A workpiece positioning arrangement comprises a positioning device for positioning a workpiece as well as a decoupling device for the decoupled storage of the positioning device, wherein the decoupling device comprises a carrier element, on which the positioning device is arranged, and a base element, on which the carrier element is supported. For decoupling the dynamic reaction forces of the positioning device on the base element, the carrier element is supported on the base element so as to move freely at least in a certain range, preferably essentially free of counterforces, in a sliding manner.

A variable hydrostatic track system for vertical lathes includes a plurality of sectors arranged between the periphery and the central opening of an annular base. Each sector includes an upper housing with a hydraulic fluid outlet such that when the injected hydraulic fluid overflows from the housings, it forms a film between the rotating chuck and the sectors. The track system further includes a positioning mechanism having a plurality of hydraulic cylinders fixed on the annular base in a radial direction between the central opening and the sectors. The rod of each hydraulic cylinder is coupled to a piston and to one of the sectors. Each sector is guided in a radial guidance element such that, due to the action of the hydraulic cylinder, the sector is movable between an inner radial position and an outer radial position.

A variable hydrostatic track system for vertical lathes includes a plurality of sectors arranged between the periphery and the central opening of an annular base. Each sector includes an upper housing with a hydraulic fluid outlet such that when the injected hydraulic fluid overflows from the housings, it forms a film between the rotating chuck and the sectors. The track system further includes a positioning mechanism having a plurality of hydraulic cylinders fixed on the annular base in a radial direction between the central opening and the sectors. The rod of each hydraulic cylinder is coupled to a piston and to one of the sectors. Each sector is guided in a radial guidance element such that, due to the action of the hydraulic cylinder, the sector is movable between an inner radial position and an outer radial position.

A hydrostatic/hydrodynamic fluid bearing assembly for a can bodymaker is provided. The hydrostatic/hydrodynamic fluid bearing assembly is separate from the ram body. The outboard bearing assembly includes a carriage assembly and a number of elongated journals. The carriage assembly includes a ram coupling, a crank coupling, and body defining a number of journal passages. The ram body is coupled to a ram coupling. The crank coupling is structured to be coupled to a crank arm. Each journal extends through a carriage assembly body journal passage. In this configuration, the ram body may form a can body in a traditional manner, but fluid bearing assembly fluid is not applied to the ram body. Instead the fluid bearing assembly fluid is applied to the journals.

A high-precision machine tool with at least one linear drive and guide-bearing, having at least one linear motor, which has at least one magnet arranged on one of the machine components and at least one coil arranged on the other machine component and operatively connected to the at least one magnet, wherein the at least one magnet and the at least one coil are configured to exert an opposing attractive force and to perform an at least temporarily relative movement in relation to one another; at least one hydrostatic fluid bearing arranged on one of the two machine components and operatively connected to the other machine component, wherein the hydrostatic fluid bearing exerts a repulsive force opposite to the attractive force; and a first bearing gap, formed between the two machine components, the height of which is greater than 0 m and less than or equal to 10 m.

A high-precision machine tool with at least one linear drive and guide-bearing, having at least one linear motor, which has at least one magnet arranged on one of the machine components and at least one coil arranged on the other machine component and operatively connected to the at least one magnet, wherein the at least one magnet and the at least one coil are configured to exert an opposing attractive force and to perform an at least temporarily relative movement in relation to one another; at least one hydrostatic fluid bearing arranged on one of the two machine components and operatively connected to the other machine component, wherein the hydrostatic fluid bearing exerts a repulsive force opposite to the attractive force; and a first bearing gap, formed between the two machine components, the height of which is greater than 0 m and less than or equal to 10 m.

A locking device is described for a horizontal machining center with three or more axes comprising a locking member having a suction cup end for attaching to, and detaching from, a slab-like object which comprises a support surface of the machining center, a suction device operably connectable to the locking member for mutually engaging the suction cup end and the slab-like object, and an air supply arrangement operably connectable to the locking member to release air from the suction end to mutually disengage the suction end and the slab-like object and permit relative air-cushioned movement and desired positioning between the locking member and the slab-like object; a method for performing relative positioning between a locking member and a slab-like object is also described.

A table group for a machine tool is provided. The table group has a support assembly, a table, a ring gear provided with a lower face and an upper face, integral with the table, a plurality of main hydrostatic skids, a detection device for detecting a lifting action generated by the main hydrostatic skids, a plurality of dogs and an electronic management device operatively connected to the main hydrostatic skids, the dogs and the detection device, configured to control the dogs to generate a contrasting action. The lifting action is equal to a predetermined constant nominal load greater than the weight of a semi-finished product and either smaller than or equal to a maximum load which can be borne by the main hydrostatic skids.