There is provided a tool shape measuring apparatus that allows detection of shape abnormality in a tool having a plurality of cutting edges with a simple configuration. A light receiving section 6 includes a light receiving face 9 perpendicular to an optical axis 6b of a light receiving lens 6a. In the light receiving face 9, there are disposed a plurality of line sensors 8 arranged in different directions from each other, each line sensor having a plurality of sensor elements arranged in one direction. The line sensor 8 is disposed across a first area not reached by the irradiation light L as being completely blocked by the tool 4, a second area disposed adjacent the first area and reached by the irradiation light L with a portion thereof being blocked, and a third area disposed adjacent the second area and reached by the irradiation light L not blocked at all. A calculation section 21 checks change occurring in output states of the line sensor 8 associated with rotation of the tool 4 and specifies a contour position of the tool 4 based on a center position in the second area when the number of the sensor elements included in the second area becomes minimal.

A method for determining a vibration amplitude of a tool, includes the steps of: generating a light beam of a light barrier with a transmitter for generating the light beam and a receiver for detecting a light intensity of the light beam; generating a receiver signal on the basis of a light intensity of the light beam that is detected by the receiver of the light barrier; positioning a tool tip of the tool in the light beam; causing the tool to vibrate; determining the vibration amplitude of the tool from a modulation of the receiver signal brought about by the vibration of the tool.

A contactlessly measuring measuring system having a contactlessly measuring measuring device, with a light transmitter portion and a light receiver portion, for determining the position of a tool or for determining the longest cutting edge of a rotating tool in a tool machine. A light barrier system is formed by the light transmitter portion and the light receiver portion, each being associated with a leg of an essentially U-shaped support structure of the measuring device. A fluid blowing device, associated with the measuring device, is provided for cleaning a tool to be measured, and/or a sealing air feed is provided in the area of a measuring beam of the measuring device designed as a light barrier measuring system, and/or a protective/closing device is provided at the light transmitter portion and/or the light receiver portion of the measuring device designed as a light barrier measuring system.

A contactlessly measuring measuring system having a contactlessly measuring measuring device with a light transmitter portion and a light receiver portion, for determining the position of a tool or for determining the longest cutting edge of a rotating tool, wherein an optical lens arrangement for shaping and focusing a light beam from the light transmitter portion to the light receiver portion is associated with the light transmitter portion and/or the light receiver portion, the optical lens arrangement being accommodated in a lens mount, and the lens mount having an inner and an outer sleeve which in each case is cylindrical, at least in sections, and the lens arrangement is inserted into the inner sleeve, which is at least partially enclosed by the outer sleeve, and the lens mount together with the lens arrangement is accommodated in a wall of the light transmitter portion and/or of the light receiver portion.

A contactlessly or tactilely measuring measuring system having a multipurpose interface socket for accommodating and for connecting a contactlessly or tactilely measuring measuring device having a light transmitter and a light receiver, for determining the position of a tool or for determining the longest cutting edge of a rotating tool in a machine tool. The multipurpose interface socket has the following features: at least one mechanical stop, corresponding to a counterstop on the measuring device, for accommodating and repeatably placing the measuring device on the multipurpose interface socket; and at least one second fluid transfer point on the multipurpose interface socket, which corresponds to a first fluid transfer point on the measuring device.

A contactlessly or tactilely measuring measuring system having a multipurpose interface socket for accommodating and for connecting a contactlessly or tactilely measuring measuring device having a light transmitter and a light receiver, for determining the position of a tool or for determining the longest cutting edge of a rotating tool in a machine tool. The multipurpose interface socket has the following features: at least one mechanical stop, corresponding to a counterstop on the measuring device, for accommodating and repeatably placing the measuring device on the multipurpose interface socket; at least one second signal transfer point on the multipurpose interface socket, which corresponds to a first signal transfer point on the measuring device; and at least one second fluid transfer point on the multipurpose interface socket, which corresponds to a first fluid transfer point on the measuring device.

A method for assessing the profile of a tool using a non-contact tool setting apparatus that includes a transmitter for emitting a light beam and a receiver for receiving the beam. The receiver generates a beam intensity signal describing the intensity of received light. The setting apparatus is mounted to a coordinate positioning apparatus that allows the tool to be moved relative to the setting apparatus. The method includes using the coordinate positioning apparatus to move the tool relative to the setting apparatus along a tool inspection path, the tool inspection path being selected so that the light beam is traced substantially along a periphery of the tool to be inspected. Beam intensity data is collected describing the beam intensity signal that is generated by the receiver as the tool inspection path is traversed and analysis of the collected beam intensity data is used to assess the tool profile.

A machine tool includes a mounting table, a tool, a shade detector, and a tool controller. A workpiece is placed on the mounting table. The tool includes a tip. The shade detector is fixed on the mounting table, provides an optical path of a laser light, and detects a shade state of the laser light. The tool controller is connected to the mounting table via a supporting structure and controls an orientation and a position of the tool. A reference point associated with the tool is provided to the tool controller. The tool controller corrects a position of the tip based on a difference between a position obtained by calculation of the reference point in the case where the tip is matched with a measurement position P of a laswer light and a position of the reference point when the tip portion is acutally matched with a measurement position while keeping the orientation of a tool.

An apparatus for supporting a workpiece has a frame and a supporting field consisting of end faces of a plurality of supporting pins which are guided parallel to one another in their main extension directions in the frame and which can each be pushed in against a restoring force with respect to the frame. Further, the apparatus has a detection device including a light barrier in order to detect relative positions of at least some of the supporting pins with respect to the frame. A light source and a light sensor of the light barrier are facing one another across the main extension directions of the supporting pins. The light source is divided into a plurality of sub-sources along one side of the supporting field, and the light sensor is divided into a plurality of sub-sensors along another side situated opposite the aforementioned side of the supporting field.

A method for assessing the profile of a tool using a non-contact tool setting apparatus that includes a transmitter for emitting a light beam and a receiver for receiving the beam. The receiver generates a beam intensity signal describing the intensity of received light. The setting apparatus is mounted to a coordinate positioning apparatus that allows the tool to be moved relative to the setting apparatus. The method includes using the coordinate positioning apparatus to move the tool relative to the setting apparatus along a tool inspection path, the tool inspection path being selected so that the light beam is traced substantially along a periphery of the tool to be inspected. Beam intensity data is collected describing the beam intensity signal that is generated by the receiver as the tool inspection path is traversed and analysis of the collected beam intensity data is used to assess the tool profile.