A static edge finder for finding an edge of a workpiece loaded in a CNC machine, and tool height gauge for finding the height of a tool loaded in a CNC machine.

According to one embodiment, an object holding apparatus includes a holding part, a recognition device, and a controller. The holding part is able to hold at least one object. The recognition device recognizes a plurality of objects to generate a recognition result. The controller selects a first object from the objects, based on the recognition result. The controller sets a first direction to one side of the first object along which the number of objects aligned with the first object is smaller than the number of objects aligned with the first object along the other side of the first object. The controller selects a second object aligned with the first object along the first direction. The controller controls a driving of the holding part, based on a selection result of the first object and the second object.

According to one embodiment, an object holding apparatus includes a holding part, a recognition device, and a controller. The holding part is able to hold at least one object. The recognition device recognizes a plurality of objects to generate a recognition result. The controller selects a first object from the objects, based on the recognition result. The controller sets a first direction to one side of the first object along which the number of objects aligned with the first object is smaller than the number of objects aligned with the first object along the other side of the first object. The controller selects a second object aligned with the first object along the first direction. The controller controls a driving of the holding part, based on a selection result of the first object and the second object.

A static edge finder for finding an edge of a workpiece loaded in a CNC machine, and tool height gauge for finding the height of a tool loaded in a CNC machine.

A method for joining concealed workpiece parts by an energy beam, wherein a lower workpiece part and an upper workpiece part are positioned relative to each other; the upper workpiece part contacts the lower workpiece part along a joining contour; the energy beam is directed onto an upper side of the upper workpiece part, moved along the joining contour by a controller, in order to join the upper workpiece part to the joining contour; an exploratory seam is produced on the upper work piece part, for detecting the joining contour; a detector detects a boundary at which a surface area of the upper work piece part borders a surface area of the upper work piece part which does have contact with the joining contour; the controller registers a position of the boundary and compares it with a target position of the boundary which is stored in the controller.

A static edge finder for finding an edge of a workpiece loaded in a CNC machine, and tool height gauge for finding the height of a tool loaded in a CNC machine.