Query unit for determining the status of moving or movable parts of a system part, particularly for determining the end positions of a clamping arm of a toggle lever clamping apparatus, has a sensor unit and an electroblock. The sensor unit has at least one sensor and a connector plug-in connection part for connecting the sensor unit with the electroblock and can be attached to the system part. The electroblock has at least one electrical connector element for connecting an outer, releasable connection cable, a connector plug-in connection part for connecting the electroblock with the sensor unit, and at least one screw passage opening for installation on an outer surface of the system part. The connector plug-in connection part of the sensor unit is connected in an opening of the system part, with shape fit.

A method for determining the topography of a machine tool that includes a machine bed, a tool carrier and a component carrier. The machine bed defines a Cartesian coordinate system of the machine tool starting from a machine zero point. The tool carrier can be moved along linear guides aligned in parallel to axes of the coordinate system and has at least one tool holder for holding a cutting tool. The component carrier is at a distance from the tool carrier in the direction of a first axis and can be at least almost completely pivoted around an axis of rotation aligned in parallel to a second axis, if necessary, and includes a component receptacle aligned in parallel to the first axis, through which a component to be machined can be held.

A device for determining a location on an elongated workpiece, characterized in that the device comprises:a frame movable in a first direction, preferably in a longitudinal direction of the workpiece, positioning means to position the frame in relation to the sides of the workpiece, movable means movable in a second direction, preferably in a transverse direction with respect to the frame, a measuring point, the movement in first direction and second direction used to move measuring point in said directions, measuring equipment for determining the location of the measuring point in transverse and longitudinal respect to the workpiece.

A machine tool includes: a hollow spindle including a hollow portion along an axial direction; a plurality of chuck claws openably mounted at a distal end portion of the hollow spindle, and configured to hold a workpiece; an operation rod inserted into the hollow portion of the hollow spindle in a movable manner, and configured to close the plurality of chuck claws with movement of the operation rod toward one side in the axial direction and open the plurality of chuck claws with movement of the operation rod toward the other side in the axial direction; and a measuring apparatus configured to measure an opening dimension of the plurality of chuck claws based on a movement amount of the operation rod.

A workpiece holding device includes: a chuck including a chuck body, and a plurality of chuck claws openably supported on the chuck body and configured to hold a workpiece; an operation rod configured to drive the plurality of chuck claws for opening and closing with movement of the operation rod; and a measuring apparatus configured to measure an opening dimension of the plurality of chuck claws based on a movement amount of the operation rod.

A spindle unit for machine tools that includes a working spindle rotationally bearing-mounted in axially spaced spindle bearings in a spindle case, and an electric driving motor. The working spindle includes at its head side a clamping device for a tool and at its rear side a non-rotating ring cylinder for activating said clamping device via a rotating tie rod, and rotational bushing for supplying said tool with cooling and/or lubricating agents through a hydraulic conduit extending longitudinally through said working spindle. At least a segment of the non-rotating ring cylinder may be received in the rear end portion of said working spindle.

A motion error of a machine tool in a coordinate system having its origin at an arbitrary position is identified by means of error data measured by a commonly-used method. An X-axis feed mechanism, a Y-axis feed mechanism, and a Z-axis feed mechanism are operated in a three-dimensional space of a machine coordinate system to measure translational errors, angular errors, and perpendicularity errors thereof, and error data for translational error parameters, angular error parameters, and perpendicularity error parameters in a three-dimensional space of a set coordinate system having its origin at a preset reference position X.sub.a, Y.sub.a, Z.sub.a are derived based on the measured actual error data. Subsequently, a relative motion error between a spindle and a table in the three-dimensional space of the set coordinate system is derived based on the derived error data.

A position detecting device having a clamp body with a movable piston rod. A plurality of energy harvesting microswitches is mounted along a bottom of the piston rod using pin actuators to operate each microswitch depending on the piston rod position. The piston rod has a plurality of cutouts constructed and arranged to engage said pin actuators upon actuation of each microswitch, indicating a position which is transmitted wirelessly through the antenna. The antenna used to transmit a signal upon activation of a microswitch.

A non-volatile computer readable storage medium has instructions executed by a processor to collect from a communication interface a first set of probe signals from a three dimensional axis gauge characterizing axis directions of a table. Axes directions for the table relative to a vise on the table are computed from the first set of probe signals. A second set of probe signals from electronic gauge blocks that characterize position of the table are collected from the communication interface. Actual table positions are computed from the second set of probe signals. Table position residuals between the actual table positions and desired table positions are computed. The table position residuals are conveyed to the communication interface.

A machine integrated positioning system shows an operator where to place a raw part in the press brake or other machinery. Further, the operator is informed if the dimensions associated with the raw part are, or are not, correct to produce the planned finished part. The operator is visually shown how the raw part is to be oriented. The operator is informed if the raw part is right-side-up, along with other pre-final placement information. If these and other conditions are not met, the machine integrated positioning system may prevent the press brake and other machinery from cycling.