Assembly machine with spatial positioning control
AssigneeAutomated Solutions, LLC
InventorsRaymond Ormachea, Robert Bailey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An assembly machine includes a support structure having a plurality of selectively moveable support members that facilitate manually manipulating a tool relative to a work piece. A controller continuously gathers position information regarding the support members to determine every position of the tool. The controller includes a teach mode that allows for storing selected tool activation positions in particular sequences for subsequent control of the tool according to necessary procedures for completing a variety of assembly processes. One example machine designed according to this invention includes selectively controlled biasing members that maintain a zero balance on the tool, provide an operator assist to moving the tool or both.
Claims20
A machine for supporting a tool, comprising:
- a base;
- a plurality of support members that are moveable relative to the base, at least one of the support members being adapted to support the tool, the support members cooperating to provide movement of the tool relative to the base along at least two axes;
- a plurality of position indicators associated with at least some of the support members, the position indicators providing position information regarding every position of the tool;
- and
- a controller that communicates with the position indicators and determines every position of the tool relative to a selected reference position.
A machine for supporting a tool, comprising:
- a base;
- a plurality of support members that are moveable relative to the base, at least one of the support members being adapted to support the tool, the support members cooperating to provide movement of the tool relative to the base along at least two axes;
- a plurality of biasing members that have a selectable biasing force, the biasing members applying a biasing force to at least some of the support members;
- and
- a controller that controls the biasing force applied by the biasing members to maintain a desired bias on the support members at a plurality of positions of the tool.
A computer readable medium containing a plurality of computer-executable instructions for controlling the use of a tool supported by a plurality of moveable support members, comprising:
- a first set of instructions directing the computer to determine a current position of the tool;
- a second set of instructions directing the computer to determine whether the current position is a desired tool activation position;
- and
- a third set of instructions directing the computer to allow activation of the tool only when the tool is in a desired activation position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.