The invention relates to a toothing processing machine comprising a machine frame and a spindle carrier having a first spindle. The spindle comprises a first spindle housing and a first spindle shaft, which is arranged in the first spindle housing such that it can rotate about a first spindle axis, and a free end for receiving a work piece or a tool. A second spindle is also provided having a second spindle housing and a second spindle shaft for receiving a tool or work piece, wherein the second spindle shaft is mounted in the second spindle housing such that it can rotate about a second spindle axis. In addition, at least one wall of the machine frame forms a part of the casing of a closable working chamber, in which the work piece can be processed and which can be closed in order to prevent the release of a material removal, a processing liquid and/or a processing mist from the working chamber into other machine regions or to the outside. The spindle carrier is also arranged on the machine frame such that it can move in the direction of the first spindle axis. In addition, the closable working chamber includes the free end of the first spindle shaft and at least sections of the second spindle shaft. According to the invention, the toothing processing machine comprises a bellows, securely connected to the spindle carrier on a first side and to the at least one wall of the machine frame on a second side, wherein the bellows borders the closable working chamber at at least one point in such a way that a part of the spindle carrier is permanently positioned outside of the working chamber. In this way, the bellows is able to commence a relative movement in the direction of the first spindle axis between the spindle carrier and the machine frame, via a moving apart and together.

A method and apparatus for designing and fabricating a pantomesh. The pantomesh includes a plurality of pantomesh elements each including a pairs of links connected to one another by a revolute joint at points between their ends. Each of a plurality of the pantomesh elements is connected using spherical joints to a plurality of neighboring pantomesh elements, wherein a first line that extends along one side of a first pantomesh element forms a first variable angle with a second line that extends along an opposite side of the first pantomesh element. In some embodiments, at least some of the pantomesh elements of the pantomesh are not isosceles trapezoidal elements. In some embodiments, the pantomesh is used to compress breast tissue during an MRI procedure. In some embodiments, the pantomesh is connected to one or more actuators that facilitate remote control of the amount of compression provided.

An automated machining apparatus has a lathe, a mill, and a workpiece holder that holds a plurality of workpieces to be machined. The workpiece holder includes a rotatable turret that has a plurality of workpiece mounting positions for mounting the plurality of workpieces to be machined to the rotatable turret. A controller in operable communication with the workpiece holder is operable to rotate the rotatable turret sequentially through different workpiece mounting positions according to program instructions that define machining operations to be performed on the plurality of workpieces.

The present invention relates to embodiments of a machine tool, in particular a multi-spindle milling machine, comprise a machine frame, a workpiece clamping device for clamping a workpiece, an axis slide assembly arranged on the machine frame, and a spindle carrier assembly which is arranged on the machine frame and has at least two tool-carrying work spindles. The axis slide assembly is configured to linearly move the workpiece clamped at the workpiece clamping device by way of three controllable linear axes X, Y and Z. The work spindles are arranged at a turret which can be rotated or swiveled about a turret axis at respectively equal distance from the turret axis, and the spindle axes of the work spindles are aligned or can be aligned in parallel to one another and in parallel to the turret axis.

The present invention relates to embodiments of a machine tool, in particular a multi-spindle milling machine, comprise a machine frame, a workpiece clamping device for clamping a workpiece, an axis slide assembly arranged on the machine frame, and a spindle carrier assembly which is arranged on the machine frame and has at least two tool-carrying work spindles. The axis slide assembly is configured to linearly move the workpiece clamped at the workpiece clamping device by way of three controllable linear axes X, Y and Z. The work spindles are arranged at a turret which can be rotated or swiveled about a turret axis at respectively equal distance from the turret axis, and the spindle axes of the work spindles are aligned or can be aligned in parallel to one another and in parallel to the turret axis.

A method of processing a workpiece with a first surface and a second surface facing away therefrom includes the following principal steps: (i) blocking the workpiece with the aid of a blocking material on a blocking member with the blocking material between blocking member and first surface, (ii) processing the workpiece by a geometrically defined cutting edge at the second surface for achieving the desired macrogeometry, (iii) processing the workpiece by a geometrically undefined cutting edge at the second surface for achieving the desired microgeometry and (iv) deblocking the workpiece from the blocking member. The principal step (ii) includes a plunge-cutting sub-step (ii.2) in which by a geometrically defined cutting edge an encircling plunge cut is produced which extends through the first surface as far as into the blocking material so that the workpiece with a predetermined edge profile remains on the blocking member radially within the plunge cut.

A method of processing a workpiece with a first surface and a second surface facing away therefrom includes the following principal steps: (i) blocking the workpiece with the aid of a blocking material on a blocking member with the blocking material between blocking member and first surface, (ii) processing the workpiece by a geometrically defined cutting edge at the second surface for achieving the desired macrogeometry, (iii) processing the workpiece by a geometrically undefined cutting edge at the second surface for achieving the desired microgeometry and (iv) deblocking the workpiece from the blocking member. The principal step (ii) includes a plunge-cutting sub-step (ii.2) in which by a geometrically defined cutting edge an encircling plunge cut is produced which extends through the first surface as far as into the blocking material so that the workpiece with a predetermined edge profile remains on the blocking member radially within the plunge cut.

The invention relates to a toothing processing machine comprising a machine frame and a spindle carrier having a first spindle. The spindle comprises a first spindle housing and a first spindle shaft, which is arranged in the first spindle housing such that it can rotate about a first spindle axis, and a free end for receiving a work piece or a tool. A second spindle is also provided having a second spindle housing and a second spindle shaft for receiving a tool or work piece, wherein the second spindle shaft is mounted in the second spindle housing such that it can rotate about a second spindle axis. In addition, at least one wall of the machine frame forms a part of the casing of a closable working chamber, in which the work piece can be processed and which can be closed in order to prevent the release of a material removal, a processing liquid and/or a processing mist from the working chamber into other machine regions or to the outside. The spindle carrier is also arranged on the machine frame such that it can move in the direction of the first spindle axis. In addition, the closable working chamber includes the free end of the first spindle shaft and at least sections of the second spindle shaft. According to the invention, the toothing processing machine comprises a bellows, securely connected to the spindle carrier on a first side and to the at least one wall of the machine frame on a second side, wherein the bellows borders the closable working chamber at at least one point in such a way that a part of the spindle carrier is permanently positioned outside of the working chamber. In this way, the bellows is able to commence a relative movement in the direction of the first spindle axis between the spindle carrier and the machine frame, via a moving apart and together.

A machining system with a configuration in which working machines, including a machine tool, are configured to be disposed in a line, and in which multiple working machines perform operations on one work in order, is provided. The machining system includes: a base; and multiple working machine modules which are mounted on the base and are arranged in an arrangement direction, and has a configuration in which each of the multiple working machine modules is capable of being drawn out from the base along a track extending in an intersecting direction intersecting with the arrangement direction.

A method and apparatus for radially compressing bodily tissue and performing medical procedures from a selected one of a plurality of circumferential positions and angles, a selected one of a plurality of different elevations and elevational angles. Some embodiments include a tissue-compression fixture having members that are configured to be moved to radially compress bodily tissue such that each of a plurality of areas of biological tissue are exposed between the plurality of members, and wherein the fixture is compatible with use in an MRI machine in operation; an actuator having a receiver for a medical-procedure probe; and a computer system operatively coupled to the actuator to move the probe. The computer receives user commands, and based on the commands, moves the actuator to a selected one of a plurality of different positions around the tissue-compression fixture and then extends the probe into the patient.