Abstract: A machine for producing a three dimensional joint replacement article and which exhibits a three dimensional shaped body incorporating a scanner component for at least receiving a digitized input corresponding to a set of dimensions associated with a replacement article to be produced. Incorporated in die machine is a numerical control guided machining subassembly in communication with at least one material blank corresponding to an article to be produced. Material shavings are vacuum removed and collected for disposal and, following CNC machining, the finished part is deposited into a cavity accessed by a retrieval door for removal.

Abstract: A process for machining a blank from all directions with a machine tool, such as a milling machine, involves the machining from all directions being based on a three-dimensional template. In a first step, the three-dimensional form and, if need be, also the surface finish of the three-dimensional template may be automatically measured, and the associated data may be saved. In a second step, a blank may be held by at least one clamping adapter and a first region is brought into its final, ready to use partial form by the machine tool or the milling machine using said data for numerical control. In a third step, the partially machined blank may be held by at least one clamping adapter in the first, finally machined region and the remaining region may be brought into its final, ready to use overall form by the same machine tool or milling machine.

Abstract: A milling machine for shaping blanks to create filter lenses for a clip-on accessory whose pair of filter lenses register with a pair of optical lenses in prescription eyeglasses when the accessory is hitched onto the frame of the eyeglasses. The frame of the eyeglasses is composed of two like half sections having a predetermined geometry, an optical lens being mounted in each half-section. The filter lenses in the accessory which are joined by a bridge piece have a geometry matching that of the half-sections of the frame whereby the appearance of the clip-on accessory is compatible with that of the eyeglasses.

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 apparatus (1) for making dental inlays or the like by copy milling a blank (7) based on an original (4) comprises a first spindle (3), which is adpated to hold the original (4) and a second spindle (5), which is aligned with the first spindle (2) and adapted to hold the blank (7). A first sensing unit (8) is adapted to scan the original (4) with a probe (9), and a first milling unit (10) is adapted to mill the blank (7) by means of a shank-end mill (11) to form a dental inlay or the like whose shape corresponds to that of the orignal (4) scanned by the probe (9). A second sensing unit (13) is adapted to carry out a rough scan of the original (4) before the first sensing unit (8) by means of a rotatable disc (14), and a second milling unit (15) is adapted to machine the blank (7), while the disc (14) scans the original (4), by means of a milling disc (16) whose size corresponds to that of the disc (14) to create a shape which roughly corresponds to that of the original (4).

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a vending machine for engraved medals and a method of automatically engraving medals wherein an engraver is contained in the vending machine, and if a coin or a note is inserted into the vending machine and a starting button is pushed according to messages displayed on a monitor, a desired type of medal is selected and loaded on a bed of the engraver to be engraved according to a selected image, and the engraved medal is taken out outside the vending machine.

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: A key imaging system and method for identifying and matching a key blank with an original key when duplicating an original key by placing the key on a supporting flat surface and forming images of the grooves and indentations on the shank of the original key by illuminating the lateral surface containing the grooves and indentations and imaging those grooves and indentations by reflecting light off of the surrounding reflective surface and scattering light off of the grooves and indentations. The resultant images are scanned and recorded by means of a digital video camera/scanner. The scanned image is relayed to a computer where it is saved in computer memory. The saved image is compared to previously stored known original key blank images for the purpose of indicating a precise duplicate key blank matching the original key.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for measuring an original key, a line of the light is focused onto the key surface in a direction perpendicular to the key surface. A camera, or other type of detector is disposed to receive light deflected by the key at an oblique angle. The keyway and keycode of the key can be determined from the deflected pattern of light.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for forming a custom-made insole including the step of positioning a foot to be measured on a scanning station. The scanning station includes at least one laser unit which is passed along an undersurface of the foot. The undersurface of the foot is scanned by the at least one laser scanning unit which measures the detected surface coordinates of the undersurface. The measured surface coordinates are processed and transmitted to a computer. A milling station, in communication with the scanning station and computer, includes a milling assembly for forming the custom-made insole. The computer controls the operation of the milling assembly based upon the coordinates determined by the at least one laser scanning unit.

Abstract: A key imaging system for identifying and matching a key blank with an original key when duplicating an original key by placing the key on a supporting flat surface and forming images of the grooves and indentations on the shank of the original key by illuminating the lateral surface containing the grooves and indentations and imaging those grooves and indentations by reflecting light off of the surrounding reflective surface and scattering light off of the grooves and indentations. The resultant images are scanned and recorded by means of a digital video camera/scanner. The scanned image is relayed to a computer where it is saved in computer memory. The saved image is compared to previously stored known original key blank images for the purpose of indicating a precise duplicate key blank matching the original key.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved key making machine that automatically extracts characteristics of an object key without human intervention. The position and alignment of the object key is automatically determined, key characteristics extracted and compared with known key manufacturers' information stored in memory, an appropriate key blank is identified, cut and dispensed to the customer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a key making machine that automatically extracts characteristics of an object key without human intervention. An object key is automatically aligned, key characteristics extracted and compared with known key manufacturers' information stored in memory, an appropriate key blank in a robotically accessible inventory is selected, cut, deburred, and automatically dispensed to the customer.

Abstract: A method of cloning printed wiring boards by milling one side of the board to a minimum thickness, then X-raying the board to produce a film negative. This negative is photographed to provide a reversed negative which is converted to a diazo photograph.

Abstract: An automatic engraving system for automatically engraving the lateral contour of a person's face on one surface of a medal includes two industrial television cameras for three-dimensionally measuring the lateral contour of the person's face by using light beam or laser light beam, a computer for determining the lateral contour of the person's face by processing the dimensional data derived from measurements and at least one three-dimensional cutting machine for engraving on the medal the lateral contour of the person's face based on the processed date derived from the computer.

Abstract: A router is coupled to a pair of pivotally connected arms for free swinging movement about a horizontal plane in a space between a template and a workpiece. The router has an upwardly extending guide pin that is engageable with the template and a downwardly extending cutting bit which is concentric to the guide pin and engageable with the workpiece below. The template is in parallel, opposed relationship to the workpiece such that as the guide pin is moved about the template, the cutting bit simultaneously mills the workpiece to produce the sign. In preferred forms, a mirror carried by the router reflects an image of the guide pin to the machine operator during engagement with the template, and the mirror is also located in disposition relative to the operator's line of sight toward the cutting bit such that both the bit and the guide pin may be simultaneously observed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to follow-up control means in swinging-arm flame-cutting machines comprising a scanning element which is arranged at outer component arm of the swinging arm carrying the cutting torch, and in coaxial relation to the latter and which is advanced by drive means likewise arranged on the outer component arm to follow automatically the contour of a pattern having the configuration of a part to be cut from a workpiece.

Abstract: Copying machine with optical reading device comprising three optical reading heads the respective luminous beams of which follow three curves moving in synchronism and which control the displacements in directions which are different from each other of a working unit, each reading head controlling the displacements of the said unit in a proper direction.