A device for trimming a dental splint (1) comprises a spatially movable holder (2) for the dental splint (1), a suction device (3), a laser (4) and a computation unit (5). In a device of the aforementioned kind that can be used with a minimum of control complexity and preparation for the user to precisely trim dental splints despite the use of conventional components, the laser (4) is stationary, a camera (6) for determining the position of the dental splint (1) is provided, and the holder (2) comprises a platform (7) at least portions of which are thermostable and a stop (8) for the force-locked and play-free mounting of the dental splint (1), which is free from a deep-drawing mold.

This method, for controlling a machine tool using a tool holder to which a coolant pipe is attached, includes: a step of detecting, in response to a signal indicating that a tool is prepared on a tool loading station of the machine tool, whether or not an abnormality has occurred in attaching the coolant pipe to the tool holder of the tool while the tool holder is at the tool loading station; and a step of issuing an alarm when the abnormality is detected in the step of detecting the occurrence of the abnormality.

This method, for controlling a machine tool using a tool holder to which a coolant pipe is attached, includes: a step of detecting, in response to a signal indicating that a tool is prepared on a tool loading station of the machine tool, whether or not an abnormality has occurred in attaching the coolant pipe to the tool holder of the tool while the tool holder is at the tool loading station; and a step of issuing an alarm when the abnormality is detected in the step of detecting the occurrence of the abnormality.

A machining center is provided, which can complete replacement of processed works on stock shelves in a work storage section with unprocessed works within a time period significantly shorter than those in conventional techniques and improve the efficiency of an entire processing process.

In the machining center, a cover surrounding the work storage section includes an opening portion where rear surface regions of the stock shelves are exposed, a stock shelf access door that closes the opening portion and is driven to be opened and closed, a locking device for the stock shelf access door, a unlocking mechanism that is operable from the outer side of the cover to unlock the locking device, and a door opening/closing detection device that detects an opened or closed state of the stock shelf access door. A control unit of a CNC device includes an interlocking function of disabling the unlocking mechanism while an automatic pallet changer is driven, and a safety control function of prohibiting, based on a detection signal from the door opening/closing detection device, a drive unit of the automatic pallet changer from being driven while the stock shelf access door is in the opened state.

A machining center is provided, which can complete replacement of processed works on stock shelves in a work storage section with unprocessed works within a time period significantly shorter than those in conventional techniques and improve the efficiency of an entire processing process.

In the machining center, a cover surrounding the work storage section includes an opening portion where rear surface regions of the stock shelves are exposed, a stock shelf access door that closes the opening portion and is driven to be opened and closed, a locking device for the stock shelf access door, a unlocking mechanism that is operable from the outer side of the cover to unlock the locking device, and a door opening/closing detection device that detects an opened or closed state of the stock shelf access door. A control unit of a CNC device includes an interlocking function of disabling the unlocking mechanism while an automatic pallet changer is driven, and a safety control function of prohibiting, based on a detection signal from the door opening/closing detection device, a drive unit of the automatic pallet changer from being driven while the stock shelf access door is in the opened state.

A device for measuring and monitoring tools of a machine tool, wherein the machine tool comprises a spindle shaft for the tool, the shaft being arranged in a spindle housing, wherein a work piece with good electric conductivity can be machined using the tool, wherein the spindle shaft is electrically insulated from the spindle housing, includes a measuring and monitoring system. The measuring and monitoring system measures at least one electric measurement, which depends on the contacting state between the tool and the work piece. A rotary transmitter contacts the rotating spindle shaft to measure the measurement detectable between the tool and the work piece, wherein the rotary transmitter is connected with the spindle housing in an electrically insulated manner.

A machining time estimation device includes a motor information input unit inputting a rated power of a first spindle motor of a first NC machine tool and a rated power of a second spindle motor of a second NC machine tool, a machining time input unit inputting a first machining time for machining of a workpiece by the first NC machine tool using an NC program, a high-load machining ratio input unit inputting a high-load machining ratio as a ratio of machining performed at a predetermined high loading in the first machining time, and a machining time estimation unit. The machining time estimation unit estimates a second machining time for machining of the workpiece by the second NC machine tool under a condition making a high loading with respect to the rated power of the second spindle motor equal to the high loading in the first NC machine tool, based on the rated powers of the first and second spindle motors, the first machining time, and the high-load machining ratio.

A machining time estimation device includes a motor information input unit inputting a rated power of a first spindle motor of a first NC machine tool and a rated power of a second spindle motor of a second NC machine tool, a machining time input unit inputting a first machining time for machining of a workpiece by the first NC machine tool using an NC program, a high-load machining ratio input unit inputting a high-load machining ratio as a ratio of machining performed at a predetermined high loading in the first machining time, and a machining time estimation unit. The machining time estimation unit estimates a second machining time for machining of the workpiece by the second NC machine tool under a condition making a high loading with respect to the rated power of the second spindle motor equal to the high loading in the first NC machine tool, based on the rated powers of the first and second spindle motors, the first machining time, and the high-load machining ratio.

A tooling system that includes a drive unit configured to provide rotational force to a tool member. The tool member is attached at a mount on the drive unit. A camera associated with the drive unit is aligned to capture a target on the tool member. The data is sent to a controller that identifies the tool member based on the target. The controller determines whether the tool member is correct for performing an operation on a work piece. If the tool member is correct, the controller may set one or more operating parameters on the drive unit. If the controller determines that the tool member is not correct, the drive unit is disabled. Further, a signal may be sent to inform an operator of the issue.

A method for optimizing forming processes for forming workpieces, in which information characterizing a relative position of a workpiece inserted in a forming device in relation to at least one reference point of the forming device is detected by means of an optical detection device, wherein at least one parameter for adjusting the respective forming process for forming the respective workpiece is determined during a respective forming process, depending on the information detected during the respective forming process and depending on the information detected during the previous forming processes performed prior to the respective forming process and stored in an electronic computing device.