An apparatus is disclosed for identifying a target region along a surface of a barrier corresponding to a plane defined along a member, where the member is occluded from view by nature of the barrier. The apparatus includes a measurement device and a magnet assembly. The magnet assembly generates a magnetic field, and is positioned along a predetermined location of the member over a first side of the barrier. The measurement device is positioned over a second side of the barrier and measures properties of the magnetic field to identify the target region in general alignment with the plane.

The present invention provides certain additional improvements for such mechanical-type multi-axis machine tools. These improvements include: (1) permitting the spindles to be rotated about their respective axes relative to the member independently of one another, (2) providing a low-cost, and yet highly-effective, sensor apparatus for determining the angular position of the member relative to the frame without the use of an expensive encoder or the like, (3) mounting the rotatable member more precisely relative to the frame, and (4) providing a zero-backlash tool slide on the frame for imparting an action to a workpiece.

A bonding apparatus configured to bond a first substrate and a second substrate includes a first holder configured to hold the first substrate; a second holder configured to hold the second substrate; a first imaging device provided at the first holder and configured to image the second substrate held by the second holder; a first light irradiating device provided at the first holder and configured to irradiate light to the second substrate when the second substrate is imaged; a second imaging device provided at the second holder and configured to image the first substrate held by the first holder; and a second light irradiating device provided at the second holder and configured to irradiate light to the first substrate when the first substrate is imaged. Each of the first light irradiating device and the second light irradiating device is connected to a first light source configured to irradiate white light.

A system for part location and long-range scanning of large additively manufactured structures and method for using the same. In some embodiments, the method for locating and scanning a three-dimensional (3D) object comprises scanning a first portion of the 3D object from a first position via a long-range scanner on a mobile platform, determining whether additional portions of the 3D object require scanning, moving the long-range scanner via the mobile platform to a second position based on said determination that additional portions of the 3D object require scanning, and aligning each portion of the scanned 3D object.

A method for the in-situ reconditioning of a heavy workpiece mounted on the floor. The method comprises assembling a jig mounted on the floor so as to be arranged around the workpiece to be reconditioned, that is also mounted on the floor, the jig supporting a gantry at the two ends of same, on which there is mounted a precision robotic arm carrying at least one machining apparatus. The method also comprises the alignment of the workpiece and the jig using a precision laser alignment tool in order to allow the jig, the gantry and the robotic arm to form a precision machining apparatus. The method also comprises the reconditioning of the workpiece using the precision machining apparatus.

A method for precisely positioning a dental prosthesis workpiece in a machine tool includes creating an impression on a part positionable with respect to the tool in a known position in the tool, allowing arrangement of the workpiece precisely on the impression. The device includes a blank and a counter on which an impression is formed. The blank and the counter have key structures so they can be separated from each other and reproducibly reconnected in the same arrangement. An alternative on a computational basis is to provide the workpiece with referencing bodies, to determine their positions by scanning the workpiece, machining steps being generated based on the scan, and to scan the workpiece in a tool on a blank provided with key structures whose tool coordinates are known to determine the position of the workpiece in the tool both in terms of tool and construction system coordinates.

The present disclosure is directed to calibrating position detection for a tool. The tool can use a sensor to detect a first value of a parameter. The tool can use a motor to extend the working member of the tool towards a working surface. The tool can include a base. The tool can detect, with the working member in contact with the working service, a second value of the parameter. The tool can determine a z-axis position of the working member relative to the working surface.

A processing machine includes a drive source, a camera, an image processing device and a control device. The drive source makes a workpiece and a tool relatively move in a first direction. The camera captures the tool in the first direction to acquire an image. The image processing device identifies a position of the tool in the first direction based on clarity of the tool in the image. The control device controls the first drive source based on the position of the tool in the first direction identified by the image processing device.

An automatic jig replacement system includes a detection device, a robot, a bolt tightening/loosening device, and a control device. The detection device is configured to be capable of detecting a predetermined part of a jig. The robot is configured to be capable of conveying the jig. The bolt tightening/loosening device is configured to be capable of tightening/loosening a bolt for securing the jig. The control device determines a bolt tightening/loosening position, on the basis of a result of detecting the predetermined part by the detection device. The robot is caused to unload the jig from the mounting position, or to load the jig to the mounting position. The bolt tightening/loosening device is moved to the bolt tightening/loosening position, and is caused to tighten or loosen the bolt.

The invention relates to a system of a method for controlling a machine tool, and a workpiece, in particular a milling blank, and the method for machining this workpiece, said machine tool comprising a robot arm movable in at least 2, in particular at least 3 spatial axes in a range of motion, said robot arm carrying, guiding and moving at least one workpiece, possibly by means of a workpiece holder, with a control unit for controlling the machine tool. The machine tool (62) comprises a sensor, in particular a spatially fixed optical sensor or is assigned said sensor, whose detection range (66) at least partially overlaps the range of motion. The workpiece (10) comprises a change in geometry, in particular a hole (12), is moved in the detection range (66) by the robot arm (70), and upon detection of the hole (12) by the sensor the control unit determines a reference point, reference axis and/or reference surface for controlling the machine tool (62).