Systems and techniques are directed to a Swappable Retractable Tool Tip (SRTT), which is designed as a next generation of friction stir welding tools and retractable tool tips. The disclosed SRTT may be “swappable,” having different types of retractable tool tips that can be assembled and employed as a part of the SRTT. A SRTT system can include at least: a blank tool holder, a piston, and a retractable tool tip. In operation, the blank tool holder allows air to flow to cause movement of the piston and the retractable tool tip. For example, compressed air can push up on the piston and the retractable tool tip, retracting it into a “home” position inside of the blank tool holder. Also, the SRTT can include springs that push down on the piston and the retractable tool tip, extending the tip into an “extended” position outside of the blank tool holder.

A facility for automated modelling of the cutting process for a particular material to be cut by a beam cutting tool, such as a waterjet cutting system, from empirical data to predict aspects of the waterjet's effect on the workpiece across a range of material thicknesses, across a range of cutting geometries, and across a range of cutting quality levels, all of which may be broader than, and independent of the actual requirements for a target workpiece, is described.

An apparatus and method for calibrating an automated wire bending machine is provided that includes a camera system comprising a camera and a lens configured with a focal plane fixedly positioned relative to a bending surface provided on the automated wire bending machine. The disclosed apparatus and method further includes a processor device configured to interpret images captured by the camera system. The apparatus and method measures an actual angle formed in a wire while a bent portion of the wire is substantially within the focal plane of the camera system, and a memory device stores values generated during a calibration sequence of the automated wire bending machine. The values correspond to the actual angle and a target angle provided for the calibrating of the automated wire bending machine.

A facility for automated modelling of the cutting process for a particular material to be cut by a beam cutting tool, such as a waterjet cutting system, from empirical data to predict aspects of the waterjet's effect on the workpiece across a range of material thicknesses, across a range of cutting geometries, and across a range of cutting quality levels, all of which may be broader than, and independent of the actual requirements for a target workpiece, is described.

A method of forming a part using additive manufacturing may include receiving, at a computer numeric controlled (CNC) machine, a computer aided design (CAD) model of the part. The method may further include dividing the CAD model into plurality of sections. The method may further include slicing each of the plurality of sections into a plurality of layers. Each section may include a distinct set of print parameters. The method may further include depositing a flowable material onto a worktable according the set of print parameters for each section of the of the plurality of sections to manufacture the part.

A physical model of at least a portion of a patient's dentition has model dental surfaces corresponding to real dental surfaces of the patient's dentition. The physical model includes one or more targets, each configured for facilitating placement of an orthodontic appliance on the model at a desired location. The targets lack mechanical stops that are outwardly protruding from the original model dental surfaces. Also provided are a method of manufacturing a physical model for use in indirect bonding procedures, a method for indirect bonding for use in an orthodontic procedure, a method for providing an indirect bonding transfer tray for use in an orthodontic procedure, and a system for providing a physical model for use in indirect bonding orthodontic procedures.

The purpose of the present invention is to stop the power supply to a specified device among a plurality of devices to be supplied with power, and maintain the power supply to the other device. An IO-Link master is provided with: an upper-level communication control unit which receives a specification of a device to which the power supply is to be stopped; and a power supply control unit which controls a device power supply switching unit corresponding to the device to which the power supply is to be stopped, to stop the power supply to said device while maintaining the power supply to the other device.

A system, method, and device for automated precision control of a computer numerical control (CNC) machine to a workpiece. The system receives via at least one visual input device at least one detectable marking on a workpiece. The system decodes the at least one detectable marking and determines a stored and pre-defined movement routine of a cutting element attached to the CNC machine relative to the workpiece based on the at least one marking. The system then determines, using the at least one visual input device and/or another visual input device, a current position of a working end of the cutting element relative to the at least one marking. Finally, the system performs the pre-defined movement routine including cutting into the workpiece with the cutting element.

Cutting a workpiece using a cutting tool associated with a system, whereby the system includes a guide having a first glyph and second glyph. The first and second glyphs are both visible on a single side of the guide. The guide is associated with a specific three-dimensional model of a plurality of three-dimensional models. The system further includes an input mechanism, configured to receive a location of the first glyph and of the second glyph, relative to the cutting tool. The system further includes a control system, functionally associated with the input mechanism and with the cutting tool. The control system is configured to direct the cutting tool to cut a version of the specific three-dimensional model into the workpiece at a location, such as at least partially between the locations of the first glyph and the second glyph, which locations were received by said input mechanism.

Systems, devices, and methods for managing and optimizing a machining process for a computer numerical control (CNC) machine tool with a virtual machine-aware kernel. The virtual machine-aware kernel may predict steps for the manufacturing of a virtual machine part by constructing a virtual model of a CNC machine to mimic the CNC machine. The virtual machine-aware kernel may receive as input virtual data to simulate the real life conditions of the CNC machine milling processes for manufacturing of a machine part. The virtual machine-aware kernel may check, improve, and optimize the program data using the digital representation as a predictive model. Therefore, the virtual machine-aware kernel may allow for intelligent, real-time decision making to avoid defective manufacturing of a machine part.