A conversion assembly for affixing a modern guideway to a manually operated machine tool guideway in a nondestructive manner. The conversion assembly mates to the existing machine tool guideway using surface tension via non-destructive compressive and/or tensile forces in order provide a suitable support surface upon which a modern guideway can be affixed.

A structural profile includes an outer contour that has at least one longitudinal side and one transverse side. The longitudinal side and the transverse side are transverse to one another. The longitudinal side has a longitudinal-side groove and the transverse side has a transverse-side groove. The grooves each have a respective groove cross section in which a circle is capable of being inscribed. Longitudinal center axes of the grooves are arranged in a common groove plane, and the groove plane is parallel to a longitudinal center plane of the structural profile.

A structural profile includes an outer contour that has at least one longitudinal side and one transverse side. The longitudinal side and the transverse side are transverse to one another. The longitudinal side has a longitudinal-side groove and the transverse side has a transverse-side groove. The grooves each have a respective groove cross section in which a circle is capable of being inscribed. Longitudinal center axes of the grooves are arranged in a common groove plane, and the groove plane is parallel to a longitudinal center plane of the structural profile.

The instant-mount aspect of the present invention allows a user to rapidly accurately dismount a mounted CNC calibration device from a CNC work table, and rapidly replace the CNC calibration device to its previously mounted position within 0.0001, in seconds. The alignment aspect of the present invention allows faster and more robust high-accuracy alignment of a CNC calibration device once it is mounted on a CNC work table. The remote nest aspect of the present invention allows rapid re-positioning of a CNC calibration device within a CNC milling machine cabinet in a way that does not disrupt the data connection between the CNC control computer and the CNC calibration device, and allows for utilization of more of the worktable surface during milling operations.

The instant-mount aspect of the present invention allows a user to rapidly accurately dismount a mounted CNC calibration device from a CNC work table, and rapidly replace the CNC calibration device to its previously mounted position within 0.0001, in seconds. The alignment aspect of the present invention allows faster and more robust high-accuracy alignment of a CNC calibration device once it is mounted on a CNC work table. The remote nest aspect of the present invention allows rapid re-positioning of a CNC calibration device within a CNC milling machine cabinet in a way that does not disrupt the data connection between the CNC control computer and the CNC calibration device, and allows for utilization of more of the worktable surface during milling operations.

A T-slot mounting and alignment system for non-rigidly mounting a workpiece or fixture to a work-piece positioner table, welding positioner table or machine tool table having one of more T-slots includes a T-dog, a dog nut, at least one bolt, and at least one fastener. The at least one fastener fastens the T-dog to the workpiece or fixture, and a dog stem of the T-dog extends through a guide slot in the workpiece or fixture and into the T-slot in the table. The dog nut mates with the at least one bolt and tightens to engage a distal end of the dog stem, wherein clearance is provided in the assembled structures to prevent the workpiece or fixture from being tightly clamped against the table. Consequently, compensation for misalignments is possible during setup.

A guide device includes a support that includes a guide surface, and a movable body that includes an oil pocket to which lubricant is supplied and a sliding surface facing the guide surface. The sliding surface includes a first region that is arranged around the oil pocket and formed of a first material, and a second region that is arranged at least partially around the first region and formed of a second material.

A guide device includes a support that includes a guide surface, and a movable body that includes an oil pocket to which lubricant is supplied and a sliding surface facing the guide surface. The sliding surface includes a first region that is arranged around the oil pocket and formed of a first material, and a second region that is arranged at least partially around the first region and formed of a second material.

A workholding system includes an adjustable vise, a fixed vise, and a fixture plate. The adjustable vise and the fixed vise are secured to the fixture plate using a T-slot and a fastener. The system includes multiple precision locating surfaces, including interchangeable precision locating surfaces, to secure a working part. In one embodiment, a T-slot fastener facilitates the creation of an entire workholding system that facilitates the rapid installation of studs into receiving members. The fastener includes a quarter turn fastener used in workholding applications to quickly hold and release components of the system, such as tooling, parts, and plates. The compact design of the system makes possible the ability to insert the quarter turn fastener into a device that can fit into a T-slot and still have considerable holding power. The system is lower in cost than other solutions.

An elongated T-slot protection device comprising an elongated member having a body, a pair of sidewalls, and a pair of legs. The protection device is placeable into an elongated opening of a T-slot, and covers the elongated opening to prevent debris from entering the T-slot formed in a work surface.