An earth working machine (10) encompasses a machine body (13) having a machine frame (12) and a drive configuration (46), rotationally drivable relative to the machine frame (12) around a drive axis (A) that defines an axial direction, that extends along the drive rotation axis (A) from an introduction longitudinal end (46a) at which the drive configuration (46) is embodied for introduction of a drive torque to a functional longitudinal end (46b) located axially oppositely from the introduction longitudinal end (46a), and to which configuration a working apparatus (32) embodied for earth working is releasably connected in torque-transferring fashion, in an operating position, for rotation together around the drive axis (A), such that when the connection is released, the working apparatus (32) is removable from the operating position in an axial direction relative to the drive configuration (46) for deinstallation from the drive configuration (46) and, for installation on the drive configuration (46), is conveyable into the operating position in an axial direction relative to the drive configuration (46), an actuator (65) being provided which is embodied to move the working apparatus (32) out of the operating position when the connection is released.

According to the present invention, provision is made that an actuator housing (62) of the actuator (65) is provided on the drive configuration (46) for movement together therewith, at a position that is located closer to the functional longitudinal end (46b) than to the introduction longitudinal end (46a), an actuator member (63) of the actuator (65) being movable relative to the actuator housing (63).

A method of providing motion using a loop-band device is disclosed. An outer, restraining loop constrains an inner, buckling loop to form a buckled mode having one or more buckles. An activation force generated in one of buckles provides a stress, resulting in a change of configuration of the buckling loop that produces movement of the restraining loop. Depending on the composition of the buckling loop, the stress is generated via heat, light, an electric current or voltage, a magnetic field, or a combination thereof. The restraining loop is a suitably thin, relatively inextensible but flexible material. The buckling loop is a suitably thin, relatively flexible, reactive material that develops stress when subject to suitable activation forces. Suitable reactive materials include electroactive polymers, electrostrictive materials, magnetostrictive materials and materials having a high coefficient of linear, thermal expansion. The motion is linear or rotary, depending on device configuration.

A method of providing motion using a loop-band device is disclosed. An outer, restraining loop constrains an inner, buckling loop to form a buckled mode having one or more buckles. An activation force generated in one of buckles provides a stress, resulting in a change of configuration of the buckling loop that produces movement of the restraining loop. Depending on the composition of the buckling loop, the stress is generated via heat, light, an electric current or voltage, a magnetic field, or a combination thereof. The restraining loop is a suitably thin, relatively inextensible but flexible material. The buckling loop is a suitably thin, relatively flexible, reactive material that develops stress when subject to suitable activation forces. Suitable reactive materials include electroactive polymers, electrostrictive materials, magnetostrictive materials and materials having a high coefficient of linear, thermal expansion. The motion is linear or rotary, depending on device configuration.

A manufacturing system including a base and multiple work machine modules that are arranged in an arrangement direction on base to be attachable to and detachable from base, in which one wheel of a pair provided on work machine module is engaged with one rail of a pair provided on base in a state in which positional deviation in the arrangement direction is prohibited, and the other wheel of the pair is engaged with the other rail of the pair in a state in which positional deviation is permitted in the arrangement direction, thereby the position of work machine modules on the base in the arrangement direction is specified, and work machine modules are fixed at a setting position on the base to be restricted so as to be drawn toward the base by a module fixing mechanism that is provided on the base.

A T-Nut for use in a machine tool having a tooling plate with an inverted T-shaped channel. The T-Nut comprises a central body having oppositely inclined faces each including an opening forming a cavity extending through the central body, and first and second wedges in slideable communication with the central body inclined faces. Each of the wedges have wings extending laterally beyond the central body to engage upper surfaces of the channel lower wide portion and include a clearance hole extending through a length of the wedge. A rotatable actuation member abuts the first wedge at an end opposite the first wedge mating surface and is internally threaded for a distance from one end thereof. An externally threaded cylindrical shaft is engaged with the internal threads of the actuation member and extends through the first and second wedge clearance holes, the shaft being secured to and non-rotatable with the second wedge. In operation, when tooling is secured to the top surface of the central body and the actuation member is rotated, the first and second wedges are slideably moved symmetrically along the central body inclined faces until the first and second wedge wings engage upper surfaces of the channel lower wide portion while the tooling is simultaneously urged in the direction of the tooling plate until the tooling mounting surface bears against the tooling plate top surface, thereby removably securing the tooling to the tooling plate.

A T-Nut for use in a machine tool having a tooling plate with an inverted T-shaped channel. The T-Nut comprises a central body having oppositely inclined faces each including an opening forming a cavity extending through the central body, and first and second wedges in slideable communication with the central body inclined faces. Each of the wedges have wings extending laterally beyond the central body to engage upper surfaces of the channel lower wide portion and include a clearance hole extending through a length of the wedge. A rotatable actuation member abuts the first wedge at an end opposite the first wedge mating surface and is internally threaded for a distance from one end thereof. An externally threaded cylindrical shaft is engaged with the internal threads of the actuation member and extends through the first and second wedge clearance holes, the shaft being secured to and non-rotatable with the second wedge. In operation, when tooling is secured to the top surface of the central body and the actuation member is rotated, the first and second wedges are slideably moved symmetrically along the central body inclined faces until the first and second wedge wings engage upper surfaces of the channel lower wide portion while the tooling is simultaneously urged in the direction of the tooling plate until the tooling mounting surface bears against the tooling plate top surface, thereby removably securing the tooling to the tooling plate.

A cam device includes: a cam unit, a reduction unit and a housing. The cam unit includes a rotating body and a cam. The rotating body includes a cam follower. The cam includes a cam surface that engages with the cam follower, and the cam is configured to rotate the rotating body by rotation of the cam. The reduction unit is provided between a motor and the cam, and includes a motor gear and a cam gear. The motor gear is mounted on a motor side of the reduction unit. The cam gear is mounted on a cam side of the reduction unit. The housing includes a first housing part and a second housing part as a unit. The first housing part accommodates the cam unit, and the second housing part accommodates the reduction unit.

A combination includes a work table defining a working surface for placing a workpiece and a fence assembly including a fence. The fence is rotatably mounted on the work table. The fence includes a first contacting surface which is arranged to provide an abutting surface when the fence is rotated to an abutting position and which is arranged to provide an extending surface when the fence is rotated to an extending position, a second contacting surface which is arranged to provide a supporting surface when the fence is rotated to a supporting position, and a third contacting surface which is arranged to provide an abutting surface when the fence is rotated to the supporting position.

A combination includes a work table defining a working surface for placing a workpiece and a fence assembly including a fence. The fence is rotatably mounted on the work table. The fence includes a first contacting surface which is arranged to provide an abutting surface when the fence is rotated to an abutting position and which is arranged to provide an extending surface when the fence is rotated to an extending position, a second contacting surface which is arranged to provide a supporting surface when the fence is rotated to a supporting position, and a third contacting surface which is arranged to provide an abutting surface when the fence is rotated to the supporting position.

A machine tool includes a base, a table, a main spindle, and a trunnion unit. The table is installed on the base. A tool is mounted to the main spindle. The main spindle is caused to approach a workpiece on the table along an up-down direction. The trunnion unit is configured to rotatably hold the table on which the workpiece is placed using a rotation axis along a front-rear direction as a center. The trunnion unit is disposed movable in a right-left direction.