A machining center configured for machining workpieces includes at least one column, a beam, at least one slider, a first driving member, a second driving member, a first main shaft and a second main shaft. The column can be configured for supporting the beam. The slider can be disposed on the beam and slidable along a length direction of the beam. Both the first main shaft and the second main shaft can be arranged on the slider and located on two opposite sides of the beam. The first driving member can be configured for driving the slider to slide relative to the beam. The second driving member can be configured for driving the first main shaft and the second main shaft to operate. The first main shaft and the second main shaft can be configured for synchronously or asynchronously machining the workpieces.

Various embodiments of the present technology generally relate to precise rotary motion control systems. More specifically, some embodiments relate to systems, methods, and means for providing pressure to a non-contact rotary system. In some embodiments, the rotary system comprises a rotary shaft that can rotate three hundred and sixty degrees continuously. In order for the rotary system to be entirely non-contact with any surfaces of surrounding components or housing, pressure must be supplied to a rotary air bearing that floats the rotary unit above a surface. In some examples, the bottom air bearing is a vacuum preloaded (VPL) air bearing. As such, the VPL air bearing requires a supply of positive pressure and a supply of negative pressure to stabilize the rotary unit. The present technology provides a mechanism for providing pneumatic air to the air bearing without a physical connection to the rotary shaft or air bearing.

A work holding clamp system for securing a workpiece to a work surface having a work surface T-slot arranged along an ‘X’ axis, comprised of a base plate secured to the work surface and having a plurality of T-slots, each of the plurality of T-slots are aligned with one of a plurality of axis including at least the ‘X’ axis and a ‘Y’ axis that is transverse to the ‘X’ axis. The work holding clamp system includes a workholding element selected from the group consisting of wedge clamps, pivot clamps and workstops, that may be secured within a T-slot of the plurality of T-slots provided in the base plate.

A work holding clamp system for securing a workpiece to a work surface having a work surface T-slot arranged along an ‘X’ axis, comprised of a base plate secured to the work surface and having a plurality of T-slots, each of the plurality of T-slots are aligned with one of a plurality of axis including at least the ‘X’ axis and a ‘Y’ axis that is transverse to the ‘X’ axis. The work holding clamp system includes a workholding element selected from the group consisting of wedge clamps, pivot clamps and workstops, that may be secured within a T-slot of the plurality of T-slots provided in the base plate.

A workholding clamp for securing a workpiece to a work surface comprised of a fixed body secured to the work surface and having a first inclined surface; a sliding jaw having a second inclined surface residing against and parallel to the first inclined surface, a clamp face and at least one obround opening; and at least one clamping fastener residing within the at least one obround opening and being tightened to cause the second inclined surface to slide against the first inclined surface. A workholding pivot clamp for securing a workpiece to a work surface, and a work stop for reliably locating a workpiece relative to a work surface are also described.

A workholding clamp for securing a workpiece to a work surface comprised of a fixed body secured to the work surface and having a first inclined surface; a sliding jaw having a second inclined surface residing against and parallel to the first inclined surface, a clamp face and at least one obround opening; and at least one clamping fastener residing within the at least one obround opening and being tightened to cause the second inclined surface to slide against the first inclined surface. A workholding pivot clamp for securing a workpiece to a work surface, and a work stop for reliably locating a workpiece relative to a work surface are also described.

A redundant positioning table device with six or fewer degrees of freedom having four modular legs extended from a base to a table, each legs being with three levels and the same types of joints. In one embodiment, the bottom joint is planar and active, the middle joint is prismatic and passive, and the top joint is spherical and passive. In another embodiment, the bottom joint is prismatic and passive, the middle joint is planar and active, and the top joint is spherical and passive. Fewer than six degrees of freedom is achieved by reducing the number of degrees of freedom of designated joints.

A machine tool with a spindle stock 20 and a tool rest 40 mounted on a bed 11, in which the spindle stock 20 and the tool rest 40 are able to relatively move in an X-axis direction that is a diameter direction of a spindle and a Z-axis direction that is an axial direction of the spindle, includes: a linear scale 50 disposed over the spindle stock 20 and the tool rest 40 on an upper side in the X-axis direction to detect position information in the X-axis direction; and a rail 23 extending in the Z-axis direction, and the linear scale 50 moves in the Z-axis direction while guided by the rail 23 integrally with either the spindle stock 20 or the tool rest 40 when the spindle stock 20 and the tool rest 40 relatively move in the Z-axis direction.

A machine tool is provided with a vertically aligned tool spindle, which is equipped for accommodating tools and which is movable in a vertical direction and in a first horizontal direction. The machine tool further comprises at least one jig for clamping workpieces to be machined. The at least one jig is movable in a second horizontal direction. The tool spindle and the at least one jig are arranged on a common machine frame. There is also provided a workpiece transport device, which is arranged on the machine frame, and which is adapted to perform at least one of introducing unmachined workpieces into the at least one jig and removing machined workpieces from the at least one jig. There is also provided a corresponding method of machining workpieces.

A machine tool is provided with a vertically aligned tool spindle, which is equipped for accommodating tools and which is movable in a vertical direction and in a first horizontal direction. The machine tool further comprises at least one jig for clamping workpieces to be machined. The at least one jig is movable in a second horizontal direction. The tool spindle and the at least one jig are arranged on a common machine frame. There is also provided a workpiece transport device, which is arranged on the machine frame, and which is adapted to perform at least one of introducing unmachined workpieces into the at least one jig and removing machined workpieces from the at least one jig. There is also provided a corresponding method of machining workpieces.