A machine tool includes a first machining head which is configured to support a wire such that a tip end of the wire is exposed from the first machining head and via which a molten material produced from the tip end is provided to the workpiece supported by a table, a second machining head configured to support a tool to cut the workpiece, a power supply configured to supply a current to the wire, a conduction block disposed on the table to detect a position of the tip end, a drive device configured to relatively move the first machining head with respect to the table to bring the tip end of the wire into contact with the conduction block, and a first electric circuit configured to be changed from an open state to a closed state by bringing the tip end into contact with the conduction block.

Sensor data generated by a sensor of a computer numerically controlled machine can be compared with a forecast. The forecast can include expected sensor data for the sensor, over a course of an execution plan for making a cut with a movable laser cutting head. The sensor data can be generated during execution of the execution plan. During execution of the execution plan, the sensor data can be monitored and a deviation of from the forecast can be detected. It can be determined, based on the detecting, that an anomalous condition of the computer numerically controlled machine has occurred. Based on the determining, an action can be performed.

A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for plasma piercing a workpiece using a plasma cutting torch. According to one implementation the method includes providing the plasma cutting torch at a first pierce height above a workpiece to initiate a piercing operation at the first pierce height for a first duration, during the piercing operation, lowering the plasma cutting torch to a second pierce height above the workpiece for a second duration, and lowering the plasma cutting torch to a cut height.

A weight balancing gantry has a tower having a fixed length radial arm pivotally coupled from a pivot point at an upper end of the tower. An angle strut acts between the tower and the radial arm across the pivot point. A pivot point pulley is located at the upper end of the tower and a weight balancing mechanism located at the tower. A bogey runs along the radial arm and has a bogey pulley. A positioning mechanism at the radial arm has at least one controlled cylinder for positioning and holding the bogey along to the radial arm. A cable runs from the weight balancing mechanism, up across the pivot point pulley and over the bogey pulley to attach to an industrial tool.

A method and machine for cutting and removing a workpiece part from a plate-shaped material includes cutting the workpiece part with a beam or jet directed onto the material and separating the workpiece part and material. The workpiece part is removed as a scrap skeleton removal part. The cut-free workpiece part is lifted out of a workpiece supporting plane by a lifting device and removed by a gripping device, or the cut-free workpiece part is removed downwards from the plane through a gap between workpiece supporting surfaces by an ejection device, or gravity removes the cut-free workpiece part downwards through the gap. Before cutting the workpiece part free, a sacrificial part adjoining the workpiece part and partially having a common cutting line with the workpiece part is cut free from the material before cutting the workpiece part free in the material or scrap skeleton.

A system can include a head of a computer numerically controlled machine configured to deliver electromagnetic energy sufficient to cause a change in a material at least partially contained within an interior space of the computer numerically controlled machine. The system can further include an optical system comprising a plurality of optical elements in the computer numerically controlled machine. The plurality of optical elements can be oriented at a fixed angle to each other to deliver the electromagnetic energy from the head to the material.

A laser engraving machine with a three-point suspension system and an inverted X-Y axis support system wherein the X-axis beam is to and mounted below the Y-axis beams and the Y-axis beams are mounted inwardly of the outer ends of the X-axis beam and are structurally integrated with the machine housing. In addition, a counterweight in the form of a second, independently activatable laser is added to the drive belt to reduce or eliminate vibration during rapid reciprocal movement of the tool during an engraving process.

The invention relates to machines and methods for separative machining of plate-shaped workpieces by a processing beam. The machines include a first movement unit configured to move the workpiece in a first direction and a second movement unit including a machining head configured to emit the processing beam. The second movement unit is configured to move the machining head in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to direct the processing beam onto the workpiece. The machines include a first workpiece support unit including a first workpiece-bearing face and a second workpiece support unit including a second workpiece-bearing face spaced apart by a gap from the first workpiece support unit and the first workpiece-bearing face. The gap extends along the second direction. The machines include at least one support slide arranged to move in the second direction within the gap and including a support slide bearing face.

An execution plan segment of an execution plan can be received at a control unit of a computer numerically controlled machine from a general purpose computer. The execution plan segment can define operations for causing movement of a moveable head of the computer numerically controlled machine to deliver electromagnetic energy to effect a change in a material within an interior space of the computer numerically controlled machine. The execution plan segment can include a predefined safe pausing point from which the execution plan can be restarted while minimizing a difference in appearance of a finished work-product relative to if a pause and restart are not necessary. Operations of the computer numerically controlled machine can be commenced only after determining that the execution plan segment has been received up to and including the predefined safe pausing point by the computer numerically controlled machine.

Methods, machines, and computer program products are disclosed for determining the influence of a laser processing parameter on a laser processing operation by means of a laser beam are described. The methods include conducting linear laser processing operations with different values of the laser processing parameter, the speed of advance of the laser beam, respectively, being increased in the laser processing operations at least to such an extent that a processing interruption occurs; and determining a relationship between the processing lengths, the associated processing times, or the associated interruption speeds of the laser processing operations and the laser processing parameter using the measured processing lengths, the associated processing times, or the associated interruption speeds of the laser processing operations.