A sensor (10) for inspecting a tool (28) of a machine tool (24) is provided that has a radio frequency transmitter (12) for generating a radio frequency signal, a radio frequency receiver (14) for generating a received signal from a received radio frequency signal, a coupling unit (16) to couple a radio frequency signal into the tool (28) and to decouple it from the tool (28), and a control and evaluation unit (20) to determine a time of flight of a radio frequency signal transmitted from the radio frequency transmitter (12) and received again by the radio frequency receiver (14) with reference to the received signal of the radio frequency receiver (14).

A system and method for monitoring and controlling the position of a bandsaw blade of a cutting machine used in sawmills are provided. The system comprises a light source, an imaging device and a processing structure for processing images captured by the imaging device and controlling the adjustment of the position of the bandsaw blade. The light source projects diffused light on a first side of the bandsaw blade through a diffuser member and the imaging device looks at a second side of the bandsaw blade. Each image captured by the imaging device shows a boundary line between a light area and a dark area, which represents the position of the cutting edge of the bandsaw blade. The position of the bandsaw blade then can be monitored and controlled for adjustment to its ideal position based on the measurement of the boundary line.

Provided is a control device for a machine tool that exchanges a tool and machines a work piece on the basis of a machining program, said control device being provided with a machining program analysis unit that analyzes a machining program and extracts, from the machining program, measurement-related information relating to a dimensional measurement of a tool, and with a measurement program generation unit that, on the basis of the measurement-related information and basic tool information input in advance, generates a measurement program for measuring the dimensions of the tool.

A non-contact tool setting apparatus, suitable for use with machine tools and the like, is described in which a transmitter emits light that is received by a receiver. An analysis unit is provided for analysing the light received by the receiver and generating a trigger signal therefrom. The receiver includes an imaging sensor, such as a CMOS or CCD sensor, having a plurality of pixels. The analysis unit generates the trigger signal by analysing the light intensity measured by a first subset of the plurality of pixels. This analysis may involve, for example, determining a resultant received light intensity or performing edge detection. The non-contact tool setting apparatus can thus emulate the operation of a laser based non-contact tool setting apparatus whilst also permitting imaging of cutting tools.

A hard-wired measurement device is mountable within an enclosure of a computer-controlled machine tool. The device includes a measurement sensor for measuring objects, such as tools, within the machine tool enclosure and a hard-wired interface module for providing an electrical connection via one or more wires with an associated external interface located outside of the machine tool enclosure. The device further includes a wireless communications module that enables wireless communication with an associated wireless device, such as a spindle probe, located within the machine tool enclosure.

A sensor (10) for inspecting a tool (28) of a machine tool (24) is provided that has a radio frequency transmitter (12) for generating a radio frequency signal, a radio frequency receiver (14) for generating a received signal from a received radio frequency signal, a coupling unit (16) to couple a radio frequency signal into the tool (28) and to decouple it from the tool (28), and a control and evaluation unit (20) to determine a time of flight of a radio frequency signal transmitted from the radio frequency transmitter (12) and received again by the radio frequency receiver (14) with reference to the received signal of the radio frequency receiver (14).

A method for detecting and compensating CNC tools being implemented in an electronic device, receives from a detector first parameters and second parameters in respect of a first tool. Such first parameters include at least one of service life, blade break information, and blade chipping information of the first tool, and such second parameters include at least one of length extension information, length wear information, radial wear information, and blade thickness wear information of the first tool. Based on the first parameters, instructions to process the workpiece are transmitted or not. Upon receiving the second parameters, instructions to adjust operation of the first tool are transmitted, to compensate for deterioration in normal use.

The present disclosure relates to a method for gear skiving a workpiece, wherein: in a first step, the geometry of a tool, in particular of a skiving wheel, is measured for the machining of the workpiece in a state clamped in an apparatus for gear skiving machining; and in a subsequent further step, machining kinematics are determined for the gear skiving in dependence on the measured geometry of the tool characterized in that the absolute location of a cutting edge of the tool in the apparatus is determined in the first step.

A non-contact tool setting apparatus, suitable for use with machine tools and the like, is described in which a transmitter emits light that is received by a receiver. An analysis unit is provided for analysing the light received by the receiver and generating a trigger signal therefrom. The receiver includes an imaging sensor, such as a CMOS or CCD sensor, having a plurality of pixels. The analysis unit generates the trigger signal by analysing the light intensity measured by a first subset of the plurality of pixels. This analysis may involve, for example, determining a resultant received light intensity or performing edge detection. The non-contact tool setting apparatus can thus emulate the operation of a laser based non-contact tool setting apparatus whilst also permitting imaging of cutting tools.

A hard-wired measurement device is mountable within an enclosure of a computer-controlled machine tool. The device includes a measurement sensor for measuring objects, such as tools, within the machine tool enclosure and a hard-wired interface module for providing an electrical connection via one or more wires with an associated external interface located outside of the machine tool enclosure. The device further includes a wireless communications module that enables wireless communication with an associated wireless device, such as a spindle probe, located within the machine tool enclosure.