A method for monitoring a work process in which a workpiece is worked on by a tool, the method comprising: providing an irregular pattern of indicia remote from the workpiece and the tool; imaging the indicia by an imaging device carried by the workpiece and thereby estimating the location of the workpiece with respect to the indicia; imaging the indicia by an imaging device carried by the tool and thereby estimating the location of the tool with respect to the indicia; and correlating the location of the workpiece and the tool to estimate an operation performed by the tool on the workpiece.

A clamping force measuring instrument for a radial clamping device having at least one force sensor for detecting a clamping force of the clamping device and an evaluation device for evaluating sensor data of the force sensor. The clamping force measuring instrument is embodied as a modular clamping force measuring instrument, having an evaluation module a sensor module. The sensor module includes at least one measurement surface and the force sensor. The evaluation module has a radio interface, a memory and/or a display device. The sensor module and the evaluation module are configured for coupling to one another by a coupling device and each has a data connection device. The data connection devices are connected to one another to produce a data connection in the event of the sensor module being coupled to the evaluation module.

An improved method is described for measuring a dimension (e.g. diameter) of a non-toothed tool, for example a grinding tool such as a diamond coated burr. The method may be implemented on a machine tool, such as a lathe, machining centre or the like. The method comprises passing a beam of light from a transmitter to a receiver. The receiver produces a received intensity signal related to the intensity of received light. Analysis of variations in the received intensity signal is performed when a rotating tool is moved relative to the light beam to enable a dimension of the tool to be measured. In particular, it may be determined when the received intensity signal has crossed a threshold for at least a defined duration, the defined duration being less than the time taken for one complete rotation of the tool.

Methods and devices for controlling a mechanical joining or forming process, in particular friction drilling in thin-walled materials, apply several reverse pulses acting on a process parameter to bring the course of an actual curve of the parameter more into line with the course of a predetermined nominal curve of the process parameter. The number and length of the reverse pulses and the length of the intervals between the pulses are determined as a function of at least one immediately detectable variable associated with the process parameter.

A machine tool system is equipped with a machine tool and a controller. The machine tool is equipped with a machine tool body and at least one temperature sensor that acquires temperature data of the machine tool body. The controller is equipped with a storage that stores the temperature data acquired in time-series by the temperature sensor, and an auxiliary power supply that supplies power to the temperature sensor and the storage when the supply of power to the machine tool body is stopped. The controller controls the machine tool by using the temperature data over a predetermined time range stored in the storage, and selects, in response to a charge state of the auxiliary power supply, the temperature data to be used in first control after the supply of power to the machine tool body is resumed.

A method for analyzing an overcutting defect of a machining process comprises steps as following. A machining code is executed to generate a cutting face, wherein the cutting face comprises a plurality of machining paths. A specified machining path is defined from the plurality of machining paths and a specified node is set on the specified machining path. A sectional plane passing through the specified node is calculated. A plurality of intersection points between the sectional plane and the other machining paths which are different from the specified machining path are obtained. A first adjacent intersection point a second adjacent intersection point are specified from the intersection points. A connection line located between the first adjacent intersection point and the second adjacent intersection point is obtained. A distance between the specified node and connection line is calculate and the distance is defined as an overcutting amount of the specified node.

To change or update each operating pattern and/or an operating condition according to a workpiece feeding state and/or an operating state of a robot. A workpiece transfer system includes: a workpiece infeed device for feeding a workpiece; a robot for transferring the workpiece being fed; a control device for selecting an operating condition of the robot based on a condition related to the workpiece and/or a condition related to the robot, the control device including a storage unit in which plural operating conditions are stored and a selection unit for selecting, as the operating condition of the robot, an optimum operating condition out of the plural operating conditions.

An automated container cutting system for cutting a container includes a cutting platform and a cutting tool held by the cutting platform. The cutting tool is configured to cut the container. The automated container cutting system includes a force feedback sensor operatively connected to the cutting tool such that the force feedback sensor is configured to measure resistive force exerted on the cutting tool. The automated container cutting system includes at least one processor communicatively coupled to the force feedback sensor. The processor is configured to receive resistive force data from the force feedback sensor. The resistive force data represents resistive force exerted on the cutting tool as the cutting tool pierces a wall of the container. The at least one processor is configured to determine whether the cutting tool has penetrated through the wall of the container using the received resistive force data.

Disclosed is a substrate chuck. More particularly, a substrate chuck including a chucking film made of a flexible material capable of elastic deformation to cover a mounting region of an upper surface of a surface plate on which a substrate is to be mounted; and a substrate chuck for gripping the substrate by applying suction pressure to a lower part of the chucking film to form a vacuum between the chucking film and the substrate; and a substrate scrubbing apparatus including the substrate chuck are provided.

A device for determining a location on an elongated workpiece, characterized in that the device comprises: a frame movable in a first direction, preferably in a longitudinal direction of the workpiece, positioning means to position the frame in relation to the sides of the workpiece, movable means movable in a second direction, preferably in a transverse direction with respect to the frame, a measuring point, the movement in first direction and second direction used to move measuring point in said directions, measuring equipment for determining the location of the measuring point in transverse and longitudinal respect to the workpiece.