A heavy object supporting device includes: a mounting table which is arranged to face a base, and on which a supported object is mounted; an annular sealing member which is arranged between the mounting table and the base and can be elastically compressed in the direction in which the mounting table and the base face each other; and a separation preventing structure which prevents separation between the mounting table and the base. A space, which is defined by the mounting table, the base, and the sealing member, is formed as a fluid-filled space that is sealed in a state filled with fluid. The separation preventing structure is configured to allow the mounting table to be moved relative to the base in the facing direction and the direction orthogonal to the facing direction while maintaining the sealed state of the fluid-filled space.

Coupling members and pipe machining apparatuses including coupling members are provided. In one aspect, a coupling member includes a shaft and an engagement member defining a cavity there through and including a projection. The shaft is at least partially positioned within the cavity and extends through the cavity, and the shaft is adapted to rotate relative to the engagement member. The coupling member also includes a plunger at least partially positioned within the cavity and movable relative to the engagement member, and further includes a biasing member at least partially positioned within the cavity between the plunger and the engagement member.

Coupling members and pipe machining apparatuses including coupling members are provided. In one aspect, a coupling member includes a shaft and an engagement member defining a cavity there through and including a projection. The shaft is at least partially positioned within the cavity and extends through the cavity, and the shaft is adapted to rotate relative to the engagement member. The coupling member also includes a plunger at least partially positioned within the cavity and movable relative to the engagement member, and further includes a biasing member at least partially positioned within the cavity between the plunger and the engagement member.

A work apparatus includes a parallel link mechanism, a position control actuator, a linear motion mechanism, and a rotating mechanism. The parallel link mechanism includes three or more link mechanisms that couple a distal end side link hub to a proximal end side link hub such that a position of the distal end side link hub can be changed relative to the proximal end side link hub. The position control actuator operates the parallel link mechanism. The linear motion mechanism moves a working body in an axial direction orthogonal to a central axis of the proximal end side link hub. The rotating mechanism is mounted on the distal end side link hub and rotates a work object about a rotation center axis parallel to a movement direction of the linear motion mechanism when the central axis and a central axis are on the same line.

The invention relates to a downdraft table (1) having a workpiece holder (2) for a workpiece to be held, wherein the workpiece holder (2) is configured in a stationary manner, wherein a suction-extraction device (3) is arranged beneath and/or next to the workpiece holder (2), said suction-extraction device (3) being used to discharge particles and/or gases downward in a waste air flow, wherein the suction-extraction device (3) is arranged around the workpiece holder (2) with respect to the latter and is configured to be rotatable about the workpiece holder (2).

A rotation table of the present invention includes a seal mechanism portion including a sealing material arranged between a casing and a face plate, a casing-side grooved portion for forming a casing-side seal mounting groove which is formed on an end of the casing and retains the sealing material, and a seal holding plate for holding the sealing material, wherein a portion having the casing-side grooved portion and the seal holding plate are configured to be separable.

A method can include vibrating a hard turning tool, and contacting the hard turning tool to a spinning work piece while vibrating the hard turning tool to remove material from the spinning work piece. The method can further include moving the tool in an axial direction and/or radial direction relative to the work piece.

A positioning system moves an object in two generally orthogonal directions using a rotationally adjustable bearing system that connects the object to two pairs of non-parallel rails, the bearing system permitting the object to be smoothly translated in one or two directions to a desired position in planar space. This translation is performed smoothly notwithstanding a lack of parallelism between the linear rails.

A 4-axis positioner comprising two 2-axis assemblies sharing a common frame, with a platform connected between them. Each 2-axis assembly comprises a fixed assembly secured or integral to the common frame, two input assemblies secured to the fixed assembly by independently actuated linear motion connections, and a translation assembly secured to the input assemblies by additional linear motion connections. The connections between the input assemblies and the fixed assembly are parallel with one another, and the connections between the input assemblies and the translation assembly are both non-parallel from the connections to the fixed assembly, and non-parallel from one another. The translation assemblies move in two linear axes by common or opposing motion of the input assemblies. The platform is connected to each translation assembly by joints, and moves in two linear axes by common motion, and two rotational axes by opposing motion, of the translation assemblies.

A 4-axis positioner comprising two 2-axis assemblies sharing a common frame, with a platform connected between them. Each 2-axis assembly comprises a fixed assembly secured or integral to the common frame, two input assemblies secured to the fixed assembly by independently actuated linear motion connections, and a translation assembly secured to the input assemblies by additional linear motion connections. The connections between the input assemblies and the fixed assembly are parallel with one another, and the connections between the input assemblies and the translation assembly are both non-parallel from the connections to the fixed assembly, and non-parallel from one another. The translation assemblies move in two linear axes by common or opposing motion of the input assemblies. The platform is connected to each translation assembly by joints, and moves in two linear axes by common motion, and two rotational axes by opposing motion, of the translation assemblies.