Responsive To Tool Patents (Class 483/10)
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Patent number: 11504818Abstract: A machine tool for machine processing workpieces by using a tool having a pull stud at a proximal end portion thereof. The machine tool includes a tool magazine having a number of tool holders each of which is capable of attaching and detaching the tool, a spindle which holds the tool at the time of machine processing the workpieces, and a controller which determines whether or not the pull stud is appropriate on the basis of detected data of a visual sensor which is provided inside or outside the machine tool, and which captures images of the pull stud of a tool holder of the tool, or detected data of a sensor which is provided inside the tool magazine, and which measures length, electric resistance, or electric capacity of the pull stud.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2020Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: FANUC CORPORATIONInventors: Tomohiro Oyamada, Rikizou Watanabe
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Patent number: 10032138Abstract: A punching apparatus capable of performing update work for updating maintenance information, irrespective of whether or not a punch die is mounted. A puncher includes a punching unit that punches a sheet using an exchangeable punch die provided with a die memory, and a CPU that detects mounting of a punch die in the punching unit. The CPU receives an update request requesting update of maintenance information stored in the die memory of the punch die. If mounting of the punch die is detected, when the update request designating the punch die is received, the CPU updates the maintenance information of the punch die based on the update request. If mounting of the punch die is not detected, the CPU updates the maintenance information of the punch die when mounting of the punch die is detected.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2016Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akinobu Nishikata, Yutaka Ando, Akihiro Arai, Hiromasa Maenishi
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Patent number: 9401270Abstract: In an embodiment, the present invention discloses a EUV cleaner system and process for cleaning a EUV carrier. The euv cleaner system comprises separate dirty and cleaned environments, separate cleaning chambers for different components of the double container carrier, gripper arms for picking and placing different components using a same robot handler, gripper arms for holding different components at different locations, horizontal spin cleaning and drying for outer container, hot water and hot air (70 C) cleaning process, vertical nozzles and rasterizing megasonic nozzles for cleaning inner container with hot air nozzles for drying, separate vacuum decontamination chambers for outgassing different components, for example, one for inner and one for outer container with high vacuum (e.g., <10?6 Torr) with purge gas, heaters and RGA sensors inside the vacuum chamber, purge gas assembling station, and purge gas loading and unloading station.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2015Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.Inventor: Lutz Rebstock
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Patent number: 9144870Abstract: A rotary pallet device for delivering a pallet to an automated machine, such as a CNC vertical machining center. A pallet is mounted to a retractable slide. The retractable slide is movably mounted with respect to a rotatable platform. An operator or worker accesses one or more stations, each with a rotatable door that at least partially houses a receiver for a pallet and/or a workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2013Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: Midaco CorporationInventors: Michael Paul Cayley, Sr., Timothy J. Hilger
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Patent number: 8974358Abstract: A multi-spindle machining machine with a tool changing mechanism contains a base; a carrier including a seat to move in Z axis, a rotary shaft fixed on the seat laterally to drive the seat to rotate in A axis, and a fixing holder coupled to an end portion of the rotary shaft to fix a work piece; a tool changing mechanism including a mount mounted to the rotary shaft to rotate with the rotary shaft and a monitor fixed on the seat to measure a length of the tool clamped on a driving spindle, and including a plurality of slots to receive the tools respectively; a working head moving above the carrier and the tool changing mechanism in X and Y axes and including the driving spindle mounted on a lower end thereof to rotate axially, and the lower end of the driving spindle allowing to engage and disengage the tool.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2012Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Shenq Fang Yuan Technology Co., Ltd.Inventor: Cheng Hsiu Shih
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Patent number: 8926484Abstract: A head tool changer for use with a deposition-based digital manufacturing system, the head tool changer comprising a tooling unit configured to retain a deposition head, a grip unit configured to engage with tooling unit and to relay electrical power to the tooling unit, and a master unit operably mounted to a gantry and configured to engage with the tooling unit and to relay electrical power to the tooling unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.Inventors: James W. Comb, Joseph E. Labossiere, Michael D. Bosveld, David G. Bocek, Max Peters
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Publication number: 20140243176Abstract: A method and a machine for automatically changing a disc tool to a tool holder of an automated machine working with the disc tools is disclosed. The method includes in the disc tool replacement machine: determining that the tool holder is in a replacement area in the disc tool replacement machine; unfastening a fixing member of the tool holder by applying an unfastening force to the fixing member, wherein the fixing member fixes a disc tool to a backing plate of the tool holder through a through hole at a centre of the disc tool; removing the disc tool from the tool holder after said unfastening; inserting a new disc tool to the tool holder; and fastening the fixing member of the tool holder by applying a fastening force to the fixing member, thus fixing the disc tool to the backing plate of the tool holder through the through hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: JOT Automation OyInventors: Petri Kosonen, Tarmo Linna, Toomas Tiismaa, Pertti Sipila, Hannu Lempea, Kimmo Arovirta, Vesa Hirvonen
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Patent number: 8747288Abstract: A robotic tool changer removably attaches a robotic tool to a robotic arm. The changer includes a tool module connected to the robotic tool, and a master module connected to the robotic arm. To attach and detach the robotic tool, the changer couples and uncouples the tool module and the master module. A master electrical signal module (ESM) affixes to the master module and a tool ESM affixes to the tool module. In accordance with design requirements, the changer applies the same power supply to both the master ESM and the tool ESM. The changer, however, selectively suppresses application of the power supply to the tool ESM, while maintaining application of the power supply to the master ESM, during the coupling or uncoupling of the master module and the tool module. In doing so, the changer enables such coupling and uncoupling, while also preventing the formation of transient electric arcs.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2010Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: ATI Industrial Automation, Inc.Inventors: Alexander Strotzer, Michael E. Coyle
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Publication number: 20140121085Abstract: Apparatus for selectively puncturing a moving receiver includes puncturing devices, each with two parallel puncturing wheels and a pressure wheel. A drive mechanism rotates the puncturing wheels or pressure wheel of two or more puncturing devices so that the rotating puncturing wheels engage the moving receiver to puncture the moving receiver parallel to its feed direction in the puncturing areas. A transport mechanism selectively moves the plurality of puncturing devices perpendicular to the feed direction of the receiver. A controller receives a job specification including two or more specified puncture locations and causes the transport mechanism to laterally position two or more of the plurality of puncturing devices to puncture the moving receiver in the specified puncture locations. A rotatable turret with various shaft segments can be arranged so that perforating devices can be moved on and off the shaft segments.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Inventors: Brian J. Kwarta, James Douglas Shifley
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Patent number: 8702078Abstract: A magnetic tool to enable a robot arm to grip a metallic workpiece includes a hollow housing having a coupling member adapted to attach the tool to the robotic arm. A sleeve depends from the housing having a shaft slidably received therein. The shaft has a first end disposed in the housing and a second end extending axially outwardly from an open end of the sleeve. A magnetic member is disposed on the second end of the shaft. The magnetic member includes a main body having a cavity formed therein. A magnet is slidably disposed within the cavity and attached to an actuator adapted to adjust the distance between the magnet and an inner surface of a magnetic face of the main body of the magnetic member to vary the magnetic attraction force at the magnetic face.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2008Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Fanuc Robotics America, Inc.Inventors: Scott J. Clifford, Paul D. Copioli, Marcin Gora
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Patent number: 8574139Abstract: A machine tool having an automatic tool changer (ATC). The machine tool includes a gantry, a spindle extending from the gantry, a configurable work area, and an ATC adjacent to a front wall of the machine tool. The ATC includes a rotary tool magazine and a plurality of receptacles oriented radially around the rotary tool magazine configured to hold a plurality of cutting tools having cutting edges. The cutting edges of the cutting tools point radially inwardly around the rotary tool magazine, and the cutting tools are removed directly from the automatic tool changer by the spindle and brought to a part to be machined. A tool sensor may be located between the ATC and the spindle to take measurements of the cutting tool. The ATC includes at least one receptacle configured to hold a cutting tool.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2009Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Microlution, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Honegger, Andrew Phillip, Deepkishore Mukhopadhyay, Abhinandan Tulsian, Elizabeth Creighton
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Publication number: 20130035221Abstract: An apparatus for slicing food products includes a cutting blade which moves in a cutting plane to cut off slices from at least one product supplied to the cutting plane and includes a blade changing device which is designed to replace the cutting blade automatically with a replacement cutting blade on the presence of a change criterion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2012Publication date: February 7, 2013Applicant: Weber Maschinenbau GmbH BreidenbachInventor: Günther Weber
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Patent number: 8308621Abstract: A multi-spindle machining machine with a tool changing mechanism comprising a base; a carrier including a seat to move in Z axis, a rotary shaft fixed on the seat laterally to drive the seat to rotate in A axis, and a fixing holder coupled to an end portion of the rotary shaft to fix a workpiece; a tool changing mechanism including a mount mounted to the rotary shaft to rotate with the rotary shaft and a monitor fixed on the seat to measure a length of the tool clamped on the driving spindle, and including a plurality of slots to receive the tools respectively; a working head moving above the carrier and the tool changing mechanism in X and Y axes and including a driving spindle mounted on a lower end thereof to rotate axially, and the lower end of the driving spindle allowing to engage and disengage the tool.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2009Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Shenq Fang Yuan Technology Co., Ltd.Inventor: Cheng Hsiu Shih
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Publication number: 20100197472Abstract: A robotic tool changer removably attaches a robotic tool to a robotic arm. The changer includes a tool module connected to the robotic tool, and a master module connected to the robotic arm. To attach and detach the robotic tool, the changer couples and uncouples the tool module and the master module. A master electrical signal module (ESM) affixes to the master module and a tool ESM affixes to the tool module. In accordance with design requirements, the changer applies the same power supply to both the master ESM and the tool ESM. The changer, however, selectively suppresses application of the power supply to the tool ESM, while maintaining application of the power supply to the master ESM, during the coupling or uncoupling of the master module and the tool module. In doing so, the changer enables such coupling and uncoupling, while also preventing the formation of transient electric arcs.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: ATI Industrial Automation, Inc.Inventors: Alexander Strotzer, Michael E. Coyle
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Patent number: 7670272Abstract: An improved milling machine makes use of individually controlled x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis carriages. These carriages provide positive and precise control of the position of the cutting tools and the blank to be cut. The tools are located in spindles that are moved in the x-axis. A work piece or blank is manipulated in the y-axis and the z-axis. The tools are offset in the x-axis. Lights on a work space door are used to signal the condition of the mill machine and the milling operation. A tool changer allows the tools to be changed to accommodate other materials. A camera or other sensor is used to detect the location and wear on the tools.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2009Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: D4D Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark S. Quadling, Henley S. Quadling, Rod Duncan
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Patent number: 7374524Abstract: A tool changer includes a tool attachment mechanism and a changer electronics module. The changer electronics module implements a tool changer node on a device network for the tool changer and a tool plate node on the device network for a tool plate of an automated tool that may be latched to the tool changer.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2005Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.Inventor: Peter E. McCormick
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Patent number: 7309306Abstract: A machine tool comprises a main body having a plurality of parts and an NC apparatus connected to the main body. The NC apparatus includes a display means for displaying a part information about the plurality of parts constituting the main body, a memory means for memorizing the part information, and a control means for controlling the display means and the memory means. The part information includes the ID number, names, types and attachment positions of the parts. The control means displays either the ID numbers and the attachment positions of the parts or the ID numbers, the names, and the types of the parts on the display means selectively.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2006Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Assignee: Kitamura Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventor: Akihiro Kitamura
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Patent number: 7211033Abstract: A machine tool has at least one working spindle, in which a tool receptacle for tool holders is provided. Furthermore, there is a tool-changing arm with a gripper, for a tool holder in order to transfer this tool holder between its magazine position, which is spaced apart from the tool receptacle, and its working position, in which the tool holder can be clamped into the tool receptacle. Orientation means are provided between the gripper and the tool holder supported by it and secure the tool holder in a nonrotatable manner on the gripper at least during its transfer between the magazine position and the working position and release it after it has been clamped into the tool receptacle, with the result that the tool holder can be rotated in relation to the gripper.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2004Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Dirk Prust, Rudolf Haninger, Hans-Henning Winkler
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Patent number: 7115082Abstract: A machine tool has a working spindle in which a tool receptacle for tool holders is provided. Furthermore, there is at least one tool-changing arm with a gripper in which a tool holder is held in a peripheral alignment with respect to the gripper in order to transfer this tool holder between its magazine position, which is spaced apart from the tool receptacle, and its working position, in which the tool holder can be clamped into the tool receptacle. A positioning indicator is provided for the peripheral alignment of the tool holder, the indicator indicating a misalignment between the tool holder and gripper.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2004Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Dirk Prust, Hans-Henning Winkler, Rudolf Haninger
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Patent number: 6840895Abstract: A robotic tool changer with an improved safety interlock includes a master unit, a tool unit, and a coupler movable between coupled and decoupled positions and operative to couple the master and tool units. A circuit for actuating the coupler is associated with the tool unit, for connection to an interlock that closes when the tool is safely parked in a tool stand. The circuit enables the coupler to assume the decoupled position when the master and tool units are coupled and the circuit is closed. The robotic tool changer additionally includes a circuit operative to enable the coupler to assume the decoupled position when the master unit is decoupled from the tool unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2003Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: ATI Industrial Automation, Inc.Inventors: Dwayne Perry, Richard Heavner
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Patent number: 6780145Abstract: A bending press system provided with a bending press (1) with at least one bending station to mount a plurality of divided tools, tool housing devices (65, 123) to house divided metals to be used on the bending press, tool exchange devices (61, 143) which mount the divided tools on the bending station, and provide a first memory (403) which stores housed positions of each divided tool housed in the housing devices and a second memory (405) which stores the bending line length of the bent part, the flange length and the bending angle of the bent product, a first computation (407) which, based on the bending line length, flange length, and bending angle, computes the tool (cross section shape) type and the length of the bending station, a second computation (409) which, based on the tool type and length of the bending station computes the arrangement of each divided tool on the bending station, and an NC control (411) which controls the tool exchange device so that each divided tool is moved from the housed posType: GrantFiled: November 6, 2002Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: Amada Company, LimitedInventors: Ichio Akami, Takahiro Ogawa, Masaaki Sato, Goujyu Umemoto, Toshiyuki Kondo
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Patent number: 6506143Abstract: In a finishing apparatus, a plurality of works are retained at distances from each other in a direction of an X-axis. A single spindle is disposed on a table movable in the direction of the X-axis, the spindle has an axis parallel to an axis of each of bores to be finished, and is capable of being advanced and retracted axially. A measuring device is provided that measures an inside diameter of each finished bore and which is advanced and retracted independently from the spindle in a direction along the axis of each finished bore. A combination tool is mounted at a tip end of the spindle and finishes an inner surface of any of the bores to be finished, even if the position of insertion of the combination tool into each of the bores is changed.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2000Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kaname Goto, Yuzo Abe, Koichi Arai, Tsugio Ueno, Yasuo Kondo
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Patent number: 6344018Abstract: A punch press is replaced for processing where the punch press has a cartridge on which a plurality of tools are mounted. The punch press includes a control apparatus for controlling a press machine body and a tool information storage device for storing plural pieces of tool information and tool identification information on each of the tools in such a way that the pieces of information mutually correspond. It also includes a cartridge replacement input device for inputting the tool identification information to the control apparatus. The control apparatus has an identification device for using the input tool identification information to identify the tool information on the plurality of tools stored in the tool information storage device.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1998Date of Patent: February 5, 2002Assignee: Murata Kikai Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hideto Aizawa
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Patent number: 6183404Abstract: A machine tool (10) has a spindle (11) for receiving a tool (15) for machining a workpiece (16). A mechanism (17) for clamping the workpiece (16) is also provided. Also provided is a changing mechanism (37) for a machining tool (29), which holds the machining tool (29) in a gripper hand (38) which it introduces laterally into a workpiece cavity (21) in such a way that it can be automatically coupled there to an adapter tool (32) carried by the spindle (11).Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1999Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Karl Deufel
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Patent number: 6162154Abstract: The present invention provides a tool changer which can be placed on the table of an existing machine tool, while utilizing the existing control computer of the machine tool to automate the tool changing process. This simplified tool changer allows the owner of an entry level machine tool to automate the machine tool at a relatively low cost and without many modifications to the machine tool as compared to current alternatives. The tool changer of the present invention requires no external power, no additional motors, and no modifications to the spindle of the machine tool.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 1999Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignee: Paradyne Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Steven E. Davis
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Patent number: 5762454Abstract: A spindle device for detecting the completion of an automatic tool changing procedure comprising a spindle (11) having a tool holder support portion (22) formed at the forward end thereof, a drawing bolt (17) with a through-hole (18) through which an air is blown in the vicinity of a tool holder support portion (22) of the spindle (11) for cleaning in the automatic tool changing procedure, and a pressure detection means (21) disposed in association with the through-hole (18) of the drawing bolt (17), wherein whether or not a tool holder (9) is suitably mounted on the tool holder mounting portion (22) is judged on the basis of an air blow pressure detected by the pressure detection means (21).Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1996Date of Patent: June 9, 1998Assignee: Kitamura Machinery Co. Ltd.Inventor: Shigeru Yamada
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Patent number: 5741114Abstract: A component mounting device adapted to mount components such IC or the like on a printed circuit board that includes replaceable pick up nozzles to accommodate different types of components to be picked up. A sensing station is provided that permits the pick up nozzle to be verified as the correct one. The same sensing station is employed to sense both the orientation of a component that is picked up and also whether the component is correctly oriented for deposit. This is done by measuring projected lengths in a plane with a photo sensitive device and by making calculations in accordance with trigonometric relationships.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1993Date of Patent: April 21, 1998Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hitoshi Onodera
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Patent number: 5662567Abstract: A machine tool comprises a headstock (12) having a rotatable spindle (16) and having motor means for rotatably driving said spindle (16). At least one gripper (26) is provided for gripping a tool holder (18) and for transferring same from a first, uncoupled position outside said spindle (16) into a second, ready-to-couple position within said spindle (16). Coupling means (35) are provided at said headstock (12) for coupling said tool holder (18) in said second, ready-to-couple position with said spindle (16) such that said tool holder (18) assumes one of at least two coupled conditions, whereby in such coupled condition said tool holder (18) is locked on said spindle (16) for rotation therewith. Said at least two coupled conditions differ from one another with respect to a relative angular alignment between said tool holder (18) and said spindle (16).Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1995Date of Patent: September 2, 1997Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Eugen Rutschle, Rudolf Haninger, Hans-Henning Winkler
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Patent number: 5342275Abstract: A breakage detecting device is mounted so that the position of the breakage detecting device in a direction parallel to an axial moving path of a spindle is unchanged. The breakage detecting device has a sensing element movable through a path that intersects the axial moving path of the spindle. If the sensing element comes into contact with a tip portion of a tool held by the spindle during the movement of the sensing element, it is judged that the tool held by the spindle has not been broken. Conversely, if the sensing element does not contact the tool, it is judged that the tool has been broken.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 1993Date of Patent: August 30, 1994Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shugo Yanase, Haruki Baba
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Patent number: 5263918Abstract: A machine tool has a spindle rotating in a headstock and has, further, a gripper for transferring a toolholder from an uncoupled position into a ready-to-couple position within the spindle. A coupling mechanism is provided for further transferring the toolholder from the ready-to-couple position to a couple position within the spindle in which the toolholder can be rigidly connected to the spindle for rotation therewith. In order to control the transferring steps, a sensor is provided for detecting whether the toolholder is in its couple position.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1991Date of Patent: November 23, 1993Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Eugen Ruetschle, Hans-Henning Winkler, Rudolf Hanninger
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Patent number: 5208761Abstract: A method is provided for the confirmation of the diameters of plural drills of different diameters in a PWB working machine in which the drills are interchangeably mounted to perform drilling. The method comprises storing, with respect to each of the drills, data on whether or not the drill has already been used, checking the data of one of the drills upon drill replacement, and measuring the diameter of the drill only where the drill has not previously been used.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 1991Date of Patent: May 4, 1993Inventors: Norio Michigami, Tamio Otani, Yasuhiko Kanaya, Hiroyuki Kamata