Machine tool

Abstract

A machine tool arranged to deliver an energy source through a processing head onto a work-piece, wherein; the machine-tool has a clamping mechanism arranged to temporarily receive the processing-head, or another machining or processing-head, to process a work-piece; the processing-head comprising one or more guiding mechanisms arranged to direct the energy source onto a work-piece and a processing-head docking-manifold arranged to have connected thereto one or more media to be, in use, supplied to the processing-head to facilitate processing of the work-piece; wherein the processing-head docking-manifold allows the one or more media to be supplied to the processing-head when the processing-head is connected to the clamping mechanism; and wherein the machine-tool also comprises at least one mechanism arranged to move a supply docking-manifold into and/or out of connection with the processing-head docking-manifold such that when the two manifolds are connected the or each media is supplied to the processing head.

1 - 53 . (canceled) 
     
     
         54 . An apparatus comprising:
 a processing head configured to be temporarily held by a clamp of a machine tool, wherein the processing head is configured to deposit one or more media onto a workpiece during an operational state, wherein the processing head comprises:
 a first docking manifold, the first docking manifold comprises one or more openings through which the processing head is to receive the one or more media; and 
 a guide configured to direct energy from an energy source onto at least one of: the workpiece or the one or more media; and 
   wherein the first docking manifold is configured to temporarily connect to a second docking manifold of the machine tool, the first docking manifold configured to receive the energy from the energy source through the second docking manifold.   
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 54 , wherein the first docking manifold is further configured to receive the one or more media through the second docking manifold. 
     
     
         56 . The apparatus of  claim 55 , wherein the one or more media are passed through the machine tool to the processing head through the first and second docking manifolds. 
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of  claim 54 , wherein the machine tool is configured to interchangeably hold any one of a plurality of different interchangeable subtractive tools. 
     
     
         58 . The apparatus of  claim 57 , wherein the second docking manifold is moved into an active position on the machine tool when connected to the processing head during the operational state. 
     
     
         59 . The apparatus of  claim 58 , wherein the second docking manifold is moved into an inactive position on the machine tool when connected to subtractive tools in the plurality of interchangeable subtractive tools. 
     
     
         60 . The apparatus of  claim 54 , wherein the one or more openings of the first docking manifold align with one or more complimentary openings of the second docking manifold when the processing head is held by the machine tool. 
     
     
         61 . A method comprising:
 moving a first docking manifold on a machine tool from an inactive position to an active position to enable the machine tool to temporarily connect to a particular processing head, wherein the particular processing head comprises a second docking manifold, the first docking manifold comprises a first set of openings, the second docking manifold comprises a second set of openings to align with the first set of openings when the particular processing head is connected to the machine tool; and   connecting the particular processing head to the machine tool;   while the particular processing head is connected to the machine tool:
 receiving at the particular processing head, through at least a particular one of the second set of openings, one or more media; and 
 directing energy through the particular processing head onto at least one of a workpiece or the one or more media, wherein the energy is received by the particular processing head from an energy source through the second docking manifold. 
   
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61 , further comprising:
 disconnecting the particular processing head from the machine tool;   moving the first docking manifold from the active position to the inactive position;   connecting a subtractive tool to the machine tool when the first docking manifold is in the inactive position.   
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the one or more media are received from the machine tool. 
     
     
         64 . A system comprising:
 a machine tool configured to hold any one of a plurality of different interchangeable subtractive tools, wherein the machine tool comprises:
 a clamp to hold interchangeable tools; and 
 a first docking manifold; and 
   a processing head configured to be temporarily held by the clamp, wherein the processing head is configured to deposit one or more media onto a workpiece during an operational state, wherein the processing head comprises:
 a second docking manifold, the second docking manifold comprises one or more openings through which the processing head is to receive the one or more media; and 
 a guide configured to direct energy from an energy source onto at least one of: the workpiece or the one or more media; and 
   wherein the first docking manifold is configured to temporarily connect to the second docking manifold of the machine tool, the processing head is to receive the energy from the energy source through the first and second docking manifolds.   
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein the first docking manifold is further configured to receive the one or more media through the second docking manifold. 
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 65 , wherein the one or more media are passed through the machine tool to the processing head through the first and second docking manifolds. 
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein the machine tool is configured to interchangeably hold any one of a plurality of different interchangeable subtractive tools. 
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 67 , wherein the second docking manifold is moved into an active position on the machine tool when connected to the processing head during the operational state. 
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 68 , wherein the second docking manifold is moved into an inactive position on the machine tool when connected to subtractive tools in the plurality of interchangeable subtractive tools. 
     
     
         70 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein the one or more openings of the first docking manifold align with one or more complimentary openings of the second docking manifold when the processing head is held by the machine tool. 
     
     
         71 . The system of  claim 64 , further comprising the plurality of different interchangeable subtractive tools. 
     
     
         72 . The system of  claim 71 , further comprising a cabinet to store the processing head and the plurality of different interchangeable subtractive tools. 
     
     
         73 . The system of  claim 71 , further comprising a tool exchanger to automatically interchange the processing head and the plurality of different interchangeable subtractive tools with the clamp.