A portable adjustable conveyor for use with a power tool for cutting a work piece. The portable adjustable conveyor has a one piece frame formed from a base plate integrally connected to first and second guide plates. Each guide plate has first, second and third groups of vertically aligned alignment holes oriented on a diagonal configuration to each other and spaced centrally in each guide plate. A removable roller engages between pairs of vertically aligned alignment holes in a first, second or third group of offset holes. The portable conveyer enables the power tool to process a work piece and reposition the work piece in less than 90 seconds repeatedly using different pairs of longitudinally aligned alignment holes with the removable roller as well as reduce static in the work place and increase lumens to the workpieces, all simultaneously.

An apparatus for mounting a coordinate positioning apparatus accessory, such as a tool setter, to the workpiece mounting surface of a coordinate positioning apparatus, the workpiece mounting surface having a slot formed in it. The apparatus includes an insert for inserting into the slot of the workpiece mounting surface, and a mount attachable to a coordinate positioning apparatus accessory. The insert includes structure to fix the insert within the slot; the insert is substantially contained within the slot when inserted therein. The mount includes at least one protruding member for engaging the insert when contained within the slot, thereby fixing the mount, and therefore any coordinate positioning apparatus accessory attached to the mount, to the workpiece mounting surface of the coordinate positioning apparatus.

An adaptable assembly line work-piece processor for use at a work station includes, but is not limited to, a work-piece supporter. The adaptable assembly line work-piece processor further includes, but is not limited to, a reconfigurable interface assembly attached to the work-piece supporter. The adaptable assembly line work-piece processor still further includes, but is not limited to, a work-piece manipulator attached to the reconfigurable interface assembly. The work-piece supporter, the reconfigurable interface assembly, and the work-piece manipulator are configured to cooperate to sequentially support and manipulate a plurality of differently configured work-pieces.

In a clamping fixture 1, in particular a vice, with a housing (2) in which a guide track (10) is provided and with at least one base jaw (3, 4) to each of which a clamping jaw (6, 7) can be attached, the cavities or air gaps (21) between the inner wall of the guide grooves (10) and the base jaws (3, 4) should be completely covered.

This is achieved in that a seal (11) is inserted into each of the air gaps (21) existing in the housing 2 between the base jaw (3, 4) and the inner wall of the guide track (10) as well as in the parting plane between the base jaws (6, 4) and at the face ends (16) in the area of the guide track (10) running there, and that the particular seal (11) is held in a specified position by means of a support strip (12).

In a clamping fixture 1, in particular a vice, with a housing (2) in which a guide track (10) is provided and with at least one base jaw (3, 4) to each of which a clamping jaw (6, 7) can be attached, the cavities or air gaps (21) between the inner wall of the guide grooves (10) and the base jaws (3, 4) should be completely covered.

This is achieved in that a seal (11) is inserted into each of the air gaps (21) existing in the housing 2 between the base jaw (3, 4) and the inner wall of the guide track (10) as well as in the parting plane between the base jaws (6, 4) and at the face ends (16) in the area of the guide track (10) running there, and that the particular seal (11) is held in a specified position by means of a support strip (12).

Described is a method for measuring operating parameters of a machining of at least one surface of a semi-finished component including the step of preparing a group of brushes; the step of preparing a line for the passage of the semi-finished components; the step of preparing a data acquisition and processing unit; the step of associating at least one measuring device in an integral fashion with the semi-finished component; the step of positioning on the line the semi-finished component; the step of machining the semi-finished component; the step of measuring a plurality of operating parameters of the machining performed during the machining step; the step of sending at least one signal representing said operating parameters to the data acquisition and processing unit.

Described is a method for measuring operating parameters of a machining of at least one surface of a semi-finished component including the step of preparing a group of brushes; the step of preparing a line for the passage of the semi-finished components; the step of preparing a data acquisition and processing unit; the step of associating at least one measuring device in an integral fashion with the semi-finished component; the step of positioning on the line the semi-finished component; the step of machining the semi-finished component; the step of measuring a plurality of operating parameters of the machining performed during the machining step; the step of sending at least one signal representing said operating parameters to the data acquisition and processing unit.

A discharge passage (42) of a work support includes: an annular space (2a) created between an insertion hole (2), provided through a leading end portion of a housing (1), and a support rod (3); and a discharge port (42a) provided at the leading end portion of the housing (1). The work support is designed so that an amount of gas pushed out of an outlet chamber (32) by an output member (24) when the output member (24) moves from its base-end-side limit position to its leading-end-side limit position is larger than a capacity of an accommodation chamber (45) created on a base end side relative to the support rod (3) due to movement of the support rod (3) from its base-end-side limit position to a leading-end-side position.

Automated fixture layout is approached in two distinct stages. First, the spatial locations of clamping points on the work piece are determined to ensure immobility of the fixtured part under any infinitesimal perturbation. Second, spatial locations are matched against a user-specified library of reconfigurable clamps to synthesize a valid fixture layout or configuration that includes clamps that are accessible and collision free. The spatial locations matching during the second stage can be the same spatial locations chosen in the first stage to ensure immobility, or a different set of spatial locations.

A reconfigurable interface assembly includes, but is not limited to, a first sub-assembly that is adapted for attachment to a work-piece supporter. The first sub-assembly includes a first brake. The reconfigurable interface assembly further includes a second sub-assembly attached to the first sub-assembly. The second sub-assembly is adapted for attachment to a work-piece manipulator. The second sub-assembly includes a second brake. The first sub-assembly is configured to move the second sub-assembly in a first direction with respect to the first sub-assembly and the first brake is configured to inhibit movement of the second sub-assembly in the first direction with respect to the first sub-assembly. The second sub-assembly is configured to move the first sub-assembly in a second direction with respect to the second sub-assembly and the second brake is configured to inhibit movement of the first sub-assembly in the second direction with respect to the first sub-assembly.