A method of providing cueing signals to a user of a tool. Engagement sensors are positioned, for obtaining engagement data regarding the user's engagement with the tool. The engagement data is compared to a preselected acceptable range of engagement data. If the engagement data is outside the preselected acceptable range of engagement data, then an alert signal is transmitted to an alert device. Upon receipt of the alert signal, the alert device generates a cueing alert signal to indicate that the engagement data is outside the preselected acceptable range.

An abnormality detector includes a signal output unit for detecting a sign of an abnormality based on a physical quantity acquired from a manufacturing machine and outputting a signal; and a machine learning device including state observation unit for observing, as a state variable representing a present state of the environment, physical quantity data indicating the physical quantity related to an operation of the manufacturing machine from the manufacturing machine; a label data acquisition unit for acquiring, as label data, operation state data indicating an operation state of the manufacturing machine; a learning unit for learning the operation state of the manufacturing machine with respect to the physical quantity, using the state variable and the label data; and an estimation result output unit for estimating the operation state of the manufacturing machine using a learning result by the learning unit and outputting an estimation result.

An abnormality detector includes a signal output unit for detecting a sign of an abnormality based on a physical quantity acquired from a manufacturing machine and outputting a signal; and a machine learning device including state observation unit for observing, as a state variable representing a present state of the environment, physical quantity data indicating the physical quantity related to an operation of the manufacturing machine from the manufacturing machine; a label data acquisition unit for acquiring, as label data, operation state data indicating an operation state of the manufacturing machine; a learning unit for learning the operation state of the manufacturing machine with respect to the physical quantity, using the state variable and the label data; and an estimation result output unit for estimating the operation state of the manufacturing machine using a learning result by the learning unit and outputting an estimation result.

A machine tool for machine processing workpieces by using a tool having a pull stud at a proximal end portion thereof. The machine tool includes a tool magazine having a number of tool holders each of which is capable of attaching and detaching the tool, a spindle which holds the tool at the time of machine processing the workpieces, and a controller which determines whether or not the pull stud is appropriate on the basis of detected data of a visual sensor which is provided inside or outside the machine tool, and which captures images of the pull stud of a tool holder of the tool, or detected data of a sensor which is provided inside the tool magazine, and which measures length, electric resistance, or electric capacity of the pull stud.

An automated tool clamping device, in particular a fully automated tool clamping device is configured for a clamping-in of at least one tool in a tool chuck by a tightening of a union nut of the tool chuck and/or for a declamping of the tool out of the tool chuck by a release of the union nut, and comprises a clamp element, which is at least configured to generate a connection, in particular a clamp connection, with the union nut of the tool chuck, and comprises a torque receiving element, which is at least configured to receive at least a large portion of a torque occurring during a tool clamping process, in particular during a tool clamping-in process and/or a tool declamping process.

A power tool having multiple wireless communication states and a method of wirelessly communicating by a power tool. The power tool includes a motor, a battery pack interface that selectively receives a battery pack, a backup power source, and a wireless communication controller coupled to the backup power source and the battery pack interface. The wireless communication controller operates in a connectable state when coupled to a battery pack and transmits tool operational data to the external device and receives tool configuration data from the external device. The wireless communication controller operates in an advertisement state when the wireless communication controller is coupled to and powered by the backup power source. In the advertisement state, the wireless communication controller is configured to transmit the unique tool identifier. The external device may also display an indication of the communication state of the power tool.

A power tool having multiple wireless communication states and a method of wirelessly communicating by a power tool. The power tool includes a motor, a battery pack interface that selectively receives a battery pack, a backup power source, and a wireless communication controller coupled to the backup power source and the battery pack interface. The wireless communication controller operates in a connectable state when coupled to a battery pack and transmits tool operational data to the external device and receives tool configuration data from the external device. The wireless communication controller operates in an advertisement state when the wireless communication controller is coupled to and powered by the backup power source. In the advertisement state, the wireless communication controller is configured to transmit the unique tool identifier. The external device may also display an indication of the communication state of the power tool.

A machine integrated positioning system shows an operator where to place a raw part in the press brake or other machinery. Further, the operator is informed if the dimensions associated with the raw part are, or are not, correct to produce the planned finished part. The operator is visually shown how the raw part is to be oriented. The operator is informed if the raw part is right-side-up, along with other pre-final placement information. If these and other conditions are not met, the machine integrated positioning system may prevent the press brake and other machinery from cycling.

In the case of a clamping device (1) for holding a workpiece (3) to be machined by a machine tool (2), which is used in particular as a clamping chuck, vice or zero point clamping system, consisting of a housing (4), a supporting element (6), which is a component of the housing (4) or is fastened thereto, and thereby forms a supporting surface (6'), on which the respective workpiece (3) rests during the machining process, at least one clamping jaw (7) that is mounted in the housing (4) so it is axially movable and a counter-stop formed by the housing (4) or an axially movable clamping jaw (8), between which the workpiece (3) is clamped in the region of the supporting surface (6') or at least three clamping jaws (7, 8, 9) mounted in the housing (4) so they are axially movable, between which the workpiece (3) is clamped in the region of the supporting surface (6'), a reliable and verifiable monitoring of the distance between the workpiece (3) and the supporting surface (6') and/or the clamping jaws (7, 8, 9) is supposed to take place at the clamping device (1) before and during the entire machining process, without extensive constructional measures being required for this. This is achieved in that at least one free space (11) is integrated in the housing (4), the axis of symmetry of which runs perpendicular to the supporting surface (6') and which faces the clamped workpiece (3) with the open front side, and/or that at least one free space (11) is integrated in one of the clamping jaws (7, 8, 9), which free space leads to the respective clamping surface (7', 8', 9') of the clamping jaws (7, 8, 9), that a proximity sensor (12) is inserted in the respective free space (11), that, via the proximity sensor (12), a monitoring area (13) is formed between the supporting surface (6') and the workpiece (3), which is monitored by an analysis unit (14) with respect to the presence of the workpiece (3).

An abnormality diagnostic device for a feed axis mechanism diagnoses an abnormality occurrence and an abnormal portion of the feed axis mechanism. The feed axis mechanism transmits a rotation of a motor to a ball screw coupled by a coupling to rotate the ball screw. The abnormality diagnostic device includes a resonance frequency measuring unit and a diagnosis unit. The resonance frequency measuring unit measures a resonance frequency at a plurality of stroke positions within a stroke range of the feed axis mechanism. The diagnosis unit identifies the abnormal portion based on a relationship between the stroke positions and change amounts relative to a standard value of the measured respective resonance frequencies.