A position sensing tool for enabling topographical measurements of a working surface is provided. The tool includes sensors for mapping the tool environment and for positioning of the tool within the environment. The tool enables tracking of tool activity within the environment. The tool enables design and fabrication collaboration with other computer systems. The tool enables user and tool environment safety using tool positional, user position and tool environment awareness. Certain embodiments of the tool permit automated guidance of tasks in the tool environment.

A position sensing tool for enabling topographical measurements of a working surface is provided. The tool includes sensors for mapping the tool environment and for positioning of the tool within the environment. The tool enables tracking of tool activity within the environment. The tool enables design and fabrication collaboration with other computer systems. The tool enables user and tool environment safety using tool positional, user position and tool environment awareness. Certain embodiments of the tool permit automated guidance of tasks in the tool environment.

A system for inspecting a component includes a fixture for holding the component, a light source disposed on one side of the component, and an optical detector disposed on the other side of the component. The detector images a portion of the outer edges of the component. A translation stage is operative to move the light source and detector in unison along the length of the component. The component is rotated through a predetermined angle about its axis.

An information processing device according to the present invention includes: a numerical data storage unit which stores numerical data related to control or operation of a machine tool that numerically controls a drive axis at every time; an audiovisual information storage unit which stores audiovisual information acquired in the machine tool; and an output control unit which causes the audiovisual information stored in the audiovisual information storage unit to be outputted, while simultaneously causing the numerical data of the time at which acquiring the audiovisual information being outputted to be displayed from among the numerical data stored in the numerical data storage unit.

A machining system includes a machine tool having a camera, and a three-dimensional shape generating apparatus. The three-dimensional shape generating apparatus includes an image capture unit that captures a first image from the camera at a first relative position and captures a second image from the camera at a second relative position, and a shape generator that generates a three-dimensional shape of at least one subject, based on the first image, the second image and a distance between the first relative position and the second relative position.

An information processing device according to the present invention includes: a numerical data storage unit which stores numerical data related to control or operation of a machine tool that numerically controls a drive axis at every time; an audiovisual information storage unit which stores audiovisual information acquired in the machine tool; and an output control unit which causes the audiovisual information stored in the audiovisual information storage unit to be outputted, while simultaneously causing the numerical data of the time at which acquiring the audiovisual information being outputted to be displayed from among the numerical data stored in the numerical data storage unit.

A system and method are disclosed for inspecting a component having a length, a width, and an axis. The system includes a fixture for holding the component, a light source disposed on one side of the component, and an optical detector disposed on the other side of the component. In the preferred embodiment, the detector has a field of view wider than the width of the component, thereby enabling the detector to image a portion of the outer edges of the component. A translation stage is operative to move the light source and detector in unison along the length of the component and a processor, in communication with the detector and the translation stage, is operative to: a) receive electrical signals representative of the outer profile imaged by the detector; b) move the translation stage incrementally along the length of the component; and c) record the outer profile imaged by the detector at each increment and form a composite profile of the component. In the preferred embodiment, the processor is further operative to record the composite profile of the component at one or more angular orientations by rotating the component through a predetermined angle about its axis.

A machining system includes a machine tool having a camera, and a three-dimensional shape generating apparatus. The three-dimensional shape generating apparatus includes an image capture unit that captures a first image from the camera at a first relative position and captures a second image from the camera at a second relative position, and a shape generator that generates a three-dimensional shape of at least one subject, based on the first image, the second image and a distance between the first relative position and the second relative position.

A position sensing tool for enabling topographical measurements of a working surface is provided. The tool includes sensors for mapping the tool environment and for positioning of the tool within the environment. The tool enables tracking of tool activity within the environment. The tool enables design and fabrication collaboration with other computer systems. The tool enables user and tool environment safety using tool positional, user position and tool environment awareness. Certain embodiments of the tool permit automated guidance of tasks in the tool environment.

A manufacturing process for providing an assembly formed of a first piece and a best fitted second piece is described. The manufacturing process is carried out by performing at least the following operations: receiving the first piece characterized in accordance with at least a first attribute, selecting the best fitted second piece from a buffer, the selecting based in part upon a best matching value of a second attribute in relation to the first attribute, replacing the selected best fitted second piece with another second piece such that the number of second pieces in the buffer remains about the same, and forming the assembly the first part and the second part to form the assembly.