# US 11,027,387 B2 · System and method for monitoring characteristics of a rotary table > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,027,387 B2 - Document ID: US11027387B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/375,819 - Filed: 2019-04-04 - Published: 2019-10-10 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-04-05 - Assignees: Nikken Kosakusho Europe Limited - Applicants: Nikken Kosakusho Europe Limited - Inventors: Rowan Robert Easter-Robinson; Nathan Ray - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11027387B2 ## CPC - B23Q 7/02: by means of drums or rotating tables or discs - B23Q 1/25: Movable or adjustable work or tool supports - B23Q 5/56: Preventing backlash - B23Q 15/013: Control or regulation of feed movement (B23Q15/12 takes precedence) - B23Q 16/025: {by converting a continuous movement into a rotary indexing movement} - G05B 19/404: characterised by control arrangements for compensation, e.g. for backlash, overshoot, tool offset, tool wear, temperature, machine construction errors, load, inertia (G05B19/19, G05B19/41 take precedence) - B23Q 2220/004: Rotary tables - B23Q: DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING (tools of the kind used in lathes or boring machines B23B27/00); MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) ## Abstract A rotary table (10a) for a milling machine, comprising sensing means (30,32) configured to measure and/or calculate a clearance between two mating components of said rotary table (10a), and transmission means configured to transmit said measured/calculated clearance to a central processing unit. The mating components of the rotary table being a worm screw and a worm wheel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A rotary table for a milling machine, comprising: a sensor configured to measure and/or calculate a clearance between two mating components of the rotary table; a transmitter configured to transmit the measured/calculated clearance to a central processing unit; and a switch mounted on a faceplate of the rotary table; wherein the mating components of the rotary table are a worm screw and a worm wheel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A The rotary table of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a first encoder coupled to the worm screw of the rotary table and a second encoder coupled to the worm wheel of the rotary table. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The rotary table of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a current sensor configured to measure the current flow through a power line into a servo motor of the rotary table. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The rotary table according to claim 1, the sensor further comprises an encoder configured to measure the position of a servo motor of the rotary table. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A milling station comprising a milling machine and the rotary table of claim 1. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) An industrial shop floor configuration comprising two or more milling stations according to claim 5. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A system for monitoring the characteristics of a rotary table comprising at least one rotary table in accordance with claim 1; and a central processor for receiving and processing data transmitted from the at least one rotary table. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system according to claim 7, wherein the monitored characteristics of the rotary table is backlash. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the central processor is a computer. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, further comprising a local server on the same site as one of the at least one rotary table, the local server being connected to the central processor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the local server comprises a transmitter and a receiver, respectively configured to transmit and receive data and information from an offsite location. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the local server comprises a user interface means. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein one or more of the at least one rotary table located on the same site as the local server is connected to the local server via a wired or wireless communication channel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, where each rotary table located on the same site as the local server is connected to the local server via a wired or wireless communication channel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, further comprising a master server located at a different site from the site of the local sever. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15 wherein the master server comprises a user interface.