Apparatus (101) for supporting a workpiece (201), comprising a frame structure (102) for holding a workpiece (201), a base element (103) for supporting the frame structure (102), and a tool support element (110) for holding a tool. The frame structure (102) comprises lower and upper frame elements (107, 108) between which a workpiece (201) is receivable, and the upper frame element (108) is movable with respect to the lower frame element (107) in a Z-axis direction (106), for clamping a workpiece (102) therebetween. The tool support element (110) is movable with respect to the upper frame element (108) in an X-axis direction (104). The frame structure (102) is movable with respect to the base element (103), and with respect to a workpiece held between the lower and upper frame elements (107, 108), in a Y-axis direction (105). A CNC machine comprising the apparatus (101).

A system and method for constructing a composite structure using a multi-piece tool. The pieces are assembled, including making a connection, such as a mortise-and-tenon connection, between pieces using an adhesive mixed with an induction heatable material, such as iron filings having a unit size of between 5 microns and 600 microns, and an amount of between 5% and 50% by volume. Plies of a material are applied around the connection between the pieces, and the plies are cured to create the composite structure, which results in the pieces being trapped within the composite structure by the connection. The adhesive is exposed to electromagnetic induction from an electromagnetic induction coil which generates heat in the induction heatable material and thereby loosens the connection. The tool can then be disassembled by individually pulling at least some of the pieces from within the composite structure.

A wood working jig includes a fixed clamp plate positionable on a first side of a work piece and having a fixed top channel. The wood working jig includes a movable clamp plate positionable on a second side of the work piece opposite to the first side and having a movable top channel. The fixed and the movable clamp plates configured to be clamped to the work piece with wood clamps. The wood working jig includes a first and a second stop each engageable between the fixed and the movable top channels. The wood working jig includes a slide black (plate) having first and second guide blocks that each engage a selected one of the fixed and the movable top channels to guide translation of a router opening in the slide plate between the first and second stops.

A machining system includes a machining unit and a moving apparatus configured to move the machining unit. The machining unit includes a rotating tool for rotating about an axis in a vertical direction, an upper surface abutting member configured to be abutted against an upper surface of a work, an end face abutting member configured to be abutted against an end face of the work between an upper edge and an lower edge of the work, and a vertical moving unit configured to change a position of the upper surface abutting member in the vertical direction with respect to the rotating tool. The rotating tool includes a machining portion main body, a first machining portion provided on a lower side of the machining portion main body, and a second machining portion provided on an upper side of the machining portion main body.

Various embodiments include a structure for positioning a tool on an elongated recess of a workpiece, wherein the elongated recess extends along a first longitudinal axis and has end surfaces on two end faces. The structure may include a plate having a cutout extending along an axis; a centering device; and a clamping device fixedly connected to the plate and the centering device. The cutout, when the second longitudinal axis is aligned parallel to the first longitudinal axis, enframes the elongated recess. The centering device includes a centering jaw movable within the cutout along the second longitudinal axis and also movable into and out of the elongated recess. The clamping device, on the side of the plate facing the elongated recess, includes clamping jaws movable along the second longitudinal axis to come into mechanical contact with one of the end surfaces of the end faces of the elongated recess.

An alignment tool is disclosed for connection to a work component and for use in aligning the work component with a work piece to establish a repeatable set up for cutting or routing of the work piece, and wherein the alignment tool provides for parallel and square alignment of the work component relative to first and second edges of the work piece that are perpendicular to each other. Use of the parallel and square alignment tool aligns the work component for an operation parallel to the second edge of the work piece and the operation may be conveniently repeated on further work pieces without need to measure and mark the work pieces. Optional use of first and second parallel and square alignment tools along opposed second and third edges of a work piece that are perpendicular to a first edge provides for greater accuracy for operations having a greater length.

A system for machining a workpiece, comprising a hand-held power tool having a drive motor, a tool holder, which can be driven by the drive motor, for a working tool for machining the workpiece, and a guide element with a guide surface for guiding the hand-held power tool on the workpiece, having a marker detection device for detecting coordinate data of at least one workpiece marker of the workpiece, wherein the hand-held power tool has guide means for guiding the working tool along the workpiece according to the coordinate data of the at least one workpiece marker, The marker detection device has an optical and/or mechanical reference which can be positioned on and/or directly next to the at least one workpiece marker. The marker detection device is designed for determining the coordinate data of the at least one workpiece marker relative to an at least two-dimensional coordinates system which is independent from the workpiece marker
and the guide means of the hand-held power tool are designed to guide the working tool relative to the at least two-dimensional coordinates system in a working area which is geometrically defined by working area data determined based on the coordinate data of the at least one workpiece marker.

The present invention relates to methods and devices for post mould processing of a composite structure, wherein the composite structure extends along a longitudinal direction and comprising a main composite part, and a flange section extending around a perimeter of the main composite part. The flange section comprises an upper surface having a first mating part with a specific shape in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the first mating part being located at a fixed position relative to the main composite part. The method may comprise attaching a guiding device to the outer surface of the composite structure and inspecting and/or processing the surface area with a tool fitted to the guiding device.

A compound contour vacuum track, and an automated fastening machine using the track, for automation of final assembly inside an aircraft fuselage. The track is mounted at an angle to a surface, such as an inside surface of the fuselage, wherein the surface has one or more holes through which fasteners are inserted. The automated fastening machine is mounted on the track to traverse the track while performing fastening functions and steps. The automated fastening machine includes a carriage, arm, and end effector, wherein the arm is mounted on the carriage and the end effector is mounted on the arm. The carriage is attached to the track for positioning the arm and end effector, the arm is attached to the carriage for positioning the end effector, and the end effector is attached to the arm for installing the fasteners into the holes of the surface.

Abrading apparatus and methods for treating opposing web surfaces of an elongate part include engaging the surfaces with first and second abrasion devices coupled to a frame. A drive assembly advances the frame along the part while the abrasion devices are operated to treat the surfaces. A guard assembly is coupled to the frame and includes first and second guards positioned to block portions of the contact areas of the first and second abrasion devices.