A method for implementing machining operations for a workpiece. Pre-existing hole locations for temporary fasteners in the workpiece requiring a clamp-up force for performing the machining operations to form holes in the workpiece is identified. A set of the pre-existing hole locations is determined from the pre-existing hole locations that results in an optimal path for performing the machining operations on the workpiece taking into account clamp-up force specifications for the workpiece. The optimal path has a near-minimum distance. An ordered sequence for performing the machining operations to form the holes at hole locations is determined that has the optimal path. Robotic control files that causes robotic devices to perform the machining operations using the optimal path is created. The robotic devices are operated using the robotic control files to form the holes in the ordered sequence using the optimal path that takes into account the clamp-up force specifications.

Drilling apparatus and method, the apparatus comprising: a first robot (10); a first member (30) (e.g. a pressure foot) and a drilling tool (38) both coupled to the first robot (10); a second robot (12); and a second member (52) coupled to the second robot (12); wherein the apparatus is arranged to press the members (30, 52) against opposite sides of a part to be drilled (2, 100) (e.g. an aircraft panel) so as to hold the part (2, 100) and prevent deflection of at least a portion of the part (2, 100); and the first member (30) and the drilling tool (38) are arranged such that the drilling tool (38) may drill into the portion of the part (2, 100) of which deflection is opposed from the side of the part (2, 100) pressed against by the first member (30). The robots (10, 12) may be robotic arms.

Prior to lining a main pipe, a marker configured as a receiving coil 33 is disposed at the center 12b of a lateral pipe opening or at a position separated a predetermined distance S from the center thereof. An in-pipe robot 20 is loaded coaxially or separated by the predetermined distance with a rotatable drilling blade 31 for drilling a hole in a main pipe lining material 13 that blocks the lateral pipe opening and a transmitting coil 40 that detects a marker position. After lining the main pipe, the drilling blade and the transmitting coil are moved in conjunction in the main pipe longitudinal direction and in the main pipe circumferential direction to drill a hole in the main pipe lining material at a position where the electromagnetic coupling of both the coils becomes maximum. The center of rotation of the drilling blade coincides with the center of the lateral pipe opening at the position where the electromagnetic coupling of both the coils becomes maximum, so that a hole can be drilled precisely in the main pipe lining material in alignment with the lateral pipe opening.

A transfer center for machining at least one workpiece is disclosed, having a machine frame, having a plurality of preferably stationary machining spindles arranged in the machine frameparticularly in a machining head, having a workpiece carrier on which at least one workpiece to be machined is arranged by means of a respective clamping device, and having a workpiece manipulator arranged in the machine frame, onto which workpiece manipulator the workpiece carrier is flange-mounted and which is movable by drive means in at least one spatial direction in relation to the machine frame. To achieve a high machining accuracy in parallel machining, according to one proposal, the transfer centerin order to compensate for a deviation between the actual position and the desired position of the workpiece or workpieceshas a position compensation system with at least two pressure elements situated between the workpiece or workpieces and the machine frame, whose operating directions enclose an angle with each other.

The machine tool 1 for machining a hole 3a of a desired size in a workpiece 3, includes: a main shaft 30 holding a tool 2; a spindle unit 40 including a spindle 41 which holds the shaft 30 rotatably on the axis r of rotation, and a housing 42 which covers the periphery of the spindle 41; a drive unit 50 for holding the unit 40 tiltably with respect to the workpiece 3 held by a holder 20, and for moving the unit 40 relative to the workpiece 3; a mount 70 extending from the housing 42 toward the periphery of the shaft 30; and a control section 90 which, based on the results of measurement by distance measurement sensors 82 held by the mount 70, controls the unit 50 so as to correct the inclination of the shaft 30 with respect to the workpiece 3.

Drilling apparatus and method, the apparatus comprising: a first robot (10); a first member (30) (e.g. a pressure foot) and a drilling tool (38) both coupled to the first robot (10); a second robot (12); and a second member (52) coupled to the second robot (12); wherein the apparatus is arranged to press the members (30, 52) against opposite sides of a part to be drilled (2, 100) (e.g. an aircraft panel) so as to hold the part (2, 100) and prevent deflection of at least a portion of the part (2, 100); and the first member (30) and the drilling tool (38) are arranged such that the drilling tool (38) may drill into the portion of the part (2, 100) of which deflection is opposed from the side of the part (2, 100) pressed against by the first member (30). The robots (10, 12) may be robotic arms.

Drilling apparatus and method, the apparatus comprising: a first robot (10); a first member (30) (e.g. a pressure foot) and a drilling tool (38) both coupled to the first robot (10); a second robot (12); and a second member (52) coupled to the second robot (12); wherein the apparatus is arranged to press the members (30, 52) against opposite sides of a part to be drilled (2, 100) (e.g. an aircraft panel) so as to hold the part (2, 100) and prevent deflection of at least a portion of the part (2, 100); and the first member (30) and the drilling tool (38) are arranged such that the drilling tool (38) may drill into the portion of the part (2, 100) of which deflection is opposed from the side of the part (2, 100) pressed against by the first member (30). The robots (10, 12) may be robotic arms.

Systems and methods of the present disclosure relate generally to facilitate performing a task on a surface such as woodworking or printing. More specifically, in some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to mapping the surface of the material and determining the precise location of a tool in reference to the surface of a material. Some embodiments relate to obtaining and relating a design with the map of the material or displaying the current position of the tool on a display device. In some embodiments, the present disclosure facilitates adjusting, moving or auto-correcting the tool along a predetermined path such as, e.g., a cutting or drawing path. In some embodiments, the reference location may correspond to a design or plan obtained from obtained via an online design store.

Systems and methods of the present disclosure relate generally to facilitate performing a task on a surface such as woodworking or printing. More specifically, in some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to mapping the surface of the material and determining the precise location of a tool in reference to the surface of a material. Some embodiments relate to obtaining and relating a design with the map of the material or displaying the current position of the tool on a display device. In some embodiments, the present disclosure facilitates adjusting, moving or auto-correcting the tool along a predetermined path such as, e.g., a cutting or drawing path. In some embodiments, the reference location may correspond to a design or plan obtained from obtained via an online design store