A machine tool chip removal device including a coupling interface to couple with a rotatable spindle of a machine tool to facilitate rotation of the machine tool chip removal device about an axis at a rotational speed. The chip removal device can also include a main fluid channel with an opening to receive pressurized fluid from the machine tool. The chip removal device can further include a first fluid delivery channel and a second fluid delivery channel to direct fluid in different directions. Each fluid delivery channel can be in fluid communication with the main fluid channel. In addition, the chip removal device can include one or more valves associated with the first and second fluid delivery channels to selectively allow fluid passage from the main fluid channel to the fluid delivery channels. The one or more valves can be actuated by varying fluid pressure and/or rotational speed.

A machine tool setup changing method includes mounting a master workpiece onto a tool spindle axis, deforming a gripping part by gripping, with the gripping part of a jig, a mock clamped portion of the master workpiece mounted on the tool spindle axis, and removing the master workpiece from the tool spindle axis and mounting a tool supported on a tool support device onto the tool spindle axis, wherein the workpiece gripped at the clamped portion by the gripping part, which was deformed in accordance with the mock clamped portion, can be machined with the tool.

A machining centre is disclosed (1) comprising a machining plane (P), a subtractive unit (2) for performing chip removal on a workpiece positioned on the machining plane (P); the subtractive unit (2) comprising a first carriage (12) that is slidably parallel to an operating axis (Y). The machining centre (1) further comprises an additive unit (3) arranged to perform machining by additive production techniques on the machining plane (P), the additive unit (3) comprises a second carriage (20) that is slidable along the operating axis (Y). The additive unit (3) is provided with a first coupling portion and said subtractive unit (2) is provided with a second coupling portion couplable with the first coupling portion. In one step, the subtractive unit adopts a pick-up configuration in which the first coupling portion is coupled with the second coupling portion to connect the subtractive unit (2) to the additive unit (3) at least along the operating axis (Y). In the pick-up configuration, the subtractive unit (2), connected to the additive unit (3), is configured to move the additive unit (3) at least parallel to the operating axis (Y). A method is further disclosed that is actuated in this machining centre (1), to pick up and move the additive unit (3) at least along one operating axis (Y).

Provided is a machine tool hand including a body portion that is mounted so as to be attachable to and detachable from a spindle of a machine tool, and that is provided with a flow path connected to a coolant-liquid supply path formed in the spindle; and two or more hand members that are attached to the body portion such that at least one of the hand members is pivotable about a prescribed axis, and that are capable of gripping an object therebetween by being closed. The flow path is provided with discharge ports via which a coolant liquid supplied from the coolant-liquid supply path is discharged toward surfaces of the hand members that are exposed to an outside, and a pressure of the coolant liquid causes an opening operation or a closing operation of the hand members.

A spindle device is mountable with a tool holder, and includes a rotating spindle rotatably mounted to a spindle main body and extending axially to have an axial end surface. A contactless power transmission module is disposed on a flange end surface of the spindle main body and an outer peripheral wall of the rotating spindle for supplying power. An electrically connecting module includes two conductive units each disposed in the rotating spindle and electrically connected with the power transmission module. Each conductive unit has an electrically conductive post extending axially and exposed from the axial end surface for conducting the power to the tool holder.

Provided is a machine tool hand including a body portion that is mounted so as to be attachable to and detachable from a spindle of a machine tool, and that is provided with a flow path connected to a coolant-liquid supply path formed in the spindle; and two or more hand members that are attached to the body portion such that at least one of the hand members is pivotable about a prescribed axis, and that are capable of gripping an object therebetween by being closed. The flow path is provided with discharge ports via which a coolant liquid supplied from the coolant-liquid supply path is discharged toward surfaces of the hand members that are exposed to an outside, and a pressure of the coolant liquid causes an opening operation or a closing operation of the hand members.

A gripping and positioning assembly for transporting a holding device between different positions includes a coupling arrangement for separably coupling the gripping and positioning assembly to the holding device and holding the holding device securely during transport. The gripping and positioning assembly has an integrated drive for moving the holding device between a hold and a release position to allow the operation of the holding device between a holding and a release position as well as a transporting of the holding device. The coupling arrangement has one or more aligning elements to provide an interlocking connection to the holding device.

It is an object of the invention to provide a new push bar type of index apparatus which can hold and machine the work exactly while the machining center machines the work having a predetermined length even if the work is long. An index apparatus comprises first and second index tables 4a and 4b configured to hold a work 1. The apparatus comprises a push bar transmission mechanism configured to rotate the first index table 4a in response to the movement of the push bar 7. The work 1 and the second index table 4b are rotated by the rotation of the first index table 4a integrally so as to index the work 1.

A workpiece support system includes: a plurality of rods that are extendable and retractable in an axial direction; a holder rotatably placed in an upper end portion of each of the rods, to hold a workpiece; a first lock part that keeps an extended/retracted position of the rod in the axial direction; and a position adjustment device including a hand portion configured to hold the rod or the holder, to perform position control of the hand portion. The position adjustment device moves the hand portion, to extend and retract the rod, based on shape data of the workpiece that is recorded in advance, in a state where the rod or the holder is held by the hand portion, and the first lock part keeps the extended/retracted position of the rod extended and retracted by the position adjustment device.

An interchangeable unit adapted to couple to a computer numerical control (CNC) machine is disclosed comprising a holder that couples to a spindle of the CNC machine, a controller, wherein said controller is configured to receive the rotational speed of the spindle as an input, and a material processing unit, wherein said material processing unit executes a first function in response to a first rotational speed range of the spindle and executes a second function in response to a second rotational speed range of the spindle.