Automated noncontact sensor positioning
AssigneeGleason Metrology Systems Corporation
InventorsParag Prakash Wagaj, Ethan James Shepherd, Michael R. Tanner, Edward J. Damron, Douglas Charles Beerck
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Abstract
A multi-axis system (30) for positioning a workpiece measuring sensor (54) on a metrology machine. Preferably, each sensor is positionable via a system comprising movement along and/or about at least linear directions/axes (X, Z, A, B) so as to control linear and/or rotational movement of a sensor automatically to a predetermined position without operator intervention. The multi-axis positioning system allows faster setup times when a workpiece or tooling on a machine is changed.
Claims11
A multi-directional positioning system for positioning a
- workpiece measuring and/or inspection non-contact sensor on a machine,
- said sensor being positionable via an automatic system comprising movement in at least one linear direction and at least one rotary direction so as to control linear and/or rotational movement of said sensor automatically to a predetermined position without operator intervention,
- said positioning system comprising a column having a first slide positioned on said column, said first slide being movable along said column in a first linear direction Z,
- said column being attached to a rotary base enabling rotary movement, RA, of said column about an axis A, with said axis A being parallel to said first linear direction Z,
- said sensor being attached to said first slide and being rotatable, RB, on said first slide about an axis B which extends perpendicular to and intersects said axis A,
- said rotary base being movable in a second linear direction X, said direction X and said direction Z being perpendicular to one another.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.