Various embodiments of power tool and method of operating same are described. The power tool may include a first position sensor, a second position sensor, a third position sensor, and a controller. The first, second, and third position sensors may each generate a signal indicative of a distance between the respective position sensor and a workpiece. The controller may determine one or more angles of the power tool with respect to the workpiece based on the first, second, and third signal and present an indication as to whether the one or more angles are within a predetermined range. The controller may further obtain a depth measurement based on the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal and generate, based on the obtained depth measurement, one or more control signals that control operation of the power tool.

A method of determining a depth of a hole formed in a work piece is disclosed. The method includes determining the hole depth based upon a load signal indicative of a load on a tool forming the hole during the forming of the hole. The hole depth determined is then adjusted with an offset and component specifications are combined with the hole length to determine a component specification for use in the hole to fix components together. At least a part of the depth determination and component specification can be carried out automatically in a computer, for an array of holes.

The disclosure provides a work tool positioning system for a work machine comprising a movable work tool. The work tool positioning system comprises a work tool mounted at an end of a movable arm. At least one proximity sensor is provided for providing a proximity signal indicative of a distance between the at least one proximity sensor and an object in front of the proximity sensor. A processor is configured to receive the proximity signal and to calculate a clearance distance between a reference location on the work tool and an object in front of the proximity sensor. An alert system is provided for alerting an operator of the work machine. The processor is configured to activate one or more alerts when the clearance distance is greater than or equal to a first threshold unloading distance.

A method is provided for controlling operation of a power tool, such as a drill driver. The method begins with one or more descriptors for a fastening application being received by a controller residing in the power tool, where the descriptors are indicative of a fastening application to be performed by the power tool and are received via a wireless data link from a computing device located remotely from the power tool. The descriptors are translated into a threshold value used by a fastener setting algorithm and the threshold value is stored in a data store of the power tool. During a subsequent fastening operation performed using the tool, an operating parameter of the power tool is monitored and evaluated in accordance with the fastener setting algorithm, including the updated threshold value. Example operating parameters include current delivered to the motor and speed of the motor.

A drilling system includes a single robotic drilling unit having a drill end effector positioned inside a barrel section configured as a composite sandwich structure having an inner face sheet. The robotic drilling unit is operable to drill a plurality of perforations into the inner face sheet using the drill end effector. The robotic drilling unit is configured to index a hole pattern of the perforations to one or more cell walls of a honeycomb core of the composite sandwich structure. The robotic drilling unit is configured to form the hole pattern in the inner face sheet such that the perforations are located at a spaced distance from the cell walls of the honeycomb core.

A control method for the use of a core drilling system, including a core drill and a feed device for driving the core drill along a machine holding unit, including the method steps: detecting at least one first drilling parameter value during the core drilling operation; establishing the at least first drilling parameter value as a reference value; detecting at least one second drilling parameter value during the core drilling operation; comparing the at least second core drilling parameter with the reference value; and selecting a predetermined parameter setting for the core drilling system if the second drilling parameter exceeds or falls below the reference value by a predetermined corresponding threshold value. Also a feed device for driving a core drill along a machine holding unit for use of the method, a core drill for use of the method as well as a core drilling system including a core drill and a feed device for driving the core drill along a machine holding unit for use of the method.

A method for drilling an element to be drilled by a drilling device and a cutting tool including drill margins and cutting edges. The method includes determining at least one load value representing overall drag due to internal friction of the drilling device and to friction of drill margins in the element to be drilled. Determining includes: stopping a drilling operation in progress; partial retraction of the cutting tool on a predetermined distance, the predetermined distance being chosen such that the cutting edges are no longer in contact with the element to be drilled; driving the cutting tool with predetermined cutting parameters; measuring at least one load value during the driving of the cutting tool with the cutting parameters before its cutting edges again come into contact with the element to be drilled and after stabilization of the load values, the measured load value representing the overall drag.

A control method for using a core drilling system is disclosed. In an embodiment the method includes detecting a predetermined drilling situation on the basis of the attainment of a predetermined threshold value for at least one predetermined corresponding drilling parameter and ending the core drilling operation by selecting a reverse-travel mode for removing the drilling tool from the borehole if the advancing device does not reach a predetermined threshold value for a predetermined corresponding distance value in a direction and the core drilling machine does not reach a predetermined threshold value for at least one predetermined corresponding drilling parameter or continuing the core drilling operation by selecting a predetermined operating mode if the advancing device reaches a predetermined threshold value for a predetermined corresponding distance value in a direction and the core drilling machine reaches a predetermined threshold value for at least one predetermined corresponding drilling parameter.

Described is a management apparatus for safeguarding users during use of apparatuses that include a part in motion. The management apparatus includes a management device that manages the part the motion during use of the management apparatus. The management device is configurable between an enabling condition of the motion and a condition of interrupting the motion. The management apparatus may also include a device for measuring at least one biometric value associated with the body of the user while using the management device and/or the apparatus that includes a part in motion. The management device may also include a processing unit operatively connected to the management device and to the measuring device. The processing unit is configured to interrupt the movement of the part in motion when the measured biometric value moves away from reference biometric value.

A method is provided for controlling operation of a power tool, such as a drill driver. The method begins with one or more descriptors for a fastening application being received by a controller residing in the power tool, where the descriptors are indicative of a fastening application to be performed by the power tool and are received via a wireless data link from a computing device located remotely from the power tool. The descriptors are translated into a threshold value used by a fastener setting algorithm and the threshold value is stored in a data store of the power tool. During a subsequent fastening operation performed using the tool, an operating parameter of the power tool is monitored and evaluated in accordance with the fastener setting algorithm, including the updated threshold value. Example operating parameters include current delivered to the motor and speed of the motor.