Coordinate positioning machine
AssigneeRenishaw PLC
InventorStephen Mark Angood
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A non-Cartesian coordinate positioning machine that includes an extendable leg assembly for positioning a component such as a measurement probe within a working volume of the machine. The extendable leg assembly includes a first member and a second member which move relative to one another when the extendable leg assembly changes length. The first member including an axial arrangement of magnets forming part of a linear motor for extending and retracting the extendable leg assembly, and at least one resilient member for absorbing at least some of any axial thermal expansion or contraction of the magnets in use.
Claims20
A non-Cartesian coordinate positioning machine comprising first and second platforms and a plurality of extendable leg assemblies arranged between the first and second platforms for positioning the first and second platforms relative to one other by extending and retracting the extendable leg assemblies, wherein each extendable leg assembly comprises a linear motor having an axial arrangement of magnets for extending and retracting the extendable leg assembly and at least one resilient member for absorbing at least some of any axial thermal expansion or contraction of the magnets that would otherwise affect a length associated with the extendable leg assembly.
A non-Cartesian coordinate positioning machine comprising first and second platforms and a plurality of extendable leg assemblies arranged between the first and second platforms for positioning the first and second platforms relative to one other by extending and retracting the extendable leg assemblies, wherein each extendable leg assembly comprises a metrology component for measuring a length associated with the extendable leg assembly, and wherein a surface to which the metrology component is affixed is at least partly formed from a composite material.
A non-Cartesian coordinate positioning machine comprising first and second platforms and a plurality of extendable leg assemblies arranged between the first and second platforms for positioning the first and second platforms relative to one other by extending and retracting the extendable leg assemblies, wherein each extendable leg assembly comprises a linear motor for extending and retracting the extendable leg assembly, and wherein the machine further comprises a counterbalance arrangement for supporting at least some of the weight that would otherwise be supported by operation of the linear motors of the extendable leg assemblies.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.