A device and method for monitoring and correcting the position and orientation of an operating device (2) with respect to a piece (P). A measuring device (5) including a plurality of sensors (505) connected to the operating device is used to measure through contactless technology the distances of the sensors from a surface (π) of the piece along respective directions (l, r, s) having given orientations. The sensor measurements are compared to predetermined desired values and the position of the operating device (2) is selectively changed to maintain a desired positional relationship between a main operative axis (X1) of the operative device and operation axis (X2) defined by the surface of the piece.

A manufacturing apparatus includes a manufacturing unit; a cover that includes a see-through portion; an input unit that occupies a predetermined area on a surface of the see-through portion and detects a contact to the predetermined area and outputs information regarding the detection; a display that displays a predetermined image at a position of the cover; and a controller that in response to a predetermined input to the input unit, controls the display to display the predetermined image at or near a position where the predetermined input is detected, controls the display to display a predetermined operation panel image as the predetermined image at or near a position on the cover that overlaps the input unit; and controls the manufacturing unit based on a detection position of the predetermined input on the predetermined operation panel image.

A manufacturing apparatus includes a manufacturing unit; a cover that includes a see-through portion; an input unit that occupies a predetermined area on a surface of the see-through portion and detects a contact to the predetermined area and outputs information regarding the detection; a display that displays a predetermined image at a position of the cover; and a controller that in response to a predetermined input to the input unit, controls the display to display the predetermined image at or near a position where the predetermined input is detected, controls the display to display a predetermined operation panel image as the predetermined image at or near a position on the cover that overlaps the input unit; and controls the manufacturing unit based on a detection position of the predetermined input on the predetermined operation panel image.

An alternative to additive manufacturing is disclosed, introducing an end-to-end workflow in which discrete building blocks are reversibly joined to produce assemblies called digital materials. Described is the design of the bulk-material building blocks and the devices that are assembled from them. Detailed is the design and implementation of an automated assembler, which takes advantage of the digital material structure to avoid positioning errors within a large tolerance. To generate assembly sequences, a novel CAD/CAM workflow is described for designing, simulating, and assembling digital materials. The structures assembled using this process have been evaluated, showing that the joints perform well under varying conditions and that the assembled structures are functionally precise.

An alternative to additive manufacturing is disclosed, introducing an end-to-end workflow in which discrete building blocks are reversibly joined to produce assemblies called digital materials. Described is the design of the bulk-material building blocks and the devices that are assembled from them. Detailed is the design and implementation of an automated assembler, which takes advantage of the digital material structure to avoid positioning errors within a large tolerance. To generate assembly sequences, a novel CAD/CAM workflow is described for designing, simulating, and assembling digital materials. The structures assembled using this process have been evaluated, showing that the joints perform well under varying conditions and that the assembled structures are functionally precise.

Provided is a machine system having optical endpoint control and associated method for maintaining having is provided constant optical contact. Specifically, the machine system comprises a machine capable of movement in at least one direction. The machine is configured such that, during a calibration phase, a steerable retroreflective system is mounted upon the machine for movement therewith. A controller is configured to control the movement of the machine in at least one direction. The machine system may be configured to automatically adjust the feedrate of the machine, upon determining that a velocity required for the positioner to move the retroreflector to a desired position exceeds a certain segment feedrate threshold, such that an incident beam of light can maintain constant contact with the retroreflector throughout movement of the machine from the first position to the second position.

A localization device using a magnetic field for positioning a moving object is provided. The localization device includes a magnetic landmark, a set of at least four tri-axes magnetic sensors mounted on the moving object, and a logic operation processing unit. The set of at least four tri-axes magnetic sensors forms four non-coplanar points in a three-dimension coordinate system. The logic operation processing unit is connected to the set of at least four tri-axes magnetic sensors. The set of at least four tri-axes magnetic sensors senses the magnetic field of the magnetic landmark and generates at least four magnetic signals transmitted to the logic operation processing unit.

A localization device using a magnetic field for positioning a moving object is provided. The localization device includes a magnetic landmark, a set of at least four tri-axes magnetic sensors mounted on the moving object, and a logic operation processing unit. The set of at least four tri-axes magnetic sensors forms four non-coplanar points in a three-dimension coordinate system. The logic operation processing unit is connected to the set of at least four tri-axes magnetic sensors. The set of at least four tri-axes magnetic sensors senses the magnetic field of the magnetic landmark and generates at least four magnetic signals transmitted to the logic operation processing unit.

A numerical value controller for a machine tool includes a storage unit storing a machining program for drilling a hole in a workpiece in accordance with relative movement between a tool and workpiece in a depth direction, and a control unit controlling the relative movement between the tool and workpiece based on the machining program and that moves the tool relative to the workpiece in the depth direction from a return point to a hole bottom point. The return point is a position retracted in the depth direction from a workpiece surface where the tool starts to perform drilling. The machining program includes a command for a workpiece height point as a position of the workpiece surface. The control unit moves the tool relative to the workpiece in the depth direction at a relative rate higher than a cutting feed rate from the return point to the height point.

A numerical value controller for a machine tool includes a storage unit storing a machining program for drilling a hole in a workpiece in accordance with relative movement between a tool and workpiece in a depth direction, and a control unit controlling the relative movement between the tool and workpiece based on the machining program and that moves the tool relative to the workpiece in the depth direction from a return point to a hole bottom point. The return point is a position retracted in the depth direction from a workpiece surface where the tool starts to perform drilling. The machining program includes a command for a workpiece height point as a position of the workpiece surface. The control unit moves the tool relative to the workpiece in the depth direction at a relative rate higher than a cutting feed rate from the return point to the height point.