Cutter head for accommodating multiple cutters, wherein the cutter head has a separate receptacle opening for each of the cutters, and wherein the cutter head includes clamping means for clamping the cutters in the receptacle openings. A cavity is implemented in the cutter head in the region of at least one of the receptacle openings, which is separated by a thin wall or layer from this receptacle opening, and the cavity can be filled with a fluid and a pressure can be applied thereto.

Tool electrodes for and methods of electrical discharge machining are provided. In one exemplary aspect, a tool electrode for machining features into a workpiece is provided that allows for increased machining speed without sacrificing the quality of the machined features. Moreover, a tool electrode is provided that eliminates or reduces the high cost associated with customized tool electrodes. In particular, a tool electrode is provided that includes a plurality of electrode elements arranged and spaced apart in a digitized matrix representative of a tooling shape for machining features into a workpiece. The plurality of electrode elements are spaced apart from one another and arranged in the digitized matrix by digitizing an analog electrode tool configured to machine the feature into the workpiece or a volume of the feature to be machined into the workpiece.

A tool head for a machine tool, in particular for a gear cutting machine, has a first and a second spindle unit each having at least one spindle bearing and a spindle shaft which is rotatably mounted in the respective spindle bearing about a tool spindle axis. The respective spindle bearing can support both radial and axial forces. The spindle units are arranged coaxially to each other, and a tool is received axially between the spindle shafts. A controlled clamping device connects the spindle bearings together. A control device activates the clamping device during a machining operation and deactivates it during machining pauses. Alternatively or additionally, the tool head has an axial force element that generates an axial preload force between the spindle bearings.

Tool electrodes for and methods of electrical discharge machining are provided. In one exemplary aspect, a tool electrode for machining features into a workpiece is provided that allows for increased machining speed without sacrificing the quality of the machined features. Moreover, a tool electrode is provided that eliminates or reduces the high cost associated with customized tool electrodes. In particular, a tool electrode is provided that includes a plurality of electrode elements arranged and spaced apart in a digitized matrix representative of a tooling shape for machining features into a workpiece. The plurality of electrode elements are spaced apart from one another and arranged in the digitized matrix by digitizing an analog electrode tool configured to machine the feature into the workpiece or a volume of the feature to be machined into the workpiece.