Systems and related methods are provided for maintaining a spatial relationship between a tool of the multi-axis machine (e.g., fluid jet nozzle of a fluid jet cutting machine) and a workpiece to be processed by the tool. An example system includes a contour follower apparatus having a sensor and a gimbal assembly operable with the sensor to sense a deviation between a machine focal point and a gimbal assembly focal point defined by the gimbal assembly as the gimbal assembly rides upon the surface of the workpiece during operation. The system may further include a gimbal mount assembly configured to sense a collision event of the gimbal assembly with another object.

A machine tool control system according to the present invention includes: a three-dimensional coordinate computing unit which calculates three-dimensional coordinates of a workpiece based on a plurality of images of the workpiece, the images being taken by the imaging apparatus from a plurality of different directions, and which calculates, from the three-dimensional coordinates, three-dimensional coordinates of a specified machining start point on the workpiece; and a coordinate converting unit which converts three-dimensional coordinates that includes the machining start point on the workpiece calculated by the three-dimensional coordinate computing unit into coordinates in the machine coordinate system for the machine tool, and which sets the converted three-dimensional coordinates of the machining start point on the workpiece, as a workpiece origin, into the machining program for the machine tool.

A device for measuring and monitoring tools of a machine tool, wherein the machine tool comprises a spindle shaft for the tool, the shaft being arranged in a spindle housing, wherein a work piece with good electric conductivity can be machined using the tool, wherein the spindle shaft is electrically insulated from the spindle housing, includes a measuring and monitoring system. The measuring and monitoring system measures at least one electric measurement, which depends on the contacting state between the tool and the work piece. A rotary transmitter contacts the rotating spindle shaft to measure the measurement detectable between the tool and the work piece, wherein the rotary transmitter is connected with the spindle housing in an electrically insulated manner.

A touching detection device (1) includes: a probe (10) having a touched part (11) with a touch surface (11a, 11b) to be touched by an object to be detected, a support part (13) supporting the touched part (11), and a sensed part (19); a sensor (S) sensing the sensed part (19); and a body (2) holding the probe (10) and the sensor (S). The support part (13) is held by the body (2) to be swingable in a direction in which the object to be detected touches the touch surface (11a, 11b) of the touched part (11). The sensed part (19) is displaced in accordance with the amount of swing of the support part (13). The sensor (S) senses the sensed part (19) and outputs a detection signal when the sensed part (19) is displaced by a preset displacement amount. The support part (13) supports the touched part (11) via an angle adjustment mechanism (15) configured to be able to adjust the angle of the touch surface (11a, 11b) in the swinging direction of the support part (13).

Provided is a measuring device which, with respect to a measuring instrument for measuring the length of a cutting tool, measures the distance from a reference position of a machine tool to a tool detection position of the measuring instrument. The measuring device comprises: a movement control unit for controlling movement of a standard tool attached to the machine tool; a detection unit for detecting a detection signal indicating a tool detection position output by pressing-down of the measuring instrument; and an identification unit for identifying the tool detection position of the measuring instrument, on the basis of the position of the tip of the standard tool at the timing of detecting the detection signal. The detection unit detects the detection signal indicating that the tip of the standard tool is present within a tool detectable range including the tool detection position. The movement control unit moves the standard tool in a direction away from the measuring instrument to change the state in which the detection signal is detectable by the detection unit to a state in which the detection signal is not detectable by the detection unit, and then moves the standard tool toward the measuring instrument to change the state to a state in which the detection signal is detectable again by the detection unit. The identification unit identifies the tool detection position, on the basis of the position of the standard tool at the timing of detecting the detection signal again.

A machine tool includes a spindle having a tip on which a tool is mounted, a moving portion configured to move the spindle, on which a tool is mounted, toward a peripheral edge of a master workpiece or away from the peripheral edge along a reference path on an outer peripheral side or an inner peripheral side of the master workpiece, a first detection unit configured to detect contact with a peripheral edge of the tool, an acquisition unit configured to acquire coordinates of the spindle each time the first detection unit detects the contact, and a first generation unit configured to generate a first machining path based on a plurality of coordinates detected by the acquisition unit.