The present disclosure relates generally to a tool that facilitates machining of inserts mounted in a primary component. More specifically, tools according to the present disclosure may be designed to support removal of recessed inserts in primary components without damaging the underlying primary components.

A method for mounting an endpiece for securing a tubular pipe and apparatus for implementing same. The method includes the steps of: a) providing an endpiece and a ring (36) having an outer rotationally symmetrical cylindrical surface (40), and a sheath having a sheath end (32) and an outer circular edge (46); b) inserting the ring (36) into the sheath end (32); c) leveling off the outer circular edge (46); and d) covering the leveled edge with the endpiece. In step b) the ring (36, 36, 36) is inserted leaving one of the ends (44) thereof extending out of the sheath end (32), and in step c) the outer circular edge (46) is leveled off, by engaging the one of the two ring ends (44).

A tool-support system for working on holes of a surface. The tool-support system includes two rails fixed to the surface and having imprints regularly distributed over their length, and a mobile tool-support including a mobile optical system capturing an image of the surface. For each rail, at least one wheel is adapted to be moved on the rail, and includes on its rolling strip counter-imprints complementary to the imprints. A mobile tool carries a working tip, and a control unit is configured to control the movement of the mobile tool-support, of the tool and of the optical system to analyze an image captured by the optical system and to detect the presence of a hole. A tool-support system of this kind can therefore move along the rails without slipping while detecting the holes to work on them.

A method and apparatus for performing operations on a work piece comprises a flexible rail system and a multi-axis carriage. The flexible rail system may be capable of being attached to a work surface. The multi-axis carriage may be coupled to the flexible rail system. The multi-axis carriage may be capable of moving along the flexible rail system and may be capable of moving a tool in axes relative to the work surface. The tool may be single use or multi use and may be removably coupled to the frame and or carriage.

Methods and systems for configuring a manual and/or automated processing system to conform to a contoured surface of a structure are disclosed. One example includes an automated processing system with a flexible rail configuration. One or more turnbuckles and/or other actuators configure and hold the flexible rail configuration into conformity with the surface (which could be flat or of a curvature) during processing by the automated processing system. Additionally, one or more combination suction-cup pressurized-air devices may be coupled to the flexible rail configuration for selectively attaching the flexible rail configuration to the contoured surface and also for selectively releasing and/or facilitating elevation and movement of the flexible rail configuration above and about the contoured surface. A multi-function end effector may be associated with the flexible rail configuration and be moveable relative thereto.

A portable rail system for mounting an engraving device includes rails and crossbar members that are precisely joined, and include height adjustment devices for incrementally adjusting the height of the rail system relative to a work surface or contact surface, thus making the portable rail system capable of being assembled and disassembled at a work site to enable the use of an engraving device, such as a CNC router engraving systems, in situ, or on-site, rather than in a workshop. The portable rail system enables the use of a CNC router device or other engraving device on vertical surfaces.

A routing jig for enabling location of router guides prior to routing a feature into a workpiece includes a transparent or semi-transparent base component having longitudinal sides, a lower surface and an upper surface. The routing jig also includes retaining structure such as side bars and screws. The base component and the retaining structure together define a nominal width of the routing jig in a transverse direction. A plurality of shims are selectively and removably securable to the longitudinal sides of the base component by the retaining structure, thereby to increase the nominal width of the routing jig.

A position correcting system, method and tool for guiding a tool during its use based on its location relative to the material being worked on. Provided is a system and tool which uses its auto correcting technology to precisely rout or cut material. The invention provides a camera which is used to track the visual features of the surface of the material being cut to build a map and locate an image on that map used to reference the location of the tool for auto-correction of the cutting path.

An apparatus for supporting a tool in an assembled apparatus. The apparatus includes a support structure, the support structure having a central member and a plurality of support members pivotally mounted on the central member. The support members are movable between a non-deployed position in which the support members extend a minimum distance from the central member and a deployed position in which the support members extend a maximum distance from the central member.

A cutting guide includes a first guide structure and a second guide structure. The first guide structure includes (i) a first base, (ii) a first saw support attached to the first base and defining a first saw contact surface, and (iii) a second saw support attached to the first base and defining a second saw contact surface that is spaced apart from the first saw contact surface so as to define a first elongated cutting slot therebetween. The second guide structure includes (i) a second base, (ii) a third saw support attached to the second base and defining a third saw contact surface, and (iii) a fourth saw support attached to the second base and defining a fourth saw contact surface that is spaced apart from the third saw contact surface so as to define a second elongated cutting slot therebetween.