Sensing and positioning device for a machining head of a machine tool, machine tool comprising such a device, and associated machining method

A machine tool comprising a workpiece table, a machining head and movement means which are adapted to move the machining head above the workpiece table, said machining head comprising a spindle which comprises a sensing and positioning device attachable to said spindle;

• wherein the sensing and positioning device comprises:
• a fixing element;
• and
• at least three sensing elements adapted to be connected operationally to a programmable control unit of the machine tool;
• said sensing and positioning device usable with a tool mounted on the spindle, initially and during execution of a machining operation by the tool, whereby said sensing and positioning device is adapted to sense in a continuous manner a surface of an article during the machining operation via the at least three sensing elements, the at least three sensing elements oriented so as to contact the article surface during the continuous sensing;
• wherein said at least three sensing elements are feelers, each having a shape of a needle.

Machining method using a machine tool, comprising the steps of:

• a) mounting a machining tool and a sensing and positioning device on a spindle;
• b) moving the sensing and positioning device until contacting a surface of a workpiece;
• c) sensing and measuring contact point by the sensing and positioning device;
• d) whereby if the contact point corresponds to a theoretical point, moving the machining tool in an axial direction in order to perform machining and, where necessary, subsequently moving the machining tool in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction;
• and
• if the contact point does not correspond to the theoretical point, repositioning the machine head depending on sensed contact point;
• wherein the machine tool comprises a workpiece table, a machining head and movement means which are adapted to move the machining head above the workpiece table, said machining head comprising the spindle which comprises a sensing and positioning device attachable to said spindle;
• wherein the sensing and positioning device comprises:
• a fixing element;
• and
• at least three sensing elements adapted to be connected operationally to a programmable control unit of the machine tool;
• said sensing and positioning device usable with a tool mounted on the spindle, initially and during execution of a machining operation by the tool, whereby said sensing and positioning device is adapted to sense in a continuous manner a surface of an article during the machining operation.