A powered high-speed cutting tool that also locates objects behind sheet material and subsequently cuts around the object. The tool incorporates at least one sensor having a transceiver emitting a signal to detect at least one from the group of object density, conductivity, distance, and identification. The sensor is housed within a sensor unit that is part of the body of the cutting tool. The sensor unit can be incorporated into the body or removable from the cutting tool. A marking unit is used to mark the cutting area of the sheet material and is generally part of or located near a sensor unit. Indicator members, such as lights, audio, and/or display screen, are used to provide information to the user.

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 powered high-speed cutting tool that also locates objects behind sheet material and subsequently cuts around the object. The tool incorporates at least one sensor having a transceiver emitting a signal to detect at least one from the group of object density, conductivity, distance, and identification. The sensor is housed within a sensor unit that is part of the body of the cutting tool. The sensor unit can be incorporated into the body or removable from the cutting tool. A marking unit is used to mark the cutting area of the sheet material and is generally part of or located near a sensor unit. Indicator members, such as lights, audio, and/or display screen, are used to provide information to the user.

A powered high-speed cutting tool that also locates objects behind sheet material and subsequently cuts around the object. The tool incorporates at least one sensor having a transceiver emitting a signal to detect at least one from the group of object density, conductivity, distance, and identification. The sensor is housed within a sensor unit that is part of the body of the cutting tool. The sensor unit can be incorporated into the body or removable from the cutting tool. A marking unit is used to mark the cutting area of the sheet material and is generally part of or located near a sensor unit. Indicator members, such as lights, audio, and/or display screen, are used to provide information to the user.

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.