Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha

Fumio Kamahora

Masakazu Kanemoto

Tetsu Yoshida

Takao Manabe

A numerical controlled machine tool apparatus capable of providing intermediate measurement (in process measurement) during the carrying out of a machining process on a workpiece. A spindle of the apparatus, usually used for mounting a machining tool, is also capable of mounting a measuring tool which generates a contact signal when the measuring tool on the spindle is brought into contact with the workpiece. A measuring control unit including a memory is capable of compensating for any deviation that may exist between a center axis line of the measuring tool and the center axis line of the spindle, thereby making the apparatus capable of carrying out accurate measurements and adjusting a machining process based on the result of such an accurate measurement.

Numerical controlled machine tool making intermediate measurements

A numerical controlled machine tool provides a detector which produces a detecting signal when it is brought into contact or out of contact with a workpiece for measuring same. A driving device relatively moves the detector with respect to the workpiece, and a position detecting means for detecting the position of the detector. The numerical control device provides a signal corresponding to an amount by which the detector is moved with respect to the workpiece and causes the driving device to stop in accordance with the detecting signal. In operation, the numerical control device detects when the detector contacts with the workpiece while moving at a first speed, and applies a stop signal which is produced from a detecting signal given by the detector. The detector is then moved in a direction away from the workpiece at a second speed by a distance which is either larger or smaller than the distance by which the detector moved and stopped after the first detecting signal was produced. The detector is then further relatively moved either away from or towards, respectively, the workpiece at a third speed smaller than the first and second speeds. A detecting signal is again produced when the detector is brought into contact with the workpiece while moving at the third speed, and the contents of the position detecting device are read out when the detecting signal is produced while moving at the third speed is read out.

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Susono, Japan

Fumio Kamahora