Abstract: A retainer, that holds a group of precision, off-the-shelf components in relative alignment so as to allow a standard key duplicating machine to function as a key code origination machine is disclosed. A person of ordinary skill in pinning a lock and operating a key duplicating machine is able to practice the invention. An aspect of the invention is that an ordinary, inexpensive key duplicating machine can be converted to code-cutting functionality with minimal cost, requiring no adaptation of key duplicating machine. Also disclosed are methods of positional registration, machine error compensation, and notch shaping.

Abstract: A groove engraving device and a groove engraving method are provided. The groove engraving device includes: a processing chamber for containing a piece to be processed, a cutter for groove engraving on the piece to be processed, a clamping mechanism for clamping the piece to be processed, a driving mechanism for driving the clamping mechanism to rotate, and a temperature controlling device for controlling a temperature inside the processing chamber to be within a preset temperature range. The clamping mechanism and the cutter are disposed inside the processing chamber, and the clamping mechanism is rotatable with respect to the processing chamber. The temperature controlling device is disposed inside the processing chamber. The groove engraving device can improve the processing efficiency and quality of the groove engraving on the piece to be processed.

Abstract: A carving assembly 10 for use in duplicating a blank or form. The carving assembly 10 includes stylus 112 and a tool holder 120 which are coupled together using a slidable carriage 14 to allow any movement of the stylus to cause a cutting tool 121 mounted in the tool holder 120 to move in the exact same manner. Carriage 14 is mounted upon a frame, assembly which permits sliding motion in two orthogonal directions 101, 102.

Abstract: A table with a working surface has a parallel rail on each side of the working surface. A slide assembly includes a shaft with ends and a pair of brackets. Each bracket has a hole. The holes receive the ends of the shaft. The slide assembly includes cylindrical tunnels. The tunnels slidably receive the rails. An operating assembly has primary and secondary arms. Each arm has a free exterior end and an interior portion. The interior portion is coupled to the shaft. A router is secured to, and depends from, the free end of the secondary arm. Control mechanisms include a scribe. The scribe is secured to, and depends from, the free end of the primary arm. Movement of the primary arm and scribe with respect to a template will cause corresponding movement of the secondary arm and router with respect to work pieces to be routed.

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: In a method for engraving a printing cylinder using an engraving member in an electronic engraving machine, an engraving tool of an engraving member controlled by an engraving signal engraves a sequence of grooves arranged in a printing screen in a rotating printing cylinder. The engraving signal is formed by superimposing an image signal representing the shade values of light and dark of the grooves to be engraved and a periodic screen signal for generating the printing screen. In order to compensate for disruptive influences on the shade values of the engraved grooves resulting from operating temperatures in the engraving member, the operating temperature in the engraving member is measured at at least one measurement point. Depending on at least one measuring temperature, the electrical control of the engraving member is corrected and/or the temperature of at least one component of the engraving member and/or the air circulating around the engraving member is modified.

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 cutter holder having a cutting tool support supporting the cutting tool and being fixed to the holder base. Rotation of the cutter holder about the Z-axis with respect to the mounting base is restrained and an angle of inclination &thgr; 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 method for forming non-circular dimples in a spherical surface is characterized by the use of a pantograph to repeatedly translate a master dimple configuration into the spherical surface. A drill bit is drilled into a portion of the spherical surface to a first depth. The drill bit is displaced relative to the surface by the pantograph along a given path without altering the axial orientation of the bit in order to form a non-circular dimple in the surface. The bit is removed from the surface and the process is repeated across other portions of the surface to form identical dimples therein.

Abstract: The invention makes it possible to produce from a blank an article whose contour is altered, preferably linearly enlarged, with great precision in relation to a corresponding contour of a used model (1c). A copying machine is used in the production. The machine comprises, on the one hand, a first pair of units (1, 2) which are arranged so as to be rotatable. The model (1c) is arranged on the first unit (1) and the blank is arranged on the second unit (2). The machine also comprises a pair of second units (24, 25) in which one supports a detecting member (24a) which is brought into cooperation with the model, and the second unit supports a machining or actuating member which is brought into cooperation with and acts on the blank. The said pairs of units are displaced from and towards each other during production.

Abstract: The invention relates to a duplicating milling-machine which operates simultaneously in the horizontal and vertical planes. This is achieved according to the present invention in that, in the centric three-dimensional duplicating milling-machine, the table for the original is positioned vertically over the cutting table, and by the addition of a dual-displacement arm which rotates around a vertical column. On this column is mounted a universal milling-machine which is linked to a feeler by means of a coordinator arm. The cutting tool and the feeler are mounted centrally above one another and the transfer of the original is effected in full scale.

Abstract: An engraving spindle assembly is removably mounted on one of two links of pantograph to change the magnification of indicia to be engraved on a work piece. The spindle assembly is pivotable about the mounting means on each of said links to facilitate lefthand or righthand operation.

Abstract: A method and an article, produced by the method, of symbols arranged in a group, taken from a plurality of identifiable symbols, and which may be produced in one piece from a plate of metal with the aid of a set of separate master symbols, wherein selected of the master symbols represent the group of arranged symbols, and with the aid of a transfer-and metal-removing mechanism for transferring the contours of the master symbols onto the plate.

Abstract: A mechanism for duplicating an image includes a pantograph mechanism which is carried on a slide which may be selectively moved axially to position the pantograph. Carried on the pantograph is a cutting or marking device which may be readily interchanged. This device may be a standard rotating engraving cutter, a diamond drag engraving cutter, a laser cutting device, a heat producing device, a brush, a felt tip pen, or other apparatus.

Abstract: The invention pertains to apparatus for forming signs with a motor driven router. A frame defines a surface for supporting the sign panel to be routed, usually wood, and for supporting the letter forming templates. A carriage linearally movable upon the frame supports a polygonal, four-sided linkage, a template follower is mounted upon one of the links, and the router is also link-mounted. By varying the position of the linkage pivot points relative to each other, and the location of the template follower, a variety of letter styles can be produced from a single template, and a characteristic of the apparatus lies in the excellent visibility provided of the router during operation.

Abstract: A generally rectangular flat housing is connected with one clamp of a self-centering work holder of an engraving machine for movement therewith. The housing slidably and pivotally supports a plurality of links connecting a control shaft with a pair of spaced-apart arms journalled by the housing for movement toward and away from each other in a pivoting action by the control shaft. When moved toward each other, the arms contact the respective opposing ends of a trophy plate to be engraved when loosely supported by the work holder for centering the trophy plate on the work holder prior to the engraving action thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reproducing a three dimensional form from a photographic image of that form comprises, projecting in a parallel beam an image of a series of spaced parallel lines onto the object to be reproduced. The object with the superimposed lines is photographed obliquely, by way of reflection off a spherical mirror such that the lines appear as contour lines on the photograph. This photograph is subsequently projected onto a screen, again via reflection off a spherical mirror. The contour lines on the image on the screen are then traced in turn by a stylus or pen linked via a pantograph to a cutting tool which cuts out a corresponding contour from a block of material.