Patent ID: 7234216

Claim:
Method for support control in a machine, said method comprising the steps of controlling the machine regardless of whether an object is one of (1) placed correctly on a support surface and (2) clamped by a clamping device, the clamping device including a first and a second clamping means, using a duct system which ends in one of the support surface and the first clamping means, conducting a medium in the duct system, the medium being pressurizeable, covering a final opening of the duct system by at least one of the object on the support surface and the second clamping means, reducing pressure of the medium in the duct system at a choke point, determining a differential pressure of the medium before and after the choke point, evaluating the differential pressure of the medium for the control of the machine, the medium in the duct system being one of (1) a cooling lubricating liquid, (2) an air coolant mixture and (3) air, and using a pre-existing duct system having one of a cooling lubricating liquid system, air coolant mixture, or air rinsing system for the machine.