Patent ID: 7220088

Claim:
A toolhead for multi-axis machine tools, comprising: a support assembly; a spindle mounted to the support assembly, carrying a removable tool-holder and rotatable about a relative machining axis in such a way that a tool secured to the tool-holder can be set in rotation; a depth stop element, affording an active surface substantially transverse to the machining axis and positionable against the surface of a workpiece, which is mounted to the support assembly by a motion-inducing arm extending parallel to and at a distance from the machining axis and by a connecting portion angled relative to the machining axis, and which is capable of movement along the machining axis between an extended first position, distanced from the spindle by sufficient space to allow easy removal and replacement of the tool-holder, and a retracted second position of proximity to the spindle, during which the tool enters the workpiece; sensing means able to identify the position of the active surface relative to the support assembly and thus monitor the depth to which the tool penetrates the workpiece.