A fixture for supporting a workpiece during a machining operation is disclosed. The fixture may include a seat configured to receive the workpiece. The fixture may further include a quick release lever mounted to the fixture and configured to displace the workpiece from the seat.

A variable spacing device includes a support member, a driving member, a number of movable graspers, a limiting block, and a pushing block. The movable graspers are slidably mounted in a line on the support member. Each movable grasper grasps a workpiece. The limiting block is mounted on the support member and arranged in parallel with the pushing member. The limiting block defines first sliding grooves having a length gradually decreasing along a same direction. The pushing block defines second sliding grooves having a length gradually increasing along a same direction. Each movable grasper moves within a corresponding one of the first sliding grooves and a corresponding one of the second sliding grooves. Two sidewalls of each first sliding groove and two sidewalls of each second sliding groove resist movement of the corresponding movable grasper.

Methods involving adding a removable fixating material to a partially manufactured workpiece to stabilize a plurality of partially formed objects therein for subsequent manufacturing. In one example, valleys are formed in a workpiece between adjacent partially formed objects so that interconnecting portions remain to interconnect the partially formed objects. Then, the removable fixating material is installed in the valleys, and once the removable fixating material has hardened, the workpiece is further processed to at least remove the interconnecting portions. In some embodiments, a mold is used to install the removable fixating material into the workpiece. In some embodiments, a prefabricated temporary frame is used for installing the removable fixating material into the workpiece. In some embodiments, a temporary frame is formed from the workpiece along with the plurality of objects during manufacturing.

A locating pin for positioning one or more workpieces on a mounting member is provided. The locating pin includes at least one cam being radially moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. The at least one cam engages the workpiece while in the extended position to hold the workpiece in place. The at least one cam is spaced from the workpiece while in the retracted position to allow the workpiece to be positioned on, or removed from the locating pin.

A cutting machine includes a holder located below a spindle to hold processing targets, and an adaptor connected to a rotation shaft to rotatably support the holder. The holder includes a first holder fixed to the adaptor and including a pin insertion hole to which a fixing pin attached to a processing target is fixed, and a second holder detachably attached to the first holder and including a pin insertion hole at a position facing the pin insertion hole. The fixing pin extends in a Y-axis direction. In the Y-axis direction, a distance between a processing target fixed to the pin insertion hole and a processing target fixed to the pin insertion hole is shorter than a length of the fixing pin.

A system is disclosed for processing a plurality of customized dental restorations in an automated process that comprises a milling center, a carrier for holding a plurality of customized dental restorations, and a transfer system for transferring the customized restorations between processing units. Processing units may comprise one or more of a separating unit, a scrap disposal unit, a heating unit and a cooling unit. A multi-compartment tray and a material block are disclosed for use in the system.

A twin clamp, comprising two receptacles (61, 62), each of which has two movable clamping jaws (611, 612, 621, 622) and by means of each of which an elongate profile segment (71, 72) having a circular cross-section can be clamped in the contact section, each elongate profile segment having a centre axis (D71, D72) and an outside diameter, wherein two clamping jaws (611, 612, 621, 622) of different receptacles (61, 62) are coupled to one another via a respective differential gearing (41, 42) and two clamping jaws (611, 612, 621, 622) of the same receptacle (61, 62) are coupled to one another via a synchronous gearing (51, 52) and the position of the centre axes (D71, D72) of the clamped elongate profile segments (71, 72) is independent of the size of the outside diameters of the elongate profile segments (71, 72).

A method for fabricating an applique for horology including a visible upper surface, and a lower surface from which protrudes at least one securing foot: a rough piece is made as a straight workpiece; this rough piece is deformed to form a blank so as to form an upper curve; this blank including this feet is machined; this blank is mounted on a tool having a support surface complementary to the lower surface of this blank, a recess for housing each foot, gripping means and/or an adhesive for securing each blank; the upper curve of this blank is machined with at least one final diamond-polishing operation to form this upper surface.

A holding device (100) for a cylindrical blank (200), including a cylindrical recess (103) for inserting the blank (200); and a straight slot (105) intersecting the cylindrical recess (103) beyond the central point.

The invention relates to a twin clamp, comprising two receptacles (61, 62), each of which has two movable clamping jaws (611, 612, 621, 622) and by means of each of which an elongate profile segment (71, 72) having a circular cross-section can be clamped in the contact section, each elongate profile segment having a center axis (D71, D72) and an outside diameter, wherein two clamping jaws (611, 612, 621, 622) of different receptacles (61, 62) are coupled to one another via a respective differential gearing (41, 42) and two clamping jaws (611, 612, 621, 622) of the same receptacle (61, 62) are coupled to one another via a synchronous gearing (51, 52) and the position of the center axes (D71, D72) of the clamped elongate profile segments (71, 72) is independent of the size of the outside diameters of the elongate profile segments (71, 72).