Abstract: The novel turning method on a lathe or a machining apparatus uses a tool head which is traversable for the machining and can be rotated mechanically in a receiver with a rotary axis D in the course of the machining. The rotary axis D of the tool head lies within an angular range &agr; of 45° to 90° to the X-axis and perpendicularly to the Z-axis of the machining apparatus. In addition, a tool head is used whose cutting inserts are arranged in such a way that each cutting insert has a tool reference plane Pr through in each case identical selected cutting-edge points perpendicularly to the assumed cutting direction in accordance with DIN 6581, this tool reference plane Pr running within an angular range &bgr; of 90° to 135° to the rotary axis D of the tool head.

Abstract: A cutting knife arrangement employs a plurality of cutting knife inserts mounted on a common circular cylinder. Cutting knife inserts are mounted on a holder device secured to the outer periphery of the cylinder. The cutting knife inserts have a rectangular cross-section with each corner edge comprising a cutting edge. By indexing the cutting knife insert, different cutting edges of the same insert can be presented for use in a cutting operation.

Abstract: A method of optimizing the functioning of a machining center for machining at least one piece by removal of material by means of at least one cutting tool, this machining center, on the one hand, comprising a certain number of different components including at least a structure, such as a frame, and at least motor elements producing actions of driving and displacement of at least one of the elements which are the tool and the piece, and, on the other hand, implementing

Abstract: The operating precision of super precise machine tools can be significantly improved over their design specifications by the combination of careful set up, testing of the specific machine tool to determine the most accurate operating parameters of accuracy-critical components, providing suitably rigid cutting tool holders, and controlling the operation of the machine tool to operate within the most accurate operating parameters. Testing includes determining optimal operating speeds to achieve the best precision, resonant frequencies to be avoided, and cutting tool feed rates that deliver the most precision. Controlling the machine tool operation includes selecting the most beneficial rotational speed, feeding the cutting tool into the work piece at the most accurate speed and depth of cut, and always feeding the cutting tool into the work piece in one direction.

Abstract: An on-car disc brake lathe system for resurfacing a brake disc of a vehicle brake assembly includes a lathe body with a driving motor, a cutting head operably attached to the lathe body, and a drive shaft. The system also includes an alignment system having an electronic controller, input and output adaptors configured to rotate with the drive shaft, one or more adjustment discs, and an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment disc is positioned between the input adaptor and the output adaptor, and an axial alignment of the input adaptor relative to the output adaptor may be varied based on a rotational orientation of the adjustment disc. The adjustment mechanism is configured to change the rotational orientation of the adjustment disc in response to commands from the electronic controller.

Abstract: A device for catching cut off workpieces from a C. N. C. lathe, the lathe having a toolholding turret and a turret back wall. The device attaches to the turret. A basket for catching cut off workpieces is attached to a bracket. The bracket is shaped to be attachable to the turret, to permit the basket to fit underneath the workpiece and to permit the basket to clear the turret back wall when the turret is rotated about its axis into any position. Preferably, an L-shaped bracket is used for octagon type turrets and an oblique angled bracket is used for VDI turrets. One version of the invention comprises a lathe to which a C. N. C. parts catcher is attached. Another version of the invention is a method for catching workpieces cut off from the spindle of a C. N. C. lathe.

Abstract: An on-car disc brake lathe system for resurfacing a brake disc of a vehicle brake assembly includes a lathe body with a driving motor, a cutting head operably attached to the lathe body, and a drive shaft. The system also includes an alignment system having an electronic controller, input and output adaptors configured to rotate with the drive shaft, one or more adjustment discs, and an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment disc is positioned between the input adaptor and the output adaptor, and an axial alignment of the input adaptor relative to the output adaptor may be varied based on a rotational orientation of the adjustment disc. The adjustment mechanism is configured to change the rotational orientation of the adjustment disc in response to commands from the electronic controller.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of finishing machining rotary parts which are at least partially subjected to a hardening process until they are in a condition of being ready for use. The rotary parts may be crankshafts, or bearing surfaces of crankshafts, in particular automobile crankshafts. The object of the invention is to simplify the removal of material when machining bearing locations of a crankshaft which is to be hardened. After the original shaping operation, removal of material is effected at most by cutting machining with a given cutting edge.

Abstract: A workpiece is cut by a cutting tool that is attached to a cylindrical support body vibrated by at least two piezoelectric drive elements. The efficiency of the mechanical vibration is improved by attaching the piezoelectric drive elements to a cylindrical body portion (7,7.1,7.2) of the tool support body (2) and by providing the support body with a plurality of necked-down end sections. At least the cylindrical body portion (7,7.1,7.2) is a cylinder with a substantially circular cross-section or with a circular cross-section to provide a constant or a substantially constant bending rigidity of the cylindrical tool support body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a motor-driven chucking device which are capable of delicately controlling the workpiece gripping force, the travel speed of gripping jaws, and so forth. The method controls a motor-driven chucking device in which gripping jaws of a chuck provided on a main spindle rotatably supported by a headstock of a machine tool are opened or closed by a torque controllable driving motor to grip a workpiece. The method includes the steps of inputting a set value for gripping force with which the gripping jaws grip the workpiece, and opening or closing the gripping jaws by controlling rotation of the driving motor according to the set value for the gripping force.

Abstract: In milling operations, periodically sensed vibration signals synchronous with tool revolution enables a determination of whether the tool returns to approximately the same position each revolution. If so, stability is indicated by tightly grouped values of the periodically sensed vibration signal. If the tool does not return to the same position, spread in the value of the periodically sampled vibration signals is produced thereby indicating chatter conditions. Variance values may be calculated and displayed; histograms may be produced and displayed; corrective action, if needed, may be taken in response to the variance values and/or histogram. Nominal (or commanded) spindle speed, while not necessarily exactly synchronous with actual tool rotation, is entirely adequate to trigger samples and achieve clear indication of the presence or absence of chatter.

Abstract: A production method for 3-dimensional microstructures, using a micro-cutting tool with cutting edges for working a surface of a work object and generating a 3-dimensional microstructure that is inverted to the cutting edges of the micro-cutting tool. Production of the micro-cutting tool is performed by generating a photoresist mold of equal shape on a substrate using photolithography, then electroplating in said photoresist mold. After that, the micro-cutting tool is vertically put on the work object, generating the 3-dimensional microstructure on the surface of the work object.

Abstract: A machining assembly and a method of cutting a tubular member is described which includes a cutting tool and a tubular member holder, wherein the linear and rotational displacement of the cutting tool and the tubular member are controlled with respect to each other by two independent mechanisms. The assembly further includes a third mechanism for controlling the radial displacement of the cutting tool with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tubular member.

Abstract: A precision optical element is described, such as is used in thermal imaging systems in the infra-red, manufactured by means of single point machining, with both of its surfaces having an aspheric form, with or without the addition of a diffractive optics pattern. The element is produced while held in a novel vacuum chuck, whose support surface has a width in the radial direction significantly less than the size of the element, and which is aspherically machined to match the aspheric first surface of the element. A method whereby such an element can be produced-by-means of single point machining, such as diamond turning or fly cutting, is also described. Also described are new optical system designs and applications using such double-sided aspheric elements, thereby providing significant improvement over currently available optical systems.

Abstract: A locator with a part support is used to hold a part onto the kinematic mount of a tooling machine so that the part can be held in or replaced in exactly the same position relative to the cutting tool for machining different surfaces of the part or for performing different machining operations on the same or different surfaces of the part. The locator has disposed therein a plurality of steel balls placed at equidistant positions around the planar surface of the locator and the kinematic mount has a plurality of magnets which alternate with grooves which accommodate the portions of the steel balls projecting from the locator. The part support holds the part to be machined securely in place in the locator.

Abstract: A method of rotational milling of a thread on a workpiece and including providing a device having a rotatable workpiece spindle for supporting the workpiece and a rotatable milling cutter spindle for supporting a thread milling cutter, and displacing axially the workpiece spindle and the milling cutter relative to each other by a distance shorter than a length of the thread, while rotating the workpiece spindle and the milling cutter spindle with respective rotational speeds a ratio of which is not equal to 1; and displacing radially the workpiece spindle and the milling cutter spindle relative to each other.

Abstract: In a lathe 1, an angular position &bgr; x for respectively positioning a single tool in the plural numbers of directions of the tool edge is computed according to designated shape information IFa, and the tool 25 held by the tool holding body 22 can be positioned in the plural number of directions of the tool edge in order by indexingly positioning the tool holding body 22 in the B-axis direction on the basis of the computed angular position &bgr; x at the time of machining. A plurality of machining modes can be machined with a single tool.

Abstract: A single point turning tool has a tip including a cutting edge with a tip radius and a linear portion added on one side of and slightly behind the point to form a cutting edge with a linear portion and a protruding portion. The protruding extends beyond the plane of the linear portion which, in turn, extends normal to a longitudinal axis on which the tip radius is centered. During manufacture of a piston, the turning tool is positioned with the linear portion aligned generally with the plane of the finished outer surface. The piston is turned while the tool cuts a helical path or turn around the skirt surface by advancing the tool each turn a desired dimension or lead that is greater than the width of the protruding portion but not greater than the combined widths of the linear and protruding portions.

Abstract: A machining system having a first machine tool assembly with a first workpiece holder and a first machining unit for performing a processing operation on a workpiece held by the first workpiece holder, and a second machine tool assembly having a second workpiece holder and a second machining unit for performing a processing operation on a workpiece held by the second workpiece holder. The machining system further includes a base assembly on which the first and second machine tool assemblies are supported in an operative position. At least a part of the first machine tool assembly is repositionable by movement along a first line. At least a part of the second machine tool assembly is repositionable by movement along a second line that is non-parallel to the first line. The parts of the first and second machine tool assemblies are relatively repositionable along the first and second lines to facilitate transfer of a workpiece between the first and second machine tool assemblies.

Abstract: A machine tool capable of performing screw-machining on a rotating workpiece has a tool rest which can attachably and detachably equip a turning tool with an insert on its tip and is provided so as to be freely driven to move in first and second axial directions orthogonal to each other. The tool rest is also being provided so as to freely rotate about a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axial directions so as to be positioned at a selected tool-rest angle with respect to the workpiece. The machine tool includes suitable features to allow inputting of machining information, computing of a cutting pattern, and execution of screw-machining.

Abstract: A tool presetter and a tool offset amount calculation method are provided which ensure easy and accurate determination of reference tool offset amounts in a machine tool having a pivotal tool spindle stock. The tool presetter is mounted in a composite lathe having a pivotal tool spindle stock 17. The tool presetter calculates tool offset amounts Oz (=A−Zm), Ox (=B−Xm) on the basis of machine coordinate values Zm, Xm of the tool spindle stock detected when a nose of a tool T is in contact with Z-axis and X-axis detection points of a presetter sensor 18 with the tool spindle stock 17 pivoted by a pivot angle &agr;, and machine coordinate values A, B of the Z-axis and X-axis detection points of the presetter sensor 18, and calculates reference tool offset amounts Lz, Lx from predetermined expressions on the basis of the tool offset amounts Ox, Oz and the pivot angle &agr; of the tool spindle stock 17.

Abstract: In a method for machining an electrically conductive workpiece with a cutting tool, an electric circuit is applied between the cutting tool and the workpiece which is positioned electrically insulated from the cutting tool, when the workpiece is subjected to a machining operation. At least one electric variable is determined and evaluated in the electric circuit during the machining operation. The advance of the workpiece is adjusted after each machining step of an entire surface of the workpiece, and the machining operation is terminated, when the at least one variable remains substantially constant during a machining step.

Abstract: An on-car disc brake lathe system for resurfacing a brake disc of a vehicle brake assembly includes a lathe body with a driving motor, a cutting head operably attached to the lathe body, and a drive shaft. The system also includes an alignment system having an electronic controller, input and output adaptors configured to rotate with the drive shaft, one or more adjustment discs, and an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment disc is positioned between the input adaptor and the output adaptor, and an axial alignment of the input adaptor relative to the output adaptor may be varied based on a rotational orientation of the adjustment disc. The adjustment mechanism is configured to change the rotational orientation of the adjustment disc in response to commands from the electronic controller.

Abstract: An on-car disc brake lathe system for resurfacing a brake disc of a vehicle brake assembly includes a lathe body with a driving motor, a cutting head operably attached to the lathe body, and a drive shaft. The system also includes an alignment system having an electronic controller, input and output adaptors configured to rotate with the drive shaft, one or more adjustment discs, and an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment disc is positioned between the input adaptor and the output adaptor, and an axial alignment of the input adaptor relative to the output adaptor may be varied based on a rotational orientation of the adjustment disc. The adjustment mechanism is configured to change the rotational orientation of the adjustment disc in response to commands from the electronic controller.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel machining tool suitable for machining, e.g., lathing, of a workpiece made from a difficult-to-machine material such as fully sintered ceramics and quench-hardened high-chromium cast irons. The machining tool has a conically pointed cutting chip of a cemented metal carbide and provided with a round-bottom groove of a 0.2-0.5 mm radius of curvature running with an inclination angle of 15-60° relative to the cutting face of the chip. The invention also provides a machining method for a workpiece of a difficult-to-machine material by using the above-mentioned machining tool, in which ultrasonic vibrations are applied to the tool in the cutting direction so that abrasive wearing of the flank surface can be decreased.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a set of trimming accessories for trimming rubber plate used in an ion implanter. The rubber plate is suitable for use in an ion implanter, wherein the ion implanter has a platform with multiple primary holes and multiple primary notches. In specific embodiments, the set of trimming accessories includes trimming equipment such as a knife or preferably a laser; a template with secondary holes corresponding to primary holes and secondary notches corresponding to primary notches. The template is used as a guide to form a plurality of tertiary holes in the rubber plate corresponding to the plurality of secondary holes of the template and to form a plurality of tertiary notches in the rubber plate corresponding to the plurality of secondary notches of the template.

Abstract: The chip removing machining of a workpiece is performed by a cutting tool which includes a cutting insert. In order to cool the cutting insert, one or more over-cooling nozzles is arranged for directing a jet of cooling liquid downwardly toward a contact area between the workpiece and a chip surface of the cutting insert. A sub-cooling nozzle is arranged for directing a jet of cooling liquid upwardly toward a contact area between the workpiece and a flank surface of the cutting insert. A jet of cooling liquid can be emitted from only the over-cooling nozzle, or from only the sub-cooling nozzle, or from both of those nozzles simultaneously.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing a screw (2) comprises a cylindrical support (3) having a horizontal axis (x-13 x)and being rotatable there about. A straight bar (7) is wound spirally about the support (3). The bar (7) is constrained to a guide (8) and can perform movements in a parallel direction to the axis (x—x) of the support (3) on command of a translator provided with an endless screw (14). The process for manufacturing the screw comprises controlling axial movement of the guide (8) in a predetermined rapport with the rotation of the support (3). The invention is particularly applicable in the manufacture of a screw for a screw conveyor.

Abstract: A procedure to machine openings in work pieces proposes to position two cutting blades (11, 12) of a cutting tool (2) with an axis of rotation (15) alongside a cutting blade axis at a distance to one another, which is greater than the required distance between two oppositely positioned opening edges to be machined (6, 7) alongside an opening axis (9), which runs through these opening edges. The opening axis and the cutting blade axis are inclined at an acute angle (&agr;) to one another in a way that the distance of the cutting blades to the opening axis (9) is equal to the required distance between the opening edges. With the increasing wear of the cutting blades the inclination angle is reduced so that the cutting blade distance parallel to the opening axis continues to correspond to the required distance of the opening edges.

Abstract: A toolholder apparatus is provided for holding a cutting tool adjacent a rotating workpiece. The apparatus includes a mounting block base and a mounting block body slidably supported on the base. A first adjustable connector connects the body to the base so that apposition of the body on the base can be adjusted in a first direction toward the workpiece. A center adjustment block slidably engages the body. A second adjustable connector connects the center adjustment block and the body so that a position of the center adjustment block on the body can be adjusted in a second direction transverse to the first direction and transverse to the rotational axis of the workpiece. A head is detachably mounted on the center. adjustment block. The head is removable from the center adjustment block by. sliding movement in a third direction transverse to both of the first and second directions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically compensating for the lateral runout between an on-car lathe apparatus and a vehicle hub axis including one or more stop discs that rotate with the drive shaft of the lathe and that can be selectively stopped from rotating with the shaft by a stop mechanism. In response to such stopping, one or more adjustment discs are caused to rotate in order to adjust the relative position of the axis of the lathe with respect to the axis of the disc brake assembly. In this manner, the system compensates for and corrects lateral runout that exists between two concentrically attached rotating shafts.

Abstract: An automotive hub assembly, which carries a brake disk, has a hub provided with a spindle which rotates in a housing on a double row antifriction bearing having its raceways oriented obliquely to the axis of rotation so that the bearing accommodates both radial and axial loads. The bearing is set to a condition of preload so no free motion exists in it. The hub also has a flange at one end of its spindle, and the flange is machined on its face that is presented away from the housing to provide a machined mounting surface against which the brake disk is installed. The machining occurs after the hub assembly is assembled. To this end, the housing of the hub assembly is held fast while the hub is rotated on the bearing. With the hub rotating, a cutting tool is moved across the face of the flange, and it produces the machined mounting surface which is perpendicular to the axis of the bearing. The machined mounting surface has essentially no runout, so that the brake disk acquires no runout from the hub assembly.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing precision machined thin sleeves, as for engine cylinder liners in which the outside diameter of a thick walled tubular preform is first machined to a finish size, and the preform chucked in an encircling jaw chuck on the preform outside diameter. The inside diameter is machined to a finish size having a desired wall thickness. The encircling surfaces of the chuck jaws creates a slightly undersized circle to clamp the preform to a predetermined degree.

Abstract: A method for forming a spherical concave surface includes the steps of bringing a tool into contact with a material to be formed, rotating the material around a predetermined axis, and moving the tool in a first direction parallel to a central axis of the tool and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction for forming the spherical concave surface on the material. The method also may include the steps of forming an acute first angle between the central axis and the predetermined axis, and forming an acute second angle between the central axis and a tangent line parallel to the central axis and passing through a first end point of the spherical concave surface.

Abstract: Feed back vibrations of a metallic tool generated during the machining of metallic workpieces are damped by detecting an oscillatory motion of the tool, identifying a frequency of the oscillatory motion and generating a mechanical camping force having the same frequency as the oscillatory motion and applied to the tool in counter-direction to a velocity of the oscillatory motion. The damping force can be of constant amplitude or gradually decreasing amplitude.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for adjusting the position of a cutting tool. In one embodiment, a boring tool includes a coupling member which is driven by a CNC boring machine, and a sliding tool holder which is slidably coupled to the coupling member. A frictional force resists sliding movement of the cutting tool holder. The frictional force is sufficient to retain the position of the cutting tool during machining operations. However, the frictional force is insufficient to resist a lateral force applied parallel to the direction of sliding, as used during adjustment of the tool position. In another embodiment, either a surface of the sliding tool holder or a surface of a frictional member are contoured with a shape that corresponds to a desired contour of a sidewall of a hole. During machining, a follower in contact with the contoured surface causes the cutting tool holder to slide laterally during machining, thus contouring the sidewall of the hole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of milling a material comprising aluminum and cast iron. By using a silicon nitride based cutting tool insert at a cutting speed of more than 1000 m/min, an unexpected increase in tool life has been obtained.

Abstract: A material removal tool holder for a machine tool such as a CNC automatic turret lathe comprises a frame for attachment to a turret with a tool holding channel formed therein for holding a material removal tool. The material removal tool is held within the channel by fasteners connected to the frame. The position of the removal tool within the channel of the frame is adjustable by means of an adjustable shim mounted in the channel. The adjustable shim is disposed in the tool holding channel between the material removal tool and a wall of the channel, and is adjustable to position a cutting edge of the material removal tool to a predetermined position in the machine tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming shaped surfaces of an elongate substrate is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first and second collar spaced along the substrate, wherein a cutting filament extends between the collars. The collars are selectively rotated to pass the cutting filament through the substrate and form a shaped surface. The shaped surface can include conical or frustoconical shapes.

Abstract: A device for removing paper from a damaged paper roll. The device comprising a rotatable platform to support and rotate the paper roll about a central axis. Additionally, the device comprises a circular saw blade attached to a movable arm attached to a track adjacent to the paper roll. The arm is advanceable toward to the central axis of the paper roll such that as the roll is rotated, the saw blade will cut into the roll to thereby remove paper therefrom. The operation of the device can be automated by a controller and sensors such that a single operator can use the device.

Abstract: A hub bearing unit comprises a rotatable annular element (11) for mounting a wheel, and a stationary annular element (13) to be mounted to the vehicle and defining a rotation axis (x) for the rotatable element (11). The rotatable element has a radial flange (11b) with a radial surface (11c) for axially resting against a brake rotor (16). The stationary element (13) is held in a determined position by means of non rotating retaining means (120, 121) of a machining apparatus to orient the rotation axis (x) in a determined direction.

Abstract: A multi-spindle CNC lathe comprises a frame assembly mounted on a base and including spaced apart, rigidly interconnected subframes defining spaced, parallel alignment surfaces. A plurality of spindles each includes a collet for rotating a stock about a spindle axis. An indexing mechanism positions the spindles in alignment worth with stations located at equally spaced intervals about a central axis. Internal tool slides mounted on the alignment surface of one of the subframes each comprise a servo mechanism for advancing and retracting a cutting tool along a work station axis. External tool slides mounted on the alignment surface of the other subframe each comprise a first servo mechanism for advancing and retracting a cutting tool toward and away from the work station axis and a second servo mechanism for selectively moving the cutting tool back and forth along a path extending parallel to the work station axis.

Abstract: A positional adjusting mechanism for a cutting insert in a tool for chip removing machining, preferably a milling cutter. The positional adjusting mechanism includes a hole formed in the tool body adjacent to the cutting seat which receives the cutting insert. A slotted bushing is mounted in that hole. An adjusting screw is received in the bushing to expand an upper end of the bushing. In the mounted state of the bushing in its hole, contact occurs between an upper part of the bushing and a support surface of the tool body which urges the bushing laterally in its hole to eliminate lateral play and thus stabilizes the bushing.

Abstract: A machining assembly and a method of cutting a tubular member (19) are described which includes a cutting tool (8) and a tubular member holder (4, 5), wherein the linear and rotational displacement of the cutting tool (8) and the tubular member (19) are controlled with respect to each other by two independent mechanisms. The assembly further includes a third mechanism for controlling the radial displacement of the cutting tool (8) with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tubular member (19).

Abstract: In a die board for cutting and/or creasing sheet-type work material, a base is provided that includes a first upper surface and a second lower surface. At least one slot extends along the first upper surface and includes a first slot section extending from said first upper surface at least part-way through the die board base. The at least one slot also includes a second slot section extending from said second lower surface at least part-way through the die board base. The first and second slot sections each have a width with at least one of the slot section widths being adapted to grip and retain at least one die-board rule.

Abstract: An apparatus and design method for an insert and cutting tool body together, permitting re-profiling and reusing profile insert blades on a rotating cutting tool without losing the radial, the axial or the profile dimensions. The cutting tool body has one or more insert pockets for receiving profiled inserts. Each profiled insert has a top edge, a cutting profile, a reference edge, a ramp edge, and two parallel faces, and is held in place by a clamping mechanism. The back edge of the profiled insert is aligned against a ramp edge of the cutting tool body, and the bottom edge is aligned with a bottom face of the cutting tool body. As the profiled insert becomes dull, the blade is reprofiled along the profile cutting edge, and a proportional amount of material is removed from the bottom edge of the insert blade to establish a new profile workpiece and a new reference edge.

Abstract: A side milling cutter with cutting inserts, by which side milling cutter a crank pin can be cut with a single feed motion. The plate-shaped cutting inserts are arranged on the periphery of the side milling cutter alternating between the left and right side in a peripheral direction, and are oriented essentially radially with their cover surfaces in relation to the cutter axis, which cover surfaces contain the tool faces. The cutting inserts are also arranged so as to form a gap on the periphery of the cutter which is so narrow that the length of the arc of action between the point of entry and the point of exit of cutting is greater than the half of the gap of the arrangement of cutting inserts on the periphery of the cutter. The present invention also relates to the configuration of the cutting inserts as indexable inserts which can be used on the left and on the right.

Abstract: A method is provided for obtaining dimensional accuracy in a seal assembly. The seal assembly includes a substrate comprised of a material that reflects ultrasonic waves. The seal assembly also includes a deformable sealant material that may, for example, surround the substrate. The method can include ultrasonically measuring a thickness of the sealant between a face of the sealant and a surface of the substrate. The thickness of the sealant is reduced if it exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: In order to machine a workpiece on a machine-tool successively between centres and with the workpiece clamped in a chuck, the workpiece is held during at least one machining operation—and if necessary between different kinds of machining—through the axial pressure of a centre pin clamped in a chuck of the machine-tool. To this end the chuck comprises an axial centre pin hydraulically movable in axial direction and which can be extended for enough towards the workpiece to be gripped by the jaws of the chuck.

Abstract: A cutting method in which a solution is sprayed or jetted to a machining portion when machining by use of a water-insoluble cutting oil, wherein recovered liquid is collected and stored in one recovery tank, and separated into the water-insoluble cutting oil and another solution on the basis of the specific gravity difference, and are re-used. Stable machining is enabled by using the water-insoluble cutting oil, and measures against disaster are fully taken.