In a workpiece holding system, a communication unit performs short-range wireless communication between a control device and a workpiece holding device. That is, at least one of supply of power from the control device to the workpiece holding device and transmission of a command signal for a holding operation or a non-holding operation of a workpiece from the control device to the workpiece holding device is performed between a first communication unit and a second communication unit that make up the communication unit.

A machining system includes a robot arm for changing a workpiece or inspecting a machined workpiece, and a probe that is attached to a distal end portion of the robot arm via a force sensor, where the robot arm is controlled such that the probe is arranged at a predetermined measurement position in contact with a side surface of a tool holder, where detection values of the force sensor are obtained over a predetermined period of time in a state where a main spindle is performing rotation operation, where an attached state of the tool holder is determined based on the detection values obtained over the predetermined period of time.

A machining system includes a robot arm for changing a workpiece or inspecting a machined workpiece, and a probe that is attached to a distal end portion of the robot arm via a force sensor, where the robot arm is controlled such that the probe is arranged at a predetermined measurement position in contact with a side surface of a tool holder, where detection values of the force sensor are obtained over a predetermined period of time in a state where a main spindle is performing rotation operation, where an attached state of the tool holder is determined based on the detection values obtained over the predetermined period of time.

An apparatus to assist a machinist in the setup of a remote computer controlled machine tool table has an X-axis electronic gauge block assembly, a Y-axis electronic gauge block assembly, and a Z-axis electronic gauge block assembly each positioned on the machine tool table, to respectively collect X-axis probe position values, Y-axis probe position values, and Z-axis probe position values. Environmental sensors collect environmental values. An electronics processing system establishes a raw X-axis probe position, a raw Y-axis probe position, and a raw Z-axis probe position. A wireless interface transmits the environmental values, the raw X-axis probe position value, the raw Y-axis probe position value, and the raw Z-axis probe position value to the remote computer and receives from the remote computer refined probe position values to assist the machinist in the setup of the machine tool table.

An apparatus to assist a machinist in the setup of a remote computer controlled machine tool table has an X-axis electronic gauge block assembly, a Y-axis electronic gauge block assembly, and a Z-axis electronic gauge block assembly each positioned on the machine tool table, to respectively collect X-axis probe position values, Y-axis probe position values, and Z-axis probe position values. Environmental sensors collect environmental values. An electronics processing system establishes a raw X-axis probe position, a raw Y-axis probe position, and a raw Z-axis probe position. A wireless interface transmits the environmental values, the raw X-axis probe position value, the raw Y-axis probe position value, and the raw Z-axis probe position value to the remote computer and receives from the remote computer refined probe position values to assist the machinist in the setup of the machine tool table.

A device and method used in a spindle or fixture to measure tool sizes. The device has two conical shapes that have precision machined surfaces. The device's face has a precise size which is the same nominal size as that of a material removing tool. The device's shaft allows for concentric and precision fastening of the device to a spindle or a fixture. The nose of the device is located on the end of the larger of the two conical shapes which is visible exposed when mounted and used. The end of the device is at the end of the smaller of the two conical shapes which is hidden after mounting. The combination of using the device and method will allow more accurate programming of machine tools which in turn will provide higher quality results on machined work pieces and reduced machining cycles.

A device for calibrating a drill bit of a chuck includes an intermediate sleeve including two rear curved elements, a front shoulder, internal threads rearward of the shoulder, and an externally threaded extension projecting out of a front end; a front window including a diametrical calibrating line; an externally threaded rim secured to the internal threads to urge the window against the shoulder; and a ring having internal threads secured to the extension. A fastening of the chuck and the device, a loosening of the retainer ring, and a rotation of the rear holding member to rotate the drill bit can align the drill bit with the calibrating line.

A position measurement method to pleasure a position of an object in a machine tool includes a tool sensor position acquisition stage, a reference block position acquisition stage, a relative position calculation stage, a reference tool position acquisition stage, a position measurement sensor measurement stage, a length compensation value calculation stage, and a position measurement stage. In the position measurement stage, the measurement position of the object is compensated using a length direction compensation value of a position measurement sensor calculated in the length compensation value calculation stage. The object is measured by the position measurement sensor installed to a main spindle.

An error identification method includes a tool sensor position acquisition stage, a reference block position acquisition stage, a relative position calculation stage, a reference tool position acquisition stage, a position measurement sensor measurement stage, a length compensation value calculation stage, a diameter compensation value acquisition stage, a position measurement stage, a position compensation stage, and a geometric error identification stage. The diameter compensation value acquisition stage acquires a radial direction compensation value of the position measurement sensor with the measured jig. The position measurement stage indexes the rotation axis to a plurality of any given angles and measures respective positions of the measured jig. The position compensation stage compensates the position measurement value at the position measurement stage using the length direction compensation value and the radial direction compensation value. The geometric error identification stage identifies the geometric error from the plurality of position measurement values.

Provided is a misalignment determining device having a size thereof in an axial direction being made short. The misalignment determining device includes a case, a dial gauge, a holder portion, a support portion, a pivotal portion, a lever member, and a slide member. The slide member is placed in contact with a stylus of the dial gauge. While the pivotal portion and the lever member are rotated in synchronism with rotation of the holder portion, a pivot amount of the pivotal portion is transmitted to the slide member via the lever member, and based on an amount of movement of the slide member along an axis direction, the dial gauge determines the pivot amount.