A manipulator system having a positioner having a primary rail, a first coupling linkage, and a second coupling linkage. The first coupling linkage couples the primary rail to a base and positions the primary rail along a first plane. The system has another positioner having a secondary rail, a third coupling linkage, and a fourth coupling linkage. The third coupling linkage couples the secondary rail to the base and positions the secondary rail along a second plane which is parallel to the first plane. A common link couples to the primary and secondary rails via linkages. Each of the second and fourth coupling linkages includes a joint for linear motion along the respective rail, and a revolute joint for relative pivoting between the respective rail and the common link. A position and orientation of the common link are adjustable by the joints and revolute joints.

A machine tool for detecting a brake failure more reliably in a mechanism that stops the rotation of a vertical shaft by at least two brakes includes a ball screw extended in a vertical direction, a driving motor that rotates the ball screw, a movable part that vertically moves along the ball screw in accordance with the rotation of the ball screw driven by the driving motor, at least two brakes that prevent a fall of the movable part while power supply to the driving motor is stopped, a brake controller that releases at least one of the at least two brakes while power supply to the driving motor is stopped, and a detector that detects presence/absence of a fall of the movable part or a fall distance of the movable part resulting from the release of the at least one brake, thereby detecting a trouble of an unreleased one of the at least two brakes.

A machine tool for detecting a brake failure more reliably in a mechanism that stops the rotation of a vertical shaft by at least two brakes includes a ball screw extended in a vertical direction, a driving motor that rotates the ball screw, a movable part that vertically moves along the ball screw in accordance with the rotation of the ball screw driven by the driving motor, at least two brakes that prevent a fall of the movable part while power supply to the driving motor is stopped, a brake controller that releases at least one of the at least two brakes while power supply to the driving motor is stopped, and a detector that detects presence/absence of a fall of the movable part or a fall distance of the movable part resulting from the release of the at least one brake, thereby detecting a trouble of an unreleased one of the at least two brakes.

The invention discloses a double-station gantry combined machining system allowing automatic overturning of workpieces, which comprises a first mobile gantry machining unit, a second mobile gantry machining unit, an overturning platform, a first workpiece fixing table, a second workpiece fixing table and a guide rail, wherein the overturning platform is positioned between the first gantry machining unit and the second gantry machining unit. According to the invention, the system is highly integrated, continuous machining of a gantry machine tool is completed, the working efficiency is improved, and the machining cost of the system is reduced.

The invention discloses a double-station gantry combined machining system allowing automatic overturning of workpieces, which comprises a first mobile gantry machining unit, a second mobile gantry machining unit, an overturning platform, a first workpiece fixing table, a second workpiece fixing table and a guide rail, wherein the overturning platform is positioned between the first gantry machining unit and the second gantry machining unit. According to the invention, the system is highly integrated, continuous machining of a gantry machine tool is completed, the working efficiency is improved, and the machining cost of the system is reduced.

An apparatus includes a spindle, a pecking mechanism, and a clutch mechanism coupled to the pecking mechanism. The spindle includes a drill tool and the spindle is configured to be fed in a first direction during a drilling operation. The pecking mechanism is configured to retract the drill periodically during the drilling operation. The clutch mechanism is configured to selectively engage the pecking mechanism during a portion of the drilling operation. The clutch mechanism is configured to constrain the rotation of the washer such that the spindle drill is retracted a predefined distance periodically.

An apparatus and methods are disclosed for retrofitting a manual benchtop milling machine utilizing servo controls and/or stepper motors. The present disclosure provides a retrofit kit for the modification of a milling machine by incorporating ball screws and ball nuts without removing or replacing the original acme nuts, which inherently have been properly configured and aligned to the machine on which they were originally installed. The retrofit kit of the present disclosure allows for the modification using the alignment of the original acme nuts in their proper location and alignment obviating the need for custom machining or alignment.

An apparatus and methods are disclosed for retrofitting a manual benchtop milling machine utilizing servo controls and/or stepper motors. The present disclosure provides a retrofit kit for the modification of a milling machine by incorporating ball screws and ball nuts without removing or replacing the original acme nuts, which inherently have been properly configured and aligned to the machine on which they were originally installed. The retrofit kit of the present disclosure allows for the modification using the alignment of the original acme nuts in their proper location and alignment obviating the need for custom machining or alignment.

A machine tool for machining workpieces has a machine frame, at least one component part which can be moved along a movement path by means of a power-operated drive unit, at least one frame part, which is connected to the machine frame and which is arranged at an end position in the movement path of the component part, and at least a first stop, via which the component part in contact with the frame part when said component part is in the end position, wherein the first stop lies outside the movement path.

Feed tools and methods of use for initiating a change in a spindle feed direction from an advance direction that moves the spindle towards a workpiece to a retract direction that moves the spindle away from the workpiece. The tool and methods may use a thrust overload force that is generated on one or more of the components to initiate the shift from forward to retract and/or a lift ring that acts on one or more of the components. The tool and methods may also include a two-stage piston to accomplish the shift. The various components may be used independently or in combination within the tool.