Patent ID: 7444757

Claim:
An alignment tool for aligning a machine-tool with a spindle, the spindle configured for holding and for rotating a workpiece about an axis of rotation of the spindle, the alignment tool comprising: a collet for holding the machine-tool; a nut for attaching the collet to a head; the head; a body for attaching the alignment tool to a machine-tool turret block; and an attachment mechanism for attaching the head to the body, the attachment mechanism, in a first state, allowing freedom of movement of the head with respect to the body in two axes generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the spindle and, in a second state, allowing no such freedom of movement of the head with respect to the body; wherein the head includes a tapered aperture, the aperture tapering from a larger diameter toward a first end of the head nearer the spindle to a smaller diameter toward a second end of the head nearer the machine-tool turret block, the aperture configured for aligning the alignment tool with the spindle.