular groove is carved, the movement path of the end mill is selected so that the outermost side is down-cut (counterclockwise in FIG. 5). When further inner side is carved, the movement path of the end mill is selected so that the direction of the relative movement path is opposite to the direction of the relative movement path when the outermost side is carved, in other words, the carved surfaces are down-cut by the end mill.

Abstract: A multi-head drilling machine, for use in particular in the simultaneous drilling of a plurality of side frame components for shutters, the drilling machine having a machine frame, a support carriage moveable along the frame, a transverse drilling head bar mounted transversely of the carriage, and moveable to and fro with the carriage, a first pair of drills mounted on the transverse head bar on one side of the carriage and a second pair of drills mounted on the transverse head bar on the opposite side of the carriage and being moveable in unison along either side of the carriage, clamps for clamping work pieces on either side of the carriage, in registration with respective drills, a first drill of each pair being mounted at a first predetermined position on the transverse head bar, and a second one of the drills being mounted at a second predetermined position on the transverse head bar, the first and second drills being offset with respect to one another longitudinally and laterally along the path of movem

Abstract: A surface finishing method and a machine therefor, in which good finish accuracy can be obtained in all carving surfaces and deterioration of tool's life can be prevented. When a surface of a concave portion formed on a workpiece is carved, an end mill is first revolved along an outermost side of a slope, and is moved toward inside and revolved along a circumferential direction. When a surface of the slope is carved, a movement path of the end mill is selected so that the surface of the slope is down-cut. When a bottom is carved, the end mill is moved from inside to outside, in other words, the movement path is selected so that a surface of the bottom is down-cut.

Abstract: A computer assisted manual machine tool system and method for milling, turning and grinding uses a computer model of machine objectives and location feedback signals from the tool to control motion switch means enabling and disabling tool motion. The manual machinist may position a tool to a target position by enabling motion along each controlled axis while the tool's position feedback for that axis is outside of the tolerance specification and disabling motion once the tool is within that tolerance. The machinist may contour within a specified tolerance zone by toggling the motion switch means for each axis to produce motion along that contour. The machinist may pocket by enabling motion while the tool is away from the pocket surfaces and disabling motion when the tool position is within a predetermined distance of any pocket surface.

Abstract: In a machine tool having a main shaft, a thermal change amount between two sampling times is computed on the basis of the movement distance of the main shaft during a period from time 0 to time 1a. After thermal change amounts are computed, a total thermal change amount which results from adding these thermal change amounts is computed. Since the thermal change amount is based on the movement distances (driving states) that are detected at the respective time points and the influence of the thermal change amounts that has been computed previously are added to the computed thermal change amount, it is possible to compute the total thermal change amount corresponding to the driving states at the respective time points.

Abstract: An automated quill drive assembly is adapted to be retrofit on a milling machine having a frame presenting a quill head and a quill supported on the head for rotation and for relative shiftable movement along a linear axis between retracted and extended positions. The quill head includes a centrally disposed lower lug, a quill feed engagement control lever boss located above and spaced to one side of the lug, and a transmission cover opening located above and spaced to a side of the lug opposite the quill feed engagement control lever boss. The automated quill drive assembly includes a housing adapted to be mounted to the lug, the quill feed engagement control lever boss, and the transmission cover opening, a motor supported on the housing, and a transmission supported on the housing for transmitting automated movement from the motor to the quill to move the quill between the retracted and extended positions.

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: There is provided a method of three-dimensionally cutting a mold including the steps, in sequence, of (a) rotating a single ball end mill at a rate in the range of 50,000 rpm to 200,000 rpm, the ball end mill being made of material having high thermal resistance, (b) driving the ball end mill in horizontal, reciprocating movement at a rate in the range of 10 m/min to 100 m/min, and driving the ball end mill in transverse movement at a predetermined depth of cut in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the ball end mill is reciprocated, at opposite ends of the reciprocating movement to cut a workpiece in a surface thereof at a common depth of cut, and (c) vertically feeding the ball end mill at a predetermined depth of cut. This method makes it possible to significantly increase a rotation speed and a feeding speed of a cutting tool to thereby remarkably reduce time necessary for cutting a mold.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for duplicating an original key, the keyway and keycode of the original key are measured and duplicated in a preform. The preform used in the duplication process need not include any keyway or keycode prior to the duplication process and, therefore, a single type of preform may be used in generating duplicates of many different types of keys. The apparatus may be automated to take the measurements of the original key and to cut the duplicate key, thus reducing the possibility of producing a nonfunctional duplicate.

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 method and a system for creating an improved cutting tool having a helical shaped cutting surface includes a computer, a computer numerically controlled milling machine and an electric discharge machine. The computer can be programmed to form the female shape of a helical spline of a cutting tool that extends longitudinally from the back of the tool to the front of the tool so that it is not parallel to a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tool. Disposed along the spline may be a plurality of cutting teeth that each extend outward from the curved spline and have a cutting face that is curved in both a radial direction and in an axial direction with respect to the cutting tool. After forming the female shape of this spline, the computer can develop a cutting path for a tool of a numerically controlled milling machine and operate the milling machine to create an electrode having the female shape of the spline of the cutting tool.

Abstract: A gear-cutting machine contains one driving motor (28) with a corresponding actuator (26a, 26c . . . ) for each of various adjusting axes (B, C, X, Z . . . ). The actuators are supplied from a common dc intermediate circuit (24) and controlled by a controller (30). The dc intermediate circuit (24) is supplied by a rectifier circuit (22) from the network (20). For defined stopping of at least some of the driving motors (28) of the adjusting axes an emergency power supply is provided. The emergency power supply contains an ac motor (34) with a disk flywheel (36) mounted on the output shaft (38) thereof. In generating service of the ac motor (34) the latter provides direct-voltage energy to the ac intermediate circuit (34) via the actuator/rectifier (40). This energy suffices for at least some of the driving motors (28) to be brought into a state of rest by their corresponding actuators in controlled fashion. This avoids errors when operation of the machine is continued.

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: A controller for optimization of metal-working on CNC-operated machine tools, includes a first unit for monitoring the torque of the main drive of the machine tool to establish the actual, instantaneous cutting torque, a second unit for setting the rated cutting torque in the teaching mode in dependence on the main-drive torque as monitored, a third unit for calculating the feed rate required to maintain the cutting torque at a constant level and controlling the feed drive, and a fourth unit responsive to the monitored main-drive torque and providing feed rate limiting signals to the third unit for protecting the tool against breakage.

Abstract: This invention relates to a programmable semiautomatic portable key cutting machine. More particularly, this invention pertains to a portable key cutting machine which semi-automatically cuts key blanks in accordance with key blank manufacturers' key profile information which is stored in a programmable memory. We have invented a portable semi-automatic computer code key machine with a built-in user definable master key system. The system can be used in the field and operated on 12 volts or 110 volts to create without key patterns or duplicate keys simulated key manufacturers' originals which are programmed in a computer which is part of the machine. A built-in data base of all known manufacturers, spaces and depths. In addition, the user of the machine can add new key specifications as they become available from the manufacturer.

Abstract: An uninterruptive power supply is connected to an engraving apparatus. When power failure occurs, with supply of electric power from a back-up power source which is disposed within the uninterruptive power supply, a blank line detection part detects a closest blank line yet to be engraved, based on detection of the power failure by a power failure detection part. An engraving machine controller then ensures continued engraving up to the closest blank line and stops engraving. Following this, engraving is resumed after power supply is recovered.

Abstract: An area machining method for efficiently hollowing out an area which contains a part of an outline of a workpiece is disclosed. An outward offset line is set outside the workpiece with a predetermined offset distance. Then a series of offset contours (i.e., the elements of the tool path) are defined within the region between the outward offset line and the final part contour. Since the offset distance to the outward offset line is set zero, all the offset contours share a segment of the outward offset line. Except for this common segment, the offset contours are given a cutting feedrate.

Abstract: An electronic control device for individual drives of machining machines, particularly of machine tools with a plurality of drive apparatuses, in which, according to the counting state of a pulse counter (35), path information elements associated with the latter are extracted simultaneously by a computer unit (37) from memories (41, 42, 43) associated with many drive apparatuses (18, 19, 20) and are converted into control values necessary for machining, which control values are then fed as set values to control circuits (30, 31, 32) for the drive apparatuses (18, 19, 20). The electronic control device (37) is supplied with a low counting pulse frequency (f.sub.z) and can therefore process path and speed information values from a memory unit (36) for very many drives (18, 19, 20) simultaneously.

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 process of surface shaping involving creating an accurate three-dimensional depiction of an object; selection a portion of said three-dimensional depiction; and incorporating said selected portion as an integral part of a wall surface.

Abstract: A processing machine comprises at least three powered guides (13,15,27) for movement along Cartesian axes for a support (12) to hold a tool (21) on a horizontal table (11). Motors (14,16,19) for movement along the three guides are connected to an integrated control device in the machine comprising a microprocessor sending to the motors movement signals reading data for position and moving from memories connected thereto, at least one of said memories being enclosed in an external module (125) connected in a removable manner to the microprocessor through a connector arranged toward the outside of the machine. To the microprocessor are also connected a keyboard (130) for sending command signals and means (131) for display of operating information.

Abstract: The accuracy of an apparatus for the movement of an object is increased by means of compensating for geometric errors and load and temperature induced deformations. The effects of the errors and deformations are stored in regularly updated compensation tables or parameterisations from which the error values as a function of position are available. The appropriate error values are selected while the complete momentary state of the apparatus can be taken into account. The derived error values can be used to correct the measured position in a feedback loop or to modify the steering signals for driving means without use of a feedback loop.

Abstract: A wookworking machine that can easily and exactly form digitizing data for a plurality of workpieces even during the working operation on the workpieces, thereby considerably increasing the working efficiency. The woodworking machine according to the invention for working of workplaces into specified three dimensional form is characterized in that the woodworking machine is combined with a copying digitizing device and a computer connected to an NC copying digitizing device. The computer loads the NC copying digitizing device with working conditions such as work-starting points and limits, which are calculated by a CAD of the computer. The computer controls and stores the digitizing data formed by the NC copying digitizing device as a control file integrated by a main program. On the basis of the working conditions, the data is stored through the copying operation of the copying head of the woodworking machine.

Abstract: A high strength, monolithic shrouded impeller is made from a single blank by a method that includes the following four steps: Turning and boring a rough forging to an impeller profile; Using a three-dimensional CNC milling machine with end mills, removing as much material as possible from what are to be passageways in the impeller, defining leading and trailing edge zones of vanes defining the passageways, by removing material in direct line of sight from the outside diameter or from the eye of the impeller or both; Forming a hole through a central zone of what will be each impeller passageway, and removing the remainder of the material to define the passageways by three dimensional planning controlled by the CNC machine using a non-rotating tool.

Abstract: An automated workstation is adapted to cut parts of different size and shape from workpieces of flat sheet or molded preforms. A fixtured workpiece is moved into the work area of a preprogrammed cutting robot on a shuttle table. The position of the workpiece to be cut is determined by the robot which cuts it using preprogrammed instructions for the desired part. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of independently operable shuttle tables are provided so that the robot can work substantially continuously while workpieces are load, unloaded, machined or moved around.

Abstract: A compensation system for a computer-controlled machining apparatus having a controller and including a cutting tool and a workpiece holder which are movable relative to one another along preprogrammed path during a machining operation utilizes sensors for gathering information at a preselected stage of a machining operation relating to an actual condition. The controller compares the actual condition to a condition which the program presumes to exist at the preselected stage and alters the program in accordance with detected variations between the actual condition and the assumed condition. Such conditions may be related to process parameters, such as a position, dimension or shape of the cutting tool or workpiece or an environmental temperature associated with the machining operation, and such sensors may be a contact or a non-contact type of sensor or a temperature transducer.

Abstract: A milling machine has a lower frame portion with a saddle and a table coupled to the lower frame portion by a knee. The milling machine also has a head with a quill and spindle. The table provides movement of a workpiece relative to the spindle along a first axis. The saddle provides movement of the workpiece relative to the spindle along a second axis. A manual controller provides manual control of the quill. An automatic controller provides automatic control of the quill. The automatic controller and the manual controller are cooperable so that the quill can be manually and automatically controlled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic line width adjustment for engraving characters on a piece of sign material utilizes two cutters sliding by each other in face-to-face opposing relationship. Line width is controlled by controlling the spacing between a pair of cutter tips. The two cutters are moved over a portion of a sign blank while being rotated with the selected spacing between the cutter tips to effect a selected cutting width. The cutters are held in holders and are replaceable when worn out. An internal ratchet-and-pawl mechanism provides fifteen different cutter line widths. The cutter head is moved into engagement with an external pawl mechanism to operate the internal ratchet-and-pawl mechanism.

Abstract: A bench mounted machine allows an operator to produce both mating components for woodworking through and half-blind dovetails in workpieces suitable for case construction and drawer construction with computer controlled programmable flexibility to determine size and centerline spacing of pins and tails as well as half-pin widths. Symmetrical and asymmetrical through and half-blind dovetail configurations can be created without the use of guide templates or fixed spindle arrangements. Stationary workpieces are mounted vertically and horizontally above an automated two axis dovetail cutting means. Pins and tails for interlocking through and half-blind dovetail joints are milled in the ends of workpiece boards based upon operator input commands from a personal computer control station.

Abstract: A method and system for machining a contoured surface of a part, such as a vane of a vane segment of a nozzle ring in a gas turbine engine. A plurality of original data points from the original surface of the vane are sensed. The system comprises an algorithm for creating a matrix of data and for generating a revised contour profile corresponding to the cross-sectioned contour of the vane for points which lie in a common plane. The original contour may have missing sections in its profile or may have areas where brazing material has been applied to the vane. The revised contour profile is adjusted in accordance with certain predefined parameters. The revised contour profile is also adjusted so that all of its points lie on or inside the perimeter shape defined by the original data points. All of the revised contour profiles associated with each cross-section of the vane is compiled to generate one machining contour.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method for automated edge finishing using hybrid position/force control of an XY table. The disclosure is particularly directed to learning the trajectory of the edge of a workpiece by "guarded moves". Machining is done by controllably moving the XY table, with the workpiece mounted thereon, along the learned trajectory with feedback from a force sensor.

Abstract: A method of precisely calibrating a spindle position with respect to a drilling apparatus worktable. The drilling apparatus includes a control device, which calculates an expected relative position of the spindle and the worktable based upon predetermined information, and the controlled movement of the spindle relative to the worktable. The method includes positioning the spindle in a first position, empirically determining the position of the spindle with respect to the worktable in both a first and a second direction, and determining a "correction factor" between the expected spindle position relative to the worktable at the first position and the empirically determined spindle position relative to the worktable in the first and second directions.

Abstract: A 2-dimensional drawing of closed shapes and/or letters is processed for incised carving with a conical tool. Each closed shape is processed independently to generate a plurality of connected cutter paths. While carving each path it is necessary to change the tool depth so that the edge of the tool at the surface of work remains tangent to two sides at all times. A recursive process is used to handle parts of the work where the cutting path splits.

Abstract: The generator for plastic lenses comprises a rotatable chuck for rotating an optical lens blank on a first axis. A drive system displaces the chuck and thereby the lens blank generally transverse to the first axis. A cutter is operably associatable with the chuck for engaging the lens blank and causing shaping thereof. The cutter includes a high speed rotary element rotatable on a second axis angularly disposed relative to the first axis. A second drive system for selectively displacing the cutter parallel to the first axis is provided. A computer control is operably associated with the first and second drive systems for coordinating displacement of the associated chuck and cutter for causing a selected curvature to be generated on the blank.

Abstract: A machine tool position correcting method and apparatus applied to a machine tool including a spindle head provided on a column and a ram which is movable horizontally on the spindle head and has a main shaft to which a tool is mountable. In the arrangement, a quantity of horizontal movement of the ram is detected, a quantity of vertical correction of the ram is calculated on the basis of the detected quantity of horizontal movement of the ram, and the spindle head is moved vertically, while keeping a horizontal position thereof, on the basis of the calculated quantity of vertical correction of the ram. Since a vertical deviation of the ram has a correction to its quantity of horizontal movement, the vertical deviation, or quantity of vertical correction, of the ram is obtained by detecting its quantity of horizontal movement.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting an inner circle in a workpiece with a cutter of a numerically controlled machine tool linearly moves the cutter from the center of an inner circle in the workpiece in a radial distance according to an initially cut radius I, and cuts an inner circle in the workpiece according to a radial depth of cut K until a finally cut radius J is reached. As other command parameters, there are supplied an initial workpiece radius P which indicates the minimum distance from the center of the inner circle in the workpiece to the workpiece, and a cutting feed starting distance SN that the cutter starts to move at a cutting feed rate across the initial workpiece radius P before reaching the workpiece. The length of a linear path that the cutter linearly moves is compared with the initial workpiece radius P, a feed rate at which the cutter is to move along the linear path is determined depending on the result of comparison between the length of the linear path and the initial workpiece radius P.

Abstract: The numerically controlled machine tool provided with an automatic tool exchange device and a work indexing device. After the spindle head completely retreats, the preparation for the next tool, the exchange of the tools or the change of the machined surface are carried out. Since the interference region at the time of the change of the machined surface is determined, the tools can be exchanged closest to the work but without interfering with the work. The indirect operation time required for the exchange of the tools and the change of the machined surface can be minimized. When the work has multiple surfaces to machine, the work can be rotated minimum angle in a predetermined direction without interfering with the peripheral device by the indexing device to change the machined surface. The operator can confirm the direction on the display.

Abstract: A system and related method or process for producing a pattern for a lens to be formed and then placed in an opening in an eyeglass frame utilizes a frame tracing apparatus for providing coordinate data characterizing the size and shape of the lens opening in associated one specific eyeglass frame for transmission to a pattern generator having a cutter which moves relative to a blank fixtured at a work station in the generator to cut a pattern having the desired size and shape. A number of frame tracing apparatus are arranged to transmit data to a pattern generator via a central data base computer coupled to the frame tracing apparatus by a communications link whereby the pattern generator subsequently receives the dimensional data corresponding to the specific lens opening traced by the frame tracing apparatus to generate the desired pattern from blanks continuously and automatically fed to the pattern generator.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing workpieces, comprises a fixing deck, which has a supporting surface and is provided with fixing device, and a numerically controlled tool unit, which is movable over the supporting surface. In order to effect a reliable fixing of the workpieces by a simple and effective method, the fixing device comprises at least one holding-down unit, which includes a holding-down carriage, which is movable over the supporting surface, and a power-operable holding-down finger, which is operable at selectable locations, and that the carriage moving device and finger actuating device are adapted to be controlled in dependence on the control of the tool unit.

Abstract: A tracing control system for machining a workpiece through tracing by calculating speed commands of respective axes, using change amounts detected by a tracer head, and by moving a cutter relative to the workpiece through a control of the speed of the respective axes in accordance with the speed commands. First delay speed commands are obtained from the speed commands (Vx, Vz) at delay circuits (14a, 14c), respectively, and second delay speed commands are obtained at second delay circuits (14b, 14d), respectively, the differences between the first delay speed commands and the above second delay speed commands are calculated, and an X-axis main motor and a Z-axis main motor are driven in accordance with the first delay speed commands, and an X-axis sub-motor and a Z-axis sub-motor are driven in accordance with the calculated differences, thereby move the tracer head.

Abstract: A contour profiling machine for the purposes of shortening the period of time for rough machining and forming a smooth machined surface in the execution of machining wherein the outer part or inner part of a workpiece is cut away along the contour of a model (MDL). The contour profiling machine according to the present invention includes a limit setting circuit for setting a limit as to one axis of a tracer head (TC), and for setting limits parallel to and limits orthogonal to a traveling direction within a movement plane which is determined by the first-mentioned limit. A polarity discrimination circuit discriminates the polarities of the limits set relative to the direction of movement of the tracer head (TC). A clamping ciruit clamps contour profiling within a range which is defined by the set limits.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for making a lens for a pair of prescription eyeglasses a lens blank is shaped and finished on one of its major surfaces through the use of a machine controlled by the prescription information and with a new expendable lap being made each time a new lens is wanted. A machine for cutting a lens blank and/or a lap blank is controlled in three axes by a set of point data related to and obtained in response to the input into the control system for the machine or prescription information.

Abstract: A machine tool includes two movable tables on which workpiece is mounted. A base mount has an upper surface provided with at least two machinable regions and workpiece handling regions. A column is supported above the base mount and movable in a first direction, and a spindle head is supported on the column and movable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The spindle head is movable over the machinable regions. The tables are arranged in parallelism and movable in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions. Each of the tables is movable between each of the machinable regions and the workpiece handling regions. First, second and third drive means are connected to the column, the spindle head and the tables, respectively. The drive means are also connected to a numerical control unit for numerically controlling the movements of the column, the spindle head and the tables in the first, the second and the third directions respectively.

Abstract: A component part number marking or engraving machine has a microprocessor controlled marking or engraving tool in which a range of part numbers, and the corresponding instructions for operating the tool are stored in memory. Upon calling up the appropriate instruction set a selected part number is automatically marked or engraved on a component. The present invention provides a fixture for receiving the component and has a plurality of sensors responsive to the physical dimensions of a range of components and disposed so as to uniquely identify each type of component in the range. Each valid combination of sensors signals is indexed against the appropriate part number and is used to retrieve the corresponding engraver operating instructions from memory.

Abstract: A tooling device for numerically controlled machining centers having programmable torque, thrust and surface sensing utilizing a telescopic tool holder comprising an adapter to be retained in the taper of the machine spindle and a control rod in the spindle attached to an actuating rod having electronic coupling means to control the axis feed rate of the computer numerical control for controlling deceleration of the spindle and a transducer for producing a signal to feed the spindle to a programmable depth and to measure the tool thrust and torque and to sense the location of work surfaces with random length tools and also be able to control feed rate of tool proportional to tool thrust or torque.

Abstract: A method of making a dental crown for a dental preparation by means of a CAD-CAM system. In the method, first a model of the dental preparation is made from a refractory material under the control of the CAD-CAM system. Subsequently, at least one layer of a material suitable for dental crowns is applied to the model. The layer is sintered during or after its application, and is then ground under the control of the CAD-CAM system until a predetermined shape is obtained. Finally the refractory material is removed.

Abstract: A machining apparatus for making the scroll parts comprising a headstock including a spindle for supporting a workpiece for rotation, a tool holder for supporting a machining tool, a first carriage supported for movement in a direction perpendicular to the spindle (an X-axis), a second carriage supported for movement in a direction parallel to the spindle, and a control device for controlling the movement of the first carriage and the rotation of the spindle according. The control device is so programmed as to calculate the distance between the center of the base circle generating a desired involute curve depicted by the scroll parts and the center of the machining tool and also to calculate the angle of rotation C of the spindle relative to the distance.

Abstract: A roller hold down device for removable work table which has a pair of rollers which extend transversely across the workpiece mounted on the movable table so as to hold it down and with a pair of cam roller members mounted on either side of the movable table and formed with cam portions so as to engage the rollers at the end of travel so as to force the rollers up away from the workpiece and also so as to prevent the rollers from falling off of the end of the workpiece. The rollers are controlled by hydraulic cylinders which can be actuated to automatically move them to the down position and also to move them to the up position.