A first optical member including a reflection mirror and a lens forms a first optical path of laser light. A second optical member including a reflection mirror, a lens, and a reflection mirror forms a second optical path of laser light. A motion mechanism moves a cutting edge of a cutting part relative to the first optical path and the second optical path. A controller causes the motion mechanism to move the cutting edge relative to the first optical path to machine a flank face of the cutting edge with laser light passing through the first optical path. The controller further causes the motion mechanism to move the cutting edge relative to the second optical path to machine a rake face of the cutting edge with laser light passing through the second optical path.

A fixture and a method of operating the fixture are disclosed for repositioning a workpiece disposed on the fixture to correct an offset between the centerline of the workpiece and an indexing position on the fixture. The fixture includes one or more linear actuators that linearly move vacuum grippers on their outboard ends into contact with surfaces of the workpiece. Vacuum is applied to the vacuum grippers, which enables the vacuum grippers to grip the surfaces of the workpiece. The linear actuators are driven to reposition the workpiece on the fixture to reduce the offset between the two below a threshold value. When in position, the fixture secures the workpiece in place for subsequent machining operations that may be performed on the workpiece.

A method for optimizing the execution of automated drilling systems controlled by a numerical control, NC, machine, wherein the NC machine performs the following steps: (i) identifying each drill executed by an automated drilling tool at first drilling event (t); storing a theoretical position of each executed drill at the event (t); (iii) calculating a learned position using a machine learning model and based on the stored theoretical position at the event (t); (iv) estimating an intermediate position by applying a tendency statistical function, and (v), if the difference between the intermediate position and the learned position is less than a pre-configured threshold, using the intermediate position for the drilling tool to position a next drill and execute it at a subsequent event (t+1).

A method for optimizing the execution of automated drilling systems controlled by a numerical control, NC, machine, wherein the NC machine performs the following steps: (i) identifying each drill executed by an automated drilling tool at first drilling event (t); storing a theoretical position of each executed drill at the event (t); (iii) calculating a learned position using a machine learning model and based on the stored theoretical position at the event (t); (iv) estimating an intermediate position by applying a tendency statistical function, and (v), if the difference between the intermediate position and the learned position is less than a pre-configured threshold, using the intermediate position for the drilling tool to position a next drill and execute it at a subsequent event (t+1).

A cutting head operated by a centrifugal force according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an external housing that is rotatable; an internal housing installed within the external housing so as to be able to advance and retreat in a diameter direction, advanced toward a cut surface of a workpiece positioned outside the external housing by a centrifugal force according to rotation of the external housing, and retreated in a direction that becomes distant from the cut surface by an elastic member while the centrifugal force disappears; and a cutting tool unit provided in the internal housing and processing a groove in the cut surface while being advanced and retreated by a micro advance and retreat member.

A cutting head operated by a centrifugal force according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an external housing that is rotatable; an internal housing installed within the external housing so as to be able to advance and retreat in a diameter direction, advanced toward a cut surface of a workpiece positioned outside the external housing by a centrifugal force according to rotation of the external housing, and retreated in a direction that becomes distant from the cut surface by an elastic member while the centrifugal force disappears; and a cutting tool unit provided in the internal housing and processing a groove in the cut surface while being advanced and retreated by a micro advance and retreat member.

A machine learning device included in a tool selecting apparatus includes a state observing unit that observes, as state variables indicative of a current environmental state, data related to machining condition, data related to cutting condition, data related to machining result, and data related to a tool, and a learning unit that, by using the state variables, learns distribution of the data related to the machining condition, the data related to the cutting condition, and the data related to the machining result, with respect to data related to the tool.

A machine learning device included in a tool selecting apparatus includes a state observing unit that observes, as state variables indicative of a current environmental state, data related to machining condition, data related to cutting condition, data related to machining result, and data related to a tool, and a learning unit that, by using the state variables, learns distribution of the data related to the machining condition, the data related to the cutting condition, and the data related to the machining result, with respect to data related to the tool.

Technology for milling selected portions of a workpiece by a cutting tool of a numerical control machine is described. The described technology provides methods and apparatuses for milling areas of a part so that more aggressive machining parameters can be used in the toolpath, thereby resulting in reduced machining time and load. The described technology additionally determines directions of the tool axis vector at points along a toolpath in order to achieve a desired part shape while optionally maintaining high material removal rates.

Technology for milling selected portions of a workpiece by a cutting tool of a numerical control machine is described. The described technology provides methods and apparatuses for milling areas of a part so that more aggressive machining parameters can be used in the toolpath, thereby resulting in reduced machining time and load. The described technology additionally determines directions of the tool axis vector at points along a toolpath in order to achieve a desired part shape while optionally maintaining high material removal rates.