Methods, systems, and apparatuses relating to augmented-reality interfaces. Features of the present invention rely on robust touch detection methods, touch detection methods, calibration methods, and integrated projector and sensor apparatuses.

An abnormality diagnostic device for a feed axis mechanism diagnoses an abnormality occurrence and an abnormal portion of the feed axis mechanism. The feed axis mechanism transmits a rotation of a motor to a ball screw coupled by a coupling to rotate the ball screw. The abnormality diagnostic device includes a resonance frequency measuring unit and a diagnosis unit. The resonance frequency measuring unit measures a resonance frequency at a plurality of stroke positions within a stroke range of the feed axis mechanism. The diagnosis unit identifies the abnormal portion based on a relationship between the stroke positions and change amounts relative to a standard value of the measured respective resonance frequencies.

To efficiently estimate and detect a tool life of a machine tool while lowering an occupation ratio in a data band of a communication line between a machine tool and an upper-level controller, a management apparatus or the like. A machine tool to be managed by a production management apparatus includes a motor for moving one of a workpiece to be machined and a tool for performing a machining operation, an amplifier for driving the motor, a servo controller for controlling the motor via the amplifier based on a notification of a predetermined machining operation, and an NC device for notifying the servo controller of the predetermined machining operation. The servo controller obtains servo data representing a load on the amplifier, performs a first processing for compressing the servo data, and transmits the compressed data to the NC device.

A tooling inspection and analysis system measures tooling quality of a multi-tip tablet punch having a barrel with a plurality of tips each having a tip cup for forming a tablet. The system comprises a base. A carriage assembly has a cavity for supporting a multi-tip tablet punch, which when in use is aligned with an X-axis. A Y-axis linear slide mounts the carriage assembly to the base for movement relative to the base along a Y-axis. A sensor is adapted to measure distance. A Z-axis linear slide mounts the sensor to the base for movement relative to the base along a Z-axis. A programmable controller is operatively connected to the Y-axis linear slide, the Z-axis linear slide and the sensor. The controller is programmed to move the carriage assembly and the sensor to automatically align the sensor to measure working length of each tip of a multi-tip tablet punch mounted in the cavity.

Methods and systems for characterizing actual tool usage based on measurements of tool activity are presented herein. In some embodiments, a power tool usage auditor (PTUA) includes a sound measuring device offset from the surface of a power tool. The sound measuring device senses sound waves emitted from the surface of power tool and generates an electrical signal indicative of the sound emitted from the surface of the power tool. In some other embodiments, a PTUA includes a magnetic field measuring device that senses changes in magnetic field induced by motion generated by the power tool. A processor is configured to receive electrical signals indicative of tool activity and generate a signal indicative of actual tool usage. Furthermore, methods and systems for communicating an indication of actual tool usage to a user or another computing system without interfering with the operation of the tool are also presented.

The present invention relates to a scraper (14) for scraping a surface of a machine tool having a wear-indicating device (18, 20, 24, 30) for the scraper lip (16) of the scraper. At least one signal line (18) is embedded in the scraper lip (16) in such a manner that, upon reaching the wear limit (G), at least one section of the signal line (18) is exposed.

Provided is a prediction device, to which one or more wire electrical discharge machines are connected, the one or more wire electrical discharge machines each performing machining on an object to be machined according to a predetermined machining condition while moving a wire electrode relatively with respect to the object to be machined along a machining path, the prediction device including a prediction unit that predicts, for a predetermined component constituting the wire electrical discharge machine, a predicted rate of consumption indicative of a rate of consumption based on the machining condition when the wire electrode is moved relatively by a unit distance, and a display unit that displays the predicted rate of consumption of the component.

A method for determining and/or monitoring the state of a protective cover, includes the steps of a) obtaining a first state value of at least one characteristic physical, mechanical and/or chemical property of the protective cover at a first point in time; and b) obtaining a second state value of the at least one characteristic property of the protective cover at a second point in time, which is to subsequent to the first point in time; and c) comparing the obtained state values; and d) determining the state of the protective cover based on the comparison performed in step c).

A measurement device (MD) includes a processor to sample electrical signals of a circuit connected to a sensor, such as a current transformer, and to provide measurement data to a processing system (PS) based on the sampled electrical signals. An electrical circuit carrying AC electricity to and from an electrical shop tool (EST) can pass through the sensor. The measurement data can represent use or non-use of the EST. An EST, such as a vehicle lift or wheel balancer, can comprise an electrical motor connected to the electrical circuit. An EST, such as an air compressor, can comprise an electrical pump connected to the electrical circuit. The PS can determine an actionable condition based on a single measurement value or an aggregate of measurement values and determine a notification to send to a destination regarding the actionable condition. The destination can be a user account, a smartphone, or another destination.

A processor receives measurement data from a measurement device (MD) connected to an electrical shop tool (EST). The MD can sample electrical signals of a circuit connected to a sensor, such as a current transformer, and provide measurement data based on sampled signals. The measurement data can represent use or non-use of the EST. An EST, such as a vehicle lift or wheel balancer, can comprise an electrical motor connected to the electrical circuit. An EST, such as an air compressor, can comprise an electrical pump connected to the electrical circuit. The processor can determine an actionable condition based on a single measurement value or an aggregate of measurement values and determine a notification to send to a destination regarding the actionable condition. The actionable condition can be based on a rule regarding a person's preferences and attributes. The destination can be a user account, a smartphone, or another destination.