A sensing and positioning device adapted to be mounted on a spindle of a machine tool including: a fixing element; and at least three sensing elements adapted to be connected operationally to a programmable control unit of a machine tool. The sensing and positioning device is adapted to be used with a machining tool mounted on the spindle. A machine tool including a workpiece table, a machining head, and movement means adapted to move the machining head above the workpiece table. The machine further includes the device described above. An associated machining method is also described.

A machining center having at least one door to control access to an enclosure thereof, where access through the door is provided by an unlocked latch, and the latch is unlocked based on wirelessly communicated signals relaying information about at least one operating condition of a fluid driven cutting tool spindle in use within the machining center.

A machine tool accessory including a monolithic flexure travel guide, a motor, and a position feedback sensor is provided. The machine tool accessory also includes an accessory tool spindle configured to rotate a tool, the accessory tool spindle being disposed within the monolithic flexure travel guide. The motor is configured to move the monolithic flexure travel guide, and the position feedback sensor is configured to measure position of the monolithic flexure travel guide. In some embodiments, the machine tool accessory further includes a controller configured to (i) communicatively couple to the motor, (ii) communicatively couple to one or more external devices, and (iii) cause the motor to move the accessory tool spindle in response to signals received from the one or more external devices.